North State Journal Vol. 11, Issue 13 by North State Journal

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 13 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026

NSJONLINE.COM

ALLEN G. BREED / AP PHOTO

Police in riot gear protect the State Capitol building in Raleigh on May 31, 2020.

the

Officers say Cooper evacuated during 2020 riots

BRIEF this week

Edwards faces House ethics investigation Washington, D.C. The House Ethics Committee announced last week it is investigating Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina over allegations that he created a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment. Edwards, serving his second term in the House, said he welcomed the inquiry and planned to fully cooperate with the committee. The investigation follows an Axios report stating that three sources told the publication that they witnessed conduct by Edwards, who represents North Carolina’s 11th District that includes Asheville and 15 counties, toward two female staffers in their 20s that they described as inappropriate. The sources said Edwards’ behavior crossed professional boundaries and created an uncomfortable work environment.

Board of Peace will ask UN to press Hamas to disarm Geneva The body overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza will ask the United Nations Security Council to press the Hamas militant group to disarm, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. The report by the Board of Peace, an international body set up by U.S. President Donald Trump and tasked with overseeing the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, is expected to be discussed by the Security Council on Thursday when it meets on the situation in the Middle East. Hamas, in a statement, rejected the report and said it contains “fallacies.”

The former governor and his family left the Executive Mansion and went to the Emergency Operations Center

SCiLL to be UNC’s 15th independent academic unit The program has around 1,000 students taking courses, 90 of which are pursuing minors By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced last Wednesday that its School of Civic Life and Leadership will become the university’s 15th indepen-

See SCHiLL, page A3

RALEIGH — Protesting, chanting and marching. Property damage, arson and rioting. This was the oscillating pattern in downtown Raleigh over the weekend of May 30 to June 1, 2020 following the death of George Floyd. Each night, the protests gave way to riots, with businesses and government buildings damaged and looted, public property vandalized and arson. Congressman Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain), who was House speaker at the time, livestreamed the rioting from his apartment’s balcony. Moore said the lawlessness fed on itself. “And you could watch it,” he said. “I mean, once the win-

Audit clears Randleman official of embezzlement “We hope that with the conclusion of this investigation, the public is reassured that the proper oversight now exists.” Eric Raper, Randleman city manager

$2.00

dent academic unit, effective in August. According to a press release, the move will shift the School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL) from inside the College of Arts and Sciences to its own dedicated academic home. Student interest in SCiLL has climbed sharply, with nearly 1,000 students enrolled in its courses this year, and the

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

The report also flagged the town over late financial reports By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A recent investigative report from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor found no evidence that the city of Randleman’s former finance director embezzled funds, misused a city-issued credit card or received a special payout to leave her job. The report also confirmed that Randleman, which has about 4,600 residents, is behind on its required annual financial audits for fiscal years

2024 and 2025. As a result, the city remains on the Local Government Commission’s Unit Assistance List. Key findings from the report included auditors finding no evidence that the former finance director, Elizabeth Sechriest, stole city money. When Sechriest left the job, the city paid her $59,183.96 for regular wages, insurance reimbursement and accrued vacation time after a mutual separation. The payment was not a severance to make her quit. The findings also showed no sign that Sechriest improperly used her city-issued procurement card. The report also looked at See AUDIT, page A3

dows were shattered, then they started wanting to burn things. You could hear gunshots. There were people driving cars down through there. It was like that video game Grand Theft Auto just came to life right there in real time. It was insane.” North State Journal (NSJ) has learned from former law enforcement officers who were in Raleigh helping to quell the rioting that then-Gov. Roy Cooper was evacuated from the Executive Mansion to outside the city during the unrest. The officers, including former members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), spoke to NSJ under the condition of maintaining their anonymity due to fear of reprisal for themselves, their families and fellow law enforcement. Former members of law enforcement told NSJ that sometime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on May 31, Cooper and his family were evacuated from the mansion via a side See RIOTS, page A2

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

THURSDAY

5.21.26 #542

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the word | Christ is not indifferent “He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.” Mark 6:48. Jesus always sees our toils and distresses in this world. We do not see Him — and sometimes we think that He has forgotten us; but that is never true. He never forgets us, nor is He indifferent for a moment. During the Franco-Prussian War, while a battle was in progress, stood a group of men watching the struggling armies on the plain below. In this group was the American general Philip Sheridan, who watched the mighty strife with the keen eye of a soldier. King Wilhelm I was also there; but his interest was different from Sheridan’s. His son Friedrich was in the thick of the fight — and he watched the battle with the eye of a father, as well as that of a king. Just so, Christ looks down upon our struggles in this world. He sees us straining and toiling; He beholds all our battles and strifes. He sees us in the waves and in the storm. Christ promised: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.” Isaiah 43:2. He sees us, not merely with the eye of the calm spectator — but with the eye of tenderest love. This is a great thought. If we can only get it into our hearts — it will give us wondrous courage in the hour of toil, sorrow, or struggle. Jesus knows when the battle is hard, when the night is dark, and when the temptation is more than we can bear. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. The winds were against His disciples — even though Christ sent them out to sea. We learn here, that even when we are doing the things which God has bidden us do — we may encounter great opposition and difficulty. We may even be beaten back, and find the trial too great for our strength. Many of the Lord’s disciples

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” is a painting by Rembrandt (1633) which was previously in the collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston but was stolen in 1990 and remains missing. have to make their voyage over very stormy seas — on their way to glory. For some, duty is often very hard. Indeed, a true, noble, courageous, holy life — must always exist in the face of opposition and contrary winds.

J. R. Miller was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain.

State audit leads to indictment of former Pilot Mountain town manager A Surry County grand jury found enough evidence against Michael Boaz By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The former Pilot Mountain Town Manager was indicted by a Surry County grand jury last week following a special investigative audit by the North Carolina office of the State Auditor. Michael Boaz was charged with embezzlement by public officer. He will be charged with a Class F felony, which carries a minimum prison term of one to three years with a maximum of five years. “The mission of the State Auditor’s Office is serious on behalf of the taxpayers,” State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a press release. “If OSA determines that an individual steals taxpayer dollars, our commitment is to hold those individuals personally accountable. The spending that happened under the guise of leadership in Pilot Mountain is an insult to that entire community.” Boliek said the indictment “should serve as a warning to all who would steal taxpayer money that we will hold you accountable.” “I want to thank the State Bureau of Investigation and the Conference of District Attorneys for working with our team on this matter,” added Boliek. “Our investigation remains open, and we will continue to work

RIOTS from page A1 portico entrance. The Coopers were taken to the Emergency Management Operations Center (EMOC) located outside the 440 Beltline on Gold Star Drive, just off Blue Ridge Road, about 6½ miles from the Executive Mansion. One former officer said a team was tasked with following Cooper’s motorcade to the EMOC, and, once there, the team turned

Dave Boliek, state auditor

around and went back to aid Raleigh Police. The officer also said Cooper — who is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate — “had to know what was going on” in downtown Raleigh because key leadership for various law enforcement agencies were also at the EMOC. Attempts to gain access to records of Cooper’s movements that night, such as travel logs, memos and emails related to that evacuation, have failed,

• $442 in purchases from Apple electronics. • $1,576 in DoorDash purchases spanning 34 separate transactions.

Former Pilot Mountain Town Manager Michael Boaz is facing embezzlement charges following a state audit.

“The spending that happened under the guise of leadership in Pilot Mountain is an insult to that entire community.”

with law enforcement as needed.” Boliek made similar remarks during a press conference last Monday announcing the report’s finding and the indictment. Underscoring the seriousness of the situation, State Bureau of Investigation Chief of Staff Brent Culbertson joined Boliek for the press event. When asked if others may be charged in the case, Boliek said Boaz was the right person to charge and differed from Culbertson, who said this was “just one part” of the investigation. During the press conference, Boliek noted former state auditor Beth Wood helped in a consulting role in the Pilot Mountain case. The investigative audit was conducted after the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) received allegations that the town’s purchasing credit card was being misused. The OSA looked at 793 credit card transactions totaling more than $317,000 made by Boaz between January 2022 and November 2024. Fraudulent purchases identified ranged from a few hundred dollars to more than $10,000.

which was not related to work.

COURTESY TOWN OF PILOT MOUNTAIN VIA FACEBOOK

Some of the identified charges included: • $120 in Uber transportation trips. • $146 at Mammy’s Kitchen in Bardstown, Kentucky, “while on a social (non-work related) trip with fellow Town employees as part of a Bourbon run.”

of Goldsboro in March 2024. Auditors noted town policy prohibits such purchases. • $276 online purchase of gun ammunition from Lucky Gunner. There was no receipt or business purpose statement.

• $221 in alcohol purchases at Church Spirits & Cocktails

• $419 charge at The Westin Seattle made during a “personal family vacation layover en route to an Alaskan cruise in June 2024”

with the NCSHP refusing to release any documentation. “If any logs had existed, we would treat them as sensitive public security information under NCGS 132-1.7 and therefore not consider those documents to be a public record,” a public information officer for the NCSHP said in an email. It is the same response NSJ received when making a similar inquiry in 2020. Additionally, NSJ sought oth-

er official records, including emails and relevant documents, from Cooper’s tenure. However, the State Archives of North Carolina claims Cooper’s papers are not yet in their possession nearly a year and a half after leaving office. The Cooper campaign did not respond to NSJ’s request for comment. A more detailed version of this story is available at tinyurl. com/NSJ-Cooper2020.

• $2,139 in food-related purchases that covered 28 transactions in Boaz’s hometown of King. • $2,300 for Visa Gift cards, $600 of which were “unable to be confirmed by OSA Investigators.” • $10,758 for 189 food-related transactions.

Additionally, the OSA found Boaz “was in possession of a stamp bearing the former Mayor’s signature” that was used to sign checks, “circumventing the need for a second signature on Town checks by someone other than the Town Manager.” The OSA made six recommendations to the town, including segregating duties related to town credit cards and making sure policies forbid individuals approving their own charges or reimbursements, as well as require proper documentation. The town should also review all credit and check transactions by Boaz to recoup personal use purchases. The OSA also recommended the Board of Commissioners provide oversight and approve all expenditures made by the town manager. Additionally, the OSA said the town should stop using signature stamps and require physical signatures from authorized officials. The special investigative report did not include a response from the Pilot Mountain government or officials. The town has just over 1,400 citizens.

“It was like that video game Grand Theft Auto just came to life right there in real time.” Congressman Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain)

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy principal named top principal Mariah Walker was announced as the winner last Friday at an awards luncheon in Cary

Mariah Walker, 2026 Wells Fargo N.C. Principal of the Year

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Mariah Walker, principal of Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy in the Wake County Public School System, has been named the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. The announcement was made Friday at an awards luncheon at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, where Walker and the eight other regional finalists were honored. Walker, who was one of nine finalists selected in March, will serve as an ambassador for the state’s roughly 2,700 principals during the 2026-27 school year. “Dr. Walker is the type of leader we need in North Carolina’s public schools,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green said in a press release. “Dr. Walker leads her staff and students by creating a culture of respect and authenticity to foster growth in every person who enters Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy,” Green said. “I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Walker to uplift the good happening across North Carolina’s public schools.” Walker succeeds Jason Johnson, principal of Orange High School in Orange County, who was named the 2025 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year. “My leadership is centered around this truth, ‘How you make room at your table determines whether your guest wants to eat,’” Walker said. “At Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy, we make room for every student by confronting inequity with courage, care and collective responsibility.” A 20-year educator who has worked at nearly every grade level, Walker previously served as principal of Hill-

AUDIT from page A1 outside accounting costs between 2022 and 2025, which showed the city paid an external accounting firm more than $154,000 for work that fell within the normal duties of the finance director. Another allegation involved mowing of noncity-owned property. Auditors could not determine whether a member of the Board of Aldermen paid Public Works employees to use city equipment to mow private property. The audit was launched after the Randolph County district attorney and members of the public raised concerns.

COURTESY NC PUBLIC SCHOOLS / FACEBOOK

Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy Principal Mariah Walker was named North Carolina’s top principal last week. burn PreK-8 Academy before taking the helm at Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy, which serves young women in grades 6-13. Under her leadership, the school has posted a 100% graduation rate for the past four years and exceeded academic growth expectations for the past two years. Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor praised Walker’s collaborative style and broad experience. “A mentor, advocate, and thought leader, she fosters collaboration among school lead-

ers and walks alongside them as they grow in their practice,” Taylor said in his recommendation. “Her broad experience gives her a grounded voice in shaping policy and strengthening systems that support both students and staff.” Walker oversaw the relocation of the school’s early college program from Saint Augustine’s University to Wake Technical Community College and then to its current site at Shaw University. She has also focused on involving families in the school’s work to develop students as leaders.

The state auditor’s report recommended that Randleman submit future financial audits on time, train finance staff so the city relies less on outside consultants and avoids payroll errors, make sure board members complete required ethics training and that all employees follow city personnel policies. In response to the audit, Randleman City Manager Eric Raper said the city “supports the findings” of the report. He noted that the finance department has made major improvements since July 2025, including new policies, better internal controls and staff changes. The city has ended its contract with the outside accounting firm, hired pro-

fessional finance staff, and is working with the North Carolina League of Municipalities to finish the overdue audits and install new financial software. Raper said the changes are meant to restore public confidence. “We hope that with the conclusion of this investigation, the public is reassured that the proper oversight now exists to effectively and efficiently manage the City’s financial resources,” he wrote. The audit closes the public complaints that triggered the investigation. City officials say they welcome any future cooperation with the State Auditor’s Office.

SCHiLL from page A1 number of students declaring a SCiLL minor sits at about 90 students. Three students have already graduated with the minor. As a stand-alone unit, SCiLL will now be able to offer its own major. Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said the change will help the university prepare students for civic life. “This is an important step in strengthening Carolina’s commitment to preparing students for thoughtful engagement in civic life,” Roberts said in a press release. “By establishing SCiLL as an independent unit, we are ensuring it has the focus and support needed to continue expanding its impact.” Rob Iliffe, professor and chair in the history of science at the University of Oxford, welcomed the news. “Universities are better placed than any other institution to exemplify free enquiry, with the primary goals those of rigorous scholarship conducted in the pursuit of truth,” Iliffe

“My leadership is centered around this truth, ‘How you make room at your table determines whether your guest wants to eat.’”

GERRY BROOME / AP PHOTO

UNC Chapel Hill announced last week that its School of Civic Life and Leadership will become its own academic unit. said. “In an era presented with extraordinary new opportunities for campus life, but also one that contains serious threats to its existence, the stated mission

of the School of Civic Life and Leadership represents the best qualities of higher education generally, and of the humanities specifically.”

Juan Austin, Wells Fargo senior vice president of philanthropy and community impact, said the bank is proud to support the program and leaders like Walker. “Our longstanding commitment to North Carolina is rooted in creating opportunity, and we are honored to invest in programs that celebrate excellence in education and the leaders who make a lasting difference every day,” Austin said. Walker is a four-time graduate of NC State, holding a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees and a doctorate.

She currently serves as president of the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals. As Principal of the Year, Walker will receive a Lenovo mobile device, an engraved award, a gift from the Carolina Hunger Initiative and a custom signet ring from Jostens. She will also participate in the Truist Leadership Institute and attend the International Society for Technology in Education conference. Additionally, Walker will compete nationally for the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Distinguished Principal award. As this year’s winner, she will serve in an advisory role to the State Board of Education and on the board of the North Carolina Public School Forum. The other 2026 regional finalists recognized were: Kelly E. Flora, Nags Head Elementary School, Dare County Schools (Northeast); Marlow Artis, Craven Early College High School, Craven County Schools (Southeast); Latreicia Allen, John Griffin Middle School, Cumberland County Schools (Sandhills); Darrell A. Harris, Jr., Eastern Guilford High School, Guilford County Schools (Piedmont-Triad); LaTresha Wilson, Tuckaseegee Elementary School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (Southwest); Dustin Farmer, Ashe County High School, Ashe County Schools (Northwest); Jennifer McBrayer, CHASE Middle School, Rutherford County Schools (Western); and Deborah Brown, The Exploris School, Raleigh (Charter). North Carolina’s Principal of the Year program, which dates back to the 1980s, recognizes principals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and best practices while promoting the profession statewide.

A state audit found no evidence that Randleman’s finance director embezzled funds from the city.

COURTESY CITY OF RANDLEMAN

Student Body President Devin Duncan highlighted the value of SCiLL’s approach on campus. “Carolina should always be a place where students are encouraged to engage ideas thoughtfully, wrestle with complexity, and learn from people with different perspectives,” Duncan said. “I’ve had the unique privilege of seeing programs within SCiLL that emphasize intellectual rigor and respectful dialogue. It is those experiences that strengthen not only individual students, but our broader university community.” The press release noted that SCiLL has also expanded beyond the classroom with a civil discourse residential community, a summer civics institute for high school educators and students, and a growing public fellows program. The release also said one of SCiLL’s signature courses is now offered at 35 institutions nationwide. College officials said they will work with SCiLL over the coming months to ensure a smooth handover.

“This is an important step in strengthening Carolina’s commitment to preparing students for thoughtful engagement in civic life. Lee Roberts, UNC Chapel Hill chancellor Some controversy comes with the move, as Chapel Hill officials have withheld a 400-page independent review of SCiLL, prompting a lawsuit from media outlets demanding access to the report. The report investigated allegations around SCiLL’s founding, hiring practices and leadership by Dean Jed Atkins. The report cost $1.2 million in public funds, which is a key element in the lawsuit to force its disclosure. The UNC Faculty Council has also issued resolutions demanding the report be made public.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Mount Pleasant High School students Lyla Sanders, from left, Addy Baxter and Sophia Leonard speak at a press conference in Raleigh on May 12.

COURTESY NC VALUES

High school students call on lawmakers to ‘protect female facilities’ The conservative advocacy group NC Values is leading the campaign By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Three female Mount Pleasant High School students asked lawmakers to take up legislation to protect girls in spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms at a press conference held last week at the legislature. The three female students — Lyla Sanders, Addy Baxter and Sophia Leonard — spoke out at the “Protect Our Daughters” press conference led by the group NC Values last Tuesday. Each of the girls said they do not feel protected, citing their district allowing males into those spaces. “Many girls feel unheard and like the people who should be protecting us are not,” said

Baxter. “We went to the principal, and the way she could offer us was an alternate key to a different bathroom that took extra class time to get to. “The school board said it was discriminating against trans students to not let them go into their preferred bathroom. But I believe it’s discriminating against women to say that our safety is less than their preferences.” Another speaker, Anita Leis, an OB-GYN from Buncombe County, said school boards are ignoring Title IX. “The school boards are ignoring their desire for privacy,” Leis said. Leis has twin daughters who have experienced males entering female spaces at their public high school. “These young women are being told to ignore their discomfort and the alarm bells going off in their heads because the adults in the room have decided

“I believe it’s discriminating against women to say that our safety is less than their preferences.” Abby Baxter, Mount Pleasant High School student that they should accept the situation as normal,” Leis said. In a statement following the press conference, NC Values said they are “advocating for a statewide legislative solution that prevents biological males from entering female-only private spaces in K-12 public schools, public universities, rape crisis centers, and prisons because women and girls deserve safety, privacy, and dignity.” NC Values says 21 states plus Puerto Rico have enacted

measures to protect girls from males entering female spaces in K-12 schools, and 12 of those states have additional protection in government buildings. NC Values spokeswoman Ashley Vaughn cited an example from Cabarrus County Schools, where a female student at Cox Mill High School who encountered a biological male in the female bathroom spoke out and was subsequently threatened and bullied. Vaughn also said they were aware of a report of a sexual assault in Buncombe County High School, but the family didn’t want to come forward. The call for state lawmakers to enact measures to protect girls in female-only space comes after Congressman Addison McDowell (R-Advance) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights regarding a Title IX complaint filed by a parent of a high school student in

Cabarrus County involving the district allowing males into female restrooms and locker rooms. “The Cabarrus County School District’s decision not to protect female facilities flies in the face of this law which has been affirmed and reaffirmed at the highest levels of the federal government,” wrote McDowell. McDowell said the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine sex under Title IX was blocked legally. The Biden changes adding “gender identity” were blocked nationwide in a January 2025 federal ruling. He also cited President Donald Trump’s executive action restoring and enforcing Title IX “based solely on biological sex.” “With this action, the President eliminated all confusion; the Trump Administration will defend women’s rights,” McDowell wrote. Districts singled out during the press event for allegedly allowing males in female spaces include Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools, Wake County Public School System, Union County Schools and Cabarrus County Schools. Wake adopted the Biden changes in 2024 and does not appear to have altered course.

Farley leads America 250 parade slated for July Fourth Organizers are hoping all 100 counties will participate By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina will host a patriotic parade in downtown Raleigh on July 4 to mark America’s 250th birthday, an event Labor Commissioner Luke Farley has spearheaded through the Celebrate America Foundation and taken up by the legislature’s Semiquincentennial Committee. Farley, who serves as the executive branch representative on the foundation’s board, said the idea originated in a brainstorming session when the board was searching for additional ways to commemorate the semiquincentennial. “We were just in a meeting … and they were sort of brainstorming ideas of other things to do. I said, ‘Well, what about a parade?’” Farley told North State Journal. He initially assumed Raleigh already held a traditional July 4 parade and that the foundation might simply support it. Instead, he discovered a parade had not been planned. “My thought was America needs a parade for its 250th birthday here in North Carolina,” Farley said. “Not that there aren’t other parades, but Raleigh, our capital city, needs one.” Since late last year, Farley has led the organizational effort. He emphasized that the parade would not be pos-

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO

North Carolina is planning an America 250 parade in Raleigh on July Fourth. sible without the full backing of the General Assembly and the state’s Semiquincentennial Committee, which have provided the necessary resources and funding. “A parade takes resources, and so they have made sure that resources are … appropriated to the Semiquincentennial Committee,” Farley said. “The General Assembly has gotten fully on board with the idea of a parade to help celebrate America 250.” He estimated the total cost at approximately $170,000, an amount made possible by heavy volunteer participation. “A lot of the people who are going to be in the parade, we

don’t have to pay them to be in the parade,” Farley noted. “It’s mostly things like paying for police … port-a-potties … road barriers and things like that.” Farley envisioned the parade as having a strong emphasis on patriotism, military honors, veterans groups and marching bands. Organizers are actively seeking participation from all 100 counties, or at least strong regional representation. “We want this to be the grandest celebration of America in Raleigh since the bicentennial,” Farley said. “And to me, the most traditional way to celebrate July Fourth, other than maybe a cookout, is with a parade.”

He stressed that the event must be North Carolina-focused as well as national. “We’re working really hard to make this not just a Raleigh thing,” Farley said. “The goal is to make this representative of every region of the state and that we’re celebrating North Carolina’s role in our freedom. That’s why it’s called the ‘First in Freedom’ state.” The parade route, which is being finalized, will wind through the heart of downtown Raleigh, wrapping around the Capitol grounds. It is expected to begin near the Legislative Building, proceed down Salisbury Street past the State Capitol, turn left

on Morgan Street and then right onto Fayetteville Street. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is planning complementary activities on the Capitol grounds that will coordinate with the parade. Organizers had hoped to name Artemis II astronaut and Onslow County native Christina Koch as grand marshal, but her schedule and obligations with the crew in Washington, D.C., on July 4 appear to rule that out. Farley said the search for a suitable grand marshal — someone who represents North Carolina and will excite the public — continues. Farley, who has described the project as a personal priority, said the parade is about more than logistics or spectacle. “I just felt very strongly that we need to put on the best celebration of America that we can,” he said. “This is the greatest country in the world, and it deserves the best celebration we can put together for its 250th birthday. “And there are so many things that I think divide us right now, but celebrating America’s 250th birthday ought to be something that brings all Americans and all North Carolinians together. And that’s the idea of this parade — that it’s celebrating our nation and celebrating our state and something that can bring people together in celebration.” The parade is set to start at 9:30 a.m. on July 4. Further details, including an exact start and end points and the grand marshal announcement, will be released as planning is finalized.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

NATION & WORLD Judge allows gun, notebook as evidence in murder trial of UnitedHealthcare CEO Luigi Mangione faces life in prison if convicted

Luigi Mangione arrives for a hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Monday.

By Michael R. Sisak The Associated Press NEW YORK — A gun and notebook that prosecutors say link Luigi Mangione to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson can be used as evidence at his murder trial, a judge ruled Monday, rejecting a defense argument that they were seized illegally. Judge Gregory Carro’s decision, five months after he held a hearing to examine how police came upon the items, is a major win for prosecutors, enabling them to show jurors a possible murder weapon and motive. That mirrors an earlier ruling in Mangione’s federal case. But Carro also excluded items officers pulled from Mangione’s backpack before his arrest at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He said the loaded gun magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip resulted from an “improper warrantless search.” He also excluded some statements he made to police before he was handcuffed. The judge did allow items found as officers inventoried the backpack’s contents later at a police station — including a 3D-printed pistol prosecutors say matches the one used to kill Thompson, and a notebook that describes wanting to “wack” a health insurance executive. Carro said such inventory searches are an exception to the U.S. Constitution’s protections against unreasonable searches

JEENAH MOON / AP PHOTO

and seizures. Police obtained a search warrant hours later. Mangione was arrested on Dec. 9, 2024, five days after Thompson was killed outside a Manhattan hotel. Altoona is about 230 miles west of Manhattan. Mangione, 28, didn’t speak as Carro summarized his decision. About two dozen of his supporters, some wearing “Free Luigi” T-shirts, crowded the courtroom’s gallery. Mangione’s state murder trial is set to begin on Sept. 8, and his federal trial, which involves stalking charges, on Oct. 13. The federal judge ruled all the backpack’s contents into evidence. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and could spend his life in prison if convicted in either case. Mangione’s lawyers argued that the searches were illegal because officers had no warrant when they looked through the backpack. Prosecutors argued that the initial search at the McDonald’s was legal because it was

conducted in conjunction with an arrest and because officers followed Altoona police protocols requiring them to check for dangerous items. But Carro said New York law applies, and that officers had eliminated the justification for an immediate safety search by moving the backpack outside Mangione’s “grabbable area” as other restaurant customers passed nearby. Citing body-worn camera video, Carro also ruled out some statements Mangione made when he was effectively in custody but not yet apprised of his right to remain silent. Mangione told police early on he didn’t want to talk, but officers engaged him for almost 20 minutes before getting him to admit that he had given them a fake name and phony New Jersey driver’s license. An NYPD lieutenant testified in December that the shooter had used the same name — Mark Rosario — to buy a bus ticket to New York and stay at a Manhattan hostel.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind on Dec. 4, 2024, as the executive walked to his company’s annual investor conference. Police say “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims. Mangione was not yet under arrest, let alone subject to a judicial search warrant, when officers initially responded to a 911 call about a man who looked like the suspect in Thompson’s killing. They began searching his backpack but stopped after finding the gun magazine wrapped in a pair of underwear. They also found the notebook, Carro noted, but did not open it or see the writings at that point. “It’s him, dude. It’s him, 100%,” Altoona Police Officer Stephen Fox said on body-worn camera video before telling his colleague to pause the search and resume at the station. “Let’s just take it back,” he said. That momentary decision likely preserved the prosecution’s ability to use the gun and notebook as evidence at trial. Carro said evidence logged in the subsequent inventory search, including apparent to-do lists and getaway plans, is admissible. Prosecutors have quoted extensively from Mangione’s handwritten diary in court filings, noting his praise for Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and his musings about rebelling against “the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel.”

Ebola outbreak likely started weeks ago A timeline shows how the deadly virus emerged

lese man dies in the hospital in Uganda. His body is repatriated to Congo.

By Mogomotsi Magome The Associated Press

MAY 15

JOHANNESBURG — Health officials believe the Ebola outbreak in Congo began weeks ago. The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, and the death toll has risen to more than 100. Two cases, including one death, have also been reported in neighboring Uganda. Here’s a timeline of what we know so far after authorities first struggled to identify the outbreak because it was caused by a rarer virus not normally associated with Ebola outbreaks in Congo. APRIL 24-27 A health worker who was the first suspected case authorities knew about falls ill and dies in Bunia, Congo. The person’s body is later transported to the nearby mining town of Mongbwalu, according to Congo’s health minister. The health minister says the person died April 24. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the death occurred April 27 after severe bleeding symptoms. APRIL 28 A close contact of the first suspected victim dies after also presenting with symptoms, according to the Africa CDC. APRIL 30 Field tests on samples in Bunia are negative for the Ebola virus type, sometimes known as the Zaire virus, which is the

JORKIM JOTHAM PITUWA / AP PHOTO

A health worker wearing protective gear walks outside a hospital in Bunia, Congo, on Saturday. virus most commonly found in previous Ebola outbreaks in Congo. It takes another two weeks before health authorities establish that the rarer Bundibugyo virus is behind this outbreak.

Ebola outbreaks in Congo since 1976

MAY 5 The World Health Organization is alerted to what it calls a “high-mortality” outbreak of an unknown illness in Mongbwalu. Health workers are among the fatalities. Local reports say there are about 50 deaths already. The Congolese health minister later says authorities believe the body of the first person who died and was taken to Mongbwalu may have started the outbreak there. The bodies of people infected with Ebola can be highly contagious. MAY 11 A 59-year-old Congolese man experiencing fever and body aches is admitted to a

hospital in Kampala, Uganda, more than 400 miles from Ituri. Ugandan authorities say he traveled across the border from Congo. MAY 13 A WHO rapid response team visits the Mongbwalu and nearby Rwampara health zones in Ituri to investigate as the outbreak spreads further. MAY 14 Thirteen blood samples from suspected Ebola cases in Rwampara are analyzed at a testing facility in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa. On the same day, the Congo-

Laboratory analysis in Congo confirms Bundibugyo virus in eight of the 13 samples from Rwampara. Ugandan health authorities then test a sample taken posthumously from the man who died there, and it is also positive for Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine. The Congo Health Ministry declares an Ebola outbreak, and the Africa CDC says there are 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths. Within days, that figure rises to more than 300 cases and more than 100 deaths. Uganda says its outbreak is limited to two cases, both of which were people who traveled from Congo. It is the 17th significant Ebola outbreak in Congo since the disease was first identified in 1976. MAY 17 The WHO officially declares the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The U.N. health agency says the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency like COVID-19 and advises countries not to close their borders. MAY 18 An American doctor in Congo is among the confirmed cases in the Ebola outbreak, Congolese officials say. The doctor is among the cases in Bunia, according to Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, medical director of the country’s National Institute of Bio-Medical Research. He had been treating patients at a hospital there, according to the organization he works for.

Bessent grants 30-day extension for Russian oil Washington, D.C. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that the U.S. will give a 30-day extension for countries to import Russian oil that is already in tankers at sea, a move that is meant to reduce the oil supply shortages caused by the Iran war. The announcement marks a continued policy reversal by an administration that had previously said the sanctions on Russian oil would resume. Originally announced in early March, the temporary waiver on the sanctions was first renewed in April, just two days after Bessent said at the White House that he had no plans to extend the sanctions relief.

SCOTUS sends Native American voting rights case back to lower court Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court acted Monday in a Voting Rights Act case brought by Native American tribes, saying a closely watched ruling needs to be reconsidered after the high court weakened the Civil Rights-era law. The justices ordered lower courts to take another look at the decision that went against the tribes and undercut a key enforcement mechanism: lawsuits from voters and advocacy groups. An attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, Lenny Powell, said sending the case back was the right call and vowed to “keep fighting to ensure that Native voters have the ability to vote and effect change in their communities.”

United States drops charges against Indian billionaire New York U.S. prosecutors asked a judge Monday to dismiss criminal fraud and conspiracy charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, who had been accused of duping Wall Street investors who poured billions of dollars into a massive solar project in India. Adani, one of the world’s richest people, was accused in 2024 of paying massive bribes to ensure the project’s success. He was indicted in federal court in connection with a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy Ltd. and another firm to sell solar power to the Indian government.

UK police find $9.3M in cocaine in Kardashian underwear shipment London A British court sentenced a truck driver to prison for smuggling 7 million pounds ($9.4 million) worth of cocaine in a shipment of underwear and clothing from Skims, Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand, authorities said Monday. The National Crime Agency said Jakub Jan Konkel, 40, was driving a truck carrying 28 pallets of Skims clothing from the Netherlands when he was stopped by border officials at a port in Essex in September. The agency said Konkel had stopped on the way to collect the cocaine, and that the truck had been specially adapted so that he could hide the drugs.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Storming the beaches of Normandy for American freedom and exceptionalism Most of the world in 1942 was not fully aware yet of the great atrocities being committed against Jews by Hitler and his Nazis.

GROWING UP a son of the Greatest Generation around many men who served in World War II, Memorial Day sparks vivid memories of hearing their acts of bravery and sacrifice, which always begs the question of why they did it and would they do it again if asked today. None are more memorable than hearing firsthand about legendary Duke football coach Wallace Wade, who coached my father from 1936-39 and remained a close family friend for the rest of his life. Coach Wade grew up on a farm in relatively humble circumstances in Trenton, Tennessee, about a half century after the Civil War, and earned a football scholarship to Brown University, where he was a lineman on their 1916 Rose Bowl team. He went on to coach at Alabama and won three national championships in the 1920s — firmly establishing the Crimson Tide as the football powerhouse it still is today. In 1931, he became head coach at Duke University and took the Blue Devils to two Rose Bowls in the next decade. Coach Wade was the Nick Saban of his time and had the college football world at his hand. Duke was selected to play Oregon State in the 1942 Rose Bowl. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, game organizers considered cancellation for security reasons, but Coach Wade persuaded them to move it to Durham. About two weeks after the Durham Rose Bowl, Coach Wade enlisted in the Army, along with many of the much-younger players from

both teams, without a lot of fanfare. He was 50 years old. Coach Wade told a sportswriter later in life the most disappointing day of his life was not being allowed on the first wave of invasion at Normandy in 1944 due to his age. His worst day had nothing to do with football. What was inside of Coach Wade which led him to volunteer for active duty at age 50 when there was no chance of him being drafted? Memorial Day is not just a time to remember those who have served us in the military but to remember the right reasons why they served and protected us as a nation. Learning about the patriotism of men such as Coach Wade gives us those reasons and should help shape our vision for what we should want not only in our military personnel but in our elected leaders and in ourselves, as well. Coach Wade and others who served with him would say they were “defending our freedom,” which might be considered a bromide unless we examine what it meant to them in its deepest context. Most of the world in 1942 was not yet fully aware of the great atrocities being committed against Jews by Adolf Hitler or the brutality of the Japanese army against the people of Southeast Asia. American soldiers such as Coach Wade enlisted to fight for something about America they felt deep in their bones, or else they wouldn’t have enlisted. Coach Wade and others recognized the still-young nation of America, at 153 years of

existence, was the last best hope for free people to govern themselves and not be subject to the whims and capricious decisions, often evil and wicked, of a few people or a single ruler. It still is today. There was the promise of equality and opportunity for each person to make as much of this life as they could possibly achieve. Being a product of such opportunity himself to go from humble beginnings through the Depression to the top of the coaching profession, Coach Wade must have felt it was his duty to do whatever he could to make sure every American citizen had the chance to pursue their own dreams before America — and Western civilization — was snuffed out by a murdering megalomaniac such as Hitler and his fellow Nazis or the expansionist Japanese empire. We have many threats facing us today, but none is more dire than the dangerous thought fostered by many on the progressive far-left that the idea of a free America is evil and not exceptional in any regard. Would a Coach Wade of today feel compelled to volunteer for duty if the progressive left was fully in power and crushed free speech of conservatives, closed churches during epidemics, and celebrated the use of violence to destroy property and harm other people during so-called peaceful demonstrations? They would have a hard time arguing their case in front of a man such as Coach Wade, who not only believed America was special but put his life in harm’s way to protect it.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Roy Cooper’s COVID-era actions are a weakness, not a strength While Cooper had the benefit of law enforcement amid the chaos, residents and businesses in the state capital of Raleigh received limited help from law enforcement.

BECAUSE THEN-NORTH CAROLINA Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper was reelected in 2020, he probably thought that it was proof voters approved of his handling of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. My thought bubble on it at the time was that it wasn’t so much a signal of approval as it was people sticking with Cooper and the status quo amid a general sense of fear and uncertainty about what the future held. Cooper is now the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Senate. Among his perceived strengths has been his record on crime as the state’s attorney general and then governor, and how he governed the state through the COVID-19 outbreak. But cracks are forming in that facade, as evidenced by the revelation of the February 2021 COVID-era settlement that saw the Cooper administration release more than 4,000 convicted criminals, including rapists, murderers and child sex offenders, back on the streets as part of a deal with civil rights groups who ostensibly were concerned about the COVID-19 spread in the state’s prison system. Close to 60% reoffended, according to the CooperReleasedHim.com, a website database of those released, with nearly 20 charged with murder. DeCarlos Brown Jr., who has been charged in the stabbing death of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard Charlotte’s light rail system back in August, was also on the list, but he had already been

released a few months prior after serving his mandatory minimum sentence for a 2014 robbery with a dangerous weapon offense. Cooper’s “rules for thee but not for me” stance during COVID is also coming back to haunt him, with fresh reporting from the North State Journal (NSJ) about Cooper being rushed to safety from the Executive Mansion during the early days of the George Floyd riots, which saw residences, businesses and the governor’s residence become targets of the rioters. But while Cooper had the benefit of law enforcement amid the chaos, residents and businesses in the state capital of Raleigh received limited help from law enforcement. “Former NCSHP members on duty that night said they were ordered to split off from assisting Raleigh Police and were diverted on foot to intervene at the Executive Mansion because the law enforcement presence at the mansion was ‘worried they were going to be overrun,’” NSJ reported. Then-Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown held a press conference that weekend during which she mentioned some officers were injured during the protests. A reporter mentioned how some businesses felt the police did not do enough to control the situation and to protect their property. DeckBrown was then asked how she could assure those business owners that they should feel safe. Deck-Brown proclaimed, “I will not put an officer in harm’s way to protect the property

inside of a building.” Cooper seemed to agree with the sentiment, stating, “Let me be clear. People are more important than property. Black lives do matter.” I wrote the following on X at the time: “Raleigh PD chief basically saying police will not stand in the way of rioters and looters, and NCGOV tells small biz owners the protest message is more important than the businesses they worked so hard to build. Really bad look for NC leadership right now. Terrible.” And this was not even a month after a ReOpen NC protester was arrested for damaging the governor’s security fence. The message was clear: Protecting the governor and the mansion gates were the real priorities. The people, on the other hand, were largely on their own. He would later violate his own pandemic mandates, choosing to march with protesters while not wearing a mask and not social distancing. Cooper has a history of putting himself and his political ambitions before the people of North Carolina. With any luck, voters will finally decide in November they’ve had enough of that — and him. North Carolina native Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a media analyst and regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

COLUMN | STEVE PETERSEN

COLUMN

The NC Dental Board is ripe for reform The Supreme Court warned years ago about the danger of allowing active market participants to police their own industry without meaningful oversight.

AS A RETIRED North Carolina dentist-turned-lawyer, I write to urge patients and policymakers to pay closer attention to the actions of the N.C. Dental Board of Examiners. Unlike the overwhelming majority of health-related boards and agencies in this state, the Dental Board is made up of dentists elected by their peers — not appointed by the legislative and executive branches. These board members make consequential decisions that impact dental competition, access to care and costs for patients. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court criticized the make-up of the Dental Board and determined it had engaged in unlawful, anticompetitive conduct that was less about public health and more about pecuniary interests of dentists who sat on the board. In short, the Dental Board went after tooth-whitening kiosks at malls delivering the service at a lower cost. The board not only lost at the Federal Trade Commission on this issue but appealed and lost at the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to finding anticompetitive behavior, the Supreme Court admonished the board by finding it had no state action immunity (a legal defense that would shield the board from liability in its actions). More than a decade later, those concerns have not been addressed, and the board continues to engage in anticompetitive behavior. In 2025, the board was sued for unfair and deceptive trade practices under the 2015 Supreme Court decision for pursuing yet another tooth whitening case against a dental hygienist. Allocating about $750,000 to defend itself from those claims (presumably paid from dentist board dues), the board ultimately settled the matter without posting this resolution on its website. Further, in 2025, the board tried to adopt a rule requiring all North Carolina dental offices to appoint a supervising dentist to oversee all

other dentists within the same practice. The board admitted no other state in the country had such a rule. For practices with multiple dentists and locations, the requirement would have dramatically increased costs and staffing burdens that would have trickled down to patients. Internal communications showed the board deliberately chose to seek this change through rulemaking rather than legislation, avoiding the scrutiny and debate that would come with action by the General Assembly. Regardless, the Rules Review Commission ultimately and unanimously rejected the proposal, correctly concluding it was an attempt to change the “landscape of dentistry” in North Carolina. None of this occurs in a vacuum. Dentistry, like much of health care, has evolved. New dentists face substantial student debt and often seek employment in larger practices rather than incur the debt to buy or build their own practice. This allows them to focus on patient care while minimizing administrative and debt burdens. As a result, larger practices have been able to expand hours, invest in technology, and absorb compliance and administrative costs in ways that benefit patients. Those efficiencies translate into improved access and affordability. Regulatory actions that unnecessarily target those models do not protect the public. They protect incumbents. The Dental Board’s stated mission is to regulate dentistry for the safety and benefit of patients. The Supreme Court warned years ago about the danger of allowing active market participants to police their own industry without meaningful oversight. It is past time for the board to take that warning seriously. If it will not, lawmakers should. Steve Petersen is a former dentist and retired lawyer who lives in Wagram.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Who wins the re-redistricted House? The Democratic advantage in party identification has been steadily narrowed toward the vanishing point since 2006.

AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S job approval sinks to below 40% (depending on which poll you’re looking at), betting markets and political conventional wisdom are that his Republican Party is not necessarily doomed to lose its narrow House majority, nor is it at serious risk of losing its Senate majority. This is partly because of court decisions affecting redistricting in major states, but it also owes something to fundamentals that a few observers have noted even before. One example is Henry Olsen, writing two months ago in The Washington Post, noting that the president’s job approval has been cratering more among nonvoters than among likely voters. In today’s RealClearPolitics polls, the same relation is apparent: Trump’s slippage is less among those more likely to vote. Similarly, Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini in March noted that, in a 60,000-person biennial YouGov survey, the Democratic advantage in party identification has been steadily narrowed toward the vanishing point since 2006. And this year’s special elections, in which the opposition party typically fares better than the president’s, have been showing less anti-Republican movement than in 2025. Nonetheless, the fact that the president’s party almost always loses House seats (exceptions: 1934, 1998, 2002), plus the fact that Republicans won only 220 seats to Democrats’ 215 in 2024 has made it seem close to certain that Democrats would win control. To forestall that, Trump last summer urged Texas’ Republican governor and legislature to redistrict its 38 House districts. They passed a plan portrayed as gaining five Republican seats, although it may not if the 2024 MAGA surge among Hispanics evaporates, as polls suggest. Similarly, Republicans in North Carolina (where the Democratic governor has no veto over redistricting) and Ohio passed plans advertised as gaining one and two seats, respectively. Democrats retaliated spectacularly last November in California, where a plan is estimated to increase Democrats’ edge in the state’s delegation from 44-8 to 48-4. And then incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) backed Virginia legislators’ plans to temporarily have a referendum to abolish the bipartisan commission they had installed and increase the party’s edge “temporarily” from 6-5 to 10-1. The state’s Supreme Court, at Democrats’ request, declined to rule on the legality of the procedure until after the vote. On April 21, Virginians who had elected Spanberger by a 15 percentage-point margin voted for the Democrats’ ploy by only 3 percentage points. Unlike most special elections, turnout was higher among Republicans than Democrats. On May 8, the state Supreme Court ruled that the Democrats’ procedure had violated the state constitution. In the meantime, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais ruled that the

Voting Rights Act doesn’t require maximizing the number of “minority-influenced” districts, which opened the way for some Republican legislators to redistrict and add a district for their party. And in Florida last week, Republican legislators quickly passed Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redrawing of its 28 districts, which was predicted to add four Republican districts. The result for the moment is nearly a level playing field in the House races. The authoritative Cook Political Report rates 188 seats as solidly Republican and 184 seats as solidly Democratic. It rates 22 seats as leaning or likely Republican and 23 seats as leaning or likely Democratic. That’s 210 seats at least leaning Republican, 207 as leaning or likely Democratic, leaving 18 seats, four currently held by Democrats and 14 by Republicans, as toss-ups. So if Democrats win all the toss-ups, they would control the House 225-210, a net gain of 10 seats — a win, but not the blue wave they’ve been hoping for. If Republicans win half of the toss-ups, they would control the House 219-216, a net loss of just one seat. Those numbers are beginning to look familiar. The House was 222-213 Democratic in 2020, 222-213 Republican in 2022, 220-215 Republican in 2024. But this is May, and the election is in November — early voting starts in September. Republicans entered Trump’s first term with a 241-194 majority and had better numbers at this point in the cycle than they do now, and Democrats ended up with a 235-199 majority in November. And they didn’t have the burden that year of being on the defensive on inflation, which most voters believe has been the result of Trump pushing through two long-held priorities: erecting tariff walls around the United States and reducing the power of the terrorist regime in Iran. Republicans, surprised and pleased that the redistricting wars have gone their way, might entertain different possibilities, such as an easing of inflation and surge of economic growth, the end of hostilities in Ukraine and regime collapse in Iran. Disheartened Democrats would decline to turn out, while enthusiastic Republicans surge to the polls. And since we have emerged into a period of parity between the parties, as a 49% nation, as I wrote in “The Almanac of American Politics” after the 2000 election, no presidential candidate has won in a landslide. Republicans have won trifectas in 2000, 2004, 2016 and 2024, and Democrats have won trifectas in 1992, 2008 and 2020. Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.” (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

NAN MILLER

Reading “Lolita in Tehran” one more time With all eyes on Iran, Iranian expat Azar Nafisi is back in the news. Readers worldwide know her as the author of “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” the 2003 memoir that spent 117 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and was translated into 32 languages. Nafisi’s memoir is, once again, “flying off the shelves” because her eyewitness account of what the Iranian people suffer under the Ayatollahs’ rule is unmatched — and because Nafisi sounds optimistic about the outcome of the war in Iran. Living safely in the U.S. since 1997, Nafisi has been free to speak about “the dismal and deadly environment the Iranian regime has created” and free to write a memoir about the seven young women who met in secret at Nafisi’s home in Tehran to discuss the forbidden works of Vladimir Nabokov, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James and Jane Austen. During those meetings, seven young women discovered, “It is only through literature that one can put oneself in someone else’s shoes and understand the other’s different and contradictory sides and refrain from becoming ruthless.” That is precisely the point English instructors had spent whole careers making, that is, until the anti-American left overruled us and held scholars like Nafisi in contempt for touting the “magical power” of Western literature — and for noting that Western freedoms are the envy of oppressed people worldwide. Leading the charge against Nafisi was Iranian expat Hamid Dabashi, who has lived freely in the U.S. since 1976, earned a doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania, and who, unlike Nafisi, was never fired by the University of Tehran for expressing anti-theocratic views. (In 1981, the university fired Nafisi for refusing to wear the hijab.) From his safe perch as professor of Iranian studies at Columbia University, Dabashi denounced his fellow Iranian as a “colonial agent” who served “the most perfidious colonial projects” — namely Nafisi’s claim that Western writers can offer Eastern readers a way of “grasping the world — not just our world, but that other world that had become the object of our desires.” San Diego State University women’s studies professors Anne Donadey and Huma Ahmed-Ghosh piled on, fretting that Nafisi’s memoir might “cloak the operations of globalized capital” and “serve a conservative U.S. agenda that is critical of multicultural, Marxist, feminist, and generally political perspectives on literature.” Nafisi does indeed oppose scholars who politicize literature because they bear an eerie resemblance to the mullahs who “denied any merit to literary works, considering them important only when they were handmaidens to something seemingly more urgent — namely ideology.” Note the irony. In solidarity with the antiAmerican left, Donadey and Ahmed-Ghosh favor a system that is an exact match for the system Nafisi had fled. And in solidarity with the mullahs, Donadey and Ahmed-Ghosh have designed a system that aims “to unsettle the primacy of western belief systems.” Nafisi was then serving as director of Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, and I was among those who wrote to thank her for attracting new readers for Western classics and to counter critics who had called Nafisi “pathetic” and “illiterate.” Her reply included a link to the rebuttal she had published in The New Republic: “Islamists have become popular among America’s intellectual leaders, most emphatically in the field of Middle Eastern studies. … These leftists often proclaim solidarity with the Islamists’ anti-American impulse.” If you saw footage of May Day protesters coast to coast holding signs saying “86 The Whole Regime,” you know that they aim to topple our own government — not the regime that has executed tens of thousands of its own citizens, including Nafisi’s brightest student. Which brings me to the contrast in what Iranian expats Dabashi and Nafisi have said about the war in Iran. Not surprisingly, Dabashi hopes Iran will prevail against the “imperial thuggery” of the “dysfunctional U.S. empire,” while Nafisi sounds optimistic: “Even amid these dark days, I have hope that the conflict could liberate my people.” In her memoir’s acknowledgments, Nafisi thanked renowned Princeton University professor Bernard Lewis, who “opened the door” to the threat posed by a regime that preaches “Death to America.” Lewis was also known for telling a joke that features an Iranian wishing his country had an Osama bin Laden because “That way the Americans would come rescue us!” We have rescued Iran from the murderous rule of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but Azar Nafisi shall have the last word here: “Iran becoming a democracy must be the world’s fight, and it will benefit people from the UK to Sudan.” Nan Miller is professor emerita of literature at Meredith College and resides in Raleigh.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Jones & Blount

Murphy to Manteo NC by the numbers The recently released U.S. Census Bureau population estimates show that North Carolina remains one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. As of July 1, 2025, the state’s population reached about 11.2 million residents, an increase of nearly 146,000 people from the previous year. The growth rate of 1.3% placed North Carolina among the top states for population gains nationwide and makes it the ninth-most populous state in the country. Most of the growth continues to come from migration rather than births. Thousands of people are relocating to North Carolina from other states because of its expanding job market, lower cost of living compared to many northern states, and strong education and technology sectors. Areas around Charlotte and Raleigh saw especially rapid increases. However, census officials also noted that growth has started to slow slightly due to declining international migration and an aging population. Despite this slowdown, experts project North Carolina could become the seventh-largest state in the United States within the next decade if current trends continue.

PERCENT (%) POPULATION CHANGE July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025

- 1.0%

Terence Everitt

4.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

WEST

PIEDMONT

EAST

Lake Lure officially reopens this weekend

Shuttered K&W location to auction store items

Beaufort CC grads uphold nearly perfect exam pass rate

Rutherford County An iconic western North Carolina lake is back open after being closed for more than a year and a half. Business owners across Lake Lure and Chimney Rock faced many uncertainties after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The main economic driver, the lake itself, was drained for Helene debris removal, and officials report local business revenue has been down 50% with no tourists. The town will celebrate the lake’s reopening Saturday with food, games and fireworks.

Former local restaurant franchise staple K&W Cafeteria closed suddenly in December, leaving many patrons in shock. According to information from Iron House Auction, K&W fans could have a chance to bring a piece of K&W home forever. The company will be auctioning items from the K&W location at 3300 Healy Blvd. in Winston-Salem this week until May 26. The auction’s organizers note that the entire event will take place online and is an “as-is, where-is” auction.

Beaufort County Beaufort County Community College has graduated 10 students from its paramedic program while maintaining a nearly perfect certification exam pass rate, according to the college. BCCC said seven members of the graduating class passed the North Carolina Paramedic Certification Exam on their first attempt. Since the program began in 2013, BCCC said it has produced 123 graduates across 10 cohorts and holds a 99.6% pass rate on the state paramedic certification exam.

Locals revive historic game with clubs, tournament Buncombe County The Asheville Crokinole Club held a tournament this weekend to introduce the public to a popular Canadian tabletop game from the 1800s. According to tournament organizers, the game originated in the late 1800s in Canada and has apparently regained popularity in the Southeast, especially among enthusiasts in the Asheville area. The Crokinole Club held its first tournament at Highland Brewing, where several tables were set up for players from across the state to test their skills.

