North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 45

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 45 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

NSJONLINE.COM

GARY D. ROBERTSON / AP PHOTO

North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls), left, speaks while state Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) listens during a September press conference in Raleigh. The two legislative leaders are at an impasse over the state budget.

Budget, vetoes on docket for NCGA in 2026

the

BRIEF this week

Man dead, 2 police officers hurt in Mint Hill shooting Mint Hill A man was shot and killed Friday after firing at police in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte, during a child custody exchange, authorities said. Two Mint Hill police officers were also wounded in the shooting, Mint Hill Police said in a statement on social media. Both are in stable condition. Mint Hill officers were called to the exchange at an Edible Arrangement store around 10:45 a.m.

Friday. Authorities said the man pulled out a gun and started shooting and officers fired back. Police say he died in the exchange of gunfire.

Winter storm snarls holiday travel Boston More than a thousand flights were canceled or delayed across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions due to snow as thousands took to roads and airports during the busy travel period between Christmas and New Year’s.

New York City received about 4 inches of snow from Friday night into early Saturday — slightly under what some forecasts had predicted.

At least 1,500 flights were canceled from Friday night, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. The National Weather Service warned of hazardous travel conditions from the Great Lakes through the northern mid-Atlantic and southern New England, with the potential for tree damage and power outages.

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The legislature will have business from last year spill into 2026

Trump welcomes Zelenskyy for talks The U.S. president believes Russia and Ukraine both want peace The Associated Press PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump said Sunday he believes both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin truly want peace, as he welcomed the “brave” Ukrainian leader for talks at his Florida resort.

“The two leaders want it to end,” Trump said at the outset

of the meeting at Mar-a-Lago. Before Zelenskyy arrived, Trump spoke with Putin by phone for more than an hour and planned to speak with him again soon after.

Greeting Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “This gentleman has worked very hard, and is very brave, and his people are very brave.”

Zelenskyy, by Trump’s side, said he’d discuss issues of territorial concessions with Trump, which have so far been a red line for his country. He said his See TALKS, page A3

America 250 readies for 2026

86

North Carolina counties with America 250 committees as of the end of 2025

Parades, concerts and traveling exhibits are planned nationally and in the state

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Preparations continued at the state and national level for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

The America’s Quincentennial Committee at the General Assembly, which convened its first meeting in April 2024, met multiple times this year.

The committee, co-chaired

by Sen. Ted Alexander (R-Cleveland) and Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), has an official webpage on the General Assembly’s website complete

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — As 2025 wrapped up, North Carolina lawmakers had yet to agree on and pass a budget.

Both chambers of the General Assembly gaveled in and out for the scheduled December session without acting on the budget while also leaving six vetoes in limbo.

The Senate issued its budget plan in April, and the House dropped its budget proposal in May. The proposals were similar, including total spending of around $65.91 billion but differed on certain special projects desired by the Senate and pay raises proposed by the House.

The House passed four stand-alone budget bills during October addressing teacher pay, Medicaid and other health care spending

with a comment portal, lists of events and educational resources.

Public members of the committee include Kyle Luebke, Jason Luker, Charles Batcheller Neely and Tanzy Barrow Wallace. Other contributing members include historian Troy Kickler, the NC250 executive director, and Grace Obsitnik, the committee’s special events assistant.

In March, the committee outlined priorities for America 250 celebrations, such as a timeline of Revolutionary War events in North Carolina, developing an interactive map of historical sites across the state, and creating an inventory of existing historical markers and identifying sites for new recognition.

In May, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced the names of 15 K-12 teachers selected as America 250 Teaching Fellows for 2025.

See AMERICA 250, page A2

which were not taken up by the Senate. A press release issued at the time from Senate Appropriations Chairmen Brent Jackson (R-Sampson), Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) and Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) called the bills a “gimmick” that would result in a $2 billion deficit.

“It is our duty to pass a responsible, balanced budget,” said Jackson, Hise and Lee. “Bringing forth bills that cannot be considered and intentionally bust our state’s budget is nothing more than a political stunt.”

Tax rates and related economic triggers are the key sticking point holding up a new state budget, which has resulted in a battle of wills between new House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden).

The current personal income tax rate in North Carolina is 4.25%. A 2023 budget compromise bill lowers that See NCGA, page A2

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THURSDAY

1.1.26 #522

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NCGA from page A1 rate next year to 3.99% and drops the rate again in 2027 to 3.49%.

The impasse over the tax rates boils down to modification of the scheduled tax rate reduction triggers, as explained

by Reps. Dean Arp (R-Union) and Julie Howard (R-Davie) in a recent op-ed in North State Journal.

“The House isn’t abandoning income tax cuts. Our budget keeps the scheduled decrease from 4.25% to 3.99% in 2026,” Arp and Howard wrote.

“What we propose is updating the formula for future cuts so they only happen when revenue actually supports them, adjusted for inflation and population growth.

“It’s a simple, commonsense adjustment with a big payoff — preventing North Carolina from sliding into multibillion-dollar shortfalls.”

Corporate tax reductions are not forgotten in the tax rate fight, and both chambers seem willing to make minor adjustments with an eye on the potential for falling future state revenues.

AMERICA 250 from page A1 The committee’s July meeting focused on civic engagement, the idea of America 250 interactive kiosks, and increasing public awareness through digital platforms, branded merchandise and short videos featuring General Assembly members.

In August, the committee heard a presentation on the North Carolina Brigade project, an exhibit that will travel to other states in addition to stops in North Carolina. There was also discussion about historical markers for both the Revolutionary War and important civil rights sites.

The committee focused on ways to increase circulation of America 250 celebration events and news during its September meeting. Updates were also given on a special semiquincentennial edition of the state constitution.

November’s meeting included publicizing “Revolutionary War Trail Opportunities” among the state’s trail system, and Kickler distributed copies of a committee-branded edition of the state and U.S. Constitutions for public outreach. Paul Norcross, co-founder of the Celebrate America Foundation (CAF), described a

the word | The beauty of Christ We have no picture of Christ. Artists through the centuries have imagined his face and painted it with reverence and skill, some of them wondrously winning. Yet these are only human conceptions of a life so loving, so pure, so gracious, and so true. In the end, it is not the physical face of Christ whose beauty we are called to seek, but his inner grace — the spirit, the disposition, the qualities of mind and heart that shaped everything he did.

Perhaps we do not think enough about beauty of character when we form our idea of Christian life. It is one thing to stand before others and say, “I am a Christian,” and another thing altogether to grow into the loveliness of Christ himself. One may sincerely confess Christ, honestly take his side, and yet still be full of faults — a beginner who has much to learn and many beautiful qualities of Christian character yet to acquire.

The apostle Paul tells us that we are to have in us “the mind which was in Christ Jesus.” That is, we are to be like Christ — to share his spirit, his temper, his principles. The life of Christ as people saw it must become the pattern of our own lives. The Gospels do more than record his deeds and words; they reveal his sympathy, his kindness, his patience with people, and his endurance of misunderstanding and wrong.

One quality Paul emphasizes as central to the mind of Christ is love among believers.

Christians are meant to live together in peace and true fellowship. This is no small challenge.

People differ widely in temperament, opinions, tastes, and circumstances. Even in the church at Philippi — remarkable for its harmony — there were strained relationships. Two women who had once labored together in love had become estranged, and their division blemished the fellowship of the church.

Quarrels among Christians always wound the spirit of a congregation. Those who love Christ should never be content to live in bitterness or rivalry. We are not meant to insist on always having our own way. Often another person’s way is just as good as ours; even when it is not, the harm caused by contention usually outweighs the benefit of winning. Unity invites God’s blessing; strife drives it away.

Paul pleads earnestly for harmony, comparing discord to music played out of tune — painful to the ear and distressing to the

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet” by Tintoretto (c. 1548) is a painting in the collection of The Museo del Prado in Madrid. heart. From his prison in Rome, he writes that the unity of the Philippians would “make full” his joy. Pastors understand this well. Few things burden a shepherd more than conflict among his people, and few joys are sweeter than seeing them live together in love.

Paul urges believers to do nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory. A quarrelsome spirit, a desire to rule, or to insist on preeminence is foreign to the mind of Christ.

Instead, Christians are called to prefer one another in honor. If others are difficult, that is not permission for us to be so as well. In fact, it is then that we are called to be gentler. The truest Christian is often the one who bears the most — and remains the sweetest.

Another essential element of the mind of Christ is humility. “In humility of mind,” Paul writes, “each counting the other better than himself.” We are quick to measure ourselves by education, experience, or position, yet none of these grants the right to assert superiority.

Even if we truly are stronger or wiser, that only increases our obligation to serve.

Christ himself modeled this humility.

Knowing his divine glory and destiny, he performed the lowest service for those far beneath him. Superiority, in the kingdom of God, means responsibility. The greatest have the most to give; the best are called to help the most.

To have the mind of Christ is to share

his love, his interest in people, his spirit of condescension and service. Paul’s great description of love — patient, kind, humble, enduring — was not an abstract ideal. It was transcribed from Christ’s own life. He was never rude, never harsh, never weary in helping. His power was always clothed in gentleness.

There is a way of doing good that wounds rather than heals — service marked by pride or lack of delicacy. Christ’s kindness was never like that. Help without love can still hurt. The mind of Christ orders love rightly.

True devotion never neglects plain, present duty. Our Lord never withheld his hand from human need, yet he did not abandon those nearest to him while serving others. He did first duties first. Many mistake distant or showy service for faithfulness, while leaving undone the obligations that lie closest at hand. Such inconsistency has no place in the mind of Christ. To have his mind is not to select a few admired traits from his life and imitate them, but to receive his whole spirit into our own. We are not to adorn a lifeless branch with borrowed flowers, but to live from the life of Christ himself.

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

The corporate reductions went from 2.5% to 2.25% beginning in 2025. The rate is reduced again in 2026 and 2027 to 2%, and it drops to 1% in 2028 and 2029. The corporate rate would drop to zero after 2029.

Both leaders have said they are open to negotiating, but outward appearances seem like the two lawmakers are locked in a state of radio silence, making it unclear what it will take to break the stalemate in 2026.

In addition to the lack of activity on the budget, six vetoed bills remained in limbo in the House heading into the new year.

The six bills are the Educational Choice for Children Act (House Bill 87), Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

(House Bill 171), Freedom to Carry NC (Senate Bill 50), the North Carolina Border Protection Act (Senate Bill 153), Eliminating “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” in Public Education (Senate Bill 227), and Eliminating “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” in Public Higher Education (Senate Bill 558).

The four Senate bill vetoes have already been overridden by the Senate but require the House to hold a vote to finish the process. The two vetoed House bills haven’t had any override votes taken.

A total of 15 bills were vetoed

by Gov. Josh Stein during the session, with eight overridden.

The long session also included the arrest of three people at the General Assembly: Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford), Sen. Norm Sanderson (R-Pam-

lico) and Diane Cook, Sanderson’s legislative assistant.

In early October, Brockman was arrested on sex crime charges. He faces two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and two counts of statutory rape/sex offense of a 13-to-15-year-old by a defendant at least six years older than the victim.

Initially, Brockman was issued a $1.05 million bond due to being considered a flight risk.

That bond was later reduced to a $250,000 secured bond. He posted that amount and was released Nov. 4.

During a court appearance, Brockman’s attorney, Alec Carpenter, claimed his client believed the victim was 18 years old. Carpenter said the two had met on the LGBT dating app Grindr, which requires affirming being 18 or older to use it.

“We do have evidence that he knew the juvenile was underage,” District Attorney Avery Crump told the judge.

Brockman was pressured to resign by Democrats and Republicans alike when the news of his arrest broke, but he refused for the better part of the

concert to be held July 3, 2026, at the High Point Theater.

The committee held its final meeting for 2025 on Dec. 16, at which time 86 of the counties in the state had America 250 committees. Committee members heard from CAF Chairman Stephen McKee, who said the High Point concert event would be broadcast live by PBS North Carolina.

State Labor Commissioner Luke Farley attended and gave some brief remarks as a member of the CAF board, including pursuing a potential July Fourth parade.

“The ideal parade, of course, would be one here in Raleigh downtown around our state capitol,” Farley said. “I think our vision would be that downtown Raleigh Capitol Square would be just totally decked out in bunting, you know, their celebratory red, white and blue regalia. We’d have a big parade that brought together people from across the state, marching bands from high schools and universities, and we would have Revolutionary War reenactors there in their period dress.”

Farley said he would have future updates.

“We’re going to lend the full support of the North Carolina Department of Labor to this

project,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2026, NC America 250 events include traveling exhibits that can be accessed on the DCNR’s official America250NC.gov website, which has expansive resources and educational materials.

On a national scale, a military parade celebrating the U.S. Army was held in Washington, D.C. in June. Both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were on hand to give remarks, as were most of the heads of Trump’s cabinet.

The U.S. Department of Education rolled out the “America 250 Civics Education Coalition” in October, described as “dedicated to renewing patriotism, strengthening civic knowledge, and advancing a shared understanding of America’s founding principles in schools across the nation.” For information about the Coalition and its programming visit AmericaFirstPolicy.com.

A nationwide contest was announced in October inviting students in grades 3-12 to participate in the nation’s 250th anniversary through “America’s Field Trip.” The contest will end March 30 at 8 p.m., and 250 students will be chosen as winners of a behind-the-scenes field trip experience or cash prize. For

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

The U.S. Department of Education launched the Presidential 1776 Award to celebrate the upcoming quincentennial in mid-December. According to the department, high school students will compete in three stages of multiple choice and verbal exams. Scholarships totaling $250,000 will go to three winners, and the national finals will be held in Washington, D.C., in June.

Heading into the semiquincentennial, the White House and the America 250 Commission have announced several major celebration activities.

On Dec. 18, the president issued a video statement on social media outlining “Freedom 250,” which he described as a new public-private partnership that will plan patriotic events across the country in honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

“As we ring in 2026, Americans across the nation will see the iconic Washington Monument illuminated with festive birthday lights to honor the start of this historic anniversary year,” said Trump. “Then from June 25 to July 10 of next year, we will host the Great American State Fair on the National Mall,

$65.91B

Approximate spending in budget proposals by the House and Senate, which have been unable to come to an agreement

month. He finally resigned his seat Oct. 31, less than an hour after a select committee was announced to investigate his removal. High Point City Councilwoman Amanda Cook was picked to fill the remainder of his term.

The same month Brockman was arrested, Sanderson was arrested by the State Highway Patrol on three misdemeanor charges: driving while impaired, an open container after consumption violation and failure to obey a traffic officer.

Sanderson, who according to court records had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, issued a statement apologizing for his actions. The case is still pending in Wake County District Court.

The following month, a legislative assistant to Sanderson was arrested on arson charges.

Cook, 38, was arrested by Raleigh Police on Nov. 24 on first-degree arson charges for allegedly attempting to set two adjacent townhomes on fire in the 8300 block of Boca Point in northeast Raleigh. Her case is also pending in Wake County District Court.

featuring pavilions from all 50 states, highlighting breathtaking innovations and celebrating America’s exceptional history and culture.”

Freedom 250’s official website launched alongside Trump’s message. Keith Krach, who served as undersecretary of State during Trump’s first term, was named CEO of Freedom 250.

Included in Freedom 250 is the “Patriot Games,” designed for high school athletes from around the country to compete in and to be led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Through a February executive order, Trump first announced plans for a “Grand Celebration” to be held on July 4, 2026, honoring America’s 250th birthday.

Trump has also announced a plan for a “Great American State Fair,” featuring exhibits from all 50 states and America 250 programs and experiences. The Great American State Fair will be mobile, starting in Iowa and finishing its tour in July 2026 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. To see additional America 250 events planned for 2026, including an interactive calendar allowing for searches by state, visit America250.org.

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Remembering those lost in 2025 The death of Pope Francis and the assassination of Charlie Kirk brought sorrow and shock

AUGUST Ion Iliescu, 95. Romania’s first freely elected president after the fall of communism in 1989 later faced charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the bloody revolution. Aug. 5.

Humpy Wheeler, 86. He was a pioneering motorsports promoter as president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Aug. 20.

By Bernard McGhee The Associated Press THE DEATH of Pope Francis brought change to the Catholic Church, which counts 1.4 billion adherents and is now led — for the first time — by an American pope. The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as he spoke before a crowd horrified many and prompted somber conversations about political violence.

And when trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre died by suicide, it brought additional scrutiny to the investigations of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They were among the noteworthy and influential people who died in 2025 where the deaths themselves had a widespread impact.

The deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife became a source of both sadness and mystery after their bodies were found in their home in February. Authorities ultimately determined that Hackman, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, died of heart disease, likely unaware that Betsy Arakawa had died from hantavirus a week earlier.

Meanwhile, the death of heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, which came just weeks after his farewell concert, marked the end of an era in music. The year also saw the death of boxing great George Foreman, who memorably lost a much-watched match to Muhammad Ali but whose career had inspiring second and third acts as a world champion and successful business owner.

And the world said goodbye this year to Dick Cheney, the hard-charging conservative whose long career in public service included becoming one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history under President George W. Bush.

SEPTEMBER

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler waves to the crowd before the start of the 2008 Coca-Cola 600. Wheeler died Aug. 20 at 86.

LYNN HEY / AP PHOTO

Joseph McNeil speaks during a 2010 AFL-CIO conference in Greensboro. McNeil, who sat down at a whites-only Woolworth lunch counter in downtown Greensboro and refused to leave when he was not served, died Sept. 4 at 83.

FEBRUARY Gene Hackman, 95. The Oscar-winning actor whose studied portraits ranged from reluctant heroes to conniving villains and made him one of the industry’s most respected and honored performers. Feb. 18.

Found dead with his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

Boris Spassky, 88. A Soviet-era world chess champion, he lost his title to American Bobby Fischer in a legendary 1972 match that became a proxy for Cold War rivalries. Feb. 27.

MARCH George Foreman, 76. The fearsome heavyweight boxer lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Muhammad Ali before his inspiring second and third acts as a 45-year-old world champion

TALKS from page A1 negotiators and Trump’s “have discussed how to move step by step and bring peace closer” and would continue to do so in the meeting.

Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s capital in the days before the meeting.

Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the Trump-Putin call was initiated by the U.S. side, lasted over an hour, and was “friendly, benevolent, and businesslike.”

Ushakov said Trump and Putin agreed to speak again “promptly” after Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy.

But Ushakov added that a

Joseph McNeil, 83. He was one of four North Carolina college students whose refusal to leave a racially segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter 65 years ago helped spark nonviolent civil rights sit-ins across the South.

Sept. 4.

Giorgio Armani, 91. The iconic Italian designer turned the concept of understated elegance into a multibillion-dollar fashion empire. Sept. 4.

Charlie Kirk, 31. Rising from a teenage conservative campus activist to a top podcaster and ally of President Donald Trump, he was fatally shot during an appearance at a college in Utah.

Sept. 10.

Robert Redford, 89. The Hollywood golden boy became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters. Sept. 16.

OCTOBER Jane Goodall, 91. The conservationist was renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy.

Oct. 1.

Diane Keaton, 79. The Oscar-winning star’s quirky manner and emotional depth enthralled fans in movies including “Annie Hall,” “The Godfather” films and “Father of the Bride.” Oct. 11.

NOVEMBER

JANUARY David Lynch, 78. The filmmaker was celebrated for his uniquely dark and dreamlike vision in such movies as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive,” and the TV series “Twin Peaks.”

Jan. 16.

Bob Uecker, 90. He parlayed a forgettable playing career into a punch line for movie and TV appearances as “Mr. Baseball” and a Hall of Fame broadcasting tenure. Jan. 16.

cep-busting icon of professional wrestling turned the sport into a massive business and stretched his influence into TV, pop culture and conservative politics during a long and scandal-plagued second act. July 24.

ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO

ALESSANDRA TARANTINO / AP PHOTO

Pope Francis waves during the Angelus noon prayer in January. The pontiff died April 21 at 88. and a successful business owner. March 21.

Kitty Dukakis, 88. The wife of former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis spoke openly about her struggles with depression and addiction. March 21.

APRIL Val Kilmer, 65. The brooding, versatile actor who played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” died of pneumonia.

April 1.

Pope Francis, 88. History’s first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for poor people but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

April 21.

Virginia Giuffre, 41. She accused Britain’s Prince Andrew

“bold, responsible, political decision is needed from Kyiv” on the fiercely contested Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and other matters in dispute for there to be a “complete cessation” of hostilities.

Trump said he’d call Putin after the meeting with Zelenskyy and also reach out to European leaders who he said “have been really great.” He tempered his optimism about ending the conflict, however.

“It’ll either end or it’s going to go on for a long time and millions of additional people will be killed,” Trump said.

Trump and Zelenskyy sitting down face to face underscored the apparent progress made by

and other influential men of sexually exploiting her as a teenager trafficked by financier Jeffrey Epstein. She died by suicide, according to her publicist. April 25.

MAY David H. Souter, 85. The retired Supreme Court justice was an ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican who became a favorite of liberals during nearly 20 years on the bench. May 8.

Charles Rangel, 94. The former New York congressman was an outspoken, gravel-voiced Harlem Democrat who spent nearly five decades on Capitol Hill and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. May 26.

JUNE Brian Wilson, 82. The Beach Boys’ visionary and fragile leader whose genius for melody, ar-

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk arrives to speak at a Las Vegas campaign rally in October 2024. Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 at 31. rangements and wide-eyed self-expression inspired “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls” and other summertime anthems, becoming one of the world’s most influential recording artists. June 11.

D. Wayne Lukas, 89. The Hall of Famer became one of horse racing’s most accomplished trainers and a face of the sport for decades. June 28.

JULY Jimmy Swaggart, 90. The televangelist amassed an enormous following and multimillion-dollar ministry, only to be undone by his penchant for prostitutes. July 1.

Ozzy Osbourne, 76. The gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath became the godfather of heavy metal and then a doddering dad on reality TV. July 22.

Hulk Hogan, 71. The mustachioed, headscarf-wearing, bi-

“It’ll either end or it’s going to go on for a long time and millions of additional people will be killed.”

President Donald Trump Trump’s top negotiators in recent weeks as the sides traded draft peace plans and continued to shape a proposal to end the fighting. Zelenskyy told reporters Friday that the 20-point draft proposal negotiators have discussed is “about 90% ready” — echoing a figure, and the optimism, that U.S. officials conveyed when Trump’s chief negotiators met with Zelenskyy in Berlin earlier this month.

Zelenskyy said last week that he would be willing to withdraw troops from Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland as part of a plan to end the war, if Russia also pulls back and the area becomes a demilitarized zone monitored by international forces.

Putin has publicly said he wants all the areas in four key regions that have been captured by his forces, as well as the Crimean Peninsula, illegally an-

Dick Cheney, 84. The hard-charging conservative was a leading advocate for invading Iraq as one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in U.S. history. Years later, he became a critic and target of President Donald Trump. Nov. 3.

Paul Tagliabue, 84. He helped bring labor peace and riches to the NFL during his 17 years as commissioner but was criticized for not taking stronger action on concussions. Nov. 9.

Fuzzy Zoeller, 74. One of golf’s most gregarious characters, the two-time major champion’s career was tainted by a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods. Nov. 27.

DECEMBER Rob Reiner, 78. The son of a comedy giant who became one himself as one of the preeminent filmmakers of his generation, he was fatally stabbed along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their home. Dec. 14.

Greg Biffle, 55. Picked by NASCAR as one of its top 75 drivers in history, the Hall of Fame nominee was killed in a small jet crash. Dec. 18.

Jim Hunt, 88. The four-term North Carolina Democratic governor was a major figure in state politics. He served in the Executive Mansion for parts of the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

nexed in 2014, to be recognized as Russian territory. He also has insisted that Ukraine withdraw from some areas in eastern Ukraine that Moscow’s forces haven’t captured. Kyiv has publicly rejected all those demands.

The Kremlin also wants Ukraine to abandon its bid to join NATO. It warned that it wouldn’t accept the deployment of any troops from members of the military alliance and would view them as a “legitimate target.”

Putin also has said Ukraine must limit the size of its army and give official status to the Russian language, demands he has made from the outset of the conflict.

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THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

New Year’s resolutions and look-backs One of the most popular resolutions people make on New Year’s Day is, “I am going to lose weight and get into shape this year!”

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR when people look back on the past year with fondness or sadness for the way things worked out for them. They cast an optimistic eye toward the next year and hope the good things continue while resolving to correct the negative things of the past year.

There is nothing particularly religious or spiritual about New Year’s Eve or Day celebrations. In a purely secular or basic science sense, what people dating back to the Babylonians have celebrated is the successful completion of another cycle of Earth in space, which, of course, they had absolutely nothing to do with or about.

Somehow long ago, Egyptian scientists and astronomers figured out how to measure a year based on lunar observations. Civilizations then ascribed whatever meaning or motive they chose to such successful orbital completions.

The Babylonians celebrated one of the first New Year festivals (Akitu) in late March 2000 B.C., to honor Marduk, their king who had won a momentous battle. He, of course, told them this battle — which coincided with the successful completion of their celestial journey — confirmed his continued divine rule over them.

It wasn’t until the Romans adopted the Julian calendar under Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. that we even had a Jan. 1 on which to celebrate New Year’s Day, since there was no January before then.

Oddly enough, the whole concept of the Earth not being the center of the solar

system is a relatively new phenomenon in the history of mankind. It was not overturned until roughly 500 years ago when Nicolaus Copernicus published “On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres.”

Talk about one person turning the world upside down. His book overturned centuries of scientific and religious belief by setting the sun as the center of our solar system and obligating the Earth to revolve around it once every year.

The question then arises about why we celebrate the new year on one particular day. Why not another day of the year?

What is it about human beings that almost commands us to have a beginning and an end to the way we organize and look at our lives? There is something almost magical about the way we look at New Year’s Day today in America. It is like we believe the universe has given us permission to put a bad year behind us and look forward with optimism to a new one.

But is this even possible or healthy for the way we live on a daily basis?

If something is going wrong in our lives, does it make sense to wait 8-10 months until the end of the year to do something about it? Of course, the planetary revolution had everything to do with what went wrong — waiting for the next revolution around the sun will fix everything.

One of the most popular resolutions people make on New Year’s Day is, “I am going to lose weight and get into shape this year!”

If losing weight and getting into shape are good ideas to start doing at the end of the year, why are they not good ideas to start on March 15 or any other day?

New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to keep. Gyms and YMCAs are packed with new faces and memberships during the month of January.

Looking back on the past year almost always involves some degree of anger, which drains the soul. The energy that goes into remembering and recreating in your mind the injustices of the past detracts from the joys of living in the present and planning ahead with excitement for the future.

The one resolution everyone can make on any day of the year is to enjoy and be thankful for the love, good things and people around you. Such a revelation can sustain anyone for the next 365 days, whether it begins Jan. 1 or not.

The Bible is replete with advice and admonitions to not be anxious about the future or worry too much about the past.

The word “anxiety” comes from Latin and Greek words that connote the sense of loss of control, choking, and the feeling of being literally torn apart in mind, body and soul.

Imagine a resolution for the new year that puts all of those negative feelings away forever. One of the best comes from the First Letter of Peter to persecuted Christians in Asia Minor when he says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

2025 was undeniably the year of Trump All of which had the net effect of provoking Democrats into dramaqueening about a Republican president allegedly turning their term in office into a dictatorship.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING that 2025 was destined to be a wild year, politically speaking, after Donald Trump won his second presidential term in November 2024.

The 47th president of the United States came out of the gate swinging, cranking out executive orders and unleashing the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency on the bloated federal bureaucracy, all of which had the net effect of provoking Democrats into doing one of the things they do best: drama-queening about a Republican president allegedly turning their term in office into a dictatorship.

But it was Trump’s massive crackdown on both violent crime and illegal immigration in America, primarily in the blue cities where we’ve seen some of the worst problems, that has had the most reverberations in Washington, D.C., and beyond.

As immigration enforcement agents launched operations across the country, including in Charlotte, we saw one lawsuit after another from Democrats and their affiliated special interest groups play out, similar to what they’ve done whenever Trump has either sent in the National Guard or has threatened to send in the National Guard to help combat crime in these same Democrat-run cities.

Democrats have, with some success,

been able to stymie some facets of Trump’s America First agenda by way of the court system, thanks in part to activist judges who critics say effectively are legislating from the bench.

In one particular case that could perhaps have the longest-lasting impact after Trump’s term is over, the Supreme Court allowed a Trump-backed Texas mid-decade redistricting plan, put in place in July after the DOJ issued a memo urging action on “racially gerrymandered” districts, to remain in place for the time being, meaning the maps will be in effect for the 2026 congressional midterms.

As reported by SCOTUSblog, “The court’s five-paragraph order indicated that ‘Texas is likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that the District Court committed at least two serious errors’” in their ruling against the new map, one that is likely to increase the Lone Star State’s GOP representation in the House of Representatives.

“Moreover, it added, the lower court ‘improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections,’” SCOTUSblog also noted.

Needless to say, Texas redrawing its maps in the first place prompted blue states like California to take similar steps, which has had the net effect of other

red states, including North Carolina, responding accordingly. The new North Carolina map, I should note, which primarily targeted the 1st Congressional District, looks likely to be upheld after a federal judicial panel ruled in the state’s favor in early December.

2026 promises more roller-coaster rides as Trump forges ahead while Democrats continue to try to find ways to stop the administration on illegal immigration matters, tariffs, his attempt at eliminating the Education Department and more.

It remains to be seen how all of this will play out in the coming months. But one thing that’s for sure is that between his domestic agenda and global agenda — the latter of which has seen many peace deals between hostile nations negotiated (though one between Ukraine and Russia remains elusive) and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages who were being held by Hamas terrorists — Trump has once again established himself as one of the most consequential presidents in American history.

And just to think, we still have three more years to go.

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.

A5

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

COLUMN

It’s a wonderful president Few presidents have recorded more achievements and positive results in one year than Trump.

I’VE BEEN SHOCKED that Americans are in such a grumpy mood, as reflected in all the public opinion polls.

What a paradox: At the same time, we have peace and prosperity, including more income, more wealth, more of almost everything that we want to buy (yes, except for housing), Americans seem to think we have an “affordability crisis.” In 2025, the median household income in the United States has risen to more than $86,000 a year — an all-time high.

Every income group and every ethnic group is richer today than ever before. Hispanics now have a median household income above $70,000, which would make them rich in most countries where they or their parents came from.

This upward slope of living standards has been the norm throughout our history as a nation, but this past year has been one of the blockbusters, with incomes rising almost twice as fast as inflation.

It hasn’t happened by accident. It’s happened because at the start of 2025 we had a regime change in Washington, D.C. In Donald Trump, we have a president whose commonsense economic, education, energy, environment and financial policies have worked.

I don’t agree with all the policies, such as some of the high tariffs, which are a mixed bag at best.

But few presidents have recorded more achievements and positive results in one year than Trump.

Here are some of them as we round out Trump 2.0, year one: • Median family income after inflation has risen by $1,250.

• Incomes of the bottom 25% have risen after inflation. This is not a “rich getting richer, poor getting poorer story.” It’s a “rising tide that lifts all boats” story.

• The wealth of the average family in their 401(k) plans is up by an average of $21,000 — reversing a more than $20,000 real decline under Joe Biden.

• As many as 1 million additional families will have access to higher-performing schools thanks to Trump’s education savings accounts.

• No tax on tips and overtime starts on Jan. 1 for millions of American workers.

• The federal budget deficit — a clear and

present danger — was down by roughly 2.5% in 2025 and is already down by another $170 billion in the first two months of fiscal year 2026 despite the Trump tax cuts.

• Our servicemen and servicewomen received a well-deserved $1,776 end-of-year bonus.

• Through the first half of the year (according to the latest numbers available), crime in cities is way down. Gun assaults were down 21%, aggravated assaults were down 10%, sexual assaults were down 10% and carjackings were down 24% compared to levels under Biden.

• Illegal immigration is down 92% from the peak levels of entry under Biden.

• The United States is producing more oil and gas than at any other time in American history.

• Gas prices, which approached $5 a gallon under Biden, are down to $2.89 a gallon today.

• The swamp in Washington is being drained; federal employment is down by nearly 300,000.

• A record 400-plus intrusive regulations have been eliminated, including repealing racial quotas in hiring, reversing Biden rules mandating that Americans buy electric vehicles and allowing more drilling for critical minerals.

• The absurd and unfair student loan “forgiveness” program has been canceled.

• The stock market reached all-time highs on all three major indices: the S&P 500, the Nasdaq and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

There’s much more to celebrate, and there are also some bad things happening in our country that Trump hasn’t fixed (yet), like our corrupt and outlandishly expensive health care system and declining test scores in our public schools.

It’s amazing what a difference a president who puts America first can make.

Yet young people, in particular, are grim in their outlook. They’re oblivious to how blessed they are to be in America at this unique moment of peace and unprecedented prosperity, to have a future with all the economic signs pointing north. They still don’t get it.

I feel like the angel Clarence in the iconic 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” who convinces Jimmy Stewart at the end of the movie: “You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life.”

Stephen Moore is a former Trump senior economic adviser and the cofounder of Unleash Prosperity.

COLUMN | DANIEL MCCARTHY

JD Vance gets America’s creed and heritage right At the most basic level, being an American simply means being a citizen.

WITH AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY as an independent nation coming up in 2026, the big debate on the right this season about what it means to be an American couldn’t be more timely.

Vice President JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy — the 2024 presidential aspirant who hopes to be elected Ohio governor next year — have both weighed in.

The two extremes in the debate are the “creedal nationalists,” who emphasize America as an idea, and those who boast of being “heritage Americans” with lineages in this country stretching back generations or centuries.

Aren’t long-established families — whose ancestors came over on the Mayflower or fought in the Revolutionary War — more American than relative newcomers?

Absolutely not, say those who insist America is about values, not bloodlines.

For creedal nationalists, an American is defined by belief “in the rule of law, in freedom of conscience and freedom of expression, in colorblind meritocracy, in the U.S. Constitution, in the American dream,” as Ramaswamy wrote in The New York Times on Dec. 17.

Ramaswamy’s forebears came from India: Does that make him less American than the descendants of 17th-century English settlers?

The argument isn’t just about history; it’s about immigration today.

Not only does creedal nationalism suppose the country has nothing to fear from immigration on any scale — as long as new arrivals accept the patriotic catechism — it also implies those who oppose large-scale immigration anyway are really un-American.

Yet the creed means different things to different people, and anyone can pretend to believe anything.

Defining a creed is difficult enough for a church — it often leads to schisms.

So the temptation in politics is to make the creed as vague as possible, which translates into making it easy for anyone to qualify as an American.

Ramaswamy specifies in his definition, “a citizen who swears exclusive allegiance to our nation.”

But other creedal nationalists commonly assert that noncitizens who embrace America’s values — or their own, typically liberal values — are better Americans than native citizens whose ideas conflict with the creed or with the way liberals interpret the creed.

On the other hand, “heritage American” is a doubly damaging concept. It needlessly alienates newer Americans while mindlessly elevating older ones.

Heather Cox Richardson, whose progressive Substack newsletter is a source of relentless liberal disinformation, is a “heritage American” with 18thcentury roots.

It’s a notorious fact that many Americans descended from Puritan forefathers are today enthusiastically and aggressively woke.

Just look at the average “No Kings” rally — “heritage Americans” are in abundance, some looking old enough to have watched the Battle of Yorktown in person.

Such “heritage American” institutions as Harvard University and the Episcopal Church certainly don’t hold much hope for conservatives.

Being an American has never meant subscribing to one political party, but that’s the point — much of the “heritage” population and the institutions entrusted to its custody have come to align with a single ideological faction today, one that does not revere the America of old.

At the most basic level, being an American simply means being a citizen, and all citizens are equal — not only as a point of law but as a foundational principle.

Vance was utterly clear about this in his interview last weekend with UnHerd’s Sohrab Ahmari.

“Whether you got your citizenship an hour ago or you got your citizenship or your family got citizenship 10 generations ago, we have to treat all Americans equally,” Vance said.

But Vance’s understanding of heritage bolsters the creed rather than conflicting with it.

Taken on its own, the creed is abstract and open to endless debate.

Yet regardless of how one understands the creed, an American — of any background, however recent or ancient in this land — should honor the patrimony handed down to us by our ancestors: Our American ancestors, the men and women who originally made this land great, not just our biological ancestors.

America’s heritage is something to which all citizens are heir, regardless of how recently they arrived.

Honoring that heritage is a moral duty of good citizenship.

That doesn’t mean overlooking the sins of America’s past or present — but it does mean expressing gratitude and loyalty to the memory of our national forefathers.

And that, in turn, means being careful about accepting too much immigration or demanding too little in terms of assimilation.

The Americans who built this country bequeathed us not only a Constitution but a culture, which is more than a litany of abstract propositions.

“If you overwhelm the country with too many new entrants, even if they believe the right things, even if they’re fundamentally good people, you do change the country in some profound way,” Vance warned.

Heritage Americans have all too often repudiated their heritage.

Whenever immigrants and their descendants honor that heritage, they should be honored in turn as dutiful sons and daughters of America.

Daniel McCarthy is the editor of “Modern Age: A Conservative Review.”

LEIF LARSON

American economy needs GROWTH Act WARREN BUFFETT was asked how long he preferred to hold stocks that he bought for Berkshire Hathaway. His answer was succinct: forever. Buy good companies and hold on forever. As they grow, you earn paper profits you can use later in life.

Smart investors, like my dad, follow the Sage of Omaha’s advice. They don’t try to time the market. They don’t jump in and out of stocks. They buy and hold.

That’s the best play for people who are investing for the long term. When your goals remain years off, such as retirement or, in my dad’s case, college funds for the grandkids, you don’t want to face capital gains taxes each year.

However, there is one thing that investors like my dad need to be aware of: They are being punished by federal law. If they invest in mutual funds and leave their money alone, they can still face tax hits. If the fund sells stocks and realizes gains, the investor may have to shell out to the IRS in April, even if they leave the money invested and never pocket the gains.

“Mutual fund shareholders outside of tax-preferred accounts are taxed annually on distributions of gains, interest, and dividends, despite not having sold their shares,” the Investment Company Institute notes. “This puts mutual fund shareholders at a disadvantage to other investors — whose capital gains taxes are not due until the investor realizes those gains.”

That seems impossible to believe: How can you be taxed on what you do not have? But it is true. “Under the current law, investors are taxed annually on mutual funds they invest in on dividends and capital gains that they don’t receive,” the group Secure Financial Future writes.

Luckily, it does not have to be this way. Earlier this year, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) proposed the Generating Retirement Ownership Through Long-Term Holdings (GROWTH) Act. It aims to protect the nearly 40 million mutual fund investors who are facing unfair taxes on earnings they never see from shares they never sold.

“Deferring taxes on reinvested mutual fund capital gains distributions until the investor sells their shares is a no-brainer and would help provide parity with other investment options,” Cornyn said as he unveiled the proposal. “This bill would empower hardworking Texans (and all Americans) to let their money work longer, build toward personal savings and retirement goals, and create generational wealth.”

In fact, most of us probably simply assumed this was how it worked. Unless we actively take earnings out of an investment, we don’t plan to have to pay taxes. That’s the beauty and simplicity of long-term investing. Few small investors have accountants to pay for it all. They may not even be informed that they have supposedly incurred a capital gain, if they even know what a capital gain is.

However, in Washington, nothing is ever easy. Lawmakers have empowered the IRS to come after anyone at any time, and we’ve certainly seen other recent examples of overzealous federal prosecutors going after people.

Lawmakers had a chance to fix the tax problem. They could have rolled the GROWTH Act into the Big, Beautiful spending and tax bill they passed over the summer. But they did not. So they should now come back for another bite at this apple.

They can and should enact the GROWTH Act as a standalone measure as soon as they get back to work in 2026.

It’s an election year, and that means that as the year goes on, it will be more difficult to enact legislation because many lawmakers will be spending their time back home seeking reelection.

But what is better to run on than a tax cut?

By passing the GROWTH Act right away, members would have a positive story to tell on the 2026 campaign trail, and taxpayers, like my dad and millions of other Americans, could be spared a large bill on April 15. Helping Americans invest is always the right thing to do.

Leif Larson is a noted strategist with 20 years of experience in PR, public affairs and politics. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

A8 A6

North 2025 NorthState StateJournal Journalfor forThursday, Thursday, January January 2, 1, 2026

Murphy MurphyttooManteo Manteo

Happy New Year, North Carolina!

Creating a New Year’s food menu using North Carolina products is a great way to highlight the state’sɰ rich agricultural and culinary traditions. North Carolina is known for its tobacco, peanuts, sweet potatoes, pork, seafood and many other locally sourced ingredients. Here’s a menu that incorporates these products and celebrates the flavors of the regionȇ

Appetizer

Main Course

Shrimp and Ƅrits

(Morehead City)

5

2

Rep. Joe John died following his resignation in January

1

3

4

North Carolina biscuits with local honey butter

Roast North Carolina pork with sweet potatoes

Collard greens with ham hocks

SMITTENKITCHEN.COM

6. NC-grown soft red winter wheat flour

Dessert

North Carolina apple fritters

(Graham)

(Bertie Co.)

7. Local honey (Davidson)

1. Locally grown apples (Hendersonville)

Other ingredients: butter, garlic, bacon, scallions

Other ingredients: smoked pork (ham or bacon), a touch of local hot sauce

Other ingredients: ham hocks, garlic, onion, vinegar

Other ingredients: butter, buttermilk

Other ingredients: flour, sugar, cinnamon, honey

CATHY SCOLA

(Manson)

EAST EAST USPS worker sentenced Kinston names for Treasury check theft

PIEDMONT PIEDMONT

WLOS

Man charged with Historic BBQ spotmurder Christmas night shuts down for good

Cabarrus County Gaston County A man has been charged with A beloved barbecue in Gaston murder after one ofjoint two victims died County closedatitsa doors thishome weekend. in an assault Newton on R.O.’s Bar-B-Cue Gastonia wrote Christmas night. in Catawba County on Facebook last day in its deputies saidthat theyits found a man and restaurant would be Dec. 27. woman critically injured in a“This home on extremely decision reached Mountaindifficult Grove Road, andwas 42-yearafter much careful consideration,” old Candy Annette Stacks later R.O.’s posted. “It was necessitated by a died. Brent Allen Dingess, 32, was combination of current and sustained arrested and charged with made one count economic factors that have of attempted first-degree murder continued operation challenging.” and one count of murder.

He is being held Family-owned for generations, R.O.’s without bond, and deputies say that first opened in 1946 and sits about a additional charges are pending. mile from downtown Gastonia.

WBTV WBTV

Fallen officer’s family receive ManHurricanes struck in his yard VIP tickets during hit-and-run

Haywood County AGrant fire broke at the Stompin’ to out offer stray, Ground dance hall on Soco Road in feral cats care Maggie Valleymedical last Friday.

Local outlets say the blaze was reported around 2:22 Henderson County p.m., a swift response from Feralprompting and stray cats around the streets Maggie Valley Fire and Rescue, as well of Henderson County will be receiving asthe mutual aid teams.

The thanks fire, which assistance they need to a burned at thethe front of the building, was grant from Community Foundation quickly extinguished with minimal of Henderson County.

Friends to Ferals, damage to the according also known asstructure, the Humane Society to of a Buncombe joint release from the County, willMaggie use the Valley $10,000 grantDepartment to provide medical help, mainly Police and Maggie Valley spays and neuters, to local stray and Fire and Rescue.

Authorities suspect feral as cats. to Ferals arson theSince causeFriends of the fire, and awas startedofininterest 2007, the has person hasorganization been identified, helped more than cats, but the per the release.

The18,000 Maggie Valley need is still there, and the issue Police Department is leading theis not going away anytime soon. “It’s still investigation, collaborating with thean ongoing process.

We usually do about Haywood County Fire Marshal and a thousand a year, Officials but we’rebelieve still working state authorities. this to prevent isdiligently an isolated incidentthe andintake posesinto no our shelters, spaycommunity. and neuter is ongoing threatand to the the way to do that,” Nancy Schneiter of WLOS Friends to Ferals said. The grant allows the program to help up to 500 cats in Henderson County, according to a press release.

NSJ

“Today, RALEIGH — There were multiple Governor RALEIGH — Outgoing North Carolina Gov. Roy members of the General Assembly Cooper and Governor-elect Josh Steinwho have filed two Cooper and I eitheragainst resigned or announced their law passed by the lawsuits provisions in a recent retirement in 2025. have taken legal General Assembly after a veto override in December.

In January, Rep. Joe John (D-Wake) Session Law 2024-57 (Senate Bill 382) contains $254 action to stop died at 85 after announcing his million in Hurricane Helene relief funding as well as a resignation days earlier, citing a the legislature’s long list of administrative, regulatory and state agency terminal throat cancer diagnosis. John, changes. unconstitutional who was in his fifth term, was also a The legislative leaders in both former director of the named state crime lab, lawsuits are and dangerous outgoing House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) head of the North Carolina Department HANNAH SCHOENBAUM power grab.”/ AP PHOTO andof Senate Phil (R-Eden).

MotorLeader Vehicles andBerger a judge.

1

5. Fresh collard greens

Cherokee County Buncombe County The Cherokee Indian Police Department The president of the River District (CIPD) says a man has beenArts arrested Artists and local jewelry designer, and charged with homicide in the Jeffrey Burroughs, wants toover remind first degree after a shooting the residents and visitors that the RAD’s weekend left one man dead. According northern is open with stores to a socialdistrict media post from CIPD, and art.received Burroughs moved toabout Asheville officers information New Yorkshot Cityatfour years ago afrom person being an unknown and owns inSaturday the River location byaaboutique person on Arts District.

Shops,the restaurants and afternoon.

Through investigation, artists in the RAD, which severely detectives determined thatwas the victim’s impacted

by Hurricane allRoad body was taken from theHelene, Galimore residence and near have a goal of dumped reopening theNewfound rest of the Gap, where was later located and area by nextitsummer. recovered.

NSJ

By A.P. Dillon

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal North State Journal

2

1. Black-eyed peas (Asheville) 2. Carolina Gold rice (Pamlico Co.)

Maggie Valley dance hall fire prompts arson investigation

call ‘power grab’

7

2. Stone-ground grits

WEST WEST Asheville’s River Arts Cherokee Police District urges shoppers investigating fatal shooting to revisit after Helene

Attrition at General Two lawsuits filed Assembly in 2025 over law Cooper, Stein

6

3. North Carolina-raised pork (Goldsboro) 4. Sweet potatoes from local farms (Dunn) VICKY WASIK

Jones&&Blount Blount Jones

1

Hoppin’ John with North Carolina black-eyed peas

1. North Carolina shrimp

A9 A7

State Journal for Thursday, January NorthNorth State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 20262, 2025

Guilford County Forsyth County As North Carolina continued to mourn Thedeath Winston-Salem Police Department the of fallen Greensboro Police is investigating a hit-and-run after a Officer Michael Horan last week, manCarolina was struck by a car while doing the Hurricanes upgraded yard work last week.

Investigators his family’s tickets to Saturday’s say a 55-year-old man was doing yard work hockey game against the New Jersey near the roadway when he was struck Devils. The family had bought the by the suspect vehicle. He was taken to tickets for Horan, who had ties to the hospital with non-life-threatening New Jersey before diedable days injuries. Police werehelater tobefore identify Christmas.

A moment of silence and find the suspect vehicle in thewas area held before the The game, and however, the familyhad of State Street. driver, had a postgame meet greetatwith not yet been taken intoand custody press the team, according to the Greensboro time.

Police Department.

WGHP NSJ

Off-dutycritical police officer Woman after killed in domestic being set on fire dispute

Davidson County Harnett County An off-duty officer with the Lexington A woman suffered third-degree Police Department was killed and two burns after being in setaon fire in last men were injured shooting Harnett last store. week,Officer deputies week at aCounty local retail said.

Deputies were notified a Katie Crook was pronouncedabout dead at 20-year-old burn victim taken to a the scene. Crook’s estranged husband, Sanford hospital emergency roomwas with an off-duty Lexington firefighter, secondand third-degree burns one of the men shot, sending himon to the the rightin side of hercondition. body. Officials say hospital critical A handgun three people shescene did not know doused recovered at the is believed to be her gasoline and her was on fire his. with A Thomasville manlitwho shot with a cigarette, and was in stable but is believed to be Crook’s boyfriend, according to police.according He is expected to critical condition, to a news recover. release.

WXII WGHP

Woman arrested for assault, stealing dog on Christmas Eve Randolph MissingCounty girl, drugs found in A woman who was arrested and man’s car duringand traffic stop charged with assault stealing a dog on Christmas Randolph CountyEve was scheduled toAsheboro appear indeputies court Monday, flagged aaccording car on toChristmas local outlets.

Christine Faye on a Eve that led officers Leonhardt, faces theatfollowing short chase48, that ended U.S. 64 and charges: felony larceny of dog, Park Street, according to areports. misdemeanor assault Officials said simple the driver, Toniand Charles Koontz, 35, did not have a driver’s misdemeanor communicating threats. license and seemed nervous.

A Office K-9 unit The Randolph County Sheriff’s was called,toand theMountain dog alerted deputies responded Pilot Road the presence narcotics, according intoAsheboro afterofdeputies received the Randolph a to report about an County assault Sheriff’s that had Office. occurred.

Deputies said searched already Thethey victim told the vehicle and found methamphetamine, deputies Leonhardt had already left heroin drug During the sceneand with theparaphernalia. victim’s dog after the stop, deputies said a young girl the assault. Later, another person initially falseLeonhardt identification called 911gave and them reported was information, but further investigation sitting on a neighbor’s porch.

Deputies revealed she was still reported missing and found Leonhardt holding the dog endangered. She was turned over to and took her into custody. Leonhardt the Randolph County Department of was taken to the Randolph County Social Services, deputies said. Koontz Detention Center. said she was arrested and Deputies taken to the Randolph was out on pretrial release for other County Detention Center, where the charges. judge found probable cause for several WFMY felony drug charges.

WFMY

new city manager

Cumberland County Lenior County A United States Postal Service Steve Harrell has been named interim employee in Fayetteville was sentenced city manager of Kinston.

The city to four years in prison for stealing council appointed himinduring a more than $750,000 U.S. Treasury Dec. 23 federal meeting.prosecutors Harrell hasannounced a long checks, municipal career, including servingfouras Friday. Zerion Marcos Franklin’s town manager for Ayden until 2020 year prison sentence will be followed and interim roles in Benson in 2025, by three years of supervised release.

Oxford in 2022 and Robersonville in He was also ordered to pay restitution 2021. He will be stepping into the new to the U.S. Treasury, according toatthe role after Rhonda Barwick retires the Office of the United States Attorney for beginning of 2026. the Eastern District of North Carolina.

WITN NSJ

Family loses dog, home Whale washes in early in morning fire ashore Kitty Hawk Pitt DareCounty County An houseDepartment fire displaced Theearly Kittymorning Hawk Police aposted Winterville family Saturday.

Town a photo on their Facebook of of a Winterville Fire-Rescue units arrived beached whale Friday morning. The within minutes, finding heavy department reported that theysmoke were and flames coming from the public rear ofand notified of the whale by the the residence. According to officials, have contacted wildlife authorities to two people safely escaped the home help handle the situation. The whale without injury. Tragically, one dog was was near the Bennett Street Beach trapped inside and did not survive, and Access, and policesignificant, asked people to the home suffered possibly avoid touching it.

Residents in the total damage. The American Red Cross area had reported seeing whale close is assisting the family withatemporary to the coast recent days, and the lodging and in immediate needs. department thanked the communityWCTI for reporting the incident.

WNCT

TheThe firstmajority lawsuit was filed Dec. 12 over changes toRep. the Ted Davis of the departures State Governor-elect appointment of the head of the North Carolina State from the General Assembly were by (R-New Hanover), pictured in 2023, Joshnot Stein Highway Patrol. The filing argues that the newannounced law Republicans. he will run for essentially would lock in the current State Highway Patrol Sen. Paul Newton issued a surprise reelection next year.

(SHP) commander, L. Johnson, retirement noticeFreddy in March, stating for a five-year term, governor’s constitutional authority to helimiting would bethe ending his tenure at appoint andofremove the patrol’s leadership. the end the month.

The Cabarrus The plaintiffs argue that Legislative County Republican laterthe became vice Commander chancellor and the general counsel for UNC Provision violates North Carolina Constitution’s Chapel of Hill on April 21. separation powers principle and the exclusive privileges Measmer was selectedthat by the clause.Allen The complaint highlights historically, the Republican Party fill subject Newton’s SHP’s leadership has to been toseat, gubernatorial state Rep. William Brisson and Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) appointment and removal, and this new provisionYears disrupts (R-Bladen) spent as a legislator was picked to replace Newton as Senate that long-standing practice.

Inmajority a press leader. release, Stein called the provision a In May, Gaston County Republican “dangerous power grab.” he would be retiring at the end of his Rep. Kelly Hastings announced he taken legal “Today, Governor Cooper and I have action current term, his sixth. He serves as would not seek reelection in 2026, to stop the legislature’s unconstitutional and dangerous the chairman stating heStein was “term limiting” power grab,” said. “This lawhimself threatens public safety, for the Commerce and Economic Development, Commerce after eight termsofincommand the House.during a crisis, fractures the chain and and Finance committees. Alamance The District 110 Republican is chair thwarts the will of voters. Our people deserve better than a County Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Higher Education Committee power-hungry legislature that puts political games ahead Ryan Moffitt, a Republican, has filed and the Appropriations, Capital and of public safety.” Technology Committee. to run for the seat, as has Democrat Information Cooper offered centered Whitneyof Olive from Burlington.

He is also vice remarks chair on the Houseon the separation powers.

Rep. William Brisson (R-Bladen) Appropriations Committee and is a “It’s fundamental to our constitution legislature announced he will be ending his member of the Select Committee on that the can Hurricane not both make the laws and then choose the leaders 20-year career as a legislator by retiring Helene Recovery, as well as whothe enforce them,” Cooper said inUtilities a press release onend of his term next year. at the Insurance and Energy and the SHP lawsuit. “Breaking the executive branchThe chain 79-year-old Brisson, who committees. of command in lawLowery enforcement or any other executive represents District 22 for Sampson Rep. Jarrod (R-Robeson) branch agency unconstitutional and and our Bladen counties, is co-chair of the resigned in is October to take a post asit weakens ability to respond to the emergencies and keep theHouse publicAppropriations safe.”

Committee, senior adviser to assistant secretary The lawsuit was filed Dec.at23 as law well as a vice chair for both the for second the Bureau of Indian Affairs theover the transferring authorityofof the N.C. State of Electionsand Environment U.S. Department the Interior.

He BoardAgriculture Committee is a member of theState Lumbee Tribe Office. and The (NCSBE) to the N.C. Auditor’s provisionsand the Appropriations, Justice, andaPublic Safety Committees. former member of the Lumbee in the law also give incoming StateTribal Auditor Dave Boliek, No Democrats have filed for Brisson’s Council (2015-21). brother, members Lumbee of the Republican, the powerHis to appoint NCSBE. but two Republicans have: Wellie Tribe Chairman John was leaders’seat, The lawsuit claims thisLowery, is legislative sixth and Jerol Kivett, both from selected to replace John Lowery attempt in eight years him. to restructure control ofJackson the State Clinton filed run for the seat in 2026five and, so Board ofto Elections.

The previous attempts were in Sampson County.

In mid-December, Rep. Matthew far,down is running unopposed. struck by courts, rejected by voters or are currently Winslow (R-Franklin) said in a letter Also in October, Rep. Cecil enjoined. to House Brockman (D-Guilford) wasCooper arrested Similar to the SHP lawsuit, and Stein allege members that he will not seek crime charges.

Brockman thaton thesex NCSBE provisions contained in Section 3Areelection of the in 2026. Winslow, who is inof his third term in the House, resigned his seat on Oct. 31.

High Point law violate the state constitution under the separation is the vice chairman of the House City Councilwoman Amanda Cook was powers clause and also under the faithful execution clause.

Appropriations Committee. He also picked to fill the remainder of his term.

“We have had the same structure for our state board serves as chair for the Energy and Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) of elections for nearly a century and it has served North Public Utilities Committee as well announced in late November that he Carolina well, with fair and secure elections across as theour Appropriations, Capital and would retire at the end of his term stateinthrough every cycle,” Cooper said in a joint statement Information Technology 2026. Davis was appointed in on the second “Theseofblatantly partisan efforts Committee.

2012 to fill lawsuit. the remainder to give Winslow endorsed Cory the control term forover Rep.elections Danny boards to a newly elected Republican will create distrust in our elections process Thornton, a Republican McComas. Republican andNew serveHanover no legitimate who has filed to run Countypurpose.”

“In recent years,Dane theseScalise legislative leaders have for the seat. Franklin Commissioner repeatedly and failed to seize control of the State County Commissioner has filedtried for Davis’ House Board of Elections their own partisan gain,” Stein said Mark Speed, a Democrat, District 20 seat for after being in the joint statement.

“This recruited

by Davis to run.latest move insults the voters has also filed to run for who rejected theirweek power In the first of grab, violates our constitution, Winslow’s seat, which andDecember, must not stand.” covers Franklin and Vance Rep. Stephen counties.

Legislative leaders have yet to comment on the lawsuits.

Ross (R-Alamance) announced

20

At-large murder suspect captured in McDonald’s shooting Fire that killed 2 caused Cumberland County by “electrical malfunction” A McDonald’s employee who was on

the loose after a shooting that killed Johnston County aAfter DoorDash delivery driver fire Thursday a Christmas morning killed night hasand been into custody. a father sontaken in Wilson’s Mills, fire According to Major Leehave Hicks Jr. with officials from the town released the Fayetteville Department, a potential causePolice for the blaze. In a news releaseKevin sent out last week, the 25-year-old J. Holland Wilson’s Mills Department said was taken intoFire custody on Friday the deadly fire started at 5 around a.m. on afternoon.

On that Thursday night Oak Road in Smithfield is being 8Red p.m., investigators said a delivery “ruled accidental.” department driver, identified asThe 25-year-old Somari identified the cause ana“unspecified Husamudeen, went as into McDonald’s electrical malfunction.”

According to on Santa Fe Drive for a pickup order. the fire department, when firefighters Investigators have gathered that and first responders arrived at the Husamudeen got into a confrontation scene of the house fire, a woman with an employee, now identifiedwho as was able to escape having Holland, who thenreported pulled out a weapon an issue with the electrical breaker and shot him. Holland remained atbox before the flames began. A father large for 24 hours and had a warrant and son, identified by the Johnston out for his arrest on the charge of firstCounty Sheriff’s Office as Johnny and degree murder.

Scott Jones, died in the fire. The fire

department noted that “no working WNCN smoke detectors were located within the residence.”

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A8

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

NATION & WORLD

Trump focused on trade in 2025 The administration’s use of tariffs has been hotly debated

Castel Gandolfo, Italy Pope Leo XIV said last week he was “very disappointed” that his home state of Illinois had approved a law allowing for medically assisted suicide, and he called for greater respect of life. Leo said he had spoken “explicitly” with Gov. JB Pritzker and urged him to not sign the bill into law.

Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich did the same, Leo told reporters. Pritzker signed the legislation on Dec. 12. The measure is also known as “Deb’s Law,” honoring Deb Robertson, a resident of the state living with a rare terminal illness.

By Wyatte Grantham-Philips The Associated Press IT’S BEEN a rollercoaster of a year for U.S. trade policy.

President Donald Trump launched a barrage of new tariffs in 2025, plunging the U.S. into trade wars with nearly every country in the world. Volley after volley of threats and steeper import taxes often arrived erratically — with Trump claiming that such levies needed to be immediately imposed to close trade imbalances and take back wealth that was “stolen” from the U.S. But the president also turned to tariffs amid personal grudges or in response to political critics.

And the whiplash of on-again, off-again duties — and responding retaliation — fueled widespread uncertainty for businesses and consumers alike, all while households continue to face rising prices.

Here’s a summary of how Trump’s biggest trade actions unfolded over the last year, broken down by key months.

JANUARY-MARCH In his first few months back in office, Trump focused his new tariffs on America’s three biggest trading partners: Canada, Mexico and China. On-again, off-again levies and responding retaliation began to bubble up.

Worldwide, the U.S. also heightened import taxes on steel and aluminum to 25% — expanding Trump’s previously imposed 2018 import taxes.

APRIL Trump’s trade wars escalated to new heights in April. The president unveiled sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs on almost every country in the world — sending

Pope disappointed over Ill. assisted suicide legislation

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House in April. the stock market tumbling. And more turbulence followed after he told investors that it’s a “great time to buy” mere hours before postponing dozens of steeper import taxes.

China was the exception.

Washington and Beijing traded more and more sky-high, tit-for-tat levies — reaching 145% and 125%, respectively.

Separately, Trump’s 25% auto tariffs began, plunging the industry into uncertainty and bringing more retaliation from trading partners like Canada.

MAY-JULY The Trump administration spent much of the summer boasting about trade “framework” deals with countries like China, the U.K. and Vietnam.

But his administration sent letters to dozens of other nations promising that heightened levies are on the way — and notably escalated trade wars with Brazil and India.

Otherwise, Trump continued to expand sector-specific tariffs,

hiking steel and aluminum taxes to a punishing 50%.

Meanwhile, a key legal challenge over Trump’s tariffs gained traction. A federal court blocked Trump from imposing some of his most sweeping levies under an emergency-powers law — but an appeals court temporarily halted the order, allowing tariff collections to continue as the case winds through court.

AUGUST Heightened U.S. tariffs on more than 60 countries and the European Union kicked in. After several delays, most of the rates spanned from April’s “Liberation Day” — but separately, Trump hiked import taxes on Canada to 35%.

Punishing 50% levies on goods from Brazil and India also took effect, along with a new 50% rate on most imported copper worldwide. And low-value imports coming into the U.S. lost their duty-free status with the end of the “de minimis” rule.

Separately, the U.S. extended

its trade truce with China. A U.S. appeals court ruled that Trump went too far when he declared national emergencies to justify his tariffs — but didn’t strike them down entirely, allowing the administration to take its case to the Supreme Court.

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER The Trump administration officially took its tariff fight to the Supreme Court. In initial oral arguments, the justices appeared skeptical about the president’s authority to impose such sweeping levies.

Meanwhile, Trump continued to promise more sectoral tariffs — and 25% levies on kitchen cabinets and other furniture take effect. But other threats got delayed. Amid rising price pressures, the president also lowered or scrapped a few previous tariffs, notably for goods like beef and fruit. He also suggested that Americans will receive a $2,000 dividend from new tariff revenue — but details remain very scarce.

Trooper, suspect killed in shooting at Delaware DMV Wilmington, Del. A Delaware State Police trooper was working an overtime assignment at the Delaware DMV reception desk last Tuesday when Rahman Rose entered as a customer, approached him from behind and shot him with a handgun, state police said in a news release.

Rose, 44, of Wilmington, continued firing at State Police Cpl. Matthew Snook, who pushed a DMV employee out of the way and told them to run, investigators said. Rose then allowed customers to leave but fired multiple rounds at law enforcement as they approached the building.

Another police officer shot Rose through a window from outside the building. Rose later died at a hospital.

15 injured in attack at Japan factory Tokyo A man was arrested after stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with what was believed to be bleach at a tire factory in central Japan on Friday, officials said. Eight people were taken to hospitals after being stabbed by the man with a knife at a factory of the tiremaker Yokohama Rubber Co. in the city of Mishima, according to the Fujisan Nanto Fire Department. Officials said five of the people who were stabbed were in serious condition. A 38-year-old man, believed to be a former employee, was arrested for alleged attempted murder at the factory.

Iran, US reaffirm commitment to diplomacy at UN The countries remain far apart on a nuclear deal

By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS — Iran and the United States reaffirmed their commitments to diplomacy at a contentious meeting of the U.N. Security Council last week, but the gap between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic on a nuclear deal remains wide and deep.

The sixth round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran had been scheduled for soon after Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June, during which the U.S. joined Israel in bombing Iranian nuclear sites.

The talks were canceled, and in September Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected any direct nuclear negotiations with the United States.

But Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the Security Council that “Iran remains fully committed to principled diplomacy and genuine negotiations.” He said it’s now up to France, Britain and the U.S. “to reverse course and take concrete, credible steps to restore trust and confidence.”

He said Iran remains committed to the core principles of the 2015 nuclear deal aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, in which Iran had agreed

to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled the U.S. out of the agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the Security Council, plus Germany.

In a rare public exchange between diplomats from the two countries, U.S. Mission counselor Morgan Ortagus, a Trump ally and former State Department spokesperson, said, “The United States remains available for formal talks with Iran but only if Tehran is prepared for direct and meaningful dialogue.”

Ortagus said Trump extended “the hand of diplomacy” to Iran during both of his administrations.

“But instead of taking that hand of diplomacy, you continue to put your hand in the fire,” she said, looking directly at Iravani. “Step away from the fire, sir, and take President Trump’s hand of diplomacy. It’s extended to you.”

She stressed, however, that the Trump administration has been clear that there can be no enrichment of nuclear material inside Iran, a major point of contention.

Irvani said the U.S. insistence on zero enrichment was contrary to Iran’s rights under the 2015 deal and showed the U.S. was not pursuing fair negotiations. He said if France and Britain continued to side

BILAL HUSSEIN / AP PHOTO

Morgan Ortagus, U.S. deputy special envoy for Middle East peace, speaks during a February press conference in Beirut, Lebanon. with the U.S., “diplomacy will be effectively destroyed.”

“Iran will not bow down to any pressure and intimidation,” Irvani said.

In September, the agreement’s three Western members — Britain, France and Germany — triggered a “snapback” mechanism to reinstate the sanctions that had been lifted, citing Iran’s failure to comply with the deal’s conditions.

As tensions between Tehran and Washington have increased, Iran has accelerated its production of uranium to near weapons-grade. The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, has reported that Iran has over 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

France’s deputy U.N. ambassador Jay Dharmadhikari defended the “snapback” of U.N. sanctions, saying that since

“The United States remains available for formal talks with Iran but only if Tehran is prepared for direct and meaningful dialogue.”

Morgan Ortagus, U.S. Mission counselor 2019 Iran has been in “increasingly flagrant violation” of all limitations designed to guarantee that its nuclear program remains peaceful. But he said the reimposition of sanctions does not mean the end of efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia shot back, telling the French envoy: “You failed miserably in your so-called diplomatic efforts to strike a deal on the nuclear issue with Iran, and you know it.”

Thunberg arrested in London London Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London last week while supporting pro-Palestinian activists who are staging a hunger strike to protest their imprisonment while awaiting trial on charges related to a series of earlier demonstrations. The protest group Prisoners for Palestine shared a video showing the 22-year-old Swede holding a sign supporting the hunger strikers and their organization, known as Palestine Action. The British government earlier this year banned Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Thunberg has repeatedly been fined in Sweden and the U.K. for civil disobedience in connection with protests.

A9

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

PEN & PAPER PURSUITS

sudoku

solutions LAST WEEK

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JACK BEHAR CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E001653-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Jack Behar, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Carlee Cummings, Co-Executor, at P.O. Box 81, Pembroke, NC 28372 and Benjamin David Crumpler, Co-Executor, at 105 John St., Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before the 12th day of March, 2026 (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 Co-Executors named above.

This the 2nd day of December, 2025.

Carlee Cummings Benjamin Davis Crumpler Co-Executors of the Estate of Jack Behar Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: December 11, December 18, December 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #23E001865-250 State of North Carolina County of Cumberland Estate of Marilyn Whichard Cashwell, deceased.

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Marilyn Whichard Cashwell, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before March 18, 2026,(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.

Mail claims to: Jill Cashwell Newlan, Executor 2720 H Bullard Road Hope Mills, NC 28348 This 15th day December, 2025.

Jill Cashwell Newlan, Executor

NOTICE In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate file #25E001671-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Doris Ann Maxwell English, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 11th day of March, 2026, (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 8th day of December 2025.

Administrator of the Estate of Doris Ann Maxwell English PO Box 53473 Fayetteville, NC 28305

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

State of North Carolina County of Cumberland In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E001785-250 Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as executor of the Estate of Mrs. Hattie Mace Fowler, 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 11 day of March, 2026, (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 11 day of December, 2025.

Executor 1019 Hillsboro Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 Of The Estate of Hattie Mace Fowler, Deceased.

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of: ARTHUR EARL MCCOY Deceased.

ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Arthur Earl McCoy, 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 March 25, 2026 (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 25th day of December, 2025. ___________________________________________ Shirlean McCoy, Administrator of the Estate of Arthur Earl McCoy, Deceased c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705 Publish: 12/25/2025, 01/01/2026, 01/08/2026 and 01/15/2026

State of North Carolina In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division County of Cumberland Estate File# 25E001906-250 Administrator’s /Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as CoAdministrator of the Estate of Alfredo SuarezMartinez, 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 18th day of March, 2026 ( which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Undersigned.

This day 18th of December, 2025 Daniela Suarez-Evans 3684 Pioneer Drive Hope Mills, NC 283348 Co-Administrator Alfredo Suarez Jr. 3686 Pioneer Drive Hope Mils, NC 28348 Co-Administrator Of the Estate of Alfredo Suarez-Martinez, Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF DEREK JON GERDES CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E001817-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Derek Jon Gerdes, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Kathryn Marie Gerdes, Administrator, at 11807 Breton Ct 22, Reston, VA 20191, on or before the 19th day of March, 2026 (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 Administrator named above.

This the 15th day of December, 2025.

Kathryn Marie Gerdes Administrator of the Estate of Derek Jon Gerdes Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: December 18 and December 25, 2025, January 1 and January 8, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF ERIC COLIN HENDERSON CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E001692-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Eric Colin Henderson, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 19th day of March, 2026 (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 Administrator named above.

This the 15th day of December, 2025.

Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Eric Colin Henderson Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: December 18 and December 25, 2025, January 1 and January 8, 2026

NOTICE CUMBERLAND COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 25E001770-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Ronnie V. McCumber, deceased, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent, to exhibit them to the undersigned at 405 13th Ave. S Apt. C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 on or before 30th day of March, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 25th day of December, 2025.

Won C. McCumber, Executor Estate of Ronnie V. McCumber

Notice to Creditors ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against George Franklin Mitchell Jr., deceased, of Cumberland County N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before March 18, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 18th day of December, 2025.

Mark D. Mitchell Administer, 310 75th Ave N. Unit 10, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572.

The North State Journal December 18, 25, 2025, Jan.1, 8, 2026.

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File #25E001927-250 Administrator’s/ Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as the executor of the Estate of Etsuko Smith, 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 25th day of March, 2026, (which is three months after the date 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 25th day of December, 2025.

Carolyn Bounds (Executor) 5201 Rockingham Rd. (Address) Fayetteville, NC, 28311 (City, State, Zip) Of the Estate of Etsuko Smith, Deceased

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND AND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE: 24E002856-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF : DEALTON THAGGARD. Administrator’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Dealton Thaggard, 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 11th day of March, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 11th day of December, 2025.

Charisma McKoy, 2300 Cumberland Gap Drive, Apt. 106, Fayetteville, NC 28306Administrator of the Estate of Dealton Thaggard; Deceased; September 3, 2024, December 11, 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Charles White, Deceased Date of Death: October 12, 2025 Notice is hereby given that Domonique, acting as Executor of the Estate of Charles White, deceased, has been appointed to administer said estate.

All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with proper documentation, to the undersigned Personal Representative at the address below on or before March 20, 2026, or such claims may be forever barred.

Claims may be mailed or delivered to: Domonique Personal Representative of the Estate of Charles White 123 Willborough Avenue Fayetteville, NC 28303 Dated: December 11, 2025

A10

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

DAVIDSON

RANDOLPH

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Co-Executors of the Estate of Paul Leon Yates, late of Davidson County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before March 30, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 25th day of December, 2025 Jeffrey Todd Yates and Ston Ray Yates Co-Executors of the Estate of Paul Leon Yates Marion “Beth” McQuaid, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 12/25/25 01/01/26 01/08/26 01/15/26

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Amy M. Perry, having qualified on the 1st day of December 2025, as Administrator of the Estate of Neil William Perry (25E002598-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 16th day of March, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 11th day of December 2025.

Amy M. Perry Administrator ESTATE OF NEIL WILLIAM PERRY David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: December 11, 2025 December 18, 2025 December 25, 2025 January 1, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Jacob Charles Bodenhamer, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before March 23, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 18th day of December, 2025 Aaron Charles Bodenhamer Administrator CTA of the Estate of Jacob Charles Bodenhamer MARION “BETH” MCQUAID, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 12/18/25 12/25/25 01/01/26 01/08/26

NOTICE

NEW HANOVER NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Shannon Clayboss, having qualified on the 9th day of December 2025, as Collector of the Estate of Urban D. Burk (25E002599640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 23rd day of March, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 18th day of December 2025.

Shannon Clayboss Collector ESTATE OF URBAN D. BURK David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: December 18, 2025 December 25, 2025 January 1, 2026 January 8, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified as Personal Representative of the Estate of Linda A. Ellis, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before March 26, 2026 (which date is at least three (3) months from 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 settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney.

This the 25th day of December, 2025.

Richard J. Kaufmann, Jr., Executor of the Estate of Linda A. Ellis, Deceased c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146 Please publish 12/25, 01/01, 01/08, 01/15

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, David E. Anderson, having qualified on the 3rd day of November 2025, as Administrator of the Estate of Stefan Linscheid (25E002482-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 16th day of March, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 11th day of December 2025.

David E. Anderson Administrator ESTATE OF STEFAN LINSCHEID David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: December 11, 2025 December 18, 2025 December 25, 2025 January 1, 2026

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, John Talbot, having qualified on the 10th day of December 2025, as Executor of the Estate of Albert Talbot (25E002615-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 23rd day of March, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 18th day of December 2025.

John Talbot Executor ESTATE OF ALBERT TALBOT David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: December 18, 2025 December 25, 2025 January 1, 2026 January 8, 2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Christa Ritchie, having qualified on the 25th day of November 2025, as Executor of the Estate of Stephen Joseph Veno (24E003678910), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 16th day of March, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 11th day of December 2025.

Christa Ritchie Executor ESTATE OF STEPHEN JOSEPH VENO David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: December 11, 2025 December 18, 2025 December 25, 2025 January 1, 2026

ORANGE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Probate #25E000490-670 All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Beatrix Preyer Witten , late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Susannah Elise Smith, 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 18th day of March, 2026, 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 abovenamed Executor.

Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 12/18/2025, 12/25/2025, 1/01/2026 & 1/08/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Edgar Dale Clise a/k/a Edgar D. Clise, of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law Office of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before March 15th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 11th day of December 2025.

Dianna L. Clise Edgar Dale Clise a/k/a Edgar D. Clise, Estate Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Thomas David Malone, of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Administrator at the Law Office of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before March 15th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery.

All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 11th day of December 2025.

Victoria Alicia Miller Thomas David Malone, Estate Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Janet Pruitt aka Janet Starling aka Janet Warren, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before March 23, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 18th day of December, 2025 Donna Warren Roach aka Donna Roach Executor of the Estate of Janet Pruitt aka Janet Starling aka Janet Warren MARION “BETH” MCQUAID, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 12/18/25 12/25/25 01/01/26 01/08/26

WAKE

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 25SP000319-750 NORTH CAROLINA RANDOLPH COUNTY In the Matter of the foreclosure of a Deed of Trust executed by Kay L. Higgins in the original amount of $25,000.00 dated June 8, 2022, recorded June 10, 2022, in Book No. 2809, at Page 1864, Randolph County Registry, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee NOTICE OF PUBLICATION FOR HEARING ON DISTRIBUTION FOR SURPLUS FUNDS Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.36, Petitioner The Vinyl Answer, Inc. d/b/a Renewal by Andersen of Central NC (“Petitioner”) has filed a PETITION FOR DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS FUNDS arising out of the foreclosure of the property located at 1153 Heathwood Road, Randleman, NC 27317 (“Property”), Randolph County, File No. 24SP000240-750 in the Matter of the foreclosure of a Deed of Trust executed by Kay L. Higgins in the original amount of $25,000.00 dated June 8, 2022, recorded June 10, 2022, in Book No. 2809, at Page 1864, Randolph County Registry, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee.

The hearing is scheduled before the Clerk of Superior Court of Randolph County for January 29, 2025, at or after 10:00 AM or at the convenience of the Clerk, to be held at the Randolph County Courthouse in a hearing room designated by the Clerk.

This the 26th day of December, 2025. /s/ Trisha L. Barfield Trisha L. Barfield, Esq. NC Bar No. 52990 Carruthers & Roth, P.A. Post Office Box 540 235 North Edgeworth Street Greensboro, North Carolina 27401 Phone: (336) 478-1176 Facsimile: (336) 478-1140 Email: tlb@crlaw.com Attorney for Petitioner

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the estate of: TRUDY BEAMON HUDSON 950 Cliff Road Asheboro, NC 27203 This is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the: 03-15-2026 This Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate are notified to make immediate payment.

TODAY’S DATE: 12-08-2025 TERENCE R. HEGLAR, ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF TRUDY BEAMON HUDSON, DECEASED, FILE NO. 25 E 001159-750 315 Belmont Place Rockwell, NC 28138 704-798-6146 ATTORNEY AT LAW: JOHN T. HUDSON 122 NORTH LEE STREET SALISBURY, NC 28144 704-633-1947

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Administrator CTA of the Estate of LAURANCE A. BECK, aka, LAURANCE ALBERT BECK (25E004259-910), late of Wake 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 on or before the 14th day of March, 2026 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 11th day of December 2025.

Katherine M. Bard Administrator CTA of the Estate of Laurance A. Beck, aka, Laurance Albert Beck c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 12/11, 12/18, 12/25/2025, 1/1/2026)

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of JOSEPH GROSSANO (25E004502-910), late of Wake 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 on or before the 14th day of March, 2026 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 11th day of December 2025.

Joe S. Grossano Executor of the Estate of Joseph Grossano c/o Linda Funke Johnson Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 12/11, 12/18, 12/25/2025, 1/1/2026)

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of RONALD GLENN HORTON, late of Wake County, North Carolina (25E004469-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of March, 2026 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 18th day of December 2025.

Mildred Horton Judd Administrator of the Estate of Ronald Glenn Horton c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 12/18, 12/25, 1/1/2026, 1/8/2026)

ATTENTION! MALE AND FEMALE YORKIES AND A MALE ENGLISH BULLDOG READY FOR ADOPTION FOR FREE. IF INTERESTED, EMAIL ME TO GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PUPPIES. craigdw11@gmail.com.

CABARRUS NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY 18-SP-346 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kevin Wingler and April Wingler, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $236,725.00, to American General Financial Services, Inc., Mortgagee, dated July 28th, 2008 and recorded on July 29th, 2008 in Book 08360, Page 0029, as instrument number 24518, and subsequently modified

by Loan Modification recorded on March 25th, 2010 in Book 09098 at Page 0102 and/or Instrument Number NA, Cabarrus County Registry.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of

Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on January 13th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that certain property situated in the County of Cabarrus, and State of North Carolina, being described as follows: Being all of Lot 218 Rocky River Crossing Map 5 Section 2 as shown on that plat recorded in Map Book 36, Page 22 of the Cabarrus County Registry to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description.

Being the property conveyed in warranty Deed from MDC Homes - Charlotte, LLC to Kevin Wingler and April Wingler, dated 02/25/2003, recorded 02/27/2003, in Deed Book 4345, Page 39, in the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Tax Parcel Identification Number: 1-10B-218 Together

with

improvements

located

hereon; said property being located at 6229 Rose Way Court, Harrisburg, NC 28075 Tax ID: 01-010B-0218.00 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §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. 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(s) of the property is/are Rocky River Crossing Homeowners Association, Inc..

