North State Journal Vol. 11, Issue 30 by North State Journal

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 30 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

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TONY GUTIERREZ / AP PHOTO

Laurie in the Lone Star State Pennsylvania police officer Sam Elias, left, joins Laurie Buckhout — who is running for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat — onstage at the Republican midterm convention last week, in Dallas, Texas. See more from the GOP’s convention on A10.

the

Education Lottery sales surge, public education contributions drop

BRIEF this week

First Lady Melania Trump touts AI as she tours Ashe County elementary school Jefferson First lady Melania Trump visited an elementary school in northwestern North Carolina Tuesday, where she said the U.S. must lead on artificial intelligence. Her trip Tuesday comes as tech and political leaders debate about how best to regulate the AI industry. Prominent tech leaders have said they’re worried about the dangers of AI and called for more oversight. But President Donald Trump has dismissed that idea, calling it a “hoax.” The first lady said students need to learn about AI for the U.S. to continue to lead in the technology, but said they need to learn to be vigilant, too.

4 supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore is dropped over pro-Palestinian comments on stage Four supporting acts have quit Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore was removed for his pro-Palestinian comments onstage. Hours after Sheeran said he refused to be drawn into a discussion about the war in Gaza, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Denmark’s Lukas Graham, and Finneas posted separately on social media that they would withdraw from the tour. Rowe was one of Macklemore’s replacements for Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga was serving as Sheeran’s touring band. Finneas was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year. Sheeran stated the decision to remove Macklemore was solely the tour promoter’s. Macklemore claimed he was dropped after expressing support for Palestine during a concert in New Jersey.

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NC K-12 testing sees wide gains Composite scores are at or above pre-pandemic levels By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina K-12 public school students posted their strongest statewide testing results last school year, their strongest since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The gains pushed the statewide composite above the last pre-pandemic benchmarks, with grade-level proficiency ris-

ing to 59.2% across all subjects and grades while the four-year graduation rate hit a record 88.8%. The 2025-26 results continue a multiyear recovery following the pandemic. After the sharp 2021-22 drop to 51% proficiency, scores rose modestly in 2022-23 and 2023-24, then another point in 2024-25. The figures, released Sept. 2 by the Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) at a State Board of Education meeting, mark a 4.2-point jump from See TESTING, page A3

Sales increased by 51% from 2023 to 2025, but school funding transfers dropped from 23% to 16% By Jessica Taylor For North State Journal A recent performance audit report of the North Carolina Education Lottery found that while lottery sales surged due to digital gambling, the share of revenue directed to public education dropped from 2023 to 2025. “Last December, the State Auditor’s Office released a financial audit of the Education Lottery, and we were left with questions on the amount of money going toward our public schools,” said State Auditor Dave Boliek in a press release. “New online slot machine gaming, which has an 87% payout rate, now dominates the market.

Report: Adults, not school-age children, fueling NC growth The Charter School Review Board statistics show that school choice options are gaining momentum By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A September student enrollment report prepared for North Carolina’s Charter School Review Board shows that while the state is still growing, the growth is mostly among adults, not school-age children. Births in North Carolina have fallen about 6%, sig-

nificantly less than the 16% drop nationwide. While those numbers make the state look healthier than many peers, the child population in North Carolina is projected to rise 5% by 2035, or by about 80,000 more kids, while the 65-and-over population is on track to jump far faster. The report notes last year’s high school class was much larger than the kindergarten class that recently entered schools. In statewide age counts, there are about 16% fewer 3-year-olds than See CHARTERS, page A2

33% Increase in charter school enrollment in North Carolina since 2019

“Online slot machine gaming grew from generating 0% of the Education Lottery’s revenue to 40% in just three years. The Education Lottery today isn’t what it used to be, prompting auditors to recommend the primary policy objective of the lottery be revisited.” The North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) introduced online slot machine-style games in November 2023, which drove new lottery sales, according to the audit. Between fiscal year (FY) 2023 and FY 2025, the NCEL’s gross reported sales climbed from $4.3 billion to $6.6 billion, a 51% increase. During the same period, sales transferred to the Education Fund fell from 23% to 16%. Total transfers to the Education Fund increased from $1.02 billion in FY 2023 to $1.09 billion in FY 2024 but then declined to $1.08 billion See LOTTERY, page A3

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

THURSDAY

9.17.26 #559

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North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Trip Hoffend Publisher Cory Lavalette Senior Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Jordan Golson Locals Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Published each Thursday by North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 919-663-3232

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the word | Enjoy at your peril “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:4-5) Is the love of pleasure and amusement growing on you — gaining power over you? Paul knew that danger and refused to be mastered by anything. “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:12). Is that love dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures? Is it making Bible study, prayer, communion with Christ, and meditation upon holy themes — less sweet enjoyments than they once were? Is it making your hunger for righteousness and for God less intense? Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing which you used to find in church services or in Christ’s work? If so, there is only one thing to do — hurry to return to God, to abandon the pleasure or amusement which is imperiling your soul, and to find in Christ the joy which the world cannot give, and which never harms any aspect of life. The psalmist points the way back to that better gladness: “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11). We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule: Are they helping us to grow into Christlikeness and spiritual beauty? Lawfulness alone is not enough. Paul draws the line with care: “All things

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Paolo Veronese’s “The Wedding Feast at Cana” (1562–1563), in the Louvre Museum in Paris, shows Christ at a feast of real joy — and Mary’s instruction points to Him: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” (John 2:5)

are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10:23). Then he gives the positive aim that settles the question: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Amusements are proper only so far as they make us better Christians. Whenever they become hindrances to us in our Christian living, or in our progress in sanctification — they are harmful, no matter how innocent they may be in themselves.

Amusements affect your spiritual life. They may give great pleasure, but what is their influence on you as a Christian? Are they a means of grace, or are they making you careless regarding Christ and hindering your advancement in spirituality? We ought to be honest enough with ourselves to answer these questions truthfully, and then act accordingly.

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.

Town of Ronda votes to dissolve charter The Wilkes County municipality was reportedly losing $25,000 a month By Jessica Taylor For North State Journal THE TOWN of Ronda recently voted to voluntarily dissolve its charter, a process that will end its status as an incorporated municipality af-

ter years of financial distress. “We appreciate Ronda leaders’ willingness to do what is best for their citizens and taxpayers,” said State Treasurer Brad Briner. “These elected leaders took the Town’s financial challenges seriously and our staff is ready to work with them, Wilkes County and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.” During its September meeting, the Local Government

Commission (LGC) warned the town that it needed to become financially sustainable or face dissolution. Officials had raised concerns over Ronda’s late audits, budget violations, issues with federal payroll tax payments, and deficits in its water and sewer fund. According to the town’s Board of Commissioners, Ronda was losing $25,000 a month. The commissioners voted 3-1 on Sept. 8 to dissolve the town.

LGC officials stated the decision is the right path forward. More steps must be taken to dissolve the charter fully, but once the process begins, Ronda will become part of the unincorporated area of Wilkes County. About 42% of North Carolinians currently live in unincorporated areas. Ronda, a rural town of 413 residents, is known for being the hometown of NA-

“These elected leaders took the Town’s financial challenges seriously and our staff is ready to work with them to ensure a smooth transition.” Brad Briner, state treasurer SCAR Hall of Fame driver Junior Johnson and for its historic and local sites, such as Claymont Hill and the Yadkin River.

CHARTERS from page A1 16-year-olds. Nationally, about 650,000 more students graduated from high school last year than will enter kindergarten this fall. Children in North Carolina must turn 5 on or before Aug. 31 of the school year they want to start kindergarten. The report found that total traditional public school enrollment has never fully climbed back to its 2019-20 peak. District enrollment had stalled before COVID-19 and remains slightly below that high. According to the report, public school enrollment declined by 19,000 students in 2025-26, with drops of at least 1,000 in the Guilford, Winston-Salem, Durham, Cumberland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg school districts, while 32 mostly smaller counties have lost at least 5%. A few midsize regions, including Franklin (plus 31%) and Pender (plus 13%), have grown. Statewide, about one in four K-12 students is enrolled in a charter or private school or is homeschooled, with local variation in the percentage size. Between 2019 and 2024, enrollment has increased in every school choice option: Homeschool is up 11%, private school 31% and charter school 33%. Traditional district-run public school enrollment is down 2% over the same period. Charter schools are considered public schools in North Carolina and have continued to grow, now serving about 10% of public school students across 211 charter schools, up from 99 in 2010. The report also noted that 17 charters have closed since 2020, with many closures due to enrollment issues. Examples of higher nontradi-

North Carolina Superintendent Mo Green greets students at Exploris School, a charter school in Raleigh, on Aug. 26.

COURTESY NCDPI

tional district enrollment rates include Northampton County at 56%, while Robeson County landed at the lower end at 13% despite weak access to schools with an A/B performance grade. The highest among large counties is Durham at 34%, followed by Mecklenburg (29%) and Wake (26%). School Performance Grades are reported each year by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The overall score is 80% student achievement drawn from test results plus things like graduation rate at high school, with 20% coming from academic growth. The current school grades use an A through F scale: A (85-100), B (70-84), C (55-69), D (40-54) and F is below 40. Counties named as leading in charter expansion include Mecklenburg with six new schools and 3,000 stu-

dents, Wake with three new schools and 2,200 students and Guilford with two new schools and 1,600 students. Demographically, the report indicates that since 2010, the number of Hispanic children in North Carolina has risen by 33% for ages 0-14, while white and black child counts have fallen by 11% and 5%, respectively. What has kept North Carolina from shrinking like some other states is people moving to the state. Most of that is people relocating from other U.S. states, while roughly a third is foreign individuals. The report treats future federal immigration policy as a major unknown for how many students will be here later, stating, “Uncertainty with federal immigration policy is the single biggest variable to future student populations.” Despite that claim, research

from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) found birth rates for immigrants “declined more than U.S. born between 2008 and 2023.” CIS has estimated births to illegal-immigrant mothers in 2023 at between 225,000 and 250,000, versus 2014 births of about 297,000. Pew Research issued figures in March showing that in 2023, approximately 9% of all U.S. births were to mothers with either illegal or temporary legal status. In February 2025, CIS had estimated “225,000 to 250,000 births to illegal immigrants in 2023, amounting to close to 7 percent of births in the U.S.” In early September, CIS reported, “The total foreign-born population declined 2.9 million from January 2025 to July 2026,” which followed an “8.3 million increase in the prior

four years during the postCovid border surge.” CIS also said much of that decline was made up of children, the elderly and nonworkers, with 44% being foreign-born workers. Under Plyler v. Doe (1982), districts must enroll schoolage children regardless of status, which has resulted in rising costs federally and at the state level. The average dollar figure per pupil in North Carolina from local, state and national revenue sources is $14,448, based on data published by BEST NC in April. North Carolina-specific estimates issued in 2023 by the Federation for American Immigration Reform put the total education cost of illegal migrant students at $1.47 billion. The same study cited federal education expenditures at $6.6 billion.

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Alum, author want UNC’s ties to pandemic investigated CarolinaFlu.org urges the public to sign onto a letter to Chancellor Lee Roberts By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A website has been launched to pressure UNC Chapel Hill to hold an investigation into the school’s research links to the COVID-19 pandemic. The site, CarolinaFlu.org, says “Serious questions remain about coronavirus research connected to Chapel Hill, the origins of COVID-19, and records withheld from public view,” and wants an “independent, transparent investigation — wherever the evidence leads.” CarolinaFlu.org was established by George Howard, a UNC Chapel Hill alum and former U.S. Senate staffer, and James Haslam, an “independent researcher, and author of the self-published book ‘COVID-19: Mystery Solved.’” The site includes a petition letter to UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts that the public can sign to request the school “authorize a genuinely independent investigation of its coronavirus research and release the evidence needed to resolve the questions surrounding it.” The letter carries six requests

TESTING from page A1 the 55.0% composite proficiency rate in 2024-25 and the first time the all-subjects, all-grades measure has topped the 58.8% recorded in 2018-19. The four-year cohort graduation rate rose one point to 88.8%, the fourth consecutive annual increase and the highest on record. The rate stood at 87.8% in 2024-25 and 86.4% in 2021-22. College- and career-ready performance (Level 4 or 5) also climbed slightly, rising to 37.5% from 34.7% the previous year. The gains were broad, with 14 of 15 reading and math test scores reaching three-year highs for grade-level proficiency, according to the presentation accompanying the report. Math proficiency for grades 3-8 rose to 59.6%, exceeding pre-pandemic rates at every grade except seventh grade, which is about two points off the 2018-19 levels of 56.1%. NCDPI is currently working on ways to improve math instruction, including revamping the state’s current math standards. Reading for grades 3-8 reached 55.7%, up 3.2 points from 2024-25 though still short of the roughly 57% seen pre-pandemic. Reading proficiency scores in sixth and seventh grade are the only two still lagging in that regard. Third grade reading, which had fallen to 46.6% in 2024-25, rose to 55.3%. Fourth grade reading was the exception, slipping slightly from 57.8% to 57.4%. NCDPI officials noted the same cohort of students had improved 10 points from their third

that include appointing an independent panel with full access to materials to investigate and the members should “have no conflicts involving UNC or the research under examination.” The final request is for the panel to publish what it finds. Numerous records have already been released by UNC Chapel Hill, which were sought by U.S. Right to Know (USRTK), a group that has filed dozens of records requests in pursuit of tracking down the origins of COVID-19. USRTK had received about 130,000 records from the school on its coronavirus-related research, but UNC had withheld more than 5,200 additional pages. The state’s Court of Appeals ruled in January that about 4,537 records were protected under a state statute that includes university research or similar items of a proprietary nature. In June, the North Carolina Supreme Court declined to accept the appeal. Howard said in 2020 he was “shocked” the university didn’t voluntarily issue a public accounting of what occurred between the school, EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan Institute of Virology given the “extraordinary worldwide interest in understanding how the pandemic began.”

grade scores the year before. Science proficiency scores rebounded after new standards and tests were introduced the prior year. Fifth grade and eighth grade science hit 67.7% and 68.4%, respectively. Biology made a large gain, jumping 10 points to 58.5%. That jump brings those scores close to the pre-pandemic rate of 59.6% posted for the 2018-19 school year. Other subjects like English II rose to 64.3%, up from 59.4%, while Math 3 increased to 68.9% from 66.4% the year before. Every racial and ethnic group, economically disadvantaged students, English learners and students with disabilities all recorded three-year highs on the composite measure. School performance grades followed the test-score trend. About 36% of schools earned an A or B, up from 29% in 2024-25. Schools rated D or F fell to 23% from 31%, with only 3.2% receiving an F. The testing report noted 73% of schools met or exceeded expected growth, up from 70.7%. The number of low-performing schools dropped by 162; only 10 districts were labeled low-performing, the fewest since 2018-19. “These academic achievement results are a testament to the incredible work happening across North Carolina’s public schools,” State Superintendent Mo Green said. “While I am pleased to see these results trending positively, including our highest graduation rate ever, I look forward to continued progress as we aim to achieve educational excellence for all North Carolina public

In discussions with North State Journal, Howard said CarolinaFlu.org is an effort to “help end six years without a full, independent public accounting from Carolina on a matter of global and historical importance.” “Most importantly, people should read our open letter and understand what signing it means,” said Howard. “It means supporting disclosure and independent examination — not endorsing our hypothesis, accepting a laboratory origin or reaching any predetermined conclusion. We are asking that the evidence be obtained, examined and released wherever it leads.” Aside from the petition letter, the site also contains a host of resources, such as a detailed timeline, an expanding evidence library, a confidential channel for sharing information and opportunities for people with relevant expertise to volunteer. “The timeline is especially important because it places the research, collaborations, public statements, litigation and federal actions in chronological order,” said Howard. “We want people to read the original documents and evaluate the questions for themselves.” Among the website’s materials are documents on high-risk coronavirus research at UNC Chapel Hill, the 2018 DEFUSE proposal, laboratory-safety incidents, records released by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), UNC researcher Ralph Baric’s testimony and Baric’s Health and Human Services suspension from May proposing his debarment from federal funding. Howard said he and Haslam had worked on the topic since “very early in the pandemic” even though they were approaching it from different angles. “He developed a specific hypothesis about whether coronavirus research intended to pro-

school students and become the best public education system in the nation.” According to NCDPI’s release, the average ACT composite score for 11th graders “increased to 18.4, with 55% of students scoring a 17 or higher, the minimum score for admission to a university within the University of North Carolina system.” ACT WorkKeys participation rose 11% since 2024, to 52,623 students, but the share of students earning a silver certificate or higher dipped one point to 59%, compared with 60% in 2023-24. “It is promising to see this continued improvement in student achievement in the 2025-26 accountability results,” Michael Maher, NCDPI chief accountability officer, said. “From graduation rates to EOG and EOC scores and school performance grades, students and educators across North Carolina should be proud of this progress,” Maher said. “At the same time, these results alone do not capture the full breadth of the important work happening in our public schools.” Maher also noted the Accountability Task Force’s work “gives us an opportunity to consider additional measures that, alongside academic achievement, can provide a more complete picture of student progress and how well schools are preparing students for what comes next.” Full school-level data, including searchable dashboards for tests, grades and graduation rates, are available on the accountability dashboard at accountability-dashboards.net.

COURTESY NCDPI

NG HAN GUAN / AP PHOTO

Workers in protective suits collect COVID-19 samples to test at a quarantine hotel in Wuhan, China, on March 31, 2020. tect bat populations could have contributed to the emergence of the virus,” Howard said of Haslam. “Our paths converged around a basic point: UNC possesses — or can help obtain — records capable of testing these questions, yet no genuinely independent investigation with access to those records has occurred,” said Howard. Howard said the most significant material on the site for the public to see is the 2018 DEFUSE proposal submitted to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. “EcoHealth Alliance and collaborators at UNC, Duke-NUS and the Wuhan Institute of Virology sought approximately $14.2 million for a project involving SARS-related bat coronaviruses,” said Howard. “The proposal described constructing and testing novel chimeric viruses, examining spike proteins and cleavage sites, and delivering immune interventions to bats in caves. DARPA declined to fund the proposal. That fact must be stated clearly: DEFUSE does not,

by itself, prove that the proposed work was subsequently performed. It does, however, establish that this research consortium was considering a remarkably specific group of experiments before the pandemic.” He also mentioned a woman named Danielle Anderson as “relevant as a possible witness and as part of a testable hypothesis,” but not as someone “against whom we claim to have established wrongdoing.” “She was a Duke-NUS scientist with regular access to the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s high-containment laboratory, and DEFUSE materials identify her with the Duke-NUS work associated with the proposed field-testing component,” Howard said of Anderson. “To our knowledge, she has never been publicly questioned under oath by an investigation with access to the underlying institutional records. We believe she should be given an opportunity to explain exactly what work was performed, what she observed and what she knew before the outbreak.”

Michael Rosenbrock of Mint Hill holds an oversized check after winning $250,000 from a lottery ticket in Raleigh in 2019. NORTH CAROLINA EDUCATION LOTTERY VIA AP

LOTTERY from page A1 in FY 2025 despite continued sales growth. Online lottery games have payout rates of about 87%, meaning they return a larger share of every sales dollar to players as winnings. Online lottery games went from $0 in sales in FY 2023 to $2.6 billion in FY 2025, while scratch-offs and draw games — which often have lower payout percentages — saw their revenue go from $4.3 billion in FY 2023 to under $4 billion in FY 2025. The growth in high-payout digital games and the decline in sales of traditional lottery games were the primary reasons for the decrease in proceeds to the Education Fund, according to the audit. With a higher share going to lottery players, a smaller profit margin remains, meaning fewer cents per dollar are available to transfer to the Education Fund. State law requires the NCEL to contribute about 38% of revenues to the Education Fund “to the extent practicable.” The law was updated in the 2007 budget bill, turning the percentage requirement into a guideline. According to the audit, the percentage target has been consistently missed, and the state laws governing the NCEL were not designed with digital games in mind. The auditor’s office recommended that the NCEL work with the General Assembly to clarify the objectives for lottery operations outlined in state law. The audit noted that the primary objective should be clarified as either maximizing total dollars transferred to the Education Fund, maintaining a percentage of transfers to the Education Fund or balancing both objectives. In its response letter, the NCEL stated the recommendations “are not always com-

patible in a modern lottery environment” and that the General Assembly should evaluate whether the current target percentage is appropriate in the competitive market. The NCEL stated it will “continue to work to meet consumer demand, remain competitive and maximize return to education.” The audit also examined similar trends across state lines in Kentucky and Virginia, where lottery sales have similarly grown after online games were introduced. In Virginia, digital games accounted for more than one-third of total sales, and the percentage transferred for public use declined. In Kentucky, the audit found that digital sales increased from $5 million to nearly $800 million between FY 2017 and FY 2025. In the same period, the amount remaining after prizes were paid rose from $1 million to nearly $100 million. The audit stated that Kentucky’s findings display how digital lotteries can operate while still generating revenue. Other findings from the audit include that the NCEL spent $54 million on advertising and marketing in FY 2025 and $125 million on its three main vendors (International Game Technology, Scientific Games and NeoPollard Interactive) for gaming system services. The NCEL is the state-run lottery, with net proceeds funding educational programs across all 100 counties. Funds support school construction, school staff, preschool education for at-risk students, college scholarships and transportation. The NCEL has transferred more than $12 billion to the Education Fund since its establishment in 2005. Near the end of 2025, an audit of the NCEL was released and reached similar conclusions: total annual revenue increased while contributions to public education dropped.

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

The election where everybody hates the other side If Democrats win majority control of the House, every waking moment under their leadership will be directed towards impeaching President Trump yet again.

ONE THING you have to hand the Founders — they sure knew how to keep voters on their toes. When they decided to hold biennial elections, they intended to keep elected representatives close to the people and not allow them extended terms in office without having to face the ire or the approval of the voting electorate. They originally gave senators almost total grace and breathing room by allowing legislatures to appoint them, and now they only have to face the electorate every six years instead of two. Presidents they gave the ultimate long leash by not subjecting them to biennial review and examinations — can anyone imagine the turbulence of having presidential campaigns every other year on top of the congressional and Senate races already in play? This year will be the 23rd congressional election since 1980. There have been 11 presidential elections. Parties have come to power offering the widest range of differences, ranging from the conservative policies of Ronald Reagan to the liberal policies of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Somehow, the republic has survived each transition of power and control of the government. GDP was a mere $2.86 trillion in 1980 and is now in excess of $32.4 trillion. While the two major parties have offered very different views of how much government we should have, the bottom line was that both supported the constitutional free-market capitalist system we have had since the beginning. Neither tried to tear it apart by the seams, no doubt due to the large

number of Southern Democrats who used to hold such sway in the national party. Each off-year congressional election gets overblown as a referendum on the incumbent president because it is easier for a voter to focus on one individual than it is to evaluate the policies of a national party with members from all over the country. This year might be different because it could be shaping up as an intense campaign of voters deciding to vote against the other side more so than voting for specific policies. Voters typically need solid reasons to vote for one side rather than solely as a protest vote against the other. It is hard to find an election cycle in recent history when both sides are so diametrically opposed and the winning side in November could be the party that is least hated by the American public instead of being the most loved. Many polls say more than 50% of the public has an unfavorable view of Trump. According to RealClearPolitics, the Democratic Party is viewed unfavorably by more than 54% in the average of its polls. Carrying the banners of higher taxes, more regulation, less freedom, open borders, tolerance of crime in the streets and any number of foreign policy positions — such as ending aid to Israel — hardly seems to be the way to build an attractive, positive landing place for a wave of American voters this fall. Attacking the Democratic Party in light of such poor ratings is a tempting strategy for Republicans this fall. However, Republican campaign mastermind Lee Atwater, who made a career out of driving up negative unfavorable ratings of an opponent to

win many races, always made sure his Republican candidates had positive policies and outlooks for the future to offer voters in return for their rejection of the opposite side. The question for each voter then becomes which side has enough mature, seasoned and reasonable candidates who can tackle the big problems we want them to face and solve. Make no mistake about it, if Democrats win majority control of the House, every waking moment under their leadership will be directed toward impeaching Trump yet again. There won’t be one second to consider legislation that will help American families find better jobs at higher salaries and wages. There won’t be any time or inclination to further protect our border or help reduce the burdens on our healthcare system that have been driving up costs far in excess of the rate of inflation since the mid-1970s. What can Republicans do to attract remaining undecided voters to support their candidates this fall? They might consider acting as if they are the adults in the room who know how to manage things in a crisis and highlight their record of keeping people safe. They can also reassure citizens they can find and keep jobs while raising their children as they see fit and not default parental responsibility to left-leaning school boards or activists who want to do it instead. They might want to repeat the pro-growth policies and fiscal responsibility at the federal level that led to the U.S. economy expanding tenfold since 1980. They have a story to tell and a governing philosophy to sell if they choose to do it.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Roy Cooper’s socialism blunder Cooper rejected the idea he should sign the “Promise to America” pledge that affirms that they wholeheartedly reject socialism and love America.

FROM THE UNOFFICIAL start of the North Carolina Senate race last summer, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has led in polling against former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley. That continued even after both formally won their respective parties’ nominations back in March. Though one January outlier poll had Cooper up by 24 points, his polling lead average, according to RealClearPolling, is about 7.8 points, with the latest poll, from the Trafalgar Group, taken the second week in September, giving Cooper a 6-point advantage among likely voters. Cooper has always been a tough nut to crack for North Carolina Republicans. He’s 69 years old and has served in government nearly 40 years, more than half his life. He first started in the state House and then went to the state Senate before serving 16 years as North Carolina’s attorney general. After that, it was eight years as governor. Cooper’s track record of never having been defeated in an election led to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee heavily recruiting him. It viewed him as a safe, reliable and known quantity in the Old North State, someone who has never been hit with a major personal scandal and whom a majority of voters have consistently shown they trust. But Cooper has myriad flaws, which Whatley has been exploiting for nearly a year,

on issues like crime, his handling of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, to name a few. Another area on which Whatley now has to attack Cooper is his opinion on the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in the Democratic Party, a question Cooper hasn’t been asked much by the North Carolina political press corps for some strange reason. This is despite the fact that DSA-aligned candidates for both the House and Senate have racked up primary victories across the country over the last several months. In audio clips obtained by Fox News Digital, Cooper rejected the idea that he should sign the “Promise to America” pledge signed by a growing number of House Democrats that affirms that they wholeheartedly reject socialism and love America. Cooper explained he didn’t want to add his name because he felt the party should be more accommodating of DSA members. “I think the party needs a wide spectrum, particularly at a time when the Republican Party is shrinking and having all kinds of loyalty tests,” Cooper said, according to the Fox News reports. “I think we need to have all kinds of folks to be a part of our party.” A “wide spectrum” that includes radicals

who want to abolish the Senate, the Supreme Court, the presidency, our borders and whose admitted goal is ultimately to implement communism? Whatley blasted Cooper for his answer, writing on X, “After emptying prisons, forcing men into girls’ sports, and turning North Carolina into a sanctuary for criminal illegals, he fits right in with the DSA.” Oh, but no worries. Cooper’s campaign says he’s not a socialist. That may be true, but by not explicitly rejecting it, he leaves the door open to winning over socialist voters and their money to help get him elected. The DSA platform is to destroy the country to save it. Any Democrat who refuses to condemn not only the DSA but also welcomes their members into the Democratic Party fold is not fit to serve as a dogcatcher, much less as a senator. As he did during the 2016 H.B. 2 “bathroom bill” debate, when he threw North Carolina under the bus, Cooper has shown us who he really is. He’s not someone who is in this for the betterment of the state. He’s in it for the betterment of Roy Cooper. 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, September 17, 2026

COLUMN | JESSICA THOMPSON

COLUMN

Who gets to go to the beach? A short-term rental is the only option where families can spend less than $300 per night on a two-bedroom stay.

LIKE SO MANY North Carolinians, I recently enjoyed the long weekend, escaping to the coast for one last beach trip before the unofficial end of summer. A few days off, quality family time, nowhere particular to be. It is the kind of trip that is easy to take for granted until you realize how many people cannot take it at all. Increasingly, beach vacations are becoming reserved for the elite, as many coastal towns are eliminating accommodation options for families and restricting the rights of locals who want to share their homes as short-term rentals. In fact, earlier this summer Airbnb released its “Coast More, Pay Less” report, and the numbers tell a story that anyone who has planned a family beach trip lately already knows firsthand. In 33% of North Carolina’s coastal towns, a short-term rental is the only option where families can spend less than $300 per night on a two-bedroom stay. For a lot of families, a short-term rental is the difference between a beach vacation and no trip at all. Areas along the North Carolina coast are becoming increasingly popular, with searches for Airbnb listings in North Carolina’s coastal towns over the Fourth of July holiday weekend up nearly 30% this year. Data also shows that nearly 48% of Airbnb searches for North Carolina coastal listings come from families and groups. As these families make memories, the hosts welcoming them are making something else: vital supplemental income. The typical Airbnb host in North Carolina earned $14,000 in 2025, often helping to cushion a fixed income, offset rising insurance costs or simply hold on to a property that might otherwise slip out of reach. An estimated 80% of North Carolina hosts share just one listing, meaning that for the vast majority, this is a way to earn extra money or connect with visitors, not a full-time commercial operation. These hosts and the families make up a meaningful, if often overlooked, part of the state’s tourism economy. Travel on Airbnb generated more than $3 billion in economic activity in North Carolina in 2025, supported

39,900 jobs, and produced $144 million in tourism tax revenue collected and remitted on behalf of hosts. This tourism activity is part of what makes North Carolina one of the fastest-growing economies in the country. Here on the coast, it makes me proud to watch friends and neighbors leverage their most valuable asset in ways that grow our state’s economy and keep our beaches within reach for working families. For me, as a career defender of property rights, it also runs deeper than that. Every host who opens their home to a guest is exercising a fundamental right, one that traces back to the foundations of American law and the North Carolina Constitution alike. North Carolina law has long favored the free use and enjoyment of private property. The North Carolina Supreme Court has even described property rights as a fundamental right “as old as our state.” Our courts apply that principle concretely: Ambiguous land-use restrictions are construed in favor of the property owner. And the General Assembly has gone further by prohibiting local governments from imposing certain rental permit and registration requirements as a condition of leasing residential property. That is not a principle that should be easy to take away, and yet overzealous local regulators are doing exactly that, restricting short-term rentals in ways that go well beyond reasonable regulation and telling property owners what they can and cannot do with land and homes they own. Overregulation threatens more than beach vacations or our booming economy. At its core, it undermines the basic principle that what you own is yours to use. That principle is worth defending, whether you are a host or a guest, a visitor or a local, or someone who simply believes that owning property still means something in North Carolina. Jessica Thompson is an Airbnb public policy manager for North Carolina. She previously served as the director of government affairs at the John Locke Foundation and was a constitutional litigator at Pacific Legal Foundation.

COLUMN | DANIEL MCCARTHY

Jobs and manufacturing are on the ballot Coming out of the Biden years in January 2025, America had shed 199,000 manufacturing jobs in just the preceding 16 months.

