North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 7

Going to the dogs

A Great Dane stands in the sun at the American Kennel Club’s Canines at the Capitol Day in Raleigh last week. See more photos on A3.

Measmer picked to take over Newton’s state Senate seat

Raleigh

The Cabarrus County Executive Committee of the Republican Party selected Christopher Allen Measmer to complete the remainder of Sen. Paul Newton’s term representing the 34th Senate District. Newton resigned in April and was later named vice chancellor and general counsel at UNC Chapel Hill. Newton had been the majority leader in the Senate; Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) was chosen to succeed Newton in that role. Measmer currently serves as chairman of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners. A Central Cabarrus High School graduate, Measmer has a political science degree from George Washington University.

Deputies kill armed man inside Elizabeth City emergency room

Elizabeth City

Deputies fatally shot a man inside an Elizabeth City emergency room Tuesday after authorities said he pointed a gun at them. Law enforcement officers arrived at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center at 1:18 a.m. in response to a call about a man who had entered the hospital’s emergency room with a handgun, according to the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office. The man had pointed his gun at several staff members, and a security guard tried to restrain him before law enforcement arrived, according to authorities. Authorities found the suspect in the emergency triage room, and three of the deputies fired at him after he pointed his weapon at them, officials said. The man received medical treatment but was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Bill banning discrimination in relief aid passes House the BRIEF this week

House bill seeks to extend parent rights over K-12 curriculum, books

The legislation would tighten obscenity statutes surrounding books

Back and forth in NC Supreme Court case continues

The state’s high court stayed last week’s Court of Appeals ruling

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Supreme Court temporarily halted enforcement on Monday of an appeals court

decision that favored Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin in an unresolved November election for a seat on the state’s highest court.

In a pair of one-sentence statements without objections, the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay of Friday’s order by a Court of Appeals panel that

See SUPREME, page A3

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A bill filed in the North Carolina House seeks to extend parental rights over K-12 public school curriculum and challenges to books or materials.

House Bill 595 was filed last week by Reps. John Torbett (R-Gaston) and Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke). Most provisions in the bill, if enacted, would take effect for the 2025-26 school year.

In a statement to North State Journal, Torbett said the bill “aims to better empower parents by implementing several changes to the state’s educational framework concerning

age-appropriate health education, instructional materials, and library resources.”

The legislation would prohibit instruction on gender identity, sexual activity or sexuality in K-6 grades and require parental consent on an annual basis for such topics in grades 7-12.

The bill also would establish specific requirements for human growth and development education in grades 4-5, mandating “age-appropriate” content taught in single-sex groups with parental consent.

Students can be given information on contraception with written parental consent. Language in the bill replaces “local board of education” with “governing body.” The change is significant because it would broaden the scope to book review panels or committees

“This came about after an incident that occurred following Helene, and word was getting out that FEMA was actually discriminating against people based on their political speech.”

Rep. Kelly Hastings (R-Gaston)

The vote was 106-10; the legislation heads to the state Senate

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A North Carolina House bill making it a felony to discriminate when deploying disaster aid or assistance based on political affiliation or speech passed the chamber April 1 and will be taken up by the Senate.

House Bill 251 was introduced in late February by Rep. Kelly Hastings (R-Gaston).

Under the bill, “No United States citizen, United States national, or qualified alien as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1641 shall be denied or discriminated against by the State or its agencies and employees for disaster recovery assistance on the basis of political

affiliation or political speech.”

“This came about after an incident that occurred following Helene, and word was getting out that FEMA was actually discriminating against people based on their political speech,” Hastings said during floor discussion on the bill. “So that’s when we decided we might want to send a clear message about discriminating against someone based on their political speech, being that political speech is, under our constitutional jurisprudence, maybe the highest protected.”

The bill passed the House on April 1 by a vote of 106-10.

The 10 who voted no were all Democrats: Reps. Amber Baker (Forsyth), Mary Belk (Mecklenburg), Terry Brown (Mecklenburg), Deb Butler (New Hanover), Maria Cervania

See AID, page A8

See BOOKS, page A2

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the word | The choice is yours

The key issues were overstatement of expenses, assets and cash

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A recently released state audit has found more than $45 million in reporting errors at North Carolina Central University.

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor’s (OSA) report on the school was a financial audit that spanned the year ending June 30, 2024.

“Part of what makes our university system so great is we hold the institutions to high standards and strive to bring the very best out of our public universities,” North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a press release. “NCCU’s financial reporting fell far short of the standards expected of our high education institutions, but I’ve had productive meetings with university and UNC system

established by a school board.

Many districts utilize an “opt- out” method for such courses or programs, but under the bill, students would not be able to participate without prior written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

The bill would also create a structured process for selecting library books, requiring public school units to assign age-appropriate content designations (elementary, middle school, high school) and maintain a publicly accessible repository of instructional materials for parental review.

Per the bill, governing bodies would have to establish criteria for selecting library books and must select books based on superintendent recommendations. The superintendent must provide a list of recommended books to the governing body for at least 30 days of review. Books with 10 or more letters of objection cannot be selected without governing body approval at a public meeting. Additionally, procedures for community input on materials would be required, and schools must review all books at

As Easter approaches, it is a time of year full of blossoming, bright-colored flowers, rich greenery, and the smell of fresh-cut grass in the air — a time of new growth. During this season, the Easter story is discussed in most pulpits worldwide. Many will enter the church at Easter even if they do not attend regularly throughout the year.

The death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest gift ever given, the story of salvation, free for those who accept it. Interestingly, on the day Jesus was crucified, there were three crosses at the place they called the “skull” or Golgotha. So, what about the other two men? The scripture says, “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left.” (NIV Luke 23:32-33)

Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins; he was sinless, yet he was the sacrificial lamb sent for us to have the opportunity for eternal life. One of the criminals was not a believer. He did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah and mocked and ridiculed Jesus. (Luke 23:39) The other criminal

rebuked him, saying, “…Don’t you fear God?... this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41) The following line of the scripture is so important. The criminal who believed said, “…Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

The choice is yours today. Do you want to live with Jesus in paradise? As for me, I choose Christ. He is waiting with open arms for all who believe. What a great time of year to begin a relationship with Jesus and start growing with Him.

leadership and have confidence NCCU is on a better path.”

In Boliek’s transmittal letter to state officials that accompanied the audit, he wrote that NCCU’s financial reporting was “grossly inaccurate, and as a result there is substantial risk created for the University.”

“Unfortunately, the deficiencies in NCCU’s financial reporting have snowballed over the last several years,” Boliek wrote.

“The OSA issued a significant deficiency in 2021, a second significant deficiency in 2023, and now for 2024 the defects amount to material findings.”

book fairs hosted by a school. The legislation would also modify public library policies by creating a restricted access area for material deemed “harmful to minors” and require parental consent for access to those materials as well as consent for library cards issued to minors. Parents are also granted access to their child’s library records.

The bill also clarifies and expands legal definitions regarding disseminating “materials harmful to minors.” Current law makes it an offense to “sell,

furnish, present, or distribute” such material to minors. Language added would make it an offense to “allow a minor to review or peruse material that is harmful to minors.”

Since the pandemic, protests have occurred in school districts across the state over books with graphic sexual depictions and that use pervasive language. In 2021, parents tried unsuccessfully to get the attention of the Wake County sheriff by filing criminal complaints over materials and books found

“Unfortunately, the deficiencies in NCCU’s financial reporting have snowballed over the last several years.”

State Auditor Dave Boliek

Specifics cited in the NCCU audit report include:

• Supplies and services expenses were overstated by $8.3 million because the disposal of capital assets was misclassified, which also understated other nonoperating expenses by the same amount.

• Scholarships and fellowships expenses were understated by $1.2 million because revenues related to the UNC System’s Project Kitty Hawk partnership were not recorded correctly, which also understated state and local grants and contracts revenue by the same amount.

in Wake County Public School classrooms and libraries they deemed as obscene.

Led by the NC Values Coalition in spring 2024, parents, advocacy groups, school board members and various lawmakers held a rally calling for a change in obscenity laws and those governing book selection in K-12 schools.

The bill would seemingly address the roadblocks encountered by parents in the removal of certain books by modifying to “affirmative defense” section pertaining to immunity granted to various institutions.

Institutions like schools, churches, museums, public libraries, governmental agencies, medical clinics and hospitals can display such materials for “legitimate functions” without repercussions.

The amendment maintains this defense but strengthens the scrutiny of what constitutes a “legitimate function” of these institutions.

Legal consequences are included in the bill, making it a Class 1 misdemeanor for allowing children to access material deemed harmful to minors.

Another bill filed in the House by Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Ran-

• Cash was overstated by $4.9 million because of inaccurate journal entries, which also overstated the beginning net position by the same amount.

• Noncapital contributions were overstated by $4.8 million because donated capital assets were misclassified, which also understated capital contributions by the same amount.

• Federal grants and contracts were overstated by $3.7 million because of inaccurate journal entries, which also understated nongovernmental grants and contracts by the same amount.

• Restricted nonexpendable net position was overstated by $2.6 million, restricted expendable net position was overstated by $3.6 million and unrestricted net position was understated by $6.2 million because of errors in the calculations.

NCCU’s response letter agreed with the findings of the audit. The school said it would establish a “systematic evaluation process” to deal with the issues and that personnel have been assigned to develop “comprehensive contingency plans” as well as actions to be taken.

dolph) complements Torbett’s bill.

Jackson’s bill contains similar provisions that bar the adoption of books considered harmful to minors as contained in Torbett’s bill but would require the State Board of Education to maintain a database of rejected books and materials housed under the Department of Public Instruction for parents and the public to access.

Under Jackson’s bill, penalties for violating the 2023 Parents’ Bill of Rights include allowing parents to seek injunctive and declaratory legal relief. Parents can also seek up to $5,000 in damages per violation and recoup legal costs and attorney fees.

“Pornographic content is never appropriate in an educational setting. Exposure to sexually explicit material is devastating and traumatic for children, and it can have lasting psychological effects,” Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the NC Values Coalition, said of Jackson’s bill. “This bill would put in place common-sense criteria to protect our children and ensure that the materials we provide them are appropriate for their developmental stage.”

“The Three Crosses” by Rembrandt (1653) is a drypoint print and burin on paper in the collection of The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

A.P. DILLON / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

NC Values President Tammy Fitzgerald, flanked by legislators, addresses media at the “Stop School Porn” press conference last May in Raleigh.

Dog days of spring

Dogs took over Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh on April 1 as the American Kennel Club held its Canines at the Capitol Day. The AKC, the nation’s preeminent purebred dog registry, showcased several breeds and included agility demonstrations while offering animal lovers the chance to learn more about the organization and responsible dog ownership.

SUPREME from page A1

in part directed election workers to identify and contact potentially tens of thousands of voters whose ballots were challenged by Griffin.

The stay, which was sought in part by Justice Allison Riggs — the Democratic incumbent in the race — is in place while the Supreme Court determines whether it wants to formally review the Court of Appeals decision or decide if it was correct.

“The North Carolina Democratic Party is standing squarely behind Justice Riggs — and behind every single voter whose rights are under attack,” The North Carolina Democratic Party posted on X Monday. “We will continue fighting in court and in every community across the state to defend our democracy.”

Two of three judges on the

Court of Appeals panel declared that the State Board of Elections wrongly dismissed in December protests filed by Griffin challenging over 65,000 ballots counted in the race. Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes after two recounts of the more than 5.5 million ballots cast in the election.

Friday’s decision, if ultimately upheld, could flip to Griffin the outcome of the election — the nation’s only 2024 race that is still undecided.

Griffin is currently a Court of Appeals judge but recused himself from any deliberations in his election case. Riggs also has recused herself from deliberations in the case at the Supreme Court, including on Monday’s orders.

In the prevailing opinion backed by the two Republican judges on the panel, the Court of Appeals found that ballots

within three categories contained in Griffin’s protests were wrongly allowed in the tally. But the judges said election officials must give voters who cast ballots in the race that fall within two of the categories a three-week period to provide additional information. Their ballots would count if the information is provided in time and verified.

Without Monday’s temporary stay, election workers would have had to start the vote “curing” process Tuesday.

Lawyers for the state elections board and Riggs opposed Friday’s ruling, saying the votes were lawfully cast based on the rules in place for the November election and should remain in the tally.

Riggs attorney Ray Bennett wrote in a motion seeking the stay that it’s “impossible to pre-

dict the full scope of confusion” of carrying out an unprecedented curing process before the Supreme Court rules on the case, especially since it “will be inadequate to prevent the disenfranchisement of thousands of North Carolina voters.”

Five of the six remaining justices on the Supreme Court are registered Republicans. Lawyers for Riggs and the board have signaled they will take the matter to federal court if necessary.

One category of ballots subject to the curing process involves those cast by individuals whose voter registration records lacked a driver’s license number or last four digits of a Social Security number. The other category covers military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification or ID exception forms.

However, the prevailing Court

of Appeals opinion said people within the third category — potentially hundreds of overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. — were ineligible based on state residency laws to cast ballots and their choices could not count.

Griffin did not oppose the temporary stay issued Monday but is against efforts to halt enforcement of the Court of Appeals decision while the Supreme Court reviews the case and the appeal is resolved, according to motions filed by Riggs and the board.

Griffin’s protests “have been vindicated and the people of our state deserve to see this important election finalized with every legal vote counted,” state Republican Party Chairman Jason Simmons said in a press release before Monday’s stay was issued.

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

This tariff gambit better work

If liberals didn’t have faulty logic, they wouldn’t have any logic at all.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP has rolled all the dice from his casinos on being right about imposing reciprocal tariffs on every nation around the globe. It is a monumental gamble.

He and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent better be proven right ― not for their sakes but for our country’s sake. If proven right, Trump will be remembered along the lines of the greatest presidents in U.S. history.

If not, he will be forever remembered as the president who imposed tariffs and brought the country down like Herbert Hoover. If we go into a Great Depression and see soup lines and 25% unemployment, everyone who voted for Trump will have to eat a plateful of hot steamed crow and admit they made a huge mistake.

If he is right, and every trading partner is forced to drive tariffs on American goods flowing to their consumers to zero, then the world may see an economic explosion of such magnitude that it not only makes America but every EU country, Zimbabwe and China “great again” as well.

Free trade is such a simple concept, but it has been virtually impossible to achieve in the world since the beginning of time. Farmers and mercantilists always have enough political sway to force their governments to put up high tariff barriers to protect their incomes and way of life.

Liberals are now oh-so-concerned about higher tariffs causing consumers to pay much higher prices on imported goods. What is the liberal rationale for imposing higher taxes on corporations, then? Don’t they raise costs on products for consumers too?

If liberals didn’t have faulty logic, they wouldn’t have any logic at all.

Once this tariff gambit is settled, Republicans should ask every Democrat now screaming

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

about higher tariffs to join them in an effort to get rid of the corporate income tax as well. “Help consumers buy American stuff much cheaper!” can be their slogan.

If tariffs were so terrible, why did all the nations that America helped rebuild post-World War II, such as Japan, impose high tariffs and then grow and prosper? Japan in the 1980s was viewed as the biggest economic threat to America, not communist China.

Eliminating tariffs is only part of the “helping consumers pay less” story. The really important next step toward reestablishing true free trade in America is to get rid of the regulatory “tariffs” our elected government has willfully imposed on our own American economy and almost strangled it to death.

Doing so will make U.S. goods that much more competitive pricewise on world markets.

The National Association of Manufacturers issued an important update in 2023 that showed the U.S. government ― not China nor any foreign adversary ― has put U.S. business at a 12% cost disadvantage solely due to legislation and promulgated regulations by aggressive agencies such as the EPA.

Twelve percent of U.S. GDP, more than $3 trillion in a $25 trillion economy, is paid by U.S. businesses to comply with federal regulations. Small businesses bear a disproportionate share of this cost burden on a per-employee basis because they have fewer employees over which to amortize the cost of compliance.

All of these regulations, much of which are outdated or unnecessary today, drive up the cost of U.S. products and put American business at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-v is foreign competitors before they even think of

Former Biden handlers confirm what we already knew

“Biden was unaware of what was happening in his own campaign.”

Ron Klain

DESPITE THE FACT that it was obvious then-President Joe Biden should not be running for a second term in office, those closest to him, including his media defenders, repeatedly tried to gaslight the American people into thinking he was sharp as a tack and physically fit to lead the country for another four years.

Two weeks before the now-infamous June 2024 presidential debate between Biden and then-GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, for instance, a video emerged showing Biden looking lost, out of it and wooden during an L.A. fundraiser and having to be led off the stage by the hand by former President Barack Obama, who gently guided the man who once served with him as vice president away from the crowd.

Even with that clear and convincing evidence, we were told by Biden’s handlers, other Democratic supporters and numerous media figures that such videos were “cheap fakes” that allegedly had been deceptively edited by the right to deceive the American people about Biden’s condition.

“Some of us are watching long, complete speeches by the president,” CNN media hall monitor Brian Stelter said in a segment not long after the viral fundraiser video. “Others (are) just watching short, out-of-context clips on social media. Two audiences are seeing two very different reflections.”

North Carolina native Andrew Bates, who at the time was a senior deputy press secretary for Biden, had a mini-meltdown after seeing a New

York Post story on Biden appearing to “freeze up” at the fundraiser.

“Fresh off being fact-checked by at least 6 mainstream outlets for lying about POTUS with cheap fakes, Rupert Murdoch’s sad little super pac, the New York Post, is back to disrespecting it’s (sic) readers and itself once again,” Bates proclaimed on Twitter/X. “Their ethical standards could deal with a little unfreezing.”

The only thing Stelter and Bates ended up proving with their remarks, however, was that the media’s and the Biden White House’s complicity in the cover-up of Biden’s condition was a very real thing.

Now here we are, four months into Trump’s second term in office, and books galore about Biden’s decline and what the White House knew about it are either out or are coming out. The books include quotes from former Biden senior staffers who now feel like they can tell the truth, but in a way they think absolves them of their role in the cover-up.

In one, written by author Chris Whipple, Biden’s longtime close friend and former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain had “never seen him so exhausted and out of it” during his debate prep. “Biden was unaware of what was happening in his own campaign.”

Michael LaRosa, who worked for Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign as Jill Biden’s traveling press secretary and then later as her official White House press secretary, stated in February, “The president’s team was scared to

imposing high tariffs, barriers to entry, currency manipulation and flat-out cheating to frustrate American entry into their economies.

One wry observer used to say that if Congress really wanted to equalize the playing field, the U.S. should export half of the trial lawyers to the rest of the world. Their tort costs would rise exponentially and the playing field of liability insurance costs and legal fees would be leveled.

There may be other things going on in the background behind this risky gambit. The U.S. has $9 trillion of two-year debt instruments due to be refinanced this year, with most due by the end of summer. The Treasury Department obviously would love to refinance at below 3% rather than way above it. Eliminating $1 trillion of wasteful spending through DOGE on top of driving world investors to invest in the relative safety of U.S. bonds would make interest rates far lower than they were three months ago.

Once Trump’s tariff gambit yields its intended result (hopefully) of zero tariffs worldwide plus compliance with his wishes to defend U.S. borders from illegal immigration and a shared burden for defense spending, every effort should be made by Trump and the Republican-led Congress to go after the cost of our excessive domestic regulatory “tariff” ― and eliminate it to lower costs to consumers even further.

Here’s to Trump being remembered as a great president ― and not Herbert Hoover.

death of impromptu, unscripted, unrehearsed, unpracticed, unchoreographed, anything, they couldn’t compete for the attention economy.”

As such, in an effort to avoid disastrous on-the-record quotes and confusion from Biden, they often prioritized finding out questions reporters had in mind to ask Biden ahead of time, oftentimes making it conditional for access.

Biden’s press aides were “sort of like dog-trained to make the questions conditional for interviews,” LaRosa also revealed during a recent interview with “Young Turks” founder/ host Cenk Uygur.

While it’s nice that so many of these people are finally admitting to what we all knew to be true at the time, what would have been really honorable and brave would have been for them to have spoken up when it mattered the most, when Biden was still in office and when there were legitimate concerns and questions about who was actually running the country.

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.

How not to do it

The federal government’s “spending madness” has, for decades, advanced unchecked.

SENATE LEADERS for the Department of Government Efficiency have just invented a game taxpayers can play. Members of the DOGE caucus will release an NCAA-style bracket featuring 16 “seeds” of government waste, and we taxpayers will be invited to choose which eight are daft enough to advance to the top four, then to the championship two.

My pick for infamy will be the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND), which the United States Agency for International Development has awarded $7,906,904 to teach Sri Lankan journalists how to avoid using “binary-gendered language.”

USAID is not the first government agency to be spoofed by gamers, whistleblowers and satirists. No one can top Charles Dickens, whose “Little Dorrit” lampoons Victorian England’s “whole Science of Government” — aptly dubbed the “Circumlocution Office.”

DOGE’s description of the USAID-funded MEND is an exact match for Dickens’ description of the Circumlocution Office: “It is true that How not to do it was the great study and object of all public departments and professional politicians all round the Circumlocution Office.”

A full set of lesson plans for how not to do it in Sri Lanka is not available, but MEND’s Facebook page includes a list of “gendered” terms journalists should strike from their lexicon. Journalists should follow The Associated Press’s rule to replace “biological sex” with “sex assigned at birth” and the Biden administration’s rule to replace “mothers” with “birthing people.” If MEND had survived Elon Musk’s chainsaw, Sri Lankan journalists might also be replacing “birthing people” with Wisconsin’s new coinage “person inseminated.”

Additional lessons in how not to make sense echo Cal-Berkeley professor Judith Butler because “they” was among the first to argue that “gender is not passively scripted on the body, and neither is it determined by nature, language, the symbolic, or the overwhelming history of patriarchy. Gender is what is put on, invariably, under constraint.”

In keeping with Butler’s fiat, MEND’s Facebook page claims, “Gender is a social, psychological, and cultural construct,” and journalists should “normalize the sharing

EDITORIAL | STEPHEN MOORE

Why Democrats hate DOGE and love waste

It’s the greatest robbery — more than $1 trillion of fraud and corruption — in world history.

IF YOU HAVEN’T watched the Bret Baier interviews on Fox News with Elon Musk and the other executives who have given their time and expertise to exposing the rampant fraud and inefficiency of our federal government, I urge you to do so. It will infuriate you — and that’s what we need right now.

These Department of Government Efficiency volunteers are on a patriotic mission to repair our ship of state. They are hunting down the rats and scoundrels who have played us (we the taxpayers) for fools for so many years. It’s the greatest robbery — more than $1 trillion of fraud and corruption — in world history.

Yet too many Democrats are reacting as though Musk himself is the scoundrel.

The “Musk-ateers” have marked nearly 10 million Social Security recipients over the age of 120 as deceased. (How many monthly checks were sent out?) How about $10 billion in rent for empty office buildings? Hundreds of millions of dollars for foreign aid programs that went to “nongovernmental government organizations” and then disappeared down a rabbit hole? Billions of dollars in fraudulent Medicaid spending? A federal workforce that has been MIA for three years?

In the wake of this epic failure of governance, nearly every leading Democrat in Washington has protested: “Elon Musk is going too far.”

They say that they are against waste too. But former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama never lifted a finger to stop it. Washington hid behind a curtain of plausible deniability, even though we had scores of auditors and inspector general reports spotlighting the continuing raid on our federal fisc.

Ripping off taxpayers is one of the biggest businesses in America. It’s so routine that it isn’t seen as a criminal action anymore but rather the cost of doing business inside the Beltway. Like paying off the mob.

Why are Sens. Chuck Schumer and

BE IN TOUCH

of gender pronouns by actively sharing your own” and apologize if they inadvertently “gender-shame” or “fat-shame” a fellow Sri Lankan.

That latest addition to MEND’s list of taboos has become the object of at least one great satire, and Dickens himself would have cheered the heir apparent to his brand of humor. Posing as a nonbinary “fat pride activist,” comedian Steven Crowder submitted an essay titled “Embracing Fatness as Self- Care in the Era of Trump,” which was published to great acclaim in a 2020 issue of Fat Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Body Weight and Society — by an editor who is as misguided as she is woke.

The beneficences of USAID’s reckless spending match exactly the targets of Dickens’ Circumlocution Office: “It was this spirit of national efficiency in the Circumlocution Office that had gradually led to its having something to do with everything … people with grievances, people who wanted to prevent grievances, people who wanted to address grievances, jobbing people, jobbed people, people who couldn’t get rewarded for merit, and people who couldn’t get punished for demerit, were all indiscriminately tucked up under the fools cap of the Circumlocution Office.”

Playing himself in a Feb. 4 podcast, comedian Crowder commended Musk for showcasing MEND’s “crazy waste of your tax money,” and a former member of Sri Lanka’s parliament called MEND’s Sri Lankan project a “massive waste” of taxpayer dollars. But Wimal Weerawansa has also announced that Sri Lankans themselves “are seeing how $7.9 million was spent to push an ideological agenda,” for the project’s real aim was “to encourage LGBTQ+ activism” among the youth of Sri Lanka.

As a leader in the Senate’s DOGE caucus, Iowa Republican Joni Ernst has noted that while college basketball’s March Madness lasts only a month, the federal government’s “spending madness” has, for decades, advanced unchecked — until the DOGE caucus made plans to bring government waste, fraud and abuse to a “squealing halt.”

Nan Miller is professor emerita of literature at Meredith College and lives in Raleigh.

ON TUESDAY, April 1, I had the opportunity to testify before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet and the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government about judicial overreach.

There is clearly a potential constitutional crisis involving the judicial branch’s effort to fully override the legislative and executive branches.

Fifteen district judges effectively seized control of various executive branch duties in the first six weeks of the current presidency through nationwide injunctions. This is potentially a judicial coup d’etat. It clearly violates the Constitution and more than 200 years of American history.

To set the stage for this hearing, let me mention 12 former federal judges appointed by President John Adams: Richard Bassett, Egbert Benson, Benjamin Bourne, William Griffith, Samuel Hitchcock, Phillip Barton Kay, Jeremiah Smith, George Keith Taylor, Oliver Wolcott Jr., Williams McClung, Charles Magill and Williams Tilghman.

Adams appointed these Federalist judges on his way out of office to hamstring incoming President Thomas Jefferson’s agenda.

Jefferson concluded that impeaching the judges would take too much time. He and the Congress simply abolished the courts in which they served via the Judiciary Act of 1802.

This is constitutional balance of power. The legislative and executive branches can reshape the Judiciary Branch. It is a useful reminder in considering the current situation.

Unelected lower-court judges have been steadily grabbing power for years. According to Harvard Law Review, there were 96 nationwide injunctions ordered by District Courts from 2001 to 2023. Two-thirds of them (64) were issued during President Donald Trump’s time in office. Furthermore, 92% of the injunctions against Trump were issued by judges appointed by Democratic presidents.

Since Jan. 20, lower courts have imposed 15 nationwide injunctions against the current Trump administration. This is compared to six during George W. Bush’s eight years, 12 during Barack Obama’s eight years and 14 during Joe Biden’s four-year term.

The notion that unelected lawyers can micromanage the executive branch — and override a commander in chief who received 77.3 million votes — should trouble every American.

Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez not sharing in our collective outrage? Is it because they knew it was happening all along and feel guilty that they did nothing to stop it?

Or maybe the real answer is that they are in on the swindle! This could explain how so many politicians spent their careers in Congress and retired as multimillionaires.

In other words, what is most revealing about the Washington slime that we are waking up to in real time thanks to DOGE is that waste and fraud are the currency of Washington. It pays the bills, and everyone in the swamp gets their cut. Remember: one-third of $7 trillion is the stuff of fortunes.

How else does one explain the $2.7 million that Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse allegedly directed/laundered to his wife via a nonprofit environmental group she worked for? This would clearly be graft, but it has gone unpunished.

We are living through the harrowing last scene in a Hollywood murder mystery in which you discover that the chief of police was in on it all along.

When confronted with the ocean of evidence of massive fraud In Washington, politicians reflexively change the subject to the rich “not paying their fair share of taxes.” Their solution to the culture of waste is to feed the beast with more money.

In reality, perhaps the greatest public service of the Musk-ateers is that they have taught voters that Washington should never get another penny of our tax dollars until the sewer is completely drained and the tens of thousands of fraudsters inside and outside of government are put out of business and hopefully behind bars.

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

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. 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

This is particularly troubling for issues of national defense and public safety. Around 500 B.C., SunT’zu asserted in “The Art of War” that “speed is the essence of war.” How can the United States have speed in national security issues if opponents can judge-shop to find someone ambitious or arrogant enough to block, repudiate or delay the president’s decisions?

There are 677 authorized district judgeships. How many think they can override duly elected presidents?

This summary statement has four propositions.

First, the courts have often been challenged. Jefferson wrote “judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions … would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy.”

President Andrew Jackson was in constant fights with the Supreme Court.

President Abraham Lincoln made the Dred Scott decision expanding slavery a centerpiece of his 1858 senatorial campaign. In his first inaugural, Lincoln warned that if the Supreme Court had supreme rule, “the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having to that extent practically resigned their Government into the hands of that eminent tribunal.”

Second, as the Judiciary Act of 1802 proves, the legislative and executive branches can constitutionally defend their rights — and they have in the past. It is historically and constitutionally wrong to think the legislative and executive branches are helpless against judiciary actions.

Third, the Supreme Court could intervene to eliminate this attack on the executive branch by district judges.

Chief Justice John Roberts could end the growing confrontation by establishing a rule that any nationwide injunction issued by a District Court against the executive branch would be suspended in implementation and immediately taken up by the Supreme Court. This would remedy the lengthy appeals process.

Fourth, Congress and the president can take decisive steps toward bringing the judiciary back into a constitutional framework.

There could be a series of hearings on the constitutional and historic framework which ensures no single branch of government can acquire dictatorial powers — specifically the judiciary in this committee.

These hearings would educate the members and the American people. They would create a national understanding of the need to defend the Constitution against overreaching branches of government.

I would also recommend that Congress pass Chairman Darrell Issa’s No Rogue Rulings Act, which is a good signal to the courts that they have gone too far.

Newt Gingrich served as Republican speaker of the House in Washington, D.C.

NATION & WORLD

Several North Carolina cities, towns and campuses had protests

By Dave Collins The Associated Press

CROWDS OF

PEOPLE

an-

gry about how President Donald Trump is running the country marched and rallied in scores of American cities Saturday in the biggest day of demonstrations yet by an opposition movement trying to regain momentum after the shock of the Republican’s first weeks in office.

So-called Hands Off! demonstrations were organized for more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists. The rallies appeared peaceful, with no immediate reports of arrests.

Thousands of protesters in cities dotting the nation from Midtown Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska, including in Raleigh and multiple other state capitols, assailed Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s actions on government downsizing, the economy, immigration and human rights. On the West Coast, in the shadow of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, protesters held signs with slogans like “Fight the oligarchy.” Protesters chanted as they took to the streets in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, where they marched from Pershing Square to City Hall.

Demonstrators voiced an-

Protestors hold up signs during a Hands Off! rally Saturday in Pittsboro, one of several across the state and nation.

ger over the administration’s moves to fire thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration field offices, effectively shutter entire agencies, deport immigrants, scale back protections for transgender people and cut funding for health programs.

Musk, a Trump adviser who runs Tesla, SpaceX and the social media platform X, has played a key role in the downsizing as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. He says he is saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

Asked about the protests, the White House said in a statement that “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare bene-

fits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign advocacy group, criticized the administration’s treatment of the LBGTQ+ community at the rally at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where Democratic members of Congress also took the stage.

“The attacks that we’re seeing, they’re not just political. They are personal, y’all,” Robinson said. “They’re trying to ban our books, they’re slashing HIV prevention funding, they’re criminalizing our doctors, our teachers, our families and our lives.”

“We don’t want this America, y’all,” Robinson added. “We want the America we deserve, where dignity, safety and freedom belong not to some of us, but to all of us.”

‘Hands Off!’ rallies against Trump, Musk held across US Ukraine, US to resume talks on mineral deal

Plans broke off in February following Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s White House visit

By Hanna Arhirova

The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine will send a team to Washington next week to begin negotiations on a new draft of a deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko told The Associated Press.

“The new draft agreement from the U.S. shows that the intention to create a fund or jointly invest remains,” Svyrydenko said Saturday during a trip to northern Ukraine.

The delegation from Kyiv will include representatives from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Finance.

The long-running negotiations over a mineral deal have strained relations between Kyiv and Washington. The two sides had been preparing in February to sign a framework agreement, but the plan was derailed following a contentious meeting in the Oval Office between U.S. Presi-

AID from page A1 (Wake), Pricey Harrison (Guilford), Monika Johnson-Hostler (Wake), Jordan Lopez (Mecklenburg), Marcia Morey (Durham) and Julie von Haefen (Wake). Before the final vote, Harrison was the only member to vote no on the passage of an amendment rewriting a line further defining the parties in the bill, specifically the removal of “legal resident” and addition of “United States national, or qualified alien.” The bill, as noted by Hastings, was prompted by incidents reported during FEMA’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The activity became known when now-former FEMA worker Marn’i Washington leaked a text from a supervisor telling

dent Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

After some Ukrainian lawmakers leaked the new draft, critics slammed it as little more than an attempt to strip Kyiv of control over its natural resources and infrastructure. According to the leaked document, the new draft includes rare-earth minerals, gas, and oil.

Ukraine holds significant deposits of more than 20 minerals deemed strategically critical by the U.S., including titanium, which is used to make aircraft wings; lithium, key to several battery technologies; and uranium, used in nuclear power.

Despite the disruption following the Oval Office meeting, Ukrainian officials showed interest in signing the framework deal at any time, seeing it as an important step to win the favor of Trump and shore up U.S. backing in the war against Russia.

After weeks of silence on the deal’s status, the U.S. sent a new draft to Kyiv, which goes further than the original framework.

It’s unclear why the U.S. chose to bypass the signing of the framework deal and instead moved forward with a more comprehensive draft agreement,

her and her colleagues to avoid engaging victims whose homes had Donald Trump political signs in their yards.

House Rules Committee Chairman Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), one of the bill’s primary sponsors, told North State Journal in March that there were incidents in North Carolina.

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

Diane Criswell, who headed up FEMA during the alleged incidents, resigned Jan. 20 just ahead of Trump taking office.

Before her resignation, Criswell was questioned by a Congressio-

In Boston, demonstrators brandished signs such as “Hands off our democracy” and “Hands off our Social Security.”

Mayor Michelle Wu said she does not want her children and others to live in a world in which threats and intimidation are government tactics and values like diversity and equality are under attack.

“I refuse to accept that they could grow up in a world where immigrants like their grandma and grandpa are automatically presumed to be criminals,” Wu said.

Roger Broom, 66, a retiree from Delaware County, Ohio, was one of hundreds who rallied at the Statehouse in Columbus. He said he used to be a Reagan Republican but has been turned off by Trump.

“He’s tearing this country apart,” Broom said. “It’s just an administration of grievances.”

Hundreds of people also demonstrated in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a few miles from Trump’s golf course in Jupiter, where he spent the morning at the club’s Senior Club Championship. People lined both sides of PGA Drive, encouraging cars to honk and chanting slogans against Trump.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, protesters said they were supporting a variety of causes, from Social Security and education to immigration and women’s reproductive rights.

“Regardless of your party, regardless of who you voted for, what’s going on today, what’s happening today is abhorrent,” said Britt Castillo, 35, of Charlotte. “It’s disgusting, and as broken as our current system might be, the way that the current administration is going about trying to fix things — it is not the way to do it. They’re not listening to the people.”

Construction vehicles operate at an ilmenite open pit mine in Kirovohrad, Ukraine, in February.

which would likely require ratification by Ukraine’s parliament.

However, Ukrainian officials have been cautious about commenting on the contents of the draft, stressing that it currently reflects only one side’s position.

“What we have now is a document that reflects the position of the U.S. Treasury legal team,” said Svyrydenko. “This is not a final version, it’s not a joint position.”

She said that Ukraine’s task is to assemble a technical team for negotiations, define its red lines and core principles, and send a delegation to Washington for

nal committee during a Nov. 19 hearing.

In a letter dated the same day of Criswell’s hearing, North Carolina’s Republican U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd released a letter they issued to her demanding numerous data points about FEMA’s activities in states hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton as well as “all relevant communications between Ms. Washington and her Survivor Assistance Team.”

“We demand answers, accountability, and transparency to hold your agency accountable to the American people and ensure that FEMA employees are providing support to all v ictims,” wrote Tillis and Budd.

The following day, on Nov. 20, Tillis appeared before the Sen-

Rubio: U.S. revoking visas held by South Sudanese Washington, D.C. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that the United States was revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, accusing the African nation’s government of “taking advantage of the United States.” Besides revoking visas, Rubio said the U.S. would “prevent further issuance to prevent entry into the United States by South Sudanese passport holders.” South Sudan’s political landscape is fragile and recent violence between government troops and armed opposition groups has escalated tensions. Last week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged regional and international leaders to prevent South Sudan from falling “over the abyss” into another civil war.

2 U.S. border inspectors charged with taking bribes San Diego Two U.S. border inspectors in Southern California have been charged with taking thousands of dollars in bribes to allow people to enter the country through the nation’s busiest port of entry without showing documents, prosecutors said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez were assigned to immigration inspection booths at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. They were charged after investigators found phone evidence showing exchanged messages with human traffickers in Mexico and discovered unexplained cash deposits in their bank accounts, according to a criminal complaint unsealed last week.

American awaiting trial in Russia hospitalized

Moscow

technical talks as early as next week.

“It’s clear that the full parameters of this agreement can’t be discussed online,” Svyrydenko said. “We need to sit down with the teams and continue the conversation in person.”

Legal, investment, and financial advisers are being selected, she said.

“This marks a new stage in relations with the United States — one that requires expertise across multiple areas,” she said. “Ultimately, everything will be decided through the course of negotiations.”

ate Appropriations Committee, urging them to expedite relief funds to the state. Tillis and Budd pressured former President Joe Biden again in January over expediting deployment of direct temporary housing for North Carolina citizens impacted by Hurricane Helene. Some North Carolina Helene victims struggled to receive aid under former Gov. Roy Cooper, who had not appointed a disaster recovery coordinator to engage FEMA and other federal aid officials. Buried in the middle of a March 9 Washington Post article, the outlet noted that N.C. Emergency Management Director William Wray confirmed that no coordinator had been assigned, telling the outlet that “officials decided to take a different approach.”

A U.S. citizen awaiting trial in Moscow has been forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital, Russian state media reported Sunday. Joseph Tater, 46, was arrested in August 2024 after being accused of assaulting a police officer during a confrontation with staff at an upmarket hotel in the Russian capital. A Moscow court agreed to admit Tater to a psychiatric hospital nonvoluntarily after a medical evaluation on March 15, Russian state news agency Tass reported. It said that doctors had described Tater as displaying signs of “tension, impulsivity, persecutory delusions, and lack of self-awareness regarding his condition.”

Le Pen supporters rally in France

Paris

Thousands of supporters gathered at Place Vauban in Paris, near the golden dome of Les Invalides and the tomb of Napoleon, for what was billed as a protest in support of French politician Marine Le Pen. The National Rally, Le Pen’s party, organized the event in response to her being found guilty of using European Parliament funds to pay party staff in France — a scheme the court described as “a democratic bypass.” She was sentenced to four years in prison, including two under house arrest and two suspended, and banned from public office for five years, effective immediately.

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

EFREM LUKATSKY / AP PHOTO

Chemical industry seeks exemptions from American pollution regulations

Lee Zeldin’s EPA has weakened enforcement of environmental laws

By Matthew Daly

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Industry groups representing hundreds of chemical and petrochemical manufacturers are seeking blanket exemptions from federal requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and benzene.

The request by the American Chemistry Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers comes as the Trump administration offers industry a chance for exemptions from rules imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has set up an electronic mailbox to allow regulated companies to request a two-year presidential exemption under the Clean Air Act to a host of Biden-era rules.

The chemistry council and the petrochemical group said in a letter Monday to the EPA that regulation of the chemical industry is supposed to be based on sound science and “reflect a reasonable assessment of the risks and benefits involved.”

“Unfortunately,” the groups wrote, an EPA rule on air pollution from stationary sources “undermines those important objectives and advances improper and significantly costly requirements on an unworkable timeline.”

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter last Friday.

Environmental

Costs for the rule’s risk-related requirements alone could exceed $50 billion, the groups said, “significantly more than the $1.8 billion for the full rule that EPA estimated at final publication” last year.

Environmental groups have denounced the administration’s offer to grant industry exemptions, calling the new email address a “polluters’ portal” that could allow hundreds of companies to evade laws meant to protect the environment and public health. Exemptions would be allowed for nine EPA rules issued under former President Joe Biden, including limits on mercury, ethylene oxide and other

“There is no basis in U.S. clean air laws — and in decency — for this absolute free pass to pollute.”

Vickie Patton, Environmental Defense Fund General council

hazardous air pollutants. Mercury exposure can cause brain damage, especially in children. Fetuses are vulnerable to birth defects via exposure in a mother’s womb.

US added 228K jobs in March

The health care industry added almost 54,000 jobs

By Paul Wiseman and Anne D’Innocenzio

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C., — U.S. employers added a surprising 228,000 jobs last month, showing that the American labor market was in solid shape as President Donald Trump embarked on a risky trade war with the rest of the world. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%.

The hiring numbers were up from 117,000 in February and were nearly double the 130,000 that economists had expected. Labor Department revisions shaved 48,000 jobs off January and February payrolls.

Workers’ average hourly earnings rose 0.3% from February, about what economists had expected. Compared to a year earlier, hourly pay was up 3.8%, a bit lower than the 4% forecast and nearing the 3.5% year-over-year gains that are consistent with the Federal Reserve’s 2% annual inflation target.

Health care companies added almost 54,000 jobs, while restaurants and bars added nearly 30,000 as the job market bounced back from bitter winter weather in January and February. The federal government lost 4,000, a sign that Elon Musk’s purge of the feder-

al workforce may only be starting to show up in the data. The unemployment rate rose modestly but for what economists consider a good reason: 232,000 people entered the labor force — which means they were either working or looking for work — though not all of them found jobs right away.

Economists say the jobs numbers provide a rearview mirror look at the economy and worry about damage going forward from his policies,

including the sweeping “Liberation Day’’ import taxes he announced last Wednesday.

The Dow Jones index plunged 1,000 points at the opening bell Friday after China announced retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. That followed a 1,600-point drop on the previous day.

“This could be the high-water mark as we go into spring,’’ said Diane Swonk, chief economist at the accounting giant KPMG. Economic uncertain-

The Environmental Defense Fund accused the chemical and petrochemical companies — which include giants such as ExxonMobil, Marathon Petroleum, Chevron, Dow and DuPont — of “hiding behind their associations to get a presidential exemption from pollution safeguards that keep our kids healthy and safe.”

New EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin “has opened a back door for hundreds of companies to avoid complying with reasonable limits on the most toxic forms of air pollution, and they’re rushing through it with no regard for the communities around them,’’ said Vickie Patton, the group’s general counsel.

Granting the exemption would be “a huge blow to American families who now must worry about their loved ones breathing dirtier air, their kids missing more school days because of asthma attacks and more cancer in their families,” Patton said. “There is no basis in U.S. clean air laws — and in decency — for this absolute free pass to pollute.”

EDF has filed a request under the federal Freedom of Information Act for all records related to the EPA portal — including the names of those seeking exemptions — and pledged to go to court to obtain the records if necessary and make them public.

The EPA’s offer to grant exemptions marks at least the third time Zeldin has moved to weaken enforcement of environmental laws since he took office less than two months ago. He previously announced a series

ty remains high, she said. “Do the tariffs hold? Does the trade war escalate? How disorderly do markets get? There’s a lot of things in play right now.’’

Other economic threats come from Trump’s firings of federal workers, the canceling of government contracts and his promise to deport millions of immigrants who are working in the United States illegally. In the past several years, those workers have eased labor shortages and helped the economy keep growing.

The job market has cooled from the red-hot hiring days of 2021-23. Employers added 117,000 jobs in February and 111,000 in January. That was down from monthly averages of 168,000 last year, 216,000 in 2023, 380,000 in 2022 and a record 603,000 in 2021 as the economy surged back from COVID-19 lockdowns.

“The market needed today’s number,” said Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management. “Everyone knows that economic weakness is coming, but at least we can be reassured that the labor market was robust coming into this policy-driven shock.’’

In 2022 and 2023, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times to combat inflation. Economists expected the higher borrowing costs to tip the United States into recession. But they didn’t — consumers kept spending, employers kept hiring and the economy kept growing.

Now there are increasing worries about the health of the economy. The University of Michigan’s consumer senti-

of actions to roll back landmark environmental regulations, including rules on pollution from coal-fired power plants, climate change and electric vehicles.

Zeldin also said he would push for a 65% spending cut at the agency and has moved to reduce EPA staffing drastically. The agency is considering a plan to eliminate its scientific research office and has sought to claw back $20 billion in “green bank” grants approved by the Biden administration to promote clean energy.

Use of presidential exemptions to EPA rule is rare, although Biden offered some last year after tightening emission standards for ethylene oxide from commercial facilities that sterilize medical equipment.

The EPA directed questions about the possible exemptions to the White House, noting that authority for any exemption rests with the president. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said no decisions have been made but said, “We can confirm President Trump’s commitment to unleashing American energy, protecting our national security interests and ensuring environmental stewardship.”

The chemistry council said in a statement Friday that its members “greatly appreciate the current administration’s willingness to offer a pathway for relief from the unrealistic timelines” set by the Biden administration.

“We look forward to working expeditiously with EPA throughout this process to develop appropriate, science-based requirements that help protect public health and safety without imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens on domestic manufacturers that would undermine our national security and American competitiveness,” the statement said.

ment survey last month showed that two-thirds of American consumers expected unemployment to rise over the next year — the highest reading in 16 years.

Jorge Marquez, who oversees training and job placement programs as chief impact officer at Goodwill Southern California, said that uncertainty about federal job and spending cuts and Trump’s trade wars has paralyzed hiring for managerial jobs. Policy, Marquez said, “keeps kind of flip-flopping. … Anything can happen now.’’ But he said that construction and hospitality firms still need entry-level workers. “They can’t bring them on fast enough,’’ said Marquez, who is also chairman of the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Jessica Bettencourt is CEO of Klem’s, a third-generation store in Spencer, Massachusetts, that sells everything from lawn and garden items to workwear and gifts, with about 70 workers. She said she’s going to pause hiring as she navigates the barrage of new tariffs. Her items are sourced all over the world, including China and Vietnam. Suppliers have already notified her of price increases, and Bettencourt expects that pace to accelerate. She sells U.S.made boots for nearly $400, compared with the $150 versions made outside the U.S. Prices from vendors may be volatile, Bettencourt said.

“I immediately emailed my staff and asked them to make sure to order more rolls of blank price labels,’’ she said. “It is going to be a long year.”

TAX from page A9

Texas. Their theory is that when people pay less in income taxes, they will have more money to spend, thus boosting sales tax collections.

The tax repeal “puts us in a rare class of elite, competitive states,” Reeves said in a statement. He added, “Mississippi has the potential to be a magnet for opportunity, for investment, for talent — and for families looking to build a better life.”

Mississippi is among the most impoverished states and relies heavily on federal funding. Democratic lawmakers warned

the state could face a financial crisis if cuts in federal funding come at the same time as state income tax reductions.

The income tax provides “a huge percentage of what the state brings in to fund things like schools and health care and services that everybody relies on,” said Neva Butkus, senior analyst at the nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

What has Kentucky done?

A 2022 Kentucky law reduced the state’s income tax rate and set a series of revenue-based trig-

gers that could gradually lower the tax to zero. But unlike in Mississippi, the triggers aren’t automatic. Rather, the Kentucky General Assembly must approve each additional decrease in the tax rate. That has led to a series of tax-cutting measures, including two new laws this year. One implements the next tax rate reduction from 4% to 3.5% starting in 2026. The second makes it easier to continue cutting the tax rate in the future by allowing smaller incremental reductions if revenue growth isn’t sufficient to trigger a 0.5 percentage point reduction.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed the legislation for next year’s tax cut but let the other measure passed by the Republican-led legislature become law without his signature. Beshear called it a “bait-and-switch” bill, contending lawmakers had assured the guardrails for income tax reductions would remain in place while pushing for the 2026 tax cut, then later in the session altered the triggers for future years.

What actions have other states taken?

New Hampshire and Ten-

nessee already did not tax income from wages and salaries, but both states had taxed certain types of income. In 2021, Tennessee ended an income tax on interest from bonds and stock dividends levied since 1929. New Hampshire halted its tax on interest and dividends at the start of this year. Some other states also are pushing to repeal income taxes. The Oklahoma House passed legislation in March that would gradually cut the personal income tax rate to zero if revenue growth benchmarks are met.

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO

Protection Agency director Lee Zeldin arrives before President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2.

ALEX SLITZ / AP PHOTO

Emory University student Priyanka Somani speaks with a representative of Sociallyn, a social media agency, during a Startup Student Connection job fair in Atlanta.

Wall Street could be headed for bear market; here’s what it means

Bears hibernate, so they represent a stock market that’s retreating

By Stan Choe and Alex Veiga

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Wall Street could soon be in the claws of another bear market as the Trump administration’s tariff blitz fuels fears that the added taxes on imported goods from around the world will sink the global economy.

The last bear market happened in 2022, but this decline feels more like the sudden, turbulent bear market of 2020, when the benchmark S&P 500 index tumbled 34% in a onemonth period, the shortest bear market ever.

A bear market is a term used by Wall Street when an index such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen 20% or more from a recent high for a sustained period of time.

Why use a bear to refer to a market slump? Bears hibernate, so they represent a stock market that’s retreating. In contrast, Wall Street’s nickname for a surging market is a bull market because bulls charge.

The S&P 500, Wall Street’s main barometer of health, closed 0.2% lower Monday after having been down by as much as 4.7%. It’s now 17.6% below the all-time high it set Feb. 19. The Dow industrials fell 0.9%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite, which already

was in a bear market, bounced back from an early slide to eke out a 0.1% gain.

The most recent bear market for the S&P 500 ran from Jan. 3 to Oct. 12 in 2022.

The trade war has ratcheted up fear and uncertainty on Wall Street over how businesses and consumers will respond.

President Donald Trump followed through on tariff threats last week by declaring a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States.

Global markets cratered the next day, and the sell-off deepened after China announced it would retaliate with tariffs equal to the ones from the U.S. Tariffs cause economic pain in part because they’re a tax paid by importers that often gets passed along to con-

sumers, adding to inflationary pressure. They also provoke trading partners into retaliating, which can hurt all economies involved.

Import taxes can also cause economic damage by complicating the decisions businesses have to make, including which suppliers to use, where to locate factories and what prices to charge. And that uncertainty can cause them to delay or cancel investments that help drive economic growth.

On average, bear markets have taken 13 months to go from peak to trough and 27 months to get back to breakeven since World War II. The S&P 500 index has fallen an average of 33% during bear markets in that time. The biggest decline since 1945 occurred in the 2007-09 bear market when the S&P 500 fell 57%.

History shows that the fast-

er an index enters a bear market, the shallower it tends to be. Historically, stocks have taken 251 days (8.3 months) to fall into a bear market. When the S&P 500 has fallen 20% at a faster clip, the index has averaged a loss of 28%.

The longest bear market lasted 61 months and ended in March 1942. It cut the index by 60%.

Generally, investors look for a 20% gain from a low point as well as sustained gains over at least a six-month period. It took less than three weeks for stocks to rise 20% from their low in March 2020.

If you need the money now or want to lock in the losses, selling could be wise. Otherwise, many advisers suggest riding through the ups and downs while remembering the swings are the price of admission for the stronger returns that stocks have provided over the long term.

While dumping stocks would stop the bleeding, it would also prevent potential gains. Many of the best days for Wall Street have occurred either during a bear market or just after one ended. That includes two separate days in the middle of the 2007-09 bear market when the S&P 500 surged roughly 11%, as well as leaps of better than 9% during and shortly after the monthlong 2020 bear market.

Advisers suggest putting money into stocks only if it will not be needed for several years. The S&P 500 has come back from every one of its prior bear markets to eventually rise to another all-time high.

US blocks South Korean salt farm imports

Taepyung has been accused of using slave labor

By Kim Tong-Hyung

The Associated Press

SEOUL South Korea — The United States has blocked imports of sea salt products from a major South Korean salt farm accused of using slave labor, becoming the first trade partner to take punitive action against a decadeslong problem on salt farms in remote islands off South Korea’s southwest coast.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a withhold release order against the Taepyung salt farm, saying information “reasonably indicates” the use of forced labor at the company in the island county of Sinan, where most of South Korea’s sea salt products are made.

Under the order issued last Wednesday, Customs personnel at all U.S. ports of entry are required to hold sea salt products sourced from the farm.

Taepyung is South Korea’s largest salt farm, producing about 16,000 tons of salt annually, which accounts for approximately 6% of the country’s total output, according to government data, and is a major supplier to South Korean food companies. The farm, located on Jeungdo island in Sinan and leasing most of its salt fields to tenants, has been repeatedly accused of using forced labor, including in 2014 and 2021.

South Korean officials stated that this was the first time a foreign government had suspended imports from a South Korean company due to concerns over forced labor.

In a statement to The Associated Press on Monday, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, have been taking steps to address labor practices at Taepyung since 2021. While not providing direct evidence, it said it assesses that none of the salt produced there now is sourced from forced labor. The minis-

try said it plans to “actively engage” in discussions with the U.S. officials. The fisheries ministry said it plans to promptly review the necessary measures to seek the lifting of the U.S. order.

The widespread slavery at Sinan’s salt farms was exposed in 2014 when dozens of slavery victims — most of them with disabilities — were rescued from the islands following an investigation by mainland police.

U.S. Customs said it identified several signs of forced labor during its investigation of Taepyung, including “abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, retention of identity documents, abusive living and working conditions, intimidation and threats, physical violence, debt bondage, withholding of wages, and excessive overtime.”

Lawyer Choi Jung Kyu, part of a group of attorneys and activists who petitioned U.S. Customs to act against Taepyung and other South Korean salt farms in 2022, expressed hope that the U.S. ban would increase pressure on South Ko -

rea to take more effective steps to eliminate the slavery.

“Since the exposure of the problem in 2014, the courts have recognized the legal responsibility of the national government and local governments, but forced labor among salt farm workers has not been eradicated,” Choi said. “Our hope is that the export ban would force companies to strengthen due diligence over supply chains and lead to the elimination of human rights violations.”

Choi’s law firm and other groups representing salt farm slavery victims issued a statement urging the South Korean government to take stronger action to prevent the ongoing abuse, including harsher punishments for trafficking and forced labor crimes. They also criticized the lack of support measures for victims, such as employment and housing assistance.

Most of the salt farm slaves rescued in 2014 had been lured to the islands to work by brokers hired by salt farm owners, who would beat them into long hours of hard labor and confine them at their houses for years

Chevron to pay more than $740M to restore La. coast Pointe À La Hache, La.

A Southeast Louisiana jury ruled oil company Chevron must pay more than $740 million to restore damage it caused to coastal wetlands following a landmark trial more than a decade in the making. Attorneys say the amount could exceed $1 billion when including interest.

The verdict reached in a Plaquemines Parish courthouse last Friday sets a precedent that could leave the world’s leading energy firms on the hook for billions of dollars in damages for their roles in accelerating land loss in the state.

Stellantis halts production at plants in Canada, Mexico

Auburn Hills, Mich. Automaker Stellantis is temporarily halting production at a plant in Canada and a plant in Mexico shortly after President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported vehicles. Canada imposed its own tariffs on U.S. vehicles as well. The Stellantis announcement will result in the temporary layoff of 900 U.S. employees.

Stellantis, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, will temporarily pause production at the Windsor assembly plant in Canada for the weeks of April 7 and April 14. Operations there will resume the week of April 21. The company will also pause production at the Toluca assembly plant in Mexico for the month of April.

Meta fined by Turkey for refusing to restrict content

Ankara, Turkey Facebook and Instagram owner Meta Platforms says it has been hit with a hefty fine for resisting Turkish government demands that it limit content. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has been trying to restrict opposition voices on social media after widespread protests erupted following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, who’s a key rival. Meta said it “pushed back on requests from the Turkish government to restrict content that is clearly in the public interest” and was fined as a consequence. The social media company did not disclose the fine’s amount except to say it was “substantial.”

Supreme Court sides with FDA over sweet vaping products

while providing little or no pay.

The slavery was revealed in early 2014 when two police officers from the capital, Seoul, disguised themselves as tourists to clandestinely rescue a victim who had been reported by his family as missing. One of the Seoul police officers told AP they went undercover because of concerns about collaboration between the island’s police and salt farm owners. Dozens of farm owners and job brokers were indicted, but no police or officials were punished despite allegations some knew about the slavery.

In 2019, South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that ordered the government to compensate three men who had been enslaved on salt farms in Sinan and the neighboring county of Wando, acknowledging that local officials and police failed to properly monitor their living and working conditions.

The salt farm slavery issue resurfaced in 2021 when around a dozen workers at Taepyung were discovered to have endured various labor abuses, including forced labor and wage theft.

Washington, D.C. The Campaign for Tobacco -Free Kids says the Supreme Court’s ruling for the Food and Drug Administration in its crackdown on sweet-flavored vaping products is “a major victory for the health of America’s kids.”

But the justices’ unanimous decision throwing out a federal appeals court ruling isn’t the final word in the case. The high court ruled the FDA didn’t violate federal law when it denied an application from Dallas-based Triton Distribution to sell e-juices like “Jimmy the Juice Man in Peachy Strawberry.”

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 4

Beginning Cash $2,676,515,534

Receipts (income) $177,623,694

Disbursements

$92,534,625 Cash Balance

$2,761,640,138

SETH WENIG / AP PHOTO

James Lamb works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Monday.

AHN YOUNG-JOON / AP PHOTO

A salt farm owner walks around his salt farm on Sinui Island, South Korea.

SOLUTIONS FROM LAST WEEK

SUDOKU

McDonald’s high school All-American Game, B3

DUKE COLLAPSES IN FINAL FOUR

Blue Devils blew a 14-point lead in the final minutes

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NHL

Ovechkin gets No. 895 to break NHL scoring record

Elmont, N.Y.

Alex Ovechkin scored his record breaking 895th career goal in the Washington Capitals’ loss to the New York Islanders on Sunday. Ovechkin scored on a power‑play shot 71/2 minutes into the second period, breaking a tie with Wayne Gretzky. The UBS Arena crowd — with a large contingent of Capitals fans — let out a large roar as Ovechkin took a few steps toward the blue line and dove on the ice with his teammates mobbing him.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Final Four average 15.3M viewers, biggest audience in 8 years

San Antonio

Saturday’s Final Four games averaged 15.3 million viewers on CBS, the most watched national semifinals in eight years. Houston’s 70 67 victory over Duke in the second game averaged 16 million viewers, making it the most watched game of this year’s March Madness. Florida’s 79 73 win over Auburn averaged 14.6 million.

ACC moving women’s basketball tournament from Greensboro to near Atlanta in 2026

Charlotte The ACC women’s basketball tournament will move to the Atlanta area in 2026. The tournament will be held at the 13,000 seat Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia, about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta. The decision to move the event followed an extensive bid process and evaluation by coaches and administrators. The tournament has been played in Greensboro for 25 of the past 26 seasons.

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

SAN ANTONIO — The Duke Blue Devils suffered a stunning collapse in Satur day’s national semifinal, losing to Houston, 70 67 “We were all in on bringing banner No. 6 back to Camer on,” said Sion James. “It hurts that we didn’t get the chance.” Duke led for nearly 35 min utes of the game and had its largest lead — 14 points — with 8:17 to play. That’s when the Blue Devils seemed to im plode, with a series of mis takes allowing the Cougars to score 25 of the game’s final 33 points to pull out a dramatic win.

The Blue Devils had three freshmen in their starting line up most of the season, but it was the veterans who seemed to allow Houston back into the game. When Duke took its 14 point lead, Houston responded with an LJ Cryer 3 pointer. As the ball went through the hoop, Duke’s Mason Gillis, getting into position to rebound, hit Houston’s Joseph Tugler in the face with his elbow. The play was ruled a technical foul

on Gillis, a graduate trans fer who went to the Final Four with Purdue last year. It gave the Cougars free throws and possession, which resulted in a Cryer jump shot and a six point Houston possession — all scored by Cryer. The play spurred a 10 0 C ougars run.

The Robeson County native has Houston at the top of the basketball world

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

SAN ANTONIO — It looks more like steel cage match than a basketball practice drill. How ever, it’s the way Kelvin Samp son opens each season — the loose ball drill.

Bristling over the fact that video of the drill made its way onto the internet, Sampson re luctantly explains the loose ball drill.

“It’s the first drill of the year,” he says. “Then I don’t do it any more. Because if something hap pens once, it could be an acci dent. Happens twice, it could be coincidence. If it happens three or more times, it can and should be a habit. As long as they’re do ing that naturally, I don’t need to do a drill. As a matter of fact, I don’t even like that drill. I don’t like doing drills. I’d rather them be like that anyway.”

Cryer finished with 26 points and hit 6 of 9 from 3.

“I think there’s a few plays that change momentum,” said Duke coach Jon Schey er. “That’s not ideal. But still, we’re up six. I keep going back — we’re up six with under a minute to go. … I don’t look at

It’s a drill with one rule. A coach rolls a ball onto the floor.

“Whoever gets it is on offense,” Sampson says. “Whoever does not get it is on defense.” Needless to say, you want to be on offense — desperately.

And players collide, dive and hit the ground as the ball bounces around.

one play at being the momen tum swinger by any means.” Perhaps looking to kill clock and protect their lead, the Blue Devils seemed less aggressive on offense down the stretch. Duke made just one field goal

See DUKE, page B3

When I blow the whistle, see how quick they get to it. Every thing is a competition.”

To say the Houston Cougars are built in Sampson’s image is putting it mildly. The tough est defensive team in the nation has been imbued with the fight ing spirit that carried Sampson from the Lumbee community in Robeson County to the high est level of the college basketball world.

Toughness runs in the family

Competing, fighting for ev erything and going places that make others uncomfortable has been part of Sampson’s DNA since his early days in North Carolina. He had a role model at home in his father and high school coach, John Sampson.

“Sometimes, I just do the drill with an individual against nobody, you know?” he says.

“Sometimes, I may just drop the ball, let it pitter patter to a stop.

“That would be the floor,” Sampson corrects a questioner. Not the ground. Usually, one player on each practice team competes in the drill, but Sampson has been known to change it up.

“My dad, when he was coach ing, and this is why he was my hero and I admired him so much, is that high school coach es in North Carolina in the ’60s and ’70s, ’80s, ’50s, you only had a nine‑month contract,” he says. “There was three months he had to hustle. He had to go find jobs.”

“I can tell you what his jobs were. He taught driver’s ed.

ERIC GAY / AP PHOTO

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson walks past the team’s locker room at the Final Four.

BRYNN ANDERSON / AP PHOTO Duke forward Cooper Flagg leaves the court after the Blue Devils’ loss against the Houston in the Final Four.

ERIC GAY / AP PHOTO

Houston’s Emanuel Sharp (21) and J’Wan Roberts (13) celebrate as Duke’s Sion James (14) sits on the floor after the national semifinals at the Final Four.

Hurricanes look for consistency away from home

Carolina has an NHL-high 30 home wins but a losing record on the road

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

RALEIGH — The Hurri canes can be forgiven for losing back t o ba ck games last week end in Detroit and Boston. The team is all but assured of fin ishing in second place in the Metropolitan Division and fac ing the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the playoffs, and coach Rod Brind’Amour has taken to resting his players who are playing through bumps and bruises — or trying to keep them from accumulating more.

That doesn’t change the fact Carolina is not the same team on the road as it is at home. The Hurricanes are 30 8 1 at Le novo Center, the most wins of any team in the NHL. Eight of their last nine games at home are wins.

The road hasn’t been so kind.

Carolina is 16 18 3 when on the road heading into Tues day’s game in Buffalo, the few est road wins of any Eastern Conference team currently in a playoff spot and ahead of only Los Angeles (15 19 5) across the entire league.

At home, the Hurricanes av erage 3.77 goals per game, third best in the NHL, and allow 2.41, the fifth best.

Both numbers are mark

edly different on visiting ice:

Goal production drops by more than one to 2.70 (19th), while goals against bloats to 3.00 (T 19th). Both are the worst in the Brind’Amour era. The team’s 15.7% power play on the road this season is the lowest of the last seven years — more than 5% lower than its 21.4% at home.

Leading scorers Sebas

tian Aho (16 goals, 42 points at home) and Seth Jarvis (24 goals, 42 points) both fall off on the road (12 goals, 28 points and 6 goals, 19 points, respectively).

While Frederik Anders en has been better on the road (8‑3‑0, .922 save percentage, 1.99 goals against average at home compared to 5 3 0, .902, 2.28 on the road), Pyotr Kochet kov goes from 18 4 1/.909/2.27 in Raleigh to 8 10 2/.887/2.91 in other cities.

So … what happens to the Hurricanes once they leave Raleigh?

“I think there’s pretty obvi ous reasoning,” Brind’Amour said after Monday’s practice.

The Hurricanes’ style is built on puck possession and de fense, and no one on the ros ter epitomizes that more than Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Sta al. When Carolina is at home, Brind’Amour gets final change to determine matchups. That means that even if a team has two top end scoring lines, each is getting a dose of Slavin or Staal. Sebastian Aho, Seth Jar

ing about that a fair amount.”

“I think trusting that game and sticking with that part of it, we’ll just create more chances and more offense and get some road wins.”

Jordan Staal, Hurricanes captain

vis and Jordan Martinook are also elite defenders, and the rest of the team also fits the style.

Staal, however, is a little more mystified by Carolina’s Jekyll and Hyde act.

