Duke players huddle during their second-round NCAA Tournament game against Baylor on Sunday. The top-seeded Blue Devils defeated the Bears 89-66 to advance their 34th Sweet 16 and will face fourth-seeded Arizona — and former UNC guard Caleb Love — in an East Region third-round game Thursday in Newark, New Jersey. See more in Sports.
U.S. strikes Black Sea agreement between Ukraine, Russia
Kyiv, Ukraine
The United States said an agreement has been reached to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea as it wrapped up three days of talks Tuesday with Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia on prospective steps toward peace. U.S. experts met separately with Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Riyadh, and the White House issued separate joint statements about the talks with Ukraine and Russia. Details of the prospective deal are yet to be released, but it appears to mark a revival of a 2022 agreement to ensure safe transit via Ukraine’s Black Sea ports that was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey and was halted by Russia the following year.
American consumer confidence falls to 12-year low Washington, D.C.
U.S. consumer confidence fell for the fourth straight month as Americans’ anxiety about their financial futures declined to a 12-year low amid rising concern over tariffs and inflation. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 7.2 points in March to 92.9. The Conference Board’s report Tuesday said that the measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market fell 9.6 points to 65.2. It is the lowest reading in 12 years and well below the threshold of 80, which the Conference Board says can signal a potential recession in the near future.
Watauga Republican Ray Pickett sent a memo to fellow legislators supporting the nonprofit
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — A new governmenrt audit report says a group given $500 million in endowments by the legislature for research grant acceleration
is complying with state law.
NCInnovation (NCI), a nonprofit organization set up to expedite the path of research done at state universities to the marketplace, was given two tranches of $250 million each.
“Within the scope of the audit performance, this report offers a clear evaluation of NCI’s private funding commitments and grant procedures. It’s
See AUDIT, page A8
The governor’s spending plan would spend $68 billion over the biennium
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein released his budget proposal on March 19 containing roughly $68 billion in spending over the biennium.
“My budget ensures that we will be able to continue investing in our people, meeting their needs and keeping North Carolina strong,” Stein told media outlets.
The governor’s budget proposes $33.65 billion for FY 2025-26 and $34.35 billion in FY 2026-27. His predecessor’s final budget of his term for FY 2024-25 was more than $34.5 billion, roughly the same as Stein’s year one proposal.
Stein’s budget has several main focus areas, including spending on education, public safety, workforce development, and freezing personal and corporate tax rates at current levels. Funding for Hurricane Helene relief is absent from the budget, with the governor saying that issue will be in a separate request.
State employees would see a 2% raise, and retirees would get a 2% cost-of-living bonus. Additionally, a $1,000 bonus for most state employees would be paid in October to those employed by Sept. 30. Education has the most spending items, totaling nearly $2.1 billion.
See BUDGET, page A3
“My budget ensures that we will be able to continue investing in our people, meeting their needs and keeping North Carolina strong.” Gov. Josh Stein
“The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination.”
Linda McMahon, U.S. Department of Education secretary
Duke University was among the 45 colleges and universities that received the notice
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Education has notified 45 universities and colleges — including one in North Carolina — that they are the subject of civil rights investigations involving the “use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.”
“The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
The notifications follow a Feb. 14 Dear Colleague Letter notifying educational institutions that receive federal funding that they must end use of racial preferences across all aspects of their operations, including admissions, scholarships, hiring and more.
“The investigations come amid allegations that these institutions have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) by partnering with ‘The Ph.D. Project,’ an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants,” reads the March 14 press release
See SCHOOLS, page A2
This is the third week in a four-part series on adversity.
I suppose the most tragic adversity that ever comes is when the death angel visits our home or the homes of our dear friends. We know that death is inevitable and that love cannot hold it back. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). We know it lies ahead of each one of us, but we are never ready to have a place left vacant. We are never ready for the last good-bye. We are never ready for the heart-crushing loneliness that follows the going of our beloved.
To those who have no hope in Christ, death is a tragedy. To those in whose souls that blessed hope blooms — death is a transfer, a going to the better land. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). It may be a tragedy for those left behind, but we weep for ourselves, not for the ones who have been transported to the realms of glory. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
Sometimes the departure comes after a long, lingering illness — when we have looked for the end day after day. Sometimes the telephone rings, or the telegraph messenger knocks at our door with the stunning news of unexpected tragedy that throws us into shocked amazement. There is no need to describe this experience for one who has passed through it. The important thing in the crisis is the attitude we adopt. We cannot change the facts; we can only meet and bear them.
Sometimes people meet this crisis of sorrow rebelliously and resentfully. Ordinarily, death is the result of natural causes — disease, accidents, old age, and the like. “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Do you remember how Jesus wept at the grave of His friend Lazarus? “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Did He shed tears of hypocrisy — or of genuine sorrow and sympathy? When death comes to our circle, the Christian attitude is one of submission and full reliance on the goodness and wisdom of God. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
Sometimes there are days of waiting for tidings from some loved one far away. These are days that try the soul. There are times when uncertainty, fear, and agitation can be borne by sharing it with Him who is ready to share all our troubles. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). To the extent we trust at such
times, to that extent He will be our helper and our strength. God’s comfort in our times of sorrow is not an imaginary thing. It can be so real that it is a balm for our wounded spirits. Having passed through the experience more than once, the writer knows within himself how real and vital and sustaining the comfort of God can be. He knows how corroding sorrow can be mixed with the joy of the divine Friend and a deep and satisfying sense that God understands and cares and helps. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you and will comfort by healing your wounds and bringing peace. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most prolific and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and more than 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.
The state’s quincentennial planners expect to need more funding
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH—The North Carolina General Assembly’s Quincentennial Committee met March 13 to continue discussions on preparations for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Led by Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), the committee has increased its efforts with newly appointed North Carolina History Project Executive Director Troy Kickler at the helm. The North Carolina History Project is a special project of the John Locke Foundation.
The committee highlighted several upcoming events, including the Halifax Resolves Day celebration on April 12 and the Mecklenburg Declaration commemoration in May, which will feature an exhibit opening at the Charlotte Museum of History.
Coming up next month is the commemoration of the historic ride Paul Revere took to warn of the British troop movements on April 18-19, 1778. The Two Lights for Tomorrow initiative will honor the two lanterns hung in the Old North Church steeple that night used to signal
issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
In the press release, McMahon noted the agency is already investigating schools for engaging in antisemitic harassment and sexual discrimination.
“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” McMahon said. “We will not yield on this commitment.”
In addition to the 45 schools that are allegedly using “race-exclusionary practices” in their graduate programs, another seven schools are being investigated for “alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation.” Duke University is named
which mode the British were taking: one if by land, two if by sea.
America 250 NC is seeking to participate in the Two Lights for Tomorrow by encouraging displays of lights in prominent government buildings on April 18. Additional details will be available on the America 250 NC website in the coming weeks. Kickler presented a comprehensive working plan compiled from suggestions offered at previous meetings. Members of the committee recommended prioritizing the list, with several key initiatives taking the spotlight:
• Creating a timeline of important Revolutionary War events in North Carolina, with attention to lesser-known milestones before July 4, 1776
• Developing an interactive map of historical sites across the state
• Coordinating with existing county committees and encouraging the formation of new ones
• Examining initiatives in neighboring states to identify potential collaborative opportunities
• Creating an inventory of existing historical markers
and identifying sites for new recognition
Sixty-five of the state’s 100 counties have established an official America 250 committee.
Counties that have not yet set up their committee can find assistance by visiting america250. nc.gov/countycommittees.
Committee members emphasized the importance of statewide presence rather than focusing solely on Raleigh-based events. They also stressed the need to create lasting legacies of the commemoration, such as the proposed extensions to the Over Mountain Victory Trail.
In that statewide vein, Kickler brought up the state’s wellknown history of flight as an item to consider for promotion.
“There’s a reason North Carolina has ‘First in Freedom’ on the license plate,” said Kickler. “I would like to emphasize some events that tell that story.”
In addition to Kickler’s list, other members offered updates on various projects.
Sarah Koontz from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources highlighted the state’s ongoing projects, including a children’s book about the Edenton Tea Party Ladies and an upcoming publication called “Blues March” about the Over Mountain Men’s march to Kings Mountain.
Foundation Forward’s Jef-
frey Morse presented his group’s “Charters of Freedom” project, which seeks to install replicas of America’s founding documents in public spaces across the state.
Installation has been completed in 40 counties so far.
“Our mission is to teach and preserve American history and civics so all know how our government is meant to serve and protect we the people,” said Morse. He said they hope to have all 100 counties by 2026.
cumventing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in SFFA v. Harvard, which effectively ended race-based admissions with “narrow restrictions” left in place.
The University of North Carolina and Harvard were the subjects of the lawsuit filed by SFFA.
“Your college just reported its admissions data for the Class of 2028 — the first class admitted after Harvard,” SFFA wrote. “Compared to the Class of 2027 (when you explicitly gave racial preferences to African Americans and Hispanics), you now have fewer Asian Americans. Your Class of 2028 is 29% Asian American, a decrease of 6 percentage points.” SFFA’s letter also said Duke’s “racial numbers are not possible under true race neutrality.”
Similar letters were also sent to Princeton and Yale.
Funding the initiatives laid out during the meeting was also discussed. With $200,000 in operating funds already secured, the committee indicated it plans to seek additional legislative funding.
“My expectation is that this committee will make an ask of the legislature for funding,” Blackwell said, adding that several million dollars might be needed for programming across the state.
“For the last 30 years, The PhD Project has worked to expand the pool of workplace talent by developing business school faculty who inspire, mentor, and support tomorrow’s leaders,” the group said in a statement to North State Journal regarding the investigation. “Our vision is to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other, through networking, mentorship, and unique events. This year, we have opened our membership application to anyone who shares that vision. The PhD Project was founded with the goal of providing more role models in the front of business classrooms, which remains our goal today.”
Duke University has not replied to a North State Journal inquiry.
Politicians have been facing threats as divisiveness grows
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — A recent town hall held in Asheville by North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Flat Rock) featured profanity, an ejection and plenty of confrontation.
While Edwards (R-Flat Rock) attempted to give a set of remarks at the outset of the March 13 event, individuals in the crowd began shouting over him. One man, Jay Carey, stood up and started screaming at Edwards, using extensive profanity.
At the start of his interruption, Carey yelled that he was a veteran, but he’s more than that: Carey challenged Edwards for his seat in 2022, failing to progress past the Democratic primary. After losing in the congressional primary, Carey then lost to Republican Tim Moffitt for the District 48 state Senate seat.
Carey has been a member of the Henderson County Democratic Party, and his wife, Leslie, is also involved in the Henderson Democratic Party as the party’s chair.
Carey also runs a new organization called “Resist & Persist,” which is described as a “dedicated veteran issue advocacy non-profit committed to amplifying the voices of those who have served our country.”
Edwards told North State Journal he feels the media coverage of the town hall has been unfair and unbalanced.
“We put together our news clips every single day and just scouring through the headlines, I find that that story is so distorted and really is presented in a way to inflame Americans,” Edwards said. “And it’s adding to the divisiveness that we see politically.”
Edwards was frustrated by media “rewarding Mr. Carey with so much air time only because he was disruptive in a public event and using profanities.”
Carey has not responded to an inquiry by North State Journal.
Edwards said there have been no credible threats made toward him that would require extra protection, but he said his
BUDGET from page A1
It would include a 10.6% teacher pay raise over the two years, costing more than $1.047 billion. Stein said the increase would raise the average salary to $53,000 by 2027, making the state’s teachers the highest paid in the Southeast.
Principals would get a 6% bump, noncertified and office staff a 3% increase, and all Department of Public Instruction (DPI) would see a 2% increase. There would be one-time $1,000 bonuses for principals, noncertified and central office staff, and all DPI employees.
Other Education items include:
• Restoration of master’s pay
• $5.1 million for a pilot limiting cell phones in the classroom
• $170.6 million overall across the biennium for free breakfast for all K-12 students
• $222.6 million to replace/ issue student laptops as COVID relief funds used by districts are now gone
• $4 billion school bond referendum for school construction and facility needs
To fund some of his increases, Stein’s proposal calls for a moratorium on the Opportunity Scholarship program (OSP) as well as ending any new applications and cutting the funding.
The OSP provides income-based grants for students to attend the private school of their choice. Almost 80,000 students utilize the program, and more than 40,000 applications were received during this year’s early priority period, which ended in early March.
House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) said he wants
office has sometimes received thousands of vulgar messages a single day.
Earlier in the day of the Asheville town hall, however, Edwards — who was presenting a $41 million grant in Canton — said police had to get involved when a man became physically threatening.
“I had a threat from the crowd there,” Edwards said of the Canton visit. “In fact, the police department, they took me by each arm and steered me in one direction. They took the fellow making the threats by each arm and led him in another direction.”
Edwards is not the only North Carolina elected official to see an uptick in disruptive or violent threats.
Last week, North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis released audio of phone calls placed to his offices containing profane language and violent threats.
One caller describes taking a “f--king axe handle” to Tillis’ head and “his kids’ heads and his grandkids’ heads” before calling him “treasonous.” Another caller wished diseases on Tillis and his family, while another called the senator “Southern white trash.”
Democrat Associate Justice Allison Riggs and her opponent in the still-undecided N.C. Supreme Court race, Judge Jefferson Griffin, have received threats.
Attorney Blannie Miller, a spokesperson for the Griffin family, said threats to Griffin have continued despite the announcement of the death of their infant daughter, who was born 23 weeks prematurely.
“We respectfully ask the perpetrators of this relentless harassment campaign to end it,” said Miller, adding that the family asks for “request peace and privacy at their home while they mourn the death of their
daughter” and while Griffin’s wife recuperates.
North Carolina Judicial Branch Communications Director Graham Wilson confirmed that an investigation is underway into the threats to Griffin and Riggs.
Elected officials are not the only ones experiencing threats. At least one incident of “swatting” occurred in in the Buncombe County town of Weaverville during the morning hours of March 16.
Matt Van Swol, a western North Carolinian who has been vocal on social media about the federal government’s response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, and his family were the victims of the swatting. The criminal act sends an armed law enforcement response to a residence based on a false claim of violence at the location. Van Swol wrote on X, “I am being swatted right now,” and
to raise teacher pay but called Stein’s proposal to end the private school scholarships “a nonstarter with us,” according to The Associated Press.
Stein’s budget “rips educational freedom and parental choice from hardworking families,” Lauren Horsch, spokesperson for Senate Leader Phil Berger, told The Associated Press. Just under the fiscal line item for the OSP, Stein also calls for increasing “need based” funding for students to attend private colleges.
Stein’s budget would give the State Health Plan, which state Treasurer Brad Briner projected will have a $507 million deficit in 2026, an addition-
al $450 million in FY 2025-26 over the biennium.
The retirement and pension system, however, didn’t have funding levels desired by Briner.
“We are disappointed the Governor is proposing for only the second time in 83 years to not fully fund our state’s retirement system,” Briner said.
Briner also said the proposal sent to lawmakers “would create a $206 million shortfall in the funds for our retirees over the next two years.”
Citing potential future budget shortfalls and to support the potential spending, Stein’s proposal calls for lawmakers to stop the next round of tax rate reductions. The current individu-
al income tax rate of 4.25% will drop to 3.49% in 2026-27, and the corporate income tax rate of 2.25% will drop to zero after 2029. The tax reductions enacted by Republicans already have triggers that would maintain or alter the rate depending on economic conditions.
Stein also offers a series of tax credits in his proposal.
Stein called for the adoption of a “Working Families Tax Credit” and a “Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.” The governor also proposed converting the state’s child deduction to a refundable child tax credit and reestablishing the “back-to-school” sales tax holiday on school supplies. These
then later wrote, “A call was made saying that I had murdered my wife, and I was hiding in the basement with a gun.”
The Weaverville Police Department (WPD) stated on Facebook regarding the swatting incident, which lines up with Van Swol’s account of the call that was made to police.
“Thanks to the officer’s calm and rational assessment, the situation was de-escalated swiftly and safely, revealing that no crime had taken place,” the WPD statement reads in part.
The swatting activity has drawn the attention of the FBI, with the agency’s Director Kash Patel issuing a statement on X that his agency is aware and “taking action to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.”
A U.S. House Oversight Committee subcommittee has also opened an investigation into the swattings.
four items would reduce revenues by over $265 million over the next two years.
Stein also seems to be proposing his own version of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, commonly called DOGE, by establishing the “IMPACT Center,” which stands for Innovation and Modernization for Performance, Accountability, and Cost-Effective Transformation.
IMPACT will be administered by the Office of State Budget and Management, but Stein doesn’t say how it will be funded other than to mention “targeted investments of $91 million” to evaluate programs, policies and outcomes, and to “efficiently manage state resources and identify waste, fraud, and abuse.” Also in Stein’s proposed budget:
• $280M in “unemployment benefit enhancements” over the biennium to address the state’s average weekly benefit of $302, which ranks 42nd nationally, and the maximum weekly amount of $350, both of which Stien notes have “remained unchanged since 2013.”
• $138.2 million in FY 2025-26 and $117.7 million in FY 202627 to build a talented workforce and create pathways leading to high-demand, high-wage jobs.
• More than $630 million and $660 million in child care and early education in each year of the next biennium, respectively.
• $194.1 million in FY 2025-26 and $209.6 million in FY 2026-27 for school resources officers, school security, correctional officer pay and combat the fentanyl and opioid crisis.
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL
Democrats in North Carolina have lost close to 400,000 registered voters in the last decade.
WATERGATE DESTROYED the Republican Party brand for a generation.
Democrats have forgotten the reason why Watergate helped them dominate American politics for the next generation. No one thought it possible elected officials at the very highest levels would bald-facedly lie to them in real-time ― until it was proven to them on live TV.
Voters have seen the duplicity of Democratic elected officials on display at every level for the past 16 years. The four years under President Joe Biden saw the very “best” (sic) liberal spinmeisters show their “talents” to lie about everything from Russian collusion (debunked totally), protection of the border (we just needed a new president to enforce immigration laws, not a new policy) and Hunter Biden (what else can be said?).
What if the lying was only the tip of the iceberg? What if any of the speculation about the corruption going on in the Biden administration winds up being true and proven in court? On live television?
Had President Richard Nixon admitted he authorized the break-in of Democratic headquarters at the Watergate Hotel complex in Washington, D.C., during the 1972 campaign and apologized to the American public, he would have finished his second term in 1976.
He might not have finished with very high approval ratings, but no president ever does, really.
Authorizing the Watergate break-in was one of the dumbest things anyone has ever done in American politics. Everyone ― including his hapless Democratic opponent, liberal South Dakota Sen. George McGovern ― knew Nixon was going to win in a landslide election under any circumstance.
When you’re going through something like that, it is critical to have confidence in the people who are providing treatment.
WE ARE APPROACHING the second anniversary of Mom completing her chemo treatments, and I could not be more proud of her.
“You have cancer” are words no one ever wants to hear. But when you’re approaching 80 years old and lost your husband of nearly 50 years four months earlier, it is an especially bitter pill to swallow.
When we learned of her colon cancer diagnosis after her colonoscopy in October 2022, I saw Mom’s eyes well up with tears. I committed myself at that point to being her eyes and ears because I knew all she was thinking at the moment was, “Am I going to make it?”
Though it was a scary time, we were incredibly blessed to begin her journey of fighting cancer with a wonderful medical team, from her gastroenterologist to her surgical oncologist and then her medical oncologist.
When you’re going through something like that, whether you’re the patient or a family member, it is critical to have confidence in the people who are providing treatment.
Each step of the way, everyone involved was very thorough while explaining the next steps. After the surgery to remove her tumor, which took place not even a month after her diagnosis, we were informed three of the lymph nodes that were removed nearby were cancerous and that because of that, chemotherapy was recommended.
Nixon committed three more catastrophic political mistakes no politician or party can survive: He authorized the cover-up of the crime and then proceeded to lie about it ― while he was taping every conversation about Watergate in the Oval Office.
He, his aides and advisers tried to “defend the indefensible,” which is always a bad idea.
The 1974 midterm elections were a disaster for Republicans all around, including state and local elections. Citizens lost trust not only in the GOP but also in government institutions themselves.
Democrats picked up 49 seats in Congress and five in the U.S. Senate. The “constitutional crisis” relating to Watergate had more to do with the personal stupidity and paranoia of Nixon than anything else.
American voters will forgive politicians who make mistakes — look at President Bill Clinton.
What voters won’t forgive is politicians or a party lying about what they are doing and what their true intentions are on any issue facing the public.
What if a disgruntled Democrat operative becomes their “John Dean” and, in return for immunity and not going to prison, spills the beans about how Democrats aided and abetted illegal drug and human trafficking by keeping the Mexican border wide open?
What if a senior legal adviser to Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, etc. finds Jesus like Chuck Colson and testifies about how they funneled foreign money illegally through Act Blue, Arabella Advisors and George Soros to get their socialist candidates elected to Congress, state legislatures and judicial posts?
What if a “Deep Throat” contact like FBI assistant director Mark Felt emerges and tells some enterprising young podcasters to “Follow
the money!” and they find out Democrats have lined their pockets through graft and corruption with government money from NGOs, and it all goes back to President Barack Obama working out of the basement of his Kalorama mansion in northwest D.C.?
The favorability rating for the Democratic Party is already at an all-time low of 27%. If any of the speculations above are proven to be true, its ratings will fall to absolute zero on the Kelvin scale. They will be obliterated for generations as a major party in American elections.
Democrats in North Carolina have lost close to 400,000 registered voters in the last decade. Even moderate Southern Democrats can’t stomach their extreme left positions allowing biological men to play against women in sports, supporting the “right” (again, sic) of illegal immigrants who are known killers and rapists to stay in America, and turning a blind eye to the violence and destruction caused by Black Lives Matter and pro-Palestinian radical protestors.
If Democrats want to go the way of the dodo bird, the passenger pigeon and the Federalist Party, by all means, they should continue to follow AOC, Jasmine Crockett, Bernie Sanders and Schumer off the cliff like a herd of lemmings.
Every Watergate participant will be glad to relinquish their top spot in the Pantheon of Stupid Things Done In American Political History to them.
Though that obviously was concerning to us, we were encouraged when her medical oncologist told us they believed her cancer was still at the curable stage and the chances were better if she opted to go through with chemo.
Not long after that, we met with her medical oncologist. A month after that, she sat down for the first of six treatments, spaced out every other week, where she would go to the treatment center for several hours and then go home with a little machine that looked like a Sony Walkman cassette player that dispensed more of the medication for 46 hours.
As chemo often is on cancer patients, it was tough on Mom, and there were times I wondered if she’d tell the doctor she couldn’t do it anymore. But Mom is such a fighter, and she soldiered through even as the Oxaliplatin part of her treatment gave her neuropathy issues in her feet and hands, issues that have mostly gone away two years later, thank God.
We’ve been blessed beyond measure at every post-chemo follow-up visit so far, where lab work has been performed. The two CT scans she’s had since she completed chemo have shown no new developments as well, another good sign.
Her most recent colonoscopy, which was a little over a year ago, also showed good results.
Her most recent lab work appointment, which was earlier this month, showed the all-important CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) number was low, which we were relieved to see. As her oncologist has told her, it’s not
a perfect test, but the numbers continue to support the doctor’s belief that she remains in remission.
In July, Mom goes for her third post-chemo CT scan, and needless to say, we’re praying for more encouraging news on that front and that there will be nothing in the results that will be cause for concern.
In the meantime, she occasionally looks at some of the pictures and watches the video we took of her when she proudly rang the bell two years ago and smiles.
That said, we know that though it was the completion of one of the most important parts of the cancer battle, we must remain vigilant because the battle is never truly over.
Mom is still doing well despite all she’s gone through, and her faith and spirit remain strong.
Thank you, Jesus, for all your many blessings, and we pray for many more.
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.
EDITORIAL | WILLIAM J. WATKINS JR.
Congress should require that pleadings seeking a nationwide injunction be randomly assigned.
SHOULD ONE UNELECTED and uncountable official be permitted to obstruct policy prerogatives of the elected president of the United States?
This is, at base, the question behind President Donald Trump’s most recent feud with the federal judiciary.
The matter came to a head when U.S. District Judge James Boasberg enjoined the president from deporting members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The American people elected Trump, in part, on his promises to reverse the open borders policy of the Biden administration and to deport dangerous aliens.
Tren de Aragua is more than dangerous. It began as a Venezuelan prison gang and has transformed into a transnational criminal organization engaging in the drug trade, human trafficking, and extortion.
Since Inauguration Day, the Trump administration has faced multiple lawsuits from activists who oppose his initiatives in the areas of immigration reform, cutting the federal workforce and ending the racial spoils system.
According to Sarah Harris, the acting solicitor general, these legal actions have resulted in numerous nationwide injunctions — 15 in February alone.
An injunction is an equitable remedy that compels a person to undertake or refrain from undertaking a certain action. It has existed for hundreds of years. However, injunctions typically do not apply to individuals or entities who are not parties to the judicial proceeding. A nationwide or nonparty injunction applies to strangers to the litigation.
Justice Clarence Thomas has noted that nationwide injunctions do not enjoy a lengthy pedigree and did “not emerge until a century and a half after the founding.” The use of nationwide injunctions skyrocketed in the 21st century. The George W. Bush administration faced six; the Obama administration 12; the first Trump administration 64; and the Biden administration 14. Interestingly, 85% of these nationwide injunctions were granted by judges appointed by a president from the opposing political party.
The constitutional argument against nationwide injunctions rests on Article III, which limits judicial power to cases and controversies. In other words, a judge’s grant of relief is limited to the parties before the court.
For example, if a Tren de Aragua gang member sought an injunction to stop his deportation, a favorable ruling would apply only to him and not his comrades who did not join the lawsuit. A nationwide injunction, on the other hand, applies to all the gang’s members even though they are not parties to the case.
Sound policy arguments counsel against
EDITORIAL | BEN SHAPIRO
nationwide injunctions. Most cases decided by the Supreme Court have percolated in the lower federal courts, where various fact patterns and legal arguments are considered and developed. Nationwide injunctions are usually fast-tracked to the Supreme Court. Therefore, the court does not have the benefit of extensive litigation in multiple districts to aid in the decision-making process.
Nationwide injunctions undermine federal rules allowing class-action litigation. Litigants seeking a class action must jump through multiple procedural hoops before a class is certified. It is a rigorous process and was so designed. The availability of nationwide injunctions encourages lawyers to bypass the class action rules and swing for the fences when seeking a remedy.
A judiciary granting numerous nationwide injunctions is not perceived as a neutral umpire. Nationwide injunction cases often involve political hot-button issues. Citizens notice that the lion’s share of judges halting an administration’s policy initiatives were appointed by the opposing party. Americans are bound to lose respect for the judiciary and view it as just another political branch.
Congress should act to abolish or restrict nationwide injunctions. The Constitution vests Congress with the power to make rules governing the proceedings of lower federal courts. While Democrats undoubtedly are cheering district judges who thwart the Trump agenda, they should realize that in four years, the shoe might be on the other foot.
At a minimum, Congress should require that pleadings seeking a nationwide injunction be randomly assigned. Litigants should not be allowed to cherry-pick a judge believed to be favorable to their ideology. Another possibility would be to assign nationwide injunction cases to three-judge panels so that a single judge does not control national policy.
Aside from assignments, Congress could limit a district judge’s decision to the federal circuit on which they sit. For example, a North Carolina district judge’s decision would be limited to South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland (these judicial districts comprise the 4th Circuit).
Trump’s critics accuse him of acting like a monarch. In truth, Boasberg and company are the real kings and queens. They are unelected, issue decrees that bind the nation and pretend to be above the fray in their judicial regalia. Congress is the first resort and the Supreme Court in the last should clip their wings and end the era of the nationwide injunction.
William J. Watkins Jr. is a research fellow at the Independent Institute and author of “Crossroads for Liberty: Recovery the Anti-Federalist Values of America’s First Constitution.”
Why does it matter who shot JFK?
In other words, presidential assassinations are shockingly common.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION released tens of thousands of documents regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Speculation about the “real explanation” for JFK’s assassination has been an enormous cottage industry for decades; as of November 2023, a Gallup poll showed that 65% of Americans believe that people other than Lee Harvey Oswald were involved in the murder. At no point since the assassination have a majority of Americans believed the truth: that Oswald was a lone gunman.
Perhaps that’s because the idea of a lone gunman achieving such a high-profile assassination on camera in the modern age seems so unthinkable.
But, of course, it isn’t: William McKinley was assassinated by a lone gunman in 1901; Teddy Roosevelt was shot in the chest in 1912 while campaigning for president; in 1933, FDR narrowly escaped assassination when Giuseppe Zangara fired five shots at him, killing the mayor of Chicago; Gerald Ford was nearly assassinated twice in a three-week stretch in 1975; John Hinckley Jr. shot Ronald Reagan just a few weeks into Reagan’s presidency in 1981; and, of course, Donald Trump was nearly assassinated during a campaign speech last year.
In other words, presidential assassinations are shockingly common.
So why are so many Americans convinced, despite all available evidence, that others were involved in the JFK assassination? Much of it has to do with the rapidly declining levels of trust in the American government since the 1960s. While only 52% of Americans believed in a JFK conspiracy theory in 1963 — an idea fostered by legacy media, which claimed that he had been killed by right-wing “hate” — by 1976, that number had skyrocketed to 81%.
That trend correlates with a radical increase in distrust in government generally: In 1964, some 77% of Americans said that they trusted the government to do the right thing always or most of the time; by 1976, that number had dropped to 35%. (As of 2024, by the way, that number is 22%.)
Now, distrust of government is a perfectly normal and even admirable feature of American political life dating back to the founding. The founders distrusted government not to abuse the rights of individuals and thus sought checks and balances to prevent it from occurring.
Since the 1960s, American distrust of government has been matched by a massive expansion of governmental intrusion. All of which suggests that our modern distrust of government carries with it a different flavor: a flavor of the conspiratorial. The founders believed that ambition was common to all men and that ambition thus had to counteract ambition; today’s Americans instead believe that the problem is that our government is staffed by uniquely bad men.
The founders were right: The corruption of government is innately connected to its scope. But today’s Americans instead believe that the corruption of government is simply a question of the wrong people controlling the government. The problem isn’t a government with too much power but a government controlled by enemies.
Now, undoubtedly, there are awful people in government. And certainly there have been conspiracies of such awful people within government (see, for example, the Anthony Fauci-led attacks by career staffers on those who opposed COVID-19 lockdowns). But if we misattribute broad and endemic problems of government to such conspiracies despite all available evidence, we miss the point: We maintain the size and scope of government while hunting shadows and training ourselves to distrust our own eyes in the process.
Conspiracies exist. But they require evidence. Otherwise, they’re conspiracy theories. And a country that falls for conspiracy theories without any supporting evidence is a country ripe for the plucking by demagogues on all sides.
Ben Shapiro’s new collection, “Facts and Furious: The Facts About America and Why They Make Leftists Furious,” is available now.
MICHAEL BARONE
Experts have only themselves to blame for the distrust of institutions
NOW THEY tell us.
“We were badly misled about the event that changed our lives.” So reads the headline on Princeton professor Zeynep Tufekci’s March 16 article in The New York Times. The event was, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the bad misleading came from scientists who purposefully discredited the now widely accepted theory that the virus originated from a leak in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Perhaps not entirely coincidentally, the Times article appeared one day short of five years from the publication in Nature Medicine of an article by five scientists, led by Kristian Andersen, titled “The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2.” “We do not believe,” the article states, “that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible.”
This was a deliberate lie. In April 2020, Anthony Fauci, then the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told his boss, then-National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins, that he hoped “proximal origin” would put down “the very dangerous conspiracy theory” that the virus originated from a lab leak. The next day, Fauci recommended the paper to reporters as the product of a “group of highly qualified evolutionary virologists” without mentioning that he had commissioned it and dictated its conclusion.
The paper “misled me and many others into thinking a lab leak was implausible,” writes science writer Matt Ridley, who was a voting member of Britain’s House of Lords in 2020. Donald McNeil Jr., who was the Times’ lead science writer in 2020, said scientists “clearly misled me early on” and that their article threw him “off track” and influenced the paper’s coverage for months. Ridley later coauthored the book “Viral” with Alina Chan, arguing for the likelihood of the lab leak origin. McNeil’s Times reportage ended in February 2021 when he was pushed out for having repeated a high school student’s use of the N-word on a Times-sponsored $5,490 field trip in Peru — one of many injustices inflicted in the “racial reckoning” following the death of George Floyd. It’s not surprising that the theory that COVID-19 spread from a lab leak was dismissed as a “fringe theory” by The Washington Post or that the Times mocked former Trump health official Robert Redfield for believing it. Nor that such outlets have shown little interest in the fact that the lab leak theory was accepted early on by the FBI and by the Biden administration’s Energy Department by early 2023.
In retrospect, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that Fauci, who proclaimed, “I represent science,” purposefully lied and dissembled to conceal the funding of “gain of function” research (that makes viruses more deadly) at Wuhan.
The publication of Tufekci’s article in the Times signals a change in the wind of elite opinion. So does the publication in the Times last October of reporter Nicholas Confessore’s deeply reported account of diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the University of Michigan, aptly subtitled “What Went Wrong?”
Confessore documented how the University of Michigan’s DEI programs, the largest and most generously funded at any university, increased rather than decreased racial tensions. Their premise was that systemic white racism was ineradicable and must be fought with indoctrination sessions and racial quotas and preferences. Give the Times credit for publishing Confessore’s article less than a month before the election.
The commitment of major corporations to DEI proved no more sincere than former Soviet bureaucrats’ faith in Marxism-Leninism. The second Trump administration’s efforts to ban DEI in federal agencies have been matched by the abolition of DEI in large corporations.
On DEI, as on COVID-19, it turns out the experts and the elites were lying, and the people labeled “conspiracy theorists” by the Times were often telling the truth. “This type of thing is exactly why so many on both the left and right are content with burning it all down,” reflected Sean Trende, no Trump fan. “‘Gosh, why don’t people trust the experts?’”
One answer is that the experts and the elites have shown miserable judgment. The elites took the death of a suspected convenience store robber in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014 and the death of an arrested fentanyl user in Minneapolis in May 2020 as indications that the nation, in which nearly 53% of voters had elected a black man president in 2008, was infected with systemic racism in need of constant DEI chastisement.
The experts’ dishonest responses and insupportable remedies to the pandemic were applauded by almost all academic and journalistic voices and imposed by government officials with no thought to their costs. This culminated in June 2020, when the experts and elites agreed that pandemic restrictions should, in view of America’s ingrained racism, not apply to massive Black Lives Matter protests.
Now we hear complaints, some of them plausible, that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are destroying institutions possessed of expert wisdom and elite credentials. It’s understandable, given recent history, that many Americans are putting little stock in those complaints.
Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner and resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
students at the end of dismissal, a ccording to the message. One parent was arrested, though the school and district did not provide details. multiple students is also under investigation, according to the district. WBTV
W-S building for UNCSA Forsyth County A North Carolina House bill has been the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to purchase a downtown Winston-Salem building next to the Stevens Center, which is being renovated The 12,441-squarefoot property is adjacent to the Stevens Center and was prev iously the headquarters of Greater WinstonSalem Inc. If passed, the deal would state’s 2025-26 budget. WGHP New NC State chancellor native of Cleveland County Cleveland County A Cleveland County native was chosen as the next chancellor at NC State and has strong ties to the school. Kevin Howell — a native of Shelby — was elected to the position last week and will become the 15th chancellor in school history. Howell will take over on May 5, when current chancellor Randy Woodson retires. Howell graduated from NC State with a bachelor’s degree in 1988, then got his law degree at UNC Chapel Hill. Before being named chancellor, Howell previously worked at NC State as assistant to the chancellor and vice chancellor for external development from 2018-23. He left NC State to become chief of external School of Medicine. More than 75 candidates were considered during the nationwide search for NC State’s next chancellor. NSJ
Greensboro’s Wet ’n Wild acquired by Dollywood owner Guilford County
Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe, the water park in Greensboro, has been acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment, the company that owns Dollywood.
news to local outlets Monday, saying yet, the “transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close thereafter.” Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe tra ces its Greensboro roots back more than 40 years. The park opened as “Aqua Gardens” in 1984 before the name was eventually changed to Emerald Pointe in 1986. Wet ’n Wild was a dded to the name in 2000 after a New York-based company bought the park. Herschend is one of the largest entertainment brands in the world. The company owns many entertainment venues around the United States, from theme parks to aquariums and resorts. Herschend has also owned the Ha rlem Globetrotters since 2013. WFMY
N.C. teens receive national military family award
Carteret County
Two teens from North Carolina were selected as Operation Homefront’s 2025 Military Child of the Year, representing the Marine Corps and National Guard, respectively. The award recipients are Isabella Smith, 17, of Hubert, and Emily Baldeosingh, 18, of Havelock. Operation Homefront is to build strong, stable and secure military families. Award recipients are selected for their excellence in scholarship, volunteerism, leadership and extra curricular activities. They will also receive $10,000, a laptop computer and other donated gifts.
WNCT
Child shot in carnival parking lot Cumberland County A child was shot while at an event in Fayetteville on Saturday night, police said. “This is an active investigation,” the incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. The victim was ta ken to a local hospital for treatment of their
Raleigh children’s museum announces expansion Wake County Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh unveiled plans Monday for its largest expansion project in history. The announcement comes as leaders hope to open their doors to more guests to meet the demands of a growing community. The project is a part of the “Bigger Play, Brighter Futures” campaign, which has raised more than $8.5 million. Museum leaders said another $500,000 is still needed
According to the announcement, expansion plans include a new immersive exhibit and multipurpose as a state-of-the-art rooftop exhibit new restrooms and a refresh of the multipurpose spa ces throughout the museum. Attractions will be called “Futureopolis” hands-on area, “Marbles Skywalk” rooftop track, multipurpose classroom.
NSJ
Firefighters prepare
South Carolina also declared a state of emergency
The Associated Press
WILDFIRES FORCED a mandatory evacuation in Polk County as emergency crews fought separate fires, while South Carolina’s governor declared an emergency in response to a growing wildfire.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced a mandatory evacuation starting at 8:20 p.m. Saturday for parts of Polk County about 80 miles west of Charlotte.
“Visibility in area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed,” the agency said in a social media post.
The public safety department said a shelter had been
AUDIT from page A1
straightforward, lays out the facts, and can help strengthen NCI’s internal operations,” said N.C. State Auditor Dave Boliek.
“According to NCInnovation, to-date, the full balance of the endowment has been invested in a cash equivalent government backed securities fund,” the audit notes about the funds given to NCI. “The endowment has earned $16.9 million in interest as of December 2024, with a rate of return for investments ranging from 4.38% to 5.27% over the last year.”
Additionally, donations from private businesses to NCI for operating purposes total more than $25.6 million.
The Office of the State Auditor’s (OSA) findings included that private funding commitments were documented and grants awarded were in accordance with state law and NCI procedures. Additionally, NCI enacted measures that ensured grant recipients had methods to measure results.
Recommendations by the OSA included NCI continuing to document all transactions and the use of a formal pledge agreement, as well as leveraging pilot program experience and documentation for future award activities. The report also recommended management continue working with the Program Committee of the Board of Directors, including details on projects that were not approved.
Not included in the scope of the audit was whether “pledges were accounted for in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP),” which included a footnote referring to a section of the audit as a “Matter for Further Consideration.”
Two independent CPA firms verified that NCI’s records comply with GAAP and state law requirements.
established in Columbus.
The North Carolina Forest Service’s online wildfire public viewer indicated three active fires in Polk County, with the two largest spanning between 1.7 square miles and 1.9 square miles. Two other fires were active in nearby Burke and Madison counties, with a third wildfire burning in Stokes County on the northern border with Virginia.
In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday as part of an effort to stop a blaze in Pickens County called the Table Rock Fire that started the previous day in an area within the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property,” McMaster said in a statement that reinforced a state -
“If you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed.”
North Carolina Emergency Management on X
wide outdoor burning ban issued Friday by the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
Local fire officials called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of some residents near Table Rock Mountain, the forestry commission said in a social media post. The fire was about 110 acres as of late Saturday, and the public was asked to avoid state Highway 11.
North Carolina’s western region already had been hit hard by Hurricane Helene in September. Among the extensive damage, flooding washed away more than a mile of eastbound
In its response letter, signed by the group’s president, J. Bennet Waters, NCI agreed with the report’s findings and recommendations.
“We also appreciate OSA’s attention to the Matters for Further Consideration,” Waters wrote in the response before addressing the group’s critics.
“NCInnovation has been the target of a significant misinformation campaign by some media outlets,” wrote Waters. “And we concur with OSA’s findings affirming the process by which the organization’s Board selected an independent investment manager; how NCI certified its compliance with the requirements to receive State funding; and how NCI properly documented its lobbying expenses as affirmed by two independent accounting firms.”
Last year, one of NCI’s board members, Art Pope, requested the audit. Per a footnote on the audit, the work to complete it took more than 1,438 hours at an “approximate cost of $222,968.”
Pope is the founder of the John Locke Foundation, which runs Carolina Journal, an out-
let that has been critical of NCI. He was appointed to NCI’s board by former House Speaker Tim Moore.
Earlier this month, a bill filed in the House seeks to claw back the $500 million endowment and any interest gained on the funds through investments. Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan), the primary sponsor of the bill, told North State Journal that NCI should be privately funded.
Not everyone in the House seems to be interested in defunding NCI.
In a memo authored by Rep. Ray Pickett (R-Watauga) obtained by North State Journal that was sent to multiple House committees, the lawmaker outlined recent criticisms made in a media appearance regarding NCI.
“Last week, Dr. Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation spoke to a media outlet about NCInnovation. We have enjoyed Dr. Jackson’s work and policy analysis for years,” Pickett wrote. “On this matter, though, Dr. Jackson missed the mark.”
Pickett went through sever-
U.S. lifts bounties on senior Taliban officials
Washington, D.C.
The U.S. has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister who also heads a powerful network blamed for bloody attacks against Afghanistan’s former Western-backed government, officials in Kabul said Sunday. Sirajuddin Haqqani, who acknowledged planning a January 2008 Kabul hotel attack that killed six people, including U.S. citizen Thor David Hesla, no longer appears on the State Department’s Rewards for Justice website. The FBI website on Sunday still featured a wanted poster for him. An Interior Ministry spokesman said the U.S. government had revoked the bounties placed on Haqqani Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani.
lanes on Interstate 40 leading to eastern Tennessee and remained partially closed to traffic until March.
The hurricane damaged or impacted 5,000 miles of state-maintained roads and damaged 7,000 private roads, bridges and culverts in North Carolina.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service, meanwhile, has been battling a wildfire that broke out in the Wharton State Forest on Saturday. The fire had consumed about 2.7 square as of early Sunday morning. Firefighters had contained about half of the blaze according to an 8 a.m. update on the service’s Facebook page.
Emergency officials said they have evacuated two campgrounds in the park. Eighteen buildings were near the fire but the flames were moving away from them and no structures had been evacuated.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
al of Jackson’s recent remarks, describing his characterization of NCI as primarily benefiting Triangle-area universities as incorrect. The lawmaker noted that all current research funding has gone to institutions outside that region, with Western Carolina receiving the largest grant.
NCI currently operates seven physical locations at UNC System institutions, all outside the Triangle region, and has allocated $5.2 million to eight research projects, including lithium refining at UNC Greensboro, PFAS filtration at UNC Charlotte and mosquito-borne disease risk assessment at Western Carolina.
Pickett also notes NCI has not spent “one cent” of the $500 million endowment from the state and has funded its grants through the interest on that endowment.
Members of one UNC Board of Governors committee also seem to be backing NCI.
At its Feb. 26 meeting, NCI Executive Vice President Michelle Bolas updated members of the UNC Board of Governors Committee on Educational Planning, Policies and Program on the group’s progress.
In a post-meeting press release, NCI noted the committee members offered “strong support” for the organization and its work, with North Carolina A&T Chancellor James Martin calling it “a terrific program” with the “potential for very high” return on investment.
Committee Vice Chair Gene Davis said he thinks “it’s so important we use this extraordinary resource” to ensure “our best and brightest” don’t leave the state.
Member Woody White was quoted as saying, “This is seed money. It’s meant to be planted and then grow and blossom,” and compared it to similar programs at MIT, Harvard and Silicon Valley.
Former Argentine president banned from entering U.S. Buenos Aires, Argentina
The State Department has banned former Argentine President Cristina Fernández from entering the United States, accusing her of involvement in “significant corruption” while in office. The State Department also banned Fernández’s planning minister Julio Miguel De Vido and their families. In November, a tribunal in Argentina upheld a six-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from holding public office against Fernández. The former president was convicted and sentenced in 2022 by a three-judge panel for a fraud scheme that embezzled millions of dollars through public works projects during her presidency.
Kim reaffirms support for Russia’s war in Ukraine
Seoul, South Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his unwavering support for Russia’s war in Ukraine during a meeting with a top Russian security official in Pyongyang, North Korean state media said Saturday. Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle last Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the two countries’ leaders, though it remains to be seen when it might take effect and what targets would be off-limits. South Korean intelligence said in late February that North Korea had likely sent additional troops to Russia after its forces suffered heavy casualties fighting in the war.
Iceland’s minister for children quits amid controversy
London
Iceland’s president on Sunday accepted the resignation of the nation’s children’s minister, who quit the government over a relationship she had with a teenager more than three decades ago. Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir stepped down after national broadcaster RUV revealed last week that she had a child 35 years ago when she was 23 and the baby’s father was 16. RUV said the relationship began after the pair met at a church youth group when the teen was 15. Iceland ‘s age of sexual consent is 15, but it is an offense for an adult to have sex with a teenager they teach, employ or mentor.
China lied about the origin of the tried to tell the world there were only worldwide panic, economic collapse and needlessly being thrown out of work.
shelter-in-place or stay-at-home majority of Americans “new normal.” end of this month.
taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve to fund any of these emergency fear of rampant in ation and currency
WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”
ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this catastrophe one way or another.
fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to normal are treated in some circles with contempt.
WALTER E. WILLIAMS
Cooper stated during don’t know yet” if the be asked as to the vague ones like “we people of this state who undetermined of thousands of cases asked and then had questions about get asked, there is people to treat those can start getting back or are people who others sick. levels become a bad society were supposed course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After the 2009 pandemic, all of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has
They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the process of returning back to normalcy.
aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what They take advantage of every weakness keep pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl experts believe that event, not the Star Wars to the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility in debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.
Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.
No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand answers.
AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with corruption. The nancial squeeze resulting from COVID-19 o ers opportunities for a bit of remediation. Let’s rst examine what might be the root of academic corruption, suggested by the title of a recent study, “Academic Grievance Studies and the Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was done by Areo, an opinion and analysis digital magazine. By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by John Milton in defense of free speech.
In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian u,” 1968 “Hong Kong u,” 1977 “Russian u” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the massive 1918 “Spanish u” pandemic also had its origins in China.
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing?
Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer with details that give their statements believability.
Johnson & Johnson plans
Not one little bit.
$55B in U.S. investments over next 4 years
The cavalier manner virus, covered up its spread
Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.
We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.
Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say that something has gone drastically wrong in academia, especially within certain elds within the humanities. They call these elds “grievance studies,” where scholarship is not so much based upon nding truth but upon attending to social grievances. Grievance scholars bully students, administrators and other departments into adhering to their worldview. The worldview they promote is neither scienti c nor rigorous. Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, queer studies, sexuality and critical race studies.
That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.
This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new normal.”
Johnson & Johnson says it will invest more than $55 billion in the United States over the next four years, including four new manufacturing plants.
Several companies have highlighted investments in the U.S. in recent months, a focus of the Trump administration.
J&J rival Eli Lilly and Co. announced in late February that it planned to build four new factories in the U.S. Both Lilly and J&J cited tax cut legislation passed in 2017 as factors in their U.S. investments.
the seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to circles with contempt. as a society simply must accept without tells us about when it’s safe to begin the normalcy. for us, and we have the right to ask those stay-at-home orders are in place all over the them get in states, such as Michigan, feeling isolated and/or anxious about providing for their families, will demand levels should be as forthcoming as they and again, not vague answers, but answer statements believability. what we can to keep our families, safe. But we should also still continue because while reasonable stay-at-home they should also have an expiration date. and it is not normal. Not in any way, should remain vigilant and stay safe, at comfortable with this so-called “new
In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay and Boghossian started submitting bogus academic papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, race, gender, fat and sexuality studies to determine if they would pass peer review and be accepted for publication. Acceptance of dubious research that journal editors found sympathetic to their intersectional or postmodern leftist vision of the world would prove the problem of low academic standards.
Johnson & Johnson said last Friday that it is a 25% increase in investment compared with the prior four years and estimates the U.S. economic impact will be more than $100 billion a year.
“Our increased U.S. investment begins with the ground-breaking of a high-tech facility in North Carolina that will not only add U.S.-based jobs but manufacture cutting edge medicines to treat patients in America and around the world,” Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Joaquin Duato said in a statement.
written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.
EDITORIAL
Several of the fake research papers were accepted for publication. The Fat Studies journal published a hoax paper that argued the term bodybuilding was exclusionary and should be replaced with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive politicized performance.” One reviewer said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and believe it has an important contribution to make to the eld and this journal.”
The North Carolina plant is in Wilson, just east of Raleigh. The locations of the other three facilities were not disclosed.
Johnson & Johnson said it will expand several existing sites and invest in research and development infrastructure and technology in addition to building four new plants.
3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans
Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month.
THIS WEEK, according to members and state and local governments, Americans the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. muted — after all, trends can easily reverse have abided by recommendations and orders. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social they’ve donned masks.
There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.
Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.
Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.
Until China adopts rigorous veri able policing and regulation of their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other choice than to build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery reliability concerns.
“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know working from be glad” as and dad, the have to be pandemic.
The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not measures without immediate depreciation.
Nineteen states plus Washington, D.C., have laws requiring paid sick time
“Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was accepted for publication by A lia, a feminist journal for social workers. The paper consisted in part of a rewritten passage from Mein Kampf. Two other hoax papers were published, including “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape paper eventually forced Boghossian, Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer had gured out what they were doing.
Johnson & Johnson’s efforts are among several companies pledging to enhance their manufacturing in the U.S. Earlier this month, chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. said that it plans to invest $100 billion in the U.S. in addition to the $65 billion in investments it had previously announced.
We need transparency and honesty from our scienti c experts — we need to know what they know, what they don’t and when they hope to know what they don’t.
If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like must do this out of an abundance of caution.”
The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number August by nearly 12,000.
The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to o er U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by comparison.
By Tom Murphy The Associated Press
HANNAH JONES credits paid medical leave with helping her survive an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Some papers accepted for publication in academic journals advocated training men like dogs and punishing white male college students for historical slavery by asking them to sit in silence on the oor in chains during class and to be expected to learn from the discomfort. Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life choice and advocated treating privately conducted masturbation as a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted papers out to referees for review. In recommending acceptance for publication, many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise.
Her employer provided time off for chemotherapy treatments and to recover from surgery. Most importantly, Jones didn’t have to delay care for work, something doctors warned against. “I am cancer-free because I followed the treatment plan,” the 35-year-old said. “I am an example of how paid (medical leave) makes a huge difference in the life and survival of a cancer patient.”
Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.”
All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.
In February, Apple announced it plans to invest more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, including hiring 20,000 people and building a new server factory in Texas.
Apple outlined several concrete moves in its announcement, the most significant of which is the construction of a new factory in Houston — slated to open in 2026 — that will produce servers to power Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI features.
More states are passing or considering laws that require employers to offer leave like this. Advocates say these laws can reduce financial stress and make workers more productive. But some mea-
I doubt whether the coronaviruscaused nancial crunch will give college and university administrators, who are a crossbreed between a parrot and jelly sh, the guts and backbone to restore academic respectability. Far too often, they get much of their political support from campus grievance people who are members of the faculty and diversity and multicultural administrative o ces.
The best hope lies with boards of trustees, though many serve as yes-men for the university president. I think that a good start would be to nd 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course o erings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies. I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.
The company has continued to dispute claims that the weedkiller causes cancer
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — A jury in Georgia has ordered Monsanto parent Bayer to pay nearly $2.1 billion in damages to a man who says the company’s Roundup weed killer caused his cancer, according to attorneys representing the plaintiff. The verdict marks the latest in a long-running series of court battles Monsanto has faced over its Roundup herbicide. The agrochemical giant says it will appeal the verdict, reached in a Georgia courtroom late last Friday, in an effort to overturn the decision. The penalties awarded include $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages, law firms Arnold & Itkin LLP and Kline & Specter PC said in a statement. That marks one of the
Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.
It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of are reliable.
To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.
State
Here’s the problem: We still don’t know questions that will allow the economy to
Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.
An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the past.
Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.
First, what is the true coronavirus fatality important because it determines whether be open or closed, whether we ought to more liberalized society that presumes ought to lock down further.
For me, making. As Corinthians a iction, a iction, God.” If you are re ect on God’s example this di cult con dent In this same neighbors In Concord, money to buy health care
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.
l for Wednesday, April 15,
My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to
We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number the number of identi ed COVID-19 cases and the denominator are likely wrong. We people have actually died of coronavirus. number has been overestimated, given of death, particularly among elderly patients, sources suggest the number is dramatically many people are dying at home.
China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.
China has to pay for economic and nancial to bring China into the and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led in 1989. Perhaps COVID-19 is Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold this disaster. It is about time they the world like any other
Even more importantly, we have no clue actually have coronavirus. Some scientists of identi ed cases could be an order of magnitude number of people who have had coronavirus
But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone
It’s okay to ask questions about when we begin to get back to normal
focus on their jobs, said Jessica Mason, a senior policy analyst with the National Partnership.
WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”
sures also stress employers, and the patchwork nature of different state laws can create frustration.
Paid leave for longer-term illnesses can help people focus on care and recovery.
Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.
Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.
Paid family and medical leave allow workers time off to undergo treatment or care for a family member or new child.
Separately, more states and cities are requiring paid sick time, which helps people deal with shorter-term illnesses like the flu. Nineteen states plus Washington, D.C., have laws requiring paid sick time, as do 17 cities and four counties, according to National Partnership for Women and Families. Laws requiring longer-term paid family and medical leave are less common. Thirteen states and D.C. require some version of it.
“THIS IS THE DAY the lord has made, in it” (Psalm 118:24).
“The pandemic really brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind how important paid sick leave is.”
Jessica Mason, National Partnership
I know that during this challenging time working from home or losing a job, it may be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. However, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded have to be thankful and hopeful for, even pandemic.
If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”
Jones said she was able to take every Friday off for weeks during treatment to get chemotherapy. That gave her the weekend to be a “couch zombie” and recover before returning to work.
It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.
Paid leave also helped Jones and her husband stay afloat financially. They faced around $14,000 in medical bills even with insurance.
fallen into place. I understand to take precautions, but questions about the data, normal are treated in some They’re treated as though question what the government process of returning back No. The government questions. And the longer country, and the stricter the more people, sitting when they can get back answers.
For me, my faith is an important part making. As I celebrated Easter with my Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our a iction, so that we may be able to comfort a iction, with the comfort which we ourselves God.”
To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.
“We might have had to cash out our 401(k)s,” she said. “We might have had to sell our house if I hadn’t had that paycheck continue.”
quiring paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees only unpaid time off. It also doesn’t apply to a large chunk of the workforce, including employees of small businesses that are exempt.
Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.
If you are celebrating the Easter season, re ect on this message and be comforted, God’s example and comfort all those in this di cult time. Through faith and by con dent we will emerge out of this pandemic
There are drawbacks.
Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.
Leaders at the local and can be with those answers with details that give their We should all continue ourselves, and our communities to ask questions about measures are understandable,
Some states or municipalities also have laws requiring specific types of paid time off. New York recently enacted a paid leave law for prenatal medical checkups. Some laws also give people time off to care for themselves or a family member dealing with domestic violence or sexual assault.
This makes the U.S. a “major outlier” globally, according to Aleta Sprague of UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center. She said that 95% of countries provide some kind of paid leave for personal health.
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.
Advocates say providing paid sick time can reduce the spread of disease.
Skye Nevada has canceled plans to hire about 30 or 40 temporary employees for her Anchorage, Alaska, catering company and seasonal restaurant, The Bridge Co. She says she can’t afford her state’s new paid sick leave law.
My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.
There is no federal law re-
It also can improve production by cutting down on “presenteeism,” or people showing up for work sick and unable to
In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors. In Concord, a high school senior named money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic health care workers out of his own home.
This is all new to Americans, shape, or form. So while the same time we shouldn’t normal.”
Not one little bit.
Nevada said that when someone calls in sick, she would have to pay that person and their replacement.
Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor
But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has
“To expect small businesses to just absorb this cost is crazy,” Nevada said, adding that the business will only host private events instead of opening to
largest legal settlements in a Roundup-related case.
Plaintiff John Barnes filed his lawsuit against Monsanto in 2021, seeking damages related to his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Arnold & Itkin attorney Kyle Findley, the lead trial lawyer on the case, said the ver-
dict will help put his client in a better position to get the treatment he needs going forward.
“It’s been a long road for him ... and he was happy that the truth related to the product (has) been exposed,” Findley said on Sunday. He called the verdict an “important mile-
stone” after “another example of Monsanto’s refusal to accept responsibility for poisoning people with this toxic product.” Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has continued to dispute claims that Roundup causes cancer. But the company has been hit with more than 177,000 lawsuits involving the weedkiller and has set aside $16 billion to settle cases.
In a statement, Monsanto said Friday’s verdict “conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide.” The company added that it continues “to stand fully behind the safety” of Roundup products.
For a variety of crops — including corn, soybeans and cotton — Roundup is designed to work with genetically modified seeds that resist the weedkiller’s deadly effect. It allows farmers to produce more while conserving the soil by tilling it less. Some studies associate Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, with cancer, although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to
The Clean Rides Network supports eco-friendly transportation projects
By Jeff McMurray
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Hundreds of bicycle advocates were at an annual summit this month in Washington, D.C., when their cellphones lit up over breakfast with an urgent email warning that President Donald Trump’s Transportation Department had just halted federal grant funding for bike lanes.
As the administration targets green energy projects championed by former President Joe Biden that boosted transit, recreational trails and bicycle infrastructure, several states are banding together to advance those priorities on their own.
California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania joined forces for a national organizing effort dubbed the Clean Rides Network. The group gained momentum in various statehouses this year on environmentally friendly transportation projects it contends the federal government has abandoned.
“These are changes we need to make anyway, but they’re more urgent than ever,” said Justin Balik, senior state program director for the environmental advocacy group Evergreen Action and one of the organizers of the Clean Rides Network. “I’ve been calling the state departments of transportation the next frontier of climate advocacy.”
Several states have joined
to
made by the Trump administration’s Transportation Department to a federal grant that funds bike lanes.
Although Colorado wasn’t among the seven charter members of the Clean Rides Network, a policy enacted there set the framework for one of its most ambitious goals. In 2021, Gov. Jared Polis committed to a dramatic reduction in Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions and employed a novel approach to accelerate the timeline. Whenever the state’s transportation department commits money to a large-scale project that increases vehicle traffic such as a new highway, it must also pursue a corresponding project to offset the environmental harms.
Two major highway expan-
sion projects were canceled because of the policy, said Matt Frommer of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. The group advocated for the change.
Colorado used the savings to expand an intercity bus service that has soared in popularity for urban residents and tourists traveling to ski resorts.
Polis’ vision aligned with the multimodal transportation aims under the $1.1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law Biden signed that year. In the final months of Biden’s administration, the city of Denver won a $150 million federal grant to build a rapid transit bus line along one of its busiest corridors.
“If your state cares about climate change, you need to take the reins and step up and direct your transportation funds to projects that are going to reduce emissions.”
Matt Frommer, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Frommer, a transportation and land use policy manager, said there are fears that states will now have to pursue projects like that on their own.
“If your state cares about climate change, you need to take the reins and step up and direct your transportation funds to projects that are going to reduce emissions,” Frommer said. “We may not be able to rely on the federal government to put that policy in place or to really help you in many ways.”
Minnesota followed Colorado’s lead and adopted a similar rule to offset greenhouse emissions. Other states that are part of the network are pushing proposals this session.
The Maryland House recently passed its version of the Colorado law, and Senate sponsor Shelly Hettleman said she’s cautiously optimistic it will win final passage before lawmakers adjourn.
In trying to persuade her colleagues, Hettleman has focused less on the environmen-
tal benefits than what she sees as economic ones. A study commissioned by the Colorado transportation department projected up to $40 billion in savings through improved air quality, road safety and reduced traffic congestion, among other things.
Lawmakers in the Clean Rides states of Illinois and Massachusetts have advanced similar proposals, but they’ve encountered resistance from some business leaders and advocates for road construction.
“This is another ill-advised piece of legislation, not based upon science, that will defer needed improvements to our crumbling transportation infrastructure in Illinois,” said Mike Sturino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association. “Commuters will have to wait for improvements to our existing interstate system, as this bill would delay addressing unsafe conditions on our roads and bridges.”
Although most state leaders who have pushed alternative transportation options have been Democrats, the Clean Rides Network said more conservative states have shown interest in some of the topics.
Just as Colorado’s anticipated cost savings helped spur legislation in Maryland, economic concerns continue to be foremost in the minds of residents, with some studies showing that transportation ranks second to housing in consumer costs. Virginia employs a scale that scores potential transportation projects based on safety, congestion relief and environmental impacts.
Utah launched an ambitious transit plan for the rapidly growing state, while Montana implemented land use and zoning reforms that made cities more walkable.
The U.S. median home sales price is up 47% over the last five years
By Alex Veiga
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in February as easing mortgage rates and more properties on the market encouraged home shoppers.
Existing home sales rose 4.2% last month from January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.26 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.
Sales fell 1.2% compared with February last year, ending a string of five straight annual increases. The latest home sales topped the 3.92 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet. On an unadjusted basis, sales fell 5.2% from February last year, when the month included an extra day because 2024 was a leap year.
Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 20th consecutive month. The national median sales price rose 3.8% in February from a year earlier to $398,400, an all-time high for the month of February. All told, the U.S. median home sales price is up 47% over the last five years.
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humans when used as directed. Still, numerous lawsuits over the weedkiller allege glyphosate does cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, arguing that Monsanto has failed to warn the public about serious risks for years.
Findley said that evidence relating to Barnes’ case shows
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the public this summer during tourist season.
Small businesses often don’t have a separate human resources department to track compliance with mandated leave policies, noted Beth Milito of the
A for sale sign stands outside a single-family home in Englewood, Colorado.
“Home buyers are slowly entering the market,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “Mortgage rates have not changed much, but more inventory and choices are releasing pent-up housing demand.”
The U.S. housing sales began to slump in 2022 when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied homes in the United States fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. While the average rate on a
“many years of cover-ups” and “backroom dealings.” He accused Monsanto of ignoring several scientific studies related to the toxicity of Roundup and said the company “tried to find ways to persuade and distract and deny the connection between this product and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”
Friday’s decision marks the
National Federation for Independent Business. “The paperwork is time, and time is money to a small business owner,” she said. Jones, who is helping the nonprofit Children First advocate for a Pennsylvania family leave law, had paid leave
30-year mortgage briefly fell to a 2-year low last September, it didn’t stay there long, climbing to just above 7% by mid-January. Mortgage rates mostly declined since then, sliding to an average of 6.76% by the last week of February. The rate averaged 6.67% this week, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.
That’s more than double the 2.65% record low that the average rate reached a little over four years ago.
A lag of a month or two usu-
fourth Roundup-related verdict that Findley’s team has won to date — the largest of which was awarded in Philadelphia in January 2024, with damages totaling $2.25 billion. And he said his law firm has “many more clients who are similarly situated as Mr. Barnes.”
Monsanto, meanwhile, maintains that it “remains commit-
through her New York-based employer.
But her husband’s Pennsylvania company didn’t offer it. That left the suburban Philadelphia resident cobbling together help from family members during treatment after her husband used his vacation time
ally exists between when a contract is signed and when the home sale is finalized, so the recent pullback in rates may point to improved sales this month as the spring homebuying season gets going.
Still, Yun said a survey of NAR member real estate agents showed that buyer traffic was down in February from a year earlier, while seller traffic was up.
“(The) market clearly needs lower interest rates to fundamentally lift it a little higher on a sustained basis,” Yun said.
Rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, have frozen out many would-be homebuyers and discouraged homeowners who locked in ultra-low mortgage rates a few years ago from selling.
These trends have made it especially tough on first-time buyers as they don’t have equity from an existing home to put toward a new home purchase.
Even so, they accounted for 31% of all homes sold last month, up from 28% in January and 26% in February last year. The annual share of firsttime buyers fell last year to a record-low 24%. It’s been 40% historically.
Homebuyers who paid all cash for a home accounted for
ted to trying cases” and argues
its wider record of Roundup-related litigation continues to reinforce the safety of its products.
The company said it has prevailed in 17 of the last 25 related trials, while some previous damage awards have been reduced.
Bayer has recently renewed and expanded an effort across a handful of U.S. states to pro-
and had to return to work. Sprague doesn’t see a federal law requiring paid leave happening anytime soon, but momentum is building in the states.