AMERICAN manufacturing is on the rebound, and that good news could hardly come at a better time for President Donald Trump, as Republicans gird themselves for the midterm elections just two months from now. Not that manufacturing is the only sector that’s on a hiring spree — businesses across the board added 162,000 new jobs in August. Even The New York Times calls the latest employment numbers “zesty.” The workforce participation rate rose as well — which matters because people who drop out of the labor force are invisible in unemployment rates that only count those who are looking for work. This economy is pulling Americans who’d given up hope off the sidelines and putting them to work. That’s a success not only for Trump’s economic policy but for his immigration crackdown as well — it’s no longer so easy for companies to abandon Americans by hiring foreign workers instead. Establishment economists predicted none of this: They were certain Trump’s tariffs would be catastrophic and American industry would contract with constant infusions of foreign labor. Relentless efforts to stop the president’s economic agenda in the courts created uncertainty that’s bad for business: Companies have to make plans based on a predictable environment of taxation and regulation. If nobody knows whether tariffs will remain in place or not, nobody can afford to make long-range decisions about reshoring jobs and buying from American suppliers instead of sources overseas. That’s what the president’s foes — who want maximum economic globalization — were counting on. Voters chose Trump’s agenda over the alternatives in 2024, when they sent him back to the White House with full Republican control of Congress. The results have been especially impressive in manufacturing, where the latest numbers show the biggest growth coming from jobs that make long-lasting products. As Peter Navarro, who served as director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, notes in a column for RealClearMarkets, “Manufacturing employment rose by 16,000 in August, with nearly all of that gain coming from durable-goods manufacturing, which added 15,000 jobs.” Overall, “manufacturing employment is up 58,000” jobs this year, “driven by a 94,000-job gain in durable goods.” It’s important to know the background here: Globalization’s advocates treat the disappearance of America’s manufacturing jobs as an inevitability. They say technological

advances will destroy more of those jobs than free trade does. But they draw the wrong conclusion from technology’s impact on employment: It’s because many jobs will be lost to automation that we shouldn’t undercut the rest of our manufacturing workforce by adopting trade policies that exacerbate job losses. The profits to be had from simply moving a factory from America to a foreign country where labor is cheaper are, as economists know, “arbitrage” gains — which disappear as wages equalize over time. As wages rise in the rest of the world, the disadvantage that higher-wage American workers have faced in competing with them starts to fade away. Over time, this makes the case for returning manufacturing to America steadily stronger. But first, our manufacturing base had to survive peak globalization — and if not for Trump, the policies that were accelerating the loss of our country’s manufacturing jobs would never have stopped. What Trump and the GOP are achieving with their trade and jobs policies shouldn’t be judged from a baseline of zero — the gains have to be compared to how big the losses would have been without this new approach. Coming out of the Biden years in January 2025, America had shed 199,000 manufacturing jobs in just the preceding 16 months, according to industry analyst Alan Tonelson. Biden left manufacturing in a deepening hole Trump has had to pull the sector out of. And he’s doing it — first slowing the job losses that had been accumulating for years and now increasing manufacturing employment for each of the past several months. In just about eight weeks, voters across the country are going to pass judgment on Republican control of Congress. Trump won’t be on the ballot Nov. 3, but jobs will be — especially those in manufacturing. They’ll be lost if a Democratic Congress adds its power to the campaign in the courts that’s trying to drag America back to the age of offshoring. There’s still money to be made by arbitraging away American jobs — or importing a cheaper workforce into our own country. Voters haven’t changed their minds about immigration or manufacturing, however: They want what Trump promised, and what the latest figures show he’s delivering. Daniel McCarthy is the editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

ROB MANESS

Huckleberry Finn and The New York Times’ censor’s logic THE NEW YORK TIMES recently posed a question that should never have needed asking in a free country: “Should We Read ‘Huck Finn’?” Their answer, wrapped in the usual hand-wringing about “slurs,” “job-endangering conversations” and the delicate feelings of students, amounts to a soft surrender. Educators are quietly dropping Mark Twain’s masterpiece because the most commonly used racial slur toward black Americans appears more than 200 times, it makes people uncomfortable and teaching hard truths now risks careers. That is not education. That is cultural self-castration. I reject it completely. Every American child — black, white, every background — should read “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in its original form. Not the cleaned-up editions that scrub the language. Not the version filtered through modern sensibilities. The real book. The one Hemingway called the root of all American literature. The one that forces you to confront the raw, ugly reality of slavery, hypocrisy and human conscience without the safety net of contemporary moral preening. Twain did not write a feel-good parable. Published in the U.S. in 1885, the book is a razor-sharp satire that skewers the racism and moral cowardice of pre-Civil War America while showing a poor white boy choose friendship and basic decency over the “civilized” society that demanded that Huck return a runaway slave. Huck’s decision to “go to hell” rather than betray Jim is one of the purest moral acts in our literature. The repeated use of the racial slur is not endorsement; it is indictment. It is the authentic voice of the time, deployed to expose the rot. Remove it, and you gut the book’s power. You turn history into a children’s story that never happened. The Times piece treats this classic like fugu, the Japanese fish that can kill you if prepared wrong. Teachers and administrators, terrified of being labeled insensitive or worse, simply stop assigning it. Students are “upset by the slurs.” Conversations might get messy. Better to avoid the whole thing. This is the logic of the censor, not the educator. It is the same impulse that has purged other uncomfortable American texts, statues and historical facts under the banner of “protecting” the young. What we are really protecting is the fragile ideology that insists past sins must be endlessly performed as present guilt rather than understood, judged and transcended. Hard truths do not break free people; they forge them. American children are not porcelain dolls. They can handle the language of 1885 Mississippi because that language is part of the actual history they inherit. Shielding them from it does not make them more compassionate. It makes them historically illiterate and intellectually soft. It trains them to demand the world conform to their feelings instead of training them to master difficult material and think for themselves. Toni Morrison, no conservative, understood this. She called the brilliance of “Huck Finn” the fact that “it is the argument it raises.” The novel itself models the critical thinking our schools claim to want: Huck wrestles with the conscience society tried to instill in him and rejects it. That is the opposite of indoctrination. It is liberation. Students who never encounter that struggle leave school less equipped to navigate a complex, imperfect nation. Censorship dressed up as sensitivity is still censorship. It is the same impulse that once banned the book for being too coarse or irreligious. The actors change; the authoritarian instinct does not. We do not honor the victims of slavery by erasing the literature that most effectively condemned the system that enslaved them. We honor them by reading it, discussing it honestly and refusing to let temporary discomfort dictate the curriculum of a republic. Parents, teachers who still have spines, school boards with courage: put the original “Huckleberry Finn,” the complete version Mark Twain wrote, back in every American classroom. Make it required reading. Let the kids encounter the river, the raft, the moral choice and the language of the time. Let them argue about it. Let them be uncomfortable. That is how citizens are formed — not by endless sanitizing but by confronting the full, unfiltered story of who we were and who we must become. America does not need more fragile graduates who flinch at history. It needs young people who can look the past square in the eye, learn from it and carry the hard-won freedom forward. “Huck Finn” is not optional. It is essential. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Rob Maness is a decorated combat veteran who consults and hosts “The Rob Maness Show.” This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Carney pitches Canada to global investors as Trump tries to pull investment south Canada is pitching itself on stability and trust as trade tensions escalate

mit is not expected to produce a rush of deals this week, with the most significant results likely to emerge over the next 12 to 18 months. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

By Rob Gillies The Associated Press TORONTO — U.S. President Donald Trump wants factories and investment moving south to the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is betting he can make billions flow north. About 300 CEOs and senior executives from some of the world’s biggest investment firms descended on the Four Seasons in Yorkville, a tony Toronto enclave of high-end restaurants and designer boutiques, for Carney’s Canada Investment Summit this week. The investors collectively manage more than $120 trillion in assets, underscoring the scale of capital Carney hopes to tap as Canada tries to attract billions in new investment and reduce its economic dependence on the United States. “Canada is about so much more than being next to the United States,” Carney said at a news conference last week in Banff, Alberta. “We have what the world wants.” Carney pointed to Canada’s vast energy and critical-mineral resources, its highly educated workforce and trade agreements that give businesses based in Canada access to roughly 1.5 billion consumers around the world. He said the turnout showed investors were interested in Canada on its own merits. “They are coming because of

Trade war raises stakes

JON BLACKER / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to Canadian business leaders at the Canada Investment Summit welcome reception in Toronto on Sunday. Canada,” he said. “If they wanted to go to the United States, they would go to the United States.” Few people know this crowd better than Carney. He ran the central banks of Canada and England, spent 13 years at Goldman Sachs and later chaired the boards of Bloomberg L.P. and Brookfield Asset Management, putting him very much in his element among the global investors and money managers gathering at the Four Seasons. Carney courted that capital Monday in separate meetings with the CEOs of Sydney-based Macquarie Group, whose asset-management arm is the world’s largest infrastructure investment manager, and Singapore state-owned Temasek

“They are coming because of Canada. If they wanted to go to the United States, they would go to the United States.” Mark Carney, Canadian prime minister Holdings, a major global investment company. A Canadian official described the summit as the largest gathering of investment decision-makers ever assembled in Canada, alongside Canadian CEOs bringing projects at varying stages of readiness. But the official cautioned that the sum-

But the summit comes at a critical moment for Canada. Trade talks collapsed Aug. 21, and then Trump imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in Canadian goods. Canada retaliated, and Washington then raised the stakes again, announcing bans on some Canadian imports and moving to shut Canadian products out of large, long-term U.S. government contracts. Trump’s tariffs and efforts to shift manufacturing south of the border are undermining what was long one of the country’s biggest attractions to foreign investors: reliable access to the enormous U.S. market under continental free trade. Carney and business leaders will urge global investors to look past the trade war and make a bigger bet on Canada. Carney is drawing a pointed contrast with Trump’s America, pitching Canada as a stable, rules-based alternative to an increasingly unpredictable United States. Investors coming to Canada will find “a country that respects rule of law and a country that is reliable,” Carney said. “That combination is pretty rare in the world,” he said. “And it’s an attractive combination.”

Saudi pipeline hit by drones will be out of service for weeks, further restricting oil flow

Summit aims to channel global capital into Canadian projects The summit is aimed at matching global capital — including Canada’s pension funds, which rank among the world’s biggest institutional investors — with major projects in critical minerals, technology, defense, advanced manufacturing and energy. Carney’s private meetings will be tailored to investors’ portfolios and the types of projects they are interested in financing, according to a Canadian official. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Blackstone President Jon Gray will headline a public discussion on global capital, while former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to close the summit. Carney then heads to Europe, where he will address the European Parliament later in the week as Canada seeks a broader strategic partnership with the EU.

people and damaging a mosque, Saudi civil defense said. There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia on the Houthi claim of striking the base. Thousands of Yemenis fleeing fighting

The fighting threatens to reignite Yemen’s decade-long war while disrupting critical global oil supplies By Samy Magdy The Associated Press CAIRO — A crucial Saudi oil pipeline that was struck in an attack will mostly be out of service for weeks as the damage is repaired, two regional officials said Monday, as Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized more islands along Red Sea shipping routes in a new blow to Saudi Arabia’s oil exports. Oil prices gained more than 2% amid growing worries about global petroleum supplies as the new developments strained efforts by Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest exporter, to get its crude to market. The Iran war has forced the kingdom to shift its exports away from the Persian Gulf, since Iranian attacks have stifled shipping through the gulf’s sole exit, the Strait of Hormuz. So the kingdom has relied on the East-West Pipeline, which runs 745 miles across the breadth of the country, to move its crude production from Gulf ports to ports on the Red Sea. From there it can be put on tankers for export. But authorities were forced to shut down the pipeline after an attack last Thursday that Saudi Arabia blamed on drones from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Repairing the damage, including at a major pumping facility, could take three to five weeks, the officials, who have been briefed on the matter, told The Associated Press. The line may work partially during the repairs, one of the officials said, but they could not say how much oil might get through. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to brief the media. The pipeline appeared to be moving about 4 million barrels of oil a day, about 4% of total world oil supplies, based on the amount being exported per day from its Red Sea outlet, the

Carney sharpened the message Sunday, telling Canadian business leaders that Canada’s greatest strength was something “that cannot be found on any balance sheet: trust.” John Graham, CEO of CPP Investments, one of the world’s largest institutional investors and the manager of Canada Pension Plan assets, is helping host the summit. He said the fund compares investment opportunities in Canada with those around the world. “The conversation about Canada is changing,” Graham said.

STR / AP PHOTO

Yemeni civilians celebrate while riding in the back of a pickup truck in the Bani Matar district, Yemen on Saturday as they follow a convoy carrying Houthi prisoners freed in Mokha on its way to Sanaa following the Houthi takeover of the southern Red Sea port city. port of Yanbu, according to a report earlier this year by Allison Minor, director of the Atlantic Council’s Project for Middle East Integration. The pipeline has a total capacity of up to 7 million barrels per day. The Saudi oil company Aramco, which operates the pipeline, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The government-run Center for International Communication, which oversees foreign media in the kingdom, said it was looking into an AP inquiry about how long it will take to repair the pipeline. Houthis’ grab of islands strengthens hold on key outlet from Red Sea Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continued to expand their threat to Saudi shipping routes out of the Red Sea by capturing the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish, government and Houthi officials said Monday. The islands lie 100 miles north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The strait is a choke point that connects the Red Sea to the

open ocean and Saudi Arabia’s key Asian markets. The Houthis’ advance also puts them just 20 miles from the U.S. military base in the tiny Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, on the other side of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. For more than a month, the Houthis have been striking Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea, stepping up pressure on global oil prices and boosting Iran’s leverage in its war with the United States. The Houthi advances have seemed to come with little resistance from Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. The rebels deployed on the Hanish islands after hundreds of government-allied forces withdrew from the archipelago, according to two government officials and a Houthi official. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to journalists. Last week, the rebels seized the port city of Mokha and the island of Mayun, inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Government forces are now

attempting to rally and fight back. On Sunday, the military said it launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Mokha, the coastal town of Dhubab and elsewhere in Taiz province. Houthi cross-border attacks continue A rebel spokesman said the Houthis fired dozens of missiles and drones at the King Khalid Air Base in the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, targeting hangars, radar installations and ammunition depots. The statement Monday by Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree did not specify when the attack took place, but the Houthis often take hours or days to claim responsibility for attacks. Saudi authorities sounded sirens in Khamis Mushait and the nearby city of Abha on Sunday afternoon, warning residents to take shelter from potential incoming fire. Both areas, near the border with Yemen, were repeatedly attacked by the Houthis in recent weeks. One projectile hit in an area near the border close to the Red Sea, injuring two

The fighting in Yemen is pushing the impoverished nation back into full-fledged civil war, after a truce that largely maintained quiet since 2022. Even as they advance along the Red Sea, the Houthis have waged an offensive farther inland, particularly in the longtime battleground province of Taiz. Some 150 civilians have been killed in fighting since Sept. 3, including a pregnant woman killed Saturday in a village in Taiz province, the government’s Human Rights Ministry said. More than 200 civilians have been wounded, it said. Thousands of families have fled their homes in Taiz and nearby provinces in the past day, said Khanzad Shah, acting head of Islamic Relief, a charity that operates in the area. “Many of them don’t have enough food or water as they had to flee with whatever they could carry. In some areas, whole villages have reportedly emptied,” he said. The United Nations has estimated that more than 80,000 people have been displaced in the past two weeks, including over 2,000 people who fled by boat to Djibouti. The fighting threatens to reignite a war that for more than a decade brought disaster to Yemen, killing more than 150,000 people and driving the country to the brink of famine. Since 2014, the Houthis have controlled the north, including the capital, Sanaa, and much of the western heartland of the country where most of the population is located. The internationally recognized government, backed by an array of disparate militias, controls the south and east, including the key southern port of Aden. For years, Saudi Arabia waged a destructive air campaign against the Houthis, while backing the government and allied militias. But it has appeared reluctant to throw itself fully back into the war, despite the Houthi attacks on oil infrastructure and shipping.

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Ex-CIA Director Brennan issued subpoena in Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ investigation The investigation examines whether officials conspired to deprive the president of his civil rights By Eric Tucker The Associated Press

PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS / AP PHOTO

Former CIA Director John Brennan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in May 2017 before the House Intelligence Committee Russia Investigation Task Force.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former CIA Director John Brennan has been subpoenaed to testify next month before a Florida grand jury as part of a Justice Department investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired against President Donald Trump, one of his lawyers said Monday. Ken Wainstein, an attorney for Brennan, disclosed in a court filing that prosecutors last Thursday presented him with a subpoena for Brennan to appear Oct. 15 before a grand jury in Fort Pierce, Florida. He said he was told that the

subpoena relates to a “far-reaching” criminal probe examining a loosely defined theory that the government officials who have investigated Trump over the last decade, including over Russia election interference in 2016 and his more recent retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, conspired to deprive Trump of his civil rights. The subpoena to Brennan is among a flurry that have been issued in recent weeks. Wainstein said he was informed by a prosecutor that Brennan remains a target in a Washington-based investigation into whether he lied to Congress in 2023, a claim the former CIA director and his attorneys have consistently denied. Subpoenas demanding testimony before a grand jury in that false statements probe were issued in spring then abruptly withdrawn in favor of voluntary interviews.

A7 The subpoena was delivered on the same day that Joe diGenova, the prosecutor who had been leading what is casually known as the “grand conspiracy” investigation, abruptly resigned amid what a person familiar with the matter has described as displeasure from the Justice Department and White House over the pace and management of the probe. The Justice Department has not publicly announced a replacement for diGenova. The member of the investigative team with whom Wainstein spoke was Kurt Olsen, a lawyer who unsuccessfully pushed the Justice Department in 2020 to back Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election had been stolen from him. The subpoena was disclosed hours ahead of a court hearing in Washington, D.C., in a lawsuit brought by Brennan. The former CIA director is seeking a court order that would require the preservation of all records from the investigations targeting him, saying such documents would be essential for him to challenge any potential indictment on vindictive prosecution grounds.

Inside Philadelphia barbershop, black men debate political past, future Democratic operatives confront their limited understanding of the demographic’s diverse political needs By Matt Brown The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Ever since Democrat Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Donald Trump two years ago, political strategist Khalil Thompson has been traveling the country to figure out why black men inched toward a white Republican rather than a black woman. Although black men vote overwhelmingly Democratic, even small shifts in their support can help swing razor-thin elections. They are often some of the most scrutinized but least understood voters, a blind spot that Thompson wants to fix. His mission led him to a Philadelphia barbershop one recent Friday night, where Thompson’s organization, Win With Black Men, organized a conversation that mixed with the sounds of buzzing clippers and a break to eat cheesesteaks. “We know the shop is like our own country club that we come to, so we really just want to start having a conversation about what’s important to us in our community,” Thompson told the few dozen people who were getting their hair cut, sat in chairs lined up around the room or stood wherever they found extra space. The two-plus-hour discussion, which included local politicians, union leaders, lifelong residents, recent arrivals and a few high schoolers, had immense political stakes. While Philadelphia is a liberal stronghold and not at play in this year’s midterm elections, it is crucial in presidential elections. If Democrats cannot run up their numbers in the city, where black residents are 40% of the population, it’s much harder for them to win Pennsylvania. Democrats face similar tests across the country. “I am a middle-class black man who lives in D.C.,” Thompson later told The Associated Press. “I have no idea what the various day-in-the-life needs would be of the brother who goes to the Bill Pickett rodeo in Houston, the brother that may work on a peanut farm in Albany, Georgia, versus the brother that lives in Oakland or one who lives in Detroit and goes to work at a car factory plant. When you’re polling, messaging, making TV decisions for black men with one monolithic filter, you’re

going to lose a broad swath.” As the conversation got underway, Thompson raised the key question that he has been pondering: Why didn’t some black men enthusiastically support Harris, the first black woman nominated for president by a major political party? Heated exchange highlights unanswered questions One exchange reflected the raucous but familiar debates some black men have had with each other since Trump’s return to the White House. Stanley Thigpen, a civil engineer, had a theory about black men and Trump, who he described as “Big T over in 1600,” a reference to the White House’s address at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Thigpen said he is not a supporter, but “what we fail to realize is Trump has always been a prominent figure in black culture,” he said. Groans, laughs and objections immediately followed. “I gotta push back on that,” interjected Al Glay, a real estate agent. “You can’t push back on that!” Thigpen retorted. “Rappers rapped about Trump.” Glay recalled Trump’s statements about five black and Latino teenagers, now sometimes known as the Exonerated Five, who were wrongly accused and convicted of the 1989 rape of a white jogger in New York’s Central Park. “He was blatantly racist,” he said. “How can you support that?” Another man brushed that off. “They’re all racist anyway.” “You looked your mom in your face, you looked your aunt in the face,” Glay said. “You looked everybody in the face, and you saw Kamala, and you voted for the white man?” The barbershop then briefly erupted. Full circle moment for political outreach Thompson got his start as an organizer for Democrat Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Thompson co-founded Win With Black Men in 2023 to mobilize black men and highlight their priorities. The organization’s efforts were turbocharged after Harris entered the presidential race and concerns spread that black men wouldn’t enthusiastically back the then-vice president. Harris visited the same shop — Philly Cuts in West Philadelphia — during her campaign, nine days before she lost to

MATT ROURKE / AP PHOTO

Khalil Thompson, center, co-founder of Win With Black Men, leads a discussion at Philly Cuts barber shop in Philadelphia on Aug. 21.

“When you’re polling, messaging, making TV decisions for black men with one monolithic filter, you’re going to lose a broad swath.” Khalil Thompson, political strategist Trump. She discussed ways to improve black male representation in education, including increasing pay and reducing student loans with the local state representative. The recent conversation was much more free-form. Men debated how to provide role models and educational opportunities for black youths, whether the city’s food deserts were the result of intentional policy and whether artificial intelligence posed greater risks or rewards for them in the labor market. But all agreed on greater government investment in their communities. Thompson said he had found that black men across regions, educational backgrounds and income levels are interested in policies that could help them serve as breadwinners and caregivers, build paths to independent wealth, and obtain educational opportunities that boost financial independence and versatility. Some shared feelings of disillusionment with politics that crossed party lines. “For the longest time, we always have a reason to distrust government, because we know our history, right?” said Maurice Anderson, one of the barbers. He remembered that Democratic President Bill Clinton signed legislation that boosted criminal penalties that disproportionately sent black people

to prison. “What has happened,” he said, “is that we’re tapped out.” But even that was a trap, he added: “They want you to fall back.” State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a Democrat, acknowledged the disillusionment. “It’s always important that we’re having dialogue because we’ve got to turn that anger into action,” he said afterward. John White Jr., 77, a former state representative and member of the Philadelphia City Council who led federal housing policy during the Clinton administration, said the men were having “the same types of conversations we were having back then.” He urged them to translate frustration into civic engagement. Black men set to be highly sought voting group in 2028 Political strategists increasingly regard men of color as a crucial voting group as the political landscape undergoes a generational shift. “Black men are not a monolith,” said Terrance Woodbury, a political pollster whose firm, HIT Strategies, consulted on the Harris campaign. Black men age 18 and older — roughly 4.3% of the U.S. population, according to the latest census estimate — have unique historical experiences that make their voting patterns distinct from other groups. In July, black men age 20 and older had an unemployment rate of 6.2%, nearly double the 3.5% unemployment rate for white men, according to federal data. A Federal Reserve survey of 2022 data found that their families had a median wealth of $44,890 compared with the median white family wealth of $285,010. In 2023, black men’s imprisonment rate was about 5.5 times the rate for white men,

according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. About one-quarter of black men supported Trump in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 registered voters in all 50 states. That compares with 12% in 2020, when Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Thompson says he has heard from black men of different backgrounds — urban and rural, high- and low-income — about how deeper realities such as trauma, mass incarceration, economic discrimination and cultural stereotypes make some black men more skeptical of mainstream institutions and traditional campaign outreach efforts. Woodbury, the pollster, said several potential Democratic presidential candidates have already begun consulting his firm on outreach to black men. “There is no one looking at 2028 who does not understand the disproportionate impact that black men will play in South Carolina,” he said in reference to the first Democratic presidential primary state. Thompson believes black men are more likely to vote for candidates who offer an inspirational message rather than a pessimistic one. But just as Trump’s own dire messaging to black communities resonated with some black voters, Thompson said fears about the administration’s policies on policing civil rights, corporate diversity programs and how the nation’s history is taught have also emerged as motivating issues for black voters in the midterms, he said. “We have the freedom today that countless ancestors prayed for, died for,” Thompson said. “And there are so many ways that we can use it. We just have to motivate and mobilize.”

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Jones & Blount

Murphy to Manteo Fall festival season is here!

As fall festival season gets underway across North Carolina, communities from the coast to the mountains are gearing up for a busy stretch of events celebrating music, food, culture and the outdoors. This week and next weekend, events across the state offer residents plenty of opportunities to get out and explore. On the coast, Day at the Docks in Hatteras on Sept. 18-19 celebrates the island’s commercial fishing heritage with seafood, waterfront activities, live music and demonstrations. In the Piedmont, the North Carolina Folk Festival returns to Greensboro Sept. 18-20 with dozens of performers, food vendors and makers. Charlotte will host FoodieLand Food Festival Sept. 18-20, bringing together food vendors and culinary experiences. In the Sandhills, the North Carolina Taco Festival in Hope Mills on Sept. 19 will feature tacos, food trucks, entertainment and family activities. Raleigh ptember 25, 2025 will celebrate Latin American culture during La Fiesta del Pueblo on Sept. 20, featuring music, dance, food and cultural exhibits. Farther west, the Lake James BioBlitz on Sept. 19 invites participants to explore the area’s biodiversity and document local plants and wildlife. Together, these events showcase the variety of experiences happening across North Carolina as the state heads into a busy fall season.

GREENSBORO LAKE JAMES RALEIGH CHARLOTTE

HATTERAS HOPE MILLS

NORTH CAROLINA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

Lake James BioBlitz

NC Taco Festival

Sept. 19 Lake James

Sept. 19 Hope Mills

FoodieLand Food Festival

La Fiesta del Pueblo North State Journal for Thursday, September 25, 2025

Sept. 18-20 Charlotte

Sept. 20 Raleigh

North Carolina Folk Festival

Day at the Docks

Sept. 18-20 Greensboro

Sept. 18-19 Hatteras

COURTESY ELECT CHELSEA WALSH

Chelsea Walsh is running for state House District 117 after Jennifer Balkcom was selected to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards in Congress.

Jones & Blount

hy to Manteo WEST

PIEDMONT

Asheville fundraiser offers international fare to aid immigrant community

Page HS football player dies after being injured in game

ELKIN

Legislative committee working to spread America 250 messages EAST

Man arrested after stealing car with child inside, leading to armed standoff

Guilford County Commemorative state Guilford County Schools announced Buncombe County Lenoir County constitutions, bell ringing and Monday that a Page High School student Co-owner of Sam Jones A multicultural dining experience A Lenoir County man was arrested the role of prayer LIBERTY had died. A spokesperson for the school Rescue Mission thrift store were discussed Man charged in 25-year-old brought people together in west last week after deputies say a vehicle BBQ honored with district said the student was injured holds grand reopening Asheville this weekend, raising was stolen in Jones County with a motorcycle theft case top business award CULLOWHEE last Thursday while participating in a CLEVELAND money to provide free legal services small child inside, leading to an armed By A.P. Dillon football game. The student, who has Forsyth County BENSON Cherokee County for immigrants across western North Pitt County standoff at a home in La Grange. Lenoir North State Journal COUNTY not beenDUDLEY identified by Guilford County The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission A Cherokee County man is behind bars Carolina. Pisgah Legal Services Michael Letchworth, co-owner of Sam County deputies said the suspect, Schools, was transported to the hospital will celebrate the grand reopening after deputies say they found him with RALEIGH — Theoflegislative Austin Riggs, had unlawfully entered hosted its annual “Our Global Table” Jones BBQ in Winterville, was named for treatment and later died. In a its newly improved thrift store Friday,America 250 a motorcycle that was reported stolen committee overseeing fundraiser at Cooperative Coffee the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber and barricaded himself inside a statement, the district wrote: “Guilford from 9 a.m. to 6 celebrations p.m. at 704 in Oak St. Carolina met egional Roasters. Organizers said the event North in Tennessee in 2001. The Cherokee of Commerce’s 2025 Small Business residence with a stolen shotgun. After LUMBERTON County Schools is saddened by the loss NW in Winston-Salem. The thriftactivities planned Sept. 18 to discuss in standoff, Riggs surrendered County Sheriff’s Office says deputies al Show featured cuisine from around 25 Leader of the Year. Letchworth, who is a brief the coming months. to our school community. Our thoughts Store has undergone an extensive became aware of suspicious activity different countries. Guests sampled a lifelong Pitt County native, has been and was taken into custody without Oct. 4 Co-Chair Ted Alexander are with their family, teammates, redesign, includingCommittee an updated involving a motorcycle at a dollar store dishes ranging from Japanese cuisine to instrumental in building one of the incident. The child was safely recovered (R-Cleveland) shared historical facts coaches and classmates.” No additional layout, newly arranged collections near Highway 129 earlier this month. traditional Mexican treats. Pisgah Legal region’s most recognized restaurant and reunited with their grandmother. for “on this day in history,” including details were provided. and a fresh aesthetic inspired by its A man, later identified as Brian Hogan, Services offers free legal counseling brands. As co-owner of Sam Jones No injuries were reported. ule Days events from 1776, location in Winston-Salem’s Arts1793, 1906 and 1947. was seen spray-painting the motorcycle NSJ to people in need throughout Western BBQ, Letchworth has helped to grow WCTI “Now, on this day in history, District. Organizers say the redesign is red outside the store. Investigators say George Washington laid the North Carolina. the restaurant to become both a local in 1776, on Sept. 18, Gen. George intended to create a more welcoming, they recognized Hogan after seeing cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. favorite and a nationally acclaimed Washington wrote to the president WLOS intentional and curated shopping Congress, John a photo of him and contacted him destination. The restaurant has been of the Continental experience. The Rescue Mission for questioning. Hogan told them the gional Haunted attraction team Hancock, to report on the Battle of featured by Southern Living, Garden Data-center public discussion also said it reflects a desire for the motorcycle belonged to his friend, al Fair suggesting additional appropriate & Gun, The New York Times, and Harlem Heights and relayed the news member dies on opening night Thrift Store to become moreofengaged postponed until October and he was test-driving it. However, venues like public libraries and the Earl of the death Cap. Thomas Knowlton,” The Food Network, solidifying its Oct. 4 with the surrounding Arts said. District Men arrested at Duke Energy investigators saw the VIN number had Scruggs Center. Alexander “And then on the same Guilford County place among America’s best barbecue Beaufort County and complementday theincreativity and One bell ringing had taken place establishments. Sam Jones Barbecue 1793, Sept. 18, 1793, George been removed from the motorcycle. Woods of Terror owners announced facility after forced entry, Beaufort County commissioners in Moore County the day before the also supports local charities, youth Washington then laid the cornerstone character of the community. Thrift They used its registration to confirm the via social media that a team member security tampering will wait until October toThe voteOld on School a committee met. thesupport United States Store purchases of help the Capitol Building.” owner’s identity. It was registered to a died following a medical emergency last programs, and community and potential one-year moratorium on new House bell at Moore County Schools A presentation was given by James organization’s Christ-centered alcohol different person than Hogan claimed, Friday night. Woods of Terror owners Henderson County education initiatives that help promote Headquarters was rung at noon on data center development applications. Banks on the role of faith and prayer and drug recovery programs for men. and it was expired, prompting Highway Eddie and Peggy McLaurin released Two individuals, Woodrow Massey, 39, Pitt County’s culinary heritage and Constitution Day. in support colonial North Carolina history, County officials said the formal public The proceeds also community Patrol officials’ discovery that the a statement Saturday stating that one and Edwrie Taylor Jr., 65, were arrested small business ecosystem. The award Due to low attendance, no official emphasizing the Moravians’ influence hearing and vote on the proposed outreach including free food and motorcycle was reported as stolen in of their team members experienced a last week inside a Duke Energy facility recognizes individuals who demonstrate actions were taken during the meeting. stemming from a 1727 prayer meeting moratorium have been postponed EAST MONTon Pot Shoals Road in Saluda, according clothing pantries and a medical clinic Blount County, Tennessee, in May 2001. medical emergency on site at 5601 North outstanding leadership, business In other state news, it was in Germany and their settlements in from this week’s meeting until the offered in partnership with local Hogan is being held in the Cherokee Church St. in Greensboro last Friday. to Henderson County Sheriff’s Office acumen, and community involvement announced that the North Carolina places like Bethabara. FollowingBoard his of Commissioners’ Oct. 5 physicians who volunteer their services. members held State Fair will feature County Detention Center withoutchase bond. st yields 11 pounds of Despite life-saving efforts by firefighters Motorcycle warrants. Deputies accused the pair of while contributing to the growth and an America 250 presentation, committee meeting. The proposed moratorium and EMS, the team member could not WFMY breaking into the building, damaging NSJ worth nearly $100K booth in Dorton Arena. The booth vitality of Pitt County’s small business a brief Q&A with Banks. reaches 180 mph would lastwill onefeature year and temporarily be saved, the statement said. trivia games, America 250 Member Troy Kickler updated the security equipment, and possessing community. stop the acceptance, processing County Lenior County swag and the “People of and Colonial North group on initiatives like a special tools consistent with forced entry. NSJ NSJ approval of applications for data center nce County man was The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Carolina” traveling exhibit. semiquincentennial edition of the Warrants detailed damage to locks on ter investigators discovered in Beaufort County. Crash Reduction Team partnered with Multiple children escape Nationally, President Donald Trump state constitution and traveling developments trail cameras and lock boxes, tampering of cocaine. Last week, the Greensboro Science Center neighboring law enforcement to conduct County officials said postponing the launched “America Prays“ initiative, a exhibits from the American Journey Raleigh psychiatric hospital with Task DukeForce Energy security equipment, ounty Narcotics several enforcement events across the official hearing and vote willto give thein prayer to build rainforest biodome “call for Americans unite Experience museum in Dallas featuring as well as noting grinder and bolt with the Alamance County Wake County eastern region focused on impaired community opportunity foran theadditional nation’s strength, peace, and Revolutionary War artifacts, which cutters at thefor scene. Enforcement Task Force A massive law enforcement search and reckless driving last weekend. were also discussed at the committee’s Guilford County to provideprosperity input. as the 250th anniversary

Sept. 18, 1793

ation, ending with deputies an address on Leslee Drive . Investigators found and ut 5,000 grams, or just over of cocaine and $99,995 in ncy. Miquel Angel Herrera31, was arrested and charged y trafficking cocaine.

WGHP

ers free tuition for making under $200K

unty st University announced that undergraduates from North ith annual family incomes 200,000 per year can attend e starting with students or the 2026 fall semester. h Carolina Gateway to Wake versity demonstrates our mitment to students from tate,” Wake Forest President Wente said. “It says clearly to nd families who may not have Wake Forest because of cost: est is within your reach.’” NSJ

NSJ The Greensboro Science Center is bringing a new ecosystem to the Piedmont Triad. The center is building a rainforest, complete with animals not found in ecosystems in North America. Greensboro Science Center officials hope the project will be educational for people of all ages. The $20 million biodome project will be a place where visitors can learn about how a rainforest ecosystem operates and the process it takes to preserve its habitat, museum officials say. Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with protected species of animals that are not native to North America. The biodome is scheduled to open to the public in late summer 2027 or early fall 2027. “We’re going to have a clouded leopard exhibit … Galapagos tortoises, our Aldabra tortoises that are currently in our zoo, along with spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys and Indy, the sloth, who will take up residence in the new space,” museum CEO Beth Hemphill said.

WFMY

Officials say a high-speed pursuit led to an arrest on Saturday morning on I-795. The rider, who has been identified as Christopher Pennington of Kenly, reportedly reached estimated speeds of 180 mph. Pennington’s bike became disabled in a populated section of Goldsboro, and officers were able to make the arrest.

WITN

Man cited in hit-and-run involving wild horse Currituck County A driver was cited after striking a horse last week, authorities said. The Currituck County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred when a horse ran into the path of a southbound vehicle on Sandfiddler Road. The horse fell but was able to stand and rejoin its group, and it did not sustain serious injuries. The driver — who was charged for not notifying authorities and leaving the scene — pleaded guilty, paid fines and court costs, and was released. WXII

in east Raleigh on Sunday night was for several children who escaped a psychiatric hospital just off Sunnybrook Road north of Poole Road, police said. The escape of the children happened during a “disturbance” reported just after 8:05 p.m. at the Holly Hill Hospital’s South Campus located near WakeMed, police officials said in a press statement. The facility is for inpatient and outpatient treatment of psychiatric and addictive diseases. Officers learned that the teens had escaped the facility on foot, and authorities deployed K-9 teams and drones during the search for nearly three hours. By 10:50 p.m., all seven escapees were back in custody, police said. “These juveniles were not considered armed or dangerous, and there was no threat to the surrounding community during this incident,” police said. The incident follows a large brawl involving more than 20 girls in December 2024. Six girls were sent to the hospital during that incident.

NSJ

previous meeting. Kickler also provided updates on the committee’s America 250 website to include certain announcements and a community calendar, as well as short two-minute lawmaker video recordings “about why it’s important to remember the semiquincentennial.” Additionally, Kickler described outreach efforts to spread America 250 messages, including op-eds, a Speaker’s Bureau and monthly bell-ringing events at churches, with committee members

of the Declaration of Independence WNCT approaches.” Trump unveiled the initiative in July in Iowa and formally launched America Prays at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 8. “Next year, we will celebrate 250 years since that Declaration was signed,” Trump said. “As part of the grand commemoration … we’ve invited America’s great faith communities to pray for our nation, for our people, and for peace in the world.”

Hall stumps for Walsh at District 117 event By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) lent his support to Chelsea Walsh during her campaign kickoff event for her candidacy for House District 117 this past week. “It was great to see such a strong turnout yesterday in support of Chelsea Walsh,” Hall wrote in a post on X that featured pictures from the event. “An excellent kickoff to the campaign and a great start to the road ahead!” Hall’s presence at the event is notable as he set a new off-year fundraising record for a sitting speaker last year with $1.2 million in total contributions. Walsh, a Henderson County native, was selected Aug. 13 by the Henderson County Republican Party’s executive committee to fill Rep. Jennifer Balkcom’s District 117 spot on the November ballot. Walsh will face Democrat Lynne Russo in November. The conservative John Locke Foundation’s Partisan Index had District 117 listed as plus 6 Likely Republican. Balkcom was tapped to run for the state’s 11th Congressional District seat after Rep. Chuck Edwards withdrew from reelection. His withdrawal followed the House’s recommendation he be censured for inappropriate conduct with female staffers. The House later voted to censure Edwards by a vote of 413-2. Balkcom released her first campaign ad Sept. 8, focusing on her background growing up on a farm. “Hard work is all I’ve ever known, and in Congress I’ll work for you,” she said. Hall also remarked on a separate race, House District 62, between Republican John Blust and Democrat Shelly Headen. Past social media posts by Headen, as well as police incidents at her home, were brought to light last week. The posts included calling for attacks on U.S. soil “where stupid people live,” which Hall called “absolutely disgusting.” “A candidate bankrolled and

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backed by Josh Stein and House Democratic Leadership is calling for an attack on American soil,” Hall wrote in a post on X. Headen also commented on an anti-Trump Facebook post, writing, “Why is it that some of us can see what is going on in the world and others can’t? Maybe they need to experience sexual assault so they can experience what Trump’s victims feel.” House Republicans called attention to a now-deleted Facebook post by Headen regarding police called to her home on two occasions, including a copy of police reports showing her husband as the victim. In a statement on her campaign website, Headen said it was a private issue being “used against me.” The statement pivoted to attacking Republican policies, with Headen writing, “It’s clear that crafting this false narrative was never about what happened to me, but about hiding from the shameful results of their failed policies.” In a comment to The Assembly, Headen defended her past remarks and said she “sacrificed” just like Jesus “on the cross,” and compared herself to Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln. The House Democratic Caucus has condemned Headen’s posts, and the Guilford County Democratic Party said in a statement on Facebook that it “unequivocally reject and condemn” Headen’s posts and has dropped all backing of Headen. “Effective immediately, the County Democratic Party is formally withdrawing all financial, operational, and organizational support from Shelly Headen’s campaign for NC House District 62,” the Guilford County Democratic Party’s post stated. “We will not expend party resources or volunteer efforts on behalf of her candidacy.” Since that statement, a new post by Headen was reported by Breitbart News. The post shows her in front of a Nazi concentration camp oven, with text that says, “This is where Trump supporters belong.”

