North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 4

History repeating

Civil War reenactors from across the country staged the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event was the 160th anniversary of North Carolina’s largest battle of the war, which saw more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops fight March 19-21, 1865.

Latest hearing in ongoing Riggs-Griffin race set for Friday

Raleigh

A panel of three judges on North Carolina’s Court of Appeals will hear arguments Friday about the stillunsettled November election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat. Last week’s announcement came the same day the court rejected a request by the election leader — incumbent Democrat Allison Riggs — to have the entire Court of Appeals consider the matter now. Republican Jefferson Griffin, who trails Riggs by 734 votes, has challenged more than 65,000 ballots. Griffin currently sits on the Court of Appeals but has recused himself from deliberations.

Two Republicans, John Tyson and Fred Gore, and Democrat Toby Hampson will hear the case.

Trump ending Secret Service protection for Biden’s adult children

Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump said Monday he was ending “immediately” the Secret Service protection details assigned to Democrat Joe Biden’s adult children, which the former president had extended to July shortly before leaving office in January.

Bill would provide victims with rape kit updates the BRIEF this week

The Republican president on social media objected to what he said were 18 agents assigned to Hunter Biden’s protective detail while in South Africa this week. He said Ashley Biden has 13 agents assigned to her detail and that she too “will be taken off the list.” Former presidents and their spouses receive lifelong Secret Service protection under federal law, but the protection afforded to their immediate families over the age of 16 ends when they leave office.

K-12

calendar change bills flood short session

Twenty-seven bills have been filed to adjust start and end dates, while four others seek to alter school board races

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Bills seeking to allow local school boards to alter the opening and closing dates of their K-12 public school districts have flooded

the General Assembly during its short session. So far, 27 such bills have been filed: 22 in the House and five in the Senate. The majority of the bills apply to

See EDUCATION, page A2

Permitless carry, other gun legislation filed in NCGA

A firearms advocacy group delivered petitions to House Speaker Destin Hall

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Multiple firearms bills have been filed across both chambers of the General Assembly this session, including two that would allow for concealed carry without a permit.

Senate Bill 50 was filed by Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson) in early February with Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) supporting the measure as one of the primary co-sponsors. Other sponsors include Sens. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) and Eddie Settle (R-Wilkes).

The bill currently sits in the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.

“The General Assembly has made incredible strides to defend the Second

See GUNS, page A8

“A victim for whom a sexual assault examination kit is submitted … shall have a right to know the current status regarding the testing of the victim’s sexual assault examination kit.”

House Bill 367

Wake County Democrat

Julie von Hafen also filed a similar bill last session

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Wake

County House Rep. Julie von Hafen has filed a bill to give more control over rape kit testing status updates to sexual assault survivors. House Bill 367, filed March 11, aims to provide victims of sexual assault with rights to information and notification regarding the testing status of sexual assault examination kits, commonly known as rape kits.

Additionally, it establishes mandatory notifications in specific circumstances: when a determination is made that the kit cannot be tested, when a decision is made not to test the kit for reasons other than inability, and when a decision is made to destroy it.

The bill requires the State Crime Lab to develop procedures for victims to exercise these rights, including methods for gathering and maintaining victim contact information and how notifications will be delivered. Victims will be responsible for ensuring the State Crime Lab has their current contact information.

If passed, the bill would

See UPDATES, page A3

“We need to join the majority of states and recognize that law-abiding citizens should be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights without getting permission from the government.”

Sens.

Danny Britt, Warren Daniel and Eddie Settle

STAN GILLILAND FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

THURSDAY

3.20.25

#481

the word | Is God on our side?

This is the second week in a four-part series on adversity.

A common mistake is that God is on one side of the question — and we on the other side persuading or cajoling Him to help us. The fact really is that God, like any good parent, is on the side of His children. Get this clear. God is always on the side of His children. He really is our Father. Our enemies are His enemies.

Speaking of the affliction of God’s people, it is said, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9). God enters into all our sorrow and suffering, into all that troubles us. He may let us suffer for our own good, but He can make us joyful in our tribulations. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience” (Romans 5:3).

I remember that in some of the most severe sufferings through which I ever passed, my soul was so full of the glory of God that I was lifted up above the sufferings. God did not take them away at the time — but He did make me able to bear them. Out of bearing them came rich blessings to my soul. When the hand of God is upon us — it is always upon us for good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). He never hinders us; He always helps us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Remember, whatever your trouble may be, God is on your side always and all the time.

One thing that sometimes stands in the way of people is the feeling that they have brought their troubles upon themselves. Certainly, we bring many troubles on ourselves; but do parents refuse to help their children out of trouble, just because they have brought it upon themselves? Sometimes trouble comes upon them as the result of something done ignorantly, with no thought of trouble resulting. Merciful parents help their children just the same, and so does God help us even if we have caused our own troubles. He is still our merciful Father. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). He may let us suffer a little while to learn to be more careful the next time, but He will help us just the same.

One of the most needed things in our tribulations is patience. We should endure with meekness and at the same time hold fast our confidence in God. We read of one of old who endured because he saw One who was invisible. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). That invisible One will be

visible — when we look with the eye of faith, and we shall see Him as our deliverer. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

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

Education Department issues reminder to colleges on protecting Jewish students

Sixty universities, including the UNC System, were reminded of their Title VI obligations

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has issued warning letters to 60 higher education institutions about Title VI violations related to antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

The letters caution the universities about potential enforcement actions if they fail to fulfill their legal obligations to protect Jewish students on campus, including ensuring uninterrupted access to facilities and educational opportunities. The measures align with President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Additional Measures to Combat Antisemitism.”

“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their

individual school districts; however, Senate Bill 103 and House Bill 121 would apply to all school districts across the state.

The bills in both chambers cover approximately 30 districts. Three districts — Chatham, Cumberland and Wake counties — have bills filed in both chambers.

During the 2023 legislative session, 11 such bills were filed.

The state’s current calendar law says schools can open “no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26” and end classes no later than “the Friday closest to June 11.” Per the calendar law, there is a minimum requirement of 185 days or 1,025 instruction hours.

Certain schools are exempt from the law, including charter schools, lab schools, regional schools and renewal school districts. Year-round schools, restart schools and cooperative innovative high schools are also exempt.

Senate Leader Phil Berg-

safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “University leaders must do better.”

“U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, left, greets Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) before President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on March 4.

Among the 60 schools named is the University of North Carolina. The press release did not specify a particular UNC campus. The UNC System provided a copy of the letter from the OCR to North State Journal.

The letter, issued by Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Graig Trainor, outlines the campus protests and antisemitic activity following the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, noting, “The previous administration

er (R-Eden) has long said he doesn’t think altering the state’s K-12 calendar law is necessary.

“I don’t think there’s a need to change it,” Berger said in 2023.

“If I thought there was a chance that changing it would improve

outcomes as far as kids are concerned, as far as school is concerned, I would certainly consider that.”

During the 2022-23 school year — multiple districts, including Charlotte-Mecklen-

failed to meet the moment.”

“That state of affairs ended on January 20, 2025,” Trainor’s letter states. “I write to remind you of your legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), and to emphasize that, under President Trump and Secretary McMahon, OCR will no longer tolerate these unlawful practices.

“The Trump Administration’s commitment to ending the scourge of antisemitism is unyielding. Schools should take all lawful and appropriate measures to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff from the predations of antisemitic antagonists, whether in the classroom, on campus, or within educational programs and activities.

“Schools that allow illegal activities and harassment that result in Jewish students losing equal access to school facilities are in violation of Title VI and will be subject to potential loss of federal funding.”

Additionally, the department’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) directed its enforcement staff to

burg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell-Statesville, Lee, Rutherford and Union — voiced issues with the calendar law.

That same school year, school districts in Cleveland, Gaston and Rutherford counties defied the law, starting school in mid-August. Union County also tried to alter its opening and closing dates but reversed that decision following the threat of legal action by parents in the district.

In June 2023, a report review by the state Board of Education showed multiple school boards disregarded the calendar law in 2022, voting to alter their start dates. Those districts included Cleveland, Gaston, Lee, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry and Yadkin.

The report noted that other districts, including Pitt, Kannapolis City Schools, Cabarrus, Iredell-Statesville, Lincoln, Mount Airy and Polk, opted for start dates other than 2022’s Aug. 28 start date.

The state’s travel and tourism industry has backed keeping the calendar law the same year af-

prioritize resolving the backlog of complaints alleging antisemitic violence and harassment. The press release notes that many complaints “were allowed to languish unresolved under the previous administration.”

UNC Chapel Hill, where pro-Palestinian protests erupted last year, already has a Title VI complaint filed against it involving antisemitism and discrimination against Jewish students. David Weisberg, a Jewish American attorney, filed the complaint. He also alleges the school breached a prior resolution reached in 2019 with OCR. The complaint was filed in 2024 and involves a string of incidents in and out of the classroom following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

The move follows the department’s investigations into five universities where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported following the terror attack on Israel. The remaining 55 universities are under investigation or monitoring in response to complaints filed with OCR.

The department recently took significant action against Columbia University, announcing the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts due to the university’s alleged continued failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination.

ter year, citing the increases in tourism revenues since it was first enacted.

In addition to bills seeking to allow districts to set their own operating dates, four bills have been filed to change the races for specific school boards from nonpartisan to partisan in Gaston, Columbus, Jackson and Pitt counties.

Currently, 56 of the state’s 115 school districts hold partisan school board races. If the four House bills pass and are enacted, the number would rise to 60, more than half the state’s districts. In 2013, 10 school boards held partisan board seat elections.

In 2024, 46% of school boards that held races that November were partisan. Republicans picked up control of seven boards, raising the tally to 38 Republican-majority boards. Democrats did not pick up control of any new boards but kept control over six they held heading into the November election: Anson, Guilford, Lenoir, Madison, Vance and Washington.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt (c. 1668) is a painting in the collection of The Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

EAMON QUEENEY / NORTH STATE JOURNAL Students make their way out of Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh after the first day of the new school year for Wake County schools, Monday, August 28, 2017.

North State Journal launches nonprofit news foundation

The new venture will offer no-cost content and imagery to community newspapers

North State Journal staff

RALEIGH — North State Journal announced the launch of North State Journal News Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting independent journalism and increasing access to fact-based news content for community newspapers across North Carolina and beyond.

“In an era where information is fragmented and public trust in the media is at alltime lows, North State Journal News Foundation will help ensure high-quality journalism

remains accessible from Murphy to Manteo,” said North State Journal founder and publisher Neal Robbins. “With the News Foundation, we can expand our reach, helping other print newspaper outlets fully inform their readers through in-depth reporting, high-quality photography and well-written features.”

North State Journal News Foundation aims to provide indepth news coverage, investigative reporting, sports coverage, photography, features and civic education resources, offering no-cost articles, graphics and photography to newspapers in North Carolina that print at least weekly, have paid circulation and have been publishing for at least one year.

“In today’s evolving media landscape, it is essential to

Bell settles in new role as rules chair

The Wayne County Republican discussed the budget, Hurricane Helene and legislation

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), now settled into his new role as the powerful House Operations and Rules chair, said taking on the new spot has “been busy.”

“I’ve gone from trying to deal with everybody’s concerns and problems to now solely focused on moving legislation and making sure that bills get vetted and they get to the right committees,” Bell said. “So, it’s different.”

Bell took over as the rules chair earlier this year and was sworn in by his predecessor, House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls). Bell also now occupies Hall’s former office in the legislative building.

“I was really popular at the beginning of the session when I was involved in making sure people got the right committees and actually got a committee, seating assignments and offices and all that administrative stuff they wanted,” said Bell with a laugh. “And now they’re starting to get mad at me when I don’t move their bills. So, I mean, it’s a give and take.”

Bell is in his seventh term in the House and is the state’s longest-serving majority leader, having served in that role since 2016.

Bell said he’s been “very blessed with an outstanding team,” and they are learning and working through things.

UDPATES from page A1

take effect on Oct. 1 and apply to all sexual assault examination kits, regardless of when they were submitted.

Currently, local district attorneys and law enforcement typically coordinate to notify individuals about their kits, but rape survivors can track the progress on their own through the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Tracking and Information Management System web portal using their kit’s tracking or serial number.

While von Hafen’s bill deals mainly with the State Crime Lab notifying the victims of certain changes in their kit status, a law already exists that grants victims the right to view the status of their kits. In 2017, Session Law 201870 (H945) directed the heads of the State Crime Lab and the Department of Public Safety to develop a tracking system. That law had a provision to give victims access to view the status of their kit.

This is not the first time

have a dedicated organization committed to sustaining independent journalism,” said Dan Forest, former North Carolina lieutenant governor and partner with NC Capitol Strategies, which will lead the launch and fundraising campaign. “North State Journal News Foundation is the ideal mechanism to bring our whole state into the conversation.”

North State Journal, launched in 2016 as a weekly statewide newspaper serving North Carolina, has won several newspaper-wide and individual awards from the North Carolina Press Association, and has grown to include seven weekly community papers in Chatham, Duplin, Forsyth, Hoke, Moore, Randolph and Stanly counties.

North State Journal News Foundation will seek to part-

ner with other media outlets, journalists and photographers to broaden the news service’s offerings.

Nonprofit news outlets have become a way to expand and offer coverage of local news as newspapers have struggled with drops in advertising and circulation in the internet age.

During the 2024 election, The Associated Press partnered with regional nonprofits to boost coverage across the country. That came a year after Press Forward, a nonprofit journalism initiative, committed $500 million over five years to help local news outlets.

“The nonprofit status will add an additional opportunity for businesses, foundations and individuals to support local coverage,” Robbins said of the new foundation. “Reader feedback across North Carolina shows newspapers with compelling content are continuing to thrive, so we want to help all newspapers to have access to content readers want.”

“In an era where information is fragmented and public trust in the media is at all-time lows, North State Journal News Foundation will help ensure highquality journalism remains accessible from Murphy to Manteo.”

Neal Robbins, North State Journal founder and publisher

And Bell has been busy. On March 11, the same day Bell sat down with North State Journal, House Bill 375 — which would prohibit the creation and distribution of deceptive deepfakes in political campaigns without proper disclosure, especially within 90 days of an election — was filed.

Bell had earlier in the day expressed interest in using artificial intelligence in committee meeting processes.

“We should be able to use AI to be able to have it automatically done as soon as the committee meetings are with posted up there for the general public to see,” Bell said of using AI to produce committee meeting notes and transcripts.

House Bill 375 has several reporting requirements as well as misdemeanor and felony penalties for compliance failures. The bill’s primary sponsor is Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan).

Bell also knows there are hurdles on the horizon, particularly vetoes from new Gov. Josh Stein on more politically divisive legislation. Stein’s predecessor, Roy Cooper, vetoed more than 100 bills during his eight years in the Executive Mansion.

“Well, I am sure those bills are on the way,” Bell said.

“So far, Gov. Stein has been very open to communication and discussion,” Bell added. “I’ve talked with Gov. Stein more than I talked with Gov. Cooper in eight years already.”

Bell said relief and recovery items related to Hurricane Helene will be a priority in impending budget negotiations with the Senate.

“There will be stuff that both

chambers want from a prioritization standpoint,” Bell said of the budget. “There’s not going to be a huge amount of money to throw around, just go around on special projects and big projects.

“But I think a continuation of what we’ve done in the past and then the big focus of the western North Carolina. And fixing the disastrous program known as NCORR to be able to finish out eastern North Carolina from Hurricane Matthew Florence all these years later.”

NCORR, the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, was created by Cooper after Hurricane Florence in 2018.

NCORR has been the subject of multiple legislative oversight hearings in recent years for its failure to get victims of past hurricanes back into a home, including some who have been waiting more than eight years after Hurricane Matthew hit the state in 2016.

After being grilled by lawmakers in November 2024, it was announced NCORR chief Laura Hogshead was no longer employed with the agency. Pry-

von Hafen has filed such a bill. During the 2023-24 legislative session, House Bill 703 was filed, and it contained similar language. Senate Bill 509, with the same intent, was filed that same session in that chamber. The status of rape kit testing in North Carolina has been an ongoing issue.

Then-Attorney General Roy Cooper claimed during his 2016 gubernatorial campaign that “there is no backlog.”

In May 2017, when Gov. Josh Stein was attorney general, he told media outlet ABC 11 that he had cut the state crime lab backlog, which included rape kits, from 52,000 to 9,000.

An online jobs portal for reporters, editors and photographers who are interested in being involved with North State Journal News Foundation is available at northstatejournal. org/jobs.

“I’ve talked with Gov. Stein more than I talked with Gov. Cooper in eight years already.”

Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne)

or Gibson, Cooper’s legislative counsel the former governor had tasked with getting NCORR back on track, took over for Hogshead.

Stein has discarded NCORR and created his own recovery agency, the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC). The new agency has already drawn skepticism from Republican lawmakers.

One bill Bell has a vested interest in House Bill 133, which aims to protect farmland and land around military installations from purchase by adversarial foreign nations.

“For me, protecting Seymour Johnson is always front of mind,” said Bell, calling the bill for which he’s primary sponsor a continuation of past efforts of

Cooper had promised to clear the rape kit backlog in 2003, yet before legislation enacted by the General Assembly to track and test kits, North Carolina led the nation in untested rape kits with 15,160.

In June 2017, Session Law 2017-57 required the NCDOJ to conduct an inventory of the kits. By the end of 2019, the agency had found “over 16,000” untested kits, although the number may have been higher since a 2018 NCDOJ report on the inventory process showed 46 agencies did not respond to requests for kit numbers.

Stein, then the attorney general, was given legislative approval in 2018 to start tracking the kits, and the NCDOJ later launched a live dashboard to show the status of each kit under the NCDOJ’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

In September 2019, the legislature enacted the Survivor Act to clear the backlog, which included $6 million to be spent over two years to test kits collected before January 2018. The act also required all submitted kits to be tested in order to be eligible to enter results into the

“The foundation will invigorate local newspapers with content that readers actually want,” said Robbins. “I am thrilled to be working with Dan, Anna Scott and the rest of our great team on this project.”

dealing with issues of wind turbines interfering with military flight paths and training routes.

“We’ve seen throughout the country adversarial countries trying to purchase land around military operations,” he said, “and so far, North Carolina has done a good job of trying to prevent that from happening.”

“We just want to make sure that we prevent it from happening, especially when you have the largest Army base in the country, one the largest marine bases in the country and the major Air Force installations. You’ve also got the Navy coming in with Cherry Point with operations there and then other new things; the F-35 is coming in there. And also you’ve got the Dare County bombing ranges, the premier training facility on the Eastern Seaboard. We have to protect those assets.”

Another bill supported by Bell that relates to Hurricane Helene relief is House Bill 251, which would prohibit political discrimination in disaster aid.

“Unfortunately, that happened in western North Carolina,” said Bell. “And it’s been very well documented about assistance denied to people or people passed over because they had a Trump sign in the yard. … I mean, that was actually brought out on national news.”

Bell said political affiliation should never be a factor in disaster response, and the first thing any aid agency should do is “try to help as many people as possible” and “not check their political registration or who they’re voting for for president.”

Following Hurricane Helene, a now-former FEMA worker leaked a text from a supervisor that told her and her colleagues to avoid engaging victims whose homes had Donald Trump political signs in their yards. Diane Criswell, who headed up FEMA, resigned on Jan. 20, just ahead of Trump taking office.

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Additionally, the act requires law enforcement to be notified within 24 hours of a kit collection, and in turn, that law enforcement agency then has 45 days to investigate before it must submit the kit for testing. The rape kit backlog became an issue for Stein during his 2020 reelection bid against Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill, and in April 2024, during Stein’s run for governor, he announced the backlog had been cleared. Stein’s gubernatorial opponent, Lt. Gov. Mark Robisnon, again raised the issue during last year’s campaign. When Stein announced clearance of the backlog, the tracking dashboard showed that 11,841 out of 16,221 kits had been tested or were in the process of being tested, as well as 1,405 kits that remained untested due to being labeled “unreported or anonymous.” The dashboard on March 12 showed little change over 2024, with 16,298 kits collected and 11,738 kits submitted for testing. The dashboard also listed 2,785 k its that had a hit in the FBI’s CODIS.

A.P. DILLON / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

State Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne) took over as chair of the House Operations and Rules Committee.

GERRY BROOME / AP PHOTO

A new bill would give victims of sexual assault updates on the status of their rape kits.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Defining ‘nongovernment organizations’ (NGOs)

Biden should have just written a $2 billion check and asked Amazon to deliver 4 million new appliances from its existing inventory.

IF SOMETHING is a “nongovernment organization,” wouldn’t any sentient person assume it has nothing to do with “government” in any way, shape, fashion or form?

A lemonade stand is a “nongovernment organization” ― unless, of course, Little Johnny is receiving $100 million in government funds from USAID. Any number of wonderful charities can be considered true “nongovernment” entities since they are funded by private donations without any federal or state government assistance, such as Rotary Club International.

The second any organization takes $1 from a federal, state or local government ― funded by general taxpayers ― they cease being fully private. They then transform into some form of a “government-sponsored enterprise” (GSE), yet another acronym produced by wonderful government wordsmithing.

“Nongovernment” means the things an organization can do to help people is not something our government should be doing in the first place. Otherwise, it should be called a “government program,” and Congress should have full oversight authority over every dollar spent each year.

Democrats are masters at using the English language to their advantage politically.

Support for abortion becomes “pro-choice” to capitalize on the American predilection for “freedom” and individual decision making.

“Baseline budgeting” becomes a tool used by people who want more government to make any smaller increase in federal spending than what they want to sound like a “draconian” cut.

(They never are.)

Masterful twisting of the English language manifests itself in the clever but oddly negative connotation of the phrase “nonessential workers” that government uses when it sends workers home in case of severe snowstorms.

“If most federal workers are ‘nonessential,’” as former Congressman Alex McMillan used to wonder out loud in House Budget Committee hearings, “why do we need them in the first place?”

The way liberals twist the English language has produced a multibillion industry where the U.S. taxpayer dutifully pays their taxes to Washington, which then takes their hardearned money and sends it to an agency such as USAID (U.S. Agency for International Assistance) as a federal appropriation, ostensibly for altruistic purposes such as providing clean water and medical supplies for innocent people in war-torn Sudan.

Once the money hits a USAID office anywhere in the world, some may get used for its stated intended “charitable” purpose. However, much of it gets disbursed to any number of fancy-sounding NGOs headed by former Democratic officials from the Obama and Biden administrations, as well as staff from Capitol Hill offices such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

And then hardly anyone can explain where the money has gone.

NGOs have become a Kafkaesque version of what government should look like. They have become cesspools of perfidy and corruption.

Before President Bill Clinton came on the scene in 1993, hardly any entity was designated as an NGO. In his efforts to reform government, he slashed the number of direct federal employees by more than 180,000 to just under 2 million FTEs (full-time equivalent) in total. The number of “official” federal employees has stayed roughly the same ever since.

However, the number of contractors outside of government and people employed by NGOs has exploded to more than 9 million by some estimates.

These are private employees paid by defense

contractors and NGOs, all supported by your federal taxes plus whatever is raised through repeated borrowings, which add to our national debt.

Stacey Abrams says the Biden administration allocated $2 billion to her NGO, which was intended to buy new energyefficient appliances for poor people, thereby solving climate change and poverty at the same time.

Biden should have just written a $2 billion check and asked Amazon to deliver 4 million new appliances from its existing inventory around the country to needy families. They would have been delivered that afternoon or the next day.

Raise your hand if you really believe Abrams’ NGO is even capable of delivering 4 million new kitchen appliances to 4 million homes below the poverty level in the next 12 months, five years or even 10 years from now. She has no track record of ever having done anything like this in her work history.

Without federal taxpayer money flowing through federal agencies such as USAID, most NGOs would cease to exist. Private foundations set up by wealthy people, such as the Ford Foundation and every philanthropy in the George Soros/Arabella Advisors network, could fill the void. At that moment, everyone will be able to see which organizations are in it to really help people in distress and which are in it solely for political gain and profit.

Nongovernment organizations should stay away from acting in a government-like capacity. Shut them down.

The Mahmoud Khalil case is not about ‘free speech’

The Department of Homeland Security claims that on U.S. soil, Khalil “led activities aligned to Hamas.”

EARLIER THIS MONTH, former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Khalil, a Syrian-born man whose parents are Palestinian, was one of the leaders of the antisemitic protests and eventual occupation of the grounds of the university in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist massacre of Israeli civilians.

Though he has a student visa and a green card, the Department of Homeland Security claims that on U.S. soil, Khalil “led activities aligned to Hamas,” which the United States classifies as a terrorist organization.

His lawyers, anti-Israel Democrats, activist groups and, of course, the mainstream media have decried Khalil’s arrest and detainment as “unlawful.”

They’ve declared it a “violation” of First Amendment rights to protest the IsraelHamas war, which was instigated by Hamas after the 2023 terrorist attack where more than 1,200 Israelis, including infants and the elderly, were brutalized and murdered.

The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, doesn’t see it that way.

When asked by reporters last week about Khalil’s arrest and possible deportation, Rubio explained the rationale behind it.

“This is not about free speech. This is about people that don’t have a right to be in the United States to begin with. No one has a right

to a student visa. No one has a right to a green card, by the way,” Rubio said.

“So when you apply for a student visa or any visa to enter the United States, we have a right to deny you for virtually any reason, but I think being a supporter of Hamas and coming into our universities and turning them upside down and being complicit in what are clearly crimes of vandalization, complicit in shutting down learning institutions — there are kids at these schools that can’t go to class,” he also said.

“You pay all this money to these highpriced schools that are supposed to be of great esteem, and you can’t even go to class, you’re afraid to go to class because these lunatics are running around with covers on their face, screaming terrifying things. If you told us that’s what you intended to do when you came to America, we would have never let you in. And if you do it once you get in, we’re going to revoke it and kick you out,” he concluded.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) put it another way when he was asked about the case in an interview.

“Mr. Khalil will receive due process because by now his lawyer has already filed a writ of habeas corpus. Mr. Khalil was involved in the protests. He was a Columbia student under the Immigration and Naturalization Act,” Kennedy noted.

“If you support a terrorist organization, you can be deported. Hamas is a terrorist

organization. Mr. Khalil’s side of the story, I understand to be that ‘I don’t support Hamas, I just support Palestinians. All I did was post some Facebook posts. I wasn’t involved in any of the illegal protests or the illegal occupation of student buildings or physically intimidating the Jewish people and Jewish students.’ We’ll find out who’s right,” Kennedy observed.

“The Immigration and Naturalization Act, though, is fairly broad. And if the administration can show acts directly and probably indirectly supporting Hamas, they’ll deport him. And he should be deported if that’s what’s shown in court,” Kennedy also stated.

In other words, Khalil will have his day in court. But the case against him, as described by Rubio and others, is pretty strong, and if I were a leftist, I’m not so sure that I’d make this case my free speech hill to die on.

Just sayin’.

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

North Carolina’s historic rejection of Democrats

Individual tax rates were as high as 7.75% and are now under 5% and on track to go under 4%.

ON ELECTION DAY in 2016, Democrats held an advantage of 645,000 registered voters over Republicans in North Carolina.

That gap had closed to under 35,000 by the time of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration and continues to shrink. The political party that ran this state for over a century will soon be dethroned in a historic rejection of their leaders and policies.

Whether it’s the economy, public safety or education, Democrats have failed to lead and failed to implement policies to help North Carolina families. By contrast, Republicans have focused on delivering a family-first agenda to make our state a better place to live, work and retire.

The most impactful tax reform in North Carolina history began in 2013. Under Republican leadership, our state became a pioneer in tax reform, reducing the burden on families and small businesses. Individual tax rates were as high as 7.75% and are now under 5% and on track to go under 4%. Republicans showed political courage and belief in conservative values in order to make life better for families in our state. Corporate tax rates also went from the highest in the Southeast to the lowest.

Not only have Republicans made life better for families, but we have also invested billions of dollars in our rainy-day fund. Democrats in 2010 left a mess for Republicans to clean up: high taxes, sputtering economic growth and billions of dollars in debt to the federal government.

Once Republicans paid back this debt, leaders in the General Assembly courageously set aside funds to ensure we would never find ourselves in the same situation. Today, funds from these accounts are able to be deployed to help western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene.

Given these positive moves to improve North Carolina’s economy, it’s no surprise that others have taken notice. North Carolina’s tax reform is a gold standard among other states that have followed our lead. North Carolina has consistently been rated a top state for business by CNBC. Make no mistake: Without Republicans crafting state policy, we would not be as prosperous as we are today. The GOP continues to dominate legislative elections because the people of our state trust Republican policies.

Protecting communities and the public from threats is one of the first duties of government. As we have seen in our current political climate,

EDITORIAL | BRADFORD MULLER

one party stands for the rule of law and the other stands for sanctuary cities and criminals. Cities such as Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville and Raleigh have all set records in recent years for murders and violent crime while proudly proclaiming their sanctuary city status. These policies are opposed by a majority of North Carolinians. That’s why the passage of legislation to require sheriffs to work with ICE and stiffening penalties for riots is critical to upholding the rule of law. The families of our state deserve to live and thrive in safe cities and towns.

Finally, North Carolinians are rejecting Democrats’ empty rhetoric in education. Democratic leaders for generations have talked about improving education, but their actions only made our public schools worse.

When Republicans took over the General Assembly in 2011, improving education outcomes was the guiding principle. Meaningful changes have been implemented such as performance increases, Science of Reading skills and over $1 billion in additional funding. The last time Democrats controlled the state legislature, teachers were furloughed and education funds were cut in order to pay for Democrats’ wasteful spending. Most importantly, however, was a recognition that public schools were not the only way we can educate our children.

North Carolina’s embrace of school choice has given thousands of families the freedom to choose an education plan that works best for them. In the most recent legislative session, the popular Opportunity Scholarship program was expanded to include all of North Carolina’s families. When we give students and families more options, we open our education system to innovation and create a dynamic market for talent and workforce development.

The policy differences between Republicans and Democrats are clear. At the ballot box, North Carolina families are choosing Republicans and rejecting Democrats. Today, there are more elected Republicans in every level of government than ever before. As the Golden Age under President Trump’s common-sense leadership makes our country great again, North Carolina’s success is evidence that good policy does indeed make good politics.

Jason Simmons is North Carolina Republican Party chairman.

‘Net Zero’ by 2050: A fantasy we can’t afford

Duke is on a path to an entirely self-inflicted energy scarcity crisis.

MANY NORTH CAROLINIANS have experienced record-high electricity bills this winter. While Duke Energy blames unusually cold temperatures for temporarily higher bills, what is not widely publicized is how high your monthly energy bill will skyrocket yearround as Duke implements its misguided plan to eliminate all fossil fuels from electricity generation.

In 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 951, which calls for Duke Energy to achieve “net zero” carbon emissions from its electricity generation sources by 2050. Duke has used the law as an excuse to prematurely retire some of the cleanest coal plants in the country, with plans to replace them with unreliable, habitat-destroying solar farms and windmills that will cost tens of billions of dollars.

Last November, the North Carolina Utilities Commission quietly signed off on Duke Energy’s Carbon Plan. The commission issued Duke a blank check in its pursuit of “net zero,” which will include closing all those coal plants that help keep North Carolina electricity costs low and reliability high.

In a June 2021 Charlotte Business Journal article, Duke Energy stated that its “performance-based ratemaking measures … (will limit customer) bill impacts to an estimated $3.50 more per month by 2030 for residential customers.”

However, in January 2024, the Public Staff, the state’s consumer advocate, estimated those residential bill impacts to be $80 more per month by 2038, not even accounting for all transmission and distribution costs, let alone other capital spending unrelated to the Carbon Plan. Hardly seems “least cost” to me. Renewable energy grifters insist that solar and wind are cheap power sources. But that’s only because of generous federal subsidies, which can offset as much as 50% to 80% of the up-front costs for renewables. Meanwhile, your electric rates are set to skyrocket because these intermittent resources require fossil fuel backup for when it’s cloudy or dark or the wind is not blowing. So you pay twice, as a ratepayer and a taxpayer, while solar and wind developers get rich.

And what about reliability?

Duke intends to retire its remaining 8,000 MW of coalfired units by 2036 and replace that baseload generation with just 5,620 MW of new gas-fired generation by 2031 and 600 MW of advanced nuclear generation. Baseload means that, unlike wind and solar, power is available on demand, capable of running 24/7.

To make up the shortfall and meet rising demand for power, particularly for data centers and large manufacturers, Duke plans to add 10,300 MW of unreliable solar, onshore and offshore wind, and 1,100 MW of unproven battery technology (which is storage, not generation), all of which will require hundreds of miles of new transmission lines, substations and transformers to take the energy from farflung rural areas to where the power is needed.

Duke is on a path to an entirely self-inflicted energy scarcity crisis. In executing the war on fossil fuels, Duke is prematurely retiring perfectly functional coal plants, while the effort to deploy costly renewable substitutes is failing to keep up with soaring demand for electricity.

To fix this, the legislature recently fasttracked Senate Bill 261, which removes the interim target for achieving a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 because it is unrealistic, too costly and would pose a threat to the reliability of the electric grid. But this will not slow Duke down in its pursuit of renewables that are highly profitable for them but cause electricity rates to go up.

Previous Duke projections suggested the company would need to spend over $200 billion overbuilding its generation assets to achieve “net zero” by 2050. There is no telling how much higher that number will climb when all is said and done. Gone are the days when North Carolina’s homegrown electric utility focused exclusively on keeping the lights on; no, they know all too well that the more they build — and the more they spend building and over-building their generation and transmission system — the more they and their shareholders earn.

Voters are beginning to wake up to the con. A recent YouGov survey found that getting to “net zero” as quickly as possible does not resonate with the working class, who are more likely to say keeping consumer costs low (66%) and increasing jobs and economic growth (60%) are far more important than mitigating “climate change.”

Emissions cuts in North Carolina will have no impact on global temperatures but will have huge impacts on affordability and reliability of electricity for families and businesses. Duke ought to prioritize meeting ever-increasing demand and keeping our electricity costs as low as possible over a misguided, ruinous energy transition.

Bradford Muller is vice president of corporate communications at Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, a 124-year-old manufacturer based in Charlotte.

Republicans are searching for ways to “pay for” their tax cuts. Democrats want the rich to pay more tax. Here’s a solution that should make everyone happy.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith is suggesting a tax on the $840 billion in college endowments. These endowments will soon eclipse $1 trillion in size — more money than the entire GDP of many countries.

It’s high time that bloated and entitled universities pay their fair share for the government services they use. Why not? Their professors forever lecture us about tax “fairness,” but the schools where they teach a few hours a week for their munificent salaries are the very embodiment of mostly white “privilege.” They are the richest institutions in the world that go untaxed.

The cost of this leakage to the tax base is going to grow exponentially as this generation of billionaires (Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and others) passes on trillions of dollars; much of it will enter into the vaults of the universities. These are capital gains that have never been taxed — and never will be.

Why is this a problem?

A good and just tax system has a broad base, so everyone pays — but a low rate so the tax system doesn’t discourage work, saving and investment. This means no loopholes and carveouts that allow the rich to keep their fortunes out of reach of the tax man.

What makes the college endowment scam even worse is that the preponderance of the dollars doesn’t go to small colleges or community colleges but rather to the Harvards, Yales, Stanfords and Princetons, which are already layered with gold and service the elite of society. It makes no sense that millionaires and billionaires can make seven-, eightand even nine-figure donations to their alma maters and these funds escape the taxes that all the rest of us pay.

It’s even worse than that. Colleges pay almost no income taxes and generally avoid paying property taxes even though their vast tracts of valuable land are often in or near struggling inner cities. The universities openly boast to their donor base: Contribute to us and you can avoid paying the estate tax and capital gains tax on your billions. Why aren’t liberals offended by this tax escape hatch?

I have no problem with a deduction for legitimate charities like soup kitchens, homeless shelters and orphanages. But Northwestern and Stanford need tax breaks? Has anyone been to their glitzy campuses?

There are at least a dozen schools bulging with $10 billion endowments and scores more with more than $1 billion each. We should call these schools Loophole U.

What public purpose is advanced by these storehouses of wealth?

Harvard’s $50 billion-plus endowment is so large that the school could charge free tuition to every student from now until kingdom come — and still not run out of money. Yet Harvard still charges nearly $100,000 a year for tuition and room and board. But this is the real sin of this unworthy tax loophole. Even with these giant endowments, college tuitions have been rising at two to three times the rate of inflation. The argument that tax-free donations make colleges more affordable has proven to be patently false. The bigger the endowment, the more the schools charge students and their parents — and taxpayers.

Richard Vedder, a widely respected economist at Ohio University, notes that one of the most regressive tax policies is subsidies to billion-dollar universities. It only makes the rich richer.

In a famous scene in the movie “Animal House,” Dean Wormer lectures to one of the students who is facing expulsion: “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”

Ironically, that could describe more than 100 overly endowed universities today that are more like investment houses that happen to have classrooms and students roaming around. Colleges need to pay their fair share, and the revenues should be used to help pay for the Trump tax cuts — which benefit everyone. That sounds fair to me.

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. His new book, coauthored with Arthur Laffer, is “The Trump Economic Miracle.”

Murphy to Manteo

Recruits ‘March’ in

EAST

Severe storms rip through WNC as families still struggle post-Helene

Transylvania County Between March 15-16, western North Carolina experienced severe weather, including heavy rain, gusty winds and tornadoes. On Sunday in Transylvania County, a downed tree struck a home, resulting in the deaths of two children. The storms caused widespread disruptions across the reg ion. Duke Energy reported that more than 50,000 customers in the Carolinas were without power, with Transylvania Crews worked diligently through the weekend to restore electricity amid hazardous conditions. Emergency services and local authorities continue to investigate damage in the area. Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the storm’s damage across the reg ion, and crews continue work to clear debris and restore power to WLOS

investigation and DNA analysis, police belonged to Burris. WBTV Mount Airy doctor convicted for defrauding Medicaid Surr y County A doctor will spend more than two years behind bars and owe millions in restitution after an uncovered money laundering and health care fraud scheme. According to a press release from the Middle District of North Carolina, Wendell Lewis Randall, 72, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution after pleading guilt y to health care fraud and money laundering. This sentence will run consecutively with an 18-month sentence Randall is currently serving for a conviction out of Virginia. WGHP

Organ recipient announces scholarship in honor of teen donor Randolph County A Randolph County teen organ donor killed in a shooting has inspired one of his organ recipients to honor his gift. Pedro Or tiz-Perez, 16, was shot on May 3, 2024, at North Asheboro hospital, he was declared brain-dead 11 days later. Family, friends and honor walk at UNC Hospital before he became an organ donor, saving eight lives. Or tizPerez was a sophomore and soccer player at Southwestern Randolph High School. Just days before the shooting, Or tiz-Perez obtained his driver’s license and decided to become an organ donor. In Or tiz-Perez’s honor, lung transplant recipient Barry Wiener announced a $1,000 annual soccer scholarship for a Southwestern Randolph High School player. Meanwhile, police arrested a 16-yearold suspect in connection with the shooting. Authorities said Or tiz-Perez was not the intended target.

WGHP

Former Lenior EMS director named to ECU post Lenior County A Lenoir County department head who was reassigned last fall is no longer with the county. Murry Stroud left his job with Lenoir County on Feb. 21, according to a spokesperson. Stroud had been emergency services director from December 2021 until this past October. He was reassigned to EMS operations manager and took a $10,000 a year pay cut. ECU Health says Stroud is now the manager of emergency management at ECU Health Medical Center.

WITN

Girl, 13, dies in ATV crash Harnet t County A teenage girl died after an ATV crash in Harnett County on Sunday night, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. According to the NCSHP, the crash happened on N.C. 24 east of Dove Road when a side-by-side ATV with four occupants hit a hole on the shoulder of the road and overturned One of the passengers, a 13-year-old girl, died in the crash, and the others The crash rema ins under investigation.

Dreamville announces Wake County The popular music festival Dreamville is returning to Raleigh in April,

website, fans can expect performances from artists like 21 Savage, GloRilla, Ludacris, Ari Lennox, Ab- Soul, Keyshia Cole, Wale and more. Lil Wayne is expected to headline along with the Hot Boys, the Big Tymers and other major performances on Saturday, with J. Cole, the Fayetteville artist who founded the festival, headlining on Sunday after Grammy Award-winning artist Erykah Badu and award-winning African artist Tems. The festival will take place at Dorothea Dix Park near downtown Raleigh on April 5-6. The festival economy, generating approximately $145.9 million in 2024. While the the festival after 2025 have not been publicly detailed, organizers have expressed a desire to provide fans with NSJ

“When

NATION & WORLD

Stein seeks more Helene aid, help for families in legislative address

The new governor made his first State of the State address last week

By Gary D. Robertson

The Associated Press

RALEIGH — New North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein gave his first address to a joint General Assembly session last Wednesday, hitting on familiar campaign and early-term themes of helping Hurricane Helene victims, making living expenses affordable and focusing on bipartisan accomplishments.

Stein delivered the biennial State of the State message with a call to legislators to work with him and avoid partisan animosity that he says is now in Washington, D.C.

“We do not need to be pulled into those political games,” Stein said from the House floor near the close of his 42-minute speech, which was televised statewide. “We can create something better, something forward-looking right here in North Carolina, and we can do it together.”

Stein, the attorney general for the past eight years, was elected governor in November by defeating then-Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson — continuing a trend of Democratic dominance at the Executive Mansion. Republicans have controlled the General Assembly since 2011, but now they are one seat shy of holding a veto-proof majority.

Stein’s speech emphasized finding areas where he and Republicans can agree.

Stein kept Helene recovery a top priority, as it has been since before he was sworn in on Jan. 1. He has made several visits to the mountains, where last fall’s historic flooding led to more than 100 deaths and close to $60 billion in damages and recovery needs. Stein highlighted repairs so far but also outstanding needs.

The governor asked lawmak-

GUNS from page A1 Amendment rights of North Carolinians,” Britt, Daniel and Settle said in a joint statement after filing the bill.

“There is still more we can do though,” the senators said. “We need to join the majority of states and recognize that law-abiding citizens should be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights without getting permission from the government.”

Senate Bill 50 would allow for permitless concealed carry for U.S. citizens 18 years and older but prohibit concealed carry in certain locations such as legislative buildings, areas prohibited by federal law, law enforcement facilities and private premises with posted notices.

Additionally, the bill would amend the statutes governing firearms on education property by creating exemptions for employees living on such property. The requirement for these employees to have concealed carry permits is replaced with language that simply allows them to have handguns on their residence premises or in locked compartments within their locked vehicles.

The bill maintains concealed handgun permit reciprocity with other states and requires a concealed carry holder to provide ID to law enforcement when approached or engaged by an officer.

Senate Bill 50 has very similar language to House Bill 5, which was introduced by Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort).

The main difference between the two bills is that House Bill 5 creates exemptions for elect-

ers to quickly send him a bill for additional Helene relief that he says he will be ready to sign — even though competing measures written by House and Senate Republicans would provide roughly half of the nearly $1.1 billion that he requested last month.

House Speaker Destin Hall said last week there are differences to negotiate with the Senate over aid for agricultural losses and whether the package should include funds for delayed housing reconstruction in eastern North Carolina from past hurricanes. The final package should also include money to help rebuild infrastructure that helps small businesses.

Stein and legislators anticipate even more Helene spending later this year.

“People need to get back in their homes. Roads and bridges need to be fixed. Businesses need to keep their doors open and their employees hired,” Stein told lawmakers. “We need that money now. Heck, we needed it yesterday.”

The whirlwind of activity originating from President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress served as a backdrop for some of Stein’s speech.

While a frequent critic of Trump, Stein pointed out how he was working with the president, his Cabinet and the state’s congressional delegation to locate billions in additional dollars for Helene assistance.

The governor also urged Republicans to join him in protecting Medicaid from any potential cuts by Congress, pointing out that the two parties joined together in passing a 2023 state law expanding Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of adults.

Stein’s next big reveal likely will be his state government spending proposal for the two years beginning July 1.

Stein’s proposal will reflect a new forecast that warns tax cuts on the books and taking effect soon could lower overall state revenues by $825 million from the next fiscal year to the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Stein said last Wednesday the state can’t locate all the funds to help residents with affordable housing and child care or middle-class tax cuts that he seeks if planned corporate tax cuts and individual tax cuts for the highest wage earners occur.

“So what is it going to be?” Stein asked. “Are we going to give money to out-of-state

ed officials and appointees to elected offices.

House Bill 5 also seeks to protect sporting ranges from noise nuisance complaints. Under the bill, if any law enforcement training range that has operated for at least 25 years in one location moves to a new location in the same county, a local government cannot prohibit nighttime operations for training purposes.

Grass Roots North Carolina (GRNC), the state’s largest firearms advocacy group, delivered boxes of petitions to urge Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) to advance House Bill 5 to a floor vote. GRNC’s President Paul Valone told North State Journal his group supports the bill and for removing “the need for governmental permission to exercise a basic Constitutional right.”

Upon receipt of the petitions, Hall told Valone and other GRNC supporters in attendance that he does not have a concealed carry permit, adding, “I refuse to get one because I don’t think you should have to have one.”

Senate Bill 50 and House Bill 5 are the latest firearm law reforms since Senate Bill 41, enacted in 2023, repealed the pistol permit purchase system. The move was backed by the N.C. Sheriff’s Association, which called the system “duplicative.” Former Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 41, but the legislature overrode it.

This session, Rep. Julie von Hafen (D-Wake) filed a bill to reenact the pistol purchase permit system. House Bill 366 would also require a permit to buy a long gun. In the same vein as the per-

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, top left; Speaker of the House Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls), top center; and Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden), top right; listen as North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, bottom, delivers the State of the State address at the Legislative Building last Wednesday in Raleigh.

shareholders or invest in North Carolina families? We cannot afford to do both.”

Republicans, who will pass their own budget legislation and present it to Stein, have downplayed the forecast shortfall, saying previous income-tax reductions have boosted the state’s economy and fiscal picture overall.

The Republican response to Stein’s address came from Hall, who succeeded now-U.S. Rep. Tim Moore after his 10 years as speaker.

Hall said that on Helene recovery, he and Stein “recognize the long road ahead and the need for us all to rise to the moment, setting aside petty partisanship for the sake of our neighbors.”

But Hall made plain the GOP had no plans to diverge from its agenda of the past 14 years. That has included cutting taxes and regulations, supporting federal immigration laws and police, and offering the Ppportunity Scholarship program to families of K-12 students attending private schools.

“We’ve cracked the code on how to deliver common-sense policies that fuel growth and protect our communities,” Hall said.

mitless carry bills, House Bill 193 seeks to allow concealed carry on private property by anyone with a concealed carry permit or by anyone exempt from such a permit. The bill would apply if the property has no signage designating the prohibition of a concealed weapon.

Senate Bill 280 is similar to House Bill 193 in that it would allow certain employees and volunteers at private schools to carry firearms or stun guns on school property if they meet specific requirements, such as training and permits.

Additionally, Senate Bill 280 would permit individuals to carry concealed handguns at locations that serve as both a school and a place of religious worship while attending religious services or functions. Another bill filed in the House aims to stop firearms purchases from being tracked by credit card companies.

House Bill 38, filed by Rep. A. Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham), would block credit card companies from using “firearms codes” to tag and track firearm purchases. It would also bar credit card companies from discriminating against firearms purchasers and vendors. A civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation is included in the bill.

Finally, House Bill 350, filed by Rep. Tracy Clark (D-Guilford), would make it a Class I felony to fail to report the loss or theft of a firearm to the State Bureau of Investigation within 24 hours of discovering the loss or theft.

All of the House bills have been referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operations.

DOJ, FBI announce task force to target Hamas Washington, D.C.

The Justice Department on Monday announced the creation of a task force to investigate Hamas for its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, as well as potential civil rights violations and acts of antisemitism by anyone supporting the militant group. Agents and prosecutors participating in Joint Task Force October 7, or JTF 10-7, will investigate and look to bring charges against Hamas militants directly responsible for the rampage in southern Israel, the department said. The attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and Hamas took 251 hostages. It touched off an Israeli counteroffensive that has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and killed tens of thousands over the last 17 months.

NASA’s stuck astronauts head home

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA’s two stuck astronauts headed back to Earth with SpaceX on Tuesday to close out a dramatic marathon mission that began with a bungled Boeing test flight more than nine months ago. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams bid farewell to the International Space Station — their home since last spring — departing aboard a SpaceX capsule alongside two other astronauts. The capsule undocked in the wee hours and was expected to splash down off the Florida coast by early evening, weather permitting. The two had expected to be gone just a week or so after launching on Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule on June 5.

China conducts air, sea drills near Taiwan Taipei, Taiwan

A large number of Chinese military ships, planes and drones entered the airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan between Sunday and Monday, the self-governing island republic’s Defense Ministry said. China said the drills were a response to recent statements and actions by the U.S. and Taiwan. The ministry on Tuesday published on its social media several images of Chinese drones and ships and said 43 out of 59 of them entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone but that no confrontations were reported. Taiwan monitored the situation and deployed aircraft, navy ships and coastal antiship missile defenses in response, the ministry said.

Israeli strikes kill hundreds in Gaza

Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 235 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials. The surprise bombardment threatened to wreck the ceasefire in place since January and fully reignite the 17-month- old war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.

A.P. DILLON / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls), left, speaks with Grass Roots North Carolina President Paul Valone after his group delivered petitions supporting House Bill 5 on March 11 in Raleigh.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

catastrophe

questions about when normal

How China will pay for this COVID-19

we begin to get back to normal

The 3 big questions

The comfort

China lied about the origin of the tried to tell the world there were only worldwide panic, economic collapse and needlessly being thrown out of work.

shelter-in-place or stay-at-home majority of Americans “new normal.” end of this month.

Cooper stated during don’t know yet” if the be asked as to the vague ones like “we people of this state who undetermined of thousands of cases asked and then had questions about get asked, there is people to treat those can start getting back or are people who others sick. levels become a bad society were supposed

taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve to fund any of these emergency fear of rampant in ation and currency aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what They take advantage of every weakness keep pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl experts believe that event, not the Star Wars to the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility in debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this catastrophe one way or another.

fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to normal are treated in some circles with contempt.

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the process of returning back to normalcy.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

n.c. FAST FACTS

Fixing college corruption

No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand answers.

AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with corruption. The nancial squeeze resulting from COVID-19 o ers opportunities for a bit of remediation. Let’s rst examine what might be the root of academic corruption, suggested by the title of a recent study, “Academic Grievance Studies and the Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was done by Areo, an opinion and analysis digital magazine. By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by John Milton in defense of free speech.

course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After the 2009 pandemic, all of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has

business & economy

In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian u,” 1968 “Hong Kong u,” 1977 “Russian u” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the massive 1918 “Spanish u” pandemic also had its origins in China.

Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer with details that give their statements believability.

Pepsi buys Poppi for $2B to gain foothold in functional drinks

Not one little bit.

Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new normal.”

PepsiCo, the global beverage company founded in New Bern, said Monday it is acquiring the prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion.

The acquisition gives PepsiCo a fast-growing brand in the popular functional beverage category.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say that something has gone drastically wrong in academia, especially within certain elds within the humanities. They call these elds “grievance studies,” where scholarship is not so much based upon nding truth but upon attending to social grievances. Grievance scholars bully students, administrators and other departments into adhering to their worldview. The worldview they promote is neither scienti c nor rigorous. Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, queer studies, sexuality and critical race studies.

“More than ever, consumers are looking for convenient and greattasting options that fit their lifestyles and respond to their growing interest in health and wellness,” PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said in a statement.

In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay and Boghossian started submitting bogus academic papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, race, gender, fat and sexuality studies to determine if they would pass peer review and be accepted for publication. Acceptance of dubious research that journal editors found sympathetic to their intersectional or postmodern leftist vision of the world would prove the problem of low academic standards.

PepsiCo said the transaction includes $300 million of anticipated cash benefits, bringing the net purchase price to $1.65 billion.

Allison Ellsworth, the cofounder of Austin, Texasbased Poppi, said the combination with PepsiCo will expand Poppi’s reach.

the seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to circles with contempt. as a society simply must accept without tells us about when it’s safe to begin the normalcy. for us, and we have the right to ask those stay-at-home orders are in place all over the them get in states, such as Michigan, feeling isolated and/or anxious about providing for their families, will demand levels should be as forthcoming as they and again, not vague answers, but answer statements believability. what we can to keep our families, safe. But we should also still continue because while reasonable stay-at-home they should also have an expiration date. and it is not normal. Not in any way, should remain vigilant and stay safe, at comfortable with this so-called “new

Several of the fake research papers were accepted for publication. The Fat Studies journal published a hoax paper that argued the term bodybuilding was exclusionary and should be replaced with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive politicized performance.” One reviewer said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and believe it has an important contribution to make to the eld and this journal.”

“We can’t wait to begin this next chapter with PepsiCo to bring our soda to more people — and I know they will honor what makes Poppi so special while supporting our next phase of growth and innovation,” Ellsworth said in a statement.

written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Ellsworth developed Poppi – then known as Mother Beverage -- in her kitchen in 2015 because she loved soda but was tired of how it made her feel. She mixed fruit juices with apple cider vinegar, sparkling water and prebiotics and sold the drink at farmer’s markets.

The brand took off in 2018 when Ellsworth and her husband pitched it on “Shark Tank.” An investor on the show, Rohan Oza, took a stake in Mother Beverage and undertook a major rebrand. Poppi, with its brightly colored, fruit-forward cans, was born.

“We’re beyond thrilled to be partnering with PepsiCo so that even more consumers across America, and the world, can enjoy Poppi,” said Oza, the co-founder of CAVU Consumer Partners, which has also invested in beverage brands like Oatly and Bai.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Poppi.

The new Pittsboro facility held a ribbon cutting last week

“Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was accepted for publication by A lia, a feminist journal for social workers. The paper consisted in part of a rewritten passage from Mein Kampf. Two other hoax papers were published, including “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape paper eventually forced Boghossian, Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer had gured out what they were doing.

Last summer, multiple class-action lawsuits were filed against the brand by consumers who said its products do not improve gut health as much as their marketing suggests.

The cavalier manner virus, covered up its spread 3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans

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

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing?

By Dan Reeves North State Journal

That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

PITTSBORO — The high-

ly anticipated opening of the new YMCA in Chatham Park last Wednesday was met with perfect weather for a symbolic ribbon cutting. City, state and local officials, community members, developers and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the opening of the 36,000-square-foot facility.

Some papers accepted for publication in academic journals advocated training men like dogs and punishing white male college students for historical slavery by asking them to sit in silence on the oor in chains during class and to be expected to learn from the discomfort. Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life choice and advocated treating privately conducted masturbation as a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted papers out to referees for review. In recommending acceptance for publication, many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise.

With hardly a cloud in the sky, the bright afternoon sun reflected off the outdoor pools and gleaming glass doors as speakers representing the project spoke.

“This unique facility is the power of vision and collaboration,” said Bruce Ham,

Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.

Poppi denied those claims and noted that it removed references to “gut health” from its packaging in late 2023. But according to a court filing last week, Poppi has agreed to a settlement that includes an $8.9 million fund for payments to consumers. A hearing on the settlement is scheduled for May 8.

PepsiCo shares rose nearly 2% in morning trading Monday.

Excluding gas and autos, retail sales rose 0.5%

By Christopher Rugaber and Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press

I doubt whether the coronaviruscaused nancial crunch will give college and university administrators, who are a crossbreed between a parrot and jelly sh, the guts and backbone to restore academic respectability. Far too often, they get much of their political support from campus grievance people who are members of the faculty and diversity and multicultural administrative o ces.

The best hope lies with boards of trustees, though many serve as yes-men for the university president. I think that a good start would be to nd 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course o erings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies. I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. Retail sales rose 0.2% in February, a small rebound after a sharp drop of 1.2% in January, the Commerce Department said Monday. Sales rose at grocery stores, home and garden stores, and online retailers. Sales fell at auto dealers, restaurants and electronics stores. The small increase suggests Americans may be growing more wary about spending as the stock market has plunged and President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and government

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month.

THIS WEEK, according to members and state and local governments, Americans the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. muted — after all, trends can easily reverse have abided by recommendations and orders. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social they’ve donned masks.

There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

Until China adopts rigorous veri able policing and regulation of their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other choice than to build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery reliability concerns.

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know working from be glad” as and dad, the have to be pandemic.

We need transparency and honesty from our scienti c experts — we need to know what they know, what they don’t and when they hope to know what they don’t.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number August by nearly 12,000.

The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to o er U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by comparison.

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of are reliable.

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not measures without immediate depreciation. China has to pay for economic and nancial to bring China into the and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led in 1989.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know questions that will allow the economy to

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the past.

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

First, what is the true coronavirus fatality important because it determines whether be open or closed, whether we ought to more liberalized society that presumes ought to lock down further.

For me, making. As Corinthians a iction, a iction, God.” If you are re ect on God’s example this di cult con dent In this same neighbors In Concord, money to buy health care

north STA

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number the number of identi ed COVID-19 cases and the denominator are likely wrong. We people have actually died of coronavirus. number has been overestimated, given of death, particularly among elderly patients, sources suggest the number is dramatically many people are dying at home.

China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

VISUAL VOICES

Perhaps COVID-19 is Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold this disaster. It is about time they the world like any other

Even more importantly, we have no clue actually have coronavirus. Some scientists of identi ed cases could be an order of magnitude number of people who have had coronavirus

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone

The comfort and hope

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

Chatham Park YMCA opens

CEO of YMCA of the Triangle.

Since 2014, a facility at Main Street Sation near downtown Pittsboro served thousands of young people in the community through sports camps, after-school programs and all the hallmark offerings the Y’s mission is centered around.

how the Y has impacted their lives.

“THIS IS THE DAY the lord has made, in it” (Psalm 118:24). I know that during this challenging time working from home or losing a job, it may be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. However, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded have to be thankful and hopeful for, even pandemic.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.

“The YMCA means more to me than I can express in words,” said state Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham).

“But it was too small,” Ham said. “It wasn’t enough, and our volunteers pushed us to think bigger.”

To fund and construct the facility, Preston Development Company, the developers behind the broader Chatham Park project, were instrumental in bringing the new Y to fruition.

fallen into place. I understand to take precautions, but questions about the data, normal are treated in some They’re treated as though question what the government process of returning back No. The government questions. And the longer country, and the stricter the more people, sitting when they can get back

For me, my faith is an important part making. As I celebrated Easter with my Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our a iction, so that we may be able to comfort a iction, with the comfort which we ourselves God.”

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

“For decades, Tim Smith and Bubba Rawl of Preston Development Company have been incredible supporters,” Ham said. “Their vision and record-breaking donation ensured the Y’s success here.”

Karen Howard, chair of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, said, “I think about all the memories to come out of our vibrant community through this YMCA,” she said. “The children who will grow up here; a toddler, the grandparents, your grandchildren.”

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

“The impact that we have here at the Y will go far beyond Chatham Park,” said Forest Perry, vice president of operations for YMCA of the Triangle. “The impact of the Y will radiate locally, regionally, and beyond.”

If you are celebrating the Easter season, re ect on this message and be comforted, God’s example and comfort all those in this di cult time. Through faith and by con dent we will emerge out of this pandemic In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors. In Concord, a high school senior named money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic health care workers out of his own home.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

Several speakers touched on

Leaders at the local and can be with those answers with details that give their We should all continue ourselves, and our communities to ask questions about measures are understandable, This is all new to Americans, shape, or form. So while the same time we shouldn’t normal.”

Not one little bit.

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

The new Pittsboro facility offers a variety of wellness programs for adults and children. It includes rock walls, an outdoor “airnasium,” two pools, a waterslide, play spaces and state-of-the-art fitness machines.

Consumer spending up; shoppers, experts cautious over economy

spending cuts have led to widespread uncertainty among consumers and businesses.

Some economists were relieved the numbers weren’t worse. Still, many expect consumer spending will grow just

1% to 1.5% at an annual rate in the first three months of this year, far below the 4.2% gain in the final quarter last year.

“Consumer spending is on track to slow sharply this quarter, but not by as much as we

“The Y is a place for people to find wellness, from inside and out,” Ham said.

previously feared,” Stephen Brown, an economist at Capital Economics, a consulting firm, said in an email.

Last Friday, a measure of consumer sentiment fell sharply for the third straight month and is now down more than 20% since December. Respondents to the University of Michigan’s survey cited policy uncertainty as a leading reason for the gloomier outlook. While the respondents were divided sharply by party — sentiment about the current economy fell among Republicans by much less than for Democrats — Republicans’ confidence in the economy’s future dropped 10%.

Consumers from all income levels are feeling more strained, according to a slew of earnings reports over the past few weeks from major retailers including Walmart, Macy’s and Dollar General.

Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer and a bellwether for the retail sector, released a weak outlook last month citing uncertainty around tariffs. February sales also fell last month at gas stations, clothing stores and sporting goods stores. The figures aren’t adjusted for prices, and the cost of gas also declined in Febru-

The new YMCA in Chatham Park, a 36,000-square-foot facility in Pittsboro, opened last week, giving the nonprofit a bigger footprint in the city that already includes a downtown gym.

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP PHOTO

A shopper passes by a display of large-screen televisions in a Costco warehouse in February.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Jason

North State Journa l for Wednesday, April 15,

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senio

PHOTOS BY GENE GALIN

Bruce Ham, CEO of YMCA of the Triangle, speaks to visitors at Chatham Park YMCA last Wednesday in Pittsboro.

As AI nurses reshape hospital care, human nurses push back

Hospitals say artificial intelligence will prevent burnout for its human staff

By Matthew Perrone

The Associated Press

THE NEXT TIME you’re due for a medical exam, you may get a call from someone like Ana: a friendly voice that can help you prepare for your appointment and answer any pressing questions.

With her calm, warm demeanor, Ana has been trained to put patients at ease — like many nurses across the U.S. But unlike them, she is also available to chat 24/7 in multiple languages, from Hindi to Haitian Creole.

That’s because Ana isn’t human but an artificial intelligence program created by Hippocratic AI, one of several new companies offering ways to automate time-consuming tasks usually performed by nurses and medical assistants.

It’s the most visible sign of AI’s inroads into health care, a field where hundreds of hospitals are using increasingly sophisticated computer programs to monitor patients’ vital signs, flag emergency situations and trigger step-by-step action

plans for care — jobs that were all previously handled by nurses and other health professionals.

Hospitals say AI is helping their nurses work more efficiently while addressing burnout and understaffing. But nursing unions argue that this poorly understood technology is overriding nurses’ expertise and degrading the quality of care patients receive.

“Hospitals have been waiting for the moment when they have something that appears to have enough legitimacy to replace nurses,” said Michelle Mahon of National Nurses United. “The entire ecosystem is designed to automate, de-skill and ultimately replace caregivers.”

Mahon’s group, the largest nursing union in the U.S., has helped organize more than 20 demonstrations at hospitals across the country, pushing for the right to have a say in how AI can be used — and protection from discipline if nurses decide to disregard automated advice.

The group raised new alarms in January when Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the incoming health secretary, suggested AI nurses “as good as any doctor” could help deliver care in rural areas. Last Friday, Dr. Mehmet Oz, who’s been nominated to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, said he believes AI can “liberate doctors and nurs-

es from all the paperwork.”

Hippocratic AI initially promoted a rate of $9 an hour for its AI assistants, compared with about $40 an hour for a registered nurse. It has since dropped that language and has instead touted its services and sought to assure customers that they have been carefully tested.

Hospitals have been experimenting for years with technology designed to improve care and streamline costs, including sensors, microphones and motion-sensing cameras. Now that data is being linked with electronic medical records and analyzed in an effort to predict medical problems and direct nurses’ care — sometimes before they’ve evaluated the patient themselves.

Adam Hart was working in the emergency room at Dignity Health in Henderson, Nevada, when the hospital’s computer system flagged a newly arrived patient for sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection. Under the hospital’s protocol, he was supposed to immediately administer a large dose of IV fluids. But after further examination, Hart determined that he was treating a dialysis patient, or someone with kidney failure. Such patients have to be carefully managed to avoid overloading their kidneys with fluid.

Hart raised his concern with the supervising nurse but was told to just follow the standard protocol. Only after a nearby physician intervened did the patient instead begin to receive a slow infusion of IV fluids.

“You need to keep your thinking cap on— that’s why you’re being paid as a nurse,” Hart said. “Turning over our thought processes to these devices is reckless and dangerous.”

Hart and other nurses say they understand the goal of AI: to make it easier for nurses to monitor multiple patients and quickly respond to problems. But the reality is often a barrage of false alarms, sometimes erroneously flagging basic bodily functions — such as a patient having a bowel movement — as an emergency.

“You’re trying to focus on

your work, but then you’re getting all these distracting alerts that may or may not mean something,” said Melissa Beebe, a cancer nurse at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

“It’s hard to even tell when it’s accurate and when it’s not because there are so many false alarms.”

Even the most sophisticated technology will miss signs that nurses routinely pick up on, such as facial expressions and odors, notes Michelle Collins, dean of Loyola University’s College of Nursing. But people aren’t perfect either.

“It would be foolish to turn our back on this completely,” Collins said. “We should embrace what it can do to augment our care, but we should also be careful it doesn’t replace the human element.”

Operator of mall staple Forever 21 files bankruptcy protection

The company joins a slew of retailers filing for Chapter 11

By Michelle Chapman and Anne D’Innocenzio

The Associated Press

FOREVER 21 has filed for bankruptcy protection for a second time and plans to close down its U.S. business as traffic in U.S. shopping malls fades and competition from online retailers like Amazon, Temu and Shein intensifies.

F21 OpCo, which runs Forever 21 stores, said late Sunday that it will wind down the business in the U.S. under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while determining if it can continue as a business with a partner or if it will sell some or all of its assets.

“While we have evaluated all options to best position the company for the future, we have been unable to find a sustainable path forward, given competition from foreign fast fashion companies, which have been able to take advantage of the de minimis exemption to undercut our brand on pricing and margin,” Chief Financial Officer Brad Sell said in a statement.

The de minimis tax exemption lets shipments headed to U.S. businesses and consumers valued at less than $800 to enter the country tax-free and duty-free.

Forever 21 stores in the U.S. will hold liquidation sales and the website will continue to run while operations wind down. The retailer’s locations outside of the U.S. are run by other licensees and are not included in the bankruptcy filing. International store locations and websites will continue operating as normal.

Authentic Brands Group

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ary, which likely accounts for most of the drop. Excluding gas and autos, retail sales rose 0.5%, a healthier figure but still modest after a plunge of 0.8% in January.

Also Monday, the National Association of Homebuilders said its index measuring builder sentiment fell three points to 39, the lowest level in seven months, as economic uncertainty dimmed builders’ outlook and fewer potential buyers visited homes.

“Economic uncertainty, the threat of tariffs and elevat-

owns the international intellectual property associated with the Forever 21 brand and may license the brand to other operators, F21OpCo said.

Jarrod Weber, global president of lifestyle at Authentic Brands Group, said the restructuring lets Forever 21 “accelerate the modernization of the brand’s distribution model, setting it up to compete and lead in fast fashion for decades to come. We’re building a direct creation-toshelf model that moves faster.”