Haseeb Fatmi

Wake Forest commissioner picked to fill Everitt’s Senate term

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

NSJ

COURTESY OGLETREE DEAKINS

COURTESY NCGA

100-year-old prison to close in WNC Buncombe County State officials say they will close a prison this summer because the high cost of living in the Buncombe County area has made it too hard to staff. The Craggy Correctional Center is winding down operations and will transfer its 250 male inmates to other state prisons in coming months, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction said in a press release. “For many years, Asheville’s high cost of living has made it difficult for Craggy CC to recruit and retain employees who cannot afford to live in the county,” officials said in the release. The prison has made efforts to operate with reduced staff, including closing a minimum-security unit, but has been able to hire only three corrections officers over the past two years. No layoffs are planned with the closure, officials said, and the prison’s 77 employees will be offered positions at other western North Carolina facilities. The prison dates back to 1924. NSJ

NSJ

Asheboro childcare center announces sudden closure heading into summer Randolph County An Asheboro childcare center is shutting its doors with only two weeks’ notice for parents and employees. The Children’s Center on East Salisbury Street in Asheboro notified parents and staff that it was closing last week. Its last day of business will be May 29. Center Director Debbie Longhart said financial issues such as rising costs for food, utilities and gas were costing it thousands of dollars over the last few years that it could not recoup with its enrollment. WGHP

Officers fatally shoot suspect during domestic call Guilford County High Point police say a domestic disturbance call on Jamesford Drive on Sunday night ended with two people dead, including a man shot by officers after allegedly advancing toward them with a knife. Police responded around 8 p.m. to a reported assault involving a knife at a home. According to investigators, officers searching in the back of the home reported seeing signs of a violent assault and encountered an adult man inside the home covered in blood and armed with a knife. Authorities say officers gave repeated commands for the man to stop, but he ignored them and moved toward officers while still holding the weapon. Two officers then opened fire, striking the suspect, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a police statement. While searching the home, officers also found an adult woman suffering from life-threatening stab wounds. She later died from her injuries. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues. WFMY

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Wilmington man faces charges for threatening Trump New Hanover County A Wilmington man has been indicted for threatening President Donald Trump on Facebook. According to a press release, Christopher James Hill, 32, of Wilmington, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening to kill Trump. Hill posted messages on Facebook threatening to kill the president between Oct. 3, 2025, and Oct. 13, 2025. If convicted, Hill faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The FBI and Secret Service are investigating the case.

Goodyear to close Fayetteville plant by 2027 Cumberland County The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation confirmed last week that Goodyear Tires had notified local leaders about the likely closure of the Fayetteville Consumer Tire Plant. Goodyear has been a staple in Fayetteville for decades and remains one of the largest manufacturers and private employers in the area. Nearly 2,000 people work at the plant, according to local leaders. In a press release, Goodyear said the rapidly changing tire industry is driving the decision. “The tire industry is changing fast, and Goodyear must change with it,” the company said. “This difficult action is necessary to strengthen Goodyear’s ability to compete in today’s marketplace and support the long-term health of the business.” Goodyear also said it is currently in discussions with the United Steelworkers about closing the facility by the end of 2027. “As the only remaining U.S.-based tire manufacturer, we are committed to U.S. manufacturing in today’s evolving market,” the company said.

RALEIGH — Wake Forest Commissioner Haseeb Fatmi has been picked to replace state Sen. Terence Everitt (D-Wake), who abruptly resigned last month. Everitt, who was reelected in November 2025, was vague about why he decided to resign and only mentioned his work at the North Carolina Voter Protection Alliance, stating he is “determined to defend our state’s democracy at all costs.” “This is a serious moment for people across North Carolina who are under a lot of pressure right now, and who are looking to Raleigh to take their concerns seriously,” Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch said in a statement. “District 18 is one of the seats that will determine whether we can do the important work ahead, and there is no shortage of that work waiting to be done for the families who call it home.” Fatmi is a lawyer and currently works in the Raleigh office of Ogletree Deakins. Fatmi was elected to the Wake Forest commissioner’s role last November after throwing his hat into the ring for the seat three months earlier, on Aug. 5, 2025. Fatmi was the top vote-getter in the six-person Wake Forest commissioner race with more than 27% of the vote (5,554 votes), followed by R. Keith Shackleford, who took in 312 fewer votes than Fatmi.

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“This is a serious moment for people across North Carolina who are under a lot of pressure right now, and who are looking to Raleigh to take their concerns seriously.” Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch (D-Wake) The campaign website for Fatmi’s commissioner run appears to have been taken down at some point in the month after his 2025 win, but he had stated on multiple platforms he was running to create a “Walkable Wake Forest.” Prior to his election, Fatmi participated in an anti-Trump “No Kings” protest in Wake Forest last October. He was captured on video making a few incendiary remarks, including falsely claiming the Navy had fired missiles at California No Kings protesters. During his protest remarks, Fatmi also made several false claims about immigration enforcement, telling the crowd, “We have internment camps on United States soil,” and children are being “dragged out of their homes, out of their beds at 3:00 in the morning and put in zip ties.”

nsstrophe about when A7 A10 normal

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

to this get back to norm The comfo How Chinawe willbegin payThe for COVID-19 3 big questionsc

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026 WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at China lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority Ameri WEEK, virus, according to members tried to tell the world there were only “THIS around the globe and in the United will to pay forTHIS this covered up its spI areStates, havingChina to adjust what is being called the “new normal.” and state and local governments, Amer worldwide panic, economic collapse and in it” (Psal catastrophe one way or another. 3,341 related ha Some of these orders extend at least through the end deaths of this m or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need the curve in the novel coronavirus outbr ylace being thrown out of work. I know In order to put the crisis causedVirginia’s by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero go into June. millions of Americans t orders ority of at Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask — after all, trends canhas easily xpayer least $2.4 trillion in added working fr worldwide pandemics can trace their source to theCarolina, Unitedmuted States over costreve th Here in North Democratic Gov.The Roycrisis Cooper stated d walnormal.” questions back to have abided by recommendations and o Reserve backup liquidity to the about the data, and when things can start getting be glad” as our 231-year history. At least fourainrecent the 20th century alone be that “we debt plus trillions coronavirus press can briefing just don’t know more yet” end of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to flu,” stay 1977 at home; they’ve practiced socialto the U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve dad, directly traced to China: flu,” 1968 “Hong orders Kong markets financial state’s stay-at-home will extend into May. andand Since when1957 did “Asian They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without they’ve donned masks. o fund any of these emergency have tonot bet “Russian flu” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the currency, would Perhaps If he it, questions should bewe asked as to Wedoes needdecide to extend WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning ooper stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction in expected ho Lenten and ar of rampant inflation and currency pandemic. 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had for its origins in China. measures without justification it. And the answers should not be vague onesimm like COVID-19 n’t know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy. transparency According to the University of Washing For me, Easter seasons government There is 100% agreement, outside of do China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must this out an abundance of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to askin those Metrics and Evaluation model most oftA rrant ways and decisions through and honesty originated Wuhan Province probably from the has to pay for provide a China at all levels It will need tocompletely be explained in detail to the people ofmaking. this state e asked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the Trump administration, the expected ne Diplomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthian Chernobyl. unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. believe it came of at a home economic and financial fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and message offor an undetermine become a ague likecentury “we health, country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by ove worldones of 21st hygiene affliction, biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to we bring China into the scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds thousands of hope that willof bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the num munist regimes never take blame affliction, Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade. Totalita are reliable. — we need to again enjoy sincere e of this state who when will demand August byonce nearly 12,000. morse, because that is not whatthey can get back to providing for their families,their God.” That is what food safety and health protocols, American business nowhat other or express To know date, what I’ve gone alonghas with the state has asked andregre then they undetermined answers. Here’s the problem: We still don’t kno sporting events, ey take advantage of every weakness If you ar choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely the way I’ve also had governmen questions a of cases at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy tot pf thousands pushing until they win orLeaders the reflect on concerts, family for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery they find in adversaries the data. State Republican leaders have, too. as living in a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer First, what is the true coronavirus fat God’sback. exam don’t and when reliability adversaries gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get push asked, ther AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society were asked and then with details that give their statements believability. important because it determines wheth event happens such as the Chernobyl this difficu The most direct way to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer That is, unless an exo they to disaster h corruption. The financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat tho church some services ad questions about We should to do whatbacks we can to keep our families, be open or closed,meltdown whether we oughtSom to w s believe that event, not the Star Warsall continue confident supposed from COVID-19 offers opportunities for a nonprofit U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least halfdata ofogy their in 1986. The what they questioning the and asking when we can start gettin upgrades or more community and many Sponsored by Union and our communities safe. But we still continue more liberalized society that presumes w Sponsored by should also to the dissolution of theourselves, Soviet In thisled sw bit of remediation. Let’s first examine what safety production back in the States. There is though approximately $120 program of are Reagan, public with programming. to do, lastUnited I to normal as they are conspiracy theorists or people don’t. after our own get asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock down further. mightisbe the root academic corruption, neighbors billion worth checked. of American direct investment in plants and equipment Those community programs inor1989. private dollars otherwise don’t care if they get themselves others sick. s. title of a recent study, ple to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have an date. direct investment in the U.S. is about $65are We’ve seen rates — Conc the ni temporary Chernobyl. In part the fatality foundation’s inexpiration China. Chinese billion byof case Perhaps COVID-19 Since when did questioning government at all levels become a “Academic and to theAmericans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, an starttalking getting backGrievance ThisStudies is all new the number of identified COVID-19 cas broader strategy. Youth sports lready about the possibility money to b sacrifices are comparison. Senators in Washing thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supp Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was camps and outreach events are By Dan or are people who shape, or form. So while we Reeves should remain vigilant and stay safe, at and the denominator are likely wrong. W n debt we owe them as one way to get health car An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment in China China forgiving $1.2 over.buildofrelationships toon do,half lastof I checked. done by Areo, an opinion and analysisNorth State Journal designed s sick. same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “newbillion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing people havetoactually died coronaviru hey have caused US. the Don’t hold your today, or $60 China to of “pay” d digitalthe magazine. By the way, Areo is short My first concern as we go along in all this, ofresidents course, isfor mythe fam between officers and vels become a bad normal.” number has been overestimated, given t bilee” to happen but ask your elected n for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by RALEIGH — Brenda Gibinvestment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury billion in breath waiting for a Ch them$18 catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. A — a long-term investment in iety were supposed Not one little bit. of death, particularly among elderly pat countable in tangible financial ways for John Milton in defense of free speech. tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion lost revenue is(swine hold public trust flu) thatrepresentatives Gibson son approached the Raleigh suffering fromin the H1N1 virus during thesaid 2009topande in. Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A.Police Department Foundasources suggest the number is dramatic ultimately ties back to safety. decimal dust compared to the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan extra we areprecautions, now this disaster. been trying to take because all of this brin Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that rse, to is my family. Stacey Matthews also written under Sister Toldjah many people are dying at home. cted operate as I’m responsible citizens of That was distion the same way shethe haspseudonym apundertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies as invisibility the It is on about timenot they way too memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer to something drastically wrong rried I will. After has gone and is a regular contributor RedState Evenduring more importantly, we have no cl play National Police proachedto most major and civicLegal ef- Insurrection. nation. past. the world like any othe But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone inNextEra academia, especially within certainforts in her career: identify a Energy is seeking to Week, have whencoronavirus. the foundation he 2009 pandemic, actually Some scienti China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within theEnergy humanities. They callgap, build the structure and go acquire Dominion in an coordinated a citywide effort all of this brings up of identified cases could be an order of m business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret they these fields “grievance studies,” deal valued at about $67 whereraise the money. to that light buildings in Frank blue, inNeal Robbins, publisher | Hill,coronav senio prefer notall-stock to repeat. number of people who have had scholarship so much based upon After decades on boards, inintend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and billion, creatingisanot massive power stall memorial banners for most everyone hastruth finding upon attending to cluding WakeMed and Trancompany as the but energy needs of replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. fallen officers and host events

business & economy Fixing college n.c. corruption FAST

FACTS

Raleigh Police Department Foundation fills funding gaps as city grows A6

NextEra looks to acquire Dominion Energy Approved Logos

north STA

social grievances. Grievance artificial intelligence drive demandscholars sitions LifeCare, Gibson unacross Raleigh. The initiative bully in students, higher the U.S. administrators and other drew participation from hosderstood how public-private COURTESY RALEIGH POLICE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION It is one of theinto biggest proposed departments adhering to their partnerships work — and pitals, businesses and civic mergers so far thisworldview year and would worldview. The they promote is government funding of- The Cree Shimmer Wall and buildings in downtown Raleigh Jason the foungroups, highlighting where create thescientific world’s biggest regulatedGrievance n neither nor rigorous. | STACEY dation’s ability to mobilize priten falls short. EDITORIAL When then-Po- are lighted blueMATTHEWS during National Police Week to honor police electric business by marketsuch as ose studiesutility consist of disciplines vate and institutional support lice Chief Estella Patterson told and public safety officers in the city. capitalization, the companiesgender said studies, sociology, anthropology, at scale. her Raleigh lacked a dedicated Monday. COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race The foundation operates in police foundation, Gibson saw The combined company will studies. parallel with — but separate cies can offer incentives Raa range of projects, including an opportunity. serve 10 million Inapproximately 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, “I thought, well, you know, I a real-time crime center, a vol- leigh cannot always match. from — advocacy groups and utility customer accounts across Lindsay and Boghossian started The result is a system where policy discussions around pountary camera registration syscan do that,” she said. Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and s submitting bogus academic papers to Formed in August 2022 and tem and the expansion of the the city invests heavily in train- licing. As a nonprofit, it does South Carolina. academic journals in cultural, queer, launched publicly that October, mounted patrol unit. ing only to risk losing officers not engage in political activiDominion, based in Richmond, race, gender, fat and sexuality studiesthe Raleigh Police Department ty, a distinction Gibson said is It has also funded smaller, to nearby jurisdictions. Virginia, helps to power hundreds todata determine if theythe would The foundation cannot ful- critical to maintaining broad targeted investments, includof centers across state.pass It peer Foundation operates as a 501(c) “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has mad he seriousness of and the regulated virus and the review be accepted for need publication. WITHvests MOST STATES eitherthose shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place. I unde also provides electricity donor support. ly offset pressures, but for K-9 units, under (3), allowing it to raise private ing ballistic Acceptance of dubious research that in it” (Psalm 118:24). asy with how people who simply ask service to 3.6 million homes and “We are not political all,” orders thanks to local or of Americans it governments, has focused aonmajority retention to take at precautions, bu fitness facilities andstate dollars to support public safe- upgraded journal editors found sympathetic to their ingetting Virginia, North I know this challenging hen thingsbusinesses can start back to said. that during through targeted — she wellness programs ty initiatives outside the con- expanded are having to adjust to what is being called thespending “new normal.” questions about the datt intersectional or Carolina, postmodern Carolina and South and leftist vision What beganhome asnormal a board-level scholarships for officers’ fam— areas thatofare often difficult straints of the city budget. working from or losing a job, it es with contempt. Some these orders extend at least through the end of this month. are treated inm s of the world would prove the regulated natural gas service to problem ofWithin a week of launching, to prioritize in a traditional city ilies, emergency assistance initiative has grown into a sigbe glad” as the Bible tells us to do. How as a societylow simply must accept without Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June. They’re treated as th academic standards. 500,000 customers in South nificant operational commitfunds and quality-of-life im- and dad, the Easter holiday hasthe remind ells us about when it’s safefake to begin thepapers the foundation was tested. Fol- budget. Heresaid in North Roy during question what gove Several of the research Carolina. ment. Gibson said she has spent provementsGov. aimed atCooper keepingstated Gibson every Carolina, expendi- Democratic lowing the mass shooting in have to be thankful and hopeful for, eve malcy. were Juno Beach, Florida-based accepted for publication. The Fatthe Hedingham neighborhood ture a is recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” if the process of returning ba as much as 60 hours a week on vetted through the police officers in the department. Lenten andanything pandemic. NextEra Power r us, and we haveowns the Florida right to ask&those Studies journal published aLight hoax paper state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government the effort, overseeing fundrais“If it hasn’t done chief, who determines whether in northeast Raleigh, it quickSince when did Company, electricity that argued theprovides term was For me, my faith is an important par t-home orders are which in place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons ing, and program it’s been ashould big impact for as If he does decide to extendelse, it, questions be asked to partnerships the questions. And the long fall under city funding ly raised and distributed funds it should to about 12 million people across questioning andas should be replaced to victims’ families, making. As I celebrated Easter with my f them get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, development. the officers to feel like they or private support. The foundaestablishjustification for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country, and the stricte provide the state. Inbodybuilding, December, NextEra with “fat as a fat-inclusive government For Raleigh, the foundation have advocates,” Gibson said. tion’s role is to fill the gap. ing an early model for rapid-reCorinthians 1:4, which reminds us our feeling isolated and/or anxious about must do this out of an abundance of caution.” more people, sitting and Google Cloud announced One that reviewer message of from represents a shiftthe politicized performance.” toward abe hyFundraising haspeople come of TheIt will needneed is tied, part, sponse philanthropy. affliction, so thatwhen we may able com ding for their families, willtheir demand they expanding existing at all levels to beinexplained in detailhope to the this state who they can gettoback ns said,were “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this That speed — that we will brid funding model for public partners, and flexibility to the economics of policing. a mix of corporate partnership to build new data center affliction, with the comfort which we ou are being told toofficer remain jobless at home for undetermined answers. , article and believe it has an important— is central to its become a safety — one where private caplocaland businesses andan individTraining a single can mission. once again enjoy campuses across the U.S. as they God.” levels should be as forthcoming contribution to make to the field and this amount time why models predicting of thousands cases Leaders at the local a ital ofsupplements government ual donors,hundreds with contribuabout of $125,000, making Unlike municipal funding, cost The potential tie-up of the bad thing? sporting events,ini- resources If you are celebrating the Easter seas d again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” are reliable. can be with those answ in a growing city factions often tied to specific retention a significant finanwhich moves through lengthy two companies comes at a time “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity That is what reflect on this message and be comforte ments believability. concerts, family increasing demands. tiatives. structure allowsanding To date, I’vedepartment. gone along with what The the state has asked then for the with details that give th budget cycles, the foundation cial issue when consumers worried about Feminism as anfamilies, Intersectional Reply can to deploy capital quickly to- At the same time, housing costs donors to see a direct con- God’s example comfort in what we can to keep our Gibson, and the We approach isallthose escalating electric bills are pushing free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questionsFor about shouldall contin gatherings, se Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was straightforward. nection between their dolWake County have pushed ward equipment, technology in the against AI data centers. Some this difficult time. Through faith and by safe. But back we should also still continue data. State Republican leaders have, too. services ourselves, and our com church living in a free accepted attorneys for publication Affilia, a and officer support. governors, generalby and “It’s got my name on it,” she lars and outcomes, whether officers to surrounding Since its manyUnfortunately, confident we will emerge out of this pan because while reasonable stay-at-home when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about s feminist journal for social workers. The many more rising electricity society were “It’s same going to be successful.” equipment, technol- said. areas, where competing agen- that’s new and launch, the group has backed Inthose this spirit, I continue to be in hey shouldothers also protesting have an expiration date. sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat measures are understa paper consisted in part of a rewritten bills say cash-strapped residents after our own supposed neighbors helping neighbors. and it is not normal. Not in any way, passage from Meinsystem. Kampf. Two other simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back This is all new to Am are stuck in a broken temporary In Concord, a shape, high school senior nam uld remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at including papers were published, Officials and lawmakers in at to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who or form. So whil . “Rape Queer Performativity least sixCulture states — and including Arizona, money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic comfortable with this so-called “new sacrifices are otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. the same time we shou checked. at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, health care workers out of his own hom Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad normal.” over. New and Pennsylvania — are wasYork dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape increase in retail spending in bit. thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed Not one little going new lengthsforced to try toBoghossian, block papertoeventually more than three years, largely to do, last I checked. rate increases proposed byto utilities. Pluckrose and Lindsay prematurely out because gas prices rose so rapn under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah Some are pressing utilities to Journal writer My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is myidly. family. I’m Stacey Matthews has a themselves. A Wall Street completely change their model for doing. RedState and Insurrection. hadLegal figured out what they were worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.Excluding After and is a retail regular contri gasoline, financing system upgrades. Somemajor papers accepted for publication suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, sales in April were up 0.3%. shareholders will inDominion academic journals advocated training I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of thisThat’s bringsless upthan half the 0.7% receive a fixed exchange ratio of white male men like dogs and punishing pace from the previous month, way too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. 0.8138 shares of NextEra Energy college students for historical slavery by excluding for each share of Dominion that But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has gas station sales. asking them to sit in silence on the floor in gallon, about 44% more than it Energy prices climbed they own. Dominion stockholders n chains during class and to be expected to U.S. home sales cost last year at this time. will continue to receive Dominion’s 7.8% from March to April learn from the discomfort. Other papers “Retail sales rose a flat last month current quarterly dividend through ity celebrated obesity Wholesale inflation closing, plus amorbid one-time cash as a healthy life respectable 0.5% in choice and advocated treating payment of $360 million at closing. privately Sales of previously occupied came in hot during April conducted masturbation a form of By Michelle Chapman April, but that was NextEra’s stockholders willas own U.S. homes were essentially d sexualofviolence against women. Typically, 74.5% the combined business, flat in April, another lackluster U.S. wholesale inflation slower than the 1.6% The Associated Press as academic journal editors send while Dominion’s stockholders will submitted showing for the housing marcame in hot last month. Propapers out to referees for review. In own 25.5%. ket during what’s traditionally IN THE PAST week, many ducer prices rose 6% from a growth seen in March.” recommending acceptance for publication, NextEra CEO John Ketchum will its busiest time of the year. Americans remained focused year earlier, the most since De- Department of Commerce manyasreviewers gaveCEO these papers glowing serve chairman and of the Existing home sales edged on the economy, inflation and cember 2022, as the 10-week combined praise. company. up 0.2% last month from how those forces could impact Iran war pushed up ener“We are bringing NextEra Political scientist ZachEnergy Goldberg rantheir lives. Trips to the grocery gy prices and put pressure on March to a seasonally adjustand Dominion Energystudies togetherconcepts through ss certain grievance store or gas station are more companies to pass along high- ment reported last Thursday. ed annual rate of 4.02 million because scale matters more than d the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often That’s slightly more than the units, the National Association painful than they were last er costs to consumers. ever not for thein sake size, over the years. they—appeared ourofpress 207,000 new applications ana- of Realtors said. Sales were unThe Labor Department reyear, and that is impacting the but scaleincreases translates into Hebecause found huge in the usagesdecisions of both households ported last Wednesday that its lysts surveyed by the data firm changed compared to April capital and privilege,” operating efficiencies. of “white “unconscious bias,”and businesses. last year. producer price index — which FactSet had forecast. It“critical enables race us to buy, build, finance ng theory” and “whiteness.” Here’s a snapshot of promi- tracks inflation before it hits The latest sales figure fell Weekly filings for unemployand operate more efficiently, which All of this is being taught to college nent economic data and news consumers — shot up 1.4% in ment benefits are considered a short of the roughly 4.12 miltranslates into more affordable students, many of whom become primary that occurred over the past April, the biggest monthly gain proxy for U.S. layoffs and are lion pace economists were exelectricity for our customers in c. and secondary school teachers who then close to a real-time indicator of pecting, according to FactSet. week and what it potentially since March 2022. the long run,” Ketchum said in a indoctrinate our young people. Sales have been hovering Gasoline soared 15.6% from the health of the job market. means for you. statement. n I doubt whether the coronavirusDespite relatively few lay- close to a 4 million annual pace March and diesel, the domThe combined company will caused crunch will give college have dualfinancial headquarters in Juno inant fuel used in shipping, offs, the labor market appears now going back to 2023, far Gas prices fuel inflation o? and university administrators, who aresurge a Beach, Florida, and Richmond, to be stuck in what econo- short of the historic norm that jumped 12.6%. of 3.8% in U.S. crossbreed parrot and jellyfish, Virginia. It willbetween also keep aDominion Excluding volatile food and mists call a “low-hire, low-fire” is closer to 5.2 million. the guts andCarolina’s backbone to restore academic Energy South existing U.S. consumer prices energy costs, so-called core state. That has kept the unemrespectability. Far too often, they get much operational headquarters in Cayce, climbed sharply again last producer prices were up 1% ployment rate low at 4.3% but Average U.S. long-term of their political support from campusmonth as the 10-week war from March and 5.2% from left many of those out of work mortgage rate moves lower South Carolina. grievance people whoNextEra’s are members of with the Iran pushed energy pric- April 2025. The business will use struggling to find new employname andand trade under itsand “NEE” faculty diversity multiculturales higher. The average long-term U.S. All the numbers were much ment. ticker symbol on the New York Stock administrative offices. mortgage rate edged lower last The Labor Department’s higher than economists had Exchange. Its hope board lies of directors will of The best with boards week, its first drop after rising Retail sales growth consumer price index rose forecast. include 10 directors from NextEra trustees, though many serve as yes-men the previous two weeks. slows in April 3.8% from April 2025, accordand from Dominion. for four the university president. I think that a to data released last Tues- Applications for The benchmark 30-year ing The start deal, which good wouldwas beapproved to find 1950s or 1960s Shoppers pulled back on fixed-rate mortgage rate fell to day. On a month-to-month ba- unemployment benefits by both companies’ boards, is catalogs. Look at the course offerings at spending in April as higher gas 6.36% from 6.37% last week, sis, April prices rose 0.6% from rise as Iran war drags on expected to close in 12 to 18 a time when college graduates knew how prices fueled by the Iran war mortgage buyer Freddie Mac March as gasoline prices rose months. It still needs approval to read, write and compute, and make5.4% during the month; the meant less money left over for said Thursday. One year ago, The number of Americans from NextEra and Dominion them today’s curricula. Another helpful month-over-month gain was filing for jobless aid rose last some nonessentials like cloth- the rate averaged 6.81%. shareholders, as well as various tool would be to give careful consideration Borrowing costs on 15-year down from a 0.9% increase week but remains historically ing and furniture. regulatory approvals, including to eliminating all classes/majors/minors Retail sales rose a respect- fixed-rate mortgages, popular low despite the economic unfrom February to March. approval from the Nuclear containing the word “studies,” such as Labor Department figures certainty caused by the war in able 0.5% in April, but that with homeowners refinancing Regulatory Commission. women, blackjumped or queer studies. showed that gasoline prices are Iran. Shares Asian, of Dominion was slower than the 1.6% their home loans, also eased I’d bet that by restoring traditionalup more than 28% compared more than 9.61% in morningthe trading, U.S. applications for unem- growth seen in March, accord- last week. That average rate fell academic mission they would while NextEra’s stock to fellcolleges, 5%. to a year ago. AAA says the av- ployment benefits for the week ing to Commerce Department to 5.71% from 5.72% last week.

VISUAL VOICES

s’

It’s okay to ask questions about when The we begin to get back to comfort normal and ho

Hotter inflation doesn’t stop consumers, investors

put a serious dent into the COVID-19 erage gallon of gasoline costs THE ASSOCIATED PRESS budget shortfall. motorists more than $4.50 a Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

ending May 9 rose by 12,000 to 211,000, the Labor Depart-

data released Thursday. March marked the largest one-month

A year ago, it was at 5.92%, Freddie Mac said.

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North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

From Cisco to Block, more companies are pointing to AI when unveiling job cuts Cuts at Meta and other big names arrive amid broader AI ramp-up

nodding to the role of AI along the way.

The Associated Press

Last Wednesday, Cisco Systems announced plans to cut fewer than 4,000 jobs, or about 5% of its workforce. The announcement arrived the same day the tech giant unveiled record revenue for its third fiscal quarter amid soaring demand for its AI tools and infrastructure. CEO Chuck Robbins told employees in a memo that “the companies that will win in the AI era will be those with focus, urgency, and the discipline to continuously shift investment” — and that meant “making hard decisions.” But he said Cisco would also help employees impacted by the cuts find new opportunities, “whether internal or external.”

NEW YORK — Layoffs have been piling up recently, especially in the tech world. And the words “artificial intelligence” are accompanying more and more notices about the cuts. That’s unnerving workers across sectors, with many fearing what the rapid adoption of AI will mean for their job prospects. Even if AI isn’t replacing people directly, some businesses have announced reductions as they redirect money to the technology or tout new ways to streamline operations — raising alarm about what might be left over for payrolls and future openings. But corporate explanations are often very vague. AI is rarely the sole reason companies cite when making layoffs, with most still pointing to wider corporate restructuring or macroeconomic headwinds. Some executives have also suggested that, while they’re making cuts to move around resources now, AI and its demand could open up new roles down the road. Still, it’s hard to know if that’s the real driver or just the message a business wants to tell Wall Street. Regardless, here are some companies that have announced layoffs recently while at least

Cisco Systems said last week it would lay off 4,000 employees as demand for its artificial intelligence tools grows.

Cisco

Block Financial services provider Block in February moved to lay off more than 4,000 of its 10,000-plus employees. And the parent of payment platforms like Square and Cash App was vocal about reconfiguring to capitalize on AI. “The core thesis is simple. Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company,” CEO Jack Dorsey said in a letter to shareholders at the time. “A significantly smaller team, using the tools we’re building, can do more and do it better.”

JOAN MATEU / AP PHOTO

Dow Not only tech companies have pointed to AI when initiating layoffs. In January, chemicals maker Dow Inc. announced plans to cut about 4,500 jobs as part of a broader push to “streamline” operations. That included putting more emphasis on AI and automation. Pinterest Also in January, Pinterest said it would lay off some 15% of its workforce as the company pivots more of its money to AI. The image-sharing platform said the cuts were part of broader “transformation

initiatives” — which included reallocating the company’s resources to AI-focused roles and prioritizing AI-powered products. Lufthansa Group Last fall, Lufthansa Group said it would shed 4,000 jobs by 2030 — pointing to the adoption of AI, digitalization and consolidating work among member airlines. Meta While perhaps not explicitly mentioning or tying the technology to recent layoff announcements, a host of other big names — including Meta,

China agrees to boost trade for US beef, poultry following Trump-Xi summit U.S. export of fowl meats and products to China was $286 million in 2025 By Didi Tang The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — China has agreed to ramp up trade for U.S. agricultural products such as beef and poultry, buying at an annualized rate of $17 billion per year for 2026 and at that level for 2027 and 2028, the White House announced Sunday, two days after President Donald Trump returned from a high-stakes summit in Beijing where he sought to ease the impact on American farmers from the trade war he launched last year. China would restore market access for U.S. beef and resume imports of poultry from U.S. states determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be free of the bird flu, the White House said. The deals are on top of China’s soybean purchase commitments last year. The agreements offer some hope to American farmers harmed by the trade war as they saw a major export market for soybeans and other products dry up. Farmers also are feeling new pressure from Trump administration policies — the war that the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran has curtailed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade corridor that has restricted global fertilizer supplies and sent those prices soaring. There was no immediate confirmation of the terms from Beijing. China’s Ministry of Commerce said Saturday the two sides would “resolve or make substantial progress toward resolving certain non-tariff barriers and market access issues” regarding agricultural goods. The U.S. would “actively work” to address China’s concerns regarding detention of its dairy products, seafood, the export of potted bonsai and the recognition of Shandong province as a bird-flu-free zone, while the Chinese side will “likewise actively work” to address U.S. concerns regarding the registration of beef processing facilities and the ex-

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping while leaving after a visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing last Friday.

“In principle, the two sides agreed to reduce tariff on products of respective concern at equivalent scale.” China Ministry of Commerce spokesperson tional security, has diversified its sources of imported soybeans, beef and other farm goods, turning increasingly to Brazil, Argentina and other countries over the U.S. ENA SELLERS / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Wagyu cattle stand in a pasture at the farm of Jaclyn and Reid Smith located in Turkey. port of poultry meat from certain states to China, a ministry spokesperson said. The two sides also agreed to expand trade, including that of farm goods, through measures

such as reciprocal tariff reductions on “a specific range of products,” though the spokesperson did not specify the products. China, recognizing the link between food security and na-

China sharply cut back U.S. imports during trade war Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show China’s imports of U.S. agricultural goods peaked in 2022 with $38 billion but fell to $8 billion in 2025. The figures include nearly $18 billion in soybean purchases in 2022 and $3 billion in 2025. It’s not immediately clear how

Microsoft and Amazon — are also cutting thousands of jobs while investing billions of dollars toward AI. Meta, for example, plans to lay off about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce, starting next week. When announcing the cuts last month, the Facebook owner more broadly cited the need to offset certain investments and broader efficiency. Still, the move arrives as Meta continues to ramp up spending on AI infrastructure and highly paid AI expert hires. And earlier this year, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said 2026 will be when “AI starts to dramatically change the way that we work.”

much more China would buy from American soybean farmers, who were hit especially hard in the trade war. China, traditionally the largest foreign buyer of American soybeans, stopped purchasing them altogether last year after Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese goods. The latest agreement builds on a trade truce Trump reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October in which China agreed to resume buying U.S. soybeans. The White House said then that China committed to buying 12 million metric tons in the current marketing year and 25 million metric tons for each of the next three years. According to the White House, hundreds of U.S. beef plants, including those run by Tyson and Cargill, also will be able to export again to China, though it’s not immediately clear how much beef American businesses will be selling to China. China let licenses for hundreds of U.S. beef plants expire last year, and the import value for 2025 fell to less than $500 million, according to USDA figures. China’s purchases of U.S. beef had peaked at $2.14 billion in 2022, the government data shows. Trump, Xi used summit to find areas of economic cooperation During the summit last week, Trump and Xi discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation, including expanding market access for American businesses in China and increasing Chinese investment into U.S. industries, the White House had said. The two leaders agreed to set up separate boards of trade and investment — though offered few details on the proposals or how they would differ from existing trade dialogues. The Board of Trade will allow the two governments to manage trade of “non-sensitive goods,” and the Board of Investments would provide a venue for the two sides to discuss investment-related issues, according to the White House. China’s Ministry of Commerce said the two bodies would address respective concerns regarding trade and investment. The Board of Trade, the ministry spokesperson said, would allow the two sides to discuss issues such as tariff reductions on specific products. “In principle, the two sides agreed to reduce tariff on products of respective concern at equivalent scale,” the spokesperson said.

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North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

features Jaafar Jackson arrives at the premiere of “Michael” on April 20 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

‘Michael’ reclaims top box office spot in 4th weekend “Is God Is” earned $2.2 million

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press AFTER TWO weeks trailing “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the North American box office with $26.1 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Lionsgate movie is in rarefied territory, having brought in $703.9 million worldwide and counting. It still has a way to go to surpass the current reigning champion of musical biopics: “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The Queen movie grossed more than $910.8 million worldwide. There were also several newcomers in the mix this weekend, including the relationship horror movie “Obsession,” the Guy Ritchie action pic “In the Grey”

and the revenge saga “Is God Is,” but the holdovers continued to draw the largest crowds. The power dynamics are poised to shift when “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” hits theaters next weekend. Disney and 20th Century Studios’ “The Devil Wears Prada 2” took second place in its third weekend with $18 million, bringing its domestic total to $175.9 million and worldwide earnings to $546.2 million. “Obsession” topped the newcomers, exceeding expectations with an estimated $16.1 million from 2,615 theaters. YouTube breakout Curry Barker wrote and directed the thriller in which a hopeless romantic gets more than he bargained for when his crush returns his affections. The film received positive reviews from both critics (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (A- CinemaScore). Perhaps more notable is that Barker made the film for $750,000. Focus Features ac-

quired it out of the Toronto International Film Festival last fall for about $15 million. Lisa Bunnell, president of domestic distribution for Focus Features, attributed some of “Obsession’s” success to audiences craving fresh, original voices at the movies. It’s also getting an infusion by word-of-mouth, with younger audiences making plans to go back with friends. Horror movies don’t often get CinemaScores in the A- range, but “Obsession” is in good company with another recent hit: “Weapons.” “I’m expecting a really strong holdover,” Bunnell said. Fourth place at the box office this weekend went to “Mortal Kombat II,” which fell 65% in its second weekend to $13.4 million in domestic ticket sales. Globally, it has made $101.2 million from 80 markets. Amazon MGM Studios had three movies in the top 10, including “The Sheep Detectives” in fifth place, “Project Hail

“Mortal Kombat II,” “Obsession” overlooked, underperform Video game-based movies shouldn’t be overcomplicated By Bob Garver The Sun

Mary” in seventh place and “Is God Is” rounding out the top 10. “The Sheep Detectives” enjoyed a slim 33% drop from its first weekend, taking in an additional $10.2 million and bringing its running total to $30.5 million. “Project Hail Mary,” which is now available to rent or buy at home, brought in another $3.4 million in its ninth weekend in theaters. “Is God Is,” Aleshea Harris’ adaptation of her Obie-winning play about twin sisters (Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on a quest to find and kill their abusive father made $2.2 million in its first weekend in theaters. It has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, the action caper “In the Grey,” released by Black Bear, made $3 million from 2,018 locations. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González star in the film about a team of elite operatives on an impossible mission. It currently carries a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore. There were also several high-profile rereleases in theaters this weekend, including “Top Gun,” which made $3.1 million, and “Shrek,” which earned $1.3 million. Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Com-

score, noted that “Prada,” “Michael” and “Top Gun” all making the top 10 show “nostalgia is on full display.” “What’s old is new again, and audiences clearly love it,” he said.

from a “Mortal Kombat” movie: It’s creative with its fighting sequences, and the jokes usually hit. But it’s bad at the things that audiences want from movies of any genre: It’s hard to care about many of these characters, and the story is an overcomplicated mess that can’t even stick to its own ridiculous rules. Like “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” I admire the way this sequel steps up its game from an original that I didn’t enjoy, but unlike that film, I can’t say I’m now “won over” by this franchise.

that’s problematic if he thinks about it, so he decides not to think about it. But, of course, things go south for Bear once Nikki starts inserting herself into every corner of his life and finding creepier and creepier ways to express her devotion. Her love becomes … wait for it … obsession. This movie gamely features some of the sickest scenes from a stalker thriller ever put to film, even if they borrow heavily from other stalker thrillers like “Fatal Attraction.” And Navarrette puts in a horror performance for the ages, both when her character is and isn’t under the magic spell. But the movie falters when the story has to give us something other than Nikki spinning further and further out of control. The ending (not Navarrette’s contribution to the ending, which is excellent, but the ideas that go into the ending) is a lazy letdown and ends what had previously been an engaging horror film on such a down note that I can’t bring myself to recommend it as a whole. “Obsession” doesn’t lose my recommendation because of anything it “does” but because of how much potential it leaves on the table.

WITH “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Michael” still ruling the domestic box office, I thought I’d give this week’s review spot to a couple of also-rans from the past two weeks.

Grade: C

‘Mortal Kombat II’

“Obsession”

The 2021 “Mortal Kombat” movie was a disaster that left fans disappointed for many reasons, not least of which was that it didn’t feature any fights from the much-hyped tournament for universal supremacy. At least in “Mortal Kombat II,” we finally get the tournament. Only the first round is done somewhat properly before the thing breaks down into cheating and sneak-attack shenanigans, but it can’t be said that we are denied the tournament entirely. A new character, outstanding-fighter-turned-action-movie-star-turned-washout-at-both Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), is

“Mortal Kombat II” is rated R for strong bloody violence and gore, and language. Its running time is 116 minutes.

SCOTT A GARFITT / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Lewis Tan poses for photographers upon arrival at the European Fan Event of the film ‘Mortal Kombat II’ on April 30 in London. the audience surrogate into the five-on-five fighting series on a distant planet that will determine the fate of our world. Cage fights alongside Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Jax (Mehcad Brooks), Cole Young (Lewis Tan) and Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) under the mentorship of Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) against the forces of the evil Shao Khan (Martyn Ford), such as his queen Sindel (Ana Thu

Nguyen), stepdaughter Kitana (Adeline Rudolph), her bodyguard Jade (Tati Gabrielle), and resurrected minions Kung Lao (Max Huang) and Kano (Josh Lawson). The first movie made another mistake killing off humoristic highlight Kano, but fortunately this movie brings him back so he can steal the movie all over again. “Mortal Kombat II” is good at the things that fans want most

In 1992’s “Aladdin,” one of the Genie’s few rules with wishes was that he couldn’t make people fall in love. “Obsession” is a movie about what happens when a wish for love is granted. It’s a horror movie, and a nasty one. The Genie was right to have that rule. Awkward dork Bear (Michael Johnston) wishes for the romantic love of his longtime friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) on a novelty willow stick. The wish comes true, Nikki is immediately smitten with him, and Bear reaps the rewards of her vehement affection. The woman Bear loves may not have any agency in the matter, and

Top 10 movies by domestic box office This list factors in estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. 1. “Michael,” $26.1 million 2. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” $18 million 3. “Obsession,” $16.1 million 4. “Mortal Kombat II,” $13.4 million 5. “The Sheep Detectives,” $9.3 million 6. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” $4.5 million 7. “Project Hail Mary,” $3.9 million 8. “Top Gun” 40th Anniversary, $3.1 million 9. “In the Grey,” $3 million 10. “Is God Is,” $2.2 million

Grade: C “Obsession” is rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, sexual content, pervasive language and brief graphic nudity. Its running time is 108 minutes.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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PHOTOS BY CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Left, Ella Langley accepts the award for female artist of the year during the 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday in Las Vegas. Right, Cody Johnson was named male artist of the year at the event.

Langley dominates ACM Awards; Johnson wins entertainer of the year Country music’s biggest stars were honored Sunday in Las Vegas By Maria Sherman The Associated Press Cody Johnson won entertainer of the year, but it was Ella Langley’s night from the start. The first honor of the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday was for the coveted song of the year, given to Langley for the crossover hit “Choosin’ Texas,“ presented to her by Michael Bublé. “I’m not at a loss for words very often,” said Langley in her speech. “Thank you to the fans. I don’t know why you latched on to this song, but thank you for doing it.” Less than an hour later she was back on stage, winning single of the year for the same smash. She also joined Riley Green shortly thereafter, as their duet “Don’t Mind if I Do” took home music event of the year. Then she received her fourth on-stage trophy of the night

for female artist of the year. “I’m trying to get to say something but I can’t,” she said while her voice cracked. “I would not be standing up here without the encouragement of so many women.” But it was Johnson who took home the top prize of entertainer of the year. “They say that music is the sound of emotion,” Johnson said in his speech. “I get to convey that through this thing that God gave me called music.” That was shortly after he was awarded the title of male artist of the year. Then he dedicated his entertainer of the year award to Luke Combs. It was a night that promised appearances from the greatest names in contemporary country music and delivered on it. The show started with Lainey Wilson — who took home the top prize of entertainer of the year for the last two years — opening with “Can’t Sit Still,” her latest single, an anthemic stopper about ambition. It was an exciting way to kick off the 61st annual awards ceremony at the MGM Grand Gar-

den Arena in Las Vegas. That’s a noted departure from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas, where the ACM Awards were held the last three years. Performances followed fast and fierce from there: Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history, performed “Crisco.” Then Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis teamed up for “Ain’t A Bad Life.” Avery Anna performed her new song “Bang Bang,” a country-rock reimagination of the Nancy Sinatra classic “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).” Green tackled “Change My Mind” and Zach Top nailed his hit “Honky Tonk Till It Hurts.” Little Big Town did “Hey There Sunshine”; The Red Clay Strays nailed “Demons in Your Choir.” Host Shania Twain walked out to her 1997 single “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and congratulated Lainey on her wedding that took place last Sunday. “What a time this is for country music!” Twain said in her intro speech, which quickly became reflective: She talked about

winning her first ACM Award 30 years ago; she said she had her first top 10 hit at age 30. “Make it loud for all our sheroes,” she cheered, directing her attention to the women of country. It made sense: This is Twain’s first time hosting. She’s taken over for Reba McEntire, who has hosted the show 18 times. Group of the year was awarded to The Red Clay Strays; duo of the year went to Brooks & Dunn. “I don’t know why y’all aren’t getting sick of us,” Kix Brooks joked, “But we love y’all.” The ACM festivities actually began ahead of Sunday’s event. Before the show, a few trophies were handed out. Langley was named artist-songwriter of the year. Jessie Jo Dillon was named songwriter of the year, becoming the first artist to win three times in a row. Stephen Wilson Jr. was awarded visual media of the year for “Cuckoo.” Anna and Tucker Wetmore were presented with new female and new male artist of the year, respectively. Back on stage, Wetmore tackled “Brunette”; Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack dueted “Killin’ Me” from McCo-

llum’s 2025 self-titled album. Kacey Musgraves brought her cheeky wit to the ACM Awards stage with “Dry Spell,” performing atop a washing machine and in a grocery store; Langley performed “Be Her” acoustically. Carter Faith’s “If I Had Never Lost My Mind” was a standout vocal performance. She was followed by Johnson’s emotive “Travelin’ Soldier” and Kane Brown’s “Woman.” Album of the year was a hypercompetitive category, but ultimately, it went to McCollum for his self-titled release. He beat Morgan Wallen’s blockbuster “I’m the Problem,” Top’s “Ain’t In It for My Health,” Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do” and first-time nominee Faith’s “Cherry Valley.” That’s no small feat. Then two more final performances: Dan + Shay doing “Say So,” dedicated to Ben Vaughn, the late Warner Chappell president and CEO. It was followed by Blake Shelton’s powerful cover of “The Gambler,” most famously performed by Kenny Rogers and written by the late great Don Schlitz, the storied country music songwriter who died last month. The song, which was recorded by Rogers in 1978 and certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, opened doors for country music in the ’70s, a track that was not only a huge genre hit but also a pop crossover one.

Korean sci-fi monster movie ‘Hope’ leaves Cannes floored Director Na Hong-jin’s latest film is the talk of the film festival By Jake Coyle The Associated Press CANNES, France — Sprawling action movies with aliens do not generally compete for the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or. But Na Hong-jin’s “Hope” is not your average science fiction. Few movies were more anticipated in Cannes. It’s been 10 years since Na’s last film, the well-regarded 2016 thriller “The Wailing.” While some of Na’s fellow Korean genre masters, like Bong Joon Ho, have found global renown, for many cinephiles, Na is overdue for the kind of global introduction a Cannes premiere provides. But that doesn’t mean that Na, a few hours before debuting “Hope,” was feeling at ease. “I’m really nervous,” the writer-director said in an interview alongside the Cannes beach. “I didn’t imagine it would be so nerve-wracking to be honest, to the point of not sleeping.” Na’s movie, one of the most expensive Korean films ever made, certainly provides no rest. For two hours and 40 minutes, it takes a story that begins with the mysteriously scarred carcass of a dead bull and breathlessly and quite bloodily accumulates into a cosmically grand, audaciously gonzo sci-fi tale.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Hwang Jung-min, from left, director Na Hong-jin, Hoyeon and Zo In-sung from the film “Hope” pose Monday for photographers at Cannes. The headlong rush of Na’s bonkers would-be international blockbuster left Cannes alternatively awed, befuddled and thrilled. Variety’s Jessica Kiang called it “hilarious, unwieldy, overlong and featuring some of the most breathtakingly elegant action moviemaking of this or any year.” Hwang Jung-min plays the Hope police chief in a rural village where the investigation into the bull attack rapidly turns into

a frantic chase, following a trail of carnage through the Korean Demilitarized Zone. He’s eventually joined by another police officer (Jung Ho-yeon). Meanwhile, the chief’s cousin (Zo In-sung) is following a separate set of clues into the forest. How “Hope” gets from A to B is much of the fun. But let it be known: Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander play extraterrestrials. “I wanted to talk about a sto-

ry that starts off with something very trivial and that can build to something that can impact the entire universe,” Na said. “In order to tell that story, I felt I had to incorporate aliens.” Just how grand a scope “Hope” would encompass took some figuring out for Na. He ultimately decided he would put only part of it in the film. A sequel set in space, more centered around Fassbender and Vikander’s characters, has already been written. Na warmly offered “a secret,” describing how his theoretical part two ends, before being hushed by publicists. Na rushed to complete the edit in time for Cannes. Speaking through an interpreter, he sounded very much like a filmmaker who has for years been consumed by the possible iterations of this story. That it’s taken 10 years to get here, he grants, is hard to believe. “It didn’t feel that long to me. I only realize now that it’s been quite a journey,” he said. “The editing took a long time. The CGI took forever.” For the Korean stars of the film, Na was the main attraction. Asked why he wanted to do the film, Zo answered straightforwardly: “Because it’s Na Hong-jin. Nothing else.” Jung hopes the film — which Neon will release in the U.S. later this year — will bring new audiences to the director. “He has such cool filmography,” she said. “It will be nice if he can

have a much wider audience.” Hwang, one of South Korea’s top stars, is reuniting with Na after starring in “The Wailing.” Almost immediately, they started talking about another film together. Hwang was the first performer to sign on to “Hope.” “Among the actors, we have this faith in the director that whatever movie he does, he’ll do a good movie,” said Hwang before deadpanning, “but I don’t think he knows that many good actors.” Some spectacular and lengthy action sequences make up much of “Hope.” But as much as the movie is a pedal-to-the-metal ride, it’s predicated on some of the weighty themes that have characterized Na’s films, particularly “The Wailing.” The genre and perspective shifts in “Hope,” from monster movie to sci-fi, go to the heart of what drove Na’s largest production in the first place. For him, it all began with people’s struggle to see and understand those different from them. “I started off with a focus on xenophobia and immigrant problems,” he said. “As I was developing the story, it became a much bigger story. “In any big tragedy, they don’t necessarily arise from malicious intention. It all starts with difference in perspective. I think it’s that conflict in perspective or misunderstanding that creates these collisions. That’s what I wanted to talk about.”

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North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND EXECUTOR’S NOTICE In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000747-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Shirley B. Barefoot aka Shirley Barefoot Barefoot, Deceased of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before August 21, 2026 at 51 Bunnlevel Erwin Road, Bunnlevel, North Carolina 28323, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 21st day of May, 2026 Charles D. Nowiski, Executor Estate of Shirley B. Barefoot aka Shirley Barefoot Barefoot, deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC Post Office Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 485-8899 05/21/2026, 05/28/2026, 06/04/2026 and 06/11/2026

Notice to Creditors The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Daniel Bauer, 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 August 7, 2026 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. Hilary Lohr 1624 Seattle Slew Lane Hope Mills, NC 28348”

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E 000568-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Randall Wayne Blackburn, 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 7th of August, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 24th day of April 2026. Penny Woolard Blackburn Administrator/Executor 1400 Lowbranch Court Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Randall Wayne Blackburn, Deceased

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK ESTATE FILE NO. 26E000659-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Theodore Francis Brown III, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of July, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Sarah Leann Brown Administrator of the Estate of Theodore Francis Brown III 7332 Cayman Drive Fayetteville, NC 28306

Notice to Creditors The undersigned having qualified as executor/ administrator of the estate of Donna Kay Click of Cumberland County North Carolina does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present the to the undersigned at 3712 Gilliam st. Hope Mills, North Carolina 28348 on or before August 7, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. May 4,2026 Dawn Renea Selman Stanley Executor/Administrator 3712 Gilliam st Hope Mills, NC 28348

Notice to Creditors

NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 26E000691-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Tony Roosevelt Daniels, deceased, of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 5th day of May, 2026. Terry Hunter Administrator of the Estate of Tony Roosevelt Daniels 830 Beuer Drive Fayetteville, NC 28314

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000768-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as Executor/Administrator of the estate of Carol T. Holloway, 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 15th day of August, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 12th day of May, 2026. Lori Holloway Administrator/Executor 4930 High Branch Court Address Stedman, North Carolina 28391 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Carol T. Holloway, Deceased

NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Han S. Ewing deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, ’rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, ’rms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Susy M. Techuk. Executor of the Estate of Han S. Ewing, Deceased c/o Susy M. Techuk, 473 Bristlecone Drive Fayetteville, NC 28311 Publish: Beginning May 14, 2026 – August 14 2026.

NOTICE In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #26E000643-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Ursula H. Harper deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 1st day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Administrator of the Estate of Ursula H. Harper Michelle Martinez 2208 Merle Dr Copperas Cove Tx 76522

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Estate of Shirley Mae Henry All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of Shirley Mae Henry, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are hereby notified to present such claims to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of July 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Jacqueline L. Joyner Executrix of the Estate of Shirley Mae Henry, Deceased 409 Swan Island Court, Fayetteville NC 28311 703-919-4879 MrDJoyner1@gmail.com

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000054 IN THE MATTER OF THE: GENEVA MCGIRT HILL Executor’s NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of. the Estate of Geneva McGirt Hill, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is To notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to Present them to the under-signed on or before the 30th day of July, 2026, [which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice] or this notice will be pleaded in bar Of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned This 21, day of April 2026 Executor: Carolyn Hill Williams 2229 Lake Upchurch Dr. Parkton, NC 28371 Of the Estate of Deceased: Geneve McGirt Hill April 21,202

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File #26e000697-250 State of North Carolina County of Cumberland The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Robert David Collier, deceased, late of Cumberland County, herby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of August, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 14th day of May, 2026. Callista Michelle Swart, Administrator 2430 Timber Oak Dr. Hillsborough, NC, 27278 Of the Estate of Robert David Collier, deceased.

Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E000662-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson, Deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Jennifer Moss Davis, CoExecutor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson, at 1628 Squire Davis Road, Kernersville, NC 27284, or Kimberly Moss Donaldson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson, at 260 Devereux Downs, Roswell, GA 30075, on or before the 7th day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson are requested to make immediate payment to one or both of the Co-Executors named above. This the 7th day of May, 2026. Jennifer Moss Davis, Co-Executor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson Kimberly Moss Donaldson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson Williford McCauley - Attorney for the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson Mailing Address: P. O. Box 53606 Fayetteville, NC 28305 Physical Address: 235 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28301

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland Estate of Jacqueline Shew In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File# 26E000672-250 Administrator’s/Executors’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as administrator of the Estate of Jacqueline Shew, 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 15th day of August, 2026, (which date is 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 thr undersigned. This 15th day of May, 2026. James R. Shew 6023 Shearwater Drive, Fayetteville, NC, 28304 Of the Estate of Jacqueline Shew, deceased

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In the General Court of Justice Cumberland County Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000761-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of PAULEAN WILLIFORD , deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having clams against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 22nd day of AUGUST 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the deceased are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 21st of May, 2026 Pauletta Williford Rawlins Administrator/Executor 6570 Cushing Drive Address Fayetteville, NC 28311 City, State, Zip of the Estate of PAULEAN WILLIFORD , deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

ESTATE OF GWENDOLYN ANN JACOBS CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 26E000024-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Gwendolyn Ann Jacobs deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to the Administrator Davis W. Puryear, 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311 on or before the 31st day of July, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 21st day of April, 2026. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Gwendolyn Ann Jacobs Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: April 30, May 7, May 14, and May 21, 2026

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of ROBERT LEON TAFT late of CUMBERLAND COUNTY, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 21 day of August , 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 13 day of May, 2026. Gabrielle Perkins Administrator 4759 Darroch rd Lillington, NC 27546

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Administrator’s Notice 26E000801-250

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS The undersigned, having qualified as Chasity Johnson of the Estate of Margaret Johnson, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before August 21st, 2026, (which is the date three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 21st day of May, 2026. Chasity Johnson Administrator / Executor 6277 Lakehaven Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 In the Matter of the Estate of Margaret Johnson, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF DONALD GLENN LEWIS CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E001064-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Donald Glenn Lewis, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to the Administrator Kelly Lewis, 25 Berkley Pl, Apt 1, Savannah, GA 31405 on or before the 15th day of August, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 6th day of May, 2026. Kelly Lewis Administrator of the Estate of Donald Glenn Lewis Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: May 14, May 21, May 28 and June 4, 2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY The undersigned, Oriana Mellot Nivens, qualified on March 31, 2026 as EXECUTOR of the ESTATE OF EUNICE H. MELLOTT, deceased, this is to notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at 7718 Ridgeloch Place, Charlotte, NC 28314 or 125 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374, on or before the 1st day of August, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Oriana Mellott Nivens Executor of the Estate of Eunice H. Mellott Jennifer B. Garner Garner Law Firm, PLLC Attorney for Estate 125 Applecross Road Pinehurst, North Carolina 28374

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Billy Earl Robinson, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the decedent to the undersigned at the address below on or before August 21, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment. This the 14th day of May 2026. Sabrina Robinson, Executor Estate of Billy Earl Robinson 7616 Oakberry Drive Raleigh NC 27616

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF BETSY J. WEST DECEASED 26E000305-250 Having qualified as Administratrix CTA of the Estate of Betsy J. West, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before August 21, 2026, or be barred from their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate are asked to please make immediate payment. This 21st day of May, 2026. Janet H. West Administratrix CTA c/o ELIZABETH W. MURPHY KELLY, WEST & MURPHY, P.A. Attorneys at Law 900 South Main Street Post Office Box 1118 Lillington, North Carolina 27546

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF MARTHA D. WEST DECEASED 26E000304-250 Having qualified as Administratrix CTA of the Estate of Martha D. West, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before August 21, 2026, or be barred from their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate are asked to please make immediate payment. This 21st day of May, 2026. Janet H. West Administratrix CTA c/o ELIZABETH W. MURPHY KELLY, WEST & MURPHY, P.A. Attorneys at Law 900 South Main Street Post Office Box 1118 Lillington, North Carolina 27546

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File #26 E 000722-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Isabelle Perry Westmoreland, 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 7th day of August, 2026 (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 7th day of May, 2026 ________________________________ _________________ Administrator/Executor Eddie A. Westmoreland 7149 Enfield Dr Fayetteville, NC 28303 Of the Estate of Isabelle Perry Westmoreland, Deceased

NOTICE Estate file #26E000588-250 administrators /executors notice the undersigned, having qualified as administrator of the estate of James M Wilkinson deceased late of Cumberland County I hereby notified all persons firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of July 2026 which is 3 months from the date after the day of the first publication of this notice or this notice will be pleased pleaded in bar of their recovery all debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the under signed. This 30th day of April 2026 signed by administrator executor Tina Wilkinson address 1709 bragg Blvd. Fayetteville NC 28303 of the estate of James M Wilkinson, deceased.

The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Glenn Kyle Johnson, Jr., deceased late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of August 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 21st day of May 2026. Claire Alyce Johnson, Administrator of the Glenn Kyle Johnson, Jr. Estate Haymount Law, PC Attorney for the Estate 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 Telephone: (910) 672-4600 Publish: 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Administrator’s Notice 26E000801-250 The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Glenn Kyle Johnson, Jr., deceased late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of August 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 21st day of May 2026. Claire Alyce Johnson, Administrator of the Glenn Kyle Johnson, Jr. Estate Haymount Law, PC Attorney for the Estate 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 Telephone: (910) 672-4600 Publish: 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Administrator’s Notice 26E000405-250 The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator cta of the Estate of Calvin Curry, deceased late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of August 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 21st day of May 2026. Wanda Michelle McDonald, Administrator cta of the Calvin Curry Estate Haymount Law, PC Attorney for the Estate 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 Telephone: (910) 672-4600 Publish: 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11

DAVIDSON NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF Davidson IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ERNEST PERKINS Having qualified as Willa Richardson of the Estate of Ernest Perkins, late of Davidson County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before August 21, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 21st day of May, 2026. Willa Richardson Executor 508 Constitution Drive, Durham, NC 27705 336-269-1429

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North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

DURHAM NOTICE TO CREDITORS Probate #26E000542-310 All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Jesse Lamar White, Jr., late of Durham County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Kendall Hill Page, 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 21st day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above-named Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 05/21/2026, 05/28/2026, 06/04/2026 & 06/11/2026

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF JOHNSTON NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF JAMES MICHAEL MCDONALD DECEASED 26E000502-500 Having qualified as Executor of the Will of James Michael McDonald, deceased, late of Johnston County, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before August 21, 2026, or be barred from their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate are asked to please make immediate payment. This 21st day of May, 2026. Kevin Francis McDonald Executor c/o ELIZABETH W. MURPHY KELLY, WEST & MURPHY, P.A. Attorneys at Law 900 South Main Street Post Office Box 1118 Lillington, North Carolina 27546

MOORE EXECUTOR’S NOTICE In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000155-620 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF MOORE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Sarah Elizabeth Chappell aka Sarah Sutton Chappell, Deceased of Moore County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before August 21, 2026 at 677 John Nunnery Road, Stedman, North Carolina 28391, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 21st day of May, 2026 Susan Annette Chappell, Executor Estate of Sarah Elizabeth Chappell aka Sarah Sutton Chappell, deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC Post Office Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 485-8899 05/21/2026, 05/28/2026, 06/04/2026 and 06/11/2026

NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of: Dolores J Bradshaw County of Probate: New Hanover County Case Number: 26E000498-640 Notice is hereby given that on April 21, 2026, Letters Testamentary were issued to Valarie M Bradshaw by the Clerk of Superior Court of New Hanover County, in the State of North Carolina, against the estate of Dolores J Bradshaw, deceased. All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned representative at 2058 Willows Creek Lane, Leland, NC, 28451 on or before July 30, 2026 or be forever barred. This 22 day of April, 2026. Valarie M Bradshaw 2058 Willows Creek Lane Leland, NC, 28451

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, CHRISTOPHER BULLARD, having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of JOANNE HELTON BRYAN, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said CHRISTOPHER BULLARD, at the address set out below, on or before August 20, 2026, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 15th day of May, 2026. CHRISTOPHER BULLARD Administrator OF ESTATE OF JOANNE HELTON BRYAN c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000600-120 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael Hurwitz (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Michael Hurwitz) to David Silverman, Trustee(s), dated April 16, 2024, and recorded in Book No. 16895, at Page 0349 in Cabarrus 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 Cabarrus County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on June 2, 2026 and will sell to

NOTICE

Notice to Creditors

Having qualified as Personal Representative of the Estate of Dolores H. Carpenter, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before August 14, 2026 (which date is at least three (3) months from the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney. This the 14th day of May, 2026. Joseph Kevin Carpenter, III, Executor of the Estate of Dolores H. Carpenter c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146 Please publish 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Harvey Green Nall, aka Harvey G. Nall, Jr., late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT, ATTORNEY AT LAW, PO Box 2445, Asheboro, North Carolina 27204, on or before August 21, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of HAZEL STEPHENS MARKHAM (26E001600910), late of Wake County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of August 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 14th day of May 2026. Wyndy Gillis Administrator of the Estate of Hazel Stephens Markham c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 6/4/2026)

NOTICE

JOHNSTON

CABARRUS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, JASMINE GAYNELL COOPER, having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of VELMA GAYNELL COOPER, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said JASMINE GAYNELL COOPER, at the address set out below, on or before August 14, 2026, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 8th day of May, 2026. JASMINE GAYNELL COOPER Administrator OF ESTATE OF VELMA GAYNELL COOPER c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, CAROLINE STODDART, having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of ANNE CECILIA PRATA, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said CAROLINE STODDART, at the address set out below, on or before August 20, 2026, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 15th day of May, 2026. CAROLINE STODDART Administrator OF ESTATE OF ANNE CECILIA PRATA c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

RANDOLPH NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Barbara B. Hill of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law Office of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before August 13th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 14th day of May 2026. Linda Ann Hill Wilkes Barbara B. Hill Estate Andrew J Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Richard Meredith Hornback, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before August 3, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 30th day of April, 2026 Cyndy Dawn Hornback Administrator of the Estate of Richard Meredith Hornback Marion “Beth” McQuaid, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 04/30/26 05/07/26 05/14/26 05/21/26

the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Harrisburg in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying and being in No. 1 Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina and being Lot No. 82, Section No. 3 of VALHALLA, as shown on a map filed in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, NC, in Map Book 13, Page 49, to which map reference is hereby made. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 213 Lakeview Drive, Harrisburg, North Carolina. Being in all respects the same property conveyed to Michael Hurwitz, borrowers herein, by Allen McMillan, by deed filed in said registry contemporaneously herewith. Property Address: 213 Lakeview Drive, Harrisburg, NC 28075 Parcel No.: 5507-16-0251-0000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by

This 21st day of May, 2026 Steven Wayne Garner, Executor of the Estate of Harvey Green Nall, Aka Harvey G. Nall, Jr., deceased TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 2445 Asheboro, NC 27204 (336) 953-4661 PUBL/DATES: 05/21/26 05/28/26 06/04/26 06/11/26

ROBESON NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA ROBESON COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 25CV003973-770 PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff, v. JASON BURKLE, and Spouse of, if any; ELISABETH BURKLE a/k/a Elisabeth Barbee, and Spouse of, if any; SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, AN OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES; and SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC., Substitute Trustee; Defendants. NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION TO: Spouse of Jason Burkle, if any 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 Robeson County, North Carolina, a civil action concerning one parcel of real property located at 1006 Maple Street, Lumberton, North Carolina 28358. You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than June 16, 2026 (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 28th day of April 2026. HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP By: ____Bryce Ashby____________________ Claire Collins Dickerhoff N.C. State Bar No. 44306 Bryce Ashby N.C. State Bar No. 61688 Post Office Box 2505 Fayetteville, NC 28302 Telephone: (910) 864-6888 Facsimile: (910) 864-6848 Claire.dickerhoff@hutchenslawfirm.com Bryce.ashby@hutchenslawfirm.com Attorneys for Plaintiff Dates of Publication: May 7, 2026; May 14, 2026; and May 21, 2026. THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of NANCY EVANS STEVENS, late of Wake County, North Carolina (26E001316-910), 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 24th day of August, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 21st day of May 2026. Molly Stevens Williams Executor of the Estate of Nancy Evans Stevens c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2026)

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of MARY GRACE WILLIAMS, aka, MARY GRACE MAIORE (26E001444-910), late of Wake County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of August 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 7th day of May 2026. Vanessa M. Coley Administrator of the Estate of Mary Grace Williams, aka, Mary Grace Maiore c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28/2026)

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF NORMAN JOHN WISNIEWSKI DECEASED 25E004885-910 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Norman John Wisniewski, deceased, late of Wake County, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026, or be barred from their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate are asked to please make immediate payment. This 30th day of April, 2026. Norman Anthony Wisniewski Executor c/o ELIZABETH W. MURPHY KELLY, WEST & MURPHY, P.A. Attorneys at Law 900 South Main Street Post Office Box 1118 Lillington, North Carolina 27546

WAKE Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of NETTIE MAE BAILEY, late of Wake County, North Carolina (26E001694-910), 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 24th day of August, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 21st day of May 2026. Emilda Denise Betts Rivers Executor of the Estate of Nettie Mae Bailey c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2026)

N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any

recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 29186 - 149571

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North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

PEN & PAPER PURSUITS

sudoku

SOLUTIONS FROM LAST WEEK

Coca-Cola 600 preview, B3

KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

Hurricanes winger William Carrier will face Canadiens’ defenseman Alexandre Carrier and his hometown team when Carolina plays Montreal in the Eastern Conference final starting with Game 1 on Thursday in Raleigh.

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

MLS

Biel, Vargas spark Charlotte to 3-1 victory over Toronto Charlotte Pep Biel had a goal and an assist, Kerwin Vargas added two assists and Charlotte FC beat Toronto FC 3-1. Wilfried Zaha scored in the 19th minute to give Charlotte a 1-0 lead. Charlotte (5-6-3) took a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute on defender David Schnegg’s first goal for the club. Biel added a penalty kick in the 84th minute. Kristijan Kahlina finished with three saves.

NWSL

Courage snap winless skid, blank Stars Cary Ashley Sanchez and Evelyn Ijeh each had a goal and an assist in North Carolina’s 4-0 win over Chicago. Ijeh headed in her first goal of the season in the 47th minute. Sanchez tallied her sixth goal in the 61st. Ally Schlegel scored in the 65th minute. Manaka Matsukubo made it 4-0 in the 86th. North Carolina (3-3-3) ended a three-game winless streak.

NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Jaques hired as Campbell’s women’s basketball coach Buies Creek Ali Jaques was hired as women’s basketball coach at Campbell, after a season in which she helped Rhode Island win a programrecord 28 games. Jaques was the associate head coach at Rhode Island under Tammi Reiss, now the coach at Florida. Jaques has also worked at George Washington and Seton Hall in recent years with both of those stops following a nine-season run as Siena’s head coach.

After wait, Hurricanes get Habs in conference final The upstart Canadiens needed to go to seven games twice to reach the third round

Consecutive wins for the Hurricanes to start the playoffs

Brind’Amour’s team is well rested with 11 days without a game before Thursday’s Game 1 in Raleigh.

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — The Hurricanes and Canadiens have taken opposite paths to the Eastern Conference final. Montreal needed all 14 games in the first two rounds — including a 3-2 overtime win in Monday’s Game 7 in Buffalo — to reach the NHL’s final four. Meanwhile, Carolina’s magic number has been four — as in the conference’s top seed needed only four games in each of its first two series, sweeping away Ottawa and Philadelphia to reach the third round for the third time in four seasons. The Canadiens were the only

THE FORWARDS

MATT SLOCUM / AP PHOTO

Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven, right, leads Carolina with seven goals in eight games this postseason. team in the East that Carolina did not earn a win against this season, as Montreal swept the season series with 7-5, 5-2 and 3-1 decisions. But in the

postseason, the Hurricanes have been unbeatable. Carolina hasn’t allowed more than two goals in any of its eight playoff games, and coach Rod

The Canadiens have a high-powered top line led by captain Nick Suzuki, sniper Cole Caufield and former No. 1 overall Juraj Slafkovsky. The trio totaled 110 goals and 262 points during the regular season, and Suzuki is a finalist for the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward. The talent thins out after that. Rookie Ivan Demidov had a solid first season, finishing with 19 goals and 62 points, but no other Montreal forward eclipsed 40 points. Jake Evans and Alex Newhook — who had See CANES, page B4

Defenseman Miller doing it all in first postseason run with Carolina The 26-year-old has been one of the Hurricanes’ best players during the playoffs By Ryan Henkel North State Journal RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes’ entire game is built on a foundation of defensively strong blueliners who can gap up well, skate with any player and transition pucks through all three zones. While the defensive corps is composed of multiple players who fit that mold, perhaps no player has been a better fit in Carolina than K’Andre Miller. The Hurricanes acquired the 26-year-old blueliner over

the summer from the New York Rangers, and right away, he looked like a player who was destined to be in Raleigh. “It’s been everything we’d hoped for,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “You kind of know the player from coaching against him, but you don’t know what his impact could be. When he’s been on, he’s an elite player.” After a successful 2025-26 regular season campaign that saw Miller finish second on the Hurricanes in blueline scoring (8 goals, 37 points) while allowing the fewest chances against per 60 at even strength, the 6-foot-5 defenseman hasn’t missed a beat so far this postseason. He might be getting even better as the playoffs go on.

MATT SLOCUM / AP PHOTO

Carolina Hurricanes’ K’Andre Miller plays during Game 3 in the second round of the NHL playoffs against Philadelphia.

“Key’s been unbelievable.” Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker on partner K’Andre Miller “It’s just been the consistency in how he’s playing,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s just shift after shift. He’s been good all year, but now, it’s hard to find a shift where it’s not good.”

Miller currently leads all Hurricanes defensemen in scoring so far these playoffs, with six points in eight games, and four of his assists have either been on go-ahead or game-tying goals. He’s been able to provide that extra offensive oomph from the backend mostly due to his incredible skating. Miller was in the 90th percentile for nearly every skating stat this season, according See MILLER, page B3

B2 THURSDAY

5.21.26

TRENDING

Pennson Badgett: The East Surry senior set the NCHSAA record for lowest 18-hole round in the state boys’ golf championships. He opened play with an 11-under 60 at Longleaf, breaking the old mark — set by current PGA player J.T. Poston — by three shots. Badgett, a Tennessee commit, went on to win the state class 3A individual title, his second state championship in four years. East Surry also took the team title. Matthew Gray The Bryson City native and junior on the Appalachian State track and field team cleared 19 feet, 2 inches in the Sun Belt Conference championships to win the conference title and set school and conference records, along with setting the standard for North Carolina-born athletes. It’s the top pole vault in the NCAA this year. Ja’Marley Riddle: The Georgia safety was arrested on two felony drug charges and a misdemeanor speeding charge. Police say Riddle was weaving through traffic at about 95 mph, stopped him, and noted nervous behavior and an odor of marijuana. Police discovered a bag containing multicolored packaging labeled as marijuana and THC vapes. Riddle transferred to Georgia this winter from East Carolina.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NASCAR

Denny Hamlin outdueled Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe for his second victory in the NASCAR All-Star Race. Hamlin led the final 30 laps at Dover Motor Speedway, which became the sixth track to hold the exhibition event in the Cup Series. He finished 0.887 seconds ahead of Briscoe to earn the $1 million prize. It’s the third consecutive win on the 1-mile oval for Hamlin.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

“If there’s no emotion in sports, what’s the point of sports?” IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean after a post-race altercation with Marcus Armstrong.

DERICK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

PGA

WORLD CUP

STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH / AP PHOTO

“My dog doesn’t know I made an error. My dog loves me.” Baltimore Orioles infielder Coby Mayo on his slow start to the season. His golden retriever is named Fin. PRIME NUMBER

$20.5M The prize money for the PGA Championship up $1.5 million from last year, with the winner getting $3,690,000. The PGA Championship remains the smallest purse among the three American majors. The British Open is lower. The PGA Tour now has eight signature events with $20 million purses.

MATT SLOCUM / AP PHOTO

Former Duke golfer Alex Smalley, pictured, led by two strokes after three rounds of the PGA Championship. He shot even par in the final round, however, falling to a tie for second, three shots behind Aaron Rai, who become the first English-born player since 1919 to capture the major.

COURTESY MOLSON COORS BEVERAGE COMPANY

Miller Lite is selling the MVP Matchball, a replica World Cup soccer ball that holds 12 cans of the beer. Billed as “a classic soccer ball with a Miller Lite upgrade” the Matchball comes with a display stand. It costs $19.75, a tribute to the year Miller Lite was created.

CLUB BASEBALL

COURTESY @ECUCLUBBASEBALL / X

East Carolina’s club baseball team is headed to the NCBA World Series. The Pirates won the Mid-Atlantic regional championship and head to Alton, Illinois for the event, which runs from May 22 to 28. ECU is a two-time club baseball national champion and is in the World Series for the 10th time. As a 2-seed, they open play with Creighton.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Coca-Cola 600 heads to starting line in Charlotte The field includes 39 drivers, including another attempt at the double

Car No.

Driver

Team

Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing

Manufacturer Chevrolet

Austin Cindric

Team Penske

Ford

Austin Dillon

Richard Childress Racing

Chevrolet

Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports

Ford

Kyle Larson

Hendrick Motorsports

Chevrolet

Brad Keselowski

RFK Racing

Ford

Daniel Suarez

Spire Motorsports

Chevrolet

Kyle Busch

Richard Childress Racing

Chevrolet

Chase Elliott

Hendrick Motorsports

Chevrolet

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

10.

Ty Dillon

Kaulig Racing

Chevrolet

11.

Denny Hamlin

Joe Gibbs Racing

Toyota

NASCAR returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend as the Cup Series season hits the halfway point. A total of 39 drivers will compete in the Coca-Cola 600, including another attempt by a driver to achieve the rare double of finishing the Indianapolis 500 and the 600 in Charlotte on the same day. It took until the start of race week for it to become official, but Katherine Legge will attempt to finish both races. She’s starting 26th at Indy, then, equipment and weather permitting, she’ll fly south to make her debut in the Coca-Cola 600. Only five people have managed to drive in both races: John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, Kyle Larson and Kurt Busch. Stewart is the only driver to complete both races, logging 1,100 miles in the car. Larson attempted the feat each of the last two years, but rain caused delays both times, and a crash ended his run at Charlotte prematurely last year. Legge, a 45-year-old British driver, will become the first non-American to attempt the double, as well as the first wom-

12.

Ryan Blaney

Team Penske

Ford

16.

AJ Allmendinger

Kaulig Racing

Chevrolet

17.

Chris Buescher

RFK Racing

Ford

19.

Chase Briscoe

Joe Gibbs Racing

Toyota

20.

Christopher Bell

Joe Gibbs Racing

Toyota

21.

Josh Berry

Wood Brothers Racing

Ford

22.

Joey Logano

Team Penske

Ford

23.

Bubba Wallace

23XI Racing

Toyota

24.

William Byron

Hendrick Motorsports

Chevrolet

34.

Todd Gilliland

Front Row Motorsports

Ford

35.

Riley Herbst

23XI Racing

Toyota

38.

Zane Smith

Front Row Motorsports

Ford

41.

Cole Custer

Haas Factory Team

Chevrolet

42.

John Hunter Nemechek

Legacy Motor Club

Toyota

43.

Erik Jones

Legacy Motor Club

Toyota

45.

Tyler Reddick

23XI Racing

Toyota

47.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Hyak Motorsports

Chevrolet

48.

Alex Bowman

Hendrick Motorsports

Chevrolet

51.

Cody Ware

Rick Ware Racing

Chevrolet

54.

Ty Gibbs

Joe Gibbs Racing

Toyota

60.

Ryan Preece

RFK Racing

Ford

66.

Timmy Hill

Garage 66

Ford

67.

Corey Heim

23XI Racing

Toyota

71.

Michael McDowell

Spire Motorsports

Chevrolet

77.

Carson Hocevar

Spire Motorsports

Chevrolet

78.

Katherine Legge

Live Fast Motorsports

Chevrolet

88.

Connor Zilisch

Trackhouse Racing

Chevrolet

97.

Shane van Gisbergen

Trackhouse Racing

Chevrolet

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Ross Chastain celebrates in Victory Lane after winning last year’s Coca-Cola 600. an. She’s also older than any of the previous five drivers who took on the double. As the longest race on the Cup Series schedule, more driver points will be at stake in Charlotte than any stop other than the Daytona 500. Eight former winners of the race are in the field, led by last year’s winner, Ross Chastain. He’s joined by Austin Dillon (2017), Kyle Busch (2018), Brad Keselowski (2020), Larson (2021), Denny Hamlin (2022), Ryan Blaney (2023) and Christopher Bell (2024). Every winner on the Cup Series so far this season is also in the field, a group that includes Tyler Reddick, Blaney, Ham-

lin, Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs, Carson Hocevar and Shane van Gisbergen. For the second straight year, the race will air on Amazon Prime Video. Like 2025, after the start of the season was aired on channels in the Fox network, the Coca-Cola 600 opened a portion of the schedule that aired on Prime. The four races after this weekend will also air on the streaming service. The race will start at 6 p.m. Sunday and run for 400 laps on the 1.5-mile track. There will be four stages, with each one ending after 100 laps and points awarded to each stage winner. Here’s a look at the full field for Sunday’s race.

Hamlin doing his homework to stay on top of NASCAR heading into Coca-Cola 600 The veteran has run in Charlotte 34 times in his career

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR All-Star race at Dover Motor Speedway last weekend.

By Nate Ryan The Associated Press DENNY HAMLIN was so bothered by his middling performance at Dover Motor Speedway 12 years ago that he saw a sports psychologist to restore his faith. After winning the NASCAR All-Star Race for his third consecutive victory at the 1-mile track, he spoke with the confidence to conquer any oval in the Cup Series. “It’s very weird and unique at this point in my career that I’m in this place,” the 45-year-old Hamlin said. “But if we’re going to a track that turns left, I expect to win every single week.” Next up for the 21-year veteran is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the oldest driver on the circuit will be among the favorites for the longest race in NASCAR. Points leader Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott are also expected to be strong in the 600-mile event, but their combined total of 21 Cup starts at the track in Concord is dwarfed by Hamlin’s career total of 34. “I think my experience is carrying me more now than ever,” the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said. Coming off his second All-Star Race victory, Hamlin seems primed for a second

MILLER from page B1 to NHL EDGE, including in the 96th percentile for max skating speed. Very few players in the league can skate as well as Miller, and when you add in his massive wingspan, you have a player who’s incredibly hard to beat in most any situation. “Just being able to play fast and use my speed up and down the ice has been big,” Miller said. “Creating offense through quick defense whether in the neutral zone or just breaking the puck out quick.” But the blueliner isn’t just providing additional offense

of putting someone else in that car.” Hamlin is signed through the 2027 season and has indicated it’ll be his last. “I want to finish like this,” he said. “I do not want to go through the regression. My ego will not allow me to be mediocre. So I’m going to have to leave some on the table at some point, right? In order to know that you can win your last race, you’re going to have to go into the next year saying, ‘I’m not doing it, but I could have.’” Chris Gayle, Hamlin’s crew chief, said his driver’s desire to retire on top makes it easy for the team to avoid tapering off. “There’s not many (wins) in front of him anymore,” Gayle said. “Every one is probably more and more sweet to him at this point.” Open concerns

Coke 600 win at Charlotte, which is one of seven 1.5-mile tracks that play host to a combined 11 races this season. In the past three races on 1.5-mile speedways, Hamlin has a win (at Las Vegas Motor Speedway), a second (behind Elliott at Texas Motor Speedway) and a fourth (Kansas Speedway, where he dominated until a late caution allowed Reddick to snatch an overtime win). Sunday’s marathon race at Charlotte will be more consequential as a 2026 title predictor. The track’s Oct. 11 race has moved from the road course to the oval for the first time in nine years. Charlotte will be one of four 1.5-mile ovals in the revamped Chase, the 10-race

championship run to conclude the season. Hamlin, whose sterling resume includes 61 wins but no Cup title, will undoubtedly be studying Charlotte all week, hunting for ways to improve his restarts by adapting his driving style. He calls that trait his biggest strength and credits his massive Dover improvement to watching videos of Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex taming the Monster Mile. “I just watched lap after lap after lap and said, ‘I’m going to copy that, right or wrong,’” Hamlin said. “It started working.” The No. 11 Toyota driver now shares that knowledge with teammates Christo-

pher Bell, Chase Briscoe and Ty Gibbs, who scored his first Cup victory last month at Bristol Motor Speedway and leans regularly on Hamlin’s advice. “Every Monday when we have our driver meetings, it’s kind of like a master class,” said Heather Gibbs, mother of Ty and co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Denny has so much wisdom, so much experience. He’s great with giving feedback. He’s still at the top. He definitely hasn’t fallen off. We keep joking, ‘Hey, what about another year?’ To have someone step into the 11 car and win, you’re not going to have that. Denny is kind of a legend in that car. I can’t even imagine thinking

Running the All-Star Race without a warmup act backfired for several drivers. Instead of the All-Star Open, a race in which top finishers can transfer into the main event while the qualified drivers sit out, the entire 36-car field raced in the first two segments before the 200-lap dash for a $1 million prize. More than half the field was involved in crashes during the first two segments, eliminating Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain, and leaving Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson with damaged cars incapable of contending. Hamlin was among several drivers who lobbied to bring back the All-Star Open. “I think having the Open is fun,” Heather Gibbs said. “You get major street cred when you race your way out of the Open. It’s rewarding.”

from the backend. Miller has been one of the Hurricanes’ most impactful players in all situations, ranking second on the team in average ice time (23:44 per game). “Miller, you’ve got to give him his due too because he’s been great,” Brind’Amour said. “Logging a lot of minutes against top, top competition.” At 5-on-5, he and defensive partner Sean Walker have been the league’s best pair in terms of goals share, with Carolina having a 7-1 edge in goals in their minutes, and Miller has a 10-1 edge in his minutes alone. “We’re playing at such an intense level that it’s making the

game come easy,” Miller said. But that success more so comes from their play in the defensive and neutral zones, where they’ve been able to kill plays with incredible efficiency while rarely allowing a chance on net. Amongst all defensive pairings that have played at least 100 minutes so far this postseason, Miller and Walker have allowed the second fewest chances against. That success has bled into the penalty kill, where Miller hasn’t been on the ice for a goal against despite spending nearly 25 minutes shorthanded this postseason.

“I like to think I’m playing pretty good, but Key’s been unbelievable,” Walker said. “I think he’s on another level right now. Just his abilities, his stick, his skating, his physicality, the plays he makes every night has made it easy on me, and I’m just trying to help him out however I can.” Miller has also found himself quarterbacking the team’s second power play unit, taking over for Alexander Nikishin following his concussion, and he’s found a little bit of a rhythm there too, assisting on two of the Hurricanes’ five total power play goals this postseason. “He’s done it periodically

throughout the year, and he’s had a great season and a great playoffs,” Brind’Amour said. “You don’t necessarily want to give him all those minutes because he is playing a lot, but he’s been great on it.” The Hurricanes are a team that needs everyone pulling on the same rope if they want to reach their ultimate goal, but every team needs those key individual performances to push them even further. If Miller can continue playing at this level, then Carolina is going to have a very good chance of making it over the hump that’s stymied them for nearly a decade.

DERIK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Duke softball advances Running while Brown to fourth Super Regional COLUMN | SHAWN KREST

UNCG earned its first NCAA Tournament win over Clemson By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal FOR THE FOURTH time in five seasons, Duke’s softball team is headed to the NCAA Super Regionals. The third-seeded Blue Devils escaped elimination in their regional after defeating No. 6 Arizona twice in a double-header at Smith Family Stadium Sunday. After taking a 10-1 loss to the Wildcats during Saturday’s action, Duke kept its season alive with an 8-6 win in the following afternoon’s rematch. Tied at six runs apiece in the top of the sixth inning, senior infielder Aminah Vega hit a two-RBI single that scored graduate Jada Baker and senior D’Auna Jennings for the go-ahead runs. Vega, Jennings, redshirt junior Jessica Oakland and redshirt junior Kairi Rodriguez all launched a home run in the game. Jennings went 3 for 4 with an RBI and three runs, and Vega, who went 2 for 4, recorded a team-high three RBIs. Junior pitcher Larissa Jacquez, who earned the win in the circle, held the Wildcats to one hit in the final four innings. In a win-or-go-home situation later that afternoon, Duke defended its home field with a 9-4 victory. The Blue Devils once again hit four homers with another pair from Rodriguez and Vega, and sophomore Layla Lamar and graduate Tyrina Jones joined the party. In the top of the fourth inning, Arizona notched two runs to climb within a score, but two two-run homers by Vega and Lamar as a response put Duke back into a comfortable lead. Vega’s shot tied Ana Gold’s career home run record of 54. She also set Duke’s single-season doubles record Sunday. Outside of its matchups with Arizona, Duke dominated Howard 10-1 Friday and Marshall 11-1 Saturday evening. On the other side of the NCAA Tournament, UNC Greensboro, the Southern Conference champions, went 1-2 in the Athens regional. The Spartans, making their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance, began regional play with a 1-0 win over Clemson on Friday. It was their first NCAA

CANES from page B1 the game-winning goal in both Game 7s for the Habs — have elevated their play and provided secondary scoring this postseason. The Hurricanes haven’t gotten much out of their top line of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis, but their second line has more than made up for it. Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake have been unstoppable through two rounds and are widely considered the best line in the playoffs to this point. Jordan Staal will likely want to make a point that he deserved more Selke consideration. Carolina’s depth will be a problem for a young Montreal squad. Advantage:

Slight Carolina edge

THE DEFENSE Lane Hutson is on a path to stardom, and Noah Dobson is a reliable minute-muncher for the Canadiens. Beyond that, Montreal’s defense has been shaky. Mike Matheson and Alexandre Carrier have been underwater analytically this postseason, and coach Martin St. Louis doesn’t seem to trust No. 6 defenseman Arber Xhekaj, who played a total of 1:52 in Monday’s Game 7 and didn’t see the ice after the 3:52 mark of the second period. Carolina’s defense, meanwhile, has been impenetrable. Jaccob Slavin, coupled with Jalen Chatfield, continues to mys-

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

Duke’s Aminah Vega makes a throw during an NCAA regional softball game.

Home runs for the Blue Devils in the first weekend

Tournament win in program history. Sophomore infielder Laney Deane grounded out to score sophomore Macy Michael in the top of the first inning. UNCG mustered two hits the entire evening, but it didn’t matter as junior pitcher Brooklyn Shroyer posted a shutout with six strikeouts, one walk and five hits in a complete game. Clemson left six runners on base. UNCG’s offense continued to struggle in an 8-0 five-inning loss to regional host Georgia on Saturday. The Spartans logged one hit and gave up a combined six runs in the fourth and fifth innings. In an elimination rematch against Clemson later that afternoon, the Spartans fell 4-1. UNCG ended the year with a 43-19 record, reaching at least 40 wins for the fourth time. For Duke, second-seeded Arkansas stands between the Blue Devils and their second College World Series appearance. The Blue Devils will begin the Fayetteville Super Regional Friday at noon from Bogle Park, and Game 1 will be broadcast on ESPNU. Game 2, which will air on ESPN2, is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. Game 3 will be Sunday, if necessary. Arkansas boasts one of the

tify top forwards, and the pairing of K’Andre Miller and Sean Walker is playing its best hockey at the right time. The Hurricanes can really get firing on all cylinders if the third pairing of Shayne Gostisbehere and Alexander Nikishin starts taking advantage of its sheltered minutes and puts up points. Advantage

country’s better defenses. Led by ace Robyn Herron, the Razorbacks hold the advantage over the Blue Devils and rank ninth nationally in ERA (2.45), 10th in hits allowed per seven innings (5.51) and tied for sixth in fielding percentage (.979). The Razorbacks went 3-0 in their regional, shutting out Fordham and outscoring South Florida 19-3 in two games. Duke, however, has a slight edge over Arkansas offensively. The Blue Devils and Razorbacks rank similarly in batting average, on-base percentage and RBIs per game, but Duke separates itself in different areas. Duke is more dangerous in its ability to hit home runs as its 113 homer total ranks fifth nationally compared to Arkansas’ 75 home runs (35th). It also edges Arkansas in slugging percentage, logging a .643 figure to its opponent’s .570 mark. After a tournament-opening weekend of 17 home runs, it’ll be crucial for the Blue Devils to keep their bats hot, especially as the pitching improves. Herron, who earned first team All-SEC honors, holds a 1.97 ERA and a 16-6 record, while Payton Burnham, another Arkansas pitcher who has logged nearly 98 innings pitched, holds a 1.86 ERA and a record of 13-3. Duke is facing one of nine SEC teams remaining in the tournament. It is 4-4 against SEC opponents this season. Against the conference’s remaining tournament teams, the Blue Devils are 2-2. Now is a better time than ever for Duke to uneven those odds if it wants to return to Oklahoma City.

opposite: an underperforming 13.5% power play with an unreal 95% penalty kill. The Hurricanes were better in both facets in the regular season, and their elite PK gives them an advantage in the series. Advantage

Slight Carolina edge

Clear Carolina edge

OVERVIEW

THE GOALIES

Montreal is young but battle tested after two seven-game series. Dobes has proven he can steal a game, though there have been chinks in the armor as the playoffs have worn on. The Hurricanes’ biggest obstacle is getting back into game mode. After dispatching its first two opponents quickly, Carolina has done a lot of practicing, watching and waiting. Against the Flyers, the Hurricanes had no problem shaking off a six-day break, scoring twice in the first 7½ minutes of Game 1 on their way to a 3-0 win. Eleven days is nearly twice that, but Brind’Amour will want his team to pounce again early at home and try to rattle a team that has lost as many times (six) as any team in this year’s playoffs. It won’t be the last we see of Montreal this deep in the playoffs, but as long as rust doesn’t cost them a game, the Hurricanes should be able to use their depth and playoff guile to finish off the Canadiens quickly.

Jakub Dobes has been a great story for the Canadiens, but he hasn’t been on Frederik Andersen’s level. Dobes ranks one-tenth of a point behind Andersen in goals saved above expected this postseason, according to MoneyPuck.com, but that’s in 14 games compared to Andersen’s eight. Dobes did beat the Hurricanes three times this season, stopping 95 of 103 shots — including two stellar performances in March. But rest, experience and postseason performance are all check marks in Andersen’s column, and the Canadiens will be seeing a different goalie in the opposing net from the one they faced two months ago. Advantage

Slight Carolina edge

SPECIAL TEAMS The Canadiens’ power play is clicking at 25%, but their penalty kill is far and away the worst of the four remaining teams at 74.1%. Carolina is the

Prediction: Hurricanes in 5

MALLARD CREEK’S Nyan Brown had a big lead in the anchor leg of the NCHSAA Class 8A 4x400 relay. As he approached the finish line, he took the baton and spiked it on the track surface, screaming at the crowd. No, sorry. That’s what a Whiteville baseball player did with the ball after catching the final out of the COURTESY@FALLSLAKEstate 2A championship in ACADEMYVOLLEYBALL / INSTAGRAM 2022. What Brown did was Falls Lake celebrates their far worse. He held up both volleyball title without hands, fingers rubbing taunting. together in the well-known sign for “money.” No. Sorry again. That was Mooresville basketball after winning in the regionals in March to earn a spot in the state championship game. Brown must have held out his ring finger and slapped it, showing that’s where his title ring would go? Check that. That was the winner in the Class 7A relay the day before. Here we go: The pinnacle of poor sportsmanship. Brown made an Instagram video lip synching to Kanye’s 2005 Grammy acceptance speech. “Everybody wanna know what I would do if I didn’t win ... I guess we’ll never know.” Then he held up his hand, featuring the state championship ring, stuck out his tongue and mugged for the camera. Upon further review, that was the Falls Lake Academy volleyball team that did that. My bad. As Brown crossed the finish line to win a state title for his relay squad and an overall state title for the Mallard Creek boys, he held up his hand. Not his fist, like the runners back in 1968 who created a national scandal for supporting black power at the Olympics. No, this was his hand, fingers spread wide, facing his face — like the John Cena “you can’t see me” gesture. Only he didn’t wave it, just held it aloft. Even if you’re not a wrestling fan, you probably know You Can’t See Me. In college, Caitlin Clark adopted that as her go-to celebration move. ESPN announcers voted it the top celebration in the sport at one point. Then, when LSU beat Clark’s Iowa team and Angel Reese did it to her as time ran down, it became taunting. Oh, by the way, the Mallard Creek boys had won the last two state outdoor track championships. And earlier this year, they won their second straight indoor track title. Afterward, they posed for a team photo with the state title banner holding up four fingers, for the number of consecutive titles they’d won. Brown’s victory had clinched a fifth straight title. Five fingers. Back at the race, officials immediately responded by holding up a yellow flag, which disqualified the team for a violation of the state’s sportsmanship rule. They didn’t win the relay, and that event cost them the team title, allowing Jordan to pose for the least enthusiastic celebration photo in state championship history. According to Milesplit, the rule in question is NFHS Rule 4-6: “listed as Unsportsmanlike Conduct including taunting, criticizing officials, using profanity directed at someone, physical contact, or exhibiting flagrant/rebellious behavior.” Brown had been warned earlier in the day after he won the 300 hurdles, setting a state record in the process. That time, he allegedly flexed for photographers, although in the video of the race, he appears to hold his arms at his side, make fists and shout in celebration. His coach wasn’t told of the warning, which Milesplit says is NCHSAA policy. “Warnings are considered a teachable moment from officials to the athletes and coaches are not notified of these.” Why is it the duty of track meet officials to take on the responsibility of teaching high school athletes? Don’t teams have coaches to do exactly that? It seems to be the height of arrogance to exclude the one individual whose job description includes that particular task from this process. Stephen King said it best in his opening line to The Shining: “Jack Torrance thought: Officious little prick.” The NCHSAA had an officious little prick in charge of the 4x400 relay at the state championships, and, like a parking lot attendant on a bad day, they were going to wield their tiny bit of power. What I’m saying to the NCHSAA, in other words, is: Shut up and click the stopwatch. Furthermore, it’s tough to decode this “teachable moment.” There was nothing profane about clenching fists and shouting, nor about holding up your hand. It didn’t appear to be criticism of the officials or rebellious behavior. So Brown must have been taunting. The four-finger indoor track photo is on the NCHSAA website. So perhaps the thumb made it taunting? Of course, if holding up a hand is taunting, then how do you explain all the examples above of athletes who were not disqualified or, as far as we know, warned? Or all the water dumping, fist clenching, screaming celebrations that accompany just about every state championship in every sport? The NCHSAA apparently decided that none of those athletes needed to be taught. You only need to receive a teachable moment, apparently, if you are Brown. So what have we learned from all this teaching? If you win, you can celebrate. It’s heart warming and a visual demonstration of all that is good about sports — the emotion being released after a lifetime of hard work takes you to the pinnacle of your craft. As long as the officials like you. As long as they aren’t officious little pricks. As long as you’re not Brown.

COURTESY NCHSAA

Mallard Creek holds up four fingers after winning the indoor title in February.

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS 26SP000023-120 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James Robert Austin, III and Estefana Clara Luz Chavez a/k/a Estefana Chavez to Hilton T. Hutchens, Jr. Esq., Trustee(s), which was dated January 18, 2023 and recorded on January 18, 2023 in Book 16346 at Page 177, Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000458-120 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Teresa Stukel (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Teresa Stukel) to Angela M. Burton, Trustee(s), dated April 22, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 11888, at Page 0080 in Cabarrus 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 Cabarrus County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on June 1, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain tract or parcel of land, more particularly described as follows:

CUMBERLAND NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 26SP000417-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GENE GRAHAM JR AND AMANDA J GRAHAM DATED OCTOBER 22, 2004 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 670, AT PAGE 384 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000457-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Breahana L. Troy (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Breahana L. Troy) to Jennifer K. Fincher, Trustee(s), dated April 24, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09635, at Page 0742 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on February 23, 2024, in Book No. 11914, at Page 0658 , default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on June 1, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tract One: PIN: 9487-05-8681

25-124242 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 26SP000416-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JOSHUA WATSON AND HEATHER M. WATSON DATED JUNE 15, 2012 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8935 AT PAGE 132 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

26-125371 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 26SP000385-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JUSTIN E. WHITE DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 10178 AT PAGE 407 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

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 26, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL of Lot 121 of MALLARD POINTE ESTATES Subdivision, Map Two, as same is shown on plat thereof recorded in Map Book 39 at Page 57 in the Cabarrus County Public Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 2141 Mallard Pointe Dr, Kannapolis, NC 28083. 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

Lying and being in the City of Concord, No. 2 Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being Lot No. 3 of Unit 10 as shown on plat of parcel 602/604 Afton Village-Southend Row Houses, Units 9, 10 and 11, a copy of which plat is filed in the office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus in Map Book 55, Page 50, to which map book and page reference is hereby made for a complete description thereof by metes and bounds. Including the unit located thereon; said unit being located at 422 Beacon Street Northwest, Concord, North Carolina. Tax ID: 5601-10-5139-0000 The Property address and tax parcel identification number listed are provided solely for informational purposes, without warranty as to accuracy or completeness and are not hereby insured Being that parcel of land conveyed to Teresa Stukel from Watershed Development Company by that deed dated 4/21/2010 and recorded 4/27/2010 in Deed Book 9136, at Page 330 of the Cabarrus County, NC public registry. Parcel Number(s): 5601-10-5139-0000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion,

DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are James Robert Austin, III and wife, Estefana Clara Luz Chavez. 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

delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. 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

sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the

all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the

confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-36827-FC01

party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 27380 - 139625

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

BEING all of Lot 66, in a Subdivision known as WOODMARK, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 56, Page 5, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Property Address: 6800 Woodmark Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314. Tract Two: PIN: 9487-05-9657 BEGINNING at an existing iron pipe, the northeast corner of Lot 66, Woodmark, as recorded in Plat Book 56, Page 5, Cumberland County, North Carolina, registry, said existing iron pipe also being an angle point in the rear (southern) line of Lot 91 of Cliffdale West, Section One, as recorded in Plat Book 45, Page 55 and running with said southern line of Lot 91 and beyond with the southern line of Lot 92 South 78 degrees 45 minutes East, 142.73 feet to an existing iron pipe in the northern right-of-way margin of S.R. 1401; thence with said right-of-way margin with a curve to the southwest on a radius of 110.65 feet, an arc distance of 200.54 feet (chord South 49 degrees 29 minutes West, 174.20 feet) to the point of tangency in the eastern line of Lot 66 of Woodmark Subdivision as referenced above; thence with said eastern line of Lot 66 North 03 degrees 04 minutes West, 141.22 feet to the BEGINNING, containing 0.11 acre, more or less, located East of Lot 66, Woodmark. Property Address: 6800 Woodmark Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tract Three:

PIN: Former Hopper Road Easement The western half of Hopper Road right of way bordering the above two described tracts. See also Resolution No. R2014-028 of the City of Fayetteville, recorded in Book 9448, Page 603 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6800 Woodmark Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors,

attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property

An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 10:30AM on June 1, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Joshua Watson and Heather M. Watson, dated June 15, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $195,250.00, and recorded in Book 8935 at Page 132 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: 3714 Hillcrest Street, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax Parcel ID: 0414-75-5180

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

associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of

the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 12, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 1, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Justin E. White, dated September 29, 2017 to secure the original principal amount of $109,630.00, and recorded in Book 10178 at Page 407 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: 7724 Guinevere Court, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax Parcel ID: 9477-90-5921 Present Record Owners:

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

of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the

purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 12, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 1:30 PM on June 3, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Gene Graham Jr; Amanda J Graham, dated October 22, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $74,400.00, and recorded in Book No. 670, at Page 384 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: 5570 Quietwood Place, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Tax Parcel ID: 0405-78-1252 The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Gene Graham Jr and Amanda J Graham.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is 11th day of May, 2026. Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Ingle Case Number: 27399 - 69942

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1284610 - 129269

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26-125371

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA, 24 SP 810

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Allen C. Miller and Shawn M. Miller, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $123,100.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), as beneficiary, as nominee for National Bank of Kansas City, Mortgagee, dated January 25th, 2013 and recorded on January 30th, 2013 in Book 09100, Page 0209, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland

25SP001019-250 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA,

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Richard Martin Gordon and Fidelis Gordon to Jennifer Grant, Trustee(s), which was dated September 16, 2020 and recorded on September 18, 2020 in Book 10879 at Page 0656, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 3, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

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 Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 1:30 on June 3rd, 2026, 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 Hope Mills, Rockfish Township, Cumberland County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 36 in a subdivision known as Fairway Forest East, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 89, Page 113, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Being the same property conveyed to Allen C. Miller and wife, Shawn M. Miller by deed from Edward Acosta and wife, Kathleen Acosta recorded 03/18/2002 in Deed Book 5703 Page 356, in the Register of Deeds Office of Cumberland County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 5516

Ballentine Street, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax ID: 0414-00-2538 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical,

environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Allen C. Miller. 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.

stake being the SW corner for the 3 acre tract shown on a map titled Paul Langdon Property, and dated Sept. 22, 1970, and runs as the line of the 3 acre tract, and as the line of Jerald Cotton S. 64 deg. 18 min. E. 244.77 feet to an iron stake, the SE corner for the 3 acre tract at the west edge of a 30 ft. road; thence as the road N. 31 deg. 39 min. E. 89.0 feet to a point; thence a computed line N. 64 deg. 19 min. 10 sec. W. 263.18 feet to a point in the western line of the 3 acre tract; thence as the line of the 3 acre tract South 19 deg. 48 min. W. 89.0 feet to the point of beginning and contains 0.51 acres more or less.

Said property is commonly known as 4041 Rebel Rd, Linden, NC 28356.

owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Fidelis Gordon.

TRACT TWO: Beginning at an iron stake in the western line of a 30 ft. road, said stake being located N. 31 deg. 39 min. E. 178 feet from the SE corner for the 3 acre tract shown on a map titled Paul Langdon Property, and dated Sept. 22, 1970, and runs N. 64 deg. 19 min. W. 281.56 feet to an iron stake; thence South 19 degrees 48 min. W. 89.0 feet to a point; thence a computed line S. 64 deg. 19 min. 10 sec. E. 263.18 feet to a point in the western edge of a 30 ft. street; thence as the road N. 31 deg. 39 min. E. 89.0 feet to the point of beginning and contains 0.52 acres more or less.

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

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

TRACT ONE: Beginning at an iron stake, said

25SP001149-250 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA,

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by John M Bannach to Neuse, Incorporated, Trustee(s), which was dated January 31, 2019 and recorded on February 1, 2019 in Book 10441 at Page 581, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 3, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 71, in a subdivision known as Lake Rim North, Section Two Revised, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 100, Page 25, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 9515 Deep Swamp Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

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

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.

26SP000095-250 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA,

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Scott D. Jacobi to Steve Bunce, Attorney at Law, Trustee(s), which was dated October 31, 2023 and recorded on October 31, 2023 in Book 11849 at Page 650, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 3, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell

24SP000405-250 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA,

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Anne W Alred a/k/a Ann W. Alred to BB&T Collateral Service Corporation, Trustee(s), which was dated September 21, 2018 and recorded on November 9, 2018 in Book 10403 at Page 0854, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 2, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: A CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND IN PEARCES MILL TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, ADJOINING THE LANDS OF AND OTHERS AND BOUNDED AS FOLLOWS, VIZ:

Being all of Lot 612, Ponderosa, Section 13 according to a map duly recorded in Book 34, Page 62, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 310 Glen Canyon Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303. 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

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

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 Scott D. Jacobi.

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

BEGINNING AT A STAKE IN THE WESTERN MARGIN OF LAKELAND DRIVE, THE COMMON PROPERTY LINE BETWEEN LOTS 10 AND 11 AND RUNNING THENCE WITH SAID LINE NORTH 68 DEGREES 40 MINUTES WEST 140.1 FEET TO A STAKE IN THE HIGHWATER MARK OF LAKE FRANCIS; THENCE WITH THE HIGHWATER MARK OF SAID LAKE NORTH 10 DEGREES 00 MINUTES WEST 106.5 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 60 DEGREES 50 MINUTES EAST 164.9 FEET TO A STAKE IN THE WESTERN MARGIN OF LAKELAND DRIVE; THENCE WITH SAID MARGIN SOUTH 22 DEGREES 69 MINUTES WEST 82.4 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, AND BEING ALL OF LOT 11 OF LAKELAND PARK, SECTION l, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY IN BOOK OF PLATS 18, PAGE 26. AND BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO S. DAVID PARNELL AND WIFE, JEAN H. PARNELL BY DEED DATED FEBRUARY 27, 1956, DULY RECORDED IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY IN BOOK 692, PAGE 141.

PROPERTY LINES WITHIN 10 FEET OF STREETS; TRACT OF LAND BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LAKELAND PARK SUBDIVISION ON CHARLES WALKER FARM.

SUBJECT, HOWEVER, TO RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND AND APPEARING OF RECORD IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY IN BOOK 680, PAGE 572 AND AMENDMENTS TO DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIONS DULY RECORDED IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY IN BOOK 800, PAGE 263.