A10

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

NATION & WORLD

Johnson: Trump’s $5K ‘dividend’ Republicans tout needs congressional approval tax cuts, public The president made the pitch during the GOP’s midterm convention

“He’s the big ideas president. We’re going to try to implement everything we can.”

By Didi Tang The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s proposal to send $5,000 to every American adult if his Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in the November election needs congressional approval, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Sunday while pledging to try to make it happen. Trump made the unusual pitch at the party’s midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, last week, promising a “Trump Dividend” if voters keep the GOP in power on Capitol Hill. The president later told CBS News Texas that he did not think Congress would need to authorize the payments, though he did not specify how he could spend more than $1 trillion without lawmakers’ authorization.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on the “Trump Dividend” But Johnson said congressional approval is needed. “I would assume, yes, he’d need Congress to act, and that’s a creative idea,” he said. A few hours later, Trump said he would deliver on his promise. “The 5,000’s going to happen, 100%,” he told reporters before boarding Air Force One in Ireland, where he attended a pro golf tournament at his resort. Johnson, meanwhile, said he would work to get Trump’s proposal through Congress despite a small Republican margin. “He’s the big ideas president. We’re going to try to implement everything we can,” he said.

“I commit that Congress will work through it and find consensus on that like they have to do everything else.” The dubious election-year gambit could cost more than $1 trillion, putting further strains on the country’s nearly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit and exacerbating concerns about inflation. The economy is confronted by persistent inflation and increasing interest rates, a tough combination for governing Republicans as they seek to hold on to control of Congress. The president argues that payments would be possible because of the strong economy, but consumer sentiment is weak as gasoline prices rise because of the war with Iran and wages struggle to keep pace with inflation. Trump told reporters earlier Sunday that the payments would be “easy enough” because the United States has a strong economy. “We can easily handle that because we’re taking in so much money,” he said. “We’ve never done better.”

JULIO CORTEZ / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump greets supporters as he arrives on the stage at the Republican convention last Thursday in Dallas, Texas.

NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING PROPOSED POOLE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FROM WEST OF BARWELL ROAD TO HODGE ROAD IN WAKE COUNTY

STIP Project HL-0133L and HL-0133A WAKE COUNTY - The public is invited to a meeting with the N.C. Department of Transportation this month to discuss the proposed widening of Poole Road from Barwell Road to Hodge Road in Wake County. The proposed improvements — State Transportation Improvement Program project Nos. HL-0133L and HL-0133A — would expand Poole Road from two lanes to four lanes and LQFOXGH D FHQWHU PHGLDQ WR VHSDUDWH WUDI¿F WUDYHOLQJ LQ RSSRVLWH GLUHFWLRQV ,W¶V LQWHQGHG to address ongoing growth and increasing travel demand throughout the corridor E\ UHGXFLQJ IXWXUH WUDI¿F FRQJHVWLRQ LPSURYLQJ URDGZD\ RSHUDWLRQV DQG VXSSRUWLQJ anticipated development. 0RUH GHWDLOV LQFOXGLQJ PDSV RI WKH SURSRVHG GHVLJQ FDQ EH IRXQG RQ WKH SURMHFW ZHEVLWH The meeting will be held 5-7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Barwell Road Community Center, 5857 Barwell Park Drive LQ Raleigh. Interested residents can drop in any time during WKRVH KRXUV WR OHDUQ PRUH DERXW WKH SURSRVDO DVN TXHVWLRQV DQG VSHDN ZLWK 1&'27 representatives. There will not be a formal presentation. 3HRSOH PD\ DOVR VXEPLW FRPPHQWV E\ SKRQH HPDLO RU PDLO E\ Oct. 12. )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ FRQWDFW NCDOT Division 5 Project Delivery Staff Engineer S. Reid Davidson at 919 317-4700; srdavidson@ncdot.gov; or 2612 N. Duke St. in Durham. 1&'27 ZLOO SURYLGH DX[LOLDU\ DLGV DQG VHUYLFHV XQGHU WKH $PHULFDQV ZLWK 'LVDELOLWLHV $FW IRU GLVDEOHG SHRSOH ZKR ZLVK WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKLV ZRUNVKRS $Q\RQH UHTXLULQJ VSHFLDO services should contact Aleksandra Djurkovic, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center in Raleigh; 919-707-6024; or andjurkovic@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that arrangements can be made. 7KRVH ZKR GR QRW VSHDN (QJOLVK RU KDYH D OLPLWHG DYDLODELOLW\ WR UHDG VSHDN RU XQGHUVWDQG (QJOLVK PD\ UHFHLYH LQWHUSUHWLYH VHUYLFHV XSRQ UHTXHVW SULRU WR WKH PHHWLQJ E\ calling 1-800-481-6494.

$TXHOODV SHUVRQDV QR KDEODQ LQJOpV R WLHQHQ OLPLWDFLRQHV SDUD OHHU KDEODU R HQWHQGHU LQJOpV SRGUtDQ UHFLELU VHUYLFLRV de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 1-800-481-6494.

safety at midterm convention Michael Whatley, Laurie Buckhout and Rep. Richard Hudson were among the speakers from North Carolina By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The Republican Party held its midterm convention last week in Dallas, Texas, billed as a “primetime showcase for President (Donald) Trump’s success, candidates, and causes that have propelled the 2026 midterms to unprecedented focus.” Themes on both nights contrasted Republicans with Democrats on topics like law enforcement, public safety, border policies and healthcare, as well as economic issues like tax cuts and manufacturing. “The midterm election is about the future of our country,” Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters said in a statement prior to the convention. “President Donald Trump and Republicans are fighting to launch the golden age of America while extreme liberal Democrats want to tear this country apart and create a liberal failed state with their out-of-touch and anti-American views.” “The choice is clear in November and the American people will reject these liberal policies and deliver historic wins for Republicans across the country.” A wide range of speakers gave remarks during the two-night event, including Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Trump spoke for more than an hour on the first night of the event and nearly two hours on the second. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman made a surprise appearance by video during the first night, applauding his Pennsylvania colleague, Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Fetterman, standing against the backdrop of a steel plant, said he would work with Trump to “defend the steel way of life” in Pennsylvania. Among the speakers from North Carolina were Michael Whatley, the Republican candidate for the state’s Senate seat, Laurie Buckhout, the Republican running for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, and U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson. Whatley’s remarks came early on the event’s first night, framing the U.S. Senate race as a contrast between Republican results under Trump and the record of his opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper. Whatley’s speech credited Republicans for tax cuts for working families — worth about $5,700 per North Carolina household — rural health funding and lower prescription-drug costs, saying Cooper opposed those measures. Whatley also attacked Cooper on healthcare costs and insurance premium increases, including industry campaign contributions. Whatley also highlighted criminal justice policies like Cooper’s pandemic agreement that released thousands of prisoners early, saying 2,200 of those released had been rearrested. Whatley also focused on the Charlotte light rail murder of Iryna Zarutska, who he said should still be alive had her attacker been kept in custody. “That monster should never have been on the streets,”

“The choice is clear in November and the American people will reject these liberal policies and deliver historic wins for Republicans across the country.” Joe Gruters, Republican National Committee chairman Whatley said. “That monster should never have been on that light rail car. Iryna Zarutska should be alive today, and her blood is on Roy Cooper’s hands.” Whatley continuously knocked Cooper on his public safety record. “Hundreds of families across North Carolina have been shattered because of his reckless actions,” Whatley said. “There will be open seats at 25 dinner tables forever because of Roy Cooper. When it comes to keeping our kids and our communities safe, Roy Cooper was the worst governor in the history of North Carolina.” Whatley also said the American dream is under assault “thanks to the radical, extreme policies of Democrats like Roy Cooper.” “I will fight for our families,” Whatley said. “I will fight for every North Carolina community. I will fight for our way of life, and I will fight to keep the Democrats’ radical, extreme, far-left agenda out of the Senate. As the next senator for North Carolina, I will always fight for your values, and I will always fight for you.” Hudson, who spoke on night two, framed the midterms as a choice between “common sense” under Trump and House Republicans and a return to what he called the Democrats’ “failed past.” Hudson argued the Democratic Party’s direction — socialism, open borders, no prisons, boys in girls’ sports and higher taxes — showed Democrats have “nothing to offer.” Hudson, who serves as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, closed by telling Americans that Trump and House Republicans are fighting to make life better and urged them to “choose common sense over crazy” by voting Republican. In her remarks on the second night, Buckhout highlighted being a combat veteran and business owner who keeps promises. She also touted Republicans passing “working families tax cuts” and attacked her opponent, Rep. Don Davis (D-Snow Hill), and House Democrats for voting no but then claiming credit for money from the same bill. “They did not just vote against the bill. They voted against your paycheck,” Buckhout said. “They voted against you. … Don Davis and the Democrats clearly have a playbook in Washington: Block it in D.C. and then take credit for it back home. Vote no, then show up with the ribbon cutting. “In the Army, if you fail to keep your promises and not stand by your people, you get relieved of command. So this November, every Democrat who voted to raise taxes on working families deserves exactly that — to be relieved of command.”

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EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

to this get back to norm The comfo How Chinawe willbegin payThe for COVID-19 3 big questionsc A11

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 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 whatgeneral’s 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 The supposed from COVID-19 offers opportunities for a attorney U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their in 1986. know what they simply questioning the data and asking when we can start gettin ing an unprecedented number and many more that presumes Sponsored by Union and our communities safe. But still continue in the United States. There is approximately more liberalized society w Sponsored by should also to the dissolution of theourselves, Soviet In thisled sw bit of remediation. Let’s first examine what proposal seeks to we program of are Reagan, of production data centersback without a clear to do, last I to normal as though they are$120 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 protect customers billion worth of American in plants and equipment plan on how to protect ratepay- direct investment otherwise don’t care if they get themselvesinor1989. others sick. checked. s. title of a recent study,from rising ple to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also haveers an expiration date. seen rates — Conc the ni temporary Chernobyl. In higher rates direct and uncosts infrom China. Chinese investmentSince in thewhen U.S. did is about $65We’ve billion by case fatality Perhaps COVID-19 questioning government at all levels become a “Academic and to theAmericans, and it is not normal.acceptable North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, an starttalking getting backGrievance ThisStudies is all new Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cas risk,” Jackson said. 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 we should remain vigilant and “These data centers are upendor are people who shape, or form. So while 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 over. of China forgiving $1.2 toon do,half lastof I checked. done by Areo, an opinion and analysis By Dan Reeves ing our energy system, and we s sick. same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new people have actually died coronaviru hey have caused US. the Don’t hold your today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing China to of “pay” d digitalthe magazine. By the way, Areo is short My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, isfor mythe fam need to know that the Utilities North State Journal 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 investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in breath waiting for a Ch worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. A Commission is making sure 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. taxcenters revenue spread a few years. $18 billion lost revenue hold pay for theover strain RALEIGH — North Caro- data suffering fromin the H1N1 virusis(swine flu) representatives during the 2009topande in. Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. lina’s rapid data-center build- they sources suggest the number is dramatic decimal compared to the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan extra we areprecautions, now this disaster. put ondust the grid and don’t been trying to take because all of this brin Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has thatout rse, to is my family. Stacey Matthews also pseudonym Sister Toldjah manyas people are dying home. cted operate as I’m responsible citizens of unfairly burden ratepayers.” is written forcing aunder larger the question undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the It is at about timenot they way too memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer to something gone drastically wrong The cargohas airline rried I will. After andthat is aflew regular contributor RedState andgrid: Legal Insurrection. Even more importantly, we have no cl The dispute comes as North onto thetostate’s electric nation. past. the world like any othe But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone in academia, the plane that especially ran off thewithin end certainWho should pay for all the new Carolina becomes an increashe 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scienti China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within the humanities. They callpower? of a Miami runway over Labor ingly attractive destination for all of this brings up of identified now for the past no secret that theycases could be an order of m these fields “grievance where Attorney General Jeff Jack- thebusiness enormous computing facil-30 years. They have made weekend and killedstudies,” five Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronav senio prefer notDay to repeat. number of people who have had scholarship is not so much based uponson is asking state regulators to ities intend to replace the U.S. that power artificial intel-as the premier superpower in the world and people lost one of its biggest most everyone hastruth but upon attending to finding replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. CARL LENDER / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS cloud computing and create a separate rate class for ligence, customers when Amazon

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data centers and other excep- other digital services. The facil- Rows of servers fill a data center. North Carolina Attorney suspended its partnership with and other bully students, administrators tionally large users of electrici- ities can require extraordinary General Jeff Jackson is asking state regulators to create a Greensboro-based 21 Air, and departments into adhering to their ty, arguing that residential cus- amounts of electricity, mak- separate Duke Energy rate class for data centers and other it’s not yet clear if the company worldview. The worldview they promote is Jason tomers and smaller businesses ing their arrival an increas- large power users. n will lose scientific more business while Grievance neither nor rigorous. | STACEY importantMATTHEWS part of Duke’s should not beEDITORIAL left paying for ingly ose studies consist of investigated. disciplines such as generation and transmission long-term planning for generathe crash is being sociology, anthropology, The Boeing 767, loadedgender with studies, sociated with large new loads projects built primarily to serve tion and transmission. COLUMN | REP. HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race packages of contact lenses, onRICHARD the customers creating That demand carries both some of Duke Energy’s biggest studies. “We’re going to keep them. Long-term agreements opportunity and risk. New data new customers. came in fast Sept. 6, barreled In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, The proposal, filed as part centers can bring significant can include customer-fundfighting to protect roughly 1,300 feet past the end Lindsay and Boghossian started ed connection costs, upfront fiinvestment and a large new of Duke Energy’s pending rate of the runway and smashed s submitting bogus academic papers to cases before the North Caroli- stream of electricity revenue, ratepayers.” nancial security, termination into a van carrying at queer, academic journals workers in cultural, charges and temporary curtailna Utilities Commission, would but utilities must often plan Jeff Jackson, North Carolina arace, plane cleaning company. All gender, fat and sexuality studies establish a specific set of rates power plants and grid improvement provisions. attorney general five people who died would were inpass the peer to determine if they Duke President and CEO and requirements for the in- ments years before anticipated “THIS IS THE DAY the lord has mad he seriousness of and the virus andhurt. the van. Five others were review be accepted for need publication.creasingly large power loads demand WITH MOST STATES fallen into place. I unde Harry Sideris said the company arrives. If a large proj-under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home Acceptance of dubious research “After thewho tragic incident in it” (Psalm 118:24). asy with how people simply ask that created by data centers. is focused on making sure data thanks to local or statetygovernments, a majority of Americans said in July that data-cenectorders is canceled, delayed or uses to take precautions, bu journal editors found sympathetic to their weekend, we’ve spent time I know“not thatonly during this challenging hen thingslast can start getting back to centers pay their fair the datt terbeing development could generate Jackson argues that putting less areelectricity having to than adjustprojectto what is called the “new normal.” questions about intersectional postmodern leftist vision supporting the or investigation share but alsohome yield savings billions of dollars inthe long-term must orders determine those customers into their own ed, regulators working from or losing a job, it es with contempt. Some of these extend at least through end of this month. normal arefor treated inm s of the world would prove the problem of and reviewing some of the our existing customers.” savings for existing customers ultimately bears the costs rate class would establish con- who be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. How as a society simply must accept without Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June. They’re treated as th low academic standards. regulators to built in antic- as revenue from large new us- andJackson surrounding circumstances, dad, thewants Easter holiday hasthe remind ells us about when it’s safefake to begin thepapers sistent rules, provide greater of infrastructure Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Cooper stated during question what gove Several of the research go further. ers helps pay forRoy investments ipation of that demand. transparency and reduce the and we’ve decided to pause have to be thankful and hopeful for, eve malcy. were accepted for publication. The Fat a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” if the process of returning ba His proposal comes alongDuke has pushed back on in generation and the electric possibility that costs associatour operations with Air,those Lenten and pandemic. r us, and we have the right to21ask Studies journal published a hoax papered with serving massive new thestate’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government side recommendations filed in grid. suggestion that existSince when did the of Flight thatoperator argued the term bodybuilding wasloads are shifted to other Duke ing customers For me,ongoing my faith is an important par t-home orders are in place all7598,” over the Easter seasons Carbon Plan Customer Protection If he does decide to extend it,Duke’s questions should be asked asDuke’s to the are being left questions. And the long Amazon spokesperson Kelly andas should be replaced customers. questioning making. As I celebrated Easter with my f them get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, Plus framework includes proviexposed. justification for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country, and the stricte provide Nantel said in a statement. with “fat bodybuilding, a fat-inclusive “Duke Energy government sions aimed at putting costs asThe Charlotte-based utiliis onboardCorinthians 1:4, which reminds us our feeling isolated and/or anxious as about See CENTERS, page A12 must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people, sitting message of politicized performance.” “We’ll continue working to One reviewer affliction, so thatwhen we may able com ding for their families, will demand at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who theybecan gettoback ns said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this support the investigation and hope that we will affliction, with the comfort which we ou are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. , article and believe it has an important become a everyone affected.” once again enjoy God.” levels should be as forthcoming as they contribution to Transportation make to the field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local a The National bad thing? sporting events, If you are celebrating the Easter seas d again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” are reliable. can be with those answ Safety Board will examine “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity That is what reflect on this message and be comforte ments believability. concerts, family USA Todaythat give th To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked andcently, then includingwith details everything that might have Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to God’s example Gannett, andWe comfort allallthose in what we can to keep as our Co., about formerly earlier free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions should contin gatherings, contributed to the crash to se Neoliberal and Feminism,” was this month. It was not immethis difficult time. Through faith and by safe. But determine we shouldwhat alsoChoice still continue the data. State Republican leaders have, too. services ourselves, and our com caused it.byThat church living in a free accepted for publication Affilia, a diately clear how many staffers confident we will emerge out of this pan because while reasonable stay-at-home will include the actions of the Unfortunately, when certain types ofand questions get asked, there is to ask questions about s feminist journal for social workers. The many more society were werethis affected. same spirit, I continue to be in hey shouldpilots also and have expiration airan traffic controllers, sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treatInthose measures are understa paper consisted in part of adate. rewritten “We will continue adapting after our own supposed neighbors helping neighbors. and it is not normal. Not in any way, as well asfrom the jet’s maintenance passage Mein Kampf. Two other simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to evolving This isaudiall new to Am our business temporary In Concord, high school senior nam uld remainhistory, vigilant stay safe, at including hoax papers were published, theand airline’s practices to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who shape, ormarform. So whil ence behaviors,a changing . “Rape and Queer money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic comfortable with this so-called “new and theCulture stormy weather atPerformativity the sacrifices are advances otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. ket dynamics and the same time we shou checked. at Urban Parks.” This paper’s subject health care workers out of his own hom time of theDog crash. in atechnology,” spokesperson Since when did questioning government at all levels become bad normal.” over. was dog-on-dog rape.flies But the dog rape The company also saidone in little an bit. thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society wereLark-Marie supposed AntónNot paper eventually forced Boghossian, email to the AP. packages for DHL. Data from to do, last I checked. Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurelyThe out layoffs include two “These decisions are never aviation analyticsSister firm Cirium n under the pseudonym Toldjah My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is mymade family. I’m sheStacey has a themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer investigative reporters at lightly,” wrote.Matthews “They shows thatInsurrection. 21out Airwhat leases itswere doing. RedState and hadLegal figured they worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After and is a regular contri The Charlotte Observer are intended to position USA 18 airplanes, which includefor 13publication Some papers accepted suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, Today Co. for long-term sucBoeing 767s and five 757s. At in academic journals advocated training and up maintain our ability to I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of thiscess brings least those planes are white male men six likeofdogs and punishing invest in innovation, products By Jocelyn Noveck way too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. collegefrom students for historical by Associated Press leased Amazon affiliates slavery The and experiences that best serve But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has asking themthree to sitfrom in silence and at least DHL. on the floor in our audiences.” n chains during focused class andon to be expected to “We remain In an internal memo, Senior NEW YORK — Closing out a learn from the discomfort. supporting the families and Other papers Vice President Michael Anasturbulent summer for the news ity celebrated morbid obesity as a healthyindustry, life tasi told staff: “The challengMcClatchy — owner loved ones who were impacted choice and advocated treating privately es we face are not temporary. of the two largest newspapers by this accident, as well as conducted masturbation as a form of in North Carolina — has made Rapid shifts in audience behavworking closely with the NTSB d sexual violence against women. Typically, ior, technology and innovation, deep cuts at several papers it and all our partners, like as academic journal editors send submitted and continued pressure on adowns across the nation. Amazon, asto the investigation papers out referees for review. In vertising and revenue models The union that represents BILLY HATHORN / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS continues,” 21 Air said in a for publication, recommending acceptance are changing the economics of McClatchy journalists said statement. “We are confident in glowing many reviewers gave these papers journalism at a pace our induslast Friday that more than 90 McClatchy, which owns The Charlotte Observer — its old praise. our safety policies, procedures try has not experienced before.” unionized journalists and me- headquarters pictured in 2012 — and The News & Observer scientist Zach Goldberg ran andPolitical training.” dia workers across 17 publi- in Raleigh, announced layoffs across its newspaper chain. ss certain grievance studies DHL spokesman Robertconcepts through Other outlets also cations had been laid off, acd the Lexis/Nexis to see how often affected this summer Mintz declined todatabase, say Monday counting for about 30% of all they appeared in our press over the years. McClatchy made a deliberMcClatchy workers unionized whether that package hauler He found huge increases in the usageswith The NewsGuild-CWA. At The Associated Press, 19 ate choice to maintain our inwill continue to use 21 Air of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” vestment in local news report- U.S.-based video producer jobs The layoffs have affected news “Coverage of the because of “the ongoing ng “critical race theory” and “whiteness.”outlets including The Charlotte ers. We believed continued were recently relocated to Ininvestigation and the sensitive All of this is being taught to college Observer, Raleigh’s The News U.S. should be investment in our journalism dia, according to the union, nature of the matter.” students, many of whom become primary would strengthen our relation- with another 10 photo editors & Observer, The Sacramento done in the U.S.” “DHL continually assesses c. and secondary school teachers who then ship with subscribers and our told they will lose their jobs Bee, The Kansas City Star, the Kimberlee Kruesi, News Media indoctrinate ourrelationships young people. its network and sometime this year. business.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Guild acting president n I doubt thetocoronaviruswith servicewhether providers ensure Those cuts come just under “We measured the results,” others. caused crunch we meetfinancial the needs of ourwill give collegeMiami Herald deputy invesFarmer added. “The results are four months after the news coo? and university a customers and administrators, our operational who are tigations editor Carol Marbin two decades, pushed first by clear and require us to make a operative laid off 20 U.S.-based crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, Miller, who was not affected the rise of the internet and the different choice. ... We are mak- journalists, part of a restrucrequirements,” Mintz said. the guts and backbone to restore academic by the layoffs, told The Asso- decline of classified advertising these changes because the turing that pivoted away from Flight information released respectability. Far too often, they get much ciated Press she was speaking ing, then by the fragmenta- status quo no longer works. print and toward visual jourby the NTSB on Sept. 9 of their political support from campusout to stress how dire the situ- tion introduced by social media We cannot continue investing nalism “to align our operations revealed one of the pilots grievance people who are members ofation the was at her paper, where a and evolving user consumption where subscriber interest does with what our top customwarned his counterpart they faculty and diversity and multicultural ers need from us today,” an AP total of 32 jobs were cut. Those habits. More recently, many not support the investment.” were going too fast as they administrative offices. The union said four Mc- spokesman, Patrick Maks, said included 28 lost jobs and four newspaper operations have reapproached for landing andboards of positions that were frozen, ac- duced or cut print editions. Me- Clatchy papers in Washington at the time. The best hope lies with trustees, though many serve as yes-men after touchdown. Kimberlee Kruesi, acting cording to a person familiar dia advocacy groups warn that state had lost seven reporters forThe theplane university president.asI it think that a the situation who spoke on fewer eyes of accountability are in total. was unsteady president of the News Media with good start to find 1950s or 1960s came in andwould didn’tbe touch down “Tacoma will no longer have Guild, said the union “remains condition of anonymity. They on U.S. communities and their catalogs. Look at the course at even a single dedicated jour- shocked and alarmed by AP’s until it was well beyond whereofferings included the entire writing staff governments and institutions. a time when college graduates knew how nalist tracking city hall, Pierce decisions.” of El Nuevo Herald, the Spanit was supposed to land on to read, write and compute, and makeish-language publication. “Coverage of the U.S. should County government or local Internal memo says the runway, which limited the them today’s curricula. Another helpful “Miami is the biggest city in “different choice” required be done in the U.S.,” Kruesi schools,” it said. amount of space it had to stop. tool would be to give careful consideration Other cuts included the only said. Florida,” Miller said. “Florida Atotailwind may have helped eliminating all classes/majors/minors In a June 30 email to staff, All those laid off from Mc- two investigative reporters at is a crucial state. I can’t imagpropel the plane farther. containing the word “studies,” such as

s’

VISUAL VOICES

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

McClatchy, owner of NC’s two largest newspapers, makes deep cuts after tough summer

ine any scenario in which Miwomen, Asian, black or queer studies.ami no longer has a vibrant, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS I’d bet that by restoring the traditional powerful news outlet. It’s just academic mission to colleges, they would too important.” put a serious dent into the COVID-19 The U.S. newspaper indusbudget shortfall. try has been contracting for Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

Clatchy were informed last Thursday. Later, an internal memo from Greg Farmer, executive vice president of local news, seen by the AP, told staff: “For the past five years,

The Charlotte Observer and a team of government accountability reporters at The Kansas City Star. Other news organizations have taken similar action re-

Executive Editor Julie Pace wrote that the new hub in India would “increase the size of our production staff to scale both See MCCLATCHY, page A12

A12

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Research, tech growth push NC to No. 9 nationally in innovation The state gained ground in research, startups and technology jobs, but wage and connectivity gaps remain

“This report shows where we are making progress and where we can do more.”

By Dan Reeves North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina has entered the nation’s top 10 states for innovation capacity for the first time, a milestone state officials say reflects years of growth in research, technology businesses and the scientific workforce — even as the state continues to trail national averages in wages, school spending and access to broadband. The North Carolina Department of Commerce released its 2026 “Tracking Innovation” report last Thursday on behalf of the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology and Innovation. The report, the 10th edition since 2000, ranks North Carolina ninth among U.S. states based on 41 measures used to gauge an economy’s ability to create, attract and commercialize new ideas. Commerce officials said North Carolina’s innovation economy has improved faster than the nation overall since the early 2000s. “North Carolina’s ability to innovate is a critical part of our economic strength and future competitiveness,” Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said. “Our

Lee Lilley, N.C. Commerce secretary

R3XSO3 / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Duke University professor Bruce Donald works in his laboratory in Durham in 2023. North Carolina ranked ninth nationally for innovation capacity in a new state report. First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan is focused on building on these strengths to drive innovation, economic growth and opportunity in every region of North Carolina.” The strongest numbers continue to come from the state’s universities and research institutions. North Carolina ranks fifth nationally in both academic research and development expenditures and academic article output, according to the report. The commercial side of that research has also grown. University academic license income has increased 149% since 2000, while startup formation tied to universities has risen 9.8%. Com-

merce said both measures have outpaced national trends, particularly licensing income, which has declined nationally over the same period. Federal funding for early-stage technology companies is another area where North Carolina has gained ground. Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer funding flowing to companies in the state has increased at seven times the national rate since 2000, keeping North Carolina above the U.S. average. The number of knowledgeand technology-intensive business establishments in North Carolina has climbed 111% since 2000, nearly twice the U.S.

growth rate. Those businesses are particularly important to the state’s wage picture because their average wages are roughly double those paid across all establishments. North Carolina has also added more workers in science and engineering. The share of the state’s workforce employed in those occupations has increased 83% since 2003, faster than the national rate. In-migration of college-educated adults has grown at three times the U.S. rate since 2005. Greg Copenhaver, acting chair of the Board of Science, Technology and Innovation, called innovation a “critical force multiplier” for the economy, saying it can help create industries, keep existing companies competitive and improve the state’s ability to withstand economic disruptions. The report also suggests that some of North Carolina’s gains are moving beyond its traditional technology centers. More counties now perform above the U.S. average across a greater number

China bristles at Anthropic CEO’s ‘fearmongering’ about AI development Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the setting up of a global AI governance framework

By E. Eduardo Castillo and Chan Ho-Him The Associated Press BEIJING — China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday bristled at the Anthropic CEO’s call for the U.S. to curb China’s artificial intelligence capabilities as part of a wider argument for a global slowdown on AI development. In a lengthy essay published Saturday, Dario Amodei warned that a “Chinese lead in AI would pose grave danger for the United States and the world.” To enable the U.S. to keep its technological edge, Amodei called for maintaining restrictions on sales to China of the most advanced AI chips and chipmaking equipment. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Amodei’s dire warnings about China were counterproductive and that all parties should work together on AI. “Fearmongering, confrontation and vicious competition will only disrupt the process of global AI governance — which serves no one’s inter-

MCCLATCHY from page A11 our video and photo capabilities while improving speed and quality.” “Our ability to sustain

CENTERS from page A11 proceeding, which will help determine what the utility can build to meet electricity demand in the coming years. Jackson has asked the commission to require Duke to make public the template contracts it uses with data centers and other large power users, and to submit regular reports when individual agreements differ from those templates.

est,” spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference in response to a question about Amodei’s essay. For their part, Chinese leaders have also sounded the alarm about AI, warning of the risks posed by foreign entities with advanced capabilities. A top security official in China’s government published an essay Sunday in which he accused “certain nations” — a reference to the U.S. — of leveraging AI advantages to hinder other countries’ innovation. On Monday, President Donald Trump pushed back against calls for his administration to step in to slow down AI development, saying such efforts were part of a “SICK conspiracy” that could allow China to eclipse the U.S. on AI.

“Chinese lead in AI would pose grave danger for the United States and the world.” Dario Amodei, Anthropic CEO

of innovation measures, an important development for a state where economic growth has often been concentrated in its largest metropolitan areas. But the top-10 ranking comes with clear warning signs. Commerce said innovation activity still needs to reach more regions and a broader range of high-tech industries. The report identified disparities in broadband and access to internet-connected devices, issues that can limit participation in an economy increasingly dependent on technology. Public school spending is another weakness. Current expenditures for elementary and secondary public schools remain below the national average and trail nearly every other state, according to the report. The broader economic numbers also present a challenge. Growth in wages and workforce incomes has not kept pace with the national average, even as North Carolina continues to add residents. State officials said spreading the benefits of innovation into rural and economically distressed communities will be increasingly important if household income gains and reductions in poverty are to keep pace with the state’s broader economic expansion. For Lilley, the ninth-place ranking is less an endpoint than a measure of where North Carolina stands as it competes for the next generation of companies and workers. “This report shows where we are making progress and where we can do more to ensure communities across the state can participate in and benefit from an innovation-driven economy,” he said.

pursuing a “monopoly of the AI industry.” Both China and the U.S. want “to make sure the other side cannot establish a tech chokepoint over them,” said Lizzi C. Lee, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis. “So from Beijing’s perspective, there is an obvious question: If the U.S. wants China to cooperate on frontier safety while also restricting its access to frontier compute, what exactly does that cooperation look like?” Lee said. China worried about AI in hands of “hostile forces”

In an editorial published Sunday, China’s state-run Global Times newspaper dismissed

Amodei’s essay as a veiled call to “contain” China. It said that Amodei’s essay may, on the surface, appear to be focused on global AI security, but that it is “packed with containment provisions targeting China and is, in essence, a ‘Cold War playbook’ for the AI sector.” Amodei’s essay was published a few days after the FBI, National Security Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a joint cybersecurity advisory last week. That advisory said Chinese AI developers had engaged in “aggressive, malicious” efforts in extracting, or “distilling,” capabilities from some of the most advanced AI models in the U.S. like Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s GPT. China’s Commerce Ministry dismissed the U.S. claims as groundless and said “distillation” has been commonly used by many AI companies. It also said that the U.S. was

world-class reporting depends on adapting to changes in the industry, thinking strategically about where to allocate our resources and investing in the areas where we can grow and best

serve customers,” Pace wrote. At the Miami Herald, the union noted, layoffs will leave the paper without a city hall reporter. Also cut were its only female photographer, the entire

audience team, the sole video producer and “all reporters covering an entire South Florida county, Broward.” In a post on X, Miller likened the impact of the

cuts to a surgical operation. “We long ago cut past the skin and the bone and the muscle and the tendons and the ligaments,” she wrote. “We are now slicing out the vital organs.”

He also wants Duke to update its electricity demand forecasts every 90 days instead of every six months, arguing that more frequent projections would give regulators a clearer picture of how much infrastructure is necessary as the data-center market changes. Another recommendation calls for pausing development of new natural gas plants while regulators evaluate changes Duke has made to

its projected electricity demand. The Utilities Commission will ultimately decide what rates Duke may charge, what generation it may build and what protections are required for existing customers. The debate is unfolding alongside Duke’s broader rate cases in North Carolina. Jackson has declined to join settlements involving both Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, arguing that the

proposed increases remain too high despite concessions made during negotiations. Duke, meanwhile, says continued investment is needed to maintain reliability and meet growing demand across the state. Data centers have now become part of that larger argument over North Carolina’s energy future. Their appetite for electricity is arriving at the same time the state is adding residents, manufacturers and other

large power users, leaving regulators to decide how quickly the grid should expand and how the bill should be divided. Jackson says his proposed rate class would draw a clearer line between the customers creating some of the largest new demands and the households and businesses already connected to Duke’s system. “We’re going to keep fighting to protect ratepayers,” Jackson said.

Trump, Xi could discuss AI governance at summit Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to discuss AI governance, among other topics, at a meeting planned for Sept. 24. Chinese companies have developed powerful AI models that are often cheaper to use than advanced models from U.S.-based companies; by some measures, they are just as capable. Among the concerns out-

MARKUS SCHREIBER / AP PHOTO

Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2025. lined in his essay, Amodei predicted that a swarm of AI “agents” could be able to take over the internet in six to 12 months unless researchers agree to slow down. He said that “global pacing will require cooperation with China, the autocratic country with by far the most advanced AI capabilities.” Beijing accuses U.S. of trying to hold it back

In an essay posted Sunday on social media, Chen Yixin, head of China’s Ministry of State Security, warned that, in the hands of “hostile forces and individuals with ulterior motives,” this technology could pose a direct threat to “our political, institutional, and ideological security.” Citing the capabilities of powerful technologies from U.S. companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, Chen warned that “certain nations and organizations” now have the capabilities to “rapidly discover vulnerabilities at scale ... and execute complex hacking tasks.” That, he wrote, poses “serious risks to my country’s critical information infrastructure.” Foreign spying agencies are turning to AI to “aggressively harvest sensitive data, including critical national data, trade secrets, and citizens’ personal privacy information,” Chen wrote.