He added, “We are receiving lots of interest from strong brand operators and digital experts who share our vision and are ready to take the brand to the next level.”

Forever 21 first filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019. The following year, it was acquired by a consortium of par-

ed construction costs pushed builder sentiment down in March,” the group said. The homebuilders estimate tariffs will add $9,200 to the cost of a new home.

Macy’s says its customers, even at its upscale chains Bluemercury and Bloomingdale’s, are feeling angst, and its financial outlook this month reflects that.

“I think the affluent customer that’s shopping Macy’s is just as uncertain and as confused and concerned by what’s transpiring,” Macy’s CEO Tony Spring said at the time. Hiring has mostly held up,

ties including Authentic Brands Group and mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners. In early January, Forever 21’s parent company, Sparc Group, merged with JCPenney to form Catalyst Brands, a new entity that includes brands like Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand and Nautica. Forever 21 joins a slew of other retailers that have filed for Chapter 11 or are liquidating in recent months as retailers face a slowdown in consumer spending and are navigating rising operating costs amid inflationary pressures. They include fabric and crafts retailer Joann Inc and Party City. In February, Outdoor apparel seller Liberated Brands, which has operated stores for surfer and skater-inspired labels like Quiksilver,

and there are no signs that companies are laying off workers. As long as Americans have jobs, spending could remain resilient. But that is not assured.

Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said Thursday that the overall economic picture for his customers is not ideal.

“Our customers continue to report that their financial situation has worsened over the last year as they have been negatively impacted by ongoing inflation,” Vasos said during an earnings call. “Many of our customers report that they only have enough money for basic essentials, with some noting that

Billabong and Volcom, filed for bankruptcy — and said it plans to shutter its locations across the U.S.

From Jan. 1 through March 14, U.S. retailers have so far announced 3,735 store closures, according to Coresight Research’s weekly tracker. Forever 21 had been battling a host of macroeconomic challenges as well as its own issues. Forever 21 was founded in 1984 and, along with other fast-fashion chains like H&M and Zara, rode a wave of popularity among young customers in the mid-1990s. Their popularity grew during the Great Recession when shoppers were seeking bargains. But Forever 21 went on an aggressive expansion just as shoppers were moving more online. Critics have said that Forever 21 was too slow

they have had to sacrifice even on the necessities.”

Spending patterns at Costco have changed to accommodate a soured view of the economy, including a shift toward ground beef and poultry instead of more expensive cuts of meat, said Gary Millership, the company’s chief financial officer.

American Eagle Outfitters CEO Jay Schottenstein said angst is particularly high among younger customers.

“Not just tariffs, not just inflation,” said Schottenstein. “We see the government cutting people off. They don’t know how that’s going to affect them. And

to embrace online shopping. The company also faced stiff competition from the likes of Shein and Temu, which churn out trendy items that are cheaper than what Forever 21 offers. For example, Forever 21 sells T-shirts for around $10. Temu has them for $5.

Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, said in a statement that part of the problem now is that Forever 21’s stores are too big for its current needs and in malls with not enough foot traffic.

“Forever 21 was always a retailer living on borrowed time. Over recent years, it has been hit with dual headwinds from a weak apparel market and stiff competition from cheap Chinese marketplaces,” he said. “Both things have eroded its standing and depleted its market share.”

when people don’t know what they don’t know, they get very conservative.”

The retail sales report mostly just covers goods purchases — as well as restaurant sales — but there are signs Americans are cutting back spending on services as well.

Airline executives at JP Morgan’s airline industry conference last week said bookings have fallen.

“There was something going on with economic sentiment, something going on with consumer confidence,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian at the industry conference.

KIICHIRO SATO / AP PHOTO

Shoppers walk by a Forever 21 clothing store in Tokyo as the liquidation sale signs are posted on the storefront.

NATIONAL NURSES UNITED VIA AP

Melissa Beebe and other nurses rally in San Francisco to highlight safety concerns about using artificial intelligence in health care.

Critics warn staff cuts in agencies overseeing US dams could risk public safety

The agency has been reduced by nearly 400 workers

By Martha Bellisle The Associated Press

COULEE DAM, Wash. — Trump administration workforce cuts at federal agencies overseeing U.S. dams are threatening their ability to provide reliable electricity, supply farmers with water and protect communities from floods, employees and industry experts warn.

The Bureau of Reclamation provides water and hydropower to the public in 17 western states. Nearly 400 agency workers have been cut through the Trump reduction plan, an administration official said.

“Reductions-in-force” memos have also been sent to current workers, and more layoffs are expected. The cuts included workers at the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest hydropower generator in North America, according to two fired staffers interviewed by The Associated Press.

“Without these dam operators, engineers, hydrologists, geologists, researchers, emergency managers and other experts, there is a serious potential for heightened risk to public safety and economic or environmental damage,” Lori Spragens, executive director of the Kentucky-based Association of Dam Safety Officials, said.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said federal workforce reductions will ensure disaster responses are not bogged down by bureaucracy and bloat.

“A more efficient workforce means more timely access to resources for all Americans,” she

said by email.

But a bureau hydrologist said they need people on the job to ensure the dams are working properly.

“These are complex systems,” said the worker in the Midwest, who is still employed but spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of possible retaliation.

Workers keep dams safe by monitoring data, identifying weaknesses and doing site exams to check for cracks and seepage.

“As we scramble to get these screenings, as we lose institutional knowledge from people leaving or early retirement, we limit our ability to ensure public safety,” the worker added. “Having people available to respond to operational emergencies is critical. Cuts in staff threaten our ability to do this effectively.”

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the administration to rehire fired probationary workers, but a Trump spokesperson said they would fight back, leaving unclear whether any would return.

The heads of 14 California water and power agencies sent a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Interior last month warning that eliminating workers with “specialized knowledge” in operating and maintaining aging infrastructure “could negatively impact our water delivery system and threaten public health and safety.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also operates dams nationwide. Matt Rabe, a spokesman, declined to say how many workers left through early buyouts but said the agency hasn’t been told to reduce its workforce.

But Neil Maunu, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, said it learned more than 150 Army Corps workers in Portland, Oregon, were told they would be terminated, and they expect to lose about 600 more in the Pacific Northwest.

The firings include “district chiefs down to operators on vessels” and people critical to

Regulator mulls State Farm’s 22% hike request for LA homeowner

The fires are estimated to be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history

By Trân Nguyen

The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s top insurance regulator last Friday said he would approve an emergency request by State Farm to raise premiums 22% on home insurance for about a million customers if the insurance giant could justify the hike at a public hearing.

State Farm, the state’s largest insurer with roughly 1 million home insurance policies in California, said the emergency rate would help the company rebuild its capital following the Los Angeles wildfires that destroyed more than 16,000 buildings, mostly homes. The company is trying to prevent a “dire” financial situation that executives say could force them to drop more California policies.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said other California insurers won’t be able to absorb State Farm’s customers if the insurance giant stops doing business in California but that he wanted more data on how the company manages its finances and calculates risks. He asked the company to present its argument publicly on April 8 to a judge, who will then give a proposed decision. Lara will then make a final decision.

“State Farm claims it is committed to its California customers and aims to restore financial stability. I expect both State Farm and its parent company to meet their responsibilities and not shift the burden entirely onto their customers,” Lara said in a statement.

“The facts will be revealed in an open, transparent hearing.”

The decision comes as California is undergoing a yearslong effort to entice in-

surers to continue doing business in the state as wildfires increasingly destroy entire neighborhoods. In 2023, several major companies, including State Farm, stopped issuing residential policies due to high fire risk. Lara last year unveiled a slate of regulations all aiming at giving insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for more policies in high-risk areas. Those rules kick in this year. California approved double-digit rate increases for nine out of the 10 largest insurers in California over the last few years, according to Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group that opposes State Farm’s

safe river navigation, he said.

Several other federal agencies that help ensure dams run safely also have faced layoffs and closures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is laying off 10% of its workforce, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Dam Safety Review Board was disbanded in January.

The cuts come at a time when the nation’s dams need expert attention.

An AP review of Army Corps data last year showed at least 4,000 dams are in poor or unsatisfactory condition and could kill people or harm the environment if they failed. The dams require inspections, maintenance and emergency repairs to avoid catastrophes, the AP found.

Heavy rain damaged the spillway at California’s Oroville Dam in 2017, forcing nearly 190,000 residents to evacuate, and Michigan’s Edenville Dam breached during 2020 storms, the AP found.

Stephanie Duclos, a Bureau of Reclamation probationary worker fired at the Grand Coulee Dam, said she was among a dozen workers initially terminated. The dam across the Columbia River in central Washington state generates electricity for millions of homes and supplies water to a 27-milelong reservoir that irrigates the Columbia Basin Project.

“This is a big infrastructure,” she said. “It’s going to take a lot of people to run it.”

Some fired employees had worked there for decades but were in a probation status due to a position switch. Duclos was an assistant for program managers who organized training and was a liaison with human resources. The only person doing that job, she fears how others will cover the work.

Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat who pushed a bipartisan effort to ensure the National Dam Safety Program was authorized through 2028, said, “The safety and efficacy of our dams is a national security priority.”

ed the total loss to reach more than $7 billion. Its surplus also dropped from $1.04 billion at the end of 2024 to $400 million after the fires, according to State Farm. The company is using its surplus and reinsurance to settle the claims.

Without the ability to quickly rebuild its capital, banks and lenders could stop allowing State Farm Insurance as collateral for mortgages and require State Farm policyholders to find coverage from different insurers, the company has argued. If homeowners can’t find a replacement, they’ll be forced on the FAIR Plan, which is designed as a temporary option to provide minimum coverage for those without private insurance.

More Californians are relying on the FAIR Plan than ever despite state regulators’ efforts to reduce the plan’s enrollment. The plan also needed a $1 billion bailout last month to pay out fire claims.

State Farm, in a statement, called Lara’s decision a “step in the right direction.”

“It’s time for certainty in the California insurance market for our customers,” the company said.

Spirit Airlines exits bankruptcy protection

New York Discount carrier Spirit Airlines has emerged from bankruptcy protection. The budget airline — known for its no-frills, low-cost flights on a fleet of yellow planes — said last week that its parent, Spirit Aviation Holdings, exited Chapter 11 after finalizing debt restructuring. The reorganization plan, which received the court green light last month, aims to bring the carrier back to profitability and boost resources to compete with rivals. Spirit filed for bankruptcy in November following years of struggles and mounting debt as it failed to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donatella Versace out as creative director

Rome

Donatella Versace has been replaced as creative director of the fashion house founded by her late brother, Gianni Versace. She will assume the new role of chief brand ambassador, Versace’s U.S. owner Capri Holdings announced last Thursday. Versace will be replaced by Dario Vitale, who most recently was design director at the Miu Miu brand owned by the Prada Group. The shift comes amid speculation that the Prada Group is in talks to buy Versace from Capri Holdings, which paid 2 billion euros for the fashion house in 2018. Versace welcomed Vitale, emphasizing in a statement that “championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me.”

FTC reverses request for Amazon trial delay Washington, D.C.

A lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission has walked back his comments about a lack of resources and staff turnover interfering with the agency’s preparations for a trial involving Amazon’s Prime program.

FTC lawyer Jonathan Cohen asked a federal judge during a hearing last Wednesday to delay the September trial and relax deadlines in the case, citing budgetary and staffing shortfalls. But Cohen did an about-face later in the day, telling a U.S. District judge in a brief letter that the statements he made in court were incorrect. In a statement sent to The Associated Press last Thursday, FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson also said, “The attorney was wrong.”

request for higher premiums.

State Farm executives told state officials the company was already struggling before the LA fires. The company received a financial rating downgrade last year and has seen a decline of $5 billion in its surplus account over the last decade. Last year, the company asked the state for a 30% rate increase, which state officials are still considering.

The LA fires, which are now estimated to be the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, have made things worse, State Farm executives said. The company last month paid out roughly $1.75 billion to 9,500 claims and estimat-

State Farm said it would halt canceling and not renewing policies for “at least one year” if it gets the rate increase approval, according to Lara’s office. The company last year announced it discontinued coverage for 72,000 houses and apartments in California after saying it would not issue new home policies in the state in 2023.

Homeowners with State Farm policies could pay up to $600 more in premiums a year if the increase is approved, according to Consumer Watchdog. The emergency rate request also includes a 38% increase for rental owners and 15% for tenants.

Carmen Balber, the group’s executive director, applauded Lara’s call for a public hearing.

“This is a win for consumers,” Balber said. “The company will have to make its case before a judge, and the public will have a chance to question the company and make its case as well.”

Intel hires former board member as new CEO Santa Clara, Calif. Struggling chipmaker Intel has hired former board member and semiconductor industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as the latest in a succession of CEOs to attempt to turn around the company that helped define Silicon Valley. Tan, 65, will take over the daunting job more than three months after Intel’s previous CEO, Pat Gelsinger, abruptly retired amid massive layoffs and questions about the chipmaker’s ability to survive as an independent company. Intel has been led by interim co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus after Gelsinger walked away from a job he undertook in 2021.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 14

Beginning Cash $2,727,794,592

Receipts (income) $119,017,737

Disbursements

$214,042,377 Cash Balance

$2,627,803,784

MARTHA BELLISLE / AP PHOTO

Run by the Bureau of Reclamation, The Grand Coulee Dam in Coulee Dam, Washington, is the largest hydropower generator in North America.

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

An aerial view shows the devastation from the Palisades Fire on beachfront homes in Malibu, California.

High Point, UNCW headed to NCAAs, B3

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Hornets make franchise-record 26 3-pointers

San Antonio

The Charlotte Hornets made a franchise-record 26 3-pointers against the San Antonio Spurs last Friday night. LaMelo Ball was 7 for 11 on 3-pointers and Charlotte led by as many as 31 points, winning for the third time in four games. The Hornets’ previous record was 24, which they set against Detroit on Jan. 5, 2022, and matched 25 days later against Indiana.

NCAA SPORTS

AAC sets minimum for schools to share with athletes at $10M over 3 years

Irving, Texas

The American Athletic Conference will require each member except Army and Navy to provide athletes with at least $10 million in additional benefits over the next three years. It’s the only league so far to set a minimum standard. AAC presidents approved the plan last week. The three-year plan will go into effect once a federal judge approves the $2.8 billion House vs. NCAA antitrust settlement, which is expected next month.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Legendary sports writer Feinstein dead at 69 Washington, D.C. John Feinstein, one of the country’s foremost sports writers and the author of numerous bestselling books, died unexpectedly at 69. He died of natural causes at his brother’s home in McLean, Virginia. Feinstein was a full-time reporter for The Washington Post from 1977 to 1991 and contributed to several outlets on various topics, but he was best known for his groundbreaking college basketball book, “A Season on the Brink.”

Blue Devils take top seed in East

Duke will begin a potential Final Four run in Raleigh

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

DUKE ENTERS the NCAA

Tournament as the ACC regular season and tournament champion, winners of 11 straight and 27 of the last 28, and the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Blue Devils got a good look at their mortality while playing in Charlotte last weekend, however, which could pay dividends over the next three weeks. First, Duke saw ACC Player of the Year Cooper Flagg carried from the floor after an ankle sprain. That occurred minutes after veteran defensive presence Maliq Brown dislocated his shoulder. Even before losing two key players, however, Duke was playing from behind and trailed the Yellow Jackets by double digits in the first half.

Duke battled back to win that opening game, but Brown and Flagg were done for the weekend. Next, the Blue Devils faced a desperate Tar Heels

Tar Heels

team and watched as UNC wiped out a 24-point Duke lead with a huge second-half run. Duke survived a razor-thin three-point game to advance to the final. The Blue Devils then trailed at the half but had a second-half rally of their own to cut down the nets.

So instead of strutting into the tournament, high on their own accomplishments, the Blue

Devils have a keen sense of how close it all could be to ending.

“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to give you the best rundown of that game,” coach Jon Scheyer said after the UNC escape. “It’s still a blur to me. I thought our team had incredible fight stepping up.” Now the Blue Devils head to Raleigh as No. 1 seed in the East. It appears they’ll get Flagg

get NCAA bid, earn second chance for Withers

The senior made a crucial mistake in what could have been his last college game

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THE ROAD to the Final Four nearly ended with one misstep.

“It was just a sense of disbelief, initially,” said UNC’s Jae’Lyn Withers, who took that one single footstep in the wrong direction. “Following that, of course, upset.”

After battling back from a 14-11 record that had UNC miles from NCAA Tournament consideration 32 days ago, the Tar Heels were on the verge of earning a spot in the field. They’d won six straight games to put themselves in

back for the opening weekend of the tourney. Brown might be a bigger question mark.

The Blue Devils will open against a 16 seed, the identity to be determined by a midweek First Four game in Dayton. It will either be Patriot League champion American or MAAC champs Mount St. Mary’s. American (22-12) is coached by former Maryland Terrapins guard Duane Simpkins. The Eagles lost by 52 at UNC in November. Mount St. Mary’s (22-12) won at Miami in overtime in late December. Duke has never played either team before.

Assuming the Blue Devils get past that opponent, they’ll get the winner of the 8-9 game, which could be a familiar face. Jeremy Roach, a four-year Blue Devil who went to the Final Four with Duke in 2022, is playing his fifth year at Baylor for coach Scott Drew. A former Duke captain, Roach started 118 of 130 games for the Blue Devils. He’s been coming off the bench for Baylor recently.

See

position. All they needed — they thought — was a win over an impressive opponent, like Duke.

They misfired in their first attempt last weekend, falling by 13 at home, and the NCAA bubble appeared to have popped. However, two wins in the ACC Tournament, as well as losses by a host of other bubble teams, gave UNC a second chance at the Blue Devils — and another shot at a bid.

Once again, though, all seemed lost when the Blue Devils went up 24 points in the ACC Tournament semifinal.

The Tar Heels battled through adversity, though, cutting into the lead until they went to the free-throw line for two shots, down 72-71 with 4.1 seconds left.

Two free throws separated UNC from its first lead in nearly 39 minutes. Two free throws and a few seconds would wrap up an NCAA bid and a win over hated Duke. At the line was Ven-Allen Lubin, who scored 12 of his See UNC, page B3

BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO

Alabama head coach Nate Oats reacts to a call during a March game against Auburn.

CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer cuts down the net after the Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament in Charlotte. Duke will start the quest to add more nets to Scheyer’s collection with games in Raleigh this weekend.

THURSDAY 3.20.25

TRENDING

Parker Byrd: The sophomore Carolina, whose right leg was amputated below the knee after a boating accident three years ago, a college player. He required 22 surgeries over 45 days in 2022 Wearing an athletic prosthetic, Byrd pinch hit and ripped a ball that third baseman He raised both arms over his head as he

Ron Sanchez: The former Charlotte coach will not be retained by Virginia after serving as interim coach this season Sanchez, who went 72-78 and won the at Charlotte, took over UVA three weeks before the season following Tony Bennett’s sudden retirement. UVA made the announcement three hours after the Cavaliers -17, their since 2009-10.

Larrell Murchison: The Elizabethtown, East Bladen, Louisburg and NC State product agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Los Angeles Rams. Murchison will be back for a third full year with the Rams, who claimed in December 2022. He didn’t play last season after injuring his arm during the preseason and then breaking his foot after returning to practice.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

or something, hurt my whole side. These kids’re gonna kill me.”

NC Central coach LeVelle Moton on the Eagles’ buzzer-beater win in the MEAC

“We tr y

to

have a hard edge, and you’re in your tights dancing.”

West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez on why he banned his football players from doing TikTok dances.

NASCAR

oldest team to Victor y Lane Sunday at La s Vega s Motor Speedway Berry, in his

Daniel Suarez following a restar t with 19 laps remaining to take control.

in NBA histor y with 4,000 3-pointers. He did it a day before his 37th birthday. His 4,000th came from the right wing on a pass from Moses Moody with 8:19 lef t in the third, on his fourth attempt of the night against the Kings. James Harden, more than 800 behind Curry, is second all time.

Donovan Newby had 17 points and Noah Ross 14 as UNC Wilmington beat No 12 seed Delaware 76-72 in the Coastal Athletic Association championship game The second-seeded Seahawks (27-7) secured their league-record seventh back-to-back titles in 2016 and ’17.

Number of goals scored by newly acquired Carolina Hurricanes’ forward Mark four shots on goal with the team. According to the NHL, he’s the — since 1997-98 — to score four goals on his team.

Liel Abada (left) and Patrick Ag yemang each scored their season shortly after halftime, and Kristijan Kahlina had a career-high eight saves as Charlotte FC beat FC Cincinnati 2-0 Abada gave Charlotte a 1- 0 lead in the 48th minute, and Ag yemang made it 2- 0 in the 51st.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Previewing women’s first, second round

Three Triangle teams are hosting for the first time since 1998

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

THE MADNESS has finally arrived.

After the conclusion of the conference tournaments the past two weeks, North Carolina will have five teams dancing in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The First Four rounds began Wednesday with the first rounds starting Friday.

In fact, a lot of the early tournament action will happen right here in the state. All three of the Triangle teams (UNC, NC State and Duke) will host the first and second rounds for the first time since 1998.

UNC Greensboro and High Point punched their tickets with conference tournament wins and will look to shake up the bracket as low seeds.

Here’s a preview of the first-round matchups and what to expect from local teams through the first weekend of the tournament.

Regional 1: No. 15 Vermont at No. 2 NC State

NC State will begin its journey back to the Final Four against Vermont in Reynolds Coliseum at 2 p.m. Saturday. Vermont (21-12) boasts the fourth-best scoring defense in the country, holding opponents to just 52.2 points per game. On the offensive end, the Catamounts aren’t spectacular, scor-

ing just 61.1 points per game. Although its defense may present an early challenge, one of the biggest differences in the match up will be NC State’s size advantage. The Wolfpack have two 6-foot-5 forwards to Vermont’s zero. NC State’s guards are slightly taller too, which should allow the Wolfpack to attack the paint and kick out to shooters if needed. Should NC State advance, it will host the winner of No. 7 Michigan State and No. 10 Harvard in the second round.

Regional 2: No. 14 Oregon State at No. 3 UNC

UNC, hosting in the tournament for the first time in 10 years, will welcome Oregon State to Carmichael Arena on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The Beavers (19-15) average 62.8 points

per game and shoot under 30% from 3 as a team, but the Beavers aren’t a pushover defensively with 6-foot-5 Kelsey Rees and 6-foot-7 rim protector Sela Heide (team-high 53 blocks) helping keep teams to 61.3 points per game.

Starting the tournament with a hot hand from 3-point land will be huge for UNC. Oregon State opponents shoot 32% from beyond the arc, and the Beavers are 6-7 when opponents make at least 33% of their triples. If UNC moves past the first round, it will play the winner of No. 6 West Virginia and the winner of the First Four matchup between No. 11 Columbia and No. 11 Washington. Beyond that, a rematch with No. 2 Duke or meeting with former UNC star Deja Kelly and No. 10 Oregon could possibly happen in the Sweet 16.

Regional 2: No. 15 Lehigh at No. 2 Duke

Duke, the ACC Tournament champions, will host a very good defensive team in Lehigh at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Friday at 8 p.m. The Hawks, who allow 57.4 points per game, had an impressive season as they went 27-6 overall and 15-3 in the Patriot League. They also beat every opponent in their conference tournament by more than 10 points.

Offensively, Lehigh shoots 32.8% from 3, making an average of eight triples per game. Duke, which only allows 4.5 3s per game, will have to run the Hawks off the line, especially Ella Stemmer, who has made a team-high 75 3s this season. Should the Blue Devils and their elite defense take care of business, the winner of No. 7 Vanderbilt and Oregon will be waiting in the second round.

Regional 4: No. 16 UNC Greensboro at No. 1 USC

UNCG will start its tournament run against arguably the nation’s best player in Juju Watkins and USC on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Galen Center. Led by senior Jayde Gamble and freshman Nya Smith — who average 11.8 and 11 points per game, respectively — the Spartans will have a tough task in containing and keeping up with the Trojans’ explosive offense.

USC averages 81.5 points per game while holding opponents to 59.8 points. Watkins, the second-leading scorer in the country with 24.6 points per game,

isn’t the only player to worry about as graduate forward Kiki Iriafen also averages 18.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per outing. The Spartans will have to play their best basketball for a shot to upset the Trojans. If they pull off the win, UNCG will face the winner of No. 8 California and No. 9 Mississippi State in the second round.

First Four (Regional 3): No. 16 High Point vs. No. 16 William & Mary

High Point will begin its second tournament appearance in program history in a play-in game against William & Mary on Thursday at 9 p.m. at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. A win grants a shot at No. 1 Texas in the first round Saturday.

The Panthers, the well-balanced Big South Tournament champions led by junior forward Nevaeh Zavala and her 10.6 points per game, are riding a nine-game win streak and have won 13 of their last 14 coming into the NCAA Tournament. William & Mary, on the other hand, got hot at the right time. The Tribe ended the regular season with an 11-18 record and went on an improbable run toward the CAA Tournament title, including an overtime win over No. 1 NC A&T and a comeback win over Campbell in the tournament final.

The Tribe have shot lights out from 3 over their last four games, making 44%, so the Panthers will need to make sure that hot streak doesn’t continue if they want to make the 64 -team field.

High Point, UNCW aim for March Madness upsets

The Panhers and Seahawks face their tournament opponents on Thursday

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

AFTER TAKING home championship trophies for their recent Big South and Coastal Athletic Association men’s basketball tournaments, a pair of North Carolina-based mid-major teams earned automatic bids for the Big Dance.

The High Point Panthers and UNC Wilmington Seahawks each received their seedings for the 2025 NCAA Tournament over the weekend as they now look to pull off first-round upsets on Thursday.

In the Midwest Region, the No. 13 Panthers (29-5) are set to challenge the No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers (22-11) at 12:40 p.m. inside Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. The winner will advance to play the winner of No. 5 Clemson (27-6) and No. 12 McNeese (27- 6) on Saturday.

In the West Region, the No. 14 Seahawks (27-2) will take on the No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (25-8) at 10:10 p.m. inside Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. The matchup will set up a second-round showdown on Saturday against the winner of No. 6 Missouri (22-11) and No. 11 Drake (30-3).

UNC from page B1

game-high 20 points during the second-half rally. His first shot was off the mark. Still, UNC could tie the game with his second shot, then play for overtime. Lubin’s shot was true and swished through the net. The scoreboard added the point to UNC’s score: It was a 72-72 tie.

Except, it wasn’t.

Just before Lubin released the ball, Withers slid his foot forward. It moved about four inches, and he immediately pulled it back. But that was enough to enter the lane and break a seldom-seen rule of the sport: The players have to wait until the free throw is released before they

High Point coach Alan Huss, who has posted a 56-14 record in two seasons with the Panthers, recently led his team to a 81-69 win over Winthrop for the program’s first Big South Tournament Championship as the Panthers overcame a 48-33 second-half deficit.

While the Panthers appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament in 1996 and 1997, this year will mark the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth.

“It’s the greatest sporting event on Earth, and they get to be a part of it,” Huss said after his team’s conference championship victory. “I’m so thrilled for them to be able to share that experience with their teammates, with their brothers. … For our people who have shown up and supported us before we did the special things, it’s awesome for them. It’s something that this group will never forget.”

High Point will likely need strong efforts from its trio of double-digit scorers — senior guards Kezza Giffa (14.8 points), D’Maurian Williams (13.5 points) and junior forward Kimani Hamilton (13.4 points) — as well as 7-foot sophomore forward Juslin Bodo Bodo (8.4 rebounds).

“These guys come in and they become better shooters because our culture is strong,” Huss said. “They become more skilled because our culture is strong. Everyone sees us cut down the nets, but when we were here this

can move forward to try to get a rebound.

“It’s rare,” Withers said. “Definitely rare.” It was also costly. The whistle blew while the ball was still in the air. The shot didn’t count. The point came off the scoreboard, and four seconds later, Duke was celebrating a 74-71 win.

“I guess you could say I just mistimed the shot,” Withers said.

“I was just trying to make sure I crashed hard to secure a rebound in case he did miss.”

“I’m not sure that’s happened before,” said Duke coach Jon Scheyer. “I’m trying to think back. I’m not sure in that setting, in that situation, where you saw that.”

“I’ve never seen anything like

summer grinding, our coaches were on us every single day. These guys have earned this in every way imaginable. I’m just thrilled for them because this work has paid off.”

On the opposing side, Purdue holds a true threat in junior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.2 points), who has scored at least 24 points in four of his past five appearances.

For fifth-year UNCW coach Takayo Siddle (106-46 overall record), he’ll be leading the Se-

that before, especially up one,” said Duke’s Kon Knueppel. “That was very interesting. But yeah, we were obviously pretty happy. They didn’t even get a shot at tying it.”

Withers was crushed after the game, holding a towel over his head as he left the floor.

His teammates refused to blame him for the miscue.

“We had that game,” Seth Trimble said, “but I’m not bashing J-Wit. I missed three free throws.”

“I missed two free throws,” added point guard Elliot Cadeau. “Ven-Allen missed the one right before that.”

Coach Hubert Davis stood beside his player, literally, as Withers met the media.

ahawks to their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2017. Siddle’s team has won six consecutive contests, including a 76-72 win over Delaware in the CAA title game on March 11.

“I told them to have fun with this day and what it brings,” Siddle said of his team on Selection Sunday. “But shortly after this, we need to flip our mind and prepare to win. We’re happy to be here, for sure, but we want to win some games in the tour-

With Withers’ arm draped over the coach’s shoulders, Davis said, “We’re a team. The UNC basketball team. We win together. We lose together. The great thing about this group is we do it together. We all make mistakes. I’m an imperfect person, and that qualifies me to be an imperfect coach. So many things we did today well. Some things, we didn’t do well, and that took us to the point that we fell three points short.”

As it turned out, the mistake wasn’t a fatal one. UNC lived to play another day, getting a bid to the NCAA Tournament. They played in the First Four in Dayton after press time a nd may still be playing, in Milwaukee, if they won that

nament. We’re going to go out there and attack it in that way, and we’ll see what happens.”

In a balanced offense where 10 different UNCW players tallied at least seven points a night, senior guard and CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Donovan Newby averaged a team-high 14.6 points throughout the season and raised that figure to 16.7 points in the CAA Tournament.

Senior guard Bo Montgomery (9.1 points) and junior forward Harlan Obioha (5.9 rebounds) have also come up strong for the Seahawks in recent weeks.

Facing Texas Tech, UNCW will have to task with a Red Raider team anchored by JT Toppin, who averages close to a double-double with 18.1 points and 9.2 rebounds. The versatile sophomore forward played his way onto the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist list.

“One thing that I do know about them is they play extremely hard,” Siddle said of the Red Raiders. “They’re one of the hardest playing teams in the country, so the first order of business is getting our guys to understand that. It’s going to be a very challenging game for us, and I think it’ll be a challenge that we’re up for.”

Both the High Point/Purdue and UNCW/Texas Tech games on Thursday will be aired on truTV.

game against San Diego State. Did Carolina deserve a bid? That’s up to the internet and cable TV debaters to decide. The bottom line is they earned one, and that gives Withers a second chance to make a last impression. Regardless of when the season ends for the Heels, whether in Ohio, Milwaukee or San Antonio, Texas, at the Final Four, it will give Withers a chance to go out on his own terms.

“As far as moving forward, thinking back on it, it’s hard to really let it go in one and out the other, move onto the next thing, given the end result,” said Withers. “I’m not too pleased about the end result, but I’m definitely proud of this team.”

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

High Point players, including Chana Paxixe, center, celebrate during a watch party for the NCAA Tournament.

GEORGE WALKER IV /AP PHOTO

High Point head coach Alan Huss, right, hugs guard Bobby Pettiford, left, after winning the Big South Tournament Championship.

Who will be NC State’s next men’s basketball coach?

The rumor mill has been churning with multiple names being considered for the job

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

NC STATE had enjoyed a period of relative stability in its athletics, having had very little head coaching turnover over the past decade.

However, athletic director Boo Corrigan is now in line to make his first revenue hire after six years in the job.

Wolfpack men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts was fired earlier this month following a collapse that saw his team not qualify for the ACC Tournament after having not only won it but also making a run to the Final Four the year prior.

Keatts served as Wolfpack head coach for eight seasons, originally being hired by former athletic director Debbie Yow.

It’s a critical decision for Corrigan and one that will shape the future for Wolfpack men’s basketball in a period of NIL, revenue sharing and transfers.

The name rumored to be at the top of NC State’s list is McNeese State coach Will Wade. Wade, 42, has been involved in coaching since becoming a

A

look

graduate assistant at Clemson in 2005.

His first opportunity as a head coach came in 2013 when he took over at Chattanooga. Wade has also served as the head coach at VCU (2015-17), LSU (2017-22) and McNeese (2023-present).

The Clemson alum has a 243-104 overall head coaching record and a 2-4 record in the NCAA Tournament.

He’s led McNeese State to back-to-back regular season and conference titles and has qualified for the NCAA Tournament seven times.

Wade has a bit of a dark cloud surrounding him due to a 2019 recruiting scandal that landed him in hot water with the FBI and NCAA.

The Wolfpack fanbase has been pretty outspoken on their desire for Wade to take the reins of the program, and it seems like the boosters are on the same page.

According to Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, NC State held a meeting with Wade last Thursday, and CBS Sports senior writer and former North State Journal sports editor Will Brinson reported there was potentially a second meeting last weekend as well.

Another name that has been thrown out as a top candidate

at who’s coming to Raleigh

Lenovo Center will host four first-round NCAA games

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

RALEIGH’S LENOVO Center is one of eight sites chosen for NCAA first- and second-round games this weekend. However, fans attending the sessions will get to see half of the tournament’s top-seeded teams.

In addition to East 1-seed Duke, Raleigh will host the first game for Florida, who pulled the top seed in the West. Despite being in different regions, both teams will be rewarded for their regular-season success by getting to take a relatively short trip to Raleigh to open their respective March runs.

That’s nothing new. The last time Raleigh hosted the opening weekend of March Madness, it was awarded a pair of top seeds — UVA and UNC in 2016. Charlotte got 1-seeds Duke and UNC in 2005.

While it has happened three times in North Carolina cities, there are only four occurrences of it outside of the state, most recently Birmingham (Alabama and Houston in 2023), Fort Worth (Kansas and Baylor in 2022), Columbia, South Carolina, (Duke, UVA, 2019) and Dayton (Pitt, Louisville, 2009).

Having a pair of 1-seeds in town means Raleigh could see the start of two Final Four runs coming out of the first weekend. That’s something that’s only happened once in a North Carolina host city: Charlotte, when Duke and Michigan State made the 2015 Final Four after starting there. Here’s a look at all the teams coming to Raleigh this weekend.

DUKE from page B1

“In Jeremy’s mind, when he saw that, I know that was bittersweet for him,” Drew said of the potential matchup. “That’s not fun to do.” The Bears were 19-14 this year and 10-10 in the Big 12. Former Miami Hurricane Norchad Omier is their leading scorer.

The 8-seed Mississippi State was 21-12, 8-10 in the SEC. The Bulldogs won at SMU by five

is former NC State point guard and Tennessee associate coach Justin Gainey.

Gainey, 47, played at NC State from 1996-2000 and also worked as an administrative coordinator and director of operations from 2006-09.

He served as a captain his senior year, and, following the conclusion of his playing career, he ranked in the top 10 for starts, steals and assists. He now ranks fifth all-time in steals (190).

Since leaving Raleigh, Gainey has had a 16-year coaching career with stops at Elon, Appalachian State, Santa Clara, A rizona, Marquette and Tennessee.

Gainey, however, has never held a head coaching position at the collegiate level.

Another name that has been out there is New Mexico coach Richard Pitino.

Pitino, 42, is the son of two -time NCAA champion Rick Pitino and has been a collegiate head coach since 2012.

The gig with the Lobos (2021-present) is Pitino’s third head coaching job, having also led FIU (2012-13) and Minnesota (2013-21). He holds an all-time coaching record of 244-184 and has qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times.

East region

Duke (1-seed, 31-3, ACC champions): The Blue Devils are the big draw, playing a short drive from campus. Fans should be able to see Cooper Flagg, who is expected back for the weekend’s games. ACC Tournament

MVP Kon Knueppel had a coming-out party in Charlotte in Flagg’s absence.

American (16-seed, 22-12, Patriot champions): The Eagles played in the First Four in Dayton after press time. If they won, they’ll face Duke. American is led by Patriot tourney MVP Matt Rogers (17 points), a fifth-year player. Sophomore Greg Jones and senior Elijah Stephens also score in double figures. American’s tallest player is 6-foot-9, and the Eagles start a 5-foot-9 point guard. They get their shots blocked at the eighth-highest rate in the nation and rank No. 335 in offensive rebounding.

Mount St. Mary’s (16-seed, 22-12, MAAC champions): The Mountaineers played American for the slot opposite Duke in the first round. If they draw Duke, they’ll be led by junior forward Dola Adebayo (13.2 points, 6.9 rebounds), sophomore guard Dallas Hobbs (12.6 points) and senior Jedy Cordilla (10 points, 7.3 rebounds). The Mount averages less than a point per possession, giving them the No. 298 ranking in offensive efficiency. They also rank in the bottom 10 in turnover rate on offense. They’re close to a top-50 team in shooting defense and 3-point defense, however.

Mississippi State (8-seed, 21-12, SEC at-large): The Bulldogs are led by All-SEC second-teamer Josh Hubbard. The 5-foot-10 sophomore averaged 18.7 points and 2.2 assists. Se-

and blew out Pitt at home, 9057. Mississippi State is one of the few teams with a winning all-time record against Duke. The Blue Devils won the most recent meeting, in the 2005 tournament but are 1-2 against the Bulldogs. If Duke gets past the two Raleigh games, the Blue Devils will advance to the regional in Newark, New Jersey. The Sweet 16 opponent could be another team with a winning record over Duke. Arizona, the

Georgia head coach Mike White reacts during a February game against Auburn. While not the current favorite to coach NC State, he’s believed to be on the Wolfpack’s radar as they search.

Georgia head coach Mike White has had his name tied to the position as well. He’s been coaching collegiately since 2000 but has been a head coach since 2011.

White, 48, is on his third head coaching gig — Louisiana Tech (2011-15), Florida (2015-22) and Georgia (2022-present) — and has a coaching record of 299 -173 with five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Current Atlanta Hawks assistant coach and long-time Notre Dame coach Mike Brey’s name is also in the rumor mill.

Brey, 65, was at one time an assistant at Duke under Mike Krzyzewski and led the Irish to the NCAA Tournament 13 times in his 23 years with the program, making it to the Elite

Eight twice. He holds a 582-332 all-time coaching record.

The last big name that’s been floated around is VCU coach Ryan Odom.

Odom, 50, has been with the Rams since 2023 but has been coaching at the collegiate level since 1996.

He also has experience in the state, having been an assistant with UNC Asheville (1999 -2000) and Charlotte (2010-15).

The veteran coach has a 222-126 overall coaching record and has made the NCAA Tournament three times.

He notably led UMBC to an upset win over Virginia in 2018, the first time a No. 16 seed defeated a No. 1 seed in NCAA Division I history.

Florida 7-foot-9 freshman center Olivier Rioux, center, applauds as teammates are introduced before a November game against Wake Forest.

nior forward Camron Matthews made the SEC All-Defensive Team. Mississippi State struggles shooting (No. 296) and defending (No. 318) the 3-point arc.

Baylor (9-seed, 19-14, Big 12 at-large): V.J. Edgecombe (15 points, 5.6 rebounds) won Big 12 Freshman of the Year and was second-team All-Big 12. Miami transfer Norchad Omier (15.9 points, 10.9 rebounds) was first-team, and guard Robert Wright (11.3 points, 4.3 assists) joined Edgecombe on the All-Freshman team. The other name of note is Jeremy Roach. The Duke grad averaged 10.3 points and is coming off the bench for the Bears.

West region

Florida (1-seed, 30-4, SEC champions): Senior guard Wal-

4-seed, had a three -game winning streak over Duke snapped when the Blue Devils won at Arizona in the fall. Former Tar Heels guard Caleb Love is the leading scorer for the Wildcats. Arizona went 22-12 overall and 14-6 in its debut Big 12 season. Duke could also face No. 5 Oregon, which went 12-8 in its first Big Ten season and 24-9 overall.

Get through that game, which might also feature potential Cinderallas Akron or

ter Clayton (17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists) was All- SEC first team, and 6-foot-11 Australian forward Alex Condon (11.2 points, 7.9 rebounds) was second team. The most intriguing Gator is on the bench, however. Seven-foot-9 freshman center Olivier Rioux is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest teenager. He cut down the net at the SEC Tournament without using the ladder, but he’s redshirting the year.

Norfolk State (16-seed, 24 -10, MEAC champions): The Spartans are going to be trouble. Unlike most 16-seeds, they have size in 6-foot-11 center Kuluel Mading, of High Point, and 6-foot-10 Tyrel Bladen. They also have an unfamiliar look — they play zone about a third of the time — and have a grizzled veteran guard in Brian

Liberty, and Duke could face the nation’s top-scoring team in 2-seed Alabama. The Crimson Tide are coached by Nate Oats, who seems to enjoy playing the heel, especially when it comes to ACC teams. He famously picked a media fight with then-Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski during the COVID season. More recently, when discussing potential NCAA seeding, he declared, “We’ve had more top 25 wins in our last seven games than every

Moore (18.4 points, 3.1 assists). They may not beat Florida, but they’re going to scare the Gators to death.

UConn (8-seed, 23-10, Big East at-large): The two-time defending national champions have their worst seed since 2016. Alex Karaban, the only returning starter from last year, has been in a late-season shooting slump. He, Soloman Ball and Liam McNeeley all score just over 14 points each. The Huskies have size, good interior defense and an efficient offense.

Oklahoma (9-seed, 20-13, SEC at-large): Porter Moser, best known for taking Loyola-Chicago and Sister Jean to the Final Four, is taking the Sooners to the NCAAs for the first time in four years. Oklahoma is led by All-SEC-Freshman Team member Jeremiah Fears (17 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists).

ACC school did the entire season.”

A top ’Bama reserve is Seaforth product Jarin Stevenson. If Alabama gets tripped up, top upset-minded teams in that half of the bracket include 3-seed Wisconsin, 6-seed BYU, Saint Mary’s, Vanderbilt and VCU. Much like the gauntlet the Blue Devils ran to take the ACC title, a trip to San Antonio for the Final Four will require Duke to navigate a challenging stretch of four opponents.

JULIE BENNETT / AP PHOTO

PHELAN M. EBENHACK / AP PHOTO

NOTICE

CUMBERLAND

NOTICE

In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File #24E001016-250

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

The Undersigned having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Wilmer Berrio, deceased late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of March, 2025. Juan Camilo Berrio 3726 West Malory Court Cocoa FL. 32926

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25SP000133-250 FOR THE ADOPTION OF A FEMALE MINOR

TO: the biological father of Baby Girl Graham, a female child, born on February 7, 2025 in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to Ciara Shantal Graham. Take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed with the Clerk of Superior Court for Cumberland County, North Carolina in the above entitled special proceeding. The Petition relates to Baby Girl Graham, a female child, born on February 7, 2025 in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to Ciara Shantal Graham. Ms. Graham reports that the biological father is Richard Baldwin of Fayetteville, NC and that conception occurred in Cumberland County, NC. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are required to file a response to such pleading not later than 40 days from the first day of publication of this notice, that date being March 6, 2025, and upon your failure to do so the Petitioner will apply to the Court for relief sought in the Petition. Any parental rights you may have will be terminated upon the entry of the decree of adoption. Kelly T. Dempsey, Attorney for Petitioners, 101 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 2828

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER: 24E002768-250 In the Matter of the Estate of: GARLAND DANIEL EDGE

Deceased. ))))) EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Garland Daniel Edge, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before June 13, 2025 (which is three (3) months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. THIS the 10th day of March, 2025.

Sharon Kay Jacobs, Executor of the Estate of Garland Daniel Edge, Deceased

c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705 Publish: 03/13/2025, 03/20/2025, 03/27/2025 and 04/03/2025

Executor’s Notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25-E-000216-250 State of North Carolina

Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Albert Francis Finn, III, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 6138 Ackerman Drive, Hope Mills, North Carolina 28348 on or before May 27, 2025, 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 27th day of February, 2025.

Kristina Elizabeth Finn

Executor of the Estate of Albert Francis Finn, III, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305

02/27/2025, 03/06/2025, 03/13/2025 and 03/20/2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Cumberland County THE ESTATE OF Yamil Velazquez Fraticelli, Deceased Case No. 2024 E 001199 NOTICE is hereby given that Christopher Velazquez of the Estate of Yamil Velazquez Fraticelli, has been appointed to administer the estate.

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate are hereby notified to present their claims, duly verified, to the undersigned at the address provided below 2249 n winchell st Portland,OR on or before June 14,2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned . Christopher Velazquez administrator to the estate of Yamil Velazquez Fraticelli 2249 n winchell st Portland,OR 97217

Executor’s Notice

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE 25E000359-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: IRENE MAULTSBY

Executor’s NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Irene Maultsby, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 20 day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 20 day of March, 2025.

Carma Durden 1229 Thistle Gold Dr. Hope Mills, NC 28348 Executor of the estate of Irene Maultsby, deceased March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, 2025

Executor’s Notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000134-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Harlon Gregory, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 3601 Chesaning Place, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311, on or before June 6, 2025, 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 6th day of March, 2025. William Lester Clagett

Executor of the Estate of Harlon Gregory, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305

03/06/2025, 03/13/2025, 03/20/2025 and 03/27/2025

NOTICE

State Of North Carolina Cumberland County

Administrator Notice

The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Carolyn J. Henderson deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on of before the 6th day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of March, 2025. Administrator of the Estate of Carolyn J. Henderson Contact address: 3602 Village Dr, Fayetteville Nc 28304

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File #24E000846-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James A. Howard deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims Against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 22 day Of May, 2025 , (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 20th day of Feb, 2025 . Akisha M. Howard Administrator/Executor 1802 Glenwick Dr. Fayetteville, NC, 28304 Of the Estate of James A. Howard, Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 25-E-000353-250

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Charlotte Ann Ivey, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of June, 2025. (Which date is three months after the first 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. Dated this 14th day of March, 2025. Melinda A. Stephens, Executor of the Estate of Charlotte Ann Ivey 3220 Cove Lake Road SE Hampton Cove, Alabama, 35763

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF HARVEY CLARKE MCKINLEY JENKINS, SR. CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24E001350-250

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Harvey Clarke McKinley Jenkins, Sr., deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Harvil Cwame Jenkins, Executor, at 12129 Ten penny Lane, Lusby, MD 20657, on or before the 21st day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above.

This the 13th day of March, 2025. Harvil Cwame Jenkins Executor of the Estate of Harvey Clarke McKinley Jenkins, Sr. Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, 2025

NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualified Joel Jones (administrator) of the Estate of Beulah Jane Jones, decreased, later of Cumberland County, hereby notified all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6 day of June, 2025, 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 6 day of March 2025. Joel Jones at 5042 beargrass dr, Dallas, NC, 28304 of the estate of Beulah Jane Jones, Deceased

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR

COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000122-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Verdell McCall, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned 721 Eccles Drive, Fayetteville North Carolina 28301, on or before June 20, 2025, 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 17th day of March 2025. Kevin McCall Executive of Estate of Verdell McCall, Deceased c/o Kevin McCall 721 Eccles Drive, Fayetteville NC 28301..

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court

Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000248-250 County of Cumberland Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as the Administrator of the estate of Charles Ernest Lilly deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of June, 2025 ( which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13th day of March, 2025. Charles Ernest Lilly II Administrator/Executor 215 N. Dakota St. Address Charlotte, NC. 28216 City, State, Zip

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF VIRGINIA LLOYD

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000169-250

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Virginia Lloyd, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Danielle Lafferty, 1906 Gables Lane, Vienna VA 22182; Jacqueline Tanenbaum, 17912 Bunker Hill Rd., Parkton, MD 21120; and Kristen Lloyd, 7709 Prospector Pl., Raleigh, NC 27615, Co-Executors, on or before the 21st day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the CoExecutors named above. This the 17th day of March, 2025. Danielle Lafferty, Jacqueline Tanenbaum, Kristen Lloyd Co- Executors of the Estate of Virginia Lloyd Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm

Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, 2025

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 24 E 1212 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: KISAL

GILCHRIST Executor’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualifed as Executor of the estate of Lamarvion Tremayne Aviticus McKinnon, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 14 day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13 day of March, 2025.

Kisal Gilchrist 373 Croft drive Fayetteville NC 28312 Executor of the estate of Lamarvion Tremayne Aviticus McKinnon, deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE NO. 24E002863-250

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Kathleen Sprague McLamb, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of June, 2025,(which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 3rd day of March, 2025.

Mark W. McLamb, Executor of the Estate of Kathleen Sprague McLamb 2709 Lake Club Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28304

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000238-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Max Craven McClellan Sr., deceased, late of Cumberland County, herby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 28 day of May, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 19 day of February, 2025.

David G. McClellan Administrator/Executor 315 Tolarsville Road Address Lumberton, NC 28358 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Max Craven McClellan Sr. Deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E1195

The Undersigned, having qualified as Robin Glenn of the Estate of William Edward Peabody, deceased, late of Cumberland County, herby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 6th day of March, 2025 Robin Rae Glenn Administrator/Executor 190 Piney Lane Southern Pines, NC. 28387 Of the Estate of William Edward Peabody, Deceased

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E242 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Denise Lynn Randall, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of June ,2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13th day of March 2025. Chantel Pittman_______ Administrator/Executor 6913 Tayberry Court Address Fayetteville NC 28306 City State Zip Of the Estate of Denise Lynn Randall, Deceased

Notice to Creditors The undersigned,

COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER: 25E000046250 In the Matter of the Estate of: NANCY MCQUAGE SMITH Deceased EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Nancy McQuage Smith, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before June 6, 2025 (which is three (3) months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. THIS the 3rd day of March, 2025. Karen Smith Roberts, Executor of the Estate of Nancy McQuage Smith, Deceased c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705 Publish: 03/06/2025, 03/13/2025, 03/20/2025

Charlotte, NC 28217 Of the estate of Joyce Ann Williams, deceased.

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER: 25E000337-250 In the Matter of the Estate of: EVA B. YARBOROUGH Deceased. ))))) EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Eva B. Yarborough, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having

immediate payment to the undersigned. THIS the 10th day of March, 2025.

Kenneth Creed, Jr., Executor of the Estate of Eva B. Yarborough, Deceased c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705 Publish: 03/13/2025, 03/20/2025, 03/27/2025 and 04/03/2025

DURHAM

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DURHAM COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 24SP002183-310 FOR THE ADOPTION OF A MINOR

TO: the putative birth father of Unborn Baby W., expected to be born on March 21, 2025 in Cary, Wake County, North Carolina. Take notice that a Petition for Pre-Birth Determination of Right to Consent was filed with the Clerk of Superior Court for Durham County, North Carolina in the above entitled special proceeding. The Petition relates Unborn Baby W., expected to be born on March 21, 2025 in Cary, Wake County, North Carolina. The birth mother is M.N.W., who is a 22 year-old White female with brown wavy hair and brown eyes. Ms. W. reports that the putative birth father is “Rhino”, and that conception occurred in Raleigh, North Carolina. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are required to file a response to such pleading not later than 40 days from the first day of publication of this notice, that date being March 6, 2025, and upon your failure to do so the Petitioner will apply to the Court for relief sought in the Petition. Any parental rights you may have will be terminated upon the entry of the decree of adoption.

Kelly T. Dempsey, Attorney for Petitioners, 101 S. Tryon Street, Suite 1700, Charlotte NC 28280.

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator/ Executor of the Estate of Gary Clifford Lundy, deceased, late of New Hanover County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claims to the undersigned on or before 6th of June (which is three months after the day of this notice) will be placed in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the descendant are requested to make immediate payments to the undersigned This 6th day of March 2025 Jennifer Lundy 1818 Stage Road Durham, NC 27703 Administrator/ Executor of the Estate of Gary Clifford Lundy, Deceased Please publish 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 25E001335-640

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Lemuel Cleaves Johnson III, deceased, late of New Hanover County, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 18th day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 20th day of March, 2025. Christina J. Tate 201 Kuyrkendall Place, Long Beach, MS 39560. Executor of the estate of Lemuel Cleaves Johnson III, deceased. Christina J. Tate 201 Kuyrkendall Place Long Beach, MS 39560 March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 2025 File Number: 25E001335-640

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as the court-appointed Administrator of the Estate of Mr. Gerald Howard Robertson, deceased, late of New Hanover County, Wilmington, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned within ninety days of this first publication. This notice will be published for four consecutive weeks, beginning on Thursday, March 13th 2025. Claims must be presented to the undersigned on or before June 13th, 2025. Aasim Robertson Administrator of the Estate of Mr. Gerald Howard Robertson 3839 Bronxwood Ave Bronx, NY 10469 (929) 285 – 0975

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, S&T

BANK, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of RALPH L. WINGROVE, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said S&T BANK, at the address set out below, on or before June 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.

This the 3rd day of March, 2025 S&T BANK Executor of the Estate of RALPH L. WINGROVE c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, RECORDED AT BOOK 8693, PAGE 1412, AND AS AMENDED WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY CONCERNING RUSSELL W. FRAZIER, II AND SPOUSE, IF ANY SECOND NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE OF ASSOCIATION’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions recorded at Book 8693, Page 1412, as amended Wake County Registry; and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured by said Declaration and failure of performance of the stipulations and agreements therein contained, and pursuant to the Order entered in 23SP003444-910, Superior Court of WAKE County, North Carolina, the undersigned Trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate located in WAKE County, North Carolina: Legal Description: Being all of Lot Q-2, Heritage Fairview Townhomes, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Book of Maps 2004, Page 1792, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina. Being also known as 1239 Fairview Club Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587. ALSO BEING that property described in that deed recorded at Deed Book 12973, Page 1445 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina. Present Legal Owners: Russell W. Frazier, II and Spouse, if Any Property Address: 1239 Fairview Club Drive Wake Forest, NC 27587-4234 A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, or Seven Hundred Fifty and 00/100

and must be tendered at

ORANGE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Probate #_24001580-670_____________

All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Lucy Yvonne Maness, late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Darren Manness, as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 on or before the 25th day of May, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above named Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Mary Lee Reeb, late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Kenneth George Reeb, Jr., as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney,

N Columbia

NC 27514 on or

the 20th

of

or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above named Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261

Notice to Run: 3/20/2025,3/27/2025,

RANDOLPH

day of April, 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 480 Efland, NC 27243

Publication Dates: March 13, 20, 27, April 3

WAKE

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE WAKE COUNTY 24 CV 032228-910 MED DIRECT CAPITAL, LLC v. NC SIDING EXPRESS INC and J. JESUS IBARRA IBARRA a/k/a JESUS IBARRA To: J. JESUS IBARRA IBARRA a/k/a JESUS IBARRA

Take Notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-captioned action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Complaint. You are required to make a defense to such pleading no later than 40 days from the date of the first publication of this notice, or on or before April 22, 2025. If you fail to respond, the party seeking relief against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 10th day of March 2025. Lindsey E. Powell, Attorney for Plaintiff Anderson Jones, LLC PO Box 20248 Raleigh, NC 27619 Published March 13, 20, 27, 2025.

in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of this Court. If you occupy the property pursuant to a rental agreement please note that any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on

23SP000171-250

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Nickolas A. Buol and Mindy M. Buol to H. Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), which was dated April 25, 2007 and recorded on April 27, 2007 in Book 7571 at Page 885, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22 SP 555 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Gregory A. Dean and Angela D. Dean, in the original amount of $136,600.00, payable to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., dated January 6, 2012 and recorded on January 11, 2012 in Book 08807, Page 0020, Cumberland 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 Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 24SP001844-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ARTHUR G. TOWNSEND AND DOROTHY A. TOWNSEND DATED MARCH 29, 2001 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5434 AT PAGE 314 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

or

is

location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 2, 2025 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 198 OF OAK PARK, AS SAME IS SHOWN ON A MAP THEREOF RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 27, PAGE 56, IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY.

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

Said property is commonly known as 4188 Deerfield Drive NW, Concord, NC 28027.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are

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

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Dick. An Order for possession of the property may

This property is a portion of the lands described in Deed Book 2267, Page 431, and Deed Book 2762, Page 393, recorded in the Cumberland County Registry. See also Plat Book 45, Page 40. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 2716 James Dail Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28301. A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

more or less.

county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 2, 2025 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

Being all of Lot 259 in a subdivision known as Montibello, Section Five, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Plat Book 58, Page 135, Cumberland County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 737 Prestige Boulevard, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR

courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on March 25, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot Number 100 in a subdivision known as KINWOOD, SECTION 8 and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 57, at page 17, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Parcel ID: 0540-15-0709

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 237 Lofton Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311. Tax ID: 0540-15-0709 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-five Cents (0.45) per each One

NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on March 24, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Arthur G. Townsend and Dorothy A. Townsend, dated March 29, 2001 to secure the original principal amount of $80,100.00, and recorded in Book 5434 at Page 314 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 1417 A Townsend Road, Parkton, NC 28371 Tax Parcel ID: 0421-30-7848 Present Record Owners:

and recorded in Book 10961, Page 561 of the Cumberland County Public Registry by Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Cumberland County, North Carolina, in Book 11453, Page 704, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Monday, March 24, 2025 at 11:00 am, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 9488-20-8101 ADDRESS: 6721 PACIFIC AVE., FAYETTEVLLE, NC 28314 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): ANGELA GAFFNEY BEING ALL OF LOT 934, MIDDLE CREEK, SECTION TEN, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF SAME DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 78, PAGE 54, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this

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

(910) 392-4988 File No.: 24-25752-FC01

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 PATRICK T. 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 superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after

DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Nickolas A. Buol and wife, Mindy M. Buol.

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

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are Gregory A. Dean and Angela D. Dean. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for

The Heirs of Arthur Geral Townsend The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Arthur Geral Townsend. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax

authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way

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

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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the

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 effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of 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

associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit

not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute 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. Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee

By: _______________________________

David W. Neill, Bar #23396 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) dneill@mtglaw.com

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

FILE NUMBER: 22SP000432-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by DAVVEE L. FARENCE AND PAUL FARENCE, III payable to FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Lender, to H. TERRY HUTCHENS, ESQUIRE HUTCHENS, SENTER & BRITTON, PA, Trustee, dated May 9, 2016, and recorded in Book 9858, Page 0271 of the Cumberland County Public Registry by Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, , having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Cumberland County, North Carolina, in Book 11453, Page 555, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY

20sp000356-250

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY

MICHAEL A. BLACKWELL AND KIMBERLY R. BLACKWELL DATED DECEMBER 11, 2012 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9063 AT PAGE 599 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY

22sp000556-250

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY TROY D DAVIS AND LINDA DAVIS DATED

real estate situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 0405-36-0932 ADDRESS: 2007 ROTTINGHAM CT, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28304 REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ROCKFISH TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 78, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS ARRAN LAKES WEST, SECTION ONE, PART TWO, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF SAME DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 46, PAGE 19, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. BEING ALL OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY CONVEYED TO PAUL FARENCE, III AND WIFE, DAVVEE L. FARENCE FROM RICHARD K. ADAMS, JR. AND WIFE, PAMELA W. ADAMS, BY DEED DATED FEBRUARY 08, 1984 AND RECORDED FEBRUARY 24, 1984 IN BOOK 2977 PAGE 789 OF OFFICIAL RECORDS. COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 2007 ROTTINGHAM CT, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28304 APN #: 0405-36-0932 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): PAUL FARENCE, III Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole

courthouse at 11:00AM on April 3, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Michael A. Blackwell and Kimberly R. Blackwell, dated December 11, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $175,300.00, and recorded in Book 9063 at Page 599 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 1440 Homeland Dr, Parkton, NC 28371 Tax Parcel ID: 0 403-33-8749 Present Record Owners: Michael A. Blackwell The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Michael A. Blackwell.

FEBRUARY 28, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6803 AT PAGE 833 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED JULY 16, 2018 IN BOOK 10342, PAGE 572 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on March 27, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Troy D Davis and Linda Davis, dated February 28, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $132,692.00, and recorded in Book 6803 at Page 833 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 1452 Middlesbrough Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306 Tax Parcel ID: 0 415-65-6127 Present Record Owners: Troy D. Davis and Linda Davis The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Troy D. Davis and Linda Davis.

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 23sp1013

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RICHARD RIVERAL SALINAS AND MARILYN RIIVERA DATED JULY 6, 2012 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8946 AT PAGE 375 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on March 27, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Richard Riveral Salinas and Marilyn Riivera, dated July 6, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $82,200.00, and recorded in Book 8946 at Page 375 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 4 512 Plainview Crt, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Tax Parcel ID: 0 416-41-4575 Present Record Owners: Richard Rivera Salinas The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Richard Rivera Salinas.

discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to

this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the

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

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

After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may

NC 27565

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SP 371

OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by John R Baxter III to Black, Slaughter, & Black PA d/b/a Law Firm Carolinas, Trustee(s), which was dated November 30, 2021 and recorded on December 1, 2021 in Book DE 2517 at Page 1899, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina.

Said property is commonly known as 617 Quail Ln, Lexington, NC 27292.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 81 AS SHOWN ON A MAP ENTITLED GLENOAKS SINGLE FAMILY, PHASE II, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 79, PAGE 25, DAVIDSON COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 JOHN R. BAXTER, III.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after

receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the

DAVIDSON

undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

24SP001680-310

estate situated in the Township of Cotton Grove, in the City of Lexington, in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lot No. 2: BEGINNING at an iron within the right of way of Shepp’s Boat Dock Road, NCSR 2288,

iron; thence North 60 deg. 37 min. 15 sec. West 80.00 ft. to an iron; thence North 22 deg. 55 min. 00 sec. East 315.00 ft. to the point and place of beginning and containing 0.7108 acre more or less and being designated as Lot No. 2 as shown on map by David A. Craver, RLS, dated October 28, 1994. This conveyance is made subject to private roadway described in deed recorded in Book 201, page 161, rightsof-ways to Davidson EMC recorded in Book 256, page 80, and Book 187, page 609, and to conditions, reservations and exceptions of Carolina Aluminum set forth in deed recorded in Book 177, page 31, all references to deeds recorded in the Davidson County Registry, and is further subject to easements and rightsof-way for public utilities and public

roadways existing of record and/or located upon the premises; and further subject to rights-of-way and building lines as shown on copy of survey by David A. Craver, RLS, dated October 28, 1994. Together with improvements thereon, said property located at 272 Shepps Boat Dock Road, Lexington, NC 27292

Property address: 272 Shepps Boat Dock Road, Lexington, NC 27292

Parcel ID: 0603200000038E

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23.

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

or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FORSYTH COUNTY 24sp669

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARY ALICE WARREN, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN ROBERT L. ELLER, A MARRIED MAN AS JOINT TENATS AND WIFE, DIANNA ELLER DATED APRIL 28, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2657 AT PAGE 4468 IN THE FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to

SP 37

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Blondell S Hardin to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated April 7, 2004 and recorded on April 26, 2004 in Book 2464 at Page 1232, Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to wit:

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Cristin Amy Telma (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Cristin Parrish) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated April 19, 2011, and recorded in Book No. 6706, at Page 620 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on April 2, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: LYING on the Eastern side of Shaftsbury Street and being all of Lot 9 in Block L of LOCKELAND, Section One, as per plat and survey thereof now on file in Plat Book 18 at Page 8 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Durham County, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2806 Shaftsbury Street, Durham, North Carolina.

demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Forsyth County courthouse at 10:00AM on April 3, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Mary Alice Warren, an unmarried woman Robert L. Eller, a married man as joint tenats and wife, Dianna Eller, dated April 28, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $170,100.00, and recorded in Book 2657 at Page 4468 of the Forsyth County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 5 695 Reynolda Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27106 Tax Parcel ID: 6 808-15-9288.00 Present Record Owners: Mar y Alice Warren and Dianna Eller

ALL THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY

SITUATED IN THE CITY OF WINSTON SALEM, IN THE COUNTY OF FORSYTH AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND BEING DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED 10/01/1981 AND RECORDED 10/07/1981 IN BOOK 1346, PAGE 531 AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND STATE SET FORTH ABOVE AND REFERENCED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 45, BLOCK F, SUBDIVISION OF MORNINGSIDE MANOR, SECTION 2, PLAT BOOK 18, PLAT PAGE 103.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1201 Peachtree Street, Winston Salem, NC 27107.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING

Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain property situated in the City of Kernersville in the County of Forsyth and State of North Carolina, being described as follows: Lot 45, Timber Trails, Section 2, recorded in Plat Book 26, Page 197. Being more fully described in a Deed dated 12/01/1998 and recorded 12/ 01/1998, among the land records of the County and State set forth above in Deed Volume 2038 and Page 2991. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6025 Timberwood Trail, Kernersville, North Carolina.

pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Mary Alice Warren and Dianna Eller. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed.

This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified

COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Blondell S. Hardin.

this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential

funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is March 14, 2025.

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys

Wilmington,

28403 PHONE: (910)

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”.

File No.: 24-38610-FC01 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25 SP 13 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Clarence Mitchell Creed and Cynthia Parrish Creed (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Clarence Mitchell Creed and Cynthia Parrish Creed) to Mark Sgromolo, Trustee(s), dated July 27, 2004, and recorded in Book No. RE 2492, at Page 789 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on March 26, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Kernersville in the County of

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee

nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited

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

to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare

FORSYTH

DURHAM

of Trust executed by Carey Gallegos to AW Morris Law PLLC, Trustee(s), which was dated March 23, 2022 and recorded on March 28, 2022 in Book 6219 at Page 338, Johnston County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said

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 April 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to

being more particularly described as follows: BEING ALL OF Lot 34, Section 3, Quail Pointe Subdivision, recorded in Map Book 28, Page 65, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, to which map reference is hereby made for a more particular description.

or

of

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

BEGINNING, containing .495 acres, more or less, all according to survey prepared by Daniel W. Donathan L-1192 dated October 27, 2004. BEING THE SAME AND IDENTICAL PROPERTY as described in Deed Book 1124

perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Iredell County courthouse at 11:00AM on March 25, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Iredell County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Exemplar Holdings, LLC, dated January 31, 2024 to secure the original principal amount of $406,875.00, and recorded in Book 3041 at Page 457 of the Iredell County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 110 Blakeslee Court, Mooresville, NC 28115 Tax Parcel ID: 4667697531.000

of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on April 1, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Clayton in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 208, in Cobblestone Village Subdivision, Phase 5A, as shown on plat recorded in Plat Book 71, Pages 244-245, Johnston County Registry; reference is also made to plat recorded in Plat Book 70, Pages 284-285, Johnston County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 60 Rowan Drive, Clayton, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court

the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL OF LOT 11, WELLESLEY SUBDIVISION, PHASE 2C, AS SHOWN ON PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 88, PAGES 415416, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY ADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 162 S Parliament Way, Clayton, NC 27520.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR

foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any

of the property,

the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina. Tax Block 315 Lot(s) 6B, 105C, 4C, and 5C. Together with improvements thereon, said property located at 1800 North Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27105

Property address: 1800 North Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Parcel ID: 6836-53-2613.000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any

Present Record Owners: Exemplar Holdings, LLC The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Exemplar Holdings, LLC. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit

physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way

of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND

costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to

DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Carey Gallegos.