Said property is commonly known as 4316 Wavetree Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

SUBJECT TO AN EASEMENT TO THE CITY OFFAYETTEVILLE, DATED MAY 11, 1956 FOR ELECTRIC LINE POLES AND GUY WIRES TO BE LOCATED ALONG FRONT

SUBJECT TO EASEMENT TO CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, DATED OCTOBER 24, 1958 FOR ONE POWER POLE AND 2 GUY WIRES TO BE, LOCATED ON TRACTS OF LAND LOCATED ON NORTH SIDE OF CUMBERLAND MILLS ROAD DULY RECORDED IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY IN BOOK 767, PAGE 150. SUBJECT TO EASEMENT TO CAROLINA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, DATED MARCH 25, 1954, FOR RURAL LINE PERMIT, DULY RECORDED IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGJSTRY IN BOOK 578, PAGE 555. SUBJECT TO EASEMENT TO CITY OFFAYETTEVILLE FOR ELECTRIC LINES, DULY RECORDED IN BOOK 662, PAGE 108. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Anne W. Alred. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of

tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: Goddard & Peterson, PLLC 125-B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565

remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-25845-FC01

the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 23-26354-FC02

of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-37265-FC01

the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 24-13451-FC01

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Keturah Halima, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $87,000.00, to MetLife Home Loans, a Division of MetLife Bank N.A., Mortgagee, dated December 23rd, 2011, and recorded on January 3rd, 2012, in Book 08800, Page 0188, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said

indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on June 2nd, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that parcel of land in Township of Seventy First, Cumberland County, State of North Carolina, being known and designated as all of Lot 301 in a subdivision known as Hollywood Heights, Section Eleven, plat of which is duly recorded in Book of Plats 37, Page 57, Cumberland County Registry. By Fee Simple Deed from Sonceraee Y. Yeldell and Keturah Halima as set forth in Book 4948, Page 262 dated 11/18/1993 and recorded 10/01/1998, Cumberland County Records, State of North Carolina. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 6118 Wanda Circle, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax ID: 0407-22-6820 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §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 owner(s) of the property are The Heirs of Keturah Halima. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any

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

on May 27, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

DEED.

26SP000060-250 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH COUNTY

NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND 26 SP 000053-250

CAROLINA,

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Victor Carrasquillo Morales and Zulma Baez Cartagena to Pamela S. Cox, Trustee(s), which was dated January 23, 2024 and recorded on January 24, 2024 in Book 11895 at Page 719, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Parcel

9496-28-9137

Being all of Lot No. Seventeen (17) in a subdivision known as “SOUTHGATE VILLAGE, SECTION ONE”, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 54, Page 40, in the Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 1387 Worstead Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

26SP000273-250 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA,

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kellea Stone and Carroll B. Stone, Jr. to WFG National Title lnsurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated June 18, 2019 and recorded on June 18, 2019 in Book 10523 at Page 788, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 27, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 22SP000918-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by SUE A KRYSIAK AND THOMAS N. GREB payable to HOME LOAN CENTER, INC., DBA LENDINGTREE LOANS, Lender, to LENDERS FIRST CHOICE , Trustee, dated December 23, 2006, and recorded in Book 7468, Page 846 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 11557, Page 0767, 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 June 2, 2026 at 11:30AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND 25 SP 000788-250

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Lathan Moore, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $56,450.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for Movement Mortgage, LLC, Mortgagee, dated May 20th, 2022 and recorded on May 24th, 2022 in Book 11480, Page 0747, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the

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

BEING all of Lot 2, in a subdivision known as Recombination of Lots 2 & 3 Section One See PB. 129, PG. 180 and Lot 9 Section Two See PB. 130, PG. 75 Jefferson Landing, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 130, Page 132, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 2935 County Line Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28306. 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.

or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #23396 Olivia S. Sings, NCSB# 54991 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) dneill@mtglaw.com osings@mtglaw.com 25-003281-01

If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 26-00204-FC01

the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988

remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the

tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): SUE A KRYSIAK AND THOMAS N. GREB Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as

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

courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 10:00 AM on June 2nd, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Town of Spring Lake, Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being the Northeastern one-half portion of Lot No. 15, Block Q, according to a map entitled “Survey of DB. 10002, PG. 157 Tract A, Tracts 1 &2- Part of Lots 14 & 15 Block Q” by J. Christopher Haddock, PLS, Linden, North Carolina, dated March 1, 2021, which map is recorded in Map Book 146, Page 78, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry, and to which map reference ls hereby made for a more particular description of said lot. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 222 S. 6th Street, Spring Lake, NC 28390 Tax ID: 0501-95-8284 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00)

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

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Lathan Moore. 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.

payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 4, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Timothy James Murphy and Shecna Nicole Murphy, dated April 17, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $248,888.00, and recorded in Book 10743 at Page 799 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 6877 Faircloth Bridge Road, Stedman, NC 28391 Tax Parcel ID:

0497-75-1610 Present Record Owners: Timothy James Murphy and Shecna Nicole Murphy The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Timothy James Murphy and Shecna Nicole Murphy. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax

situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 0439-35-8630 ADDRESS: 3640 ABERNATHY DR FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28311 THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 7468, PAGE 846, AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, TOWNSHIP OF CROSS CREEK, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT NUMBER 167 IN THE SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, SECTION 4, PART 2, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 102, PAGE 41, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, REGISTRY.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any

File No.: 26-05765-FC01

___________________________ Thomas R. Goddard Goddard & Peterson, PLLC Substitute Trustee 125 B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #23396 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) dneill@mtglaw.com 25-001993-01

advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is April 21, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By: 22-115212

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

DAVIDSON 25SP001593-280 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Blake Harrison Hooks and Alexis Nicole Hooks to Bagwell Holt Smith P.A., Trustee(s), which was dated November 5, 2024 and recorded on November 5, 2024 in Book DE 2674 at Page 2018, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF Davidson GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25SP001485-280 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE UNDER THAT POWER OF SALE. GRANTED IN THE Declaration of Rights, Restrictions, and Conditions, RECORDED AT BOOK 743, page 1231, AND AS AMENDED Davidson County Registry CONCERNING Heirs of Lourdes M. Allen NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE OF ASSOCIATION’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the Declaration of Rights, Restrictions, and Conditions recorded at Book 743, Page 1231, as amended Davidson County Registry; and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured by said Declaration and failure of performance of the stipulations and agreements therein contained, and pursuant to the Order entered in 25SP001485-280, Superior Court of Davidson County, North Carolina,

25SP001595-280 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Clifton Crouch and Shem Crouch to First American Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated January 15, 2025 and recorded on January 15, 2025 in Book 2684 at Page 868, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP001560-280 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by JESSE M. KUEBLER AND WHITLEY KUEBLER dated July 28, 2022 in the amount of $186,480.00 and recorded in Book DE 2559, Page 1337 of the Davidson County Public Registry by ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Davidson County, North Carolina, in Book DE 2731, Page 2052, 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 Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on May 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly

DURHAM AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24SP001720-310 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James L. Mack, Jr. (Deceased) and Delores A. Mack (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jimmee D. Mack) to Charles R. Cunningham, Trustee(s), dated April 3, 1998, and recorded in Book No. 2447, at Page 170 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales,

door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 63, Grace Lee Meadows Phase 2, according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 88, Page 88, Davidson County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 436 Jackson Way, Lexington, NC 27292. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

the undersigned Trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate located in Davidson County, North Carolina: Legal Description: Being known and designated as Lot 76 of Harborgate Subdivision, Phase 1, as described in a plat recorded in Plat Book 21, Page 87 as recorded in the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina; reference to which plat is hereby made for a more particular description. ALSO BEING that property described in that deed recorded at Deed Book 2419, Page 2079 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina. Present Legal Owners: Heirs of Lourdes M. Allen Property Address: 297 Rima Landing Denton, NC 27239 A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, or Seven Hundred Fifty and 00/100 Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certified check at the time the Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts

to tender such deed and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid. This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. 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 knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in his sole discretion, if he believes the challenge to have merit, may request the Court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. The real estate will be sold subject to any and all superior liens, including taxes and special assessments, if any. Upon the conclusion of the sale an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S.§45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of this Court.

If you occupy the property pursuant to a rental agreement please note that any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving notice of said 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 (homeowner) has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. 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 IN THE INSTANCE OF BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OF HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF THE BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN

BEING ALL OF LOT 16, AS SHOWN ON A PLAT ENTITLED OAK RIDGE SUBDIVISION PH 2 RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 88, PAGE 25, DAVIDSON COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA.

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.

SUBJECT TO all prior easements and rights of way of record, including but not limited to that certain easement and right of way to Energy United Electric Membership Corporation as recorded in DB 2617, PG 2115, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina and a non-exclusive perpetual easement for ingress, egress and regress and the installation and maintenance of utilities along and across all roadways prior to dedication of same for public use, and such dedicated easements for utilities and drainage as shown on a plat map of Oak Ridge Subdivision Ph 2 recorded in Plat Book 88 Page 25, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, to which reference is made for a more particular description.

knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988

File No.: 25-35068-FC01

TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Date and Hour for Sale: Thursday, June 4, at 3:00 PM Place of Sale: Davidson County Courthouse Date of this Notice: March 16, 2026 David Ford of the Ford Law Firm, PLLC, Trustee for Harborgate Property Owners Association, Inc. ALLEN STAHL & KILBOURNE, PLLC /s/ James W. Kilbourne, Jr. James W. Kilbourne, Jr. N.C. Bar No.: 24354 3739 National Drive, Suite 105 (mailing) Raleigh, NC 27612 20 Town Mountain Road Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 254-4778/ (919) 827-0016 Fax: (828) 254-6646 hoa@asklawnc.com Attorney for Petitioner Harborgate Property Owners Association, Inc.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase

described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 11-313-C-000-0003-A ADDRESS: 177 TORI LN LEXINGTON, NC 27295 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): JESSE M. KUEBLER AND WHITLEY KUEBLER THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF DAVIDSON, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK DE 2559, PAGE 1337, AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 3A, IN THE SUBDIVISION OF LOT REVISIONS FOR BETHESDA RIDGE, AS SHOWN ON THE MAP OF SAME RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 34, PAGE 48, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. TOGETHER WITH 30 FOOT ACCESS AND UTILITY EASEMENT AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 34, PAGE 48, IN THE DAVIDSON COUNTY REGISTRY TO TORI LANE. PARCEL ID: 11313C000003A COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 177 TORI LANE, LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 27295 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents

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

filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

at 3:00 PM on June 2, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: LYING on the eastern side of Kingdom Way, containing 9,030 square feet, more or less, and being all of Lot 31 of DEER RUN, Section III, Phase A, as per plat and survey thereof now on file in Plat Book 118, at page 122 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Durham County, to which plat reference is hereby expressly made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2508 Kingdom Way, Durham, North Carolina.

releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the

property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 328 Peacock Circle, Lexington, NC 27292.

Being the same property conveyed in Deed Book 1497, Page 657, Durham County Registry. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by

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

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

DURHAM NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000203-310 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Sowjanya Yejella (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Sowjanya Yejella) to Jackson Law, P.C., Trustee(s), dated July 25, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 9957, at Page 781 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000261-310 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Franciscas Demoncio Akins (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Franciscas Demoncio Akins) to Ruth W. Garner, Trustee(s), dated October 6, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 9998, at Page 751 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on May 27, 2026 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: All that certain lot or parcel of land and more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a stake on the Western

25SP000726-310 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DURHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Sandra R Pope to Jovetta Woodard and Patricia Robinson, Trustee(s), which was dated November 5, 2010 and recorded on December 1, 2010 in Book 6616 at Page 422, Durham County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Durham

25SP001185-310 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DURHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Lakrista L. Williams to John C. Warren, Trustee(s), which was dated November 19, 2004 and recorded on November 19, 2004 in Book 4616 at Page 534, Durham County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale

FORSYTH 25SP000294-330 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Carlotta Stanley to Title Resources Group, Trustee(s), which was dated July 25, 2024 and recorded on July 25, 2024 in Book RE 3818 at Page 102, Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY 25 SP002025-330 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Delores Mackey Bell aka Delores M. Lomax and Jimmy Lomax, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $118,400.41, to Household Realty Corporation, Mortgagee, dated April 23rd, 2002 and recorded on April 24th, 2002 in Book 2248, Page 3236, Forsyth County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse

requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold

subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

property line of Lynn road at the Northeast corner of Lot 30, Block E, as shown on the plat and survey hereinafter referred to, and running thence along and with said property line North 15 degs. 06 mins. 25 seconds East 75 feet to a stake; thence South 74 degs. 53 mins. 23 seconds West 122 feet to a stake; thence South 15 degs. 06 mins. 37 seconds East 75 feet to a stake; thence North 74 degs. 53 mins. 23 seconds East 122 feet to a stake, the point and place of beginning, and being Lot 29, Block E, as shown on the plat and survey of Pha site NC 13-18, for site, incorporated, Developer, duly recorded in the office of the register of deeds of Durham County in Plat Book 80, at Page 17, to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same. This lot is subject to drainage Easement, 10 feet wide, running along and with the Northern and Western boundary of said Lot, as shown on said plat and survey Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 404 Lynn Road, Durham, North Carolina. Property Address: 404 Lynn Rd, Durham, NC 27703 Tax ID: 131937 NOTE: The property address and tax parcel identification number listed are provided solely for informational purposes, without warranty as to accuracy or completeness and are not hereby insured. Being that parcel of land conveyed to Franciscas D. Akins from Joseph Dixon, Jr

and wife, Jean A. Dixon by that Deed dated 3/2/2017 and recorded 3/2/2017 in Official Records Book 8135, at Page 375 of the Public Records of Durham County, NC. PARCEL NUMBER(S): 131937

holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property

An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

County, North Carolina, to wit:

DEED.

ALL THAT REAL PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DURHAM, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA:

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

location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on June 2, 2026 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 209, Ellis Road, Phase 3C, as shown in Plat Book 206, Pages 181-189 and previously recorded in Plat Book 205, Pages 377-385, Durham County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3112 Star Gazing Lane, Durham, North Carolina. Parcel ID: 231383 Property Address: 3112 Star Gazing Lane, Durham, NC 27703 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320

BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO THE GRANTOR BY DEED RECORDED 08/24/1979 IN BOOK 1010, PAGE 387 DURHAM COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH DEED REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROPERTY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 2005 Patterson Road, Durham, NC 27704. 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

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. 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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 30945 - 160824

on May 28, 2026 at 11:30 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Durham County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 2, BLOCK B, WINDSOR HILLS SUBDIVISION, AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT RECORDED AT PLAT BOOK 36, PAGE 22, DURHAM COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 2222 Overland Drive, Durham, NC 27704. 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.

pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the

county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to wit:

AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

BEING all of Lot 17, Haddington Subdivision, per plat and survey thereof recorded in Plat Book 64, Pages 64-66, and revised in Book 65, at Page 199, inclusive, Forsyth County Registry, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1623 Haddington Point Dr, Kernersville, NC 27284. 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

door or other usual place of sale in Forsyth County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on June 4th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that certain property situated in the Township of Winston in the County of Forsyth and State of North Carolina, being more fully described in a deed dated 08/11/1976 and recorded 08/16/1976, among the land records of the County and State set forth above, in Deed Volume 1181 and Page 366. Tax map or parcel Id No 2938-221. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 3017 Airport Road, Winston Salem, NC 27105 Tax ID: 6847-01-7197.000 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount

of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Tammy Coleman. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for

possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are

File No.: 23-09596-FC02

not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #23396 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) dneill@mtglaw.com 25-002382-01

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North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

FORSYTH 26SP000012-330 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Willie F. Artis, Jr. to Transtar National Title, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated June 25, 2016 and recorded on June 30, 2016 in Book RE 3294 at Page 3623, Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale

23-115668 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FORSYTH COUNTY 25sp000307-330 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DONNELL JULIUS DATED DECEMBER 6, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2715 AT PAGE 2447 IN THE FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced 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

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF FORSYTH Truliant Federal Credit Union, Plaintiff, vs. Steven Ellis Bowman a/k/a Steven E Bowman; Jeni Bowman a/k/a Jeni AllenBowman; United States of America; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s). GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25CV013296-330 NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeremy B. Wilkins, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the above-captioned case on March 17, 2026 (“Order”), and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 4326 Fox Meadow Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27107 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Steven Ellis Bowman, and wife Jeni Bowman, dated October 6, 2023 and recorded on June 6, 2024 in Book RE 3810 at Page 777 of the Forsyth County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Steven Ellis Bowman, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Truliant Federal

11-017986 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FORSYTH COUNTY 21SP000516-330 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BARBARA J. WILLIAMS AND JOSEPH HARVEY AND ALBERTA B. HARVEY DATED FEBRUARY 29, 1988 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1634 AT PAGE 4170 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED OCTOBER 20, 2016 IN BOOK 3313, PAGE 3609 IN THE FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to

IREDELL AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22SP000419-480 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Samuel Dolan and Casey Dolan (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Samuel Dolan and Casey Dolan) to Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Trustee(s), dated June 4, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 2819, at Page 1694 in Iredell County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Iredell County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary

24-118872 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IREDELL COUNTY 24SP000404-480 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MELISSA BAILEY AND WARREN J. BAILEY DATED DECEMBER 7, 2023 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3031 AT PAGE 1656 IN THE IREDELL 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

on May 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to wit:

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

LYING AND BEING NORTH OF THE CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM IN BETHANIA TOWNSHIP, BEING AND DESIGNATED AS LOT NO. 49 ON THE ADDITION TO CLAYTON ACRES, SECTION NO. 2, SAME BEING OF RECORD IN PLAT BOOK 18, PAGE 168, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF FORSYTH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, REFERENCE TO WHICH IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 260 Old Hollow Rd., Winston Salem, NC 27105. 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

court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

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

usual place of sale at the Forsyth County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 4, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Donnell Julius, dated December 6, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $60,000.00, and recorded in Book 2715 at Page 2447 of the Forsyth County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 2300 Ivy Ave, Winston Salem, NC 27105 Tax Parcel ID: 6836-34-8649.000 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Donnell Julius The record owner(s) of the property,

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Donnell Julius. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be

advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 4, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

Credit Union. The Commissioner will offer for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Forsyth County, North Carolina and described as follows: BEGINNING AT AN IRON STAKE BEING LOCATED NORTH 22 DEG. 00 MINUTES 07 SECONDS EAST 1190.5 FEET FROM THE DAVIDSON COUNTY LINE; RUNNING THENCE NORTH 86 DEG. 18 MINUTES 21 SECONDS WEST 340.37 FEET WITH THE NORTHERN LINE OF DALE T. KINNAMON PROPERTY TO AN IRON; RUNNING THENCE NORTH 03 DEG. 43 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST 429.37 FEET TO AN IRON; AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE TRACT CONVEYED IN DEED RECORDED IN DB 1409, AT PAGE 90 AND RUNNING THENCE WITH THE SOUTHERN LINE OF THAT TRACT SOUTH 82 DEG. 35 MINUTES 37 SECONDS EAST 469.87 FEET TO AN IRON IN THE WESTERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF FOX MEADOW LANE; THENCE WITH WESTERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF FOX MEADOW LAND SOUTH 20 DEG. 59 MINUTES 20 SECONDS WEST 172.91 FEET TO AN IRON; AND CONTINUING WITH SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE SOUTH 22 DEG. 00 MINUTES 07 SECONDS WEST 246.33 FEET TO AN IRON, THE BEGINNING. CONTAINING 3.878 ACRES MORE OR LESS

ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY PREPARED BY MICHAEL J. EVANS, RLS DATED MARCH 5, 1994 AND BEING THE IDENTICAL PROPERTY RECORDED IN DEED BOOK 1701 AT PAGE 3429. TOGETHER WITH IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED THEREON; LESS AND EXCEPT THAT PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN RELEASE DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 2512 AT PAGE 2802 IN THE FORSYTH COUNTY REGISTRY. The above described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health, or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed. The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the judge or clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies

the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current record owners of the property as reflected on the records of the FORSYTH COUNTY Register of Deeds’ office not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are Steven Ellis Bowman. A certified check only (no personal checks) deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchasing price will be required at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price of bid in cash or certified check at the time the Commissioner tenders a deed for the Property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price of bid at that time, said bidder shall remain liable on said bid as provided for under North Carolina law.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. The sale will be reported to the court and will remain open for advance or upset bids for a period of ten (10) days as required by law. If the Commissioner is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. JEREMY B. WILKINS, Commissioner 5431 Oleander Drive, Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 392-4988 Phone NCSales@brockandscott.com File No.: 25-11285-JUD01

perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Forsyth County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 4, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Barbara J. Williams and Joseph Harvey and Alberta B. Harvey, dated February 29, 1988 to secure the original principal amount of $48,734.00, and recorded in Book 1634 at Page 4170 of the Forsyth County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 2105 Northeast 24th Street, Winston Salem, NC 27105 Tax Parcel ID:

6846-05-2119.00 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Barbara J. Williams and Joseph Harvey The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Barbara J. Williams and Joseph Harvey. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and

assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the

purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is March 31, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on May 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Mooresville in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Property Description 300 Robinson Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 Parcel ID: 4638-13-0700

purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. 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

expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Iredell County courthouse at 11:00AM on May 26, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Iredell County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Melissa Bailey and Warren J. Bailey, dated December 7, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $138,084.00, and recorded in Book 3031 at Page 1656 of the Iredell County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 112 Horizon Drive, Statesville, NC 28625 Tax Parcel ID: 4787-53-4266.000 Present Record Owners: Melissa Anne Bailey and Warren Joseph

Bailey The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Melissa Anne Bailey and Warren Joseph Bailey. 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

renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 7, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

BEING all of Lot 1 of Robinson Wood Subdivision, Phase 1, as the same is patted, planned and recorded in Plat Book 25, Page 205 (which is a revision of Map Book 25 at Page 156) Iredell County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 300 Robinson Road, Mooresville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

File No.: 25-36859-FC01

23-115668

11-017986

24-118872

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North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Iredell County, North Carolina, at 10:30 AM on May 27th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEGINNING at an iron pin on the North margin of Hedrick Drive in the Wendover Hills Subdivision in the City of Statesville, North Carolina, the Southeast corner of Lot No. 1 of said development; thence running with the line of Lot No. 1, North 2 deg. 40 min. East 131.5 feet to an iron pin; thence South 86 deg. 15 min. East 100.4 feet to an iron stake; thence South 2 deg. 10 min. East 128.9 feet to a stake in the North margin of Hedrick Drive; thence with the North margin of Hedrick Drive, North 96 deg. 59 min, West 112.4 feet to the BEGINNING, the same being a portion of Lot No. Nine (9) of the Hedrick Addition to Oakland Heights and a portion of Lot No. Eight (8) of the Hedrick Addition to Oakland Heights, as the same is platted, planned and recorded in Plat Book 5 at Page 45 in the Iredell County Public Registry. For back title, see Deed Book 2956, Page 1984, Iredell County Registry. PIN: 4735-20-5090 Property Address: 706 Hedrick Drive, Statesville, NC 28677

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 706 Hedrick Drive, Statesville, NC 28677 Tax ID: 4735-20-5090.000 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions

existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Mark Steven Blottie and Reva Lyn Blottie.

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Iredell County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 4, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Iredell County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed James P. Krupsky and Stephanie N. Krupsky, dated November 20, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $212,054.00, and recorded in Book 2756 at Page 1088 of the Iredell County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 140 Silvermere Drive, Statesville, NC 28625 Tax Parcel ID: 3793599912.000

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

the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is April 10, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com

courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on June 2, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Clayton in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING ALL of Lot 5, Oak Hill Farms Subdivision, as shown on a map recorded in Plat Book 93, Pages 14 through 16, Johnston County Registry, to which reference is hereby made for certainty of description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 107 Pond Mountain Drive, Clayton, North Carolina.

State laws.

provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as

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). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of

or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk

expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Johnston County courthouse at 11:00AM on May 26, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Jose Cintron, dated September 10, 2024 to secure the original principal amount of $307,530.00, and recorded in Book 6741 at Page 883 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 154 Winter Red Way, Benson, NC 27504 Tax Parcel ID: 13E04053S Present Record Owners: Jose Cintron

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jose Cintron. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid

or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was

25SP000451-500 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY

BEING all of Lot No. 7 of the White Leaf Homes, according to a plat made by Williams Ragsdale on July 15, 1963, a plat of which is recorded in Plat Book 11, Page 141, Johnston County Register of Deeds Office.

IREDELL AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, IREDELL COUNTY 25 SP 000147-480 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Mark Steven Blottie and Reva Lyn Blottie, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $240,000.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for USAA Federal Savings Bank, Mortgagee, dated March 23rd, 2023 and recorded on March 23rd, 2023 in Book 2982, Page 341, Iredell 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 Iredell County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IREDELL COUNTY 25SP000030-480 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JAMES P. KRUPSKY AND STEPHANIE N. KRUPSKY DATED NOVEMBER 20, 2020 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2756 AT PAGE 1088 IN THE IREDELL COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE 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

JOHNSTON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000148-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Josh Townsend and Victoria Townsend (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Josh Townsend and Victoria Townsend) to Investor Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated May 24, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 6264, at Page 604 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000140-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kevin Ringler and Ashly Clayborne (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kevin Ringler and Ashly Clayborne) to Netco Inc, Trustee(s), dated May 28, 2012, and recorded in Book No. 4122, at Page 975 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on June 2, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Willow Spring in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

26-124414 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 26SP000108-500 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JOSE CINTRON DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6741 AT PAGE 883 IN THE JOHNSTON 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

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jose Pacheco and Angelica Pacheco to David Silverman, Trustee(s), which was dated July 6, 2023 and recorded on July 6, 2023 in Book 6504 at Page 709 - 718, Johnston County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell

Being all of Lot 22, South Creek Subdivision, according to a survey entitled, “Subdivision & Recombination Plat South Creek,” by Benton W Dewar & Assoc., recorded in Plat Book 33, at Page 187, Johnston County register of deeds, reference to which is hereby made for a more complete and accurate description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 8405 South Creek Road, Willow Spring, North Carolina. Being the same property or a portion of the same property conveyed to Kevin Ringler and Ashly Clayborne by Instrument dated July 24, 2008 from Branch Banking & Trust Company filed on July 25, 2008 as Document Number 2008225901 and in Book 3580 at Page 163-165 in the Johnston County records. Together with the Manufactured Home situated thereon which is affixed to the aforementioned real property and incorporated herein. Said Manufactured Home is identified as follows: Year/Make/Model: 1997 Tita Serial/VIN Number(s): 49974830774AB Commonly known as: 8405 South Creek Road, Willow Spring, NC 27592 in the County of Johnston Parcel Number: 13-B-01-028-E

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 115 E Crestview Drive, Smithfield, NC 27577. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the

22-113217

26-124414

B12

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

JOHNSTON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000125-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Josue Lopez and Jessica D. Cuneo (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Josue Lopez and Jessica Cuneo) to Heather Lovier, Trustee(s), dated June 22, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 6497, at Page 269 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston

NEW HANOVER 25-123371 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION NEW HANOVER COUNTY 26SP000065-640 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CAROLINA SOUTH LLC DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6728 AT PAGE 2076 IN THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000130-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Natalia J. Rice (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Natalia J. Rice) to Bell Law Firm, P.A., Trustee(s), dated July 15, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 5518, at Page 201 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on September 4, 2025, in Book No. 6429, at Page 351 , default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000077-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shaun Flowers and Mildred Maria Rodriguez (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shaun Flowers and Mildred Maria Rodriguez) to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated April 8, 2024, and recorded in Book No. 6128, at Page 843 in Onslow 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 Onslow 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 Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on May 27, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000074-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Darian M. Christensen (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Darian M. Christensen) to Jackie Biggs, Trustee(s), dated June 28, 2019, and recorded in Book No. 4974, at Page 975 in Onslow 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 Onslow 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 Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on May 27, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001582-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Christopher Beasley (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Christopher Beasley) to John B Third, Trustee(s), dated June 30, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 5201, at Page 966 in Onslow 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 Onslow 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 Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron stake in the

County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on June 2, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Four Oaks in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 2 as shown on plat entitled “Survey of Subdivision for S&B Real Estate Ventures, LLC” by On the Level Land Surveying, PLLC dated March 14, 2022 in Plat Book 96, Page 28, Johnston County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 103 East Allen Street, Four Oaks, North Carolina. Property Address: 103 E. Allen St., Four Oaks, NC 27524 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320

perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the New Hanover County courthouse at 11:00AM on May 26, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in New Hanover County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Carolina South LLC, dated September 11, 2024 to secure the original principal amount of $750,000.00, and recorded in Book 6728 at Page 2076 of the New Hanover County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 408 Canal Dr Unit 2, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 Tax Parcel ID:

R08818-015-011-000 Present Record Owners: Carolina Beach Villa, LLC The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Carolina Beach Villa, LLC. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax

purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 7, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com 25-123371

door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Richlands in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all Lot 73 as shown on that certain map entitled, “Final plat (revised) showing planned residential development, Bradford Estates, Section II, prepared for Cherrywood Developers, Inc., Richlands Township, Onslow County, NC”, dated June 18, 2013, prepared by John L. Pierce & Associates, P.A. and recorded in Map Book 66, Page 181181A, Cabinet N in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 264 Rowland Drive, Richlands, North Carolina. Subject to restrictive and protective covenants recorded in Book 3651, Page 58 and amended in Book 3708, Page 555; Book 3710, Page 913; Book 3740, Page 922; Book 3778, Page 605; Book 3817, Page 725; Book 3893, Page 2 and Book 4083, Page 450, Onslow County Registry. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the

estate situated in Richlands in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Tract II, containing 43,873.46 sq ft, as shown on map entitled “Recombination & Easement Survey Prepared For Gerald Griffin Bergsten & Husband, Robert L. Bergsten, Sr.” dated February 7, 2003, prepared by John L. Pierce & Associates, P.A. and recorded in Map Book 44, Page 42, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 181 Booth Lane, Richlands, North Carolina. Together with and subject to a thirty (30) foot wide ingress, egress and utility easement over that area depicted as “30’ Ingress, Egress, Regress, & Utility Easement” as shown on that map prepared by John L. Pierce & Associates, P.A. and recorded in Map Book 44, Page 42, Onslow County Registry. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by

of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 121 as shown on a map entitled, “Final Plat, Magnolia Park, Section VIII, (Formerly Summersill Estates) Jacksonville TWP., Onslow Co., North Carolina”, prepared by Lanier Surveying Company, dated September 5, 2001 recorded in Map Book 41, Page 196, Slide K-1143, Onslow County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 119 Fall Drive, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Being known as 119 Fall Drive, Jacksonville, NC 28450 PIN 058498 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320

northeastern right of way line of US Highway 258 and NC Highway 24, said beginning point lying north 75 degrees east 50 feet from a point in the center of said highway, said center point being located, when measured down the centerline of US Highway 258 and NC Highway 24 in a northwesterly direction 73.7 feet from the point where the said centerline of US Highway 258 and NC Highway 24 intersects the centerline of State Road No. 1258 (Carole Drive) running thence from said beginning point and with the said northeasterly right of way line of US Highway 258 and NC Highway 24 north 15 degrees west 70 feet; thence leaving said right of way line and running thence north 75 degrees east 273 feet to an iron stake; thence south 30 degrees 30 minutes west 99.7 feet to an iron stake; thence south 75 degrees west 196.4 feet to an iron stake in the aforementioned highway right of way line, the point of beginning, and being all the property described in two deeds to Hal B. Macon, Sr. and wife, Ethel B. Macon, dated December 8, 1954, and November 27, 1957, and recorded in Book 252, Page 292, and Book 271, Page 295, Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3612 Richlands Highway, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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

property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may

property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 30398 - 157628

be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 28316 - 144729

B13

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

ROBESON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000063-770 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Howard Ray (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Howard Ray) to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated May 8, 2025, and recorded in Book No. D 2516, at Page 355 in Robeson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Robeson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 2:30 PM on June 3, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Maxton in the County of Robeson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain tract or parcel of land lying about 3 1⁄2 miles west of the center of the Town of Pembroke, NC on the western side of but not adjacent to Paved Secondary Road 1354 and adjacent to and on the northeastern side of a 50 ft.

25SP001171-770 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, ROBESON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Mary E. Locklear and Raymond Clark to Joseph P. Clark, Trustee(s), which was dated March 15, 2013 and recorded on April 8, 2013 in Book 1898 at Page 394, Robeson County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 1, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Robeson County, North Carolina, to wit: LYING AND BEING IN LUMBER BRIDGE TOWNSHIP, ROBESON COUNTY, N.C.,

UNION NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 22SP000291-890 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RONALD SCARDAMAGLIA AND CHRISTINE SCARDAMAGLIA DATED AUGUST 10, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4673 AT PAGE 440 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 26SP000064-890 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RICHARD E. BONAVITA, II AND ELIZABETH N. BYRUM DATED OCTOBER 31, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3274 AT PAGE 335 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000129-890 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Bruce M. Blackwell, Jr. and Vicki W. Blackwell (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Vicki W. Blackwell and Bruce M. Blackwell, Jr.) to James P. Bonner (Member/Manager) Brock and Scott, PLC, Trustee(s), dated June 6, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 07716, at Page 0746 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union 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 Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on May 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land lying and being in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described on: Beginning at a point in the center line of

private road and adjoining the lands of D.G’s Manufacturing on the northeast and other lands of Eugene Locklear on the west and east and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron rod in the northeast or second line of the original 30.0 acre tract of which this is a part of said iron rod being located South 39 degrees 57 minutes East 862.67 feet from the most northern or second corner of said original tract as shown in Deed Book 19F, at Page 213, and runs thence with the second line of said tract South 39 degrees 57 minutes East 50.22 feet to an iron rod in said line the third corner of said 30.0 acre tract; thence with a ditch South 56 degrees 20 minutes West 180.0 feet to an iron rod in the northeast right-of-way line North 33 degrees 40 minutes West 403.85 feet to an iron rod in said northeast right-ofway line; thence North 56 degrees 20 minutes East 207.83 feet to the beginning, containing 1.84 acres more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 70 Surf Lane, Maxton, North Carolina. LESS AND EXCEPT that certain tract or parcel of land lying about 3 1⁄2 miles west of the center of the town of Pembroke, NC on the northwest side of but not adjacent to Paves SR 1354, on the eastern side of, and adjacent to Superloop Road, adjoining lands of Joan Marie Scott on the north and other lands of Hanson L. Hunt on the south and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron rod (set) in the northeast r/w line (25 ft from center) it being the northwest corner of the Hanson L. Hunt 1.84 acre tract as shown in deed book 986 at page 95 and being located North 33 degrees 40 minutes west 680.40

EAST OF AND ADJOINING SECONDARY ROAD 1746. BEGINNING AT AN EXISTING PUMP PIPE, KENNETH SHORT’S NORTHEAST CORNER BOOK 900, PAGE 159 AND RUNS WITH SHORT LINE NORTH 60 DEGREES 33 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST 552.04 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON ROD; THENCE NORTH 25 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 43 SECONDS EAST 110.00 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON ROD; THENCE NORTH 68 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 15 SECONDS WEST 218.95 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON ROD IN CENTER OF SECONDARY ROAD 1746; THENCE WITH SAID ROAD NORTH 29 DEGREES 58 MINUTES 51 SECONDS EAST 167.13 FEET; NORTH 38 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 51 SECONDS EAST 500.00 FEET AND NORTH 39 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 51 SECONDS EAST 125.0 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON ROD; THENCE WITH PERRY KAISER LINE SOUTH 50 DEGREES 50 MINUTES 09 SECONDS EAST 700.74 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON ROD; THENCE WITH OSMER LOCKLEAR SOUTH 30 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 10 SECONDS WEST 746.37 FEET TO THE BEGINNING CONTAINING 13.45 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.

from a point where the northeast r/w line of Superloop Road intersects the north r/w line of SR 1354 and runs thence north 56 degrees 20 minutes east 207.83 ft to an iron rod (set); thence south 39 degrees 57 minutes east 50.22 ft to a pump pipe (found) in the corner of a ditch; thence as the ditch south 28 degrees 17 minutes 39 seconds east 94.51 ft to a stake; thence south 56 degrees 20 minutes 14 seconds west passing through an iron rod at 0+08.94 ft for a total distance of 204.60 ft to an iron rod (set) in the northeast r/w line of Superloop Road; thence as that r/w line north 33 degrees 40 minutes west 144.00 ft to the beginning, containing 0.69 acres, more or less. Being a recombination of a portion of lot 14 and lot 13 of West Robeson Acres Subdivision. For title see: Deed Book 986 at page 95. Property Address: 70 Surf Lane, Maxton, NC 28364. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if

Said property is commonly known as 211 Usher Road, Saint Pauls, NC 28384.

referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 11:00AM on May 29, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ronald Scardamaglia and Christine Scardamaglia, dated August 10, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $166,500.00, and recorded in Book 4673 at Page 440 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 6907

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

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

trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 30820 - 160188

the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988

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

File No.: 25-11649-FC01

Spruce Pine Trl, Waxhaw, NC 28173 Tax Parcel ID: 5066061 Present Record Owners: Ronald Joseph Scardamaglia and Christine M. Scardamaglia The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Ronald Joseph Scardamaglia and Christine M. Scardamaglia. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed.

This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD

TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is March 23, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com

demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 4, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Richard E. Bonavita, II and Elizabeth N. Byrum, dated October 31, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $83,700.00, and recorded in Book 3274 at Page 335 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 8012 Walkup Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173 Tax Parcel ID: 05129010C

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

assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be

advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 15, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com

Hillside Drive, a common corner with, now or formerly, Charles B. Aycock property (Book 249 at Page 79); thence with the center line of Hillside Drive, two calls as follows: 1st, thence with a curve to the right (westerly direction) arc is equal to 209.94 feet, RAD is equal to 300.00 feet, chord bearing North 62 degrees 05 minutes 28 seconds East; and 2nd, South 82 degrees 08 minutes 20 seconds West 180.91 feet to a point, a common corner with, now or formerly, Joan Cook Neuton property (Book 575 at Page 845), thence North 05 degrees 18 minutes 37 seconds East 627.82 feet to an iron, now or formerly, Charles B. Aycocks property corner, thence two calls as follows: 1st, South 41 degrees 41 minutes 14 seconds East 328.88 feet to an iron, thence 2nd, South 18 degrees 01 minute 45 seconds East 271.85 feet to the point and place of beginning and being and containing 3.13 acres, more or less, according to an unrecorded survey by Walter Gordon and associates, Walter L. Gordon, NCRLS, dated April 14, 1999, and being the Eastern most portion of Lot 12 of Hiel Leah Subdivision, as shown on that plat recorded in Plat Book 7 at Page 39, Union County Register of Deeds, to which unrecorded Plat reference is hereby made for a more complete description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 215 Hillside Drive, Monroe, North Carolina. Being the identical property as described in Deed Book 4751 at Page 138, Union County Register of Deeds. This conveyance is subject to the following

exceptions: Valid and enforceabl easements and restrictions or record Tax ID: 09204027C This being the same property conveyed to Vicki L. Blackwell and husband, Bruce M. Blackwell, Jr. by Deed from Anthony L. Giordano, acting as commissioner dated May 8, 2013 and recorded May 13, 2013 under Instrument No. 16205 of the Union County, NC Recorder’s Office.

both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

22-113378

25-123747

B14

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

UNION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000250-890 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael James Tuttle and Jenny Marie Tuttle (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Michael Tuttle and Jenny Tuttle) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated September 25, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 1941, at Page 884 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union 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 Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on May 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000467-890 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Dylan T. Nophsker and Tetiana K. Nophsker (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Dylan T. Nophsker and Tetiana K. Nophsker) to BridgeTrust Title, Trustee(s), dated June 9, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 06950, at Page 0039 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union 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 Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on May 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

25SP000285-890 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, UNION COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jon E. White and Kristen N. White a/k/a Kristine N White to William T. Morrison and Philip M. Rudisill, Trustee(s), which was dated June 2, 2017 and recorded on June 2, 2017 in Book 06945 at Page 0150, Union County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in

WAKE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000538-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shirley L. Gardner (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shirley L. Gardner) to Heather Lovier, Trustee(s), dated September 3, 2019, and recorded in Book No. 017566, at Page 02498 in Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 1, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 26SP000639-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JUSTIN KOCH DATED JANUARY 31, 2024 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 19529, AT PAGE 2428 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt,

estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Buford Township, Union County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Tract 3 of the “Partition of T.S. Smith Property” as shown on Plat Cabinet D, File 614, Union County Registry, to which plat reference is hereby made for a-more particular metes and bounds description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3008 Lamplight Road, Monroe, North Carolina. Being the same property conveyed to Michael J. Tuttle and wife, Jenny Marie Tuttle by Deed from Donald Florian and wife Agnes E. Florian, Recorded 11/20/2000 in Deed Book 1467 Page 748. APN #: 04-270-007 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Monroe, Monroe Township, Union County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 16 of Barbee Farms subdivision, Phase Two, as same is shown on plat duly recorded in Plat Cabinet E, Files 41 and 42, in the Union County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 913 Barbee Farm Drive, Monroe, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required

Union County, North Carolina, to wit: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Town of Waxhaw, Union County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 1369 on “Final Plat of a Portion of Millbridge Phase 2E and 4A Map 1” recorded in Plat Cabinet M, Files 984-986, Union County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4013 Millbridge Parkway, Waxhaw, NC 28173. 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.

estate situated in Zebulon in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Id Number(s): 1795535259 Land situated in the Town of Zebulon in the County of Wake in the State of NC Being all of Lot 146, Section III, Pineview Estates, Phase I as shown on the map recorded in Book of Maps 1993, Page 1288, Wake County Registry, reference to which is made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1137 Spruce Drive, Zebulon, North Carolina. Commonly known as: 1137 Spruce Drive, Zebulon, NC 27597-6709 The Property Address and Tax Parcel Identification Number listed are provided solely for informational purposes Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying

the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Justin Koch, dated January 31, 2024 to secure the original principal amount of $270,019.00, and recorded in Book No. 19529, at Page 2428 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 4225 Lake Woodard Dr, Raleigh, NC 27604 Tax Parcel ID: 0258418

of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written

notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice

that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988

File No.: 24-26927-FC01

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit,

residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred

fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Justin Koch.

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

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

be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is 11th day of May, 2026. Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Ingle Case Number: 41732 - 72575

B15

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

WAKE 25SP002589-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by John F. Jacobs and Leonarda Jacobs to Milestone Settlement, LLC, Trustee(s), which was dated July 15, 2024 and recorded on July 18, 2024 in Book 19663 at Page 1231, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 239, Woodchase Subdivision, Phase 2, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 2002, Page 1178, Wake County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 562 Birchtree Valley Ct, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526.

25SP001317-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY

BEING all of Lot 42, Phase 2, NORTH COLLEGE PARK SUBDIVISION, as shown on a map recorded in Book of Maps 1998, Page 1244, Wake County Registry.

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Reginald Miller to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated November 29, 2007 and recorded on November 29, 2007 in Book 012854 at Page 02287, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to

26SP000141-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Ervin Dublin to Brock and Scott, Trustee(s), which was dated October 22, 2024 and recorded on October 28, 2024 in Book 19748 at Page 639, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake

25SP001875-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jennifer L. Stanfield to Diedre Rhodes, Trustee(s), which was dated September 22, 2016 and recorded on September 22, 2016 in Book 16540 at Page 1114, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 7409 Ivy League Lane, Raleigh, NC 27616. 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

County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of Lot 43 Amber Ridge Subdivision, Phase 1, as shown on a Map thereof recorded in Book of Maps 1999, Page 1232, Wake County Registry. Being the same property as conveyed from Willie D. Johnson Jr., a single man to Ervin Dublin, a single man as set forth in Deed Book 019279 Page 00505 dated 03/07/2023, recorded 03/08/2023, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA. A.P.N. # : 1763.02-56-9023 0258406 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 5805 Seward Dr, Knightdale, NC 27545. 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

described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Cary, Cary Township, Wake County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 34 Northwoods, according to map recorded in Book of Maps 1967, Page 353, Wake County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 710 Kingswood Drive, Cary, NC 27513.

25SP002536-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY

Being all of Lot 1 of the Driver Realty and Construction property in Map Book 1984, Page 367, Wake County Registry.

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Lanita S Smith to WFG National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated January 4, 2023 and recorded on January 4, 2023 in Book 19236 at Page 00665, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY 25 SP002881-910 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Rodney Montgomery, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $142,500.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for Potomac Mortgage Group, Inc. DBA MVB Mortgage, Mortgagee, dated August 11th, 2017 and recorded on August 11th, 2017 in Book 016875, Page 01655, Wake County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 6421 Riley Hill Rd, Wendell, NC 27591. 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.

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 Reginald Miller. 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 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 Ervin Dublin.

agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the

the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement

occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

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

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 Lanita S. Smith.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS

foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Wake County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on May 26th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEING all of Lot 94, Phase 2, Covington Cross Subdivision, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 1997, Page 741, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5417 Swordsman Court, Knightdale, North Carolina. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 5417 Swordsman Court, Knightdale, NC 27545 Tax ID: 0233139 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §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 §7A308, 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

agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of

and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Rodney Cedric Montgomery. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the

the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-24857-FC01

effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: David Neill, NCSB #23396 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) dneill@mtglaw.com 25-004136-01

B16

North State Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

WAKE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000458-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Sharon Brinkley Shadrick fka Sharon B. Greene aka Sharon Brinkley Whitfield (Deceased) and David M. Whitfield (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Sharon Brinkley Whitfield and David Whitfield) to Greg Williams, Trustee(s), dated March 22, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 012457, at Page 02759 in Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 1,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP002528-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Mary Magdalene Jones a/k/a Mary Battle Jones (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Mary Jones) to Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated March 23, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 016730, at Page 02559 in Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 1, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000408-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Wenzhen Yang (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Wenzhen Yang) to Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Trustee(s), dated June 30, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 019080, at Page 00361 in Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 1, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North

25CV010913-910 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in a judgment bearing the caption “PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Wilt Derrick Spivey; Felicia Anne Spivey; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; North College Park Homeowners Association, Inc.; and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee; Defendants” 25CV010913-910 Wake County and pursuant to the terms of the judgment,

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 18SP002771-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Elizabeth Deane, Lenna F. Deane, Horace A. Deane and David Deane (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Elizabeth Deane) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated November 2, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 016201, at Page 02491 in Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000534-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shannon McGowan (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shannon McGowan) to ServiceLink LLC, Trustee(s), dated January 6, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 018285, at Page 01983 in Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 1, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real

to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including

Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property

is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against

the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded

releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in

which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Creedmoor in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that piece, parcel, tract or lot of land lying in New Light Township Wake County, State of North Carolina and described as follows: Being that certain one-acre tract of land situate in New Light Township according to a plat recorded in Book of Maps 1976 Volume 2, Page 149, Wake County Registry, Wake County, North Carolina. And being and including a perpetual easement and right-of-way over, on and under the surface of a certain tract of land as shown on recorded plat in Book of Maps 1976, Volume 2, Page 149, Wake County Registry, Wake County, North Carolina. This easements is granted for the purpose of ingress and egress to the above described one-acre tract of land. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4819 Old Weaver Trail, Creedmoor, North Carolina. Being the same property conveyed by Fee Simple Deed from Lehman Mayton Brinkley and Joyce Hayes Brinkley husband and wife to Sharon Brinkley Shadrick (formerly Sharon B Greene), by Quit Claim Deed dated 02/06/1981 recorded on 02/18/1981 in Book 2902, Page 623 in Wake County records, State of NC and from William Sidney Greene

to Sharon Lynn Brinkley Greene by Deed dated 01/15/1980 and recorded 02/28/1980 in Book 2811 Page 943.

of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot of parcel of land situated in the City of Raleigh Middle Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 10 and 11 of Katie B. Leach Subdivision as recorded in Book of Maps 1979, Page 793, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1113 & 1117 Leach Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. Subject to restrictive covenants and easements of record. Being the same premises as conveyed in Deed from Katie B. Leach recorded 03/27/1983 in Book 3125, Page 387 in said County and State. Commonly known as: 1117 Leach St, Raleigh, NC, 27603 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party

Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 307 of 540 West Subdivision Phase 3, as shown on a plat of survey entitled “Final Plat 540 West Subdivision - Phase 3 & Lot 421, Phase 1” recorded in Book of Maps 2021, Pages 993 through 1000, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1504 Garden Passage Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. Being the same property conveyed to Wenzhen Yang, unmarried by Special Warranty Deed from Pulte Home Company, LLC, dated March 3, 2022, recorded on March 3, 2022 as Book 18941, Page 2257. APN: 0000485671, 1744281802 Commonly known as: 1504 Garden Passage Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale that certain property as described below. Said sale will be held in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina at 1:30 p.m. on June 1, 2026 at the Wake County Courthouse door and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax ID Number(s): 1737515802 Land situated in the City of Raleigh in the County of Wake in the State of NC

PM on June 1, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 8, Chester Place 2 Subdivision, recorded in Map Book 1998, Page 2079, Wake County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2309 Elmsford Way, Raleigh, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in

estate situated in Apex in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 169, as shown on that plat entitled “Parkside at Bella Casa PUD Phases 4B and 4C, Town of Apex, Buckhorn Township, Wake County, North Carolina” recorded in Book of Maps 2014, Pages 1351-1353, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2704 Sugar Mountain Way, Apex, North Carolina. Assessor’s Parcel No: 0721540397 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to

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

Land situated in the Township of Neuse in the County of Wake in the State of NC

This the 27th day of April, 2026.

THE PROPERTY ADDRESS AND TAX PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER LISTED ARE PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES.

The property is being sold “as is”, without warranties, subject to all taxes, special assessments and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Any assessments, costs or fees resulting from the sale will be due and payable from the purchaser at the sale. A deposit of certified funds (no personal check) in the amount of five percent (5%) of the high bid will be required at the time of the sale. The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law.

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in

be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. 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.

BEING ALL OF LOT 91, PHASE 4, NORTH COLLEGE PARK SUBDIVISION, AS DEPICTED IN MAP BOOK 1999, PAGE 1226, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Commonly known as: 6620 Professor St, Raleigh, NC 27616

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in

BY: C.L. Leader Substitute Trustee Services, Commissioner Printed Name: C.L. Leader

Inc.,

Title: President 201 S. McPherson Church Road, Ste. 201 Fayetteville, NC 28303-4995 FV# 13524097

VOLUME 149 ISSUE 13 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Musaic Blackwater Band performs at the Mosaic Family Commons last Friday as part of the venue’s summer Beach Music Series.

the

BRIEF this week

Chatham County Schools implements mutual aid plan

Trump endorses Paxton in Texas GOP primary, boosting challenge to incumbent Cornyn

The agreement lays out parameters and procedures in the case of a catastrophic event

President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, supercharging his effort to oust incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a Republican primary runoff. Paxton and Cornyn qualified for the May 26 runoff after a March 3 primary, while Rep. Wesley Hunt finished third and did not advance. Although the four-term Cornyn has backed Trump’s agenda in Washington, Paxton pitched himself as a political warrior for the Make America Great Again movement. Trump’s endorsement Tuesday puts him at odds with his party’s establishment, which is convinced Cornyn is the better candidate for November’s general election.

PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Schools Board of Education has approved a first-of-its-kind mutual aid

Jackson says Supreme Court risks being seen as political after voting rights decision Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said Monday that the Supreme Court risks being seen as political in the wake of a major voting rights decision. She spoke after writing a solo dissent from the court’s decision allowing Louisiana to move quickly to use new maps after the court struck down a majorityblack district and weakened the Voting Rights Act. At a time when public confidence in the court is low, she said the court must be careful to avoid being seen as political. Three of her conservative colleagues have said accusations of partisanship aren’t justified.