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be 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 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: Goddard & Peterson, PLLC 125-B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565

A11

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS 24-119932 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 25SP000204-120 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GENTALEE W. ALLMON DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7383 AT PAGE 310 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in

25-121776 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 25sp000336-120 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DANE PASCOE DATED MARCH 29, 2022 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 15975 AT PAGE 136 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder

CUMBERLAND 25-122494 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25SP001078-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DAVID KEVIN GRADY, JR. DATED JUNE 29, 2021 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11170 AT PAGE 655 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25 SP 000308-250 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kathy Robinson and Joe Robinson, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $234,591.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as beneficiary, as nominee for CertusBank, National Association, Mortgagee, dated June 13th, 2014 and recorded on June 13th, 2014 in Book 9449, Page 0422, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25 SP001120-250 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Eddie Williams, Jr. and Jannie Cummings, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $232,323.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for Lower, LLC, Mortgagee, dated February 17th, 2022 and recorded on February 18th, 2022 in Book 11397, Page 0445, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25 SP 001079-250 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Sharlene Etta Williams, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $145,500.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for United Wholesale Mortgage, LLC, Mortgagee, dated March 11th, 2022 and recorded on March 14th, 2022 in Book 11416, Page 0794, 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

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Cumberland COUNTY In the Superior Court MEB REO TRUST VIII C/O SHELLPOINT

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 Cabarrus County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 13, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Gentalee W. Allmon, dated February 16, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $30,000.00, and recorded in Book 7383 at Page 310 of the Cabarrus 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: 8652 Lee Street, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124 Tax Parcel ID:

56703148820000 Present Record Owners: Jessica L. Anderson The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jessica L. Anderson.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be

advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 17, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cabarrus County courthouse at 10:00AM on January 13, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Dane Pascoe, dated March 29, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $465,000.00, and recorded in Book 15975 at Page 136 of the Cabarrus 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: 4025 Fringewood Drive, Concord, NC 28025 Tax Parcel ID: 56510856990000 Present Record Owners: Estate of Dane Pascoe

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Estate of Dane Pascoe.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental

agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 3, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

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 January 12, 2026, 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 David Kevin Grady, Jr., dated June 29, 2021 to secure the original principal amount of $166,920.00, and recorded in Book 11170 at Page 655 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: 402 Poplar Hill Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312 Tax Parcel ID:

0467-00-8637 Present Record Owners: David Kevin Grady Jr. The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are David Kevin Grady Jr. 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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be

advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 23, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

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 Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 10:00 AM on January 13th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 58 in a Subdivision known as Braxton Village, Phase One, Section Two, plat of the same being recorded in Plat Book 132, Page 55-56, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 6025 Gallberry Farms Road, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax ID: 0422-28-5432 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. 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(s) of the

property is/are Joe Robinson.

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.

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 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.

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 Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 1:30 PM on January 7th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEING all of Lot 201 of that subdivision known as SHEFFIELD FARMS NORTH, SECTION THREE, as per plat of the same duly recorded in Plat Book 122, Pages 93 to 94, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry.

Also known as: 4610 Cedar Pass Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 4610 Cedar Pass Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax ID: 0403-75-9364 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. 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(s) of the

property is/are Eddie Williams, Jr..

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.

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 Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 1:30 PM on January 7th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 33, in a Subdivision known as Deerfield, Section 4, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 54, Page 41, Cumberland County, North Carolina, Registry.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 110 Maranatha Circle, Spring Lake, NC 28390 Tax ID: 0502-38-3278 000 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. 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(s) of the property is/are Sharlene Etta Williams.

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.

MORTGAGE SERVICING v. BETTY R OUTLAW F/K/A BETTY R HOLT RYLANDER; VALERIA RYLANDER; ASTRID RYLANDER; CLIFFORD CARPENTER RYLANDER; 24SP000342-250 Party to be served: Rylander, Clifford C Holt

against you has been filed in the aboveentitled special proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Plaintiff requests the Clerk to determine the owner of surplus funds following the foreclosure sale of real property located at 5044 Tangerine Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than January 19, 2026, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief

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

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

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

This, the 10th day of December, 2025.

24-119932

25-121776

25-122494

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #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

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 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 Neill, NCSB #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 25-001448-01

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 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 Neill, NCSB #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 25-001448-01

Gregory P. Cowan, NC Bar #39608 Attorney for Petitioner Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450 Alpharetta, GA 30004

A12

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 20-109806 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25SP001178-250 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 above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to

25-123429 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25SP001177-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RONALD WILLIAMS AND JEAN B. WILLIAMS DATED FEBRUARY 8, 2008 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7807 AT PAGE 0705 AND MODIFIED

BY AGREEMENT RECORDED JANUARY 20, 2017 IN BOOK 10022 PAGE 381 AND FURTHER MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED JANUARY 18, 2022 IN BOOK 11369, PAGE 180 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced

22-115212 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 24SP001861-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY TIMOTHY JAMES MURPHY AND SHECNA NICOLE MURPHY DATED APRIL 17, 2020 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 10743 AT PAGE 799 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED APRIL 19, 2024 IN BOOK 11951, PAGE 772 AND CORRECTED BY AFFIDAVIT RECORDED JANUARY 21, 2025 IN BOOK 12151, PAGE 658 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000725-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by John T. Vu and Elena P. Vu (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): John T. Vu and Elena P. Vu) to H Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), dated April 16, 2013, and recorded in Book No. 09164, at Page 0568 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24SP000232-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Harley T. Fries and Sandra Denise Cabble Hooks Fries (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Sandra D. Cabble Hooks and Harley Thomas Fries and Sandra Denise Cabble Hooks Fries) to Reid, Lewis, Deese, Nance & Person LLP, Trustee(s), dated November 28, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 7078, at Page 709 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001170-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by David Dobbins and Elizabeth Dobbins (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): David Dobbins and Elizabeth Dobbins) to Cathleen Birli, Trustee(s), dated September 30, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 11585, at Page 0480 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at

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 January 12, 2026, 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: 0403-33-8749

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.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent

due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 10, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

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 January 12, 2026, 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 Ronald Williams and Jean B. Williams, dated February 8, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $239,313.00, and recorded in Book 7807 at Page 0705 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: 3934 Heartpine Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306

Tax Parcel ID: 0441-81-8975 Present Record Owners: Ronald Williams and Jean B. Williams The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Ronald Williams and Jean B. 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 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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be

advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 10, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

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 January 15, 2026, 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 Timothy James Murphy and Shecna Nicole Murphy, dated April 17, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $248,888.00, and recorded in Book 10743 at Page 799 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: 6877 Faircloth Bridge Rd, Stedman, NC 28391

Tax Parcel ID: 0497-75-1610 Present Record Owners: Timothy James Murphy and Shecna Nicole Murphy The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Timothy James Murphy and Shecna Nicole Murphy.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was

renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 26, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

PM on January 5, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot Number 2 in a subdivision known as ARRAN LAKES WEST, SECTION I and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 45, at page 49, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1999 Westcliff Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Parcel Identification No. 0405-49-5029 Property Address: 1999 Westcliff Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October

1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice

of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

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

door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 5, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 75 in a subdivisioin known as “WOODS EDGE, SECTION TWO”, a plat of which is duly recorded in Book of Plats 46, Page 31, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; and said property being located at 2221 Wingate Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

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

12:00 PM on January 12, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 84, in a subdivision known as Revised Map Heathcliff at Westpoint, Phase 1 and lot 109 open space & storm water maintenance, according, to a plat of the same recorded in Plat Book 130, Page 199, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2006 Maitland Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being

20-109806

25-123429

22-115212

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 17325 - 81709

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 10453 - 43818

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 28561 - 146160

The NSJ staff’s fearless predictions for 2026, B4

NICK WASS / AP PHOTO

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi stops the puck against Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin during the third period of a December game.

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA FOOTBALL

NC State defeats Memphis 31-7 in Gasparilla Bowl Tampa, Fla. CJ Bailey threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and scored another on the ground as NC State took down Memphis 31-7 in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Wolfpack concluded their season at 8-5 (4-4 ACC) and won a bowl game for the first time since the 2017 Sun Bowl. Jayden “Duke” Scott racked up 108 rushing yards to pace the NC State offense.

PGA

Gerard earns Masters invite with runner-up in Mauritius Open Bel Ombre, Mauritius Jayden Schaper of South Africa took first, but the big winner in the Mauritius Open might have been the guy he beat in a playoff. Former UNC and Ravenscroft golfer Ryan Gerard flew across two oceans from Florida to play the final tournament of the worldwide golf schedule. His finish allowed him to crack the top 50 in the world and get his first invitation to the Masters.

NBA

Wallace enters Michigan Hall Detroit, Mich.

Rasheed Wallace was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Wallace, a former Tar Heel and 16-year NBA veteran, was a member of the Detroit Pistons from 2003 to 2009, winning the 2004 NBA title with the team under coach Larry Brown, another former UNC standout. The hall’s 2025 class also included the Red Wings’ Chris Chelios, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski and boxer Claressa Shields, among others.

NSJ LOOK AHEAD: 2026 NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Bussi positioning himself to be Hurricanes’ goalie of present and future The 27-year-old rookie netminder has taken the NHL by storm this season

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal THERE MAY not be a single player more responsible for the Carolina Hurricanes’ success in the first half of the 2025-26 season than goaltender Brandon Bussi.

The 27-year-old netminder has taken the hockey world by storm, going from what seemed like an inconsequential waiver claim at the time to the potential No. 1 netminder for one of the best teams in the NHL. “He’s been great for us,”

said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour. “He’s come up with the timely saves, and that’s how I sum it up. Because it’s not like we’ve been leaving him out to dry or giving up 40 shots a night. It’s not that, but if there’s a breakaway here or there all of a sudden, those are huge moments in tight games and every game, you could kind of say the same story. Timely saves that allow us to have a chance. That’s what you ask of him.”

Bussi joined the Hurricanes at the end of the preseason after the team claimed him off of waivers from the Florida Panthers to give them a safety net for third-string netminder Cayden Primeau, who was

“The cream always rises to the top, right?”

Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall on Brandon Bussi eventually himself claimed off of waivers too.

While Bussi wasn’t expected to see much action, his NHL debut came much sooner than expected after Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov suffered an injury before the start of the year.

Bussi won that first outing against the San Jose Sharks, See BUSSI, page B4

All-time winners NSJ Look Ahead Newcomer of the Year (Bold: won the award in the next year’s year-end edition) 2017 (for 2018): Marvin Bagley III, Duke basketball 2018: RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson, Duke basketball 2019: Duke’s starting quarterback TBD 2020: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets 2021: NASCAR’s Next Gen car 2022: Ty Gibbs, NASCAR 2023: Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets 2024: Alexander Nikishin, Carolina Hurricanes 2025: Brandon Bussi, Carolina Hurricanes

NSJ LOOK AHEAD: 2026 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

All-time winners NSJ Look Ahead Athlete of the Year (Bold: won the award in the next year’s year-end edition) 2017 (for 2018): Nyheim Hines, NC State football 2018: Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers 2019: Sam Howell, UNC football 2020: Sam Howell, UNC football 2021: Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes 2022: Will Zalatoris, PGA 2023: Kevin Concepcion, NC State football 2024: Cooper Flagg, Duke basketball 2025: Cameron Young, PGA

Young could break through with major win in 2026 The former Demon Deacon carries his first tournament win and Ryder Cup success into the new year

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE AVERAGE winner of a golf major is just over 32 years old. The British Open has the oldest winners, while the winners of the PGA Championship and U.S. Open are between 28 and 29 on average.

In other words, Cameron Young might want to start clearing space in the trophy case.

Young turned 28 in 2025 and added to his streak — now

at four years — of finishing in the top 10 in at least one major.

He took second in the British and third in the PGA in 2022.

A year later, he was eighth in the British Open and seventh in the Masters. He followed that with a ninth in the Masters in 2024 and finished fourth in the U.S. Open in 2025. In other words, he’s contended in all four of golf’s biggest tourneys in the last four years.

Young had a breakout performance on another big stage in 2025 — the Ryder Cup. Playing on Bethpage Black, a short distance from his home course growing up in Westchester County, Young went 4-1 and led a dramatic comeback for the U.S., which ended up falling just short. The consensus,

shared by Phil Mickelson, was that Young was the top American. “Cam Young Team USA MVP,” Lefty posted on social media. “Wow what a great Ryder Cup!” Team captain Keegan Bradley chose Young to lead the Americans onto the course on the final day, and he responded with a big win.

“When we sent out Cam Young first from New York to lead us out, we had to have that match,” Bradley said. “He went out there in front of the whole world, in front of his home state, and made a 10-footer to beat Justin Rose, who is an all-time Ryder Cupper, and get to celebrate at Bethpage See YOUNG, page B2

B2 B2

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026 North State Journal for Thursday, November 27, 2025

NSJ LOOK AHEAD: 2026 COACH OF THE YEAR

All-time winners NSJ Look Ahead Coach of the Year

11.27.25 Beyond the box score Scheyer keeps Duke atop ACC, nation after transition from Coach K THURSDAY

TRENDING

Manaka

POTENT QUOTABLES

AfterMatsukubo: four successful years, the Blue Devils The 21-year-old are ready to sit atop was named NWSL the sport again

Midfielder of the Year, becoming the

By Shawn KrestCourage first N.C. North State Journal player to win the award.

Matsukubo YOU NEVER forget your first time. scored 11 goals Forwith Jon Scheyer, it was Nov. 7, four assists 2022.this “I remember thewas first time year. She walking out against Jacksonalso named to he said, ville as a head coach,” the NWSL Best “and the pressure, theXInerves firstatteam. you feel times.Former And I don’t take any granted.”

Targame Heelfor Avery In Patterson the grandwas scheme also of things, it wasn’t that long ago. namedand to the Best For Scheyer Duke basketXI, while former ball, however, it’s been a lifetime. Tar TheHeel program was in the Claudia process of transitioning Dickey and formerfrom the legendary four plus decade Courage player reign of Mike Krzyzewski to a Hailie Mace were new head coach.

It was recoverboth named to ing from a crushing lossthe to arch enemysecond UNC inteam. the Final Four in Coach K’s final game, a brutal bookend to the loss the Tar Heels dealt them in KrzyzewsMichael ki’s final home Jordan: game, in front The every Basketball Hall of almost player he’ d ever coached. of Famer is giving In $10 the three-plus million toyears since, Duke has turned over the entire Health rosterNovant twice, won a pairNew of ACC Hanoverone Regional Tournaments, regular season and advanced to the Final Medical Center Four. in Wilmington, And, after Scheyer won his which will name 100th game as a head coach, neuroscience earlieritsin December, against institute Lipscomb, Dukeafter had his posted a win under Scheyer every 11.4 mother, Deloris days Jordan. since he Jordan made hissaid debut.

That includes the seven-month he can’t think of a from offseason.

By comparison, togame honor Coachbetter K’s firstway Duke to his herBlue thanDevils by helping last, the won every 13.3 days. people in need get “I think you feel, as a head the most advanced coach, you have great humilineurological care ty, understanding that you can’t

available.

Kylee Lahners: The Pinehurst YOUNG from page B1 resident and Team Blackin front of everybody.”

USA third baseman “It was fun watching him out was selected third there,” Bradley said. “That was overall by New York really cool to see. ... I was rein thetoinaugural ally proud go out there and Proway he did. watchWomen’s him play the He played awesome.

He’s been Baseball League playing great for a long time.” draft. Also drafted Nearly two months before were Holly Young’s Ryder CupSprings rookie heroresident Alexis ics, he had another career milestone,Hastings in Greensboro.

(LF, Young led the Wyndham Championship Boston, first round after round two, expanded his No. 20), Greenville’s margin to five strokes after three Brittany Apgar rounds, and wrapped up his first (CF,win LosonAngeles, PGA tour Sunday.

“I’vethird beenround, waiting for55) it for No. a while,” and Young formersaid.

UNC“I never thought I’d be that emotionCharlotte club al about it, but it’s the end of teamseason. closerI’ve Katie my fourth had my Reynolds (San going to chances, and I wasn’t Francisco, 4th round, No. 65).

2017 (for 2018): Dave Clawson, Wake Forest football

NCAA BASEBALL

2018: Mike Vellucci,

Mike Caldwell, Dan Plesac, Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner (pictured) werehockey Charlotte Checkers inducted into NC State’s baseball ring of honor at a ceremony during the Brind’Amour, Wolfpack’s football win over Florida State. Caldwell, Rodon2019: andRod Turner led State Carolina Hurricanes to the College World Series. All four went on to have long MLB careers. Their 2020: Matt Rhule, numbers will be displayed on the outfield wall at Doak Field.

Carolina Panthers

2021: Steve Forbes, Wake Forest basketball 2022: Biff Poggi, Charlotte football 2023: Carolina Panthers’ next coach

MICHAEL CONROY / AP PHOTO

“I love being here. I ain’t saying nothing.”

2024: Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers 2025: Jon Scheyer, Duke basketball

Charlotte Hornets’ we’ve had the best players. We’ve guard LaMelo Ball, had great players, and we have denying reports that to continue to do that. But it’s he has expressed BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO MARK J. TERRILL / AP PHOTO really not about me, not about frustration with the that. I think it’s about who you Duke head coach Jon Scheyer shouts at an official during his 100th career win. team’s losing and is have with you.” open to being traded.

Despite having a rock solid al-time in game, NBA you’re think- foundation to the program and score one point or get one stop by NCAA CROSS-COUNTRY ing about, He called a timeout. some of the nation’s top playyourself,” Scheyer siad. “And the Would I have called a timeout at ers, Scheyer learned lessons thing that I’ve had is an incredi- “You can worry about a the same time. Why is he call- from last year’s blown lead in bly strong support staff, starting lot of different things, ing a timeout. I think that was the national semifinals, as well with my family, my friends, just a great trial run for me to imag- as a loss to NC State in the Elite people around Duke, our ad- but you better get some ine what plays you would call in Eight the year before. ministration, Nina [King] sup- good players, man.”

“You’ve got to fight, scrap and certain situations, things you porting. And then our coachwould do. Like I said, the con- claw for every win,” he said. “100, ing staff. [Chris Carrawell] has Jon Scheyer versations we had behind closed it’s cool. We played Tom Izzo last been there for every one of them. doors were some of the most im- week, and Coach Izzo, he’s got We’ve been through a lot to700 something wins. That’s a lot gether. The coaches on the staff, and set Scheyer up for immedi- pactful I’ve ever had with him.”

Scheyer also credits the play- of wins. You got a guy standing Emanuel [Dildy], coming over, ate success.

“I think that year was defi- ers he’s brought in, including on the baseline, he’s got 1,200 Rachel [Baker], you name it. I think that’s something that you nitely mischaracterized,” Schey- national player of the year Coo- something wins. That’s crazy. er said. “Coach K’s biggest inten- per Flagg last year, and this And so again, for me, I’m just feel.”

Scheyer made bold choice tion of just having, he wanted year’s top freshman — Camer- really proud of who I have with BUTCHthe DILL / AP PHOTO ATHLETICS NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO me, our staff, our players, and on Boozer. to sus- NC STATE to go outside the Coach K tree the program to be able COURTESY “I got advice right away when I’m really grateful.” and Duke Brotherhood to hire tain great success. … Some of NCconversations State women’s cross-country Angeles pointtheguard Eventually, Blue Devils I found out I wasLos going to be Clippers the best I’ve ever assistant coaches Jai Lucas The won theirisfourth national Chris hinted retirement will break at through.

Until then, the next coach – you canPaul, wor- 40, had with Coach throughout (since departed for Miami) and team Scheyer will have to be conry about a lot of different things, that season, just in talking about Dildy. It was part of the year- championship the last five years, after this season. In a video on social long transfer of power that why he made certain decisions, but you better get some good tent with the NSJ’s Look Ahead topping BYU by an average time media, he referred to Saturday’s spanned Coach K’s farewell tour what’s going on in his mind. Re- players, man,” he said. “And coach of the year award. difference of 0.02 seconds.

Hannah game against the Charlotte Hornets Cam Newton, Gapes finished fifth and Grace as his last game in the state where questioning the success of Drake Maye and the Hartman sixth for the Wolfpack. he starred for Wake Forest. Other New England Patriots Both were named All-Americans for outlets, including ESPN, confirmed due to a weak schedule. back-to-back tournaments in finding better ones. He’s one of the second year in a row. he will retire.

Maye responded by 31 years, became the youngest my best friends, a college teamsaying he doesn’t know golfer to win the Ike Stroke Play mate. He’s great at reading Championship, then repeated greens,” Young said. what show Newton is on.

With Sterbinsky on the bag, as champion, and was the first CFL amateur to win the New York Young moved from as low as No. State Open. A three-time All- 67 in the world into the top 20, PRIME NUMBER sitting at Sayles 19 as herecovered embarks on ACC player, he won twice on the Marcus what could in be the a huge 2026.

Korn Ferry Tour and earned a a fumble end “I think Cameron Young’s PGA card starting in 2021-22. zone with 2:53 left to reSince then, he’s made steady ally going to pop,” said tour vetthe Saskatchewan eran Brendon de Jonge. “I think progress and threatened to help he’s going to bebeat a topthe five playbreak through with his first ma- Roughriders Consecutive wins, er in the world comefor year end. … jor win. That elusive accom- Alouettes 25-17 their through Saturday, plishment may be on the dock- Cameron Young, to me, is ready fifth Cup title. without a loss, by AP to takeGrey it to the next level.” et for 2026. (pictured) Top 25 men’s college “He’s Harris long, now 10th in putYoung changed caddies in Trevor ting this 2025, embracing his college threw foryear,” 302 said yardstour star basketball teams MATT SLOCUM / AP PHOTO roots by bringing in former Webb Simpson, another former Saskatchewan. against Demon Deacon. “He’ll be a guy Wake Forest teammate Kyle for Cameronunranked Young celebrates after a putt during the Ryder Cup. Former UNC pass opponents to start the about for 10 or 15 Sterbinsky. His putting im- we’re talking years.” proved almost immediately afrusher Malik Carney led season, the longest That includes 2026, when University, his college golf home ter the switch. let it get away from me.”

Saskatchewan in sacks, winning streak for “Some of it is just grind- he’s our look ahead athlete of The heroics came a short from 2015 to 2019. Young was former NC State ranked teams any Forest the first Wake freshman to win ing through tougher times and while the year. drive away fromatWake

“Cubic zirconia, middle of the mall.”

94

point in a season in poll history.

FRANK GUNN / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

rusher Mike Rose was second.

B3

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

NSJ LOOK AHEAD: 2026 TEAM OF THE YEAR

Carolina Panthers look to take next step into successful future Dave Canales and his team aim to build on a surprising 2025 season

(Bold: won the award in the next year’s year-end edition) 2017 (for 2018): Duke basketball 2018: NC State basketball

By Jesse Deal North State Journal ALREADY A YEAR ahead of schedule in their rebuild under coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers have been playing with house money as the 2025 regular season enters its final stretch.

Hardly any NFL analysts predicted the Charlotte franchise would be battling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down to the wire for the NFC South title and a playoff berth as 2026 begins, but that is exactly where the Panthers find themselves as the new year takes hold.

Carolina’s progress has not only altered expectations for this season but has laid the groundwork for the team to become a fixture in the division race for years to come.

As the third and fourth years of the Canales and Young eras, respectively, arrive in September, the Panthers — NSJ’s pick for 2026 Team of the Year — appear primed to build on a foundation forged during a season defined by momentum swings and late-game breakthroughs.

For the first time in years, Carolina has evolved into a team that can not only compete with anyone in the NFL but also beat them. Wins over the Cowboys, Packers, Rams and Buccaneers have fueled the belief that the Panthers’ turnaround is more than a fleeting aberration.

“I’m really proud of the group with the way that they stay together and talk the whole time,” Canales said after Carolina’s 23-20 win over Tampa Bay on Dec. 21. “There’s a lot of great communication happening on the sideline drive-in and driveout, trying to figure out the different things on both sides.”

“Everything is right in front

All-time winners NSJ Look Ahead Team of the Year

2019: NC State women’s basketball 2020: NC State women’s basketball 2021: Charlotte FC 2022: Carolina Hurricanes 2023: NC State women’s basketball 2024: UNC women’s soccer 2025: Carolina Panthers

ERIK VERDUZCO / AP PHOTO

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker catches a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a Dec. 21 in Charlotte.

“I’m really proud of the group with the way that they stay together and talk the whole time.”

Dave Canales, Panthers coach of us, and to give ourselves a chance to continue to play meaningful football this time of year, they’ve earned that,” he added. “They’ve earned that because of the work.”

Looking ahead to 2026, it is reasonable to expect the Panthers to retain most of their 2025 talent, with running back Rico Dowdle standing out as the notable exception.

Viewed as a one-year rental who delivered as a physical, effective runner, Carolina will likely allow Dowdle to walk while leaning on Chuba Hub-

bard as its primary back again.

The rotation would be supplemented by 2025 fourth-round pick Trevor Etienne and 2024 second-round pick Jonathan Brooks.

Brooks’ future remains one of the roster’s biggest question marks. The former Texas standout suffered his second ACL tear on the same knee late in his rookie season, but the Panthers could still give him another opportunity to revive a professional career that never fully took off.

At quarterback, Carolina appears committed to letting Young’s development continue to unfold. The Panthers are expected to pick up his fifthyear option for the 2027 season by May, a move projected at roughly $26.5 million that would give the franchise additional evaluation time while keeping him under contract at a manageable figure ahead of

any potential extension talks.

Despite inconsistent stretches, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has shown increasingly clear signs of becoming the franchise quarterback Carolina envisioned. Young has recorded 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime, the most by any quarterback since entering the league in 2023.

The former Heisman Trophy winner has flourished following the draft addition of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who has emerged as the Panthers’ first consistent big-play, yards-after-catch threat since DJ Moore was still in the Queen City.

In Year 2, McMillan has the tools to develop into a star if he can improve his physicality at the catch point, complementing route-running skills that already appear to be the real deal.

Carolina will also be count-

ing on continued development from wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, particularly Coker, who has grown into a role similar to the one Adam Thielen filled in past seasons. The Panthers could add another offensive weapon or two during the offseason.

Defensively, Carolina has taken meaningful steps forward after fielding the league’s poorest unit a season ago. The defense, led by defensive tackle Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn, is trending in the right direction.

While additional linebacker depth and pass-rush help are still needed, the pieces appear to be coming together for a defense that has endured growing pains but also flashed life through improved turnover creation.

If the Panthers remain on their current trajectory, 2026 shapes up as the season when promise turns into expectation — where a postseason appearance is no longer viewed as a bonus, but as the baseline standard for a franchise that finally appears to have found its footing again.

NSJ LOOK AHEAD: 2026 COMEBACK AWARD

Wade looks to flip Wolfpack’s direction, status on Tobacco Road

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal THE NC STATE men’s basketball team had reason to celebrate following a mid-December nonconference game.

Sophomore guard Paul McNeil set a new school record with 11 threes and scored 47 points to down Texas Southern 108-72 on Dec. 17. It was NC State’s fourth win by at least 30 points, and the Wolfpack moved to 8-4 on the season.

But in NC State coach Will Wade’s postgame press conference, those with closed eyes may have thought they were hearing from Texas Southern coach Johnny Jones.

“Not good enough,” Wade said. “Same guys who make mistakes in shootaround and who make mistakes in practice make the same mistakes in the game.

Same guys who foul all the time because they have no attention to detail, and they make mistakes, and they just act all shocked when they foul in the game. It’s what we do.”

Said Wade, “We have a lot of casual personalities on our team.

We don’t have people that are revved up and ready to go.”

Those feelings don’t match the hype and optimism surrounding NC State, North State Journal’s pick for the 2026 look ahead comeback award, when it brought in a new coach and revamped the roster ahead of this season.

NC State has at times been one of the most explosive offensive teams in the nation, averaging 88.3 points in its first 13 games (32nd in the country and fourth in the ACC). The Wolfpack scored

NC State coach Will Wade speaks with an official during a December game against Texas Southern.

All-time winners NSJ Look Ahead Comeback of the Year 2017 (for 2018): UNC football 2018: ECU football 2019: Cam Newton 2020: Fans in arenas 2021: Payton Wilson, NC State football 2022: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets 2023: Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes 2024: Kyle Larson, NASCAR 2025: NC State basketball and Will Wade

KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

100 points three times in nonconference play, including twice in three games against NC Central and UNC Greensboro.

However, games against tougher competition told a different story. The Wolfpack went 1-4 against high-major teams and 0-2 against ranked teams through Dec. 21, scoring more than 80 points in against one high-major opponent (Texas). NC State finished nonconference play ranked 31st in the NET rankings and 1-3 in Quad 1 games.

Defensively, the Wolfpack have given up 72.2 points per game in nonconference play (14th in the ACC) while allowing opponents to shoot 42.3 % from the floor.

“We don’t give ourselves any margin for error when you lose to Seton Hall,” Wade said. “Seton Hall is a great team, but that’s the ones that are killers. Texas is a great team. It’s a lot easier to beat

Texas on a neutral court when we have more fans there than come to Auburn in front of 9,100 people and try to win. When you kick away those opportunities, you put yourself in a tough spot.”

But as disappointing the start of the season has been compared to the preseason expectations, the first few games of Wade’s tenure have shown signs of growth for the program.

Last season, the Wolfpack weren’t on the same level offensively as they touched 90 points in one of their first 13 games.

Marcus Hill and Dontrez Styles were their leading scorers with an average of 11 points, and only one other player achieved a double-digit average.

This year, NC State has five players averaging at least 10 points with Darrion Williams, Quadir Copeland and McNeil all averaging at least 14. So far, the Wolfpack have been more effi-

cient than last year’s 42.5% shooting clip as they’ve shot 49.1% through nonconference play.

With the opportunity to boost its tournament resume in ACC play and solidify its potential as a “comeback” team, NC State must answer the question of how far it can go with its improved offense.

After hosting Wake Forest for the first of two meetings Wednesday, the Wolfpack will be tested at No. 21 Virginia Saturday, a team that won six straight through Dec. 22 and has allowed opponents to shoot below 40% from the floor.

Then, NC State will follow a stretch of three favorable matchups against Boston College, Florida State and Georgia Tech with another road test at Clemson, a team that took close losses to Alabama and BYU and holds teams to an ACC-best 27.3% threepoint shooting clip (11th in the country).

Down the stretch, NC State will take on more tough opponents with Louisville, Miami, UNC, Virginia and Duke all scheduled in February. The Wolfpack last beat Duke and UNC in the same regular season in 2023.

Both opponents present the top two defenses in the ACC, while Louisville is right behind them by holding teams to 68.2 points per game.

Therefore, NC State has no shortage of opportunities to prove itself as Tournament-worthy before the end of the regular season.

Should they come out of the regular season with a much better record than last year’s 12-19 mark and a spot in the Tournament, the Wolfpack will be one of the best turnaround stories in North Carolina.

And if Wade is still unsatisfied, they may stay down the right path for years to come.

B4

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Fearless sports predictions for 2026 Our sports staff tries to see into the future in our annual prognostications

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball could be celebrating his made 3-pointers in a different uniform soon, at least that’s what Asheebo Rojas predicts.

North State Journal staff EVERY 12 MONTHS, our sports staff welcomes in the new year with our bold predictions on what to expect in the months ahead. Here’s our best guess as to what 2026 has in store for sports across the state.

NSJ FEARLESS PREDICTIONS: SPORTS WRITER RYAN HENKEL NC State fails to qualify for bowl game The NC State Wolfpack have flirted with disaster for a few seasons in a row now, but they’ve dug deep each year with strong finishes to reach bowl eligibility in six straight seasons.

However the Wolfpack are seeing first hand the impact of the new era of NIL and portal turnover as the team is currently seeing an exodus of talent (and they’re still holding their breath on the quarterback).

Things look like they could be lining up for a challenging year.

DAVID DERMER / AP PHOTO

Seth Jarvis breaks Hurricanes’ single-season goal record Carolina Hurricanes’ star winger Seth Jarvis has been on a tear through the first half of the season with 19 goals in 33 games and if he can find another gear in 2026, he has a good chance of challenging Eric Staal for the team’s single-season goal record (45).

It’s a record that has stood for 20 seasons, but this could very well be the year if the 23-year-old can keep his pace.

MLB announces expansion to N.C. The home of minor league baseball has been gaining plenty of traction and interest for a major league team of their own.

Both Raleigh and Charlotte have been amongst the top candidates to land a potential franchise and with Tom Dundon already grabbing an NBA franchise to join his NHL holdings, could MLB be the next one in the hopper?

NSJ FEARLESS PREDICTIONS: SPORTS WRITER JESSE DEAL Carolina Panthers win back-to-back NFC South titles After using the first week of 2026 to slip past Tampa Bay for the NFC South trophy, the Carolina Panthers double down in the year and win the division again, putting together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Behind the continued growth from Bryce Young and stability under Dave Canales, Carolina pairs timely offense with a defense that takes an even bigger leap forward as a collective unit.

KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO AL GOLDIS / AP PHOTO

Duke coach Jon Scheyer reacts during a December game. Could an NBA blue blood come calling? Our sports editor wonders.

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis shoots the puck against the Predators in a December game. Will he find his way into the team record book? Ryan Henkel thinks so.

UNC football continues regression, Belichick experiment ends abruptly The bold gamble in Chapel Hill fizzles out in a major way, with UNC’s football program continuing to slide as the culture shock surrounding the legendary NFL coach clashes with the college realities of recruiting and roster management.

Mounting losses and fan unease lead to a swift, awkward separation between UNC and Bill Belichick, leaving the Tar Heels searching once again for a new leader on the sideline to guide them to their first winning record since 2023.

Kon Knueppel works toward first NBA All-Star selection The Charlotte Hornets’ budding star Kon Knueppel has a rise that accelerates into national spotlight territory as he plays his way towards the 2027 NBA All-Star game. The former Duke standout becomes a nightly mismatch with his shooting efficiency, off-ball movement and poise beyond his years.

With one strong NBA campaign already under his belt, Knueppel’s sophomore season turns him into one of the

league’s most reliable two-way wings.

NSJ FEARLESS PREDICTIONS: SPORTS WRITER ASHEEBO ROJAS Wake Forest fires Steve Forbes In five and a half seasons at Wake Forest, men’s basketball coach Steve Forbes has brought the talent and 20-win seasons back to Winston-Salem. But not the tournament appearances. The struggles to win the big games and build a NCAA Tournament-worthy resume have continued into this year with close losses to No. 6 Michigan and No. 15 Texas Tech and blowout losses to Oklahoma and No. 13 Vanderbilt. Unless the Demon Deacons play lights out in ACC play and earn a tournament bid, this may be Forbes’ last go.

Tetairoa McMillan will be in top 10 in receiving yards Carolina Panthers rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan has proven his worth as the eighth overall pick. McMillan immediately became Bryce Young’s primary target, leading the Panthers with 65 receptions, 924 yards and seven touchdowns

BUSSI from page B1 and you could immediately tell that there was something more there.

Since then, the American netminder set a league record, becoming the first NHL goaltender to win 10 games in his first 11 appearances, and his 11-1-1 record is the second-best start ever to an NHL career (Bob Froese started his career with a 12-0-1 record with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1983).

“I just take it day by day,” said Bussi, who hasn’t once allowed the moment to be too big for himself. “It feels good to get wins. Our team’s been playing really well in most of these wins, if not all of them, so it feels good.”

It took a while for the 27-year-old to earn his chance in the NHL, spending three years at Western Michigan and another three years grinding away in the AHL with the Prov-

NICK WASS / AP PHOTO

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi has gone from waiver claim to NHL starter. idence Bruins, but he’s certainly proving that he belongs now.

“The cream always rises to the top, right?” said Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall on Bussi. “It doesn’t matter if you’re 22 or 26, especially when you’re a goalie.

There’s no direct path to being what you are, and when you’re big and athletic like he is in the net, you just need to keep going. I think he’s only going to get better and better.”

And Bussi’s emergence

through 15 games. While on pace for a 1,000-yard season, McMillan ranks 15th in the NFL in receiving yards (103 yards from 10th). Should the Panthers build on this year’s success, McMillian could crack the top 10 in 2026.

LaMelo Ball wears different uniform next season The success of Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel and another disappointing start to the season, despite the talent surrounding him, has brought upon the question of what to do with LaMelo Ball. Since his second season, Ball has played in less than 60 games each year and has already missed 10 games this season as of Dec. 22. He’s also on track for his worst statistical season as a scorer since his rookie year.

While Ball is still young, trading him can pay huge dividends for Charlotte’s future.

NSJ FEARLESS PREDICTIONS: SPORTS EDITOR SHAWN KREST

UNC head coach Bill Belichick protests a call during a loss to NC State. The Belichick era may be coming to a sudden, awkward end, according to Jesse Deal.

Scheyer gets a serious offer from one of the NBA’s signature franchises. Coach K turned down the temptation to stay at Duke.

The decision will be tougher for his successor.

ACC gets new commish during realignment scare College sports continues to be plagued by instability as another round of major conference realignment hits. After years of rumors, this time, the ACC comes under direct attack with charter members UNC, Clemson and NC State getting offers. In an effort to fend off raiders and establish a footing near the top of the new world order, the ACC jettisons commissioner Jim Phillips to find a leader who will be more aggressive in realignment. NFL EVP Dasha Smith and Big Ten deputy Diane Dietz are among the top candidates.

Gambling scandals spread to two more sports

More than two decades after Mike Krzyzewski turned down a lucrative offer from the Lakers to see if his coaching style works at the next level, the NBA comes calling again at Duke. After winning more than 100 games, as well as ACC and NCAA regional titles, in his first four years as Blue Devils coach, Jon

After the NBA, MLB and college sports were rocked by gambling scandals in 2025, results manipulation to help fix microbetting outcomes spreads to major golf and auto racing. Several golfers on the PGA tour are tied to suspicious live betting patterns for single hole outcomes in the early rounds of small tournaments. Similarly, sports books see strange betting activity on live betting lap results in several NASCAR races.

couldn’t have come at a better time for the Hurricanes as their No. 1 netminder for the past four seasons, Frederik Andersen, has seen his numbers drastically dip with a 5-8-2 record and a .869 save percentage.

“What I think we all like about him is that he’s just very calm and he puts the work in and nothing seems to faze him,” Brind’Amour said of Bussi.

“He’ll have bumps in the road.

They’re gonna come. But hopefully just not anytime soon.”

The Hurricanes have positioned themselves well heading into 2026, as the team sits at the top of the Eastern Conference, and it seems safe to assume that Bussi will be the main man in net heading forward as well.

He’s proven that he can compete in the NHL, as he also holds the best high-danger save percentage in the entire league, and so the task before him now is showing he can consistent-

ly perform over the length of a season.

With the way Bussi has played, it feels like a sure-fire thing that the Hurricanes will sign him to an extension once he is eligible (Jan. 1), although his play might warrant some tougher negotiations and a higher ask from his agents.

Bussi will be a UFA upon the expiration of his current contract, so he could potentially take his talents to the open market, but with Carolina being the team to give him the chance and with him positioning himself as the potential heir apparent in the crease as well, it seems like an easy situation for a deal to come to fruition.

Goaltending has long been an issue for the Hurricanes, especially projecting into the future, but if Bussi’s play holds true, then one of their biggest question marks may very well just turn into one of their greatest strengths.

NBA comes calling for Scheyer

B5

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 25-121772 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25SP001032-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RODNEY SCOTT DATED DECEMBER 23, 2008 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8042 AT PAGE 785 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000125-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Roger Melton aka Roger D. Melton (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Roger Melton) to Jennifer Grant, Trustee(s), dated April 20, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09632, at Page 0864 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on January 3, 2024, in Book No. 11884, at Page 0857, 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 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 courthouse door in Fayette-

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001165-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by William H. Jones (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): William H. Jones) to KD Smith, Trustee(s), dated July 21, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 7309, at Page 441 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 12, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County

DAVIDSON 25SP001468-280 NOTICE 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 Paul C Meeks and Elane H Meeks a/k/a Elaine H Meeks to BB&T Collateral Service Corporation, Trustee(s), which was dated May 15, 2019 and recorded on June 11, 2019 in Book 2361 at Page 183, Davidson 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

DURHAM 24-119266 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DURHAM COUNTY 25SP001051-310 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JUSTIN CHRISTOPHER WINTER AND ELEANOR HAWTHORNE DATED NOVEMBER 25, 2020 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9148 AT PAGE 580 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED JUNE 12, 2025 IN BOOK 10325, PAGE 732 IN THE DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and

24-119324 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DURHAM COUNTY 24SP002114-310 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RONALD OHARA THOMAS JR AND LAYLE D. THOMAS DATED DECEMBER 4, 2021 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9552 AT PAGE 588 IN THE DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder

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 January 13, 2026, 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 Rodney Scott, dated December 23, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $64,952.00, and recorded in Book 8042 at Page 785 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: 2305 Vestal Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28301 Tax Parcel ID: 0428-98-2544-

Present Record Owners: Rodney Scott The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Rodney Scott.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental

agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 11, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

ville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 12, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 7, of the E.M. CURRIN PROPERTY BLOCK E, and being the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 10, Page 23, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 313 Post Avenue, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

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 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,

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 foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to

of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain parcel of land in Cumberland County, State of NC, as more fully described in Book 6508, Page 453 ID # 0467-489455, being known and designated as Lot 11, Eastover Village, Section Six, filed in Plat Book 91, at Page 133. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 824 Shakertown Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Being the same property conveyed by Fee Simple Corporate Warranty Deed from Greentree Servicing LLC fka Conseco Finance Servicing Corp. a Limited Liability Company under the laws of the State of Delaware to William H Jones, dated 04/23/2004 recorded on 04/30/2004 in Book 6508 Page 453 in Cumberland County Records, State of NC.

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

($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

including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 4521.29 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.

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property

25-121772

c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16049 - 121718 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 25850 - 130308

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

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

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 January 12, 2026 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 NOS. 150, 151, 152, AND 153, SECTION 2 OF LAMBETH KNOLLS, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, IN PLAT BOOK 6, PAGE 16.

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

Said property is commonly known as 618 Knollwood Drive, Thomasville, NC 27360.

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 Paul C. Meeks and spouse, Elane H. Meeks.

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.: 25-27483-FC01

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 Durham County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 14, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Durham County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Justin Christopher Winter and Eleanor Hawthorne, dated November 25, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $223,250.00, and recorded in Book 9148 at Page 580 of the Durham 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: 1201 South Street, Durham, NC 27707

Tax Parcel ID: 222619 Present Record Owners: Justin Christopher Winter and Eleanor Hawthorne The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Justin Christopher Winter and Eleanor Hawthorne.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was

renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 29, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Durham County courthouse at 10:00AM on January 7, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Durham County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ronald Ohara Thomas Jr and Layle D. Thomas, dated December 4, 2021 to secure the original principal amount of $200,000.00, and recorded in Book 9552 at Page 588 of the Durham 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: 2641 Kirk Road, Durham, NC 27705 Tax Parcel ID: 126474 Present Record Owners:

Ronald Ohara Thomas, Jr. and Layle D. Thomas The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Ronald Ohara Thomas, Jr. and Layle D. Thomas.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the

purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 4, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

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

An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

24-119266

24-119324

B6

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

DURHAM 19-108679 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DURHAM COUNTY 25sp000131-310 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GLENN NELSON DATED APRIL 19, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5184 AT PAGE 678 IN THE DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in

FORSYTH 25SP001646-330 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 Shakira Marshall and Justen Daniel Price to Atlas Orange, Trustee(s), which was dated May 18, 2023 and recorded on May 18, 2023 in Book 3754 at Page 2608, 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 January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY 25 SP 001729-330 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Lashonder Sharee Bennett, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $280,721.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary as nominee for Movement Mortgage, LLC, Mortgagee, dated March 23rd, 2022 and recorded on March 23rd, 2022 in Book RE3683, Page 3507, Forsyth 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 Forsyth County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF FORSYTH GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25CV007870-330 Towd Point Mortgage Trust 2015-6, U.S. Bank National Association as Indenture Trustee; and Towd Point Master Funding Trust 2014R4, Plaintiffs, v.

David Wayne Davis a/k/a David W. Davis; Any Spouse of David Wayne Davis a/k/a David W. Davis; Sandra P. Davis a/k/a Sandra Phifer Davis; Any Spouse of Sandra P. Davis a/k/a Sandra Phifer Davis; Ingle Law Firm, PA; Allegacy Federal Credit Union;

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP001633-330 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by CATHERINE PLEASANTS FULP dated April 27, 2021 in the amount of $186,558.00 and recorded in Book RE 3605, Page 668 of the Forsyth County Public Registry by ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Forsyth County, North Carolina, in Book RE 3881, Page 3136, 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 Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on January 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 6824-50-6094

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY 25 SP 001520-330 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Calvin Ward, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $93,978.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for Plaza Home Mortgage Inc., Mortgagee, dated March 1st, 2018 and recorded on March 1st, 2018 in Book RE 3392, Page 4145, Forsyth 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 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

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 Durham County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 7, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Durham County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Glenn Nelson, dated April 19, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $92,000.00, and recorded in Book 5184 at Page 678 of the Durham 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: 3345 Tarleton West, Durham, NC 27713 Tax Parcel ID:

197948 Present Record Owners: Glenn Nelson The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Glenn Nelson.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the

purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 7, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

Forsyth County, North Carolina, to wit: COMMENCING at the southwestern intersection of the right of way lines of Old Hollow Road and Scarified Drive, thence with the southern right of way line of Old Hollow Road North 73 degrees 47 minutes 55 seconds West 840 feet to an iron stake, the northeast corner of Tax Lot 11 in Block 3010F, as presently shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps, the Point and Place of BEGINNING; thence from said Point and Place of BEGINNING and with the western line of Joseph Tarlton, now or formerly, (Deed Book 1354, page 1570), South 16 degrees 14 minutes 14 seconds West 200.08 feet to an iron stake in the northern line of Lot Number 20 as shown on the Plat of SUNNY TERRACE, SECTION THREE, recorded in Plat Book 28, page 176 of the Forsyth Registry; thence with the northern line of said Lot 20, North 73 degrees 43 minutes 57 seconds West 99.99 feet to an iron stake; thence North 16 degrees 13 minutes 39 seconds East 199.97 feet to an iron stake in the southern right of way line of Old Hollow Road; thence with the southern right of way line of Old Hollow Road South 73 degrees 47 minutes 55 seconds East 100.02 feet to and existing iron stake, the Point and Place of BEGINNING. Being Lot Number 11 as shown on the unrecorded Plat of SUNNY TERRACE, SECTION TWO, and being presently shown as Tax Lot 11 in Block 3010F on the Forsyth

County Tax maps. Said description being in accordance with a survey made by Philip T. Hedrick, RL.S. dated February 27,1996, bearing number 9602258P.

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 Shakira Marshall and Justen Daniel Price.

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.: 25-24516-FC01

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 Forsyth County, North Carolina, at 10:00 AM on January 6th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 48 as shown on a plat entitled “Plat for Reagan Village”, recorded in Plat Book 72, Page 11, in the Forsyth County Public Registry.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 4462 Wesmar Drive, Pfafftown, NC 27040 Tax ID: 5898-85-3652 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. 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(s) of the property is/are LaShonder Sharee Bennett.

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.

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 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.

Truliant Federal Credit Union, Defendants.

To: David Wayne Davis a/k/a David W. Davis Any Spouse of David Wayne Davis a/k/a David W. Davis 710 Newton Street Winston Salem, NC 27105 David Wayne Davis a/k/a David W. Davis Any Spouse of David Wayne Davis a/k/a David W. Davis 1310 Aurora Glen Drive Rural Hall, NC 27045 Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the aboveentitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: That the Court declare that Plaintiff is entitled to enforce the Note and Deed of Trust; That Plaintiff’s valid, first position lien or trust on the Property be foreclosed by

judicial sale pursuant to the provisions of N.C.G.S. § 1-339.1, et seq., by Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, as Commissioner specially appointed by the Court to serve without bond, with proceeds of the sale applied as follows: To the cost of this action; To the compensation allowed by the Court for a person holding the sale pursuant to the N.C.G.S. § 1-339.11; To the amount due to the Plaintiff under the Note and Deed of Trust, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs provided therein; and The surplus, if any, to be paid to the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of Forsyth County pending a determination of those persons entitled thereto.

That the Property located at 710 Newton Street, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27105 shall be sold at a public sale to the highest bidder;

That Plaintiff have and recover judgment against Borrowers in the amount of all principal, interest, late fees, costs, charges, expenses, fees, and attorneys’ fees due under the terms of the Note, which amount is in excess of $25,000.00, together with any pre- or post-judgment interest allowed by law; In the alternative, that a constructive trust, resulting trust or equitable lien be declared in favor of Plaintiff upon the interests of Borrowers in the Property, consistent in all regards with the terms and conditions of the Deed of Trust; That the Court direct that any final Order resulting from this action be duly recorded in the Forsyth County Register of Deeds, and indexed according to those parties named in said Deed of Trust for the purpose of establishing record notice of this proceeding in the chain of title to the Property;

That the Plaintiff have and recover its cost in this action including reasonable attorney’s fees; and For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than January 28, 2026, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This, the 10th day of December, 2025.

BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC /s/ Alan M. Presel_________________ Alan M. Presel, NC Bar #24470 6701 Carmel Road, Suite 315 Charlotte, NC 28226 Telephone: 704-643-0290 Facsimile: 704-332-7225 Email: Alan.Presel@brockandscott.com Attorney for Plaintiffs 24-29098 CXLIT01

ADDRESS: 1636 OLD SALISBURY RD WINSTON SALEM, NC 27127 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): CATHERINE PLEASANTS FULP THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF FORSYTH, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK RE 3605, PAGE 668, AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A NEW IRON PIPE IN THE EASTERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF OLD SALISBURY ROAD (SR NO. 3011), SAID IRON PIPE BEING ALSO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY OF R.M. KIMEL AND WIFE, CLEVE KIMEL, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 311 AT PAGE 200 OF THE FORSYTH COUNTY REGISTRY; RUNNING THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 55’ 24” EAST A DISTANCE OF 139.70 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE; RUNNING THENCE SOUTH 02 DEGREES 49’ 39” WEST A DISTANCE OF 75.0 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE; RUNNING THENCE SOUTH 86 DEGREES 02’ 51” WEST A DISTANCE OF 142.96 FEET TO A REBAR; RUNNING THENCE ALONG THE EASTERN RIGHT OF WAY OF OLD SALISBURY ROAD (SR NO. 3011) NORTH 04 DEGREES 49’00” EAST A DISTANCE OF 79.98 FEET TO THE POINT AND PLACE OF THE BEGINNING. SAID TRACT BEING A PORTION OF LOTS 12 AND 13 OF PATTERSON KNOLL AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 3, PAGE 70A OF THE FORSYTH COUNTY REGISTRY AND ALSO KNOWN AS TAX LOTS 12A AND 13A OF TAX BLOCK 2287 OF WINSTON TOWNSHIP,

DATED MAY 18, 1990. FOR FURTHER REFERENCE SEE DEED BOOK 1619 AT PAGE 3048 OF THE FORSYTH COUNTY REGISTRY. A MAP SHOWING THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 3, PAGE 70A 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 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 Real Property: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor

has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Forsyth County, North Carolina, at 10:00 AM on January 6th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being known and designated as Lot 208 of Smith Farm, Phase 2D, a map and plat of which is recorded in Plat Book 47, Page 162 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which map is hereby made for a more particular description.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 623 Denny Drive, Winston Salem, NC 27107 Tax ID: 6865-20-3435.000 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. 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(s) of the property is/are The Heirs of Calvin Ward.

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.

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 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.

The subject property is the same as that property described in Deed Book 3700, Page 1055, Forsyth County Registry and is further designated as Tax Parcel Identifier Number 6848-85-6738.000 on the Forsyth County Tax Maps.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1960 Old Hollow Road, Walkertown, NC 27051.

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

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

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

19-108679

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #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 25-002807-01

Sarah A. Waldron or Terrass Scott Misher, Esq ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorneys for the Substitute Trustee 13010 Morris Rd., Suite 450 Alpharetta, GA 30004 Telephone: (470) 321-7112

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #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 25-001061-01

B7

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE 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 Forsyth County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 14, 2026, 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 Brian K. Ellis, dated January 3, 2017 to secure the original principal amount of $79,105.00, and recorded in Book 3326 at Page 3362 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: 3138 Russell Way Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27127

Tax Parcel ID: 6834-01-1258 Present Record Owners: Brian K. Ellis The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Brian K. Ellis.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of

the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 13, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com 25-120528

BABALOLA; ANY SPOUSE OF JUMOKE BABALOLA; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS AGENCY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; GODDARD & PETERSON, PLLC; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.; 25CVS003237-330 Party to be served: JUMOKE BABALOLA;

ANY SPOUSE OF JUMOKE BABALOLA

27265

This, the 17TH day of December, 2025

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the aboveentitled special proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Plaintiff is seeking the foreclosure of real property at 4050 TRANSITION ST, HIGH POINT, NC

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than February 16, 2026 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

Gregory P. Cowen NC Bar #39608 Attorney for Petitioner Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450 Alpharetta, GA 30004

of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Iredell County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on January 8, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Statesville in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at as iron stake on the Eastern margin of Holland Circle West, grid iron stake being the Southwest corner of Lot No. 4 in Block III. Of the Holland Farm Development, map of which is recorded in Plat Book 5, page 15. Iredell County Registry: thence with the easterly margin of Holland Circle West, N. 48 deg. 24 min. 11 sec. West 85.82 feet to an iron pin, Leonard R. Marlowe’s corner; thence with Marlowe’s line, N. 48 deg. 55 min. 31 sec. East 143.21 feet to an iron pin, Marlowe’s corner in Nationwide Homes, Inc.’s line; thence with Nationwide Homes.

Inc.’s Line and S. R. Holland. Jr.’s line. S. 51 deg. 38 min. 30 sec. East 100 feet to an Iron pin, corner of said Lot No. 4 and being McLeon’s corner; thence with the line of Lot No. 4 and McLeon’s line, S. 48 deg. 8 min. 30

sec. West 102.18 feet to the Beginning, and being the identical land conveyed by James A. Belcher and wife, to Ray Junior Wooten and wife. Edith P. Wooten, by deed recorded August 21, 1981, and recorded in Book 666, page 687. Deed Records for Iredell County.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 402 Holland Drive, Statesville, North Carolina.

The above described is subject to all of the restrictions as to the use thereof as are contained in the instrument recorded in Book 248, page 385, Deed Records for Iredell County.

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

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

The property to be 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

with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 27520 - 140226

PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 4724-35-4777.000 ADDRESS: 706 WINTERFIELD RD STATESVILLE, NC 28677 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): CHARLES B ENGLAND THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF IREDELL, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 2360, PAGE 2094, AS FOLLOWS: THE PROPERTY ORDERED SOLD BY THE COURT IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. THIRTY-FOUR (34) OF THE REAVIS-TSUMAS ADDITION TO WESTOVER, AS THE SAME IS PLATTED AND PLANNED ON THE GENERAL MAP OF SAID ADDITION, AS PREPARED BY L. B. GRIER, REGISTERED SURVEYOR, AND RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 7, PAGE 32, IREDELL COUNTY REGISTRY. BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO CHARLES B. ENGLAND BY DEED FROM CAROLYN H. GREENE ACTING AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF TONY MARVIN GREENE RECORDED 05/25/2006 IN DEED BOOK 1750 PAGE 1941, IN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE OF IREDELL COUNTY, 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 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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor

has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

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 se-

cured 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 January 15, 2026, 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 James P. Krupsky and Stephanie N. Krupsky, dated November 20, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $212,054.00, and recorded in Book 2756 at Page 1088 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: 140 Silvermere Drive, Statesville, NC 28625 Tax Parcel ID: 3793599912.000

Present Record Owners: Stephanie N. Krupsky The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Stephanie N. Krupsky.

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 foreclo-

sure. 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.

The date of this Notice is December 29, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000044-480

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Iredell County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:

vided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Rosemary G. Hyman (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Rosemary G. Hyman) to Brock and Scott, Trustee(s), dated March 22, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 2906, at Page 1090 in Iredell County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Iredell County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on January 15, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Mooresville in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

Being all of Lot 11 of White Oaks, section #7 as shown on Map Book 11 at Pages 24 and 24A of the Iredell County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1135 Fieldstone Road, Mooresville, North Carolina.

chase 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 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

renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

FORSYTH 25-120528 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FORSYTH COUNTY 25sp001530-330 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BRIAN K. ELLIS DATED JANUARY 3, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3326 AT PAGE 3362 IN THE FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA FORSYTH COUNTY In the Superior Court MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC v. JUMOKE

IREDELL NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001456-480 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Beatrice Mayfield and Clifford Mayfield (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Clifford Mayfield and Beatrice Mayfield) to Pope, Mcmillan, Kutteh, Simon & Privette, Trustee(s), dated January 10, 2008, and recorded in Document No. 010906730009, in Book No. 1910, at Page 1939 in Iredell County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on June 13, 2013, in Book No. 2248, at Page 765 A Loan Modification recorded on July 31, 2024, in Book No. 3076, at Page 1946 A Loan Modification recorded on February 5, 2024, in Book No. 3041, at Page 1660 A Loan Modification recorded on January 21, 2014, in Book No. 2283, at Page 2255 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP001469-480 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by CHARLES B ENGLAND dated June 2, 2015 in the amount of $67,969.00 and recorded in Book 2360, Page 2094 of the Iredell County Public Registry by ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Iredell County, North Carolina, in Book 3168, Page 110, 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 Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on January 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IREDELL COUNTY 25SP000030-480 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JAMES P. KRUPSKY AND STEPHANIE N. KRUPSKY DATED NOVEMBER 20, 2020 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2756 AT PAGE 1088 IN THE IREDELL COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

Tax ID: 4666-42-1578.000 NOTE: The property address and tax parcel identification number listed are provided solely for informational purposes, without warranty as to accuracy or completeness and are not hereby insured.

Being that parcel of land conveyed to Rosemary G. Hyman from Corey Ann Dale, unmarried and Stephen L. Wall and spouse, Deloris W. Wall by that Deed dated 4/30/2018 and recorded 5/1/2018 in deed book 2552, at page 2397 of the Iredell County, NC public registry.

PARCEL NUMBER(S): 4666421578.000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as pro-

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 pur-

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 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

Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

Sarah A. Waldron or Terrass Scott Misher, Esq ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorneys for the Substitute Trustee 13010 Morris Rd., Suite 450 Alpharetta, GA 30004 Telephone: (470) 321-7112

22-113217

c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 17172 - 121276 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

B8

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

JOHNSTON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000530-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by George W. Adams (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): George W. Adams) to Heather Lovier, Trustee(s), dated June 10, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 6490, at Page 888 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000522-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Ryan Todd Martin (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Ryan Martin) to WFG National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated April 14, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 6235, at Page 81 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North

25SP000560-500 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Billy Ray Smith to Allan B. Polunsky, Trustee(s), which was dated August 30, 2012 and recorded on August 30, 2012 in Book 4167 at Page 867, Johnston County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will 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 January 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: BEGINNING at a point in the southern right

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25SP000464-500 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF JOHNSTON IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JAMES F. KENNEDY, JR AND JAMES F. KENNEDY, SR DATED MARCH 24, 2004 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 2662, AT PAGE 757 IN THE JOHNSTON 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 therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured

24-118933 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 25SP000471-500 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ADAIR F. WILLIAMS DATED MAY 25, 2016 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4770 AT PAGE 702 IN THE JOHNSTON 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

NEW HANOVER 24SP000536-640 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY

NEW

HANOVER

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Nancy J. Baxley to Thomas E. Black, Jr., Trustee(s), which was dated August 18, 2020 and recorded on August 25, 2020 in Book RB 6347 at Page 1401, New Hanover 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 January 6, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in New Hanover County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING Unit 43, PHASE II, of SOUTH RIDGE MOBILE HOME PARK, a Condominium, as the same is described in the Declaration

designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on January 6, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Benson in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Id Number(s): 164100-12-6101 Land situated in the County of Johnston in the State of NC Being All of Lot 7R, Glenfield Estates Subdivision, as shown on a map recorded in Plat Book 66, Page 416, Johnston County Registry, to which plat reference is hereby made for a full and complete description of said lot. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 124 Sycamore Court, Benson, North Carolina.

The aforesaid real property is hereby conveyed subject to those restrictive covenants that are recorded in Deed Book 1943, Page 87, Johnston County Registry.

Commonly known as: 124 Sycamore Ct, Benson, NC 27504-6579 The property address and tax parcel identification number listed are provided solely for informational purposes. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of 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.

Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on January 6, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Garner in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 98 in The Village at Cleveland Springs, Phase II J, as shown on plat recorded in Plat Book 81, Pages 102104, Johnston County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 15 Davelyn Court, Garner, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of 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

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county

in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 28234 - 144352 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county

in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 28185 - 144107 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

of Way line of North Carolina Highway 210, said point of beginning being located from a point where the property line between John Taylor and James Whitley intersect with the southern right of way line or Highway #210; thence along said right of way line of said highway as follows: North 87 deg. 42 min. 24 sec. East 92.78 feet; south ;85 deg.51 min. 43 sec. East 96.87 feet; South 80 deg. 16 min. 58 sec.

East 18.16 feet to the beginning thence the property line runs along said right of way line of said highway South 80 deg.

16 min.58 sec. East 79 feet to a point; thence South 75 deg. 00 min. 57 sec. East 25.94 feet to the northwest corner the lot owned by Linwood C. Barbour; thence leaving said highway right of way line and running with Linwood C. Barbour’s western property line South 11 deg. 56 min. 20 sec. West 220.81 feet to a point, said point being the southwest corner of Linwood C. Barbour’s lot in the property line of James Whitley; thence a new line with James Whitley North 87 deg.45 min. 02 sec. West 73.00 feet to a point, a new corner with James Whitley; thence another new line with James Whitley North 03 deg. 50 min. 59 sec. East 233 73 feet to the point of BEGINNING and containing 20,198 square feet and being

Lot No.6 according to a plat prepared by Ragsdale Engineers, P.A., dated April 4, 1974, entitled “Property James Whitley”.

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

Said property is commonly known as 3351 NC Highway 210, Smithfield, NC 27577.

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 Danelle Smith Brown.

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.: 25-27970-FC01

debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Johnston County courthouse at 12:00 PM on January 6, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James F. Kennedy, Jr; James F. Kennedy, Sr, dated March 24, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $91,350.00, and recorded in Book No. 2662, at Page 757 of the Johnston 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: 223 Barewood Drive, Four Oaks, NC 275247318

Tax Parcel ID: 07-G-09-008-B The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are James F. Kennedy, Jr and Rachel Kennedy and Tammy Harms and Tony Kennedy.

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. 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 16th day of December, 2025.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Posted: __________________ By: __________________ Ingle Case Number: 37914-65090

at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Johnston County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 6, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Adair F. Williams, dated May 25, 2016 to secure the original principal amount of $277,000.00, and recorded in Book 4770 at Page 702 of the Johnston 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: 200 Fieldtrial Circle, Garner, NC 27529 Tax Parcel ID: 06D02030B Present Record Owners: Adair F. Williams

The record owner(s) of the property, 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 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.

The date of this Notice is December 3, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com

establishing a plan of condominium ownership of certain lands and improvements thereto in said County of New Hanover, said Declaration being dated April 22, 1988, and recorded in Book 1412, at Page 1310, of the Land Records of New Hanover County, North Carolina, as amended by the First Amendment thereto recorded in Book 1459, at Page 345, and as amended in Book 1869, Page 345 of said Registry, and which said Units are herewith conveyed in conformity with Chapter 47-C of the North Carolina General Statutes referred to as the “Condominium Act” of the State of North Carolina and any amendments thereto and includes the fee in an undivided 4% interest per lot in the common areas and common elements in Phase II of SOUTH RIDGE MOBILE HOME PARK and the real property described in said Declaration.

Hanover County, North Carolina, as amended by the First Amendment thereto recorded in Book 1459, at Page 345, and Book 1488, at Page 1221, and as amended in Book 1869, Page 345, of said Registry, and to the ByLaws of SOUTH RIDGE MOBILE HOME PARK OWNERS ASSOCIATION annexed to the aforementioned Declaration and any amendments thereto.

As a further aid in this Declaration, reference, is hereby made to Unit Ownership Book 10, at Page 186, which is recorded in the lands record of New Hanover County, North Carolina, and which contains the official recorded Map of Phase II Of SOUTH RIDGE MOBILE HOME PARK, a Condominium.

Also included herein is an exclusive easement for the use and enjoyment of any limited common areas appurtenant to the unit conveyed herein as so designated on the recorded map of the Condominium.

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 Nancy J. Baxley.

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.: 24-31055-FC01

This conveyance is made subject to the provisions of said Condominium Act of the State of North Carolina and any amendments thereto and to the conditions, restrictions, easements, covenants and agreements set forth in said Declaration of the SOUTH RIDGE MOBILE HOME PARK CONDOMINIUM dated April 22, 1988, and recorded in Book 1412, at Page 1310, of the land records of New

Also included herein is an easement to be used in common with other unit owners to the use of any common areas and common elements as set forth in the Declaration. This conveyance is made subject to an easement in common with other unit owners to use the common areas common elements located within or appurtenant to SOUTH RIDGE MOBILE HOME PARK as set forth in the Declaration.

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

Said property is commonly known as 6140 Carolina Beach Rd Trlr 43, Wilmington, NC 28412.

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

24-118933

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

NEW HANOVER 25SP001449-640 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, NEW HANOVER COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Sandra O Donnell a/k/a Sandra Saadeh to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated October 12, 2007 and recorded on November 6, 2007 in Book 5248 at Page 1786, New Hanover 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,

NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE SALE WHEREAS, on May 9, 2011, a certain Deed of Trust was executed by Charles G. Bowen and Margie Bowen, “Mortgagor(s)” in favor of MetLife Home Loans, a Division of MetLife Bank, N.A., “Mortgagee” and was recorded on May 11, 2011, in Book 5562, Page 2011 in the Official Land Records of New Hanover County, North Carolina; and WHEREAS, the Deed of Trust was insured by the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (the Secretary) pursuant to the National Housing Act for the purpose of providing single family housing; and WHEREAS, the Mortgage is now owned by the Secretary, pursuant to an assignment dated March 6, 2017 and recorded on March 27, 2017, in Book 6046, Page 826 in the Official Records of New Hanover County, North Carolina; and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Mortgage in that the Borrower has died and the Property is not the principal residence of at least one surviving borrower, and the outstanding balance remains wholly unpaid as of the date of this notice, and no payment has been made sufficient to restore the loan to currency; and WHEREAS, the entire amount delinquent as of December 1, 2025 is $209,056.94; and WHEREAS, by virtue of this default, the Secretary has declared the entire amount of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage to

23-117436 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION NEW HANOVER COUNTY 25SP001563-640 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BRENDA MILLER WILHALF DATED APRIL 23, 2016 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5965 AT PAGE 1603 IN THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001381-640 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Storehouse Holdings, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Company (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Storehouse Holdings, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Company) to Becton Law Firm, P.C., Trustee(s), dated August 7, 2023, and recorded in Book No. RB 6656, at Page 1493 in New Hanover 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 New Hanover 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 Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, or

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001276-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Alan Flowers and Nao Flowers (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Alan Flowers and Nao Flowers) to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated April 14, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 5946, at Page 452 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on August 28, 2024, in Book No. 6209, at Page 234, 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 Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of

RANDOLPH AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000131-750 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Thomas H. Melone (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Thomas H. Melone) to Real Advantage Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated July 20, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 2827, at Page 814 in Randolph 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 Randolph 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 Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on January 7, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Seagrove in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 6, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in New Hanover County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT REAL PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA: BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO THE GRANTOR BY DEED RECORDED 05/01/1994 IN BOOK 1774, PAGE 586 NEW HANOVER COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH DEED REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROPERTY. And being more particularly described on said Deed as follows: Being all of Lot 6, Pine Hills as shown on the map thereof recorded in Map Book 6 at Page 59 of the New Hanover County Registry.

Subject to restrictions recorded in Book 563 at Page 474 of the aforesaid Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 315 N Wallace Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403.

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 Sandra O’Donnell.

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.: 25-20992-FC01

be immediately due and payable; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, 12 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR part 27, subpart B, and by the Secretary’s designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, recorded on August 17, 2022 in Book 6588, Page 1299, notice is hereby given that on January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM local time, all real and personal property at or used in connection with the following described premises (“Property”) will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder: All that certain parcel of land situated in New Hanover County, State of North Carolina, being known and designated as Lot 299, Section 5, Kings Grant, filed in Plat Book 10, Page 25.

By fee simple deed from Robert Hill Construction Company, Inc. as set forth in Book 919, Page 661 dated 10/06/1971 and recorded 10/06/1971, New Hanover County Records, State of North Carolina.

Commonly known as 1005 Lord Thomas Road, Wilmington, NC 28405 Parcel ID#: R04317-006-021-000 The sale will be held at the New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, at the location designated by the Clerk of Court for public auctions.

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid $214,035.08.

There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that

have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale.

When making their bids, all bidders except the Secretary must submit a deposit totaling $21,403.51 (10% of the Secretary’s bid), in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check made out to the Secretary of HUD. A deposit need not accompany each oral bid. If the successful bid is oral, a deposit of $21,403.51 must be presented before the bidding is closed. The deposit is nonrefundable. The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered within 30 days of the sale or at such other time as the Secretary may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence.

This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. If the Secretary is the highest bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveying fees, all real estate and other taxes that are due on or after the delivery date of the remainder of the payment and all other costs associated with the transfer of title. At the conclusion of the sale, the deposits of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them.

The Secretary may grant an extension of time within which to deliver the remainder of the payment. All extensions will be for 15day increments for a fee of $500.00, paid in advance. The extension fee shall be in the form of a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of HUD. If the high bidder closes the sale prior to the expiration of any extension period, the unused portion of the extension fee shall be applied toward the amount due.

If the high bidder is unable to close the sale within the required period, or within any extensions of time granted by the Secretary, the high bidder may be required to forfeit the cash deposit or, at the election of the foreclosure commissioner after consultation with the HUD representative, will be liable to HUD for any costs incurred as a result of such failure. The Commissioner may, at the direction of the HUD representative, offer the property to the second highest bidder for an amount equal to the highest price offered by that bidder.

There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redemption, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commissioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herein.

HUD does not guarantee that the property will be vacant.

The scheduled foreclosure sale shall be cancelled or adjourned if it is established, by documented written application of the mortgagor to the Foreclosure Commissioner not less than 3 days before the date of sale, or otherwise, that the default or defaults upon which the foreclosure is based did not exist at the time of service of this notice of default and foreclosure sale, or all amounts due under the mortgage agreement are tendered to the Foreclosure Commissioner, in the form of a certified or cashier’s check payable to the Secretary of HUD, before public auction of the property is completed.

The amount that must be paid if the mortgage is to be reinstated prior to the scheduled sale is $209,056.94 as of December 1, 2025, plus all other amounts that would be due under the mortgage agreement if payments under the mortgage had not been accelerated, advertising costs and postage expenses incurred in giving notice, mileage by the most reasonable road distance for posting notices and for the Foreclosure Commissioner’s attendance at the sale, reasonable and customary costs incurred for title and lien record searches, the necessary out-ofpocket costs incurred by the Foreclosure Commissioner for recording documents, a commission for the Foreclosure Commissioner, and all other costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure prior to reinstatement.

Tender of payment by certified or cashier’s check or application for cancellation of the foreclosure sale shall be submitted to the address of the Foreclosure Commissioner provided below.

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 New Hanover County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 6, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in New Hanover County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Brenda Miller Wilhalf, dated April 23, 2016 to secure the original principal amount of $236,138.00, and recorded in Book 5965 at Page 1603 of the New Hanover 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: 3519 Kirby Smith Dr, Wilmington, NC 28409 Tax Parcel ID:

R06611-002-012-000 Present Record Owners: Brenda Miller Wilhalf The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Brenda Miller Wilhalf.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of

the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 3, 2025.

the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 6, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wilmington in the County of New Hanover, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Tract “D” of the Mildred Hobbs Heir Division as the same is shown on a map of said division recorded in Map Book 39 at Page 199 of the New Hanover County Registry. Less and except that portion of the property released by instrument recorded in Book 6678, Page 646, New Hanover Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1508 Marsh Cove Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be 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

pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property

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 Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on January 7, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hubert in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 10 as shown on map entitled “ Queens Ridge, Section II”, recorded in Map Book 24, Page 127 in the Office of Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 203 West Volant Street, Hubert, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by

N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be 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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October

1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Brower Township, Randolph County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at the center line of S.R. 1002, said point being located in a western direction 0.25 miles from s. R. 2873 and in the western line of James Goldston: thence from said beginning point In a western direction along the center lines. R. 1002 the following courses and distances: south 78 degrees 54 minutes west 100 feet to a point, south 76 degrees 36 minutes west 100 feet to a point, south 75 degrees 52 minutes west 100 feet to a point, south 71 degrees 46 minutes West 100 feet to a point, south 70 degrees 22 minutes west 100.10 feet to a point, and south 69 degrees 42 minutes West 224.07 feet to a railroad spike, the center of s. R. 1002 and the center of the Intersection of a 20-foot private easement with the centerline of s, R. 1002; thence with the centerline of a private easement drive the following courses and distances: south 29 degrees 45 minutes East 328.70 feet to a point, south 22 degrees 36 minutes East 77.63 feet, south 15 degrees 12 minutes East 189.60 feet to a point, South 8 degrees 10 minutes east 70.88 feet to a point, south 1 degree 22 minutes west 74.38 feet to a point, and south 14 degrees 43 minutes West 146.13 feet to an existing Iron stake In the northern line of Ernest Gatlin; thence with Gatlin’s northern line North 76 degrees 31 minutes East 192.99 feet to an existing Iron stake in the western line of James Goldston; thence with Goldstons western lane the following two courses: Norm 4 degrees 07 minutes East 765.02 feet to an

Iron stake, and North 47 degrees 29 minutes East 345.23 feet to the point and place of Beginning, containing 6.09 acres, more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6790 Bennett Road, Seagrove, North Carolina.

This conveyance is made subject to a perpetual easement for ingress, egress and regress over the westernmost ten feet of the above-described property as described In that certain deed recorded in Book 1222, Page 966, Randolph county Registry, which deed is referred to for back title reference.

In the county of Randolph and the state of North Carolina.

Being the same property conveyed to Thomas H. Melone, deed dated 7/6/2020, recorded 7/7/2020, Book/Page 2709/800 in Instrument No. 20101205, in the County of Randolph, State of North Carolina.

More commonly known as: 6790 Bennett Road, Seagrove, NC 27341.

Parcel Id: 69366.

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

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

The property to be 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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

David W. Neill, NCSB 23396 MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY, LLC Foreclosure Commissioner 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 Phone: 404.474.7149 Fax: 404.745.8121 Email: dneill@mtglaw.com NC2025-00153

Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com 23-117436

c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 26121 - 131808 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 25298 - 126937

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 8624 - 66590

B10

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP000149-750 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust EXECUTED BY WILLIAM MCCOY, JR. AND MARTHA MCCOY DATED JULY 6, 2006 IN THE AMOUNT OF $64,132.41 AND RECORDED IN BOOK RE1981 AT PAGE 910 IN THE RANDOLPH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA,

by Anthony Maselli or Genevieve Johnson, either of whom may act, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Randolph County, North Carolina, in Book 2956, Page 13, 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

25SP000294-750 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Taylor Alexis Long and William Allen Hamrick, Joint with Right of Survivorship to McGuire & McGuire, Trustee(s), which was dated May 20, 2021 and recorded on May 20, 2021 in Book 2754 at Page 2100, Randolph 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

25SP000281-750 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Thomas W. McGee and Mitzi B. McGee to Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated January 31, 2005 and recorded on February 23, 2005 in Book RE1909 at Page 1303, Randolph 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 January 7, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN NEW MARKET TOWNSHIP, RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

24SP001296-750 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Cindy J. Trotter and Douglas W. Trotter to Darren S. Cranfill Attorney at Law, PLLC, Trustee(s), which was dated January 7, 2022 and recorded on January 7, 2022 in Book 2787 at Page 2019, Randolph 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 January 7, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit: Randleman

Township,

Randolph

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000234-750 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Homes By Storybrooke LLC, a(n), Nevada Limited Liability Company (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Homes

By Storybrooke LLC, a(n), Nevada Limited Liability Company) to Wilhoit Hatchel, LLP, Trustee(s), dated September 22, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 2876, at Page 1533 in Randolph 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 Randolph 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 Asheboro, Randolph County,

the courthouse door in Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on January 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 7717-59-3853 ADDRESS: 4810 ARCHDALE RD TRINITY, NC 27370 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WILLIAM MCCOY JR. THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF RANDOLPH, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK RE1981, PAGE 910, AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE CITY OF TRINITY IN THE COUNTY OF RANDOLPH AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED 12/13/1968 AND RECORDED 12/30/1968, AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND STATE SET FORTH ABOVE, IN DEED VOLUME 982 AND PAGE 243. TAX MAP OR PARCEL ID NO.: 7717-59-3853 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 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 Real Property: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 14, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit:

DEED.

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.

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.

BEING all of Lots 33-36 of Trinity Heights, as shown on the plat recorded in Plat Book 8 at Page 60 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Randolph County, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 5338 Trinity Blvd, Trinity, NC 27370.

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

BEGINNING AT A UTILITY POLE, A COMMON CORNER WITH BYRON DAVIS (DEED BOOK 507, PAGE 235, WAYNE NELSON (DEED BOOK 729, PAGE 30) AND BYRON DAVIS (DEED BOOK 385, PAGE 305), THENCE NORTH 75 DEG. 47’ 36” WEST 170.73 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN; THENCE NORTH 73 DEG. 14’ 39” WEST 199.34 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN; THENCE NORTH 75 DEG. 36’ 06” WEST 105.11 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN, THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF KENNETH SCOTT ADAMS (DEED BOOK 1654, PAGE 82); THENCE NORTH 15 DEG. 18’ 21” EAST 521.68 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN, THENCE SOUTH 78 DEG. 34’ 07” EAST 305.38 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH 85 DEG. 13’ 29” EAST 259.48 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH 86 DEG. 39’ 25” EAST 299.65 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH 45 DEG. 24’ 04” WEST 753.53 FEET TO THE POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 8.40 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AND BEING AS SHOWN ON SURVEY BY MARK TERRY & ASSOC., INC., P.C., ARCHDALE, NC, JOB NO. 7661120-22, ENTITLED “SURVEY FOR THOMAS W. MCGEE AND MITZI B. MCGEE”, TOGETHER WITH A RIGHT OF WAY OF INGRESS, EGRESS AND REGRESS, IN PERPETUITY OVER, ACROSS AND UPON A ROADWAY 30 FEET IN WIDTH, LYING 15 FEET ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED LINE; BEGINNING AT A POINT WHICH IS NORTH 75 DEG. 47’ 36” WEST 6.25 FEET FROM THE BEGINNING POINT

County,

North

Carolina:

TRACT NO. 1: BEGINNING at an iron pipe at the point of intersection of the Eastern right of way line of the Island Ford Road and the Northern right of way line of U.S. Highway No. 311; thence with the Eastern right of way line of the Island Ford Road North 17 degrees 01 minute East 217.23 feet to an iron pipe, Fowler’s Southwest corner; thence along Fowler’s line in part and Barker’s line in part, South 50 degrees 04 minutes East 234.73 feet to an iron pipe; thence South 39 degrees 56 minutes West 200 feet to an iron pipe in the Northern right of way line of U.S. Highway No. 311; thence North 50 degrees 04 minutes West 150 feet to the BEGINNING. TRACT NO. 2: BEGINNING at an iron pipe in the Eastern right of way line of U.S. Highway No. 311, at a point South 50 degrees 04 minutes East 150 feet from the Southern right of way line of the Island Ford Road, Charlie Briles, Jr. corner; thence with the Briles line North 39 degrees 56 minutes East 200 feet to an iron pipe in J. O. Barker’s line; thence with the Barker line South 50 degrees 04 minutes East 25 feet to an iron pipe; thence South 39 degrees 56 minutes West 200 feet to an iron pipe in the Eastern right of way line of U.S. Highway No. 311; thence with said right of way line North 50 degrees 04 minutes West 25 feet to the

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on January 7, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Randleman in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being Lot No. 16 of Naomi Mill Village as shown recorded in Plat Book I, Page 276, Randolph County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 332 East Naomi Street, Randleman, North Carolina.