“It’s kind of hard to put a finger on,” he said after Mon day’s practice. “I’ve been think

Staal said the team does feed off the home crowd and that it can be difficult to recreate that energy in an opposing team’s building.

“On the road,” he said, “I don’t think you get that same feel of the build from the fans,” he said. “And I think if we stick to our game of sending pucks in and creating chaos, you get that energy when we play that way.

… I think trusting that game and sticking with that part of it, we’ll just create more chances and more offense and get some road wins.”

This season mirrors how the Hurricanes have fared under Brind’Amour in the postseason.

The Hurricanes will have home ice advantage over the Devils in the first round, which should bode well for Caroli

Strong caps memorable freshman year with impressive championship performance

The N.C. native scored 24 points in the Huskies’ win over South Carolina

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

AT THE AGE OF 19, there’s not many things UConn fresh man and North Carolina native Sarah Strong hasn’t done in her basketball career.

In the Huskies’ 82 59 rout over South Carolina in the women’s national title game Sunday, Strong — the No. 1 ranked prospect in the class of 2024, last year’s Naismith High School Player of the Year, a McDonald’s, Naismith, SLAM and Jordan Brand All A mer ican, the 2023 and 2024 N.C. Miss Basketball and a two time Gatorade N.C. Player of the Year — added leading scorer in a championship game to her resume.

Strong tied with graduate Azzi Fudd, the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, for a team high 24 points in the ti tle clinching win. But it wasn’t just the scoring. Strong turned in a double double in the biggest game of her career, leading both teams in rebounds (15), assists (five) and blocks (three). She also broke the record for the most points scored by a freshman in the NCAA Tour nament (114), passing Tamika

DUKE from page B1

over the last 10 and a half min utes of the game, and players other than Cooper Flagg only attempted four shots over that stretch.

“Stay the course. Be us,” James said of the offensive game plan. “We knew they were going to tighten up on defense. We just had to execute. We didn’t.” Duke also didn’t execute at the other end of the floor.

“It was more just defense,” Tyrese Proctor said. “We had a lead, and if we just guard and don’t let them score, it’s gonna

Catchings who scored 111 at Ten nessee in 1998. “I feel like I did better than I was expecting,” Strong said. “I mean, it’s cool to score that. That wouldn’t happen without my teammates though.”

While Strong’s teammates, especially Paige Bueckers and Fudd, being established stars as sisted in her instant success, it’s arguably just as true that UConn wouldn’t be national champions without her.

As quiet and humble as Strong is, she’d probably never say it, but the games and stat lines made it loud and clear.

Strong was the Huskies’ sec

be hard for them to come back in the game.”

ond leading scorer this season, averaging 16.4 points per game. Standing at 6 feet, 2 inches, she also averaged nearly four more rebounds per game than UCo nn’s 6 foot 5 center Jana El Elfy.

It only took one game to see Strong had what it took to be a key piece for UConn. In her col lege debut against Boston Uni versity on Nov. 7, Strong made her impact felt in numerous ways, recording 17 points on a 67% shooting clip with six steals, four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes. “I didn’t know that it would happen that fast,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said about

“We just had to execute. We didn’t.”

Sion James, Duke guard

As Houston cut into the lead, the Cougars began pressing Duke full court, and the Blue Devils struggled to inbound the ball following Houston scores. James, another Duke grad transfer, turned the ball over on an inbounds with 5:30 left, al lowing Houston to cut Duke’s lead to four. James would have another turnover with 30 sec onds left that allowed the Cou gars to reduce Duke’s lead to a single point. Proctor had a rough game, shooting just 2 of 8 from the floor and missing all four of his 3 point attempts. His lost ba ll turnover with 1:39 left allowed Houston to trim the lead to six points. He also missed the front end of a one and one at the free‑throw line with 20 seconds left and Duke holding a one point lead. Flagg was whistled for a foul as players battled for the rebound, sending Houston to the line where J’Wan Roberts

“I saw her do some things that I hadn’t seen any kid that age do in a long, long, long time.”

Geno Auriemma on Strong in high school

Strong’s adjustment to college. “I thought it would take some time, but it clicked right from the very beginning.”

What solidified Strong as a pillar in the Huskies’ success, though, was her consistency.

After an impressive debut, she did it again. And again. And again.

Strong posted a single dig it scoring total just three times this season. She hit 20 points 15 times, including four times in the NCAA Tournament, and she re corded a season high 29 points against Iowa State on Dec. 17 be hind a season high five made 3s. Strong finished the year with 13 double doubles, notching four in UConn’s final six games.

“There was no doubt in my mind that we enter the NCAA Tournament, and I’m worried about, ‘Man, I hope she doesn’t act like a freshman,’” Auriemma said. “She hasn’t acted her age since I saw her in ninth and 10th grade.”

Did we forget to mention that

gave the Cougars their first lead since the 15:25 mark of the first half.

Even with all the ways Duke’s veterans let the Cougars back into the game, the Blue Devils still had a chance to hit a game winning shot, but Flagg’s short jumper missed the mark.

“I’ll take that every day,” said Scheyer. “Two (Flagg’s jer sey number) with the ball in his hands from 6 feet away. It just didn’t go in.” Flagg finished with 27 points, but he couldn’t add two more to that total with the game hang ing in the balance.

“It’s the play coach drew up,”

na if history is any indicator. Since Brind’Amour took over as coach, his team is 26 13 at home in the playoffs. The pen dulum swings the other way on the road — 12 23 away from Lenovo Center.

As the regular season winds down, the Hurricanes still have a chance of finishing with the second best record in the conference. A potential sec ond round matchup with the Capitals would be on Wash ington’s terms, but Carolina could potentially have home ice against any other team in the conference if the team finishes strong.

But to win in the playoffs, you have to be able to win away from home.

“Quieting the crowd,” Staal said, “is a fun thing to do on the road as well.”

she was a three time North Car olina Independent School Ath letic Association state champi on at Grace Christian School of Sanford?

Strong is a winner, and the signs of her becoming a star have always been right there.

Before UConn, she drew com parisons to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic — and even Mag ic Johnson from her high school coach — for her ability to do it all, whether that’s being a dom inant post presence or stepping out as a ball handler to create of fense and knock down 3s.

“I saw her do some things that I hadn’t seen any kid that age do in a long, long, long time,” Au riemma said.

She also has an impressive basketball upbringing. She’s the daughter of Allison Feaster, the Boston Celtics’ vice president of team operations and organiza tional growth who led 16th seed ed Harvard to a 71 67 upset over No. 1 Stanford in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, and former NC State basketball player Dan ny Strong. Both of her parents played professionally overseas.

To see where she’s come from and what she’s done already, nothing seems off the table when imagining what else she can do in her career.

In terms of titles, UConn’s dy nasty had been somewhat lost in the last decade. Although they’ve continued to be Final Four cali ber, there are eight seasons sep arating the Huskies’ last two championships.

After a historic freshman season, Strong, with a reloaded UConn squad, can further add to her resume by being the face of the resurgence.

Flagg said. “Took it into the paint. Thought I got my feet set, rose up. Left it short obviously. A shot I’m willing to live with in the scenario. I went up on the rim, trust the work that I’ve put in.” In the end, there were too many mistakes against a tough, veteran Houston team, and Duke left it short.

“I think, sure, you can look to that (Gillis) play,” Scheyer said. “We fouled them in the bonus. There’s a bunch of plays. But end of the day, you’re winning, you have the ball, and we came up empty twice with a missed free throw and then a turnover. We just have to finish the deal.”

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO

UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) pulls in a rebound against South Carolina during the second half of the national championship game.

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO

Forward Ryan McLeod (71) celebrates after scoring as Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) looks on during the Sabres’ 4-2 win Jan. 15 in Buffalo. Carolina was 16-18-3 this season on the road entering Tuesday’s rematch in Buffalo.

Local commits show out in McDonald’s All American games

Duke and UNC were represented by six players last week at Barclays Center

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

LAST WEEK, the McDon ald’s All American games were held at Barclays Center in New York, featuring the best high school boys’ and girls’ basket ball players from both America and Canada.

In both the boys’ and girls’ games, the West defeated the East, 105 92 and 104 82, re spectively.

While there were no local ly born players at the 2025 it eration, there were quite a few players who are committed to local universities, namely Duke and UNC, that played in the April 1 games.

Amongst the boys, there were four players at the tourna ment who are committed to one of the two in state blue bloods.

Two of the biggest names there were five star recruits and twin brothers Cameron and Cayden Boozer, who are committed to Duke.

The brothers are the sons of former Blue Devil and NBA All‑Star Carlos Boozer, who played at Duke from 1999‑2002 and then spent 15 seasons in the NBA.

Boozer was a four time ACC champion — MVP in 2002 — and won the NCAA Tourna ment with Blue Devils in 2001.

Cameron, a 6 foot 9 for ward, led the East in scoring with 16 points and shared MVP honors with the West’s leading scorer, Kansas commit Darryn Peterson.

Cameron Boozer shot 6 for 12

from the field and had a dou ble double with 12 rebounds in 23:33 of game time.

Cayden, a 6 foot 4 g uard, had six points, shooting 3 for 4 with one rebound, four assists and two steals in 16:06 of game time.

“It’s a blessing,” Cayden Boozer told ESPN when he was first selected as a McDonald’s All American. “It’s something we’ve been thinking about since we were little kids. Just being able to be a part of this game and the whole thing with Mc Donald’s is a blessing that I can’t explain, but I’m so thank ful to be a part of.”

“Not too many people get this opportunity.”

Nyla Brooks, UNC commit

Wilson had a bit of a tough showing, going 0 for 4 from the field with six rebounds and one assist in 20:12 of game time. He was also the only player on the West to finish with a negative plus/minus differential (minus 1). On the girls side, there were two players with North Caroli na connections: Duke commit Emilee Skinner, a 6 foot guard from Utah, and UNC commit Nyla Brooks, a 6 foot 1 w ing from Virginia.

Skinner, who played for the West, finished the game with eight points on 3 for 5 shooting with five rebounds, seven as sists and three steals in 18:13 of game time.

“(Being a McDonald’s All American) means a lot just be cause of all the work that I put in with my teammates and ev erything,” Skinner said last Monday. “So it means a lot, and I’m really grateful to be here.”

Brooks, who played for the East, finished the game with 11 points on 5 for 11 shooting with four rebounds, one assist and one steal.

“It’s an honor, a blessing,” Brooks said. “Not too many peo ple get this opportunity and it’s a great one, especially for me be cause just with all the hard work I’ve put in and the fact that I’ve been grinding since I was a lit tle kid. It just represents all the hard work I’ve been doing.”

Both girls also spoke about the excitement on their oppor tunities to be coming in and playing for two burgeoning women’s basketball programs in the Triangle.

The third Duke commit was 6 foot 8 forward Niko las Khamenia from California, who had seven points on 3 for‑5 shooting with seven rebounds and three assists in 15:45 of game time. He also led the West in plus minus (plus 15).

All American is a huge thing,” Wilson said during Monday’s pregame press conference. “I feel like it’s the beginning of the next step. I’ve been dream ing about this since I was a lit tle kid, and I feel like it’s a great accomplishment. But you know, I’m always ready for the next thing.

The lone UNC commit at the tournament was 6 ‑foot 9 forward Caleb Wilson from Georgia.

“For me, being a McDonald’s

“I feel like at the next level — college and also the NBA — it’s very important to be able to do a lot of things on the court. When you come to the NBA as a rookie, you’re often the big gest scorer as they already have franchise players, so you have to find ways to impact the game in other ways.”

Flagg impresses new Hall of Famers

Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and Billy Donovan think the Duke freshman will excel in the NBA

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

SAN ANTONIO — The Na

ismith Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled its class of 2025 at the Final Four in San Antonio. With the national semifinal games tipping off later in the day, the topic of conversation with the new Hall of Famers eventually turned to the teams that would be playing for the title, as well as to the best player in college basketball this season, Cooper Flagg.

Carmelo Anthony:

One seat left at the table

In 2003, with Syracuse, Car melo Anthony did what Cooper Flagg is attempted to do — car ry his team to a national title as a freshman. Flagg’s dominant season has drawn comparison’s to Anthony’s 2003 tournament performance.

“I think what we’re seeing with Cooper has some similarities to the run I had,” Anthony said. College basketball has gone through significant changes since Anthony’s year at that level,

SAMPSON from page B1

He sold Lincoln life insurance. He sold World Book Encyclo pedia, which was Google be fore cell phones. My mother used to make us read that so we’d do good on the SAT. The fourth thing, he worked at to bacco markets in Lumberton. We were from this little country town called Pembroke. I learned a lot from him. During those days, during segregation, like tobacco markets were differ ent. Three different bathrooms, white, colored and other. That was it. That’s where he worked. He would take me to work with him. All of a sudden when I

so the two players can’t be com pared apples to apples.

“We were playing just for fun,” he said, “and we were happy to be there, and we were happy go lucky kids. Now, it’s a real busi ness. You were coming to school to go to the national champion ship. Now you’re going to the best situation, which is totally differ ent.”

As for Flagg’s game on the court, Anthony has no notes.

“I think what we’ve seen from Cooper from a skill set stand point, I don’t think we’ve seen it

got older, I had a job with him.

“Those three months I prob ably learned more from him in those three months than I did in the other nine months. You got a family. You got to feed your fam ily. That’s your job. Coach all you want, but you got to take care of your family.”

From obscurity to oblivion

That’s what took Sampson to Montana Tech, where he went 7 20 his first season (Sampson exaggerates slightly, declaring his record to be 4 22), 0 15 in the Frontier Conference.

“(Longtime Michigan State coach) Jud Heathcote called me

in a long time — somebody who can control the game and de mand the game in a way he can from all aspects, from rebound ing, from weak side, blocked shots to defense closing out. And he can get a bucket, too. So that adds a little bit more to your game.

“I just love watching him as a player. I said this the other day: If he can go get this championship, then he sits at that small table at Duke University. There’s one more seat left, and he has the op portunity to go pull that seat up.”

“It’s not for everybody, but it is for the ones that are here.”

Kelvin Sampson

up the day after that season end ed. Jud calls up and said, ‘Hey, Kel, I just want to congratulate you. You’re the only coach in cap tivity that possibly could have taken Montana Tech from ob scurity to oblivion. Got to go, Kel.’ True story.” It didn’t take long for Samp son to lift the program out of the depths of oblivion, however. He

“I just love watching him as a player.”

Carmelo Anthony

Anthony believes Flagg’s game translates to the NBA level.

“He’s already making the im pact,” he said. “In college, guys are 26, 27, now. It’s not like you’re playing against 17 year‑olds. You’re playing against grown men in college. He had an oppor tunity to play against the USA Team in practice. You get that ex perience at 17, 18 years old. I just hope we give him some grace. Give him some time to develop, a couple years.”

Billy Donovan: He has the right mindset

Current Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan knows a thing or two about making the transition from college to the pros. He won back to back NCAA champion ships at Florida before moving on to the NBA.

“I think the game’s changed so much because of what Car melo said,” Donovan said. “A lot of these guys are older now. Guys are staying in college longer be cause of the NIL and the oppor tunity to earn money.”

strung together three straight 22 w in seasons, then moved on to Washington State. He would move on to Oklahoma and Indi ana before arriving at Houston, and at the doorstep of a nation al title with back to back Final Four appearances.

Still, as far as Kelvin Sampson has come, he hasn’t forgotten his North Carolina roots, or his fa ther, who planted them.

“He was inducted into the North Carolina High School Coaches Hall of Fame. I don’t re member the year. I was coach ing at Oklahoma. I remember flying in for it,” he says. “I real ized the same year he was in ducted, David Thompson’s high

“I feel like me coming in as a freshman next year, I just want to make an impact and play for Coach (Courtney) Banghart and just do everything I can to get on the floor and be the best team mate I can be,’ Brooks said.

“Duke had a great year this year, and just watching them play makes me excited for what I can build and bring to the program in the next few years,” Skinner said. “I’m just really excited to play for Coach Kara [Lawson] and with the girls.”

While Anthony focused on Flagg’s skills, Donovan was im pressed with the freshman’s ap proach to the game.

“I’ve watched him,” he said. “The one thing that stands out to me, besides the skill level, is the tenacity, the toughness, the competitiveness. I was in col lege a long time. These guys (in the NBA) have a different mind set competitively. If you don’t have that mindset, it’s really, re ally hard to survive up there as a player. He appears to have that kind of mindset. That’s going to serve him well. He’ll get better in skill development. … I think, be cause of Cooper’s competitive ness and leaning into stuff and the physicality, that’s going to serve him well as his skill level continues to grow and develop.”

Dwight Howard: Looking forward to seeing him thrive

Center Dwight Howard didn’t have the experience Flagg is go ing through right now. He went directly to the NBA from high school, without the one‑and do ne year that current rules man date. Howard seems to think the season at Duke will help Flagg.

“I’ve had a few chances to watch him, and I think he’s an awesome young player,” he said. “Coming into the NBA at a very young age could be very difficult. I think his time at Duke, the way the staff has helped him grow as a player and a person, he’s going to be great in the NBA. I’m look ing forward to seeing him thrive.”

school coach in Shelby and Dominique Wilkins’ high school coach in Little Washington and John Willie Sampson from little old Pembroke. I said, ‘You know, the coach from Shelby Crest’s best player was David Thomp son. Coach from Little Washing ton’s best player was Dominique Wilkins. One of (dad’s) best play ers was me. That probably tells you why he got in the Hall of Fame.”

That, and the toughess that has players throwing themselves on the ground—floor—more than a half century later.

“It’s not for everybody,” Samp son says of his drill, “but it is for the ones that are here.”

JASON DECROW / AP CONTENT SERVICES

Cameron Boozer, of Christopher Columbus High School in California, who has committed to Duke next year, takes questions during the McDonald’s All American games media day.

DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP PHOTO

Dwight Howard, left, laughs with coach Billy Donovan, right, during the Naismith Hall Fame Class of 2025 inductee news conference at the Final Four.

NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE

State of North Carolina County of Cumberland

In the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division Estate File #25E000489-250 Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Carrie Canady, 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 10th day of July, 2025. Derek Townsend 5215 Foxfire Rd Fayetteville, NC 28303 Of the Estate of Carrie Canady, Deceased

Administrator’s Notice to Creditors STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000371-250

The undersigned having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Amos Avuve Ajo, 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 3rd day of July, 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 3rd day of April, 2025, Administrator, Donna Marie Ajo Address: 3910 Broookgreen Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28304 Of the Estate of Amos Avuve Ajo, Deceased 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, CoExecutor, 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 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 21st day of March, 2025. Douglas Patrick Bullard Executor for the Estate of Thaddeus Roscoe Bullard, deceased. 3228 Polly Island Rd. Autryville, NC 28318

Administrator’s Executor Notice in General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E000507-250 State of North Carolina 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

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

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

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 25-E-000353-250

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Charlotte Ann Ivey, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of June, 2025. (Which date is three months after the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 14th day of March, 2025.

Melinda A. Stephens, Executor of the Estate of Charlotte Ann Ivey 3220 Cove Lake Road SE Hampton Cove, Alabama, 35763 Cu

Executor’s Notice

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE 25-E-000284-250

State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Ruby Cooper Jackson, 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 4338 Macedonia Church Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28312 on or before July 3, 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 3rd day of April, 2025. Sandra Faye Jackson Bradshaw Executor of the Estate of Ruby Cooper Jackson, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 04/03/2025, 04/10/2025, 04/17/2025 and 04/24/2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF HARVEY CLARKE MCKINLEY JENKINS, SR. CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24E001350-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Harvey Clarke McKinley Jenkins, Sr., deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Harvil Cwame Jenkins, Executor, at 12129 Ten penny Lane, Lusby, MD 20657, on or before the 21st day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 13th day of March, 2025. Harvil Cwame Jenkins Executor of the Estate of Harvey Clarke McKinley Jenkins, Sr. Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, 2025

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File #25E000484-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Minnie P. Keyes, 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 10th day of July, 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 10th day of April, 2025. Felix Maurice Keyes Executor 993 Kingscote Drive Fayetteville, NC 28314 Of the Estate of Minnie P. Keyes, Deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court

Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division

Estate File # 25E000360-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as executor of the estate of Alice Faye Kiley, 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 10th day of July, 2025, (which 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 1st day of April, 2025

Lisa Lampkins Administrator/Executor 207 Peachtree St. Address Fayetteville, NC 28305 City, State, Zip Of the estate of Alice Faye Kiley , Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF VIRGINIA LLOYD

CUMBERLAND County

Estate File No. 25E000169-250

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Virginia Lloyd, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Danielle Lafferty, 1906 Gables Lane, Vienna VA 22182; Jacqueline Tanenbaum, 17912 Bunker Hill Rd., Parkton, MD 21120; and Kristen Lloyd, 7709 Prospector Pl., Raleigh, NC 27615, Co-Executors, on or before the 21st day of June, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the CoExecutors named above. This the 17th day of March, 2025. Danielle Lafferty, Jacqueline Tanenbaum, Kristen Lloyd Co- Executors of the Estate of Virginia Lloyd Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, 2025

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

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Estate File # 25E000422-250

ESTATE OF: Leo D. Prevost, Jr. EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Leo D. Prevost, Jr., 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, July 12, 2025, (which date is three months after the date of the first publication or posting 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 Notice is given pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 28A-14-1. This 10th Day of April, 2025. Dennis Prevost, Executor P.O. Box 6573 New Orleans, LA 70131 Of the Estate of Leo D. Prevost, Jr., Deceased

NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division, Estate file #25E000352-250, state of North Carilina, Cumberland County. Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Janie McDaris, late of Cumberland 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 at 1107 Legend Creek Dr.,Hope Mills, NC 28348 on or before July 3,2025, 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. Dated this 28th date of March 2025. Don McDaris, 1107 Legend Creek Dr., Hope Mills, NC 28348.

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Shanna Mcclurkin of the Estate of Joann Mcclurkin, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and Corporation having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day July, 2025.(which date three months after the day of 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 10th day of April in the year 2025

Shanna Mcclurkin Administrator/Executor 937 Brookridge Fayetteville,NC 28314 Address Fayetteville, NC 28314 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Joann Mcclurkin ,Deceased

NOTICE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000122-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Verdell McCall, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the

of Jo-Ann McLean Capps, 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 3rd day of July, 2025 (which 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.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000456-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Hugh Edward Smith Executor’s NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Hugh Edward Smith, 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 10th day of July, 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 10th day of April, 2025. Terri Pettigrew 115 Glenn Oak Dr, Sanford, NC 27332, Executor of the estate of Hugh Edward Smith, deceased February 08, 2025.

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Joyce Ann Williams, 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 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 of Joyce Ann Williams, deceased.

NOTICE

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

COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Claire Daughtry, having qualified on the 18th day of February 2025, as Executor of the Estate of Mary S. Daughtry (2025E-001240-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 7th day of July, 2025, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 3rd day of April 2025. Claire Daughtry Executor ESTATE OF MARY S. DAUGHTRY

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Andrew T. Fairbanks, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Marjorie A. Fairbanks (25E001183-640), deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned on or before the 3rd day of July, 2025, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned. This 3rd day of April, 2025. Andrew T. Fairbanks Executor, ESTATE OF Marjorie A. Fairbanks 133 Trombay Dr. Wilmington, NC 28412

Publish: April 3, 2025 April 10, 2025 April 17, 2025 April 24, 2025

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, HEATHER LANDRETH, having qualified as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of KAREN L. HAGEN, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said HEATHER LANDRETH, at the address set out below, on or before July 5, 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 26th day of March. HEATHER LANDRETH EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF KAREN L. HAGEN c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY 22 SP 582

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James Robbins and Debbie Robbins, in the original amount of $325,000.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Cityworth Mortgage, LLC, dated January 23, 2019 and recorded on January 24, 2019 in Book 13347, Page 0311, Cabarrus County Registry.

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

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

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

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

201 Kuyrkendall Place Long Beach, MS 39560 March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 2025 File Number: 25E001335-640

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland

Superior Court Division Estate File #25E000540-250

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor in the Estate of Freddie L Thompson, 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 11th day of July, 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 7th day of April, 2025. George D Thompson, Administrator/Executor 967 Demeter Lane Hope Mills, NC 28348 Of the Estate of Freddie L Thompson, deceased

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

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

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25E001443-640

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Dennis Gene Reed, Senior, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of Dennis Gene Reed, Senior to present them to the undersigned on or before the 3rd day of July, 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 3rd day of April 2025. Deborah Reed Smith 6115 Myrtle Grove Road Wilmington, NC 28409 Executor of the Estate of Dennis Gene Reed, Senior.

County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on April 24, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 51, Glengrove, Phase 2, Phase 4, as the same is shown on a map thereof, recorded in Map Book 47, Page 82, Cabarrus County Public Registry.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 3603 Grove Creek Pond Drive SW, Concord, NC 28027. Tax ID: 5518 35 2548 0000 Third party purchasers must pay the recording cost of the Substitute Trustee’s Deed, any land transfer taxes and the

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

ORANGE

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

RANDOLPH

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as executor on the estate of Horace Clenon Coleman , deceased , late of Randolph County , North Carolina , this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit to them to the undersigned at 4371 Willow Grove Trail , Asheboro NC 27205 on or before the 10th day of July, 2025 , or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment . This 2nd day of April 2025 . Steve Coleman Executor of the estate of Horace Clenon Coleman

WAKE

Notice to Creditors

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of EVA MARGARETE KIEHL, aka, EVA KIEHL, late of Wake County, North Carolina (25E000833-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of July, 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 3rd day of April 2025. Gina Buffoleno Executor Estate of Eva Margarete Kiehl, aka, Eva Kiehl c/o Lisa M. Schreiner

Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

(For publication: 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24/2025) NOTICE OF SERVICE OF

excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the

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

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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

FILE NUMBER: 23 SP 949

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by MAURICE E. DINKINS payable to CERTAINTY HOME LOANS, LLC., lender, to ALLAN B. POLUNSKY, Trustee, dated June 2, 2022, and recorded in Book 11492, Page 0815 of the Cumberland County Public Registry by Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Cumberland County, North Carolina, in Book 11807, Page 601, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 11:00am, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25sp000077-250

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CAROLYN E. KENNINGS AND JEFFREY T. KENNINGS DATED MARCH 30, 2001 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5442 AT PAGE 181 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

25SP000130-250

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Lisa Herzog and James Hull (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Lisa Herzog and James Hull) to Ashish G. Lakhiani, Trustee(s), dated September 13, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 11572, at Page 0207 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales,

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 25 CVS 001765-250 NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Plaintiff, v. UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS/TENANTS of 3638 Golfview Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28348 Defendants.

57 minutes West 86.54 feet to an iron pipe at the northeast corner of that triangle of land conveyed to William F. Faulkner and wife, Julia N. Faulkner by deed recorded in Book 2884, Page 843; thence continuing with said road margin South 33 degrees 59 minutes West 14.89 feet to an iron pipe at the southeastern corner of same said triangle of land; thence along the southern line of said land and beyond North 63 degrees 03 minutes West 155.00 feet to an iron pipe at the northwestern corner of that triangle of land conveyed to H. T. Elmore and wife, Retha G. Elmore by deed recorded in Book 2884, Page 844; thence North 15 degrees 49 minutes East 129.37 feet to an iron pipe at the southwestern corner of the aforementioned Lot No. 6; thence along the southern line of said Lot No. 6 South 55 degrees 16 minutes East 192.62 feet to the point of beginning containing 0.45 acres and being a portion of Lot No. 5 in the aforementioned subdivision recorded

estate situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 0408-44-8619 ADDRESS: 311 BIGHORN DR., FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): MAURICE E. DINKINS THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 11492, PAGE 0815 AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 850, SECTION EIGHTEEN, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS PONDEROSA, ACCORDING TO A PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 37, PAGE 19, CUMBERLAND 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

sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 10:30AM on April 14, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Carolyn E. Kennings and Jeffrey T. Kennings, dated March 30, 2001 to secure the original principal amount of $117,600.00, and recorded in Book 5442 at Page 181 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 6591 Barley Hill Court, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax Parcel ID: 9497-71-3401 Present Record Owners: Jeffrey T. Kennings and Carolyn E. Kennings and Cathi L. Kennings The record owner(s) of the property,

at 12:00 PM on April 21, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 92, in a subdivision known as Village Hills, Section One, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 49, Page 26, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7000 Bostick Court, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Parcel ID: 9477-92-9243

Property Address: 7000 Bostick Court, Fayetteville, NC 28314

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

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION TO: UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS/TENANTS of 3638 Golfview Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28348

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: The Plaintiff in the above entitled action has filed with the Clerk of Superior Court’s office of Cumberland County, North Carolina, a civil action

of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the

of the

in the above-referenced

in Plat Book 28, Page 70 and all of that land conveyed to William F. Faulkner and wife, Julia N. Faulkner by deed recorded in Book 2884, Page 843, and also being a portion of that land conveyed to William F. Faulkner and wife, Julia N. Faulkner by deed recorded in Book 1058, Page 341 of the Cumberland County Registry.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4624 Legion Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

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 Terry L. Haskins and Tara M. Haskins.

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

IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jeffrey T. Kennings and Carolyn E. Kennings and Cathi L. Kennings. 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

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

concerning one parcel of real property located at 3638 Golfview Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348. You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than May 13, 2025 (40 days from date of first publication) and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. This the ___ day of ________________, 2025. HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP By: _______________________________

Lenalan Dr, Lexington, NC 27295

Tax Parcel ID: 14-006-E-000-0006

debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Davidson County courthouse at 11:00 AM on April 14, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Christopher Michael Hurtle, dated November 17, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $177,553.00, and recorded in Book No. 2626, at Page 2029 of the Davidson 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: 306

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Christopher Michael Hurtle.

from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed

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

Pursuant

of

Substitute

Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 24-11811-FC01

Claire Collins Dickerhoff State Bar Number: 44306 Post Office Box 2505 Fayetteville, NC 28302 Telephone: (910) 864-6888 Facsimile: (910) 864-6848 Claire.dickerhoff@hutchenslawfirm.com

Attorney for Plaintiff Dates of Publication: April 3, 2025, April 10, 2025 and April 17, 2025 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the

DAVIDSON

in

,

of the promissory note secured by the

Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having

Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on April 23, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Lexington in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that Certain Property situated in the County of Davidson and State of North Carolina. Being more fully described in a Deed Dated 08/22/1988 and recorded 08/22/1988, among the Land Records of the County and State set forth above, in Deed Volume 691 and Page 664. Tax Map or Parcel ID No: 1132300000038. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1971 City Lake Road, Lexington, 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,

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 15, 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 6, Sherron Road Tract Phase 3, aka Sherron Farms Subdivision as shown on that map recorded in Plat Book 195, Page 209, Durham County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 623 Hiddenbrook Drive, 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

the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will

for sale at public auction at the

place of sale at the Forsyth County courthouse at 10:00 AM on April 15, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James Robert Williams; Amanda Williams, dated July 14, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $208,587.00, and recorded in Book No. 3763, at Page 1376 of the Forsyth County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

of the

debt and failure to

Address of property: 3170 Anderson Drive, Winston Salem, NC 27127

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

Tax Parcel ID: 6834-30-1827.000

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are James Robert Williams and Amanda 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. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no

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

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One

26, 2022, and recorded in Book No. RE 3716, at Page 2430 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on April 23, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Kernersville in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: ALL that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of, Kernersville Township, Forsyth County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEING known and designated as Lot Number 13 of ‘ASHLEY PARK’ as shown on a map recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, in Plat Book 30 at Page 133, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6017 Ashley Park Drive, Kernersville, North Carolina.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24 SP 657 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a

dated December 14, 2020, and recorded in Book No. RE 3573, at Page 1630 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on September 28, 2023, in Book No. 3775, at Page 187, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be

foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on April 16, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being known as Lots 28, 29, and 30 of Greenbriar Estates, Section 3, as recorded in Plat Book 21, Page 187, in the office of the Forsyth County Register of Deeds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 610 Hillsboro Drive, Winston-Salem, 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

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

required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes

N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to

in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Parcel ID: 5892-93-9958.00

Commonly known as 5842 Sunny Ridge Trail, Clemmons, NC 27012 However, by showing this address no additional coverage is provided.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided

the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on April 16, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Clemmons in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The Land referred to herein below is situated in the County of Forsyth, State of North Carolina, and is described as follows: BEING known and designated as Lot 116, as shown on the Plat of Rivergate, Phase I, as recorded in Plat Book 49, Page(s) 180181, in the office of the register of deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5842 Sunny Ridge Trail, Clemmons, North Carolina.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to,

FORSYTH

DURHAM

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

NC awards top teaching candidates

happened in late March. County detectives have charged James Marvin McKinney, 36, and Ronald Wayne McMahan, 60, both from Marion. McKinney received his charge after a report on March 24 in North Cove where 600 feet of active phone and internet lines were cut and stolen from a creek bed, the sheriff’s office said. Frontier Communications reported $5,000 worth of fiber-optic cable cut and stolen from Old Greenlee Road on March 28. The sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at McMahan’s home and found evidence linking him to the crime. Public utility lines are not public property, even if they are hanging or on the ground, the sheriff’s office said. There are many downed lines in McDowell County because of Helene, but those lines can still be active.

WLOS

Woman charged with ramming vehicle into courthouse

Davidson County A woman has been charged after allegedly ramming into a Triad courthouse. According to the Lexington Police Department, they were called last Thursday about a crash at the courthouse. Police determined that Lisa Vicente, 60, “willingly and purposely” drove her vehicle into the courthouse. She was charged with damage to real property, reckless driving and defacing a public building. She was given no bond.

WGHP

Charlotte teacher allegedly sent inappropriate messages to student

Mecklenburg County

A Harding University High School teacher was arrested after allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a student, according to the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department.

Last Friday, a school resource officer reported inappropriate messages sent to a student. CMPD’s Sexual Assault Unit responded to the school and identified Adrian Lewis, a teacher with CMS since 2023, as the suspect during the investigation. He was booked under a $25,000 bond. QUEEN CITY NEWS

Winston-Salem-based Texas Pete issues recall

Two varieties of Texas Pete hot sauces have been recalled in 10 states over issues with bottling and labeling, the T.W. Garner Food Company has announced. The company issued a recall for certain bottles of its Texas Pete Habanero Buffalo Sauce and Texas Pete Sweet Chabanero Sauce last Thursday. The Winston-Salembased company said inspectors had discovered that some bottles of the Habanero Buffalo may instead contain a sriracha pepper sauce, which contains sulfites not disclosed on the Habanero Buffalo label. “People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the T.W. Garner Foods Company release reads. The Sweet Chabanero sauce, meanwhile, was recalled because one of its ingredients — specifically “aged peppers (red habanero peppers, salt, vinegar)” — was left off the label.

NSJ

EAST

Wanted ENC drug dealers apprehended in bust

Beaufort County

Three men were arrested after the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Unit searched homes in Chocowinity and Aurora last week. The office assisted the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office with these warrants to target fentanyl dealers in the two counties. As a result, deputies seized distributable amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, more than $13,000 in cash and three guns, one of which was reported stolen from a Beaufort County home in 2021.

WNCT

Swift Water Rescue Facility receives 6 training vehicles Cumberland County The Fayetteville Technical Community College Swift Water Rescue Training Facility has received six vehicles donated by Geico and Liberty Mutual. Fayetteville Tech automotive collision students retrofitted the vehicles for underwater rescue training

Shelley Lake bald eagles become parents again

Wake County

According to local outlets, a pair of bald eagles at Shelley Lake Park in Raleigh are new parents again. The eagles, named Raleigh and Shelley, have been coming to the park in north Raleigh for nearly 10 years. Wildlife officials say the two eaglets hatched in early March, which makes the baby birds almost a month old as of the first weekend of April. Breeding bald eagles typically lay one to three eggs once a year, with the eggs hatching after about 35 days, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The young eagles will be flying within three months of age and will continue to use their nest as a home base for an additional four to six weeks. The bald eagle was once an endangered and threatened species but in 2007 was removed from those lists as populations of the bird increased across the country.

PIEDMONT

Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover)

HANNAH SCHOENBAUM / AP PHOTO

State Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover), pictured in 2023, was named new Senate majority leader, succeeding Paul Newton.

The right of the people peaceably to assemble

Protesters gathered at the Chatham County Justice Center in Pittsboro on Saturday as part of nationwide “Hands

demonstrations against Trump administration policies.

the BRIEF this week

Judge restores AP’s access to White House events

Washington, D.C.

A federal judge has ordered the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to cover presidential events, saying that the AP must be given comparable access to its peer wire services. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The judge said that his decision does not prohibit a government official from choosing which outlets to give interviews to, or choosing which journalists’ questions they choose to answer at a news conference.

CDC may end recommendation to add fluoride to water supplies

New York

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants communities to stop fluoridating water and plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control to stop recommending fluoridation in municipal water supplies. He’s assembling a task force to study the issue. He can’t order communities to stop, as it’s a decision left up to states and localities, but many are already pulling back from the additive.

High schoolers bring Revolutionary spirit to local oratory contest

“What makes America great?”

Homeschooled sophomore Jonathan Paul

Students compete with speeches on American history

By Dan Reeves Chatham News & Record

CHAPEL HILL — Sev-

en area high school students delivered passionate speeches about America’s founding at the annual Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest on March 27.

Hosted by the Gen. Francis Nash chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at Chapel Hill’s Governors Club, the event coincided with upcoming commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Historian Lowell Hoffman served as master of ceremonies, introducing each speaker and providing his-

torical context between presentations. His commentary covered Revolutionary figures and events, including Dr. Joseph Warren, who warned of British troops marching to Concord, the Battle of Alamance and the Boston Tea Party.

The audience included SAR members, parents and teachers who supported the students’ participation. Hoffman specifically recognized two educators: Northwood High School’s Jill Thomas, whom he called “a jewel of a committed teacher,” and Seaforth High School’s Riley Shaner, herself a former winner who placed second nationally six years ago.

“We truly value her story of now becoming an English and speech teacher

Pittsboro may hold property tax rate steady for next year

The property tax rate currently sits at $0.44 per $100 valuation

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners met March 31 for a special-called meeting related to preliminary budget discussions.

Town staff laid out three goals for the upcoming budget: continuation and enhancement of current service levels, recruitment and retention of staff, and maintaining a responsible fund balance. While the board was not presented with a budgetary estimate — last year’s budget was approximately $194 million — town staff did discuss how See CONTEST, page A3 See TAX, page A10

Feds terminating

student

visas over crime, activism

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week students are being targeted for involvement in protests along with others tied to “potential criminal activity.”

Some of the issues are misdemeanor crimes or traffic-related

By Collin Binkley Annie Ma and Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A crackdown on foreign students is alarming college leaders, who say the Trump administration is using new tactics and vague justifications to push some students out of the country.

College officials worry the new approach will keep foreigners from wanting to study in the U.S.

Students stripped of their entry visas are receiving orders from the Department of Homeland Security to leave the country immediately — a break from

past practice that often permitted them to stay and complete their studies.

Some students have been targeted over pro-Palestinian activism or criminal infractions — or even traffic violations. Others have been left wondering how they ran afoul of the government.

At Minnesota State University in Mankato, President Edward Inch told the campus Wednesday that visas had been revoked for five international students for unclear reasons. He said school officials learned about the revocations when they ran a status check in a database of international students after the detention of a Turkish student at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Off!”

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

We stand corrected

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

CRIME LOG

March 31

• Jordan Malik Sanders, 26, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for simple possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer, assault on a female, misdemeanor domestic violence, and communicating threats.

April 1

• Gary Lee Louk, 55, of Sanford, was arrested for fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, failing to heed a light or siren, resisting a public officer, reckless driving with wanton disregard, speeding, driving without a license, using a fictitious or altered registration card or tag, failing to wear a seatbelt, and failing to stop at a stop sign.

• Saul Antonio Ramirez Guevarra, 26, of Siler City, was arrested for first-degree kidnapping, sexual servitude of a child victim, statutory rape of a child (two counts), and human trafficking of a child victim.

• Gabriel Lee Savage Bartholow, 30, was arrested for injury to personal property.

April 2

• Austin Payne Weeks, 29, of Durham, was arrested for breaking and entering a motor vehicle, assault on a female, and criminal trespass related to domestic violence.

April 5

• Kenneth Ray Hayes, 47, of Siler City, was arrested for failing to prevent an attack by a dangerous dog and allowing animals to roam freely.

LAND

• 37 E Cotton Road (Pittsboro), 0.996 acres, $100,000

471 Deer Run (Pittsboro), 4.92 acres, 3 bed/ 2 bath, $400,000

389 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 9.109 acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $500,000

298 E. Salisbury Street (Pittsboro), 0.40 acres, 3bed/2 bath, $600,000

• 9550 Silk Hope Liberty Road (Siler City), 73.740 acres, 3 bed/3bath, $1,450,000

• 557 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 12.802 acres, 3 bed/3 bath, $2,500,000

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

• 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

• 9311 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 4.602 acres, $225,000

• Tract 1 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 15.123 acres, $227,000

• 9231 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 5.630 acres, $250,000

• Tract 3 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.029 acres, $256,000

• Tract 2 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.425 acres, $262,000

• 323 Wagon Trace (Pittsboro), 10.255 acres, $295,000

• 639 Hills of the Haw Road (Pittsboro), 5.2470 acres, $450,000

• 0 Chatham Church Road (Moncure), 15.94 acres, $750,000

• 00 US Highway 64 W (Siler City), 7.87 acres, $800,000

LAND

• 1115 Manco Dairy Road (Pittsboro), 14 acres, 3 bed/1 bath, $500,000

• 79 John Horton Road (Apex), 4.89 acres, 2bed/2bath, $600,000

• 1701 Mitchells Chapel Road (Pittsboro), 10 acres, $200,000

• 00 Hamlets Chapel Road (Pittsboro), 118.742 acres, $4,250,000

• 0 JB Morgan Road (Apex), 21 acres, $825,000

• 0 Pasture Branch Road (Rose Hill), 29 acres, $1,250,000

• 8636/8710 Johnson Mill Road (Bahama),182.888 acres, $2,800,000

• 0 US 64 W (Siler City), 9.670 acres, $4,500,000

• 0 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 75.4330 acres, $15,300,000

COMMERCIAL

IMPROVED

• 140 & 148 East Street (Pittsboro), 1.49 acres, $1,350,000

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

April 10

Opinionation Trivia at House of Pops

6-8 p.m.

Join House of Hops every Thursday, 6-8 p.m. for Opinionation Trivia. This Family Feud-style trivia game is so much fun! Play at 6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. for two chances to win $15 or $25 House of Hops gift cards. More events at House of Hops; part of Chatham County’s Craft Beverages and Country Inns Trail. 112 Russet Run Suite 110 Pittsboro

April 12

Spring Potluck

6-8:30 p.m.

Free vegan potluck at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge in the Pavilion on Saturday, April 12 from 6-8:30 p.m. Meet like-minded people and share tasty food. Board games are available on-site, but please feel free to bring any games from home to share.

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge 7432 North Carolina 87 Pittsboro

April 13

House Band Plays at the 23rd Annual Clydefest

2:50-3:20 p.m.

The SORCH House Band plays a 30-minute set at the 23rd Annual ClydeFEST in Chatham County: A Kids’ Festival of Folk Art Fun. Come out for a fun day of music and folk art.

Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center 1192 U.S.-Business Pittsboro

COMMERCIAL UNIMPROVED

• 10681 US Hwy 64 E (Apex), 3.97 acres, $1,000,000

• 1700 Hillsboro Street (Pittsboro), 29.79 acres, $4,500,000

Share with your community! Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@chathamnewsrecord.com. The weekly deadline is Monday at Noon.

April 16

Dehydrating fruits and vegetables workshop 10 a.m. to noon

Learn how to dehydrate your favorite fruits and veggies at our hands-on workshop on April 16, at 10 a.m.!

Chatham County Center 1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Bus. 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

If veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, use Happy Jack products to treat itch allergies, yeast infections, & cat flea infestation. Southern States Coop. 742- 2128

Errors allegedly led to multiple arrests on the same warrant

The Associated Press GREENSBORO — A federal lawsuit alleging North Carolina’s new electronic courts records and case management system contributed to unlawful arrests or extended jail detainments can continue against the system’s developer and a county sheriff, a judge ruled this week.

U.S. District Judge William Osteen declined to dismiss the “eCourts” system litigation against Tyler Technologies and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, meaning the lawsuit can continue to trial against them. But Osteen dismissed Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe from the lawsuit.

About a dozen people are suing over eCourts from when its case management software

was implemented in Wake and three other pilot counties in February 2023 and in Mecklenburg County several months later. Now the case management software serves 62 North Carolina counties and is expected to reach the remaining 38 counties by this fall.

The plaintiffs contend that software errors and human errors led to multiple arrests on the same warrants and extra time in jail after release conditions were met. The plaintiffs allege several dozen people spent extra time in the Mecklenburg County jail during the first days of the eCourts’ rollout in the county. Osteen ruled last Monday in central North Carolina federal court that, in the prediscovery phase of the lawsuit, the plaintiffs have plausibly alleged that Tyler Technologies breached its duty to ensure its software worked and lacked defects that led to unlawful arrests and detentions. As for McFadden,

the plaintiffs in part also have plausibly alleged “their constitutional injury was caused by the Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office failure to train its deputies on how to use the eCourts software,” Osteen wrote.

Rowe was granted his dismissal because he held “statutory immunity” for any alleged negligence associated with executing warrants, Osteen ruled, and the plaintiffs haven’t alleged their arrests constituted a constitutional injury within the judicial system.

Last year, lawsuit plaintiffs ended voluntarily civil claims against two leaders of the state Administrative Office of the Courts, which is implementing the system, some state court clerks and another sheriff.

No trial date has been set. The plaintiffs’ lawsuit also seeks to expand the litigation to cover additional people who contend they were jailed longer or wrongly arrested because of eCourts.

By Marcia Dunn

Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

— A day at Uranus just got a little longer. Scientists reported Monday that observations by the Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed it takes Uranus 17 hours, 14 minutes and 52 seconds to complete a full rotation. That’s 28 seconds longer than estimates b y NA SA’s Voyager 2

spacecraft in the 1980s. A French-led team studied a decade’s worth of aurora observations at the ice giant to track its magnetic poles. That long-term tracking provided a more precise rotation period for Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun. From that distance, it takes about 84 Earth years for Uranus to orbit the sun. “The continuous observations from Hubble were crucial,” lead author Laurent Lamy of the Paris Observatory said in a statement.

Lamy and his international team said this new approach can help pinpoint the rotation of any world with auroras and a magnetosphere. Published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the findings come a few weeks before the 35th anniversary of Hubble’s launch. NASA’s space shuttle Discovery delivered the space telescope to orbit on April 24, 1990.

and motivating her students to enter Rumbaugh,” Hoffman said.

Brooks Bae, last year’s winner and Northwood High senior, opened the competition. His speech examined Revolutionary-era music and its parallels to contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar.

“United we stand, divided we fall,” Bae said. He also revealed that “Yankee Doodle Dandy” originated as British mockery before Americans embraced it as patriotic.

Judges evaluated competitors on composition, delivery, historical knowledge and significance. GFN Rumbaugh Chairman Guy Guidry announced Seaforth High’s Aiden Danna in third place for her “Battle of Saratoga” speech connecting Revolutionary-era misinformation to today’s social media challenges. Another

Seaforth student, Aria Browndyke, took second with “The Intolerable Acts: A Pivotal Moment in American History.”

Homeschooled sophomore Jonathan Paul from Greenville captured first place with his energetic “American Heroes” oration, posing the question, “What makes America great?”

During the event, Ralph Nelson received a Silver Liberty Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for helping 110 new SAR members join. President Al Segars, a UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor, presented Guy Guidry with the Chapter Distinguished Service Medal for his work as Rumbaugh and ROTC Chairman. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Sons of the American Revolution promotes patriotism and historical education. The Gen. Francis Nash Chapter, founded in 1928, honors a North Carolina regiment commander who served under George Washington and was mortally wounded at Germantown in 1777. For more information, visit ncssar.org.

OAKLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

2300 Siler City Glendon Road Siler City, NC 27344

We Will Be Having Our Annual Easter Cantata, Ascend To Heaven, This Sunday, April 13 beginning At 10:30 a.m.

Please Join Us For This Special Easter Service! All Are Welcome!

BEAR CREEK BAPTIST CURCH

480 Bonlee Carbonton Road, Bear Creek, NC, 27207

Join us Saturday, April 12th for our 2nd annual Great Easter Eggspedition!

There will be activities for the children, supper with homemade desserts for the family and an egg hunt for children ages 2 years old through sixth grade. We hope to see you for this family friendly event at Bear Creek Baptist Church!

The data comes from Hubble telescope observations

The

ESA/HUBBLE VIA AP

An image of Uranus’ aurorae taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2022.

COURTESY DENNY COLVIN

From left, competitors Brooks Bae, Aria Browndyke, Aiden Danna, Jonathan Paul, Adsila Getz, Audrey Palmer and Michael Tiul Caseres pose with Guy Guidry, GFN Rumbaugh Chairman.

COURTESY DENNY COLVIN Ralph Nelson was honored with a Silver Liberty Medal for his service and devotion to Sons of the American Revolution.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

At the rally with a child

Taking a child to a rally or protest may be the best way to remember who we fight for.

WHY DO YOU TAKE a 7-year-old to a political rally? One reason is that she is too young to stay at home alone. Another reason is that she loves art projects, so she helps make your posters. Of course, the prospect excites her. She marches around the house, waving her sign and chanting, “Hands off the trees! Have hope!”

Still another reason to take a 7-year- old to the rally is that the children are our future. A tariff is another word for tax, and the children will ultimately pay, just like they will for the massive tax cuts for the super-wealthy that drive our national debt to astronomical numbers. Meanwhile, 40% of all children are covered by Medicaid, and according to CORA, about 14% of children in Chatham County are food insecure, meaning they will suffer even more by cuts to SNAP and

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

WIC programs. Their learning will suffer as a result of less funding for their schools and teachers. Their lives are more at risk because of less regulation of pollution in the land, skies, rivers and seas. Organizers have dubbed the rallies “hands off” in protest against the federal government’s overreach that threatens these life-giving programs.

Taking a child to a rally or protest may be the best way to remember who we fight for. We must be hands-on when it comes to their care.

An ancient rabbi, who was no stranger to a protest and a parade in the state capital (see Luke 19:28–40), commanded that everyone emulate a child’s faith. Jesus could be a bit cryptic. Maybe he was referring to a child’s capacity to trust or their ability to exist in the moment or that a group of them will gallop in circles

in front of a legislative building like a glee of wild ponies. Maybe Jesus meant that we are to do all we can to make our world better for all children. Perhaps he meant to kindle a belief in our cynical hearts that we are stronger together and doing the right thing matters in ways beyond our kith and kin and even beyond our wildest ken.

Yet another reason to take a 7-year-old to a political rally is that she will insist on bringing her stuffed tiger, and because it is hot under the April sun, she will demand that you carry said tiger on your head. You will comply, and dozens upon dozens of strangers will smile at your peculiar hat. You will realize that, while the issues are serious as hell, joy offers a glimpse of heaven.

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.

Gas stations at one time dispensed more than fuel

In my humble opinion, such an establishment today would go a long way toward eliminating nervous breakdowns and such.

READ A NEWS STORY the other day about a gas station down east in North Carolina that’s a novelty in today’s world.

Seems the little place in a rural northeastern county does more than merely supply petroleum. Rather than you having to get out of your vehicle, the folks who own the place actually come to you and pump the gas ... and check the oil and the tires and wash the windshield and a whole bunch of other things that once were commonplace for the motoring public.

I’m pretty sure I remember when convenience stores, the craze of the day back then, were getting into their own and advertised that you could buy gasoline at a much cheaper price there than you could at the “full-service” outlets since the convenience stores weren’t saddled with the overhead of paying employees. Just out of curiosity, how’d that all work out?

Anyway, this throwback business comes complete with a coffee pot — not a coffee machine — honey buns, seats all around — some of them “assigned” for the regulars — old bottles and pictures of the old high school, long gone now.

There are some petroleum products available other than the gas, which comes from pumps which aren’t digital. That means you can’t pay at the pump; you’ve got to come inside, or either the owner will take your card or cash and go in for you. Sitting on the shelves are cans of motor oil, the paper kind where you have to punch in a pour spout on the top. Nearby on other shelves are individual cans of beans and franks, fruit cocktail and Vienna Sausages, along with the standard box of Lance’s saltine crackers. In short, the place is, as its owner says, “part service station, part old folks’ home, part daycare center. Most of the guys who come in here helped raise me.”

If you ever watched “The Andy Griffith Show,” you’d see a similar place as Gomer or Goober Pyle rushed out of Wally’s Filling

Station to serve a customer. But long ago and far away in my youth in Pittsboro, I was personally acquainted with one.

There were actually several all around, and I knew most of them; in fact, practically all of them were of the same style. There was Marshall Atwater’s Gulf station on the southeast corner of the courthouse circle. D.W. Smith had a similar establishment on the Sanford Road. Phillip Smith had a station on the courthouse circle, and there was also Clark and Eubanks there as well. Just north of Bynum, G.R. “Dobber” Williams ran a Pure oil station where I had many a lunch of pork and beans and Viennas with my dad as he rode his insurance route.

But for childhood memories, for being accepted for who you were by your community as you made the transition to adulthood, for the news and gossip and warmth of small town, for me, the centerpiece of all that was Gordon Burns Esso. The building is still there, only it’s now Elizabeth’s Pizza, and every time I down a pepperoni there, I remind myself I’m having supper in the wash pit.

There was a long list of characters at Gordon’s, both employees and customers, who came in to while away 10 minutes or two hours. It started with Gordon, of course. I can’t remember how old I was when I first met him; I couldn’t have been very old, but from the start, his name was Gordon, not Mr. Burns, and it never seemed anything else other than natural and not disrespectful to call him that. One of my most embarrassing moments as a lad was when he spoke to me at Henry’s, the only restaurant in town at the time, and I didn’t recognize him because he wasn’t wearing his cap at the dinner table. He realized it, of course, and laughed and said, “You don’t know me, do you?” Naturally, I recognized his voice, but after that, I never failed to recognize him again when I saw him.

There were others, of course. Ernest

Hudson was our family’s next-door neighbor on Cornwallis Street when we first moved to Pittsboro about a hundred years ago. He was a good mechanic who could fix about anything mechanical, including things that weren’t broke yet but would be soon.

Odell Jackson was the primary “front” man most of the time. You’d pull up to the pump, and before you could crank — notice I said “crank” — the window down, he was at your door. Smiley, as the whole world knew him, was the only fellow I’ve ever known who could fill your tank, check under the hood and refill the fluids, check the wipers and belts, wash the windshield and check the tires all the while asking how your mama and daddy were doing.

And then there was Bo and Little Bo and Frank Kirby and Fred Marsh and others whose faces I can see but whose names are long gone somewhere. Later on, after I grew up, I got reacquainted with Frank Kirby when he ran the Bike Shop on Sanford Road. It, too, is now long gone.

In those times, we were young and old, black and white. But all were welcome in the little front room with the big plate glass windows, where seats were sometimes so few you made do sitting on the ice cream box and where you could charge your gas and pay for it later. I know BP will let you charge gas today and mail a check later, but it’s not the same. One of my early chores after I got my driver’s license was for Dad to toss me the keys and some money and say, “Run uptown and get some gas and pay Gordon.”

In my humble opinion, such an establishment today would go a long way toward eliminating nervous breakdowns and such.

I miss those guys.

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

COLUMN VICTOR JOECKS

That dream from … Hades?

I’m also accountable for how I treat myself after remembering this unfortunate dream.

I HAD A DREAM. An unbelievable dream. An embarrassing and mortifying one. A dream in which my behavior was, seriously, off the charts of my present-day waking value system.

I was absolutely startled remembering this dream after waking.

No!

Me? This was me?! Not my today “me?” No way. Nonetheless, I still dreamed that dream. Oh God, just so embarrassing! More frightening is the possibility I’m not the person I think I am. I mean, all those years of therapy, self-help potpourri, digging deep inwardly … doesn’t that count?

Just incredibly startled, followed by a boatload of self-criticism, does not make for an idyllic morning. (Does it?) I’d have headed for the hills (if we had any) for a deep nature dunk to soothe my judging heart. Paddling through a churning sea of self-criticism, hoping sharks are, otherwise, occupied. Oh wait, I’m doing a pretty good shark imitation myself, aren’t I? Sharply biting … Whoa! I mean, just, whoa! In this unexpected dream, I was, oh no, a fallible

| SUSAN ESTRICH

and imperfect human being. (You’re not fallible and imperfect?) Now, wait just a moment. Am I saying that only in dreams am I a fallible and imperfect human? Only in dreams? Get a life, girl! For the most part, I’m pretty accountable to my values in my waking hours. But, you know …

Here’s a thought: I’m also accountable for how I treat myself after remembering this unfortunate dream. Let’s beat up Jan because she’s human and has her foibles, whether in dreams or real life? Way too much talk of “beating up.” My inner pacifist is getting a stomach ache.

Solace appeared from a long-remembered (and probably misquoted) line from a favorite book, “We try to live good lives, but take out the change in bad dreams.” Despite our living responsible lives, fear and anger will still leak out in our dreams. And I know I ain’t alone in this.

My dream’s capacity to feel toxic slowly drained away …

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

President Laura Loomer?

When Donald Trump wanted to hire her to work in his campaign, his senior staff revolted.

SHE IS A SELF-STYLED Islamophobe, a proud white nationalist and a conspiracy theorist.

She called 9/11 an “inside job.” She has been banned from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (pre-Musk), PayPal, Uber and Lyft, among others, for hate speech and posting misinformation. She has been banned from events and had her press credentials suspended for harassing politicians she disagrees with and causing disturbances. She has called Islam a cancer and called for a complete and permanent ban on Muslims entering the United States.

When Donald Trump wanted to hire her to work in his campaign, his senior staff revolted.

None of which stopped the president from meeting with her this week to review her “research” on which members of the National Security Council staff were insufficiently loyal to Trump. All of them had been vetted by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. It didn’t matter. Waltz tried to defend his own people. He failed.

“She is a very strong person, and I saw her yesterday for a little while and she has her, she makes recommendations of things and people,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “And sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody, I listen to everybody, and then I make a decision.”

This time, he listened.

“Out of respect for President Trump and the privacy of the Oval Office, I’m going to decline on divulging any details about my Oval Office meeting with President Trump,” Loomer told the press after her meeting with the president. “It was an honor to meet with President Trump and present him with my findings, I will continue working hard to support his agenda, and I will continue reiterating the importance of strong vetting, for the sake of protecting the president and our national security.”

After what The New York Times described, based on its interviews, as an “extraordinary meeting” with her in the Oval Office, Trump fired six National

BE IN TOUCH

Security officials who she vilified by name based on a pile of papers she brought with her reflecting her own vetting process. These were senior officials with strong Republican credentials, including the senior director for intelligence, the senior director for international organizations and the senior director for legislative affairs.

Defending her, Trump described her as a “great patriot” who had nothing to do with the firings. And if you believe that ... Why do the people around Trump allow this?

Easy. Because there is only one requirement for those on the inside: blind loyalty. He says, “Jump,” and they say, “How high?” Nothing matters except absolute loyalty. That is Loomer’s only qualification for being in the room with Trump, which matters more than her being a racist hater. This has been a terrible week for the country. Against all legitimate advice, ignoring all the lessons of history and of basic economics, Trump has launched a global trade war that will increase prices on everything, could trigger a global recession or depression, and quite frankly makes him and us look like fools. Placing a tariff on islands only occupied by penguins underscores the sloppiness and cowardice of those who have the president’s ear. Why didn’t someone around him tell him how foolish he would look slapping tariffs on uninhabited islands?

For the same reason no one told him that the president of the United States has no business meeting with a disreputable hater like Laura Loomer, let alone taking her advice. Look at his Cabinet. Look at his senior staff. You don’t get there by giving tough advice. You don’t stay there by telling him what he doesn’t want to hear. Republicans who know better — and there are plenty of them — don’t make it into the inner circle. Only blind loyalists do, no matter how hateful. Like Laura Loomer.

Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.

SNAP shouldn’t subsidize Slurpees

EVEN CHICKEN LITTLE would be exhausted trying to keep up with what Democrats claim President Donald Trump wants to do.

Just look at the news. On Tuesday, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said that Republican cuts to SNAP “are the difference between life and death for the many in the communities that we serve.” SNAP is the rebranded food stamps program.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has accused Republicans of setting “in motion the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Trump’s work to dismantle the Department of Education “is a direct attack on America’s students, teachers and families.”

To understand why this is fearmongering, consider a recent trip I made to 7-Eleven. My wife and I wanted to buy our kids Slurpees after baseball practice. (Shhh ... don’t tell Robert Kennedy Jr.)

In between my frantic efforts to keep my kids from overfilling their cups, I noticed a sticker on the machine.

“All Slurpee cups are EBT eligible,” it read.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s how people spend their SNAP benefits at stores. There was a similar sign on the soda machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website confirms that the signs are accurate.

Taxpayers are subsidizing Slurpees and sodas. This is wasteful. Food stamps are supposed to help low-income individuals ward off hunger, not satiate their sweet tooth. But imagine the left’s reaction if you proposed making junk food ineligible for food stamps. They’d claim that you wanted to cut benefits from the poor. That you wanted to cut the program. That you wanted to stigmatize poor people. This isn’t speculation. House Republicans are currently pushing a bill to do just that, and those are some of the attacks they’re facing.

Those attacks may have a grain of truth, but they’re deeply misleading. If Republicans pass a ban on SNAP paying for junk food, hunger won’t increase one bit. The biggest impact may be a reduction in diabetes, which low-income Americans are more likely to develop. That could save the Medicaid program money, but then Democrats would likely claim Republicans are cutting the program.

Once you see this pattern, Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

The Department of Education has been around for decades. Aside from some bright spots with charter schools, public education is generally terrible. Just because the name says “education” doesn’t mean the department is doing much to improve how kids learn. Now, if I haven’t convinced you, I challenge you to do this: Open the calendar app on your phone. Create an appointment for July 15, 2026. In the notes section, write down three things you think will happen as the result of Republican actions.

Some examples: Republicans will cut SNAP benefits and 100,000 people will die of starvation. Trump will cut Medicaid and people will have worse health outcomes, including 50,000 more heart attack deaths. Gutting the Department of Education will reduce student achievement by five percentage points. A note: Look beyond the funding level of a certain program and consider outcomes. Government programs are supposed to be a means to an end, not just a money pit.

If you think Trump has dictatorial aspirations, set a reminder for November 2026 or 2028. Write down if you think Trump will cancel elections or run for a third term.

Make sure to also write down if someone has made this claim.

When that date comes, look around and see what happened. Perhaps Trump has led America into unprecedented levels of starvation, illness and ignorance. Or perhaps Democrats have staked their electoral success on scaring people like you.

Either way, you won’t have to take my word for it.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or mailed to 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com. Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

COLUMN

obituaries

Pastor Darrell Newton Garner

Aug. 10, 1942 – April 4, 2025

Pastor Darrell Newton Garner entered his eternal home in heaven to live forever, with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his heavenly father, the Lord God Almighty, surrounded by his family on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Darrell is survived by his wife Bonnie Whitaker Garner. He was the faithful, self-sacrificing, protective and loving husband of Bonnie. Their marriage of 63 years was a reflection, and example of Ephesians 5:25-33.

Darrell was the son of the late Hugh L. Garner and Shula Lewis Garner and grew up on a Farm in Moore County, NC on VassCarthage Road.

Darrell was blessed with, loved and loved by three children, Melissa Garner McKenzie and her husband, Douglas McKenzie, Thomas Darrell Garner and his wife, Kelly Cotten Garner and Tammy Garner Trueblood, and her husband Mark Trueblood; ten grandchildren; Elizabeth McKenzie Baddour, husband Michael, Jessica McKenzie Curlee and husband Paul, Christi Harmon Shaw and husband Eric, Sarah Melissa Cebra and husband Ian, Sawyer Garner, Rachel Trueblood Fann and husband Brandon, Zachary Trueblood, Nathan Trueblood, Noah Trueblood and Courtney Wilson; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Darrell is also survived by his brother Robert E. Garner and wife Bobbie, sisterin-law Betty Gibbons Garner, cousin Jerry Garner, sisterin-law Janet Whitaker Frye, sister-in-law Lucille Whitaker Collins, husband Billy, sisterin-law Wanda Whitaker Garner, brother-in-law Russell Whitaker, wife Mary Ruth, sister-in-law Gail Whitaker Gathagan, husband Gene and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family that loved him very much.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Garner, wife Nell, Sister Mabel Garner Daniel, husband Bob, Brother Paul Garner, wife Carol, Fred Garner, wife Jean, sister Irene Garner Douglas, husband Bobby, Sister Alma Garner Seward Sharpe, husbands Alfred, Tom, Brother Larry Garner, sister Judy Garner Dudley, brother-in-law

Don Garner (Wanda).

Darrell was the Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Bear Creek NC for 38 years before his retirement in 2024. Previously, he pastored Rainbow Baptist Church for 10 years and Pinecone Baptist Church for two. Darrell treasured his calling to Pastor and put his whole heart into the role, devoutly loving the sheep that The Lord had entrusted to him. The countless number of visits to his flock, wherever they were, for physical health or spiritual needs, only The Lord knows. His church members certainly know in part, but they could always count on “Preacher Darrell” to be there. Whether in the church pulpit, visiting in the hospital or home, Pastor Darrell was sharing The Gospel. He was always sensitive to the Holy Spirits’ leading to share the good news of Jesus and His sacrificial death, His burial and resurrection for the redemption of sins for any who would call upon the Name of The Lord to be saved. Our Lord and Savior is glorified by the redeemed souls in Heaven and still here on Earth with whom Pastor Darrell faithfully shared the Gospel and they in turn received that wonderful free gift of salvation. Praise be to God!