$2.00

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

agreement between the district and select charter and private schools located within the county. At the board’s May 11 meeting, the mutual aid plan was presented detailing the procedure that the partners (Cha-

tham County Schools, Chatham Charter, Haw River Academy and Woods Charter) would go through in the case of a catastrophic event. The district was the leader on the conversations, and talks also included the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office as well. “The impetus for this conversation was really around school

safety,” said Superintendent Anthony Jackson. “We are very fortunate that we have not had one of these catastrophic events, but we always need to be prepared for them if they were to happen. This gives us the context to be able to respond if they need us or if we need them. See SCHOOLS, page A2

Small cities in big Texas metro areas lead as fastest-growing municipalities in United States The surge reflects migration away from expensive coasts toward affordable Southern job markets By Mike Schneider The Associated Press SMALL CITIES IN big Texas metro areas were the fastest-growing municipalities in

the United States last year, as smaller communities in the South outpaced the rest of the nation, which has experienced a population slowdown since the start of the immigration crack-

down last year, according to figures released Thursday. Celina, Princeton, Melissa and Anna — all part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — were the Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 fastest-growing U.S. cities with populations of 20,000 residents or more from mid-2024 to mid2025, according to population

Graduates booing pep talks on AI at college commencements “It will touch every profession, every classroom, every hospital, every laboratory, every person and every relationship you have, Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO

Students face anxiety about AI threatening their jobs in an uncertain market

By Heather Hollingsworth and Jocelyn Gecker The Associated Press AS ARTIFICIAL intelligence casts a shadow over career prospects, it is becoming an unwelcome subject at this season’s college commencements. At several campuses, graduates have interrupted speakers with stadium-wide boos when the topic turned to AI. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced repeated jeers

over the weekend during his keynote address to about 10,000 University of Arizona graduates on the rise of AI. “It will touch every profession, every classroom, every hospital, every laboratory, every person and every relationship you have,” Schmidt said, as booing began to build in the audience. “I know what many of you are feeling about that. I can hear you,” Schmidt responded as the boos continued. “There is a fear in your generation that the future has already been written, that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating … and I understand that fear.” See BOOING, page A7

estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Fulshear, in metro Houston, was the second-fastest growing U.S. city. The five Texas cities’ year-over-year growth rates ranged from almost 15% to almost 25%. See POPULATION, page A7

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

THURSDAY

5.21.26 #143

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CHATHAM

happening

Inez Brown celebrated her 99th birthday on Saturday, May 16 at a luncheon given in her honor at Best Food Cafeteria. Inez was born May 16, 1927, to the late Levi and Doasha Jessup, and she was married to the late Colon Brown. She has four Children: Jan, James (Becky), Peggy (Dean) and Bonnie (Joel); five Grandchildren: Jesse (Shannon), Alex (Sarah), Tyler (Brittany), Lauren (Jason) and Trent (Brittany); and seven great-grandchildren: Colon, Levi, Adam, Elle, William, Matthew and Chloe.

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

May 23 Sanford Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to noon COURTESY PHOTO

Chatham News & Record www.chathamnewsrecord.com

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CRIME LOG May 11

May 15

• Shantoe Denise Lee, 29, was arrested for driving on a revoked license, failure to secure a passenger under 16 and operating a vehicle with no insurance, and other charges.

• Samuel Vernon Groves, 40, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Walter Armindo Morales De Paz, 30, was arrested for soliciting a child by computer. • Jonathan Elgardo Ruz-Rodriguez, 25, was arrested for being intoxicated in a park. May 12 • Mahogany Tatianna Sanford, 20, was arrested for assault and battery, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and injury to personal property. • Anthony Joseph Hassell, 34, was arrested for purchasing a firearm in violation of a domestic violence order. • Cody John Bender, 31, was arrested for possession of stolen property and driving on a revoked license. May 13 • James Nestor Crook, 33, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

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

SCHOOLS from page A1

May 14 • Brad Quintez Alston, 34, was arrested for being intoxicated and disruptive and possession of drug paraphernalia. • Yunior David Chirinos Bardales, 23, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance on prison or jail premises and fleeing and eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, and other charges.

• Decario Deshawn Davis, 29, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon, breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering, and other charges.

115 Chatham St. Sanford

May 27 Coffee Klatch at BFP 7-10 a.m.

• John Joseph Cruz Pablo, 24, was arrested for second-degree kidnapping.

Your choice of coffee or tea and conversation with members of the community are on tap for this weekly morning social occasion.

• Danual Lewis Alston, 42, was arrested for child support violation.

Bynum General Store 950 Bynum Road Bynum

May 16 • Aleaha Renne Marr, 32, was arrested for driving while impaired. • John Edward McLean, 38, was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation, assault on a female and communicating threats. • David Adam Clodfelter, 51, was arrested for larceny after breaking and entering, larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and other charges. May 17 • Genesis Omri Brooks, 26, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on a government officer or employee, discharging a weapon into occupied property and felony breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, and other charges.

Wellness Wednesday: Run Club and Dog Walk 6:30-7:30 p.m. Community wellness group. Free admission. Philip H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons 457 Freedom Parkway Pittsboro

May 29 Beach Music Series: The Extraordinaires 7 p.m. The Extraordinaires perform in the MOSAIC at Chatham Park outdoor Beach Music Series. Admission is free with advance ticket registration at the MOSAIC website; the event lawn opens at 6 p.m. MOSAIC at Chatham Park 367 Freedom Parkway Pittsboro

Central Electric providing grants to local educators to fund innovative projects

Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. Educators in K-12 classrooms with creative ideas for learning projects are encouraged to apply for a grant up to $2,000.

7 p.m.

Bynum Front Porch 950 Bynum Road Bynum

May 31 Pittsboro Summer Fest

Grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 15. However, it pays to apply early. All teachers who submit their applications by the early bird deadline of Aug. 15 will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!

2-6 p.m. The annual Pittsboro Summer Fest fills downtown with live music, a festive bike parade, food trucks and artisan vendors. The community event is free. Downtown Pittsboro 9 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro

919-774-4900 800-446-7752

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128 Wilson Rd SANFORD, NC

The Old Ceremony at Bynum Front Porch Chapel Hill pop-noir group The Old Ceremony performs at the historic Bynum General Store as part of the free Friday Night Music Series, which runs May through August. A food truck will be on site; the show moves indoors in inclement weather.

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom?

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That’s the purpose of this.” The plan lays out parameters on student information systems, personnel, command and control, language, and reunification, as well as potential steps for reimbursement in the case of a catastrophe. “Basically, if a requesting party asks for aid from us, this is the way in which we’re going to go down the steps to provide those services and in fact be reimbursed when the dust settles and everything is done,” said Director of School Safety, Security and Operations Brad Walston. According to Walston, the plan was patterned off of mutual aid agreements that are already set up through state statute by North Carolina Emergency Management. “We really did not care what type of school it was,” Jackson said. “If the call comes to help, we want to be able to be good neighbors and keep kids safe no matter what.” The board also approved a contract renewal with The Budd Group for custodial services. “We have custodians that are Chatham County Schools employees, and what The Budd Group does is, one, they’re able to fill positions we’re not able to fill, and two, we save on retirement and medical,” said Board Chair Gary Leonard. The contract will be for an additional year and will be paid for using unused salaries for open custodial positions. According to Assistant Superintendent for Operations Chris Blice, this will be the fourth year the district will be working with The Budd Group, and the contract also does not include an increase to the hourly rate. The Chatham County Schools Board of Education will next meet June 1.

• Jose Adrian Gutierrez, 30, was arrested for assault inflicting serious bodily injury and battery of an unborn child.

• Crystal Burchett Powell, 49, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

It creates the ideal place for local food producers to build connections within the community while giving the public a place to sample and purchase foods and crafts made by their neighbors. Experience the ultimate in food, fun and fellowship in the Sandhills region.

CEMCPower.com

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Church News

Sixth graders read a passage and give constructive feedback to their partners during Nancy Barajas’ class at Fairview Elementary School on May 6 in Modesto, California.

OAKLEY BAPTIST CHURCH As Oakley Baptist Church (2300 Siler CityGlendon Road, Siler City) seeks to begin its next chapter, we are enjoying hearing a word from the Lord from various old and new friends. Our service begins at 10:30 a.m., but we also have Sunday School classes for every member of the family at 9:30 a.m. We would be blessed if you joined us for any and all of these speakers in the coming weeks. ANNIE BARKER / AP PHOTO

May 24 – Tim Howell May 31 – Gary Mccollough

Kids in ‘reading recession,’ as test scores continue to decline

We look forward to meeting you at any of these services and in the future, and invite you to pray with us as we seek a new pastor. To learn more, go to oakleybaptist.org or email us at oakleybaptistchurch@gmail.com.

A few states and districts are reversing the trend with phonics-based instruction

Homecoming at Oakley will be Sunday, May 24 beginning at 10 a.m. for special music and 10:30 a.m. for worship service. Tim Howell will be our guest speaker.

By Sharon Lurye, Jocelyn Gecker, Lily Altavena and Ruth Serven Smith The Associated Press MODESTO, Calif. — Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist. Her sixth graders dance together as a “precelebration” to boost their confidence, then take their exam. Lately, there’s been a lot to celebrate in elementary schools in Modesto, California. Both reading and math scores have increased consistently over the past several years. But across the country, results are gloomier. Researchers warn that the U.S. is experiencing a reading recession — a slide predating the pandemic’s disruptions in schooling. Scholars at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth analyzed state test scores from third to eighth grade for more than 5,000 school districts in 38 states, allowing comparisons across school districts and states in a national Education Scorecard. What they found was sobering: Only five states plus the District of Columbia had meaningful growth in reading test scores from 2022 to 2025. Nationally, students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic reading scores and only slightly better in math. While schools have focused on catching kids up since the COVID-19 pandemic upended education, reading test scores have been falling since 2013 for eighth graders and 2015 for fourth graders, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. “The pandemic was the mudslide that had followed seven years of steady erosion in achievement,” said Thomas Kane, a Harvard professor who helped create the Education Scorecard. Still, some states and school districts are making progress — largely by shifting toward phonics-based instruction and providing extra support for struggling readers. The picture is also brighter in math. Almost every state in the analysis saw improvements in math test scores from 2022 to 2025. Student absenteeism also declined in most states. In more than 400 U.S. school districts, including Modesto, reading or math growth outpaced demographically similar districts in the same state. Shift toward phonics, extra reading support Researchers are still debating the reading recession’s causes. One possible factor, researchers say, is the rise of social media on smartphones and corresponding declines in kids’ recreational reading. States have also backed off on strict consequences for schools whose students fail to make progress on standardized tests, Kane said. But the states that improved reading scores — notably Lou-

“The pandemic was the mudslide that had followed seven years of steady erosion in achievement.” Thomas Kane, Harvard professor isiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana — all had one thing in common: They ordered schools to teach with a phonics-based approach known as the “science of reading.” For years, schools taught reading using approaches that deemphasized phonics and encouraged strategies such as guessing words based on context clues. As reading scores tumbled over the past decade, parents, scholars and literacy advocates pushed for teaching methods that align with decades of research about how kids learn to read — largely by sounding out words. Along with reforming teaching methods, states have also required schools to screen for learning disabilities such as dyslexia and hire coaches to help teachers improve their reading instruction. That said, “science of reading” reforms did not guarantee success. Some states, including Florida, Arizona and Nebraska, changed parts of their reading instruction but still saw test scores fall. In Modesto, reading instruction was revamped during the pandemic, and math a couple years earlier. The district created a new department to help students who are still learning English. Schools also ramped up teacher training, paying educators $5,000 to complete an extensive “science of reading” program called LETRS, or Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. Modesto’s test scores grew enough to represent an extra 18 weeks of learning in math and 13 weeks in reading. Nevertheless, the district still has a way to go: Overall scores remain far below grade level. Getting kids “consistently in the seat” key to Detroit’s success A focus on reading has also improved scores in Detroit — but so have efforts to get kids in school more consistently. For years, the large urban district struggled with deplorable school conditions, leading to a 2016 lawsuit in which students argued they’d been denied the “right to read.” The lawsuit ended in a settlement of more than $94 million, money that helped move the needle. While the district is still far below the national average, student test scores have grown faster than in similar urban districts in Michigan. “It took a lot to rebuild systems, and now kids are learning at higher levels, but I’m still not satisfied,” said Detroit Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. “And I think that’s the next challenge: continuing to motivate, inspire and change things.” The money has helped Munger Elementary-Middle School, located in a largely Latino neighborhood in Detroit, to employ 18 educators

who give kids extra support in small groups. An attendance agent also makes calls to the homes of absent students, even showing up at their doors. Just a few years ago, first grade teacher Samantha Ciaffone said, it was normal for about seven or eight kids to be absent from her class every day. Now it’s usually only one or two. “It allows us to be better educators to see kids consistently in the seat instead of once or twice a week,” said Ciaffone. “It makes such a difference.” Bright spot in the South For the last decade, the South has stood out as a region leading the way on education reforms — bucking an established trend of landing at the bottom of education rankings. Southern states were quick to change to research-based teaching methods, and states have paid to train and coach teachers. It’s paid off. Louisiana and Alabama were the only states where math scores were higher in 2025 than pre-pandemic. Louisiana is also the only state that beat its pre-pandemic average in reading, with 87% of traditional public school students attending a district where scores are higher than in 2019. Alabama had standout gains in reading following the pandemic, driven by a state law requiring every school to use phonics-based instruction. The Legislature modeled math reforms in 2022 off Alabama’s reading successes. The state’s Numeracy Act standardized math instruction, required regular testing and mandated intervention for kids who lacked adequate math skills. Oxmoor Valley Elementary in Birmingham hired a full-time math specialist this year to help struggling kids. The school, which made the state’s “failing” list in 2016, has steadily improved math and reading scores, although a majority of kids still test below proficient in both subjects. “We can provide all of these supports but at the same time, hold kids to high expectations,” Birmingham Superintendent Mark Sullivan said. Researchers stress such progress is possible across the U.S. because it’s been done before. Starting in the 1990s, the country saw decades of growth in test scores and graduation rates while racial disparities declined. That progress continued until the mid-2010s. “We made enormous progress as a country in terms of educational success from over a 30-year period. Test scores went up dramatically,” said Stanford professor Sean Reardon. “And so I think that says, as a country, we can improve education and educational opportunity.” At Modesto’s Fairview Elementary, where Barajas teaches, students now practice their reading speed and fluency every day. After a dance break, the class reads a one-page text together in unison for one minute, then students split into pairs to read again. Students learning English are paired with native English speakers, and each child gets a turn reading with Barajas. “Eventually, you get through the word like it’s water,” one boy said. “You just say it smooth.”

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A covered dish lunch will be provided after the service. Please come and bring a friend! Everyone is welcome!

FELLOWSHIP HOUSE OF GOD All Covenant Gathering Bishop Willie Gilmore & Pastor Faye Gilmore 444 Stage Road Carthage, NC Sunday, May 31 — 11 a.m. Praise Church Of Deliverance Ministries will be in charge of the service. We are one of the bishop’s churches. We are pastors James Peoples and Prophetess Callie Peoples We are on Facebook every Sunday at 7 p.m. for our worship service, and every Wednesday at 7 p.m. for Bible study. We also have service in Carthage once a month and other places. If You are interested in counseling or have another problem in life, call us and make an appointment to set up a meeting. (984-368-2942 – 984-270-3011) We are a non-demomination deliverance ministry. You may be interested in fellowshipping with us. we are state certified for a church. If we can be any help, please let us know. To get us on Facebook, search my name, James Peoples. If you are interested in any of our services, just give us a call. Prophetess phone — 984-368-2942 (Callie) Pastor’s phone — 984-270-3011 (James)

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

His Sunday best

I was still impressed by a 5-year-old visitor last Sunday who wore a light blue dress shirt buttoned all the way up beneath his chin.

I AM HARDLY the first to comment upon the movement across our culture toward more casual dress. Even before the pandemic shutdown meant we were all working from home in our pajamas, most offices no longer required formal attire. Many worshiping communities reflect this trend, adopting a “come as you are” approach instead of the traditional “wear your Sunday best.” Generally, this development is understood favorably by younger generations who have enough to deal with in getting church to bother with ironing, knotting ties and polishing shoes. I personally know how hard it is to get my three children out of the door on Sunday morning. It’s also true that it is what’s on the inside that counts. It’s relevant how the ancient rabbi warned, “Judge not, so you won’t be judged.” There is a double standard along gender lines. Someone might praise a father for getting his children to church while lamenting that a mother’s kids look like they have just rolled out of bed. Despite all these caveats, I was still impressed by a 5-year-old visitor last Sunday who wore a light blue dress shirt buttoned all the way up beneath his chin. His grandmother told me that he insisted on wearing “my Jesus shirt” whenever he went to church. This child was so committed to his self-imposed dress code that he scrubbed

out a chocolate cereal stain that morning rather than change his wardrobe. Again, I would rather not judge other people’s choices. My only point is that there’s something to be said for dressing up. It can show respect for your host, who in the case of a church is properly understood as the higher power. This divine focus is different from the motto “dress to impress.” Surely the maker of heaven and earth does not care about dress codes. That seems silly. I think a more helpful idea is that my choice of attire helps me focus on God. While a worshiper might contemplate heavenly, eternal truths, they do so in a mortal body that is fixed in this world right now. Perhaps how you dress can reflect your inner attitude. After his grandmother filled me in about his Jesus shirt, I made a point to compliment the young disciple. As a follow-up question, I asked if his sunglasses, which he wore on the top of his head, were also for Jesus. The child fixed me with a look of pity bordering on disgust. “These are SpiderMan sunglasses. Don’t you know that?” 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.

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

Value of friends is priceless I realized all over again that life is a book and it’s made up of many chapters.

THE OTHER DAY I ran into (not literally) Bobby Joe High, my old boyhood friend and chief adviser on all matters from the heart to the pocketbook. It had been some time since I’d seen him. I wasn’t mad at him, wasn’t trying to avoid him or anything like that; I just hadn’t been around him in a while. We spent a few minutes catching up on folks. I asked him about his brothers, Myles and Junior, and he asked me about a few folks, and then we parted, going our separate ways. As I thought afterward about our encounter, the truth of the old saying “Life gets in the way of living” became even clearer. I thought about all the time we had spent together, about some of the things we had done together — the meals and nights at each other’s houses, the ball games, the talks and discussions, the classes we didn’t go to, the night we went to the Piggly-Wiggly to watch them roll in the buggies, and on and on. Then I realized all over again that life is a book and it’s made up of many chapters — birth, education, choice of a mate, vocation, where you live, how you live and so forth. And all along the way, there are those folks — we call them “friends” — who fill in the space around and in those chapters, and sometimes are chapters themselves. As I thought of some of my chapters and friends, it was funny — not funny “haha” — but funny how I remember some and can’t place others. I made my entrance into the world when our family lived in Apex before it turned into Chicago Jr. I guess I had friends then and there, but when your world changes before you’re 5 years old, you don’t have much to build on. I do remember a kindly old couple — George and Bessie Catlett — who were substitute grandparents and who let me call them by their first names, much to my mama’s chagrin. I guess the lesson there is your friends don’t have to be your age to be your friends. Growing up in and going to school in Pittsboro let me develop a circle of friends, and the good news is quite a few are on this side of the great divide. From time to time, we meet for lunch and I get to visit with John Justice, Bill Farrell, Steve Mann, Charles Lutterloh and Joe Thompson.

And for a few magical moments, we’re 16 again. But sometimes when we meet, we remember that some of us who once were part of us aren’t with us anymore, and we speak of Worth Holleman, Walter Duley, Randy Ellis and others. And funny thing about that high school group is that many others I didn’t spend large amounts of time with then but who are still around are friends I’ve grown close to, guys like C.W. Harris and Renny Kremer, to name just two. College was another chapter, and guys I shared experiences with are guys I knew I’d never forget and would always be around. Well, the truth of life is that part of that has come true — I haven’t forgotten them, but I don’t know where most of them are or even if they still are. I do know Mike Gabriel and Sam Greathouse are precious memories; it was a shock when I picked up the newspaper years ago and saw their names in the obituaries. But Ronnie and Donnie Green, Kenny Shoffner, Ric Efird, Chuck Conners, John Southern? Not a clue. Likewise with one of my two roommates. Last time I saw him was 1971 when Shirley and I were engaged and we went to a movie in Chapel Hill, and he was working at the concession stand. Sorry rascal didn’t even give me my popcorn for free. The other one, I learned a year or so ago, is living about as far east in North Carolina as you can without sliding into the Atlantic Ocean. We corresponded a few times, but he may as well be living on Mars for the likelihood I’ll see him again. That thing about life getting in the way of living comes again. Today, as I meditate in my golden years, I realize not everything about them is golden. But I’ve been fortunate to add a few more friends in this tender age, and that’s the point I want to leave with you as I wind this up, namely take some time to review your chapters. If you can locate some old friends, go for it. But don’t forget to make some new ones. As the poet said, “Make new friends but keep the old; some are silver, some are gold.” Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Crawling toward wholeness (and getting there)

Just hold your horses, ponies or whatever. There’s a light comin’ …

I’VE BEEN COGITATING this being human thing. Did your birthright “being human” designation come with a guidebook? Mine did. Much of what I read or was told while growing up was “should,” “should,” “should.” Some were mighty fine “shoulds.” Others left me struggling for breath because they weren’t me and never would be me. I react to “shoulds” just as I do to four-letter words. Huffy, angry. The little kid who still flourishes in me shouts, “I hate “shoulds!” (OK, yes, I am a tad oppositional at times.) Whoops, reframe needed here. Hating is not a quality I’d like listed in my obituary: “She was known for hating with a passion.” Noooo! Still, I can become quite prickly when reacting to that “should” word. Since I’m (mostly) an adult now, I feel ready to compose my own unique “being human” guidebook. No parent is looking over my shoulder (at least, I don’t think so.) Ah, but since I live and breathe in this world, something is always looking over my shoulder. Our culture. The seedbed of my shoulds. Reasonably speaking, some of my “shoulds” are vital and keep peace in my life. (Thank God!) Other “shoulds” don’t reflect my unique “Jan-ness.” They just don’t. Those “shoulds” are dug in, like splinters, causing pain and deflecting me from my path to wholeness. I want my wholeness! (Don’t you?) Just hold your horses, ponies or

whatever. There’s a light comin’ … Can I be brutally honest with you? Following the path to our uniqueness can be dirty, challenging, painful and creative. Oodles and oodles of towels and (sigh) continual self-compassion are an absolute must. Bit by bit — sometimes quite timidly, like butterflies from a chrysalis — we begin to emerge. Seeing the world through our own unique eyes but maintaining parts of our original cultural template that help grow us. This can be an exacting journey, so there are basic questions to be answered. Do you feel more alive? Do you feel more whole? Have you gotten better at listening to your heart and inner voice? Have you? These paths to our wholeness, geez! Twisty, sometimes dangerous, often shrouded in fog. We’re discerning our own unique “being human” guidebooks. As best we can, we’re becoming the potters of our own lives and souls. Following a sometimes dim path to ourselves as we plow through the dirt kicked up by our becoming. Oh, but wait! The dirt we feel we’re drowning in can also be molded. Molded into clay that shapes our growth into the chosen human we’d like to be. That human who’s been calling to us for so many years … Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

The left’s attack on courts is meant to destroy the Constitution History has shown that one of the first propositions of authoritarians is to destroy any judicial system that upholds the law.

THE STORY PLAYS out the same way virtually every time. Democrats, egged on by the increasingly powerful progressive base, push some obviously unconstitutional scheme that they contend is needed to preserve “democracy.” The courts inevitably knock down the ploy. Frustrated, Democrats ratchet up the anger, promising to “reform” the judiciary that stands in their way. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) recently argued on the House floor that the next Democratic White House “does not need a court reform commission like some college seminar. We need action. We need term limits for justices. We need to expand this morally bankrupt court from 9 to 13.” Do we? Great, let’s do it today. Republicans run both houses and the White House, after all. They could pack the court right now. According to Khanna, there’s nothing procedurally or constitutionally improper about it. Indeed, it’s imperative. Surely, the congressman isn’t proposing that one party should be empowered to operate under a different set of rules than the other? The contemporary leftist is a consequentialist with no limiting principles. After the Virginia Supreme Court stopped the Democrats’ unconstitutional gerrymandering scheme, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), now the favorite 2028 Democratic Party presidential prospect in a number of polls, claimed that the court “didn’t overturn a map” but “overturned an election.” “The power of the American people that should be the ultimate check on all three branches,” she declared. In any other age, vocalizing illiterate nonsense about our system of governance might be an embarrassing career-ending flub. Today, it’s the norm among progressives. At this point, I’m not even sure most of her audience understands why this crass majoritarian argument is un-American. Then again, none of the left’s political objections to the court are grounded in anything resembling a legal argument. Progressives grouse about “lawless judges” because they make no distinction between failing to get their way and criminality. Democrats never even bother to mention the Constitution in their critiques of the Supreme Court. Which is weird considering the court’s most vital responsibility is to uphold it. After the court upheld the Voting Rights Act, ensuring that Louisiana could not create race-based districts as the law demands, Khanna claimed that “moral light” of the court had been “extinguished.” Which is just gibberish. The left’s case for “reform” centers around the specious idea that the court is failing because it doesn’t adhere to their political

vision or the vision of the fleeting majority. History has shown that one of the first propositions of authoritarians is to destroy any judicial system that upholds the law. Which is why Democrats want to overturn state constitutions as well. “We’re going to have to explore judicial reform state by state and at the federal level,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently said, proposing a nationwide takeover of the courts. “ ... Everything should be on the table as far as I’m concerned.” They mean everything. One of the ideas being thrown around by Democrats is to have the Virginia General Assembly lower the mandatory retirement age for Virginia’s Supreme Court from 75 to 54, the age of the youngest current justice, then replace the entire court with leftists who will rubber-stamp the most radical gerrymandering scheme in the history of the republic. For decades, Democrats have made a mockery of confirmation hearings, smearing originalist justices as sexual predators and radicals to preemptively discredit their decisions. For years, progressive activist groups propped up by wealthy activists have been cooking up imaginary scandals about justices and laundering them through faux journalistic operations. No leftists have ever offered a scintilla of genuine evidence that any of the “conservative” justices have altered their judicial philosophy or approach for any personal benefit. There is no “lawlessness.” There is an ideological disagreement. If Democrats end up packing the court, it will devolve into another partisan branch as each party adds new justices until the institution is useless. Term limits would immediately be struck down as unconstitutional: Article III bestows lifetime appointments on justices to shield the high court from the vagaries and fleeting pressures of political debate — and from demagogues like Khanna. Not every institution in American life needs to reflect fleeting mainstream opinions (though progressives overestimate their popularity, anyway). Moreover, the court’s disposition should be conservative. Something needs to buttress against the recklessness of majoritarianism. The Founders were clear on this. All this Democratic drama is just a transparent attempt to circumvent the constitutional order. And it is unlikely any Democrats care enough about the Constitution to stop it. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner and author of five books. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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

China: Our enemy, not our rival CHINA IS NOT merely America’s geopolitical opponent. It is America’s geopolitical enemy — and has been since the establishment of the Chinese communist regime in 1949. For decades, American leaders and elites indulged China is not the fantasy that this reality could be softened or reversed. a competitor Richard Nixon opened playing by relations with China in part to split Beijing from the rules of the Soviet Union. Later, commerce economic globalists insisted that bringing China into and global markets would diplomacy. moderate its politics. The It is an theory was that free trade would lead to freer people. adversary It didn’t. playing for China never stopped being what it has always dominance. been: a communist surveillance state with an appetite for repression at home and influence abroad. It is a historically mass-murdering regime and a government whose ambition is nothing less than the destruction of America’s global dominance. And China plays the long game. Unlike democratic nations that operate on election cycles, the Chinese Communist Party operates on decades. It can wait. It can plan. It can exploit. It has taken advantage of America’s openness — our markets, our universities, even our political institutions — to undermine us from within. Whether it’s the theft of tens of billions of dollars in intellectual property, the infiltration of American universities or influence campaigns aimed at shaping public discourse, China has treated the United States like an enemy — because it is. That reality became impossible to ignore in 2020. China unleashed the Wuhan virus on the world while lying about the outbreak and downplaying evidence of human-to-human transmission. It misled the World Health Organization, which by that point had become so deferential to Beijing that it functioned more like a diplomatic arm of Chinese interests than an independent watchdog. The pandemic was a wakeup call, but it should not have been the first. For years, Americans have warned that the United States built supply chains through hostile territory. We outsourced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and strategic industries to a nation openly committed to replacing us. Now the question is unavoidable: What should we do? First, America must use its economic leverage to isolate China. That means cutting strong trade deals with reliable allies and strategic partners — Canada, Mexico, Europe and developing countries that may be tempted to drift into China’s orbit. The goal should be simple: Force nations to choose. Countries should understand they can either have access to American markets and investment, or dependence on Chinese manufacturing and influence. They should not be allowed to have both. Second, America must cut off China’s sources of revenue and influence. Much of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy has been aimed at this. Pressure against Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela was about oil revenue that strengthens China. The same is true with Iran, a major supplier of oil to Beijing. Even the war in Ukraine has implications, as Russia increasingly functions as a resource pipeline for China. Third, America must strengthen itself. One of the most dangerous vulnerabilities we face is financial dependency. China owns trillions of dollars in American debt. The implicit threat is always present: Beijing could dump U.S. bonds onto the market to destabilize our economy. China could absorb the pain. It does not fear public backlash the way democratic governments do. This is what happens when a nation becomes bloated, complacent and addicted to spending. If the United States wishes to remain a world power, it cannot behave like a decadent welfare state. Debt is not just an economic problem — it is a national security threat. Finally, America must close the doors China uses to steal, spy and infiltrate. One obvious step is also the most controversial: no more Chinese foreign exchange students. Zero. Our universities have strong financial incentives to bring them in, but national security cannot be treated like a revenue stream. We should not be importing students from hostile regimes to access American research and institutions, only for them to return home and strengthen systems that seek our destruction. Pretending geopolitical enemies will not exploit American openness is naive. They already have. The United States is still the most powerful country on Earth, but power is not permanent. It must be defended and strategically deployed. China is not a competitor playing by the rules of commerce and diplomacy. It is an adversary playing for dominance. The steps needed to confront that reality are available — and necessary. Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

obituaries

Pamela Stephens Andrews Lemons July 7, 1943 – May 13, 2026 Pamela Stephens Andrews Lemons, 82, of Siler City, passed away at home on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026. Pam was born in New York on July 7th, 1943, to the late Robert Perine Andrews, Sr. and Jean Marie Bell Andrews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bobby Andrews; and a grandson, Cory Gale Scott. Pam was a horse and animal lover, and very

Duncan Lynn Murchison Dec. 11, 1963 – May 15, 2026 Duncan Lynn Murchison, age 62 of Goldston, NC died Friday, May 15, 2026, at Chatman Hospital. Lynn was a native of Chatham County and enjoyed trips to the NC Outer Banks to fish and collect seashells. He was always willing to help others was a UNC Tarheel fan

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We offer an on-site crematory with many options of Celebration of Life services, Traditional, and Green Burials. Call us to set 396 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312 | 919-542-3057 | www.donaldsonfunerals.com an appointment to come by and learn more. passionate about horses. good prices for his friends and sons: Gary, Jeff and Keith. Gary She was an accomplished clients. Gary also worked at graduated from Southeast High equestrian from a very young the Carolina Stockyard, the Mt. School where he played on the age. Pam absolutely had a Airy Stockyard and Chaudry’s baseball team. Gary’s love for green thumb and her plants throughout his career. He the game transferred over to flourished under her care. bought many livestock over the softball after graduating and Pam had a beautiful gift and years and even provided roping he played for several decades passion for caring for the calves for the Jerome Davis in the Greensboro/Burlington elderly which she turned into Rodeo. area. Many have said that he her life’s work. She became Gary is survived by his was “One heck of a pitcher”. a home health nurse and partner and love in life, Kathy Gary received his Associate worked both privately and for Courts, his brother Jeff Tuttle of Applied Science (AAS) multiple locations. (Bonnie), his brother Keith in Livestock and Poultry Left to cherish Pam’s Tuttle, his daughter MaryManagement from NC State. memories are her daughters, But his love for livestock started Alice Cheek (Adam) and his Robyn Parker of Wilmington granddaughter Harper Cheek. at an early age. Gary first and her children, Kara Smith He was a strong, caring man showed livestock around the Feb. 1, 1953 – and her husband, Justin, Eric that always helped anyone who age of 7 when he was a member March 22, 2026 Parker and his wife, Cierra and of the Guilford County 4-H Club. needed it. He will be greatly their daughter, Marlee; and missed. He worked hard to prepare for Gary Wayne Tuttle passed Dr. Katherine “Kate” Scott A memorial service will on March 22, 2026, at home. He the show many times and won and her husband, Jason, and be held on June 7, 2026, at Grand Champion. This is where overcame a lot of adversity and their family, Sarah Scott, Anna 2:00 pm. The service will be his love grew for cattle and the medical issues over the years Pruitt and her husband, Tyler, located at Mt. Pleasant United livestock industry. He spoke at with his strength, endurance, Mary Scott, and Samantha multiple cattle conventions over Methodist Church on Burlington and determination. He didn’t let Scott. Road in Greensboro, North the need, friends knew they anything slow him down. Gary A Celebration of Life Carolina. could call upon Gary whether kept going no matter what. He will be held at a later date In lieu of flowers, the family for help or advice. He made was a true inspiration to others. in Wilmington at Oakdale requests that donations be many trips to the Lynchburg Gary was born on February Cemetery. made to the American Diabetes Stockyard with a load of cattle. 1, 1953, to Neal and Mary Belle Smith & Buckner Funeral Association. He valued this stockyard and Tuttle. He was the first of three Home will be assisting the knew they would provide Lemons family. Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com

Gary Wayne Tuttle

and loved his K-9 companion “The Big Dog, George.” Lynn is survived by his mother: Sadie H. Murchison of Bear Creek, NC; Brother: Donnie Murchison of Goldston, NC; sister: Susan Douglas (Mike) of Bera Creek, NC; nephew: Daniel Douglas (Brooke); niece: Candie Carlyle (Zac); great nieces and nephews: Paisley and Harper Carlyle, River and Miles Douglas. The Graveside Service will be Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery 503 Alton King Road, Goldston, NC with Rev. Partick Daniel officiating. Attendees are encouraged to wear Carolina Blue. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Smith and Buckner Funeral Home is proudly serving the Murchison family.

IN MEMORY

ANGLEA “ANGIE” SMITH PATRICK SEPT. 23, 1965 – APRIL 26, 2026 ANGLEA “ANGIE” SMITH PATRICK, Age 60 of Pinnacle, NC formerly of New Hill, NC passed away at her home on Sunday April 26, 2026. Anglea was born in Orange County, NC on September 23, 1965, daughter of James Milton Smith and Teresa Grae Davis. Anglea was preceded in death by her parents, maternal grandmother Irene Douglas Davis. “Angie” loved listening to all kinds of music. She often would associate songs with things she experienced in her own life. “Angie” loved her four brothers, and she hoped they knew that. She was the oldest of five children. She always felt like it was her responsibility to take care of them when they were young, and she did the best she could. Angie also loved the rest of her family, each one in her own way. Angie and Dawn were not only cousins they were best friends. She would often tell her cousin Nancy “Dawn” that they were like “Thelma and Louise.” Dawn being the one that thought things through. “Angie” being the spontaneous one. Those years they spent together they shared a lot of special memories. Those years growing up were some of the best years of their lives. Angie and Dawn always felt like they were as close as sisters would be. It was always said Angie was really the baby girl of the family, not Dawn. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday May 16, 2026 at the Haywood Bible Church,299 Haywood Road, Moncure, NC, with Thomas Wayne Lawrence, Officiating.

Albrecht Weinberg, Holocaust survivor who returned to Germany in his 80s, dead at 101 After returning to his hometown, he tirelessly recounted his experiences to warn against forgetting The Associated Press BERLIN — Albrecht Weinberg, who survived several Nazi concentration and death camps and lost most of his family in the Holocaust before returning to Germany in his 80s, has died at the age of 101, authorities in his home region said Tuesday. Weinberg died in Leer, in northwestern Germany, weeks after he marked his birthday and the premiere of a film about his life, “Es ist immer in meinem Kopf” (“It is always in my head”), attended by hundreds of guests, the city said in a statement. “Since returning from New York to his East Frisian home

14 years ago, Albrecht recounted tirelessly and with incredible energy his terrible experiences during the Nazi era and warned again and again against forgetting,” Mayor Claus-Peter Horst said. Weinberg, who was born in Rhauderfehn, near Leer, on March 7, 1925, survived incarceration at the Auschwitz, Mittelbau-Dora and Bergen-Belsen camps as well as three death marches at the end of World War II. He spent years teaching high school students and others about the atrocities he had to live through. Speaking last year, Weinberg said the memories of his wartime experiences still haunted him. “I sleep with it, I wake up with it, I sweat, I have nightmares; that is my present,” he said. He said he worried what would happen when he was no

longer around to bear witness. “When my generation is not in this world anymore, when we disappear from the world, then the next generation can only read it out of the book,” he said. Weinberg was awarded Germany’s Order of Merit in 2017 but handed it back last year in protest at a parliamentary vote in which a motion put forward by Friedrich Merz, now the country’s chancellor, calling for many more migrants to be turned back at Germany’s borders passed with the help of a far-right party. Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, said in a post on X that he had got to know Weinberg well and paid tribute to him as “a bridge — between past and present, between pain and hope, between the dead he could never forget and the young people whom he encouraged to seek the truth.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

BOOING from page A1 To students, the topic felt tone deaf, said Olivia Malone, a 22-year-old University of Arizona graduate bound for law school. “His speech was incredibly disrespectful to students,” said Malone. “We as students are discouraged from using it and penalized for using it. And then to have our speaker be the champion of AI is just like, ‘OK? Why?’” Similar responses to keynote speakers who touched on AI at other universities highlight a pervasive sense of anxiety among today’s college students. Polls show growing concern that AI will doom career plans Across campuses and in a multitude of recent surveys, students say they are trying to figure out which skills, majors and jobs won’t be rendered useless by AI. About 70% of college students see AI as a threat to their job prospects, according to a 2025 poll by the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School. A recent Gallup poll of Generation Z youth and adults, between ages 14 and 29, found increasingly negative attitudes toward AI. About half of Gen Z teens and adults say they use AI daily or weekly. But anger about the technology has increased since a year ago, while excitement and hopefulness about AI is declining. Another speaker, real estate executive Gloria Caulfield, also

EVAN AGOSTINI / AP PHOTO

Scott Borchetta arrives at the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. faced boos when she highlighted the advent of artificial intelligence during a keynote this month at the University of Central Florida. “The rise of artificial intelligence is the next industrial revolution,” Caulfield said, as boos erupted, to her surprise. She turned around to ask those behind her, “What happened?” “OK, I struck a chord. May I finish?” said Caulfield, who is vice president of strategic alliances at the Tavistock Development Company in Orlando. “Only a few years ago, AI was

not a factor in our lives,” she said, prompting cheers. “And now, AI capabilities are in the palm of our hand,” she said to more jeering. Speakers have tried to stress positives A similar response met music executive Scott Borchetta when he spoke to the graduating class of Middle Tennessee State University about how AI is shaping the music industry. “AI is rewriting production as we sit here,” said Borchet-

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ta, the CEO of Big Machine Records, as the students in caps and gowns booed. “I know it. Deal with it. … Do something about it. It’s a tool. Make it work for you.” Schmidt offered a similar message to graduates: Their fear is rational, but they have the power to shape how AI develops. The advice didn’t land well with students like Malone, who said the former Google executive’s speech was more self-serving than inspirational. “It felt like a big advertisement. It felt like the longest Gemini ad ever,” said Malone, noting that the choice of Schmidt as keynote speaker had also been controversial because his name appears in the Epstein files. “Everybody I was sitting by was really hooting and hollering about that, yelling, ‘Epstein files! Epstein files!’” Grads already face tough job market Part of the backlash from graduating students stems from the dismal job market they’re entering. The unemployment rate for college graduates ages 22 to 27 has reached its highest level in a dozen years. Sami Wargo just graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, where an AI expert was the undergraduate commencement speaker despite a student petition demanding that the school find someone else. “Given how AI has become an increasing threat towards our jobs, especially for our gradu-

POPULATION from page A1 In pure numbers, Celina, with only 64,000 people, grew by more residents — 12,700 — than Seattle and Houston, cities that are 12 times and 37 times larger respectively. Small- to medium-sized cities hit a sweet spot between the largest U.S. cities, which were most impacted by the loss of immigrants from the crackdown started last year during the second Trump administration, and anemic growth in small towns, according to Matt Erickson, a Census Bureau statistician. Texas cities dominate Nine out of 10 of the largest population gainers in pure numbers were cities in the South because of a healthy job market and its comparative affordability. The biggest numeric gainers were Charlotte; Fort Worth, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Celina. Fort Worth leaped over Jacksonville last year as the 10th most populous U.S. city, putting four Texas cities in the nation’s top 10 most populous, with the other cities being Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Austin skipped over San Jose for the 12th most populous spot, as Texas’ capital city surpassed 1 million residents for the first time. It is now one of a dozen U.S. cities with 1 million residents or more. Seattle makes comeback

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Seattle was the only non-Southern city to crack the top 10 in numeric population gains last year, at the No. 5 spot. Like many large cities, particularly on the coasts, Seattle lost population during the height of the pandemic a half-decade ago. But recent

ating class, we thought it was a little bit tone deaf,” said Wargo, who majored in digital media and minored in advertising. Chris Duffey, an AI evangelist at Adobe who recently used AI to “co-author” a book titled “Superhuman Innovation: Transforming Business with Artificial Intelligence,” took the stage anyway. “Innovation,” he told the students, “will reveal what can be done, but only you can decide what should be done.” Wargo said she joined other students around her in booing his message. The 21-year-old has applied for around 30 jobs but hasn’t landed one yet. Many of the job descriptions say applicants must “collaborate with AI,” but “I don’t know what that means,” she said, noting that most of her classes banned her from using AI. Having to be reminded of all the uncertainty at their graduation, she said, was another “little dent in what was supposed to be a celebratory day.”

construction of new housing has helped ease the city’s affordability, making it more attractive for residents to stay in the core city rather than move to farther out suburbs in the metro area, according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management. The growth was driven by immigrants, particularly from China and India. International migration accounted for almost three-quarters of the area’s population gains, according to county-level population estimates released in March. Tight housing market, natural disasters drive population losses The two cities with the greatest rates of population loss last year — Twentynine Palms, California, by Joshua Tree National Park and Key West at the southern tip of Florida — were in places with tight housing markets. Their losses ranged from -2.4% to -2.9%. In Twentynine Palms, a large chunk of the housing stock has been converted into short-term rentals for tourists heading to the national park. Just under 40% of its housing is occupied by its owners, compared with the national average of 65%, according to Census Bureau figures. Hemmed in on all sides by water, the limited housing stock in Key West, as well as some of the highest home insurance rates in the U.S., have driven up housing costs for the Conch Republic. The median price for a home in Key West was $1.3 million at the start of this year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Other cities that had some of the biggest rates of population loss last year were hit by natural disasters.

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The Dallas skyline is visible through the framing of Reunion Tower on Nov. 6, 2025, in Dallas.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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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, June 1, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the court room located in the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave.

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CASE TA26-001: The Town of Siler City is requesting an amendment that will repeal the Unified Development Ordinance adopted August 1, 1993, and will hold a Public Hearing for the adoption of a revised Unified Development Ordinance. CASE S26-001: Request to rename Hill Street, an existing town-maintained street, to McClain Street.

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The proposed item is available for review by contacting Tim Garner at tgarner@silercity. gov or 919-726-8628. 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. Here’s the information you requested on Dental insurance

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Interested parties may also submit written comments. Written comments can be submitted by email to tgarner@silercity.gov. 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.

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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.

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Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-888-7994433 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds B438/B439. 6154-0120

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Briana Martinez at 919-726-8620, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or bmartinez@silercity.gov 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 bmartinez@silercity.gov o 919-7268625 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM In the Chatham County General Court of Justice District Court Division Ocampo v. Ocampo File No: 26CV000448-180 To: Alejandro Mondragon Ocampo TAKE NOTICE That a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief sought is as follows: Absolute Divorce and Equitable Distribution. You are required to make a defense to such pleading not later than June 23, 2026 which is forty-days (40) from the first publication of this notice. Upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. This the 14th day of May, 2026. Dana Bellingrath Triangle Divorce Lawyers 109 N. Boylan Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 919-303-2020

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Thomas Bayard Hollingsworth, Jr., deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before 07/31/2026 or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All claims must be presented in writing and delivered or mailed to: James D. Hollingsworth, Executor 1309 Snyder Street Durham, NC 27713 This the 26th day of April, 2026. James D. Hollingsworth Executor of the Estate of Thomas Bayard Hollingsworth, Jr. Chatham County Estate File No.: 26E000039-180 Publication Dates (once a week for four consecutive weeks): 4/30/2026 / 5/7/2026] / 05/14/2026 /05/21/2026

Location Chatham County, North Carolina Notice Text NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF PAUL LESLIE SANDERS FILE NO. 26E000278-180 The undersigned, Regina Leigh McCoy, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Paul Leslie Sanders, 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 at 42 Carson Ct, Pittsboro, NC 27312 on or before the 21st day of August 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment. This the 21st day of May 2026. Chatham News & Record May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 2026

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000146-180 The undersigned AMY LYNDON, having qualified on the 27TH Day of MARCH 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JAMES M. LYNDON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. AMY LYNDON, EXECUTOR 17302 BELMONT STAKES LANE CHARLOTTE, NC 28278 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Thomas Earle Tillman, 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 19th of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This May 21, 2026. Gillian Tillman, Executor Estate of Thomas Earle Tillman

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM LEGAL NOTICE The undersigned, Kenneth Hilliard, having qualified on April 20, 2026 as Executor of the Estate of Arthur Jackson Hilliard, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned’s Attorney, Tyler F. Chriscoe, at 135 West New Hampshire Avenue, P. O. Box 371, Southern Pines, North Carolina 283880371 on or before the 3rd day of August, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 30th day of April, 2026. Kenneth Hilliard, Executor Estate of Arthur Jackson Hilliard Tyler F. Chriscoe Attorney for the Estate Poyner Spruill LLP Attorneys at Law P. O. Box 371 Southern Pines, N. C. 28388-0371 4: 30, and 5: 7, 14, 21, 2026

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCORMICK, late of Chatham County, North Carolina (26E000177-180), 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 10th day of August, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 7th day of May 2026. Daniel Dylan McCormick Administrator of the Estate of Michael Joseph McCormick c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28/26)

CREDITOR’S NOTICE Having qualified on the 23rd day of April 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Sammy Franklin Dickinson, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of July 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 23rd day of April 2026. Jan Rene Boydstun, Executor of the Estate of Sammy Franklin Dickinson 226 Haven Creek Road Apt 101 Pittsboro, N.C., 27312 Attorneys: Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: April 30, May 7, 14 and 21 of 2026

CREDITOR’S NOTICE Having qualified on the 28th day of April 2026, as Co-Executors of the Estate of Margie W. Johnson, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 7st day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 29th day of April 2026. Eric Johnson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Margie W. Johnson 5090 Butner Drive Hickory, NC 28602 Brad Johnson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Margie W. Johnson 6307 Whedbee Road Julian, NC 27283 Attorneys: Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: May 7th, 14th 21st and 28th 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF GEORGE DANIEL JOHNSON FILE NO. 26E000201-180 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against GEORGE DANIEL JOHNSON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before August 7, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 30th day of April, 2026. KELLY L JOHNSON, Executor C/O Caitlin Stone, Attorney for the Estate Pierce Law Group, PLLC 3020 S. Miami Blvd, Ste 201 Durham, NC 27703 A30, 7, 14 and 21

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS File No: 26E000078-180 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of MERLE LEE FEATHERS, deceased, of 13 Danbury Ct., Chatham County, Pittsboro, NC 27312, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned in care of the attorney for the estate on or before July 31, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Jeffrey L. Austin Executor of the Estate of Merle Lee Feathers c/o Law Office of Jeffrey L. Austin, PLLC 500 Westover Dr. #32043 Sanford, NC 27330 FOR PUBLICATION: The Chatham News & Record 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, and 5/21/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CASE NO 26E000235-180 Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Juan Carlos Gonzalez, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Juan Carlos Gonzalez, to present them to the undersigned on or before the 12th day of August, 2026 (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 14th day of May, 2026. Susana Gonzalez Administrator of the Estate of Juan Carlos Gonzalez 2865 1st Street Vero Beach, FL 32968 Attorney’s Address: Stephanie M. LeBlanc, Esq. LeBlanc Law Firm, PLLC 1 Page Avenue, Suite 229 - Grove Arcade Asheville, NC 28801 Publication Dates: May 14, May 21, May 28, June 04, 2026.

NOTICE Moncure Fire Dept Annual Meeting The Moncure Fire Department will be holding its annual meeting onMonday, June 22, 2026 at Moncure Fire Dept Station #8, 2389Old US 1, Moncure NC 27559. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and coverthe state of the fire department, financial report, and Board ofDirectors elections. If you reside in the Moncure Fire District and are a taxpayer, youare a member and invited to attend.

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified on the 30th day of April, 2026, as Executor of the Estate of James E. Merkel, 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 21st day of August, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 21st day of May, 2026. Hugh T. Merkel, Executor of the Estate of James E. Merkel c/o Gwendolyn C. Brooks Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707 THE CHATHAM NEWS: 5/21/2026, 5/28/2026, 6/4/206, and 6/11/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000222-180 ALL persons having claims against Lois Jane Helburn, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 30th day of April, 2026. BRUCE JAMES STEINHARDT, Administrator C/O Pierce Law Group, PLLC 3020 S Miami Blvd, Suite 201 Durham, NC 27703 April 30, May 7, 14, 21 A30, 7, 14 and 21

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000227-180 ALL persons having claims against Mary T Schaumburg-Bofinger, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Aug 07 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 7th day of May, 2026. John R Knauf, Executor C/O Beth W Bowen 590 New Waverly Place, Suite 120 Cary, NC 27518 M7, 14, 21 and 28

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Chatham County, North Carolina RE: THE ESTATE OF KENNETH CARO– 26E000190-108 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of KENNETH CARO, deceased,Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons,firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibitthem to the undersigned on or before the 19th of, August, 2026, or this notice will bepleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 15th day of May, 2026. Nicholas Young, Executor DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 2026

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000038-180 The undersigned SHARON GUARIGLIA, having qualified on the 6TH Day of MAY 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of DUNCAN CRUICKSHANK, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 14TH Day OF AUGUST 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 14TH DAY OF MAY 2026. SHARON GUARIGLIA, ADMINISTRATOR 665 REBECCA LANE SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: M14,21,28,J4p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM Having qualified as Personal Representative of the Estate of Joe David Styres aka Joe D. Styres, 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 present them to the undersigned attorney for the estate on or before August 7, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations in debted to the said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 7th day of May 2026 Karen Louise Styres aka Karen L. Styres Personal Representative Adam G. Kerr Kerr Law, PLLC PO Box 10941 Greensboro, NC 27404 Telephone: (336) 808-5028 Fax: (336) 464-2819 May 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2026

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000242-180 The undersigned TAMARA TICKLE, having qualified on the 23RD Day of APRIL 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ROBERT L. MIMS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. TAMARA TICKLE, ADMINISTRATOR 309 PINEYWOOD CHURCH RD. CAMERON, NC 28326 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000661-180 The undersigned JONATHAN K. MCMILLAN, having qualified on the 20TH Day of APRIL 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BOBBY EUGENE MCMILLAN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. JONATHAN K. MCMILLAN, EXECUTOR 188 LORI LANE SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000194-180 The undersigned SUSAN GILLIAM RAAF, having qualified on the 8TH Day of APRIL 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of PHILLIP LESLIE GILLIAM, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 21ST Day OF AUGUST 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 21ST DAY OF MAY 2026. SUSAN GILLIAM RAAF, EXECUTOR 912 FITTS STREET SANFORD, NC 27330 Run dates: M21,28,J4,11p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000250-180 The undersigned DOROTHY TAYLOR, having qualified on the 29TH Day of APRIL 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MATTHEW TAYLOR, JR., deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 7TH Day OF AUGUST 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 7TH DAY OF MAY 2026. DOROTHY TAYLOR, EXECUTOR 300 RIVER BEND ROAD SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: M7,14,21,28p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000229-180 The undersigned WANDA STAFFORD AND JAMES HADLEY, having qualified on the 20TH Day of APRIL 2026 as CO-EXECUTORS of the Estate of JEANETTE LINDLEY HADLEY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. WANDA STAFFORD, CO-EXECUTOR 4457 SILK HOPE LINDLEY MILL RD. SNOW CAMP, NC 27349 JAMES HADLEY, CO-EXECUTOR 4305 SILK HOPE LINDLEY MILL RD. SNOW CAMP, NC 27349 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000230-180 The undersigned DWIGHT W. WALKER, having qualified on the 20TH Day of APRIL 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of STANLEY PARRISH WALKER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 7TH Day OF AUGUST 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 7TH DAY OF MAY 2026. DWIGHT W. WALKER, ADMINISTRATOR 2706 VESTAL ST. GREENSBORO, NC 27406 Run dates: M7,14,21,28p

PUBLIC NOTICE CHATHAM COUNTY ABC The Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027 has been submitted to the Chatham County ABC Board. A copy of the proposed Budget is available for public inspection in the office of the general manager of the Chatham County ABC Board at 10435 US 64 HWY E. Apex, NC 27523, and may be reviewed by the public during normal working hours. Interested citizens are invited to make comments orally at a Public Hearing to be held on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at the Chatham County ABC office located at 10435 US 64 HWY E. Apex, NC 27523. Written comments may be submitted prior to that date and should be addressed to the Chatham County ABC Board at 10435 US 64 HWY E. Apex, NC 27523. Matthew Williams General Manager Chatham County ABC

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000257-180 The undersigned GANG NAM YOO, having qualified on the 30TH Day of APRIL 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of CHUN CHA YOO., deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 7TH Day OF AUGUST 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 7TH DAY OF MAY 2026. GANG NAM YOO, ADMINISTRATOR 354 SKY LANE PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: M7,14,21,28p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Chatham County, North Carolina RE: THE ESTATE OF DONNA OLSEN– 26E000167180 Having qualified as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of Donna Olsen, aka Donna Kullman Olsen deceased, Chattam Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of August 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 7 th day of May, 2026. AMY OLSEN, ADMINISTRATOR DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717

A10

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

GREGORY BULL / AP PHOTO

Two men embrace at the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday in San Diego. the attack is being investigated as a hate crime. Among those killed was a security guard who police believe “played a pivotal role” in keeping the attack from being “much worse,” Wahl said. “It’s fair to say his actions were heroic,” the chief said. “Undoubtedly he saved lives.” The mosque hasn’t released the victims’ names. But a family friend identified the guard as Amin Abdullah, who was well known at the mosque and had worked there for more than a decade.