SAVE AND EXCEPT a portion of Lot 16 deeded in Book 1170, Page 1255.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to

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 Taylor Alexis Long and William Allen Hamrick.

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

OF THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED 8.4 ACRE TRACT AND RUNNING THENCE SOUTH 14 DEG. 07’ 28” WEST 623.49 FEET TO A POINT IN THE CENTER LINE OF NCSR 1537, WHICH SAID POINT IS SOUTH 68 DEG. 53’ 49” EAST 995.64 FEET FROM THE CENTER LINE OF NCSR 1004, WHICH SAID RIGHT OF WAY AND EASEMENT IS ALSO SHOWN ON THE SURVEY PREPARED

BY MARK TERRY CITED ABOVE. BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO THOMAS W. MCGEE AND WIFE, MITZI B. MCGEE BY DEED FROM SANDRA K. STUTTS RECORDED 08/18/2000 IN DEED BOOK 1673 PAGE 1269, IN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE OF RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 3898 Nelson Rd, Sophia, NC 27350.

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

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

Said property is commonly known as 4540 US Hwy 311, Sophia, NC 27350.

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

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

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

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 Greenporkday, LLC. 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)].

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 Cindy Jeanette Trotter and spouse, Douglas Wayne Trotter.

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

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Sarah A. Waldron or Terrass Scott Misher, Esq ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorneys for the Substitute Trustee 13010 Morris Rd., Suite 450 Alpharetta, GA 30004 Telephone: (470) 321-7112

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-26346-FC01

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.: 25-24931-FC01

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.: 22-14855-FC02

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 foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 26634 - 135444 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

B11

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH 19-105661 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION RANDOLPH COUNTY 19SP000361-750 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JAMIE LEE HOWELL AND KIMBERLY GAYLE BECK HOWELL DATED JULY 11, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1827 AT PAGE 3254 IN THE RANDOLPH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000311-750 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Jason L. King (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jason King and Katie M. King) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated April 2, 2014, and recorded in Book No. RE 2383, at Page 836 in Randolph 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 Randolph 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 Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at

ROBESON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001327-770 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Harlie Maynor and Kenan Robeson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Harlie Maynor and Kenan Robeson) to Milestone Settlement, LLC, Trustee(s), dated May 25, 2024, and recorded in Book No. D 2462, at Page 158 in Robeson 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 Robeson 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 Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, ROBESON COUNTY 24CVS000629-770 Under and by virtue of that Judgment filed on August 11, 2025 in Robeson County by the presiding superior court judge, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the Deed of Trust recorded on January 11, 2021 in Book 2264, Page 557, Robeson County Registry, and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been appointed as Commissioner in this case, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Robeson County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on January 8, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot Number TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT (228), as shown on map entitled “Oakridge Section 12, Part 2”,

23-117354 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ROBESON COUNTY 24sp000011-770 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DAVID W COLEMAN AND KIMBERLY S. COLEMAN DATED AUGUST 21, 2002 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1249 AT PAGE 668 AND MODIFIED

BY AGREEMENT RECORDED JANUARY 8, 2021 IN BOOK 2264, PAGE 130 IN THE ROBESON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced

UNION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25 SP000378-890 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kenneth John Coppola (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kenneth John Coppola) to John B. Third, Trustee(s), dated October 25, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 08292, at Page 0592 in Union 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 int he Office of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed ofT rust before closed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at1:00 PM on January 8, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: A tract or parcel of land lying and being in Goose Creek Township, Union County, being allof Lot 29 as shown on subdivision plattitled “Watson Glen, PhaseIII, recorded in Plat Cabinet F, File1 93 of the Union County Register of Deeds and being more

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 Randolph County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 7, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Randolph County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Jamie Lee Howell and Kimberly Gayle Beck Howell, dated July 11, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $76,000.00, and recorded in Book 1827 at Page 3254 of the Randolph 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: 115 E

Academy St, Randleman, NC 27317 Tax Parcel ID: 7765233322 Present Record Owners: Jamie Howell The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jamie Howell.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was

renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 7, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com

10:00 AM on January 14, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Asheboro in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all and the full contents of Lot Nos. 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109 in Block B of Knollwood Acres Subdivision according to a plat recorded Plat Book 9 at Page 5 in the office of the Register of Deeds for Randolph County. This property is conveyed Subject to those restrictions applicable to Knollwood Subdivision. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2841 Virginia Acres Drive, Asheboro, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be 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

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property

pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 28985 - 148409 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

2:30 PM on January 7, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Lumberton in the County of Robeson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Lumberton Township, Robeson County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. Fifty-Eight (58) as shown on survey entitled “VILLAGE AT RIVER RUN SUBDIVISION-Section Two”, prepared by Johnny Nobles & Associates dated March 28, 2008 and recorded in Book of Official Maps No. 44, at Page 55, Robeson County Registry.

Reference to said map is hereby made for a more complete and accurate description of said lot. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 23 Naturalbrook Drive, Lumberton, North Carolina.

SUBJECT to those Protective Covenants for the Village at River Run Subdivision, Phase I dated April 1, 2003 and more fully described in Deed Book 1299, at Page 299, Robeson County Registry and SUBJECT to those Protective Covenants for the Village at River Run Subdivision, Section Two and Amended Protective Covenants for the Village at River Run Subdivision dated May 5, 2008 and

recorded in Deed Book 1669, at Page 349, Robeson County Registry.

Parcel ID: 1007-11-017 Commonly known as: 23 Natural Brook Drive, Lumberton, NC 28360 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

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

The property to be 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.

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 foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

prepared by Moorman, Kizer & Reitzel, Inc. dated February 2011 and recorded in Book of Official Maps No. 46, at Page 106, Robeson County Registry, reference to which map is hereby made for a more particular description of said lot and for the purpose of incorporating the same in this description of said lot as if the same were fully set forth herein.

the undersigned, the current owners of the property are Robbie Glenn Revels.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §1-339.29 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.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 5100 Pin Oak Drive, Lumberton, NC 28358. Tax ID: 10040208034 Third party purchasers must pay any

land transfer tax, costs of recording the commissioner’s deed, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof. 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

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 Robeson County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 15, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Robeson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed David W Coleman and Kimberly S. Coleman, dated August 21, 2002 to secure the original principal amount of $97,850.00, and recorded in Book 1249 at Page 668 of the Robeson 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: 190

Malloy Rd, Lumber Bridge, NC 28357 Tax Parcel ID: 13080100514 Present Record Owners: David Coleman The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are David Coleman.

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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of

the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 4, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com

particularly described as follows: Beginning at a existing rebar in the center of a 20’ private drive easement, said point being a common corner with Lots 28, 29 and 30; thence with the Western Line of Lot 30 North 28 degrees 58 minutes 06 seconds West 323.07’ to a existing rebar in the Southern Line of Lot36 thence with the line of said Lot South 58 degrees 09 minutes 52 seconds West 80.95’ to a existing rebar said point being the South Eastern corner of Lot 37; thence with said Lot South 58 degrees 10 minutes 21 seconds West 293.73’ to a point in the center of Wolf Creek; thence with the center of said creek seven calls,South 14 degrees 21 minutes 07 seconds East 48.49’ to a point, South 06 degrees 49 minutes 27 seconds West 84.65’ to a point, South 06 degrees 28 minutes 00 seconds East 105.93’ to a point,South 62 degrees 54 minutes 00 seconds East 55.03’ to a point, South 75 degrees 55 minutes 50 seconds East 97.45’ to a point, North 60 degrees 59 minutes 49 seconds East 108.39’ to a point, and North 83 degrees 38 minutes 26 seconds East 37.14’ to a point, said point being a common corner with lot 28; thence with said lot North 52 degrees 20 minutes 17 seconds East 234.57’ to the point of beginning containing 3.26 acres more or less as shown on a unrecorded plat tilled “Boundary Survey of the R.L. Rushing & Co. (Watson Glenn Property”, dated April 05, 2017, prepared by George w.

Simpson,PLS. TractNo.Two An existing tract of land being a portion of Lot28 as shown on recorded subdivision plat titled “WatsonGlennPhaseIIIand being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an existing rebar, said

point being a common corner with Lots 28, 29, and 30; thence with the center of a 20’ private drive easement North58degrees08minutes42seconds East 150.23’ to a existing rebar, said point being the South East corner with Lot 30; thence North 58 degrees 06 minutes 30 seconds East 35.00; to a existing rebar, said point being a common Northwestern corner with Tract describe in Deed Book 6279, Page 455; thence with said tract South 11 degrees 36 minutes 13 seconds West 451.34’ to a existing rebar on the northern bank of Wolf Creek; thence South 11 degrees 36 minutes 13 seconds West 18.08’ to a point in the center of saidcreek; thence with the center of said creek four calls, North 55 degrees 04 minutes 56 seconds West 87.19’ to a point, North 41 degrees 02 minutes 09 seconds West 69.32’ to a point North 50 degrees 56 minutes 38 seconds West 147.28’ feet to a point, and North 35 degrees 58 minutes 19 seconds Wes t29.32’ to a point, said point being a common corner with Lot29; thence with the line of Lot 29 North 52 degrees 220 minutes 17 seconds East 234.57’ to the point of beginning containing 1.63 Acres more or less as shown on a recorded plat titled “Boundary Survey of : the R L Rushing & Co. (Watson Glenn) Property”, dated April 05, 2017, prepared by George W. Simpson, PLS Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6901 Oxbow Lane, Monroe, NorthCarolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must paytheexcisetax,aswellasthecourtcostsof

Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

believes the challenge to have merit, may request the courtto 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

Subject to that certain Declaration of Restrictive and Protective Covenants and Conditions dated March 4, 1992 and recorded in Book 755, Page 783, Robeson County Registry and that certain Supplemental Declaration of Restrictive and Protective Covenants and Conditions dated April 13, 2011 and recorded in Book 1805, at Page 695, Robeson County Registry.

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

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 trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk

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 §45-21.16A(b)(2) or other applicable statute).

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental

The property tobeoffered pursuant to this notice ofsale is beingoffered for sale, transferand 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),w hichever 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 ofthe 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 thevalidity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee,in its sole discretion, if it

19-105661

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 27776 - 141493

agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Commissioner 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 Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, 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 Commissioner By: ________________________________ ________ Goddard & Peterson, PLLC 125-B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565

23-117354

Single-Family Residential Real Property Anorderforpossessionoftheproperty maybeissuedpursuanttoN.C.G.S.§4521.29infavorofthepurchaserand 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 thenotice offoreclosure sale,terminate the rentalagreement 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o HutchensLawFirm,LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 PhoneNo:(910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.comFirm Case No: 24910 - 125078 SUBSTITUTETRUSTEESERVICES,INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

B12

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE 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 January 13, 2026 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:

WAKE 25SP002140-910 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 JOHN SULLIVAN AND HARRIET SULLIVAN to Trustee Services of Carolina, Trustee(s), which was dated September 23, 2004 and recorded on September 29, 2004 in Book 11034 at Page 2154, 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

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY In the Superior Court PLANET HOME LENDING,

NORTH LLC

v.

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP002187-910 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GRETCHEN MARIE ROBLING DATED JANUARY 15, 2010 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 13827, AT PAGE 224 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt,

25-122728 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 25sp002037-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARTHA T. JORDAN DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2021 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 18359 AT PAGE 1055 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25SP001404-910 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY TAMMY DENISE MASON DATED MARCH 30, 2023 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 19297, AT PAGE 894 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001524-910

BEING all of Lot 62, Van-Story Hills Subdivision, Section Two, as recorded in Book of Maps 1973, Page 98, Wake County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 610 Atchison St, Garner, NC 27529.

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

CHARLES DALTON; SHAYLA CANTYFORTE; HEATHERBROOK RECREATION ASSOCIATION, INC.; SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; GODDARD & PETERSON, PLLC; Docket 25CV025658-910 Party to be served: SHAYLA CANTY-FORTE

the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 10:00 AM on January 14, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Gretchen Marie Robling, dated January 15, 2010 to secure the original principal amount of $128,872.00, and recorded in Book No. 13827, at Page 224 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: 1523 Middle Ridge Drive, Willow Spring, NC 27592 Tax Parcel ID: 0239195

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 Harriett Narron Sullivan.

An Order for possession of the property may

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the aboveentitled special proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Plaintiff is seeking the foreclosure of real property at

This, the 12 day of December, 2025

File No.: 23-27088-FC02

Attorney for Petitioner Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450 Alpharetta, GA 30004

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Gretchen Marie Robling.

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. 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.

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.

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

Ingle Case Number: 15096-49250

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

The date of this Notice is 8th day of December, 2025.

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

secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 13, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Martha T. Jordan, dated February 16, 2021 to secure the original principal amount of $267,000.00, and recorded in Book 18359 at Page 1055 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: 609 Gaslight Trail, Wendell, NC 27591 Tax Parcel ID: 1794113787 Present Record Owners: Martha T. Jordan

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Martha T. Jordan.

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.

The date of this Notice is November 26, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee Jpurser@logs.com Agavin@logs.com LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 10:00 AM on January 14, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Tammy Denise Mason, dated March 30, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $288,419.00, and recorded in book no. 19297, at page 894 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.

Tammy Denise Mason

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. 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.

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.

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

Ingle Case Number: 36369-62483

funds at the time of the sale.

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 foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Address of property: Invention Way, Raleigh, NC 27616 Tax Parcel ID: 1736588503 / REID: 0489972 Present Record Owners:

5204

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Tammy Denise Mason.

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

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Bettie M. Robinson and Michael A. Robinson (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Michael A. Robinson and Bettie M. Robinson) to *Wake* Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated March 29, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 011297, at Page 02182 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on April 21, 2022, in Book No. 018999, at Page 00237 A Loan Modification recorded on December 16, 2019, in Book No. 017684, at Page 00717 A Loan Modification recorded on August 30, 2017, in Book No. 016892, at Page 01004 A Loan Modification recorded on December 18, 2013, in Book No. 015535, at Page 00298, 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

24SP002146-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

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 January 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell

pleading not later than February 10, 2026, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

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

Gregory P. Cowen NC Bar #39608

($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.

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Stevenson B Peden and Paige C Peden to Hutchens Law Firm LLP, Trustee(s), which was dated July 28, 2023 and recorded on August 9, 2023 in Book 019405 at Page 00407, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

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.

You are required to make defense to such

recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 5, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wendell in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 2, Section D, of the H.L. Harris Subdivision as shown by a map and survey recorded in Book of Maps 1960, Page 106, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 110 Harris Street, Wendell, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY

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.

BEING all of Lot 126R, Drewry Hills Subdivision, as the same is shown on recombination survey entitled “Property of K. L. Wheeler Heirs and Earl Johnson, III”, dated June 24, 1996, by B.L. Scott & Co. Registered Land Surveyors and being recorded in Book of Maps 1996, Page 1009, Wake County Registry, to which map reference is to be made for a more complete and accurate description (hereinafter the “Real Property”).

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

Said property is commonly known as 321 W Drewry Lane, 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 period, all the

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

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 Stevenson B. Peden and spouse, Paige C. Peden.

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

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 its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

25-122728

The date of this Notice is 17th day of November, 2025.

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 11883 - 132521

Firm

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.: 24-27956-FC01

VOLUME 148 ISSUE 45 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAMON HAIMOFF / AMERICA250 VIA AP

The red, white and blue New Year’s Eve ball is meant to honor the U.S.’s 250th year.

the

Times Square features patriotic ball BRIEF this week drop for New Year, America250 kickoff Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge” Washington, D.C. The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen.

He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.

Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela.

But the U.S. has offered no other details. Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday.

Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drug-ferrying boats originate from. “I don’t know if you read or saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” Trump said.

“Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.”

2026 is the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence

By Susan Haigh The Associated Press AFTER THE CRYSTAL ball dropped on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it rose again,

mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

“I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios, who oversees the bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial anniversary. “It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspiration-

al celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”

Rios and her group worked with the Times Square Alliance business district and One Times Square, the building from where the ball is dropped, to make the changes to this year’s ceremonies. They’re also planning a second ball drop event See BALL, page A7

Volunteering with children can build character, create lasting family memories Giving back can be rewarding for kids

By Cathy Bussewitz The Associated Press NEW YORK — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned 3, she set out to find volunteer opportuni-

ties they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote wildflower growth.

Teacoach had reached out to many organizations looking

for volunteer projects that she could do with her young child, but most places said no, so she came up with her own.

“Everyone was like, ‘A 3-year-old can’t do that,’” Teacoach said. “And I was like, ‘No, I swear, he really can if you would just give him a chance.’”

Volunteering with children

More thrifting, fewer returns: Early trends that defined shopping this holiday season “I think [fewer returns is] very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased.”

Vivek Pandya, lead analyst, Adobe Digital Insights

$2.00

sparkling in red, white and blue to usher in 2026 and kick off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gathering, including a second confetti drop, offered an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and small, planned nationwide to

Buyers spent more time on research and building lists

By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press NEW YORK — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, ac-

cording to data released this week by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai.

The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more See TRENDS, page A2

can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond. During the holiday season, many people seek such opportunities, looking for ways to give back.

See VOLUNTEER, page A3

A2

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THURSDAY

1.1.26 #123

Man dead, 2 police officers hurt in shooting during custody exchange in Mint Hill The officers are in stable condition

“Join the conversation” Chatham News & Record www.chathamnewsrecord.com

North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street Siler City, North Carolina 27344 Copyright 2025 Trip Hoffend Publisher Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson Local News Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Asheebo Rojas Sports Reporter Ryan Henkel Reporter PJ Ward-Brown Photographer BUSINESS David Guy Advertising Manager Chatham News & Record (USPS #101160) is published weekly, 52 weeks a year, by North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street Siler City, NC 27344 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Chatham News & Record PO Box 290 Siler City, NC 27344 CONTACT US For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232 To place a classified or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042 To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232; news@chathamnewsrecord.com

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Annual subscription rate: $104.

CRIME LOG Dec. 22 • Jostin Josue Ramirez-Duarte, 18, of Durham, was arrested for larceny of a firearm.

• Brooklyn Nicole Craig, 24, of Pittsboro, was arrested for felony aid and abet.

• Franklin Miles Young, 45, was arrested for breaking and entering, misdemeanor larceny and damage to property.

Dec. 23 • Noe Wuilfredo Perla, 25, was arrested for possession of marijuana, speeding, driving while license revoked, operating vehicle without insurance, window tinting violation, expired registration card/tag, expired inspection, reckless driving to endanger, discharging firearm on educational property, gun on educational property, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and assault on a female.

• Jeffrey Warren Marley, 48, of Bear Creek, was arrested for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and assault on a female.

• Vincent Edward Locklear, 62, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

Dec. 24 • Justin Lee Morse, 58, was arrested for larceny of motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods/property, obtaining property by false pretense, identity theft and felony larceny.

Dec. 26 • Wade Hampton Farrish, 72, was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation, assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, felony assault on handicapped person, break and enter to terrorize or injure and felony assault on individual with disability.

• Melvin Jerome Glover, 61, was arrested for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Carlos Alfredo Hernandez, 34, was arrested for felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, driving while license revoked, expired registration card/tag, possession of drug paraphernalia and expired inspection.

Dec. 27 • Glenda Yamileth Garcia-Perez, 22, was arrested for simple assault, domestic violence protective order violation and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

The Associated Press MINT HILL — A man was shot and killed Friday after firing at police in a suburb of Charlotte during a child custody exchange, authorities said.

Two Mint Hill police officers were also wounded in the shooting Mint Hill Police said in a statement on social media.

Mint Hill officers were called to the exchange at an Edi-

ble Arrangement store around 10:45 a.m. Friday. Authorities said the man pulled out a gun and started shooting and officers fired back. Police say he died in the exchange of gunfire.

Employees at Empire Pizza nearby were on a smoke break and saw two officers go inside the store, then saw one of them leading the other outside with blood on their hands and face, manager Kevin Phayme told reporters at the scene.

Police initially said the officers were in critical condition and a few hours later updated

TRENDS from page A1 closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.

Here are three trends that defined the holiday shopping season so far.

Weaker holiday season for traditional gift giving Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.

That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.

Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.

For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year.

But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.

Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christmas last year, sales slid 9%.

Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores — chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.

But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.

“Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly fa-

$187.3B From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% over last year

vored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.

Thrift stores broaden their appeal In the past it may have seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.

Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year. That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.

In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.

The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.

U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept. 27 and the mo-

their conditions to stable. They said more information about the shooting will be released later.

Crime scene technicians were seen on television footage taking photos inside the store and examining evidence outside. A statement from Edible Arrangements said the company didn’t have any information Friday evening indicating the shooting involved anyone with its store and was still trying to talk to the franchise owner.

Mint Hill is a suburb of about 27,000 people about 12 miles east of Charlotte.

mentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.

“High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ” Fewer returns, so far For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.

That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

“I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following Cyber Week — the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.

From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.

Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.

This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.

Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

CHATHAM

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

Jan.3 Holidays at Carolina Tiger Rescue 2-4 p.m.

Spend the holidays with the cats at this nonprofit rehab center. Tickets are $32 each.

Contact 919-542-4684 to order tickets.

1940 Hanks Chapel Road Pittsboro

Jan. 9 Chatham Chamber Lunch and Learn 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Each session features a select expert speaker and a catered lunch. For more information, contact Rebecca at 919-771-7530.

120 Mosaic Blvd., Suite 120 Pittsboro

Jan. 10 Bluegrass Jam Circle 10 a.m. to noon This free acoustic jam session is open to musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels. There is no admission fee, and the public is welcome to attend.

Front Porch, Bynum General Store 950 Bynum Road Bynum

Jan. 14 Poetry at The Plant 5-8 p.m.

Original poetry presented by regional artists. For more information, contact Lisa at 919-548-6884.

The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

A3

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

New York subway ends MetroCard era, switches fully to tap-and-go fares It replaced the venerable subway token in 1994

By Philip Marcelo The Associated Press NEW YORK — When the MetroCard replaced the New York City subway token in 1994, the swipeable plastic card infused much-needed modernity into one of the world’s oldest and largest transit systems.

Now, more than three decades later, the gold-hued fare card and its notoriously finicky magnetic strip are following the token into retirement.

The last day to buy or refill a MetroCard is Dec. 31, as the transit system fully transitions to OMNY, a contactless payment system that allows riders to tap their credit card, phone or other smart device to pay fares, much like they do for other everyday purchases.

Transit officials say more than 90% of subway and bus trips are now paid using the tap-and-go system, introduced in 2019.

Major cities around the world, including London and Singapore, have long used similar contactless systems. In the U.S., San Francisco launched a pay-go system earlier this year, joining Chicago and others.

MARY ALTAFFER / AP PHOTO

MetroCards upended how New Yorkers commute The humble MetroCard may have outlasted its useful life, but in its day it was revolutionary, says Jodi Shapiro, curator at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, which opened an exhibit earlier this month reflecting on the MetroCard’s legacy.

Before MetroCards, bus and subway riders relied on tokens, the brass-colored coins introduced in 1953 that were purchased from station booths.

When the subway opened in 1904, paper tickets cost just a nickel, or about $1.82 in today’s dollars.

“There was a resistance to change from tokens to something else because tokens work,” Shapiro said on a recent visit to the museum, housed underground in a decommissioned subway station. “MetroCards in-

A subway rider swipes his MetroCard in a turnstile as he enters the 34th Street subway station in 2007.

troduced a whole other level of thinking for New Yorkers.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched public campaigns to teach commuters how to swipe the originally blue-colored cards correctly, hoping to avoid the dreaded error message or lost fares. Officials even briefly toyed with the idea of an quirky mascot, the Cardvaark, before coming to their senses.

The cards quickly became collectors items as the transit system rolled out special commemorative editions marking major events, such as the “Subway Series” between baseball’s New York Mets and the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series. At the time, a fare cost $1.50.

Artists from David Bowie and Olivia Rodrigo to seminal New York hip-hop acts, such as the Wu-Tang Clan, the Notori-

ous B.I.G. and LL Cool J, have also graced the plastic card over the years, as have iconic New York shows like “Seinfeld” and “Law & Order.”

“For me, the most special cards are cards which present New York City to the world,” said Lev Radin, a collector in the Bronx. “Not only photos of landmarks, skylines, but also about people who live and make New York special.”

Perfecting the correct angle and velocity of the MetroCard swipe also became something of a point of pride separating real New Yorkers from those just visiting.

During her failed 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. senator from New York, took an excruciating five swipes at a Bronx turnstile. In fairness, her chief Democratic opponent at the time, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a native Brooklynite, didn’t even appear to realize tokens had been discontinued.

Cost savings, lingering concerns Unlike the MetroCard rollout, OMNY has required little adjustment.

Riders reluctant to use a credit card or smart device can purchase an OMNY card they can reload, similar to a Metro-

Card. Existing MetroCards will also continue to work into 2026, allowing riders to use remaining balances.

MTA spokespersons declined to comment, pointing instead to their many public statements as the deadline approaches.

The agency has said the changeover saves at least $20 million annually in MetroCard-related costs.

The new system also allows unlimited free rides within a seven-day period because the fare is capped after 12 rides. It’ll max out at $35 a week once the fare rises to $3 in January.

Still, new changes come with tradeoffs, with some critics raising concerns about data collection and surveillance.

Near Times Square on a recent morning, Ronald Minor was among the dwindling group of “straphangers” still swiping MetroCards.

The 70-year-old Manhattan resident said he’s sad to see them go. He has an OMNY card but found the vending machines to reload it more cumbersome.

“It’s hard for the elders,” Minor said as he caught a train to Brooklyn. “Don’t push us aside and make it like we don’t count.

You push these machines away, you push us away.”

John Sacchetti, another MetroCard user at the Port Authority stop, said he likes being able to see his balance as he swipes through a turnstile so he knows how much he’s been spending on rides.

“It’s just like everything else, just something to get used to,” he said as he headed uptown. “Once I get used to it, I think it’ll be OK.”

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building

By Steven Sloan The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician’s sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the facility.

“Your decision to withdraw at the last moment — explicitly in response to the Center’s recent renaming, which honors President Trump’s extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure — is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution,” the venue’s presi-

VOLUNTEER from page A1 But often nonprofit organizations seek helpers who are at least 18 years old. Finding volunteer work to do as a family with young children can be challenging, but there are opportunities if you persist.

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer. So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start,” said Polly Lagana, executive director of Volunteer New York!, which connects people with service opportunities. “In a turbulent time in our world, families — and parents in particular — are very interested in showing their kids how they can help out and how they can give back.”

Children excel at activities such as sorting coats, packing groceries and following through on tasks, said Sapreet Saluja, executive director of New York Cares, which works with organizations to develop volunteer programs in New York City.

“I’ve been very impressed with the detail-orientation and the precision and the following of directions and the care that some kids I’ve seen, as young as 6, take to the tasks that they’re doing,” Saluja said. “It’s been explained to them that this is to benefit someone, and it’s important, and they’re following the directions and they want to get it just right. And in many cases, they’re more detail-oriented than the adults, which I

dent, Richard Grenell, wrote in a letter to musician Chuck Redd that was shared with The Associated Press.

In the letter, Grenell said he would seek $1 million in damages “for this political stunt.”

Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A drummer and vibraphone player, Redd has presided over holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, succeeding bassist William “Keter” Betts. In an email Wednesday to The Associated Press, Redd said he pulled out of the concert in the wake of the renaming.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to

cancel our concert,” Redd said.

He added Wednesday that the event has been a “very popular holiday tradition” and that he often featured at least one student musician.

“One of the many reasons that it was very sad to have had to cancel,” he told the AP. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and Congress passed a law the following year naming the center as a living memorial to him.

Grenell is a Trump ally whom the president chose to head the Kennedy Center after he forced out the previous leadership. According to the White House, Trump’s handpicked board approved the renaming, which scholars have said vio-

think is very inspiring.”

To get started, look for organizations in your community that match volunteers with family-friendly projects and reach out to ask if there’s a minimum age requirement.

Here are some other ways to involve little ones in projects that help the community.

Sharing food

Provide choices Children prefer to have agency and information to make a decision, so include them when you’re choosing an activity, Lagana said.

“Let them know what problem you’re trying to fix in your community and maybe one or two options of how that problem can be fixed,” Lagana said.

“For example, you can explain there are people who don’t have enough food, and children in the hospital who might not have blankets, and then ask, ‘Which one do you think you want to help out with?’” she suggested.

Consider volunteering for a mission that you can explain to your child, such as cleaning up litter at a park.

“Kids are unbelievably curious. They ask questions about what they’re doing, what they’re seeing, what they’re feeling, what they’re hearing, and it opens up a dialogue,” Saluja said. “It helps you see even at a young age some of the challenges that society is facing, and it gives you agency to know that you can be a part of the solution.”

Children understand hunger, and they can help alleviate the problem. They can sort grocery boxes at a food pantry or help deliver sustenance to home-bound individuals.

Aviva Davis was about 8 years old when she and her brother Brendan began helping her parents deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens and medically frail individuals in Denver. Initially, they rode in the car with their parents and helped bring food to the door.

When they were older, they took turns driving.

“It definitely opened my eyes to what the world is like outside of our bubble. We saw all sorts of different things and I saw not everyone lives the same way,” said Davis, now 17. “But even at such a young age I could realize it’s amazing what we’re doing that we could help people that aren’t as lucky as we were.”

Davis became a resource at school for fellow students looking to volunteer. She still does monthly meal deliveries with her parents.

“It’s a great chance for us to catch up as a family,” said her father, Seth Davis. “When we’re not all on our phones, you get some pretty cool quality time.”

Her brother is now in college, but when he’s home, they do deliveries altogether.

“The older they get, the harder it is to get that time together,” said their mother, Bonnie

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Workers add President Donald Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after a Trump-appointed board voted to rename the institution in December. lates the law. Kennedy niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove Trump’s name from the building once he leaves office, and former House historian Ray Smock is among those who say any changes would have

to be approved by Congress.

The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.

Davis, who found the Meals on Wheels opportunity after extensive research.

one to bring them treats like that.”

The project also helped the teens learn social skills and meet people in various stages of life and health conditions, Stephanie Bernaba said.

“We went to the first couple of places, and I was really scared, because I’m more of a shy person,” Matthew Bernaba, now 15, said. “For the first couple of deliveries I was more to myself, and as we kept going, we talked more with the veterans and got to hear great stories from them.”

Create your own opportunities When Teacoach couldn’t find organizations willing to accept her toddler, she started a group in Pittsburgh called VolunTOTs, which creates service opportunities for children as young as 3. The children and their parents pack 500 boxes of groceries to distribute to families in need, play bingo with seniors in nursing homes and make dog treats for an animal rescue center, among other projects.

Parents have told Teacoach their children’s conduct improves after volunteering.

“They feel so good about themselves, they were a helper, and that translates into better behavior,” she said.

Stephanie Bernaba’s family started “Tough Cookies,” a project where they bake and deliver cookies to veterans, when her son Matthew was in eighth grade and had to complete a service project for school.

“Going up to the houses, it was very nice because they’re mostly living alone. A lot of their family or friends died,” said Michael Bernaba, 14, now a freshman at The Prout School in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

“It’s just nice to be there and bring it to them. ... They were very happy, especially for some-

Friends make it fun Children can be more willing to try new activities with a buddy, so consider signing up with people you know.

You can also connect with a nonprofit in need of a service and invite other families over to do a project together, as Lagana’s friends have done, organizing clothing donations or assembling snack packs in living rooms.

Bonnie Davis organized a drive for menstrual supplies, and families gathered in her backyard to assemble the baskets. She also turned half of her son’s graduation party into a volunteer project assembling kits of bean soup.

“It’s a win for everybody. You get quality time, you’re raising your children with what feels like good values, and people benefit,” she said.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | ANDREW RAMONA TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

New Year’s resolutions (of a dog) Every dog might have his day, but not every day is a good day.

RAMONA HERE, a.k.a., Andrew’s house wolf. He’s been busy lately, so I’m taking over his usual column. Though dogs tell time according to the lunar calendar — how else to know when to howl at the moon? — I am aware that humans are about to enter a new year. Many of my friends who walk on two legs will make resolutions about what to do or not. I feel that I can provide some guidance from my furry perspective.

First, relish the bone. When someone gives you a gift, don’t question it. Chew to your heart’s content. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Why else would there be rawhide, which is evidence that God loves us and wants us to be happy? I should know — do I need to remind you of what spells “dog” backward?

Second, stretch every time you get up and turn around three times before you lie down. You need transition time between one thing and the next. No one is getting any younger. Easy does it, big fella.

Third, every dog might have his day, but not every day is a good day. Heaven forbid, someone might give you a bath.

You might have to go to the vet and get a shot. Someone

you love might feel down. You can sit at their feet to offer comfort, even if you can’t stop the pain. You might rest your head on their knee or lick their face. Maybe there are more appropriate human actions to show support and compassion, but you get the idea.

Fourth, even if you find yourself leashed, there is no excuse for not wagging your tail. Yes, there are things beyond your control, and sometimes you might even be yanked away from a particularly interesting bit of roadkill, but while you can’t control everything, you can decide to be grateful. I’m just sorry that you don’t have a tail to express yourself.

Finally, greet every loved one who comes home. What a gift to return to a place full of food, warmth and love. Again, be grateful. Just think, you could have been born as a cat!

Love, Ramona Ramona’s owner’s latest 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.

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

Being resolute on resolutions Unless it’s a resolution to not eat so much rutabaga, I’m probably not going to do all that well there, either.

ONE OF THESE days — or years — if I can ever get smart — or organized — enough, I’m going to save the New Year’s Resolutions I feebly make and even more feebly try for a short time to keep each new year.

That way all I’ll have to do to fit right in and be a practicing member of society in good standing is just rehash them every year.

Neither, of course, is likely to ever happen. I neither can find them, if I do write them down, nor can keep them. The prospect of finding them is awesome in light of the disaster that is my study. And keeping them … well, unless it’s a resolution to not eat so much rutabaga, I’m probably not going to do all that well there, either.

The whole question of resolutions brings up a question about the nature of life anyway, as in why we do it. The answer, I think, is found somewhere in the human personality of wanting to do better. But really the question is “better than what … or who?”

Do I want to do better at my golf game, of which there isn’t one for that matter, than I normally do? Then I need to play more. Do I want to do “better” than Tiger Woods at golf?

Then I need to shed 25 years, 50 pounds, dye my hair and play more.

Or do I want to do better at, say, eating? Already I think I’m pretty good at that, which is one reason you won’t see me posing in the Christmas ads. But what does “better” mean. I already think I’m about as good as anybody in consuming, so

maybe “better” means less so I’ll look good and then get into some of the clothes ads.

Resolutions, to be anywhere near valid and helpful at all, must be, the experts tell us, realistic and attainable. That way, if I just say I want to play golf better, then even if I do, I won’t know it unless I play a lot and at the same time say, “I want to knock 100 strokes of my average nine-hole score.”

Then if I succeed in getting, say, 50 of them gone, then I’ll know I’ve been at least half successful.

With that in mind, I offer a resolution or two in hopes I can find them a year from now … and see how they turned out.

I resolve to play no more golf; that should be easily measurable. I haven’t in years; lousy shoulders and several surgeries mean I couldn’t hit a ball 50 yards if my life depended on it.

I do resolve not to overload on rutabaga.

I resolve to get more beauty sleep; I think that one is obvious.

And, finally, I resolve not to make any more resolutions.

Finding them and finding I didn’t do so well at keeping them is beginning to damage my fragile psyche.

And I don’t want that to happen, especially right here at the start of a new year.

Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record.

He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

BE IN TOUCH

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

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COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

COLUMN

Houston, we have a problem

I’m outing my lifelong chocolate debauchery.

HOUSTON, WE have a problem Explanation forthcoming. Trust me.

Yes, it’s true, I’m outing my lifelong chocolate debauchery. Currently smitten with utterly delicious and oh-so caffeinated, dark chocolate-covered espresso beans, Deservedly, these little nuggets of otherworldly-ness (and caffeine!) serve as the top rung on my chocolate debauchery ladder. A twofer. I love it.

Also competing strongly for first rung status are dark chocolate-covered almonds. Last, but never, ever, least, dark chocolate-covered crystallized ginger. Heaven dressed in chocolate and ginger.

Deliciously contemplating my imminent debauchery, my hand was holding up my chin on the living room table, and then it happened!

I turned slightly, and in so doing, accidentally swept most of the dark chocolate-covered espresso beans off the table, onto the floor. No! No! No! Wait, does hope live? Is the five-second rule still viable? You know, the one where food dropped on the floor, for as little as five seconds, is still safe to eat? Houston’s well-known Methodist Hospital, online, says no, definitely “no way.” Utterly dashed. (But I did vacuum yesterday …) Google (what does she know, anyway), adds that bacteria adheres, in zero seconds, to dropped food.

Houston, we have a problem …

Houston Methodist Hospital, this outcome is entirely your fault! I’m faced with the loss of my so-looked-forward-to chocolate

oblivion, now littering my living room floor.

The errant chocolate espresso beans, lying on the floor? Is this an inherent message from a punishing universe? “Do not inhale those chocolate happiness drugs!”

Reality check, reality check! Do I hear the decided implication that I should be more adult in my food temptations?

Got it in one!

Wounded! Truly, truly, wounded …

There are certainly times, yes, I need to be prudent, true enough. On the other hand, periodically bouncing off walls in chocolate happiness is, well, a human thing, and I love it.

Gotta have compassion for my imperfections (right?), and I can certainly live with chocolate debauchery as one of them. Join me?

Oh, bless you universe, I just remembered.

Thank you, thank you! Many eons ago, when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, my mother explained that swallowing a little Texas dirt never hurt. (Builds up my immunity, she said.) The years slid by, filled with my periodic Houston Methodist Hospital unapproved food habits. And look at that, I’m still here!

Mom seems to have batted 100% on this one. Lowering myself to the floor, fingers happily reaching out for the awaited chocolate debauchery. (Mom did say it was OK, remember?)

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

An employee at Exquisito Chocolates selects bonbons for a client in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami last August.

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

COLUMN | MICHAEL GLASSNER

Left’s war on free speech moving from social media to TV Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty.

WHEN ELON MUSK bought X, formerly Twitter, and refused to comply with the global censorship regime, he became a target overnight — especially for European Union bureaucrats determined to reassert control over online speech. The EU’s latest effort to slap X with a $140 million penalty is just the most recent example of that campaign.

The EU claims the fine is due to X allowing users to purchase verification checkmarks without the platform independently confirming their identities.

Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty. From the Federalist Papers onward, anonymity has protected dissent, whistleblowers and political minorities. But Europe does not afford such freedom. That’s why Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the EU’s X fine, suggesting it is retaliation for Musk’s refusal to censor speech at the EU’s direction.

In 2023, the EU opened an investigation into the company for “disinformation,” and Musk drew the ire of European regulators for refusing to remove an interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from his platform.

Musk is, of course, an outlier in the tech world. Most of his peers in the industry genuflect to the demands of various governments and are willing to restrict disfavored views.

The House Judiciary Committee formally detailed the relationship between tech giants and the Biden administration, which repeatedly demanded that Americans’ views be taken offline. According to the committee, it suppressed or took down the views of doctors, scientists and commentators who did not align with the government narrative that COVID originated from a pangolin sold at a wet market in China — not a laboratory in Wuhan. From shifting search results to “fact-checkers” that tech companies employed to discredit skeptics, Big Tech and its market dominance played a critical role in censoring Americans.

This is the real lesson of the last five years: The power to decide what billions of people see is the ultimate form of control.

That is one of the reasons Trump expressed concern about Netflix potentially gaining control of one of its most prominent rivals, Warner Bros.

Discovery — the company that owns HBO Max and the entire HBO catalog.

If Big Tech showed us anything over the last five years, it’s how ruthlessly willing it is to silence, throttle and bury any story, voice or idea that threatens the approved narrative, even when those ideas later turn out to be true. Now

imagine that same censorship strength, only this time it’s not coming from a search engine or a social platform you can (in theory) walk away from. It’s coming from inside your television.

Netflix already has 301 million subscribers, and the merger will create a 400 million-subscriber base, making Netflix the most powerful cultural ministry the world has ever seen. What Silicon Valley did to information with algorithms and shadow-bans, this new mega-studio will do to imagination itself — quietly, seamlessly and with a smile from the next autoplay.

If Big Tech taught us how easy it is to kill a story, a merged Netflix–Warner will teach us how easy it is to destroy an entire worldview, one canceled series, one “content moderation” decision, one algorithm tweak at a time. And this time, there will be almost nowhere left to escape.

Netflix has built an empire on content that consistently promotes left-wing ideologies, striking multimillion-dollar deals with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce politically charged documentaries and making multimillion-dollar investments in films spotlighting progressive figures, such as the $10 million acquisition of “Knock Down the House,” which celebrates socialist firebrand Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other insurgent socialist Democrats.

Critics such as film reviewer Armond White have characterized the platform as a “propaganda machine” for its relentless promotion of social justice narratives. White termed the marriage between Netflix and the Obamas as the creation of a new Ministry of Propaganda. That Ministry will expand exponentially should this deal be consummated and approved by the government.

Where Big Tech once limited speech with bans and shadow banning, this new giant will regulate thought itself: deciding which histories are retold, which heroes are celebrated and which taboos are normalized for the next generation.

Michael Glassner is chief operating officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

TERENCE P. JEFFREY

In a gloomy winter, read a couple of classic books AFTER CHRISTMAS is over and the sunrises start getting earlier and the sunsets later in the Northern Hemisphere, there are still two months of scarce daylight and lowering skies ahead. Here’s a suggestion for how to fill the gloomy hours with uplift: read.

Read some great books, returning perhaps to those you ploughed through on school assignments so many years ago. Discover one of the pleasures of aging — how serious books turn out to be more interesting and enriching than what you remember from dutifully ploughing through them years ago.

Sit in a comfortable chair, turn off the television, remove distracting earbuds, leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time. Open up a book and give yourself uninterrupted hours to become immersed in a world created by a great writer many years ago.

I’ve been following this advice the last couple of winters after I started reflecting on how, despite being in two serious book groups, I was spending too much time reading ephemeral stuff and wasn’t reading anything serious beyond some excellent book group selections. I decided to concentrate my reading on weekends, spending long hours interrupted by little but leg-stretching and avoiding the difficulty of recalling the plot when reading just a chapter or two in the evenings just before bed.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in the opening words of “Anna Karenina.”

So I began with two books about families: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” and Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”

“Karamazov” I had read as a teenager around the time the Hollywood movie version was released. “Buddenbrooks” I went through two decades ago. Reading them as an adult was a far richer experience, both emotionally and as a contrast in national character. The two books are set at opposite ends of the Baltic Sea: the German book in the orderly commercial Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the Russian in a town resembling Dostoevsky’s ramshackle provincial hometown of Staraya Russa.

For last winter, I recalled Ernest Hemingway’s comment that “all American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn.’” I remembered it as the sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the story of a pleasant picaresque journey, and, of course, I had often heard how it was banned from school reading lists because of its frequent use of the N-word.

What I wasn’t prepared for was, first, the book’s scathing denunciation, veiled as humor or just everyday observation, of slavery. It was published in 1884, less than a decade after the nation basically abandoned Reconstruction and its noble goal of achieving equal rights for black people. Reading it first as a teenager, I also didn’t remember the story of a boy becoming a man, mentored by Jim, the slave to whom he initially condescends and once nearly betrays.

I paired it with two other books of adolescent boys on picturesque but perilous journeys: Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” written as a boys’ book that I read as a seventh grader in a boys’ school, and Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” set in British India. Both are stirring narratives set in exotic locations that are easier to envision if you’ve done some tourism in the Caribbean and the subcontinent.

Were they both influenced by “Huckleberry Finn”? Maybe. Stevenson and Kipling, 15 and 30 years younger, respectively, than Twain, each dropped in on him on cross-country American trips and were received warmly, and each of them and Twain became mutual admirers.

There was more contact between American and British writers in the late 19th century than I would have guessed — and a readiness by at least some Brits in admiring Twain as a model.

This year, with fellow members of a book group, I have spent dark afternoons and long evenings on the 767 pages of Anthony Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now.” It was written in five months in 1873 and centered on a fabulously wealthy but crooked financier, and it features the author’s characteristically vivid female characters contemplating bad choices in marriage.

I plan on soon rereading, after three or four decades, Honore de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions,” also with a dubious financier in the background.

Both books also have delicious descriptions of businesses the authors knew firsthand, publishing and journalism.

Trollope shows an untalented female author trying to arrange, with editors of major publications, favorable reviews of her dreadful books. One ends up proposing marriage and advising her not to write a second novel. Balzac shows the young protagonist’s sudden success as a scandal-mongering journalist in Paris, and then being disgraced when it’s discovered that his sources are fictitious.

Unhappy families in provincial, perilous journeys in picturesque territory, financial and literary scandals in booming capitals: Great writers of the past take us to places and introduce us to people who, despite having been imagined years ago, turn out to be vaguely familiar to what we see around us now. And they’re readily available: Just sit down with a volume in hand in a comfortable chair. In the meantime, happy New Year.

Terence P. Jeffrey is editor in chief of Newsbusters.

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obituaries

SPONSORED BY DONALDSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY We offer an on-site crematory with many options of Celebration of Life services, Traditional, and Green Burials. Call us to set an appointment to come by and learn more.

Clyde Jones Dec. 24, 2025 Artist of Bynum, North Carolina Clyde Jones, “The Critter Man,” a beloved artist and longtime resident of Bynum, North Carolina, passed away on December 24, 2025, leaving behind a rich legacy of creativity, generosity, and quiet influence. Known for his distinctive artistic voice with his sculptures and paintings, and deep connection to his community, Clyde’s work and spirit touched the lives of many.

An artist in the truest sense, Clyde approached his craft with curiosity, patience, and reverence for process. His work reflected a deep attentiveness to the world around him-its textures, histories, and both animal and human stories.

Whether working independently in his studio or engaging with others, Clyde believed art was not only something to be made, but something to be shared.

Clyde was a familiar and cherished presence in Bynum.

He could be found daily roaming the town on his riding lawnmower. He was part of a larger tradition of artists who understand community as both inspiration and responsibility.

396 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312 | 919-542-3057 | www.donaldsonfunerals.com Friends, fellow artists, and IN MEMORY neighbors remember him as thoughtful, observant, and quietly generous with his time MARGARET “PEGGY” CRUTCHFIELD WHITE and his art. He inspired others to look more closely, work more DEC. 4, 1926 – DEC. 21, 2025 honestly, and trust their own creative instincts.

Margaret “Peggy” Crutchfield White, 99, of Siler City, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Beyond his paintings and Peggy was born in Chatham County on December 4, 1926, to Charlie and Dora Hudson Crutchfield. critter sculptures, Clyde’s In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Ross White, Sr.; an greatest contribution may infant son; 5 brothers, Lacy Crutchfield, George Crutchfield, John Crutchfield (Sadie), Tommy (Dodie) have been the way he lived as and Alfred Crutchfield; 5 sisters, Annie Shelton (Carl), Bertha Jones (Eugene), Ruby Dillion (Stan), an artist—steadfast, curious, Martha Parks (Shell), Virginia Kennedy (Sarah); brothers-in-law, William T. White, Gerald White and grounded in the moment.

(Laverne); sister-in-law, Martha Jane Routh (John).

His conversations, creativity, humor and joy for life left a Peggy lived a full life. She was a strong wonderful lady, a homemaker and professional seamstress lasting impression on those where she would make outfits and especially bridesmaid dresses. She retired from Wrenn Memorial fortunate enough to know him.

Library, Peggy drove the Bookmobile for several years. She later ended her retirement to go back and Clyde Jones’s art remains be a greeter at Walmart so she could talk to people. She loved to read anything she could get her hands as a testament to his life on and spending time outside gardening. She always enjoyed making road trips to visit her daughter and vision, and his presence and granddaughter at the beach. She was fondly called Moma White by all the friends of her children. will continue to be felt in the She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. creative spaces and shared Peggy is survived by her 2 sons, Frank White, Billy White (Polly) all of Siler City; and her daughter, memories of Bynum, the Kathy White of Leland, NC; grandchildren, Quent White (Jamie), Nikki White, David White, Natasha Triangle, North Carolina, Cook (Rodney), Julie Sellers (Brian), and Kaitlyn White (Andre). She is also survived by many great and beyond. He will be deeply missed and fondly grandchildren, Charlie, Jennifer, and Lila White, Lauren Kelly (Sabrina), Jordan Kelly (Kendall), Devon remembered. and Peyton Kelly, Olivia and Fisher Sellers, Madison and Piper Cook, and Andre Perkins, III; and 2 great Clyde is survived by his great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Special caretaker Alice Conen. brother, Robert Jones, and his A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. nieces and nephews, Loretta Brady, Marie Nordeck, Mark Velasquez, and Robert Earl KAREN WOOD GASTER Jones. He is predeceased by his mother, Hattie Dixon Jones; JULY 23, 1967 – DEC. 20, 2025 his father, James William Jones; his brother and sister, Jimmy Karen Wood Gaster, 58, of Moncure, passed away at her home on Saturday, December 20, 2025, and Dorothy; and his dog surrounded by her loving family.

Speck.

Karen was born on July 23, 1967, in Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina, the daughter Visitation and Funeral of the late Jimmy Eugene Wood and Gloria Holland Wise. She was preceded in death by her father; Service will be held on Sunday, her brother, Kevin Eugene Wood; her paternal grandparents, Dan and Alice Wood; and her maternal January 4th, 2026, at Solid grandparents, Elwood and Belle Holland.

Rock Baptist Church, 3903 Karen retired from the University of North Carolina after 33 years of dedicated service. She US Hwy. 64 W, Pittsboro, NC 27312. especially enjoyed fishing trips to the coast and time spent with her family.

Visitation with Family- 1:00 A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday December 27th, at New Elam Funeral Service- 2:00 Christian Church with the Rev. Jim Brady and the Rev. Gerald Hart officiating.

Burial will be immediately Karen is survived by her mother, Gloria Holland Wise of New Hill, NC; her husband, Todd Alan Gaster thereafter at Hickory Mountain of the home; her son, David A. Gaster of Austin, TX; her daughter, Amber N. Gaster of Moncure; her Chapel, 201 Hadley Mill Rd., granddaughter, D’Anna A. Evans of Moncure; her stepfather Larry Wise; and her niece, Kimberly Wood Pittsboro, NC 27312.

of New Hill, NC.

Photo By Michael Edward Smith - Used By Permission

ESTER BRITT HUSSEY JULY 29, 1933 – DEC. 24, 2025

WWII Navy veteran Ira ‘Ike’ Schab, one of last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, dead at 105 He was just 21 at the time of the attack

By Jennifer Peltz and Jaimie Ding The Associated Press WORLD WAR II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab, one of the dwindling number of survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 105.

Daughter Kimberlee Heinrichs told The Associated Press that Schab died at home early on Dec. 20 in the presence of her and her husband.

With his passing, there remain only about a dozen survivors of the surprise attack, which killed just over 2,400 troops and propelled the United States into the war.

Schab was a sailor of just 21 at the time of the attack, and for decades he rarely spoke about the experience.

But in recent years, aware that the corps of survivors was dwindling, the centenarian made a point of traveling from his home in Beaverton, Oregon, to the annual observance at the Hawaii military base.

“To pay honor to the guys that didn’t make it,” he said in 2023.

For last year’s commemoration, Schab spent weeks building up the strength to be able to stand and salute.

But this year he did not feel well enough to attend, and less than three weeks later, he died.

Born on Independence Day in 1920 in Chicago, Schab was the eldest of three brothers.

He joined the Navy at 18, following in the footsteps of his father, he said in a February interview for Pacific Historic Parks.

On what began as a peaceful Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, Schab, who played the tuba in the

USS Dobbin’s band, was expecting a visit from his brother, a fellow service member assigned to a nearby naval radio station. Schab had just showered and donned a clean uniform when he heard a call for fire rescue.

He went topside and saw another ship, the USS Utah, capsizing. Japanese planes roared through the air.

“We were pretty startled.

Startled and scared to death,” Schab recalled in 2023. “We didn’t know what to expect, and we knew that if anything happened to us, that would be it.”

He scurried back below deck to grab boxes of ammunition and joined a daisy chain of sailors feeding shells to an anti-aircraft gun above.

His ship lost three sailors, according to Navy records. One was killed in action, and two died later of fragment wounds from a bomb that struck the stern. All had been manning an anti-aircraft gun.

Schab spent most of the war with the Navy in the Pacific, going to the New Hebrides, now known as Vanuatu, and then the Mariana Islands and Okinawa, Japan.

After the war, he studied aerospace engineering and worked on the Apollo spaceflight program as an electrical engineer for General Dynamics, helping send astronauts to the moon.

Schab’s son also joined the Navy and is a retired commander.

Speaking at a 2022 ceremony, Schab asked people to honor those who served at Pearl Harbor.

“Remember what they’re here for. Remember and honor those that are left. They did a hell of a job,” he said.

“Those who are still here, dead or alive.”

Ester Britt Hussey, age 92, peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 surrounded by her family. Born on July 29, 1933, in Moore County, Ester lived a life marked by faith, love, and quiet service to others. Ester dedicated many years of hard work to Ithaca Industries, where she remained until her retirement. She was married to the love of her life, Charlie Bee Hussey, for 60 wonderful years until his passing, and together they built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Selfless by nature, Ester gave freely of her time and talents. She was known for making countless meals, opening her home, and dropping everything to care for those who were sick or in need. She loved people deeply—through comforting hugs, kind words, and her unforgettable cooking. Her generosity was never loud or showy, but steady, sincere, and heartfelt. Ester was deeply grounded in her faith. She loved her church and remained actively involved throughout her life, rarely missing a Sunday. Her walk with Christ was evident not only in her words but in how she lived—faithfully serving others and modeling a true servant’s heart. Family meant everything to Ester. She loved and treasured each of them, often speaking with pride about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and celebrating their accomplishments. Her joy was found in their lives, their stories, and the time spent together. Ester finished well. She truly lived a servant’s life, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and compassion that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Hussey; her parents, Barney and Cora Britt; her sisters, Dora Cagle, Jane Brady, and Helen “Tootie” Gordon; and her brothers, Robert Britt and Roy Britt

CHESTER “BUSTER” JOSEPH PEGRAM MAY 8, 1952 – DEC. 23, 2025 Chester “Buster” Joseph Pegram, age 73, passed away peacefully at his home on December 23, 2025, in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina.

Buster was born on May 8, 1952, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to the late Edward Elijah Pegram and Mary Elizabeth Newby Pegram. He was raised in the Catholic faith and carried those values of compassion, generosity, and kindness throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved granddaughter, Sierra Pegram; his sisters, Monica Pegram, Mary Ann Hodgin, and Patricia Simmons; and his brothers, Benedict Pegram, Michael Pegram, and Roger Pegram.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Nunn Pegram, of the home; his sons, Chester “Buster” Joseph Pegram, Jr. of Climax, Christopher Elijah Pegram (Jeri) of Liberty, David King of Greensboro, and Christopher King (Lauren) of Browns Summit; his daughter-in-law, Abigail Pegram of Snow Camp; his sister, Sarah Haynes of Randleman; his brother, Steven Pegram and wife Janice of Reidsville; his grandchildren, Miranda Agee, Samantha Hylton, Jewel Lineberry, and River Pegram; and his great-grandson, Lennox Hylton. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Forrest Pegram and Carol Pegram; his brothers-in-law, David Simmons and Joe Hodgin; many loving nieces and nephews; and Gary and Rita Nunn, with whom he shared a special bond.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones.

Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamnewsrecord.com

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Betty Reid Soskin, oldest National Park Service ranger, dead at 104 She was hired as a ranger when she was 85 The Associated Press RICHMOND, Calif. — Betty Reid Soskin, who rose to national fame as the oldest National Park Service ranger and used the spotlight to talk about the African American experience during World War II, has died. She was 104.

Her family and the park service announced her death through social media, saying she was surrounded by loved ones at her home in California when she died last Sunday. They did not release a cause of death.

“She was a powerful voice for sharing her personal experiences, highlighting untold stories, and honoring the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II Home Front.

Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty,” the park service said in a statement.

When she was 85, the longtime community activist was hired as an interpretive ranger at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California.

The site at a former shipyard and other parts of the working-class city honors American civilians, including the women who worked in war-related industries, who worked on the homefront during the war.

Soskin helped plan the park while working as a state legisla-

BEN MARGOT / AP PHOTO

National Park Service Ranger Betty Reid Soskin smiles during an interview at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, in 2016. tive aide. She played a key role in shaping and designing the park by ensuring that it included the oftentimes overlooked contributions of black men and women.

They include the 202 black sailors who were killed in the July 1944 explosion at Port Chicago, on the northeastern flank of San Francisco Bay, where they were assigned to a segregated unit, loading munitions onto cargo ships bound for the Pacific Theater. Unsafe working conditions led 50 survivors of the blast to refuse loading munitions. They were court-martialed and convicted of mutiny in a trial that exposed system-

ic racial inequality in the Navy.

As a black woman, Soskin worked as a clerk for the all-black boilermaker’s union in Richmond. She advocated for telling the stories of the “non Rosies” who didn’t get to help build the battleships because of the color of their skin.

“Rosie the Riveter represents the white woman’s experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work,” she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek.

“I had never understood that I had been involved in the building of the ships. Because at the time, I was 20 years old. I

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She explored her nine decades of living through extraordinary moments of history in her 2018 autobiography “Sign My Name to Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life.”

Her experiences included opening Reid’s Records, an influential black-owned record store in Berkeley with her first husband, Mel Reid, and being the first black family to live in suburban Walnut Creek.

Someone burned a cross on their lawn, she wrote, but her family refused to move. She pointed out that the same community that tried to drive her family away elected her 20 years later to serve as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention.

“That is how fast social change occurred,” she said.

At the park, her weekly lectures drew large audiences.

They also garnered national attention, including the chance to introduce then-President Barack Obama at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 2015. In 2008, Glamour Magazine named her one of its women of the year.

“I became a ranger when most people retire so I had no idea what it required of me, but it opened up a lot of opportunities that would have been closed to me otherwise,” she wrote in her essay.

She retired on March 31, 2022.

Soskin is survived by two of her four children: Bob and Dorian Reid.

didn’t realize what my role was until I began to go back and recount it for others. It was rather amazing.”

Those who got to meet Soskin during visits to the park took to social media last Monday to say it was an honor and that she was an amazing woman. One described her as a jewel of the park system, while others said she served as a great inspiration for young rangers.

Born in 1921, Soskin wore many hats throughout her life — a mother, daughter, musician, author, political activist, wife, record store owner, songwriter, painter, grandmother, great-grandmother, prolific blogger and more, as her family recounted.

Her family posted on social media that she had led “a fully packed life and was ready to leave.”

While a public memorial has yet to be announced, the family said people can share their affection for Soskin through donations to a school that had been renamed in her honor: Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante, California.

She had just celebrated her birthday with a visit to the school in September, cheers erupting as she waved to excited children.

In 1995, Soskin was named Woman of the Year by the California State Legislature, and about a decade later, she received the National WWII Museum’s Silver Service Medallion.

BALL from page A1 July 3, the eve of the nation’s birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios said.

It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be a ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve, she said.

A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot-diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. Last year, the Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled. It measured about 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds.

The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

This year, the stroke of midnight also marked the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250. Organizers hope to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country.

On Thursday, America250 participated in the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” It featured three larger-than-life bald eagles representing the country’s past, present and future.

“We want to ring in this new year from sea to shining sea. What better way to think about it than going from New York to California,” Rios said. “This has to be community-driven, this has be grassroots. We’re going from Guam to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Philadelphia, and everything in between.”

President Donald Trump has also announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.

Rios said she sees the wide range of celebrations and programs planned for the coming months, from large fireworks displays and statewide potluck suppers to student contests and citizen oral histories, as an opportunity to unite a politically divided nation.

“If we can find something for everyone ... having those menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate,” she said. “That’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.”

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A8

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

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A9

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified on the 20th day of November 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Scobie I. Arnott, Sr., 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 18th day of March 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 18th day of December 2025.

Roger W. Arnott, Executor of the Estate of Scobie I. Arnott, Sr. c/o Gwendolyn C. Brooks, Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS COUNTY OF CHATHAM THE UNDERSIGNED, having qualified on the 18th day of December, 2025, as Executor of the ESTATE OF PETER JAMES MEEHAN, 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 March 26, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This, the 25th day of December, 2025.

PRUDENCE F. MEEHAN EXECUTOR ESTATE OF PETER JAMES MEEHAN c/o Jennifer Dalman, Attorney Walker Lambe, PLLC Post Office Box 51549 Durham, North Carolina 27717

THE CHATHAM NEWS: 12/18; 12/25; 1/1/2026; 1/8/2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CARaOLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of MATTHEW T. FLYER AKA MATTHEW THOMAS FLYER, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before March 19, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 18th day of December, 2025.

Lynn Marie Flyer Executor of the Estate of Matthew T. Flyer aka Matthew Thomas Flyer 177 Pine View Acres P.O. Box 535 Goldstone, NC 27252 Leigh Anne Kasia Wyatt Early Harris Wheeler LLP 1912 Eastchester Drive, Ste 400 High Point, NC 27265 336-884-4444 Publication dates: December 18, 25, 2025; January 1 and 8, 2026.

LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC On Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold the following legislative public hearings in person at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West, Pittsboro: ZTA-2025-02 – A town-initiated text amendment codifying the town’s technical review committee in Section 9.7 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This committee is made up of internal and external staff tasked with review of multiple types of development processes. This proposed UDO text amendment formalizes the processes and specifies the composition of the committee.

The hearing will be held in person. The public can also watch the hearing live on the Town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@townofpittsboronc/ streams. embers of the public must attend in person if they wish to speak at the hearing.

Contact the Town Clerk, Carrie Bailey, by 4 pm on January 12, 2026, with written comments or to sign up to speak at the legislative hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (919) 5424621 ext. 1104, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of Chad Eric Sexton 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 March, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 2nd day of December, 2025.

Yvonne Sexton Goldston, Administrator Of the Estate of Chad Eric Sexton 1102 N. Hampton Street 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 ESTATE OF JENNIFER GODFREY SCOTT 25E000648-180 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Jennifer Godfrey Scott, deceased of Chatham County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before March 12, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. This 11th day of December, 2025. Amber Paige Bonde, Administrator, c/o The Walls Law Firm, 5511 Capital Center Dr., Ste 180 Raleigh, NC 27606.

Chatham News & Record: December 11, 18, 25 2025; January 1, 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Mary L. D. Wilkinson, 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 Ellen L. W. Proctor, Executor of the Estate of Mary L. D. Wilkinson, c/o Patrick E. Bradshaw, Attorney for the Estate, at Bradshaw Robinson Slawter & Rainer LLP, PO Box 607, Pittsboro, NC 27312, on or before the 11th day of March, 2026, 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 11th day of December, 2025.

Ellen L. W. Proctor Executor of the Estate of Mary L. D. Wilkinson Patrick E. Bradshaw Bradshaw Robinson Slawter & Rainer LLP PO Box 607 Pittsboro, NC 27312 (For Publication: 12/11, 12/18 and 12/25/2025 and 1/1/2026)

Notice to Creditors

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ALL Persons firm and corporation having claims against Patsy Louise Wolfe Truelove, deceased of Chatham County, N.C. 24E001659-180, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before March 19, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 18th day of December, 2025. Ralston Lane Truelove, Executor, C/O Horsley Law Firm, P.A. 5720 Six Forks Rd., Ste. 101, Raleigh, NC 27609, 919-847-3880.

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000588-180 The undersigned TERRY WALLACE, having qualified on the 24TH Day of OCTOBER 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JOHN ROMIE WOMBLE, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 18th Day OF MARCH 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 18th DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.

TERRY WALLACE, EXECUTOR 866 JUNO ROAD BROADWAY, NC 27505 Run dates: D18,25,J1,8p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JERRY WILLIS MOODY FILE NO. 25E000339-180 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Jerry Willis Moody, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before March 18, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 18th day of December 2025.

Scarlett M. Blue, Executor 148 Morrison Bridge Rd Vass, NC 28394 The Chatham News December 18, 25, January 1 and 8, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000651-180 The undersigned ROBIN ZENICK, having qualified on the 26TH Day of NOVEMBER 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BEVERLY A. WHITBECK, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 11th Day OF MARCH 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 11th DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.

ROBIN ZENICK, EXECUTOR 725 S. CLARKSON ST. DENVER, CO 80209 Run dates: D11,18,25,J1p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000653-180 The undersigned TATANISHEA AMINA BRANTLEY, having qualified on the 26TH Day of NOVEMBER 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of DALLAS IRVIN JACOBS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 11th Day OF MARCH 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This, the 11th DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.

TATANISHEA AMINA BRANTLEY, ADMINISTRATOR 302 LACE CAROL LANE ELGIN, SC 29045 Run dates: D11,18,25,J1p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000629-180 The undersigned REBA THOMAS, having qualified on the 25TH Day of NOVEMBER 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of LOUISE HARTON STULTZ, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 11th Day OF MARCH 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 11th DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.

REBA THOMAS, EXECUTOR 2459 WALTER BRIGHT RD. SANFORD, NC 27330 Run dates: D11,18,25,J1p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000659-180 The undersigned DELTABLUE LEFLEUR CHEVALIER, having qualified on the 2ND Day of DECEMBER 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of RICHARD MINTER NORWOOD, III, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 11th Day OF MARCH 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This, the 11th DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.

DELTABLUE LEFLEUR CHAVALIER, EXECUTOR 91 WELDON DRIVE NORTH CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516 Run dates: D11,18,25,J1p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#09E000257-180 The undersigned SHIRLENE THOMAS, having qualified on the 10TH Day of DECEMBER 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JAMES ERNEST THOMAS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 18th Day OF MARCH 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This, the 18th DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.

SHIRLENE THOMAS, ADMINISTRATOR 3800 OLD US #1 NEW HILL, NC 27562 Mail to: ARLENE RAINEY 209 TREVOR RIDGE DR. HOLLY SPRINGS, NC 27540 Run dates: D18,25,J1,8p

FORECLOSURES NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY 25 SP 000169-180 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Alvin Ray Marguerat and Alice Kimberly Marguerat, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $342,087.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for Calcon Mutual Mortgage LLC dba One Trust Home Loans, Mortgagee, dated March 9th, 2022 and recorded on March 10th, 2022 in Book 2289, Page 0573, and subsequently modified by Loan Modification recorded on February 14th, 2023 in Book 02348 at Page 0158, Chatham 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 Chatham County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned

24SP001109-180 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Barry D Edwards and Sandra B Edwards to Trste, Inc, Trustee(s), which was dated January 16, 2003 and recorded on February 24, 2003 in Book 997 at Page 902, Chatham 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 January 8, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Chatham County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MATTHEWS IN THE COUNTY OF CHATHAM AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED 12-28-1983 AND RECORDED 12-29-1983 IN BOOK 466 PAGE 569 AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND STATE SET FORTH ABOVE.

Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Chatham County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on January 6th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 24, which is 7.320 acres gross, minus 0.994 acres R/W netting 6.326 acres, more or less, as shown and described on the Plat and Survey entitled “Major Subdivision for Maple Springs Estates Phase 3, Sheet 1” for Lots 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, prepared by Charles Eliason, RLS dated the 22nd day of March 1999, and revised March 29, 1999 and recorded in Plat Slide 99-241, Chatham County Registry, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more accurate description.

Being the same property conveyed to Alvin Ray Marguerat and spouse, Alice Kimberly Marguerat from Matthew F. Grillo and spouse, Virginia C. Slane, by General Warranty Deed dated July 6, 2021, and recorded July 6, 2021, in Book 2228, Page 0235.

Parcel #72505 / PIN 8658-00-99-5022 (Lot 24, Maple Springs Estates) Property address commonly known as 88 Maple Springs Ln., Bear Creek, NC 27207.

Together with improvements located

And being more particularly described by metes and bounds according to said Deed as follows: FIRST TRACT: Lying and being in Matthews Township, Chatham County, North Carolina, and more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron spike in the center of U.S. Highway #421, Elizabeth C. Saunders southeast corner and running thence with Saunders’ line North 00 degrees 20’ West 503.48 feet to an old iron stake, Lyndal Joines Estate’s southeast corner; thence with Joines’ line North 00 degrees 20’ West 417.47 feet to an old iron stake and pointers, Jeff Joyce’s southeast corner; thence with Joyce’s line North 00 degrees 20’ West 539.06 feet to an iron stake in McPherson’s line; thence with McPherson’s line South 83 degrees 10’ East 421.86 feet to an iron stake the northwest corner of Parcel B as shown on a plat entitled “Division of a Portion of the Glosson & Esther Dale Edwards Land”, dated August 6, 1981, by James D. Hunter, R.L.S.; thence with the western margin of Parcel B South 09 degrees 26’ West 600.00 feet to an iron stake, Fred Burton’s northwest corner; thence with Burton’s line South 9 degrees 26’ West 1,500.37 feet to a point in the centerline of U.S. Highway #421; thence with the centerline of U.S. Highway #421 North 66 degrees 08’ West 42.96 feet; thence continuing with the centerline of U.S. Highway #421 North 67 degrees 03’ West 135.56 feet to a railroad spike, the point and place of BEGINNING, and containing 10.00 acres, more or less, and being all of Parcel A as shown on a plat hereinbefore referred to.

hereon; said property being located at 88 Maple Springs Lane, Bear Creek, NC 27207 Tax ID: 0072505 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. 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(s) of the property is/are Alvin Ray Marguerat and Alice Kimberly Marguerat .

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 §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 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.

SECOND TRACT: BEGINNING at an iron stake, Fred and Sharon Burton’s northwest corner and being designated Point 31 on a plat entitled “Division of a Portion of the Glosson and Esther Dale Edwards Land”,

by James D. Hunter, R.L.S., dated August 6, 1981, and running thence with the eastern margin of Parcel A as shown on said plat North 09 degrees 26’ East 600.00 feet to an iron stake in McPherson’s line; thence with McPherson’s southern boundary South 83 degrees 10’ East 348.75 feet to an iron stake; thence continuing on South 83 degrees 10’ East 46.34 feet to an iron stake, the northwest corner of Gary and Brenda Edwards; thence with Gary Edwards’ western line South 17 degrees 33’ West 655.02 feet to an iron stake, Fred Burton’s northeast corner; thence with Burton’s northern line North 74 degrees 48’ West 303.74 feet to an iron stake, the point and place of BEGINNING, and containing 5.00 acres, more or less, and being all of Parcel B as shown on a plat hereinbefore referred to.

RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

§ 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.

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

Said property is commonly known as 3476 Old US Hwy 421 N, Siler City, NC 27344.

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

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 Barry D. Edwards.

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

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #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 25-002138-01

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.: 24-21473-FC01

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

How Christian artists are winning over listeners, entering pop’s mainstream Christian and gospel music is growing while other genres struggle

Brandon Lake poses for a portrait in Nashville, Tennessee, last month.

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press NEW YORK — It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report.

Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vice president of music insights and industry relations, said the shift is led by acts like Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship, who are connecting with a “younger, streaming-forward fan base” that’s 60% female and 30% millennial. In fact, for the first time in 11 years, two contemporary Christian music songs — Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” and Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll — broke through the Billboard Hot 100’s all-genre Top 40, placing them in direct competition with mainstream artists.

It’s also why traditionally secular artists like Jelly Roll, Killer Mike and T.I. are nominated in Christian music categories at the forthcoming 2026 Grammys — the lines are blurring.

An evolving Christian music sound “Christian music (is) unlike any other genre that’s defined by a sonic component. Christian music is defined by its lyrical component,” says Holly Zabka, the president of Provident Entertainment, a Sony Christian music subsidiary. “It’s not limited to a narrow definition.

It’s a lyrical component that can appeal to anyone’s musical preference.”

From a label perspective, she’s interested in pursuing artists that “don’t have to fit within that narrow lane of Christian bookstore and Christian radio. It can be rap, hip-hop, it can be rock, it can be country, and that’s appealing to a broader audience because it’s what they’re already listening to,” she

and artist, while giving both a sense of purpose.

“In a world that has become so self-focused and self-centered, the freedom of saying ‘Wow, I can actually lean on someone else for a while,’ or ‘There’s something that is actually greater than me,’” she says.

“And the purpose of Christian music, for me, is to bring hope to people.”

Brown theorizes that people relate to his Charlotte, North Carolina-based CCM collective because of “how fundamentally we’re rooted” in their local church.

“It’s easy to connect because we’re just church people,” he says.

A crossover moment

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

says. “Very few people listen in a vacuum and only listen to one genre.”

But for many years, CCM jas held a reputation for being unimaginative — what writer John Jeremiah Sullivan infamously referred to as “excellence-proof” — for its tendency to mimic and water down popular, contemporary mainstream sounds for a religious audience.

“Absolutely there’s been an improvement in quality,” says Zabka. “When all the music has to live side by side on these streaming platforms, we can’t just be the cheap alternative.

‘Oh, you like Taylor Swift? You will like this lesser version offering in the Christian genre.’

We want to be the greatest art.”

“You have to imitate before you innovate,” Chris Brown, singer and worship leader at Elevation Worship, jokes. “There’s not as many rigid lines stylistically within Christian music as maybe there was 10 years ago or certainly like 20, 30 years ago.”

“There was a period of time where people idealized Christian music as like, ‘OK, we’re going to have this look, we’re

going to sound like this,’” says two-time Grammy-winningChristian and pop musician Lauren Daigle. “There’s so much more artistry now. People are very expressive. They’re able to share their creativity. And that also comes with different types of people represented.”

Why Christian music is connecting now Zabka says her genre is experiencing “a special moment and … a perfect storm.” Streaming and the ability to connect on social media have democratized music discovery, she says, allowing CCM to compete with secular music. That, partnered with what she views as “a resurgence of faith” in young people, is responsible for the interest.

The number of Americans who identify as Christian has declined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing, according to a 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center.

A new class of millennial and Gen Z Christian influencers, too, are aiming to connect with young people.

“Christian music has also shifted in its authenticity of the lyrics,” Zabka adds, making the music more relatable than previous iterations of the genre, which often featured a neat message of “everything is going to be OK, just follow Jesus” in 3 ½ minutes. Now, she says, “their songs are much more authentic and real and honest. ‘Life is hard. Breakups are hard. Bad things happen,’ and that provides a level of hope that other music doesn’t provide for the listener.”

Daigle points out that artists like Lake are performing in huge stadiums — categorical proof that Christian artists are growing in popularity.

“I think a lot of people are looking at the world and … they find fortitude in this music, and they find a sense of strength in this music, and they find truth in this music,” she says.

Daigle also theorizes that because “Christian music points to something else” — to God — instead of focusing on individual issues or the ego of the performer on stage, it evens the playing field between listener

Lake, who is nominated for three Grammys in 2026, including “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” believes people are connecting with Christian music now because that’s simply the purpose of religious music.

“The reason why people are turning their ear toward those kinds of songs right now is because that’s what they were made for,” Lake says. “People are finding in these songs — they’re finding themselves, their spirit, connecting with the spirit of God. … Those songs aren’t just entertainment; they tee up an encounter.”

“I love all kinds of music,” he continues, “but if you have a song that carries that kind of message, it’s just super charged, you know? It does something deeper.”

He also believes this may be the start of a crossover moment, where more Christian artists will be welcomed into other genres and mainstream spaces.

“I pray it’s just the beginning,” he says. “And I pray that it takes over.”

Jelly Roll agrees. “I think there really is a revival happening in America right now where people are being re-presented the Gospel in a digestible way. And it doesn’t seem as finger-waggy and ‘You’re all going to hell,’ you know?” he says.

“I really don’t care when the organized religions wave their finger at me,” he continues. “I’m just glad to see the message, the Gospel getting presented.”

Italian authorities arrest 9 for allegedly $8.2M funding Hamas through charities Millions of euros were said to be funneled to the group The Associated Press ROME — Italian authorities arrested nine people linked to three charitable organizations on suspicion of raising millions of euros in funds for the Palestin-

ian militant group Hamas, anti-terrorism prosecutors said in a statement Saturday.

The suspects are accused of sending about 7 million euro or $8.2 million to “associations based in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel, owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas,” the statement said.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president

of the Palestinian Association in Italy, prosecutors said, describing him as the “head of the Italian cell of the Hamas organization.”

The European Union has Hamas listed on its terror list.

According to Italian prosecutors, who collaborated with other EU countries in the probe, the illegal funds were delivered through “triangulation operations” via bank transfers or through orga-

nizations based abroad to associations based in Gaza, which have been declared illegal by Israel for their ties to Hamas.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi wrote on X that the operation “lifted the veil on behavior and activities which, pretending to be initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations.”

The suspects are accused of sending the money to organizations linked to Hamas

There was no immediate comment from the suspects or the associations.

In January 2025, the European Council decided to extend existing restrictive measures against 12 individuals and three entities that support the financing of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, on Saturday after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas.

CLAUDIO FURLAN / LAPRESSE VIA AP

CHATHAM SPORTS Top Chatham sports storylines of 2025 Relive historic wins and state title victories from the year

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record DRAKE POWELL GETS DRAFTED TO THE NBA The former Northwood star made his dreams come true when the Atlanta Hawks (pick traded to the Brooklyn Nets) drafted him 22nd overall on June 25. Through Dec. 18, Powell is averaging six points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 48.8% from the floor in 17.7 minutes per game. He has reached double-digit scoring four times.

SEAFORTH WRESTLING WINS BACK-TO-BACK STATE INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT TITLES The Hawks owned the 2A tournament for the second straight year thanks to 132-pound senior Layne Armstrong winning his second straight title and junior Jordan Miller (113 pounds) and junior Gabe Rogers also capturing the gold. Senior Ethan Kuball (215 pounds) finished as a state runner up, and two other Seaforth wrestlers placed.

SEAFORTH BOYS WIN FIRST INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD STATE TITLES Seaforth’s boys broke through for its first indoor and outdoor track and field state titles. The 4x400 team, seeded seventh for the event, sealed the outdoor title over Brevard in a valiant win. Senior Jack Anstrom finished his career with nine individual titles across cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Drake Powell takes a phone call after being drafted into the NBA.

NORTHWOOD BOYS’ BASKETBALL REACHES THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME After losing a five-star in Powell, Northwood bounced back with a 30-3 record and made its third state title appearance since 2021. The Chargers won four playoff games by double digits. Junior Cam Fowler stepped up in a huge way this season, averaging 20.5 points per game.

SEAFORTH SOFTBALL WINS FIRST PLAYOFF GAME ON WALK-OFF RBI Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning against Whiteville in the first round, Annika Johansson flied out for the second out, sending Abigail Johnson to second base and Kaylynn Long to third. Emma Grace Hill, who had already notched two hits, doubled to send Long in for the winning score. That win started a run to the third round in the See 2025, page B2

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Left, Seaforth’s Emma Grace Hill sends a pitch during the Hawks’ first playoff victory over Whiteville in the 2025 2A playoffs. Right, Seaforth’s Layne Armstrong jumps into his father Ryan’s arms after winning his second straight individual state title.

WINTER SPORTS ROUNDUP

Cardinal Gibbons boys, Charlottesville girls take Charger Classic titles

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

14

Boys’ Basketball NORTHWOOD FELL to Cardinal Gibbons 73-45 in the First Bank Charger Classic championship game on Dec. 22. The Chargers had no answer for Cardinal Gibbons junior Ben Whitney who scored 21 points.

Whitney knocked down four of the Crusaders’ 14 threes, including two four-point plays.

Leading up to the championship game, Northwood defeated Felton Grove 80-45 and Hillside 81-45. Senior Cam Fowler recorded a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double against Hillside.

Seaforth opened conference play with two big wins over Carrboro (65-26) on Dec. 16 and Cedar Ridge (61-34) on Dec. 18.

Chatham Central earned its first conference victory over College Prep and Leadership 72-54 on Dec. 19 behind 15 points each from Brooks Albright, Jameson Douglass and Simon Sabbagh.

Conference standings as of Dec. 22 (overall, conference) Central Tar Heel 1A: T1.