At least seven states are considering paid family and medical leave laws this year, accord-
32% of sales last month, up from 29% in January, NAR said. Those who can afford to buy at current home loan rates or to sidestep them entirely by paying cash also stand to benefit from a wider selection of properties on the market.
There were 1.24 million unsold homes at the end of last month, up 5.1% from January and 17% from February last year, NAR said. That translates to a 3½-month supply at the current sales pace, unchanged from January and up from a threemonth pace at the end of February last year. Traditionally, a five- to six-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.
Yun said the months’ supply shows the housing market remains tight, adding he would like to see 30% more homes for sale for the market to be more balanced between buyers and sellers.
“In the spring and summer months, we will have more inventory,” he said.
One reason the inventory of homes for sale has been rising is properties are taking longer to sell.
Homes typically remained on the market for 42 days last month before selling, up from 41 days in January and 38 days in February last year, NAR said.
tect pesticide companies from claims they failed to warn that a product causes cancer if labeling otherwise complies with EPA regulations. The company and other industry supporters argue that litigation costs are unstainable and could impact Roundup’s future availability. Opponents stress that such legislation would limit accountability.
ing to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Mason says interest in paid leave has been building since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic really brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind how important paid sick leave is,” she said.
The tech giant says it’s bad for the company’s products and European users
By Kelvin Chan The Associated Press
LONDON — The European Union last Wednesday outlined the steps Apple must take to open its iPhone and iPad operating systems to work better with competing technologies.
It’s the first time the EU has moved to compel a technology company to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act — a wide-ranging set of regulations designed to prevent Big Tech “gatekeeper” companies from cornering markets.
After the DMA took effect a year ago, the EU’s Executive Commission moved swiftly to open a raft of investigations into Big Tech companies.
Brussels also opened two “specification proceedings” in September to spell out what Apple needs to do under the DMA, which aims to make digital markets “fairer” and “more contestable” by breaking up closed tech ecosystems that lock consumers into a single company’s products or services.
In its legally binding decision, the commission detailed measures that the iPhone maker must take involving nine connectivity features for its iOS operating system.
The measures will give device and app makers better access to iPhone features that work with devices. For example, iPhone users will have “enhanced possi-
bilities” to receive notifications on non-Apple smartwatches, including receiving pictures and the ability to reply to them. Users could also benefit from more seamless pairing of wireless headphones from other brands.
Access to Apple’s wireless file transfer technology would allow third-party developers to create apps similar to the AirDrop feature.
The commission also laid out a second set of measures to make the process for software developers requesting access to iPhone features more transparent and effective. Among the changes is better access to technical documentation not yet available to third parties. With its decision, Brussels is “providing regulatory certainty both to Apple and to developers,” the European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera said in a press release.
“Effective interoperability”
“For too long, Apple has operated a walled garden around its products and prevented interoperability.”
Agustin Reyna, BEUC director general
will mean “better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices,” she said.
European consumer group BEUC hailed the decision.
“For too long, Apple has operated a walled garden around its products and prevented interoperability,” Director General Agustin Reyna said. Apple, however, voiced its unhappiness, saying it’s bad for the company’s products and European users.
“Today’s decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple’s ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don’t have to play by the same rules,” the company said in a statement.
Apple said it will continue to work with the European Commission to “help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users.”
The commission also said Wednesday that Google wasn’t doing enough to comply with DMA. Despite making changes, including removing flight listings, Google was still giving preference to its own services in search results, it said.
Google is also failing to let app developers steer users to cheaper options outside its Google Play Store app marketplace, the commission said in preliminary findings. While it’s acceptable for Google to charge a fee for downloading an app in its app store, the company is charging fees that “go beyond what is justified” for every purchase of digital goods or services, it said.
Google said the EU findings would require the company to make even more changes to how it displays some search results, “which would make it harder for people to find what they are looking for and reduce traffic to European businesses. This is, quite simply, misguided.”
The commission’s app store findings, meanwhile, “create a false choice between openness and security” and risk exposing European users to more “malware and fraud,” it added. If the commission decides Google is in “non-compliance” with the DMA, it can issue a fine of up to 10% of the company’s annual global revenue. But officials have said they want to avoid issuing blockbuster fines and instead negotiate with companies to get them to comply.
Journalists use encrypted messages when talking to sources or whistleblowers
By Rebecca Boone and Claudia Lauer
The Associated Press
AS A DEVASTATING wildfire burned through a Maui town, killing more than 100 people, emergency management employees traded dozens of text messages, creating a record that would later help investigators piece together the government’s response to the 2023 tragedy.
One text exchange hinted officials might also be using a second, untraceable messaging service.
“That’s what Signal was supposed to be for,” then-Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya texted a colleague.
Signal is one of many endto-end encrypted messaging apps w ith message auto-delete functions.
While such apps promise increased security and privacy, they often skirt open records laws meant to increase transparency around and public awareness of government decision-making. Without special archiving software, the messages frequently aren’t returned under public information requests.
It’s unclear if Maui officials actually used the app or simply considered it — a county spokesperson did not respond to questions — but the situation highlights a growing challenge: How can government entities use technological advancements for added security while staying on the right side of public information laws?
The AP found accounts for state, local and federal officials in nearly every state, including many legislators and their staff, but also staff for governors, state attorneys general, education departments and school board members.
The AP is not naming the officials because having an account is neither against the rules in most states nor proof they use the apps for govern-
ment business. While many accounts were registered to government cellphone numbers, some were registered to personal numbers.
Over the past decade, improper use of the apps has been reported in places like Missouri, Oregon, Oklahoma, Maryland and elsewhere, almost always because of leaked messages.
Public officials and private citizens are consistently warned about hacking and data leaks, but technologies designed to increase privacy often decrease government transparency.
Apps like Signal, WhatsApp, Confide, Telegram and others use encryption to scramble messages so only the intended end-user can read them, and they typically aren’t stored on government servers. Some automatically delete messages, and some prevent users from screenshotting or sharing messages.
“The fundamental problem is that people do have a right to use encrypted apps for their personal communications and have those on their personal devices. That’s not against the law,” said Matt Kelly, editor of Radical Compliance, a newsletter focusing on corporate compliance and governance issues.
“But how would an organization be able to distinguish how an employee is using it?”
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, has recommended that
“The fundamental problem is that people do have a right to use encrypted apps for their personal communications and have those on their personal devices.”
Matt Kelly, Radical Compliance
“highly valued targets” — senior officials who handle sensitive information — use encryption apps for confidential communications. Those communications are not typically releasable under public record laws.
CISA leaders also say encrypted communications could be a useful security measure for the public but did not encourage government officials to use the apps to skirt public information laws.
Journalists often use encrypted messages when talking to sources or whistleblowers.
While some cities and states are grappling with how to stay transparent, public record laws aren’t evolving as quickly as technology, said Smarsh general manager Lanika Mamac. The Portland, Oregon-based company helps governments and businesses archive digital communications.
Segway recalls 220K scooters
New York Segway is recalling about 220,000 of its scooters sold across the U.S. due to a fall hazard that has resulted in user injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones. According to a notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the folding mechanism in Segway’s Ninebot Max G30P and Max G30LP KickScooters can fail during use, causing the handlebars or stem of the scooters to fold. Segway has received 68 reports of folding mechanism failures with 20 injuries that include abrasions, bruises, lacerations and broken bones. Consumers in possession of these now-recalled scooters are urged to stop using them immediately and contact Segway to request a free maintenance kit.
New York
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner abruptly resigned from his top post at the U.S. passenger railroad. Last Wednesday’s announcement signaled that the leadership change came down to Amtrak maintaining support from U.S. President Donald Trump. Gardner said he was stepping down “to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration.” A successor for Gardner was not immediately named. Gardner’s departure arrives just weeks after billionaire Elon Musk floated the idea of privatizing Amtrak, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, at a Morgan Stanley tech conference in early March.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard to partner with J.Crew
Signal is one of many encrypted messaging apps.
“People are worried more about cybersecurity attacks. They’re trying to make sure it’s secure,” Mamac said. “I think that they are really trying to figure out, ‘How do I balance being secure and giving transparency?’” Mamac said Smarsh has seen an uptick in inquiries, mostly from local governments. But many others have done little to restrict the apps or clarify rules for their use.
In 2020, the New Mexico Child, Youth and Families Department’s new division director told employees to use the app Signal for internal communications and to delete messages after 24 hours. A 2021 investigation into the possible violation of New Mexico’s document retention rules was followed by a court settlement with two whistleblowers and the division director’s departure. But New Mexico still lacks regulations on using encrypted apps. The AP’s review found at least three department or agency directors had Signal accounts as of December 2024. David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, said stronger public record laws are the best remedy. Most state laws already make clear that the content of communication — not the method — is what makes something a public record, but many of those laws lack teeth, he said.
Sun Valley, Idaho U.S. Ski & Snowboard is partnering with retailer J.Crew to create a new line of lifestyle outfits that include pullovers, loungewear, sweaters and cold-weather accessories. It’s a three-year deal leading into the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. J.Crew will have a presence across a multitude of the organization’s top events, including a sneak peek of what’s in store during the World Cup finals in Sun Valley. J.Crew launched a collaboration with USA Swimming before last year’s Paris Games.
Greenpeace to pay over $660M in Dakota Access case
Mandan, N.D.
A North Dakota jury has found Greenpeace liable for defamation and other claims in connection with protests against an oil pipeline’s construction. The jury said last Wednesday that the environmental advocacy group must pay over $660 million in damages to Dallasbased Energy Transfer and its subsidiary Dakota Access. The companies had alleged defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy and other claims against Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace Fund Inc. Attorneys for Greenpeace had denied the claims.
NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 21
Beginning Cash $2,627,803,784
Receipts (income) $98,307,672
Disbursements
$109,169,838 Cash Balance
$2,616,858,127
the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT
NCAA BASKETBALL
Campbell hires Florida assistant Andrzejek as men’s basketball coach
Buies Creek Florida assistant John Andrzejek was hired as coach at Campbell. The school announced the hiring as the Gators prepared to open the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed. Campbell will hold an introductory news conference for Andrzejek after Florida completes it season. Andrzejek becomes the sixth coach in Campbell’s Division I history and inherits a team that finished 15-17 in the CAA.
NCAA WRESTLING
Robinson wins wrestling title for Wolfpack
Philadelphia NC State freshman Vincent Robinson defeated Oklahoma State’s Troy Spratley 2-1 at 125 pounds to win a national championship for the Wolfpack. Robinson is the first NC State wrestler since 2018 to win a national title and the first freshman from any school to win the crown at 125 since 2018. He is the first NC State lightweight wrestler ever to reach the top of the podium and the fourth individual national champion under coach Pat Popolizo.
NBA Celtics to be sold for record $6.1B
Boston Private equity mogul William Chisholm has agreed to buy the Boston Celtics in a deal that values the NBA champions at a minimum of $6.1 billion. It’s the largest price ever for an American professional sports team. If the deal is approved this summer, it would top the $6.05 billion paid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023.
Chisholm, a Massachusetts native, is managing partner of California-based Symphony Technology Group.
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
RALEIGH — When a team has a star player, the game plan most opponents go with is to let the other guys beat you. It’s been a long time since a team had a star like Cooper Flagg. The freshman led Duke in every major statistical category this season, from scoring to steals, assists to blocks. Clearly, he’s the man to stop on this team. As Cooper goes, so go the Blue Devils.
Flagg stopped himself a week ago, in the ACC Tournament, going down in the first half of the first game with a sprained ankle. Without the ACC Player of the Year, Duke needed someone else to step up. That weekend gave fu-
The new men’s basketball coach comes with 11 years of DI coaching experience
By Ryan Henkel North State Journal
NC STATE has its new men’s basketball coach.
The Wolfpack announced Sunday they have agreed to terms with McNeese State coach Will Wade on a six-year contract for him to become the 21st head coach in the school’s history.
“I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program,” Wade said in a press release. “NC State’s rich tradition, passionate fan base, and location in one of the best cities in the country make this a destination job and I can’t wait to get started. I would like to thank Boo Corrigan and Chancellor (Randy) Woodson
for this awesome opportunity. My family and I look forward to being a part of Wolfpack nation.” Wade, 42, looked to be the favorite for the job from the outset of the search with both
fans and boosters rallying together in support, so Corrigan landed a lot of favor with his first revenue hire at NC State.
“I am excited and proud that Will Wade will be the next head
ture Duke opponents another valuable piece of information for their scouting reports: Don’t let Kon Knueppel beat you. The freshman hit five of his first 11 3-point attempts in the ACC tourney, scoring 63 points in the three games to go with 17 rebounds, 14 assists and five steals. He earned ACC Tournament MVP, leading Duke to the crown. In the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Knueppel was more subdued. He hit 1 of 4 on 3s in the first game and had just 18 points in the two games combined. Plus, while Flagg seemed recovered from his ankle problem, he was poked in the eye early in Duke’s second NCAA game and struggled with early foul trouble.
The lesson here, going forward: Don’t let Tyrese Proctor beat you. The junior guard has been on a historic tear. He hit six 3-pointers in the ACC championship game against Louisville, scoring 19 points. Then he went 6 of 8 from 3 in the NCAA opener against Mount St. Mary’s, See DUKE, page B3
coach for Wolfpack men’s basketball,” the athletic director said in a press release. “I went into this search with an open mind and had great conversations with several outstanding candidates from across the nation. But after speaking extensively with Will and others who know him well, I knew that he was the right leader for the Wolfpack.”
The Wolfpack had the vacancy after former coach Kevin Keatts was fired after the Wolfpack finished 16th in the conference and missed the ACC Tournament despite having been the defending champions.
Keatts served as head coach for eight seasons at NC State, finishing with a 151-113 overall record and a 69-84 conference record. He made the NCAA Tournament three times, with last year’s run to the Final Four the only time he advanced the Wolfpack past the first round.
On the flipside, Wade has made the NCAA Tournament seven times with three different programs, including snapping McNeese’s 21-year drought last season
Mark Canha:
The 36-year-old traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later or cash Canha who also plays the Brewers on a minor league deal. He was 2 for 23 this spring Canha hit 25 homers for the Greensboro Grasshoppers in 2011 He’s played 10 seasons with the A’s, Mets Tigers and Giants.
Ryan Odom:
The VCU coach — whose father, Dave, coached Wake Forest for 12 years — was named coach at Virginia. Odom was born in Durham, served as an assistant at UNC Asheville and Charlotte, and coached Lenoir-Rhyne. VCU is the third team he’s taken into March Madness, also leading UMBC and Utah State there. Odom’s 2018 UMBC team No. 16 seed to upset a 1-seed beating Virginia.
Claire Curzan:
The Cary native and Cardinal Gibbons alum female swimmer to win NCAA titles with two After winning the backstroke championship with Stanford in 2023, golds last week, helping lead UVA national title. Curzan won the 100 and 200 back as well as several relay golds.
“The Knicks are now 1-0 when I throw up on the court.”
Actor Tracy Morgan, whose bout with food poisoning caused a 10-minute delay during a recent game.
“It’s meant everything to me.”
RJ Davis after playing the last game of his Tar Heels career.
NASCAR
Kyle Larson passed Alex Bowman with six laps remaining in the Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, giving the Hendrick Motorsports driver the 30thwin of his career Larson sped by as Bowman scraped the wall on Turn 4 with the lead. Larson held on for his second career Cup Series win at Homestead and second victor y of the weekend. Larson fell one race shor t of sweeping the tr iple-header weekend.
Pep Biel (left) had a goal and two assists to propel Charlotte FC to a 4-1 victor y over the San Jose Earthquakes Charlotte (3-1-1) jumped in front in the 11th minute when Biel scored unassisted for his second goal this season Ashley Westwood and Brandt Bronico added
Former Panthers coach Ron Rivera has been hired to be the general manager of the football program at his alma mater California Rivera will repor t directly to chancellor Rich Lyons in the newly-created role. Rivera will focus on revenue generation and fundraising and is being funded by private donations.
Number of men’s and women’s basketball teams in the Triangle for NCA A play last weekend. Raleigh second-round games for six men’s teams, while UNC, Duke and NC State all hosted two rounds of women’s games.
Lenoir-Rhyne beat UNC Pembroke 76-74 in overtime to win the Southeast Regional at the Division II men’s basketball championships. Regional MV P Conrad Luczynski and guard Julian Dozier made the all-regional team L-R also beat 6-seed Augusta and 2-seed USC Aiken. The 4-seed Bears now face Washburn in the Evansville.
UNC and Duke will face-off for the third time this season
By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal
FIVE TEAMS IN. Three teams standing.
Out of all of North Carolina’s bids, the Triangle is moving on after the opening weekend of the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
NC State’s Aziaha James went off for 26 points, including six made 3s, in the second round Monday, leading the second-seeded Wolfpack to their largest tournament win ever, an 83-49 thumping of No. 7 Michigan State. Saniya Rivers (17 points), Madison Hayes (17) and Zamareya Jones (12) also scored in double figures on the way to NC State’s fourth Sweet 16 appearance in the last five seasons.
Despite a 20-point effort from former ACC foe Deja Kelly, No. 2 Duke outscored No. 10 Oregon by 10 in the third quarter and rode its own 20-point night from Ashlon Jackson to down the Ducks 59-53 in the second round Sunday. The Blue Devils earned their second-straight Sweet 16 trip.
And down the road, No. 3 UNC punched a ticket to its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2022 with a 58-47 win over No. 6 West Virginia on Monday. Alyssa Ustby put up a team-high 21 points, including 10 in the third quarter, to lead the Tar Heels to victory in her final game at Carmichael Arena.
No. 16 High Point fell to No. 16 William & Mary in the First Four round 69-63 on March 20. Tied at 57 with just
over two minutes left to play, the Tribe outscored the Panthers 12-6, including an 8-1 run that put the game out of reach with less than 30 seconds remaining. In the first round, JuJu Watkins and No. 1 USC were too much for No. 16 UNC Greensboro in the Spartans’ 71-25 loss on March 22.
The Sweet 16 filling in its final participants marks the end of the Triangle moving as one, though. While NC State is set for a rematch with No. 3 LSU on Friday at Spokane Arena in Spo -
kane, Washington, UNC and Duke will face-off for the third time this season Friday at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Tar Heels and the Blue Devils split their pretournament series. UNC won in overtime in January, and Duke picked up double-digits victory in February (UNC’s Ustby and Reniya Kelly did not play).
With both teams ranking in the top 50 in scoring defense and playing to keep their seasons alive, this game could get very ugly like the first meeting. In a game that ended with a
53-46 score despite five extra minutes, both teams shot well below 35% from the floor while combining for 47 turnovers. Ustby and Jackson were the leading scorers for their respective teams with only 10 points.
But as evenly matched as both teams have looked this season, even in the second meeting when Duke outscored UNC 21-9 in the third quarter to pull away from its injury-riddled opponent, the Blue Devils have come away with a stark advantage with those turnovers. Not only has Duke turned the ball over less in the two games,
Carolina won six of its first seven games after dealing away Mikko Rantanen
By Cory Lavalette North State Journal
RALEIGH — You’ll have to forgive the Carolina Hurricanes: No one told them after they dealt away Mikko Rantanen at the NHL trade deadline that their season wasn’t over.
Since GM Eric Tulsky cut bait on the power forward acquired just six weeks earlier, Carolina is 6-1-0 and entrenched as the second-place team in the Metropolitan Division heading into Tuesday’s home game against the Predators.
How did the Hurricanes, left for dead when Rantanen failed to live up to his superstar status in Raleigh and unceremoniously buried once he was traded to Dallas, become the Eastern Conference’s hottest team?
Enter Jangretzky
The trade that brought Mark Jankowski to Raleigh was insignificant enough that it didn’t come up in Tulsky’s deadline day press conference. Sure, it was one of the last moves made March 7 and wasn’t made official until well after the clock struck 3 p.m., but had the acquisition been an earth-shaker, someone — anyone — would have mentioned it.
It’s impossible to ignore Jankowski now. The lanky journeyman center has six goals
from page B1
scoring another 19. With Flagg missing time against Baylor, Proctor hit 7 of 8 from 3 — the most treys by a Blue Devil in March since 2010 and a school NCAA Tournament record for accuracy from 3. All told, Proctor has hit 19 of his last 30 3-point attempts and scored 63 points in three games.
“It makes us a different team,” said center Khaman Maluach — someone else opponents probably shouldn’t let beat them. “Like now, it’s unguardable, when Tyrese gets go -
Hurricanes trade deadline acquisition Mark Jankowski, center, has six goals in his first seven games with Carolina.
on eight shots since joining the Hurricanes seven games ago despite playing just over 10 minutes per night.
“I don’t really know how to explain it,” he said before Tuesday’s game against Nashville, his previous team. “I mean, the puck’s just kind of finding me right now, and I’m able to finish them.”
Add in his four goals in 41 games with the Predators before the trade, and the 30-yearold is in double digits for the first time since 2018-19. He has more goals than Vladimir Tarasenko, Trevor Zegras, Erik Haula and Max Domi, to name just a few.
Jankowski won’t continue to score on 75% of his shots (right?), but it’s not like the former Providence Friar doesn’t know how to finish — in all nine
ing, along with Kon and everybody else.” The win over Baylor shows just how tough Duke is to contain. The Blue Devils used a 12-0 run in the first half to take control of the game. Two points and 57 seconds into the run, Flagg picked up his second foul of the first half and went to the bench. Proctor hit a 3 and another basket. Knueppel had an assist. Maluach had a rebound and two points. Then there are all the other guys — the ones you have to let beat you. Patrick Ngongba had a block, assist and two rebounds.
of his NHL seasons, he’s finished with a better than 11% shooting percentage and is at 14.4% for his career.
Only 20 NHL players since 2017-18 have more seasons shooting above 14% than Jankowski’s five, and he’s one of five players to have five such seasons without ever hitting the 20-goal mark.
Jankowski undoubtedly knows how to finish his chances, even if his current bender is skewing his abilities. The split with Martin Necas seemed inevitable, and Carolina was able to sell high to acquire Rantanen. The Hurricanes, however, had to include Jack Drury — a player who earned coach Rod Brind’Amour’s trust — in the trade, but so far, Jankowski has had no trouble filling his shoes.
Sion James had an offensive rebound and a steal, They combined to score three points.
By the time the dust had cleared, Duke, which trailed at the start of the run, was up by 10 points, and Flagg was back in the game because Knueppel was now in foul trouble.
But the Blue Devils weren’t done.
“We came into a timeout and Mason (Gillis) brought us all together,” said James. “He said, ‘We can go one of two ways. They can go on a run and make it a two-point game, or we can blow it open and make it a
but it has also dominated UNC in points off turnovers, outscoring the Tar Heels 25-9 in the first meeting and 25-11 in the second game.
Duke has also won the battle for fast break points both times, notching 16 transition points in its win. The Blue Devils’ ability to force UNC into costly errors as well as the Tar Heels’ ability to handle pressure, and vice versa, will be something to watch in Friday’s showdown.
As for NC State, the Wolfpack will get a chance to avenge its 82-65 loss to LSU in November.
NC State had no answer for first-team All-SEC forward Aneesah Morrow, who put up a 20-point, 15-rebound double-double in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship final. Mikaylah Williams (24 points), Flau’Jae Johnson (16) and Kailyn Gilbert (12) also scored in double digits as LSU shot 52.7% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range. The Tigers dominated the inside game as well, outscoring NC State 28-18 in the paint.
On the flip side, the Wolfpack couldn’t hit shots, firing at a 35.9% clip, including a 9-for-26 showing from beyond the arc. Should its hot hand from the win over Michigan State carry over into the next round, NC State should be in better position to take down the Tigers on Friday.
The Wolfpack will also need forwards Tilda Trygger and Lorena Awou to step up defensively and contest shots at the rim as Morrow and LSU will look there for scoring opportunities, whether it’s a layup or at the free-throw line (LSU takes the sixth-most free throws per game in the country).
“That helps settle you in, right?” Brind’Amour said of Jankowski’s flurry of goals. “When you can start contributing in that fashion, certainly.”
Hallsy learned how to putt
In “Happy Gilmore,” the puck-loving character played by Adam Sandler solves his green woes by switching to a putter that resembles a hockey stick, declaring, “Happy learned how to putt.”
Taylor Hall might be figuring out how to fix the Hurricanes’ woebegone power play.
Hall has scored twice on the power play in the last four games, and Sunday was the first time in months that Carolina moved the puck as it did early in the season when it was so good with the man advantage.
The Hurricanes have reestablished their 5-on-5 game, continue to have the league’s best penalty kill, and their only goaltender question at the moment is which of their red-hot netminders should be the starter come playoff time.
It will be interesting to see where Andrei Svechnikov fits into the lineup once he returns from injury. He and Hall had built chemistry on a line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi before he was knocked out of the lineup, and Jack Roslovic has proven to be a good fit in his absence.
The top line of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis and Jackson Blake is locked in for the time being, and Logan Stankoven has found his sea legs alongside Jordan
20-point game.’ So we just doubled down on getting stops.” In the final 100 seconds of the first half, Duke got points from James, Ngongba and Caleb Foster, as well as a Flagg dunk. The 10-point lead grew to 17 at the break, and Duke won by 23.
“I would say it’s the competitive edge of our group,” Flagg said. “We have 14 guys that sub in and will give 100%, do everything they can to help us win. So you’ve got new guys coming in fresh. … It’s just that competitive edge, competitive nature of our team.”
Staal and Jordan Martinook. And then there’s William Carrier, who is working his way back from surgery and would give Carolina even more depth for the postseason.
Those are nice problems to have.
Wealth of defensemen
Rookie Scott Morrow proved he could hold his own while filling in for Dmitry Orlov, and the Hurricanes have another top defender on the horizon.
Top prospect Alexander Nikishin started the playoffs with CSKA in the KHL, and a report from RG’s Marco D’Amico suggested the star defenseman will be released from his contract early once the team’s postseason run is over — and, therefore, be free to sign with the Hurricanes. The war in Ukraine has certainly complicated things between the NHL and KHL. In 2022, the NHL cut ties with the Russian league, meaning that teams cannot communicate with KHL teams or agents in the country.
So the Hurricanes — who declined to comment on D’Amico’s report — are in a holding pattern, hoping that Nikishin’s postseason is short and his representation can negotiate an early release from his contract, which expires June 1. If Nikishin does come stateside, the Hurricanes will have a glut on the back end similar to what is percolating at forward. Nikishin wouldn’t have the benefit of having spent all season learning the team’s systems as Morrow has, but his combination of skill, size and ferocity would be a welcome addition come the postseason.
Proctor hit all four of his 3-pointers and all five of his shot attempts after halftime.
“Tyrese is such a weapon for us,” said Flagg. “We have a ton of guys like that, who can be a weapon on offense for us. … We have so many weapons on this team. So if somebody gets hot like that or somebody has it going, we’re going to run our plays (for him). Tonight, Tyrese had it going. We’re going to try to find him, get him open.”
And more often than not, teams are going to have to let someone on the Blue Devils beat them.
There were no home runs but plenty of singles as Carolina seeks to improve its football team
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
THE CAROLINA Panthers didn’t have the cap space to hit any big, explosive plays early in NFL free agency. So they’ll have to hope that the “three yards and a cloud of dust” approach will pay off this season.
By most estimates, the Panthers had less than $30 million to spend this offseason, which ranked them in the bottom third of NFL teams. That hamstrung the team’s efforts to land some of its top targets, as evidenced by Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, who said he was close to signing with the Panthers before the Patriots jumped in with a better offer at the last minute.
“My agent was on the phone, and I was kind of in the room,” he told NFL Media. “There was a lot going on, and it happened really fast. They talked about Carolina then, and I was like, ‘All right, it sounds like the best offer we are going to get,’ so we were going to go there. Then, a split second later, New England hopped on and was like, ‘Nah, this is what we got for you.’ Carolina felt like they went too high on their number, so they stayed
at where they were at. New England came in, and it was done after that. They wanted me the most and made me a priority. So I made them a priority.”
Still, Carolina quietly filled a number of holes and left itself in a better spot as it approaches the NFL Draft next month.
One of the biggest accomplishments the Panthers had was in retaining their own players. Carolina resigned offensive linemen Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen, allowing them to keep that improved unit intact next season. Tight end Tommy Tremble, cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Michael Jackson, safety Nick Scott and receiver David Moore were among the other contributors that the team was able to keep in the fold, avoiding creating any new roster holes to fill.
After missing on Williams for their defensive front, the Panthers found a pair of veterans to serve as plan B in the middle. Carolina signed tackle Tershawn Wharton from the Chiefs, adding a five-year veteran to a three-year, $54 million deal. The signing earned some criticism around the league, charging that the Panthers overpaid for someone who has been a depth player for most of his career. He had a career year with 6.5 sacks last season, however, and will likely be more effective playing along-
“They wanted me the most and made me a priority. So I made them a priority.”
Free agent DT Milton Williams on choosing the Patriots over the Panthers in free agency
side star tackle Derrick Brown.
The Panthers also added former Rams tackle Bobby Brown III. He’s a 24-year-old run stopper who will also benefit from playing alongside Brown. The two moves should give defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero a strong presence up front in his 3-4 scheme.
Carolina also added an edge rusher in former Viking Patrick Jones II. Coming off the bench in Minnesota, Jones had seven sacks and nine tackles for loss last season, which would have led the Panthers. He’s also reunited with a former Vikings teammate in fellow edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
The Carolina run defense, which ranked at the bottom of the league last year, got another boost from the Rams. Joining Brown III in making the trip east is inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom, who had a career-high 135 tackles last season. He’ll have to help make up
for one of the free agents the Panthers weren’t able to retain — longtime linebacker Shaq Thompson.
The Panthers also lost safety Xavier Woods in free agency.
Carolina brought in 25-year-old former Raider Tre’von Moehrig, who, like Brown and Rozeboom, should improve the run defense.
The Panthers may not be done shoring up this position.
The team is still bringing in free agents for visits, including Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams this week.
While the defense took up most of Carolina’s attention early in the offseason, the Panthers did make free agent additions on offense and special teams.
Former Buffalo Bills punter
Sam Martin was brought in on a one-year contract to replace Johnny Hekker. Both are proven
The Panthers’ first NCAA trip ended with a loss to Purdue
By A. Carter Bills For North State Journal
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — No.
13 seed High fell to fourth-seeded Purdue 75-63 in the first round of the men’s basketball NCAA Tournament on Thursday, but not without a fight.
An offensive rebound and put-back dunk by sophomore center Juslin Bodo Bodo cut Purdue’s lead to three, 59-56, at the under eight-minute mark in the second half. Bodo Bodo’s dunk was part of a surge from the Panthers that cut a 10-point Boilermakers lead to three. High Point’s raucous crowd of students, staff and alumni alike made the contest at Amica Mutual Pavillion in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, feel like a home game 726 miles away from its campus.
“We probably have the best mid-major fan base in the country,” second-team all-conference guard D’Maurian Williams, who led the Panthers with 12 points, said. “We expected them to be here, and they were expecting a win. We knew they were going to show up.”
“High Point is a family,” added guard Trae Benham after the game. “You can just sense it the moment you step on campus. …The place is incredible. … We love going to school there. The family (atmosphere) there is just incredible. We’ve got so many people that are passionate about High Point basketball. It’s just a joy to be a part of something like that.”
Benham scored 11 points, going 3 for 6 from 3, including a massive 3-point bucket during
WADE from page B1 and winning the school’s first NCAA Tournament game this season against his alma mater, Clemson.
Wade has an all-time coaching record of 244-105 at Chattanooga (2013-15), VCU (2015-17), LSU (2017-22) and McNeese (2023-25).
In Wade, the Wolfpack gets not only a proven coach, but also an honest, straight-shooting leader.
“He is a tough coach with proven results on the court and
High Point’s run in the second half that was followed by a replication of the “mean mug” seen across the nation as Purdue called timeout to regroup (Search “Trae Benham mean mug from the Big South Championship” and enjoy).
The purple-painted Panthers crowd roared, exploding again following the Bodo Bodo dunk. On the next possession, the Panthers secured a defensive stop, and first-team all-conference guard Kezza Giffa drew a foul, taking him to the line with a chance to narrow Purdue’s lead to one.
Giffa missed the front end of the one-and-one. Purdue responded by scoring on its next three possessions while the Panthers came up empty on the offensive end each time during
he has grown and improved at every coaching stop,” Corrigan said. “He is known for having great relationships with his players and he will hold them, his staff and himself accountable. Will told me that he believes that he can win at NC State and ‘win big.’ It didn’t take me too many conversations with him to believe it too.”
Even before the hiring was announced, Wade was unabashed to speak on the process, admitting he had been speaking with NC State about the position before McNeese
the stretch. The Boilermakers would finish on a 16-7 run to earn the win.
“We didn’t come here to lose,” said High Point coach Alan Huss, whose Panthers saw seven lead changes and four ties against Purdue. “We came here to compete, and for stretches of the game we did just that.”
Purdue’s first-team All-America guard Braden Smith scored 20 points and controlled the game, playing all 40 minutes.
The size and length at every other position for Boilermakers ultimately proved too much for High Point. Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn went 10 for 16 from the floor, all in the paint, finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds.
The battle on the boards was dominated by the Boil-
“I am beyond excited and honored to be chosen to lead the Wolfpack basketball program.”
Wade
Will
even played its first game in the NCAA Tournament.
“You just tell it like it is,” Wade said when asked about his honest approach. “You might not always like what I have to say,
ermakers, who held a 45-24 edge, including 19 offensive rebounds. The Panthers played tough defense to stay in the game but had trouble securing defensive rebounds to close out possessions.
“I thought our first shot defense tonight was terrific,” said Huss. “We just weren’t able to capitalize with the rebound.”
“They were crashing very hard … killing us on the glass” said High Point first-team all-conference forward Kimani Hamilton. “I really believe that’s the reason they won.
“We’re still blessed though. I still won’t go to war with anyone else other than my brothers.”
The Panthers’ tight-knit camaraderie was the secret sauce of the school’s successful season. Playing by committee —
but I’m going to tell you what I think. I’ve always kind of been like that. There’s no need to hide it. The guys are reading it on social media. It’s no secret. It’s no good if you don’t address it and if you sit there and BS them, they can read right through it. So you might as well tell it like it is.” Wade does come to the table with a bit of baggage. He was terminated from the job at LSU in 2022 due to recruiting and bribery violations uncovered in a 2019 FBI probe into college basketball.
veterans, so much like re-signing their own free agents, this basically avoided creating a new hole due to attrition.
The Panthers also brought in running back Rico Dowdle to pair with incumbent Chuba Hubbard. The former Cowboy rushed for 1,000 yards last season. He’ll replace Miles Sanders, who was released after struggling with injuries since being signed by the Panthers.
None of the moves made splashy headlines, but the Panthers got younger — something that doesn’t always happen through free agency. The team also addressed its biggest weakness on defense, getting better against the run at all three levels.
Carolina will continue to add as the market thins out before turning its full attention to the draft.
including using 12 players at times — the team totaled 29 wins, won the Big South’s regular season and its conference tournament, receiving the university’s first men’s basketball NCAA Tournament bid.
“Coach Huss, when we met in the summer, he told me we had an opportunity to make history,” said Benham. “We had a lot of guys that came out of the transfer portal, we’re super deep. … Coach Huss helped me realize that there’s something so much deeper than your own selfish desires, and that’s to be a part of something bigger than yourself. … That’s called sacrifice and sacrificial love runs deep … and that’s why this brotherhood is unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of.”
High Point University president Nido Qubein, who was in the front row of the largest HPU section, praised the Panthers.
“Of course we wanted to win, but I am so proud of this group. Our coaches and student athletes are just tremendous and had an incredible season. I’m most proud of how they competed and of their character. This whole experience has been great for High Point University.”
High Point may have lost the battle on the court, but it’s winning the war in the marketplace. The positive light the Panthers’ first NCAA Tournament experience shed on the fans, the campus, the family culture, the reaction on Section Sunday, the facilities, along with the quality of the basketball program and its people are all massive wins. And Huss wants more.
“I’ll be on the record to every high major coach out there — we’d love to play you next season. … We’re open to any and all,” Huss said in his final postgame press conference remarks.
The college basketball world took notice of High Point University — which is the greatest win of all for the Panthers.
Wade served a 10-game suspension in 2023-24 and was also given a two-year show- c ase penalty which will expire on June 22.
However, it’s now sort of ironic how far removed college athletics is from those times as most top programs wouldn’t even be able compete today without a steady investment into NIL and revenue sharing.
Even more ironically, Wade will need a big boost in that outside investment to get the Wolfpack back up off of the floor and once again into relevancy.
NOTICE
In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File #24E001016250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE
The Undersigned having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Wilmer Berrio, deceased late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of March, 2025. Juan Camilo Berrio 3726 West Malory Court Cocoa FL. 32926
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF JOHN RUSSELL BILLINGS
CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000341-250
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against John Russell Billings, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Rachel K. Billings, Co-Executor, at 3790 Summer Rose Dr., Atlanta, GA 30341 and Matthew Billings, Co-Executor, at 725 S. Candler St., Decatur, GA 30030, on or before the 28th day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Co-Executors named above.
This the 21st day of March, 2025. Rachel Billings and Matthew Billings Co-Executors of the Estate of John Russell Billings Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311
Run dates: March 27, April 3, April 10 and April 17, 2025 NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
County of Cumberland In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File #25E000427-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice
The undersigned, having qualified as executor of the estate of Thaddeus Roscoe Bullard, 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 27th day of
NOTICE State of North Carolina In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 2023 E001219 Administrator’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Cornelia Forte, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 27th of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 26th day of March 2025. Kevona Bethune 6446 Alliance Street Hope Mills, NC 28348 Of the Estate of Cornelia Forte
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Cumberland County THE ESTATE OF Yamil Velazquez Fraticelli, Deceased Case No. 2024 E 001199
NOTICE is hereby given that Christopher Velazquez of the Estate of Yamil Velazquez Fraticelli, has been appointed to administer the estate.
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate are hereby notified to present their claims, duly verified, to the undersigned at the address provided below 2249 n winchell st Portland,OR on or before June 14,2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.
All persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned . Christopher Velazquez administrator to the estate of Yamil Velazquez Fraticelli 2249 n winchell st Portland,OR 97217
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E682 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice
The undersigned, having qualified as executor of the Estate of Willie Simon Geddie, 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 27th day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This 27th day of March, 2025 Holly Geddie Minnifield – Executor 3816 Burlington Drive Fayetteville, NC 28312 Of the Estate of Willie Simon Geddie
Executor’s Notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000134-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS
County of Cumberland
The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Raphael Cledwyn Calhoun, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firm and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to undersigned on or before the 27th Day of June 2025 ( which is the 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 undessigned..
This is the 27th of March, 2025 Raymond C Calhoun Administrator / Executor 4059 Broadview Lane Gastonia NC 28056 Of the Estate of Raphael Cledwyn Calhoun deceased NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF DANNY ROY CALKINS CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000187-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Danny Roy Calkins, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Danyelle Renee Fisher, Executor, at 1483 Wellman Rd., Ashville, NY 14710, on or before the 28th day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 20th day of March, 2025. Danyelle Renee Fisher Executor of the Estate of Danny Roy Calkins Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311
The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Harlon Gregory, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 3601 Chesaning Place, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311, on or before June 6, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of March, 2025. William Lester Clagett Executor of the Estate of Harlon Gregory, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 03/06/2025, 03/13/2025, 03/20/2025 and 03/27/2025 NOTICE
State Of North Carolina Cumberland County Administrator Notice The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Carolyn J. Henderson deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on of before the 6th day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of March, 2025. Administrator of the Estate of Carolyn J. Henderson Contact address: 3602 Village Dr, Fayetteville Nc 28304
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 25-E-000353-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Charlotte Ann Ivey, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of June, 2025. (Which date is three months after the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.
ESTATE OF HARVEY CLARKE MCKINLEY
JENKINS, SR. CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24E001350-250
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Harvey Clarke McKinley Jenkins, Sr., deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Harvil Cwame Jenkins, Executor, at 12129 Ten penny Lane, Lusby, MD 20657, on or before the 21st day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 13th day of March, 2025. Harvil Cwame Jenkins Executor of the Estate of Harvey Clarke McKinley Jenkins, Sr. Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm
Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, 2025
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The
General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000248-250
County of Cumberland Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice
The undersigned, having qualified as the Administrator of the estate of Charles Ernest Lilly deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of June, 2025 ( which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13th day of March, 2025. Charles Ernest Lilly II Administrator/Executor 215 N. Dakota St. Address Charlotte, NC. 28216 City, State, Zip
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF VIRGINIA LLOYD
CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000169-250
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Virginia Lloyd, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Danielle Lafferty, 1906 Gables Lane, Vienna VA 22182; Jacqueline Tanenbaum, 17912 Bunker Hill Rd., Parkton, MD 21120; and Kristen Lloyd, 7709 Prospector Pl., Raleigh, NC 27615, Co-Executors, on or before the 21st day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Co-Executors named above.
This the 17th day of March, 2025. Danielle Lafferty, Jacqueline Tanenbaum, Kristen Lloyd Co- Executors of the Estate of Virginia Lloyd Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm
Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, 2025
Executor’s Notice
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION
ESTATE FILE 25E000359-250
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: IRENE MAULTSBY
Executor’s NOTICE
The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Irene Maultsby, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 20 day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 20 day of March, 2025. Carma Durden 1229 Thistle Gold Dr. Hope Mills, NC 28348 Executor of the estate of Irene Maultsby, deceased March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, 2025
NOTICE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000122-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Verdell McCall, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned 721 Eccles Drive, Fayetteville North Carolina 28301, on or before June 20, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 17th day of March 2025. Kevin McCall Executive of Estate of Verdell McCall, Deceased c/o Kevin McCall 721 Eccles Drive, Fayetteville NC 28301..
NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 24E002863-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Kathleen Sprague McLamb, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of June, 2025,(which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 3rd day of March, 2025. Mark W. McLamb, Executor of the Estate of Kathleen Sprague McLamb 2709 Lake Club Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28304
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E1195
The Undersigned, having qualified as Robin Glenn of the Estate of William Edward Peabody, deceased, late of Cumberland County, herby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 6th day of March, 2025 Robin Rae Glenn
Administrator/Executor 190 Piney Lane Southern Pines, NC. 28387 Of the Estate of William Edward Peabody, Deceased
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E242
Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice
The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Denise Lynn Randall, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of June ,2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13th day of March 2025. Chantel Pittman_______
Administrator/Executor 6913 Tayberry Court Address Fayetteville NC 28306 City State Zip Of the Estate of Denise Lynn Randall, Deceased
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Administrator’s Executor Notice In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000234-250
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland
The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Carmen Haydee Rosado, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to undersigned on or before 6th Day of June, 2025, (which is the three months after day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 6th Day of March, 2025. Evelyn L Smith Administrator/Executor 805 Houndschase Chase Ct Fayetteville, NC 28311 Of the Estate of Carmen Haydee Rosado, deceased. 3/6,13,20,27/2025
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland County Superior Court Division Estate File #2E000392-250 Administrator’s/Executors Notice The Undersigned, having qualified as Administrator/Executor of the State of Curt Dean Shane, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said to estate to present their claim to undersigned on or before the 27th day of June,2025, (which date is three months after the day of first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 20th day of March, 2025 Jenifer Ann Jackson 7020 Buckhorn Duncan road Holly Springs, North Carolina, 27540 Of the estate of Curt Dean Shane, Deceased.
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER: 25E000046-250 In the Matter of the Estate of: NANCY MCQUAGE SMITH Deceased
NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000282-250 The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Hubert Franklin Stephens, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of June, 2025. (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in
NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Garland Daniel Edge, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before June 13, 2025 (which is three
03/27/2025 and 04/03/2025
Dated this 14th day of March, 2025. Melinda A. Stephens, Executor of the Estate of Charlotte Ann Ivey 3220 Cove Lake Road SE Hampton Cove, Alabama, 35763
Cu
NOTICE
The undersigned, having qualified Joel Jones (administrator) of the Estate of Beulah Jane Jones, decreased, later of Cumberland County, hereby notified all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 6 day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 6 day of March 2025. Joel Jones at 5042 beargrass dr, Dallas, NC, 28304 of the estate of Beulah Jane Jones, Deceased
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 24 E 1212 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: KISAL GILCHRIST
Executor’S NOTICE The undersigned, having qualifed as Executor of the estate of Lamarvion Tremayne Aviticus McKinnon, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 14 day of June, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13 day of March, 2025. Kisal Gilchrist 373 Croft drive Fayetteville NC 28312 Executor of the estate of Lamarvion Tremayne Aviticus McKinnon, deceased
EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Nancy McQuage Smith, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before June 6, 2025 (which is three (3) months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. THIS the 3rd day of March, 2025. Karen Smith Roberts, Executor of the Estate of Nancy McQuage Smith, Deceased c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705 Publish: 03/06/2025, 03/13/2025, 03/20/2025 and 03/27/2025
Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned,
as Executor of
of
of
county, hereby notifies all Persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of June 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 20th day of March 2025. Jonathan Ray Williams (910-987-0336) 5307 Acadia Heights Dr., Apt. 2206, Charlotte, NC 28217 Of the estate
J. Tate 201 Kuyrkendall Place Long Beach, MS 39560 March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 2025 File Number: 25E001335-640
CREDITOR’S NOTICE
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Sherry Rena Edge Lambert, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify that all persons having claims against the said estate to present such claims to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of June 2025, or this notice will be placed in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment.
This 27th day of March, 2025. Martin Scott Lambert 15504 NC Highway No. 210 Rocky Point, NC 28457
Robert C. Kenan, Jr. MOORE & KENAN Attorneys at Law P. O. Box 957 Burgaw, NC 28425 (910) 259-9800 Published: 03/27/2025; 04/03/25; 04/10/25; 04/17/25
CREDITOR’S NOTICE
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Marilyn Miller Von Oesen, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify that all persons having claims against the said estate to present such claims to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of June 2025, or this notice will be placed in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment.
This 27th day of March, 2025.
Anna Von Oesen Hughes 1028 Arboretum Drive Wilmington, NC 28405
Robert C. Kenan, Jr. MOORE & KENAN Attorneys at Law P. O. Box 957 Burgaw, NC 28425 (910) 259-9800 Published: 03/27/2025; 04/03/25; 04/10/25; 04/17/25
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having qualified as the court-appointed Administrator of the Estate of Mr. Gerald Howard Robertson, deceased, late of New Hanover County, Wilmington, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned within ninety days of this first publication.
This notice will be published for four consecutive weeks, beginning on Thursday, March 13th 2025. Claims must be presented to the undersigned on or before June 13th, 2025.
Aasim Robertson Administrator of the Estate of Mr. Gerald Howard Robertson 3839 Bronxwood Ave Bronx, NY 10469 (929) 285 – 0975
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, S&T BANK, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of RALPH L. WINGROVE, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said S&T BANK, at the address set out below, on or before June 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.
This the 3rd day of March, 2025 S&T BANK Executor of the Estate of RALPH L. WINGROVE c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Michael Travis Wheeler, aka Mike, Chopper, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Michael Travis Wheeler, aka Mike, Chopper to present them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of June, 2025 (this date being 3 months from the first publication date of this notice) or same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 27 thday of March 2025. Abbey Wheeler 122 Long Leaf Drive Wilmington, NC 28401 Executor of the Estate of Michael Travis Wheeler
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Mary Lee Reeb, late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Kenneth George Reeb, Jr., as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 on or before the 20th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above named Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 3/20/2025,3/27/2025, 4/3/2025 & 4/10/2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Probate #_25E000169-670_____________
All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Charles Gordon Zug, III, late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Daphne Cruze-Zug., 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 27th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above named Executor.
Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Bar # 14261
Notice to Run: 3/27/2025,4/3/2025, 4/10/2025 & 4/17/202
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA RANDOLPH COUNTY - 24 SP 000148-750 In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division - Special Proceeding
of
with
Thence North 21
30
feet to the beginning, containing 0.69 acres, more or less, and being the same tract or parcel of
land designated Lot No. 3 on the proposed division of the property of R.G. McCaskill. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 540 West Chicago Avenue, Pinebluff, North Carolina.
Being that parcel of land conveyed to Vickie D. Murphy, Divorced from Russell Eugene Murphy, Divorced by that deed dated 08/13/1998 and recorded 08/24/1998 in Book 1415, Page 280, Instrument 014619, of the Moore County, NC public registry. According to the public records, there has been no conveyance of the land within a period of twenty-four months prior to the date of this report, except as follows: None Parcel ID(s): 00053605 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
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 23sp000383-120 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JASON DONALD THOMPSON AKA
JASON D. THOMPSON AND RENEE M. THOMPSON DATED NOVEMBER 14, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6368 AT PAGE 111 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED APRIL 29, 2014 IN BOOK 10941, PAGE 206 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
25SP000015-120
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY
Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale
contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James W. Dick to Frank Testa, Trustee(s), which was dated December 30, 2015 and recorded on January 5, 2016 in Book 11740 at Page 0051, Cabarrus 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 April 2, 2025 at 01:00 PM, and will sell
IN
CITY OF CONCORD, NO. 2 TOWNSHIP, CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, AND BEING LOT NO. 47 OF KINGS CROSSING, PHASE I, SHEET 1 OF 3, A MAP OF SAID PROPERTY BEING ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, IN MAP BOOK 26, PAGE 32, SPECIFIC REFERENCE THERETO BEING HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION THEREOF METES AND BOUNDS.
Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 5913 Moray Ct Nw, Concord, NC 28027.
A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.
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 12:00PM on April 2, 2025, 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 Jason Donald Thompson aka Jason D. Thompson and Renee M. Thompson, dated November 14, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $130,000.00, and recorded in Book 6368 at Page 111 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: 694 Forest St NW, Concord, NC 28025 Tax Parcel ID:
to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 198 OF OAK PARK, AS SAME IS SHOWN ON A MAP THEREOF RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 27, PAGE 56, IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY.
Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 4188 Deerfield Drive NW, Concord, NC 28027.
A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 23sp000599-120 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WESLEY S. HARTSELL, JR. AND SUSAN M. HARTSELL DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2008 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8079 AT PAGE 177 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 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 April 10, 2025, 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 Wesley S. Hartsell, Jr. and Susan M. Hartsell, dated February 26, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $118,750.00, and recorded in Book 8079 at Page 177 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: 3145 Eva Dr, Concord, NC 28027 Tax Parcel ID: 56114027580000 Present Record Owners: Wesley S. Hartsell, Jr.
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 WAYNE H. HOOKS AND WIFE, LINDA H. HOOKS. 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
56212378990000 Present Record Owners: Jason Donald Thompson The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jason Donald Thompson. 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
DEED.
Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are James W Dick.
An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or
The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Wesley S. Hartsell, 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
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,
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
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,
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
Trustee(s), which was dated November 22, 2022 and recorded on November 22, 2022 in Book 11621 at Page 768 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on December 6, 2022 in Book 11630, Page 239, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.
Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having
directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 9, 2025 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of Lot 2, Block “O” of Lafayette Village, Section IX, as surveyed by Sol C. Rose, May 1960, and recorded in Book of Plats 23, Page 51, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.
Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 4803 Japonica Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.
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 All Lawful Heirs of Nicholas Grady.
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
BEING all of lot 187 in a subdivision known as Beaver Creek South, Section Two, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 76, Page 56, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 2253 Spindle Tree Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304.
at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 9, 2025 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:
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 Francis J. Del-Grosso and wife Renee C. Del-Grosso.
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
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
Amanda Ward Humphries, Jesse Humphries, Savannah M. Humphries, Joshua H. Humphries, Salem E. Humphries and Heirs of George H. Humphries)) to Joe H. Leonard, Trustee(s), dated the 8th day of May, 1996, and recorded in Book 0987, Page 1408, in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby 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 of Davidson 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 the City of
thence North 22 deg. 55 min. 00 sec. East 315.00 ft. to the point and place of beginning and containing 0.7108 acre more or less and being designated as Lot No. 2 as shown on map by David A. Craver, RLS, dated October 28, 1994.
This conveyance is made subject to private roadway described in deed recorded in Book 201, page 161, rightsof-ways to Davidson EMC recorded in Book 256, page 80, and Book 187, page 609, and to conditions, reservations and exceptions of Carolina Aluminum set forth in deed recorded in Book 177, page 31, all references to deeds recorded in the Davidson County Registry, and is further subject to easements and rightsof-way for public utilities and public
roadways existing of record and/or located upon the premises; and further subject to rights-of-way and building lines as shown on copy of survey by David A. Craver, RLS, dated October 28, 1994. Together with improvements thereon, said property located at 272 Shepps Boat Dock Road, Lexington, NC 27292
Property address: 272 Shepps Boat Dock Road, Lexington, NC 27292
Parcel ID: 0603200000038E
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of 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,
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
24SP001720-310
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James L. Mack, Jr. (Deceased) and Delores A. Mack (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jimmee D. Mack) to Charles R. Cunningham, Trustee(s), dated April 3, 1998, and recorded in Book No. 2447, at Page 170 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on April 8, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: LYING on the eastern side of Kingdom Way, containing 9,030 square feet, more or less, and being all of Lot 31 of DEER RUN, Section III, Phase A, as per plat and survey thereof now on file in Plat Book 118, at page 122 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Durham County, to which plat reference is hereby expressly made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2508 Kingdom Way, Durham, North Carolina.
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
24SP001680-310
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Cristin Amy Telma (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Cristin Parrish) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated April 19, 2011, and recorded in Book No. 6706, at Page 620 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on April 2, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
24SP002097-310
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Cherolyn J. Griffin (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD
Being the same property conveyed in Deed Book 1497, Page 657, Durham County Registry. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.
Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be 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
cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: LYING on the Eastern side of Shaftsbury Street and being all of Lot 9 in Block L of LOCKELAND, Section One, as per plat and survey thereof now on file in Plat Book 18 at Page 8 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Durham County, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2806 Shaftsbury Street, Durham, North Carolina.
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
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.
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
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
OWNER(S): Cherolyn J. Griffin) to PRLAP, Inc., Trustee(s), dated April 2, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 6182, at Page 480 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on June 2, 2022, in Book No. 9709, at Page 862 , default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on April 8, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 30, as per plat and survey thereof entitled Recombination Map, Eastway Village, Phase III, said plat is now on file in Office of the Register of Deeds of Durham County in Plat Book 182 at Page 60, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 607 Eastway Avenue, Durham, North Carolina.
24SP001959-310 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
NORTH CAROLINA, DURHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jeanie A. Roberts-Maude a/k/a Jeanie A. Roberts to Cookson Law, PLLC, Trustee(s), which was dated April 16, 2015 and recorded on April 16, 2015 in Book 7683 at Page 305, Durham County Registry, North Carolina.
Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will 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 April 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the
following described property situated in Durham County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 3, Mason Woods Subdivision, Block A, Section 1 as shown on the plat recorded in Book of Maps 81, Page 40, Durham County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 809 Royal Oaks Dr, Durham, NC 27712.
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
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
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 Jeanie A. Roberts-Maude.
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
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
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,
https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16402 - 114085
thereon; said property being located at 3601 Efland Cedar Grove Road, Hillsboro, North Carolina. Parcel ID: 9847-91-6300
This being the same property conveyed to Robert C. Lawson, Sr., its successors and assigns in fee simple from Ella L. England (formally Ella L. Cole) and husband Robert W. England, in a deed dated October 07, 2002, and recorded October 08, 2002, in
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION RANDOLPH COUNTY 25sp000029-750 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DANIEL J. PINNIX DATED MARCH 12, 2010 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2172 AT PAGE 1482 IN THE RANDOLPH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Randolph County courthouse at 11:00AM on April 9, 2025, 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 Daniel J. Pinnix, dated March 12, 2010 to secure the original principal amount of $117,826.00, and recorded in Book 2172 at Page 1482 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: 2548 Strawberry Lane, Randleman, NC 27317 Tax Parcel ID: 5 4426 Present Record Owners: Daniel J. Pinnix The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of
A WRIGHT,” SAID PLAT BEING RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 88, PAGE 57, RANDOLPH COUNTY REGISTRY. TOGETHER WITH A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS, REGRESS AND UTILITIES LEADING FROM SAID LOT NO. 2 IN A NORTHERN DIRECTION TO ROBBINS ST., SAID EASEMENT BEING 16 FEET IN WIDTH AND LOCATED AS SHOWN ON PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 88 PAGE 57, RANDOLPH COUNTY REGISTRY.
THIS EASEMENT IS APPURTENANT TO THE LAND, IS PERPETUAL IN NATURE, AND SHALL RUN WITH THE LAND. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 1037 Robbins Street, Asheboro, NC 27203.
or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 1, 2025 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:
BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 2 OF A PLAT ENTITLED “WILLIAM G. & NADINE
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
Deed Book 2738, Page 545. Property Commonly known as: 3601 Elfland Cedar Grv Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Parcel ID: 9847-91-6300
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
Deeds, is/are Daniel J. Pinnix. 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
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 Lonnie Ray Stump.
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
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%)
be accepted. This sale will be held open
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
ID: 03108065 Present Record Owners: Jerry L. Williams and Alison H. Williams The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jerry L. Williams and Alison H. 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
that certain lot or parcel of land situated near the City of Raleigh, Leesville Township, Wake County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:Being Lot Number 37, Black Horse Run Subdivision, Section 1, as recorded in Book of Maps 1973, Page 383, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3412 Hackney Court, Raleigh, North Carolina.Source of Title is Book 3258, Page 493 (recorded 03/26/84) 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
Alabama forward Jarin Stevenson (15) shoots against a Robert Morris defender in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last Friday. Stevenson and the Crimson Tide advanced to the third round of March Madness for the second year in a row.
Teacher at Willow Oak Montessori charged with indecent liberties
Pittsboro
A teacher from Willow Oak Montessori School faces charges of improper sexual contact with two students following an investigation by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Kelli Anne Bee, 44, of Chapel Hill, was issued a criminal summons on Tuesday. The alleged incidents occurred last spring at the kindergarten through eighth grade public charter school in Pittsboro. Bee is charged with two counts of felony indecent liberties with a student by a teacher and two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. She has been suspended from teaching pending a school investigation and will appear in Chatham District Court next month.
County fire marshal issues burn ban
Due to hazardous contitions, the county has canceled all burn permits, and the ban remains in place until further notice.
$2.00
“The site isn’t changing from what was approved the first time.”
Angela Plummer, zoning administrator
The EMS station was previously approved in 2022
By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record
PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Commissioners met March 17 for its regular business meeting.
The board held a quasijudicial hearing for a special-use permit request related to three acres of property located at 9251 U.S. 15-501 N for the construction of a new EMS station.
The project was previously approved in May 2022, however, due to delays in the bidding process, a building permit wasn’t able to be obtained within the two-year timeframe required by the prior approval.
“We did actually get to the point where we issued a commercial zoning compliance permit for them in December
of 2023, so they were moving right along,” said Zoning Administrator Angela Plummer. “Unfortunately, some things came up which delayed further progress.”
According to Plummer, the project did receive an erosion control letter from NCDEQ in December 2023 which is still valid as it has a three -yea r applicable window.
According to the site plan, the station will be a single-story, long, metal structure with three attached vehicle bays.
“The site isn’t changing from what was approved the first time,” Plummer said.
“One thing that did come out of this is that they went back to the appearance commission and because we had the new, updated suggested plant list, there were some changes that came out of that which have been incorporated into a new, revised landscape plan.
See CHATHAM, page A7
The current police station site was discovered to have coal ash in 2013
By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record
CHAPEL HILL — The Chapel Hill Town Council has taken another step toward the environmental remediation of the Chapel Hill Police Department site.
AtitsMarch12meeting,thecouncilauthorized the execution of a Brownfields Agreement with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality for the 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. site. In 2013, when the county took control of the property through eminent domain, it was revealed that the property contained coal ash dating back to the location having been an infill site in the ’60s and ’70s.
A brownfield site is defined by the state as “any real property that is abandoned, idled or underused where environmental contamination or See CHAPEL HILL, page A3
“We don’t charge for our services, so the chance to have this event again is a big help to us and what we want to do.”
Joyce Frank
SonShine and Blessings teams with Methodist Church to raise funds
By Bob Wachs For Chatham News & Record
SOMETIMES A CASUAL conversation can lead to big things. That’s the case for local benevolent nonprofit organization SonShine and Blessings and Pittsboro United Methodist Church as they team up again for their Second Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, set for Saturday, April 5 in the church’s Family Life Center from 7-10 a.m. That casual conversation, which happened more than a year and a half ago, was the result of what church member
John Wilson calls “divine intervention” and happened in part because of a nonprofit organization he started last year called Brightest Light.
With a lengthy musical background, Wilson had felt led to create an organization aimed at bringing music into places where it might not ordinarily be found in quantity.
“Places like hospitals, prisons, rehab centers, homes for the aged and similar places were what I was thinking,” Wilson says. “I didn’t know anything about how to run a nonprofit, so I asked our choir director and Brightest Light board member David Smith if he knew anyone who had a music-based nonprofit, and he said he knew one — Joyce Frank
We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
March 18
• James Austin Smith, 40, of Pittsboro, was arrested for felony stalking and violating a domestic violence protective order.
March 19
• Brandon Dean Beal, 29, homeless, was arrested for breaking and entering and second-degree trespassing.
March 21
• Morgan Thomas Shaw, 35, of Sanford, was arrested for obtaining property under false pretenses.
• Ronny Jonahibel Suarez, 24, of Siler City, was arrested for statutory rape of a child under 15, statutory sexual offense with a child under 15, and crimes against nature.
March 22
• Asyia Viola Thomas, 46, of Graham, was arrested for maintaining a vehicle, dwelling, or place for controlled substances, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, driving with a license revoked (not impaired), and possession of marijuana up to half an ounce.
March 22
• Nicholas Ryan Mullins, 36, of Pittsboro, was arrested for carrying a concealed gun, communicating threats, and resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer.
March 24
• Clyde Edgar Goins III, 46, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for violating a domestic violence order.
leader and two followers face the charges in Maryland
By Patrick Whittle and Holly Ramer The Associated Press
THE LEADER and two members of a cultlike group that has been connected to six killings in three states face new gun charges in Maryland.
Some of the members have ties to Chatham County, having lived in the woods outside Chapel Hill, where FBI agents executed search warrants earlier this year.
Authorities have described Jack LaSota, who is also known as Ziz, as the apparent “leader of an extremist group” called the Zizians who follow her online writings on veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. The group has been linked to killings in Vermont, Pennsylvania and California. A cross-country investigation into LaSota and the Zizians broke open in January when one member of the group died and another was arrested after the shooting death of U.S. Border Pa-
• 389 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 9.109 acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $500,000
• 298 E. Salisbury Street (Pittsboro), 0.40 acres, 3bed/2 bath, $600,000
• 79 John Horton Road (Apex), 4.89 acres, 2bed/2bath, $600,000
• 9550 Silk Hope Liberty Road (Siler City), 73.740 acres, 3 bed/3bath, $1,450,000
• 557 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 12.802 acres, 3 bed/3 bath, $2,500,000 LAND
RESIDENTIAL
• 2930 Wayne White Road (Climax), 7.60 acres, 3 bed/2.5 bath, $250,000
• 5515 Rives Chapel Church Road (Siler City), 2.607acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $295,000
trol Agent David Maland in Vermont.
LaSota, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank were charged with trespassing, obstructing law enforcement and illegal gun possession last month after a Frostburg, Maryland, man told police that three “suspicious” people parked box trucks on his property and asked to camp there. Their trials had been scheduled to begin in Allegany County District Court on Monday, but their cases were transferred last Wednesday to the county’s higher-level circuit court after new indictments were handed up.
LaSota now faces nine charges, Zajko faces 14 and Blank faces 12. The new charges, which include carrying concealed and loaded
• 37 E Cotton Road (Pittsboro), 0.996 acres, $100,000
• 170 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000
• 188 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000
• 327 Poplar Trail (Siler City), 5.022 acres, $150,000
• 1701 Mitchells Chapel Road (Pittsboro), 10 acres, $200,000
• 9311 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 4.602 acres, $225,000
• Tract 1 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 15.123 acres, $227,000
• 1115 Manco Dairy Road (Pittsboro), 14 acres, 3 bed/1 bath, $500,000
handguns, are misdemeanors. The possible maximum penalties for each charge range from three months of incarceration for trespassing and up to five years for some of the gun charges. Initial court appearances are scheduled for April 8. Members of the Zizian group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on a California landlord in November 2022, the landlord’s subsequent killing in January and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple in between. The Pennsylvania victims were Richard and Rita Zajko, the parents of Michelle Zajko.
A Maryland prosecutor has said two guns Zajko purchased were recovered in connection with the shooting death of Maland, the Border Patrol agent killed in a shootout during a traffic stop in Vermont in January. Teresa Youngblut, who was driving the car and is accused of firing at Maland, has pleaded not guilty to federal firearms charges. Felix Bauckholt, a passenger in the car, also was killed.
Bauckholt and LaSota were living together in North Carolina as recently as this winter, according to their landlord, who also was renting a duplex to Youngblut in the same neighborhood. Youngblut also had applied for a marriage license with Maximilian Snyder, who is charged with killing landlord Curtis Lind in California.