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

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Adair F. Williams. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of

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

JOHNSTON

IREDELL

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25SP000029-890 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION NOTICE OF SALE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE

24SP001266-910

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 Patricia Lynn Coleman Larson and Robert Thomas Larson to J Lee Carlton, Trustee(s), which was dated March 31, 2006 and recorded on March 31, 2006 in Book 011889 at Page 01339, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY 24 SP 001269-910

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale

usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on March 25, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Raymond W. Dove, III, dated October 26, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $134,290.00, and recorded in Book No. 05864, at Page 0338 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 2, 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. 1, Block 19 according to plat entitled “Section Nine, North Hills Sub’d., Robon Dev. Co., Owner”, dated June 26, 1961, prepared by John A. Edwards, Consulting Engineer, and recorded in Book of Maps 1961, page 5 of Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 4608 Pitt Street, Raleigh, NC 27609.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid

contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James F Upchurch aka James Felton Upchurch, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $116,900.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), as beneficiary, as nominee for Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation, its successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated September 1, 2010 and recorded on September 23, 2010 in Book 014082, Page 02317, 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 Office 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Wake County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on March 27th, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Beginning at a stake in the Northeastern line of Winterlochen Road, said stake being distant in a Northwestern direction as measured along the Northeastern line of Winterlochen Road 302.55 feet from the point where the Northeastern line of Winterlochen Road begins to curve into Jessup Drive, said stake also marking a common corner of Lots 127 and 128 on map to which reference is hereinafter made; runs thence along the Northeastern line of Winterlochen Road in a Northwestern direction 90 feet to a stake, a common corner of Lots 128 and 129; runs thence along the dividing line between Lots 128 and 129 in a Northeastern direction 175 feet to a stake, a common corner of Lots 128, 129, 119 and 120; runs thence along the dividing line between Lots 120 and 128 in a Southeastern direction 90 feet to a stake, another common corner of Lots 127 and 128; runs thence along the dividing line between Lots 127 and 128 in a Southwestern direction 175 feet to the Point of Beginning, and being Lot 128 of Greenbrier Estates, Section 3, according to map recorded in Book of Maps 1960 at Page 239, Wake County Registry. This conveyance is made subject to

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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale

on March 26, 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 certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

on March 26, 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 11, Block I of Greenwood Forest, Section 3, Part B, as recorded in Book of Maps 1962, Page 117, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 531 East Cornwall Road, Cary, NC 27511.

of Deeds, is/are Raymond W. Dove, III and Marie Dotson and Estate of Raymond W. Dove. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating

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

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Patricia Lynn Coleman Larson and spouse, Robert Thomas Larson.

Restrictive Covenants recorded in Book 1434 at Page 565 as amended by instrument recorded in Book 1436 at Page 674, both Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 400 Winterlochen Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 Tax ID: 0080666 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-five 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 five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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

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

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

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Renee Porter and husband, Jacques Parker Baker and All Lawful Heirs of Eugene P. Porter.

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

particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed John A. Alvi, dated May 24, 2018 to secure the original principal amount of $220,000.00, and recorded in Book 17159 at Page 820 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 4612 Pleasant Grove Church Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613-3322 Tax Parcel ID: 0206500 Present Record Owners: John Alvi The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are John Alvi. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as

There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner of the property is The Estate of James Felton Upchurch. 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 effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-

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

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

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

Pursuant

by law. After the expiration of the

AND

of Default and

deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee

21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of 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

this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The 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

Dark side of the moon

A total lunar eclipse rewarded those who stayed up — or were up early — last Friday morning. Photographed from Pinehurst between 1:50 and 4 a.m., a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the moon to be darkened.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months in space

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after being stuck in space for more than nine months. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of America early Tuesday evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. The splashdown brought their space saga to an end. It all began with a bungled Boeing test flight last year. The two expected to be gone a week or so after launching on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. Issues led NASA to order Starliner back empty and reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX for the ride home.

AG, N.C. Turnpike warn of toll payment scam text messages

Raleigh Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Turnpike Authority are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass. The random texts demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls.

“These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” said Jackson in a press release. “Don’t fall for them.” Clicking links can expose victims to financial fraud. The Department of Justice is working with federal and international partners to track the source, which officials believe originated in Canada before moving operations to the U.S.

$2.00

Stanly commissioners vote on board appointments

Membership decisions were made for two county boards

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — At the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night, commissioners were tasked with appointments for the Consolidated Health and Human Services Board and Airport Authority Board.

Dolly Clayton, the county’s health and human services director, presented the potential reappointment of Wendell Drye for the four-year term of the engineer position on the Consolidated Health and Human Services Board.

With his current term set to expire on April 1, Drye submitted an updated application to serve another four years and was the only applicant for the board’s specific engineer designation.

Drye also attended the consolidated board’s recent meeting on March 6, where he expressed a continued interest in serving as a board member.

“We technically have another vacant position for a psychiatrist, but we don’t have any current applicants for that position,” Clayton said. “That position has been vacant the whole time that the consolidated board has been around.”

“We’ll make notice that we have a position open then,” Chairman Mike Barbee responded.

“It looks like our members will be Mr. Faust and Mrs. Plumley as our two new reappointees.”

Chairman Mike Barbee on new Airport Authority Board members

Following a motion by Commissioner Bill Lawhon, the board of commissioners unanimously voted in favor of Drye’s reappointment.

Next up, Stanly County Airport Director Randy Shank notified the commissioners that the Airport Authority Board was due for two appointments for four-year terms, given that

the current terms of James Faust and Jacqueline Plumley are set to expire at the end of March.

Faust is currently serving in place of David Rudisill, who resigned on Sept. 9, 2023, making him eligible for his first term of full service if reappointed. Meanwhile, Plumley is currently completing her first full term and would be eligible for her second and final term if reappointed.

“Each appointment would be for a full four-year term expiring on March 31, 2029,” Shank said.

Lawhon made the initial motion to reappoint Faust and Plumlee to new terms on the Airport Authority Board. Commissioner Patty Crump then motioned to reappoint Plumley and to appoint Christina Brown, while Barbee motioned to appoint Gerald Efird.

Because they were sorted as individual nominations, Stanly County Manager Andy Lucas clarified that the commissioners

Stanly County Chorale, Melissa Kathleen’s School of Dance, A Bunch of Misfits, soloists from Music on Main, and the West Stanly Players.

The free event will be at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — This weekend, the Stanly County Arts Council is set to host a free event at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center where the general public can learn more about the local arts community. The seventh-annual Celebration of the Arts on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m will feature live performances, information tables, art displays and demonstrations, author meetand-greets, and an exhibition of student art from schools throughout the county.

The seventh-annual Celebration of the Arts will be held on March 22 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.

“This long-standing tradition truly is one of our favorite events because of the number of families it has the potential to reach,” Dombrowski continued. “I hope you will join us for one of our favorite events of the year and celebrate the rich artistic talent this county has to offer.”

The upcoming event will also showcase local authors from Stanly County, including Denny Hamann, Brian Hill, Janice Cole Hopkins, Ann Lacey, Dianne Miley, Ruth Morris Moose, Susan Pless, Pam Rutherford, Rickey Smith and Jake Thomas.

Highlighting the musical, dance and theater portion of the event, performers include the Stanly County Concert Band, the Gem Tones Big Band, vocalists and musicians from West Stanly High School, the

“This is such an exciting event for everyone who attends and enjoys the talent and artistic work of our local artist community,” Kelly Dombrowski, chairman of the Stanly County Arts Council, wrote in a statement. “As a principal, I especially enjoy seeing a flurry of excitement as students and their families look for their chosen artwork displayed throughout the Civic Center and the pride in our students and their families as they celebrate their art or their performances throughout the day.”

Over in the venue’s lobby, attendees can view exhibition booths from Mary Ann Gantt of Thistle Pottery, Vicki Galloway, graphic artist Michael Mez Phillips, along with numerous artists from the Stanly Arts Guild.

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR STANLY COUNTY JOURNAL

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BOARD from page A1

would need to handle the votes one at a time and that they each had two votes in the process.

Of the four nominations, the vote tallies came up to four for Faust, six for Plumley, three for Brown and one for Efird.

Faust received votes from Commissioners Lawhon, Trent Hatley, Billy Mills and Scott Efird; Plumley had votes from Vice Chairman Brandon King and Lawhon, Hatley, Mills, Efird and Crump.

Brown received votes from Barbee, King and Crump, while Barbee was the lone vote for Efird.

“It looks like our members will be Mr. Faust and Mrs. Plumley as our two new reappointees,” Barbee said.

Faust and Plumley will be reinstalled as board members at the Airport Authority Board meeting on April 1. The Stanly County Board of Commissioners is set to hold its next regular meeting on April 7 at 6 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

THURSDAY MARCH 20

FRIDAY MARCH 21

SATURDAY MARCH 22

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ stanlyjournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

MARCH 24

MARCH 23

NC State names new chancellor

Kevin Howell will succeed Randy Woodson

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has chosen the next person to lead the state’s largest public university by enrollment after its longtime chancellor is set to retire soon.

Kevin Howell was named the next chancellor of NC State — and the first black person to lead the institution in its 138year history — at the public university governing board’s Tuesday meeting. He will succeed Randy Woodson, who has served in the role since 2010 and is one of the university system’s longest-serving chancellors.

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health, according to the school’s website. He also pre -

MARC HALL / NC STATE VIA AP

Kevin Howell will succeed longtime NC State chancellor Randy Woodson, who is retiring in 2025, on May 5. Howell is an alumnus of the university.

viously served in various leadership roles at NC State, including as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development. As an NC State undergraduate

student, Howell was student body president.

“I know from experience that effective diplomacy in contentious times requires patience, humility and a genuine respect for the voices and opinions of others,” UNC System President Peter Hans said during the meeting. “These are all qualities that Kevin Howell possesses in abundance.”

Howell will begin in his new role May 5, according to an NC State news release. His salary as chancellor will be $600,000.

Woodson announced his retirement during the university’s trustees meeting last July as his contract was slated to end this summer. Woodson, 67, told reporters then that it was “just a good time” to step away from the chancellorship. Under Woodson’s leadership, the university increased its graduation and retention rates, as well as its research funding. Enrollment also expanded, growing to more than

GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump

Constituents sparred with Rep. Chuck Edwards during last week’s meeting in Asheville

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

ASHEVILLE — Before answering an attendee’s question about President Donald Trump’s “destructive and disastrous trade war,” U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards made a plea to the rowdy crowd at his town hall last Thursday in Asheville.

“Let me answer, and then if you don’t like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you’d like to do,” Edwards said, visibly exhausted.

As he expanded on Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, it took less than a minute for the crowd to break out in outrage. He continued to plow ahead in his response and eventually punctuated it by telling attendees he would

CRIME LOG

March 11

• James Calvin Coley, 33, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) for felony theft, felony conspiracy, and attempting to obtain property by false pretense.

Kenny Ray Hathcock, 46, was arrested by SCSO for possession of a firearm by a felon.

March 12

John David Howard, 60,

ARTS from page A1

English paper piecing, woodcarving, Native American flutes, dreamcatchers, blacksmithing, and thrown pottery are among the hobbies and trades that will be demonstrated on hand. Event attendees will be able

“stop there and you can yell.” The crowd gladly took him up on the offer.

For about an hour and half, Edwards endured a constant barrage of jeers, expletives and searing questions on Trump administration policies. About 300 people crammed inside a college auditorium for the town hall, while the boos from more than a thousand people outside the building rumbled throughout the event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP representatives last week to skip out on town halls, saying demonstrations outside of them were the work of “professional protesters.”

Edwards addressed the Republican leader’s advice, saying he didn’t want to “shy away” from conversations with the people of western North Carolina — even if they disagreed.

But less than 30 minutes into the town hall, Edwards started to change his tune as a majority of attend-

was arrested by SCSO for larceny by removing or destroying components and misdemeanor theft.

• Kellie Lenora Biles, 43, was arrested by SCSO for breaking or entering, first-degree trespassing, and seconddegree trespassing.

• Daniel Dupres Terhune, 35, was arrested by SCSO for conspiring to traffic opium or heroin, trafficking opium or heroin, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

ees interrupted him with vitriolic disruptions. Asheville is a deep-blue dot amid a sea of red in North Carolina’s mountains. North Carolina went for Trump in the 2024 election.

“And you wonder why folks don’t want to do these town halls,” Edwards said over shouting. Edwards kicked off his town hall discussing western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Asheville is still rebuilding after the devastating storm, which killed more than 100 people in North Carolina and caused a record-shattering amount of damage — about $59.6 billion in damages and record needs, according to the state.

But as Edwards touted the work he said the Trump administration has been doing for the region’s recovery — which could include the president’s proposal to dissolve the Federal Emergency Management Agency — attend-

• Jeremy Taylor Little, 29, was arrested by SCSO for conspiring to traffic opium or heroin, trafficking opium or heroin, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

March 13

Ashley Kelley Coley, 37, was arrested by SCSO for attempting to obtain property by false pretense, felony theft, and felony conspiracy.

38,000 students as of Fall 2024.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said after announcing his retirement in July.

There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes his position this summer, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for higher education as institutions prepare for potential massive losses of funding from the National Institutes of Health. NC State is an R1 research institution — the highest tier for research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — and received more than $48 million from the NIH last fiscal year.

NC State also paused most of its hiring activities — including for faculty — in February, partially due to uncertainty on federal funding, according to a memo from executive vice chancellor Warwick Arden. The memo did not specify when the hiring freeze would end.

ees shouted him down and demanded he address questions immediately. One person was escorted out of the venue after hurling expletives at the congressman.

“Listen to us now!” several people screamed from various parts of the room.

Edwards fielded scathing questions on a variety of topics, ranging from sweeping cuts to various government agencies at the hand of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to the future of health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The representative mostly stayed in line in supporting the Trump administration’s policies, reiterating that part of his job was seeing what decisions his constituents disagreed with so the federal government could “go back and look” at what it could improve on.

Edwards kept good humor throughout the raucous town hall, telling attendees at the end that he enjoyed hearing the crowd’s “passion” and “patriotism.” In a news conference afterward, Edwards said Trump and Musk were “over the target” in what they set out to accomplish.

March 14

Joshua Lee Sanders, 44, was arrested by SCSO for misdemeanor theft and obtaining property by false pretense.

to interact with a creation station where they have the opportunity to create their own art to take home — options include marbelized paper, watercolor techniques and rain stick creation. An awards ceremony will be held at 1:45 p.m. to recognize local individuals who have excelled in the arts field and have made an impact on the community. The 2025 Artist Support Grant recipient, Eli Williams, will be recognized by the arts council prior to the reveal of the 2025 Arts Person of the Year and Fine Arts Teacher of the Year winners. Founded in 1974, the Stanly

Max Dean McRae, 55, was arrested by SCSO for habitual larceny and larceny using an anti-inventory device.

March 17

Alfonsa Junior Bryant, 40, was arrested by SCSO for misdemeanor theft.

County Arts Council supports all art forms in the community with its mission of promoting cultural and educational activities in the arts; the council is supported by private donations, the North Carolina Arts Council, along with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Tariffs based on tendentious history could be political malpractice

Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy despite the warnings of top Democratic economists.

WILL THE SECOND Trump administration come undone by an economic policy based on what the British military historian Lawrence Freedman, describing Vladimir Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine, calls “tendentious history”?

This week, it started to look like the answer might be yes.

In retrospect, it’s clear how the Biden administration’s economic policy stimulated inflation, which, together with its open borders policy, defeated Joe Biden and, after his withdrawal, his designated successor, Kamala Harris. Biden took office when large parts of the American economy were demobilized by COVID-19 restrictions while other sectors and the government continued generating income for consumers who, in COVID-19 days, had no convenient way to spend it all.

To that unique situation, Biden responded in line with traditional Democrats’ “tendentious history.” For them, it’s always 1933. The economy has stalled because consumer demand has failed, and the solution is to stimulate demand with large injections of government cash and the creation of government jobs.

Actually, that’s not what Franklin Roosevelt did. His first New Deal (1933-35) tried to freeze the economy in place by propping up prices and wages, and only after that became impracticable did his Second New Deal (1935-37) seek to redistribute income. But that resulted in “the Roosevelt recession” (1937-38), and the economy was revived when Roosevelt, convinced that Adolf Hitler was a menace, increased military and defense spending.

Biden didn’t follow that course — he cut rather than increased defense spending — nor did he copy the 1963-64 Kennedy-Johnson tax cut, which produced the gush of revenues that, for a while, simultaneously financed

the Great Society and the Vietnam War.

Instead, Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy, despite the warnings of top Democratic economists Larry Summers and Jason Furman. The sharp resulting inflation was just “transitory,” Biden apologists insisted, and indeed the rate of inflation slackened. But prices never went back down, and voters remembered in 2024.

Donald Trump’s “tendentious history” is all about “a beautiful word” — tariffs. Make consumers pay more for goods from abroad, the theory goes, and factories and jobs will spring up in America.

Tariff boosters claim Alexander Hamilton as their progenitor, but he instituted low tariffs primarily because, with 18th-century technology and imports arriving only in a few ports, they were the easiest taxes for a small federal government to collect. From his time, except during the Civil War, tariffs and alcohol taxes mostly paid for the federal government until the passage of the income tax and Prohibition in the 1910s.

Trump likes to cite William McKinley, who, as House Ways and Means chairman, sponsored a tariff bill in 1890. But as president from 1897 to 1901, McKinley recognized that American industry was no longer an infant in need of protection: The United States was the leading steel producer and soon would be the leading auto producer. Just before his assassination by an anarchist, he was about to propose reciprocal tariff-cutting agreements with other nations.

Later Republican presidents regretted that tariff bills had become political pork, much like some of the stuff the Department of Government Efficiency is now targeting. After the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) helped usher in the Depression, a Democratic Congress voted to let the president (actually, Secretary of State

Trump is the world’s ‘worst’ dictator

Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

DICTATORS CRAVE power. President Donald Trump is using his power to give Americans more freedom. That’s a massive difference.

Desperate to find an effective attack against Trump, some Democrats are recycling an old one. They claim he’s an authoritarian. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) invited laid-off federal workers to attend Trump’s recent speech to Congress. She said she was standing “shoulder to shoulder with people in defiance to a dictator.” That type of defiance led Democrats to callously withhold applause from a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor simply because Trump introduced him.

Shameful.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams recently called Trump a “petty tyrant.”

The Associated Press claimed that Trump “has embarked on a dizzying teardown of the federal government and attacks on long-standing institutions in an attempt to increase his own authority.”

These accusations aren’t new. Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris frequently labeled Trump a threat to democracy. Last year, historian Jon Meacham called Trump a “tyrant” who would cause the downfall of the American Republic.

Trump said, “Long live the king.” While that was obviously not a serious claim to monarchical authority, it sent the propaganda press into a tizzy.

Many Americans believe the worst about Trump. Forty-one percent of Americans say Trump is a dictator, according to a February YouGov poll.

Those people aren’t just wrong — they have it backward. Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

It’d help to define some terms.

Merriam-Webster says a dictator is “one holding complete autocratic control.” An autocracy is a “government in which one person possesses unlimited power.” Tyrant has a similar meaning — “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution.”

Therefore, by definition, you can’t be a dictator while increasing freedom and shrinking the size and scope of government. It’s a contradiction.

That’s what Trump is doing. He rolled back Biden’s target for electric vehicle sales. He’s unshackled the energy industry. He wants to undo Biden administration restrictions on dishwashers, shower heads and light bulbs.

He’s ordered agencies to eliminate 10 previous regulations for every new one they put in place. He’s increasing freedom.

Cordell Hull) set tariff rates. This policy had bipartisan support after World War II and helped produce the postwar and 1980s and 1990s booms.

This week, Trump’s tariffophilia has been directed not against China or Europe but against Mexico and Canada, despite the USMCA he negotiated in 2018 to replace the 1994 NAFTA. He suddenly imposed 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel and raised that to 50% after Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed a 25% increase on sales of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

Ford and Trump backed down, but not before stock market prices had fallen sharply and Wall Street and political reporters started speculating that Trump tariffs and uncertainty about them, coupled with indications of weak job growth, could push the U.S. economy into recession. Free market economists joined Summers in arguing that tariffs, by imposing costs on consumers, dampen and sometimes stifle economic growth. Trump admitted, “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called tariffs “a one-time price adjustment.” This sounds no more reassuring than Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s 2021 assurance that Biden-sparked inflation was “transitory.”

Markets hate uncertainty. Trump’s repeated threats, hour-by-hour changes in policy and repeated insults that Canada should become the 51st state have done the opposite of setting the stable policy framework that investors seek. He risks catastrophic disruption of relations with Canada, with whom our relations, except longstanding arguments over softwood lumber and dairy, have been excellent and our economies intertwined.

The nontendentious lesson from history is that heedlessly cutting off and restoring the flow of trade between the U.S. and Canada is an act of economic vandalism and that a “little disturbance,” like “transitory” inflation, could turn out to be political malpractice.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co - author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Trump has fed into this. After he attacked congestion pricing in Manhattan, the White House posted a picture of him wearing a crown.

He’s also pushing for a significant tax cut. Dictators aren’t known for wanting to let you keep more of your own money.

He’s laid off tens of thousands of federal workers. Another 75,000 federal workers took buyouts. DOGE is attempting to reduce federal spending by more than $100 billion. He’s shrinking the government he runs.

The Trump administration is even gearing up to eliminate the Department of Education. In early March, Education Secretary Linda McMahon laid out “our department’s final mission.” She wants “to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children.”

Indoctrinating a nation’s children is a powerful tool for any would-be dictator. Communist dictators wanted kids’ primary loyalty to be to the government. They sought to drive a wedge between children and their parents. Trump wants to give parents more control of their children’s education.

Now, Trump is governing aggressively. The executive orders have been fast and furious. He’s closed the border. He’s clearing out the deep state. He’s rooting out DEI in the government. He’s recognized that men are not women.

But an elected official changing government policy isn’t tyranny. That’s the point of having an election. It’d be tyrannical if an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy could stop a democratically elected president from running the executive branch as he sees fit. Just look at the obstacles Trump faced in his first term.

Trump is one of the most successful men in the world, but he’s a complete failure at being a dictator.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

between the states

Civil War reenactors from across the United States gathered to stage the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event marked the 160th anniversary of the state’s largest and most significant engagement of the Civil War, a fierce clash that unfolded over three days, from March 19-21, 1865. The original battle brought together more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops in a brutal struggle that left a lasting mark on the region’s history. The reenactment drew enthusiasts and historians alike, who donned period-appropriate uniforms and employed authentic tactics to honor the soldiers who fought and the legacy of the conflict.

Dark side of the moon

A total lunar eclipse rewarded those who stayed up — or were up early — last Friday morning. Photographed from Pinehurst between 1:50 and 4 a.m., a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the moon to be darkened.

the BRIEF this week

NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months in space

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after being stuck in space for more than nine months. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico early Tuesday evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. The splashdown brought their space saga to an end. It all began with a bungled Boeing test flight last year.

The two expected to be gone a week or so after launching on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. So many problems cropped up that NASA ordered Starliner back empty and reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX for the ride home.

AG, N.C. Turnpike warn of toll payment scam text messages

Raleigh Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Turnpike Authority are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass. The random texts demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls. “These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” said Jackson in a press release. “Don’t fall for them.” Clicking links can expose victims to financial fraud.

The Department of Justice is working with federal and international partners to track the source, which officials believe originated in Canada before moving operations to the U.S.

Pittsboro approves affordable housing element for Chatham Park

The move sets guidelines for affordable housing within the planned development

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro approved another step in the process for the continued

development of Chatham Park.

At its March 10 meeting, the board OK’d the updated Chatham Park Affordable Housing Element, which addresses affordable housing and workforce housing that will be provided within the development.

The element — which is one of 12 included with the Chatham Park Master Plan and which provides greater details and guidelines on various as-

pects of development — was brought back before the board last month for approval.

However, it was tabled due to questions about how “project” was defined and how it was then utilized within the document to potentially impact density credit allotments.

The updated element removed language which expanded the definition of “project” to include land within all proposed phases of a subdivision or site plan and now simply defines it as, “the land included in a subdivision plan or site plan approved by the Town.” Commissioner John Bonitz, who initially led the charge against the document last month, was still not in support of the updated element however. “I again commend our staff See HOUSING, page A2

NC State names new chancellor

Kevin Howell will succeed Randy Woodson

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has chosen the next person to lead the state’s largest public university by enrollment after its longtime chancellor is set to retire soon.

Kevin Howell was named the next chancellor of NC State — and the first black person to lead the institution in its 138-year history — at the public university governing board’s Tuesday meeting. He will succeed Randy Woodson, who has served in the role since 2010 and is one of the university system’s longest-serving chancellors. Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health,

See CHANCELLOR, page A2

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State.

Constituents sparred with Rep. Chuck Edwards during last week’s meeting in Asheville

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

ASHEVILLE — Before answer-

ing an attendee’s question about President Donald Trump’s “destructive and disastrous trade war,” U.S.

Rep. Chuck Edwards made a plea to the rowdy crowd at his town hall last Thursday in Asheville. “Let me answer, and then if you don’t like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you’d like to do,” Edwards said, visibly exhausted.

As he expanded on Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, it took less than a minute for the crowd to

break out in outrage. He continued to plow ahead in his response and eventually punctuated it by telling attendees he would “stop there and you can yell.” The crowd gladly took him up on the offer.

For about an hour and half, Edwards endured a constant barrage of jeers, expletives and searing questions on Trump administration policies. About 300 people crammed inside a college auditorium for the town hall, while the boos from more than a thousand people outside the building rumbled throughout the event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP representatives last week to skip out on town halls, saying demonstrations outside of them were the work of “professional protesters.”

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

We stand corrected

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

CRIME LOG

March 8

• Christopher Lee Davis, 30, of Siler City, was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Pamela Marie Goodman, 70, of Pittsboro, was arrested for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Kenneth Lee Goodman, 68, of Pittsboro, was arrested for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

March 14

Travis Eugene Foust, 47, of Liberty, was arrested for assault on a female, communicating threats, and crime of domestic violence.

March 16

• Georion Niquan McDougald, 22, of Cameron, was arrested for possession of marijuana up to ½ ounce and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

CHANCELLOR from page A1

according to the school’s website. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State, including as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development. As an NC State undergraduate student, Howell was student body president. “I know from experience that effective diplomacy in contentious times requires patience, humility and a genuine respect for the voices and opinions of others,” UNC System President Peter Hans said during the meeting. “These are all qualities that Kevin Howell possesses in abundance.”

Howell will begin in his new role May 5, according to an NC State news release. His

HOUSING from page A1

for dramatic and significant improvements to the text since the 2021 version,” Bonitz said.

“It really is a much improved policy. That said, even with the changes, I think it’s even more clear to me that the intention is to make it easier to achieve those eight additional density bonus units.”

According to the element, Chatham Park is able to receive density credits for each affordable housing unit that they build so long as those units are within a certain proximity to stores where fresh fruits and vegetables are sold, public schools, transit stops and/or

RESIDENTIAL

• 2930 Wayne White Road (Climax), 7.60 acres, 3 bed/2.5 bath, $250,000

• 389 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 9.109 acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $500,000

• 298 E. Salisbury Street (Pittsboro), 0.40 acres, 3bed/2 bath, $600,000

• 9550 Silk Hope Liberty Road (Siler City), 73.740 acres, 3 bed/3bath, $1,450,000

• 557 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 12.802 acres, 3 bed/3 bath, $2,500,000 LAND

• 37 E Cotton Road (Pittsboro), 0.996 acres, $100,000

• 170 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000

RESIDENTIAL

• 5515 Rives Chapel Church Road (Siler City), 2.607acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $295,000

• 1115 Manco Dairy Road (Pittsboro), 14 acres, 3 bed/1 bath, $500,000

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: chathamcommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

salary as chancellor will be $600,000. Woodson announced his retirement during the university’s trustees meeting last July as his contract was slated to end this summer. Woodson, 67, told reporters then that it was “just a good time” to step away from the chancellorship.

Under Woodson’s leadership, the university increased its graduation and retention rates, as well as its research funding. Enrollment also expanded, growing to more than 38,000 students as of Fall 2024.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said after announcing his retirement in July.

There will be a lot on How-

employment centers and those density credits can be in a ratio as high as 8-to-1 if at least three of those four provisions are met.

The project was originally approved for a maximum of 22,000 units with a 7.5% guarantee of affordable housing (or 1,650 units), but due to the density credits that the developer can receive, the project is capable of ballooning to as high as 35,000 residential units in total, more than a 60% increase.

“I’m convinced that, if market conditions allow, we will have a 35,000 residential unit Chatham Park,” Bonitz said. “I simply can’t vote to support this policy. The impacts are going to be decadal, and it’s real-

ell’s plate when he assumes his position this summer, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for higher education as institutions prepare for potential massive losses of funding from the National Institutes of Health. NC State is an R1 research institution — the highest tier for research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — and received more than $48 million from the NIH last fiscal year.

NC State also paused most of its hiring activities — including for faculty — in February, partially due to uncertainty on federal funding, according to a memo from executive vice chancellor Warwick Arden. The memo did not specify when the hiring freeze would end.

ly those later year impacts that concern me the most.”

Bonitz was the only commissioner to vote against approval of the updated element.

Chatham Park is a more than 7,000-plus-acre planned development district that includes a variety of land uses such as residential, commerce, entertainment, parks and open space.

The Chatham Park master plan was originally approved in 2015, and the project continues to develop today with companies such as Disney even planning a 4,000-unit residential community within the district.

The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet April 14.

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

March 20

Anime, Ramen and Sake Watch Party

6-8 p.m.

Join Koshu Sake every Thursday, 6-8 p.m. for an Anime, Ramen and Sake Watch Party! Movie selections are announced a few days before each event on their Facebook page. You must be 21 with an ID to consume sake. Part of the Chatham County Craft Beverages & Country Inns Trail.

The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

Opinionation Trivia at House of Pops

6-8 p.m.

Join House of Hops every Thursday, 6-8 p.m. for Opinionation Trivia. This Family Feud-style trivia game is so much fun! Play at 6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. for two chances to win $15 or $25 House of Hops gift cards. More events at House of Hops; part of Chatham County’s Craft Beverages and Country Inns Trail. 112 Russet Run Suite 110 Pittsboro

March 22

Aqua Mania 2025

12-3 p.m.

• 188 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000

• 327 Poplar Trail (Siler City), 5.022 acres, $150,000

• 9311 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 4.602 acres, $225,000

• Tract 1 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 15.123 acres, $227,000

• 9231 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 5.630 acres, $250,000

• Tract 3 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.029 acres, $256,000

• Tract 2 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.425 acres, $262,000

• 323 Wagon Trace (Pittsboro), 10.255 acres, $295,000

• 1834 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 30.49 acres, 3 bed/2.5 bath, $850,000 LAND

• 0 JB Morgan Road (Apex), 21 acres, $825,000

• 00 Hamlets Chapel Road (Pittsboro), 118.742 acres, $4,250,000

• 639 Hills of the Haw Road (Pittsboro), 5.2470 acres, $450,000

• 0 Chatham Church Road (Moncure), 15.94 acres, $750,000

• 0 Pasture Branch Road (Rose Hill), 29 acres, $1,250,000

• 8636/8710 Johnson Mill Road (Bahama),182.888 acres, $3,240,000

• 0 US 64 W (Siler City), 9.670 acres, $4,500,000

• 0 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 75.4330 acres, $17,000,000 COMMERCIAL IMPROVED

• 140 & 148 East Street (Pittsboro), 1.49 acres, $1,350,000

COMMERCIAL UNIMPROVED

• 10681 US Hwy 64 E (Apex), 3.97 acres, $1,000,000

• 1700 Hillsboro Street (Pittsboro), 29.79 acres, $4,500,000

Why is Bear Creek NC a Great Place to Live?

This is a one-of-a-kind Aquatic Show. Our focus is to provide a fun-filled, family-friendly event for the community. This exciting event will exhibit amazing premier freshwater and marine aquarium vendors, contests, educational presentations, music, food, an aquascaping contest and so much more.

1192 U.S. 64 West Business Pittsboro

Free Screening of “The Courthouse” 7:30 p.m.

Locals and visitors to Pittsboro will gather at the Chatham County Courthouse and Historical Museum for a free screening of “The Courthouse,” hosted by PBS North Carolina in partnership with Haw River Films. This Emmy-nominated half-hour documentary chronicles the destruction and reconstruction of the historic courthouse and its rich cultural history.

Chatham County Courthouse and Historical Museum 9 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro

March 26

Jazz Night at The Sycamore at Chatham Mills

6-9 p.m.

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

480 Hillsboro St. Suite 500 Pittsboro

Chatham property owners have until May 19 to appeal tax reappraisals

The county explains how to challenge property values

Chatham News & Record staff

CHATHAM COUNTY property owners receiving their 2025 reappraisal notices this month have until May 19 to appeal if they disagree with their new assessed values.

The reappraisal, which occurs every four years in Chatham County, appraises all real property at its current market value as of Jan. 1, 2025.

The process redistributes the property tax burden equitably based on current market values, though the final tax

bills won’t be determined until county officials set the tax rate later this year.

“Many areas of the county have seen an increase in market value, while a few have experienced a decrease in value,” said a county press release. “Some areas are staying about the same.”

Property owners who want to challenge their assessments are encouraged to first compare their property values to recent similar sales in their market area by visiting chathamcountync.gov/comper. If the assessed value still seems unreasonable after review, property owners can begin the appeal process at cha-

County seeks applicants for advisory committees

Local residents have until April 11 to apply for vacancies in four key groups

Chatham News & Record staff

THE COUNTY is seeking applications for several vacancies on its advisory committees, with positions available on four boards that help shape local policy.

The county announced Monday that openings exist on the Board of Equalization and Review, Community Adviso -

TOWN HALL from page A1

Edwards addressed the Republican leader’s advice, saying he didn’t want to “shy away” from conversations with the people of western North Carolina — even if they disagreed.

But less than 30 minutes into the town hall, Edwards started to change his tune as a majority of attendees interrupted him with vitriolic disruptions. Asheville is a deep-blue dot amid a sea of red in North Carolina’s mountains. North Carolina went for Trump in the 2024 election.

“And you wonder why folks don’t want to do these town halls,” Edwards said over shouting.

Edwards kicked off his town hall discussing western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Asheville is still rebuilding after the devastating storm, which killed more than 100 people in North Carolina and caused a record-shattering amount of damage —

ry Committee for Nursing and Adult Care Homes, Planning Board and Transportation Advisory Committee. Applications will be accepted through April 11 at 5 p.m.

Applicants must be Chatham County residents at least 18 years old. Some positions are assigned to specific commissioner election districts.

The Board of Equalization and Review has three alternate seats available with terms ending Dec. 31, 2027. Applicants should have lived in Chatham County for at least two years, own real estate in the coun-

about $59.6 billion in damages and record needs, according to the state.

But as Edwards touted the work he said the Trump administration has been doing for the region’s recovery — which could include the president’s proposal to dissolve the Federal Emergency Management Agency — attendees shouted him down and demanded he address questions immediately. One person was escorted out of the venue after hurling expletives at the congressman.

“Listen to us now!” several people screamed from various parts of the room.

Edwards fielded scathing questions on a variety of topics, ranging from sweeping cuts to various government agencies at the hand of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to the future of health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Questions on slashing jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs and

thamcountync.gov/appraisal.

Online appeal filings are encouraged. Once received, a tax office representative will contact the property owner to discuss the assessment.

If disagreements persist, residents may then file an appeal with the Chatham County Board of Equalization and Review. Supporting evidence can include comparable sales reports, photographs showing the property’s features and condition, or a copy of a recent fee appraisal. Tax relief programs are available for low-income, elderly or disabled residents at chathamcountync.gov/taxrelief.

ty and understand real estate matters.

The Community Advisory Committee for Nursing and Adult Care Homes has three at-large vacancies. This committee fosters community involvement in care facilities and protects residents’ rights.

The Planning Board has a District 3 vacancy expiring Dec. 31, 2026. This board advises commissioners on planning, zoning and subdivision issues.

The Transportation Advisory Committee has a District 4 seat expiring June 30, 2026, and an at-large position expiring June 30, 2028. Residents can find commissioner district maps on the county website. Applications are available on the county’s website.

whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia received standing ovations from most in the crowd.

The representative mostly stayed in line in supporting the Trump administration’s policies, reiterating that part of his job was seeing what decisions his constituents disagreed with so the federal government could “go back and look” at what it could improve on.

Edwards kept good humor throughout the raucous town hall, telling attendees at the end that he enjoyed hearing the crowd’s “passion” and “patriotism.” In a news conference afterward, Edwards said Trump and Musk were “over the target” in what they set out to accomplish.

“I take away from what I heard today that we’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to do,” Edwards said as several protesters pounded on the doors nearby.

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THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Getting real with the Chatham Rabbits

I’m a pastor, which means I often find myself making connections between modern art and ancient texts — call it an occupational hazard.

I LOVE THE CHATHAM Rabbits’ new album, including the lyrical brilliance of the husband and wife songwriting duo, Sarah and Austin McCombie. As the album title, “Be Real with Me,” suggests, these songs explore authentic emotions. Authenticity often entails vulnerability. The first track, “Facing 29,” addresses the theme of becoming an adult, the age of 29 being described as “the last year of our youth.” Clearly, these songwriters are millennials.

While age may serve as an arbitrary measure of maturity, many of the subsequent songs highlight the complexity and tension inherent in life’s transitions.

“Collateral Damage” begins with the striking paradox, “I want my freedom / I want a baby.” The apparent contradiction of a profound truth may, in fact, reveal another profound truth.

“Did I Really Know Him” suggests that we are all strangers, even to ourselves. Like the singer, one might claim, “I know who he loves / I know what he’s proud of,” yet still feel like an imposter when gazing into the mirror. The depth of this truth is far older than the millennial generation: “For now we see as through a glass, darkly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). We know ourselves, including our desires and motivations, only in part.

I’m a pastor, which means I often find myself making connections between modern art and ancient texts — call it an occupational hazard. I do not mean to insinuate that the Chatham Rabbits are evangelistic; rather, I believe they tap into the spiritual wells of truth that emerge when vulnerability fosters

community through empathy. What we can know of one another, we learn through open, honest sharing.

“Be Real with Me” grapples with fundamental spiritual struggles related to vocation and identity. Like all great writers, these talented lyricists understand that to glimpse the universal, even if only dimly or “darkly,” such revelations must emerge from the particular — a little big moment. “One Little Orange” tells the story of Sarah McCombie’s grandfather, whose larger-than-life personality was known to her only by reputation, as he died from addiction when she was very young. She holds onto one core memory of sharing an orange with him. In the hands of a lesser writer, this narrative could easily become saccharine or trite. However, the lyrics are nourishing: “That one little orange has fed me forever.”

Likewise, much of the material on this album prompts me to reflect on my impact on others and how people have influenced my life in small, delicious ways through simple and profound connections. Such memories are like a tiny mustard seed that grows and flourishes until the birds of the air find shelter in its branches (Luke 13:18–19). If that sounds too preachy, listen to the Chatham Rabbits. As any preacher knows, music moves our hearts, even more than words.

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, coffee drinker and student of joy.

Some lessons in life require getting all wet

The poets tell us we ought to run barefoot in the rain often. That sounds like something that could hurt your feet, depending on where you frolic.

SUNDAY NIGHT, I sat at my desk beside the window and listened to the rain. Actually, it was impossible not to hear it, as it was coming down with great gusto.

But it was nice, especially at least at my place, as there was a lot of rain but not much storm ... and listening to the rain beats $80 an hour for a therapist.

I like rain. I like to hear it hitting the windows, to smell the air when it first starts, to feel it ... except when I’m having a bad hair day or have just washed the car, which isn’t all that often, at least as far as washing the car.

When I was a child, I wasn’t all that crazy about too much rain because it made the grass grow, and mowing the yard was under my jurisdiction. Simply put, the more rain, the more the grass grew, and the more I had to cut it. Now that my son is trying to feed a few cows, I like it because the more it rains, the more the grass grows, and the more there is for the cattle to eat.

Funny how things change through the years, isn’t it?

The poets tell us we ought to run barefoot in the rain often. That sounds like something that could hurt your feet, depending on where you frolic, as in the gravel driveway. But I think I get the point. We might do better, he’s saying, if we were a bit more spontaneous, a bit less wound too tightly. So what if your hair gets wet? Dry it when you come in. Just don’t run around outside when the lightning is about.

Lately, as I’ve become more conscious of my age and the fact I am not immortal — at least on this

side of the Great Divide — I’ve wondered why it took this long for me to get this smart. Lest you think that last statement was too much ego, let me explain by saying what I mean is that finally, I’ve learned some life lessons, things I think I would have liked to have known, say, about 47 years or so ago.

Of course, upon further reflection, I think the reality is I — and maybe all of us — had to go through the learning experiences to gain the insight and wisdom and understanding. But, still, I think it would have been nice. The old adage “We get too soon old and too late smart” fits more and more.

So what do we do? We can’t turn back the clock to those thrilling days of yesteryear. And we can’t stop the world and get off. Dropping out is also not really an option.

The answer, it seems to me, is multifold. First of all, it behooves us to keep on trucking. And secondly, as we truck or run or whatever, to take those insights and bits of wisdom with us, partly so we can apply them and learn some more in the process. And thirdly, as we go, resolve to do better, to take more risks but not stupid ones like lying on a railroad track, to love more deeply, to say one more kind word or do one more good deed.

And last, but certainly not least, to keep on working at it all by running — or at least jogging or even standing — in the rain.

What’s the forecast for the next few days?

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

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

Dump consciousness pervades

Idle chatter all ’round? A waste of time? No way! Building Communiteeeee!

DUMP CONSCIOUSNESS? What the heck is that?

The short answer to your question is that dump consciousness generally overtakes me when I go to, of all places, yep, you guessed it, the dump. In its most formal context, the dump is also known as the County Recycling Center. No one I know calls it that. It’s just the … dump. The dump’s particulars are as follows: a sometimes odiferous, tennis court-sized fenced-in area, off the beaten track, but nonetheless, nearby. The county staffs it six days a week, with a day of rest on Sunday for the staff and all of us DIYers. A welcoming place that opens its arms to those of us with too little, or too much, garbage and recycling to pay for home pick-up on a weekly basis. (I’m cheap.)

OK, now you have the dump’s concrete particulars. My curious state of dump consciousness, which generally overtakes me when I drive through its gates, is less explicable. Much less. I mean, who gets happy about putting several (or more), usually quite odiferous, plastic bags of garbage in the car and rumbling down the back roads to said dump? Me! It certainly isn’t the garbage, I can tell you that.

(She’s really going to say it.) As I line up behind other cars to divest myself of garbage and recyclables, something comes over me. It’s Communiteeeee! I’m suddenly just gabbing away with the men (mostly) who staff the dump. I really, really appreciate what they do, including, occasionally, helping me, as well as

others, unload. I want them to know they are valued!

My Chatty Cathy modality (a pullstring talking doll popular in the early 1960s) just pops out. Yeah, often just idle chatter, but it’s also a way of my saying, “I see and acknowledge you.” No matter what their job is, who the heck doesn’t like being seen and acknowledged?

Granted, my Chatty Cathy persona is not just limited to those who staff the dump. No way. I’ve usually entered a positive fugue at that point and am just bubbling over with Chatty Cathy-ness.

A man with a white ponytail parked in front of me last week. He was wearing shorts in the early afternoon of a morning that had been in the 30s. I commented that he was brave for donning shorts today He, however, apologized for not wearing his usual Hawaiian shirt. I told him he was forgiven.

Idle chatter all ’round? A waste of time? No way! Building Communiteeeee!

“Casual connections in the course of daily life can give people a feeling that they belong to a community, a basic human need.” ’Tis the wellspring of dump consciousness.

Dump consciousness pervades outside the environs of the real dump, too. You need not be a Chatty Cathy to build Communitteeee! That’s simply my way. What’s yours?

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

The outrage of the week

DEI is not about giving extra advantages to women and minorities.

THEY CALL IT “Cancer Alley.”

It’s an 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River that connects Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The name stems from the fact that the area’s residents have a 95% greater chance of developing cancer than the average American.

Some 200 petrochemical and fossil fuel operations are located in the area. About 25% of the petrochemical production in the United States takes place in the area. Want to move there? Its residents are disproportionately poor and black.

The Biden administration Environmental Protection Agency launched a pioneering effort to advance environmental justice by targeting plants that pollute low-income neighborhoods that people can’t afford to flee. One of those plants was the Denka Performance Elastomer chemical plant, a Japanese company whose plant in LaPlace, Louisiana, produces neoprene, a kind of synthetic rubber that is used in laptop sleeves and wetsuits.

In a case referred to the Justice Department by the EPA, the United States in early 2023 sued Denka, claiming the plant emitted forbidden levels of chloroprene, a cancer-causing chemical that is particularly dangerous for children. The government alleged in the suit that air monitoring showed that long-term concentrations near the Denka plant are as high as 15 times the amount recommended for long-term exposure to chloroprene. The plant was located near an elementary school, which was finally closed. A trial was supposed to begin in April.

Last week, the Justice Department, at the request of the Trump administration EPA, dropped the two-year-old case. No more DEI means no more environmental justice. All of the employees of that division of the EPA — some 170 people — have been fired, and its cases are being dropped. According to The Associated Press, the Justice Department “celebrated” the decision to drop the lawsuit, claiming that it showed that they were “delivering

BE IN TOUCH

on President (Donald) Trump’s promise to dismantle radical DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs and restore integrity to federal enforcement efforts.”

In a statement, the Justice Department went on to say that the dismissal of what was a signature example of the Biden environmental justice initiative signified the Trump administration’s commitment to “eliminate ideological overreach and restore impartial enforcement of federal laws.” For its part, the EPA hailed its formal withdrawal of the referral of the case to the Justice Department as an example of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s pledge to end the use of “environmental justice” as an enforcement tool that Zeldin has said was too often used to advance liberal ideological priorities.

Sometimes, I would say most of the time, DEI is not about giving extra advantages to women and minorities. It’s about reversing a long history of disadvantaging them. Environmental justice is a clear example of that. The air that these black children are breathing makes them 95% more likely to develop cancer later on than white children.

Chemical plants aren’t located in the fancy parts of town. Air this dirty next to a school isn’t something affluent white parents would put up with.

Black families have been putting up with it because they had no choice and because government didn’t adequately protect them. President Joe Biden, rightly, tried to do something about it. In the name of impartiality and integrity, this administration is telling black children to take a deep breath.

Saving the lives of black children who breathe the dirtiest and most dangerous air in the country — and whose health has been too often ignored — should not be dismissed as a “liberal ideological priority.” There is nothing “radical” about it. That it’s being treated that way, and tossed on the DEI trash heap, is my winner for the outrage of the week.

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

COLUMN VICTOR JOECKS

Trump is the world’s ‘worst’ dictator

DICTATORS CRAVE power. President Donald Trump is using his power to give Americans more freedom. That’s a massive difference.

Desperate to find an effective attack against Trump, some Democrats are recycling an old one. They claim he’s an authoritarian. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) invited laid-off federal workers to attend Trump’s recent speech to Congress. She said she was standing “shoulder to shoulder with people in defiance to a dictator.” That type of defiance led Democrats to callously withhold applause from a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor simply because Trump introduced him. Shameful.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams recently called Trump a “petty tyrant.” The Associated Press claimed that Trump “has embarked on a dizzying teardown of the federal government and attacks on long-standing institutions in an attempt to increase his own authority.”

These accusations aren’t new. Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris frequently labeled Trump a threat to democracy. Last year, historian Jon Meacham called Trump a “tyrant” who would cause the downfall of the American Republic.

Trump has fed into this. After he attacked congestion pricing in Manhattan, the White House posted a picture of him wearing a crown. Trump said, “Long live the king.” While that was obviously not a serious claim to monarchical authority, it sent the propaganda press into a tizzy.

Many Americans believe the worst about Trump. Forty-one percent of Americans say Trump is a dictator, according to a February YouGov poll. Those people aren’t just wrong — they have it backward. Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

It’d help to define some terms. Merriam-Webster says a dictator is “one holding complete autocratic control.” An autocracy is a “government in which one person possesses unlimited power.” Tyrant has a similar meaning — “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution.”

Therefore, by definition, you can’t be a dictator while increasing freedom and shrinking the size and scope of government. It’s a contradiction. That’s what Trump is doing. He rolled back Biden’s target for electric vehicle sales. He’s unshackled the energy industry. He wants to undo Biden administration restrictions on dishwashers, shower heads and light bulbs.

He’s ordered agencies to eliminate 10 previous regulations for every new one they put in place. He’s increasing freedom.

He’s also pushing for a significant tax cut. Dictators aren’t known for wanting to let you keep more of your own money.

He’s laid off tens of thousands of federal workers. Another 75,000 federal workers took buyouts. DOGE is attempting to reduce federal spending by more than $100 billion. He’s shrinking the government he runs.

The Trump administration is even gearing up to eliminate the Department of Education. In early March, Education Secretary Linda McMahon laid out “our department’s final mission.” She wants “to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children.”

Indoctrinating a nation’s children is a powerful tool for any would-be dictator. Communist dictators wanted kids’ primary loyalty to be to the government. They sought to drive a wedge between children and their parents. Trump wants to give parents more control of their children’s education. Now, Trump is governing aggressively. The executive orders have been fast and furious. He’s closed the border. He’s clearing out the deep state. He’s rooting out DEI in the government. He’s recognized that men are not women.

But an elected official changing government policy isn’t tyranny. That’s the point of having an election. It’d be tyrannical if an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy could stop a democratically elected president from running the executive branch as he sees fit. Just look at the obstacles Trump faced in his first term.

Trump is one of the most successful men in the world, but he’s a complete failure at being a dictator.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

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

Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

obituaries

Alice Crabtree

June 6, 1943 –March 13, 2025

Alice Crabtree, age 81, of Pittsboro, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at her home in Chatham County, NC.

Alice was born in Gaston County, North Carolina on June 6, 1943, to the late Jones Westbrook and Ruth Smith Westbrook. She was also preceded in death by one granddaughter, Sidney Nicole Crabtree.

Surviving relatives include her husband, Frank Crabtree, two sons, Jon Crabtree of Pittsboro, Tim Crabtree and wife Jill of Starr, South Carolina, four grandchildren, Christopher Jordan “CJ” Crabtree of Pittsboro, Dr. Stephanie Crabtree Koplitz and husband Trevor of Oxford, Mississippi, Dalton Crabtree of Starr, South Carolina, Hannah Crabtree of Starr, South Carolina, one great-granddaughter, Aurora Koplitz of Oxford, Mississippi,

Barbara “Bobbie” Lou Brooks Rives

June 14, 1925 –March 14, 2025

Barbara “Bobbie” Lou Brooks Rives, 99, of Siler City, died Friday, March 14, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family.

Bobbie was born June 14, 1925, to the late Lewis Brock and Maggie Sanford Brooks. She was a member of Meroney Methodist Church for over 70 years where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. As a young girl she was a member of First United Methodist Church in Siler City. She and Gerald loved traveling with their friends to the mountains of North Carolina. Hobbies were crocheting, making sourdough rolls, reading and spending time with her family and friends. She was a people person. She loved music and loved to sing. Bobbie attended Elon College and worked for 42 years at Clapp

one sister, Sherry Hamrick of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.

Alice in addition to being a homemaker was for a time the business manager of Chapel-Hill/Carrboro YMCA in addition she worked in the telephone billing department at UNC Chapel Hill.

In 1961 Alice graduated from Ashley High School in Gastonia, NC. (She was also an honorary member of the Pittsboro High School class of 1961.)

The family will receive friends Monday, March 17, 2025, from 1:00PM to 1:50/ PM in the fellowship hall at Browns Chapel UMC. The funeral service will at 2:00PM with Rev. Bill Negron, Rev. Ray Gooch, and Rev. Danny Berrier presiding. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorial contributions to be made in Alice’s memory to Browns Chapel UMC Cemetery Fund c/o Teresa Farrell P.O. Box 1048 Pittsboro, NC 27312 and/or Cedar Grove UMC Cemetery Fund 2791 Jones Ferry Road Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Condolences may be made at donaldsonfunerals.com Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Crabtree family.

Brothers Implement and Truck Company. She enjoyed helping Gerald in the chicken houses and in the garden.

Bobbie is survived by her children: Ann Rives Poe and husband, Dexter and Mitchell B. Rives, all of Siler City; grandchildren: Jessie Moore and husband, Zach of Siler City; Ryan Mashburn and wife, Sabra of Bear Creek, Maggie Poe of Siler City, and Elisabeth Rogers and husband, Jim of Oklahoma; and great grandchildren: Abbey, Gauge, Reagan, Mia, Brock, Hudson, Zoey, and Wynslee.

In addition to her parents, Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband: Kenneth Gerald Rives, brothers: Leon, Cecil and Hubert Brooks; and sisters: Mary George Brooks and Mildred “Mimmie” Brooks.

The funeral service will take place at Meroney Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025; with Rev. Linda Yow and Jim Whittaker officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with a visitation afterwards in the church fellowship hall.

The family request memorials be made to Meroney Methodist Church or to Liberty Home Care and Hospice. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Rives family. Online Condolences may be made at smithbucknerfh.com

Cheryl Lynn Rouse Fields

July 20, 1955 –March 14, 2025

Cheryl Lynn Rouse Fields, 69, of Goldston, died Friday, March 14, 2025.

Cheryl was born in Sanford, NC on July 20th, 1955, to Sherwood and Mary Elizabeth Woody Rouse. She attended Beulah Baptist Church. Cheryl always loved to travel especially

going to the beach. Spending time at the ballpark watching her son play baseball was one of her favorite things to do. She also enjoyed reading and coloring.

Cheryl is survived by her husband of 33 years, Mike Fields; two children, Terrie Elizabeth Fields of Raleigh, and Mickey Fields and spouse of Goldston; and one grandson. She is also survived by her mother, Lib Woody of Sanford; two sisters, Karen Garner and her husband, Mike of Whispering Pines, and Angie Brewer and husband, Eric of Goldston; two brothers, Jeff Woody and wife, Pam of Sanford, and Andy Rouse and wife, Colleen of Michigan; sister-in-law, Becky gunter of Goldston; brother-in-law, Buddy Fields and wife, Angie of Goldston; special friend, Debbie Catrini of Dunwoody,

GA; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Sherwood Rouse; brother, Mark Rouse; and stepfather, Elmer Woody.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, from 7-9 pm, at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at 11 am, at Beulah Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. Reverend Neil Jackson and Reverend Dallas Street will be officiating the service.

The family request memorials be made to Beulah Baptist Building Fund. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Fields family. Online condolences can be made at smithbucknerfh.com

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamrecord.com

ROBERT LEE AKERS MARCH 13, 2025

Robert Lee Akers, of Carthage, passed away on March 13th, 2025, at his home. There will be a memorial celebration Monday March 17th from 6-8pm at Joyce Brady Chapel. Robert was born in Tuscon Arizona to Jackie and Edna Akers. He was a member of Pine Mountain Church in Bennett. He worked in textiles as a plant manager for Arauco. He loved riding motorcycles and playing music. He owned and operated Carolina Vibez DJ service and karaoke. He was very hardworking and dedicated to his job. He loved going to the beach with his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Edna Akers and brother, Lee Akers. Robert is survived by his wife Vicky Akers of the home, Father, Jackie Akers of Vass, Children, Amber Knutzen (Jeremiah) of Adel Iowa, Stephanie Peoples (Brandon) of Carthage and son Jeremy of Robbins, sisters; Tammi Agatone (Dave) of Burgaw, Shelley Akers (Rob) of Vass, 7 grandchildren and a host of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to be sent to Tom Miller Souls of Service Charity Fund, 257 Angel Road Sanford NC, 27330 or a charity of one’s choice.

CLARENCE RODNEY CAMERON MARCH 11, 2025

Clarence Rodney Cameron, age 73 of Sanford passed away on Tuesday, (3/11/2025) at the Jim and Betsy Bryan Hospice Home in Pittsboro. He was born in Lee County, son of the late Clarence Cameron and Velma Saunders Cameron. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Chuck Kelly. Rodney loved to spend time with his family and friends. He retired with fifty-one years of service as a volunteer fire fighter and dove hunting, rabbit hunting and fishing were some of his favorite pastimes. He was a skilled mechanic, and working on his John Deere Farm Equipment was one of his greatest joys. He was a friend to many in the community and will be missed by all who knew him. Surviving is his wife, Mary Sue Howard Cameron of the home; daughters, Wendy C. Strickland (Sted) of Moncure, NC, Dorothy Denise Cameron of Sanford, NC and Stephanie Brown McRae (Craig) of Sanford, NC; sisters, Sue Kelly of Sanford, NC, Gail Holder (Tommy) of Broadway, NC, Delores Greene of Lillington, NC and Kay Angell (Jim) of Greensboro, NC; brother, Ronald Cameron (Agnes) of Broadway, NC; grandchildren, Britt McRae (Chelsey), Brice McRae, Cameron Williams (Austin), Abbey Marsh, Hunter Stickland and great-grandson, Fletcher Williams.

SARAH ELIZABETH JACKSON BROOKS

MARCH 12, 2025

Sarah Elizabeth Jackson Brooks, age 81, of Sanford, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at her home surrounded by family. She was born in Lee County to the late Vivion Jackson and Helen Spivey Jackson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Frank Jackson and sisters Louise Harris and Donna White. Sarah worked many years at J.T. Davenport. She was known for her love of family and cherished meals together with Johnny. She also enjoyed watching wrestling on Friday evenings with Eduardo, getting her hair done every Saturday morning. She loved attending the dances at Lee County Enrichment Center where she forged friendships and attending Journey Church of Sanford on Sunday morning when she was able. She also looked forward to annual family beach trips. Sarah was a proud breast cancer survivor of over 20 years proving that with strength and perseverance, anything is possible. She also devoted much of her time to volunteering at Westfield Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, where she brought comfort and joy to those in need. Sarah is survived by her loving daughter Juanita Brownlee; former husband Johnny Hayes; grandchildren Jennifer (Eduardo), Ashley and Kourtney (Oh’Sha); great-grandchildren Liliana, Diego, Kammie, Mason and Ivey; great-great-grandchildren Alexandria and Jeffery; sister Ann Thomas and several special nieces and nephews.

VIRGINIA LYNN (GINNY) BURGESS

DEC. 28, 1942 – MARCH 12, 2025

Virginia Lynn (Ginny) Burgess of Pittsboro, NC died peacefully at home on March 12, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Laron Clifton (Clif) Burgess Jr. She is survived by sons Christopher Lynn Burgess and wife Lori of Southern Pines; Mark Clifton Burgess of Siler City; William Arthur Burgess and wife Nancy of Pittsboro; and daughter

Kelly Sue Penny and husband Charlie. Ginny also leaves behind grandchildren Cory Lynn Burgess, Kaitlin Haley Burgess, and McKinney Lynn Burgess and a greatgranddaughter Charlie Jane Burgess. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice. Per her request, there will be a gathering of family and friends at a date to be determined later.

Chatham County Aging Services Weekly Activities Calendar

Monday, March 24 Pittsboro Center for Active Living

8:15 a.m. - Total Body Conditioning Exercise

10 a.m. - Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program

10:30 a.m. - Choir to Siler City

Noon - Reading Out Loud with Gaines

1:15 p.m. - Mahjong

2 p.m. - Storytelling Event Featuring Chatham County Historians

3 p.m. - Caregiver Support Group (via Zoom) Siler City Center for Active Living

9 a.m. - Strong & Fit

10 a.m. - Cornhole

10:30 a.m. - Gospel Choir

2 p.m. - Strength & Tone Tuesday, March 25 Pittsboro Center for Active Living

8:30 a.m. - Balance & Stretch Mat Exercise

9 a.m. - 3G’s Men’s Group

10 a.m. - Woodcarvers; Cardio Drumming

10:30 a.m. - Gym Orientation; Healthy Eating with Ann Clark

1 p.m. - Rummikub

2 p.m. - Zumba Gold Siler City Center for Active Living

8 a.m. - Quilting and Sewing Time

9 a.m. - Cardio Drumming

9:30 a.m. - A Matter of Balance

10 a.m. - Chair Exercises

1 p.m. - Rook, Phase 10 & Rummikub Wednesday, March 26 Pittsboro Center for Active Living

8:15 a.m. - Cardio & Lower Body Exercise

10 a.m. - Chair Yoga with Liz; Music Jam

11 a.m. - The Chosen with discussion

1:15 p.m. - Bowling Trip to Buffaloe Lanes

2 p.m. - Chess Siler City Center for Active Living

9 a.m. - Strong & Fit

10 a.m. - Bible Study

10:30 a.m. - Health Education with Ashley Brewer

1 p.m. - Crafts; Pickleball & Cornhole Thursday, March 27 Pittsboro Center for Active Living

8:30 a.m. - QiGong

10 a.m. - Hooks & Needles;

11

1

1:30

3

9

9:30

10

1

Friday, March 28 Pittsboro Center for Active Living

8:15 a.m. - Cardio & Upper Body Exercise

9 a.m. - Bocce/Horseshoes

10 a.m. - Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program; Movie: Remember the Titans

11:30 a.m. - French Conversation Lunch

Noon - Lunch Bunch to Mrs. Lacy’s

1 p.m. - Euchre; Table Tennis; Acrylic Painting with Ruth Parks Siler City Center for Active Living

9 a.m. - Zumba Gold

10 a.m. - Quilting and Sewing Time

10:15 a.m. - March Madness

Noon - Table Tennis

7 p.m. - Friday Night Dance

Riggs Griffin

Supreme Court election goes back before judges again

A three-judge panel on the Court of Appeals will hear the case

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — A panel from North Carolina’s intermediate-level appeals court will hear arguments Friday about a still-unsettled November election for a seat on the state’s Supreme Court.

The March 21 hearing by three judges on the Court of Appeals was announced last Friday, the same day the court rejected a request by incumbent Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs to have the entire Court of Appeals consider the matter now instead.

After recounts and election protests, the registered Democrat Riggs leads Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million ballots cast in their race for an eight-year term on the highest court in the ninth-largest state.

While The Associated Press declared over 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the North Carolina Supreme Court election is the only race nationally that is still undecided.

Griffin, himself a Court of Appeals judge, filed challenges to more than 65,000 early or absentee ballots cast that his lawyers have said should be removed from the tally. The State Board of Elections dismissed his protests in December, and a trial judge upheld the board’s decisions last month — prompting Griffin’s appeal. Lawyers for Riggs said in a recent legal brief that the case should first be heard “en banc” — meaning by the full Court of Appeals — in part to save time, given that a losing party in any decision by the three judges would still have the right to rehearing by the full court.

But Griffin’s attorneys said having a thorough review of more than 30 issues presented by legal parties in the protests by a smaller panel first was warranted, especially because the trial judge issued bareboned orders affirming the board’s rulings.

The Court of Appeals has 15 judges, but Griffin has recused himself from deliberations in the case before the court. Last week’s unsigned order denying initial en banc review said that only three of the court’s judges agreed with Riggs’ request. The order did not say how the judges voted. Of the 14 remaining judges, 11 are registered Republicans.

The court did reveal last Friday which judges are hearing the case — two Republicans in John Tyson and Fred Gore and registered Democrat Toby Hampson.

Most of the ballots challenged by Griffin were cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S., and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.

Whatever the Court of Appeals result, the case likely will head to the state Supreme Court, where Riggs has recused herself from the case. Five of the six remaining justices are registered Republicans. Majorities on the court have rejected efforts for it to rule on the challenged ballots without the election protest appeals first going through lower courts. And should Riggs lose in state court and the removal of ballots flip the race to Griffin, a federal appeals court already has told Riggs she can return to federal court to challenge decisions on federal elections and voting rights laws.

The Court of Appeals has 15 judges, but Griffin has recused himself from deliberations in the case before the court.

Our Volunteer Tax Assistance Program is open to taxpayers of all ages!

To see if you qualify, call our appointment line at 919-545-8427. You may qualify and not even know it!

Visit our website at www.chathamcountync. gov/agingservices

Griffin’s lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution. Lawyers for Riggs and the board have said the ballots were cast lawfully and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures.

Riggs’ allies have held rallies in the state demanding that Griffin concede. They have offered as speakers voters whose choices in the race could be removed from tallies if Griffin’s arguments are successful.

Also last Friday, Court of Appeals Judge Tom Murry ordered that Riggs’ motion to have him recused from participating in Griffin’s appeal be dismissed as moot because he is not on the three-judge panel hearing the case. Riggs’ attorneys had cited Griffin’s legal defense fund receiving in December a donation from a Murry campaign committee as grounds for recusal.

CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland. com - 919-362-6999.

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FOR RENT

3 bedroom, 1 bath house for rent –1471 Taylor’s Chapel Rd., $1,400/ month, $1,400 deposit required –Ready on 3/17/25; Call 984-3680357 for more details. 2tp

FOR RENT – 2BDR/1BA MOBILE HOME FOR RENT IN Bonlee Elementary and Chatham Central High School District – No Pets – No Smoking – Call 919-742-5187 and leave a message.

M13,20p

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one-bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, onsite laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-6631877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc

AUCTIONS

RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS

- Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, benefits, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-6633556, rickyellingtonauctions@ yahoo.com. Jy6,tfnc

FOR SALE

FOR SALE: Dining Room Set w/ China Cabinet, several Curio Cabinets, Treadmill, Sofa and 2 end tables, 2 upright freezers, dishes, Bedroom Suite, 2 Recliners, etc. 919-799-8243.