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North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

features ‘Practical Magic 2’ conjures No. 1 box office debut with $30M “By Any Means” slipped to 10th, earning $2.5 million By Jonathan Landrum Jr. The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — “Practical Magic 2” conjured a box-office victory this weekend, opening atop the North American charts nearly three decades after its predecessor grew from a modest theatrical performer into a cult favorite. The Warner Bros. sequel starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman earned an estimated $30 million from 4,146 theaters, according to estimates Sunday from Rentrak. The film knocked “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” out of the top spot after the superhero blockbuster led the domestic box office for six consecutive weekends. “Practical Magic 2” added about $16 million from 77 international markets, giving it a worldwide opening of approximately $46 million. The debut landed at the low end of Warner Bros.’ projected range of $30 million to $35 million. The Susanne Bier-directed film carries a reported $75 million production budget. “It’s the kind of movie that you can build an evening at the movie theater around with your friends,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Rentrak. Dergarabedian said the return of Bullock and Kidman was crucial to rekindling interest after such a long gap between films. He said the bigger test will come next weekend, when the sequel faces little direct competition. “It’s not necessarily about that opening weekend,” he said. “Weekend two will tell the tale, no question about it.” “Practical Magic 2” reunites Bullock and Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, members of a family of witches whose love lives have long been

WARNER BROS. PICTURES VIA AP

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock star in “Practical Magic 2.” haunted by an ancestral curse. The sequel finds them trying to end the curse for good and introduces a younger generation of the Owens family, played by Joey King and Maisie Williams. Lee Pace also joins the cast. The film is adapted from the work of author Alice Hoffman and arrives 28 years after the original “Practical Magic.” The 1998 film topped out at $46 million during its initial domestic run but gradually developed a devoted following through home viewing, streaming services and social media. The latest film received two out of four stars from The Associated Press, whose review said the sequel abandons some of the campy fun that helped the original find an unlikely second life but is buoyed by the strong performances and chemistry of Bullock and Kidman. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” slipped to second with $8.4 million, a 54% drop from the previous weekend. The Sony

and Marvel blockbuster starring Tom Holland has now collected roughly $935.2 million domestically. “Think about this movie opening at the end of July, and here we are in the middle of September,” Dergarabedian said. He expects Sony to keep the film in theaters as it pursues an unprecedented $1 billion in unadjusted domestic ticket sales. Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” followed in third with $7.4 million during its ninth weekend. The Universal Pictures mythic epic, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, has crossed $600.5 million domestically and $1.68 billion worldwide. Dergarabedian said the staying power of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey,” which both opened in July, demonstrates the range of films moviegoers are willing to embrace. “People aren’t just look-

ing at the movie theater as the home for the traditional cookie-cutter blockbuster,” he said. “They’re looking at the movie theater like they do almost as a streaming service, where there’s this incredible array and mix of genres, stars and types of films.” “Runner” opened in fourth place with $6.6 million. The Angel Studios action-comedy stars Alan Ritchson as a former soldier who joins forces with an unlikely partner, played by Owen Wilson, to complete an organ delivery while being pursued by a ruthless cartel. Ketchup Entertainment’s “Coyote vs. Acme” rounded out the top five, collecting $6.2 million in its third weekend. The live-action and animated Looney Tunes feature has now earned about $47.8 million domestically. In sixth place, “Buddy” brought in $3.5 million during its third weekend, pushing its North American total to $21.3 million.

Sony’s “Insidious: Out of the Further” followed in seventh with $3.35 million. The South Korean science-fiction thriller “Hope” opened in eighth with $3.3 million from 1,560 locations. Directed by Na Hong-jin, the monster epic stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Hoyeon and centers on a remote village thrown into chaos by the arrival of a mysterious creature. “The Uprising,” directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Andrew Garfield, debuted in ninth with $3.25 million. The Focus Features historical action drama follows an uprising of commoners against the tyranny of King Richard II in medieval England. “By Any Means” finished 10th with $2.5 million in its second weekend. Domestic box-office revenue for the year stands at $7.5 billion, up 19.2% from the same point in 2025. “What a great summer, a record-breaking summer and a solid start to the fall,” Dergarabedian said. “It’s not like we had a blockbuster debut like we did last year with ‘Demon Slayer,’ but a solid start to a fall movie season that I think will deliver for sure.” Top 10 movies by domestic box office This list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak: 1. “Practical Magic 2,” $30 million 2. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” $8.4 million 3. “The Odyssey,” $7.4 million 4. “Runner,” $6.6 million 5. “Coyote vs. Acme,” $6.2 million 6. “Buddy,” $3.5 million 7. “Insidious: Out of the Further,” $3.35 million 8. “Hope,” $3.3 million 9. “The Uprising,” $3.25 million 10. “By Any Means,” $2.5 million

‘Practical Magic 2’ offers plenty of charm, too much story Strong chemistry can’t save the overstuffed sequel By Bob Garver The Sun Apparently, I blinked and the 1998 chick flick “Practical Magic” developed a huge cult following. The film, about witch sisters Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) Owens, came out nearly 28 years ago, made only about $47 million at the domestic box office and scored a mere 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, and I can’t recall ever hearing anyone speak affectionately about it. And yet not only was there a call for a sequel in 2026, but the resulting film was the first to win a weekend over “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” (OK, only after a six-week run of dominance, but still …). What kind of spell has this franchise cast on the moviegoing public? The Owens sisters, along with their kooky aunts Franny (Stockard Channing) and Jet (Dianne Wiest), come from a long line of witches who love extending their bloodline but hate … love. Or at least romantic love, as a jilted long-ago relative cursed the women of the family to lose their male partners. As a result, Sally’s children, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams), have

lost both their father and the stepfather Sally found for them at the end of the first movie. Sally wiped their memories as children so they would never know the temptations of practicing magic, but the curse still applies. Now Kylie has a boyfriend, Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), and Sally can’t figure out a tactful way to tell her daughter that, for his own good, she can’t love him. Sally waits too long, and tragedy befalls Gideon, though there’s a sliver of hope that he can be saved. Kylie finally learns of her heritage and the curse, falls out with her mother and storms off to England, home of her ancestors, to see if she can break the curse with the help of local escort Tom (Solly McLeod). Sally tries to track her down, also traveling to England and taking Gillian along, ostensibly because she needs help but really because the movie needs Bullock and Kidman together so they can squabble for comic effect. They enlist the help of a professor (Lee Pace) who may or may not have ulterior motives and who may or may not be a potential third husband for Sally if that pesky curse can be broken for real. The movie is, in its best moments, agreeable and little more. I’m not saying that the appeal of Bullock and Kidman playing witches who share the ins and outs of sisterhood

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION VIA AP PHOTO

Maisie Williams, from left, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock and Joey King arrive at the premiere of “Practical Magic 2” on Aug. 31 at the Directors Village in Los Angeles. is completely lost on me. The two have good chemistry along with some genuinely funny and touching moments. And when they’re sharing the screen with wily veterans Channing and Wiest, those genuine moments are amplified. I get why people like the low-stakes scenes of these four just playing off one another, with magic thrown in for flavor. The problem is these movies can’t “just” be about these women enjoying happy hour. Like its predecessor, “Practi-

cal Magic 2” falters when it tries to deliver more than the laughs and tears that people expect. In other words, it doesn’t work as a thriller. The first movie really lost its balance once murder entered the picture, and this one similarly topples with all the mystery surrounding the curse and an evil scheme to burn one of the family at the stake. There’s so much lore and so many secrets to uncover that the film runs more than two hours. I was chanting “Just

end already” like an incantation by the time the credits rolled. By taking up so much time, this movie offers up too much of even the stuff that does work and goes far overboard with the stuff that doesn’t. Grade: C “Practical Magic 2” is rated PG-13 for some violent content, suggestive material and brief strong language. Its running time is 130 minutes.

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North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Eleazar finds role of lifetime in Rock’s ‘Misty Green’ The ‘Slow Horses’ standout steps into the spotlight at TIFF By Jake Coyle The Associated Press TORONTO — When Rosalind Eleazar first got a breakdown of Chris Rock’s “Misty Green,” it had a stress-inducing description of the character, a strong-headed, self-destructive actor in Los Angeles. “It said, ‘She’s a really talented actress,’” Eleazar said. “You suddenly feel this extra meta pressure: ‘Right, so I have to do the job. I also have to make sure I’m talented.’” In the film, which A24 will release Oct. 9, she plays the titular Misty, a well-known actor whose once-meteoric rise in Hollywood is now in the distant past. Told to leave the apartment where she’s been crashing, Misty faces a countdown that runs through the film of her days to find somewhere to live. At the same time, she’s trying to land a part despite directors (Rock plays one) and agents (Topher Grace) who have mostly tired of the turmoil she brings with her. Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya and Anna Kendrick also co-star. The result is plainly one of the best performances of the year, a scintillatingly complex portrait of Hollywood struggle, overflowing with rage and, yes,

CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Rosalind Eleazar arrives on the red carpet to promote the film “Misty Green” at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday. talent. When Misty, or Eleazar, auditions, we can see how good she is. After the film’s Toronto International Film Festival premiere, Eleazar was immediately hailed as a surefire best actress Oscar contender. “Misty Green,” “Slow Horses” land simultaneously Eleazar was also in Toronto with “Slow Horses,” in which she plays Slough House agent Louisa Guy, to debut its sixth season. On Monday, she was flying to Los Angeles for the Emmys, where the Apple TV se-

“I let go maybe more in acting than I do in my private life.” Rosalind Eleazar ries is nominated for nine awards. Eleazar’s performance as Misty is impressive partly because she’s unlike Misty in so many ways. The London-born actor, whose mother is British and whose father is Ghanaian, is bright, self-effacing and quick to laugh. To adopt Misty’s con-

fident stride, she worked with a movement coach. “I like to think I navigate life a little differently than her,” she said while laughing. “But I do empathize with how so many things are out of our control as an actor. You’re constantly on an emotional roller coaster. You think, ‘Am I going to get it?’ ‘No, down to the last two.’ It’s oscillating all the time between these extreme feelings. “It can be relentless to somehow find a way to keep yourself open and soft because you’re an actor. But Misty has multiple layers of armor on her because she’s been burned. I get that.” “Meta” audition Landing the role was, itself, the kind of audition process Misty might have gone through. Eleazar first did a Zoom audition and then got a callback. For the next Zoom audition, she went all out. She got her hair and makeup done and rented a studio. But 10 minutes before starting, live music started blaring from the studio next door. Five minutes beforehand, trains started going past. When she began, the Wi-Fi was glitchy. “It was so meta,” Eleazar said, shaking her head. “I was so angry with how the whole thing was going, that was probably way better. Chris said it was better because I let it rip.” After those technical troubles, Eleazar resolved to meet

Kings of Leon reveal more personal, acoustic songwriting with ‘O My Beloved’ The band strips back its sound on its 10th album By Mark Kennedy The Associated Press NEW YORK — Kings of Leon return this fall with a new album that’s a bit of a left turn, sonic-wise. And for that, you can thank a game of tag that went sideways. Frontman Caleb Followill was working on new music last spring and about to join his bandmates on a European tour when he broke his foot playing with his kids one night before bed. “I thought I was in better shape than I was, and so I was going to hurdle the couch to make the epic tag,” he said while laughing. Instead, he got a foot caught in the couch, stumbled and went down. “It was a gnarly, gnarly break.” Followill was upset, feeling he was letting everyone down. After a few days of wallowing in self-pity, he picked up a guitar. What came out surprised him: It was stripped bare, like the music that he and his drummer brother Nathan had written before there was a four-time Grammy Award-winning Kings of Leon. So out went the four or five electric-leaning songs that he and the band had been exploring. In quickly came a clutch of new, stripped-down tunes, more melancholic than bombastic, about gratitude and family. The 13-track album is called

CUMBERLAND NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK ESTATE FILE NO. 26E001388-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARIA M. BAILEY, Deceased The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Maria M. Bailey, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to present their claims to the undersigned at the address shown below on or before December 3, 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 Cynthia Cuschieri Executor of the Estate of Maria M. Bailey 825 2nd Street Hoquiam, Washington 98550

Rock in person. She flew herself to Los Angeles. “I knew I was going to do whatever I could to get it,” she said. “Whatever was in my control.” “When I was young, I was very shy,” Eleazar said. “I was always, like, in a corner and watching people. And I found people really fascinating. I experienced many different cultures growing up, and it was fascinating how different cultures communicated. I think I could have been very happy pursuing a career as a psychologist. I’m studying the human mind in 3D form. It’s a full-body experience. “I let go maybe more in acting than I do in my private life. Maybe that’s why I’m attracted to volatility.” “Misty Green” was Eleazar’s first time atop the call sheet of a movie. At the movie’s TIFF premiere, where Eleazar’s mother joined her, she almost looked like Misty Green walking the red carpet. But not quite. She was more composed, humble and evidently happy. “What drew me to her is that I find people who are seemingly unlovable fascinating,” said Eleazar. “I read this quote — it’s a bit cheesy — whilst I was in prep: ‘The children that need the most love in the world ask for it in the most unloving ways.’ That, to me, sums Misty up.” Eleazar paused and smiled. “Even now, I still think about her.”

put aside as a busy dad and rock and roller for the past quarter century. “We have already surpassed anything we ever imagined we could do, and we’ve built something that’s so beautiful,” he said. “So as opposed to having a 25-year anniversary where we kind of put out the greatest hits or something, I thought wouldn’t it be beautiful to make an album that is looking back on all of the things that we’ve done and appreciating how we got here?” “O My Beloved” includes song inspired by childhood

The first single, “My Whole World,” out Thursday, is a per-

fect taste of the way the band was now leaning. While he and bandmates — brothers Nathan and Jared, and cousin Matthew Followill — called off their European tour, and Caleb’s family was preparing for a cruise, he was glancing at their countdown on the wall when these words came out: “29 days till our ship comes in/ We’ll be together again.” “My Whole World” is a scene of domestic bliss — with references to “peanut butter pie” and a “pin oak tree” and tossing a football around while babies coo. “I’m grateful / Each day

for/ My whole world,” he sings. A video for the single features old home footage of the boys growing up — Christmas mornings, goofing around and swimming holes. Caleb Followill said he was nervous to debut the acoustic-led song to the other guys, in part because he didn’t normally play his guitar that way and because the lyrics made him emotional. “I wasn’t in control of it. The words were just coming out,” he said. He thought of his mother dying and all the feelings he had

One album highlight is the joyful, laid-back “KOYSAR” — for “Kick Off Your Shoes and Run” — in which Caleb Followill uses his childhood memories of romping around with his siblings to inspire his own kids. “Kick off your shoes and run/ Don’t let them turn you away/ Your life is better when/ You have something to say,” he sings. “All I could picture was our childhood, running through sprinklers and my kids and those little simple moments,” he said. “You’re always trying to teach your kids something, and I feel the best way to do that is through your experience and through the mistakes that you’ve made and how you’ve gotten to where you are.” On “Such a Pretty Thing,” he writes tenderly about a high school sweetheart, singing, “I like to lay in the light of the moon/ And think about the summer that I had with you.” “That was the kind of songs that we wanted to write, and then we started the band and kind of went a different direction. But on this album, I feel like we kind of got back to that,” said Caleb Followill. “We finally got to do it on album 10.”

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Administrator’s Notice 26E001366-250 The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Katherine Irene Balestrieri, 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 10th day of December 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 10th day of September 2026. Kimberly Ann Denny Bowley, Administrator of the Katherine Irene Balestrieri Estate Haymount Law Attorneys for the Estate 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 Telephone: (910) 672-4600 Publish: 09/10, 9/17, 09/24, 10/01

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Lloyd G. Bigler, 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 November 27, 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 19th day of August, 2026. Administrator of the Estate of Lloyd G. Bigler 6967 Point East Drive Fayetteville, NC 28306

ESTATE OF QUINCY BLACKLEDGE CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E001908-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Quincy Blackledge of Delaware County, PA, are notified to present their claims to the Administrator, Davis W. Puryear, 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311 on or before the 28th day of November, 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 20th day of August, 2026. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Quincy Blackledge Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: August 27, September 3, September 10 and September 17, 2026.

In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E001205-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Byron Bryant, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of November, 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 27th day of August, 2026. Executor of the Estate of Byron Bryant Judy Hardy 80 Green Hill Road Engelhard, NC 27824

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Jared Followill, from left, Caleb Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon appear at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas in 2022. “O My Beloved,” and it’s out Nov. 6. “The songs just took on a different meaning, and so all the songs that we had been working on, they no longer were as attractive to me,” said Caleb Followill. “I feel like just the whole temperature changed around us. And we realized that we’re going to make something a little more significant.” First single scene of domestic bliss

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North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Russell Elliott 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 3rd day of December, 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. Parties may submit claims to Estate of Russell Elliott, P.O. Box 25182, Fayetteville, NC, 28314.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Cumberland County, North Carolina RE: THE ESTATE OF Lisa Renee Ferguson - 26E000115-250 Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Lisa Renee Ferguson, deceased, Cumberland 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 10th day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 2nd day of September, 2026. Joseph Ferguson, Administrator DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Administrator’s Notice 26E001367-250 The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Baerbel Malin, 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 3rd day of December 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 3rd day of September 2026. Thorsten Malin, Administrator of the Baerbel Malin Estate Haymount Law Attorneys for the Estate 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 Telephone: (910) 672-4600 Publish: 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Cumberland County, North Carolina RE: THE ESTATE OF MELISSA LOCKLEAR – 26E001071-250 Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Melissa Locklear, deceased, Cumberland 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 17th day of December 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This is the 17th day of September 2026. CHRISTINA CAULDER, ADMINISTRATOR DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JANICE WILLIFORD KNIGHT CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 26E000874-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Janice Williford Knight, of Cumberland County are notified to present their claims to the Administrator, Mark Allan Knight, 409 Mirror Lake Pl., Fayetteville, NC 28303 on or before the 28th day of November, 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 August, 2026. Mark Allan Knight Administrator of the Estate of Janice Williford Knight Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: August 27, September 3, September 10 and September 17, 2026.

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 26E001373-250 ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE: Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of ALVIN CLAYTON KELLER, deceased, late of CUMBERLAND County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present the same to the undersigned on or before the 3rd day of December, 2026, (which is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) at the address of the representative shown below, or same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 3rd day of September, 2026. Deborah Smith Keller 5328 Anna Belle Lane, Wade, North Carolina 28395

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS:

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E001287-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Anita Johnson aka Anita Elena Johnson, 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 November 27, 2026 at 6890 Green Creek Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28314, 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 27th day of August, 2026 Sandra Teagle, Executor of the Estate of Anita Johnson aka Anita Elena Johnson, deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC 307 Person Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 (910) 485-8899 08/27/2026, 09/03/2026, 09/10/2026, 09/17/2026

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor Of the Estate of Latasha Jaquitta McMillian, 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 day of December 03, 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 day of August 25th, 2026 Chester McMillian 334 Lincoln Dr Fayetteville NC 28301 Of the Estate of Latasha Jaquitta McMillian, Deceased

Cumberland County, North Carolina RE: THE ESTATE OF ENRIQUETA YBARRA WHITE – 26E000678-250 Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Enriqueta Ybarra White, deceased, Cumberland 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 3rd day of December 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This is the 3rd day of September 2026. SONYA WHITE, ADMINISTRATOR CTA DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717

Estate of Ella Earnestine Davies a/k/a Ella Ernestine Davies a/k/a Ella E. Davies Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E001428-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Ella Earnestine Davies a/k/a Ella Ernestine Davies a/k/a Ella E. Davies, Deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Cheryl Dianne Maisch, Executor of the Estate of Ella Earnestine Davies a/k/a Ella Ernestine Davies a/k/a Ella E. Davies, at 2913 Wycliffe Court, Fayetteville, NC 28306, on or before the 18th day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of Ella Earnestine Davies a/k/a Ella Ernestine Davies a/k/a Ella E. Davies are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 17th day of September, 2026. Cheryl Dianne Maisch, Executor of the Estate of Ella Earnestine Davies a/k/a Ella Ernestine Davies a/k/a Ella E. Davies Williford McCauley-Attorney for the Estate of Ella Earnestine Davies a/k/a Ella Ernestine Davies a/k/a Ella E. Davies Mailing address: P. O. Box 53606 Fayetteville, NC 28305 Physical address: 235 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28301

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Ancillary Administrator’s Notice 26E001206-250 The undersigned, having qualified as Ancillary Administrator of the Estate of Tommy Edward Henry, deceased late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before the 3rd day of December 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 3rd day of September 2026. Melinda L Woosley, Ancillary Administrator of the Tommy Edward Henry Estate Haymount Law 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 Telephone: (910) 672-4600 Publish: 09/03/2026, 09/10/2026, 09/17/2026, 09/24/2026

NOTICE FROM: Sherry Y. Sales, Fiduciary of deceased, Larry F. Grubbs The State of North Carolina, Cumberland County approved, Sherry Sales, as Fiduciary of deceased, Larry F. Grubbs, who passed away on 6 January 2026. If the deceased person owes anyone a balance on any accounts, please send an official itemized statement and proof of the debt on or before 27 November 2026, to the address listed. All valid claims will be reviewed and paid from the estate funds in accordance with state law. Send Claims to: Sherry Y. Sales 2922 Ives Drive Eastover, NC 28312

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY FILE NO. 26E1352 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Carol A. Martin, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to present their claims to the undersigned at the address below on or before December 9, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 19th day of August, 2026. Elena Dillenger Executor of the Estate of Carol A. Martin 2320 Spindle Tree Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 26E001163-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Augusta Bobbie McCollum aka Augusta Boston McCollum, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before November 27, 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. Dated this 27th day of August, 2026. Ramona Christy McCollum, Executor of the Estate of Augusta Bobbie McCollum aka Augusta Boston McCollum NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR EXECUTOR

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 26e001343-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: LAWRENCE DANIEL MCMILLEN Executor’s NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of LAWRENCE DANIEL MCMILLEN, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 27 day of November, 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 19 day of August, 2026. Marie Stanley McMillen 5405 Mesa Drive Fayetteville, NC 28303 Of the Estate of Lawrence Daniel McMillen, Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF HAN VAN NGUYEN-FILE NO. 26E001403-250 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Han Van Nguyen, deceased, of Cumberland County, NC, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before December 7, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 3rd day of September, 2026. Nga Nguyen, Administrator c/o Cameron D. Sullivan, Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC 121 E. Main Street Clayton, NC 27520 North State Journal September 3, 10, 17, 24, 2026.

NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #26E001328-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James Frank Watson, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of December, 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 17th day of September, 2026. Administer of the Estate of James Frank Watson 371 Sullivan Road, Selma, NC. 27576

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF CHESSIE PIERCE CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 26E000168-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Chessie Pierce of Cumberland County, NC, are notified to present their claims to the Administrator, Davis W. Puryear, 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311 on or before the 28th day of November, 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 20th day of August, 2026. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Chessie Pierce Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: August 27, September 3, September 10 and September 17, 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #26E001417-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Dorothy Jean Washington, 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 December 10, 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 10th day of September, 2026. Administrator of the Estate of Dorothy Jean Washington. John F. Ham Post Office Box 480838 Charlotte, NC 28269

NOTICE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 26E001414-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Cynthia Ann Riddle Rogers, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before December 10, 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. Dated this 10th day of September, 2026. James Rogers, Administrator of the Estate of Cynthia Ann Riddle Rogers NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR ADMINISTRATOR

NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE CUMBERLAND COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO.: 26-E-0001377-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE ESTATE OF MARY L. HOWELL STEPHENS The undersigned, having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of Mary L. Howell Stephens, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address listed below on or before the date December 3, 2026 specified by law, which date shall be three (3) months from the date 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 the 3rd day of September, 2026. James A. Stephens, Administrator Estate of Mary L. Howell Stephens 6191 Timberland Drive Fayetteville, NC 28314

NOTICE

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Lewis Edward Wilson, 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 December 10, 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 is the 10th day of September, 2026. Administrator of the Estate of Lewis Edward Wilson 110 Coyatee Point Drive Loudon, TN 37774

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ARTHUR DAVID WILSON, DECEASED Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Arthur David Wilson, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate to present them to the undersigned on or before December 3, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 3rd day of September, 2026. Matthew Wilson Executor of the Estate of Arthur David Wilson 323 Bendemeer Lane Rolesville, North Carolina 27571

State of North Carolina Cumberland County In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division John C. Sivley (Petitioner) v. Jeannette Sivley, aka Vilma Jeannette Sivley (Respondent) File No. 26SP000823-250 To: Jeannette Sivley, aka Vilma Jeannette Sivley Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the aboveentitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is Petition to Partition real property located at 593 Braxton Blvd, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC, Parcel ID 052140-7617, and being further described as BEING all of Lot 15, Block “A” in a Subdivision known as BRAXTON HILLS, SECTION II, according to a plat of same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 28, Page 39, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, and real property located at 3514 Harbison Court, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC, Parcel ID 053101-7763, and being further described as BEING all of Lot 8 in a Subdivision known as INVERNESS, PHASE TWO, PART THREE, according to a plat of same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 109, Page 73, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina and being a portion of the property conveyed to Grantors by Deed recorded in Book 5209, Page 696, aforesaid registry. You are required to make a defense to such pleading not later than October 13, 2026, which is forty (40) days from the first date of publication. Upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 3rd day of September, 2026. By: Eric M. Ditmore, Esq. Attorney for Petitioner Haymount Law 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 672-4600 Publish: 9/3/2026, 9/10/2026, and 9/17/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of David Witherspoon McColl, Jr. a/k/a David W. McColl, Jr. Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E001258-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against David Witherspoon McColl, Jr. a/k/a David W. McColl, Jr., Deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Joyce Burney McColl, Executor of the Estate of David Witherspoon McColl, Jr. a/k/a David W. McColl, Jr., at 3209 Granville Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303, on or before the 18th day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of David Witherspoon McColl, Jr. a/k/a David W. McColl, Jr. are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 17th day of September, 2026. Joyce Burney McColl, Executor of the Estate of David Witherspoon McColl, Jr. a/k/a David W. McColl, Jr.

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Administrator’s Notice 26E001468-250 The undersigned, having qualified as Ancillary Administrator of the Estate of Donald Alvin Meyer, 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 17th day of December 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 17th day of September 2026. Jana J. Meyer, Ancillary Administrator of the Donald Alvin Meyer Estate Haymount Law Attorneys for the Estate 1008 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28305 Telephone: (910) 672-4600 Publish: 09/17, 09/24, 10/01, 10/08

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Elizabeth M. Yarborough a/k/a Elizabeth McDonald Yarborough Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E001369-250 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Elizabeth M. Yarborough a/k/a Elizabeth McDonald Yarborough, Deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Carla R. McCauley, Executor of the Estate of Elizabeth M. Yarborough a/k/a Elizabeth McDonald Yarborough, at P.O. Box 53606, Fayetteville, NC 28305 or 235 Green Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301, on or before the 18th day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of Elizabeth M. Yarborough a/k/a Elizabeth McDonald Yarborough are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 17th day of September, 2026. Carla R. McCauley, Executor of the Estate of Elizabeth M. Yarborough a/k/a Elizabeth McDonald Yarborough Williford McCauley - Attorney for the Estate of Elizabeth M. Yarborough a/k/a Elizabeth McDonald Yarborough Mailing address: P. O. Box 53606 Fayetteville, NC 28305 Physical address: 235 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28301

DAVIDSON NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA DAVIDSON COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Kim Michelle Merritt, having qualified on the 14th day of August, 2026, as Executor of the Richard Sidney Smith (26E000945280), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 7th day of December, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 3rd day of September 2026. Kim Michelle Merritt Executor RICHARD SIDNEY SMITH David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: September 3, 2026 September 10, 2026 September 17, 2026 September 24, 2026

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North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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DURHAM NOTICE TO CREDITORS Probate #26E001023-310 All persons, firm and corporations having claims against Dede Wingender Hall, late of Durham County, North Carolina are hereby notified to present them to Garrett Glenn Hall, 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 3rd day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the abovenamed Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 09/03/2026, 09/10/2026, 09/17/2026 & 09/24/2026

NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Stanley Lawery Carmical Jr., deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent to present them to the undersigned at the address shown below on or before November 27, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 27th day of August, 2026. Beth Collingwood Executor of the Estate of Stanley Lawery Carmical Jr. 83 Paris Pointe Hampstead, NC 28443 Estate File No. 26E000979-640

NOTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, Matthew Allen Dean, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Doris Ann Diorio. Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said Matthew Allen Dean, at the address set out below, on or before December 11, 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 22nd of September, 2026. Matthew Allen Dean Executor OF ESTATE OF Doris Ann Diorio. c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Kathy J. Hamill, having qualified on the 17th day of August, 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Laura A. Hamill (26E001004-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 30th day of November, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 27th day of August 2026. Kathy J. Hamill Executor ESTATE OF LAURA A. HAMILL David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: August 27, 2026 September 3, 2026 September 10, 2026 September 17, 2026

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, KAREN DORIS HOOKER, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of KENNETH ALLYN HOOKER, JR. Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said KAREN DORIS HOOKER, at the address set out below, on or before December 3, 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 28th day of August, 2026. KAREN DORIS HOOKER Executor OF ESTATE OF KENNETH ALLYN HOOKER, Jr. c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of John Henry Shepard, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before December 3, 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 31st day of August, 2026. Iris Shepard Executor of the Estate of John Henry Shepard 4805 Grouse Woods Drive Wilmington, NC 28411

RANDOLPH NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Frances McGee Cook a/k/a Mary Frances McGee Cook, a/k/a Mary McGee Cook, 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 December 18, 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 8th day of September, 2026 Phillip Dean Wishon Executor of the Estate of Frances McGee Cook a/k/a Mary Frances McGee Cook a/k/a Mary McGee Cook Marion “Beth” McQuaid, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 9/17/26 9/24/26 10/1/26 10/8/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Hazel Hall Coble aka Shirley Hazel Hall Coble aka Shirley Hall Coble, 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 December 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. This 17th day of September, 2026 Deborah Coble Holcomb aka Deborah Faye Coble aka Deborah Coble Winfrey Executor of the Estate of Hazel Hall Coble aka Shirley Hazel Hall Coble aka Shirley Hall Coble Marion “Beth” McQuaid, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 09/17/26 09/24/26 10/01/26 10/08/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of ALEJANDRO CANSECO GOMEZ, 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 December 11, 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 10th day of September 2026. CHRISTOPHER GOMEZ ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ALEJANDRO CANSECO GOMEZ MARION “BETH” MCQUAID, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 09/10/26 09/17/26 09/24/26 10/11/26

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of JEAN ELIZABETH BERGEMANN NICHOLS aka JEAN ELIZABETH NICHOLS, 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 November 28, 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 27th day of August 2026.

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER The undersigned, Personal Representative of the Estate of Georgia Noble Williams, deceased, hereby gives notice to all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before December 10th, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Claims should be sent to: Giles Charles Simpson 333 Brighton Road Wilmington NC 28409 Signed this the 20th day of August, 2026. Giles Charles Simpson

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of PAULA LINEBERRY aka PAULA N. LINEBERRY aka PAULA NORTON LINEBERRY aka PAULA DIANE NORTON LINEBERRY, late of Moore 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 November 28, 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 27th day of August 2026. POLLY DIANE HANKS aka POLLY HANKS ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of PAULA LINEBERRY aka PAULA N. LINEBERRY aka PAULA NORTON LINEBERRY aka PAULA DIANE NORTON LINEBERRY MARION “BETH” MCQUAID, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 08/27/26 09/03/26 09/10/26 09/17/26

TERESA NICHOLS BETENBAUGH EXECUTOR of the Estate of JEAN ELIZABETH BERGEMANN NICHOLS Aka JEAN ELIZABETH NICHOLS S. SCOTT EGGLESTON, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 08/27/26 09/03/26 09/10/26 09/17/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Colleen Nance Pinson 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 Richard L. Cox, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before December 7th 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 3rd day of September 2026. Ann N Shaw Colleen Nance Pinson Estate Richard L. Cox, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

WAKE Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Co-Executors of the Estate of JOAN JOSEPHINE KAUFMANN, late of Wake County, North Carolina (26E002450-910), 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 30th day of November 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 27th day of August 2026. Laurie Joan Kaufmann-Robedee Jennifer Lynn Kaufmann-Olaya Co-Executors Estate of Joan Josephine Kaufmann c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 08/27, 09/03, 09/10, 09/17/2026)

Duke, Wake start season 2-0, B3

ERIK VERDUZCO / AP PHOTO

A flyover by military jets during the national anthem foreshadowed an explosion of points in the Panthers’ season opener in Charlotte.

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

TENNIS

Zverev, Rybakina win U.S. Open titles New York Alexander Zverev won his second major championship and kept American men without a Grand Slam title since 2003, beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 in the U.S. Open final. The No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, he capitalized on Shelton’s shaky start in his first major final. On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka to become the world No. 1.

MLS

Denkey scores 2 goals, Bucha adds another for Cincinnati in 3-3 tie with Charlotte Cincinnati Kevin Denkey scored his second goal of the game in stoppage time as FC Cincinnati tied Charlotte FC 3-3. Pavel Bucha opened the scoring in the second minute for Cincinnati. Liel Abada, Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati scored goals for Charlotte (11-7-7), which is unbeaten in seven straight. Kristijan Kahlina had six saves. Abada, who has scored in back-to-back games and three of the last four, went off due to injury.

Panthers searching for answers on defense An explosive offense and porous defense threaten to rewrite the record book By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE KEY question for the Carolina Panthers is “Just how good are the Bears?” With top overall draft pick Caleb Williams in his third year as starting quarterback, offensive wizard Ben Johnson in his second season at the helm, and a host of running backs and pass catchers poised on the verge of breakout seasons, Chicago is a trendy pick to have one of the most explosive attacks in recent NFL history. Perhaps the Panthers’ defense is solid. Maybe it’s good enough, and Carolina just started the year off against a team that’s about to be the offensive equivalent of the ’86 Bears defense.

ERIK VERDUZCO / AP PHOTO

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams runs in for a touchdown against the Panthers. The Panthers and Bears set NFL opening day records with 96 combined points in the Bears’ 59-37 win in Charlotte. On the bright side, the Panthers passed virtually every test when they had the ball,

with the offense answering all the preseason questions in the affirmative. The line, missing both starting tackles, was able to protect Bryce Young and clear space for the running backs. Jalen

San Diego Gia Corley and Melanie Barcenas scored and the San Diego Wave beat the visiting North Carolina Courage 2-1 on Saturday. Ashley Sanchez got her 19th goal of the season in the 82nd and North Carolina avoided the shutout. Sanchez leads the Golden Boot race with 19 goals this season, and is one goal away from Temwa Chawinga’s NWSL record.

Dave Canales, Panthers coach Coker continues to show that the entire league was wrong about him, and he was just an opportunity away from stardom all along. The Panthers moved the ball, hit big plays, and Young had a game reminiscent of early Cam Newton, throwing for 361 yards and three scores, while also making plays with his feet. “Bryce was rhythmic,” coach Dave Canales said. “He extended plays. Made some stuff happen with his legs. I really loved the way he played. Hit some nice balls down the field to Jalen and gave the guys opportunities. Gave us an opportunity to move the chains that way. But I’m just excited about that. I wish I could dive more into the stuff I’m excited about. I can’t.” The problem was, then Chicago would get the ball. The Bears scored on a 61-yard run by one back, a See PANTHERS, page B4

Prospect showcase potential leg up for Hurricanes training camp hopefuls Charles Alexis Legault, Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum all are aiming to make the NHL roster

NWSL

Corley, Barcenas score to give Wave 2-1 win over Courage

“I wish I could dive more into the stuff I’m excited about. I can’t.”