• 9231 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 5.630 acres, $250,000
• Tract 3 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.029 acres, $256,000
• Tract 2 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.425 acres, $262,000
• 323 Wagon Trace (Pittsboro), 10.255 acres, $295,000
• 639 Hills of the Haw Road (Pittsboro), 5.2470 acres, $450,000
• 0 Chatham Church Road (Moncure), 15.94 acres, $750,000
• 1834 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 30.49 acres, 3 bed/2.5 bath, $850,000 LAND
• 0 JB Morgan Road (Apex), 21 acres, $825,000
• 00 US Highway 64 W (Siler City), 7.87 acres, $800,000
• 0 Pasture Branch Road (Rose Hill), 29 acres, $1,250,000
• 8636/8710 Johnson Mill Road (Bahama),182.888 acres, $3,240,000
• 0 US 64 W (Siler City), 9.670 acres, $4,500,000
• 0 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 75.4330 acres, $17,000,000
COMMERCIAL IMPROVED
• 140 & 148 East Street (Pittsboro), 1.49 acres, $1,350,000
• 00 Hamlets Chapel Road (Pittsboro), 118.742 acres, $4,250,000 COMMERCIAL UNIMPROVED
• 10681 US Hwy 64 E (Apex), 3.97 acres, $1,000,000
• 1700 Hillsboro Street (Pittsboro), 29.79 acres, $4,500,000
How To Prepare Rural Homes for Sale in 2025
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Chatham County:
Anime, Ramen and Sake Watch Party
6-8 p.m.
Join Koshu Sake every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for an Anime, Ramen and Sake Watch Party! Movie selections are announced a few days before each event on their Facebook page. You must be 21 with an ID to consume sake. Part of the Chatham County Craft Beverages & Country Inns Trail.
The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro
Hinson Wu: Spring 2025 Trunk Show
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dovecote will host designer Hinson Wu for one day only as they delve into his collection of shirts and beautiful dresses. Enjoy whimsical prints, timeless silhouettes and luxe fabrics while being fitted by Hinson himself!
Dovecote Home and Garden, Nest, and Sprout 240 Market St. Pittsboro
2
Meet & Greet: Chatham County Authors Silvan and Jordan Goddin
11 a.m.
Chatham County native Silvan Goddin and her husband, Jordan, are coming to McIntyre’s to introduce their new book, “Homegrown, Handgathered: The Complete Guide to Living Off Your Garden” (Countryman Press 2025). Call 919-542-3030 for more information.
McIntyre’s Books 220 Market St. Pittsboro
Jazz Night at The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
6-9 p.m.
Every Wednesday night from 6-9 p.m., The Sycamore at Chatham Mills hosts live Jazz Nights. The series features a rotating list of local musicians. The Sycamore also offers their Lounge Menu in the dining room on Wednesday nights. Reservations are highly recommended.
480 Hillsboro St. Suite 500 Pittsboro
Spring Celebration at Silk Home Farm Heritage Park
1-3 p.m.
This family-friendly event includes an Easter egg hunt, face painting, a kiddie train ride, farm animals, cookie decorating and more. The egg hunt is for kids up to age 10 and begins at 1:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your
A 4-year-old charcoal-colored donkey, recently found as a stray in southwestern Chatham County, was auctioned pursuant to state law by the sheriff’s Animal Resource Center on Friday. Turtle Pants Farm, a local nonprofit animal sanctuary, won the auction with the opening bid of $100, ensuring the sociable and friendly donkey will have a permanent home among other rescued animals.
As part of a new initiative, each commissioner selected a citizen who went above and beyond
By Ryan Henkel Chatham News and Record
SILER CITY — The Town of Siler City Board of Commissioners is implementing a new initiative to recognize those in its community.
At its March 3 meeting, the board recognized multiple citizens who have been making positive impacts in Siler City.
“This was the brainchild of Commissioner Cindy Bray,” said Mayor Donald Matthews. “She looked over our community and thought it would be a grand idea to recognize some of the people out there. So each commissioner took it upon him or herself to pick an individual who they thought fit the criteria.”
According to Matthews, the criteria for selection was someone who “loves Siler City” and “goes above and beyond what is normal,” but more specifically, according to communications specialist Ryan Brown, the goal is to recognize those in Siler City who have made an
BREAKFAST from page A1
with SonShine and Blessings.”
Shortly afterward, Wilson, Frank and Brightest Light board member and church pastor Lucas Nelson got together to share ideas about how to meet the goals of both organizations.
During that time, Frank spoke of an annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for SonShine and Blessings, the nonprofit she had begun in 2004. Its intent was to help elderly and disabled community residents with simple daily tasks of living — transportation to doctor visits and grocery stores, household and personal care needs or simply wellness checks to let them know they were remembered and loved.
In addition, Frank, who has her own extensive musical background, wanted to teach music — including guitar, banjo, piano and flute — to children and adults alike, regardless of their ability to pay for lessons.
“I didn’t want anyone, child or adult, to miss out on music lessons solely because they or their parents couldn’t afford them,” she says.
For several years, the pancake breakfast had been a major fundraiser for SonShine, which is also funded by donations and whatever amount clients and students are able to afford, which at times is minimal. But when COVID came along, that effort was put on hold and the restaurant where the breakfast was held eventually closed.
“Not having that was a hardship,” Frank says. “We don’t charge for our services, so the chance to have this event again
Pastor James Peoples and Prophetess Pastor Callie Peoples
Benefit For Sickness
Minister Natalie Horton
Fellowship House Of God 444 Stage Road
Carthage
Bishop Willie Gilmore & Pastor Faye Gilmore 2 p.m., Saturday, March 29
We will be glad to have you come and be with us in this benefit service. Bring donations or money or whatever God leads you to bring to help her.
Thank You
Prophetess Phone — 984-368-2942 (Callie)
impact in four specific areas: leadership, mentorship, social responsibility and environmental impact.
Those that were recognized included Elizabeth Zeringue, Albert McClain, Alphia Cheek, Louise Adcock, Mary Dudek, Sherille Lee and Eileen Williams.
Each recognized citizen was also presented with an officially signed certificate.
“I thank all of you for your dedicated service to the Town of Siler City,” Matthews said. “This will not be the last time we do this because we do know that there’s more people that really dedicate their time and have their heart right in this community. So don’t be surprised when your name’s called. Just come on down.”
The board also approved a resolution declaring the town’s intent to close Utility Drive.
“Right now, the way things are looking with the merger, TriRiver is going to be taking over the property that surrounds Utility Drive,” said Planning and Community Development Director Timothy Mack. “So it was Public Utilities’ idea that instead of the town maintaining a road that’s not on their property, they just
is a big help to us and what we want to do.”
Enter Wilson, who says the idea to move the breakfast is a natural one. “We have this big Family Life Center with a commercial kitchen,” he said, “so we thought this was a way to help Joyce with what she does and to help us as a church since we’re still paying for constructing the Family Life Center.”
“We broke ground for the Center about three weeks before everything shut down in 2020 from COVID. A big reason we built the Center,” Wilson added, “is to use it to help our community. Being in a position to help Joyce is a God-thing for sure.
“We opened it for worship services and events in late 2021, and it’s become an important facility in the community. Various groups such as the CORA Food Bank, county sheriff’s department, Alston Chapel Church and others
“I thank all of you
for your dedicated
service to the Town of Siler City.”
Mayor Donald Matthews
go ahead and declare the intent to close it and then we’ll take it off our books.”
In order to officially close the road, a public hearing will be held April 21.
In closing, Matthews commented on the current budget cuts being seen at the federal level across the country and urged residents to call their state and federal representatives and speak out on the areas of funding they feel need to be protected.
“We’re in a place we’ve probably never been before across the United States,” Matthews said. “As you well know, there are cuts everywhere. Those cuts will eventually make their way to North Carolina and from North Carolina to Chatham County and from Chatham County to Siler City. So we’re going to have to be really fiscally responsible moving forward, more so than we probably ever have been before because we have no idea what this will look like. It’s never happened before to this magnitude.”
The Siler City Board of Commissioners will next meet April 7.
have used it for their events. And meals are prepared in the kitchen monthly by the Chatham Chuck Wagon to go to people in need.”
Frank says SonShine would like to expand its services but notes it takes more than financial considerations.
“We’re always looking for folks who would volunteer a few hours a month to help,” she says. “We’ve got a dedicated group helping now, but it’s not easy to take on new clients without more helpers. The needs are out there and we want to meet them with the love of Christ.”
She and her board members will be at the breakfast to greet the public and provide additional information and answer questions about how to become involved with SonShine and Blessings.
Additional information is also available by calling 919810-1230 or online at sonshineandblessings.com. Church members will also be on hand, Wilson said, to share information about the life of the church.
The Family Life Center is at the rear of church property at 71 West St., just west of the county courthouse. Entry to the church parking lot is across the street from Circle City Ice Cream. Space is limited there, however, and additional parking is available on Fayetteville Street and at the county annex parking lot across the street from the Justice Center. The cost of the breakfast is by donations. Proceeds will go toward SonShine’s ministries and missions as well as to the church to help with costs of operating the Center.
Pastor’s Phone — 984-270-3011 (James)
CHAPEL HILL from page A1
perceived environmental contamination hinders redevelopment,” and the agreement is a “tool for developers to remove uncertainties in environmental liability.”
The agreement states what uses will be allowed on the property and the type of remediation that would be required for each. It also provides liability protection, which can then be utilized to obtain project financing for future development.
“The main benefit of authorizing the execution of the agreement now is that it would then put us under the auspices of the agreement and we could begin monitoring and reporting to the state,” said interim town manager Mary Jane Nirdlinger. “It does not decide how we’re going to remediate, and it doesn’t decide what happens next on the site.”
Per the agreement, any uses involving housing, child and adult care, and schools will be prohibited on the site, while municipal services center, recreational space, transit access, office, retail and parking are some of the uses that will be allowed.
“Once the agreement is
signed, additional monitoring and reporting requirements begin,” said Community Sustainability Manager John Richardson. “We will be required to report annually on site conditionals and consistency with those conditions as it relates to the agreement. This agreement is also just the acceptable level of remediation according to their standards, but we have the ability to choose whatever course makes the most sense.”
So far, seven public meetings have been held from 2021 to 2024 on potential site remediation and redevelopment plans, and another will be held April 21.
“There are no pure environmental decisions anymore. They’re all trade-offs,” said council member Melissa McCullough. “There is no perfect solution. No matter what we do on this site, there is an impact somewhere. The important thing will be us getting started on these decisions and having the flexibility that we have in this agreement, in terms of covering the range of possible things that we could do. It does not dictate what we have to do.”
The Chapel Hill Town Council will next meet April 9.
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
It is a moral abomination to forget that all children are our children.
DR. H. RUTHERFORD TURNBULL died last week, on March 17. I was one of the many who admired his advocacy and legal scholarship for people with disabilities. Though he was a lifelong Episcopalian, I had the privilege of serving as his pastor when he died. Like many of his friends, I knew him as Rud. “Rhymes with ‘mud,’” he used to say to my young daughter.
Don’t let his gentle way with young children mislead you. “Lions of his caliber are rare,” a former student remarked in tribute. As a lawyer, Rud shaped much of the legislation for Americans with disabilities, laws that are under attack today. I regret that we have lost Rud’s voice at this critical juncture.
The dismantling of the Department of Education is profoundly affecting Rud’s life’s work. While our current federal administration claims that services for children in special education will continue, all but three of the employees who actually distribute the funds to schools have been
fired. The government has already cut more than $600 million in funding, which would have supported special education, low-income, and rural schools. It is a moral abomination to forget that all children are our children.
But let me step off the soapbox to explain why special education is so critical to our entire society. Rud, along with his beloved wife, Ann, authored textbooks aimed to equip educators to integrate students with disabilities into mainstream classrooms. Their motivation was intensely personal; the Turnbulls had a son, Jay, with intellectual and social disabilities. Rud told the story of Jay’s senior year of high school. They were living in Bethesda, Maryland, so that Rud could work with Sen. Thomas Harkin of Iowa on legislation that would become the Assistive Technology Act, a powerful tool for educating children with disabilities. Since he was able to be enrolled in the public high school, Jay became the manager of the football team. Rud said that, at the
Chewing gum, especially in school, occupies a large part of my childhood memory.
THERE WAS A STORY in a Sunday paper not so long ago that hurt my heart. Seems, according to that piece, a bit of America is on the way out. It also went on to say that the movement had been going on for quite a while. So what hurt my feelings was not only that it was happening but that I had missed out on realizing it. The fact it was national in scope and not relegated to my small corner of the world explained my ignorance in part, but still, it was painful.
All this news came from a large manufacturing firm — Mars, Inc. They’re not an outer space exploration company but rather the folks who make Milky Ways and other similar basic food groups. Unbeknownst to yours truly, they also own Wrigley, who are the folks who not only gave us where the Cubs play baseball — now, like every other team, under the lights, which is almost sacrilegious — but who also make chewing gum, as in Doublemint and Spearmint.
It seems the story went on to say, that since peaking in 2009, U.S. gum sales have dropped 11% — down to a paltry $3.71 billion recently. Math and economics were never my strong point — lunch and break were — but that seems like more than just pocket change to me, but maybe it’s not enough for the company and is an indicator of dark days and bad times ahead for them.
The story also mentioned that such a poor record was achieved over the same period of time that overall candy sales — which included gum, chocolate, mints and licorice — were up 10% to $31.53 billion. Furthermore, it pointed out that an additional drop in gum sales is expected
— 4% — bringing sales down to a mere $3.56 billion.
At this point, I’m in over my head, so I’m going to leave the dollars and cents to sharper individuals and instead dwell on something else about gum, namely the question of whether all this is a reflection of a change in our culture. If it is, I don’t like it. Where would this great country of ours be without gum? What would baseball be like without it? When speakers stand to speak or preach or teach, what would the audience or congregation look like without some open-mouth gum-chompers? I’ve officiated at funerals and weddings to the beat of four-part gum harmony, even by the bride and groom. While it’s not especially attractive and violates all sorts of rules of etiquette, it’s a big part of life ... or was, according to the story in question.
Gum-buying was one of my early rites of passage into adulthood. Mama would give me a nickel and let me walk the 100 yards to Sam White’s store, even though it was across busy U.S. 64. By the time she let me make that trek, she had drilled into my acorn that I needed to stop at the edge of the road and look and listen both ways ... and on both trips.
Chewing gum, especially in school, occupies a large part of my childhood memory. You weren’t supposed to do it in class; could get you sent to the principal’s office. That’s why when I was in the fourth grade and Mrs. Sears would say, “Bob, are you chewing gum?” that I would swallow it and thereby not lie to her. If I were caught doing the unpardonable sin, usually the teacher would say, “I hope you brought enough for everybody.” One time, I did; she was not impressed.
end of the year banquet, the three captains of that team had to draw lots, for each one wanted the honor of giving Jay his letterman jacket. As Rud put it, the beauty of integration was reciprocal — a young man who passed out towels to the athletes then received recognition and gratitude from those same players. This experience speaks highly of those individuals, and yet it would not have been possible without the funding for skilled educators and programs. This is what we are fighting for today. While it’s true that advocates like Rud Turnbull are rare, it doesn’t mean that you and I should remain silent. The onus and imperative are upon good people of every faith to become peacemakers. Raise your voice and, as Rud would say, raise hell.
Andrew Taylor-Troutman’s newest book is “This Is the Day.” He serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church as well as a writer, pizza maker, coffee drinker and student of joy.
As a smooth young teen, a pack of chewing gum always occupied a place in my pocket. That way, you could whip out a piece to give your sweet patooty when you wanted to impress her. Even when it got up to a dime a pack, Spearmint was still worth it; ditto for when it went to a quarter.
Gum made its way into larger parts of society. In 1975’s movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the heretofore silent Chief Bromden doesn’t speak until given a stick of gum and says, “Mmmm ... Juicy Fruit.” That’s the same brand my Uncle Frank gave me every time I left his house ... that and a shiny new dime.
Maybe economics is the reason for the decline — the price keeps going up. I must admit that at our house, we still have packs of gum — the traditional five-stick pack lying here and there, as well as the larger ones for the little folks who come by. Same as in the car and trucks. But it’s getting harder and harder to find those small packs because the 15-20 stick size now occupies most of the space near the check out, and it gets harder and harder to shell out two bucks for a nickel pack of gum.
The folks who study such tell us that part of the decline is not only price but the habits of the 20-something segment of society which drives so much of our larger ways and habits. Those folks are more into Altoids and fruit snacks as their thing.
For the life of me, however, I can’t see my favorite pitcher chewing away on a thin mint or fruity chew.
Do your part, America. Go out and buy some gum. And then buy some more. Don’t let this go down without a fight ... or a chomp.
Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.
Geez, couldn’t I just sneak around my values with that one poke in the eye for those who disagree with me?
I SO, SO WANTED TO! I really did. Was just itching to go online and share something I found very, very politically uplifting in the day’s news. Sharing this news tidbit with whom?
Them! People with whom I so vehemently disagree. That’s who! OMG, the temptation to do so just swept through me like an electric current. I could hear a loud “whoopee“ in my mind. Just a magnetic draw I didn’t. I couldn’t. I can’t.
Sigh. Yep, blame it on my damn values! Geez, couldn’t I just sneak around my values with that one poke in the eye for those who disagree with me?
No.
Damn.
OK, OK, OK. Are you planning on telling me why you’re being such a good girl? A good girl when the attraction of digitally poking someone in the eye might feel so incredibly satisfying and justified?
Let me begin by blaming the Quakers, of whom I’ve been an active member for 21 years. Yep, it’s their fault! (Not mine!) I’ve allowed myself, during that period of time, to become indoctrinated (me, indoctrinated!) by a pillar of the Quaker faith. Ready?
“Walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone.” — George Fox
In everyone? (No, no I don’t want to!) Everyone. Even those folks who I’d like to digitally poke in the eye? Yep.
COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON
Oh, but wait, the Quakers cannot take sole blame for my (mostly) good girl identity. Gonna spread that blame around! I grew up Jewish. I need to be fully honest. My Jewish upbringing imprinted on me — no, no, the imprinting did not hurt — a belief in Tikkun Olam. “Repairing the world.” In other words, “Hey, girl, get out there and improve the world and promote social justice.”
Do you now see the burden I bear? Between “repairing the world” and “answering to that of God in everyone,” digitally poking someone in the eye, although massively tempting, must first work it’s way through my Quaker-Jewish sieve.
Now I’ll be fully honest with you (well, mostly): My Quaker-Jewish sieve ain’t perfect. You know why? (Big sigh) Because I’m also human. An imperfect human, at that.
Oh, you’re imperfect, too? Great! At least, I’m not alone. But where do we, and our human imperfections, go from here?
The late Leonard Cohen had a thought about that:
“Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in …”
So if some incredibly teeny-tiny digital eye poking manages to get through my Quaker-Jewish human sieve, I’m still OK?
Yep, but don’t make a practice of it!
Such a relief …
Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University.
AMERICANS LIKE YOU gave President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress a mandate to enact our America First agenda, and we have been working to deliver.
From rooting out waste, fraud and abuse of your tax dollars to supporting our troops and first responders, we are working to put you, your community and your country first again.
Under Trump’s leadership, the new administration has been shining a light on Washington, D.C.’s waste so we can make the government work better for you. House Republicans have also taken action, such as by cracking down on the rampant fraud in the COVID-era unemployment insurance program.
During the pandemic, bad actors stole hundreds of billions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits — money that was paid for by hardworking taxpayers like you to help people who were going through a tough time. Precious taxpayer dollars went to fraudsters, many overseas in places like China, who spent this money on luxury items while Americans were hurting.
With thousands of complaints and investigations into this fraud still unresolved, we cannot let criminals off the hook without consequences.
That’s why I joined my colleagues recently in passing a bill to give law enforcement the time and resources needed to continue tracking down and prosecuting those who stole from American taxpayers. I will continue fighting for legislation that protects your tax dollars and stops fraud like this from happening again.
While I, along with Trump and my House Republican colleagues, have already begun working to advance our America First
BE IN TOUCH
agenda, there is still so much more to do. Recently, I joined my House Republican colleagues in passing a bill that ensures we can continue our efforts while fully funding our military, VA benefits, Border Patrol and government programs like Medicare. This bill also gives more money toward veterans’ health care programs, like the Toxic Exposures Fund, and provides a 14.5% pay raise for our junior enlisted service members — directly benefiting folks in our community and at Fort Bragg.
Back home, I spent time last week visiting with local law enforcement, first responders, servicemembers and universities to hear about their priorities and listen to their concerns. In Hoke County, I met with folks from the Puppy Creek Fire Department. We discussed how they’re working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local organizations to expand their facilities and help keep our communities safe.
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University. I was so impressed with what the university is doing in areas like engineering, advanced computing, robotics and autonomous vehicles to ensure our students will be prepared to lead America into the future. It is so inspiring to see firsthand the dedication and innovation in our communities, and I will always support their efforts.
In Congress, I will continue working to advance policies that prioritize your needs, safeguard your tax dollars, strengthen our economy and keep you safe. Together, we will keep fighting for a brighter and more prosperous future for our communities and our country.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in Congress.
THERE IS AN OBVIOUS answer to what California Gov. Gavin Newsom is doing.
He’s running for president. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. He is nothing if not ambitious. He’s termed out as governor and in two years will be looking for a place to land.
But he’s doing it all wrong, and it’s offensive to the very base he is going to need to win the Democratic nomination.
At a time when Democrats are desperately looking for a leader who will stand up to Donald Trump, Newsom is cozying up to the worst of the Trumpers. He is moving to the center — or more accurately, to the right — as if that is what Democrats want.
How dumb does he think we are?
California is struggling. We could use a leader. Instead, we have a podcaster.
He should stick to his day job — and do it better.
“This is Gavin Newsom” is the name of his new podcast. In his first two outings, he chatted it up with right-wing MAGA maniacs Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon.
Kirk, who runs a group called Turning Point USA, is a radical right-winger. He has been outspoken in denying the results of the 2020 election, spreading COVID disinformation and attacking civil rights. He has argued that “MLK was awful” and “not a good person,” and that birth control “really screws up female brains.”
According to Slate, Kirk said at a Turning Point event that contraception “is awful, it’s terrible, and it creates very angry and bitter young ladies and young women. Then that bitterness then manifests into a political party that is the bitter party. I mean, the Democrat Party is all about ‘bring us your bitterness and, you know, we’ll give you free stuff.’”
Did Newsom take him on for his racism and sexism? He did not. Apparently, he thinks Kirk is someone we should be listening to. Why?
And Bannon? He’s a purveyor of anti-immigrant hate. Indicted for money laundering, pardoned by Trump, whose campaign he ran in 2016, and convicted on multiple contempt charges, he spent four months in prison. He is well known for the strategy that Trump is following to “flood the zone” to overwhelm Congress and the media and dismantle the federal state.
Did Newsom take him on for his history of hate? Did he ask him about his Nazi-like salute at the Conservative Political Action Conference? He did not.
Apparently, he thinks we should also be listening to Bannon.
That’s what he told Tim Walz in his latest podcast. When Walz called out Bannon’s racism and misogyny, Newsom defended the hater, saying, “I don’t think it’s exclusively that,” praising Bannon for talking about working folks and comparing him favorably to “a lot of what Bernie Sanders was saying.”
Did Hitler also do some good things?
But what has troubled me most about Newsom’s latest campaign for the White House is his gratuitous assault on transgender women playing sports.
In his podcast with Kirk, Newsom went out of his way to tank this most vulnerable population. “I think it’s an issue of fairness,” he told the MAGA maniac. “I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness — it’s deeply unfair. I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you.”
The last thing the Democratic Party needs right now is leaders who “totally agree” with Charlie Kirk.
Newsom is running a general election campaign. He thinks he can attract white male voters by moving to the middle and cozying up to the haters. But you have to win the nomination first. The voters Newsom is trying to appeal to don’t vote in Democratic primaries. And the people who do aren’t likely to find his new friends — and new targets — very appealing. And rightly so.
Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.
Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or mailed to 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.
Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com
May 28, 1958 –Jan. 29, 2025
Kathleen Marie Boren Stewart, 66 of Greensboro NC, entered into eternal rest on January 29, 2025 at home in Greensboro, NC.
Kathy was born on May 28, 1958 in Lockport, NY. She is predeceased by her brother, Ralph McMichael Boren, II, her sister, Penny Nicole Boren Nalley and her father, Benjamin Clark Boren, Jr. She is survived by her mother, Nancy Boren Harris of
Greensboro NC; her daughter, Andrea Marie Merritt(Chris) of Greensboro NC, her son, Andrew Jeffrey Merritt (Amber) of Winter Garden FL, her sister, Patty Boren Baldree (Lane) of James Island, SC, her grandchildren, Alexis Elizabeth Potts, Evan Dane Potts and Emily Marie Merritt, her nieces Nicole Michelle Oakes(Zach) and Christine Elizabeth Cowart(Dean) and her best friend Kimberly Sadoski Howard(Ronnie) of Lake Waccamaw NC.
She will be remembered for her love of animals especially horses, wolves, and her Italian Greyhounds. Kathy had a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice from Guilford College in Greensboro NC. She loved photography, camping, horseback riding, fishing, gardening and anything involving nature. She was intrigued by the horror genre, films and books and enjoyed classic rock music.
A graveside service will be held on April 12th, 2025 at 1:00pm at Oakwood Cemetery in Siler City, NC.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamrecord.com
MARTHA ELIZABETH CARTER MANESS
MARCH 23, 1964 – MARCH 15, 2025
Martha went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Martha was born on March 23, 1964 in Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. Her family returned to Hartwell in the early 1970’s when her father retired from the U.S. Navy. She graduated from Hart County High School in 1983 and graduated from Athens Technical College as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She achieved her associate’s degree in nursing from Greenville Technical College and became a Registered Nurse with Hart County Hospital. Serving more than 20 years in the nursing field, she retired from nursing when her health would not allow her to continue.
Martha leaves behind her devoted husband Shannon Clay Maness of 22 years of marriage. Two brothers, Steven Carter of Hartwell, GA and Ben Carter of Hartwell, GA. Her niece, Dakota Bannister (Brandon), and great nieces Eastyn and Everlee of the home. Her niece Shellie Martin (Vincent), Great nephew Camden from Hartwell. Mother-in-law Betty Maness of Bennett. Brotherin-Law Edward Maness (Helen) of Robbins, NC. Her Uncle Brown Feltman (Sarah) of Hartwell. Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 4 years Ja Ridgway in 1994 also of Hartwell, GA; her father, Lee Elmer Carter, Jr. of Hartwell and her precious mother Martha Jane Feltman Carter of Hartwell, GA, and Father-in-law Edward Maness.
RETIRED MASTER TROOPER
DWIGHT “MARK” COLE
MARCH 23, 2025
Retired Master Trooper Dwight “Mark” Cole, 61, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at his home. He was born in Lee County to the late Dwight Moody Cole and Bonnie Johnson Cole. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents Louch and Ruth Johnson and Moody and Louina Cole. After serving with distinction for 30 years as a dedicated law enforcement officer with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Mark retired in 2012 as a Master Trooper, having made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the community. He was honored in 2006 to be presented the Trooper of the Year award. Mark’s years of service were marked by integrity, courage, and a deep commitment to protecting others. Following his retirement from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Mark continued his service to the community as a valued member of the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, where his wealth of experience and dedication continued to shine. He was currently working at Honorable Arms Gun Shop. Mark was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished his family deeply and took great pride in being a devoted family man. His legacy of love, care, and devotion will forever be a part of the hearts of those who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Wendy Whitaker Cole; daughters Whitney Doby (Daniel) and Meredith Cox (Justin); brother Don Cole (Cindi); grandchildren Ava Grace, Allie, Grady, Rhett and Hayes and special niece and nephew Bailey and Trevor Cole.
RAYMOND CLINT RIDDLE
NOV. 29, 1950 – MARCH 19, 2025
Raymond Clint Riddle of Siler City passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at AuthoraCare in Burlington. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 29 from 12-2 p.m. at JoyceBrady Chapel with a memorial service beginning at 1 p.m. Raymond was born in Chatham County on November 29,1950 to Roy Riddle and Ollie Fields. He was member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Goldston. He was a dedicated poultry farmer for 30 years and loved his work. He loved building things, watching Nascar, fishing, beach trips with his grandkids, and he loved his life and lived every day to the fullest. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and 2 brothers. Raymond is survived by his wife of 50 years, Peggy Riddle of the home, daughter, Sally Riddle Smith (Chris) of Siler City, sister, Janice Ellington (Jimmy) of Pittsboro, special niece, Kim Holshouser (Rodney) of Gulf, Grandchildren: Brandon Todd Smith and Morgan Elizabeth Smith, Great grandchildren: Oaklynn Sweeney and Arabella Holder, and a host of family and friends.
THEONIA SHARNAY PERSON
FEB. 8, 1993 – MARCH 18, 2025
Theonia Sharnay Person was born February 8, 1993 to Theonia and the late Arlie (AC) Person. She transitioned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at First Health Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, NC. Sharnay was a daddy’s girl and had much difficulty adjusting to life without her dad. She was really close to her mom and the many challenges she had with diabetes caused her to be dependent upon her mom at all times. Sharnay was Mom to Kadynce Chanel and Khamari Lee Oatts. Sharnay also leaves special memories to her mom Theonia and stepdad, Jerry Leonard, brothers, Cornelious
(Sierra, London, Zada) Person; Jonathan (Jayden, Illiana, Abigail) Person; Myatt Person and bonus brother, Jordan Barnes (Tyara, Avia, Kiarra, River, and Taylor); aunts Ella Mae (Paige), Jerri, Carol, Phyllis, Nannette, Faith (Leonard), and uncles, Thomas, Harrison and Harry. And host of cousins, relatives and friends. Sharnay was a member of Bellview AME Zion Church and faithfully attended when her health permitted. Sharnay was very special and unique in every way. We will miss her dearly, but we find comfort in knowing she is with the Lord.
WILLIAM CEPHUS KIDD
DEC. 21, 1945 – MAR. 18, 2025
William Cephus Kidd, 79, of Bennett, passed away on, March 18, 2025, at Alpine Health & Rehab in Asheboro. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Beulah Baptist Church with Matt Barbour and Dr. Neal Jackson presiding. The visitation will be Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Joyce Brady Chapel from 6-8 p.m. William, known by friends, family, and community as “Bill” was born in Randolph County on December 21, 1945, to Roby Garland Kidd and Bessie Marie Purvis. He worked as an electrician independently and with many commercial companies throughout his lifetime. He was a military Veteran and an authentic cowboy who did the rodeo circuits in his early years. He had a lifetime love of horseback riding, playing the guitar, singing, and song writing, and took great pride and joy in his grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Pamela Kidd, and his siblings Nancy Brady and Roby Kidd Jr. He is survived by his wife, LuAnn Kidd, two sons: James (Connie) Kidd from Siler City, Justin (Brittany) Kidd from Asheville, grandchildren: Steven Kidd, Dillon Kidd, Hailey Kidd, Lucy Kidd, Leah Kidd, and Bralyn Kidd, step grandchildren: Cotey Lee Dunlap, Archer Dunlap, Lauren Dunlap, Brooke Dunlap and a host of family and friends.
Monday, March 31 Pittsboro Center for Active Living
8:15 a.m. - Total Body Conditioning Exercise
10 a.m. - Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
11 a.m. - Dominos Noon - Reading Out Loud with Gaines
1 p.m. - Table Tennis
1:15 p.m. - Mahjong Siler City Center for Active Living
9 a.m. - Strong & Fit
10 a.m. - Cornhole
10:30 a.m. - Health and Wellness with Kathryn
2 p.m. - Strength & Tone Tuesday, April 1 Pittsboro Center for Active Living
8:30 a.m. - QiGong
9 a.m. - 3G’s Men’s Group
10 a.m. - Woodcarvers; Cardio Drumming
11 a.m. - April Birthday Party; Bingo with Mr. Ed
1 p.m. - Rummikub
2 p.m. - Zumba Gold
3 p.m. - Healthy Lifestyles with Alan Siler City Center for Active Living
8 a.m. - Quilting and Sewing Time
9 a.m. - Cardio Drumming
10 a.m. - Chair Exercises
10:30 a.m. - Mental Health with Mary Anne Fritz
1 p.m. - Rook, Phase 10 & Rummikub Wednesday, April 2 Pittsboro Center for Active Living
8:15 a.m. - Cardio & Lower Body Exercise
10 a.m. - Chair Yoga with Liz; Music Jam
10:30 a.m. - Coffee & Games with Chatham County Sheriff’s Office
11 a.m. - The Chosen with discussion
1 p.m. - Leaving Your Legacy
2 p.m. - Chess Siler City Center for Active Living
9 a.m. - Strong & Fit
10 a.m. - Bible Study
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10 a.m. - Hooks & Needles; Kindermusik;
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The rulings address UNC student fees and parental approval of COVID shots
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in a pair of COVID-era lawsuits involving UNC student fees and a teen vaccinated without parental consent.
In a unanimous ruling, the N.C. Supreme Court found that students from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State can proceed with their breach of contract lawsuit which seeks refunds for mandatory fees paid when the two campuses closed during the pandemic in fall 2020.
The case, Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors, is one of several COVID-related lawsuits being reviewed by the state Supreme Court.
The high court’s ruling slightly modifies a 2022 Court of Appeals order that said the case could proceed.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation,” wrote Associate Justice Trey Allen. “However, we read the lawsuit to allege the existence of express — not implied — contracts between plaintiffs and the Board.”
During oral arguments, lawyers for the universities argued that students were warned fees wouldn’t be refunded, while the plaintiffs’ attorney maintained that individuals could not register as students without paying those fees. Per a past 2023 filing, the UNC System indicated it could face the loss of “tens of millions of dollars” if the students ultimately prevail.
Allen’s opinion also noted that the student plaintiffs’ case may not succeed due to that reasoning, writing that “the Board correctly observes that
many of the fee descriptions in the amended complaint lack any explicit promise to provide services to students who paid those fees.”
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that a Guilford County teenager and his mother can proceed with their lawsuit against the local school board and the Old North State Medical Society over a forced COVID-19 vaccination of the teen in 2021.
The case involves 14-yearold Tanner Smith, who was vaccinated without parental consent when a clinic worker reportedly administered the shot despite the teen objecting.
The ruling reverses lower court rulings that had dismissed the case based on immunity provided by the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
Chief Justice Paul Newby, writing for the Republican majority, determined that the PREP Act’s immunity only covers tort injuries, not constitutional violations, and recognized parents’ fundamental rights to make medical decisions for their children and individuals’ rights to bodily integrity.
“We agree with plaintiffs,” Newby wrote. “The literalist interpretation defendants urge us to adopt today defies even the broad scope of the statutory text. Under this view, Congress gave carte blanche to any willful misconduct related to the administration of a covered countermeasure.”
The two Democratic Associate Justices, Anita Earls and Allison Riggs, dissented. Both argued the majority was incorrectly interpreting the PREP Act’s language that includes providing broad immunity “from suit and liability under Federal and State law with respect to all claims for loss.”
The cases will now return to the state appeals court.
CHATHAM from page A1
Otherwise, the site is exactly the same as you saw it three years ago.” Following the hearing, the item was referred back to the Planning Board for final approval.
The board also approved the appointments of Lincoln Frye and Claire Kane to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for terms that will expire June 30, 2026. The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will next meet April 21.
To
You
LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland.com - 919362-6999. JY2,tfnc
2BDR/1BA MOBILE HOME FOR RENT IN Bonlee Elementary and Chatham Central High School District – No Pets – Call 919742-5187 and leave a message. M13,20,27,A3p
POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for onebedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-6631877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. J14,tfnc
3 Family Yard Sale – Saturday, March 29th, 8:00am – Until – Lots of women, men and children’s clothes, toys, houseware items, etc. You don’t want to miss this!! – Come to the side of the Chatham News Office – Cedar Ave., Siler City - Rain or Shine!! Everything must go!!
RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERSEquipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, benefits, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919663-3556, rickyellingtonauctions@ yahoo.com. Jy6,tfnc
Fence Posts for Sale – Treated Round Posts & Cedar Posts – Sold Farm & Must Sell! Let’s Make a Deal! Crutchfield Xrds. Area – 984-265-0402 – Michael Jenks 1tp
Dining Room Set w/China Cabinet, several Curio Cabinets, Treadmill, Sofa and 2 end tables, 2 upright freezers, dishes, Bedroom Suite, 2 Recliners, etc. 919-799-8243.
Chaudhry Meat Company Inc. seeking Bookkeeper to maintain financial records in Siler City, NC. Will process accounts payable/receivable transactions and prepare financial reports as needed. Requires at least 2 years of bookkeeping or accounting experience, including Quickbooks. To apply, submit cover letter and resume to Chaudhry Meat Company, Attn: A.Chaudhry, 380 Stockyard Rd., Siler City, NC 27344.
HANDYMAN NEEDED! Gardening and small projects! Please call 919-548-2943. M27,4tp
SERVICES
Affordable Professional Lawncare –Mowing, weed eating and Small bush hog jobs –Call Mike at 919-267-0475. 4tp
CASH PAID FOR JUNK CARS AND PICKUPS – Call Clifton Maness – 336581-3423 M13,20,27,A4p
RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. A26,tfnc
JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803. A2,tfnc
LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-258-3594. N9,tfnc
NOTICE
TOWN OF SILER CITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO PERMANETLY CLOSE
UTILITY DRIVE
WHEREAS,
of Siler City, North Carolina, at which time the Board shall consider the permanent closing of said street. and so as to determine whether or not said street shall be permanently closed or otherwise restricted in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A299. The public hearing will be held in the Town of Siler City Courtroom located at 311 N Second Street, Siler City, NC 27344. That a copy of this Resolution shall be mailed by registered or certified mail to all owners of property adjoining the said street as shown on the county tax records. That a copy of this Resolution shall
aka Betty Fields Nall aka Betty F. Nall aka Betty Nall, Estate File Number 25E000125-180, on or before June 20, 2025, in care of the undersigned attorney at her address, or this notice will be pleaded in a bar of recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to Betty Mae Fields Nall aka Betty Fields Nall aka Betty F. Nall aka Betty Nall, please make immediate payment to the Estate of Betty Mae Fields Nall aka Betty Fields Nall aka Betty F. Nall aka Betty Nall. This is the 20th day of March, 2025. Pamela E. Whitaker Attorney at Law 4145 Randolph Church Road Liberty, NC 27298 (336) 622-3553 telephone (336) 622-3240 facsimile pwhitakerlaw@gmail.com
PUBLICATION DATES: March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 2025
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified on the 28th day of February 2025, as Executor of the Estate of John B. Baer a/k/a John Balfour Baer, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 13th June, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13th day of March, 2025. Alison Baer Arter, Executor of the Estate of John B. Baer a/k/a John Balfour Baer c/o Candace B. Minjares, Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF IRIS SHIPP STOUTT
CHATHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 25E000097-180
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Iris Shipp Stoutt, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before June 8th, 2025 or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 6th day of March, 2025. Dawn Byrd Andrews, Executor c/o Attorney, Walter Brodie Burwell, Jr. Envisage Law 2601 Oberlin Road, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27608
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA Chatham COUNTY
NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified on the 18th day of February , 2025, as Executor of the Estate of Eddie S. Williams aka Edward Silas Williams aka Edward S. Williams, deceased, of Chatham County does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before June 12, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 6th day of March, 2025. Carol B. Williams Executor of the Estate of Eddie S. Williams aka Edward Silas Williams aka Edward S. Williams c/o J Alan Campbell Law PO Box 850 Hillsborough, NC 27278
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF DEBORAH KALISH COPLIN
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against DEORAH KALISH COPLIN, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit them to Laurie A. Coplin as Limited Personal Representative of the decedent’s estate on or before June 6, 2025, c/o Brittany N. Porter, Attorney at Law, 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above-named Executor. This the 6th day of March, 2025. Laurie A. Coplin c/o Brittany N. Porter, Atty. TrustCounsel 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203 Chapel Hill, NC 27517
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Julie L. Schwab, deceased, of 804 Harsworth Drive, Cary, Chatham County, NC, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned c/o Brady Cobin Law Group, PLLC, 4141 Parklake Avenue, Suite 310, Raleigh, NC 27612, on or before the 10th day of June, 202 5, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of March, 2025. Kristin Pantiga, Executor Estate of Julie L. Schwab, Deceased c/o Brady Cobin Law Group, PLLC 4141 Parklake Avenue, Suite 310 Raleigh, NC 27612
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Jeffrey Paul Fahlikman, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC, 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on or before the 20th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 20th day of March, 2025. LISA FISHER, EXECUTRIX ESTATE OF JEFFREY PAUL FAHLIKMAN
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
22E000720-180 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Joseph Stroud, of Chatham County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before June 13, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 13th day of March, 2025. Daron D. Satterfield Attorney for Personal Representative, Annie C. Capers 307 Meadowlands Drive, Suite 101 Hillsborough, NC 27278
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS
CHATHAM COUNTY
HAVING QUALIFIED as Co-Executors of the Estate of James C. Brooks, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 12th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 5th day of March, 2025. Theresa B. Varner, Co-Executor of the Estate of James C. Brooks 7809 Ferguson Road Liberty, North Carolina 27208 James R. Brooks, Co-Executor of the Estate Of James C. Brooks 408 Eden Hills Road Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
25E000105-180 NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, Karen Howard, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Ralph A. Howard Jr., deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of June 4, 2025, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th of March, 2025.
Karen Howard Administrator
Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Toni Goodyear, late of Chatham County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Margaret Pumphrey, as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 on or before the 20th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above named Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 3/20/2025,3/27/2025, 4/3/2025 & 4/10/2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James H. Lazenby, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned, c/o Jill L. Peters Kaess, Post Office Box 4548, Wilmington, North Carolina 28406, on or before the 23rd day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 20th day of March, 2025. Robert George Lazenby, Executor of the Estate of James H. Lazenby Jill L. Peters Kaess Lee Kaess, PLLC P. O. Box 4548 Wilmington, NC 28406 March 20, 27, April 3, 10
Notice to Creditors
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Dale Harold Bochenek, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before June 25, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 20th day of March, 2025. Laura B. Smith, Executor c/o W. Thomas McCuiston 200 Towne Village Drive Cary, NC 27513
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24 E 232
The undersigned, CAROLINE YINGLING TAYLOR, having qualified on the 26TH Day of APRIL, 2024 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of DAVID MURRILL TAYLOR, 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 25TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
CAROLINE YINGLING TAYLOR, EXECUTOR 18 SUNNYSIDE COURT
CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516 Run dates: M27,A3,10,17p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000123-180
The undersigned, MATTHEW G. DAVIS, having qualified on the 6TH Day of MARCH, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of DIANNE GAINES DAVIS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
MATTHEW G. DAVIS, EXECUTOR PO BOX 233 GOLDSTON, NC 27252 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#24E001548-180 The undersigned, SARAH GOYEA, having qualified on the 9TH Day of OCTOBER, 2024 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ELIZABETH ROBERTS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
SARAH GOYEA, EXECUTOR 103 BLUERIDGE ROAD CARRBORO, NC 27510 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#24E001270-180 The undersigned, SHEARON STROUD, having qualified on the 14TH Day of MARCH, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JOHN O. STROUD, 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 JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This is the 20TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
SHEARON STROUD, EXECUTOR 376 GARDNER RD. APEX, NC 27523 Run dates: M20,27,A3,10p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000145-180
The undersigned, JOAN P. ROBERTS, having qualified on the 17TH Day of MARCH, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JAMES DREXEL ROBERTS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 18TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 20TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
JOAN P. ROBERTS, EXECUTOR
825 E CARDINAL ST. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: M20,27,A3,10p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000083-180 The undersigned, MATTHEW WILLIAM FOUSHEE, having qualified on the 11TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as CO-EXECUTOR of the Estate of HAZEL MANN FOUSHEE, 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 JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 20TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. MAIL TO:
MATTHEW WILLIAM FOUSHEE, CO-EXECUTOR 4612 BADGER SPRINGS ROAD RALEIGH, NC 27603 ANDREW NELSON WHEELER, CO-EXECUTOR
9226 BEACH DR. SW CALABASH, NC 28467 Run dates: M20,27,A3,10p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000100-180 The undersigned, PAMELA BARTH JACOBS, having qualified on the 24TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of GEORGIA RUTH
HUDSON BARTH, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
PAMELA BARTH JACOBS, EXECUTOR 7 AZALEA LANE SPRUCE PINE, NC 28777 *MAIL AFFIDAVIT TO: 13604 US HIGHWAY 64 W. SILER CITY, NC 27344-6445 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000020-180 The undersigned, DORIS P. HOLT, having qualified on the 5TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of FLORA MAE CAMERON PETTIT, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. DORIS P. HOLT, ADMINISTRATOR 740 GARNER ROAD SANFORD, NC 27330 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001267-180 The undersigned, JOE LEE WAGONER, JR., having qualified on the 13TH Day of MAY, 2024 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of EMELDA PAYNE WAGONER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. JOE LEE WAGONER, JR. 111 TURTLE CREEK FARM RD. APEX, NC 27523
ADMINISTRATOR Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000043-180 The undersigned, KAITLIN HOLDER, having qualified on the 24TH Day of JANUARY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of MICHAEL CLARK HOLDER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. KAITLIN HOLDER, ADMINISTRATOR 122 STEEL SPRINGS LANE ANGIER, NC 27501 Run dates: M13,20,27,A3p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000082-180 The undersigned, SHERRIE HATFIELD, having qualified on the 14TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of PATSY KING BLACK, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 4TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. SHERRIE HATFIELD, EXECUTOR 2129 SANDY BRANCH CHURCH ROAD BEAR CREEK, NC 27207 MAIL AFFIDAVIT TO: THE LAW OFFICE OF LEWIS FADELY 119 N FIR AVE. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: FM6,13,20,27p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000084-180 The undersigned, SHEARON STROUD, having qualified on the 11TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of SARAH B. STROUD, 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 JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 20TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. SHEARON STROUD, EXECUTOR 376 GARDNER RD. APEX, NC 27523 Run dates: M20,27,A3,10p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000101-180 The undersigned, YVONNE M STEWART, having qualified on the 24TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of THOMAS VINCENT MORLEY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 4TH Day of JUNE 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. YVONNE M STEWART, ADMINSTRATOR 793 ROSSWOOD RD. CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516 Run dates: FM6,13,20,27p
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO.: 25JT000015-180 IN RE: “B.N.C” DOB:12/20/17 NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PROCESS OF PUBLICATION TO: Eric Headen, Dana Scott, Biological father/ Father/unknown father of the above female child, born at UNC Hospital to Kiana Craven. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Petition has been filed to terminate your parental rights to the abovereferenced minor child. You have forty days from 27 March 2025, the first date of publication of this Notice to respond to said Petition by filing a written answer to the petition with the Chatham Clerk of Court. Your parental rights to the juvenile may be terminated upon failure to answer the petition within the time prescribed. Any attorney appointed previously in an abuse, neglect or dependency proceeding and still representing you shall continue to represent you. If you are indigent and not already represented by an attorney, you are entitled to a court-appointed attorney by contacting the Chatham County Clerk of Court. STEPHENSON & FLEMING, L.L.P.
The pontiff had life-threatening double pneumonia
By Nicole Winfield , Paolo Santalucia and Trisha Thomas The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
Francis’ motorcade from Gemelli hospital overshot the Vatican initially and took a detour across town to stop at St. Mary Major basilica, where the pope’s favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit.
He didn’t get out of the car but gave a bouquet of flowers to the basilica’s cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon. The Byzantine-style painting on wood is revered by Romans and is so important to Francis that he has chosen to be buried in the basilica to be near it.
The tour through Rome’s historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant spring Sunday morning to say goodbye and catch a first glimpse of Francis, who seemed to be gasping for air.
“I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” a bloated-looking Francis said in a breathless voice. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.
Chants of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco” erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance.
Resting at home
Doctors say Francis needs two months of rest and convalescence at the Vatican, during-which he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself. But they said he should be able to resume all his normal activities eventually.
His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it.
“Today I feel a great joy,” said Dr. Rossella Russomando, who was at Gemelli on Sunday but did not treat Francis. “It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace.”
The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a papal committee dedicated to children, said it was clear that Francis was happy to return home and would surely improve, especially after receiving so many get-well cards from children from around the world.
“If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home,” Fortunato said.
“It will certainly speed up his recovery.”
Pope is to receive 24-hour care
At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis’ greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St. Peter’s Square.
“For me, it was an important emotional experience to see him because many people were waiting for this moment,” said Sister Luisa Jimènez, a nun from Francis’ native Argentina.
Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern given Francis’ bloating and inability to speak much.
“He didn’t look well,” she said. “He couldn’t (talk), and I realized it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him.”
No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican
hotel where Francis lives in a two -room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover.
The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened. Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions.
The most serious setbacks began Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids. He was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness. Doctors reported he always remained alert and cooperative, although they say he has probably lost a bit of weight given a natural loss of appetite.
“Unfortunately yes, there was a moment when many were say-
“One morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back.”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, medical and surgical chief at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic
ing that he might not make it. And it was painful for us,” said Mario Balsamo, the owner of coffee shop in front of Gemelli. “Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well, and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength.”
“I’m still alive!”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis’ medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Francis’ life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humor.
“But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back,” he told a news conference late Saturday. Alfieri confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection.
No confirmed appointments for now
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis’ participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary.
Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.
NOTICE TO
COUNTY
MAIL TO: DANNY WIMBERLY, CO-EXECUTOR 491 BUCKROE DR. SANFORD, NC 27330 MICHAEL T. PARKER, CO-EXECUTOR 204 WIMBERLY ROAD MONCURE, NC 27559 Run dates: M27,A3,10,17p
more particularly described as follows (the “Property”): ALL THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND IN CENTER TOWNSHIP, CHATHAM COUNTY, STATE OF NC, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN BOOK 603 PAGE 380 ID# 0068586, BEING
AND DESIGNATED
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ESTATE, FIILED IN PLAT SLIDE
BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED BY FEE SIMPLE DEED FROM FRED SCURLOCK, WIDOWER; SHIRLEY SCURLOCK HART AND HUSBAND, JIMMY HART; CLOMAN SCURLOCK, UNMARRIED; AND CATHERINE SCURLOCK BUTTS, AND HUSBAND, MARK BUTTS, HEIRS AT LAWS OF ELVIE SCURLOCK, DECEASED TO RICHARD SCURLOCK, DATED 06/15/1992 RECORDED ON 10/15/1992 IN BOOK 603, PAGE 380 IN CHATHAM COUNTY RECORDS, STATE OF NC. ALSO KNOWN AS:
Jarin Stevenson moved on to his second straight Sweet 16
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
CHATHAM COUNTY once again had a reason to tune into the start of March Madness over the weekend as its former athletes began their quests for a national title.
Jarin Stevenson, the former Seaforth standout and 2023 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, made his first career tournament start in place of an injured Grant Nelson in No. 2 Alabama’s 90 -81 first-round win over No. 15 Robert Morris Friday.
The sophomore forward had a quiet tournament opener with two points, one rebound, one assist and a block in 19 minutes. Early in the first half, Stevenson had to exit the game due to a wrist injury he suffered on a fall. He checked in minutes later though, and assured he’d be ready to go in the second round following the win. In the 80-66 second-round win over No. 7 Saint Mary’s on Sunday, Stevenson came off the bench and once again had two points along with two rebounds.
After a slow opening weekend, Stevenson is still looking to have a similar impact to
“To experience it with my guys, it was very fun.”
Drake Powell
his contributions in last year’s tournament run. He broke out with 19 points and two blocks in the Crimson Tide’s Elite Eight victory over Clemson, knocking down five 3s and shooting 7 for 11 from the floor. That performance also came after two straight games in which he struggled in the shooting column.
Considering how last year’s tournament played out, Stevenson is due for a big game. He’s shown spurts of being a dangerous offensive weapon for the Crimson Tide this season with seven double-digit scoring performances, including a 22-point career night at Texas last month in which he knocked down four 3s.
With No. 6 BYU waiting for Alabama in Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup, the Crimson Tide will need all the help they can get to keep their championship hopes alive. As good as it is on his low-scoring nights, Alabama is much harder to deal with when Stevenson is hot.
While Stevenson is still dancing, the season came to an end for former Northwood five-star Drake Powell and
No. 11 UNC in the first week of the NCAA Tournament.
Powell started and contributed eight points, four assists and seven rebounds in the Tar Heels’ 71-64 loss to No. 6 Ole Miss in the first round Friday. Although he struggled from the floor, going 3 for 11, he made some key plays in UNC’s second-half rally, including a block and a crucial offensive rebound and putback that brought UNC within eight with just over six minutes left to play.
Against No. 11 San Diego State in the First Four round on March 18, Powell made his first career tournament appearance and start.
“Just super excited,” Powell said after playing in his first tournament game. “My parents were in the stands watching the game. And to be able to experience March Madness, something that I’ve watched since a kid growing up, there’s a lot of great players that have played in this tournament, and to experience it with my guys, it was very fun.”
In 21 minutes against SDSU, Powell poured in six points (2 for 4 from the floor), including one of the Tar Heels’ 14 3s. He also came away with a block and a steal, contributing to one of UNC’s strongest defensive performances of the season.
See TOURNEY, page B2
The Jets scored four runs in the fifth inning
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
SILER CITY — Down 5-2 after a slow start at home, the Jordan-Matthews softball team, third in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings entering the game, scored four runs in the fifth inning to come back and beat then-second-place Seaforth 6-5 Friday. With just two hits in the first four innings, the Jets notched four hits in the bottom of the fifth. Although it was counted as an error, freshman Kinley Jordan knocked in the go -a head run by getting the ball just over the third baseman’s glove, sending senior Kelsey Morris home. Junior Lilli Hicks started the comeback with a double, and seniors Marcy Clark and So -
“We knew once we got on base, we needed to just keep on hitting and just tag them along, and we did.”
Lilli Hicks
phia Murchison kept it going with two singles immediately after (Hicks scored on Murchison’s hit). Moments later, after an error by the Seaforth defense allowed Murchison to score, sophomore Jasmine Sorto singled to right field and sent junior Cassidy Graves home for the tying run.
“We talked to each other and was like, ‘Jump on the first pitch,’” Hicks said. “And we knew once we got on base, we
Gabby White was named District 4 Player of the Year
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
THE HIGH SCHOOL basketball season ended, and postseason awards are rolling in from the winter sports season. The North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association announced its 2024-25 all-district and all-state teams and awards this month, and five Chatham County athletes earned all-district honors. Seaforth girls’ basketball standout and Virginia commit Gabby White earned first-team all-state honors. This is her second time making an all-state team (third team in 2024).
Local basketball players who earned
White was also named the District 4 Player of the Year while earning first-team all-district honors. This is her fourth time making an all-district team and second straight time earning first-team honors. White ended her high school career with her best scoring season, averaging a career-high 18.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. She recorded 14 double-doubles in the winter,
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record Baseball
Northwood swept Bartlett Yancey (13-4 on March 18 and 2-1 Friday) and beat Chapel Hill 8-7 on March 19 to go undefeated during the week. Sophomore pitcher Finn Sullivan threw 17 strikeouts and allowed just one run in Friday’s win (fourth straight) over the Buccaneers.
Seaforth also won three in a row, sweeping Chatham Central (6-3 on March 18 and 13-3 last Friday) and winning over Eastern Randolph 8-2 on March 19. Senior Daniel White went 3 for 5 from the plate with three RBIs against Chatham Central Friday.
Chatham Charter dominated yet another conference foe, this time outscoring Triangle Math and Science 27-0 (11-0 on March 18 and 16-0 last Friday) for the sweep. Tyner Williams and Ryder Murphy finished Friday’s win with three RBIs.
Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday) (overall, conference): T1. Southeast Alamance (8-2, 6-0); T1. Seaforth (5-6, 2-0); 3. Northwood (6-4, 5-3); 4. North Moore (4-4, 3-3); 5. Chatham Central (3-8, 3-5); 6. Jordan-Matthews (0-10, 0-6)
Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday):
1. Chatham Charter (5-4, 4-0); 2. River Mill (5-1, 4-1); 3. Clover Garden School (2-6, 1-1); T4. Triangle Math and Science (2-6, 0-4); T4. Southern Wake Academy (0-4, 0-3)
Softball
Chatham Central scored 11 runs in the second inning on its way to a three-inning 15-0 win over Northwood Friday. Jordan-Matthews started its week with a 15-0 win over Bartlett Yancey on March 18. Cassidy Graves and Jasmine Sorto knocked in three RBIs apiece. Prior to its close loss to Jordan-Matthews on Friday, Seaforth fell to Western Alamance
TOURNEY from page B1
“I thought our physicality, pressure just took them out of their stuff,” Powell said. “We hang our hat on defense.” Powell finished his first season at UNC averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Well known for his defensive
6-4 on March 19. The Hawks are still looking for their first nonconference win as of Sunday. Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Chatham Central (7-1, 5-0); 2. Jordan-Matthews (7-2, 5-1); 3. Seaforth (5-5, 5-2); 3. North Moore (7-2, 4-2); 4. Southeast Alamance (4-4, 3-3); 5. Northwood (3-7, 3-5); 6. Bartlett Yancey (1-5, 1-5); 6. Graham (09, 0-8) Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Clover Garden School (5-2, 4-0); 2. Chatham Charter 4-4, 3-1); 3. River Mill (3-4, 0-3) Girls’ soccer
Seaforth got hit with some adversity in its nonconference slate last week. The Hawks lost to Cardinal Gibbons 2-1 on March 19 and were held scoreless in a 0-0 tie with Cedar Ridge the next night.
Northwood picked up its third straight conference win with a 9-0 rout over Jordan-Matthews on March 17.
Woods Charter beat River Mill 4-0 on March 19 for its second straight conference win, and Chatham Charter earns its first victory of the year over Albemarle 3-0 on March 17.
Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): T1. Seaforth (3-2-1, 3-0); T1. Northwood (4-4, 3-0); T1. Bartlett Yancey (3-3, 2-0); T1. North Moore (4-0, 1-0); 5. Southeast Alamance (2-4-2, 1-1); T6. Jordan-Matthews (3-6, 1-3); T6. Graham (1-4, 1-3); 8. Cummings (0-7, 0-5)
Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): T1. Woods Charter (3-2, 2-0); T1. Southern Wake Academy (1-2, 1-0); T3. River Mill (3-3-1, 1-1); T3. Clover Garden School (3-3, 1-1); T5. Triangle Math and Science (0-5, 0-1); T5. Ascend Leadership (1-3, 0-2); T5. Chatham Charter (1-4, 0-0)
Boys’ lacrosse
Seaforth grew its win streak to six with a 19-7 win over West-
prowess, the 6-foot-6 forward turned out to be one of the Tar Heels’ best 3-point shooters this year, making 37.9% from beyond the arc (third-best amongst Tar Heels with at least 50 3-point attempts). When asked about his decision to stay at UNC or declare for the NBA Draft, Powell said
ern Alamance on March 18 and a 16-3 victory over Southern Alamance on Friday. Junior Ivan Grimes combined for 10 goals in the wins while freshman goalkeeper Finn Prospero recorded 10 saves Friday. Northwood defeated Western Alamance 17-5 Friday. Juniors Grayson Cox and Robert Tripp led the way with four goals apiece. Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Seaforth (6-1, 6-0); 2. Orange (7-3, 5-1); 3. Southern Alamance (8-2, 5-2); 4. Williams (6-5, 4-2); 5. Northwood (5-6, 5-4); 6. Eastern Alamance (3-5, 2-4); 7. Cedar Ridge (2-6, 2-5); 8. Southeast Alamance (1-9, 1-7); 9. Western Alamance (0-6, 0-5)
Girls’ lacrosse
Seaforth sophomore Natalie
he’s “not sure,” and it wasn’t something he put much thought into during the season. Although the Marquette women’s basketball team didn’t earn a NCAA Tournament bid, Olivia Porter, another former Charger, played postseason hoops in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament over the weekend.
Boecke scored seven goals in the Hawks’ 20-2 win over Riverside-Durham on March 17 (first win of the season).
DC/Northern Lakes Athletic/Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings (as of Sunday): T1. Chapel Hill (7-0, 3-0); T1. East Chapel Hill (7-0, 1-0); T1. Carrboro (2-0, 1-00; T4. Seaforth (1-3, 1-1); T4. Jordan (1-4, 1-1); T6. Northwood (1-2, 0-2); T6. Riverside-Durham (0-7, 0-3)
Boys’ tennis
Seaforth continued its dominant season with three more shutouts over Southeast Alamance (twice) and Jordan-Matthews last week. The Hawks have given up one match in conference play as of Sunday.
Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sun-
goals for Seaforth’s Boecke in the girls’ lacrosse win over Riverside-Durham
day): 1. Seaforth (6-1, 4-0); 2. Northwood (5-2, 4-1); T3. Jordan-Matthews (3-5, 2-2); T3. North Moore (3-4, 2-2)
Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Triangle Math and Science (1-4, 1-0); 2. Chatham Charter (5-7, 1-1); 3. Clover Garden School (0-3, 0-2)
Track and field
Seaforth’s boys and girls took home wins in their home meet on March 18. Northwood’s boys and girls also swept their own home meet the next day.
At the Seaforth meet, Jordan-Matthews senior Rachael Woods recorded personal bests to win both the girls’ long jump (19 feet, 3 inches) and the triple jump (37 feet, 10 inches).
Northwood’s Tequone Moore won the boys’ 400 and 200 at the Chargers’ home meet with personal bests of 51.94 seconds (qualified for regionals) and 23.93 seconds respectively.
Boys’ golf
Team and individual standings from the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference Match No. 4 on March 18:
Team: 1. Seaforth (146 (+2)); 2. Chatham Central (172); 3. North Moore (174); 4. Southeast Alamance (194); 5. Northwood (200); T6. Bartlett Yancey (243); T6. Graham (243); Jordan-Matthews (+46) Individual (top five): 1. Ty Willoughby (Seaforth, 32 (-4)); 2. Griffin Ching (Seaforth, 37); 3. Gray Stewart (Seaforth, 38); 4. Campbell Meador (Seaforth, 39); 5. Ben Buckner (Jordan-Matthews, 40)
Porter, a junior starting guard for the Golden Eagles, scored six points and recorded four rebounds in an 80-76 overtime loss to James Madison in the second round Sunday. She made two layups in the final four minutes of regulation, including a huge bucket with less than two minutes remaining to bring Marquette back within two points. In the 74-69 first-round win over Drake on March 20, Porter scored four points and led the team with seven rebounds. She ended her first season with the Golden Eagles averaging six points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
SOFTBALL from page B1
needed to just keep on hitting and just tag them along, and we did.”
At first, Jordan-Matthews struggled to get anything going against Seaforth pitcher Emma Grace Hill and the Hawks defense, which continued a pattern of slow starts at the plate for the Jets.
Jordan-Matthews was held scoreless in the first two innings for the fifth time this year.
And while struggling to get on base, the Jets’ numerous fielding mistakes gave Seaforth opportunities to build its lead.
The Hawks got just one hit in the top of the first inning, but back-to-back errors allowed two runs to score before the inning flipped.
Up 3-0 in the top of the third inning, another error by the Jets, this time a mishandled throw to second base for a potential out, allowed Annika Johansson to run home from second base. Three batters later, Seaforth reached its largest lead of the night when an error in the outfield allowed Emma Strong’s fly ball to drop and Hill to run in the Hawks’ fifth run.
“I told them like it was,” Jordan-Matthews coach Holly Felder said. “If we keep playing like this and giving them extra bases and throwing the ball around, then it’s going to be a really short game that doesn’t go our way.”
From that point, the Jets started to respond offensively and defensively.
Back at the top of its lineup in the bottom of the third inning, Jordan-Matthews began to get its bats on the ball and take advantage of Seaforth’s de-
fensive mistakes. Hicks reached first base after the first baseman mishandled the throw out, and she eventually scored the Jets first run on a double from Murchison. Graves sent Clark, who walked earlier in the inning, home with a sacrifice fly to bring the deficit to three runs.
Hicks, who pitched all seven innings, further directed the comeback by allowing just three hits, zero earned runs and striking out four batters in the last four innings.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m striking everybody out or they’re getting bombs off of me, I try to keep everything the same,” Hicks said. “I try to keep my composure because I got other teammates behind me. So I just try to pick them up.” Hicks started the comeback on the offensive side, and she helped keep the Jets ahead on the defensive side. But after completing the comeback at the plate, Jordan, who’s had big shoes to fill after standout Logan Gunter graduated, got the opportunity to end it from the shortstop position.
With two outs in the top of the seventh inning and Johansson, the tying run, at third, Jordan fielded a ground ball from Hill and threw her out to clinch the win.
“It’s scary starting at shortstop as a freshman,” Murchison said. “But she’s doing great.”
Said Hicks, “She just caught on. It’s not, ‘Kinley you need to do this like that.’ She just gets it.”
Even though it’s still early in the season, Jordan-Matthews’ win was huge for the conference standings. The Jets are now back in second place, trailing Chatham Central, which has not lost a conference game as of Sunday.
As for Seaforth, the Hawks slid into the third-place spot. Despite the loss, Seaforth has plenty of positives to build on as the season continues. The Hawks are off to their best 10 -game start in program history and has proven themselves as one of the best teams in the conference.
The Hawks and Jets will face off again at Seaforth on April 22 at 6 p.m.