HELP WANTED

ISO Conscious Retired Carpenter – Part-Time – Need some small building projects done. Call 919-548-2943. 4tp

ISO Part-time gardener – No tools needed. Call 919-548-2943. 4tp

SERVICES

CASH PAID FOR JUNK CARS AND PICKUPS – Call Clifton Maness –336-581-3423 M13,20,27,A4p

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. A26,tfnc

JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803. A2,tfnc

LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-258-3594. N9,tfnc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000100-180 The undersigned, PAMELA BARTH JACOBS, having qualified on the 24TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of GEORGIA RUTH HUDSON BARTH, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify

Public Notice

Chatham County Schools’ federal projects under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 are presently being developed. Projects included:

Title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards)

Title II (High Quality Teachers and Principals)

Title III (Language Acquisition)

Title IV A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment)

Migrant Education Program (MEP) Career and Technical Education (CTE) High school students can enroll, without cost, in college credit classes through the Career and College Promise program. This includes Career and Technical Education pathways of study. IDEA (Students with Disabilities) The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEAPart B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Chatham County Schools proposes for Federal funding for the 2025-2026 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and make comments concerning the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina These projects describe the programs that Chatham County Schools proposes for federal funding for the 2025-2026 school year. Non-profit private schools and interested persons are encouraged to review these federal guidelines for the above listed projects and indicate their interest in participation in the projects if qualified. These projects are being developed during April and May and are due to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on June 30, 2025. The initial Equitable Services for Private Schools meeting will be held on March 25, 2025, at 2:00 PM, in person, at the address listed below. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the office of Carol Little, Executive Director Federal Programs and School Improvement, at Chatham County Board of Education, P.O. Box 128, 468 Renaissance Dr, Pittsboro, N.C. Spanish Version below: NOTICIA PUBLICA Los proyectos federales de las Escuelas del Condado Chatham bajo la Ley Cada Estudiante Triunfa (ESSA) de 2015 están en proceso de planificación. Los proyectos incluidos son:

Título I (Ayuda a los niños desfavorecidos a alcanzar altos estándares)

Título II (Maestros y directores de alta calidad) Título III (Adquisición del Lenguaje) Título IV A (Apoyo al Estudiante y Enriquecimiento Académico) Programa de Educación para Familias Migrantes (MEP, por sus siglas en Inglés) Carreras y Educación Técnica (CTE, por sus siglas en Inglés) Los estudiantes de preparatoria pueden inscribirse, sin costo, en clases de créditos universitarios a través del programa Career and College Promise. Esto incluye vías de estudio de Educación Técnica y Profesional.

IDEA (Estudiantes con Discapacidades)

Actualmente se encuentra en proceso de modificación el Proyecto de Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidad (IDEA-Parte B, Ley Pública 108.446). El Proyecto describe los programas de educación especial que las Escuelas del Condado Chatham proponen para financiamiento federal para el año escolar 20252026. Se anima a las personas interesadas a revisar las enmiendas al Proyecto y hacer comentarios sobre la implementación de la educación especial bajo este Programa Federal. Todos los comentarios serán considerados antes de la presentación del Proyecto modificado al Departamento de Instrucción Pública de Carolina del Norte en Raleigh, Carolina del Norte. Estos proyectos describen los programas que las Escuelas del Condado Chatham proponen para financiamiento federal para el año escolar 20252026. Se anima a las escuelas privadas sin fines de lucro y a las personas interesadas a revisar estas pautas federales para los proyectos enumerados anteriormente e indicar su interés en participar en los proyectos si califican. Estos proyectos se están desarrollando durante abril y mayo y deben entregarse al Departamento de Instrucción Pública de Carolina del Norte el 30 de junio de 2025. La reunión inicial de Servicios Equitativos para Escuelas Privadas se llevará a cabo el 25 de marzo de 2025 a las 2:00 PM, en persona en la dirección listada abajo. Se anima a las partes interesadas a comunicarse con la oficina de Carol Little, Directora Ejecutiva de Programas Federales y Mejoramiento Escolar, en la Junta de Educación del Condado de Chatham, P. O. Box 128, 468 Renaissance Dr, Pittsboro, N.C.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Betty Mae Fields Nall aka Betty Fields Nall aka Betty F. Nall aka Betty Nall, deceased of Chatham County, North Carolina, are hereby notified to present them to Sharon N. Cagle, Administrator of the Estate of Betty Mae Fields Nall aka Betty Fields Nall aka Betty F. Nall aka Betty Nall, Estate File Number 25E000125-180, on or before June 20, 2025, in care of the undersigned attorney at her address, or this notice will be pleaded in a bar of recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to Betty Mae Fields Nall aka Betty Fields Nall aka Betty F. Nall aka Betty Nall, please make immediate payment to the Estate of Betty Mae Fields Nall aka Betty Fields Nall aka Betty F. Nall aka Betty Nall. This is the 20th day of March, 2025. Pamela E. Whitaker Attorney at Law 4145 Randolph Church Road Liberty, NC 27298 (336) 622-3553 telephone (336) 622-3240 facsimile pwhitakerlaw@gmail.com PUBLICATION DATES: March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 2025

Notice to Creditors

Estate of Steven

of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 27th day of February 2025. Zelda Harlean Botha, Limited Personal Representative, in c/o Kellie M. Corbett, Attorney, at Carolina Family Estate Planning, 201 Commonwealth Court, Suite 100, Cary, NC 27511. Publication Dates: February 27, 2025 March 6, 2025 March 13, 2025 March 20, 2025

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified on the 28th day of February 2025, as Executor of the Estate of John B. Baer a/k/a John Balfour Baer, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 13th June, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13th day of March, 2025. Alison Baer Arter, Executor of the Estate of John B. Baer a/k/a John Balfour Baer c/o Candace B. Minjares, Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF IRIS SHIPP STOUTT

CHATHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 25E000097-180

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Iris Shipp Stoutt, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before June 8th, 2025 or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 6th day of March, 2025. Dawn Byrd Andrews, Executor c/o Attorney, Walter Brodie Burwell, Jr. Envisage Law 2601 Oberlin Road, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27608

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

The United Way of Chatham County will hold its annual meeting Thursday, March 27, at 11 a.m. at the Central Carolina Community College Health Sciences Center, 75 Ballentrae Ct., Pittsboro, NC 27312.

The public is invited to attend

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Julie L. Schwab, deceased, of 804 Harsworth Drive, Cary, Chatham County, NC, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned c/o Brady Cobin Law Group, PLLC, 4141 Parklake Avenue, Suite 310, Raleigh, NC 27612, on or before the 10th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of March, 2025. Kristin Pantiga, Executor Estate of Julie L. Schwab, Deceased c/o Brady Cobin Law Group, PLLC 4141 Parklake Avenue, Suite 310 Raleigh, NC 27612

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, Tina Victoria Darden, having duly qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Miotzi Eugenia Darden, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned in care of Ronald G. Coulter, Attorney for the Estate, 3400 Croasdaile Dr., Ste 205, Durham, NC 27705, within ninety (90) days of the first publication of this Notice or it will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons and legal entities indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment. This the 27th day of February, 2025. Tina Victoria Darden, Executrix C/O Ronald G. Coulter, Attorney 3400 Croasdaile Drive Ste 205 Durham, NC 27705 1-919-246-5775 Publication Dates: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000082-180

The undersigned, SHERRIE HATFIELD, having qualified on the 14TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of PATSY KING BLACK, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 4TH Day of JUNE 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 is the 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.

SHERRIE HATFIELD, EXECUTOR 2129 SANDY BRANCH CHURCH ROAD BEAR CREEK, NC 27207 MAIL AFFIDAVIT TO: THE LAW OFFICE OF LEWIS FADELY 119 N FIR AVE. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: FM6,13,20,27p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000095-180 The undersigned, RANDALL L. HOLT, having qualified on the 18TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of PEGGY HOLT ROSENBERGER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 27TH Day of MAY 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 is the 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025.

RANDALL L. HOLT, EXECUTOR 175 EDWARDS HILL CHURCH RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: F27,M6,13,20p

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA Chatham COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified on the 18th day of February , 2025, as Executor of the Estate of Eddie S. Williams aka Edward Silas Williams aka Edward S. Williams, deceased, of Chatham County does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before June 12, 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 6th day of March, 2025. Carol B. Williams Executor of the Estate of Eddie S. Williams aka Edward Silas Williams aka Edward S. Williams c/o J Alan Campbell Law PO Box 850 Hillsborough, NC 27278

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Jeffrey Paul Fahlikman, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC, 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on or before the 20th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 20th day of March, 2025. LISA FISHER, EXECUTRIX ESTATE OF JEFFREY PAUL FAHLIKMAN

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Toni Goodyear, late of Chatham County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Margaret Pumphrey, as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 on or before the 20th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above named Executor.

Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 3/20/2025,3/27/2025, 4/3/2025 & 4/10/2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000043-180 The undersigned, KAITLIN HOLDER, having qualified on the 24TH Day of JANUARY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of MICHAEL CLARK HOLDER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 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 is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.

KAITLIN HOLDER, ADMINISTRATOR 122 STEEL SPRINGS LANE ANGIER, NC 27501 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000101-180

The undersigned, YVONNE M STEWART, having qualified on the 24TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of THOMAS VINCENT MORLEY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 4TH Day of JUNE 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 is the 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.

YVONNE M STEWART, ADMINSTRATOR 793 ROSSWOOD RD. CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516

Run dates: FM6,13,20,27p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

25E000105-180

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Karen Howard, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Ralph A. Howard 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 June 4, 2025, 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 6th of March, 2025.

Karen Howard Administrator

Marie H. Hopper

Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

25E000063-180 NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Marcus Crossman, having qualified as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Daniel G. Crossman, 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 June 3, 2025, 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 27th of February, 2025.

Marcus Crossman

Executor

Marie H. Hopper

Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF DEBORAH KALISH COPLIN

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against DEORAH KALISH COPLIN, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit them to Laurie A. Coplin as Limited Personal Representative of the decedent’s estate on or before June 6, 2025, c/o Brittany N. Porter, 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 6th day of March, 2025.

Laurie A. Coplin c/o Brittany N. Porter, Atty. TrustCounsel 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203 Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Jannell Hanood qualified before the Chatham County Clerk of Court on February 14, 2025, as the Executor of the Estate of JOHNNY DAVIS BUTLER, 140 Brookstone Lane, Room 317, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

This is to notify all persons, firms and corporations, as required by N.C.G.S. 28A-14-1, having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the attorney designated below on or before the 27th of May, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payments to the undersigned. Payments and claims should be presented to Deirdre M. Stephenson, Attorney at Law, 1518 Elm Street, Sanford, NC 27330.

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Co-Executors of the Estate of James C. Brooks, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 12th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 5th day of March, 2025. Theresa B. Varner, Co-Executor of the Estate of James C. Brooks 7809 Ferguson Road Liberty, North Carolina 27208 James R. Brooks, Co-Executor of the Estate Of James C. Brooks 408 Eden Hills Road Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

22E000720-180 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Joseph Stroud, of Chatham County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before June 13, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 13th day of March,

NOTICE

the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 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 is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. SARAH GOYEA, EXECUTOR 103 BLUERIDGE ROAD CARRBORO, NC 27510 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000123-180 The undersigned, MATTHEW G. DAVIS, having qualified on the 6TH Day of MARCH, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of DIANNE GAINES DAVIS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 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 is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. MATTHEW G. DAVIS, EXECUTOR PO BOX 233 GOLDSTON, NC 27252 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA Chatham COUNTY

24E001587-180 All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Richard Henry Amlung, deceased, late of Chatham County, NC, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 28th day of May, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 27th day of February 2025. Susan Rubin, Administrator CTA c/o Hemphill Gelder, PC PO Box 97035 Raleigh, NC 27624-7035 Publication Dates: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13 and 3/20/2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001267-180 The undersigned, JOE LEE WAGONER, JR., having qualified on the 13TH Day of MAY, 2024 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of EMELDA PAYNE WAGONER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 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 is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. JOE LEE WAGONER, JR. 111 TURTLE CREEK FARM RD. APEX, NC 27523 ADMINISTRATOR Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000020-180

The undersigned, DORIS P. HOLT, having qualified on the 5TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate

between the states

Notice to Creditors

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Dale Harold Bochenek, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before June 25, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 20th day of March, 2025.

Laura B. Smith, Executor c/o W. Thomas McCuiston 200 Towne Village Drive Cary, NC 27513

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James H. Lazenby, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned, c/o Jill L. Peters Kaess, Post Office Box 4548, Wilmington, North Carolina 28406, on or before the 23rd day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 20th day of March, 2025. Robert George Lazenby, Executor of the Estate of James H. Lazenby Jill L. Peters Kaess Lee Kaess, PLLC P. O. Box 4548 Wilmington, NC 28406

March 20, 27, April 3, 10

Civil War reenactors from across the United States gathered to stage the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event marked the 160th anniversary of the state’s largest and most significant engagement of the Civil War, a fierce clash that unfolded over three days, from March 19-21, 1865. The original battle brought together more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops in a brutal struggle that left a lasting mark on the region’s history. The reenactment drew enthusiasts and historians alike, who donned period-appropriate uniforms and employed authentic tactics to honor the soldiers who fought and the legacy of the conflict.

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000145-180 The undersigned, JOAN P. ROBERTS, having qualified on the 17TH Day of MARCH, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JAMES DREXEL ROBERTS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on

825 E CARDINAL ST. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: M20,27,A3,10p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000083-180 The undersigned, MATTHEW WILLIAM FOUSHEE,

Run dates:

of

SHEARON STROUD, EXECUTOR 376 GARDNER RD. APEX, NC 27523

Run dates: M20,27,A3,10p

PHOTOS BY STAN GILLILAND FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

CHATHAM SPORTS

Northwood boys end season as NCHSAA state runner-up

The Chargers lost to defending champions Reidsville 71-54

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

WINSTON-SALEM — Despite junior Cam Fowler leading all scorers with 27 points and a solid defensive showing in the first half, the state crown remained elusive for the Northwood boys’ basketball team Saturday.

In front of a packed lower bowl for the high school basketball finale at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Northwood got outscored 21-10 in the third quarter and fell to Reidsville 71-54 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A state championship game.

The Rams, who capped off their year with a 31-0 record and 60 straight wins since the start of the 2023-24 season, won their second consecutive 2A state title. Northwood, ending the year with a 30-3 record, finished as the state runner-up for the third time in the past five seasons.

“As you saw on the court, they did not give up,” Northwood coach Matt Brown said.

“They fought till the very, very end, and I’m OK with that. I’m

OK with leaving it on the court, and I know it stinks right now. I know it hurts. But they’re going to be better people for it in the long run.”

Northwood didn’t shoot well the entire night, hitting shots at just a 36% clip, however, the Chargers also made it hard for Reidsville to get into an early offensive groove.

Starting in its stifling 1-3-1 zone, Northwood limited inside touches and forced the Rams into tougher outside shots. Reidsville shot 25% from the floor (1-for-8 from 3) in the first quarter. For the entire first half, Northwood held junior Dionte Neal (Reidsville’s leading scorer), who finished the night as the Rams’ Most Outstanding Player with a teamhigh 24 points, to just three points.

“I thought we were containing him really well on any type of penetration,” Brown said. “That was our game plan to not let him get as many paint touches as possible, and I thought we did a really good job in the first half.”

But limiting Neal’s impact only did so much considering the Chargers couldn’t keep junior forward Chad Graves on the floor to contain Reidsville junior Kendre Harrison, a five-star Oregon commit and the No. 1 tight end in the country.

Graves, the 6-foot-9 rim protector, picked up three fouls in the first half, resulting in a tough task for Graves’ replacement, Camden Miller, as Harrison anchored the Rams with 10 first half points. Graves eventually fouled out in the fourth quarter.

“It hurt,” Brown said about Graves’ foul trouble. “It definitely hurt, but I thought Camden Miller did a great job coming off the bench and really just giving us an extra boost.”

Said Brown, “It was unfortunate for Chad. I thought he played really hard. He was trying to battle Kendre, which is a hard task, but I’m proud of Chad.”

Thanks to two early 3s from senior Beau Harvey and a gritty eight-point second quarter from Fowler, the Chargers only trailed 23-20 at the half.

“We just had to keep fighting and doing what we were doing,” senior Isaiah Blair said. “At halftime, we were telling each other that we had to keep containing everybody like we were and keep hitting shots.”

The Hawks fell to the eventual state champions 48-45

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

WINSTON-SALEM — No. 12

Southeast Alamance got the final say in a season-long feud with conference foe No. 2 Seaforth, defeating the Hawks 48- 45 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association girls’ 2A East regional final at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 13. Entering the fourth quarter up one, Seaforth went cold in the final period (2 for 8 from the floor and 1 for 5 from 3) while Southeast Alamance, the eventual 2A state champions, delivered on both sides of the floor when it needed to.

“I think it was a hard-fought game both ways,” Seaforth coach Charles Byrd said. “When you’re playing against a team

Seaforth’s Mia Moore (2) plays defense while Southeast Alamance’s Inysia McIver passes the ball during the regional final. SE Alamance got the win, 48-45.

four times, especially when all our games are fairly close, it’s anybody’s game. They just ended up making more shots than us today.”

Southeast Alamance junior Clara LaChapelle led all scorers with 16 points and juniors Inysia McIver and Shaniya Paylor poured in 11 and 10 respectively.

Seaforth also had three double-digit scorers, with junior Katie Leonard scoring a team-high 14 points, junior Mia Moore contributing 11 and senior Gabby White pouring in 10, but their efforts, highlighted by an 11-point outburst by Leonard in the third quarter, weren’t enough. The Hawks’ shooting woes showed up in the first quarter when they started the game 2 for 7 from the 3-point line. And while its offense hummed on the back of LaChapelle’s eight first quarter points, Southeast Alamance didn’t allow Seaforth

However, Reidsville wasted no time finding its offensive rhythm coming out of the break. The Rams started the second half on a 7-0 run, and Neal started to heat up in See SEAFORTH, page B2

See NORTHWOOD, page B5

The Jordan-Matthews star will jump and possibly run for the Eagles

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

PEOPLE ARE OFTEN a re-

flection of those around them.

While being surrounded by her family at her signing day, Jordan-Matthews track and field standout Rachael Woods followed right in their footsteps. Woods, a senior, signed to North Carolina Central Friday. She will participate in the triple jump, long jump and possibly the 400-meter dash for the Eagles. During her high school career, Woods has hit personal bests of 18 feet, 1 inch in the long

jump (18-3.75 personal record in AAU competition) and 36 feet in the triple jump (36-3 personal record in AAU competition).

But before high school, Woods didn’t know that she’d even be a track and field athlete, let alone compete at the Division I level.

“I cheered my whole life,” Woods said. “I did competitive cheer, all-star cheer, rec cheer. So that was the only thing I really knew. I wasn’t really good at any other sports.”

In a close-knit family with four other siblings and tight relationships with extended members, Woods was somewhat the odd one out.

Track was in her blood. Along with her parents, Ricky and

See WOODS, page B5

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood’s Cam Fowler (3) puts up a shot in the NCHSAA championship game against Reidsville. Fowler’s 27 points weren’t enough as the Chargers finished as state runners-up.

Duke’s Flagg, Auburn’s Broome unanimous picks to lead the AP All-America team

The Blue Devils freshman becomes the 19th Duke first-teamer

By Dave Skretta

The Associated Press

ONE IS A FIFTH-YEAR senior who began his career at a mid-major, the other a first-year wunderkind recruited by everyone. The first is a now leading a program on the rise, while the other is the unmistakable star for a traditional power.

Johni Broome of Auburn and Cooper Flagg of Duke do have something in common, though: The forwards were unanimous first-team picks for The Associated Press men’s college basketball All-America teams released Tuesday.

They were joined on the first team by Alabama star Mark Sears, Purdue’s Braden Smith and Walter Clayton Jr. of Florida.

Only Broome, a third-team pick a year ago, and Flagg were among the first five on the ballots of all 61 national media members who vote for the weekly AP Top 25. Broome becomes the Tigers’ fourth All-American and first to make the first team, while Flagg is the 19th different Blue Devils player to earn first-team recognition.

“He’s doing things nobody really has ever done before,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “And he’s not about numbers. I’m telling you, when this dude goes home, somebody says to him, ‘Man, you had 42, six and seven,’ he’ll say, ‘OK, cool.’ That’s not what he’s about, which to me makes it even better because you can get caught up with that, especially as a young player.”

Maybe that is something else that Broome and Flagg have in common: Both are eyeing a national championship. Auburn spent eight weeks at No. 1 this year, while Duke ascended to the top spot when the Tigers stumbled down the stretch.

Now, the two programs head to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in their respective regions.

“I’ve proved a lot individually through my career, but my main goal is a team goal, which is to win the national championship,” said Broome, who played two seasons at Morehead State

NCHSAA regional final against Southeast Alamance.

White scored 10 for the Hawks, whose season ended with a three-point loss in the game.

before spending the past three with the Tigers. “When the team shines, everyone shines individually. Coming from where I came from, it means a lot to me.”

Sears was a second-team pick last season, when he helped to lead the Crimson Tide to their first Final Four. He initially declared for the NBA Draft but withdrew in late May, choosing instead to return to Alabama for another run at a national title.

He’s the Crimson Tide’s second first-team All-American after Brandon Miller two years ago.

Smith was an honorable mention pick last year, when Purdue teammate Zach Edey was a unanimous first-team pick for the second straight season. With Edey off to the NBA, Smith became the go-to player for a bunch of Boilermakers who will be trying to return to the national championship game after losing to UConn there a year ago.

Florida had never had a first-team All-American before Clayton, who helped the Gators climb as high as No. 2 in the Top 25 this season. He’s also their first All-American since 2007, when second-teamer Joakim Noah and third-team choice Al Horford led the Gators to their second consecutive national championship.

Perhaps the versatile Clayton will be able to lead Florida back to the top in March Madness.

“Whatever path, I like my guys,” he said. “Me and my guys against whoever.”

to establish much of an inside game, especially in transition.

“Gabby, again, she’s great going coast to coast,” Southeast Alamance coach Amy Sarratt said. “We just wanted to be back on defense. We’ll give up an extra rebound if we have to.”

The Stallions held a 15-12 lead at the end of the first quarter before hitting their own rough patch in the second. Both teams combined to shoot 7 for 30 from the field in the second quarter which ended with Seaforth trailing 24-23 at halftime.

“The biggest thing for us has always been dealing with adversity and continuing to stick with the gameplan,” Byrd said. “Keep playing hard, keep playing hard. Eventually things are going to fall our way, and they did.”

Leonard found the hot hand in the third quarter, hitting three 3s and leading the Hawks to their largest lead of the game at 37-29. For her final bucket of the quarter, Leonard stole a pass from R’reanna Johnson and finished the play with a layup on the other end, capping off an 8-0 run with just under three minutes to play in the period.

“My teammates were finding me when I was open, and I was fortunate enough to knock them down,” Leonard said. “I

got a steal. I was just trying to give us energy and get us back into the game.”

But while deep in what’s usually a demoralizing run by the Hawks, Southeast Alamance didn’t lay down. Coming out of a timeout after the run, Southeast Alamance switched from zone to man defense. The adjustment resulted in two turnovers leading to huge buckets from sophomore Natalie Lopez and a one-point deficit for the Stallions heading into the fourth quarter.

“When a team switches to man, they’re trying to muddy up the game,” Byrd said.

“Times like that, we have to be poised. We didn’t get poised until after that quarter. Once we got out of the quarter, the girls settled down and they started to get back to the flow, but they threw a change up at us and it kind of shocked us a little bit.”

Both teams slugged it out in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, trading buckets and turnovers down the stretch. Tied at 43 apiece with just over three minutes left to play, Lopez hit another huge 3 to put Southeast Alamance back on top.

After a floater from Peyton Collins brought the Hawks within one with two minutes left, Southeast Alamance held the ball and forced Seaforth to

foul. The Stallions hit two of their final four free throws to seal the win.

Seaforth and Southeast Alamance ended their season series tied at 2-2 with three matchups finishing within one possession.

Outside of its bouts with the Stallions and a season-opening loss to Apex Friendship, Seaforth’s run to the Final Four was nothing short of dominant. The Hawks, who finished 28-3 overall and 14-1 in conference play, went on a 19-game win streak and played in only four games decided by 10 points or fewer all season. Seaforth also beat each of its first three playoff opponents by more than 40 points.

The loss also marked the final flight for the Hawks’ 2025 class (White, Collins and Elizabeth Johnson). Those seniors, the program’s first four-year class, went to three straight regional finals, including a state title appearance in 2023. Since starting the program in the 2021-22 season, that class amassed a 102-19 record.

“They’ve accomplished a lot,” Byrd said. “When you get to this stage of the season, you know it’s anybody’s game. So, at the end of the day, I’m super proud of these ladies. They fought hard. They worked hard every single day. They’re great leaders.”

SEAFORTH from page B1

Gabby White (3) drives the lane during Seaforth’s

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg reacts during a March game against Wake Forest.

Chatham Central wins first softball showdown over Jordan-Matthews

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record Baseball

CHATHAM CHARTER

dominated Southern Wake Academy in a two-game conference-opening series, winning 26-0 on March 11 and 10-0 on March 13. In game one, the Knights put up 23 runs in the first inning, and four different Knights went 3 for 3 from the plate.

Hits were much harder to come by in Chatham Charter’s 12-inning, 6-1 loss to South Stanly on Friday. Down 1-0 in the top of the seventh, South Stanly tied the game with after a fly out from senior Gavyn Miller sent senior Braylon Tyson home. Following a four-inning stalemate, South Stanly scored five runs in the top of the sixth and retired three straight Chatham Charter batters in the bottom of the inning to clinch the win.

Northwood swept Jordan-Matthews in a two-game battle this week, winning 3-0 on March 11 and 15-0 Friday. Junior Camden Miller went 4 for 4 at the plate and knocked in a team-high five RBIs in game two.

Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday) (overall, conference): 1. Southeast Alamance (6 -1, 6-0); T2. Northwood (3-4, 3-3); T2. Chatham Central (3-5, 3-3); 4. Bartlett Yancey (2-3, 1-1); 5. North Moore (2-4, 1-3); 6. Jordan-Matthews (0-7, 0-4); 7. Seaforth (2-6, 0-0) Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Chatham Charter (3-3, 2-0); 2. River Mill (3-1, 3-1); 3. Clover Garden School (2-5, 1-1); T4. Triangle Math and Science (1-4, 0-2); T4. Southern Wake Academy (0-3, 0-2) Softball

Chatham Central scored five runs in the seventh inning to beat rival Jordan-Matthews 7-3 on March 13. Up 2-1 entering the seventh, the Bears notched seven straight hits (three doubles, two triples and two singles) to extend their lead.

Seaforth rolled to a 13-3 win over North Moore on Friday. Up 6-2 through five innings, the Hawks scored seven runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Annika Johansson knocked in a team-best four RBIs for the Hawks, while Emma Grace Hill threw 10 strikeouts and allowed just one earned run.

Chatham Charter started conference play on the right foot with two routs over Ascend Leadership (24-5 and 20-2) on March 11. After beating Cornerstone Charter 16 -10 the next day, the Knights finished the week with their fourth straight win with a 16-0 victory over River Mill Friday. Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Chatham Central (61, 4-0); 2. Seaforth (4-3, 4-1); 3. Jordan-Matthews (5-2, 3-1); 4. North Moore (5-2, 3-2); 5. Southeast Alamance (3-3,

2-2); 6. Northwood (2-6, 2-4); 7. Bartlett Yancey (1-4, 1-4); 8. Graham (0-6, 0-5)

Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): T1. Chatham Charter (4-2, 3-0); T1. Clover Garden School (3-2, 2-0); 3. River Mill (3-2, 1-2)

Girls’ soccer

Seaforth lost to Apex Friendship 2-0 Friday, dropping its first game since March 11, 2024 (a 3-1 loss to Western Alamance). It’s also the first time the Hawks were shut out in a loss since April 3, 2023 (a 1-0 loss to Riverside-Durham). Seniors Briella Boetcher and Ariana Stille scored the goals for the Patriots in the first half.

Northwood beat Southeast Alamance 1-0 on March 12, winning its second conference game of the season.

After back-to-back losses, Woods Charter bounced back with a 9-0 win over Ascend Leadership on Friday.

Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): T1. Seaforth (2-1, 2-0); T1. Northwood (3-4, 2-0); T1. Bartlett Yancey (3-2, 2-0); T4. Southeast Alamance (2 - 4 1-1); T4. Jordan-Matthews (3 - 4, 1-1); T6. Cummings (0-5, 0-3); T6. Graham (0-4, 0-3); 8. North Moore (3-0, 0-0) Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): T1. Woods Charter (2-2, 1-0); T1. River Mill (2-1-1, 1-0); T3. Clover Garden School (1-2, 0-1); T3. Ascend Leadership (1-2, 0-1); T5. Chatham Charter (0-3, 0-0); T5. Southern Wake Academy (0-1, 0-0); T5. Triangle Math and Science (0 - 4, 0-0)

Boys’ lacrosse

Seaforth beat Orange 11-6 on March 13 behind five goals from junior Ivan Grimes, winning its fourth straight game and snapping Orange’s 47-game winning streak against conference opponents in the regular season. After trailing 5-2 in the second quarter, Seaforth allowed only one goal for the rest of the game, outscoring Orange 7-1 in the second half.

Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Seaforth (4-1, 4-0); T2.

Chatham Charter’s Torris Price races in the 1,600. He won the 800 and 1,600 at a recent meet.

Cam Fowler

Orange (6-2, 4-1); T2. Southern Alamance (6-1, 4-1); T4. Williams (4-4, 2-2); T4. Eastern Alamance (3-2, 2-2); 6. Northwood (3-6, 3-4); 7. Cedar Ridge (1-5, 1-4); 8. Southeast Alamance (1-7, 1-5); 9. Western Alamance (0-3, 0-2)

Girls’ lacrosse

Northwood opened its season with a 6-5 win over Jordan on March 12. Seaforth dropped its third straight game to Chapel Hill 20-7 on March 12. DC 6/Northern Lakes Athletic/Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Chapel Hill (4-0, 1-0); 2. Seaforth 0-3, 0-1); T3. Carrboro (1-0, 0-0); T3. East Chapel Hill (5-0, 0-0); T3. Jordan (0-3, 0-0); T3. Northwood (1-0, 0-0); T3. Riverside-Durham (0-3, 0-0)

Track and field

Woods Charter’s Ezra Roebuck ran personal bests in the boys’ 200- (23.82 seconds) and 400-meter dashes (52.19) to win both races at the Seaforth High School Meet No. 1 on March 10. Seaforth’s Dylan Watkins did the same at the same meet, but for the throwing events, winning the boys’ discus and shot put competitions with personal-best marks of 128 feet, 6 inches and 42-0.25, respectively. Seaforth’s Natalia Davis ran her best times in all three of her events (800, 1,600 and 3,200) and won the 800 with a time of 2:32.87.

Chatham Charter’s Torris Price won the boys’ 800 and 1,600 at the Asheboro NonCon meet on March 13 with personal-best times of 2:11 and 4:58, respectively.

Boys’ golf

Seaforth shot a nine-hole team score record with a score of 141 (-3) and won at the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference Match No. 3 (at Preserve at Jordan Lake) on March 11. Seaforth’s Ty Willoughby (32, -4), Griffin Ching (34, -2) and Campbell Meador (34, -2) filled out the top three finishers in order. Chatham Central finished fourth (185, +41), and Northwood finished fifth (186, +42).

Northwood, boys’ basketball team

Northwood’s Cam Fowler earns athlete of the week honors for the week of March 10.

Fowler was a force for the Chargers during their regional final and state championship bouts in Winston‑Salem last week. In the 57 38 win over West Bladen for the 2A East regional title, Fowler recorded team highs of 19 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. He also shot 7 for 16 from the floor. Against Reidsville, Fowler led all scorers with 27 points. He scored 14 points in the fourth in an effort to will the Chargers back into the game. Fowler finished the season as the Chargers’ leading scorer, averaging 20 points per game.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL Patriots announce deals with Hollins, 3 others

Foxborough, Mass.

The New England Patriots continued to add to their growing list of free agent signings, announcing deals last Friday with safety Marcus Epps, receiver Mack Hollins, tight end Austin Hooper and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga. Epps’ new pact is for one year and $4.4 million. Hooper is back in New England on a reported two-year, $5 million deal. Hollins, a former Tar Heel, has a two-year deal worth up to $8.4 million. He spent last season in Buffalo and has played for five teams over his seven NFL seasons.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson Brownell “disappointed” team was locked out of locker room

Charlotte The Clemson Tigers trailed Louisville in the ACC semifinals and needed some halftime adjustments. But the Tigers found themselves locked out of their locker room. Clemson players sat on the cement floor outside the locker room while coach Brad Brownell addressed his team. Eventually the door was unlocked by building security and the Tigers were able to get in. The ACC added two minutes to halftime as a result.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Curry announced as investor in Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league

Stephen Curry has been announced as an investor in Unrivaled, adding to a long list of high-profile stars to align with the startup 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. The four-time NBA champion’s investment was included in Unrivaled’s oversubscribed Series A investment round in December, in which the league said it secured more than $28 million in funding to go along with the $7 million raised during the league’s seed round, which was announced in May 2024, totaling $35 million for the league to date.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Vitale tears up on ACC Championship broadcast talking about cancer battle

Charlotte Dick Vitale became emotional Saturday night while talking about his most recent cancer battle while announcing top-ranked Duke’s 73-62 victory over No. 13 Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship. The 85-year-old ESPN college basketball analyst announced in December he was cancer-free. It was his fourth battle in just more than three years with the disease. Vitale teared up as he looked into the camera while sitting between fellow announcers Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander.

NC Courage’s Shaw among NWSL players to watch

The U.S. national team player was acquired in the offseason

By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press

THERE’S BEEN lots of turnover among National Women’s Soccer League teams this season, with a couple of marquee players bolting for Europe, a few notable retirements and some dramatic trades.

San Diego Wave defender

Naomi Girma went to Chelsea for a record $1.1 million transfer fee. Fellow defender and U.S. national team player Jenna Nighswonger headed to Arsenal after two seasons with Gotham FC.

Within the league, Jaedyn Shaw was traded from the Wave to the North Carolina Courage, and Lynn Biyendolo, formerly Williams, went from Gotham to the Seattle Reign. There are plenty of players to keep an eye on this season in the NWSL.

Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current

In Chawinga’s first NWSL season last year, she was named

13

the league’s most valuable player. A Malawi native, she led the league with an NWSL single-season record of 20 goals to also win the Golden Boot award.

Barbra Banda, Orlando Pride

Banda scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlando Pride a 1-0 win the league championship game against the Washington Spirit last season. Banda earned the championship MVP award and became the first player in the NWSL to score in each round of the playoffs.

Marta, Orlando Pride

The Brazilian great has played for the Pride since 2017 and captained the team last season to both the NWSL

March Madness mascots take center stage

A look at some of the unique characters we’ll meet in March

By John Raby The Associated Press

FANS NAVIGATING the dozens of schools in the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments might become as attached to the mascots as the athletes themselves.

Furry, animated characters used as rallying points for teams with unique nicknames have been around for decades, and this year’s March Madness will have some dandies. Here’s a look at some of the participating schools and the stories behind their mascots and monikers.

St. Francis Red Flash

Tiny St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, joined the list of two dozen men’s teams ever to make the NCAA Tournament with a losing record, earning an automatic berth by winning the Northeast Conference tournament.

With its grinning, bald-domed Frankie the Friar mascot, the Red Flash reached the Big Dance for the first time since 1991. The school of about 2,000 students is sure to gain more

fans if it can make some tournament noise.

Habit-wearing Frankie debuted in 1983 and underwent a makeover in 2009. The Catholic-Franciscan school’s student newspaper first referred to the football team as “The Red Flashes” in 1927.

UC San Diego Tritons

King Triton will be busy. The mascot of UC San Diego is making his debut in both the men’s and women’s tournaments in the school’s first year of eligibility after moving up from Division II in 2020 to join the Big West Conference.

The bearded, beaming King Triton wears a crown and carries a three-pronged trident. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography is part of UC San Diego, whose campus in La Jolla is next to the Pacific Ocean, hence the Triton nickname.

Akron Zips

Akron’s nickname originally was the Zippers, named after popular 1925 rubber galoshes with metal fasteners sold by tire manufacturer B.F. Goodrich. The school’s athletic director shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950.

A few years later, a contest

Shield and the league championship. She has 42 goals in 128 career appearances with the Pride. Last season was one of her best, with 11 goals in all competitions. A six-time world player of the year, the 38-year-old signed an extension in January that will keep her with the Pride through the 2026 season.

Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit

Toward the end of last season she was hampered by a lower back injury, but Rodman still finished with eight goals and six assists. She’s been with the Spirit since 2021. Rodman has established a role on the U.S. women’s national team and scored three goals at the Paris Olympics.

Lynn Biyendolo, Seattle Reign

Formerly known by her maiden name of Williams, Biyendolo was traded from Gotham FC to the Reign in one of the biggest moves of the offseason. Biyendolo is the NWSL’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals after surpassing Sam Kerr (77) last season. She has

played on four NWSL championship teams. She is also a regular on the U.S. women’s national team and won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Jaedyn Shaw, North Carolina Courage

The 20-year-old midfielder played in her first game with the Wave when she was 17 and appeared in 52 games with 13 goals before her offseason trade to the Courage. Shaw has made 21 appearances with the national team, scoring eight goals, and was named the U.S. Young Player of the Year for 2022. She was on the roster for the United States at last year’s Paris Olympics but was limited because of a leg injury.

Christen Press, Angel City Press, Angel City’s first signing ahead of its inaugural 2022 campaign, signed a one-year deal as a free agent for this season after returning from a serious knee injury. Press scored two goals in eight games in her Angel City debut before tearing the ACL in her right knee. After four surgeries, she played in nine games for the club last season.

was held to create a mascot. The winner was a kangaroo called Mr. Zip with boxing gloves and a zipper. However, since only female kangaroos have pouches, Mr. Zip would eventually become a she, named Zippy.

Grand Canyon Lopes

Thunder the Antelope seemingly can do it all, posing for photos with Grand Canyon University fans, rappelling to the arena floor from the ceiling and jumping off a trampoline to dunk a basketball. And to think there was a time when it didn’t have a name — and wasn’t even Grand Canyon’s first mascot. Arizona’s Grand Canyon, also playing in the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments, started its Antelope nickname in 1949, later shortened to the Lopes. A hairy mascot known as the “Purple People Eat-

er” was replaced in 1981 with the antelope mascot, which didn’t get its current name until Thunder stuck in 2008.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits

The only U.S. college known as the Jackrabbits, South Dakota State has had the moniker for so long that it’s not exactly clear how the nickname came about. It either occurred in 1905, after a newspaper cartoon said the South Dakota football team “was as quick as Jackrabbits,“ or in 1907 after a school yearbook poem changed the publication’s name to Jackrabbits, and the athletic teams followed suit. It wasn’t until 2010 that the mascot’s name, Jack, was selected. The state of South Dakota has two species of jackrabbits, which are actually hares and have longer ears and bigger bodies than rabbits.

R. SCOTT STOVER VIA AP

St. Francis University mascot Frankie the Friar performs during a February game.

Goals in 52 games for new Courage midfielder Jaedyn Shaw

NC Courage midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (19) in action during a game against Louisville Racing last weekend.

transition. At the same time, Northwood suffered its worst shooting quarter of the game, going 2 for 9 from the field and 0 for 3 from beyond the arc.

“The shots didn’t fall,” Brown said. “They had a couple of turnovers, and that led to run outs, which we wanted to limit as much as possible. I thought we did a good job with that throughout the game. Just that little run.”

Northwood entered the fourth quarter trailing 44-30, and although Reidsville held all the momentum, the Chargers continued to fight.

In fact, the game somewhat turned into a Neal and Fowler duel. Neal continued his big night in transition with layups and free throws, tallying 15 points in the final peri-

“They fought till the very, very end, and I’m OK with that.”

Matt Brown

od. Meanwhile, Fowler continued to attack the rim as he tried to will Northwood back into the game with 14 fourth quarter points.

Despite the standout performance from Neal, Reidsville senior Johnniyus Sharpe was named the game’s Most Valuable Player with 18 points (11 in the second half). Even with the disappointing finish, Northwood has plenty of positives to take away from this season. In the first year since the graduation of former five-star

Drake Powell, the Chargers maintained their dominance in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference with a 16-0 regular season conference record. They entered the state championship game on a season-best 19-game win streak and picked up some impressive wins along the way, including double-digit victories over South Granville, Southwest Onslow and West Bladen in the playoffs.

Northwood will graduate four seniors, including Hayes Burleson, Jaylen Scurlock, Blair and Harvey. In two seasons together on the varsity level, that group went 57-7 overall and 32-0 in regular season conference play.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys and the senior leadership that we had,” Brown said. “This journey was fantastic. I was just along for the ride.”

Central Electric sponsoring two youth to attend basketball camp this summer

Central Electric awards two Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships annually to local students in Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, or Randolph counties. A young man will be selected to attend the Carolina Basketball School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a young woman will be selected to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

To be eligible to apply, the student must be in the sixth or seventh grade during the upcoming school year, have permission from a parent or guardian to attend the overnight camp and must provide their own transportation if selected to attend.

Scan the QR code or visit CEMCPower.com for more information or to apply. The deadline for applications to both camps is March 31.

Camia, sharing interest in the sport, her older brother Xavier ran track at Jordan-Matthews, her younger sister Khamya also runs for the Jets, her cousin Jordan McNair-Martin jumps at Charlotte and before coaching track, her great uncle DeNeal McNair jumped at Asheboro High School (inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of Fame in 2021) prior to playing football at Wake Forest and North Carolina A&T.

“It was just something I didn’t think I was going to do,” Woods said.

Even if it was shown on the mat and not the rubber, there was no doubt Woods was a talented athlete. But thanks to McNair, the track and field genes kicked in just before she went to high school.

Going into her freshman year, McNair took her under his wing on his summer AAU team, the Mid-City Xpress Track Club.

“Well, she’s family,” McNair said. “And if you’re part of our family, track’s a part of your family. We have to bring you through that family tradition.” Said McNair, “Track is a hard sport to fall in love with, and when you start them out early and get them hooked on that, you see them grow, and we saw that early with Rachael.”

Woods said it was a “shock” jumping into track with her uncle because of how hard he pushed her to succeed.

“He’s my family, so the way he talks to me is not the other way other people can talk to me or the way my school coach can talk to me,” Woods said. “He definitely pushed me. I remember he had me outside until maybe 9 o’clock, and he was like, ‘We’re gonna sit out here until we get it right.’ And that’s exactly what we did.”

Once it got pushed, the legacy continued to roll. After coaching her older brother, Jordan-Matthews track coach Lamont Piggie approached her

JordanMatthews track and field star

Rachael Woods prepares to sign with NC Central at a ceremony at the school.

months after her introduction to track about running for the school.

“I just knew the family, and Xavier was fast,” Piggie said. “She has the body type. Normally, cheerleaders have strong legs, so just give it a chance. So I told her to come out and run. I told her give me one week. If she didn’t like it, she can quit, and if she did like it, she can stay. She fell in love with it and just took off from there.”

Said Woods, “After I got out there, after seeing how happy it made me and how it made me feel, I just realized maybe it was time to probably put down the pompoms and the all-star shoes and try something different.”

Woods turned into one of the Jets’ most successful track and field athletes over the years, reaching state championship meets for the outdoor 400 in 2022 (10th-place finish), indoor long jump in 2024 (11th-place finish), outdoor triple jump in 2024 (sixth-place finish) and outdoor long jump in 2024 (12th-place finish).

But after not hearing back from college coaches she emailed for her recruitment months ago, Woods almost put track down for good.

“I thought I was going to just let it go and be a regular student and stop wasting my time,” Woods said. “But then NC Central finally reached out to me. It was around November that they reached out to me, and we scheduled an official visit from there.”

Even her college recruitment received a boost from her family. Her sister Khamya was the one who pushed her to email the coaches, reminding her that she’s at the point in life where it’s time to take risks.

“Having them around me, just pushing me, and getting me to this point has definitely been a lot,” Woods said. “And I don’t think I would’ve got to this point or believed in myself as much without them.”

WOODS from page B1

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Memorial service held for R&B singer Angie Stone

Her “The Art of Love & War” peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200

By Jeff Martin The Associated Press

AUSTELL, Ga. — Musical artists and loved ones last Friday mourned Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone, who was killed in a car crash earlier this month.

Mourners filed into the massive Word of Faith Cathedral west of Atlanta, taking their seats around a silver-and-gold casket surrounded by a sea of red roses.

“In her song ‘No More Rain (In This Cloud),’ she says my sunshine is coming, and I’m all cried out,” filmmaker and entertainment executive Tyler Perry said last Friday’s service.

“There’s no more rain in this cloud,” he said. “The beauty of what she was talking about is when a cloud has no more tears, it dissipates, it’s gone.”

The song, like so many of Stone’s hits, found great success. It reached No. 1 for 10 weeks on Billboard’s Adult R&B airplay chart.

The cargo van she was riding in flipped over and was then hit by a truck on March 1 near Montgomery, Alabama, music producer and Stone’s longtime manager Walter Millsap III said. Everyone else in the

“There’s no more rain in this cloud. The beauty of what she was talking about is when a cloud has no more tears, it dissipates, it’s gone.”

Tyler Perry

van survived except Stone, who was 63. Online tributes from fans and fellow artists poured in after her death.

“God is good even when life is not, and so we celebrate the life of our sister that has been well-lived,” said Bishop Dale Bronner, the church’s senior pastor.

Many acclaimed musical artists performed at the service, including Keke Wyatt, Anthony Hamilton and Kirk Franklin.

Before Wyatt sang, she recalled how Stone would call her in the middle of the night to pray with her or give her encouragement.

“She was so beautiful,” Wyatt said. “Like seriously, I love her music, and I love her voice and all that. But her as a person trump all of that.”

The church-grown singer was born in Columbia, where music was always in her life since she was a child, Stone

told The Associated Press in a 1999 interview. Her mother would sing around the house, and her father sang gospel and blues at establishments around Columbia.

Another service ws held Saturday in Columbia, at First Nazareth Baptist Church. Stone was a member of the all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence and known for the hit song “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.” She helped form The Sequence, the first all-female group on the hip-hop trailblazing imprint Sugar Hill Records, becoming one of the first female groups to record a rap song.

The group recorded “Funk You Up,” which has been sampled by numerous artists, including Dr. Dre.

After finding success in the early 1980s, Stone later joined the trio Vertical Hold before launching her solo career. Stone created hits like “Baby” with legendary soul singer Betty Wright, another No. 1 hit; and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” and “Brotha.”

She found a sweet spot in the early 2000s as neo-soul begin to dominate the R&B landscape with the emergence of singers like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Maxwell and D’Angelo. Her 2001 album “Mahogany Soul” reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200, while 2007’s “The Art of Love & War” peaked at No. 11.

GREGORY SMITH / AP PHOTO

R&B singer Angie Stone was killed in a car crash south of Montgomery, Alabama, on March 1. She was 63.

this week in history

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” published, Patty Hearst convicted, Exxon Valdez’s oil spilled in Alaska

The Associated Press

MARCH 20

1815: Napoleon Bonaparte returned to Paris after escaping his exile on Elba, beginning his “Hundred Days” rule.

1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe’s influential novel about slavery, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was first published in book form; it would become the best-selling novel of the 19th century.

1976: Kidnapped newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was convicted of armed robbery for her part in a San Francisco bank holdup carried out by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

MARCH 21

1952: The Moondog Coronation Ball, considered the first rock ’n’ roll concert, took place at Cleveland Arena.

1963: The United States closed Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary; more than 1,500 inmates had been jailed at the island prison off the coast of San Francisco.

death.”

1965: Civil rights demonstrators led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. began their third attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

MARCH 22

1765: The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to raise money from the American colonies, which fiercely resisted the tax.

1894: Ice hockey’s first Stanley Cup championship game was played, with the Montreal Hockey Club defeating

the Ottawa Hockey Club, 3-1.

1963: The Beatles’ debut album, “Please Please Me,” was released in the United Kingdom.

MARCH 23

1775: Patrick Henry delivered an address to the Virginia Provincial Convention in which it is said he declared, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

1919: Benito Mussolini founded his fascist political movement in Milan, Italy.

1942: The first Japanese Americans incarcerated by the U.S. Army during World War II arrived at the internment camp at Manzanar, California.

MARCH 24

1882: German scientist Robert Koch announced in Berlin that he had discovered the bacillus responsible for tuberculosis.

1980: Catholic Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador was shot to death by a sniper as he celebrated Mass in San Salvador.

1989: The supertanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on a reef in Alaska’s Prince William Sound and began leaking an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil.

MARCH 25

1894: Jacob S. Coxey began a march from Massillon, Ohio, leading an “army” of as many as 500 unemployed workers to Washington, D.C., to demand help from the federal government.

1931: In the so-called “Scottsboro Boys” case, nine young black men were taken off a train in Alabama and accused of raping two white women. After years of convictions, death sentences and imprisonment, the nine were eventually vindicated.

1965: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led 25,000 people to the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery, completing a five-day march from Selma to protest the denial of voting rights to black Americans.

MARCH 26

1812: An earthquake devastated Caracas, Venezuela, causing as many as 30,000 deaths.

1917: The Seattle Metropolitans became the first American ice hockey team to win the Stanley Cup, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 9-1 to win the championship series, three games to one.

UK coin collection honors Lennon on would-be 85th birthday

Coins are available in a range of precious metals

By Pan Pylas The Associated Press

LONDON — John Lennon is being honored in a specially minted British coin collection to mark the year the Beatles great and peace advocate would have turned 85, the Royal Mint said last Friday.

The coin, which went on sale Monday, features a portrait of Lennon that is based on a famous image taken by music industry photographer Bob Gruen in 1974.

It depicts a side profile of Lennon, taken on the roof of his penthouse in New York. Lennon was shot dead by Mark David Chapman in the city on Dec. 8, 1980, at the age of 40.

Lennon’s name appears to the left of the portrait, while the word “Imagine” features on the right side of the design in a reference to his single and album, released in 1971, the year after the Fab Four — Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — effectively went their own way, having left their indelible mark at the heart of the 1960s.

“Arguably one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, Lennon’s achievements as an artist, activist and advocate for peace continue to live on and will now be forever remembered

“Though legal tender, but with the price differential, it’s unlikely — if not irrational — for anyone to use the coin to buy, say, “The White Album.”

on a coin,” said Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint.

The Royal Mint, which has struck the coins of monarchs from Alfred the Great in the 9th century through to King Charles III, has an ongoing “music legends” coin series, celebrating singers and songwriters. Lennon follows the likes of McCartney, David Bowie, Queen, the Rolling Stones and Shirley Bassey in being honored on a Royal Mint coin.

Lennon fans and coin collectors will be able to buy the coins from the Royal Mint’s website from Monday. They will be available in a range of precious metals, including gold, as well as different colors.

Prices will start at 18.50 pounds ($24) for a five-pound denominated coin up to 6,420 pounds ($8,330) for a 200-pound denominated coin.

Though legal tender, but with the price differential, it’s unlikely — if not irrational — for anyone to use the coin to buy, say, “The White Album.”

solutions

AP PHOTO

On March 23, 1775, at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, Patrick Henry delivered a speech in which he said, “give me liberty or give me

MATT CROSSICK / PA MEDIA ASSIGNMENTS VIA AP

A specially minted British coin to mark the year and honor John Lennon is displayed in the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park in New York.

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famous birthdays this week

Spike Lee is 68, William Shatner turns 94, Elton John hits 78, Diana Ross celebrates 81

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

MARCH 20

Basketball Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley is 80. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr is 77. Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan is 74. Film director Spike Lee is 68.

MARCH 21

Football Hall of Fame coach Tom Flores is 88. Actor Gary Oldman is 67. Actor Matthew Broderick is 63.

MARCH 22

Actor William Shatner is 94. Writer James Patterson is 78. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 77. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 73. Actor Matthew Modine is 66. Actor-comedian Keegan-Michael Key is 54. Actor Reese Witherspoon is 49.

MARCH 23

Singer Chaka Khan is 72. Actor Amanda Plummer is 68. Actor Catherine Keener is 66.

MARCH 24

Actor Kelly LeBrock is 65. TV personality Star Jones is 63. Guitarist Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers is 61.

MARCH 25

Musician Elton John is 78. Actor-comedian Mary Gross is 72. Actor Marcia Cross (“Desperate Housewives”) is 63. Actor Sarah Jessica Parker is 60.

MARCH 26

Singer Diana Ross is 81. Singer Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is 77. Actor Martin Short is 75. Actor Jennifer Grey is 65. Actor Michael Imperioli (“Life on Mars,” “The Sopranos”) is 59. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 57. Actor Leslie Mann (“Knocked Up,” “This Is 40”) is 53.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO Actor-comedian Martin Short is 75 on Wednesday.

LUCA BRUNO / AP PHOTO Director Spike Lee is 68 on Thursday.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Singer Diana Ross, pictured at the 67th annual Grammy Awards in February, turns 81 on Wednesday.

‘Wicked’

at home, Selena Gomez in love, Ellen Pompeo out of scrubs

What if your dad was a convicted serial killer?

The Associated Press

“Wicked” landing on Peacock for home sing-alongs and Ellen Pompeo starring in her first big role since stepping back from ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: Selena Gomez and her fiancé, producer and songwriter Benny Blanco, will release a joint album, Dennis Quaid stars in Paramount+’s true-crime series “Happy Face” about a serial killer, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings Ubisoft’s globetrotting, time-hopping gaming epic to feudal Japan.

MOVIES TO STREAM

There’s plenty of Oscar winners and contenders coming to streaming services now that the show is over, starting with best picture winner “Anora,” which is streaming on Hulu. Filmmaker Sean Baker’s odyssey of a Brooklyn sex worker whose whirlwind affair with the wild son of a Russian oligarch goes very wrong also won best director, best editing and best actress for Mikey Madison. Baker devoted most of his Oscar’s speech to the importance of making movies for and seeing movies on the big screen, but don’t worry — we won’t tell if you decide to watch this one on the small screen first. Just put the phone down: It’s a ride worth taking.

Another big Oscar player, perhaps “Anora’s” complete opposite as a big, lavishly expensive studio musical, “Wicked” starts streaming on Peacock on Friday. There will also be a sing-along version available and some bonus content for the super fans. Filmmaker Jon M. Chu took on the gargantuan task of adapting the Broadway musical for the big screen, and he went all out. In her review, Jocelyn Noveck wrote, “If it feels like they made the best “Wicked” movie money could buy — well, it’s because they kinda did.” The film won two Oscars, for costume and production design. And finally, a gem which got a little lost in the mix, “Sing Sing” arrives on Max on Friday. This inspired-by-real-life film about inmates who find a creative outlet through acting and performance earned three Oscar

nominations: for Colman Domingo’s lead role, for the adapted screenplay and for best original song. But don’t let its 0-for-3 result detract you from a watch. “It’s a cinematic high-five to all arts programs behind bars and, in particular, the power of theater,” AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote in his review. “The movie’s most affecting scenes are the ones that follow the inmates doing the craft — tender auditions, reciting their lines while doing chores and working on their characters. Watching them giddy backstage in costume before a show is all of us.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

At the end of last year, the Grammy- and Emmy-nominated multihyphenate Selena Gomez announced her engagement

to hit producer and songwriter Benny Blanco. Music is their shared language, and on Friday, the couple will release a joint album, “I Said I Love Your First.” Haters of romance, turn away: This is a celebration of their affection, but not without introspection. That’s evident in the acoustic ballad “Scared of Loving You” and the pop rock single “Call Me When You Break Up,” featuring Gracie Abrams. In the fall, the Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its milestone 100th anniversary. But the festivities are starting much earlier. The party kicked off with a television special, “Opry 100: A Live Celebration,” which is ready to watch on Peacock. Performers include Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Post Malone, Jel-

ly Roll, Eric Church and more.

Now that’s stacked. SHOWS TO STREAM

With “Good American Family” on Hulu, Ellen Pompeo stars in her first big role since stepping back from her series regular status on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” “Good American Family” fictionalizes the true story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born orphan with dwarfism, adopted as a child by an American family — who later accused her of lying about her age with sinister intentions. The wild tale became well known after it was the subject of a docuseries that debuted in 2023 on Investigation Discovery. In “Good American Family,” Pompeo and Mark Duplass play the adoptive parents of Natalia (Imogen Faith Reid). “Good

(“Sing Sing”) is a cinematic high-five to all arts programs behind bars and, in particular, the power of theater.”

Mark Kennedy, AP film reviewer

American Family” is streaming now on Hulu.

What if your dad was a convicted serial killer? That horrific thought is a reality for TV producer and podcaster Melissa G. Moore, whose father is Keith Jesperson, now serving multiple life sentences in prison for a string of murders in the early 1990s. Moore had a loving relationship with her father until learning of his crimes as a teen. Jesperson was called the Happy Face Killer because he drew happy faces on confession letters boasting about his killings. Moore’s story is played out in “Happy Face,” debuting Thursday on Paramount+ starring Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid.

As public interest in women’s sports has surged, a new weekly talk show coming to The Roku Channel is dedicated to female athletes. “Women’s Sports Now” is hosted by former WNBA player Renee Montgomery, comedian Sarah Tiana and sports reporter Suzy Shuster. The show will follow women’s sports teams at the college and professional level. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer. It debuts Thursday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings Ubisoft’s globetrotting, time-hopping epic to feudal Japan. This chapter tells the story of Naoe, a ninja who’s out to avenge her father’s death, and Yasuke, a former slave from Africa who went on to become a renowned samurai. (He’s based on a real historic figure.) The dual protagonists mean you can take a different approach on each mission: Do you want to pick off your foes with stealth or rush in with swords swinging? It all takes place during the late Sengoku period of the 1500s, a turbulent era when various warlords were fighting to control Japan. But the real question for AC fans, as always, is: Where will Naoe and Yasuke come down in the eternal struggle between the freedom fighters of the Assassin Brotherhood and the repressive Templar order? Grab your katana Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

“Happy Face,” “Wicked” and “Anora” are streaming this week on a device near you.

“I Said I Love You First” by Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco drops on Friday.

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

Sheriff’s Office seeks help locating a missing person

Duplin County The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance locating a missing woman. Jamie Brooke Kennedy was reported missing from the Pink Hill area of Duplin County on March 9. She was last seen on Maxwell Mill Road near Albertson on March 2. She is a 34-year-old white female with brown hair and green eyes. She is 5-foot-6 and weighs 160 pounds. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Kennedy is asked to contact Detective Green at 910-296-2150 or the Duplin County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910372-9202.

Magnolia FD holding barbecue fundraiser this weekend

Magnolia

The Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual barbecue and chicken plate sale fundraiser on Saturday, March 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will take place at 238 N. Monk Street. Enjoy a delicious barbecue and chicken combo with all the fixings for $12 per plate, or choose one meat with all the fixings for $10. The MVFD will also deliver orders of more than 10 plates.

Teachey to kick off holiday season with Easter Egg Hunt

Teachey The Town of Teachey is gearing up for a fun-fi lled Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 5 from 1-3 p.m. Families are invited to join in the excitement at the Teachey Town Park on Boney Street. The hunt promises a delightful afternoon and the perfect opportunity for local residents to celebrate the season in a lively and community-focused way. Call 910-285-7564 for more information.

AG, N.C. Turnpike warn of toll payment scam text messages

Raleigh Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Turnpike Authority are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass. The random texts demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls. “These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” said Jackson in a press release. “Don’t fall for them.” Clicking links can expose victims to fraud.

Faison’s Farmers’ Day Parade draws crowds for a day of celebration

Hundreds gathered along West Main Street in Faison last Saturday for the town’s annual Farmers’ Day Parade, a beloved tradition that unites the community. The parade was a lively display of pride for the town’s agricultural roots, brimming with small-town charm. Turn to B6 for more photos.

Teachey board approves annexation Animal ordinance, infrastructure discussed by Magnolia board

“The town is growing — how about that?”

Jones,

The move paves the way for future development

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — The town of Teachey voted to annex a parcel of land along Log Cabin Road at Monday night’s monthly meeting following a public hearing that saw no discussion.

The 11.64-acre annexation will bring eight new state-built homes to the town. James Parker, director of public works, advised of changes to the planned annexation that would result in larger-than-anticipated lot sizes, with each lot being approximately 12,000 square feet. However, he assured the board that the lots will still retain their residential zoning designation of R-10.

“Instead of having 11 lots, they’re taking three. So they’re putting four homes on each side and a driveway down the middle,” Parker

said. “Later on, they’re going to do three more like that.”

Commissioner Wanda Henderson brought a motion to move forward with the annexation, which was approved unanimously by the board.

“The town is growing — how about that?” commented Teachey Mayor Bobby Jones.

Though the town presently uses just half of its 100,000-gallon sewer capacity a day, Parker indicated that public works is in the process of seeking sewer and water permits to increase that capacity by 75,000 gallons a day to cover the town’s expansion.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is advising the town to install a 12-inch sewer line and another lift station, according to Parker, though the public works director expressed reluctance as an existing line is in place.

“I told them that the town

See TEACHEY, page A2

Wallace appoints finance director

The USMC veteran will also serve as the town’s deputy tax collector

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

EXCITEMENT, optimism and good cheer suffused the town hall Thursday night as Mayor Jason Wells prepared to administer the oath of office to Ashlee Graziano during the board’s monthly meeting, officially making the United States Marine Corps veteran the new finance director and deputy tax collector for the town of Wallace.

“It gives you goose bumps being a part of something that helps the general public,” said Graziano, who has previously served her country and her community as a member of the USMC Military Police and a mathematics instructor at White Oak High School in Jacksonville.

As finance director, Graziano plans to foster the town’s growth while ensuring Wallace retains its characteristic charm.

“I definitely want to bring more federal grants to the town and get funds to beautify Wallace,” Graziano told Duplin Journal, intimating that cleaning up streets and the continued improvement of the downtown area were high priorities. The former MP also intends to ensure the police department has what it needs to serve effectively and has similar intentions for the town’s volunteer fire department that she someday hopes to see salaried.

Thursday night’s meeting also featured public hearings on the rezoning of two tracts of land in the area, indicative of the growth the town will see in the coming months and years.

See GRAZIANO, page A5

Vicki Merrick was sworn in as deputy clerk

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

MAGNOLIA — In an effort to help the town of Magnolia revise its animal control ordinance to better address the community’s needs, Joseph Ezzell, the town’s attorney, last week presented suggestions to the board based on ordinances from other towns. Ezzell discussed important considerations, such as animal limits per household, leash laws, vaccination requirements, permits and an enforcement system with escalating fines to encourage compliance.

Ezzell suggested giving the commissioners a month to review the different ordinances indicated so they can make recommendations for a draft that reflects the community’s needs.

See MAGNOLIA, page A2

“We’re going to have a really nice library for everybody to enjoy after the summer.”

Charles Banks, town manager

Bobby

Teachey mayor

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Graziano

Brooke Kennedy

K.D.

Office Phone: 910 463-1240

To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042

TEACHEY from page A1

does not want another lift station to keep up,” stated Parker, adding that he’d written a letter informing DEQ of the existing line in hopes the department would allow its use in lieu of a new lift station.

“Unfortunately, last week we had to replace a pump on lift station No. 3, and that was over $20,000.”

The board also approved the town’s participation, and specifically Town Clerk Morgan Jacobs, in the North Carolina League of Municipalities’ Accounting Instruction and Mentorship (AIM) Program. Stemming from the League’s Municipal Account Services Program, AIM endeavors to improve the financial health of towns by providing resources, guidance and instruction to keep finance departments on track and up-to-date on bookkeeping and auditing services. The town’s recommendation for the program by Ann White, a municipal operations consultant with NCLM, follows a meeting Jacobs attended in Greenville last week.

“The more knowledge we can have in that area, I think the more financially responsible we can be, and we can be better stewards of the money that’s presented through our town, right? And that’s great,” expressed Jones.

The elusive Easter Bunny may make an appearance at the Teachey Park Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the town on April 5. The egg hunt will be the first event the town has held for Easter since the 2020 pandemic, according to Commissioner Ronnie Page, and will feature a bouncy house, bubble station, cotton candy machine, giveaways and more.

“This one should be a pretty good one — it’s five years in the making,” Jones said.

In other business, the town is still waiting for an update on a budget audit performed in September 2024. Joseph Ezzell, the attorney for the town of Teachey, advised reaching out for an update before the April meeting, as the audit is required for budget approval in June.

“We kind of need that done,” added Ezzel.

THURSDAY

DUPLIN CALENDAR

SPONSORED BY

March 21

The Duplin County GOP annual County Convention will be held on Friday, March 21 at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. Doors open at 5 p.m. Gavel drop at 6:15 p.m. Guest speakers Immanuel Jarvis and Emily Stack.

March 22

• Cowan Museum of History and Science is hosting Climate Extravaganza, on Saturday, March 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the whole family for an exciting day full of activities for all ages and explore how you can help protect the planet. Enjoy hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, games focused on climate resilience, informational displays and delicious food from food trucks. Don’t miss out on this fun and educational day for all ages.

March 27

Wallace Methodist Church’s Lenten Services will begin on Thursday, March 27 at noon and continue on April 3, and April 10. There will be a service in the sanctuary and light lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

March 28

• As a Kindness Month initiative, MCEC Duplin Teen Court youth are sponsoring a donation drive for the Duplin County Animal Shelter through March 28. For information on how and where to donate items, call 910-214-5117. Visit mceconline.org for more details.

from page A1

Additionally, he recommended allowing public input before the ordinance is adopted. While a public hearing is not required, he felt holding one to gather public opinions would be beneficial.

In other matters, the town board appointed and swore in Vicki H. Merrick as deputy clerk. They also established a regular planning board meeting schedule, set for the second Tuesday of each month before the town board meeting.

Town Manager Charles Banks provided an update on the town’s finances, reporting that the checking account balance currently stands at $104,532.65, while the trust account has $510,880.26. He noted that things are looking good financially. Banks also shared that the town will be using a grant from the Department of Emergency Management to replace the Florence Gallier Library roof and conduct renovations. According to the town manager, this grant is a carryover from relief funding allocated after Hurricane Matthew for approximately $13,000. Work is expected to begin soon, with completion targeted for early summer.

“We’re really excited about that,” said Banks. “Fingers crossed that we don’t get any storms and everything moves forward. We’re going to have a really nice library for everybody to enjoy after the summer.”

Join Pet Friends of Duplin County for a fun-filled evening supporting a great cause at the Bingo Night Fundraiser on March 28. Enjoy an exciting game of bingo while helping animals in need.

• Doors open at 6 p.m. and the games begin promptly at 6:45 p.m. at Poston Baptist Church’s Coley Hall at 4121 N.C. 11, in Wallace. Tickets are available at the door for $10. Your ticket includes one bingo card, chips and a bottle of water. Additional cards are available for $5 each or three for $10. Pizza and baked goods will be available for purchase.

April 5

• Beulaville’s annual Hog Wild Cook-off will take place on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Highway 241 and Highway 41, with parking available beside the Realo store. The event is free and will feature performances by Lily White and the Band of Oz starting at noon. Enjoy a variety of vendors, live local entertainment, a cake walk, children’s games, a 50/50 raffle and more! BBQ plates are available for $10.

• The Town of Teachey will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Teachey Town Park on Boney Street. Call 910-285-7564 for more information.

Happening Monthly

The Board of County Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100.

• The Beulaville town board meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 508 East Main St. in Beulaville. For more information, call 910-298-4 647.

The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 103 W. Trade St. For information, call 919-658-9221.

• The Faison town board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 110 NE Center St. in Faison. For

more information, call 910-267-2721.

The Economic Development Board meets the first Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.

• The Duplin County NAACP holds its monthly meetings on the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church at 336 West Hill St. in Warsaw.

The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call 910-289-3078.

• The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910-285-7564.

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 121 S. Front St. For information, call 910-293-7814.

• The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 108 Taylor St. in Magnolia. For information, call 910-289-3205.

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910-289-3159.

• The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m. on the second and fouth Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910-372-9178.

The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at 316 East Murray St. in Wallace. For more information, call 910-285-4136.