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal MORRISVILLE — The 2026-27 season is fast approaching for the Carolina Hurricanes, with training camp officially set to start this week. However, before the start of camp for the professionals, the organization also hosted the 2026 Prospect Showcase for some of their up and coming players to face off against their peers on the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning. “The biggest thing we’re looking for is trying to establish our style of play,” said Chicago Wolves coach Spiros Anastas, who is coaching the

CHRIS SZAGOLA / AP PHOTO

Carolina Hurricanes left winger Bradly Nadeau reacts after scoring a goal in an April game. Hurricanes prospects. “The style of play, the habits and the expectations.” While the Hurricanes’ showcase roster was a mixed bag of AHL/ECHL invitees and recently drafted prospects, in

players amongst the Hurricanes’ prospect group and all of whom were major pieces for the Wolves in their recent trip to the Calder Cup final. For them, the showcase wasn’t so much about learning systems as it was about getting up to speed and building some confidence before the start of NHL training camp, especially since all three players have a more than decent chance of making the Hurricanes’ opening night roster. For Legault, it’s looking more and more likely that there will be a definite opening on the Hurricanes’ blueline heading into training camp. With RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin’s contract negotiations continuing to drag out, the team will potentially need a replacement at that sixth defenseman position, and Legault fits that bill.

particular, there were a few names that fans would do well to keep track of. Those include Charles Alexis Legault, Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum, the most professionally experienced See HURRICANES, page B3

B2 THURSDAY

9.17.26

TRENDING

Mike Hill: The former UNC Charlotte athletic director was named the NCAA’s vice president of men’s basketball. Hill will oversee the Division I, II and III championship events along with the NIT. Hill replaces JoAn Scott following her retirement. Hill had previously worked at Charlotte as athletic director from 2018-25. Edgerrin James: The former NFL running back expressed concern for his son Jizzle, who is dealing with a substance abuse issue. James posted on Instagram urging people to show Jizzle love and encouragement but not give him money or valuables. Jizzle, who played college basketball, recently transferred from Cincinnati to Charlotte but is no longer with the 49ers program. Cincinnati dismissed him last summer before reinstating him midway through the season. Baker Mayfield: The former Panthers quarterback and the Buccaneers agreed on a $165 million, three-year contract extension. The former No. 1 overall pick revived his career in Tampa Bay after replacing Tom Brady in 2023. He was entering the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons in Tampa.

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NASCAR

Kyle Larson ended a 51-race winless streak, edging teammate Alex Bowman in overtime of a crash-filled NASCAR Cup Series race that shook up the playoff standings. Larson, the defending series champion, won for the first time since May 2025. The second race in the series’ postseason Chase format gave significant boosts to the championship hopes for Larson and Joey Logano, who finished third and added 19 stage points.

AARON BEARD / AP PHOTO

“It was unacceptable.” Drake Maye on his three interceptions in the Patriots’ season-opening loss

CONNOR HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

GOLF

EBRAHIM NOROOZI / AP PHOTO

SCOTT KINSER / AP PHOTO

“We are the standard.” WNBA star Breanna Stewart after Team USA won the women’s World Cup. PRIME NUMBER

Breanna Stewart scored 22, Jackie Young 18 and the U.S. beat France 97-79 to win its fifth consecutive women’s FIBA World Cup, extending its win streak to 36 dating to the 2006 World Cup, when Australia won. The Americans trailed by 14 points in the first half but rallied .

ALASTAIR GRANT / AP PHOTO

The Solheim Cup is back in the hands of the Europeans. Lottie Woad’s 2-and-1 victory over Auston Kim and Carlota Ciganda’s win over Jennifer Kupcho clinched the win over Team USA was held at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands. Europe wound up winning 15-13 and has won three of the last five editions.

NFL

34 Consecutive winning seasons by the New York Yankees after they clinched a record over .500 last week. New York’s streak is the second-longest in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues, following the Yankees’ record 39 winning seasons in a row from 1926-64.

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

Chris Johnson’s Ring of Honor ceremony with the Tennessee Titans is on hold because of unforeseen circumstances preventing his family from traveling to Nashville. The Titans had expected to induct the 2009 NFL rushing leader in their season opener Sunday against the New York Jets. Johnson, a former ECU star, announced in June he was diagnosed last year with ALS, a neurodegenerative condition commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Duke, Wake Forest earn road wins over Big Ten opponents Both teams improved to 2-0 ahead of their ACC openers

“We have an absolute big-time quarterback.”

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert on Gio Lopez

CHARLOTTE — Duke and Wake Forest delivered big statements in Big Ten football territory on Saturday, each exiting the weekend with a comeback road win and a 2-0 record. The Blue Devils rallied past Illinois 31-27 in Champaign, Illinois, while the Demon Deacons survived Purdue 38-36 in double overtime in West Lafayette, Indiana. For two programs approaching their ACC openers, the victories offered an early-season boost and showed they could handle pressure, hostile crowds and late-game stakes away from home. Duke now enters conference play carrying a six-game winning streak that dates to last November and includes an ACC championship and bowl victory. Its latest win required the defending league champions to erase a 10-point deficit and contain an Illinois offense that controlled much of the first half. The Blue Devils trailed 24-14 with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter before quarterback Walker Eget found star running back Nate Sheppard for a 7-yard touch-

Running Back of the Week for the second straight time. Tackle Nick Del Grande was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week after Duke rushed for 170 yards and allowed just one sack. The win snapped Illinois’ 10-game nonconference winning streak and gave Duke its fourth 2-0 start in five seasons. The Blue Devils will return to Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham on Saturday at 4 p.m. to begin ACC play against Stanford (1-1, 0-1 ACC). Wake Forest’s path to 2-0 was longer and more dramatic. The Demon Deacons led Purdue 23-13 early in the fourth quarter after Connor Calvert’s third field goal, but the Boilermakers scored 10 unanswered points; Jacobo Echeverria Lozano’s 20-yard field goal in the closing seconds forced overtime. For Wake Forest, redshirt junior quarterback Gio Lopez answered every Purdue challenge from there. He connected with Bryce Kania for a 24-yard touchdown on Wake Forest’s first overtime possession, but Ryan Browne’s fourth-down

COURTESY DUKE ATHLETICS

Duke running back Nate Sheppard has averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2026. down pass. Duke then opened the second half with another Eget-to-Sheppard score, this time from three yards, to move ahead 28-24. Illinois managed only a field goal after halftime. Blue Devils kicker Cosme Salas added a field goal early in the fourth quarter, and Duke’s defense protected the four-point margin with a turnover on downs, Evan Smith’s interception and Kyon Loud’s fourth-down pass breakup on Illinois’ final possession. Sheppard was again the engine of Duke’s offense. The sophomore rushed 24 times for 147 yards and a touch-

down, then added five catches for 41 yards and two scores. Eget completed 15 of 21 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns despite briefly leaving with a leg injury after a fourth-quarter sack. “It feels great, obviously, to go out there and be able to produce these good games, but it’s credit to those guys up front, the O-line, the tight ends, wide receivers blocking out wide,” Sheppard said. “We have good receivers, a good quarterback and our tight end (Jeremiah Hasley) is one of the best in the country.” Sheppard, who ran for 227 yards against Tulane in Duke’s opener, was selected as the ACC

scoring pass to De’Nylon Morrissette extended the game. Fame Ijeboi, who rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns, gave Purdue a 36-30 lead with a 3-yard run in the second overtime, but the Boilermakers’ failed two-point conversion left Wake Forest with an opening. Facing fourth-and-15, Lopez completed a pass to Carlos Hernandez that was initially ruled short before replay awarded Wake Forest the first down. Two plays later, Lopez scored on a 3-yard keeper, then ran in the deciding two-point conversion. “I didn’t want to let the team down, so I just tried to go score that thing,” Lopez said. Lopez finished 16 of 27 for 225 yards and a touchdown while leading the Demon Deacons with 59 rushing yards and two scores. He was named the ACC Quarterback of the Week and, through two games, has 575 passing yards, four touchdown passes, two rushing scores and no turnovers. “We have an absolute bigtime quarterback,” Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert said. “He’s fast. In the toughest moments, the biggest spot, he’s taking hits and doing whatever it takes to win.” Wake Forest has won all six of its nonconference games under Dickert, who guided the program to nine victories in his 2025 debut season. The Deacons have also opened 2-0 for the fifth consecutive year. Now, the competition rises sharply. Wake Forest will host No. 5 Miami (2-0, 1-0 ACC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Winston-Salem, giving the Demon Deacons a national stage for their ACC opener after their recent test on the road.

NC State leads state in producing NFL players The Wolfpack have 18 former players on active rosters for opening day By Shawn Krest North State Journal NC STATE leads all North Carolina schools in number of players on NFL rosters to start the 2026 season. The Wolfpack have a total of 18 NFL players this season, which ties Texas Tech, Minnesota, Indiana and Florida State for 28th most. It’s also only halfway to the total that would crack the top 10. Ohio State leads the list with 58 NFL products. Alabama is one behind the Buckeyes, followed by Georgia (53), LSU (44) and Texas (42). The second half of the top 10 is Notre Dame (40), Michigan (39), Florida (37), Penn State and Oregon (36 each). Clemson, in 13th with 30 players, is the ACC school with the most NFL players. With 16 players on rosters, UNC is two behind the Wolfpack and tied for 34th with Wisconsin, Maryland and Kentucky. Duke has 14, tied with Syracuse, Louisville and Iowa State for 43rd. At 11 NFL players, Wake Forest is in 50th, tied with Rutgers, Georgia Tech and BYU. Only two ACC teams — SMU and Virginia — have fewer NFL players than the Demon Deacons. East Carolina and Appalachian State each have four NFL players, tied for 85th among FBS schools.

HURRICANES from page B1 “I just want to focus on what I can do and be the best version of myself every day,” Legault said. “At the end of the day, that’s what I can control.” The 6-foot-4 blueliner brings a physical edge with his style of play, and his game has continued to improve as he’s matured. “His physical element has increased drastically, and I don’t just mean throwing hands,” Anastas said. “How quickly he closes, how hard he hits, he’s becoming more of a man. He wants to be in the NHL, he knows he can be, and we have that belief in him too. Having a real strong camp led by his con-

Division II Lenoir-Rhyne has a pair of NFL players. Charlotte has one NFL product playing, as does Division II Barton and Wingate. State’s NFL contingent may be the largest in sheer size, not just number of players. Ten of the Wolfpack’s 18 NFL players are offensive or defensive linemen. The Carolina Panthers’ opener against the Bears saw Chicago center Garrett Bradbury, guard Joe Thuney, defensive tackle Kentavious Street and injured Panthers tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Anthony Belton (Packers) and Dylan McMahon (Rams) round out the NC State offensive linemen in the league. Defensive linemen include Cory Durden (Patriots), Sabastian Harsh (Texans), BJ Hill (Bengals) and Alim McNeill (Lions). There are three Wolfpack linebackers in the NFL — Bradley Chubb (Bills), Drake Thomas (Seahawks) and Payton Wilson (Steelers). They’ll be chasing four offensive skill position players — quarterback Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals), running back Bam Knight (Cardinals), receiver Jakobi Meyers (Jaguars) and tight end Justin Joly (Dolphins). Punter AJ Cole, of the Raiders, rounds out the list. UNC leans toward offensive skill positions with more than half of its current NFL alumni list made up of them. Quarterbacks Drake Maye (Patriots), Sam Howell (Cowboys) and Mitchell Trubisky (Titans) lead the way. There’s also four receivers and three running backs: Devontez Walker (Ravens), Josh Downs (Colts), Mack

fidence, I think, will give him a good shot at a spot up there.” For Nadeau and Unger Sorum, the two are essentially competing for the same spot opened up by the assumed absence of star winger Seth Jarvis. The Hurricanes’ leading goal scorer had shoulder surgery in the offseason, and his timeline for returning is anywhere from October to potentially the start of 2027. So the team will need to find a way to replace that offensive firepower, and both Nadeau and Unger Sorum present that possibility. Nadeau has been one of the AHL’s top goal scorers across his two professional seasons,

Williams (Jaguars), linebackers Joe Giles-Harris (Bengals) and Chris Rumph II (Saints), corners Chandler Rivers (Ravens) and Josh Blackwell (Bears) and safety Michael Carter II (Eagles) make up a balanced set of defensive players. On the offensive side, Duke has quarterback Daniel Jones (Colts), linemen Jacob Monk (Packers) and Graham Barton (Bucs) and tight end Noah Gray (Chiefs). Wake Forest actually got a 12th player on an active roster, which temporarily tied the Deacs for 48th, with Michigan State and Arizona, when receiver Greg Dortch was elevated from the Bills practice squad for the opening game. He joins tight end

Blake Whiteheart (Browns) and running back Demond Claiborne (Vikings) as the only Wake skill position players on offense. (Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker transferred out after starting at Wake Forest, so he’s not included on the NFL’s official alumni listings for the Deacs). Tackle Zach Bako-Bewele (Packers) is the only other Wake offensive player. The Deacs also have defensive tackles Jayden Loving (Bears) and Kobie Turner (Rams), LBs Justin Strnad (Broncos) and Branson Combs (Jags), corners Caelen Carson (Cowboys) and Karon Prunty (Pats) and safeties Jessie Bates III (Falcons) and Malik Mustapha (49ers). ECU is represented by three defensive backs — safety Julius Wood (Dolphins) and corners Shavon Revel Jr. (Cowboys) and Ja’Quan McMillian (Broncos). RB Keaton Mitchell (Chargers) is the only Pirate in the league on offense. Panthers punter Sam Martin is the longest-tenured App State NFL product. He’s joined by Falcons center Ryan Neuzil, Bears linebacker D’Marco Jackson and Colts linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. Steelers pass rusher Alex Highsmith is Charlotte’s lone representative. From Division II, the NFL has Barton wide receiver Kameron Johnson (Bucs), Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger (Bengals) and receiver Dareke Young (Raiders) and Wingate punter Ethan Evans (Rams). The New York Giants are the only team without a player from a North Carolina college on the active roster.

er and know you’re better than the year before,” Nadeau said. “You never know what to expect, but obviously this year heading in, I’m fighting for a spot. It doesn’t matter which, I’m just willing to get any spot. I’ll be ready.” Unger Sorum had one of the biggest jumps in the league this past season, nearly tripling his production from his first North American season to lead the Wolves in points, something Anastas credited to the work he put in on his body. The Swedish winger is a cerebral playmaker who can dictate the pace of play with the puck on his stick, and that sort of ability is something that

translates well to the NHL. “He’s got the head for it,” said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour. “His hockey sense is high, high, high, and it’s been that way since he came on the scene a couple years ago. The future is bright for him, for sure.” All three players present interesting options for Carolina, but it’s all going to come down to how they perform in training camp for whether or not they can make the jump to the NHL. “(The prospect showcase) was important for them to just shake the rust off,” Anastas said. “They want to win a spot in the National Hockey League, and so this gave them a little bit of a head start.”

SAMANTHA CHOW / AP PHOTO

Former ECU defensive backs Shavon Revel Jr. (28) and Julius Wood (32) celebrate a play during a Cowboys preseason game. Revel made the Dallas roster, while Wood was later signed by the Dolphins. Hollins (Patriots) and Dyami Brown (Commanders) are the pass catchers, Javonte Williams (Cowboys), British Brooks (Texans) and Omarion Hampton (Chargers) the ball carriers. Three offensive linemen — Joshua Ezeudu (Chiefs), Asim Richards (Saints) and Willie Lampkin (Eagles) — and three linebackers — Cedric Gray (Titans), Chazz Surratt (Seahawks) and Cole Holcomb (Steelers) — round out the crew. Duke might be long snapper U, with two of them in the NFL’s current crop — Evan Deckers (Buccaneers) and Thomas Hennessy (Jets). Defensive linemen Aaron Hall (Panthers), DeWayne Carter (Bills) and Wesley

“[Those three] want to win a spot in the National Hockey League and so this gives them a little bit of a head start.” Chicago Wolves coach Spiros Anastas and he’s continued to grow his all-around game, but it’s his shot that’s going to give him the best shot at making the jump into the NHL. “Every year you feel more comfortable and grow as a play-

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

WHAT IT WAS, WAS FOOTBALL North Carolina schools posted a winning record in Week 2 By Shawn Krest North State Journal IT WAS A WILD week of college football in North Carolina. In addition to a tight Aggie-Eagle Classic and another overtime in-state matchup, the rankings got a big shakeup. The top three teams in last week’s poll all lost, while three of the bottom five won. When the dust cleared, the state’s colleges had their first winning week of the season. Duke’s road win at Illinois earned the Blue Devils the top spot. App State’s win over ECU vaulted the Mountaineers six spots, into the top five, the biggest positive mover of the week. Meanwhile, the top three all fell seven spots as Elon, Fayetteville State and Campbell all got hammered. THE RANKINGS North Carolina’s record: 17-14 last week (39-42 overall) 1. Duke, 2-0 (up 4): won 31-27 at Illinois (Stanford) 2. UNC, 2-0 (up 2): won 35-3 over East Tennessee State (at Clemson) 3. NC Wesleyan, 2-0 (up 5): won 42-0 over Newport News Apprentice (at Sewanee) 4. Mars Hill, 2-0 (up 3): won 22-16 in overtime over Catawba (Lenoir-Rhyne) 5. App State, 2-0 (up 6): won 27-24 at ECU (Charlotte) 6. Lenoir-Rhyne, 2-1 (unchanged): won at Newberry 21-14 (Mars Hill) 7. Wake Forest, 2-0 (up 3): won 38-36 at Purdue in 2OT (Miami) 8. Elon, 2-1 (down 7): lost 31-10 at Rhode Island (Sacred Heart) 9. Fayetteville State, 2-1 (down 7): lost at home to Valdosta State 38-9 (at Johnson C. Smith) 10. Campbell, 2-1 (down 7): lost 52-3 at Florida (NC A&T) 11. UNC Pembroke, 2-1 (up 1): won 31-24 at Shorter (Valdosta State) 12. Catawba, 1-2 (down 3): lost 22-16 in overtime at Mars Hill (Emory & Henry) 13. Johnson C. Smith, 2-1 (up 3): won 31-6 at Winston-Salem State (Fayetteville State) 14. NC Central, 2-1 (up 4): won 30-22 over NC A&T (at Gardner-Webb) 15. Shaw, 1-1 (up 2): won 34-28 over Ferrum (Lincoln, Pa.) 16. Western Carolina, 1-2 (down 3): lost 62-10 at Cincinnati (Presbyterian) 17. Brevard, 1-0 (up 2): won 39-14 over Sewanee (at Erskine) 18. Greensboro, 1-1 (down 4): lost 28-14 at Roanoke (Bluefield) 19. Wingate, 1-2 (down 4): lost 24-23 at CarsonNewman (Newberry) 20. Guilford, 1-1 (up 5): won 20-17 over Methodist (off week) 21. NC State, 1-1 (up 5): beat Richmond 73-0 (at Vanderbilt) 22. Elizabeth City State, 0-2 (unchanged): idle (Virginia State) 23. Chowan, 1-2 (down 3): lost 34-19 at home to Virginia Union (Barton) 24. East Carolina, 0-2 (down 3): lost 27-24 at home to App State (at Old Dominion)

25. Livingstone, 1-2 (up 3): won 44-30 at Bluefield State (Winston-Salem State) 26. Barton, 1-2 (up 3): won 36-21 over Bluefield (at Chowan) 27. Methodist, 0-2 (down 4): lost 20-17 at Guilford (at Newport News Apprentice) 28. Charlotte, 0-2 (down 4): lost at Ole Miss 41-9 (at App State) 29. NC A&T, 0-3 (down 2): lost 30-22 at NC Central (at Campbell) 30. Gardner-Webb, 0-3 (unchanged): lost at Liberty 24-23 (NC Central) 31. Davidson, 1-2 (up 1): won 28-14 over Dickinson (VMI) 32. Winston-Salem State, 0-3 (down 1): lost 31-6 at JC Smith (at Livingstone)

NAME GAMES NC Central earned the lead spot in the newly renamed Eagle-Aggie Classic, at least for the next year until the two teams play again. STATE TITLE STANDINGS Central’s win moved the Eagles into a tie for the best instate record at 2-0. Mars Hill also moved up thanks to a win over Catawba in overtime. The other three N.C.-on-N.C. games saw App State win at ECU, JC Smith beat WS State and Guilford beat Methodist. This week sees seven instate games on the slate. Gardner-Webb hosts NC Central. App State hosts Charlotte. Plus, we have NC A&T at Campbell, JC Smith hosts Fayetteville State, Livingstone hosts Winston-Salem State, Mars Hill at Lenoir-Rhyne and Barton at Chowan • 2-0 Fayetteville State, Mars Hill, NC Central • 1-0 Elon, Greensboro, Campbell, App State, JC Smith • 1-1 UNC Pembroke, Shaw, Guilford • 0-1 Wingate, Davidson, Western Carolina, Barton, Elizabeth City State, ECU, Catawba, NC A&T, Methodist

Akron fan’s dream OC debut ends in heartbreak after 4 plays, costly fumble A fan won a contest to call plays in the home opener By Joe Reedy The Associated Press AKRON, Ohio — Marty Whims II got to experience the joy and frustration of being the offensive coordinator for a Football Bowl Subdivision team on Saturday. Unfortunately, it lasted for only four plays. Akron was moving the ball on its first possession against Robert Morris when wide receiver Marcel Williams fumbled at the Colonials’ 37-yard line. David Johnson recovered the ball after Tasheen Howard and Jake Lopinto forced the fumble. Whims got to call plays as part of Akron’s “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” for its home opener. The 46-year-old Whims — a longtime season-ticket holder — graduated from Akron and is the chief financial officer for Stark Enterprises. The promotion went viral on social media after it was announced on Aug. 4, generating more than 23 million views. “We were moving the ball. The initial script that we developed was successful. So unfortunately ended with a fumble,” Whims said after Akron’s 45-10 victory. “I still think it was a success on the field, as far as the promotion goes and for the university.” Whims and Akron coach Joe Moorhead met Thursday to go over strategy and review game film before coming up with a 20play script. Moorhead, who has said he was skeptical about the promotion when it was first brought up by athletic director Andrew Goodrich, was pleased, though, with how everything turned out despite the Zips not reaching the end zone on the opening drive. “He did an unbelievable job. We spent probably an hour and a half going over the game plan, discussing the opening script,” Moorhead said. “We were rolling on the third-and-short. We

“Don’t put that on Marty, put that on me. I think that thing would’ve ended up in the end zone.” Coach Joe Moorhead were lined in the wrong formation and got the penalty which put us behind the sticks and we still converted it. So don’t put that on Marty, put that on me. I think that thing would’ve ended up in the end zone.” Only season-ticket and suite holders were eligible for the contest. Suites sold out for the first time since InfoCision Stadium opened in 2009. Fans from 38 states and as far away as Germany became Zips season-ticket holders, including Jon Gruden, Pat McAfee, and Dan “Big Cat” Katz. Every season and suite ticket counted as an entry (four tickets, four entries). Season ticket-holders also received extra entries for each new buyer they referred. The contest was the brainchild of Goodrich. The nine finalists were announced Aug. 19, including Katz of Barstool Sports, longtime season ticket-holders, and people from Nebraska and Texas. Whims was announced as the winner on Aug. 25. The Zips deferred after winning the coin toss and forced Robert Morris into going threeand-out. Akron got the ball on its own 40 with 11:12 remaining. A 12-yard run by Jordan Gant on the first play moved the Zips into Colonials’ territory. Going no huddle, Cibastian Broughton had a 2-yard completion to Kyan Mason on a bubble screen, and Gant had a 7-yard gain to give Akron third-and-1 on the Colonials’ 39. Nick Saban — no stranger to the Mid-American Conference after graduating from rival Kent State and coaching one year at Toledo — told Whims during “College GameDay” to get the

play in quickly and “stay ahead of the sticks and run the ball. All the fans are going to want you to throw it. Run the ball. You won’t get criticized as much.” Whims was staying ahead of the sticks until a false start penalty on right guard Nate Hampton put the Zips in third-and-6. Williams had the necessary yards for the first down on his catch, only to turn it over. “I tried to dive and get the first. It was a great punch by the defender. I thought I was down,” Williams said. Because of the turnover, Whims was unable to try Saban’s third idea: “Don’t get cute, but if you’re gonna get cute, throw the damn flea flicker. The fans will love it.” Akron did score on its next three possessions after the fumble and was up 21-10 at halftime. The Zips’ first touchdown — a 41-yard pass from Broughton to Sean Patrick — came on a play called shark wheel. That was one of the plays Katz said he wanted to call if he won the contest. Broughton finished 23-of-27 passing for 227 yards and four touchdowns. “We saw a bunch of videos on TikTok about people saying what they would call. Some of those were funny. Someone said on the first play they would punt the ball,” Patrick said. Whims stayed on the sideline behind Akron’s bench before going back to the stands to watch the game with his three sons. He returned to the sideline for the second half and then got the game ball in the locker room after the game. “I’m going to be honest, some of it was above my head. I’m sure Coach Moorhead sensed that, but it gives you more appreciation for what it takes to be a good head coach,” Whims said. “It’s easy for fans just to kind of sit back on the day after the game and complain about what was called, but there’s a lot more that goes into it. So it definitely gives me far more appreciation for what these guys do. A lot more respect too.”

• 0-2 Winston-Salem State

Marty Whims II, left, and Akron coach Joe Moorhead answer questions after Akron’s victory over Robert Morris.

ALL-STATE PERFORMANCES FOR WEEK 2 Quarterback: Alexander Marsh, Shaw, 18-29 for 287 yards, 3 TDs, 17 yards and 1 TD rushing Running backs: Plez Lawrence, NC Central, 22 rushes for 210 yards, 3 TDs Fabian Diggs, Shaw, 178 yards on 19 carries, long of 58, TD Receiver: Brian Lane, JC Smith, 2 catches, 101 yards, 2 TDs Jimmie West III, NC Wesleyan, 6 catches, 111 yards, 2 TDs Defensive line: Jy’Mire Wright, Mars Hill, 5 tackles, 1 solo, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 red zone interception and 45 yard return Aarmon Randolph, NC Wesleyan, 6 tackles, 3 solo, 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble 1 pass breakup Linebacker: Tre Yanez, Gardner-Webb, 10 tackles, 8 solo, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks Jamaris Stevens, JC Smith, 10 tackles, 6 solo, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 interception with 57-yard return Defensive back: Malachi Adkins, Livingstone, 2 tackles, 1 solo, 92-yard fumble return for a touchdown Fredrick Sellars, UNC Pembroke, 2 tackles, 2 solos, 1 interception and 69-yard return for a touchdown Special teams: Malik Brown, UNC Pembroke, 215 yards on 4 kick returns, including touchdowns of 91 and 88 yards.

UNC Pembroke’s Malik Brown took two kickoffs to the house in a road win COURTESY UNC PEMBROKE ATHLETICS

JOE REEDY / AP PHOTO

PANTHERS from page B1 28-yard run by another, and a 29-yard scramble by Williams. They gained 305 yards on their 10 longest plays. That’s more than the Panthers allowed in six complete games last season, and it doesn’t even include the 247 yards Chicago picked up on its other 60 snaps in the game. The Bears had six rushing touchdowns in the game. That’s more than the Panthers allowed in their first seven games combined last season. It matches the combined total for the last five. Immediately after the game, Canales diagnosed what went wrong with the defense. “I saw the guys battle,” he said. “I saw them play really hard. Toughness, physicality, all that stuff is not the problem. We’ve just got to make sure we’re all connected with the run game so we’re not trying to make a play that’s not ours to make. … It’s somebody playing out their responsibility and not

trusting the guy next to them to be able to do theirs. That’s the part where we have to come together and make sure that we solidify — just trust your responsibility, play together, so we can mitigate some of those big plays.” Monday, after watching the film, he doubled down. “We played hard, we played with great effort, the guys were together, all those things are true,” he said. “Playing smart, that’s where we fell short, and it was about executing our plan.” All three of the team’s starting linebackers were added since the end of last season, including one, Bobby Okereke, who was signed after cutdown day at the end of training camp. Four of the Panthers’ top five tacklers in the game weren’t with Carolina last year. So it’s possible that the defense could play smarter as the various pieces become accustomed to each other. “There were run plays, and there were a couple of pass plays

that got out, and that’s the communication, that’s the connectedness,” Canales said. Canales voiced support of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s scheme, although he pointed out that the coaching also needs to be improved. “These are conceptual things that we can do a better job of, and as a coaching staff we have to take responsibility,” he said. “Not just putting it on the players for execution, but what did our plan look like? Did we have too little? Did we have too much?” Maybe Chicago is just that good. Maybe the Panthers defense will improve with a little more time together and mere mortal offenses on the schedule. Of course, a few weeks before the opening day shootout, the Panthers and Arizona Cardinals combined for the highest scoring Hall of Fame Game in history. That’s starting to sound like a pattern.

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY 25 SP000507-120 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Allison Eisenhardt , Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $77,569.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for Everett Financial, Inc. D/B/A Supreme Lending, A Texas Corporation, Mortgagee, dated August 15th, 2018 and recorded on August 15th, 2018 in Book 13138, Page 0022, Cabarrus County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000680-120 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Batsirai Neliah Kasu (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Batsirai Neliah Kasu) to SPM Affiliates Inc.,, Trustee(s), dated November 24, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 08976, at Page 0021 in Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on February 8, 2017, in Book No. 12351, at Page 0324 , 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

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CABARRUS GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 26CV003861-120 MidFirst Bank, Plaintiff, v. Vincent Desean Mitchell, Loren Marie Mitchell, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Castle Credit Co Holdings, LLC Defendant(s).

26SP000371-120 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 Blakeney C Sides to Laurel A. Meyer, Trustee(s), which was dated January 31, 2017 and recorded on January 31, 2017 in Book 12343 at Page 233, Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 29, 2026 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000460-120 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Mark L. Carpenter (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Mark L. Carpenter) to Heather Lovier, Trustee(s), dated March 12, 2024, and recorded in Book No. 16848, at Page 0154 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 September 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Kannapolis in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as

CUMBERLAND 11-016088 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25sp000176-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY AGNES I. SANTIAGO AND DELORES OSORIO DATED FEBRUARY 18, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7172 AT PAGE 717 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED APRIL 1 ,2020 IN BOOK 10730 PAGE 205 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and

Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 1:00 PM on September 21st, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Lying and Being in the City of Kannapolis, Number Four (4) Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina on the West side of South Ridge Avenue, and Being a part of Lot Numbers Five (5) and Six (6) in Block Four (4) of South Kannapolis, as surveyed and platted, a copy of which plat is filed in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County in Map Book 1, Page 33, and being more fully described as follows: Beginning at a new iron pin on the West side of South Ridge Avenue, front corner of Lot Numbers 6 and 7 and runs thence with the dividing line of said Lot Numbers 6 and 7 South 78-15-00 West 85.00 feet to an iron pin in the dividing line of said Lots, a new corner; thence a new line North 11-46-30 West 43.37 feet to an iron pin, a new corner in Lot Number 5; thence a new line through Lot Number 5 North 79-00-59 East 85.03 feet to an iron pin, a new corner on the West side of South Ridge Avenue in the front line of Lot Number 5; thence with the West side of South Ridge Avenue South 11-45-00 East 44.23 feet to the point of Beginning, containing 0.087 acre, more or less, as

surveyed and platted by Ruby A. Goodwin, P.L.S., for Mel G. Thompson & Associates, Inc., March 9, 2001. Subject to the burdens and benefits of a Joint Driveway located on the Northern portion of the subject property. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1004 S Ridge Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28083 Tax ID: 5613-64-1344-0000 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 Allison Eisenhardt. 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.

Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 29, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Huntersville in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING known and designated as all of Lot 32 in that subdivision known as CASCADES AT SKYBROOK, Phase 2, Map 1, as the same is shown on a map thereof recorded in Map Book 56 at Page 66 in the Cabarrus County Registry; reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 845 Windy Falls Drive, Huntersville, North Carolina.

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

record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

effective date of the termination.

Address of property: 1208 Clifton Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Tax Parcel ID: 5613 17 1335

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.

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

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

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

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988

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

NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the Order for Judicial Sale, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cabarrus County courthouse at 1:00 PM on September 28, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Vincent Desean Mitchell; Loren Marie Mitchell, dated November 17, 2017 to secure the original principal amount of $137,464.00, and recorded in Book No. 12770, at Page 74 of the Cabarrus County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public

Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit: Lying and being in Ward number four (4) of The City of Concord, Number Twelve (12) Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina on the North side of Marshdale Avenue, Southwest, and being all of Lot Number Sixteen (16) in Block “B” of the subdivision of ELSIRA HEIGHTS, as surveyed and plated, a copy of which plat is filed in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County in Map Book 10, Page 65, to which map book and page reference is hereby made for a complete description thereof by metes and bounds. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 182 Marshdale Ave SW, Concord, NC 28025. 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

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 25-002310-01

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: 28368 - 145076

The date of this Notice is 19th day of August, 2026. Grady I. Ingle, NC State Bar No. 16692 Attorney for Comissioner, Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717

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

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

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

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

authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 10:30AM on September 21, 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 Agnes I. Santiago and Delores Osorio, dated February 18, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $103,511.00, and recorded in Book 7172 at Page 717 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: 7228 Clear Spring Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax Parcel ID: 9487-39-7037 Present Record Owners: Agnes I. Santiago and The Heirs of Delores Osorio The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Agnes I. Santiago and The Heirs of Delores Osorio. 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 September 1, 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:

follows: Beginning at a stake in the west edge of Rose Ave. in what is known as the G.F. Rogers Property in Kannapolis, North Carolina, No. 4 Township, a corner of the Cabarrus Lumber and Supply Co. and runs thence along the line of the Cabarrus Lumber and Supply Co. S. 80 W. 69.65 feet to an iron stake in the Cabarrus Lumber and Supply Co. line; thence N. 12 W. 95 feet to a stake, a new corner; thence N. 80 E. 62.75 feet to a stake in the West edge of Rose Ave., a new corner; thence S. 16 1⁄2 E. 95 feet along the West edge of Rose Ave. to the beginning. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 212 Lincoln Street, Kannapolis, North Carolina. The grantor herein, in addition hereto, does hereby deed and grant a street on the North side of the above described property and the F.H. Helms lot 20 feet wide for their use and for the use of the public extending from Rose Ave. to the street at the Fred Reece corner. 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.: 26-16415-FC01

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: 27589 - 140418

11-016088

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 26-125357 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 26SP000451-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY PHILLIP B. LEGGETTE DATED JUNE 20, 2008 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7929 AT PAGE 63 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 26SP000662-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by KALEB VINYARD dated July 17, 2024 in the amount of $210,000.00 and recorded in Book 12018, Page 0369 of the Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, North Carolina, in Book 12538, Page 0202, 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 September 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 0409-10-7903 ADDRESS: 359 SUMMER HILL RD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): KALEB VINYARD THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 12018,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000567-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by M3B SFR, LLC (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): M3B SFR, LLC) to Angela DiTommaso, Trustee(s), dated February 2, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 11667, at Page 0077 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 28, 2026 and will sell to

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000604-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Quick Property Solutions Inc., a North Carolina Corporation (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Quick Property Solutions Inc., a North Carolina Corporation) to The Law Office of Jeffrey E. Radford, PA, Trustee(s), dated October 25, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 11846, at Page 0135 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24SP000803-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Lachanda D. McMillian (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Lachanda D. McMillian) to Donald C. Hudson, Trustee(s), dated February 25, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 09383, at Page 0668 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on April 20, 2022, in Book No. 11451, at Page 0268 , 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,

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 September 30, 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 Phillip B. Leggette, dated June 20, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $65,750.00, and recorded in Book 7929 at Page 63 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: 4327 Frontier Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28312

Tax Parcel ID: 0477-11-1337 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Phillip B. Leggette The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Phillip B. Leggette. 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 July 31, 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:

PAGE 0369, AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 24 OF SUMMER HILL, SECTION TWO, AS SAMO IS SHOWN ON MAP THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 29 AT PAGE 57 OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY. PARCEL ID: 0409-10-7903 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 359 SUMMER HILL ROAD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303

OIL, GAS, OR OTHER MINERALS OR ANY OR ALL OF THE FOREGOING RIGHTS AND POWERS. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RESERVATION, SELLER HEREBY WAIVES FOR ITSELF, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, ALL RIGHTS TO UTILIZE THE SURFACE OF THE PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MINING, PRODUCING, TRANSPORTING, STORING, DRILLING AND EXPLORING FOR OIL, GAS AND OTHER MINERALS. PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, THIS WAIVER SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT THE RIGHT OF SELLER TO LEASE, DEVELOP AND/OR PRODUCE OIL, GAS AND OTHER MINERALS IN, ON, OR UNDER, OR THAT MAY BE PRODUCED FROM, THE PROPERTY, BY POOLING OR UNITIZATION OF THE PROPERTY WITH THE OTHER LANDS OR BY UTILIZING DIRECTIONAL OR HORIZONAL DRILLING FROM WELL SITES LOCATED ON LANDS OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OR BY ANY OTHER DEVELOPMENT METHOD THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE UTILIZATION OF THE SURFACE OF THE PROPERTY. THIS SURFACE UTILIZATION WAIVER IS ALSO SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF ANY LESSEE UNDER ANY EXISTING OIL, GAS AND MINERAL LEASE EFFECTING THE PROPERTY OR ANY PORTION THEREOF. 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.