Northwood’s Finn Sullivan earns athlete of the week honors for the week of March 17.
In the Chargers’ 2-1 win over Bartlett Yancey Friday, Sullivan’s late-game ground ball led to a walk-off run, and he threw a career-high 17 strikeouts while giving up one hit and one run in six innings. He faced only three batters in the top of the third, fourth and fifth innings, retiring eight straight batters in that stretch.
Sullivan returned to the mound on March 14 and has been off to a solid start this season. In his first start this spring, Sullivan struck out seven batters in a little over three innings on the way to a 15-0 rout over Jordan-Matthews
Central Electric awards two Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships annually to local students in Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, or Randolph counties. A young man will be selected to attend the Carolina Basketball School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a young woman will be selected to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at N.C. State University in Raleigh.
To be eligible to apply, the student must be in the sixth or seventh grade during the upcoming school year, have permission from a parent or guardian to attend the overnight camp and must provide their own transportation if selected to attend.
trict selection in the last four seasons.
Scan the QR code or visit CEMCPower.com for more information or to apply. The deadline for applications to both camps is March 31. Central Electric sponsoring two youth to attend basketball camp this summer
notching three in Seaforth’s run to its third straight 2A East regional final. To cap off her 2024-25 season, White was named the MVP of the Carolinas Classic All-Star game in Wilmington Saturday after scoring 17 points and leading North Carolina to a 93-68 win over South Carolina.
White’s Seaforth teammate Katie Leonard earned third-team all-district honors, making an all-district team for the first time.
Leonard, a junior, was a problem for opposing teams with her ability to knock down the triple and defend. She averaged a career-high 12.8 points per game and shot a career-best 43% from beyond the arc this season.
For the boys’ selections in District 4, Northwood’s Cam Fowler earned all-district honors for the second year in a row and was named to the first team for the first time.
Fowler stepped up in a huge way for Northwood after former five-star recruit Drake Powell graduated last year. The junior guard averaged career highs of 20.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from 3.
Teammate Beau Harvey earned his first all-district selection on the second team.
Harvey, a senior, became the fifth Northwood boys’ basketball player to earn an all-dis-
Harvey was a key playmaker and elite defender for the Chargers this season, averaging a career-high 6.2 assists and 3.8 steals alongside 5.8 points per game. He recorded double-digit assist totals in four games and snatched at least five steals 12 times.
Chatham Central’s Reid Albright earned his second straight all-district selection, making the second team this season.
Albright, a senior, was consistent and versatile scorer for the Bears, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and five steals per game this winter. Ending his high school career with 2,009 points, Albright finished as Chatham Central’s second-leading boys’ basketball scorer.
Anissa Little, a graduate of Chatham Central and the head girls’ basketball coach at Union Pines, won Coach of the Year honors for District 4. Little led the Vikings to their most wins (27) since the 2015-16 season (24 wins) and their deepest playoff run since 2014. Union Pines, the Sandhills 3A/4A conference regular season co-champions, finished 27-2 overall and 12-1 in conference play, including an 18-game win streak to start the season. The Vikings had four all-conference players, including Elon signee Ashanti Fox, and Little was named the conference coach of the year.
Panama eliminates U.S. from CONCACAF Nations League with 1-0 victory
Inglewood, Calif.
Cecilio Waterman scored a stunning goal in the fourth minute of second-half injury time, and Panama beat the three-time defending champion United States 1-0 to reach the CONCACAF Nations League final.
Waterman took a pass down the right side from Adalberto Carrasquilla in front of a packed-in U.S. defense and fired a perfect right-footed diagonal shot past Matt Turner into the far left corner. Waterman’s 11th international goal, on Panama’s only shot on target on the night, advanced the Panamanians to a final against Mexico.
Former NFL, Michigan assistant Weiss charged with hacking for athletes’ photos
Detroit
An indictment says a former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach hacked into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to access intimate photos and videos. Matt Weiss was charged with 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. Weiss worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan in 2021. He was fired in 2023 as Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator after failing to cooperate with the school’s investigation of his access to computers.
Giants, quarterback
Winston agree to 2-year, $8 million deal
New York
The New York Giants and quarterback Jameis Winston agreed to terms on a two -year, $8 million contract. The 31-year-old Winston joins Tommy DeVito as the only quarterbacks on the Giants’ roster. New York has been in the market in free agency for a veteran, with Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson also mentioned as possible targets. Winston played in 12 games last season for Cleveland and started in seven. The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Winston spent nine years with Tampa Bay and New Orleans.
MLB Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo averages record 25M-plus viewers in Japan
New York
The first game of the Tokyo Series averaged more than 25 million viewers in Japan according to MLB, making it the most-watched MLB game in the country’s history. The audience for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs surpassed the 18.7 million viewers who tuned in for the first game of last year’s Seoul Series in South Korea, which featured the Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers’ 6-3 win last Wednesday averaged more than 23 million Japanese viewers. That game also featured pitcher Roki Sasaki’s Dodgers debut.
His victory in the truck race left him one race shy of a triple-header sweep
By Alanis Thames The Associated Press
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Kyle Larson passed Alex Bowman with six laps remaining in NASCAR’s Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, giving the Hendrick Motorsports driver the 30th win of his career at one of his best tracks.
Larson sped by as Bowman scraped the wall on Turn 4 with the lead. Larson extended his edge to more than a second over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, then held on to beat Bowman by 1.205 seconds for his second career Cup Series win at Homestead, and his second victory of the weekend.
Larson fell one race short of sweeping the triple-header weekend. He won the Craftsman Truck race on Friday and finished fourth in the Xfinity Series on Saturday. He was
hoping to join Kyle Busch as the only drivers to sweep a triple-header weekend — Busch did it at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2010 and 2017.
He was far from dominant on Sunday. Larson, driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, led just 19 of 267 laps and had to overcome poor starting position, pit road mishaps and bad restarts to pull off the win — his first victory of the season and first in the Cup Series at Homestead since 2022.
Bowman, who was Saturday’s pole winner, finished second in the No. 48 Chevrolet. Bubba Wallace was third for 23XI Racing after leading 43 laps — the most laps he’s led in a race since September 2023. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five.
Ryan Blaney was running third when his engine blew up on Lap 207, causing a thick cloud of smoke to cover the track and a lengthy cleanup.
It had been a strong race
Mading’s long road ends where it started — in Raleigh
High Point native finished his college career at the NCAA Tournament
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
RALEIGH — At each year’s Final Four, the building where the games will be played hangs a giant banner reading “The Road Ends Here.”
The college basketball season, and especially March Madness, are often referred to as “The Road to the Final Four” and, for some players, that path can double back to where it all started.
“I went to school probably like an hour away,” said Norfolk State senior forward Kuluel Mading. “So just to be back in North Carolina for the last time. You know, it just feels like everything came full circle. Things started here, and, hopefully, they don’t finish here, but, you know, that’s the plan.”
Mading’s journey began even before he was born. His family fled the civil war that eventually produced the nation of South Sudan back in 1999, before he was born. While he’s a North Carolina-born native of High Point, he still feels a connection to his familiar roots.
“The whole South Sudan, South Sudanese community, is crazy,” he said. “Just watching how much it has grown in the past five, six years. At first, it was like local, like I didn’t really know that many people. But now, seeing it grow worldwide, even in the Olympics, we were in a close game with USA. So just seeing it grow has been amazing. I love to see the growth. I feel like we’ve got a lot that we can bring to the table, and we’re not done yet. It’s crazy watching it.”
Mading played in high school at The Burlington School, winning a state title. He returned with Norfolk State to face top-seeded Florida in the NCAA opening round in Raleigh. The Gators rolled to a 96-69 win.
“My junior year, we were runner-ups in the state championship, and then my senior year, we won,” he said. “It’s kind of the same thing here. In my junior year, we lost in the MEAC semifinals, and then senior year we won it. So I feel like everything that I did at Burlington, and the coaches, the players, they have prepared me for this moment. I’m most definitely not going to take it for granted.”
Mading began his college career with the Buffalo Bulls.
for Blaney before then. He led 124 laps and won Stage 1 after starting sixth. It was the second time in three races that Blaney did not finish a race because of an engine failure with his No. 12 Team Penske Ford.
“It just stinks,” Blaney said.
“Led a lot of laps. Lost a little bit of track position there with some stuff on pit road but got back to third. And it was a great race between me, Bubba and Larson. ... It was going to be a heck of a battle the last 60 laps or so but just didn’t really work out for us. We’ll keep our head up.
“It’s one of those things where it’s not really going our way right now, but the good news is we’re bringing fast cars.”
Pit road mishaps
While exiting pit road on Lap 84, Josh Berry’s No. 21 Ford hit the side of Larson’s car and then struck Joey Logano’s No. 22 Ford. Both Logano and Berry spun then went
“It just stinks,” Ryan Blaney, after suffering an engine failure
the wrong direction into their pit stalls to check the damage. Larson’s car was slightly damaged from the contact. Another incident happened on Lap 172. Chase Elliott received a penalty for not being lined up single-file coming into pit road, even though Elliott could be heard on his incar feed saying he had veered left to avoid hitting someone but gave the spot back. Elliott, driving a No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, finished 18th.
Up next
The Cup series races next at Martinsville Speedway, where Blaney won in November to punch his ticket into last season’s playoff final four. Byron won Martinsville last spring.
“Things started here, and, hopefully, they don’t finish here, but, you know, that’s the plan.”
Kuluel Mading, before Norfolk State’s game against Florida
“Yeah, it’s been a wild journey,” Mading said. “Leaving North Carolina go to Buffalo, which is like, super cold up there, so it’s mad different.” He played sparingly for the Bulls over two seasons, but while he was there, he lost his father, Charles, who died at age 47 in January 2023. Following that basketball season, Mading decided to move closer to home, transferring to Norfolk State.
“Coming closer to home in Virginia, it’s been a long
journey,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, a lot of injuries, close deaths in the family. But I feel like, especially for my dad, I feel like he’s still living through me. Even though he’s not here with us physically, he’s always here in spirit.”
Now Mading got the chance to end his college basketball journey on familiar turf, the conclusion of a long and winding road, with plenty of people lining the shoulder, watching.
“I feel like I have that obligation to put on for the family and make everybody proud that they’re here in North Carolina and Omaha or back home in South Sudan,” he said. “The journey’s been a lot of trials and tribulations, but I’ve got a good group of guys right here. They’ve been keeping me strong the last two years, and it’s the culmination of it all, really.”
Cam Fowler and Gabby White earned basketball player of the year honors
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
THE CENTRAL Tar Heel 1A and Mid-Carolina 1A/2A winter all-conference lists were released. Here are the local athletes who earned all-conference honors.
1A/2A
Boys’ basketball
First eam
Cam Fowler (Northwood, Player of the Year), Beau Harvey (Northwood), Chad Graves (Northwood), Isaiah Blair (Northwood), Reid Albright (Chatham Central), Brennen Oldham (Chatham Central), Noah Lewis (Seaforth), Nolan Mitchell (Jordan-Matthews)
Second Team
Zaeon Auguste (Jordan-Matthews), Sean Price (Jordan-Matthews), Hayes Burleson (Northwood), Josiah Brown (Northwood), Luke Gaines (Chatham Central), Aiden Johnson (Chatham Central)
Coach of the Year: Matt Brown (Northwood)
Girls’ basketball
First Team Gabby White (Seaforth, Player of the Year), Katie Leonard (Seaforth), Peyton Collins (Seaforth),Kelsey Morris (Jordan-Matthews), Karaleigh Dodson (Chatham Central), Shaylah Glover (Northwood), Mikaylah Glover (Northwood), Neah Henry (Northwood)
Second Team
Lizzie Alston (Jordan-Matthews), Cassidy Graves (Jordan-Matthews), Noelle Whitaker (Northwood), Alyia Roberts (Northwood), Camille Rozzell (Seaforth), Abby Morgan (Seaforth), Mattie Underwood (Chatham Central), Chloe Scott (Chatham Central)
Boys’ wrestling
Ethan Kuball (Seaforth, Wrestler of the Year), Jordan Miller (Seaforth), Gabe Rogers (Seaforth), Harrison Compton (Seaforth), Judge Lloyd (Seaforth), Carter Kearney (Seaforth), Caden Brewer (Seaforth), Benjamin Johnson (Seaforth),
Boys’ Indoor Track and Field
Maddock Cody (Seaforth), Layne Armstrong (Seaforth), Zack Staggs (Northwood), Elijah Farrow (Northwood), Aiden Cisneros (Northwood), Aldo Peluso (Northwood), Aiden Hernandez (Chatham Central), Stephen Silhan III (Chatham Central), Yael Mendoza (Chatham Central), Nemiah Page (Jordan-Matthews), Kaleb Moffitt (Jordan-Matthews) Girls’ wrestling
Alexandra Zumano Garcia (Jordan-Matthews, Wrestler of the Year), Ruth Interiano (Jordan-Matthews), Edith Vargas (Jordan-Matthews), Amani Carter (Chatham Central), Caleigh Warf (Chatham Central), Aspen Phillips (Chatham Central), Marelyn Martinez (Northwood), Caroline Cook (Seaforth), Sarah Tanner (Seaforth)
Augustine Koroma (Seaforth, Runner of the Year), Sebastian Calderon (Seaforth), Nathan Smith (Seaforth), Waylon Vose (Seaforth), London Crowling (Seaforth), Will Cuicchi (Seaforth), Samuel Neil (Seaforth), Asher Aldridge (Seaforth), Matthew Washington (Seaforth), Dylan Watkins (Seaforth), Aiden Danna (Seaforth), Jace Jones (Seaforth), Gabriel Lowery (Seaforth), Micah Miller (Seaforth), Walter Entrekin (Seaforth), Paul Cuicchi (Seaforth), Jason Antley (Seaforth), Jack Anstrom (Seaforth), Joe Flynn (Northwood), Luke Waldstein (Northwood), Owen Zsuppan (Northwood), Easton Evans (Northwood), Jordan Wiley (Northwood), Marcus McKoy (Jordan-Matthews) Coach of the Year: Meredith Bazemore (Seaforth)
Girls’ indoor track and field
Abigail Johnson (Seaforth), Emily Jump (Seaforth), Natalia Davis (Seaforth), Claire Morgan (Seaforth), Juana Jimenez (Seaforth), Caidence Bazemore (Seaforth), Brenne Sovereign (Sea-
forth), Sasha Helmer (Seaforth), Tinsley Borland (Seaforth), Piper Gensler (Seaforth), Tallulah Papendleck (Seaforth), Gabby Ghitta (Northwood), Athena Dispennette (Jordan-Matthews)
Coach of the Year: Brittany Christensen (Seaforth)
Girls’ swimming and diving
Sydney Burleigh (Seaforth, Swimmer of the Year), Sydney Haire (Seaforth), Jade Brown (Seaforth), Eva Wahieb (Seaforth), Piper Bailey (Seaforth), Gillian Eriksen (Seaforth), Alyssa Sarbaugh (Seaforth), Juliette Haire (Seaforth), Abigail Emrich (Northwood), Penelope Faris (Northwood), Holly Thesing (Northwood), Andi Wicker (Northwood), Elizabeth Klier (Northwood), Caroline Trageser (Northwood)
Boys’ swimming and diving
Jesse Eskelund (Chatham Central, Swimmer of the Year), Jackson Vaughn (Seaforth), Evan Hepburn (Seaforth), Benjamin Lajoie (Seaforth), Colton Roberts (Seaforth), Mikel Kokas (Seaforth), George Aden (Seaforth), Ken Gatimu (Seaforth), Isaac Lindgren (Seaforth), Tu-
mani Sissoko (Northwood), Jesse Sikes (Northwood), Christian Smith Pumalpa (Northwood), Brian Krebs (Northwood)
Coaches of the Year: Rebecca Reed (Northwood), Amanda Peele (Seaforth)
CENTRAL TAR HEEL 1A
Boys’ basketball
Levi Haygood (Woods Charter), Alden Phelps (Woods Charter), Bhuvanesh Senthil (Woods Charter), Grant Richardson (Woods Charter), Gabe McKoy (Chatham Charter), Brennan LaVelle (Chatham Charter)
Coach of the Year: Leonard McNair (Woods Charter)
Sportsmanship Award: Woods Charter
Girls’ basketball
Wesley Oliver (Woods Charter), Anna Robards (Woods Charter), Kynzie Jordan (Chatham Charter), Peyton York (Chatham Charter)
Honorable mention: Valentina Podolyanskaya (Woods Charter), Kori Myers (Woods Charter)
Sportsmanship Award: Woods Charter
Comedian
Conan O’Brien walks out on stage at 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony on Sunday at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Twain impersonators and Adam Sandler sang “Rockin’ in the Free World”
By Ashraf Khalil
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C.
— On a night when half a dozen people made jokes about this being the last-ever Mark Twain Prize, Conan O’Brien made sure the ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ended on a high note.
O’Brien, 61, was named the 26th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize in mid-January, about three weeks before President Donald Trump upended the Kennedy Center by ousting longtime president Deborah Rutter and board chairman David Rubenstein.
On Sunday, O’Brien specifically thanked Rubenstein and Rutter — drawing an extended round of applause — and also Kennedy Center staffers who, he said, were “worried about what the future might bring.”
He said the example of Mark Twain’s own life and career was particularly resonant at this moment in American history.
“Twain hated bullies. ... He punched up, not down, and he deeply empathized with the weak,” O’Brien said. “Twain loved America, but he knew it was deeply flawed.”
A Mark Twain impersonator then emerged from the au-
dience. After a back-and-forth debate with O’Brien, he joined him on stage and the pair slow danced for a while. They were then joined by a dozen more Twain impersonators and previous Twain Prize recipient Adam Sandler for a raucous rendition of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
That musical ending capped off a night when the uncertain fate of the Kennedy Center itself was woven through the multiple tributes and testimonials to O’Brien.
Once the festivities began, Stephen Colbert joked that the Kennedy Center had announced two new board members: Bashar Assad, the ousted president of Syria, and Skeletor, a fictional “He-Man” supervillain.
John Mulaney quipped that the entire building would soon be renamed “the Roy Cohn Pavilion” after one of Trump’s mentors. And Sarah Silverman made multiple Trump jokes that were too vulgar to print.
Trump, in announcing the Kennedy Center changes, posted on social media that those who were dismissed “do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” Into this maelstrom stepped O’Brien, whose comedic persona has never been particularly political. The comic has always tended more toward goofiness and self-deprecation. But he has also leaned into sensitive societal issues at times.
O’Brien vaulted into the spot-
light from near-total obscurity in 1993 when he was chosen to replace David Letterman as host of “Late Night” despite no significant on-camera experience. The former Harvard Lampoon editor had spent the previous years as a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons,” appearing on camera only as an occasional background extra in “SNL” skits. He went on to host “Late Night” for 16 years, longer than any other host. O’Brien was later tapped to replace Jay Leno as host of “The Tonight Show,” but that experiment ended in public failure. After seven months of declining ratings, NBC executives brought Leno back for a new show that would bump “The Tonight Show” back. O’Brien refused to accept the move, leading to a public spat that ended with a multimillion-dollar payout for O’Brien and his staff to exit the network in early 2010.
O’Brien went on to host another talk show on the cable station TBS and has also launched successful podcasts and travel shows. He is currently on a late-career elder statesman hot streak. His travel series, “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” drew popular and critical acclaim, with a second season coming. His recent gig hosting the Academy Awards was so well received that the producers announced they are bringing him back next year. The ceremony will be streamed on Netflix on May 4.
Nuclear meltdown at Three Mile Island, “Terra-cotta Army” discovered, Reagan shot
MARCH 27
1939: The first NCAA men’s Division I basketball championship game was held, with the University of Oregon defeating Ohio State, 46-33.
1973: Marlon Brando refused to accept his Oscar for best actor in “The Godfather” and sent in his place actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather.
1975: Construction began on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; the 800-mile pipeline was completed just over two years later.
MARCH 28
1898: The U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, ruled 6-2 that Wong, who was born in the United States to Chinese immigrants, was an American citizen.
1941: Author Virginia Woolf, 59, drowned herself near her home in England.
1969: The 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, died at age 78.
1979: America’s worst commercial nuclear accident occurred with a partial meltdown
inside the Unit 2 reactor at the Three Mile Island plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania.
MARCH 29
1974: Chinese farmers found fragments underground where archaeologists would ultimately discover terra-cotta sculptures of more than 8,000 soldiers and other figures. The “Terra-cotta Army” would become one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
1951: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted in New York of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union.
1971: Army Lt. William L. Calley Jr. was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the 1968 My Lai massacre.
1973: The last United States combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam War.
MARCH 30
1822: Florida became a United States territory.
1867: U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward reached agreement with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for $7.2 million, a deal
Producer Brendan O’Brien has worked with Phish and Pearl Jam
By Scott Bauer
The Associated Press
MY MORNING Jacket likes to hide some of its best music behind unassuming titles.
Twenty years ago, the Louisville-based jam-infused rock band led by Jim James released “Z,” one of its most heralded records. And now comes “is,” their 10th full-length record.
So is “is” any good?
Yes, “is” is.
Nearing their third decade as a band, My Morning Jacket’s veterancy shines on “is.” They continue to improve on their ability to write melodic and focused psychedelic rock songs.
And for that reason, seemingly every track on could be a single for the band, a highlight of their live set or a launching pad for improvisation on stage.
For “is,” My Morning Jacket handed the producer duties over to Brendan O’Brien, who has worked with Phish, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam — a rarity for a band that prefers to self-produce and has for nearly a decade.
It’s paid off. O’Brien doesn’t mess with the sound that My
“Hopefully those songs will be helpful to people and give them some kind of peace as they try to deal with the insanity of the world.”
Jim James
Morning Jacket fans love and expect. Instead, he seems to have focused the band in a way that allows them to deliver a unified, 10-song collection. The songs are meant to communicate “a sense of presence in the now,” as James described the album titled in a press release.
“Hopefully those songs will be helpful to people and give them some kind of peace as they try to deal with the insanity of the world,” James said. “Because that’s what music does for me.”
That happens at the jump. Opener “Out in the Open” leads with a catchy guitar riff.
“I’m realizing what’s at stake now,” James sings. “I can’t pretend that I’m not scared / But I’ll live while I’m still free.”
On the love song “Everyday Magic,” James finds transcendence in the mundane. “Every day magic / A ripple in the fab -
‘is’
ridiculed by critics as “Seward’s Folly.”
1981: President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously injured by John W. Hinckley Jr.
MARCH 31
1492: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an edict expelling Jews from Spanish soil, except those willing to convert to Christianity.
1814: Paris was occupied by a coalition of Russian, Prussian and Austrian forces; the surrender of the French capital forced the abdication of Emperor Napoleon.
1968: President Lyndon B. Johnson stunned listeners by declaring, “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”
APRIL 1
1865: During the Civil War, Union forces routed Confederate soldiers in the Battle of Five Forks in Virginia.
1891: The Wrigley Co. was founded in Chicago by William Wrigley, Jr.
1945: American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II.
1976: Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
APRIL 2
1792: Congress passed the Coinage Act, which authorized establishment of the U.S. Mint.
1917: President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy.”
2005: John Paul II, the Polish pope born Karol Józef Wojtyła, one of the most influential leaders of the 20th and 21st centuries, died at age 84.
ric,” he sings. “Of all space time / Oh you have it / In your heart.”
“Time Waited,” another love song, seems destined to become a standard for the band, with its easy-going melody and inventive sample of pedal steel
giant Buddy Emmons’ “Blue Jade.”
That song may find a place on the playlists at weddings of neohippies, especially those who connect a little later in life.
The evidence is in its lyrics:
ATO RECORDS VIA AP
“We know real love takes forever / And the clock ticks faster every year / But time waited / For you and me,” James sings. From the longtime fan to the newbie, “is” delivers with familiar, elevated songs.
The Associated Press
MARCH 27
Actor Julian Glover is 90. Actor Jerry Lacy is 89. Actor-director Austin Pendleton is 85. Actor Michael York is 83. Keyboardist Tony Banks of Genesis is 75. Director Quentin Tarantino is 62.
MARCH 28
Harmonica player Charlie McCoy (“Hee Haw”) is 84. Country singer Reba McEntire is 70. Rapper Salt of SaltN-Pepa is 59. Actor Vince Vaughn is 55. Singer Lady Gaga is 39.
MARCH 29
Comedian Eric Idle is 82. Singer Bobby Kimball of Toto is 78. Singer Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction is 66. Comedian Amy Sedaris is 64. Model Elle Macpherson is 62.
MARCH 30
Actor John Astin is 95. Actor Warren Beatty is 88. Musician Eric Clapton is 80. Rapper MC Hammer is 63. Singer Tracy Chapman is 61. TV host Piers Morgan is 60. Singer Celine Dion is 57. Singer Norah Jones is 46.
MARCH 31
Actor Richard Chamberlain is 91. Actor Christopher Walken is 82. Comedian Gabe Kaplan (“Welcome Back Kotter”) is 80. Actor Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) is 77. Guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC is 70. Bassist Bob Crawford of The Avett Brothers is 54.
APRIL 1
Actor Don Hastings (“As the World Turns”) is 91. Actor Annette O’Toole (“Smallville”) is 73. Rapper-actor Method Man is 54. Filmmakers Albert and Allen Hughes (“Menace II Society,” “Dead Presidents”) are 53.
APRIL 2
Actor Linda Hunt is 80. Singer Emmylou Harris is 77. Actor Pamela Reed is 76. Drummer Dave Robinson of The Cars is 76. Actor Christopher Meloni (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) is 64.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” and the series “Mobland” are streaming this week in a device near you.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ lands on Disney+, Chalamet’s Dylan hits Hulu, Will Smith drops first record in 20 years
Ritchie’s ‘MobLand’ features Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren
The Associated Press
WILL SMITH’S first new album in 20 years and “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Barry Jenkins’ photorealistic prequel to the 1994 animated classic, are some of this week’s new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Seth Rogen stars in a new Hollywood satire called “The Studio” for Apple TV+ and Timothée Chalamet stars in his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
“Mufasa: The Lion King” started out a little like a cub in theaters but ultimately roared to $717 million in worldwide ticket sales. On Friday, Jenkins’ photorealistic prequel arrives on Disney+. In it, Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) tells the story of how he was washed away from the pride lands by a flood but returns years later to fulfill his destiny. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr wrote that “Mufasa” “isn’t simply checking off fan services boxes and overexplaining origins that never needed them: It’s actually good.”
James Mangold’s Dylan drama “A Complete Unknown” (out Thursday on Hulu) might not have won any of the eight awards it was nominated for at the Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor for Chalamet, but it was a hit in theaters and managed a possibly even more elusive prize: the blessing of Dylan, himself. The film charts Dylan’s arrival in New York in 1961 and leads up to his infamous Newport Folk Festival appearance four years later. In his review, AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy praised “A Complete Unknown” as more about the Dylan effect than a revealing portrait of enigmatic musician: “It’s not who Dylan is but what he does to us.”
The second 2024 Luca Guadagnino film penned by Justin Kuritzkes and scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, “Queer,” arrived last week on Max. While drastically different from Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” his William S. Burroughs’ adaptation, starring Daniel Craig as the Burroughs alter ego Lee, is likewise concerned with the mysteries of romantic connection.
SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES VIA AP
This week, Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” lands on Apple TV + and the comedy series “Mid-Century Modern” comes to Hulu.
Last week, Will Smith released the 14-track “Based on a True Story.” Previously released songs may offer some hints about what fans can expect. The record will include “You Can Make It,” which Smith debuted at the 2024 BET Awards alongside Kirk Franklin, Fridayy and the gospel choir Sunday Service. Then there are the rap tracks “Tantrum” with Joyner Lucas, “Beautiful Scars” with Big Sean and “Work of Art” with Russ and his son Jaden Smith. Perfume Genius, the musical moniker of Mike Hadreas, creates at a tension point. On “Glory,” his latest collection is at the conceptual intersection of ex-
ternal ambition and a predilection for isolation. On the single “It’s A Mirror,” he makes the stress known in a familiar twang: “What do I get out of being established?” he sings, “I still run and hide when a man’s at the door.” This is sinewy, expansive indie-folk, where domesticity is both scary and sexy and everything in between.
SHOWS TO STREAM
Shows about high-speed racing like Formula One and NASCAR have helped boost the popularity of motorsports, but female racers have typically been overlooked by the genre. Just this month, Katherine Legge became the first woman to
compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick in 2018. A new docuseries from Prime Video called “First to Finish” is dedicated to women in motorsports. It follows Heather Hadley and Sally Mott — both female drivers — and Shea Holbrook, a female team owner as they compete in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship. “First to Finish” is ready to stream on Prime Video.
Rogen stars in a new satire called “The Studio” for Apple TV+. Rogen plays Matt Remick, the new head of The Continental, a storied Hollywood studio. Remick loves moviemaking and his romanticized version of the business is often at odds with its need to make money. Rogen is a co-creator on the series and also its writer, director and executive producer alongside his partner Evan Goldberg. Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara, Chase Sui Wonder also co-star as industry executives. The show also has guest appearances including Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, Ted Sarandos and Olivia Wilde — all playing exaggerated versions of themselves. It is now streaming. The sequel series to Prime Video’s “Bosch” called “Bosch: Legacy” launches its third and final season on Thursday. It stars Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch, a former LAPD detective now working in the private sector. The character was first introduced in novels by Michael Connelly. And here’s a
Elle Fanning, left, and Timothée Chalamet star in the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.”
fun fact, in Connelly’s books Bosch is the half-brother of Mickey Haller, who is the subject of Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
After one of their closest friends dies, three gay men move in together in Palm Springs in Hulu’s new comedy, “Mid-Century Modern.” It stars Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham and Matt Bomer (as the Rose Nylund of the group if this were “The Golden Girls,” of which there are similarities.) The show debuts Friday and also features Linda Lavin in her final role. Guy Ritchie’s new mafia series “MobLand” comes to Paramount+ on Sunday, March 30. It features an all-star cast including Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Joanne Froggatt as series regulars. The show follows two rival crime families whose middleman is played by Hardy.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
In 1957, a nuclear reactor in the northwest United Kingdom caught fire, releasing radioactive material across Europe. Atomfall, from British studio Rebellion, imagines that the aftermath of that accident was much weirder than reported. Sure, you can expect to run into mutated beasts in the quarantine zone. You might be surprised, though, when you have to deal with rogue government agencies, a creepy cult and killer robots. The Geiger counter starts ticking Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
Duplin County joins statewide burn ban effort to prevent wildfires
Duplin County
An Open Burning Ban is in effect for Duplin County due to dry conditions and a heightened wildfire risk. The ban applies to all unincorporated areas and is part of a statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service covering all 100 counties. The ban prohibits all open burning, including previously issued permits, with new permits also suspended until further notice. Violations may result in a $100 fine and additional court costs. For questions, contact the Duplin County ranger at the N.C. Forest Service at 910-289-2735.
Police seek information on shooting incident
Wallace The Wallace Police Department is seeking information regarding an incident that occurred last Thursday at Camino Real, located at 607 N. Norwood St., at 9:52 p.m. The incident involved a middle-aged male who sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the police department at 910-2852126. Preliminary findings indicate the wound may have been self-inflicted, however, the investigation remains open. Law enforcement confirmed the man is not a resident of Wallace.
Beulaville employee arrested for drugs, embezzlement
Beulaville
Joseph Willis, an employee of Carlie C’s IGA in Beulaville, was arrested and charged with embezzlement, larceny by employee, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He received a $15,000 secured bond and is being held at the Duplin County Jail. According to the Beulaville Police Department, last Thursday, they investigated a report of employee theft involving Willis, who had failed to show up for work or return home. Local police located him in Warsaw, where he was allegedly found in possession of the stolen currency, cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Law enforcement reports that approximately $6,900 was stolen from Carlie C’s IGA.
The town was awarded $5 million toward its construction
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal
WALLACE — Officials and public servants came together Monday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of Wallace’s new fire station, an undertaking nearly 10 years in the making.
“This is a long time coming,” said Mayor Jason Wells in his opening remarks, explaining that
“This is a long time coming.”
Mayor Jason Wells
the lot for the new fire station was purchased back in 2006.
“I don’t want to say that was the easy part, but that was the cheap part, I guess I would say,” he said, eliciting laughter from those gathered for the ceremony. “You know, building
Conditional zoning for the travel trailer campsite expands Warsaw’s recreational opportunities
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
WARSAW — Wheels are in motion to develop a travel trailer campground in Warsaw. During a recent public hearing, the Warsaw Town Board approved a conditional rezoning of a parcel on Pete Quinn Road, which is located on the edge of Warsaw’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Austin Brinkley with Insight Planning & Development pre-
sented an overview of the proposed Smith Family Campground project, which would be developed on 117 acres in four phases.
The project will ultimately create a facility with 625 units, offering recreational and tourism opportunities for Warsaw.
“This proposal will contribute toward recreation and tourism in Warsaw and should have an overall positive effect on the economy,” Brinley said. “And it would provide a benefit both to the county and region as well through the provision of facilities for outdoor enthusiasts, tourists, families, and travelers.”
“It would provide a benefit both to the county and region as well through the provision of facilities for outdoor enthusiasts, tourists, families, and travelers.” Austin Brinkley, Insight Planning & Development
Brinkley explained that the campground will be family-oriented and open year-round from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., although hours may vary by season. There will be a full-time on-site manager available, and the campground is expected to employ 30 people when fully operational. The campground is affiliated with the Jellystone Group.
ing 100 units and then 175 RVs in phases two, three and four,” Brinkley explained. “The campground is proposing to provide a lot of amenities, such as the clubhouse, the pool, cabanas at the pool area and some recreation areas.”
Phillip Smith from Smith
“The first phase is propos-
Duplin trial ends with life sentence in long-running rape investigation
A Kenansville man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sex offenses
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
A HIGH-PROFILE rape trial came to an end last week as a Kenansville man was sentenced to life in prison.
The sentencing took place in Duplin County Superior Court after Delmus Foss Jr., 67, plead guilty to rape charges dating back to 1977 and 1984, and two counts of indecent liberties with a child from 2020.
According to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, as the trial unfolded on its second day with district attorneys from the 5th Prosecutorial District presenting evidence, Foss’ defense attorney approached the prosecution, expressing that Foss wanted to end the trial and plead guilty.
during the investigation it was also discovered that similar activity took place to the victim’s sister, another juvenile, age 12. Foss was arrested in 2021 and charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that when the news of Foss’ arrest became public, two more victims came forward. The third victim was Foss’ cousin, a 54-year-old woman, who alleged she had been repeatedly raped by Foss during her childhood. Authorities later determined the rape occurred in the summer of 1977.
The DAs announcement stated the fourth rape victim was Foss’ niece, a 44-year-old woman who also came forward after the initial investigation came to light. According to law enforcement, it was determined that the woman was raped in December 1984. The victims were 8 and 11 years old at the time of the offenses. Foss was arrested on May 2021 and charged with second degree forcible rape for the offense committed in 1977, and first $2.00
The investigation began in November 2020 in Beulaville when Foss’ granddaughter, 6, reported Foss’ improper sexual conduct. According to law enforcement,
Ena Sellers
K.D. Beard Reporter
Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor
Loretta Carey Office Manager
CONTACT US
Office Phone: 910 463-1240
To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042
We stand corrected
To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
March 27
Wallace Methodist Church’s Lenten Services will begin on Thursday, March 27 at noon and continue on April 3 and April 10. There will be a service in the sanctuary and light lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
March 28
• As a Kindness Month initiative, MCEC Duplin Teen Court youth are sponsoring a donation drive for the Duplin County Animal Shelter through March 28. For information on how and where to donate items, call 910-214-5117. Visit mceconline.org for more details.
• Join Pet Friends of Duplin County for a fun-filled evening supporting a great cause at the Bingo Night Fundraiser on March 28. Enjoy an exciting game of bingo while helping animals in need. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the games begin promptly at 6:45 p.m. at Poston Baptist Church’s Coley Hall at 4121 N.C. 11 in Wallace. Tickets are available at the door for $10. Your ticket includes one bingo card, chips and a bottle of water. Additional cards are available for $5 each or three for $10. Pizza and baked goods will be available for purchase.
April 5
Beulaville’s annual Hog Wild Cook- off will take place on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Highway 241 and Highway 41, with parking available beside the Realo store. The event is free and will feature performances by Lily White and the Band of Oz starting at noon. Enjoy a variety of vendors, live local entertainment, a cake walk, children’s games, a 50/50 raffle and more! BBQ plates are available for $10.
• The Town of Teachey will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 5 from 1-3 p.m. at the Teachey Town Park on
Boney Street. Families are invited to join in the fun-filled event. The hunt promises a delightful afternoon and the perfect opportunity for local residents to celebrate the season in a lively and community-focused way. Call 910 -285 -7564 for more information. Enjoy craft vendors, food, games, a silent auction, and basketball and soccer tournaments at the North Duplin Jr./Sr. High School Spring Festival on April 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Cabin Lake Youth Fishing Tournament will be held on April 12 at 8 a.m. at Cabin Lake County Park at 220 Cabin Lake Road in Pink Hill. Online registration closes on April 8. To sign up, call 910-296-2120. Participation is free for children ages 4 to 14. Prizes will be awarded in three age brackets, and a grand prize will be given for the biggest fish caught overall.
• The Pink Hill Eggstravaganza will take place on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 201 Jones Ave. The egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. The event is free to attend.
Easter in the Park will take place on April 12 at Clement Street Park from 1-3 p.m. Join the town of Wallace for a fun-filled day with the Easter Bunny! The event will include a train ride, a bounce house, an egg scramble, arts and crafts, vendors and much more. For additional information, call 910 -285 -2905.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Duplin County Center, will host an introductory canning workshop on April 15 at 10 a.m. at 165 Agriculture Drive in Kenansville. The session will cover basic canning techniques, necessary equipment and the differences between pressure canning and boiling water canning. This is an excellent opportunity for beginners or those returning to canning. To register, call 910-296-2143.
• The Board of County Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910 -29 6-2100.
The Beulaville town board meets the first Monday of each month at
6:30 p.m. at 508 East Main St. in Beulaville. For more information, call 910-298-4647.
The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 103 W. Trade St. For information, call 919-658-9221.
• The Faison town board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 NE Center St. in Faison. For more information, call 910-267-2721.
The Economic Development Board meets the first Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.
The Duplin County NAACP holds its monthly meetings on the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church at 336 West Hill St. in Warsaw.
• The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at 314 E. Charity Road. For information, call 910-289-3078.
The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910-285-7564.
• The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 121 S. Front St. For information, call 910-293-7814.
The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 108 Taylor St. in Magnolia. For information, call 910-289-3205.
• The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910-289-3159. The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910-372-9178.
• The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at 316 East Murray St. in Wallace. For more information, call 910 -285-4136.
Duplin County Beekeepers meet the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Duplin Extension Center.
• Friends of Horticulture meet the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Duplin Extension Center.
• The Duplin County Airport Commission Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport.
a building takes a lot of money.”
The push for a new fire station was driven by the combined efforts of the local fire department and the town’s leadership. Wells credited former Fire Chief Chuck Farrior and Chief of Police Jimmy Crayton, who were both instrumental in this effort.
“I will say without the efforts of Chief Farrior and Chief Crayton, this building would not be possible. Because they did all the selling that day,” he said, praising their dedication and advocacy for the project.
According to Wells, a pivotal meeting was held with local and state officials two or three years ago to push the project forward. Sen. Brent Jackson, Rep. Jimmy Dixon, Councilor Jason Davis, along with Wells, Farrior and Crayton, came together to discuss the fire station’s future. The meeting resulted in Jackson and Dixon taking the cause to the state, ultimately securing the funding needed to bring the fire station to life.
Though the town initially requested $20 million in funding for the project, $5 million was awarded to begin the construction of the new fire station.
“We had this vision of a new fire and (police department) and town hall and trying to renovate all these buildings at once,” said Wells. “We still got a little work to do with the funding, but the state came back and they gave us $5 million dollars to
College
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — Approxi-
mately 700 10th-grade students from all five of the county’s high schools participated in the annual Career and College Fair at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville last Wednesday, exploring potential professional and academic futures from all 16 available career clusters.
The event was sponsored by Duplin County School’s Duplin County Partnership for Career Planning and matches student interest with available career pathways through collaboration with various local businesses, organizations and industries.
The process for organizing the Career and College Fair starts as early as October, according to Erica Jones, director of career and technical education and 9-13 curriculum for the Duplin County school system. Students are surveyed by
“Your collaboration with our schools continues to open doors for our kids.”
Nicole Murray, Duplin County Schools
the schools in December and are matched with invited employers based on their top four interests. While careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics have historically seen the largest interest at the event, explained Jones, this year saw substantive increases in interest for careers in agriculture, architecture, art, business, and health. Given the district’s STEAMA-focused curriculum, which endeavors to provide students with personalized career pathways in STEM professions in addition to agriculture and the arts, the increased interest in those categories serves to indicate the initiative’s success.
Throughout the day, sophomore students rotated from booth to booth and engaged with service members, law enforcement, contractors, nurses,
business leaders, marketing executives, and many other industry and academic professionals. Presenters at each booth encouraged discussions, played games and shared stories to exhibit the nature of their respective careers for students considering those pathways as futures.
Deidra Grantham, manager of marketing and communications at Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, challenged students during her presentation at the marketing booth to guess various companies based solely on their slogans, making a game of brand recognition to illustrate an important facet of a career in advertisement and marking.
Before the lunch separating the event, the chief officer for STEAM Curriculum and Instruction/Professional Development addressed the invited employers and educators, thanking them for taking time out of their busy schedules to take part in the Career and College Fair.
“You’re not just providing information,” said Murray. “Your collaboration with our schools continues to open doors for our kids.”
The event was a longtime goal of Anne Skinner, the museum’s now-retired STEM educator
By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal
SATURDAY’S ECOBLAST
Climate Extravaganza at the Cowan Museum of History and Science in Kenansville was a labor of love for Museum Director Robin Grotke, who rallied presenters, volunteers and organizations from across the state to educate attendees on the Earth’s climate, the influence human activity and development has upon it, how these changes are impacting agriculture, wildlife and local ecosystems in an uplifting and fun-filled fashion that was accessible to all ages.
Though the museum has previously held ecoBlast and Earth Day events, last weekend’s Climate Extravaganza was the first of its kind, a conception of the museum’s cherished STEM Educator, Anne Skinner, who organized vendors for the event prior to her retirement.
“It was very important for me to go through with this,” shared Grotke. “I wanted to do something like this for the community, and so did Anne. It’s her dream.”
Agricultural communities have by necessity an intimate relationship with climate, their livelihood and prosperity in no small shape dependent upon its requisite respect and understanding. What crops are sown, which are reaped and whether they survive the season at all are each determined by its variation. As surface temperatures and emissions continue to increase as a result of human development, the climate is adapting — along with the ecosystems and communities that rely upon it.
“Climate change, in gener-
al, affects the extremes, the North Hemisphere and extreme Southern Hemisphere first, and then it comes downhill, so to speak,” explained Pen Croom, treasurer of the Duplin County Beekeepers Association. “So you see more changes in the Arctic than you would here, for instance. That’s why some people are able to deny it. But change is happening,” he added.
The organization maintains an apiary on the museum grounds and was present to share valuable information about how the insects impact the climate — and how the climate is impacting them.
“Our biggest challenge is land use. Loss of habitat for bees,” said Croom, echoing a sentiment shared by nearly every presenter at the event.
As humans continue to develop land and turn to new agricultural concepts such as clean farming, the perimeter of weeds and wildflowers that once rimmed fields to provide for pollinators is cut away to maximize profit.
“Bees are adaptable to a certain point, but they need our help now,” he continued.
Lisa Yemma with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences — Whiteville also referenced the adverse effect modern agricultural practices have had on the climate.
“A lot of our farmers farm but leave our fields like this,” she said, indicating an aerial photograph of a barren field. “They recommend a cover crop, but that just costs money. So what we’re noticing is: Where does the carbon go?”
As with concrete production, carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. However, there may be a way to mitigate the damage such practices have caused.
“We know the solution — plant trees, plant crops, plant … plants!” Yemma advised, explaining that trees and other plants effectively reverse the processes that cause the greenhouse effect by consuming carbon and converting it into oxygen.
“Plant trees, plant
plant … plants!”
For Lyndon McCall of Nahunga Creek Tropicals in Warsaw, rising temperatures are less concerning than the rising fuel costs to maintain his greenhouses, though he did note that human expansion is impacting the natural habitats of certain plant species.
“Development is taking a lot of wetlands and bogs in different places where a lot of carnivorous stuff grows,” explained McCall, nodding toward a tray of Venus flytraps. “They’re historically found in Duplin County. They’re harder to find now because everything’s been drained.”
Representing WNCT9 of Greenville was meteorologist Christopher Tyndall, sharing knowledge with event-goers about severe weather preparedness as we enter the season and the effects rising temperatures are having on the weather.
“We are seeing a rise in our sea surface temperatures,” explained Tyndall. “Warm ocean water is fuel for hurricanes. In turn, we’re seeing more hurricanes.”
Coastal impacts have become evident as well, according to Tyndall, including coastal flooding, overwash and even the collapse of houses along the Outer Banks as a result of the wind and waves brought by severe storms and shore erosion due to rising sea levels.
As the evolving climate drives species like the American alligators further inland and further north in the state, ecosystems the world over are undergoing
their own transitions. Coastal and maritime forests are fading, with excess salinity killing trees and leaving “ghost forests” in their place. Eventually, these will transition into salt marshes.
According to Catherine Norris of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, the names of these new ecosystems are nothing to be afraid of; ghost forests have provided nests for waterfowl, and many species thrive in salt marshes, such as the majestic Great Egret. Nature, it seems, is changing along with the climate.
The event was made possible through collaboration with other organizations and museums within the North Carolina Science Network, all of whom are grant recipients of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with grants administered by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.
“They’ve been telling us that we really need to partner together, and it’s very important for this granting program to work. So that’s what we’re trying to do,” Grotke said, adding that she hopes to help other network members with their events in the future.
In addition to the organizations represented, Master Blend Farms and Sippin’ Sunshine provided food and drinks for the event. Ten volunteers from Duplin Early College High School and James Sprunt Community College were also on hand to assist with the event and direct guests.
“I’m happy that these museums can spread their knowledge about this serious issue — and that it’s still fun for people,” remarked Grotke. Her heartfelt dedication to Skinner’s dream saw it realized over the weekend beneath an atmosphere of optimism and hope.
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
What struck me most about the students’ answers was how they plan to use their college educations to achieve their goals and prepare them for their life work.
THE MISSION of the Duplin County Education Foundation includes “promoting the development of character, integrity, leadership, and scholarship of young people attending public schools in Duplin County.”
One way the foundation meets this goal is awarding scholarships to graduating seniors. Thanks to the generosity of numerous individuals, the foundation is able to award generous grants to help students continue their education by attending college.
One component of the scholarship application is a 250- to 650-word essay in which the student is asked to “describe your educational and career goals and explain why you have chosen these goals.”
As a member of the foundation’s Board of Directors, I had the privilege of reading many of this year’s essays. I was impressed by the students’ responses, their educational and career goals, and why they have chosen these goals.
Here is a sampling of the variety of their career choices: teacher, horticulture/soil science, lawyer, nursing,
COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS
doctor, biomedical engineer/neurologist, dentist, radiologist, aerospace engineer/ NASA , filmmaker, business degree , social worker, wildlife conservation biologist, mechanical engineer, botany/ graphic design, veterinarian, computer/ electrical engineering.
What struck me most about the students’ answers was how they plan to use their college educations to achieve their goals and prepare them for their life work. They shared their desire to use their education, including that received in our local public schools, to serve the people of Duplin County and beyond.
In different ways, the students described how they want to use what most interests them in ways that benefit society as a whole and individuals in particular. “Vocation” is a good word for what our seniors conveyed in their essays. The dictionary defines vocation as “a strong feeling that you are especially suited to do a particular job or to fulfill a particular role in life, especially one that involves helping other people” and “a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. Leonardo da Vinci put
it this way, “Make your work to be in keeping with your purpose.” Author and theologian Frederick Buechner put the idea in these words: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Farmer and poet Wendell Berry adds his thought that “the old and honorable idea of ‘vocation’ is simply that we each are called, by God, or by our gifts, or by our preference, to a kind of good work for which we are particularly fitted.”
In their essays, seniors expressed their gratitude to Duplin County Schools and teachers for providing the education, experiences and encouragement they needed to help them fulfill their goals, continue their education and pursue their vocations, which will be of mutual benefit to them and our communities. This positive feedback is an indication that Duplin Schools is meeting the stated objective of providing excellent and innovative leaders, teachers, and personnel to ensure college and career readiness for all pre-K to 13 students.
Philip Gladden lives in Wallace and writes on behalf of Duplin County Schools.
For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s economic priority shouldn’t be preventing a recession.
Stock prices are always a bit of a roller coaster. Over the last month, it’s mostly been a downhill ride. In mid-February, the S&P 500 hit 6,144. It’s now dipped below 5,525. That’s around a 10% drop, which means the market is in correction territory. This has people talking about the dreaded “r-word.”
“Stocks Plunge as Recession Talk Gets Louder,” a recent New York Times headline read.
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if he expected a recession this year.
“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump responded. “There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing, and there are always periods of, it takes a little time. It takes a little time, but I think it should be great for us.”
That’s a different tone than he had on the campaign trail. Trump told voters that he’d deliver “the best jobs, the biggest paychecks and the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.”
What’s going on?
Start with this: Most Americans don’t judge the economy based on the stock market — and rightly so. From Election Day in 2020 to Election Day last November, the S&P 500 increased by more than 70%.
Yet the public rightly believed that former President Joe Biden oversaw a terrible economy. A 2024 ABC News exit poll found 45% of voters said they were worse off under the Biden administration. That was a higher number than in 2008 during the Great Recession.
Biden’s reckless spending and prolonged COVID restrictions drove inflation sky-high. It wasn’t just the high cost of gas and groceries that hurt Americans. For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
Next, there is often a trade-off between short-term and long-term economic growth. Consumer spending drives much of the American economy. Firing federal workers and cutting government spending will reduce that, hurting the economy right now. But as those workers find jobs in the private sector, they’ll start producing more stuff, driving long-term economic growth.
Finally, the Trump administration isn’t trying to blindly boost GDP. That measure includes all economic activity, including what illegal immigrants generate. Trump and Vice President JD Vance want to make things more affordable for Americans.
For instance, by deporting illegal aliens and securing the border, Trump may hurt aggregate economic growth. But look at how it helps Americans.
“If you allow 20 million people to
compete with American citizens for the cost of homes, you are going to have a large and, frankly, completely preventable spike in the demand for housing,” Vance said in a recent speech.
He’s right. Mass deportations and closing the border will reduce housing prices by lowering demand. Shrinking the pool of low-skilled workers will also increase wages for Americans in that group.
Both moves may hurt GDP. So-called experts may even declare that there’s a recession. But deporting illegals will improve the personal finances of many Americans. So will Trump’s moves to deregulate the energy industry, although rolling back regulations can take years.
The focus on Americans is why Trump says he’s pushing tariffs. He wants companies to return to the U.S. and to extract noneconomic concessions from countries like Mexico and Canada. If he can use the threat of tariffs to reduce the flow of fentanyl, it’d be a major achievement. But tariffs raise prices. Playing tariff chicken with Canada may hurt both sides dearly and undermine his other economic efforts.
Trump’s economic success doesn’t hinge on the stock market. Voters want him to enact policies that lead to lower prices and better job opportunities — for Americans.
Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Angela Smith
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
EACH WEEK, Duplin Journal highlights a community member whose hard work and dedication represent the spirit of Duplin County. This week, Duplin Journal invited Angela Smith, Rose Hill town administrator and finance officer, for a Q&A session.
Smith began her career with the town of Rose Hill in 2001 as an administrative assistant and utility clerk. Eager to hone her skills and contribute to her community, she quickly immersed herself in municipal operations and pursued specialized courses offered by the School of Government and the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM).
Her career took off as she advanced through the ranks, taking on senior roles that allowed her to directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the town’s financial operations. Nearly 24 years later, she continues to make an impact in local government.
As the town administrator and finance officer, Smith’s role is essential in the management, operation and financial oversight of the town of Rose Hill. Her journey is living proof of how dedication, hard work and perseverance can lead to great achievements.
In this Q&A, Smith shares insights into her journey in public service, her love for Duplin’s tight-knit communities, and the things that make it a special place to live and work. What inspired you to pursue a career in local government?
In 2001, after my youngest daughter was born, I knew it was time for me to return to work. A friend of mine informed me of a job opening at the Town of Rose Hill in the office. I applied, and here I am, almost 24 years later.
Can you share about your journey to becoming the town administrator and finance officer for Rose Hill?
I began in September of 2001 as an administrative assistant and utility clerk. Over the years, I took it upon myself to pay attention and observe and take advantage of educational opportunities to learn more about local government operations. I had experience in accounting already, but I did build on that with Rose Hill. I learned finance and budgeting. Not only hands-on, which is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to learn anything, but I did take courses over the years that the School of Government or NCLM would offer. I worked my way up from administrative assistant.
Deputy tax collector and accounts payable were added to my experience. I was eventually promoted to accounting operations manager/town clerk and deputy finance officer. I received my clerk’s certification through the School of Government during that time. I remained in that position for over three years; then, the town administrator position became open when our former administrator, John Bauer, retired — who, by the way, was a wonderful mentor. I put my name in the hat. The board had enough faith in me to give me the opportunity. That was the latter part of 2022.
What projects are you currently working on, or what future initiatives are you excited about?
The town has several projects going on: Stormwater, lead line replacement, AIA study, fifth-year resurfacing, and CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization. All of these are grants the town currently has open. Not that stormwater isn’t super exciting, but my favorite is the Neighborhood Revitalization Grant we received. This is serving low-income property owners in town that need help either restoring what they have or rebuilding what is not restorable and they can’t afford to do it themselves. We can’t help all that applied, but
we can at least help four. This is what it is about — the citizens. I can also see the town applying for another in three years. Hopefully, we can help at least four more. On a side note, the board has been excellent to work with. Voters should be proud that this group of six people they chose to make important decisions for and represent the town are doing so with them in mind.
What advice would you give young women who aspire to lead in government or other career fields?
Be yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself, either. Never say you can’t do anything. I am proof that hard work, motivation and the willingness to ask questions can move mountains. Dabble a little faith in there and you will succeed.
What role do residents and community organizations play in shaping the economic future of Rose Hill?
Their roles are essential. Providing a supportive environment for local businesses is crucial for businesses to thrive and boost the local economy. Both residents and community organizations do this. Residents that participate in community development can help improve infrastructure and create opportunities. Community organizations can help attract investment in the community by promoting our area’s strengths. They work hand in hand to promote Rose Hill so people can see it is a great place to live and work, yet still has that “hometown” feel.
degree forcible rape for the offense committed in 1984.
District attorney Ernie Lee shared in a press release that the case was particularly challenging due to its complexity and the need for extensive investigation uncovering the offenses dating back to 1977 and 1984.
“The investigation conducted by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office included multiple interviews of victims, day care workers and family members of the victims, as well as traveling to various locations where the sex-
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Family Campground stated that any extended stays will be limited to six months, with only 50% of the park designated for this purpose.
“Solid waste is going to be contracted for collection with one of the landfills within the town or county,” Brinkley said.
“Water is going to be extended and either provided by the county or Warsaw at the developer’s expense, so the devel-
ual assaults occurred. The juvenile victims were interviewed, examined and evaluated by the Child Advocacy Center in Greenville,” stated Lee, adding that his office dedicated many hours to preparing the case.
“This office is grateful for victims who come forward and report these crimes, even after years of suffering from such violent acts in order to seek justice for themselves and others, including family members.
This was an effort made by all those involved, Sheriff Stratton Stokes and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, who conducted the investigation, the coura-
oper is aware that they will be responsible for paying for any kind of waterline extension to the property.”
He mentioned that all parking areas and vehicle surfaces will have a minimum gravel base and will be subject to a regular maintenance schedule. Brinkley also noted that emergency services will have full access to the campground to address any public safety concerns. The board discussed the in-
Managing the town’s finances is a significant responsibility. Considering the economic challenges that many small towns face, what strategies do you employ to ensure that Rose Hill remains financially sustainable?
Keep track of investments. Follow policy and procedure for obligating and purchasing. Consistently monitoring revenue coming in versus expenses going out. Consistent routine equipment maintenance. Monitor utility rates to make sure the town is bringing in the revenue to accommodate current and future capital expenditures. Keep the property tax rate sustainable for the town’s general fund without it being too much of a burden on the taxpayer. There are so many different things that help keep the town economically stable. One of the most important is good internal control. Without those checks and balances in place, it leaves the town vulnerable.
What do you do in your spare time?
Spend time with my grandchildren and my family. There is no better way to spend my time.
What was the last book you read?
The last book I finished was “The Shack” by William Young. Although it is taking me longer than it should, I am currently reading “The Rising” by Tim Lahaye/Jerry Jenkins.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in Duplin County?
I honestly do not have a favorite. But I am partial to the Rose Hill Restaurant. It is one of the few places locally to get good Southern comfort food. What, in your opinion, is the best thing about Duplin County?
The people. We still have tight-knit communities. That is something that is becoming nonexistent. Thank God Duplin County still has it.
Community spirit shines in mausoleum cleanup
Harvey Knowles and Michael Sublett from WoodmenLife of Wallace recently revitalized the mausoleum located across from the historic Rockfish Presbyterian Church in Wallace. On March 15, they dedicated five hours to cleaning and restoring its appearance, ensuring that it was well-maintained. This effort was part of a project sponsored by WoodmenLife of Wallace. Their work highlights the importance of volunteerism and makes a positive contribution to the community.
geous juvenile victims who initiated the investigation, as well as the brave adult women who ensured that Foss Jr. faced the consequences of his actions from as long as 48 years ago,” Lee wrote. Foss was sentenced to life in prison for the rape committed in 1984, an additional sentence of 20 to 50 years for the rape committed in 1977 and two consecutive sentences of 19 to 32 months for the offenses committed in 2020. He was placed on the sex offender registry and is currently in custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
frastructure needs, noting that the property is currently outside of Warsaw’s sewer system. Any necessary water infrastructure may require annexation into the town. Commissioner Al Searles emphasized the importance of ensuring clarity on site-specific items, such as solid waste and water supply, to be included in the conditions to avoid future confusion. The board agreed that these specifics should be added to the agreement.
JSCC to provide computer basics for seniors
Kenansville
James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville will be offering Computer Basics for Seniors at Duplin County Senior Services starting on April 1. The course will consist of two sessions, with the first from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the second from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The course is designed to provide the fundamental computer competencies needed to survive and prosper in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. The course will be hands-on and highly interactive. Those interested should contact Jennifer Moore at 910-296 2140 for more information.
Pink Hill
The Pink Hill Public Library will be offering a series of four-week digital skills information sessions beginning in April as part of an East Carolina University College of Health and Human Performance research study. The schedule for the sessions is as follows: April 1, basic computer skills; April 8, online safety and privacy; April 15, how to search and find trusted information online; and April 29, using health care online. Light refreshments will be provided during the sessions. Additionally, participants who complete both the pretest and posttest will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad. For more information or to sign up, please call 252-568-3631.
Wallace
The Early Educators of Duplin County’s 2025 Provider’s Event will be held at the Mad Boar Restaurant in Wallace on April 11 and will be free for Duplin County Early Educators. Each teacher will be responsible for registering by Friday, April 4. Space is limited. No children are allowed. Nicole Brown Harris will serve as guest speaker for the event, with special entertainment from the Wallace-Rose Hill Junior Varsity and Varsity Cheerleaders and Everly Friend. Call 910-296-2000 to register.
TwoLocations Pink Hill/Mount Olive 252.568.3911 / 919.658.6027 www.kornegayinsurance.com Kornegay Insurance
First weekend in May In Historic Downtown Wallace
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
CALYPSO — Two Duplin
County basketball teams that combined for 49 wins were lauded by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association.
Four players from the area — East Duplin’s Kinsey Cave and Ja’Myah Pickettt, and North Duplin’s Tateyawna Faison and Addy Higginbotham — were tabbed to all-star squads for District 2, while Panthers head coach Mark Lane captured Coach of the Year honors.
Recognition hasn’t come easily for Lane despite fielding w inning teams in all but two of his 17 seasons in Beulaville.
Part of that is because of next-level players and teams (Northside-Jacksonville, SWO) blocking the Panthers’ path
in the playoffs and conference finals.
Lane, who followed legendary coach Jerry Hunter and his 508 wins and state title in 1998, has worked hard to make his niche.
Last December, Lane picked up his 300th victory as East Duplin won 20 games for the ninth time during his tenure and has a career mark of 310-124.
The Panthers were 25-3, which is the second-most wins during that span. ED would no doubt have topped the 2019 club that was 26-2 if two ECC Tournament games had not been wiped out because of a winter storm.
Yet the biggest treat for fans was a run to the fourth-round of the 2A playoffs, as the season ended with a setback to
East Duplin’s Kyle Kern had a memorable performance, striking out 14 during a 4-0 win over rival Wallace-Rose Hill
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
TEACHEY — Kaiden Lui was the best pitcher in Duplin County a season ago, though baseball insiders could see Kyle Kern finding his way into the picture.
The two right-handers combined for 25 strikeouts on Friday, as Kern threw a complete game to pace East Duplin to a 4-0 win in a game that wasn’t decided until Lui left after reaching the 105-pitch limit in the sixth.
For five innings, it was a pitching duel made in Cooperstown as both hurlers dominated. Lui had two strikeouts in his first three innings and the fifth while whiffing the side in the fourth.
He fanned Austin Rouse looking with a man on second in the first and got a great tag from first baseman Luke Jack-
son to end the second. Consecutive strikeouts in the third left two on board. A three-base error in the fourth put JP Murphy on third with one out. And while Lui whiffed Jesus Mojica and Cain Graham, a wild pitch allowed the first run of the day.
Gavin Holmes’s hard grounder to third base was kept in the infield but put him on first with an infield single with one out in the fifth.
Lui responded by whiffing Colton Holmes and getting Shawn Marshburn to ground out, though he reached 93 pitches entering the sixth frame. He struck out 11, walked two and gave up three hits.
Rouse walked, swiped second base and scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 as Lui gave way to reliever Davis Barnette, who got out of a jam by striking out of Mojica and inducing a ground ball by Holmes to end the threat.
But ED tacked on two more in the seventh via a hit by Marshburn and Calvin Harper.
Nonstop work in the weight room and a 4-plus GPA lead North Duplin’s Isaac Davis to Bridgewater College gridiron
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
CALYPSO — Isaac Davis
flashed his familiar grin followed by a gawk and then a smile when looking at a picture of himself as a freshman.
Four years ago, few players would fear Davis on the football field, though some might have confused him with a too-young-yet-enthusiastic waterboy. His tale would have ended
there had the North Duplin senior not hooked up with 2024 grad and fellow lineman Oscar Romero.
They became the iron-pounding brothers in the weight room. Davis honed his skills to become a first-team all-Duplin player last season, providing the muscle for a 10-1 campaign that featured a Carolina 1A Conference title.
Davis is 6-foot-1 and plays between 215 and 225 pounds.
But it’s hard to find a place to pinch his body fat, making him look more like a 180-190 pounds than a warrior in the trenches.
“Nobody has worked any harder and made the transformation as this young man,” said head coach Hugh Martin short-
ly after it was announced Davis signed a letter of intent to play college football at Bridgewater College (Va.) next fall.
And while the Rebels had 6-foot-3, 310-pound Trashawn Ruffin, who recently switched his commitment from Texas A&M to UNC, he could cover the entire field. Ruffin, a junior, and senior Ricky Caster each had 34 tackles.
The unsung and frequently ignored Davis had 44 tackles, including a team-high 13 for lost yardage, as ND gave up less than 14 points per game.
ND line coach Daniel Cates said Davis put in the work and played the game relentlessly.
The Rebels and Tigers closes the week with victories
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
TEACHEY — The East Duplin softball team’s frustration didn’t show last Friday, though if it had an ugly face, it would have been evident after the Panthers had a pair of one-run losses and a 2-0 defeat.
Hitting the leather off a softball was good therapy, and a group picture emerged featuring Karsyn Parker, Kinsey Cave, Zoe Turner, Leighton Davis, Emory Raynor, Callie Newborn and Morgan Brown.
Each player laced a hit during a 9-0 start as 12 players went to the plate.
That was the beginning of the Panthers’ 16-1 win after suffering a 4-3 loss to Richlands three days previous. It was the fourth straight setback for WRH (1-6, 0-3).
East Duplin’s nonconference schedule leaves little room for error with two games against the Wildcats (8-3), West Carteret (7-0) and a pair against 1A power North Duplin.
The Panthers are 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the ECC following close losses to the Patriots (5 - 4) and South Lenoir (8-6), which is tied with sister school North Lenoir (7-0) for the league lead — both are 3-0 in the loop.
This week, head coach Greg Jenkins’ club will need to nab wins over James Kenan and Southwest Onslow to keep pace. Next week’s slate has higher-octane schools, starting on Monday with a trip to Calypso to face the Rebels, who they will host nine days later. Next Friday is a rematch against the Blue Devils.