• Duplin County Beekeepers meet the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Duplin Extension Center.

• Friends of Horticulture meet the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Duplin Extension Center.

The Duplin County Airport Commission Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport.

Additionally, Banks announced that the town will install new water meters next year with the infrastructure grants received last month. These new water meters will enhance efficiency.

“Our water meters are already double their life cycle; we have meters that are over 50 years old,” said Banks, adding that this will provide new water meters for everyone within the city limits.

“(The new meters) register if you’re having a water leak within 24 hours rather than

you having a leak for a month and not knowing it. So please be patient with us,” said Banks. “We’ve got some great things coming down the line.”

Mayor Dawn Ward announced the rebranding of the Recreation Committee to the Community Engagement Committee, which will focus on local initiatives like park clean-up days and park-related activities. The board also reminded everyone that the Magnolia Fire Department is hosting a barbecue fundraiser

on March 22 at the ballpark. Mayor Pro Tem Jeanine Cavenaugh urged the community to support the department’s efforts to raise funds for its operations. She noted that large cans of beans, potatoes and carryout trays are still needed for the fundraiser.

“I don’t think it’s too much to help support them any way that you can,” said Cavenaugh. “Those guys put their lives on the line for you — to save your house. You want them here. They’ve got to have money to keep the fire department going.”

MAGNOLIA

COURTESY MARCO BARRIENTOS

Mayor Dawn Ward (right) swears-in Vickie Merrick (left) as Magnolia’s deputy clerk on March 11.

Rose Hill picks Adams Company for CDBG-NR

The board’s selection came following a competitive bid process

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL

— After a competitive bid process, Rose Hill’s board of commissioners decided Tuesday night at their monthly meeting to move forward with approval for the Adams Company to provide grant administrative services for the town’s 2024 Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) award.

Last year, the town received $950,000 as part of the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s CDBG-NR project, which will see four houses demolished and reconstructed

over the course of the next 36 months.

Town Administrator Angela Smith recommended the Warsaw-based Adams Company over Insight Planning and Development of Wilmington, citing cost as a principal factor in her recommendation.

“Based off the scoring, both of them have affluent experience,” said the town administrator, who indicated that either company would serve the town well.

Kevin Amory, vice president of construction for Insight, spoke during public comment in an effort to advocate for his company.

“We understand the recommendation is for the Adams Company and have no fault with that,” started Amory. “Although we did charge you, we charged you a much less amount than

we normally do for doing an application, so we do feel we made an investment in Rose Hill,” he continued. “We are a historically under-utilized business, namely a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. If this was a strict federal procurement, that alone would give us a 10% price preference.”

Amory went on to express that while this contract was not strictly federal, he felt the application discount and the 10% price preference would make Insight the low respondent.

“Just wanted to make sure the board considered it,” he said. “Whatever your recommendation is and what you vote to do, we’ll live by it. And wish the best to Rose Hill, if it’s not us.”

Ultimately, the decision of the council came down to price and locality, with Insight offering

“I prefer to keep it in our county.”

William “Billy” Wilson, town commissioner

$152,000 to Adams’ $133,000.

“Not able to differentiate by any level of service between the two, I prefer to keep it in our county,” said Commissioner Billy Wilson. A motion was brought and unanimously accepted by the board.

The board also declared its intent to close the undedicated street previously known as Avalon Drive, following the petition of Rose Hill residents Tasha Mathis and her husband, Derrick, at the town’s February board meeting. As the board

advised this course of action at their last meeting, the resolution passed with no comment or discussion.

In other news, a dilapidated building located at 110 SW Railroad St. will meet its end at the hands of Crumb Construction LLC of Greenville following approval at the monthly meeting. Built in 1907, the commercial property has seen much of its architecture reclaimed by nature following the collapse of its roof untold years ago.

Crumb Construction was awarded the bid out of four contenders at a quote of $89,000, and the company will see to the demolition and removal of the structure as well as asbestos abatement. Once the building is removed, the company will seed and fertilize the location as a measure to control erosion.

Preventative measures ramp up in Duplin amid TB rise

Nine tested positive for latent tuberculosis in a multicounty initiative

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Last week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services told Duplin Journal that they have seen an increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases, with 21 active cases reported in the state so far this year. In 2024, the total number was 249, marking the state’s highest number of TB cases since 2010.

This rise in cases prompted health agencies to implement preventative measures. In Duplin County, the health department’s epidemiology team expanded their efforts beyond county lines, collaborating with two neighboring counties to test

individuals. A total of 75 individuals were tested.

“Nine tested positive for latent TB,” shared Tracey Simmons-Kornegay, the health director, during a recent departmental update at the Consolidated Human Services monthly meeting. Latent TB means the individuals carry the TB bacteria but are not contagious and do not exhibit active symptoms of the disease. These individuals are currently undergoing a four-month treatment, Simmons-Kornegay noted, adding that the expectation is for the treatment to be completed within the next month. This treatment is crucial in preventing latent TB from progressing to active TB. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of developing active TB depends on several factors, including a person’s immune sys-

tem, certain chronic conditions and whether they have been reexposed to TB.

The health director emphasized that much of this work begins with identifying a positive case, followed by contact tracing — similar to COVID-19 protocols — which was essential for identifying those at risk of exposure.

Simmons-Kornegay also provided an update on the flu in North Carolina, which, at the time of the meeting, was experiencing “the highest flu rate in the last 15 years” with 311 deaths since September 2024. Of those, 309 were adults, and two were teenagers aged 15 to 17.

“Duplin County thus far has had six deaths — four females and two males. All were Caucasian and 65 years and older,” said Simmons-Kornegay, adding that two of these seniors died in a care facility.

COVID-19 positivity rates currently stand at 4.2% with a trend around 4-5%, indicated the health director, adding that residents can pick up free at-home test kits at the health department. These kits are also available at various locations throughout the county, including the library and nutrition sites.

In other updates, Simmons-Kornegay discussed the Health Department’s budget, which operates under three distinct budget cycles.

The Health Department is also preparing for its accreditation cycle, which was extended to six years due to COVID-19.

“Our current accreditation expires on May 8, 2026,” Simmons-Kornegay explained. Key deadlines include the submission of accreditation documents by Nov. 1, and a site visit scheduled for the winter of 2026. Annie Murrell, the social ser-

vices director, reported that last month the state launched the Odyssey Case Management System. Odyssey is a centralized, web-based, integrated system that allows caseworkers, courts and other entities involved in child welfare to access a shared platform enhancing efficiency. Murrell’s department will implement the Path N.C. for Child Welfare framework in June. This framework streamlines intake procedures, prioritizes urgent case, and provides clearer assessment guidelines, ensuring child welfare professionals have the necessary tools and support to make the best decisions for children’s safety and well-being.

The board voted to hold the first four meetings of the Consolidated Human Services Board on a monthly basis, with subsequent meetings occurring quarterly. The next meeting is set for April 7 at 5:30 p.m.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

What would Jesus do?

In today’s bitter political climate, it is all the harder to do the right thing, to do what Jesus would do.

DID YOU WEAR a WWJD bracelet in the 1990s?

With its origins in sermons by the 15th- century German-Dutch theologian Thomas à Kempis and the 19th-century Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon, and the 1896 novel “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon, WWJD stands for “What would Jesus do?”

The bracelets were introduced by a church youth leader who wanted to remind the teenagers about the importance of following Jesus. They became a worldwide phenomenon.

As important as WWJD is, there is an equally important question to ask: WWYD? What will you do? The scriptures are clear about what we are to do. The foundation of the Judeo-Christian tradition teaches in Deuteronomy, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

The book of Leviticus instructs, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus combined these two

commandments in his answer to the scribe who asked, “Which commandment is the first of all?”

Pretty much all of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount is a directive about what we should do. The question is, will we?

In a 2023 interview, the Rev. Russell Moore, former president of the public policy division of the Southern Baptist Convention and now editor-in-chief of The Christian Century, told of many pastors who, having quoted from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, were confronted by parishioners asking, “Where did you get those liberal talking points?” When pastors would say, “I am literally quoting Jesus,” they would often hear something like, “Yes, but that doesn’t work anymore. That’s weak.”

We saw that same kind of backlash in the response to the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Diocese of Washington, during her sermon at the Service of Prayer for the Nation on the day after the presidential inauguration. Although she preached primarily from the Sermon on the Mount in her message about unity, she was labeled as a radical

Tariffs based on tendentious history could be political malpractice

Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy despite the warnings of top Democratic economists.

WILL THE SECOND Trump administration come undone by an economic policy based on what the British military historian Lawrence Freedman, describing Vladimir Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine, calls “tendentious history”?

This week, it started to look like the answer might be yes.

In retrospect, it’s clear how the Biden administration’s economic policy stimulated inflation, which, together with its open borders policy, defeated Joe Biden and, after his withdrawal, his designated successor, Kamala Harris. Biden took office when large parts of the American economy were demobilized by COVID-19 restrictions while other sectors and the government continued generating income for consumers who, in COVID-19 days, had no convenient way to spend it all.

To that unique situation, Biden responded in line with traditional Democrats’ “tendentious history.” For them, it’s always 1933. The economy has stalled because consumer demand has failed, and the solution is to stimulate demand with large injections of government cash and the creation of government jobs.

Actually, that’s not what Franklin Roosevelt did. His first New Deal (193335) tried to freeze the economy in place by propping up prices and wages, and only after that became impracticable did his Second New Deal (1935-37) seek to redistribute income. But that resulted in “the Roosevelt recession” (1937-38), and the economy was revived when Roosevelt, convinced that Adolf Hitler was a menace, increased military and defense spending.

Biden didn’t follow that course — he cut rather than increased defense spending — nor did he copy the 1963-64 KennedyJohnson tax cut, which produced the gush of revenues that, for a while, simultaneously financed the Great Society and the Vietnam War.

Instead, Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy, despite the warnings of top Democratic economists Larry Summers and Jason Furman. The sharp resulting inflation was just “transitory,” Biden apologists insisted, and indeed the rate of inflation slackened. But prices never went back down, and voters remembered in 2024.

Donald Trump’s “tendentious history” is all about “a beautiful word” — tariffs. Make consumers pay more for goods from abroad, the theory goes, and factories and jobs will spring up in America.

Tariff boosters claim Alexander Hamilton as their progenitor, but he instituted low tariffs primarily because, with 18th-century technology and imports arriving only in a few ports, they were the easiest taxes for a small federal government to collect. From his time, except during the Civil War, tariffs and alcohol taxes mostly paid for the federal government until the passage of the income tax and Prohibition in the 1910s.

Trump likes to cite William McKinley, who, as House Ways and Means chairman, sponsored a tariff bill in 1890. But as president from 1897 to 1901, McKinley recognized that American industry was no longer an infant in need of protection: The United States was the leading steel producer and soon would be the leading auto producer. Just before his assassination by an anarchist, he was about to propose reciprocal tariff-cutting agreements with other nations.

Later Republican presidents regretted that tariff bills had become political pork, much like some of the stuff the Department of Government Efficiency is now targeting.

After the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) helped usher in the Depression, a Democratic Congress voted to let the president (actually, Secretary of State Cordell Hull) set tariff rates. This policy had bipartisan support after World War II and helped produce the

leftist. One U.S. congressman called for her to be deported. The U.S. House of Representatives drafted legislation condemning her sermon. In today’s bitter political climate, it is all the harder to do the right thing, to do what Jesus would do, to do what is required of us. When you are rejected for citing scripture, living out the mandates of scripture becomes even more challenging. And yet, the scriptures repeatedly call us to live according to the words of the prophet Micah, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

The Pirkei Avot, a collection of Jewish Rabbinic ethical teachings, says, “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neitherare you free to abandon it.”

WWYD?

Philip Gladden is a retired minister who lives in Wallace.

postwar and 1980s and 1990s booms.

This week, Trump’s tariffophilia has been directed not against China or Europe but against Mexico and Canada, despite the USMCA he negotiated in 2018 to replace the 1994 NAFTA. He suddenly imposed 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel and raised that to 50% after Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed a 25% increase on sales of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

Ford and Trump backed down, but not before stock market prices had fallen sharply and Wall Street and political reporters started speculating that Trump tariffs and uncertainty about them, coupled with indications of weak job growth, could push the U.S. economy into recession. Free market economists joined Summers in arguing that tariffs, by imposing costs on consumers, dampen and sometimes stifle economic growth.

Trump admitted, “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called tariffs “a one-time price adjustment.” This sounds no more reassuring than Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s 2021 assurance that Biden-sparked inflation was “transitory.”

Markets hate uncertainty. Trump’s repeated threats, hour-by-hour changes in policy and repeated insults that Canada should become the 51st state have done the opposite of setting the stable policy framework that investors seek. He risks catastrophic disruption of relations with Canada, with whom our relations, except longstanding arguments over softwood lumber and dairy, have been excellent and our economies intertwined.

The nontendentious lesson from history is that heedlessly cutting off and restoring the flow of trade between the U.S. and Canada is an act of economic vandalism and that a “little disturbance,” like “transitory” inflation, could turn out to be political malpractice.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co‑author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Passion for service, dedication to community

Meet Register of Deeds Anita Savage

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

EACH WEEK, Duplin Journal highlights a community member whose hard work and dedication represent the spirit of Duplin County. This week, Duplin Journal invited Register of Deeds Anita Savage for a Q&A session.

As the custodian of all real property records, Savage’s role is integral to the operation of local government, ensuring that documents are accurately recorded, preserved and accessible to the public. A native of Warsaw, she takes great pride in supporting the community.

Her leadership fosters collaboration with other key departments, ensuring that all property deeds meet legal standards and are properly verified. Her work supports the transparency, legal integrity and security of property transactions, which are vital for economic development and individual property rights.

In this Q&A, Savage shares insights into her journey in public service as she became the first African American woman elected to the Register of Deeds office. She is now serving her second term.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the Register of Deeds office?

The satisfaction of being able to assist citizens with vital records and recording of real property documents. I take pride in providing efficient customer service while helping citizens.

Can you tell us more about your journey from being hired as a deputy in 2003 to being elected Register of Deeds, now serving a second term?

I was hired in January of 2003 as a Deputy Register of Deeds. Attended the Basic

GRAZIANO from page A1

The Hughes Tract on Highway 117 in Pender County is presently zoned as residential and has been annexed into the town of Wallace. Applicant Keith Spalding-Robbins with the Strong Rock Group requested the rezoning of the parcel to Highway Business on behalf of the owner, Tony Davis of Avery-Davis Investments LLC. This commercial designation has the potential to bring new shopping centers, convenience stores, offices and retail establishments to the area. No discussion was presented during the public hearing, and the board moved to approve the request.

The second property under consideration for rezoning is Summerfield, in addition to a portion of the Martha Teachey property. The intention of the applicants is to develop the site into a single-family subdivision and provide afford-

Anita Savage has been serving with the Register of Deeds office for more than two decades. She was elected Register of Deeds in 2020, becoming the first African American woman elected to this position. She was reelected in 2024.

School for Registers of Deeds through UNC School of Government in November 2003.

I received my certification as a Certified Deputy Register of Deeds in 2007. I was promoted to assistant Register of Deeds in 2016. In November 2020, I was elected to the Duplin County Register of Deeds; it was a historic moment becoming the first African American elected to this position. I was elected by the citizens of Duplin County to serve a second term as Register of Deeds in November 2024.

What advice would you give young women who aspire to lead in government or other fields?

The advice I would give to young women who aspire to a career in any field is those core values my parents taught me. I was taught to be brave, stay focused on my dreams, remain true to myself and to be diligent on my journey.

able housing, with immediate plans for future municipal sewer and water lines.

“The planning board met and unanimously thought this was a good idea for development of the town of Wallace,” said Rod Fritz, director of the planning board.

The public hearing saw some discussion, though primarily on drainage issues, the ability to operate a law office under the new zoning designation, and the effects rezoning would have on the taxes and bills of current residents.

“Can’t answer that yes or no,” explained Wells in response to a query from a citizen on the possibility of tax increases, advising that a concrete answer is out of reach until the county completes its reevaluation. “I know that they’ll have it done by the end of this year, but I don’t know what that means for our bills. And I’m like you, I kind of sus -

What role does the Register of Deeds play in economic development or local real estate transactions as the official custodian of important property records?

The Register of Deeds office is the recorder of real property records. The Register of Deeds is the custodian and manager of those records here in Duplin County. Once a document is recorded and scanned into the Register of Deeds recording system, the document is accessible immediately in the office and online at the Register of Deeds website duplinrod.com.

How does the Register of Deeds office collaborate with other local government agencies or the court system to ensure the accuracy of documents?

The Register of Deeds office collaborates mostly with the Duplin County Tax De -

“I can’t wait to grow with the town of Wallace and see how we can succeed.”

Ashlee Graziano, new Wallace finance director and deputy tax collector

pect those bills are going to go up a little bit.”

A vote followed the public hearing, and the board unanimously decided to move forward with approval of the rezoning request.

In other business, the town awarded DPH Construction Company with several bids for various projects, including the cleaning of the little pond at Farrior Park to improve water flow and drainage, though efforts likely won’t start until the summertime, according to Town Manager Robert Taylor.

partment. Prior to recording a deed in the Register of Deeds office, the deed has to go to the tax office. There are components that the Register of Deeds office must check for prior to recording: originality of the document, that the document meets North Carolina’s recording standards and notary verification. The accuracy of the document is on the person who drafted/prepared the document.

Looking ahead, are there any initiatives or new technology you would like to see implemented in your office or the services you provide?

Starting Monday, March 10, the Register of Deeds office began e-recording maps. This is a huge accomplishment for the Duplin County Register of Deeds. The office will begin accepting both 18-by-24 and 24 -by-36 size maps/plats for recording.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending my spare time traveling with my family and shopping.

What was the last book you read?

North Carolina Guidebook For Registers of Deeds by Charles Szypszak is a resource book that you will often find me reading.

Where’s your favorite place to eat in Duplin County?

The Filing Station of Kenansville. The food is delicious, and the service is always great! You will always see someone you know there, which makes for good conversation.

What, in your opinion, is the best thing about Duplin County?

Southern hospitality. It’s such a great place to live. The people here are always willing to help one another.

The company will also be entrusted with the town’s Waste Water Treatment Plant Dike Project, which Taylor said will begin immediately.

“It’s a little behind schedule, so we’re ready to go.”

DPH Construction will also work with the town to renovate the former Parks and Recreation building into the new town hall, with Taylor noting that construction will not start until funding has been identified at a later date.

The rezoning of the Hughes Tract to allow for the development of new commercial properties down Highway 117 and the Summerfield rezoning bringing new homes to the area is the latest sign of Wallace’s progress. Graziano said she is looking forward to helping the town continue to grow.

“I can’t wait to grow with the town of Wallace and see how we succeed,” said Graziano. “I get to be a huge part in that. It’s like a dream.”

Climate Extravaganza at Cowan Museum this Saturday Kenansville The Cowan Museum of History and Science will hold a Climate Extravaganza on Saturday, March 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where attendees of all ages are encouraged to participate in interactive demos, hands-on activities and games that aim to educate the public on climate change and climate resilience. In addition to the engaging climate change displays, there will be presentations from WNCT 9 Weather, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, the Duplin County Beekeepers Association, Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, North Carolina Estuarium, Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center, NC Museum of Natural Science – Whiteville and James Sprunt Community College. Food and drinks will be provided by Master Blend Family Farms and Sippin’ Sunshine, in addition to local food trucks. The rain date for the event is March 29. Visit cowanmuseum.org for more information.

Pink Hill Public Library offers free photo digitization

Pink Hill The Etta James Turner Public Library in Pink Hill will convert cherished old photos and documents to a digital format for free on Wednesday, March 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items are limited to 8.5-by-11.5 inches in size, with a maximum of 10 items per person. Employees on hand will help those seeking to have their hard copies digitized scan the items and secure them on provided flash drives. Appointments are not necessary for this event, and walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 252-568-3631.

ENC offers 3D Modeling and Animation course Duplin County High school students in Duplin, Jones, and Onslow counties have the exciting opportunity to enroll in the 3D Modeling and Animation program at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skill Center, where they’ll learn to design 3D graphics, build scenes, and edit audio and video. Participants will have the opportunity to achieve Autodesk Maya certification, an industry-standard certification required to become an Autodesk Certified User. Contact a high school career development coordinator or school counselor for enrollment information.

COURTESY PHOTO

CAROLINA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

First weekend in May In Historic Downtown Wallace

DUPLIN SPORTS

Panthers rebuild after 10-year run as contender

East Duplin seeks a return to the limelight after its first sub.-500 season in a decade

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Baseball isn’t dying at East Duplin. It’s just in a lull, a dip some of the Panthers’ rivals have as a normal spring.

East Duplin was under .500 last season (10-11) for the first time since a decade earlier.

The coach responsible for the rise — Brandon Thigpen — went 98-36 in his first seven seasons, peaking with a 23-1 campaign in 2022.

But the former Panthers slugger who played four years at Methodist University isn’t to blame as much as the reduction in diamond talent from ED’s feeder schools.

Thigpen feels the Panthers program, which still gets en-

vious looks from county rivals Wallace-Rose Hill, James Kenan and North Duplin because of its success, will recover from what might be considered a low bottom, as losing seasons during the past 20 years for the threesome mean seven wins or less.

“We get the kids that come to us from Beulaville, Chinquapin and Albertson, and our job is to love them up and get as much out of them as possible,” said Thipgen, whose team is off to a 4-3 start this spring. “But, ultimately, it’s up to them to find a way to win games, no matter what kind of pitching staff you have.

“Obviously, the pitching has to get better. But so does our offense, and we have to manufacture runs by the things we do on the field and decisions in the dugout. So, in effect, we are rebuilding a program.”

ED lost all-Duplin first-team players Zach Brown (.356) and Baines Raynor (.480), yet re-

turn a solid core from 2024, including right-handed pitcher

Kyle Kern and Gavin Holmes, who plays four infield positions to allow Thigpen options when changing hurlers.

Kern, who was 2-4 a season ago during 12 appearances, has 34 strikeouts and just eight walks in 18 innings to start his senior season.

“I always thought he had the best stuff as a sophomore, and he’s tuned it in,” Thigpen said. “On the whole, I’m happy with what our pitchers have done; they’ve given us 30-plus good innings.”

Southpaw JP Murphy, who plays in the outfield when he’s not on the mound, and first baseman Cain Graham are also key to the rotation, which is under the direction of Thipgen and junior catcher Sawyer Marshburn.

“His positive approach has been so good for our pitchers

See PANTHERS,

North Duplin returns eight starters from a team that advanced to the fourth round of the 1A playoffs last spring

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — The North Duplin softball team sits near the top of the 1A mountain and, in fact, regularly beats higher classification schools.

After going to the 1A finals in 2023 and being eliminated in the fourth-round of the playoffs last season, the Rebels have the players, mentality and necessary intangibles to win a state title this spring.

Senior stars Kaiden Lui and Caden Gavin will lead the way for young and rising upstarts, such as Bulldogs middle infielder Reese Buckner

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Logan Kissner and four players injected energy into the Wallace-Rose Hill baseball program last season as the Bulldogs returned to the 2A playoffs.

While Reid Page (.534) and Dallas James (3-3 as a lefty starter) graduated, two other valuable players are back on the diamond for Kissner’s second season as skipper — Mr. Baseball Kaiden Lui, a senior right-handed ace and top bat in the lineup, and shortstop Caden Gavin, who is steady in the field and leader in most offensive categories. Yet that’s not the only new

energy that’s been circulating around the baseball diamond in Teachey.

Kevin Hagar, a UNCW hurler, former longtime assistant for Cal Parker and WRH head coach for three seasons, has returned to help out with the Bulldogs’ pitchers.

While everyone is familiar with the co-owner of MIKs in Wallace, many also know something about new assistant coach Brady Johnson, a Rose Hill-Magnolia teacher who when he played was known for his hustle in baseball and football at East Duplin, where he graduated from in 2021.

Kissner is hoping freshman second baseman Reese Buckner and other young players catch the baseball fever like Lui, Gavin and Page did. Buckner, a freshman, is a starter on a team otherwise loaded with juniors and sophomores. Kissner also has a couple

North Duplin returns every starter, sans all-state shortstop Reece Outlaw.

Yet position by position, North Duplin is prepared and built for the long run, which means deep runs in the state playoffs as the Rebels seek their second title since 2015.

“I tell our kids that our season is a long practice for the playoffs,” said Jaime Kylie-Higginbotham, who enters her fourth season as the head coach after more than a decade as the head softball coach at the University of Mount Olive.

Recently, success in basketball has caused the Rebels to open softball later than most schools.

“We’re always playing our first

games against teams that have played four to six games,” Kylie-Higginbotham said. “What I appreciate is that our girls practice with a sense of urgency. They had one practice before our first game. No matter when it starts they bring excitement and lots of energy.” ND went 17-2 last season, winning the Carolina 1A Conference flag and nabbing the No. 1 seed in the East before falling to East Region champ Northside-Pinetown, the No. 9 seed.

Two seasons ago, the Rebels season ended at NCSU via a loss to 1A titlist Union Academy.

North Duplin has two off-t he - chart players — shortstop Addy Higginbotham

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Panthers head coach Brandon Thigpen says junior JP Murphy can be a big contributor on the mound.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Hayden Lovette, sliding, hit .277 last season for WRH.

Young Bulldogs rebuilding after loss of Kennedy

WRH needs pitching and players to follow the lead of Jansley Page and Sophie Sloan to make the 2A playoff field

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Sophie Sloan, Jansley Page and Ta’Nyia Powell can put the ball in play with the best softball players in the East.

The bashing Bulldogs will need be to a little better this spring and get some help from Mattie Gavin, Maggie Boone and Chloe Straughn since Wallace-Rose Hill lost right-handed pitcher Lexi Kennedy to graduation.

Kennedy, who is playing for Wake Tech, won 12 games in 2024, with 142 strikeouts in 120 innings. She led the Bulldogs in hitting (30 hits for .536 average), doubles (11), RBIs (20), slugging percentage (.767), on-ba se percentage (.639) and times in which the Bulldogs looked to her for leadership.

WRH coach Cory Lovelace is grooming sophomore Payton Tynall and freshman Chloe

Turner as his replacement plan for Kennedy. Lovelace knows the development of a starter will ease the pressure on what can be a productive offense centered around his returnees and players with experience who will need to step up as second-year players.

Page and Sloan are the most noticeable bashers.

Page hit .328 last season, led WRH in runs (27) and is coming off a volleyball season last fall in which she helped WRH go 21-3 and advance to the third round of the 2A playoffs. Page missed the first four Bulldogs

games after suffering an injury during a travel-team volleyball match but has since started to get her swing back in order.

Pages will play shortstop, with Sloan to her left at second base.

Sloan is off to a slow start, hitting just .273 through four

games after hitting .353 with 12 RBIs last spring.

Straughn (.200) is at first base and Gavin (.288, five doubles, triple, homer) returns to her catching position.

Lovelace is expecting more from this tandem and underclassmen Isabella Parker (.196), Boone (.100), Tyndall (.207), and Powell, a senior, who hit .274 two years ago but was hurt and played in only three games last season.

Other players with a chance to mark forward moves include freshmen Azee Monk and Keyonna Thomas. Given its pitching woes, it’s more than likely a rebuilding year for WRH after two seasons in which the Bulldogs went 26 -16.

North Lenoir, South Lenoir and East Duplin are the top contenders in the ECC, and each have a pitcher capable of stopping the opposition’s bats. Until WRH gets solid pitching it will have to depend on its offense.

And that statement alone is enough to suggest making the state playoffs is the circled target for the Bulldogs, which has just three seniors on their roster.

Ex-’Dawg Williams leaves Mile High City for Cowboys

Javonte Williams was signed by Dallas to a one-year, $3 million contract after four years with the Denver Broncos

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

DALLAS — Fans of Javonte Williams adopted Denver as its NFL team for the past four years. And if players and coaches can come and go like hit songs, so can Williams’ fans, who will now be cheering for “America’s Team” in the fall.

Williams was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys after being released by the Broncos. He signed a one-year, $3 million deal, with incentives that can bring it to $3.5 million.

Williams, who will turn 25 on April 25, was the 35th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The UNC star rushed for

513 yards and four touchdowns and 343 yards in receptions.

Denver was disappointed with Williams’ work following an ACL injury that kept him out of his second season (2022).

Dallas owner Jerry Jones might not have to use the team’s No. 12 draft selection to get Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, a Heisman Trophy runner-up.

Dallas is also on the clock at No. 44.

Jones, whose team finished 7-10 after quarterback Dak Prescott went down with an injury at midseason, continued to make changes by replacing leading rusher Rico Dowdle, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as an undrafted player.

After obtaining Williams, Jones signed former All-Pro Easgle running back Miles Sanders. Sanders, also a second-rounder, had four successful seasons with the Eagles (3,708 yards, 20 touchdowns) and the two injury-riddled sea-

Duplin County has received a Community Development Block Grant-Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) award in the amount of $950,000 by the North Carolina Department of Commerce (NCDOC) for the 2024 CDBG-NR Project which includes 4 housing units to be rehabilitated/ reconstructed. These houses are scattered throughout the county. The project will take place over the next 36 months. The County Board of Commissioners are soliciting proposals for grant administration services to assist the County in the administration and management of this project in compliance with all applicable requirements under the North Carolina CDBG-NR Program. The fee for grant administration services will be paid with CDBG-NR funds.

sons with Carolina, where the arrival of Chuba Hubbard forced him to second-team status.

Yet new Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has work to do, as Dallas was the sixth-worst rushing team in the NFL at 100.3 yards per game.

Williams, who shared the backfield last season, is getting a fresh start, and the Cowboys are hoping the power he showed early in his career will materialize.

Dallas must rebuild in the NFL East Division alongside Super Bowl champion Philadelphia and Washington, which was beaten by the Eagles in the NFC Championship game.

Local pigskin fanatics remember Williams as a key player on WRH’s four straight state titles (2014-17). He graduated early as the school’s valedictorian to play football at UNC.

Williams ran for 2,934 yards and 11 touchdowns in Denver.

Copies of the detailed request for proposals (RFP), including a description of the services to be provided by respondents, the minimum content of responses, and the factors to be used to evaluate the responses, can be obtained by contacting Chris Hatcher 910-296-2102 or by visiting the County Administration Office located at 209 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC 28349.

The above information should be submitted no later than March 28, 2025, 2:00 p.m. to Chris Hatcher, Duplin County, 209 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC 28349. For more information, contact Chris Hatcher at 910-296-2102.

Duplin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and

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invites the submission of proposals from minority and women-owned firms. Duplin County invites the submission of proposals from certified Section 3 business concerns.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Chris Hatcher at 910-296-2102 or at 209 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC 28349 for accommodations for this request.

Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Chris Hatcher al 910-296-2102 o en 209 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC 28349 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

Date: February 21, 2025

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Jansley Page is projected to be one of the best hitters in Duplin County this spring. She hit .376 last season as a sophomore.

DENVER BRONCOS

Javonte Williams, who will be 24 in April, signed a free agent contract with Dallas last week.

Tigers’ PK beats Bulldogs during physical rivalry battle

Katherine Enamorado scored the lone goal as James Kenan exacted revenge after two losses to its archrival last season

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Wallace-Rose Hill and James Kenan had vastly improved soccer teams last spring that emphasized speed and youth.

Tigers senior striker Katherine Enamorado, formerly known as Katherine Chirinos, made everyone near the pitch aware of her presence by punching in a penalty kick at the start of the second half.

It was the lone goal during a physical battle in Teachey. The two schools are 6-6-1 against one another since 2018.

“Everything was contested everywhere on the field,” said Tigers coach Kenny Williams. “For the ladies on both teams, this is without question the game they look towards all year. Both teams had moments with decent scoring opportunities, but neither was able to touch the net.”

Until Enamorado knocked in her 24th goal of the season.

“One point of emphasis this year has been coming out strong to start second halves, and we were able to do that again,” Williams said. “We challenged them to really press the attack early and try to get the lead, and they responded. I was so proud of everyone on the team.”

JK played without starting goalie Danielle Garcia, who hurt her thumb in warmups. Aleyah Wilson stepped in after playing striker the previous match.

“Wallace is a very good defensive team, one of the best we will see all year, and that certainly showed through tonight,” Williams said. “Their backline has good speed, and they play their positions and angles well. We knew coming in that this was going to be a battle and were a little concerned about our legs after having played ED the night before.”

The win avenged a pair of losses to WRH last season, defeats which cost them a higher

PANTHERS from page B1

and a testament to his leadership,” Thipgen said.

“The game has sped up for us the past couple years, and we need to increase our mental toughness. That’s why we make practice difficult. We want them prepared for pressure situations.”

With Kern on the hill, Holmes is at third base and the Panthers’ leadoff man. Junior Jack Tuck is at shortstop and in the No. 2 hole of the order, while Colton Holmes holds down second base.

Graham is the cleanup hitter, followed by DH Austin Rouse, Murphy and centerfielder Calvin Harper and Jesus Mojica.

Yet ED has just four senior starters — Graham, Rouse, Harper and Mojica — meaning the bulk of experience and growth

position in the ECC. WRH finished 10-8 overall and 5-5 in the league, while JK was 9-8 -1 and 3-6-1.

Yet both games were closely contested — 2-1 and 2-0 — verdicts.

The Tigers and Bulldogs second grudge match is May 1 in Warsaw.

Panthers rock Tigers

JK (4-2, 1-1) fell to ED the previous day 8-1, though the Panthers (2-4-2) didn’t put the match away until late in the second half.

It was 2-0 at halftime before Wilson connected with Enamorado in the first five minutes of the second half.

ED responded with a corner kick score. The next score came with 17 minutes left on the clock.

“Being the great team they are, East Duplin responded on what was just a great kick to get in front of us,” Williams said. “As we moved through the second half, their superior depth started to really show up. Even though we held the

score at 3-1 for a long stretch, their chances were gradually becoming more frequent and stronger.”

Miranda Roblero had a hat trick for the Panthers. Kaydance Drinkwater added a pair of scores, with Zoe Cavanaugh, Hailey Maready and Melanny Garcia chipping in scores and Tabor Holley, Bella Gaby and Joselin Mata-Aguilar combing for four assists.

The Panthers whipped South Lenoir 9-0 the following day as Roblero and Holley each collected a pair of goals and seven of their teammates added points via goals or assists.

It was the second straight win for the Panthers, who played quality teams early and were without Ms. Soccer Anamarie Rodrigues (19 goals) because of her commitment to the school’s basketball team, which was eliminated from the playoffs in the fourth round.

Wallace-Rose Hill (3-2, 0-2) hosts East Duplin on Friday. James Kenan and East Duplin will clash again next Tuesday in Beulaville.

of this team will flow into 2026.

The Panthers went 49-63 in the five seasons before Thigpen arrived in 2017. They don’t seem headed in that direction, even as a new conference in 2025 that includes Trask, Pender, Clinton, South

Lenoir, Southwest Onslow in a 4A/3A league. Yet East Duplin has to hit better than its current team mark of .224, even with Gavin Holmes (.467), Colton Holmes (.385) and Murphy (.286) leading the charge.

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Wallace, N.C.

Eli Avent

James Kenan, baseball

An injury limited Eli Avent to 13 games in 2024, though he hit .394. A few months after the all-Duplin County quarterback helped James Kenan advance to the fourth round of the 2A playoffs, the junior is hitting line drives into the outfield.

Avent laced eight hits in his first 10 at-bats from his leadoff position.

The junior-dominated Tigers team is 2-3 heading into this week’s action.

from page B1

and pitcher and third baseman Lilly Higginbotham — and a cast of experienced players behind them.

Higginbotham is the oldest daughter of the coach and has signed a letter-of-intent to play at Division I Wingate next season.

Last season, the four-year starter hit .629 with 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 25 RBIs. The heady player also excels defensively. She will switch from second base to shortstop this season.

Sophomores Hannah Gonzalez and Gabby Zamudio are vying for time at second, while Ady Spence — who along with Higginbotham, Fulghum and Outlaw were first-team all-Duplin players — returns to her spot at first base.

Spence hit .388 with four doubles, a triple and 18 RBIs, while going 5-1 in the circle.

Zamudio hit .429 in 26 at-bats in 2024, while Gonzalez got limited playing time.

“Ady’s grown, and I got to spend a lot of time with her in the preseason,” said her coach.

“She has a higher softball IQ, and I trust her glove, arm and instincts immensely.”

Fulghum, who is a twoyear starter in the circle, was 12-1 with 84 strikeouts and

38 walks in 74.2 innings last spring. She hit .617 with 11 doubles, five triples, eight homers and 37 RBIs.

“Lilly’s an intense competitor, a really good pitcher and probably the best third baseman in the state,” Kylie-Higginbotham said. Her daughter isn’t far from the best at her position, too. Addy Higginbotham is an all- state candidate and as solid as they come in all phases of the game, including her unselfish play toward teammates.

Sophomore Abigeal Norris returns to catch the Rebels’ pitchers.

Senior Iala Overton (.328, 19 RBIs) will play in the outfield, as will Marissa Bernal (.404, four doubles, one triple, home run), M’chelle Jaco (.361, 18 RBIs) and Zamudio. Bernal will move to third base when Fulghum is pitching.

Newcomers Sophia Davis and Ashley DeHoyas will also get diamond time as well as North Duplin will dominate many teams the first two months of the season.

The Rebels beat Lejeune (17-0) and South Lenoir (5-1) to open the season. They open CC play Thursday by hosting Lakewood (2 - 5 -1). First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Katherine Enamorado’s scored early in the second half to lead

James Kenan to a 1-0 win over Wallace-Rose Hill.

SOFTBALL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

East Duplin’s JP Murphy carries the hopes of the Panthers on his left arm.

EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Hope M. Harding.

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

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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC

Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403

PHONE: (910) 392-4988

File No.: 23-32293-FC01

Rebels, Crusaders capture first wins of spring

Hunt Pate and Garris Warren led ND past the Devilpups, while Dawson Smith, Drake Smith and Jesse Smith paced the Crusaders past the Eagles

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALPYSO — Hunt Pate singled, walked, drove in a run and scored twice.

Garris Warren lashed a pair of doubles and drove in two runs, and the North Duplin pitching staff limited Lejeune to one hit during a 10-0 win over the Devilpups last Tuesday.

It was the Rebels’ first win in five games this spring.

Sophomore hurlers Keiz Brock and Ben Kelly and freshman Cole Grady each threw for two innings and combined for 12 strikeouts and two walks, as ND totaled 86 pitches.

The victory came as a relief since North Duplin has three losses to 2A schools Clinton and South Lenoir.

Wesley Holmes and Kayden Bowden each lashed a pair of hits, and Noa Quintanilla belted a two-run homer the following day during a 7-3 loss to the Blue Devils.

South Lenoir scored three times in the first and second frames via RBI hits from Matthew Rhodes and Jake Howard.

Brock logged the lone hit the following day off Jackson Smith during a 10-0 setback to Clinton last Friday.

The Rebels spend two days in Carolina 1A Conference play this week, with games against Neuse Charter (0-5) on Tuesday in Calypso and three days later on the same field against Lakewood (3-5).

Smiths help Crusaders break skid

Drake Smith and Dawson Smith singled twice, doubled, drove in a run and scored twice, while Jesse Smith limited Rocky Mount to four hits in four innings.

The net result was a 6-4 triumph for Harrells Christian Academy, its first win of the season.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

East Duplin’s Kennedy Jones tags out a South Lenoir runner during an ECC affair last week in Deep Run.

Conner Casteen and Peyton Gomez added run-scoring hits, and Jaiden Stallings struck out four and walked one over three innings of work on the mound.

Jesse Smith did his part by whiffing six and allowing one free pass over four frames.

The Crusaders look to stay on track this week against Halifax Academy (1-3) and Faith Christian (4-2).

Wildcats seek to break out of mold

Richlands has won 17 games in the previous four seasons.

That brings into play optimism following a 6-5 win over Clinton on Friday that improved the Wildcats to 3-3 this spring.

Hayden Turner, Caleb Simco and Jaden Goins knocked in runs, and Lucas Roberts scored twice.

its victory total from 2024 (4-18). The Wildcats were 3-19 in 2023, 6-16 in 2022 and 4-10 in 2021. Their last winning season came in 2013 (12-11-1).

Pamlico County rallied for six runs in the final two frames last Wednesday for a 9-7 win over Richland, which edged the Pam Pride 4-3 in the season opener for both schools on Feb. 25.

Marlon Machado belted a two-run homer and scored twice, while Marcus Branthoover, Braden Costello, Turner and Roberts combined to drive in six runs.

’Cats and ’Dawgs in softball clash with Panthers

East Duplin needs a break after dropping three consecutive games.

That could happen on Wednesday against Richlands and on Friday against Wallace-Rose Hill. Both wins and a double-header sweep of ECC cellar-dweller Kinston would be the prescription plan for head coach Greg Jenkins’ Panthers (1-3).

While favored against the Bulldogs, the Panthers fell to the Wildcats 2-0 on March 7 on the Wildcats’ turf.

ED lost a pair of close contests last week, 5-4 to West Carteret and 8-6 to South Lenoir.

Richlands (6-3) went 2-1 last week with wins over Jacksonville (3-0) and Clinton (12-0) and a setback via Pamlico County (6-0).

LeNayah Jackson went 4 for 4, and Addi Andrews, Dakota Davis and Piper Turner each drove in two runs when the Wildcats dumped the Dark Horses, scoring 11 times in the first three innings.

Makenzie Goin and Andrews combined to one-hit the Cardinals. They totaled for 15 strikeouts.

Richlands scored all of its runs in the first inning via hits from Goin, Andrews and Cameron Cubas.

The Wildcats bats were limited to three hits by Pamlico’s Kylee Morris, who struck out six and did not walk a batter, getting to Andrews for 13 hits and six earned runs.

HCA (1-4) scored five times in the first two innings.

WRH (1-4) hasn’t beaten ED since 2019 and needs a win as badly or worse than the Panthers. PREP ROUNDUP

BULLDOGS from page B1

of young players on the junior varsity team, coached by Bubba Jones’s 5-0 team, who are not long from making their debuts.

Buckner is ready for the fire as he takes over the spot left by Page.

“He’s the most talented freshman I’ve ever coached and a player who leads by example, even though he’s a freshman,” Kissner said. “He’s going to be special when he gets older.

Buckner should be so lucky to follow in the footsteps of either Gavin or Lui, both first-team all-Duplin players, last spring.

Lui hit .482 with seven doubles, two triples and a home run and knocked in 11 runs last spring when WRH recovered from a slow start to go 11-10 overall and 6-6 in ECC play.

He was 5-2 on the hill with 84 strikeouts in 49 innings.

Gavin hit .411 and will be counted on to produce to that level.

“I’ve always believed you have to be

Richlands needs two wins to exceed

strong up the middle, and those two players are keys,” Kissner said. “We practice defense every day. That and throwing strikes and avoiding strikeouts are big things for us.

“When Lui is pitching, we’ll always have a chance to win. Caden’s worked for everything he’s become today. He’s got some real good wheels, with 30 stolen bases last year. Just a real coachable kid.”

WRH catcher Will Brooks (.333) returns for his junior season, with classmate, center fielder Brayden Huffman in center field.

Lui will play third base when he’s not on the mound, otherwise look for Dane Turner, Davis Barnette or possibly Hayden Lovette (.277), though he might more likely be in left field. Khalil Mathis has played both right and left field this season and will be in the starting lineup somewhere.

WRH is off to a 2-5 start, getting its biggest win last Thursday when Lui allowed just Eli Avent’s hit during a 7-0 triumph over James Kenan.

Jackson, Davis and Luil each drove in a pair of runs.

Lui whiffed 11 and walked five.

The two rivals play again May 1 in the regular season finale for both schools.

Look for Lui to be on the hill opposite Kyle Kern on Friday when WRH hosts East Duplin in what is a crucial ECC game.

The two schools split last season’s series.

WRH let one slip away Southwest Onslow, which rallied for seven runs in the final two innings to top the Bulldogs 13-6 last Tuesday. Gavin had two hits and scored twice.

Lui, Mathis and Turner each knocked in a run, and Buckner, Jackson and Lovette each whacked hits.

WRH led 5-1 entering the fifth, as Lovette threw well before running out of gas.

“We were 2-4 last year and couldn’t find the strike zone,” Kissner. “What I really like about this team is the fight we show when were up or down.”

Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries (DCOM) is seeking an Executive Director to oversee daily operations, provide

and collaborate with the Board of Directors to implement the organization’s mission and policies. The

will have experience in nonprofit leadership, strong management skills, and a passion for

and to apply, please visit www.duplinchristian.org.

Wilma Jones Swinson

Oct. 22, 1971 – March 6, 2025

Wilma Jones Swinson, 53, passed away on Thursday in the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center, Wilmington. She is preceded in death by her brother, Denny Jones Jr. Surviving are her father, Denny Jones of Warsaw; sons, Joshua Edinger of Warsaw and Justin Swinson of South Carolina; Daughter, Alyssa Davis of Dunn; sister, Denise Jones of Warsaw; aunt, Frankie Puckett of Kenansville; uncle, Thomas Ward of Wilson; and one grandchild. All services are private.

Shirley Johnson Lanier

Sept. 7, 2936 –March 14, 2025

Shirley Johnson Lanier, 88, passed away on March 14. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Caroline Johnson; sisters, Mary Ruth Grady and Margaret J. Miller; and brothers, William Arthur Johnson and Jimmie Johnson.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Cecil G. Lanier; daughters, Miriam Summerlin (Morris) and Heather Lanier (Richard); son, Art Lanier (Gina); granddaughters, Lara Johnson, Emily Sandlin (Seth), Lindsey Summerlin; grandsons, Matthew Summerlin (Suzie), Eli Lanier (Alyssa), Evan Lanier, Rylie Lanier, and Tyler Lanier; greatgrandchildren, Madison, Zoey, Gracie, Tucker, Judah, Sullivan, Elliott, Bauer, Journey, Mallie, Elam; and sister, Sue Johnson.

Shirley was a devoted wife to Cecil and a loving mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. She loved going tobirthday parties, watching the kids play ball, and family gatherings. She was a great cook, especially her famous fried chicken that always drew a crowd for a meal.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 18, followed by funeral services at Pathway Church. The burial followed services at Cedar Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pathway Church in Beulaville.

Richard Lamonte Brinson Sr.

March 3, 1952 –March 11, 2025

Richard Lamonte Brinson Sr., 72, passed away on Tuesday, March 11 at his home. He is survived by spouse Esther Brinson; son, Richard “Monte” Brinson; daughter, Jennifer B. Whaley (James); sister, Kay Straughn; brothers, Danny Brinson (Geraldine) and Morris Brinson (Patty); grandchildren Brittany Sanderson (Trent) and Victoria Mercer (Seth); and greatgrandchildren, Addison Griffin, Ava Mercer, Nash Sanderson, Dawson Sanderson, and Fallon Mercer. Funeral service was held Friday, March 14, followed by visitation at the Community Funeral Home in Beulaville. The graveside service was on March 15 at Brinson Cemetary in Richlands.

Ronald McDuffie

Feb. 3, 1975 – March 13, 2025

Ronald McDuffie, 50, of Warsaw, passed away Thursday, March 13, at ECU Duplin Hospital in Kenansville. Visitation was on Monday, March 17, at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw. The funeral service was held on March 18 at Kenansville Eastern Missionary Baptist Association (KEMBA) in Warsaw. Interment to follow at Devotional Gardens.

Nora Lynn Huffman

June 17, 1956 –March 12, 2025

Nora Lynn Huffman, 68, of Richlands went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 12, receiving the ultimate healing and gaining her reward. Despite her recent health struggles, Lynn fought hard, staying strong in her faith until the moment she took her last breath, with her children and grandchildren at her side. Lynn was born on June 17, 1956, to Roland and Betty Turner in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Throughout her life she was a caretaker for many, doing everything she could for those she loved. Whether physically caring for you, lending a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or providing a home-cooked meal, you could always count on her for whatever you needed. Lynn was a devout Christian. Her faith and trust in the Lord sustained her through the highs and lows of life. She was a dedicated member of Richlands First Free Will Baptist Church and loved her church family dearly.

Most importantly, Lynn loved her family and cherished every second spent with them. She was the best wife, mother, sister, aunt, and nana.

Left to cherish her memories are her sons Brian, Timmy (Angela), Eric (Heather), and special nephew Sam Turner (Ariana); grandchildren Cortney Butler (Aaron), Ashley Toops (Colton), Brooke Schoenwalder, Sydney Ward, Taylor Huffman, Lachlyn Huffman, Walker Huffman, Madison Scarberry, Liddie Huffman, Carson Jones, Lacey Huffman, Meredith Keating, Katelyn Keating, Payton Keating, Brenlee Huffman, Danielle Keating; greatgrandchildren Adley Sparks, Rohan Schoenwalder, Tobias Toops, Atticus Toops, Lillian Guthrie, Brooks Stinnett, and Grayson Washington; sisters Pat Jones (Wade), Connie Ward (Mike), and Bonnie Turner (KC); brother Steven Turner (Cathy); along with several other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Waiting to meet her in Heaven is her loving husband of 49 years, Stacy Huffman, along with her parents and brothers Leonard and Robert Turner.

Visitation was held Monday, March 17, at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, followed by a funeral service on March 18, at Richlands First Free Will Baptist Church, with Kenneth Huffman and Danny Padgett officiating. Burial followed at the Turner Family Cemetery.

The family wants to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and visits.

Eloise Mercer Chadwick

Oct. 12, 1959 –March 12, 2025

Eloise Mercer Chadwick, 65, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, at Lower Cape Fear Life Care in Wilmington. She is survived by her spouse, Cecil Chadwick of Pink Hill; son, David Chadwick (Kylie) of Beulaville; daughters, Melissa Mercer of Montana, Amanda Vasquez (Osvaldo) of Beulaville, Jennifer Moore (Danny Jr.) of Pink Hill, and Amber Chadwick of Louisiana; sisters, Peggy Horne (Alton) of Richlands, Frances Brown of Chinquapin, Carolyn Parker of Pink Hill, and Linda Turner of Pink Hill; brothers, Jimmy Mercer of Kinston and Russell Mercer of Pink Hill; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial service was held Saturday, March 15, followed by visitation at the Community Funeral Home of Beulaville.

Gloria Jean Smith

April 23, 1952 –March 13, 2025

Gloria Jean Smith, 72, completed her earthly journey and transitioned from labor to reward on Thursday, March 13, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. The arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Gary Lee Melvin

July 3, 1961 – March 13, 2025

Gary Lee Melvin, 63, passed away on Thursday, March 13 at his home. He is survived by his son, Roy Lee Melvin (Rosa) of Clinton; brothers, LeRoy Melvin (Sandy) of Kenansville, Bobby Melvin of Garland, and Jimmy Melvin (Elizabeth) of Dover; and grandchildren, Nathaniel Melvin, Dianna Melvin, Liam Melvin, and Eliana Melvin. Memorial service was held Thursday, March 20 followed by visitation at the Community Funeral Home Chapel in Beulaville. Graveside service will be private.

Robbie Dell Maready

July 7, 1953 – March 14, 2025

Robbie Dell Maready, 71, passed away on Friday, March 14 at his home. He is survived by his spouse, Celine Maready of Chinquapin, and sister, Linda Rothrock of Winston Salem. Graveside service was held Tuesday, March 18, at the East Duplin Memorial Gardens in Beulaville, followed by visitation.

Faison celebrates agricultural roots at annual Farmers’ Day Parade

The annual Faison Farmers’ Day Parade celebrated the town’s agricultural heritage with vibrant displays, embodying the charm of small-town life. Hundreds of people gathered last Saturday along West Main Street to honor Faison’s agricultural roots. The festive atmosphere drew cheerful participants and excited children who eagerly rushed to catch candy tossed from tractors, trucks and decorated cars as they paraded through the streets.

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

STANLY SPORTS

Albemarle hoops standout included in Carolinas Classic All-Star Game

Senior point guard

Amari Baldwin will play in the upcoming event

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Awarded as a North Carolina Coaches Association All-Star, a Stanly County high school star athlete will be playing in an elite exhibition basketball game this weekend.

Senior point guard Amari Baldwin of the Albemarle Bulldogs girls’ basketball team was recently added to the girls’ roster for the 2025 Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games.

Baldwin — a Winston-Salem State commit — is one of 10 players named to the 2025 North Carolina Girls All-Stars roster.

The standout hoops team coached by North Johnston’s Jay Poole will face off against South Carolina’s squad at Wilmington’s Hoggard High School on Saturday with a 3 p.m. tip-off.

This annual event pairs together the top public high school senior boys and girls from North Carolina and South Carolina.

“We are honored to have the best high school basketball student-athletes from our states come to Wilmington,” Scott Early and Phil Weaver, executive directors of the South Carolina and North Carolina Coaches’ Associations, said in a combined statement. “They will not only compete

The 2025 Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games will be held on March 22 in Wilmington.

at a high level in their respective games, but will be involved in outreach activities that touch youth and adults in the community.”

Throughout her four seasons in Albemarle, Baldwin has had her name attached to numerous superlatives, including the Yadkin Valley Conference Player of the Year, three-time All-Conference honors, two-time All-District honors, and a McDonald’s All-American nomination, among others.

In her last on-court action, she led the Bulldogs (25-5) with 32 points as her team fell short to eventual NCHSAA 1A state champion Cherokee (28-2) in a 69-50 fourth-round road loss on March 7. With 2,446 career points,

“We are honored to have the best high school basketball studentathletes from our states come to Wilmington.”

Scott Early and Phil Weaver, executive directors of the South Carolina and North Carolina Coaches’ Associations

Baldwin now holds the all-time Stanly County record for the most points scored by a high school player.

The Carolinas Classic All- Star Games began in 1999 as a collaborative project between the North Carolina Coaches Association and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association. Originally held at Winthrop College, the event relocated to Wilmington in 2018, where it has been played at Hoggard High School ever since.

Proceeds from this year’s games will benefit the SECU Family House in Wilmington; student-athletes involved in the event will also participate in community service events, including visits to two New Hanover County elementary schools to interact with students.

Tickets for the Carolinas Classic All-Star Games are available now for purchase online and are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Gavyn Miller

South Stanly, baseball

Gavyn Miller is a senior on the South Stanly baseball team. He also plays basketball for the Rowdy Rebel Bulls and scored his 1,000th career point in December.

South Stanly is 6-1 to start the season and had won five straight at press time. In a recent win over Central Academy, Miller singled and doubled, scored two runs and drove in two. He leads the team in batting, slugging, on-base percentage and runs scored. Miller will compete for Mars Hill at the college level starting next season.

Berry races to 1st Cup Series victory

The win was the Wood Brothers’ 101st

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Josh Berry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NASCAR’s oldest team to Victory Lane Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Berry, in his first season driving the famed No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, had the first victory for a Ford team through five races this season. William Byron opened the year with a Daytona 500 victory in a Chevrolet and Christopher Bell in a Toyota won the next three races.

Berry, meanwhile, had to run down Daniel Suarez following a restart with 19 laps remaining to take control. Although Harri-

son Burton won at Daytona last summer for the Wood Brothers, Berry’s victory is the first not at a superspeedway since Ryan Blaney won for the team in 2017 at Pocono.

“Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car, and we just battled and battled, and man, it was our day,”

Berry said. “I just can’t believe it. It was such a battle with Daniel there at the end. Beating and banging at a mile-anda-half (track) is crazy. But whoever was going to get out front was probably going to win.”

It was the 101st victory for the organization spanning 20 different drivers.

Suarez in a Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing finished second.

“Definitely a little disappointed, but congratulations to the 21 team and Josh. They did a great

job,” said Suarez. “They’ve been fast lately. They’ve been in contention. So congratulations to them.”

Ryan Preece was third in a Ford for RFK Racing. Byron was fourth for Hendrick Motorsports, followed by Ross Chastain of Trackhouse, Austin Cindric of Team Penske and Alex Bowman of Hendrick.

AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing was eighth, and Hendrick drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott rounded out the top 10.

Joey Logano had late control of the race until Las Vegas native Noah Gragson hit the wall with 25 laps remaining to bring out the ninth caution of the race. Berry was in second when the caution came out and second behind Suarez on the restart.

Berry won in his 53rd Cup

“Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car and we just battled and battled.”

Josh Berry

race and just his fifth race with the Wood Brothers, the team that signed him when Stewart-Haas Racing shuttered at the end of last season.

The 34-year-old Tennessee driver was a 40-1 underdog to win Sunday’s race, and his win put the Wood Brothers back into the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The team has a tight alliance with Team Penske, which has input in who drives the No. 21.

“It’s just been incredible.

They’ve been so good to me. It’s just been a great relationship,” Berry said. “Obviously, thank everybody with the Wood Brothers Racing, but Team Penske as well. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and tried to help me and accelerate this learning process as much as I can.”

Bell, meanwhile, came to Las Vegas on a three-race winning streak with an opportunity to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to win four consecutive Cup races.

But his chance to extend his streak was stymied when Joe Gibbs Racing had to change the throttle body on the No. 20 Toyota after Bell qualified 13th and the penalty dropped him to the back of the field for the start of the race.

Bell, who complained about the handling of his car most of the race, finished a team-high 12th. Only eight drivers have won four straight Cup races in the modern era of NASCAR that began in 1972.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH CAROLINA COACHES ASSOCIATION

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Josh Berry celebrates while sitting on his car after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Las Vegas.

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL Patriots announce deals with Hollins, 3 others

Foxborough, Mass.

The New England Patriots continued to add to their growing list of free agent signings, announcing deals last Friday with safety Marcus Epps, receiver Mack Hollins, tight end Austin Hooper and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga. Epps’ new pact is for one year and $4.4 million. Hooper is back in New England on a reported twoyear, $5 million deal. Hollins, a former Tar Heel, has a two-year deal worth up to $8.4 million. He spent last season in Buffalo and has played for five teams over his seven NFL seasons.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson Brownell “disappointed” team was locked out of locker room

Charlotte The Clemson Tigers trailed Louisville in the ACC semifinals and needed some halftime adjustments. But the Tigers found themselves locked out of their locker room. Clemson players sat on the cement floor outside the locker room while coach Brad Brownell addressed his team. Eventually the door was unlocked by building security and the Tigers were able to get in. The ACC added two minutes to halftime as a result.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Curry announced as investor in Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league

Stephen Curry has been announced as an investor in Unrivaled, adding to a long list of high-profile stars to align with the startup 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. The four-time NBA champion’s investment was included in Unrivaled’s oversubscribed Series A investment round in December, in which the league said it secured more than $28 million in funding to go along with the $7 million raised during the league’s seed round, which was announced in May 2024, totaling $35 million for the league to date.

NC Courage’s Shaw among NWSL players to watch

The U.S. national team player was acquired in the offseason

By Anne M. Peterson

The Associated Press

THERE’S BEEN lots of turnover among National Women’s Soccer League teams this season, with a couple of marquee players bolting for Europe, a few notable retirements and some dramatic trades.

San Diego Wave defender

Naomi Girma went to Chelsea for a record $1.1 million transfer fee. Fellow defender and U.S. national team player Jenna Nighswonger headed to Arsenal after two seasons with Gotham FC.

Within the league, Jaedyn Shaw was traded from the Wave to the North Carolina Courage, and Lynn Biyendolo, formerly Williams, went from Gotham to the Seattle Reign.

There are plenty of players to keep an eye on this season in the NWSL.

Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current

In Chawinga’s first NWSL season last year, she was named the league’s most valuable player. A Malawi native, she led the league with an NWSL sin-

gle-season record of 20 goals to also win the Golden Boot award.

Barbra Banda, Orlando Pride

Banda scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlando Pride a 1-0 win the league championship game against the Washington Spirit last season. Banda earned the championship MVP award and became the first player in the NWSL to score in each round of the playoffs.

Marta, Orlando Pride

The Brazilian great has played for the Pride since 2017 and captained the team last season to both the NWSL Shield and the league champi-

March Madness mascots take center stage

A look at some of the unique characters we’ll meet in March

By John Raby The Associated Press

FANS NAVIGATING the dozens of schools in the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments might become as attached to the mascots as the athletes themselves.

Furry, animated characters used as rallying points for teams with unique nicknames have been around for decades, and this year’s March Madness will have some dandies.

Here’s a look at some of the participating schools and the stories behind their mascots and monikers.

St. Francis Red Flash

Tiny St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, joined the list of two dozen men’s teams ever to make the NCAA Tournament with a losing record, earning an automatic berth by winning the Northeast Conference tournament.

With its grinning, bald-domed Frankie the Friar mascot, the Red Flash reached the Big Dance for the first time since 1991. The school of about 2,000 students is sure to gain more

fans if it can make some tournament noise.

Habit-wearing Frankie debuted in 1983 and underwent a makeover in 2009. The Catholic-Franciscan school’s student newspaper first referred to the football team as “The Red Flashes” in 1927.

UC San Diego Tritons

King Triton will be busy. The mascot of UC San Diego is making his debut in both the men’s and women’s tournaments in the school’s first year of eligibility after moving up from Division II in 2020 to join the Big West Conference.

The bearded, beaming King Triton wears a crown and carries a three-pronged trident.

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography is part of UC San Diego, whose campus in La Jolla is next to the Pacific Ocean, hence the Triton nickname.

Akron Zips

Akron’s nickname originally was the Zippers, named after popular 1925 rubber galoshes with metal fasteners sold by tire manufacturer B.F. Goodrich. The school’s athletic director shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950.

A few years later, a contest

onship. She has 42 goals in 128 career appearances with the Pride. Last season was one of her best, with 11 goals in all competitions. A six-time world player of the year, the 38-year-old signed an extension in January that will keep her with the Pride through the 2026 season.

Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit Toward the end of last season she was hampered by a lower back injury, but Rodman still finished with eight goals and six assists. She’s been with the Spirit since 2021. Rodman has established a role on the U.S. women’s national team and scored three goals at the Paris Olympics.

Lynn Biyendolo, Seattle Reign

Formerly known by her maiden name of Williams, Biyendolo was traded from Gotham FC to the Reign in one of the biggest moves of the offseason. Biyendolo is the NWSL’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals after surpassing Sam Kerr (77) last season. She has played on four NWSL championship teams. She is also a regular on the U.S. women’s national team and won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Jaedyn Shaw, North Carolina Courage

The 20-year-old midfielder played in her first game with the Wave when she was 17 and appeared in 52 games with 13 goals before her offseason trade to the Courage. Shaw has made 21 appearances with the national team, scoring eight goals, and was named the U.S. Young Player of the Year for 2022. She was on the roster for the United States at last year’s Paris Olympics but was limited because of a leg injury.

Christen Press, Angel City

Press, Angel City’s first signing ahead of its inaugural 2022 campaign, signed a one-year deal as a free agent for this season after returning from a serious knee injury. Press scored two goals in eight games in her Angel City debut before tearing the ACL in her right knee. After four surgeries, she played in nine games for the club last season.

was held to create a mascot. The winner was a kangaroo called Mr. Zip with boxing gloves and a zipper. However, since only female kangaroos have pouches, Mr. Zip would eventually become a she, named Zippy.

Grand Canyon Lopes

Thunder the Antelope seemingly can do it all, posing for photos with Grand Canyon University fans, rappelling to the arena floor from the ceiling and jumping off a trampoline to dunk a basketball.

And to think there was a time when it didn’t have a name — and wasn’t even Grand Canyon’s first mascot. Arizona’s Grand Canyon, also playing in the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments, started its Antelope nickname in 1949, later shortened to the Lopes. A hairy mascot known as the “Purple People Eat-

er” was replaced in 1981 with the antelope mascot, which didn’t get its current name until Thunder stuck in 2008.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits

The only U.S. college known as the Jackrabbits, South Dakota State has had the moniker for so long that it’s not exactly clear how the nickname came about. It either occurred in 1905, after a newspaper cartoon said the South Dakota football team “was as quick as Jackrabbits,“ or in 1907 after a school yearbook poem changed the publication’s name to Jackrabbits, and the athletic teams followed suit. It wasn’t until 2010 that the mascot’s name, Jack, was selected.

The state of South Dakota has two species of jackrabbits, which are actually hares and have longer ears and bigger bodies than rabbits.

R. SCOTT STOVER VIA AP

St. Francis University mascot Frankie the Friar performs during a February game.

AJ MAST / AP PHOTO

Rosemary Hinson

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

Dec. 22, 1948 – March 12, 2025

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

Rosemary Hinson, 76, of Locust, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones in her home on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Her funeral services will be held at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle, North Carolina, on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel. Before her service, her family will receive friends and visitors from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Rosemary’s Pastors, Greg Johnson, Devon Grannum, Shawn Hill, and Ernest Henderson, will officiate her service. Her burial will then follow in Fairview Memorial Park in Albemarle, North Carolina.

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor. Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Garfield.

Mom wanted people to know that she had repented and put her faith in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of her sins at the age of 75 years old. (John 14:6) It is never too late, no matter how old or young you are. She was looking forward to seeing her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8), and one of her most favorite Bible passages was Psalm 23.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her two brothers, Steve Hinson of Lancaster, South Carolina, and Roger Hinson of Locust, North Carolina, and her grandson, Aaron Todd Paige of Stanfield, North Carolina.

Dwight Farmer

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.

Rosemary is survived by her two sons, Todd Felton Paige and Ira Reid Paige, and her daughter, Pamela Michelle Doulos, of Locust, North Carolina, and her 8 grandchildren- Natasha Fontana and husband Frank Fontana, Keriston Carpenter and husband Cody Carpenter, Kaylee Simpson and husband Trevor Simpson, Tayler Couturier and husband Austin Couturier, Allie Paige, Dalson Paige, Roslyn Paige and Nicolas Paige and 12 great grandchildren- Aiden Fontana, Aubrey Fontana, Nolan Fontana, Everleigh Fontana, Tristan Hinson, Addie Carpenter, Isla Carpenter, River Simpson, Evelyn Couturier , Ruthie Couturier, Emmett Carter Miles Carter.

Rosemary enjoyed playing high school basketball at West Stanly during her school days.

James Roseboro

Larry Joe Almond

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

Jan. 29, 1942 – March 11, 2025

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

She always loved watching and supporting her two sons while playing sports and enjoyed scrapbooking with her daughter.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

Rosemary (MawMaw) loved being involved with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. “She was the best MawMaw ever.”

She enjoyed outdoor activities like golfing and boating. She loved animal print, extra ice in her sweet tea, and going to eat Mexican food. Sunrise Grill was also one of her favorite places to eat breakfast.

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

Born December 22, 1948, in Stanly County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Felton Jerome Hinson and Nellie Faye Talbert Hinson. She was a retired LPN with the Albemarle Correctional Institute.

Marvin Hayne Smith

Jan. 3, 1952 – March 10, 2025

Marvin Hayne Smith, 73, of Locust NC passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, at his home. His memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Locust with Rev. Dr. Tommy Ross officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church chapel.

Marvin was born on January 3, 1952, in Cabarrus County NC to the late Joseph I. Smith Jr.

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to her church family at Grace Fellowship of Indian Trail. And special thanks to Deanna, Crystal, Vicki, Amanda, Dr. Saltzman, and the whole medical staff from Hospice.