“He wanted to defend the innocent, so he decided to become a security guard,” said Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq, who spoke with Abdullah’s son. The family could not immediately be reached for comment. In a Facebook post, the mosque called him “a courageous man who put himself on the line of the safety of others, who even in his last moments did not stop protecting our community.” The center wrote that those who died “were men who put themselves on the line for our

masjid and our community,” using the Arabic word for mosque. “Men of courage, sacrifice, and faith. Their absence leaves a void that can never truly be filled.” It didn’t provide details about the actions of the other two victims, but the mosque described one as a foundation of the center who was dedicated to building the community from the beginning, and the other as a man whose “kindness, sincerity and wavering spirit touched everyone around him.” The shooting was the latest in a string of attacks on houses of worship and comes amid rising threats and hate crimes targeting the Muslim and Jewish communities since the beginning of war in the Middle East, forcing increases in security. Just before the latest attack, the search for the missing teen intensified Monday morning as law enforcement began to gather more details. Police found he had dressed in camouflage and was with an acquaintance. Officers used automated license plate readers to track the car and went to a mall. They also alerted a school where at least one of the teens was a student and interviewed the mother, Wahl said. When reports of the shooting came in, police responded within four minutes of being called. Three men were dead when they arrived, Wahl said.

The mosque sits in a neighborhood of homes, apartments and strip malls with Middle Eastern restaurants and markets. The center includes the Al Rashid School, which offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran for students ages 5 and up, according to its website. The center, which said it was closed until further notice, typically holds five daily prayers. TV footage showed more than a dozen children holding hands and being walked out of the center’s parking lot as it was surrounded by police vehicles. Imam Taha Hassane, the mosque’s director, called it “extremely outrageous to target a place of worship,” adding that the center focused on interfaith relations and community building. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the U.S., condemned the shooting. “No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school,” CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam said in a statement. President Donald Trump called the shooting a “terrible situation.”

owner(s) of the property is/are Anthony Scott Murray.

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

TAKE NOTICE 26SP000008-180 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Anthony Scott Murray, Unmarried Man to Blue Door Homes LLC, Trustee(s), which was dated March 17, 2021 and recorded on March 17, 2021 in Book 2197 at Page 399, Chatham County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Chatham County, North Carolina, to wit:

in the office of the Register of Deeds for Chatham County, North Carolina, in Condominium Book 1, Pages 91 through 93, and Pages 97 through 103, together with an undivided interest in the Common Elements and all rights, obligations and interests appurtenant to the Unit as set forth in the Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Chatham County, North Carolina, in Book 2098, Page 1057, as amended by First Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2108, Page 884; as amended by Second Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2114, Page 435; as amended by Third Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2133, Page 329; as amended by Fourth Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2178, Page 200, and any additional amendments or supplemental declarations thereto. Parcel

ID#

0094092

BEING all of Unit No. 49 in The Cottages Condominium I, as shown on plat recorded

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

26SP000006-180 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

described property situated in Chatham County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jonathan E. Braswell and Bianca L. Foica to Hilton T. Hutchens, Jr. Esq., Trustee(s), which was dated May 6, 2022 and recorded on May 11, 2022 in Book 2303 at Page 211, Chatham County Registry, North Carolina.

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in New Hope Township, Chatham County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEING ALL of Lot 2, as shown on the plat and survey thereof by Ritchie Surveying Co. dated January 11, 1996 and recorded as Plat Slide 96-39 in the Chatham County Registry to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same.

Said property is commonly known as 286 Cottage Way, Pittsboro, NC 27312. 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

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 Jonathan E. Braswell.

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

23SP000024-180 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

CITY” AND RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK EN AT PAGE 39-602. REFERENCE IS MADE TO SAID PLAT FOR MORE ACCURACY AND CERTAINTY OF DESCRIPTION.

AND RECORDED IN BOOK KG PAGE 538, CHATHAM COUNTY REGISTRY, AND TO WHICH DEED REFERENCE IS MADE FOR A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION.

LOT 2: BEGINNING AT A POINT, SAID POINT BEING THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT NO. 1, BLOCK “C’ ACCORDING TO PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK EN PAGE 39602, CHATHAM COUNTY REGISTRY; AND RUNNING THENCE WITH THE NORTHERN LINE OF LOT NO. 1, LOT NO. 2 AND A PORTION OF LOT NO. 3 FROM THE POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING 125 FEET TO A POINT, BEING THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF CLARENCE GILLILAND PROPERTY AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 449 AT PAGE 448, CHATHAM COUNTY REGISTRY; AND RUNNING THENCE IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION PARALLEL WITH NORTH EVERGREEN AVENUE 50 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION PARALLEL WITH THE NORTHERN BOUNDARIES OF LOTS NO. 1, NO. 2 AND A PORTION OF LOT NO. 3, 125 FEET TO A POINT IN THE EASTERN MARGIN OF NORTH EVERGREEN AVENUE; THENCE IS A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION WITH THE EASTERN MARGIN OF NORTH AVENUE 50 FEET TO THE POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING, AND BEING THE SOUTHERNMOST 50 FEET OF LOT NO. 8, LOT NO. 9, AND A PORTION OF LOT NO. 10 AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT HEREIN REFERENCED AND BEING THE SAME AND IDENTICAL PARCEL OF PROPERTY MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS SECOND LOT IN DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 318 PAGE 311, CHATHAM COUNTY REGISTRY AND BEING THE SAME AND IDENTICAL PROPERTY AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN DEED DATED FEBRUARY 6, 1950, FROM THE CHURCHILL TO STANLEY

LOT 3: BEGINNING AT A POINT, SAID POINT BEING THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT NO. 2, BLOCK “C’ ACCORDING TO PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK EN PAGE 39602, CHATHAM COUNTY REGISTRY; AND RUNNING THENCE WITH THE SOUTHERN LINE OF LOT NO. 2 AND A PORTION OF LOT NO. 3, 75 FEET TO A POINT IN THE SOUTHERN MARGIN OF WEST 4TH STREET; THENCE IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION 175 FEET TO A POINT IN THE LINE BETWEEN LOT NO. 3 AND LOT NO. 10; THENCE IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION 75 FEET TO THE CORNER OF LOTS NO. 1, NO. 2, NO. 8 AND NO. 9; THENCE IN A SOUTHERLY 175 FEET TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT NO.2, BEING THE POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING, AND BEING THE ENTIRETY OF LOT NO. 2 AND A PORTION OF LOT NO. 3 AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT HEREIN REFERENCED.

NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Laura R Loflin, divorced to Rod Raszler, Trustee(s), which was dated May 20, 2019 and recorded on June 6, 2019 in Book 02048 at Page 0264 and rerecorded/ modified/corrected on September 29, 2025 in Book 02489, Page 0364, Chatham County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Chatham County, North Carolina, to wit: CERTAIN LOTS OR PARCELS OF LAND LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF SILER CITY, MATTHEWS TOWNSHIP, CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 1: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED AS LOTS NO. 1, BLOCK “C”, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AND DEFINED ON PLAT ENTITLED “OAKLAWN SILER SUBDIVISION, SILER

Said property is commonly known as 744 N Pea Ridge Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312. 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

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

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 506 W 4TH ST, Siler City, NC 27344. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE 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 Laura R. Loflin. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-36811-FC01

Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee By: Attorney Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 22-00140-FC01

A11

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Advertisement of 2025 Tax Liens on Real Property County of Chatham Advertisement of 2025 Tax Liens on Real Property Under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 105-369 of the North Carolina General Statutes and pursuant to an order of the Board of Commissioners of Chatham County, I am hereby advertising tax liens for the year 2025 upon the real estate described below. The amount advertised includes interest and costs, and the omission of such from the amount advertised will not constitute a waiver of the taxing unit’s claim for those items. The real estate parcel that is subject to the lien, the name of the person to whom the property was listed for taxes, the current owner’s name if the property was transferred in the year 2025 and the principal amount of the

taxes are set out below. When a parcel was subdivided after January 1, 2025 and ownership of one or more of the resulting parcels was transferred, the amount of the tax lien on each parcel, as shown in this advertisement, is the amount of the lien on the original parcel as it existed on January 1, 2025 and is subject to adjustment when the taxes are paid or the lien is foreclosed. If the taxes remain unpaid after this advertisement is completed, the taxing unit may foreclose on the property to satisfy the tax lien unless taxpayers are protected by bankruptcy. This the 11th day of May 2026. Jenny Williams Chatham County Tax Collector

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PROPERTY OWNER 111 STONES THROW LLC 175 POYTHRESS LLC 81002 ALEXANDER LLC A & M RENTAL PROPERTY INC ADAMS, ELOISE ADVANCED AUTO SALES & COLLISION INC AIKEN, WALLACE DALE ALEXANDER, LEONIA HEIRS ALLEN, DOUGLAS ALLIED INVESTORS GROUP LLC ALLIED INVESTORS GROUP LLC ALLRED, LINDA ALMANZA, FRANCISCO TORRES ALSTON, CHARITY L ALSTON, CHAS P HEIRS ALSTON, CHEOKO LYNN ALSTON, CYNTHIA ALSTON, ELIZABETH A ALSTON, HENRY PATRICK ALSTON, JAMES L HEIRS ALSTON, JERRY ALSTON, JESSE LEWIS HEIRS ALSTON, KIA C ALSTON, LALA S ALSTON, SALMON D LIFE ESTAT ALSTON, SARAH EMERSON HEIRS ALSTON, SHERRY ALSTON, SHIRLEY B ETAL ALSTON, SHKERA T ALSTON, STEVE ALSTON, SYLVIA ALSTON, THOMAS E ALSTON, WILLIAM HEIRS ALWAYS FAITHFUL RANCH INC ALWAYS FAITHFUL RANCH INC AMEZQUITA, LUSVIN MIGUEL ANDERSON, TERRY ETAL ANEY, MELISSA ARNOLD, JANE C KIRBY ETAL ARNOLD, SHARON MICHELLE ARNOLD, SHARON P ARROYO, PALOMA SANDOVAL ASHRAFI, ALI ATKINS, WILLIAM HEIRS AUSTIN, EDWARD L AYDT, WENDIE EDDINS BAB INVESTMENTS LLC BAB INVESTMENTS LLC BAB INVESTMENTS LLC BAKER, ASHUNTEE DEROD BAKER, DEBORAH B BALDWIN, LARRY LENNIE BALL, AARON VINCENT BANKS, HEATH B BARBER, DELOISE MARSH HEIRS BARBER, DELOISE MARSH HEIRS BARNES, HENRY W JR BARTH, ANTHONY DALE BARTH, ANTHONY DALE BEAL, DUSTIN GREGORY BEAL, JEFFREY C BECERRA, MARIBEL MEDINA BELL, DAISY M BENSON, ARICA LYN BENTLEY, DEUNDRAY BENTLEY, JANICE TURNER BERRIOS, BRIAN F BERRIOS, BRIAN F BERRIOS, BRIAN FRANKIE BETTS, DEAN P BEVILACQUA, CINDY BEYOND MEASURE REAL ESTATE GROUP LLC BINGHAM, JACOB HEIRS BINKLEY, ASHLEY T HEIRS BINKLEY, ASHLEY T HEIRS BIRCHETT, FRANKLIN CONRAD BIVENS, MARY HEIRS BLACKWELL, JONATHAN MARSHALL BLACKWELL, STANLEY JR BLAND, HENRY JACKSON JR BLAND, VERALYNN BLANTON, CARL L BLANTON, HEATHER L BLANTON, HEATHER L BLEU WATER INDUSTRIES LLC BLUE, LILLIE M LIFE EST BODIFORD, LORETTA M BOOKER, PHIL L BOWLING, MICHAEL STANLEY BOWMAN, CHAD N BOWMAN, MICHAEL SHAWN ETAL BOWMAN, SHANNON BOWMAN, SHANNON BOWMAN, SHANNON E BRADY, MAGGI ELIZABETH BRADY, MYRA R BRANCH, DELORES C LIFE EST BRANTLEY, ALAN BRAY, BOBBY TRUSTEE BRAY, BRANDY NICOLE BREWER, ASHLEY J BRIAR CHAPEL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC BRIAR CHAPEL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC BRIM, MOZZELLE R LIFE EST BRINKLEY, DAVID K BRINKLEY, NANCY BRIONES, CAYETANO BRISSIE, MARY SUE BRITTIAN, TREMAINE L BROOKS, BILLIE BROOKS, CLARENCE HEIRS BROOKS, JIMMY G HEIRS BROOKS, JOCELYN S BROOKS, KATHLEEN BROOKS, PHILMER J BROOKS, ROCIO SANCHEZ BROOKS, RONNIE L HEIRS BROWER, EVA H LIFE EST

PARCEL 0062835 0062230 0066284 0097186 0018782 0068567 0011635 0013741 0013047 0075252 0015842 0067966 0080080 0012155 0076876 0081654 0001023 0016694 0073173 0016709 0018666 0012888 0074507 0073925 0012261 0016725 0074042 0069165 0072922 0012399 0018667 0012145 0009340 0008800 0008801 0075839 0013306 0091399 0020121 0060762 0007418 0062811 0019769 0011423 0008069 0070644 0017160 0005046 0066228 0018813 0020122 0001418 0000637 0006717 0008561 0008563 0071512 0078661 0014852 0094748 0009248 0015068 0076555 0075755 0009680 0097106 0083886 0015176 0015224 0013026 0072631 0011411 0075082 0016147 0016149 0090490 0008985 0011610 0070863 0070149 0018308 0011378 0076479 0076481 0073234 0006260 0066168 0070652 0018363 0086162 0084520 0089295 0013579 0068498 0068103 0016968 0013151 0060750 0012683 0074913 0001626 0094769 0094580 0073662 0015146 0005088 0094893 0002466 0011377 0011110 0068650 0006016 0007239 0063972 0004986 0094805 0013007 0079463

BALANCE DUE 2383.52 18.89 1472.13 173.00 1976.50 562.47 2206.23 22.68 1542.62 1376.65 2438.80 169.47 392.54 949.56 136.69 272.97 27.54 676.72 363.64 5.82 1307.14 30.24 630.39 7.20 74.76 166.62 1131.59 292.25 329.99 628.34 1115.31 1649.49 481.04 395.47 2121.89 755.38 590.79 1039.37 151.51 1434.23 835.55 1364.41 31.52 117.09 2307.24 287.25 466.80 659.84 1093.25 1965.66 383.68 370.77 11.31 1770.81 147.53 370.54 1113.62 379.61 914.73 397.59 331.67 1068.70 4317.24 6742.09 36.61 68.03 90.94 1006.58 2344.53 1042.56 1979.29 1050.92 321.31 7.33 2000.17 1289.98 348.61 729.25 7588.51 4371.33 44.58 673.85 651.55 923.99 7472.36 840.34 1186.84 129.14 1062.93 653.66 391.92 20.41 62.60 2134.09 989.71 1297.35 1358.79 69.78 810.90 247.14 2501.96 21.36 5825.62 1084.53 1324.55 1056.04 197.41 1305.48 171.74 315.10 23.72 783.56 1150.51 162.34 409.67 803.86 1086.99 3194.81

BROWER, MAURICE ANTHONY BROWER, PEGGY HEIRS BROWN, DENNIS BROWN, JEAN DOWDY ETAL BROWN, MILTON TYRONE BROWN, PAMELA D BROWN, ROSA MAE SUTTON BROWN, TIMOTHY RICHARD BROWNE, B CLAIRE BUCKNER, BENJAMIN HENRY BURKE, ROBEY LEE JR BURNETT, DELOIS S TRUSTEE BURNETT, DELOIS S TRUSTEE BURNETT, PEGGY BURNETT, RODNEY ADOLPHUS BURNETT, WILLIAM DEON HEIRS BURNETTE, HATTIE S BURNETTE, SHEILA BURNETTE, TAMBRA S BURNETTE, WILLIAM EST BURNS, COREY BYNUM BURNS, COREY BYNUM BUTLER, ROBERT F BYNUM, CHARLES XAVIER BYNUM, CHARLES XAVIER BYNUM, EARL WAYNE LIFE ESTAT BYNUM, THELMA CALDWELL, EMMETT W CALDWELL, HALLIE ETAL CALROW, ELEANOR J TRUSTEE CALROW, ELEANOR J TRUSTEE CAMPOS, ELIZANDRO VILLASENOR CAPERS, ANNIE CAROLYN CAPPS, LOU ANNE JOHNSON CARROLL, MICHAEL LEE CARSON, ANNE GREENE CARTER, BRITTNEY KNIGHT CARTER, FATIMA RENEE CASH COWS LLC CASTEVENS, MARY T HEIRS CASTEVENS, WILLIAM GLEN CATES, ELISABETH Q CAUSEY, LOLETIA GAIL CAWLEY, WENDY T CENTRO FAMILIAR CRISTIANO INC CERVANTES, ALFONSO MIRANDA CERVANTES, ALFONSO MIRANDA CERVANTES, ALFONSO MIRANDA CHALMERS, OMA THOMPSON CHEEK, ENNA PEOPLES CHEEK, JUANITA HEIRS CHRISCO, AARON S CLARK, LORETTA L CLARK, RENALDA G CLARK, RENALDA G CLEMMONS, FRANCES B COBLE, DONNA BRADY COBLE, RONNIE M SR HEIRS COBLE, RUTH COGDELL, KIMBERLY C COGGINS, DRUSILLA ANN COHN, TRAVIS NATHANIEL COKER, DINA HARRIS COLE, BETTY B COLE, JOYCE MOTE COLE, ROBENIA HEIRS COLIN, LORRIE DEJOURNETT COLLIER, DAVID COMMUNITY DEV CAPITAL GRP LLC CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT PARTS C COOPER, STEVEN T CORDOVA-ROTH, EDEL COTHREN, ABBIE BRICE COTHREN, PATRICK F COTTEN, CHARLES ET ALS COTTON, ALTON HEIRS COTTON, RENA COTTON, RENA COTTON, SARAH ELIZABETH COTTON, WALTER ALLEN CRABTREE, LARRY CRAVEN, CRYSTAL NICOLE CRAVEN, LOUISE OVERMAN HEIRS CRAWFORD, CANDICE E CRELL, DONALD J CRISPIN, ERIN MARIE INHAT CROSS, JATINA GABRIELLE CRUMP, GLASCO EST CRUZ, DARIO CABRERA CWGAVEN LLC D & T LIVESTOCK & TRUCKING CO D&C GROUP LLC D&H HOLDINGS OF APEX LLC DARK, ELLA HEIRS DARK, ZYLPHIA ANN DARK, ZYLPHIA ANN DAUGHERTY, HEIDI L TRUSTEE DAVIS, JOSEPH MICHAEL DAVIS, JULIA A DAVIS, VENUS A DAY, TERRIE DECKER, JOETTA ELIZABETH DEGRAFFENREID, LILLER HEIRS DEGRAFFENREIDT, ZENA MAE DEGRAFFENREIDT, ZENA MAE DENNY, ROBERT LOUIS HEIRS DENNY, ROBERT LOUIS HEIRS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPAZ, CESAR HEIRS DHARA INVESTMENTS LLC DIMENSION BUILDERS INC DIXON, DAVID J DIXON, DAVID J DIXON, GERALD T JR

0003619 0009577 0006628 0072085 0071593 0077741 0014951 0096263 0063075 0089200 0008827 0020076 0019926 0002861 0097195 0016830 0001610 0066901 0068427 0006264 0012401 0012382 0014652 0010119 0074834 0009529 0006337 0073058 0007797 0067402 0067410 0013173 0019816 0074292 0010632 0083954 0079523 0010127 0011621 0004832 0080809 0074865 0071014 0005438 0015640 0014422 0003755 0016011 0003622 0005845 0008074 0009640 0085370 0008275 0006448 0069459 0070484 0000234 0080492 0019520 0080654 0062117 0065583 0019920 0076997 0009581 0083496 0065211 0085110 0060990 0096774 0068140 0066036 0008885 0006323 0009961 0072777 0009697 0070065 0080643 0065065 0007749 0076455 0010057 0087101 0070828 0060166 0011549 0009280 0017743 0070719 0019918 0017881 0006539 0016740 0016741 0094489 0080656 0019664 0079903 0011099 0016947 0010706 0018243 0006156 0094062 0094063 0096735 0005576

708.42 1407.99 811.99 170.20 39.34 240.51 1015.29 63.31 2934.06 22.85 2378.76 4029.45 5314.76 211.26 6.39 683.22 1144.47 920.90 587.22 218.06 400.04 1412.40 178.32 35.51 174.26 723.79 94.49 48.65 88.62 11.43 11.72 1071.56 752.84 54.93 567.70 3711.41 178.54 388.04 1724.76 476.26 12.67 17.58 521.09 340.16 359.10 331.59 1198.90 1879.66 1153.55 403.51 5.83 586.59 157.11 52.79 86.66 99.75 1970.46 489.69 23.58 654.86 368.56 1899.75 1705.80 570.79 93.69 105.51 1018.40 40.45 282.95 58.51 14.38 164.85 6401.91 1029.36 1426.89 197.80 501.20 503.87 64.71 404.85 87.22 2063.07 160.23 219.43 31.20 518.77 449.74 4694.46 115.61 710.51 94.42 497.55 26.49 1357.43 582.43 844.36 4072.73 81.29 2164.34 1053.16 251.42 1248.99 741.53 304.59 2337.97 15.97 37.59 547.64 2018.71

0005603

237.55

0061836 0074218 0085819 0001904 0006938 0071007 0006410

494.55 1305.67 2181.38 69.43 401.37 935.17 72.69

A12 PROPERTY OWNER

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026 PARCEL

DIXON, JAMES A JR 0015682 DIXON, TINA M 0071006 DJS EAST HAMPTON FLP 0086789 DOBBINS, AVERY LEE 0062181 DODSON, DALE 0013002 DOLLARS LAND LLC 0066142 DOLLARS LAND LLC 0002243 DOSTER, W WOODS ADMINISTRATOR 0009497 DOWDY, DUNCAN ETAL 0075981 DOWDY, OMALYNN 0061924 DOWDY, OSCAR D HEIRS 0010136 DOWDY, OSCAR D HEIRS 0010135 DOWDY, VENICE T HEIRS 0008989 DUKES, WANDA KAREN 0018802 DUNLAP, HELEN JANE 0006854 DUNN, DAVID ALEXANDER 0001492 DURHAM, DAVID SUDDERTH 0075458 DURIZCH, JOHN A 0006473 DURIZCH, JOHN ALEX 0019045 E3 PROPERTY SOLUTIONS LLC 0018366 EAVES, DEBORAH ELLINGTON 0073311 EAVES, PAUL 0006036 EBERT, BRADLEY A II 0062903 EDWARDS, BRENDA SCOTT HEIRS 0068499 EDWARDS, CHADWICK LEE 0013248 EDWARDS, DARRYL WINSLOW 0093998 EDWARDS, LENORA HEIRS 0018818 EDWARDS, MANLEY HEIRS 0003585 EDWARDS, NERIAH G ETALS 0012965 EDWARDS, RUBY 0000890 ELLIS, WILLIAM LEON HEIRS ETAL 0005428 ELLISON, SANDRA 0075093 ELON UNIVERSITY 0013325 EMMER, JAY 0065967 EUBANKS, SYLVIA W 0014560 EUBANKS, THOMASINA 0078722 EVANS, LORETTA HEIRS 0010058 EVANS, MADELINE M 0002852 FAGG, HARRY 0016002 FAGG, JANET D HEIRS 0069252 FAGG, JANET D HEIRS 0013268 FAGG, M L HEIRS 0061249 FAGG, M L HEIRS 0014624 FAIRCLOTH, LAURA 0010984 FAIRLEY, THOMAS A JR HEIRS 0006001 FARMAH, RAM L 0078290 FARRAR, FRANKIE LEVON 0000156 FARRAR, KATIE MAE 0006032 FARRAR, MARK HEIRS 0001628 FARRAR, STELLA MARIE 0073302 FARRELL, SHIRLEY HEIRS 0006300 FARRISH, BRYANT LAMONT 0012868 FARRISH, HOLLY LAUREEN 0071901 FARROW, TAWANA C 0019516 FAUCETTE, LINDSAY HEIRS 0072798 FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC 0091527 FINAZZO, JOSEPHINE JOANN 0094547 FITTS, WILLIAM R III 0014663 FORD, JAMES MARCUS 0082366 FOSTER, JOEL ALEXANDER 0081200 FOUSHEE, JOSEPH LYNN 0073152 FOUSHEE, JOSEPH LYNN 0000726 FOUSHEE, WILLIE LEE HEIRS 0006704 FOUST, PEGGY 0064475 FOUST, PEGGY 0000859 FOX, ALMA G HEIRS 0068089 FOX, ALMA G HEIRS 0000911 FOX, CRISTA 0000658 FOX, JUNE T 0068086 FOXX, ANGELA LYNNETTA 0014599 FOXX, CHARLIE RICHARD 0016614 FOXX, JAMES 0016578 FRANCISCO-HERNANDEZ, PEDRO 0076453 FREEMAN, BYRON 0086434 FREEMAN, CALVIN WAYNE 0005923 FREEMAN, CALVIN WAYNE 0007757 FREEMAN, FANNIE HEIRS 0006317 FREEMAN, SHIRLYNE DENISE 0006649 0018822 FRICKEY, ANNE D FRIDLEY, DARIN LOWELL 0095721 FULLER, JESSE FAY ETAL 0009660 FULLER, TIFFANY WOMBLE 0010312 GAINES, BENJAMIN W 0089625 GAINES, PEGGIE D 0008424 GAINES, TINA F 0060380 GALLO, ABRAHAM 0017709 GARCIA, EMMANUEL CRUZ 0016943 GARNER, JEFFERY ALLEN 0087864 GARR, ALVIN 0061840 GARRETT, CYETEESE 0001467 GATES, DONALD 0060656 GATES, WILLIAM EARL 0069573 GATTIS, LAURA ELIZABETH M 0019513 GILBERT, ANNIE S 0006369 GILMORE, DAVID B JR 0008608 GILMORE, DENNIS B ADMINISTRATOR 0012652 GLOVER, REGINALD M 0014383 GLOVER, STACY 0000988 GLOVER, TAMMY SHERELL 0000189 GOERKE, AMANDA 0096744 GOFFMAN, JAMIE ELLEN 0007409 GOINS, ANNIE JONES 0072949 GOLDEN INVESTMENTS AND REAL ESTATE DEICISIONS INC 0081671 GOLDSTON BROTHERS SUBDIVISION 0077720 GOLDSTON, ROLAND HEIRS 0004970 GOMEZ, SOFIA 0068403 GONZALES, ALBERT A 0004257 GONZALES, ALBERT A 0070720 GONZALEZ, DAVID GILBERTO 0014706 GONZALEZ, LUCIO 0015441 GONZALEZ, OSCAR PERLA 0071263 GONZALEZ-CORIA, EVERARDO 0062033 GOODMAN, JAMES R 0017512 GOODWIN, CARLTON T HEIRS 0068566 GOODWIN, ELLISON ANNE 0066188 GOODWIN, SHIRLEY JACKSON HEIRS 0064560 GORDON, JANE COX 0096897 GORDON, JOSEPH 0003638 GORDON, TINA CARROLL 0081642 GOVIER, ROGER HEIRS 0012702 GRADY, GERRARD LEWIS 0010593 GRAHAM, JANE DELOIS THOMAS 0011391 GRAHAM, ROBERT ETAL 0009543 GRAHAM, ROBERT LEE JR 0089633 GRAHAM, WILLIS R HEIRS 0002813 GRAY, GRETCHEN 0017956 GRAY, MARQUITA B 0013490 GRAY, ROBERT J 0074625 GREEN, ANGEL L 0011345 GREEN, CASSIUS BRYANT 0095034 GREEN, DEREK RILE EXECUTOR 0000149 GREEN, JACKIE C HEIRS 0061989 GREEN, JAMES M HEIRS 0012444 GREEN, KENNETH RAY 0003705 GREEN, MARTHA P 0078955 GREER, BENJAMIN EUGENE 0013182 GROMEK, CHRIS 0010627 GUNTER, FRANKIE LYNN 0018126 GURGANIOUS, TINA MARIE 0017605 HACKNEY, ALICE FAYE 0011402 HACKNEY, GREG LAMONT 0011562 HADDIX, CHAD S 0011211

AMOUNT DUE 1989.77 737.61 5289.44 2997.40 408.46 5264.05 5735.01 572.33 256.92 207.92 81.27 1872.77 858.99 294.84 2728.84 2321.45 88.96 193.74 4338.95 2026.96 43.62 2997.83 847.58 284.75 545.32 435.29 329.65 164.01 155.80 286.17 970.20 48.26 2763.97 4403.69 377.92 121.11 163.84 1616.25 692.70 101.97 361.69 19.35 290.67 234.72 2852.40 1007.74 142.14 895.08 9.74 301.41 448.93 127.91 893.03 959.94 275.04 41.64 3373.37 716.01 575.21 669.02 137.54 3514.41 660.09 224.80 839.14 136.95 659.35 3733.72 1327.26 1133.92 175.25 1527.76 236.45 2809.69 1159.41 1837.32 749.60 810.88 69.29 47.97 119.07 1703.43 86.22 301.19 486.34 2129.85 1184.85 79.91 169.12 1345.44 1515.11 419.47 1652.78 1017.60 1423.05 607.61 195.85 404.64 15.07 1879.90 880.52 37.59 575.21 6.95 24.62 440.74 11.07 66.52 1065.66 1818.21 1475.62 1109.69 267.20 7692.15 3577.30 2256.08 111.97 259.27 577.52 316.80 446.75 231.02 436.96 413.51 551.83 31.52 71.37 29.77 692.87 639.72 3703.81 911.39 1113.14 801.54 5377.86 611.10 2287.90 480.54 1490.50 1116.71 252.39 1891.49

PROPERTY OWNER

PARCEL

AMOUNT DUE

HADDIX, CHAD S HADLEY, ANNIE G HEIRS HADLEY, HENRY M HAIG, WILLIAM G HAITHCOCK, ANDREA MICHELLE HALL, ASHLEY M HALL, KENNETH D HALL, OTIS ODELL HEIRS HALLMAN, TIMOTHY LEE ETAL HARBER, ADGET HARDY, CLARA JONES DEVISEES ETAL HARGETT, ANNIE BURNETTE HARGROVE, PAMELA HARRELL, DENNIS RAY HARRINGTON FARM INC HARRINGTON, DALLAS HARRINGTON, LEOMA HEIRS HARRINGTON, RICHARD HEIRS HARRIS, ASHLEY F HARRIS, ASHLEY F HARRIS, EMILY C HARRIS, EUGENIA MICHELLE HARRIS, FLOYD HEIRS HARRIS, HENRY ESTATE HARRIS, ISSAC JOE HEIRS HARRIS, QUINCY BERNARD HARRIS, ROBERT TURNER HARRIS, STEPHEN EDWARD HEIRS HARRIS, WILLIAM CHAD HART, LINDA C HAULSEY, ANNETTE W HEIRS HAWK, JEFFREY F HAWKINS, CHINA HEIRS HAYES, KENNETH RAY HEADEN, KENNETH J HEADEN, MARGARET HEIRS HEADEN, MITCHELL THOMAS HEADEN, PHYLLIS HEADEN, SEMORIE Y HEFETZ, YOSEF HEIDEMANN, LAURIE L HEIRS HENRY, MALCOLM EUGENE ALEXANDER HENRY, MALCOLM EUGENE ALEXANDER HENRY, MALCOLM EUGENE ALEXANDER HENRY, MALCOLM EUGENE ALEXANDER HERITAGE FAMILY FARM LLC HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ, ELOY HERNANDEZ, IDALIA S HERNANDEZ, IDALIA S HERNANDEZ, OCTAVIO HICKS, LARLER HICKS, MARGARET KAY H HICKS, ROBERT NICHOLAS HICKS, WILLIAM HICKS, WILLIAM HICKS, WILLIAM HILL, JO E HILL, SARAH L HOBAUGH, MICHELE HOCKENBERRY, KIMBA DOWD HOCOCHIC FARM INC HOLLAND, FRANCES K HOLLIDAY, LUCIA HOOD, JUDITH I HOOKER, THOMAS WILLIAM HORSE FARMS LIMITED LLC RIVERBEND PLANTATION I LLC HORTON, BRYAN WELDON HORTON, BRYAN WELDON HORTON, D C HEIRS HORTON, GENE A HORTON, SIM HEIRS HORTON, VIRGINIA HEIRS HOWARD, STEVEN W HUDSON, RACHEL HEIRS HUDSON, THOMAS COLE JR HUFF, PAMELA L HUGHES, IONE E HUMPHREY, MACLYN A HUNT, GEOFFREY G INGHAM, H GEORGE INGOLD, DEBRA G JACK BENNETT ROAD LLC JACKSON, DELLA HEIRS JACKSON, VENESSA JACOBS, VERNON HEIRS JEFCOAT, VIRGINIA D HEIRS JENKINS, GORDON STEPHEN HEIRS JOHNSON, ASTER B HEIRS JOHNSON, BRYAN KEITH JOHNSON, CORNELIUS DALE JOHNSON, CORNELIUS DALE JOHNSON, DARRYL JOHNSON, DAVID MARK JOHNSON, EDNA JOHNSON, EDNA JOHNSON, HENRIETTA HEIRS JOHNSON, JERRY D TRUSTEE JOHNSON, KAREEM J JOHNSON, KIMBERLY R JOHNSON, LEAH ANN BATCHELDER JOHNSON, ROBBIE L JOHNSON, RODNEY C JOHNSON, RODNEY CHRISTOPHER HEIRS JOHNSON, SYLVIA JOHNSON, TERRANCE JOHNSON, VALLERY BROOKS JOHNSON, VALLERY BROOKS JOHNSON, VALLERY BROOKS JOHNSON, VIRGILE LEE JONES, DEREK JONES, ELOISE C JONES, ELOISE C HEIRS JONES, ELOISE C HEIRS JONES, HAZEL D HEIRS JONES, HAZEL D HEIRS JONES, REBECCA FIELDS JONES, TRAVIS ARNETTA DUNSTON LE JORDAN, CHARLIE H HEIRS JORDAN, DEBORAH KAY JOSEPH, ELTON JOSEY, DIANA LYNN JOSEY, SANDRA LANGLEY KALIBI PROPERTIES LLC KALIBI PROPERTIES LLC KALIBI PROPERTIES LLC KALIBI PROPERTIES LLC KAMERKAR, RADHIKA SUNIL KAUFMAN, KAREN J KAUFMAN, PAUL D KAUR, NAVPREET KELLER, MICHELLE MARIE KELLY PROPERTIES OF GOLDSTON L KELLY, GENA CURRIE KIERNAN, JAMES P KILGORE, JAMES KILLEN, LYNNE M KING, DEBORAH D KING, RUSSELL DAVID KIRBY, HAYES RUDOLPH KIRBY, LILLIAN HEIRS KISER, FRANKIE JO KIVETT, CHARLES DANIEL

0011214 0007677 0007789 0017571 0014400 0014139 0014142 0003581 0082178 0012891 0060936 0001417 0000737 0067240 0079647 0005663 0018735 0065369 0075323 0075322 0073387 0074234 0007783 0018740 0013334 0072561 0007420 0006472 0000166 0018287 0009757 0016871 0005286 0011985 0009473 0010079 0062741 0012400 0011107 0073002 0009853 0068559 0068328 0007776 0067682 0014791 0072107 0008864 0008863 0067634 0010062 0012137 0013766 0015165 0095728 0015694 0078748 0019854 0010804 0011625 0080318 0082138 0069386 0064634 0010091

2472.84 501.09 1083.19 75.11 28.42 2100.31 61.52 19.57 371.01 32.32 539.35 409.79 2501.86 87.84 2524.62 1367.70 558.49 243.48 12.61 31.22 668.46 1247.46 377.61 521.87 40.83 1023.09 1487.33 1039.98 109.55 28.67 490.05 600.66 875.35 1701.43 138.65 233.57 1273.09 435.79 2068.97 28.03 12.64 160.95 354.06 576.85 1755.00 1844.26 64.41 136.94 211.68 1021.39 215.24 1089.85 8.37 130.71 1035.06 1551.00 519.77 4037.46 8.28 490.82 8837.76 2043.87 1018.83 1118.53 242.96

0084445 0001476 0001543 0009562 0006468 0078540 0010064 0072216 0014820 0003031 0064000 0013320 0012271 0066745 0073426 0011685 0076484 0016802 0009998 0065029 0012025 0006918 0010098 0004894 0073552 0012000 0004973 0076789 0013003 0075892 0015346 0068672 0009984 0067610 0018991 0011916 0073210 0000855 0069251 0013199 0095990 0095991 0068437 0001966 0084257 0074180 0068269 0072941 0011170 0011220 0003769 0078251 0070548 0077546 0080670 0065031 0012069 0078681 0073342 0007770 0008227 0006933 0073407 0000428 0080785 0009261 0062615 0010236 0087569 0075190 0070405 0014925 0072766 0006049 0018814 0008973 0081317

10.28 1176.52 2570.64 469.67 1141.94 48.76 197.48 6.36 2719.48 950.39 19.84 190.40 1559.00 838.83 28.82 469.64 33.17 155.85 393.96 248.49 4162.21 563.26 414.93 1741.37 13.55 1067.35 813.64 713.59 55.67 418.01 256.40 5.73 572.76 298.79 3620.96 1826.68 454.05 920.23 38.11 29.63 207.53 210.70 1150.68 648.78 9.05 5.35 666.37 772.61 56.68 2303.10 20.14 1137.77 214.63 1031.71 2925.99 658.07 500.71 84.72 1219.40 1572.48 6995.41 12.63 92.81 4661.46 5989.09 765.76 4090.00 346.98 130.51 1504.96 59.77 48.39 959.50 2502.13 356.06 103.66 1261.18

TAX LIENS CONTINUED ON PAGE B11

CHATHAM SPORTS

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth celebrates its first trip to the baseball regional finals.

Chatham Charter, Seaforth reach baseball regionals Both teams advanced past the third round for the first time By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record BASEBALL For the first time, Chatham Charter and Seaforth broke the third wall. In the third round of the 1A West bracket, No. 2 Chatham Charter blasted No. 3 Andrews 10-0 in five innings to reach its first regional final in program history. The Knights had been

eliminated in the third round twice out of the previous three seasons. “It’s just an incredible feeling,” Chatham Charter coach Bill Slaughter said. “Because I came into the year not knowing what to expect. I think I told you that before, but this team has exceeded all expectations. We’re playing really well right now.” Senior Brandon Rives led the way in all phases. He pitched a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts and two hits allowed. As a batter, he went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a run. “I could hardly sleep last

night,” Rives said. “I knew that this was probably going to be the biggest game that I’d ever pitched in.” Said Rives, “First inning, the nerves were crazy and all, but once I found my groove and I knew I could trust my guys out there, I mean, I just settled in.” Chatham Charter took control of the game in a second inning that saw four hits, four walks and five runs scored. In the fourth inning, Rives hit a two-RBI single to extend the Knights lead to seven. Up 9-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, junior Jax Young sent the Wildcats home with a

“This team has exceeded all expectations” Bill Slaughter ground rule double that scored senior Garrison Clark. Chatham Charter ended the night with 10 hits. Sophomore Ryder Murphy went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs. Senior Tyner Williams also went 3 for 3. The Knights are playing a best-of-three series against No. 1 North Carolina Leadership Academy for a spot in the state championship series. Over in the 5A East playoffs, No. 9 Seaforth reached its first regional final after downing No. 4 Oak Grove 7-3 in the fourth round. “I think it’s huge, man,” junior Bauer Bowling said. “For

these seniors (Jaedyn Rader) and (Colin Dorney), they basically laid the foundation for this program. With the school not being open for that long, and then we’re getting here with these guys that are back, I mean, it just means everything because we want it more for them than we do ourselves.” The Hawks crushed the Grizzlies in the third inning in which they notched four hits, a walk and five runs, including two scored on an error, against future UNC Greensboro pitcher Carson Everhart. Bowling, who launched one of two of his doubles during that stretch, went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs. Rader went 2 for 4 with two doubles and a run. However, Rader’s pitching helped Seaforth hold on to its lead. The senior pitched a complete game, logging nine See REGIONALS, page B2

SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP

Woods, Northwood soccer dominate Round 3 of playoffs By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record BOYS’ GOLF (STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS)

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood’s boys pose with their championship banner after the 3A state meet.

Charging through the finish line Northwood’s boys and Ben Altenburg won historic track and field state titles By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record GREENSBORO — A chance for history came down to the final event of the NCHSAA 1A/3A track and field state championships at North Carolina A&T on May 14. Trailing first-place North Stanly by 6.5 points ahead of the boys’ 4x400, Northwood

Individual champions from Chatham County needed a win in the event and other teams to finish ahead of North Stanly for its best shot at the title. North Stanly finished second in the first heat, and in the second heat, the Chargers’ 4x400 relay team, consisting of Ben Altenburg, Wyatt Webster, Tequone Moore and Ezra

Roebuck, comfortably won with a time of 3:25.33. When the event’s compiled results came in, Northwood sat at first place while North Stanly landed at sixth. The Chargers secured their first boys’ state championship in school history. “I’m just so proud of them,” Northwood coach Austin Graham said. “They worked as hard as I’ve seen anybody work. You want it so bad for them. You can’t go out and do it for them. You want them to See TRACK, page B4

Chatham Central finished as state runners-up in the 1A state championship tournament with a score of 685. Senior Tyler Measamer shot 161 in the two rounds to end his high school career as the individual runner-up. The Bears had three other golfers (Gavin Vanderford, Brett Phillips and Jesse Eskelund) finish in the top 15. In the same tournament, Chatham Charter’s Channing Jordan finished tied for 25th. Seaforth ended a tightly contested 5A tournament in third place. Senior Ty Willoughby tied for second alongside East Rowan’s Camden Honeycutt with a score of 141. Willoughby earned a top-five finish for the third straight year. In the 3A tournament, Northwood’s Ben Porter tied for 25th with a score of 166. GIRLS’ SOCCER (STATE PLAYOFFS) Woods Charter, the top seed in the 1A East playoffs, is heading to the regional finals after a

Goals for Amelia Cherry in the Chargers’ win over Beddingfield

7-1 win over No. 4 Vance Charter on Monday. The Wolves will make their fourth trip to the Final Four in five seasons. They’ll face No. 2 Falls Lake for a spot in the state championship Thursday. Northwood, the No. 4 seed in the 3A East bracket, is moving on to the fourth round after defeating No. 5 Beddingfield 10-1. Senior Amelia Cherry notched a hat trick, while seniors Sulema Arias and Mabel Collins scored two goals each. The Chargers will face No. 1 Wake Prep for a spot in the regional final Thursday. In the second round of the 5A East bracket, No. 9 Seaforth fell to No. 8 Croatan 2-0 as junior Kaitlyn Sickles scored two goals. The Hawks’ season ended with a 13-7-1 record. Prior to that round, Seaforth dominated See ROUNDUP, page B3

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ezra Roebuck

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood, track and field Northwood senior Ezra Roebuck earns athlete of the week honors for the week of May 11. Roebuck was huge in the Chargers clinching the NCHSAA 3A boys’ track and field state title on May 14. The sprinter won a state championship in the 400 with a time of 49.86 seconds. He also helped the Chargers finish second in the 4x200 relay, and he took fourth place in the 200. In the final event of the day, Roebuck was part of the state champion 4x400 team that won the necessary points for a team victory. He earned the Sportsmanship Award at the end of the meet. In the indoor season, Roebuck won state titles in the 4x400 and the 300. After last week’s meet, he announced that he will continue his track career at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

REGIONALS from page B1 strikeouts, five hits allowed and one earned run. He threw his 200th career strikeout during the game, yet his most important one came in the final out of the fifth inning. The Grizzlies scored two runs and had two more runners on base when Rader retired Cam Sharpe to halt the rally. “Just trying to execute my pitches,” Rader said. “Work-

ing with Colin. My catcher is incredible. He calls all our pitches when we pitch together. He does a great job, and he knows the hitters better than I do.” In the third round, Seaforth edged No. 1 Hunt 4-3 to get over the hump of consecutive third round exits from the past two postseasons. Back in the 1A West bracket, NCLA defeated No. 5 Chatham Central 13-2 in the third round.

Local Nike Jr. EYBL team finds major success this spring The Carolina Hornets have won five championships through May By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record THE FIRST HALF of a jam-packed season of high-level basketball has been a success for a local Nike Jr. EYBL girls’ team so far. The Carolina Hornets United 13U squad, coached by Chatham County natives Ryan and Jarred Siler and consisting of players from Chatham and surrounding areas, has gone 25-1 and won multiple championships from March to Sunday. The Hornets recently went 3-1 (4-1 with the inclusion of a bracket forfeit win) at the Nike Session II in New Orleans over the weekend. After a 60-30 win over Team Takeover to start pool play Friday, the Hornets took their first loss of the season to Team Herro in overtime 67-63. They trailed by three with less than five seconds left in regulation and made a half-court shot at the buzzer to force extra minutes. On Saturday, Carolina picked up two more wins over Drive Nation (59-55) and Proformance Athletics Elite (50-43). The Hornets started the spring going 4-0 at the Phenom Opening event and winning the 13/14U championship in Rock Hill, South Carolina from March 13-15. After that, they won the LaMelo Ball Invitational in Charlotte for the second year in a row. Carolina won its two pool games and its first bracket game by more than 30 points each. The Hornets defeated the Carolina Hornets 13U Regional team 72-64 in the championship. Carolina returned to Rock Hill and played in the Phenom Lady Rumble from April 10-12. They dominated in pool play

The Bears ended their season with a 14-10 record. SOFTBALL No. 4 Seaforth ended its season with a 7-2 loss to No. 4 Rockingham County in the third round of the 5A East playoffs. Both teams logged seven hits each, but Seaforth struggled to bring runs home. Rockingham

COURTESY RYAN SILER

The Carolina Hornets 13U Jr. EYBL team takes a champions’ photo.

with a 62-22 win over the Palmetto 76ers and a 63-39 victory over HER Elite. Following a 57-8 win against Strong Center Plata in the first bracket game, the Hornets claimed another championship by beating CSF Select 58-53 in the final. At the Apache Memorial in Knoxville, Tennessee, from April 17-19, the Hornets claimed another tournament title with a 72-67 win over Tennessee Xtreme Harris. Carolina ended its run last weekend with another tournament championship victory at the BOND Basketball D2/D3 Hoopfest in Winston-Salem on May 9. The Hornets went 3-0, including a 47-27 win over the NC Lady Heels in the tournament final. This season’s tournament run has created exposure opportunities for the girls. The team

has met and played in front of three-time national champion South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley. Heavenly Craig, an eighth grader in the Carolina Hornets organization, picked up an offer from North Carolina A&T in April. The Hornets still have a few tournaments left to play this summer. The team will get back in action at the U.S. Open Basketball event from June 5-7 in Bermuda Run. Following that, it will travel to the NTBA Nationals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from June 25-28. The month after, the Hornets will play in the Summer Showcase in Charlotte (July 5), the Nike Session III in Las Vegas (July 10-13) and the Nike Nationals in Chicago (July 24-27). The Silers started the travel team in Siler City in 2023. After picking up tournament wins and posting solid results on the national level, the team, then called the Carolina Magic, was presented the opportunity to take a step higher. Last year, the team joined Carolina Hornets United, a member organization of the Nike EYBL and Jr. EYBL circuits.

County pitcher and UNC commit Ava Grace Pruitt struck out 12 batters and allowed one earned run in a complete game. Down five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Seaforth had bases loaded with two outs, but junior Emma Grace Hill was thrown out on an attempt to score on junior Stella Lang’s ground ball. The Hawks finished the year with a 19-3 record.

In the third round of the 3A East playoffs, No. 10 Northwood fell to No. 2 McMichael 6-1. McMichael pitcher Lindsay Redmon, a Western Carolina commit, struck out 11 batters and allowed two hits in a complete game. The Chargers ended a successful turnaround campaign with a 15-11 record after four straight losing seasons.

Wins, with one loss, so far for the Hornets’ 13U squad

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Oldham, Eskelund celebrate college signings Chatham Central’s softball standout will remain in North Carolina for college By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record CHATHAM CENTRAL softball’s Sallie Oldham officially signed with Wingate last week. This spring, the senior outfielder logged a .489 batting average, a career-high 43 hits and led the team in runs (45), RBIs (36), doubles (16) and triples (seven). As a fielder, she recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage with 21 putouts and a double play. Her best game of the year came against North Stokes on March 27 when she went 4 for 4 with a home run, five RBIs and three runs in a 9-3 win. Across her four varsity seasons, Oldham posted a career batting average of .469 with 119 hits, 93 RBIs and 123 runs. She helped the Bears win four straight regular season conference titles and make four straight playoff appearances. In 2024 and 2025, she earned All-State honors. Oldham committed to Wingate as a junior in 2024. The rising freshman will join a Wingate program that went 27-20 this spring. The Bulldogs, led by coach Sydney Lahners, who was hired in October, compete in the NCAA Division II with the South Atlantic Conference.

Triples for Sallie Oldham Before last season, the Bulldogs saw a surge in success. Wingate made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including its first Super Regionals appearance in 2023. Chatham Central senior Jesse Eskelund was also celebrated for making his decision to swim at the University of Lynchburg official. Eskelund is Chatham Central’s only swimmer in the history of the school. He became a state champion in the winter, taking the 1A-3A crown in the boys’ 50 free and 100 free. Leading up to his senior year, Eskelund won high school meets and conference and regional titles, but he never placed higher than fourth in a state championship event. This season, he decided to not play basketball and only focus on swimming instead which paid off in the end. Lynchburg is an NCAA Division III program that competes in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The Hornets have produced three male ODAC champions since 2020.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Sallie Oldham makes a throw from the outfield in a 2025 game. She will play softball at Wingate.

ROUNDUP from page B1

Woods Charter’s Annabel Unah runs past a Vance Charter defender in the third round of the 2026 1A playoffs.

No. 24 South Granville 9-0. Senior Sofia Viana recorded a hat trick and two assists in her final high school victory. No. 18 Jordan-Matthews defeated No. 15 Randleman 3-1 in the first round of the 4A East playoffs, picking up its first postseason win since 2022. The Jets fell to No. 2 First Flight in the second round 9-0, ending their season at 8-14. No. 7 Chatham Charter edged No. 10 River Mill 1-0 in four overtimes to pull off a first round upset in the 1A East bracket. Freshman Addy Frazier scored the game-winning goal. The Knights lost to No. 2 Falls Lake 2-0 in the second round and ended their spring with a 7-15 record. BOYS’ LACROSSE (STATE PLAYOFFS) In the second round of the 1A-6A playoffs, No. 9 Northwood fell to No. 8 East Chapel Hill 5-3. The Chargers scored fewer than four goals for the first time since March 13, ending their season with a 13-10 record. Prior to that loss, Northwood defeated No. 24 Roxboro Community 15-8 in the first round. Senior Grayson Cox recorded seven goals and three assists.

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Further down the bracket, No. 13 Seaforth lost to No. 4 Croatan 16-7 in the second round. In the first round, the Hawks smothered Southeast Alamance 19-3. Seaforth finished the year with a 7-10 record.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE (STATE PLAYOFFS) No. 4 Seaforth advanced to the third round of the 1A-6A East playoffs after a 16-1 win over No. 13 Jackson-

ville in the second round. Junior Natalie Boecke scored a team-high five goals. Senior Kylyn Schlosser contributed three goals. In the same bracket, No. 15 Northwood ended its

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season with a 18-1 second round loss to No. 2 East Chapel Hill. The Chargers defeated No. 18 Hunt 19-12 in the first round. Northwood went 3-10 for the second straight season.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Hamlin beats teammate Briscoe at Dover for 2nd NASCAR All-Star Race win The million-dollar exhibition made its Delaware debut after two years in Rockingham

“It makes it a lot easier when you’ve got a car this fast.”