Then two days will tell the tale of the Panthers’ regular season as they host the Hawks on April 15 and two days later travel to LaGrange.
ED beat Kinston twice last week (15-0 and 16-1).
Richland rallied for two seventh-inning runs for the 4-3 win last Wednesday in Beulaville.
LeNayah Jackson and Cameron Cubas drove in runs.
Makenzie Goin and Addi Andrew each stroked two hits as the Wildcats outhit East Duplin 10-5.
The Panthers got to hurler Goins for five hits and three earned runs in the third to go in front 3-1. Richlands got a tally in the fourth to get to within 3-2.
Wildcats face Bulldogs in key Coastal affair
Richlands, 8-4 overall, 1-0 in Coastal 3A Conference play, used a four-run second to key a 6-1 win over Swansboro last Thursday.
Cubas, who scored twice, laced three hits in four trips to the plate, while Andrews ripped a double and single and drove in a run.
Goin and Andrews combined to whiff 11, scattering six hits and three walks.
The Wildcats traveled Dixon (5-4, 0-1) early this week and host Midway Thurs-
day at 6 p.m. The Raiders (5 -1) suffered their lone defeat during a 2-0 Wildcat win on March 18.
Dixon went 22-5 last season and captured the Coastal title over Richlands by a game. The Bulldogs swept both games against the Wildcats (18-7).
Richlands has one of the toughest schedules in East, with games against strong programs — DH Conley, Pamlico County, Midway, Washington and East Duplin. Jackson (.395, 10 RBIs), Cubas (.343, nine runs), Andrews (.316, seven RBIs) and Goin (.294) as the top Wildcat hitters.
Rebels’ rally falls short against Blue Devils
North Duplin’s rally came up a hit or two short during a 7-5 loss to 2A South Lenoir.
The Rebels rallied for three runs in the seventh inning, yet it was too little too late.
Addy Higginbotham doubled and hit a two-run home run. Marissa Bernal singled and doubled in four plate appearances. Cadence Locklear had a two-run double, and Lilly Fulghum an RBI triple. Seven days earlier, the Rebels beat South Lenoir 7-5.
It was child’s play for the Rebels (3-1, 1-0) last Friday during a 15-0 destruction of Lakewood in Calypso.
Higginbotham teed off for a single, double and triple.
Ady Spence added a single and two-bagger, while Gabby Z amudio and Hannah Gonzalez each ripped a pair of hits.
Kloe De Hoyos’ hit forced an early ending to the game after three innings. ND scored five times in the first and nine times in the second.
North Duplin hosts Rosewood (6-1) Thursday at 6 p.m. and then East Duplin on Monday.
Tigers rally to top Stallions Scarlett Deluca’s line drive scored Kierra Williams as James Kenan beat Southwest Onslow 10-9 last Tuesday in a walk-off win in Warsaw. Williams walked to start the seventh by getting hit by a pitch. Big hits from Kenadi Gideons, Jourdan Joe, Shylah Sloan and Kinzely Sloan rallied the Tigers from a three-run deficit to tie it at 9-9 in the sixth. Gideon, Deluca and Joe made defensive plays in the infield in the top of the seventh to set up JK for the win.
Tigers (2-2, 1-0) went in front 2-0 as Gideon and Ava Jones drove in a run. Miscues got SWO back into the game and eventually a 5-3 lead, which was trimmed to a run when Gideon knocked in Deluca.
James Kenan will have double-duty this week via doubleheaders against East Duplin and Kinston this week.
The Rebels executed during crunch time to rally past Neuse Charter and then did what it had to do during a one-run win over Lakewood
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
CALYPSO — Sometimes the most basic instruction to a hitter and execution by a base runner can lead to success — and winning.
Take Branson Martin, who was hitting in the seventh inning against Neuse Charter with Garris Warren on second base and one out.
Martin, a senior, went the opposite way with a pitch, and though he grounded out, Warren was able to hustle home for the winning run during North Duplin’s 7-6 win over Neuse Charter in a Carolina 1A Conference game last Tuesday on the Rebels’ home diamond.
Noa Quintanilla opened the inning with a single to center and was replaced by courtesy runner Warren, who stole second base to set up the final run.
North Duplin (3-3, 2-0) rallied after giving up six runs in the third to go in front 6-1.
The Rebels scored the final six runs.
Two came in the bottom of the third when Hunt Pate singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Quintanilla. Wesley Holmes knocked in Warren, who had walked.
Three more were flashed on the scoreboard in the fifth when Warren singled and the Neuse right fielder bobbled a fly hit by Quintanilla and ND would up with two runners in scoring position with one out.
Holmes doubled both home
with a drive to center and scored after Vance Carter doubled.
After Ben Kelly and Kaydenm Bowden gave up six runs, Noah Price, Keiz Bowden and James Graham went to work. The threesome limited the Cougars to two hits in the next four frames, while striking out 10.
ND outhit Neuse 10-3 but issued 11 walks. So while the game ended on a burst of excitement, the Rebels gave the Cougars far too many baserunning opportunities.
Two days earlier, the winning run came in the third inning. In fact, all four runs were tallied by both teams in the third.
The Leopards went up 1-0 when Warren walked two of the first three hitters he faced in the third. Hayden Miller took over and everything changed.
Miller struck out 10 in the next 4.2 innings and did not walk a hitter. He faced nearly as many batters (14) in 4.2 frames as Warren (14) did in 2.1 innings.
North Duplin struck back quickly as Keiz Brock hit an infield single, Pate doubled to center field and Price tripled to right field.
Miller whiffed away two outs in both the fourth and sixth and stuck out the side in the fifth and seventh frames.
The Rebels look to extend their modest two-game winning streak early this week against Union (0-4, 0-2) and then host CC champ Rosewood (7-4, 2-0) on Thursday.
Bulldogs, Tigers lose ECC affairs
Wallace-Rose Hill scored the final three runs, but only after North Lenoir took a 9-3 lead.
Kaiden Lui and Caden Gavin each drove in two runs, and Khalil Mathis, Reese Buckner and Hayden Lovette each laced a pair of hits in a 9-6 loss to the Hawks (5-3, 3-0).
Gavin doubled in the third to drive in Braydon Huffman. Mathis, who reached base via a walk, stole second, third and then home.
Lovette singled to open the Bulldog fourth and scored three hitters later to trim it to 9-4.
Gavin singled and Buckner walked and scored in the sixth
when Lui’s ball to the outfield was misplayed. WRH (2-7, 1-3), which lost a 4-0 heartbreaker last Friday to East Duplin, travels to Southwest Onslow and Trask this week as the start of five consecutive road games. James Kenan (2-4, 0-3) fell 14-3 to Southwest Onslow last Wednesday for its third setback in a row.
Crusaders fall to Faith Christian Drake Smith and Reid Strickland threw well enough to win last Friday against Faith Christian.
Yet the Harrells Christian Academy bats were silenced by
ND’s Garris Warren scored the winning run in a 10-9 victory over Neuse Charter.
Ayden Tyndall, who allowed just two hits while whiffing 10 and not walking a batter as the Patriots won 3-1 in Rocky Mount.
Peyton Gomez drove in Dawson Smith in the third for the lone HCA run after the Pats struck for one in the first and two in the third.
Smith gave up two earned runs and three hits in six frames.
Strickland limited Rocky Mount to two hits during his stint of the same length. They combined for six strikeouts and three walks. Crusader Jaiden Stallings doubled but was unable to score. HCA (1-5, 1-1) is on its spring break and won’t play again until March 31.
East Duplin has won two in a row and is generating energy it had during last spring’s ECC title-winning campaign
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
TEACHEY — The East Duplin soccer team is starting to warm up.
That’s not good news for foes but a welcome relief for Panthers fans as coach Joey Jones’ club scored 10 goals during a pair of wins last week.
The loud horn blew last Friday during a 5-0 lashing of Wallace-Rose Hill.
Hailey Maready scored twice, and Anamarie Rodrigues, Katelyn Jones and Kayleigh Chase added goals.
East Duplin went in front 4-0 by halftime and never looked back on a rival it has dominated since WRH started playing soccer. Zoe Cavanaugh, Ashleigh Sarmiento, Joselin Mata-Aguilar and Rodriguez all had assists. Rodriguez and Cavanaugh are returning to soccer shape after coming from the Panthers’ basketball team that advanced to the fourth round of the 2A playoffs.
WRH had few scoring opportunities, and those the Bulldogs had were taken care of by goalies Isla Miller and Kimberlynn Guzman.
East Duplin (4-5-2) won its second straight match and will visit ECC rival Southwest Onslow on Friday in Jacksonville.
The top spot in the league has been between the Panthers and Stallions for the past three seasons. East Duplin won it last spring and in 2022, with SWO taking the title in 2023.
The Stallions (7-1-1, 4-0) lost to 4A New Bern (6-2-1) and tied White Oak on opening night for both schools.
They have outscored their competition 32-7, with junior Peyton Berg’s 11 goals leading the way. Oriyanna Galloway has eight scores.
Rodriguez and Jones combined for 29 goals a season ago. Jones, Roblero and Maready each have four goals, while Rodriguez has eight in just four games. East Duplin has outscored the opposition 34-21.
The Panthers seized a bit of revenge from 3A Charles B. Aycock during a 5-2 win last Wednesday. The Falcons tied the Panthers 2-2 on opening day.
DAVIS from page B1
“He never had a bad practice,” Cates said, “and his leadership and 100% commitment to every play and what we are doing made him so coachable. Most players get tired of drills after a short time. Not him. He listens and catches on quickly.”
Davis’ school work is also top notch as the son of Lisa Davis pushed his grade-point-average over 4.0
Rodriguez, the Duplin County Player of the Year, scored all five goals. Tied at 1-1 at halftime, the second half became her showcase.
Roblero and Sarmiento gave her assist passes for two of her scores.
Davynn Godshall and Taryn Herrera found the back of the net for CBA (3-5-1).
East Duplin, which also plays James Kenan and White Oak (5-3-3) this week, didn’t have a win in its first six games (0 - 4 -2).
Flores’ sinks a pair of goals to push ’Dawgs past Hawks
Bayleen Flores, who leads her team with eight goals, scored twice, while Gabby Debman scored and added an assist last Wednesday when Wallace-Rose Hill (4-4, 1-3) beat North Lenoir 3-1 in Teachey.
Bri Maradiaga picked up her second assist of the season. Debman has five goals this spring.
The two ECC schools were tied 1-1 at halftime.
Bridgewater is a liberal arts college in Virginia’s Central Shenandoah Valley with nearly 1,500 students. The Eagles went 6-4 last season
Bridgewater is a Division III school in the Old Dominion Conference, which includes schools such as Averett University, Eastern Mennonite University, Ferrum College, Guilford College, Hampden-Sydney College, Hollins University, University of Lynchburg, Randolph College,
WRH has two one-goal losses to ECC schools James Kenan, Southwest Onslow it would like to reverse in the five weeks of the season.
Tigers fall flat in setback to Southwest Onslow Little went right for James Kenan.
Everything seemed to flow in the direction of Southwest Onslow.
For nearly the entire evening of a 5-0 loss.
Payton Berg scored a hat trick, and Victoria Tellez and Haley Smith added goals.
It was 3-0 at halftime, and nothing the Bulldogs tried in the second half did much to dent the armor of the Stallions during their visit to Warsaw.
James Kenan (4-3, 1-2) faced East Duplin early this week and is then off until a Tuesday visit from North Lenoir (4-4, 0-2).
The Tigers won 5-1 and 4-1 matches last spring against the Blue Devils.
Randolph-Macon College and Roanoke College.
“Isaac goes about his business and work with a quiet demeanor,” Martin said. “We could count on him to do everything to the best of his ability.”
Cate said the added strength of Davis set a new tone in his play.
“He always had speed and quickness and could crush to edge,” the coach said. “Once he picked up power and matured it make him a much better football players.”
A future star is rising in the baseball skies if a fast start is any indicator.
With at least a small sampling, East Duplin’s Gavin Holmes is a sophomore ready to play in prime time.
Holmescan, who is capablevof playing any infield position and even pitches, is hitting .407 through nine games with three doubles and three RBIs.
He’s 11 for 11 in stolen bases and 1-1 on the hill with 10 strikeouts, three walks and six hits over six appearances.
The Panther hit .306 with 14 RBIs and 13 stolen bases last spring.
Seaforth. Yet overcoming SWO in the ECC was a reason for celebration for the Panthers, who played second fiddle in its own back yard to the Stallions for three seasons.
East Duplin went 24-5 the previous season and was a play away from the fourth round the after a close loss to West Craven.
Lane’s sixth conference title nearly mirrors the mark left by the 25-4 team of 2012. The other four crowns are linked — 2018 to 2021. It was Lane’s third unbeaten league mark, with conference perfection also coming in 2020 and 2012. Three other seasons the Panthers were 11-1 in conference play.
The Panthers lose two superb prep post players — Pickett and Carrie Carr — yet return next winter with enough to continue to make a playoff run.
Lane’s not finished watching game film or teaching and preaching up the Panthers’ defense.
Faison takes Rebels in the right direction
Durability and consistency have been keys for Faison, who was a second-team selection. Duplin’s other threesome were third-team picks.
The 6-foot post has been a four-year starter, scoring more than 1,000 points and grabbing more than 1,000 rebounds.
She hit for 16 points and 14.5 boards this winter while averaging 3.3 blocks as a rim protector.
BASEBALL from page B1
Kern baffles Bulldogs
Kern was even more powerful, striking out 14 and not allowing a hit.
He struck out the side in the second, third and fifth innings and got two punchouts in the first and sixth frames.
The senior set the side down in order in every inning, sans the fourth and second when he issued walks
A two-out free pass to Jackson was erased with a groundout. He wiggled out of a jam in the sixth during a rare time in which he fell behind hitters.
After striking out Caden Gavin and Brayden in the third, Kern hit Reese Buckner and walked Lui and Jackson to load the pond with ducks.
Kern struck out every Panthers hitter except two, and a whiff of Khalil Mathis to end the threat in the third left the put-the-ball-in-play tag only on Jackson.
He whiffed four straight and the top three in the Bulldogs’ batting order — Gavin, Buckner and Lui — as a highlight of the fifth.
In the sixth, Kern picked up a nubber off the bat of Jackson and sprinted to beat him to the bag, avoiding a throw. He whiffed the next two hitters and
Cave, Pickett, Higginbotham have skills, high hoop IQ
While both the first- and second-teams have “flashy” shooting stars, the third-team stars’ cred is a mix of fundamental skills and high basketball IQs. Enter Cave, the top player in Duplin County a season ago, who continued her climb by putting numbers into most statistical categories as a sophomore.
Yet the hoops world will never know how the Panthers would have fared if they had not lost starters Ava Noble and Za-
got two groundouts to start the seventh, needing to conserve pitches to stay on the hill.
Fittingly, he ended the night with a strikeout.
Kern is 3-1 this season with a 0.54 ERA. He has 51 strikeouts in 26 innings and the opposition is hitting .099 against the right-hander.
Dugout chatter
The win improved East Duplin to 5-4 but more importantly made the Panthers 4-1 in ECC play. The two teams split two games last spring. They play again in Beulaville on April 11.
The Panthers played James Kenan early this week and Thursday travel to Jacksonville to face Southwest Onslow (5-3, 2-2) in a key game in the league standings.
Preseason favorites South Lenoir (7-1) and North Lenoir (5-3) are both 3-0 in the ECC.
WRH (2-7, 1-3) will likewise have a confrontation with the Stallions this week and also travel to Trask (1-8) on Thursday.
Lui (.429), Gavin (.346) and Mathis (.350) are pacing the Bulldogs’ attack, with frosh Buckner at .292.
Gavin Holmes (.407), Marshburn (.304) and Rouse (.300) are the Panthers’ hit leaders.
koya Farrior to season-ending knee injuries.
Cave averaged 11.8 points, 4.6 rounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 steals while also handling the point guard duties, including her ability to dribble or pass her way through a press.
Her shooting has improved, and that’s the only thing in the way of huge progress she’s made in terms of showing her total market value to a prospective college.
Keep in mind, she has two more seasons to play prep basketball.
In some ways, Higginbotham
is a similar player, especially in how she leads on the court.
The senior, who will play softball at Wingate University, averaged 10.5 points, 5.0 assists and 4.4 steals as a point guard.
Yet her biggest contribution might have been overseeing the development of younger players, such as Abby Rose and Maggie Brown.
Pickett, meanwhile, was a feared player in the paint, giving the Panthers toughness, rebounds and defense.
Though often shorter than the opposition, the senior’s body
2025 NCBCA GIRLS
District 2
Coach of the Year
Mark Lane, East Duplin (308-124 in 17 seasons)
First Team
Tristan Shivers, Jr., Hoggard, MVP
NeNe Ward, Sr., East Bladen
Kelize Velez-Galan, Sr., JAX
Brianna Stanley, Jr., N. Hanover
Areona Mckoy, Fr., Lakewood
Second Team
Tateyawna Faison, Senior, ND
Laila Smith, Sr., E. Bladen
Oriyanna Galloway, Sr., SWO Ryan Lambert, Sr., Topsail India Williams, Fr., Laney
Third Team
Ja’Myah Pickett, Sr., ED Kinsey Cave, Soph., ED
Anna Kate Chance, Jr., Hoggard
Addy Higginbotham, Sr., ND Malia Graham, Jr., E. Columbus
positioning and ability to jump like the track and field star at the 2A finals, she helped East Duplin win wars through her constant grinding.
She averaged 10.4 points and 9.8 rebounds.
Anyone who didn’t know the force of Pickett found out in her final game against Seaforth, when she made as many as five next-level plays.
Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries (DCOM) is seeking an Executive
and collaborate with the Board of Directors to implement
experience in nonprofit leadership, strong management skills, and a
and to apply, please visit www.duplinchristian.org.
March 8, 1972 –March 13, 2025
Edith Ortega, age 53, of Pink Hill passed away on Thursday, March 13at ECU Medical Center in Greenville, NC.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 22, at Iglesia Vision Trinidad Divina in Wallace, NC, and Sunday, March 23, at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill.
Left to cherish her precious memories are her children: Jhonatan Alexander, Walter Esaw, Joseph Aviles, Emanuel Cheverria, and Hugo Hernesto; numerous cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.
Oct. 16, 1941 – March 19, 2025
William Edgar Kelly, 83, a Mount Olive resident, passed away Wednesday, March 19, at Wayne UNC Hospital.
William Kelly had been employed with Mt. Olive Pickle Company, retiring as a warehouse manager with 32 years of faithful service. He was a member of Mount Olive Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Sutton Kelly; their children and spouses, Cindy and Dale Carroll of Arden, David and Lisa Maxwell of Clayton, Janet Maxwell of Lucama, and Arthur and Elizabeth Maxwell of Goldsboro; grandchildren and spouses, Billy and Magean Carroll, Landon and Renetta Carroll, Karen Maxwell, Leah and Matt Kelly, Linda andRyan King, and Ryan Maxwell; greatgrandchildren, Hailey Carroll, Avery Carroll, Peyton Carroll, Fletcher Kelly, Adelyn Kelly, Ella Paige Kelly, and Wynn Kelly; a niece, Terri Nelson and husband, Bob; great-nephews, Chris Davis and Brooks Davis, along with their families.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Kevin Maxwell; his parents, Willliam Fernie Kelly and Ethel Turner Kelly; and two sisters, Lois Kelly and Mary “Flip” Kelly.
Funeral services were conducted on Friday, March 21 at the chapel of Tyndall Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Savannah Demuynck. Burial followed in the Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation took place during the hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be made to the Marfans Foundation or The V. Foundation.
Aug. 7, 1929 – March 21, 2025
Myrtle Lee Strickland Thompson, long-time resident of Mount Olive, passed away Friday evening, March 21, at ECU Duplin Hospital. She was 95.
Myrtle Thompson had been employed with Mt. Olive Pickle Company before retirement.
She leaves behind seven of her eight children and spouses, Robert Thompson of Mount Olive, LaVerne and Jody Thompson of Alabama, William and Beverly Thompson of Florida, David and Barbara Thompson of Beaufort, Danny and Nan Thompson of Goldsboro, Michael and Ronda Thompson of Mount Olive, and Sheila Sutton of Mount Olive, along with her friend, Doug Swinson, also of Mount Olive; a brother, Raven Strickland and wife, Goldie, of Mount Olive; 17 grandchildren; 34 greatgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She joins in death the company of her husband, Wilbert Thompson; a daughter, Patsy Thompson; a grandson, DeWayne Thompson; parents, Carl and Addie Mae Strickland; sisters, Lena Mae Venable and Barbara Ann Fognini; and brothers, Carroll Strickland, Edward Strickland, Bob Strickland, and Eldon Strickland. Visitation was held at Tyndall Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 25. The funeral service followed with Pastor Jeff Dail officiating. Burial will follow at Wayne Memorial Park. Family and friends were also received at the home of Sheila Sutton in Mount Olive.
Feb. 25, 1942 –March 20, 2025
Frances Ann Peragine, 83, a resident of Mount Olive, quietly passed away Thursday, March 20, after a period of declining health.
She was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent her early life in New Jersey. She served in the United States Army, andfor which the Bronze Star was bestowed upon her. She was one of a few women who served in Vietnam during that time. Captain Pergine had been stationed at Okinawa and at Fort Simmons in Denver.
She was also at Maddigan inWashington state.
She was a registered nurse, had been a nurse practitioner, and was a nurse anesthetist. As a devout Catholic, after last rites were administered to her on Thursday, it was just moments later that she passed away.
Frances is survived by her best friend and companion, Jo Ann Beasley, of the home, and a brother, Frank Peragine of New Jersey.
Her parents were the late Frank and Sophie Kolarcik Paragine.
Captain Peragine’s life was remembered on Monday, March 24, at a graveside service in the Maplewood Cemetery of Mount Olive, with Chaplain Aaron Bissette presiding and military honors rendered. Visitation with Jo Ann and Frank was held at the cemetery.
In lieu of floral expressions, it is requested that memorial gifts be made to a local animal shelter or rescue or one of her favorite charities.
Jan. 1, 1935 – March 13, 2025
It is with great sadness that the family of Eleanor Grace Futral Boron, 90 years young, announces that she passed away peacefully on Thursday night, March 13.
Eleanor was born to Roscoe and Callie Futral on Jan. 1, 1935. The youngest of 9 siblings, she grew up surrounded by family and continued to deeply cherish time spent with her siblings, nieces and nephews over the years.
She was happiest when she was taking care of her two grandchildren. She was an excellent cook, known far and wide for her delicious food (especially her homemade cakes). She enjoyed traveling and took many unique trips with friends and family as often as she could.
She was a member of Potters Hill Advent Christian Church since childhood. She also attended Sandy Plain Original Free Will Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Adult II Sunday School class as well as Tom McMahon’s “Come As You Are” home church. She loved the Lord and often spoke of his goodness toward her. Eleanor was a loving mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
She was preceded by her daughter, Melissa Kennedy; husband and father of her children, Lloyd H. Kennedy; her beloved second husband, Leo Boron; her four brothers, Gordan Futral (infant), Leslie (Beatrice), Nathan (Rosa) and George Wayne Futral; and four sisters, Ruby Futral (infant), Letha Whaley (J.B.), Geraldine Quinn (Raeford) and Macy Casey (George).
She is survived by her two daughters, Patsy Houston (Gregg) and Rhonda KennedyQuinn (Bob); grandchildren, Joseph Murray (Nicole) and Callie Johnson (Jared); and greatgrandchildren, Will Murray, Isla Grace Johnson and Ives Johnson.
A graveside service was held on Saturday, March 22, at the East Duplin Memorial Gardens in Beulaville.
April 13, 1946 –March 17, 2025
Esley “Sutton’ Quinn Jr., 78, passed away on Monday, March 17 at his home. Surviving are his spouse, Gail Kennedy Quinn of Comfort; daughter, Dondi Quinn Taylor (John) of Comfort; brother, Robert Quinn (Avonne) of New Bern; and grandchildren, Josh Austin Taylor and Samantha Taylor Quijano (Michael). He is preceded in death by his parents, Esley Sutton Quinn Sr. and Myrtle Ireland, and his sister, Carol Quinn Jennings. Funeral Service was held Friday, March 21, and the visitation was at the Community Funeral Home in Beulaville. Graveside Service was held Saturday, March 22, at the East Duplin Memorial Gardens in Beulaville.
May 29, 1958 –March 18, 2025
Pat Kornegay St. Cyre passed away Tuesday, March 18, at her home in the Grantham/Mar-Mac area of Wayne County, with loved ones and closest friends gathered close around.
Patricia Louise Kornegay St. Cyre was a native of Mount Olive. She was a member of the 1976 graduating class of Southern Wayne Senior High School. Pat had been employed at a variety of career choices, which include the Faison Produce Market, Mount Olive Piggly Wiggly Produce Department, Sonoco, where she was on the ERT team and had acquired many accolades, Mortex Manufacturing, a sewing factory in Faison, and Walmart Market on Tommy’s Road as her last place of employment. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Goldsboro.
Pat is survived by her husband of 24 years, Walter F. “Buz” St. Cyre II; her mother, Annie Frances Kornegay of Mount Olive; her twin sister, Pamela “Pam” K. Best and husband, John, of Mount Olive; her brother, Johnny Daniel “Danny”Kornegay and wife, Jo, of Princeton; her motherin-law and father-in-law, Betty and Ray Strickland of Mar-Mac; her father-in-law and mother-inlaw, Walter “Buz” and Nancy St. Cyre of Warrenburg, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Wendy Lamm and husband, Stephen, of Castle Rock, Colorado; a brother-in-law, Chad Strickland and wife, Carli, of Princeton; nephews, Michael Best and wife, Jenna, Blake Kornegay and wife, Meghan, Evan Lamm, Gavin Gray, and Hunter Peacock; nieces, Kelly Minnich and Chalie Strickland; four great-nephews; three great-nieces; and two greatgreat-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father, Bobby Ray Kornegay, and a great-nephew, Patrick Best. Pat’s family wishes to express deep gratitude to Gentiva Hospice, especially staff Nikki Wolfe and Ayana Tucker, for exemplary care and support, and also to dear family friend Tracy Coker Millard and family members Jenna Best and Pam Best for all that they did to provide comfort and care.
The life of Pat St. Cyre was remembered on Saturday, March 22, at a service in the chapel of Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, with Pastor Rudolph West presiding. Visitation with the family followed the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Calvary Baptist Church in Goldsboro, Cure for the Colors in Goldsboro, or provide funds, food, and/or bedding supplies for a local animal shelter or animal rescue mission.
April 22, 1968 –March 15, 2025
Curtis Williams, 56, of Kenansville, passed away on March 15 at his residence. Funeral service was held Tuesday, March 25, at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw.
Aug. 8, 1924 –March 16, 2025
Leslie Ray “Ike” Nunn Jr., 90, a long-time resident of Calypso, died Sunday afternoon, March 16 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. Ike Nunn had been a past member of the Calypso Fire Department. An entrepreneur, he was a part of a wide range of business entities. He began as a bread route deliveryman and later operated a grocery store in Calypso. Then he operated Duplin Farm Supply Co. in Calypso. He ran a woodworking shop where small household fixtures and decor were made and sold. His last business venture was Roots and Nuts Wholesale Co., which operated in Calypso for a long time. He is survived by three of his four children, Gail N. Jones of Dudley, Phyllis Ann N. Hinson of Fayetteville and James Nunn of Orlando, Fla.; ten grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Barwick Nunn; a son, Leslie Ray “L. R. “Nunn III; his parents, Leslie Ray Nunn and Fannie Byrd Nunn; and his siblings. Graveside funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 19, in the Calypso Cemetery. The family greeted relatives and friends at the cemetery.
Aug. 20, 1968 –March 20, 2025
Larry Bryan Bradshaw, 56, of Rose Hill, passed from this life to his eternal rest on Thursday, March 20. Bryan was born on August 20, 1968, in Duplin County, the son of Larry Bradshaw and the late Eloise James Bradshaw.
Surviving, in addition to his father and stepmother, are his brothers, Roy Neil Bradshaw, Tim Bradshaw, and Christopher Mobley; his sister, Renee Gray; wife Barbara of Rose Hill; numerous nieces, nephews; extended family and friends who loved him dearly.
Bryan was a unique and simple man who found great joy in the simplest things, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family. Being a lover of the outdoors, Bryan enjoyed hunting and wild animals. He also had a green thumb and could make anything grow. Bryan was a kind man who loved people. He will surely be missed, but he will never be forgotten.
The funeral service was held on Monday, March 24, at Oak Grove PFWB Church, with Pastor Durwood Maready officiating. Burial followed the service in Riverview Memorial Park, Watha.
1942, she is the daughter of the late John Henry and Isabel Rivenbark Miller. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Jeffrey Kissner. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Wayne Kissner; sisters, Ann Outlaw of Warsaw, Evelyn Jernigan of Clinton, Catherine Fussell of Rose Hill, and Grace Giddens of Penderlea; granddaughter, Heather York and husband Steven of Dunn; grandchildren, Levy York, Noah York, Ava York, and Chloe York; and best friend, Joy Davis of Rose Hill. Helen was born and grew up in Duplin County. She operated her beauty shop in Rose Hill for many years, where she met a wealth of people and made many very good friends. She was a very mild-mannered lady who loved working on the farm or in her garden, where her flowers were her delight. Her greatest love in life was for her family, with the grandchildren at the center of this love.
A private family graveside service to celebrate her life was held on March 25 at Devotional Gardens of Warsaw, with Reverend Jimmy Johnson officiating.
Sept. 8, 2006 –March 11, 2025
Qua’Ron Marquis Faison, 19, of Warsaw passed away March 11. Public viewing was held Wednesday, March 19 atHawes Funeral Home in Warsaw. Funeral service was Thursday, March 20 at New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Rose Hill, followed by interment in Devotional Gardens of Warsaw.
Harrells Christian Academy recognizes Terrific Kids
Harrells Christian Academy honored its “Terrific Kids” on March 6. Students were nominated by teachers for consistently being responsible, respectful and caring. While all HCA Lower School students are enthusiastic participants, these 12 stood out: (Back row) Aubrey Bryant, Dalton Davis, Will Starling, Harleigh Sholar and Anna James Rouse. (Front row) Vanna Claire Rackley, Callie Jane Cottle, John Bullard, Mary Walton Phillips, Jacob Wells, Hollan Sholar and Aiden Davis.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@duplinjournal.com
UNC’s Indya Nivar (24) and Laila Hull (4) fight West Virginia’s Tirzah Moore (33) for a rebound on Monday in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels won 58-47, advancing to face Duke Friday. UNC, Duke and NC State all hit the Sweet 16, a feat last achieved in 2007.
Stanly County enforces burn ban amid dry conditions
Stanly County
A burn ban is in effect across Stanly County until further notice, prohibiting all open burning due to dry, fire-prone conditions.
The North Carolina Forest Service’s statewide ban cancels all permits. Burning leaves, branches or trash is unlawful, but grills are allowed. Violators may face fines. Call 911 to report wildfires.
Fort Bragg joins Uber pilot to boost rideshare access
Fayetteville Uber has partnered with the U.S. Army for a pilot program enhancing rideshare services at Fort Bragg, starting this week. The initiative, with Bragg as one of six initial sites including Fort Bliss and Joint Base LewisMcChord, aims to serve over 600,000 military members and families.
It addresses limited transportation options in rural areas around bases, where gate access has been a barrier. “This strengthens community ties and local economies,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a press release. Drivers pass strict Army vetting for base entry. Eventually, the Army plans to expand the program to some 20 bases, refining with Bragg’s data.
The online tool connects users with social and health services
By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal
ALBEMARLE — Stanly County’s public school district is rolling out its promotion of the North Carolina Community Resource Center. At the Stanly County Board of Education’s meeting earlier this month, Lydia Hedrick, assistant superintendent of human resources for Stanly County Schools, hosted a department presentation where she spoke about the free online
tool that connects individuals and families with social and health services.
The resource center is available to access online at helpnorthcarolina.findhelp.com.
Empowered by the health care consultancy Truusight and the TruuCONNECT initiative, the N.C. Community Resource Center offers assistance in the form of free or reduced-cost medical care, food assistance, job training and housing support.
The project currently supports Stanly and Cabarrus counties, with the overall aim of expanding to all 100 counties in the state.
“The goal of the North Carolina Community Resource Center is to help us as the employer to support the wellbeing of our workforce.”
Lydia Hedrick, assistant superintendent of human resources for Stanly County Schools
“The goal of the North Carolina Community Resource Center is to help us as the employer to support the wellbeing of our
Katie Lynn began serving in an interim role in December
By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal
ALBEMARLE — Now a few weeks into her full-time position after a previous interim role, Albemarle’s Main Street Manager Katie Lynn addressed the Albemarle City Council during the council’s March 17 meeting.
Economic Development Director Lindsay Almond spoke to councilmembers as a prelude to Lynn’s introductory presentation.
“After a highly competitive selection process, Katie emerged as a top candidate and
for good reason,” Almond said. “She’s been serving as our interim Main Street manager since December, and she has led with a calm confidence, exceptional organization, and professionalism. She’s a self-starter and immediately began overseeing key projects and engaging with downtown businesses.”
Holding prior experience as Albemarle’s administrative and events coordinator for its downtown development office, Lynn will now lead efforts to advocate for the city’s historic downtown district as the newest director of the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation (ADDC).
She will also be responsible for organizing events and bringing in economic development efforts to Albemarle.
“With a strong background in nonprofit management, stakeholder engagement, fundraising and event planning, she brings the skills and vision needed to drive downtown revitalization forward,” Almond said of Lynn. “I have no doubt under Katie’s leadership that our downtown development efforts will continue to gain momentum.”
In her address to the council, Lynn stated that she had recently attended the North Carolina Main Street Conference in Mooresville, where she took part in educational sessions that she now plans on implementing on a local level.
She referenced the importance of the Outdoorsman’s Bonanza at the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena, and also revealed that the city was making a modification on another event based on community feedback. The Stanly County Winter Wine Fest will now be rebranded as the Summertime Sit Festival and will debut in its new form at Albemarle’s Courthouse Plaza on May 31.
“Beyond events, I’m focused on downtown revi-
workforce,” Hedrick said. “We also have the added advantage of being a school system and to share that support with all of the families that we serve as well. As we learned about it and really dug into it with the company that’s offering it, we learned it’s not just for our employees and that it’s going to benefit the whole community.”
Hedrick noted that the resource center has statistics showing that 44% of American households struggle to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, clothing and medical care. The center also estimates
“Thank you so much for the opportunity, and I’m excited to continue serving the city.”
Main Street Manager Katie Lynn
talization through economic development, beautification projects, and engaging with existing businesses in our downtown. We’re exploring new ways to attract businesses, activate under-utilized spaces, and enhance the downtown experience,” Lynn said.
“Another thing I’m committed to is developing the Board of Albemarle Downtown and recruiting volunteers to help us accomplish our mission. Thank you so much for the opportunity, and I’m excited to continue serving the city.”
Lynn is Albemarle’s first full-time Main Street manager since former manager Joy Almond finished up her role with the city in December; Almond
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North State Journal
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SCHOOLS from page A1
that 75% of Americans with an untreated substance use disorder are in the workforce.
In a press release put out by Truusight on Jan. 15, company CEO Jonathan Ferguson offered his view of the resource center as a centralized hub made possible by the support of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the state’s legislative leadership.
“Our shared vision is to empower communities with tools to thrive, removing barriers and creating connections that lead to lasting change,” Ferguson said. “The N.C. Community Resource Center is not just a regional effort — it’s a blueprint for what communities across the state can achieve through visionary leadership and collaboration.”
The scope and reach of the resource center will evolve as it captures user analytics that are confidential and could lead to community help through additional state funding.
School Board Member Glenda Gibson said she is appreciative of the program and the behind-the-scenes training that has been done for its rollout.
By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press
RALEIGH — North Carolina appeals court judges listened to arguments last Friday about whether votes on tens of thousands of ballots in an unsettled state Supreme Court election from November should remain in the tally or could be discarded.
A three-judge panel of the intermediate-level Court of Appeals will decide if the State Board of Elections in December properly dismissed the formal protests of those ballots by Republican Jefferson Griffin. A trial judge upheld the board’s actions last month.
After two recounts, Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes from more than 5.5 million ballots cast in the Supreme Court race. Griffin’s lawyers have cited more than 65,000 ballots from three categories they argued came from ineligible voters. Removing them from counts could flip the vote advantage to Griffin. No immediate ruling was issued last Friday after 90 minutes of arguments before the panel, which is composed of two registered Republicans and one Democrat.
There’s no date set on when the panel will act, but there is pressure to act quickly. The eight-year term on the highest court in the ninth-largest state was supposed to begin in early January. Riggs has meanwhile remained serving in her seat, and Griffin is in his cur-
Riggs Griffin
rent job as one of the 15 Court of Appeals judges.
While The Associated Press declared more than 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the state Supreme Court election is the only race that is still undecided.
However Judges John Tyson, Fred Gore and Toby Hampson rule, their decision will likely be subject to more appeals to the state Supreme Court on which the two candidates are fighting to serve, as well as potentially federal courts.
While Griffin has recused himself from Court of Appeals deliberations in his case, having the three judges rule in a matter directly affecting a colleague and Riggs — herself a Court of Appeals judge briefly in 2023 — is extraordinary.
The panel’s judges asked many questions about the three categories of ballots Griffin challenged.
The largest category covers ballots cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. and military
The panel’s judges asked many questions about the three categories of ballots Griffin challenged.
or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.
Griffin’s lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution, and the state elections board — composed of three Democrats and two Republicans — is to blame by failing to follow them. They want these ballots declared ineligible and ultimately discounted.
“This case is not about changing laws after the election,” Griffin lawyer Craig Schauer told the panel. “It’s a case about enforcing the laws that were already on the books before the election.”
Lawyers for Riggs and the board said the ballots were cast lawfully based on rules that have been applied to elections for years and can’t be altered retroactively, and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures.
“It is time for this election to come to an end and for voters to know that their votes will count in this state if they follow the rules in place at the time of the election,” Riggs attorney Ray Bennett said.
Hampson, the Democrat on the panel, questioned Schau-
The rulings address UNC student fees and parental approval of COVID shots
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in a pair of COVID-era lawsuits involving UNC student fees and a teen vaccinated without parental consent.
In a unanimous ruling, the N.C. Supreme Court found that students from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State can proceed with their breach of contract lawsuit which seeks refunds for mandatory fees paid when the two campuses closed during the pandemic in fall 2020.
The case, Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors, is one of several COVID-related lawsuits being reviewed by the state Supreme Court.
plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation,” wrote Associate Justice Trey Allen. “However, we read the lawsuit to allege the existence of express — not implied — contracts between plaintiffs and the Board.”
During oral arguments, lawyers for the universities argued that students were warned fees wouldn’t be refunded, while the plaintiffs’ attorney maintained that individuals could not register as students without paying those fees. Per a past 2023 filing, the UNC System indicated it could face the loss of “tens of millions of dollars” if the students ultimately prevail.
their lawsuit against the local school board and the Old North State Medical Society over a forced COVID-19 vaccination of the teen in 2021.
The case involves 14-yearold Tanner Smith, who was vaccinated without parental consent when a clinic worker reportedly administered the shot despite the teen objecting.
The ruling reverses lower court rulings that had dismissed the case based on immunity provided by the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
er’s statement that Griffin’s protests are only seeking to ensure voting laws are implemented evenhandedly. Hampson said Griffin is challenging only a subset of the ballots cast statewide that, under Griffin’s allegations, could be ineligible, raising claims of implementing voting restrictions unevenly and unconstitutionally. For example, some of Griffin’s protests apply to early or absentee ballots, or cover votes in a few counties.
“So how does it not impose a significant burden on voters all across North Carolina, where we’re only selectively looking at certain ballots?” Hampson asked Schauer.
Tyson, a Republican, asked questions about a 2005 state Supreme Court ruling that found certain provisional ballots cast in the 2004 election were unlawful even if the state board had determined they would be counted. Tyson’s line of questioning suggested precedent to remove a swath of ballots after an election.
Doesn’t the 2005 ruling “say that if a voter relied on board guidance that is contrary to the statute that still is not a reason to excuse the noncompliance?” Tyson asked state attorney Nick Brod, representing the board. Brod disagreed. Riggs’ allies have held rallies across the state demanding Griffin concede. Before last Friday’s hearing, several outside groups filed briefs backing the board’s decisions, including voters whose ballots have been challenged by Griffin.
immunity’s broad scope. Defendants ask us to adopt this literal reading,” wrote Newby. “Plaintiffs, on the other hand, contend that Congress could not have intended to immunize — indeed, even incentivize — unconstitutional conduct.”
“We agree with plaintiffs,” Newby wrote. “The literalist interpretation defendants urge us to adopt today defies even the broad scope of the statutory text. Under this view, Congress gave carte blanche to any willful misconduct related to the administration of a covered countermeasure, including the State’s deliberate violation of fundamental constitutional rights, so long as it fell short of causing “death or serious physical injury.”
Associate Justice Phil Berger Jr. wrote a concurring opinion questioning whether PREP Act immunity should apply to unlawful administration of vaccines.
The high court’s ruling slightly modifies a 2022 Court of Appeals order that said the case could proceed.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose
MANAGER from page A1
“Sometimes I don’t think we realize what our staff could be facing with their needs, as well as children or anyone else in that community,” Gibson said. “I really do think about it with our personnel and our staff. I’m thankful that you put everything together. I’m thankful for the training that is being done. I also have been in contact with other surrounding school systems that are getting on board with this as well.” The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on April 1 at 6:15 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons. stepped down from her job with the ADDC after nearly a decade to accept a position as a
Allen’s opinion also noted that the student plaintiffs’ case may not succeed due to that reasoning, writing that “the Board correctly observes that many of the fee descriptions in the amended complaint lack any explicit promise to provide services to students who paid those fees.”
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that a Guilford County teenager and his mother can proceed with
“Katie, we welcome you to our home here and we look forward to what you’re going
Chief Justice Paul Newby, writing for the Republican majority, determined that the PREP Act’s immunity only covers tort injuries, not constitutional violations, and recognized parents’ fundamental rights to make medical decisions for their children and individuals’ rights to bodily integrity.
“As an initial matter, the ambiguity of the PREP Act’s language requires us to consider whether Congress intended to include even unconstitutional conduct within the
The two Democratic Associate Justices, Anita Earls and Allison Riggs, dissented. Both argued the majority was incorrectly interpreting the PREP Act’s language that includes providing broad immunity “from suit and liability under Federal and State law with respect to all claims for loss.”
The cases will now return to the state appeals court.
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University.
AMERICANS LIKE you gave President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress a mandate to enact our America First agenda, and we have been working to deliver. From rooting out waste, fraud and abuse of your tax dollars to supporting our troops and first responders, we are working to put you, your community and your country first again.
Under Trump’s leadership, the new administration has been shining a light on Washington, D.C.’s waste so we can make the government work better for you. House Republicans have also taken action, such as by cracking down on the rampant fraud in the COVID-era unemployment insurance program. During the pandemic, bad actors stole hundreds of billions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits — money that was paid for by hardworking taxpayers like you to help people who were going through a tough time. Precious taxpayer dollars went to fraudsters, many overseas in places like China, who spent this money on luxury items while Americans were hurting.
COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS
With thousands of complaints and investigations into this fraud still unresolved, we cannot let criminals off the hook without consequences.
That’s why I joined my colleagues recently in passing a bill to give law enforcement the time and resources needed to continue tracking down and prosecuting those who stole from American taxpayers. I will continue fighting for legislation that protects your tax dollars and stops fraud like this from happening again.
While I, along with Trump and my House Republican colleagues, have already begun working to advance our America First agenda, there is still so much more to do. Recently, I joined my House Republican colleagues in passing a bill that ensures we can continue our efforts while fully funding our military, VA benefits, Border Patrol and government programs like Medicare. This bill also gives more money toward veterans’ health care programs, like the Toxic Exposures Fund, and provides a 14.5% pay raise for our junior enlisted service members — directly benefiting
folks in our community and at Fort Bragg.
Back home, I spent time last week visiting with local law enforcement, first responders, servicemembers and universities to hear about their priorities and listen to their concerns.
In Hoke County, I met with folks from the Puppy Creek Fire Department. We discussed how they’re working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local organizations to expand their facilities and help keep our communities safe.
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University. I was so impressed with what the university is doing in areas like engineering, advanced computing, robotics and autonomous vehicles to ensure our students will be prepared to lead America into the future. It is so inspiring to see firsthand the dedication and innovation in our communities, and I will always support their efforts.
In Congress, I will continue working to advance policies that prioritize your needs, safeguard your tax dollars, strengthen our economy and keep you safe. Together, we will keep fighting for a brighter and more prosperous future for our communities and our country.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in Congress.
For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s economic priority shouldn’t be preventing a recession.
Stock prices are always a bit of a roller coaster. Over the last month, it’s mostly been a downhill ride. In mid-February, the S&P 500 hit 6,144. It’s now dipped below 5,525. That’s around a 10% drop, which means the market is in correction territory. This has people talking about the dreaded “r-word.”
“Stocks Plunge as Recession Talk Gets Louder,” a recent New York Times headline read.
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if he expected a recession this year.
“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump responded. “There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing, and there are always periods of, it takes a little time. It takes a little time, but I think it should be great for us.”
That’s a different tone than he had on the campaign trail. Trump told voters that he’d deliver “the best jobs, the biggest paychecks and the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.”
What’s going on?
Start with this: Most Americans don’t judge the economy based on the stock market — and rightly so. From Election Day in 2020 to Election Day last November, the S&P 500 increased by more than 70%.
Yet the public rightly believed that former President Joe Biden oversaw a terrible economy. A 2024 ABC News exit poll found 45% of voters said they were worse off under the Biden administration. That was a higher number than in 2008 during the Great Recession.
Biden’s reckless spending and prolonged COVID restrictions drove inflation sky-high. It wasn’t just the high cost of gas and groceries that hurt Americans. For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
Next, there is often a trade-off between short-term and long-term economic growth. Consumer spending drives much of the American economy. Firing federal workers and cutting government spending will reduce that, hurting the economy right now. But as those workers find jobs in the private sector, they’ll start producing more stuff, driving long-term economic growth.
Finally, the Trump administration isn’t trying to blindly boost GDP. That measure includes all economic activity, including what illegal immigrants generate. Trump and Vice President JD Vance want to make things more affordable for Americans.
For instance, by deporting illegal aliens and securing the border, Trump may hurt aggregate economic growth. But look at how it helps Americans.
“If you allow 20 million people to
compete with American citizens for the cost of homes, you are going to have a large and, frankly, completely preventable spike in the demand for housing,” Vance said in a recent speech.
He’s right. Mass deportations and closing the border will reduce housing prices by lowering demand. Shrinking the pool of low-skilled workers will also increase wages for Americans in that group.
Both moves may hurt GDP. So-called experts may even declare that there’s a recession. But deporting illegals will improve the personal finances of many Americans. So will Trump’s moves to deregulate the energy industry, although rolling back regulations can take years.
The focus on Americans is why Trump says he’s pushing tariffs. He wants companies to return to the U.S. and to extract noneconomic concessions from countries like Mexico and Canada. If he can use the threat of tariffs to reduce the flow of fentanyl, it’d be a major achievement. But tariffs raise prices. Playing tariff chicken with Canada may hurt both sides dearly and undermine his other economic efforts.
Trump’s economic success doesn’t hinge on the stock market. Voters want him to enact policies that lead to lower prices and better job opportunities — for Americans.
Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The pontiff had life-threatening double pneumonia
By Nicole Winfield , Paolo Santalucia and Trisha Thomas
Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
Francis’ motorcade from Gemelli hospital overshot the Vatican initially and took a detour across town to stop at St. Mary Major basilica, where the pope’s favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit.
He didn’t get out of the car but gave a bouquet of flowers to the basilica’s cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon. The Byzantine-style painting on wood is revered by Romans and is so important to Francis that he has chosen to be buried in the basilica to be near it.
The tour through Rome’s historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant spring Sunday morning to say goodbye and catch a first glimpse of Francis, who seemed to be gasping for air.
“I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” a bloated-looking Francis said in a breathless voice. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.
Chants of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco” erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance.
Resting at home
Doctors say Francis needs two months of rest and convalescence at the Vatican, during-which he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself. But they said he should be able to resume all his normal activities eventually.
His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it.
“Today I feel a great joy,” said Dr. Rossella Russomando, who was at Gemelli on Sunday but did not treat Francis. “It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace.”
The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a papal committee dedicated to children, said it was clear that Francis was happy to return home and would surely improve, especially after receiving so many get-well cards from children from around the world.
“If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home,” Fortunato said.
“It will certainly speed up his recovery.”
Pope is to receive 24-hour care
At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis’ greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St. Peter’s Square.
“For me, it was an important emotional experience to see him because many people were waiting for this moment,” said Sister Luisa Jimènez, a nun from Francis’ native Argentina.
Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern given Francis’ bloating and inability to speak much.
“He didn’t look well,” she said.
“He couldn’t (talk), and I realized it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him.”
No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican
hotel where Francis lives in a two -room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover.
The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions.
The most serious setbacks began Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids.
He was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness. Doctors reported he always remained alert and cooperative, although they say he has probably lost a bit of weight given a natural loss of appetite.
“Unfortunately yes, there was a moment when many were say-
“One morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back.”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, medical and surgical chief at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic
ing that he might not make it. And it was painful for us,” said Mario Balsamo, the owner of coffee shop in front of Gemelli. “Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well, and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength.”
“I’m still alive!”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis’ medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Francis’ life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humor.
“But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back,” he told a news conference late Saturday. Alfieri confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection.
No confirmed appointments for now
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis’ participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary. Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.
The Falcons were 16-2 in USA South play last season
By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal
MISENHEIMER — With back-to-back USA South Athletic Conference tournament championships and three consecutive regular-season conference titles, Pfeiffer University’s softball team is looking to keep its successful streaks going.
The No. 22 Falcons (14-7, 2-0 USA South) opened up conference play last weekend with a pair of home victories at Jack Ingram Field in Misenheimer as they picked up wins of 4-0 and 8-4 against NC Wesleyan (11-9, 0-2 USA South) on Saturday.
Led by 10th-year coach Monte Sherrill, Pfeiffer has been dominant against USA South opponents in recent years, racking up a 49-7 conference record since the beginning of the 2022 season.
His team is currently ranked 22nd in the country in the 2025 National Fastpitch Coaches As-
sociation’s Top 25 Coaches Poll for NCAA Division III schools.
While the Falcons have already accumulated more losses than they did in their program-best 45-4 (16-2 USA South) campaign last season, they still have a chance to roll through conference play as they have grown accustomed to during the past few seasons.
The team’s pitching duties this year have been shared between senior Emma Bullin (8-4) and freshman Peyton Lane (5-2), who have ERAs of 3.16 and 2.93, respectively. Both pitchers were awarded on March 10 for being USA South Athletes of the Week.
Bullin was named the conference’s Softball Pitcher of the Week for appearing in five games and posting a 1-1 record with three saves. In 15 innings, she had a 2.33 ERA and allowed 13 hits and a walk as she struck out a dozen batters.
Meanwhile, Lane was awarded the conference’s Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week honor for appearing in three games and posting a 3-0 record with a 2.19 ERA throughout 16 innings. The freshman only allowed six
runs on 16 hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts.
At the plate, senior outfielder Alyssa Broaddus (.387) leads the Falcons with a teamhigh 24 hits, while junior outfielder Landry Stewart tops the squad in batting average (.404) and runs scored (16). Senior catcher Emma Chopko (.351) and senior relief pitcher/first baseman Kenzi Lyall (.380) have also provided reliable hitting.
Pfeiffer traveled to Meredith (10-10, 2-0 USA South) on Wednesday for a road double-header and will return home to host Salem (7-13, 0-0 USA South) on Friday.
The Falcons are hoping to round out March on a rebound after suffering four consecutives losses during the middle part of the month, falling short to Guilford (8-10, 0-2 ODAC), No. 7 East Texas Baptist (20-2, 2-0 ASC), George Fox (7-8, 2-2 NWC) and No. 7 Christopher Newport (19-1).
The 2025 USA South Tournament is set to begin on May 1 and run until the championship game on May 10.
Amari Baldwin is a senior point guard for the Albemarle girls’ basketball team who will be playing for Winston-Salem State next season. She has also played volleyball for the Bulldogs.
Baldwin has already been honored two previous times as Athlete of the Week this season.
This time, however, she added some other accolades to go with it. Baldwin, whose 25.6 points per game ranked 12th in the state, was named Player of the Year for District 8 by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. It was her second straight year making first-team All-District, to go with the second- and third-team honors she earned as a freshman and sophomore. She was also named second-team NCBCA all-state.
Baldwin also took part in the Carolinas Classic All-Star Game in Wilmington last weekend, helping North Carolina beat the South Carolina all-stars, 93-68.
A year after a brutal injury, the N.C. resident hopes to lead Florda to the Final Four
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
RALEIGH — Micah Handlogten hasn’t watched the play, and he’s not going to.
“I have no desire to, if you will,” the 7-foot-1 junior big man said while sitting in the Florida Gators’ locker room. “I don’t want to see myself go through that again. I don’t want to put that in my head. I’m just trying to look past it, move forward and keep going.”
The play that changed his life took place just over a year ago. Just over two minutes into
the SEC Tournament championship game against Auburn, a teammate missed a layup. Handlogten jumped to get the rebound.
Bodies jostled, as they do in the SEC paint, but there was no contact worthy of a whistle. He landed, with the ball, and his left leg buckled gruesomely. He went down in a heap with a compound fracture. The bone punctured the skin, coating the floor with his blood.
He was taken off on a stretcher and had surgery the same day.
“I’d say just the beginning was the darkest moment, honestly,” he said. “I mean, from the beginning on, I kind of always tried to have a really good mentality about it. Try to take steps forward, not look back. … Just keep going.”
That took him to October. As the Gators started practice, Handlogten was still recovering, and the plan was to sit out this season with a medical redshirt.
By December, he was running and jumping. By January, he was cleared to participate in basketball activities. He briefly considered returning in the month’s final week but changed his mind.
Then, in mid-February, the Gators, who had risen to No. 3 in the AP poll, had two forwards go down with ankle injuries that would cause them to miss time.
That’s when Handlogten decided to give up a year of eligibility for what he hopes will be a good month and a half.
“I’m back,” he declared on
Valentine’s Day and returned to the Gators’ lineup the next night.
“Micah is one of the most unselfish guys I’ve ever been around,” said Gators coach Todd Golden. “He’s always worried about the team and the program, and I think he saw another opportunity where he could really help and become a physical part of this as we move forward.”
Now, the Huntersville native and Southlake Christian Academy alum is contributing 5.4 rebounds a night for the top-seeded Gators.
“I’m truly blessed to be able to come back this year and actually play on a team of this caliber,” he said. “I love the guys, and we all love each other. We all play for each other.”
Still, it is a huge sacrifice for
Handlogten to make. After missing the end of last season, he also gave up a large chunk of this year.
“He missed out on playing in the (NCAA) Tournament last year,” Golden said. “He was tracking on missing out with what this season was going to be. He deserves more than that. He was a big part of getting our program where it is today, and I think he’ll continue to help us get even better the rest of the year. It’s a huge lift from us.”
So Handlogten found himself in his home state.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “When I saw we were going to be playing in Raleigh, I got really excited. … My sister went to school here. There’s so many people from high school here. Just to be able to be around all those people is really cool.”
The chance to play in front of friends and family, with so much on the line, makes the tough decision worth it.
“My team needed me,” he said. “And I was feeling great at the time. This is my time — if I want to do it, do it now.”
Panama eliminates U.S. from CONCACAF Nations League with 1-0 victory
Inglewood, Calif.
Cecilio Waterman scored a stunning goal in the fourth minute of second-half injury time, and Panama beat the three-time defending champion United States 1-0 to reach the CONCACAF Nations League final. Waterman took a pass down the right side from Adalberto Carrasquilla in front of a packed-in U.S. defense and fired a perfect right-footed diagonal shot past Matt Turner into the far left corner. Waterman’s 11th international goal, on Panama’s only shot on target on the night, advanced the Panamanians to a final against Mexico.
Former NFL, Michigan assistant Weiss charged with hacking for athletes’ photos
Detroit
An indictment says a former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach hacked into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to access intimate photos and videos. Matt Weiss was charged with 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. Weiss worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan in 2021. He was fired in 2023 as Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator after failing to cooperate with the school’s investigation of his access to computers.
NFL Giants, quarterback
Winston agree to 2-year, $8 million deal
New York
The New York Giants and quarterback Jameis Winston agreed to terms on a two -year, $8 million contract. The 31-year-old Winston joins Tommy DeVito as the only quarterbacks on the Giants’ roster. New York has been in the market in free agency for a veteran, with Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson also mentioned as possible targets. Winston played in 12 games last season for Cleveland and started in seven. The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Winston spent nine years with Tampa Bay and New Orleans.
His victory in the truck race left him one race shy of a triple-header sweep
By Alanis Thames The Associated Press
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Kyle
Larson passed Alex Bowman with six laps remaining in NASCAR’s Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, giving the Hendrick Motorsports driver the 30th win of his career at one of his best tracks.
Larson sped by as Bowman scraped the wall on Turn 4 with the lead. Larson extended his edge to more than a second over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, then held on to beat Bowman by 1.205 seconds for his second career Cup Series win at Homestead, and his second victory of the weekend.
Larson fell one race short of sweeping the triple-header weekend. He won the Craftsman Truck race on Friday and finished fourth in the Xfinity Series on Saturday. He was
hoping to join Kyle Busch as the only drivers to sweep a triple-header weekend — Busch did it at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2010 and 2017.
He was far from dominant on Sunday. Larson, driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, led just 19 of 267 laps and had to overcome poor starting position, pit road mishaps and bad restarts to pull off the win — his first victory of the season and first in the Cup Series at Homestead since 2022.
Bowman, who was Saturday’s pole winner, finished second in the No. 48 Chevrolet. Bubba Wallace was third for 23XI Racing after leading 43 laps — the most laps he’s led in a race since September 2023. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five.
Ryan Blaney was running third when his engine blew up on Lap 207, causing a thick cloud of smoke to cover the track and a lengthy cleanup. It had been a strong race
1999, before he was born. While he’s a North Carolina-born native of High Point, he still feels a connection to his familiar roots.
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
RALEIGH — At each year’s Final Four, the building where the games will be played hangs a giant banner reading “The Road Ends Here.”
The college basketball season, and especially March Madness, are often referred to as “The Road to the Final Four” and, for some players, that path can double back to where it all started.
“I went to school probably like an hour away,” said Norfolk State senior forward Kuluel Mading. “So just to be back in North Carolina for the last time. You know, it just feels like everything came full circle. Things started here, and, hopefully, they don’t finish here, but, you know, that’s the plan.”
Mading’s journey began even before he was born. His family fled the civil war that eventually produced the nation of South Sudan back in
“The whole South Sudan, South Sudanese community, is crazy,” he said. “Just watching how much it has grown in the past five, six years. At first, it was like local, like I didn’t really know that many people. But now, seeing it grow worldwide, even in the Olympics, we were in a close game with USA. So just seeing it grow has been amazing. I love to see the growth. I feel like we’ve got a lot that we can bring to the table, and we’re not done yet. It’s crazy watching it.”
Mading played in high school at The Burlington School, winning a state title. He returned with Norfolk State to face top-seeded Florida in the NCAA opening round in Raleigh. The Gators rolled to a 96-69 win.
“My junior year, we were runner-ups in the state championship, and then my senior year, we won,” he said. “It’s kind of the same thing here. In my junior year, we lost in the MEAC semifinals, and then
for Blaney before then. He led 124 laps and won Stage 1 after starting sixth. It was the second time in three races that Blaney did not finish a race because of an engine failure with his No. 12 Team Penske Ford.
“It just stinks,” Blaney said.
“Led a lot of laps. Lost a little bit of track position there with some stuff on pit road but got back to third. And it was a great race between me, Bubba and Larson. ... It was going to be a heck of a battle the last 60 laps or so but just didn’t really work out for us. We’ll keep our head up.
“It’s one of those things where it’s not really going our way right now, but the good news is we’re bringing fast cars.”
Pit road mishaps
While exiting pit road on Lap 84, Josh Berry’s No. 21 Ford hit the side of Larson’s car and then struck Joey Logano’s No. 22 Ford. Both Logano and Berry spun then went
the wrong direction into their pit stalls to check the damage. Larson’s car was slightly damaged from the contact.
Another incident happened on Lap 172. Chase Elliott received a penalty for not being lined up single-file coming into pit road, even though Elliott could be heard on his incar feed saying he had veered left to avoid hitting someone but gave the spot back. Elliott, driving a No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, finished 18th.
Up next
The Cup series races next at Martinsville Speedway, where Blaney won in November to punch his ticket into last season’s playoff final four. Byron won Martinsville last spring.
senior year we won it. So I feel like everything that I did at Burlington, and the coaches, the players, they have prepared me for this moment. I’m most definitely not going to take it for granted.” Mading began his college career with the Buffalo Bulls.
“Yeah, it’s been a wild journey,” Mading said. “Leaving North Carolina go to Buffalo, which is like, super cold up there, so it’s mad different.”
He played sparingly for the Bulls over two seasons, but while he was there, he lost his
father, Charles, who died at age 47 in January 2023. Following that basketball season, Mading decided to move closer to home, transferring to Norfolk State.
“Coming closer to home in Virginia, it’s been a long journey,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, a lot of injuries, close deaths in the family. But I feel like, especially for my dad, I feel like he’s still living through me. Even though he’s not here with us physically, he’s always here in spirit.”
January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023
James Roseboro
in Montgomery and Randolph counties.
He served as chair and vicechair of the NC Association for the Management and Treatment of Sexual Offenders. Tom had a warm smile, an engaging personality, and a perceptive, genuine care for other human beings.
John B. Kluttz
May 28, 1934 –March 22, 2025
April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023
Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.
Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.
Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Garfield.
Carl Ned Huneycutt, aged 90, of Albemarle, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Trinity Place in Albemarle. His funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Branan Hooven, Elder Richard Broadway and Elder Gary Utz officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty Hill Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle on Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m.
Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.
Born on May 28, 1934, in Stanly County, NC he was the son of the late Ellis and Rosa Burris Huneycutt. He was a member of Liberty Hill Primitive Baptist Church and was a retired employee of the United Stated Department of Agriculture. He was also the owner and operator of Ned Huneycutt Auction and Realty for almost 40 years. He worked as an Auctioneer starting in the early 70s and continued his passion throughout his life. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Burgess Huneycutt, of the home. Other survivors include a daughter, Lisa Gadsby and husband John of Apex, a sister, Annette Whitley of Thomasville, and three grandchildren: Jason Huneycutt and wife Lynnette of Oakboro, Catherine Jones and husband Evan of Fuquay Varina, and Caroline Adame and husband Vicente of Apex. He was preceded in death by a son, Rick Huneycutt, a grandson, Richard Huneycutt, and a brother, Kent Huneycutt.
Sept. 30, 1927 –March 21, 2025
Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.
Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.
He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.
Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.
He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.
He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.
Maxine Williams Spivey, aged 97, of Richfield, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Autumn Care of Salisbury. Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025, in the Centerview Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Adam Hatley officiating. The family will receive friends at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle on Sunday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. Born September 30, 1927 in Rowan County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Grover James Williams and Carrie Lemly Williams. She was a member of Centerview Baptist Church and was a former employee of Rowan Industries in Rockwell. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, gardening and canning. The grandkids called her Mamaw Blue House. Mamaw Blue House was so loved by her children, grandchildren, and everyone who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Carson Spivey, in 2023. She was also preceded in death by daughters Peggy Caton and Patsy Brown and a step-daughter, Karen. Survivors include sons Bobby L. Brady of Gold Hill and John G. Brady and wife Karen of Richfield, eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Feb. 9, 1953 –March 20, 2025
June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023
James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Lena Ritchie (Sharon), who was born on February 9, 1953, in Concord, North Carolina. She peacefully left this world on March 20, 2025, in her home in Norwood.
Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.
Sharon was a loving wife to Grover Steve Ritchie, whom she married in 1970. Together, they raised a wonderful son named Casey Ritchie, who brought them so much joy. Casey later married Stephanie, and Sharon was blessed with two beloved grandchildren, Tristin and Cadyn and one great-granddaughter Aspen.
Sharon attended West Stanly High School, where she graduated in 1971. She was a diligent student and made many wonderful friendships during her time there.
He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.
She had a variety of hobbies that brought her happiness. Sharon had a green thumb and loved spending time in her garden, nurturing her plants flowers, and vegetables. She also enjoyed canning foods to preserve the harvest from her garden. Most of all, Sharon cherished spending time with her family, cooking and creating memorable moments with her loved ones.
Sharon will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her kindness, warmth, and love will never be forgotten.
Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, first black Republican woman elected to the US House, dead of brain cancer
She was in a clinical trial at Duke’s brain tumor center
By Hannah Schoenbaum and Matthew Brown
The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — Former U.S. Rep. Mia Love of Utah, a daughter of Haitian immigrants who became the first black Republican woman elected to Congress, died Sunday.
ger responding to treatment.
Love died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a statement posted by the family.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com
She was 49.