Southern Wake Academy (7-3, 1-0); T1. Woods Charter (5-3, 1-0); T1. Clover Garden School (3-6, 1-0); 4. River Mill (1-10, 1-1); T5. Ascend Leadership (2-

3-pointers for the Crusaders against Northwood ter; 5. Jordan-Matthews; 6.

Chatham Central Girls’ basketball

NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTERS, FRIENDS & ALUMNI ASSOCIATION / FACEBOOK

Cardinal Gibbons’ boys took home the 2025 First Bank Charger Classic title.

9, 0-1); T5. Central Carolina Academy (0-7, 0-2); T5. Chatham Charter (7-4, 0-0) Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1.

Northwood (7-4, 1-0); T2. North Moore (2-5, 0-1); T2. Eastern Randolph (1-6, 0-0); T2. Jordan-Matthews (5-5, 0-0); T2.

Southwestern Randolph (35, 0-0); T2. Uwharrie Charter (3-4, 0-0) Greater Triad 1A/2A: T1.

Bishop McGuinness (8-2, 1-0); T1. South Stokes (7-0, 1-0); T1.

North Stokes (2-6, 1-0); T4.

Winston-Salem Prep (3-5, 1-1); T4. Chatham Central (9-3, 1-1); 6. College Prep and Leadership (3-8, 1-2); 7. South Davidson (07, 0-2) Big Seven 4A/5A: T1. Seaforth (5-4, 2-0); T1. Orange (1-6, 1-0); T1. J.F. Webb (4-6, 1-0); T1.

South Granville (4-4, 1-0); T5.

Durham School of the Arts (5-5, 0-1); T5. Cedar Ridge (1-7, 0-2); T5. Carrboro (0-8, 0-2) Power Rankings (Dec. 15 through Dec. 22): 1. Northwood; 2. Chatham Charter; 3.

Seaforth; 4. Chatham Central; 5. Jordan-Matthews; 6. Woods Charter Previous rankings: 1.

Northwood; 2. Chatham Charter; 3. Seaforth; 4. Woods Char-

Northwood fell to Charlottesville (Virginia) 62-41 in the First Bank Charger Classic championship game on Dec. 22. Charlottesville’s Elaina Pierce scored 19 points. Leading up to the tournament final, Northwood defeated Riverside-Durham 52-14 and Felton Grove 55-23.

Seaforth edged Carrboro 54-45 on Dec. 16 and dominated Cedar Ridge 61-26 on Dec. 18 in its first two conference games.

Jordan-Matthews snapped a three-game losing streak with a 55-20 win over Central Carolina Academy on Dec. 18. Sophomore Zuri Nava led the way with 11 points and six steals.

Conference standings as of Dec. 22 (overall, conference) See ROUNDUP, page B3

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Siler City announces expansion to Bray Park The park will feature new multipurpose fields

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY PARKS AND RECREATION / FACEBOOK

Bray Park will get an additional four multipurpose fields.

THE TOWN OF Siler City announced an expansion to Bray Park on Dec. 18.

Four new multipurpose fields will be added to Bray Park after the Town Board of Commissioners approved the project in a recent meeting.

The new fields will accommodate a variety of sports and activities, including soccer, football, team practices and community events.

“This expansion will allow the department to serve more families, support increased participation and reduce scheduling limitations across current facilities,” the Town explained in a release.

Construction and planning efforts are “underway,” and the Town will share updates on the project as it progresses.

“This expansion will allow the department to serve more families, support increased participation and reduce scheduling limitations across current facilities” Town of Siler City “This project directly aligns with the Board of Commissioners’ current strategic priorities by enhancing quality of life by expanding recreational amenities for youth, families and community members,” said the Town’s release. “Supporting economic development through facilities capable of hosting regional tournaments and high-impact events, while investing in sustainable community infrastructure that meets longterm growth needs.”

2025 from page B1 Hawks’ first playoff appearance.

JORDAN-MATTHEWS FOOTBALL COMPLETES HISTORIC SEASON Jordan-Matthews won five games for the first time since 2013 and started 4-0 for the first time since 2010. The Jets made their first playoff appearance since 2013 and hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2009.

SEAFORTH FOOTBALL ERASES LATE DEFICIT TO WIN FIRST PLAYOFF GAME Seaforth trailed 28-14 with two and a half minutes left. Junior quarterback Duncan Parker hit senior Nick Gregory for a touchdown, and Seaforth made the two-point conversion to make it a 28-22 game with a few ticks over one minute remaining. The Hawks snagged the following onside kick, and with 18 seconds left, Parker found senior Patrick Miller for the game-winning score.

SEAFORTH VOLLEYBALL COMPLETES COMEBACK TO REACH SECOND STRAIGHT STATE TITLE GAME Seaforth was on the brink of elimination down 2-0 at Person in the 5A East regional final. The Hawks flipped a switch in the third set, winning 25-16. They won the fourth set 25-15 and punched their state title ticket with a 15-12 win in the final set.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Above, Jordan-Matthews’ Jakari Blue leaps into the end zone in the Jets’ 2025 season-opening win over Carrboro. Right, Daisy Collins poses in her Texas gear after committing to the Longhorns in October. She made the USA National Team a month prior.

WOODS CHARTER VOLLEYBALL MAKES HISTORIC RUN The Wolves went 24-2 in the fall, notching the most wins in program history, and they reached the regional final for the first time. Woods Charter went on a 22-game win streak leading up to its playoff loss.

JARIN STEVENSON COMES HOME After two seasons with Alabama, former Seaforth basketball star Jarin Stevenson transferred to his hometown of Chapel Hill to play with North

Carolina. Stevenson has been a crucial piece to the Tar Heels’ early success, especially with his defensive contributions.

DAISY COLLINS MAKES USA NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER Woods Charter swimmer Daisy Collins made the 202526 USA National Team for the open water event. She was one of five North Carolinians (male or female) to make the team.

The multi-time state champion and Texas commit broke the state 1A/2A meet records for the 200 free and 500 free in the winter.

COURTESY DAISY COLLINS

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Chatham Central athletics receives thousands in grant money The local school was gifted the Sports Matter Grant on Dec. 16

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record BEAR CREEK — Chatham Central received a financial boost during halftime of its varsity girls’ basketball game against Jordan-Matthews on Dec. 16.

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation presented the school with a $25,000 Sports Matter Grant, which will go towards Chatham Central’s athletics program. Chatham Central received a nomination for the reward because it “believes in the transformative power of sports” and is “making a difference in the lives of young athletes on and off the field,” per release.

Created by the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation in 2014, the Sports Matter program

$2.5 million Value of equipment given to young athletes by the Sports Matter program in 2024

aims to provide more opportunities for the youth to play sports. Since its inception, the program has helped keep 3 million kids in athletics and has committed over $100 million to teams and organizations.

Before the presentation of the grant, Dick’s representatives helped facilitate shooting games with Chatham Central students, and winners earned prizes. Chatham Central football coach and assistant basketball coach Derrin Little swished a halfcourt shot during the festivities.

The Foundation focuses on breaking down barriers in equipment costs, infrastruc-

ture, local league costs and registration fees for kids to have more access to athletics.

In 2024, the Sports Matter program contributed $2.5 million in equipment (94,000 pieces of equipment) for youth in the communities it impacted.

It supported 20 field and play space projects in low-income communities, impacting over 93,000 kids that year.

Furthermore, the program gave $8.9 million in grants to support more than 970 under-resourced youth sports leagues, and it helped cover registration costs for over 13,600 kids across more than 35 sports in the United States last year.

Chatham Central Athletic Director Kevin Park, left, Principal Mary Margaret Dark, right, and football coach Derrin Little, center, receive the grant from Dick’s representatives on Dec. 16.

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

ROUNDUP from page B1 Central Tar Heel 1A: T1.

Southern Wake Academy (3-2, 1-0); T1. Woods Charter (6-4, 1-0); T1. Clover Garden School (4-4, 1-0); 4. River Mill (1-10, 1-1); T5. Ascend Leadership (0-8, 0-1); T5. Central Carolina Academy (1-7, 0-2); T5. Chatham Charter (3-8, 0-0) Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1.

Northwood (7-5, 1-0); T2. North Moore (0-8, 0-1); T2. Eastern Randolph (1-5, 0-0); T2. Jordan-Matthews (2-8, 0-0); T2.

Southwestern Randolph (71, 0-0); T2. Uwharrie Charter (9-1, 0-0) Greater Triad 1A/2A: T1.

College Prep and Leadership (11-0, 3-0); T1. North Stokes (34, 1-0); T3. South Stokes (4-7, 0-1); T3. South Davidson (0-7, 0-1); T3. Chatham Central (6-5,

East Carolina quarterback Chaston Ditta looks to pass during the the Pirates’ 23-17 win over Pittsburgh in Saturday’s Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland.

0-2); T3. Bishop McGuinness (8-2, 0-0) Big Seven 4A/5A: T1.

Durham School of the Arts (5-5, 1-0); T1. Orange (4-3, 1-0); T1.

South Granville (4-4, 1-0); T1.

Seaforth (7-1, 2-0); T5. J.F. Webb (3-6, 0-1); T5. Cedar Ridge (2-8, 0-2); T5. Carrboro (3-6, 0-2) Power Rankings (Dec. 15 through Dec. 22); 1. Seaforth; 2. Northwood; 3. Chatham Central; 4. Woods Charter; Chatham Charter; 5. Jordan-Matthews; 6. Chatham Charter Previous rankings: 1. Seaforth; 2. Northwood; 3. Jordan-Matthews; 4. Chatham Central; 5. Woods Charter; 6.

Chatham Charter Wrestling Boys Jordan-Matthews went 3-2

in the Grapple at the Grove hosted by Providence Grove, defeating Bishop McGuinness 54-17, East Surry 4140 and earning a no-show win. The Jets fell to Western Guilford and Providence Grove.

Northwood picked up two wins over North Moore (4733) and Wake Prep (78-0) on Dec. 17.

Top individual performances: Seaforth’s Jordan Miller took first in the 120-pound weight class at the Tiger Holiday Classic on Dec. 23. Chatham Central’s Carson Williams placed first in the Eagle Invitational Tournament 157-pound division.

In the same tournament, Chatham Central’s Jorge Gomez placed second in the 175-pound weight class.

GAIL BURTON / AP PHOTO

ECU takes advantage of 5 turnovers, wins 23-17 in the Military Bowl The win over Pitt gives the Pirates back-to-back bowl wins in Annapolis

By Noah Trister The Associated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Chaston Ditta threw two second-half touchdown passes, and East Carolina overcame an inadvertent whistle that negated a long touchdown in a 23-17 victory over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl on Saturday.

ECU faced fourth-and-1 from its own 32 in the third quarter when Marlon Gunn Jr. shed a couple of tacklers and went all the way to the end zone. That would have put the Pirates up 17-7, but the play was called back because of a whistle, and Gunn was credited with a 14-yard gain instead.

Two plays later, Ditta fumbled on a sack by Pitt’s Rasheem Biles, who recovered the ball and returned it 23 yards to the end zone to give the Panthers a 14-10 lead.

The Pirates rebounded quickly when Ditta threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Smith, and ECU led the rest of the way. The Pirates won the Military Bowl for a second straight year after beating NC State in 2024.

“Some folks were upset we were coming back to Annapolis two times in a row, but if we come up here and get wins every time, I’ll come back every year,” ECU coach Blake Harrell said.

Down by six in the fourth quarter, Pitt was driving when Mason Heintschel’s pass was intercepted by Kevon Merrell — the Panthers’ fifth turnover of the game — and run back 70 yards to the Pitt 15. A field goal pushed the lead to nine.

The Panthers managed a field goal with 1:23 left to make it a one-possession game, but an onside kick was unsuccessful. Pitt had enough timeouts to force a punt, and the Panthers took over at their own 20 with 57 seconds left.

An offensive pass inter-

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ference penalty derailed that last-ditch drive.

Ditta started this game after ECU quarterback Katin Houser announced recently he was entering the transfer portal.

The Pirates (9-4) also lost their offensive and defensive coordinators, but they took advantage of four Pitt fumbles.

The Panthers (8-5) also turned the ball over on downs twice.

“You turn the ball over five times, and then two on downs, that’s a total of seven if you count turnovers on downs,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said.

“It’s hard to win any football game against any opponent, period.”

The first quarter was played almost entirely in Pitt territory, but ECU’s Nick Mazzie was well short on a 51-yard fieldgoal attempt. The Pirates then recovered a fumble at the Pitt 27 but ended up turning the ball over on downs themselves.

ECU led 3-0 when Pitt finally produced a successful drive, taking a 7-3 advantage when Heintschel threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Raphael Williams Jr. with four seconds remaining in the half.

The Panthers started the second half with the ball, but a fumble by Heintschel gave ECU possession, and on the next play, Ditta found Smith for a 47-yard touchdown.

The takeaway Pitt: It was the final game for defensive coordinator Randy Bates, who is retiring after more than four decades in coaching. His defense gave up a couple of big plays but also produced a touchdown of its own.

Holding ECU to 23 points was pretty good considering the Pirates started seven drives in Pitt territory.

“Field position, we might have lost that by 200 yards,” Narduzzi said.

ECU: It was a stellar performance by the defense, which had four takeaways — the other was on special teams — and four sacks.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

The best of the NSJ years We celebrate 10 years in print with a look at the top sports performers of the last decade North State Journal staff AS WE FINISH the 25th year of the 2000s, several media outlets have come up with best of lists for the first quarter of the 21st century. At the North State Journal, we are focusing on another milestone.

We started publishing in 2016, meaning this is the end of our 10th year in print. So we’d like to take this moment to look at the best of North Carolina sports in the NSJ’s first decade.

College Football: The state hosted 10 Belk/Duke’s Mayo Bowls and 10 ACC championship games. North Carolina teams played in a total of 46 bowls, led

by NC State, Wake and App State (eight each) and seven conference title games (ACC and Sun Belt).

With plenty of apologies to the large number of snubs, here are our all-decade teams.

• QB: Drake Maye, Ryan Finley • RB: Nyheim Hines, Michael Carter, Darrynton Evans, Will Shipley

TYLER KAUFMAN / AP PHOTO

Wilson, Joe Giles Harris, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis, D’Marco Jackson • CB: Chandler Rivers, Mark Gilbert, Essang Bassey, Aydan White • S: Nick Anderson, Tanner Ingle, Divine Deablo, Tanner Muse

• DT: Dexter Lawrence, DeWayne Carter, Alim McNeill, Larry Ogunjobi • LB: Chazz Surratt, Payton

• Tre Jones • Paolo Banchero • Armando Bacot • RJ Davis

• Cooper Flagg

College basketball: North Carolina teams made six Final Four trips, two more than any other state. Here’s a look at the All Americans from the state over that time.

• DE: Bradley Chubb, Carlos Basham, Alex Highsmith, Nate Harvey

• Vernon Carey Jr.

• P: Trenton Gill

• TE: Cam Serigne, Justin Joly

• C: Garrett Bradbury, Grant Gibson

• Chris Clemons

• Kyle Filipowski

• Return: Greg Dortch

• OG: Chandler Zavala, Willie Lampkin, Tony Adams, Sean Maginn

• RJ Barrett

• PK: Nick Sciba

• WR: Zay Jones, Josh Downs, AT Perry, Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, Sage Surratt

• OT: Ikem Ekwonu, Graham Barton, Zach Tom, Tyler Jones

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

Left, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. Right, Duke’s Zion Williamson accepts the 2019 Oscar Robertson award for player of the year.

• Brice Johnson • Grayson Allen • Justin Jackson • Luke Kennard • Marvin Bagley III • Luke Maye • Joel Berry II • Zion Williamson

NFL: The Carolina Panthers were just returning from their last trip to the Super Bowl when NSJ went to press for the first time. Here’s a look at the last 10 years.

Twenty players have thrown a pass for the Panthers, including three punters, three receivers and a running back. Eleven have started a game. Cam Newton leads in yards (11,462) and touchdowns (69), followed

by Bryce Young (7,971 and 21).

In yardage, the top five includes Teddy Bridgewater (3,733), Sam Darnold (3.670) and Kyle Allen (3,588). For scoring passes, it’s Allen (19), Darnold (16) and Bridgewater (15).

A total of 64 Panthers have carried the ball, led by Christian

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

UNC’s Drake Maye carries the ball during a 2022 game.

McCaffrey (3,980 yards, 32 TDs) and Chuba Hubbard (3,664 and 23). Newton (1,829 and 20), Jonathan Stewart (1,504 and 15) and Rico Dowdle (1,007 yards) round out the top five. Young and Darnold (7 each) are fifth in touchdown runs.

Seventy-nine Panthers have caught passes, led by DJ Moore (5,201 yards, 21 TDs) and McCaffrey (3,292 and 18). Next for yardage are Greg Olsen (2,152), Curtis Samuel (2,087) and the

former Robbie Anderson (now known as Robbie Chosen, 1,821 yards). Devin Funchess (16) is third in touchdowns, followed

by Samuel (14), Olsen and Tommy Tremble (10).

Brian Burns is the sacks leader, Shaq Thompson the tackles leader and Donte Jackson the interceptions leader.

As we approach the end of our official 10 years in February, we’ll continue to look at the state’s top sports moments of the NSJ years.

50 years since lawyer’s decision unlocked free agency in Major League Baseball, changing sports forever Salaries have increased by 112-fold since free agency began

“It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press NEW YORK — Sports were turned upside down 50 years ago by a man who never threw or kicked a ball.

A lawyer with expertise in labor relations struck down Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, which had bound players to their teams since the 1870s.

No one could have predicted then that the 65-page decision issued Dec. 23, 1975, by arbitrator Peter Seitz — who later compared baseball owners to “the French barons of the 12th century” — would lead to an upheaval that made thousands of players multimillionaires.

“The real floodgates opened after that,” former pitcher David Cone said. “Players were finally, in all walks of life, in all sports, were finally able to see what, hey, what free agency really looks like. There was all the doom and gloom back then from one side that said: ‘This is going to ruin the game. It’s not sustainable.’ And actually, it was just the opposite. It made the game better.”

Baseball’s average salary was $44,676 at the time of the decision, $260,909 in current dollars, and climbed to about $5 million this year, a 112-fold increase.

Seitz’s decision was followed by free agency upheavals in the NFL, NBA, NFL and European soccer.

Curt Flood had lost a lawsuit arguing for free agency in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld baseball’s antitrust exemption, ruling it was up to

Steve Rogers, All-Star pitcher and union official

AP PHOTO

Baltimore Orioles Dave McNally, a free agency pioneer, delivers a pitch in a 1974 game.

Congress to make any change.

In December 1974, Catfish Hunter was set free on a technicality when Seitz concluded Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley failed to make a $50,000 payment into a long-term annuity fund as specified in the pitcher’s contract. Following a bidding war, Hunter signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees for about $3.2 million.

“We saw this huge contract, it was like reading from another world,” recalled former All-Star

pitcher Steve Rogers, among the first beneficiaries of free agency and later a long-time union official. “The magnitude was just unheard of, the number of dollars that were guaranteed to him. It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Language in each player agreement stated the club could “renew this contract for the period of one year on the same terms,″ except that the salary

could be cut by as much as 20%.

After playing the 1975 season under renewals, Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave McNally of the Montreal Expos maintained in a grievance the renewal period was one year only and they should be declared free.

Following a three-day hearing that generated an 842-page transcript and 97 exhibits, Seitz urged owners to settle the case as late as Dec. 9. Then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn urged owners to fire Seitz before a deci-

sion, but management’s Player Relations Committee refused because it was afraid of bad publicity.

Seitz ruled for the union.

Management fired Seitz that afternoon and vowed to overturn the decision in federal court.

Seitz’s decision was upheld in February 1976 by U.S. District Judge John W. Oliver and affirmed the following month by an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of Judges Floyd Robert Gibson, Gerald Heaney and Roy Laverne Stephenson.

That July 12, players and owners agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement creating one-time free agency for all players after 1976 or 1977 and going forward after six seasons of major league service, which is still in place.

Future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were among the first players to gain free-agent riches.

“The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,″ Moss, who died last year, said in 2020.

“I think one can make a case that we’ve spent the last two-plus decades trying to reestablish some reasonable equilibrium,″ then-commissioner Bud Selig said in 2000.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

SIDELINE REPORT NCAA FOOTBALL

Baker, Smothers lead area players in transfer portal NC State running back Hollywood Smothers announced his intention to transfer one day after the Wolfpack’s season-ending win in the Gasparilla Bowl. The sophomore will also explore NFL options during the offseason. Also transferring is UNC quarterback Bryce Baker.

The East Forsyth standout committed to UNC last year and chose to stay after Bill Belichick took over as coach.

However, he never played in a game despite the Tar Heels’ struggles with consistency at the position.

NFL

Chiefs’ move to Kansas leaves Missouri fans heartbroken Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs announced plans to move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas. The decision follows Kansas lawmakers approving a bond package to cover up to 70% of the new stadium’s costs.

Missouri lawmakers had tried to keep the Chiefs with their own funding package but were outbid. The move marks the second time in a decade that Missouri has lost an NFL team.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Vanderbilt’s Lea wins coach of the year Nashville Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year at the college football awards. Lea led the Commodores to wins over four ranked opponents and a school-record 10 wins. Lea, a linebackers coach at Wake Forest in 2016 under head coach Dave Clawson, has a 26-35 record at Vanderbilt since 2021 and has led the team to back-to-back bowls, just the second multiyear bowl streak in school history.

NFL

Steelers’ Metcalf suspended 2 games following altercation Pittsburgh The NFL has suspended Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf for two games following an altercation with a fan during the team’s victory over Detroit.

CBS-TV cameras captured the confrontation between Metcalf and a fan during the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 win over Detroit. The fan leaned over the railing and exchanged words with Metcalf before Metcalf ended the confrontation by swinging his right arm in the vicinity of the fan’s face. It’s unclear how much contact Metcalf’s arm made with the fan.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Notre Dame, USC pause longstanding rivalry, Irish add BYU to 2026 schedule South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame and Southern California’s iconic college football rivalry is on hold. The Fighting Irish filled their last 2026 open date with a game against BYU. The decision leaves the USC game off the schedule. Notre Dame and USC officials said they recognize the rivalry’s importance and are working to bring it back.

The series began in 1926 and was paused during World War II and the 2020 pandemic.

Negotiations have become more challenging since USC joined the Big Ten, but both schools express a desire to continue the tradition.

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Brad Keselowski is introduced to fans prior to May’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR’s Keselowski suffers broken leg in skiing accident The former champion is expected to recover in time for the Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, a former Cup Series champion who is now co-owner of RFK Racing, broke his right leg while on a ski trip, the team announced.

Keselowski underwent surgery last Thursday, and doctors told him to expect a quick recovery that will have him back for the season-opening Daytona 500 in February. He is winless in 16 starts in the showcase race as he enters the final years of his driving career.

“Life has a way of reminding you to slow down,” Keselowski posted on social media with photos of him in the hospital surrounded by his wife and children, an image of the

break, and video of him using a walker. “Grateful for my family by my side, an excellent medical team, and the ability to take a few steps forward today. Focused on Daytona. Bonus — I’m now bionic!”

Keselowski did not reveal the extent of his injury or what bones are broken.

Keselowski, who turns 42 just days before the Feb. 15 “Great American Race,” is entering his 17th full season of racing at the top Cup Series level. He spent the bulk of his career at Team Penske but purchased a stake in Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and became an owner/driver of the rebranded team.

The organization is reeling from last week’s fatal plane crash that killed longtime Roush driver Greg Biffle and six others, including his wife and two children. Biffle had retired by the time Keselowski joined the team.

“First and foremost, our hearts remain heavy with the news of yesterday’s tragic events,” the team said. “The RFK Racing family, as well as the NASCAR community, as a whole, continues to keep those close to The Biffle Family and all those affected in our thoughts. Albeit untimely, we feel that in the interest of transparency we share RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski suffered a broken leg while on a ski trip with his family Thursday.”

The team called the surgery “routine” and said doctors expect a “a quick and full recovery.”

Keselowski broke his ankle in 2011 when he crashed during a test session and won a Cup Series race at Pocono just days later.

“I’m grateful to the medical team who took great care of me and for the support system around me,” Keselowski said

in a statement. “I’m motivated to get back to full strength as quickly as possible and will work relentlessly to be ready for Daytona.”

Keselowski won the 2012 Cup Series championship for Penske and has 36 career victories at NASCAR’s top level. He won the Xfinity Series title in 2010 and 39 races in NASCAR’s second-tier series.

He has won one points-paying race since leaving Penske as he works to help rebuild RFK into the once-proud organization founded by Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush.

Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, missed six races in the 2023 season when he broke his leg in a snowboarding crash early in the season. Kyle Busch missed 11 races when he broke his leg in a crash at Daytona in 2015 but recovered to win the Cup championship that year.

Gerard flew across 2 oceans, 2 seas; payoff was invitation to Masters The former UNC and Ravenscroft golfer finished second in Mauritius

Ryan Gerard watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press RYAN GERARD LEFT his home in south Florida at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 for a trip he never imagined taking this year, and one he certainly didn’t regret.

He returned home nine days and some 20,000 miles later after stops that included Italy on his way to a small island off the coast of Africa, and an eight-hour layover in Paris on the way back that gave him enough time to see the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

“I am looking at the Eiffel Tower,” Gerard said by phone.

“Pretty sick.”

Oh, and along the way he picked up an invitation to the Masters.

That green envelope — Augusta National doesn’t do evites — might not be there right away, but in the final Official World Golf Ranking for the year, the 26-year-old Gerard will check in at No. 44.

And it’s all because of his decision to play one more tournament, even if that meant flying over the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to

DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP PHOTO

get to the Mauritius Open, the final tournament this year on the European tour and Sunshine Tour schedule.

Despite some 36 hours of travel — he got to his hotel at 1 p.m. local time last Monday — Gerard opened with rounds of 68-69 and was tied for fifth.

He was No. 57 in the world and needed a two-way tie for fourth to crack the top 50.

“I figured I’d have one more crack at that and give it my best shot,” he said after the second round. “Then I could hang my hat on giving it my all for the season, and the top 50 by the end of the year to get into the Masters. So that’s kind of a kick in the pants to come 10,000 miles from Florida and tee it up. It wasn’t on the bingo

card at the start of the season, for sure.”

And then, bingo! He posted a 63 at Heritage La Reserve Golf Links the next day to take the lead. He wound up in a playoff with scorching hot Jayden Schaper, the South African who has won the last two tournaments by making eagle in a playoff.

“I would have loved to win,” Gerard said. “But it was an unbelievable shot.”

The consolation for Gerard was a big one — his first Masters.

Augusta was on his mind when Gerard played the RSM Classic at Sea Island last month — the final PGA Tour stop of the year — when he was No. 49 in the world. And then he missed the cut.

“I was looking Friday afternoon and was like, ‘Hey, does it make sense to go do anything?’

I was going to try to play the Nedbank (in South Africa), but the tournament deadline was the day before I missed the cut,” Gerard said.

The Alfred Dunhill was out because that was the weekend his good friend and former UNC teammate Ben Griffin was getting married.

Last on the list was Mauritius. He had heard enough about Mauritius from Christo Lamprecht of South Africa that he checked the schedule, did the math and signed up.

Gerard had already done a fair bit of traveling after he narrowly missed out on the Tour Championship. He played in Ireland and England, Japan and Abu Dhabi. Clearly, he’s willing to travel. This summer, he flew across eight time zones from Scotland to Lake Tahoe and then won the Barracuda Championship for his first PGA Tour title.

What’s another trip with so much on the line?

Gerard wasn’t down to his last chance. He would have had three months to start 2026 to either win or do well enough to get into the top 50, but he saw an opportunity.

“Figured I got nothing better to do,” he said. “It seemed like a cool thing, made sure it worked logistically and just went for it.”

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

entertainment

CODY JACKSON / AP PHOTO

Fernando Dávila, a colorblind painter, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at his gallery in Doral, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.

From red donkeys to vibrant art: Colorblind painter Fernando Dávila’s colorful journey The artist paints in color through specially developed glasses

By Cody Jackson The Associated Press DORAL, Fla. — When Fernando Dávila was 8 years old in Colombia, he failed a drawing class because he painted donkeys red.

There was a reason for that: He is colorblind.

Now the 72-year-old Dávila is an established and respected artist whose vibrant paintings have been exhibited in South America, Europe and the United States.

“I have the most wonderful job in the world, which is painting every morning,” Dávila said from his studio in a Miami suburb. “To mix colors. To have joy to share with the world, that’s really my passion.”

He started off painting only in black and white until he was around 30 years old because of his colorblindness, a congenital condition which makes it difficult for people to tell the difference between certain colors, particularly red and green, and shades of color. There is no

“I think color is one of the most important things in life. And especially for me.”

Fernando Dávila

cure for the condition, which for Dávila also makes the colors pink, violet, turquoise and yellow-green confusing.

Since the mid-1980s, Dávila has painted in color through the help of glasses developed by an ophthalmologist in New York, where Dávila was living at the time. One lens is transparent and the other is shaded red, and they help him discriminate between contrasting shades that normally blur together. With the lenses, he can see almost two-thirds of the colors, but without them he only sees around 40% of the colors.

Dávila compared his condition to having a box of chocolates but only being able to eat a sample of the selection. He says he has such a strong desire to see every color.

“It’s something that I miss in my life, that if somebody says, ‘Look at this flower,’ which is bright, bright pink, I want to do it,” he said. “It’s something that comes from my heart so passionately. I can feel the vibration of color.”

Colorblindness runs his family. A grandfather and some great uncles only saw in black and white, while his mother and her three sisters also were colorblind even though the condition is rarer in women. His two brothers also have trouble discriminating between colors.

Dávila has spent his career in Colombia, New York and Florida. He was awarded the “Order of Democracy” by the Colombian Congress in 1999 for his contribution to the arts. He also has published two hardcover books and many catalogues about his paintings, and his work has appeared at major auctions including Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

His paintings include romantic images of men and women embracing and landscapes, often using the color blue as a foundation.

“I think color is one of the most important things in life,” he said. “And especially for me.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

this week in history

2

nd

Alaska get statehood, Theodore Roosevelt dies, Nancy Kerrigan clubbed JAN. 1 1808: The federal law prohibiting the importation of enslaved people to the United States took effect.

1818: Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” was first published in London, when Shelley was 20 years old.

1863: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War, declaring that all enslaved people in rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.”

1892: The Ellis Island Immigration Station in New York formally opened, processing nearly 700 immigrants on its first day.

JAN. 2

*Must set up Auto Draft for 2nd Month.

Offer valid through February 28, 2026.

1890: President Benjamin Harrison appointed Alice Sanger as the first female White House staffer amid a growing movement for women’s rights.

1942: The Philippine capital of Manila was captured by Japanese forces during World War II. 1959: The Soviet space-

craft Luna 1 launched, becoming the first spacecraft to escape Earth’s gravity.

JAN. 6

JAN. 3 1777: Gen. George Washington’s army routed British troops at the Battle of Princeton in New Jersey, a key turning point in the Revolutionary War. 1920: Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold the contract of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, beginning a championship era for the Yankees and decades of heartache for Red Sox fans. (The Red Sox ultimately broke the “curse” in 2004, winning their first World Series in 86 years.)

1959: Alaska was officially admitted as the 49th U.S. state.

DOUG MILLS / AP PHOTO

President Bill Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial began on Jan. 7, 1999, on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

JAN. 4

JAN. 5

1853: New Yorker Solomon Northup regained his freedom after being kidnapped in Washington, D.C., and forced into slavery in 1841; he later told his story in his memoir, “Twelve Years a Slave.”

1948: Burma, now known as Myanmar, marked its independence from Great Britain.

1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his State of the Union address outlining the goals of his “Great Society” initiative.

1925: Democrat Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming took office as the nation’s first female governor.

1953: Samuel Beckett’s two-act tragicomedy “Waiting for Godot,” considered a classic of the Theater of the Absurd, premiered in Paris.

1957: President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed assistance to countries to help them resist communist aggression in what became known as the Eisenhower Doctrine.

1919: Former President Theodore Roosevelt died in Oyster Bay, New York, at age 60.

1941: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his State of the Union address, outlined the “Four Freedoms”: freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship God in one’s own way, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

1994: Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked at Detroit’s Cobo Arena; four men, including the ex-husband of rival Tonya Harding, were imprisoned for their roles.

JAN. 7 1610: Astronomer Galileo Galilei observed three of Jupiter’s moons for the first time and a fourth days later.

1979: Vietnamese forces captured the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, overthrowing the communist Khmer Rouge government blamed for the deaths of about 1.7 million people.

1999: President Bill Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial began on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice; he was acquitted the following month.

Perry sued for sexual assault by actor in ‘Madea’ film The filmmaker and Hollywood giant has been sued twice in recent months

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Tyler Perry was sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” marking the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.

Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit last Thursday in California, alleging Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years, including sexual battery and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home. Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages and also has sued Lionsgate, which distributed the 2016 film, accusing the studio of turning a blind eye to Perry’s alleged misconduct.

Lionsgate did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

In a statement, Perry’s lawyer denied the allegations.

According to the complaint, Rodriguez was approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles who said Perry wanted his phone number to discuss an acting role. Per-

“I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”

Tyler Perry

ry later encouraged Rodriguez to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” telling him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner,” the lawsuit claims.

After Rodriguez was cast, he was invited to Perry’s home, where Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie. The lawsuit describes additional alleged incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry allegedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another in which Perry placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals. The complaint says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following the encounters.

Rodriguez says he resisted the advances and ultimately decided to file suit after learning of similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon.

Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging the filmmaker groped him while Dixon worked on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” That lawsuit,

solutions

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Tyler Perry, pictured at the BET Awards on June 9 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, is being sued by a male actor for sexual assault. which was originally filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, has reportedly since been moved to

federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.

Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes

claims of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

famous birthdays this week Christy Turlington is 57, Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones hits 80, Nicolas Cage turn 62 THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

JAN. 1 Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman is 96. Actor Frank Langella is 88. Musician Country Joe McDonald is 84. Actor-comedian Don Novello is 83. DJ Grandmaster Flash is 68.

JAN. 2 Filmmaker Todd Haynes is 65. Baseball Hall of Famer Edgar Martínez is 63. Actor-singer Tia Carrere is 59. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. is 58. Model Christy Turlington is 57. Actor Taye Diggs is 55. Actor-comedian Dax Shepard is 51. Musician Trombone Shorty is 40.

JAN. 3 Musician Stephen Stills is 81.

Musician John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) is 80. Actor-director Mel Gibson is 70. Basketball Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller is 62. Singer and television personality Kimberley Locke is 48.

Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning is 45.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Katie Couric speaks at this year’s Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival at Spring Studios in New York. The TV journalist and former “CBS Evening News” anchor turns 69 on Wednesday.

JAN. 4 Actor Dyan Cannon is 89.

Guitarist John McLaughlin is 84. Author-historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is 83. Country singer Patty Loveless is 69. Singer Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) is 66.

Actor Julia Ormond is 61.

JAN. 5

AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Musician Kenny Loggins, pictured performing at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, turns 78 on Wednesday.

Actor Robert Duvall is 95.

Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is 85. Actor Vinnie Jones is 61.

TV personality Carrie Ann Inaba is 58. Rock singer Marilyn Manson is 57. Actor-filmmaker Bradley Cooper is 51. Actor January Jones is 48.

ley is 62. Actor Norman Reedus is 57. Actor-comedian Kate McKinnon is 42. Businessman Eric Trump is 42.

JAN. 6

JAN. 7

Actor-comedian Rowan Atkinson, who played Mr. Bean, is 71. Golf Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez is 69. TV chef Nigella Lawson is 66. Football Hall of Famer Howie Long is 66. Football Hall of Famer Charles Ha-

Musician Kenny Loggins is 78. Actor David Caruso is 70.

TV journalist Katie Couric is 69.

Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is 65. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is 63. Actor Nicolas Cage is 62.

Downtown Siler City

OLD NORTH STATE INSURANCE SERVICES 919-742-3422

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

HBO VIA AP

Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood star in season 3 of “The White Lotus.”

Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, ill-timed KissCam, whatever ‘6-7’ means Monster British rock band Oasis reunited for world tour

By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press DICTIONARIES DEFINE things. It’s their job. So when Dictionary.com pronounced “67” as its 2025 word of the year, you’d think they would have, well, defined it.

But no. “We’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” they told us of this year’s “linguistic time capsule.”

But that’s just how pop culture works, isn’t it? Who’s to explain why parents alone in their cars were suddenly singing “up up up” from that “KPop Demon Hunters?” song?

Despite our new obsessions, though, some things remained constant — by which we mean Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, of course. It seems like every year gets bigger for Swift. But in 2025, she put a bow — or ring — on it with Travis Kelce, announcing “your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

So from the inexplicable to the familiar, here’s our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane: JANUARY They may not be Tayvis, but they’re a delightful couple just the same: Zendaya and Tom Holland are engaged. Let’s hear it also for Demi Moore, who wins a Golden Globe for her wild performance in “The Substance.” At the bookstore, fans go wild for “Onyx Storm,” the third installment of Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy series.

A Nirvana reunion highlights FireAid, a fundraiser for relief efforts following the Los Angeles wildfires.

FEBRUARY “Salutations!” says Samuel L. Jackson, introducing Kendrick Lamar, the first solo hip-hop artist — and Pulitzer winner — to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. (P.S. Is that Serena Williams?) At the Grammys, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department present Beyoncé with her best album trophy for “Cowboy Carter” —

the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammy history becomes the first black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century.

“Speak out for what you believe and what you feel. Or don’t. You have to live with yourself.”

MARCH

Robert Redford

It’s Oscar month! All hail to Sean Baker’s victorious, Brooklyn-set “Anora” and its star, Mikey Madison. Also scoring an acting prize is Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist” — who probably should have found another place to put his chewing gum.

“Wicked,” an audience favorite, misses out on big prizes, but its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, perform a rousing opening number.

gered supporters of the slain Charlie Kirk. The world says goodbye to Robert Redford, Hollywood’s golden screen idol.

OCTOBER

Osbourne, and beloved “Cosby Show” actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

“So, how was your October?”

“Oh, 6-7.” That’s apparently how one should use the new viral term — accompanied by that palms-up gesture. You know who has better moves than that?

Bad Bunny, who hosts the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” In Swift updates, her new album “The Life Of A Showgirl” sets sales records. Another sad loss: Diane Keaton, famous for her fedoras, vests and especially “La di da, La di da.”

AUGUST

NOVEMBER

Let’s just give this whole entry to pop culture’s biggest “Love Story” — because, baby, she said yes! Taylor-Travis skeptics eat their words when the couple announces their happy news, in what’s destined to become one of the most liked posts in Instagram history. It’s the fairytale culmination of a courtship that began during the Eras Tour and for two years captivated millions around the world but especially Swifties, the pop star’s loving and fiercely protective fan base.

Are we at the end of the yellow brick road? The “Wicked” press tour, which reached all ends of the universe actual and fictional, wraps with the release of Jon M. Chu’s second installment, “Wicked: For Good.” The reviews are much less, er, enthusiastical this time, but the movie defies gravity at the box office.

That’s not enough for Jonathan Bailey, aka Fiyero, who is named People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

APRIL The blender! The poisonous fruit! The lizard! And Sam Rockwell! The Thailand-set third season of “The White Lotus” is certainly a talker. Katy Perry may be wishing she’d headed to Thailand rather than outer space: Her Earth-kissing return from an 11-minute trip on a Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket is widely mocked — even

by Wendy’s, which writes on X: “Can we send her back.” On Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour, a star has emerged — 13-year-old Blue Ivy. MAY A crisis, at Cannes! The film fest bans nudity on the carpet — do they think this will halt the “naked dress” phenomenon? Bonne chance. Also at Cannes, Tom Cruise again shows he’ll risk life and limb to entertain, this time atop a classic biplane in “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.”

Across the ocean, the Met Gala turns its focus to menswear and black style over the centuries. “It took a minute,” says an approving Spike Lee. “You belong with me,” Swift sings, buying back the rights to her first six albums.

Finally, cue the “Chicago Pope” memes — in honor of the first American pope, Leo XIV. Later this year, he’ll reveal his Wordle strategy.

JUNE “The world will know you as pop stars — but you will bemuch more than that.” Like, perhaps,

ASHLEY LANDIS / AP PHOTO

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift kiss after the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 26 in Kansas City, Missouri. the surprise, multigenerational hit of the summer? “KPop Demon Hunters” starts streaming this month, and in August will give Netflix a big box office win with its singalong screenings. On TV, it’s a new season of love — “Love Island USA,” that is, chronicling the goings-on at a luxury villa in Fiji. It’s the album cover that launched a thousand conversations: Some are offended when Sabrina Carpenter illustrates her “Man’s Best Friend” album with a photo of her on all fours, with a man holding her hair. Is it offensive, a purposeful joke, or nothing at all?

JULY Oasis begins a reunion tour, and the Gallagher brothers are still getting along! “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” goes the much-discussed advertisement, and American Eagle insists it’s about the denim. CBS says it will end Stephen Colbert’s show in May 2026 — a move that will remove from air one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics. We cannot leave July behind — although at least two people would have loved to — without mentioning the saga of the Coldplay KissCam. Finally, within six days, the world loses three ’80s icons: mustachioed wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, heavy metal godfather Ozzy

SEPTEMBER Proving once again that Hollywood loves stories about itself, the Emmys heap awards on Seth Rogen’s movie-biz satire “The Studio.” Also triumphing is “The Pitt,” the edgy medical drama starring beloved “ER” veteran Noah Wyle that beats out the mighty “Severance.” Perhaps the biggest Cinderella story of all: 15-year-old Owen Cooper, the youngest Emmy winner in more than 40 years for the searing “Adolescence.” Also, this month, Jimmy Kimmel is temporarily suspended by ABC bosses for comments that an-

DECEMBER One award after another! Excuse the rather obvious pun, but it’s the perfect one to describe momentum in the Oscars race.

While some films see their fortunes fade on Golden Globe nominations day, the emerging favorite is “One Battle After Another,” director Paul Thomas Anderson’s father-daughter saga of political resistance starring Leonardo DiCaprio and newcomer Chase Infiniti.

Its success also lends a victory to Warner Bros. in the middle of its Netflix acquisition deal — which, at year’s end, is in a holding pattern, facing antitrust challenges and a hostile takeover effort from Paramount.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 45 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Happy New Year from Duplin Journal A glimpse into the future of River Landing An artist’s rendering

COURTESY RIVER LANDING AND DUPLIN LAND DEVELOPMENT

the

BRIEF this week

Economic Development meeting rescheduled Kenansville The Duplin County Economic Development Commission has rescheduled its January meeting. Originally scheduled for Jan. 2, the meeting will now be held Jan. 9 at 7 a.m. in the Duplin County Airport conference room.

LOOKING AHEAD

Duplin County charts path for growth, opportunity Economic development, workforce training and community spaces anchor the long-term vision

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County leaders say the year ahead represents a period of in-

tentional growth, with investments aimed at strengthening the local economy, improving public facilities and expanding services that touch residents’ daily lives.

County officials point to economic development projects, education improvements and long-term planning as signs of a county preparing for future opportunity while

NC Pickle Festival accepting vendor applications Mount Olive Vendor applications for the 2026 North Carolina Pickle Festival will be accepted until Feb. 1.

Vendors are encouraged to submit their applications promptly at ncpicklefest.org/vendors to secure a spot. The 2026 NC Pickle Festival will take place on Saturday, April 25.

$2.00

managing growth responsibly.

Deputy County Manager Carrie Shields said one of the most significant efforts underway is the county’s continued focus on job creation and economic development.

“Right now, the county is constructing two 50,000-squarefoot shell buildings designed to attract new businesses and industries,” Shields said. “These

buildings allow companies to locate and begin operations more quickly, which means new jobs, increased tax base and long-term economic stability for our county.”

Economic growth efforts also extend to aviation-related development. Shields said a new 12,000-square-foot hangar planned at the Duplin County Airport will further support business and transportation activity.

“Together, these projects will create opportunities that will provide new employment, supporting existing businesses and helping ensure the county See AHEAD, page A5

Quiet leadership, remarkable growth

Duplin seeks volunteer nominations Duplin County Duplin County is accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, honoring individuals, groups, national service members and volunteer managers across a variety of service categories.

The county may select up to 10 honorees, with one advancing for the Governor’s Medallion Award. Nominations are due Feb. 13. For more information, call Duplin County Senior Services at 910-296-2140.

showcases a new condominium project at River Landing, located off Pond Landing Drive near the 8th and 9th holes of the River Course. According to a recent announcement made by River Landing and Duplin Land Development, construction is expected to begin in early 2026. The new condos are designed to appeal to a variety of residents, including those seeking a second home, family members wanting to live nearby, or individuals looking for the ease of low-maintenance living without the responsibilities of a yard or property upkeep.

New facilities, rising enrollment and plans for a satellite campus mark a transformative era MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

James Sprunt Community College President Jay Carraway stands beside an artist rendition of the new Workforce Development Building being constructed on campus.

Carraway says the 22,000-square-foot building is on track to be completed ahead of schedule in May.

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal WHEN JAY CARRAWAY retires as president of James Sprunt Community College in

Duplin County Public Schools plan major renovations in 2026 The needs-based construction grant will fund gym, CTE renovations and other improvement

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal 2026 IS POISED to be a year of upgrades and renovations for Duplin County Public Schools.

A $32.4 million dollar needsbased school construction grant has been awarded to begin work at East Duplin High School, but this is just one step in a larger plan set into play last August.

“In August, the school district proposed a comprehensive construction plan involv-

ing Wallace-Rose Hill, North Duplin Jr-Sr, North Duplin Elementary, James Kenan and East Duplin,” Superintendent Daren Tyndall said in an interview with Duplin Journal. “Receiving this grant provides partial funding for that broader plan, and the district hopes to secure funding for the remaining projects in the future.”

The grant comes as part of the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBPSCF), which uses revenue from the North Carolina Education Lottery to provide construction funding for schools. NBPSCF grants have a spending cap, and schools cannot request more See SCHOOLS, page A3

“The district hopes to secure funding for the remaining projects in the future.”

Daren Tyndall

February, he will be leaving behind an incredible legacy of growth, though he is very reluctant to take credit.

When asked if he considered the new Workforce Development Center being constructed on the campus as “his legacy,” he replied, “Nothing’s mine. I’m part of a team.”

See GROWTH, page A2

A2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THURSDAY

1.1.26 #106

Wallace town clerk named DUPLIN happening NCAMC at-large officer SPONSORED BY

Jackie Nicholson will help shape programs and initiatives

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

“Join the conversation”

Duplin Journal

www.duplinjournal.com North State Media LLC 104 W Main Street Wallace, NC 28466 Copyright 2025

WALLACE — The North Carolina Association of Municipal Clerks has appointed Jackie Nicholson as an at-large officer for the 2025–26 term.

Nicholson, who serves as town clerk for the town of Wallace, will join the association’s leadership team, which provides training, resources and support to municipal clerks across the state. As an at-large officer, she will represent the interests of members, assisting with organizational initiatives,

COURTESY TOWN OF WALLACE

Jackie Nicholson and helping to shape professional development programs.

The North Carolina Association of Municipal Clerks is dedicated to advancing the professional standards and

knowledge of municipal clerks.

“Nicholson brings significant municipal experience and has actively participated in programs and initiatives designed to support professional development across North Carolina,” stated the NCAMC announcement.

Members participate in workshops, networking events, and certification programs to enhance the management of municipal records, elections, and governance processes.

Nicholson’s appointment will be effective through 2026, during which she will collaborate with fellow officers to promote best practices and professional growth among clerks statewide.

Trip Hoffend Publisher

Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers

Ena Sellers News Editor

Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor

Patsy Teachey Advertising Representative

Loretta Carey Office Manager

CONTACT US Office Phone: 910 463-1240 To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042

CRIME LOG Dec. 22 • Michael E Lennon, 29, was arrested by DCSO for felony larceny.

• Tyesha Lynette Parker, 30, was arrested by DCSO for shoplifting or concealment of goods and habitual larceny.

• Corvet Denio Artis, 50, was arrested

by DCSO for speeding, no liability insurance, driving while license revoked and cancellation, revocation or suspension of certificate or tag.

• Carl Lee Robinson, 42, was arrested

by DCSO for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and communicating threats.

• Teodoro Lopez Ferrer, 34, was arrested

by DCSO for driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger and no operator’s license.

Dec. 23 • Kristopher Parker Heath, 54, was arrested by DCSO for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Steve McIver, 60, was arrested by DCSO for reckless driving to endanger, driving while license revoked, failure to report accident, hit and run leaving scene of property damage and resisting a public officer.

• Jenna Bess Jordan, 30, was arrested by DCSO for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods or property.

• Adrian Jonte Brinson, 35, was arrested

by DCSO for obtaining property by false pretense and identity theft.

• Lashawn Devone Miller, 43, was arrested by Rose Hill PD for driving while license revoked.

Dec. 24 • Kyonna Mona Brown, 29, was arrested

by DCSO for forgery of instrument and obtaining property by false pretense.

• Lashawn Anthony McCullen, 40, was arrested by DCSO for possession of stolen goods or property, misdemeanor larceny and resisting a public officer.

GROWTH from page A1 The new 22,000-square-foot facility, which will house four shops and four classrooms for training in four trades, in addition to administrative offices, is expected to be completed ahead of schedule in May, according to Carraway. He said the new building was in response to a growing need.

“As we began to grow, we just filled up our spaces,” he told Duplin Journal in a recent interview. “If we were going to continue to grow to provide more opportunities for our students and this community, we needed to have some more square footage. That was the idea — we’ve got to grow.”

When Carraway mentions growth at JSCC, he’s not referring to small numbers. He said he was shocked by the number of new students enrolling at the school.

Referring to the time he joined JSCC as president in 2019, Carraway said, “If somebody said put down what your expectations to be over the next seven years, it would not have been 83% growth in enrollment,” which is exactly what has happened at the campus.

Considering the campus is located in such a small community, Kenansville, Carraway attributes the phenomenal growth to “everyone doing their part.”

“We have a great market-

“As soon as we expanded, we had 10 more students in the class.”

Jay Carraway, JSCC president ing department, led by Meagan Turner,” he said. “We advertise, we go out and recruit.

It makes all the difference, and it funnels down to what we do in the classroom. I think we’re doing a good job of serving the students in every way.”

That 83% growth in enrollment leads us back to the new Workforce Development Center. The need to get the project going was not an overnight journey.

“I started making trips to Raleigh and speaking with Rep. (Jimmy) Dixon and Sen. (Brent) Jackson,” Carraway said. “We were able to get the funds we needed.”

It was not as simple as just raising the funds to build the large facility. They needed the blessing of the school’s trustees and the county commissioners.

“Facilities are a local responsibility for upkeep,” Carraway said. “When you expand, you need to have conversations with the county commissioners to make sure they are on board because the electric bill’s going to go up, the insur-

ance cost is going to go up, and maintenance and upkeep is going to go up. You don’t make that decision in a vacuum.”

While JSCC awaits completion of the new building, the college continues to grow. For example, it has already added ten welding booths to the existing welding facility.

“The reason we did that was because we had a waiting list,” Carraway said. “As soon as we expanded, we had 10 more students in the class.”

The board of JSCC has narrowed down the candidates seeking to replace Carraway to 10. The next JSCC president will have some big shoes to fill, despite Carraway’s reluctance to take credit for the school’s success over the past six years.

When asked about any pride he has in JSCC’s growth, he immediately credited the faculty and staff.

“The thing I’m the most proudest of at James Sprunt today is the high caliber people we have here, folks that could work anywhere in the system across the state,” he said.

“They’re good at what they do.

The vast majority of them are local. They grew up here.”

The new Workforce Development Center is not the end of growth at JSCC by any means.

Carraway told Duplin Journal the school has already selected land in the Wallace area where plans are in the works to build a satellite campus there.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County.

Jan. 17 Community Walk and Black History Program 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

St. Phillip AME Church of Rose Hill hosts its first Community Walk and Black History Program.

This free, all-ages event invites the community to pray, walk and honor African American mentors past and present. Come as you are, dress as a mentor or in Afrocentric attire, and enjoy reflections, speakers, dancers and music. On Jan. 18, Church History Program follows 11 a.m. worship. Bring a guest.

354 W. Church St., Rose Hill

Jan. 19 Freedom Ride 9:30 a.m.

Join the Freedom Ride, an MLK Observance, beginning at KEMBA. Riders will travel around Warsaw and conclude at Missionary Baptist Church for a 10 a.m. worship service honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Guest speakers will include the mayors of Fayetteville and Apex.

Warsaw

Jan. 23 Basics of Air Frying Workshop 10 a.m. to noon

Wishing YOU and YOURS a

Happy New Year 910-622-8409 • thislittlepigmarket@gmail.com • 123 West Main St., Wallace NC

WE ARE A WOMEN’S, MEN’S AND HOME BOUTIQUE WITH A HUGE VARIETY OF MERCHANDISE FROM: • Carhartt • Rainbow • Bridgewater Candle • Tyler Candle

• Justin Boots • Rada Cutlery • Simply Southern • Scout

& SO MUCH MORE! We also offer shoe repair! • Thank you for shopping local!

Have an air fryer you haven’t used yet, thinking about buying one or looking for new recipes? Join the Duplin County Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences team for a hands-on Basics of Air Frying Workshop.

Participants will learn how to cook with and care for an air fryer and explore different models during a live cooking demonstration.

The workshop will be held at the Cooperative Extension Office. The cost is $15. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, call 910-296-2143.

165 Agriculture Dr., Kenansville

Got a local event? Let us know and we’ll share it with the community here.

Email our newsroom at community@duplinjournal. com. Weekly deadline is Monday at noon.

Dec. 25 • Justin Pernell Ashford, 45, was arrested by Warsaw PD for possession of firearm by felon, driving while impaired, simple possession of Schedule VI controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

• Sean Bolton, 39, was arrested by Warsaw PD for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Gary Warren King, 45, was arrested

by DCSO for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Brittany Lynn Remines, 28, was arrested by DCSO for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Share with your community! Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@duplinjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at noon.

A3

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Challengers step up against Duplin incumbents Rare primary contests emerge in frequently unopposed seats

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — As Duplin County voters prepare for the primary elections, many local offices reflect both continuity and rare competition. Long-serving incumbents remain strong, while a few races are attracting challengers, giving voters new choices in familiar offices.

North Carolina’s primary elections give voters a chance to choose which candidates will represent each political party on the general election ballot. The 2026 statewide primary is scheduled for March 3, and the general

election will take place on Nov. 3.

In District 2, County Commissioner, Republican incumbent Dexter Edwards faces a primary challenge from newcomer Tiffany Ferrell. Edwards, who has served more than a decade, has historically run unopposed after his first term. In District 3, incumbent Justin Edwards is running unopposed. On the Board of Education, Pam Edwards (R, District 2) and David Jones (R, District 3) continue long tenures in seats that have transitioned from competitive races to Republican dominance in the last decade.

Local judicial and law enforcement races also feature contests.

Duplin County Clerk of Superior Court has a Republican primary between Amy Price and Crystal Strickland, while incumbent Sheriff Stratton Stokes faces Re-

CONTESTED PRIMARIES

U.S. House District 3 (D) U.S. Senate (Statewide)

County Commissioner, District 2 (R) Clerk of Superior Court (R) Sheriff (R) N.C. Senate District 9 (R) N.C. House District 4 (R)

UNOPPOSED

publican challengers Eric Southerland and Tony James. Incumbent District Attorney Ernie Lee, a Republican, seeks reelection without a primary challenger.

State legislative races also figure prominently in the county.

In North Carolina Senate District 9, incumbent Republican Brent Jackson faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican William W. Barbour. In House District 4, incumbent Republican Jimmy Dixon will compete

against newcomer Marcella Barbour in the GOP primary.

At the federal level, Duplin County voters will weigh in on U.S. House District 3, where Democrats Raymond Smith and Allison Jaslow are vying for the party nomination to challenge the Republican incumbent in November. The county will also participate in the statewide U.S. Senate primary, which features seven Republican candidates — Elizabeth A. Temple, Donald Brown,

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Duplin County Airport continues rapid expansion into 2026 Fuel farm, hangar construction and planning projects mark the next phase of growth

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

CONTACT US TODAY!

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117 W. Main St. • Wallace, NC 28466 • 910.536.3979

Happy New Year!

KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Airport is continuing an unprecedented pace of growth and development heading into 2026, with several projects launched in 2025 expected to be completed and new initiatives set to begin.

Airport Director Joshua Raynor said construction on a new fuel farm is expected to begin in March. The project will replace the existing fuel farm with new tanks and an improved enclosure wall.

Grant funding secured in 2025 allowed the airport to finalize project details and order the tanks.

By June, a new spec hangar is expected to be completed. The hangar will expand the airport’s capacity to accommodate business aircraft and attract new commercial users.

“We are hoping the new hangar will attract a new business,” Raynor said.

Additional projects are in the planning phase, including an apron rehabilitation design that will extend into 2026. Raynor said the design work will provide cost estimates, define the scope of work and include a lifecycle cost comparison between

MASSIVE SALE

New Year, New Appliances, New Furniture!

Michael Whatley, Margot Dupre, Richard Dansie, Michele Morrow, and Thomas Johnson — and six Democratic candidates — Daryl Farrow, Justin E. Dues, Roy Cooper, Robert Colon, Marcus W. Williams, and Orrick Quick.

Before 2014, many local offices had competitive, multiparty contests. Over the last decade, contests have gradually disappeared, leaving several districts — notably County Commissioner Districts 2 and 3 and Board of Education Districts 2 and 3 — dominated by long-term incumbents.

With a mix of entrenched officeholders and new challengers, this year’s primary offers a rare chance for voters to influence the direction of Duplin County government.

“Duplin County Airport plays an important role in supporting local economic growth by providing essential access for businesses, agriculture and industry.”

Joshua Raynor concrete and asphalt pavement.

The airport is also constructing a new maintenance facility with assistance from the Duplin County Economic Development Commission.

Raynor said the projects are intended to support long-term expansion and improve services for businesses that rely on the airport.

Despite the growth, the airport still has vacant positions it hopes to fill. Job openings are posted on the Duplin County website.

Raynor emphasized the airport’s broader economic role in the county.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to better serve the county and make it more attractive to potential businesses,” he said. “Duplin County Airport plays an important role in supporting local economic growth by providing essential access for businesses, agriculture and industry.”

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

As Duplin County Airport ramps up expansion projects, the entrance sign welcomes travelers and businesses to the growing facility.

SCHOOLS from page A1 than the allowed amount. Because of this limit, only two Duplin County schools qualified for submission.

“Out of the 115 traditional public school districts in NC, 10 were selected, with two of the schools selected being high schools,” Tyndall said. “One of the two high schools awarded the grant was East Duplin.”

Tyndall said the grant will fund a new gym with a public lobby, hallways and restrooms, as well as general renovations

throughout the school, including updated floors, walls, ceilings and lighting. The project will also cover renovations to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) buildings, staff restrooms, existing locker rooms, and improvements to secure the front entry.

Construction on the project is expected to begin within 24 months of receiving the grant.

While plans for renovations at other schools are under consideration, no additional projects have been finalized at this time.

A4

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | TERENCE P. JEFFREY

In a gloomy winter, read a couple of classic books Leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time.

AFTER CHRISTMAS is over and the sunrises start getting earlier and the sunsets later in the Northern Hemisphere, there are still two months of scarce daylight and lowering skies ahead.

Here’s a suggestion for how to fill the gloomy hours with uplift: read.

Read some great books, returning perhaps to those you ploughed through on school assignments so many years ago. Discover one of the pleasures of aging — how serious books turn out to be more interesting and enriching than what you remember from dutifully ploughing through them years ago.

Sit in a comfortable chair, turn off the television, remove distracting earbuds, leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time. Open up a book and give yourself uninterrupted hours to become immersed in a world created by a great writer many years ago.

I’ve been following this advice the last couple of winters after I started reflecting on how, despite being in two serious book groups, I was spending too much time reading ephemeral stuff and wasn’t reading anything serious beyond some excellent book group selections. I decided to concentrate my reading on weekends, spending long hours interrupted by little but leg-stretching and avoiding the difficulty of recalling the plot when reading just a chapter or two in the evenings just before bed.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in the opening words of “Anna Karenina.”

So I began with two books about families: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” and Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”

“Karamazov” I had read as a teenager around the time the Hollywood movie version was released. “Buddenbrooks” I went through two

decades ago. Reading them as an adult was a far richer experience, both emotionally and as a contrast in national character. The two books are set at opposite ends of the Baltic Sea: the German book in the orderly commercial Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the Russian in a town resembling Dostoevsky’s ramshackle provincial hometown of Staraya Russa.

For last winter, I recalled Ernest Hemingway’s comment that “all American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn.’” I remembered it as the sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the story of a pleasant picaresque journey, and, of course, I had often heard how it was banned from school reading lists because of its frequent use of the N-word.

What I wasn’t prepared for was, first, the book’s scathing denunciation, veiled as humor or just everyday observation, of slavery. It was published in 1884, less than a decade after the nation basically abandoned Reconstruction and its noble goal of achieving equal rights for black people. Reading it first as a teenager, I also didn’t remember the story of a boy becoming a man, mentored by Jim, the slave to whom he initially condescends and once nearly betrays.

I paired it with two other books of adolescent boys on picturesque but perilous journeys: Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” written as a boys’ book that I read as a seventh grader in a boys’ school, and Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” set in British India. Both are stirring narratives set in exotic locations that are easier to envision if you’ve done some tourism in the Caribbean and the subcontinent.

Were they both influenced by “Huckleberry Finn”? Maybe. Stevenson and Kipling, 15 and 30 years younger, respectively, than Twain, each dropped in on him on cross-country American trips and were received warmly, and each of

them and Twain became mutual admirers. There was more contact between American and British writers in the late 19th century than I would have guessed — and a readiness by at least some Brits in admiring Twain as a model.

This year, with fellow members of a book group, I have spent dark afternoons and long evenings on the 767 pages of Anthony Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now.” It was written in five months in 1873 and centered on a fabulously wealthy but crooked financier, and it features the author’s characteristically vivid female characters contemplating bad choices in marriage.

I plan on soon rereading, after three or four decades, Honore de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions,” also with a dubious financier in the background.

Both books also have delicious descriptions of businesses the authors knew firsthand, publishing and journalism.

Trollope shows an untalented female author trying to arrange, with editors of major publications, favorable reviews of her dreadful books. One ends up proposing marriage and advising her not to write a second novel. Balzac shows the young protagonist’s sudden success as a scandal-mongering journalist in Paris, and then being disgraced when it’s discovered that his sources are fictitious.

Unhappy families in provincial, perilous journeys in picturesque territory, financial and literary scandals in booming capitals: Great writers of the past take us to places and introduce us to people who, despite having been imagined years ago, turn out to be vaguely familiar to what we see around us now. And they’re readily available: Just sit down with a volume in hand in a comfortable chair. In the meantime, happy New Year.

Terence P. Jeffrey is editor in chief of Newsbusters.

COLUMN | MICHAEL GLASSNER

Left’s war on free speech moving from social media to TV Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty.

WHEN ELON MUSK bought X, formerly Twitter, and refused to comply with the global censorship regime, he became a target overnight — especially for European Union bureaucrats determined to reassert control over online speech. The EU’s latest effort to slap X with a $140 million penalty is just the most recent example of that campaign.

The EU claims the fine is due to X allowing users to purchase verification checkmarks without the platform independently confirming their identities.

Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty. From the Federalist Papers onward, anonymity has protected dissent, whistleblowers and political minorities. But Europe does not afford such freedom. That’s why Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the EU’s X fine, suggesting it is retaliation for Musk’s refusal to censor speech at the EU’s direction.

In 2023, the EU opened an investigation into the company for “disinformation,” and Musk drew the ire of European regulators for refusing to remove an interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from his platform.

Musk is, of course, an outlier in the tech world. Most of his peers in the industry genuflect to the demands of various governments and are willing to restrict disfavored views.

The House Judiciary Committee formally detailed the relationship between tech giants and the Biden administration, which repeatedly demanded that Americans’ views be taken offline. According to the committee, it

suppressed or took down the views of doctors, scientists and commentators who did not align with the government narrative that COVID originated from a pangolin sold at a wet market in China — not a laboratory in Wuhan. From shifting search results to “fact-checkers” that tech companies employed to discredit skeptics, Big Tech and its market dominance played a critical role in censoring Americans.

This is the real lesson of the last five years: The power to decide what billions of people see is the ultimate form of control.

That is one of the reasons Trump expressed concern about Netflix potentially gaining control of one of its most prominent rivals, Warner Bros. Discovery — the company that owns HBO Max and the entire HBO catalog.

If Big Tech showed us anything over the last five years, it’s how ruthlessly willing it is to silence, throttle and bury any story, voice or idea that threatens the approved narrative, even when those ideas later turn out to be true. Now imagine that same censorship strength, only this time it’s not coming from a search engine or a social platform you can (in theory) walk away from. It’s coming from inside your television.

Netflix already has 301 million subscribers, and the merger will create a 400 million-subscriber base, making Netflix the most powerful cultural ministry the world has ever seen. What Silicon Valley did to information with algorithms and shadow-bans, this new mega-studio will do to imagination itself — quietly, seamlessly and with a smile from the next autoplay.

If Big Tech taught us how easy it is to kill a

story, a merged Netflix–Warner will teach us how easy it is to destroy an entire worldview, one canceled series, one “content moderation” decision, one algorithm tweak at a time. And this time, there will be almost nowhere left to escape.

Netflix has built an empire on content that consistently promotes left-wing ideologies, striking multimillion-dollar deals with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce politically charged documentaries and making multimillion-dollar investments in films spotlighting progressive figures, such as the $10 million acquisition of “Knock Down the House,” which celebrates socialist firebrand Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other insurgent socialist Democrats.

Critics such as film reviewer Armond White have characterized the platform as a “propaganda machine” for its relentless promotion of social justice narratives. White termed the marriage between Netflix and the Obamas as the creation of a new Ministry of Propaganda. That Ministry will expand exponentially should this deal be consummated and approved by the government.

Where Big Tech once limited speech with bans and shadow banning, this new giant will regulate thought itself: deciding which histories are retold, which heroes are celebrated and which taboos are normalized for the next generation.

Michael Glassner is chief operating officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

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Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Duplin Destinations | Rediscovering the Heart of Faison

A small-town park that blends history, community spirit, hometown pride

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal IF YOU TRAVEL across the entire country to the land of movie stars and Rodeo Drive, you will learn from the locals around Hollywood, California, that they rarely venture to areas like Hollywood Boulevard or other local attractions. They just seem to take those parts of the area for granted.

The same thing happens in local areas all over the country, including Duplin County. People know there are local attractions, but they often choose to go someplace else to sightsee or take in some recreation. In this new monthly series, “Duplin Destinations,” we hope to introduce, or reintroduce, readers to many local gems that are worth the short trip to visit, see and enjoy.

In the northern part of Duplin County, in the town of Faison, one such gem is the community park located in the heart of town. Visiting the park is like a trip back to a simpler time, when most events centered around a community gathering place. That still exists in Faison.

Not only does the park feature what you would expect in a town park — a playground and ballfields — it also is home to a quaint library that has the appearance of a small-town train depot. It’s named the Emily Hill Library and is no doubt a must-see for book lovers.

Also on-site is a large indoor recreational facility known as the Anne Stroud Taylor Recreation and Wellness Center that is home to a basketball court and rooms for classes through the town’s rec department.

A great sense of pride in Faison comes from it being the home of Dr. William Thorton, a graduate of Faison High School who entered the Air Force before eventually serving as a NASA astronaut. During his career, Thorton logged 313 hours in space serving on Space Shuttle missions STS-8 and STS-51-B. The Faison Park is now home

AHEAD from page A1 continues to grow in a way that benefits residents today and for years to come,” she said.

Beyond economic development, county leaders say investments in public facilities and community services are equally important. Shields said she hopes residents will recognize the county’s focus on meeting needs across all stages of life.

“When I imagine the county a few years from now, I hope residents are most proud of how intentionally we invested in the citizens,” Shields said.

Recent and ongoing projects include a newly constructed Senior and Veteran Services building, a new Public Transportation building and the Workforce Development Center at James Sprunt Community College.

“We are building pathways to

to a large stone memorial that pays tribute to this native son.

It is definitely an attraction for history and space lovers visiting the park.

As the nation approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, Faison will also be celebrating the town’s 250th anniversary. That should make for another good reason to visit the neat town park in the center of Faison.

Top, the Emily Hill Library takes center stage in the Faison Community Park. Its small-town train depot look adds to the charm of the building that draws in book lovers visiting the park.

The library is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Bottom left, a must-see at Faison Park for space lovers and history buffs is the large stone memorial paying tribute to Faison native and NASA astronaut William Thornton. Bottom right, the Anne Stroud Taylor Recreation and Wellness Center, located in the park in the center of Faison, is a popular facility in town.

education and good-paying jobs right here in our county.”

Interim County Manager Lisa Hughes said recent progress is part of a broader momentum for the county, made possible in part by securing outside funding to support major projects without placing additional strain on local taxpayers.

Several large-scale projects are already underway. Hughes said a new detention center is scheduled to open in March, relocating a division of the Sheriff’s Office from downtown Kenansville. Leadership planning is also underway.

“The Board of Commissioners has begun its search for the next county manager, who will be selected and hired in the first quarter of 2026,” Hughes said.

Education is also a major focus. Hughes said one project expected to have a significant im-

spaces that promote wellness and community connection for all ages,” Shields told Duplin Journal. “We want growth. We have plans. We have a future.”

Shields said she hopes residents will look back on the current period as a turning point, one marked by intentional planning and investment.

“My hope is that residents look back and see this was a time we planned for the future by envisioning all the possibilities we have in our county,” Shields said.

Looking ahead, Hughes said she hopes residents will take pride in both the opportunities available to them and the people providing county services.

Together, county leaders say the projects underway reflect a shared goal of thoughtful growth that benefits residents now and in the years ahead.

PHOTOS BY MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

“My hope is that residents look back and see this was a time we planned for the future by envisioning all the possibilities we have in our county.”

Carrie Shields pact on families’ everyday lives is the renovation of East Duplin High School.

“In collaboration with the Board of Education, we have secured state funds for a complete renovation of the East Duplin High School,” Hughes said. “Improvements to facilities utilizing state and federal funds help lessen the financial burden on the use of local funds.”

Community gathering spaces are also part of the county’s long-range vision as the Duplin County Events Center con-

tinues to bring people together through concerts and community events, providing both entertainment and economic activity while giving residents a place to gather.

Looking ahead, county officials are developing a master plan for Cabin Lake County Park, with an emphasis on creating connection across generations.

“We are working on a master development plan for Cabin Lake County Park, which creates thoughtfully designed

A6

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Happy New Year from Our Family to Yours!

Wallace residents bring ‘food trailer ministry’ home Inspired by a West Virginia mission, local church members serve free meals

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By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal WALLACE — When Brandon Kelley of Wallace went on a mission trip to West Virginia a few years ago, he didn’t know the trip would result in a calling to create a new ministry back home. He joined others on the mission to a town that had been greatly affected by the closure of a coal mine, leaving people without jobs or the economic resources to move elsewhere.

Kelley noticed something a church in the area was doing to help.

“We saw they had a food trailer there,” Kelley said in an interview with Duplin Journal. “They went out in the community and served food.

It was all free just to share the Gospel.”

On a second trip to the area, he talked with church members who sponsored the food trailer in West Virginia.

What they were doing stayed with him long after returning to Wallace.

“God was just laying on my heart this was an awesome ministry,” he said. “I shared with Jimmy Crumpler and our

wives. We began to feel this is where God was leading us.”

Heeding that calling, they worked to bring the concept of a food trailer ministry to this area in North Carolina.

“Within a year, out of two fundraisers, we were able to purchase a $60,000 food trailer,” Kelley said. “The community came together and helped us.”

They named the food trailer Fish & Loaves.

Kelley and his wife, along with the Crumplers, take the food trailer to schools, churches and community events, including the Wallace Christmas Parade in December, where they set up beside the Wallace Depot and prepared 500 hot dogs to serve after the parade.

“Everything we do is free,” Kelley said, adding they are able to do that thanks to food and financial donations.

Kelley said it was very important to get out into the community and have ministries outside of the church.

“A lot of times, we get the misconception that the church is the building, but we’re the church,” he said. “Jesus didn’t sit in the temple and preach. He met them where they were. That’s our goal, to meet the need of the people physically through food, but most importantly, spiritually through the Gospel.”

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Top, Brandon Kelley of Wallace, one of the founders of the Fish & Loaves food trailer ministry, stands in front of the $60,000 food trailer used to visit communities and feed people physically and spiritually. Bottom, Sarah Kelley of the Fish & Loaves food trailer ministry prepares hot dogs to serve for free after the Wallace Christmas Parade.

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DUPLIN SPORTS TOP 20 TEAM STORIES OF 2025

PHOTOS BY EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Wallace-Rose Hill captured its fourth NCHSAA title by beating Polk County 2-0 at Guilford College.

Bulldogs’ state soccer title was ultimate accomplishment WRH’s fourth title beats out Tigers football and Crusaders basketball to become the top story of 2025

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal TEACHEY — Wallace-Rose Hill’s journey to a fourth state soccer title came together after a 4-3 overtime win against Goldsboro in its first Swine Valley 2A/3A match Sept. 17.

First-year head coach Aaron Murray shook his head and went to work on the new blueprint, given the Bulldogs went 2-4-1 in nonconference play.

It started with the defense and

goalie Angel Seville, who gave up just three scores in the nine league games that followed, all of which were wins.

The intensity in front of the net didn’t stop as WRH and Seville allowed five goals in five playoff matches.

Timely scoring followed as senior 3A all-state striker Alex Funes became impossible for the opposition to mark.

He scored 24 goals and dished out 14 assists, but unlike a season ago, other players got involved in the offense.

Classmates Steven Acosta (15 goals, six assists) and Gabriel Cubas (four goals, 12 assists) stepped up, as did freshman Wilmer Flores (16 goals, 14 assists).

Meanwhile, juniors Junior Ayestas and Cristian Calderon settled the midfield by making steals, efficient passes and keeping possession of the ball.

Suddenly, WRH had won 12 straight and entered the playoffs as Swine Valley champ and the No. 2 seed in the field.

The Bulldogs dusted off No. 18 Eastern Randolph 6-1 after a first-round See TEAMS, page B4

Brayan Sanchez, Iker Alvarado, Steven Acosta and Felix Funes celebrate Alvarado’s score during a 2-0 win over Polk County.

TOP 23 INDIVIDUAL STORIES OF 2025

Funes’ MVP performance in 3A soccer final stands tall WRH’s Felix Funes overcame the accomplishments of classmates Jamarae Lamb and Jansley Page, ND’s Trashawn Ruffin, ED’s Kinsey Cave and JK’s Jeremiah Hall to be the brightest light on Duplin’s sports marquee

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Felix Funes’ scoring was a key to WRH’s 3A soccer state title.

TEACHEY — Every athlete dreams of playing in the biggest game and coming out a hero, even most of the ones who say they don’t.

It’s as much a part of sports as the ball soccer players kick.

Yet few indeed ever get the chance to come through on the highest stage.

Wallace-Rose Hill’s Felix Funez will know about that moment and sport “tingle” the rest of his life after being named MVP of the 3A

state finals after the Bulldogs whipped Polk County.

The Bulldogs striker had an assist and a goal while firing 10 shots at the goalkeeper in a 2-0 win.

The senior scored two goals in three playoff games and had two one-goal matches during the playoffs as part of his Duplin-leading 28 goals — and 14 assists.

He scored in 19 games, nine times leaving the pitch with a deuce.

Funez did all that despite being double- and triple-team and played physically by the

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opposition. He may have already locked up the Duplin honor of being Mr. Soccer.

He guided WRH to its fourth title, and first since 2016. The Bulldogs won consecutive crowns in 2013 and 2014.

WRH loyalists were concerned entering the season following the loss of two-time all-state 2A forward Alex Zepeda, who scored 48 times in 2024 and 45 times in 2023, playing in the East-West NC Coaches game last summer.

Several Bulldogs players had big moments.

None stood taller than Funez hoisting both the team and MVP trophies on the pitch of Guildford College.

See PLAYERS, page B3

B2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

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Wallace-Rose Hill, basketball Darrius McCrimmon, a lock-down defensive back in football, has carried his in-your-face play to the Walllace-Rose Hill basketball team.

“He’s by far our best defender so far and playing great basketball,” said WRH head coach Dustin Squibb, whose Bulldogs started out 4-1.

The senior guard is averaging 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 4.2 steals.

“He’s guarding the best player on teams we play yet also showing he has the ability to take it to the rim or knock down a jumper,” Squibb said.

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press NEW YORK — Sports were turned upside down 50 years ago by a man who never threw or kicked a ball.

A lawyer with expertise in labor relations struck down Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, which had bound players to their teams since the 1870s.

No one could have predicted then that the 65-page decision issued Dec. 23, 1975, by arbitrator Peter Seitz — who later compared baseball owners to “the French barons of the 12th century” — would lead to an upheaval that made thousands of players multimillionaires.

“The real floodgates opened after that,” former pitcher David Cone said. “Players were finally, in all walks of life, in all sports, were finally able to see what, hey, what free agency really looks like. There was all the doom and gloom back then from one side that said: ‘This is going to ruin the game. It’s not sustainable.’ And actually, it was just the opposite. It made the game better.”

Baseball’s average salary was $44,676 at the time of the decision, $260,909 in current dollars, and climbed to about $5 million this year, a 112-fold increase.

Seitz’s decision was followed by free agency upheavals in the NFL, NBA, NFL and European soccer.

Curt Flood had lost a lawsuit arguing for free agency in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld baseball’s antitrust exemption, ruling it was up to Congress to make any change.

In December 1974, Catfish Hunter was set free on a technicality when Seitz concluded Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley failed to make a $50,000 payment into a long-term annuity fund as specified in the pitcher’s contract. Following a bidding war, Hunter signed a five-year con-

AP PHOTO

Baltimore Orioles Dave McNally, a free agency pioneer, delivers a pitch in a 1974 game. tract with the New York Yankees for about $3.2 million.

“We saw this huge contract, it was like reading from another world,” recalled former All-Star pitcher Steve Rogers, among the first beneficiaries of free agency and later a longtime union official. “The magnitude was just unheard of, the number of dollars that were guaranteed to him. It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Language in each player agreement stated the club could “renew this contract for the period of one year on the same terms,″ except that the salary could be cut by as much as 20%. After playing the 1975 season under renewals, Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave McNally of the Montreal Expos maintained in a grievance the renewal period was one year only and they should be declared free.

Following a three-day hearing that generated an 842-page transcript and 97 exhibits, Seitz urged owners to settle the case as late as Dec. 9. Then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn urged owners to fire Seitz before a decision, but management’s Play-

er Relations Committee refused because it was afraid of bad publicity.

Seitz ruled for the union.

Management fired Seitz that afternoon and vowed to overturn the decision in federal court.

Seitz’s decision was upheld in February 1976 by U.S. District Judge John W. Oliver and affirmed the following month by an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of Judges Floyd Robert Gibson, Gerald Heaney and Roy Laverne Stephenson.

That July 12, players and owners agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement creating one-time free agency for all players after 1976 or 1977 and going forward after six seasons of major league service, which is still in place. Future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were among the first players to gain free-agent riches.

“The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,″ Moss, who died last year, said in 2020.

“I think one can make a case that we’ve spent the last two-plus decades trying to reestablish some reasonable equilibrium,″ then-commissioner Bud Selig said in 2000.

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B3

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

PLAYERS from page B1 2. ND LINEMAN TRASHAWN RUFFIN SIGNS WITH UNC The road to Chapel Hill wasn’t a direct route for Trashan Ruffin.

ND’s 6-foot-4, 315-pound two-way lineman originally signed to play at Texas A&M. But the Rebels’ senior shifted gears earlier this year to play for new UNC coach Bill Belichick.

And though the Tar Heels struggled to a 4-8 mark, Ruffin isn’t backing away from going to UNC to turn the tide.