The Associated Press

Denny Hamlin

DOVER, Del. — In the debut of the All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, the Monster Mile lived up to its billing as one of NASCAR’s most treacherous tracks. Even for winner Denny Hamlin, surviving Dover was a high-wire test for the $1 million prize. Rebounding from a qualifying spin to start from the pole position, Hamlin steered clear of trouble Sunday for his second NASCAR All-Star Race victory. He led the final 30 laps and outdueled Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe while

avoiding the eight caution flags that involved 23 of 36 drivers in the field, which was inverted after the first 75-lap segment. “It makes it a lot easier when you’ve got a car this fast,” said Hamlin, whose No. 11 Toyota led a race-high 103 of 200 laps in the last segment. “We strive to be No. 1, and we did it today. It really challenged us to have to go through traffic, but I definitely like the invert. Obviously, it caused some chaos there and took out some good cars, but overall, it’s a typical All-Star Race when that stuff happens.”

Briscoe finished 0.887 seconds behind Hamlin with a No. 19 Toyota that was heavily damaged in a practice crash Saturday. “It was obviously a really fast car,” Briscoe said after his career-best second in the All-Star Race. “I’m just proud of our group. I knocked the wall down in practice, and we basically rebuilt the whole car. So for them to be able to just get the car back to where it was competitive, it says a lot about the guys.” It’s the third consecutive win on the 1-mile oval for Hamlin, who won points races at Dover in 2024 and last year. He also started from the pole when he won the All-Star Race in 2015 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. At 45, Hamlin became the second-oldest winner of the All-Star Race after Mark Martin (who was 46 in 2005).

Erik Jones, who was involved in a nine-car crash to end the first segment, completed a top-three sweep by Toyota, followed by Austin Dillon and rookie Connor Zilisch. Several crashes during the first two 75-lap segments collected more than half the 36-car field. There were 19 drivers locked into the 200-lap dash for $1 million, but Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain still were eliminated because their cars could not be repaired, and backups weren’t allowed. The field was narrowed to 26 cars for the final segment. Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell started the last stage with cars that were damaged and slower than the rest. Larson retired from the race with 60 laps remaining be-

cause of a power steering failure. By winning an online fan vote, Daniel Suarez advanced to the final segment with a damaged car and finished four laps down. Untimely exits Elliott, voted eight times as the most popular driver in the Cup Series, was knocked out after his No. 9 Chevrolet was caught in two wrecks during the first segment. “It was pretty wild,” said Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion and 2020 All-Star Race winner. “I hate to get caught up in that. I knew better. I saw it getting crazy. I should have bailed.” Chastain was eliminated in a three-car crash on the sixth lap of the second segment. “Bummer because we thought we executed that first stage really well,” Chastain said. “We weren’t passing anybody, but we were able to maintain, which has not been the case for this downforce package. The car drove a lot better, so a lot to look forward to if we can take another step like that.” Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star race at Dover.

DERIK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

Rai runs away with PGA Championship, becomes first English-born winner since 1919 Duke’s Alex Smalley led after three rounds but tied for second By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Aaron Rai shifted into high gear Sunday and pulled away from a world-class field with one amazing shot after another until he became the first English-born player in more than a century to capture the PGA Championship. Rai was three shots behind and approaching the turn at Aronimink Golf Club when he delivered a performance worthy of a major champion. He made a 40-foot eagle putt

TRACK from page B1 know what it feels like to win, and it may not happen often in Pittsboro, North Carolina, but it did for them. To be able to see how happy they are and how they feel, man, that’s everything.” Altenburg also had a historic day on his own. After clinching his third straight pole vault title, defending his 2025 outdoor and 2026 indoor crowns, Altenburg set the 3A meet record by hitting a mark of 16 feet, 2 inches. “It feels really good to come back and be better than I was the year before,” Altenburg said. “My aspirations for myself are very high, so like, I don’t like to stay settled.” Altenburg even tried to break the state record (16-6) at a height of 16-6.25, a mark he hadn’t attempted until that moment, but he was unable to clear it in three tries. “I wanted that next bar, but it’ll come soon enough,” Altenburg, a junior, said. Before he put the finishing touches on the Chargers’ meet-clinching race, Roebuck

on the par-5 ninth during a stretch when he one-putted seven straight greens to take the lead. And on the closing holes when the contenders needed him to stumble, Rai holed a birdie putt of some 70 feet across the 17th green for the clincher. The 31-year-old Rai, who joins two-time PGA champion Vijay Singh as major champions of Indian heritage, closed with a 5-under 65. “To be here is outside my wildest imagination,” Rai said. Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Smith, Justin Rose, all major champions, all of them in position until they were undone by untimely mistakes or fail-

ure to get good looks at birdie. McIlroy, who closed with a 69, played the par 5s in even for the week, and he chopped up the reachable par-4 13th for a bogey. Rai, who finished at 9-under 271, is the first player from England with his name on the Wanamaker Trophy since Jim Barnes in 1919, the second edition of this major and the first after World War I. He wound up winning by three shots over 54-hole leader Alex Smalley and Rahm, who had his best finish in a major since defecting to LIV Golf at the end of 2023. Rahm was slowed by a pair of bogeys on the front nine and managed only one birdie on the back nine for a 68. Smalley lost the lead with a

messy double bogey on the sixth hole, and his best golf was too late. Rai already had his eye on the Wanamaker Trophy. Smalley made birdie on the 18th for a 70. So concluded a most remarkable week in the Philadelphia suburbs, where no one could separate themselves on Aronimink. The 22 players within four shots of the lead going into the final round was a PGA Championship record. From that pack emerged the 31-year-old Rai, with one PGA Tour title, three on the European tour, and no finishes inside the top 15 at any of the majors. He might not be well known among casual observers, but he is a star in the eyes of his peers for his hu-

mility and gracious personality. “You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him,” McIlroy said. “Super pumped for him and his team,” Schauffele said. “All-world gentleman, no doubt.” Those seven straight one-putts included a short putt for bogey on the par-3 eighth, leaving Rai three behind Matti Schmid, who had three birdies in a five-hole stretch on the front to take the lead. Rai hit 5-wood into the ninth for his 40-foot eagle putt. He saved par with a 10-foot putt on the 10th. He hit wedge to 4 feet to a dangerous pin on the 11th for birdie. He got up-and-down from behind the 12th green for par. And on the 292-yard 13th hole, which tripped up McIlroy, Schauffele and Nick Taylor of Canada when they were right in the mix, Rai blasted out of a bunker to 6 feet for a birdie to become the first player all week to reach 7 under. And then he kept right on going.

took home the 3A 400 title with a time of 49.86 seconds. It was the senior’s first outdoor state title, and it came months after he won state in the indoor 300 during the winter. “The 400 has always been my favorite event,” Roebuck said, “the one I’ve always been training for the most, the one I’ve had so many ups and downs with. “I was able to get under 50 seconds for the first time last year. This year, I’ve been consistently running 49s.” Chatham Charter junior Torris Price won the 1A boys’ 1,600 with a time of 4:23.83. Price, who remained the Knights’ sole state champion in school history, added his third career title after winning the 1,000 and the 1,600 in the 1A indoor state championships months prior. “Coming in, I was favorited, so I thought it would go pretty well,” Price said. “Tried to conserve as much energy as possible for the 3,200 later. But I was just happy to get it done. Nothing went wrong.” In the 4A state meet, Jordan-Matthews senior Kamarie Hadley ended his high school

career with his first state title in the boys’ long jump. Hadley won the competition with a best jump of 22-3, becoming the Jets’ first track and field state champion since Seaforth senior Ryan Yoder won his first outdoor pole vault title in the 5A boys’ state competition. Yoder and runner-up Levi Maness from West Carteret both finished at the 15-6 mark, but the former cleared the height in one less try. The Hawks’ pole vault specialist finished his career with three state titles in the event, including two indoor championships. Chatham County had other noteworthy performances across the state meets. Northwood’s boys’ 4x200 team, Chatham Central sophomore Tyler Congrove (1A boys’ 100), Price (1A boys’ 800) and Altenburg (3A boys’ long jump and 110 hurdles) finished as state runner-ups in their respective events. Jordan-Matthews sophomore Khamya Woods (4A girls) and senior Yadiel Zayas (4A boys) both set new personal bests and school records in the 300 hurdles with respective

times of 48.63 (11th) and 41.02 (seventh). Other track and field championships results (school, event, place): 1A Boys: Jeremiah Young (Chatham Central, long jump, eighth); Tyler Congrove (Chatham Central, 200, eighth); Breylan Harris (Chatham Charter, long jump, triple jump and high jump; fifth, fourth, fourth, respectively); Joshua Hayes (Chatham Charter, high jump, 10th); Eli Coleman (Chatham Charter, 1,600 and 800, ninth and fifth); Isaac Hayhurst (Chatham Charter, 200, 10th); Chatham Charter (4x400, fifth); Woods Charter (4x800, 10th); 1A Girls: Addie Williams (Chatham Central, high jump, 11th); Bella Thomas (Chatham Central, high jump, 13th); Aaliyah Walden (Chatham Charter, high jump, sixth); Emily Scheidt (Chatham Charter, 1,600 and 800, sixth and 10th); Addison Vickrey (Chatham Charter, 1,600 and 3,200, 12th and 12th); Chatham Charter (4x100, 13th); Ivy Nuss (Woods Charter, discus, 15th); Sofia Rodriguez (Woods Char-

ter, 1,600 and 3,200, ninth and eighth); Grace Murphy (Woods Charter, 3,200, fifth) 3A Boys: Titus Moore (Northwood, long jump, 11th); Northwood (4x800, eighth); Ezra Roebuck (Northwood, 200, fourth); Liam Patterson (Northwood, 3,200, eighth); 3A Girls: Jada Everson (Northwood, discus and shot put, 6th and 16th); Chloe Waldstein (Northwood, pole vault, fifth); Northwood (4x800, 15th); Taylor Perry (Northwood, 100 hurdles, 12th); Synai Palmer (Northwood, 100, 13th); Sydney Gray (Northwood, 3,200, fifth) 4A Boys: Kamarie Hadley (Jordan-Matthews, triple jump, third) 4A Girls: Juanita Perez (Jordan-Matthews, triple jump, 15th) 5A Boys: Dylan Watkins (Seaforth, shot put and discus, 10th and fifth) 5A Girls: Amber Brown (Seaforth, long jump and 400, 12th and eighth); Seaforth (4x800, ninth); Sasha Helmer (Seaforth, 800, 12th); Emily Jump (Seaforth, 800, 14th); Caidence Bazemore (Seaforth, 3,200, 12th)

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

SIDELINE REPORT

Ronda Rousey, left, celebrates after defeating Gina Carano in their featherweight mixed martial arts fight Saturday in Inglewood, California.

HORSE RACING

Napoleon Solo holds off Iron Honor by 1 ¼ lengths to win Preakness Laurel, Md. Napoleon Solo held off Iron Honor in the stretch to win the Preakness Stakes, rebounding from a pair of fifth-place showings for his first victory of the year. A wide-open field of 14 horses contested the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. The Preakness was held at Laurel Park this year because Pimlico in Baltimore is being rebuilt. Taj Mahal was the top choice at 9-2 — the longest odds for a Preakness favorite since 1925. Napoleon Solo went off at 7-1.

NASCAR

Spurlock becomes 1st black woman to race in NASCAR national series, crashes in debut Dover, Del. Dystany Spurlock became the first black woman to compete in one of NASCAR’s three national series, crashing on lap 39 in her debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Dover Motor Speedway. The 34-year-old drove the No. 69 MBM Motorsports Ford. Her truck became loose while coming around a turn and she tried to save it before crashing into the outside wall, which ended her race. She made her stock car racing debut in March, finishing seventh in the ARCA Menards Series East at Hickory Motor Speedway.

NBA

Gilgeous-Alexander repeats as NBA MVP Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP, becoming the 14th player to win the award in back-to-back years. He beat out Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets, a three-time MVP and the last back-to-back winner, and Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. It’s the fifth consecutive season players born outside of the U.S. finished 1-2-3 in the MVP race. Golden State’s Stephen Curry was the last American-born player in the top three of the MVP balloting; he was third in 2021. James Harden was the last American to win it, in 2018.

NCAA FOOTBALL

ACC formally backs Big Ten’s push for College Football Playoff to expand to 24 teams The ACC is backing the Big Ten’s push for a 24-team playoff. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said coaches and athletic directors reached consensus this week on wanting to double the current College Football Playoff model. Phillips said, “When you’re leaving national championship contending teams and schools out of the playoff, you don’t have the right number.” He pointed to Florida State getting snubbed from a four-team CFP field in 2023 and Notre Dame getting left out of last year’s 12-team model.

NCAA BASEBALL

NCAA urges coaches to not cancel games to protect position for tournament The NCAA issued an appeal to Division I baseball coaches to not cancel nonconference midweek games to protect their teams’ positioning for the national tournament. Scheduling hijinks allow teams to avoid no-win situations this time of year. So games against mid- or low-major opponents sometimes are called off because a win wouldn’t help the RPI and a loss would hurt it, perhaps badly.

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

an instant after the opening bell, immediately charging and tackling Carano. Rousey quickly moved into position and applied her famous finishing move, wrenching Carano’s arm as the fight was stopped. Rousey famously won eight fights in less than a minute during her meteoric rise through MMA in the 2010s. When asked if she considered waiting a bit longer to go for the finish in this comeback fight, since it was so many years in the making, Rousey laughed. “Hell no,” she said. “My husband and my kids are watching me. I don’t want to put them through anything more than I have to.” Carano, who hadn’t fought in 17 years, was all smiles even after the swift end to one of the longest layoffs in pro sports history. Rousey and Carano hugged and shared warm words after the finish, raising each other’s arms in victory. “I wanted that to last longer,” Carano said. “I felt so ready. I’ve never felt that good. But I haven’t been here for 17 years ... and I wanted to hit her.” This improbable double comeback bout united two of

“I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible. I didn’t really want to hurt her.” Ronda Rousey the most important fighters from MMA’s past two decades. Rousey became one of the world’s most famous athletes as she won the first women’s title in the UFC, which only began to promote women’s MMA because of Rousey’s undeniable talent and star power. Rousey first became interested in MMA because of Carano, whose athleticism and star power made her into a television headliner when the nascent sport was still fighting for legitimacy and acceptance in the late 2000s. Rousey left the sport after consecutive losses, while Carano moved on to an acting career after taking her first loss. After having two children and settling into post-fighting life on her farm in Riverside, Rousey seriously began to consider an MMA return last year. She immediately focused on a fight with Carano, whose

long-thriving career as an actor abruptly ended in 2021 with her series of controversial social media posts. Carano was happy to finally accept the comeback she had occasionally considered, saying she used her preparations as a way to overcome multiple health problems from recent years. “Getting in here after 17 years was a victory,” Carano said. “Fighting a legend was a victory. I feel great. But she trained. She had her game plan. I have so much love and respect for her.” The show at Intuit Dome was the first live MMA event on Netflix, which is moving steadily into combat sports. Rousey had repeatedly said this will be her final fight, while Carano has said she doesn’t know what the future holds. Afterward, Carano said she hasn’t closed the door on another bout, and promoter Nakisa Bidarian said he would be eager to put Carano on another show. “I think 17 years (off) was a lot,” Carano said. “(Being) 44 is a lot. But I’m going to go look at this. I didn’t get anything out I expected to get in this fight.”

Legge could become first woman to complete racing’s ‘Double’ at Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 She will become the first woman to attempt it By Michael Marrot The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — Katherine Legge hopes to become the first woman to attempt “The Double” in racing — even if she’s reluctant to claim the title. She’s not terribly interested in being the first non-American to try it, either. Just hours after her NASCAR team, BRANDed Management, announced that the 45-year-old British driver had added the Coca-Cola 600 to a May 24 schedule that already included the Indianapolis 500, Legge told reporters she welcomed the opportunity more than the milestone. “I don’t want to be like the first woman because at the end of the day, I always say I just want to be a race car driver,” she said. “It doesn’t matter whether I’m black, white, female, male, whatever it may be. I think I’m probably getting the opportunity to do this because I’m female, so that does not escape me, and I’m very grateful for it. I think being the first to do anything is cool. Being one of the very few who gets to attempt to race at Indy and at Charlotte and then do both on the same day, like looking back in 10, 20 years, like yeah.”

Legge’s feat also comes on the 50th anniversary of Janet Guthrie making her first appearance on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 2.5-mile oval. Guthrie did not make Indy’s starting grid in 1976 but still traveled to North Carolina and made her NASCAR Cup Series debut by starting the World 600 in Charlotte. That was the previous version of today’s Coca-Cola 600. Now, like then, A.J. Foyt is playing a role in this gender-breaking attempt. In 1976, Foyt let Guthrie use a backup car in her attempt to make the field. This weekend, Legge will be one of 33 drivers trying to qualify for the 500, and she’ll be driving the No. 11 Chevrolet for HMD Motorsports with A.J. Foyt Racing. In 1977, Guthrie returned to Indy, becoming the first woman to start the 500 on the same day that Foyt became the first four-time race winner. Foyt also cast aside his longtime rivalry with the Andrettis in 1994 when he put the late John Andretti in an IndyCar as Andretti became the first driver to attempt “The Double.” And Legge has gotten a crash course in that history as she also prepares to qualify in the No. 78 for Live Fast Motorsports at Charlotte. She’s the only female driver in Indianapolis this month. “He’s been awesome, Lar-

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO

Katherine Legge is introduced before a NASCAR Cup Series race in Watkins Glen. ry (Foyt) has been awesome too,” Legge said, referring to the 91-year-old team owner and his grandson, who is running the team’s day-to-day operations. “Actually, there’s a few idiosyncrasies we weren’t aware of until this came up. So it’s like weird, serendipitous things, neat little facts.” Five drivers have competed in both the 500 and 600, but three-time Cup champ and Indiana native Tony Stewart remains the only one to complete all 1,100 miles in one day. Defending Cup champion Kyle Larson attempted “The Double” each of the past two years but failed to complete it. He missed the Coca-Cola 600 start in 2024 after the Indy 500 ran late because of rain, and he crashed in both races last year.

The difference between Legge and others who tried “The Double” is logistics. Their plans were made months in advance, while Legge’s became a reality only recently. “I knew that at some point, it would be something we looked at doing, but I didn’t anticipate it being this year,” she said. “I think it’s just a very cool opportunity that kind of came up. Obviously, Indianapolis was first, and when that domino fell there was a lot of talk about it, and we thought, why not?” Legge certainly has experience on her side. She qualified for her fifth Indy start last weekend after finishing 29th last May. Her best 500 finish was 22nd in 2012. Over the past two years, she has competed in eight Cup races. Legge also has competed in Ferraris in Bahrain and Audis in Germany, as well as on the A1 Grand Prix, Formula E and the IMSA SportsCar circuits during her career, though she’s never run the Coca-Cola 600. But nothing is certain. She’ll be one of 41 attempting to make the 40-car Coca-Cola 600 field. And yet she’s willing to take her chance on making history. “It might be the only opportunity I get,” she said. “It might not be, but I might as well take it while the iron is hot, and it’s one of those really cool things not many people get to do.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

entertainment this week in history Red Cross founded, Earhart crosses Atlantic, Johnson outlines “Great Society” The Associated Press MAY 21 1881: The American Red Cross was founded by nurse and educator Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. 1927: Charles A. Lindbergh landed his Spirit of St. Louis monoplane near Paris, completing the first solo airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 331⁄2 hours. 1932: Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean as she landed in Northern Ireland about 15 hours after leaving Newfoundland. MAY 22 1939: The foreign ministers of Germany and Italy, Joachim von Ribbentrop and Galeazzo Ciano, signed a “Pact of Steel” committing their two countries to a military and political alliance. 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson, speaking at the University of Michigan, outlined the goals of his “Great Society,” saying that it “rests on abundance and liberty for all” and “demands an end to poverty and racial injustice.” 1992: After a reign lasting nearly 30 years, Johnny Carson hosted his final episode of NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” (Jay Leno took over as host three days later.) MAY 23 1915: Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, aligning with the Triple Entente of Russia, France and the United Kingdom.

BOB DAUGHERTY / AP PHOTO

Surgeon General C. Everett Koop speaks at a news conference in Washington, D.C. On May 23, 1984, he released a report stating cigarette smoking is “a major cause” of lung, larynx and esophagus cancer. 1934: Bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot to death during a police ambush in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. 1984: Surgeon General C. Everett Koop issued a report saying there was “very solid” evidence linking cigarette smoke to lung disease in nonsmokers. MAY 24 1883: The Brooklyn Bridge, then the world’s longest suspension span, opened to traffic in New York. 1844: Samuel F.B. Morse sent the message “What hath God wrought” from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, inaugurating the nation’s first telegraph line. 1935: Major League Baseball’s first night game was played at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field, where the Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1. MAY 25 1787: The Constitutional

Convention began at the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia after enough delegates arrived for a quorum. 1935: At Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Babe Ruth, then with the Boston Braves, hit his 714th and final home run; the record stood for nearly 40 years. 1977: “Star Wars” was released by 20th Century Fox and went on to become the highest-grossing film in history at the time. MAY 26 1940: Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of more than 338,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, began during World War II. 1924: President Calvin Coolidge signed the Immigration Act of 1924, barring immigration from Asia and limiting total annual immigration to 165,000. 1927: The Ford Model T ended production as Henry Ford and his son Edsel drove the 15 millionth car off the assembly line in Highland Park, Michigan. 1938: Congress established the House Un-American Activities Committee. 1967: The Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” MAY 27 1937: The newly completed Golden Gate Bridge, linking San Francisco and Marin County, California, opened to pedestrians; vehicles began crossing the next day. 1930: New York’s Chrysler Building, then the world’s tallest, opened to the public. 1941: The British Royal Navy sank the German battleship Bismarck off France, killing more than 2,000 German sailors.

AP PHOTO

Moviegoers line up outside the Avco Center Theater in Los Angeles for “Star Wars,” released May 25, 1977, which became the highest-grossing film at the time.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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CLEVELAND — The largest collection of Paul McCartney’s personal artifacts ever publicly displayed is part of a new exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame centering on his life after The Beatles. “Paul McCartney and Wings,” which opened last Friday in Cleveland, explores the musician’s reinvention after leaving the iconic British rock band through displays of instruments, handwritten songwriting notes and photographs taken by his wife, Linda McCartney, who was keyboardist and harmony vocalist for Wings during its decade-long run from 1971 to 1981, when the band produced hits including “Band on the Run,” “Silly Love Songs” and “Live and Let Die.” After the breakup of The Beatles, Paul McCartney was no longer just the musician who had been known around the world since his teenage years but also a husband and father of a young family. What he built with Wings reflected that new stage of life, said Andy Leach, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s senior director of museum and archival collections.

PATRICK AFTOORA-ORSAGOS / AP PHOTO

The entrance of the Paul McCartney and Wings exhibit is pictured at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 14. Leach said the band’s embrace of domestic life — bringing children on tour, having a married couple perform together and writing songs inspired by his wife, who was also a member of the group — was “remarkable and unusual” for the era, when rock music remained overwhelmingly male-dominated and family life was rarely incorporated so visibly into a band’s public identity. “What’s interesting about Wings is that they were formed around the idea of reinvention, renewal, risk-taking, experimentation but collaboration,” Leach said. “And family was at the center of it too.” Leach traveled to London to work with McCartney and his team to prepare and transport guitars along with clothing worn

during performances to Cleveland. The vast majority of the artifacts are from McCartney’s personal collection. Leach said Wings helped pioneer the large-scale production that came to define 1970s arena rock, using increasingly elaborate lighting and stage design on tours such as Wings Over the World and Wings Over America. Leach said it was amazing to see and handle guitars that “I’ve heard on record my whole life.” Visitors will also be able to step into a recreation of the farmhouse that McCartney still owns in Scotland, where Paul and Linda retreated after The Beatles’ breakup in 1970 and set up a recording studio. In the home, photos of Paul and Linda McCartney and their children line the walls. Linda’s camera sits inside a case on the makeshift kitchen table. The photographs taken by Linda, an acclaimed artist in her own right and the first female photographer to have a photo featured on the cover of Rolling Stone, in 1968, showcase her role “at the center of the family, and in some ways, at the center of the band,” Leach said. Linda McCartney was married for three decades to Paul, who taught her to play the keyboard after The Beatles’ breakup. She died in 1998 of breast cancer. The Hall of Fame said it hopes to keep the exhibit open through the summer of 2027.

Shakira, Burna Boy release official 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem, ‘Dai Dai’ The tournament runs through June and July By Maria Sherman The Associated Press

BRUNA PRADO / AP PHOTO

Colombian singer Shakira rehearses a day ahead of her free concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, on May 1.

solutions

NEW YORK — As the song demands: “Let’s go!” The Colombian superstar Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy have teamed up for “Dai Dai,” the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s a mesh of their musical landscapes: Afrobeats and Latin rhythms, an undeniably global, multilingual pop track. In one verse, they name a number of the world’s most famous soccer players and countries competing in this year’s World Cup: “Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia,” Shakira cheers. “Mexico, Japan, Korea, Netherlands.” After the first chorus, Shakira and Burna Boy take turns tackling their own verses, singing back and forth before joining in a duet. The song arrived shortly after it was announced that Shakira, Madonna and K-pop group BTS will co-headline the FIFA tournament’s first-ever final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York City. The lineup was curat-

ed by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer. Shakira first teased “Dai Dai” last week, sharing a minute-long teaser clip of her dancing in the center of the field of Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. She included a snippet of the opening verse: “Here in this place / You belong,” she sang in English, a male voice harmonizing with her now identifiable as Burna Boy. “What broke you once / Made you strong.” She is no stranger to World Cup anthems. Her song “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” was the official song of the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa and is widely regarded as one of the best. It’s also not uncommon for sponsors of the FIFA World Cup to release their own singles for the tournament. In March, Coca-Cola shared its own official anthem for the World Cup, a reimagination of Van Halen’s “Jump” that features Colombian singer J Balvin, drummer Travis Barker, pop/R&B singer Amber Mark and guitarist Steve Vai. It is similarly multilingual: Balvin wrote a new verse in Spanish for the anthem, bringing in Brazilian funk and hip-hop to the classic rock staple. “‘Jump’ is not a fútbol song,” he told The Associated Press about the original track, using the Spanish word for soccer. “So that’s why I had to put the Latin love and passion for fútbol (in the lyrics).”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

famous birthdays this week Bernie Taupin hits 76, Priscilla Presley turns 81, Mike Myers is 63, Lenny Kravitz celebrates 62 THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week. MAY 21 Singer Ronald Isley (The Isley Brothers) is 85. Singer Leo Sayer is 78. Actor Mr. T is 74. Actor Judge Reinhold is 69. Filmmaker Nick Cassavetes is 67. MAY 22 Actor-filmmaker Richard Benjamin is 88. Songwriter Bernie Taupin is 76. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is 69. Singer Morrissey is 67. Singer Johnny Gill (New Edition) is 60. Actor Brooke Smith is 59. Model Naomi Campbell is 56. Tennis player Novak Djokovic is 39.

JEFF SPICER / AP PHOTO

Ian McKellen turns 87 on Monday.

MAY 23 Actor Joan Collins is 93. Tennis Hall of Famer John Newcombe is 82. Chess grandmaster Anatoly Karpov is 75. Comedian-TV host Drew Carey is 68. Comedian-actor Lea DeLaria is 68. Singer-songwriter Maxwell is 53. “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings is 52. MAY 24 Comedian Tommy Chong is 88. Musician Bob Dylan is 85. Singer Patti LaBelle is 82. Actor Priscilla Presley is 81. Actor Alfred Molina is 73. Musician Rosanne Cash is 71. Actor John C. Reilly is 61. MAY 25 Actor Ian McKellen is 87. Country singer Jessi Colter is 83. Actor-singer Leslie Uggams is 83. Filmmaker and puppeteer Frank Oz is 82. Actor Karen Valentine is 79. Actor Jacki Weaver is 79. Actor-comedian Mike Myers is 63. MAY 26 Singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks is 78. Actor Pam Grier is 77. Country singer Hank Williams Jr. is 77. Actor Genie Francis is 64. Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait is 64. Musician

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Stevie Nicks turns 78 on Tuesday. Lenny Kravitz is 62. Actor-producer-writer Matt Stone is 55. Singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill is 51. MAY 27 Actor Lee Meriwether is 91. Actor Bruce Weitz is 83. Musician Bruce Cockburn is 81. Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is 76. Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater is 72. Singer Siouxsie Sioux is 69. Comedian Adam Carolla is 62. Rapper-musician Andre 3000 (Outkast) is 51.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

the stream

ROB YOUNGSON / NETFLIX VIA AP

Emily Mortimer, left, and Sacha Baron Cohen star in “Ladies First,” debuting Friday on Netflix.

John Krasinski, ‘Ladies First,’ Rod Stewart, Brooke Shields, ‘Lego Batman’ game “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” lands on Peacock

Girl”) plays her ex-husband. The first two episodes are streaming now on Apple TV. The Duffer Brothers have gone from creating a story centered around teens in “Stranger Things” to executive producing a series about a different demographic. Netflix’s “The Boroughs” debuts Thursday and follows residents of an idyllic retirement community who team up to battle monsters. Geena Davis, Bill Pullman, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard and Denis O’Hare star. “The Chi” returns for its eighth and final season Friday on Paramount+. Created by Lena Waithe, the show is a coming-of-age story about residents of the South Side of Chicago as they try to rise above violence and systemic racism.

The Associated Press JOHN KRASINSKI returning as Jack Ryan in “Jack Ryan: Ghost War” for Prime Video and “Stranger Things” masterminds the Duffer Brothers producing a Netflix show in which a retirement community teams up to battle monsters are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time this week: Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike starring in the gender satire “Ladies First,” “The Chi” returning for its eighth and final season and an ambitious Lego Batman video game acting like a career retrospective for the Caped Crusader. MOVIES TO STREAM Four years after his series run in the Tom Clancy spy series ended, Krasinski returns as Jack Ryan in “Jack Ryan: Ghost War” (Prime Video). It’s the sixth film and third reboot in the “Jack Ryan” franchise. Many series regulars return also, including Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly and Betty Gabriel. “Ladies First” (Netflix, Friday) stars Baron Cohen and Pike in a gender satire. Cohen plays a chauvinistic man who wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. Co-starring in it are Charles Dance, Emily Mortimer and Richard E. Grant. An Oscar nominee for best animated feature, “Arco” (Hulu, Friday) is a rainbow-colored French time-traveling fantasy. A boy named Arco, living in the year 2932, accidentally travels to 2075. There, he’s found and befriended by a young girl whose future world includes robots that do most of the parenting and near-constant climate disaster. AP Film Writer Jake Coyle praised it as a cartoony and dreamy parable that “directly confronts ecological apocalypse and yet still finds a thrillingly optimistic note to end on.” In December, Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Vol. 1” and “Kill Bill Vol. 2” were fused into one movie. After a theatrical run, the conjoined whole “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” debuts Friday on Peacock. The connective tissue is a 7½-min-

THOMAS PADILLA / AP PHOTO

French filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu, center, with producer Sophie Mas, left, and filmmaker Félix de Givry pose after winning the César for best animated film for “Arco” at the 51st César Awards in Paris on Feb. 27.

“‘Arco’ is a cartoony and dreamy parable that directly confronts ecological apocalypse and yet still finds a thrillingly optimistic note to end on.” Jake Coyle, AP film writer

AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Rod Stewart performs during the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 26. “Forever Young: A Grammy Salute to Rod Stewart Live” is streaming now for Paramount+ Essential subscribers. ute animated sequence cut from the original film. MUSIC TO STREAM Less than a year before the Grammys migrate over to ABC for the next decade, CBS and the Recording Academy have teamed up once again for a two-hour television special. “Forever Young: A Grammy Salute to Rod Stewart Live” is out now. It’s part concert film and interviews, full of archival footage and behind-the-scenes shots — an ideal viewing for the Stewart fan in your midst. Paramount+ Essential subscribers can stream along. The keen English sing-

er-songwriter Maisie Peters sharpens her storytelling skills on a new album, “Florescence,” out Friday. It’s an ideal soundtrack for those experiencing new love — or those who are not immune to her folk-pop charms. In a previous life, Lowertown — the New York-via-Atlanta duo composed of Olivia Osby and Avsha Weinberg — were a promising bedroom pop band perhaps a little bit too indebted to the indie rock cult hero Alex G, signed to the 1975-related Dirty Hit Records. On Friday, they will release a new record, “Ugly Duckling Union,” out on Summer Shade Records, their strongest release

to date. Scrappy earworms have become hookier (the addictive love song “I Like You A Lot”), folk-jazz explorations are written stream-of-consciousness style with harmonica and 12-string guitar (“Big Thumb”), narrative verses are handed off to one another for maximum emotionality (“Worst Friend.”) Lo-fi, indie rock fans, listen up — it is likely that this will be one of your favorites of the year. SERIES TO STREAM In “You’re Killing Me,” Brooke Shields plays a popular novelist who teams up with a true crime podcast host to solve a murder mystery. The six-episode series is available now on Acorn TV. Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany stars in “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” as a down-on-her-luck divorcee who witnesses a crime unfold live on a webcam. Jake Johnson (“New

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY The Caped Crusader has always packed a punch, but Lego Batman really knows how to hit the bricks. “Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight” aims to provide a career retrospective, combining elements from decades of movies and TV shows. The Joker, the Penguin, Two-Face and Bane are up to their usual antics, and if you’re having trouble with all those villains, you can team up with a friend playing Robin, Batgirl or Catwoman. Answer the signal Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC. Cuddly dinosaur Yoshi may have been the breakout star of April’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” but he’s been a headliner on Nintendo consoles for decades. In “Yoshi and the Mysterious Book,” he stumbles across a talking encyclopedia named Mr. E, with each two-page spread opening up into a world for our hero to bounce around. As usual, Yoshi can attack enemies with his tongue — but he can also invite friendly creatures to ride on his back and share their skills. Turn the page Thursday on Switch 2. After stops in the United States, Europe, Australia and Mexico, Microsoft’s “Forza Horizon 6” racer is finally roaring into one of the hot spots of car culture: Japan. This country has everything, from seaside trails to mountain roads to the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Besides a huge assortment of races, on-road and off, you can spend time mastering stunts, delivering food or collecting fast-food mascots. The starting flag flies on Xbox X/S and PC.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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49.76 430.29 4124.83 501.43 389.14 430.68 1980.91 2676.27 48.99 1771.76 18.06 520.09 1485.51 136.90 322.51 89.44 110.57 368.55 359.33 357.67 140.84 1975.59 2543.77

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, May 21, 2026

PARCEL

REAVES, FRINCO S HEIRS 0068671 REAVES, PAMELIA 0005284 REDDING, HOWARD P 0015116 REEDER, REBECCA SCURLOCK HEIRS 0006069 REEVES, JOHN ABBOTT 0018976 REIVES, AARON ESTATE 0016708 RENZ, CARL E HEIRS 0090100 REYES, EDITH L 0091681 REYES, EDITH LIBORIO 0016896 REYES, EDITH LIBORIO 0076573 REYNOLDS, JAMES C TRUSTEE 0005844 RHONE, WALTER GENE 0006964 RICHARDSON, ERNEST RANDY 0006423 RICHARDSON, ERNESTINE JEANETTE 0007384 RICHARDSON, KIA 0006380 RICHARDSON, KIA D 0006379 RICHARDSON, PATTIE B HEIRS 0006315 RIDDLE, PEGGY J 0004840 RILES, DELLA MCMASTERS HEIRS 0065824 RIVES, BRANSON COLEY 0066286 RIVES, HAROLD G JR 0061060 RIVES, J N HEIRS 0006152 RIVES, JAMES EDWARD JR 0018295 RIVES, KECIA 0073181 RIVES, MARY HEIRS 0077718 ROBERSON, DONNIE WAYNE SR 0097021 ROBERSON, SARAH JACQUELINE 0076892 ROBINSON, KATHLEEN B 0013008 ROCKWELL PROPERTY SOLUTIONS LLC 0073232 RODRIGUEZ, IVY D 0004383 RODRIGUEZ, JUAN HECTOR 0006336 RODRIGUEZ, VICTOR ETAL 0091024 ROGERS, DENISE P 0018317 ROGERS, HATTIE HEADEN HEIRS 0016535 ROGERS, HATTIE HEADEN HEIRS 0072974 ROGERS, JEFFREY WARREN 0065493 ROGERS, ROBERT LEWIS 0075434 ROWAN, GARY MICHAEL HEIRS 0082758 RUDRA SILERCITY LLC 0080721 RUDRA SILERCITY LLC 0080720 RUDRA SILERCITY LLC 0080719 RUDRA SILERCITY LLC 0080718 RUDRA SILERCITY LLC 0080724 RUSSELL, KATHIE L TRUSTEE 0070376 RYANS CROSSING HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC 0001780 S&E PROPERTY GROUP LLC 0018761 SAFRIT, BONNIE C LIFE ESTAT 0014414 SALAZAR, XOCHITL 0015790 SAN-LEE RENTALS LLC 0072193 SAUNDERS, DOROTHY A 0005403 SAUNDERS, JEFFREY C 0004882 SAUNDERS, JERRI E 0061928 SC PATEL HOSPITALITY LLC 0061358 SCARBOROUGH, JULIA HEIRS 0071798 SCARBOROUGH, JULIA HEIRS 0009502 SCOTTON, CLYDE E SR HEIRS 0013799 SCOTTON, DAISY MAE 0061326 SCOTTON, DAVID LEE 0064330 SCOTTON, JOEY LYNN 0016772 SCOTTON, PRENTISS RONNELL 0094248 SCUDDER, BROOKE 0066446 SCURLOCK, BESSIE MAE HEIRS 0075319 SCURLOCK, BESSIE MAE HEIRS 0006642 SCURLOCK, JANICE E 0074723 SCURLOCK, KATHY F 0006043 SCURLOCK, KATHY F 0060894 SCURLOCK, KATHY F 0006617 SCURLOCK, LOLITA ALSTON 0064700 SEATON, CALVIN HARVEY JR 0086237 SENTER, WILDA E LIFE ESTAT 0016287 SESCILLA, ANDREW B 0095810 SESSOMS, JUDY P HEIRS 0016494 SEWARD, STEPHEN EDWARD JR 0074910 SEYMORE, RISHAWN L 0009579 SEYMOUR, BETTY F 0001609 SEYMOUR, THURMAN J HEIRS 0011164 SHAW, RACHEL NEVE 0008856 SHEARS, CAROL J 0001903 SHEFFIELD, SABRINA ROBERTS 0003166 SHELTON, BETTY 0067651 SHIRIN, LEONID 0076852 SHORTELL, ALLEN 0084740 SIFUENTES, FELIZ 0070161 SILER CITY GOSPEL HALL 0062712 SILER, ADDO PRICE HEIRS 0079150 SILER, BEULAH HEADEN 0074270 SILER, STACEY LAMONT 0016799 SILER, W FRANK HEIRS 0013069 SIMON, KENNETH WILLIAM TRUSTEE 0002791 SIMPSON, LEXIE TRUST 0019202 SINK, EMILY GRACE 0092321 SIPE, HAROLD L 0010420 SMART, TROY ALFRED 0012113 SMITH, BARRY D 0011264 SMITH, DEANNA 0065763 SMITH, DEBORAH HANNER 0004958 SMITH, DEBRA H 0079011 SMITH, DIANE M 0016858 SMITH, ELAINE 0014808 SMITH, ELAINE LIFE EST 0087211 SMITH, ELAINE LIFE EST 0087210 SMITH, ELLA TERESA 0064814 SMITH, JESSICA ERIN 0084837 SMITH, JESSICA L 0084821 SMITH, JOSHUA HARRINGTON 0016047 SMITH, KEVIN 0067433 SMITH, LARRY RAYMOND 0089672 SMITH, LARRY RAYMOND JR 0004959 SMITH, LARRY RAYMOND JR 0071254 SMITH, LISSA MARIE 0060412 SMITH, MICHAEL RAY 0088783 SMITH, MICHAEL RAY 0010864 SNEAD, CYRUS 0072560 SNIPES, CLAUDE W 0084492 SNUGGS, PAUL HEIRS 0070357 SOLANO, MEJI GEORGINA EVELIA 0016599 SOMASUNDARUM, ASHWIN 0085577 SPADONE, LESLEE SUE 0085729 SPINKS, BETTY L 0012927 SPINKS, DONNIE HEIRS 0003575 SPIVEY, TAMMY RENE LIFE ESTAT 0009259 SPRUIELL, EULISHIA DAWN PEOPLES LIFE EST 0018107 SPRUIELL, JAMIE D JR 0079843 ST. ONGE, AUBREY S 0009856 STALEY, ANTHONY BOYD 0012867 STANLEY, BARBARA G 0018314 STANLEY, BARBARA G 0018306 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA 0016100 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA THE 0061554 STATON, WILLIAM L 0018262 STEPHENS, JAMES GARRETT 0005227 STEPHENS, SIMON ROSS JR 0091684 STEVENSON, DONALD LEE 0066000 STRAUGHN, KERRY 0087665 STRAUGHN, KERRY 0012494 STRICKLAND, HENRY FRANKLIN HEIRS 0061394 STRONG, ELSIE COUNCIL HEIRS 0007800

AMOUNT DUE 731.33 1889.06 18.19 1252.44 2504.48 197.70 835.79 3221.71 1155.14 1854.44 2114.26 1518.18 430.73 108.89 2221.92 743.41 161.52 1490.26 229.57 1167.97 1484.04 927.34 17.76 104.37 5.40 476.91 462.86 481.11 2057.00 1963.51 436.12 2050.69 174.67 169.49 301.20 22.95 601.99 1621.05 564.23 592.78 630.48 984.38 1486.68 456.77 2908.25 560.37 20.98 2345.44 783.05 451.78 2068.18 8026.73 7654.02 138.97 761.85 502.00 491.40 56.91 1184.09 45.78 325.44 29.04 1491.79 564.25 282.86 339.54 1578.38 1285.56 3069.68 10.99 8.21 1587.83 268.49 50.88 1848.66 480.92 994.07 1264.04 530.64 6.25 19.15 1224.90 1094.35 1048.30 110.57 765.28 240.08 756.00 6.20 3161.54 1646.29 408.79 1502.03 61.95 436.25 165.20 222.22 1186.41 2068.55 101.08 252.14 7.93 4632.40 331.75 907.94 40.96 163.57 105.53 197.07 953.43 111.83 265.03 182.91 509.83 5.95 174.43 76.02 114.10 1334.89 365.30 375.50 680.30 126.61 408.79 471.06 98.51 2399.96 627.90 164.85 639.83 1127.56 7.46 792.31 985.79 2004.29 1251.45 1301.29

PROPERTY OWNER

PARCEL

STROUD, OTIS E 0018810 STUARTSEN GROUP LLC 0096725 STUMPF, THOMAS R 0071228 SUGG, JEFFREY ALAN 0061433 SUMNER, MICHAEL NELSON 0007450 SUTTON, MICHAEL DAVID LIFE EST 0016597 SUTTON, ROSA 0013778 SUTTON, ROSA M 0016870 SUZANNE E CARDINAL ESTATE 0094602 SWANN, ISLA 0010185 TARMALINGAM, PUSHPA 0069784 TART, MARTY R 0083017 TAYLOR MORRISON OF CAROLINAS INC 0096854 TAYLOR, DARLENE D 0065736 TAYLOR, WILLIAM H JR 0011256 TERRELL, CAROLYN PENDERGRASS 0010366 TESTERMAN, RODNEY NEAL 0075247 THE PLJ GROUP II INC 0016036 THOMAS, ASHLEY 0069572A THOMAS, MADELINE 0011313 THOMAS, MADELINE 0011055 THOMAS, PARKER LYNN 0082156 THOMPSON, BRIAN R 0081214 THOMPSON, CANDICE 0075809 THOMPSON, WILLIE MAE HEIRS 0010177 THORN, RACHEL NADINE 0069298 THREE POINTS PROPERTIES NORTH CAROLINA LLC 0096261 THREE POINTS PROPERTIES NORTH CAROLINA LLC 0061973 TILLMAN, SHANNA DELAINE 0013671 TISDALE, FAYDINE F HEIRS 0070752 TISDALE, FAYDINE F HEIRS 0070751 TOLENTINO, RAQUEL CRUZ 0009310 TOWN OF SILER CITY 0075866 TRAPP, YOLANDA W 0078166 TRIAD CORE REALTY LLC 0081818 TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY A NON-PROFIT CORP 0018565 TULLIS, DENNIS DALE 0006008 TURCIOS, AMELIA 0096514 TURCIOS, AMELIA 0014910 TUTTLE, PHILLIP RICHARD LIFE EST 0000120 TYSON, WILMA ALSTON LIFE EST 0013152 TYSOR, JOHN RANDOLPH 0009556 UBUNTU MA’AT NATURAL FARMS LLC 0006133 UNIQUE PLACES TO SAVE 0095305 UNITED INVESTMENTS TRUST 0074258 URRUTIA, JOSE JUAN ZENDEJAS 0016056 VAITHIYANATHAN, PANCHABI 0067827 VALLE, JUAN DE DIOS CRUZ 0080043 VANGELDER, MITCHELL 0095314 VELAGACHERLA, NAVEEN 0090771 VELIZ, MELIDA PAOLA SANDOVAL 0062969 VERA-SALINAS, ALEJANDRO 0000221 VESTAL MURPHY, LISA DAWN 0017161 VLS LLC 0017875 VOSE, WILLIAM JAMES 0006910 VT537HOLDINGS LLC 0085096 WADDELL, HATTIE ESTATE 0007780 WAITERS, ADRIAN D 0087848 WALDEN, EDMOND EUGENE DEVISEES 0084289 WALDEN, MELINDA T 0070396 WALKER, JOSEPH W III 0007531 WALL, LORRIE ETAL 0008604 WALLACE, BARBARA 0073491 WALTERS, CANDY MARIE 0075092 WARREN, JOSEPH D HEIRS 0013180 WATSON, BEVERLY WILLIAM 0061458 WATSON, GENE HEIRS 0008611 WATSON, PAUL THOMAS JR 0011855 WATSON, WILLOW 0060701 WATSON, WILLOW 0060702 WATTS, DAVID A 0092628 WATTS, DAVID A 0092629 WATTS, DAVID A 0092627 WATTS, DAVID A 0092625 WATTS, RICKY LEE 0089400 WEBSTER, JEFFREY KENT 0093386 WEBSTER, JEFFREY KENT 0008972 WEEMS, MASON LOCKE 6 0010811 WELCH, LINDA J 0016992 WELCH, SHERRY K 0003264 WEST ST PROPERTIES LLC 0096534 WESTWOOD, SHIRLEY A 0088103 WHALEY, STEPHEN D 0061632 WHEELER, MAUDIE J HEIRS 0004698 WHITE, BILLY GERALD 0013196 WHITE, KENTRELLE SHAWNTE 0080816 WHITE, LOLITA RENEE 0012667 WHITE, LOLITA RENEE 0073974 WHITE, MARCUS RAY LIFE ESTAT 0074316 WHITE, MELVIN GREGORY 0013221 WHITE, RODNEY R 0009511 WHITE, SYLVIA G 0014439 WHITE, TIARA STREET 0009597 WHITT, CHARLES F JR 0000402 WICKER, LORENA E 0072572 WICKER, LULA PALMER ETAL 0009528 WICKER, MAURICE A LIFE ESTAT 0000573 WIGFALL, MARY LOKO 0010122 WILEY, QUEEN HEIRS 0016716 WILEY, VIRGINIA MAE LIFE ESTAT 0016720 WILKIE, CODY 0094441 WILKIE, JUDY GILMORE 0070993 WILKIE, RUTH B 0004224 WILKIE, RUTH B 0004219 WILLIAMS ANNA ESTATE 0015042 WILLIAMS, DALTON LEWIS 0016732 WILLIAMS, ELENA MARIE 0008629 WILLIAMS, JAMES E HEIRS 0009777 WILSON, PAUL 0004596 WILSON, RUTH HEIRS 0019905 WILSON, RUTH HEIRS 0074982 WITHINGTON, W TUCKER 0008420 WMLR INC 0081456 WOFFORD, MICKLE 0061095 WOMBLE, EVANDER 0087860 WOMBLE, LILLIE EST 0008624 WOMBLE, NANNIE HEIRS 0071789 WOMBLE, NANNIE HEIRS 0004589 WOMBLE, TARA M 0071508 WOMBLE, THEODIS HEIRS 0004616 WOOD, EFFIE HEIRS 0075306 WOODS, RUFUS JR 0016813 WORKMAN, ELIZABETH A LIFE EST 0065225 WRIGHT, CAROLYN 0014007 WRIGHT, THOMAS B 0072025A WYATT, DOROTHY WOMBLE HEIRS 0009337 WYATT, DOROTHY WOMBLE HEIRS 0009282 YORK, JENNIFER M 0003900 YOUNG FARM OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC 0096230 YOUNG FARM OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC 0096828 YOUNG FARM OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC 0096815 YOUNG FARMS OWNER ASSOCIATION INC 0096229 YOUNG FARMS OWNER ASSOCIATION INC 0096228 YOUNG FARMS OWNER ASSOCIATION INC 0096227 YOUNTS, CARMEN MARIE 0074632 ZAVALA, MICHELE 0090917 ZHANG, YUEQI 0085789

AMOUNT DUE 182.84 1112.09 4621.02 1549.70 31.52 769.60 214.60 1674.10 7078.23 136.78 776.56 41.72 10.48 56.86 1441.66 1924.77 392.72 218.82 449.86 47.09 471.82 212.63 464.38 414.99 1177.44 1983.53 886.41 21612.88 2525.33 230.26 240.72 621.53 13.93 342.44 52.80 164.85 2042.76 41.20 757.28 8.64 1420.94 432.54 942.42 11.93 1052.79 723.33 5126.93 925.49 690.96 2737.89 604.80 1431.22 3436.40 18.12 299.06 24.85 366.26 7.28 35.31 33.41 1840.93 811.35 1907.59 9.14 305.10 155.36 428.52 193.55 17.69 30.67 8.60 10.37 17.20 53.80 473.40 264.89 1437.43 1662.38 1029.58 356.07 3520.03 5905.61 18.65 142.43 46.87 289.44 92.00 529.55 531.80 139.29 22.05 711.91 32.43 44.24 2633.65 511.31 1349.18 203.18 133.01 483.36 290.29 318.56 5.91 1241.71 157.11 1042.38 1554.56 1411.07 212.35 92.68 1021.07 2692.92 978.24 645.26 140.03 823.16 29.77 67.48 349.68 573.30 259.82 1310.04 1857.92 276.28 1542.77 175.54 1477.27 818.10 12.02 179.14 259.09 1054.12 1638.69 2417.66 5614.47 3127.60 1923.83

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 14 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal inside

Turn to page A5 for our salute to Duplin’s graduating seniors

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

CLASS 2026 THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the

Wallace Fire Department selected as stop on national flag tour

BRIEF this week

Multiple shootings under investigation Duplin County Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating a series of shootings into occupied homes reported over the weekend in Warsaw, Beulaville and Wallace.The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office said incidents occurred over 72 hours beginning May 16 at 2 a.m., with a second May 17 at 2 a.m. and a third shooting at 10 p.m. at a home on North College Street in Wallace. Authorities said investigators from the Wallace, Warsaw and Beulaville police departments are working alongside the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to determine whether the incidents are connected. Anyone with information is asked to call 910-296-2150 or Crime Stoppers at 910372-9202.

Traffic stop leads to fraud investigation Beulaville The Beulaville Police Department is investigating an alleged multistate fraud scheme following an April 29 traffic stop on East N.C. 24 Highway. Police said officers became suspicious during the stop, and a K-9 alert led to a probablecause search of the vehicle. Officers reported finding drug paraphernalia and items they believe may be linked to fraud, including debit cards, a fictitious Florida driver’s license, altered checks and business cards, and other documents. Investigators said the passenger initially provided a false name but was later identified as Timothy Wayne Johnson with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Information Sharing and Analysis Center. Authorities determined Johnson was wanted by North Carolina Probation and Parole and had outstanding warrants. Police said investigators confirmed more than $53,000 was stolen through the alleged scam, which involved suspects using fraudulent identification cards to make bank withdrawals while posing as victims.

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Utility rate increases Warsaw faces strict state oversight headline Rose Hill budget discussions under wastewater The proposed budget includes a 6% increase in water and sewer rates while keeping the town tax rate unchanged By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal ROSE HILL HELD a public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget during the board of commissioners meeting May 12. The budget item that will affect citizens the most is a 6% increase in water and sewer rates for the town, one of three increases to be eased in over the next few years. Rose Hill Town Administrator Angela Smith told Duplin Journal the water and sewer

compliance order

“This increase will help keep pace with rising operational costs, support infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.” Angela Smith, Rose Hill town administrator rate increases are the first ones since 2022 and are needed. “This increase will help keep pace with rising operational costs, support infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, and strengthen the town’s position See ROSE HILL, page A3

The town risks escalating fines and deeper state intervention if deadlines are missed By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal THE TOWN OF WARSAW is facing mounting pressure to overhaul its troubled wastewater treatment system after entering into a sweeping Special Order of Consent (SOC) with the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission — an agreement town leaders say carries significant financial and operational risks if deadlines are missed.