Love’s family posted news of her death on Love’s X account.
She had undergone recent treatment for brain cancer and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center. Her daughter said earlier this month that the former lawmaker was no lon-
“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully,” her family said. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referred to Love as a “true friend” and said in a statement that her legacy of service inspired all who knew her.
Love entered politics in 2003 after winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a growing community about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. She later became the city’s mayor. In 2012, Love narrowly lost
January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023
Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.
a bid for the House against the Democratic incumbent, former Rep. Jim Matheson, in a district that covers a string of Salt Lake City suburbs. She ran again two years later and defeated first-time candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes.
He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.
He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.
Love didn’t emphasize her race during her campaigns, but she acknowledged the significance of her election after her 2014 victory. She said her win defied naysayers who had suggested that a black, Republican, Mormon woman couldn’t win a congressional seat in overwhelmingly white Utah.
She was briefly considered a rising star within the GOP and she kept her distance from Donald Trump, who was unpopular with many Utah voters, while he was running for president ahead of the 2016 election.
He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.
Dec. 1, 1955 – March 16, 2025
March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023
Thomas Yates Keesler, 69, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospital in Pinehurst after a long struggle with cancer.
The funeral will be Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. at historic Zion United Methodist Church, 398 Zion Church Road, Mt. Gilead, where Tom was a member, with the Rev. Jimmy Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, followed by an outdoor reception for family and friends in the church’s pavilion.
John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.
Tom was born on December 1, 1955, in Charlotte to Lenoir Chambers Keesler and Elizabeth Lewis Keesler. After catching his first fish at age five, he began a long love affair with fishing and hunting.
He also played soccer, basketball, and tennis at Charlotte Latin School, where he graduated in 1974. As a Davidson College freshman, he competed on a rifle team.
When John purchased his first Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!
A ranked N.C. junior tennis player, he transferred to the University of North Carolina at Asheville as a sophomore on a tennis scholarship and spent the next 26 years in the Asheville area.
At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UNC-A with majors in psychology and monetary economics, a master’s in clinical psychology from Western Carolina University and a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.
In more recent years, he helped staff Montgomery County’s Pee Dee Convenience Site, a recycling center, and developed a business, repairing and selling old fishing rigs. He also worked as a security guard. He was a member of the Mt. Gilead Civitan Club. He taught Sunday school and sang in the choir at Zion UMC and served as treasurer of the Methodist Men.
October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023
In 2014, he moved into a small former hunting lodge in the woods outside Mt. Gilead, a perfect base for hunting and fishing. He hunted mostly small game, like squirrels, rabbits, dove and waterfowl. Through mid-2015, he had accumulated 13 certificates from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s North Carolina Angler Recognition Program for catching individual fish species of a required size – from small fish like a 7.25-inch Green Sunfish in 2001 to large ones like a 34-pound Blue Catfish in 2015. The NCWRC sent a patch and a certificate recognizing him “with the lifetime distinction of Master Angler.”
Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.
Tom loved history and telling stories. With help from the Davidson County, NC, Civil War Roundtable, he traced a line of crack rifle shooters in the family back to a great-great-grandfather in a special Confederate marksmen’s unit.
He was a lonely liberal Democrat in conservative Montgomery County. One of his greatest joys late in life was fishing with a local group of African American men.
Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.
In 2020, Tom had half a lung removed at Pinehurst Hospital because of cancer. Health problems mounted in subsequent years. He returned to the hospital on March 11 and died five days later. His son, two brothers, a neighbor, and Donna, his ex-wife, were with him when he passed away
John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.
He launched a 37-year career in psychotherapy, counseling a wide range of clients, especially children and adolescents. Including internships, he worked with state government facilities such as Broughton Hospital in Morganton and the Juvenile Evaluation Center in Swannanoa, and with county and regional mental health facilities in Burke, McDowell, Rutherford, and Polk counties. At various times, he also worked in private practice, either individually or as part of a group. In 2001, he married Donna McRae, and in 2002, they moved to the Montgomery County area, where she grew up and where he spent the rest of his life. In those years he worked primarily in private practice, including with the Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Facility at Concord, the Montgomery County schools and counseling firms
This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.
Survivors include his son, Michael Edward Keesler of Philadelphia; Michael’s two daughters; three brothers, Lenoir Chambers Keesler Jr. and David Culver Keesler of Charlotte and William Lewis Keesler of Lexington; six first cousins; neighbor and close friend Bruce Millen, who regularly checked on Tom; ex-wife and friend Donna McRae Keesler; and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Zion United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 176, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306.; Mt. Gilead Civitan Club, PO Box 684, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306; or The Foundation of FirstHealth, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.
Edwards Funeral Home in Mt. Gilead is serving the family.
She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly County Journal at community@stanlyjournal.com
Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.
Without an office, thousands are moving to better locales
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Lori
Matthias and her husband had tired of Atlanta traffic when they moved to St. Augustine, Florida, in 2023. For Mike Waldron and his wife, moving from the Boston area in 2020 to a place that bills itself as “the nation’s oldest city” was motivated by a desire to be closer to their adult children.
They were among thousands of white-collar, remote workers who migrated to the St. Augustine area in recent years, transforming the touristy beach town into one of the top remote work hubs in the United States.
Matthias fell in love with St. Augustine’s small town feeling, trading the hourlong commute she had in Atlanta for bumping into friends and acquaintances while running errands.
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that,” said Matthias, who does sales and marketing for a power tool company. “My commute is like 30 steps from my kitchen to my office. It’s just different. It’s just relaxed and friendly.”
Centuries before becoming a remote work hub, the St. Augustine area was claimed by
Walkers make their way through the downtown historic district in St. Augustine, Florida, which has become a top remote work hub in the United States during the 2020s, on March 13.
the Spanish crown in the early 16th century after explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival. In modern times, it is best known for its Spanish architecture of terra cotta roofs and arched doorways, tourist-carrying trollies, a historic fort, an alligator farm, lighthouses and a shipwreck museum.
A population boom driven by the pandemic
In St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine, the percentage of workers who did their jobs from home nearly tripled from 8.6% in 2018 to almost 24% in 2023, moving the northeast Florida county into the top ranks of U.S.
counties with the largest share of people working remotely, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.
Only counties with a heavy presence of tech, finance and government workers in metro Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte and Dallas, as well as two counties in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, had a larger share of their workforce working from home. But these were counties much more populous than the 335,000 residents in St. Johns County, which has grown by more than a fifth during this decade.
Scott Maynard, a vice president of economic development for the county’s chamber of com-
“The whole pace here is slower, and I’m attracted to that.”
Lori Matthias
merce, attributes the initial influx of new residents to Florida’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in businesses and schools in the fall of 2020 while much of the country remained locked down.
“A lot of people were relocating here from the Northeast, the Midwest and California so that their children could get back to a face-to-face education,” Maynard said. “That brought in a tremendous number of people who had the ability to work remotely and wanted their children back in a face-to-face school situation.”
Public schools in St. Johns County are among the best in Florida, according to an annual report card by the state Department of Education.
Surging popularity comes at a price
The influx of new residents has brought growing pains, particularly when it comes to affordable housing since many of the new, remote workers moving into the area are wealthier than locals and able to outbid them on homes, officials said.
Many essential workers such as police officers, firefighters and teachers have been forced to commute from outside St. Johns County because of rising housing costs. The median home price grew from $405,000 in 2019 to almost $535,000 in 2023, according to Census Bureau figures, making the purchase of a home further out of reach for the county’s essential workers. Essential workers would need to earn at least $180,000 annually to afford the median price of a home in St. Johns County, but a teacher has an average salary of around $48,000 and a law enforcement officer earns around $58,000 on average, according to an analysis by the local chamber of commerce.
“What happened was a lot of the people, especially coming in from up North, were able to sell their homes for such a high value and come here and just pay cash since this seemed affordable to them,” said Aliyah Meyer, an economic researcher at the chamber of commerce. “So it kind of inflated the market and put a bit of a constraint on the local residents.”
Waldron, a sales executive in the health care industry, was able to sell his Boston home at the height of the pandemic and purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a gated community by a golf course outside St. Augustine where “things really worked out to be less expensive down here.”
The flexibility offered by fast wireless internet and the popularity of online meeting platforms since the start of the pandemic also helped.
“If I was still locked in an office, I would not have been able to move down here,” Waldron said.
‘Nation’s oldest city’ becomes hotspot for remote work Social Security eliminating over-the-phone identity checks
Direct deposit changes will require ID verification in person or online
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.
Beginning March 31, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone to make changes to direct deposit information. Instead, users will need to verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service or to visit an agency field office to complete the verification process in person, agency leadership said last week.
The change will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information and will not affect any existing payments.
“This is a commonsense measure.”
Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration acting commissioner
verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients’ direct deposit change requests — both in person and online — to one business day. Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access.
Social Security Administration. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, said in a statement that “by requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, rather than over the phone, (President Donald) Trump and (Elon) Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system.”
The DOGE website says that leases for 47 Social Security field offices across the country, including in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina, have been or will be ended. However, Dudek downplayed the impact of its offices shuttering, saying many were small remote hearing sites that served few members of the public.
“The Social Security Administration is losing over $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud,” Leland Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner, said on a call with reporters — his first call with the media.
He said a problem with eliminating fraudulent claims is that “the information that we use through knowledge-based authentication is already in the public domain.”
“Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
“This is a commonsense measure,” Dudek added.
In addition to the identity
The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers.
More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive retirement and disability benefits through the
Many Americans are victims of Social Security fraud when their identity is stolen and used to make changes that redirect their monthly Social Security payments. The Social Security Administration believes this verification change will help reduce those occurrences.
UNC’s Indya Nivar (24) and Laila Hull (4) fight West Virginia’s Tirzah Moore (33) for a rebound on Monday in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels won 58-47, advancing to face Duke Friday. UNC, Duke and NC State all hit the Sweet 16, a feat last achieved in 2007.
Forsyth County under burn ban amid dry conditions
Winston-Salem
Due to dry weather fueling wildfires, a burn ban took effect across Forsyth County, including Winston-Salem and Kernersville, until further notice. It aligns with a statewide prohibition by the North Carolina Forestry Service. All outdoor burning, like leaves and branches, is unlawful until further notice. Grills are allowed. Violations may lead to penalties. Call 911 to report wildfires.
Fort Bragg joins Uber pilot to boost rideshare access
Fayetteville Uber has partnered with the U.S. Army for a pilot program enhancing rideshare services at Fort Bragg, starting this week. The initiative, with Bragg as one of six initial sites including Fort Bliss and Joint Base LewisMcChord, aims to serve over 600,000 military members and families. It addresses limited transportation options in rural areas around bases, where gate access has been a barrier. “This strengthens community ties and local economies,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a press release. Drivers pass strict Army vetting for base entry. Eventually, the Army plans to expand the program to some 20 bases.
Citizens are concerned over potential increased traffic on Burke Mill and Griffith Road
By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald
WINSTON-SALEM — At its March 17 meeting, the Winston-Salem City Council had just two action items on its agenda.
The council held two public hearings, with the first being for a special use rezoning petition for approximately one acre of property located at the southeast intersection of Burke Mill Road and Griffith Road from Single-Family Residential (RS9) to Limited BusinessSpecial Use (LB-S) for the construction of a new gas station. Currently, the business on the site, Myers Grocery Store,
is a grandfathered in nonconforming use, although the applicant is proposing to construct a 3,375-square-foot convenience store building — approximately four times the size of the current building — with an outdoor patio area and a fueling area canopy with six pump stations along with the rezoning.
“This is an opportunity,” said attorney Marc Isaacson, who was representing the applicant.
“This is a small business that has been here for over 70 years. This is old fashioned planning and in days of old, we had a neighborhood market, neighborhood store that was walkable, convenient and was an asset to the community. I think that’s what we have the opportunity to continue here.”
However, residents raised concerns over the increased traffic the area may experien-
“The request would increase traffic generation along a minor thoroughfare that is already operating beyond its design capacity.”
Director of Planning and Development Chris Murphy
cein what is already a busy intersection.
According to the staff report, the estimated trip generation of the proposed redeveloped property would be approximately 900 more trips per day.
“The request would increase traffic generation along a minor thoroughfare that is already operating beyond its design ca-
The rulings address UNC student fees and parental approval of COVID shots
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in a pair of COVID-era lawsuits involving UNC student fees and a teen vaccinated without parental consent. In a unanimous ruling, the N.C. Supreme Court found that students from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State can proceed with their breach of contract lawsuit which seeks refunds for mandatory fees paid when the two campuses closed during
the pandemic in fall 2020.
The case, Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors, is one of several COVID-related lawsuits being reviewed by the state Supreme Court.
The high court’s ruling slightly modifies a 2022 Court of Appeals order that said the case could proceed.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation,” wrote Associate Justice Trey Allen. “However, we read the lawsuit to allege the existence of express — not implied — contracts between plaintiffs and the Board.” During oral arguments, law-
yers for the universities argued that students were warned fees wouldn’t be refunded, while the plaintiffs’ attorney maintained that individuals could not register as students without paying those fees. Per a past 2023 filing, the UNC System indicated it could face the loss of “tens of millions of dollars” if the students ultimately prevail. Allen’s opinion also noted that the student plaintiffs’ case may not succeed due to that reasoning, writing that “the Board correctly observes that many of the fee descriptions in the amended complaint lack any explicit promise to provide services to students who paid those fees.”
pacity, ” said Director of Planning and Development Chris Murphy.
The board voted to continue the matter to its April 21 meeting.
The second request was for 3.25 acres of property located on the south side of Fairlawn Drive across from its intersection with Fairlawn Court from General Business – Special Use (GB-S) to GB-S for a 6,300-square-foot collision repair facility with 11 service bays.
The special use request was to allow for the GB district minimum parking requirement to be reduced from 33 to 25 spaces.
Since the item was continued from last month’s meeting, the public hearing was already closed, and the council voted to approve the request.
The Winston-Salem City Council will next meet April 7.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation.”
N.C. Supreme Court
Associate Justice Trey Allen in Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that a Guilford County teenager and his mother can proceed with their lawsuit against the local school board and the Old North State Medical Society over a forced COVID-19 vaccination of the teen in 2021.
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The case involves 14-year- old Tanner Smith, who was vaccinated without parental consent when a clinic worker reportedly administered the shot despite the teen objecting.
The ruling reverses lower court rulings that had dismissed the case based on immunity provided by the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
Chief Justice Paul Newby, writing for the Republican majority, determined that the PREP Act’s immunity only covers tort injuries, not constitutional violations, and recognized parents’ fundamental rights to make medical decisions for their children and individuals’ rights to bodily integrity.
“As an initial matter, the ambiguity of the PREP Act’s language requires us to consider whether Congress intended to include even unconstitutional conduct within the immunity’s broad scope. Defendants ask us to adopt this literal reading,” wrote Newby. “Plaintiffs, on the other hand, contend that Congress could not have intended to immunize — indeed, even incentivize — unconstitutional conduct.”
“We agree with plaintiffs,” Newby wrote. “The literalist interpretation defendants urge us to adopt today defies even the broad scope of the statutory text. Under this view, Congress gave carte blanche to any willful misconduct related to the administration of a covered countermeasure, including the State’s deliberate violation of fundamental constitutional rights, so long as it fell short of causing “death or serious physical injury.”
Associate Justice Phil Berger Jr. wrote a concurring opinion questioning whether PREP Act immunity should apply to unlawful administration of vaccines.
The two Democratic Associate Justices, Anita Earls and Allison Riggs, dissented. Both argued the majority was incorrectly interpreting the PREP Act’s language that includes providing broad immunity “from suit and liability under Federal and State law with respect to all claims for loss.”
The cases will now return to the state appeals court.
THURSDAY
By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press
RALEIGH — North Carolina appeals court judges listened to arguments last Friday about whether votes on tens of thousands of ballots in an unsettled state Supreme Court election from November should remain in the tally or could be discarded.
A three-judge panel of the intermediate-level Court of Appeals will decide if the State Board of Elections in December properly dismissed the formal protests of those ballots by Republican Jefferson Griffin. A trial judge upheld the board’s actions last month.
After two recounts, Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes from more than 5.5 million ballots cast in the Supreme Court race. Griffin’s lawyers have cited more than 65,000 ballots from three categories they argued came from ineligible voters. Removing them from counts could flip the vote advantage to Griffin. No immediate ruling was issued last Friday after 90 minutes of arguments before the panel, which is composed of two registered Republicans and one Democrat. There’s no date set on when the panel will act, but there is pressure to act quickly. The eight-year term on the highest court in the ninth-largest state was supposed to begin in early January. Riggs has meanwhile remained serving in her seat, and Griffin is in his cur-
Riggs Griffin
rent job as one of the 15 Court of Appeals judges.
While The Associated Press declared more than 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the state Supreme Court election is the only race that is still undecided.
However Judges John Tyson, Fred Gore and Toby Hampson rule, their decision will likely be subject to more appeals to the state Supreme Court on which the two candidates are fighting to serve, as well as potentially federal courts.
While Griffin has recused himself from Court of Appeals deliberations in his case, having the three judges rule in a matter directly affecting a colleague and Riggs — herself a Court of Appeals judge briefly in 2023 — is extraordinary.
The panel’s judges asked many questions about the three categories of ballots Griffin challenged.
The largest category covers ballots cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. and military
The leader and two followers face the charges in Maryland
By Patrick Whittle and Holly Ramer The Associated Press
THE LEADER and two members of a cultlike group that has been connected to six killings in three states face new gun charges in Maryland. Some of the members have ties to Chatham County, having lived in the woods outside Chapel Hill, where FBI agents executed search warrants earlier this year.
Authorities have described Jack LaSota, who is also known as Ziz, as the apparent “leader of an extremist group” called the Zizians who follow her online writings on veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. The group has been linked to killings in Vermont, Pennsylvania and Cali-
fornia. A cross-country investigation into LaSota and the Zizians broke open in January when one member of the group died and another was arrested after the shooting death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont.
LaSota, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank were charged with trespassing, obstructing law enforcement and illegal gun possession last month after a Frostburg, Maryland, man told police that three “suspicious” people parked box trucks on his property and asked to camp there. Their trials had been scheduled to begin in Allegany County District Court on Monday, but their cases were transferred last Wednesday to the county’s higher-level circuit court after new indictments were handed up.
LaSota now faces nine charges, Zajko faces 14 and Blank faces 12. The new charges, which include car-
The panel’s judges asked many questions about the three categories of ballots Griffin challenged.
or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.
Griffin’s lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution, and the state elections board — composed of three Democrats and two Republicans — is to blame by failing to follow them. They want these ballots declared ineligible and ultimately discounted.
“This case is not about changing laws after the election,” Griffin lawyer Craig Schauer told the panel. “It’s a case about enforcing the laws that were already on the books before the election.”
Lawyers for Riggs and the board said the ballots were cast lawfully based on rules that have been applied to elections for years and can’t be altered retroactively, and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures.
“It is time for this election to come to an end and for voters to know that their votes will count in this state if they follow the rules in place at the time of the election,” Riggs attorney Ray Bennett said.
Hampson, the Democrat on the panel, questioned Schau-
rying concealed and loaded handguns, are misdemeanors. The possible maximum penalties for each charge range from three months of incarceration for trespassing and up to five years for some of the gun charges. Initial court appearances are scheduled for April 8.
Members of the Zizian group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on a California landlord in November 2022, the landlord’s subsequent killing in January and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple in between. The Pennsylvania victims were Richard and Rita Zajko, the parents of Michelle Zajko.
A Maryland prosecutor has said two guns Zajko purchased were recovered in connection with the shooting death of Maland, the Bor-
er’s statement that Griffin’s protests are only seeking to ensure voting laws are implemented evenhandedly. Hampson said Griffin is challenging only a subset of the ballots cast statewide that, under Griffin’s allegations, could be ineligible, raising claims of implementing voting restrictions unevenly and unconstitutionally. For example, some of Griffin’s protests apply to early or absentee ballots, or cover votes in a few counties.
“So how does it not impose a significant burden on voters all across North Carolina, where we’re only selectively looking at certain ballots?” Hampson asked Schauer.
Tyson, a Republican, asked questions about a 2005 state Supreme Court ruling that found certain provisional ballots cast in the 2004 election were unlawful even if the state board had determined they would be counted. Tyson’s line of questioning suggested precedent to remove a swath of ballots after an election.
Doesn’t the 2005 ruling “say that if a voter relied on board guidance that is contrary to the statute that still is not a reason to excuse the noncompliance?” Tyson asked state attorney Nick Brod, representing the board. Brod disagreed. Riggs’ allies have held rallies across the state demanding Griffin concede. Before last Friday’s hearing, several outside groups filed briefs backing the board’s decisions, including voters whose ballots have been challenged by Griffin.
Jack LaSota, who is also known as Ziz, is the apparent “leader of an extremist group” called the Zizians who follow her online writings on veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence.
der Patrol agent killed in a shootout during a traffic stop in Vermont in January. Teresa Youngblut, who was driving the car and is accused of firing at Maland, has pleaded not guilty to federal firearms charges. Felix Bauckholt, a passenger in the car, also was killed.
Bauckholt and LaSota were living together in North Carolina as recently as this winter, according to their landlord, who also was renting a duplex to Youngblut in the same neighborhood. Youngblut also had applied for a marriage license with Maximilian Snyder, who is charged with killing landlord Curtis Lind in California.
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Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
They are vandalizing dealerships, burning up cars, and even threatening those who drive Teslas.
AS I WATCHED SPACEX, Falcon 9, bring our astronauts home, I said a prayer of thanks that all would be well. It was a powerful scene to watch them emerge from the capsule. Although most mainstream news outlets did not even cover this historic event, it was only because Elon Musk was the eventual hero in getting them home.
These astronauts were stranded there for nine months. That is quite a change from the original eight-day mission that was planned. I used to say that the only time the mainstream media did its job was when there was a Republican in the White House.
President Donald Trump’s first term proved me wrong. They lied and peddled false news every day he was in office and thereafter. The American people know the truth now, and the MSM is becoming irrelevant. But I digress.
While NASA may be one of the government’s better programs, they had to depend on the private sector and Musk’s SpaceX to finally do the job. Thank God for the efficiency and success of SpaceX. Thank God for capitalism and free markets that make it possible.
It has been amazing to watch what has happened to the left in this country. These people have become completely unhinged. Violence is spreading everywhere, and Democrats are afraid to call it out. They are aware that it is their base, and in many cases, they are encouraging violence.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) immediately comes to mind. You may recall his threats to the Supreme Court justices, telling them they would not know what hit them.
The radical left is composed of pure
hypocrites. The issues they care so deeply about quickly disappear when the wrong person is in charge.
Musk was the darling of the left. He had mastered the production of their beloved electric vehicles, and he was their hero. Now he is the most hated man in America. He is still producing their beloved vehicles, but now he is on the side of Trump and America. I am convinced these people hate America more than they love their electric cars, big government, illegal aliens, criminals, etc.
Organized political violence has almost always come from the left. Remember the summer of love in 2020? Cities were burning down. Police were being brutally attacked, and if an incident involved a cop and a black criminal, the criminal became the victim and police officers became the perpetrator. Any excuse was used to spur violence.
Back in the ’60s, the bombings were from the left, and many people died at the hands of activists. Remember the Weather Underground leaders who were friends of Barack Obama, Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn? These two were on the FBI’s Most Wanted List for years and ended up being law professors. So much for paying a price for terrorism.
Even as far back as the KKK, which was an extremely violent mob. They were all Democrats and a wing of the Democrat party. It is amazing how the Democrats have been able to rewrite their history.
Now the radical left is going after Musk and Tesla. He is threatening the waste, fraud and
abuse that these groups depend on. They have bilked the American people, and now they have been outed. That cannot possibly stand. It threatens their very existence, so they will stop at nothing.
They are vandalizing dealerships, burning up cars and even threatening those who drive Teslas. I guess it has not occurred to them that many of these people are “their people.” They bought into all the “climate change” hysteria and bought the best electric vehicle, by all accounts.
Now, you all know that I have been very outspoken about the left’s fascination with electric vehicles. But now I just might get one. If the left hates them, it must be something I would enjoy.
Tesla stock has tumbled. I guess they also do not realize that many of these investors are ordinary people going to work every day who thought these stock shares would fund their retirement. Many retirement systems have bought into this stock plan.
Musk is the richest man in the world. He can likely stand to lose some of his wealth, but many Americans can be wiped out by a huge loss.
These attacks are nothing more than terrorism. These people are criminals and should be treated as such.
Do you think this violence will put an end to the conversation about violence regarding J6? Nah, not a chance.
Joyce Krawiec represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate from 2014 to 2024. She lives in Kernersville.
For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s economic priority shouldn’t be preventing a recession.
Stock prices are always a bit of a roller coaster. Over the last month, it’s mostly been a downhill ride. In mid-February, the S&P 500 hit 6,144. It’s now dipped below 5,525. That’s around a 10% drop, which means the market is in correction territory. This has people talking about the dreaded “r-word.”
“Stocks Plunge as Recession Talk Gets Louder,” a recent New York Times headline read.
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if he expected a recession this year.
“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump responded. “There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing, and there are always periods of, it takes a little time. It takes a little time, but I think it should be great for us.”
That’s a different tone than he had on the campaign trail. Trump told voters that he’d deliver “the best jobs, the biggest paychecks and the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.”
What’s going on?
Start with this: Most Americans don’t judge the economy based on the stock market — and rightly so. From Election Day in 2020 to Election Day last November, the S&P 500 increased by more than 70%.
Yet the public rightly believed that former President Joe Biden oversaw a terrible economy. A 2024 ABC News exit poll found 45% of voters said they were worse off under the Biden administration. That was a higher number than in 2008 during the Great Recession.
Biden’s reckless spending and prolonged COVID restrictions drove inflation skyhigh. It wasn’t just the high cost of gas and groceries that hurt Americans. For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
Next, there is often a trade-off between short-term and long-term economic growth. Consumer spending drives much of the American economy. Firing federal workers and cutting government spending will reduce that, hurting the economy right now. But as those workers find jobs in the private sector, they’ll start producing more stuff, driving long-term economic growth.
Finally, the Trump administration isn’t trying to blindly boost GDP. That measure includes all economic activity, including what illegal immigrants generate. Trump and Vice President JD Vance want to make things more affordable for Americans.
For instance, by deporting illegal aliens and securing the border, Trump may hurt aggregate economic growth. But look at how it helps Americans.
“If you allow 20 million people to compete with American citizens for the cost of homes, you are going to have a large
and, frankly, completely preventable spike in the demand for housing,” Vance said in a recent speech.
He’s right. Mass deportations and closing the border will reduce housing prices by lowering demand. Shrinking the pool of low-skilled workers will also increase wages for Americans in that group.
Both moves may hurt GDP. So-called experts may even declare that there’s a recession. But deporting illegals will improve the personal finances of many Americans. So will Trump’s moves to deregulate the energy industry, although rolling back regulations can take years.
The focus on Americans is why Trump says he’s pushing tariffs. He wants companies to return to the U.S. and to extract noneconomic concessions from countries like Mexico and Canada. If he can use the threat of tariffs to reduce the flow of fentanyl, it’d be a major achievement. But tariffs raise prices. Playing tariff chicken with Canada may hurt both sides dearly and undermine his other economic efforts.
Trump’s economic success doesn’t hinge on the stock market. Voters want him to enact policies that lead to lower prices and better job opportunities — for Americans.
Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The pontiff had life-threatening double pneumonia
By Nicole Winfield , Paolo Santalucia and Trisha Thomas The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
Francis’ motorcade from Gemelli hospital overshot the Vatican initially and took a detour across town to stop at St. Mary Major basilica, where the pope’s favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit.
He didn’t get out of the car but gave a bouquet of flowers to the basilica’s cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon. The Byzantine-style painting on wood is revered by Romans and is so important to Francis that he has chosen to be buried in the basilica to be near it.
The tour through Rome’s historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant spring Sunday morning to say goodbye and catch a first glimpse of Francis, who seemed to be gasping for air.
“I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” a bloated-looking Francis said in a breathless voice. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.
Chants of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco” erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance.
Resting at home
Doctors say Francis needs two months of rest and convalescence at the Vatican, during-which he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself. But they said he should be able to resume all his normal activities eventually.
His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it.
“Today I feel a great joy,” said Dr. Rossella Russomando, who was at Gemelli on Sunday but did not treat Francis. “It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace.”
The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a papal committee dedicated to children, said it was clear that Francis was happy to return home and would surely improve, especially after receiving so many get-well cards from children from around the world.
“If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home,” Fortunato said.
“It will certainly speed up his recovery.”
Pope is to receive 24-hour care
At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis’ greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St. Peter’s Square.
“For me, it was an important emotional experience to see him because many people were waiting for this moment,” said Sister Luisa Jimènez, a nun from Francis’ native Argentina.
Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern given Francis’ bloating and inability to speak much.
“He didn’t look well,” she said.
“He couldn’t (talk), and I realized it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him.”
No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican
hotel where Francis lives in a two -room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover.
The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions.
The most serious setbacks began Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids.
He was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness. Doctors reported he always remained alert and cooperative, although they say he has probably lost a bit of weight given a natural loss of appetite.
“Unfortunately yes, there was a moment when many were say-
“One morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back.”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, medical and surgical chief at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic
ing that he might not make it. And it was painful for us,” said Mario Balsamo, the owner of coffee shop in front of Gemelli. “Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well, and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength.”
“I’m still alive!”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis’ medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Francis’ life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humor.
“But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back,” he told a news conference late Saturday. Alfieri confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection.
No confirmed appointments for now
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis’ participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary. Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.
The two-time heavyweight champion was also famous as a product pitch man
By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press
GEORGE FOREMAN became the heavyweight champion of the world in his 20s, only to lose his belt to Muhammad Ali in perhaps the most memorable fight in boxing history.
A full 20 years later in 1994, the 45-year-old Foreman became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship.
Few fighters ever had more big moments than Big George Foreman — and even after he finally left the ring, he was only getting started.
The fearsome heavyweight, who lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Ali before his inspiring second act as a surprising champion and a successful businessman, died last Friday night. Foreman was 76.
Foreman’s family announced his death on social media, not saying how or where he died.
A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear and awe as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt.
Foreman left the sport a few years later but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening.
The middle-aged fighter then pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history, flooring Moorer — 19 years his junior — with a surgical right hand and claiming Moorer’s two heavyweight belts. Foreman’s 20 years is easily the longest gap between heavyweight title reigns.
Outside the ring, he was best known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which launched in the same year as his victory over Moorer. The simple cook-
ing machine sold more than 100 million units and made him much wealthier than his sport ever did.
In the first chapter of his boxing career, Foreman was nothing like the smiling grandfather who hawked his grills on television to great success. Foreman rose to the pinnacle of the pro game but was also perceived as an aloof, unfriendly athlete.
Jim Lampley, the veteran boxing broadcaster who worked alongside Foreman for many years at HBO, said Foreman’s initial demeanor was an attempt by his camp to emulate Sonny Liston, the glowering heavyweight champ of the 1960s.
“At some point somewhere along the way, he realized that wasn’t him,” Lampley said.
Foreman stopped Frazier in an upset in Jamaica in January 1973 to win the belt, with his knockout inspiring Howard Cosell’s iconic call: “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!”
Foreman accepted the fight with Ali in the now-immortal bout staged in Africa by promoter Don King. Ali put on a tactical masterclass. Foreman
was eventually knocked down for the first time in his career, and the fight was stopped in the eighth round.
Exhausted and disillusioned, Foreman stopped fighting in 1977 and largely spent the next decade preaching and working with kids in Houston. He returned to boxing in 1987 in his late 30s and racked up a lengthy series of victories.
Three years later, Foreman got in the ring with Moorer in Las Vegas. The champion appeared to win the first nine rounds rather comfortably, with Foreman unable to land his slower punches. But Foreman came alive in the 10th, hurting Moorer before slipping in the short right hand that sent Moorer to the canvas in earth-shaking fashion.
Lampley, who was calling the fight, named his upcoming autobiography after his famous call of that moment: “It Happened!”
Foreman quit the ring for good in 1997. He settled into a life as a boxing analyst for HBO and as a pitchman for the grills that grew his fame and fortune.
Mount Tabor, boys’ basketball
Shamarius “Snook” Peterkin is a senior on the Mount Tabor boys’ basketball team. This is the second time this month that we’ve named Peterkin our Athlete of the Week, and we’re still struggling to keep pace with everyone else filling his trophy case with hardware.
When we last left Peterkin, he had just earned conference player of the year award for the Central Piedmont. Since then, he’s been named the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association player of the year for District 7. It’s the second time he’s been named first-team all-district by the NCBCA, to go with his one second-team selection. The NCBCA also named Peterkin to the third-team all-state squad. Finally, he was named to the Triad All-Star game over the weekend and scored 40 points to earn the Marcus Shockley Award as the game’s MVP. Peterkin will play basketball and football with Virginia Tech next year.
A year after a brutal injury, the
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
RALEIGH — Micah Handlogten hasn’t watched the play, and he’s not going to.
“I have no desire to, if you will,” the 7-foot-1 junior big man said while sitting in the Florida Gators’ locker room. “I don’t want to see myself go through that again. I don’t want to put that in my head. I’m just trying to look past it, move forward and keep going.”
The play that changed his life took place just over a year ago. Just over two minutes into the SEC Tournament championship game against Auburn, a teammate missed a layup. Handlogten jumped to get the rebound.
Bodies jostled, as they do in the SEC paint, but there was no contact worthy of a whistle. He landed, with the ball, and his left leg buckled gruesomely. He went down in a heap with a compound fracture. The bone punctured the skin, coating the floor with his blood.
He was taken off on a stretcher and had surgery the same day.
“I’d say just the beginning was the darkest moment, hon-
center
and forward
Myers, right, defend
estly,” he said. “I mean, from the beginning on, I kind of always tried to have a really good mentality about it. Try to take steps forward, not look back. … Just keep going.”
That took him to October.
As the Gators started practice, Handlogten was still recovering, and the plan was to sit out this season with a medical redshirt.
By December, he was running and jumping. By January, he was cleared to participate in basketball activities. He briefly considered returning in the month’s final week but changed his mind. Then, in mid-February, the Gators, who had risen to No. 3 in the AP poll, had two forwards go down with ankle injuries that would cause them to miss time.
That’s when Handlogten decided to give up a year of eligibility for what he hopes will be a good month and a half.
“I’m back,” he declared on Valentine’s Day and returned to the Gators’ lineup the next night.
“Micah is one of the most unselfish guys I’ve ever been around,” said Gators coach Todd Golden. “He’s always wor-
ried about the team and the program, and I think he saw another opportunity where he could really help and become a physical part of this as we move forward.”
Now, the Huntersville native and Southlake Christian Academy alum is contributing 5.4 rebounds a night for the top-seeded Gators.
“I’m truly blessed to be able to come back this year and actually play on a team of this caliber,” he said. “I love the guys, and we all love each other. We all play for each other.”
Still, it is a huge sacrifice for Handlogten to make. After missing the end of last season, he also gave up a large chunk of this year.
“He missed out on playing in the (NCAA) Tournament last year,” Golden said. “He was tracking on missing out with what this season was going to be. He deserves more than that. He was a big part of getting our program where it is today, and I think he’ll continue to help us get even better the rest of the year. It’s a huge lift from us.”
So Handlogten found himself in his home state.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “When I saw we were going to be playing in Raleigh, I got really excited. … My sister went to school here. There’s so many people from high school here. Just to be able to be around all those people is really cool.”
The chance to play in front of friends and family, with so much on the line, makes the tough decision worth it.
“My team needed me,” he said. “And I was feeling great at the time. This is my time — if I want to do it, do it now.”
Panama eliminates
U.S. from CONCACAF Nations League with 1-0 victory
Inglewood, Calif.
Cecilio Waterman scored a stunning goal in the fourth minute of second-half injury time, and Panama beat the three-time defending champion United States 1-0 to reach the CONCACAF Nations League final. Waterman took a pass down the right side from Adalberto Carrasquilla in front of a packed-in U.S. defense and fired a perfect right-footed diagonal shot past Matt Turner into the far left corner. Waterman’s 11th international goal, on Panama’s only shot on target on the night, advanced the Panamanians to a final against Mexico.
Former NFL, Michigan assistant Weiss charged with hacking for athletes’ photos
Detroit An indictment says a former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach hacked into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to access intimate photos and videos. Matt Weiss was charged with 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. Weiss worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan in 2021. He was fired in 2023 as Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator after failing to cooperate with the school’s investigation of his access to computers.
Winston agree to 2-year, $8 million deal
New York The New York Giants and quarterback Jameis Winston agreed to terms on a two -year, $8 million contract. The 31-year-old Winston joins Tommy DeVito as the only quarterbacks on the Giants’ roster. New York has been in the market in free agency for a veteran, with Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson also mentioned as possible targets. Winston played in 12 games last season for Cleveland and started in seven. The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Winston spent nine years with Tampa Bay and New Orleans.
MLB Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo averages record 25M-plus viewers in Japan
New York
The first game of the Tokyo Series averaged more than 25 million viewers in Japan according to MLB, making it the most-watched MLB game in the country’s history. The audience for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs surpassed the 18.7 million viewers who tuned in for the first game of last year’s Seoul Series in South Korea, which featured the Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers’ 6-3 win last Wednesday averaged more than 23 million Japanese viewers. That game also featured pitcher Roki Sasaki’s Dodgers debut.
His victory in the truck race left him one race shy of a triple-header sweep
By Alanis Thames The Associated Press
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Kyle Larson passed Alex Bowman with six laps remaining in NASCAR’s Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, giving the Hendrick Motorsports driver the 30th win of his career at one of his best tracks.
Larson sped by as Bowman scraped the wall on Turn 4 with the lead. Larson extended his edge to more than a second over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, then held on to beat Bowman by 1.205 seconds for his second career Cup Series win at Homestead, and his second victory of the weekend.
Larson fell one race short of sweeping the triple-header weekend. He won the Craftsman Truck race on Friday and finished fourth in the Xfinity Series on Saturday. He was
hoping to join Kyle Busch as the only drivers to sweep a triple-header weekend — Busch did it at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2010 and 2017.
He was far from dominant on Sunday. Larson, driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, led just 19 of 267 laps and had to overcome poor starting position, pit road mishaps and bad restarts to pull off the win — his first victory of the season and first in the Cup Series at Homestead since 2022.
Bowman, who was Saturday’s pole winner, finished second in the No. 48 Chevrolet. Bubba Wallace was third for 23XI Racing after leading 43 laps — the most laps he’s led in a race since September 2023. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five.
Ryan Blaney was running third when his engine blew up on Lap 207, causing a thick cloud of smoke to cover the track and a lengthy cleanup.
It had been a strong race
long road ends where it started — in Raleigh
The High Point native finished his college career at the NCAA Tournament
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
RALEIGH — At each year’s Final Four, the building where the games will be played hangs a giant banner reading “The Road Ends Here.”
The college basketball season, and especially March Madness, are often referred to as “The Road to the Final Four” and, for some players, that path can double back to where it all started.
“I went to school probably like an hour away,” said Norfolk State senior forward Kuluel Mading. “So just to be back in North Carolina for the last time. You know, it just feels like everything came full circle. Things started here, and, hopefully, they don’t finish here, but, you know, that’s the plan.”
Mading’s journey began even before he was born. His family fled the civil war that eventually produced the nation of South Sudan back in 1999, before he was born. While he’s a North Carolina-born native of High Point, he still feels a connection to his familiar roots.
“The whole South Sudan, South Sudanese community, is crazy,” he said. “Just watching how much it has grown in the past five, six years. At first, it was like local, like I didn’t really know that many people. But now, seeing it grow worldwide, even in the Olympics, we were in a close game with USA. So just seeing it grow has been amazing. I love to see the growth. I feel like we’ve got a lot that we can bring to the table, and we’re not done yet. It’s crazy watching it.”
Mading played in high school at The Burlington School, winning a state title. He returned with Norfolk State to face top-seeded Florida in the NCAA opening round in Raleigh. The Gators rolled to a 96-69 win.
“My junior year, we were runner-ups in the state championship, and then my senior year, we won,” he said. “It’s kind of the same thing here. In my junior year, we lost in the MEAC semifinals, and then senior year we won it. So I feel like everything that I did at Burlington, and the coaches, the players, they have prepared me for this moment. I’m most definitely not going to take it for granted.”
Mading began his college career with the Buffalo Bulls.
for Blaney before then. He led 124 laps and won Stage 1 after starting sixth. It was the second time in three races that Blaney did not finish a race because of an engine failure with his No. 12 Team Penske Ford.
“It just stinks,” Blaney said.
“Led a lot of laps. Lost a little bit of track position there with some stuff on pit road but got back to third. And it was a great race between me, Bubba and Larson. ... It was going to be a heck of a battle the last 60 laps or so but just didn’t really work out for us. We’ll keep our head up.
“It’s one of those things where it’s not really going our way right now, but the good news is we’re bringing fast cars.”
Pit road mishaps
While exiting pit road on Lap 84, Josh Berry’s No. 21 Ford hit the side of Larson’s car and then struck Joey Logano’s No. 22 Ford. Both Logano and Berry spun then went
stinks,”
the wrong direction into their pit stalls to check the damage. Larson’s car was slightly damaged from the contact. Another incident happened on Lap 172. Chase Elliott received a penalty for not being lined up single-file coming into pit road, even though Elliott could be heard on his incar feed saying he had veered left to avoid hitting someone but gave the spot back. Elliott, driving a No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, finished 18th.
Up next
The Cup series races next at Martinsville Speedway, where Blaney won in November to punch his ticket into last season’s playoff final four. Byron won Martinsville last spring.
“Things started here, and, hopefully, they don’t finish here, but, you know, that’s the plan.”
Kuluel Mading, before Norfolk State’s game against Florida
“Yeah, it’s been a wild journey,” Mading said. “Leaving North Carolina go to Buffalo, which is like, super cold up there, so it’s mad different.” He played sparingly for the Bulls over two seasons, but while he was there, he lost his father, Charles, who died at age 47 in January 2023. Following that basketball season, Mading decided to move closer to home, transferring to Norfolk State.
“Coming closer to home in Virginia, it’s been a long
journey,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, a lot of injuries, close deaths in the family. But I feel like, especially for my dad, I feel like he’s still living through me. Even though he’s not here with us physically, he’s always here in spirit.”
Now Mading got the chance to end his college basketball journey on familiar turf, the conclusion of a long and winding road, with plenty of people lining the shoulder, watching.
“I feel like I have that obligation to put on for the family and make everybody proud that they’re here in North Carolina and Omaha or back home in South Sudan,” he said. “The journey’s been a lot of trials and tribulations, but I’ve got a good group of guys right here. They’ve been keeping me strong the last two years, and it’s the culmination of it all, really.”
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ lands on Disney+, Chalamet’s Dylan hits Hulu, Will Smith drops first record in 20 years
Ritchie’s ‘MobLand’ features Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren
The Associated Press
WILL SMITH’S first new album in 20 years and “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Barry Jenkins’ photorealistic prequel to the 1994 animated classic, are some of this week’s new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Seth Rogen stars in a new Hollywood satire called “The Studio” for Apple TV+ and Timothée Chalamet stars in his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
“Mufasa: The Lion King” started out a little like a cub in theaters but ultimately roared to $717 million in worldwide ticket sales. On Friday, Jenkins’ photorealistic prequel arrives on Disney+. In it, Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) tells the story of how he was washed away from the pride lands by a flood but returns years later to fulfill his destiny. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr wrote that “Mufasa” “isn’t simply checking off fan services boxes and overexplaining origins that never needed them: It’s actually good.”
James Mangold’s Dylan drama “A Complete Unknown” (out Thursday on Hulu) might not have won any of the eight awards it was nominated for at the Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor for Chalamet, but it was a hit in theaters and managed a possibly even more elusive prize: the blessing of Dylan, himself. The film charts Dylan’s arrival in New York in 1961 and leads up to his infamous Newport Folk Festival appearance four years later. In his review, AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy praised “A Complete Unknown” as more about the Dylan effect than a revealing portrait of enigmatic musician: “It’s not who Dylan is but what he does to us.”
The second 2024 Luca Guadagnino film penned by Justin Kuritzkes and scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, “Queer,” arrived last week on Max. While drastically different from Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” his William S. Burroughs’ adaptation, starring Daniel Craig as the Burroughs alter ego Lee, is likewise concerned with the mysteries of romantic connection.
This week, Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” lands on Apple TV + and the comedy series “Mid-Century Modern” comes to Hulu.
Last week, Will Smith released the 14-track “Based on a True Story.” Previously released songs may offer some hints about what fans can expect. The record will include “You Can Make It,” which Smith debuted at the 2024 BET Awards alongside Kirk Franklin, Fridayy and the gospel choir Sunday Service. Then there are the rap tracks “Tantrum” with Joyner Lucas, “Beautiful Scars” with Big Sean and “Work of Art” with Russ and his son Jaden Smith. Perfume Genius, the musical moniker of Mike Hadreas, creates at a tension point. On “Glory,” his latest collection is at the conceptual intersection of ex-
ternal ambition and a predilection for isolation. On the single “It’s A Mirror,” he makes the stress known in a familiar twang: “What do I get out of being established?” he sings, “I still run and hide when a man’s at the door.” This is sinewy, expansive indie-folk, where domesticity is both scary and sexy and everything in between.
SHOWS TO STREAM
Shows about high-speed racing like Formula One and NASCAR have helped boost the popularity of motorsports, but female racers have typically been overlooked by the genre. Just this month, Katherine Legge became the first woman to
SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES VIA AP Elle Fanning, left, and Timothée Chalamet star in the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.”
compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick in 2018. A new docuseries from Prime Video called “First to Finish” is dedicated to women in motorsports. It follows Heather Hadley and Sally Mott — both female drivers — and Shea Holbrook, a female team owner as they compete in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship. “First to Finish” is ready to stream on Prime Video.
Rogen stars in a new satire called “The Studio” for Apple TV+. Rogen plays Matt Remick, the new head of The Continental, a storied Hollywood studio. Remick loves moviemaking and his romanticized version of the business is often at odds with its need to make money. Rogen is a co-creator on the series and also its writer, director and executive producer alongside his partner Evan Goldberg. Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara, Chase Sui Wonder also co-star as industry executives. The show also has guest appearances including Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, Ted Sarandos and Olivia Wilde — all playing exaggerated versions of themselves. It is now streaming. The sequel series to Prime Video’s “Bosch” called “Bosch: Legacy” launches its third and final season on Thursday. It stars Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch, a former LAPD detective now working in the private sector. The character was first introduced in novels by Michael Connelly. And here’s a
fun fact, in Connelly’s books Bosch is the half-brother of Mickey Haller, who is the subject of Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
After one of their closest friends dies, three gay men move in together in Palm Springs in Hulu’s new comedy, “Mid-Century Modern.” It stars Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham and Matt Bomer (as the Rose Nylund of the group if this were “The Golden Girls,” of which there are similarities.) The show debuts Friday and also features Linda Lavin in her final role. Guy Ritchie’s new mafia series “MobLand” comes to Paramount+ on Sunday, March 30. It features an all-star cast including Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Joanne Froggatt as series regulars. The show follows two rival crime families whose middleman is played by Hardy.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
In 1957, a nuclear reactor in the northwest United Kingdom caught fire, releasing radioactive material across Europe. Atomfall, from British studio Rebellion, imagines that the aftermath of that accident was much weirder than reported. Sure, you can expect to run into mutated beasts in the quarantine zone. You might be surprised, though, when you have to deal with rogue government agencies, a creepy cult and killer robots. The Geiger counter starts ticking Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
Without an office, thousands are moving to better locales
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Lori
Matthias and her husband had tired of Atlanta traffic when they moved to St. Augustine, Florida, in 2023. For Mike Waldron and his wife, moving from the Boston area in 2020 to a place that bills itself as “the nation’s oldest city” was motivated by a desire to be closer to their adult children.
They were among thousands of white-collar, remote workers who migrated to the St. Augustine area in recent years, transforming the touristy beach town into one of the top remote work hubs in the United States.
Matthias fell in love with St. Augustine’s small town feeling, trading the hourlong commute she had in Atlanta for bumping into friends and acquaintances while running errands.
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that,” said Matthias, who does sales and marketing for a power tool company. “My commute is like 30 steps from my kitchen to my office. It’s just different. It’s just relaxed and friendly.”
Centuries before becoming a remote work hub, the St. Augustine area was claimed by
Walkers make their way through the downtown historic district in St. Augustine, Florida, which has become a top remote work hub in the United States during the 2020s, on March 13.
the Spanish crown in the early 16th century after explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival. In modern times, it is best known for its Spanish architecture of terra cotta roofs and arched doorways, tourist-carrying trollies, a historic fort, an alligator farm, lighthouses and a shipwreck museum.
A population boom driven by the pandemic
In St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine, the percentage of workers who did their jobs from home nearly tripled from 8.6% in 2018 to almost 24% in 2023, moving the northeast Florida county into the top ranks of U.S.
counties with the largest share of people working remotely, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.
Only counties with a heavy presence of tech, finance and government workers in metro Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte and Dallas, as well as two counties in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, had a larger share of their workforce working from home. But these were counties much more populous than the 335,000 residents in St. Johns County, which has grown by more than a fifth during this decade.
Scott Maynard, a vice president of economic development for the county’s chamber of com-
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that.”
Lori Matthias
merce, attributes the initial influx of new residents to Florida’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in businesses and schools in the fall of 2020 while much of the country remained locked down.
“A lot of people were relocating here from the Northeast, the Midwest and California so that their children could get back to a face-to-face education,” Maynard said. “That brought in a tremendous number of people who had the ability to work remotely and wanted their children back in a face-to-face school situation.”
Public schools in St. Johns County are among the best in Florida, according to an annual report card by the state Department of Education.
Surging popularity comes at a price
The influx of new residents has brought growing pains, particularly when it comes to affordable housing since many of the new, remote workers moving into the area are wealthier than locals and able to outbid them on homes, officials said.
Many essential workers such as police officers, firefighters and teachers have been forced to commute from outside St. Johns County because of rising housing costs. The median home price grew from $405,000 in 2019 to almost $535,000 in 2023, according to Census Bureau figures, making the purchase of a home further out of reach for the county’s essential workers. Essential workers would need to earn at least $180,000 annually to afford the median price of a home in St. Johns County, but a teacher has an average salary of around $48,000 and a law enforcement officer earns around $58,000 on average, according to an analysis by the local chamber of commerce.
“What happened was a lot of the people, especially coming in from up North, were able to sell their homes for such a high value and come here and just pay cash since this seemed affordable to them,” said Aliyah Meyer, an economic researcher at the chamber of commerce. “So it kind of inflated the market and put a bit of a constraint on the local residents.”
Waldron, a sales executive in the health care industry, was able to sell his Boston home at the height of the pandemic and purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a gated community by a golf course outside St. Augustine where “things really worked out to be less expensive down here.”
The flexibility offered by fast wireless internet and the popularity of online meeting platforms since the start of the pandemic also helped.
“If I was still locked in an office, I would not have been able to move down here,” Waldron said.
‘Nation’s oldest city’ becomes hotspot for remote work Social Security eliminating over-the-phone identity checks
Direct deposit changes will require ID verification in person or online
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.
Beginning March 31, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone to make changes to direct deposit information. Instead, users will need to verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service or to visit an agency field office to complete the verification process in person, agency leadership said last week.
The change will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information and will not affect any existing payments.
“The Social Security Administration is losing over $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud,” Leland Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner, said on a call with reporters — his first call with the media. “Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
He said a problem with eliminating fraudulent claims is that “the information that we use through knowledge-based authentication is already in the public domain.”
“This is a commonsense measure,” Dudek added.
In addition to the identity
“This is a commonsense measure.”
Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration acting commissioner
verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients’ direct deposit change requests — both in person and online — to one business day. Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access.
The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers.
More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive retirement and disability benefits through the
Social Security Administration. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, said in a statement that “by requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, rather than over the phone, (President Donald) Trump and (Elon) Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system.”
The DOGE website says that leases for 47 Social Security field offices across the country, including in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina, have been or will be ended. However, Dudek downplayed the impact of its offices shuttering, saying many were small remote hearing sites that served few members of the public.
Many Americans are victims of Social Security fraud when their identity is stolen and used to make changes that redirect their monthly Social Security payments. The Social Security Administration believes this verification change will help reduce those occurrences.
Construction is causing traffic adjustments around U.S. 64 as a project grows
Randolph County enforces burn ban due to fire risk
Asheboro
A burn ban is in effect across Randolph County until further notice, prohibiting all open burning. Issued by Fire Marshal Erik C. Beard on March 21 at 8 a.m., it aligns with a statewide North Carolina Forestry Service ban. Trash, lumber or tire burning remains illegal. Grills are allowed. Violations may result in a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines of $10 to $50 per day. Call 911 to report wildfires.
Fort Bragg joins Uber pilot to boost rideshare access
Fayetteville Uber has partnered with the U.S. Army for a pilot program enhancing rideshare services at Fort Bragg, starting this week. The initiative, with Bragg as one of six initial sites including Fort Bliss and Joint Base LewisMcChord, aims to serve over 600,000 military members and families. It addresses limited transportation options in rural areas around bases, where gate access has been a barrier. “This strengthens community ties and local economies,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a press release. Drivers pass strict Army vetting for base entry. Eventually, the Army plans to expand the program to some 20 bases, refining with Bragg’s data.
$2.00
The road widening involving U.S. 64 in Asheboro will mean ongoing construction for several years
By Bob Sutton Randolph Record
ASHEBORO — Work on widening of the bypass from U.S. 64 to N.C. 49 in Asheboro has started, and construction on the project is expected to last for several years.
“It’s a lot of work,” said Cary Fine, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s resident engineer for Randolph County.
This project will widen U.S. 64 to multilanes from the Asheboro bypass to east of interchange at N.C. 49, replace the low clearance bridge on N.C. 49 that goes over U.S. 64, and modify ramps at interchange for I-73 / I-74 and U.S. 220 in Randolph County.
It’s a project that involves a contract bid of approximately $59 million that was awarded to Conti Civil, a New Jersey-based company.
The project will have numerous phases. Eventually, this should improve traffic flow from Dixie Drive, Fine said.
There also will be the elimination of some of the loops in-
“It’s sort of getting off the ground. We’re early on.”
Cary Fine, NCDOT resident engineer
volving the ramps. There have been accidents associated with those through the years. Information from Conti Civil includes some details. Those involve expanded embankments, grading, paving, concrete flatwork and the installation of new drainage.
The project also will bring
Board chair addresses school safety in light of Hopewell incident
Gary Cook stated that steps have been taken to improve school safety
By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record
ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education addressed an incident at Hopewell Elementary School at its March meeting.
On Feb. 26, a man entered Hopewell Elementary through a broken door during school hours. While the man didn’t seem to have any ill intent nor did he harm anybody in the school, it raised concerns among parents and district staff regarding the safety of the district’s schools.
“That should have never happened, but it did happen, and we have to learn from that, get better and take steps so that it never happens again,” board chair Gary Cook said. “I know this school board, we talk about safety a lot, but when something like this happens, you talk
about safety even more, which is a good thing.”
Cook said that the central office had begun taking additional steps to ensure another similar incident couldn’t occur.
One of the examples he provided was that all outside doors will be checked before students arrive each morning to make sure they’re locked and that those are going to be checked and signed off on two to three times during the day and night as well.
“When something happens, you can’t go back,” Cook said. “You have to move forward and you have to do a better job.”
Randolph County Schools only has dedicated school resource officers at its high schools and middle schools.
“One of the things we’d all like to see happen with the times we’re living in is SROs in every school,” Cook said.
In relation to school safety, the board approved a $125,000 grant from the Center for Safer Schools that will be utilized for the purchase and installa-
tion of door access systems, security panel systems and security camera systems.
“We’ll be adding door access to two schools with this money, as well as putting in some additional security camera systems at four to six schools,” said Dale Brinkley, executive director of operations.
As far as the regular meeting went, the board also approved the arts proficiency diploma endorsement for upcoming graduates.
“Beginning with the 2024 -25 school year, students may earn the Arts Proficiency Diploma Endorsement upon graduation,” said Shenna Creech, executive director of curriculum. “To qualify, students must complete a minimum of four arts courses, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in each and then log at least 40 hours of approved arts-related extracurricular activities.”
Approved extracurricular activities include things such as auditions, rehearsals, exhibitions, competitions, per-
about new traffic signals, signage and highway lighting.
Fine said work began a couple of months ago.
“It’s sort of getting off the ground,” he said. “We’re early on. When there’s warmer weather in the coming months, it will really start progressing.”
So far, work has consisted primarily of clearing and designating utility relocations. Eventually, there will be several temporary traffic pattern alterations, Fine said.
Those traffic patterns will allow for grading, culvert construction and drainage installation, he said.
Drivers are encouraged to travel with caution in this area and to be on the alert for various changes in the traffic flow during the construction.
A public hearing for this project was held in August 2018. The anticipated completion date is in the summer of 2028.
formances, mentorship, internships, workshops and volunteering.
Upcoming graduates can use prior approved experiences from the past four years so long as they can provide evidence of their participation.
The board also approved the 2025-26 school schedule for Randolph Early College, which aligns with the Randolph Community College schedule.
The first day of school will be Aug. 7, 2025, with the first semester ending Dec. 19. The second semester will begin Jan. 5, 2026, and the final day of classes will be May 20.
The board then approved a revision to Southeastern Randolph Middle School’s bell schedule, moving the end time from 3:15 p.m. to 2:55 p.m.
“This will align Southeastern Randolph Middle School’s bell schedule with the other schools, which will help with several different areas from sporting events to after-school activities and et cetera,” Brinkley said.
According to Superintendent Stephen Gainey, the schedule was initially changed out of alignment due to the school requesting additional time for an enrichment program.
The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet April 7.
North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)
Randolph Record (ISSN 2768-5268)
Neal Robbins, Publisher
Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers
Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor
Jordan Golson, Local News
Shawn Krest, Sports Editor
Dan Reeves, Features Editor
Bob Sutton, Randolph Editor
Ryan Henkel, Reporter
P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer
BUSINESS
David Guy, Advertising Manager
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in a pair of COVID-era lawsuits involving UNC student fees and a teen vaccinated without parental consent.
In a unanimous ruling, the N.C. Supreme Court found that students from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State can proceed with their breach of contract lawsuit which seeks refunds for mandatory fees paid when the two campuses closed during the pandemic in fall 2020.
The case, Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors, is one of several COVID-related lawsuits being reviewed by the state Supreme Court.
The high court’s ruling slightly modifies a 2022 Court of Appeals order that said the case could proceed.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation,” wrote Associate Justice Trey Allen. “However, we read the lawsuit to allege the existence of express — not implied — contracts between plaintiffs and the Board.”
During oral arguments, lawyers for the universities argued that students were warned fees wouldn’t be refunded, while the plaintiffs’ attorney maintained that individuals could not register as students without paying those fees. Per a past 2023 filing, the UNC System indicated it could face the loss of “tens of millions of dollars” if the students ultimately prevail.
Allen’s opinion also noted
CRIME LOG
Feb. 19
• Valarie Nicole Lowe, 40, of Madison, was arrested by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) for possessing methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Mar. 19
• Nathaniel Belk, 57, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for habitual larceny and breaking and entering and felony larceny and possessing stolen goods.
• Mario Castaneda, 33, of Ramseur, was arrested by Liberty PD for soliciting by computer to appear and firstdegree sexual exploitation of a minor and disseminating obscenity and statutory rape of a child 15 or younger and indecent liberties with a child and statutory sex offense with a child 15 or younger and misdemeanor child abuse.
• Brittany Nicole Saunders, 31, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possessing methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia and simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance.
Mar. 20
• Matthew Raymond Lawson, 32, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for possessing heroin.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation.”
N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Trey Allen in Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors
that the student plaintiffs’ case may not succeed due to that reasoning, writing that “the Board correctly observes that many of the fee descriptions in the amended complaint lack any explicit promise to provide services to students who paid those fees.”
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that a Guilford County teenager and his mother can proceed with their lawsuit against the local school board and the Old North State Medical Society over a forced COVID-19 vaccination of the teen in 2021.
The case involves 14-yearold Tanner Smith, who was vaccinated without parental consent when a clinic worker reportedly administered the shot despite the teen objecting.
The ruling reverses lower court rulings that had dismissed the case based on immunity provided by the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
Chief Justice Paul Newby, writing for the Republican majority, determined that the PREP Act’s immunity only covers tort injuries, not constitutional violations, and recognized parents’ fundamental rights to make medical decisions for their children and individuals’ rights to bodily integrity.
“As an initial matter, the ambiguity of the PREP Act’s language requires us to con-
Mar. 21
• William Frederick Ridley, 66, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for felony possession of cocaine and possessing marijuana up to half an ounce and possessing marijuana paraphernalia and misdemeanor larceny and possessing stolen goods.
• Thomas Brandon Hill, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for second-degree trespassing and breaking and entering a motor vehicle and misdemeanor larceny.
• Kelly James Maness, 47, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Mar. 22
• John Anderson Pena Leal, 34, of Archdale, was arrested by Archdale PD for indecent liberties with a child and statutory sex offense with a child by an adult.
• Timothy Alexander Bowden, 30, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for second-degree trespassing and resisting a public officer.
• Brandon Tyler Flinchem-Fenti, 21, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possessing methamphetamine and driving while impaired and possessing drug paraphernalia.
sider whether Congress intended to include even unconstitutional conduct within the immunity’s broad scope. Defendants ask us to adopt this literal reading,” wrote Newby. “Plaintiffs, on the other hand, contend that Congress could not have intended to immunize — indeed, even incentivize — unconstitutional conduct.”
“We agree with plaintiffs,” Newby wrote. “The literalist interpretation defendants urge us to adopt today defies even the broad scope of the statutory text. Under this view, Congress gave carte blanche to any willful misconduct related to the administration of a covered countermeasure, including the State’s deliberate violation of fundamental constitutional rights, so long as it fell short of causing “death or serious physical injury.”
Associate Justice Phil Berger Jr. wrote a concurring opinion questioning whether PREP Act immunity should apply to unlawful administration of vaccines. The two Democratic Associate Justices, Anita Earls and Allison Riggs, dissented. Both argued the majority was incorrectly interpreting the PREP Act’s language that includes providing broad immunity “from suit and liability under Federal and State law with respect to all claims for loss.” The cases will now return to the state appeals court.
• Grady Swanson-Allen Dehart, 55, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle and reckless driving with wanton disregard and resisting a public officer and driving without liability insurance and failing to heed light or siren and driving or allowing a motor vehicle with no registration and possessing drug paraphernalia and rear lamps violation.
Mar. 23
• Kevin Milton Udofa, 35, of Ramseur, was arrested by Archdale PD for disorderly conduct and injury to personal property.
• Stephanie Jayne Millikan, 41, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for breaking and entering a motor vehicle with theft and felony larceny and obtaining property by false pretense.
• Ja’Kari Isaiah McRae, 20, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for kidnapping and assaulting a female and misdemeanor larceny.
• Eber Arroyo, 28, of Seagrove, was arrested by Asheboro PD for attempting first-degree burglary and injury to personal property and injury to real property.
• Michael Andrew Swain, 37, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for possessing drug paraphernalia and assaulting a female.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Randolph County:
Craft Café for Kids and Grownups
3:30-4:30 p.m.
A variety of crafts will be on the “menu” for hands-on experimentation and fun! Free program; no registration. Adult supervision is required.
Asheboro Public Library 201 Worth St. Asheboro
Creekside parkrun
9 a.m.
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5K community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you! Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at The Chat & Chew or The Wet Whistle — please come and join us!
Creekside Park 214 Park Drive Archdale
Randleman Spring Fling
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free admission. Farmers produce, crafts, local goodies, food, music and more!! Come by and enjoy the crisp weather and have a great time to kick your spring off right!
Randleman Chamber 102 W. Naomi St. Randleman
Teen Zone 4-5 p.m.
Asheboro Public Library TeenZone hosts programs for ages 12-plus, including arts and crafts, book clubs, tutoring nights and more. Free programs, no registration required. For more information, call 336-318-6804.
Asheboro Public Library 201 Worth St. Asheboro
“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” 1 p.m.
Thrifty Thursday Movies are shown at the Historic Sunset Theatre on the first Thursday of every month. Tickets are $5 per person and include a funsize drink and popcorn. Those 50 and older enjoy free admission to the show thanks to local sponsors. Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Avenue Asheboro
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University.
AMERICANS LIKE you gave President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress a mandate to enact our America First agenda, and we have been working to deliver. From rooting out waste, fraud and abuse of your tax dollars to supporting our troops and first responders, we are working to put you, your community and your country first again.
Under Trump’s leadership, the new administration has been shining a light on Washington, D.C.’s waste so we can make the government work better for you. House Republicans have also taken action, such as by cracking down on the rampant fraud in the COVID-era unemployment insurance program. During the pandemic, bad actors stole hundreds of billions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits — money that was paid for by hardworking taxpayers like you to help people who were going through a tough time. Precious taxpayer dollars went to fraudsters, many overseas in places like China, who spent this money on luxury items while Americans were hurting.
COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS
With thousands of complaints and investigations into this fraud still unresolved, we cannot let criminals off the hook without consequences.
That’s why I joined my colleagues recently in passing a bill to give law enforcement the time and resources needed to continue tracking down and prosecuting those who stole from American taxpayers. I will continue fighting for legislation that protects your tax dollars and stops fraud like this from happening again.
While I, along with Trump and my House Republican colleagues, have already begun working to advance our America First agenda, there is still so much more to do. Recently, I joined my House Republican colleagues in passing a bill that ensures we can continue our efforts while fully funding our military, VA benefits, Border Patrol and government programs like Medicare. This bill also gives more money toward veterans’ health care programs, like the Toxic Exposures Fund, and provides a 14.5% pay raise for our junior enlisted service members — directly benefiting
folks in our community and at Fort Bragg.
Back home, I spent time last week visiting with local law enforcement, first responders, servicemembers and universities to hear about their priorities and listen to their concerns.
In Hoke County, I met with folks from the Puppy Creek Fire Department. We discussed how they’re working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local organizations to expand their facilities and help keep our communities safe.
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University. I was so impressed with what the university is doing in areas like engineering, advanced computing, robotics and autonomous vehicles to ensure our students will be prepared to lead America into the future. It is so inspiring to see firsthand the dedication and innovation in our communities, and I will always support their efforts.
In Congress, I will continue working to advance policies that prioritize your needs, safeguard your tax dollars, strengthen our economy and keep you safe. Together, we will keep fighting for a brighter and more prosperous future for our communities and our country.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in Congress.
For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s economic priority shouldn’t be preventing a recession.
Stock prices are always a bit of a roller coaster. Over the last month, it’s mostly been a downhill ride. In mid-February, the S&P 500 hit 6,144. It’s now dipped below 5,525. That’s around a 10% drop, which means the market is in correction territory. This has people talking about the dreaded “r-word.”
“Stocks Plunge as Recession Talk Gets Louder,” a recent New York Times headline read.
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if he expected a recession this year.
“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump responded. “There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing, and there are always periods of, it takes a little time. It takes a little time, but I think it should be great for us.”
That’s a different tone than he had on the campaign trail. Trump told voters that he’d deliver “the best jobs, the biggest paychecks and the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.”
What’s going on?
Start with this: Most Americans don’t judge the economy based on the stock market — and rightly so. From Election Day in 2020 to Election Day last November, the S&P 500 increased by more than 70%.
Yet the public rightly believed that former President Joe Biden oversaw a terrible economy. A 2024 ABC News exit poll found 45% of voters said they were worse off under the Biden administration. That was a higher number than in 2008 during the Great Recession.
Biden’s reckless spending and prolonged COVID restrictions drove inflation sky-high. It wasn’t just the high cost of gas and groceries that hurt Americans. For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
Next, there is often a trade-off between short-term and long-term economic growth. Consumer spending drives much of the American economy. Firing federal workers and cutting government spending will reduce that, hurting the economy right now. But as those workers find jobs in the private sector, they’ll start producing more stuff, driving long-term economic growth.
Finally, the Trump administration isn’t trying to blindly boost GDP. That measure includes all economic activity, including what illegal immigrants generate. Trump and Vice President JD Vance want to make things more affordable for Americans.
For instance, by deporting illegal aliens and securing the border, Trump may hurt aggregate economic growth. But look at how it helps Americans.
“If you allow 20 million people to
compete with American citizens for the cost of homes, you are going to have a large and, frankly, completely preventable spike in the demand for housing,” Vance said in a recent speech.
He’s right. Mass deportations and closing the border will reduce housing prices by lowering demand. Shrinking the pool of low-skilled workers will also increase wages for Americans in that group.
Both moves may hurt GDP. So-called experts may even declare that there’s a recession. But deporting illegals will improve the personal finances of many Americans. So will Trump’s moves to deregulate the energy industry, although rolling back regulations can take years.
The focus on Americans is why Trump says he’s pushing tariffs. He wants companies to return to the U.S. and to extract noneconomic concessions from countries like Mexico and Canada. If he can use the threat of tariffs to reduce the flow of fentanyl, it’d be a major achievement. But tariffs raise prices. Playing tariff chicken with Canada may hurt both sides dearly and undermine his other economic efforts.
Trump’s economic success doesn’t hinge on the stock market. Voters want him to enact policies that lead to lower prices and better job opportunities — for Americans.
The pontiff had life-threatening double pneumonia
By Nicole Winfield , Paolo Santalucia and Trisha Thomas The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
Francis’ motorcade from Gemelli hospital overshot the Vatican initially and took a detour across town to stop at St. Mary Major basilica, where the pope’s favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit.
He didn’t get out of the car but gave a bouquet of flowers to the basilica’s cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon. The Byzantine-style painting on wood is revered by Romans and is so important to Francis that he has chosen to be buried in the basilica to be near it.
The tour through Rome’s historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant spring Sunday morning to say goodbye and catch a first glimpse of Francis, who seemed to be gasping for air.
“I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” a bloated-looking Francis said in a breathless voice. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.
Chants of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco” erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance.
Resting at home
Doctors say Francis needs two months of rest and convalescence at the Vatican, during-which he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself. But they said he should be able to resume all his normal activities eventually.
His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the
Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it.
“Today I feel a great joy,” said Dr. Rossella Russomando, who was at Gemelli on Sunday but did not treat Francis. “It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace.”
The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a papal committee dedicated to children, said it was clear that Francis was happy to return home and would surely improve, especially after receiving so many get-well cards from children from around the world.
“If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home,” Fortunato said. “It will certainly speed up his recovery.”
Pope is to receive 24-hour care
At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis’ greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St. Peter’s Square.
“For me, it was an important emotional experience to see him because many people were waiting for this moment,” said Sister Luisa Jimènez, a nun from Francis’ native Argentina.
Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern given Francis’ bloating and inability to speak much.
“He didn’t look well,” she said. “He couldn’t (talk), and I realized it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him.”
No special arrangements have been made at the Do-
mus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel where Francis lives in a two-room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover.
Two life-threatening crises
The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions.
The most serious setbacks began Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids.
He was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness. Doctors reported he always remained alert and cooperative, although they say he has prob-
“One morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back.”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, medical and surgical chief at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic
ably lost a bit of weight given a natural loss of appetite.
“Unfortunately yes, there was a moment when many were saying that he might not make it. And it was painful for us,” said Mario Balsamo, the owner of coffee shop in front of Gemelli. “Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well, and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength.”
“I’m still alive!”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis’ medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Francis’ life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humor.
“But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back,” he told a news conference late Saturday.
Alfieri confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection. No confirmed appointments for now
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis’ participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary.
Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.
July 27, 1933 – March 20, 2025
Betty Burkhart Poole, aged 91, of Asheboro, passed away on March 20, 2025, at Clapp’s Nursing Center.
Mrs. Poole was born in Asheboro on July 27, 1933, to Raymond and Corsby Bullins Burkhart. Betty was formerly employed with Sew Special and GE/Black & Decker and was a member of New Union United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Poole, brother, James Burkhart and sister, Louise Burkhart Hayes. Betty was an avid reader and loved to travel, especially to the beach.
She is survived by her son, Alvin Poole (Deborah) of Mt. Gilead; daughter, Karen Rice (Bill) of Gastonia; and grandchildren, Ashley Rice and Dylan Rice.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the New Union United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Alanda Harris officiating. Memorials may be made to New Union United Methodist Church, 1293 Union Church Road, Asheboro, NC 27205 or Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.
Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Poole family.
March 27, 1945 –March 17, 2025
Mrs. Lora Jean Lambeth Toomes 79 of Climax passed away peacefully at her home after a period of declining health. Mrs. Toomes was always active enjoying growing and taking care of her roses and the time she could spend sewing. Mrs. Toomes was known as a very giving person, and she enjoyed so much the time spent with friends. She loved her grandchildren and no matter what, in her eyes they could do no wrong. Mrs. Toomes was married to Sidney Toomes and together they had two children. Mrs. Toomes grew up and was very involved in her church, Sandy Creek Baptist Church. She leaves behind her favorite canine companion, Cujo.
Mrs. Toomes is survived by twp sons, Sid Toomes (Angie) of Greer, SC and Ricky Toomes of Climax. Four grandchildren Heather, Brian, Nick, and Aaron. Eight great-great grandchildren Trevor, Madison, Haven, McKenna, Mason, Hensley, River, and Allen. Two sisters Joyce Burrow (Jimmy) of Oak Island and Patsy Elmore of Spokane, Washington. Several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Edison Toomes.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Lora Jean Lambeth Toomes will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Sandy Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Travis Brock conducting the service. Burial will follow the service at Sandy Creek Baptist Church. Visitation for Mrs. Toomes will be prior to the service from 3-3:50 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
Pugh Funeral Home Randleman is serving the Toomes family.
July 25, 1931 – March 19, 2025
Rex Barnes Combs, aged 93, of Seagrove, passed away on March 19, 2025, at his home.
Mr. Combs was born on July 25, 1931 to Edgar B. and Martha S. Combs. He attended Seagrove High School and following high school he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return Rex worked for Klopman Mills for 28 years and retired from the Asheboro City School System.
In addition to his parents, Rex was preceded in death by his wife, Frances R. Combs, son, George B. Combs, and brother, James M. Combs Sr. He is survived by his daughter, Amy Marie Combs and many nieces and nephews. Also, Francie, who will miss curling up in his lap.
Rex enjoyed woodworking, refinishing furniture, and working in his yard. There was always a smile on his face, and he liked to make those around him laugh.
The Bible was always at his side.
The October fishing trip was always his favorite time of year.
Rex is blessed today by being home with the Lord.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. A graveside service will follow on Sunday at 3:00 pm at Randolph Memorial Park with Pastor Bo Wansley officiating.
Memorials may be made to Seagrove Christian Church, 424 E. Main St., Seagrove, NC 27341, or Gentiva Hospice, 533 S. Fayetteville St., Asheboro, NC 27203.
May 29, 1963 – March 17, 2025
Marion William “Billy” Baggett Jr., 61, of Gastonia passed away at High Point Medical Center on Monday, March 17, 2025. He was born on May 29, 1963 in Winter Park, FL to Marion William Baggett Sr., and Kathleen Lovett Baggett.
Billy was a graduate of Randleman High School, class of 1981. Growing up, he played little league baseball in Randleman, played trumpet in the marching band, and was a cross-country runner. He loved following NC State sports, especially football and basketball. In younger years, he loved spending time at Lake Tillery fishing and bowling with his son, Brandon. He attended New Salem United Methodist Church and later attended Church of God in Gastonia. He was a machinist for Freightliner and spent over 40 years calling Gastonia his home. Billy will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Billy is survived by his sons, Christopher Baggett and Brandon (Katie) Baggett of Gastonia; three grandchildren; mother, Kathleen Baggett of Randleman; siblings, Ann McDonald (Tommy) of Randleman, Sonny Spencer (Wanda) of Mt. Gilead, Nancy Hall (Ty) of Randleman, and Patty B. Reeder (Terry) of Asheboro; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 1212:50 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 600 S. Main St. Randleman. Funeral Services will follow in the Eddie Pugh Memorial Chapel at 1 p.m. with Gary Reeder officiating. Pugh Funeral Home in Randleman is honored to serve the Baggett family.
Nov. 22, 1942 – March 19, 2025
Jimmy Woodrow Scott, 82, of Climax, passed away suddenly in Myrtle Beach, SC surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on November 22, 1942, in Carthage, NC to Harvey Lendon Scott and Polly Hussey Scott.
Jimmy was a loving, caring, and beloved husband, father, son, grandfather, greatgrandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. A devoted family man who lived by the golden rule, he loved being around and watching his family grow. He was a mentor and father figure to so many. Jimmy loved racing and all things related to cars. In the 60s and 70s, he raced cars and was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. Jimmy was a master machinist and the owner/operator of Unique Tool Manufacturing. He loved working, whether it be at the shop, his garage, or at his home. It was no secret he loved his workplace family as well. Jimmy looked forward to spending time with his family and taking them on vacations, his favorite being their place on Harker’s Island. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Doris Scott of the home; son, Vincent Scott (Wendy); daughters, Tammy Scott Dorman, Anita Scott Davis, Crystal Scott Allen (Brent); grandchildren, Nolan Dorman (Amber), Aaron Dorman, Lexie Foreman (Darryn); Justice Caviness (Clinton), Cruise Allen, Nova Allen, Ivy Davis, Piper Scott; great-grandchildren, Brantley, Tillie, Hartley; sister, Joretta Scott Beasley; nephew, Scott; niece, Natalie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Winston Woodrow Scott and brother, Lendon Scott.
Jimmy will be lying in repose at Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from noon to 1:45 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro, 437 Sunset Avenue. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Rick Byerly officiating. Burial will be held at Randolph Memorial Park.
Pugh Funeral Home is honored to serve the Scott family.
Dec. 8, 1948 – March 17, 2025
Wanda Venters Garrard, age 76, of Asheboro, NC, passed away on March 17, 2025, in Chapel Hill.
Wanda was born on December 8, 1948, in Kannapolis, NC, to Lawrence Willard Venters and Loraine Crump Rivadeneira. A woman of deep faith, she loved her church and church family, drawing strength and joy from her beliefs. She was an avid reader and found comfort in the stories and knowledge books provided. Above all, Wanda loved her children, grandchildren, and
Aug, 1, 1963 – March 17, 2025
Gina LuAnn Chriscoe Hussey, age 61, of Seagrove passed away on March 17, 2025, at Randolph Hospital.
Mrs. Hussey was born in Asheboro, NC on August 1, 1963, to Buell Colwell Chriscoe and Geraldine Burris Chriscoe of Seagrove. In addition to her parents, Gina was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Eldon Hussey. She is survived by her son, Brandon Hussey of Seagrove,
Nov. 27, 1946 – March 22, 2025
Cecil Tony Eldreth, aged 78, of Advance, NC, passed away peacefully at home on March 22, 2025.
great-grandchildren immensely, cherishing every moment spent with them. She also had a passion for jewelry, collecting an extensive collection that she loved to share with family members.
She is predeceased by her parents, her stepfather, George Rivadeneira, and her siblings, Dale and Bruce Venters.
Wanda is survived by her children, Christine Akins of Asheboro, Brian Rigley (Heather) of Lewisville, TX, and Marian Odom (Michael) of Granite Falls, NC; her grandchildren, Susan Akins of Conway, SC, Marshal Akins of Asheboro, NC, Paul Akins of Asheboro, NC, Andrew Rigley (Melissa) of Charlotte, NC, and Lauren Rohn of Lewisville, TX; and her four great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
She is also survived by her siblings, Doug Venters (Joan) of Hemby Bridge, NC, Nancy Espin of Matthews, NC, and Dee Dee McCall of Mint Hill, NC.
Wanda’s love, faith, and generosity will be remembered and cherished by her family and all who knew her.
Pugh Funeral Home is honored to serve the Garrard Family.
daughter, Emily Phillips and her husband Will, granddaughters, Payton Myers and Lilah Phillips of Seagrove, and brother, Tony Chriscoe of Seagrove.
Gina will always be remembered for her unwavering faith in God and incredible love for her children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends. She enjoyed working on a wide variety of crafts, one of her favorites being crocheting, which led to multiple donations of her creations to various hospitals and charities. Her greatest joys were playing games with her grandchildren and spending time with family and friends.
Gina was retired from the Randolph County Health Department and a member of Union Grove Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the National Lymphedema Network where their main quote is so fitting of her life – “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Union Grove Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Chaney officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
in the shag-dancing community. Known as “Corvette Tony” in classic car circles for his vast knowledge of Corvettes, he was inducted into the Beach Shaggers National Hall of Fame in North Myrtle Beach and honored as a National Living Legend for Shag Dancing in Virginia Beach. He competed in and won numerous shag competitions and was also a beloved dance teacher who passed on his passion to many. Whether on the dance floor or at a Braves game, Tony was always the life of the party, never met a stranger, and left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Tina Allred, grandson Jeffery Allred, son Tony Eldreth Jr., and sister Darlene Moore.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Randolph Record at obits@ randolphrecord.com
Tony was born on November 27, 1946, to Cecil Eldreth and Lois Heath Ballinger. A man who truly embraced life, Tony’s heart belonged to his wife of 21 years, Suzy Eldreth, whom he adored and prioritized in all things. He was known for his vibrant personality, love for people, and unwavering dedication to his family. Tony believed deeply in loyalty, laughter, and living life to the fullest. He loved his family dearly and treasured every moment spent with them. Tony was a celebrated figure
Tony is survived by his loving wife, Suzy Eldreth; sisters Patricia Covington (Steve) and Debbie Pegram (David); grandsons Josh Welch and Alex Eldreth; stepson Tom Brown (Christine); stepdaughter Jennifer Coulombe; three step-grandchildren; and five loving nieces.
Tony’s legacy of love, laughter, and dance will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Services pending.
Without an office, thousands are moving to better locales
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Lori
Matthias and her husband had tired of Atlanta traffic when they moved to St. Augustine, Florida, in 2023. For Mike Waldron and his wife, moving from the Boston area in 2020 to a place that bills itself as “the nation’s oldest city” was motivated by a desire to be closer to their adult children.
They were among thousands of white-collar, remote workers who migrated to the St. Augustine area in recent years, transforming the touristy beach town into one of the top remote work hubs in the United States.
Matthias fell in love with St. Augustine’s small town feeling, trading the hourlong commute she had in Atlanta for bumping into friends and acquaintances while running errands.
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that,” said Matthias, who does sales and marketing for a power tool company. “My commute is like 30 steps from my kitchen to my office. It’s just different. It’s just relaxed and friendly.”
Centuries before becoming a remote work hub, the St. Augustine area was claimed by
Walkers make their way through the downtown historic district in St. Augustine, Florida, which has become a top remote work hub in the United States during the 2020s, on March 13.
the Spanish crown in the early 16th century after explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival. In modern times, it is best known for its Spanish architecture of terra cotta roofs and arched doorways, tourist-carrying trollies, a historic fort, an alligator farm, lighthouses and a shipwreck museum.
A population boom driven by the pandemic
In St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine, the percentage of workers who did their jobs from home nearly tripled from 8.6% in 2018 to almost 24% in 2023, moving the northeast Florida county into the top ranks of U.S.
counties with the largest share of people working remotely, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.
Only counties with a heavy presence of tech, finance and government workers in metro Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte and Dallas, as well as two counties in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, had a larger share of their workforce working from home. But these were counties much more populous than the 335,000 residents in St. Johns County, which has grown by more than a fifth during this decade.
Scott Maynard, a vice president of economic development for the county’s chamber of com-
“The whole pace here is slower, and I’m attracted to that.”
Lori Matthias
merce, attributes the initial influx of new residents to Florida’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in businesses and schools in the fall of 2020 while much of the country remained locked down.
“A lot of people were relocating here from the Northeast, the Midwest and California so that their children could get back to a face-to-face education,” Maynard said. “That brought in a tremendous number of people who had the ability to work remotely and wanted their children back in a face-to-face school situation.”
Public schools in St. Johns County are among the best in Florida, according to an annual report card by the state Department of Education.
Surging popularity comes at a price
The influx of new residents has brought growing pains, particularly when it comes to affordable housing since many of the new, remote workers moving into the area are wealthier than locals and able to outbid them on homes, officials said.
Many essential workers such as police officers, firefighters and teachers have been forced to commute from outside St. Johns County because of rising housing costs. The median home price grew from $405,000 in 2019 to almost $535,000 in 2023, according to Census Bureau figures, making the purchase of a home further out of reach for the county’s essential workers. Essential workers would need to earn at least $180,000 annually to afford the median price of a home in St. Johns County, but a teacher has an average salary of around $48,000 and a law enforcement officer earns around $58,000 on average, according to an analysis by the local chamber of commerce.
“What happened was a lot of the people, especially coming in from up North, were able to sell their homes for such a high value and come here and just pay cash since this seemed affordable to them,” said Aliyah Meyer, an economic researcher at the chamber of commerce. “So it kind of inflated the market and put a bit of a constraint on the local residents.”
Waldron, a sales executive in the health care industry, was able to sell his Boston home at the height of the pandemic and purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a gated community by a golf course outside St. Augustine where “things really worked out to be less expensive down here.”
The flexibility offered by fast wireless internet and the popularity of online meeting platforms since the start of the pandemic also helped.
“If I was still locked in an office, I would not have been able to move down here,” Waldron said.
‘Nation’s oldest city’ becomes hotspot for remote work Social Security eliminating over-the-phone identity checks
Direct deposit changes will require ID verification in person or online
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.
Beginning March 31, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone to make changes to direct deposit information. Instead, users will need to verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service or to visit an agency field office to complete the verification process in person, agency leadership said last week.
The change will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information and will not affect any existing payments.
“The Social Security Admin-
istration is losing over $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud,” Leland Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner, said on a call with reporters — his first call with the media. “Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
He said a problem with eliminating fraudulent claims is that “the information that we use through knowledge-based authentication is already in the public domain.”
“This is a commonsense measure,” Dudek added.
In addition to the identity
“This is a commonsense measure.”
Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration acting commissioner
verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients’ direct deposit change requests — both in person and online — to one business day. Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access.
The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers.
More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive retirement and disability benefits through the
Social Security Administration. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, said in a statement that “by requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, rather than over the phone, (President Donald) Trump and (Elon) Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system.”
The DOGE website says that leases for 47 Social Security field offices across the country, including in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina, have been or will be ended. However, Dudek downplayed the impact of its offices shuttering, saying many were small remote hearing sites that served few members of the public.
Many Americans are victims of Social Security fraud when their identity is stolen and used to make changes that redirect their monthly Social Security payments. The Social Security Administration believes this verification change will help reduce those occurrences.
High Point guard D’Maurian Williams reacts during the Panthers’ game against Purdue in last week’s NCAA Tournament men’s basketball game in Providence, Rhode Island. The Panthers made the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, falling 75-63 in the first-round game. High Point’s women’s team also reached the Big Dance, losing to William & Mary 69-63 in a First Four game in Austin, Texas.
The softball team from Southwestern Randolph found a good groove during games last week
Randolph Record staff
HERE ARE some highlights from the past week in high school spring sports.
Baseball
Uwharrie Charter Academy prevailed in two low-scoring games against Providence Grove in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.
UCA’s Jake Hunter fired a one-hitter with seven strikeouts in a 3-1 home victory. Brody Engle had two hits and scored a run.
Brett Smith threw a two-hitter with seven strikeouts in a 2-1 victory in UCA’s second victory of the week. Jacob Flinchum had both of the Providence Grove hits.
• Randleman defeated Wheatmore 7-5 and 16-6 in two PAC meetings. Randleman’s Braxton Walker pitched a complete game Friday after working in relief earlier in the week.
• Trinity’s Cohen Wolfe had three hits when the Bulldogs topped visiting Southwestern Randolph 11-7 to forge a split in the PAC matchups.
Southwestern Randolph won 11-5 earlier in the week with Logan Weidman the winning pitcher.
• Providence Grove won a
nonleague game at Chatham Charter with Andrew Thomas knocking in three runs and Chase Collins homering.
• Eastern Randolph smacked visiting Chatham Central 16-2 as Bryson Marley notched three hits and scored three runs. Will Stalker and Avery Wright were also credited with three runs batted in apiece.
Softball
Macie Crutchfield struck out 13 batters in Southwestern Randolph’s 3-2 victory at Randleman. The Cougars scored all their runs in the first inning.
Kami Dunn homered and Southwestern Randolph needed only five innings for a
10-0 home victory Eastern Randolph.
• Randleman’s Lilah Covington drove in three runs in an 8-3 home victory against UCA. Kenzie Ivey pitched a complete game. Aubrie Kaufman scored three times and Katelyn West had three hits when UCA defeated visiting Providence Grove 9-3.
• Maddie Nichols drove in four runs as Wheatmore won 15-5 at Eastern Randolph.
• Wheatmore’s Arielle Turgeon homered in an 8-7 loss at East Davidson.
Girls’ soccer
Asheboro won 4-1 against host East Davidson as Jaira
Arellano provided two goals.
The Blue Comets came up short in a 3-2 loss to visiting Burlington Williams despite goals from Arelanno and Gigi Flores.
• Wheatmore’s Natalie Bowman had four goals and Jocelyn McDowell added two goals in a 7-1 road victory against Randleman.
Wheatmore’s 11-0 victory against visiting Eastern Randolph came with McDowell’s five goals and three more from Bowman.
• Randleman responded to defeat host Southwestern Randolph 4-3 with Ashlynn Harber scoring three times.
• UCA topped visiting Trinity 1-0 on Marlee Hill’s goal and Alexis Marion’s eight saves.
The Wheatmore wrestler captured a state title after coming close in the previous season
By Bob Sutton Randolph Record
TRINITY — Wheatmore wrestler Dominic Hittepole won matches on a regular basis for several months.
Yet it seemed like a long climb, waiting for the moments that would define his season.
“I’m ready for February,” he said in late January. “I’m really excited where I’m at. It matters a lot. There are a lot of people doubting me. I can’t end up in that runner-up position I was in last year.”
So he took that next step, winning the state championship in the 175-pound division in Class 2A.
That second-place finish in 2024 fueled the junior standout’s quest.
After defeating Mount
Pleasant’s Jacob Reigel 7-0 in the title bout, there was as much relief as excitement.
“It’s like the weight is just lifted off my shoulders. I got it done,” Hittepole said. “I nev-
er doubted myself. I didn’t doubt myself last year, just a few bumps along the way. This year, everything went as
See HITTEPOLE, page B2
The summer collegiate baseball team brings in players and interns from various parts of the country
Randolph Record staff
ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers, a summer collegiate baseball team, are seeking host families for the upcoming season.
The club is looking for places to house players and interns for the season, which generally runs from late May through late July or early August.
The team touts the valuable role that host families can provide while allowing the summer visitors to excel.
“Support enables players to focus on their games and practice, while interns can dedicate their time to supporting the team’s operations,” the team says. “… You’ll be making a positive impact on their experience and contributing to the success of the ZooKeepers this season.”
The ZooKeepers are looking
The summer collegiate baseball team brings in players and interns from various parts of the country.
for host families who can provide a private room as well as access to common areas for the player or intern. The ZooKeepers, whose home field is McCrary Park, compete in the Coastal Plain League. While there often might be a few players from the area, the roster is normally comprised from players coming from college programs from around the country.
The season begins with an exhibition game and fanfest May 27. The regular season starts May 29, with the home opener May 30 against the High Point-Thomasville HiToms.
Players also assist with team-sponsored youth camps that are scheduled in June and July.
The senior infielder makes a difference in the field and on offense for the Bulldogs.
He has been a contributor for four seasons for Trinity. Last year, he was credited with more than 30 stolen bases.
Willard has committed to play baseball at Pfeiffer.
The Bulldogs began the season with six consecutive victories. They entered this week with an 8-2 record.
Willard also played during the fall on Trinity’s football team.
The North Carolina wrestler finished the season with a 22-7 record
Randolph Record staff
PHILADELPHIA — North Carolina wrestler Ethan Oakley, a Wheatmore alum, went 1-2 in the NCAA championships and didn’t place in the tournament at Wells Fargo Center last week.
Oakley, seeded 12th, fell to No. 21 seed Angelo Rini of Indiana by 7-1 in the first round.
Oakley responded to defeated Edinboro’s Colton Camacho 1511 in a consolation matchup. In the second consolation round, Oakley was eliminated with an 8-4 loss to Iowa State’s Evan Frost.
Oakley, a transfer from Appalachian State who has a year of eligibility remaining, finished
the season with a 22-7 record.
Stanford’s Tyler Knox, who lost to Oakley during this month’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, gained All-America status by placing eighth.
North Carolina State’s Vince Robinson won the national championship at 125 pounds with a 2-1 overtime decision against Oklahoma State’s Troy Spratley.
The title marked N.C. State’s first since 2018.
Two other N.C. State wrestlers nabbed top-eight finishes. Heavyweight Isaac Trumble ended up fourth at heavyweight. Matty Singleton, the ACC champion, placed seventh at 165 pounds.
North Carolina’s Lachlain McNeil gained his third All-American honor by placing fifth at 149 pounds.
Randolph Record staff
Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for winter sports:
Boys’ basketball
Player of the Year: Timothy Brower (Eastern Randolph)
Coach of the Year: Daniel Mitchell (Randleman)
All-conference
Eastern Randolph: Julian Brooks, Timothy Brower
Providence Grove: Will Dabbs, Andrew Thomas
Randleman: Connor Cassidy, Chase Farlow, Tyshaun Goldston
Southwestern Randolph: Brayden Chapman, Julian Mosley
Trinity: Zy’iveon Holmes
Uwharrie Charter Academy: Braeden Lamb, Jaxon
Mabe, Aaron Smith
Wheatmore: Weston Driggers, Parker Kines
Girls’ basketball
Co-Players of the Year: Maddie Strider (Southwestern Randolph), Laurel Bernhardt (Providence Grove)
Coach of the Year: Seth Baxter (Southwestern Randolph)
All-conference
Providence Grove: Laurel Bernhardt, Jada Nixon, Mailey Way
Randleman: Gracie Beane, Jacquline McDaniel, Chenleigh Robinson, Southwestern Randolph: Macy Allred, Jordin George, Kenzie Martin, Maddie Strid-
er
Trinity: Madison Hill
Uwharrie Charter Academy: Nevaeh Staples
Wheatmore: Brianna Hill, Kynnedi Routh, Kaelyn Whitehart
Boys’ swimming
Swimmer of the Year: Austin Williams (Providence Grove)
Coach of the Year: Preston Ward (Providence Grove)
All-conference
Providence Grove: Jackson McIlquham, Grant Underwood, Austin Williams, Cooper Wright
Randleman: Reid Herring, Cannon Eggleston
Wheatmore: Jaden Kilcullen, Colton Osborne, Jack Tobey, Alexis Vega-Torres, Landon Weeks, William York
Girls’ swimming
Swimmer of the Year: Megan Becker (Uwharrie Charter Academy)
Coach of the Year: Amanda Forston (Randleman)
All-conference
Eastern Randolph: Stella
Leonard
Providence Grove: Aubrey
Goodman
Randleman: Kendall Fort-
son, Emma Herring
Wheatmore: Sydney Hall, Paislee Hollifield, Sophie Williamson, Jillian Wolfe
Uwharrie Charter Academy: Megan Becker, Abbie Jarrell, Liana Pugh-Vazquez, Jenna Schalesky
Wrestling
Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year: Jaden Allred (Trinity)
Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year: Jose Flores (Southwestern Randolph)
Coach of the Year: Hayden Waddell (Uwharrie Charter Academy)
All-conference
Eastern Randolph: Jamie Crabtree, Trevor Crabtree, David Lambright
Providence Grove: Mitchell Freeman
Randleman: Alex Raymundo, Braxton Walker
Southwestern Randolph: Jose Flores, Michael Jaimes
Trinity: Jaden Allred, Aiden Burkholder, Lawson Coltrane, Stephen Cross, Omega Edge, Simeon Harnett, Jayden Henry, Joseph Trahan Uwharrie Charter Academy: Lorenzo Alston, Caden Bond, Ayven Chitavong, Aiden Foster, Brandon Jordan, Paxton Kearns, Rick Riccardella, Michael Shropshire, Caden Thorne, AJ White, Brennan Worrell
Wheatmore: Noah Browning, Dominic Hittepole, Johnathan Kelly, Ayden Sumners
planned. Weight, everything. All the way down to the state tournament. Everything went good, as expected.”
While the feat was officially accomplished in February, Hittepole said the process mattered even as his patience was tested as he waited for another postseason to arrive.
“The practices, those are the worst parts,” he said. “Those are the building blocks you have to get up to get to this level. I knew I had to work hard every single day in practice. It wasn’t just a one-time thing, where one week you go hard. You have to go hard the entire season.”
Wheatmore coach Kyle Spencer said it was clear there was a path for Hittepole to become a state champion. He said he appreciated how the wrestler handled the build-up during the season.
“I didn’t see him not being capable of winning the state championship this year, but crazier things have happened,”
“It wasn’t just a one-time thing, where one week you go hard. You have to go hard the entire season.”
Dominic Hittepole, Wheatmore wrestler
Spencer said. “At times, I feel like he has gotten a little more active on his feet. He has done a little better job of setting things up, picking up his motion.”
Hittepole, who posted a 47-5 record for the season, projects an even-keeled demeanor on and off the mat, before and after matches. The internal pressure, though, was percolating.
“I’ve got to pull through this year, getting to show what I’m made of,” he said late in the regular season. “I think my mindset is better. I cut weight going down to (175). I feel like I’m eating pretty good. I’m try-
ing to make sure everything is right.”
Hittepole competed in the 190-pound class early in the season, but those were tune-ups. He said he felt chunky at that weight, while that spot in Wheatmore’s lineup was better suited for senior Noah Browning.
Hittepole had defeated Reigel multiple times, including in the Midwest Regional final. He said he knew his focus couldn’t change in the last bout of the season.
“Make sure everything was nice and tight, no sloppiness,” he said.
In four bouts in the state tournament, Hittepole outscored opponents by 50-15. His motivation to improve hasn’t ceased. Perhaps it’s increasing after a matter-of-fact reaction to the state championship.
“I’m not as thrilled as I should be,” Hittepole said. “I guess that’s such a ‘me’ thing. I know I should have done a little bit better, but I got my hand raised.”
Nuclear meltdown at Three Mile Island, “Terra-cotta Army” discovered, Reagan shot
MARCH 27
1939: The first NCAA men’s Division I basketball championship game was held, with the University of Oregon defeating Ohio State, 46-33.
1973: Marlon Brando refused to accept his Oscar for best actor in “The Godfather” and sent in his place actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather.
1975: Construction began on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; the 800-mile pipeline was completed just over two years later.
MARCH 28
1898: The U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, ruled 6-2 that Wong, who was born in the United States to Chinese immigrants, was an American citizen.
1941: Author Virginia Woolf, 59, drowned herself near her home in England.
1969: The 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, died at age 78.
1979: America’s worst commercial nuclear accident occurred with a partial meltdown inside the Unit 2 reactor at the Three Mile Island plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania.
MARCH 29
1974: Chinese farmers found fragments underground where archaeologists would ultimately discover terra-cotta sculptures of more than 8,000 soldiers and other figures. The
“Terra-cotta Army” would become one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
1951: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted in New York of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union.
1971: Army Lt. William L. Calley Jr. was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the 1968 My Lai massacre.
1973: The last United States combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam War.
MARCH 30
1822: Florida became a United States territory.
1867: U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward reached agreement with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for $7.2 million, a deal ridiculed by critics as “Seward’s Folly.”
1981: President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously injured by John W. Hinckley Jr.
MARCH 31
1492: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an edict expelling Jews from Spanish soil, except those willing to convert to Christianity.
1814: Paris was occupied by a coalition of Russian, Prussian and Austrian forces; the surrender of the French capital forced the abdication of Emperor Napoleon.
1968: President Lyndon B. Johnson stunned listeners by declaring, “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”
APRIL 1
1865: During the Civil War, Union forces routed Confederate soldiers in the Battle of Five Forks in Virginia.
1891: The Wrigley Co. was founded in Chicago by William Wrigley, Jr.
1945: American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II.
1976: Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
APRIL 2
1792: Congress passed the Coinage Act, which authorized establishment of the U.S. Mint.
1917: President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy.”
2005: John Paul II, the Polish pope born Karol Józef Wojtyła, who became one of the most influential leaders of the 20th and early 21st centuries, died at age 84.
Twain impersonators and Adam Sandler sang “Rockin’ in the Free World”
By Ashraf Khalil
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On a night when half a dozen people made jokes about this being the last-ever Mark Twain Prize, Conan O’Brien made sure the ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ended on a high note.
O’Brien, 61, was named the 26th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize in mid-January, about three weeks before President Donald Trump upended the Kennedy Center by ousting longtime president Deborah Rutter and board chairman David Rubenstein.
On Sunday, O’Brien specifically thanked Rubenstein and Rutter — drawing an extended round of applause — and also Kennedy Center staffers who, he said, were “worried about what the future might bring.”
He said the example of Mark Twain’s own life and career was particularly resonant at this moment in American history.
“Twain hated bullies. ... He punched up, not down, and he deeply empathized with the weak,” O’Brien said. “Twain loved America, but he knew it was deeply flawed.”
A Mark Twain impersonator then emerged from the audience. After a back-and-forth debate with O’Brien, he joined him on stage and the pair slow danced for a while. They were then joined by a dozen more Twain impersonators and previous Twain Prize recipient Adam Sandler for a raucous rendition of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
That musical ending capped off a night when the uncertain fate of the Kennedy Center itself was woven through the multiple tributes and testimonials to O’Brien.
Once the festivities began, Stephen Colbert joked that the Kennedy Center had announced two new board members: Bashar Assad, the ousted president of Syria, and
Skeletor, a fictional “He -Man” supervillain.
John Mulaney quipped that the entire building would soon be renamed “the Roy Cohn Pavilion” after one of Trump’s mentors. And Sarah Silverman made multiple Trump jokes that were too vulgar to print.
Trump, in announcing the Kennedy Center changes, posted on social media that those who were dismissed “do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
Into this maelstrom stepped O’Brien, whose comedic persona has never been particularly political. The comic has always tended more toward goofiness and self-deprecation. But he has also leaned into sensitive societal issues at times.
O’Brien vaulted into the spotlight from near-total obscurity in 1993 when he was chosen to replace David Letterman as host of “Late Night” despite no significant on-camera experience. The former Harvard Lampoon editor had spent the previous years as a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons,” appearing on camera only as an occasional back-
ground extra in “SNL” skits. He went on to host “Late Night” for 16 years, longer than any other host. O’Brien was later tapped to replace Jay Leno as host of “The Tonight Show,” but that experiment ended in public failure. After seven months of declining ratings, NBC executives brought Leno back for a new show that would bump “The Tonight Show” back. O’Brien refused to accept the move, leading to a public spat that ended with a multimillion-dollar payout for O’Brien and his staff to exit the network in early 2010.
O’Brien went on to host another talk show on the cable station TBS and has also launched successful podcasts and travel shows. He is currently on a late-career elder statesman hot streak. His travel series, “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” drew popular and critical acclaim, with a second season coming. His recent gig hosting the Academy Awards was so well received that the producers announced they are bringing him back next year.
The ceremony will be streamed on Netflix on May 4.
It is a “Thelma & Louise” for our times
By Rob Merrill The Associated Press
WHEN BESTSELLING
psychological thriller writer
Paula Hawkins (“The Girl on the Train,” 2015) stamps the cover of your debut novel with “A Thelma & Louise for our times,” your career is off to a fast start.
The same goes for the plot pace of Hannah Deitch’s book, “Killer Potential,” which opens at a breakneck clip and doesn’t really slow down for about 200 pages. Evie Gordon is our narrator. She went to “a liberal arts school, stupidly expensive” and is now working as an SAT tutor in pricey California ZIP codes. Her first sentence is a gem: “I was once a famous murderess.” The rest of the book reveals how she earned that appellation and the adverb “once.”
The opening scene is at “The Victor House,” which Evie describes in great detail — its “live-edge table cut from Portuguese wood,” the “De Gournay hand-painted silk wallpaper,” and the “aquamarine Moroccan tile in the bathroom.” It’s where Evie discovers the dead bodies of Dinah and Peter Victor, the mother
with her face bashed in and the father floating in a koi pond. As Evie flees, she hears a voice crying out for help and rescues a woman trapped behind a door under a staircase, before coming face-to-face with her tutoring student, Serena. Thinking Evie and her accomplice are killers fleeing the scene of their crime, Serena attacks with a lamp and the scene ends with Evie smashing a vase against Serena’s head before escaping with the mystery woman in Evie’s car.
Cue the Hans Zimmer soundtrack for the next 100 -plus pages as Evie gets to know her partner in crime, who doesn’t speak at first, traumatized by whatever happened to her in the house. Eventually we learn her name, Jae, and together they pull off a series of crimes, some petty (shoplifting, carjacking), some not (assaulting and shooting at a few men and boys who recognize them from TV). Throughout it all, Evie’s inner monologue keeps readers engaged as she ponders things like how the language of courtship (Chase. Pursue. Stalk.) mirrors the language of hunting. It’s clear after a while that Evie and Jae lust for one another, and when that dam finally breaks, the novel takes on a torrid tone that feels authentic for two people on the run for weeks relying on only each other and their animal instincts to survive.
Of course, Paula Hawkins doesn’t blurb your book unless there’s a well-earned twist, and “Killer Potential” delivers on that front. The final third or so of the novel is a real joy to read as Deitch fills in all the blanks using different narrative techniques. Saying anything more would spoil the fun, but “Killer Potential” earns Deitch a spot on the “new novelists to watch” list.
The Associated Press
MARCH 27
Actor Julian Glover is 90. Actor Jerry Lacy is 89. Actor-director Austin Pendleton is 85. Actor Michael York is 83. Keyboardist Tony Banks of Genesis is 75. Director Quentin Tarantino is 62.
MARCH 28
Harmonica player Charlie McCoy (“Hee Haw”) is 84. Country singer Reba McEntire is 70. Rapper Salt of Salt-N-Pepa is 59. Actor Vince Vaughn is 55. Singer Lady Gaga is 39.
MARCH 29
Comedian Eric Idle is 82. Singer Bobby Kimball of Toto is 78. Singer Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction is 66. Comedian Amy Sedaris is 64. Model Elle Macpherson is 62.
MARCH 30
Actor John Astin is 95. Actor Warren Beatty is 88. Musician Eric Clapton is 80. Rapper MC Hammer is 63. Singer Tracy Chapman is 61. TV host Piers Morgan is 60. Singer Celine Dion is 57. Singer Norah Jones is 46.
MARCH 31
Actor Richard Chamberlain is 91. Actor Christopher Walken is 82. Comedian Gabe Kaplan (“Welcome Back Kotter”) is 80. Actor Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) is 77. Guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC is 70. Bassist Bob Crawford of The Avett Brothers is 54.
APRIL 1
Actor Don Hastings (“As the World Turns”) is 91. Actor Annette O’Toole (“Smallville”) is 73. Rapper-actor Method Man is 54. Filmmakers Albert and Allen Hughes (“Menace II Society,” “Dead Presidents”) are 53.
APRIL 2
Actor Linda Hunt is 80. Sing-
SEARCHLIGHT
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ lands on Disney+, Chalamet’s Dylan hits Hulu, Will Smith drops first record in 20 years
Ritchie’s ‘MobLand’ features Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren
The Associated Press
WILL SMITH’S first new album in 20 years and “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Barry Jenkins’ photorealistic prequel to the 1994 animated classic, are some of this week’s new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Seth Rogen stars in a new Hollywood satire called “The Studio” for Apple TV+ and Timothée Chalamet stars in his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
“Mufasa: The Lion King” started out a little like a cub in theaters but ultimately roared to $717 million in worldwide ticket sales. On Friday, Jenkins’ photorealistic prequel arrives on Disney+. In it, Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) tells the story of how he was washed away from the pride lands by a flood but returns years later to fulfill his destiny. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr wrote that “Mufasa” “isn’t simply checking off fan services boxes and overexplaining origins that never needed them: It’s actually good.”
James Mangold’s Dylan drama “A Complete Unknown” (out Thursday on Hulu) might not have won any of the eight awards it was nominated for at the Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor for Chalamet, but it was a hit in theaters and managed a possibly even more elusive prize: the blessing of Dylan, himself. The film charts Dylan’s arrival in New York in 1961 and leads up to his infamous Newport Folk Festival appearance four years later. In his review, AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy praised “A Complete Unknown” as more about the Dylan effect than a revealing portrait of enigmatic musician: “It’s not who Dylan is but what he does to us.”
The second 2024 Luca Guadagnino film penned by Justin Kuritzkes and scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, “Queer,” arrived last week on Max. While drastically different from Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” his William S. Burroughs’ adaptation, starring Daniel Craig as the Burroughs alter ego Lee, is likewise concerned with the mysteries of romantic connection.
SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES VIA AP
This week, Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” lands on Apple TV + and the comedy series “Mid-Century Modern” comes to Hulu.
Last week, Will Smith released the 14-track “Based on a True Story.” Previously released songs may offer some hints about what fans can expect. The record will include “You Can Make It,” which Smith debuted at the 2024 BET Awards alongside Kirk Franklin, Fridayy and the gospel choir Sunday Service. Then there are the rap tracks “Tantrum” with Joyner Lucas, “Beautiful Scars” with Big Sean and “Work of Art” with Russ and his son Jaden Smith. Perfume Genius, the musical moniker of Mike Hadreas, creates at a tension point. On “Glory,” his latest collection is at the conceptual intersection of ex-
ternal ambition and a predilection for isolation. On the single “It’s A Mirror,” he makes the stress known in a familiar twang: “What do I get out of being established?” he sings, “I still run and hide when a man’s at the door.” This is sinewy, expansive indie-folk, where domesticity is both scary and sexy and everything in between.
SHOWS TO STREAM
Shows about high-speed racing like Formula One and NASCAR have helped boost the popularity of motorsports, but female racers have typically been overlooked by the genre. Just this month, Katherine Legge became the first woman to
compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick in 2018. A new docuseries from Prime Video called “First to Finish” is dedicated to women in motorsports. It follows Heather Hadley and Sally Mott — both female drivers — and Shea Holbrook, a female team owner as they compete in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship. “First to Finish” is ready to stream on Prime Video.
Rogen stars in a new satire called “The Studio” for Apple TV+. Rogen plays Matt Remick, the new head of The Continental, a storied Hollywood studio. Remick loves moviemaking and his romanticized version of the business is often at odds with its need to make money. Rogen is a co-creator on the series and also its writer, director and executive producer alongside his partner Evan Goldberg. Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara, Chase Sui Wonder also co-star as industry executives. The show also has guest appearances including Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, Ted Sarandos and Olivia Wilde — all playing exaggerated versions of themselves. It is now streaming. The sequel series to Prime Video’s “Bosch” called “Bosch: Legacy” launches its third and final season on Thursday. It stars Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch, a former LAPD detective now working in the private sector. The character was first introduced in novels by Michael Connelly. And here’s a
Elle Fanning, left, and Timothée Chalamet star in the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.”
fun fact, in Connelly’s books Bosch is the half-brother of Mickey Haller, who is the subject of Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
After one of their closest friends dies, three gay men move in together in Palm Springs in Hulu’s new comedy, “Mid-Century Modern.” It stars Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham and Matt Bomer (as the Rose Nylund of the group if this were “The Golden Girls,” of which there are similarities.) The show debuts Friday and also features Linda Lavin in her final role. Guy Ritchie’s new mafia series “MobLand” comes to Paramount+ on Sunday, March 30. It features an all-star cast including Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Joanne Froggatt as series regulars. The show follows two rival crime families whose middleman is played by Hardy.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
In 1957, a nuclear reactor in the northwest United Kingdom caught fire, releasing radioactive material across Europe. Atomfall, from British studio Rebellion, imagines that the aftermath of that accident was much weirder than reported. Sure, you can expect to run into mutated beasts in the quarantine zone. You might be surprised, though, when you have to deal with rogue government agencies, a creepy cult and killer robots. The Geiger counter starts ticking Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson talks to an official during an NCAA Tournament second-round game against Gonzaga. The Cougars won, sending Sampson, a Laurinburg native, UNC Pembroke alum and former student teacher in Raeford, back to the Sweet 16 for the sixth straight time.
Hoke County under statewide burn ban
Hoke County
A burn ban is in effect across Hoke County until further notice, banning all open burning due to heightened fire risk. The North Carolina Forest Service enacted the statewide prohibition on March 21 at 8 a.m., canceling all permits. Burning leaves, branches or trash is illegal, though grills are permitted. Violations may face fines or penalties. Residents should call 911 to report wildfires. The ban aligns with local efforts to curb fires amid dry conditions countywide.
Fort Bragg joins Uber pilot to boost rideshare access
Fayetteville Uber has partnered with the U.S. Army for a pilot program enhancing rideshare services at Fort Bragg, starting this week. The initiative, with Bragg as one of six initial sites including Fort Bliss and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, aims to serve over 600,000 military members and families. It addresses limited transportation options in rural areas around bases, where gate access has been a barrier. “This strengthens community ties and local economies,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a press release. Drivers pass strict Army vetting for base entry. Eventually, the Army plans to expand the program to some 20 bases, refining with Bragg’s data.
$2.00
The rulings address UNC student fees and parental approval of COVID shots
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in a pair of COVID-era lawsuits involving UNC student fees and a teen vaccinated without parental consent.
In a unanimous ruling, the N.C. Supreme Court found that students from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State can proceed with their breach of contract lawsuit which seeks refunds for mandatory fees paid when the two campuses closed during the pandemic in fall 2020.
The case, Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors, is one of several COVID-related lawsuits being reviewed by the
state Supreme Court.
The high court’s ruling slightly modifies a 2022 Court of Appeals order that said the case could proceed.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation,” wrote Associate Justice Trey Allen. “However, we read the lawsuit to allege the existence of express — not implied — contracts between plaintiffs and the Board.”
During oral arguments, lawyers for the universities argued that students were warned fees wouldn’t be refunded, while the plaintiffs’ attorney maintained that individuals could not register as students without paying those fees. Per a past 2023 filing, the UNC System indicated it could face the loss of “tens of millions of dollars” if the stu-
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation.”
N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Trey Allen in Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors
dents ultimately prevail. Allen’s opinion also noted that the student plaintiffs’ case may not succeed due to that reasoning, writing that “the Board correctly observes that many of the fee descriptions in the amended complaint lack any explicit promise to provide
By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press
RALEIGH — North Carolina appeals court judges listened to arguments last Friday about whether votes on tens of thousands of ballots in an unsettled state Supreme Court election from November should remain in the tally or could be discarded.
A three-judge panel of the intermediate-level Court of Appeals will decide if the State Board of Elections in December properly dismissed the formal protests of those ballots by Republican Jefferson Griffin. A trial judge upheld the board’s actions last month. After two recounts, Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes from more than 5.5 million ballots cast in the Supreme Court race.
Riggs Griffin
Griffin’s lawyers have cited more than 65,000 ballots from three categories they argued came from ineligible voters. Removing them from counts could flip the vote advantage to Griffin. No immediate ruling was issued last Friday after 90 minutes of arguments before the panel, which is composed of two registered Republicans and one Democrat.
There’s no date set on when the panel will act, but there is
pressure to act quickly. The eight-year term on the highest court in the ninth-largest state was supposed to begin in early January. Riggs has meanwhile remained serving in her seat, and Griffin is in his current job as one of the 15 Court of Appeals judges.
While The Associated Press declared more than 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the state Supreme Court election is the only race that is still undecided.
However Judges John Tyson, Fred Gore and Toby Hampson rule, their decision will likely be subject to more appeals to the state Supreme Court on which the two candidates are fighting to serve, as well as potentially federal courts.
While Griffin has recused himself from Court of Appeals deliberations in his case, hav-
services to students who paid those fees.”
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that a Guilford County teenager and his mother can proceed with their lawsuit against the local school board and the Old North State Medical Society over a forced COVID-19 vaccination of the teen in 2021.
The case involves 14-yearold Tanner Smith, who was vaccinated without parental consent when a clinic worker reportedly administered the shot despite the teen objecting.
The ruling reverses lower court rulings that had dismissed the case based on immunity provided by the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
Chief Justice Paul Newby, writing for the Republican majority, determined that the PREP Act’s immunity only covers tort injuries, not constitutional violations, and recognized parents’ fundamental rights to make medical decisions for their chil-
ing the three judges rule in a matter directly affecting a colleague and Riggs — herself a Court of Appeals judge briefly in 2023 — is extraordinary.
The panel’s judges asked many questions about the three categories of ballots Griffin challenged.
The largest category covers ballots cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.
Griffin’s lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution, and the state elections board — composed of three Democrats and two Republicans — is to blame by failing to follow them. They want these ballots declared ineligible and ultimately discounted.
“This case is not about
MILITARY MATTERS | JOHN F. HARRY, PAST
THE RALPH A. PANDURE Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10 held its monthly meeting in March, marking a significant moment as the torch was passed during nominations for the 2025-26 Post Officers. This year’s nominees, all of whom served during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and supporting campaigns, reflect a new generation of leadership.
Outgoing Commander Daniel J. Nocher opened the process by nominating Sandi M. Peterson for post commander. Additional nominations from attendees included Senior Vice Commander Jessie B. Evans, Junior Vice Commander Nathan D. Perry, Quartermaster Lisa Deis, Chaplain George E. Balch, 1-Year Trustee Michael T. McGirr, 2-Year Trustee Bambi Beltran, 3-Year Trustee (to be determined) and Adjutant Daniel J. Nocher. Nominations remain open until the next scheduled meeting on April 14, when final nominations and elections will take place. The newly elected command staff will have the privilege of planning key community events, including the Memorial Day Fest on May 24 at McLaughlin Park in Raeford, the Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26 at the City Courthouse Plaza, the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 8 and the Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 11 at the City Courthouse Plaza. These events highlight the
commitment of veterans serving both their fellow veterans and the community.
Outgoing Commander Nocher, a Vietnam War veteran, will pass the treasured gavel to a younger generation of combat veterans, continuing the proud tradition established on Sept. 29, 1899, by veterans of the Spanish-A merican War and Philippine Insurrection. Post officers and members extend a warm invitation to all combat veterans to join VFW Post 10 and make a difference in our growing community through active involvement.
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University.
AMERICANS LIKE you gave President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress a mandate to enact our America First agenda, and we have been working to deliver. From rooting out waste, fraud and abuse of your tax dollars to supporting our troops and first responders, we are working to put you, your community and your country first again.
Under Trump’s leadership, the new administration has been shining a light on Washington, D.C.’s waste so we can make the government work better for you. House Republicans have also taken action, such as by cracking down on the rampant fraud in the COVID-era unemployment insurance program. During the pandemic, bad actors stole hundreds of billions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits — money that was paid for by hardworking taxpayers like you to help people who were going through a tough time. Precious taxpayer dollars went to fraudsters, many overseas in places like China, who spent this money on luxury items while Americans were hurting.
COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS
With thousands of complaints and investigations into this fraud still unresolved, we cannot let criminals off the hook without consequences.
That’s why I joined my colleagues recently in passing a bill to give law enforcement the time and resources needed to continue tracking down and prosecuting those who stole from American taxpayers. I will continue fighting for legislation that protects your tax dollars and stops fraud like this from happening again.
While I, along with Trump and my House Republican colleagues, have already begun working to advance our America First agenda, there is still so much more to do. Recently, I joined my House Republican colleagues in passing a bill that ensures we can continue our efforts while fully funding our military, VA benefits, Border Patrol and government programs like Medicare. This bill also gives more money toward veterans’ health care programs, like the Toxic Exposures Fund, and provides a 14.5% pay raise for our junior enlisted service members — directly benefiting
folks in our community and at Fort Bragg.
Back home, I spent time last week visiting with local law enforcement, first responders, servicemembers and universities to hear about their priorities and listen to their concerns.
In Hoke County, I met with folks from the Puppy Creek Fire Department. We discussed how they’re working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local organizations to expand their facilities and help keep our communities safe.
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University. I was so impressed with what the university is doing in areas like engineering, advanced computing, robotics and autonomous vehicles to ensure our students will be prepared to lead America into the future. It is so inspiring to see firsthand the dedication and innovation in our communities, and I will always support their efforts.
In Congress, I will continue working to advance policies that prioritize your needs, safeguard your tax dollars, strengthen our economy and keep you safe. Together, we will keep fighting for a brighter and more prosperous future for our communities and our country.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in Congress.
For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s economic priority shouldn’t be preventing a recession.
Stock prices are always a bit of a roller coaster. Over the last month, it’s mostly been a downhill ride. In mid-February, the S&P 500 hit 6,144. It’s now dipped below 5,525. That’s around a 10% drop, which means the market is in correction territory. This has people talking about the dreaded “r-word.”
“Stocks Plunge as Recession Talk Gets Louder,” a recent New York Times headline read.
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if he expected a recession this year.
“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump responded. “There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing, and there are always periods of, it takes a little time. It takes a little time, but I think it should be great for us.”
That’s a different tone than he had on the campaign trail. Trump told voters that he’d deliver “the best jobs, the biggest paychecks and the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.”
What’s going on?
Start with this: Most Americans don’t judge the economy based on the stock market — and rightly so. From Election Day in 2020 to Election Day last November, the S&P 500 increased by more than 70%.
Yet the public rightly believed that former President Joe Biden oversaw a terrible economy. A 2024 ABC News exit poll found 45% of voters said they were worse off under the Biden administration. That was a higher number than in 2008 during the Great Recession.
Biden’s reckless spending and prolonged COVID restrictions drove inflation sky-high. It wasn’t just the high cost of gas and groceries that hurt Americans. For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
Next, there is often a trade-off between short-term and long-term economic growth. Consumer spending drives much of the American economy. Firing federal workers and cutting government spending will reduce that, hurting the economy right now. But as those workers find jobs in the private sector, they’ll start producing more stuff, driving long-term economic growth.
Finally, the Trump administration isn’t trying to blindly boost GDP. That measure includes all economic activity, including what illegal immigrants generate. Trump and Vice President JD Vance want to make things more affordable for Americans.
For instance, by deporting illegal aliens and securing the border, Trump may hurt aggregate economic growth. But look at how it helps Americans.
“If you allow 20 million people to
compete with American citizens for the cost of homes, you are going to have a large and, frankly, completely preventable spike in the demand for housing,” Vance said in a recent speech.
He’s right. Mass deportations and closing the border will reduce housing prices by lowering demand. Shrinking the pool of low-skilled workers will also increase wages for Americans in that group.
Both moves may hurt GDP. So-called experts may even declare that there’s a recession. But deporting illegals will improve the personal finances of many Americans. So will Trump’s moves to deregulate the energy industry, although rolling back regulations can take years.
The focus on Americans is why Trump says he’s pushing tariffs. He wants companies to return to the U.S. and to extract noneconomic concessions from countries like Mexico and Canada. If he can use the threat of tariffs to reduce the flow of fentanyl, it’d be a major achievement. But tariffs raise prices. Playing tariff chicken with Canada may hurt both sides dearly and undermine his other economic efforts.
Trump’s economic success doesn’t hinge on the stock market. Voters want him to enact policies that lead to lower prices and better job opportunities — for Americans.
The pontiff had life-threatening double pneumonia
By Nicole Winfield , Paolo Santalucia and Trisha Thomas The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
Francis’ motorcade from Gemelli hospital overshot the Vatican initially and took a detour across town to stop at St. Mary Major basilica, where the pope’s favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit.
He didn’t get out of the car but gave a bouquet of flowers to the basilica’s cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon.
The Byzantine-style painting on wood is revered by Romans and is so important to Francis that he has chosen to be buried in the basilica to be near it.
The tour through Rome’s historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant spring Sunday morning to say goodbye and catch a first glimpse of Francis, who seemed to be gasping for air.
“I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” a bloated-looking Francis said in a breathless voice. He gave a weak
dren and individuals’ rights to bodily integrity.
“As an initial matter, the ambiguity of the PREP Act’s language requires us to consider whether Congress intended to include even unconstitutional conduct within the immunity’s broad scope. Defendants ask us to adopt this literal reading,” wrote Newby. “Plaintiffs, on the other hand, contend that Congress could not have intended to immunize — indeed, even incentivize — unconstitutional conduct.”
“We agree with plaintiffs,” Newby wrote. “The literalist interpretation defendants urge us to adopt today defies even the broad scope of the statutory text. Under this view, Congress gave carte blanche to any willful miscon-
sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.
Chants of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco” erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance.
Resting at home
Doctors say Francis needs two months of rest and convalescence at the Vatican, during-which he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself. But they said he should be able to resume all his normal activities eventually.
His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it.
“Today I feel a great joy,” said Dr. Rossella Russomando, who was at Gemelli on Sunday but did not treat Francis. “It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace.”
duct related to the administration of a covered countermeasure, including the State’s deliberate violation of fundamental constitutional rights, so long as it fell short of causing “death or serious physical injury.”
Associate Justice Phil Berger Jr. wrote a concurring opinion questioning whether PREP Act immunity should apply to unlawful administration of vaccines. The two Democratic Associate Justices, Anita Earls and Allison Riggs, dissented. Both argued the majority was incorrectly interpreting the PREP Act’s language that includes providing broad immunity “from suit and liability under Federal and State law with respect to all claims for loss.”
The cases will now return to the state appeals court.
The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a papal committee dedicated to children, said it was clear that Francis was happy to return home and would surely improve, especially after receiving so many get-well cards from children from around the world.
“If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home,” Fortunato said. “It will certainly speed up his recovery.”
Pope is to receive 24-hour care
At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis’ greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St. Peter’s Square.
“For me, it was an important emotional experience to see him because many people were waiting for this moment,” said Sister Luisa Jimènez, a nun from Francis’ native Argentina.
Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern given Francis’ bloating and inability to speak much.
“He didn’t look well,” she said. “He couldn’t (talk), and I real-
changing laws after the election,” Griffin lawyer Craig Schauer told the panel. “It’s a case about enforcing the laws that were already on the books before the election.”
Lawyers for Riggs and the board said the ballots were cast lawfully based on rules that have been applied to elections for years and can’t be altered retroactively, and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures.
“It is time for this election to come to an end and for voters to know that their votes will count in this state if they follow the rules in place at the time of the election,” Riggs attorney Ray Bennett said.
Hampson, the Democrat on the panel, questioned Schauer’s statement that Griffin’s protests are only seeking to ensure
ized it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him.”
No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel where Francis lives in a two-room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover.
Two life-threatening crises
The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions.
The most serious setbacks began Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids.
He was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness. Doctors reported he always remained alert and cooperative, although they say he has probably lost a bit of weight given a natural loss of appetite.
“Unfortunately yes, there was a moment when many were saying that he might not make it. And it was painful for us,” said
The panel’s judges asked many questions about the three categories of ballots Griffin challenged.
voting laws are implemented evenhandedly. Hampson said Griffin is challenging only a subset of the ballots cast statewide that, under Griffin’s allegations, could be ineligible, raising claims of implementing voting restrictions unevenly and unconstitutionally. For example, some of Griffin’s protests apply to early or absentee ballots, or cover votes in a few counties.
“So how does it not impose a significant burden on voters all across North Carolina, where we’re only selectively looking at certain ballots?” Hampson asked Schauer.
Mario Balsamo, the owner of coffee shop in front of Gemelli. “Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well, and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength.”
“I’m still alive!”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis’ medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Francis’ life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humor.
“But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back,” he told a news conference late Saturday. Alfieri confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection.
No confirmed appointments for now Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis’ participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary.
Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.
Tyson, a Republican, asked questions about a 2005 state Supreme Court ruling that found certain provisional ballots cast in the 2004 election were unlawful even if the state board had determined they would be counted. Tyson’s line of questioning suggested precedent to remove a swath of ballots after an election.
Doesn’t the 2005 ruling “say that if a voter relied on board guidance that is contrary to the statute that still is not a reason to excuse the noncompliance?” Tyson asked state attorney Nick Brod, representing the board. Brod disagreed.
Riggs’ allies have held rallies across the state demanding Griffin concede. Before last Friday’s hearing, several outside groups filed briefs backing the board’s decisions, including voters whose ballots have been challenged by Griffin.
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North State Journal staff
HOKE COUNTY’S boys’ volleyball team has knocked off a number of “firsts” as the brand new team took the court for its first few weeks of games.
Boys’ volleyball
Hoke County’s first boys’ volleyball high school team made its debut earlier this month with a 3-1 loss at Fayetteville Academy. The team also lost its home opener 3-1 against Freedom Christian.
The third match was the charm, as the Bucks recorded the first win in program history in a three-set sweep of Alpha Academy. Hoke beat Wakefield the next day, then lost to Panther Creek to stand at 2-3, 1-2 in conference play.
A pair of basketball standouts have led the way for boys’ volleyball so far. Savion Kinston leads the team in kills, blocks and hitting percentage. Tyler Hines leads in aces.
The new program also got an off-court boost, as the Bucks boys’ volleyball team received a $1,000 startup grant to help with initial costs.
This week, Hoke faces road games at Jordan-Matthews, Village Christian and WSE, as well as home tilts with Ascend Leadership and Freedom Christian.
Softball
The Bucks went 2-1 last week and now stand at 10-2 on the season, 4-2 in the Sandhills Conference. Hoke lost a pitchers’ duel at Union Pines, 1-0, then bounced back with wins at St Pauls, 5-2, and home against Pinecrest, 9-3.
This week, Hoke takes its two-game winning streak to Gray’s Creek, followed by a home game against Scotland and a trip to Lee County.
Girls’ soccer
Hoke snapped a six-game
losing streak with a 1-0 win against Red Springs. The Bucks scored their first goal in four games to get the victory. Prior to that, Hoke suffered losses last week to Union Pines, 9-0, and at Pinecrest, 3-0.
This week, Hoke travels to Scotland and Purnell Swett, then hosts Lee County.
Baseball
Hoke baseball snapped a five-game losing streak and, like girls’ soccer, got the breakthrough win at Red Springs. The Bucks posted a 9-4 road win. That victory was sandwiched between a pair of losses to Richmond, 1-0 on the road and 10-0 at home.