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.

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.

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.

SAVE AND EXCEPT, HOWEVER, THERE IS RESERVED AND EXCEPTED HEREFROM, AND NOT CONVEYED HEREBY, ANY AND ALL INTEREST IN OIL, GAS, AND/ OR MINERALS, TITLE TO WHICH IS OUTSTANDING IN ANYONE OTHER THAN SELLER. THERE IS FURTHER RESERVED AND EXCEPTED UNTO SELLER, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, AND NOT CONVEYED HEREBY, ALL REMAINING OIL, GAS, AND OTHER MINERALS IN, ON, OR UNDERLYING, OR THAT MAY BE PRODUCED FROM, THE PROPERTY, TOGETHER WITH ALLRIGHTS AND POWERS INCIDENT THERETO, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, (I) BONUSES, RENTS, AND ROYALTIES RELATING THERETO FROM ANY EXISTING AND FUTURE OIL AND GAS LEASES, (II) THE PERPETUAL, FULL, AND ABSOLUTE RIGHTS AND POWERS TO ENTER THE SUBSURFACE OF THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, A SUBSURFACE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS, TO SEARCH FOR AND DEVELOP OIL, GAS, OR OTHER MINERALS AND TO REMOVE, TRANSPORT, AND DISPOSE OF SUCH PRODUCTS, (II) THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE FOR AND PROCURE OIL, GAS, AND MINERAL LEASES COVERING ANY OR ALL OF SUCH OIL, GAS, AND OTHER MINERALS, AND (IV) THE RIGHT TO SELL AND CONVEY ANY OR ALL SUCH

the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 56, in a subdivision known as Southgate, Section One, and same being duly recorded in Plat Book 36, Page 73 Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7616 Southgate Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). 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

PM on September 21, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 519 in a subdivision known as CLIFFDALE WEST, SECTION 10, and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 54, at Page 77, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6823 Mangrove, 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

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 125, in a subdivision known as SADDLERIDGE, SECTION THREE, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 110, Page 4, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3121 Walesby 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

26-125357

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, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000778-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Cesar Alvarado and Alexis McClelland (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Cesar Alvarado) to Brock and Scott, Trustee(s), dated March 20, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 11698, at Page 0020 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on August 6, 2025, Document No. 24138, in Book No. 12298, at Page 0822 , default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY 25 SP 000968-250

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Derek J. Greer and Jillian A. Greer, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of$262,995.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for Guaranteed Rate, Inc., Mortgagee, dated April 30th, 2024 and recorded on April 30th, 2024 in Book 11960, Page 0078, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment ofthe note thereby secured by the said Deed ofTrust 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

26SP000590-250 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 Anthony Eugene Derry and Charlotte L. Derry to H. Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), which was dated December 22, 2011 and recorded on December 23, 2011 in Book 08795 at Page 0627, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

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

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

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

foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale atthe courthouse door or other usual place ofsale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on August 6th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Sale Date: September 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM Lying and being in the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: Being all Lot of 35 in the Subdivision known as Hunters Crossing and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 94, Page 56 Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with the improvements located thereon; said property located at 919 Foxhunt Lane, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 919 Foxhunt Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax ID: 9487-42-1165 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 thereofwith a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit offive percent (5%) ofthe 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 ofwarranty 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 beliefofthe undersigned, the current owner(s) ofthe property is/are Derek Greer aka Derek J, Greer and Jillian Greer aka Jullian A. Greer. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor ofthe 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 ofsale, 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 oftermination. 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 ofsuch 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, NSB#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 25-002483-01

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

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 Anthony Eugene Derry and wife, Charlotte L. Derry.

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.

door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 28, 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: All that certain lot, parcel of land in the City of Fayetteville, Fayetteville City, Cumberland County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows (the “Property”): Being all of Lot 104 in a subdivision known as College Lakes, Section 12, Part 1, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 38, Page 23, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 442 Shoreline Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Being the same property as conveyed from Kyle A Doucette and spouse, Ashley Doucette to Cesar Alvarado and spouse, Alexis McClelland as set forth In Deed Book 11509 Page 0731 dated 06/07/2022, recorded 06/29/2022, CUMBERLAND County, NORTH CAROLINA. Parcel ID: 0520-96-7262

BEING all of Lot Number 48 in a subdivision known as LAKE WILLIAM, SECTION TWO and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 84, at page 95, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 8105 Dunholme Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

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 September 30, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and

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

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

26SP000549-250 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 23, 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 3, in a subdivision known as The “Village” at Ascot, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 54, Page 61, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 5536 Deep Hollow Ct, Fayetteville, NC 28311. 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 Zachery Wynn Harper and wife, Katherine Carly Rose Harper. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is

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

Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

($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.

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.

NORTH COUNTY

CAROLINA,

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Zachery Wynn Harper and Katherine Carly Rose Harper to WFG National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated March 26, 2021 and recorded on March 30, 2021 in Book 11074 at Page 240, 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,

26SP000704-250 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 Billy Joe Burrell and spouse, Mary Jane Burrell to Hutchens Law Firm LLP Attn: Compliance Team, Trustee(s), which was dated November 22, 2022 and recorded on November 22, 2022 in Book 11622 at Page 320, 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 September 30, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in

Beginning at an existing iron stake, said stake being the northeast corner of the lot conveyed to Clement A. Price in deed Book 2371 at page 765, said stake also being in the western right-of-way of SR 2015 (30 feet from the center line), thence with the northern line of said Price lot N 72 degrees 12 minutes W 220.00 feet to an iron stake, said stake being the northwest corner of the said Price lot, thence N 10 degrees E. 125.00 feet to an iron stake, thence S 72 degrees 12 minutes E 220.00 feet to an iron stake in the western right-of-way of SR 2015, thence with the right-of-way of said SR 2015 S 10 degrees W 125.00 feet to the point of beginning, and being the same property conveyed to John Stewart and wife, Jamie L. Stewart by deed recorded in Book 8279, Page 800. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1408 Seabrook School Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

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 Billy Joe Burrell and spouse, Mary Jane Burrell. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29

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

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.: 26-04342-FC01

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.: 26-16584-FC01

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000791-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Paul J. Maggio (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Paul J. Maggio) to Cristina Zorrilla, Trustee(s), dated January 22, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 11001, at Page 0619 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP001192-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James Hamilton and Amanda Hamilton (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James Hamilton and Amanda Hamilton) to Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Trustee(s), dated March 21, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 11424, at Page 0550 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 21, 2026 and will sell to

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Publication Dates: September 10, 2026 and September 17, 2026 26SP000407-250 Under and by virtue of power of sale granted to Petitioner pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 47C-3-116 under a Claim of Lien filed on March 26, 2024 in Cumberland County File Number 24M000301-250 (the “Lien”) against John E. Blanding (“Respondent”), by Briarcliff Condominium Association, Inc. As the beneficiary of the Claim of Lien and pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 47C-3-116, Briarcliff Condominium Association, Inc. seeks to foreclose the Lien, which evidences a valid debt. Respondent defaulted on the payment of the debt represented by the Claim of Lien. The undersigned will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 21, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20SP000098-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Daniel J. Maynor (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Daniel J. Maynor) to Union Service Corporation, Trustee(s), dated April 16, 2013, and recorded in Book No. 9164, at Page 682 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Linden in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being

DURHAM NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000045-310 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Edna Thompson and Parnell Thompson (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Parnell Thompson) to Heather Lovier, Trustee(s), dated October 12, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 9495, at Page 880 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

26SP000190-310 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 Donnell Kearney to Mann, McGibney & Jordan PLLC, Trustee(s), which was dated December 17, 2024 and recorded on December 19, 2024 in Book 10227 at Page 891, 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

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.

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

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: The Land is described as follows: Being all of Lot 128, in a subdivision known as Birch Creek, Section three (3) and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 96, Page 57, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2813 Bolla Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Property Address: 2813 Bolla Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306 The property hereinabove described was acquired by Grantor by instrument recorded simultaneously herewith. 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 all of Unit No. 15-D in a Subdivision known as BRIARCLIFF CONDOMINIUMS, Phase XVII according to a map of Phase XVII plat of the same duly recorded in Condominium Book 2, Pages 88-92, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina TOGETHER WITH AND SUBJECT TO THE OWNERSHIP RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, APPURTENANCES, EASEMENTS, OBLIGATIONS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED AND DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION RECORDED IN BOOK 3054, PAGE 583, AND ALL SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS THERETO. Parcel Identification No. 0418-77-9889-109 The street address of said property is 19054 Tryon Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303. The street address of said property is 19054 Tryon Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being

offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or Briarcliff Condominium Association, Inc. make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or 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 payoff of the lien 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. 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 Respondent 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. This the 10th day of August, 2026. BY: /S/ AnnMarie Taylor___

more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 2, as shown on a plat entitled map for Marvin and Dora F Johnson, according to a plat of same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 102, Page 2, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 8016 Lane Road, Linden, North Carolina.

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.

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

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,

on September 24, 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 66, The Villages at Independence Park, The Lafayette Phase II Subdivision as shown on that plat recorded in Plat Book 161, Page 355 and in Book 164, Page 256, Durham County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4308 Flintlock Ln, 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. 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 Donnell Kearney. 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,

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.: 26-02630-FC01

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 28, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot No. 159, in a subdivision known as FAIRWAY FOREST, SECTION SEVEN, PHASE 2, per plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 94, Page 114, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5443 Ahoskie Drive, Hope Mills, 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.

It is the intention of this deed of trust to convey with the above described property that certain manufactured home located on said property which manufactured home has been converted to real estate and is more particularly described as one 2012 Champion with vehicle identification number 023-000-H-A00D424AB Parcel ID Number: 0562-29-7983 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

County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on September 29, 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: Tax Id Number(s): 204479 Land situated in the City of Durham in the County of Durham in the State of NC Being all of Lot 281 Brightwood Trails Subdivision, as shown on Plat Book 170, Pages 182-190, Durham County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 815 Ember Drive, Durham, North Carolina. Commonly known as: 815 Ember Dr, Durham, NC 27703-9436 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.

AnnMarie Taylor Attorney Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. Hutchens Law Firm

for

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

DURHAM 26SP000428-310 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 Betsy B. Rollins to BB&T Collateral Service Corporation, Trustee(s), which was dated September 14, 2006 and recorded on October 20, 2006 in Book 5392 at Page 548, 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

FORSYTH 25SP001962-330 AMENDED 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 Ronald Penn III and Kala Penn to Keri Berryman, Trustee(s), which was dated June 2, 2021 and recorded on June 3, 2021 in Book RE 3614 at Page 4090, Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on October 1, 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:

26SP000119-330 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 Timothy David Webster Jr. to Hutchens, Senter, Kellam & Pettit, P.A., dba Hutchens Law Firm, Trustee(s), which was dated January 14, 2022 and recorded on January 20, 2022 in Book 3670 at Page 2252, Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the

25SP001845-330 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

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.

SITUATED IN THE CITY OF DURHAM , CITY-OUT TOWNSHIP, DURHAM COUNTY AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA:

LOT 161 AS SHOWN ON THAT PLAT OF SECTION VIII OF PHASE II OF DUNBARTON, BY ENGINEERING SURVEYS, INC. DATED SEPTEMBER 1980, AND RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 98, PAGE 32, DURHAM COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 161 Montrose Drive, Durham, NC 27707. 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

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Judith H. Sebastian a/k/a Judith Hauser Sebastian to Blanco Tackabery & Matamoros, P.A., Trustee(s), which was dated July 9, 2020 and recorded on July 9, 2020 in Book 3536 at Page 2243, Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the

26SP000224-330 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 Andrew Kessel and Brandi Leigh Kessel to First American Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated August 19, 2021 and recorded on August 19, 2021 in Book 3634 at Page 896, Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 24, 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: 1:

Beginning at an iron stake located along

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or

The Land referred to herein below is situated in the County of FORSYTH, State of NC, and is described as follows: BEGINNING at an existing iron pipe lying in the east right-of-way line of Salem Lake Road. Said iron marking the northwest corner of the Doss property as recorded in Deed Book 1227, Page 1315, Forsyth County Registry; running thence with the east right-of-way line of Salem Lake Road North 03°35’31” 167.03 feet to an existing iron located in the east right-of-way line of Salem Lake Road; running thence South 50°20’17 East 204.78 feet (crossing an iron at 114.73 feet) to an existing iron lying in the western line of the Cockrum property as recorded in Book 1409, Page 1557, Forsyth County Registry; running thence with the western line of the Cockrum property South 39°31’21” West 121.56 feet to an existing iron lying in the northern line of the above-referenced Doss property; running thence with the northern line of the Doss property North 50°24’00” West 90.61 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING, according to a survey by Phillip R. Ball, R.L.S. L-2107, for C.H. Little General Contractors, dated July 15, 1996, and being designated Job No. LS2099-A. Being informally known as Tax Lots 1A and 2B, Block 2594, Forsyth County Tax Maps. Being the same property as conveyed from Central Carolina Bank and Trust Company to Antonio Holland and wife, Pam Holland as set forth in Deed Book 2015 Page 696 dated 07/21/1998, recorded 07/21/1998,

FORSYTH County, NORTH CAROLINA.

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.

Being known and designated as Lot No. 24, as shown on the Map of FOUR SEASONS, as recorded in Plat Book 25, Page 149, in the office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, to which map reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Tax Parcel Number: 9084.00 (Block 5716,

6854-90Lot 024)

Property Address: 4020 Winterhue Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4020 Winter Hue St, Winston Salem, NC 27107. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are

following described property situated in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY

Tract

county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 24, 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 known and designated as Lot 16, as shown on the Plat of WESTFIELD, as recorded in Plat Book 47, Page 47, 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 960 Benjamins Way, Winston Salem, NC 27103. 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.

the Southwestern right of way line of Deer Path Lane, said iron stake also marking a common corner of Lot 16 and lot 17 of Deer Path, Section 2 (Plat Book 33, Page 16, Forsyth County Registry); thence along the common line of Lot 16 and Lot 17 South 21 degrees 37 minutes 41 seconds West 216.41 feet to an iron stake marking a common corner of Lot 16 and 17; thence along the Southern line of Lot 17 North 82 degrees 46 minutes 34 seconds West 65.08 feet to a point; thence along a new line within Lot 17 North 23 degrees 55 minutes 18 seconds East 237.05 feet to a point along the Southwestern right of way line of Deer Path Lane; thence along the Southwestern right of way line of Deer Path Lane on a curve to the left a chord bearing and distance of South 63 degrees 48 minutes 34 seconds East 53.65 feet to an iron stake marking the point and place of beginning. This description is in accordance with a Map prepared by Larry L. Callahan, R.LR ,, dated March 30, 1993 entitled “Map for Mitchco, Inc.” The above-described property is the Eastern Half of Lot 17 of Deer Path, Section 2 as shown on the Map recorded In Plat Book 33, Page 16, Forsyth County Registry. Tract

Being known and designated as Lot 16 of Deer Path, Section 2 as shown on the Map recorded in Plat Book 33, Page 16.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1205 Salem Lake Road, Winston Salem, NC 27107. A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING 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,

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 Timothy David Webster, Jr. 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

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 Judith Hauser Sebastian. 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,

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 9360 Deer Path Ln, 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 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

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

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 Ronald Penn III and spouse, Kala Penn. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

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

after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Andrew Kessel and Brandi Leigh Kessel. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole

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.: 23-24082-FC02

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.: 26-02347-FC01

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.: 24-15433-FC02

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.: 25-23070-FC01

B10

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

FORSYTH AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, FORSYTH COUNTY 25CV014133-330 Pursuant to Default Order and Consent Judgment entered on April 28, 2026 in Forsyth County, North Carolina by the presiding Superior Court Judge, default having been made in the payment of the Note secured by the Deed of Trust recorded on recorded on May 20th, 2008 in Book RE2833, Page 1346, and subsequently modified by Loan Modification recorded on September 24th, 2024 in Book RE3827 at Page 2850, Forsyth County Registry, and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been appointed as Commissioner in this case, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Forsyth County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on September 23rd, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Beginning at a new iron in the North line of

25-123859 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FORSYTH COUNTY 26SP000081-330 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LARRY W. KENDRICK DATED APRIL 25, 2008 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2827 AT PAGE 3961 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 IN BOOK 3719, PAGE 654 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

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA FORSYTH COUNTY

the Paul F. Riddle tract described in Deed Book 1140, Page 1494, Forsyth County Registry, said iron being located South 87 deg 17 minutes 35 seconds East 356.33 feet from an iron in a pile of stones (having crossed a granite monument at 74.82 feet, said monument being 0.47 feet South of the line); thence from said beginning point, and running with Riddle`s North line South 87 degrees 17 minutes 35 seconds East 400 feet to a new iron; thence South 07 degrees 43 minutes 40 seconds East 227.39 feet to an iron located in the North terminus of a private road (the extension of Thunderwood Farm Road); thence with the West side of said private road, as it curves, South 22 degrees 57 minutes 55 seconds West a chord distance of 68.80 feet to a new iron; thence North 75 degrees 53 minutes 35 seconds West 466.08 feet to a new iron in the East line of John G. Welch (Deed Book 1151 Page 1262, Tract #1); thence with Welch`s East line North 14 degrees 06 minutes 25 seconds East 200 feet to a new iron, the point and place of beginning, and containing 2.479 acres, more or less, according to a survey by Crouse Surveying Company, dated January 20, 1993. Together with a perpetual right to use the easement described in Deed Book 1817, Page 3062, Forsyth County Registry,

which easement shall be appurtenant to the above tract, and shall inure the benefit of the grantee, and its heirs, assigns and successors in title. Tax Block 4608, Tax Lot 016E, Forsyth County Tax Maps. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1016 Thunderwood Farm Lane, Lewisville, NC 27023 Tax ID: 5876-15-7804 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 Dana Triplett. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §1-339.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. 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 termination. If the Commissioner is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Anchor Trustee Services, LLC, Commissioner

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 September 30, 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 Larry W. Kendrick, dated April 25, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $138,720.00, and recorded in Book 2827 at Page 3961 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: 312 Tanbark Lane, Kernersville, NC 27284 Tax Parcel ID: 6895-26-4170

Present Record Owners: Larry Wayne Kendrick The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Larry Wayne Kendrick. 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 August 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:

TO:

898 Shalimar Drive Winston Salem, NC 27107

HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 26CV012897-330

DARLENE A. NELUMS; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; and SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE Defendants.

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff,

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

IREDELL NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000291-480 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Helmsman Homes, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Company (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Helmsman Homes, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Company and Exemplar Holdings, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Company) to Sean C. Walker, Trustee(s), dated March 10, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 2905, at Page 1745 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

26SP000331-480 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, IREDELL COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Joseph Anthony Hartman and Kaitlyn Hartman to John B Third, Trustee(s), which was dated July 30, 2024 and recorded on July 31, 2024 in Book 3076 at Page 1556, Iredell 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 September 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA IREDELL COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 26CV000414-480 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, V. ALBA NYDIA PINO LOPEZ, SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT and SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC., -Substitute Trustee Defendant(s). NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY 130 VECTRA DRIVE STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28625 UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power

foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on September 24, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Troutman in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The Land is described as follows: Being all of Lot 34 of the Wiltshire Creek Subdivision as platted, planned and recorded in Plat Book 36, Pages 106 - 108, in the Iredell County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 105 Carissa Lane, Troutman, North Carolina. Also known as 105 Carissa Lane, Troutman, NC 28166 Parcel ID: 4740309311.000 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

following described property situated in Iredell County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of Lot No. Ten (10) of Kerley Court Subdivision, as platted and planned on the general map thereof, which is recorded in Plat Book 6 at Page 15, in the Iredell County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 820 Kerley CT, Statesville, NC 28677. 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

and authority contained in that certain Order filed on JULY 15, 2026, in the above-captioned matter and pursuant to applicable law, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. as Commissioner (the “Commissioner”) will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the IREDELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE- 226 Stockton Street Statesville, NC 28677 on OCTOBER 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. that certain parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying and being in the County of Iredell, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lots 5 and 6 of Forest Meadows Subdivision, Section Four, as platted, planned, and recorded at Plat Book 29 at Page 87, Iredell County Registry. Together with all right title and interest in and to the manufactured home located upon Lot 5 being more particularly described as follows: Manufacture’s Serial No.: P1410GA11495

DARLENE A. NELUMS 898 Shalimar Drive Winston Salem, NC 27107

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the aboveentitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Judicial Foreclosure of a Deed of Trust encumbering real property located at:

You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than October 6, 2026 or forty-three (43) days from the date of this notice, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. This the 24th day of August 2026.

By: Goddard & Peterson, PLLC 125-B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565 24-001248-02

25-123859

/s/ Lindor Stephanie Lindor N.C. Bar No.: 62516 6230 Fairview Road, Suite 315 Charlotte, NC 28210 Telephone: (704) 362 9255 Attorney for Plaintiff

Stephanie

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.

HUD Cert. Label: GEO980664/ GEO980665 Manufacturer’s Make: Pioneer Housing System Date of Manufacturer: 11/22/1996

sums.

purchaser will have no further remedy.

Address of property: 130 Vectra Drive Statesville, NC 28625 Parcel Number(s): 4705 72 9400 000 / 4705 72 9620 000 Present Record Owners: Johnson, Russell A. etux Alba Nydia Pino Lopez

The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. The Commissioner reserves the right to sell the real property either as a group or on an individual basis whichever will bring the highest bid(s). Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required.

An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 against the party or parties to the proceeding in possession by the presiding judge or clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold to the highest bidder. The Commissioner reserves the right to require certified funds not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). The successful bidder shall also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Commissioner’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. Section 7A-308(a)(1) unless the person entitled to enforce the instrument is exempt from paying these

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 he believes the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The

Respectfully submitted this the 6th day of August 2026 HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff /s/ Jodi E. Robertson Jodi E. Robertson, Esq. N.C. Bar No. 61090 6230 Fairview Road Suite 315 Charlotte, NC 28210 Telephone: (704) 362-9255 E-mail: jodi.robertson@hutchenslawfirm. com

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North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

JOHNSTON 25SP000285-500 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Joshua T. Hocutt to NSB Trustee Services LLC, Trustee(s), which was dated March 11, 2019 and recorded on March 11, 2019 in Book 5307 at Page 429, 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 September 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 3, as shown on map entitled “Minor Subdivision for Johnny Hocutt” recorded in Plat Book 88, Page 259, Johnston County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 9423 Applewhite Road, 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.

26SP000295-500 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

will sell 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 1, Block 13, as shown on plat entitled: “The Village at Clevelland Springs, Lot “A” a/k/a Cleveland Springs, recorded in Map Book 73, Page 23, Johnston County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for greater certainty of description.

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jacob Tyler Padre a/k/a J. Padre and Elizabeth Joy Padre a/k/a E. Padre to Cristina Zorrilla And Jackie Biggs, Trustee(s), which was dated July 14, 2023 and recorded on July 14, 2023 in Book 6509 at Page 525, 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 September 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 26SP000323-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by ETIENNE PROPHETE dated October 8, 2021 in the amount of $132,375.00 and recorded in Book 6074, Page 516 of the Johnston 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 Johnston County, North Carolina, in Book 7093, Page 890, 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 Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP000521-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by JANAYA NADYA JONES AND RAUDY JOSE DE LA ROSA RODRIGUEZ dated August 24, 2022 in the amount of $322,245.00 and recorded in Book 6328, Page 785 in the Johnston County Public Registry by GODDARD & PETERSON, PLLC, 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, GODDARD & PETERSON, PLLC, WHOM MAY ACT, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Johnston County, North Carolina, in Book 7071, Page 304, 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 Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 26SP000136-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by DEDRIC T. BROOKS AND AMBER M. BROOKS dated January 10, 2025 in the amount of $459,383.00 and recorded in Book 6811, Page 174 of the Johnston 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 Johnston County, North Carolina, in Book 7053, Page 339, 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 Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 05H03014H

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 5 Crosby Ln, Garner, NC 27529. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

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.

particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 05G02061Q ADDRESS: 1509 KENMORE DRIVE CLAYTON, NC 27520 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): ETIENNE PROPHETE THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF JOHNSTON, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 6074, PAGE 516, AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF UNIT 16-1509, THE POINTE AT AMELIA VILLAGE CONDOMINIUM AS DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION FOR AMELIA VILLAGE CONDOMINIUM PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 47C OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES (THE “DECLARATION”) RECORDED MAY 21, 2003, IN DEED BOOK 2456, PAGE 665, AND AMENDED IN DEED BOOK 2957, PAGE 21, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY, (SEE CONDOMINIUM FILE NO. 1, PAGES 1-18 FOR PLANS), TOGETHER WITH A 2.50 PERCENT UNDIVIDED INTEREST IN THE COMMON AREAS AND FACILITIES AND LIMITED COMMON AREAS AND FACILITIES THEREIN TO BE APPURTENANT TO SAID UNIT. 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.

following real estate situated in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 01E08020O ADDRESS: 123 FIRESIDE DR BENSON, NC 27504 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): JULIO MAXIMO GUERRO AND WENDA JULISSA REANOS ORELLANA THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF JOHNSTON, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 6328, PAGE 785, AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 25, AS SHOWN ON THAT SURVEY DATED JULY 16, 2020 AND ENTITLED “SUBDIVISION MAP FOR BRICKSTONE SUBDIVISION”, PREPARED BY ENOCH ENGINEERS, P.A. AND RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 91, PAGES 471472, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this 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.

ADDRESS: 325 BUCKHORN BRANCH PARK CLAYTON, NC 27520 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): DEDRIC T. BROOKS AND SPOUSE AMBER M. BROOKS THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF JOHNSTON, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 6811, PAGE 174, AS FOLLOWS: THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF JOHNSTON, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: ALL OF LOT 42, BUCKHORN BRANCH PARK SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1, AS SHOWN ON PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 97, PAGES 284-289, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. BEING THE SAME PREMISES CONVEYED UNTO CLAYTON PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. A TENNESSEE CORPORATION, BY VIRTUE OF SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED FROM DEVELOPER’S CAPITAL FUND, LLC A SOUTH CAROLINA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, DATED APRIL 14, 2023, RECORDED JUNE 15, 2023, IN BOOK: 6493 AND PAGE: 291; INSTRUMENT: 2023019405. BEING THE SAME PREMISES CONVEYED UNTO DEDRIC T. BROOKS AND SPOUSE, AMBER M. BROOKS, BY VIRTUE OF GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FROM CLAYTON PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. DBA MUNGO HOMES, A TENNESSEE

CORPORATION, DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2023, RECORDED NOVEMBER 16, 2023, IN BOOK: 6578 AND PAGE: 4; INSTRUMENT: 2023036393. PARCEL ID: 05H03014H 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.

File No.: 26-00011-FC01

Andrew L. Peterson Goddard & Peterson, PLLC 125-B Williamsboro Street Substitute Trustee Oxford, NC 27565 Telephone (919) 339-4320

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North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

NEW HANOVER 26-126779 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION NEW HANOVER COUNTY 26SP000428-640 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WILLIAM H. JONES DATED JANUARY 27, 2015 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5864 AT PAGE 1467 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED OCTOBER 15, 2024 IN BOOK 6735, PAGE 382 IN THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000097-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by John Nicholas Martinez Santiago and Hannah M. Munoz (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): John Martinez Santiago and Hannah Munoz) to Pamela S. Cox, Trustee(s), dated October 3, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 5848, at Page 819 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP000399-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael Blake Watson and Jennifer Watson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Michael Blake Watson and Jennifer Watson) to Pamela S. Cox, Trustee(s), dated March 2, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 4745, at Page 340 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 September 23, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001317-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Robin Lore Lee (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Robin Lore Lee) to National Title Network, Trustee(s), dated May 7, 2012, and recorded in Book No. 3778, at Page 868 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on August 31, 2017, in Book No. 4667, at Page 743 , 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 September 30, 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: The land referred to herein below is situated in the County of Onslow, State of North Carolina, and is described as follows:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000244-660 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Utmost Industries LLC, a New York Limited Liability Company (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Utmost Industries LLC, a New York Limited Liability Company) to Chicago Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated February 7, 2024, and recorded in Book No. 6096, at Page 870 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 September 23, 2026 and will sell to

authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the New Hanover County courthouse at 11:00AM on September 29, 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 William H. Jones, dated January 27, 2015 to secure the original principal amount of $103,000.00, and recorded in Book 5864 at Page 1467 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: 4609

Long Leaf Hills Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409 Tax Parcel ID: R06111-006-004-000 Present Record Owners: William H. Jones The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are William H. Jones. 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 September 9, 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:

door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on September 23, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Maysville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 25, as shown on that plat entitled, “Stones Throw, Section 11-B” and recorded in Map Book 43, Page 83, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 137 Corena Avenue, Maysville, North Carolina.

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

SURVEY TIE DOWN COMMENCES at a PK nail (POINT # 38) at the intersection of the centerline of NC HWY 111 (near DAILS LANE) ; thence North 40 degrees 41 minutes 54 seconds West 109.78 feet to a PK Nail (POINT # 39) at the intersection of the centerline of NCSR 1248 and NC HWY 111; thence North 43-06-09 West 525.56 feet to a computed point (19); thence North 06-06-18 West 50.00 feet to an existing iron stake (18) on the Eastern edge of OLD FOUNTAIN ROAD; thence North 12-28-55 West 348.64 feet to an existing iron stake (114) in the center of OLD FOUNTAIN ROAD at the Southwest corner of LOT 2 MB 18 PG 54, THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; thence with the centerline of OLD FOUNTAIN ROAD North 14-12-46 West 312.02 feet to an existing iron stake (121); thence with the Northern line of Lot 2 MB 18 PG 54, North 85-56-31 East 15. 10 feet to an existing concrete monument (16), and North 8556-31 East 731.85 feet to an iron stake (125) ; thence with a new line, South 03-36-53 East 312.47 feet to an iron stake (126) in the Southern line of LOT 2 MB 18 PG 54; thence with said line and the centerline of a 30 foot wide ingress and egress easement, South 86-23-07 West 674.44 feet to an existing concrete monument (118), and South 86-23-07 West 15.10 feet to the Point of Beginning. Containing 5.11 acres including land inside the OLD FOUNTAIN ROAD (contains 5.00 Acres not including land inside OLD FOUNTAIN ROAD), and being a portion of LOT 2 MB 18 PG 54, Onslow County Registry. The courses contained within are reference to North as per DB 272

PG 575. This conveyance includes the use of the OLD FOUNTAIN ROAD (which is an old public road and is shown as being 30 feet wide of MB 18 PG 54) and the use of the 30 foot wide ingress and egress easement referred to in this description (the centerline of said easement runs from POINT # 126 TO point #114). Surveyed by Dennis Manning Surveying on August 1, 1992. And being the same property described in DB 1070 PG 136 AND all maps shown therein are incorporated herein by reference.

deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including

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

the 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: 1-01763233 ALL that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of JACKSONVILLE, JACKSONVILLE Township, ONSLOW County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Lot 33 Block B, Brynn Marr, Section VII-C, as recorded in Map Book 23, Page 189-189A, Slide C-297, Onslow County Registry, which map is by reference incorporated herein. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 537 Shadowridge Road, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Parcel Id #: 035320 For information only: 537 SHADOWRIDGE ROAD, JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546.

estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 53 of Timber Creek Section I as shown more fully on map entitled “Recombination Survey Showing Lot 53 Timber Creek Section I, Jacksonville Township, Onslow County, NC” prepared by John L. Pierce & Associates, P.A. dated April 22, 2004 and recorded in April 27, 2004 in Map Book 46, Page 87, Slide L-231, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 203 Thrush Court, 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. 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

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.

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.

26-126779

B13

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000228-750 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Porter’s Hauling, LLC (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Porter’s Hauling, LLC) to Douglas B. Elliott, P.A., Trustee(s), dated April 30, 2024, and recorded in Book No. 2908, at Page 1034 in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Asheboro, Randolph County,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 26SP000178-750 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by JOSE M. MONDRAGON SUAREZ AND MAGALI NIEVES CANUTO dated June 16, 2023 in the amount of $255,200.00 and recorded in Book 2863, Page 3 of the Randolph 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 Randolph County, North Carolina, in Book 3016, Page 685, 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 Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the

25-123985 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION RANDOLPH COUNTY 25SP000372-750 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JAIME ELIZABETH FOLEY AND JOSEPH B. FOLEY DATED AUGUST 24, 2016 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2508 AT PAGE 826 IN THE RANDOLPH 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP000265-750 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by THOMAS W WADE AND JANET M WADE dated April 13, 2000 in the amount of $53,585.61 and recorded in Book 1656, Page 359 of the Randolph 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 Randolph County, North Carolina, in Book 2979, Page 1416, 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 Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the

25CV003925-750 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in a judgment bearing the caption “U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee for GSMS 2021-1 Trust, Plaintiff, v. Joshua Lee Flynn, and Spouse of, if any; Samantha A. Moore, and Spouse of, if any; United States of America, acting through the Rural Housing Service; and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee, Defendants” 25CV003925-750 Randolph County and pursuant to the terms of the judgment, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale that certain property as described below. Said sale will be held in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina at 10:00 a.m. on September 22, 2026 at the Randolph County Courthouse

ROBESON 26-126550 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ROBESON COUNTY 26SP000201-770 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CATHY HUNT DATED JULY 6, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK D 1546 AT PAGE 630 IN THE ROBESON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in

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

following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 8727-32-8502 ADDRESS: 4535 BUNTON SWAIM RD LIBERTY, NC 27298 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): JOSE M. MONDRAGON SUAREZ AND MAGALI NIEVES CANUTO THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF RANDOLPH, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 2863, PAGE 3, AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 2, CONTAINING 1.75 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AS SHOWN ON PLAT RECORDED AT PLAT BOOK 99, PAGE 6, RANDOLPH COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE DEFINITE DESCRIPTION. 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.

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Randolph County courthouse at 11:00AM on October 1, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Randolph County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Jaime Elizabeth Foley and Joseph B. Foley, dated August 24, 2016 to secure the original principal amount of $142,755.00, and recorded in Book 2508 at Page 826 of the Randolph County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 1528 Hoover Hill Road, Asheboro, NC 27205 Tax Parcel ID: 7713-22-2047

Present Record Owners: Jaime Elizabeth Foley The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jaime Elizabeth Foley. 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 August 5, 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:

following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 7796964634 ADDRESS: 4410 OAK HILL DR CLIMAX, NC 27233 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): THOMAS W WADE THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF RANDOLPH, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 1656, PAGE 359, AS FOLLOWS: BEING TRACT #9, TIMBER TRAILS SUBDIVISION, SHOWN ON PLAT, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 25, PAGE 15, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. TAX MAP OR PARCEL ID NO.: 7796964634 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

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.

door and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: CITY OF ASHEBORO TOWNSHIP, RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA:

WEST 79.79 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE, NORTH 48 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 40SECONDS WEST 244.37 FEET TO AN EXISITING IRON PIPE AND NORTH 79 DEGREES 58 MINUTES WEST492.95 FEET TO THE BEGINNING AND CONTAINING 5.002 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.