The Tar Heels lost to in-state rivals NC State, Duke, Wake Forest by a combined total of 102-54. So there’s some work to be done.

3. WRH’S JAMARAE LAMB WILL PLAY AT LENOIR-RHYNE Jamarae Lamb, who ran for the third-most yards in the state (2,398 and 30 TDs), signed to play football at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne. Lamb, who averaged 105 yards per game in 2024, nearly doubled his output from as a senior to 202, while averaging 8.8 each time he carried the ball.

4. HCA’S ANTONIO MCKOY SIGNS TO PLAY AT WESTERN CAROLINA Harrells Christian Academy’s Antonio McKoy signed to play basketball with Division I Western Carolina next winter.

McKoy, who is averaging 25.6 points for the 10-1 Crusaders, was the main force in HCA’s 30-3 campaign in 2025.

5. ED’S JA’MYAH PICKETT WINS DOUBLE BRONZE AT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP The Panthers’ Ja’Myah Pickett captured bronze medals in the shot put and discus at last spring’s 2A state finals. Pickett made school history by becoming the first athlete from ED to win three individual gold medals at the regional meet, and he took first in the shot put, discus and high jump and landed third in the triple jump at the field championships. She was also a power forward on the basketball team that went 48-8 the past two seasons.

6. ED’S SHAWN DAVIS TO PLAY E-W ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME Panthers FB/MLB Shawn Davis was selected to play in the NC Football Coaches’ East-West all-star game Dec. 21 in Greensboro. Davis is coming off a 1,207-yard, 16-touchdown season in which he made 7.4 tackles per game. He had 1,464- and 1,144-yard campaigns his first two seasons and has 54 career touchdowns.

7. JK RB JEREMIAH HALL HAS BREAKOUT SEASON Jeremiah Hall wanted to do something big for JK this fall.

And did he ever succeed.

The senior running back pushed for 2,051 yards, which was the most yardage by a Tigers back in as least this quarter-century. He pushed away the stardard of recent JK HOF inductee Marcelias Sutton (1,804 yards in 2012).

The Tigers went 12-2 and lost to Kinston in the 3A East Region final.

EDWARDO PUAC/ DUPLIN JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, Kinsey Cave has led ED to 49 wins in the past two seasons. Right, Jeremiah Hall ran for more yards than any Tiger in the past quarter-century.

ED’s Kyle Kern became Mr. Baseball shortly after becoming the top strikeout pitcher in the state. The June grad whiffed 138 in 68 innings.

He was 5-2 with a 1.75 ERA and had 11 outings of nine or more strikeouts.

8. ND RB CARELL PHILLIPS CONCLUDES HISTORIC CAREER Rebels running back Carell Phillips upped his game this fall to run for 2,049 yards and 28 touchdowns, a season after pushing it to 1,913 yards and 31 scores.

Phillips’ four-season total is 4,876 yards and 70 touchdowns for ND.

20. ND’S DONAVAN ARMWOOD IS MR. BASKETBALL Donavan Armwood, who averaged a county-high 17.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, followed the path of former teammate and older brother Dujuan (2023) to become Mr. Basketball.

9. ND’S ADDY HIGGINBOTHAM SIGNS TO PLAY SOFTBALL AT WINGATE Ms. Softball Addy Higginbotham hit .560 with seven doubles, eight triples, a homer and scored 28 runs in her final season before signing to play softball at Wingate University.

10. KINSEY CAVE WINS SECOND MS. BASKETBALL HONOR ED junior Kinsey Cave captured her second Ms. Basketball honor last winter by pacing the Panthers to a 25-3 mark.

11. WRH’S JANSLEY PAGE IS MS. VOLLEYBALL, 3A PLAYER OF THE YEAR WRH’s Jansley Page capped an outstanding four-year career by winning Ms. Volleyball in a close race with teammate Angelina Cavallaro, who had won it the previous two seasons. It all worked for the good of the Bulldogs, though, who won a share of two league titles in as many years and have gone 77-18 in the past four seasons.

12. ED’S GAVIN HOLMES IS ALL-STATE 2A SHORTSTOP If pitcher Kyle Kern, the state’s strikeout leader, was the straw to stir ED’s baseball beverage, Gavin Holmes was certainly the offensive ice.

The sophomore all-state 2A shortstop lead the Panthers in average (.352), on-base-percentage (.495), doubles (10), runs (27) and stolen bases (17).

The Panthers rebounded from a 10-12 mark in 2024 to go 13-9 and tie North Lenoir for second place. League winner South Lenior was the 2A runner-up.

EDWARDO PUAC/ DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED’s Karsnyn Parker was named a 2A all-state softball player.

13. ELI AVENT LIFTS JK BASEBALL, LEGION TEAM Eli Avent hit .500 and stole 28 bases last spring for James Kenan and then showed the rest of the state what he could do as the leadoff hitter of Beulaville Post 511, which made it to the American Legion Senior State Tournament.

14. ED HOOPS COACH MARK LANE WINS 300TH GAME ED girls’ basketball coach Mark Lane went over the 300-win plateau last winter. Lane has led the Panthers to nine 20-win seasons.

ED has gone 24-5 and 24-5 in back-to-back seasons and returns guard Kinsey Cave, one of the best players in the East.

15. WRH OC ADAM SCRONCE NAMED HOBBTON’S NEW GRID COACH Longtime WRH offensive coordinator Adam Scronce accepted the head coaching job at Hobbton and led the Wildcats to a 7-5 mark, which included a second-round loss to 2A champ Tarboro.

Scronce coached in eight state championships in 12 of his previous 20 years coached in or was a game away from the title game.

16. PAT BYRD NAMED ASSISTANT FOR EAST-WEST FOOTBALL GAME James Kenan grad Pat Byrd was an assistant coach in the NC Coaches Association’s East-West Football game in Greensboro.

Byrd was the offensive coordinator of 6A Jackson, whose only loss last season was in the East Region final. In 2024, he coached Richlands to a 9-2 mark.

17. FIVE SOFTBALL PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-STATE TEAMS ED’s Karsyn Parker (.406) and JK’s Jourdan Joe (.480) were all-state 2A softball selections as were ND’s Lilly Fulghum (.632), Addy Higginbotham (.560) and Marrisa Bernal (.447) in the 1A classification.

18. ND’S TATEWAYNA FAISON COMPLETES BANNER FOUR-YEAR BASKETBALL CAREER Tatewayna Faison scored more than 1,000 points and had more than 1,000 rebound to conclude her four-year career at ND. Faison is playing Division I basketball at Fayetteville Tech.

19. ED’S KYLE KERN AMONG STATE’S STRIKEOUT LEADERS

21. MS. SOCCER MIRANDA ROBLERO ON ED’S SOCCER RUN Senior Miranda Roblero scored four playoff goals in three games to send ED to the fourth round of the 2A soccer tournament last spring. She rallied the No. 9 Panthers to upset wins over higher seeds in the first three rounds and scored six of her 12 goals in her final six matches in a Panthers uniform.

22. WRH’S JUNIOR AYESTAS TO 3A ALL-STATE SOCCER TEAM Bulldogs midfielder Junior Ayestas, who was given the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award shortly before WRH beat Polk County at Guilford College for the 3A title, was selected by the NC Carolina Soccer Coaches Association to spot on its all-state 3A team.

23. ED’S KEESHON MCKINNIE VOTED ECC’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Keeshon Mckinnie had a way of disrupting plays and was named Defensive Player of the Year in the East Central 3A/4A Conference. The junior averaged 10.8-tackles per game, had four sacks, three interceptions and caused three fumbles.

Offensively, he ran for 234 yards and four touchdowns and caught nine passes for 176 yards and three scores.

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B4

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

TEAMS from page B1 bye and then popped for an 8-1 triumph over No. 7 Trinity.

WRH blanked No. 3 Greene Central 2-0 in a match in which Rams head coach Jacob Baird said the Bulldogs defense was the difference while also saying his team couldn’t keep up with the pace.

The story was similar as Polk County went down in defeat for the first time this season, though the senior-heavy Wolverines had three ties.

It was supposed to be “their year.” Instead it was Murray’s Bulldogs that showed up in mass in the stands to watch WRH methodically burn Polk County’s dream.

Murray was on WRH’s last state-title team in 2016. WRH also toted home crown in 2013 and 2014. All three squads were coached by Michael Graybar.

2. JK FOOTBALL WINS SWINE VALLEY, FALLS IN EAST REGION FINAL TO FINISH 12-2 Fireworks, food trucks, family, friends and football went together well on Friday nights in Warsaw last fall.

James Kenan, won a conference title for the second consecutive season by rolling to its second 12-2 campaign.

And while the Tigers lost to Kinston 30-7 in the East Region final on Dec. 4, finding a negative is nearly impossible.

Head coach Tim Grady, OC John Bert Avent and the JK staff got the Tigers to play unbelievably on the offensive front while the defense was improving and progressing each game.

JK’s speedy skill position players — running back/wide outs Jeremiah Hall, CJ Hill, David Zeleya and Taulil Pearsall, and quarterback Eli Avent and his twin brother, FB/TE Cal Avent, turned little opening into breakout scores.

Meanwhile, free safety Zeleya, strong safety Zamarion Smith, defensive tackles Cal Avent and Stedman McIver were knocking down ball carriers as if they were practice dummies.

The No. 1 seed took down WRH 26-7 in the second round, two weeks after it slipped past its rivel 20-16.

JK then posted back-to-back 50-point games to push over Ayden-Grifton (54-26) and Farmville Central (51-32) in games that were not as close as the score indicated.

And while the Tigers will have heavy graduation losses, the championship feeling has returned to Bill Taylor Field, where JK has gone 13-1 in the past two seasons.

3. NCHSAA ADDS FOUR CLASSIFICATIONS TO CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE OF CONFERENCES The NCHSAA realigned its 440-plus schools from four to eight classifications. Locally, that meant ED would be a 4A school, JK and WRH 3A and ND 2A. The move would put ED and JK in the Swine Valley 2A/3A with Midway, Spring Creek, Princeton and Rosewood, the lone 2A school. ED stayed in the ECC, which became a 3A/4A league, but the Panthers were no longer connected to their longtime Duplin rivals JK and WRH. The new ECC features Clinton, Southwest Onslow and ED as 4A schools, with Trask,

tlist which was 12-0. The latter setback came in the semifinals.

The Crusaders were paced by running back Jeremiah Davis (93-1,238 yards, 12 touchdowns), quarterback Reid Strickland (40-70 for 785 yards and 13 scores) and multipurpose back, wideout, kick returner specialist Dashaun McKoy (13422, 7 TDs receiving, 33-275 yard, 4 TDs rushing).

McKoy will not return in 2026, but most of the Clayton Hall’s team will return to Murphy-Johnson Field.

PHOTOS BY EDWARDO PUAC/ DUPLIN JOURNAL

Left, Dashaun McKoy and HCA finished the season with a 30-3 record. Right, Lilly Fulghum powered ND to a CC 1A title.

South Lenoir and Pender as 3A schools.

ND went to a split 1A/2A Carolina Conference with former members Lakewood, Hobbton and Union, along with new additions East Bladen, West Columbus and East Columbus.

4. HCA BASKETBALL STREAKS TO 30-3, NCISAA 2A SEMIFINAL BERTH Western Carolina signee Anthony McKoy (28.5 points per game), cousin Dashaun McKoy (14.1) and Zicareian McNeill (14-1) were the scoring punch behind Harrells Christian Academy’s 30-3 campaign. The Crusaders won the NCISAA’s Big East Conference and league tournament flags by pushing over loop nemesis Fayetteville Academy three times. HCA (30-3) lost 53-48 to the Burlington School in the 2A semifinals.

5. WRH VOLLEYBALL NAB SHARE OF TITLE, SECOND-STRAIGHT 21-WIN SEASON All-state 3A players Jansley Page, Angelina Cavallaro and Mattie Gavin ended a fouryear 77-18 run with their second consecutive 21-win season. It was the second time in 40 years WRH won or shared a conference title.

6. ED VOLLEYBALL WINS ECC, ADVANCES TO FOURTH ROUND DURING 15-MATCH STREAK The Panthers won 15 straight matches to finish 22-3 under longtime coach Susan Raynor. They were led by all-Duplin first team underclassmen Kinsey Cave and Karsyn Parker, and seniors Zoe Cavanaugh and Zoe Turner.

7. ED GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM WINS ECC TITLE , FALLS IN FOURTH ROUND East Duplin went 12-0 in ECC play to overcame rival Southwest Onslow for the league title.

Kinsey Cave, Ja’Myah Pickett, Carrie Carr and Makya Kornegay led the Panthers to a 25-3 mark and a fourth round playoff exit following a loss to Seaforth.

third round of the playoffs to finish 9-3.

ED whipped Clinton 20-13 and handed Pender its first loss of the season en route to its league crown.

9. ND CONTINUES AS SOFTBALL POWER North Duplin isn’t a power softball program because it has a lot of players who play the game year-round.

Year-rounders and Division I signees Addy Higginbotham (.560) and Lilly Fulghum (.623) joined Marrissa Bernal (.447) on the all-state 1A coaches list, while Addy Spence (.396) and Abigeal Norris (.378) made significant contributions as ND won a Carolina Conference and advanced to the third round of the playoffs before falling to No. 6 Bear Grass (22-5).

No. 6 ND finished 14-4 and will return all but Ms. Softball Higginbotham, who is playing at Wingate University. Fulghum is heading to Charlotte next fall, leaving a lot of talent on the ND bench for head coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham.

10. ED TRACK AND FIELD GIRLS CAPTURES FIRST REGION TITLE Ja’Myah Pickett won the shot put, discus and high jump and was third in the triple jump to lead the ED girls to a 2A regional team championship.

Miranda Roblero (1,600), Bella Gaby (110 hurdles) and Alaina DelaRosa (3,200) added fifth-place finishes. Jakayla Carr (300 hurdles) and Angel Hernandez (3,200) added sixth-place showings, and Cierra Pickett was seventh in the shot put.

ED won by 11 over second-place Manteo after falling by a single point to the Dare County school.

11. ED GIRLS’ SOCCER GOES ON SEASON-ENDING RUN

The Panthers went unbeaten in East Central 3A/4A Conference play to win their first league crown since 2022. ED, which was 6-6 in 2023, beat WRH on opening night 21-0 and then suffered losses to East Region finalists Jame Kenan (3A) and Jacksonville (6A).

They reeled off six consecutive wins before losing 44-41 to Southwest Edgecombe in the

Veteran soccer coach Joey Jones was given the shock of his career last spring when his Panthers caught fire and advanced to the fourth round of the 2A playoffs.1 No. 10 ED tripped No. 14 Camden County (1-0 in OT), No. 3 Princeton (3-2) and No. 6 Washington (3-1) before having its Cinderella run end against No. 2 Roanoke Rapids (5-0).

ED was playing without its best player — sophomore speedster Anamarie Rodriguez — and two other key players. Miranda Roblero earned her Ms. Soccer crown by scoring once against Camden and Princeton, and twice versus Washington.

She scored half of her 16 goals in her final six games.

executed by Jennifer Alice Elland, unmarried woman, dated November 29, 2022 and recorded on November 29, 2022 in Book 2016 at Page 854 of the Duplin County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Jennifer Alice Elland, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Alabama Housing Finance Authority.

The Commissioner will offer for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction 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 January 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Duplin County, North Carolina and described as follows: Situated in the Town of Beulaville, on the west side of a new street leading from Broad Street to Kennedy, on the west side of a new street leading from Broad Street to Kennedy Cemetery and described as follows: BEGINNING at a stake on the west side of said new street, Avon Sharpe’s southeast corner of a lot he purchased from the grantors herein and runs thence with Sharpe’s line North 76-1/2 West 75 feet to a stake, the Exum corner, thence with the Exum line South 16 West 100 feet to the Broad Branch canal; thence easterly with

said canal approximately South 35 East 128 feet to a stake in the West margin of said new street; thence the western margin of said new street North 8-3/4 East 185 feet to the beginning, containing 0.27 ACRE, more or less.

The above described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health, or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed.

The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the judge or clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies

8. ED FOOTBALL CAPTURES ECC TITLE

12. WRH FOOTBALL STRUGGLES TO 6-6 RECORD It was a tough season for the Bulldogs as one of the small-school juggernauts struggled to finish .500, getting bailed out in part because running back Jamarae Lamb totaled the thirdmost yards in the state (2,398 and 30 touchdowns).

WRH has more than 600 wins in football, seven state titles and numerous runs into the finals and region finals. Its last losing season was 2008.

Rival ED was 6-6 in 2024. Its last plunge below .500 was the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

JK, a 3A rival, was sub-.500 that same season. ND’s last slip was the next campaign (2021).

13. ND FOOTBALL HAS SECOND CONSECUTIVE 10-WIN CAMPAIGN Hugh Martin, ND head coach for the past 20 years, guided the Rebels to their second-straight 10-win season. ND’s 29-6 mark the previous three seasons is third all-time for that span.

Martin (31-11 from ’06 to ’08) and the school’s second coach, Richard Kaleel (31-6 from ’70’72), share the school record.

ND’s all-time wins leader, Ken Avent Sr. (172-105 in 25 seasons), had a pair of great three-year runs, going 27-8 from ’90-’92 and 28-7 from ’77 to ’79.

Martin (158-123 overall) is 140-102 in two decades at ND and second all-time in wins, 32 behind Avent Sr. Martin went 18-23 at ED his first three head coaching seasons and trails Avent by 14 in career wins.

14. BEULAVILLE POST 511 QUALIFIES FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT ED baseball coach Brandon Thigpen’s Post 511 revival team shocked the baseball scene last summer by qualifying for the American Legion State Tournament.

The program that was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic beat Wilmington Post 10 to become the No. 1 seed from Area 2 at the eight-team bracket in Cherryville. ED pitcher Kyle Kern and JK’s leadoff hitter, Eli Avent, joined a cast of players from South Lenoir, Clinton and North Lenoir to go 12-6 after getting off to a later start than its competition.

15. HCA FOOTBALL TEAM HAS OUTSTANDING GRIDIRON CAMPAIGN Harrells Christian Academy football team went 9-3 last fall, with two of its losses coming at the hands of High Point Christian, the NCISAA’s 2A ti-

16. ND GIRLS’ BASKETBALL RISE ABOVE CONFERENCE FOES ONCE AGAIN ND won the Carolina 1A Conference in February, logging its third 20-win season in four years to end a school-record 89-17 stretch. During that span, the Rebels were 37-4 in league play. The Rebels went 25-4 last winter under first-year head coach Jon Kornegay.

17. JK FOOTBALL CARVES OUT 500TH WIN, ED CAPTURES ITS 400TH According to longtime sportwriter Bill Rollins, James Kenan became the second Duplin County team to reach 500 wins with its fourth-round playoff triumph over Farmville Central.

After back-to-back 12-2 seasons, the Tigers are 500-281-5.

Wallace-Rose Hill leads the county at 605–222-8. North Duplin is 468-319-4.

East Duplin won its 400th this year, edging Richlands 14-7 in OT, and is 406-310-4.

It’s important to note that East Duplin only had two winning seasons in its first 24 after consolidation in 1962.

18. ED BASEBALL GETS BACK ON TRACK BEHIND KERN, HOLMES, TUCK, MARSHBURN ED recovered from a 2023 drop (10-12) and several one-run losses to finish 14-9 behind the play of pitcher 2A all-state players, pitcher Kyle Kern and shortstop Gavin Homles. Yet the Panthers also got clutch hitting from other players as well — second baseman Jack Tuck, catcher Sawyer Marshburn, designated hitter Austin Rouse and outfielder Calvin Harper.

Brandon Thigpen has gone 121-59 since 2017 as the Panthers’ skipper and had just one losing season.

19. ND VOLLEYBALL TEAM SHINES IN NEW CONFERENCE ND had rare back-to-back winning seasons as head coach Heather Best led her Rebels to a 17-8 overall mark. ND went 12-2 in league play to wind up second in the new seven-school Carolina 1A/2A Conference.

Leaders included backcourt hustlers Lilly Fulghum and Marissa Bernal, and netminders Maggie Brown, Abigeal Norris and Melany Sanchez.

20. WALLACE 8U DIAMOND TEAM ADVANCES TO WORLD SERIES A pack of 8-year-olds caught the fascination of Duplin County in July as the dozen Wallace U8 coach-pitch baseball players advanced to the Diamond Youth World Series.

The team went 1-2 in the double-elimination tournament in Dunn.

NOTICES GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25CV001184-300 NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DUPLIN Alabama Housing Finance Authority, Plaintiff, vs.

Jennifer A. Elland a/k/a Jennifer Alice Elland; Any Spouse of Jennifer A. Elland a/k/a Jennifer Alice Elland; North Carolina Housing Finance Agency; United States of America; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s).

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeremy B. Wilkins, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the abovecaptioned case on September 8, 2025 (“Order”), and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 212 Gresham St, Beulaville, NC 28518 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust

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. 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”.

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current record owners of the property as reflected on the records of the DUPLIN COUNTY Register of Deeds’ office not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are Jennifer A. Elland.

A cash deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchasing price will be required at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price of bid in cash or certified check at the time the Commissioner tenders a deed for the Property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful

bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price of bid at that time, said bidder shall remain liable on said bid as provided for under North Carolina law.

The sale will be reported to the court and will remain open for advance or upset bids for a period of ten (10) days as required by law. If the Commissioner 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 Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, 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.

JEREMY B. WILKINS, Commissioner 5431 Oleander Drive, Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 392-4988 Phone NCSales@brockandscott.com File No.: 24-38566-JUD01

B5

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

obituaries

Stephen Carroll “Steve” Holland Oct. 31, 1947 – Dec. 19, 2025 Stephen Carroll “Steve” Holland, a longtime resident of Pender County, North Carolina, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of service, entrepreneurship, and deep commitment to his community.

He was known throughout Pender County for his dedication to his family, his country, and his unwavering support of working people.

Steve was born on October 31, 1947, to Alexander and Elsie Holland of Yamacraw, NC, where he spent his childhood before moving to the Forest Hills area in Wilmington, NC. Steve proudly served in the United States Navy, including service in Laos and Cambodia, performing underwater demolition. Following his naval service, Steve returned to eastern North Carolina, where he worked in various trades in the Wrightsville and Carolina Beach areas. Included in his early jobs were bartending, building, boiler

Billy Harmon Sanderson Nov. 12, 1954 – Dec. 19, 2025 Billy Harmon Sanderson, 71, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025, at ECU Vidant Duplin in Kenansville, surrounded by his loving family.

Billy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Billy, a.k.a. “Drifter” in the trucking world, put many miles behind the wheel of his 18-wheeler, hauling and delivering supplies all across the US. In his younger years, when he was not in his truck, he enjoyed horseback rides, but motorcycles were a great love of his. He enjoyed riding with some great friends. In his later years, TV became a must, and watching many westerns was one of his favorite pastimes.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harmon and Mary Ruth Brock Sanderson, three sisters, Kay James, Helen Smith and Marie Morales.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rita Griffin Sanderson, of the home, whom he cherished dearly, and his special fur baby, Abby; son Jason Brock (Leah) of Beulaville; daughters Billie Jo Brock (Shawn) of Pink Hill and Bobbie Jo Welch (Shannon) of Clinton; grandchildren Kelsi McCormick (Mark) of Cary, Dustin Moody (Jeannie) of Magnolia,Kaitlin Palmer (Rodney) of Pink Hill, Jason Tyler Brock of Beulaville and Tyler Brock of Pink Hill; great-grandchild Isla Palmer; brothers David Sanderson (Ruby) of Beulaville, Kenneth Sanderson (Camilla) of Chinquapin and Joseph Sanderson of Wallace.

Also survived by many loving brothers-in law and sisters-in-law’s as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The graveside service is Monday, December 22, 2025 at 2 p.m. at East Duplin Memorial Gardens in Beulaville, NC. Visitation will follow the service at the gravesite.

making, retail, as well as many hours of shooting pool, all of which he always credited to his learning about business, finances, bargaining and perseverance.

In 1981, he founded Holland’s Shelter Creek Restaurant in Burgaw on Hwy 53 east. What began as a small gas station and hunting/fishing supply store grew into a well-known and muchloved local landmark. Over time, Steve would grow that “little store” into a restaurant that would eventually feed thousands of people weekly for forty-three years. Holland’s drew patrons from across the region, state and eventually country and became a part of families, traditions and generational memories. Steve and his restaurant became known not only for its seafood, but also for its welcoming front porch, down-home feel, and plenty of available rocking chairs where Steve could often be found welcoming people in with a strong, “Hello There!” The same chairs would also be where he built lifelong friendships through sharing stories, discussing politics, giving away ice cream to children…and occasionally taking a nap in between tasks.

Steve was a man who always prided himself on looking out for the working class and the rural community. With a strong voice and an even stronger presence, Steve found himself becoming the voice of many who felt unheard and ignored. Steve possessed a disposition and determination that could not be silenced if he felt strongly about his point to be made or if common sense was being challenged. He believed in fairness, hard work, and standing

up for everyday people. Whether through his business, his public service, or a conversation on the porch, he was known for listening closely, speaking plainly, and treating everyone with respect.

His commitment to service extended into local government in 1994. Steve served as a Pender County Commissioner for twelve years, where he was respected for his accessibility, commonsense leadership, and dedication to representing the interests of working families throughout the county.

An avid outdoorsman, Steve found pleasure and peace in a lifetime of hunting and fishing.

He was actively involved with the National Wild Turkey Federation and supported conservation efforts connected to the reintroduction of wild turkeys in eastern North Carolina. His passion for wildlife preservation reflected his lifelong love of the outdoors and commitment to protecting natural resources for future generations.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Elsie Flora Croom Holland; his daughter, Carrie Holland; and his son, Andy Holland.

Steve is survived by his son Jeffrey Holland and wife, Sydney. Three immensely loved grandchildren, Stratton, Kenny and Reagan Holland; brother, Wayne, and wife Barbara Holland.

Also left with memories are decades worth of employees of Holland’s who hold fond memories of the “family” they were a part of because of Steve.

There will be a private celebration of life event held at a later date.

Alvin Joe Bass

Audrey Thompson

Aug. 6, 1933 – Dec. 21, 2025 Rose Hill - Alvin Joe Bass, 92, of Rose Hill, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Warsaw Health and Rehab. Joe was born August 6, 1933, in Pitt County to the late Joseph Kinnie Bass and Pattie Hamm Bass.

Joe spent his work life first with J. P. Stevens, then full-time with Pilot Life Insurance Company.

Later in life, he worked part-time for over 20 years with Community Funeral Home of Rose Hill. Joe was a huge sports fan with his football team being Kansas City and his basketball team being Carolina. Joe’s son, Harold, played football in high school for Wallace-Rose Hill, and Joe was very supportive and continued to support Wallace-Rose Hill after Harold graduated. Joe loved his caregivers at Warsaw Health and Rehab, and they loved him.

He was glad to have them as part of his family. He was very appreciative of the love and care they gave him for the time he was at Warsaw Health and Rehab. As well as his nieces, Jean Blanton, Judy Williams, and Betty Lanier, for the five years they took care of him. Jean referred to Joe as her “Hot Shot,” and he said she was his “Cold Shot”.

A visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church in Rose Hill. A funeral service will be held at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m., followed by burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery.

Joe is survived by special nieces, Jean Blanton and husband, Clint, Judy Williams and Betty Lanier, grandson, Chris Bass, and numerous other nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by wife, Edna Mathis Bass, sons, Alvin Harold Bass and Gary Allen Bass; sisters, Mae Dean Coburn and Latha Register.

Sept. 20, 1962 – Dec. 24, 2025 Goldsboro- It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Ms. Audrey Thompson, age 63, who departed this life at UNC Health Wayne in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The arrangements are incomplete at this time. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family, and please keep the family lifted in your prayers.

SPONSORED BY QUINN MCGOWEN FUNERAL HOME

Steven Earl Heath Jan. 13, 1966 – Dec. 20, 2025 Steven Earl Heath, age 59, born January 13, 1966, to Wilbert Earl Heath and Joyce Aldridge Heath, passed away December 20, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness and quiet strength.

Steve was a free-spirited soul who moved through life with an open smile and an unguarded heart. He learned his most meaningful lessons the hard way—through experience rather than caution. Mistakes became his greatest teacher, shaping a wisdom born of living fully. Though his journey was sometimes painful, it never hardened him. Instead, it deepened his compassion.

All who knew Steve recognized his loving nature and his instinctive desire to help others, often giving even when he himself had very little. His generosity was not loud or boastful; it was steady, genuine, and rooted in empathy.

He had a deep love for nature and animals, finding peace and connection in the natural world.

Whether outdoors or in the quiet company of animals, Steve felt most at home where life was simple and honest.

Steve was a devoted husband, an excellent father to Heather Paugh (Lute) and Tanner Walton, and an even better grandfather to his favorite granddaughter, Olivia.

His family was the center of his world, and his love for them was constant and unwavering.

Steven Earl Heath will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives he touched.

Survived by Brothers: Rodney Heath (Tiffany), and Gregory Heath (Susan). Nephews: Christian Heath and Elijah Heath.

Steve is preceded in death by his loving wife Donna Heath.

Visitation: Friday, December 26, 2025 6-8 p.m.

Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, NC Graveside Service: Saturday, December 27, 2025 2 p.m.

Dalys Chapel FWB Church Cemetery, LaGrange, NC

Shawn Baker

Genell Nava

June 4, 1964 – Dec. 27, 2025

May 27, 1961 – Dec. 24, 2025

Kinston- Mr. Shawn Baker passed away at his residence on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the age of 61. The arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced at a later date.

Mr. Baker had a profound impact on all who knew him and will be missed by his family, friends, and neighbors.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family, and please keep the family in your prayers during their time of bereavement.

Goldsboro- It is with our deepest sympathy that we announce the passing of Ms. Genell Nava, age 64, who left this world on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at UNC Health Wayne in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced at a later date. The Staff would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family, and please continue to pray for the family during their time of bereavement.

Wilbert Earl Heath Aug. 20, 1942 – Dec. 22, 2025 Wilbert Earl Heath, 83. passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at his home.

Wilbert Earl Heath was born on August 20, 1942, to Wilbur Heath and Isabelle Robinson Heath. From an early age, Wilbert learned the value of resilience, loyalty, and hard work. He grew up alongside his biological brothers and sisters, John Heath, Marshall Heath, Ray Heath, Faye Heath Murphy, Nancy Heath Dalrymple. In addition, he shared a special connection to his extended orphanage family. Both are connections he carried with him always.

Wilbert built a life rooted in dedication to family and simple joys. He shared 61 loving years of marriage with his wife, Joyce Heath, a partnership marked by enduring love. Together they created a home filled with care, perseverance, and shared memories.

Wilbert was a proud and devoted father to his children, Steven Earl Heath(Donna Heath), Rodney Felix Heath(Tiffany Heath), and Gregory Allen Heath(Susan Rogers). He took great joy in watching his family grow through the years and was a loving grandfather to Heather Paugh (Lute Paugh), Tanner Walton, Christian Heath, Elijah Heath, and a great-grandfather to Olivia. His love for his family was steady and enduring, and he valued every moment spent together.

He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, his eldest son Steven Earl Heath and daughter-in-law Donna Heath.

Wilbur had a special love for his Model T, a passion that reflected his appreciation for history, craftsmanship, and mechanical ingenuity. He spent countless hours tinkering in his building, where he found peace working with his hands; fixing, restoring and creating. Those moments captured his thoughtful nature and his enjoyment of a job done right.

Wilbert Earl Heath passed away on December 22, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience and quiet strength. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him and deeply missed by those whose lives he touched.

He is preceded in death by his son, Steven Earl Heath Visitation: Friday, December 26, 2025 6-8 p.m.

Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, NC Graveside Service: Saturday, December 27, 2025 11 a.m.

Robinson Family Cemetery, Deep Run, NC

More obituaries on page B6

B6

Duplin Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Joel Wayne Stanford

Brian Todd Rudkin

Roy Wayne Sanderson

June 17, 1945 – Dec. 21, 2025

July 12, 1961 – Dec. 24, 2025

Joel Wayne Stanford, 80, of Rocky Point and formerly of Eatonton, Georgia, passed peacefully from his earthly life Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington.

He was born June 17, 1945, in Wilmington, the son of Jonathan David Stanford and Thelma Columbus Clardy Stanford. In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by his wife, Rhoda Dawson Stanford; brother, David Jonathan Stanford; sister, Willie Leiner; and great-grandson, Joel Grayson Stanford.

Joel is survived by his daughter, Melissa Diane Wade (Mike); son, Joel Garrett Stanford (Kelly); stepson, Robert Dawson; stepdaughter, Kimberly Shreve (Matthew); sister, Donna Kay Zoglman (Floyd); grandchildren, Sandra Michelle Raynor (Nick), Andrew Garrett Stanford (Courtney), and Victoria Ashley Pacheco (Ricardo); great grandchildren; Garrett Wayne Stanford Raynor, Presley Grayce Raynor and Jason Emmanuel Wells Pacheco; and many extended family and friends.

Joel served his country honorably in the US Coast Guard and was a life member of DAV Chapter 11.

Brian Todd Rudkin, 64, passed from his earthly life on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at his home.

He was born July 12, 1961, in Cushing, Oklahoma, the son of Mellige Roy Rudkin and Carolyn Sherrill Rudkin. In addition to his parents, Todd was preceded in death by his wife, Michelle Frey Rudkin.

Todd is survived by his brother, Tony Rudkin; niece, Kaylee Rudkin (Toby Tung) ; nephew, Keith Rudkin; aunts, Linda Manning and Claudia Zink; uncle, Bob Rudkin (Tania); many extended family and friends.

Todd spent his early childhood in Cushing, Oklahoma. He attended Deep Rock Elementary School in Cushing prior to moving with his family to Wilmington, NC, where he graduated from John T. Hoggard High School and UNC-W with a business degree. While attending college, Todd worked at Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and after college, went to work for Corning, Inc., where he retired.

Todd was a faithful member of Pine Valley Church of Christ.

Todd enjoyed coin collecting and traveling among his other endeavors. He was a good brother, uncle and friend.

The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Pine Valley Church of Christ, 3601 College Road, Wilmington, NC, with funeral service at 11 a.m. in the church sanctuary.

Entombment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Aug. 5, 1948 – Dec. 24, 2025

Michael Floyd Blanton

Patrick Gerard Trobaugh

Aug. 27, 1947 – Dec. 20, 2025

July 7, 1950 – Dec. 25, 2025

Roy Wayne Sanderson, 77, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, in Carolina East Medical Center, New Bern, NC. Roy was the treasurer for Hargett’s Crossroads Fire Department for 53 years and worked for Carolina Telephone and Telegraph for 42 years. He also proudly served in the US Army.

The funeral service is Sunday, December 28 at 2:30 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC The interment will be at Oak Ridge Memorial Park in Pink Hill, NC. He is survived by his wife, Lucille Taylor Sanderson of Trenton, NC; daughter Anita Sanderson Jones (Larry) of Trenton, NC; sisters Geneva Sanderson, Betty Lou Jones (Kenneth) and Catherine Sanderson, all of Richlands, NC; brother Rex Sanderson of Richlands, NC

Michael Floyd Blanton, 78, passed gently from his earthly life Saturday, December 20, 2025, at home with loving family at his bedside.

He was born August 27, 1947, in Charleston, SC, the son of Buddy and Margie Blanton, who preceded Michael in death.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Janice Hazel Blanton; daughters, Michelle Blanton and Tara Elizabeth Blanton; and grandchildren, Brent Watters, Ally Threehouse, Evan Threehouse and Cooper Blanton.

Not to be forgotten is Michael’s loyal canine companion, Luna.

Michael retired from BellSouth after working for thirty-plus years and never missing a day of work. Michael served his country proudly in the US Navy.

Most of all, Michael loved and cared for his family. Michael enjoyed woodworking, working on cars and walking his dog, Luna. Michael was loved, and his presence in our lives will surely be missed.

Services will be at a later date.

Patrick Gerard Trobaugh, 75, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at his home.

Services will be held at Sharon Baptist Church at a later date.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Eason Trobaugh of Wallace, NC; son Robert Trobaugh (Nicolette) of Oak Lawn, IL; daughter Cara Trobaugh Espino of Wallace, NC; sisters Theresa Bertolette and Cindy Trobaugh, both of Mount Holly, NC, and Karen Stiles of Wilmington, NC; brothers Tom Trobaugh of Wilmington, NC, and Kim Trobaugh of Raleigh, NC; and grandchildren Ramona Trobaugh, Gus Trobaugh, Levi Rothstein, Truett Rothstein and Korban Espino.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Lead and Copper Rule Revision Issued Date: January 1, 2026 Submittal Deadline: February 12, 2026 INTRODUCTION: The County of Duplin is requesting proposals from qualified firms interested in providing professional services for the development, management and implementation of the Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCCR) Compliance Program in accordance with the revised United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Lead and Copper Rule.

The County of Duplin will conduct a Qualification-Based Selection process to identify the best qualified firm with which to negotiate a contract. All firms submitting qualifications and technical proposals must have demonstrated experience and expertise for projects similar in nature to this project. County of Duplin will fully consider submittals that involve collaboration with other proposers.

To be considered by County of Duplin, responses to this RFQ must be received by 2:00 p.m. (EST) on February 12, 2026. Refer to Section 4 - Submittal Requirements for additional details.

1. OBJECTIVES The objective of this project is to ensure compliance with the LCRR Compliance Program. The primary components of the LCRR Compliance Program will include, but not be limited to the following: • Development of a Service Line Material (SLM) Inventory.

• Other services as required to implement the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

2. BACKGROUND County of Duplin’s service area population consists of approximately12,000 residential and commercial customers served. The County of Duplin’s distribution system consists of 750 miles of water mains consisting mainly of ductile iron and PVC materials. County of Duplin owns service lines from the water main up to and including the water meter. The property owner owns the service line from the meter to the home. Currently, County of Duplin has no known lead service lines on the County of Duplin owned portion of the service line. Limited information is available on the customer owned portion of the service line.

Lead solder is more likely to be found in homes built before its use was banned in 1986.

Lead and copper compliance sampling is conducted in accordance with all State and Federal requirements.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES The professional services required for this project shall be completed in general accordance with a scope of services as needed to accomplish the major tasks and sub-tasks listed below. The final scope of services will be negotiated with the selected professional firm.

Scope of services may include (but not limited to): a. Development of Service Line Material (SLM) Inventory: • Develop and implement a service line database of both public and private side laterals or demonstrate the absence of lead service lines (LSL).

• Develop a map showing the SLM inventory results for making it available to the public on County of Duplin’s website, train staff in maintenance and operation of the website.

• Perform historical review of County records/maps/tax records regarding water system installation.

• Perform random water sampling from service connections (sampling for lead concentrations).

• Perform physical inventory of existing water service connections to determine material type from water main to meter (Duplin County owned facilities) and from meter to point of service connection (home/building) (private owned facilities).

• Prepare/develop inventory spreadsheet(s) in accordance with EPA guidance.

• Print/distribute public information flyers to water customers/public regarding importance of inventory activities. b. Other Services: • Coordinate with the EPA and/or State for interpreting requirements, review of data, etc. and assist in addressing comments from the EPA and/or State on submitted data, etc.

Expected deliverables shall include (but not limited to): a. Service Line Material (SLM) Inventory Map: An updatable Map to record the service line material inventory. b. Electronic copies of historical water system maps. c. Composite map of current water distribution system assets.

d. Inventory spreadsheet prepared in accordance with EPA guidelines. e. Published flyers/laboratory sampling summary.

4. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS Responses to this RFQ must be received

by County of Duplin no later than 2:00 p.m. EST on February 12, 2026. To be considered, please submit five (5) hard copies and one (I) electronic copy in PDF format of the required qualifications to: Carrie Shields Deputy County Manager County of Duplin 224 Seminary St. Kenansville, NC 28349 Email: Carrie.Shields@duplinnc.gov Consultant qualifications and technical proposals will be limited to a maximum of 20 double- sided pages (i.e., 40 pages printed double-sided onto 20 sheets).

Proposals not printed double-sided will not be considered. All submittals will become the property of County of Duplin. Each submittal must include the following in order to be considered: a) Project Team: [30 points] The members of the consultant’s project team shall be leaders in their field reflecting experience in projects similar in scope to the one being proposed. The consultant’s Project Manager shall be identified by name, and the proposal will clearly outline the consultant’s intentions regarding the Project Manager’s availability for all required work and for any review and coordination meetings that will be necessary to successfully complete the project. Each proposal will include a list of the proposed project team members, including sub-consultants, and clearly identify their respective roles on the project. Each proposal shall include resumes of key team members listing their office location, availability and prior experience relative to the requirements outlined in this RFQ and services to be provided. b) Project Approach: [30 points] Clearly indicate your proposed approach for this project. Provide detailed information that will allow County of Duplin staff to distinguish your team from other firms that may be competing for this project. Your proposal shall provide a step-by-step description of the phased approach for completion of the project and the specific goals for each phase in the process. c) Project Schedule: [15 points] Each

proposal shall specifically outline the consultant’s anticipated schedule for completion of project tasks. d) Past Experience and References for Similar Projects: [20 points] Provide references (including name and contact information for the client) and summaries of similar projects in the last five (5) years for other clients.

Provide a brief synopsis of previous programs or ideas that would be beneficial for the County of Duplin.

Also indicate who served as your project manager for each project, and who had key lead technical roles in those projects. e) Project Concerns: [5 points] Identify potential concerns or hindrances to successful completion of the project.

5. SELECTION PROCESS County of Duplin intends to select a consultant and award a contract by the end of March 2026. County of Duplin staff will review and evaluate the submittals based on: • Responsiveness to the RFQ. • Experience, qualifications and availability of the proposed Project Manager.

• Experience and qualifications of key project staff.

• Firm’s related experience and performance on other projects, especially the quality of work, budget control, overall cooperation, and responsiveness.

• Proposed project approach.

• References on past similar projects.

• Ability to meet project schedule.

Note: County of Duplin may elect to conduct face-to-face interviews with two or more firms being evaluated prior to making a final selection. If the County of Duplin cannot reach an agreement with the initially selected firm, County of Duplin will then proceed to negotiate with other firms that submitted proposals or will reissue the RFQ. County of Duplin reserves the right to make an award in whole or in part, or to reject any and all proposals and not award a contract for the services described in this RFQ. 6. COUNTY OF DUPLIN POINT OF CONTACT Carrie Shields, Deputy County Manager, will be the primary point of contact for all consultant selection matters, technical, scheduling, coordination, consultant evaluation, invoicing matters, relating to this project. All questions regarding this Request for Qualifications shall be directed to Carrie Shields at Carrie.Shields@ duplinnc.gov

VOLUME 145 ISSUE 103 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 704-982-2121

Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAMON HAIMOFF / AMERICA250 VIA AP

Happy red, white and blue year This special New Year’s Eve ball, dropping at midnight Wednesday night in Times Square, honors the U.S.’s 250th year. See page B5 for more.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge” The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.

Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela. But the U.S. has offered no other details. Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday. Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drug-ferrying boats originate from.

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Stanly school board recognizes teacher for AI literacy research Alease Carrick is an AI by 8 member

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Earlier this month, a local educator was honored by the Stanly County Board of Education for her selection to a statewide fellowship focused on ar-

tificial intelligence literacy.

Alease Carrick, a thirdgrade teacher at Oakboro Choice STEM School, was recognized for being named a member of the AI by 8 research-practice partnership fellowship. Carrick is one of only eight teachers across North Carolina chosen to design lesson plans that integrate the ideas of AI into early literacy instruction.

“We are so proud of Mrs. rural North Carolina school Carrick and the incredible im- districts.

The program focuses on inpact she continues to make for her students, our district and troducing complex concepts education across the state,” without relying on technology Stanly County Schools said in or screens.

Through storytelling, litera statement.

AI by 8 is a multi-year ini- acy-aligned lessons and othtiative aimed at reimagining er unplugged activities, young early childhood education by learners begin to explore embedding foundational AI how machines can formulate literacy into K-2 classrooms, with a particular emphasis on See BOARD, page A5

Sheriff’s office gives update on guilty pleas for sexual offenders “These cases represent the sheriff’s office’s continued commitment to pursuing justice for victims and holding offenders accountable.”

Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

The earliest of the investigations began in 2018

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office has announced that multiple defendants have entered guilty pleas in separate sexual offense cases investigated by the agency, bringing several long-running investigations to a close.

The investigations spanned several years, with the earliest dating back to 2018

and the most recent initiated in 2024.

“The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the successful conclusion of three separate sexual assault investigations, resulting in guilty pleas and significant prison sentences for the offenders,” the SCSO said in a statement.

The first guilty plea announced involved Dustin Lane Almond. According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation into Almond began in May 2018.

On June 11, 2024, Almond was charged with multiple See CRIMES, page A5

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

WEDNESDAY

12.31.25 #71

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 518620) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Chorale celebrates America’s 250th The Stanly County Chorale is preparing for its spring season, a musical retrospective of America’s 250 years. The program will cover themes from the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to various movements and events throughout the nation's history.

Singers high school-aged and older are welcome, with rehearsals begin Tuesday, Jan. 13 at First Baptist Church in Albemarle.

To preregister or for more information, visit stanlycountychorale. org and click “upcoming events,” or email director Lisa Ewers at stanlycountychorale@gmail.com.

Trip Hoffend Publisher Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette Senior Editor Jordan Golson Local News Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Jesse Deal Reporter PJ Ward-Brown Photographer

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Holiday Craft Show Tuesdays-Fridays Noon to 4 p.m.

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Sponsored by the Stanly Arts Guild, this is an opportunity to support local artisans while doing your holiday gift shopping.

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BUSINESS David Guy Advertising Manager Published Wednesday and Sunday as part of North State Journal

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The public is encouraged to attend this regular meeting.

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | TERENCE P. JEFFREY

In a gloomy winter, read a couple of classic books Leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time.

AFTER CHRISTMAS is over and the sunrises start getting earlier and the sunsets later in the Northern Hemisphere, there are still two months of scarce daylight and lowering skies ahead.

Here’s a suggestion for how to fill the gloomy hours with uplift: read.

Read some great books, returning perhaps to those you ploughed through on school assignments so many years ago. Discover one of the pleasures of aging — how serious books turn out to be more interesting and enriching than what you remember from dutifully ploughing through them years ago.

Sit in a comfortable chair, turn off the television, remove distracting earbuds, leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time. Open up a book and give yourself uninterrupted hours to become immersed in a world created by a great writer many years ago.

I’ve been following this advice the last couple of winters after I started reflecting on how, despite being in two serious book groups, I was spending too much time reading ephemeral stuff and wasn’t reading anything serious beyond some excellent book group selections. I decided to concentrate my reading on weekends, spending long hours interrupted by little but leg-stretching and avoiding the difficulty of recalling the plot when reading just a chapter or two in the evenings just before bed.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in the opening words of “Anna Karenina.”

So I began with two books about families: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” and Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”

“Karamazov” I had read as a teenager around the time the Hollywood movie version was released. “Buddenbrooks” I went through two

decades ago. Reading them as an adult was a far richer experience, both emotionally and as a contrast in national character. The two books are set at opposite ends of the Baltic Sea: the German book in the orderly commercial Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the Russian in a town resembling Dostoevsky’s ramshackle provincial hometown of Staraya Russa.

For last winter, I recalled Ernest Hemingway’s comment that “all American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn.’” I remembered it as the sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the story of a pleasant picaresque journey, and, of course, I had often heard how it was banned from school reading lists because of its frequent use of the N-word.

What I wasn’t prepared for was, first, the book’s scathing denunciation, veiled as humor or just everyday observation, of slavery. It was published in 1884, less than a decade after the nation basically abandoned Reconstruction and its noble goal of achieving equal rights for black people. Reading it first as a teenager, I also didn’t remember the story of a boy becoming a man, mentored by Jim, the slave to whom he initially condescends and once nearly betrays.

I paired it with two other books of adolescent boys on picturesque but perilous journeys: Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” written as a boys’ book that I read as a seventh grader in a boys’ school, and Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” set in British India. Both are stirring narratives set in exotic locations that are easier to envision if you’ve done some tourism in the Caribbean and the subcontinent.

Were they both influenced by “Huckleberry Finn”? Maybe. Stevenson and Kipling, 15 and 30 years younger, respectively, than Twain, each dropped in on him on cross-country American trips and were received warmly, and each of

them and Twain became mutual admirers. There was more contact between American and British writers in the late 19th century than I would have guessed — and a readiness by at least some Brits in admiring Twain as a model.

This year, with fellow members of a book group, I have spent dark afternoons and long evenings on the 767 pages of Anthony Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now.” It was written in five months in 1873 and centered on a fabulously wealthy but crooked financier, and it features the author’s characteristically vivid female characters contemplating bad choices in marriage.

I plan on soon rereading, after three or four decades, Honore de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions,” also with a dubious financier in the background.

Both books also have delicious descriptions of businesses the authors knew firsthand, publishing and journalism.

Trollope shows an untalented female author trying to arrange, with editors of major publications, favorable reviews of her dreadful books. One ends up proposing marriage and advising her not to write a second novel. Balzac shows the young protagonist’s sudden success as a scandal-mongering journalist in Paris, and then being disgraced when it’s discovered that his sources are fictitious.

Unhappy families in provincial, perilous journeys in picturesque territory, financial and literary scandals in booming capitals: Great writers of the past take us to places and introduce us to people who, despite having been imagined years ago, turn out to be vaguely familiar to what we see around us now. And they’re readily available: Just sit down with a volume in hand in a comfortable chair. In the meantime, happy New Year.

Terence P. Jeffrey is editor in chief of Newsbusters.

COLUMN | MICHAEL GLASSNER

Left’s war on free speech moving from social media to TV Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty.

WHEN ELON MUSK bought X, formerly Twitter, and refused to comply with the global censorship regime, he became a target overnight — especially for European Union bureaucrats determined to reassert control over online speech. The EU’s latest effort to slap X with a $140 million penalty is just the most recent example of that campaign.

The EU claims the fine is due to X allowing users to purchase verification checkmarks without the platform independently confirming their identities.

Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty. From the Federalist Papers onward, anonymity has protected dissent, whistleblowers and political minorities. But Europe does not afford such freedom. That’s why Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the EU’s X fine, suggesting it is retaliation for Musk’s refusal to censor speech at the EU’s direction.

In 2023, the EU opened an investigation into the company for “disinformation,” and Musk drew the ire of European regulators for refusing to remove an interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from his platform.

Musk is, of course, an outlier in the tech world. Most of his peers in the industry genuflect to the demands of various governments and are willing to restrict disfavored views.

The House Judiciary Committee formally detailed the relationship between tech giants and the Biden administration, which repeatedly demanded that Americans’ views be taken offline. According to the committee, it

suppressed or took down the views of doctors, scientists and commentators who did not align with the government narrative that COVID originated from a pangolin sold at a wet market in China — not a laboratory in Wuhan. From shifting search results to “fact-checkers” that tech companies employed to discredit skeptics, Big Tech and its market dominance played a critical role in censoring Americans.

This is the real lesson of the last five years: The power to decide what billions of people see is the ultimate form of control.

That is one of the reasons Trump expressed concern about Netflix potentially gaining control of one of its most prominent rivals, Warner Bros. Discovery — the company that owns HBO Max and the entire HBO catalog.

If Big Tech showed us anything over the last five years, it’s how ruthlessly willing it is to silence, throttle and bury any story, voice or idea that threatens the approved narrative, even when those ideas later turn out to be true. Now imagine that same censorship strength, only this time it’s not coming from a search engine or a social platform you can (in theory) walk away from. It’s coming from inside your television.

Netflix already has 301 million subscribers, and the merger will create a 400 million-subscriber base, making Netflix the most powerful cultural ministry the world has ever seen. What Silicon Valley did to information with algorithms and shadow-bans, this new mega-studio will do to imagination itself — quietly, seamlessly and with a smile from the next autoplay.

If Big Tech taught us how easy it is to kill a

story, a merged Netflix–Warner will teach us how easy it is to destroy an entire worldview, one canceled series, one “content moderation” decision, one algorithm tweak at a time. And this time, there will be almost nowhere left to escape.

Netflix has built an empire on content that consistently promotes left-wing ideologies, striking multimillion-dollar deals with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce politically charged documentaries and making multimillion-dollar investments in films spotlighting progressive figures, such as the $10 million acquisition of “Knock Down the House,” which celebrates socialist firebrand Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other insurgent socialist Democrats.

Critics such as film reviewer Armond White have characterized the platform as a “propaganda machine” for its relentless promotion of social justice narratives. White termed the marriage between Netflix and the Obamas as the creation of a new Ministry of Propaganda. That Ministry will expand exponentially should this deal be consummated and approved by the government.

Where Big Tech once limited speech with bans and shadow banning, this new giant will regulate thought itself: deciding which histories are retold, which heroes are celebrated and which taboos are normalized for the next generation.

Michael Glassner is chief operating officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

A4

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

New York subway ends MetroCard era, switches fully to tap-and-go fares It replaced the venerable subway token in 1994

A subway rider swipes his MetroCard in a turnstile as he enters the 34th Street subway station in 2007.

By Philip Marcelo The Associated Press NEW YORK — When the MetroCard replaced the New York City subway token in 1994, the swipeable plastic card infused much-needed modernity into one of the world’s oldest and largest transit systems.

Now, more than three decades later, the gold-hued fare card and its notoriously finicky magnetic strip are following the token into retirement.

The last day to buy or refill a MetroCard is Dec. 31, as the transit system fully transitions to OMNY, a contactless payment system that allows riders to tap their credit card, phone or other smart device to pay fares, much like they do for other everyday purchases.

Transit officials say more than 90% of subway and bus trips are now paid using the tap-and-go system, introduced in 2019.

Major cities around the world, including London and Singapore, have long used similar contactless systems. In the U.S., San Francisco launched a pay-go system earlier this year, joining Chicago and others.

MetroCards upended how New Yorkers commute The humble MetroCard may have outlasted its useful life, but in its day it was revolutionary, says Jodi Shapiro, curator at the New York Transit Museum in

219 W. Main Street Albemarle, NC 28001

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MARY ALTAFFER / AP PHOTO

Brooklyn, which opened an exhibit earlier this month reflecting on the MetroCard’s legacy.

Before MetroCards, bus and subway riders relied on tokens, the brass-colored coins introduced in 1953 that were purchased from station booths.

When the subway opened in 1904, paper tickets cost just a nickel, or about $1.82 in today’s dollars.

“There was a resistance to change from tokens to something else because tokens work,” Shapiro said on a recent visit to the museum, housed underground in a decommissioned subway station. “MetroCards introduced a whole other level of thinking for New Yorkers.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched public campaigns to teach commuters how to swipe the originally blue-colored cards correctly, hoping to avoid the

dreaded error message or lost fares. Officials even briefly toyed with the idea of an quirky mascot, the Cardvaark, before coming to their senses.

The cards quickly became collectors items as the transit system rolled out special commemorative editions marking major events, such as the “Subway Series” between baseball’s New York Mets and the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series. At the time, a fare cost $1.50.

Artists from David Bowie and Olivia Rodrigo to seminal New York hip-hop acts, such as the Wu-Tang Clan, the Notorious B.I.G. and LL Cool J, have also graced the plastic card over the years, as have iconic New York shows like “Seinfeld” and “Law & Order.”

“For me, the most special cards are cards which present New York City to the world,”

said Lev Radin, a collector in the Bronx. “Not only photos of landmarks, skylines, but also about people who live and make New York special.”

Perfecting the correct angle and velocity of the MetroCard swipe also became something of a point of pride separating real New Yorkers from those just visiting.

During her failed 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. senator from New York, took an excruciating five swipes at a Bronx turnstile.

In fairness, her chief Democratic opponent at the time, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a native Brooklynite, didn’t even appear to realize tokens had been discontinued.

Cost savings, lingering concerns Unlike the MetroCard roll-

out, OMNY has required little adjustment.

Riders reluctant to use a credit card or smart device can purchase an OMNY card they can reload, similar to a MetroCard.

Existing MetroCards will also continue to work into 2026, allowing riders to use remaining balances.

MTA spokespersons declined to comment, pointing instead to their many public statements as the deadline approaches.

The agency has said the changeover saves at least $20 million annually in MetroCard-related costs.

The new system also allows unlimited free rides within a seven-day period because the fare is capped after 12 rides. It’ll max out at $35 a week once the fare rises to $3 in January.

Still, new changes come with tradeoffs, with some critics raising concerns about data collection and surveillance.

Near Times Square on a recent morning, Ronald Minor was among the dwindling group of “straphangers” still swiping MetroCards.

The 70-year-old Manhattan resident said he’s sad to see them go. He has an OMNY card but found the vending machines to reload it more cumbersome.

“It’s hard for the elders,” Minor said as he caught a train to Brooklyn. “Don’t push us aside and make it like we don’t count.

You push these machines away, you push us away.”

John Sacchetti, another MetroCard user at the Port Authority stop, said he likes being able to see his balance as he swipes through a turnstile so he knows how much he’s been spending on rides.

“It’s just like everything else, just something to get used to,” he said as he headed uptown.

“Once I get used to it, I think it’ll be OK.”

A5

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Times Square features patriotic crystal ball for New Year’s, kicking off US’s 250th birthday 2026 is the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence

By Susan Haigh The Associated Press AFTER THE CRYSTAL ball drops on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it will rise again, sparkling in red, white and blue to usher in 2026 and kick off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gathering, including a second confetti drop, will offer an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and small, planned nationwide to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

“I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios, who oversees the bi-

partisan commission created by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial anniversary. “It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”

Rios and her group worked with the Times Square Alliance business district and One Times Square, the building from where the ball is dropped, to make the changes to this year’s ceremonies. They’re also planning a second ball drop event on July 3, the eve of the nation’s birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios said.

It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve, she said.

A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot- diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. Last

BOARD from page A1 AI algorithms. The fellowship’s mission is to teach young learners about AI concepts through literacy standards in an age-appropriate way.

As an AI by 8 fellow, Carrick collaborated in virtual professional learning communities with educators from across the state.

These sessions allowed participants to co-develop engaging AI-integrated literacy lessons for K-2 students; the lessons developed through the fellowship align with North Carolina’s K-2 English Language Arts standards while introducing students to key AI ideas that promote creativity, critical thinking and early computational understanding.

“Mrs. Carrick also played an

“We are so proud of Mrs. Carrick and the incredible impact she continues to make for her students, our district and education across the state.”

Stanly County Schools instrumental role in helping this curriculum gain approval and publication, showcasing her leadership, innovation and dedication to preparing young learners for a technology-driven world,” Stanly County Schools Superintendent Jarrod Dennis said.

AI by 8 officially launched in

“It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”

Rosie Rios, America250 chair DAMON HAIMOFF / AMERICA250 VIA AP

year, the Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled. It measured about 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds.

The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from

the base of One Times Square.

This year, the stroke of midnight will also mark the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250. Organizers hope to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country.

On the following day, America250 will participate in the New Years Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” It will feature three larger-thanlife bald eagles representing the country’s past, present and future.

the summer of 2025 with a professional development summit that brought together the eight selected educators for handson training in AI literacy integration. That event marked the beginning of an ongoing professional learning community, where teachers continue to share classroom experiences and help shape the future of AI education for young children.

AI by 8 is a researcher-practitioner partnership between the American Institutes for Research, North Carolina State University, Partner to Improve, and educators in rural North Carolina school districts.

The Stanly County Board of Education’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 6 at 6:15 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

Alease Carrick greets Stanly County Board of Education Chair Glenda Gibson at a school board meeting on Dec. 2.

The red, white and blue New Year’s Eve ball is meant to honor the U.S.’s 250th year.

COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS

CRIMES from page A1 sexual offenses stemming from that investigation.

Almond pled guilty on Dec. 17, 2025, to two counts of first-degree statutory sex offense. Following the plea, he was sentenced to a term of 219 to 223 months in prison, the sheriff’s office said.

The second case involved Christy Lynn Helms. Investigators initiated the case in June 2024, and Helms was charged with multiple sexual offenses on July 13, 2024, according to the sheriff’s office.

Helms later pled guilty on Nov. 17, 2025, to two counts of indecent liberties with a child. As part of the sentence, Helms received 16 to 29 months of probation.

COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Dustin Lane Almond, left, Christy Lynn Helms, middle, and Charles Wayne Kiker, right, have entered guilty pleas in separate sexual offense cases.

The third guilty plea announced by SCSO involved Charles Wayne Kiker. The investigation into Kiker began in September 2021, and he was

charged with multiple sexual offenses on Feb. 28, 2024.

On Dec. 16, 2025, Kiker pled guilty to two counts of indecent liberties with a child. He was

sentenced to 20 to 33 months in prison for each count, to be served consecutively. The sheriff’s office noted that Kiker is currently in custody at the An-

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son County Jail for additional sex crimes committed in Anson County.

“These cases represent the sheriff’s office’s continued commitment to pursuing justice for victims and holding offenders accountable,” the sheriff’s office said. “The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office thanks the investigators and prosecutors involved for their dedication to these complex and sensitive cases.”

The SCSO encourages anyone with information related to these cases, or anyone who may be a victim of sexual assault, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division at 704-9863714 or by email at cid@stanlycountync.gov.

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“We want to ring in this new year from sea to shining sea.

What better way to think about it than going from New York to California,” Rios said. “This has to be community-driven, this has be grassroots. We’re going from Guam to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Philadelphia, and everything in between.”

President Donald Trump has also announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.

Rios said she sees the wide range of celebrations and programs planned for the coming months, from large fireworks displays and statewide potluck suppers to student contests and citizen oral histories, as an opportunity to unite a politically divided nation.

“If we can find something for everyone ... having those menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate,” she said. “That’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.”

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A6

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

OBITUARIES

Reece Vance Deese Feb. 14, 1936 – Dec. 27, 2025 Reece Vance Deese, born February 14, 1936, to Fred and Foda Deese in the Cottonville Community of Norwood, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 27, 2025. He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Kathie Talbert Deese, who preceded him in death after 56 years of marriage.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Norview Gardens.

Reece was a graduate of King’s College in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following graduation, he was employed

by IBM before beginning a long and dedicated career with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

He retired after 41 years of faithful service with the Roadside and Environmental Unit. Throughout his career, he formed many lasting friendships and was fondly remembered by colleagues across the state. In addition to his work with NCDOT, Reece

was a licensed electrician and served for many years as an instructor of electrical code at Anson Technical College.

He was a devoted member of Porter Baptist Church for more than 60 years.

Reece greatly enjoyed driving his John Deere tractor(s), farming, gardening, and golfing with friends and family— pursuits that reflected his strong work ethic and deep appreciation for the land and the outdoors. He was an avid apiculturist, maintaining hives across Stanly County, and he enjoyed afternoon drives with his canine companion, Sissy.

During his high school years, he and his younger brother, Bobby, operated a duckpin bowling alley in Norwood. In his twenties, Reece held a record bowling score of 289 for one year at Dogwood Lanes in Albemarle.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his siblings: Stacy Deese (Mary), Kathleen Kimrey (Alfred), Tony Deese (Margaret), Betty Whitley (Neil), and Bobby Deese (Jeanette).

He is survived by his daughters, Teresa Piner (Lewis), Kathryn Louise Kepley (Don), and Andrea Deese (Terry); and by his five cherished granddaughters, Brittany Piner, Morgan Piner, Margaret Kepley, Caroline Kepley, and Meredith Kepley. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and greatnephews across the United States, all of whom he loved dearly and who will cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Working Land Trust or the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (Pollinators Program).

IN MEMORY

KATHERINE ELIZABETH BRYANT PINTEA MAY 7, 1958 – DEC. 18, 2025 Katherine Elizabeth Bryant Pintea, 67, of Locust, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, at her home. A visitation will be held at a time to be announced.

Born May 7, 1958, in Atlanta, Georgia, Katherine was the daughter of the late James Thomas Bryant and Frances Jane Bell Bryant. She was formerly employed with Weyerhaeuser, Lance, and Compass Foods.

Katherine will be remembered as a caring, fun-loving free spirit with a great sense of humor and a deep love for life. She adored her cats, but nothing brought her greater joy than being “Nana.” Being Nana was one of her proudest roles, and she embraced it wholeheartedly, showering her grandchildren with love, attention and laughter. Nana treasured every moment spent with them, whether sitting poolside watching them play or simply being present.

Music was a constant companion throughout her life. She was a devoted fan of Stevie Nicks, Heart and the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

Her brother David fondly recalled riding in her car during their younger years, listening to 8-track tapes blaring loudly as they drove-memories filled with music and joy.

She had a sweet tooth and a fondness for Coca-Cola, sweet tea, and Chick-fil-A, where she worked her very first job as a young woman at the mall. She always made sure her sons’ birthdays were special and never hesitated to splurge on shoes for her sons. Family stories were plentiful, including one David often shared about the children jumping up and down on the bed while Grandma watched-until the bed springs finally gave way.

Her sister Becki shared a cherished childhood memory of the special bond they shared. When Katherine and Becki came down with chicken pox at the same time, their mother moved the television into their bedroom so they could watch scary movies together while quarantined-turning an uncomfortable time into one filled with laughter, closeness and lifelong memories.

Katherine had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and found peace in her garden, among her flowers and wind chimes. Nana especially loved being outside with her grandchildren, watching them by the pool and creating memories they will carry forever. She also enjoyed riding horses and spending time surrounded by nature.

Her husband, Gary, gave her the grounding companionship she had searched for throughout her life. Katherine loved unconditionally, and when she loved, she loved fiercely. She was a good judge of character and offered genuine warmth and acceptance to those around her.

As Nana, she gave freely of her heart and made everyone feel deeply loved.

She is survived by her husband, Gary Pintea; her son, Van Sustar (Eleanor) of Charlotte; her stepson, Matthew Pintea (Elizabeth) of Stanfield; three siblings, David Bryant (Miriam) of Pittsboro, Becki Seymour (Brian) of Douglasville, Georgia, and Steve Bryant (Tara) of Peachland, North Carolina; and her three beloved grandchildren, Harleigh Sustar, Van Sustar IV and Savannah Pintea, who knew her lovingly as Nana.

Katherine’s life was filled with love, laughter, music and devotion to family. Her legacy-especially her cherished role as Nana-will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

The family will receive friends on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Locust from 4-6 p.m. Her cremated remains will be inurned at Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church in Charlotte at a later date.

IN MEMORY

CAROLYN FERN LINDLER

FAYE CRAYTON HUNEYCUTT

FEB. 21, 1943 – DEC. 19, 2025

APRIL 23, 1937 – DEC. 22, 2025

Carolyn Fern Lindler, 82, of Midland, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Carolyn was born on February 21, 1943, in South Carolina to the late Carroll Livingston Merritt and the late Ira Lee Merritt. She was raised in the Olympia and Rosewood communities of Columbia, South Carolina and graduated from Dreher High School in 1961.

That same year, Carolyn met the love of her life, James Lindler, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in South Carolina. They were married in November 1961 and shared 64 years of marriage filled with love, faith, and companionship. Together, they made their home in Charlotte and later Midland and enjoyed traveling and exploring the world side by side.

Carolyn dedicated many years of service to BellSouth, where she built a fulfilling career before retiring. Above all else, she cherished time spent with her family. She found her greatest joy in being a wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 2 p.m., at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 4013 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215, officiated by Pastor Rich Hogg.

Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband, James Luther Lindler of Midland, NC; her children, Lisa Estridge (David Sr.), Amy Polson (Donald), and James Christian Lindler (Amy); her brother, Michael Merritt; her grandchildren, David Estridge (Brittany), Christian Lindler (Mikayla), Emily Polson, Wyatt Lindler, and Kelsey Frampton (Chris); and her great-grandchildren, Jax Lindler, Jolee Lindler, Hayden Frampton, and Gabriel Estridge.

Memorials may be made to Tilley Compassionate Care, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001 or https:// tillerycompassionatecare.org.

Faye Crayton Huneycutt, 88, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025, at Atrium Health Cabarrus Hospital in Concord.

Faye was born April 23, 1937, in Stanly County, North Carolina to the late Homer Eli Crayton and the late Vasti McLester Crayton. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Tony Crayton, Douglas Crayton, Tim Crayton, and her sister, Betty Howell.

The family will receive friends on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Hartsell Funeral Home from 1-1:45 p.m. Funeral Service to follow at 2:00 pm, at Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel officiated by Pastor Jesse Watkins. Burial will follow at the Mission Church Cemetery, Locust, North Carolina.

Faye is lovingly survived by her husband of 68 years, Kenneth Huneycutt; daughter, Sherry Huneycutt; son, Michael (Teresa) Huneycutt; grandchildren, Alan (Tonya) Huneycutt and Kadie Huneycutt; sisters, Judy Thompson and Renee (Robert) Love.

Faye loved to travel to the mountains, flea markets and cooking for her family.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Todd Moore, MD, and the staff of Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute of Albemarle, Bayada of Concord, and the staff at Atrium Health Cabarrus for the care provided to Faye during her time of illness.

ROY LEE MORRISON APRIL 6, 1944 – DEC. 20, 2025 Roy Lee Morrison, 81, of Locust, passed away Saturday, December 20, 2025, at home in Locust.

Roy was born April 6, 1944, in North Carolina to the late William Thomas Morrison and the late Sally Ann Burnette Morrison.

He was also preceded in death by step-daughter Scarlette Latkowski; six brothers and two sisters.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 26, from 10-11:45 a.m. at Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland. The funeral service will follow in the Jack Hartsell Memorial Chapel at noon, officiated by Pastor Wally Gilmer. Burial will follow at Freedom Baptist Cemetery at 20015 Coley Store Road, Locust.

Roy was a wonderful husband, father and pawpaw. He was a dedicated NASCAR fan, especially Daytona. Roy enjoyed spending his time mowing the yard, working on cars, going to the beach, and going to the races. Roy also loved spending time with his great-grandson, Jaxon, and his two dogs, Keani and Luna. But his most fond memories were made spending time with his family. Roy met the love of his life, Brenda, to whom he was married for 52 years. They bought a beach house and would frequently go there to spend quality time together. They also bought an RV and often went to NASCAR events. Roy will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but all can find peace in knowing that he is now with his Lord and Savior.

Survivors include wife, Brenda Morrison of Locust, NC.; daughter, Sandy (Dexter) Page of Locust, NC.; step-son, Scotty (Anita) Alexander of Oakboro, NC; brother, Jerry Morrison of Lexington, NC.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made to Saint Jude’s Children Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/ donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=headerbtn-donate-now.

RANDY LINCOLN CLAY AUG. 9, 1986 – DEC. 20, 2025 Randy Lincoln Clay, 39, of Stanfield, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his home.

A visitation will be held from 5-8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Locust.

Randy was born on August 9, 1986, in Danville, Virginia, to Benny and Suzanne Bowen.

He is lovingly survived by his parents and his sisters: Cali Clay (Carl), Amanda Urey (Chris), Meagan Lint (Chris), and Kerstian Urey. He was a proud and devoted uncle to his nieces and nephews: Logan, Haiden, Jacexin, Serenity, Emma, Kadence, Amelia, Macie, Negan, and Casen, all of whom he adored.

Randy was truly full of life and never met a stranger. He had a deep love for wrestling, football, and the NC State Wolfpack. Music, especially alternative rock, brought him great joy.

As a member at Covenant Dream Center, Randy embraced every activity and formed meaningful connections with those around him. Known as the best brother, he cherished his family deeply and especially loved spending time with his sisters, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Covenant Dream Center, with special thanks to Corrie Craven, who shared a very special bond with Randy and brought light into his life every day. Appreciation is also extended to the many staff members and therapists who supported Randy throughout the years with compassion, care and love.

PHILLIP CURT HOWELL APRIL 17, 1964 – DEC. 22, 2025 Phillip Curt Howell, 61, of Norwood, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be posted when available.

Curt was born on April 17, 1964, in Stanly County to Kenneth and Sue Lisk Howell. Upon graduation, Curt spent most of his days as a skilled boat mechanic– primarily at Ken’s Marina, while also doing contracting work for both Byrd Construction and Stanly Fixtures. Curt was a man of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his loved ones– especially his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Curt leaves behind his daughter, Morgan Bowers (Jessie) of Albemarle; longtime companion, Lisa Loflin; Children by love: Jessica Pigg (Max), and Steven Loflin; his beloved grandchildren: Taylen and Savanna Caviness, Bryson Bowers, Dalton Bowers, and Hayden Bowers, Elijah and Jayden Loflin, Landon Pigg, Larissa Pigg, and Lacey Pigg; brother Todd Howell and sister Angie McSwain (Barry), nieces and nephews Brandi Talbert, Brandon Howell, Evans McSwain and Parker McSwain and his faithful canine companion, Gizmo.

The family will be at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Howell, at 8225 Fork Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

TONY WILLIAMS MAY 25, 1958 – DEC. 24, 2025 Tony Williams, 67, of Stanfield, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

Tony was born May 25, 1958, in Monroe, North Carolina, to the late James Preston Williams and the late Bronnie Ellen Jane Mullis Williams. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and Douglas Williams.

Tony loved his career as a licensed plumber.

He was also a tinkerer. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time in his shop. Tony was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and spent a lot of time riding his motorcycles. He loved to have fun and enjoyed seeing his friends and family have a good time.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 48 years, Tona Williams of Stanfield; son, Casey Williams and spouse, Shannon, of Concord; son, Dylan Williams of Stanfield; brother, Johnny Williams and spouse, Glenda, of Shalotte; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday, January 2, 2026, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland.

DELEAH KIMREY MAY 17, 1964 – DEC. 24, 2025 Deleah Kimrey, 61, of Albemarle, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at her home.

Born May 17, 1964, in Anson County, North Carolina, Deleah was the daughter of Francis Murray Osborne and Donna Lucille Graves.

She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a role that reflected her caring nature and willingness to help others.

Deleah had a creative spirit and found joy in crocheting, a hobby she greatly enjoyed. She also had a deep affection for her cats, which brought her comfort and companionship.

Survivors include her son, Johnathan Kimrey (Jessica) of Pageland, South Carolina; one brother, Ronnie Graves; and three sisters, Rhonda Graves, Lisa Scott (Thomas), and Beleah Osborne. She is also survived by one granddaughter, Adlee Kimrey, whom she loved dearly.

No services will be held at this time.

The family appreciates the thoughts and prayers extended to them during this time.

STANLY SPORTS North Stanly’s Luke Emerson fires a 3-point shot during the Comets’ home game versus Langtree Charter Academy on Saturday.

COURTESY NFHS NETWORK

Comets boys stay perfect with tourney win North Stanly is 9-0 to start the season

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal NEW LONDON — Through the first five weeks of the 2025-26 high school basketball season, the North Stanly varsity boys’ team has yet to find a team capable of slowing it down.

That trend continued Saturday night as the Comets (9-0) remained undefeated with a 77-50

home victory over the Langtree Charter Academy Lions (2-4, 0-2 Catawba Shores) in the opening game of the Comet Christmas Classic tournament.

The Comets wasted little time setting the tone, jumping out to a 23-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. North Stanly continued to build separation in the second quarter, extending its advantage before heading into halftime with a 37-21 lead.

The margin never shrank in the second half as North Stanly maintained control on both

ends of the floor, eventually pulling away for the 27-point win in front of its home crowd.

Saturday’s result was the latest installment in what has become a sustained run of success for the Comets program, as North Stanly entered the season riding 12 consecutive winning campaigns.

Last season, the Comets finished 22-7 overall and 8-3 in Yadkin Valley Conference play, placing third behind Mount Pleasant and South Stanly in the conference standings; North Stanly’s postseason run end-

ed in the second round of the state playoffs with a 94-62 loss at Reidsville.

This season’s roster blends senior leadership with a talented junior class.

Seniors Cam Brown and David Tate anchor a group that also includes juniors Ben Williamson, Bradyn Cook, Drew Talbert and Maddox Lowder. Their combination has fueled a dominant start, with the Comets winning by an average of nearly 20 points per game.

Only one matchup has had a

margin in single digits: a 48-39 home win over Uwharrie Charter Academy on Dec. 19.

North Stanly was scheduled to continue Comet Christmas Classic play against GCAA on Monday and Lexington Senior on Tuesday.

Conference play begins in January, when the Comets will look to capture their first YVC title since the 2020-21 season. North Stanly opens league action at home against Union Academy on Jan. 6, followed by a Jan. 9 matchup with Gray Stone.

THE BEST OF THE NSJ YEARS We celebrate 10 years in print with a look at the top sports performers of the last decade North State Journal staff AS WE FINISH the 25th year of the 2000s, several media outlets have come up with best of lists for the first quarter of the 21st century. At the North State Journal, we are focusing on another milestone.

We started publishing in 2016, meaning this is the end of our 10th year in print. So we’d like to take this moment to look at the best of North Carolina sports in the NSJ’s first decade.

College Football: The state hosted 10 Belk/Duke’s Mayo Bowls and 10 ACC championship games. North Carolina teams played in a total of 46 bowls, led

by NC State, Wake and App State (eight each) and seven conference title games (ACC and Sun Belt).

With plenty of apologies to the large number of snubs, here are our all-decade teams.

• QB: Drake Maye, Ryan Finley • RB: Nyheim Hines, Michael Carter, Darrynton Evans, Will Shipley

TYLER KAUFMAN / AP PHOTO

Left, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. Right, Duke’s Zion Williamson accepts the 2019 Oscar Robertson award for player of the year.

• LB: Chazz Surratt, Payton Wilson, Joe Giles Harris, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis, D’Marco Jackson

• Zion Williamson

• CB: Chandler Rivers, Mark Gilbert, Essang Bassey, Aydan White

• Vernon Carey Jr.

• S: Nick Anderson, Tanner Ingle, Divine Deablo, Tanner Muse

• RJ Barrett • Chris Clemons

• Tre Jones • Paolo Banchero • Armando Bacot • RJ Davis

• PK: Nick Sciba

• Kyle Filipowski

• WR: Zay Jones, Josh Downs, AT Perry, Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, Sage Surratt

• P: Trenton Gill

• Cooper Flagg

• TE: Cam Serigne, Justin Joly

College basketball: North Carolina teams made six Final Four trips, two more than any other state. Here’s a look at the All Americans from the state over that time.

• OT: Ikem Ekwonu, Graham Barton, Zach Tom, Tyler Jones • OG: Chandler Zavala, Willie Lampkin, Tony Adams, Sean Maginn

• Return: Greg Dortch

• Brice Johnson

• C: Garrett Bradbury, Grant Gibson

• Grayson Allen

• DE: Bradley Chubb, Carlos Basham, Alex Highsmith, Nate Harvey

• Luke Kennard

• DT: Dexter Lawrence, DeWayne Carter, Alim McNeill, Larry Ogunjobi

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

• Justin Jackson

• Marvin Bagley III • Luke Maye • Joel Berry II

NFL: The Carolina Panthers were just returning from their last trip to the Super Bowl when NSJ went to press for the first time. Here’s a look at the last 10 years.

Twenty players have thrown a pass for the Panthers, including three punters, three receivers and a running back. Eleven have started a game. Cam Newton leads in yards (11,462) and touchdowns (69), followed

by Bryce Young (7,971 and 21).

In yardage, the top five includes Teddy Bridgewater (3,733), Sam Darnold (3.670) and Kyle Allen (3,588). For scoring passes, it’s Allen (19), Darnold (16) and Bridgewater (15).

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

UNC’s Drake Maye carries the ball during a 2022 game.

A total of 64 Panthers have carried the ball, led by Christian McCaffrey (3,980 yards, 32 TDs) and Chuba Hubbard (3,664 and 23). Newton (1,829 and 20), Jonathan Stewart (1,504 and 15) and Rico Dowdle (1,007 yards) round out the top five. Young and Darnold (7 each) are fifth in touchdown runs.

Seventy-nine Panthers have caught passes, led by DJ Moore (5,201 yards, 21 TDs) and McCaffrey (3,292 and 18). Next for yardage are Greg Olsen (2,152),

Curtis Samuel (2,087) and the former Robbie Anderson (now known as Robbie Chosen, 1,821 yards). Devin Funchess (16) is third in touchdowns, followed

by Samuel (14), Olsen and Tommy Tremble (10).