Hoke is now 2-9 on the season, 0-6 in the Sandhills. This week, the Bucks will have a home and home against conference foe Southern Lee, as well as nonconference games against Lumberton and at St. Pauls.
Hoke’s first-ever
The two-time heavyweight champion was also famous as a product pitch man
By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press
GEORGE FOREMAN became the heavyweight champion of the world in his 20s, only to lose his belt to Muhammad Ali in perhaps the most memorable fight in boxing history.
A full 20 years later in 1994, the 45-year-old Foreman became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship.
Few fighters ever had more big moments than Big George Foreman — and even after he finally left the ring, he was only getting started.
George Foreman, left, hits Michael Moorer in the face with a left during the second round of their heavyweight championship fight in 1994.
Hoke County, boys’ volleyball
Pedro Ramos-Alejandro is a junior libero and defensive specialist on the Hoke County boys’ volleyball team.
Bucks’ boys’ volleyball is in its first month of existence and has jumped out to a 2-3 record.
Ramos-Alejandro is one of the team leaders. The junior leads the team with 31 digs and 56 receptions. He’s also third on the team in aces and assists.
10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening.
The middle-aged fighter then pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history, flooring Moorer — 19 years his junior — with a surgical right hand and claiming Moorer’s two heavyweight belts. Foreman’s 20 years is easily the longest gap between heavyweight title reigns.
an aloof, unfriendly athlete.
Jim Lampley, the veteran boxing broadcaster who worked alongside Foreman for many years at HBO, said Foreman’s initial demeanor was an attempt by his camp to emulate Sonny Liston, the glowering heavyweight champ of the 1960s.
“At some point somewhere along the way, he realized that wasn’t him,” Lampley said.
The fearsome heavyweight, who lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Ali before his inspiring second act as a surprising champion and a successful businessman, died last Friday night. Foreman was 76. Foreman’s family announced his death on social media, not saying how or where he died.
A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear and awe as he climbed to the peak of the
heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt. Foreman left the sport a few years later but returned after a
Outside the ring, he was best known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which launched in the same year as his victory over Moorer. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and made him much wealthier than his sport ever did.
In the first chapter of his boxing career, Foreman was nothing like the smiling grandfather who hawked his grills on television to great success. Foreman rose to the pinnacle of the pro game but was also perceived as
Foreman stopped Frazier in an upset in Jamaica in January 1973 to win the belt, with his knockout inspiring Howard Cosell’s iconic call: “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” Foreman accepted the fight with Ali in the now-immortal bout staged in Africa by promoter Don King. Ali put on a tactical masterclass. Foreman was eventually knocked down for the first time in his career, and the fight was stopped in the eighth round.
A year after a brutal injury, the N.C. resident hopes to lead Florda to the Final Four
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
RALEIGH — Micah Handlogten hasn’t watched the play, and he’s not going to.
“I have no desire to, if you will,” the 7-foot-1 junior big man said while sitting in the Florida Gators’ locker room. “I don’t want to see myself go through that again. I don’t want to put that in my head. I’m just trying to look past it, move forward and keep going.”
The play that changed his life took place just over a year ago. Just over two minutes into
Panama eliminates U.S. from CONCACAF Nations League with 1-0 victory Inglewood, Calif.
Cecilio Waterman scored a stunning goal in the fourth minute of second-half injury time, and Panama beat the three-time defending champion United States 1-0 to reach the CONCACAF Nations League final.
Waterman took a pass down the right side from Adalberto Carrasquilla in front of a packed-in U.S. defense and fired a perfect right-footed diagonal shot past Matt Turner into the far left corner.
Waterman’s 11th international goal, on Panama’s only shot on target on the night, advanced the Panamanians to a final against Mexico.
Former NFL, Michigan assistant Weiss charged with hacking for athletes’ photos
Detroit
An indictment says a former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach hacked into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to access intimate photos and videos. Matt Weiss was charged with 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. Weiss worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan in 2021. He was fired in 2023 as Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator after failing to cooperate with the school’s investigation of his access to computers.
the SEC Tournament championship game against Auburn, a teammate missed a layup. Handlogten jumped to get the rebound.
Bodies jostled, as they do in the SEC paint, but there was no contact worthy of a whistle. He landed, with the ball, and his left leg buckled gruesomely. He went down in a heap with a compound fracture. The bone punctured the skin, coating the floor with his blood.
He was taken off on a stretcher and had surgery the same day.
“I’d say just the beginning was the darkest moment, honestly,” he said. “I mean, from the beginning on, I kind of always tried to have a really good mentality about it. Try to take steps forward, not look back. … Just keep going.”
Giants, quarterback Winston agree to 2-year, $8 million deal
New York
The New York Giants and quarterback Jameis Winston agreed to terms on a two -year, $8 million contract. The 31-year-old Winston joins Tommy DeVito as the only quarterbacks on the Giants’ roster. New York has been in the market in free agency for a veteran, with Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson also mentioned as possible targets. Winston played in 12 games last season for Cleveland and started in seven. The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Winston spent nine years with Tampa Bay and New Orleans.
MLB
Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo averages record 25M-plus viewers in Japan
New York
The first game of the Tokyo Series averaged more than 25 million viewers in Japan according to MLB, making it the most-watched MLB game in the country’s history. The audience for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs surpassed the 18.7 million viewers who tuned in for the first game of last year’s Seoul Series in South Korea, which featured the Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers’ 6-3 win last Wednesday averaged more than 23 million Japanese viewers. That game also featured pitcher Roki Sasaki’s Dodgers debut.
That took him to October. As the Gators started practice, Handlogten was still recovering, and the plan was to sit out this season with a medical redshirt.
By December, he was running and jumping. By January, he was cleared to participate in basketball activities. He briefly considered returning in the month’s final week but changed his mind.
Then, in mid-February, the Gators, who had risen to No. 3 in the AP poll, had two forwards go down with ankle injuries that would cause them to miss time.
That’s when Handlogten decided to give up a year of eligibility for what he hopes will be a good month and a half.
“I’m back,” he declared on
Valentine’s Day and returned to the Gators’ lineup the next night.
“Micah is one of the most unselfish guys I’ve ever been around,” said Gators coach Todd Golden. “He’s always worried about the team and the program, and I think he saw another opportunity where he could really help and become a physical part of this as we move forward.”
Now, the Huntersville native and Southlake Christian Academy alum is contributing 5.4 rebounds a night for the top-seeded Gators.
“I’m truly blessed to be able to come back this year and actually play on a team of this caliber,” he said. “I love the guys, and we all love each other. We all play for each other.”
Still, it is a huge sacrifice for
Handlogten to make. After missing the end of last season, he also gave up a large chunk of this year.
“He missed out on playing in the (NCAA) Tournament last year,” Golden said. “He was tracking on missing out with what this season was going to be. He deserves more than that. He was a big part of getting our program where it is today, and I think he’ll continue to help us get even better the rest of the year. It’s a huge lift from us.”
So Handlogten found himself in his home state.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “When I saw we were going to be playing in Raleigh, I got really excited. … My sister went to school here. There’s so many people from high school here. Just to be able to be around all those people is really cool.”
The chance to play in front of friends and family, with so much on the line, makes the tough decision worth it.
“My team needed me,” he said. “And I was feeling great at the time. This is my time — if I want to do it, do it now.”
Omar Ali
June 21, 1952 – March 14, 2025
Omar Ali, age 72, of Raeford, North Carolina passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Louise Williams
June 14, 1940 – March 14, 2025
Ms. Louise Williams, aged 84, went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on March 14, 2025. The Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. at the Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters. Louise will be greatly missed.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@ northstatejournal.com
Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, first black Republican woman elected to the US House, dead of brain cancer
She was in a clinical trial at Duke’s brain tumor center
By Hannah Schoenbaum and Matthew Brown The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — For-
mer U.S. Rep. Mia Love of Utah, a daughter of Haitian immigrants who became the first black Republican woman elected to Congress, died Sunday.
She was 49.
Love’s family posted news of her death on Love’s X account.
She had undergone recent treatment for brain cancer and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center. Her daughter said earlier this month that the former lawmaker was no longer responding to treatment.
Love died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a statement posted by the family.
“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully,” her family said. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referred to Love as a “true friend” and said in a statement that her legacy of service inspired all who knew her.
Love entered politics in 2003 after winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a growing community about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. She later became the city’s mayor.
In 2012, Love narrowly lost a bid for the House against the Democratic incumbent, former Rep. Jim Matheson, in a district that covers a string of Salt Lake City suburbs. She ran again two years later and defeated first-time candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes.
Kitty Dukakis, wife of former governor and presidential candidate, dies at 88
She spoke openly about her substance abuse and mental health challenges
The Associated Press
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Kit-
ty Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, who spoke openly about her struggles with depression and addiction, has died. She was 88.
Dukakis died last Friday night surrounded by her family, her son, John Dukakis, said on Saturday by telephone. She fought to make the world better, “sharing her vulnerabilities to help others face theirs,” her family said in a statement.
“She was loving, feisty and fun, and had a keen sensitivity to people from all walks of life,” the family said. “She and our dad, Michael Dukakis, shared an enviable partnership for over 60 years and loved each other deeply.”
Dukakis won high marks as a political campaigner during her husband’s 1988 presidential efforts, stumping tirelessly for him. She was called a key influence in his decision to seek the presidency.
Love didn’t emphasize her race during her campaigns, but she acknowledged the significance of her election after her 2014 victory. She said her win defied naysayers who had suggested that a black, Republican, Mormon woman couldn’t win a congressional seat in overwhelmingly white Utah.
She was briefly considered a rising star within the GOP and she kept her distance from Donald Trump, who was unpopular with many Utah voters, while he was running for president ahead of the 2016 election.
In an op-ed published earlier this month in the Deseret News, Love described the version of America she grew up loving and shared her enduring wish for the nation to become less divisive. She thanked her medical team and every person who had prayed for her.
Love said her parents immigrated to the U.S. with $10 in their pocket and a belief that hard work would lead to success. She said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and “to love this country, warts and all.” America at its roots is respectful, resilient, giving and grounded in gritty determination, she said.
Her career in politics exposed Love to America’s ugly side, but she said it also gave her a front row seat to be inspired by people’s hope and courage. She shared her wish for neighbors to come together and focus on their similarities rather than their differences.
“Some have forgotten the math of America — whenever you divide you diminish,” Love wrote.
She urged elected officials to lead with compassion and communicate honestly with their constituents.
“In the end, I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and
friends I adore,” Love wrote.
“I hope you will see the America I know in the years ahead, that you will hear my words in the whisper of the wind of freedom and feel my presence in the flame of the enduring principles of liberty. My living wish and fervent prayer for you and for this nation is that the America I have known is the America you fight to preserve.”
In 2016, facing reelection and following the release of a 2005 recording in which Trump made lewd comments about groping women, Love skipped the Republican National Convention and released a statement saying definitively that she would not vote for Trump. She instead endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the GOP race, but he dropped out months later.
While seeking a third term in 2018, Love tried to separate herself from Trump on trade and immigration while still backing her party’s positions on tax cuts. Despite Republican voters outnumbering Democrats by a nearly threeto-one margin in her district, though, she lost by fewer than 700 votes to Democrat Ben McAdams, a former Salt Lake County mayor.
Trump called out Love by name in a news conference the morning after she lost, where he also bashed other Republicans who didn’t fully embrace him.
“Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” Trump said. “Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.” After her loss, Love served as a political commentator on CNN and as a fellow at the University of Sydney.
Following Trump’s election in November, Love said she was “OK with the outcome.”
“Yes, Trump says a lot of inconsiderate things that are unfortunate and impossible to defend,” Love wrote in a social media post. “However, his policies have a high probability of benefiting all Americans.”
Earlier in the campaign, in 1987, Dukakis revealed she had overcome a 26-year addiction to amphetamines five years earlier after receiving treatment. She said she began taking diet pills at age 19. Her husband made anti-drug efforts a major issue and she became prominent in the effort to educate youngsters against the perils of drug and alcohol abuse.
But a few months after Michael Dukakis lost the election to Vice President George H.W. Bush, Kitty Dukakis entered a 60-day treatment program for alcoholism. Several months later she suffered a relapse and was hospitalized after drinking rubbing alcohol.
In her 1990 autobiography, “Now You Know,” she blamed her mother for much of her alcohol and drug addiction and a long history of low self-esteem. In 2006, she wrote another book, “Shock,” which credits the electroconvulsive therapy she began in 2001 for relieving the depression she had suffered for years. The treatment, she wrote, “opened a new reality for me.”
Current Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey called Dukakis “a
She even figured in the opening question of a 1988 presidential debate, when her husband was asked: “Governor, if Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?” Dukakis said he would not, and his unemotional response was widely criticized.
force for good in public life and behind the scenes,” a leader in the effort to ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten, and an advocate for children, women and refugees.
“She spoke courageously about her struggles with substance use disorder and mental health, which serves as an inspiration to us all to break down stigma and seek help,” Healey said in a statement.
Dukakis used her personal pain to help others, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said in a statement on social media on Saturday.
“Her legacy will live on in the policies she helped shape and the people she inspired to speak their own truths,” Campbell said.
Dukakis broke ground by speaking openly about her struggles and championed support for the homeless and political refugees, said Maria Ivanova, director of Northeastern University’s Policy School, which hosts the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.
“Kitty Dukakis brought honesty, compassion, and strength to public life,” Ivanova said in a statement. “Her legacy is one of service, resilience, and truth-telling.”
Kitty Dukakis inspired many to engage in activism and was a “deeply devoted spiritual com-
panion” to her husband, center Director Ted Landsmark said in a statement.
“They have been truly effective change-makers on behalf of those in need of care and support,” he said. Michael Dukakis served as a distinguished professor of political science at the university. He has retired but returns to campus for events and student consultations, Landsmark said.
Dukakis and her future husband met while attending high school in Brookline, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb. He was dull and frugal; she was dramatic and fancy. He is Greek Orthodox; she was Jewish.
Kitty Dukakis, who was divorced and had a 3-year-old son, married Michael Dukakis in 1963, and they had two children, Andrea and Kara.
Dukakis, whose late father, Harry Ellis Dickson, was associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, earned degrees in modern dance and broadcasting.
After the presidential election, in 1989, Bush appointed her to be a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
She earlier served on the President’s Commission on the Holocaust in 1979 and on the board of directors of the Refugee Policy Group. She has also been a member of the Task Force on Cambodian Children. By the late 1990s, Dukakis and her husband divided their time between Massachusetts and California, where she was a social worker and he was a professor for part of the year at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Without an office, thousands are moving to better locales
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Lori
Matthias and her husband had tired of Atlanta traffic when they moved to St. Augustine, Florida, in 2023. For Mike Waldron and his wife, moving from the Boston area in 2020 to a place that bills itself as “the nation’s oldest city” was motivated by a desire to be closer to their adult children.
They were among thousands of white-collar, remote workers who migrated to the St. Augustine area in recent years, transforming the touristy beach town into one of the top remote work hubs in the United States.
Matthias fell in love with St. Augustine’s small town feeling, trading the hourlong commute she had in Atlanta for bumping into friends and acquaintances while running errands.
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that,” said Matthias, who does sales and marketing for a power tool company. “My commute is like 30 steps from my kitchen to my office. It’s just different. It’s just relaxed and friendly.”
Centuries before becoming a remote work hub, the St. Augustine area was claimed by
Walkers make their way through the downtown historic district in St. Augustine, Florida, which has become a top remote work hub in the United States during the 2020s, on March 13.
the Spanish crown in the early 16th century after explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival. In modern times, it is best known for its Spanish architecture of terra cotta roofs and arched doorways, tourist-carrying trollies, a historic fort, an alligator farm, lighthouses and a shipwreck museum.
A population boom driven by the pandemic
In St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine, the percentage of workers who did their jobs from home nearly tripled from 8.6% in 2018 to almost 24% in 2023, moving the northeast Florida county into the top ranks of U.S.
counties with the largest share of people working remotely, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.
Only counties with a heavy presence of tech, finance and government workers in metro Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte and Dallas, as well as two counties in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, had a larger share of their workforce working from home. But these were counties much more populous than the 335,000 residents in St. Johns County, which has grown by more than a fifth during this decade.
Scott Maynard, a vice president of economic development for the county’s chamber of com-
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that.”
Lori Matthias
merce, attributes the initial influx of new residents to Florida’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in businesses and schools in the fall of 2020 while much of the country remained locked down.
“A lot of people were relocating here from the Northeast, the Midwest and California so that their children could get back to a face-to-face education,” Maynard said. “That brought in a tremendous number of people who had the ability to work remotely and wanted their children back in a face-to-face school situation.”
Public schools in St. Johns County are among the best in Florida, according to an annual report card by the state Department of Education.
Surging popularity comes at a price
The influx of new residents has brought growing pains, particularly when it comes to affordable housing since many of the new, remote workers moving into the area are wealthier than locals and able to outbid them on homes, officials said.
Many essential workers such as police officers, firefighters and teachers have been forced to commute from outside St. Johns County because of rising housing costs. The median home price grew from $405,000 in 2019 to almost $535,000 in 2023, according to Census Bureau figures, making the purchase of a home further out of reach for the county’s essential workers. Essential workers would need to earn at least $180,000 annually to afford the median price of a home in St. Johns County, but a teacher has an average salary of around $48,000 and a law enforcement officer earns around $58,000 on average, according to an analysis by the local chamber of commerce.
“What happened was a lot of the people, especially coming in from up North, were able to sell their homes for such a high value and come here and just pay cash since this seemed affordable to them,” said Aliyah Meyer, an economic researcher at the chamber of commerce. “So it kind of inflated the market and put a bit of a constraint on the local residents.”
Waldron, a sales executive in the health care industry, was able to sell his Boston home at the height of the pandemic and purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a gated community by a golf course outside St. Augustine where “things really worked out to be less expensive down here.”
The flexibility offered by fast wireless internet and the popularity of online meeting platforms since the start of the pandemic also helped.
“If I was still locked in an office, I would not have been able to move down here,” Waldron said.
‘Nation’s oldest city’ becomes hotspot for remote work Social Security eliminating over-the-phone identity checks
Direct deposit changes will require ID verification in person or online
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.
Beginning March 31, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone to make changes to direct deposit information. Instead, users will need to verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service or to visit an agency field office to complete the verification process in person, agency leadership said last week.
The change will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information and will not affect any existing payments.
“The Social Security Administration is losing over $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud,” Leland Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner, said on a call with reporters — his first call with the media. “Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
He said a problem with eliminating fraudulent claims is that “the information that we use through knowledge-based authentication is already in the public domain.”
“This is a commonsense measure,” Dudek added.
In addition to the identity
“This is a commonsense measure.”
Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration acting commissioner
verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients’ direct deposit change requests — both in person and online — to one business day. Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access.
The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers.
More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive retirement and disability benefits through the
Social Security Administration. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, said in a statement that “by requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, rather than over the phone, (President Donald) Trump and (Elon) Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system.”
The DOGE website says that leases for 47 Social Security field offices across the country, including in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina, have been or will be ended. However, Dudek downplayed the impact of its offices shuttering, saying many were small remote hearing sites that served few members of the public.
Many Americans are victims of Social Security fraud when their identity is stolen and used to make changes that redirect their monthly Social Security payments. The Social Security Administration believes this verification change will help reduce those occurrences.
UNC’s Indya Nivar (24) and Laila Hull (4) fight West Virginia’s
58-47, advancing to face Duke Friday. UNC, Duke and NC State all hit the
Moore under burn ban amid fire risk
Moore County
A burn ban is in effect across Moore County until further notice, barring all open burning due to increased wildfire danger. The North Carolina Forest Service’s statewide restriction began March 21 at 8 a.m., voiding all permits. Burning leaves, branches or trash is prohibited, though grills are permitted. Violations could lead to fines. Report wildfires to 911. The measure addresses ongoing dry conditions countywide.
Fort Bragg joins Uber pilot to boost rideshare access
Fayetteville Uber has partnered with the U.S. Army for a pilot program enhancing rideshare services at Fort Bragg, starting this week. The initiative, with Bragg as one of six initial sites including Fort Bliss and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, aims to serve over 600,000 military members and families. It addresses limited transportation options in rural areas around bases, where gate access has been a barrier. “This strengthens community ties and local economies,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a press release. Drivers pass strict Army vetting for base entry. Eventually, the Army plans to expand the program to some 20 bases, refining with Bragg’s data.
$2.00
for a rebound on Monday in Chapel
The rulings address UNC student fees and parental approval of COVID shots
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in a pair of COVID-era lawsuits involving UNC student fees and a teen vaccinated without parental consent.
In a unanimous ruling, the N.C. Supreme Court found that students from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State can proceed with their breach of contract lawsuit which seeks refunds for mandatory fees paid when the two campuses closed during the pandemic in fall 2020.
The case, Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors, is one of several COVID-related law-
suits being reviewed by the state Supreme Court.
The high court’s ruling slightly modifies a 2022 Court of Appeals order that said the case could proceed.
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation,” wrote Associate Justice Trey Allen. “However, we read the lawsuit to allege the existence of express — not implied — contracts between plaintiffs and the Board.”
During oral arguments, lawyers for the universities argued that students were warned fees wouldn’t be refunded, while the plaintiffs’ attorney maintained that individuals could not register as students without paying those fees. Per a past 2023 filing, the UNC System indicated it could face the loss of “tens
“We agree with the Court of Appeals that sovereign immunity does not foreclose plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims against the Board at this stage of litigation.”
N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Trey Allen in Lannan v. UNC Board of Governors
of millions of dollars” if the students ultimately prevail.
Allen’s opinion also noted that the student plaintiffs’ case may not succeed due to that reasoning, writing that “the Board correctly observes that many of the fee descriptions in the amended complaint lack
By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press
RALEIGH — North Carolina appeals court judges listened to arguments last Friday about whether votes on tens of thousands of ballots in an unsettled state Supreme Court election from November should remain in the tally or could be discarded.
A three-judge panel of the intermediate-level Court of Appeals will decide if the State Board of Elections in December properly dismissed the formal protests of those ballots by Republican Jefferson Griffin. A trial judge upheld the board’s actions last month.
After two recounts, Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes from more than 5.5 million ballots cast in the Supreme Court race.
Riggs Griffin
Griffin’s lawyers have cited more than 65,000 ballots from three categories they argued came from ineligible voters. Removing them from counts could flip the vote advantage to Griffin. No immediate ruling was issued last Friday after 90 minutes of arguments before the panel, which is composed of two registered Republicans and one Democrat.
There’s no date set on when the panel will act, but there is
pressure to act quickly. The eight-year term on the highest court in the ninth-largest state was supposed to begin in early January. Riggs has meanwhile remained serving in her seat, and Griffin is in his current job as one of the 15 Court of Appeals judges.
While The Associated Press declared more than 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the state Supreme Court election is the only race that is still undecided.
However Judges John Tyson, Fred Gore and Toby Hampson rule, their decision will likely be subject to more appeals to the state Supreme Court on which the two candidates are fighting to serve, as well as potentially federal courts.
While Griffin has recused himself from Court of Appeals deliberations in his case, hav-
any explicit promise to provide services to students who paid those fees.”
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that a Guilford County teenager and his mother can proceed with their lawsuit against the local school board and the Old North State Medical Society over a forced COVID-19 vaccination of the teen in 2021.
The case involves 14-year-old Tanner Smith, who was vaccinated without parental consent when a clinic worker reportedly administered the shot despite the teen objecting.
The ruling reverses lower court rulings that had dismissed the case based on immunity provided by the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. Chief Justice Paul Newby, writing for the Republican majority, determined that the PREP Act’s immunity only covers tort injuries, not constitutional violations, and recognized parents’ fundamental rights to make medical decisions for their children
See LAWSUIT, page A2
ing the three judges rule in a matter directly affecting a colleague and Riggs — herself a Court of Appeals judge briefly in 2023 — is extraordinary.
The panel’s judges asked many questions about the three categories of ballots Griffin challenged.
The largest category covers ballots cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.
Griffin’s lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution, and the state elections board — composed of three Democrats and two Republicans — is to blame by failing to follow them. They want these ballots declared ineligible and ultimately discounted.
“This case is not about
See ELECTION, page A2
3.27.25
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March 18
• David Michael Owens, 36, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for failure to report a new address as a sex offender.
March 19
• Avery Austin Ebert, 30, was arrested by MCSO for assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.
• Marcus Lamon Harris, 54, was arrested by the Southern Pines PD for misdemeanor larceny.
• Heather Marie McAnn, 42, was arrested by the Carthage PD for second-degree trespassing.
• John Andrew Newman, 35, was arrested by the Robbins Police Department for breaking or entering.
March 20
• Erica Sue Coley, 32, was arrested by MCSO for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
• Steve Koaron-Kalliou Hancock, 18, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for possession of a firearm by a felon.
• Robert Travis Hill, 30, was arrested by MCSO for possession of methamphetamine.
March 21
• Dolores La Kima Bryant, 39, was arrested by MCSO for driving with a revoked license.
• Austin Ray Campbell, 35, was arrested by MCSO for felony possession of cocaine.
• Robert Richard Lee, 67, was arrested by MCSO for possession of a firearm by a felon.
• Hunter Odell Shore, 24, was arrested by MCSO for obtaining property by false pretense.
March 22
• Ronald Paul Cameron, 39, was arrested by MCSO for child support violation.
March 23
• Daryl Glynn Mason, 45, was arrested by MCSO for assault on a government official or employee.
March 24
• Joseph Lee Barber, 58, was arrested by MCSO for attempted trafficking of opioids by transportation.
• Donahue Deberry, 63, was arrested by MCSO for failure to support child.
THURSDAY
FRIDAY MARCH 28
The leader and two followers face the charges in Maryland
By Patrick Whittle and Holly Ramer The Associated Press
THE LEADER and two members of a cultlike group that has been connected to six killings in three states face new gun charges in Maryland. Some of the members have ties to Chatham County, having lived in the woods outside Chapel Hill, where FBI agents executed search warrants earlier this year.
Authorities have described Jack LaSota, who is also known as Ziz, as the apparent “leader of an extremist group” called the Zizians who follow her online writings on veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. The group has been linked to killings in Vermont, Pennsylvania and California. A cross-country investigation into LaSota and the Zizians broke open in January when
LAWSUIT from page A1
and individuals’ rights to bodily integrity.
“As an initial matter, the ambiguity of the PREP Act’s language requires us to consider whether Congress intended to include even unconstitutional conduct within the immunity’s broad scope. Defendants ask us to adopt this literal reading,” wrote Newby. “Plaintiffs, on the other hand, contend that Congress could not have intended to immunize — indeed, even incentivize
ELECTION from page A1 changing laws after the election,” Griffin lawyer Craig Schauer told the panel. “It’s a case about enforcing the laws that were already on the books before the election.”
Lawyers for Riggs and the board said the ballots were cast lawfully based on rules that have been applied to elections for years and can’t be altered retroactively, and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures.
“It is time for this election to come to an end and for voters to know that their votes will count in this state if they follow the rules in place at the time of the election,” Riggs attorney Ray Bennett said. Hampson, the Democrat on the panel, questioned Schau-
Jack LaSota
Michelle Zajko
one member of the group died and another was arrested after the shooting death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont.
LaSota, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank were charged with trespassing, obstructing law enforcement and illegal gun possession last month after a Frostburg, Maryland, man told police that three “suspicious” people parked box trucks on his property and asked to camp there. Their trials had been scheduled to begin in Allegany County District Court on Monday, but their cases were transferred last Wednesday to the county’s higher-level circuit court after new indictments
unconstitutional conduct.”
“We agree with plaintiffs,” Newby wrote. “The literalist interpretation defendants urge us to adopt today defies even the broad scope of the statutory text. Under this view, Congress gave carte blanche to any willful misconduct related to the administration of a covered countermeasure, including the State’s deliberate violation of fundamental constitutional rights, so long as it fell short of causing “death or serious physical injury.”
Associate Justice Phil Berg-
er’s statement that Griffin’s protests are only seeking to ensure voting laws are implemented evenhandedly. Hampson said Griffin is challenging only a subset of the ballots cast statewide that, under Griffin’s allegations, could be ineligible, raising claims of implementing voting restrictions unevenly and unconstitutionally. For example, some of Griffin’s protests apply to early or absentee ballots, or cover votes in a few counties.
“So how does it not impose a significant burden on voters all across North Carolina, where we’re only selectively looking at certain ballots?” Hampson asked Schauer.
Tyson, a Republican, asked questions about a 2005 state Supreme Court ruling that found certain provisional bal-
were handed up. LaSota now faces nine charges, Zajko faces 14 and Blank faces 12. The new charges, which include carrying concealed and loaded handguns, are misdemeanors. The possible maximum penalties for each charge range from three months of incarceration for trespassing and up to five years for some of the gun charges. Initial court appearances are scheduled for April 8.
Members of the Zizian group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on a California landlord in November 2022, the landlord’s subsequent killing in January and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple in between. The Pennsylvania victims were Richard and Rita Zajko, the parents of Michelle Zajko.
A Maryland prosecutor has said two guns Zajko purchased were recovered in connection with the shooting death of Maland, the Border Patrol agent killed in a shootout during a traffic stop in Vermont in January.
er Jr. wrote a concurring opinion questioning whether PREP Act immunity should apply to unlawful administration of vaccines.
The two Democratic Associate Justices, Anita Earls and Allison Riggs, dissented. Both argued the majority was incorrectly interpreting the PREP Act’s language that includes providing broad immunity “from suit and liability under Federal and State law with respect to all claims for loss.”
The cases will now return to the state appeals court.
lots cast in the 2004 election were unlawful even if the state board had determined they would be counted. Tyson’s line of questioning suggested precedent to remove a swath of ballots after an election.
Doesn’t the 2005 ruling “say that if a voter relied on board guidance that is contrary to the statute that still is not a reason to excuse the noncompliance?” Tyson asked state attorney Nick Brod, representing the board. Brod disagreed.
Riggs’ allies have held rallies across the state demanding Griffin concede. Before last Friday’s hearing, several outside groups filed briefs backing the board’s decisions, including voters whose ballots have been challenged by Griffin.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:
Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House and Property Tours
1-4 p.m.
The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. The tours are free and open to all ages. Enjoy learning of the impressive history here in Moore County.
Shaw House 110 Morganton Road Southern Pines
Play: “Brighton Beach Memoirs”
7 p.m.
Dreaming of baseball and girls, Eugene must cope with the mundane existence of his family life in Brooklyn: formidable mother, overworked father and his worldly older brother Stanley. Throw into the mix his widowed Aunt Blanche and her two young (but rapidly aging) daughters and you have a recipe for hilarity, served up Simon-style.
Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines
Movie: “Eephus”
7 p.m.
Carson Lund’s poignant feature debut plays like a lazy afternoon, perfectly attuned to the rhythms of America’s eternal pastime. Named for a rarely deployed curveball, “Eephus” is both a ribald comedy for the baseball connoisseur and a movie for anyone who’s ever lamented their community slipping away.
Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
7 p.m.
For over 30 years, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out have been touring and releasing great, original bluegrass music. Tickets are $28-$48. Call 336-524-6822 for more information.
Liberty Showcase Theater 101 South Fayetteville St. Liberty
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University.
AMERICANS LIKE you gave President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress a mandate to enact our America First agenda, and we have been working to deliver. From rooting out waste, fraud and abuse of your tax dollars to supporting our troops and first responders, we are working to put you, your community and your country first again.
Under Trump’s leadership, the new administration has been shining a light on Washington, D.C.’s waste so we can make the government work better for you. House Republicans have also taken action, such as by cracking down on the rampant fraud in the COVID-era unemployment insurance program. During the pandemic, bad actors stole hundreds of billions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits — money that was paid for by hardworking taxpayers like you to help people who were going through a tough time. Precious taxpayer dollars went to fraudsters, many overseas in places like China, who spent this money on luxury items while Americans were hurting.
COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS
With thousands of complaints and investigations into this fraud still unresolved, we cannot let criminals off the hook without consequences.
That’s why I joined my colleagues recently in passing a bill to give law enforcement the time and resources needed to continue tracking down and prosecuting those who stole from American taxpayers. I will continue fighting for legislation that protects your tax dollars and stops fraud like this from happening again.
While I, along with Trump and my House Republican colleagues, have already begun working to advance our America First agenda, there is still so much more to do. Recently, I joined my House Republican colleagues in passing a bill that ensures we can continue our efforts while fully funding our military, VA benefits, Border Patrol and government programs like Medicare. This bill also gives more money toward veterans’ health care programs, like the Toxic Exposures Fund, and provides a 14.5% pay raise for our junior enlisted service members — directly benefiting
folks in our community and at Fort Bragg.
Back home, I spent time last week visiting with local law enforcement, first responders, servicemembers and universities to hear about their priorities and listen to their concerns.
In Hoke County, I met with folks from the Puppy Creek Fire Department. We discussed how they’re working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local organizations to expand their facilities and help keep our communities safe.
In Guilford County, I toured North Carolina A&T University. I was so impressed with what the university is doing in areas like engineering, advanced computing, robotics and autonomous vehicles to ensure our students will be prepared to lead America into the future. It is so inspiring to see firsthand the dedication and innovation in our communities, and I will always support their efforts.
In Congress, I will continue working to advance policies that prioritize your needs, safeguard your tax dollars, strengthen our economy and keep you safe. Together, we will keep fighting for a brighter and more prosperous future for our communities and our country.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in Congress.
For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s economic priority shouldn’t be preventing a recession.
Stock prices are always a bit of a roller coaster. Over the last month, it’s mostly been a downhill ride. In mid-February, the S&P 500 hit 6,144. It’s now dipped below 5,525. That’s around a 10% drop, which means the market is in correction territory. This has people talking about the dreaded “r-word.”
“Stocks Plunge as Recession Talk Gets Louder,” a recent New York Times headline read.
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if he expected a recession this year.
“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump responded. “There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing, and there are always periods of, it takes a little time. It takes a little time, but I think it should be great for us.”
That’s a different tone than he had on the campaign trail. Trump told voters that he’d deliver “the best jobs, the biggest paychecks and the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.”
What’s going on?
Start with this: Most Americans don’t judge the economy based on the stock market — and rightly so. From Election Day in 2020 to Election Day last November, the S&P 500 increased by more than 70%.
Yet the public rightly believed that former President Joe Biden oversaw a terrible economy. A 2024 ABC News exit poll found 45% of voters said they were worse off under the Biden administration. That was a higher number than in 2008 during the Great Recession.
Biden’s reckless spending and prolonged COVID restrictions drove inflation sky-high. It wasn’t just the high cost of gas and groceries that hurt Americans. For many new buyers, homeownership went from the American Dream to a Neverland fantasy.
Next, there is often a trade-off between short-term and long-term economic growth. Consumer spending drives much of the American economy. Firing federal workers and cutting government spending will reduce that, hurting the economy right now. But as those workers find jobs in the private sector, they’ll start producing more stuff, driving long-term economic growth.
Finally, the Trump administration isn’t trying to blindly boost GDP. That measure includes all economic activity, including what illegal immigrants generate. Trump and Vice President JD Vance want to make things more affordable for Americans.
For instance, by deporting illegal aliens and securing the border, Trump may hurt aggregate economic growth. But look at how it helps Americans.
“If you allow 20 million people to
compete with American citizens for the cost of homes, you are going to have a large and, frankly, completely preventable spike in the demand for housing,” Vance said in a recent speech.
He’s right. Mass deportations and closing the border will reduce housing prices by lowering demand. Shrinking the pool of low-skilled workers will also increase wages for Americans in that group.
Both moves may hurt GDP. So-called experts may even declare that there’s a recession. But deporting illegals will improve the personal finances of many Americans. So will Trump’s moves to deregulate the energy industry, although rolling back regulations can take years.
The focus on Americans is why Trump says he’s pushing tariffs. He wants companies to return to the U.S. and to extract noneconomic concessions from countries like Mexico and Canada. If he can use the threat of tariffs to reduce the flow of fentanyl, it’d be a major achievement. But tariffs raise prices. Playing tariff chicken with Canada may hurt both sides dearly and undermine his other economic efforts.
Trump’s economic success doesn’t hinge on the stock market. Voters want him to enact policies that lead to lower prices and better job opportunities — for Americans.
Victor
The pontiff had life-threatening double pneumonia
By Nicole Winfield , Paolo Santalucia and Trisha Thomas The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
Francis’ motorcade from Gemelli hospital overshot the Vatican initially and took a detour across town to stop at St. Mary Major basilica, where the pope’s favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit.
He didn’t get out of the car but gave a bouquet of flowers to the basilica’s cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon. The Byzantine-style painting on wood is revered by Romans and is so important to Francis that he has chosen to be buried in the basilica to be near it.
The tour through Rome’s historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant spring Sunday morning to say goodbye and catch a first glimpse of Francis, who seemed to be gasping for air.
“I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” a bloated-looking Francis said in a breathless voice. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.
Chants of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco” erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance.
Resting at home
Doctors say Francis needs two months of rest and convalescence at the Vatican, during-which he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself. But they said he should be able to resume all his normal activities eventually.
His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible re -
lief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it.
“Today I feel a great joy,” said Dr. Rossella Russomando, who was at Gemelli on Sunday but did not treat Francis. “It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace.”
The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a papal committee dedicated to children, said it was clear that Francis was happy to return home and would surely improve, especially after receiving so many get-well cards from children from around the world.
“If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home,” Fortunato said.
“It will certainly speed up his recovery.”
Pope is to receive 24-hour care
At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis’ greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St. Peter’s Square.
“For me, it was an important emotional experience to see him because many people were waiting for this moment,” said Sister Luisa Jimènez, a nun from Francis’ native Argentina.
Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern given Francis’ bloating and inability to speak much.
“He didn’t look well,” she said. “He couldn’t (talk), and I realized it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him.”
No special arrangements have been made at the Do -
mus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel where Francis lives in a two -room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover.
Two life-threatening crises
The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions.
The most serious setbacks began Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate “copious” amounts of mucus f rom his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids.
He was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness. Doctors reported he always remained alert and cooperative, although they say he has prob -
“One morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back.”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, medical and surgical chief at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic
ably lost a bit of weight given a natural loss of appetite.
“Unfortunately yes, there was a moment when many were saying that he might not make it. And it was painful for us,” said Mario Balsamo, the owner of coffee shop in front of Gemelli. “Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well, and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength.”
“I’m still alive!”
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis’ medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Francis’ life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humor.
“But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back,” he told a news conference late Saturday.
Alfieri confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection.
No confirmed appointments for now Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis’ participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at t he end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary. Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.
Anissa Little won NCBCA district coach of the year honors
North State Journal staff
THE HIGH SCHOOL basketball season ended, and postseason awards are rolling in from the winter sports season.
The North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association announced its 2024-25 all-district and all-state teams and awards this month.
Union Pines senior Jaylen Kyle was named to the second-team All-District 4 for boys. Kyle was third in the Sandhills conference in scoring at 16.7 points per game and third in rebounding with 7.1 a night. He led the league in field goals and free throws made while finishing third in blocked shots.
On the girls’ side, Union Pines senior Ashanti Fox was named first-team All-District 4. The Elon commit was also named to
Scoring average for Union Pines’ Ashanti Fox, fifth-highest in North Carolina
the NCBCA all-state third team. To cap off her 2024-25 season, Fox was also named to the North Carolina team in the Carolinas Classic All-Star game in Wilmington on Saturday. She scored 13 points to help lead North Carolina to a 93-68 win over South Carolina.
Fox’s 30.1 points per game scoring average was fifth-highest in the state and 24th in the nation. She led the conference in scoring, made shots, free throws, 3-pointers and was third in assists.
A pair of local girls’ players made third-team all-district.
Pinecrest sophomore Kennedy Moore and junior Aniya McGregor were both selected to the NCBCA third team. Moore led the Patriots with 17 points per game, 2.4 assists and 3.4 steals. She was also the team leader in shooting percentage, third in rebounding and second in blocks. McGregor was second in scoring at 14.3, assists at 1.9 and steals at 3.0.
Anissa Little, the head girls’ basketball coach at Union Pines, won Coach of the Year honors for District 4.
Little led the Vikings to their most wins (27) since the 2015-16 season (24 wins) and their deepest playoff run since 2014. Union Pines, the Sandhills 3A/4A conference regular season co-champions, finished 27-2 overall and 12-1 in conference play, including an 18-game win streak to start the season.
The Vikings had four all-conference players, including Fox, and Little was named the conference coach of the year.
Ashanti Fox is a senior on the Union Pines girls’ basketball team.
The Vikings went 27-2 this year and finished first in the Sandhills Conference. Fox led the conference in scoring, 3-pointers and was third in assists. She was named to the all-district first team and all-state third team, and last weekend, she played in the Carolina’s Classic All-Star Game, scoring 13 points for the victorious North Carolina team.
Fox wil play for Elon in college next season.
The two-time heavyweight champion was also famous as a product pitch man
By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press
GEORGE FOREMAN became the heavyweight champion of the world in his 20s, only to lose his belt to Muhammad Ali in perhaps the most memorable fight in boxing history.
A full 20 years later in 1994, the 45-year-old Foreman became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship.
Few fighters ever had more big moments than Big George Foreman — and even after he finally left the ring, he was only getting started.
The fearsome heavyweight, who lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Ali before his inspiring second act as a surprising champion and a successful businessman, died last Friday night. Foreman was 76. Foreman’s family announced his death on social media, not saying how or where he died.
A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear and awe as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formida-
ble aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt. Foreman left the sport a few years later but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening. The middle-aged fighter then pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history, flooring Moorer — 19 years his junior — with a surgical
right hand and claiming Moorer’s two heavyweight belts. Foreman’s 20 years is easily the longest gap between heavyweight title reigns. Outside the ring, he was best known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which launched in the same year as his victory over Moorer. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and made him much wealthier than his sport ever did. In the first chapter of his box-
ing career, Foreman was nothing like the smiling grandfather who hawked his grills on television to great success. Foreman rose to the pinnacle of the pro game but was also perceived as an aloof, unfriendly athlete. Jim Lampley, the veteran boxing broadcaster who worked alongside Foreman for many years at HBO, said Foreman’s initial demeanor was an attempt by his camp to emulate Sonny Liston, the glowering heavyweight champ of the 1960s.
“At some point somewhere along the way, he realized that wasn’t him,” Lampley said.
Foreman stopped Frazier in an upset in Jamaica in January 1973 to win the belt, with his knockout inspiring Howard Cosell’s iconic call: “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” Foreman accepted the fight with Ali in the now-immortal bout staged in Africa by promoter Don King. Ali put on a tactical masterclass. Foreman was eventually knocked down for the first time in his career, and the fight was stopped in the eighth round.
Exhausted and disillusioned, Foreman stopped fighting in 1977 and largely spent the next decade preaching and working with kids in Houston. He returned to boxing in 1987 in his late 30s and racked up a lengthy series of victories.
Three years later, Foreman got in the ring with Moorer in Las Vegas. The champion appeared to win the first nine rounds rather comfortably, with Foreman unable to land his slower punches. But Foreman came alive in the 10th, hurting Moorer before slipping in the short right hand that sent Moorer to the canvas in earth-shaking fashion.
Lampley, who was calling the fight, named his upcoming autobiography after his famous call of that moment: “It Happened!”
Foreman quit the ring for good in 1997. He settled into a life as a boxing analyst for HBO and as a pitchman for the grills that grew his fame and fortune.
Leroy Busby
Jan. 14, 1939 – March 21, 2025
Jimmy “Jim” LeRoy Busby left this earth and joined his wife, G. Ellene Busby, the love, and light of his life, in Heaven on March 21, 2025
He was born January 14, 1939, to Mildred Lee Hightower and Willis Franklin Busby, in Carthage, Missouri.
He served our country in the US Navy on the USS Denebola AF-56 from 19571959. After working for the railroad, marrying, graduating from college with his accounting degree, having children and receiving his CPA license he moved from Oklahoma to North Carolina in 1989 and worked
alongside his wife, Ellene, as partners of Busby & Co., Certified Public Accountants in downtown Southern Pines, NC.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Christopher Busby of Oklahoma, Barbara Gibson (J. Michael) of NC, Patricia O’Shaughnessy (Andy) of California, Dub Huffines (Cindy) of Texas, and Brad Huffines of North Carolina; nine grandchildren, Dino and Berto Busby, Campbell Gibson, Lillian and Katherine O’Shaughnessy, Benjamin, Brian, Nicholas and Joshua Huffines; as well as nine great-grandchildren (eight girls and one boy). He also leaves his brother, Steve Erwin, and sister, Karen Erwin.
A visitation is planned for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home, 425 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387. A funeral service, officiated by Rev. Dr. Ashley Smith, will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at The Village Chapel, 10 Azalea Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved Ellene at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held the evening prior.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com
Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, first black Republican woman elected to the US House, dead of brain cancer
She was in a clinical trial at Duke’s brain tumor center
By Hannah Schoenbaum and Matthew Brown The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — Former U.S. Rep. Mia Love of Utah, a daughter of Haitian immigrants who became the first black Republican woman elected to Congress, died Sunday.
She was 49.
Love’s family posted news of her death on Love’s X account.
She had undergone recent treatment for brain cancer and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center. Her daughter said earlier this month that the former lawmaker was no longer responding to treatment.
Love died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a statement posted by the family.
“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully,” her family said. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referred to Love as a “true friend” and said in a statement that her legacy of service inspired all who knew her.
Love entered politics in 2003 after winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a growing community about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. She later became the city’s mayor.
In 2012, Love narrowly lost a bid for the House against the Democratic incumbent, former Rep. Jim Matheson, in a district that covers a string of Salt Lake City suburbs. She ran again two years later and defeated first-time candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes.
Kitty Dukakis, wife of former governor and presidential candidate, dies at 88
She spoke openly about her substance abuse and mental health challenges
The Associated Press
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Kit-
ty Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, who spoke openly about her struggles with depression and addiction, has died. She was 88.
Dukakis died last Friday night surrounded by her family, her son, John Dukakis, said on Saturday by telephone. She fought to make the world better, “sharing her vulnerabilities to help others face theirs,” her family said in a statement.
“She was loving, feisty and fun, and had a keen sensitivity to people from all walks of life,” the family said. “She and our dad, Michael Dukakis, shared an enviable partnership for over 60 years and loved each other deeply.”
Dukakis won high marks as a political campaigner during her husband’s 1988 presidential efforts, stumping tirelessly for him. She was called a key influence in his decision to seek the presidency.
She even figured in the opening question of a 1988 presidential debate, when her husband was asked: “Governor, if Kitty Dukakis were raped
and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?” Dukakis said he would not, and his unemotional response was widely criticized.
Earlier in the campaign, in 1987, Dukakis revealed she had overcome a 26-year addiction to amphetamines five years earlier after receiving treatment. She said she began taking diet pills at age 19. Her husband made anti-drug efforts a major issue and she became prominent in the effort to educate youngsters against the perils of drug and alcohol abuse.
But a few months after Michael Dukakis lost the election to Vice President George H.W. Bush, Kitty Dukakis entered a 60-day treatment program for alcoholism. Several months later she suffered a relapse and was hospitalized after drinking rubbing alcohol.
In her 1990 autobiography, “Now You Know,” she blamed her mother for much of her alcohol and drug addiction and a long history of low self-esteem.
In 2006, she wrote another book, “Shock,” which credits the electroconvulsive therapy she began in 2001 for relieving the depression she had suffered for years. The treatment, she wrote, “opened a new reality for me.”
Current Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey called Dukakis
“a force for good in public life and behind the scenes,” a leader in the effort to ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten, and an advocate for children, women and refugees.
“She spoke courageously about her struggles with substance use disorder and mental health, which serves as an inspiration to us all to break down stigma and seek help,” Healey said in a statement.
Dukakis used her personal pain to help others, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said in a statement on social media on Saturday.
“Her legacy will live on in the policies she helped shape and the people she inspired to speak their own truths,” Campbell said.
Dukakis broke ground by speaking openly about her struggles and championed support for the homeless and political refugees, said Maria Ivanova, director of Northeastern University’s Policy School, which hosts the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.
“Kitty Dukakis brought honesty, compassion, and strength to public life,” Ivanova said in a statement. “Her legacy is one of service, resilience, and truth-telling.”
Kitty Dukakis inspired many to engage in activism and was a “deeply devoted spiritual com-
Love didn’t emphasize her race during her campaigns, but she acknowledged the significance of her election after her 2014 victory. She said her win defied naysayers who had suggested that a black, Republican, Mormon woman couldn’t win a congressional seat in overwhelmingly white Utah.
She was briefly considered a rising star within the GOP and she kept her distance from Donald Trump, who was unpopular with many Utah voters, while he was running for president ahead of the 2016 election.
In an op-ed published earlier this month in the Deseret News, Love described the version of America she grew up loving and shared her enduring wish for the nation to become less divisive. She thanked her medical team and every person who had prayed for her.
Love said her parents immigrated to the U.S. with $10 in their pocket and a belief that hard work would lead to success. She said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and “to love this country, warts and all.” America at its roots is respectful, resilient, giving and grounded in gritty determination, she said.
Her career in politics exposed Love to America’s ugly side, but she said it also gave her a front row seat to be inspired by people’s hope and courage. She shared her wish for neighbors to come together and focus on their similarities rather than their differences.
“Some have forgotten the math of America — whenever you divide you diminish,” Love wrote.
She urged elected officials to lead with compassion and communicate honestly with their constituents.
“In the end, I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and
friends I adore,” Love wrote.
“I hope you will see the America I know in the years ahead, that you will hear my words in the whisper of the wind of freedom and feel my presence in the flame of the enduring principles of liberty. My living wish and fervent prayer for you and for this nation is that the America I have known is the America you fight to preserve.”
In 2016, facing reelection and following the release of a 2005 recording in which Trump made lewd comments about groping women, Love skipped the Republican National Convention and released a statement saying definitively that she would not vote for Trump. She instead endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the GOP race, but he dropped out months later.
While seeking a third term in 2018, Love tried to separate herself from Trump on trade and immigration while still backing her party’s positions on tax cuts. Despite Republican voters outnumbering Democrats by a nearly threeto-one margin in her district, though, she lost by fewer than 700 votes to Democrat Ben McAdams, a former Salt Lake County mayor.
Trump called out Love by name in a news conference the morning after she lost, where he also bashed other Republicans who didn’t fully embrace him.
“Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” Trump said. “Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.” After her loss, Love served as a political commentator on CNN and as a fellow at the University of Sydney.
Following Trump’s election in November, Love said she was “OK with the outcome.”
“Yes, Trump says a lot of inconsiderate things that are unfortunate and impossible to defend,” Love wrote in a social media post. “However, his policies have a high probability of benefiting all Americans.”
and her
panion” to her husband, center Director Ted Landsmark said in a statement.
“They have been truly effective change-makers on behalf of those in need of care and support,” he said.
Michael Dukakis served as a distinguished professor of political science at the university. He has retired but returns to campus for events and student consultations, Landsmark said.
Dukakis and her future husband met while attending high school in Brookline, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb. He was dull and frugal; she was dramatic and fancy. He is Greek Orthodox; she was Jewish.
Kitty Dukakis, who was divorced and had a 3-year-old son, married Michael Dukakis in 1963, and they had two children, Andrea and Kara.
Dukakis, whose late father, Harry Ellis Dickson, was associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, earned degrees in modern dance and broadcasting.
After the presidential election, in 1989, Bush appointed her to be a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
She earlier served on the President’s Commission on the Holocaust in 1979 and on the board of directors of the Refugee Policy Group. She has also been a member of the Task Force on Cambodian Children. By the late 1990s, Dukakis and her husband divided their time between Massachusetts and California, where she was a social worker and he was a professor for part of the year at the University of California, Los Angeles.
March 20, 1930 –March 18, 2025
Charles Clarence Cain
“Chuck”, passed away on March
Nov. 7, 1955 – March 18, 2025
Peggy Vest Morgan, 69, of West End, NC passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at her residence with family by her side.
Peggy was born in Pinehurst, NC on November 7, 1955, to the late Baxter and Shirley Hinsley Vest.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 30 years, James Morgan; four children; Jason Chabot of Asheboro, NC; Charles Blackburn Jr. of West End, NC; Nathaniel Morgan and wife, Laurel of Whispering Pines, NC, and Christy Harvey and husband Brian of Scott Depot, West Virginia; four grandchildren, Evelyn Morgan, Victor Chabot, Landon Blackburn, and Wyatt
April 13, 1949 – March 18, 2025
Rita Starr Garretson Barber, aged 75, of Pinebluff, passed on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at The Greens of Pinehurst in Pinehurst.
A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the West End Cemetery
18, 2025, with family by his side, two days shy of his 95th birthday.
Chuck was born in Allodium Township, KS on March 20, 1930, to the late Milo Franklin Cain and Minnie Fultz Cain. He was preceded in death by six siblings: Agnes, Cynthia, Harold, Faye, Dale and Bonnie, and his wife, Judith Gail Cain. Chuck spent most of his childhood in Wellington, KS where he was a high school football star.
After graduating from Wellington High School in 1949, he went on to play football for the University of Kansas and then Washburn University, where he graduated with a BA degree in design. In 1954, Chuck joined the Marine Corps where he was a captain in the Air Defense Artillery and received the National Defense Service Medal. After leaving the military in 1956, he attended
Morgan. She is also survived by her brothers, Baxter Lee Vest Jr., and wife, Gwen of Carthage, NC and Robert Lane Vest, and wife Christine, of Carthage, NC, and many other extended family, church family and close friends.
Peggy was born in and lived in Moore County all her life. She was an avid and life-long softball player. She was a faithful member of Fairview Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school. Peggy loved the Lord Jesus Christ and shared her faith willingly. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a friend to many and stranger to none. She loved people and was a true giver of anything she had that could help someone else. She also enjoyed pond fishing and making handmade quilts.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home, 221 MacDougall Drive, West End, NC 27376. Funeral service will be Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 4 p.m. at Fairview Baptist Church, 1572 Carthage Road, West End, NC 27376. The service will be officiated by Rev. Billy Glover and Rev. Mike Garner. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Fairview Baptist ChurchMissions. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.
in West End, NC with Chris McNeill officiating.
Mrs. Barber was born April 3, 1949, in Forsyth County, NC to the late Paul Eugene Garretson and Lillie Mae Harvell Garretson. Mrs. Barber is survived by her daughter, Shannon Leigh Patterson of Pinebluff; a son, Aaron Michael Barber and wife Cathy of West Virginia; a sister, Peggy McNeill of Vass, NC; six grandchildren, Todd, Tracey, Kevin, Keisha, Derek, and Bethany; eleven greatgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles David Barber Sr., in 1992; a son, Charles David Barber, Jr; and a brother, Jerry Garretson. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in memory of Mrs. Barber to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews online at help.ifcj.org/. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines
the Kendall School of Design which fueled his talent and passion for furniture design. After graduation, Chuck began his career with Ernest L. Swarts Design Studio in Rockford, IL. He later moved his family to Morganton, NC in April of 1961. This began his time in the South creating award-winning designs for companies such as Henredon, Drexel-Heritage, American of Martinsville, Stanley Furniture, National of Mount Airy, Lexington Furniture, Thomasville Furniture and more. His distinguished career spanned six decades. Chuck also used his design talent to design and build his own homes, his own furniture, beautiful decorative boxes and numerous other creations. He was meticulous and always aimed for excellence. He was happiest working in his wood shop, doing
Jan. 7, 1947 – March 16, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jimmy Albert Hussey, 78, of Aberdeen, North Carolina. He died peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2025, while surrounded by loved ones at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.
His life began on January 7, 1947, in West End, NC, the fourth of five children born to John Woodson Hussey and Dorothy Garrison Hussey. He married the love of his life, Sharon (Cole) Hussey on March 10, 1974, at Doubs Chapel United Methodist Church, West End, North
May 22, 1953 – March 19, 2025
Gary “Roger” Elliott, born May 22, 1953, passed peacefully on March 19, 2025, at his home in West End, NC. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Newton Elliott (Kate), whom he married on March 12, 1977, as well as his sisters Marti of West End, NC, and Linda Elliott of Lincoln Park NJ. Roger was also cherished by his 12 nieces and nephews, along with many dear friends.
Roger spent most of his life in
projects around the house (indoors and out) or being out on the lake in his boat. He loved football (playing it and watching it), dogs (that he loved to spoil), ice cream and strawberry milkshakes. He was rarely stationary and loved spending time with family and friends.
Chuck was quick to share his skills, his time and his laugh with anyone who needed them. He was the consummate gentleman, always fun to be around, incredibly hardworking and would do anything for his family. He will be greatly missed by those surviving him: his son, Kelly Cain (Janice); his daughter, Ravelle Whitener (Rob); his stepdaughter, Ande Henley (Tim); his stepdaughter, Erin Ritchie (Mike); his stepson, Brian Kluttz; his grandchildren, Tyler Cain (Elizabeth), Robert Whitener
Carolina. They were married for 51 years.
Jimmy was a graduate of Pinehurst High School, Class of 1965, Pinehurst, North Carolina and Massey Technical Institute, Jacksonville, Florida. He served his country for two years in the United States Army as a Military Police in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He then began working at J.P. Stevens Carpets, which later became Gulistan Carpets and was a valued employee there in the Information Technology office as a computer analyst until his retirement.
Jimmy was exceptionally logical in how he looked at problems and solved them. He could always be relied on to do his share and more and was quick to help out in any way he could. He took care of his mom and dad’s house and yard for years and mowed and cleaned his aunt’s yard regularly without being asked. He didn’t need luxuries, he found joy in his family, taking pride in his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments, satisfaction in working hard, and relaxation in his easy chair, drinking a beer. Even after his battle with cancer began, he pushed himself hard, walking and working in his yard.
Butler, NJ, where he graduated from Butler High School in 1971.
Over the years, he worked various jobs, including at Excelsior Lumber in Butler and Riverdale Power in Riverdale, NJ. At Riverdale, he developed expertise in small engine repair- a skill that would lead him and Kate to establish R & K Mower Service, Inc. in Lincoln Park, NJ, in 1980. Together, they built a successful business that served many happy customers until they sold it in 2000.
Roger and Kate built their first home at 64 Arch Street in Butler, the same street where Roger lived for much of his life. In 1983, they moved to 25 Arch Street, always working on projects and building something new. Around 2002, they started RE Craftsman, LLC, showcasing Roger’s remarkable woodworking talent. He was particularly skilled in carving, even creating a hand-carved wooden chess set. His passion for craftsmanship extended beyond wood, as he could fix just about anything with an engine.
Roger was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Butler Town Council
(Serena), Adam Whitener (Carly) and Caroline Rafferty (Palmer); his step-grandchildren, Maddie Lowe (fiancé, Billy); Matthew Ritchie; Laura Ritchie; Jackson Lowe; his great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Whitener, Mimi Rafferty, Buckey Cain, Paige Whitener and Whit Rafferty.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 13, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Parish House at Christ Episcopal Church, 311 East Church St, Martinsville, VA 24112. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America: dementiasociety. org/donate or to FirstHealth Hospice House: firsthealth.org/ foundation-of-firsthealth/makea-donation.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
When he was unable to operate the tractor like he used to, he would figure out new ways he could manage the machinery. He loved lemon meringue pie and persimmon pudding and really enjoyed sharing the persimmon pulp, completely prepared and measured out, with his sisters every year, so they could make their own pudding. Jimmy will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, his son, Jonathan Hussey (Jenna), Cary, North Carolina, daughter, Jo-Anna Seiler (Chuck), Waxhaw, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Madison and Ella Seiler, Ethan and Everett Hussey; his three sisters, Arlene Felty (Frank), Bristol, Tennessee, Anne Aycock, Holden Beach, North Carolina, and Nancy Dominey (Clyde), Lexington, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jimmy to the Children’s Tumor Foundation to raise awareness and develop treatment for NF, a condition near and dear to his heart.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
and participating in the local Republican club. He was twice elected to the council around 2004. After experiencing serious health issues, Roger and Kate retired and moved to West End, NC in 2009, where they embraced the lake life and made many new friends. Roger fought bravely against prostate cancer, but despite his strength and determination, he passed away peacefully. He lived a full and meaningful life, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication and love. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home, Seven Lakes. Memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation of FirstHealth firsthealth.org/ foundation-of-firsthealth/waysto-help/. Please make a donation to hospice or cancer.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Seven Lakes.
Without an office, thousands are moving to better locales
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Lori
Matthias and her husband had tired of Atlanta traffic when they moved to St. Augustine, Florida, in 2023. For Mike Waldron and his wife, moving from the Boston area in 2020 to a place that bills itself as “the nation’s oldest city” was motivated by a desire to be closer to their adult children.
They were among thousands of white-collar, remote workers who migrated to the St. Augustine area in recent years, transforming the touristy beach town into one of the top remote work hubs in the United States.
Matthias fell in love with St. Augustine’s small town feeling, trading the hourlong commute she had in Atlanta for bumping into friends and acquaintances while running errands.
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that,” said Matthias, who does sales and marketing for a power tool company. “My commute is like 30 steps from my kitchen to my office. It’s just different. It’s just relaxed and friendly.”
Centuries before becoming a remote work hub, the St. Augustine area was claimed by
Walkers make their way through the downtown historic district in St. Augustine, Florida, which has become a top remote work hub in the United States during the 2020s, on March 13.
the Spanish crown in the early 16th century after explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival. In modern times, it is best known for its Spanish architecture of terra cotta roofs and arched doorways, tourist-carrying trollies, a historic fort, an alligator farm, lighthouses and a shipwreck museum.
A population boom driven by the pandemic
In St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine, the percentage of workers who did their jobs from home nearly tripled from 8.6% in 2018 to almost 24% in 2023, moving the northeast Florida county into the top ranks of U.S.
counties with the largest share of people working remotely, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.
Only counties with a heavy presence of tech, finance and government workers in metro Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte and Dallas, as well as two counties in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, had a larger share of their workforce working from home. But these were counties much more populous than the 335,000 residents in St. Johns County, which has grown by more than a fifth during this decade.
Scott Maynard, a vice president of economic development for the county’s chamber of com-
“The whole pace here is slower and I’m attracted to that.”
Lori Matthias
merce, attributes the initial influx of new residents to Florida’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in businesses and schools in the fall of 2020 while much of the country remained locked down.
“A lot of people were relocating here from the Northeast, the Midwest and California so that their children could get back to a face-to-face education,” Maynard said. “That brought in a tremendous number of people who had the ability to work remotely and wanted their children back in a face-to-face school situation.”
Public schools in St. Johns County are among the best in Florida, according to an annual report card by the state Department of Education.
Surging popularity comes at a price
The influx of new residents has brought growing pains, particularly when it comes to affordable housing since many of the new, remote workers moving into the area are wealthier than locals and able to outbid them on homes, officials said.
Many essential workers such as police officers, firefighters and teachers have been forced to commute from outside St. Johns County because of rising housing costs. The median home price grew from $405,000 in 2019 to almost $535,000 in 2023, according to Census Bureau figures, making the purchase of a home further out of reach for the county’s essential workers. Essential workers would need to earn at least $180,000 annually to afford the median price of a home in St. Johns County, but a teacher has an average salary of around $48,000 and a law enforcement officer earns around $58,000 on average, according to an analysis by the local chamber of commerce.
“What happened was a lot of the people, especially coming in from up North, were able to sell their homes for such a high value and come here and just pay cash since this seemed affordable to them,” said Aliyah Meyer, an economic researcher at the chamber of commerce. “So it kind of inflated the market and put a bit of a constraint on the local residents.”
Waldron, a sales executive in the health care industry, was able to sell his Boston home at the height of the pandemic and purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a gated community by a golf course outside St. Augustine where “things really worked out to be less expensive down here.”
The flexibility offered by fast wireless internet and the popularity of online meeting platforms since the start of the pandemic also helped.
“If I was still locked in an office, I would not have been able to move down here,” Waldron said.
‘Nation’s oldest city’ becomes hotspot for remote work Social Security eliminating over-the-phone identity checks
Direct deposit changes will require ID verification in person or online
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.
Beginning March 31, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone to make changes to direct deposit information. Instead, users will need to verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service or to visit an agency field office to complete the verification process in person, agency leadership said last week.
The change will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information and will not affect any existing payments.
“The Social Security Administration is losing over $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud,” Leland Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner, said on a call with reporters — his first call with the media. “Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
He said a problem with eliminating fraudulent claims is that “the information that we use through knowledge-based authentication is already in the public domain.”
“This is a commonsense measure,” Dudek added.
In addition to the identity
“This is a commonsense measure.”
Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration acting commissioner
verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients’ direct deposit change requests — both in person and online — to one business day. Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access.
The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers.
More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive retirement and disability benefits through the
Social Security Administration. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, said in a statement that “by requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, rather than over the phone, (President Donald) Trump and (Elon) Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system.”
The DOGE website says that leases for 47 Social Security field offices across the country, including in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina, have been or will be ended. However, Dudek downplayed the impact of its offices shuttering, saying many were small remote hearing sites that served few members of the public.
Many Americans are victims of Social Security fraud when their identity is stolen and used to make changes that redirect their monthly Social Security payments. The Social Security Administration believes this verification change will help reduce those occurrences.