Rosemary had requested that any donations be made to Hospice: Tillery Compassionate Care instead of flowers.

Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

and Alma Tarlton Smith. He is survived by his wife Kathy Hinson Smith of the home, and son Sean Hayne Smith of Misenheimer NC.

Marvin is also survived by a sister Betty Dianne Efird and husband Doyle of Stanfield NC, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Boyce Douglas Smith and a sister Carlyn Smith Bishop.

Marvin graduated from the West Stanly High School class of 1970. He was an air compressor mechanic with AHS of Charlotte NC. Marvin was a member of the First Baptist Church of Locust where he was a former RA leader with the youth. He loved working in his yard, working with classic cars, and NASCAR racing and he loved beach trips.

The family request memorials be made to Atrium Health Hospice and Palliative Care Cabarrus (5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081) or to First Baptist Church of Locust, 320 South Central Avenue Locust, NC 28097.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Stanly Funeral & Cremation Care of Locust is serving the Smith family.

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

Larry Joe Almond, 83, of Albemarle passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Atrium Health Cabarrus. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Steve Jackson officiating. The family will greet friends following the service.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

Born January 29, 1942 in Stanly County, NC, he was the son of the late Joe Almond and Zula Mills Almond. He was a lifelong member of Anderson Grove Baptist Church and a retired lab technician with Alcoa. Previously, he was very active in the Eastside Fire Department and was its longest serving Fire Chief. He was a licensed NC Real Estate Broker and was also very active in HAM radio for many years. He is survived by his wife Donna Thompson Almond. Other survivors include children: Larry Joe Almond Jr. (Cindy Benton) of Albemarle and Mitzie Almond (Richard) of Albemarle, step-children: Janet Pederson of Kannapolis, Keith Burr of Charlotte, Cheryl Talbert of Albemarle, sister Jovaughn Fisher (Butch) of Clover, SC, and 11 grandchildren: Derek Almond, McKinley Almond, Brandon Wallace, Rich Almond, Emily Almond, Michael Pederson, Taylor Pederson, Matthew Talbert, Jared Talbert, John Worth Talbert, and Graham Talbert. He was preceded in death by a sister, Beverly Allen and a step-grandson, Dalton McSwain.

The family requests that memorials be made to Cross Community Church, 1925 East Main St., Albemarle, NC, in lieu of flowers.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

John B. Kluttz

Judy Carol Morton

Donald Allen Shaver

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

Dec. 28, 1942 – March 11, 2025

Judy Carol Morton, 82, of Archdale, formerly of Albemarle, passed away at the Hospice Home at High Point. Her graveside service will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2024, at Stanly Gardens of Memory with Rev. Ron Loflin officiating. The family will receive friends at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle on Saturday from 10 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the graveside service.

John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

Oct. 10, 1949 – March 11, 2025

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

Donald Allen Shaver, 75, of Albemarle passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Charlotte, NC.

When John purchased his first Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

Born December 28, 1942, in Stanly County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Charles I. Morton and Julia Hathcock Morton. She was an elementary school librarian in the Stanly County School System and the Greensboro City School System. She was a lifelong member of North Albemarle Baptist. She loved books and loved reading, especially to children. Judy enjoyed music, especially classical organ music, and she stayed busy all the time doing housework and cooking. Judy also enjoyed family get togethers. She is survived by sister Linda Lee Morton of Archdale and brother Charles I. Morton Jr. (Doryn) of Asheboro, nephews Charles “Trey” Morton III (Adrienne) of Liberty Township, OH, Joseph Morton (Abby) of Asheboro, niece Meredith Arbaiza (Alex) of Asheboro, great-nephews Chase Morton and Isaac Morton, great-nieces Caroline Morton, Madeline Arbaiza, and Dorothy Arbaiza. Memorials may be made to North Albemarle Baptist Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

His funeral service will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Chapel in Albemarle, with Pastor Darrell Huneycutt officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2:45 p.m. prior to the service at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care. Donald was born in Stanly County on October 10, 1949, to the late John and Pauline Shaver. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Robin Black Shaver of 46 years. Those also left to cherish his memory are his daughter Stacy Ragsdale and her husband Curtis of Albemarle, son Dr. Matthew Shaver and his wife Elizabeth of Albemarle, grandchildren, Brandon Ragsdale (Alexis), Madison Ragsdale (Manuel Ubaldo), Jackson Shaver, Isabella Shaver, Caroline Shaver, and Jameson Shaver, sister Judy Barbee, brother Lynn Shaver (Donna), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

Donald was employed with the NC Department of Correction until his retirement. He continued working with GHA as a maintenance supervisor for many years. Donald was known for old school mannerisms and loved deer hunting, fishing, gardening, and golfing with his friends. He always enjoyed caring for his K9 pal, “PapPaw” and all the feline companions Robin brought home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to the Stanly County Humane Society. (2049 Badin Rd, Albemarle, NC 28001) Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Shaver family.

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

Doris Jones Coleman

STATE & NATION

Residents pick up pieces after devastating storms pummel US South and Midwest

Several tornadoes touched down in western N.C.

By Safiyah Riddle and John Seewer The Associated Press

PLANTERSVILLE, Ala. —

Kim Atchison was hunkered down in her grandmother’s storm shelter with her 5-year-old grandson Saturday night in their tiny Alabama hometown of Plantersville when her husband and son raced in.

“Get down; get all the way down to the bottom of the cellar,” they told her, saying they could see a twister coming.

Atchison said she remembers first the “dead silence” and then hearing the wind that felt like a funnel and things outside hitting against each other.

“All was quiet after that because it was that fast,” she said. “Like a snap of a finger and it was gone.”

Atchison and her family were among the fortunate ones to avoid being killed in the three-day outbreak of severe weather across eight states that kicked up a devastating combination of wildfires, dust storms and tornadoes — claiming at least 42 lives since last Friday.

Two people were killed by a twister in Plantersville. One of the lives lost was that of 82-yearold Annie Free, who “just looked out for everyone,” Atchison’s husband said. The tornado struck Free’s home, leaving only the front patio behind.

Darren Atchison spent Monday delivering granola bars and sports drinks to the pummeled neighborhood, driving his all-terrain vehicle around downed trees.

More than a half-dozen houses were destroyed while others were left in rough shape, some with walls peeled clean off. The tornado flipped a trailer onto its roof and toppled trees in every direction.

Strong winds knocked down a group of pine trees in Richland Township, Pennsylvania, during a severe thunderstorm that swept through the region Sunday.

When Heidi Howland emerged from her home after hiding in her bedroom underneath a mattress with her husband, kids and grandkids as the twister approached, she found fallen trees and broken car windows.

Many of her neighbors whose houses were damaged came to her front porch to take refuge from the rain after the storm passed Saturday night. One was Free’s daughter, who Howland said cried late into the night because the first responders couldn’t find her mother.

Free’s body wasn’t found until the morning. Also killed was Dunk Pickering, a fixture in the community who often hosted live music events and helped neighbors during tough times. Neighbor John Green found Pickering’s body in the wreckage of a building just across the street from Green’s home.

“Whether he knew you or not, he would help anyone,” Green said. “I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s been like that ever since the day I first met him.”

Green and other neighbors spent at least five hours Saturday night pulling people from the rubble and carrying them

to paramedics who were unable to reach the area because roads were blocked by debris.

Tornadoes and high winds across the South

In Mississippi, six people died and more than 200 were displaced by a string of tornadoes across three counties, the governor said.

Within about an hour of each other on Saturday, two big tornadoes tore through Walthall County, Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest one packed winds of 170 mph when it swept a wellbuilt home from its foundation, leaving a pile of debris behind, the agency said in an updated report late Monday.

Three people died in the county, including 7-year-old Carter Young, who was in a mobile home, Walthall County Coroner Chris Blackwell said. The other two people killed — Gabrielle Pierre, 34, and Jeffery Irvin, 42 — were in a mobile home next door to the one where Young was found, Blackwell said.

Scattered twisters and storm damage led to the deaths of at least 13 people in Missouri, including a 30-year-old man who

along with his dog was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning after he was using a generator indoors during the storm, authorities said. In Arkansas, officials confirmed three deaths.

As the storm headed east, two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday, firefighters in Transylvania County said. Firefighters found them amid the uprooted 3-foot-wide tree after relatives said they had been trapped in their bedroom, officials said.

A tornado touched down at about 3 a.m. Monday in a neighborhood in Perquimans County, North Carolina, destroying three mobile homes and damaging several others, according to the National Weather Service.

Eight people were injured in the community, with no reported deaths, the weather service said.

The community is about 50 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia.

Wildfires in Oklahoma

Wind-driven wildfires across the state destroyed more than 400 homes over the weekend and will continue to be a threat in the coming days because of high winds.

Two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday.

Dozens of fires were still burning across the state on Monday, said Keith Merckx at Oklahoma Forestry Services, and much of the state, including the Oklahoma City area, remained under fire warnings.

While conditions over the weekend allowed crews to get a handle on most wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma, forecasters at the National Weather Service said extremely critical fire weather conditions were expected Tuesday over an area spanning from southeastern New Mexico through the Texas Panhandle and into western Oklahoma.

“These fires, once they get started, become really hard to stop. They move more quickly than our resources can keep up with,” Merckx said.

Four deaths so far were blamed on the fires or high winds, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. More than 70 homes were destroyed by wildfire outbreaks Friday in and around Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University.

Dust storms in Kansas and Texas

High winds spurred dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes Friday.

Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

DOGE cancelling federal office leases across country

A number of the leases are in North Carolina

The Associated Press

THE GENERAL Services Administration, working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has notified landlords that federal agencies will be terminating hundreds of leases for offices and buildings in the coming months.

A GSA planning document dated March 10 lists the dates when many of the cancellations are expected to go into effect. That does not mean all

the locations will close by those dates, but agencies would have to either negotiate new leases or move elsewhere if they remain open.

Trump administration officials have reported that many federal offices have been nearly empty as many government employees have been working from home. The lease cancellations come as DOGE works to slash headcount across the government, meaning less office space would be required to house them.

The following North Carolina leases are some of those expected to be canceled by the end of August or September.

• Charlotte — Geological Survey (5,316 square feet)

• Goldsboro — Natural Resources Conservation Service (5,881 square feet)

• Greensboro — Food and Drug Administration (1,579 square feet)

• Hendersonville — Farm Service Agency (5,358 square feet)

• Wilkesboro — Farm Service Agency (5,970 square feet)

• Wilmington — Internal Revenue Service National Office (14,165 square feet)

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads “DOGE” to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 9.

THOMAS SLUSSER / THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT VIA AP

Dark side of the moon

A total lunar eclipse rewarded those who stayed up — or were up early — last Friday morning. Photographed from Pinehurst between 1:50 and 4 a.m., a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the moon to be darkened.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months in space

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after being stuck in space for more than nine months. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of America early Tuesday evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. The splashdown brought their space saga to an end. It all began with a bungled Boeing test flight last year. The two expected to be gone a week or so after launching on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. Issues led NASA to order Starliner back empty and reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX for the ride home.

AG, N.C. Turnpike warn of toll payment scam text messages

Raleigh Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Turnpike Authority are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass. The random texts demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls. “These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” said Jackson in a press release. “Don’t fall for them.” Clicking links can expose victims to financial fraud. The Department of Justice is working with federal and international partners to track the source, which officials believe originated in Canada before moving operations to the U.S.

$2.00

Forsyth commissioners decline to add more evening board meetings

Despite public outcry, a motion to expand failed with a split vote

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth Board of Commissioners will not be expanding its schedule of evening meetings, despite prolific public outcry.

At its March 13 regular business meeting, Commissioner Dan Besse offered up a motion to change the board’s 2025 meeting schedule to move the start time from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for five meetings: April 24, June 19, Aug. 14, Oct. 9 and Nov. 6.

“This would also leave the three remaining 6 p.m. meetings that we already have scheduled in place,” Besse

said. “This would simply shift the starting time of five more meetings to instead of starting at 2 o’clock, starting at 6 o’clock.”

Currently, the board offers four quarterly evening meetings including March 13, May 19, Sept. 11 and Dec. 18.

Besse was supported in the motion by Commissioners Tonya McDaniel and Malishai Woodbury.

“For seven years, I’ve advocated for at least the quarterly meetings,” McDaniel said. “I wanted to thank this board for their consideration and their approval last year to incorporate the quarterly meetings during this year’s meeting schedule.”

“Research from the UNC School of Government shows that public participation helps build trust and understanding

“The issue is, can the public easily be informed and is there a way to communicate?”

Don Martin

Chairman

between residents and their elected county officials,” Woodbury said.

However, the motion failed to gain a majority as it was a 3-3 split vote (Commissioner Richard Linville was absent due to illness), meaning it died on the floor. Commissioners Don Martin, Gloria Whisenhunt and Gray Wilson were not in support of the expanded evening offerings.

“Having been in public work

NC State names new chancellor

Kevin Howell will succeed Randy Woodson

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has chosen the next person to lead the state’s largest public university by enrollment after its longtime chancellor is set to retire soon.

Kevin Howell was named the next chancellor of NC State — and the first black person to lead the institution in its 138year history — at the public university governing board’s Tuesday meeting. He will succeed Randy Woodson, who has served in the role since 2010 and is one of the university system’s longest-serving chancellors.

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC

and a public service for many years — in fact, 33 of those as a superintendent of schools in four districts — I have had a lot of night meetings. A lot of them. And quite frankly, meeting at night or meeting in the day, the issue is, can the public easily be informed and is there a way to communicate?”

Martin listed the ability to stream meetings online, the ability for citizens to directly email commissioners and the ability to call into the public comment portion of meetings as ways that the public can already participate in local government proceedings.

According to Martin, though, the motion can be brought back for another vote once the board is in full attendance.

“I’ve heard a number of

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State.

School of Medicine and UNC Health, according to the school’s website. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State, including as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development. As an NC State undergraduate student, Howell was student body president.

“I know from experience that effective diplomacy in contentious times requires patience, humility and a genuine respect for the voices and opinions of

See CHANCELLOR, page A2

MARC HALL / NC STATE VIA AP

Kevin Howell will succeed longtime NC State chancellor Randy Woodson, who is retiring in 2025, on May 5. Howell is an alumnus of the university.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR TWIN CITY HERALD

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FORSYTH from page A1

comments from various colleagues, indicating that they did not see a compelling reason to make the change,” Besse said. “What I have not heard is any compelling reason not to give it a try.”

The board also approved two contractual matters including an interlocal agreement with the Town of Rural Hall for the county to continue to produce and sell street name signs to them, and an amendment to the contract with Neelon Labs for an additional $17,000 in funding for comprehensive drug screenings.

The board then accepted the conveyance of real property located at 2050 Big House Gaines Blvd. back into the county’s ownership.

“In 1992, Forsyth County conveyed this property to family services with the stipulation that the property would be used for nonprofit, public uses,” said county manager Shontell Robinson. “The deed included a provision by which the property would revert back to Forsyth County if not used for the purposes identified in the deed. The property was reverted in very poor condition, and staff’s plan is to try and sell the property.”

“I was disappointed to learn that family services did not have any insurance on the building,” said vice chair Gloria Whisenhunt. “I hope in the future, when we have these types of obligations, that we can make sure they have insurance to cover fires.”

Woodbury also made a recommendation to the board to consider looking into using the subject property for affordable housing.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will next meet March 27.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump

Constituents sparred with Rep. Chuck Edwards during last week’s meeting in Asheville

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

ASHEVILLE — Before answering an attendee’s question about President Donald Trump’s “destructive and disastrous trade war,” U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards made a plea to the rowdy crowd at his town hall last Thursday in Asheville.

“Let me answer, and then if you don’t like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you’d like to do,” Edwards said, visibly exhausted.

As he expanded on Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, it took less than a minute for the crowd to break out in outrage. He continued to plow ahead in his response and eventually punctuated it by telling attendees he would “stop there and you can yell.” The crowd gladly took him up on the offer.

For about an hour and half, Edwards endured a constant barrage of jeers, expletives and searing questions on Trump administration policies. About 300 people crammed inside a college auditorium for the

town hall, while the boos from more than a thousand people outside the building rumbled throughout the event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP representatives last week to skip out on town halls, saying demonstrations outside of them were the work of “professional protesters.” Edwards addressed the Republican leader’s advice, saying he didn’t want to “shy away” from conversations with the people of western North Carolina — even if they disagreed.

But less than 30 minutes into the town hall, Edwards started to change his tune as a majority of attendees interrupted him with vit-

riolic disruptions. Asheville is a deep-blue dot amid a sea of red in North Carolina’s mountains. North Carolina went for Trump in the 2024 election.

“And you wonder why folks don’t want to do these town halls,” Edwards said over shouting.

Edwards kicked off his town hall discussing western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Asheville is still rebuilding after the devastating storm, which killed more than 100 people in North Carolina and caused a record-shattering amount of damage — about $59.6 billion in damages and record needs, according to the state.

But as Edwards touted the work he said the Trump administration has been doing for the region’s recovery — which could include the president’s proposal to dissolve the Federal Emergency Management Agency — attendees shouted him down and demanded he address questions immediately. One person was escorted out of the venue after hurling expletives at the congressman.

“Listen to us now!” several people screamed from various parts of the room.

Edwards fielded scathing questions on a variety of topics,

Supreme Court election goes back before judges again

A three-judge panel on the Court of Appeals will hear the case

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — A panel from North Carolina’s intermediate-level appeals court will hear arguments Friday about a still-unsettled November election for a seat on the state’s Supreme Court.

The March 21 hearing by three judges on the Court of Appeals was announced last Friday, the same day the court rejected a request by incumbent Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs to have the entire Court of Appeals consider the matter now instead.

After recounts and election protests, the registered Democrat Riggs leads Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million ballots cast in their race for an eight-year term on the highest court in the ninth-largest state.

While The Associated Press declared over 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the North Carolina Supreme Court

CHANCELLOR from page A1

others,” UNC System President Peter Hans said during the meeting. “These are all qualities that Kevin Howell possesses in abundance.” Howell will begin in his new role May 5, according to an NC State news release. His salary as chancellor will be $600,000. Woodson announced his retirement during the university’s trustees meeting last July as his

election is the only race nationally that is still undecided.

Griffin, himself a Court of Appeals judge, filed challenges to more than 65,000 early or absentee ballots cast that his lawyers have said should be removed from the tally. The State Board of Elections dismissed his protests in December, and a trial judge upheld the board’s decisions last month — prompting Griffin’s appeal.

Lawyers for Riggs said in a recent legal brief that the case should first be heard “en banc” — meaning by the full Court of Appeals — in part to save time, given that a losing party in any decision by the three judges would still have the right to rehearing by the full court.

But Griffin’s attorneys said having a thorough review of more than 30 issues presented by legal parties in the protests by a smaller panel first was warranted, especially because the trial judge issued bare-boned orders affirming the board’s rulings.

The Court of Appeals has 15 judges, but Griffin has recused himself from deliberations in the case before the court. Last week’s unsigned order denying initial en banc review said

contract was slated to end this summer. Woodson, 67, told reporters then that it was “just a good time” to step away from the chancellorship.

Under Woodson’s leadership, the university increased its graduation and retention rates, as well as its research funding. Enrollment also expanded, growing to more than 38,000 students as of Fall 2024.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found

The Court of Appeals has 15 judges, but Griffin has recused himself from deliberations in the case before the court.

that only three of the court’s judges agreed with Riggs’ request. The order did not say how the judges voted. Of the 14 remaining judges, 11 are registered Republicans.

The court did reveal last Friday which judges are hearing the case — two Republicans in John Tyson and Fred Gore and registered Democrat Toby Hampson.

Most of the ballots challenged by Griffin were cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S., and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.

Whatever the Court of Appeals result, the case likely will head to the state Supreme Court,

it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said after announcing his retirement in July. There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes his position this summer, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for higher education as institutions prepare for potential massive losses of funding from the National Institutes of Health. NC State is an R1 research institution —

ranging from sweeping cuts to various government agencies at the hand of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to the future of health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Questions on slashing jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs and whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia received standing ovations from most in the crowd.

The representative mostly stayed in line in supporting the Trump administration’s policies, reiterating that part of his job was seeing what decisions his constituents disagreed with so the federal government could “go back and look” at what it could improve on.

Edwards kept good humor throughout the raucous town hall, telling attendees at the end that he enjoyed hearing the crowd’s “passion” and “patriotism.” In a news conference afterward, Edwards said Trump and Musk were “over the target” in what they set out to accomplish.

“I take away from what I heard today that we’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to do,” Edwards said as several protesters pounded on the doors nearby.

where Riggs has recused herself from the case. Five of the six remaining justices are registered Republicans. Majorities on the court have rejected efforts for it to rule on the challenged ballots without the election protest appeals first going through lower courts.

And should Riggs lose in state court and the removal of ballots flip the race to Griffin, a federal appeals court already has told Riggs she can return to federal court to challenge decisions on federal elections and voting rights laws.

Griffin’s lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution. Lawyers for Riggs and the board have said the ballots were cast lawfully and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures.

Riggs’ allies have held rallies in the state demanding that Griffin concede. They have offered as speakers voters whose choices in the race could be removed from tallies if Griffin’s arguments are successful.

Also last Friday, Court of Appeals Judge Tom Murry ordered that Riggs’ motion to have him recused from participating in Griffin’s appeal be dismissed as moot because he is not on the three-judge panel hearing the case. Riggs’ attorneys had cited Griffin’s legal defense fund receiving in December a donation from a Murry campaign committee as grounds for recusal.

the highest tier for research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — and received more than $48 million from the NIH last fiscal year. NC State also paused most of its hiring activities — including for faculty — in February, partially due to uncertainty on federal funding, according to a memo from executive vice chancellor Warwick Arden. The memo did not specify when the hiring freeze would end.

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Rep. Chuck Edwards talks during a town hall in Asheville last Thursday.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Tariffs based on tendentious history could be political malpractice

Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy despite the warnings of top Democratic economists.

WILL THE SECOND Trump administration come undone by an economic policy based on what the British military historian Lawrence Freedman, describing Vladimir Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine, calls “tendentious history”?

This week, it started to look like the answer might be yes.

In retrospect, it’s clear how the Biden administration’s economic policy stimulated inflation, which, together with its open borders policy, defeated Joe Biden and, after his withdrawal, his designated successor, Kamala Harris. Biden took office when large parts of the American economy were demobilized by COVID-19 restrictions while other sectors and the government continued generating income for consumers who, in COVID-19 days, had no convenient way to spend it all.

To that unique situation, Biden responded in line with traditional Democrats’ “tendentious history.” For them, it’s always 1933. The economy has stalled because consumer demand has failed, and the solution is to stimulate demand with large injections of government cash and the creation of government jobs.

Actually, that’s not what Franklin Roosevelt did. His first New Deal (1933-35) tried to freeze the economy in place by propping up prices and wages, and only after that became impracticable did his Second New Deal (1935-37) seek to redistribute income. But that resulted in “the Roosevelt recession” (1937-38), and the economy was revived when Roosevelt, convinced that Adolf Hitler was a menace, increased military and defense spending.

Biden didn’t follow that course — he cut rather than increased defense spending — nor did he copy the 1963-64 Kennedy-Johnson tax cut, which produced the gush of revenues that, for a while, simultaneously financed

the Great Society and the Vietnam War.

Instead, Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy, despite the warnings of top Democratic economists Larry Summers and Jason Furman. The sharp resulting inflation was just “transitory,” Biden apologists insisted, and indeed the rate of inflation slackened. But prices never went back down, and voters remembered in 2024.

Donald Trump’s “tendentious history” is all about “a beautiful word” — tariffs. Make consumers pay more for goods from abroad, the theory goes, and factories and jobs will spring up in America.

Tariff boosters claim Alexander Hamilton as their progenitor, but he instituted low tariffs primarily because, with 18th-century technology and imports arriving only in a few ports, they were the easiest taxes for a small federal government to collect. From his time, except during the Civil War, tariffs and alcohol taxes mostly paid for the federal government until the passage of the income tax and Prohibition in the 1910s.

Trump likes to cite William McKinley, who, as House Ways and Means chairman, sponsored a tariff bill in 1890. But as president from 1897 to 1901, McKinley recognized that American industry was no longer an infant in need of protection: The United States was the leading steel producer and soon would be the leading auto producer. Just before his assassination by an anarchist, he was about to propose reciprocal tariff-cutting agreements with other nations.

Later Republican presidents regretted that tariff bills had become political pork, much like some of the stuff the Department of Government Efficiency is now targeting. After the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) helped usher in the Depression, a Democratic Congress voted to let the president (actually, Secretary of State

Trump is the world’s ‘worst’ dictator

Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

DICTATORS CRAVE power. President Donald Trump is using his power to give Americans more freedom. That’s a massive difference.

Desperate to find an effective attack against Trump, some Democrats are recycling an old one.

They claim he’s an authoritarian. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) invited laid-off federal workers to attend Trump’s recent speech to Congress. She said she was standing “shoulder to shoulder with people in defiance to a dictator.” That type of defiance led Democrats to callously withhold applause from a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor simply because Trump introduced him.

Shameful.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams recently called Trump a “petty tyrant.”

The Associated Press claimed that Trump “has embarked on a dizzying teardown of the federal government and attacks on long-standing institutions in an attempt to increase his own authority.”

These accusations aren’t new. Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris frequently labeled Trump a threat to democracy. Last year, historian Jon Meacham called Trump a “tyrant” who would cause the downfall of the American Republic.

Trump has fed into this. After he attacked congestion pricing in Manhattan, the White House posted a picture of him wearing a crown.

Trump said, “Long live the king.” While that was obviously not a serious claim to monarchical authority, it sent the propaganda press into a tizzy.

Many Americans believe the worst about Trump. Forty-one percent of Americans say Trump is a dictator, according to a February YouGov poll.

Those people aren’t just wrong — they have it backward. Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

It’d help to define some terms.

Merriam-Webster says a dictator is “one holding complete autocratic control.” An autocracy is a “government in which one person possesses unlimited power.” Tyrant has a similar meaning — “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution.”

Therefore, by definition, you can’t be a dictator while increasing freedom and shrinking the size and scope of government. It’s a contradiction.

That’s what Trump is doing. He rolled back Biden’s target for electric vehicle sales. He’s unshackled the energy industry. He wants to undo Biden administration restrictions on dishwashers, shower heads and light bulbs.

He’s ordered agencies to eliminate 10 previous regulations for every new one they put in place. He’s increasing freedom.

He’s also pushing for a significant tax cut. Dictators aren’t known for wanting to let you keep more of your own money.

Cordell Hull) set tariff rates. This policy had bipartisan support after World War II and helped produce the postwar and 1980s and 1990s booms. This week, Trump’s tariffophilia has been directed not against China or Europe but against Mexico and Canada, despite the USMCA he negotiated in 2018 to replace the 1994 NAFTA. He suddenly imposed 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel and raised that to 50% after Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed a 25% increase on sales of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

Ford and Trump backed down, but not before stock market prices had fallen sharply and Wall Street and political reporters started speculating that Trump tariffs and uncertainty about them, coupled with indications of weak job growth, could push the U.S. economy into recession. Free market economists joined Summers in arguing that tariffs, by imposing costs on consumers, dampen and sometimes stifle economic growth. Trump admitted, “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called tariffs “a one-time price adjustment.” This sounds no more reassuring than Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s 2021 assurance that Biden-sparked inflation was “transitory.”

Markets hate uncertainty. Trump’s repeated threats, hour-by-hour changes in policy and repeated insults that Canada should become the 51st state have done the opposite of setting the stable policy framework that investors seek. He risks catastrophic disruption of relations with Canada, with whom our relations, except longstanding arguments over softwood lumber and dairy, have been excellent and our economies intertwined.

The nontendentious lesson from history is that heedlessly cutting off and restoring the flow of trade between the U.S. and Canada is an act of economic vandalism and that a “little disturbance,” like “transitory” inflation, could turn out to be political malpractice.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co - author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

He’s laid off tens of thousands of federal workers. Another 75,000 federal workers took buyouts. DOGE is attempting to reduce federal spending by more than $100 billion. He’s shrinking the government he runs.

The Trump administration is even gearing up to eliminate the Department of Education. In early March, Education Secretary Linda McMahon laid out “our department’s final mission.” She wants “to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children.”

Indoctrinating a nation’s children is a powerful tool for any would-be dictator. Communist dictators wanted kids’ primary loyalty to be to the government. They sought to drive a wedge between children and their parents. Trump wants to give parents more control of their children’s education.

Now, Trump is governing aggressively. The executive orders have been fast and furious. He’s closed the border. He’s clearing out the deep state. He’s rooting out DEI in the government. He’s recognized that men are not women.

But an elected official changing government policy isn’t tyranny. That’s the point of having an election. It’d be tyrannical if an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy could stop a democratically elected president from running the executive branch as he sees fit. Just look at the obstacles Trump faced in his first term.

Trump is one of the most successful men in the world, but he’s a complete failure at being a dictator.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

between the states

Civil War reenactors from across the United States gathered to stage the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event marked the 160th anniversary of the state’s largest and most significant engagement of the Civil War, a fierce clash that unfolded over three days, from March 19-21, 1865. The original battle brought together more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops in a brutal struggle that left a lasting mark on the region’s history. The reenactment drew enthusiasts and historians alike, who donned period-appropriate uniforms and employed authentic tactics to honor the soldiers who fought and the legacy of the conflict.

Forsyth SPORTS

Feinstein, famous author and sports writer, dies at 69

The Duke graduate was best known for “A Season on the Brink” about Bobby Knight

By Howard Fendrich

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

John Feinstein, one of the coun try’s foremost sports writers and the author of numerous bestselling books, including the groundbreaking “A Season on the Brink” about college basket ball coach Bob Knight, died un expectedly at 69. He died last Thursday of nat ural causes at his brother Rob ert’s home in McLean, Virginia.

John Feinstein was a full‑time reporter for The Washington Post from 1977 to 1991, a commentator for out lets such as ESPN — where he made regular appearances on “The Sports Reporters” — and the Golf Channel, and a voter for more than 20 years in the AP Top 25 men’s college basket ball poll. He remained with the Post as a contributing colum nist, and he also hosted satellite radio programs on SiriusXM.

“He was very passionate about things,” Robert Feinstein said in a telephone interview.

“People either loved him or hat ed him — and equally strongly.”

John Feinstein — always a storyteller, whether via the writ ten word or when chatting with other journalists in an are na’s media room or press box — was working until the time of his death. He was in the Wash ington area this week to cov er the Atlantic 10 Tournament ahead of March Madness, and he filed a column for the Post about Michigan State coach Tom Izzo that appeared online last Thursday.

Feinstein was comfortable writing fiction and nonfic tion, and he took on an array of sports, including golf and ten nis, but he was known most for his connection to college bas ketball because of “A Season on the Brink.” He took a leave of absence from the Post in 1985 to embed with Knight’s Indiana team.

Knight’s reputation for hav ing a hot temper was well es tablished by then, and Feinstein relayed behind the scenes evi dence in a way that was uncom mon in sports writing at the time. Feinstein also effectively portrayed the personal relation ships Knight had with his play ers, which alternated between warm and abusive.

“Not once did Knight back away from the access, even during some difficult moments for his team,” Feinstein wrote. “Although he didn’t speak to me for eight years after the book’s publication — upset, of all things, with seeing profanity in the book — he eventually decid

ed to ‘forgive’ me, and we had a distant though cordial relation ship for the rest of his life.”

Marquette coach Shaka Smart learned about Feinstein’s death from a reporter at Mad ison Square Garden after the Golden Eagles beat Xavier in the Big East Tournament.

“Oh, wow,” Smart said. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s one of the best sports writ ers ever. I got to know him as a writer before I got to know him as a person, reading some of his stuff when I was in high school. He cared about the teams and he cared about the players and he cared about the coaches — which is not as common these days.”

Feinstein wrote more than 40 books, including “A Good Walk Spoiled” (1995), about professional golf, and “A Civ il War” (1996), about the Ar my Navy football game. Af ter that book’s publication, he worked for many years as a radio commentator for Navy football.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Dakota Larimore

Walkertown, baseball

Dakota Larimore is a senior on the Walkertown baseball team. He also played football and wrestled for the Wolfpack. Walkertown is 8-1 to start the season and had won seven straight, the last four by a combined 73-0 score. Larimore leads the team in hits, home runs, slugging and RBIs. In a doubleheader win over Andrews, he went 3 for 5 with a homer, double, four runs and nine RBIs.

Berry races to 1st Cup Series victory

The win was the Wood Brothers’ 101st

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Josh Ber ry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NA SCAR’s oldest team to Victory Lane Sunday at Las Vegas Mo tor Speedway.

Berry, in his first season driv ing the famed No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, had the first victory for a Ford team through five races this season. William Byron opened the year with a Daytona 500 victory in a Chev rolet and Christopher Bell in a Toyota won the next three races.

Berry, meanwhile, had to run down Daniel Suarez following a restart with 19 laps remaining to take control. Although Harri

son Burton won at Daytona last summer for the Wood Brothers, Berry’s victory is the first not at a superspeedway since Ryan Blaney won for the team in 2017 at Pocono.

“Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car, and we just battled and bat tled, and man, it was our day,” Berry said. “I just can’t believe it. It was such a battle with Daniel there at the end. Beat ing and banging at a mile and a half (track) is crazy. But who ever was going to get out front was probably going to win.”

It was the 101st victory for the organization spanning 20 dif ferent drivers.

Suarez in a Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing finished second.

“Definitely a little disappoint ed, but congratulations to the 21 team and Josh. They did a great

job,” said Suarez. “They’ve been fast lately. They’ve been in con tention. So congratulations to them.”

Ryan Preece was third in a Ford for RFK Racing. Byron was fourth for Hendrick Mo torsports, followed by Ross Chastain of Trackhouse, Aus tin Cindric of Team Penske and Alex Bowman of Hendrick.

AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing was eighth, and Hen drick drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott rounded out the top 10. Joey Logano had late con trol of the race until Las Ve gas native Noah Gragson hit the wall with 25 laps remain ing to bring out the ninth cau tion of the race. Berry was in second when the caution came out and second behind Suarez on the restart.

Berry won in his 53rd Cup

“Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car and we just battled and battled.”

Josh Berry

race and just his fifth race with the Wood Brothers, the team that signed him when Stewart Haas Racing shut tered at the end of last season.

The 34 year old Tennessee driver was a 40 1 underdog to win Sunday’s race, and his win put the Wood Brothers back into the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The team has a tight alliance with Team Penske, which has input in who drives the No. 21.

“It’s just been incredible.

They’ve been so good to me. It’s just been a great relation ship,” Berry said. “Obviously, thank everybody with the Wood Brothers Racing, but Team Pen ske as well. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and tried to help me and accelerate this learning process as much as I can.”

Bell, meanwhile, came to Las Vegas on a three race win ning streak with an opportu nity to become the first driv er since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to win four consecutive Cup races. But his chance to extend his streak was stymied when Joe Gibbs Racing had to change the throttle body on the No. 20 Toy ota after Bell qualified 13th and the penalty dropped him to the back of the field for the start of the race.

Bell, who complained about the handling of his car most of the race, finished a team high 12th. Only eight drivers have won four straight Cup races in the modern era of NASCAR that began in 1972.

CALEB JONES / AP PHOTO Sports writer and author John Feinstein poses in Washington, D.C., in 2006.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Josh Berry celebrates while sitting on his car after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Las Vegas.

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL Patriots announce deals with Hollins, 3 others

Foxborough, Mass.

The New England Patriots continued to add to their growing list of free agent signings, announcing deals last Friday with safety Marcus Epps, receiver Mack Hollins, tight end Austin Hooper and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga. Epps’ new pact is for one year and $4.4 million. Hooper is back in New England on a reported two year, $5 million deal. Hollins, a former Tar Heel, has a two year deal worth up to $8.4 million. He spent last season in Buffalo and has played for five teams over his seven NFL seasons.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson Brownell “disappointed” team was locked out of locker room

Charlotte The Clemson Tigers trailed Louisville in the ACC semifinals and needed some halftime adjustments. But the Tigers found themselves locked out of their locker room. Clemson players sat on the cement floor outside the locker room while coach Brad Brownell addressed his team. Eventually the door was unlocked by building security and the Tigers were able to get in. The ACC added two minutes to halftime as a result.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Curry announced as investor in Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league

Stephen Curry has been announced as an investor in Unrivaled, adding to a long list of high profile stars to align with the startup 3 on 3 women’s basketball league. The four time NBA champion’s investment was included in Unrivaled’s oversubscribed Series A investment round in December, in which the league said it secured more than $28 million in funding to go along with the $7 million raised during the league’s seed round, which was announced in May 2024, totaling $35 million for the league to date.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Vitale tears up on ACC Championship broadcast talking about cancer battle

Charlotte Dick Vitale became emotional Saturday night while talking about his most recent cancer battle while announcing top ranked Duke’s 73 62 victory over No. 13 Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship. The 85 year old ESPN college basketball analyst announced in December he was cancer f ree. It was his fourth battle in just more than three years with the disease. Vitale teared up as he looked into the camera while sitting between fellow announcers Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander.

NC Courage’s Shaw among NWSL players to watch

The U.S. national team player was acquired in the offseason

By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press

THERE’S BEEN lots of turnover among National Women’s Soccer League teams this season, with a couple of marquee players bolting for Eu rope, a few notable retirements and some dramatic trades.

San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma went to Chelsea for a record $1.1 million trans fer fee. Fellow defender and U.S. national team player Jen na Nighswonger headed to Ar senal after two seasons with Gotham FC.

Within the league, Jae dyn Shaw was traded from the Wave to the North Carolina Courage, and Lynn Biyendolo, formerly Williams, went from Gotham to the Seattle Reign. There are plenty of players to keep an eye on this season in the NWSL.

Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current

In Chawinga’s first NWSL season last year, she was named

13

Goals in 52 games for new Courage midfielder Jaedyn Shaw

the league’s most valuable play er. A Malawi native, she led the league with an NWSL sin gle season record of 20 goals to also win the Golden Boot award.

Barbra Banda, Orlando Pride

Banda scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlan do Pride a 1 0 w in the league championship game against the Washington Spirit last sea son. Banda earned the cham pionship MVP award and be came the first player in the NWSL to score in each round of the playoffs.

Marta, Orlando Pride

The Brazilian great has played for the Pride since 2017 and captained the team last season to both the NWSL

March Madness mascots take center stage

A look at some of the unique characters we’ll meet in March

By John Raby The Associated Press

FANS NAVIGATING the dozens of schools in the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments might become as attached to the mascots as the athletes themselves.

Furry, animated charac ters used as rallying points for teams with unique nicknames have been around for decades, and this year’s March Madness will have some dandies. Here’s a look at some of the participating schools and the stories behind their mascots and monikers.

St. Francis Red Flash

Tiny St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, joined the list of two dozen men’s teams ever to make the NCAA Tournament with a losing re cord, earning an automatic berth by winning the Northeast Conference tournament.

With its grinning, bald‑domed Frankie the Friar mascot, the Red Flash reached the Big Dance for the first time since 1991. The school of about 2,000 students is sure to gain more

fans if it can make some tour nament noise.

Habit wearing Frankie de buted in 1983 and underwent a makeover in 2009. The Cath olic Franciscan school’s stu dent newspaper first referred to the football team as “The Red Flashes” in 1927.

UC San Diego Tritons

King Triton will be busy. The mascot of UC San Diego is mak ing his debut in both the men’s and women’s tournaments in the school’s first year of eligibil ity after moving up from Divi sion II in 2020 to join the Big West Conference.

The bearded, beaming King Triton wears a crown and car ries a three pronged trident. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography is part of UC San Diego, whose campus in La Jolla is next to the Pacific Ocean, hence the Triton nick name.

Akron Zips

Akron’s nickname original ly was the Zippers, named after popular 1925 rubber galoshes with metal fasteners sold by tire manufacturer B.F. Goodrich. The school’s athletic director shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950.

A few years later, a contest

Shield and the league cham pionship. She has 42 goals in 128 career appearances with the Pride. Last season was one of her best, with 11 goals in all competitions. A six time world player of the year, the 38 year‑old signed an exten sion in January that will keep her with the Pride through the 2026 season.

Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit

Toward the end of last sea son she was hampered by a low er back injury, but Rodman still finished with eight goals and six assists. She’s been with the Spirit since 2021. Rodman has established a role on the U.S. women’s national team and scored three goals at the Paris Olympics.

Lynn Biyendolo, Seattle Reign

Formerly known by her maiden name of Williams, Bi yendolo was traded from Go tham FC to the Reign in one of the biggest moves of the offsea son. Biyendolo is the NWSL’s all time leading scorer with 80 goals after surpassing Sam Kerr (77) last season. She has

played on four NWSL champi onship teams. She is also a reg ular on the U.S. women’s na tional team and won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Jaedyn Shaw, North Carolina Courage

The 20 year old midfield er played in her first game with the Wave when she was 17 and appeared in 52 games with 13 goals before her offseason trade to the Courage. Shaw has made 21 appearances with the na tional team, scoring eight goals, and was named the U.S. Young Player of the Year for 2022. She was on the roster for the United States at last year’s Paris Olym pics but was limited because of a leg injury.

Christen Press, Angel City Press, Angel City’s first sign ing ahead of its inaugural 2022 campaign, signed a one year deal as a free agent for this sea son after returning from a se rious knee injury. Press scored two goals in eight games in her Angel City debut before tear ing the ACL in her right knee. After four surgeries, she played in nine games for the club last season.

was held to create a mascot. The winner was a kangaroo called Mr. Zip with boxing gloves and a zipper. However, since only fe male kangaroos have pouches, Mr. Zip would eventually be come a she, named Zippy.

Grand Canyon Lopes

Thunder the Antelope seem ingly can do it all, posing for photos with Grand Canyon University fans, rappelling to the arena floor from the ceiling and jumping off a trampoline to dunk a basketball. And to think there was a time when it didn’t have a name — and wasn’t even Grand Can yon’s first mascot. Arizona’s Grand Canyon, also playing in the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments, started its Antelope nickname in 1949, later shortened to the Lopes. A hairy mascot known as the “Purple People Eat

er” was replaced in 1981 with the antelope mascot, which didn’t get its current name until Thunder stuck in 2008.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits

The only U.S. college known as the Jackrabbits, South Dako ta State has had the moniker for so long that it’s not exactly clear how the nickname came about. It either occurred in 1905, after a newspaper cartoon said the South Dakota football team “was as quick as Jackrabbits,“ or in 1907 after a school yearbook poem changed the publication’s name to Jackrabbits, and the athletic teams followed suit. It wasn’t until 2010 that the mas cot’s name, Jack, was selected. The state of South Dako ta has two species of jackrab bits, which are actually hares and have longer ears and bigger bodies than rabbits.

R. SCOTT STOVER VIA AP

St. Francis University mascot Frankie the Friar performs during a February game.

NC Courage midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (19) in action during a game against Louisville Racing last weekend.

the stream

‘Wicked’

at home, Selena Gomez in love, Ellen Pompeo out of scrubs

What if your dad was a convicted serial killer?

The Associated Press

“Wicked” landing on Peacock for home sing a longs and Ellen Pompeo starring in her first big role since stepping back from ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” are some of this week’s new stream ing entertainment releases are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: Sele na Gomez and her fiancé, pro ducer and songwriter Benny Blanco, will release a joint al bum, Dennis Quaid stars in Paramount+’s true crime series “Happy Face” about a serial kill er, and Assassin’s Creed Shad ows brings Ubisoft’s globetrot ting, time hopping gaming epic to feudal Japan.

MOVIES TO STREAM

There’s plenty of Oscar win ners and contenders coming to streaming services now that the show is over, starting with best picture winner “Anora,” which is streaming on Hulu. Film maker Sean Baker’s odyssey of a Brooklyn sex worker whose whirlwind affair with the wild son of a Russian oligarch goes very wrong also won best direc tor, best editing and best actress for Mikey Madison. Baker de voted most of his Oscar’s speech to the importance of making movies for and seeing movies on the big screen, but don’t wor ry — we won’t tell if you decide to watch this one on the small screen first. Just put the phone down: It’s a ride worth taking.

Another big Oscar player, perhaps “Anora’s” complete op posite as a big, lavishly expen sive studio musical, “Wicked” starts streaming on Peacock on Friday. There will also be a sing a long version available and some bonus content for the super fans. Filmmaker Jon M. Chu took on the gargantu an task of adapting the Broad way musical for the big screen, and he went all out. In her re view, Jocelyn Noveck wrote, “If it feels like they made the best “Wicked” movie money could buy — well, it’s because they kinda did.” The film won two Oscars, for costume and pro duction design. And finally, a gem which got a little lost in the mix, “Sing Sing” arrives on Max on Friday. This inspired by real life film about inmates who find a creative outlet through acting and per formance earned three Oscar

nominations: for Colman Do mingo’s lead role, for the adapt ed screenplay and for best origi nal song. But don’t let its 0 for 3 result detract you from a watch. “It’s a cinematic high five to all arts programs behind bars and, in particular, the power of the ater,” AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote in his review. “The movie’s most affecting scenes are the ones that follow the inmates doing the craft — tender auditions, reciting their lines while do ing chores and working on their characters. Watching them gid dy backstage in costume before a show is all of us.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

At the end of last year, the Grammy and Emmy nominat ed multihyphenate Selena Go mez announced her engagement

to hit producer and songwrit er Benny Blanco. Music is their shared language, and on Friday, the couple will release a joint al bum, “I Said I Love Your First.” Haters of romance, turn away: This is a celebration of their af fection, but not without intro spection. That’s evident in the acoustic ballad “Scared of Lov ing You” and the pop rock single “Call Me When You Break Up,” featuring Gracie Abrams.

In the fall, the Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its mile stone 100th anniversary. But the festivities are starting much earlier. The party kicked off with a television special, “Opry 100: A Live Celebration,” which is ready to watch on Pea cock. Performers include Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Post Malone, Jel

ly Roll, Eric Church and more.

Now that’s stacked. SHOWS TO STREAM

With “Good American Fami ly” on Hulu, Ellen Pompeo stars in her first big role since step ping back from her series regu lar status on ABC’s “Grey’s Anat omy.” “Good American Family” fictionalizes the true story of Na talia Grace, a Ukrainian born orphan with dwarfism, adopted as a child by an American fami ly — who later accused her of ly ing about her age with sinister intentions. The wild tale became well known after it was the sub ject of a docuseries that debuted in 2023 on Investigation Discov ery. In “Good American Fami ly,” Pompeo and Mark Duplass play the adoptive parents of Na talia (Imogen Faith Reid). “Good

(“Sing Sing”) is a cinematic high-five to all arts programs behind bars and, in particular, the power of theater.”

Mark Kennedy, AP film reviewer

American Family” is streaming now on Hulu.

What if your dad was a con victed serial killer? That hor rific thought is a reality for TV producer and podcaster Melissa G. Moore, whose father is Keith Jesperson, now serving multi ple life sentences in prison for a string of murders in the ear ly 1990s. Moore had a loving re lationship with her father until learning of his crimes as a teen. Jesperson was called the Hap py Face Killer because he drew happy faces on confession let ters boasting about his killings. Moore’s story is played out in “Happy Face,” debuting Thurs day on Paramount+ starring Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid.

As public interest in women’s sports has surged, a new week ly talk show coming to The Roku Channel is dedicated to female athletes. “Women’s Sports Now” is hosted by former WNBA play er Renee Montgomery, comedi an Sarah Tiana and sports re porter Suzy Shuster. The show will follow women’s sports teams at the college and profes sional level. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer. It de buts Thursday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings Ubisoft’s globetrotting, time hopping epic to feudal Ja pan. This chapter tells the sto ry of Naoe, a ninja who’s out to avenge her father’s death, and Yasuke, a former slave from Af rica who went on to become a re nowned samurai. (He’s based on a real historic figure.) The dual protagonists mean you can take a different approach on each mission: Do you want to pick off your foes with stealth or rush in with swords swinging? It all takes place during the late Sen goku period of the 1500s, a tur bulent era when various war lords were fighting to control Japan. But the real question for AC fans, as always, is: Where will Naoe and Yasuke come down in the eternal struggle be tween the freedom fighters of the Assassin Brotherhood and the repressive Templar order? Grab your katana Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

“Happy Face,” “Wicked” and “Anora” are streaming this week on a device near you.

“I Said I Love You First” by Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco drops on Friday.

STATE & NATION

Residents pick up pieces after devastating storms pummel US South and Midwest

Several tornadoes touched down in western N.C.

By Safiyah Riddle and John Seewer

The Associated Press

PLANTERSVILLE, Ala. —

Kim Atchison was hunkered down in her grandmother’s storm shelter with her 5 year‑old grandson Saturday night in their tiny Alabama hometown of Plan tersville when her husband and son raced in.

“Get down; get all the way down to the bottom of the cellar,” they told her, saying they could see a twister coming.

Atchison said she remembers first the “dead silence” and then hearing the wind that felt like a funnel and things outside hitting against each other.

“All was quiet after that be cause it was that fast,” she said. “Like a snap of a finger and it was gone.”

Atchison and her family were among the fortunate ones to avoid being killed in the three‑day out break of severe weather across eight states that kicked up a dev astating combination of wild fires, dust storms and tornadoes — claiming at least 42 lives since last Friday.

Two people were killed by a twister in Plantersville. One of the lives lost was that of 82 year old Annie Free, who “just looked out for everyone,” Atchison’s hus band said. The tornado struck Free’s home, leaving only the front patio behind.

Darren Atchison spent Mon day delivering granola bars and sports drinks to the pum meled neighborhood, driving his all terrain vehicle around downed trees.

More than a half dozen hous es were destroyed while others were left in rough shape, some with walls peeled clean off. The tornado flipped a trailer onto its roof and toppled trees in every direction.

Strong winds knocked down a group of pine trees in Richland Township, Pennsylvania, during a severe thunderstorm that swept through the region Sunday.

When Heidi Howland emerged from her home af ter hiding in her bedroom un derneath a mattress with her husband, kids and grandkids as the twister approached, she found fallen trees and broken car windows.

Many of her neighbors whose houses were damaged came to her front porch to take refuge from the rain after the storm passed Saturday night. One was Free’s daughter, who Howland said cried late into the night because the first responders couldn’t find her mother.

Free’s body wasn’t found until the morning. Also killed was Dunk Pick ering, a fixture in the commu nity who often hosted live mu sic events and helped neighbors during tough times. Neighbor John Green found Pickering’s body in the wreckage of a build ing just across the street from Green’s home.

“Whether he knew you or not, he would help anyone,” Green said. “I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s been like that ever since the day I first met him.”

Green and other neighbors spent at least five hours Satur day night pulling people from the rubble and carrying them

to paramedics who were unable to reach the area because roads were blocked by debris.

Tornadoes and high winds across the South

In Mississippi, six people died and more than 200 were dis placed by a string of tornadoes across three counties, the gover nor said.

Within about an hour of each other on Saturday, two big tor nadoes tore through Walthall County, Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest one packed winds of 170 mph when it swept a well built home from its foundation, leaving a pile of debris behind, the agency said in an updated re port late Monday.

Three people died in the coun ty, including 7 year old Car ter Young, who was in a mobile home, Walthall County Coroner Chris Blackwell said. The oth er two people killed — Gabrielle Pierre, 34, and Jeffery Irvin, 42 — were in a mobile home next door to the one where Young was found, Blackwell said.

Scattered twisters and storm damage led to the deaths of at least 13 people in Missouri, in cluding a 30 year old man who

along with his dog was found dead from carbon monoxide poi soning after he was using a gen erator indoors during the storm, authorities said. In Arkansas, of ficials confirmed three deaths.

As the storm headed east, two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina ear ly Sunday, firefighters in Transyl vania County said. Firefighters found them amid the uprooted 3 foot w ide tree after relatives said they had been trapped in their bedroom, officials said.

A tornado touched down at about 3 a.m. Monday in a neigh borhood in Perquimans Coun ty, North Carolina, destroying three mobile homes and dam aging several others, according to the National Weather Service.

Eight people were injured in the community, with no reported deaths, the weather service said.

The community is about 50 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia.

Wildfires in Oklahoma

Wind driven wildfires across the state destroyed more than 400 homes over the weekend and will continue to be a threat in the coming days because of high winds.

Two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday.

Dozens of fires were still burn ing across the state on Monday, said Keith Merckx at Oklaho ma Forestry Services, and much of the state, including the Okla homa City area, remained under fire warnings.

While conditions over the weekend allowed crews to get a handle on most wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma, fore casters at the National Weath er Service said extremely criti cal fire weather conditions were expected Tuesday over an area spanning from southeastern New Mexico through the Tex as Panhandle and into western Oklahoma.

“These fires, once they get started, become really hard to stop. They move more quickly than our resources can keep up with,” Merckx said.

Four deaths so far were blamed on the fires or high winds, according to the Okla homa Department of Emergen cy Management. More than 70 homes were destroyed by wildfire outbreaks Friday in and around Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University.

Dust storms in Kansas and Texas

High winds spurred dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes Friday.

Eight people died in a Kan sas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Au thorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

DOGE cancelling federal office leases across country

A number of the leases are in North Carolina

The Associated Press

THE GENERAL Services Administration, working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has notified landlords that feder al agencies will be terminat ing hundreds of leases for offic es and buildings in the coming months.

A GSA planning document dated March 10 lists the dates when many of the cancella tions are expected to go into effect. That does not mean all

the locations will close by those dates, but agencies would have to either negotiate new leases or move elsewhere if they remain open.

Trump administration offi cials have reported that many federal offices have been near ly empty as many government employees have been working from home. The lease cancel lations come as DOGE works to slash headcount across the government, meaning less of fice space would be required to house them.

The following North Carolina leases are some of those expect ed to be canceled by the end of August or September.

• Charlotte — Geological Survey (5,316 square feet)

• Goldsboro — Natural Resources Conservation Service (5,881 square feet)

• Greensboro — Food and Drug Administration (1,579 square feet)

• Hendersonville — Farm Service Agency (5,358 square feet)

• Wilkesboro — Farm Service Agency (5,970 square feet)

• Wilmington — Internal Revenue Service National Office (14,165 square feet)

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads “DOGE” to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 9.

THOMAS SLUSSER / THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT VIA AP

Randolph record

Dark side of the moon

A total lunar eclipse rewarded those who stayed up — or were up early — last Friday morning. Photographed from Pinehurst between 1:50 and 4 a.m., a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the moon to be darkened.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months in space

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after being stuck in space for more than nine months. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico early Tuesday evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. The splashdown brought their space saga to an end. It all began with a bungled Boeing test flight last year. The two expected to be gone a week or so after launching on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. So many problems cropped up that NASA ordered Starliner back empty and reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX for the ride home.

AG, N.C. Turnpike warn of toll payment scam text messages

Raleigh Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Turnpike Authority are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass. The random texts demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls. “These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” said Jackson in a press release. “Don’t fall for them.” Clicking links can expose victims to financial fraud. The Department of Justice is working with federal and international partners to track the source, which officials believe originated in Canada before moving operations to the U.S.

$2.00

Asheboro OKs rezoning requests for housing, business expansions

The council held five separate hearings at its March 6 meeting

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council had a busy agenda at its March 6 regular business meeting, including a handful of land use hearings.

The first hearing the council held was a quasijudicial hearing for the application of a special use permit for property located at 1730 South Fayette-

ville St. for the installation of a billboard.

The council also held four rezoning requests, including one for approximately 3.7 acres of property located east of Ridgewood Circle for an amended High-Density Residential Conditional Zoning district (RA6-CZ) for a 10-dwelling, townhouse-style, planned residential development.

The second rezoning request was for approximately one acre of property located at 467 and 471 East Dorsett Ave. to rezone into an amended General Commercial Conditional Zoning

district (B2-CZ) for a manufacturing, processing and assembly light land use. The applicant is proposing to construct a 4,800-square-foot additional manufacturing and storage area, including a connecting structure to the already existing building. Per the UDO, activities described in proposed land use are “conducted wholly within an enclosed structure and not employing more than 10 persons and utilizing no more than a total of 25 horsepower in power driven machines and material handling equipment.”

However, the applicant requested an amendment to allow for up to a maximum of 25 employees at one time.

The third rezoning request for approximately 0.5 acres of property located at 4512 U.S. 220 Business North from B2 to Light Industrial Conditional Zoning district (I1-CZ) for the purpose of a vehicle towing operation including the storage and repair of motor vehicles. Per the application, the hours of operation for the repair shop would be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Asheboro city manager sworn

It’s the first time in more than two decades that there’s been turnover in the position

Randolph Record staff

ASHEBORO — Donald Duncan Jr. became the city manager in Asheboro during an oath of office ceremony Monday morning. It’s the first time in nearly a quarter century that there’s a new person in that position.

Duncan replaces retiring John Ogburn, who held the position for 24 years.

Duncan’s hiring was announced in January.

Local elected official and city staff were on hand for the ceremony welcoming Duncan. Duncan had been manager of Caldwell County for the past three years. He was previously a city manager in Conover for 15 years. Overall, he has 22 years of experience in city and county government in North Carolina. In leaving Caldwell County, Duncan sent a letter to the county staff offering thanks for his time there.

“Most importantly, we have moved the needle,” Duncan said. “We have developed a leadership team that isn’t department-focused but team-focused.”

Duncan, a graduate of Appalachian State, will be joined in Asheboro by his wife, Amanda, and children, Julianna and Aidan. It’s a time of transition for city government in Asheboro. Longtime mayor David

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Donald Duncan Jr. is sworn in as new manager for the City of Asheboro on Monday. He’s accompanied by his wife, Amanda, center, and daughter, Julianna.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

Neal

P.J.

David

THURSDAY 3.20.25

‘Ride the Rise’ campaign promotes Randolph County

There’s an effort to showcase how the county is evolving and the opportunities that exist

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — There’s a concentrated campaign to bring business interests to Randolph County and attract more residents.

This is a targeted effort on social media launched by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. This is titled “Ride the Rise,” an effort to showcase the county’s assets and d rawn attention to the county. A video touts Randolph County as “the perfect place to live, work and visit.”

It’s an effort to highlight growing industries and the need for a larger labor

CRIME LOG

March 11

• Damien Mitchell, 28, of Siler City, was arrested by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) for breaking into a motor vehicle, felony larceny, possessing stolen goods, stealing a firearm, possessing a stolen firearm, and possessing a firearm as a felon.

March 12

• Travis Thomas, 42, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for being intoxicated and disruptive.

March 13

THURSDAY MARCH 20

FRIDAY MARCH 21

SATURDAY MARCH 22

SUNDAY MARCH 23

MONDAY MARCH 24

TUESDAY MARCH 25

WEDNESDAY MARCH 26

force. “Jobs of the future” are emphasized.

“We want to redefine the narrative and showcase all the good happening here in the heart of North Carolina,” said Kevin Franklin, president of RCEDC. “Randolph County has seen incredible progress over the past decade, and now is the time to invite others to join us.”

A short video provides an overview for the “Ride the Rise.”

The goal is to highlight professional success and affordable living. Much of the campaign is targeting younger professionals or families with youth-aged children.

“If you’re not from Carolinas, you may not know us,” the video says. “But the word has gotten out about this land of opportunity. We are emerging as the place to be. A rising star in the Southeast. A place where you can find a rare kind of balance.”

The “Ride the Rise” effort highlights the county’s launching into a new era of high-wage, high-skill jobs. It notes that small businesses have grown from the ground up and been supplemented by other companies that have migrated to the county.

“We’re inviting folks outside of our community to join us and become part of our community,” a RCEDC memo says. On the RisetheRideNC.com website, there’s a “job finder” link as well as a link for “Life in Randolph County.”

The “job finder” tab provides a listing of organizations actively hiring. There are growing opportunities in health care, education and housing, based on information from the campaign.

“We’re proud to say: We’ve got it going on,” the video says. “… We’re preparing for you to join us. … Now is the time. You are the future.”

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

March 21

Friday Night

Bluegrass: True Grass

7 p.m.

True Grass is a local bluegrass and gospel band that has been picking together for many years. The group consists of Tim Moon on mandolin, Gary Callicutt on bass, William Britt on guitar, Matthew Nance on banjo and Nolan Moon on fiddle. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door one hour before showtime.

Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

March 22

• Kristen Carlson, 43, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possessing marijuana up to half an ounce, possessing marijuana paraphernalia, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

March 14

• Dominic Deloatch, 42, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for intending to sell or deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled

REZONING from page A1

Following all of those hearings, the council approved each request.

The only request to not be approved was a rezoning request for approximately a half acre of property located at 131 and 137 North Randolph Ave. from Medium Density Residential (R7.5) to B2-CZ for an open storage land use in order to be used to park cars for a mechanic shop.

“The conditional use that is on there now is for the sale of vehicles, but that is not what Atlas Automotive does,” said Jenna McKenzie, who was representing the applicant. “They do oil changes, brakes and The council pointed to the

substances, possessing marijuana, assaulting a government official, resisting a public officer, driving with a revoked license, and possessing marijuana paraphernalia.

• Ryan Pittman, 36, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for possessing stolen property, felony larceny, breaking and entering, damaging a coin or currency machine, breaking into a coin or currency machine, and injuring personal property.

• Jordan Coble, 31, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for possessing drug paraphernalia and felony possession of cocaine.

March 15

• James Bullard, 37, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for possessing methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer, and possessing a Schedule III controlled substance.

• Kevin Udofa, 35, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for second-degree trespassing.

• Jessica Williams, 38, of Climax, was arrested by RCSO for identity theft, resisting a public officer, and providing fictitious information to an officer.

• Samuel Austin, 41, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for non-support of a child.

March 16

• Quintin Kersey, 37, of Archdale, was arrested by NC Highway Patrol for possessing methamphetamine and felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

• Harry Trogdon, 50, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for assaulting a female.

• Kara Lambe, 28, of Liberty, was arrested by Randleman PD for second-degree arson.

March 17

• Daniel Sturdivant, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for second-degree trespassing.

Creekside parkrun

9 a.m.

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5K community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate — it’s up to you!

Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at The Chat & Chew or The Wet Whistle — please come and join us!

Creekside Park 214 Park Drive Archdale

Spring Fling Outdoor Market at Millstone Creek Orchards

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year, we’re welcoming 80 incredible vendors to showcase their talents and join us for two Saturdays, one in March and one in April, for a unique outdoor shopping experience at the Orchard.

Visits from the Easter Bunny

Fresh doughnuts, apple cider slushies, ice cream at Granny’s Goodies, catch-and-release fishing and Kiddie Korral Playground. Lunch and local beverages at The Cider House and more!

current cramped use, which is out-of-compliance and the complaints of neighbors for the denial.

“Sitting up here the last three years, I’ve learned a lot,” said council member Kelly Heath. “And one of the things I’ve learned is that sometimes something is just not the right thing for a space, and I feel really strongly that this is not the right thing for the space.”

The council also approved the third amendment to the design-build contract for the Wolfspeed Water Main Extension project.

“This will get us to the final design,” said Water Resources Director Michael Rhoney. “The original contract was just to get us to 75%, so this will get us from 75% to 100%. It also

provides for engineering construction services for the entire project so the engineers can do their field operations and their record drawings and all the stuff they need to do to complete the project. It also includes the construction of section three.”

The new GMP brings the total project cost to just over $34.5 million, or a change of approximately $9.5 million from the previous total.

Finally, the council approved an approximately $150,000 amendment to the existing contract with CPL Architects to provide design services for a potential batting cage facility and a concessions building at McCrary Ballpark.

The Asheboro City Council will next meet April 10.

506 Parks Crossroads Church Road Ramseur

March 24

Teen Zone: Pop Girl Music Bingo

4-5 p.m.

Play musical bingo and listen to the most popular female pop stars, Play Bingo, eat prizes, and win snacks. For more information, call 336-318-6804.

Asheboro Public Library 201 Worth St. Asheboro

March 27

Craft Café for Kids and Grownups

3:30-4:30 p.m.

A variety of crafts will be on the “menu” for hands-on experimentation and fun! Free program; no registration. Adult supervision is required.

Asheboro Public Library 201 Worth St. Asheboro

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Tariffs based on tendentious history could be political malpractice

Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy despite the warnings of top Democratic economists.

WILL THE SECOND Trump administration come undone by an economic policy based on what the British military historian Lawrence Freedman, describing Vladimir Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine, calls “tendentious history”?

This week, it started to look like the answer might be yes.

In retrospect, it’s clear how the Biden administration’s economic policy stimulated inflation, which, together with its open borders policy, defeated Joe Biden and, after his withdrawal, his designated successor, Kamala Harris. Biden took office when large parts of the American economy were demobilized by COVID-19 restrictions while other sectors and the government continued generating income for consumers who, in COVID-19 days, had no convenient way to spend it all.

To that unique situation, Biden responded in line with traditional Democrats’ “tendentious history.” For them, it’s always 1933. The economy has stalled because consumer demand has failed, and the solution is to stimulate demand with large injections of government cash and the creation of government jobs.

Actually, that’s not what Franklin Roosevelt did. His first New Deal (1933-35) tried to freeze the economy in place by propping up prices and wages, and only after that became impracticable did his Second New Deal (1935-37) seek to redistribute income. But that resulted in “the Roosevelt recession” (1937-38), and the economy was revived when Roosevelt, convinced that Adolf Hitler was a menace, increased military and defense spending.

Biden didn’t follow that course — he cut rather than increased defense spending — nor did he copy the 1963-64 Kennedy-Johnson tax cut, which produced the gush of revenues that, for a while, simultaneously financed

the Great Society and the Vietnam War.

Instead, Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy, despite the warnings of top Democratic economists Larry Summers and Jason Furman. The sharp resulting inflation was just “transitory,” Biden apologists insisted, and indeed the rate of inflation slackened. But prices never went back down, and voters remembered in 2024.

Donald Trump’s “tendentious history” is all about “a beautiful word” — tariffs. Make consumers pay more for goods from abroad, the theory goes, and factories and jobs will spring up in America.

Tariff boosters claim Alexander Hamilton as their progenitor, but he instituted low tariffs primarily because, with 18th-century technology and imports arriving only in a few ports, they were the easiest taxes for a small federal government to collect. From his time, except during the Civil War, tariffs and alcohol taxes mostly paid for the federal government until the passage of the income tax and Prohibition in the 1910s.

Trump likes to cite William McKinley, who, as House Ways and Means chairman, sponsored a tariff bill in 1890. But as president from 1897 to 1901, McKinley recognized that American industry was no longer an infant in need of protection: The United States was the leading steel producer and soon would be the leading auto producer. Just before his assassination by an anarchist, he was about to propose reciprocal tariff-cutting agreements with other nations.

Later Republican presidents regretted that tariff bills had become political pork, much like some of the stuff the Department of Government Efficiency is now targeting. After the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) helped usher in the Depression, a Democratic Congress voted to let the president (actually, Secretary of State

Trump is the world’s ‘worst’ dictator

Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

DICTATORS CRAVE power. President Donald Trump is using his power to give Americans more freedom. That’s a massive difference.

Desperate to find an effective attack against Trump, some Democrats are recycling an old one. They claim he’s an authoritarian. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) invited laid-off federal workers to attend Trump’s recent speech to Congress. She said she was standing “shoulder to shoulder with people in defiance to a dictator.” That type of defiance led Democrats to callously withhold applause from a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor simply because Trump introduced him.