BEGINNING AT AN IRON PIPE IN THE EASTERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF N.C. ROAD NO. 1735 (KNOWN LOCALLY AS JONES ROAD), A NEW CORNER FOR NOW OR FORMERLY BOYD AND AT A POINT NORTH 12 DEGREES 19 MINUTES EAST 60.48 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF L. L. JONES AND BOYD’S ORIGINAL SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN BOOK 1156, PAGE 526; THENCE ALONG THE RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF N.C. SECONDARY ROAD NO. 1735 NORTH 12 DEGREES 19 MINUTES EAST

114.52 FEET TO A NEW IRON PIPE, NOW OR FORMERLY DOUG DAVIS’ CORNER; THENCE ALONG NOW OR FORMERLY DA VIS’ LINE THE FOLLOWING COURSES AND DISTANCES: SOUTH 69 DEGREES 48 MINUTES EAST 230.00 FEET TO A NEW IRON PIPE, NORTH 83 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 22 SECONDS EAST 361.67 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIPE, NORTH 44 DEGREES 49 MINUTES EAST 190.28 FEET AND SOUTH 80 DEGREES 03 MINUTES EAST 229.60 FEET TO AN EXISITING IRON PIPE; THENCE ALONG A NEW LINE FOR NOW OR FORMERLY BOYD THE FOLLOWING COURSES AND DISTANCES: SOUTH 8 DEGREES 28 MINUTES 25 SECONDS WEST 485.44 FEET TO AN EXISITING IRON PIPE, NORTH 79 DEGREES 58 MINUTES WEST 151.00 FEET TO AN EXISITING IRON PIPE, NORTH 64 DEGREES 05 MINUTES 20 SECONDS

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 the 28th day of August, 2026.

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

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

payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Robeson County courthouse at 11:00AM on September 30, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Robeson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Cathy Hunt, dated July 6, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $59,073.00, and recorded in Book D 1546 at Page 630 of the Robeson County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 14000 NC Highway 72 East, Lumberton, NC 28358 Tax Parcel ID:

03140103806 Present Record Owners: Cathy Hunt The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Cathy Hunt. 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 September 11, 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:

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on September 23, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Archdale in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 29 of Elkes Ridge Estates, per the plat thereof, which said plat is duly recorded in Plat Book 86, at Page 6, in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Randolph County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 309 Belgian Drive, Archdale, 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.

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IN ACCORD WITH A SURVEY ENTITLED “SURVEY FOR JERRY M. HUNT & MELANIE W. HUNT” DATED OCTOBER 8, 1993 AND PREPARED BY SURVEYING SERVICES, ASHEBORO, NC.

25-123985

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

Inc.,

FV# 13563535

26-126550

B14

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

ROBESON 26-126747 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ROBESON COUNTY 26SP000203-770 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JOHN C. ADAMS AND ANGELETTIA ADAMS DATED APRIL 22, 2022 AND RECORDED IN BOOK D 2343 AT PAGE 782 IN THE ROBESON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, ROBESON COUNTY 26 SP 000208-770 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Allied Investors Group, LLC, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $91,000.00, to Kiavi Funding, Inc., Mortgagee, dated August 8th, 2025 and recorded on August 11th, 2025 in Book 2532, Page 119, Robeson 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 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 or other usual place of sale in Robeson County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on September 29th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following

UNION 25SP000747-890 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 Charles E. Storey to Karyn T. Wilson, Trustee(s), which was dated March 15, 2001 and recorded on March 15, 2001 in Book 1520 at Page 730, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP000638-890 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by CHANGXI LI AND XUAN XU dated April 1, 2022 in the amount of $495,720.00 and recorded in Book 8447, Page 0172 of the Union 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 Union County, North Carolina, in Book 9228, Page 255, 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 Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, UNION COUNTY 26 SP000088-890 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Joseph Burgess, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $172,000.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., (“MERS”) as beneficiary, as nominee for AmeriTrust Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated October 3rd, 2006 and recorded on October 5th, 2006 in Book 04325, Page 0373, Union 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 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

AMENDED 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 September 24, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County

payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Robeson County courthouse at 11:00AM on September 30, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Robeson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed John C. Adams and Angelettia Adams, dated April 22, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $304,385.00, and recorded in Book D 2343 at Page 782 of the Robeson County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 3690 Kale Drive, Lumberton, NC 28358 Tax Parcel ID:

320401012 Present Record Owners: John Clay Adams and Angelettia Adams The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are John Clay Adams and Angelettia Adams. 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

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 September 11, 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:

described property, to wit: All that certain piece, parcel or lot of land, with the improvements thereon, situate, lying and being in the City of Fairmont, County of Robeson, State of North Carolina, the same being shown and designated as follows: Located on the Western side of Park Avenue in the Town of Fairmont and being all of Lot No. Nineteen (19) in Block R of Fisher Park as shown on a map of same duly recorded in Robeson County Registry in Book of Maps No. 7, page 69, reference to which map is hereby made for a more particular description of said lands. Said lot has a 75 feet frontage on Park Avenue and runs back in parallel line for a depth of 150 feet. This conveyance is made subject to the Fisher Park Restrictive Covenants as appear of record in Book 10-K, page 16, Robeson County Registry. This is the same property conveyed to Johnny L. Christian and wife, Lucille M. Christian by deed of Vernon K. Whitley, Jr. and wife, Marilyn P. Whitley, dated 06/04/2002 and recorded 06/12/2002 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Robeson County, North Carolina in Book 1236, Page 848. Together with improvements located

hereon; said property being located at 602 Park Avenue, Fairmont, NC 28340 Tax ID: 300703021 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 Allied Investors Group LLC. 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.

county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Union County, North Carolina, to wit:

PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

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

BEING all of Lot 20, Summerhill Estates, Phase 2, as shown on plat thereof by Walter L. Gordon and Company, NCRLS, recorded in Plat Cabinet F, File 945, Union County Registry, to which reference is made for a more particular description. See Deed recorded in Book 1520, Page 728, Union County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 8028 Hillanby Court, 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

26-126747

real estate situated in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 07096351 ADDRESS: 1005 MATILDA LN INDIAN TRAIL, NC 28079 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): CHANGXI LI AND XUAN XU THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF UNION, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 8447, PAGE 0170, AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 159 OF TAYLOR GLENN, PHASE I, MAP 3 AS SHOWN IN MAP BOOK G, PAGE 583 AS RECORDED IN UNION COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1005 MATILDA LANE INDIAN TRAIL, NC 28079 PARCEL: 07096351 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

Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Union County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on September 29th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of that certain Lot or Parcel of land situated in the City of Monroe, Union County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 37 of Colonial Village, Phase 1, Section 2 as same shown on a map thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet F, File No. 58, in the Union County Public Registry. Parcel ID: 09342260 Property Address: 1637 Winthrop Lane Monroe, NC 28110 Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1637 Winthrop Lane, Monroe, NC 28110 Tax ID: 09342260 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 Joseph Burgess. 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.

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

File No.: 25-31724-FC01

B15

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

WAKE NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE SALE WHEREAS, on December 21, 2011, a certain Deed of Trust was executed by Marilyn Druley, “Mortgagor(s)” in favor of One Reverse Mortgage, LLC, “Mortgagee” and was recorded on January 6, 2012, in Book 14604, Page 2260 in the Official Land Records of Wake County, North Carolina; and WHEREAS, the Deed of Trust was insured by the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (the Secretary) pursuant to the National Housing Act for the purpose of providing single family housing; and WHEREAS, the Mortgage is now owned by the Secretary, pursuant to an assignment dated April 10, 2017 and recorded on April 17, 2017, in Book 16752, Page 839 in the Official Records of Wake County, North Carolina; and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Mortgage in that the Borrower has died and the Property is not the principal residence of at least one surviving borrower, and the outstanding balance remains wholly unpaid as of the date of this notice, and no payment has been made sufficient to restore the loan to currency; and WHEREAS, the entire amount delinquent as of August 6, 2026 is $246,871.69; and WHEREAS, by virtue of this default, the

26SP000385-910 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 Charles D Calloway, an unmarried man to The Caudle Law Firm, P.A., Trustee(s), which was dated September 20, 2024 and recorded on September 25, 2024 in Book 019718 at Page 02583, 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 September 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in

26SP000905-910 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 Steven P Hopta to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated March 6, 2013 and recorded on March 11, 2013 in Book 15179 at Page 560, 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 September 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the

24SP000622-910 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 Lourie Miller Craver, and Steven Hoyle Craver to Thomas E. Brock, Trustee(s), which was dated September 7, 2001 and recorded on September 12, 2001 in Book 009074 at Page 00724, 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 September 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and

26SP001670-910 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 Thaddeus Thompson to Jennifer Grant, Trustee(s), which was dated August 20, 2020 and recorded on August 20, 2020 in Book 3855 at Page 961 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on August 21, 2020 in Book 18030, Page 2322, Harnett 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 September 22, 2026 at 10:30 AM, and

Secretary has declared the entire amount of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage to be immediately due and payable; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, 12 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR part 27, subpart B, and by the Secretary’s designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, recorded on July 16, 2024 in Book 19661, Page 1244, notice is hereby given that on October 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM local time, all real and personal property at or used in connection with the following described premises (“Property”) will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder: Beginning at an iron stake in the eastern right of way line of Knott Drive, said point of beginning being located 300.6 feet in a northwesterly direction along the eastern right of way line of Knott Drive from the intersection of the eastern right of way line of Knott Drive and the northern right of way line of Pair Street; runs thence from said point of beginning with the eastern right of way line of Knott Drive North 25 degrees 34 minutes West 150.00 feet to an iron stake, corner of Lot 58; runs thence with the line of Lot 58 South 89 degrees 31 minutes 18 seconds East 248.67 feet to an iron stake in the line of Lot 53; runs thence with the line of Lots 53 and 54 South 18 degrees 40 minutes 30 seconds West 90.1 feet to an iron stake; runs thence with the northern line of Lot 56 South 72 degrees 50 minutes 30 seconds West 162.3 feet to an iron stake in the eastern right of way line of Knott Drive, the point and place of beginning and being all of Lot 57, Robinhood Forest. Commonly known as 206 Knott Drive, Knightdale, NC 27545 Parcel ID#: 0039793

Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of Lot 23, according to the Survey of Washington Homes Subdivision, as recorded in Book of Maps 1956 Page 73, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, State of North Carolina. Being the same property conveyed to Charles D. Calloway, an unmarried man by General Warranty Deed from Charles D. Calloway, an unmarried man, who acquired title as married, dated March 13, 2023, recorded on March 17, 2023 as Book 019286, Page 01132. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 3012 Optimist Farm Rd, Apex, NC 27539. 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

following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 5, Belleridge North Subdivision, as recorded in Book of Maps 1986, Page 523, Wake County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 8300 Wanstraw Way, Apex, NC 27539. 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

will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 116, Amber Acres, as shown on the map recorded in Book of Maps 1984, Page 1248, Wake County Registry, reference to which is 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 5500 Sandy Run, 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 THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Harnett County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 9, Stetson Subdivision, as shown on that plat recorded in Plat Book 2008, Pages 193-195, Harnett County Registry; also recorded in Book of Maps 2008, Pages 752-754, Wake County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 195 Moonlight Dr, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526. 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.

The sale will be held at the WAKE County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh, NC 27601, at the location designated by the Clerk of Court for public auctions. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid $253,062.37. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale. When making their bids, all bidders except the Secretary must submit a deposit totaling $25,306.24_(10% of the Secretary’s bid), in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check made out to the Secretary of HUD. A deposit need not accompany each oral bid. If the successful bid is oral, a deposit of $25,306.24 must be presented before the bidding is closed. The deposit is nonrefundable. The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered within 30 days of the sale or at such other time as the Secretary may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence. This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. If the Secretary is the highest bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveying fees, all real estate and other taxes that are due on or after the delivery date of the remainder of the payment and all other costs associated with the transfer of title. At the conclusion of the sale, the deposits of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them. The Secretary may grant an extension of time within which to deliver the remainder

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 Charles D. Calloway. 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 the payment. All extensions will be for 15day increments for a fee of $500.00, paid in advance. The extension fee shall be in the form of a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of HUD. If the high bidder closes the sale prior to the expiration of any extension period, the unused portion of the extension fee shall be applied toward the amount due. If the high bidder is unable to close the sale within the required period, or within any extensions of time granted by the Secretary, the high bidder may be required to forfeit the cash deposit or, at the election of the foreclosure commissioner after consultation with the HUD representative, will be liable to HUD for any costs incurred as a result of such failure. The Commissioner may, at the direction of the HUD representative, offer the property to the second highest bidder for an amount equal to the highest price offered by that bidder. There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redemption, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commissioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herein. HUD does not guarantee that the property will be vacant. The scheduled foreclosure sale shall be cancelled or adjourned if it is established, by documented written application of the mortgagor to the Foreclosure Commissioner not less than 3 days before the date of sale, or otherwise, that the default or defaults upon which the foreclosure is based did not exist at the time of service of this notice of default and foreclosure sale,

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

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.

or all amounts due under the mortgage agreement are tendered to the Foreclosure Commissioner, in the form of a certified or cashier’s check payable to the Secretary of HUD, before public auction of the property is completed. The amount that must be paid if the mortgage is to be reinstated prior to the scheduled sale is $246,871.69 as of August 6, 2026, plus all other amounts that would be due under the mortgage agreement if payments under the mortgage had not been accelerated, advertising costs and postage expenses incurred in giving notice, mileage by the most reasonable road distance for posting notices and for the Foreclosure Commissioner’s attendance at the sale, reasonable and customary costs incurred for title and lien record searches, the necessary out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Foreclosure Commissioner for recording documents, a commission for the Foreclosure Commissioner, and all other costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure prior to reinstatement. Tender of payment by certified or cashier’s check or application for cancellation of the foreclosure sale shall be submitted to the address of the Foreclosure Commissioner provided below. Date: 8/10/26 David W. Neill, NCSB 23396 MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY, LLC Foreclosure Commissioner 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 Phone: 404.474.7149 Fax: 404.745.8121 Email: dneill@mtglaw.com NC2025-00140 26M003087-910

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.: 24-19656-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.: 24-04857-FC01

B16

North State Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

WAKE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 26SP000284-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by PLJS PROPERTIES, LLC. A NORTH CAROLINA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY dated July 16, 2024 in the amount of $256,600.00 and recorded in Book 019662, Page 00744 of the Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina, in Book 020089, Page 02453, 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 Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 25SP002390-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by HD HOMES & PROPERTIES LLC AND HOSAMELDIN OMER SHIGLAWI, ITS SOLE MEMBER AND MANAGER dated April 4, 2023 in the amount of $245,000.00 and recorded in Book 19301, Page 1911 of the Wake 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 Wake County, North Carolina, in Book 20020, Page 984, 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 Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on September 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 25sp000895-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DEBRA L. ALSTON DATED SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9634 AT PAGE 1679 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder

26-125306 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 26SP000991-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NORWOOD ROSS BOYETTE AND LINDA J. BOYETTE DATED NOVEMBER 30, 2020 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 18223 AT PAGE 1237 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP001835-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Clyde L. Devinney (deceased) and Beverly L. Devinney (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Clyde L. Devinney and Beverly L. Devinney) to Hilton T. Hutchens, Jr. Esq., Trustee(s), dated May 19, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 018512, at Page 02243 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 September 28, 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: File No.: 986313 The Land referred to herein below is situated in the County of WAKE, State of NC, and is described as follows:

25CV036879-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in a judgments bearing the caption “Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Hasani Omare Stapleton; Karisma Nicole Stapleton; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. Substitute Trustee; Defendants” 25CV036879-

in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 1784511164 ADDRESS: 233 TODD ST WENDELL, NC 27591 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): PLJS PROPERTIES, LLC. A NORTH CAROLINA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF WAKE, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 019662, PAGE 00744, AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT IN THE WESTERN RIGHT OF WAY OF TODD STREET; SAID POINT BEING NORTH 03 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 13 SECONDS EAST 427.17 FEET FROM A PK NAIL AT THE INTERSECTION OF TODD STREET AND COOKE STREET THENCE FROM THE POINTAND PLACE OF BEGINNING NORTH 85 DEGREES 01 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST 183.14 FEET TO AN IRON SET; THENCE NORTH 06 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST 105.42 FEET TO AN IRON FOUND; THENCE SOUTH 84 DEGREES 48 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST 181.00 FEET TO AN IRON SET IN THE RIGHT OF WAY OF TODD STREET; THENCE WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY OF TODD STREET SOUTH 05 DEGREES 50 MINUTES 26 SECONDS WEST 104.69 FEET TO THE POINTAND PLACE OF BEGINNING, AND BEING ALL OF THE PROPERTY DEPICTED ON A SURVEY ENTITLED

“SURVEY FOR. DAWN JACKSON” DATED APRIL 24, 2000 BY LEONDARD H. SULLIVAN, JR. (JOB #3786000). REID: 0054339 KNOWN AS 233 TODD STREET, WENDELL, NC 27591 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.

for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 1712355224 ADDRESS: 2713 DAYTONA DRIVE RALEIGH, NC 27610 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): HD HOMES & PROPERTIES LLC AND HOSAMELDIN OMER SHIGLAWI, ITS SOLE MEMBER AND MANAGER THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF WAKE, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 19301, PAGE 1911, AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 217 ACCORDING TO PLAT ENTITLED “SECTION 4A KINGWOOD FOREST SUBDIVISION, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA” DATED APRIL 6, 1970, PREPARED BY RAGSDALE ENGINEERS AND RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1970, PAGE 317, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

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

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on October 1, 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 Debra L. Alston, dated September 25, 2002 to secure the original principal amount of $123,793.00, and recorded in Book 9634 at Page 1679 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: 3009 Tuckland Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610 Tax Parcel ID: 0255293 Present Record Owners: Debra

L. Alston The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Debra L. Alston. 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.

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 August 14, 2026. /s/ Ellen Wiggins__ Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee ewiggins@logs.com LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com 25-121097

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on October 1, 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 Norwood Ross Boyette and Linda J. Boyette, dated November 30, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $199,253.00, and recorded in Book 18223 at Page 1237 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: 601 Coventry Drive, Zebulon, NC 27597 Tax Parcel ID: 0095351 Present Record Owners:

The Heirs of Norwood Ross Boyette The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Norwood Ross Boyette. 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 July 31, 2026. __________________ ___________________ Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee ewiggins@logs.com LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By:

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Marks Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:

Page 704, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1941 Hilltop Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Beginning at a new iron pipe in the southern right-of-way line of Hilltop Road, said iron being located South 88 degrees 43 minutes 01 seconds West 288.60 feet from a new iron in the southern right-of-way line of Hilltop Road, that iron being located South 88 degrees 43 minutes 04 seconds West 41.40 feet from an existing iron pipe in the southern right- of-way line of Hilltop Road at the point where the northwest corner of Lot 6 of the Graham L. Smith Heirs Subdivision intersects the southern rightof-way line of the Hilltop Road as shown on Book of Maps 1977, Volume IV, Page 443, Wake County Registry, thence from said beginning point South 00 degrees 20 minutes 03 seconds West 639.36 feet to a new iron pipe; thence North 87 degrees 30 minutes 59 seconds West 340.00 feet to a new iron pipe; thence North 00 degrees 17 minutes 54 seconds East 617.16 feet to a new iron pipe in the southern right-ofway line of Hilltop Road, thence along the southern right-of-way line of Hilltop Road North 88 degrees 43 minutes 01 seconds East 340.00 feet to a new iron pipe, the point and place of beginning, and containing 5.137 acres, more or less, and being designated as Lot 8 of the Graham L. Smith Heirs Subdivision according to a Map by Richard E. Burnette, Registered Land Surveyor, dated 10-13-78 and entitled “Property of Graham L. Smith Heirs, Wake County, North Carolina”, as recorded in Book 1976,

Together with the perpetual right of ingress, egress and regress over Hilltop Road as shown on Book of Maps 1977, Page 443, Wake County Registry.

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.

910 Wake County and pursuant to the terms of the judgments, 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 Monday, September 28, 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: BEING all of Lot 1246, 5401 North

Subdivision, as shown on that map recorded in Book of Maps 2022, Pages 876-880, Wake County Registry.

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.

BY: J.W. Childs Substitute Trustee Services, Commissioner Printed Name: J.W. Childs

Being the same property as conveyed from Clyde Larry Devinney to Clyde L. Devinney and wife, Beverly L. Devinney as set forth in Deed Book 3635 Page 448 dated 01/07/1986, recorded 01/08/1986, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA. Tax ID: 0106783 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.

Property Address: 6200 Truxton Lane, Raleigh, NC 27616 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

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

This the 14th day of August, 2026.

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. 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

26-125306

Inc.,

Title: Asst. Vice-President 201 S. McPherson Church Road, Ste. 201 Fayetteville, NC 28303-4995 FV# 13556223

VOLUME 149 ISSUE 30 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

KENT NISHIMURA / POOL VIA AP

At her best First lady Melania Trump visited an elementary school in Jefferson on Tuesday to promote an expansion of her Be Best initiative. She also said the country needed to lead on artificial intelligence before speaking with teachers and staff at the Ashe County school on how they use technology and AI in the classroom. For more, turn to page A3.

the

BRIEF this week

SCOTUS to decide whether to hear challenge by Maine lobsterman Portland, Maine The Supreme Court will decide this month whether to hear a lobster fisherman’s challenge to a rule requiring electronic tracking devices on boats. Maine lobster fisherman Frank Thompson filed a lawsuit against the state’s marine resources department over the GPS tracker requirement. He argues it constitutes unreasonable search and seizure. He has appealed to the Supreme Court after a federal appeals court denied his claim last year. The case could have broad consequences for the American commercial fishing industry. Authorities say the monitoring program is crucial for understanding lobster populations, which are declining in New England.

Trump slams Supreme Court for rejecting push to restrict mail ballots Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump is assailing the Supreme Court after it rejected his push to restrict mail-in voting in this year’s midterms. He said in a social media post Tuesday that the justices who opposed him were “not the people I interviewed.” The Trump administration had made a last-minute push to have the U.S. Postal Service play a central role in deciding who would be able to receive a mail ballot. But state election officials argued there was not enough time to make the changes for the Nov. 3 midterm elections — and said their systems were already secure and accurate.

$2.00

Chatham Schools ahead of state in recent performance metrics The district saw 95% of its schools earn a passing school accountability grade By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — Chatham County Schools is seeing new highs with its state accountability data.

The Chatham County Schools Board of Education was presented with the 2025-26 state accountability data that was released by the State Board of Education earlier in the month at its meeting Monday.

The data includes things such as school performance grades, academic growth metrics, graduation rates and composite performances. Chatham County Schools had two schools earn an “A” grade, 10 that earned a “B,” five that earned a “C” and one that earned a “D.” No schools received an “F” grade. Compared to last year, the

district had two new schools move into the “B” category (J.S. Waters and Silk Hope) and one new school move into the “A” category (Seaforth High School). The school system is well above the state average in terms of schools earning either an “A” or “B” grade, with 62% of its See SCHOOLS, page A3

Pittsboro approves pair of rezoning requests Both deal with only singular developments within their respective properties By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners met Monday for its regular business meeting with a varied agenda. The board held two pub-

lic hearings related to zoning, with the first being a conditional rezoning request for about four acres of property located on Highway 15-501 (west of the Haw River Filtration Plant) to go from Rural Residential Agricultural zoning to Community Mixed-Use

Center conditional zoning. According to the town’s UDO, the intent of the Community Mixed-Use Center is to provide lands that accommodate moderate to higher intensity, auto-accessible development that’s appropriate for a highway commercial area to serve the town and region. “The proposed conditional zoning is consistent with the overarching goals of our

High-end car show set for Fearrington Village “I’m hoping to have at least 200, 250-plus.” Jim Young, organizer of car show

The second annual event is a social activity with lots to see By Bob Sutton Chatham News & Record JIM YOUNG is excited to put together the second edition of the Concours d’Elegance, a car show at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro. A variety of high-end automobiles will be on display, with the list including Porsches, Ferraris, a 1940s-era Jaguar, an Austin Healey 3000, MGs, Morgans and more. “It was just a lot of fun and people seemed to enjoy it,” Young said of last year’s inaugural event.

This version will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Farmer’s Market Green. Young said the car count is expected to rise to about 40. About one-third of the cars belong to people living in Fearrington Village, Young said. Young said Greg Fitch of Fitch Creations, which operates Fearrington Village, has agreed to provide a one-night stay at the luxury inn on the grounds for the winner of the Best of Show. There also will be a prize for second place. “Last year, a Model A was Best of Show,” Young said. Just to add to the mix, a Volkswagen bus will be part of the scene. See SHOW, page A3

comprehensive plan and our land-use plan, and our UDO that concentrates smart growth around transportation corridors and connects different uses,” said Planner Lizabeth Woodby. According to the applicant, the primary intended uses for the development include residential, office, community and recreational. See PITTSBORO, page A7

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

THURSDAY

9.17.26 #160

CHATHAM Local seed-saving series happening continues with next edition The fall book sale at the library wraps up on the weekend Chatham News & Record

“Join the conversation” Chatham News & Record www.chathamnewsrecord.com

North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street Siler City, North Carolina 27344 Copyright 2026 Trip Hoffend Publisher Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette Senior Editor Jordan Golson Local News Editor Bob Sutton Chatham Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Ryan Henkel Reporter BUSINESS David Guy Advertising Manager Chatham News & Record (USPS #101160) is published weekly, 52 weeks a year, by North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street Siler City, NC 27344 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Chatham News & Record PO Box 290 Siler City, NC 27344 CONTACT US For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232 To place a classified or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042 To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232; news@chathamnewsrecord.com

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CRIME LOG Sept. 7 • Brian Edwin Elkins, 53, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. • John Mark Ellington, 63, was arrested for indecent liberties with a child. Sept. 8 • Danny Joe Phillips, 52, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

PITTSBORO — Chatham Community Library invites residents to learn about the world of seed saving. This free class is the second part of a seed-saving series. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Chatham Community Library in Pittsboro. Participants will dive deeper into the world of seed saving. The class follows “Seed Saving for Food 101” in August, which

included the why and how of seed saving. Attendance at the first class is not required. Participants will get hands-on experience saving seeds and will practice wet-fermentation, winnowing, threshing and screening methods. The free class will be taught by NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers. No registration is required. Fall Book Sale The annual Fall Book Sale at the library will run through Saturday in the Holmes Family Meeting Room. Hours for Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while

Saturday’s final day is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale features more than 18,000 items, including hardbacks, softbacks, DVDs, audiobooks, vinyl records and CDs. Admission is free to the public. Genres are sorted and conveniently displayed, including special collection items on trains, quilting, rock climbing, and French language children’s books. Purchases can be made by cash, check or credit card. Members of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library will receive a 10% discount on purchases of $5 or more on Thursday and Friday. There are no buyer limits.

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

Sept. 17 Pittsboro Farmers Market 3-6 p.m. Producers-only farmers market, open year-round, rain or shine. Food and craft producers build connections within the community while giving the public a place to sample and purchase locally made items. 50 W. Salisbury St. Pittsboro

GOP congressman from Wisconsin Sept. 17-19 tearfully recounts surviving emergency plane landing in lake

19th annual Hoppin’ John Fiddlers Convention

Rep. Tom Tiffany and his pilot swam to shore as the Beechcraft sank The Associated Press WAUSAU, Wis. — U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a candidate for Wisconsin governor, wiped away tears and laughed while sharing how thankful he was Sunday to survive a harrowing late-night emergency landing into a lake of the small plane he was riding in. The pilot “said we are going down,” Tiffany, a Republican, told reporters at a downtown Wausau firehouse. “‘Pull your seat belt tight.’ I gave it a yank and pulled it good and tight. It was probably about 10 seconds later ... we hit the water.” Tiffany said he and the pilot, Leonard Boltz, remained on top of the plane in Lake Wausau until it began sinking before deciding to try and swim to shore. He said they swam about 100 to 150 feet until they reached water shallow enough to stand in. “We’re really fortunate that God was looking after us last night,” said the 68-year-old Tiffany. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the emergency landing

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN, POOL / AP PHOTO

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) speaks at the Wisconsin Air National Guard facility at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on July 8. happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday. Boltz called 911 after the pair got out of the plane. They were rescued by emergency responders in a fire department airboat just after 9 p.m. “The gravity of this is probably just hitting me at this point,” Tiffany said Sunday. “We were making jokes every step of the way last night, though we knew it was a serious situation, we tried to keep

it light through the whole thing.” David Crowley, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, wished Tiffany a “quick recovery” in a post on X and lauded the “heroism of the pilot.” Tiffany said he was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the single-engine, four-seat Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft lost power as it approached Wausau Downtown Airport. Tiffany said he suffered a cut above his right eye that required 12 stitches. Boltz, who Tiffany said is a retired Air Force pilot, also suffered cuts and received four stitches. He said the incident will not impact his gubernatorial campaign. A no-wake buoy was placed near the plane, which remained in the lake, and boaters were being asked to avoid the area until the plane can be removed, the sheriff’s office said. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said the agency would investigate the incident. A National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said the agency is waiting for the FAA to assess the plane as to whether the damage was substantial enough for it to get involved.

Sept. 9

Thursday: 7:30-10 p.m. Friday: 3-11 p.m. Saturday: 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Live musical performances, competitions, music and dance workshops and film screenings are all part of this weekend celebration of folk and bluegrass tradition. Featuring performers of all skill levels and ages. The Hoppin’ John Cook-Off is a festival highlight, with a chance to taste some creative, homemade dishes. Dog-friendly. 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road Pittsboro

Sept. 17-20 76th annual Chatham County Fair Thursday: 4-10 p.m. Friday: 4-8 p.m. Saturday: 1-10 p.m. Sunday: 1-8 p.m. Over four days, a variety of livestock exhibits, agricultural displays and competitions, along with rides, games, live entertainment and lots of family-friendly activities will be presented. Vendors and food onsite.

• Abdiel Castro Cayetano, 46, was arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chatham County Fairgrounds 191 Fairgrounds Road Pittsboro

• Christopher Malachi Eric Murdock, 30, was arrested for felony conspiracy, breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering, and other charges.

Come Out and Play Sculpture Show

• Martin PaniaguaMagana, 51, was arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia, and other charges. Sept. 10 • Royce Morgan, 47, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, simple possession of a controlled substance and firstdegree trespass, and other charges. Sept. 13 • Abdulla Tollman, 40, was arrested for assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and false imprisonment.

Sept. 19 Noon to 8 p.m.

At Central Electric, we’re more than just your power provider. We’re your neighbors. We live here. We work here. We serve here. Scan to learn more about all the ways we support our community.

Annual artists’ reception showcasing local artists, vendors, free food and live music performed by the North Carolina Songwriters Co-op. All proceeds go to the artists. The event is free and family- and pet-friendly. JimGin Farm 150 Wild Horse Run Pittsboro

2nd annual Pittsboro Sculpture Celebration Noon to 6 p.m. An open-air sculpture exhibition across The Plant campus. Opening weekend is Sept. 18-19; the juried show stays up through Jan. 10, 2027. The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

As AI debate flares, Melania Trump touts technology during tour of Ashe County school

Church News

The first lady announced AI tool donations and learning platform subscriptions

Siler City Presbyterian Church at 720 West Third St. in Siler City (across from where the old hospital used to be) is proud to present the Gospel group Redeemed in concert Sunday, Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. Come and join us at Siler City Presbyterian for a wonderful performance of good, old-fashioned Southern gospel music sung by the popular gospel group Redeemed. This all-music event will be something everyone will enjoy. Admission for the concert is one can of food for the Chatham Food Pantry. Everyone is welcome! We hope to see you then! Have a blessed day!

By Collin Binkley and Jill Colvin The Associated Press JEFFERSON — First lady Melania Trump visited an elementary school in northwestern North Carolina on Tuesday, where she said the U.S. must lead on artificial intelligence as she spoke with elementary school students, teachers and staff about how they’re using technology and AI in the classroom. Her trip to Ashe County on Tuesday came as tech and political leaders debate about how best to regulate AI. Prominent tech leaders have been warning about the dangers of the technology and calling for more oversight, while President Donald Trump on Monday angrily dismissed the idea that more limits are needed, calling it a “hoax.” Many parents have also expressed alarm about schools’ widespread adoption of tablets with access to sites like YouTube even in classrooms with the youngest students. The first lady visited Mountain View Elementary School in rural Jefferson, which has a focus on using AI, robotics and engineering. Asked by a reporter about the potential of AI and the growing warnings about it, the first lady said students must learn it for the U.S. to be a global leader. “I think they need to learn we need to lead,” she said. “Of course they need to be vigilant as well. But this is our future. And we need to guide them and teach them what is available. If not, they will stay behind. And we need to be the first, in the United States, to lead.” Students show first lady AI experiment The first lady opened her trip by recognizing the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which kept students out of school for more than 30 days as the community worked to recover. Mountain View’s neighborhood flooded, and the

“As leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly. During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children — empowering, but with watchful guidance.” Melania Trump school was used as an emergency childcare center and later a community distribution site for supplies. “Your story is incredible,” she told several hundred students, teachers and administrators sitting on the gymnasium floor and bleachers. “North Carolina is the definition of resilience. Toughness in times of adversity is ingrained in the Tar Heel State’s character.” The first lady was warmly welcomed at the school. A wall of the gym was decorated with a hand-painted banner with purple print that read, “Welcome to Ashe County 1st Lady Melania Trump!” A digital screen in a school hallway welcomed the first lady with cartoon images of a boy and girl waving American flags. After her remarks, she visited a fifth grade science classroom where she sat with students while a teacher walked them through an experiment simulating pressure changes in the human chest cavity. The students then used AI to generate a video of their model using tablets. As she observed the lesson, an 11-year-old asked if he could give the first lady a hug. They hugged several times. She later spent time in the school’s media center, where she sat with students building chatbots to research potential future careers and watched them use 3D printers. She joined in as they manipulated robotic arms that buzzed and whirred in the background. “You can do anything. Anything is possible,” she told them. “The sky is the limit, right? Just never give up.”

Melania Trump donated some AI tools to school district She also announced that her Be Best initiative would be helping provide 1,500 students in Ashe County with subscriptions to StudyFetch, an AI learning platform, and that Mountain View Elementary and other schools in the district would be receiving 100 Jetson Nano Developer Kits — small computers for running AI applications. “Maybe one of you will create the next great robot,” she said in her remarks. “And if you do, make sure you bring it to the White House to show me.” The first lady made headlines earlier this year when she walked into a White House event with a humanoid robot at a summit she hosted with other first spouses about empowering children with technology. Last September, at a meeting of a White House task force on AI in education, she noted that the technology was boosting economic growth but also expressed some caution. “As leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly,” she said at last year’s event. “During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children — empowering, but with watchful guidance.” Technology in education is one of the first lady’s signature issues, along with advocacy for foster children and lobbying Congress to pass the “Take It Down Act” making revenge porn a crime. It’s the first lady’s fourth trip to North Carolina since 2025. She accompanied the president to meet families affected by Hurricane Helene at the beginning of his term and subsequently spent time with military families in other parts of the state. The state is home to one of the most closely watched Senate races of the November midterm elections, pitting Michael Whatley, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, against Democrat Roy Cooper, a former governor. The president was scheduled to travel to Gastonia in the southern part of the state Wednesday for a rally for Whatley.

SILER CITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SHOW from page A1 “Kind of for the fun of it,” Young said. “We’re looking for a surfboard to put on top of it.” Four main sponsors have been secured to boost the show’s profile, Young said. He said those showing vehicles have been asked to bring a bottle of champagne or spar-

kling water to add to the festivities. There also will be live music, likely with a heavy bluegrass theme, Young said. A crowd of about 150 onlookers showed up last year with about 30 cars on display. Young said he’d like to see a larger turnout of onlookers. “I’m hoping to have at least 200, 250-plus,” he said.