Brian Burns is the sacks leader, Shaq Thompson the tackles leader and Donte Jackson the interceptions leader.

As we approach the end of our official 10 years in February, we’ll continue to look at the state’s top sports moments of the NSJ years.

B2

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

NASCAR’s Keselowski suffers broken leg in skiing accident The former champion is expected to recover in time for the Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, a former Cup Series champion who is now co-owner of RFK Racing, broke his right leg while on a ski trip, the team announced.

Keselowski underwent surgery last Thursday, and doctors told him to expect a quick recovery that will have him back for the season-opening Daytona 500 in February. He is winless in 16 starts in the showcase race as he enters the final years of his driving career.

“Life has a way of reminding you to slow down,” Keselowski posted on social media with photos of him in the hospital surrounded by his wife and children, an image of the break, and video of him using a walker. “Grateful for my family by my side, an excellent medical team, and the ability to take a few steps forward today. Focused on Daytona. Bonus — I’m now bionic!”

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Brad Keselowski is introduced to fans prior to May’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Keselowski did not reveal the extent of his injury or what bones are broken.

Keselowski, who turns 42 just days before the Feb. 15 “Great American Race,” is en-

NCAA FOOTBALL

Baker, Smothers lead area players in transfer portal

Vanderbilt’s Lea wins coach of the year

NC State running back Hollywood Smothers announced his intention to transfer one day after the Wolfpack’s season-ending win in the Gasparilla Bowl. The sophomore will also explore NFL options during the offseason. Also transferring is UNC quarterback Bryce Baker. The East Forsyth standout committed to UNC last year and chose to stay after Bill Belichick took over as coach. However, he never played in a game despite the Tar Heels’ struggles with consistency at the position.

NFL

Chiefs’ move to Kansas leaves Missouri fans heartbroken Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs announced plans to move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas. The decision follows Kansas lawmakers approving a bond package to cover up to 70% of the new stadium’s costs.

Missouri lawmakers had tried to keep the Chiefs with their own funding package but were outbid. The move marks the second time in a decade that Missouri has lost an NFL team.

Nashville Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year at the college football awards. Lea led the Commodores to wins over four ranked opponents and a school-record 10 wins. Lea, a linebackers coach at Wake Forest in 2016 under head coach Dave Clawson, has a 26-35 record at Vanderbilt since 2021 and has led the team to back-to-back bowls, just the second multiyear bowl streak in school history.

NFL

Steelers’ Metcalf suspended 2 games following altercation Pittsburgh The NFL has suspended Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf for two games following an altercation with a fan during the team’s victory over Detroit. CBS-TV cameras captured the confrontation between Metcalf and a fan during the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 win over Detroit. The fan leaned over the railing and exchanged words with Metcalf before Metcalf ended the confrontation by swinging his right arm in the vicinity of the fan’s face. It’s unclear how much contact Metcalf’s arm made with the fan.

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Keselowski broke his ankle in 2011 when he crashed during a test session and won a Cup Series race at Pocono just days later.

“I’m grateful to the medical team who took great care of me and for the support system around me,” Keselowski said in a statement. “I’m motivated to get back to full strength as quickly as possible and will work relentlessly to be ready for Daytona.”

Keselowski won the 2012 Cup Series championship for Penske and has 36 career victories at NASCAR’s top level. He won the Xfinity Series title in 2010 and 39 races in NASCAR’s second-tier series.

He has won one points-paying race since leaving Penske as he works to help rebuild RFK into the once-proud organization founded by Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush.

Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, missed six races in the 2023 season when he broke his leg in a snowboarding crash early in the season. Kyle Busch missed 11 races when he broke his leg in a crash at Daytona in 2015 but recovered to win the Cup championship that year.

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tering his 17th full season of racing at the top Cup Series level. He spent the bulk of his career at Team Penske but purchased a stake in Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and became an owner/driver of the rebranded team.

The organization is reeling from last week’s fatal plane crash that killed longtime Roush driver Greg Biffle and six others, including his wife and two children. Biffle had retired by the time Keselowski joined the team.

“First and foremost, our hearts remain heavy with the news of yesterday’s tragic events,” the team said. “The RFK Racing family, as well as the NASCAR community, as a whole, continues to keep those close to The Biffle Family and all those affected in our thoughts. Albeit untimely, we feel that in the interest of transparency we share RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski suffered a broken leg while on a ski trip with his family last Thursday.”

The team called the surgery “routine” and said doctors expect a “a quick and full recovery.”

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B3

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

50 years since lawyer’s decision unlocked free agency in Major League Baseball, changing sports forever Salaries have increased by 112-fold since free agency began

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press NEW YORK — Sports were turned upside down 50 years ago by a man who never threw or kicked a ball.

A lawyer with expertise in labor relations struck down Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, which had bound players to their teams since the 1870s.

No one could have predicted then that the 65-page decision issued Dec. 23, 1975, by arbitrator Peter Seitz — who later compared baseball owners to “the French barons of the 12th century” — would lead to an upheaval that made thousands of players multimillionaires.

“The real floodgates opened after that,” former pitcher David Cone said. “Players were finally, in all walks of life, in all sports, were finally able to see what, hey, what free agency re-

ally looks like. There was all the doom and gloom back then from one side that said: ‘This is going to ruin the game. It’s not sustainable.’ And actually, it was just the opposite. It made the game better.”

Baseball’s average salary was $44,676 at the time of the decision, $260,909 in current dollars, and climbed to about $5 million this year, a 112-fold increase.

Seitz’s decision was followed by free agency upheavals in the NFL, NBA, NFL and European soccer.

Curt Flood had lost a lawsuit arguing for free agency in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld baseball’s antitrust exemption, ruling it was up to Congress to make any change.

In December 1974, Catfish Hunter was set free on a technicality when Seitz concluded Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley failed to make a $50,000 payment into a long-term annuity fund as specified in the pitcher’s contract.

“It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Steve Rogers, All-Star pitcher and union official Following a bidding war, Hunter signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees for about $3.2 million.

“We saw this huge contract, it was like reading from another world,” recalled former All-Star pitcher Steve Rogers, among the first beneficiaries of free agency and later a longtime union official. “The magnitude was just unheard of, the number of dollars that were guaranteed to him. It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Language in each player agreement stated the club could “renew this contract for the period of one year on the same terms,″ except that the salary

could be cut by as much as 20%.

After playing the 1975 season under renewals, Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave McNally of the Montreal Expos maintained in a grievance the renewal period was one year only and they should be declared free.

Following a three-day hearing that generated an 842-page transcript and 97 exhibits, Seitz urged owners to settle the case as late as Dec. 9. Then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn urged owners to fire Seitz before a decision, but management’s Player Relations Committee refused because it was afraid of bad publicity.

Seitz ruled for the union.

Management fired Seitz that afternoon and vowed to over-

turn the decision in federal court.

Seitz’s decision was upheld in February 1976 by U.S. District Judge John W. Oliver and affirmed the following month by an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of Judges Floyd Robert Gibson, Gerald Heaney and Roy Laverne Stephenson.

That July 12, players and owners agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement creating one-time free agency for all players after 1976 or 1977 and going forward after six seasons of major league service, which is still in place. Future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were among the first players to gain free-agent riches.

“The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,″ Moss, who died last year, said in 2020.

“I think one can make a case that we’ve spent the last two-plus decades trying to reestablish some reasonable equilibrium,″ then-commissioner Bud Selig said in 2000.

AP PHOTO

Baltimore Orioles Dave McNally, a free agency pioneer, delivers a pitch in a 1974 game.

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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COURTNEY LEDFORD, Plaintiff, Vs. JOSE LUJANO, Defendant.

TO: COURTNEY LEDFORD, PLAINTIFF: TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you was filed June 26, 2025 in Stanly County, North Carolina in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: MOTION TO MODIFY CUSTODY ORDER (19CVD000376-830) You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than March 2, 2026 to the Stanly County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 668, Albemarle, NC 28002, Attn: Civil Division and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought on the next hearing date of March 9, 2026 at 9:30am.

This the 17th of December, 2025.

PARNELL AND SCALES, PLLC Andrew T. Scales Attorney for Defendant P.O. Box 2300 Albemarle, NC 28002 PUBLISH: December 17, 2025, December 24, 2025 and December 31, 2025

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000498-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administator Of the estate of Kathleen Mary Francis, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Kathleen Mary Francis to present them to the undersigned on or before March 17, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 17th day of December, 2025.

Charles W. Parnell, Jr. P.O. Box 2300 Albemarle, NC 28002 Publish: December 17, 2025, December 24, 2025, December 31, 2025, and January 7, 2026.

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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 to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000629-830 Having qualified as Co-Administrators of the estate of Vann Burleson, Jr. deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Vann Burleson, Jr. to present them to the undersigned on or before March 11, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 10th day of December, 2025 Amy Whitley 12827 Swaringen Road Norwood, NC 28128 Co-Administrator Laura Curcio 1919 Palmetto Drive Apt. C Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Administrator

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

2013 HONDA ACCORD EXL V6 LEATHER PEARL WHITED 125K LOCAL TRADE ........................... $12 ,995 FORECLOSURES

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James Thomas (Deceased) and Jeanette Banister (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James Thomas and Jeanette Banister) to Heather Lovier, Trustee(s), dated April 30, 2020, and recorded in Document No. 419260, in Book No. 1698, at Page 1574 in Stanly County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Stanly 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 Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on January 7, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Albemarle in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING Lot No. 108 as shown on map of American & Efird Mills, Inc. Subdivision, Albemarle, North Carolina, made

by Pickell and Pickell Engineers, of Greenville, South Carolina, and duly recorded in Plat Book No 1 at Pages 224 and 225 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Stanly County, North Carolina, to which said map reference is hereby made for further description.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 710 Love Street, Albemarle, North Carolina.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY In the District Court Division

NOTICE

2014 BUICK LACROSSE V6 CXL LEATHER SEATS CHAMPAGNE COLOR “66K”...................................... $16,995

25SP000140-830

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 27523 - 140229 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

Having qualified as Executor of the ESTATE OF TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON), deceased of 28908 Kendalls Church Road, Richfield, NC 28137 (Stanly County Clerk of Court Case No. 25E000666830), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Decedent TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON) to present them to the undersigned ANDREW W. BURLESON, Executor, 28198-A Rogers Road, New London, NC 28127, in care of Tanya N. Oesterreich, Oesterreich Law PLLC, at PO Box 2067, Concord, North Carolina 28026, on or before the 25th day of March, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON) will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of December, 2025.

ANDREW W. BURLESON, Executor ESTATE OF TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON) 28198-A Rogers Road New London, NC 28127

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000674-830 Having qualified as Executor of the estate of Gary Edward Dick deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Gary Edward Dick to present them to the undersigned on or before March 25, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 24th day of December, 2025 Brett Speight 1024 Austin Road New London, NC 28127 Executor

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000538-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executrix of the estate of Clarence Edward Mayo, deceased of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Clarence Edward Mayo to present them to the undersigned on or before March 25, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 24th day of December 2025 Amanda Hopson Mayo 8294 C Renee Ford Road Stanfield, North Carolina 28163 Executrix

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000582-830 Having qualified as Executor of the estate of Franklin D. Parker deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Franklin D. Parker to present them to the undersigned on or before March 11, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 10th day of December, 2025 Beth Parker Thompson 332 Spring Street New London, NC 28127 Executor

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000640-830 Having qualified as Administrator of the estate of Laceta Faye Smith deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Laceta Faye Smith to present them to the undersigned on or before March 18, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 17th day of December, 2025 Jeffrey Allan Smith 365 Montego Lane Salisbury, NC 28144 Administrator

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000599-830 Having qualified as Administratrix of the estate of Rebecca Lee Thorne deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Rebecca Lee Thorne to present them to the undersigned on or before March 11, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 10th day of December, 2025 Shirley Horvath Garrett 49403 Deer Run Road Norwood, NC 28128

B5

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, ill-timed KissCam, whatever ‘6-7’ means Monster British rock band Oasis reunited for world tour

“Speak out for what you believe and what you feel. Or don’t. You have to live with yourself.”

By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press DICTIONARIES DEFINE things. It’s their job. So when Dictionary.com pronounced “6-7” as its 2025 word of the year, you’d think they would have, well, defined it.

But no. “We’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” they told us of this year’s “linguistic time capsule.”

But that’s just how pop culture works, isn’t it? Who’s to explain why parents alone in their cars were suddenly singing “up up up” from that “KPop Demon Hunters?” song?

Despite our new obsessions, though, some things remained constant — by which we mean Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, of course. It seems like every year gets bigger for Swift. But in 2025, she put a bow — or ring — on it with Travis Kelce, announcing “your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

So from the inexplicable to the familiar, here’s our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane: JANUARY They may not be Tayvis, but they’re a delightful couple just the same: Zendaya and Tom Holland are engaged. Let’s hear it also for Demi Moore, who wins a Golden Globe for her wild performance in “The Substance.” At the bookstore, fans go wild for “Onyx Storm,” the third installment of Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy series.

A Nirvana reunion highlights FireAid, a fundraiser for relief efforts following the Los Angeles wildfires.

FEBRUARY “Salutations!” says Samuel L. Jackson, introducing Kendrick Lamar, the first solo hip-hop artist — and Pulitzer winner — to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. (P.S. Is that Serena Williams?) At the Grammys, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department present Beyoncé with her best album trophy for “Cowboy Carter” — the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammy history becomes the first black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century.

MARCH It’s Oscar month! All hail to

Robert Redford haps the biggest Cinderella story of all: 15-year-old Owen Cooper, the youngest Emmy winner in more than 40 years for the searing “Adolescence.” Also, this month, Jimmy Kimmel is temporarily suspended by ABC bosses for comments that angered supporters of the slain Charlie Kirk. The world says goodbye to Robert Redford, Hollywood’s golden screen idol.

OCTOBER

ASHLEY LANDIS / AP PHOTO

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift kiss after the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 26 in Kansas City, Missouri. move that will remove from air one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics. We cannot leave July behind — although at least two people would have loved to — without mentioning the saga of the Coldplay KissCam. Finally, within six days, the world loses three ’80s icons: mustachioed wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, heavy metal godfather Ozzy Osbourne, and beloved “Cosby Show” actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

Sean Baker’s victorious, Brooklyn-set “Anora” and its star, Mikey Madison. Also scoring an acting prize is Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist” — who probably should have found another place to put his chewing gum.

“Wicked,” an audience favorite, misses out on big prizes, but its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, perform a rousing opening number.

black style over the centuries. “It took a minute,” says an approving Spike Lee. “You belong with me,” Swift sings, buying back the rights to her first six albums.

Finally, cue the “Chicago Pope” memes — in honor of the first American pope, Leo XIV. Later this year, he’ll reveal his Wordle strategy.

APRIL

“The world will know you as pop stars — but you will bemuch more than that.” Like, perhaps, the surprise, multigenerational hit of the summer? “KPop Demon Hunters” starts streaming this month, and in August will give Netflix a big box office win with its singalong screenings. On TV, it’s a new season of love — “Love Island USA,” that is, chronicling the goings-on at a luxury villa in Fiji. It’s the album cover that launched a thousand conversations: Some are offended when Sabrina Carpenter illustrates her “Man’s Best Friend” album with a photo of her on all fours, with a man holding her hair. Is it offensive, a purposeful joke, or nothing at all?

Let’s just give this whole entry to pop culture’s biggest “Love Story” — because, baby, she said yes! Taylor-Travis skeptics eat their words when the couple announces their happy news, in what’s destined to become one of the most liked posts in Instagram history. It’s the fairytale culmination of a courtship that began during the Eras Tour and for two years captivated millions around the world but especially Swifties, the pop star’s loving and fiercely protective fan base.

The blender! The poisonous fruit! The lizard! And Sam Rockwell! The Thailand-set third season of “The White Lotus” is certainly a talker. Katy Perry may be wishing she’d headed to Thailand rather than outer space: Her Earth-kissing return from an 11-minute trip on a Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket is widely mocked — even

by Wendy’s, which writes on X: “Can we send her back.” On Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour, a star has emerged — 13-year-old Blue Ivy. MAY

JUNE

AUGUST

“So, how was your October?”

“Oh, 6-7.” That’s apparently how one should use the new viral term — accompanied by that palms-up gesture. You know who has better moves than that?

Bad Bunny, who hosts the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” In Swift updates, her new album “The Life Of A Showgirl” sets sales records. Another sad loss: Diane Keaton, famous for her fedoras, vests and especially “La di da, La di da.”

NOVEMBER Are we at the end of the yellow brick road? The “Wicked” press tour, which reached all ends of the universe actual and fictional, wraps with the release of Jon M. Chu’s second installment, “Wicked: For Good.” The reviews are much less, er, enthusiastical this time, but the movie defies gravity at the box office.

That’s not enough for Jonathan Bailey, aka Fiyero, who is named People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

DECEMBER One award after another! Excuse the rather obvious pun, but it’s the perfect one to describe momentum in the Oscars race.

While some films see their fortunes fade on Golden Globe nominations day, the emerging favorite is “One Battle After Another,” director Paul Thomas Anderson’s father-daughter saga of political resistance starring Leonardo DiCaprio and newcomer Chase Infiniti.

Its success also lends a victory to Warner Bros. in the middle of its Netflix acquisition deal — which, at year’s end, is in a holding pattern, facing antitrust challenges and a hostile takeover effort from Paramount.

A crisis, at Cannes! The film fest bans nudity on the carpet — do they think this will halt the “naked dress” phenomenon? Bonne chance. Also at Cannes, Tom Cruise again shows he’ll risk life and limb to entertain, this time atop a classic biplane in “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.”

Across the ocean, the Met Gala turns its focus to menswear and

JULY

SEPTEMBER

Oasis begins a reunion tour, and the Gallagher brothers are still getting along! “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” goes the much-discussed advertisement, and American Eagle insists it’s about the denim. CBS says it will end Stephen Colbert’s show in May 2026 — a

Proving once again that Hollywood loves stories about itself, the Emmys heap awards on Seth Rogen’s movie-biz satire “The Studio.” Also triumphing is “The Pitt,” the edgy medical drama starring beloved “ER” veteran Noah Wyle that beats out the mighty “Severance.” Per-

of sale at the Stanly County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 8, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Stanly County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Bobby Joe Talbert and Flora M. Talbert, dated December 9, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $50,000.00, and recorded in Book 1035 at Page 284 of the Stanly 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: 1356 Eastside Avenue, Albemarle, NC 28001 Tax Parcel ID: 655801075731 Present Record Owners: Bobby J. Talbert The record owner(s) of the property,

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Bobby J. Talbert.

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.

The date of this Notice is December 12, 2025. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Aaron Gavin N.C. State Bar No. #59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By: 25-119992

CONDITIONS OF SALE:

sale “AS IS, WHERE IS.” THERE ARE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES relating to the title or to 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.

Statutes Section 45-21.30 (d) and (e).

This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law.

agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Residential real property with less than 15 rental units, including single-family residential real property: an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to 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 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 not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental

Dated: 12/09/2025 Philip A. Glass, Trustee Nodell, Glass & Haskell, L.L.P.

FORECLOSURES 25-119992 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY 25SP000080-830 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BOBBY JOE TALBERT AND FLORA M. TALBERT DATED DECEMBER 9, 2004 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1035 AT PAGE 284 IN THE STANLY 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

NORTH CAROLINA Special Proceedings No. 25 SP000143-830 STANLY COUNTY Trustee: Philip A. Glass NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Date of Sale: January 14, 2026 Time of Sale: 10:30 a.m.

Place of Sale: Stanly County Courthouse Description of Property: See Attached Description Record Owners: Heirs of Jaunelle D. Jennings Address of Property: 1221 Freeman View Drive Albemarle, NC 28001 Deed of Trust: Book : 1854 Page: 922 Dated: June 3, 2024 Grantors: Jaunelle D. Jennings, an unmarried person Original Beneficiary: State Employees’ Credit Union

This sale is made subject to all unpaid taxes and superior liens or encumbrances of record and assessments, if any, against the said property, and any recorded leases. This sale is also subject to any applicable county land transfer tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for any such county land transfer tax. It is the intent of the holder of the above Deed of Trust that the execution, delivery and recordation of a Trustee Deed to the holder as high bidder shall not merge with any superior Deeds of Trust held by the holder of the above Deed of Trust, and that the holder of said superior Deed of Trust shall continue to enjoy all rights and remedies set forth in said superior Deed of Trust, including the right to foreclose either by judicial action or under power of sale contained in the superior Deed of Trust.

The property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for

A cash deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be required at the time of the sale. Remote bidding will not be accepted pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.25 (a). Credit bids on behalf of the Noteholder will be accepted. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certified check at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in North Carolina General

Posted on 12/09/2025 Exhibit A BEING all of Lot 125 Morgan Hills Map 2 as shown on that plat recorded in Plat Book 30, Pages 104-111 Stanly County Registry Being the same property conveyed to the Borrower(s) herein by Deed recorded contemporaneously herewith.

Subject to easements, restrictions and rights of way of record, and utility lines and rights of way in existence over, under or upon the above-described property.

PIN: 654701076732 Property Address: 1221 Freeman View Dr. Albemarle, NC 28001

B6

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 5 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2025

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 919-663-3232

THE FORSYTH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAMON HAIMOFF / AMERICA250 VIA AP

The red, white and blue New Year’s Eve ball is meant to honor the U.S.’s 250th year.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge”

Times Square features patriotic ball drop for New Year, America250 kickoff 2026 is the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence

small, planned nationwide to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

“I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios, who oversees the bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial anniversary. “It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”

Rios and her group worked with the Times Square Alliance business district and One Times Square, the building from where the ball is dropped, to make the changes to this year’s ceremonies. They’re also plan-

ning a second ball drop event July 3, the eve of the nation’s birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios said.

It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be a ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve, she said.

A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot-diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. Last year, the Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled. It measured about 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds.

The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

This year, the stroke of midnight also marked the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250. Organizers hope to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country.

On Thursday, America250 participated in the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena,

Washington, D.C. The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.

By Susan Haigh The Associated Press

Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats

Volunteering with children can build character, create lasting family memories

Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela. But the U.S. has offered no other details.

Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday. Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drug-ferrying boats originate from. “I don’t know if you read or saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” Trump said.

“Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.”

$2.00

AFTER THE CRYSTAL ball dropped on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue to usher in 2026 and kick off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gathering, including a second confetti drop, offered an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and

Giving back can be rewarding for kids

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer.

So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start.”

By Cathy Bussewitz The Associated Press NEW YORK — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned 3, she set out to find volunteer opportunities they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote wildflower growth.

Teacoach had reached out to many organizations looking for volunteer projects that she could do with her young child, but most places said no, so she came up with her own.

“Everyone was like, ‘A 3-year-old can’t do that,’” Teacoach said. “And I was like, ‘No, I swear, he really can if you would just give him a chance.’”

Volunteering with children can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide

See BALL, page A2

Polly Lagana, Volunteer New York! executive director

PETER HAMLIN / AP ILLUSTRATION

Volunteering with children can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond. unique ways for families to bond. During the holiday season, many people seek such opportunities, looking for ways to give back.

But often nonprofit organizations seek helpers who are at least 18 years old. Finding volunteer work to do as a fami-

ly with young children can be challenging, but there are opportunities if you persist.

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer. So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start,” said Polly Lagana, executive director

of Volunteer New York!, which connects people with service opportunities. “In a turbulent time in our world, families — and parents in particular — are very interested in showing their kids how they can help out and how they can give back.”

Children excel at activities such as sorting coats, packing groceries and following through on tasks, said Sapreet Saluja, executive director of New York Cares, which works with organizations to develop See VOLUNTEER, page A2

A2

Twin City Herald for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THURSDAY

1.1.26 #381

Man dead, 2 police officers hurt in shooting during custody exchange in Mint Hill The officers are in stable condition The Associated Press

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Trip Hoffend, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Dan Reeves, Features Editor Ryan Henkel, Reporter PJ Ward-Brown, Photographer

MINT HILL — A man was shot and killed Friday after firing at police in a suburb of Charlotte during a child custody exchange, authorities said.

Two Mint Hill police officers were also wounded in the

Published each Thursday as part of North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 919-663-3232 NSJONLINE.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, NC and at additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

BALL from page A1 California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” It featured three larger-than-life bald eagles representing the country’s past, present and future.

VOLUNTEER from page A1 volunteer programs in New York City.

“I’ve been very impressed with the detail-orientation and the precision and the following of directions and the care that some kids I’ve seen, as young as 6, take to the tasks that they’re doing,” Saluja said. “It’s been explained to them that this is to benefit someone, and it’s important, and they’re following the directions and they want to get it just right. And in many cases, they’re more detail-oriented than the adults, which I think is very inspiring.”

To get started, look for organizations in your community that match volunteers with family-friendly projects and reach out to ask if there’s a minimum age requirement.

Here are some other ways to involve little ones in projects that help the community.

Provide choices Children prefer to have agency and information to make a decision, so include them when you’re choosing an activity, Lagana said.

“Let them know what problem you’re trying to fix in your community and maybe one or

the store, then saw one of them leading the other outside with blood on their hands and face, manager Kevin Phayme told reporters at the scene.

Police initially said the officers were in critical condition and a few hours later updated their conditions to stable. They said more information about the shooting will be released later.

Crime scene technicians

were seen on television footage taking photos inside the store and examining evidence outside. A statement from Edible Arrangements said the company didn’t have any information Friday evening indicating the shooting involved anyone with its store and was still trying to talk to the franchise owner.

Mint Hill is a suburb of about 27,000 people about 12 miles east of Charlotte.

New York subway ends MetroCard era, switches fully to tap-and-go fares It replaced the venerable subway token in 1994

BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager

shooting Mint Hill Police said in a statement on social media.

Mint Hill officers were called to the exchange at an Edible Arrangement store around 10:45 a.m. Friday. Authorities said the man pulled out a gun and started shooting and officers fired back. Police say he died in the exchange of gunfire.

Employees at Empire Pizza nearby were on a smoke break and saw two officers go inside

By Philip Marcelo The Associated Press NEW YORK — When the MetroCard replaced the New York City subway token in 1994, the swipeable plastic card infused much-needed modernity into one of the world’s oldest and largest transit systems.

Now, more than three decades later, the gold-hued fare card and its notoriously finicky magnetic strip are following the token into retirement.

The last day to buy or refill a MetroCard is Dec. 31, as the transit system fully transitions to OMNY, a contactless payment system that allows riders to tap their credit card, phone or other smart device to pay fares, much like they do for other everyday purchases.

Transit officials say more than 90% of subway and bus trips are now paid using the tap-and-go system, introduced in 2019.

Major cities around the world, including London and Singapore, have long used similar contactless systems. In the U.S., San Francisco launched a pay-go system earlier this year, joining Chicago and others.

MetroCards upended how New Yorkers commute The humble MetroCard may have outlasted its useful life, but in its day it was revolution-

ary, says Jodi Shapiro, curator at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, which opened an exhibit earlier this month reflecting on the MetroCard’s legacy.

Before MetroCards, bus and subway riders relied on tokens, the brass-colored coins introduced in 1953 that were purchased from station booths.

When the subway opened in 1904, paper tickets cost just a nickel, or about $1.82 in today’s dollars.

“There was a resistance to change from tokens to something else because tokens work,” Shapiro said on a recent visit to the museum, housed underground in a decommissioned subway station. “MetroCards introduced a whole other level of thinking for New Yorkers.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched public campaigns to teach commuters how to swipe the originally blue-colored cards correctly, hoping to avoid the dreaded error message or lost fares. Officials even briefly toyed with the idea of an quirky mascot, the Cardvaark, before coming to their senses.

The cards quickly became collectors items as the transit system rolled out special commemorative editions marking major events, such as the “Subway Series” between baseball’s New York Mets and the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series. At the time, a fare cost $1.50.

Artists from David Bowie

Unlike the MetroCard rollout, OMNY has required little adjustment.

Riders reluctant to use a credit card or smart device can purchase an OMNY card they can reload, similar to a MetroCard. Existing MetroCards will also continue to work into 2026, allowing rid-

ers to use remaining balances.

MTA spokespersons declined to comment, pointing instead to their many public statements as the deadline approaches.

The agency has said the changeover saves at least $20 million annually in MetroCard-related costs.

The new system also allows unlimited free rides within a seven-day period because the fare is capped after 12 rides. It’ll max out at $35 a week once the fare rises to $3 in January.

Still, new changes come with tradeoffs, with some critics raising concerns about data collection and surveillance.

Near Times Square on a recent morning, Ronald Minor was among the dwindling group of “straphangers” still swiping MetroCards.

The 70-year-old Manhattan resident said he’s sad to see them go. He has an OMNY card but found the vending machines to reload it more cumbersome.

“It’s hard for the elders,” Minor said as he caught a train to Brooklyn. “Don’t push us aside and make it like we don’t count.

You push these machines away, you push us away.”

John Sacchetti, another MetroCard user at the Port Authority stop, said he likes being able to see his balance as he swipes through a turnstile so he knows how much he’s been spending on rides.

“It’s just like everything else, just something to get used to,” he said as he headed uptown.

“Once I get used to it, I think it’ll be OK.”

and Olivia Rodrigo to seminal New York hip-hop acts, such as the Wu-Tang Clan, the Notorious B.I.G. and LL Cool J, have also graced the plastic card over the years, as have iconic New York shows like “Seinfeld” and “Law & Order.”

“For me, the most special cards are cards which present New York City to the world,” said Lev Radin, a collector in the Bronx. “Not only photos of landmarks, skylines, but also about people who live and make New York special.”

Perfecting the correct angle and velocity of the MetroCard swipe also became something of a point of pride separating real New Yorkers from those just visiting.

During her failed 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. senator from New York, took an excruciating five swipes at a Bronx turnstile.

In fairness, her chief Democratic opponent at the time, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a native Brooklynite, didn’t even appear to realize tokens had been discontinued.

Cost savings, lingering concerns

“We want to ring in this new year from sea to shining sea.

What better way to think about it than going from New York to California,” Rios said. “This has to be community-driven, this has be grassroots. We’re going from Guam to Alaska, from

Fairbanks to Philadelphia, and everything in between.”

President Donald Trump has also announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.

Rios said she sees the wide

range of celebrations and programs planned for the coming months, from large fireworks displays and statewide potluck suppers to student contests and citizen oral histories, as an opportunity to unite a politically divided nation.

“If we can find something for everyone ... having those menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate,” she said. “That’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.”

two options of how that problem can be fixed,” Lagana said.

“For example, you can explain there are people who don’t have enough food, and children in the hospital who might not have blankets, and then ask, ‘Which one do you think you want to help out with?’” she suggested.

Consider volunteering for a mission that you can explain to your child, such as cleaning up litter at a park.

“Kids are unbelievably curious. They ask questions about what they’re doing, what they’re seeing, what they’re feeling, what they’re hearing, and it opens up a dialogue,” Saluja said. “It helps you see even at a young age some of the challenges that society is facing, and it gives you agency to know that you can be a part of the solution.”

individuals in Denver. Initially, they rode in the car with their parents and helped bring food to the door. When they were older, they took turns driving.

“It definitely opened my eyes to what the world is like outside of our bubble. We saw all sorts of different things and I saw not everyone lives the same way,” said Davis, now 17. “But even at such a young age I could realize it’s amazing what we’re doing that we could help people that aren’t as lucky as we were.”

Davis became a resource at school for fellow students looking to volunteer. She still does monthly meal deliveries with her parents.

“It’s a great chance for us to catch up as a family,” said her father, Seth Davis. “When we’re not all on our phones, you get some pretty cool quality time.”

Her brother is now in college, but when he’s home, they do deliveries altogether.

“The older they get, the harder it is to get that time together,” said their mother, Bonnie Davis, who found the Meals on Wheels opportunity after extensive research.

organizations willing to accept her toddler, she started a group in Pittsburgh called VolunTOTs, which creates service opportunities for children as young as 3. The children and their parents pack 500 boxes of groceries to distribute to families in need, play bingo with seniors in nursing homes and make dog treats for an animal rescue center, among other projects.

Parents have told Teacoach their children’s conduct improves after volunteering.

“They feel so good about themselves, they were a helper, and that translates into better behavior,” she said.

Stephanie Bernaba’s family started “Tough Cookies,” a project where they bake and deliver cookies to veterans, when her son Matthew was in eighth grade and had to complete a service project for school.

“Going up to the houses, it was very nice because they’re mostly living alone. A lot of their family or friends died,” said Michael Bernaba, 14, now a freshman at The Prout School in Wakefield, Rhode Island. “It’s just nice to be there and bring it to them. ...

They were very happy, especially for someone to bring them treats like that.”

The project also helped the teens learn social skills and meet

people in various stages of life and health conditions, Stephanie Bernaba said.

“We went to the first couple of places, and I was really scared, because I’m more of a shy person,” Matthew Bernaba, now 15, said. “For the first couple of deliveries I was more to myself, and as we kept going, we talked more with the veterans and got to hear great stories from them.”

Sharing food Children understand hunger, and they can help alleviate the problem. They can sort grocery boxes at a food pantry or help deliver sustenance to home-bound individuals.

Aviva Davis was about 8 years old when she and her brother Brendan began helping her parents deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens and medically frail

Create your own opportunities When Teacoach couldn’t find

Friends make it fun Children can be more willing to try new activities with a buddy, so consider signing up with people you know.

You can also connect with a nonprofit in need of a service and invite other families over to do a project together, as Lagana’s friends have done, organizing clothing donations or assembling snack packs in living rooms.

Bonnie Davis organized a drive for menstrual supplies, and families gathered in her backyard to assemble the baskets.

She also turned half of her son’s graduation party into a volunteer project assembling kits of bean soup.

“It’s a win for everybody. You get quality time, you’re raising your children with what feels like good values, and people benefit,” she said.

A3

Twin City Herald for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | TERENCE P. JEFFREY

In a gloomy winter, read a couple of classic books Leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time.

AFTER CHRISTMAS is over and the sunrises start getting earlier and the sunsets later in the Northern Hemisphere, there are still two months of scarce daylight and lowering skies ahead.

Here’s a suggestion for how to fill the gloomy hours with uplift: read.

Read some great books, returning perhaps to those you ploughed through on school assignments so many years ago. Discover one of the pleasures of aging — how serious books turn out to be more interesting and enriching than what you remember from dutifully ploughing through them years ago.

Sit in a comfortable chair, turn off the television, remove distracting earbuds, leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time. Open up a book and give yourself uninterrupted hours to become immersed in a world created by a great writer many years ago.

I’ve been following this advice the last couple of winters after I started reflecting on how, despite being in two serious book groups, I was spending too much time reading ephemeral stuff and wasn’t reading anything serious beyond some excellent book group selections. I decided to concentrate my reading on weekends, spending long hours interrupted by little but leg-stretching and avoiding the difficulty of recalling the plot when reading just a chapter or two in the evenings just before bed.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in the opening words of “Anna Karenina.”

So I began with two books about families: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” and Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”

“Karamazov” I had read as a teenager around the time the Hollywood movie version was released. “Buddenbrooks” I went through two

decades ago. Reading them as an adult was a far richer experience, both emotionally and as a contrast in national character. The two books are set at opposite ends of the Baltic Sea: the German book in the orderly commercial Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the Russian in a town resembling Dostoevsky’s ramshackle provincial hometown of Staraya Russa.

For last winter, I recalled Ernest Hemingway’s comment that “all American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn.’” I remembered it as the sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the story of a pleasant picaresque journey, and, of course, I had often heard how it was banned from school reading lists because of its frequent use of the N-word.

What I wasn’t prepared for was, first, the book’s scathing denunciation, veiled as humor or just everyday observation, of slavery. It was published in 1884, less than a decade after the nation basically abandoned Reconstruction and its noble goal of achieving equal rights for black people. Reading it first as a teenager, I also didn’t remember the story of a boy becoming a man, mentored by Jim, the slave to whom he initially condescends and once nearly betrays.

I paired it with two other books of adolescent boys on picturesque but perilous journeys: Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” written as a boys’ book that I read as a seventh grader in a boys’ school, and Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” set in British India. Both are stirring narratives set in exotic locations that are easier to envision if you’ve done some tourism in the Caribbean and the subcontinent.

Were they both influenced by “Huckleberry Finn”? Maybe. Stevenson and Kipling, 15 and 30 years younger, respectively, than Twain, each dropped in on him on cross-country American trips and were received warmly, and each of

them and Twain became mutual admirers. There was more contact between American and British writers in the late 19th century than I would have guessed — and a readiness by at least some Brits in admiring Twain as a model.

This year, with fellow members of a book group, I have spent dark afternoons and long evenings on the 767 pages of Anthony Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now.” It was written in five months in 1873 and centered on a fabulously wealthy but crooked financier, and it features the author’s characteristically vivid female characters contemplating bad choices in marriage.

I plan on soon rereading, after three or four decades, Honore de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions,” also with a dubious financier in the background.

Both books also have delicious descriptions of businesses the authors knew firsthand, publishing and journalism.

Trollope shows an untalented female author trying to arrange, with editors of major publications, favorable reviews of her dreadful books. One ends up proposing marriage and advising her not to write a second novel. Balzac shows the young protagonist’s sudden success as a scandal-mongering journalist in Paris, and then being disgraced when it’s discovered that his sources are fictitious.

Unhappy families in provincial, perilous journeys in picturesque territory, financial and literary scandals in booming capitals: Great writers of the past take us to places and introduce us to people who, despite having been imagined years ago, turn out to be vaguely familiar to what we see around us now. And they’re readily available: Just sit down with a volume in hand in a comfortable chair. In the meantime, happy New Year.

Terence P. Jeffrey is editor in chief of Newsbusters.

COLUMN | MICHAEL GLASSNER

Left’s war on free speech moving from social media to TV Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty.

WHEN ELON MUSK bought X, formerly Twitter, and refused to comply with the global censorship regime, he became a target overnight — especially for European Union bureaucrats determined to reassert control over online speech. The EU’s latest effort to slap X with a $140 million penalty is just the most recent example of that campaign.

The EU claims the fine is due to X allowing users to purchase verification checkmarks without the platform independently confirming their identities.

Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty. From the Federalist Papers onward, anonymity has protected dissent, whistleblowers and political minorities. But Europe does not afford such freedom. That’s why Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the EU’s X fine, suggesting it is retaliation for Musk’s refusal to censor speech at the EU’s direction.

In 2023, the EU opened an investigation into the company for “disinformation,” and Musk drew the ire of European regulators for refusing to remove an interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from his platform.

Musk is, of course, an outlier in the tech world. Most of his peers in the industry genuflect to the demands of various governments and are willing to restrict disfavored views.

The House Judiciary Committee formally detailed the relationship between tech giants and the Biden administration, which repeatedly demanded that Americans’ views be taken offline. According to the committee, it

suppressed or took down the views of doctors, scientists and commentators who did not align with the government narrative that COVID originated from a pangolin sold at a wet market in China — not a laboratory in Wuhan. From shifting search results to “fact-checkers” that tech companies employed to discredit skeptics, Big Tech and its market dominance played a critical role in censoring Americans.

This is the real lesson of the last five years: The power to decide what billions of people see is the ultimate form of control.

That is one of the reasons Trump expressed concern about Netflix potentially gaining control of one of its most prominent rivals, Warner Bros. Discovery — the company that owns HBO Max and the entire HBO catalog.

If Big Tech showed us anything over the last five years, it’s how ruthlessly willing it is to silence, throttle and bury any story, voice or idea that threatens the approved narrative, even when those ideas later turn out to be true. Now imagine that same censorship strength, only this time it’s not coming from a search engine or a social platform you can (in theory) walk away from. It’s coming from inside your television.

Netflix already has 301 million subscribers, and the merger will create a 400 million-subscriber base, making Netflix the most powerful cultural ministry the world has ever seen. What Silicon Valley did to information with algorithms and shadow-bans, this new mega-studio will do to imagination itself — quietly, seamlessly and with a smile from the next autoplay.

If Big Tech taught us how easy it is to kill a

story, a merged Netflix–Warner will teach us how easy it is to destroy an entire worldview, one canceled series, one “content moderation” decision, one algorithm tweak at a time. And this time, there will be almost nowhere left to escape.

Netflix has built an empire on content that consistently promotes left-wing ideologies, striking multimillion-dollar deals with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce politically charged documentaries and making multimillion-dollar investments in films spotlighting progressive figures, such as the $10 million acquisition of “Knock Down the House,” which celebrates socialist firebrand Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other insurgent socialist Democrats.

Critics such as film reviewer Armond White have characterized the platform as a “propaganda machine” for its relentless promotion of social justice narratives. White termed the marriage between Netflix and the Obamas as the creation of a new Ministry of Propaganda. That Ministry will expand exponentially should this deal be consummated and approved by the government.

Where Big Tech once limited speech with bans and shadow banning, this new giant will regulate thought itself: deciding which histories are retold, which heroes are celebrated and which taboos are normalized for the next generation.

Michael Glassner is chief operating officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

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Twin City Herald for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Brandon Lake poses for a portrait in Nashville, Tennessee, last month.

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

How Christian artists are winning over listeners, entering pop’s mainstream

Carolina-based CCM collective because of “how fundamentally we’re rooted” in their local church.

“It’s easy to connect because we’re just church people,” he says.

Christian and gospel music is growing while other genres struggle

A crossover moment

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press NEW YORK — It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report.

Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vice president of music insights and industry relations, said the shift is led by acts like Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship, who are connecting with a “younger, streaming-forward fan base” that’s 60% female and 30% millennial. In fact, for the first time in 11 years, two contemporary Christian music songs — Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” and Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll — broke through the Billboard Hot 100’s all-genre Top 40, placing them in direct competition with mainstream artists.

It’s also why traditionally secular artists like Jelly Roll, Killer Mike and T.I. are nominated in Christian music categories at the forthcoming 2026 Grammys — the lines are blurring.

An evolving Christian music sound “Christian music (is) unlike

any other genre that’s defined by a sonic component. Christian music is defined by its lyrical component,” says Holly Zabka, the president of Provident Entertainment, a Sony Christian music subsidiary. “It’s not limited to a narrow definition.

It’s a lyrical component that can appeal to anyone’s musical preference.”

From a label perspective, she’s interested in pursuing artists that “don’t have to fit within that narrow lane of Christian bookstore and Christian radio. It can be rap, hip-hop, it can be rock, it can be country, and that’s appealing to a broader audience because it’s what they’re already listening to,” she says. “Very few people listen in a vacuum and only listen to one genre.”

But for many years, CCM jas held a reputation for being unimaginative — what writer John Jeremiah Sullivan infamously referred to as “excellence-proof” — for its tendency to mimic and water down popular, contemporary mainstream sounds for a religious audience.

“Absolutely there’s been an improvement in quality,” says Zabka. “When all the music has to live side by side on these streaming platforms, we can’t just be the cheap alternative.

‘Oh, you like Taylor Swift? You will like this lesser version offering in the Christian genre.’ We want to be the greatest art.”

“You have to imitate before you innovate,” Chris Brown, singer and worship leader at Elevation Worship, jokes. “There’s

not as many rigid lines stylistically within Christian music as maybe there was 10 years ago or certainly like 20, 30 years ago.”

“There was a period of time where people idealized Christian music as like, ‘OK, we’re going to have this look, we’re going to sound like this,’” says two-time Grammy-winningChristian and pop musician Lauren Daigle. “There’s so much more artistry now.

People are very expressive.

They’re able to share their creativity. And that also comes with different types of people represented.”

Why Christian music is connecting now Zabka says her genre is experiencing “a special moment and … a perfect storm.” Streaming and the ability to connect on social media have democratized music discovery, she says, allowing CCM to compete with secular music. That, partnered with what she views as “a resurgence of faith” in young people, is responsible for the interest.

The number of Americans who identify as Christian has declined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing, according to a 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center.

A new class of millennial and Gen Z Christian influencers, too, are aiming to connect with young people.

“Christian music has also shifted in its authenticity of the

lyrics,” Zabka adds, making the music more relatable than previous iterations of the genre, which often featured a neat message of “everything is going to be OK, just follow Jesus” in 3 ½ minutes. Now, she says, “their songs are much more authentic and real and honest. ‘Life is hard. Breakups are hard. Bad things happen,’ and that provides a level of hope that other music doesn’t provide for the listener.”

Daigle points out that artists like Lake are performing in huge stadiums — categorical proof that Christian artists are growing in popularity.

“I think a lot of people are looking at the world and … they find fortitude in this music, and they find a sense of strength in this music, and they find truth in this music,” she says.

Daigle also theorizes that because “Christian music points to something else” — to God — instead of focusing on individual issues or the ego of the performer on stage, it evens the playing field between listener and artist, while giving both a sense of purpose.

“In a world that has become so self-focused and self-centered, the freedom of saying ‘Wow, I can actually lean on someone else for a while,’ or ‘There’s something that is actually greater than me,’” she says.

“And the purpose of Christian music, for me, is to bring hope to people.”

Brown theorizes that people relate to his Charlotte, North

Lake, who is nominated for three Grammys in 2026, including “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” believes people are connecting with Christian music now because that’s simply the purpose of religious music.

“The reason why people are turning their ear toward those kinds of songs right now is because that’s what they were made for,” Lake says. “People are finding in these songs — they’re finding themselves, their spirit, connecting with the spirit of God. … Those songs aren’t just entertainment; they tee up an encounter.”

“I love all kinds of music,” he continues, “but if you have a song that carries that kind of message, it’s just super charged, you know? It does something deeper.”

He also believes this may be the start of a crossover moment, where more Christian artists will be welcomed into other genres and mainstream spaces.

“I pray it’s just the beginning,” he says. “And I pray that it takes over.”

Jelly Roll agrees. “I think there really is a revival happening in America right now where people are being re-presented the Gospel in a digestible way. And it doesn’t seem as finger-waggy and ‘You’re all going to hell,’ you know?” he says.

“I really don’t care when the organized religions wave their finger at me,” he continues. “I’m just glad to see the message, the Gospel getting presented.”

Italian authorities arrest 9 for allegedly funding Hamas through charities Millions of euros were said to be funneled to the group The Associated Press ROME — Italian authorities arrested nine people linked to three charitable organizations on suspicion of raising millions of euros in funds for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, anti-terrorism prosecutors said in a statement Saturday.

The suspects are accused of sending about 7 million euro or $8.2 million to “associations based in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel, owned, controlled, or linked to Hamas,” the statement said.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, prosecutors said, describing him as the “head of the Italian cell of the Hamas organization.”

The European Union has

Hamas listed on its terror list.

According to Italian prosecutors, who collaborated with other EU countries in the probe, the illegal funds were delivered through “triangulation operations” via bank transfers or through organizations based abroad to associations based in Gaza, which have been declared illegal by Israel for their ties to Hamas.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi wrote on X that the operation “lifted the veil on behavior and activities which, pretending to be initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations.”

There was no immediate comment from the suspects or the associations.

In January 2025, the European Council decided to extend existing restrictive measures against 12 individuals and three entities that support the financing of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

CLAUDIO FURLAN / LAPRESSE VIA AP

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, on Saturday after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas.

Forsyth SPORTS

SPONSORED BY

The best of the NSJ years We celebrate 10 years in print with a look at the top sports performers of the last decade North State Journal staff AS WE FINISH the 25th year of the 2000s, several media outlets have come up with best of lists for the first quarter of the 21st century. At the North State Journal, we are focusing on another milestone.

We started publishing in 2016, meaning this is the end of our 10th year in print. So we’d like to take this moment to look at the best of North Carolina sports in the NSJ’s first decade.

College Football: The state hosted 10 Belk/Duke’s Mayo Bowls and 10 ACC championship games. North Carolina teams played in a total of 46 bowls, led

by NC State, Wake and App State (eight each) and seven conference title games (ACC and Sun Belt).

With plenty of apologies to the large number of snubs, here are our all-decade teams.

• QB: Drake Maye, Ryan Finley • RB: Nyheim Hines, Michael Carter, Darrynton Evans, Will Shipley

TYLER KAUFMAN / AP PHOTO

Left, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. Right, Duke’s Zion Williamson accepts the 2019 Oscar Robertson award for player of the year.

Wilson, Joe Giles Harris, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis, D’Marco Jackson • CB: Chandler Rivers, Mark Gilbert, Essang Bassey, Aydan White • S: Nick Anderson, Tanner Ingle, Divine Deablo, Tanner Muse

• Zion Williamson • RJ Barrett • Chris Clemons • Vernon Carey Jr. • Tre Jones • Paolo Banchero • Armando Bacot

• PK: Nick Sciba

• RJ Davis

• P: Trenton Gill

• Kyle Filipowski

• WR: Zay Jones, Josh Downs, AT Perry, Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, Sage Surratt

• Return: Greg Dortch

• Cooper Flagg

• TE: Cam Serigne, Justin Joly

College basketball: North Carolina teams made six Final Four trips, two more than any other state. Here’s a look at the All Americans from the state over that time.

• OT: Ikem Ekwonu, Graham Barton, Zach Tom, Tyler Jones • OG: Chandler Zavala, Willie Lampkin, Tony Adams, Sean Maginn • C: Garrett Bradbury, Grant Gibson • DE: Bradley Chubb, Carlos Basham, Alex Highsmith, Nate Harvey • DT: Dexter Lawrence, DeWayne Carter, Alim McNeill, Larry Ogunjobi

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

• Brice Johnson • Grayson Allen • Justin Jackson • Luke Kennard • Marvin Bagley III • Luke Maye • Joel Berry II

• LB: Chazz Surratt, Payton

NFL: The Carolina Panthers were just returning from their last trip to the Super Bowl when NSJ went to press for the first time. Here’s a look at the last 10 years.

Twenty players have thrown a pass for the Panthers, including three punters, three receivers and a running back. Eleven have started a game. Cam Newton leads in yards (11,462) and touchdowns (69), followed

by Bryce Young (7,971 and 21).

In yardage, the top five includes Teddy Bridgewater (3,733), Sam Darnold (3.670) and Kyle Allen (3,588). For scoring passes, it’s Allen (19), Darnold (16) and Bridgewater (15).

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

UNC’s Drake Maye carries the ball during a 2022 game.

A total of 64 Panthers have carried the ball, led by Christian McCaffrey (3,980 yards, 32 TDs) and Chuba Hubbard (3,664 and 23). Newton (1,829 and 20), Jonathan Stewart (1,504 and 15) and Rico Dowdle (1,007 yards) round out the top five. Young and Darnold (7 each) are fifth in touchdown runs.

Seventy-nine Panthers have caught passes, led by DJ Moore (5,201 yards, 21 TDs) and McCaffrey (3,292 and 18). Next for yardage are Greg Olsen (2,152),

Curtis Samuel (2,087) and the former Robbie Anderson (now known as Robbie Chosen, 1,821 yards). Devin Funchess (16) is third in touchdowns, followed

by Samuel (14), Olsen and Tommy Tremble (10).

Brian Burns is the sacks leader, Shaq Thompson the tackles leader and Donte Jackson the interceptions leader.

As we approach the end of our official 10 years in February, we’ll continue to look at the state’s top sports moments of the NSJ years.

50 years since lawyer’s decision unlocked free agency in Major League Baseball, changing sports forever Salaries have increased by 112-fold since free agency began

“It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press NEW YORK — Sports were turned upside down 50 years ago by a man who never threw or kicked a ball.

A lawyer with expertise in labor relations struck down Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, which had bound players to their teams since the 1870s.

No one could have predicted then that the 65-page decision issued Dec. 23, 1975, by arbitrator Peter Seitz — who later compared baseball owners to “the French barons of the 12th century” — would lead to an upheaval that made thousands of players multimillionaires.

“The real floodgates opened after that,” former pitcher David Cone said. “Players were finally, in all walks of life, in all sports, were finally able to see what, hey, what free agency really looks like. There was all the doom and gloom back then from one side that said: ‘This is going to ruin the game. It’s not sustainable.’ And actually, it was just the opposite. It made the game better.”

Baseball’s average salary was $44,676 at the time of the decision, $260,909 in current dollars, and climbed to about $5 million this year, a 112-fold increase.

Seitz’s decision was followed by free agency upheavals in the NFL, NBA, NFL and European soccer.

Curt Flood had lost a lawsuit arguing for free agency in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld baseball’s antitrust ex-

Steve Rogers, All-Star pitcher and union official

AP PHOTO

Baltimore Orioles Dave McNally, a free agency pioneer, delivers a pitch in a 1974 game. emption, ruling it was up to Congress to make any change.

In December 1974, Catfish Hunter was set free on a technicality when Seitz concluded Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley failed to make a $50,000 payment into a long-term annuity fund as specified in the pitcher’s contract. Following a bidding war, Hunter signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees for about $3.2 million.

“We saw this huge contract, it was like reading from another world,” recalled former All-Star

pitcher Steve Rogers, among the first beneficiaries of free agency and later a long-time union official. “The magnitude was just unheard of, the number of dollars that were guaranteed to him. It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Language in each player agreement stated the club could “renew this contract for the period of one year on the same terms,″ except that the salary could be cut by as much as 20%.

After playing the 1975 season under renewals, Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave McNally of the Montreal Expos maintained in a grievance the renewal period was one year only and they should be declared free.

Following a three-day hearing that generated an 842-page transcript and 97 exhibits, Seitz urged owners to settle the case as late as Dec. 9. Then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn urged owners to fire Seitz before a decision, but management’s Player Relations Committee refused

because it was afraid of bad publicity.

Seitz ruled for the union.

Management fired Seitz that afternoon and vowed to overturn the decision in federal court.

Seitz’s decision was upheld in February 1976 by U.S. District Judge John W. Oliver and affirmed the following month by an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of Judges Floyd Robert Gibson, Gerald Heaney and Roy Laverne Stephenson.

That July 12, players and owners agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement creating one-time free agency for all players after 1976 or 1977 and going forward after six seasons of major league service, which is still in place.

Future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were among the first players to gain free-agent riches.

“The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,″ Moss, who died last year, said in 2020.

“I think one can make a case that we’ve spent the last two-plus decades trying to reestablish some reasonable equilibrium,″ then-commissioner Bud Selig said in 2000.

the better pa ing to earn a stitutions,” U don’t know w now.”

The outbre for millions taking virtu while also d about tuition

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Twin City Herald for Thursday, January 1, 2026

SIDELINE REPORT NCAA FOOTBALL

Baker, Smothers lead area players in transfer portal NC State running back Hollywood Smothers announced his intention to transfer one day after the Wolfpack’s season-ending win in the Gasparilla Bowl. The sophomore will also explore NFL options during the offseason. Also transferring is UNC quarterback Bryce Baker.

The East Forsyth standout committed to UNC last year and chose to stay after Bill Belichick took over as coach.

However, he never played in a game despite the Tar Heels’ struggles with consistency at the position.

NFL

Chiefs’ move to Kansas leaves Missouri fans heartbroken Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs announced plans to move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas. The decision follows Kansas lawmakers approving a bond package to cover up to 70% of the new stadium’s costs.

Missouri lawmakers had tried to keep the Chiefs with their own funding package but were outbid. The move marks the second time in a decade that Missouri has lost an NFL team.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Vanderbilt’s Lea wins coach of the year Nashville Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year at the college football awards. Lea led the Commodores to wins over four ranked opponents and a school-record 10 wins. Lea, a linebackers coach at Wake Forest in 2016 under head coach Dave Clawson, has a 26-35 record at Vanderbilt since 2021 and has led the team to back-to-back bowls, just the second multiyear bowl streak in school history.

NFL

Steelers’ Metcalf suspended 2 games following altercation Pittsburgh The NFL has suspended Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf for two games following an altercation with a fan during the team’s victory over Detroit.

CBS-TV cameras captured the confrontation between Metcalf and a fan during the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 win over Detroit. The fan leaned over the railing and exchanged words with Metcalf before Metcalf ended the confrontation by swinging his right arm in the vicinity of the fan’s face. It’s unclear how much contact Metcalf’s arm made with the fan.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Notre Dame, USC pause longstanding rivalry, Irish add BYU to 2026 schedule South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame and Southern California’s iconic college football rivalry is on hold. The Fighting Irish filled their last 2026 open date with a game against BYU. The decision leaves the USC game off the schedule. Notre Dame and USC officials said they recognize the rivalry’s importance and are working to bring it back.

The series began in 1926 and was paused during World War II and the 2020 pandemic.

Negotiations have become more challenging since USC joined the Big Ten, but both schools express a desire to continue the tradition.

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Brad Keselowski is introduced to fans prior to May’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR’s Keselowski suffers broken leg in skiing accident The former champion is expected to recover in time for the Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, a former Cup Series champion who is now co-owner of RFK Racing, broke his right leg while on a ski trip, the team announced.

Keselowski underwent surgery last Thursday, and doctors told him to expect a quick recovery that will have him back for the season-opening Daytona 500 in February. He is winless in 16 starts in the showcase race as he enters the final years of his driving career.

“Life has a way of reminding you to slow down,” Keselowski posted on social media with photos of him in the hospital surrounded by his wife and children, an image of the

break, and video of him using a walker. “Grateful for my family by my side, an excellent medical team, and the ability to take a few steps forward today. Focused on Daytona. Bonus — I’m now bionic!”

Keselowski did not reveal the extent of his injury or what bones are broken.

Keselowski, who turns 42 just days before the Feb. 15 “Great American Race,” is entering his 17th full season of racing at the top Cup Series level. He spent the bulk of his career at Team Penske but purchased a stake in Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and became an owner/driver of the rebranded team.

The organization is reeling from last week’s fatal plane crash that killed longtime Roush driver Greg Biffle and six others, including his wife and two children. Biffle had retired by the time Keselowski joined the team.

“First and foremost, our hearts remain heavy with the news of yesterday’s tragic events,” the team said. “The RFK Racing family, as well as the NASCAR community, as a whole, continues to keep those close to The Biffle Family and all those affected in our thoughts. Albeit untimely, we feel that in the interest of transparency we share RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski suffered a broken leg while on a ski trip with his family Thursday.”

The team called the surgery “routine” and said doctors expect a “a quick and full recovery.”

Keselowski broke his ankle in 2011 when he crashed during a test session and won a Cup Series race at Pocono just days later.

“I’m grateful to the medical team who took great care of me and for the support system around me,” Keselowski said

in a statement. “I’m motivated to get back to full strength as quickly as possible and will work relentlessly to be ready for Daytona.”

Keselowski won the 2012 Cup Series championship for Penske and has 36 career victories at NASCAR’s top level. He won the Xfinity Series title in 2010 and 39 races in NASCAR’s second-tier series.

He has won one points-paying race since leaving Penske as he works to help rebuild RFK into the once-proud organization founded by Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush.

Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, missed six races in the 2023 season when he broke his leg in a snowboarding crash early in the season. Kyle Busch missed 11 races when he broke his leg in a crash at Daytona in 2015 but recovered to win the Cup championship that year.

Gerard flew across 2 oceans, 2 seas; payoff was invitation to Masters The former UNC and Ravenscroft golfer finished second in Mauritius

Ryan Gerard watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press RYAN GERARD LEFT his home in south Florida at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 for a trip he never imagined taking this year, and one he certainly didn’t regret.

He returned home nine days and some 20,000 miles later after stops that included Italy on his way to a small island off the coast of Africa, and an eight-hour layover in Paris on the way back that gave him enough time to see the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

“I am looking at the Eiffel Tower,” Gerard said by phone.

“Pretty sick.”

Oh, and along the way he picked up an invitation to the Masters.

That green envelope — Augusta National doesn’t do evites — might not be there right away, but in the final Official World Golf Ranking for the year, the 26-year-old Gerard will check in at No. 44.

And it’s all because of his decision to play one more tournament, even if that meant flying over the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to

DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP PHOTO

get to the Mauritius Open, the final tournament this year on the European tour and Sunshine Tour schedule.

Despite some 36 hours of travel — he got to his hotel at 1 p.m. local time last Monday — Gerard opened with rounds of 68-69 and was tied for fifth.

He was No. 57 in the world and needed a two-way tie for fourth to crack the top 50.

“I figured I’d have one more crack at that and give it my best shot,” he said after the second round. “Then I could hang my hat on giving it my all for the season, and the top 50 by the end of the year to get into the Masters. So that’s kind of a kick in the pants to come 10,000 miles from Florida and tee it up. It wasn’t on the bingo

card at the start of the season, for sure.”

And then, bingo! He posted a 63 at Heritage La Reserve Golf Links the next day to take the lead. He wound up in a playoff with scorching hot Jayden Schaper, the South African who has won the last two tournaments by making eagle in a playoff.

“I would have loved to win,” Gerard said. “But it was an unbelievable shot.”

The consolation for Gerard was a big one — his first Masters.

Augusta was on his mind when Gerard played the RSM Classic at Sea Island last month — the final PGA Tour stop of the year — when he was No. 49 in the world. And then he missed the cut.

“I was looking Friday afternoon and was like, ‘Hey, does it make sense to go do anything?’

I was going to try to play the Nedbank (in South Africa), but the tournament deadline was the day before I missed the cut,” Gerard said.

The Alfred Dunhill was out because that was the weekend his good friend and former UNC teammate Ben Griffin was getting married.

Last on the list was Mauritius. He had heard enough about Mauritius from Christo Lamprecht of South Africa that he checked the schedule, did the math and signed up.

Gerard had already done a fair bit of traveling after he narrowly missed out on the Tour Championship. He played in Ireland and England, Japan and Abu Dhabi. Clearly, he’s willing to travel. This summer, he flew across eight time zones from Scotland to Lake Tahoe and then won the Barracuda Championship for his first PGA Tour title.

What’s another trip with so much on the line?

Gerard wasn’t down to his last chance. He would have had three months to start 2026 to either win or do well enough to get into the top 50, but he saw an opportunity.

“Figured I got nothing better to do,” he said. “It seemed like a cool thing, made sure it worked logistically and just went for it.”

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Twin City Herald for Thursday, January 1, 2026

HBO VIA AP

Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood star in season 3 of “The White Lotus.”

Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, ill-timed KissCam, whatever ‘6-7’ means Monster British rock band Oasis reunited for world tour

By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press DICTIONARIES DEFINE things. It’s their job. So when Dictionary.com pronounced “67” as its 2025 word of the year, you’d think they would have, well, defined it.

But no. “We’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” they told us of this year’s “linguistic time capsule.”

But that’s just how pop culture works, isn’t it? Who’s to explain why parents alone in their cars were suddenly singing “up up up” from that “KPop Demon Hunters?” song?

Despite our new obsessions, though, some things remained constant — by which we mean Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, of course. It seems like every year gets bigger for Swift. But in 2025, she put a bow — or ring — on it with Travis Kelce, announcing “your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

So from the inexplicable to the familiar, here’s our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane: JANUARY They may not be Tayvis, but they’re a delightful couple just the same: Zendaya and Tom Holland are engaged. Let’s hear it also for Demi Moore, who wins a Golden Globe for her wild performance in “The Substance.” At the bookstore, fans go wild for “Onyx Storm,” the third installment of Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy series.

A Nirvana reunion highlights FireAid, a fundraiser for relief efforts following the Los Angeles wildfires.

FEBRUARY “Salutations!” says Samuel L. Jackson, introducing Kendrick Lamar, the first solo hip-hop artist — and Pulitzer winner — to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. (P.S. Is that Serena Williams?) At the Grammys, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department present Beyoncé with her best album trophy for “Cowboy Carter” —

the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammy history becomes the first black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century.

“Speak out for what you believe and what you feel. Or don’t. You have to live with yourself.”

MARCH

Robert Redford

It’s Oscar month! All hail to Sean Baker’s victorious, Brooklyn-set “Anora” and its star, Mikey Madison. Also scoring an acting prize is Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist” — who probably should have found another place to put his chewing gum.

“Wicked,” an audience favorite, misses out on big prizes, but its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, perform a rousing opening number.

gered supporters of the slain Charlie Kirk. The world says goodbye to Robert Redford, Hollywood’s golden screen idol.

OCTOBER

Osbourne, and beloved “Cosby Show” actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

“So, how was your October?”

“Oh, 6-7.” That’s apparently how one should use the new viral term — accompanied by that palms-up gesture. You know who has better moves than that?

Bad Bunny, who hosts the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” In Swift updates, her new album “The Life Of A Showgirl” sets sales records. Another sad loss: Diane Keaton, famous for her fedoras, vests and especially “La di da, La di da.”

AUGUST

NOVEMBER

Let’s just give this whole entry to pop culture’s biggest “Love Story” — because, baby, she said yes! Taylor-Travis skeptics eat their words when the couple announces their happy news, in what’s destined to become one of the most liked posts in Instagram history. It’s the fairytale culmination of a courtship that began during the Eras Tour and for two years captivated millions around the world but especially Swifties, the pop star’s loving and fiercely protective fan base.

Are we at the end of the yellow brick road? The “Wicked” press tour, which reached all ends of the universe actual and fictional, wraps with the release of Jon M. Chu’s second installment, “Wicked: For Good.” The reviews are much less, er, enthusiastical this time, but the movie defies gravity at the box office.

That’s not enough for Jonathan Bailey, aka Fiyero, who is named People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

APRIL The blender! The poisonous fruit! The lizard! And Sam Rockwell! The Thailand-set third season of “The White Lotus” is certainly a talker. Katy Perry may be wishing she’d headed to Thailand rather than outer space: Her Earth-kissing return from an 11-minute trip on a Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket is widely mocked — even

by Wendy’s, which writes on X: “Can we send her back.” On Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour, a star has emerged — 13-year-old Blue Ivy. MAY A crisis, at Cannes! The film fest bans nudity on the carpet — do they think this will halt the “naked dress” phenomenon? Bonne chance. Also at Cannes, Tom Cruise again shows he’ll risk life and limb to entertain, this time atop a classic biplane in “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.”

Across the ocean, the Met Gala turns its focus to menswear and black style over the centuries. “It took a minute,” says an approving Spike Lee. “You belong with me,” Swift sings, buying back the rights to her first six albums.

Finally, cue the “Chicago Pope” memes — in honor of the first American pope, Leo XIV. Later this year, he’ll reveal his Wordle strategy.

JUNE “The world will know you as pop stars — but you will bemuch more than that.” Like, perhaps,

ASHLEY LANDIS / AP PHOTO

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift kiss after the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 26 in Kansas City, Missouri. the surprise, multigenerational hit of the summer? “KPop Demon Hunters” starts streaming this month, and in August will give Netflix a big box office win with its singalong screenings. On TV, it’s a new season of love — “Love Island USA,” that is, chronicling the goings-on at a luxury villa in Fiji. It’s the album cover that launched a thousand conversations: Some are offended when Sabrina Carpenter illustrates her “Man’s Best Friend” album with a photo of her on all fours, with a man holding her hair. Is it offensive, a purposeful joke, or nothing at all?

JULY Oasis begins a reunion tour, and the Gallagher brothers are still getting along! “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” goes the much-discussed advertisement, and American Eagle insists it’s about the denim. CBS says it will end Stephen Colbert’s show in May 2026 — a move that will remove from air one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics. We cannot leave July behind — although at least two people would have loved to — without mentioning the saga of the Coldplay KissCam. Finally, within six days, the world loses three ’80s icons: mustachioed wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, heavy metal godfather Ozzy

SEPTEMBER Proving once again that Hollywood loves stories about itself, the Emmys heap awards on Seth Rogen’s movie-biz satire “The Studio.” Also triumphing is “The Pitt,” the edgy medical drama starring beloved “ER” veteran Noah Wyle that beats out the mighty “Severance.” Perhaps the biggest Cinderella story of all: 15-year-old Owen Cooper, the youngest Emmy winner in more than 40 years for the searing “Adolescence.” Also, this month, Jimmy Kimmel is temporarily suspended by ABC bosses for comments that an-

DECEMBER One award after another! Excuse the rather obvious pun, but it’s the perfect one to describe momentum in the Oscars race.

While some films see their fortunes fade on Golden Globe nominations day, the emerging favorite is “One Battle After Another,” director Paul Thomas Anderson’s father-daughter saga of political resistance starring Leonardo DiCaprio and newcomer Chase Infiniti.

Its success also lends a victory to Warner Bros. in the middle of its Netflix acquisition deal — which, at year’s end, is in a holding pattern, facing antitrust challenges and a hostile takeover effort from Paramount.

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Twin City Herald for Thursday, January 1, 2026

STATE & NATION

More thrifting, fewer returns: Early trends that defined shopping this holiday season Buyers spent more time on research and building lists

By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press NEW YORK — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to data released this week

by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans.

More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.

Here are three trends that defined the holiday shopping season so far.

Weaker holiday season for traditional gift giving Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Post-holiday shoppers pass a Christmas tree at Calef’s Country Store on Dec. 26 in Barrington, New Hampshire. thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.

That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.

Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.

For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year. But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.

Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christ-

mas last year, sales slid 9%.

Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores— chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.

But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.

“Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly favored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.

Thrift stores broaden their appeal In the past it may have

seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.

Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year.

That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.

In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.

The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.

U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept.

27 and the momentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.

“High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ”

Fewer returns, so far For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.

That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

“I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following Cyber Week — the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.

From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.

Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.

This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.

Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building

By Steven Sloan The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician’s sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the facility.

“Your decision to withdraw at the last moment — explicitly in response to the Center’s recent renaming, which honors President Trump’s extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure — is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution,” the venue’s president, Richard Grenell, wrote in a letter to musician Chuck Redd that was shared with The Associated Press.

In the letter, Grenell said he

would seek $1 million in damages “for this political stunt.”

Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A drummer and vibraphone player, Redd has presided over holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, succeeding bassist William “Keter” Betts. In an email Wednesday to The Associated Press, Redd said he pulled out of the concert in the wake of the renaming.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said. He added Wednesday that the event has been a “very popular holiday tradition” and that he often featured at least one student musician.

“One of the many reasons that it was very sad to have had to cancel,” he told the AP. President John F. Kennedy

was assassinated in 1963, and Congress passed a law the following year naming the center as a living memorial to him.

Grenell is a Trump ally whom the president chose to head the Kennedy Center after he forced out the previous leadership. According to the White House, Trump’s handpicked board approved the renaming, which scholars have said violates the law. Kennedy niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove Trump’s name from the building once he leaves office, and former House historian Ray Smock is among those who say any changes would have to be approved by Congress.

The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Workers add President Donald Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after a Trump-appointed board voted to rename the institution in December.

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Randolph record THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

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The red, white and blue New Year’s Eve ball is meant to honor the U.S.’s 250th year.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge” Washington, D.C. The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen.

He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.

Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela.

But the U.S. has offered no other details. Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday.

Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drug-ferrying boats originate from. “I don’t know if you read or saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” Trump said. “Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.”

$2.00

Times Square features patriotic ball drop for New Year, America250 kickoff 2026 is the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence

By Susan Haigh The Associated Press AFTER THE CRYSTAL ball dropped on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue to usher in 2026 and kick off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gather-

ing, including a second confetti drop, offered an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and small, planned nationwide to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

“I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios, who oversees the bipartisan commission created

by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial anniversary. “It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”

Rios and her group worked with the Times Square Alliance business district and One Times Square, the building from where the ball is dropped, to make the changes to this year’s ceremonies.

They’re also planning a second ball drop event July 3, the eve of the nation’s birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios said.

It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be a ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve, she said.

A New Year’s Eve ball was

An investigation has been launched into an incident that took place in Asheboro Randolph Record staff PETER HAMLIN / AP ILLUSTRATION

Volunteering with children can build character, create lasting family memories

Polly Lagana, Volunteer New York! executive director

See BALL, page A6

Shooting puts 2 men in hospital

Volunteering with children can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond.

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer.

first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot-diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. Last year, the Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled. It measured about 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds.

The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself

Giving back can be rewarding for kids

By Cathy Bussewitz The Associated Press NEW YORK — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned 3, she set out to find volunteer opportunities they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and

made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote wildflower growth.

Teacoach had reached out to many organizations looking for volunteer projects that she could do with her young child, but most places said no, so she came up with her own.

“Everyone was like, ‘A 3-year-old can’t do that,’” Teacoach said. “And I was like, ‘No, I swear, he really See VOLUNTEER, page A2

ASHEBORO — Two men were airlifted to a hospital from Asheboro after a shooting in the city just days before Christmas.

Police found Paul Sturdivant, 37, and John Marshall, 41, suffering from gunshot wounds when they arrived at an area near Dunlap Street and Brewer Street shortly before 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22.

The next day, police reported that both men were in stable condition. The Criminal Investigations Division has worked on the case.

There was a police presence in the area for hours as information was gathered. Police said there was no known ongoing danger to the public as a result of the incident.

Asheboro Police released no additional information on the shooting by the end of the week.

This is at least the second notable shooting in public in Asheboro in the past few months.

In late August, Alexander Benitez-Hernandez, 23, died from a gunshot wound suffered in a parking lot near Marshall’s on East Dixie Drive.

There were charges of second-degree murder filed against Brandon Russell, 43, of Denton.

Based on police information from that case, there were multiple shots fired in that incident.

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Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THURSDAY

1.1.26

Asheboro seeks support in national contest The largest city in Randolph County is looking for votes to bolster its stock

“Join the conversation”

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Randolph Record (ISSN 2768-5268) Trip Hoffend, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Dan Reeves, Features Editor Lauren Rose, Design Editor Bob Sutton, Randolph Editor Ryan Henkel, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager Published each Thursday as part of North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 919-663-3232 RANDOLPHRECORD.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, NC and at additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

CRIME Dec. 22 • Amiyah Hampton, 23, of Randleman, was arrested by Asheboro PD for communicating threats, assault on a pregnant woman and felony stalking.

• Gatlin Hurley, 23, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for assault inflicting serious bodily injury.

• Misty Hurley, 49, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for possession of a firearm by felon.

• Edsel Jolliffe, 30, of Sophia, was arrested by NC Highway Patrol for felony death by vehicle.

Dec. 23 • Douglas Hughes, 41, of Seagrove, was arrested by RCSO for assault on a female, assault inflicting serious injury and assault inflicting serious injury with minor present.

• Jeremy Lee, 36, of Greensboro, was arrested by RCSO for third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

• Cristin Phillips, 36, of Liberty, was arrested by NC Probation and Parole for possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Benjamin Sartin, 53, of Princeton, West Virginia, was arrested by RCSO for possession of stolen motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and resisting a public officer.

Dec. 24 • Toni Koontz, 35, of Lexington, was arrested by RCSO for possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/ deliver heroin, maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, contributing to delinquency of a juvenile, driving while license revoked and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

• Kenneth Street, 66, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of a firearm by felon.

Randolph Record staff ASHEBORO — The City of Asheboro is seeking recognition in a national contest.

Asheboro has been nominated as part of America’s Favorite Small Towns, a competition presented by Parade and Steller.

It’s a nationwide program

VOLUNTEER from page A1 can if you would just give him a chance.’”

Volunteering with children can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond. During the holiday season, many people seek such opportunities, looking for ways to give back.

But often nonprofit organizations seek helpers who are at least 18 years old. Finding volunteer work to do as a family with young children can be challenging, but there are opportunities if you persist.

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer. So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start,” said Polly Lagana, executive director of Volunteer New York!, which connects people with service opportunities. “In a turbulent time in our world, families — and parents in particular — are very interested in showing their kids how they can help out and how they can give back.”

Children excel at activities such as sorting coats, packing groceries and following through on tasks, said Sapreet Saluja, executive director of New York Cares, which works with organizations to develop volunteer programs in New York City.

“I’ve been very impressed with the detail-orientation and the precision and the following of directions and the care that some kids I’ve seen, as young as 6, take to the tasks that they’re doing,” Saluja said. “It’s been explained to them that this is to benefit someone, and it’s important, and they’re following the directions and they want to get it just right. And in many cases, they’re more detail-oriented than the adults, which I think is very inspiring.”

To get started, look for organizations in your community that match volunteers with family-friendly projects and reach out to ask if there’s a minimum age requirement.

Here are some other ways to involve little ones in projects that help the community.

Provide choices Children prefer to have agency and information to make a decision, so include them when you’re choosing an activity, Lagana said.

“Let them know what problem you’re trying to fix in your community and maybe one or two options of how that problem can be fixed,” Lag-

highlighting communities with populations of less than 250,000 and celebrates the places that exemplify the spirit, charm, and character that make small town living special.

Asheboro’s pitch is that this puts the city in line for additional visibility that could result in tourism and economic growth. The winning city received an official designation with promotional assets, according to the city.

The top city in the voting will featured in Parade magazine.

ana said. “For example, you can explain there are people who don’t have enough food, and children in the hospital who might not have blankets, and then ask, ‘Which one do you think you want to help out with?’” she suggested.

Consider volunteering for a mission that you can explain to your child, such as cleaning up litter at a park.

“Kids are unbelievably curious. They ask questions about what they’re doing, what they’re seeing, what they’re feeling, what they’re hearing, and it opens up a dialogue,” Saluja said. “It helps you see even at a young age some of the challenges that society is facing, and it gives you agency to know that you can be a part of the solution.”

Sharing food Children understand hunger, and they can help alleviate the problem. They can sort grocery boxes at a food pantry or help deliver sustenance to home-bound individuals.

Aviva Davis was about 8 years old when she and her brother Brendan began helping her parents deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens and medically frail individuals in Denver. Initially, they rode in the car with their parents and helped bring food to the door. When they were older, they took turns driving.

“It definitely opened my eyes to what the world is like outside of our bubble. We saw all sorts of different things and I saw not everyone lives the same way,” said Davis, now 17. “But even at such a young age I could realize it’s amazing what we’re doing that we could help people that aren’t as lucky as we were.”

Davis became a resource at school for fellow students looking to volunteer. She still does monthly meal deliveries with her parents.

“It’s a great chance for us to catch up as a family,” said her father, Seth Davis. “When we’re not all on our phones, you get some pretty cool quality time.”

Her brother is now in college, but when he’s home, they do deliveries altogether.

“The older they get, the harder it is to get that time together,” said their mother, Bonnie Davis, who found the Meals on Wheels opportunity after extensive research.

Create your own opportunities When Teacoach couldn’t find organizations willing to accept her toddler, she start-

Voting takes place online at americasfavoritesmalltowns. parade.com A person can vote once daily, though a valid email address is required. Voting began in mid-November.

Results of the competition are expected to unveiled in the spring, according to contest information. State winners will be announced June 1.

“Asheboro is honored to be included, and looks forward to sharing our story with visitors from across the nation,” the city’s release said.

ed a group in Pittsburgh called VolunTOTs, which creates service opportunities for children as young as 3. The children and their parents pack 500 boxes of groceries to distribute to families in need, play bingo with seniors in nursing homes and make dog treats for an animal rescue center, among other projects.

Parents have told Teacoach their children’s conduct improves after volunteering.

“They feel so good about themselves, they were a helper, and that translates into better behavior,” she said.

Stephanie Bernaba’s family started “Tough Cookies,” a project where they bake and deliver cookies to veterans, when her son Matthew was in eighth grade and had to complete a service project for school.

“Going up to the houses, it was very nice because they’re mostly living alone. A lot of their family or friends died,” said Michael Bernaba, 14, now a freshman at The Prout School in Wakefield, Rhode Island. “It’s just nice to be there and bring it to them. ...

They were very happy, especially for someone to bring them treats like that.”

The project also helped the teens learn social skills and meet people in various stages of life and health conditions, Stephanie Bernaba said.

“We went to the first couple of places, and I was really scared, because I’m more of a shy person,” Matthew Bernaba, now 15, said. “For the first couple of deliveries I was more to myself, and as we kept going, we talked more with the veterans and got to hear great stories from them.”

Friends make it fun Children can be more willing to try new activities with a buddy, so consider signing up with people you know.

You can also connect with a nonprofit in need of a service and invite other families over to do a project together, as Lagana’s friends have done, organizing clothing donations or assembling snack packs in living rooms.

Bonnie Davis organized a drive for menstrual supplies, and families gathered in her backyard to assemble the baskets. She also turned half of her son’s graduation party into a volunteer project assembling kits of bean soup.

“It’s a win for everybody.

You get quality time, you’re raising your children with what feels like good values, and people benefit,” she said.