Darrell was a man of great work ethic and was Bi-Vocational for many of his years as he served as Pastor, working as a Salesman at Sears in Aberdeen, NC as well as Lowes and Sears in Sanford, NC. Earlier in his career he worked many years at JP Stephens, a carpet manufacturer in Aberdeen, NC.

Darrell was an avid Wolfpack fan and a lover of cars, especially Mopar (Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth) a love that he shared with his longtime best friend Pastor Don Daniel. Darrell and Brother Don shared many good times at car auctions, buying and selling and rarely making a dollar, but they loved it just the same. Darrell loved life and loved to laugh. He had a wonderfully infectious smile and laugh that his family and friends loved and enjoyed.

Darrell loved his wife, his family, his church, and his friends, but most importantly, he loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and he served them all selflessly.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 06, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Cox Memorial Funeral Home, 4888 US Hwy 1, Vass, NC 28394.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 17721 NC Hwy 902 Bear Creek, NC 27207. The Burial will follow at Yates-Thagard Baptist Church Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gideons in memory of Pastor Darrell Garner.

Jessi Robinson McDaniel

March 23, 2025

My mom Jessi Robinson McDaniel, the best mom in the world passed away at the young age of 79 in the early afternoon hours of Sunday, March 23. She was the strongest & most dynamic person I ever

have & ever will know. In the 70’s she was a fashion designer, in the 80’s & 90’s she started 2 businesses; her own interior design business (Jessica’s Attic) which worked out well for her because of her impeccable taste. Her second business was a Christmas tree farm (Indian Ridge) where she also made handmade live wreaths and garland complete with the most gorgeous handmade bows you’ve ever seen. She never let anything get her down just like she made sure I got to go to school for anything I wanted. She always found a way! After retiring from Lowe’s Foods she owned 2 successful hair salons (Bliss & Baxter’s). She will be remembered well & will always be with us. She is survived by her son Baxter McDaniel, Brandi Rhew (who was like a daughter to her & who lived with us all through high school & college) her many nieces

was born on February 10, 1962, to Ethel Walden Foxx and the late John Louis Foxx. With a heart full of love and a spirit that touched everyone she met, Annette passed peacefully from earthly life to eternal rest at her home on January 7, 2025. Annette was preceded in death by her son, Robert Neal Spinks. She leaves behind her husband of forty-one years, Robert; her son Nicholas (Shirley) of St. Mary, Florida; her daughter Nicole, who cared for her tirelessly until her last breath; and four grandchildren, Jayceon, Annelisse, Marcella, and Lincoln. She is also survived by her

& nephews, & the abundance of friends she made along the way especially Nancy Wilson, her partner in crime. Mom’s beauty both inside & out shown like a star for the world to see. As a mother she was always there for me & knew exactly what I needed or what to do. There will never be another Mom (Jessi) & it leaves an enormous whole in my heart (as well as many others), but I feel you with me Mom & know

Mother Ethel Walden Foxx; Brother Gary Foxx (Sylvia) of Elon, NC; her Sister Angela Pratt of Roanoke Rapids, NC; and her Sister Prisilla (Alan) of Siler City, NC. She is further survived by her brother-in-law Tracy Spinks of Siler City and aunts, Bessie McMillan of Siler City, NC; Helen Spinks (Kenneth) of Bennett, NC; and Jeanette Foulks (Clarence) of Greensboro, NC, along with a host of other family and friends who will cherish her memory. Though she is no longer with us, Annette’s love, kindness, and the many beautiful memories she shared will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace.

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom? Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year.

The final deadline for all grant applications is Sept. 15, but don’t wait to apply. Applications submitted prior to the early-bird deadline on Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!

Chatham County Aging Services Weekly Activities Calendar

8:15 a.m. - Total Body Conditioning Exercise

10 a.m. - Geri-Fit

11 a.m. - Stories with Neriah

Noon - Reading Out Loud with Gaines

12:30 p.m. - Hiking with Alan

1 p.m. - Table Tennis; Mahjong

1:30 p.m. - Open Quilting Space Siler City Center for Active Living

9 a.m. - Strong & Fit

10 a.m. - Cornhole

10:30 a.m. - Science with Alan

2 p.m. - Strength & Tone

3 p.m. - Caregiver Support Group Tuesday, April 15 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. - Aging Brain with Holly Thomas

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

Teachers, get your applications in for a Bright Ideas education grant! Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamrecord.com Monday, April 14 Pittsboro Center for Active Living

GLADYS ELAINE WILSON ALBRIGHT

JUNE 27, 1944 – APRIL 4, 2025

Gladys Elaine Wilson Albright, 80, of Bennett, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025 at FirstHealth Moore Regional. The graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Beulah Baptist Church with Dr. Neal Jackson and Pastor Travis Shelton presiding. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. Joyce-Brady Chapel will be open on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm for friends to sign the register. Gladys was born in Chatham County on June 27, 1944 to Grady and Fern Baldwin Wilson. First and foremost , she loved her Savior, Jesus Christ and her husband of 58 years, Lloyd. She was a member of Beulah Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for over 40 years. She loved her church family and enjoyed singing in the choir and cooking for church meals. Gladys was an All-County Basketball player in high school. She graduated from Elon College and received her Master’s degree from NC A&T. She taught in Moore County Schools for 40 years. After retirement, she volunteered at Bennett School for 8 years. She enjoyed gardening, canning, beach trips and White Lake. She loved her family and cherished the time she spent with them. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. In addition to her parents, Gladys was preceded in death by her brother, Grady “Monroe” Wilson. She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Ray Albright, of the home; sons, Jay Albright (Jennifer) and Jody Albright (Julie), all of Bennett; brother, Hoyte Wilson (Shelby), of Robbins; sister-in-law, Judy Wilson, of Pinehurst; grandchildren, Jarod Albright and Rachel Albright and a host of family and friends.

HAROLD WAYNE COTTON JR.

JAN. 26, 1963 – MARCH 31, 2025

Harold Wayne Cotten Jr., age 62 of Moncure, passed away on Monday, 3/31/2025 at his home with his family by his side. Wayne was born in Lee County, NC on January 26,1963 son of Harold Wayne Cotten Sr. and Eileen Pendergrass Cotten. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen Pendergrass Cotten; son Jacob Daniel Cotten; his maternal grandparents, Worthy and Esther Pendergrass; paternal grandparents, Hudson and Dallie Cotten. Some of Wayne’s favorite past-times were fishing, working in the garden, and watching old westerns on tv. Wayne was a Wolfpack fan, an NFL fanatic, and a gifted carpenter who loved his family and the Lord. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Heartland Hospice, Lynn Clay, and Jessica Craven for all of the care they gave to Wayne over the last several months. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Wayne’s dear friends Earlie Mitchell and Tonya Mitchell. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 PM on Saturday (4/5/2025) at the Moncure United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Edington, and Olivia Vermane Officiating. Wayne is survived by his father Harold Wayne Cotten Sr, (Peggy) of Pittsboro, NC; son Johnny M Cotten (Lore) of Clayton; daughter Taylor Cotten-McClung (John) of Broadway, NC; sister Angela C. Partin (Stevie) of New Hill, NC; brother David Cotten (Susan) of Moncure, NC. Four grandchildren, Adley McClung, Gracie McClung, Grayson McClung and Oliver Cotten.

MARY LOUISE JUSTICE WATSON

MARCH 31, 2025

1 p.m. - Rook, Phase 10 & Rummikub; Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

1:30 p.m. - Cooking with One with Tara Gregory Wednesday, April 16 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 with Jessica Bryan

2 p.m. - Chess Siler City Center for Active Living

9 a.m. - Strong & Fit

10 a.m. - Bible Study

10:30 a.m. - Nutrition Education with Ann Clark

1 p.m. - Crafts; Pickleball & Cornhole Thursday, April 17 Pittsboro Center for Active Living

8:30 a.m. - QiGong

10 a.m. - Hooks & Needles; Kindermusik; Chair Zumba Gold

10:30 a.m. - Easter Celebration

1 p.m. - Rummikub; Pinochle

1:30 p.m. - Line Dancing

3 p.m. - Gentle Yoga with Liz Siler City Center for Active Living

9 a.m. - Men’s Coffee & Conversations

10 a.m. - Chair Exercises; Crochet Workshop; Music Jam Session

12:30 p.m. - Situational Awareness with Siler City Police Dept.

1 p.m. - Powerful Tools for Caregivers; Book Club

2 p.m. - Strength & Tone

3 p.m. - Thursday Social Friday, April 18 Centers Closed for Good Friday

Our Volunteer Tax Assistance Program is open to taxpayers of all ages!

To see if you qualify, call our appointment line at 919-545-8427. You may qualify and not even know it!

Visit our website at www.chathamcountync. gov/agingservices

Mary Louise Justice Watson, age 90, of Sanford, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025 at her home surrounded by family. She was born in Wake County to the late George Butler Justice and Anna Laura Cates Justice. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband David B. Watson, two brothers George Justice and Robert Justice and their spouses. Together with her husband she owned and operated Custom Picture Frames. Mary is survived by her children Stephen David Watson and wife Lori, Mary Lou Coffey, and husband David and Robert Anthony Watson and wife Jackie; grandchildren Carmen Eckard and husband Jon, Gary Campbell and wife Emily, Katie Lucas and husband Justin, Daniel Watson and wife Sheila, Matthew Watson and wife Kirsten and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Jonesboro United Methodist Church with Pastor Cat Clyburn officiating. The family will gather after the service in the fellowship hall to receive family and friends.

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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 be published once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to said hearing, as required by applicable law. That a notice of closing and public hearing shall be prominently posted in at least two places along said street. That after said public hearing, if the Board of Commissioners are of the opinion that the closing of said street

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

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations holding claims against Daniel Joseph Shannon, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notified to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before June 23, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 20th day of March 2025. Ellen Elizabeth Shannon, Exec., c/o Clarity Legal Group, PO Box 2207, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of JOSEPH J. MINORICS, 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 Munson Law Firm PLLC, P.O. Box 1811 Pittsboro, NC 27312, on or before the 3rd day of July, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 3rd day of April, 2025.

JOSHUA MINORICS, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF JOSEPH J. MINORICS NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified on the 28th day of March 2025, as Co-Executors of the Estate of Dolores Bilangi, 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 3rd day of July 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 3rd day of April 2025

Dona Bilangi & Richard Bilangi, Co-Executors of the Estate of Dolores Bilangi Candace B. Minjares, Esquire Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707 4/03, 4/10, 4/17 and 4/24 The Chatham News Notice to Creditors

Having qualified as EXECUTOR of the estate of the late Horst Albert Dewitz, formerly of 72 Chatham Business Drive, Pittsboro NC 27312, Chatham County, North Carolina, Annette Bucci, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the attorney of the undersigned at OMEGA ELDER LAW, PO Box 820, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 and the EXECUTOR at 241 High Ridge Lane, Pittsboro, NC 27312 on or before the 1st day of August, 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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

A public hearing will be held by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, April 21, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be held in the courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro, North Carolina at 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro NC 27312. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department office. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also sign up on the county website prior to the meeting at www.chathamcountync.gov by selecting the heading County Government, then Commissioner Meetings, then Public Input/Hearing Sign Up. The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below: Legislative Request: A legislative public hearing requested by the Chatham County Planning Department to amend the effective date of the adopted Unified Development Ordinance from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 as a result of legislative action S382 bill. A legislative rezoning request by TIP Gateway LLC on Parcel 5841 and 66974 on approximately 18.81 acres, located at 680 Pea Ridge Rd., from R-1 Residential to GU RB General Use Regional Business, Cape Fear Township. Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions.

Notice to people with special needs: If you have an audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided. If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call the Chatham County Planning Department at 919-542-8204 or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312. Please run in your paper: April 10th and 17th, 2025

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

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

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against CLARICE DRIGGERS COTTEN, a/ ka/ CLARICE D COTTEN, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 3rd day of July 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 3rd day of April, 2025. Billy Driggers, Executor c/o Hopler, Wilms & Hanna, PLLC, 2314 S. Miami Blvd. Suite 151, Durham, NC 27703. April 3, 2025 April 10, 2025 April 17, 2025 April 24, 2025

Notice to Creditors

25E000158-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Kelley Johansson, having qualified on the 21st Day of March, 2025 as Executor of the Estate of Jerry R. Weaver, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and cooperations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 27th Day of June 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 24th of March 2025. Kelley Johansson, Executor 1449 Luther Rd. Apex, NC 27523 Run dates M27, A3,10,17p

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

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000169-180

The undersigned, RICK BARKER, having qualified on the 27TH Day of MARCH 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of FRANCES V. BARKER, 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 10TH Day of JULY 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 10TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.

RICK BARKER, EXECUTOR 24103 MERCERS CROSSING CT. ALDIE, VA 20105

Run dates: A10,17,24,M1p

Notice to Creditors

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against MARY ANN WILLIAMS a/k/a ANN SWAINEY WILLIAMS, deceased of Chatham County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned at, on or before July 11, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 10th day of April, 2025. Robert R. Oakley, Limited Personal Representative, c/o Deborah A. McDermott, Smith Anderson Blount Dorsett Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P., P.O. Box 2611, Raleigh, NC 27602-2611

Chatham News & Record: 4/10/25, 4/17/25, 4/17/25 & 4/24/25

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#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#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

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

Subject: Town of Pittsboro Parks & Recreation Knight Farm Community Park Future Plan Update Date: April 12, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Knight Farm Community Park, 362 Vine Parkway, Pittsboro, NC Details: Join us for a public information meeting to discuss the proposed updates to the Town of Pittsboro Parks & Recreation Plan for Knight Farm Community Park. Your input is valuable as we work to improve recreational opportunities for our community. Contact: Town of Pittsboro Parks & Recreation at (919) 542-6421or parksandrec@pittsboronc.gov. Website: https://pittsboronc.gov/192/ParksRecreation Why Attend? Learn about proposed changes, ask questions, and share your ideas to shape the future of our parks and recreation system. ###Do not include this information in the advertisement ADVERTISE ON 4/3/2025 & 4/10/2025 PLEASE SEND (1) THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION AFFIDAVIT TO THE TOWN CLERK AT PO BOX 759, PITTSBORO, NC 27312 AND (2) THE DIGITAL

CERTIFICATION OF ADVERTISEMENT TO THE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT AT KKELLER@ PITTSBORONC.GOV

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. BY: /s/ ANGENETTE STEPHENSON Attorney for Petitioner, CHATHAM COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

109 Conner Dr. Suite 208 Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 Telephone: (919) 869-7795 03/27/25; 04/03/25; 04/10/25

Notice of Public Hearings

Town of Siler City

The following items will be considered by the Siler City Board of Commissioners as legislative hearings. The hearings will be conducted during the Board of Commissioner’s regular meeting on Monday April 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the court room located in the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave.

CASE R25-0301 – Mid-State Development Center, LLC (applicant), is proposing a Conditional Rezoning of approximately 228.6 acres of property located at Stockyard Road and further identified as Parcel ID: 12871, 12873, 12878, 13023, 13042, 69027, and 81045 from Heavy Industrial (H-I) and Agricultural Residential (A-R) to Residential – 3 Conditional (R-3-C) for the proposed use of major residential subdivision.

Legislative Public Hearings

These items were reviewed and recommended for approval by the Siler City Planning Board at their March 10, 2025, regular meeting.

The proposed item is available for review by contacting Timothy Mack at tmack@silercity.org or 919-726-8626. All persons interested in the outcome of this item are invited to attend the legislative hearing and present comments, testimony, and exhibits on the above referenced item.

Interested parties may also submit written comments. Written comments can be submitted by email to tmack@silercity.org. Individuals desiring to speak may sign up by registering their name and information on the sign-up sheet, located outside the entry doors to the court room.

The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Kimberly Pickard at 919-726-8620, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or kpickard@ silercity.org for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Kimberly Pickard al kpickard@silercity.org o 919-726-8625 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

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#25E000135-180

The undersigned, DANNY WIMBERLY AND MICHAEL T. PARKER, having qualified on the 12TH Day of MARCH 2025 as CO-EXECUTORS of the Estate of SARAH H. SMITH, 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. 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

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

Probate #25E000116-180______

All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Barbara B. Modisett, late of Chatham County, North Carolina are hereby notified to

to Kendall H. Page, as Executor of the decedent’s

210 N Columbia

H.

in care of

NC 27514 on or before the 3rd day of July, 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,

Varina, NC 27526

TAX from page A1 the reappraisals from this year would be affecting the budget. The estimated valuations for residential property went from $675 million in 2024 to $1.1 billion and commercial property from $397 million in 2024 to $561 million. Because of those revaluations, the value of a penny at the current tax rate is estimated to be increasing from approximately $119,000 to $171,000 according to Finance Director Heather Meacham.

Also due to the revaluations,

STUDENTS from page A1

The State Department said the detention was related to a drunken driving conviction.

“These are troubling times, and this situation is unlike any we have navigated before,” Inch wrote in a letter to campus.

President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to deport foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, and federal agents started by detaining Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a green-card-holder and Palestinian activist who was prominent in protests at Columbia last year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week students are being targeted for involvement in protests along with others tied to “potential criminal activity.”

In the past two weeks, the government apparently has widened its crackdown. Officials from colleges around the country have discovered international students have had their entry visas revoked and, in many cases, their legal residency status terminated by authorities without notice — including students at Arizona State, Cornell, NC State, the University of Oregon, the University of Texas and the University of Colorado.

Some of the students are working to leave the country on their own, but students at Tufts and the University of Alabama have been detained by immigration authorities — in the Tufts case, even before the university knew the student’s legal status had changed.

In this new wave of enforcement, school officials say the federal government is quietly deleting foreigners’ student records

the town was required to present its revenue neutral tax rate of 0.3449, which was based on an average growth rate of 12.8%. “The revenue-neutral property tax rate is the rate that is estimated to produce revenue for the next fiscal year — meaning 2025-26 — equal to the revenue that would have been produced for the next fiscal year by the current tax rate if no reappraisal had occurred,” Meacham said. However, the recommendation from town staff is to maintain the current tax rate of $0.44 per $100 valuation.

“If you were not happy with keeping the tax rate at 44 cents, then you’d have a hard time having any money to accomplish pretty much anything, and there’d be very little forward progress in terms of projects,” Meacham said.

“We want to keep it where it is and then reassess next year because with all this future debt that we’re gonna need, I think it’s going to put us in a really good position to afford to do things,” said Town Manager Jonathan Franklin.

Town staff pointed to current economic trends such as

increasing operational and material costs, supply chain issues, personnel increases in insurance, cost of living adjustments, medical expenses, retirement costs as well as new positions attributing to potential higher expenses.

“I’m concerned that we may be underanticipating what we can do right now in terms of the revenues coming in,” said Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Baldwin. “That’s what concerns me. I don’t want us to get into a situation where we would be in a deficit situation because there are so many

instead of going through colleges, as was done in the past.

Students are being ordered to leave the country with a suddenness that universities have rarely seen, said Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

In the past, when international students have had entry visas revoked, they generally have been allowed to keep legal residency status. They could stay in the country to study, but would need to renew their visa if they left the U.S. and wanted to return. Now, increasing numbers of students are having their legal status terminated, exposing them to the risk of being arrested.

“None of this is regular practice,” Feldblum said.

At NC State, two students from Saudi Arabia left the U.S. after learning their legal status as students was terminated, the university said. NC State said it will work with the students to complete their semester from outside the country.

Philip Vasto, who lived with one of the students, said his roommate, in graduate school for engineering management, was apolitical and did not attend protests against the war in Gaza. When the government told his roommate his student status had been terminated, it did not give a reason, Vasto said.

Since returning to Saudi Arabia, Vasto said his former roommate’s top concern is getting into another university.

“He’s made his peace with

it,” he said. “He doesn’t want to allow it to steal his peace any further.”

At the University of Texas at Austin, staff checking a federal database discovered two people on student visas had their permission to be in the U.S. terminated, a person familiar with the situation said. The person declined to be identified for fear of retaliation.

One of the people, from India, had their legal status terminated April 3. The federal system indicated the person had been identified in a criminal records check “and/or has had their visa revoked.” The other person, from Lebanon, had their legal status terminated March 28 due to a criminal records check, according to the federal database.

uncertain things right now.”

The board was also presented with various departmental goals for FY 2026, most notably the implementation of a shuttle service, the creation of a master plan for the Roberson Creek Park, an affordable housing study and the addition of two more patrol officers.

The board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 budget on May 12 with a tentative adoption date of June 9. The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet April 14.

Both people were graduates remaining in the U.S. on student visas, using an option allowing people to gain professional experience after completing coursework. Both were employed full time and apparently had not violated requirements for pursuing work experience, the person familiar with the situation said.

Some students have had visas revoked by the State Department under an obscure law barring noncitizens whose presence could have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” Trump invoked the law in a January order demanding action against campus antisemitism.

But some students targeted in recent weeks have had no clear link to political activism. Some have been ordered to leave over misdemeanor crimes or traffic infractions, Feldblum said. In some cases, students were targeted for infractions that had been previously reported to the government.

Some of the alleged infractions would not have drawn scrutiny in the past and will likely be a test of students’ First Amendment rights as cases work their way through court, said Michelle Mittelstadt, director of public affairs at the Migration Policy Institute.

America’s universities have long been seen as a top destination for the world’s brightest minds — and they’ve brought important tuition revenue and research breakthroughs to U.S. colleges. But international students also have other options, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association of international educators.

“We should not take for granted that that’s just the way things are and will always be,” she said.

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Students sit inside the encampment protest in Polk Place at UNC Chapel Hill last year. Police swept the area clear the next day.

CHATHAM SPORTS

Uwharrie Charter softball pulls off fifth inning comeback to beat Chatham Central

The Eagles swept the Bears this season.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

BEAR CREEK — Uwharrie Charter scored 10 runs in the fifth inning to erase a five-run deficit and beat Chatham Central in a nonconference softball rematch 15-7 on April 3.

“We were just trying to move runners and started figuring out they didn’t like when we were bunting,” Uwharrie Char-

ter coach Haven Marine said. “So we kept bunting, and finally in that inning, we had timely hits.”

The Eagles, who handed Chatham Central its first loss on March 12, snapped a two -game -skid and gave the Bears their largest loss of the season.

Emory Johnson led Uwharrie Charter at the plate, going 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Four other Eagles contributed two RBIs in the win. Down 6-1 after four innings, Ryley Thompson got the ral-

ly started with a single to center field.

“I noticed that they started getting tired, so I just took a deep breath and was patient to bat and waited for my pitch,” Thompson said. Peyton Williams kept it going with another single two at-bats later, starting a run of 10 straight batters reaching a base.

Following a single from Jayla Hurley that brought in the first two runs of the inning, Carly Rush hit a ground ball to third

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

HILLSBOROUGH — Northwood held Green Level scoreless in five innings and overcame a down night at the plate to beat the Gators 4-3 in the Hilltop Invitational at Orange High School Friday.

“It’s always tough following a 19-hit outing that we had on Wednesday night,” Northwood coach Brent Haynes said. “I thought we had some really good approaches, battled back in 0-2 counts, got some walks out of 0-2 counts, hit some fastballs when they presented themselves.”

With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, junior Camden Miller knocked freshman Brody Zsuppan home for the go-ahead run. Facing two outs, senior Kaleb Howell followed the score with a single of his own to send senior Simon Delgado home and give Northwood a two-run advantage. The Chargers never lost the lead for the rest of the evening.

“Sometimes it just doesn’t

“Sometimes it just doesn’t show up in the hit column, but we got it done in the win column which is all I care about.”

Brent Haynes

show up in the hit column, but we got it done in the win column which is all I care about,” Haynes said.

Miller, who replaced sophomore Finn Sullivan on the mound in the fifth, oversaw one run (zero earned runs) and allowed just two hits to help Northwood build and maintain its lead in the final three innings.

“I kind of knew I had to attack,” Miller, whose father is Green Level baseball coach David Miller, said. “I know that on paper they’re not the best hitting team, so just trying to throw strikes and let the defense work behind me.”

Zsuppan made his impact as a baserunner, leading the team

The SAAC won for its assistance towards Hurricane Helene victims

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

A JORDAN-MATTHEWS

High School student organization earned recognition for its efforts in community service.

Members of the Jordan-Matthews Student-Athlete Advisory Council won a North Carolina High School Athletic Association Commissioner’s Trophy for the 2024 -25 school year, the NCHSAA announced last Friday. The honor is given for student athlete initiatives in community outreach. The students earned the honor for their work in their “Buckets of Love” project that assisted people affected by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

The Commissioner’s Trophy honor, sponsored by Truist, awards an $1,000 stipend to the respective team or program that wins.

The “Buckets of Love” project aimed to help families

“That’s just the type of kids we have at J-M.” Barry West

whose homes and businesses were flooded by providing buckets to remove mud washed inside of buildings. A group of 10-12 SAAC members worked on the project.

“I think at that point in time, all the struggles and the devastation in everything in that area of the state was weigh-

ing on everybody’s mind,” Barry West, Jordan-Matthews’ athletic director and adviser to the SAAC, said. “The kids were trying to think of what’s something that we could do that would make some sort of impact in that area.”

The students used paint buckets from the school’s field preparation supply, cleaned them out and wrote encouraging messages for the recipients on them.

“It came from their heart,” West said. “’You’re awesome.’

Both teams picked up a win over Green Level

WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham Central’s Maeson Smith (right) gets caught stealing at third base for the final out in a loss to Uwharrie Charter.

WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Members of JordanMatthews’ StudentAthlete Advisory Council prepare buckets to send to storm victims in western North Carolina. NCHSAA

Chatham Central senior Chloe Scott makes a throw during last week’s game against Uwharrie Charter.

Checking in with local spring college athletes

Former Chatham standouts continue to make an impact on the next level

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

THE WINTER sports season ended with a bang for college athletes from Chatham County.

Not only did the county have Alabama sophomore Jarin Stevenson as representation in the men’s Elite Eight, former Jordan-Matthews swimmer Jennah Fadely capped off her career at Kenyon College with national title victories in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard breaststroke (tied her personal-best time which is also tied for the top time in program history) at the NCAA Division III Championship meet from March 19-22. Fadely now has eight NCAA titles and 24 All-America awards.

But as the successful winter season comes to a close, it’s time to put all attention on the spring athletes. Here’s an update on what some former local standouts are doing on the collegiate level across baseball, softball and lacrosse:

BASEBALL

Aidan Allred (Brunswick Community College, Chatham Charter)

Former Chatham Charter standout Aidan Allred played in 11 games for Brunswick Community College in his freshman year. He has not made an appearance since March 14 due to injury and is out for the season. Allred achieved a batting average of .161 with two RBIs and five runs. In the field, Allred was sharp in his opportunities, recording six put outs, nine assists and an overall fielding percentage of .938 (1.000 in conference play). His best game came in a 14-4 win over Lakeland Community College on March 11 in which he went 2 for 4 from the plate and knocked in two RBIs.

TROPHY from page B1

‘We got your back.’ Some of them put some scriptures on there.”

Jordan-Matthews student resource officer Brent Fonville and the Chatham County Sherriff’s Department made sure the 28 buckets were transported alongside the other supplies

Anthony Lopossay (Cleveland Community College, Chatham Central)

Anthony Lopossay, the former Chatham Central pitcher, has appeared in five games for Cleveland Community College this spring. The freshman has pitched eight innings as of Sunday, recording three strikeouts and an ERA of 1.13.

Sam Murchison (UNC Greensboro, Jordan‑Matthews)

Former Jordan-Matthews Jet Sam Murchison has made eight starts on the mound for UNCG this season as of Sunday. The senior put together some solid games, including a win over Radford on March 7. Murchison also recorded nine strikeouts in the Spartans’ win over Creighton in his first appearance of the season on Feb. 14. Things didn’t go as well in his latest outing Friday, though, as he gave up nine runs in two innings on the way to a 17-3 loss

collected around the county for Hurricane Helene victims.

10

Strikeouts for former Chatham Charter pitcher Hailie Edmondson, a new career-high

to East Tennessee State. Murchison has a 4-3 record as of Sunday.

SOFTBALL

Logan Gunter (Furman, Jordan Matthews)

Logan Gunter, the former Jordan-Matthews standout, made an immediate impact for Furman as a freshman. The shortstop and outfielder appeared in 14 games and made 12 starts, but after March 1, she was ruled out for the season due to a knee injury. Gunter’s best game came in an 11-3 win over SIU Edwardsville on Feb. 28. In that game, she went 2 for 2 from the plate and stole three bas-

es. Gunter achieved seven hits, six runs and a .212 batting average so far this season. She also recorded 16 put outs, 17 assists and a fielding percentage of .917.

Jaylee Williams (App State, Chatham Central)

Former Chatham Central Bear Jaylee Williams has seen a significant increase in her role at App State during her sophomore year. The outfielder has appeared in 25 games and started in 13 as of Sunday. Williams has recorded eight hits in 39 at bats for a batting percentage of .205. She notched a career-high three hits in a loss to Winthrop on Feb. 15, and she recorded a career-high two RBIs the next day against the same opponent.

Hailie Edmondson (Wake Tech, Chatham Charter)

Hailie Edmondson, the former Chatham Charter Knight, has started eight games on the mound for Wake Tech this season. The sophomore is on track

to improve on her freshman numbers, striking out 39 batters (41 last year) with an ERA of 7.00 (8.35 last season) in nine less appearances as of Sunday. In an 11-1 win over Southwest Virginia on March 15, Edmondson retired a career-high 10 batters in four innings.

MEN’S LACROSSE

Payne Swenson (Greensboro College, Seaforth)

Former Seaforth standout

Payne Swenson has played in five games during his freshman year at Greensboro College. He has recorded one goal, one assist and a .750 shot on goal percentage as of Sunday. Swanson’s first career goal came in a 16-3 win over Brevard on March 15. He took a career-high three shots in that game, getting two shots on goal.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Ryan Tinervin (Roanoke College, Northwood)

Former Northwood Charger Ryan Tinervin has appeared in three games during her freshman season as of Sunday. The attack has seen playing time in blowout wins, scoring two goals and getting four shots on goal in her opportunities. In a 22-0 win over Averett on March 15, Tinervin scored her first career goal while getting off a career-high three shots (two on goal).

TRACK AND FIELD

Lucas Smith (UNC Wilmington, Chatham Charter)

Former Chatham Charter sprinter Lucas Smith has been running the 400-meter dash in his freshman outdoor track season at UNCW. At the Raleigh Relays hosted by NC State from March 27-29, Smith ran his collegiate personal-best time of 48.09 seconds (33rd-best time out of 105 runners).

Said West, “They didn’t do this for any type of recognition. They did it because they wanted to offer their love and support to those who need it, and that’s just the type of kids we have at J-M.”

The SAAC also participated in the “Meals for Thousands

“It’s kind of like sometimes in teaching, we don’t get to see the end results of our work,” West said. “And that’s what the kids get here. But for them to realize that there are other people in need and there was some small something that they could do that could possibly help them in that time of need, that’s tremendous.”

Project,” an act of service sponsored by Mountaire Farms in Siler City that provides meals for families in need during the holidays.

The student organization has about 50 members.

“This is our first full year with Student-Athlete Advisory Council, and the kids enjoy doing projects like this,” West said.

West said the SAAC will be sending a group of 10 members to Greensboro for the 2025 NCHSAA Student Leadership Conference on May 6.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to network with other schools, see how other schools do things and share our ideas with other schools as well,” West said.

FURMAN ATHLETICS

Jordan-Matthews’ Logan Gunter makes a play for Furman softball.

Woods Charter girls’ soccer continue conference dominance

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record Baseball

Northwood notched a season-high 19 hits, including a team-high four hits from senior Simon Delgado, to down Southwestern Randolph 18-4 on April 2. Up 8-3 after four innings, the Chargers scored 10 runs in the fifth. Delgado finished the game with a team-high four RBIs, and freshman pitcher Riley D’Angelo struck out seven batters (zero earned runs) on the mound.

Chatham Charter was held scoreless and achieved only one hit in the final four innings of a 11-3 loss to Cedar Ridge on April 1. With the Knights down 6-3 after the fourth inning, the game got out of reach when Cedar Ridge scored five fifth inning runs.

Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday) (overall, conference): 1. Southeast Alamance (12-4, 10-0); 2. Seaforth (6-7, 3-1); 3. Northwood (9-5, 6-4); 4. North Moore (6-5, 4-4); 5. Chatham Central (4-11, 3-5); 6. Bartlett Yancey (3-10, 2-6); 7. Jordan-Matthews (0-12, 0-8)

Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Chatham Charter (7-6, 4-0); 2. River Mill (7-3, 5-1); 3. Clover Garden School (3-9, 1-1); T4. Triangle Math & Science (2-6, 0-4); T4. Southern Wake Academy (0-5, 0-4) Softball

Chatham Charter had a rough week as it lost three straight games.

Hits, a new season-high, for

In a 6-5 extra-inning loss to River Mill on April 1, senior Kayla Stutts tagged up on a line out from senior Lexi Melton and scored the game-winning run. Down 5-4 entering the sixth inning, Chatham Charter’s Ella Ingle singled and knocked in Aubrey Blankenship for the tie. Melton came up huge for the Jaguars on the mound as she held the Knights without a hit in the final three innings and retired 11 batters throughout the game.

After losing to North Moore 12-2 on April 2, Chatham Charter fell to Clover Garden School 6-5 Friday. Down 6-2 entering the sixth inning, the Knights scored three runs with three straight singles, but their rally was cut short with a strikeout.

Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Chatham Central (102, 8-0); 2. Jordan-Matthews (10-2, 7-1); 3. Seaforth (6-5, 6-2); 4. North Moore (11-4, 7-3); 5. Southeast Alamance (6-8, 4-6); 6. Southeast Alamance (6-8, 4-6); 7. Northwood (3-9, 3-7); 8. Bartlett Yancey (1-8, 1-8); 9. Graham (2-12, 1-10)

Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Clover Garden School (10-3, 7-0); 2. Chatham Charter (5-7, 4-3); 3. River Mill (7- 6, 4-4);

4. Ascend Leadership (0-9, 0-9)

Girls’ soccer

Woods Charter continued its dominant run in conference play with back-to-back 9-0 victories over Chatham Charter on April 3 and Ascend Leadership on Friday. The Wolves have outscored conference opponents 31-0 as of Sunday.

Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Seaforth (5-2-1, 5-0); 2. Southeast Alamance (6 - 4 -2, 5-1); 3. North Moore (6-1, 3-1); 4. Northwood (4-6, 3-2); 5. Bartlett Yancey (3-6, 2-2); 6. Jordan-Matthews (3-8, 1-4); 7. Graham (1-6, 1-5); 8. Cummings (0-7, 0-5)

Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Woods Charter (5-2, 4-0); 2. Southern Wake Academy (3-2, 3-0); T3. River Mill (5-5-1, 3-2); T3. Clover Garden School (5-6, 3-2); 5. Chatham Charter (2-6, 1-2); 6. Triangle Math & Science (0-7, 0-3); 7. Ascend Leadership (1-6, 0-5)

Boys’ lacrosse

Seaforth beat Southeast Alamance 20-4 Friday, winning its eighth game in its last nine.

Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Seaforth (8-2, 8-0); 2. Orange (9-3, 7-1); 3. Southern Alamance (12-2, 7-2); 4. Williams (8-6, 6-3); 5. Northwood (5-7, 5-5); 6. Cedar Ridge (4-6, 4-5); 7. Eastern Alamance (58, 3-7); 8. Southeast Alamance (2-13, 1-11); 9. Western Alamance (0-9, 0-7)

BASEBALL from page B1

with two runs. After notching a single in the second at-bat of the fifth inning, Zsuppan set up the go-ahead run by stealing second base and advancing to third on a passed ball during Delgado’s turn.

“We’re aggressive on the base paths, so trying to get him into scoring position for those guys at the top is key,” Haynes said.

Prior to the decisive inning, Northwood slowly dug itself out of an early 2-0 hole.

Sullivan didn’t have the best start as hitting a batter, giving up a double and giving up a single in the game’s first three at-bats led to Green Level’s first two runs. However, he quickly settled in, retiring five batters and allowing just one hit in the rest of his stint.

The Chargers’ defense was also crisp throughout the evening when it came to getting batters out. Delgado, the shortstop, was sharp on his throws to first, and sophomore Nic Armstrong made a difficult catch in left field to avoid a momentum swing in the top of the third. Northwood faced no more than four batters per inning from the second to the fifth.

“We always talk, ‘make routine plays,’” Haynes said. “That’s all we preach, and they did that.”

Chatham Central also played in the Hilltop Invitational losing its second game to Orange 11-1 Friday night.

Down 2-1 after the top of the third, the Bears gave up

six runs in the bottom of the inning. The Panthers scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth and held Chatham Central scoreless in its next batting turn to secure the fifth-inning victory.

Senior Dominic O’Keefe went 2 for 2 from the plate and recorded three RBIs for the Panthers while senior Eli Horton notched a team-high four RBIs.

Chatham Central got two Orange batters out to start the bottom of the third inning, but after sophomore DJ Woods was hit by a pitch, the Panthers reached a base in seven straight at bats.

The most damaging play in that stretch came from Horton who, on a 3-2 count, sent a pitch deep to left field to bring in three runs and give the Panthers a 6-1 lead.

The Bears had a much more memorable outing in the first

ATHLETE

Cameron Exley

Seaforth, boys’ lacrosse

Seaforth senior Cameron Exley earns athlete of the week honors for the week of March 31.

In the Hawks’ 20-4 rout over Southeast Alamance, Exley led the way five goals, and he assisted on three scores. He also recorded a team-high six shots on goal.

Exley has been a key piece to the Hawks’ success this season. He leads the team with 36 goals and is first in assists per game (2.4) as of Sunday. With his leadership alongside standout teammate Ivan Grimes, Seaforth sits at the top of the Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings with an 8-0 record

game on April 3 against Green Level, though. Down 4-2 with just one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, senior Reid Albright doubled and sent in three runs for the walk-off victory. The win snapped a six-game losing streak. On a night in which Chatham Central only came away with three hits, Albright’s heroics were fitting considering he had two of them (Carson Jackson was the only other Bear with a hit).

On the mound, senior Benjamin Wilson, senior Brady Phillips and sophomore Brett Phillips all contributed to a solid team pitching performance. Taking over for his brother after the Gators went up 4-2 in the top of the seventh, Brett Phillips closed the inning with two outs, including a strikeout on a 3-2 count.

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

@ CCKNIGHTSSPORTS / X

Chatham Charter’s baseball team poses after a recent win at Truist Park.

the Northwood baseball team

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD Northwood’s (L to R) Camden Miller, Brody Zsuppan and Brent Haynes talk about the team’s performance last week.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Geese nest next to iconic Wrigley Field bleachers during Cubs games

Chicago

The iconic Wrigley Field bleachers welcomed an unusual guest during the Chicago Cubs’ series against the San Diego Padres this weekend. Photos on social media showed a goose nesting in a juniper planter next to the center-field seats underneath the scoreboard during Saturday’s game. Several rows of the upper bleachers were blocked off from fans Sunday while two Canada geese stood on a roof nearby. Fans snapped photos of the feathered duo before Sunday’s game began.

NFL Lance moves on from Dallas, signs 1 year deal with the Chargers

El Segundo, Calif.

Quarterback Trey Lance has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Lance spent the past two years with the Dallas Cowboys after playing his first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft out of North Dakota State. Lance has yet to live up to his enormous potential, but Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will get a chance to mold the quarterback while he trains alongside Taylor Heinecke as the backups to Justin Herbert.

NBA Businessman who scammed new Hall of Famer Howard gets 12 years in prison

New York

A Georgia businessman who scammed new basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard out of millions of dollars in a bogus scheme to buy the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison. Calvin Darden Jr. was also convicted of cheating former NBA forward Chandler Parsons in a separate ruse involving the development of NBA prospect James Wiseman. Darden was ordered to forfeit $8 million and several luxury items he acquired with the ill-gotten gains. He was convicted in October of wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering charges.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Tulane suspends transfer QB Finley following arrest

New Orleans

Tulane transfer quarterback TJ Finley has been suspended from the team indefinitely following his arrest for alleged possession of a stolen pickup truck. Finley’s attorneys say he was a “victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam.” The 23-year-old was charged with possession of stolen goods valued at $25,000 or more. Finley has been suspended pending the outcome of his case. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 1. Finley is with his fifth college football program after previously playing for LSU, Auburn, Texas State and Western Kentucky.

Duke’s Final Four fade puts them among top teams to fall short of title

A look at the best teams that didn’t win a title

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Duke had spent much of the season looking like like it was headed to a coronation behind consensus national player of the year Cooper Flagg.

Instead, the Blue Devils improbably squandered a big lead against Houston and saw their season end in the Final Four. And that puts this 35-w in Duke team on a select list of elite teams that fell short of winning the NCAA title in the 40 tournaments since expansion to 64 teams in 1985.

“It’s been a special ride,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said, “that ended in a heartbreaking way.”

1984 85 Georgetown

John Thompson’s reigning champion Hoyas (35-3) made it back to the title game behind player of the year Patrick Ewing, only to become the final victim in eighth-seeded Villanova’s improbable title run.

Rollie Massimino’s Wildcats made 22 of 28 shots (78.6%) in the win at Rupp Arena and remain the lowest-seeded team to cut down the nets.

1990 91 UNLV

It seemed Jerry Tarkanian’s Rebels (34-1) were headed for the history as the first repeat champion since UCLA’s run of seven straight from 1967-73, along with becoming the first unbeaten champ since Indiana in 1976. Yet a season of romping wins ended when Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke team — which lost by 30 to UNLV in the previous year’s final — stunned the Rebels in the Final Four in Indianapolis.

1992 93 Michigan

The famed “Fab Five” burst on the scene as a cultural phenomenon as an all-freshman unit that unexpectedly reached the title game in 1992.

A year later, the Wolverines (31-5) made it back and played a compelling finale against UNC.

But that one featured a tournament-lore blunder of eventual No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Chris Webber receiving a

Prop

a loss to Houston in Saturday’s national

3

Number of Duke teams on the list of highest-rated teams to lose in the NCAA Tournament

late technical foul for calling a timeout the Wolverines didn’t have to essentially seal the loss.

1996 97 Kansas

This might have been the best team of Roy Williams’ Hall of Fame career, one led by eventual NBA star Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz. But the Jayhawks (34-2) fell in the Sweet 16 to eventual champion Arizona.

1997 98 UNC

The Tar Heels (34-4) played their first year under Bill Guthridge after Dean Smith’s retirement with the national player of the year in Antawn Jamison and a future long-

betting has grown into major wagering attraction

The first Super Bowl prop was on the Fridge scoring a touchdown

By Mark Anderson The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — As Chicago roared through the 1985 NFL season, the Bears bullied opponents with the innovative “46 defense.” Sports betting at that time was anything but innovative. A point spread, money line and total. That was about it. Proposition bets were around, but not a central part of sports wagering. Then Art Manteris at Caesars Palace had an idea. The Bears were identified by their defense, and one of their tackles, William “Refrigerator” Perry, had created national buzz by lining up at fullback and scoring touchdowns on goal-line plays. So Manteris came up with a separate bet on whether the 340-pound Perry would score a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

“It was the biggest thing that ever happened to the prop bet because it made everybody

say, ‘What the hell’s going on?’” said longtime oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro, who now works for South Point in Las Vegas.

Thus a wagering craze began to take hold, expanding into a monster during the leadup to the Super Bowl and moving on to other sports, such as the NCAA Tournament. The men’s and women’s Final Fours both took place over the weekend, and there was no shortage of possibilities in markets where prop betting is legal on college sports.

Among the props offered were who would win Most Outstanding Player at the men’s and women’s Final Fours, how many games would end in buzzer-beaters and whether there would be a 25-point comeback.

“It’s a game within a game, or several games within a game,” famed former oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough wrote in an email. “So it allows bettors to have more action on the games. That’s fundamental.”

That was the thinking at Imperial Palace in the 1990s at a time when the Super Bowl was anything by super. The NFC dominated the AFC, winning 13 in a row with many games

time NBA star in Vince Carter. But the team fell to Rick Majerus and Utah in San Antonio.

1998 99 Duke

Statistically, this is KenPom’s all-time best team. The team was 37-2 and had player of the year Elton Brand as the headliner among four of that year’s top 14 picks. But UConn — led by Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-A min — pushed past Duke in the title game.

2004 05 Illinois

The Fighting Illini (37-2) spent the last 15 polls at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 with a guard-heavy lineup featuring eventual NBA star Deron Williams, Luther Head and Dee Brown. Illinois lost a tense final against UNC to give Roy Williams his first NCAA title.

2007 08 Memphis

The Tigers (38-2) rode the wizardry of freshman star

and No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Derrick Rose to the brink of John Calipari’s first title. But Memphis squandered a nine -point lead to Kansas in the final 2:12 of regulation in the title game.

2014 1 5 Kentucky

The Wildcats (38-1) carried an unbeaten record to the Final Four in Indianapolis before falling to Wisconsin in the national semifinals.

2018 19 Duke

The season dominated by the supernova star status of Zion Williamson and fellow NBA lottery picks RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish seemed headed for the Final Four. Yet the Blue Devils (32-6) fell to Tom Izzo’s Michigan State in a regional final.

2020 21 Gonzaga

The Zags (31-1) rolled through the season unbeaten, only to see a Baylor team blow them out in the title game.

decided either by halftime or shortly afterward.

Sportsbook director Jay Kornegay and his team wanted to find a way to keep gamblers engaged even if the games became one-sided. Prop betting was that way.

“It was just to entertain everyone,” said Kornegay. “They became so popular that they became a revenue stream as well. So we thought, the more propositions we had, it would take some of that weight off the Super Bowl game itself because Super Bowl Sunday was a do-or-die situation for our operators back then. You won the game or lost the game.” Now sportsbooks try to see if they can top each other during every Super Bowl — and other major sporting events. Who can get more creative? Who can attract the most attention?

There also are concerns about prop betting, especially

when it comes to wagering on college sports.

“Bookmakers will have to get pretty particular about props from this day forward because they’re under a lot of fire, especially in college sports,” Roxborough wrote. “Some states will likely restrict props, especially in college sports. However, the new bookmakers constantly push the limits on what they can and cannot do. I expect it to be a back-and-forth tussle with the regulators.”

Vaccaro remembered that 1985 Bears team and the Super Bowl prop that the rest of the Las Vegas Strip was forced to copy.

He opened the odds at about 40-1 at Golden Nugget and had to drop it to 10-1 when money poured in on the Fridge to score. Which he did.

“I was glad he did, even though we took a beating on that game,” Vaccaro said. “It proved it was a nice prop.”

BRYNN ANDERSON / AP PHOTO

Duke forward Cooper Flagg is interviewed in the locker room during media day at the Final Four.

Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II sits in locker room after

semifinals at the Final Four.

Local soccer star aids USA in FIFA U 17 World Cup berth

Cali O’Neill, the Seaforth junior and UNC women’s soccer commit, helped the USA qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team defeated El Salvador 7-0 in its last Group C match in the final round of the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Qualifiers on Saturday to qualify for its seventh FIFA U-17 World Cup. The World Cup will take place in Morocco from Oct. 17 to Nov. 8. O’Neill got the start as a defender in the USA’s berth-clinching win. After being up 2-0 at halftime, the Americans scored five goals in the second half to put the game out of reach. In the qualifiers opener against Trinidad and Tobago on March 31, O’Neill also started and helped the USA win a 3-0 shutout. The USA also beat Honduras 7-0 in the second qualifiers game on April 2. After only leading 1-0 at the break, the Americans scored six second half goals. Ashlyn Anderson scored two goals and assisted on two more. Coached by Kate Schoepfer, the USA joins Morocco, Mexico, China PR, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, New Zealand and Samoa as the nine teams that have already qualified for the World Cup. The Americans have yet to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup title, finishing as runner-up in 2008 and in third place last year. O’Neill, who plays at the club level with North Carolina Courage Academy, was one of two players from North Carolina on the U.S. roster, joining midfielder Riley Kennedy from Holly Springs who also plays for NC Courage. However, O’Neill isn’t guaranteed a spot on the World Cup roster. She will have to be called up again to compete in Morocco.

Local high school leads Wells Fargo Cup standings after winter season

Seaforth leads the 2A North Carolina High School Athletic Association Wells Fargo Cup standings after the end of the winter sports season. Wells Fargo Cup points are awarded based on a school’s final positioning in a state championship for each sport. The points are awarded as follows: 50 for first place, 45 for second, 40 for third, 35 for fourth, 30 for fifth, 25 for sixth, 20 for seventh and 15 for eighth. For each sport in which a school qualified for the playoffs, five points are awarded. Seaforth, sitting at the top with 367.5 points, has the largest lead (55 points) out of any first-place program and the third-most points in the state. In the 2024-25 school year, the Hawks have claimed 12 state titles (10 individual and two team). The wrestling team won its second individual team title, and the boys’ indoor track team won its first state championship in the winter. The Hawks also finished as state runner-up in volleyball, dual team wrestling and boys’ and girls’ cross country. Seaforth’s boys finished third in the swimming state championship meet. In basketball, the girls made run to the regional final and the boys earned a playoff bid. The girls’ tennis team also made the dual team playoffs, and Lillian McFall finished as a state runner-up in the 2A singles tournament. Seaforth won the 2023-24 2A Wells Fargo Cup and is in good position to repeat. The Hawks graduated just one senior from its 2024 state champion girls’ soccer team and could pick up some more titles in outdoor track during the spring season.

— Asheebo Rojas, Chatham News & Record

Anthony, Howard, Bird highlight Basketball Hall of Fame class

The 2008 Olympic team coached by Mike Krzyzewski was also inducted

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

CARMELO ANTHONY a nd

Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice. And LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that’s headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end.

Anthony and Howard were announced Saturday as members of the Class of 2025, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that they played on — dubbed the “Redeem Team,” the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball’s men’s program.

Also selected for enshrinement:

WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two -t ime NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner

Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.

“I made it to the real basketball heaven,” Howard said. “It’s crazy.”

Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of

SOFTBALL from page B1

base, sending Hurley in for a 6-4 deficit.

But instead of the play resulting in the Eagles’ second out at first base, Rush made it safe after the throw from third to first didn’t connect.

Costly errors in which throws to first base were out of reach or dropped happened twice more for Chatham Central in the inning, and of course, they both occurred on bunts. The second one, which could’ve been the third out, resulted in an extra run from Gracie Smith’s bunt and a 7-6 lead for Uwharrie Charter.

“Mistakes are going to happen,”

Chatham Central coach John Warf said. “You just got to forget about them and move on. Because if you don’t, they compound. That’s what happened. We had them compound up on us.”

Said Warf, “We had people play-

Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“When the call comes and, in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone,” Anthony said on the televised announcement. “You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, ‘You’re in.’ And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders.”

Donovan won back-to-back titles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami’s path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years.

“For some, this is an individual honor,” Arison said. “But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together.”

Combined, the five players selected as individuals — Bird, Moore, Fowles, Howard and Anthony — were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, won 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 AllNBA or All-WNBA appearances and were named as All-Stars 45 times in their careers.

“Surreal,” Bird said of her selection. “I don’t think there’s any way to really wrap your head around it.”

Added Fowles: “I don’t think (any) one of us go into this thinking that we’re going to be Hall of Famers. You just do your job ... and

ing out of their normal positions, and when you don’t have everybody, it hurts.”

Chatham Central even made a pitching change, but that didn’t stop the bleeding. The Bears walked in two runs following the switch, and wild pitches allowed another pair of runs to score in the final two at-bats of the inning.

Prior to the dramatic change of events, Chatham Central took advantage of Uwharrie Charter’s defensive mistakes for a 6-0 lead after the first two innings. The Bears struggled to get a hit early in the game, but the Eagles walked in two runs and two second inning errors put eventual scorers on base.

Williams, the freshman who took over the pitching duties for Katelyn West in the first inning, came up huge for the Eagles amid their comeback. After the second inning, Williams retired five bat-

when it’s all said and done, the job is complete and here we are.”

The Redeem Team’s selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Anthony, Howard, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince.

That team’s managing director was Jerry Colangelo, who now chairs the Hall of Fame.

“We developed a set of standards where all the guys lived by those standards,” said former Duke coach and 2001 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Krzyzewski, who coached that 2008 Olympic team. “They were the best group of guys. I wish like crazy that Kobe was here. He was really the key guy, I think. As many great players as we had at that point, he was the greatest and everyone looked up to him.”

The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball’s place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points.

ters and held the Bears to zero earned runs.

“Because we haven’t won in a few games, I was like, ‘Well, we need to get our rally back,’” Williams said. “So I was fighting out there on the mound for us to win.”

The comeback win was much needed to avoid a third straight loss, but it also served as another reminder why the young and rebuilding Uwharrie Charter squad is still finding success and in the battle for a playoff spot.

Marine said he wants his team to build on their “fight” throughout the rest of the season.

“(Chatham Central) had us down 7-4 the last time we played them,” Marine said. “We came back and won in the bottom of the seventh. So, that’s one thing I like to see. They always continue to fight. We’re mixing different kids in and doing different things, and it’s working for now.”

Lithgow named best actor at London stage Olivier Awards

“Giant” explores children’s writer Roald Dahl’s dark side

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

LONDON — American actor John Lithgow won the best actor trophy at the London stage Olivier Awards on Sunday for exploring the dark side of children’s writer Roald Dahl in “Giant.”

Backwards-biographical story “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was named best new musical at the awards, Britain’s equivalent of Broadway’s Tony Awards.

“Conclave” star Lithgow added the Olivier to an awards shelf that already includes multiple Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe trophies, for depicting the author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in Mark Rosenblatt’s play, which confronts Dahl’s antisemitic views.

“I think I’m going to faint,” said an emotional Lithgow, 79.

He said he wanted to assure Britons that the transatlantic “special relationship is still firmly intact.”

“It’s not always easy to welcome an American into your midst, and at this particular moment, it’s probably a little more complicated than usual,” he said.

Lesley Manville, whose resume includes a stint as Princess Margaret in “The Crown,” took the best actress prize for her performance as shocked royal spouse Jocasta in “Oedipus.” Director Robert Icke’s modern-day reimagining of the ancient Greek tragedy — which opens on Broadway later this year — was named best revival of a play.

Imelda Staunton — Queen Elizabeth II in two final seasons of “The Crown” — won the fifth Olivier of her career, best actress in a musical, for “Hello, Dolly!” Best actor in a musical went to John Dagleish as the titular man who ages in reverse in “Benjamin Button.” The musical is based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald that also inspired a 2008 movie starring Brad Pitt.

The Oliviers were handed out in a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall hosted by Broadway, TV and runway star Billy Porter and British soul singer Beverley Knight.

Stars in the audience included recent Academy Award winner Adrien Brody — a best-actor Olivier nominee for death-row stage drama “The Fear of 13” — and Cate Blanchett, recently seen on the London stage in “The Seagull.”

“Giant” won three prizes, including best new play. “Benjamin Button” also won three, as did a boisterous outdoor production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which was named best musical revival. Maimuna Memon was named best supporting actress in a musical for Tolstoy-inspired “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.”

The prizes, which recognize achievements in theater, opera and dance, were founded in 1976 and named for the late actor-director Laurence Olivier.

‘Sour Cherry’ shows author’s stunning talent for modern fairy tales

A sense of danger lurks but is not named nor faced head-on

By Donna Edwards The Associated Press

THE MODERN FAIRY tale is a tricky thing, what with phones and cities and all the trappings of now that tend to suck the magic out of a story and make it impossible to suspend disbelief. But Natalia Theodoridou’s debut novel aces the assignment.

“Sour Cherry” is a masterfully crafted reimagining of the tale of Bluebeard, a serial wife-killer who punishes the women’s curiosity with death.

Theodoridou’s modern take grapples with abuse, generational trauma, dominance and culpability. It begins with Agnes, called upon to be a wet nurse for the local lord in an unspecified time period in an unnamed-but-possibly-European country, told by an unidentified narrator, “I,” to a child, “you,” occasionally interrupted by ghosts of the women we’ll come to know.

It’s a story within a story of a fairy tale told in haste and earnest to convey powerful messages through accessible tropes, starting with one woman’s sorrow redirected to caring for another woman’s son.

Even though Agnes loves the little lord whom she nurses and tends to, he also frightens her. What begins as small abnormal-

er they be repurposed snatches of Greek myths and urban legends, or stories that characters tell each other within the narrator’s story. Every bit the fairy tale writer, Theodoridou leans heavily on sensory nature descriptions and takes short asides for what would be considered platitudes if they weren’t so strange and echoed in the narrator’s characters sometimes chapters or even lifetimes apart.

The whole time, a sense of danger lurks but is not named nor faced head-on.

ities — fingernails that grow too fast and the strong, unexplained smell of soil on the baby — transforms into something far more sinister as he grows into a forest of a man who brings pestilence and death with him wherever he goes.

The narrator breaks from the story to address the passage of time and build tension. She dips into modernity, referencing plays and phones, and mixes up details so you’re never quite sure which pieces of the story are true, and which are smudged or allegorical. Further thickening the haze, references to other tales are littered about, wheth-

Like a magic eye picture, “Sour Cherry” is a horror or thriller when viewed at one angle but, tilted ever so slightly, it’s a myth, legend or bedtime story. It’s a tale of buried pain personified as a curse, a beast, a pestilence that follows the family, the bloodline. The fairy tale style only serves to make the truths within it truer, methodically marching forward through highs and lows. The author perfectly captures how abuse is shrouded in inevitability, the way it’s so often left unaddressed in society, and the seeming impossibility of leaving.

“Sour Cherry” is beautiful and harrowing. With a writing style that had me mesmerized from the first page, Theodoridou has an amazing talent for storytelling that’s so effective that the ending — while predictable and maybe even unavoidable — still stunned me and moved me to tears.

TIN HOUSE VIA AP

“Sour Cherry” is author Natalia Theodoridou’s debut novel.

this week in history

Napoleon banished, Civil War began, Lincoln shot, Titanic sunk

The Associated Press

APRIL 10

1866: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in New York by Henry Bergh.

1919: Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata was assassinated by forces loyal to President Venustiano Carranza.

1963: The nuclear submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) sank during deep-diving tests east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, killing all 129 aboard.

APRIL 11

1814: Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as emperor of the French and was banished to the island of Elba.

1945: During World War II, U.S. Army troops liberated the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp near Weimar, Germany.

1968: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

APRIL 12

1861: The U.S. Civil War

Elton John, Brandi Carlile’s collaboration deepens on ‘Who Believes in Angels?’

Power ballads, shockingly, are kept to a minimum

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press

NEW YORK — It started with a movie. Country star Brandi Carlile, so moved after watching a rough cut of the 2024 music documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late,” began writing a song inspired by John’s incredible career. Titled “Never Too Late,” it became the title track for the film and a collaboration with John, producer Andrew Watt and John’s longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin. “This song was about my life,” John told The Associated Press earlier this year. “I’ve been through hell ... and I still come out fighting (on) the other side. So, you know, it’s very true to what I am.”

“Never Too Late” was shortlisted for the 2025 Oscars. It didn’t win, but that’s no matter. Now it is featured on a new, full album’s worth of collaborations between John and Carlile, called “Who Believes In Angels?”

The introductory anthem,

“The Rose of Laura Nyro,” suggests this might be a Carlile-does-John record, largely ornamented with call-and-response harmonies from the man himself, instead of something approximating a true partnership. That concern is quickly shed by the swinging rock ’n’ roll of track two, “Little Richard’s Bible,” lead by John. A pattern is established: The duo takes turns with the reins. Still, Carlile’s voice often emerges the loudest.

Power ballads, shockingly, are kept to a minimum. The best example is likely the title track, written by Carlile about her lifelong admiration-turned-long term friendship with John.

Positivity is in no short supply. “A Little Light” was written by Carlile the day that Israel invaded Gaza; it serves as a rallying cry to bring the world together. The midtempo “Someone to Belong To” mirrors “Never Too Late,” in some ways, as the pair harmonize its optimistic message: “Hang in there, darling, won’t you? / The best is yet to come,” they duet. “I thank my lucky stars / That I’ve got someone / Someone to belong to.” Closer “When This Old World is Done with Me” is a peak-John

solutions

began as Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

1945: President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, at age 63.

1955: The polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk was declared safe and effective following nearly a year of field trials undertaken by about 1.8 million American child volunteers dubbed “polio pioneers.”

APRIL 13

1743: Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was born in Shadwell in the Virginia Colony.

1861: Fort Sumter in South Carolina fell to Confederate forces in the first battle of the Civil War.

1964: Sidney Poitier became the first black performer to win an Academy Award for acting in a leading role for his performance in “Lilies of the Field.”

APRIL 14

1828: The first edition of Noah Webster’s “American Dictionary of the English Language” was published.

1865: President Abraham Lincoln was shot and mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth during a performance of the

play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.

1997: Tiger Woods, at age 21, became the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

APRIL 15

1912: The British luxury liner RMS Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland just over two and a half hours after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage. More than 1,500 people died, while 710 survived.

1947: Jackie Robinson, baseball’s first black major league player of the modern era, made his official debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on opening day at Ebbets Field.

1955: Ray Kroc opened the first franchised McDon-

On its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, on April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. More than 1,500 passengers and crew perished.

ald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.

2013: Two bombs made from pressure cookers exploded at the Boston Marathon finish line, killing two women and an 8-year-old boy and injuring more than 260.

APRIL 16

1945: A Soviet submarine in the Baltic Sea torpedoed the ship MV Goya, which Germany was using to transport civilian refugees and wounded soldiers. As many as 7,000 people died as the ship broke apart and sank minutes after being struck.

1963: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in response to a group of local clergymen who had criticized him for leading street protests.

piano ballad, a timeless offering that begs the question: Will the world ever see a new solo record from the pop hero again?

Much like “Never Too Late,” Taupin and Carlile both contributed lyrics, and Watt produced “Who Believes In Angels?” It was recorded in Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound Studios in October 2023, written and recorded in just 20 days, backed by all-star musi-

cians: Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, bassist Pino Palladino (who performs with Nine Inch Nails), and keyboardist Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Beck).

Despite its expedition, the album is a full collection. It directly reflects a deepening collaborative relationship between John and Carlile, perhaps not unlike the one the country singer es-

tablished with Joni Mitchell recently, getting the folk icon back on stage. (What other musical heroes should get back in the studio? Give Carlile a call!) It is only natural for fans to leave wanting to hear more John. But in whole, “Who Believes In Angels?” is full of life — and it is a joy to hear an energetic John just a few years after he embarked on his farewell tour.

INTERSCOPE RECORDS VIA AP

“Who Believes In Angels?” by Elton John and Brandi Carlile was backed by all-star musicians.

AP PHOTO

*Must

famous birthdays this week

Herbie Hancock is 85, David Letterman turns 78, Claire Danes is 46, Al Green hits 79

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week

APRIL 10

Actor Steven Seagal is 73. Actor Peter MacNicol (“Numb3rs,” “Ally McBeal”) is 71. Singer-producer Babyface is 67.

APRIL 11

Actor Peter Riegert (film’s “Animal House,” TV’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) is 78. Actor Bill Irwin (“Law & Order: SVU”) is 75. Singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale is 68.

APRIL 12

Actor Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family,” “Married... With Children”) is 79. Talk show host David Letterman is 78. Actor Andy Garcia is 69. Actor Claire Danes is 46.

APRIL 13

Actor Edward Fox is 88. Composer Bill Conti (“Rocky” film theme) is 83. Musician Al Green is 79. Actor Ron Perlman is 75.

APRIL 14

Actor Peter Capaldi (“Dr. Who,” “The Musketeers”) is 67. Actor Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 65. Singer-guitarist John Bell of Widespread Panic is 63. Actor Anthony Michael Hall is 57.

APRIL 15

Actor Lois Chiles (“Austin Powers,” “Moonraker”) is 78. Actor Emma Thompson is 66. Country singer Chris Stapleton is 47.

APRIL 16

Actor Michel Gill (“Mr. Robot,” “House of Cards”) is 65. Singer Jimmy Osmond is 62. Actor Jon Cryer is 60. Actor-comedian Martin Lawrence is 60.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Longtime talk show host David Letterman turns 78 on Saturday.

ALEXANDER NEMENOV / POOL PHOTO VIA AP

American action-movie actor Steven Seagal, pictured in 2024, hits 73 on Thursday.

SCOTT GARFITT / INVISION / AP PHOTO British actor Emma Thompson turns 66 on Tuesday.

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ returns, Viola Davis in action, Spin Doctors drop new album

“Black Mirror” is back on Netflix

The Associated Press

HULU’S “THE Handmaid’s Tale” returning for its sixth and final season and Viola Davis playing a U.S. president in the action movie “G20” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reunite in the long-awaited second season of “The Last of Us,” Cillian Murphy plays an Irish coal merchant in the movie “Small Things Like These” and Spin Doctors release their first new studio album in 12 years.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Davis as an action star is, generally speaking, worth seeing. While Davis is best known for more dramatic roles, she kicked serious butt in 2022’s “The Woman King.” In “G20” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video), Davis plays a U.S. president whose military background comes in handy when terrorists take over the Group of 20 summit.

Following up his Oscar-winning performance in “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy stars in and produced “Small Things Like These,” an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize-nominated novella. In the film (streaming on Hulu), Murphy plays an Irish coal merchant and father of five daughters in 1985. Directed by Tim Mielants (who worked with Murphy on “Peaky Blinders”) and co-starring Emma Watson, “Small Things Like These” digs into the brutal traumas of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries.