Wallace council to consider tax hike, vehicle fee “The Town adopted a minimum fund balance target of 25% of expenditures.” Rob Taylor, Wallace town manager

$2.00

WoodmenLife representatives presented a commemorative U.S. flag to the Wallace Fire Department on May 14 as the department celebrated its 100th anniversary and the dedication of its new fire station. The presentation was part of WoodmenLife’s nationwide tour honoring America’s upcoming 250th birthday, with Wallace serving as one of 11 stops selected for its commitment to civic service. The special Betsy Ross-style flag features 13 stars encircling the number 250. Wallace Fire Chief Wayne Rich said the commemorative flag will be displayed at the station alongside the department’s American and memorial flags. The Wallace Fire Department also contributed a challenge coin to accompany the flag tour before it was placed in a time capsule at WoodmenLife headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Pictured are Harvey Knowles, left, standing next to Wayne Rich, center, and Spencer Owen as they hold the commemorative flag.

Public input is sought for the June 11 meeting By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal THE WALLACE TOWN Council is considering a proposed property tax increase and a new vehicle fee as part of an $11.54 million budget designed to rebuild depleted reserves, fund road repairs and prepare for major residential growth already underway. Town Manager Rob Taylor and his staff presented the proposed 2026-27 budget to the town council on May 7, though council members still have time to make changes before the spending plan is adopted. Among the proposed

changes are an increase in the town’s property tax rate from 53 cents to 56 cents per $100 of assessed value, along with a new $10 annual vehicle fee intended to help pay for repairs to town-owned streets. The proposed budget totals $11.54 million, an increase of roughly $572,000, or 5.6%, over the current year’s budget. In his budget message, Taylor said the changes would amount to about $40 more per year for the average homeowner, while the owner of a home assessed at $350,000 would pay approximately $105 more annually. Taylor said the town’s fund balance has fallen below the recommended level of 25% of annual expenditures and See WALLACE, page A2

The SOC was approved with technical adjustments, including a change to the signatory and timelines for a peracetic acid (PAA) pilot test at the town’s May meeting. The agreement lays out a strict timeline of upgrades, enforcement actions and reporting requirements stretching through January 2027. At the center of the agreement is a high-stakes financial warning: The state is holding nearly $50,000 in existing civil penalties in abeyance, but those penalties will only be forgiven if Warsaw successfully completes every required mileSee WARSAW, page A3

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

THURSDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

5.21.26 #126 THURSDAY MAY 21 HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” Duplin Journal

Trip Hoffend Publisher

Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers

Ena Sellers News Editor

Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor

Patsy Teachey Advertising Representative

Loretta Carey Office Manager

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

AREA BRIEFS

Mount Olive approves temporary relief on water bill late fees Mount Olive Water customers in Mount Olive will receive a temporary extension on water bill late fees for May and June, giving them an additional 10 days before penalties are applied. The late fee is typically assessed on the 16th of each month but will instead be applied May 26 and June 26. Normal late fee timing will resume July 16. Last month, the board also approved reductions in utility fees, lowering late fees from $10 to $5 and reconnect fees from $100 to $50, effective July 1. Officials said the board will consider eliminating water bill surcharge fees at its June 2 regular meeting.

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WALLACE from page A1

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The full budget proposal is available for review at Town Hall, as well as on the town website, wallacenc.gov, under the finance tab. In other business, the council unanimously adopted a new organizational plan and operations manual for the fire department. The new plan was compiled by Taylor, Council Member Glenn Price, Fire Chief Wayne Rich and firefighter Matt Walker. It is the result of a reorganization which came after the brief dissolution of the department earlier this year. The new plan places greater authority with the town manager and council over the governance of the department. A breakdown in leadership led to a mass exodus of volunteer firefighters from the department in March. The Teachey Fire Department provided service to the town during the interim, which lasted only a few days before a new, reorganized department under new leadership was put into service. The council also unanimously approved a contract with the Duplin County Library to take over the operations of the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library, which began as a service project of the Wallace Women’s Club in 1933 and has been under the control of the town for many years. The move is projected to improve service to library patrons, as well as sav-

described the proposed tax increase as a way to gradually rebuild reserves without major cuts to town departments or services. “The Town adopted a minimum fund balance target of 25% of expenditures,” Taylor wrote in his budget message. “The fund balance declined in fiscal year 2023–24 due to planned grant match spending, and preliminary fiscal year 2024-25 results indicate a further drop below the 25% threshold. “The shortfall is driven by expenditures exceeding budget, revenues underperforming projections, and budgeted debt issuance of $300,000 that did not occur. Finance staff turnover and accounting system transitions also delayed timely corrective actions.” The fund balance, which functions like a town savings account, currently covers slightly more than two months of operating expenses. The goal is to get this number to three months. The proposed vehicle registration fee is expected to generate an additional $30,000 annually for road repairs. Complaints about the condition of local streets are among the most common concerns raised by residents during public comment periods at town council meetings and on social media.

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ing the town approximately $180,000 per year once the four-year plan has been fully implemented. The town will continue covering 100% of operating costs during the first year. After that, the county’s share will increase by 25% yearly until the library is fully funded through the county system. A public hearing was set for June 11 for the proposed rezoning of a 125-acre parcel located behind the Village Store and between Interstate 40 and The Vineyards at River Landing. The land, which is currently wooded and owned by Corbett Industries of Wilmington, is being proposed for a new residential development, with a plan that includes approximately 250 units. A zoning change would move the land from RA-20 zoning to RA-20 Conditional zoning. Conditional zoning would allow the town to attach specific conditions and safeguards to the development. Also scheduled for June 11 is a public hearing on a Special Use Permit request for a proposed 96-unit apartment complex to be built on 4.5 acres at the end of SW Railroad Street. The development would be located adjacent to the existing Wilmington Court Apartments and across SE Railroad Street from Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

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DUPLIN happening SPONSORED BY

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County.

May 21 Free community taco dinner 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pet Friends of Duplin County will host its free “Paws and Gratitude” community dinner at Villeda’s Cocina. The taco bar dinner is a way for the local rescue to thank community members for their continued support of its mission and programs. Admission is free, and residents are encouraged to stop by for food, fellowship and appreciation. 530 S. Norwood St, Wallace

Congrats CLASS OF 2026 from

Wise Jewelers!

We’re so proud of you!

Grea Gifts t fo Grads r !

100 FRONT ST., KENANSVILLE, NC • 910-275-0311

May 22 Gold Star Monument tribute The Duplin County Historical Society will hold a Gold Star Monument ceremony at the courthouse square at noon on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend at the courthouse square in Kenansville. The Gold Star tradition, established during World War I, recognizes families who have lost a loved one in military service. Community members are invited to attend this solemn tribute remembering the sacrifice our nation’s fallen heroes. 112 Duplin St., Kenansville

May 25 Memorial Day bservance

Authorities search for stolen Chevrolet Silverado Mount Olive The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a stolen vehicle reported May 11 in the Mount Olive area. Investigators said the vehicle is a white 2014 Chevrolet Silverado four-door with a flat-bed and tool boxes, North Carolina tag YY-5375. According to police, the vehicle was also hauling a 1,000-gallon water tank when it was taken from Summerlin’s Crossroads Road between 7-8 p.m. Anyone with information is asked to call 910-296-2150 or Crime Stoppers at 910-372-9202. Authorities said the public should not approach the vehicle or any suspects.

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TUESDAY MAY 26

11 a.m.

OPE NI NG D N A R G May 14,15,16

The Rustic Chicken ANTIQUE / VINTAGE / GIFT SHOP

119 W. Main St. Wallace, NC 28466

Mon. – Fri. 10-5 • Sat. 10-3

The Duplin County Historical Society will host a Memorial Day Observance at the monuments to Duplin County’s war dead on the south grounds of the Duplin County Courthouse. The ceremony will honor the men and women from Duplin County who gave their lives in service to the nation, and will include a solemn reading of the names of the county’s war dead for World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Community members are invited to attend the approximately one-hour observance. No seating will be provided. Attendees who wish to sit are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Parking will be available in the adjoining county parking lot and along Duplin Street. For more information, contact Charles Ingram at 910-296-3676. 112 Duplin St., Kenansville

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

WARSAW from page A1 stone. Missing deadlines could quickly become costly, triggering fines of $1,000 per day for the first week and $2,000 per day thereafter. The SOC also makes clear that a lack of funding will not excuse delays. Commissioner Ebony Willis-Wells voiced concern over how quickly those penalties could escalate. The town is also prohibited from accepting additional wastewater from industrial users until it can demonstrate six straight months of compliance and have the existing flow moratorium lifted. To tighten oversight, the SOC requires Warsaw to immediately issue civil penalties for industrial violations and submit detailed quarterly reports documenting plant operations, industrial monitoring and enforcement efforts. By June 30, the town must revise Industrial User Permits to reflect updated headworks analysis, strengthen enforcement language and include flow restrictions for industrial users. The agreement also requires the town to ensure that industrial users Villari and C2NC complete compliance schedules no later than Jan. 31, 2027. The operational demands are equally extensive. Warsaw must complete a PAA disinfection pilot test and, if successful, submit an Authorization to Construct application by May 31 before installing the system by Aug. 30. If the pilot fails, the town must instead modify its current disinfection process by that same deadline. Additional mandates include purchasing supplemental aeration equipment for oxidation ditches and obtaining approval for temporary sludge and solids removal by June 30.

Failure to meet the agreement’s requirements could have broader consequences than fines alone. The SOC states that the state may unilaterally terminate the agreement if Warsaw falls out of compliance, potentially returning the town to significant noncompliance status and opening the door to deeper state intervention. Mayor Wesley Boykin said town leaders understand the seriousness of the situation and the risks tied to falling behind. “If we fail at this level of improvement or attempted improvement, it will mean serious violations as well as impact on the financial status of the town,” Boykin told Duplin Journal. “One thing is for sure: We can’t miss these steps outlined in this SOC.” The mayor also described tension surrounding the early stages of the SOC process. Boykin said he first learned about the agreement roughly three weeks before a planned briefing with DEQ officials intended to educate local officials about the proposed agreement and upcoming compliance process. According to Boykin, the initial meeting was canceled after someone from Warsaw allegedly told DEQ that the public might “ambush” the meeting, describing it as an “unfounded statement.” “That was very disturbing, very disheartening,” Boykin said. “I made it clear to DEQ that that was a false statement, and they rescheduled it.” Boykin said the briefing was later conducted virtually before it was presented to the board for approval. Boykin acknowledged the town may have to make difficult budget decisions in order to comply with the agreement. “We’re gonna have to put everything on the table,” he said.

Share with your community! Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@duplinjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at noon.

ROSE HILL from page A1 for future grants and loan opportunities,” Smith said, adding that the board agreed to include gradual increases annually to prevent any rapid bill increases for the citizens. In addition to the water and sewer rate increase, the proposed budget also contains an increase in the general fund. Smith said this reflects a change in expected income after the recent property tax revaluation conducted by the county. “I intentionally estimated conservatively this current fiscal year to account for potential revaluation errors, citizen appeals and releases that often follow a reassessment,” Smith said. “Therefore, the proposed budget gives a more accurate prediction of tax revenue.” One thing that will not be increasing under the proposed budget is the town’s tax rate. It will remain at 64 cents per $100 valuation. With the required public hearing regarding the budget now completed, the board is expected to adopt the new budget at its June 9 meeting. State law requires the new budget to be adopted by the end of June. Another public hearing held at the meeting involved a request to change the zoning of a three-acre property on Brooks Quinn Road located within the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Property owners Carlos Bonilla and Cindy Ferral requested the property be rezoned from industrial use to mixed use so they could build a home on the property. After the hearing, the board approved the zoning change. In other business, the board

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Citizens and employees of the town of Rose Hill listen as the town’s board discusses items on the agenda during the May 12 meeting. approved spending $3,400 to upgrade the lighting in the Rose Hill Library to an energy-efficient system. Smith told the board the town is expected to recuperate the cost of the upgrade within three years because of the energy savings. The board also awarded a contract for road resurfacing projects in town to Legion Asphalt at a cost of $107,185. After the board voted to approve the contract, Mayor Dave Buckner responded that the work was “long due.” For several months, the board has discussed improvements to sidewalks in the downtown area on East Church Street and East Main Street after a few citizens expressed concern regarding people with mobility issues having difficulty accessing some areas, especially on the north side of East Church Street. After a discussion last month about bringing the two

sidewalks into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which would include a ramp and rails, the board seemed poised to approve a bid of $113,900 to complete the project. However, the owner of a business on East Church Street told the board he was concerned the repairs could cause water runoff issues at his business because the drain from his roof empties in front of his building. After hearing his remarks, the board agreed to table the project again until members could get more details on how the sidewalk upgrades could affect water runoff downtown. It was also announced at the meeting that Johnny Williams was resigning from the town planning board. The commissioners granted Smith’s request to approve an application to be used in seeking Williams’ replacement as well as future board vacancies.

Celebrating Gold Star Families “WHOSE LOVED ONE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE DEFENDING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

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TOWN OF WALLACE PUBLIC NOTICE – CODE VIOLATION TOWN OF WALLACE, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF VIOLATION – CHAPTER 92 (HEALTH & SANITATION / NUISANCE)

An inspection by the Town’s Code Enforcement Officer has determined that conditions existing on the property constitute a public nuisance, including but not limited to:

To: Brenda Ingram

- Accumulation of debris, junk or solid waste - Overgrown vegetation and/or unsanitary conditions

Property Address: 1204 N. Norwood Street, Wallace, NC 28466 TAKE NOTICE that the above-referenced property has been found to be in violation of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Wallace, specifically Chapter 92 – Health and Sanitation / Public Nuisance.

Pursuant to §92.18 of the Town Code, you are hereby ordered to abate and correct the violation within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice. Failure to comply within the prescribed time period will result in the Town taking corrective action to remove or remedy the nuisance. All costs incurred, including

administrative feeds and civil penalties, may be assessed against the property and may become a lien if unpaid. This notice is given in accordance with the procedures established by the Town of Wallace Code of Ordinances. Service is deemed sufficient by publication when other methods of service have failed or are impractical. For questions or to confirm compliance, please contact: Town of Wallace Code Enforcement 120 Municipal Drive • Wallace, NC 28466 Phone: (910) 285-4136

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

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

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

Republicans push budget plan with raises, tax cuts

Republicans have reduced the personal state income tax rate from a high of 7.5% in 2010 to 3.99% this year and propose to reduce it further to 3.49% as early as 2027 and 2.99% as early as 2028 if we continue to hit additional revenue triggers.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE in the North Carolina General Assembly have reached a framework agreement for producing a new budget that will be good for the fiscal year from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. As you may know, they failed to enact a new budget for July 1, 2025 thru June 30, 2026. Many in the media, as well as many citizens, characterized this by saying, “North Carolina doesn’t have a budget. That is not accurate. Over a decade ago, the current Republican majority had the foresight to enact a permanent “continuation resolution.” This simply means that if the General Assembly does not pass a new two-year budget by July 1 of the even-numbered year of the biennial session, the existing budget continues as is until such time as a new budget is passed. Thus, state agencies and their employees will never have to worry about the government of our state “closing down.” The permanent continuation resolution protects us from the dreaded words “government shutdown.” As long as the current Republican majority prevails, there will never be a threat of our state government shutting down. That is a very good thing for our dedicated state employees and school teachers. However, the General Assembly may have gotten a little too complacent about the necessity of passing a new two-year budget. It may have become less urgent to pass a timely two-year budget. The increased public temperature on the General

Assembly has, in my opinion, been beneficial. The current proposed elements of the new budget are receiving good reviews. Included in this budget is an 8% average raise for teachers, which is the highest average raise since 2006. Starting teacher pay will increase to $53,838, including $48,000 in base pay plus local supplements. This puts NC at No. 1 in the South in starting teacher pay. Teacher bonuses will be $500 for teachers with 0-15 years of experience and $1,000 for those with 16 or more years. Experienced teachers with 25 years or more of experience will see their state base pay rise to nearly $71,000 annually before local supplements. State employees across the board will get a 3% raise. There will be prioritized bonuses for lower-income state employees, ensuring they are focused on those who need it most — $1,700 for those making less than $65,000 and $1,000 for those making more than $65,000. Retirees will get a 2.5% across-the-board COLA increase. Law enforcement, NCSHP and correctional officers, will get a minimum 13% across-the-board raise. The average raise for the SBI will be 20.3% and 17.7% for the NCSHP. Additionally, local law enforcement officers will receive a one-time bonus of $1,750. If we don’t have “public safety,” what else matters? We must never again allow the crazy national left-wing radicals to try to destroy law enforcement. It should be “eye-opening” to consider that the 16-year Republican majority in

the General Assembly is doing this without raising your state personal income tax or the corporate income tax rates. On the contrary, this budget proposal will continue a trend of historically large Republican-led tax reductions. Check out these facts: Republicans have reduced the personal state income tax rate from a high of 7.5% in 2010 to 3.99% this year and propose to reduce it further to 3.49% as early as 2027 and 2.99% as early as 2028 if we continue to hit additional revenue triggers. Additionally, the corporate income tax rate has been reduced from a high 8% in 2010 to 2% this year. Translation: Every time in the last 16 years that Republicans have reduced taxes, our state revenue has increased. Interpretation: When government leaves more of your hardearned money in your pockets, you help government take in more revenue. Amazing isn’t it? We the people should thoroughly inform ourselves and elect true conservative Republican men and women with known Christian characteristics who have a sound understanding that our inalienable rights come from God, not government, and who will allow us to keep more of our hard-earned money in our pockets. Rep. Jimmy Dixon represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

We are family

That feeling of community plays an important part in healing.

“THIS ISN’T JUST a rehab facility, it’s family.” That’s one Google review of ECU Health Outpatient Rehabilitation in Wallace. I have been a patient there since 2015: left knee replacement (2015); right shoulder replacement (2020); severe back pain (2024-25); and now rotator-cuff repair surgery. A regular patron of the Silver Sneakers program at rehab told me, “Aside from being in church, this is one of the safest and best places I can be.” While physical rehabilitation is the primary goal, that feeling of community plays an important part in healing. From the moment you are greeted by the kind folks in the front office, you are welcomed into an environment in which all the people involved work together. The therapists have the knowledge and gifts to encourage you to do the hard work necessary for recovery. Among the core values of the American Physical Therapy Association are: accountability (taking responsibility for decisions and outcomes); altruism (placing the patient’s needs above your own interests);

compassion/caring (showing concern for the patient’s needs and values); integrity (demonstrating ethical principles, being truthful and fair, following through on commitments); and social responsibility (promoting trust in the community, advocating for and responding to the needs of the community). It strikes me that the physical therapy family is a good model for life in the broader community. On any given day at rehab, you will find people of different ages and races with different needs and at different stages of recovery. You get to know each other, check in with each other, encourage each other and celebrate when someone “graduates.” The word “community” comes from the Latin word communitas, which means “public spirit.” Communitas derives from communis, which means “common.” The challenge of living in community is that we are all different, even if we hold many things in common. That is why the core values of physical therapy are applicable to our life together. Imagine the difference it would make if each of us dedicated ourselves

to taking responsibility for our decisions and actions, putting our neighbor’s needs above our own, committing ourselves to seeking truth and fairness for all, and looking out for the greater good in such a way that built trust. In his first letter to the Christians at Corinth, the apostle Paul described the community of believers as one body with many members. “Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:14, 26) That is a wonderful illustration of what it means to have a true “public spirit.” Another Google review of ECU Health Outpatient Rehabilitation says, “Always well taken care of by the whole staff. The staff takes an interest in your well-being in and out of the clinic.” That is an admirable goal for all of us, to take an interest in one another’s well-being so our communities will thrive Philip Gladden is a retired minister who lives in Wallace.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Democracy weakens when officials refuse scrutiny TO THE EDITOR,

In a healthy democracy, criticism is not a threat.

I recently read an opinion piece discussing “misinformed people” and political hostility. I just couldn’t help but notice the stench of a deeper issue smoldering beneath the surface. It seems as if there is an increasingly dangerous trend in politics where citizens who ask questions, request records, challenge public officials or express disagreement are no longer treated as engaged members of the community. Instead, they are labeled irrational, hostile or “misinformed” for daring to speak up, and this should gravely concern every person in this county regardless of political affiliation. The First Amendment protects our right to challenge our “would-be” public servants. And those of us who are truly informed understand that in a healthy democracy, criticism is not a threat — it’s a tool to right the wonky course of the ship. Asking elected officials to explain decisions, spending, conduct or policy is not extremism — it’s actually quite literally

part of the job description of citizenship. What I found most troubling about the rambling was not simply the dismissive tone toward constituents but the implication that disagreement itself stems from ignorance or emotional instability. History has shown us repeatedly that this tactic is old and outdated. However, in today’s time, so-called leaders feel threatened by scrutiny, I guess it’s easier for them to portray critics as unstable, angry or somehow possessed by evil than to answer for their unethical decisions directly. The irony is that many of the people being labeled “misinformed” are the very citizens that attend meetings, pay attention to their government and ensure the taxpayers are vindicated for the treachery afoot. That’s not some grand ploy to deceive — it’s a plan to set the record straight one way or another. Furthermore, public officials are public servants, and the people are their bosses. And the bosses are not required to quietly smile, nod and avoid hard conversations to be considered

“respectful.” Respect in government is earned through transparency, accountability and honesty — not through grossly demanding loyalty or mocking dissent. Constituents should never be ridiculed or dismissed simply for exercising their First Amendment right. In my opinion, that old mindset weakens the foundation of our democracy and attempts to brood fear. Well, now that I think about it, maybe that’s their point? I hope that we can all agree that we don’t need less accountability here. We need more people willing to ask questions, demand transparency and remain engaged even when it’s not exactly fun. That’s how we move forward. One last word to the wise: Democracy was never supposed to be comfortable for the people in charge. And if the ones with an issue can’t stand to answer for their questionable actions or their role in being a puppet master, might I suggest retiring again? Jessica Thomas, Sarecta

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Duplin Early College High School Congrats Class of 2026!

COURTESY DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

• Dylan Chase Anderson

• Tabatha Erin Fussell

• Eric Morales-Flores

• Zuri Maribel Balderas Garcia

• Sintique Esteysi Godinez Martinez

• Elsy Danae Olea-Ramirez

• Miyer Ulicer Berduo Juarez

• Shamarria Twanette Hall

• Mackenzie Lynn Pate

• Israel Jayquan Boney

• Jordan My’Kayla Hargrove

• King Obadiah Powell

• Asia Sharee Carlton

• Nallely Sarahi Hernandez

• Daisy Lorena Ramirez-Munos

• Jennesi Yamileth Castro Cruz

• Jocelyn Charlotte Jones

• Alyssa Monee Rodriguez

• Melisa Castro-Castro

• Ravyn Summer Kennedy

• Ximena Rodriguez Sanchez

• Christopher Noah Charles

• Jared Clayton Lee

• Kristen Regina Sherrod

• Jenli Chilel Gonzalez

• Tegan Andrew Madsen

• Shamira Gabrielle Silas-Matthews

• Annie Jacqueline Chirinos Diaz

• Daniel Javier Martinez Murillo

• Maya Lee Smith

• Kaiah McKenzie Cooper

• Kahlia Azyria Mathis

• Nicole Tilihuit-Sauceda

• Wilfredo Josue Cruz Carrasco

• Violet Simone McMillan

• Destinee Tyonna Lashae Williams

• Angie Alexa Del Cid Guzman

• Shaila Mejac Rosales

• Ciarra Lauryn Wilson

• Amberlyn Cadence Dyer

• Sherlyn Monroy Dominguez

Student Spotlight: Maya Smith | Duplin Early College High School By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

Maya Smith is a senior at Duplin Early College High School who will graduate with plans to continue her education at the UNC Chapel Hill. She intends to pursue a career in the health field, with interests in both laboratory work and the dental field, though she has not yet chosen a specific pathway. Throughout high school, Smith said her curiosity for learning has shaped her academic interests. She enjoys exploring a wide range of topics, including art styles, exercise science and virology. One of her proudest accomplishments is earning her phlebotomy certificate, which she described as her first hands-on introduction to health science. She said the experience helped confirm her interest in continuing to explore

careers in the medical field. Smith said she is driven by her love of learning and inspired by her aunt, whom she admires for her dedication, perseverance and commitment to helping others. She believes her friends and teachers will remember her as a determined and curious student, noting that she often kept to herself but stayed focused on her goals. She said she will miss the tight-knit, family-like community at Duplin Early College High School, adding that the supportive environment became especially meaningful as graduation approached. After high school, she plans to return to Duplin to visit while also seeking new experiences and opportunities beyond her hometown.

Visit duplinjournal.com to read Smith’s Q&A.

POSITION VACANCY TOWN OF ROSE HILL WATER DISTRIBUTION / WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE WORKER / EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III The Town of Rose Hill Public Utilities Department is seeking an individual to fill a permanent full-time position. Employee will perform skilled manual labor related to but not limited to, the installation, maintenance and repair of both the water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Employee will demonstrate a high level of specialized skill in the operation of a backhoe for various installation, maintenance and repair activities. Employee will be required to work some nights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis. Must have the capability to provide “on call” services. QUALIFICATIONS: A valid NC driver’s license is required (a CDL is preferred). A criminal background check and drug screening will be required. Due to job related requirements, the applicant must

be able to perform work in hot and cold weather conditions, able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 lbs., possess the ability to utilize clear and concise language skills, follow written and verbal instructions and complete certain logs/ reports. Water and/or sewer certifications are preferred, but not required. STARTING SALARY: $34,283.48/yr.; however, negotiable based on current certifications. Benefits provided include retirement, medical, dental, vision insurance, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays per year. INTERESTED APPLICANTS:(POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED) Submit application by mail, email or in person to Town Hall attn.: Blake Parker, Public Utilities Director, 103 SE RR St., P.O. Box 8, Rose Hill, NC 28458; bparker@townofrosehillnc.com ; Phone (910)289-2000. EOE, AAE

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

COURTESY DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Wallace-Rose Hill High School Congrats Class of 2026! Henriquez Rivera

• Josuhan Styven Acosta Maldonado

• Brian Tyler Edwards

• Gipsy Lisbeth Alvarado Umanzor

• Jayden My’kel Ellis-Smith

• Ja’Staria Ny’Asia Herbert

• Irvin Escobar Martinez

• Emerson Jafeth Hernandez Gomez

• Kenya Amya Ash • Caleb Avelar-Sosa

• Nataly Cristina Espinoza Pinto

• Salma Sophia Hernandez

• Katty Yadira Martinez

• Anderson Steven Ruano

• Wilmer Antonio Martinez Mejia

• Kane Marcus Russell

• Alfareth Adchaji Martinez Murillo

• David Sanchez

• Amy Nicole Martinez-Sierra

• Junior Ayestas Ramirez

• Cecilio Adonay Euceda Funez

• Jeffrey Alexander Hernandez Mata Jr.

• Kyndall Nicole Babson

• Alyssa Shanice Faison

• I’Kevion De’Mardre McGee

• Abren James Baker

• DeShauna Aniya Faison

• Iris Marina Hernandez Zavala

• Jeremiah Quentin Baker

• Johari Anthiale Faison

• Landen Mote Beringer

• Jovari Antdale Faison

• Geralmy Belen Herrera Bejarano

• Anthony Denilson Mejia Figueroa

• Alexis Sharae Boney

• DaShawn Maurice Fennell

• Ethan Lane Boone

• Khamiya Danielle Fennell

• William Kenneth Brooks III

• Syara Denise Fennell

• Alissa Marie Brown

• Colbie Faith Fisher

• Aspen Jabarrey Brown

• Zachary Donovan Fisher

• Lyla Mae Campos

• Randy Yandel Flores Padilla

• Jaden Rachelle Carr

• Kevin Flores Flores Santana

• Jamari Rashad Carr

• Elizabeth Fonseca

• Anna Townsend Carter

• Maribel Fonseca

• Jaezlyn Maeleen Carvajal

• Felix Humberto Funez Aguilar

• Karitina Castaneda • Seylin Elizabeth Castro Ramos

• Arleth Elizabeth Funez Mejia • Mattie Claire Gavin

• Angelina Marie Cavallaro

• Kamdyn Elise Gideon

• Allison Isamar Cervantes

• Taft David Gideon

• Alexandria Sanai Chavis

• Jan Carlos Gomez Rodriguez

• Azaryon La’tran Clibbons

• Eduardo Arsen Gonzales Yanez

• Sevhion Montrez Zymir Corbett

• Jayden Jerome Hicks • Dakota Day Horne

• Darrius Markel McCrimmon • Antonia Terrell McNeil Jr.

• Henrry Mejia Hernandez

• Ronald Jermaine Horne Jr.

• Katherine Nicole Mejia Velasquez

• Ty’Shawn Dewayne Huffin

• Jefferson Ivan Mejia-Sandres

• Brayden Thomas Huffman

• Yaslin Nahomy Melendez Santos

• Ellen Harper Huffman • Ivan Reynaldo Irias Sanchez • Quaijah Diamond Jackson • Quairriah Monet Jackson • Joshua Davel James • Zaniria Nykeema James • Jaleeyah Jashelle Jenkins • Karla Jamileth Jimenez • Jasmine Ja’nay Johnson • Kaitlyn Michelle Johnson • Jackson Reed Jones • Mahoganie Renae Judge • Jamarae Andre’ Lamb

• Bella Paola Sabillon Ordonez • Larry David Sanchez Acosta • Stephanie Sanchez Bustos • Nadia Jaquelyn Sanchez Fernandez • Brayan Kevin Sanchez Rodriguez • Christian Amir Scarlett • Jacob Peter Schroeder II • Sophie Grace Sloan • Amoz Ja’Quez Smith • Savannah Hope Smith • Uriah Sotelo

• Calyn Renae’ Melvin

• Olivia Madison Springfield

• Ruth Isabel Meraz Rivera

• Keymora Alay’a Stokes

• Shane Lorenzo Miller

• Bailey Jo Teague

• Mario Alejandro Nunez Martinez

• Alessandro Torres Chacon

• Glenda Orellana Abarca

• Megan Sue Valladares Funez

• Emelyn Nicole Ortiz Oliva

• Carlos Isrrael Valle Meza

• Amiraa Elizabeth Owens

• Ana Maria Valle Rivera

• Jansley Brooks Page

• Ike Tomylee Vallecillo Puerto

• Wilfredo Perdomo Ramos

• Yilian Yoreli Videz Zuniga

• Zikiya Simone Philyaw

• Amir Rashan Washington

• D’Angelo Jose Pineda Cruz

• Olivia Grace Watkins • Matthew Skyler Wells

• Jawon Xavier Gregory Carr

• Elijah Rhodes Lanier

• Natalie Valeria Pineda Maldonado

• Nathaniel Preston Crockrell

• Kaylee Griselda Guzman

• Eliezer Lara Villalobos

• Aiden Daniel Pitstick

• Quincy Lee Jessie Cromartie

• Demarion Andres Hall

• Jackson Thomas Lennon

• Dashawn Deonta Pittman

• Ronald Stiven Cruz Espinoza

• Jaidah Kennese Kelly

• Isaiah Jamahri Pridgen

• Gabriel Alexander Cubas Hernandez

• Montavius Devon Hall

• Darwin Eduardo Lopez Orellana

• Carlos Dario Torres-Polanco

• Keoni Iyla White • Terrence Marqui Williams Jr. • Trent Latrel Demetri Williams

• Samantha Pucher

• Jazlyn Maria Williams-Thomas

• Kaylee Blair Lovette

• Heysa Margoth Ramos Benitez

• Delmy Xiomara Zaldivar

• Hayden Taylor Lovette

• Jacob Wade Davis

• Ny’asia Ciara Niama Hargrave

• Shaniah Faye Dean

• Zymirah Armani Hargrave

• Anthony Vincent Maldonado

• Coolidge Henry Rivenbark

• Misael Omar Diaz

• Hartleigh Hope Harrelson

• Brianna Denise Maradiaga

• Jeroham Joel Rivera Delcid

• Keiser Enar Diaz Lizardo

• Terrell Kuhmari Hayes

• Chyna Nichole Rogers

• Peyton Cole Dorman

• Alisson Nahomi

• Susan Marian Marrero Aleman

• Zaphira Angelique Zelaya Andino • Cristhofer Jahir Zuniga Acosta

Student Spotlight: Eduardo Gonzales Yanez | Wallace-Rose Hill By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

Eduardo Gonzales Yanez is a senior at Wallace-Rose Hill High School who plans to attend Yale University, where he will major in political science with a focus on labor policy and rural equity. He hopes to eventually return to Duplin County to help expand educational and financial opportunities for future students. At Wallace-Rose Hill, Yanez has balanced academics, leadership and service while staying deeply connected to his community. He also earned acceptance into the North Carolina Governor’s School and participated in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute NextGen Program, experiences he said challenged how he thinks and strengthened his commitment to service and leadership. Yanez said his perspective has been shaped by his family, including his parents’ work ethic and sacrifice, his sister’s

example in pursuing college, and his younger sister’s constant presence as motivation during long study sessions. Those relationships, he said, continue to influence his goals and drive. Outside the classroom, he has been a church drummer since age 10 and describes music as foundational to how he connects with others. Yanez said he hopes to be remembered as someone who showed up fully for others, noting his efforts to support classmates. He said he will miss the students he tutored, “especially the ones who started out convinced that college wasn’t for people like them and slowly began to believe otherwise. Those quiet shifts, small and unhurried, were everything.” After college, he plans to return to Duplin County to give back to the community that shaped him.

Visit duplinjournal.com to read Gonzales Yanez’s Q&A.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

East Duplin High School Congrats Class of 2026! • Alexis Beiza Aguilar • Eduardo Almonte Gonzalez • Tiffany Maria Alvarado Ibarra • Emanuel Alvarenga Flores • Jair Alviar-Jaimes • Hunter Daniel Anderson • Denisse Arguello Hernandez • Zachary Michael Ball • Jenna Brooke Batchelor • Armando Joselito Baten Rojas • Rebecca Ashley Beach • Kimberley Bedolla • Juan David Benitez • Kimberly Berduo Velasquez

COURTESY DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

• Wyatt Jon Best • Samaria Jenaya Bines

• Aaron Marquise Hall

• Gabriella Brooke McKinzie

• Shihed LinellLamir Scott

• Maya Amour Bradley

• Luke David Hall

• Alondra Morales Membreno

• Tommy Ray Shepard

• Ashlyn Jada Brinson

• Torrance Winlane Hall

• Brayan Elias Mendez-Bartolo

• Garrett Ethan Sholar

• Jason Tyler Brock

• Eden McGee Haste

• Kate Elizabeth Miller

• Mackenzi Brielynn Sholar

• Levi Robert Brown

• Bailee Nicole Henderson

• Sy’Asia Juhkira Miller

• Joel Medina Silva

• Elijha Tavion Brown

• Emelin Abigail Hernandez Ibarra

• Obadiah Ishmal Miller

• Austin Reynolds Smith

• Bryson Lee Brown

• Benito H Hernandez Rojas

• Shuan Terrell Miller Jr.

• Keagan Ray Smith

• Rhyann Phoenix Butler

• Hugo Hernandez-Jimenez

• Miles David Mobley

• Donald Francisco Soza Valenciano

• Omar Cabrera Hernandez

• Angela Lizet Hernandez-Mojica

• Christian Giovanni Molina Pineda

• Riley Drake Spell

• Raegan Ellyse Campbell

• Liliana Herrera Venegas

• Sandra Mondragon

• Alessa Jade Spell

• Yoskar Yandel Canales

• Eva Grace Herring

• Alondra Montes

• Madison Brianna Stevenson

• Damiry Javaeh Carter

• Savannah Catherine Hill

• Aly Reagan Moore

• Anthony James Stratton

• Samirya Nevaeh Carter

• Mackenzie Grace Holmes

• Kaitlyn Brooke Moore

• Jamey Claire Street

• Cameron Alexander Cates

• Colton James Holmes

• Scarleth Jaqueline Morales

• Esia Hunter Stroud

• Zoe Ann Cavanaugh

• Lilliana Louzette Houston

• Angelee Morales

• Olivia Kay Summerlin

• Makennah Rae Cavenaugh

• Brianna Skye Hunter

• Isaiah Jadon Morell

• Joshua Caden Swindell

• Kayleigh Anne Chase

• Karly Brooke Hunter

• Justin Paul Murphy

• Zachary Wayne Tabor

• Jonathan Ridge Cole

• Astrid Tatiana Inestroza Figueroa

• Angelina Gale Nease

• Keyanna Taylor

• Tucker Reed Costin

• Savannah Nevaeh Irizarry

• Branson Wade Norris

• Chloe Marie Thigpen

• Mia Madrigal Cruz

• Kiara Janay Irving

• Brayan Gregorio Orozco-Cabrera

• Hayden Michael Thigpen

• Yara Mireya Cruz-Morales

• Sadie Grace Jackson

• Jesus Ramon Ortiz Rodriguez

• Yasmin Trinidad Torres

• Avery Jordan Dail

• Ainsley Emma Jackson

• Kale Richard Stanley Oswald

• Jackson Henderson Tuck

• Genesis Daniela Davila Alonzo

• Isabella Alviar Jaimes

• Christian Joel Patterson

• Zoe Marie Turner

• Shawn Allen Davis

• Gavin Wade Jarman

• Rocio Belen Perez Berduo

• Ashlyn Danielle Turner

• Tavarius Dawson

• Kennedy Becton Jones

• Jordan Elijah Pickett

• Emanuel Valenzuela Navarro

• Miriam Bethany Diaz Ledezma

• Auben Lee Jones

• Christopher Edward Pierce

• Gleisy Elizabet Velasquez Vasquez

• Olivia Ann Diffenderfer

• Gavyn Reid Kennedy

• Leslie Pineda Moreno

• Yuridia Pilar Velazquez Mejia

• Leslie Jonetta Dixon

• Hannah Brooke Kennedy

• Jaime Pintor

• Jeffrey Joshua Velazquez Ramirez

• Lily Joan Eldred

• Aaliyah Brooke Kennedy

• Dymetris Latrell Poole

• Esmeralda Yoselin Velazquez-Bartolon

• Zakoya Nashae Farrior

• Kaitlyn Marie Kitchen

• Courtney Michelle Puryear

• David Oscar Velazquez-Roblero

• Alaina Belle Garcia-De La Rosa

• Belinda Sanchez Lopez

• Luis Angel Ramirez Ramos

• Briana Monserat Villeda

• Caleb Michael Gill

• Gerardo Velasquez Lopez

• Richard Cruz Reyes

• Natalee Alyssa Waters

• Julianna Shianee Girard

• Belinda Velasquez Lopez

• Crystal Lee Reyes

• Evan Andrew Weaver

• Arturo Gomez Martinez

• Debora Jael Lopez-Barrera

• Matthew Hayes Rogers

• Kenley Stuart Welborn

• Emily Sofia Gomez Velazco

• Christian Lopez-Guerrero

• Daniela Kristell Romer-Chandia

• Sawyer Dixon Whaley

• Mike Andres Gonzalez

• Hailey Brooke Maready

• Jayden Lane Rouse

• Darrius She’meke Whitley

• Brayan Ramirez Gonzalez

• Sawyer James Marshburn

• Aldi Bairon Sancehz Diaz

• Jacob Ethan Wiggins

• Christian Davis Gosnell

• Crystal Renee Martinez

• Jonathan Sancehz-Juarez

• Janice Joyce Wilson

• Laylah Elizabeth Grady

• Evelin Yaneth Martinez Chirinos

• Jessica Marely Sanchez Sanchez

• Trevor Daniel Young

• Amiya Jonyae Gregory-Harper

• Alberto Jesus Martinez Marquez

• Emily Abigail Sanchez Solorzano

• Katherine Adriany Zaldivar

• Allison Johanna Guerrero Lopez

• Joselin Daniela Mata-Aguilar

• Maddox James Sandlin

• Kearra Ofelia Zelaya

• Jayla Neal Guy

• Frankie Junior Matias-Velasquez

• Madelyn Danielle Sawyer

• Erick Alberto Zumaya

• Cameron Ellen Hall

• Mekiah Samuel Maune

• Andraia Sania Scarborough

• Meradith Grey Butler

Student Spotlight: Liliana Herrera Venegas | East Duplin By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

Liliana Herrera Venegas is an 18-year-old senior at East Duplin High School who will attend UNC Chapel Hill this fall on a full scholarship. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, continuing a lifelong interest in healthcare that she said began in childhood. A first-generation college student, Venegas said her achievement represents both personal effort and her family’s sacrifices. She is the second-born daughter in a family of five siblings and said she is motivated by her desire to exceed her own expectations and challenge limiting beliefs. Her parents, who immigrated to the United States at a young age, remain her greatest inspiration for the life they built for their children. Venegas said she values being dependable for others, both academically and personally. She hopes she will be

remembered as someone who cared about learning and was a supportive presence. “I hope my friends will remember me as kind and as someone they could confide in,” she said. She said she will miss the routine of being surrounded by friends, family and school staff, describing the school environment as one that supported both her academic and personal growth. She also credited her support system for helping her succeed throughout high school. Outside of academics, Venegas said she enjoys spending time outdoors, where she reflects on her goals and future. “If God allows, I do hope to eventually return to Duplin County. While I cannot say what the future holds, I hope to someday contribute to the community that raised me.”

Visit duplinjournal.com to read Herrera Venegas’ Q&A.

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 21, 2026

CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2026!

Dear Class of 2026, On behalf of the Duplin County Board of Education and the entire Duplin County Schools family, congratulations on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Graduation is more than a ceremony; it is the celebration of years of hard work, growth, memories, and perseverance. Today, we honor not only what you have accomplished but also who you have become. Your high school journey has been filled with moments that have shaped your lives in meaningful ways. Together, you experienced victories on athletic fields and stages, long nights studying for exams, celebrations with classmates, and the everyday moments that became lifelong memories. You built friendships, discovered passions, overcame challenges, and learned lessons that extended far beyond the classroom walls. As the Class of 2026, you have grown up during a time of rapid change and endless possibilities. You have witnessed firsthand how the world continues to evolve, and you have shown the ability to adapt, lead, and move forward with resilience. Through every challenge and every opportunity, you continued pushing ahead, and that determination has prepared you well for what lies ahead. While today marks the closing of one chapter, it also opens the door to countless new beginnings. Some of you will continue your education, some will enter the workforce, some will serve our country, and others will pursue dreams that are uniquely your own. No matter the path you choose, remember that your future is full of possibilities. The skills, experiences, and values you have gained during your time in Duplin County Schools will continue to guide you as you move forward. As you step into this next season of life, I encourage you to dream boldly, work diligently, and lead with character and compassion. Never underestimate the impact you can have on your community, your family, and the world around you. Success is not measured only by accomplishments, but by the way you treat others, the integrity you carry, and the difference you make along the way. Your teachers, administrators, coaches, counselors, families, and community have poured into you because they believe in you. And so do I. The future is bright because of young people like you who are ready to lead it. No matter where life takes you, always remember that you will forever be a part of the Duplin County Schools family. We are proud of you, we believe in you, and we cannot wait to see the incredible things you will accomplish. As you leave these halls and begin painting the next chapter of your life, remember that the world is your canvas. Fill it with courage, purpose, kindness, and creativity. Your future is waiting for the unique mark only you can make. Congratulations, Class of 2026. Now pick up the brush and begin creating the masterpiece that is your future. Sincerely,

Daren Tyndall, Superintendent

DUPLIN SPORTS NCHSAA 2A SOFTBALL FOURTH ROUND

NCHSAA 4A SOFTBALL FOURTH ROUND

Panthers give No. 1 Randleman all it wants before falling late ED’s quest for 20 wins and a trip to the East Region finals were foiled By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

PHOTOS BY EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND finished off foes and danced its way to the East Region finals.

Rebels ‘solve’ Eagle hurler St. John to steamroll into East Region series ND returns to the Final Four for first time since 2023 after getting pushed by Camden County in the third round

RANDLEMAN — The East Duplin softball team didn’t go down quietly during its 9-5 fourth-round loss in the 4A playoffs to No. 1 Randleman. The Panthers led 2-0 and then had the bases loaded in the seventh following a two-run rally that trimmed the deficit to 9-5. “We battled,” said Panthers coach Greg Jenkins. “Their pitcher threw hard and moved it around. It was 2-2 in the fifth. We were not overly upset because our girls knew they competed at their place, against the No. 1 seed, and after the game the Randleman coach couldn’t say enough good things about our fight. “We lost the three-time conference pitcher of the year (Morgan Brown), and everyone said we’d take a step down.” Additionally, ED started four freshmen and graduates just one starter, hurler Zoe Turner, who had an extremely solid season in the circle (10-1, 2.81 ERA, 83 innings, 54 Ks, 15 walks) from a squad that went 19-5. Three teams that beat the Panthers advanced See ED, page B4

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

Marissa Bernal (9) and her Rebels teammates ran the bases on contact against Rosewood.

CALYPSO — Gracie Higginbotham set the tone offensively with three hits from the leadoff spot. Marissa and Gizelle Bernal, Alyssa Ezzell and Ady Spence delivered run-scoring hits. Lilly Fulghum was the stopper in the circle, taming Rosewood for five innings to allow North Duplin to grab a sizeable lead en route to a 5-3 win in the fourth round of the 2A playoffs. According to head coach Jaimie Higginbotham, the Rebels (16-1) were challenged by Camden County in ND’s 8-7 win in the previous round. “The energy level was great, a See ND, page B4

PJ WARD BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Karsyn Parker had three hits against Randleman.

NCHSAA TRACK AND FIELD AND GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026

Glover captures gold in sprint after being coaxed into doing it Adrian Glover won the 200-meter race and placed second in 100 at the 3A track meet at NC A&T University By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Adrian Glover shares a moment with his mother Tamara Peterson at the NCHSAA’s 3A championship ceremony.

GREENSBORO — Adriana Glover would have understood if he had won the 100-meter race at the 3A state track and field championships, though winning the 200 never entered his mind before the start of the spring season. Glover (21.71) got the best of Goldsboro rival Alexandro Innocent (21.77) to capture the 200, an event he didn’t

want to run in, according to coach Wallace-Rose Hill coach Will Jeffers. “The sweetest part is that he didn’t’ want anything to do with that race, and he wins a state title,” Jeffers said. The junior bested Innocent in the 100 in a photo finish between three runners. North Stanly’s Justice Grambling (10.58) nipped Glover (10.59) by the smallest measurable difference, with Innocent (10.70) in the same tailwind. “He led that race for 85 to 90 meters,” Jeffers said. And he was a timely lunge away from winning the shortest sprint. “I got out of the blocks better in the 100 and kind of leaned too early and it messed me up,” said Glover, who

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mentioned that he had a friendship with rival Innocent. Glover’s gold came 26 years after his aunt, Tomika Peterson, became WRH’s first and only female gold medalist at the NCHSAA championships. “Yeah, that’s nice,” said Glover, whose mother Tamara Peterson was also a running star for the Bulldogs. “I knew I had it in me, and I showed it. You have to stay focused and be ready at meets and in races. I had never run the 200 before this year and going 22.3 my first time was encouraging.” Glover was the lone place-winner among Duplin athletes at NCA&T. Fellow Bulldogs Angelina Cavallaro, See STATE, page B4

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 29, 2025

NCHSAA 3A SOCCER SECOND ROUND

’Dawgs flex with early goal, hang on to beat Tigers Nathalie Paredes’ early goal carried WRH into a rematch with Princeton By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

WRH’s Brianna Maradiaga (7) and JK’s Angie Irula work against one another in the midfield.

WARSAW — Nathalie Paredes was at the right place at the right time to score a goal. But deflecting it in off her back wasn’t really the right form she wanted to used for her third score of the season. Bayleen Flores’ corner kick was the setup for the Wallace-Rose Hill midfielder as her team held on for a 1-0 win in the second round of the 3A playoffs over No. 6 James Kenan. The No. 11 Bulldogs (14-8) advanced to face No. 3 Princeton (15-4-3) on May 18 on the artificial turf of the Johnston County school. WRH, JK and Princeton tied for the Swine Valley Conference title. “Our defense showed up big time,” said WRH coach Dennis Ly, whose club is 8-0 against 3A schools since falling to JK on the same field on March 31. “Our injured midfield is now almost 90% healthy, and our motto and mentality is ‘why not us.’ “They had a lot of opportunities in the second half. They have a really good team, and (Aleyah) Wilson had a few chances. We doubled her and felt we would let someone else beat us.” JK (13-7) nearly put one in the

net six minutes before halftime. “They controlled the first 20 minutes or so, and that part of the game worried me since we came in off a bye and were adjusting to the speed and playing together,” said Tigers coach Kenny Williams. “Their center mid, No. 7 (Brianna Maradiga) was doing straight man of Aleyah, and they were running a box otherwise. She is a good player and capable of controlling and shifting possessions.” During the regular season, WRH split two matches with both JK and Princeton, the preseason favorite in the SWC. “Three consecutive kicks and we couldn’t get the ball out on the corner kick goal,” Williams said. “Good things happen when the ball stay in front of the goal and in the box.” It was the 10th shutout of the season for WRH as Giselle Lincona registered seven saves. The winner of the Battle fo the Bulldogs in Princeton will get the winner of No. 2 North Carolina Math and Science (17-4) and No. 7 North Moore (13-7-1). No. 1 Wake Prep (19-2-1) is the favorite to emerge from the top portion of the bracket. Flores had a hat trick in the 9-0 opening round win over No. 22 Pasquotank County. The junior leads the Bulldogs in goals with 20. Maradoaga and Yasklin Melendez each scored twice, and Angela Rosales had a goal and an assist.

NCHSAA 2A AND 4A SOCCER SECOND ROUND

Rebels’ coming-of-age season ends with home loss to Eagles ND fell to CC foe East Bladen, while East Duplin ripped its way into the third round By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal CALYPSO — Maylin McMichael took the air out of North Duplin. The East Bladen freshman’s 17th goal of the season came 36 minutes into the match and changed the complexion of the game. Before her score, the Rebels were dominating play and keeping the ball in front of the Eagles’ goal. After it, East Bladen’s defense toughened up to secure its 10th shutout in its last 12 matches. The goal for the 1-0 win in the second round of the 2A playoffs came shortly after leading scorer Gabby Rebollar’s (30 goals) corner kick from the left side of the sod landed near the far post and was knocked out by a North Duplin defender. McMichael chipped the ball into the upper right corner to beat goalie Natalie Carreon. No. 11 East Bladen moved on to face No. 2 Camden County (18-3-2). The Eagles and Rebels split two regular season matches. ND and Hobbton tied for the Carolina Conference title. The Eagles were third. ND had a scoring opportunity 30 seconds into the match

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND had its best since in school history this spring. and about seven other quality looks at the net before the only goal was scored. Wingers Sasha Arguijo (10 goals) and Roselin Orozco (13 goals) each had three drives to the cage and were unable to convert a shot or a pass to an open Rebel in the middle. Tristen Stemmler (23 goals) and Carrly Strickland (32 goals) each had three shots on goal that could have wound up in the net cords. ND didn’t get any luck midway through the first half when an apparent takedown to the left of the EB goalie was called a foul

“not in the box,” though a replay might suggest different. A real positive for the Rebels was the play of defender Abby Rose, who more than once looked like the fastest player on the field. She frequently joined in the Rebels’ offensive push, but when the ball was reversed, she was able to outsprint and neutralize the Eagles’ striker or midfielder. Yet EB controlled far too much of the second half as ND was unable to move the ball effectively without an Eagle stepping in to make a play.

And the loss didn’t put a damper on ND’s 14-3 campaign, which was the most wins in school history. Most of the No. 6 Rebels were on last season’s 8-7 club, which was the first time ND posted a winning record. Bonded Panthers relying on defense “Don’t allow a score and you will never lose a game.” That’s the philosophy of East Duplin coach Joey Jones. And his No. 6 Panthers (16-6-1) will need that to be gospel when they travel to face North John-

ston (17-3-2) in the third round of the 4A playoffs. “The girls have been playing very well and together,” Jones said. “We do the simple things right, and that gives us a good chance to win.” ED must control NJ senior Sydney Daughtry, who has scored 62 goals with three or more in 17 matches. She’s also a playmaker, dishing out 26 assists. Classmate Ella Williams has 43 scores and 19 assists. The best point of reference and comparison for ED and NJ are matches against Princeton. Both schools tied Princeton, while ED won a 1-0 regular season match. Yet ED has played far better competition. Anamarie Rodriguez, Sossa Hernandez-Espino and Joselin Mata-Aguilar scored during a 5-0 first-round victory over No. 11 North Pitt last week in Beulaville. It was the 27th cage ringer for Rodriguez and 17th for Mata-Aguilar. ED led 3-0 halfway through, and Jones emptied his bench to give a number of his players time on the sod. The survivor of No. 6 ED and No. 3 NJ faces the winner of No. 2 First Flight (17-3-1) and No. 10 Central Davidson (13-7-3). In the other half of the bracket sits No. 1 Carrboro (18-3-1).

Duplin Journal for Thursday, May 29, 2025

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

BASEBALL STATS