• Terrance Street, 35, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of a firearm by felon.

• Jesse Todd, 51, of Thomasville, was arrested by RCSO for carrying a concealed weapon and open container after consuming alcohol.

• Christopher Waake, 59, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault by strangulation, assault on an individual with disability and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Dec. 25 • Pedro Alvarez, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault by pointing a gun and simple assault.

• Dylan Clayton, 25, of Lexington, was arrested by Archdale PD for felony larceny, felony possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer.

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Randolph

Guide Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Randolph County.

Jan. 2 Liberty Showcase Theater Presents: The Issacs 8-11 p.m.

An opportunity to enjoy the musical stylings of Grand Ole Opry members, The Issacs.

Tickets are $38-68.

101 S. Fayetteville St. Liberty

Jan. 5 Randolph County Commissioners’ Meeting 6-9 p.m.

Open to the public, and members of the community are encouraged to attend.

145 C. Worth St. Asheboro

Jan. 9 Liberty Showcase Presents: The Lonesome River Band 7-10 p.m.

Multiple award-winning Bluegrass band. Tickets are $29-49.

101 S. Fayetteville St. Liberty

Learn to Turn 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

An introductory workshop hosted by the NC Pottery Center to teach those new to pottery how to turn a pot.

Cost is $65 per person.

233 East Ave. Seagrove

Jan. 20 Rising Above Helene Documentary film exploring the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina and the resilience of the people there who fought to overcome the destruction and hardship.

Randolph County Agricultural Center 1800 U.S. Highway 64 E.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ randolphrecord.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

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Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | TERENCE P. JEFFREY

In a gloomy winter, read a couple of classic books Leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time.

AFTER CHRISTMAS is over and the sunrises start getting earlier and the sunsets later in the Northern Hemisphere, there are still two months of scarce daylight and lowering skies ahead.

Here’s a suggestion for how to fill the gloomy hours with uplift: read.

Read some great books, returning perhaps to those you ploughed through on school assignments so many years ago. Discover one of the pleasures of aging — how serious books turn out to be more interesting and enriching than what you remember from dutifully ploughing through them years ago.

Sit in a comfortable chair, turn off the television, remove distracting earbuds, leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time. Open up a book and give yourself uninterrupted hours to become immersed in a world created by a great writer many years ago.

I’ve been following this advice the last couple of winters after I started reflecting on how, despite being in two serious book groups, I was spending too much time reading ephemeral stuff and wasn’t reading anything serious beyond some excellent book group selections. I decided to concentrate my reading on weekends, spending long hours interrupted by little but leg-stretching and avoiding the difficulty of recalling the plot when reading just a chapter or two in the evenings just before bed.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in the opening words of “Anna Karenina.”

So I began with two books about families: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” and Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”

“Karamazov” I had read as a teenager around the time the Hollywood movie version was released. “Buddenbrooks” I went through two

decades ago. Reading them as an adult was a far richer experience, both emotionally and as a contrast in national character. The two books are set at opposite ends of the Baltic Sea: the German book in the orderly commercial Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the Russian in a town resembling Dostoevsky’s ramshackle provincial hometown of Staraya Russa.

For last winter, I recalled Ernest Hemingway’s comment that “all American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn.’” I remembered it as the sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the story of a pleasant picaresque journey, and, of course, I had often heard how it was banned from school reading lists because of its frequent use of the N-word.

What I wasn’t prepared for was, first, the book’s scathing denunciation, veiled as humor or just everyday observation, of slavery. It was published in 1884, less than a decade after the nation basically abandoned Reconstruction and its noble goal of achieving equal rights for black people. Reading it first as a teenager, I also didn’t remember the story of a boy becoming a man, mentored by Jim, the slave to whom he initially condescends and once nearly betrays.

I paired it with two other books of adolescent boys on picturesque but perilous journeys: Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” written as a boys’ book that I read as a seventh grader in a boys’ school, and Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” set in British India. Both are stirring narratives set in exotic locations that are easier to envision if you’ve done some tourism in the Caribbean and the subcontinent.

Were they both influenced by “Huckleberry Finn”? Maybe. Stevenson and Kipling, 15 and 30 years younger, respectively, than Twain, each dropped in on him on cross-country American trips and were received warmly, and each of

them and Twain became mutual admirers. There was more contact between American and British writers in the late 19th century than I would have guessed — and a readiness by at least some Brits in admiring Twain as a model.

This year, with fellow members of a book group, I have spent dark afternoons and long evenings on the 767 pages of Anthony Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now.” It was written in five months in 1873 and centered on a fabulously wealthy but crooked financier, and it features the author’s characteristically vivid female characters contemplating bad choices in marriage.

I plan on soon rereading, after three or four decades, Honore de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions,” also with a dubious financier in the background.

Both books also have delicious descriptions of businesses the authors knew firsthand, publishing and journalism.

Trollope shows an untalented female author trying to arrange, with editors of major publications, favorable reviews of her dreadful books. One ends up proposing marriage and advising her not to write a second novel. Balzac shows the young protagonist’s sudden success as a scandal-mongering journalist in Paris, and then being disgraced when it’s discovered that his sources are fictitious.

Unhappy families in provincial, perilous journeys in picturesque territory, financial and literary scandals in booming capitals: Great writers of the past take us to places and introduce us to people who, despite having been imagined years ago, turn out to be vaguely familiar to what we see around us now. And they’re readily available: Just sit down with a volume in hand in a comfortable chair. In the meantime, happy New Year.

Terence P. Jeffrey is editor in chief of Newsbusters.

COLUMN | MICHAEL GLASSNER

Left’s war on free speech moving from social media to TV Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty.

WHEN ELON MUSK bought X, formerly Twitter, and refused to comply with the global censorship regime, he became a target overnight — especially for European Union bureaucrats determined to reassert control over online speech. The EU’s latest effort to slap X with a $140 million penalty is just the most recent example of that campaign.

The EU claims the fine is due to X allowing users to purchase verification checkmarks without the platform independently confirming their identities.

Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty. From the Federalist Papers onward, anonymity has protected dissent, whistleblowers and political minorities. But Europe does not afford such freedom. That’s why Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the EU’s X fine, suggesting it is retaliation for Musk’s refusal to censor speech at the EU’s direction.

In 2023, the EU opened an investigation into the company for “disinformation,” and Musk drew the ire of European regulators for refusing to remove an interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from his platform.

Musk is, of course, an outlier in the tech world. Most of his peers in the industry genuflect to the demands of various governments and are willing to restrict disfavored views.

The House Judiciary Committee formally detailed the relationship between tech giants and the Biden administration, which repeatedly demanded that Americans’ views be taken offline. According to the committee, it

suppressed or took down the views of doctors, scientists and commentators who did not align with the government narrative that COVID originated from a pangolin sold at a wet market in China — not a laboratory in Wuhan. From shifting search results to “fact-checkers” that tech companies employed to discredit skeptics, Big Tech and its market dominance played a critical role in censoring Americans.

This is the real lesson of the last five years: The power to decide what billions of people see is the ultimate form of control.

That is one of the reasons Trump expressed concern about Netflix potentially gaining control of one of its most prominent rivals, Warner Bros. Discovery — the company that owns HBO Max and the entire HBO catalog.

If Big Tech showed us anything over the last five years, it’s how ruthlessly willing it is to silence, throttle and bury any story, voice or idea that threatens the approved narrative, even when those ideas later turn out to be true. Now imagine that same censorship strength, only this time it’s not coming from a search engine or a social platform you can (in theory) walk away from. It’s coming from inside your television.

Netflix already has 301 million subscribers, and the merger will create a 400 million-subscriber base, making Netflix the most powerful cultural ministry the world has ever seen. What Silicon Valley did to information with algorithms and shadow-bans, this new mega-studio will do to imagination itself — quietly, seamlessly and with a smile from the next autoplay.

If Big Tech taught us how easy it is to kill a

story, a merged Netflix–Warner will teach us how easy it is to destroy an entire worldview, one canceled series, one “content moderation” decision, one algorithm tweak at a time. And this time, there will be almost nowhere left to escape.

Netflix has built an empire on content that consistently promotes left-wing ideologies, striking multimillion-dollar deals with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce politically charged documentaries and making multimillion-dollar investments in films spotlighting progressive figures, such as the $10 million acquisition of “Knock Down the House,” which celebrates socialist firebrand Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other insurgent socialist Democrats.

Critics such as film reviewer Armond White have characterized the platform as a “propaganda machine” for its relentless promotion of social justice narratives. White termed the marriage between Netflix and the Obamas as the creation of a new Ministry of Propaganda. That Ministry will expand exponentially should this deal be consummated and approved by the government.

Where Big Tech once limited speech with bans and shadow banning, this new giant will regulate thought itself: deciding which histories are retold, which heroes are celebrated and which taboos are normalized for the next generation.

Michael Glassner is chief operating officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

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Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

obituaries

Dollie Cheshire Dec. 25, 1934 – Dec. 23, 2025 Dollie Ann Meadors Cheshire, 90, of Asheboro, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Clapp’s Convalescent Nursing of Asheboro. She was born on December 25, 1934, in Eden, NC, to Doc Thomas Meadors and Ollie Elizabeth Masey.

Dollie was a devoted family woman who cherished every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and

great-grandchildren. She had a deep love for the outdoors and travel, frequently visiting the mountains and making trips to the coast to see her family there.

An exceptional baker, Dollie was famously known for making the best pecan pies every Christmas.

Her dedication to her loved ones was unmatched; she once famously traveled through 18 inches of snow just to ensure she could be with her family, and she always loved being on the sidelines to watch her grandchildren play their games.

Dollie is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Josephus Cheshire Jr.; her parents; three sisters; and one brother.

She is survived by her children, Wayne Cheshire (Inge), Linda Callicutt (Ralph), Anne Parham, and Deborah Sapp (Gene); as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Cheshire will lie in repose on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from noon to 12:45 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home.

Kaye Lynn Clark Guinn

Nathan Ryan Leonard

May 13, 1967 – Dec. 19, 2025

May 31, 1993 – Dec. 18, 2025

Kaye Lynn Clark Guinn, 58, of Ramseur, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025, at her home.

Kaye Lynn was born on May 13, 1967, to her loving parents, Robert and Patricia Clark. She grew up alongside her siblings; sisters, Leslie and Dena Clark, and brother, Robert Lee Clark, Jr and his wife Christy Clark, forming bonds that lasted a lifetime.

Kaye was, above all, a devoted mother. She raised one son, Michael Primm, and four beautiful daughters: Danielle Primm, Tonya York, Ashley York, and Brittany York. She also has one grandson, Xavier Robert Primm, who she loved more than life itself, and to them she was everything—a guide, a protector, a source of unwavering support.

She poured her heart into her family, and extended that same devotion as a cherished aunt, sister, daughter, and friend to countless others.

Those who knew Kaye well understand that she could sometimes be... hard to get along with. (And I can already hear some of you chuckling, because you know exactly what I mean.) She was straightforward, strong-willed, and never one to mince words. But beneath that tough exterior beat the biggest heart imaginable. Kaye would do anything—anything—she could to help someone in need.

Whether it was lending a hand, offering advice (solicited or not), or simply being there in a moment of crisis, her kindness knew no bounds. She gave freely, loved deeply, and left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

Today, we feel the weight of her absence. Kaye Lynn Clark will be dearly missed— her laughter, her stories, her unyielding loyalty. But she will forever be loved, held close in our memories and in the lives of her children, grandchildren, siblings, and friends.

Kaye, thank you for the love you gave so generously. Rest in peace, knowing you were cherished beyond measure. We will carry your big heart forward in everything we do.

She will be dearly missed and forever loved.

The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m., Friday, December 26, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home in Asheboro.

Nathan Ryan Leonard, 32, of Asheboro, passed peacefully at home on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with Pastor Jon Shook and Noah Galarza officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Memorial Gardens.

Born on May 31, 1993, in Guilford County, NC, Nathan was the son of Steven Craig Leonard Sr. and Sandra Ann Cranford Leonard. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose kindness and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew him. He was a 2012 graduate of Southwestern Randolph High School and he attended Randolph Community College.

Nathan worked from home for Godiva, where he was known for his dedication and reliability.

Outside of work, he loved gaming with his friends, spending time playing with his nieces and nephews, and fixing up his car, something he took great pride in.

Nathan will be remembered for his quiet strength, his loving heart and the special bond he shared with his family. He will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leo and Joann Cranford and Peggy Smithwick.

Surviving in addition to his parents are his siblings, Steven Leonard and Brittany Simmons, Ashley and Matthew Auman; his cherished nieces and nephews, Townsley, Brantley, Ellie, Henley, Beasley, Bentley, Dalston; aunts and uncles, Rhonda and Tim Maness, Jeff Leonard; and many beloved cousins.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 2, 2026, at Ridge Funeral Home.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nathan Ryan Leonard, please visit our flower store.

Jerry “Golf” Gilbert Ward

Ronald “Ron” David Greene

Aug. 27, 1931 – Dec. 18, 2025

Sept. 29, 1948 – Dec. 24, 2025

Jerry “Golf” Gilbert Ward, 94, took the fairway to heaven on December 18, undoubtedly calling out his signature line— “Hello hole!”—as he sank his final putt, loud enough for St. Peter to look up from the scorecard.

Jerry arrived well-dressed, on time, and probably offering swing tips.

Born and raised in Asheboro, North Carolina, Jerry was voted Most Witty at Asheboro High School, a distinction he treated less like an honor and more like a lifelong job description. He studied business at UNC Chapel Hill before serving in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Hawaii—a deployment he considered excellent planning.

There, he married his classmate and lifelong partner, Joyce Lucas Ward, beginning a marriage that lasted 60 years and included countless laughs, eye rolls, and perfectly delivered one-liners.

Jerry spent his career in the furniture manufacturing industry and gave back generously to his hometown through service on the Asheboro City Council and support of his beloved Asheboro Zoo. He believed deeply in civic duty, community, and dressing properly for any occasion. Jerry was known for his sharp wit and impeccable style, firmly believing that how you showed up mattered—and Jerry always showed up looking like he had somewhere important to be, even if it was just the grocery store.

While he enjoyed many sports, golf was his true love and lifelong obsession. Jerry didn’t merely play the game; he studied it, mastered it, and even crafted his own golf clubs with care and precision—because if something could be done better, Jerry intended to do it himself. Known to his eight grandchildren as “Golf,” he wore the nickname like a championship green jacket. He was recently blessed with four great-grandchildren, all already showing signs of inheriting his quick wit and his uncanny ability to turn a missed putt into a moral victory.

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Joyce; his son-in-law, David Heskett; and his parents, Christine Miller Ward Gray and John Buchanan “JB” Ward Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Ginger Heskett of Asheboro; Julie Payne (Jim) of Barbados; and Joi Lee (Bill) of Greenville, North Carolina; eight grandchildren—Remy, Robert, Eric (Lanie), Alexis (Neil), Wil, Rachel (Scott), Ashton (Joe), and Jennie (Arne); four greatgrandchildren, affectionately and competitively known as Ragnar (Jerry 1), Emerson (Geri 2), Sawyer (Gerri 3), and Joey (Jerry 4); and his godchild, Adam Luckenbach of Seattle, Washington.

Jerry’s life will be remembered as one filled with laughter, birdies, confidence on the tee box, and perfectly timed punchlines. He taught us that when in doubt, just swing, smile, and enjoy your time here. Jerry is now playing the ultimate course—lush fairways, perfect greens, no lost balls— and is undoubtedly explaining to anyone within earshot how they almost got that shot right.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Tee– Sandhills (www.firstteesandhill. org), Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, or a charity of your choosing. A celebration of life is being planned for the new year—dress well, laugh often, and don’t forget to yell “Hello hole!”

Ronald “Ron” David Greene, age 77, of Asheboro, passed away on December 24, 2025, at the Randolph Hospice House.

Mr. Greene was born in Randolph County on September 29, 1948, to Atlas and Elizabeth Reeder Greene. Ron grew up in Whynot and became selfsufficient at an early age. Ron retired from UPS with over 25 years of service and was a volunteer fireman with the Seagrove Fire Department for 25 years. Ron was a member of Asbury Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his brotherin-law, James Greene.

Ron had a dry wit and was a jokester. He loved animals and hunting. When he was a little boy, Ron had a pet squirrel that chewed through his sock drawer.

He loved to fish and enjoyed his time at the beach. He loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle and was a member of the “Million Mile Club” with UPS. He was proud of his awards for safe driving.

Ron could do anything he set his mind to. He built his own house which he called “The house in the woods” with the help of his engineer friend. They used parts of the “Old Gillian House” in the construction.

He was handy with machinery, including tractors, four-wheelers, side-by-sides, and many others.

Ron was a very generous man, who loved his family dearly.

He would often pull over on the side of the road to pick flowers with his young daughter, Julie.

He became a grandad and proudly answered to the name of Pawpaw.

Ron is survived by his wife, Pat Deaton Greene; daughter, Julie Greene Stell; son, Lane David Greene; grandchildren, Abbie Elizabeth Stell, Newton Ransom Stell V, and Kiersten Barber; siblings, Larry Greene (Libby), Peggy Jordan (Tommy), Leon Greene (Wendy), Tammy Cagle, Lynne Greene, and Patsy Simmons; brother-in-law, Dale Deaton; his beloved one-eyed bobtail cat, Scooter.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from noon to 1:50 p.m. at Asbury Baptist Church, 218 Asbury Church Road in Seagrove.

Funeral services will follow on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the church with Rev. Allen Mashburn officiating. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christians United of Southern Randolph County, 424 E. Main Street, Seagrove, NC 27341 or the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415.

Howard Michael Lowdermilk Aug. 9, 1948 – Dec. 20, 2025 Howard Michael Lowdermilk, 77, of Wake Forest, NC, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on December 20, 2025, at Transitions LifeCare Hospice House in Raleigh.

He was born in Ramseur, NC to Earl and Ernestine Lowdermilk and was the youngest of four brothers and sisters. He lived, worked and went to school in Ramseur until enlisting in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. Howard served four years, including one year in Vietnam, before enrolling in NC State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked for many years at Carolina Power and Light Company and at the North Carolina State Utility Commission, where he made numerous treasured friends.

His family has many happy memories of Howard coaching, teaching, laughing, taking pictures, and telling stories.

He treasured the travels, adventures, and many happy years with his loving wife Ann. He was proud of his military service and to be a part of Wake Forest VFW Post 8466, and the Purple Heart Foundation Board. He also happily served on the board of the NC State Employees’ Credit Union.

He considered everyone a potential friend and was immensely grateful for the love and support of his family and friends as his condition affected him in increasing ways toward the end of his life.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley Cox, sister Sara Carmac, brother Keith Lowdermilk, cousin David Stewart and other close family members and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife of 16 years Ann Lowdermilk, son Michael Lowdermilk and his wife Leanne, grandsons Eli and Luke Lowdermilk, daughter Karen Lowdermilk, Stepdaughter Lori Newnam and her husband Marcus and daughters Macie, Laney, and Aubrey, Stepdaughter Allison Russo and her husband Craig, brother in law Johnny Carmac, Nephew Chris Carmac and his wife Janice and Daughters Zoe and Noel, Niece Kelly Cassell and her husband Rob and their children Jordan, Jacob and Lyndsey.

A visitation and funeral service celebrating Howard’s life will be held at Loflin Funeral Home on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 2 p.m., with Rev. Mark Beane officiating.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Ridge Christian Church with military honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Pleasant Ridge Christian Church or Wake Forest VFW Post 8466.

Howard’s family is grateful for the numerous expressions of love, support and condolences.

A5

Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

Lillie Mae Routh York

Linda Hoffman

Aug. 31, 1953 – Dec. 20, 2025

Linda Catherine Scheffer Hoffman, 75, of Asheboro, died Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Siler City Center in Siler City.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with Pastor Fred Huffstetler officiating. Burial will be at Randolph Memorial Park.

Born on July 9, 1950, in Cass County, Indiana, Linda was the daughter of the late Paul Martin Scheffer and Helen Louise Ortman Scheffer. She was retired from Belk and was a member of Central Methodist Church.

Linda enjoyed doing crafts, gardening and baking with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lee Hoffman, and brothers, Brad Scheffer and Randy Scheffer.

Surviving are her daughters, Angela Hoffman (Gerardo) of Randleman, Kellie Hanspal (G.P.) of Asheboro; sisters, Lynn Nufer, Kathy Schroeder, Vickie Funkhouser, and Shelley Scheffer; brothers, Ronald Scheffer, Don Scheffer, Gary Scheffer, Doug Scheffer, Steve Scheffer, George Scheffer; grandchildren, Jordan Jensen (Charles Draper), Jaxon Jensen; and great grandchildren, Damian Draper and Ember Rose Draper.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home.

Lillie Mae Routh York, 72, of Franklinville, NC, died Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Randolph Health in Asheboro.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with Rev. Jeff Joyce officiating.

Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park.

Born in Randolph County, NC on August 31, 1953, Lillie was the daughter of the late Pearly Woodrow Routh and Betty Lee Cagle Routh. She was retired from Sopona. Lillie loved her hero, John Wayne, her dogs, “Duke” and “Gracie, and most importantly, her kids, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She was a sweet, genuine, and humble woman whose character was that of a Christian woman and believer in God. She was a member of Worthville Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, Lillie was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Clyde Joseph “C.J.” York Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Stephanie York, Sarah York, both of the home; son, Michael York (Rebecca) of KY; sisters, Martha Fivecoat of Randleman, Pearlie Sue Allred of Franklinville; brother, David Routh of SC; grandchildren, Kaitlyn York, Justin Fulton, Bethany York, Madison Fulton, Braylon York; great grandchildren, Da’Mari Gilchrist, Khyrie Gilchrist, Karleigh Gilchrist, A’Lani Graham-Payne, Navi Cooper, Evaleena Fulton, and Georgia Fulton.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home, and other times at the home.

July 9, 1950 – Dec. 21, 2025

William Harvey Baldwin Jr., 71, passed away on December 19, 2025, at Hospice of Randolph in Asheboro, NC. Harvey was born on October 17, 1954, to parents William Harvey Baldwin Sr. and Lona Hough Baldwin. Harvey worked for over 30 years at Silver Dollar Gun and Pawn in Ramseur. He was an avid outdoorsman and was an honorary member of the Chatham County Wildlife Club.

Harvey enjoyed go-cart racing as well as flying model airplanes.

Mr. Baldwin was a faithful attendee of Grace Community Fellowship Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Baldwin was preceded in death by his brother, Mike Baldwin, as well as his brother-in-law, Manley Briles.

Mr. Baldwin is survived by his wife of 44 years, Rebecca “Ann” Hemphill Baldwin of the home; daughter, Vickie Whittington of Ramseur; son-in-law, Harry Whittington of Randleman, grandson, Matthew Whittington and wife Amber of Randleman; siblings, Elaine Baldwin Morgan of Rockingham, Agnes Baldwin and husband Steve of Sophia, Jerry Baldwin and wife Amy of Sophia, Steve Baldwin and wife Ronda of Sylvia, NC, and Angie Baldwin of Sophia; and sistersin-law, Georgia Baldwin and Joe Briles.

A visitation for Mr. Baldwin will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at Loflin Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph County or to Grace Community Fellowship Baptist Church.

Marlene Meier Jordan, 87, of Asheboro, died on December 20, 2025, at the Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro, N.C. Marlene was born on July 12, 1938, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the first of three children born to Henry John Meier and Ruth Elizabeth Snitker. Her father was a pastor whose assignments eventually brought the family south to the small North Carolina community of Mount Pleasant. Grandpa Meier was born in Africa to German missionaries and for many years he preached two sermons every Sunday — one in German and one in English.

Marlene earned a nursing degree at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte and was a nursing supervisor in the Queen City when she met a young physical therapist named Kenneth Wayne Jordan. Jordan was part of the second-ever class in the new department of physical therapy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – and the first-ever male graduate. The couple married a year later, on April 6, 1963.

Later Ken worked at hospitals in

Sept. 24, 1963 – Dec. 21, 2025

Sept. 9, 1930 – Dec. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 1954 – Dec. 19, 2025

July 12, 1938 – Dec. 20, 2025

Randy Major

Hilda Wright Williams

William Baldwin Jr.

Marlene Meier Jordan

Hilda Wright Williams, age 95 of Whittier, N.C., passed away surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Asheboro, N.C., one of ten children to Bulah Craven and Raymond Wright. She and her husband of 68 years, Nolan Edgar Williams, resided in Boynton Beach, Florida, for 19 years before moving to Whittier, N.C. Hilda was a homemaker/ bookkeeper until her children were grown. She got her Real Estate Brokers License and was the founder and owner of Advance Real Estate in Bryson City, N.C. She enjoyed the business she founded for 30 years. Hilda had an amazing “green” thumb, enjoying gardening and flea marketing.

Hilda was preceded in death by the love of her life, Nolan, brothers Alford Clayson Wright and wife Opal of Asheboro, Harold Lloyd Wright and wife Thelma of Ramseur, Sulan Wright and wife Audrey of Asheboro, and David Wright and wife Edna of Ramseur. Sisters Celia Mae Hicks and husband Earlie of Greensboro, Pauline Bescher and husband Charles of Denton, Inez Staley and husband Worth of Asheboro, Mozelle Whitley and husband Colin of Asheboro.

Brother-in-law James B Case of Summerland Key, Florida and son-in-law Vasil Doudov of Vero Beach, Florida.

She is survived by daughter Nola Doudov of Vero Beach, Florida, son Eugene Williams and wife Liz of Whittier, N.C. Grandchildren Adriane Doudov of Vero Beach, Florida, Aaron Williams and wife Amanda of Whittier and great-grandchildren Cody and Mason. One sister Alease Wright Case of Vero Beach, Florida.

Burial for Mrs. Hilda Wright Williams will be held at High Pine Wesleyan Church Cemetery,

Randal “Randy” Eugene Major, 62, of Asheboro, died Sunday, December 21, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro. , with Dr. Rob Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Memorial Park.

Randy was born on September 24, 1963, in Randolph County, NC. He was a graduate of Eastern Randolph High School and attended NC State University. He was working at Dixie Furniture, where he met the love of his life, Teresa.

Later, he went to work at Lowe’s Hardware, where he stayed for over 30 years. His decline in health led to his retirement, but he still enjoyed being around people by serving as a notary.

Randy was a very intelligent person, especially when it came to math. He also enjoyed joking with everyone. Football was one of his favorite things to watch, even more so if NC State or the Washington Commanders were playing. Randy loved his pets. Some say even more than his family. When he received a prosthetic leg, his cat, “Teddy Bear,” constantly kept him company.

Randy was a member of Oakhurst Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and sang in the choir.

He was preceded in death by his father, Boyce McKay Major Sr., and his brothers, Greg Major and Boyce Major Jr. Surviving are his wife, Teresa Major of the home; daughter, Christina Major (Kyle Cochran) of Asheboro; mother, Ann H. King (Milton) of Asheboro; brother, David Major (Felicia) of Trinity; niece, Sheria Dixon (Miles); and nephew, Matt Major (Sarah).

The family will receive friends at Ridge Funeral Home from 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, prior to the funeral service.

Lumberton and Chattanooga, Tenn., before returning to his hometown of Asheboro to help start physical therapy departments at both Randolph Hospital and the Randolph County Health Department.

Marlene utilized her nursing skills with the Randolph County Health Department and the Randolph County Mental Health Center, where she worked as a psychiatric nurse.

For several years, she oversaw the sheltered workshop in Asheboro. Ken and Marlene also were instrumental in the formation of the Randolph County Mental Health Association.

Later, she earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration and spent years as a supervisor in the field of home health care, first with Upjohn and later with Gentiva. She was a member of First Evangelical and Reformed Church on Cliff Road in Asheboro and the choir director and member of the choir for many years.

A straight shooter who cut to the chase in any conversation, Marlene would serve up advice to willing ears – and perhaps even to reluctant listeners. She was a force of nature who liked to get things done. Now. She did not always focus on taking care of herself, but she loved to take care of others, especially by preparing comfort foods: scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, German potato salad, forgotten cookies, chicken and dumplings, poached eggs, deviled eggs.

Marlene liked a clean house and a tidy garden and did not mind getting her hands dirty to grow glorious roses or zinnias, her favorite. She craved being

busy, so crafting was a thing for years — ceramics, basket weaving, decorating clothing – something new all the time. If she ran out of little projects, she would pull down the wallpaper and replace it with a new pattern or brighten a room (or half the house) with new paint or rearrange the furniture. Just because.

“Pitbull’s and Parolees” topped the list of TV shows she enjoyed. She also looked forward to watching her North Carolina Tar Heels on TV. Close games rattled her nerves, and sometimes she would get up and leave the room. If a game was especially tight, she might not come back at all. She loved her houseful of dogs, but especially River, who loved her, too. In addition to her parents, Marlene was preceded in death by her husband of almost 40 years, Ken; and her brother, Daniel P. Meier.

She is survived by her children, daughter, Sharon Jordan Womick of Sophia, N.C., and son, Mark Wayne Jordan of the home; sonin-law, Chip Womick of Asheboro; three grandchildren, Callista Womick (Victor) of Finland, Maia Womick (Isaac) of Asheboro, and Kensleigh Jordan of High Point; two great-grandchildren, Noble Needham and Baron Needham, both of Asheboro; and brother, David (Dremia) of Asheboro; sister-in-law, Jennifer Meier; and her best friend and neighbor of many years, Bernadette Kornegay, and her long-time friend, Janet Bennett. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, from 1111:50 a.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Ave., in Asheboro.

Memorial service will follow at noon in the Glenn “Mac” Pugh Chapel.

Linda Lindsey Richardson

Sandy Comer

Aug. 4, 1941 – Dec. 20, 2025 Linda Lindsey Richardson, age 84, of Guilford County, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025. She was born on August 4, 1941, in Randolph County, North Carolina.

Linda lived a life centered on family, friendship, and dedication. She found her greatest joy in being a grandmother to her beloved granddaughter, Chloe, and took pride in watching her grow. Linda also enjoyed junior golf, spending time at the beach with friends, and listening to beach music— simple pleasures that brought her happiness and lasting memories.

On December 23, 1963, Linda married the love of her life, Raymond Luther Richardson.

Together they shared many cherished years until his passing in February of 1989.

Their marriage was one marked by love, commitment, and companionship.

Professionally, Linda devoted more than 60 years as an office administrator for a local dental practice. She worked closely beside her office manager and best friend, Sharon Robbins, forming a bond that went beyond the workplace. The dentists she worked with, Dr. Brian and Dr. Sheryl Freeman, were not only her employers but also dear friends, and she valued those relationships deeply.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ruby Lindsley, her husband Raymond Richardson, and her sisters, Stella Bowman and Miffy Moffitt.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her two daughters, Jennifer Richardson Crane and Tammy Lynn Richardson, and by her cherished granddaughter, Chloe, who held a special place in her heart.

Linda’s kindness, dedication, and quiet strength will live on in the many lives she touched.

Services are to be scheduled at a later date.

March 5, 1951 – Dec. 26, 2025 Sandra Annette Bright Comer, 74, of Asheboro, passed away Friday, December 26, 2025, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Central Falls Baptist Church, where she was a member, with Pastor Gerald Hussey officiating.

Born on March 5, 1951, in Blacksburg, SC, Sandy was the daughter of the late Clyde and Lucille Byers Bright. She had retired as a correctional officer from the NC Juvenile Justice Department.

In addition to her parents, Sandy was preceded in death by her sister, Gloria Bruce, and her brother, Ken Bright.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Comer of the home; son, David Voncannon of Blacksburg, SC; sister, Angel Hannon (Herb) of Little River, SC; brothers, Larry Bright (Vicky), Ronnie Bright, Rodney Bright, all of Blacksburg, SC, Danny Bright of SC; grandchildren, Devon H. Hill (Josh) of Asheboro, Jake Voncannon of Gastonia, NC; great grandchildren, Luke Hill and Avery Hill.

The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the church.

Memorials may be made to Central Falls Baptist Church, 1332 Old Liberty Road, Asheboro, NC 27203.

A6

Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

STATE & NATION

More thrifting, fewer returns: Early trends that defined shopping this holiday season Buyers spent more time on research and building lists

By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press NEW YORK — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to data released this week

by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans.

More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.

Here are three trends that defined the holiday shopping season so far.

Weaker holiday season for traditional gift giving Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Post-holiday shoppers pass a Christmas tree at Calef’s Country Store on Dec. 26 in Barrington, New Hampshire. thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.

That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.

Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.

For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year. But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.

Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christ-

mas last year, sales slid 9%.

Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores— chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.

But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.

“Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly favored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.

Thrift stores broaden their appeal In the past it may have

seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.

Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year.

That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.

In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.

The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.

U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept.

27 and the momentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.

“High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ”

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building

By Steven Sloan The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician’s sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the facility.

“Your decision to withdraw at the last moment — explic-

BALL from page A1 from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

This year, the stroke of midnight also marked the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative creat-

Fewer returns, so far For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.

That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

“I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following Cyber Week — the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.

From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.

Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.

This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.

Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

itly in response to the Center’s recent renaming, which honors President Trump’s extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure — is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution,” the venue’s president, Richard Grenell, wrote in a letter to musician Chuck Redd that was shared with The Associated Press.

In the letter, Grenell said he would seek $1 million in damages “for this political stunt.”

Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A drummer and vibraphone player, Redd has presided over holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, succeeding bassist William “Keter” Betts. In an email Wednesday to The Associated Press, Redd said he pulled out of the concert in the wake of the renaming.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours lat-

er on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said.

He added Wednesday that the event has been a “very popular holiday tradition” and that he often featured at least one student musician.

“One of the many reasons that it was very sad to have had to cancel,” he told the AP. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and Congress passed a law the following year naming the center as a living memorial to him.

Grenell is a Trump ally whom the president chose to head the Kennedy Center after he forced out the previous leadership. According to the White House, Trump’s handpicked board approved the renaming, which scholars have said violates the law. Kennedy niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove Trump’s name from the building once he leaves office, and former House historian Ray Smock is among those who say any changes would have to be approved by Congress.

The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.

ed by America250. Organizers hope to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country.

On Thursday, America250 participated in the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” It featured three larger-than-life bald eagles rep-

resenting the country’s past, present and future.

“We want to ring in this new year from sea to shining sea.

What better way to think about it than going from New York to California,” Rios said. “This has to be community-driven, this has be grassroots. We’re going from Guam to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Philadelphia,

and everything in between.”

President Donald Trump has also announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.

Rios said she sees the wide range of celebrations and programs planned for the coming months, from large fireworks displays and statewide potluck

suppers to student contests and citizen oral histories, as an opportunity to unite a politically divided nation.

“If we can find something for everyone ... having those menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate,” she said. “That’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.”

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2025 SPORTS IN REVIEW

JANN ORTIZ FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

There was a raucous celebration among team members when Southwestern Randolph claimed a boys’ soccer state championship in 2025.

Lots of highlights to cherish Randolph County athletes and teams had numerous special accomplishments during the past year

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record THERE WERE PLENTY of thrills and other sports moments making news for Randolph County sports followers in 2025.

Here’s a list of some of the highlights and notables.

• New football coaches were hired at Providence Grove (Cody Moran), Randleman (David Diamont) and Trinity (alum Mark Raynor). Moran, a 2013 Randleman graduate, had been at Providence Grove as defensive coordinator and athletics director.

• There were nine individual wrestling state champions from Randolph County. Five schools were on that list.

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Lorenzo Alston, then a junior, won a title for the third consecutive year. Other winners were UCA’s Michael Shropshire, Eastern Randolph’s David Lambert and Maddox Carson, Randleman’s Braxton Walker, Trinity’s Aiden Burkholder and Lawson Coltrane, and Wheatmore’s Ayden Sumners and Dominic Hittepole.

UCA had team success earlier in February by defeating Mount Airy to secure the Class 1A dual team championship.

• Dale Inman of Level Cross goes into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. As a NA-

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball players share a happy moment during the decisive game in the Class 1A state championship series last spring.

SCAR crew chief, he aided driver Richard Petty’s championship pursuits in the Cup Series.

• Track and field success came again for Randleman’s Chase Farlow, who as a senior repeated as the Class 2A titlist in the high jump. He did so by matching a personal-best mark of 6 feet, 10 inches. He also placed second in the long jump.

In the winter, Farlow won an indoor track and field championship in the high jump.

In Class 1A girls, Eastern

Randolph’s Mirianna Corea claimed the championship in the shot put a year after winning the discus.

• Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team won its third consecutive state championship in Class 1A. The Eagles needed three games in the best-of-three finals against Perquimans in the title series in Holly Springs.

Coach Rob Shore’s team had to advanced through the West Region final against Eastern Randolph.

During the regular season, Randleman won a conference championship for the fourth year in a row in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

• Connor Carter, an Eastern Randolph alum, became the youngest champion in the Asheboro City Open golf tournament. He turned 20 years old a day before winning the latespring tournament.

• Major change was enacted within the North Carolina High School Athletic Association,

much of it related from expanding from four to eight classifications. At the forefront for some of these decisions was Stephen Gainey, superintendent of the Randolph County School System. He’s serving as president of the NCHSAA. Conference realignment meant the eight schools from the county in the NCHSAA are spread across four different leagues.

• Uwharrie Charter Academy advanced to the Class 4A state final before falling to Lake Norman Charter in a five-set championship match at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem.

The Eagles compiled a 24-match winning streak along the way. That included topping Randleman in the East Region final.

• Southwestern Randolph’s boys’ soccer team won it all in Class 4A, capturing the first team championship for a boys’ team in school history.

After a runner-up finish in 2024, the Cougars were determined to take the next step, and they did. It took a riveting comeback in the East Region final against Clinton before Southwestern Randolph went to Guilford College and produced a 3-0 victory against Newton-Conover in the championship game under coach Jimmy Walker.

• Randleman had a notable athlete from boys’ soccer as well, with Owen Leonard becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in program history. He also was a kicker for the football team.

• Eastern Randolph again made the deepest run of any football team in Randolph See REVIEW, page B2

Wheatmore’s Sumners notches No. 100 — and keeps going There were tournament accomplishments for wrestlers from most area schools

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record AYDEN SUMNERS reached the 100-win mark for his career in one tournament and the Wheatmore junior added more

in the next tournament in a couple of pre-Christmas events.

Sumners, a reigning state champion, captured the 132-pound title in the Jerry Hampton Invitational on Dec. 20 at Central Davidson. He had missed the Warriors’ previous tournament outing a week earlier with a ribs injury.

Sumners had a 53-second pin and technical fall before blanking Mount Airy’s

Justice Collins 9-0 in the final.

Wheatmore’s Dominic Hittepole won the 190 division. He followed a first-period pin and a technical with 48-second pin of Southeast Guilford’s Lucas Simmons in the title bout.

Wheatmore heavyweight Maddox Russo was the runner-up, registering three first-period pins before losing by technical fall to Southeast Guilford’s Brian Bellerand.

Teammates Dylan Harris (106) and Spencer Moore (150) placed third.

Central Davidson won the 16-team tournament, with Southeast Guilford the runner-up, Mount Airy in third place and Wheatmore fourth.

Southwestern Randolph was 12th.

Rafael Flores of Southwestern Randolph was fourth at 215.

Then in the Tiger Holiday

Classic, a two-day, 45-team tournament last week in Chapel Hill, Sumners was dominant again, this time at 126 pounds.

Sumners won with a pair of first-period pins and a second-period technical fall before he was awarded the title via a medical forfeit from Jace Barrier of Mooresville.

Russo was busy on the way See WRESTLING, page B3

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Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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Brandon Boone Randleman, football/ basketball

PREP BASKETBALL

Providence Grove girls collect two victories Randolph Record staff CLIMAX — The Providence Grove girls’ basketball team avenged a loss to Burlington Williams, winning last week’s home game by 59-42.

The Patriots also won a home game the next night against Southern Guilford, rolling 5315.

• Trinity overpowered visiting South Davidson for the second time this season, winning 55-12.

Boys’ basketball Eastern Randolph won for

REVIEW from page B1 County. But the Wildcats were stopped in the fourth round by eventual Class 3A state champion Shelby in a 43-41 home loss.

No other team from the county advanced past the second round, with four teams losing home games after

Multiple athletes from Providence Grove received special distinctions Randolph Record staff HERE ARE THE Central Carolina 3-A Conference major award winners plus all-conference selections from Providence Grove, Trinity and Wheatmore for fall sports.

BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

Boone has made impacts in multiple sports. He was an all-conference football selection as a lineman for the Tigers.

His senior season is continuing on the basketball court, where he has been a major contributor for COURTESY PHOTO Randleman. He has the top shooting percentage on the team and also ranks high in rebounding with more than six boards per game.

Boone is also a factor on defense in the post, aiding a well-rounded lineup for the Tigers.

The Eastern Randolph boys’ team finally broke into the victory column

Central Carolina 3-A Conference

the first time this season by running away from visiting Lee Christian 97-60 on Dec. 20, with Emmitt Frye producing 21 points, Cam Hinton scoring 18 points and Tyler Gee pouring in 15 points. The Wildcats lost their first six games.

• Providence Grove lost a pair of home games last week.

Burlington Williams beat Providence Grove 75-53 despite Will Dabbs’ 27 points and Andrew Thomas’ 13 points.

The next night, the Patriots fell 66-61 in overtime to Southern Guilford. Thomas racked up 22 points and Dabbs provided 15 points and 10 rebounds.

• Trinity blasted visiting South Davidson 72-25, with Zaire Gill’s 19 points and 10 rebounds leading the way.

receiving first-round byes.

Earlier in the fall, Providence Grove joined Eastern Randolph as a football conference champion. Eastern Randolph has won 24 consecutive football conference matchups.

Also, Asheboro put together its first winning record since 2016.

Runner of the Year: Ayden Fitzgerald (Wheatmore) Coach of the Year: Justin Sink (East Davidson) All-Conference Wheatmore: Ayden Fitzgerald, Tyler McCormick, Ryan Mabe, Daylan Rada GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY Runner of the Year: Laurel Bernhardt (Providence Grove) Coach of the Year: Justin Sink (East Davidson) All-Conference Providence Grove: Laurel Bernhardt Wheatmore: Scarlett Hildreth, Lydia Madison, Emmie Messner FOOTBALL Offensive Player of the Year: Jackson Lawver (Providence Grove) Defensive Player of the Year: Conner Haithcock (Providence Grove) Lineman of the Year: Jailen Smith (Thomasville) Coach of the Year: Cody Moran (Providence Grove), All-conference Providence Grove: Offense – Jackson Lawver, Nick Straughn, Walker Minton, Wyatt Brinkley, Holden Swift, Carson Jones, Andrew Thomas.

Defense – Conner Haithcock, Jameson Summey, Landon Fox, Jacob Flinchum, Chase Collins, Charles Villaggio, Easton Ibe Trinity: Offense – Khad’n

Randleman athletes made impacts during the first season of the new Piedmont Athletic Conference Randolph Record staff Here are the Piedmont Athletic Conference major award winners plus all-conference selections from Randleman for fall sports.

BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY Runner of the Year: Jacob Byrd (Central Davidson) Coach of the Year: Trey Cook (Central Davidson) All-Conference Randleman: Jedediah Dake, Jack Gilmartin

Runner of the Year: Rachel Bowers (Central Davidson) Coach of the Year: Trey Cook (Central Davidson) All-Conference Randleman: Reagan Henley, Emma Herring

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Fuller, Max Kendall, Zaire Gill.

Defense – Jax Dillard Wheatmore: Offense – Connor Benton, Maddox Russo, Kenny Hoover, Bentley Mills, Collin Dodd.

Defense – Zach Helton, Noah Wyrick, Seth Hollern, Delano Samuelson

Giovanni Jaimes, Mario Garcia, Trey Groves, Cash Harris, Cayden Pugh Wheatmore: Laurel Suarez Ortiz, Carter Queen, Easton Dewitt GIRLS’ TENNIS

Player of the Year: Megan Oakley (Providence Grove) Coach of the Year: Allie Nelson (Providence Grove) All-conference Providence Grove: Megan Oakley, Adison Johnson, Olivia Coleman Wheatmore: Kyndal Kindley

Player of the Year: Emerson Lemley (West Davidson) Coach of the Year: Matt Barnes (West Davidson) All-conference Providence Grove: Callie Lambert, Carly Lambert, Alisa Shaw, Liz Shoe Trinity: Kayla Neam, Mackensie Case, Carolina Case, Jacey Wilson Wheatmore: Tatum Wagner, Leah Puckett

BOYS’ SOCCER

VOLLEYBALL

Offensive Player of the Year: Carlos Ponciano Diaz (East Davidson) Defensive Player of the Year: Ayden Brown (West Davidson) Coach of the Year: Nathan Sink (Trinity) All-conference Providence Grove: Seth Johnson, Saul Cortes, Kevin Bautista Trinity: Jeremy Cruz,

Player of the Year: Alex Hester (West Davidson) Coach of the Year: Tim Brown (Providence Grove) All-conference Providence Grove: Lara Wiseman, Adalyn Whitaker, Kolbi Jo Lineberry Trinity: Avalynn Johnson, Charlee Phillips, Avery Moffitt, Hayli Cox Wheatmore: Lanie McMahan

GIRLS’ GOLF

Piedmont Athletic Conference

GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

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PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Quarterback Jackson Lawver of Providence Grove received top honors for football on offense.

GIRLS’ GOLF Player of the Year: Bethany Myers (Central Davidson) Coach of the Year: Brett Sides (Central Davidson) All-conference Randleman: Layla White FOOTBALL Player of the Year: Jordan Ashe (Central Davidson) Offensive Player of the Year: John Kirkpatrick (Randleman) Defensive Player of the Year: Aidan Carter (Central Davidson) Coach of the Year: Jonathan McIntosh (Cent. Davidson) All-conference Randleman: John Kirkpatrick, Connor Cassidy, Nazir Staton, Brandon Boone, Tate Andrews, Ryan McCauley, Kaden Beasley, Pacey Wagner, Skyler Poe Maari Rice.

BOYS’ SOCCER Offensive Player of the Year: Jaydance Eddins (Montgomery Central) Defensive Player of the

Year: Jared Duran (Montgomery Central) Coach of the Year: Henry Bustle (Montgomery Central) All-conference Randleman: Ronaldo Murillo, Owen Leonard, Mitchell Carranza, Dilan Chavero, Deaton Davis GIRLS’ TENNIS Player of the Year: Emily Aguilar (Montgomery Central) Coach of the Year: Jennifer Cayer (Central Davidson) All-conference Randleman: Lily Cozart, Bella Byman, Baylee Atkins VOLLEYBALL Offensive Player of the Year: Natalie Roach (Randleman) Defensive Player of the Year: Kadie Green (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Kerry Mitchell (Randleman) All-conference Randleman: Natalie Roach, Kadie Green, Lilah Covington, Karrington Jones.

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NCAA FOOTBALL

NFL

Baker, Smothers lead area players in transfer portal

Chiefs’ move to Kansas leaves Missouri fans heartbroken

NC State running back Hollywood Smothers announced his intention to transfer one day after the Wolfpack’s season-ending win in the Gasparilla Bowl. The sophomore will also explore NFL options during the offseason. Also transferring is UNC quarterback Bryce Baker.

The East Forsyth standout committed to UNC last year and chose to stay after Bill Belichick took over as coach. However, he never played in a game despite the Tar Heels’ struggles with consistency at the position.

Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs announced plans to move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas. The decision follows Kansas lawmakers approving a bond package to cover up to 70% of the new stadium’s costs. Missouri lawmakers had tried to keep the Chiefs with their own funding package but were outbid. The move marks the second time in a decade that Missouri has lost an NFL team.

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Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

pen & paper pursuits this week in history Alaska get statehood, Theodore Roosevelt dies, Nancy Kerrigan clubbed

loe Ross of Wyoming took office as the nation’s first female governor.

1953: Samuel Beckett’s two-act tragicomedy “Waiting for Godot,” considered a classic of the Theater of the Absurd, premiered in Paris.

1957: President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed assistance to countries to help them resist communist aggression in what became known as the Eisenhower Doctrine.

JAN. 1 1808: The federal law prohibiting the importation of enslaved people to the United States took effect.

1818: Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” was first published in London, when Shelley was 20 years old.

1863: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War, declaring that all enslaved people in rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.”

1892: The Ellis Island Immigration Station in New York formally opened, processing nearly 700 immigrants on its first day.

JAN. 2 1890: President Benjamin Harrison appointed Alice Sanger as the first female White House staffer amid a growing movement for women’s rights.

1942: The Philippine capital of Manila was captured by Japanese forces during World War II. 1959: The Soviet spacecraft Luna 1 launched, becoming the first spacecraft to escape Earth’s gravity.

JAN. 3 1777: Gen. George Washington’s army routed British troops at the Battle of Princeton in New Jersey, a key turning point in the Revolutionary War. 1920: Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold the contract of Babe Ruth to the New

DOUG MILLS / AP PHOTO

President Bill Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial began on Jan. 7, 1999, on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

York Yankees, beginning a championship era for the Yankees and decades of heartache for Red Sox fans. (The Red Sox ultimately broke the “curse” in 2004, winning their first World Series in 86 years.)

1959: Alaska was officially admitted as the 49th U.S. state.

JAN. 4 1853: New Yorker Solomon Northup regained his freedom after being kidnapped in Washington, D.C., and forced into slavery in 1841; he later told his story in his memoir, “Twelve Years a Slave.”

1948: Burma, now known as Myanmar, marked its independence from Great Britain.

1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his State of the Union address outlining the goals of his “Great Society” initiative.

JAN. 5 1925: Democrat Nellie Tay-

JAN. 6 1919: Former President Theodore Roosevelt died in Oyster Bay, New York, at age 60.

1941: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his State of the Union address, outlined the “Four Freedoms”: freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship God in one’s own way, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

1994: Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked at Detroit’s Cobo Arena; four men, including the ex-husband of rival Tonya Harding, were imprisoned for their roles.

JAN. 7 1610: Astronomer Galileo Galilei observed three of Jupiter’s moons for the first time and a fourth days later.

1979: Vietnamese forces captured the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, overthrowing the communist Khmer Rouge government blamed for the deaths of about 1.7 million people.

1999: President Bill Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial began on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice; he was acquitted the following month.

DOUG MILLS / AP PHOTO

Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked on Jan. 6, 1994, at Detroit’s Cobo Arena; four men, including the ex-husband of rival Tonya Harding, were imprisoned for their roles.

WRESTLING from page B1 to third place at heavyweight.

He had three pins, including a 55-second version against Wyatt Johnson of Cardinal Gibbons in the third-place match, among his six victories. His lone loss came in overtime in the third round to eventual runner-up Hagen Barker of Eden Morehead.

But Hittepole, a 2025 state champion, suffered his first defeats of the season. He easily won two matches with pins in a total of 59 seconds before a 10-7 overtime loss to Croatan’s Luke Padgett, who later claimed the title. Hittepole led 6-2, but a third-period stalling infraction and Padgett’s takedown in the final seconds of regulation extended the bout.

That was followed by Hittepole’s 13-5 loss to New Bern’s Amanuel Kahsai in a consolation round.

Parkersburg out of West Virginia was the team champion.

Elizabeth Barry Memorial Invitational At Charlotte, Trinity standouts Aiden Burkholder, Steven Cross, Omega Edge and Joseph Trahan were tournament champions Dec. 19-20.

Trinity, the only team with more than one individual champion, was a huge team winner with 252 points, with host Mallard Creek next with 157 among 40 teams.

Burkholder (113 pounds) notched three pins and a major decision before a technical fall in the third period against Porter Ridge’s Corey Sanchez.

Cross (120) had three first-period pins and a decision before earning a second-period technical fall against East Rowan’s Catoe Byrd in the final.

Edge (132) won his fourth match in the final, stopping Charles Thompson of Mallard Creek in 1:25 for his third pin of the tournament.

Trahan won the heavyweight final by 5-0 against Charlotte Catholic’s Dom Basrawala. Trahan earlier had four pins, all in 85 seconds or quicker.

Addam Bernal (157) was the runner-up, winning four matches before a 10-4 loss to Wakefield’s Kaliil McDowell.

Javen Palmeri (106) placed third and Edgar Vasquez (126) and Hezekyah Matson (138) were fourth.

In girls’ competition, Asheboro’s Grace Redding was the 235 runner-up with two pins before losing by a second-peri-

od pin to Mallard Creek’s I’yonia Squirewell.

Great Smoky Mountain Grapple At Asheville, Uwharrie Charter Academy won the team title among 42 teams with 176 points, edging Northwest Guilford (174½) and Pisgah (165½).

Paxton Kearns at 126 pounds and heavyweight Michael Shropshire were UCA’s titlists.

Kearns had two pins and two technical falls before defeating Enka’s Sheppard Homan 14-1 to win the title.

Shropshire’s fourth match was an 11-4 victory against East Gaston’s Nick McClellan in the final.

Rick Riccardella (150) and Travis Nobles (157) claimed third places, while Andrew White (120) was fourth.

Mark Adams Holiday Classic At Cary, Eastern Randolph’s David Lambright and Maddox Carson were runners-up in the tournament Dec. 19-20.

Lambright allowed only one point in his first three matches to reach the 126 final, where he dropped a 7-0 decision to Hoke County’s Jekai Sedgwick.

Carson won three bouts at heavyweight before falling 2-1 to Davante Johnson of St. Stephens. Johnson broke a third-period tie.

Trevor Crabtree of the Wildcats placed fourth at 138.

Eastern Randolph was 11th among 31 teams.

Eagle Invitational At Mebane, Randleman’s Alex Raymundo was the team’s lone champion in the Dec. 20 tournament at Mebane Arts and Community Center.

Raymundo pinned two opponents in the first period and then in a finals match between 2025 state qualifiers he finished Southeast Alamance’s Judah Robinson in 4:35.

David Pugh (165) and Hunter Hall (215) were runners-up for the Tigers. Pugh recorded three pins before he lost by a first-period pin to Orange’s Markus Thomas. Hall had two first-period pins before he was stuck by Southeast Alamance’s Maleek Booker.

Randleman’s Lloy Bosan (126) and Shane Stevens (157) were third.

Orange was the team champion, edging Southeast Alamance.

Elijah Watson (126) of host East-

ern Alamance was selected as the Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Wildcat Invitational At Gibsonville, Oscar Zelaya of Asheboro was the 132-pound champion. He secured two pins and a technical fall and then needed less than two minutes for a technical fall of Eastern Guilford’s Jazir Donnell in the final.

Asheboro’s Quanta McRae was the 175 runner-up in a four-wrestler bracket. Teammates Jose Martinez (150) and Jonah Lester (285) placed third.

Eastern Guilford, the host school, won the 14-teram title, with Bandys the runner-up.

Asheboro placed fifth.

Grapple at the Grove At Climax, Providence Grove won its four meets in round-robin competition on its home mats Dec. 20.

Jeremiah Payne, Aiden Poplin, Skyler Henderson, Caden Mercardo and Ryan Bullard all went 4-0 for the Patriots.

Providence Grove defeated Bishop McGuinness 65-6, East Surry 45-35, Jordan-Matthews 44-29 and Western Guilford 47-29.

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Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

From red donkeys to vibrant art: Colorblind painter Fernando Dávila’s colorful journey The artist paints in color through specially developed glasses

By Cody Jackson The Associated Press DORAL, Fla. — When Fernando Dávila was 8 years old in Colombia, he failed a drawing class because he painted donkeys red.

There was a reason for that: He is colorblind.

Now the 72-year-old Dávila is an established and respected artist whose vibrant paintings have been exhibited in South America, Europe and the United States.

“I have the most wonderful job in the world, which is painting every morning,” Dávila said from his studio in a Miami suburb. “To mix colors. To have joy to share with the world, that’s really my passion.”

He started off painting only in black and white until he was around 30 years old because of his colorblindness, a congenital condition which makes it difficult for people to tell the difference between certain colors, particularly red and green, and shades of color. There is no cure for the condition, which for Dávila also makes the colors pink, violet, turquoise and yellow-green confusing.

Since the mid-1980s, Dávila has painted in color through the help of glasses developed by an ophthalmologist in New York, where Dávila was living at the time. One lens is transparent and the other is shaded red, and they help him discriminate between contrasting shades that normally blur together. With the lenses, he can see almost two-thirds of the colors, but without them he only sees around 40% of the colors.

CODY JACKSON / AP PHOTO

Fernando Dávila, a colorblind painter, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at his gallery in Doral, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.

“I think color is one of the most important things in life. And especially for me.”

Fernando Dávila

Dávila compared his condition to having a box of chocolates but only being able to eat a sample of the selection. He says he has such a strong desire to see every color.

“It’s something that I miss in my life, that if somebody says, ‘Look at this flower,’ which is bright, bright pink, I want to do it,” he said. “It’s something that comes from my heart so passionately. I can feel the vibration of color.”

Colorblindness runs his family. A grandfather and some great uncles only saw in black and white, while his mother and her three sis-

ters also were colorblind even though the condition is rarer in women. His two brothers also have trouble discriminating between colors.

Dávila has spent his career in Colombia, New York and Florida. He was awarded the “Order of Democracy” by the Colombian Congress in 1999 for his contribution to the arts.

He also has published two hardcover books and many catalogues about his paintings, and his work has appeared at major auctions including Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

His paintings include romantic images of men and women embracing and landscapes, often using the color blue as a foundation.

“I think color is one of the most important things in life,” he said. “And especially for me.”

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida, contributed to this report.

How to revive love of books in 2026 It’s easy to get of the habit of reading

By Adithi Ramakrishnan The Associated Press NEW YORK — People stop reading in adulthood for lots of reasons. But it’s never too late to turn the page on old habits and start again.

Curling up with a good book can reduce stress, increase creativity and boost empathy.

A recent analysis of U.S. government data found that the percentage of Americans who read for pleasure during an average day has fallen to 16% in 2023 from 28% in 2004. That includes not just books but audiobooks, e-books and periodicals like magazines.

Some people say they’re fatigued from years of assigned reading in school. Others don’t have the time or would rather zone out by doomscrolling on social media.

“It’s difficult for people who are really tired and busy to think about getting into reading if it’s not something they’re used to,” said Jacqueline Rammer, director of Menomonee Falls Public Library in Wisconsin.

For those looking to set reading goals or resolutions in 2026, here’s how to get back into the habit.

Choose the right book When picking your next book, avoid dense nonfiction or a 500-page doorstop.

“Your first book should be something that you think will be joyful,” said Jocelyn Luizzi, a software engineer from Chicago who blogs about books.

Everyone’s taste is different, so get recommendations from a variety of places including friends, booksellers and online communities like BookTok. Rammer and her staff ask library visitors: What was the last book, TV show or movie

ROBERT F. BUKATY / AP PHOTO

A customer shops at the Green Hand Bookstore in Portland, Maine.

“Your first book should be something that you think will be joyful.” that you really enjoyed? Then, they look for similar genres or themes.

Set a reading routine To create a habit that sticks, “start by scheduling reading into your day,” said Gloria Mark, an attention span expert with the University of California, Irvine. Read five pages during a lunch break or right before bed.

If you’re reading a physical book, Mark said to avoid distractions by keeping phones and laptops out of sight.

Try to read in a quiet setting, but don’t be afraid to make it a social activity. Many cities in the U.S. and around the world host silent book clubs where people read their own books together in coffee shops and libraries.

Shannon Whitehead Smith,

a book blogger from the Atlanta area who also works in marketing, says scrolling through lists of other people’s reads on social media and trackers like StoryGraph encourages her to keep the habit.

“Seeing all these other people reading motivates me to put my phone down and pick up this book that’s sitting beside me,” she said.

Feel free to skip a read If a book feels particularly sluggish, it’s OK to put it down and start another. Reading “shouldn’t feel like a burden,” said Jess Bone with University College London, who analyzed the survey data about American adults reading for pleasure.

Routine readers say the habit helps them stay curious and release the stress of the day. Rammer, the library director, reads mysteries rife with twists and turns, and romances that cycle through roller coasters of emotions.

Most of all, she likes books that end with a “happily ever after.”

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famous birthdays this week Christy Turlington is 57, Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones hits 80, Nicolas Cage turn 62 THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

JAN. 1 Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman is 96. Actor Frank Langella is 88. Musician Country Joe McDonald is 84. Actor-comedian Don Novello is 83. DJ Grandmaster Flash is 68.

JAN. 2 Filmmaker Todd Haynes is 65. Baseball Hall of Famer Edgar Martínez is 63. Actor-singer Tia Carrere is 59. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. is 58. Model Christy Turlington is 57. Actor Taye Diggs is 55. Actor-comedian Dax Shepard is 51. Musician Trombone Shorty is 40.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Katie Couric speaks at this year’s Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival at Spring Studios in New York. The TV journalist and former “CBS Evening News” anchor turns 69 on Wednesday.

JAN. 3 Musician Stephen Stills is 81.

Musician John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) is 80. Actor-director Mel Gibson is 70. Basketball Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller is 62. Singer and television personality Kimberley Locke is 48.

Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning is 45.

JAN. 4 Actor Dyan Cannon is 89.

Guitarist John McLaughlin is 84. Author-historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is 83. Country singer Patty Loveless is 69. Singer Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) is 66.

Actor Julia Ormond is 61.

JAN. 5 Actor Robert Duvall is 95.

Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is 85. Actor Vinnie Jones is 61.

TV personality Carrie Ann Inaba is 58. Rock singer Marilyn Manson is 57. Actor-filmmaker Bradley Cooper is 51. Actor January Jones is 48.

JAN. 6 Actor-comedian Rowan Atkinson, who played Mr. Bean, is 71. Golf Hall of Famer Nan-

AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Musician Kenny Loggins, pictured performing at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, turns 78 on Wednesday. cy Lopez is 69. TV chef Nigella Lawson is 66. Football Hall of Famer Howie Long is 66. Football Hall of Famer Charles Haley is 62. Actor Norman Reedus is 57. Actor-comedian Kate McKinnon is 42. Businessman Eric Trump is 42.

JAN. 7 Musician Kenny Loggins is 78. Actor David Caruso is 70.

TV journalist Katie Couric is 69.

Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is 65. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is 63. Actor Nicolas Cage is 62.

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Randolph Record for Thursday, January 1, 2026

HBO VIA AP

Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood star in season 3 of “The White Lotus.”

Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, ill-timed KissCam, whatever ‘6-7’ means Monster British rock band Oasis reunited for world tour

By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press DICTIONARIES DEFINE things. It’s their job. So when Dictionary.com pronounced “67” as its 2025 word of the year, you’d think they would have, well, defined it.

But no. “We’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” they told us of this year’s “linguistic time capsule.”

But that’s just how pop culture works, isn’t it? Who’s to explain why parents alone in their cars were suddenly singing “up up up” from that “KPop Demon Hunters?” song?

Despite our new obsessions, though, some things remained constant — by which we mean Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, of course. It seems like every year gets bigger for Swift. But in 2025, she put a bow — or ring — on it with Travis Kelce, announcing “your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

So from the inexplicable to the familiar, here’s our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane: JANUARY They may not be Tayvis, but they’re a delightful couple just the same: Zendaya and Tom Holland are engaged. Let’s hear it also for Demi Moore, who wins a Golden Globe for her wild performance in “The Substance.” At the bookstore, fans go wild for “Onyx Storm,” the third installment of Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy series.

A Nirvana reunion highlights FireAid, a fundraiser for relief efforts following the Los Angeles wildfires.

FEBRUARY “Salutations!” says Samuel L. Jackson, introducing Kendrick Lamar, the first solo hip-hop artist — and Pulitzer winner — to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. (P.S. Is that Serena Williams?) At the Grammys, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department present Beyoncé with her best album trophy for “Cowboy Carter” —

the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammy history becomes the first black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century.

“Speak out for what you believe and what you feel. Or don’t. You have to live with yourself.”

MARCH

Robert Redford

It’s Oscar month! All hail to Sean Baker’s victorious, Brooklyn-set “Anora” and its star, Mikey Madison. Also scoring an acting prize is Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist” — who probably should have found another place to put his chewing gum.

“Wicked,” an audience favorite, misses out on big prizes, but its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, perform a rousing opening number.

gered supporters of the slain Charlie Kirk. The world says goodbye to Robert Redford, Hollywood’s golden screen idol.

OCTOBER

Osbourne, and beloved “Cosby Show” actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

“So, how was your October?”

“Oh, 6-7.” That’s apparently how one should use the new viral term — accompanied by that palms-up gesture. You know who has better moves than that?

Bad Bunny, who hosts the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” In Swift updates, her new album “The Life Of A Showgirl” sets sales records. Another sad loss: Diane Keaton, famous for her fedoras, vests and especially “La di da, La di da.”

AUGUST

NOVEMBER

Let’s just give this whole entry to pop culture’s biggest “Love Story” — because, baby, she said yes! Taylor-Travis skeptics eat their words when the couple announces their happy news, in what’s destined to become one of the most liked posts in Instagram history. It’s the fairytale culmination of a courtship that began during the Eras Tour and for two years captivated millions around the world but especially Swifties, the pop star’s loving and fiercely protective fan base.

Are we at the end of the yellow brick road? The “Wicked” press tour, which reached all ends of the universe actual and fictional, wraps with the release of Jon M. Chu’s second installment, “Wicked: For Good.” The reviews are much less, er, enthusiastical this time, but the movie defies gravity at the box office.

That’s not enough for Jonathan Bailey, aka Fiyero, who is named People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

APRIL The blender! The poisonous fruit! The lizard! And Sam Rockwell! The Thailand-set third season of “The White Lotus” is certainly a talker. Katy Perry may be wishing she’d headed to Thailand rather than outer space: Her Earth-kissing return from an 11-minute trip on a Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket is widely mocked — even

by Wendy’s, which writes on X: “Can we send her back.” On Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour, a star has emerged — 13-year-old Blue Ivy. MAY A crisis, at Cannes! The film fest bans nudity on the carpet — do they think this will halt the “naked dress” phenomenon? Bonne chance. Also at Cannes, Tom Cruise again shows he’ll risk life and limb to entertain, this time atop a classic biplane in “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.”

Across the ocean, the Met Gala turns its focus to menswear and black style over the centuries. “It took a minute,” says an approving Spike Lee. “You belong with me,” Swift sings, buying back the rights to her first six albums.

Finally, cue the “Chicago Pope” memes — in honor of the first American pope, Leo XIV. Later this year, he’ll reveal his Wordle strategy.

JUNE “The world will know you as pop stars — but you will bemuch more than that.” Like, perhaps,

ASHLEY LANDIS / AP PHOTO

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift kiss after the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 26 in Kansas City, Missouri. the surprise, multigenerational hit of the summer? “KPop Demon Hunters” starts streaming this month, and in August will give Netflix a big box office win with its singalong screenings. On TV, it’s a new season of love — “Love Island USA,” that is, chronicling the goings-on at a luxury villa in Fiji. It’s the album cover that launched a thousand conversations: Some are offended when Sabrina Carpenter illustrates her “Man’s Best Friend” album with a photo of her on all fours, with a man holding her hair. Is it offensive, a purposeful joke, or nothing at all?

JULY Oasis begins a reunion tour, and the Gallagher brothers are still getting along! “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” goes the much-discussed advertisement, and American Eagle insists it’s about the denim. CBS says it will end Stephen Colbert’s show in May 2026 — a move that will remove from air one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics. We cannot leave July behind — although at least two people would have loved to — without mentioning the saga of the Coldplay KissCam. Finally, within six days, the world loses three ’80s icons: mustachioed wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, heavy metal godfather Ozzy

SEPTEMBER Proving once again that Hollywood loves stories about itself, the Emmys heap awards on Seth Rogen’s movie-biz satire “The Studio.” Also triumphing is “The Pitt,” the edgy medical drama starring beloved “ER” veteran Noah Wyle that beats out the mighty “Severance.” Perhaps the biggest Cinderella story of all: 15-year-old Owen Cooper, the youngest Emmy winner in more than 40 years for the searing “Adolescence.” Also, this month, Jimmy Kimmel is temporarily suspended by ABC bosses for comments that an-

DECEMBER One award after another! Excuse the rather obvious pun, but it’s the perfect one to describe momentum in the Oscars race.

While some films see their fortunes fade on Golden Globe nominations day, the emerging favorite is “One Battle After Another,” director Paul Thomas Anderson’s father-daughter saga of political resistance starring Leonardo DiCaprio and newcomer Chase Infiniti.

Its success also lends a victory to Warner Bros. in the middle of its Netflix acquisition deal — which, at year’s end, is in a holding pattern, facing antitrust challenges and a hostile takeover effort from Paramount.

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Deputy Claus Deputy Sheriff Rene Duval and Detention Officer Austin Barker help a young boy pick out toys during the annual Shop with a Sheriff event at the Raeford Walmart on Dec. 23.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge” Washington, D.C. The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.

Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela. But the U.S. has offered no other details. Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday. Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drugferrying boats originate from.

“I don’t know if you read or saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” Trump said. “Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.”

$2.00

Times Square features patriotic ball drop for New Year, America250 kickoff 2026 is the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence

By Susan Haigh The Associated Press AFTER THE CRYSTAL ball dropped on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue to usher in 2026 and kick

off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gathering, including a second confetti drop, offered an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and small, planned nationwide to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

“I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s

going to be much more than that,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios, who oversees the bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial anniversary. “It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”

Rios and her group worked with the Times Square Alliance business district and

One Times Square, the building from where the ball is dropped, to make the changes to this year’s ceremonies.

They’re also planning a second ball drop event July 3, the eve of the nation’s birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios said.

It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be a See BALL, page A2

Volunteering with children can build character, create lasting family memories Giving back can be rewarding for kids

By Cathy Bussewitz The Associated Press NEW YORK — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned 3, she set out to find volunteer opportunities they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote wildflower growth.

Teacoach had reached out to many organizations looking for volunteer projects that she could do with her young child, but most places said no, so she came up with her own.

“Everyone was like, ‘A 3-year-old can’t do that,’” Teacoach said. “And I was like, ‘No, I swear, he really can if you would just give him a chance.’”

Volunteering with children See VOLUNTEER, page A2

PETER HAMLIN / AP ILLUSTRATION

Volunteering with children can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond.

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

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1.1.26

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BALL from page A1 ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve, she said.

A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot-diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. Last year, the Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled. It measured about 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds.

The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

This year, the stroke of midnight also marked the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250. Organizers hope to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country.

On Thursday, America250 participated in the New Year’s

VOLUNTEER from page A1

Provide choices

can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond. During the holiday season, many people seek such opportunities, looking for ways to give back.

But often nonprofit organizations seek helpers who are at least 18 years old. Finding volunteer work to do as a family with young children can be challenging, but there are opportunities if you persist.

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer. So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start,” said Polly Lagana, executive director of Volunteer New York!, which connects people with service opportunities. “In a turbulent time in our world, families — and parents in particular — are very interested in showing their kids how they can help out and how they can give back.”

Children excel at activities such as sorting coats, packing groceries and following through on tasks, said Sapreet Saluja, executive director of New York Cares, which works with organizations to develop volunteer programs in New York City.

“I’ve been very impressed with the detail-orientation and the precision and the following of directions and the care that some kids I’ve seen, as young as 6, take to the tasks that they’re doing,” Saluja said. “It’s been explained to them that this is to benefit someone, and it’s important, and they’re following the directions and they want to get it just right. And in many cases, they’re more detail-oriented than the adults, which I think is very inspiring.”

To get started, look for organizations in your community that match volunteers with family-friendly projects and reach out to ask if there’s a minimum age requirement.

Here are some other ways to involve little ones in projects that help the community.

Children prefer to have agency and information to make a decision, so include them when you’re choosing an activity, Lagana said.

“Let them know what problem you’re trying to fix in your community and maybe one or two options of how that problem can be fixed,” Lagana said.

“For example, you can explain there are people who don’t have enough food, and children in the hospital who might not have blankets, and then ask, ‘Which one do you think you want to help out with?’” she suggested.

Consider volunteering for a mission that you can explain to your child, such as cleaning up litter at a park.

“Kids are unbelievably curious. They ask questions about what they’re doing, what they’re seeing, what they’re feeling, what they’re hearing, and it opens up a dialogue,” Saluja said. “It helps you see even at a young age some of the challenges that society is facing, and it gives you agency to know that you can be a part of the solution.”

Sharing food Children understand hunger, and they can help alleviate the problem. They can sort grocery boxes at a food pantry or help deliver sustenance to home-bound individuals.

Aviva Davis was about 8 years old when she and her brother Brendan began helping her parents deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens and medically frail individuals in Denver. Initially, they rode in the car with their parents and helped bring food to the door. When they were older, they took turns driving.

“It definitely opened my eyes to what the world is like outside of our bubble. We saw all sorts of different things and I saw not everyone lives the same way,” said Davis, now 17.

“But even at such a young age I could realize it’s amazing what we’re doing that we could help

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer.

So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start.”

Polly Lagana, Volunteer New York! executive director people that aren’t as lucky as we were.”

Davis became a resource at school for fellow students looking to volunteer. She still does monthly meal deliveries with her parents.

“It’s a great chance for us to catch up as a family,” said her father, Seth Davis. “When we’re not all on our phones, you get some pretty cool quality time.”

Her brother is now in college, but when he’s home, they do deliveries altogether.

“The older they get, the harder it is to get that time together,” said their mother, Bonnie Davis, who found the Meals on Wheels opportunity after extensive research.

Create your own opportunities When Teacoach couldn’t find organizations willing to accept her toddler, she started a group in Pittsburgh called VolunTOTs, which creates service opportunities for children as young as 3. The children and their parents pack 500 boxes of groceries to distribute to families in need, play bingo with seniors in nursing homes and make dog treats for an animal rescue center, among other projects.

Parents have told Teacoach their children’s conduct improves after volunteering.

“They feel so good about themselves, they were a helper, and that translates into better behavior,” she said.

Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” It featured three larger-than-life bald eagles representing the country’s past, present and future.

“We want to ring in this new year from sea to shining sea.

What better way to think about it than going from New York to California,” Rios said. “This has to be community-driven, this has be grassroots. We’re going from Guam to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Philadelphia, and everything in between.”

President Donald Trump has also announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.

Rios said she sees the wide range of celebrations and programs planned for the coming months, from large fireworks displays and statewide potluck suppers to student contests and citizen oral histories, as an opportunity to unite a politically divided nation.

“If we can find something for everyone ... having those menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate,” she said. “That’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.”

A podcast local to Hoke-Raeford, NC, with Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland.

Stephanie Bernaba’s family started “Tough Cookies,” a project where they bake and deliver cookies to veterans, when her son Matthew was in eighth grade and had to complete a service project for school.

“Going up to the houses, it was very nice because they’re mostly living alone. A lot of their family or friends died,” said Michael Bernaba, 14, now a freshman at The Prout School in Wakefield, Rhode Island. “It’s just nice to be there and bring it to them. ... They were very happy, especially for someone to bring them treats like that.”

The project also helped the teens learn social skills and meet people in various stages of life and health conditions, Stephanie Bernaba said.

“We went to the first couple of places, and I was really scared, because I’m more of a shy person,” Matthew Bernaba, now 15, said. “For the first couple of deliveries I was more to myself, and as we kept going, we talked more with the veterans and got to hear great stories from them.”

Friends make it fun Children can be more willing to try new activities with a buddy, so consider signing up with people you know.

You can also connect with a nonprofit in need of a service and invite other families over to do a project together, as Lagana’s friends have done, organizing clothing donations or assembling snack packs in living rooms.

Bonnie Davis organized a drive for menstrual supplies, and families gathered in her backyard to assemble the baskets. She also turned half of her son’s graduation party into a volunteer project assembling kits of bean soup.

“It’s a win for everybody. You get quality time, you’re raising your children with what feels like good values, and people benefit,” she said.

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | TERENCE P. JEFFREY

In a gloomy winter, read a couple of classic books Leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time.

AFTER CHRISTMAS is over and the sunrises start getting earlier and the sunsets later in the Northern Hemisphere, there are still two months of scarce daylight and lowering skies ahead.

Here’s a suggestion for how to fill the gloomy hours with uplift: read.

Read some great books, returning perhaps to those you ploughed through on school assignments so many years ago. Discover one of the pleasures of aging — how serious books turn out to be more interesting and enriching than what you remember from dutifully ploughing through them years ago.

Sit in a comfortable chair, turn off the television, remove distracting earbuds, leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time. Open up a book and give yourself uninterrupted hours to become immersed in a world created by a great writer many years ago.

I’ve been following this advice the last couple of winters after I started reflecting on how, despite being in two serious book groups, I was spending too much time reading ephemeral stuff and wasn’t reading anything serious beyond some excellent book group selections. I decided to concentrate my reading on weekends, spending long hours interrupted by little but leg-stretching and avoiding the difficulty of recalling the plot when reading just a chapter or two in the evenings just before bed.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in the opening words of “Anna Karenina.”

So I began with two books about families: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” and Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”

“Karamazov” I had read as a teenager around the time the Hollywood movie version was released. “Buddenbrooks” I went through two

decades ago. Reading them as an adult was a far richer experience, both emotionally and as a contrast in national character. The two books are set at opposite ends of the Baltic Sea: the German book in the orderly commercial Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the Russian in a town resembling Dostoevsky’s ramshackle provincial hometown of Staraya Russa.

For last winter, I recalled Ernest Hemingway’s comment that “all American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn.’” I remembered it as the sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the story of a pleasant picaresque journey, and, of course, I had often heard how it was banned from school reading lists because of its frequent use of the N-word.

What I wasn’t prepared for was, first, the book’s scathing denunciation, veiled as humor or just everyday observation, of slavery. It was published in 1884, less than a decade after the nation basically abandoned Reconstruction and its noble goal of achieving equal rights for black people. Reading it first as a teenager, I also didn’t remember the story of a boy becoming a man, mentored by Jim, the slave to whom he initially condescends and once nearly betrays.

I paired it with two other books of adolescent boys on picturesque but perilous journeys: Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” written as a boys’ book that I read as a seventh grader in a boys’ school, and Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” set in British India. Both are stirring narratives set in exotic locations that are easier to envision if you’ve done some tourism in the Caribbean and the subcontinent.

Were they both influenced by “Huckleberry Finn”? Maybe. Stevenson and Kipling, 15 and 30 years younger, respectively, than Twain, each dropped in on him on cross-country American trips and were received warmly, and each of

them and Twain became mutual admirers. There was more contact between American and British writers in the late 19th century than I would have guessed — and a readiness by at least some Brits in admiring Twain as a model.

This year, with fellow members of a book group, I have spent dark afternoons and long evenings on the 767 pages of Anthony Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now.” It was written in five months in 1873 and centered on a fabulously wealthy but crooked financier, and it features the author’s characteristically vivid female characters contemplating bad choices in marriage.

I plan on soon rereading, after three or four decades, Honore de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions,” also with a dubious financier in the background.

Both books also have delicious descriptions of businesses the authors knew firsthand, publishing and journalism.

Trollope shows an untalented female author trying to arrange, with editors of major publications, favorable reviews of her dreadful books. One ends up proposing marriage and advising her not to write a second novel. Balzac shows the young protagonist’s sudden success as a scandal-mongering journalist in Paris, and then being disgraced when it’s discovered that his sources are fictitious.

Unhappy families in provincial, perilous journeys in picturesque territory, financial and literary scandals in booming capitals: Great writers of the past take us to places and introduce us to people who, despite having been imagined years ago, turn out to be vaguely familiar to what we see around us now. And they’re readily available: Just sit down with a volume in hand in a comfortable chair. In the meantime, happy New Year.

Terence P. Jeffrey is editor in chief of Newsbusters.

COLUMN | MICHAEL GLASSNER

Left’s war on free speech moving from social media to TV Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty.

WHEN ELON MUSK bought X, formerly Twitter, and refused to comply with the global censorship regime, he became a target overnight — especially for European Union bureaucrats determined to reassert control over online speech. The EU’s latest effort to slap X with a $140 million penalty is just the most recent example of that campaign.

The EU claims the fine is due to X allowing users to purchase verification checkmarks without the platform independently confirming their identities.

Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty. From the Federalist Papers onward, anonymity has protected dissent, whistleblowers and political minorities. But Europe does not afford such freedom. That’s why Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the EU’s X fine, suggesting it is retaliation for Musk’s refusal to censor speech at the EU’s direction.