MUSIC TO STREAM

Nearly six years have passed since Bon Iver’s last album, “i, i” was released, but that wasn’t the last we heard from him. His influence is everywhere in contemporary popular music; his world has changed ours, from 2007’s debut album, “For Emma Forever Ago,” recorded in his father’s hunting cabin, to all the Grammy nominations, tours and features with stars from Bruce Springsteen to Taylor Swift. In October, he released indie folk EP “SABLE,” which AP’s Dave Campbell described as arriving like a siren, warning the listener of some intensity ahead. On Friday, that intensity arrives in the form of a new full-length album, “SABLE, fABLE.” Also on Friday, Spin Doc -

tors release their first new studio album in 12 years, “Face Full of Cake,” via Capitol Records. It’s been 33 years since their alt-rock, Grammy-nominated hit “Two Princes” soundtracked the ’90s. Three decades later, their cheeky spirit endures.

SHOWS TO STREAM

After a more than two-year wait, Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” is back for its sixth and final season. Elisabeth Moss returns as June, determined to rescue her daughter from the totalitarian, theonomic society of Gilead, which has taken over the United States. When “The Handmaid’s Tale” debuted in 2017, early into President Donald Trump’s first term, it struck a chord with viewers, particularly women, worried about their rights. The final season returns in the early days of Trump’s second term. Hulu also has ordered a sequel series, “The Testaments,” taking place 15 years later. Both

shows are based on novels by Margaret Atwood.

Netflix’s sci-fi anthology series “Black Mirror” returns for Season 7 on Thursday. There are six new stories — including a sequel to Season 4’s “USS Callister,” with Cristin Milioti reprising her role. Its new cast includes Awkwafina, Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Paul Giamatti, Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chris O’Dowd.

A new reality competition show on Hulu may help fill the void left by “The Traitors.” “Got to Get Out” is hosted by Marvel actor Simu Liu and features notable reality TV stars like Spencer Pratt, Omarosa, Val Chmerkovskiy and Kim Zolciak-Biermann facing off against everyday people. They must live in a locked house together for 10 days for the chance of winning $1 million. The contestants have to devise plans to sneak out for challenges, without getting caught. “Got to Get Out” premieres Friday.

Remember Jon Hamm’s

commercial for Apple TV+ where he lamented he was the only Hollywood actor who hadn’t been hired by the streamer? A role on “The Morning Show” changed that for him. Now Hamm is starring in his own Apple show called “Your Friends & Neighbors,” premiering Friday. He plays Coop, a divorced, down- on-his-luck man who loses his hedge fund job. To keep up with the Joneses, not to mention his alimony and child support, he begins to steal from his affluent neighbors when they’re not home. The show, already renewed for Season 2, also stars Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn. Pascal and Ramsey reunite in the long-awaited second season of “The Last of Us.” The series is based on video games of the same name about a fungal infection that turns the infected into zombies. Season 2 picks up five years after the events of the first, with new cast member Kaitlyn Dever. Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Wright and Isabela Merced will also appear. “The Last of Us” Season 2 premieres Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The Deep South has so much weird folklore that it should be

a great setting for an eerie video game. Leave it to our friends up north — Canadian studio Compulsion Games — to deliver South of Midnight. After a hurricane blows through a small town called Prospero, a young woman named Hazel gains some magical skills. She’ll need them to fight back against the witches, haints and oversized gators running wild all over the swamp. The supernatural creatures here, including an amiable giant catfish with a Cajun accent, have a distinctive stop-motion look, casting a haunting spell around Hazel’s journey. You can dig into this gumbo on Xbox X/S and PC.

Speaking of eerie settings, who isn’t intrigued by the classic mysterious mansion? Blue Prince, from Los Angeles-based designer Tonda Ros, invites you to explore such a house — and each time you open a door, you have a choice as to what room is behind it. The house is filled with puzzles, some of which require clues and objects from multiple locations. And at the end of the day, the manor resets itself, so the rooms will be in different places the next morning. It all feels like one huge escape room, and you can move in Thursday on

and

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Your Friends & Neighbors” and “The Last of Us” land this week on a device near you.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

The Spin Doctors, pictured in 2013, drop “Face Full of Cake,” their first album in 12 years, on Friday.

Elisabeth Moss returns as June, determined to rescue her daughter from the totalitarian, theonomic society of Gilead, which has taken over the United States.

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

Senior Services center holding annual shred-a-thon

Kenansville

Duplin County Senior Services is hosting a shred‑a thon event on Monday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will have the chance to shred old documents such as old tax records, employment records, bank statements and anything else to reduce clutter in their homes and protect themselves against identity theft. The event will be at the side parking lot of the Duplin County Senior Services at 156 Duplin Commons Drive in Kenansville. Last year, seniors shredded 1,500 pounds of paper during the first shred a thon. For more information, call Duplin County Senior Services at 910 296 2140.

Enrollment open for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Kenansville

Duplin County Partnership for Children is still enrolling Duplin children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Call 910 296 2000 for more information on how to register your child.

Duplin offers new fraud detection notification service

Duplin County The Duplin County Register of Deeds Office provides a Fraud Detection Notification service to help citizens monitor for fraudulent activity. This free service alerts individuals via email when documents matching their names, such as powers of attorney or deeds, are filed. People can provide their name, email address, and up to five names to monitor by signing up. Those interested can register at duplinrod.com. For more information, call 910‑296‑2108.

Duplin County hosts annual Pinwheels for Prevention event

Kenansville In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Guardian at Litem, Duplin County Department of Social Services and Duplin County Partnership for Children will be hosting a Pinwheels for Prevention event on April 16 at 165 Agriculture Drive in Kenansville to help bring awareness to child abuse in the community. Kickoff & Walk will occur at 9:30 a.m., with the annual Pinwheel Ceremony to follow inside the Ed Emory Building at 10 a.m. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

State superintendent comes to Duplin

Mo Green’s stop at Wallace Elementary comes as part of his “Mo Wants to Know” tour

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

WALLACE — Duplin Coun

ty Schools welcomed North Carolina State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green to Wallace Elementary last week for a stu dent led tour demonstrating the district’s STEAMA model with dynamic, hands on learning ex periences. Green is currently visiting all eight regions of the state as part of his “Mo Wants to Know” tour to gather insight for the N.C. Department of Pub lic Instruction’s strategic plan

by holding listening and learn ing sessions at schools through out the state.

Students ambassadors and staff, alongside Board of Educa tion Chairman Brent Davis and Vice Chairman Reginald Ke nan, welcomed Green to Wal lace Elementary on Monday morning, where his tour began with a second grade classroom Open Court phonics lesson on vowel blends, followed by a col laborative pollination experi ment that demonstrated how bees transfer pollen. Green fielded questions from students

“We are grateful for the support of NCDPI and look forward to our continued partnership ensuring student success.”

Austin Obasohan

on topics such as school safe ty and emphasized the impor tance of hiring great teachers and leaders, providing schools with safety resources and teach ing students to be proactive in school safety.

Following a Living Litera

ture presentation by BETA stu dents that brought stories to life through creativity and dedica tion, Green spoke to members of the Drama Club about the pow er of the cultural arts and ex plained how theatre and music performances can help students express themselves and build confidence.

The tour next took the state superintendent to the school’s outdoor learning area, where students were engaged in an in tegrated literacy and math les son. AG Club students proudly showcased their work in plant ing, fertilizing, and caring for thriving flocks of chickens and

See GREEN, page A2

Beulaville addresses waterline break at monthly meeting

The town is under a boil water advisory while samples are tested

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Resi

dents raised concerns over the town’s ongoing water project at the board’s regular meeting on Monday evening following an April 7 break in the main line. The incident has placed Beu laville townsfolk under a boil water advisory until the samples

“We could get those notices back by Wednesday afternoon late, or it could be Thursday morning.”

Lori Williams, Town Manager

sent for testing have returned. On Monday afternoon, Town Manager Lori Williams issued advisories to inform the public about the break in the main wa ter line, which has resulted in pe riods of low water pressure and outages in the distribution sys tem. Residents were advised to boil all water used for human consumption — including wa ter used for making ice, brush ing teeth, washing dishes and preparing food, or to use bottled water. This precaution is neces sary as low or no pressure can in crease the risk of back siphonage, which may introduce bacteria into the water system.

od,” said Williams in response to a citizen’s inquiry. “We could get those notices back by Wednes day afternoon late, or it could be Thursday morning.”

Though residents expressed concern with a perceived lack of communication from the town regarding the break, Wil liams explained that two notic es had been sent: one when the leak began and another with ad ditional information, including the boil water advisory. She ad vised that a third notice will be

“Once they pull the sam ples and they have to be sent off, there’s a 24 hour testing peri

DCOM serves over 2,000 people monthly in Duplin County

Helping hands expand programs to meet growing community needs

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WALLACE — Duplin Christian Out reach Ministries (DCOM) Crisis Cen ter plays a vital role supporting individu als and families facing crisis situations in Duplin County.

Jeralene Merritt, director of DCOM Crisis Center told Duplin Journal cli ents typically seek food, utilities and rent assistance.

“We have added a thrift store,” Mer ritt noted, adding that they have also in creased the financial support they provide to clients.

Merritt, who works part time at the center, shared that over 105 volunteers are involved in various programs, play ing a crucial role in DCOM’s operations. On service days, DCOM serves a signifi cant number of people, assisting between 10 to 28 clients within a span of 2.5 hours.

“We see, just in this office, on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours and a half, we can see anywhere from 10 to 28 cli ents,” said Merritt. “We serve over 2,000 clients in Duplin County in food every month.”

See BEULAVILLE, page A2

Merritt, who has been with DCOM since in 2020, has seen the organization evolve over the years, adding new pro grams and partnerships to meet the in creasing needs of the community. They have expanded their pantries from two to six locations and introduced programs, including the backpack ministry, money management assistance and support for the homeless.

The organization was initially inspired by local pastors who recognized the need for a central location to help those in cri sis, as many were going from church to church seeking assistance. DCOM was founded by pastors in Wallace who ob served this pattern and decided it was essential to establish a centralized hub $2.00

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

State Superintendent Mo Green embarked on a student-led tour through Wallace

action as part of his “Mo Wants to Know” tour.

“Join the conversation” THURSDAY

Duplin Journal

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from page A1

sent regarding the boil water advisory once samples have re turned. Williams also thanked Public Works for their fast re sponse and hard work in reme dying the break.

“Within four hours, start to finish, water was restored back in town,” Williams explained.

Ricky Raynor, director of Pub lic Works for the town of Beu laville, advised the board that all waterlines should be installed within two weeks, noting that tie ins and water taps would need more time.

“As far as laying pipe, they hope to be done in a week and a half, two weeks tops,” said Raynor.

Raynor also addressed the concerns of Beulaville resident Karl Wilson regarding pipes that appeared to have been left stick ing out of the ground, explaining that sight pipes were necessary for engineers to record pipe loca tion and depth.

“That’s for our records; then those pipes will be pulled up and those holes will be filled in,” ad vised Raynor. “They’ve got until December, but they plan on be ing done well before that.”

The town is also working on modernizing its noise ordinance with updates to restrictions on mufflers, speakers, events, tim ing and complaint process as well as increased fines. Karl Mo bley, chief of police, indicated that these changes made the ex isting ordinance more specific, both civilly and criminally.

Beulaville Mayor Hutch Jones and Commissioner Del mas Highsmith expressed res ervations about the wording of the new ordinance and whether loopholes existed that could be exploited to circumvent it, spe cifically how officers intended to measure noise as town police presently lack the decibel meters the ordinance references. Ulti mately, the board decided to ta ble the ordinance until it had been revised.

Other matters of business in cluded scheduling two pub lic hearings for the board’s May meeting on the 2025 26 budget and a proposed 24 month mora torium on new vape and tobacco shops within town limits.

THURSDAY APRIL

FRIDAY APRIL 11

SPONSORED BY DUPLIN CALENDAR

April 15

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.

April 17

The 2025 Duplin County Job Fair will be on Thursday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at James Sprunt Community College. This event is open to the public. Whether you’re on the hunt for your dream job or just exploring your options, this is your chance to connect with local employers and discover job opportunities. The rain date is April 24.

April 22

The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Duplin County Center will host a boiling water canning workshop on April 22 at 10 a.m., at 165 Agriculture Drive in Kenansville. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the associated risks, the science behind preventing those risks, and terminology related to recipes. The cost is $10. To register, call 910 -29 6 -2143.

April 26

Join the North Carolina Pickle Festival on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Anita Marie Savage, Duplin County Register of Deeds issued 24 marriage licenses for the month ending on March 31, 2025:

• Garry Rydell Teachey Jr., Wallace, and Karen Cristel Romero Perez, Wallace; Juan Pablo Ortiz Lopez, Rose Hill, and Reyna Marie Kenny, Rose Hill;

• Joaquin Morales Catatino, Beulaville, and Erika Reyes Ramirez, Beulaville;

• Isabel Alejandra Gamboa Burciaga, Pink Hill, and Juan Carlos Camacho Baez, Pink Hill; Brianna Lucille Bishop, Kinston, and Jeremy Jacob

GREEN from page A1

provided an enthusiastic ex planation of the intricate pro cess of candling eggs. The su perintendent also learned how students take ownership of their program by selling farm‑fresh eggs, ensuring sus tainability and real world fi nancial literacy in their agri cultural endeavors. Back in the STEAMA class room, Green observed a proud student’s coding project rep licate the classic puzzle game Tetris and a Robotics Club pre sentation in which students

6 p.m. in downtown Mount Olive. Enjoy a variety of exciting activities, including the Tour de Pickle, beer and wine garden, pickle-eating contest, recipe contest, live music, car show, costume contest and the crowning of the Pickle Princess. Register for the Tour de Pickle by April 18. The festivities kick off on Friday, April 25 with the Cuke Patch 5K Glow Run at 8 p.m.

• Pet Friends of Duplin County will host a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will take place in the parking lot of First Baptist Church, located at 208 West Main St. in Wallace. Rabies shots are free for the first five dogs, cats and ferrets. There will be a charge of $5 for each additional pet. Duplin County Animal Services will be administering the vaccinations. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and cats and ferrets should be placed in crates or carriers. For more information, contact 910-271-4709.

April

29

The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Duplin County Center, will host a pressure canning workshop on April 29 at 10 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension office located at 165 Agriculture Drive in Kenansville. In this workshop, you’ll learn the science behind creating shelf-stable products and how to use a pressure canner to process jars of vegetables and meats for shelf stability. The cost is $10. To register, call 910 -29 6-2143.

Happening Monthly

The Board of County Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910 -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

Kamm, Kinston; Ignacio Jose Melara, Wallace, and Magdalena Suyapa Santos Juarez, Wallace;

• Kaitlyn Grace Farley, Raleigh, and Austin Drake Lanier, Beulaville; Chase Adam Kornegay, Mount Olive, and Rebecca Lynn Grady, Mount Olive; Yaiko Nikita Murray, Rose Hill, and Robert Randolph Watson, Rose Hill;

• Jillian Dara Ann Harvey, Kenansville, and Colby Gentry Holliday, Kenansville; Brandon Holcy Harper, Beulalville, and Samantha Jo Evans, Beulaville;

• Natalie Renee Starcher, Kenansville, and Christopher

shared their latest innovations. Wallace Elementary’s energetic Bullpup Bouncers rounded out the superintendent’s visit with a performance that highlight ed the importance of physical wellness through movement. Journalism students took on the role of reporters, seizing on a real world career exploration opportunity to skillfully docu ment the day’s events. Utiliz ing photography, interviews and storytelling, students cap tured the excitement of the su perintendent’s visit and gained invaluable experience in media and communications.

Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 110 NE Center St. in Faison. For more information, call 910-267-2721.

• The Economic Development Board meets the first Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.

• The Duplin County NAACP holds its monthly meetings on the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church at 336 West Hill St. in Warsaw.

The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call 910-289-3078.

• The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910-285-7564.

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 121 S. Front St. For information, call 910-293-7814.

• The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 108 Taylor St. in Magnolia. For information, call 910-289-3205.

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910-289-3159.

• The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m. on the second and 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 meets 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.

Brady Heath, Kenansville; Jose De Jesus Mora Martinez, Mount Olive, and Felicitas Mata Saucedo, Mount Olive;

• Hunter Louis Thurston, Mount Olive, andKaitlyn Elizabeth Hardee, Mount Olive;

John Taylor Johnson, Wallace, and Natalie Hope Smith, Clinton;

• Everett Bernard Pannkuk IV, Wallace, and Shannon Nicole Paul, Cary;

• Sean Patrick Bankus, Kenansville, and Dorily Monserrat Angeles Gomez, Kenansville; Juan De Dios Guzman Gutierrez, Albertson, and

Duplin County Schools Su perintendent Austin Obasohan shared his appreciation as he reflected on Green’s visit.

“I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for their dedication to innova tion and excellence. The en gaging learning experiences showcased today are a reflec tion of the work happening across our district every day,” said Obasohan, adding that through STEAMA, students are gaining the critical think ing, creativity and hands on skills they need to compete on a global scale.

Wuendi Lourdes Gonzalez Paz, Albertson;

Destiny Lanae Crews, Beulaville, and Ramel Lamar Pratt, Beulaville;

• Paris Shaquille Bennerman, Rose Hill, and Afrika Latria Williams, Rose Hill;

Trevor James Earp, Wallace, and Samantha Marie Ramirez-Martinez, Wallace;

• Avery Burke Batchelor, Watha, and Juanita Gail Souther, Snow Camp;

• Madisen Alene Barwick, Seven Springs, and Shannon Keith Daniels, Albertson; Angel David MorenoVelazquez, Warsaw, and Leslie Lilibeth Portillo Guzman, Warsaw.

“On behalf of our Board of Education and entire school family, we thank Superinten dent Green, Dr. Metcalf and their staff for taking time out of their busy schedules to vis it Duplin County Schools. Spe cial thanks to Superintendent Green for giving Chairman Da vis and Vice Chairman Kenan the opportunity to share with him some concerns impacting students, educators, and the educational system,” he con tinued. “We are grateful for the support of NCDPI and look for ward to our continued partner ship ensuring student success.”

BEULAVILLE

A journey of service, dedication, community impact

Meet Sheriff Stratton Stokes

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

EACH WEEK, Duplin Jour nal highlights a community member whose hard work and dedication represent the spirit of Duplin County. This week, Du plin Journal invited Sheriff Strat ton Stokes for a Q&A session. As sheriff, Stokes plays a vital role in shaping law enforcement priorities and policies in Duplin County. His journey has been marked by steady growth, mak ing significant strides in modern izing the Sheriff’s Office, increas ing community engagement and addressing key issues like jail overcrowding.

His leadership approach is about fostering trust and collab oration, increasing operational efficiency and promoting trans parency. By embracing innova tion — through technology and improved resources — he is mak ing a direct impact on the lives of Duplin County residents.

In this Q&A, Stokes discuss es his vision for Duplin County, provides insights into some of the current challenges, and discusses how the integration of technolo gy is improving the overall wel fare of both officers and citizens. You will also learn about the dad behind the scenes and how he balances life and work.

What motivated you to pursue a career in law enforcement?

Growing up, I witnessed first hand the impact that caring can have on individuals and fam ilies, especially those who are vulnerable or in crisis. This in stilled in me a strong sense of re sponsibility to step up and make a difference.

I believe that everyone de serves to feel safe and supported, and it’s our duty, no matter what our role or profession, to be advo cates for those who cannot advo cate for themselves.

The opportunity to build rela tionships within the community, to be a source of guidance, and to foster trust is incredibly ful filling. Ultimately, my commit ment to justice and service drives me every day to ensure that our community thrives in a safe and supportive environment.

Can you tell us about your journey from serving as a jailer to being elected sheriff?

My journey has been both challenging and rewarding. I be gan my career in law enforce ment as a jailer at the Duplin County Detention Center, where I was responsible for supervising the inmate population and en suring their safety. This founda tional experience taught me the importance of maintaining or der and the human side of law enforcement.

From there, I was promoted to deputy sheriff, where I gained hands on experience responding to calls for aid and conducting investigations. Over the years, I earned promotions to senior pa trol deputy and then to sergeant, where I took on greater respon sibilities in managing shift oper ations and training new recruits.

Later I served as a special agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, where I worked major homicide, pub lic corruption, advanced crime scene and narcotics cases. Each of these roles allowed me to build strong relationships within the community and understand the diverse needs of our citizens and the challenges we face as a community.

Being elected sheriff has been a culmination of years of dedi cation and a deep commitment to the people of Duplin Coun ty. I strive to lead with integri ty, transparency and a focus on community engagement, ensur ing that the citizens and families who call Duplin home feel safe and supported.

In what ways does your background as a lawyer influence your approach in your role as sheriff?

My legal background allows me to navigate complex legal is sues with a nuanced understand ing of the law. It helps me ensure that our operations are compli ant and that we uphold the rights of all individuals. This perspec tive also aids in collaborating with the district attorney’s office and in developing policies that protect both the community and our officers.

How has technology enhanced law enforcement operations in Duplin under your leadership?

Under my leadership, tech nology has transformed our op erations, increasing efficiency, safety, public engagement and accountability.

The Sheriff’s Office website now offers easier access to inmate and incident reports online, promoting transparency and saving costs.

• An updated tip line and online portal encourage community participation in crime-solving by allowing anonymous submissions.

The acquisition of a DJI Matrice 350 Drone has enhanced our search and rescue capabilities.

• The Tek84 Body Scanner has improved security at the jail by detecting contraband amid rising opioid concerns. This advanced technology addresses concerns about overdoses and in-custody deaths, enhancing safety for both inmates and staff.

• A new state-of-the-art surveillance system enhances

monitoring capabilities, improving overall security and accountability.

• The acquisition of a Peacekeeper armored vehicle and DEA radio transmitter system enhance our Special Response Team’s readiness for high-risk situations.

The updated Guard 1 round system improves tracking and adherence to safety protocols, reducing liability.

• Conducting training in-house has saved approximately $50,000 annually, customizing programs for our department’s needs.

The acquisition and implementation of new software and hardware have enhanced the Sheriff’s Office investigative capabilities, ensuring swift analysis of evidence.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first became sheriff and what achievements are you most proud of?

I encountered several signifi cant challenges. One of the most pressing issues was the mod ernization of our office through technology. Implementing new systems and tools to enhance ef ficiency and communication was crucial.

Another major challenge was the recruitment and retention of employees. The salaries offered were uncompetitive, making it difficult to attract quality can didates and keep existing staff motivated and engaged. This is sue not only affected morale but also impacted the overall effec tiveness of our law enforcement operations.

Additionally, I faced the chal lenge of overcrowding in our cur rent jail and a deteriorated fa cility. This situation not only strained our resources but also posed safety concerns for both inmates and staff. Moving for ward with the approval for a new jail was essential, but it required navigating complex regulatory, political and financial hurdles.

Despite these challenges, I am proud of several achievements since taking office. We success fully implemented new technol ogy systems that have improved our operational efficiency. We also initiated programs aimed at enhancing employee benefits and compensation, which have begun to improve our recruit ment and retention rates. Final ly, we made significant progress in addressing the overcrowding issue, with plans for the new jail

moving forward, paving the way for a safer and more effective fa cility. While there is still much work to be done, I believe we are on the right track to create a bet ter environment for both our law enforcement personnel and the community we serve.

You have accomplished a lot since becoming sheriff, to what do you attribute this success?

Success stems from a collab orative approach. I prioritize building a strong team and en gaging with community stake holders. By fostering open com munication and actively listening to the needs of both the depart ment and the community, we have been able to achieve signif icant outcomes together. As sheriff, I also attribute our successes to the unwavering sup port and collaboration of our community leaders, dedicated citizens, and the commitment of our county manager and coun ty commissioners. Each achieve ment, from securing approval for the new jail construction to en suring pay raises for our employ ees, reflects a collective effort.

State Rep. Jimmy Dixon has also played a vital role, advocat ing for our community’s needs and helping to channel resourc es where they are most needed, specifically building a new jail. Together, we have fostered an environment of trust and coop eration, which has allowed us to address pressing issues effective ly. It’s the shared vision and hard work of everyone involved that has driven these accomplish ments, and I am deeply grateful for their partnership.

You are very involved in the community. How do you balance work and family life?

Balancing work and family life, especially as a sheriff with two young children, requires in tentional planning and a strong support system. I prioritize my time between work and home. I also focus on my responsibil ities and community engage ment, ensuring that I am pres ent and responsive to the needs of our citizens.

Additionally, I lean on our community leaders and fellow sheriffs for support. They under stand the demands of the job and are always there for support and advice.

Ultimately, my family is my foundation, and I strive to be a role model for my children, demonstrating the importance of service, dedication and the value of community involvement while ensuring they feel loved and sup ported at home.

What are your top priorities for your next term if reelected?

As sheriff, my unwavering commitment to the safety and well being of our citizens remains my top priority. The drug epi demic is a pressing issue that con tinues to plague our nation, and it has not spared our communities.

I recognize the devastating ef fects addiction can have on fami lies and the fabric of our society. I will continue to allocate resourc es effectively to combat this cri sis, employing a multifaceted ap

proach and strict enforcement against those who choose to dis tribute harmful substances.

In order to uphold the high est standards of service, it is cru cial that we hire and retain the best employees possible with in the Sheriff’s Office. Our dep uties and staff are the backbone of our law enforcement efforts, and I am committed to provid ing them with the training, re sources and support they need to perform their duties with ex cellence. By fostering a positive work environment and invest ing in professional development, we can ensure that our team is equipped to offer the best ser vices to our citizens.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of effective law en forcement. I believe in the pow er of open dialogue between the Sheriff’s Office and the residents of Duplin. Together, we can build trust and strengthen our com munity bonds, creating a safer environment for everyone.

If reelected, my top priori ties will focus on enhancing pub lic safety, continued fight against the drug epidemic and ensuring that our Sheriff’s Office remains a model of excellence. I will work tirelessly to implement innova tive strategies to combat crime and improve our response to the needs of our community. By in vesting in our personnel, fos tering community relationships and tackling the challenges we face head on, I am confident that we can make Duplin a safer and brighter place for generations to come. Together, we will con tinue to build a safer communi ty where everyone can live, work, and raise a family.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family, grilling and taking trips. I also love reading news on cur rent events and miscellaneous articles about history, govern ment and science.

What was the last book you read?

A national bestseller, “The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell”.

Where is your favorite place to eat in Duplin County?

Duplin County has a lot of family owned food establish ments that serve delicious food. There is no way I can pick just one. It really depends on what part of the county I’m in.

In your opinion, what is the best thing about Duplin County?

The best thing about Duplin County is undoubtedly the citi zens and families that call this place home. They are our most important asset and the heart of our community. Their resilience, kindness and commitment to one another create a strong and supportive environment. It’s in spiring to see how families come together to uplift each other, whether through local events, volunteer work or simply lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need. This sense of unity and be longing is what truly makes Du plin County a special place to live and serve.

COURTESY PHOTO

Sheriff Stratton Stokes with his wife, Jennifer, and their two sons, Sawyer and Gage.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Ensuring you are connected and your rights are protected

Gun-grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases.

AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, I am committed to defending your constitutional rights and advancing policies that benefit your family, small business and community.

Ensuring your Second Amendment freedoms are protected is one of my top priorities. I have proudly championed H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, not just in this Congress but every Congress since being elected. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would provide nationwide concealed carry reciprocity, so each state’s concealed carry license is valid in every other state.

Currently, there is a confusing hodgepodge of laws surrounding state issued concealed carry licenses that vary from state to state. Some states have stricter laws that can make unknowing criminals out of lawful license holders for a simple mistake, like a wrong traffic turn, when carrying a handgun.

H.R. 38 would protect law abiding citizens’ rights to conceal carry and travel freely. Your Second Amendment rights do not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my legislation guarantees it.

The House Judiciary Committee, led by

Chairman Jim Jordan (R Ohio), recently voted for my H.R. 38 to move forward and get a full vote on the House floor. This effort brings us one step closer to getting my legislation passed through Congress and signed into law, and I will keep working with President Donald Trump and my colleagues until we get the job done.

I also recently introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act to ensure law abiding gun owners can exercise their right to keep and bear arms without fear of being financially penalized. For years, gun grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases. This unconstitutional and unfair burden is nothing but a scheme to price Americans out of their right to keep and bear arms, and my legislation will put a stop to it.

Another one of my top priorities for folks in our region and communities across the country is to bridge the digital divide. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I am focused on advancing commonsense policies that will deliver

SNAP shouldn’t subsidize slurpees

Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

EVEN CHICKEN LITTLE would be exhausted trying to keep up with what Democrats claim President Donald Trump wants to do.

Just look at the news. On Tuesday, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D N.Y.) said that Republican cuts to SNAP “are the difference between life and death for the many in the communities that we serve.” SNAP is the rebranded food stamps program.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D N.Y.) has accused Republicans of setting “in motion the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D Calif.) said Trump’s work to dismantle the Department of Education “is a direct attack on America’s students, teachers and families.”

To understand why this is fearmongering, consider a recent trip I made to 7 Eleven. My wife and I wanted to buy our kids Slurpees after baseball practice. (Shhh ... don’t tell Robert Kennedy Jr.)

In between my frantic efforts to keep my kids from overfilling their cups, I noticed a sticker on the machine.

“All Slurpee cups are EBT eligible,” it read.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s how people spend their SNAP benefits at stores. There was a similar sign on the soda machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website confirms that the signs are accurate.

Taxpayers are subsidizing Slurpees and sodas.

This is wasteful. Food stamps are supposed to help low income individuals ward off hunger, not satiate their sweet tooth. But imagine the left’s reaction if you proposed making junk food ineligible for food stamps.

They’d claim that you wanted to cut benefits from the poor. That you wanted to cut the program. That you wanted to stigmatize poor people.

This isn’t speculation. House Republicans are currently pushing a bill to do just that, and those are some of the attacks they’re facing.

Those attacks may have a grain of truth, but they’re deeply misleading. If Republicans pass a ban on SNAP paying for junk food, hunger won’t increase one bit. The biggest impact may be a reduction in diabetes, which low‑income Americans are more likely to develop. That could save the Medicaid program money, but then Democrats would likely claim Republicans are cutting the program.

Once you see this pattern, Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

The Department of Education has been around for decades. Aside from some bright spots with charter schools, public education is generally terrible. Just because the name says “education” doesn’t mean the department is doing much to improve how kids learn.

Now, if I haven’t convinced you, I

much‑needed results.

Right now, too many families, farmers and small businesses don’t have access to broadband. While the Biden administration implemented a broadband deployment program, “BEAD,” it was riddled with burdensome, unnecessary requirements that hindered deployment. In fact, not a penny of the program’s federal funding has been put toward actual deployment for even one household.

This is unacceptable. That’s why, as chairman, I recently led members of my subcommittee in introducing legislation to ensure timely and accessible broadband deployment by cutting red tape and streamlining regulations.

Our rural communities need to be fully connected, and my legislation will help do that.

Whether it is safeguarding your Second Amendment rights or ensuring reliable broadband access, I will continue fighting for policies that protect your freedoms and improve everyday lives.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

challenge you to do this: Open the calendar app on your phone. Create an appointment for July 15, 2026. In the notes section, write down three things you think will happen as the result of Republican actions.

Some examples: Republicans will cut SNAP benefits and 100,000 people will die of starvation. Trump will cut Medicaid and people will have worse health outcomes, including 50,000 more heart attack deaths. Gutting the Department of Education will reduce student achievement by five percentage points. A note: Look beyond the funding level of a certain program and consider outcomes. Government programs are supposed to be a means to an end, not just a money pit.

If you think Trump has dictatorial aspirations, set a reminder for November 2026 or 2028. Write down if you think Trump will cancel elections or run for a third term.

Make sure to also write down if someone has made this claim.

When that date comes, look around and see what happened. Perhaps Trump has led America into unprecedented levels of starvation, illness and ignorance. Or perhaps Democrats have staked their electoral success on scaring people like you. Either way, you won’t have to take my word for it.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

DCS students excel at NC Beta Convention

Students were awarded certificates recognizing their success at a special ceremony

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Students from several schools across the county were honored in a spe cial ceremony last week at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenans ville. This recognition was part of the Board of Education’s monthly meeting, celebrating participants in the annual North Carolina State Beta Convention, the Du plin County Schools STEAMA Fair and the Beyond the Books events.

The elementary, middle and high school participants were awarded certificates commemo rating their excellence by Nicole Murray, chief academic officer for STEAMA Curriculum and Instruction/Professional Devel opment, during last Tuesday’s ceremony.

“These academic competi tions have challenged our stu dents to excel, and the students we will honor tonight rose to this challenge and earned the highest honor,” said Murray.

The annual state level Beta Convention in February saw competition from every school in Duplin County, with students winning 115 Top Five awards along with the eligibility to com pete at the national convention in Florida this summer.

“To be in the Beta club, stu dents have to have academic ex cellence, excellent character, and they have to have a mind and heart for service,” said Murray, adding that these students had risen above thousands of other competitors to bring home their first place prizes.

DCOM from page A1

where individuals could re ceive help. This location allows churches and community mem bers to contribute funds while keeping track of individuals in crisis and assisting them more effectively.

“Our primary focus is on crisis intervention,” Merritt explained, emphasizing that individuals seeking assistance must provide proof of their crisis. It was with this understanding that pas tors and local community mem bers came together to establish DCOM.

Merritt began volunteering there after retiring from the De partment of Correction, where she served for 30 years.

While volunteering, the orga nization sought an executive di rector, and she applied. Merritt was hired on July 5, 2020.

DCOM remains sustain able through grants, donations from churches and contribu tions from individuals. The or

K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Students recognized for their success at the North Carolina State Beta Convention pose with their certificates at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville.

“These academic competitions have challenged our students to excel.”

Nicole Murray

Duplin County Schools also celebrated the district winners of the county’s annual STEAMA fair competition who had been invited to represent the county at the Southeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair in Febru ary. The competition required students to present their original STEAMA projects completed us ing either the engineering design process or the scientific meth od, with many Duplin County students advancing to the state level.

“Each one of these students that we’re recognizing tonight for the STEAMA fair received some sort of reward and recognition at

ganization also generates funds through its thrift store. Merritt is responsible for writing grants to ensure that the organization can continue to meet its clients’ needs.

While there are no new pro grams planned for the near fu ture, Merritt hopes to one day create a homeless shelter in Du plin, as there is a significant need for such services.

Volunteers and communi ty partnerships are essential to DCOM’s success, and the exec utive director is committed to ensuring that the organization continues to serve those in need effectively and sustainably.

DCOM operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering a vari ety of services to those in need. These services include food as sistance, emergency transporta tion, help with rent and utilities, as well as providing diapers, hy giene items, and packages for the homeless.

The organization assists cli ents who are at risk of eviction

the regional level,” said Murray. “We were very proud; our stu dents won more awards than any other district.”

This year was the county’s first Beyond the Books event, a program designed to encourage students to engage with books in innovative ways. Lindsay Skid more, director of 6 8 curricu lum and digital innovation for Duplin County Schools, present ed awards for Best in Show for each category at last Tuesday night’s meeting.

“These amazing students blew us away with their creativity and their critical thinking and their connections with books,” said Skidmore.

Following the presentation, members of the board offered thanks, congratulations and en couragement to the students in recognition of their accomplish ments and to their parents for their continued support.

“The time you spend in these clubs, participating in these events and getting to this lev

or have received a disconnection notice from utility providers, but individuals must demonstrate their crisis to receive support.

In addition, DCOM offers food for children over the week ends, especially aimed at fami lies experiencing food insecuri ty. They prepare more than 250 backpacks filled with food each week for local students.

While DCOM previously pro vided assistance with minor home repairs, such as fixing bro ken steps or windows, this pro gram has been paused due to a shortage of volunteers. Also, while the mobile pantry for mi grant workers is no longer in op eration, there is a smaller mobile pantry serving elderly individu als in need of food.

Merritt told Duplin Journal that DCOM collaborates with pastors who provide counseling services to clients in need.

One particularly memorable story for Merritt involves a do mestic violence survivor who, with DCOM’s assistance, was

ITEMS NOT TO BRING TO SHRED:

el does not go unnoticed,” said Chairman Brent Davis, who ex pressed the importance of sup port from parents, family and the community to the success of the school system, as well as the contributions of staff that work behind the scenes to get the stu dents to where they need to be.

According to Vice Chairman Reginald Kenan, the success of these students is evidence that Duplin County continues to lead the state in education. He also thanked the parents and guard ians assembled for their support.

“We really appreciate your trust. Thank you for letting us add something to the lives of your children and grandchildren.” Pamela Edwards spoke direct ly to the students in her remarks, indicating the importance of rec ognizing those who excel in their classwork as well as in athletics.

“Everything you can do and accomplish in school, we appre ciate it as adults,” said Edwards.

“Thank you for what you’re doing. You are our future.”

able to escape an abusive situa tion and find a safe place to live with her children.

“She was in one of those mo bile homes, and it was four chil dren. And she was running from her husband because of abuse. ... We were able to find a place for her to park her RV, and we were able to give her food and some of the other needs that she needed,” she explained.

“I always remember that. … She was so very thankful. Some times people are not thankful. Sometimes they’re wounded for the wrong reason. They might not tell you the truth, but it was something about her and those children that really touched me, and I remember that.”

The organization strives to maintain a comfortable and wel coming environment where cli ents feel safe to seek help. Trust and privacy are fundamental to DCOM’s success, allowing cli ents to rely on the organization for support without fear of judg ment or breach of confidentiality.

Applications open for Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program

North Carolina Applications are open through May 4 for agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, with a 45 d ay extension granted in certain circumstances. The North Carolina General Assembly established the Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program on March 19 through the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025, a one t ime assistance program for agricultural producers who suffered verifiable losses from any declared agricultural disaster in 2024, including Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby, Potential Cyclone 8 and drought. Nearly $311 million has been appropriated for the program, with $200 million for verifiable losses from Hurricane Helene and $111 million for those resulting from all other agricultural disasters in 2024. For more information, visit ncagr. gov/agdisaster.

N.C. Department of Insurance warns of Medicare scams

North Carolina In response to an increase in scamming attempts, the North Carolina Department of Insurance has cautioned Medicare recipients against providing their information to callers offering plastic Medicare cards as it could compromise their identity. The NCDPI advised that Medicare only offers and approves of using a paper card and asks that anyone who has recently given out their information to receive a plastic card contact the Senior Medicare Patrol team by calling 855 408 1212. For more information, visit ncshiip.com.

Thursday, May 1, 2025 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.

Duplin Events Center 195 Fairgrounds Dr., Kenansville, N.C.

Cans, Bottles, Food/Wrappers, Thick Material, Copier/ Printer Cartridges, Corrugated Cardboard, Nonrecyclable Materials, Plastics, Biohazard Materials, Medical Waste, & 3-Ring Notebooks. For more information call: Duplin County Senior Services at 910-296-2140

CAROLINA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

First weekend in May In Historic Downtown Wallace

DUPLIN SPORTS

Blue Devils’ ‘finishing details’ key to ECC win over Panthers

South Lenoir rallied for three six-inning runs to sweep the regular series against East Duplin

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — East Duplin right-hander Kyle Kern gave everything he had on the mound last Friday during a 6-5 loss to South Lenior.

Recovering after giving up three runs in the first inning, the senior put doughnuts on the scoreboard for the next four frames before reaching the pitch count maximum of 105.

He left with a 5-3 lead after the Panthers rallied for four runs in the fourth against Matthew Rhodes.

The Blue Devils rallied for three runs in the sixth via five errors and two walks as a nightmare ending to a game in which they played solid baseball and battled.

The setback put more sepa-

ration in the ECC between the Panthers (7-6, 5-3) and South Lenoir (10-2, 6-1), North Lenoir (10-3, 6-0) and Southwest Onslow (9-4, 6-3), who nearly upset North Lenoir on Friday. These three teams stand above the Panthers as they head into their second rotation against conference schools.

Yet it was an epic battle with five distinct phases.

The first inning saw four runs cross the plate. Kern and Rhodes were the focus from the second to fifth inning. Both teams followed with rallies to take the lead. Braden Barnett worked a perfect seventh for the save.

Kern cruises after slow start

Kern, who is 3-1 with an ERA of 0.92, gave up two hits while striking out 10, was so dominant that he overcame an unusually high number of walks — seven. Both hits came in the first

inning. Yet he never showed any sign of distress, as his facial expressions stay the same through a game.

He’s a confident pitcher who works the strike zone well and stays with his regiment and game plan against hitters.

The senior makes it look far easier and less pressure-filled than it is on the hill. He proved that in the fourth when an error loaded the bases, and he calmly induced a weak ground ball to the right side of the infield to end the threat.

But the Blue Devils took him out early by working pitch counts.

Hits, sac fly, strategic moves push across four runs

All things considered, the fourth inning was about as good as it has been this spring for the Panthers as they got to

Brown shuts down Devils as Panthers push to top of East Central mountain

Rebecca Beach’s late RBI is all hurler Morgan Brown needs as ED beats SL 1-0

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Pitching isn’t everything in softball, but try climbing the ladder without an ace in the circle.

Enter Morgan Brown, who stepped up last Friday to outduel South Lenoir’s Jade Sasnett as East Duplin broke the Blue Devils’ five-game winning streak while also securing the top spot in the East Central 2A Conference with three games left on its league slate.

Brown and the Panthers lost both games last season in a feisty rivalry that will continue next season when both are in the different conferences. The setbacks pushed ED to a third-place finish. ED wound up 12-10 and 9-3 in the loop via scheduling competitive programs.

Leadoff hitter Parker nabs eight bases, scores winning run

Sasnett overwhelmed the Panthers’ bats, striking out

nine through four innings.

She hit Karsyn Parker with her first pitch but whiffed Kinsey Cave, Rebecca Beach and Callier Mewborn to end the threat.

She overcame an error in the second with three K’s. Two strikeouts the next inning left Parker at second base, though she got the Panthers’ first hit.

Two more strikeouts in the fourth eased her past a walk of Brown.

Parker ripped the hardest ball of the night down the right field line with one out in the fifth, and East Duplin head coach Greg Jenkins played his hand by having Cave sacrifice her to second with Beach in the on-deck circle.

The Panthers catcher fought off several pitches before popping the ball into shallow right field. It was hardly a power stroke, yet just as effective.

Brown was left at first base after her one-out single in the sixth, but more than did her part in the circle, though she logged her outs in a different way than Sasnett.

The Panthers senior, who struck out only six, induced ground balls and fly balls that

Payton Tyndall struck out 10 and drove in two runs as WRH beat JK for the seventh straight time

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Payton Tyndall has taken her lumps this season as a first-year pitcher.

The sophomore overcame a rough beginning and has shown great progress in her last four starts as Wallace-Rose Hill went 2-2.

She was on cue and on course last Friday when the Bulldogs beat James Kenan 9-3.

Tyndall struck out 10 and

walked just one in the circle and drove in two runs.

Senior Ta’Nyia Powell, junior Jansley Page and freshman Keyonna Thomas all had an RBI as WRH (3-8, 2-4) beat its Duplin County rival for the seventh straight time.

Jourdan Joe belted a home run for the Tigers (4-7, 3-4).

Tyndall, who stepped into the circle after Lexi Kennedy left for Wake Tech, got help from her teammates as the Bulldogs played errorless softball.

“We’ve playing pretty well right now,” said assistant coach Kevin Williams. “Payton’s throwing the ball much better against some good teams (Trask, South Lenoir).

“I thought Ava (Jones) pitched well for them (JK). Jansley’s run-scoring hit was big and so was the sac fly by Keyonna.” WRH took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and pushed It to 4-0 in the second.

Then Joe went yard to make it 4-3. “We talked about walking her but figured the worst thing that would happen would be we would be a run head,” Williams said. “It was one of Payton’s rare misses.”

WRH responded with five runs in the next frame and has a 22-4 lead in the series since 2012, the lone season in which

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED senior outfielder Calvin Harper is tied for second in hits on the Panthers with second baseman Jack Tuck.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Jansley Page slides to avoid a tag. The WRH junior leads her team in hitting with a .448 average.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL ED catcher Rebecca Beach went the opposite way to drive in the only run of the game.

See SOFTBALL, page B3

Rebels bounce back to cage Wildcats, Cougars

North Duplin recovered from a pair of one-run losses to squash Hobbton and Neuse Charter

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — The North Duplin baseball team has shown it can respond to setbacks.

Twice the Rebels have shown fight by responding to consecutive losses with winning streaks.

Last week, wins over two Carolina 1A Conference schools took some of the sting of a 2-1 loss to Rosewood and an extra-inning 5-4 loss to 2A East Duplin.

North Duplin (6-5, 5-1) won three straight after consecutive losses two more 2A schools — South Lenoir and Clinton.

First-year coach Cody Langston’s club scored 21 runs and gave up four in triumphs last week over Hobbton and Neuse Charter to remain on the heels of Rosewood (12-5, 7-0) for the top spot in the CC. Rosewood captured the title last season. ND won it the previous two seasons.

The Rebels used a “big-inning” approach in both wins.

North Duplin scored five times in the second frame and six times in the seventh to dust Neuse Charter 15-0 in Smithfield. The Rebels slipped by the Cougars 7-6 to start their league slate on March 18.

Garris Warren singled and doubled three times and had three RBIs to raise his average to .371.

Kayden Bowden (.320) got three hits in four trips and drove in four runs.

Noa Quintanilla (.348) homered, and Wesley Holmes (.375), Hunt Pate, Vance Carter, Wesley Holmes (.375) and Garrett Stevens all drove in a run.

Freshman Cole Grady gave up one hit while striking out seven and not allowing a walk in five innings. Pate yielded one hit in the final two innings. The win came on the second night of a four-game road trip.

Quintanilla, Bowden and Holmes each drove in two runs last Tuesday in a 10-4 win over Hobbton.

Bowden and Holmes were both 3 for 3. Quintanilla had two hits and knocked in two runs. Pate added a run-scoring single. Frosh Noah Price had two hits and scored three times.

North Duplin went in front 3-2 after one inning and added three runs in the fifth and sixth.

Warren and Pate each had two hits on Monday against the Panthers.

The Rebels have rematches against Lakewood, East Duplin and Union this week.

Revenge: Bulldogs stump Pats

Walllace-Rose Hill was in front of American Leadership Academy-Johnston 4-3 in the sixth inning and probably feeling good about itself after falling to the Patriots 13-11 on opening day.

A four-run seventh increased the Bulldogs’ happiness, as Caden Gavin, Khalil, Devon Sloan, Hayden Lovette and Kaiden Lui all collected a pair of hits. Lui scattered six hits over six innings, striking out 12 and walking two.

Davis Barnette gave up a hit but had two strikeouts to close it out in the seventh.

Lui was coming off a game in which he hit a single and homer when WRH fell 10-2 last Tuesday to South Lenoir (10-2, 6-1, the third-place team in the ECC.

WRH (4-8, 1-5) was to play first-place North Lenoir (10 -3 6-0) early this week, host Hobbton on Wednesday and then travel on Friday to face East Duplin (7-6, 5-2).

Cougars’ late suge sinks Wildcats

Wildcats senior pitcher Lucas Roberts held Croatan to five hits and two runs over 51/3 innings, but the Cougars scored three runs in the final two frames to beat Richlands 6-0.

While holding down Croatan, Owen Woodruff completed his assignment by scattering three hits, whiffing seven and walking just one hitter. Jacob Flemming, Ashton Courdle and Hayden Turner were the lone ’Cats to log a hit off Woodruff, who lowered his ERA to 2.24.

The Tuesday setback was followed by a 10-0 loss to West Carteret (7-5, 4-1), the Wildcats’ fourth Coastal Conference blemish in five games.

Caleb Simco singled and Jaden Goins singled and walked as the only baserunners against Woodruff.

Crusaders’ three Smiths set the tone

What’s in a name?

Perhaps not much, but Harrells Christian Academy would nonetheless like a reorder of “Smiths,” the last name to the Crusaders three best offensive players this spring.

Juniors Drake Smith and Jesse Smith and senior Dawson Smith.

All three hail from the Clinton area. Drake and Dawson are brothers, though they are not related to Jesse.

Except when it comes to being bashing baseball brothers.

Drake Smith leads HCA with a .346 average. Brother Dawson is at .346, while Jesse has inched his way to .308.

Senior Connor Casteen is at .278, but the HCA team mark of .227 has made it tough against a difficult schedule. HCA (1-7, 1-2) fell to Faith Christian (3-1) and Wayne Christian (11-6) last week.

Drake Smith and Reid Strickland got the only hits against the Patriots.

Dawson Smith and Dawson Smith each poked a hit versus the Eagles.

HCA’s 10 errors in the two games played into the equation. The Crusaders were outscored 55-28 through eight games.

Four-year starting pitcher

Makenzie Goins has Richlands moving toward a conference title and a deep run in the 3A playoffs

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

RICHLANDS — Is it the year of Makenzie Goin?

All signs point that direction for her and Richlands, which took a major step to winning the Coastal 3A Conference last week by slipping past previously unbeaten West Carteret 3-2 in a 10-inning win last Thursday in on the Wildcats’ diamond.

Makenzie struck out 21, allowing two hits and two unearned runs in a 119-pitch performance to outduel Caitlin Dumarce, who whiffed 16, yielded three hits and walked five.

Makenzie, a senior, did not walk a Patriot and her team did not commit an error. The Patriots had three fielding miscues Goin, LeNayah Jackson and Cameron Cubas drove in runs. Goin doubled and Cubas legged out a triple as the lone extra-base knocks for the Wildcats (13-4, 5-0), who won their seventh in a row.

Cami Teal walked twice, was hit by a pitch and scored a pair of runs.

The win coupled with a 2-0 triumph over Croatan three days earlier put Richlands atop of the Patriots (12-1, 4-1) atop of the conference standings.

Saylor Gray went yard on Goin in the fourth and Ella Grace Rodriguez tripled and scored in the seventh to tie it at 2-2.

Goin limited the Bulldogs to one hit last Tuesday, whiffing 15 and yielding three walks Jackson and Jordan Meece had RBI hits in the fifth to break the scoring deadlock.

Cubas had two hits, and Goin, Piper Turner and Addi Andrews added singles. And an errorless fielding day was needed to support Makenzie, the ace of the Richlands staff since her freshman season.

She threw 117 innings and whiffed 219 with an ERA of 0.84 as a frosh, following it up with 951/3 frames and 186 strikeouts as a sophomore.

Last spring, she had 166 punchouts in 941/3 innings and a 1.48 ERA, which is at 1.20 this season in 872/3 innings. Goin has 160 strikeouts against the

best competition she’s faced during her career at Richlands.

In 395 frames, she is 38-15 overall, with 731 strikeouts and just 43 walks, 13 of which came this season.

She’s a .350 career hitter.

Richlands has beaten quality teams from Midway (102), Washington (11-3) and East Duplin (8-5 and leading the ECC at 7-1) while splitting with South Lenoir (7-4, 5-1 ECC).

The Wildcats also have wins

against Jacksonville and South Central.

Richlands, 8-1 on its home diamond, has five league games remaining, including road games against Dixon and West Carteret.

The Wildcats’ lone two league setbacks last spring were to Coastal champ Dixon.

Winning a conference title would also put the Wildcats in a better seeding position for the 3A playoffs. Richlands bowed

out in the second round the previous two seasons.

Yet it’s not all about Goins. Jackson is hitting .435. with 12 RBIs and leads the club in runs.

Andrews is at .309 with five doubles. Turner has 12 RBIs and Cubas leads the team in walks with nine and is second in runs. Richlands faces Swansboro (7-7, 1-4) early this week and motors to Newport on Thursday to face Croatan (6-4, 2-3). Rebels roll past Panthers, Wildcats

North Duplin’s two-win week featured big hits and 28 runs. Lilly Fulghum hit a double, homer and drove in four runs and Addy Higginbotham, Ady Spence and Marissa Bernal had three hits apiece during a 12-7 win over East Duplin last Monday. Abigeal Norris added two hits as the Rebels lashed 18 hits. Spence and Fulghum each went three innings in the circle. The Rebels (7-1, 4-0) smacked Hobbton 16-1 the next day. ND was slated to travel to Beulaville on Wednesday of this week for a rematch against the Panthers, who beat South Lenoir on Friday.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Garris Warren has stepped up on the mound and at the plate for North Duplin this season.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Lilly Fuighum makes a home run trot against East Duplin.

Panthers booters take down 2 foes despite sluggish play

East Duplin fought through its struggles to polish off the Rebels and Blue Devils

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — The East Duplin soccer team has been trying all season to play consistently enough to put together a long winning streak.

Injuries have been a factor, as has the late arrival of a few players from the basketball team that advanced to the fourth round of the 2A playoffs.

The Panthers ended the week on a modest two-game surge after having had three- and two -game streaks this season as part of its 7-7-2 mark.

East Duplin punched North Duplin 5-0 last Monday and played well enough to push by South Lenoir (4-8, 1-4) on Friday 2-0.

The victories came after a disappointing 4-0 loss to Southwest Onlsow, which pushed East Duplin into second place in the ECC.

“For a number of reasons, we just haven’t gotten it together to play like I feel we can,” said Panthers’ coach Joey Jones.

Anamarie Rodriguez scored in the first half last Friday in Beulaville against the Blue Devils.

Anastan Holley put in an insurance goal in the second half. Rodriguez, who scored a freshman-record 20 goals last spring, hit for a pair against the Rebels. Holly added another, and Joselin Mata-Agullar and Isla Miller joined into by finding the back of the net in Calypso.

The Panthers host the Rebels on Wednesday and travel to face Wallace-Rose Hill on Friday in Teachey.

Rebels fall to two CC foes

North Duplin, 5-4 overall, 4-2 in Carolina 1A Conference play, lost its next two matches after falling to the Panthers.

The Rebels were beaten 4-1 by Hobbton and Neuse Charter 3-0 and have scored just one time in their past four match-

SOFTBALL from page B1

her defense sent Bule Devils hitters from the plate to the bench.

She fanned one hitter in the first two innings, getting two pop outs and two fly ball outs.

She induced a popout to leave Rylan Wade at second base in the third and a popout of Jersey Sasnett in the fourth to leave runner at first and second base.

The hardest ball hit off Brown all night came in the fifth, but Cave snatched a bullet-line drive at second base as if she detected a rocket was in her orbit.

In the sixth, catcher Beach made a lunging catch of a foul ball with a runner on second base. Carrly Boone followed with a single, but Brown whiffed Kylie Smith to end the threat.

Brown took down the Blue Devils in order in the seventh via another nifty snag of a line drive by Cave and a squeezed pop fly by Leighton Davis at third base.

es, as Tristen Stemmler got her ninth goal of the season against the Wildcats. Both were road losses.

It has dropped North Duplin into a tie with Hobbton and Union for second place in the loop, a game in front of the Cougars, who the Rebels whipped 3-1 on March 18 in Calypso.

ND also squares off against Lakewood (1-11, 1-5) and Union (4-5, 4-2) this week, with the latter match coming on Friday on the Rebels’ pitch.

Tigers bomb Hawks as a prep for three tough matches

A week after thrashing North Lenoir, the James Kenan soccer team is jumping headfirst into the fire of Southwest Onslow (10-2-2, 7-0) early this week and host unbeaten Lejeune (10-0-1)

“Everyone was hyped today,” Brown said. “You could feel the mood. I was placing all my pitches well, and our defense played great. It was nice to finally beat them, especially after the last game we played against them.”

Brown said she fought through an injury she suffered against North Duplin on March 31. Jenkins said starting here was a day-of-the-game decision.

“My leg felt bad when I was running the bases, but I tried to shake it off,” said the senior, who is also one of the Panthers’ best hitters, as shown by her getting on base three times against South Lenoir.

Parker, meanwhile, was nothing but a pest to both Sasnett and the Blue Devils. She also reached second base in all three of her at-bats.

Panthers in the hunt

The win helped the Panthers

and 34-goal scorer Scarlett McLean, who had 53 scores as a freshman last spring.

Katherine Enamorado had a hat trick in the 9-1 triumph over North Lenoir, with Aleyah Wilson and Noilin Rodriguez each coming through with a pair.

Joselyn Gomez and Arley Patino added scores.

Karla Diaz, who is second on JK in scoring with 14 goals, added a pair of assists. Enamorado also had two assists and leads the Tigers in goals with 27.

“We were a little sluggish at times with our passing early on,” said JK coach Kenny Williams. “I think it was partially because we’ve played only once the last couple weeks because of cancellations. It took a little while for us to get our flow going. Hopefully, we’ll be better next week against three tough opponents.”

forget about close losses to the Richlands (2-0 and 4-3), West Carteret (5-4), who lost for the first time this spring last week when the Wildcats beat the Patriots. And it also helped ease to pain of a 8-6 setback to the Blue Devils on March 14 in Deep Run.

And while all four losses could be considered “quality efforts,” East Duplin (8-5, 7-1) picked up its first significant win of the spring against a contender.

That leaves a two-game set with North Lenoir (9-2, 5-1) key to the Panthers title hopes and seeding in the 2A playoffs.

The Hawks come to Beulaville on April 14 and then travel to LaGrange two days later.

East Duplin was slated for a rematch against 1A power North Duplin on Wednesday and then visit Wallace-Rose Hill on Friday.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Carone

Katherine Enamorado

James Kenan, soccer

Katherine Enamorado might be seeing multiple defenders coming at her when she sleeps at night.

Yet if reality on the soccer pitch is the same as her dream life, she’s also kicking balls into the back of the net, despite what the defense does.

The James Kenan striker had 27 goals this season after springing for 30 as a junior.

“She handles the ball well and has a strong shot,” said James Kenan coach Kenny Williams. “We’re hoping to be able to get her more opportunities in the face of her getting double- and sometimes triple-teamed. But she’s done well under the pressure.”

Enamorado is perhaps the biggest key to the Tigers (5-4) getting a bid to the 2A playoffs.

BULLDOGS from page B1

the Tigers swept two from the ’Dawgs. WRH swept two or more games against JK in seven campaigns during the same span. The two teams play on the final day of the regular season — May 1 — in Warsaw. WRH fell 4-1 to South Lenoir last Tuesday, which was vastly different version of ECC softball than it had in consecutive lopsided losses to East Duplin (16-1), North Lenoir (15-4) and Southwest Onlsow (11-5).

WRH picked up its intensity and level of play with a 12-3 revenge win over the Stallions on their home field on March 25. Page (.448) has been on a tear since returning to the lineup after an injury. Meanwhile, catcher Mattie Gavin

(.265, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs) is working through an injury. Tyndall (.323, 7 RBIs), Powell (.357) and Chloe Straughn (.343, 7 RBIs) have been offensive leaders.

JK lost its third straight game and finishes with a rough stretch that includes confrontations with North Lenoir, South Lenoir (twice) and SWO before hosting the Bulldogs on May Day.

Joe (.600) hit her fourth home run of the spring. She also has three doubles and a triple.

Kinzley Sloan leads the Tigers in RBIs with 13. Kenadi Gideons (.550) has the second-most hits. Sloan went 3 for 3 with two RBIs in the 14-4 setback to North Lenoir. Gideons doubled and scored. Jones drove in a run.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

East Duplin’s Katelyn Jones heads a ball in front of the goal during a recent game.

EASTERN RIGHT OF WAY OF KENNEDY ROAD S 16 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 00 SECONDS W 106.62 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE, THE POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE S 73 DEGREES 45 MINUTES E 106.00 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE; THENCE S 16 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 00 SECONDS W 75.13 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE; THENCE N 73 DEGREES 45 MINUTES W 106.00 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE ON SAID RIGHT OF WAY; THENCE WITH SAID RIGHT OF WAY N 16 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 00 SECONDS E 75.13 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 7,964 SQUARE FEET, AS SURVEYED BY RAY & ASSOC., P.A., ON DECEMBER 9, 1988. BEING THE SAME LOT CONVEYED BY DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 548, PAGE 365, BOOK 1010, PAGE 526, AND BOOK 1010, PAGE 528. BEING THE SAME LAND DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED DECEMBER 30, 1988 RECORDED IN BOOK 1012, PAGE 38 OF THE DUPLIN COUNTY REGISTRY. FURTHER DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 1994, RECORDED IN BOOK 1136, PAGE 694, AND ALSO BEING THE SAME LAND AS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 1236, PAGE 121 OF THE DUPLIN COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 109 S Kennedy Road, Beulaville, NC 28518.

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 Berry Jeffrey Mobley.

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

Pursuant

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

‘Cats trio sign to play college football

Marcus Branthoover, Julian Theil and Lenny Halfter-Hunter helped Richland go 23-10 over the past three seasons

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Marcus Branthoover was a man among boys most Friday nights as a nose guard for Richlands.

Julian Thiel was the quarterback of the defense and Lenny Halfter-Hunter a pass-catching threat that kept the opposition from keying on the Wildcats’ running game, specifically the exploits of running-passing quarterback Caleb Simco.

While Simco is undecided on where he will go to play in college, his three teammates signed letters of intent recently after finishing their careers under head coach Pat Byrd, who has guided Richlands to a 23-10 mark the past three seasons.

The Wildcats had wins over Southwest Onslow, East Duplin and Princeton last fall en route to a 9-2 finish, which ranks among the all-time best marks in school history.

Branthoover looks to be Ram-tough at W-S State

Branthoover defined toughness and was a player opponents had to account for, and in general his presence forced teams to throw the ball.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive end had 54 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

He worked in combination with tackles Semaj Thompson“ (75 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and Trea’vaun Flanigan (45 tackles).

He’s always got a smile on his face and is one of the more enjoyable players to be around,” Byrd said. “He was the base of the D-line for three years. The attitude he brought every day — to the practice field, in the classroom, on the rack or in the halls — was tremendous.

He will play at Winston-Salem State, a Division II program that went 3-8 last fall.

“He’ll do good things over there,” Byrd said. “He’s a kid you love to be around. Just a pleasure to watch and to watch him lead.”

BASEBALL from page B1

Rhodes via hits, walks, a sacrifice fly and strategic moves by Panther head coach Brandon Thigpen.

JP Murphy opened the inning with a single, and Thigpen put him in motion as Cain Graham was slicing a single to put two runners in scoring position after Graham swiped second.

A walk of Jesus Mojica loaded the bases with no outs.

Rhodes hit Colton Holmes to plate a run.

Gavin Holmes’ double down the third base line gave East Duplin its first lead at 4-3.

Second baseman Jack Tuck followed with a sacrifice fly as the Panthers went in front by two runs and needed six outs for the win.

East Duplin had a chance in the sixth with the score tied at 5-5.

But Gavin Holmes was thrown out at second base following his walk, as Tuck struck out for a bang-bang twin-killing on the last pitch thrown by Rhodes.

Barnett whiffed two of the final three hitters in the seventh.

Dugout chatter

Gavin Holmes, Calvin Harper, Sawyer Marshburn and Tuck each drove in a run during Monday’s 5-4 win in eight innings over North Duplin.

Mojica had a pair of hits and scored, while Colton Holmes delivered a hit, two walks and a run.

Cain Graham allowed four hits and

Staten Island calling Thiel’s number

Thiel made 191 tackles the past two seasons.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker averaged 9.0 tackles per game last fall when Richlands held the opposition to 13 points per game.

“He led the team in tackles basically playing one-handed,” said Byrd, whose senior will play at Wagner College, a Division I school in Staten Island, New York, in the fall.

“Julian was hurt in the second half against East Duplin (Richland’s third game) and played with one hand the rest of the way, throughout the season, even.”

Wagner is coming off a 4-7 season.

“That kid was one of the hardest working young men we’ve had and was a leader in everything we did, from the weight room to the track to the practice field and before, during and after a game,” Byrd said.

Halfter-Hunter rediscovers football

Halfter-Hunter, a 6-foot-6,

201-pounder, didn’t play football his junior season.

Instead, he, and nearly everyone else on the Richlands campus, thought basketball would be his sport in college. That was before Byrd got him to put on pads and a helmet and simply out-jump defenders for the ball.

Halfter-Hunter had 27 receptions for 456 yards and three touchdowns. The addition made added to the work of Simco (600 yards rushing, 71-142 passing for 1,463 yards and 13 TDs), and running backs Noah LeBlanc (877 yards, eight TDs) and Christian Diaz (472 yards, seven scores).

“He was told not to play multiple sports and to not play football his junior year,” Byrd said. “Not many people would believe how well he played. He’s got good hands and a good work ethic and stays busy by totally being involved and invested in athletics at Richlands.”

“He could be the type of kid that develops and evolves and one you’ll see playing on (TV) on Saturdays. He’s got the ability whether it’s for four years (there) or as a springboard.”

two earned runs, striking out seven and walking one.

Gavin Holmes gave up an earned run and three hit during his stint.

ND tied it at 3-3 in the seventh. East Duplin scored twice in the eighth and held the Rebels to a run in the home half of the inning. The Rebels were to travel to Beulaville on Wednesday for the second game in the series. East Duplin hosts Wallace-Rose Hill on Friday.

The Panthers play two games against North Lenoir the following week, hosting the Hawks on April 15

and traveling to LaGrange on April 17. While the Hawks enter as a favorite, Kern gives the Panthers a fighting chance. North Lenoir is beatable, as SWO showed when it had the bases loaded last Friday in the seventh before falling 5-4.

ED will play Southern Wayne, Rosewood and Charles B. Aycock during its spring break.

Gavin Holmes leads the team in average (.432), extra-base hits (seven) RBIs (10) and is one run behind Colton Holmes (.294) in runs. Tuck (.306) and Mojica (.282) have raised their marks to the best they had this spring.

MICHAEL JAENICKE/DUPLIN JOURNAL

Richlands head football coach Pat Byrd had three players sign a letter-ofintent to play college football. Julian Thiel will go to Wagner University, from left, Lenny Halfter-Hunter to Barton and Marcus Branthoover at Winston-Salem State.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Head coach Brandon Thigpen’s Panthers are looking for a push in the second half of the season facing a competitive schedule.

obituaries

Dacoda Lane Sanderson

Aug. 24, 1996 – April 1, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dacoda Lane Sanderson, 28, of Richlands, NC, on April 1.

Services were held Sunday April 6 at the Community Funeral Home of Beulaville. The family received family and friends at the home of his parents after the service.