Shameful.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams recently called Trump a “petty tyrant.”

The Associated Press claimed that Trump “has embarked on a dizzying teardown of the federal government and attacks on long-standing institutions in an attempt to increase his own authority.”

These accusations aren’t new. Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris frequently labeled Trump a threat to democracy. Last year, historian Jon Meacham called Trump a “tyrant” who would cause the downfall of the American Republic.

Trump said, “Long live the king.” While that was obviously not a serious claim to monarchical authority, it sent the propaganda press into a tizzy.

Many Americans believe the worst about Trump. Forty-one percent of Americans say Trump is a dictator, according to a February YouGov poll.

Those people aren’t just wrong — they have it backward. Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

It’d help to define some terms.

Merriam-Webster says a dictator is “one holding complete autocratic control.” An autocracy is a “government in which one person possesses unlimited power.” Tyrant has a similar meaning — “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution.”

Therefore, by definition, you can’t be a dictator while increasing freedom and shrinking the size and scope of government. It’s a contradiction.

That’s what Trump is doing. He rolled back Biden’s target for electric vehicle sales. He’s unshackled the energy industry. He wants to undo Biden administration restrictions on dishwashers, shower heads and light bulbs.

He’s ordered agencies to eliminate 10 previous regulations for every new one they put in place. He’s increasing freedom.

Cordell Hull) set tariff rates. This policy had bipartisan support after World War II and helped produce the postwar and 1980s and 1990s booms.

This week, Trump’s tariffophilia has been directed not against China or Europe but against Mexico and Canada, despite the USMCA he negotiated in 2018 to replace the 1994 NAFTA. He suddenly imposed 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel and raised that to 50% after Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed a 25% increase on sales of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

Ford and Trump backed down, but not before stock market prices had fallen sharply and Wall Street and political reporters started speculating that Trump tariffs and uncertainty about them, coupled with indications of weak job growth, could push the U.S. economy into recession. Free market economists joined Summers in arguing that tariffs, by imposing costs on consumers, dampen and sometimes stifle economic growth. Trump admitted, “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called tariffs “a one-time price adjustment.” This sounds no more reassuring than Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s 2021 assurance that Biden-sparked inflation was “transitory.”

Markets hate uncertainty. Trump’s repeated threats, hour-by-hour changes in policy and repeated insults that Canada should become the 51st state have done the opposite of setting the stable policy framework that investors seek. He risks catastrophic disruption of relations with Canada, with whom our relations, except longstanding arguments over softwood lumber and dairy, have been excellent and our economies intertwined.

The nontendentious lesson from history is that heedlessly cutting off and restoring the flow of trade between the U.S. and Canada is an act of economic vandalism and that a “little disturbance,” like “transitory” inflation, could turn out to be political malpractice.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co - author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Trump has fed into this. After he attacked congestion pricing in Manhattan, the White House posted a picture of him wearing a crown.

He’s also pushing for a significant tax cut. Dictators aren’t known for wanting to let you keep more of your own money.

He’s laid off tens of thousands of federal workers. Another 75,000 federal workers took buyouts. DOGE is attempting to reduce federal spending by more than $100 billion. He’s shrinking the government he runs.

The Trump administration is even gearing up to eliminate the Department of Education. In early March, Education Secretary Linda McMahon laid out “our department’s final mission.” She wants “to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children.”

Indoctrinating a nation’s children is a powerful tool for any would-be dictator. Communist dictators wanted kids’ primary loyalty to be to the government. They sought to drive a wedge between children and their parents. Trump wants to give parents more control of their children’s education.

Now, Trump is governing aggressively. The executive orders have been fast and furious. He’s closed the border. He’s clearing out the deep state. He’s rooting out DEI in the government. He’s recognized that men are not women.

But an elected official changing government policy isn’t tyranny. That’s the point of having an election. It’d be tyrannical if an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy could stop a democratically elected president from running the executive branch as he sees fit. Just look at the obstacles Trump faced in his first term.

Trump is one of the most successful men in the world, but he’s a complete failure at being a dictator.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

STATE & NATION

Residents pick up pieces after devastating storms pummel US South and Midwest

Several tornadoes touched down in western N.C.

By Safiyah Riddle and John Seewer

The Associated Press

PLANTERSVILLE, Ala.

— Kim Atchison was hunkered down in her grandmother’s storm shelter with her 5-year- old grandson Saturday night in their tiny Alabama hometown of Plantersville when her husband and son raced in.

“Get down; get all the way down to the bottom of the cellar,” they told her, saying they could see a twister coming.

Atchison said she remembers first the “dead silence” and then hearing the wind that felt like a funnel and things outside hitting against each other.

“All was quiet after that because it was that fast,” she said. “Like a snap of a finger and it was gone.”

Atchison and her family were among the fortunate ones to avoid being killed in the three- day outbreak of severe weather across eight states that kicked up a devastating combination of wildfires, dust storms and tornadoes — claiming at least 42 lives since last Friday.

Two people were killed by a twister in Plantersville. One of the lives lost was that of 82-yearold Annie Free, who “just looked out for everyone,” Atchison’s husband said. The tornado struck Free’s home, leaving only the front patio behind.

Darren Atchison spent Monday delivering granola bars and sports drinks to the pummeled neighborhood, driving his all-terrain vehicle around downed trees.

More than a half-dozen houses were destroyed while others were left in rough shape, some with walls peeled clean off. The tornado flipped a trailer onto its roof and toppled trees in every direction.

When Heidi Howland emerged from her home after hiding in her bedroom un-

derneath a mattress with her husband, kids and grandkids as the twister approached, she found fallen trees and broken car windows.

Many of her neighbors whose houses were damaged came to her front porch to take refuge from the rain after the storm passed Saturday night. One was Free’s daughter, who Howland said cried late into the night because the first responders couldn’t find her mother.

Free’s body wasn’t found until the morning. Also killed was Dunk Pickering, a fixture in the community who often hosted live music events and helped neighbors during tough times. Neighbor John Green found Pickering’s body in the wreckage of a building just across the street from Green’s home.

“Whether he knew you or not, he would help anyone,” Green said. “I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s been like that ever since the day I first met him.”

Green and other neighbors spent at least five hours Saturday night pulling people from the rubble and carrying them to paramedics who were unable

to reach the area because roads were blocked by debris.

Tornadoes and high winds across the South

In Mississippi, six people died and more than 200 were displaced by a string of tornadoes across three counties, the governor said.

Within about an hour of each other on Saturday, two big tornadoes tore through Walthall County, Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest one packed winds of 170 mph when it swept a well-built home from its foundation, leaving a pile of debris behind, the agency said in an updated report late Monday.

Three people died in the county, including 7-year-old Carter Young, who was in a mobile home, Walthall County Coroner Chris Blackwell said. The other two people killed — Gabrielle Pierre, 34, and Jeffery Irvin, 42 — were in a mobile home next door to the one where Young was found, Blackwell said.

Scattered twisters and storm damage led to the deaths of at least 13 people in Missouri, in-

cluding a 30-year-old man who along with his dog was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning after he was using a generator indoors during the storm, authorities said. In Arkansas, officials confirmed three deaths.

As the storm headed east, two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday, firefighters in Transylvania County said. Firefighters found them amid the uprooted 3-foot-wide tree after relatives said they had been trapped in their bedroom, officials said.

A tornado touched down at about 3 a.m. Monday in a neighborhood in Perquimans County, North Carolina, destroying three mobile homes and damaging several others, according to the National Weather Service.

Eight people were injured in the community, with no reported deaths, the weather service said. The community is about 50 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia.

Wildfires in Oklahoma

Wind-driven wildfires across the state destroyed more than 400 homes over the weekend

Two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday.

and will continue to be a threat in the coming days because of high winds.

Dozens of fires were still burning across the state on Monday, said Keith Merckx at Oklahoma Forestry Services, and much of the state, including the Oklahoma City area, remained under fire warnings.

While conditions over the weekend allowed crews to get a handle on most wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma, forecasters at the National Weather Service said extremely critical fire weather conditions were expected Tuesday over an area spanning from southeastern New Mexico through the Texas Panhandle and into western Oklahoma.

“These fires, once they get started, become really hard to stop. They move more quickly than our resources can keep up with,” Merckx said.

Four deaths so far were blamed on the fires or high winds, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. More than 70 homes were destroyed by wildfire outbreaks Friday in and around Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University.

Dust storms in Kansas and Texas

High winds spurred dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes Friday.

Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

DOGE cancelling federal office leases across country

A number of the leases are in North Carolina

The Associated Press

THE GENERAL Services Administration, working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has notified landlords that federal agencies will be terminating hundreds of leases for offices and buildings in the coming months.

A GSA planning document dated March 10 lists the dates when many of the cancellations are expected to go into effect. That does not mean all

the locations will close by those dates, but agencies would have to either negotiate new leases or move elsewhere if they remain open.

Trump administration officials have reported that many federal offices have been nearly empty as many government employees have been working from home. The lease cancellations come as DOGE works to slash headcount across the government, meaning less office space would be required to house them.

The following North Carolina leases are some of those expected to be canceled by the end of August or September.

• Charlotte — Geological Survey (5,316 square feet)

• Goldsboro — Natural Resources Conservation Service (5,881 square feet)

• Greensboro — Food and Drug Administration (1,579 square feet)

• Hendersonville — Farm Service Agency (5,358 square feet)

• Wilkesboro — Farm Service Agency (5,970 square feet)

• Wilmington — Internal Revenue Service National Office (14,165 square feet)

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads “DOGE” to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 9.

THOMAS SLUSSER / THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT VIA AP

Strong winds knocked down a group of pine trees in Richland Township, Pennsylvania, during a severe thunderstorm that swept through the region Sunday.

James Steward Wooten Jr.

Oct. 30, 1937 – March 8, 2025

John Stewart Wooten Jr. was born in La Grange, NC, to John Stewart Wooten Sr. and Pearl Gray Mooring Wooten on October 30, 1937. He passed away in his home in Asheboro, NC on March 8, 2025, at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marlene; three children: Dail W. (Bob) Hovey, John “Jay” Stewart Wooten, III (Kim Schweibinz), Bill (Beth) Wooten; eight grandchildren: Katie H. (Marcus) Rhoads, Mandie H. (Joe) McKenzie, Bobby (Lauren) Hovey, John “Stewart” (Cameron) Wooten, IV, Ashley W. (Zane) Bennett, Taylor W. (Dylan) Rhudy, Will Wooten (Marc Neith) and Leah Schweibinz; and twelve greatgrandchildren: Owen McKenzie, Ella McKenzie, Amber Rhoads, Maggie Rhoads, Janie Rhoads, Will Rhoads, Abigail Hovey, Layla Hovey, Lawson Bennett, Tucker Bennett, Levi Rhudy, and Olivia Wooten.

The family extends great appreciation to special caregivers, Jackie Terry, Madison Smith, Amber Muck, and Sheila Guy.

He was raised in La Grange, NC, was a member of La Grange Christian Church, and graduated from La Grange High School in 1955. Stewart met Marlene Overman at a dance in Snow Hill in the summer of 1957. They married on July 26, 1959, and both graduated from East Carolina University (B.S. 1959, M.Ed. 1965). He was a teacher, coach, and principal in multiple North Carolina schools for thirty years. Stewart and Marlene raised their children primarily in Scotland Neck, NC and Asheboro, NC. Throughout his life, he vacationed in Atlantic Beach, NC, and built a house there in 1975. He treasured his immediate and extended family. The Wooten family and friends enjoyed many family celebrations at the beach house over the years. Over his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, boating, and followed Eastern Randolph High School football.

Stewart joined the North Carolina Lions Club and was a member for over fifty years. He served as Asheboro Lions Club President, a Vice-District 31-D Governor, a District 31-D Governor and later as NC Lions President from 2011-2012. He was a member of the NC Lions Foundation and was honored with recognition into the NC Lions Hall of Fame in 2019.

Stewart enjoyed visiting and serving at Camp Dogwood and attending the International Lions Club Conventions in Hawaii and Thailand.

Stewart was a member of Central Church in Asheboro.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Central Church, 300 S. Main Street, Asheboro, NC on Wednesday, March 19 at 2 p.m. followed by a reception in the Family Life Center. A service will also be held on March 20 at 2 p.m. at LaGrange Christian Church, 202 W. Washington Street, LaGrange, NC with interment at Fairview Cemetery, 107 N. Forbes Street immediately following.

Stewart requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to North Carolina Lions Foundation (Camp Dogwood, a camp serving the blind and visually impaired): PO Box 39, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673.

James Kenneth Johnson

Sept. 28, 1973 –March 15, 2025

James Kenneth Johnson (Kenneth) 51 of Randleman peacefully departed for his new home on March 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. Kenneth was a native of Randolph County where he attended Randleman High School. Kenneth was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved spending time outdoors and with family and friends. He was loved by so many. Kenneth is survived by his loving family, his fiancé Niki and daughter Matilda of the home. His other daughter Linley Johnson of Asheboro, his mother Linda Yarbrough of Winnabow, NC. His sister Stephanie Wilson of Asheboro, one nephew Austin Garner of Level Cross and many close friends he considered as his brothers.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service for Kenneth on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 2 p.m., at the Pugh Funeral Home, 600 S. Main Street, Randleman, NC. To honor Kenneth’s wishes the family requests everyone attending the service dress in casual clothes, just the way Kenneth would. Pugh Funeral Home Randleman is proudly serving the Johnson family.

Rebecca Cox

March 1, 1940 – March 11, 2025

Rebecca Garner Cox, 85, of Asheboro passed away on March 11, 2025, at Cross Road Retirement Community.

Mrs. Cox was born in Asheboro on March 1, 1940, to Grady and Esther Hogan Garner. In addition to her parents, Becky was preceded in death by her husband, Tommie Cox Sr. and sisters, Betsy Johstono and husband Don, Golda Cox and husband Jack. Becky was a very nurturing lady who loved her children and taking care of her grandsons. She was a seamstress and an excellent cook, her specialties being persimmon pudding, chocolate pies, and oatmeal cookies. She enjoyed planting her pansies every spring and loved celebrating Christmas and birthdays, always going the extra mile to make them special. She is survived by her children, Cindy Cox Morris (Tom) of Asheboro, Tom Cox Jr. (Cindy) of Randleman, and Bryan Cox of Asheboro; grandsons, Zachary Cox (Shanda) of Walkertown, Daniel Morris (Betsy) of Asheboro, and David Morris (Elizabeth) of Waverly, PA; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. A graveside service will follow on Saturday at 2:00 pm at Oaklawn Cemetery with Pastor Terry Lane officiating.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Cross Road Memory Care for the love and care given to Becky. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cross Road Memory Care, 1302 Old Cox Road, Asheboro, NC 27205.

Anna Wilkins

Aug. 17, 1936 – March 14, 2025

Mrs. Anna Lee Jean Wilkins 88 of Sophia passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Friday, March 14, 2025, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Wilkins loved her very large family and enjoyed cooking and spending time with them. Working with plants and flowers was one of her favorite things to do. She so much enjoyed reading classic books. For many years, she joined her husband and sons painting commercial and residential properties. She never met a stranger and no matter where, at a checkout counter or at a restaurant she always told them how much she appreciated what they did. Her first love was God, and she never had a meal without first blessing the food. Her next love was her husband of 36 years, Oliver Wilkins, who passed away too young. They were married on December 6, 1956, and together had five beautiful children. One of Mrs. Wilkins favorite past times was taking rides with the kids in the spring and fall, seeing all the various brilliant colors of the season.

Mrs. Wilkins is survived by her daughters, Darlene Davidson (Randy) of Sophia, Kimberley Tyson of Sophia, Melody Martinez (Ricky) of Seagrove; sons, Timothy Wilkins of Climax and Oliver Wilkins Jr. (Susan) of Asheboro. Eight grandchildren Kevin-Shane-Brandi-MichaelTJ-Cali-Heather and Stephanie; 11 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Oliver and 1 brother William Bill Thompson.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Wilkins will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Pugh Funeral Home, 600 S. Main Street, Randleman. Visitation will be Thursday prior to the service from 12:00-12:50 p.m. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Dover Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston Salem in memory of Mrs. Wilkins.

Pugh Funeral HomeRandleman is proudly serving the Wilkins family.

Marilyn Cagle Owen

Dec. 22, 1950 – March 16, 2025

Marilyn C. Owen, 74, of Southern Pines, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025, at the FirstHealth Hospice House. Born on December 22, 1950, to Frank and Mary Cagle. Marilyn was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who touched the lives of many with her kindness and unwavering love for her family. She was married for 54 wonderful years to her devoted husband, William “Bill” Owen. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Marilyn is also survived by her son, Mark Owen, and his wife, Andrea; granddaughter, Madison Owen; sister, Cheryl Lambert, and husband, Boyd; brother, Frankie Cagle, and wife, Jennifer; niece, Heather Parsons, and daughter, Lacey; nephew, Josh Cagle, wife, Sara, and son, Nathaniel; and nephew, Bryce Owen. Marilyn owned and operated a successful electrology practice for 40 years. Her clients were treated with deep care, compassion and the highest level of professional expertise.

She also had a deep love for animals, especially her beloved cat, Cato, who brought her endless joy and companionship. Marilyn’s warmth, generosity, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her family finds comfort in knowing that she is at peace and that her legacy of love will live on in those she leaves behind.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to FirstHealth Hospice, 251 Campground Road, West End, NC 27376.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Owen family.

James W. Small

Sept. 19, 1953 –March 10, 2025

James W Small (Jim) of Randleman passed on to his Heavenly home on March 10, 2025, with Sheri, his wife of 51 years at his side. Jim fought a courageous battle with metastatic colon cancer and Parkinson’s dementia for the past 15 months. Jim was born September 19, 1953, to Jim and Frances Small of Graham, who preceded him in death.

Jim is survived by his wife Sheri Tucker Small, and his children Jennifer Strickland (Tuck) of Randleman and Jonathan Small (Brenna) of Sophia. Grandsons Noah (Payton), Owen, Kai, and Jaxton Strickland, Hendersen Small, Lincoln and Merritt Lamb. And last but not least, greatgranddaughter Zivah Strickland. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Garner (Cliff) of Gibsonville; Janna Davis (Kenny) of Mebane and brother, Chris Small (Dewayne) of Burlington. He was preceded in death by another brother Mike Small. Jim worked at the NC ZOO in Asheboro for 35 years, primarily as an Elephant Keeper, with C’sar being his favorite. He retired in June 2011, leaving with many wonderful memories and lifelong friends.

Jim was also active with the Randleman High School Athletic Boosters and served as the football scoreboard/clock operator from 1995 to 2024. He was a member of New Salem United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Methodist Men.

The family expresses their love and appreciation to those who cared for and prayed for Jim. Randolph Cancer Center (Dr. Everett Ribakove and his staff, including the Infusion Teams). Dr. Thomas Whyte and staff, Dr. Michael Lininger and staff, Randolph Home Health. Hospice of Randolph County made it possible for Jim to stay at home as he wished and provided outstanding medical and moral support.

We are thankful for the many prayers, cards, letters and phone calls that kept us going on this journey. God Bless!!

Hong Kong billionaire property developer Lee Shau Kee

He was key to the city’s development for decades

The Associated Press

HONG KONG — Lee Shau

Kee, a Hong Kong billionaire property developer who led one of the biggest real estate empires in the former British territory, has died. He was 97.

The company that he founded said Lee died on Monday evening peacefully with his family by his side. No cause of death was given.

Lee founded Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. in 1976 and was its chairman and managing director until 2019. He was succeeded by his sons, Peter Lee and Martin Lee, the company’s chairpersons.

Forbes listed Lee as Hong Kong’s second-richest person with $29.2 billion in its latest ranking.

Under Henderson Land’s belt are landmarks like the International Finance Centre complex and ifc mall in Central, a vibrant commercial district.

Lee was born in Guangdong province, the coastal re -

dead at 97

KIN CHEUNG / AP PHOTO

gion in southern China across from Hong Kong. He moved to the city in 1948 and became a key player in the real estate industry.

Like other Hong Kong tycoons, Lee was also one of the key philanthropists who contributed to the development of Hong Kong and mainland China. In 2007, the Hong Kong government awarded him the Grand Bauhinia Medal as a recognition of his outstanding contribution to education and com-

Henderson Land Development’s founder and chairman

Lee Shau Kee attends a news conference as he announces his retirement after the company’s general meeting in Hong Kong in 2019.

munity service.

Hong Kong leader John Lee expressed condolences over the tycoon’s death and praised him for being an outstanding business leader and entrepreneur. Lee highlighted his generous donations to various universities in Hong Kong and mainland China, and his support in nurturing talent.

Lee Shau Kee is survived by two sons and three daughters that he had shared with his ex-w ife.

between the states

Civil War reenactors from across the United States gathered to stage the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event marked the 160th anniversary of the state’s largest and most significant engagement of the Civil War, a fierce clash that unfolded over three days, from March 19-21, 1865. The original battle brought together more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops in a brutal struggle that left a lasting mark on the region’s history. The reenactment drew enthusiasts and historians alike, who donned period-appropriate uniforms and employed authentic tactics to honor the soldiers who fought and the legacy of the conflict.

RandolpH SPORTS

Varner to return to coach Randleman girls

The Tigers had huge success during his first stint with the basketball team

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

RANDLEMAN — Brandon Varner is returning to the role of girls’ basketball coach at Randleman, appreciating a strong commitment from school officials to the program.

“It was their passion about girls’ basketball and they really wanted me to lead that team,”

Varner said. “From the get-go, (principal Corey Phillips) was pretty passionate about that girls’ basketball team.”

Varner stepped away following five seasons directing the Tigers in the spring of 2023. He’ll be the third coach in three seasons in 2025-26, following Steve Rightmyer and Scott Tyson. Last spring, he was contacted by Phillips about the opening, but he said he didn’t want to discuss the possibility of returning. That changed this time when the position became vacant. Varner said Phillips and athletics director Jake Smith

“There

was a piece of me that did miss

it.”

Brandon Varner, Randleman coach

“weren’t going to take no for an answer.”

Varner is a teacher and assistant football coach at Randleman Middle School, where he also has been athletics director. He’ll no longer handle AD duties there.

“Last time, I just had so

Trinity wrestler learned to cope with injury

The senior overcame a torn knee ligament to win a Class 2A state championship

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

TRINITY — By the time the postseason for the high school wrestling season arrived, Trinity senior Lawson Coltrane knew there could be obstacles. He tried not to think about one of

the biggest challenges he would face. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the season. But if he wanted to achieve his goal, he would have to deal with it.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” Coltrane said.

“It kind of happened, and I was, ‘All right, well, I can still do it.’ ” And he did, winning the Class 2A state championship at 165 pounds.

The torn ligament in his right knee occurred against a Holly Ridge opponent during the regular season.

“At first it was hard,” Coltrane said. “But just adapt and survive.”

That resulted in down time and strategic adjustments.

“We babied him a little while,” coach Brandon Coggins said. “He has adapted. We’ve changed some style.”

But it didn’t change Coltrane’s mentality or his ability to overpower opponents. He was in his fair share of grueling matches.

After all, he had prepared for this, though it was a process. He was at about 190 pounds as

See COLTRANE, page B3

much on my plate,” he said. Varner’s teams went 103-20 during his first stint as coach, including 88-10 in the last four seasons.

He said he rarely attended the varsity team’s games the past couple of years, though he was on hand for a first-round victory against Providence Grove in the Class 2A state playoffs last month.

“There was a piece of me that did miss it,” Varner said.

Randleman went 16-11 during the past season. The Tigers had a string of three consecutive seasons without a

Piedmont Athletic Conference loss end.

Bella Byman and Kadie Green, who’ll be seniors next season, played as freshmen on Varner’s last team.

“I’ll be jumping back into it with another group,” the coach said. “It’s going to be a lot of work. We’re going into a new conference.” Assistant coaches will be Taylor Gantt, a former Randleman player, and Shawn Cassidy, who previously assisted Varner.

Tyson is heading for a physical education job at Thomasville.

Tigers, Cougars excel in softball

Baseball teams from Randleman and Providence Grove swept league series

Randolph Record staff

HERE ARE SOME highlights from last week’s spring sports competitions.

Softball

Kaylee Phillips homered and doubled when host Randleman defeated Eastern Randolph 6-1. Kinzie Ivey pitched six innings and Addyson Dees finished in the circle in Randleman’s 4 -3 home victory vs. Montgomery Central. Dees had a double and triple in the Tigers’ 6-3 victory at Wheatmore.

• Southwestern Randolph’s Kami Dunn drove in three runs in a 16-1 victory against visiting Trinity. Macie Crutchfield fired a five-hitter as Southwestern Randolph defeated North Davidson 2-1 at home. Then came Crutchfield’s 12-strikeout effort in the Cougars’ 8-0 victory at Providence Grove.

• Uwharrie Charter Academy defeated host Trinity 16-0 on Katelyn West’s shutout with seven strikeouts, Kassidy Babula’s four runs batted in and Kayla Brown’s three runs scored. West drove in three runs in a 7-6 home victory against Chatham Central.

• Callie Lambert homered in Providence Grove’s 15-0 home cruising past Wheatmore.

See ROUNDUP, page B3

Providence Grove won three times in girls’ soccer last week, averaging more than five goals per game

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

After a two-year absence, Brandon Varner will return to a coaching role with the Randleman girls’ basketball team.

Trinity’s Lawson Coltrane was delighted after winning the Class 2A championship at 165 pounds against Connor Byrd of Bandys.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

HOME PLATE

Taryn Waugh

West teams excel in title games for prep basketball

Alamance 43, North Wilkes 33

• Class 2A boys: Reidsville 71, Northwood 54

Providence Grove, girls’ soccer

Waugh has been on another scoring tear for the Patriots, reaching a milestone last week.

The senior forward eclipsed the 100-goal mark for her career while Providence Grove won three games.

In nine games this season, she has racked up 26 goals. She has scored at least 23 goals in all four seasons with the Patriots.

Waugh, a captain, notched one goal and two assists vs. Central Davidson, four goals and an assist vs. Southwestern Randolph and three goals and an assist vs. East Davidson.

The Patriots entered this week with an 8-1 record.

Randolph Record staff

WINSTON-SALEM — Here’s a look at the state championship results for boys’ and girls’ ba sketball in the North Carolina High school Athletic Association.

State finals were played Friday and Saturday at Joel Coliseum.

FRIDAY

• Class 1A boys: Corvian Community 58, Southern Wake 55, OT

• Class 1A girls: Cherokee 84, East Bladen 48

• Class 3A girls: Western Alamance 76, Cramer 58

• Class 3A boys: Greensboro Smith 64, Southern Durham 62, OT

SATURDAY

• Class 4A girls: Lake Norman 43, Wakefield 41

• Class 4A boys: North Mecklenburg 59, New Hanover 56

• Class 2A girls: Southeast

Of the eight state champions, six of the winners came from the West Region. The exceptions were the girls’ teams from Western Alamance and Southeast Alamance.

Regional finals were held last week on Monday through Thursday, also at Joel Coliseum. Among regional finalists, the only team to face a Randolph County team during the state playoffs were the East Burke girls, who lost to North Wilkes in the Class 2A West Region final. East Burke defeated Randleman in the second round.

Asheboro’s Elijah Woodle and Maci Columbia were selected for special honors

Randolph Record staff

HERE’S A LIST of the Mid-Piedmont Conference’s major award winners plus Asheboro’s all-conference selections for winter sports.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Player of the Year: Adam Grier (Ledford)

Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Loucas Shoaf (Oak Grove), Elijah Woodle (Asheboro)

Coach of the Year: Ann Ferguson (Ledford)

Asheboro: Elijah Woodle, Osiris Rodriguez, Jalial Timmons

The driver moved up fast in the main event at Caraway Speedway

Randolph Record staff

SOPHIA — Jeremy Gerstner was the big winner in the March Modness by taking the 75-lap race Saturday at Caraway Speedway. Starting in the fourth position, Gerstner broke away following a redraw. Burt Myers was the runner-up, while Brandon Ward took third, fol-

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Co-Players of the Year: Cora Hadley (Oak Grove), Izzy Ferguson (Ledford)

Defensive Player of the Year: Emma Hadley (Oak Grove)

Coach of the Year: Catlyn Moser (Ledford)

Asheboro: None

BOYS’ SWIMMING

Swimmer of the Year: Josh Vogi (Oak Grove)

Coach of the Year: Jennifer Brinkley (North Davidson)

Asheboro: Stefan Reedy

GIRLS’ SWIMMING

Swimmer of the Year: Maci

Columbia (Asheboro)

Coach of the Year: Jennifer Brinkley (North Davidson)

Asheboro: Maci Columbia

BOYS’ WRESTLING

Wrestler of the Year: Nathan McCartney (Central Davidson)

Coach of the Year: Jake Smith (Central Davidson)

Asheboro: Omar Basyouny, Esteban Santos, Oscar Zelaya, Bearik Bigelow, Jeffrey Harper

GIRLS’ WRESTLING

Wrestler of the Year: Delana Gibson (Oak Grove)

Coach of the Year: Jason Smith (Oak Grove)

Asheboro: Emma Redding, Andrea Thornton

March

lowed by Gary Putnam and Blake Barney. In the Carolina Crate Modified Series, Sean McElearney took the top spot, with Dylan Ward second. Cody Norman, Mitchell Ward and Tyler Grynewicz were second through fifth. In the Chargers division, Matthew Smith led the last 23 laps to capture victory in the 35-lapper. Fast qualifier Justin Hathcock was second, followed by Tony Houman, Blake Shupe and Miguel Cesar Jr. The UCARs had a 20-lap race, with Jeremy Kidd the

winner in front of Josh Phillips. In the Crown Vic division, Steven Collins was the winner in front of fast qualifier Steven Herring.

The U.S. Legends Car held a feature, with Josh Lowe winning.

The Bandolero race won by Charlie Evans in the 15-lap event. After a weekend off, the Dogwood 200 is scheduled for March 29 with Limited Late Models, Mini Stocks, Chargers, UCARs, 602 Modifieds, Crown Vics, Legends and Bandoleros.

COURTESY PHOTO

Teammates celebrate with Providence Grove’s Taryn Waugh at a game last week.

There were several close results in state finals for boys’ and girls’ basketball

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Asheboro’s Osiris Rodriguez looks to make a move against North Davidson during the past boys’ basketball season.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” published, Patty Hearst convicted, Exxon Valdez’s oil spilled in Alaska

The Associated Press

MARCH 20

1815: Napoleon Bonaparte returned to Paris after escaping his exile on Elba, beginning his “Hundred Days” rule.

1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe’s influential novel about slavery, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was first published in book form; it would become the best-selling novel of the 19th century.

1976: Kidnapped newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was convicted of armed robbery for her part in a San Francisco bank holdup carried out by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

MARCH 21

1952: The Moondog Coronation Ball, considered the first rock ’n’ roll concert, took place at Cleveland Arena.

1963: The United States closed Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary; more than 1,500 inmates had been jailed at the island prison off the coast of San Francisco.

1965: Civil rights demonstrators led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. began their third attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

MARCH 22

1765: The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to raise money from the American colonies, which fiercely resisted the tax.

1894: Ice hockey’s first Stanley Cup championship game was played, with the Montreal Hockey Club defeating the Ottawa Hockey Club, 3-1.

1963: The Beatles’ debut album, “Please Please Me,”

a freshman before refining his body.

After a third-place finish in 2024, he realized how close he was to winning gold.

“I was naturally built. I had pretty good genes,” Coltrane said. “I figured out if I get in the gym, I could find pretty good progress. I worked out all summer and went to offseason practices. I’d like to say I gained a little bit of muscle on me.”

He wasn’t about to allow the injury to become an excuse.

“He’s special,” Coggins said. “It’s how he had deal with it.”

Coltrane defeated Lexington’s Leviathan Haynes 7-4 in the Midwest Regional final.

That night he acknowledged being “a little bit banged up.” As much as he cherished that outcome, he said it “doesn’t really count.”

That’s because the biggest prize would come in the state tournament.

There were contrasts for Coltrane from the regional to the states. In the regional, the 165 division was the last bout contested in the finals.

“That gave a lot of time for me to reflect,” he said of the wait.

For the states, the 165 division went first in the title round. So of Randolph County’s nine champions at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, Coltrane became the first to have his hand raised.

While he was prone to dominate matches early in the season, the close results that lasted the full six minutes were fine with Coltrane.

“Last year, I had a lot of them,” he said.

was released in the United Kingdom.

MARCH 23

1775: Patrick Henry delivered an address to the Virginia Provincial Convention in which it is said he declared, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

1919: Benito Mussolini founded his fascist political movement in Milan, Italy.

1942: The first Japanese Americans incarcerated by the U.S. Army during World War II arrived at the internment camp at Manzanar, California.

MARCH 24

1882: German scientist Robert Koch announced in Berlin that he had discovered the bacillus responsible for tuberculosis.

1980: Catholic Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador was shot to death by a sniper as he celebrated Mass in San Salvador.

1989: The supertanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on a reef in Alaska’s Prince William Sound and began leaking an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil.

MARCH 25

1894: Jacob S. Coxey be -

gan a march from Massillon, Ohio, leading an “army” of as many as 500 unemployed workers to Washington, D.C., to demand help from the federal government.

1931: In the so-called “Scottsboro Boys” case, nine young black men were taken off a train in Alabama and accused of raping two white women. After years of convictions, death sentences and imprisonment, the nine were eventually vindicated.

1965: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led 25,000 people to the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery, completing a five-day march from Selma to protest the denial of voting rights to black Americans.

MARCH 26

1812: An earthquake devastated Caracas, Venezuela, causing as many as 30,000 deaths.

1917: The Seattle Metropolitans became the first American ice hockey team to win the Stanley Cup, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 9-1 to win the championship series, three games to one.

1997: The bodies of 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate religious cult who took their own lives were found inside a rented mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

During the state semifinal against Wilkes Central’s Connor Ridgell, the brace on Coltrane’s knee was slipping down his lower leg, something he said occurred occasionally. But there was no time to think about anything other than defeating Ridgell. The result was a 5-3 decision.

“I was scared about that,” Coltrane said. “But I didn’t want pull it up because then that means I’m worried about it. I want to be fully into the match.” The next day, he defeated

Conor Byrd of Bandys by 7-2 in the state final.

“I’ve been wanting this for a while,” Coltrane said. “When I was little even before I started wrestling, I thought a ring would be cool, but I just don’t know how to get one. … Secured it.”

Coltrane’s record for the season was 44-1, the only loss to another state champion. Then he would plan for a March surgery.

“He’s a workhorse like this,” Coggins said. “That’s why he’s where he’s at. A testament to him.”

Ruby Caudle had two doubles and scored three runs.

Baseball

Randleman’s Braxton Walker threw a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts and a walk in Friday’s 5-0 victory at Eastern Randolph.

The Tigers beat Eastern Randolph 9-4 earlier last week at home. Jake Riddle pitched into the seventh inning and struck out 10 batters while also driving in five runs. Alex Kivett had four hits for Eastern Randolph.

• Trinity and Wheatmore split meetings, each winning at home. Trinity won 10-7 before Wheatmore’s Rowan Wagner went 5-for-5 with three runs scored and Clay Hill homered and scored four times in a 13-7 triumph.

• Providence Grove beat Southwestern Randolph twice, 8-3 at home as Jacob Flinchum’s four runs batted in were highlights. In the rematch, Canaan Sheppard knocked in three runs and Andrew Thomas pitched five innings in the 6-2 road decision.

• Southwestern Randolph avenged a nonleague loss to Ashe-

boro by winning 7-2 on the road on Logan Weidman’s five-hitter. Carson Coltrane knocked in three runs.

• Alex Carver and Brody Eagle combined in a one-hitter in UCA’s 5-0 road victory against Asheboro. Carver struck out eight in five innings.

Girls’ soccer

Taryn Waugh posted four goals and Rylee Stover had two goals when Providence Grove topped host Southwestern Randolph 6-2. Stover notched two goals when the Patriots defeated host Central Davidson 3-0. The Patriots topped visiting East Davidson 7-3 behind Waugh’s three goals along with two goals each from Alyssa Mesmer and Stover.

• Southwestern Randolph took a 4-0 nonleague victory against visiting Thomasville behind two goals from Ashlynn Harbor.

• Jocelyn McDowell supplied two goals in Wheatmore’s 3-2 overtime win against visiting Trinity.

• Jaira Arellano’s goal held up in Asheboro’s 1-0 road victory against Richmond County. Penny Smith had the Blue Comets’ goal in a 1-0 decision at Southeast Guilford.

ROUNDUP from page B1

COLTRANE from page B1

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

Trinity’s Lawson Coltrane receives a hug from his mother, Jena Coltrane, after winning the Class 2A Midwest Regional last month in Lexington.

AP PHOTO

The 987-foot tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Alaska’s Prince William Sound on March 24, 1989. An estimated 11 million gallons of thick, toxic crude oil was released into the water.

Memorial service held for R&B singer Angie Stone

Her “The Art of Love & War” peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200

By Jeff Martin

The Associated Press

AUSTELL, Ga. — Musical artists and loved ones last Friday mourned Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone, who was killed in a car crash earlier this month.

Mourners filed into the massive Word of Faith Cathedral west of Atlanta, taking their seats around a silver-and-gold casket surrounded by a sea of red roses.

“In her song ‘No More Rain (In This Cloud),’ she says my sunshine is coming, and I’m all cried out,” filmmaker and entertainment executive Tyler Perry said last Friday’s service.

“There’s no more rain in this cloud,” he said. “The beauty of what she was talking about is when a cloud has no more tears, it dissipates, it’s gone.”

The song, like so many of Stone’s hits, found great success. It reached No. 1 for 10 weeks on Billboard’s Adult R&B airplay chart.

The cargo van she was riding in flipped over and was then hit by a truck on March 1 near Montgomery, Alabama, music producer and Stone’s longtime manager Walter Millsap III said. Everyone else in the

“There’s no more rain in this cloud. The beauty of what she was talking about is when a cloud has no more tears, it dissipates, it’s gone.”

Tyler Perry

van survived except Stone, who was 63. Online tributes from fans and fellow artists poured in after her death.

“God is good even when life is not, and so we celebrate the life of our sister that has been well-lived,” said Bishop Dale Bronner, the church’s senior pastor.

Many acclaimed musical artists performed at the service, including Keke Wyatt, Anthony Hamilton and Kirk Franklin.

Before Wyatt sang, she recalled how Stone would call her in the middle of the night to pray with her or give her encouragement.

“She was so beautiful,” Wyatt said. “Like seriously, I love her music, and I love her voice and all that. But her as a person trump all of that.”

The church-grown singer was born in Columbia, where music was always in her life since she was a child, Stone

told The Associated Press in a 1999 interview. Her mother would sing around the house, and her father sang gospel and blues at establishments around Columbia.

Another service ws held Saturday in Columbia, at First Nazareth Baptist Church.

Stone was a member of the all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence and known for the hit song “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.” She helped form The Sequence, the first all-female group on the hip-hop trailblazing imprint Sugar Hill Records, becoming one of the first female groups to record a rap song.

The group recorded “Funk You Up,” which has been sampled by numerous artists, including Dr. Dre.

After finding success in the early 1980s, Stone later joined the trio Vertical Hold before launching her solo career.

Stone created hits like “Baby” with legendary soul singer Betty Wright, another No. 1 hit; and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” and “Brotha.”

She found a sweet spot in the early 2000s as neo-soul begin to dominate the R&B landscape with the emergence of singers like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Maxwell and D’Angelo.

Her 2001 album “Mahogany Soul” reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200, while 2007’s “The Art of Love & War” peaked at No. 11.

R&B singer Angie Stone was killed in a car crash south of Montgomery, Alabama, on March 1. She was 63.

Castleberry aims for Franzen-style saga with second book, ‘The Californians’

Art is the most resonant theme of the novel

By Rob Merrill The Associated Press

LIKE ITS characters, Brian Castleberry’s second novel, “The Californians,” is full of ambition. It spans eras of American history, diving into everything from the heyday of silent cinema and the Reagan administration to the rise of cryptocurrency. Threading through it all are the intersected stories of two families, the Stiegls and the Harlans.

There’s a helpful family tree in the preface that readers will find themselves referring to multiple times until they understand who is related to whom and how. The plot starts in the current day, with the ripped-from-the-headlines destruction of Tinsley, California, by a wildfire. The novel’s opening sentence foreshadows what’s to come as a young man flees the devastation: “In a couple of days, Tobey Harlan will steal from the walls of his father’s home three large paintings by Di Stiegl … valued in the tens of millions.”

It’s a strong start, but the novel’s structure makes it hard to deliver on that promise. After Tobey makes it safely to a

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

neighbor’s daughter’s house in Stockton, we’re treated to a Variety article from 1928 about the end of silent cinema, and then we zoom back in time to 1925 and meet Klaus von Stiegl, nee Klaus Aaronsohn, a German who loves movies and basically invents himself as a film director and makes his way from Queens to Hollywood. Then it’s on to 1979, when Klaus’ granddaughter Diane (“Di” for short) drops out of NYU and starts a career as

an avant-garde artist, employing a photo-realist style to capture the gritty city. Between chapters there are also snippets from letters, text messages, and more news stories and reviews, all designed to establish the time period and fill in plot details before we return to the story’s characters. It can be overwhelming at times.

The connecting tissue between Klaus and Di — art — is the most resonant theme of the novel. Those two main characters, often in crisis, are always creating, leaving something behind to be appreciated or ignored. There’s a great scene toward the end of the book featuring Klaus and Di, in 1971, when he tells her: “In America, art is always paid for by somebody and griped about by somebody else. … Occasionally something breaks through, people see it, people like it, their lives are changed by an infinitesimal degree.”

That’s as good a summary of “The Californians” as any, and readers will have to decide if the novel does indeed break through for them. For this reader, it did not, but Klaus has some words of wisdom for critics like me: “If you make things for a living, total strangers will show up in your life to tell you how you did it wrong.”

GREGORY SMITH / AP PHOTO

MARINER BOOKS VIA AP

“The Californians” is author Brian Castleberry’s second novel.

Spike Lee is 68, William Shatner turns 94, Elton John hits 78, Diana Ross celebrates 81

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

MARCH 20

Basketball Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley is 80. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr is 77. Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan is 74. Film director Spike Lee is 68.

MARCH 21

Football Hall of Fame coach Tom Flores is 88. Actor Gary Oldman is 67. Actor Matthew Broderick is 63.

MARCH 22

MARCH 23 Singer Chaka Khan is

MARCH 24

MARCH 25

the stream

es on confession letters boasting about his killings. Moore’s story is played out in “Happy Face,” debuting Thursday on Paramount+ starring Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid.

What if your dad was a convicted serial killer?

The Associated Press

“WICKED” LANDING on Peacock for home sing-alongs and Ellen Pompeo starring in her first big role since stepping back from ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: Selena Gomez and her fiancé, producer and songwriter Benny Blanco, will release a joint album, Dennis Quaid stars in Paramount+’s true-crime series “Happy Face” about a serial killer, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings Ubisoft’s globetrotting, time-hopping gaming epic to feudal Japan.

MOVIES TO STREAM

There’s plenty of Oscar winners and contenders coming to streaming services now that the show is over, starting with best picture winner “Anora,” which is streaming on Hulu. Filmmaker Sean Baker’s odyssey of a Brooklyn sex worker whose whirlwind affair with the wild son of a Russian oligarch goes very wrong also won best director, best ed-

iting and best actress for Mikey Madison. Baker devoted most of his Oscar’s speech to the importance of making movies for and seeing movies on the big screen, but don’t worry — we won’t tell if you decide to watch this one on the small screen first. Just put the phone down: It’s a ride worth taking.

Another big Oscar player, perhaps “Anora’s” complete opposite as a big, lavishly expensive studio musical, “Wicked” starts streaming on Peacock on Friday. There will also be a sing-along version available and some bonus content for the super fans. Filmmaker Jon M. Chu took on the gargantuan task of adapting the Broadway musical for the big screen, and he went all out. In her review, Jocelyn Noveck wrote, “If it feels like they made the best “Wicked” movie money could buy — well, it’s because they kinda did.” The film won two Oscars, for costume and production design.

And finally, a gem which got a little lost in the mix, “Sing Sing” arrives on Max on Friday. This inspired-by-real-life film about inmates who find a creative outlet through acting and performance earned three Oscar nominations: for Colman Domingo’s lead role, for the adapted screenplay and for best original song. But don’t let its 0-for-3 result detract you from a watch. “It’s a cinematic high-five to all arts programs behind bars

and, in particular, the power of theater,” AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote in his review. “The movie’s most affecting scenes are the ones that follow the inmates doing the craft — tender auditions, reciting their lines while doing chores and working on their characters. Watching them giddy backstage in costume before a show is all of us.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

At the end of last year, the Grammy- and Emmy-nominated multihyphenate Selena Gomez announced her engagement to hit producer and songwriter Benny Blanco. Music is their shared language, and on Friday, the couple will release a joint album, “I Said I Love Your First.” Haters of romance, turn away: This is a celebration of their affection, but not without introspection. That’s evident in the acoustic ballad “Scared of Loving You” and the pop rock single “Call Me When You Break Up,” featuring Gracie Abrams. In the fall, the Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its milestone 100th anniversary. But the festivities are starting much earlier. The party kicked off with a television special, “Opry 100: A Live Celebration,” which is ready to watch on Peacock. Performers include Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Carrie

Underwood, Alan Jackson, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Eric Church and more. Now that’s stacked. SHOWS TO STREAM

With “Good American Family” on Hulu, Ellen Pompeo stars in her first big role since stepping back from her series regular status on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” “Good American Family” fictionalizes the true story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born orphan with dwarfism, adopted as a child by an American family — who later accused her of lying about her age with sinister intentions. The wild tale became well known after it was the subject of a docuseries that debuted in 2023 on Investigation Discovery. In “Good American Family,” Pompeo and Mark Duplass play the adoptive parents of Natalia (Imogen Faith Reid). “Good American Family” is streaming now on Hulu.

What if your dad was a convicted serial killer? That horrific thought is a reality for TV producer and podcaster Melissa G. Moore, whose father is Keith Jesperson, now serving multiple life sentences in prison for a string of murders in the early 1990s. Moore had a loving relationship with her father until learning of his crimes as a teen. Jesperson was called the Happy Face Killer because he drew happy fac-

As public interest in women’s sports has surged, a new weekly talk show coming to The Roku Channel is dedicated to female athletes. “Women’s Sports Now” is hosted by former WNBA player Renee Montgomery, comedian Sarah Tiana and sports reporter Suzy Shuster. The show will follow women’s sports teams at the college and professional level. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer. It debuts Thursday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings Ubisoft’s globetrotting, time-hopping epic to feudal Japan. This chapter tells the story of Naoe, a ninja who’s out to avenge her father’s death, and Yasuke, a former slave from Africa who went on to become a renowned samurai. (He’s based on a real historic figure.) The dual protagonists mean you can take a different approach on each mission: Do you want to pick off your foes with stealth or rush in with swords swinging? It all takes place during the late Sengoku period of the 1500s, a turbulent era when various warlords were fighting to control Japan. But the real question for AC fans, as always, is: Where will Naoe and Yasuke come down in the eternal struggle between the freedom fighters of the Assassin Brotherhood and the repressive Templar order? Grab your katana Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

“Happy Face,” “Wicked” and “Anora” are streaming this week on a device near you.

HOKE COUNTY

Dark side of the moon

A total lunar eclipse rewarded those who stayed up — or were up early — last Friday morning. Photographed from Pinehurst between 1:50 and 4 a.m., a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the moon to be darkened.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months in space

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after being stuck in space for more than nine months. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of America early Tuesday evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. The splashdown brought their space saga to an end. It all began with a bungled Boeing test flight last year. The two expected to be gone a week or so after launching on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. So many problems cropped up that NASA ordered Starliner back empty and reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX for the ride home.

AG, N.C. Turnpike warn of toll payment scam text messages

Raleigh Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Turnpike Authority are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass. The random texts demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls. “These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” said Jackson in a press release. “Don’t fall for them.” Clicking links can expose victims to financial fraud.

The Department of Justice is working with federal and international partners to track the source, which officials believe originated in Canada before moving operations to the U.S.

GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump

Constituents sparred with Rep. Chuck Edwards during last week’s meeting in Asheville

By Makiya Seminera

The Associated Press

ASHEVILLE — Before an-

swering an attendee’s question about President Donald Trump’s “destructive and disastrous trade war,” U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards made a plea to the rowdy crowd at his town hall last Thursday in Asheville.

“Let me answer, and then if you don’t like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you’d like to do,” Edwards said, visibly exhausted.

As he expanded on Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, it took less than a minute for the crowd to break out in outrage. He continued to plow ahead in his response and eventually punctuated it

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Rep. Chuck Edwards talks during a town hall in Asheville last Thursday.

by telling attendees he would “stop there and you can yell.”

The crowd gladly took him up on the offer.

For about an hour and half, Edwards endured a constant barrage of jeers, expletives and

searing questions on Trump administration policies. About 300 people crammed inside a college auditorium for the town hall, while the boos from more than a thousand people outside the building rumbled throughout the event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP representatives last week to skip out on town halls, saying demonstrations outside of them were the work of “professional protesters.”

Edwards addressed the Republican leader’s advice, saying he didn’t want to “shy away” from conversations with the people of western North Carolina — even if they disagreed.

But less than 30 minutes into the town hall, Edwards started to change his tune as a majority of attendees interrupted him with vitriolic disruptions. Asheville is a deep-blue dot amid a sea of red in North Carolina’s mountains. North Carolina went for

NC State names new chancellor

Kevin Howell will succeed Randy Woodson

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has chosen the next person to lead the state’s largest public university by enrollment after its longtime chancellor is set to retire soon.

Kevin Howell was named the next chancellor of NC State — and the first black person to lead the institution in its 138-year history — at the public university governing board’s Tuesday meeting. He will succeed Randy Woodson, who has served in the role since 2010 and is one of the university system’s longest-serving chancellors.

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health, according to the

school’s website. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State, including as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development. As an NC State undergraduate student, Howell was student body president.

“I know from experience that effective diplomacy in contentious times requires patience, humility and a genuine respect for the voices and opinions of others,” UNC System President Peter Hans said during the meeting. “These are all qualities that Kevin Howell possesses in abundance.”

Howell will begin in his new role May 5, according to an NC State news release. His salary as chancellor will be $600,000. Woodson announced his retirement during the university’s trustees meeting last July as his contract was slated to end this summer. Woodson, 67, told re-

MARC HALL / NC STATE VIA AP Kevin Howell will succeed longtime NC State chancellor Randy Woodson, who is retiring in 2025, on May 5.

porters then that it was “just a good time” to step away from the chancellorship. Under Woodson’s leadership, the university increased its graduation and retention rates, as well as its research funding. Enrollment also expanded, growing to more than

Trump in the 2024 election.

“And you wonder why folks don’t want to do these town halls,” Edwards said over shouting.

Edwards kicked off his town hall discussing western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Asheville is still rebuilding after the devastating storm, which killed more than 100 people in North Carolina and caused a record-shattering amount of damage — about $59.6 billion in damages and record needs, according to the state.

But as Edwards touted the work he said the Trump administration has been doing for the region’s recovery — which could include the president’s proposal to dissolve the Federal Emergency Management Agency — attendees shouted him down and demanded he address questions

38,000 students as of Fall 2024.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said after announcing his retirement in July.

There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes his position this summer, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for higher education as institutions prepare for potential massive losses of funding from the National Institutes of Health. NC State is an R1 research institution — the highest tier for research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — and received more than $48 million from the NIH last fiscal year.

NC State also paused most of its hiring activities — including for faculty — in February, partially due to uncertainty on federal funding, according to a memo from executive vice chancellor Warwick Arden. The memo did not specify when the hiring freeze would end.

THE HOKE COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

TOWN HALL from page A1

immediately. One person was escorted out of the venue after hurling expletives at the congressman.

“Listen to us now!” several people screamed from various parts of the room.

Edwards fielded scathing questions on a variety of topics, ranging from sweeping cuts to various government agencies at the hand of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to the future of health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Questions on slashing jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs and whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia received standing ovations from most in the crowd.

The representative mostly

EDUCATION CORNER | SUPERINTENDENT KENNETH SPELLS

Spring has sprung in Hoke

I want to extend my gratitude to our students, teachers, coaches, and families for their unwavering support and commitment to excellence.

SPRING IS ALWAYS an exciting time in Hoke County Schools, and this year is no exception. Our students are excelling in academics, athletics and the arts, making us all proud of their hard work and dedication.

Spring sports are in full swing, and we are thrilled to introduce Hoke County High School’s newest varsity sport — boys’ volleyball. This addition reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities for student-athletes and fostering school spirit. We look forward to seeing our volleyball team grow and compete at a high level.

Academically, our students have been shining in recent competitions. The Battle of the Books was a tremendous success, showcasing the literary knowledge and critical thinking skills of our students.

Congratulations to Hoke County High School for winning the high school competition, Sandy Grove Middle for winning the middle school competition and Upchurch Elementary for taking home the elementary title. Additionally, middle and elementary students demonstrated their impressive public speaking skills in the district Speech and Debate competition. The team of Castillo and Lloyd from West Hoke Middle took first place in the middle school division, while Scurlock Elementary secured the elementary title. These competitions highlight our students’ dedication to academic excellence and communication skills.

March is Arts in Schools Month, and we take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent of our students in visual arts, music, dance and theatre. Our district is home to outstanding artists, show-stopping bands, graceful dancers and an exceptional theatre program. We are especially proud of our Hoke

stayed in line in supporting the Trump administration’s policies, reiterating that part of his job was seeing what decisions his constituents disagreed with so the federal government could “go back and look” at what it could improve on.

Edwards kept good humor throughout the raucous town hall, telling attendees at the end that he enjoyed hearing the crowd’s “passion” and “patriotism.” In a news conference afterward, Edwards said Trump and Musk were “over the target” in what they set out to accomplish.

“I take away from what I heard today that we’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to do,” Edwards said as several protesters pounded on the doors nearby.

County High School theatre students who recently received state-level recognition.

Ryan Glover was awarded the Outstanding Play of the North Carolina Young Playwrights Festival, a prestigious honor equivalent to a state championship. His play, “At What Cost,” will be performed by professional actors on March 22. Additionally, Cameela Byrd was named Critic’s Choice for Stage Management, and Aaron Charlton received the Critic’s Choice award for Lighting Design at the NC Thespian Festival. These accomplishments speak to the dedication and passion of our students and educators in the arts.

Looking ahead, we are excited about two major upcoming district events. The Special Olympics is scheduled to take place on April 4 at Raz Autry Stadium, a cherished event that brings our community together in celebration of inclusivity and athleticism. Additionally, our district-wide Robotics Showcase is set for April 12 at Sandy Grove Middle School, where students will display their impressive engineering and problem-solving skills.

As we continue through this exciting spring season, I want to extend my gratitude to our students, teachers, coaches and families for their unwavering support and commitment to excellence. The success of Hoke County Schools is a testament to the hard work of our community, and I look forward to celebrating more achievements in the months to come.

Kenneth Spells has led Hoke County Schools since 2024. He’s been educating for nearly three decades, ranging from social studies teacher and boys’ basketball coach to principal and superintendent.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Tariffs based on tendentious history could be political malpractice

Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy despite the warnings of top Democratic economists.

WILL THE SECOND Trump administration come undone by an economic policy based on what the British military historian Lawrence Freedman, describing Vladimir Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine, calls “tendentious history”?

This week, it started to look like the answer might be yes.

In retrospect, it’s clear how the Biden administration’s economic policy stimulated inflation, which, together with its open borders policy, defeated Joe Biden and, after his withdrawal, his designated successor, Kamala Harris. Biden took office when large parts of the American economy were demobilized by COVID-19 restrictions while other sectors and the government continued generating income for consumers who, in COVID-19 days, had no convenient way to spend it all.

To that unique situation, Biden responded in line with traditional Democrats’ “tendentious history.” For them, it’s always 1933. The economy has stalled because consumer demand has failed, and the solution is to stimulate demand with large injections of government cash and the creation of government jobs.

Actually, that’s not what Franklin Roosevelt did. His first New Deal (1933-35) tried to freeze the economy in place by propping up prices and wages, and only after that became impracticable did his Second New Deal (1935-37) seek to redistribute income. But that resulted in “the Roosevelt recession” (1937-38), and the economy was revived when Roosevelt, convinced that Adolf Hitler was a menace, increased military and defense spending.

Biden didn’t follow that course — he cut rather than increased defense spending — nor did he copy the 1963-64 Kennedy-Johnson tax cut, which produced the gush of revenues that, for a while, simultaneously financed

the Great Society and the Vietnam War.

Instead, Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy, despite the warnings of top Democratic economists Larry Summers and Jason Furman. The sharp resulting inflation was just “transitory,” Biden apologists insisted, and indeed the rate of inflation slackened. But prices never went back down, and voters remembered in 2024.

Donald Trump’s “tendentious history” is all about “a beautiful word” — tariffs. Make consumers pay more for goods from abroad, the theory goes, and factories and jobs will spring up in America.

Tariff boosters claim Alexander Hamilton as their progenitor, but he instituted low tariffs primarily because, with 18th-century technology and imports arriving only in a few ports, they were the easiest taxes for a small federal government to collect. From his time, except during the Civil War, tariffs and alcohol taxes mostly paid for the federal government until the passage of the income tax and Prohibition in the 1910s.

Trump likes to cite William McKinley, who, as House Ways and Means chairman, sponsored a tariff bill in 1890. But as president from 1897 to 1901, McKinley recognized that American industry was no longer an infant in need of protection: The United States was the leading steel producer and soon would be the leading auto producer. Just before his assassination by an anarchist, he was about to propose reciprocal tariff-cutting agreements with other nations.

Later Republican presidents regretted that tariff bills had become political pork, much like some of the stuff the Department of Government Efficiency is now targeting. After the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) helped usher in the Depression, a Democratic Congress voted to let the president (actually, Secretary of State

Trump is the world’s ‘worst’ dictator

Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

DICTATORS CRAVE power. President Donald Trump is using his power to give Americans more freedom. That’s a massive difference.

Desperate to find an effective attack against Trump, some Democrats are recycling an old one.

They claim he’s an authoritarian. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) invited laid-off federal workers to attend Trump’s recent speech to Congress. She said she was standing “shoulder to shoulder with people in defiance to a dictator.” That type of defiance led Democrats to callously withhold applause from a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor simply because Trump introduced him.

Shameful.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams recently called Trump a “petty tyrant.”

The Associated Press claimed that Trump “has embarked on a dizzying teardown of the federal government and attacks on long-standing institutions in an attempt to increase his own authority.”

These accusations aren’t new. Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris frequently labeled Trump a threat to democracy. Last year, historian Jon Meacham called Trump a “tyrant” who would cause the downfall of the American Republic.

Trump has fed into this. After he attacked congestion pricing in Manhattan, the White House posted a picture of him wearing a crown.

Trump said, “Long live the king.” While that was obviously not a serious claim to monarchical authority, it sent the propaganda press into a tizzy.

Many Americans believe the worst about Trump. Forty-one percent of Americans say Trump is a dictator, according to a February YouGov poll.

Those people aren’t just wrong — they have it backward. Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

It’d help to define some terms.

Merriam-Webster says a dictator is “one holding complete autocratic control.” An autocracy is a “government in which one person possesses unlimited power.” Tyrant has a similar meaning — “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution.”

Therefore, by definition, you can’t be a dictator while increasing freedom and shrinking the size and scope of government. It’s a contradiction.

That’s what Trump is doing. He rolled back Biden’s target for electric vehicle sales. He’s unshackled the energy industry. He wants to undo Biden administration restrictions on dishwashers, shower heads and light bulbs.

He’s ordered agencies to eliminate 10 previous regulations for every new one they put in place. He’s increasing freedom.

He’s also pushing for a significant tax cut. Dictators aren’t known for wanting to let you keep more of your own money.

Cordell Hull) set tariff rates. This policy had bipartisan support after World War II and helped produce the postwar and 1980s and 1990s booms. This week, Trump’s tariffophilia has been directed not against China or Europe but against Mexico and Canada, despite the USMCA he negotiated in 2018 to replace the 1994 NAFTA. He suddenly imposed 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel and raised that to 50% after Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed a 25% increase on sales of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

Ford and Trump backed down, but not before stock market prices had fallen sharply and Wall Street and political reporters started speculating that Trump tariffs and uncertainty about them, coupled with indications of weak job growth, could push the U.S. economy into recession. Free market economists joined Summers in arguing that tariffs, by imposing costs on consumers, dampen and sometimes stifle economic growth. Trump admitted, “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called tariffs “a one-time price adjustment.” This sounds no more reassuring than Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s 2021 assurance that Biden-sparked inflation was “transitory.”

Markets hate uncertainty. Trump’s repeated threats, hour-by-hour changes in policy and repeated insults that Canada should become the 51st state have done the opposite of setting the stable policy framework that investors seek. He risks catastrophic disruption of relations with Canada, with whom our relations, except longstanding arguments over softwood lumber and dairy, have been excellent and our economies intertwined.

The nontendentious lesson from history is that heedlessly cutting off and restoring the flow of trade between the U.S. and Canada is an act of economic vandalism and that a “little disturbance,” like “transitory” inflation, could turn out to be political malpractice.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co - author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

He’s laid off tens of thousands of federal workers. Another 75,000 federal workers took buyouts. DOGE is attempting to reduce federal spending by more than $100 billion. He’s shrinking the government he runs.

The Trump administration is even gearing up to eliminate the Department of Education. In early March, Education Secretary Linda McMahon laid out “our department’s final mission.” She wants “to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children.”

Indoctrinating a nation’s children is a powerful tool for any would-be dictator. Communist dictators wanted kids’ primary loyalty to be to the government. They sought to drive a wedge between children and their parents. Trump wants to give parents more control of their children’s education.

Now, Trump is governing aggressively. The executive orders have been fast and furious. He’s closed the border. He’s clearing out the deep state. He’s rooting out DEI in the government. He’s recognized that men are not women.

But an elected official changing government policy isn’t tyranny. That’s the point of having an election. It’d be tyrannical if an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy could stop a democratically elected president from running the executive branch as he sees fit. Just look at the obstacles Trump faced in his first term.

Trump is one of the most successful men in the world, but he’s a complete failure at being a dictator.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

between the states

Civil War reenactors from across the United States gathered to stage the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event marked the 160th anniversary of the state’s largest and most significant engagement of the Civil War, a fierce clash that unfolded over three days, from March 19-21, 1865. The original battle brought together more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops in a brutal struggle that left a lasting mark on the region’s history. The reenactment drew enthusiasts and historians alike, who donned period-appropriate uniforms and employed authentic tactics to honor the soldiers who fought and the legacy of the conflict.

PHOTOS BY STAN GILLILAND

HOKE SPORTS

Softball rolling, while baseball, soccer look to get on track

North State Journal staff

SPRING SEASON is in full swing, and Hoke County softball is on a roll. Here’s a look at some of the Bucks’ spring teams.

Softball

Hoke County enters the week on a five-game winning streak.

The Bucks are 8-1 on the year, 3-1 in the Sandhills Conference. Hoke has outscored opponents by a combined 68-5 score over the winning streak. Last week, the Bucks won at Richmond 102, at Red Springs 15-0, and home against Southern Lee 10-0. Hoke had 13 stolen bases in the three games, and Brianna Harrell, Bailey Mass, McKenzie Freeman and Kalea Parker all had three-RBI games.

This week, the Bucks will look to extend their streak with games at Union Pines and St. Pauls and home against Pinecrest. The Union Pines and Pinecrest games are Sandhills Conference games.

Girls’ soccer

The Bucks lost three games last week, extending their losing streak to four straight. Hoke

County is now 3-6 on the year, 1-3 in the Sandhills. Hoke lost at home to Richmond 4-1, then fell at Pine Forest in the week’s only nonconference match, 4-2. The week ended with a 6-0 road loss at Southern Lee. Freshman Alley Crumpler, junior Tino Lin and junior Jaelyn Gimenez scored goals last week. Sophomore Evalynn Groemm, Gimenez and freshman Marianna Cherney added assists.

Hoke will try to get on track this week with a home conference game against Union Pines, a Sandhills road match at Pinecrest and a nonconference game against Red Springs.

Baseball

The diamond Bucks are cop-

Hoke County’s softball team has been wearing their superhero capes so far this season.

ing with a four-game losing streak that has them 1-7 on the year, 0-4 in the Sandhills.

Last week saw Hoke County get swept in a home-and-home series with Lee County, losing 9-0 on the road and 10-2 in Raeford. In between, the Bucks fell 10-2 in a nonconference road game at Lumberton.

Junior Jayden Hollingsworth and senior Jacob Borman each had doubles in one of the games against Lee. Sophomore Gabe Allen had stolen bases in two of the three games.

This week, Hoke will be looking to return to the win column with a home-and-home conference series with Richmond, sandwiched around a nonconference road game at Red Springs.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Evalynn Groemm

Hoke County, girls’ soccer

Evalynn Groemm is a sophomore defender on the Hoke County girls’ soccer team. She also plays volleyball for the Lady Bucks.

Groemm had five steals in a Sandhills Conference game against Richmond last week, adding to her team-leading steals total. Against Pine Forest, she had an assist. For the season, she’s among the Bucks team leaders in goals and shots and ranks third in assists.

Berry races to 1st Cup Series victory

The win was the Wood Brothers’ 101st

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Josh Berry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NASCAR’s oldest team to Victory Lane Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Berry, in his first season driving the famed No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, had the first victory for a Ford team through five races this season. William Byron opened the year with a Daytona 500 victory in a Chevrolet and Christopher Bell in a Toyota won the next three races.

Berry, meanwhile, had to run down Daniel Suarez following a restart with 19 laps remaining to take control. Although Harrison Burton won at Daytona last summer for the Wood Brothers, Berry’s victory is the first not at a superspeedway since Ryan Blaney won for the team in 2017 at Pocono.

“Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car, and we just battled and battled, and man, it was our day,” Berry said. “I just can’t believe it. It was such a battle with Daniel there at the end. Beating and banging at a mile-and-a-half (track) is crazy. But whoever was going to get out front was probably going to win.”

It was the 101st victory for the organization spanning 20 different drivers. Suarez in a Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing finished second.

“Definitely a little disappointed, but congratulations to the 21 team and Josh. They did a great job,” said Suarez. “They’ve been fast lately. They’ve been in con-

tention. So congratulations to them.”

Ryan Preece was third in a Ford for RFK Racing. Byron was fourth for Hendrick Motorsports, followed by Ross Chastain of Trackhouse, Austin Cindric of Team Penske and Alex Bowman of Hendrick.

AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing was eighth, and Hen-

drick drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott rounded out the top 10.

Joey Logano had late control of the race until Las Vegas native Noah Gragson hit the wall with 25 laps remaining to bring out the ninth caution of the race. Berry was in second when the caution came out and second behind Suarez on the restart.