In 2023, the EU opened an investigation into the company for “disinformation,” and Musk drew the ire of European regulators for refusing to remove an interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from his platform.

Musk is, of course, an outlier in the tech world. Most of his peers in the industry genuflect to the demands of various governments and are willing to restrict disfavored views.

The House Judiciary Committee formally detailed the relationship between tech giants and the Biden administration, which repeatedly demanded that Americans’ views be taken offline. According to the committee, it

suppressed or took down the views of doctors, scientists and commentators who did not align with the government narrative that COVID originated from a pangolin sold at a wet market in China — not a laboratory in Wuhan. From shifting search results to “fact-checkers” that tech companies employed to discredit skeptics, Big Tech and its market dominance played a critical role in censoring Americans.

This is the real lesson of the last five years: The power to decide what billions of people see is the ultimate form of control.

That is one of the reasons Trump expressed concern about Netflix potentially gaining control of one of its most prominent rivals, Warner Bros. Discovery — the company that owns HBO Max and the entire HBO catalog.

If Big Tech showed us anything over the last five years, it’s how ruthlessly willing it is to silence, throttle and bury any story, voice or idea that threatens the approved narrative, even when those ideas later turn out to be true. Now imagine that same censorship strength, only this time it’s not coming from a search engine or a social platform you can (in theory) walk away from. It’s coming from inside your television.

Netflix already has 301 million subscribers, and the merger will create a 400 million-subscriber base, making Netflix the most powerful cultural ministry the world has ever seen. What Silicon Valley did to information with algorithms and shadow-bans, this new mega-studio will do to imagination itself — quietly, seamlessly and with a smile from the next autoplay.

If Big Tech taught us how easy it is to kill a

story, a merged Netflix–Warner will teach us how easy it is to destroy an entire worldview, one canceled series, one “content moderation” decision, one algorithm tweak at a time. And this time, there will be almost nowhere left to escape.

Netflix has built an empire on content that consistently promotes left-wing ideologies, striking multimillion-dollar deals with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce politically charged documentaries and making multimillion-dollar investments in films spotlighting progressive figures, such as the $10 million acquisition of “Knock Down the House,” which celebrates socialist firebrand Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other insurgent socialist Democrats.

Critics such as film reviewer Armond White have characterized the platform as a “propaganda machine” for its relentless promotion of social justice narratives. White termed the marriage between Netflix and the Obamas as the creation of a new Ministry of Propaganda. That Ministry will expand exponentially should this deal be consummated and approved by the government.

Where Big Tech once limited speech with bans and shadow banning, this new giant will regulate thought itself: deciding which histories are retold, which heroes are celebrated and which taboos are normalized for the next generation.

Michael Glassner is chief operating officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

How Christian artists are winning over listeners, entering pop’s mainstream

er on stage, it evens the playing field between listener and artist, while giving both a sense of purpose.

“In a world that has become so self-focused and self-centered, the freedom of saying ‘Wow, I can actually lean on someone else for a while,’ or ‘There’s something that is actually greater than me,’” she says. “And the purpose of Christian music, for me, is to bring hope to people.”

Brown theorizes that people relate to his Charlotte, North Carolina-based CCM collective because of “how fundamentally we’re rooted” in their local church.

“It’s easy to connect because we’re just church people,” he says.

Christian and gospel music is growing while other genres struggle

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press NEW YORK — It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report.

Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vice president of music insights and industry relations, said the shift is led by acts like Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship, who are connecting with a “younger, streaming-forward fan base” that’s 60% female and 30% millennial. In fact, for the first time in 11 years, two contemporary Christian music songs — Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” and Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll — broke through the Billboard Hot 100’s all-genre Top 40, placing them in direct competition with mainstream artists.

It’s also why traditionally secular artists like Jelly Roll, Killer Mike and T.I. are nominated in Christian music categories at the forthcoming 2026 Grammys — the lines are blurring.

An evolving Christian music sound “Christian music (is) unlike any other genre that’s defined by a sonic component. Christian music is defined by its lyrical component,” says Holly Zabka, the president of Provident Entertainment, a Sony Christian music subsidiary. “It’s not limited to a narrow definition.

It’s a lyrical component that can appeal to anyone’s musical preference.”

From a label perspective, she’s interested in pursuing art-

A crossover moment

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

Brandon Lake poses for a portrait in Nashville, Tennessee, last month. ists that “don’t have to fit within that narrow lane of Christian bookstore and Christian radio. It can be rap, hip-hop, it can be rock, it can be country, and that’s appealing to a broader audience because it’s what they’re already listening to,” she says. “Very few people listen in a vacuum and only listen to one genre.”

But for many years, CCM jas held a reputation for being unimaginative — what writer John Jeremiah Sullivan infamously referred to as “excellence-proof” — for its tendency to mimic and water down popular, contemporary mainstream sounds for a religious audience.

“Absolutely there’s been an improvement in quality,” says Zabka. “When all the music has to live side by side on these streaming platforms, we can’t just be the cheap alternative.

‘Oh, you like Taylor Swift? You will like this lesser version offering in the Christian genre.’ We want to be the greatest art.”

“You have to imitate before you innovate,” Chris Brown, singer and worship leader at Elevation Worship, jokes. “There’s not as many rigid lines stylistically within Christian music as

maybe there was 10 years ago or certainly like 20, 30 years ago.”

“There was a period of time where people idealized Christian music as like, ‘OK, we’re going to have this look, we’re going to sound like this,’” says two-time Grammy-winningChristian and pop musician Lauren Daigle. “There’s so much more artistry now. People are very expressive. They’re able to share their creativity. And that also comes with different types of people represented.”

Why Christian music is connecting now Zabka says her genre is experiencing “a special moment and … a perfect storm.” Streaming and the ability to connect on social media have democratized music discovery, she says, allowing CCM to compete with secular music. That, partnered with what she views as “a resurgence of faith” in young people, is responsible for the interest.

The number of Americans who identify as Christian has declined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing, according to a 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center.

A new class of millennial and Gen Z Christian influencers, too, are aiming to connect with young people.

“Christian music has also shifted in its authenticity of the lyrics,” Zabka adds, making the music more relatable than previous iterations of the genre, which often featured a neat message of “everything is going to be OK, just follow Jesus” in 3 ½ minutes. Now, she says, “their songs are much more authentic and real and honest. ‘Life is hard. Breakups are hard. Bad things happen,’ and that provides a level of hope that other music doesn’t provide for the listener.”

Daigle points out that artists like Lake are performing in huge stadiums — categorical proof that Christian artists are growing in popularity.

“I think a lot of people are looking at the world and … they find fortitude in this music, and they find a sense of strength in this music, and they find truth in this music,” she says.

Daigle also theorizes that because “Christian music points to something else” — to God — instead of focusing on individual issues or the ego of the perform-

Lake, who is nominated for three Grammys in 2026, including “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” believes people are connecting with Christian music now because that’s simply the purpose of religious music.

“The reason why people are turning their ear toward those kinds of songs right now is because that’s what they were made for,” Lake says. “People are finding in these songs — they’re finding themselves, their spirit, connecting with the spirit of God. … Those songs aren’t just entertainment; they tee up an encounter.”

“I love all kinds of music,” he continues, “but if you have a song that carries that kind of message, it’s just super charged, you know? It does something deeper.”

He also believes this may be the start of a crossover moment, where more Christian artists will be welcomed into other genres and mainstream spaces. “I pray it’s just the beginning,” he says.

“And I pray that it takes over.”

Jelly Roll agrees. “I think there really is a revival happening in America right now where people are being re-presented the Gospel in a digestible way. And it doesn’t seem as finger-waggy and ‘You’re all going to hell,’ you know?” he says.

“I really don’t care when the organized religions wave their finger at me,” he continues. “I’m just glad to see the message, the Gospel getting presented.”

Italian authorities arrest 9 for allegedly funding Hamas through charities Millions of euros were said to be funneled to the group The Associated Press ROME — Italian authorities arrested nine people linked to three charitable organizations on suspicion of raising millions of euros in funds for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, anti-terrorism prosecutors said in a statement Saturday.

The suspects are accused of sending about 7 million euro or $8.2 million to “associations based in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel, owned, con-

trolled, or linked to Hamas,” the statement said.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, prosecutors said, describing him as the “head of the Italian cell of the Hamas organization.”

The European Union has Hamas listed on its terror list.

According to Italian prosecutors, who collaborated with other EU countries in the probe, the illegal funds were delivered through “triangulation operations” via bank transfers or through organizations based abroad to associations based in Gaza, which have been declared

illegal by Israel for their ties to Hamas.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi wrote on X that the operation “lifted the veil on behavior and activities which, pretending to be initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations.”

There was no immediate comment from the suspects or the associations.

In January 2025, the European Council decided to extend existing restrictive measures against 12 individuals and three entities that support the financing of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

CLAUDIO FURLAN / LAPRESSE VIA AP

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, on Saturday after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas.

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HOKE SPORTS The best of the NSJ years We celebrate 10 years in print with a look at the top sports performers of the last decade North State Journal staff AS WE FINISH the 25th year of the 2000s, several media outlets have come up with best of lists for the first quarter of the 21st century. At the North State Journal, we are focusing on another milestone.

We started publishing in 2016, meaning this is the end of our 10th year in print. So we’d like to take this moment to look at the best of North Carolina sports in the NSJ’s first decade.

College Football: The state hosted 10 Belk/Duke’s Mayo Bowls and 10 ACC championship games. North Carolina teams played in a total of 46 bowls, led

by NC State, Wake and App State (eight each) and seven conference title games (ACC and Sun Belt).

With plenty of apologies to the large number of snubs, here are our all-decade teams.

TYLER KAUFMAN / AP PHOTO

Left, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. Right, Duke’s Zion Williamson accepts the 2019 Oscar Robertson award for player of the year.

D’Marco Jackson • CB: Chandler Rivers, Mark Gilbert, Essang Bassey, Aydan White • S: Nick Anderson, Tanner Ingle, Divine Deablo, Tanner Muse

• QB: Drake Maye, Ryan Finley

• PK: Nick Sciba

• RB: Nyheim Hines, Michael Carter, Darrynton Evans, Will Shipley

• P: Trenton Gill

• WR: Zay Jones, Josh Downs, AT Perry, Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, Sage Surratt • TE: Cam Serigne, Justin Joly • OT: Ikem Ekwonu, Graham Barton, Zach Tom, Tyler Jones

• Return: Greg Dortch

College basketball: North Carolina teams made six Final Four trips, two more than any other state. Here’s a look at the All Americans from the state over that time.

• OG: Chandler Zavala, Willie Lampkin, Tony Adams, Sean Maginn

• Brice Johnson

• C: Garrett Bradbury, Grant Gibson

• Justin Jackson

• DE: Bradley Chubb, Carlos Basham, Alex Highsmith, Nate Harvey

• Marvin Bagley III

• Grayson Allen

• Luke Kennard

• Luke Maye

• DT: Dexter Lawrence, DeWayne Carter, Alim McNeill, Larry Ogunjobi

• Joel Berry II

• LB: Chazz Surratt, Payton Wilson, Joe Giles Harris, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis,

• RJ Barrett

• Zion Williamson

• Chris Clemons

• Vernon Carey Jr. • Tre Jones • Paolo Banchero • Armando Bacot • RJ Davis • Kyle Filipowski • Cooper Flagg

NFL: The Carolina Panthers were just returning from their last trip to the Super Bowl when NSJ went to press for the first time. Here’s a look at the last 10 years.

Twenty players have thrown a pass for the Panthers, including three punters, three receivers and a running back. Eleven have started a game. Cam Newton leads in yards (11,462) and touchdowns (69), followed

by Bryce Young (7,971 and 21).

In yardage, the top five includes Teddy Bridgewater (3,733), Sam Darnold (3.670) and Kyle Allen (3,588). For scoring passes, it’s Allen (19), Darnold (16) and Bridgewater (15).

A total of 64 Panthers have carried the ball, led by Christian McCaffrey (3,980 yards, 32 TDs) and Chuba Hubbard (3,664 and 23). Newton (1,829 and 20), Jonathan Stewart (1,504 and 15) and Rico Dowdle (1,007 yards)

ECU takes advantage of 5 turnovers, wins 23-17 in the Military Bowl The win over Pitt gives the Pirates back-to-back bowl wins in Annapolis

By Noah Trister The Associated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Chaston Ditta threw two second-half touchdown passes, and East Carolina overcame an inadvertent whistle that negated a long touchdown in a 23-17 victory over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl on Saturday.

ECU faced fourth-and-1

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

from its own 32 in the third quarter when Marlon Gunn Jr. shed a couple of tacklers and went all the way to the end zone. That would have put the Pirates up 17-7, but the play was called back because of a whistle, and Gunn was credited with a 14-yard gain instead.

Two plays later, Ditta fumbled on a sack by Pitt’s Rasheem Biles, who recovered the ball and returned it 23 yards to the end zone to give the Panthers a 14-10 lead.

The Pirates rebound-

ed quickly when Ditta threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Smith, and ECU led the rest of the way. The Pirates won the Military Bowl for a second straight year after beating NC State in 2024.

“Some folks were upset we were coming back to Annapolis two times in a row, but if we come up here and get wins every time, I’ll come back every year,” ECU coach Blake Harrell See ECU, page B2

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

UNC’s Drake Maye carries the ball during a 2022 game. round out the top five. Young and Darnold (7 each) are fifth in touchdown runs.

Seventy-nine Panthers have caught passes, led by DJ Moore (5,201 yards, 21 TDs) and McCaffrey (3,292 and 18). Next for yardage are Greg Olsen (2,152), Curtis Samuel (2,087) and the former Robbie Anderson (now known as Robbie Chosen, 1,821 yards). Devin Funchess (16) is

third in touchdowns, followed

by Samuel (14), Olsen and Tommy Tremble (10).

Brian Burns is the sacks leader, Shaq Thompson the tackles leader and Donte Jackson the interceptions leader.

As we approach the end of our official 10 years in February, we’ll continue to look at the state’s top sports moments of the NSJ years.

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

50 years since lawyer’s decision unlocked free agency in Major League Baseball, changing sports forever Salaries have increased by 112-fold since free agency began

Baltimore Orioles Dave McNally, a free agency pioneer, delivers a pitch in a 1974 game.

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press NEW YORK — Sports were turned upside down 50 years ago by a man who never threw or kicked a ball.

A lawyer with expertise in labor relations struck down Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, which had bound players to their teams since the 1870s.

No one could have predicted then that the 65-page decision issued Dec. 23, 1975, by arbitrator Peter Seitz — who later compared baseball owners to “the French barons of the 12th century” — would lead to an upheaval that made thousands of players multimillionaires.

“The real floodgates opened after that,” former pitcher David Cone said. “Players were finally, in all walks of life, in all sports, were finally able to see what, hey, what free agency really looks like. There was all the doom and gloom back then from one side that said: ‘This is going to ruin the game. It’s not sustainable.’

And actually, it was just the opposite. It made the game better.”

Baseball’s average salary was $44,676 at the time of the decision, $260,909 in current dollars, and climbed to about $5 million this year, a 112-fold increase.

Seitz’s decision was followed by free agency upheavals in the NFL, NBA, NFL and European soccer.

Curt Flood had lost a lawsuit arguing for free agency in 1972

Steve Rogers, All-Star pitcher and union official

AP PHOTO

when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld baseball’s antitrust exemption, ruling it was up to Congress to make any change.

In December 1974, Catfish Hunter was set free on a technicality when Seitz concluded Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley failed to make a $50,000 payment into a long-term annuity fund as specified in the pitcher’s contract.

Following a bidding war, Hunter signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees for about $3.2 million.

“We saw this huge contract, it was like reading from another

ECU from page B1 said.

Down by six in the fourth quarter, Pitt was driving when Mason Heintschel’s pass was intercepted by Kevon Merrell — the Panthers’ fifth turnover of the game — and run back 70 yards to the Pitt 15. A field goal pushed the lead to nine.

The Panthers managed a field goal with 1:23 left to make it a one-possession game, but an onside kick was unsuccessful. Pitt had enough timeouts to force a punt, and the Panthers took over at their own 20 with 57 seconds left.

An offensive pass interference penalty derailed that last-ditch drive.

Ditta started this game after ECU quarterback Katin Houser announced recently he was entering the transfer portal. The Pirates (9-4) also lost their offensive and defensive coordinators, but they took advantage of four Pitt fumbles.

The Panthers (8-5) also turned

“It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

5

Turnovers by Pitt in its Military Bowl loss to East Carolina the ball over on downs twice.

“You turn the ball over five times, and then two on downs, that’s a total of seven if you count turnovers on downs,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said.

“It’s hard to win any football game against any opponent, period.”

The first quarter was played almost entirely in Pitt territory, but ECU’s Nick Mazzie was well short on a 51-yard field-goal attempt. The Pirates then recovered a fumble at the Pitt 27 but ended up turning the ball over on downs themselves.

ECU led 3-0 when Pitt finally produced a successful drive, taking a 7-3 advantage when

world,” recalled former All-Star pitcher Steve Rogers, among the first beneficiaries of free agency and later a long-time union official. “The magnitude was just unheard of, the number of dollars that were guaranteed to him. It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Language in each player agreement stated the club could “renew this contract for the period of one year on the same terms,″ except that the salary could be cut by as much as 20%.

After playing the 1975 season under renewals, Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave McNally of the Montreal Expos maintained in a grievance the renewal period was one year only and they should be declared free.

Following a three-day hearing that generated an 842-page transcript and 97 exhibits, Seitz urged owners to settle the case as late as Dec. 9. Then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn urged owners to fire Seitz before a decision, but management’s Player Relations Committee refused because it was afraid of bad publicity.

Seitz ruled for the union.

Management fired Seitz that afternoon and vowed to overturn the decision in federal court.

Seitz’s decision was upheld in February 1976 by U.S. District Judge John W. Oliver and affirmed the following month by an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of Judges Floyd Robert Gibson, Gerald Heaney and Roy Laverne Stephenson.

That July 12, players and owners agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement creating one-time free agency for all players after 1976 or 1977 and going forward after six seasons of major league service, which is still in place. Future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were among the first players to gain free-agent riches.

“The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,″ Moss, who died last year, said in 2020.

“I think one can make a case that we’ve spent the last two-plus decades trying to reestablish some reasonable equilibrium,″ then-commissioner Bud Selig said in 2000.

Heintschel threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Raphael Williams Jr. with four seconds remaining in the half.

The Panthers started the second half with the ball, but a fumble by Heintschel gave ECU possession, and on the next play, Ditta found Smith for a 47-yard touchdown.

The takeaway Pitt: It was the final game for defensive coordinator Randy Bates, who is retiring after more than four decades in coaching. His defense gave up a couple of big plays but also produced a touchdown of its own.

Holding ECU to 23 points was pretty good considering the Pirates started seven drives in Pitt territory.

“Field position, we might have lost that by 200 yards,” Narduzzi said.

ECU: It was a stellar performance by the defense, which had four takeaways — the other was on special teams — and

GAIL BURTON / AP PHOTO

East Carolina quarterback Chaston Ditta looks to pass during the the Pirates’ 23-17 win over Pittsburgh in Saturday’s Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland.

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

obituaries

Rosaland Loyd May 10, 1960 – Dec. 19, 2025 Mrs. Rosaland Loyd, age 65, went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on Friday, December 19, 2025.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 27, at 11 a.m. at the Mt. Pisgah Community Resource Center.

Rosaland will be greatly missed.

John A. Hailey Jr. March 24, 1963 – Dec. 25, 2025 Mr. John A. Hailey Jr., age 62, went home to rest with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 4, at 2 p.m. at the New Shady Grove Baptist Church.

John will be greatly missed.

Maria Dc Pacheco De Moreno July 7, 1931 – Dec. 25, 2025 María Dc Pacheco De Moreno, de 94 años, residente de Shannon, Carolina del Norte, nació el 7 de julio de 1931, hija de los difuntos Rosali Moreno y Victorio Pacheco. Falleció el 25 de diciembre de 2025 en su residencia, rodeada de su familia. Además de sus padres, le precedió en la muerte su esposo, José Elías Moreno Amaya.

Maria deja para atesorar sus recuerdos a dos hijos: Reinaldo Pacheco y Jose Angel Moreno; seis hijas: Gloria Pacheco, Reyna Pacheco, Rosa Herrera Pacheco, Digna Ries Pacheco, Consuelo Moreno Pacheco y Flor Moreno Pacheco; un hermano: Santiago Pacheco; una hermana: Marcela Pacheco; veintiocho nietos, además de muchos otros familiares y amigos.

Maria Dc Pacheco De Moreno, age 94 of Shannon, North Carolina, was born on July 7, 1931, to the late Rosali Moreno and the late Victorio Pacheco. She departed this life on December 25, 2025, at her residence, surrounded by her family. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Elias Moreno Amaya.

Maria leaves to cherish her memories two sons: Reinaldo Pacheco, Jose Angel Moreno, six daughters: Gloria Pacheco, Reyna Pacheco, Rosa Herrera Pacheco, Digna Ries Pacheco, Consuelo Moreno Pacheco, Flor Moreno Pacheco, one brother: Santiago Pacheco, one sister: Marcela Pacheco, twenty-eight grandchildren, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Alvin Leigh Potts

Evelyn Carter Chavis

Aug. 13, 1931 – Dec. 22, 2025

Oct. 1, 1946 – Dec. 23, 2025

Alvin Leigh Potts, age 94, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, in Raeford, NC, at his home surrounded by his family.

Al was born in Newnan, Georgia, on August 13, 1931, to the late Irvin and Telza Potts.

Along with his parents, Al was preceded in death by his sister, Nance Potts of Goldsboro, NC, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly Barnes Potts of Raleigh, NC. Al graduated from Goldsboro High School and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard for three years. After leaving the Coast Guard, Al graduated from the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering in 1957, currently known as North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC with a Textile Design bachelor’s degree.

Al worked at Johnson City Mills in Johnson City, TN and Chatham Manufacturing Company in Elkin, NC before joining Robbins Mills, currently known as Burlington Industries in Raeford, NC. where he retired as the plant planning manager. Al also met the love of his life, Shirley Calloway Potts, at Burlington Industries and married in 1962.

Al was a member of Raeford Presbyterian Church for many years until his health declined.

He served on several committees at the church. Additionally, he was the North Carolina State University Hoke County Alumni Association President, member of WoodmenLife, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Civil War Roundtable.

Al is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley Calloway Potts of Raeford, his son Alvin “Leigh” Potts II of Raleigh, NC, daughter Lisa Potts Davis (Kevin) of Raeford, NC, grandchildren, William Elias Davis of Raeford, NC, Ian Leigh Potts (Hollie) of Leland, NC, and Miranda Potts Noland (Kris) of Garner, NC. and four great-grandchildren, Weston, Griffin, Hallie, and Beau, several sisters-in-law, brothersin-law, nieces, and nephews.

The Potts family would like to give special thanks and deepest gratitude to son-inlaw, Kevin Davis, for his daily dedication and support during the last three years of Al’s illness. The family also sincerely appreciates the caregivers at Carolina Hearts and Amedisys provided by Veteran’s Affairs for their excellent care. The family also wants to thank grandson William Davis and long-time friend, Manuel Gonzalez, for their support and assistance during the last three years.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 1-2:00 p.m. at Raeford Presbyterian Church, 128 W Edinborough Ave., Raeford, NC 28376.

Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 pm with an immediate burial at the Shiloh Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Evelyn Carter Chavis, age 79, of Red Springs, North Carolina, was born on October 1, 1946, in Robeson County to the late Rev. Abner Chay Carter and Mrs. Gertrude Lowery Carter.

She peacefully entered eternal rest and went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at her residence.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herman Lewis “Bucky Boy” Chavis; her sister, Virginia Sue Carter; and her precious great-granddaughter, Reighynn Johannah “Sweet Posie” Chavis.

Mrs. Evelyn was a woman of God whose life reflected faith, love, and service. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and a cherished friend to many. She faithfully served as a Mother of the Church at Mercy’s Bridge Holiness Church, where her dedication and spiritual guidance touched countless lives. Her love for family and church was unwavering. She also found great joy in gardening and caring for her flowers, which reflected the beauty and peace she carried within her spirit. Mrs. Evelyn played basketball during her high school years and carried that love for the game throughout her life, proudly supporting the UNC Tar Heels.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her two sons, Sherman Chavis and wife Cathy of Red Springs, North Carolina, and Rev. Ronald W. Chavis and wife Doris of Rowland, North Carolina; three brothers, Albert Ray Carter, Ray Carter, and Rev. Eddie Carter and wife Sherry; four sisters, Barbara Oxendine, Mary Angeline Locklear and husband Anthony, Susan “Vicky” Locklear, and Sandra Locklear and husband Mackie; three grandchildren, Rev. Ronald Brent Chavis and wife Savannah, Jonathan “John Boy” Chavis, and Kayla Danielle Chavis and husband Sandy; four greatgrandchildren, Zaleigh Elizabeth Chavis, Nehemiah Wilson Chavis, Sammie Noah Chavis, and Hudson Jude Chavis; a special friend, Connie Cummings and husband David; a special sister-in-law, Annie “Aunt Bit” Hammonds; along with a host of loving family members and dear friends.

The family would like to express a special and heartfelt thank you to her devoted caregivers, Sandra Locklear and Tonya Locklear, for their loving care and compassion. The family also extends sincere gratitude to Scotland Hospice Care for their kindness, support, and exceptional care shown during her final days.

AUDREY MCAVOY / AP PHOTO

Ira Schab, right, who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor as a sailor on the USS Dobbin, talks with reporters while sitting next to his son, retired Navy Cmdr. Karl Schab, on Dec. 7, 2022, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

WWII Navy veteran Ira ‘Ike’ Schab, one of last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, dead at 105 He was just 21 at the time of the attack

By Jennifer Peltz and Jaimie Ding The Associated Press WORLD WAR II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab, one of the dwindling number of survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 105.

Daughter Kimberlee Heinrichs told The Associated Press that Schab died at home early on Dec. 20 in the presence of her and her husband.

With his passing, there remain only about a dozen survivors of the surprise attack, which killed just over 2,400 troops and propelled the United States into the war.

Schab was a sailor of just 21 at the time of the attack, and for decades he rarely spoke about the experience.

But in recent years, aware that the corps of survivors was dwindling, the centenarian made a point of traveling from his home in Beaverton, Oregon, to the annual observance at the Hawaii military base.

“To pay honor to the guys that didn’t make it,” he said in 2023.

For last year’s commemoration, Schab spent weeks building up the strength to be able to stand and salute.

But this year he did not feel well enough to attend, and less than three weeks later, he died.

Born on Independence Day in 1920 in Chicago, Schab was the eldest of three brothers.

He joined the Navy at 18, following in the footsteps of his father, he said in a February interview for Pacific Historic Parks.

On what began as a peaceful Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, Schab, who played the tuba in the USS Dobbin’s band, was expecting a visit from his brother, a fellow service member assigned to a nearby naval radio station. Schab had just

“Remember what they’re here for.

Remember and honor those that are left.

They did a hell of a job.”

Ike Schab showered and donned a clean uniform when he heard a call for fire rescue.

He went topside and saw another ship, the USS Utah, capsizing. Japanese planes roared through the air.

“We were pretty startled.

Startled and scared to death,” Schab recalled in 2023. “We didn’t know what to expect, and we knew that if anything happened to us, that would be it.”

He scurried back below deck to grab boxes of ammunition and joined a daisy chain of sailors feeding shells to an anti-aircraft gun above.

His ship lost three sailors, according to Navy records.

One was killed in action, and two died later of fragment wounds from a bomb that struck the stern. All had been manning an anti-aircraft gun.

Schab spent most of the war with the Navy in the Pacific, going to the New Hebrides, now known as Vanuatu, and then the Mariana Islands and Okinawa, Japan.

After the war, he studied aerospace engineering and worked on the Apollo spaceflight program as an electrical engineer for General Dynamics, helping send astronauts to the moon.

Schab’s son also joined the Navy and is a retired commander.

Speaking at a 2022 ceremony, Schab asked people to honor those who served at Pearl Harbor.

“Remember what they’re here for. Remember and honor those that are left. They did a hell of a job,” he said.

“Those who are still here, dead or alive.”

Celebrate the life of your loved ones.

Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com

B4

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

STATE & NATION

More thrifting, fewer returns: Early trends that defined shopping this holiday season Buyers spent more time on research and building lists

By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press NEW YORK — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to data released this week

by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans.

More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.

Here are three trends that defined the holiday shopping season so far.

Weaker holiday season for traditional gift giving Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Post-holiday shoppers pass a Christmas tree at Calef’s Country Store on Dec. 26 in Barrington, New Hampshire. thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.

That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.

Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.

For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year. But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.

Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christ-

mas last year, sales slid 9%.

Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores— chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.

But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.

“Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly favored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.

Thrift stores broaden their appeal In the past it may have

seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.

Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year.

That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.

In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.

The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.

U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept.

27 and the momentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.

“High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ”

Fewer returns, so far For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.

That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

“I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following Cyber Week — the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.

From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.

Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.

This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.

Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building

By Steven Sloan The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician’s sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the facility.

“Your decision to withdraw at the last moment — explicitly in response to the Center’s recent renaming, which honors President Trump’s extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure — is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution,” the venue’s president, Richard Grenell, wrote in a letter to musician Chuck Redd that was shared with The Associated Press.

In the letter, Grenell said he

would seek $1 million in damages “for this political stunt.”

Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A drummer and vibraphone player, Redd has presided over holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, succeeding bassist William “Keter” Betts. In an email Wednesday to The Associated Press, Redd said he pulled out of the concert in the wake of the renaming.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said. He added Wednesday that the event has been a “very popular holiday tradition” and that he often featured at least one student musician.

“One of the many reasons that it was very sad to have had to cancel,” he told the AP. President John F. Kennedy

was assassinated in 1963, and Congress passed a law the following year naming the center as a living memorial to him.

Grenell is a Trump ally whom the president chose to head the Kennedy Center after he forced out the previous leadership. According to the White House, Trump’s handpicked board approved the renaming, which scholars have said violates the law. Kennedy niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove Trump’s name from the building once he leaves office, and former House historian Ray Smock is among those who say any changes would have to be approved by Congress.

The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Workers add President Donald Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after a Trump-appointed board voted to rename the institution in December.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 45 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM

SUBSCRIBE: 919-663-3232

MOORE COUNTY THE MOORE COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAMON HAIMOFF / AMERICA250 VIA AP

The red, white and blue New Year’s Eve ball is meant to honor the U.S.’s 250th year.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge”

Times Square features patriotic ball drop for New Year, America250 kickoff 2026 is the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence

small, planned nationwide to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

“I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios, who oversees the bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial anniversary. “It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”

Rios and her group worked with the Times Square Alliance business district and One Times Square, the building from where the ball is dropped, to make the changes to this year’s ceremonies.

They’re also planning a second ball drop event July 3, the eve of the nation’s birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios said.

It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be a ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve, she said.

A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot-diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. Last year, the Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled. It measured about 12 feet in diameter and

weighs nearly 12,000 pounds.

The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

This year, the stroke of midnight also marked the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250. Organizers hope to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country.

On Thursday, America250 participated in the New Year’s

Washington, D.C. The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.

By Susan Haigh The Associated Press

Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats

Volunteering with children can build character, create lasting family memories

Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela. But the U.S. has offered no other details.

Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday. Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drug-ferrying boats originate from. “I don’t know if you read or saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” Trump said.

“Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.”

$2.00

AFTER THE CRYSTAL ball dropped on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue to usher in 2026 and kick off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gathering, including a second confetti drop, offered an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and

Giving back can be rewarding for kids

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer.

So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start.”

By Cathy Bussewitz The Associated Press NEW YORK — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned 3, she set out to find volunteer opportunities they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote wildflower growth.

Teacoach had reached out to many organizations looking for volunteer projects that she could do with her young child, but most places said no, so she came up with her own.

“Everyone was like, ‘A 3-year-old can’t do that,’” Teacoach said. “And I was like, ‘No, I swear, he really can if you would just give him a chance.’”

Volunteering with children can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide

See BALL, page A2

Polly Lagana, Volunteer New York! executive director

PETER HAMLIN / AP ILLUSTRATION

Volunteering with children can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond. unique ways for families to bond. During the holiday season, many people seek such opportunities, looking for ways to give back.

But often nonprofit organizations seek helpers who are at least 18 years old. Finding volunteer work to do as a fami-

ly with young children can be challenging, but there are opportunities if you persist.

“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer. So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start,” said Polly Lagana, executive director

of Volunteer New York!, which connects people with service opportunities. “In a turbulent time in our world, families — and parents in particular — are very interested in showing their kids how they can help out and how they can give back.”

Children excel at activities such as sorting coats, packing groceries and following through on tasks, said Sapreet Saluja, executive director of New York Cares, which works with organizations to develop volunteer See VOLUNTEER, page A2

A2

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THURSDAY

1.1.26

Man dead, 2 police officers moore hurt in shooting during happening custody exchange in Mint Hill The officers are in stable condition

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Trip Hoffend, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Dan Reeves, Features Editor Ryan Henkel, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

The Associated Press MINT HILL — A man was shot and killed Friday after firing at police in a suburb of Charlotte during a child custody exchange, authorities said.

Two Mint Hill police officers were also wounded in the shooting Mint Hill Police said in a statement on social media.

Mint Hill officers were called to the exchange at an Edible Arrangement store

around 10:45 a.m. Friday. Authorities said the man pulled out a gun and started shooting and officers fired back. Police say he died in the exchange of gunfire.

Employees at Empire Pizza nearby were on a smoke break and saw two officers go inside the store, then saw one of them leading the other outside with blood on their hands and face, manager Kevin Phayme told reporters at the scene.

Police initially said the officers were in critical condition and a few hours later updated their conditions to stable.

They said more information about the shooting will be released later.

Crime scene technicians were seen on television footage taking photos inside the store and examining evidence outside. A statement from Edible Arrangements said the company didn’t have any information Friday evening indicating the shooting involved anyone with its store and was still trying to talk to the franchise owner.

Mint Hill is a suburb of about 27,000 people about 12 miles east of Charlotte.

BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager

BALL from page A1

Published each Thursday as part of North State Journal

Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” It featured three larger-than-life bald eagles representing the country’s past, present and future.

“We want to ring in this new year from sea to shining sea.

What better way to think about it than going from New York to California,” Rios said. “This has to be community-driven, this has be grassroots. We’re going from Guam to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Philadelphia, and everything in between.”

President Donald Trump has also announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.

Rios said she sees the wide range of celebrations and programs planned for the coming months, from large fireworks displays and statewide potluck

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 919-663-3232 MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, NC and at additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

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

CRIME LOG Dec. 21 • Christian James Biby, 22, was arrested by Carthage PD for misdemeanor larceny.

Dec. 22 • Amy Danielle Carter, 51, was arrested by Pinebluff PD for breaking or entering motor vehicle and resisting public officer.

Dec. 24 • Cody John Bender, 30, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for identity theft, resisting public officer and driving while license revoked.

• Braxton Montgomery Lewis, 26, was arrested by Foxfire Village PD for driving while impaired, speeding, reckless driving to endanger, driving while license revoked, no liability insurance and fictitious or altered title/ registration/tag.

• Adyna Elizabeth McLean, 30, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for simple assault and injury to personal property.

Dec. 26 • Fran Locklear, 43, was arrested

by Southern Pines PD for simple assault.

Dec. 27 • Rafiq Naji Amir, 67, was arrested

by Southern Pines PD for second degree trespass.

• Shannon Nicole Chavis, 37, was arrested by MCSO for abuse of disabled or elderly person with injury, misdemeanor domestic violence and resisting public officer.

• Charles Andrew Cox, 38, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for second degree trespass.

• Bernardo Gallegos Rodriguez, 44, was arrested by Robbins PD for contributing to delinquency of juvenile.

Dec. 28 • Jackie Parnell Elliot, 51, was arrested by MCSO for felony larceny, possession of stolen property, felony conspiracy, larceny of motor vehicle, possession of stolen motor vehicle, possession of firearm by felon, and 8 other charges including resisting public officer and giving false information to officer.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Jan. 2, 3, &4 Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House & Property Tours 1-4 p.m.

The Moore County Historical Association’s grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. Tours are free and open to all ages.

Enjoy learning about the impressive history of Moore County.

Shaw House 110 Morganton Road Southern Pines

Jan. 3 Movie: “Song Sung Blue” 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

DAMON HAIMOFF / AMERICA250 VIA AP

The red, white and blue New Year’s Eve ball is meant to honor the U.S.’s 250th year. suppers to student contests and citizen oral histories, as an opportunity to unite a politically divided nation.

“If we can find something for everyone ... having those

menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate,” she said. “That’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.”

Starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman and based on a true story. Tickets are $10.

Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

Jan. 4 Monthly Meditation Walk: Walking Mindfully

VOLUNTEER from page A1 programs in New York City.

“I’ve been very impressed with the detail-orientation and the precision and the following of directions and the care that some kids I’ve seen, as young as 6, take to the tasks that they’re doing,” Saluja said. “It’s been explained to them that this is to benefit someone, and it’s important, and they’re following the directions and they want to get it just right. And in many cases, they’re more detail-oriented than the adults, which I think is very inspiring.”

To get started, look for organizations in your community that match volunteers with family-friendly projects and reach out to ask if there’s a minimum age requirement.

Here are some other ways to involve little ones in projects that help the community.

Provide choices Children prefer to have agency and information to make a decision, so include them when you’re choosing an activity, Lagana said.

“Let them know what problem you’re trying to fix in your community and maybe one or two options of how that problem can be fixed,” Lagana said.

“For example, you can explain there are people who don’t have enough food, and children in the hospital who might not have blankets, and then ask, ‘Which one do you think you want to help out with?’” she suggested.

Consider volunteering for a mission that you can explain to your child, such as cleaning up litter at a park.

“Kids are unbelievably curious. They ask questions about what they’re doing, what they’re seeing, what they’re feeling, what they’re hearing, and it opens up a dialogue,” Saluja said. “It helps you see even at a young age some of the challenges that society is facing, and it gives you agency to know that you can be a part of the solution.”

Sharing food Children understand hunger, and they can help allevi-

ate the problem. They can sort grocery boxes at a food pantry or help deliver sustenance to home-bound individuals.

Aviva Davis was about 8 years old when she and her brother Brendan began helping her parents deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens and medically frail individuals in Denver. Initially, they rode in the car with their parents and helped bring food to the door. When they were older, they took turns driving.

“It definitely opened my eyes to what the world is like outside of our bubble. We saw all sorts of different things and I saw not everyone lives the same way,” said Davis, now 17. “But even at such a young age I could realize it’s amazing what we’re doing that we could help people that aren’t as lucky as we were.”

Davis became a resource at school for fellow students looking to volunteer. She still does monthly meal deliveries with her parents.

“It’s a great chance for us to catch up as a family,” said her father, Seth Davis. “When we’re not all on our phones, you get some pretty cool quality time.”

Her brother is now in college, but when he’s home, they do deliveries altogether.

“The older they get, the harder it is to get that time together,” said their mother, Bonnie Davis, who found the Meals on Wheels opportunity after extensive research.

Create your own opportunities When Teacoach couldn’t find organizations willing to accept her toddler, she started a group in Pittsburgh called VolunTOTs, which creates service opportunities for children as young as 3.

The children and their parents pack 500 boxes of groceries to distribute to families in need, play bingo with seniors in nursing homes and make dog treats for an animal rescue center, among other projects.

Parents have told Teacoach their children’s conduct improves after volunteering.

“They feel so good about themselves, they were a helper, and that translates into better behavior,” she said.

Stephanie Bernaba’s family started “Tough Cookies,” a project where they bake and deliver cookies to veterans, when her son Matthew was in eighth grade and had to complete a service project for school.

“Going up to the houses, it was very nice because they’re mostly living alone. A lot of their family or friends died,” said Michael Bernaba, 14, now a freshman at The Prout School in Wakefield, Rhode Island. “It’s just nice to be there and bring it to them. ...

They were very happy, especially for someone to bring them treats like that.”

The project also helped the teens learn social skills and meet people in various stages of life and health conditions, Stephanie Bernaba said.

“We went to the first couple of places, and I was really scared, because I’m more of a shy person,” Matthew Bernaba, now 15, said. “For the first couple of deliveries I was more to myself, and as we kept going, we talked more with the veterans and got to hear great stories from them.”

Friends make it fun Children can be more willing to try new activities with a buddy, so consider signing up with people you know.

You can also connect with a nonprofit in need of a service and invite other families over to do a project together, as Lagana’s friends have done, organizing clothing donations or assembling snack packs in living rooms.

Bonnie Davis organized a drive for menstrual supplies, and families gathered in her backyard to assemble the baskets. She also turned half of her son’s graduation party into a volunteer project assembling kits of bean soup.

“It’s a win for everybody.

You get quality time, you’re raising your children with what feels like good values, and people benefit,” she said.

2-3 p.m.

This is a mindful walk through the garden with Eve Gaskell Med., acting as your guide.

No charge. No pets.

Sandhills Horticultural Gardens 3245 Airport Road Pinehurst

Jan. 8 Dementia Caregiver Support Group 1 p.m.

Caregivers receive education and support along with strategies for caring for family members and other loved ones suffering from dementia. The group is led

by Pat Soler and Dale Krech, certified facilitators through the Dementia Alliance of NC. Contact Kelly Pritchard at 910-715-4224 for more information.

Shadowlawn Room Clara McLean House 20 First Village Drive Pinehurst

Jan. 10 I Puritani Bellini 1 p.m.

Met Opera performance.

Tickets are $34.

Sunrise Theater

A3

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | TERENCE P. JEFFREY

In a gloomy winter, read a couple of classic books Leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time.

AFTER CHRISTMAS is over and the sunrises start getting earlier and the sunsets later in the Northern Hemisphere, there are still two months of scarce daylight and lowering skies ahead.

Here’s a suggestion for how to fill the gloomy hours with uplift: read.

Read some great books, returning perhaps to those you ploughed through on school assignments so many years ago. Discover one of the pleasures of aging — how serious books turn out to be more interesting and enriching than what you remember from dutifully ploughing through them years ago.

Sit in a comfortable chair, turn off the television, remove distracting earbuds, leave your smartphones and tablets charging quietly on a desk, and resist the temptation to check your messages one more time. Open up a book and give yourself uninterrupted hours to become immersed in a world created by a great writer many years ago.

I’ve been following this advice the last couple of winters after I started reflecting on how, despite being in two serious book groups, I was spending too much time reading ephemeral stuff and wasn’t reading anything serious beyond some excellent book group selections. I decided to concentrate my reading on weekends, spending long hours interrupted by little but leg-stretching and avoiding the difficulty of recalling the plot when reading just a chapter or two in the evenings just before bed.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in the opening words of “Anna Karenina.”

So I began with two books about families: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” and Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”

“Karamazov” I had read as a teenager around the time the Hollywood movie version was released. “Buddenbrooks” I went through two

decades ago. Reading them as an adult was a far richer experience, both emotionally and as a contrast in national character. The two books are set at opposite ends of the Baltic Sea: the German book in the orderly commercial Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the Russian in a town resembling Dostoevsky’s ramshackle provincial hometown of Staraya Russa.

For last winter, I recalled Ernest Hemingway’s comment that “all American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn.’” I remembered it as the sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the story of a pleasant picaresque journey, and, of course, I had often heard how it was banned from school reading lists because of its frequent use of the N-word.

What I wasn’t prepared for was, first, the book’s scathing denunciation, veiled as humor or just everyday observation, of slavery. It was published in 1884, less than a decade after the nation basically abandoned Reconstruction and its noble goal of achieving equal rights for black people. Reading it first as a teenager, I also didn’t remember the story of a boy becoming a man, mentored by Jim, the slave to whom he initially condescends and once nearly betrays.

I paired it with two other books of adolescent boys on picturesque but perilous journeys: Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” written as a boys’ book that I read as a seventh grader in a boys’ school, and Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” set in British India. Both are stirring narratives set in exotic locations that are easier to envision if you’ve done some tourism in the Caribbean and the subcontinent.

Were they both influenced by “Huckleberry Finn”? Maybe. Stevenson and Kipling, 15 and 30 years younger, respectively, than Twain, each dropped in on him on cross-country American trips and were received warmly, and each of

them and Twain became mutual admirers. There was more contact between American and British writers in the late 19th century than I would have guessed — and a readiness by at least some Brits in admiring Twain as a model.

This year, with fellow members of a book group, I have spent dark afternoons and long evenings on the 767 pages of Anthony Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now.” It was written in five months in 1873 and centered on a fabulously wealthy but crooked financier, and it features the author’s characteristically vivid female characters contemplating bad choices in marriage.

I plan on soon rereading, after three or four decades, Honore de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions,” also with a dubious financier in the background.

Both books also have delicious descriptions of businesses the authors knew firsthand, publishing and journalism.

Trollope shows an untalented female author trying to arrange, with editors of major publications, favorable reviews of her dreadful books. One ends up proposing marriage and advising her not to write a second novel. Balzac shows the young protagonist’s sudden success as a scandal-mongering journalist in Paris, and then being disgraced when it’s discovered that his sources are fictitious.

Unhappy families in provincial, perilous journeys in picturesque territory, financial and literary scandals in booming capitals: Great writers of the past take us to places and introduce us to people who, despite having been imagined years ago, turn out to be vaguely familiar to what we see around us now. And they’re readily available: Just sit down with a volume in hand in a comfortable chair. In the meantime, happy New Year.

Terence P. Jeffrey is editor in chief of Newsbusters.

COLUMN | MICHAEL GLASSNER

Left’s war on free speech moving from social media to TV Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty.

WHEN ELON MUSK bought X, formerly Twitter, and refused to comply with the global censorship regime, he became a target overnight — especially for European Union bureaucrats determined to reassert control over online speech. The EU’s latest effort to slap X with a $140 million penalty is just the most recent example of that campaign.

The EU claims the fine is due to X allowing users to purchase verification checkmarks without the platform independently confirming their identities.

Americans understand that anonymous speech is a cornerstone of liberty. From the Federalist Papers onward, anonymity has protected dissent, whistleblowers and political minorities. But Europe does not afford such freedom. That’s why Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the EU’s X fine, suggesting it is retaliation for Musk’s refusal to censor speech at the EU’s direction.

In 2023, the EU opened an investigation into the company for “disinformation,” and Musk drew the ire of European regulators for refusing to remove an interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from his platform.

Musk is, of course, an outlier in the tech world. Most of his peers in the industry genuflect to the demands of various governments and are willing to restrict disfavored views.

The House Judiciary Committee formally detailed the relationship between tech giants and the Biden administration, which repeatedly demanded that Americans’ views be taken offline. According to the committee, it

suppressed or took down the views of doctors, scientists and commentators who did not align with the government narrative that COVID originated from a pangolin sold at a wet market in China — not a laboratory in Wuhan. From shifting search results to “fact-checkers” that tech companies employed to discredit skeptics, Big Tech and its market dominance played a critical role in censoring Americans.

This is the real lesson of the last five years: The power to decide what billions of people see is the ultimate form of control.

That is one of the reasons Trump expressed concern about Netflix potentially gaining control of one of its most prominent rivals, Warner Bros. Discovery — the company that owns HBO Max and the entire HBO catalog.

If Big Tech showed us anything over the last five years, it’s how ruthlessly willing it is to silence, throttle and bury any story, voice or idea that threatens the approved narrative, even when those ideas later turn out to be true. Now imagine that same censorship strength, only this time it’s not coming from a search engine or a social platform you can (in theory) walk away from. It’s coming from inside your television.

Netflix already has 301 million subscribers, and the merger will create a 400 million-subscriber base, making Netflix the most powerful cultural ministry the world has ever seen. What Silicon Valley did to information with algorithms and shadow-bans, this new mega-studio will do to imagination itself — quietly, seamlessly and with a smile from the next autoplay.

If Big Tech taught us how easy it is to kill a

story, a merged Netflix–Warner will teach us how easy it is to destroy an entire worldview, one canceled series, one “content moderation” decision, one algorithm tweak at a time. And this time, there will be almost nowhere left to escape.

Netflix has built an empire on content that consistently promotes left-wing ideologies, striking multimillion-dollar deals with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce politically charged documentaries and making multimillion-dollar investments in films spotlighting progressive figures, such as the $10 million acquisition of “Knock Down the House,” which celebrates socialist firebrand Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other insurgent socialist Democrats.

Critics such as film reviewer Armond White have characterized the platform as a “propaganda machine” for its relentless promotion of social justice narratives. White termed the marriage between Netflix and the Obamas as the creation of a new Ministry of Propaganda. That Ministry will expand exponentially should this deal be consummated and approved by the government.

Where Big Tech once limited speech with bans and shadow banning, this new giant will regulate thought itself: deciding which histories are retold, which heroes are celebrated and which taboos are normalized for the next generation.

Michael Glassner is chief operating officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

How Christian artists are winning over listeners, entering pop’s mainstream Christian and gospel music is growing while other genres struggle

Brandon Lake poses for a portrait in Nashville, Tennessee, last month.

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press NEW YORK — It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report.

Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vice president of music insights and industry relations, said the shift is led by acts like Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship, who are connecting with a “younger, streaming-forward fan base” that’s 60% female and 30% millennial. In fact, for the first time in 11 years, two contemporary Christian music songs — Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” and Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll — broke through the Billboard Hot 100’s all-genre Top 40, placing them in direct competition with mainstream artists.

It’s also why traditionally secular artists like Jelly Roll, Killer Mike and T.I. are nominated in Christian music categories at the forthcoming 2026 Grammys — the lines are blurring.

An evolving Christian music sound “Christian music (is) unlike any other genre that’s defined by a sonic component. Christian music is defined by its lyrical component,” says Holly Zabka, the president of Provident Entertainment, a Sony Christian music subsidiary. “It’s not

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

limited to a narrow definition.

It’s a lyrical component that can appeal to anyone’s musical preference.”

From a label perspective, she’s interested in pursuing artists that “don’t have to fit within that narrow lane of Christian bookstore and Christian radio. It can be rap, hip-hop, it can be rock, it can be country, and that’s appealing to a broader audience because it’s what they’re already listening to,” she says. “Very few people listen in a vacuum and only listen to one genre.”

But for many years, CCM jas held a reputation for being unimaginative — what writer John Jeremiah Sullivan infamously referred to as “excellence-proof” — for its tendency to mimic and water down popular, contemporary mainstream sounds for a religious audience.

“Absolutely there’s been an improvement in quality,” says Zabka. “When all the music has to live side by side on these streaming platforms, we can’t just be the cheap alternative.

‘Oh, you like Taylor Swift? You

will like this lesser version offering in the Christian genre.’ We want to be the greatest art.”

“You have to imitate before you innovate,” Chris Brown, singer and worship leader at Elevation Worship, jokes. “There’s not as many rigid lines stylistically within Christian music as maybe there was 10 years ago or certainly like 20, 30 years ago.”

“There was a period of time where people idealized Christian music as like, ‘OK, we’re going to have this look, we’re going to sound like this,’” says two-time Grammy-winningChristian and pop musician Lauren Daigle. “There’s so much more artistry now. People are very expressive. They’re able to share their creativity. And that also comes with different types of people represented.”

Why Christian music is connecting now Zabka says her genre is experiencing “a special moment and … a perfect storm.” Streaming and the ability to connect on social media have democratized

music discovery, she says, allowing CCM to compete with secular music. That, partnered with what she views as “a resurgence of faith” in young people, is responsible for the interest.

The number of Americans who identify as Christian has declined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing, according to a 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center.

A new class of millennial and Gen Z Christian influencers, too, are aiming to connect with young people.

“Christian music has also shifted in its authenticity of the lyrics,” Zabka adds, making the music more relatable than previous iterations of the genre, which often featured a neat message of “everything is going to be OK, just follow Jesus” in 3 ½ minutes. Now, she says, “their songs are much more authentic and real and honest. ‘Life is hard. Breakups are hard. Bad things happen,’ and that provides a level of hope that other music doesn’t provide for the listener.”

Daigle points out that artists like Lake are performing in huge stadiums — categorical proof that Christian artists are growing in popularity.

“I think a lot of people are looking at the world and … they find fortitude in this music, and they find a sense of strength in this music, and they find truth in this music,” she says.

Daigle also theorizes that because “Christian music points to something else” — to God — instead of focusing on individual issues or the ego of the performer on stage, it evens the playing field between listener and artist, while giving both a sense of purpose.

“In a world that has become so self-focused and self-centered, the freedom of saying ‘Wow,

I can actually lean on someone else for a while,’ or ‘There’s something that is actually greater than me,’” she says. “And the purpose of Christian music, for me, is to bring hope to people.”

Brown theorizes that people relate to his Charlotte, North Carolina-based CCM collective because of “how fundamentally we’re rooted” in their local church.

“It’s easy to connect because we’re just church people,” he says.

A crossover moment Lake, who is nominated for three Grammys in 2026, including “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” believes people are connecting with Christian music now because that’s simply the purpose of religious music.

“The reason why people are turning their ear toward those kinds of songs right now is because that’s what they were made for,” Lake says. “People are finding in these songs — they’re finding themselves, their spirit, connecting with the spirit of God. … Those songs aren’t just entertainment; they tee up an encounter.”

“I love all kinds of music,” he continues, “but if you have a song that carries that kind of message, it’s just super charged, you know? It does something deeper.”

He also believes this may be the start of a crossover moment, where more Christian artists will be welcomed into other genres and mainstream spaces.

“I pray it’s just the beginning,” he says. “And I pray that it takes over.”

Jelly Roll agrees. “I think there really is a revival happening in America right now where people are being re-presented the Gospel in a digestible way. And it doesn’t seem as finger-waggy and ‘You’re all going to hell,’ you know?” he says.

“I really don’t care when the organized religions wave their finger at me,” he continues. “I’m just glad to see the message, the Gospel getting presented.”

Italian authorities arrest 9 for allegedly funding Hamas through charities Millions of euros were said to be funneled to the group The Associated Press ROME — Italian authorities arrested nine people linked to three charitable organizations on suspicion of raising millions of euros in funds for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, anti-terrorism prosecutors said in a statement Saturday.

The suspects are accused of sending about 7 million euro or $8.2 million to “associations based in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, or Israel, owned, con-

trolled, or linked to Hamas,” the statement said.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, prosecutors said, describing him as the “head of the Italian cell of the Hamas organization.”

The European Union has Hamas listed on its terror list.

According to Italian prosecutors, who collaborated with other EU countries in the probe, the illegal funds were delivered through “triangulation operations” via bank transfers or through organizations based abroad to associations based in Gaza, which have been declared

illegal by Israel for their ties to Hamas.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi wrote on X that the operation “lifted the veil on behavior and activities which, pretending to be initiatives in favor of the Palestinian population, concealed support for and participation in terrorist organizations.”

There was no immediate comment from the suspects or the associations.

In January 2025, the European Council decided to extend existing restrictive measures against 12 individuals and three entities that support the financing of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

CLAUDIO FURLAN / LAPRESSE VIA AP

Police officers inspect a charitable association supporting Palestinian civilians in Milan, Italy, on Saturday after Italian investigators have arrested nine people suspected of raising millions of euros for Hamas.

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MOORE SPORTS The best of the NSJ years We celebrate 10 years in print with a look at the top sports performers of the last decade North State Journal staff AS WE FINISH the 25th year of the 2000s, several media outlets have come up with best of lists for the first quarter of the 21st century. At the North State Journal, we are focusing on another milestone.

We started publishing in 2016, meaning this is the end of our 10th year in print. So we’d like to take this moment to look at the best of North Carolina sports in the NSJ’s first decade.

College Football: The state hosted 10 Belk/Duke’s Mayo Bowls and 10 ACC championship games. North Carolina teams played in a total of 46 bowls, led

by NC State, Wake and App State (eight each) and seven conference title games (ACC and Sun Belt).

With plenty of apologies to the large number of snubs, here are our all-decade teams.

• QB: Drake Maye, Ryan Finley • RB: Nyheim Hines, Michael Carter, Darrynton Evans, Will Shipley

TYLER KAUFMAN / AP PHOTO

Left, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. Right, Duke’s Zion Williamson accepts the 2019 Oscar Robertson award for player of the year.

Wilson, Joe Giles Harris, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis, D’Marco Jackson • CB: Chandler Rivers, Mark Gilbert, Essang Bassey, Aydan White • S: Nick Anderson, Tanner Ingle, Divine Deablo, Tanner Muse

• Zion Williamson • RJ Barrett • Chris Clemons • Vernon Carey Jr. • Tre Jones • Paolo Banchero • Armando Bacot

• PK: Nick Sciba

• RJ Davis

• P: Trenton Gill

• Kyle Filipowski

• WR: Zay Jones, Josh Downs, AT Perry, Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, Sage Surratt

• Return: Greg Dortch

• Cooper Flagg

• TE: Cam Serigne, Justin Joly

College basketball: North Carolina teams made six Final Four trips, two more than any other state. Here’s a look at the All Americans from the state over that time.

• OT: Ikem Ekwonu, Graham Barton, Zach Tom, Tyler Jones • OG: Chandler Zavala, Willie Lampkin, Tony Adams, Sean Maginn • C: Garrett Bradbury, Grant Gibson • DE: Bradley Chubb, Carlos Basham, Alex Highsmith, Nate Harvey • DT: Dexter Lawrence, DeWayne Carter, Alim McNeill, Larry Ogunjobi

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

• Brice Johnson • Grayson Allen • Justin Jackson • Luke Kennard • Marvin Bagley III • Luke Maye • Joel Berry II

• LB: Chazz Surratt, Payton

NFL: The Carolina Panthers were just returning from their last trip to the Super Bowl when NSJ went to press for the first time. Here’s a look at the last 10 years.

Twenty players have thrown a pass for the Panthers, including three punters, three receivers and a running back. Eleven have started a game. Cam Newton leads in yards (11,462) and touchdowns (69), followed

by Bryce Young (7,971 and 21).

In yardage, the top five includes Teddy Bridgewater (3,733), Sam Darnold (3.670) and Kyle Allen (3,588). For scoring passes, it’s Allen (19), Darnold (16) and Bridgewater (15).

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

UNC’s Drake Maye carries the ball during a 2022 game.

A total of 64 Panthers have carried the ball, led by Christian McCaffrey (3,980 yards, 32 TDs) and Chuba Hubbard (3,664 and 23). Newton (1,829 and 20), Jonathan Stewart (1,504 and 15) and Rico Dowdle (1,007 yards) round out the top five. Young and Darnold (7 each) are fifth in touchdown runs.

Seventy-nine Panthers have caught passes, led by DJ Moore (5,201 yards, 21 TDs) and McCaffrey (3,292 and 18). Next for yardage are Greg Olsen (2,152),

Curtis Samuel (2,087) and the former Robbie Anderson (now known as Robbie Chosen, 1,821 yards). Devin Funchess (16) is third in touchdowns, followed

by Samuel (14), Olsen and Tommy Tremble (10).

Brian Burns is the sacks leader, Shaq Thompson the tackles leader and Donte Jackson the interceptions leader.

As we approach the end of our official 10 years in February, we’ll continue to look at the state’s top sports moments of the NSJ years.

50 years since lawyer’s decision unlocked free agency in Major League Baseball, changing sports forever Salaries have increased by 112-fold since free agency began

“It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press NEW YORK — Sports were turned upside down 50 years ago by a man who never threw or kicked a ball.

A lawyer with expertise in labor relations struck down Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, which had bound players to their teams since the 1870s.

No one could have predicted then that the 65-page decision issued Dec. 23, 1975, by arbitrator Peter Seitz — who later compared baseball owners to “the French barons of the 12th century” — would lead to an upheaval that made thousands of players multimillionaires.

“The real floodgates opened after that,” former pitcher David Cone said. “Players were finally, in all walks of life, in all sports, were finally able to see what, hey, what free agency really looks like. There was all the doom and gloom back then from one side that said: ‘This is going to ruin the game. It’s not sustainable.’

And actually, it was just the opposite. It made the game better.”

Baseball’s average salary was $44,676 at the time of the decision, $260,909 in current dollars, and climbed to about $5 million this year, a 112-fold increase.

Seitz’s decision was followed by free agency upheavals in the NFL, NBA, NFL and European soccer.

Curt Flood had lost a lawsuit arguing for free agency in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court

Steve Rogers, All-Star pitcher and union official

AP PHOTO

Baltimore Orioles Dave McNally, a free agency pioneer, delivers a pitch in a 1974 game. upheld baseball’s antitrust exemption, ruling it was up to Congress to make any change.

In December 1974, Catfish Hunter was set free on a technicality when Seitz concluded Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley failed to make a $50,000 payment into a long-term annuity fund as specified in the pitcher’s contract. Following a bidding war, Hunter signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees for about $3.2 million.

“We saw this huge contract, it was like reading from another world,” recalled former All-Star

pitcher Steve Rogers, among the first beneficiaries of free agency and later a long-time union official. “The magnitude was just unheard of, the number of dollars that were guaranteed to him. It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Language in each player agreement stated the club could “renew this contract for the period of one year on the same terms,″ except that the salary could be cut by as much as 20%.

After playing the 1975 season

under renewals, Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave McNally of the Montreal Expos maintained in a grievance the renewal period was one year only and they should be declared free.

Following a three-day hearing that generated an 842-page transcript and 97 exhibits, Seitz urged owners to settle the case as late as Dec. 9. Then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn urged owners to fire Seitz before a decision, but management’s Player Relations Committee refused because it was afraid of bad publicity.

Seitz ruled for the union.

Management fired Seitz that afternoon and vowed to overturn the decision in federal court.

Seitz’s decision was upheld in February 1976 by U.S. District Judge John W. Oliver and affirmed the following month by an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of Judges Floyd Robert Gibson, Gerald Heaney and Roy Laverne Stephenson.

That July 12, players and owners agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement creating one-time free agency for all players after 1976 or 1977 and going forward after six seasons of major league service, which is still in place.

Future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were among the first players to gain free-agent riches.

“The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,″ Moss, who died last year, said in 2020.

“I think one can make a case that we’ve spent the last two-plus decades trying to reestablish some reasonable equilibrium,″ then-commissioner Bud Selig said in 2000.

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

obituaries

Clee Chavis April 15, 1967 – Dec. 22, 2025 Mr. Clee Cornett Chavis, 58, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Monday, December 22, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Clee Cornett Chavis in your thoughts and prayers.

Janet Sharpe July 7, 1955 – Dec. 21, 2025 Janet Sharpe, 70, formerly of Carthage, N.C., passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Raeford, N.C.

Melvin Stubbs March 8, 1940 – Dec. 20, 2025 Mr. Melvin Stubbs, 85, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care in West End, North Carolina.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Melvin Stubbs in your thoughts and prayers.

Hans James Weber

Daniel Young Bowers Jr.

Terrence A. Corrigan

Jan. 5, 1977 – Dec. 18, 2025

Oct. 23, 1957 – Dec. 20, 2025

May 13, 1954 – Dec. 17, 2025

Hans James Weber, age 48, of Whispering Pines, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on December 18, 2025. Born on January 5, 1977, and raised in Jefferson City, Missouri, Hans lived a life defined by service, integrity and deep devotion to his family.

Hans was the beloved husband of Silke Weber, his wife of 21 years, and a devoted father to their children, Colin and Marie Weber. Hans was the cherished son of his parents, James and Betty Weber, and was predeceased by his mother, Betty.

He was a devoted and loving brother to his sister Julie Weber.

Family was the center of Hans’ life, and he took great pride in being a husband, father, son, and brother.

Hans earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from the University of Missouri.

Following his education, he was commissioned into the United States Army, where he went on to serve a distinguished 25year career. Through steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to duty, Hans rose to the rank of Colonel before retiring with honor. His service reflected his strong sense of responsibility, discipline, and dedication to those he led and served alongside.

During his military career, Hans was honored with numerous awards for his exemplary service and leadership, including two Bronze Stars, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

Outside of his professional and family life, Hans had a deep love for the outdoors and adventure. He enjoyed exploring nature, working on and offroading in his Jeep Wrangler, and traveling to new destinations.

At home, he enjoyed tending to a well-manicured lawn and tinkering with various projects.

Hans’ life was guided by his deep faith in Jesus Christ. The light of Jesus shined through his actions, his love for others, and how he carried himself.

A funeral service will be held on December 27, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Pinehurst United Methodist Church. Burial will take place on December 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Jefferson City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hans’ memory to UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

Hans will be remembered for his leadership, his kindness, and his unwavering love for his family. His legacy of service and devotion will live on in the lives he touched.

Daniel Young Bowers Jr., 68 years young, of West End, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice House, with his wife by his side.

Danny was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 23, 1957, to the late Daniel Bowers Sr., and Shirley McGlohon Bowers. Danny was an older brother to Donna B. Burr, and the definite bigger headache of that duo. Ask literally anyone.

Danny grew up with a love for sports, and that carried on to the last second as his television played ESPN the morning of.

Danny’s love for all things sports led him to a truly cherished time refereeing high school football.

If you ever went to an away game with him, the entire ride home was self-critique, hoping he got it right for the kids. He loved caddying. The talking and shooting the breeze were right down his wheelhouse. If you knew Danny, you knew he had a love for motorcycles. It was nothing for him to hop on his bike, and in a few short hours be a few states away. Danny was able to experience trips to Sturgis and Daytona on multiple occasions.

Danny loved his family. He was so proud of his wife, Ann Turner.

Pride beamed from his eyes when he introduced her to anyone. He was a good father, and always loved as hard as he could, the best that he could. Danny will be missed by many, but if you knew him by some not so much. That’s the way he would want it.

He was an amazing salesman, sold cars and motorcycles, started two restaurants and sports bars, and one bar. He absolutely helped get SAES up and running. He loved to travel, especially to Myrtle Beach. That is where we were married, on the beach. You never knew what he would say, he had no filter and could get away with saying things most people couldn’t. He loved to ride his motorcycle and got to go to Sturgis twice and Daytona and Myrtle Beach bike weeks a number of times.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Ann Turner; children, Daniel Bowers, III (Lauren) of Monroe, Will Bowers (Anna) of Jackson Springs, Jill Edwards of Pinehurst, Maggie Bowers (fiancé Bo Kendall) of Wadesboro; grandchildren, Lily, Ella Ray, Kaitlyn, Calia; sister Donna B. Burr of Wadesboro; stepdaughter Shelly Poindexter (Michael) Iron River Michigan, and children Eliza Lucerno of Denver, Co., and Josiah Poindexter (Allison) Warren, PA. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to youth athletics.

Funeral services will be held at the Chapel in the Pines (7 Lakes) on December 30th at 2 p.m.

Terrence A. Corrigan of Pinehurst, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025. Terry was born on May 13, 1954, in Boston, Massachusetts, the grandson of Irish immigrants, and the first of five children of Andrew and Ruth Corrigan, a firefighter and a home economics teacher in Newton, Massachusetts. He attended Our Lady Help of Christians through eighth grade, graduated from Boston College High School in 1972, Columbia College in 1976, and Columbia Law School in 1981.

In 1990, Terry married Leslie Gallmeyer, who predeceased him in October 2022.

Terry was exceptionally generous to both friends and strangers. His friends were often the recipients of unexpected and unrequited birthday and holiday gifts. It was common for him to pay the tabs of strangers in restaurants and host young golfers and their families at his home in Pinehurst. His charitable nature was totally selfless. He was also very industrious his whole life.

Beginning at an early age, Terry was continuously employed in a variety of occupations, including newspaper delivery boy, golf caddie, parish rectory receptionist, Christmas tree worker, coatroom attendant, college security guard, plumber’s assistant, tent roustabout, dormitory maintenance supervisor, household handyman, political campaign press secretary, partner in a Wall Street law firm, and financial services consultant.

In grammar school, Terry was an altar boy, a choir boy, and a member of the Boston Boys Choir attached to the Boston Symphony Orchestra that performed at Symphony Hall in Boston, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and produced an album recorded by RCA Victor. In high school, he was a member of a very successful debate team that traveled extensively throughout the country.

Supported by his parents (and his grandmother, who bought him a typewriter), Terry paid his way through high school, college, and law school with a combination of scholarships, merit awards, full

and part-time jobs, and numerous student loans, all of which he repaid in full. At Columbia College, Terry was named to the school’s senior society of select student leaders.

Following graduation from law school in 1981, Terry joined a prestigious Wall Street law firm and became a partner in 1987. He specialized in complex commercial litigations and large corporate bankruptcies. From 1985 through 1987, he served as an Assistant Independent Counsel to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by a former Cabinet Officer. For his efforts, and because his firm viewed the role of Independent Counsel as an honor and not an opportunity to enrich its partners, he was paid one dollar (less withholding taxes). He also devoted a substantial amount of time to pro bono publico cases ranging from representing a class of Haitian boat refugees in litigation that was ultimately resolved successfully by the U.S. Supreme Court to assisting disabled individuals improperly denied Social Security benefits.

In early 1990, mutual friends introduced him to Leslie. Five months later, the couple was married on Shelter Island in New York. In 1999, Leslie and Terry moved to North Carolina so that Leslie could pursue a divinity degree. In the same year, Terry became the Managing Director at Abacus Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in the problems of distressed companies.

In his free time, Terry played golf (not well, but enthusiastically), compiled his family’s genealogies, collected stamps, and read biographies, histories, and science fiction.

For a number of years, he also volunteered as a teacher’s aide at the Sandhills Children’s Center, a pre-school for special needs children. Terry loved to travel, including trips with Leslie to Italy, Bali, Holland, the Caribbean, Singapore, Spain, Ireland, Lithuania, Canada, Denmark, Mexico, England, Bermuda, and dozens of American destinations.

One of his few regrets was not traveling more with Leslie.

Terry was predeceased by Leslie, his parents, Ruth and Andrew Corrigan, and his sisters, Sharon, Anne, and Eileen. He is survived by his twin sister, Maureen, and her husband, Stephen Jochim of Sunset Beach, North Carolina, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grand-nephews scattered across the United States and Ireland.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either of the following charities: The Sandhills Children’s Center, 1280 Central Drive, Southern Pines, NC 28387 The Foodbank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, 195 Sandy Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Proudly supporting you every step of the way on your grief journey.

CONTACT

www.bolesfuneralhome.com Email: md@bolesfuneralhome.com Locations in: Southern Pines (910) 692-6262 | Pinehurst (910) 235-0366 | Seven Lakes (910) 673-7300

@BolesFuneralHomes

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North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

OBITUARIES

Jody Sherockman Hough May 9, 1965 – Dec. 20, 2025 Jody Sherockman Hough, age 60, of West End, passed away Saturday, December 20, 2025.

A native of Allegheny County, PA, she was the daughter of the late George and Wanda Shupping Sherockman. Jody moved to Moore County in the early 1990s and worked in landscaping.

Jody was known for her wild, carefree spirit. She loved Bob Seger and Janis Joplin. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by a brother, George Sherockman.

She is survived by her children, Heather Dee of West End, Jazmyne Hough, and Joshua Dee, both of Carthage; sisters, Terry Sherockman and Annie Waltrowski, both of Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren, Adrianna, Jayla, and Greyson.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Fry & Prickett Funeral Home.

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Brad Keselowski is introduced to fans prior to May’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR’s Keselowski suffers broken leg in skiing accident The former champion is expected to recover in time for the Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

Brenda Crisco Gaster March 9, 1947 – Dec. 20, 2025 Brenda Crisco Gaster, age 78, of Sanford, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital after a life devoted to family, faith, and service to others.

Brenda was born in Ellerbe, North Carolina, to the late Edward and Eva Crisco. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Johnny Crisco and Alvis Crisco.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Donald Martin Gaster; children, Angela N. Smith (Kevin) of Fayetteville, AR, Ann Spain (Chris) of Winston-Salem, NC; grandchildren, Amber Ciesla (Conner) of Bentonville, AR, Taylor Whitman (Wyatt) of Winston-Salem, NC, Jordan Ward (Kaleb) of Lillington, NC, Aaron Spain of Lillington, NC; great-grandchildren, Hadley Ciesla and William Whitman; brothers, Larry Crisco (Vonnie) of Olivia, NC; sisters, Phil Murchison (Ralph) of Sanford, NC, Ann Asbill (Marion) of Asheboro, NC; sister-in-law, Rita Crisco of Sanford, NC. Brenda worked as a hairdresser for 40 years, forming lifelong friendships with her clients and colleagues. She was a faithful member of Shallow Well Church, where she loved singing in the choir. In her free time, she enjoyed working in her flowers and fishing at the beach— activities that brought her peace and joy.

Brenda will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her strong faith, and her kind hardworking spirit. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Shallow Well Cemetery with Dr. Eric Burmahl officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the graveside service.

CHARLOTTE — NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, a former Cup Series champion who is now co-owner of RFK Racing, broke his right leg while on a ski trip, the team announced.

Keselowski underwent surgery last Thursday, and doctors told him to expect a quick recovery that will have him back for the season-opening Daytona 500 in February. He is winless in 16 starts in the showcase race as he enters the final years of his driving career.

“Life has a way of reminding you to slow down,” Keselowski posted on social media with photos of him in the hospital surrounded by his wife and children, an image of the

break, and video of him using a walker. “Grateful for my family by my side, an excellent medical team, and the ability to take a few steps forward today. Focused on Daytona. Bonus — I’m now bionic!”

Keselowski did not reveal the extent of his injury or what bones are broken.

Keselowski, who turns 42 just days before the Feb. 15 “Great American Race,” is entering his 17th full season of racing at the top Cup Series level. He spent the bulk of his career at Team Penske but purchased a stake in Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and became an owner/driver of the rebranded team.

The organization is reeling from last week’s fatal plane crash that killed longtime Roush driver Greg Biffle and six others, including his wife and two children. Biffle had retired by the time Keselowski joined the team.

“First and foremost, our hearts remain heavy with the news of yesterday’s tragic events,” the team said. “The RFK Racing family, as well as the NASCAR community, as a whole, continues to keep those close to The Biffle Family and all those affected in our thoughts. Albeit untimely, we feel that in the interest of transparency we share RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski suffered a broken leg while on a ski trip with his family Thursday.”

The team called the surgery “routine” and said doctors expect a “a quick and full recovery.”

Keselowski broke his ankle in 2011 when he crashed during a test session and won a Cup Series race at Pocono just days later.

“I’m grateful to the medical team who took great care of me and for the support system around me,” Keselowski said

in a statement. “I’m motivated to get back to full strength as quickly as possible and will work relentlessly to be ready for Daytona.”

Keselowski won the 2012 Cup Series championship for Penske and has 36 career victories at NASCAR’s top level. He won the Xfinity Series title in 2010 and 39 races in NASCAR’s second-tier series.

He has won one points-paying race since leaving Penske as he works to help rebuild RFK into the once-proud organization founded by Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush.

Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, missed six races in the 2023 season when he broke his leg in a snowboarding crash early in the season. Kyle Busch missed 11 races when he broke his leg in a crash at Daytona in 2015 but recovered to win the Cup championship that year.

Gerard flew across 2 oceans, 2 seas; payoff was invitation to Masters The former UNC and Ravenscroft golfer finished second in Mauritius

Ryan Gerard watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press RYAN GERARD LEFT his home in south Florida at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 for a trip he never imagined taking this year, and one he certainly didn’t regret.

He returned home nine days and some 20,000 miles later after stops that included Italy on his way to a small island off the coast of Africa, and an eight-hour layover in Paris on the way back that gave him enough time to see the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

“I am looking at the Eiffel Tower,” Gerard said by phone.

“Pretty sick.”

Oh, and along the way he picked up an invitation to the Masters.

That green envelope — Augusta National doesn’t do evites — might not be there right away, but in the final Official World Golf Ranking for the year, the 26-year-old Gerard will check in at No. 44.

And it’s all because of his decision to play one more tournament, even if that meant flying over the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to

DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP PHOTO

get to the Mauritius Open, the final tournament this year on the European tour and Sunshine Tour schedule.

Despite some 36 hours of travel — he got to his hotel at 1 p.m. local time last Monday — Gerard opened with rounds of 68-69 and was tied for fifth.

He was No. 57 in the world and needed a two-way tie for fourth to crack the top 50.

“I figured I’d have one more crack at that and give it my best shot,” he said after the second round. “Then I could hang my hat on giving it my all for the season, and the top 50 by the end of the year to get into the Masters. So that’s kind of a kick in the pants to come 10,000 miles from Florida and tee it up. It wasn’t on the bingo

card at the start of the season, for sure.”

And then, bingo! He posted a 63 at Heritage La Reserve Golf Links the next day to take the lead. He wound up in a playoff with scorching hot Jayden Schaper, the South African who has won the last two tournaments by making eagle in a playoff.

“I would have loved to win,” Gerard said. “But it was an unbelievable shot.”

The consolation for Gerard was a big one — his first Masters.

Augusta was on his mind when Gerard played the RSM Classic at Sea Island last month — the final PGA Tour stop of the year — when he was No. 49 in the world. And then he missed the cut.

“I was looking Friday afternoon and was like, ‘Hey, does it make sense to go do anything?’

I was going to try to play the Nedbank (in South Africa), but the tournament deadline was the day before I missed the cut,” Gerard said.

The Alfred Dunhill was out because that was the weekend his good friend and former UNC teammate Ben Griffin was getting married.

Last on the list was Mauritius. He had heard enough about Mauritius from Christo Lamprecht of South Africa that he checked the schedule, did the math and signed up.

Gerard had already done a fair bit of traveling after he narrowly missed out on the Tour Championship. He played in Ireland and England, Japan and Abu Dhabi. Clearly, he’s willing to travel. This summer, he flew across eight time zones from Scotland to Lake Tahoe and then won the Barracuda Championship for his first PGA Tour title.

What’s another trip with so much on the line?

Gerard wasn’t down to his last chance. He would have had three months to start 2026 to either win or do well enough to get into the top 50, but he saw an opportunity.

“Figured I got nothing better to do,” he said. “It seemed like a cool thing, made sure it worked logistically and just went for it.”

B4

North State Journal for Thursday, January 1, 2026

STATE & NATION

More thrifting, fewer returns: Early trends that defined shopping this holiday season Buyers spent more time on research and building lists

By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press NEW YORK — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to data released this week

by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans.

More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.

Here are three trends that defined the holiday shopping season so far.

Weaker holiday season for traditional gift giving Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Post-holiday shoppers pass a Christmas tree at Calef’s Country Store on Dec. 26 in Barrington, New Hampshire. thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.

That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.

Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.

For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year. But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.

Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christ-

mas last year, sales slid 9%.

Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores— chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.

But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.

“Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly favored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.

Thrift stores broaden their appeal In the past it may have

seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.

Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year.

That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.

In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.

The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.

U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept.

27 and the momentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.

“High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ”

Fewer returns, so far For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.

That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

“I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following Cyber Week — the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.

From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.

Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.

This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.

Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building

By Steven Sloan The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician’s sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the facility.

“Your decision to withdraw at the last moment — explicitly in response to the Center’s recent renaming, which honors President Trump’s extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure — is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution,” the venue’s president, Richard Grenell, wrote in a letter to musician Chuck Redd that was shared with The Associated Press.

In the letter, Grenell said he

would seek $1 million in damages “for this political stunt.”

Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A drummer and vibraphone player, Redd has presided over holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, succeeding bassist William “Keter” Betts. In an email Wednesday to The Associated Press, Redd said he pulled out of the concert in the wake of the renaming.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said. He added Wednesday that the event has been a “very popular holiday tradition” and that he often featured at least one student musician.

“One of the many reasons that it was very sad to have had to cancel,” he told the AP. President John F. Kennedy

was assassinated in 1963, and Congress passed a law the following year naming the center as a living memorial to him.

Grenell is a Trump ally whom the president chose to head the Kennedy Center after he forced out the previous leadership. According to the White House, Trump’s handpicked board approved the renaming, which scholars have said violates the law. Kennedy niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove Trump’s name from the building once he leaves office, and former House historian Ray Smock is among those who say any changes would have to be approved by Congress.

The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Workers add President Donald Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after a Trump-appointed board voted to rename the institution in December.

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