Dacoda was born in Jacksonville on August 24,1996 to Vic and Tania Sanderson. The family resided in Richlands where Dacoda, the youngest child, joined two older siblings, Alexis and Trent. He was a lifelong resident of “The Lands” and received his education from Richlands High School. After graduation, Dacoda went to work as a contract welder with his father.

Dacoda was known for his warm heart and outgoing personality. He was a people person, truly never meeting a stranger. He would engage in long conversations with someone he only just met. Had a great love of animals, especially for his cats. He loved to eat, even though you couldn’t tell it by looking at him! He enjoyed spending time with his dad, especially going fishing. Playing video games with his nephews was one of his favorite things to do. He loved nature and exploring the outdoors and relished the peace it brought. He would spend hours putting puzzles together. He absolutely loved going to the movies and looked forward to seeing the horror movie of the moment. He was a voracious reader, everything from classics to comics, and loved sharing what he had learned with others.

Dacoda is survived by his parents, Vic and Tania Sanderson; his sister, Alexis Rogers (Zack); his brother, Trent Sanderson (Brittany); his maternal grandparents, Eddy & Elaine Day; his paternal grandmother, Betty Jo Horne; his nephews and nieces, Zayden Rogers, Maverick, Rogers, Macon Rogers, Saylor Rogers, Nash Sanderson, and Dawson Sanderson; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Virgil Sanderson; and maternal grandfather, Maurice Fountain.

Dacoda was a friend to all and his unique character and witty spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy of generosity and compassion for others will live in the hearts of his family, friends, and anyone who had the privilege to meet him.

Owen David Jenkins

Sept. 8, 1990 – April 1, 2025

Owen David Jenkins, age 34, of LaGrange and formerly of Teachey passed from this life to his eternal rest on Tuesday, April 1. He was born on September 8, 1990 in Brunswick County; the son of Robert E. ”Bobby” Jenkins (Debbie) of Willard and Regina Johnson Jenkins of Ocean Isle Beach. Owen was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Ruth Johnson and paternal grandparents Elmore “Buck” and Frances Jenkins. Owen was a resident of RHA Child Care Center for 26 years. Surviving in addition to his parents is his brother, Austin Jenkins; his maternal grandfather, Edward Johnson; special aunt, Winifred Jenkins of Teachey, nephew Greyson Royal Jenkins; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends that loved Owen dearly. Owen was a special young man who was loved by everyone who knew him. He loved music and spending time with Winifred. With his way of communicating, Owen would let you know what he was thinking. He enjoyed his stuff toy snakes that he played with. Owen will be missed but will never be forgotten. Graveside service and entombment were held Saturday, April 5 at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey with the Reverend Matthew Pope officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to RHA Child Care Center, to Wallace Methodist Church, or to a charity of your choice.

Gail Cottle

Aug. 22, 1945 – April 5, 2025

Gail Cottle, age 79, died Saturday, April 5 at Lower Cape Fear Lifecare in Wilmington. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Amy Lou Pickett, and brother Phillip Pickett. She is survived by her husband Howard Cottle of Beulaville; son, David Cottle and wife Jennifer of Surf City; sister, Kay Lanier and husband Ralph Jr.; and three grandchildren, Kristan Cottle, Dakota Cottle, and Emma Cottle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beulaville Baptist Church for the Music Department.

Lorene M. McKinzie

March 26, 1951 –April 2, 2025

Lorene McKinzie, 74, of Kenansville entered eternal rest April 2 at Lower Cape Fear Life Care in Wilmington. Visitation was held Saturday April 5 at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw. Funeral service was held Sunday April 6 at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Wallace, followed by interment at Middleton Cemetery in Kenansville.

Jeffrey Trent McCullen

April 23, 1962 – April 6, 2025

Jeffrey Trent McCullen, 62, passed away peacefully at the McCullen Family home early Sunday morning. Trent is survived by the apple of his eye, his daughter Anna McCullenParker and her husband, Malik of Mount Olive; his parents, Marion Faison “M.F.” Jr. and Faye Thornton McCullen; his sister, DeAnna F. McCullen of Mount Olive; and his two brothers, Joey McCullen and his wife Lisa, and Chad McCullen and his wife Dawn all of Mount Olive. Trent is also survived by a niece, Rachel McCullen, and two nephews; Carlton McCullen, and Adam McCullen and his wife Sarah, and their daughter, Mollie.

Trent was preceded in death by grandparents, Edgar Lee and Rubia Keel Thornton, and Marion Faison “M.F.” Sr. and Anna Summerlin McCullen; and a son, Brandon Scott McCullen.

Trent spent most of his life on the family farm doing what he loved best; farming and driving those John Deere tractors. He most recently helped with the McCullen Litter Service, and always enjoyed fixing up anything that was broken, being involved in racing with his family, and had earned the title “Pitt Crew Leader”. Trent was a member of Northeast Original Free Will Baptist Church where its people and his time there always held a special place in his heart.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday evening, April 8 in the Chapel of Tyndall Funeral Home.

Pastor Brian Wheeler officiated the service, and the family received friends immediately following. Burial took place privately on Wednesday at the Pineview Cemetery in Seven Springs.

Henry Hargett Hardison

July 3, 1947 – April 2, 2025

Henry Hargett Hardison, age 77, died Wednesday, April 2 at the Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Wallace. He is survived by his sister, Marie Jarman and husband Kenneth of Beulaville; brother Nelson Hardison of Beulaville; and two special nephews, Timmy Hardison and Jonathan Jarman. Memorial service was held Monday, April 7 followed by visitation at the Serenity Funeral Home in Beulaville.

Robert Lee Knowles Jr.

July 16, 1956 – April 4, 2025

Robert Lee Knowles Jr. passed from his earthly life on the morning of Friday April 4, 2025, while at home in Wallace. Born on July 16, 1956, he is the son of the late Robert Lee Knowles Sr. and Peggy Young Knowles. He is also preceded in death by his fatherin-law and mother-in-law, Lewis and Sylvia Walker.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Diane W. Knowles; daughter, HaLee Knowles-Lucas and husband Travis of Black Creek; brother, Greg Knowles and wife Rose of Teachey; and niece and nephew, Ashton Kornegay and Gregory Knowles of Greenville.

Knowles grew up in Duplin County and attended school in the area. Being something of a jokester, he enjoyed many conversations with everyone and never met a stranger. Hunting and especially fishing were some of his favorite pastimes, along with his go kart racing. He truly loved and enjoyed his family and some of his most cherished times in life were spent in coaching HaLee in little league and later in softball.

Robert’s family will greeted friends at a visitiation Monday, April 7 in the chapel of Padgett Funeral Home in Wallace followed by a celebration of life. After the service, interment was held in Duplin Memorial Gardens of Teachey.

Martin Alan Brown

Oct. 8, 1935 – April 2, 2025

Martin Alan Brown, 89, of Warsaw, died on Wednesday, April 2at Liberty Commons

Rehabilitation in Benson, NC. Alan was born in Duplin County on October 8, 1935 to James Mason and Lucy Parker Brown.

Alan retired from USDA as a meat inspector after a 39 year career. He loved mowing grass, gardening, singing and his Warsaw breakfast clubs. Alan adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as Poppy. He loved his big family and felt each of his siblings, their spouses, nieces and nephews were very special to him. Alan had a love for music and sang on many special occasions. He took great pride in cleaning and maintaining the family cemeteries.

Through the years he went on numerous mission trips, served as a Gideon for several years, and even passed out pickles at the Grand Ole Opry as a Mount Olive Pickle Ambassador. Visitation was held Saturday, April 5 at the Community Funeral Home of Warsaw. A funeral service followed in the funeral home chapel, with burial in Devotional Gardens to conclude the service. The family will receive visitors at other times at the home of Samuel and Pamela Brown, 731 Ebenezer Church Road, Coats, NC 27521.

Alan is survived by wife, Millie I. Brown of Coats; son, Samuel Alan Brown and wife Pamela of Coats; daughter, Pamela B. Wallace and husband Gerry of South Carolina; grandchildren, Ivey and Jason McCune, Alana and Mitchell Nelson, Samuel and Sarah Brown, Samantha and Scott Dunn; great-grandchildren, Kennedy McCune, Karsyn McCune, Summerlin Nelson, Everleigh Nelson, Banks Brown, Tate Brown and Smith Dunn; sisters, Jewel Brown and Sylvia Davis (Ray).

In addition to his parents, Alan was preceded in death by brothers, James Mason Brown Jr., Russell Brown, Morris Brown and Benjamin Brown; and sisters, DeAlphia Robbins, Susan Joyner and Barbara Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Alan and Millie Brown Scholarship Fund at James Sprunt Community College

Pay one price carnival rides, $15, 5-9 pm

Spare Change Concert outdoors at R&R Brewing, 7-10 pm

Cuke Patch 5K Glow Run, 7:30-9 pm starting from Westbrook Park and ending at R&R Brewing! Pickleball Tournament Thursday, Friday and Saturday!

Pickle Eating Contest, noon Live Entertainment, Beer & Wine Garden.

Tour de Pickle Bike Ride, 9 am. Helicopter Rides. Ollie’s Costume Contest 1:30 pm

Plus, Food, Vendors, Petting Zoo, Carnival Rides, Pickle Train rides, Free Pickles, and so much more! Visitthe website forparking andshuttle details

Downtown Mount Olive

Left: Yanetzy Escobar of Fairy Paintz transformed event-goers into unicorns, superheroes and more with creative face-painting at this year’s event. Right: Up-and-coming Clinton musician Lily White took the stage ahead of Band of Oz at Beulaville’s annual Hog Wild Festival this Saturday.

Above: Beulaville Commissioner Tracy Thomas reveled in the friendly competition at this year’s much-anticipated Hog Wild Cake Walk. Below: Event-goers grab a bite from the Kari’s Bakery Food Truck.

PHOTOS BY K.D. BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Carolina Beach music mainstay Band of Oz put on an energetic show at the Beulaville Hog Wild Festival on Saturday.

LORI WILLIAMS / SPECIAL TO THE DUPLIN JOURNAL

Hog Wild Cook-Off winners Greg Fields (from left), third place; Gerrard Johnson, second place; and Kenneth Cavenaugh, first place, pose with their cutting board trophies.

The right of the people peaceably to assemble Protesters gathered at the Chatham County Justice Center in Pittsboro on Saturday as part of nationwide “Hands Off!” demonstrations against Trump administration policies.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Judge restores AP’s access to White House events

Washington, D.C.

A federal judge has ordered the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to cover presidential events, saying that the AP must be given comparable access to its peer wire services. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The judge said that his decision does not prohibit a government official from choosing which outlets to give interviews to, or choosing which journalists’ questions they choose to answer at a news conference.

CDC may end recommendation to add fluoride to water supplies

New York

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants communities to stop fluoridating water and plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control to stop recommending fluoridation in municipal water supplies. He’s assembling a task force to study the issue. He can’t order communities to stop, as it’s a decision left up to states and localities, but many are already pulling back from the additive.

Stanly school board honors 2025 Fine Arts Educator of the Year

Locust Elementary’s

Daniel Dickens is this year’s recipient

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — At the Stanly County Board of Education meeting on April 1, the school board recognized the Stanly County Arts Council’s Fine Arts Educator of the Year for 2025.

Daniel Dickens, a music teacher at Locust Elementary, is the latest winner of the award that has been given out annually since 2014. He initially received his honor on March 22 at the SCAC’s seventh-annual Celebration of the Arts event inside

the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, where he was awarded a $250 classroom scholarship to benefit his school’s music program.

Dickens was nominated by Devron Furr, principal at Locust Elementary, who presented the recognition at the school board meeting along with Arts Council Chair Kelly Dombrowski and Arts Council Executive Director Renee VanHorn.

“The fine arts educator award, affectionately known as the Jim Kennedy Award, is in loving memory of a longtime arts advocate, teacher and coach, Mr. James D. Kennedy,” Dombrowski said. “The award recognizes a fine

See EDUCATOR, page A2

Albemarle launches after-hours response management system

Utility disruptions can be reported on the new Daupler system

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — The city of Albemarle’s new after-hours system for reporting power outages, street obstructions, and water and sewer service disruptions is now up and running. At the Albemarle City Council meeting on Monday night, Jay Voyles, director of the city’s public utilities department, hosted a presentation that introduced the Daupler response management system and call center.

“This program has been highly anticipated,” Albemarle City Manager Todd Clark said

in a preamble to the agenda item. “It came as a recommendation from our public utilities director, Jay Voyles, who’s with us tonight and going to make a presentation.”

Daupler’s response management platform currently serves utilities in 38 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand.

“I’m excited to announce that Daupler is now live,” Voyles said. “The operating hours of this system are going to be on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and 24/7 or around-the-clock coverage on weekends and holidays. Once a customer calls us in, the dispatching service will send the appropriate crews based on the issue at hand, and the system will also open up a portal for customers to receive updates on whatever issue that they report.”

“I’m excited to announce that Daupler is now live.”

Jay Voyles, Albemarle public utilities director

Voyles explained that a trained customer service representative at Daupler can be reached at the same service disruption number (704-9849679) that Albemarle residents have used previously for these reports. Prior to Daupler, after-hours responses were sent over to the Albemarle Police Department, where it would dispatch crews and intake customer calls.

After making a report, a user can opt-in for real-time repair tracking via text mes-

sage — a new method designed to enhance communication, faster response times and an improved customer service experience by allowing users to submit photos and notes.

The Daupler system was fully deployed on March 12, initiating a trial period where the Albemarle Public Utilities Department tallied 63 customers who chose to speak with a live representative and 138 customers who instead opted for text message updates.

“One of my favorite components of this is the flexibility for people that have different preferences in communicating,” Voyles said. “Some people may not like to speak with a live representative and may like to receive updates through their phone, but I know many of our customers do want to speak with someone whenever they have to report an issue.”

Albemarle’s public utilities director noted that he hopes in the future that Albemarle will be able leverage

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Left to right: Locust Elementary Principal Devron Furr, Arts Council Chair Kelly Dombrowski, award winner Daniel Dickens and Arts Council Executive Director Renee VanHorn

North State Journal

(USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Neal Robbins, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local News Editor

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Jesse Deal, Reporter

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

BUSINESS

David Guy, Advertising Manager Published

Mega Millions tickets rise to $5, lottery promises more giant jackpots

Your odds of winning improve, too (slightly)

By Scott McFetridge The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa — Mega

Millions players will get slightly better odds and should start seeing more billion-dollar jackpots, but at a cost — literally — with tickets for the multistate lottery jumping in price to $5.

The price for playing Mega Millions more than doubled for drawings starting with Tuesday’s, but lottery officials are betting that the swollen jackpots they’re expecting will catch the public’s attention and lead to an accompanying surge in sales

“People really want big jackpots,” said Joshua Johnston, the Washington state lottery director who heads the Mega Millions game. “We expect to see a sales lift on this.”

Outside the U.S., the El Gordo Christmas lottery in Spain limits the number of tickets sold and charges 20 euros (nearly $22) for a partial ticket and 200 euros (nearly $220) for a full ticket.

The higher Mega Millions price left Saeedith Williams, of East Point, Georgia, unsure if he’ll keep buying several tickets per week. “Maybe I’ll buy one ticket a week now that it’s $5 a ticket,” he said. After the new rules are implemented, the two lottery games that once were remarkably similar now will have some key differences.

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SYSTEM from page A1

Daupler for 24/7 response management, extending well past its current after-hours designation and benefitting the city’s customer service staff that handles 3,500 to 4,000 calls per month.

“This is great — I think it’s next level,” Councilmember Bill Aldridge said. “It’s going to elevate the customer service experience with all of our citizens, so I’m glad to see this coming live.”

The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

CRIME LOG

April 1

• Jazmyne Lauria Thomas, 31, was arrested for resisting a public officer, communicating threats, and trespassing.

• Tymothy Erin Cushman, 31, was arrested for fleeing arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, assaulting a government official, felony hit-and-run causing injury, and resisting a public officer.

• Travis Trabeck Hinson, 49, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, communicating threats, and misdemeanor domestic violence.

April 2

• Mark Anthony Williams, 35, was arrested for domestic criminal trespassing.

April 4

• Jessica Liane Couick, 37, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny, possessing drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer, trespassing, and possessing a Schedule VI controlled substance.

The biggest change is the ticket price hike from $2 to $5. Lottery officials expect that jump to increase revenue from the twice-weekly game, enabling them to improve the odds of winning the jackpot from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million.

The higher ticket price also means the jackpot can start at $50 million, rather than the previous $20 million, and that the grand prize is expected to grow more quickly. Each time there isn’t a big winner, the jackpot will jump by a larger amount. Officials expect it will more frequently top the $1 billion threshold that draws extra attention — and bigger sales.

Under the new rules, prizes for tickets not matching all six numbers also will increase, with non-jackpot winners now guaranteed at least $10. Each

ticket also will include a randomly assigned multiplier that can increase the prize by up to 10 times, a previous add-on feature that cost an extra $1. The multiplier doesn’t apply to a jackpot.

The new rules have two main goals: to address what the industry calls “jackpot fatigue” and to differentiate Mega Millions from Powerball, the other lottery draw game played across the country.

Jackpot fatigue is the phenomenon under which prizes must grow to enormous amounts before most players will take note and buy a few tickets. These days, a $300 million prize that once drew lines at mini-marts barely registers.

With the new rules, officials expect those average winning jackpots to climb from about $450 million to $800 million, Johnston said. And they believe that even lottery fatigue is no match for the more frequent billion-dollar prize.

“When you get to a billion people are like, ‘Whoa, that’s a whole

lot of money,’” Johnston said. Lottery officials said there is a clear correlation between bigger jackpots and higher sales, but not everyone who plays is swayed by the bigger pots. Sandie Yeaman, of Omaha, Nebraska, expressed puzzlement at the connection.

“I’d be satisfied with $1 million, and so would others,” she said. “One person winning $50 million is ridiculous.”

Mega Millions will be the country’s most expensive lottery draw game, where random numbers are selected to determine a winner.

Still, that price is far less than scratch tickets offered by some states. In Texas, for example, some scratch tickets cost $100 each.

The biggest contrast will be the cost, as Powerball will stick with its $2 tickets — $3 in Idaho and Montana where they require a special prize bundle. With that smaller ticket price will come smaller minimal prizes, starting at $4, or less than half the lowest Mega Millions prize. But Powerball players will still be able to pay an extra dollar for “Power Play,” a random multiplier that, as in Mega Millions, can increase all but the grand prize.

Powerball drawings will continue to be three times a week — Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights — while Mega Millions will hold drawings on Tuesday and Friday.

The changes will bring the two games’ jackpot odds a little closer, with Powerball jackpot odds of 1 in 292.2 million just a bit worse than the new Mega Millions odds.

For players, it’s a chance to spend a little money on a dream of incredible riches while acknowledging the reality that it almost certainly won’t happen.

For the 45 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands where Mega Millions is played, the game raises money for a variety of services, such as education scholarships. Local lottery agencies run the game in each jurisdiction and decisions about how the profits are divvied up are written into state law.

A day on Uranus just got 28 seconds longer

The data comes from Hubble telescope observations

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

— A day at Uranus just got a little longer.

Scientists reported Monday that observations by the Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed it takes Uranus 17 hours, 14 minutes and 52 seconds to complete a full rotation. That’s 28 seconds longer than estimates by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft in the 1980s.

A French-led team studied

EDUCATOR from page A1

arts teacher in the Stanly County public school system who has made a significant positive impact on the arts in education and who has inspired students to pursue, appreciate and respect the fine arts.”

The past winners of the SCAC’s Fine Arts Educator of the Year award are Lori Watson (music teacher at Stanfield and Locust Elementary), Michelle Osborne (art teacher at Central Elementary), Stacy Bottoms (art teacher at West Stanly Middle), Jessica Alvarez Kiser (band director at Albemarle Middle) and Frank Poolos (band director at

a decade’s worth of aurora observations at the ice giant to track its magnetic poles. That

North Stanly Middle and High).

Rebekah Crisco (art teacher at North Stanly Middle), Derek Smith (band director at West Stanly High), Randy Fike (art teacher at West Stanly High), Wanda Maness (art teacher at South Stanly High) and Julie Starnes (art teacher at Locust Elementary) have also received the honor.

“It is such an honor to be here for Mr. Dickens,” Furr said of his Locust Elementary co-worker. “He is well deserving of this award and he’s taught so many students. If you go around this county, you’re going to run into people that know Mr. Dickens. As a matter of fact, I believe all

An image of Uranus’ aurorae taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2022.

long-term tracking provided a more precise rotation period for Uranus, the seventh planet

of the Arts Council’s executive committee had students who were with Mr. Dickens and had a wonderful time. We’re just so proud of him and so thankful for the Arts Council for honoring him.” With 22 years working in education, Dickens previously taught at Running Creek Elementary, Central Elementary, East Albemarle Elementary, Richfield Elementary, Millingport Elementary and Aquadale Elementary. School Board Chair Robin Whittaker was complimentary of the Arts Council’s handling and organization of the Celebration of the Arts as she spoke

from the sun. From that distance, it takes about 84 Earth years for Uranus to orbit the sun.

“The continuous observations from Hubble were crucial,” lead author Laurent Lamy of the Paris Observatory said in a statement. Lamy and his international team said this new approach can help pinpoint the rotation of any world with auroras and a magnetosphere.

Published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the findings come a few weeks before the 35th anniversary of Hubble’s launch. NASA’s space shuttle Discovery delivered the space telescope to orbit on April 24, 1990.

of her experience at the recent event.

“I actually had the opportunity to go twice during the day, and we just appreciate you doing things like that that showcase our students,” Whittaker said. “It was an awesome day there. If you missed that, I encourage you next year to take the time out of your day on a Saturday and just go walk through and look and see what our students are doing.”

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on May 6 at 6:15 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

NAM Y. HUH / AP PHOTO

Pete Gruber points a Mega Millions lottery ticket that he purchased at Mares Mart in Chicago on Sunday.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Ensuring you are connected and your rights are protected

Gun-grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases.

AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, I am committed to defending your constitutional rights and advancing policies that benefit your family, small business and community.

Ensuring your Second Amendment freedoms are protected is one of my top priorities. I have proudly championed H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, not just in this Congress but every Congress since being elected. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would provide nationwide concealed carry reciprocity, so each state’s concealed carry license is valid in every other state.

Currently, there is a confusing hodgepodge of laws surrounding stateissued concealed carry licenses that vary from state to state. Some states have stricter laws that can make unknowing criminals out of lawful license holders for a simple mistake, like a wrong traffic turn, when carrying a handgun.

H.R. 38 would protect law-abiding citizens’ rights to conceal carry and travel freely. Your Second Amendment rights do not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my legislation guarantees it.

The House Judiciary Committee, led by

Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), recently voted for my H.R. 38 to move forward and get a full vote on the House floor. This effort brings us one step closer to getting my legislation passed through Congress and signed into law, and I will keep working with President Donald Trump and my colleagues until we get the job done.

I also recently introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act to ensure lawabiding gun owners can exercise their right to keep and bear arms without fear of being financially penalized. For years, gun-grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases. This unconstitutional and unfair burden is nothing but a scheme to price Americans out of their right to keep and bear arms, and my legislation will put a stop to it.

Another one of my top priorities for folks in our region and communities across the country is to bridge the digital divide. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I am focused on advancing commonsense policies

SNAP shouldn’t subsidize Slurpees

Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

EVEN CHICKEN LITTLE would be exhausted trying to keep up with what Democrats claim President Donald Trump wants to do.

Just look at the news. On Tuesday, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said that Republican cuts to SNAP “are the difference between life and death for the many in the communities that we serve.” SNAP is the rebranded food stamps program.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has accused Republicans of setting “in motion the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Trump’s work to dismantle the Department of Education “is a direct attack on America’s students, teachers and families.”

To understand why this is fearmongering, consider a recent trip I made to 7-Eleven. My wife and I wanted to buy our kids Slurpees after baseball practice. (Shhh ... don’t tell Robert Kennedy Jr.)

In between my frantic efforts to keep my kids from overfilling their cups, I noticed a sticker on the machine.

“All Slurpee cups are EBT eligible,” it read.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s how people spend their SNAP benefits at stores. There was a similar sign on the soda machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website confirms that the signs are accurate.

Taxpayers are subsidizing Slurpees and sodas.

This is wasteful. Food stamps are supposed to help low-income individuals ward off hunger, not satiate their sweet tooth. But imagine the left’s reaction if you proposed making junk food ineligible for food stamps.

They’d claim that you wanted to cut benefits from the poor. That you wanted to cut the program. That you wanted to stigmatize poor people.

This isn’t speculation. House Republicans are currently pushing a bill to do just that, and those are some of the attacks they’re facing.

Those attacks may have a grain of truth, but they’re deeply misleading. If Republicans pass a ban on SNAP paying for junk food, hunger won’t increase one bit. The biggest impact may be a reduction in diabetes, which low-income Americans are more likely to develop. That could save the Medicaid program money, but then Democrats would likely claim Republicans are cutting the program.

Once you see this pattern, Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

The Department of Education has been around for decades. Aside from some bright spots with charter schools, public education is generally terrible. Just because the name says “education” doesn’t mean the department is doing much to improve how kids learn.

Now, if I haven’t convinced you, I

that will deliver much-needed results.

Right now, too many families, farmers and small businesses don’t have access to broadband. While the Biden administration implemented a broadband deployment program, “BEAD,” it was riddled with burdensome, unnecessary requirements that hindered deployment. In fact, not a penny of the program’s federal funding has been put toward actual deployment for even one household.

This is unacceptable. That’s why, as chairman, I recently led members of my subcommittee in introducing legislation to ensure timely and accessible broadband deployment by cutting red tape and streamlining regulations.

Our rural communities need to be fully connected, and my legislation will help do that.

Whether it is safeguarding your Second Amendment rights or ensuring reliable broadband access, I will continue fighting for policies that protect your freedoms and improve everyday lives.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

challenge you to do this: Open the calendar app on your phone. Create an appointment for July 15, 2026. In the notes section, write down three things you think will happen as the result of Republican actions. Some examples: Republicans will cut SNAP benefits and 100,000 people will die of starvation. Trump will cut Medicaid and people will have worse health outcomes, including 50,000 more heart attack deaths. Gutting the Department of Education will reduce student achievement by five percentage points. A note: Look beyond the funding level of a certain program and consider outcomes. Government programs are supposed to be a means to an end, not just a money pit.

If you think Trump has dictatorial aspirations, set a reminder for November 2026 or 2028. Write down if you think Trump will cancel elections or run for a third term. Make sure to also write down if someone has made this claim.

When that date comes, look around and see what happened. Perhaps Trump has led America into unprecedented levels of starvation, illness and ignorance. Or perhaps Democrats have staked their electoral success on scaring people like you. Either way, you won’t have to take my word for it.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Cost of GLP-1 weight loss drugs have state Medicaid searching for solutions

Wegovy and Zepbound help people to lose weight, but at a cost

By Susan Haigh and Marc Levy

The Associated Press

STATES INCREASING -

LY struggling to cover the rising cost of popular GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound are searching for ways to get out from under the budgetary squeeze that took them by surprise.

One solution some policymakers may try is restricting the number of people on Medicaid who can use the pricey diabetes drugs for weightloss purposes.

Pennsylvania’s Medicaid coverage of the drugs is expected to cost $1.3 billion in 2025 — up from a fraction of that several years ago — and is contributing to projections of a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. The state is thinking about requiring Medicaid patients who want to use GLP-1s for weight loss to meet a certain number on the body-mass index or try diet and exercise programs or less expensive medications first.

“It is a medication that’s gotten a lot of hype and a lot of press, and has become very popular in its use and it is wildly expensive,” Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s human services secretary, told a state House hearing in March.

At least 14 states already cover the cost of GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment for patients on Medicaid, the federal health care program for people with low incomes. Democrats and Republicans in at least a half-dozen other states floated bills this year to require the same coverage, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.

Some bills have stalled while others remain alive, including a proposal in Arkansas requiring GLP-1s to be covered under Medicaid when prescribed specifically for weight loss. Iowa lawmakers are thinking about ordering a cost-benefit analy-

sis before making the commitment. Already, West Virginia and North Carolina ended programs in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

“It is very expensive,” said Jeffrey Beckham, the state budget director in Connecticut, where Medicaid coverage of the drugs for weight loss may be scrapped entirely. “Other states are coming to that conclusion, as well as some private carriers.”

Overall Medicaid spending on GLP-1 drugs — before partial rebates from drug manufacturers — jumped from $577.3 million in 2019 to $3.9 billion in 2023, according to a November report from KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. The number of prescriptions for the drugs increased by more than 400% during that same time period. The average annual cost per patient for a GLP-1 drug is $12,000, according to a Peterson-KFF tracker.

About half of Americans “strongly” or “somewhat” favor having Medicare and Medicaid

cover weight-loss drugs for people who have obesity, a recent AP-NORC poll showed, with about 2 in 10 opposed the idea and about one-quarter with a neutral view.

But Medicare does not cover GLP-1s, and the Trump administration said Friday that wouldn’t put into place a proposed rule by presidential predecessor Joe Biden to cover the medications under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug coverage. Biden’s proposal was expensive: It would have included coverage for all state- and federally funded Medicaid programs, costing taxpayers as much as $35 billion over next decade.

States that do provide coverage have tried to manage costs by putting prescribing limits on the GLP-1s. There’s also some evidence that if Medicaid patients lose weight with the drugs, they’ll be healthier and less expensive to cover, said Tracy Zvenyach of Obesity Action, an advocacy group that urges states to provide coverage.

Zvenyach also stressed how

it’s unclear whether patients will need to regularly take these drugs for the rest of their lives — a key cost concern raised by public officials. “Someone may have to be on treatment for over the course of their lifetime,” she said. “But we don’t know exactly what that regimen would look like.”

About 40% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can cause hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which lead to greater risks of things like stroke and heart attacks.

Dr. Adam Raphael Rom, a physician at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, a network of health centers in the city, said most of his patients who take GLP-1s are covered by Medicaid and some are nondiabetics who use it for weight loss.

“I had one patient tell me that it’s like, changed her relationship to food,” Rom said. “I’ve had patients lose like 20, 40, 60 pounds.”

NORTH CAROLINA DRIVING SCHOOL, INC.

But obesity experts have told The Associated Press that as many as 1 in 5 people may not lose the amount of weight that others have seen come off. And in a recent survey of state Medicaid directors conducted by KFF, a health policy research organization, they said cost and potential side effects are among their concerns.

The debate over coverage coincides with rising Medicaid budgets and the prospect of losing federal funding — with congressional Republicans considering siphoning as much as $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.

Connecticut is facing a $290 million Medicaid account deficit, and Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont proposed doing away with a 2023 requirement that Medicaid cover GLP-1s for severe obesity, though the state has never fully abided by the law due to the cost.

Starting June 14, though, state Medicaid patients will be required to have a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis to get the drugs covered. Lamont also is pushing for the state to cover two less expensive oral medications approved by the FDA for weight loss, as well as nutrition counseling.

Sarah Makowicki, 42, tried the other medications and said she suffered serious side effects. The graduate student and statehouse intern is working on a bill that would restore the full GLP-1 coverage for her and others.

Sara Lamontagne, a transgender woman with a disability who is on Medicaid, said she regained weight when her coverage for GLP-1 medication was cut off in the past. She said she went from 260 pounds to over 300, heavier than she had ever been.

“So, it’s a horrible game to be played, to be going back and and forth,” said Lamontagne, whose attempts to appeal the state’s recent denial of her Ozempic prescription refill have been unsuccessful.

Makowicki said GLP-1 drugs combined with weight-loss surgery helped her change her life: She’s had knee-replacement surgery and lost over 200 pounds.

“I am a different person from what I was five years ago,” Makowicki said. “Not only in my physical space, but also mentally.”

Great opportunity for retired state, teachers, retired military, those on Social Security, retired police or municipal.

$23-25 per hour in the car instruction or teach one class a month $900 per 30 hour two week class ($30 per hour for classroom) after school 3 hours for 10 days, or you can do both!

Must be willing/able to work 4 hours 4/5 days a week during the school year. (September-May) Hours are during the day (between 8-am 5pm) during the summer. (June, July, August)

Must take an 80 hour (two week) certification course.

• Must be 25 years of age.

• Must have a clean driving record.

• Must have at least 4 years of experience as a licensed operator of a motor vehicle.

• Must have not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude in the last ten years.

• Must not have any revocation or suspension of license in the last 5 years.

• Must have graduated from High School or have High School equivalency certificate.

• Must not have convictions for moving violations tot aling 5 points in the last 5 years.

• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and Criminal background check must be completed prior to hiring.

AMANDA ANDRADE-RHOADES / AP PHOTO

A woman holds up a dosage of Wegovy, a drug used for weight loss.

STANLY SPORTS

Undefeated North Stanly baseball team leads county pack

The Comets are 6-0 since the beginning of conference play

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

NEW LONDON — While three of Stanly County’s five var sity high school baseball teams have amassed more than 10 vic tories and a winning record, only one of them remains undefeated a month and a half into the 2025 season.

The North Stanly Comets (15‑0, 6 0 Yadkin Valley) have navigated their current cam paign with ease, outscoring their opponents by a run margin of 124 39 since Feb. 26.

Six games into conference play, the Comets hold the first‑place spot in the YVC standings, sit ting one game above the Mount Pleasant Tigers (10 6, 5 1 Y VC)

North Stanly’s Noah Carter steps in to bat during a recent game against West Stanly.

and two games above the Union Academy Cardinals (6 8, 4 2 YVC) among the six teams in the conference.

Rounding out the rest of the local baseball squads in the coun ty, the South Stanly Bulls (12 4 3 3 Y VC), Gray Stone Knights (5 9, 0 6 Y VC), Albemarle Bulldogs (1 10, 0 6 Y VC) and West Stan ly Colts (11 5, 6 0 Rocky River) have a combined 29 28 record so far this season.

As the reigning YVC regu lar season champions, the Com ets have picked up right where they left off from last season’s un defeated conference campaign.

Last year’s squad put togeth er a 24 5 record (10 0 Y VC) and made it to the fourth round of the NCHSAA 2A state playoff brack et, where the Comets lost 5 2 to Burns in Lawndale.

This year’s team has been dominant in its ability to gen erate blowout wins — seven of

North’s 15 wins so far have been by at least five runs.

Most recently, the Com ets defeated A.L. Brown (4‑11, 1 7 Greater Metro) in a 16 6 home matchup on April 2 before knocking off South Stanly in a 12 3 home finish on April 4.

The Comets have scored at least a dozen runs in five of their past six games, leveling up after a stretch during which the team scored under 10 runs in eight consecutive matchups.

North squared off with Gray Stone on Wednesday in New London and next travel to East Davidson (8 6, 6 0 Central Car olina) on Thursday before head ing to Misenheimer for a re match with the Knights on Friday.

Next week, the Comets have an important conference test as they host Mount Pleasant on April 15 and then travel to challenge the Tigers again two days later.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Stella Wayne

West Stanly, girls’ soccer

Stella Wayne is a junior midfielder and forward for the West Stanly girls’ soccer team. She’s a two‑time All Conference player and the reigning team MVP.

Last week, Stella contributed to five of West Stanly’s six goals in the Colts’ 6 3 win over Central Academy, finishing with three goals and two assists. She also had an assist in a game earlier in the week against Piedmont. The only thing that could slow her down was the weather, which washed out the Colts’ third game of the week.

Hamlin holds off Byron to win at Darlington

It’s the second straight win for the Joe Gibbs Racing Group driver

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Den ny Hamlin did his job so his pit crew could do its most stellar stop at the perfect time.

Hamlin came into the pits af ter a final caution in third place and told himself to hit every mark, then let his guys take over.

And that’s what the Joe Gibbs Racing group did, pulling off a perfect winning moment that sent Hamlin out with the lead. He took over on the final restart and held off William Byron to win the Goodyear 400 on Sunday.

It was Hamlin’s 56th career

Cup Series win, his fifth at Dar lington Raceway and second straight this season.

“When you think about 56 wins, that’s a huge deal,” said Gibbs, Hamlin’s longtime car owner.

Hamlin said he hung on throughout as Byron and others looked like they might pull out victory. Instead, Hamlin waited out his time and then pounced as he broke away during the green‑white checkered finish.

“I can still do it, I can do it at a high level and look forward to winning a lot of races this year,” Hamlin said. Hamlin won for a second straight week after his success at Martinsville.

Hamlin chose the outside lane for a final restart and shot out to the lead and pulled away from se

ries points leader Byron and Cup Series wins leader Christopher Bell.

Hamlin looked like he’d have a strong finish but not a winning one as Ryan Blaney passed Tyler Reddick for the lead with three laps left. But moments later, Kyle Larson spun out, forcing a final caution and the extra laps.

It was then time for Ham lin’s Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew to shine as it got him out quick ly and in the lead.

Byron, who led the first 243 laps, was second with Hamlin’s JGR teammate Bell in third.

“There are two people I really love right now, my pit crew and Kyle Larson,” Hamlin said to a round of boos from those in the stands.

Reddick was fourth and Blaney was fifth. The rest of

the top 10 finishers were Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs and Kyle Busch. Hamlin credited the past two victories to his pit crew.

“The pit crew just did an amaz ing job,” he said. “They won it last week, they won it this week. It’s all about them.” Blaney had thought he was clear to his first career Darling ton victory after getting by Red dick late. When he saw the cau tion flag for Larson’s spin, he said he thought, “Oh, no! I thought we had the race won.”

So did Byron, who sought was to become the first Cup driv er in nearly 25 years to lead ev ery lap on the way to victory. He got shuffled down the stand ings during the last round of green‑flag pit stops and could not recover.

“I can still do it, I can do it at a high level and look forward to winning a lot of races this year.”

Denny Hamlin

“It was looking like it was go ing to be a perfect race and we were going to lead every lap,” he said.

But once “we lost control, it was too late to get back up there,” Byron said.

Bad day

Kyle Larson, who won the Southern 500 here in 2023, had high hopes for a second Darlington win. But he slid into the inside wall coming off the second turn on lap three. Larson finished next to last in 37th.

SCOTT KINSER / AP PHOTO

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Geese nest next to iconic Wrigley Field bleachers during Cubs games

Chicago

The iconic Wrigley Field bleachers welcomed an unusual guest during the Chicago Cubs’ series against the San Diego Padres this weekend. Photos on social media showed a goose nesting in a juniper planter next to the center field seats underneath the scoreboard during Saturday’s game. Several rows of the upper bleachers were blocked off from fans Sunday while two Canada geese stood on a roof nearby. Fans snapped photos of the feathered duo before Sunday’s game began.

NFL

Lance moves on from Dallas, signs 1-year deal with Chargers

El Segundo, Calif.

Quarterback Trey Lance has agreed to a one year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Lance spent the past two years with the Dallas Cowboys after playing his first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft out of North Dakota State. Lance has yet to live up to his enormous potential, but Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will get a chance to mold the quarterback while he trains alongside Taylor Heinecke as the backups to Justin Herbert.

NBA Businessman who scammed new Hall of Famer Howard gets 12 years in prison

New York A Georgia businessman who scammed new basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard out of millions of dollars in a bogus scheme to buy the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison. Calvin Darden Jr. was also convicted of cheating former NBA forward Chandler Parsons in a separate ruse involving the development of NBA prospect James Wiseman. Darden was ordered to forfeit $8 million and several luxury items he acquired with the ill gotten gains. He was convicted in October of wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering charges.

Duke’s Final Four fade puts them among top teams to fall short of title

A look at the best teams that didn’t win a title

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Duke had spent much of the season looking like like it was headed to a coronation behind consen sus national player of the year Cooper Flagg.

Instead, the Blue Devils im probably squandered a big lead against Houston and saw their season end in the Final Four.

And that puts this 35‑win Duke team on a select list of elite teams that fell short of winning the NCAA title in the 40 tour naments since expansion to 64 teams in 1985.

“It’s been a special ride,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said, “that ended in a heartbreaking way.”

1984-85 Georgetown

John Thompson’s reigning champion Hoyas (35 3) made it back to the title game behind player of the year Patrick Ew ing, only to become the final victim in eighth seeded Villa nova’s improbable title run.

Rollie Massimino’s Wildcats made 22 of 28 shots (78.6%) in the win at Rupp Arena and re main the lowest seeded team to cut down the nets.

1990-91 UNLV

It seemed Jerry Tarkanian’s Rebels (34 1) were headed for the history as the first repeat champion since UCLA’s run of seven straight from 1967 73, along with becoming the first

unbeaten champ since Indiana in 1976.

Yet a season of romping wins ended when Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke team — which lost by 30 to UNLV in the previous year’s final — stunned the Rebels in the Final Four in Indianapolis.

1992-93 Michigan

The famed “Fab Five” burst on the scene as a cultural phe nomenon as an all freshman unit that unexpectedly reached the title game in 1992. A year later, the Wolverines (31 5) made it back and played a com pelling finale against UNC.

But that one featured a tour nament lore blunder of eventu al No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Chris Webber receiving a late technical foul for calling a tim eout the Wolverines didn’t have to essentially seal the loss.

1996-97 Kansas

This might have been the best team of Roy Williams’

Hall of Fame career, one led by eventual NBA star Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz. But the Jayhawks (34 2) fell in the Sweet 16 to eventual champion Arizona.

1997-98 UNC

The Tar Heels (34 4) played their first year under Bill Guth ridge after Dean Smith’s retire ment with the national player of the year in Antawn Jami son and a future longtime NBA star in Vince Carter.

But the team fell to Rick Ma jerus and Utah in San Antonio.

1998-99 Duke

Statistically, this is Ken Pom’s all time best team. The team was 37 2 a nd had player of the year Elton Brand as the headliner among four of that year’s top 14 picks.

But UConn — led by Richard Hamilton and Khalid El‑Amin — pushed past Duke in the ti tle game.

Prop betting has grown into major wagering attraction

The first Super Bowl prop was on the Fridge scoring a touchdown

By Mark Anderson The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — As Chicago roared through the 1985 NFL season, the Bears bullied oppo nents with the innovative “46 de fense.”

Sports betting at that time was anything but innovative.

A point spread, money line and total. That was about it. Proposition bets were around, but not a central part of sports wagering.

Then Art Manteris at Caesars Palace had an idea. The Bears were identified by their defense, and one of their tackles, William “Refrigerator” Perry, had created national buzz by lining up at full back and scoring touchdowns on goal line plays. So Manteris came up with a separate bet on whether the 340 pound Perry

would score a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the New En gland Patriots.

“It was the biggest thing that ever happened to the prop bet because it made everybody say, ‘What the hell’s going on?’” said longtime oddsmaker Jim my Vaccaro, who now works for South Point in Las Vegas.

Thus a wagering craze be gan to take hold, expanding into a monster during the lead up to the Super Bowl and mov ing on to other sports, such as the NCAA Tournament. The men’s and women’s Final Fours both took place over the week end, and there was no shortage of possibilities in markets where prop betting is legal on college sports.

Among the props offered were who would win Most Out standing Player at the men’s and women’s Final Fours, how many games would end in buzz er beaters and whether there would be a 25 point comeback.

“It’s a game within a game, or

several games within a game,” famed former oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough wrote in an email. “So it allows bettors to have more action on the games. That’s fundamental.”

That was the thinking at Im perial Palace in the 1990s at a time when the Super Bowl was anything by super. The NFC dominated the AFC, winning 13 in a row with many games decid ed either by halftime or shortly afterward.

Sportsbook director Jay Kor negay and his team wanted to find a way to keep gamblers en gaged even if the games became one sided. Prop betting was that way.

“It was just to entertain every one,” said Kornegay. “They be came so popular that they be came a revenue stream as well. So we thought, the more prop ositions we had, it would take some of that weight off the Super Bowl game itself because Super Bowl Sunday was a do or die situation for our operators back

2004-05 Illinois

The Fighting Illini (37‑2) spent the last 15 polls at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 with a guard‑heavy lineup featur ing eventual NBA star Deron Williams, Luther Head and Dee Brown. Illinois lost a tense final against UNC to give Roy Williams his first NCAA title.

2007-08 Memphis

The Tigers (38 2) rode the wizardry of freshman star and No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Derrick Rose to the brink of John Calipari’s first title. But Memphis squandered a nine‑point lead to Kansas in the final 2:12 of regulation in the title game.

2014-15 Kentucky

The Wildcats (38 1) carried an unbeaten record to the Fi nal Four in Indianapolis before falling to Wisconsin in the na tional semifinals.

2018-19 Duke

The season dominated by the supernova star status of Zion Williamson and fellow NBA lottery picks RJ Bar rett and Cam Reddish seemed headed for the Final Four.

Yet the Blue Devils (32 6) fell to Tom Izzo’s Michigan State in a regional final.

2020-21 Gonzaga

The Zags (31 1) rolled through the season unbeaten, only to see a Baylor team blow them out in the title game.

then. You won the game or lost the game.”

Now sportsbooks try to see if they can top each other during every Super Bowl — and other major sporting events.

Who can get more cre ative? Who can attract the most attention?

There also are concerns about prop betting, especially when it comes to wagering on college sports.

“Bookmakers will have to get pretty particular about props from this day forward because they’re under a lot of fire, espe cially in college sports,” Roxbor ough wrote. “Some states will likely restrict props, especial ly in college sports. However, the new bookmakers constantly push the limits on what they can and cannot do. I expect it to be a back and forth tussle with the regulators.”

Vaccaro remembered that 1985 Bears team and the Super Bowl prop that the rest of the Las Vegas Strip was forced to copy.

He opened the odds at about 40 1 at Golden Nugget and had to drop it to 10 1 when money poured in on the Fridge to score. Which he did.

“I was glad he did, even though we took a beating on that game,” Vaccaro said. “It proved it was a nice prop.”

STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH / AP PHOTO

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Tamera “Tammy” Lynn Morgan-Varner

Dwight Farmer

Dennis E. Epperson

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

April 4, 1963 – April 2, 2025

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. 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.

Tamera “Tammy” Lynn Morgan Varner, 61, of New London, passed away on Wednesday April 2, 2025, at Atrium Health Cabarrus. Her funeral service will be at 11a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025, at New Mt Tabor United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Caroll Flack. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, April 6, 2025, from 6 until 8 pm at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.

James Roseboro

Richard Marshall Wells

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

June 12, 1957 –March 30, 2025

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

Dennis E. Epperson passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Atrium Cabarrus in Concord, at the age of 67. He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Rose Epperson.

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.

Tammy was born on April 4, 1963, in Stanly County to the late Earl and Jean Burleson. She is lovingly survived by her husband, Bill Varner Jr. Those also left to cherish her memory are her children, Andrew Morgan (Sarah Freeman) and Emily Morgan, stepson Eric Varner (Lauren), step grandchildren, Ella, Mallory, and Jace, sisters, Jan Lowder (Michael), and Vickey Hall (John), and many nieces and nephews.

John B. Kluttz

Oct. 21, 1954 – April 1, 2025

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

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.

Dennis is lovingly remembered by his brother, Ken Epperson, and sister in law, Sherri Epperson, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, who will cherish his memory.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

Dennis was born June 12, 1957, in Ogden, Utah, and attended school there. He enjoyed fishing, barbecuing and being surrounded by his family. Known for his wonderful attitude, he always had a joke ready and could make anyone laugh. His sense of humor and warmth brought joy to everyone around him.

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.

Tammy was a great mom and step grandmother. She was a kindhearted person who never met a stranger. She loved horses and she loved camping at the beach. Tammy always enjoyed listening to country music, but most especially Dwight Yoakam. Even during her declining health, Tammy was a fighter, always positive with a smile on her face. She loved life to the fullest and will be missed by all who knew her.

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.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care of Albemarle and the staff at Atrium Health of Cabarrus for all the care and compassion provided to Tammy during her declining health.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent the Fresenius Medical Care Foundation (freseniusmedicalcare. com/en us/company/corporate responsibility/fresenius medical care foundation/)

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Morgan Varner family.

Richard Marshall Wells

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

Richard Marshall Wells, 70, of New London, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Atrium Health Stanly. The family will receive friends at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle from 6 until 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

The funeral service for Dennis will be held at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care Chapel in Albemarle on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 2 p.m., officiated by Pastor Ron Loflin. Interment will follow at New London Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 2 before the service. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care Albemarle is serving the Epperson family.

Born October 21, 1954, in Gaston County, NC, he was the son of the late Bobby Marshall Wells and Mattie Ellis Laster. He was a retired employee of Phillip Morris in Concord. His grandchildren and his family were his whole world. He was preceded in death by his wife Edna Wells in 2021. Survivors include three children Mary Elizabeth Simpson (John) of Concord, Rena Page (Terry) of Millingport, and Crystal Swinson (Mark) of Albemarle, brother Gary Wells of Shelby, sister Sherry Wells of High Shoals, five grandsons Damien Simpson, River Simpson, Andrew Page and his wife Beth, Nethanial Cline, and Caleb Cline, one granddaughter Emma Wells, and one great grandson Elliot (Nugget) Wells.

Aug. 10, 1948 –March 30, 2025

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.

When John purchased his first Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily.

While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina.

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.

Doris Jones Coleman

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

Richard Steven Vanderburg, 76, of Albemarle, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at his home. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel in Albemarle, officiated by Pastor Bob Gruver. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday prior to the service from 9 1 1 a.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care Albemarle. Steve was born August 10, 1948, in Stanly County to the late Robert and Margaret Vanderburg. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Linda Vanderburg, of 55 years. Those also left to cherish his memory are his daughters Meredith Clements and her husband Nathan of Albemarle and Beth Mabe and her husband Shane of Albemarle, grandchildren Judson Mabe and Ivey Mabe (Kaitlyn), great grandchild Daxon, sister Gail Taylor (Don), and sisters in law, Carol Peck and Barbara Hartsell (Jim). Steve spent his career in the textile sales industry, traveling around the country and then international sales, which took him to all corners of the globe. Steve loved life to the fullest and never met a stranger. Steve was an avid lover of music and guitar player. He was one of a kind and known for his humor, quit wit, charm and kind spirit. Steve loved his family, especially his wife, his darlings, and his grandkids and loved spending time with all of them. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Lutheran Church (230 S 2nd St, Albemarle, NC 28001). Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Vanderburg family.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

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.

For decades, the show was a favorite in syndication

The Associated Press

tion with ‘I love you with all my heart,’” Jacobson wrote in a tribute on Facebook.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

LAKE BUTLER, Fla. — Jay North, who starred as the towheaded mischief maker on TV’s “Dennis the Menace” for four seasons starting in 1959, has died. He was 73. North died Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Flori da, and had colon cancer, said Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend, and Bonnie Vent, who was his booking agent.

“He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequent ly and ended every conversa

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.

North was 6 when he was cast as the smiling trouble maker in the CBS sitcom ad aptation of Hank Ketcham’s popular comic strip that took place in an idyllic American suburb.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

North was 6 when he was cast as the smiling troublemaker.

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.

Often wearing a striped shirt and overalls, Dennis’ mischievous antics frequent ly frustrated his retired next door neighbor George Wil son, played by Joseph Kearns. After Kearns died, Gale Gor don played Wilson’s brother. Dennis’ patient parents were played by Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry. The show ran on Sunday

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.

nights until it was canceled in 1963. After that it was a fixture for decades in syndication. Later, North appeared on TV in shows including “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Lucy Show,” “My Three Sons,” “Lassie” and “The Simpsons,” and in movies like “Maya” (1966), “The Teacher” (1974) and “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” (2003).

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.

Jay North, TV’s mischievous Dennis the Menace, dies at 73

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.

North is survived by his third wife, Cindy, and three

Jay North, in character as Dennis the Menace, shows his ever-present slingshot to show co-star Gale Gordon, on set in Hollywood in March 1962.

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.

DAVID F. SMITH / AP PHOTO

STATE & NATION

State Supreme Courts are increasingly becoming electoral battlegrounds

Roughly 20 states use elections to pick Supreme Court justices

By Christine Fernando and John Hanna The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — The race for control of the Wisconsin Su preme Court drew $100 million in campaign spending, attack ads and the attention of Presi dent Donald Trump and close ally Elon Musk.

While its spending set a re cord for a U.S. judicial contest, the race that ended last Tuesday was the apex of a trend build ing for years as state Supreme Court races across the country have gotten increasingly costly and vitriolic. The partisan tone of the Wisconsin race and the amount of money it drew from outside interest groups raise questions about whether elec tions are the best way to fill seats for bodies that are supposed to be nonpartisan and ultimately decide the fate of state laws and citizen ballot initiatives.

The politicized nature of the contests was illustrated stark ly last Friday when a Republi can majority appellate panel in North Carolina sided with a Re publican state Supreme Court challenger who is seeking to throw out thousands of ballots from last November’s election.

These races have become pri orities for both major parties because state high courts have been playing pivotal roles in de ciding rules around redistrict ing, abortion and voting rights while also settling disputes over election outcomes.

Some states shifted toward electing justices “to bring the process out into the sunlight, to disempower powerful polit ical actors from getting them selves or allies on the bench, or to provide some level of pub lic accountability,” said Doug las Keith, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s judiciary pro gram. “But with these modern judicial elections, these highly politicized races are not really serving any of those goals.”

Not every state puts its Su preme Court seats up for a statewide vote. Some use ap pointment processes that al low candidates to avoid public campaigning and the influence of political donors. Keith said a merit ba sed selection process can result in Supreme Courts “that are not as predictable along political lines.”

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elec tions to select their Supreme Court justices, while 14, includ ing Wisconsin, use nonparti san elections. Meanwhile, nine task governors with appoint ing justices, two use legisla tive appointments, four have hy brid models and 14 use a merit selection process that often in volves nonpartisan nominating commissions.

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections.

Kansas is one of the states with an appointment process, a system that has been in place for six decades and has been largely nonpartisan. Bristling at some of the court’s rulings in recent years, Republicans in the state now want to change that and move toward a system in which justices have to stand for election.

Opponents say Republicans’ goal is clear in a GOP leaning state: remaking the court in a more conservative image.

When a vacancy on the sev en member court now oc curs, applicants for the seat are screened by a nine member commission. Five are lawyers elected by other lawyers and four are nonlawyers appoint ed by the governor. The com mission names three finalists and the governor — currently a Democrat — chooses one.

The Republican superma jority Legislature placed a pro posed amendment to the Kan sas Constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2026 pri mary election, rejecting ar guments that the current sys

tem of filling vacancies on the state Supreme Court is nota ble for its lack of partisan poli tics and promotes judicial inde pendence.

Backers of the proposal have criticized the state’s top court for years over rulings protect ing abortion rights and forc ing higher spending on pub lic schools. They argue that the court is too liberal and is out of step with voters, even though Kansas voters opted to protect abortion rights in 2022, just months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Republicans also say that in making Supreme Court candi dates run for election, any poli tics in the process would be visi ble instead of “a black box.”

“It is an elitist system, and that elitist system was designed by lawyers,” Kansas’ attorney general, Republican Kris Ko bach, said of the current sys tem. “It is obviously controlled by lawyers.”

Critics of the Kansas propos al pointed to Wisconsin and the tens of millions of dollars spent on state Supreme Court races in recent years. They say that’s just what Kansas should expect to see if voters approve the change next year.

With the current system, they say a candidate’s experience and likely judicial temperament are the most important factors, rather than a candidate’s skills at campaigning, raising money or creating television ads.

“There is a reason that goes beyond giving the people a voice. There’s a political rea

son to change the court,” Bob Beatty, a political science pro fessor at Washburn University in Topeka, said of Republicans’ proposal. Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita a rea Re publican, said he wasn’t con cerned about Wisconsin style campaigning for high court seats if the amendment passes. He said opponents were “try ing to take a one off a nd make it something it’s not.”

In Oklahoma, the Repub lican led Legislature for sev eral years has considered leg islation seeking to change its current appointment system for appellate court justices to hav ing them run for election. Some Republicans have brought up the issue in Alaska in recent years, though the efforts have not advanced.

In North Carolina and Ohio, Republican dominated legisla tures in recent years have added party labels to the ballot in what many legal experts say is an at tempt to benefit conservative ju dicial candidates and construct a court that aligned more with the legislature’s policy goals. North Carolina has been caught up in an ongoing legal saga over a close, highly politi cized state Supreme Court race.

The Republican candidate, Jef ferson Griffin, has challenged more than 65,000 ballots cast in last fall’s election. Last Fri day, the Republican majority on a North Carolina appellate pan el sided with Griffin, who was 734 votes behind Associate Jus tice Allison Riggs, a Democrat

who is likely to appeal. That rul ing was stayed by the state Su preme Court on Monday.

Pennsylvania is bracing for a Wisconsin style election in the fall. It’s another presidential battleground where the state Supreme Court could be called upon to decide election disputes during next year’s midterms or the 2028 presidential election. Three Democratic justices are running to retain their seats and face a yes or no vote for ad ditional 10 year terms.

The recently concluded Wis consin election offers warning signs of what may come in No vember in Pennsylvania when Democrats’ 5 2 majority on the court will be on the line, said Christopher Borick, direc tor of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown.

Spending exceeded $22 mil lion in Pennsylvania’s 2023 Su preme Court contest.

“It would be silly not to an ticipate that in this current en vironment in a key state like Pennsylvania,” Borick said. “It is going to be intensified.”

Making term limits longer and eliminating judicial reelec tions could be a useful reform because “a lot of the influence of money comes from the pres sure to get reelected,” said Mi chael Kang, a Northwestern School of Law professor and au thor of “Free to Judge: The Pow er of Campaign Money in Judi cial Elections.”

“There is no perfect system,” Kang said. “But there are things that can be done to improve.”

TODD RICHMOND / AP PHOTO

The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers are in the state Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

The

right

of the people peaceably to assemble

Protesters gathered at the Chatham County Justice Center in Pittsboro on Saturday as part of nationwide “Hands Off!” demonstrations against Trump administration policies.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Judge restores AP’s access to White House events

Washington, D.C.

A federal judge has ordered the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to cover presidential events, saying that the AP must be given comparable access to its peer wire services. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The judge said that his decision does not prohibit a government official from choosing which outlets to give interviews to, or choosing which journalists’ questions they choose to answer at a news conference.

CDC may end recommendation to add fluoride to water supplies

New York

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants communities to stop fluoridating water and plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control to stop recommending fluoridation in municipal water supplies. He’s assembling a task force to study the issue. He can’t order communities to stop, as it’s a decision left up to states and localities, but many are already pulling back from the additive.

$2.00

Board of Education approves central office cuts to address potential deficit

WSFCS says it will reduce that staff by approximately 10%

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM – The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved a reduction in force starting next school year at its April 8 meeting. Due to a reduction in student average daily membership, state and federal resources and an increasing cost of inflation, the district found itself facing a substantial budgetary deficit.

To address that deficit, district staff proposed a reduction in force.

“Basically, we’re reducing central services by 10%,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Chris Weikart.

The reduction will affect 81 positions within the central office, 42 of which are currently occupied by employees. No teaching/student-facing positions will be affected.

“The goal is for all employees to stay employed in WSFCS by moving into vacant positions or positions that will become vacant prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year,” Weikart said.

Currently, the district is spending approximately $121 million in local dollars on personnel this year, however, the projected budget allotment for personnel next year is just $114 million, leaving a $7 million shortfall.

“We wouldn’t be pinching pennies in the first place if public education was funded in the way that it needs to be,” said Vice Chair Alex Bohannon.

The reduction, in turn, is estimated to save the district approximately $7.6 million and allow the FY 25-26 budget to be balanced.

“We’ve got to go into this next year with a budget that allows

us to move forward on behalf of the students,” said Superintendent Tricia McManus. “If we cannot have a balanced budget going into this next school year, that is going to be problematic.

“This is not the place we wanted to be in, and I apologize that we did not predict this two years ago and make these changes then. But at the end of the day, we’d either have had to make these changes or get other funding from somewhere else.”

The motion passed 5-3, with board members Trevonia Brown-Gaither, Sabrina Coone

NC could loosen CO2 ‘clean energy’ law

GOP legislators are considering repealing a deadline requirement

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Republican lawmakers and the Democratic governor worked together in 2021 to enact a rare energy law in the South that sought to sharply reduce power plant emissions by 2030 and ultimately reach carbon neutrality.

“Today, North Carolina moves strongly into a reliable and affordable clean energy future,” then-Gov. Roy Cooper said at the October 2021 bill signing ceremony. “This is a new beginning.”

But now, amid changing priorities at the federal level, the state’s Republican-controlled legislature is seeking to repeal the law’s requirement of taking “all reasonable steps to achieve” reducing carbon dioxide output

70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The legislation wouldn’t end

meeting the carbon neutrality standard by 2050 as the 2021 law still requires.

Senate bill supporters contend getting rid of the 70% target deadline would help Duke Energy — the state’s dominant electric utility — assemble less expensive power sources now and moderate the electricity rate increases necessary to reach the 2050 standard. Besides, they say, state regulators already recently pushed back the interim deadline, as the law allows.

The effort comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed rolling back federal environmental and climate change policies, which critics say could boost pollution and threaten human health. Republicans in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh are touting them as ways to reduce the cost of living and boost the economy.

Trump “is taking bold action to make America energy-dominant!” state Senate leader Phil Berger, a bill sponsor, wrote on

the social platform X. “To bolster his efforts here in NC, we’re cutting costs for families, removing arbitrary benchmarks, and encouraging new nuclear facilities.”

At least 17 other states — most controlled by Democrats — have laws setting similar net-zero power plant emissions or 100% renewable energy targets, the Natural Resources Defense Council says. North Carolina and Virginia are the only ones from the Southeast.

Some North Carolina environmental groups didn’t embrace the 2021 law, saying it lacked low-income customer assistance and contained loopholes to delay the 2030 mandate. Now they’re criticizing the bill passed by the Senate in March as stalling climate action and benefiting Duke Energy financially. The 2021 law also lets the utility seek multiyear rate increases and performance-based incentives.

“Duke Energy agreed four years ago to carbon-reduction goals in exchange for an easier

path to rate increases. It’s taken full advantage of the smoother rate-setting process, but now wants to renege on its end of the deal,” North Carolina Sierra Club director Chris Herndon said.

Last fall, the state Utilities Commission, which regulates rates and services for public utilities, accepted that it was “no longer reasonable or executable” for Duke Energy to seek the 70% reduction by 2030, pushing that deadline back by at least four years. Eliminating the interim standard likely would mean scaling back or delaying solar and wind energy production now and relying more on natural gas over the next decade, according to modeling from Duke Energy and a state agency that represents consumers before the Utilities Commission.

“The interim goal is not allowing our commission to make least-cost decisions, because the interim goal is driving fast,

See CO2, page A2

PJ WARD-BROWN / TWIN CITY HERALD

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CO2 from page A1

expensive behavior selecting generation types,” said outgoing Sen. Paul Newton, a retired Duke Energy executive and bill sponsor. The bill also would open the door to the long-term construction of a large nuclear power plant, Newton added.

Senate Republicans cite the models to estimate that removing the interim goal would reduce by at least $13 billion what Duke Energy would have to spend — and pass on to customers — in the next 25 years. Democrats voting against the measure questioned the $13 billion figure and supported an interim goal.

“Not having any target, even an aspirational target, could mean that we don’t stay on track to get to our 2050 goal,” Democratic Sen. Julie Mayfield said.

The bill, now in the House, also would allow Duke Energy to seek higher electric rates to cover incremental construction costs of a nuclear or gas-powered plant, rather than wait until the project’s end. Newton said the option would avoid one massive rate increase at the project’s conclusion, reining in customer costs. Critics say it would boost Duke Energy’s profits on expensive projects even if never completed.

In supporting the bill, Duke Energy said the “legislation allows modern, efficient and always-on generation to be deployed faster and cheaper” and pointed to the commission’s order last fall. While the North Carolina Chamber backs the bill, some companies oppose it.

Any approved final bill would head to Cooper’s successor, Gov. Josh Stein. The Democrat contends the bill would hurt electricity users and threaten the state’s clean-energy economy.

“We should be looking for solutions that create jobs and lower costs for hardworking North Carolinians, not increasing their financial burden,” Stein spokesperson Morgan Hopkins said.

While Democrats have enough legislative seats to uphold Stein’s vetoes if they remain united, Duke Energy often finds allies in both parties. Three Democrats voted for the Senate bill with Republicans.

Uncertainty over the bill’s future could grow after Newton resigned from the Senate last week to take a university job.

Mega Millions tickets rise to $5, lottery promises more giant jackpots

Your odds of winning improve, too (slightly)

By Scott McFetridge The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa — Mega

Millions players will get slightly better odds and should start seeing more billion-dollar jackpots, but at a cost — literally — with tickets for the multistate lottery jumping in price to $5.

The price for playing Mega Millions more than doubled for drawings starting with Tuesday’s, but lottery officials are betting that the swollen jackpots they’re expecting will catch the public’s attention and lead to an accompanying surge in sales

“People really want big jackpots,” said Joshua Johnston, the Washington state lottery director who heads the Mega Millions game. “We expect to see a sales lift on this.”

The biggest change is the ticket price hike from $2 to $5. Lottery officials expect that jump to increase revenue from the twice-weekly game, enabling them to improve the odds of winning the jackpot from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million.

The higher ticket price also means the jackpot can start at $50 million, rather than the previous $20 million, and that the grand prize is expected to grow more quickly. Each time there isn’t a big winner, the jackpot will jump by a larger amount. Officials expect it will more frequently top the $1 billion threshold that draws extra attention — and bigger sales.

Under the new rules, prizes for tickets not matching all six numbers also will increase, with non-jackpot winners now guaranteed at least $10. Each ticket also will include a randomly assigned multiplier that can increase the prize by up to 10 times, a previous add-on feature that cost an extra $1. The multiplier doesn’t apply to a jackpot.

Pete Gruber points a Mega Millions lottery ticket that he purchased at Mares Mart in Chicago on Sunday.