Berry won in his 53rd Cup race and just his fifth race with the Wood Brothers, the team that signed him when Stewart-Haas Racing shuttered at the end of last season.

The 34-year-old Tennessee driver was a 40-1 underdog to win Sunday’s race, and his win put the Wood Brothers back into the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The team has a tight alliance with Team Penske, which has input in who drives the No. 21.

“It’s just been incredible. They’ve been so good to me. It’s just been a great relationship,” Berry said. “Obviously, thank everybody with the Wood Brothers Racing, but Team Penske as well. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and tried to help me and accelerate this learning process as much as I can.”

Bell, meanwhile, came to Las Vegas on a three-race winning streak with an opportunity to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to win four consecutive Cup races.

But his chance to extend his streak was stymied when Joe Gibbs Racing had to change the throttle body on the No. 20 Toyota after Bell qualified 13th and the penalty dropped him to the back of the field for the start of the race.

Bell, who complained about the handling of his car most of the race, finished a team-high 12th. Only eight drivers have won four straight Cup races in the modern era of NASCAR that began in 1972.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Josh Berry celebrates while sitting on his car after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Las Vegas.

The Duke graduate was best known for “A Season on the Brink” about Bobby Knight

By Howard Fendrich

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

John Feinstein, one of the country’s foremost sports writers and the author of numerous bestselling books, including the groundbreaking “A Season on the Brink” about college basketball coach Bob Knight, died unexpectedly at 69.

He died last Thursday of natural causes at his brother Robert’s home in McLean, Virginia.

John Feinstein was a full-time reporter for The Washington Post from 1977 to 1991, a commentator for outlets such as

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL Patriots announce deals with Hollins, 3 others

Foxborough, Mass.

The New England Patriots continued to add to their growing list of free agent signings, announcing deals last Friday with safety Marcus Epps, receiver Mack Hollins, tight end Austin Hooper and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga. Epps’ new pact is for one year and $4.4 million. Hooper is back in New England on a reported twoyear, $5 million deal. Hollins, a former Tar Heel, has a twoyear deal worth up to $8.4 million. He spent last season in Buffalo and has played for five teams over his seven NFL seasons.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson Brownell

“disappointed” team was locked out of locker room

Charlotte

The Clemson Tigers trailed Louisville in the ACC semifinals and needed some halftime adjustments. But the Tigers found themselves locked out of their locker room. Clemson players sat on the cement floor outside the locker room while coach Brad Brownell addressed his team. Eventually the door was unlocked by building security and the Tigers were able to get in. The ACC added two minutes to halftime as a result.

“People either loved him or hated him — and equally strongly.”

Robert Feinstein, John Feinstein’s brother

ESPN — where he made regular appearances on “The Sports Reporters” — and the Golf Channel, and a voter for more than 20 years in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. He remained with the Post as a contributing columnist, and he also hosted satellite radio programs on SiriusXM.

“He was very passionate about things,” Robert Feinstein said in a telephone interview.

“People either loved him or hat-

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Curry announced as investor in Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league

Stephen Curry has been announced as an investor in Unrivaled, adding to a long list of high-profile stars to align with the startup 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. The four-time NBA champion’s investment was included in Unrivaled’s oversubscribed Series A investment round in December, in which the league said it secured more than $28 million in funding to go along with the $7 million raised during the league’s seed round, which was announced in May 2024, totaling $35 million for the league to date.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Vitale tears up on ACC Championship broadcast talking about cancer battle

Charlotte

Dick Vitale became emotional Saturday night while talking about his most recent cancer battle while announcing topranked Duke’s 73-62 victory over No. 13 Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship. The 85-year-old ESPN college basketball analyst announced in December he was cancerfree. It was his fourth battle in just more than three years with the disease. Vitale teared up as he looked into the camera while sitting between fellow announcers Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander.

ed him — and equally strongly.”

John Feinstein — always a storyteller, whether via the written word or when chatting with other journalists in an arena’s media room or press box — was working until the time of his death. He was in the Washington area this week to cover the Atlantic 10 Tournament ahead of March Madness, and he filed a column for the Post about Michigan State coach Tom Izzo that appeared online last Thursday. Feinstein was comfortable writing fiction and nonfiction, and he took on an array of sports, including golf and tennis, but he was known most for his connection to college basketball because of “A Season on the Brink.” He took a leave of absence from the Post in 1985 to embed with Knight’s Indiana team.

Knight’s reputation for having a hot temper was well-established by then, and Feinstein relayed behind-the-scenes evidence in a way that was uncommon in sports writing at the time. Feinstein also effectively portrayed the personal relationships Knight had with his players, which alternated between warm and abusive.

“Not once did Knight back away from the access, even during some difficult moments for his team,” Feinstein wrote. “Although he didn’t speak to me for eight years after the book’s publication — upset, of all things, with seeing profanity in the book — he eventually decided to ‘forgive’ me, and we had a distant though cordial relationship for the rest of his life.”

Marquette coach Shaka Smart learned about Feinstein’s

death from a reporter at Madison Square Garden after the Golden Eagles beat Xavier in the Big East Tournament.

“Oh, wow,” Smart said. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s one of the best sports writers ever. I got to know him as a writer before I got to know him as a person, reading some of his stuff when I was in high school. He cared about the teams and he cared about the players and he cared about the coaches — which is not as common these days.” Feinstein wrote more than 40 books, including “A Good Walk Spoiled” (1995), about professional golf, and “A Civil War” (1996), about the Army-Navy football game. After that book’s publication, he worked for many years as a radio commentator for Navy football.

Dennis M. Atkinson

May 29, 1950 –March 10, 2025

Mike Atkinson, beloved father and friend, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice House in West End, NC surrounded by family.

Born on March 29, 1950, Mike was the proud owner and operator of Atkinson Motor Company for many years. His love for cars went beyond his business, he spent many years drag racing and never lost his passion for fast cars. Mike also had a love for showing horses and enjoyed many successful years in the show ring. His love for horses and the connections he made in the horse community brought him immense joy.

Mike had a remarkable gift of making friends wherever he went, and he never met a stranger. He was truly full of life, always the one to bring laughter into any room. Known as the comedian of the family, his quick wit and humor left lasting impressions on everyone he met.

Mike was the last of eight children of Francis Marion Atkinson and Lonnie Carnell Smith. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Atkinson, on October 18, 2019. Mike and Linda shared a love that transcended time, and they are now reunited in eternity.

He is survived by his only child, Ashley Wilson, and her husband, Scott Wilson as well as many beloved family members. Mike’s legacy of kindness, humor, hard work, and love for his family will continue to shine through all who knew him.

A visitation will be held at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford, NC, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

A service will follow at 12 p.m. with Pastor Roger Burns officiating.

Burial will be held in the Raeford Cemetery.

Sheree Quick

May 26, 1959 –March 9, 2025

Sheree Quick, born on March 26, 1959, to Sgt. 1st Class Carl Harrison Quick and Maxine Singletary Quick in Gibson, North Carolina, peacefully passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. She was the third of five children and carried the heart of her family through every chapter of her life.

Sheree joins in eternal rest her former husband, John Wesley Rockholt of Raeford, NC, as well as her brother, Randy LaRue Quick Sr. of Pickens, SC.

Sheree’s love for family was deeply rooted, and though their absence leaves a void, their memories remain steadfast.

She is survived by her devoted children: her son, Brian Rockholt; and her daughter, Amber O’Berry, and her husband, Dewayne O’Berry, of Raeford, NC. Sheree’s heart swelled with pride and joy for her treasured “monkeys,” her grandchildren: Alyssa Rockholt of Sanford, NC; and Joshua, Aubrey, Abigail, and Abella O’Berry of Raeford, NC. Each one was a shining light in her life, and she loved them deeply, sharing stories, laughter, and warmth that will echo in their hearts forever.

Sheree’s siblings will also carry forward her legacy: Charles Edward Quick and his wife, Jerrie Andrews Quick, of Raeford, NC; Melinda Quick and her husband, Jeff Porter, of Plymouth, NC; and Stephen Sampson Quick of Pickens, SC. Her friends and family circle was a source of strength, joy, and enduring connection.

Known for her quick wit, humor, and infectious laughter, Sheree brought joy to every gathering. She loved spending time with family and friends, catching up, sharing stories, and making every moment special. Her presence was a gift, and her memory will forever be a blessing.

Sheree’s life was a testament to love, resilience, and the importance of family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her but remembered with smiles, laughter, and love that will endure through generations.

It is in sorrow, but also with joy—knowing we will see you again—that we must say, “See you later, Mama, MiMi, Aunt Ree, Sheree, Beloved One.” Your love lives on in every heart you touched.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” ~ John 14:1-4

Ron Nessen, press secretary to President Ford, dies at 90

He was the first press secretary to be a former broadcast journalist

By Douglass K. Daniel The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Ron Nessen, a veteran broadcast journalist who was press secretary for President Gerald Ford and sought to restore the integrity that the position had lost during the Nixon administration, has died. He was 90. Nessen died last Wednesday in Bethesda, Maryland, his son, Edward Nessen, confirmed.

Nessen replaced Jerald F. terHorst in September 1974 just six weeks into Ford’s presidency after terHorst resigned in protest over Ford’s pardon of former President Richard Nixon. Nessen had covered Ford’s tenure as vice president in the final months of a 12-year stint as a television correspondent with NBC News. He was the first journalist to come to the White House post from a broadcast background.

Nessen had developed a positive working relationship with Ford even though he asked difficult questions about the Watergate scandal as it eroded Nixon’s presidency. The position of press secretary, held then by Ron Ziegler, lacked credibility as the slow-moving scandal revealed a White House press operation that could not be trusted in its public pronouncements.

“I will never knowingly lie to you, never knowingly mislead the White House press corps,” Nessen, then 40, told reporters when he took over as Ford’s spokesman. He added, “If I do, you’d be justified in questioning my usefulness in this job.” He also said he saw his main duty as providing news and information to the American people, not selling the president’s policies or necessarily agreeing with them.

One prominent trait for the new press secretary was a sense of humor. (He told reporters on

his first day, “I’m a Ron, not a Ziegler,” a play off his boss’ remark that “I am a Ford, not a Lincoln.”) But, by his own admission, Nessen was at times short-tempered, thin-skinned and sarcastic when dealing with journalists.

Nessen later pointed with pride to getting reporters more access to the president, including allowing follow-up questions at news conferences and having Ford appear on a live network television news program. The appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” was a first for a president.

During his two years and four months as White House press secretary, Nessen may have drawn the most attention to himself by hosting television’s “Saturday Night Live,” then in its initial season. He was the first “SNL” host to come from outside the entertainment world. The April 17, 1976, episode aired during Ford’s reelection bid and included taped appearances by the president, who likely hoped to come across as a good sport in the face of the show’s constant satirical jabs. The post-broadcast criticism Nessen endured was mostly about the propriety and wisdom of a press secretary participating in a comedy show that skewered his boss, not Nessen’s ability to deliver a punch line. He later said he worried privately that hosting had been an ego-driven mistake since the liberal-leaning show’s skits continued mocking Ford as a bumbler and dullard. Ronald H. Nessen was born May 25, 1934, in Washington, D.C. His father owned a general merchandise store in the city, and his mother was its bookkeeper.

Nessen worked in radio as a high school student and while studying at Shepherd College in West Virginia and American University in Washington, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1959. During the 1950s, he was a newscast-

er for WEPM in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and WARL in Arlington, Virginia, and later reported for the Montgomery County Sentinel in Rockville, Maryland.

Nessen was a reporter and editor for United Press International in Washington, D.C., from 1956-62, and then joined NBC News as a television correspondent. He covered Lyndon Johnson’s White House, civil rights and the 1964 presidential campaign and was sent to Vietnam five times, his first tour ending in a near-fatal chest wound from a grenade fragment. He also covered national affairs and international assignments for the network before focusing on the Ford vice presidency.

After Ford’s defeat by Jimmy Carter in 1976, Nessen turned to writing and freelance work. He was a top executive with the Washington public relations firm Marston & Rothenberg Public Affairs from 198084 before managing radio news operations for the Mutual Broadcasting System and the NBC Radio Network. He later worked as a public affairs executive for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and the Brookings Institution.

He also wrote two memoirs, “It Sure Looks Different from the Inside” (1978) and “Making the News, Taking the News” (2011). He also wrote the novels “The First Lady” (1979) and “The Hour” (1984), as well as three mysteries in the 1990s co-written with his wife at the time, Johanna Neuman.

Looking back on his career change, Nessen acknowledged in his 2011 memoir that he wanted the job as Ford’s spokesman in part to see what it was like to be a newsmaker. He concluded that he preferred the journalist’s role and wrote, “I’m more comfortable as an observer than as a participant.” Nessen is survived by his son and daughter, a sister, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

White House press secretary Ron Nessen talks with reporters prior to an appearance on separate television interview programs in March 1975.

JOHN DURICKA / AP PHOTO

STATE & NATION

Residents pick up pieces after devastating storms pummel US South and Midwest

Several tornadoes touched down in western N.C.

By Safiyah Riddle and John Seewer

The Associated Press

PLANTERSVILLE, Ala. —

Kim Atchison was hunkered down in her grandmother’s storm shelter with her 5-year-old grandson Saturday night in their tiny Alabama hometown of Plantersville when her husband and son raced in.

“Get down; get all the way down to the bottom of the cellar,” they told her, saying they could see a twister coming.

Atchison said she remembers first the “dead silence” and then hearing the wind that felt like a funnel and things outside hitting against each other.

“All was quiet after that because it was that fast,” she said. “Like a snap of a finger and it was gone.”

Atchison and her family were among the fortunate ones to avoid being killed in the three-day outbreak of severe weather across eight states that kicked up a devastating combination of wildfires, dust storms and tornadoes — claiming at least 42 lives since last Friday.

Two people were killed by a twister in Plantersville. One of the lives lost was that of 82-yearold Annie Free, who “just looked out for everyone,” Atchison’s husband said. The tornado struck Free’s home, leaving only the front patio behind.

Darren Atchison spent Monday delivering granola bars and sports drinks to the pummeled neighborhood, driving his all-terrain vehicle around downed trees.

More than a half-dozen houses were destroyed while others were left in rough shape, some with walls peeled clean off. The tornado flipped a trailer onto its roof and toppled trees in every direction.

Strong winds knocked down a group of pine trees in Richland Township, Pennsylvania, during a severe thunderstorm that swept through the region Sunday.

When Heidi Howland emerged from her home after hiding in her bedroom underneath a mattress with her husband, kids and grandkids as the twister approached, she found fallen trees and broken car windows.

Many of her neighbors whose houses were damaged came to her front porch to take refuge from the rain after the storm passed Saturday night. One was Free’s daughter, who Howland said cried late into the night because the first responders couldn’t find her mother.

Free’s body wasn’t found until the morning.

Also killed was Dunk Pickering, a fixture in the community who often hosted live music events and helped neighbors during tough times. Neighbor John Green found Pickering’s body in the wreckage of a building just across the street from Green’s home.

“Whether he knew you or not, he would help anyone,” Green said. “I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s been like that ever since the day I first met him.”

Green and other neighbors spent at least five hours Saturday night pulling people from the rubble and carrying them

to paramedics who were unable to reach the area because roads were blocked by debris.

Tornadoes and high winds across the South

In Mississippi, six people died and more than 200 were displaced by a string of tornadoes across three counties, the governor said.

Within about an hour of each other on Saturday, two big tornadoes tore through Walthall County, Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest one packed winds of 170 mph when it swept a wellbuilt home from its foundation, leaving a pile of debris behind, the agency said in an updated report late Monday.

Three people died in the county, including 7-year-old Carter Young, who was in a mobile home, Walthall County Coroner Chris Blackwell said. The other two people killed — Gabrielle Pierre, 34, and Jeffery Irvin, 42 — were in a mobile home next door to the one where Young was found, Blackwell said.

Scattered twisters and storm damage led to the deaths of at least 13 people in Missouri, including a 30-year-old man who

along with his dog was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning after he was using a generator indoors during the storm, authorities said. In Arkansas, officials confirmed three deaths.

As the storm headed east, two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday, firefighters in Transylvania County said. Firefighters found them amid the uprooted 3-foot-wide tree after relatives said they had been trapped in their bedroom, officials said.

A tornado touched down at about 3 a.m. Monday in a neighborhood in Perquimans County, North Carolina, destroying three mobile homes and damaging several others, according to the National Weather Service.

Eight people were injured in the community, with no reported deaths, the weather service said.

The community is about 50 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia.

Wildfires in Oklahoma

Wind-driven wildfires across the state destroyed more than 400 homes over the weekend and will continue to be a threat in the coming days because of high winds.

Two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday.

Dozens of fires were still burning across the state on Monday, said Keith Merckx at Oklahoma Forestry Services, and much of the state, including the Oklahoma City area, remained under fire warnings.

While conditions over the weekend allowed crews to get a handle on most wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma, forecasters at the National Weather Service said extremely critical fire weather conditions were expected Tuesday over an area spanning from southeastern New Mexico through the Texas Panhandle and into western Oklahoma.

“These fires, once they get started, become really hard to stop. They move more quickly than our resources can keep up with,” Merckx said.

Four deaths so far were blamed on the fires or high winds, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. More than 70 homes were destroyed by wildfire outbreaks Friday in and around Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University.

Dust storms in Kansas and Texas

High winds spurred dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes Friday.

Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

DOGE cancelling federal office leases across country

A number of the leases are in North Carolina

The Associated Press

THE GENERAL Services Administration, working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has notified landlords that federal agencies will be terminating hundreds of leases for offices and buildings in the coming months.

A GSA planning document dated March 10 lists the dates when many of the cancellations are expected to go into effect. That does not mean all

the locations will close by those dates, but agencies would have to either negotiate new leases or move elsewhere if they remain open.

Trump administration officials have reported that many federal offices have been nearly empty as many government employees have been working from home. The lease cancellations come as DOGE works to slash headcount across the government, meaning less office space would be required to house them.

The following North Carolina leases are some of those expected to be canceled by the end of August or September.

• Charlotte — Geological Survey (5,316 square feet)

• Goldsboro — Natural Resources Conservation Service (5,881 square feet)

• Greensboro — Food and Drug Administration (1,579 square feet)

• Hendersonville — Farm Service Agency (5,358 square feet)

• Wilkesboro — Farm Service Agency (5,970 square feet)

• Wilmington — Internal Revenue Service National Office (14,165 square feet)

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads “DOGE” to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 9.

THOMAS SLUSSER / THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT VIA AP

MOORE COUNTY

Dark side of the moon

A total lunar eclipse rewarded those who stayed up — or were up early — last Friday morning. Photographed from Pinehurst between 1:50 and 4 a.m., a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the moon to be darkened.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Moore County to double occupancy tax

NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months in space

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after being stuck in space for more than nine months. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of America early Tuesday evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. The splashdown brought their space saga to an end. It all began with a bungled Boeing test flight last year. The two expected to be gone a week or so after launching on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. So many problems cropped up that NASA ordered Starliner back empty and reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX for the ride home.

AG, N.C. Turnpike warn of toll payment scam text messages

Raleigh Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Turnpike Authority are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass. The random texts demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls. “These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” said Jackson in a press release. “Don’t fall for them.” Clicking links can expose victims to financial fraud. The Department of Justice is working with federal and international partners to track the source, which officials believe originated in Canada before moving operations to the U.S.

$2.00

The 6% tax will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — Moore County is looking to leverage its position as a tourism hotspot — the 10th-highest tourism economy in the state — to help better promote the county and fund county-based projects.

At its March 18 regular business meeting, the Moore County Board of Commissioners approved the raising of its occupancy tax to 6% following a public hearing.

“There’s been a number of conversations over the years over the ability to increase the room occupancy tax — which is currently 3% — how, when and the uses of those dollars,” said county manager Wayne Vest. “In the most recent conversation, the board advised us to move forward with con-

ducting a public hearing to consider increasing it.”

The occupancy tax is a tax levied on “gross receipts derived from the rental of any room, lodging or accommodation furnished by a hotel, motel, inn or similar place within the County,” and the net proceeds from it go to the Moore County tourism development authority, which is the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

“We want to improve the tourism experience here,” said CVB President and CEO Phil Werz. “We want to create experiences that get people to come here and come back.”

The CVB is mandated by state law to utilize two-thirds of the funds to promote travel and tourism, but the other third is planned to be utilized for what they’ve labeled as the “product development fund.”

“The product development fund really has three specific goals,” said CVB Chairman and President of Pine Needles,

“We want to improve the tourism experience here.”

Phil Werz, Moore County CVB president and CEO

Mid Pines and Southern Pines Golf Club Kelly Miller. “It’s to invest in tourism-related assets and provide increased visitors to Moore County. It’s to enhance our communities for visitors but also for county residents through visitor generated tax dollars. And finally, we will collaborate with municipalities and nonprofits as they present projects to us to move forward.”

According to Miller, the CVB tested the idea for the product development fund last year, awarding more than $821,000 in One-Time Project Fund grants.

“We will create a product development committee that will

NC State names new chancellor

Kevin Howell will succeed Randy Woodson

By Makiya Seminera

The Associated Press

RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has chosen the next person to lead the state’s largest public university by enrollment after its longtime chancellor is set to retire soon. Kevin Howell was named the next chancellor of NC State — and the first black person to lead the institution in its 138year history — at the public university governing board’s Tuesday meeting. He will succeed Randy Woodson, who has served in the role since 2010 and is one of the university system’s longest-serving chancellors.

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the

make recommendations to the CVB Board, who will ultimately approve it,” Miller said. “We can’t exactly tell you where this money will be spent because there’s a process, but it just has to meet the goals of what the committee has outlined.

Last year, Moore County occupancy taxes generated nearly $4 million from hotels and short-term rentals.

“If there was no tourism in Moore County, residents would probably be paying a little more in taxes because tourism and the amount of taxes that are generated saves every consumer, every resident of Moore County about $532.10,” Werz said. “That’s significant savings.”

The approval of the occupancy tax increase is also reliant on the CVB Board passing an MOU with the airport authority to not utilize funds toward subsidizing commercial air services.

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State.

UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health, according to the school’s website. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State, including as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development. As an NC State undergraduate student, Howell was student body president. “I know from experience that effective diplomacy in contentious times requires patience, humility and a genuine respect for the voices and

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

MARC HALL / NC STATE VIA AP

Kevin Howell will succeed longtime NC State chancellor Randy Woodson, who is retiring in 2025, on May 5. Howell is an alumnus of the university.

THURSDAY 3.20.25

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CRIME LOG

March 11

• Erick Joshua Bonilla, 24, was arrested by Aberdeen Police Department (APD) for resisting a public officer.

• Rodger Zodas Brown, 82, was arrested by Moore County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for being a fugitive from another state.

Carolyn Elizabeth Ouida Jackson, 41, was arrested by Whispering Pines Police Department for possessing methamphetamine.

Brandon Scott Obenauer, 32, was arrested by MCSO for violating a domestic violence protection order.

March 12

• Beverly Ann Kemmerlin, 52, was arrested by Southern Pines Police Department (SPPD) for possessing methamphetamine.

March 13

• Bibi Felisha Bessasparis, 34, was arrested by SPPD for breaking or entering.

• Mark Anthony Reeder, 57, was arrested by MCSO for possessing methamphetamine.

March 14

• Joshua Ray Henne, 33, was arrested by MCSO for possessing methamphetamine.

Carla Shante Maddox, 47, was arrested by MCSO for stealing a legal document or contract.

• Heather Whitehead, 39, was arrested by MCSO for using a forged document.

FRIDAY MARCH 21

GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions

Constituents sparred with Rep. Chuck Edwards during last week’s meeting in Asheville

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

ASHEVILLE — Before answering an attendee’s question about President Donald Trump’s “destructive and disastrous trade war,” U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards made a plea to the rowdy crowd at his town hall last Thursday in Asheville.

“Let me answer, and then if you don’t like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you’d like to do,” Edwards said, visibly exhausted.

As he expanded on Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, it took less than a minute for the crowd to break out in outrage. He continued to plow ahead in his response and eventually punctuated it by telling attendees he would “stop there and you can yell.” The crowd gladly took him up on the offer.

For about an hour and half, Edwards endured a constant barrage of jeers, expletives and searing questions on Trump administration policies. About 300 people crammed inside a college auditorium for the town hall, while the boos from more than a thousand people outside the building rumbled throughout the event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP representatives last week to skip out on town halls, saying demonstrations outside of them were the work of “professional protesters.” Edwards addressed the Republican leader’s advice, saying he didn’t want to “shy away” from conversations with the people of western North Carolina — even if they disagreed.

But less than 30 min-

CHANCELLOR from page A1

opinions of others,” UNC System President Peter Hans said during the meeting. “These are all qualities that Kevin Howell possesses in abundance.” Howell will begin in his new role May 5, according to an NC State news release. His salary as chancellor will be $600,000. Woodson announced his retirement during the university’s trustees meeting last July as his contract was slated to end this summer. Woodson, 67, told reporters then that it was “just a good time” to step away from the chancellorship.

on Trump

utes into the town hall, Edwards started to change his tune as a majority of attendees interrupted him with vitriolic disruptions. Asheville is a deep-blue dot amid a sea of red in North Carolina’s mountains. North Carolina went for Trump in the 2024 election.

“And you wonder why folks don’t want to do these town halls,” Edwards said over shouting. Edwards kicked off his town hall discussing western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Asheville is still rebuilding after the devastating storm, which killed more than 100 people in North Carolina and caused a record-shattering amount of damage — about $59.6 billion in damages and record needs, according to the state.

But as Edwards touted the work he said the Trump administration has been doing for the region’s recovery — which could include the president’s proposal to dissolve the Federal Emergency Management Agency — attendees shouted him down and demanded he address questions immediately. One person was escorted out of the venue after hurling expletives at the congressman.

“Listen to us now!” several people screamed from various parts of the room.

Under Woodson’s leadership, the university increased its graduation and retention rates, as well as its research funding. Enrollment also expanded, growing to more than 38,000 students as of Fall 2024.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said after announcing his retirement in July.

moore happening

Chuck

Edwards fielded scathing questions on a variety of topics, ranging from sweeping cuts to various government agencies at the hand of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to the future of health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Questions on slashing jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs and whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia received standing ovations from most in the crowd.

The representative mostly stayed in line in supporting the Trump administration’s policies, reiterating that part of his job was seeing what decisions his constituents disagreed with so the federal government could “go back and look” at what it could improve on.

Edwards kept good humor throughout the raucous town hall, telling attendees at the end that he enjoyed hearing the crowd’s “passion” and “patriotism.” In a news conference afterward, Edwards said Trump and Musk were “over the target” in what they set out to accomplish.

“I take away from what I heard today that we’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to do,” Edwards said as several protesters pounded on the doors nearby.

There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes his position this summer, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for higher education as institutions prepare for potential massive losses of funding from the National Institutes of Health. NC State is an R1 research institution — the highest tier for research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — and received more than $48 million from the NIH last fiscal year. NC State also paused most of its hiring activities — including for faculty — in February, partially due to uncertainty on federal funding, according to a memo from executive vice chancellor Warwick Arden. The memo did not specify when the hiring freeze would end.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

March 20

Live Music: The McKenzie Brothers 5-8 p.m.

The McKenzie Brothers Band is providing the live music at the Harris Teeter in Aberdeen this Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Robbie and Steve are bringing their special two-man show.

Harris Teeter at Center Park Plaza

11109 U.S. 15, U.S.-501 Unit 1804 Aberdeen

March 21

Play – Brighton Beach Memoirs

7 p.m.

Dreaming of baseball and girls, Eugene must cope with the mundane existence of his family life in Brooklyn: formidable mother, overworked father and his worldly older brother Stanley. Throw into the mix his widowed Aunt Blanche and her two young (but rapidly aging) daughters and you have a recipe for hilarity, served up Simon-style.

Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

March 22

Spring Open House Outdoor Pop-Up Market

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Twigg & Co. of Aberdeen is hosting their Spring Outdoor Pop-Up Markets! The Spring Open House Market will take place on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy shopping locally made items while supporting small businesses!

Twigg & Co.

206 N. Sandhills Blvd. Aberdeen

The increase is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. “None of us on this board like raising taxes or the idea of increasing taxes, but the positive on this particular tax is that it’s, for the most part, not our local citizens that have to pay it,” said Commissioner Tom Adams. “It will continue to give the CVB the tools that it needs to be able to put forward Moore County’s interests in competition with other similar municipalities and counties around the country.”

The Moore County Board of Commissioners will next meet April 1.

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Rep.

Edwards talks during a town hall in Asheville last Thursday.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Tariffs based on tendentious history could be political malpractice

Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy despite the warnings of top Democratic economists.

WILL THE SECOND Trump administration come undone by an economic policy based on what the British military historian Lawrence Freedman, describing Vladimir Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine, calls “tendentious history”?

This week, it started to look like the answer might be yes.

In retrospect, it’s clear how the Biden administration’s economic policy stimulated inflation, which, together with its open borders policy, defeated Joe Biden and, after his withdrawal, his designated successor, Kamala Harris. Biden took office when large parts of the American economy were demobilized by COVID-19 restrictions while other sectors and the government continued generating income for consumers who, in COVID-19 days, had no convenient way to spend it all.

To that unique situation, Biden responded in line with traditional Democrats’ “tendentious history.” For them, it’s always 1933. The economy has stalled because consumer demand has failed, and the solution is to stimulate demand with large injections of government cash and the creation of government jobs.

Actually, that’s not what Franklin Roosevelt did. His first New Deal (1933-35) tried to freeze the economy in place by propping up prices and wages, and only after that became impracticable did his Second New Deal (1935-37) seek to redistribute income. But that resulted in “the Roosevelt recession” (1937-38), and the economy was revived when Roosevelt, convinced that Adolf Hitler was a menace, increased military and defense spending.

Biden didn’t follow that course — he cut rather than increased defense spending — nor did he copy the 1963-64 Kennedy-Johnson tax cut, which produced the gush of revenues that, for a while, simultaneously financed

the Great Society and the Vietnam War.

Instead, Biden flooded with cash an already cash-flooded economy, despite the warnings of top Democratic economists Larry Summers and Jason Furman. The sharp resulting inflation was just “transitory,” Biden apologists insisted, and indeed the rate of inflation slackened. But prices never went back down, and voters remembered in 2024.

Donald Trump’s “tendentious history” is all about “a beautiful word” — tariffs. Make consumers pay more for goods from abroad, the theory goes, and factories and jobs will spring up in America.

Tariff boosters claim Alexander Hamilton as their progenitor, but he instituted low tariffs primarily because, with 18th-century technology and imports arriving only in a few ports, they were the easiest taxes for a small federal government to collect. From his time, except during the Civil War, tariffs and alcohol taxes mostly paid for the federal government until the passage of the income tax and Prohibition in the 1910s.

Trump likes to cite William McKinley, who, as House Ways and Means chairman, sponsored a tariff bill in 1890. But as president from 1897 to 1901, McKinley recognized that American industry was no longer an infant in need of protection: The United States was the leading steel producer and soon would be the leading auto producer. Just before his assassination by an anarchist, he was about to propose reciprocal tariff-cutting agreements with other nations.

Later Republican presidents regretted that tariff bills had become political pork, much like some of the stuff the Department of Government Efficiency is now targeting. After the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) helped usher in the Depression, a Democratic Congress voted to let the president (actually, Secretary of State

Trump is the world’s ‘worst’ dictator

Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

DICTATORS CRAVE power. President Donald Trump is using his power to give Americans more freedom. That’s a massive difference.

Desperate to find an effective attack against Trump, some Democrats are recycling an old one.

They claim he’s an authoritarian. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) invited laid-off federal workers to attend Trump’s recent speech to Congress. She said she was standing “shoulder to shoulder with people in defiance to a dictator.” That type of defiance led Democrats to callously withhold applause from a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor simply because Trump introduced him.

Shameful.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams recently called Trump a “petty tyrant.”

The Associated Press claimed that Trump “has embarked on a dizzying teardown of the federal government and attacks on long-standing institutions in an attempt to increase his own authority.”

These accusations aren’t new. Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris frequently labeled Trump a threat to democracy. Last year, historian Jon Meacham called Trump a “tyrant” who would cause the downfall of the American Republic.

Trump has fed into this. After he attacked congestion pricing in Manhattan, the White House posted a picture of him wearing a crown.

Trump said, “Long live the king.” While that was obviously not a serious claim to monarchical authority, it sent the propaganda press into a tizzy.

Many Americans believe the worst about Trump. Forty-one percent of Americans say Trump is a dictator, according to a February YouGov poll.

Those people aren’t just wrong — they have it backward. Trump is doing the one thing dictators never do — reduce their own power.

It’d help to define some terms.

Merriam-Webster says a dictator is “one holding complete autocratic control.” An autocracy is a “government in which one person possesses unlimited power.” Tyrant has a similar meaning — “an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution.”

Therefore, by definition, you can’t be a dictator while increasing freedom and shrinking the size and scope of government. It’s a contradiction.

That’s what Trump is doing. He rolled back Biden’s target for electric vehicle sales. He’s unshackled the energy industry. He wants to undo Biden administration restrictions on dishwashers, shower heads and light bulbs.

He’s ordered agencies to eliminate 10 previous regulations for every new one they put in place. He’s increasing freedom.

He’s also pushing for a significant tax cut. Dictators aren’t known for wanting to let you keep more of your own money.

Cordell Hull) set tariff rates. This policy had bipartisan support after World War II and helped produce the postwar and 1980s and 1990s booms.

This week, Trump’s tariffophilia has been directed not against China or Europe but against Mexico and Canada, despite the USMCA he negotiated in 2018 to replace the 1994 NAFTA. He suddenly imposed 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel and raised that to 50% after Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed a 25% increase on sales of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

Ford and Trump backed down, but not before stock market prices had fallen sharply and Wall Street and political reporters started speculating that Trump tariffs and uncertainty about them, coupled with indications of weak job growth, could push the U.S. economy into recession. Free market economists joined Summers in arguing that tariffs, by imposing costs on consumers, dampen and sometimes stifle economic growth. Trump admitted, “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called tariffs “a one-time price adjustment.” This sounds no more reassuring than Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s 2021 assurance that Biden-sparked inflation was “transitory.”

Markets hate uncertainty. Trump’s repeated threats, hour-by-hour changes in policy and repeated insults that Canada should become the 51st state have done the opposite of setting the stable policy framework that investors seek. He risks catastrophic disruption of relations with Canada, with whom our relations, except longstanding arguments over softwood lumber and dairy, have been excellent and our economies intertwined.

The nontendentious lesson from history is that heedlessly cutting off and restoring the flow of trade between the U.S. and Canada is an act of economic vandalism and that a “little disturbance,” like “transitory” inflation, could turn out to be political malpractice.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co - author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

He’s laid off tens of thousands of federal workers. Another 75,000 federal workers took buyouts. DOGE is attempting to reduce federal spending by more than $100 billion. He’s shrinking the government he runs.

The Trump administration is even gearing up to eliminate the Department of Education. In early March, Education Secretary Linda McMahon laid out “our department’s final mission.” She wants “to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children.”

Indoctrinating a nation’s children is a powerful tool for any would-be dictator. Communist dictators wanted kids’ primary loyalty to be to the government. They sought to drive a wedge between children and their parents. Trump wants to give parents more control of their children’s education.

Now, Trump is governing aggressively. The executive orders have been fast and furious. He’s closed the border. He’s clearing out the deep state. He’s rooting out DEI in the government. He’s recognized that men are not women.

But an elected official changing government policy isn’t tyranny. That’s the point of having an election. It’d be tyrannical if an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy could stop a democratically elected president from running the executive branch as he sees fit. Just look at the obstacles Trump faced in his first term.

Trump is one of the most successful men in the world, but he’s a complete failure at being a dictator.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Civil War reenactors from across the United States gathered to stage the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event marked the 160th anniversary of the state’s largest and most significant engagement of the Civil War, a fierce clash that unfolded over three days, from March 19-21, 1865. The original battle brought together more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops in a brutal struggle that left a lasting mark on the region’s history. The reenactment drew enthusiasts and historians alike, who donned period-appropriate uniforms and employed authentic tactics to honor the soldiers who fought and the legacy of the conflict.

PHOTOS BY STAN GILLILAND

MOORE SPORTS

Diamond teams off to fast start in spring

North State Journal staff

SPRING SPORTS have been in full swing for a couple weeks. Here’s a look at how area baseball and softball teams have started their respective seasons.

Baseball

Pinecrest has won four straight, including a 2-0 start to the Sandhills Conference season. The Patriots are 5-2 overall. Last week, Pinecrest swept a homeand-home with Richmond, 4-0 and 3-2. Junior Will Chopping went deep at home against Richmond and doubled in the road game.

This week, the Patriots have a conference home-and-home series with Southern Lee, sandwiched around a nonconference tilt with Purnell Swett.

Union Pines has split its first six games of the season and is 1-1 in the Sandhills. The Vikings lost a nonconference road game at Gray’s Creek last week, then beat St. Pauls at home 12-8. Sophomore Brodie Lyczkowski drove in six runs against St. Pauls, and sophomore David Park added three. Both players also recorded RBIs against Gray’s Creek.

Union Pines plays Scotland in a Sandhills home and home this week with a nonconference trip to Western Harnett sandwiched in between.

North Moore is 2-4 this season, 1-3 in the Mid-Carolina Conference. The Mustangs were swept in a home and home with Southeast Alamance last week, losing by scores of 13-0 and 9-3. John Carre had three hits, a run and a double in one of the SE Alamance games. This week, the Mustangs play a home and

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kileigh Cameron

RBIs in two games last week

home with Jordan-Matthews. Softball

North Moore is 5-2 so far this year, 3-2 in the Mid-Carolina Conference. Last week, the Mustangs beat Bartlett Yancey on the road 17-1, then lost at home to Seaforth 13-3. Lyla Nelson homered, tripled, scored three and drove in three in the win. This week, North Moore hosts Graham, then heads to Montgomery Central and Chatham Central.

Union Pines is off to a 3-5 start to the season, 1-2 in the

Sandhills. The Vikings entered the week on a two-game winning streak. The team followed a 9-0 loss to Scotland last week with a 5-4 win over Gray’s Creek and a 19-2 win at Richmond. Athlete of the Week Kileigh Cameron and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Corrina Martinez are leading the Vikings.

Union Pines has three games this week: a home Sandhills Conference game against Hoke, a nonconference trip to Southern Alamance and a conference road game at Southern Lee.

Pinecrest is 2-5 on the year, 1-2 in the Sandhills. The Patriots lost a pair of road conference games last week, 17-14 at Southern Lee and 8-6 at Lee County. Sophomore Kaiya Todd had six RBIs in the two games, while senior Addisyn Stayskal had five.

This week, the Patriots host Scotland in a conference game, then travel to Western Harnett and Hoke County.

Union Pines, softball

Kileigh Cameron is a junior catcher/first baseman on the Union Pines softball team.

The Vikings won both games last week, and Cameron came up big at the plate. In a 5-4 win over Gray’s Creek, she went 3 for 4, stole a base and drove in a run. In a 19-2 blowout of Richmond, she went 4 for 4 with a run, three RBIs and three doubles. For the season, Cameron leads Union Pines in average, slugging, hits, homers and RBIs.

Berry races to 1st Cup Series victory

The win was the Wood Brothers’ 101st

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Josh Berry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NASCAR’s oldest team to Victory Lane Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Berry, in his first season driving the famed No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, had the first victory for a Ford team through five races this season. William Byron opened the year with a Daytona 500 victory in a Chevrolet and Christopher Bell in a Toyota won the next three races.

Berry, meanwhile, had to run

down Daniel Suarez following a restart with 19 laps remaining to take control. Although Harrison Burton won at Daytona last summer for the Wood Brothers, Berry’s victory is the first not at a superspeedway since Ryan Blaney won for the team in 2017 at Pocono.

“Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car, and we just battled and battled, and man, it was our day,” Berry said. “I just can’t believe it. It was such a battle with Daniel there at the end. Beating and banging at a mile-anda-half (track) is crazy. But whoever was going to get out front was probably going to win.”

It was the 101st victory for the organization spanning 20 different drivers.

Suarez in a Chevrolet for

Trackhouse Racing finished second.

“Definitely a little disappointed, but congratulations to the 21 team and Josh. They did a great job,” said Suarez. “They’ve been fast lately. They’ve been in contention. So congratulations to them.”

Ryan Preece was third in a Ford for RFK Racing. Byron was fourth for Hendrick Motorsports, followed by Ross Chastain of Trackhouse, Austin Cindric of Team Penske and Alex Bowman of Hendrick.

AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing was eighth, and Hendrick drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott rounded out the top 10.

Joey Logano had late control of the race until Las Vegas native Noah Gragson hit the wall

with 25 laps remaining to bring out the ninth caution of the race.

Berry was in second when the caution came out and second behind Suarez on the restart.

Berry won in his 53rd Cup race and just his fifth race with the Wood Brothers, the team that signed him when Stewart-Haas Racing shuttered at the end of last season.

The 34-year-old Tennessee driver was a 40-1 underdog to win Sunday’s race, and his win put the Wood Brothers back into the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The team has a tight alliance with Team Penske, which has input in who drives the No. 21.

“It’s just been incredible.

They’ve been so good to me. It’s just been a great relationship,” Berry said. “Obviously,

thank everybody with the Wood Brothers Racing, but Team Penske as well. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and tried to help me and accelerate this learning process as much as I can.”

Bell, meanwhile, came to Las Vegas on a three-race winning streak with an opportunity to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to win four consecutive Cup races.

But his chance to extend his streak was stymied when Joe Gibbs Racing had to change the throttle body on the No. 20 Toyota after Bell qualified 13th and the penalty dropped him to the back of the field for the start of the race.

Bell, who complained about the handling of his car most of the race, finished a team-high 12th. Only eight drivers have won four straight Cup races in the modern era of NASCAR that began in 1972.

Josh Berry celebrates while sitting on his car after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Las Vegas.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Pinecrest’s dugout celebrates during a recent win on the baseball diamond.

for Pinecrest’s Kaiya Todd

Harry W. Graham

Sept. 1, 1941 –March 14, 2025

Harry W. Graham, aged 83, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, at his home in West End.

He was born on September 1, 1941, in West End to Mack Clyde Graham and Pansy (Hoots) Graham. Harry was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. Harry was a true man of God, an Army Veteran, always looking forward to Sundays with his Church family. Harry loved spending time with family and friends, snacking on sweets, fishing, golfing, yard sales and the love of watching Patriot Baseball and not necessarily in that order.

Those who knew Harry will remember him for his smile and knack of picking, his deep-rooted faith in Jesus and his unwavering commitment to spreading love and kindness to everyone he encountered. He had a rare gift for making others smile and laugh, leaving a true lasting impact on all who crossed his path.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jennie Graham of West End; daughter Tiffany Hewitt and husband Jeff Hewitt; grandson Hunter Hewitt, granddaughter Morgan Hewitt; brother (twin) Larry Graham and wife Irene Graham of Pinehurst; sister Vivian Moore of West End; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father Mack & Pansy Graham, brothers Mac Graham Jr, Philip Graham, Jerry Graham and sister Barbara Moore.

A funeral service will be held on March 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Beulah Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Bouldin officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and family one hour before service from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

He fought a good fight, he kept the faith, he won the race! Memorials Can be directed to the Beulah Hill Church Cemetery fund.

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Delores Parks (Lois) Corrado

June 25, 1943 –March 13, 2025

Delores Parks (Lois) Corrado, 81, of Pinebluff and formerly Raeford passed peacefully at the FirstHealth Hospice House on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Delores was born in Raeford on June 25, 1943. She is preceded in death by her mother Sadie Pierce, sister Belle Pierce and brother George Pierce. She is survived by her husband Ron R. Corrado Sr. She was the mother of Felicia “Lisa” Miller, Wendy Edwards (Bobby), Christie Gagan (John) and stepmother of Ronald Corrado Jr. (Angie) and Sheri Runfola (Jesse). Delores was the loving grandmother of Jacob, Deven, Daniel, Jordan, Mackenzie, Grayson, Nolan, Savannah, Amanda and Luther. She is also survived by her six greatgrandchildren.

Delores grew up in Raeford, a graduate of Hawkeye High School, class of 1963. She owned and operated Parks Exxon and Grocery throughout the 70s and 80s. In 1989, Delores moved to Pinebluff and worked as a pharmacist’s assistant until retiring in 2008. Delores appreciated the beauty of the world around her. She enjoyed going on walks and spending time with her family. She was a woman of great family values who was the first to be there when a friend or family member needed assistance. Delores also loved to travel and shop (retail therapy).

A celebration of her life will be held at the Boles Funeral Home, 425 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines, on Wednesday, March 19 at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the ceremony from 1 to 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Highland Biblical Cemetery, Raeford.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

George “Alec” Alexander Price

Oct. 29, 1946 – March 8, 2025

George Alexander Price (Alec), age 78 of Southern Pines, NC passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born in Durham, NC on October 29, 1946, to George and Francis Price. His parents preceded him in death.

As a young man, Alec was an avid beach shag dancer. In high school, he and his dance partner won a trophy in a televised dance contest. Alec spent 30 years in administration at UNCP. He retired as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. Throughout his adult life, Alec enjoyed a passion for playing contract bridge. He achieved Platinum Life Master status with over 10,000 points. Alec was a devoted husband, brother, and uncle who cherished his family.

Alec is survived by his wife of 44 years, Teresa Price; a sister, Kathy Smith and husband Jake; a brother-in-law, Butch Patrick and wife Kathy; sister-in-law Debbie Patrick and husband Kevin Phillips; sister-in-law, Tiffany Whitesides and husband John; nephews, Andrew Patrick and wife Caroline; and their children, Alex & Maya Patrick, Patrick Whitesides, Jake Smith IV, Jordan Smith and wife Kiersten and daughter Georgia; niece, Ellen Patrick and husband Scott Peele and son Nash; and niece Madison Whitesides.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to FirstHealth Hospice at Palliative Care at 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Alan Dretel

Sept. 4, 1956 – March 9, 2025

Alan Mark Dretel, 68, of Sherman, CT. and Southern Pines, NC, passed peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 9, 2025, with his wife, Rhonda Lynn Dretel (nee Nursey) at his side. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, on September 4, 1956, he was the son of the late Martin and Frieda Reiter Dretel. Alan grew up in Danbury, CT and worked for his father’s business as a young man. After his high school graduation, he took on a more permanent role with the family business, D & S Pump and Supply, taking it over in the early 1980s. As the business grew, it expanded to have locations ranging from Maine to eastern Tennessee.

Alan was a hardworking and dedicated man standing up for his beliefs, but his family and those that knew him saw his caring and soft side. He and Rhonda enjoyed riding their horses. It was this love that brought them from Connecticut to Southern Pines where they quickly become active in the equestrian community with Alan serving on the board of the Walthour Moss Foundation for many years.

Alan earned his pilot’s license including a commercial rating in the early 1990s allowing him to visit the multiple locations of his company and customers more easily.

Alan is survived by his wife Rhonda Dretel. He was the father of David Joel Dretel and Aaron Mark Dretel, wife Carrie Dretel and the grandfather of Hunter, Jake, Luke, Emmitt, Shilo, Gideon, Felicity and Cilas. Alan was the brother of Donna Kozlowski and the late David Dretel.

A graveside ceremony will be held Wednesday March 12 at 11 a.m. at the Hilltop Cemetery, 226 Equestrian Road, Vass, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alan memory may be made to the Walthour Moss Foundation, P. O. Box 1794, Southern Pines, NC 28388.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Patricia Laird (Nee Balanetsky)

Feb. 3, 1949 – March 10, 2025

Patricia Laird (Nee Balanetsky), age 76, of Pinehurst, North Carolina and formerly of Concordville, Pennsylvania, passed away on March 10, 2025, due to complications of lung cancer. She was surrounded by the love of friends, family, and her devoted caregivers (angels) on her journey to eternal peace. She was the loving wife of the late DeWayne Laird sharing 50 happy years together and the devoted daughter of the late John and Irene Balanetsky.

Pat is survived by her siblings Maryann Flemming (Dennis) and Robert Balanetsky. She is also survived by her brother-inlaw and sister-in-law Roger and Kathy Laird, sister-in-law Loretta Balanetsky, and her nieces and nephews. She is the sister of the late John Jr., Stephen, and Richard Balanetsky.

Pat was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Magnolia, New Jersey. She was a graduate of Triton High School and after graduation, she worked at Provident National Bank. Pat then went on to a thirty-five-year career at State Farm Insurance Company in the Commercial Insurance Department.

Pat enjoyed a good game of golf with friends, crocheting, cross-stitching, and watching the Philadelphia Eagles. She loved making things for friends and family, and she particularly enjoyed the smiles it brought to others. Pat also spent time listening to music and watching DVDs of her favorite bands, especially The Eagles. Another thing that brought Pat great joy was the beautiful view outside her window of the golf course and the second tee box. She was a caring, generous, and kind person to her family and friends. Pat truly will be missed by all. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Ronald “Ronnie” Warren Crow Sr.

May 20, 1935 –March 11, 2025

Ronald “Ronnie” Warren Crow Sr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at age 89. He loved God, his family, his grandchildren, and golf, probably in that order, and his legacy will long outlive him throughout the Pinehurst community and in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know him.

Ronnie was born in Spartanburg, SC, to Smith Crow and Ethel Belcher Crow. He pursued his education at NC State University, completing a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering while excelling as a four-year athlete on the basketball team. Serving in the US Army, he was honorably discharged with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He later attended the Kenan-Flagler Executive Program at UNC Chapel Hill. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ronnie built a long and successful career in the textile industry, holding leadership positions at J.P. Stevens Textile Corporation, TiCaro, Inc., and Spray Cotton Mills, where he ultimately retired.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Ronnie found a true passion for golf, not only as a player but as a dedicated volunteer. He became an integral part of volunteer activities at Pinehurst Resort and Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club, where he played a key role in organizing and overseeing volunteers at a number of major events. He chaired the North-South Amateur for over 15 years and held leadership positions in three U.S. Open Golf Championships, along with

Calvin Earl Bishop

Dec. 17, 1960 – March 7, 2025

Calvin Earl Bishop, 64, of Carthage, passed on Friday, March 7, 2025 at his home; with his wife Jenny by his side.

Calvin was born December 17, 1960, in Cumberland County to the late A. Rudolph Bishop and Mary Virginia Elizabeth (Blount) Bishop.

Born and raised in Fayetteville, Calvin became a member of the Cumberland County Rescue Squad in 1979 as a volunteer and ultimately became the Commander of the Rescue Squad before retiring in 1998. He began his career as a full-time firefighter for the City of Fayetteville in 1981. He progressed through the ranks to Battalion Chief before retiring in 2016. Calvin was a part of the first paramedic class in Cumberland County and later became a part of the first recognized N.C. Technical Rescue Instructors certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Calvin actively taught classes throughout NC and beyond from 1988 - 2023. He was instrumental in the formation of Fayetteville’s first Heavy Rescue Co. (Rescue 1) and in 2005 introduced Fayetteville Fire Department to Urban Search & Rescue by becoming a part of NC Task Force 9. Calvin was promoted to a shift Battalion Chief in 2000. In 2012, he was named Battalion Chief over Special Operations which included Technical Rescue, Trench & Confined Space Rescue, State Urban Search & Rescue Team, as well as Local & State Hazardous Materials Response Team (RRT-3).

After retiring from Fayetteville Fire Department, Calvin

the Women’s U.S. Open. He served as the Chairman of the 2008 U.S. Men’s Amateur. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored as Chairman Emeritus for the 2024 U.S. Open. His love for the sport and his commitment to its growth left a lasting impact on the Pinehurst golf community. Beyond golf, Ronnie was devoted to his faith and his community. He was actively involved in First Baptist Church Greensboro, Leaksville United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church Southern Pines.

His leadership extended into civic life as well, serving as a Rotary Club member and receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his service. After moving to Penick Village, he continued his legacy of leadership as Vice President of the Residents’ Association, always striving to make a difference in the lives of those around him.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Martha Bone Crow, as well as his siblings: Alma Stroud, Elizabeth Woods, Margaret Risch, Marvin Crow, Smith “Buddy” Crow Jr., Helen Wilson, Virginia Brown, and Talmadge Crow. He is survived by his two sons, Warren (Mark) and David (Lisa), and his grandchildren, Lauten (Lindsay), Jacob, Maggie, and Emily (HB). He is also survived by his loving companion of recent years, Betsy Waters.

The family will hold a visitation on Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home located at 425 W. Pennsylvania Ave, Southern Pines, NC. The memorial service will be on Friday, March 21, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Southern Pines located at 200 East New York Ave., Southern Pines, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to First Tee of the Sandhills at 631 West Vermont Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387 or the First Baptist Church Southern Pines General Fund at 200 East New York Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387. There is no better way to honor Ronnie’s memory than to help instill his love of golf into many generations of young golfers to come and/or support the ministries of his church. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

worked with NC Emergency Management -both in the State Emergency Operations Center as well as responding when dispatched to assist in managing statewide emergencies and natural disasters.

Calvin also stayed active on the local level as the head of the LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) that was responsible for developing and maintaining response plans for hazardous materials releases within Cumberland County.

In 2022, Calvin began yet another career as the Fire Training Coordinator for Fayetteville Technical Community College scheduling, coordinating, and teaching fire & rescue classes for Cumberland County Agencies. He remained an integral part of FTCC’s teaching staff until the time of his death.

To this day, Fayetteville Fire Department honors his dedicated service by presenting the Calvin E. Bishop “Rescue Responder of the Year” Award; which began in 2018 and is awarded annually to a distinguished firefighter within the department.

He is survived by his wife Jenny R. Bishop of Carthage; a daughter, Lucia (Lucy) Bishop of Fayetteville; a sister, Beth Gray and husband Lance of Fayetteville; a brother, Billy Bishop and wife Jodi of Fayetteville; three nieces, Caroline Parker (Brandon), their sons Mason and Waylon, Anna Gray, and Brenna Bishop. His “bonus family” by marriage are Jenny’s daughters Holly BiggsWebb of Whispering Pines, Kerry Black Hooper (Jeramy) of Pinehurst, and grandchildren, Ethan, Evan, Collin, and Isabelle.

A celebration of life honoring Calvin will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Fayetteville Technical Community College Fire & Rescue Training Center in Fayetteville.

If affiliated with Emergency Services, guests are asked to wear their department t-shirts as a tribute to the magnitude of lives touched and knowledge shared by Calvin to those around our state and beyond. All others are welcome to dress in a comfortable and casual manner.

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Angela Marie Brown

July 20, 1959 –March 13, 2025

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Angela Marie Brown, 65, on March 13, 2025.

Known by many for her easy-going smile, kindness, selflessness, willingness to help anyone, and strong work ethic, she will be sorely missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd “Bobby” Brown and Mildred Faye Thompson Brown.

She is survived by her best friend Patricia, siblings Mike Brown (Cathy) of Aberdeen, Cathy Holt (Bruce) of Florida, and Billy Brown of Aberdeen; her nieces and nephews Michael, Laura (Chris), Katelyn (Jacob), John (MyKayla), Tristan, Kevin, and Joy; greatnieces and nephews June, Millie, Mikey, Jordin, K.J., and Taylor.

A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on March 17, 2025, at the Brown Family Cemetery in Hoke County.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Pinehurst Cancer Center, 135 North Page Road Pinehurst, NC 28374.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Inez Hunt Locklear

March 10, 1932 –March 11, 2025

Inez Hunt Locklear of Aberdeen was born on March 10, 1932, to the late Vance and Madies Hunt Locklear and departed this life on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, completing her journey of 93 years. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband of 61 years: Johnny Locklear; one son: Kenneth Ray Locklear as well as a daughter: Dora Frances Sampson.

Inez was a member of South Hoke Baptist Church for over 40 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading the bible. She also enjoyed making cakes as well as banana pudding. As part of her church work, she enjoyed visiting the sick. One of her favorite pastimes was traveling. Ms. Locklear is survived by her daughters: Kathleen Woods of Aberdeen, Brenda Faye Lowery and husband Gerald of Red Springs and Wanda Sue Sorrell and husband Tommy of Aberdeen; one brother: Alfred Locklear and his wife Brenda and one sis: Virginia Brooks; 14 grandchildren, 28 greatgrandchildren and 11 greatgreat-grandchildren also survive her.

Boles Funeral Home of Red Springs is serving the family.

Margaret Mary (Peggy) Shire

Oct. 4, 1922 – March 9, 2025

Margaret Mary (Peggy) Shire, 102, of Pinehurst, passed peacefully at the Brookdale of Pinehurst on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Born in Cranford, NJ, on October 4, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Clarence Fritz and Gretchen Jaeger Fritz. Peggy enjoyed her family and reading, and was an extensive traveler. She had been to all fifty states and travelled to thirtyfour countries. She also enjoyed watching sports on TV, following NASCAR, football, and golf. Peggy was the wife of the late Everett Calvin Shire. In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her daughters Peggy Jo Shire and Betty Jane Taylor, sister Patsy Humphries, brother Clarence Fritz Jr., grandson Patrick Orson Shire and her canine companion Osbourne. She is survived by her son John Shire and his wife Brenda, of Pinehurst and sister Betty Jane Thompson still in NJ.

A private ceremony will be held at a later date.

Donations in her memory may be made Hospice Foundation or St Jude’s.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Ron Nessen, press secretary to President Ford, dies at 90

He was the first press secretary to be a former broadcast journalist

By Douglass K. Daniel The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ron Nessen, a veteran broadcast journalist who was press secretary for President Gerald Ford and sought to restore the integrity that the position had lost during the Nixon administration, has died. He was 90.

Nessen died last Wednesday in Bethesda, Maryland, his son, Edward Nessen, confirmed.

Nessen replaced Jerald F. terHorst in September 1974 just six weeks into Ford’s presidency after terHorst resigned in protest over Ford’s pardon of former President Richard Nixon. Nessen had covered Ford’s tenure as vice president in the final months of a 12-year stint as a television correspondent with NBC News. He was the first journalist to come to the White House post from a broadcast background.

Nessen had developed a positive working relationship with Ford even though he asked difficult questions about the Watergate scandal as it eroded Nixon’s presidency. The position of press secretary, held then by Ron Ziegler, lacked credibility as the slow-moving scandal revealed a White House press operation that could not be trusted in its public pronouncements.

“I will never knowingly lie to you, never knowingly mislead the White House press corps,” Nessen, then 40, told reporters when he took over as Ford’s spokesman. He added, “If I do, you’d be justified in questioning my usefulness in this job.”

He also said he saw his main duty as providing news and information to the American people, not selling the president’s policies or necessarily agreeing with them.

One prominent trait for the new press secretary was a sense of humor. (He told reporters on his first day, “I’m a Ron, not a Ziegler,” a play off his boss’ remark that “I am a Ford, not a Lincoln.”) But, by his own ad-

“I will never knowingly lie to you, never knowingly mislead the White House press corps.”

Ron Nessen

mission, Nessen was at times short-tempered, thin-skinned and sarcastic when dealing with journalists.

Nessen later pointed with pride to getting reporters more access to the president, including allowing follow-up questions at news conferences and having Ford appear on a live network television news program. The appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” was a first for a president.

During his two years and four months as White House press secretary, Nessen may have drawn the most attention to himself by hosting television’s “Saturday Night Live,” then in its initial season. He was the first “SNL” host to come from outside the entertainment world. The April 17, 1976, episode aired during Ford’s reelection bid and included taped appearances by the president, who likely hoped to come across as a good sport in the face of the show’s constant satirical jabs. The post-broadcast criticism Nessen endured was mostly about the propriety and wisdom of a press secretary participating in a comedy show that skewered his boss, not Nessen’s ability to deliver a punch line. He later said he worried privately that hosting had been an ego-driven mistake since the liberal-leaning show’s skits continued mocking Ford as a bumbler and dullard.

Ronald H. Nessen was born May 25, 1934, in Washington, D.C. His father owned a general merchandise store in the city, and his mother was its bookkeeper. Nessen worked in radio as a high school student and while studying at Shepherd College in West Virginia and Amer-

ican University in Washington, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1959. During the 1950s, he was a newscaster for WEPM in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and WARL in Arlington, Virginia, and later reported for the Montgomery County Sentinel in Rockville, Maryland.

Nessen was a reporter and editor for United Press International in Washington, D.C., from 1956-62, and then joined NBC News as a television correspondent. He covered Lyndon Johnson’s White House, civil rights and the 1964 presidential campaign and was sent to Vietnam five times, his first tour ending in a near-fatal chest wound from a grenade fragment. He also covered national affairs and international assignments for the network before focusing on the Ford vice presidency.

After Ford’s defeat by Jimmy Carter in 1976, Nessen turned to writing and freelance work. He was a top executive with the Washington public relations firm Marston & Rothenberg Public Affairs from 198084 before managing radio news operations for the Mutual Broadcasting System and the NBC Radio Network. He later worked as a public affairs executive for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and the Brookings Institution.

He also wrote two memoirs, “It Sure Looks Different from the Inside” (1978) and “Making the News, Taking the News” (2011). He also wrote the novels “The First Lady” (1979) and “The Hour” (1984), as well as three mysteries in the 1990s co-written with his wife at the time, Johanna Neuman. Looking back on his career change, Nessen acknowledged in his 2011 memoir that he wanted the job as Ford’s spokesman in part to see what it was like to be a newsmaker. He concluded that he preferred the journalist’s role and wrote, “I’m more comfortable as an observer than as a participant.” Nessen is survived by his son and daughter, a sister, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

STATE & NATION

Residents pick up pieces after devastating storms pummel US South and Midwest

Several tornadoes touched down in western N.C.

By Safiyah Riddle and John Seewer The Associated Press

PLANTERSVILLE, Ala. —

Kim Atchison was hunkered down in her grandmother’s storm shelter with her 5-year-old grandson Saturday night in their tiny Alabama hometown of Plantersville when her husband and son raced in.

“Get down; get all the way down to the bottom of the cellar,” they told her, saying they could see a twister coming.

Atchison said she remembers first the “dead silence” and then hearing the wind that felt like a funnel and things outside hitting against each other.

“All was quiet after that because it was that fast,” she said.

“Like a snap of a finger and it was gone.”

Atchison and her family were among the fortunate ones to avoid being killed in the three-day outbreak of severe weather across eight states that kicked up a devastating combination of wildfires, dust storms and tornadoes — claiming at least 42 lives since last Friday.

Two people were killed by a twister in Plantersville. One of the lives lost was that of 82-yearold Annie Free, who “just looked out for everyone,” Atchison’s husband said. The tornado struck Free’s home, leaving only the front patio behind.

Darren Atchison spent Monday delivering granola bars and sports drinks to the pummeled neighborhood, driving his all-terrain vehicle around downed trees.

More than a half-dozen houses were destroyed while others were left in rough shape, some with walls peeled clean off. The tornado flipped a trailer onto its roof and toppled trees in every direction.

Strong winds knocked down a group of pine trees in Richland Township, Pennsylvania, during a severe thunderstorm that swept through the region Sunday.

When Heidi Howland emerged from her home after hiding in her bedroom underneath a mattress with her husband, kids and grandkids as the twister approached, she found fallen trees and broken car windows.

Many of her neighbors whose houses were damaged came to her front porch to take refuge from the rain after the storm passed Saturday night. One was Free’s daughter, who Howland said cried late into the night because the first responders couldn’t find her mother.

Free’s body wasn’t found until the morning. Also killed was Dunk Pickering, a fixture in the community who often hosted live music events and helped neighbors during tough times. Neighbor John Green found Pickering’s body in the wreckage of a building just across the street from Green’s home.

“Whether he knew you or not, he would help anyone,” Green said. “I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s been like that ever since the day I first met him.”

Green and other neighbors spent at least five hours Saturday night pulling people from the rubble and carrying them

to paramedics who were unable to reach the area because roads were blocked by debris.

Tornadoes and high winds across the South

In Mississippi, six people died and more than 200 were displaced by a string of tornadoes across three counties, the governor said.

Within about an hour of each other on Saturday, two big tornadoes tore through Walthall County, Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest one packed winds of 170 mph when it swept a wellbuilt home from its foundation, leaving a pile of debris behind, the agency said in an updated report late Monday.

Three people died in the county, including 7-year-old Carter Young, who was in a mobile home, Walthall County Coroner Chris Blackwell said. The other two people killed — Gabrielle Pierre, 34, and Jeffery Irvin, 42 — were in a mobile home next door to the one where Young was found, Blackwell said.

Scattered twisters and storm damage led to the deaths of at least 13 people in Missouri, including a 30-year-old man who

along with his dog was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning after he was using a generator indoors during the storm, authorities said. In Arkansas, officials confirmed three deaths.

As the storm headed east, two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday, firefighters in Transylvania County said. Firefighters found them amid the uprooted 3-foot-wide tree after relatives said they had been trapped in their bedroom, officials said.

A tornado touched down at about 3 a.m. Monday in a neighborhood in Perquimans County, North Carolina, destroying three mobile homes and damaging several others, according to the National Weather Service.

Eight people were injured in the community, with no reported deaths, the weather service said.

The community is about 50 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia.

Wildfires in Oklahoma

Wind-driven wildfires across the state destroyed more than 400 homes over the weekend and will continue to be a threat in the coming days because of high winds.

Two boys ages 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell on their home in western North Carolina early Sunday.

Dozens of fires were still burning across the state on Monday, said Keith Merckx at Oklahoma Forestry Services, and much of the state, including the Oklahoma City area, remained under fire warnings.

While conditions over the weekend allowed crews to get a handle on most wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma, forecasters at the National Weather Service said extremely critical fire weather conditions were expected Tuesday over an area spanning from southeastern New Mexico through the Texas Panhandle and into western Oklahoma.

“These fires, once they get started, become really hard to stop. They move more quickly than our resources can keep up with,” Merckx said. Four deaths so far were blamed on the fires or high winds, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. More than 70 homes were destroyed by wildfire outbreaks Friday in and around Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University.

Dust storms in Kansas and Texas

High winds spurred dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes Friday.

Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

DOGE cancelling federal office leases across country

A number of the leases are in North Carolina

The Associated Press

THE GENERAL Services Administration, working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has notified landlords that federal agencies will be terminating hundreds of leases for offices and buildings in the coming months.

A GSA planning document dated March 10 lists the dates when many of the cancellations are expected to go into effect. That does not mean all

the locations will close by those dates, but agencies would have to either negotiate new leases or move elsewhere if they remain open.

Trump administration officials have reported that many federal offices have been nearly empty as many government employees have been working from home. The lease cancellations come as DOGE works to slash headcount across the government, meaning less office space would be required to house them.

The following North Carolina leases are some of those expected to be canceled by the end of August or September.

• Charlotte — Geological Survey (5,316 square feet)

• Goldsboro — Natural Resources Conservation Service (5,881 square feet)

• Greensboro — Food and Drug Administration (1,579 square feet)

• Hendersonville — Farm Service Agency (5,358 square feet)

• Wilkesboro — Farm Service Agency (5,970 square feet)

• Wilmington — Internal Revenue Service National Office (14,165 square feet)

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads “DOGE” to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 9.

THOMAS SLUSSER / THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT VIA AP