The new rules have two main goals: to address what the industry calls “jackpot fatigue” and to differentiate Mega Millions from Powerball, the other lottery draw game played across the country.

Jackpot fatigue is the phenomenon under which prizes must grow to enormous amounts before most players will take note and buy a few tickets. These days, a $300 million prize that once drew lines at mini-marts barely registers.

With the new rules, officials expect those average winning jackpots to climb from about $450 million to $800 million, Johnston said. And they believe that even lottery fatigue is no match for the more frequent billion-dollar prize.

“When you get to a billion people are like, ‘Whoa, that’s a whole lot of money,’” Johnston said.

Lottery officials said there is a clear correlation between bigger jackpots and higher sales, but not everyone who plays is swayed by the bigger pots.

Sandie Yeaman, of Omaha, Nebraska, expressed puzzlement at the connection.

“I’d be satisfied with $1 million, and so would others,” she

said. “One person winning $50 million is ridiculous.”

Mega Millions will be the country’s most expensive lottery draw game, where random numbers are selected to determine a winner.

Still, that price is far less than scratch tickets offered by some states. In Texas, for example, some scratch tickets cost $100 each.

Outside the U.S., the El Gordo Christmas lottery in Spain limits the number of tickets sold and charges 20 euros (nearly $22) for a partial ticket and 200 euros (nearly $220) for a full ticket.

The higher Mega Millions price left Saeedith Williams, of East Point, Georgia, unsure if he’ll keep buying several tickets per week. “Maybe I’ll buy one ticket a week now that it’s $5 a ticket,” he said. After the new rules are implemented, the two lottery games that once were remarkably similar now will have some key differences.

The biggest contrast will be the cost, as Powerball will stick with its $2 tickets — $3 in Idaho and Montana where they require a special prize bundle. With that smaller ticket price

will come smaller minimal prizes, starting at $4, or less than half the lowest Mega Millions prize. But Powerball players will still be able to pay an extra dollar for “Power Play,” a random multiplier that, as in Mega Millions, can increase all but the grand prize.

Powerball drawings will continue to be three times a week — Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights — while Mega Millions will hold drawings on Tuesday and Friday.

The changes will bring the two games’ jackpot odds a little closer, with Powerball jackpot odds of 1 in 292.2 million just a bit worse than the new Mega Millions odds.

For players, it’s a chance to spend a little money on a dream of incredible riches while acknowledging the reality that it almost certainly won’t happen.

For the 45 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands where Mega Millions is played, the game raises money for a variety of services, such as education scholarships. Local lottery agencies run the game in each jurisdiction and decisions about how the profits are divvied up are written into state law.

A day on Uranus just got 28 seconds longer

The data comes from Hubble telescope observations

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

— A day at Uranus just got a little longer.

Scientists reported Monday that observations by the Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed it takes Uranus 17 hours, 14 minutes and 52 seconds to complete a full rotation. That’s 28 seconds longer than estimates by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft in the 1980s. A French-led team studied a decade’s worth of aurora observations at the ice giant to track its magnetic poles. That

BOE from page A1 and Robert Barr voting against the reduction.

“It is not easy to sit where we’re sitting nor make the decisions that we have to make,” Coone said. “We contributed to this problem, and asking the county commissioners to completely bail us out when we as a district are at fault is not quite OK.”

“Our audit, we were $16 mil-

ESA/HUBBLE VIA AP

lion over,” Barr said. “So the process of reporting between our CFO and superintendent to the board, which I think has been addressed, somewhere, something broke. And I’m hoping that it’s fixed, but I’m not sure that it’s fixed. Right now, as a board member, my confidence in the stewardship of our finance has been shaken.”

When asked about executive pay cuts at the top level, McManus stated that the senior

An image of Uranus’ aurorae taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2022.

long-term tracking provided a more precise rotation period for Uranus, the seventh planet

district team will all be taking volunteer furlough days. The board then approved the acceptance of a $175,000 NC Center for Safer Schools School Safety Grant which will be utilized to purchase nine OpenGate Weapon Detection Systems. The board also approved three facility items including an $800,000 contract with Mathews Mechanical for the installation of a new HVAC

from the sun. From that distance, it takes about 84 Earth years for Uranus to orbit the sun.

“The continuous observations from Hubble were crucial,” lead author Laurent Lamy of the Paris Observatory said in a statement.

Lamy and his international team said this new approach can help pinpoint the rotation of any world with auroras and a magnetosphere.

Published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the findings come a few weeks before the 35th anniversary of Hubble’s launch. NASA’s space shuttle Discovery delivered the space telescope to orbit on April 24, 1990.

system for the Southwest Elementary gym, an $800,000 contract with Mathews Mechanical for the installation of a new HVAC system for the Hanes Magnet gym, an $800,000 and a $325,000 contract with GeoSurfaces Southeast for the removal and replacement of the current asphalt surface of the track at Mount Tabor High School. The WSFCS Board of

will

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Bring the fire trucks

For generations, these dogooders have been setting our house on fire, blocking all the exits and telling us to just wait until the fire trucks are on the way.

THE LEFT has gone completely Bat crazy!

You know they’re in trouble when they trot out 83-year-old Communist Bernie Sanders and younger radical Communist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to develop a new image. They do not realize that shock is no substitute for talent. I think it’s a great idea for them.

Apparently, they are not aware that the election is over, and they lost. Hating Donald Trump is not a strategy. They continue to hang on to stupidity like a life raft on the Titanic.

As more and more waste, fraud and abuse are being uncovered, Democrats in Congress have doubled down on stopping the theft. Make no mistake, it is theft of much of the money that is being siphoned off from the American taxpayers. They simply want to keep spending and growing the power of government. It means cutting another hole in the taxpayers’ pocket, and they’re fine with that.

Chaos erupted when Elon Musk asked federal employees to send a sentence of something they had done in the past week pertaining to their job description. Imagine that. Most employees are required to do that on a regular basis. It was interesting that the Democrats freaked out over this simple request, but they are always anxious to hear all about everyone’s sex life.

It was OK for Joe Biden to unleash 87,000 new IRS agents on the American people, but

when DOGE looks to cut waste, it’s a big nono. It was OK for the Biden administration to spend $42 billion to expand broadband service and connected not a single customer in four years. It was OK for Biden to spend $315 per person per visit to the EPA museum. This facility was all about climate change and conveniently chronicled every presidency since its inception except the Trump years 2016-20. They’re yelling a screaming because Trump shut it down.

Billions of dollars have been laundered through this process. Nongovernmental organizations and all left-wing groups have been receiving huge sums of money and then donating back to Democrats and their causes. Instead of curing the problem, they want to eliminate DOGE, who uncovered the scheme. Shoot the messenger.

Truth really is stranger than fiction sometimes. We have learned that $10 million was funneled into creating transgender mice, rats and monkeys. More was then spent on transgender care for these critters as a result. You can’t make this stuff up.

There was $4.7 trillion spent on untraceable payments. An identification code was optional and required no descriptive information. In my mind, that’s not incompetence; it’s corruption.

The government has millions of credit cards in use. There are actually more credit cards issued, 4.6 million, than there are government employees to use them. Explain

SNAP shouldn’t subsidize Slurpees

Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

EVEN CHICKEN LITTLE would be exhausted trying to keep up with what Democrats claim President Donald Trump wants to do.

Just look at the news. On Tuesday, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said that Republican cuts to SNAP “are the difference between life and death for the many in the communities that we serve.” SNAP is the rebranded food stamps program.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has accused Republicans of setting “in motion the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Trump’s work to dismantle the Department of Education “is a direct attack on America’s students, teachers and families.”

To understand why this is fearmongering, consider a recent trip I made to 7-Eleven. My wife and I wanted to buy our kids Slurpees after baseball practice. (Shhh ... don’t tell Robert Kennedy Jr.)

In between my frantic efforts to keep my kids from overfilling their cups, I noticed a sticker on the machine.

“All Slurpee cups are EBT eligible,” it read. EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s how people spend their SNAP benefits at stores. There was a similar sign on the soda machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website confirms that the signs are accurate.

Taxpayers are subsidizing Slurpees and sodas.

This is wasteful. Food stamps are supposed to help low-income individuals ward off hunger, not satiate their sweet tooth. But imagine the left’s reaction if you proposed making junk food ineligible for food stamps.

They’d claim that you wanted to cut benefits from the poor. That you wanted to cut the program. That you wanted to stigmatize poor people.

This isn’t speculation. House Republicans are currently pushing a bill to do just that, and those are some of the attacks they’re facing.

Those attacks may have a grain of truth, but they’re deeply misleading. If Republicans pass a ban on SNAP paying for junk food, hunger won’t increase one bit. The biggest impact may be a reduction in diabetes, which low-income Americans are more likely to develop. That could save the Medicaid program money, but then Democrats would likely claim Republicans are cutting the program.

Once you see this pattern, Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

The Department of Education has been around for decades. Aside from some bright spots with charter schools, public education is generally terrible. Just because the name says “education” doesn’t mean the department is doing much to improve how kids learn.

Now, if I haven’t convinced you, I challenge you to do this: Open the

to me how that works.

Our government is really doing a great job as a banker. There were $300 million in loans issued to borrowers under 11 years old. There were also $300 million in loans given to people over 120 years old.

Elon Musk said one of the most absurd waste projects he has seen was regarding a simple survey. We spent $1 billion for a survey that should have cost at most $10,000.

These are just the tip of the iceberg. We have known for generations that the government was squandering our hard-earned dollars. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle have bloviated the issue and promised to curb the appetite of the government. There has been enough greenhouse gas emitted from these power mongers to fuel a power plant. Trump is just the first one to take it seriously and keep his promises.

For generations, these do-gooders have been setting our house on fire, blocking all the exits and telling us to just wait until the fire trucks are on the way. In this case, it was our country that was burning down while we sat quietly waiting. Finally, in the Trump administration, the fire trucks are here, the hoses are out, and it’s just in time.

Maybe now we can begin the process of building the house back after the fire is out and the ashes are clear.

Joyce Krawiec represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate from 2014 to 2024. She lives in Kernersville.

calendar app on your phone. Create an appointment for July 15, 2026. In the notes section, write down three things you think will happen as the result of Republican actions.

Some examples: Republicans will cut SNAP benefits and 100,000 people will die of starvation. Trump will cut Medicaid and people will have worse health outcomes, including 50,000 more heart attack deaths. Gutting the Department of Education will reduce student achievement by five percentage points. A note: Look beyond the funding level of a certain program and consider outcomes. Government programs are supposed to be a means to an end, not just a money pit.

If you think Trump has dictatorial aspirations, set a reminder for November 2026 or 2028. Write down if you think Trump will cancel elections or run for a third term.

Make sure to also write down if someone has made this claim.

When that date comes, look around and see what happened. Perhaps Trump has led America into unprecedented levels of starvation, illness and ignorance. Or perhaps Democrats have staked their electoral success on scaring people like you. Either way, you won’t have to take my word for it.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal

TRIAD STRAIGHT TALK | JOYCE KRAWIEC

Cost of GLP-1 weight loss drugs have state Medicaid searching for solutions

Wegovy and Zepbound help people to lose weight, but at a cost

By Susan Haigh and Marc Levy

The Associated Press

STATES INCREASINGLY

struggling to cover the rising cost of popular GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound are searching for ways to get out from under the budgetary squeeze that took them by surprise.

One solution some policymakers may try is restricting the number of people on Medicaid who can use the pricey diabetes drugs for weight-loss purposes.

Pennsylvania’s Medicaid coverage of the drugs is expected to cost $1.3 billion in 2025 — up from a fraction of that several years ago — and is contributing to projections of a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. The state is thinking about requiring Medicaid patients who want to use GLP-1s for weight loss to meet a certain number on the body-mass index or try diet and exercise programs or less expensive medications first.

“It is a medication that’s gotten a lot of hype and a lot of press, and has become very popular in its use and it is wildly expensive,” Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s human services secretary, told a state House hearing in March.

At least 14 states already cover the cost of GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment for patients on Medicaid, the federal health care program for people with low incomes. Democrats and Republicans in at least a half-dozen other states floated bills this year to require the same coverage, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.

Some bills have stalled while others remain alive, including a proposal in Arkansas requiring GLP-1s to be covered under Medicaid when prescribed specifically for weight loss. Iowa lawmakers are thinking about ordering a cost-benefit analysis before making the commitment. Already, West Virginia and North Carolina ended

programs in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

“It is very expensive,” said Jeffrey Beckham, the state budget director in Connecticut, where Medicaid coverage of the drugs for weight loss may be scrapped entirely. “Other states are coming to that conclusion, as well as some private carriers.”

Overall Medicaid spending on GLP-1 drugs — before partial rebates from drug manufacturers — jumped from $577.3 million in 2019 to $3.9 billion in 2023, according to a November report from KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. The number of prescriptions for the drugs increased by more than 400% during that same time period. The average annual cost per patient for a GLP-1 drug is $12,000, according to a Peterson-KFF tracker.

About half of Americans “strongly” or “somewhat” favor having Medicare and Medicaid cover weight-loss drugs for people who have obesity, a recent AP-NORC poll showed, with about 2 in 10 opposed the idea

and about one-quarter with a neutral view.

But Medicare does not cover GLP-1s, and the Trump administration said Friday that wouldn’t put into place a proposed rule by presidential predecessor Joe Biden to cover the medications under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug coverage. Biden’s proposal was expensive: It would have included coverage for all state- and federally funded Medicaid programs, costing taxpayers as much as $35 billion over next decade.

States that do provide coverage have tried to manage costs by putting prescribing limits on the GLP-1s. There’s also some evidence that if Medicaid patients lose weight with the drugs, they’ll be healthier and less expensive to cover, said Tracy Zvenyach of Obesity Action, an advocacy group that urges states to provide coverage.

Zvenyach also stressed how it’s unclear whether patients will need to regularly take these drugs for the rest of their lives — a key cost concern raised by public officials. “Someone may have to be on treatment for over

the course of their lifetime,” she said. “But we don’t know exactly what that regimen would look like.”

About 40% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can cause hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which lead to greater risks of things like stroke and heart attacks.

Dr. Adam Raphael Rom, a physician at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, a network of health centers in the city, said most of his patients who take GLP-1s are covered by Medicaid and some are nondiabetics who use it for weight loss.

“I had one patient tell me that it’s like, changed her relationship to food,” Rom said. “I’ve had patients lose like 20, 40, 60 pounds.”

But obesity experts have told The Associated Press that as many as 1 in 5 people may not lose the amount of weight that others have seen come off. And in a recent survey of state Medicaid directors conducted by KFF, a health policy research

North Carolina ended a program in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

organization, they said cost and potential side effects are among their concerns.

The debate over coverage coincides with rising Medicaid budgets and the prospect of losing federal funding — with congressional Republicans considering siphoning as much as $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.

Connecticut is facing a $290 million Medicaid account deficit, and Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont proposed doing away with a 2023 requirement that Medicaid cover GLP-1s for severe obesity, though the state has never fully abided by the law due to the cost.

Starting June 14, though, state Medicaid patients will be required to have a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis to get the drugs covered. Lamont also is pushing for the state to cover two less expensive oral medications approved by the FDA for weight loss, as well as nutrition counseling.

Sarah Makowicki, 42, tried the other medications and said she suffered serious side effects. The graduate student and statehouse intern is working on a bill that would restore the full GLP-1 coverage for her and others.

Sara Lamontagne, a transgender woman with a disability who is on Medicaid, said she regained weight when her coverage for GLP-1 medication was cut off in the past. She said she went from 260 pounds to over 300, heavier than she had ever been.

“So, it’s a horrible game to be played, to be going back and and forth,” said Lamontagne, whose attempts to appeal the state’s recent denial of her Ozempic prescription refill have been unsuccessful.

Makowicki said GLP-1 drugs combined with weight-loss surgery helped her change her life: She’s had knee-replacement surgery and lost over 200 pounds.

“I am a different person from what I was five years ago,” Makowicki said. “Not only in my physical space, but also mentally.”

Scientists genetically engineer wolves like extinct dire wolf

They have white hair and muscular jaws

By Christina Larson The Associated Press

THREE GENETICALLY engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.

The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.

Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years old, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today.

Independent scientists said this latest effort doesn’t mean dire wolves are coming back to North American grasslands any time soon.

“All you can do now is make something look superficially like something else” — not fully revive extinct species, said Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who was not involved in the research.

Colossal scientists learned about specific traits that dire wolves possessed by examining ancient DNA from fossils. The researchers studied a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth unearthed in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull fragment found in Idaho, both part of natural history museum collections. Then the scientists took

blood cells from a living gray wolf and used CRISPR to genetically modify them in 20 different sites, said Colossal’s chief scientist Beth Shapiro. They transferred that genetic material to an egg cell from a domestic dog. When ready, embryos were transferred to sur -

rogates, also domestic dogs, and 62 days later the genetically engineered pups were born.

Colossal has previously announced similar projects to genetically alter cells from living species to create animals resembling extinct woolly mammoths, dodos and others.

Though the pups may physically resemble young dire wolves, “what they will probably never learn is the finishing move of how to kill a giant elk or a big deer,” because they won’t have opportunities to watch and learn from wild dire wolf parents, said Colos -

Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years old, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today.

sal’s chief animal care expert, Matt James.

Colossal also reported today that it had cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves of the southeastern U.S.’s critically endangered red wolf population. The aim is to bring more genetic diversity into the small population of captive red wolves, which scientists are using to breed and help save the species.

This technology may have broader application for conservation of other species because it’s less invasive than other techniques to clone animals, said Christopher Preston, a wildlife expert at the University of Montana who was not involved in the research. But it still requires a wild wolf to be sedated for a blood draw and that’s no simple feat, he added.

Colossal CEO Ben Lamm said the team met with officials from the U.S. Interior Department in late March about the project. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised the work on X on Monday as a “thrilling new era of scientific wonder” even as outside scientists said there are limitations to restoring the past.

“Whatever ecological function the dire wolf performed before it went extinct, it can’t perform those functions” on today’s existing landscapes, said Buffalo’s Lynch.

AMANDA ANDRADE-RHOADES / AP PHOTO

A woman holds up a dosage of Wegovy, a drug used for weight loss.

COLOSSAL BIOSCIENCES VIA AP

Romulus and Remus are 3 months old and genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf.

Forsyth SPORTS

Anthony, Howard, Bird highlight Basketball Hall of Fame class

The

2008 Olympic team coached by Mike Krzyzewski was also inducted

By Tim Reynolds

The Associated Press

CARMELO ANTHONY and Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice. And LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that’s headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end.

Anthony and Howard were announced Saturday as members of the Class of 2025, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that they played on — dubbed the “Redeem Team,” the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball’s men’s program.

Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.

“I made it to the real basketball heaven,” Howard said. “It’s crazy.”

Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“When the call comes and, in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone,” Anthony said on the televised announcement. “You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, ‘You’re in.’ And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders.”

Donovan won back-to-back ti-

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Gavin Searcy

tles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami’s path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years.

“For some, this is an individual honor,” Arison said. “But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together.”

Combined, the five players selected as individuals — Bird, Moore, Fowles, Howard and Anthony — were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, won 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 All-NBA or All-WNBA appearances and were named as AllStars 45 times in their careers.

“Surreal,” Bird said of her selection. “I don’t think there’s any way to really wrap your head around it.”

Added Fowles: “I don’t think (any) one of us go into this thinking that we’re going to be Hall of Famers. You just do your job ... and when it’s all said and done, the job is complete and here we are.”

The Redeem Team’s selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bry-

ant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Anthony, Howard, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince. That team’s managing director was Jerry Colangelo, who now chairs the Hall of Fame.

“We developed a set of standards where all the guys lived by those standards,” said former Duke coach and 2001 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Krzyzewski, who coached that 2008 Olympic team. “They were the best group of guys. I wish like crazy that Kobe was here. He was really the key guy, I think. As many great players as we had at that point, he was the greatest and everyone looked up to him.”

The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball’s place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points.

R.J. Reynolds, baseball

Gavin Searcy is a junior on the R.J. Reynolds baseball team. He also plays football for the Demons.

In a 10-0 win over Parkland last week, Searcy went 2 for 4 with two runs, a double and two stolen bases. In the rematch, a 16-1 win, he went 1 for 1 with two runs, an RBI, a walk, a hit by pitch and a stolen base. In a loss to North Stokes, he went 1 for 3 and was one of just two Demons batters to have a hit in all three games.

For the season, Searcy is hitting .478 and leads the team in stolen bases, hits, slugging and triples.

Hamlin holds off Byron to win at Darlington

It’s the second straight win for the Joe Gibbs Racing Group driver

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin did his job so his pit crew could do its most stellar stop at the perfect time.

Hamlin came into the pits after a final caution in third place and told himself to hit every mark, then let his guys take over. And that’s what the Joe Gibbs Racing group did, pulling off a perfect winning moment that sent Hamlin out with the lead. He took over on the final restart and held off William Byron to win the Goodyear 400 on Sunday.

It was Hamlin’s 56th career Cup Series win, his fifth at Darlington Raceway and second straight this season.

“When you think about 56 wins, that’s a huge deal,” said Gibbs, Hamlin’s longtime car owner.

Hamlin said he hung on throughout as Byron and others looked like they might pull out victory. Instead, Hamlin waited out his time and then pounced as he broke away during the green-white-checkered finish.

“I can still do it, I can do it at a high level and look forward to winning a lot of races this year,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin won for a second straight week after his success at Martinsville.

Hamlin chose the outside lane for a final restart and shot out to

the lead and pulled away from series points leader Byron and Cup Series wins leader Christopher Bell.

Hamlin looked like he’d have a strong finish but not a winning one as Ryan Blaney passed Tyler Reddick for the lead with three laps left. But moments later, Kyle Larson spun out, forcing a final caution and the extra laps.

It was then time for Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew to shine as it got him out quickly and in the lead.

Byron, who led the first 243 laps, was second with Hamlin’s JGR teammate Bell in third.

“There are two people I really love right now, my pit crew and Kyle Larson,” Hamlin said to a round of boos from those in the stands.

Reddick was fourth and

“I can still do it, I can do it at a high level and look forward to winning a lot of races this year.”

Denny Hamlin

Blaney was fifth. The rest of the top-10 finishers were Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs and Kyle Busch.

Hamlin credited the past two victories to his pit crew.

“The pit crew just did an amazing job,” he said. “They won it last week, they won it this week. It’s all about them.”

Blaney had thought he was clear to his first career Darlington victory after getting by Red-

dick late. When he saw the caution flag for Larson’s spin, he said he thought, “Oh, no! I thought we had the race won.”

So did Byron, who sought was to become the first Cup driver in nearly 25 years to lead every lap on the way to victory. He got shuffled down the standings during the last round of green-flag pit stops and could not recover.

“It was looking like it was going to be a perfect race and we were going to lead every lap,” he said. But once “we lost control, it was too late to get back up there,” Byron said.

Bad day

Kyle Larson, who won the Southern 500 here in 2023, had high hopes for a second Darlington win. But he slid into the inside wall coming off the second turn on lap three. Larson finished next to last in 37th.

SCOTT KINSER / AP PHOTO

DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP PHOTO

From left to right, Micky Arison, Dwight Howard, Billy Donovan, Danny Crawford, Carmelo Anthony and Sean Ford pose after being named to the Naismith Hall Fame Class of 2025.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Geese nest next to iconic Wrigley Field bleachers during Cubs games

Chicago The iconic Wrigley Field bleachers welcomed an unusual guest during the Chicago Cubs’ series against the San Diego Padres this weekend. Photos on social media showed a goose nesting in a juniper planter next to the center-field seats underneath the scoreboard during Saturday’s game. Several rows of the upper bleachers were blocked off from fans Sunday while two Canada geese stood on a roof nearby. Fans snapped photos of the feathered duo before Sunday’s game began.

NFL Lance moves on from Dallas, signs 1-year deal with Chargers

El Segundo, Calif. Quarterback Trey Lance has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Lance spent the past two years with the Dallas Cowboys after playing his first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft out of North Dakota State. Lance has yet to live up to his enormous potential, but Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will get a chance to mold the quarterback while he trains alongside Taylor Heinecke as the backups to Justin Herbert.

NBA Businessman who scammed new Hall of Famer Howard gets 12 years in prison

New York

A Georgia businessman who scammed new basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard out of millions of dollars in a bogus scheme to buy the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison. Calvin Darden Jr. was also convicted of cheating former NBA forward Chandler Parsons in a separate ruse involving the development of NBA prospect James Wiseman. Darden was ordered to forfeit $8 million and several luxury items he acquired with the ill-gotten gains. He was convicted in October of wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering charges.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Tulane suspends transfer QB Finley following arrest

New Orleans

Tulane transfer quarterback TJ Finley has been suspended from the team indefinitely following his arrest for alleged possession of a stolen pickup truck. Finley’s attorneys say he was a “victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam.” The 23-year-old was charged with possession of stolen goods valued at $25,000 or more. Finley has been suspended pending the outcome of his case. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 1. Finley is with his fifth college football program after previously playing for LSU, Auburn, Texas State and Western Kentucky.

Duke’s Final Four fade puts them among top teams to fall short of title

A look at the best teams that didn’t win a title

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Duke had spent much of the season looking like like it was headed to a coronation behind consensus national player of the year Cooper Flagg.

Instead, the Blue Devils improbably squandered a big lead against Houston and saw their season end in the Final Four. And that puts this 35-w in Duke team on a select list of elite teams that fell short of winning the NCAA title in the 40 tournaments since expansion to 64 teams in 1985.

“It’s been a special ride,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said, “that ended in a heartbreaking way.”

1984-85 Georgetown

John Thompson’s reigning champion Hoyas (35-3) made it back to the title game behind player of the year Patrick Ewing, only to become the final victim in eighth-seeded Villanova’s improbable title run.

Rollie Massimino’s Wildcats made 22 of 28 shots (78.6%) in the win at Rupp Arena and remain the lowest-seeded team to cut down the nets.

1990-91 UNLV

It seemed Jerry Tarkanian’s Rebels (34-1) were headed for the history as the first repeat champion since UCLA’s run of seven straight from 1967-73, along with becoming the first unbeaten champ since Indiana in 1976. Yet a season of romping wins ended when Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke team — which lost by 30 to UNLV in the previous year’s final — stunned the Rebels in the Final Four in Indianapolis.

1992-93 Michigan

The famed “Fab Five” burst on the scene as a cultural phenomenon as an all-freshman unit that unexpectedly reached the title game in 1992. A year later, the Wolverines (31-5) made it back and played a compelling finale against UNC.

But that one featured a tournament-lore blunder of eventual No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Chris Webber receiving a

Prop

to Houston in Saturday’s national

3

Number of Duke teams on the list of highest-rated teams to lose in the NCAA Tournament

late technical foul for calling a timeout the Wolverines didn’t have to essentially seal the loss.

1996-97 Kansas

This might have been the best team of Roy Williams’ Hall of Fame career, one led by eventual NBA star Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz. But the Jayhawks (34-2) fell in the Sweet 16 to eventual champion Arizona.

1997-98 UNC

The Tar Heels (34-4) played their first year under Bill Guthridge after Dean Smith’s retirement with the national player of the year in Antawn Jamison and a future long-

betting has grown into major wagering attraction

The first Super Bowl prop was on the Fridge scoring a touchdown

By Mark Anderson The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — As Chicago roared through the 1985 NFL season, the Bears bullied opponents with the innovative “46 defense.” Sports betting at that time was anything but innovative. A point spread, money line and total. That was about it. Proposition bets were around, but not a central part of sports wagering. Then Art Manteris at Caesars Palace had an idea. The Bears were identified by their defense, and one of their tackles, William “Refrigerator” Perry, had created national buzz by lining up at fullback and scoring touchdowns on goal-line plays. So Manteris came up with a separate bet on whether the 340-pound Perry would score a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

“It was the biggest thing that ever happened to the prop bet because it made everybody

say, ‘What the hell’s going on?’” said longtime oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro, who now works for South Point in Las Vegas.

Thus a wagering craze began to take hold, expanding into a monster during the leadup to the Super Bowl and moving on to other sports, such as the NCAA Tournament. The men’s and women’s Final Fours both took place over the weekend, and there was no shortage of possibilities in markets where prop betting is legal on college sports.

Among the props offered were who would win Most Outstanding Player at the men’s and women’s Final Fours, how many games would end in buzzer-beaters and whether there would be a 25-point comeback.

“It’s a game within a game, or several games within a game,” famed former oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough wrote in an email. “So it allows bettors to have more action on the games. That’s fundamental.”

That was the thinking at Imperial Palace in the 1990s at a time when the Super Bowl was anything by super. The NFC dominated the AFC, winning 13 in a row with many games

time NBA star in Vince Carter. But the team fell to Rick Majerus and Utah in San Antonio.

1998-99 Duke

Statistically, this is KenPom’s all-time best team. The team was 37-2 and had player of the year Elton Brand as the headliner among four of that year’s top 14 picks. But UConn — led by Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-A min — pushed past Duke in the title game.

2004-05 Illinois

The Fighting Illini (37-2) spent the last 15 polls at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 with a guard-heavy lineup featuring eventual NBA star Deron Williams, Luther Head and Dee Brown. Illinois lost a tense final against UNC to give Roy Williams his first NCAA title.

2007-08 Memphis

The Tigers (38-2) rode the wizardry of freshman star

and No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Derrick Rose to the brink of John Calipari’s first title. But Memphis squandered a nine -point lead to Kansas in the final 2:12 of regulation in the title game.

2014-15 Kentucky

The Wildcats (38-1) carried an unbeaten record to the Final Four in Indianapolis before falling to Wisconsin in the national semifinals.

2018-19 Duke

The season dominated by the supernova star status of Zion Williamson and fellow NBA lottery picks RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish seemed headed for the Final Four.

Yet the Blue Devils (32-6) fell to Tom Izzo’s Michigan State in a regional final. 2020-21 Gonzaga

The Zags (31-1) rolled through the season unbeaten, only to see a Baylor team blow them out in the title game.

decided either by halftime or shortly afterward.

Sportsbook director Jay Kornegay and his team wanted to find a way to keep gamblers engaged even if the games became one-sided. Prop betting was that way.

“It was just to entertain everyone,” said Kornegay. “They became so popular that they became a revenue stream as well. So we thought, the more propositions we had, it would take some of that weight off the Super Bowl game itself because Super Bowl Sunday was a do-or-die situation for our operators back then. You won the game or lost the game.” Now sportsbooks try to see if they can top each other during every Super Bowl — and other major sporting events. Who can get more creative? Who can attract the most attention?

There also are concerns about prop betting, especially

when it comes to wagering on college sports.

“Bookmakers will have to get pretty particular about props from this day forward because they’re under a lot of fire, especially in college sports,” Roxborough wrote. “Some states will likely restrict props, especially in college sports. However, the new bookmakers constantly push the limits on what they can and cannot do. I expect it to be a back-and-forth tussle with the regulators.” Vaccaro remembered that 1985 Bears team and the Super Bowl prop that the rest of the Las Vegas Strip was forced to copy.

He opened the odds at about 40-1 at Golden Nugget and had to drop it to 10-1 when money poured in on the Fridge to score. Which he did.

“I was glad he did, even though we took a beating on that game,” Vaccaro said. “It proved it was a nice prop.”

BRYNN ANDERSON / AP PHOTO

Duke forward Cooper Flagg is interviewed in the locker room during media day at the Final Four.

STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH / AP PHOTO

Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II sits in locker room after a loss

semifinals at the Final Four.

the stream

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ returns, Viola Davis in action, Spin Doctors drop new album

“Black Mirror” is back on Netflix

The Associated Press

HULU’S “THE Handmaid’s Tale” returning for its sixth and final season and Viola Davis playing a U.S. president in the action movie “G20” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reunite in the long-awaited second season of “The Last of Us,” Cillian Murphy plays an Irish coal merchant in the movie “Small Things Like These” and Spin Doctors release their first new studio album in 12 years.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Davis as an action star is, generally speaking, worth seeing. While Davis is best known for more dramatic roles, she kicked serious butt in 2022’s “The Woman King.” In “G20” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video), Davis plays a U.S. president whose military background comes in handy when terrorists take over the Group of 20 summit.

Following up his Oscar-winning performance in “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy stars in and produced “Small Things Like These,” an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize-nominated novella. In the film (streaming on Hulu), Murphy plays an Irish coal merchant and father of five daughters in 1985. Directed by Tim Mielants (who worked with Murphy on “Peaky Blinders”) and co-starring Emma Watson, “Small Things Like These” digs into the brutal traumas of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries.

MUSIC TO STREAM

Nearly six years have passed since Bon Iver’s last album, “i, i” was released, but that wasn’t the last we heard from him. His influence is everywhere in contemporary popular music; his world has changed ours, from 2007’s debut album, “For Emma Forever Ago,” recorded in his father’s hunting cabin, to all the Grammy nominations, tours and features with stars from Bruce Springsteen to Taylor Swift. In October, he released indie folk EP “SABLE,” which AP’s Dave Campbell described as arriving like a siren, warning the listener of some intensity ahead. On Friday, that intensity arrives in the form of a new full-length album, “SABLE, fABLE.”

Also on Friday, Spin Doc -

tors release their first new studio album in 12 years, “Face Full of Cake,” via Capitol Records. It’s been 33 years since their alt-rock, Grammy-nominated hit “Two Princes” soundtracked the ’90s. Three decades later, their cheeky spirit endures.

SHOWS TO STREAM

After a more than two-year wait, Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” is back for its sixth and final season. Elisabeth Moss returns as June, determined to rescue her daughter from the totalitarian, theonomic society of Gilead, which has taken over the United States. When “The Handmaid’s Tale” debuted in 2017, early into President Donald Trump’s first term, it struck a chord with viewers, particularly women, worried about their rights. The final season returns in the early days of Trump’s second term. Hulu also has ordered a sequel series, “The Testaments,” taking place 15 years later. Both

shows are based on novels by Margaret Atwood.

Netflix’s sci-fi anthology series “Black Mirror” returns for Season 7 on Thursday. There are six new stories — including a sequel to Season 4’s “USS Callister,” with Cristin Milioti reprising her role. Its new cast includes Awkwafina, Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Paul Giamatti, Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chris O’Dowd.

A new reality competition show on Hulu may help fill the void left by “The Traitors.” “Got to Get Out” is hosted by Marvel actor Simu Liu and features notable reality TV stars like Spencer Pratt, Omarosa, Val Chmerkovskiy and Kim Zolciak-Biermann facing off against everyday people. They must live in a locked house together for 10 days for the chance of winning $1 million. The contestants have to devise plans to sneak out for challenges, without getting caught. “Got to Get Out” premieres Friday.

Remember Jon Hamm’s

commercial for Apple TV+ where he lamented he was the only Hollywood actor who hadn’t been hired by the streamer? A role on “The Morning Show” changed that for him. Now Hamm is starring in his own Apple show called “Your Friends & Neighbors,” premiering Friday. He plays Coop, a divorced, down- on-his-luck man who loses his hedge fund job. To keep up with the Joneses, not to mention his alimony and child support, he begins to steal from his affluent neighbors when they’re not home. The show, already renewed for Season 2, also stars Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn. Pascal and Ramsey reunite in the long-awaited second season of “The Last of Us.” The series is based on video games of the same name about a fungal infection that turns the infected into zombies. Season 2 picks up five years after the events of the first, with new cast member Kaitlyn Dever. Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Wright and Isabela Merced will also appear. “The Last of Us” Season 2 premieres Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The Deep South has so much weird folklore that it should be

a great setting for an eerie video game. Leave it to our friends up north — Canadian studio Compulsion Games — to deliver South of Midnight. After a hurricane blows through a small town called Prospero, a young woman named Hazel gains some magical skills. She’ll need them to fight back against the witches, haints and oversized gators running wild all over the swamp. The supernatural creatures here, including an amiable giant catfish with a Cajun accent, have a distinctive stop-motion look, casting a haunting spell around Hazel’s journey. You can dig into this gumbo on Xbox X/S and PC.

Speaking of eerie settings, who isn’t intrigued by the classic mysterious mansion? Blue Prince, from Los Angeles-based designer Tonda Ros, invites you to explore such a house — and each time you open a door, you have a choice as to what room is behind it. The house is filled with puzzles, some of which require clues and objects from multiple locations. And at the end of the day, the manor resets itself, so the rooms will be in different places the next morning. It all feels like one huge escape room, and you can move in Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox

and PC.

X/S

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Your Friends & Neighbors” and “The Last of Us” land this week on a device near you.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

The Spin Doctors, pictured in 2013, drop “Face Full of Cake,” their first album in 12 years, on Friday.

Elisabeth Moss returns as June, determined to rescue her daughter from the totalitarian, theonomic society of Gilead, which has taken over the United States.

STATE & NATION

State Supreme Courts are increasingly becoming electoral battlegrounds

Roughly 20 states use elections to pick Supreme Court justices

By Christine Fernando and John Hanna The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — The race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court drew $100 million in campaign spending, attack ads and the attention of President Donald Trump and close ally Elon Musk.

While its spending set a record for a U.S. judicial contest, the race that ended last Tuesday was the apex of a trend building for years as state Supreme Court races across the country have gotten increasingly costly and vitriolic. The partisan tone of the Wisconsin race and the amount of money it drew from outside interest groups raise questions about whether elections are the best way to fill seats for bodies that are supposed to be nonpartisan and ultimately decide the fate of state laws and citizen ballot initiatives.

The politicized nature of the contests was illustrated starkly last Friday when a Republican-majority appellate panel in North Carolina sided with a Republican state Supreme Court challenger who is seeking to throw out thousands of ballots from last November’s election.

These races have become priorities for both major parties because state high courts have been playing pivotal roles in deciding rules around redistricting, abortion and voting rights while also settling disputes over election outcomes.

Some states shifted toward electing justices “to bring the process out into the sunlight, to disempower powerful political actors from getting themselves or allies on the bench, or to provide some level of public accountability,” said Douglas Keith, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s judiciary program. “But with these modern judicial elections, these highly politicized races are not really serving any of those goals.”

Not every state puts its Supreme Court seats up for a statewide vote. Some use appointment processes that allow candidates to avoid public campaigning and the influence of political donors. Keith said a merit-based selection process can result in Supreme Courts “that are not as predictable along political lines.”

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices, while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections. Meanwhile, nine task governors with appointing justices, two use legislative appointments, four have hybrid models and 14 use a merit selection process that often involves nonpartisan nominating

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections.

commissions.

Kansas is one of the states with an appointment process, a system that has been in place for six decades and has been largely nonpartisan. Bristling at some of the court’s rulings in recent years, Republicans in the state now want to change that and move toward a system in which justices have to stand for election.

Opponents say Republicans’ goal is clear in a GOP-leaning state: remaking the court in a more conservative image.

When a vacancy on the seven-member court now occurs, applicants for the seat are screened by a nine-member commission. Five are lawyers elected by other lawyers and four are nonlawyers appointed by the governor. The commission names three finalists and the governor — currently a Democrat — chooses one.

The Republican-supermajority Legislature placed a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2026 primary election, rejecting argu-

ments that the current system of filling vacancies on the state Supreme Court is notable for its lack of partisan politics and promotes judicial independence.

Backers of the proposal have criticized the state’s top court for years over rulings protecting abortion rights and forcing higher spending on public schools. They argue that the court is too liberal and is out of step with voters, even though Kansas voters opted to protect abortion rights in 2022, just months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Republicans also say that in making Supreme Court candidates run for election, any politics in the process would be visible instead of “a black box.”

“It is an elitist system, and that elitist system was designed by lawyers,” Kansas’ attorney general, Republican Kris Kobach, said of the current system. “It is obviously controlled by lawyers.”

Critics of the Kansas proposal pointed to Wisconsin and the tens of millions of dollars spent on state Supreme Court races in recent years. They say that’s just what Kansas should expect to see if voters approve the change next year.

With the current system, they say a candidate’s experience and likely judicial temperament are the most important factors, rather than a candidate’s skills at campaigning, raising money or creating television ads.

“There is a reason that goes beyond giving the people a voice. There’s a political reason

to change the court,” Bob Be-

atty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, said of Republicans’ proposal.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said he wasn’t concerned about Wisconsin-style campaigning for high court seats if the amendment passes. He said opponents were “trying to take a one-off and make it something it’s not.”

In Oklahoma, the Republican-led Legislature for several years has considered legislation seeking to change its current appointment system for appellate court justices to having them run for election. Some Republicans have brought up the issue in Alaska in recent years, though the efforts have not advanced.

In North Carolina and Ohio, Republican-dominated legislatures in recent years have added party labels to the ballot in what many legal experts say is an attempt to benefit conservative judicial candidates and construct a court that aligned more with the legislature’s policy goals.

North Carolina has been caught up in an ongoing legal saga over a close, highly politicized state Supreme Court race.

The Republican candidate, Jefferson Griffin, has challenged more than 65,000 ballots cast in last fall’s election. Last Friday, the Republican majority on a North Carolina appellate panel sided with Griffin, who was 734 votes behind Associate Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat

who is likely to appeal. That ruling was stayed by the state Supreme Court on Monday.

Pennsylvania is bracing for a Wisconsin-style election in the fall. It’s another presidential battleground where the state Supreme Court could be called upon to decide election disputes during next year’s midterms or the 2028 presidential election. Three Democratic justices are running to retain their seats and face a yes-or-no vote for additional 10-year terms.

The recently concluded Wisconsin election offers warning signs of what may come in November in Pennsylvania when Democrats’ 5-2 majority on the court will be on the line, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown.

Spending exceeded $22 million in Pennsylvania’s 2023 Supreme Court contest.

“It would be silly not to anticipate that in this current environment in a key state like Pennsylvania,” Borick said. “It is going to be intensified.”

Making term limits longer and eliminating judicial reelections could be a useful reform because “a lot of the influence of money comes from the pressure to get reelected,” said Michael Kang, a Northwestern School of Law professor and author of “Free to Judge: The Power of Campaign Money in Judicial Elections.”

“There is no perfect system,” Kang said. “But there are things that can be done to improve.”

TODD RICHMOND / AP PHOTO

The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers are in the state Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

Randolph record

Helping hand

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Judge restores AP’s access to White House events

Washington, D.C.

A federal judge has ordered the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to cover presidential events, saying that the AP must be given comparable access to its peer wire services. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The judge said that his decision does not prohibit a government official from choosing which outlets to give interviews to, or choosing which journalists’ questions they choose to answer at a news conference.

CDC may end recommendation to add fluoride to water supplies

New York

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants communities to stop fluoridating water and plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control to stop recommending fluoridation in municipal water supplies. He’s assembling a task force to study the issue. He can’t order communities to stop, as it’s a decision left up to states and localities, but many are already pulling back from the additive.

$2.00

Commissioners approve purchase of property for new Randleman High

The district has up to 270 days to review the 90-acre site

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Randolph County has gotten one step closer toward the construction of a new high school.

At its April 7 meeting, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment to allocate $6 million for the purchase of approximately 90 acres of property located on Walker Mill Road intended to be utilized for the site of a new Randleman High School.

“Approximately one year ago, this board authorized the Randolph County School System to begin looking for land for future locations for Liberty Elementary School and Randleman High School,” said county manager Zeb Holden. “It took some time, but some land was found to serve the Randleman High School site.”

Following the purchase, Randolph County Schools will have 180 days — with an extra 90 days that can be added on — to determine feasibility and make sure the site is indeed usable.

“This was not an easy task to site,” said Chairman Darrell Frye. “There’s not much property in the Randleman area that is not in the water critical area of Randleman Lake and that greatly affects any development that takes place in that area, and the amount of pervious surface is limited to about 24% of that acreage. So of this roughly 90 acres, only 24% of it can be built on.”

Of the $6 million, $5 million is for the property acquisition and $1 million will be for professional services.

“This will just kind of get it started, but the actual construction costs and the rest of whatever costs will come later,” said Finance Officer Will Massie. “When it’s designed, we’ll have a better feel for what the costs will be.”

“What we’ve done so far

is identify property that will work, we’re looking at building a school capacity up to 1,200 students,” said Executive Director of Operations Dale Brinkley. “The architects have done a test fit on the proposed property to make sure that it would work and fit within the ordinances of that property.”

Currently, Randleman High School’s capacity is around 900, but they have 21 mobile units, 17 of which are in use. However, according to Brinkley, those are not included in the total capacity count for the school.

The board also approved the allocation of just under $1 million in strategic planning funds to a variety of organizations.

“We’re looking at building a school capacity up to 1,200 students.”

Dale Brinkley, Randolph County Schools executive director of operations

“The county has annually received strategic planning fund dollars from Waste Management for host fees of the landfill,” Holden said. “The board has generously considered offering the opportunity for local nonprofits to seek funding for projects or items that they might not otherwise have been able to do without this strategic plan funding.”

Those receiving funds included the City of Asheboro, the City of Randleman, Emergency Services, Friends of Patterson College, Keaton’s Place, Lydia’s Place, OE Enterprises, Our Daily Bread, Randolph County Family Crisis Center, Randolph Partnership for Children, RhinoLeap, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Victory Junction.

“I won’t be voting for any of these to pass,” said Commissioner Lester Rivenbark, who voted against the allocations. “Not because I don’t think there are some good organizations in here — I think there’s

See SCHOOL, page B2

Youth-related Easter events dot schedule

The big egg hunt at Bicentennial Park is organized by the City of Asheboro

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The Easter Eggstravaganza for area youth is scheduled for Saturday at Bicentennial Park.

Presented by the Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services, this is a free event from 10 a.m.-noon in downtown.

“It’s a short and sweet thing we do every year,” said Kelli King, program coordinator with the department. Ages 1-10 can participate in

the egg hunt, while all participants receive a complimentary goodie bag as they leave. Hunt times are at 10 a.m. for younger groups (up to age 7) and 11 a.m. for older participants.

“We do different times just because I don’t want a 4-yearold trying to grant eggs with 10-year-olds,” King said. “We have a lot of younger ones. We have a lot of younger families. It might be their first experience with an egg hunt.”

King said up to 200 youngsters in the 4-7 age group might attend. It’s generally a lower number for the older groups, she said.

The Easter bunny is expected to appear.

This is King’s eighth year in-

Asheboro’s egg hunt is held on the weekend prior to Easter.

volved with the event, and she said there tends to be adjustments. Because of weather concerns, last year’s egg hunt was moved to turf fields at what was then the new ZooCity Sportsplex. That twist offered any introduction for many residents to the new city facility.

“That was a great way to get the public out there,” King said.

But otherwise in most years, the egg hunt is viewed by city

officials as an ideal way to bring area residents downtown.

Asheboro’s egg hunt is held on the weekend prior to Easter, which this year falls on April 20.

Among other Easter-related events, there’s an egg hunt at Balfour Baptist Church at 1642 North Fayetteville St. in Asheboro at 1 p.m. Saturday. An appearance from the Easter bunny is also expected at Spring Fling, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at 1544 North Fayetteville St.

The following weekend, there’s an egg hunt for ages 1from 10 a.m.-noon April 19 at Browers Wesleyan Church at 1734 Mack Road in Asheboro.

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Liam Velazquez, 3, of Southern Pines learns to use a fire extinguisher with Climax firefighter Aaron Coble during a Touch A Truck event on Saturday in Asheboro.

THURSDAY 4.10.25

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 Editor

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

Randleman Chamber receives scholarship

The group’s executive director will attend a fall conference

Randolph Record staff

RANDLEMAN — The Randleman Chamber was awarded a scholarship for executive director Jeff Freeman to attend a fall management conference in South Carolina. That was announced during the Carolinas Association of Chambers of Commerce Executive last month in Chapel Hill.

CRIME LOG

Apr. 1

• Joshua Adam Rich, 37, of Star, was arrested by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) for possessing a firearm as a felon, possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia.

• Harvey Allen Poole, 42, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD (APD) for violating a domestic violence protective order, possession of heroin, drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer.

Apr. 2

Send

We stand corrected

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THURSDAY APRIL 10

• Katrina Lynn Drake, 35, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for simple assault, resisting a public officer, assaulting a government official.

Apr. 3

• Ernesto Jamari Asher, 29, of Liberty, was arrested by APD for possessing a firearm as a felon, carrying a concealed weapon, intent to sell or deliver a Schedule I drug, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for drugs, possessing drugs within 1000 feet of a park, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession of a Schedule IV drug.

• Paula Delanie Stevison, 47, of Liberty, was arrested by Liberty PD for felony child abuse with a sexual act, intentional child abuse causing serious injury.

SCHOOL from page A1

some great organizations and some that do a lot of good things for our county — but I just feel that with the budget going to be as tight as it’s going to be and with some of the requests we’ve gotten for things that we are required to fund, that this money would be better spent going back into the budget.”

The board also approved various contracts, including an approximately $1.2 million construction contract with Laughlin-Sutton Construction Company for improvements to the Ramseur Water Treatment Facility.

“This project will transform the way Ramseur treats its water from free chlorine to

In all, 35 scholarships were awarded to CACCE members. Chambers receiving scholarships similar to Freeman were representing the Alleghany County Chamber, Anson County Chamber, Greater Topsail Area Chamber and Stanly County Chamber.

Also, the Archdale-Trinity Chamber was awarded one of 22 scholarships to assist with registration.

The CACCE is a membership organization of chambers of commerce from North Carolina and South Carolina. The annual management conference

Randleman recently held its Spring Fling in downtown.

is scheduled for Oct. 29 -31 at Hilton Head Island. Freeman said the Randleman Chamber is seeking new members. The Chamber is a network of business, industry and individuals working to improve the Randleman area. On the last weekend in March, the Randleman Chamber served as host of its Spring Fling in downtown Randleman, welcoming vendors to display crafts, farm produce, baked goods, jewelry and other items. Josh Pugh of Studio 601 served as chairman of the event.

Randolph Guide

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

April 10

Gardening for everyone

6-7:30 p.m.

• Leann Joy Suits, 40, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor larceny, possession of stolen goods.

• Eric Jackson Swaney, 44, of Denton, was arrested by RCSO for felony possession of a Schedule I drug.

• William Noel Whittington, 28, of Asheboro, was arrested by Randleman PD for disorderly conduct at a school, resisting a public officer.

Apr. 5

• Daniel Lee Hutchins, 33, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for trespassing, impeding a school bus, being intoxicated and disruptive, resisting a public officer, violating an open container alcohol law.

• Jermaine Artavious Johnson, 49, of Siler City, was arrested by APD for violating a domestic violence protective order.

• Morgan Lindsey Davidson, 33, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for obtaining property by false pretense.

• Johnny Flavys Collins, 70, of Sophia, was arrested by RCSO for second-degree trespass.

Apr. 6

• Jorge Luis Matias-Pacheco, 35, of Liberty, was arrested by APD for felony possession of cocaine, resisting a public officer.

chloramines which would allow it to integrate with water from the City of Asheboro and the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority,” said assistant county manager William Johnson.

The board also approved a $186,000 contract with Built Consulting for structural modifications of the Mount Shepherd VIPER tower in order to provide connectivity to the new Randleman VIPER tower as well as a $130,000 contract with Engineered Tower Solutions for the purchase and installation of coax lines and antennas at the Randleman tower.

Finally, the board approved a $250,000 contract with Carolina Recording Systems for updates to the coun-

• Mary Elizabeth Powers, 35, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for resisting a public officer, damaging personal property, assaulting a government official.

Apr. 7

• Richard Wayne Holder, 52, of High Point, was arrested by RCSO for first-degree trespassing, misdemeanor larceny.

• Bruce Emanuel Hawkins, 23, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for assaulting a female, misdemeanor domestic violence.

• Jeffrey Wayne Owens, 44, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for being intoxicated and disruptive, impeding traffic by sitting or standing or lying.

• Patrick Todd Morgan, 56, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for felony larceny, possession of stolen goods.

• Mason Douglas Kinley, 25, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for misusing the 911 system, being intoxicated and disruptive.

• Joey Gerald Martin, 45, of Lexington, was arrested by RCSO for resisting a public officer.

• Shawn Patrick Schuyler, 47, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for breaking or entering, indecent exposure.

• Kimberly Danielle Wilson, 39, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for felony possession of a Schedule II drug, possession of drug paraphernalia.

ty’s 911 audio and video recording systems.

“It’s time to update our 911 audio and video recording system,” said Deputy Chief of Emergency Services Jared Byrd. “We are required by state law to record all 911 calls that come into our 911 center, and this is for the equipment that does that.”

According to Byrd, the county records all of their 911 calls, admin lines, VIPER radio channels, paging services as well as screen recording all telecommunicators’ screens.

Nearly $240,000 of the contract cost will be covered by the Emergency Systems Telephone Fund.

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners will next meet May 5.

Join us each month as Bob Le Pere, local NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteer with N.C. Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center, teaches best practices for managing a successful garden from start to finish. Please email Lara Goldstein at GoldstLB@forsyth.cc or call 336-703-2932 for more information.

Paddison Memorial Branch Library 248 Harmon Lane Kernersville

April 12

BBQ fundraiser 11 a.m.

Come support our youth and get some amazing BBQ. For more information, contact 336-95 3-7006. 251 N. Asheboro St. Liberty

Caraway Speedway Spring Fling 5-9 p.m.

Limited Late ModelsChargers-Mini StocksUCARS-Crown VicsLegends and Bandos.

2518 Race Track Road Sophia

April

15

Making Art with the Masters

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Art classes for ages 8-12 that teach history, theory and practice. 11 a.m. classes are for ages 10-12, and 3:30 p.m. classes are for ages 8-9. Asheboro Public Library 201 Worth St. Asheboro

April

19

The Clenny Creek Heritage Day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An annual rite of spring showcasing the 1820s furnished Bryant House and 1760s Joel McLendon Cabin, the oldest dwelling on its original site in Moore County. On this special day, both houses will be open, and there will be 18th- and 19thcentury crafters, live music and food. There will also be “camps” of both the American Revolution and the Civil War with reenactors, demonstrations of old-time activities such as quilting, weaving, cooking, woodworking and living history. Parking is in a sand field behind the houses with golf cart transportation provided as needed.

3361 Mount Carmel Road Carthage

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Ensuring you are connected and your rights are protected

Gun-grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases.

AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, I am committed to defending your constitutional rights and advancing policies that benefit your family, small business and community.

Ensuring your Second Amendment freedoms are protected is one of my top priorities. I have proudly championed H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, not just in this Congress but every Congress since being elected. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would provide nationwide concealed carry reciprocity, so each state’s concealed carry license is valid in every other state.

Currently, there is a confusing hodgepodge of laws surrounding stateissued concealed carry licenses that vary from state to state. Some states have stricter laws that can make unknowing criminals out of lawful license holders for a simple mistake, like a wrong traffic turn, when carrying a handgun.

H.R. 38 would protect law-abiding citizens’ rights to conceal carry and travel freely. Your Second Amendment rights do not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my legislation guarantees it.

The House Judiciary Committee, led by

Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), recently voted for my H.R. 38 to move forward and get a full vote on the House floor. This effort brings us one step closer to getting my legislation passed through Congress and signed into law, and I will keep working with President Donald Trump and my colleagues until we get the job done.

I also recently introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act to ensure law-abiding gun owners can exercise their right to keep and bear arms without fear of being financially penalized. For years, gungrabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases. This unconstitutional and unfair burden is nothing but a scheme to price Americans out of their right to keep and bear arms, and my legislation will put a stop to it.

Another one of my top priorities for folks in our region and communities across the country is to bridge the digital divide. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I am focused on advancing commonsense policies that will deliver much-needed results.

SNAP shouldn’t subsidize Slurpees

Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

EVEN CHICKEN LITTLE would be exhausted trying to keep up with what Democrats claim President Donald Trump wants to do.

Just look at the news. On Tuesday, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said that Republican cuts to SNAP “are the difference between life and death for the many in the communities that we serve.” SNAP is the rebranded food stamps program.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has accused Republicans of setting “in motion the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Trump’s work to dismantle the Department of Education “is a direct attack on America’s students, teachers and families.”

To understand why this is fearmongering, consider a recent trip I made to 7-Eleven. My wife and I wanted to buy our kids Slurpees after baseball practice. (Shhh ... don’t tell Robert Kennedy Jr.)

In between my frantic efforts to keep my kids from overfilling their cups, I noticed a sticker on the machine.

“All Slurpee cups are EBT eligible,” it read.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s how people spend their SNAP benefits at stores. There was a similar sign on the soda machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website confirms that the signs are accurate.

Taxpayers are subsidizing Slurpees and sodas.

This is wasteful. Food stamps are supposed to help low-income individuals ward off hunger, not satiate their sweet tooth. But imagine the left’s reaction if you proposed making junk food ineligible for food stamps.

They’d claim that you wanted to cut benefits from the poor. That you wanted to cut the program. That you wanted to stigmatize poor people.

This isn’t speculation. House Republicans are currently pushing a bill to do just that, and those are some of the attacks they’re facing.

Those attacks may have a grain of truth, but they’re deeply misleading. If Republicans pass a ban on SNAP paying for junk food, hunger won’t increase one bit. The biggest impact may be a reduction in diabetes, which low-income Americans are more likely to develop. That could save the Medicaid program money, but then Democrats would likely claim Republicans are cutting the program.

Once you see this pattern, Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

The Department of Education has been around for decades. Aside from some bright spots with charter schools, public education is generally terrible. Just because the name says “education” doesn’t mean the department is doing much to improve how kids learn.

Now, if I haven’t convinced you, I

Right now, too many families, farmers and small businesses don’t have access to broadband. While the Biden administration implemented a broadband deployment program, “BEAD,” it was riddled with burdensome, unnecessary requirements that hindered deployment. In fact, not a penny of the program’s federal funding has been put toward actual deployment for even one household.

This is unacceptable. That’s why, as chairman, I recently led members of my subcommittee in introducing legislation to ensure timely and accessible broadband deployment by cutting red tape and streamlining regulations.

Our rural communities need to be fully connected, and my legislation will help do that.

Whether it is safeguarding your Second Amendment rights or ensuring reliable broadband access, I will continue fighting for policies that protect your freedoms and improve everyday lives.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

challenge you to do this: Open the calendar app on your phone. Create an appointment for July 15, 2026. In the notes section, write down three things you think will happen as the result of Republican actions.

Some examples: Republicans will cut SNAP benefits and 100,000 people will die of starvation. Trump will cut Medicaid and people will have worse health outcomes, including 50,000 more heart attack deaths. Gutting the Department of Education will reduce student achievement by five percentage points. A note: Look beyond the funding level of a certain program and consider outcomes. Government programs are supposed to be a means to an end, not just a money pit.

If you think Trump has dictatorial aspirations, set a reminder for November 2026 or 2028. Write down if you think Trump will cancel elections or run for a third term.

Make sure to also write down if someone has made this claim.

When that date comes, look around and see what happened. Perhaps Trump has led America into unprecedented levels of starvation, illness and ignorance. Or perhaps Democrats have staked their electoral success on scaring people like you. Either way, you won’t have to take my word for it.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Cost of GLP-1 weight loss drugs have state Medicaid searching for solutions

Wegovy and Zepbound help people to lose weight, but at a cost

By Susan Haigh and Marc Levy

The Associated Press

STATES INCREASING -

LY struggling to cover the rising cost of popular GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound are searching for ways to get out from under the budgetary squeeze that took them by surprise.

One solution some policymakers may try is restricting the number of people on Medicaid who can use the pricey diabetes drugs for weight-loss purposes.

Pennsylvania’s Medicaid coverage of the drugs is expected to cost $1.3 billion in 2025 — up from a fraction of that several years ago — and is contributing to projections of a multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

The state is thinking about requiring Medicaid patients who want to use GLP-1s for weight loss to meet a certain number on the body-mass index or try diet and exercise programs or less expensive medications first.

“It is a medication that’s gotten a lot of hype and a lot of press, and has become very popular in its use and it is wildly expensive,” Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s human services secretary, told a state House hearing in March.

At least 14 states already cover the cost of GLP-1 medications for

obesity treatment for patients on Medicaid, the federal health care program for people with low incomes. Democrats and Republicans in at least a half-dozen other states floated bills this year to require the same coverage, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.

Some bills have stalled while others remain alive, including a proposal in Arkansas requiring GLP-1s to be covered under Medicaid when prescribed specifically for weight loss. Iowa lawmakers are thinking about ordering a cost-benefit analysis before making the commitment. Already, West Virginia and North Carolina ended programs in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

“It is very expensive,” said Jeffrey Beckham, the state budget director in Connecticut, where Medicaid coverage of the drugs for weight loss may be scrapped entirely. “Other states are coming to that conclusion, as well as some private carriers.”

Overall Medicaid spending on GLP-1 drugs — before partial rebates from drug manufacturers — jumped from $577.3 million in 2019 to $3.9 billion in 2023, according to a November report from KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. The number of prescriptions for the drugs increased by more than 400% during that same time period. The average annual cost per patient for a GLP-1 drug is $12,000, accord-

North Carolina ended a program in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

ing to a Peterson-KFF tracker.

About half of Americans “strongly” or “somewhat” favor having Medicare and Medicaid cover weight-loss drugs for people who have obesity, a recent APNORC poll showed, with about 2 in 10 opposed the idea and about one-quarter with a neutral view.

But Medicare does not cover GLP-1s, and the Trump administration said Friday that wouldn’t put into place a proposed rule by presidential predecessor Joe Biden to cover the medications under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug coverage. Biden’s proposal was expensive: It would have included coverage for all state- and federally funded Medicaid programs, costing taxpayers as much as $35 billion over next decade.

States that do provide coverage have tried to manage costs by putting prescribing limits on the GLP-1s. There’s also some evidence that if Medicaid patients lose weight with the drugs, they’ll be healthier and less expensive to cover, said Tracy Zvenyach of Obesity Action, an advocacy group that urges states to provide coverage.

Zvenyach also stressed how it’s unclear whether patients will need to regularly take these drugs for the rest of their lives — a key cost concern raised by public officials. “Someone may have to be on treatment for over the course of their lifetime,” she said. “But we don’t know exactly what that regimen would look like.”

About 40% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can cause hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which lead to greater risks of things like stroke and heart attacks.

Dr. Adam Raphael Rom, a physician at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, a network of health centers in the city, said most of his patients who take GLP-1s are covered by Medicaid and some are nondiabetics who use it for weight loss.

“I had one patient tell me that it’s like, changed her relationship to food,” Rom said. “I’ve had patients lose like 20, 40, 60 pounds.”

But obesity experts have told The Associated Press that as many as 1 in 5 people may not lose the amount of weight that others have seen come off. And in a recent survey of state Medicaid directors conducted by KFF, a health policy research organization, they said cost and potential side effects are among their concerns.

The debate over coverage coincides with rising Medicaid budgets and the prospect of los-

ing federal funding — with congressional Republicans considering siphoning as much as $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.

Connecticut is facing a $290 million Medicaid account deficit, and Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont proposed doing away with a 2023 requirement that Medicaid cover GLP-1s for severe obesity, though the state has never fully abided by the law due to the cost.

Starting June 14, though, state Medicaid patients will be required to have a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis to get the drugs covered. Lamont also is pushing for the state to cover two less expensive oral medications approved by the FDA for weight loss, as well as nutrition counseling.

Sarah Makowicki, 42, tried the other medications and said she suffered serious side effects. The graduate student and statehouse intern is working on a bill that would restore the full GLP-1 coverage for her and others.

Sara Lamontagne, a transgender woman with a disability who is on Medicaid, said she regained weight when her coverage for GLP-1 medication was cut off in the past. She said she went from 260 pounds to over 300, heavier than she had ever been.

“So, it’s a horrible game to be played, to be going back and and forth,” said Lamontagne, whose attempts to appeal the state’s recent denial of her Ozempic prescription refill have been unsuccessful.

Makowicki said GLP-1 drugs combined with weight-loss surgery helped her change her life: She’s had knee-replacement surgery and lost over 200 pounds.

“I am a different person from what I was five years ago,” Makowicki said. “Not only in my physical space, but also mentally.”

They have white hair and muscular jaws

By Christina Larson

The Associated Press

THREE GENETICALLY engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.

The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.

Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years old, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today.

Independent scientists said

this latest effort doesn’t mean dire wolves are coming back to North American grasslands any time soon.

“All you can do now is make something look superficially like something else” — not fully revive extinct species, said Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who was not involved in the research.

Colossal scientists learned about specific traits that dire wolves possessed by examining ancient DNA from fossils. The researchers studied a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth unearthed in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull fragment found in Idaho, both part of natural history museum collections.

Then the scientists took blood cells from a living gray wolf and used CRISPR to genetically modify them in 20 different sites, said Colossal’s chief scientist Beth Shapiro. They transferred that genetic material to an egg cell from a domes-

tic dog. When ready, embryos were transferred to surrogates, also domestic dogs, and 62 days later the genetically engineered pups were born.

Colossal has previously announced similar projects to genetically alter cells from living species to create animals resembling extinct woolly mammoths, dodos and others.

Though the pups may physically resemble young dire wolves, “what they will probably never learn is the finishing move of how to kill a giant elk or a big deer,” because they won’t have opportunities to watch and learn from wild dire wolf parents, said Colossal’s chief animal care expert, Matt James.

Colossal also reported today that it had cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves of the southeastern U.S.’s critically endangered red wolf population. The aim is to bring more genetic diversity into the small population of

Romulus and Remus are 3 months old and genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf.

captive red wolves, which scientists are using to breed and help save the species. This technology may have broader application for conservation of other species because it’s less invasive than other techniques to clone animals, said Christopher Preston, a wildlife expert at the University of Montana who was not involved in the research. But it still requires a wild wolf to be sedated for a blood draw and that’s no simple feat, he added.

Colossal CEO Ben Lamm

said the team met with officials from the U.S. Interior Department in late March about the project. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised the work on X on Monday as a “thrilling new era of scientific wonder” even as outside scientists said there are limitations to restoring the past.

“Whatever ecological function the dire wolf performed before it went extinct, it can’t perform those functions” on today’s existing landscapes, said Buffalo’s Lynch.

Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ star with an intense approach, dies at 65

He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014

By Mark Kennedy and Andrew Dalton

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Val

Kilmer, the brooding, versatile actorwho played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

Kilmer died last Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press. Kilmer died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies. The New York Times was the first to report his death.

Kilmer, who at 17 was the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most.

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.”

His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

His movie career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Actor Josh Brolin, a friend of Kilmer, was among others paying tribute.

“You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” Brolin wrote on Instagram. “There’s not a lot left of those.”

Kilmer — who took part in the Method branch of Suzuki arts training — threw himself into parts. When he played Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” he filled his bed with ice for the final scene to mimic the feeling of dying from tuberculosis. To play Morrison, he wore leather pants all the time, asked castmates and crew to only refer to him as Morrison and blasted The Doors for a year.

That intensity also gave Kilmer a reputation that he was difficult to work with — something he grudgingly agreed with later in life, while always defending himself by emphasizing art over commerce.

“In an unflinching attempt to

empower directors, actors and other collaborators to honor the truth and essence of each project, an attempt to breathe Suzukian life into a myriad Hollywood moments, I had been deemed difficult and alienated the head of every major studio,” he wrote in his 2020 memoir, “I’m Your Huckleberry.”

One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1986’s “Top Gun” — almost didn’t happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott but initially balked. “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me,” he wrote in his memoir. He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. He would reprise the role in the film’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher’s goofy, garish “Batman Forever” (1995) with Nicole Kidman and Chris O’Donnell — before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

The New York Times’ Janet Maslin said Kilmer was “hamstrung by the straight-man aspects of the role,” while Roger Ebert deadpanned that he was a “completely acceptable” substitute for Keaton. Kilmer, who was one and done as Batman, blamed much of his performance on the suit.

“When you’re in it, you can barely move and people have to help you stand up and sit down,” Kilmer said in “Val,” in lines spoken by his son Jack, who voiced the part of his father after Kilmer’s ability to speak was impaired by cancer treatment. “You also can’t hear anything and after a while people stop talking to you, it’s very isolating. It was a struggle for me to get a performance past the suit, and it was frustrating until I realized that my role in the film was just to show up and stand where I was told to.”

In 1996, Entertainment Weekly ran a cover story about Kilmer titled “The Man Hollywood Loves to Hate.” The directors Schumacher and John Frankenheimer, who finished “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” said he was difficult. Frankenheimer said there were two things he would never do: “Climb Mount Everest and work with Val Kilmer again.”

Other artists came to his defense, like D. J. Caruso, who directed Kilmer in “The Salton Sea” and said the actor simply liked to talk out scenes and enjoyed having a director’s attention.

“Val needs to immerse himself in a character. I think what happened with directors like Frankenheimer and Schumacher is that Val would ask a lot of questions, and a guy like Schumacher would say, ‘You’re Batman! Just go do it,’” Caruso told the Times in 2002.

Glen Neal “Buddy” Williams

Feb. 16, 1943 – April 3, 2025

Glen Neal “Buddy” Williams, 82, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Born on February 16, 1943, in Morganton, North Carolina, Glen was a proud native of the Tar Heel State. He graduated from Randleman High School and went on to serve his country with honor in the United States Air Force. His time in the military reflected his deep sense of duty and commitment to helping others—qualities that would define him throughout his life.

Glen was known to many as “Buddy,” a fitting nickname for someone whose warmth and humor made him a friend to all.

He had a kind heart, a quick wit, and an ever-present willingness to lend a hand. Whether offering support to family or sharing a laugh with friends, Buddy brought light into the lives of those around him.

He shared many years of marriage with his beloved wife Gayle Williams, who preceded him in death. Their bond was one of enduring love and partnership.

Glen is survived by his devoted daughter, Tara Lundy and her husband, Taylor Lundy; his sister Judy Wright and her husband Bill Wright; and his nephews Jon Coble and Jay Coble. His family remembers him as a source of strength, laughter, and unwavering support

The funeral service for Mr. Williams will be held Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, Randleman, by Reverend Joe Collins. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10-10:50 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church of Randleman.

Pugh Funeral Home in Randleman is honored to serve the Williams family.

Margaret “Margie” Brown Davis

Aug. 12, 1932 – April 3, 2025

Margaret “Margie” Brown Davis, age 92, of Sophia, passed away on April 3, 2025, at her home.

Margaret was born on August 12, 1932, to James and Lonnie McMasters Brown. Her faith was very important to her. Margaret always started her day with prayer, praying for each family member, and ended her day with reading the Bible. Her number one prayer was that her family would all be together one day in Heaven. She was a faithful member of Cross Road Baptist Church.

Margaret loved, cherished, and pampered her husband, Don, for 73 years. They have always been inseparable. Raising her children while instilling a Godly foundation was a priority. Along with working outside the home Margaret enjoyed spending her free time working in her flowers, tending a garden, and trimming her bushes. Margie’s flowers were always beautiful and everyone enjoyed them.

Don and Margie enjoyed traveling, making two extended road trips out West. They enjoyed yearly fall fishing trips to the coast and too many one-day excursions to count. Margaret was a kind and gentle lady who cared about everyone and was loved by all.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Bree Davis and her brother, Howard Brown. She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Donald O. Davis; sons, Randy Davis (Pat) of Sophia and Brian Davis (Angelique) of Randleman; daughters, Donna Williard (Johnny) of Greensboro and Angie James (Jeff) of Asheboro; 12 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Linda Brown.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Amedisys Hospice for the care they provided and to her friends and church family for their support through cards, calls, and visits.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 10-11 a.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the Glenn “Mac” Pugh Chapel with Rev. Roger Brittingham officiating. A private burial will be held.

Memorials may be made to Cross Road Baptist Church, PO Box 2042, Asheboro, NC 27204 or South Plainfield Cemetery Fund, 4033 Plainfield Road, Sophia, NC 27350.

Margaret Ruth Phillips Baker

March 13, 1940 – April 2, 2025

Margaret Ruth Phillips Baker, age 90, of Asheboro, passed away on April 2, 2025, at Asheboro Health & Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Baker was born in Moore County on March 5, 1935, to Charlie and Carrie Deese Phillips and was a graduate of Cameron High School. Margaret was formerly employed as a sewer at Bossong Hosiery and a clerk at Biscuitville. In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Rossie Lee Baker Sr., her grandson, Daylon Baker, six brothers and two sisters. Margaret loved the Lord and flowers. She raised her children well and never met a stranger. Margaret was an excellent cook, known for her biscuits, pound cakes, and fried fatback gravy.

She is survived by her sons, Don R. Baker (Vicki) of Stem, NC, Douglas J. Baker (Judy) of Seagrove, and Rossie “Lee” Baker Jr. of Asheboro; daughters, Tammy Jarrell Russell (Ray) of Greer, SC, Pat L. Bradshaw (Mike) of Asheboro, and Julie M. Baker of Asheboro; grandchildren, Kylie Baker, Lee Baker, Faith Baker, Shawnace Baker, Cameron Baker, Elijah Baker, Krista Jarrell, Chelsey Jarrell Dever (Will), Randall Bradshaw, and Colton Baker; great grandchildren, Gavin, Junior, Davir, Milla, Nova, Hayes, Ember, Olivia, Aiden, and Kyrie; and sister, Verla Smith of Randleman.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery, 119 West River Drive in Randleman with Rev. Mark Hall officiating.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the nurses at Asheboro Health & Rehabilitation and the staff of Hospice of Randolph. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Baker family.

PAUL A. HEBERT / INVISION / AP

Actor Val Kilmer arrives at an event in 2013.

STATE & NATION

State Supreme Courts are increasingly becoming electoral battlegrounds

Roughly 20 states use elections to pick Supreme Court justices

By Christine Fernando and John Hanna The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — The race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court drew $100 million in campaign spending, attack ads and the attention of President Donald Trump and close ally Elon Musk.

While its spending set a record for a U.S. judicial contest, the race that ended last Tuesday was the apex of a trend building for years as state Supreme Court races across the country have gotten increasingly costly and vitriolic. The partisan tone of the Wisconsin race and the amount of money it drew from outside interest groups raise questions about whether elections are the best way to fill seats for bodies that are supposed to be nonpartisan and ultimately decide the fate of state laws and citizen ballot initiatives.

The politicized nature of the contests was illustrated starkly last Friday when a Republican-majority appellate panel in North Carolina sided with a Republican state Supreme Court challenger who is seeking to throw out thousands of ballots from last November’s election.

These races have become priorities for both major parties because state high courts have been playing pivotal roles in deciding rules around redistricting, abortion and voting rights while also settling disputes over election outcomes.

Some states shifted toward electing justices “to bring the process out into the sunlight, to disempower powerful political actors from getting themselves or allies on the bench, or to provide some level of public accountability,” said Douglas Keith, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s judiciary program. “But with these modern judicial elections, these highly politicized races are not really serving any of those goals.”

Not every state puts its Supreme Court seats up for a statewide vote. Some use appointment processes that allow candidates to avoid public campaigning and the influence of political donors. Keith said a merit-based selection process can result in Supreme Courts “that are not as predictable along political lines.”

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices, while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections. Meanwhile, nine task governors with appointing justices, two use legislative appointments, four have hybrid models and 14 use a merit selection process that often involves nonpartisan nominating commissions.

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections.

Kansas is one of the states with an appointment process, a system that has been in place for six decades and has been largely nonpartisan. Bristling at some of the court’s rulings in recent years, Republicans in the state now want to change that and move toward a system in which justices have to stand for election.

Opponents say Republicans’ goal is clear in a GOP-leaning state: remaking the court in a more conservative image.

When a vacancy on the seven-member court now occurs, applicants for the seat are screened by a nine-member commission. Five are lawyers elected by other lawyers and four are nonlawyers appointed by the governor. The commission names three finalists and the governor — currently a Democrat — chooses one.

The Republican-supermajority Legislature placed a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2026 primary election, rejecting arguments that the cur-

rent system of filling vacancies on the state Supreme Court is notable for its lack of partisan politics and promotes judicial independence.

Backers of the proposal have criticized the state’s top court for years over rulings protecting abortion rights and forcing higher spending on public schools. They argue that the court is too liberal and is out of step with voters, even though Kansas voters opted to protect abortion rights in 2022, just months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Republicans also say that in making Supreme Court candidates run for election, any politics in the process would be visible instead of “a black box.”

“It is an elitist system, and that elitist system was designed by lawyers,” Kansas’ attorney general, Republican Kris Kobach, said of the current system. “It is obviously controlled by lawyers.”

Critics of the Kansas proposal pointed to Wisconsin and the tens of millions of dollars spent on state Supreme Court races in recent years. They say that’s just what Kansas should expect to see if voters approve the change next year.

With the current system, they say a candidate’s experience and likely judicial temperament are the most important factors, rather than a candidate’s skills at campaigning, raising money or creating television ads.

“There is a reason that goes beyond giving the people a voice. There’s a political rea-

son to change the court,” Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, said of Republicans’ proposal.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said he wasn’t concerned about Wisconsin-style campaigning for high court seats if the amendment passes. He said opponents were “trying to take a one-off and make it something it’s not.”

In Oklahoma, the Republican-led Legislature for several years has considered legislation seeking to change its current appointment system for appellate court justices to having them run for election. Some Republicans have brought up the issue in Alaska in recent years, though the efforts have not advanced.

In North Carolina and Ohio, Republican-dominated legislatures in recent years have added party labels to the ballot in what many legal experts say is an attempt to benefit conservative judicial candidates and construct a court that aligned more with the legislature’s policy goals.

North Carolina has been caught up in an ongoing legal saga over a close, highly politicized state Supreme Court race. The Republican candidate, Jefferson Griffin, has challenged more than 65,000 ballots cast in last fall’s election. Last Friday, the Republican majority on a North Carolina appellate panel sided with Griffin, who was 734 votes behind Associate Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat

who is likely to appeal. That ruling was stayed by the state Supreme Court on Monday.

Pennsylvania is bracing for a Wisconsin-style election in the fall. It’s another presidential battleground where the state Supreme Court could be called upon to decide election disputes during next year’s midterms or the 2028 presidential election. Three Democratic justices are running to retain their seats and face a yes-or-no vote for additional 10-year terms.

The recently concluded Wisconsin election offers warning signs of what may come in November in Pennsylvania when Democrats’ 5-2 majority on the court will be on the line, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown.

Spending exceeded $22 million in Pennsylvania’s 2023 Supreme Court contest.

“It would be silly not to anticipate that in this current environment in a key state like Pennsylvania,” Borick said. “It is going to be intensified.”

Making term limits longer and eliminating judicial reelections could be a useful reform because “a lot of the influence of money comes from the pressure to get reelected,” said Michael Kang, a Northwestern School of Law professor and author of “Free to Judge: The Power of Campaign Money in Judicial Elections.”

“There is no perfect system,” Kang said. “But there are things that can be done to improve.”

TODD RICHMOND / AP PHOTO

The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers are in the state Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

RandolpH SPORTS

Asheboro’s Elijah Woodle had a busy and productive day in the Randolph County championships.

Woodle’s sprint title boosts Asheboro

The Blue Comets had lots of big point producers in winning the Randolph County championships

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Asheboro maintained its stronghold on the Randolph County Championships in track and field, though the boys’ team had a cast of some different point producers in last week’s meet.

The Blue Comets were team champions for both boys and girls at the South Asheboro Middle School track.

Asheboro senior Elijah Woodle wanted to prove he was the fastest in the county and that worked out for him. He won the 100-meter dash champion in 11.13 seconds.

“It just makes me feel special,” Woodle said. “It was a big accomplishment. That’s like natural speed. It’s an individual event.” Woodle also anchored the winning 400 relay, while the Blue Comets had lots of other big point producers.

Asheboro’s boys posted 199 points to runner-up Randleman’s 179. Wheatmore was next with 75, followed by Trinity 50, Southwestern Randolph 36, Providence Grove 29 and Eastern Randolph 24.

Luther takes job with Asheboro girls’ team

The former Providence Grove boys’ coach will try to rebuild the Blue Comets

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Wes Luther sees the challenges ahead for the Asheboro girls’ basketball program but also envisions the possibilities.

So that was enough to put him back in charge of a high school varsity team as a head coach.

“The job came open,” Luther said. “It gives me an opportunity to lead a program again and put my stamp on it.”

Luther is a former boys’ coach at Providence Grove. He spent the past two seasons on the staffs with Asheboro’s football team and boys’ basketball team.

This is Luther’s first assignment with a girls’ basketball team. Mike Headen had a three-season record of 15-58 with the Blue Comets, who went 5-18 during the past season.

Luther spent four seasons as

Providence Grove’s boys’ coach.

That included 2021-22, when the Patriots won the regular-season championship in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

“I felt like we put that program in a better position than we found it,” he said.

Luther, a 2008 graduate of Southwestern Randolph, had ties with Asheboro as the junior varsity boys’ basketball coach from 2013-19. He returned to the Blue Comets and was JV coach again in 2023-24 before assisting with the varsity last season.

Since reaching the Class 3A state final in the pandemic-shortened 2021 season under coach Don Corry, the Asheboro girls have a record of 19-78.

“We were just in a need to hit a refresh button,” athletics director Wes Berrier said.

In the last four-year cycle in the Mid-Piedmont Conference, the Blue Comets held a 7-33 regular-season league record.

One of the first areas to address will be building confidence in the players, Luther said.

“It’s going to be different switching from boys to girls,”

Woodle didn’t compete in the 200 in the country meet, but he had impacts elsewhere.

“Keep my speed and maintain my stamina,” he said.

Woodle was the high jump runner-up to reigning Class 2A state champion Chase Farlow of Randleman. Farlow cleared 6-8, while Woodle’s mark was 6-2. For Woodle, it was satisfying to contend in multiple types of events. His best high jump in a meet is 6-4.

“I think I surprise some people,” he said. “I even surprise myself.”

Asheboro’s Jalial Timmons nipped Wheatmore’s Dakota Ludwick to win the 200 (22.85 seconds to 22.89).

COURTESY PHOTO

Wes Luther

he said. “I’ve never backed away from a challenge. It’s going to be tough, but we’re going to attack it.”

Restoring roster numbers in the program will be a priority, though Luther said having a JV program in recent seasons was encouraging.

Luther said offseason team workouts will begin after spring break.

“It’s going to be a job,” he said. “The standard is the standard. A complete culture shift.”

Some of that might be cosmetic as he’ll seek locker room renovations along with new jerseys and gear. Luther, 35, will no longer be on the football coaching staff, though he’ll remain involved as an assistant coach with the boys’ basketball team.

The Blue Comets had the 110 hurdles winner with Michael Mark (15.82). Mark was second to Providence Grove’s Malachi Combo (42.49) in the 300 hurdles.

Asheboro’s Aaron Tyson won the triple jump at 43-9, with Farlow second.

Farlow was a double winner by using a 21-foot leap to win the long jump, with Tyson the runner-up.

Asheboro’s 400 relay won with Luke Brumley, Timmons, Mark and Woodle in 44.70. The Blue Comets had Alejandro Delgado Agosto, Mark, Timmons and Brumley to win the 800 relay in 1:33.75.

Asheboro also racked up points in the pole vault, which was won by Aaron Tyson at 13- 6. Ludwick won the 400 in 52.99. He also was on the winning 1,600 relay (3:4423) with Seth Hollern, Kase Wilson and Daylin Ludwick. Randleman’s Freddie Mercado cruised in a couple of running events, winning the 1,600 in 5:01.89 — by almost 16 seconds — and the 3,200 by about 50 seconds in 10:56.30.

Randleman swept the top three 800 spots, led by Bryson Nall (2:13.88), who was stride for stride with runner-up Mercado.

Randleman’s Ty Moton won both throwing competitions, taking the shot put in 46-8 and

See WOODLE, page B2

Cougars stand tall in PAC softball

It was a big week in girls’ soccer for Uwharrie Charter Academy

Randolph Record staff

SOUTHWESTERN Randolph’s Macie

Crutchfield struck out eight in the Cougars’ 8-0 home victory against Uwharrie Charter Academy in Piedmont Athletic Conference softball last week.

Crutchfield had three hits, drove in three runs and scored three runs.

The result meant that the Cougars have defeated every PAC team without a loss during their first time through the conference schedule.

Southwestern Randolph used 12 strikeouts from Alyssa Harris in a 5-2 nonconference road victory at Mount Pleasant. Kami Dunn knocked in two runs and Savannah Holleman had two hits.

The Cougars won their fourth straight game by winning 18-0 at Trinity at the end of the week as Kinlin Hulin drove in four runs. Chloe Eudy was the winning pitcher.

• UCA’s 15-7 triumph at Chatham Central came with Emory Johnson’s three hits and Ryley Thompson and Peyton Williams each scoring three runs.

• Providence Grove blanked visiting Eastern Randolph 10-0 and upended host Wheatmore 8-2.

See ROUNDUP, page B2

Southwestern Randolph has made it through the first half of its conference softball schedule unscathed

JANN ORTIZ FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

HOME PLATE MOTORS

Kassie Gaines

Faith Christian, girls’ soccer

She’s one of two seniors on the team, which has produced a recent uptick on offense. Faith Christian is the reigning North Carolina Christian School Association’s Class 2-A state champion. Gaines was a member of that 2024 title team. The Eagles took a three-game winning streak into this week, outscoring those opponents by a combined 18-2 score. The victories in the streak came on the road, including last week’s 8-0 defeat of Liberty Christian in Durham.

ROUNDUP from page A1

• Winning pitcher Adalyn Boles, who struck out 11, scored three runs when Wheatmore whipped visiting Trinity 11-2. Maddie Nichols had a home run for Wheatmore in the Providence Grove game.

• Randleman’s Addyson Dees threw a one-hitter in a 16-0 three-inning romp at Eastern Randolph. Kadie Green scored three runs.

Girls’ soccer

Jazmin Palma scored two goals in UCA’s 3-1 road victory against Wheatmore, which received a goal from Natalie Bowman.

Palma had three goals and three assists and Reese Craven and Kendall Jarrell each scored two goals in UCA’s 8-0 home romp past Southwestern Randolph.

The Eagles capped the week by defeating Asheboro Hybrid 4-1 with Craven and Jarrell each scoring two goals.

• Taryn Waugh notched a goal and an assist when Providence Grove defeated visiting Wheatmore.

Rylee Stover and Waugh supplied three goals apiece in a 9-0 rout of host Eastern Randolph.

• Goals from Gigi Flores and Jaira Arellano helped Asheboro defeat visiting Central Davidson 2-0 in overtime.

UCA, Randleman split matchups atop PAC

The baseball teams needed 10 innings to determine the second clash of the week

Randolph Record staff

RANDLEMAN — Randleman and Uwharrie Charter Academy are the top baseball teams in the Piedmont Athletic Conference, and they had eventful games last week.

The latter of those came with Randleman avenging a loss by winning 6-5 in 10 innings Friday night at home.

The outcome came with Kai Strickland’s two-out single to drive in Kyle Dillow, who had tripled off Jake Hunter.

Jake Riddle, who had four hits, was the winning pitcher.

Alex Carver homered for UCA.

Randleman and UCA sit atop the standings with two league losses apiece.

Earlier in the week, Logun Wilkins threw a seven-hitter with nine strikeouts and a walk when UCA won 7-0 at home against the Tigers. Jaxon Mabe drove in two runs and scored twice. Randleman and UCA sit atop the standings with two league losses apiece.

• Eastern Randolph pushed its winning streak to four games by defeating Southwestern Randolph twice.

The second of those came with Friday’s 2-1 home victory behind six innings of pitching by Cade McCallum and one

inning of relief from Chance Holdaway.

In the first meeting, the Wildcats scored seven runs in the top of the seventh to defeat Southwestern Randolph 8-5. Lucas Smith and Bryson Marley each had two hits.

• Trinity’s 3-2 victory against Providence Grove gave the Bulldogs back-to-back victories against the Patriots.

In the Bulldogs’ 5-2 victory, Brody Little knocked in two runs.

• Sam Gore was the winning pitcher in relief as Asheboro upended visiting Wheatmore 8-6 in nonconference action. Gavin Allen and Reid Suddeth drove in two runs apiece.

• Trinity tripped visiting Southeast Alamance 8-6 in a non-league game.

• Wheatmore edged visiting Thomasville 5-4 with Sean Jennison’s complete game.

Pairings set for spring break competitions in Asheboro

Several baseball teams from Randolph County will participate next week

By Bob Sutton Randoph Record

ASHEBORO — High school

baseball teams from six counties will appear during the ZooKeepers Classic next week.

Most of the scheduled 14 games include at least one team from Randolph County. Ten teams will play at least one game.

There were slight schedule changes from original versions.

Beginning Monday, there will be five days of competition, all with predetermined matchups at McCrary Park.

The event is no longer a true tournament format, but it allows for more schools to participate and for coaches to better plan the week when some players might not be available.

“Coaches said they want to play two or three games and have the freedom for their players to go on vacations,” said Clint Marsh, assistant general manager for the ZooKeepers. Asheboro’s game against Montgomery Central on Tuesday night will serve as one of the two Mid-Piedmont Conference matchups between the teams.

ZOOKEEPERS CLASSIC

Monday, April 14

• Ragsdale vs. Southern Alamance, 1 p.m.

• Wheatmore vs. Southeast Alamance, 4 p.m.

• Southern Lee vs. Ragsdale, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 15

• Southern Lee vs. Wheatmore, 1 p.m.

• Ragsdale vs.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB

Geese nest next to iconic Wrigley Field bleachers during Cubs games

Chicago

The iconic Wrigley Field bleachers welcomed an unusual guest during the Chicago Cubs’ series against the San Diego Padres this weekend. Photos on social media showed a goose nesting in a juniper planter next to the center-field seats underneath the scoreboard during Saturday’s game. Several rows of the upper bleachers were blocked off from fans Sunday while two Canada geese stood on a roof nearby. Fans snapped photos of the feathered duo before Sunday’s game began.

NFL

Chatham Central, 4 p.m.

• Montgomery Central at Asheboro, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16

• Southern Alamance vs. Wheatmore, 1 p.m.

• Southeast Alamance vs. Eastern Randolph, 4 p.m.

• Southwestern Randolph vs. Southern Lee, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 17

• Southeast Alamance vs. Southwestern Randolph, 1 p.m.

• Chatham Central vs. Southern Alamance, 4 p.m.

• Faith Christian vs. Eastern Randolph, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 18

• Southwestern Randolph vs. Chatham Central, 4 p.m.

• Eastern Randolph at Asheboro, 7 p.m.

Lance moves on from Dallas, signs 1-year deal with the Chargers

El Segundo, Calif.

Quarterback Trey Lance has agreed to a oneyear contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Lance spent the past two years with the Dallas Cowboys after playing his first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft out of North Dakota State.

Lance has yet to live up to his enormous potential, but Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will get a chance to mold the quarterback while he trains alongside Taylor Heinecke as the backups to Justin Herbert.

from page B1

the discus at 135 feet (with a better second-best throw than Asheboro’s Juan Pablo Munoz, who also heaved it 135). Moton was the meet’s only repeat individual champion on the boys’ side from a year ago, when he also won both events.

Girls

Asheboro junior Jalaya Showers was a standout again, winning the 100 (12.43) and 200 (25.23) by wide margins. It’s the third year in a row she has won both events in the county meet. Showers also claimed the

long jump at 16-11 for a 1-foot, 3-inch margin.

Teammate Nyla Price won the 100 hurdles (17.66) and 300 hurdles (52.52). Asheboro had the only pole entrants, with Christy Price, Sarah Reeder and Lia George sharing the top spot at 6-6. The Blue Comets scored 196 compared to runner-up Randleman’s 102. Wheatmore placed third with 97, followed by Southwestern Randolph 58, Providence Grove 53, Eastern Randolph 40 and Trinity 36.

Wheatmore’s Scarlett Hildreth dominated distance races. She won the 800 (2:35.89), 1,600 (6:08.98) and 3,200 (13:59.12). Hildreth joined Olivia Hildreth, Emma Davidson and Lydia Madison on the

winning 3,200 relay (11:29.70). Randleman’s Jaquline McDaniels was the top high jumper at 5-4. Teammate Gracie Beane won the triple jump at 35-6, with Price the runner-up. Southwestern Randolph, with Ay-Janai Doggett, Rhylea Maness, Zuyanah Crawford and Kiersten Litell, edged Asheboro in the 400 relay with a time of 53 seconds. Asheboro prevailed in the 800 relay (1:52.93) and 1,600 relay (4:39.44). Eastern Randolph’s Mirianna Corea had wide margins in winning the discus (109-4) and shot put (34-8). She’s the reigning Class 1A state champion in the discus.

Trinity’s Kayla Franklin (400, 1:04.63) also won a race.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Kassie Gaines of Faith Christian looks to make a move during a game last month against Eastern Randolph.

WOODLE

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Napoleon banished, Civil War began, Lincoln shot, Titanic sunk

The Associated Press

APRIL 10

1866: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in New York by Henry Bergh.

1919: Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata was assassinated by forces loyal to President Venustiano Carranza.

1963: The nuclear submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) sank during deep-diving tests east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, killing all 129 aboard.

APRIL 11

1814: Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as emperor of the French and was banished to the island of Elba.

1945: During World War II, U.S. Army troops liberated the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp near Weimar, Germany.

1968: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

APRIL 12

1861: The U.S. Civil War began as Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

1945: President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, at age 63.

1955: The polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk was declared safe and effective following nearly a year of field trials undertaken by about 1.8 mil-

lion American child volunteers dubbed “polio pioneers.”

APRIL 13

1743: Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was born in Shadwell in the Virginia Colony.

1861: Fort Sumter in South Carolina fell to Confederate forces in the first battle of the Civil War.

1964: Sidney Poitier became the first black performer to win an Academy Award for acting in a leading role for his performance in “Lilies of the Field.”

APRIL 14

1828: The first edition of Noah Webster’s “American Dictionary of the English Language” was published.

1865: President Abraham Lincoln was shot and mortally wounded by John Wilkes

Booth during a performance of the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.

1997: Tiger Woods, at age 21, became the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

APRIL 15

1912: The British luxury liner RMS Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland just over two and a half hours after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage. More than 1,500 people died, while 710 survived.

1947: Jackie Robinson, baseball’s first black major league player of the modern era, made his official debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on opening day at Ebbets Field.

1955: Ray Kroc opened the first franchised McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.

2013: Two bombs made from pressure cookers exploded at the Boston Marathon finish line, killing two women and an 8-year-old boy and injuring more than 260.

APRIL 16

1945: A Soviet submarine in the Baltic Sea torpedoed the ship MV Goya, which Germany was using to transport civilian refugees and wounded soldiers. As many as 7,000 peo

ple died as the ship broke apart and sank minutes after being struck.

1963: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in response to a group of local clergymen who had criticized him for leading street protests.

AMY SANCETTA / AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods speaks to the crowd in Augusta, Georgia, after becoming the youngest person to win the Masters Tournament at age 21 on April 14, 1997.

AP PHOTO

On its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, on April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. More than 1,500 passengers and crewmembers died.

Lithgow named best actor at London stage Olivier Awards

“Giant” explores children’s writer Roald Dahl’s dark side

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

LONDON — American actor John Lithgow won the best actor trophy at the London stage Olivier Awards on Sunday for exploring the dark side of children’s writer Roald Dahl in “Giant.”

Backwards-biographical story “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was named best new musical at the awards, Britain’s equivalent of Broadway’s Tony Awards.

“Conclave” star Lithgow added the Olivier to an awards shelf that already includes multiple Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe trophies, for depicting the author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in Mark Rosenblatt’s play, which confronts Dahl’s antisemitic views.

“I think I’m going to faint,” said an emotional Lithgow, 79. He said he wanted to assure Britons that the transatlantic “special relationship is still firmly intact.”

“I

think I’m going to faint.”

John Lithgow

“It’s not always easy to welcome an American into your midst, and at this particular moment, it’s probably a little more complicated than usual,” he said.

Lesley Manville, whose resume includes a stint as Princess Margaret in “The Crown,” took the best actress prize for her performance as shocked royal spouse Jocasta in “Oedipus.” Director Robert Icke’s modern-day reimagining of the ancient Greek tragedy — which opens on Broadway later this year — was named best revival of a play.

Imelda Staunton — Queen Elizabeth II in two final seasons of “The Crown” — won the fifth Olivier of her career, best actress in a musical, for “Hello, Dolly!” Best actor in a musical went to John Dagleish as the titular man who ages in reverse in “Benjamin Button.”

The musical is based on a story

by

F. Scott Fitzgerald that also inspired a 2008 movie starring Brad Pitt.

The Oliviers were handed out in a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall hosted by Broadway, TV and runway star Billy Porter and British soul singer Beverley Knight.

Stars in the audience included recent Academy Award winner Adrien Brody — a best-actor Olivier nominee for death-row stage drama “The Fear of 13” — and Cate Blanchett, recently seen on the London stage in “The Seagull.”

“Giant” won three prizes, including best new play. “Benjamin Button” also won three, as did a boisterous outdoor production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which was named best musical revival.

Maimuna Memon was named best supporting actress in a musical for Tolstoy-inspired “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.”

The prizes, which recognize achievements in theater, opera and dance, were founded in 1976 and named for the late actor-director Laurence Olivier.

John Lithgow poses for photographers upon arrival at the

London.

on Sunday

‘Sour Cherry’ shows author’s stunning talent for modern fairy tales

A sense of danger lurks but is not named nor faced head-on

By Donna Edwards

The Associated Press

THE MODERN FAIRY tale is a tricky thing, what with phones and cities and all the trappings of now that tend to suck the magic out of a story and make it impossible to suspend disbelief. But Natalia Theodoridou’s debut novel aces the assignment.

“Sour Cherry” is a masterfully crafted reimagining of the tale of Bluebeard, a serial wife-killer who punishes the women’s curiosity with death.

Theodoridou’s modern take grapples with abuse, generational trauma, dominance and culpability. It begins with Agnes, called upon to be a wet nurse for the local lord in an unspecified time period in an unnamed-but-possibly-European country, told by an unidentified narrator, “I,” to a child, “you,” occasionally interrupted by ghosts of the women we’ll come to know.

It’s a story within a story of a fairy tale told in haste and earnest to convey powerful messages through accessible tropes, starting with one woman’s sorrow redirected to caring for another woman’s son.

Even though Agnes loves the little lord whom she nurses and tends to, he also frightens her. What begins as small

TIN HOUSE VIA AP

“Sour Cherry” is author Natalia Theodoridou’s debut novel.

abnormalities — fingernails that grow too fast and the strong, unexplained smell of soil on the baby — transforms into something far more sinister as he grows into a forest of a man who brings pestilence and death with him wherever he goes. The narrator breaks from the story to address the passage of time and build tension. She dips into modernity, referencing plays and phones, and mixes up details so you’re never quite sure which pieces of the story are true, and which are smudged or allegorical. Further thickening the haze, references to other tales are littered about, whether they be

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

repurposed snatches of Greek myths and urban legends, or stories that characters tell each other within the narrator’s story.

Every bit the fairy tale writer, Theodoridou leans heavily on sensory nature descriptions and takes short asides for what would be considered platitudes if they weren’t so strange and echoed in the narrator’s characters sometimes chapters or even lifetimes apart.

The whole time, a sense of danger lurks but is not named nor faced head-on.

Like a magic eye picture, “Sour Cherry” is a horror or thriller when viewed at one angle but, tilted ever so slightly, it’s a myth, legend or bedtime story. It’s a tale of buried pain personified as a curse, a beast, a pestilence that follows the family, the bloodline. The fairy tale style only serves to make the truths within it truer, methodically marching forward through highs and lows. The author perfectly captures how abuse is shrouded in inevitability, the way it’s so often left unaddressed in society, and the seeming impossibility of leaving.

“Sour Cherry” is beautiful and harrowing. With a writing style that had me mesmerized from the first page, Theodoridou has an amazing talent for storytelling that’s so effective that the ending — while predictable and maybe even unavoidable — still stunned me and moved me to tears.

ALBERTO PEZZALI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Olivier Awards

in

Herbie Hancock is 85, David Letterman turns 78, Claire Danes is 46, Al Green hits 79

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week

APRIL 10

Actor Steven Seagal is 73. Actor Peter MacNicol (“Numb3rs,” “Ally McBeal”) is 71. Singer-producer Babyface is 67.

APRIL 11

Actor Peter Riegert (film’s “Animal House,” TV’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) is 78. Actor Bill Irwin (“Law & Order: SVU”) is 75. Singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale is 68.

APRIL 12

Actor Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family,” “Married... With Children”) is 79. Talk show host David Letterman is 78. Actor Andy Garcia is 69. Actor Claire Danes is 46.

APRIL 13

Actor Edward Fox is 88. Composer Bill Conti (“Rocky” film theme) is 83. Musician Al Green is 79. Actor Ron Perlman is 75.

APRIL 14

Actor Peter Capaldi (“Dr. Who,” “The Musketeers”) is 67. Actor Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 65. Singer-guitarist John Bell of Widespread Panic is 63. Actor Anthony Michael Hall is 57.

APRIL 15

Actor Lois Chiles (“Austin Powers,” “Moonraker”) is

APRIL

the stream

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ returns, Viola Davis in action, Spin Doctors drop new album

“Black Mirror” is back on Netflix

The Associated Press

HULU’S “THE Handmaid’s Tale” returning for its sixth and final season and Viola Davis playing a U.S. president in the action movie “G20” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reunite in the long-awaited second season of “The Last of Us,” Cillian Murphy plays an Irish coal merchant in the movie “Small Things Like These” and Spin Doctors release their first new studio album in 12 years.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Davis as an action star is, generally speaking, worth seeing. While Davis is best known for more dramatic roles, she kicked serious butt in 2022’s “The Woman King.” In “G20” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video), Davis plays a U.S. president whose military background comes in handy when terrorists take over the Group of 20 summit.

Following up his Oscar-winning performance in “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy stars in and produced “Small Things Like These,” an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize-nominated novella. In the film (streaming on Hulu), Murphy plays an Irish coal merchant and father of five daughters in 1985. Directed by Tim Mielants (who worked with Murphy on “Peaky Blinders”) and co-starring Emma Watson, “Small Things Like These” digs into the brutal traumas of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries.

MUSIC TO STREAM

Nearly six years have passed since Bon Iver’s last album, “i, i” was released, but that wasn’t the last we heard from him. His influence is everywhere in contemporary popular music; his world has changed ours, from 2007’s debut album, “For Emma Forever Ago,” recorded in his father’s hunting cabin, to all the Grammy nominations, tours and features with stars from Bruce Springsteen to Taylor Swift. In October, he released indie folk EP “SABLE,” which AP’s Dave Campbell described as arriving like a siren, warning the listener of some intensity ahead. On Friday, that intensity arrives in the form of a new full-length album, “SABLE, fABLE.” Also on Friday, Spin Doc -

tors release their first new studio album in 12 years, “Face Full of Cake,” via Capitol Records. It’s been 33 years since their alt-rock, Grammy-nominated hit “Two Princes” soundtracked the ’90s. Three decades later, their cheeky spirit endures.

SHOWS TO STREAM

After a more than two-year wait, Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” is back for its sixth and final season. Elisabeth Moss returns as June, determined to rescue her daughter from the totalitarian, theonomic society of Gilead, which has taken over the United States. When “The Handmaid’s Tale” debuted in 2017, early into President Donald Trump’s first term, it struck a chord with viewers, particularly women, worried about their rights. The final season returns in the early days of Trump’s second term.

Hulu also has ordered a sequel series, “The Testaments,” taking place 15 years later. Both

shows are based on novels by Margaret Atwood.

Netflix’s sci-fi anthology series “Black Mirror” returns for Season 7 on Thursday. There are six new stories — including a sequel to Season 4’s “USS Callister,” with Cristin Milioti reprising her role. Its new cast includes Awkwafina, Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Paul Giamatti, Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chris O’Dowd.

A new reality competition show on Hulu may help fill the void left by “The Traitors.” “Got to Get Out” is hosted by Marvel actor Simu Liu and features notable reality TV stars like Spencer Pratt, Omarosa, Val Chmerkovskiy and Kim Zolciak-Biermann facing off against everyday people. They must live in a locked house together for 10 days for the chance of winning $1 million. The contestants have to devise plans to sneak out for challenges, without getting caught. “Got to Get Out” premieres Friday.

Remember Jon Hamm’s

commercial for Apple TV+ where he lamented he was the only Hollywood actor who hadn’t been hired by the streamer? A role on “The Morning Show” changed that for him. Now Hamm is starring in his own Apple show called “Your Friends & Neighbors,” premiering Friday. He plays Coop, a divorced, down- on-his-luck man who loses his hedge fund job. To keep up with the Joneses, not to mention his alimony and child support, he begins to steal from his affluent neighbors when they’re not home. The show, already renewed for Season 2, also stars Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn. Pascal and Ramsey reunite in the long-awaited second season of “The Last of Us.” The series is based on video games of the same name about a fungal infection that turns the infected into zombies. Season 2 picks up five years after the events of the first, with new cast member Kaitlyn Dever. Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Wright and Isabela Merced will also appear. “The Last of Us” Season 2 premieres Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The Deep South has so much weird folklore that it should be

a great setting for an eerie video game. Leave it to our friends up north — Canadian studio Compulsion Games — to deliver South of Midnight. After a hurricane blows through a small town called Prospero, a young woman named Hazel gains some magical skills. She’ll need them to fight back against the witches, haints and oversized gators running wild all over the swamp. The supernatural creatures here, including an amiable giant catfish with a Cajun accent, have a distinctive stop-motion look, casting a haunting spell around Hazel’s journey. You can dig into this gumbo on Xbox X/S and PC.

Speaking of eerie settings, who isn’t intrigued by the classic mysterious mansion? Blue Prince, from Los Angeles-based designer Tonda Ros, invites you to explore such a house — and each time you open a door, you have a choice as to what room is behind it. The house is filled with puzzles, some of which require clues and objects from multiple locations. And at the end of the day, the manor resets itself, so the rooms will be in different places the next morning. It all feels like one huge

cape room, and you can move in Thursday on

and PC.

X/S

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Your Friends & Neighbors” and “The Last of Us” land this week on a device near you.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

The Spin Doctors, pictured in 2013, drop “Face Full of Cake,” their first album in 12 years, on Friday.

Elisabeth Moss returns as June, determined to rescue her daughter from the totalitarian, theonomic society of Gilead, which has taken over the United States.

HOKE COUNTY

U.S. Navy Honor

WHAT’S HAPPENING Pearl Harbor sailor finally returns home to Hoke

Judge restores AP’s access to White House events

Washington, D.C.

A federal judge has ordered the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to cover presidential events, saying that the AP must be given comparable access to its peer wire services. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The judge said that his decision does not prohibit a government official from choosing which outlets to give interviews to, or choosing which journalists’ questions they choose to answer at a news conference.

CDC may end recommendation to add fluoride to water supplies

New York

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants communities to stop fluoridating water and plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control to stop recommending fluoridation in municipal water supplies. He’s assembling a task force to study the issue. He can’t order communities to stop, as it’s a decision left up to states and localities, but many are already pulling back from the additive.

Eighty-three years after his death aboard the USS West Virginia, Neil Daniel Frye is back in N.C.

North State Journal staff

VASS — The remains of Neil Daniel Frye, a U.S. Navy sailor from Hoke County killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, were laid to rest last Thursday at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, more than eight decades after his death.

Frye, who served as a Mess Attendant Third Class aboard the USS West Virginia, was among 105 sailors killed when Japanese forces bombed the battleship on Dec. 7, 1941. His remains, recently identified through DNA analysis by the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency, returned to North Carolina soil in a homecoming his family once thought impossible.

“My mama wanted to bring him home,” said Denise McCrimmon, Frye’s niece, in an in-

terview. “She said, ‘My brother probably never thought he would make it home, but here he is.’”

Born April 3, 1921, in what was then northern Hoke County before boundary lines were redrawn, Frye enlisted in the Navy in Raleigh on July 26, 1940. He was assigned to the USS West Virginia in November 1940, just over a year before the Pearl Harbor attack that claimed his life at age 20.

The Navy initially listed Frye as missing, leaving his family in agonizing uncertainty. Letters described by the family reveal that Frye’s mother wrote to naval authorities in January 1942, desperate for information about her son’s fate. According to McCrimmon, her grandmother wrote asking, “I haven’t heard anything else. I want to know about my son. Can you please give me any information? Was he killed? Did you find him?” She received confirmation of his death the following month.

Frye’s remains were among those recovered during salvage

operations of the West Virginia but could not be individually identified at the time. They were buried as “unknown” at the National Memorial Ceme-

tery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

In 2017, as part of a broader effort to identify fallen service members from Pearl Harbor, the DPAA exhumed 35 caskets containing remains associated with the West Virginia. Using advanced forensic techniques, including DNA analysis with samples from Frye’s relatives, scientists positively identified his remains on Sept. 27, 2024.

For Frye’s sister, Mary Frye McCrimmon, now 87, the identification brings a measure of closure to decades of uncertainty. McCrimmon still lives on the family’s original homestead.

“Most families cannot believe their loved ones were recovered after so many years,” explained Capt. Jeff Draude, director of the Navy Casualty Office, in a press release. “Being able to recover and identify the remains of sailors aids in closure for the families.”

The funeral service was held last Thursday at Fryes Chapel, a church with deep family connections, in Vass. Frye’s grandfather donated the land for the church and served as its first pastor for 29 years. Following the service, interment took place at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

The Navy provided full fu-

NC could loosen CO2 ‘clean energy’ law

GOP legislators are considering repealing a deadline requirement

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Republican lawmakers and the Democratic governor worked together in 2021 to enact a rare energy law in the South that sought to sharply reduce power plant emissions by 2030 and ultimately reach carbon neutrality.

“Today, North Carolina moves strongly into a reliable and affordable clean energy future,” then-Gov. Roy Cooper said at the October 2021 bill signing ceremony. “This is a new beginning.”

But now, amid changing priorities at the federal level, the state’s Republican-controlled legislature is seeking to repeal the law’s requirement of taking “all reasonable steps to achieve”

reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The legislation wouldn’t end meeting the carbon neutrality standard by 2050 as the 2021 law still requires.

Senate bill supporters contend getting rid of the 70% target deadline would help Duke Energy — the state’s dominant electric utility — assemble less expensive power sources now and moderate the electricity rate increases necessary to reach the 2050 standard. Besides, they say, state regulators already recently pushed back the interim deadline, as the law allows.

The effort comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed rolling back federal environmental and climate change policies, which critics say could boost pollution and threaten human health. Republicans in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh are touting them as ways to reduce the cost of living and boost the economy.

Trump “is taking bold action to make America energy-dominant!” state Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden), a bill sponsor, wrote on the social platform X.

“To bolster his efforts here in NC, we’re cutting costs for families, removing arbitrary benchmarks, and encouraging new nuclear facilities.”

At least 17 other states — most controlled by Democrats — have laws setting similar net-zero power plant emissions or 100% renewable energy targets, the Natural Resources Defense Council says. North Carolina and Virginia are the only ones from the Southeast.

Some North Carolina environmental groups didn’t embrace the 2021 law, saying it lacked low-income customer assistance and contained loopholes to delay the 2030 mandate. Now they’re criticizing the bill passed by the Senate in March as stalling climate action and benefiting Duke Energy fi-

nancially. The 2021 law also lets the utility seek multiyear rate increases and performance-based incentives.

“Duke Energy agreed four years ago to carbon-reduction goals in exchange for an easier path to rate increases. It’s taken full advantage of the smoother rate-setting process, but now wants to renege on its end of the deal,” North Carolina Sierra Club director Chris Herndon said.

Last fall, the state Utilities Commission, which regulates rates and services for public utilities, accepted that it was “no longer reasonable or executable” for Duke Energy to seek the 70% reduction by 2030, pushing that deadline back by at least four years. Eliminating the interim standard likely would mean scaling back or delaying solar and wind energy production now and relying more on nat-

HAL NUNN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Guard members stand at attention last Thursday at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery during the interment service for Neil Daniel Frye.

COURTESY DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY Neil Daniel Frye, missing from World War II, lay unidentified for decades in one of 35 caskets buried in Hawaii following the sinking of the USS West Virginia.

4.10.25

BETTER HEALTH | DR. ANTHONY SANTANGELO, D.C.

EGG CONSUMPTION in the U.S. has been growing. In 2024, Americans ate an average of 284 eggs per person. Thanks to science, gone are the days when people were concerned about eggs being a “high cholesterol” food. Instead, today eggs are appreciated as a tasty, versatile source of affordable protein with numerous health benefits and high nutritional value, particularly during this time of rising food prices. Before we start cooking, let’s spend some time cracking the truth about eggs. Let’s take a closer look at why eggs deserve a place on your plate.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the public was warned against consuming eggs. It was believed that by eating high cholesterol foods, it would elevate a person’s blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

However, a study published last March in the American College of Cardiology says “eggs may not be bad for your heart after all.” It showed that the majority of the cholesterol in our body is made by our liver, and our cholesterol levels aren’t based on what we eat. The liver is triggered to make cholesterol based mainly on the amount of saturated and

trans-fat in our diet. Cholesterol isn’t a factor.

Since eggs contain little saturated fat — about 1.5 grams per egg — for the average person eggs aren’t a concern. In fact, they can be a part of your heart-healthy diet.

In fact, eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential nutrients that support overall health:

Protein: A single large egg contains about 6 grams of high-quality protein.

Vitamins and minerals: Eggs are rich in B vitamins, including B12 and riboflavin, as well as selenium, a powerful antioxidant.

Choline: This nutrient, crucial for brain health and cell membrane function, is found in significant amounts in eggs.

Lutein and zeaxanthin: These antioxidants, concentrated in the egg yolk, support eye health and may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Healthy fats: Eggs provide unsaturated fats that contribute to heart health.

With all that goodness, and so many ways to enjoy it, it’s time to get cracking!

THE CONVERSATION

VISUAL VOICES

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Ensuring you are connected and your rights are protected

Gun-grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases.

AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, I am committed to defending your constitutional rights and advancing policies that benefit your family, small business and community.

Ensuring your Second Amendment freedoms are protected is one of my top priorities. I have proudly championed H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, not just in this Congress but every Congress since being elected. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would provide nationwide concealed carry reciprocity, so each state’s concealed carry license is valid in every other state.

Currently, there is a confusing hodgepodge of laws surrounding stateissued concealed carry licenses that vary from state to state. Some states have stricter laws that can make unknowing criminals out of lawful license holders for a simple mistake, like a wrong traffic turn, when carrying a handgun.

H.R. 38 would protect law-abiding citizens’ rights to conceal carry and travel freely. Your Second Amendment rights do not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my legislation guarantees it.

The House Judiciary Committee, led by

Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), recently voted for my H.R. 38 to move forward and get a full vote on the House floor. This effort brings us one step closer to getting my legislation passed through Congress and signed into law, and I will keep working with President Donald Trump and my colleagues until we get the job done.

I also recently introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act to ensure lawabiding gun owners can exercise their right to keep and bear arms without fear of being financially penalized. For years, gun-grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases. This unconstitutional and unfair burden is nothing but a scheme to price Americans out of their right to keep and bear arms, and my legislation will put a stop to it.

Another one of my top priorities for folks in our region and communities across the country is to bridge the digital divide. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I am focused on advancing commonsense policies

SNAP shouldn’t subsidize Slurpees

Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

EVEN CHICKEN LITTLE would be exhausted trying to keep up with what Democrats claim President Donald Trump wants to do.

Just look at the news. On Tuesday, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said that Republican cuts to SNAP “are the difference between life and death for the many in the communities that we serve.” SNAP is the rebranded food stamps program.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has accused Republicans of setting “in motion the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Trump’s work to dismantle the Department of Education “is a direct attack on America’s students, teachers and families.”

To understand why this is fearmongering, consider a recent trip I made to 7-Eleven. My wife and I wanted to buy our kids Slurpees after baseball practice. (Shhh ... don’t tell Robert Kennedy Jr.)

In between my frantic efforts to keep my kids from overfilling their cups, I noticed a sticker on the machine.

“All Slurpee cups are EBT eligible,” it read.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s how people spend their SNAP benefits at stores. There was a similar sign on the soda machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website confirms that the signs are accurate.

Taxpayers are subsidizing Slurpees and sodas.

This is wasteful. Food stamps are supposed to help low-income individuals ward off hunger, not satiate their sweet tooth. But imagine the left’s reaction if you proposed making junk food ineligible for food stamps.

They’d claim that you wanted to cut benefits from the poor. That you wanted to cut the program. That you wanted to stigmatize poor people.

This isn’t speculation. House Republicans are currently pushing a bill to do just that, and those are some of the attacks they’re facing.

Those attacks may have a grain of truth, but they’re deeply misleading. If Republicans pass a ban on SNAP paying for junk food, hunger won’t increase one bit. The biggest impact may be a reduction in diabetes, which low-income Americans are more likely to develop. That could save the Medicaid program money, but then Democrats would likely claim Republicans are cutting the program.

Once you see this pattern, Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

The Department of Education has been around for decades. Aside from some bright spots with charter schools, public education is generally terrible. Just because the name says “education” doesn’t mean the department is doing much to improve how kids learn.

Now, if I haven’t convinced you, I

that will deliver much-needed results.

Right now, too many families, farmers and small businesses don’t have access to broadband. While the Biden administration implemented a broadband deployment program, “BEAD,” it was riddled with burdensome, unnecessary requirements that hindered deployment. In fact, not a penny of the program’s federal funding has been put toward actual deployment for even one household.

This is unacceptable. That’s why, as chairman, I recently led members of my subcommittee in introducing legislation to ensure timely and accessible broadband deployment by cutting red tape and streamlining regulations.

Our rural communities need to be fully connected, and my legislation will help do that.

Whether it is safeguarding your Second Amendment rights or ensuring reliable broadband access, I will continue fighting for policies that protect your freedoms and improve everyday lives.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

challenge you to do this: Open the calendar app on your phone. Create an appointment for July 15, 2026. In the notes section, write down three things you think will happen as the result of Republican actions. Some examples: Republicans will cut SNAP benefits and 100,000 people will die of starvation. Trump will cut Medicaid and people will have worse health outcomes, including 50,000 more heart attack deaths. Gutting the Department of Education will reduce student achievement by five percentage points. A note: Look beyond the funding level of a certain program and consider outcomes. Government programs are supposed to be a means to an end, not just a money pit.

If you think Trump has dictatorial aspirations, set a reminder for November 2026 or 2028. Write down if you think Trump will cancel elections or run for a third term. Make sure to also write down if someone has made this claim.

When that date comes, look around and see what happened. Perhaps Trump has led America into unprecedented levels of starvation, illness and ignorance. Or perhaps Democrats have staked their electoral success on scaring people like you. Either way, you won’t have to take my word for it.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Wegovy and Zepbound help people to lose weight, but at a cost

By Susan Haigh and Marc Levy

The Associated Press

STATES INCREASINGLY struggling to cover the rising cost of popular GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound are searching for ways to get out from under the budgetary squeeze that took them by surprise.

One solution some policymakers may try is restricting the number of people on Medicaid who can use the pricey diabetes drugs for weight-loss purposes.

Pennsylvania’s Medicaid coverage of the drugs is expected to cost $1.3 billion in 2025 — up from a fraction of that several years ago — and is contributing to projections of a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. The state is thinking about requiring Medicaid patients who want to use GLP-1s for weight loss to meet a certain number on the body-mass index or try diet and exercise programs or less expensive medications first.

“It is a medication that’s gotten a lot of hype and a lot of press, and has become very popular in its use and it is wildly expensive,” Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s human services secretary, told a state House hearing in March.

At least 14 states already cover the cost of GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment for patients on Medicaid, the federal health care program for people with low incomes. Democrats and Republicans in at least a half-dozen other states floated bills this year to require the same coverage, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.

Some bills have stalled while

SAILOR from page A1

neral honors, including a rifle sa-

lute, burial team and the playing of Taps. Local veterans’ organizations, including the VFW, DAV and American Legion, plan to

CO2 from page A1

ural gas over the next decade, according to modeling from Duke Energy and a state agency that represents consumers before the Utilities Commission.

“The interim goal is not allowing our commission to make least-cost decisions, because the interim goal is driving fast, expensive behavior selecting generation types,” said outgoing Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus), a retired Duke Energy executive and bill sponsor. The bill also would

others remain alive, including a proposal in Arkansas requiring GLP-1s to be covered under Medicaid when prescribed specifically for weight loss. Iowa lawmakers are thinking about ordering a cost-benefit analysis before making the commitment. Already, West Virginia and North Carolina ended programs in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

“It is very expensive,” said Jeffrey Beckham, the state budget director in Connecticut, where Medicaid coverage of the drugs for weight loss may be scrapped entirely. “Other states are coming to that conclusion, as well as some private carriers.”

Overall Medicaid spending on GLP-1 drugs — before partial rebates from drug manufacturers — jumped from $577.3 million in 2019 to $3.9 billion in 2023, according to a November report from KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. The number of prescrip -

coordinate additional recognition in the coming months. Frye was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

open the door to the long-term construction of a large nuclear power plant, Newton added.

Senate Republicans cite the models to estimate that removing the interim goal would reduce by at least $13 billion what Duke Energy would have to spend — and pass on to customers — in the next 25 years. Democrats voting against the measure questioned the $13 billion figure and supported an interim goal.

“Not having any target, even an aspirational target, could

tions for the drugs increased by more than 400% during that same time period. The average annual cost per patient for a GLP-1 drug is $12,000, according to a Peterson-KFF tracker.

About half of Americans “strongly” or “somewhat” favor having Medicare and Medicaid cover weight-loss drugs for people who have obesity, a recent AP-NORC poll showed, with about 2 in 10 opposed the idea and about one-quarter with a neutral view.

But Medicare does not cover GLP-1s, and the Trump administration said Friday that wouldn’t put into place a proposed rule by presidential predecessor Joe Biden to cover the medications under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug coverage. Biden’s proposal was expensive: It would have included coverage for all state- and federally funded Medicaid programs, costing taxpayers as much as $35 billion over next decade.

States that do provide cover-

with Bronze Star posthumously.

Historical records show Frye served in the Messman Branch, a racially segregated part of the Navy almost exclusively composed of African Americans and foreign nationals responsible for

mean that we don’t stay on track to get to our 2050 goal,” Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) said.

The bill, now in the House, also would allow Duke Energy to seek higher electric rates to cover incremental construction costs of a nuclear or gas-powered plant, rather than wait until the project’s end. Newton said the option would avoid one massive rate increase at the project’s conclusion, reining in customer costs. Critics say it would boost Duke Energy’s profits on expensive projects even if never completed.

age have tried to manage costs by putting prescribing limits on the GLP-1s. There’s also some evidence that if Medicaid patients lose weight with the drugs, they’ll be healthier and less expensive to cover, said Tracy Zvenyach of Obesity Action, an advocacy group that urges states to provide coverage.

Zvenyach also stressed how it’s unclear whether patients will need to regularly take these drugs for the rest of their lives — a key cost concern raised by public officials. “Someone may have to be on treatment for over the course of their lifetime,” she said. “But we don’t know exactly what that regimen would look like.”

About 40% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can cause hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which lead to greater risks of things like stroke and heart attacks.

Dr. Adam Raphael Rom, a physician at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, a network of health centers in the city, said most of his patients who take GLP-1s are covered by Medicaid and some are nondiabetics who use it for weight loss.

“I had one patient tell me that it’s like, changed her relationship to food,” Rom said. “I’ve had patients lose like 20, 40, 60 pounds.”

But obesity experts have told The Associated Press that as many as 1 in 5 people may not lose the amount of weight that others have seen come off. And

feeding and serving officers. His brother, Russell Frye, also served in the Navy as an Officer’s Steward 3rd Class at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, during the attack. His return represents a rare

In supporting the bill, Duke Energy said the “legislation allows modern, efficient and always-on generation to be deployed faster and cheaper” and pointed to the commission’s order last fall. While the North Carolina Chamber backs the bill, some companies oppose it.

Any approved final bill would head to Cooper’s successor, Gov. Josh Stein. The Democrat contends the bill would hurt electricity users and threaten the state’s clean-energy economy.

“We should be looking for solu-

in a recent survey of state Medicaid directors conducted by KFF, a health policy research organization, they said cost and potential side effects are among their concerns.

The debate over coverage coincides with rising Medicaid budgets and the prospect of losing federal funding — with congressional Republicans considering siphoning as much as $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.

Connecticut is facing a $290 million Medicaid account deficit, and Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont proposed doing away with a 2023 requirement that Medicaid cover GLP-1s for severe obesity, though the state has never fully abided by the law due to the cost.

Starting June 14, though, state Medicaid patients will be required to have a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis to get the drugs covered. Lamont also is pushing for the state to cover two less expensive oral medications approved by the FDA for weight loss, as well as nutrition counseling.

Sarah Makowicki, 42, tried the other medications and said she suffered serious side effects. The graduate student and statehouse intern is working on a bill that would restore the full GLP-1 coverage for her and others.

Sara Lamontagne, a transgender woman with a disability who is on Medicaid, said she regained weight when her coverage for GLP-1 medication was cut off in the past. She said she went from 260 pounds to over 300, heavier than she had ever been.

“So, it’s a horrible game to be played, to be going back and and forth,” said Lamontagne, whose attempts to appeal the state’s recent denial of her Ozempic prescription refill have been unsuccessful.

Makowicki said GLP-1 drugs combined with weight-loss surgery helped her change her life: She’s had knee-replacement surgery and lost over 200 pounds.

“I am a different person from what I was five years ago,” Makowicki said. “Not only in my physical space, but also mentally.”

measure of closure for families of the 2,403 Americans killed at Pearl Harbor, and especially for the USS West Virginia, which lost 105 crew members in the attack that propelled America into World War II.

tions that create jobs and lower costs for hardworking North Carolinians, not increasing their financial burden,” Stein spokesperson Morgan Hopkins said.

While Democrats have enough legislative seats to uphold Stein’s vetoes if they remain united, Duke Energy often finds allies in both parties. Three Democrats voted for the Senate bill with Republicans.

Uncertainty over the bill’s future could grow after Newton resigned from the Senate last week to take a university job.

AMANDA ANDRADE-RHOADES / AP PHOTO

Wegovy, a drug used for weight loss.

HOKE SPORTS

Sampson’s rebuilt culture helped elevate Houston in title chase

The Robeson County

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

WHILE NORTH Carolina

had one team fall short of the national championship game, another N.C. connection just missed cutting down the season’s final net in Houston men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson.

The North Carolina native made his third Final Four appearance, having coached the top-seeded Cougars all the way through the Midwest Region.

A man of humble beginnings, Sampson — a veteran head coach with 36 years of experience — is a member of North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe, having been born in Deep Branch, a Lumbee community in Robeson County.

“My roots in North Carolina are strong,” Sampson said following a game against ECU in 2023. “I’ve been a Lumbee my whole life, and I’m proud of it.”

Sampson’s basketball career began local too, as he started playing basketball at Pembroke High School and then Pembroke State (now UNC Pembroke) and working in Hoke County as a student teacher before getting a break as a graduate assistant at Michigan State — where he pursued his master’s degree in coaching and administration — under Jud Heathcote

Following that, Sampson got his first head coaching gig at Montana Tech before slowly climbing the ladder to Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana. Eventually, he even made his way to the NBA, although in part because of a five-year, show-cause penalty that was placed on him due to NCAA recruiting violations.

Sampson was an assistant in the big leagues for six seasons, first with the Milwaukee Bucks

and then the Houston Rockets, before the Houston Cougars came calling in 2014, after the expiration of his penalty.

Over his 11-year career down south, Sampson has transformed the Cougars’ program from basement dwellers to top-end competitors, as Houston has been a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons.

“One of the attributes a coach has to have is a clearly defined way they want to win the game,”

Sampson said on “The Herd.”

“You don’t have to pick the defensive end or the offensive end, but you have to have something that your kids will believe in.

“Culture starts with being on time, giving your best effort. It starts with your body language and being responsible so you don’t have to be held accountable. Being someone who has the right attitude every day. I spent a lot of time coaching attitude and effort before we could ever be a good team because all the great cultures have kids that will play for something bigger than themselves.”

The team has enjoyed relatively little turnover year after year due to that culture — a growing rarity now in the NCAA — with eight of the team’s top-10 players having returned this season.

Sampson’s teams also embody a hard-nosed defensive style, being the stingiest team in DI bas-

It’s the second straight win for the Joe Gibbs Racing Group driver

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin did his job so his pit crew could do its most stellar stop at the perfect time.

Hamlin came into the pits after a final caution in third place and told himself to hit every mark, then let his guys take over.

And that’s what the Joe Gibbs Racing group did, pulling off a perfect winning moment that sent Hamlin out with the lead. He took over on the final restart and held off William By-

ron to win the Goodyear 400 on Sunday.

It was Hamlin’s 56th career Cup Series win, his fifth at Darlington Raceway and second straight this season.

“When you think about 56 wins, that’s a huge deal,” said Gibbs, Hamlin’s longtime car owner.

Hamlin said he hung on throughout as Byron and others looked like they might pull out victory. Instead, Hamlin waited out his time and then pounced as he broke away during the green-white-checkered finish.

“I can still do it, I can do it at a high level and look forward to winning a lot of races this year,” Hamlin said. Hamlin won for a second

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson leaves the court after Florida beat Houston in the national championship game.

ketball (ranked No. 1 in KenPom defensive rating and allowing just 58.3 points per game).

“I have a lot of confidence in how we do things and how we do them is the way we do them,” Sampson said. “It’s not up for negotiation or discussion. You either like it or you don’t, and we don’t really care either way. It’s just how we do it, but our family is what binds us together.”

Sampson’s overall collegiate track record is an impressive one, boasting a 797-354 overall record (a 69.2% winning percentage), three Final Four appearances and twice having been named the AP Coach of the Year.

As a DI coach, his 70% win rate ranks him 75th all-time, and he has the 25th-most wins. In fact, only 21 other coaches have more Final Four appearances than his three, and of those, only three of them are still actively coaching.

And he doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

“When you’re my age, the last thing you worry about is pressure or being fired,” Sampson said. “I’ve had a lifetime contract here for a long time. I’ll decide when it’s time to go, and I’ll make that decision independent of anybody else other than my wife.”

He’s won numerous conference tournaments and titles, but the ultimate crown is still one that has eluded him.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jayden Hollingsworth

Hoke County, baseball

Jayden Hollingsworth is a junior infielder for the Hoke County baseball team.

The Bucks are still looking to snap a losing streak, but Hoke’s offense heated up last week, with 17 runs scored over a two-game stretch.

Hollingsworth contributed at the plate, going 2 for 3 with two doubles, two runs, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base against Lumberton. He also went 1 for 3 with two runs, a walk and two steals against Union Pines.

For the season, Hollingsworth leads the Bucks in batting, on-base percentage, slugging, doubles, runs, steals and hits.

he said he thought, “Oh, no! I thought we had the race won.”

straight week after his success at Martinsville.

Hamlin chose the outside lane for a final restart and shot out to the lead and pulled away from series points leader Byron and Cup Series wins leader Christopher Bell. Hamlin looked like he’d have a strong finish but not a winning one as Ryan Blaney passed Tyler Reddick for the lead with three laps left. But moments later, Kyle Larson spun out, forcing a final caution and the extra laps.

It was then time for Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew to shine as it got him out quickly and in the lead.

Byron, who led the first 243 laps, was second with Hamlin’s JGR teammate Bell in third.

“There are two people I really love right now, my pit crew and Kyle Larson,” Hamlin said to a round of boos from those in the stands.

Reddick was fourth and Blaney was fifth. The rest of the top-10 finishers were Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs and Kyle Busch.

Hamlin credited the past two victories to his pit crew.

“The pit crew just did an amazing job,” he said. “They won it last week, they won it this week. It’s all about them.”

Blaney had thought he was clear to his first career Darlington victory after getting by Reddick late. When he saw the caution flag for Larson’s spin,

So did Byron, who sought was to become the first Cup driver in nearly 25 years to lead every lap on the way to victory. He got shuffled down the standings during the last round of green-flag pit stops and could not recover.

“It was looking like it was going to be a perfect race and we were going to lead every lap,” he said.

But once “we lost control, it was too late to get back up there,” Byron said.

Bad day

Kyle Larson, who won the Southern 500 here in 2023, had high hopes for a second Darlington win. But he slid into the inside wall coming off the second turn on lap three. Larson finished next to last in 37th.

native taught in Hoke County before climbing the basketball coaching ladder

ERIC GAY / AP PHOTO

Anthony,

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

CARMELO ANTHONY and Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice. And LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that’s headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end.

Anthony and Howard were announced Saturday as members of the Class of 2025, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that they played on — dubbed the “Redeem Team,” the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of

highlight Basketball Hall of Fame class

five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball’s men’s program.

Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two -time NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.

“I made it to the real basketball heaven,” Howard said. “It’s crazy.”

Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“When the call comes and, in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone,” Anthony said on the televised announcement. “You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and

you hear, ‘You’re in.’ And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders.”

Donovan won back-to-back titles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami’s path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years.

“For some, this is an individual honor,” Arison said. “But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together.” Combined, the five players selected as individuals — Bird, Moore, Fowles, Howard and Anthony — were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, won 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 All-NBA or All-WNBA appearances and were named as All-Stars

45 times in their careers.

“Surreal,” Bird said of her selection. “I don’t think there’s any way to really wrap your head around it.”

Added Fowles: “I don’t think (any) one of us go into this thinking that we’re going to be Hall of Famers. You just do your job ... and when it’s all said and done, the job is complete and here we are.”

The Redeem Team’s selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Anthony, Howard, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince.

That team’s managing direc-

tor was Jerry Colangelo, who now chairs the Hall of Fame.

“We developed a set of standards where all the guys lived by those standards,” said former Duke coach and 2001 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Krzyzewski, who coached that 2008 Olympic team. “They were the best group of guys. I wish like crazy that Kobe was here. He was really the key guy, I think. As many great players as we had at that point, he was the greatest and everyone looked up to him.”

The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball’s place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points.

NORTH CAROLINA DRIVING SCHOOL,

Great opportunity for retired state, teachers, retired military, those on Social Security, retired police or municipal.

$23-25 per hour in the car instruction or teach one class a month $900 per 30 hour two week class ($30 per hour for classroom) after school 3 hours for 10 days, or you can do both!

Must be willing/able to work 4 hours 4/5 days a week during the school year. (September-May) Hours are during the day (between 8-am 5pm) during the summer. (June, July, August)

Must take an 80 hour (two week) certification course.

• Must be 25 years of age.

• Must have a clean driving record.

• Must have at least 4 years of experience as a licensed operator of a motor vehicle.

• Must have not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude in the last ten years.

• Must not have any revocation or suspension of license in the last 5 years.

• Must have graduated from High School or have High School equivalency certificate.

• Must not have convictions for moving violations tot aling 5 points in the last 5 years.

• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and Criminal background check must be completed prior to hiring.

The 2008 Olympic team coached by Mike Krzyzewski was also inducted

Howard, Bird

DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP PHOTO

Edith Hoke

Feb. 5, 1930 – March 31, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Edith Lisenby Lowe on 202503-31 in Raeford, NC. Edith was born on February 5, 1930, in Raeford, NC Edith is survived by her Son, William Gary Lowe (Betsy); Son-in-law Donald Williamson; Granddaughters, Donna Magyar (Mike), Christiana Blue Ries (Joe), Grandson, David Lowe (Lashonna); Great granddaughters, Lauren Woodland (Catlan), Lena Lowe; Great grandsons, Aaron Israel (Morgan), Everett Ries; Great, great-granddaughter Hannah Woodland. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Beulah Lisenby; her husband, William Henry Lowe; her daughter, Judy Williamson; Sisters, Sallie Wicker, Lucille Winters, Mary Jane Lisenby; Brother, James Lisenby.

Edith was a devoted military wife and mother to her children as her husband Henry served in WWII. She took an active role in the lives of all of her grandchildren and loved spending as much time as she could with them. Nothing brightened up her day as much as seeing a grandchild walk through her door. Edith was a homemaker and enjoyed flower gardening, word seek puzzles and watching westerns. She was the rock of her family and will be greatly missed. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 05, 2025, in the Raeford City Cemetery.

Myrl Miller

July 25, 1934 – April 1, 2025

Mr. Myrl Leon Miller of Fayetteville, formerly of Raeford, passed away on Tuesday, April 01, 2025, at the age of 90.

He was born in Lamar County, MS, on July 25, 1934, to the late Joseph K Miller and Effie Harrell Miller. He was the 16th out of the 21 children born to Joseph. He loved to tell us about his upbringing on the farm in MS.

Along with his parents and all but one sibling, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Davis Miller, and his son, William Leon Miller Sr.

He was known for his big heart and his silly personality. He was such a jokester at heart and was loved by all that knew him. His grandson noted that it was very appropriate that he went to be with our Lord and Savior on April Fool’s Day. He was a cherished fixture at Heritage Place after his beloved wife of 63 years, Shirley, passed. There he was, of course, voted Mr. Sunshine. He was a master at anything mechanical. He could diagnose any problem by taking the object apart or just by listening to it! He owned S & M Auto Sales in Raeford after a long career at Tex Elastic.

Above all, though, he was a family man who was extremely proud of his boys, his grandkids and his great grandkids. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and his departure leaves a big blank spot in this family.

He leaves behind his sons John Wayne Miller(Teresa)of Mt. Gilead, Myrl Glenn Miller(Kelly) of Greensboro; his brother Reece Miller of Lumberton, MS; six grandchildren, Leon Miller Jr,(Diana Boyd), Samantha Miller, Brandon Miller(Jocelyn), Christopher Miller(Kim), Casey Miller(Sara), Seth Miller(Alexi); 10 great grandchildren, Justin Fogle, Alaina Miller, Luke Miller, Greyson Miller, Gibson Miller, Teddy Miller, Gavin Miller, Tatum Miller, Mac Miller and Briana Kelly.

The celebration of Myrl’s life is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Hope Mills Church of God, 4830 Cameron Rd, Hope Mills, NC on Friday, April 11, 2025, with the Reverend Garrett Chase officiating. Interment will be at the Davis Family Cemetery, Pittman Grove Church Rd in Davis Bridge, NC. Please join us to celebrate a life well-lived.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Hope Mills Church of God.

Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ star with an

intense approach,

He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014

By Mark Kennedy and Andrew Dalton The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Val Kilm-

er, the brooding, versatile actorwho played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

Kilmer died last Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press. Kilmer died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies. The New York Times was the first to report his death.

Kilmer, who at 17 was the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most.

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.”

His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

His movie career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Actor Josh Brolin, a friend of Kilmer, was among others paying tribute.

“You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” Brolin wrote on Instagram. “There’s not a lot left of those.”

Kilmer — who took part in the Method branch of Suzuki arts training — threw himself into parts. When he played Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,”

dies at 65

he filled his bed with ice for the final scene to mimic the feeling of dying from tuberculosis. To play Morrison, he wore leather pants all the time, asked castmates and crew to only refer to him as Morrison and blasted The Doors for a year.

That intensity also gave Kilmer a reputation that he was difficult to work with — something he grudgingly agreed with later in life, while always defending himself by emphasizing art over commerce.

“In an unflinching attempt to empower directors, actors and other collaborators to honor the truth and essence of each project, an attempt to breathe Suzukian life into a myriad Hollywood moments, I had been deemed difficult and alienated the head of every major studio,” he wrote in his 2020 memoir, “I’m Your Huckleberry.”

One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1986’s “Top Gun” — almost didn’t happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott but initially balked. “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me,” he wrote in his memoir. He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. He would reprise the role in the film’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher’s goofy, garish “Batman Forever” (1995) with Nicole Kidman and Chris O’Donnell — before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

The New York Times’ Janet

Maslin said Kilmer was “hamstrung by the straight-man aspects of the role,” while Roger Ebert deadpanned that he was a “completely acceptable” substitute for Keaton. Kilmer, who was one and done as Batman, blamed much of his performance on the suit.

“When you’re in it, you can barely move and people have to help you stand up and sit down,” Kilmer said in “Val,” in lines spoken by his son Jack, who voiced the part of his father after Kilmer’s ability to speak was impaired by cancer treatment.

“You also can’t hear anything and after a while people stop talking to you, it’s very isolating. It was a struggle for me to get a performance past the suit, and it was frustrating until I realized that my role in the film was just to show up and stand where I was told to.”

In 1996, Entertainment Weekly ran a cover story about Kilmer titled “The Man Hollywood Loves to Hate.” The directors Schumacher and John Frankenheimer, who finished “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” said he was difficult. Frankenheimer said there were two things he would never do: “Climb Mount Everest and work with Val Kilmer again.”

Other artists came to his defense, like D. J. Caruso, who directed Kilmer in “The Salton Sea” and said the actor simply liked to talk out scenes and enjoyed having a director’s attention.

“Val needs to immerse himself in a character. I think what happened with directors like Frankenheimer and Schumacher is that Val would ask a lot of questions, and a guy like Schumacher would say, ‘You’re Batman! Just go do it,’” Caruso told the Times in 2002.

Jay North, TV’s mischievous Dennis the Menace, dies at 73

For decades, the show was a favorite in syndication

The Associated Press

LAKE BUTLER, Fla. — Jay North, who starred as the towheaded mischief maker on TV’s “Dennis the Menace” for four seasons starting in 1959, has died. He was 73. North died Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, and had colon cancer, said Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend, and Bonnie Vent, who was his booking agent.

“He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequently and ended every conversation with ‘I love you with all my heart,’” Jacobson wrote in a tribute on Facebook.

North was 6 when he was cast as the smiling troublemaker in the CBS sitcom adaptation of Hank Ketcham’s popular comic strip that took place in an idyllic American suburb.

Often wearing a striped shirt and overalls, Dennis’ mischie-

Jay North, in character as Dennis the Menace, shows his ever-present slingshot to show co-star Gale Gordon,

Hollywood in March 1962.

vous antics frequently frustrated his retired next-door neighbor George Wilson, played by Joseph Kearns. After Kearns died, Gale Gordon played Wilson’s brother. Dennis’ patient parents were played by Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry.

The show ran on Sunday nights until it was canceled in 1963. After that it was a fixture for decades in syndication.

Later, North appeared on TV in shows including “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Lucy Show,” “My Three Sons,” “Lassie” and “The Simpsons,” and in movies like “Maya” (1966), “The Teacher” (1974) and “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” (2003).

North is survived by his third wife, Cindy, and three stepdaughters.

PAUL A. HEBERT / INVISION / AP

Actor Val Kilmer arrives at an event in 2013.

DAVID F. SMITH / AP PHOTO

on set in

STATE & NATION

State Supreme Courts are increasingly becoming electoral battlegrounds

Roughly 20 states use elections to pick Supreme Court justices

By Christine Fernando and John Hanna The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — The race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court drew $100 million in campaign spending, attack ads and the attention of President Donald Trump and close ally Elon Musk.

While its spending set a record for a U.S. judicial contest, the race that ended last Tuesday was the apex of a trend building for years as state Supreme Court races across the country have gotten increasingly costly and vitriolic. The partisan tone of the Wisconsin race and the amount of money it drew from outside interest groups raise questions about whether elections are the best way to fill seats for bodies that are supposed to be nonpartisan and ultimately decide the fate of state laws and citizen ballot initiatives.

The politicized nature of the contests was illustrated starkly last Friday when a Republican-majority appellate panel in North Carolina sided with a Republican state Supreme Court challenger who is seeking to throw out thousands of ballots from last November’s election.

These races have become priorities for both major parties because state high courts have been playing pivotal roles in deciding rules around redistricting, abortion and voting rights while also settling disputes over election outcomes.

Some states shifted toward electing justices “to bring the process out into the sunlight, to disempower powerful political actors from getting themselves or allies on the bench, or to provide some level of public accountability,” said Douglas Keith, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s judiciary program. “But with these modern judicial elections, these highly politicized races are not really serving any of those goals.”

Not every state puts its Supreme Court seats up for a statewide vote. Some use appointment processes that allow candidates to avoid public campaigning and the influence of political donors. Keith said a merit-based selection process can result in Supreme Courts “that are not as predictable along political lines.”

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices, while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections. Meanwhile, nine task governors with appointing justices, two use legislative appointments, four have hybrid models and 14 use a merit selection process that often involves nonpartisan nominating commissions.

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections.

Kansas is one of the states with an appointment process, a system that has been in place for six decades and has been largely nonpartisan. Bristling at some of the court’s rulings in recent years, Republicans in the state now want to change that and move toward a system in which justices have to stand for election.

Opponents say Republicans’ goal is clear in a GOP-leaning state: remaking the court in a more conservative image.

When a vacancy on the seven-member court now occurs, applicants for the seat are screened by a nine-member commission. Five are lawyers elected by other lawyers and four are nonlawyers appointed by the governor. The commission names three finalists and the governor — currently a Democrat — chooses one.

The Republican-supermajority Legislature placed a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2026 primary election, rejecting arguments that the current sys-

tem of filling vacancies on the state Supreme Court is notable for its lack of partisan politics and promotes judicial independence.

Backers of the proposal have criticized the state’s top court for years over rulings protecting abortion rights and forcing higher spending on public schools. They argue that the court is too liberal and is out of step with voters, even though Kansas voters opted to protect abortion rights in 2022, just months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Republicans also say that in making Supreme Court candidates run for election, any politics in the process would be visible instead of “a black box.”

“It is an elitist system, and that elitist system was designed by lawyers,” Kansas’ attorney general, Republican Kris Kobach, said of the current system. “It is obviously controlled by lawyers.”

Critics of the Kansas proposal pointed to Wisconsin and the tens of millions of dollars spent on state Supreme Court races in recent years. They say that’s just what Kansas should expect to see if voters approve the change next year.

With the current system, they say a candidate’s experience and likely judicial temperament are the most important factors, rather than a candidate’s skills at campaigning, raising money or creating television ads.

“There is a reason that goes beyond giving the people a voice. There’s a political rea-

son to change the court,” Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, said of Republicans’ proposal.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said he wasn’t concerned about Wisconsin-style campaigning for high court seats if the amendment passes. He said opponents were “trying to take a one-off and make it something it’s not.”

In Oklahoma, the Republican-led Legislature for several years has considered legislation seeking to change its current appointment system for appellate court justices to having them run for election. Some Republicans have brought up the issue in Alaska in recent years, though the efforts have not advanced.

In North Carolina and Ohio, Republican-dominated legislatures in recent years have added party labels to the ballot in what many legal experts say is an attempt to benefit conservative judicial candidates and construct a court that aligned more with the legislature’s policy goals.

North Carolina has been caught up in an ongoing legal saga over a close, highly politicized state Supreme Court race.

The Republican candidate, Jefferson Griffin, has challenged more than 65,000 ballots cast in last fall’s election. Last Friday, the Republican majority on a North Carolina appellate panel sided with Griffin, who was 734 votes behind Associate Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat

who is likely to appeal. That ruling was stayed by the state Supreme Court on Monday.

Pennsylvania is bracing for a Wisconsin-style election in the fall. It’s another presidential battleground where the state Supreme Court could be called upon to decide election disputes during next year’s midterms or the 2028 presidential election. Three Democratic justices are running to retain their seats and face a yes-or-no vote for additional 10-year terms.

The recently concluded Wisconsin election offers warning signs of what may come in November in Pennsylvania when Democrats’ 5-2 majority on the court will be on the line, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown.

Spending exceeded $22 million in Pennsylvania’s 2023 Supreme Court contest.

“It would be silly not to anticipate that in this current environment in a key state like Pennsylvania,” Borick said. “It is going to be intensified.”

Making term limits longer and eliminating judicial reelections could be a useful reform because “a lot of the influence of money comes from the pressure to get reelected,” said Michael Kang, a Northwestern School of Law professor and author of “Free to Judge: The Power of Campaign Money in Judicial Elections.”

“There is no perfect system,” Kang said. “But there are things that can be done to improve.”

TODD RICHMOND / AP PHOTO

The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers are in the state Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Judge restores AP’s access to White House events

Washington, D.C.

A federal judge has ordered the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to cover presidential events, saying that the AP must be given comparable access to its peer wire services. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The judge said that his decision does not prohibit a government official from choosing which outlets to give interviews to, or choosing which journalists’ questions they choose to answer at a news conference.

CDC may end recommendation to add fluoride to water supplies

New York

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants communities to stop fluoridating water and plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control to stop recommending fluoridation in municipal water supplies. He’s assembling a task force to study the issue. He can’t order communities to stop, as it’s a decision left up to states and localities, but many are already pulling back from the additive.

Pearl Harbor sailor finally returns home to Hoke

Eighty-three years after his death aboard the USS West Virginia, Neil Daniel Frye is back in N.C.

North State Journal staff

VASS — The remains of Neil Daniel Frye, a U.S. Navy sailor from Hoke County killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, were laid to rest last Thursday at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, more than eight decades after his death.

Frye, who served as a Mess Attendant Third Class aboard the USS West Virginia, was among 105 sailors killed when Japanese forces bombed the battleship on Dec. 7, 1941. His remains, recently identified through DNA analysis by the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency, re-

turned to North Carolina soil in a homecoming his family once thought impossible.

“My mama wanted to bring him home,” said Denise McCrimmon, Frye’s niece, in an interview. “She said, ‘My brother probably never thought he would make it home, but here he is.’”

Born April 3, 1921, in what was then northern Hoke County before boundary lines were redrawn, Frye enlisted in the Navy in Raleigh on July 26, 1940. He was assigned to the USS West Virginia in November 1940, just over a year before the Pearl Harbor attack that claimed his life at age 20.

The Navy initially listed Frye as missing, leaving his family in agonizing uncertainty. Letters described by the family reveal that Frye’s mother wrote to naval authorities in January 1942, des-

perate for information about her son’s fate. According to McCrimmon, her grandmother wrote asking, “I haven’t heard anything else. I want to know about my son. Can you please give me any information? Was he killed? Did you find him?” She received confirmation of his death the following month.

Frye’s remains were among those recovered during salvage operations of the West Virginia but could not be individually identified at the time. They were buried as “unknown” at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

In 2017, as part of a broader effort to identify fallen service members from Pearl Harbor, the DPAA exhumed 35 caskets containing remains associated with the West Virginia. Using advanced forensic techniques,

COURTESY DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY

Neil Daniel Frye, missing from World War II, lay unidentified for decades in one of 35 caskets buried in Hawaii following the sinking of the USS West Virginia.

including DNA analysis with samples from Frye’s relatives, scientists positively identified his remains on Sept. 27, 2024. For Frye’s sister, Mary Frye McCrimmon, now 87, the

The budget will total just under $166 million if fully funded

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE – Moore County Schools is looking to slim down on what they viewed as prior wasteful spending in its latest budget.

At its April 7 meeting, the Moore County Schools Board of Education approved the FY 2025-2026 Proposed Preliminary Budget.

“This budget is a lean budget,” said Superintendent Tim Locklair. According to Locklair, the budget focuses on three “key narratives”: Estimating the impact of fixed cost increases, potential expansion items advocated by the board — namely unfreezing the Curriculum Specialist position — and moderating the local budget’s impact on fund balance by reinvesting va-

cancy savings, finding budget efficiencies and conservatively projecting revenues.

“This recommended budget reflects the vision, mission and core beliefs and strategic goals of our district,” Locklair said. “All money that is appropriated to our budget goes to supporting that work in driving and supporting our students to be successful. It focuses on taking care of our people so they can take care of our students.”

The proposed preliminary budget is just under $166 million with a projected county allotment of just over $40 million and a state allotment of just over $101 million.

In total, the increase in local funding request is approximately $1.15 million more from the prior year, or around a 3% increase.

“There is still a key unknown here,” Locklair said. “Based on the timeline of when you approve your budget as a board, you approve that ahead of the

“This recommended budget reflects the vision, mission and core beliefs and strategic goals of our district.”

Superintendent Tim Locklair

local funding and also ahead of the state funding, so there are still some unknowns there in exactly where the budget will be.”

The budget is set to be presented before the county commissioners on May 6. Following that, the commissioners will be presented with the proposed county budget on May 20, with a final vote scheduled for June 19.

The board approved a $160,000 purchase for K-5 core instruction literacy materials.

The items, which will be utilized with the district’s Literacy Intervention Plan, include 95

Percent Core Phonics Program K-3 and Curriculum Associates – NC Ready Book Grade 2 and Magnetic Readers Grades 3-5.

“I just want to point out to the public that we got to get our hands on these and got to see some good writing instruction,” said board member Steve Johnson. “There’ve been some questions to the board as far as writing instruction in the county, so there are some good on-standard writing prompts. It’s really good to have a good, structured and transparent approach for parents to know how we’re teaching.”

“The pendulum has swung back,” said board member David Hensley. “I think academia had swung too far with handouts and unstructured instruction, and now we’ve got workbooks, our students are writing and parents can thumb through the workbooks and see what their children are doing.”

The Moore County Schools Board of Education will next meet May 12.

HAL NUNN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

U.S. Navy Honor Guard members stand last Thursday at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery during the interment service for Neil Daniel Frye.

“Join the conversation”

North State Journal

(USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Neal Robbins, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local News Editor

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Ryan Henkel, Reporter

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

BUSINESS

David Guy, Advertising Manager

Published

Raleigh, NC 27607

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Periodicals

POSTMASTER:

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

April 1

• Eric Lamont Barnes, 27, was arrested by Moore County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for communicating threats of mass violence on educational property.

April 2

• Brittany Lynn Barber, 37, was arrested by MCSO for possessing methamphetamine.

• Gregory Elgin Needham, 59, was arrested by MCSO for trafficking opium or heroin.

• Esmeralda Bernal Sanchez, 36, was arrested by MCSO for trafficking methamphetamine.

April 3

• Jessica Nicole Ermis, 34, was arrested by MCSO for driving while impaired.

• James Odell Upchurch, 51, was arrested by MCSO for possessing with intent to sell or deliver MDMA (ecstasy).

• Lester Marcellas Whitted, 45, was arrested by MCSO for trafficking opium or heroin.

April 4

• Armin Aguilar, 32, was arrested by MCSO for driving while impaired.

• Victor Hugo Cejudo-Perhealth, 21, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for breaking into a motor vehicle.

• James Gregory King, 50, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for attempting second-degree forcible rape.

April 5

• Christopher Tracy Smith, 36, was arrested by MCSO for misdemeanor domestic violence crime.

• Brett Aaron Waremberg, 34, was arrested by MCSO for habitual impaired driving.

April 6

• Brian Richard Kelledy, 57, was arrested by MCSO for misdemeanor stalking.

• Colton Richard Leggett, 35, was arrested by MCSO for possessing methamphetamine.

• Moises NMN Palacios, 20, was arrested by Vass PD for taking indecent liberties with a child.

• Maria Shonte Thomas, 38, was arrested by SPPD for misdemeanor domestic violence crime.

April 7

• Joseph Lee Barber, 58, was arrested by MCSO for trafficking opioids by transport.

THURSDAY APRIL 10

FRIDAY APRIL 11

SATURDAY APRIL 12

A day on Uranus just got 28 seconds longer

The data comes from Hubble telescope observations

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

— A day at Uranus just got a little longer.

Scientists reported Monday that observations by the Hubble Space Telescope have

SAILOR from page A1

identification brings a measure of closure to decades of uncertainty. McCrimmon still lives on the family’s original homestead.

“Most families cannot believe their loved ones were recovered after so many years,” explained Capt. Jeff Draude, director of the Navy Casualty Office, in a press release. “Being able to recover and identify the remains of sailors aids in closure for the families.”

The funeral service was held last Thursday at Fryes Chapel, a church with deep family connections, in Vass. Frye’s grandfather donated the

CO2 from page A1

date. Now they’re criticizing the bill passed by the Senate in March as stalling climate action and benefiting Duke Energy financially. The 2021 law also lets the utility seek multiyear rate increases and performance-based incentives.

“Duke Energy agreed four years ago to carbon-reduction goals in exchange for an easier path to rate increases. It’s taken full advantage of the smoother rate-setting process, but now wants to renege on its end of the deal,” North Carolina Sierra Club director Chris Herndon said.

Last fall, the state Utilities Commission, which regulates rates and services for public utilities, accepted that it was “no longer reasonable or executable” for Duke Energy to seek the 70% reduction by 2030, pushing that deadline back by at least four years. Eliminating the interim standard likely would mean scaling back or delaying solar and wind energy production now and relying more on natural gas over the next decade, according to modeling from Duke Energy and a state agency that represents consumers before the Utilities Commission.

SUNDAY APRIL 13

confirmed it takes Uranus 17 hours, 14 minutes and 52 seconds to complete a full rotation. That’s 28 seconds longer than estimates by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft in the 1980s.

A French-led team studied a decade’s worth of aurora observations at the ice giant to track its magnetic poles. That long-term tracking provided a more precise rotation period for Uranus, the seventh

land for the church and served as its first pastor for 29 years. Following the service, interment took place at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

The Navy provided full funeral honors, including a rifle salute, burial team and the playing of Taps. Local veterans’ organizations, including the VFW, DAV and American Legion, plan to coordinate additional recognition in the coming months.

Frye was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star posthumously.

“The interim goal is not allowing our commission to make least-cost decisions, because the interim goal is driving fast, expensive behavior selecting generation types,” said outgoing Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus), a retired Duke Energy executive and bill sponsor. The bill also would open the door to the long-term construction of a large nuclear power plant, Newton added.

Senate Republicans cite the models to estimate that removing the interim goal would reduce by at least $13 billion what Duke Energy would have to spend — and pass on to customers — in the next 25 years. Democrats voting against the measure questioned the $13 billion figure and supported an interim goal.

“Not having any target, even an aspirational target, could mean that we don’t stay on track to get to our 2050 goal,” Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) said.

The bill, now in the House, also would allow Duke Energy to seek higher electric rates to cover incremental construction costs of a nuclear or gas-powered plant, rather than wait until the project’s end. Newton said the option would avoid one massive rate increase at

planet from the sun. From that distance, it takes about 84 Earth years for Uranus to orbit the sun.

“The continuous observations from Hubble were crucial,” lead author Laurent Lamy of the Paris Observatory said in a statement.

Lamy and his international team said this new approach can help pinpoint the rotation of any world with auroras and a magnetosphere.

Published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the findings come a few weeks before the 35th anniversary of Hubble’s launch. NASA’s space shuttle Discovery delivered the space telescope to orbit on April 24, 1990.

Historical records show Frye served in the Messman Branch, a racially segregated part of the Navy almost exclusively composed of African Americans and foreign nationals responsible for feeding and serving officers. His brother, Russell Frye, also served in the Navy as an Officer’s Steward 3rd Class at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, during the attack. His return represents a rare measure of closure for families of the 2,403 Americans killed at Pearl Harbor, and especially for the USS West Virginia, which lost 105 crew members in the attack that propelled America into World War II.

the project’s conclusion, reining in customer costs. Critics say it would boost Duke Energy’s profits on expensive projects even if never completed.

In supporting the bill, Duke Energy said the “legislation allows modern, efficient and always-on generation to be deployed faster and cheaper” and pointed to the commission’s order last fall. While the North Carolina Chamber backs the bill, some companies oppose it.

Any approved final bill would head to Cooper’s successor, Gov. Josh Stein. The Democrat contends the bill would hurt electricity users and threaten the state’s clean-energy economy.

“We should be looking for solutions that create jobs and lower costs for hardworking North Carolinians, not increasing their financial burden,” Stein spokesperson Morgan Hopkins said.

While Democrats have enough legislative seats to uphold Stein’s vetoes if they remain united, Duke Energy often finds allies in both parties. Three Democrats voted for the Senate bill with Republicans.

Uncertainty over the bill’s future could grow after Newton resigned from the Senate last week to take a university job.

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

April 10

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

April

10-12

Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House & 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 about the impressive history here in Moore County. Shaw House 110 Morganton Road Southern Pines

April 11

Dailey & Vincent 8 p.m.

The performers that make up this musical duo are Grand Ole Opry Members, fivetime Grammy Award winners individually and three-time Grammy Award nominees collectively. Tickets are $43-$68. Call 336-524-6822 for more information.

Liberty Showcase Theater 101 South Fayetteville St. Liberty

April 19

The Clenny Creek Heritage Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

An annual rite of spring showcasing the 1820s furnished Bryant House and 1760s Joel McLendon Cabin, the oldest dwelling on its original site in Moore County. On this special day, both houses will be open, and there will be 18th- and 19th-century crafters, live music and food. There will also be “camps” of both the American Revolution and the Civil War with reenactors, demonstrations of old-time activities such as quilting, weaving, cooking, woodworking and living history. Parking is in a sand field behind the houses with golf cart transportation provided as needed.

3361 Mount Carmel Road Carthage

THE CONVERSATION

VISUAL VOICES

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Ensuring you are connected and your rights are protected

Gun-grabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases.

AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, I am committed to defending your constitutional rights and advancing policies that benefit your family, small business and community.

Ensuring your Second Amendment freedoms are protected is one of my top priorities. I have proudly championed H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, not just in this Congress but every Congress since being elected. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would provide nationwide concealed carry reciprocity, so each state’s concealed carry license is valid in every other state.

Currently, there is a confusing hodgepodge of laws surrounding stateissued concealed carry licenses that vary from state to state. Some states have stricter laws that can make unknowing criminals out of lawful license holders for a simple mistake, like a wrong traffic turn, when carrying a handgun.

H.R. 38 would protect law-abiding citizens’ rights to conceal carry and travel freely. Your Second Amendment rights do not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my legislation guarantees it.

The House Judiciary Committee, led by

Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), recently voted for my H.R. 38 to move forward and get a full vote on the House floor. This effort brings us one step closer to getting my legislation passed through Congress and signed into law, and I will keep working with President Donald Trump and my colleagues until we get the job done.

I also recently introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act to ensure law-abiding gun owners can exercise their right to keep and bear arms without fear of being financially penalized. For years, gungrabbing politicians in states, like California, have implemented an excessive excise tax on firearms and ammunition purchases. This unconstitutional and unfair burden is nothing but a scheme to price Americans out of their right to keep and bear arms, and my legislation will put a stop to it.

Another one of my top priorities for folks in our region and communities across the country is to bridge the digital divide. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I am focused on advancing commonsense policies that will deliver much-needed results.

SNAP shouldn’t subsidize Slurpees

Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

EVEN CHICKEN LITTLE would be exhausted trying to keep up with what Democrats claim President Donald Trump wants to do.

Just look at the news. On Tuesday, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said that Republican cuts to SNAP “are the difference between life and death for the many in the communities that we serve.” SNAP is the rebranded food stamps program.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has accused Republicans of setting “in motion the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Trump’s work to dismantle the Department of Education “is a direct attack on America’s students, teachers and families.”

To understand why this is fearmongering, consider a recent trip I made to 7-Eleven. My wife and I wanted to buy our kids Slurpees after baseball practice. (Shhh ... don’t tell Robert Kennedy Jr.)

In between my frantic efforts to keep my kids from overfilling their cups, I noticed a sticker on the machine.

“All Slurpee cups are EBT eligible,” it read.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s how people spend their SNAP benefits at stores. There was a similar sign on the soda machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website confirms that the signs are accurate.

Taxpayers are subsidizing Slurpees and sodas.

This is wasteful. Food stamps are supposed to help low-income individuals ward off hunger, not satiate their sweet tooth. But imagine the left’s reaction if you proposed making junk food ineligible for food stamps.

They’d claim that you wanted to cut benefits from the poor. That you wanted to cut the program. That you wanted to stigmatize poor people.

This isn’t speculation. House Republicans are currently pushing a bill to do just that, and those are some of the attacks they’re facing.

Those attacks may have a grain of truth, but they’re deeply misleading. If Republicans pass a ban on SNAP paying for junk food, hunger won’t increase one bit. The biggest impact may be a reduction in diabetes, which low-income Americans are more likely to develop. That could save the Medicaid program money, but then Democrats would likely claim Republicans are cutting the program.

Once you see this pattern, Democrats’ alarmism is hard to take seriously.

The Department of Education has been around for decades. Aside from some bright spots with charter schools, public education is generally terrible. Just because the name says “education” doesn’t mean the department is doing much to improve how kids learn.

Now, if I haven’t convinced you, I

Right now, too many families, farmers and small businesses don’t have access to broadband. While the Biden administration implemented a broadband deployment program, “BEAD,” it was riddled with burdensome, unnecessary requirements that hindered deployment. In fact, not a penny of the program’s federal funding has been put toward actual deployment for even one household.

This is unacceptable. That’s why, as chairman, I recently led members of my subcommittee in introducing legislation to ensure timely and accessible broadband deployment by cutting red tape and streamlining regulations.

Our rural communities need to be fully connected, and my legislation will help do that.

Whether it is safeguarding your Second Amendment rights or ensuring reliable broadband access, I will continue fighting for policies that protect your freedoms and improve everyday lives.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

challenge you to do this: Open the calendar app on your phone. Create an appointment for July 15, 2026. In the notes section, write down three things you think will happen as the result of Republican actions. Some examples: Republicans will cut SNAP benefits and 100,000 people will die of starvation. Trump will cut Medicaid and people will have worse health outcomes, including 50,000 more heart attack deaths. Gutting the Department of Education will reduce student achievement by five percentage points. A note: Look beyond the funding level of a certain program and consider outcomes. Government programs are supposed to be a means to an end, not just a money pit.

If you think Trump has dictatorial aspirations, set a reminder for November 2026 or 2028. Write down if you think Trump will cancel elections or run for a third term. Make sure to also write down if someone has made this claim.

When that date comes, look around and see what happened. Perhaps Trump has led America into unprecedented levels of starvation, illness and ignorance. Or perhaps Democrats have staked their electoral success on scaring people like you. Either way, you won’t have to take my word for it.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Cost of GLP-1 weight loss drugs have state Medicaid searching for solutions

Wegovy and Zepbound help people to lose weight, but at a cost

By Susan Haigh and Marc Levy

The Associated Press

STATES INCREASING -

LY struggling to cover the rising cost of popular GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound are searching for ways to get out from under the budgetary squeeze that took them by surprise.

One solution some policymakers may try is restricting the number of people on Medicaid who can use the pricey diabetes drugs for weight-loss purposes.

Pennsylvania’s Medicaid coverage of the drugs is expected to cost $1.3 billion in 2025 — up from a fraction of that several years ago — and is contributing to projections of a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. The state is thinking about requiring Medicaid patients who want to use GLP-1s for weight loss to meet a certain number on the body-mass index or try diet and exercise programs or less expensive medications first.

“It is a medication that’s gotten a lot of hype and a lot of press, and has become very popular in its use and it is wildly expensive,” Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s human services secretary, told a state House hearing in March.

At least 14 states already cover the cost of GLP-1 medications for

obesity treatment for patients on Medicaid, the federal health care program for people with low incomes. Democrats and Republicans in at least a half-dozen other states floated bills this year to require the same coverage, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.

Some bills have stalled while others remain alive, including a proposal in Arkansas requiring GLP-1s to be covered under Medicaid when prescribed specifically for weight loss. Iowa lawmakers are thinking about ordering a cost-benefit analysis before making the commitment. Already, West Virginia and North Carolina ended programs in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

“It is very expensive,” said Jeffrey Beckham, the state budget director in Connecticut, where Medicaid coverage of the drugs for weight loss may be scrapped entirely. “Other states are coming to that conclusion, as well as some private carriers.”

Overall Medicaid spending on GLP-1 drugs — before partial rebates from drug manufacturers — jumped from $577.3 million in 2019 to $3.9 billion in 2023, according to a November report from KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. The number of prescriptions for the drugs increased by more than 400% during that same time period. The average annual cost per patient for a GLP-1 drug is $12,000, accord-

North Carolina ended a program in 2024 that provided coverage for state employees, citing cost concerns.

ing to a Peterson-KFF tracker.

About half of Americans “strongly” or “somewhat” favor having Medicare and Medicaid cover weight-loss drugs for people who have obesity, a recent APNORC poll showed, with about 2 in 10 opposed the idea and about one-quarter with a neutral view.

But Medicare does not cover GLP-1s, and the Trump administration said Friday that wouldn’t put into place a proposed rule by presidential predecessor Joe Biden to cover the medications under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug coverage. Biden’s proposal was expensive: It would have included coverage for all state- and federally funded Medicaid programs, costing taxpayers as much as $35 billion over next decade.

States that do provide coverage have tried to manage costs by putting prescribing limits on the GLP-1s. There’s also some evidence that if Medicaid patients lose weight with the drugs, they’ll be healthier and less expensive to cover, said Tracy Zvenyach of Obesity Action, an advocacy group that urges states to provide coverage.

Zvenyach also stressed how it’s unclear whether patients will need to regularly take these drugs for the rest of their lives — a key cost concern raised by public officials. “Someone may have to be on treatment for over the course of their lifetime,” she said. “But we don’t know exactly what that regimen would look like.”

About 40% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can cause hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which lead to greater risks of things like stroke and heart attacks.

Dr. Adam Raphael Rom, a physician at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, a network of health centers in the city, said most of his patients who take GLP-1s are covered by Medicaid and some are nondiabetics who use it for weight loss.

“I had one patient tell me that it’s like, changed her relationship to food,” Rom said. “I’ve had patients lose like 20, 40, 60 pounds.”

But obesity experts have told The Associated Press that as many as 1 in 5 people may not lose the amount of weight that others have seen come off. And in a recent survey of state Medicaid directors conducted by KFF, a health policy research organization, they said cost and potential side effects are among their concerns.

The debate over coverage coincides with rising Medicaid budgets and the prospect of los-

ing federal funding — with congressional Republicans considering siphoning as much as $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.

Connecticut is facing a $290 million Medicaid account deficit, and Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont proposed doing away with a 2023 requirement that Medicaid cover GLP-1s for severe obesity, though the state has never fully abided by the law due to the cost.

Starting June 14, though, state Medicaid patients will be required to have a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis to get the drugs covered. Lamont also is pushing for the state to cover two less expensive oral medications approved by the FDA for weight loss, as well as nutrition counseling.

Sarah Makowicki, 42, tried the other medications and said she suffered serious side effects. The graduate student and statehouse intern is working on a bill that would restore the full GLP-1 coverage for her and others.

Sara Lamontagne, a transgender woman with a disability who is on Medicaid, said she regained weight when her coverage for GLP-1 medication was cut off in the past. She said she went from 260 pounds to over 300, heavier than she had ever been.

“So, it’s a horrible game to be played, to be going back and and forth,” said Lamontagne, whose attempts to appeal the state’s recent denial of her Ozempic prescription refill have been unsuccessful.

Makowicki said GLP-1 drugs combined with weight-loss surgery helped her change her life: She’s had knee-replacement surgery and lost over 200 pounds.

“I am a different person from what I was five years ago,” Makowicki said. “Not only in my physical space, but also mentally.”

They have white hair and muscular jaws

By Christina Larson

The Associated Press

THREE GENETICALLY engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species. The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.

Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years old, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today.

Independent scientists said

this latest effort doesn’t mean dire wolves are coming back to North American grasslands any time soon.

“All you can do now is make something look superficially like something else” — not fully revive extinct species, said Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who was not involved in the research.

Colossal scientists learned about specific traits that dire wolves possessed by examining ancient DNA from fossils. The researchers studied a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth unearthed in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull fragment found in Idaho, both part of natural history museum collections.

Then the scientists took blood cells from a living gray wolf and used CRISPR to genetically modify them in 20 different sites, said Colossal’s chief scientist Beth Shapiro. They transferred that genetic material to an egg cell from a domes-

tic dog. When ready, embryos were transferred to surrogates, also domestic dogs, and 62 days later the genetically engineered pups were born.

Colossal has previously announced similar projects to genetically alter cells from living species to create animals resembling extinct woolly mammoths, dodos and others.

Though the pups may physically resemble young dire wolves, “what they will probably never learn is the finishing move of how to kill a giant elk or a big deer,” because they won’t have opportunities to watch and learn from wild dire wolf parents, said Colossal’s chief animal care expert, Matt James.

Colossal also reported today that it had cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves of the southeastern U.S.’s critically endangered red wolf population. The aim is to bring more genetic diversity into the small population of

Romulus and Remus are 3 months old and genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf.

captive red wolves, which scientists are using to breed and help save the species. This technology may have broader application for conservation of other species because it’s less invasive than other techniques to clone animals, said Christopher Preston, a wildlife expert at the University of Montana who was not involved in the research. But it still requires a wild wolf to be sedated for a blood draw and that’s no simple feat, he added.

Colossal CEO Ben Lamm

said the team met with officials from the U.S. Interior Department in late March about the project. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised the work on X on Monday as a “thrilling new era of scientific wonder” even as outside scientists said there are limitations to restoring the past.

“Whatever ecological function the dire wolf performed before it went extinct, it can’t perform those functions” on today’s existing landscapes, said Buffalo’s Lynch.

MOORE SPORTS

SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP

Strong girls’ soccer seasons for all three county schools

North State Journal staff

ALL THREE OF the county’s girls’ soccer teams are off to strong starts this season. Entering the week, North Moore, Pinecrest and Union Pines are a combined 28-8-2 on the season, 17-2-1 in their respective conferences, and one of those two conference losses came when Pinecrest fell to Union Pines. So the girls in the county have lost just one in 18 conference games against outsiders.

Here’s a look at each of the three teams.

Union Pines

The Vikings take the top spot in Moore County’s girls’ soccer power rankings. Union Pines is 11-3-1 on the season, and a perfect 8-0 in the Sandhills Conference.

Union Pines enters the week on a four-match winning streak and has outscored opponents 24-3 over that stretch. The Vikings have not allowed a goal since March 25 and have 17 of their own since the last one they allowed.

Last week, Union Pines hammered Scotland, 13-0. Senior Taryn Pekala had four goals, while senior Grace Queen scored two and assisted on three. Senior Brooke Going also had three assists to go with her goal. Other goal scorers in the game were Emily Solomon, Allison Webb, Reece Post, McKynlie Roett, Jaleesa Eichel and Briana St. Louis. Goaltenders Aubrey Tortora and Hope Wortham combined on the shutout.

This week, the Vikings have a pair of road games, at Richmond in a Sandhills Conference tilt and at Terry Sanford in a nonconference match.

Pinecrest

At 11-4-1, Pinecrest is close to

28-8-2

Combined records for North Moore, Pinecrest and Union Pines girls’ soccer entering the week

matching last season’s win total of 13 and could hit that milestone this week. Pinecrest is also 6-1-1 in Sandhills games, good for second in the conference.

The Patriots have won just one of their last four matches, however. A 4-1 overtime loss to Sandhills Conference leader Union Pines was the first of back-toback losses. Pinecrest also fell to Myers Park, 3-1. Last week, Pinecrest stopped the bleeding with a 2-0 home conference win over Richmond, then tied Southern Lee on the road, 2-2.

Junior Jadyn Lamielle had both goals against Southern Lee, while senior Ana Depenbrock

scored both of the goals against Richmond.

Pinecrest will look to get back on a winning streak with two conference games this week — at Lee County and home against Scotland.

North Moore

The Mustangs win the Most Improved award for the early season. North Moore is 6-1 and has already bettered last season, when the Mustangs went 5-11-2, and has exceeded the win total of four of its last five seasons. The Mustangs are also 3-1 in the Mid-Carolina Conference, good for third place. Last week, North Moore hammered Graham 9-0 then suffered its first loss of the year in a 7-0 home game against Southern Alamance.

The Mustangs will try to shake off the defeat with a road conference game at Northwood, followed by a nonconference home match against Eastern Randolph.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Taryn Pekala

Union Pines, girls’ soccer

Taryn Pekala is a senior striker/midfielder on the Union Pines girls’ soccer team. She has also golfed and played basketball for the Vikings.

The Vikings blew out Scotland last week, and Pekala led the way, scoring four goals against the Scots and needing just four shots on goal to do it. She also had a goal and an assist in an overtime win over Pinecrest two weeks ago that put Union Pines alone atop the Sandhills Conference standings.

For the year, Pekala leads the team in goals per game and is tied for the lead in assists.

Hamlin holds off Byron to win at Darlington

It’s the second straight win for the Joe Gibbs Racing Group driver

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin did his job so his pit crew could do its most stellar stop at the perfect time.

Hamlin came into the pits after a final caution in third place and told himself to hit every mark, then let his guys take over. And that’s what the Joe Gibbs Racing group did, pulling off a perfect winning moment that sent Hamlin out with the lead. He took over on the final restart and held off William Byron to win the Goodyear 400 on Sunday.

It was Hamlin’s 56th career Cup Series win, his fifth at Darlington Raceway and second straight this season.

“When you think about 56 wins, that’s a huge deal,” said Gibbs, Hamlin’s longtime car owner.

Hamlin said he hung on throughout as Byron and others looked like they might pull out victory. Instead, Hamlin waited out his time and then pounced as he broke away during the green-white-checkered finish.

“I can still do it, I can do it at a high level and look forward to winning a lot of races this year,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin won for a second straight week after his success at Martinsville.

Hamlin chose the outside lane for a final restart and shot out to

the lead and pulled away from series points leader Byron and Cup Series wins leader Christopher Bell.

Hamlin looked like he’d have a strong finish but not a winning one as Ryan Blaney passed Tyler Reddick for the lead with three laps left. But moments later, Kyle Larson spun out, forcing a final caution and the extra laps.

It was then time for Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew to shine as it got him out quickly and in the lead.

Byron, who led the first 243 laps, was second with Hamlin’s JGR teammate Bell in third.

“There are two people I really love right now, my pit crew and Kyle Larson,” Hamlin said to a round of boos from those in the stands.

Reddick was fourth and

“I can still do it, I can do it at a high level and look forward to winning a lot of races this year.”

Denny Hamlin

Blaney was fifth. The rest of the top-10 finishers were Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs and Kyle Busch.

Hamlin credited the past two victories to his pit crew.

“The pit crew just did an amazing job,” he said. “They won it last week, they won it this week. It’s all about them.”

Blaney had thought he was clear to his first career Darlington victory after getting by Red-

dick late. When he saw the caution flag for Larson’s spin, he said he thought, “Oh, no! I thought we had the race won.”

So did Byron, who sought was to become the first Cup driver in nearly 25 years to lead every lap on the way to victory. He got shuffled down the standings during the last round of green-flag pit stops and could not recover.

“It was looking like it was going to be a perfect race and we were going to lead every lap,” he said.

But once “we lost control, it was too late to get back up there,” Byron said.

Bad day

Kyle Larson, who won the Southern 500 here in 2023, had high hopes for a second Darlington win. But he slid into the inside wall coming off the second turn on lap three. Larson finished next to last in 37th.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Pinecrest freshman Jane Dare Trumbo’s kick was a bit off the mark, but the Patriots still recorded the win over Richmond.

obituaries

Cynthia Joan McIver (Peters)

Aug. 21, 1941 – April 1, 2025

Cynthia Joan McIver (Peters), age 83, of Pinehurst, NC, passed away at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital on April 1, 2025, following an extended illness. Cynthia was born in Portland, Maine August 21, 1941, to Christopher K. and Evelyn A. Peters (Mina). Cynthia grew up in Maine and graduated from Westbrook High School. She then attended Colby College, where she received her bachelor’s degree. She completed advanced degrees at Harvard University and was a Fulbright scholar in Germany (University of Mainz) and Austria (University of Vienna). She spent her entire career as a foreign language educator (German) with the Fairfax County School System in Northern Virginia where she was loved and respected by her students. She and her husband both retired to Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Cynthia and her husband, Roderick, were married on July 17, 1969, in Vienna, Austria. Cynthia was a world traveler, spending much time in Europe. She and her husband also enjoyed many cruises throughout the world. She also enjoyed gardening, reading and hosting gatherings with her family and friends. Volunteer work was one of her passions, recently devoting much of her time at the Clara McLean House in Pinehurst.

Cynthia leaves behind her loving and devoted husband, Roderick W. McIver, originally from Cheraw, South Carolina; nephew Bryan C. Peters and his wife Bridget of Metairie, Louisiana; aunts in Maine and New Hampshire; and numerous relatives in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Florida and California.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents, Christopher and Evelyn Peters of Westbrook and Bangor, Maine; brother Koster K. Peters of Bangor, Maine and Tennessee; brother William C. of Westbrook, Maine; and sister Sandra P. Hawkes of Bar Harbor, Maine.

At the deceased’s request, her remains were cremated and interned at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a place that was close to Cynthia’s heart, The Clara McLean House, care of the Foundation of FirstHealth at P.O. Box 3000, Pinehurst, NC 28374.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Pinehurst.

Adley Walton Hemphill

Dec.19, 1925 – April 2, 2025

Adley Walton Hemphill passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst after a brief illness, surrounded by his wife and son. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania December 19, 1925, to Mary Ella Walton Hemphill and Adley Wheeler Hemphill. He graduated from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh and went on to graduate from Grove City College where he achieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and later was recognized as an Outstanding Alumni at Grove City. He also received his master’s in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh and completed postgraduate doctorial work at Purdue University.

After completing his education, he married Grace Denman and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. He began his 37-year career with Davison Chemical Company, which was later purchased by WR Grace. Upon retirement, he had achieved the positions of President of Davison Chemical and Senior Vice President of WR Grace. It was during his 35 years in Baltimore that he and his wife raised three sons in Catonsville, MD, before his retirement.

Adley retired in 1987 and moved to Pinehurst, where he embraced all that the Sandhills has to offer. In his retirement, he developed a passion for gardening and loved to share the fruits of his labors. He also spent many enjoyable hours in his shop, woodworking, where he delighted in making things for others.

Adley and his first wife, Grace, were married for 41 years until she passed away in 1992. Adley married Sara Little in 1994, with whom he shared 30 years of marriage. He is survived by three sons, Adley (Peggy) Hemphill of Saint Louis, MO, John (Yvonne) Hemphill of Savannah, GA, and David (Lisa) Hemphill of Alton, Illinois. In addition, he had three stepchildren: Mary Michele Nidiffer (Jim) of Raleigh, NC, Kenneth Little of Pinehurst, and Kristen (Steve) Groner of Pinehurst. In addition to eleven grandchildren, he had one great-grandchild named Adley. He was predeceased by his brother, John Boyd Hemphill.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Southern Pines First Baptist Church, 200 East New York Avenue, Southern Pines, NC, 28387, at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to consider a donation to Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care, 1500 West Indiana Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387, or Family Promise of Moore County, 400 Saunders Blvd., Aberdeen, NC 28315. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Donald Paul Torppa

Jan. 28, 1937 –March 29, 2025

Donald Paul Torppa of Pinehurst, NC, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025. He was 88 years old, born on January 28, 1937, in Concord, Massachusetts.

Don graduated from Maynard High School in Maynard, Massachusetts, where he was an accomplished athlete lettering in baseball, football, and basketball and was admitted to the Maynard High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a highly accomplished golfer, ultimately receiving multiple college golf scholarship offers in addition to winning many golf tournaments. Don received a degree in accounting from Bentley College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Don was highly successful in his professional career, working for many years as an accountant at Burlington Industries. He was also invited by the then Governor of North Carolina to serve as the financial manager of the state prison system. He later moved to Charlotte and developed a business in corporate real estate. Don was a modern-day Renaissance man. He was an outstanding golfer throughout his life while also demonstrating a deep appreciation for the arts and community service. He loved multiple types of music and musical performances and was an accomplished painter and wood carver. He became a nationally and internationally recognized Bonsai horticulturist and judge. He was also well known for his horticultural skills with roses and camellias and served in many leadership roles, including multiple presidencies for the horticultural societies associated with his specializations.

Don was honored by the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine for service under Governor James E. Holshouser Jr. Don was active throughout his life in his local church and was a current member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Tauno and Josephine (Novicki) Torppa, his half sister, Joan Torppa ( Sterndale) and his first wife, Barbara (Canter) Torppa. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Fitzgerald, daughter Sharon (Mike) Sakash, son Marc Torppa, grandchildren Noah (Millie) Blalock and Adam Blalock, great-grandchildren Brody and Sawyer Blalock), and brother Alan (Cynthia) Torppa.

A private service will be held with his immediate family at his home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/ Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Jane Miriam Gehl

June 19, 1935 –March 31, 2025

Jane Miriam Gehl (nee Marvin), age 89, of Southern Pines, NC (formerly of Corning, NY), passed peacefully at home into eternal life on March 31, 2025.

Jane is survived by her beloved husband of 72 years, Jim. She was a loving mother to Rick Gehl (Becky), Roxanne Galvin (Tom), Ronda Hawkins (Al) and Rachelle Ingram (Jim). She was a devoted grandmother to Kathryn Galvin McMahon, Kevin Galvin, Brian Galvin, Jimmy Gehl, Rusty Johnson, Tiffany Johnson, Sierra Hawkins Atherton, Drew Ingram and Spencer Ingram. Jane was honored to be a great-grandmother to Bridget, Brendan, Colin, Molly, Christian, Dylan, Luciana, Emilia, Wes, Maisie, Rory, Olive, Willow, Maple, McKenzie, Ruby, Archer, Haywood, Denver and Dawson. She was preceded in death by her brothers Jerald Marvin, Justin Marvin, and Jack Marvin, and her sisters Joyce Lewis, Joan Cuda, and Janice Sample. She will be remembered for her love of family, unwavering trust in God, and peaceful contentment with her life.

An exceptional homemaker, Jane was renowned for her meticulous housekeeping and seasonal decorating, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere year-round. Nothing brought her more joy than having her family gathered together, sharing stories and laughter while enjoying her lovingly prepared, soul-satisfying meals. She embodied the true essence of hospitality.

Born in Corning to the late Cecil and Laura Marvin, Jane spent much of her early life in Corning, NY, where she earned an associate in applied science degree with distinction from Corning Community College. She dedicated many years to working as a registered nurse at Corning Hospital, as an office nurse for Dr. O’Neil, and as a school nurse in Addison, NY.

In 2011, Jane and her husband, Jim, settled in Southern Pines, NC, after enjoying their early retirement years between Waneta Lake in upstate NY-where they cherished the annual July 4th gathering with family-and Fruitland Park, FL.

Funeral arrangements and transfer are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, NC.

Jane’s final services, including Mass and burial, will be held at Saint Mary’s RC Church and Cemetery in Corning, NY, with arrangements provided by Haughey Funeral Home, 216 E. First Street, Corning, NY 14830. The date and time will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charity of your choosing in her memory.

Frances Antionette Soboeiro

Feb. 7, 1942 – April 3, 2025

Frances Antionette Soboeiro, 83, of Pinehurst, died on April 3, 2025, at the First Health Hospice House after a brief illness.

She was born in Bridgeport, CT, on February 7, 1942, and lived in the city for 59 years until moving to Pinehurst in 2001. She attended Bridgeport Central High School and Southern Connecticut State College, graduating with a degree in Fine Art. She taught art in the Bridgeport Public Schools and later owned a fabric store and worked as a librarian. She was an accomplished artist, an excellent cook, a talented seamstress, and a loving mother and grandmother. She took immense pride in her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed the second part of her life in Pinehurst, participating at the Artists League, exercising at the First Health Fitness Center, and helping to raise her accomplished grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, John, in 2000.

She is survived by her son Michael and his wife Elizabeth of Raleigh, NC; her son John of Arlington, VA; and her grandchildren Andrew Soboeiro and wife Wendy Lu of Brooklyn, NY, and Suzanne Soboeiro Newman and husband Kyle Newman of Atlanta, GA.

A memorial service will take place at First Health Hospice House Chapel, 251 Campground Rd. West End, NC on Friday, April 11, at 4 p.m.

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Matthew William Player

Feb. 7, 1942 – April 2, 2025

Matthew William Player, age 39, of Vass, NC, passed away on April 2, 2025. Matthew was born in Moore County, NC, on April 23, 1985, to Spencer Player and Tonnie Taylor Nester

Matthew is survived by his mother, Tonnie Taylor Nester (Jimmy); father, Spencer Player; son, Matthew William Player Jr.; brothers, John Spencer Player Jr. and Josh Lewis Player; paternal grandmother, Gloria Player; maternal grandfather, Michael P. Taylor; uncle, Jamie Chipps and numerous, aunts, uncles, one nephew, and cousins. Matthew was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Catherine Vitoria Taylor.

The funeral ceremony will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines, at 5 p.m. The Family will receive friends following the service.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.

Pamela Hall

Mahony

Aug. 13, 1949 –March 29, 2025

Pam passed away peacefully in her home in Southern Pines on March 29 after a three-month illness.

Her parents were Shirley Noyes Hall Lathrop and Marcus Brown Hall. She is survived by her sisters Deborah Coburn and Sara Fargo in California, two brothers-in-law, three nephews, and their families.

Pam graduated from Smith College and then received graduate degrees in communications and law.

She married Daniel Mahony and lived with him in California and Oregon.

Later, she moved to Southern Pines to help her mother with her horses and went on to build her own farm, Sterling Ridge Farm on Goodwill Road, in 2009, which was her pride and joy.

Pam loved her horses and dogs, who were often at her side. Over the years, she competed in many horse shows on several horses and was widely considered a beautiful rider who exemplified the perfect style of her discipline. Pam’s thoroughbred Valor, whom she called her “horse of a lifetime,” took her to many Amateur Owner championships on both the East and West coasts. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

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and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com

Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ star with an intense approach, dies at 65

He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014

By Mark Kennedy and Andrew Dalton

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Val Kilmer, the brooding, versatile actorwho played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

Kilmer died last Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press. Kilmer died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies. The New York Times was the first to report his death.

Kilmer, who at 17 was the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most.

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.”

His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

His movie career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside

Actor Val Kilmer arrives at an event in 2013.

Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Actor Josh Brolin, a friend of Kilmer, was among others paying tribute.

“You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” Brolin wrote on Instagram. “There’s not a lot left of those.”

Kilmer — who took part in the Method branch of Suzuki arts training — threw himself into parts. When he played Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” he filled his bed with ice for the final scene to mimic the feeling of dying from tuberculosis. To play Morrison, he wore leather pants

all the time, asked castmates and crew to only refer to him as Morrison and blasted The Doors for a year.

That intensity also gave Kilmer a reputation that he was difficult to work with — something he grudgingly agreed with later in life, while always defending himself by emphasizing art over commerce.

“In an unflinching attempt to empower directors, actors and other collaborators to honor the truth and essence of each project, an attempt to breathe Suzukian life into a myriad Hollywood moments, I had been deemed difficult and alienated the head of every major studio,” he wrote in his 2020 memoir, “I’m Your Huckleberry.”

One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom “Iceman”

Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1986’s “Top Gun” — almost didn’t happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott but initially balked. “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me,” he wrote in his memoir. He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. He would reprise the role in the film’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher’s goofy, garish “Batman Forever” (1995) with Nicole Kidman and Chris O’Donnell — before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

The New York Times’ Janet Maslin said Kilmer was “hamstrung by the straight-man aspects of the role,” while Roger Ebert deadpanned that he was a “completely acceptable” substitute for Keaton. Kilmer, who was one and done as Batman, blamed much of his performance on the suit.

“When you’re in it, you can barely move and people have to help you stand up and sit down,” Kilmer said in “Val,” in lines spoken by his son Jack, who voiced the part of his father after Kilmer’s ability to speak was impaired by cancer treatment. “You also can’t hear anything and after a while people stop talking to you, it’s very isolating. It was a struggle for me to get a performance past the suit, and it was frustrating until I realized that my role in the film was just to show up and stand where I was told to.”

In 1996, Entertainment Weekly ran a cover story about Kilmer titled “The Man Hollywood Loves to Hate.” The directors Schumacher and John Frankenheimer, who finished “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” said he was difficult. Frankenheimer said there were two things he would never do: “Climb Mount Everest and work with Val Kilmer again.”

Other artists came to his defense, like D. J. Caruso, who directed Kilmer in “The Salton Sea” and said the actor simply liked to talk out scenes and enjoyed having a director’s attention.

“Val needs to immerse himself in a character. I think what happened with directors like Frankenheimer and Schumacher is that Val would ask a lot of questions, and a guy like Schumacher would say, ‘You’re Batman! Just go do it,’” Caruso told the Times in 2002.

STATE & NATION

State Supreme Courts are increasingly becoming electoral battlegrounds

Roughly 20 states use elections to pick Supreme Court justices

By Christine Fernando and John Hanna The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — The race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court drew $100 million in campaign spending, attack ads and the attention of President Donald Trump and close ally Elon Musk.

While its spending set a record for a U.S. judicial contest, the race that ended last Tuesday was the apex of a trend building for years as state Supreme Court races across the country have gotten increasingly costly and vitriolic. The partisan tone of the Wisconsin race and the amount of money it drew from outside interest groups raise questions about whether elections are the best way to fill seats for bodies that are supposed to be nonpartisan and ultimately decide the fate of state laws and citizen ballot initiatives.

The politicized nature of the contests was illustrated starkly last Friday when a Republican-majority appellate panel in North Carolina sided with a Republican state Supreme Court challenger who is seeking to throw out thousands of ballots from last November’s election.

These races have become priorities for both major parties because state high courts have been playing pivotal roles in deciding rules around redistricting, abortion and voting rights while also settling disputes over election outcomes.

Some states shifted toward electing justices “to bring the process out into the sunlight, to disempower powerful political actors from getting themselves or allies on the bench, or to provide some level of public accountability,” said Douglas Keith, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s judiciary program. “But with these modern judicial elections, these highly politicized races are not really serving any of those goals.”

Not every state puts its Supreme Court seats up for a statewide vote. Some use appointment processes that allow candidates to avoid public campaigning and the influence of political donors. Keith said a merit-based selection process can result in Supreme Courts “that are not as predictable along political lines.”

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices, while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections. Meanwhile, nine task governors with appointing justices, two use legislative appointments, four have hybrid models and 14 use a merit selection process that often involves nonpartisan nominating commissions.

Seven states, including North Carolina, use partisan elections to select their Supreme Court justices while 14, including Wisconsin, use nonpartisan elections.

Kansas is one of the states with an appointment process, a system that has been in place for six decades and has been largely nonpartisan. Bristling at some of the court’s rulings in recent years, Republicans in the state now want to change that and move toward a system in which justices have to stand for election.

Opponents say Republicans’ goal is clear in a GOP-leaning state: remaking the court in a more conservative image.

When a vacancy on the seven-member court now occurs, applicants for the seat are screened by a nine-member commission. Five are lawyers elected by other lawyers and four are nonlawyers appointed by the governor. The commission names three finalists and the governor — currently a Democrat — chooses one.

The Republican-supermajority Legislature placed a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2026 primary election, rejecting arguments that the current sys-

tem of filling vacancies on the state Supreme Court is notable for its lack of partisan politics and promotes judicial independence.

Backers of the proposal have criticized the state’s top court for years over rulings protecting abortion rights and forcing higher spending on public schools. They argue that the court is too liberal and is out of step with voters, even though Kansas voters opted to protect abortion rights in 2022, just months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Republicans also say that in making Supreme Court candidates run for election, any politics in the process would be visible instead of “a black box.”

“It is an elitist system, and that elitist system was designed by lawyers,” Kansas’ attorney general, Republican Kris Kobach, said of the current system. “It is obviously controlled by lawyers.”

Critics of the Kansas proposal pointed to Wisconsin and the tens of millions of dollars spent on state Supreme Court races in recent years. They say that’s just what Kansas should expect to see if voters approve the change next year.

With the current system, they say a candidate’s experience and likely judicial temperament are the most important factors, rather than a candidate’s skills at campaigning, raising money or creating television ads.

“There is a reason that goes beyond giving the people a voice. There’s a political rea-

son to change the court,” Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, said of Republicans’ proposal.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said he wasn’t concerned about Wisconsin-style campaigning for high court seats if the amendment passes. He said opponents were “trying to take a one-off and make it something it’s not.”

In Oklahoma, the Republican-led Legislature for several years has considered legislation seeking to change its current appointment system for appellate court justices to having them run for election. Some Republicans have brought up the issue in Alaska in recent years, though the efforts have not advanced.

In North Carolina and Ohio, Republican-dominated legislatures in recent years have added party labels to the ballot in what many legal experts say is an attempt to benefit conservative judicial candidates and construct a court that aligned more with the legislature’s policy goals.

North Carolina has been caught up in an ongoing legal saga over a close, highly politicized state Supreme Court race.

The Republican candidate, Jefferson Griffin, has challenged more than 65,000 ballots cast in last fall’s election. Last Friday, the Republican majority on a North Carolina appellate panel sided with Griffin, who was 734 votes behind Associate Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat

who is likely to appeal. That ruling was stayed by the state Supreme Court on Monday.

Pennsylvania is bracing for a Wisconsin-style election in the fall. It’s another presidential battleground where the state Supreme Court could be called upon to decide election disputes during next year’s midterms or the 2028 presidential election. Three Democratic justices are running to retain their seats and face a yes-or-no vote for additional 10-year terms.

The recently concluded Wisconsin election offers warning signs of what may come in November in Pennsylvania when Democrats’ 5-2 majority on the court will be on the line, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown.

Spending exceeded $22 million in Pennsylvania’s 2023 Supreme Court contest.

“It would be silly not to anticipate that in this current environment in a key state like Pennsylvania,” Borick said. “It is going to be intensified.”

Making term limits longer and eliminating judicial reelections could be a useful reform because “a lot of the influence of money comes from the pressure to get reelected,” said Michael Kang, a Northwestern School of Law professor and author of “Free to Judge: The Power of Campaign Money in Judicial Elections.”

“There is no perfect system,” Kang said. “But there are things that can be done to improve.”

TODD RICHMOND / AP PHOTO

The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers are in the state Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.