THE ISLAMIC TERRORIST! Bible Study: Luke 24:46-53, Church of Living Water; Pastor: James Mitchell.

KENT NISHIMURA / POOL VIA AP

First lady Melania Trump speaks to students at Mountain View Elementary School in Jefferson on Tuesday.

SCHOOLS from page A1 schools reaching that standard compared to the state’s average of 36%. The school performance grades are comprised of reading, math and science EOG and EOC scores, English learner progress, math course rigor, graduation rates, ACT/WorkKeys results and growth. In terms of growth, Chatham County Schools saw 89.5% of its schools meet or exceed academic growth. The state average is 73%. The district also saw their performance composite scores outperform the state average with 66.1% grade-level proficiency

compared to 59.2% proficiency. Focusing on specific areas, the school system saw a 4.2-point increase in 3-8 reading scores (63% proficiency), a 3.5-point increase in 3-8 math (67%) and a 9.5-point increase in 5 and 8 science (74%). In addition, the district saw its highest four-year graduation rate as well, graduating 92.4% of students. “Historically, our accountability results have been an opportunity to take a victory lap of sorts for academic services,” said Superintendent Kelly Batten. “So I want to make sure to applaud their work and the work of all our principals and teachers.”

Chatham Middle School, the district’s only “D” grade school, was designated as a low-performing school by the state and as such will need to develop a school improvement plan to address the problem areas. The school’s plan for this year focuses on strengthening core instruction in all subject areas, with a particular focus on math. “Academic Services is working really closely with the school and school leaders to improve outcomes for all students,” said Chief Academic Officer Chris Poston. The Chatham County Schools Board of Education will next meet Oct. 12.

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Chatham News & Record 919-663-3232

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Be a good neighbour Trump made a public spectacle of marking out Lake Ontario with a black pen and renaming the body of water Lake America.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP originally justified his tariffs on Canada because of fentanyl drug trafficking across the northern border. His Department of Justice estimated that the amount of illegal drugs that cross into the United States was less than 1%. Now, Trump unilaterally imposed higher tariffs on Canada, believing that “tariff” is the “most beautiful word” in English and claiming it will strengthen U.S. manufacturing. This economic benefit is as dubious as his fentanyl justification. The fact is that automobile parts for American automobiles are made in Canada. Before Trump, this exchange was mutually beneficial for car companies, workers and consumers. Our president has thrown a monkey wrench into an industry that he had promised to support. No wonder the UAW has strongly opposed the tariffs. At the recent gathering on Labor Day in Detroit, there were signs bearing the maple leaf of the Canadian flag along with the words

“Love Thy Neighbour” (note the spelling). In response to Americans changing the trade agreement at the last minute by making more demands, the Canadian government has instituted retaliatory tariffs. A majority of Americans will suffer higher prices for lumber, dairy and agriculture. No wonder Michigan voters disapprove of Trump’s tariffs on Canada by more than a two-to-one margin, according to a poll from The Detroit News and local station WDIV. In typical fashion, Trump made a public spectacle of marking out Lake Ontario with a black pen and renaming the body of water Lake America. Such theatrics will not save anyone money. He should apply that pen to his senseless tariffs instead and make them go away. I will end this column with a model example of respect and harmony. The Buffalo Sabres NHL team had both the American and Canadian anthems performed before games for 50 years,

regardless of the opponent, as a testimony to the goodwill between the two countries. The stadium is located just minutes from the Canadian border. This past April, during Game 5 of a playoff game in Buffalo, New York, the singer’s microphone malfunctioned and went silent during the performance of the Canadian national anthem. The sold-out crowd came to the rescue: Without missing a beat, they joined together in belting out the Canadian anthem. Perfect harmony does not always describe musical ability: Mutual respect has long characterized our relationship with our “neighbours” to the north, and all Americans of good will should join the chorus of protest against Trump’s trade war. 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

To read or not to read not the only question; consider content also I’ve always been hooked on the printed word.

AMONG THE MANY weaknesses in my life are too much tea (notice I didn’t say “iced” or “sweet” since any other form is not tea) along with a tendency to stay too long at the table and a healthy dose of procrastination. The drive toward procrastination has been with me since forever, I guess. My guiding principle there has been “never do today what you can put off until tomorrow,” and I have taken it to a high level through the years. But I’m not sure that’s a good thing, and I really am trying to get away from it since I don’t think I have 70 more years to play around. Nowhere, though, has it been more perfected than in the world of literature and reading in general. In my study, on the bedside table, on the floor beside the bed, on the table next to the couch, anywhere there is about 20 square inches of available space, there usually will be a book or two or four or more, sometimes stacked pretty high and often leaning a bit. Most of them are volumes I had to have; many are about half read. Not my fault there is such good stuff out there. It kind of reminds me of an episode of the original “The Twilight Zone” in which a nerdy little banker played by Burgess Meredith gets himself locked into a timed vault during his lunch hour on a Friday. After the weekend passes and the vault unlocks itself and he’s set free, he discovers an atomic blast has destroyed civilization as he knew it. Now he has time to read all he wants

except on his way to his first taste of his newfound freedom, he drops his glasses and they shatter on the rubble. Poor guy … I’ve always been hooked on the printed word. It was in the fourth grade, I think, I decided to keep a notebook of the books I’d read. Seems the list got up to about 150 or so; of course, most of them had only seven or eight pages, but still, it looked pretty good when, at the tender age of 9 or so, I showed the list around. Today, some of my volumes are for pleasure, others for edification or personal improvement, and some I’m not sure why. For instance, there’s a book about how Christianity should respond to today’s culture. It’s pretty deep, something not to skim over lightly. I have to read and reread; maybe that’s why I’m only up to about page 37. Then there’s one titled “Tombstone.” It’s about Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday and all the folks at the OK Corral. When I read it, I remember the movie of the same name and how good that was. Maybe that’s why I’m more than half done with it. Then there are some once read that probably should be read again. One of those is one used in a long-ago Sunday morning church study class. Titled “One Month to Live; Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life,” basically it’s about setting priorities as in what would we do with our lives if we knew we had only 30 days to live. There’s some great stuff in it, for sure, and I learned some things and improved my focus on some. Truthfully, I think

it’s probably the kind of book that is best utilized on a second or even third go-round. But here’s the real key. The stuff I either already knew, either innately, from experience or as new information, is all well and good, but I’m still having trouble putting significant amounts of it into play, and I wonder why. That reminds me of the young book salesman who went from farm to farm trying to peddle his company’s new publication titled “How to be a Better Farmer.” One day he’s leaning on a prospective customer’s fence extolling the virtues of the book. “Why, if you’ll just buy this book and do what it says do, you’ll be farming 10 times better than you are now,” he said. “Son,” the old farmer replied, “I already know how to farm a sight better than I’m actually doing.” Southern comic Brother Dave Gardner, a legend of the 1950s, had a line or so in a standup routine where he said, “I know what’s in every book in every library in the world.” “What?” the straight man would reply. “Words,” came the answer. And so it is. It’s just picking some and leaving others that’s hard. And putting the good ones into practice, as well. 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, September 17, 2026

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

COLUMN REP. RICH MCCORMICK

That little kid lives!

Much of the time, we can choose to be the only one who knows when our exuberant and joyful kid shows up.

LET THAT KID OUT! What kid? That little kid who still lives in each of us and delights in inventing weird words, making funny faces and being, spontaneously, playful. What an exhilarating freedom of personal expression, filled with magic and wonder, so often pushed out of the way by the shibboleths of adulthood. “I shouldn’t do …” You’ve forgotten about your little one? (Don’t feel bad, many of us have.) The sands of time, and burgeoning adulthood, have buried that childlike spark plug, still resident in each us but now so inhibited about coming out. (I mean, ain’t I a grownup 24/7?) Thar she blows! Our inner kid’s exuberant behavior is tiptoeing out. Permission given. Yay! It can feel so embarrassing when our little ones begin to nose their way into a spontaneous reemergence. Shouldn’t I have outgrown this punning, tongue-sticking out, face-making kid inside me? I’m an adult, for heaven’s sakes! (Mostly.) But our irrepressible child’s reemergence feels so good. Downright freeing, you know? (Shame is not allowed in the room to staunch that newly bubbling spring of our childlike aliveness. Begone! You got it?)

Take me, for instance. A longtime favorite made-up word, sgetti (spaghetti), just fills me with delight when saying it. Oh, and how can I forget, when eating absolutely luscious (and sometimes forbidden) food, I find myself conducting a symphony of exuberance with my index finger just waggling away in the air. Caught up in the inner music of my culinary joy. You bet! (I don’t think any present day musical conductors need worry about me as competition.) Much of the time, we can choose to be the only one who knows when our exuberant and joyful kid shows up. Making faces, saying funny words to ourselves, whatever, can raise our emotional temperature right up to delight. No one else needs know. But that sheer aliveness is terrifically lifting of our everyday spirits and lives. Cheap therapy, to boot. “When I became an adult, I put away childish things… including the fear of childishness.” C.S. Lewis Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

The David Duke standard — the Hasan Piker exception

Democratic leaders denounce antisemitism while avoiding the name of an antisemite welcomed by prominent elected Democrats.

REMEMBER THE MEDIA FIRESTORM in 2016 when Donald Trump supposedly failed to denounce former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke? Trump, appearing on CNN, claimed he did not know enough about Duke to disavow him. Trump later blamed a faulty earpiece and repudiated Duke and the KKK. But the episode became Exhibit A for those who accused Trump of using racial “dog whistles.” Then-Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan declared, “If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasion and no games. They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry.” Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “Senate Republicans condemn David Duke, the KKK and his racism.” When Duke later announced a Republican candidacy for the U.S. Senate from Louisiana, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus posted on Twitter, “David Duke & his hateful bigotry have no place in the Republican Party & the RNC will never support his candidacy under any circumstance.” Now consider the Democratic Party’s treatment of Hasan Piker, the socialist streamer who said, “America deserved 9/11.” He called Israel “the Jewish ISIS” and declared Hamas “1,000 times better than Israel.” Piker warned that if American Jews continue to show, as Piker put it, to be “singularly invested in Israel,” eventually someone would “take action” against them. Unlike Duke in 2016, Piker is not a politically marginal figure with little influence. The Anti-Defamation League estimates he has more than 11 million combined followers. He has interviewed or appeared online with Democrats Sen. Bernie Sanders; Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar; New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani; Rep. Ro Khanna; and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Piker campaigned for Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. El-Sayed called Piker’s 9/11 statement “dumb,” and El-Sayed said, “Of course I don’t think 9/11 was justified.” But he did not disavow Piker. After Piker’s latest remarks about American Jews, El-Sayed released a statement condemning antisemitism and political violence — without naming Piker. DNC Chairman Ken Martin condemned blaming American Jews for threats and violence as “dangerous, wrong and antisemitic.” He did not name Piker. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called the claim that American Jews invite violence against themselves “dangerous and antisemitic” and said it “should not be

tolerated.” He did not name Piker. The next day he said he meant Piker. Then there is Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. For years, Schumer has called the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement “antisemitic,” describing its double standard as “the 21st-century version of anti-Semitism.” Piker supports BDS, as do Mamdani and El-Sayed. Yet Schumer fails to call Piker, Mamdani or El-Sayed antisemitic — and Schumer has endorsed El-Sayed. Former DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, on the other hand, said, “Hasan Piker is a stone-cold anti-Semite. Period. Stop. ... There is no welcome mat for anti-Semites and bigots in the Democratic Party.” Yet El-Sayed even refuses to promise to stop campaigning with the man he refers to as “Hasan.” Republican leaders did not issue careful statements opposing “hate” while delicately avoiding Duke’s name. They identified him, condemned him and told voters that neither he nor his racism belonged in their party. Democratic leaders denounce antisemitism while avoiding the name of an antisemite welcomed by prominent elected Democrats and used as a campaign surrogate by their Michigan Senate nominee. The blatantly racist Duke has no meaningful Republican constituency. The blatantly antisemitic Piker, on the other hand, commands millions of young followers coveted by progressive Democrats. This means denouncing Piker could provoke the party’s ascendant and increasingly antisemitism-tolerant socialist wing. For years, Democrats and their media allies demanded that Republican leaders answer for every offensive figure somewhere on the right. Silence was complicity. Evasion was endorsement. Failure to name names was cowardice. Where is that standard now? Democrats like Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. John Fetterman and Rep. Debbie Dingell have condemned Piker by name. Yet Ken Martin, Jeffries, Schumer and El-Sayed repeat the words their former party chairwoman had the decency to say: Hasan Piker is “a stone-cold anti-Semite” and has no place in the party. Until then, the party that lectured “racist” Republicans about Duke shows their cry for moral clarity from Trump was not about morality or bigotry. It was about politics. Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Birth tourism is a loophole; it is time to close it AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP should never be for sale. Right now, it is. Foreign nationals are paying thousands of dollars to predatory businesses that arrange travel, housing, hospital care and coaching on how to mislead immigration officers, all to secure American citizenship for their unborn children. The process is straightforward: travel to the United States shortly before giving birth, deliver the child on American soil and return home. The child is now a citizen. This is birth tourism. And it is a deliberate exploitation of our laws. To be American is more than a piece of paper. It is a bond between an individual and a nation built on a promise. It carries constitutional rights, civic responsibilities and the full protection of the United States government. When foreign nationals pay a business to manufacture that bond for their child, they are not participating in the American story. They are purchasing it. Some birth tourism operations openly target wealthy clients from adversarial nations, including China and Russia. They help obtain visas, secure housing, coordinate hospital stays and complete government paperwork. Some go further, coaching clients on how to conceal the true purpose of their trip from immigration officials. This is not a gray area. It is fraud, and it is organized. Congress has looked the other way for too long. That is why I introduced the Ban Birth Tourism Act in the House, with Sen. Marsha Blackburn leading companion legislation in the Senate. The bill is targeted. It makes foreign nationals inadmissible when they seek to enter the United States primarily to give birth and obtain citizenship for their child. It makes birth tourism a deportable offense under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Critically, it does not go further than that. The legislation preserves protections for legitimate travelers seeking medical care. It does not affect lawful immigrants building lives in this country. It draws a clear line between people who respect our system and those who exploit it, and that distinction matters. Georgia’s 7th Congressional District is home to people from every corner of the world. Many followed our laws, waited their turn, raised families and earned their place in the American story. I am proud to represent them. Enforcing our immigration laws is not an attack on legal immigrants. It protects the integrity of the system they chose to respect. We maintain a legal immigration system and a naturalization process because citizenship is serious. It should require more than a plane ticket and a hospital package. I flew missions along the southern border as a Marine in the early 1990s. I spent years as an emergency room physician, watching how failures in government policy eventually reach real people and real communities. Both experiences taught me the same thing: Ignoring a problem does not make it disappear. It allows the problem to grow. Every nation must decide who may enter, who may remain and who belongs to its political community. Without that authority, there is no sovereignty, and without sovereignty, there is no nation. The Ban Birth Tourism Act does not attempt to resolve every debate surrounding birthright citizenship. It closes a specific, documented loophole that allows foreign nationals and the businesses coaching them to manipulate our laws for profit. It is a focused response to a real problem. This should not be a partisan issue. Temporary visas must not be obtained through deception. Businesses must not profit by teaching clients how to evade our laws. American citizenship must never become a commodity. I served in uniform to defend this country. I practiced medicine in rooms where problems could not be ignored. Now I serve in Congress, where the same standard applies. It is time to close this loophole. Pass the Ban Birth Tourism Act. Dr. Rich McCormick is an emergency physician, decorated veteran and the U.S. representative for Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. This column was first published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

obituaries

Jimmy Glenn Teague Aug. 25, 1957 – Sept. 10, 2026 Jimmy Glenn Teague, known to his friends as Big Jimbo, passed away on Sept., 10, 2026. Jimmy was born on August 25th, 1957, to the late Walter Glenn Teague and the late Barbara Groce. He married Goldie Webster on October 29th, 1977 and together they

Roger Avery Phillips Aug. 10, 1961 – Sept. 3, 2026 Roger Avery Phillips, 65, of Bear Creek, North Carolina, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at his home, with those he loved most by his side, passed away peacefully. Roger was born on August 10, 1961, in Chatham County, North Carolina, to the late Palmer Phillips and Mary “Lois” Woody Phillips. He retired from NVT Technologies, Inc. as a millwright. On July 9, 1983, Roger married the love of his life, Tammy Andrews Phillips. Together, they shared more than 43 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, family, and countless memories. He knew how to enjoy life. He loved his new Jeep Wrangler, motorcycles, football, fishing, traveling to the mountains, and visiting Tweetsie Railroad. He looked forward to attending the NASCAR races in Bristol, TN, which he and Tammy had enjoyed for the past eight years. His favorite driver was Chase Elliott. One of his unique passions was finding old cemeteries and gravesites. He would gladly drive for hours with the boys searching for another cemetery to explore. The boys would often tease him that they had driven two hours just to find “a mound of dirt,” but Roger saw the history and stories behind every place they visited. He was a devoted Papa who treasured every moment with his grandchildren. He loved playing games with them, especially Cassino, picking on his grandchildren, and simply being part of their lives. He had a special bond with all his grandchildren, and their “Papa time” was something he cherished. One of their favorite activities was counting the coins in his coin jar. At Christmas, Papa always received a makeover—painted nails included—and often a new, colorful hairstyle. Roger embraced these moments with laughter and love. He called his granddaughters every night, a tradition that meant so much to him and will forever be treasured by them. He enjoyed making pancakes and banana pudding for

had two girls, Leesa and Heather. Jimmy was a member of Rock River Baptist Church in Siler City, NC and worked as a professional long-distance truck driver. Left behind to cherish Jimmy’s memory are: his wife, Goldie Teague; daughters Leesa Wright (Dwayne) and Heather Morrow (Chris); seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, with number eight expected to be born in December. He is also survived by: his two sisters, Susan Proctor and Connie McKenzie (Andrew); his step-father Donald Smith; and many nieces and nephews. The family will be holding a Celebration of Life, with details to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you consider a donation to the American Heart Association in Big Jimbo’s memory. Donaldson Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Teague family.

his family. He shared many laughs with the grandchildren, including their attempts to drink buttermilk with their Papa. These simple, everyday moments became some of the family’s most precious memories. He also adored his two boxers, Reise and Kaine. The family often joked that the two of them “only had one brain cell,” but they were loved members of the family and brought Roger countless smiles. Simply put, he loved and adored his family with everything in him. Whether they were traveling, playing games, riding 4-wheelers, eating together, or simply sitting around talking, family time was always special to him. Roger’s faith was an important part of his life. His faith was his testimony. It was evident not only in his words, but in the way he lived his life and treated others. His kindness, love, humor, generosity, and joyful spirit will remain a lasting part of the lives of everyone who knew him. In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his sister, Pamela “Lucy” Hendricks, and his brother, James “Mike” Phillips. Roger is survived by his loving wife of more than 43 years, Tammy Andrews Phillips of the home; his sons, Roger “Wayne” Phillips and wife, Tina, and Brian Phillips and wife, Amy; six grandchildren, Ashlyn Kight, Courtney Phillips, Natalie Phillips, Parker Phillips, Wyatt Phillips, and Jacob Phillips; his very recent greatgranddaughter, Raelyn Kight; and his brother, Steven “Doug” Phillips. He also leaves behind numerous extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly. The family received friends on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Hickory Mountain Chapel in Pittsboro, North Carolina. A Celebration of Life service followed at 12:00 p.m., with Rev. Bill Hart officiating. A precious one from us is gone; a voice we loved is still. A place vacant in our home that can never be filled.” His place at the family table, his phone calls, his teasing, his laughter, and his presence will be deeply missed. Although his earthly journey has come to an end, there will be no more suffering or pain; the love and memories he gave his family will live on forever. Please share a memory or condolence for the family in Roger’s guest book below. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home of Siler City, North Carolina, is honored to serve the family of Roger Avery Phillips.

SPONSORED BY DONALDSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY

We offer an on-site crematory with many options of Celebration of Life services, Traditional, and Green Burials. Call us to set 396 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312 | 919-542-3057 | www.donaldsonfunerals.com an appointment to come by and learn more. loving husband, Welford Dalton her throughout life. Despite her Harris, her parents, Harriet numerous high school suitors, Hathaway and Harry Moore; she was ultimately swept off her and brothers, Wallace Moore feet by Welford Harris, a smalland Harry Moore Jr. Patricia town southern boy stationed in is survived by her daughter, Natick, MA, where Pat worked. Deborah Harris Bondurant of The couple was engaged on Pittsboro; son Welford David Valentine’s Day, married shortly Harris and wife Valerie of Siler after, and shared 67 years on City; grandchildren, Welford earth together. They built a Dalton Harris, II and wife Julia of beautiful life, full of love and Houston, TX, Alexandra Grace laughter, and will undoubtedly Evans and husband Bailey of spend eternity together in Hampstead, NC, and Avery heaven. Pat and Welford moved Elizabeth Harris of Siler City; 4 to North Carolina in 1955, where great grandchildren, Welford they built a business, raised their Dalton “Ford” Harris III, William two children, and made their Thomas Harris, Robert Bailey home. She was a member of Goldston Evans V, and Samuel Alexander Evans; and numerous nieces, United Methodist church for over Oct. 19, 1936 – Sept. 6, 2026 nephews, cousins, and friends 50 years and loved seeing and who she considered a part of her serving the familiar faces of her Patricia “Pat” Ann Moore family. church family each week. Titles Harris, 89, of Pittsboro, NC, The family received friends on she cherished were those of went to be with her lord and Nama and Great Nama. She loved Thursday, September 10, 2026, savior on Sunday, September from 11:45 am until 12:45 pm nothing more than spending time 6. She passed peacefully and at Goldston Methodist Church. with her kids, grandkids, and surrounded by her family and Funeral services followed at 1:00 great grandkids. She lavished the friends. pm at the church with Deacon simple things in life - watching Pat was born on October 19, Kim King officiating. basketball and baseball, riding 1936, in Southborough, MA, the A precious one from us is around town and visiting her daughter of Harriet Hathaway gone; a voice we loved is still. A friends, eating ice cream, and Moore and Harry Moore. place vacant in our home that drinking a good cup of coffee with The only girl of three brothers can never be filled.” plenty of cream and “sugah.” She was a force to be reckoned with Please share a memory or never met a stranger and never around their neighborhood. condolence for the family in lost her Boston accent. She was a beautiful, tall, swoon Patricia’s guest book. Pat leaves behind a great worthy tomboy with size 10 feet Smith & Buckner Funeral legacy in the form of family who cared more about basketball Home of Siler City, North and friends who feel incredibly and softball than boys. Her Carolina, is honored to serve blessed to have known her and mischievous and witty nature, the family of Patricia Ann Moore will remember her forever. born in childhood, stayed with Harris. Pat is preceded in death by her

Patricia “Pat” Ann Moore Harris

IN MEMORY

JOYCE ELLEN BUIE CHALFLINCH SEPT. 25, 1941 – SEPT. 10, 2026 Joyce Ellen Buie Chalflinch, 84, of Carthage, passed away on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 at FirstHealth Moore Regional surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13th, 2026 at Flint Hill Baptist Church, with Pastor Zack Garner presiding. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00-2:50 in the sanctuary and at other times at the home of Gary and Kathleen Seawell. Burial will be at Rives Chapel Baptist Church in Siler City. Joyce was born in Moore County on September 25th, 1941 to Johnny and Stella Westmoreland Buie. She was a homemaker and loved Gospel music and going to church. She loved all animals, especially her birds and cats. Joyce enjoyed going to the beach. She dearly loved her family and her time spent with them. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 sisters, 3 brothers and her life partner of 23 years, James Brooks. Joyce is survived her daughters, Kathleen Seawell (Gary), of Carthage and Velena Allred, of Carthage; sister, Shirley Weathersoon (Jim), of Southern Pines; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

HENRY ROBERT REYNOLDS III MAY 12, 1953 – SEPT. 9, 2026 Henry Robert Reynolds III, of Robbins, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at his home. The family will receive friends at Joyce-Brady Chapel from 11:00-11:45 am on Monday, September 14, 2026 followed by the funeral service at noon. Burial will be at The Russell Family Cemetery on Atlantic Rd., in Robbins. Henry was born in Alaska on May 12, 1953 to James and Bertha Mosher Reynolds, who preceded him in death. He was a member of Bright Light Baptist Church and retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service. He was an avid UNC Tarheel fan. Henry loved fishing and Southern Gospel Music. He adored his family and loved being “Paw Paw”. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judy Maness Reynolds of the home; children, Timothy (T.J.) Reynolds, of Pittsboro, Celena Fleming (Clark), of Asheboro and Marshall Reynolds, of Trinity; sister, Gloria Morgan, of Raeford; brothers, Terrell Reynolds (Marie), of Whispering Pines and Maurice Reynolds (Tillie), of Southern Pines; grandchildren, Eliott, Jacob, Izzy, Ila, Illise; great-grandchildren, Hazel and Jason and a host of family of friends.

PAMELA JOYCE BROWN MCLEOD JUNE 28, 1955 – SEPT. 13, 2026 Pamela Joyce Brown McLeod, affectionately known to her family and friends as Pam, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2026, at the SECU Jim and Betsy Bryan Hospice Home in Pittsboro, North Carolina, following a long and courageous battle with illness. She was 71 years old. Pam was born on June 28, 1955, in Harnett County, North Carolina, to the late John Duncan Brown and Mary Frances Mangum Brown. She was a lifelong resident of the Mamers and Broadway communities and was a proud graduate of Boone Trail High School, Class of 1973. She is survived by her loving husband of more than 51 years, Danny McLeod of the home; daughter, Trisha Hogan (Andrew) of Brevard; and son, Johnathan McLeod of Broadway. She is also survived by her brother, Roger Brown (Ann) of Cumming, Georgia, as well as a large and loving extended family. Between the Brown and McLeod families, Pam leaves behind countless cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other relatives who loved her dearly and will cherish her memory. Pam leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a whole lot of people who loved her. Her spirit will live on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamnewsrecord.com

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Why versatile PB&J remains king of lunchbox after 125 years

Twists include adding pickles, chips, marshmallow fluff and more

The sandwich has traveled from tea parlors and fancy restaurants to school lunchboxes

By Katie Workman The Associated Press IF THERE is a single sandwich associated with childhood and school lunches in the U.S.A., it has to be the PB&J. Sweet and salty, inexpensive, easy to make (maybe the first sandwich many kids make for themselves?), peanut butter and jelly is as close to iconic as a sandwich can get. It’s been 125 years since the first known written recipe, and the PB&J concept is still going strong. In its simplest form, it’s a lunchbox staple, but it’s also a jumping-off point for creative takes in eateries from delis to high-end restaurants. It’s nothing if not versatile: When peanut allergies led to school bans, alternative nut butters like almond and seed butters like sunflower, flaxseed and pumpkin seed stepped in. Combo began as tea sandwich for the wealthy The recipe that appeared in 1901 in The Boston Cooking School Magazine was writ-

GERALD HERBERT / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a classic that spans generations and regions. ten by Julia Davis Chandler. It called for currant or crab-apple jelly and was viewed as a fancy tea-time snack for wealthy people. In the 1920s and ’30s, commercial peanut butter and machine-sliced bread became widely available. Peter Pan and Skippy were early brands, and then Jif came along in the 1950s. Natural peanut butter has also carved out a niche, though what “natural” means is up for debate. Many people think of it

as peanut butter that allows the natural oil to separate, which requires stirring to emulsify. The classic old-school sandwich would have to be two slices of soft bread, probably white, maybe wheat, with a layer of peanut butter (crunchy or smooth) on one side, jelly (often grape, maybe strawberry or raspberry, probably seedless) on the other. Simple and perfect. Not so long ago, a kid who lugged sandwiches to school made with heavy natural peanut butter and sugar-free jam

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on multigrain bread wouldn’t have found anyone who wanted to trade. (Trust me on that.) But times and tastes have evolved, and now a sandwich like that would no longer feel crunchy-granola-weird.

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Griddled or pan-fried versions of the PB&J are popular throughout the South and Midwest. In some regions of the U.S., you might find dill pickles tucked into the sandwich or potato chips layered in for salty crunch. PB&J with a side of chili is pure school-cafeteria nostalgia — cheap, protein-packed and filling. In New England, the “Fluffernutter” still reigns, with marshmallow fluff standing in for the jelly. Texans sometimes take their PB&Js with jalapeño jam and crispy bacon, often double-decked with an extra slice of bread. And at Southern state fairs, you can find the sandwich deep-fried (though I’d advise waiting a while before getting on any rides afterward). Restaurant menus play with peanut butter and jelly In San Antonio, a restaurant called PB&J with Tay has a whole menu inspired by this sandwich. You might try The Egg-Cellent, which contains peanut butter, hard-cooked egg, bacon and strawberry-jalapeño jelly, or The Kitchen Sink (Double Decker), jammed with peanut butter, banana, walnuts,

PITTSBORO from page A1 Following the hearing, the board approved the request. The second hearing was for a rezoning request for 0.4 acres of property located at 298 E. Salisbury St. to go from High-Density Residential zoning to Office and Institutional conditional zoning. The property has been listed for sale by the owners for a prolonged period of time, and this is an effort to try and appeal to potential buyers. “The Town of Pittsboro will be changing, and this is a microcosm of just that effect,” said Commissioner John Foley. “I see a vision of Pittsboro that gently has to move forward. That property didn’t sell as residential, and so I feel it would be for the best benefit of Pittsboro to reassign it.” Following the hearing, the board approved the request as well. The board also approved various downtown matters, including authorizing staff to develop steering committees for the economic development strategic plan (EDSP) and downtown master plan and parking study update, as well as facilitating Scale Chatham in partnership with NC IDEA. The EDSP aims to establish a five-year framework for economic development within the town to support economic

A7 almond butter, bacon, cream cheese and choice of jelly. The South Philadelphia Tap Room in Philly has a Fried PB&J made with sourdough bread that is crusted in Frosted Flakes before being griddled. At Pearl Street in New York City, you can indulge in PB&J Triangles with foie gras ganache on milk bread. Fancy, but it’s noted on the menu that the strawberry jam is Smuckers and the peanut butter is Jif. This mashup will set you back $24. Just changing up two main ingredients, and bread, creates whole new sandwich experience There are a lot of companies making gourmet versions of peanut butter. At Big Spoon Roasters, in Hillsborough, bestsellers include Pistachio Crunch Almond Butter made with almonds, pistachios, organic maple syrup and sea salt. They describe their Maple Cinnamon Peanut and Pecan Butter as “cinnamon-dusted pecan pie in a jar.” Peanut Butter & Co., based in New York, sells a flavor enticingly named Dark Chocolatey Dreams and another called The Bee’s Knees, made with honey. To change up your jelly, add chia seeds, maple syrup, crushed pretzels, sliced peaches or apples, or pomegranate seeds. Try it on a croissant or challah. No matter how far the PB&J has come from its 1901 currant jelly version, somehow it still tastes like being a kid.

growth, competitiveness and long-term prosperity. The Downtown Master Plan and Parking Study Update will establish a 10-year vision and implementation framework for the downtown area and provide a coordinated approach to growth, development, mobility, parking and economic opportunity. Scale Chatham aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the county through support, programming, coordination and development initiatives. “Each initiative has a distinct purpose, and together they give the town an opportunity to strengthen the overall economy, position downtown to prosper as Pittsboro grows and build a stronger environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Downtown Development Director Theresa Thompson. In addition, the board approved updates to the Downtown Work Plan to add additional projects. The projects include evaluating future public parking structure opportunities, identifying strategies to reduce and redirect heavy truck traffic away from downtown and the installation of public parking wayfinding signage. The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet Oct. 12.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Notice to Creditors

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified on the 14th day of August 2026, as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Barry D. Edwards, 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 10th day of December 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 2nd day of September 2026. W. Woods Doster, Administrator CTA of the Estate of Barry D. Edwards 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Attorneys: Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: September 10, 17, 24 and October 1st, 2026.

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Claire Maureen Miller., deceased, of Chatham County, NC, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before December 11th, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 10th day of September, 2026. Diane Lee Miller, Limited Personal; Representative, c/o Bagwell Holt Smith P.A., 111 Cloister Court, STE 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000172-180 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Carol A. Reingold, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before November 27, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, or corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 27th day of August, 2026 John Nightingale c/o Jillian E. Brevorka, Esq. Hodgson Russ LLP 7 Corporate Center Court Suite B Greensboro, NC 27408

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000495-180 The undersigned, CLYDE GRAHAM BARBER, having qualified on the 26TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MOLLY YELTON BARBER, 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 3RD Day of DECEMBER 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 3RD Day of SEPTEMBER 2026. CLYDE GRAHAM BARBER, EXECUTOR 174 CRAIG HILL LANE CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516 Run dates: S3,10,17,24p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000474-180 ALL persons having claims against Peter Randall Naylor, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Nov 27 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 27th day of August, 2026. c/o Daniel B. Finch, Attorney, Peter Randall Naylor, II, Administrator CTA C/O Pinna, Johnston & Burwell, P.A. 2601 Oberlin Rd, Ste 100 Raleigh, NC 27608 A27, 3, 10 and 17

A public hearing will be held by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, September 21, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing will be held in the courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro, North Carolina at 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro NC 27312. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department office. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also sign up on the county website prior to the meeting at www.chathamcountync.gov by selecting the heading County Government, then Commissioner Meetings, then Public Comment. The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below. Legislative Request: A Legislative public hearing rezoning requested by RTP Gardens LLC on Parcel 75202, located off Bob Horton Rd and US 64, Apex, New Hope Township, from R-1 Residential to Conditional District Regional Business (CD-RB) zoning district for multiple uses. A Legislative public hearing requested by Jan Nichols on behalf of US HWY 64 Properties LLC for a General Use Rezoning to rezone parcels 72097 and 17329 from R-1 Residential to RB-Regional Business, on 13.145 acres, located off US HWY 64 W and Ridge View Road. A Legislative public hearing rezoning requested by Steve Miller on Parcel No. 65761, located at 3756 Corinth Rd., Moncure, Cape Fear Township, for a General Use rezoning from R-5 Residential to R-1 Residential. A Legislative public hearing requested by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners for text amendments to the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance; specifically, section 10.13 Zoning Table of Permitted Uses, section 17 Special Use Permits, section 18 Board of Adjustment, and section 19 Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. These amendments are intended to amend the special use permit process to maintain compliance with NC G.S. 160D. Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions. Notice to people with special needs: If you have audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided. If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call the Chatham County Planning Department at 919-542-8204, or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312. Please run in your paper: September 10th and 17th, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of William James Erkes, 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 27th day of November, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 27th day of August, 2026. GARY WILLIAM ERKES, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF William James Erkes

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against BEVERLY A. BROWN, deceased, of Chatham County, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before December 17, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment. This 17th day of September, 2026. AMY WALKER CAGLE, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE OF BEVERLY A. BROWN c/o Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130 Chapel Hill, NC 27514

NOTICE TO CREDITORS 26E000377-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, Lynn McClurg, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Raymond Augustus Kilner, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of December 2, 2026 or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 3rd day of September 2026. Lynn McClurg Executor Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of ETHAN DOUGLAS LONG, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, do hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of Leigh Peek, Attorney at Law, Attn Noah Oswald obo Leanna Long, PO Box 1059, Hillsborough, NC 27278, on or before the 17th day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment. This 7th day of September, 2026. LEANNA ELIS LONG, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ETHAN DOUGLAS LONG 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Personal Representative of the Estate of Lee Melvyn Marcus, deceased of Chatham County, North Carolina, on the 9th day of September, 2026, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of the attorney for the estate on or before the 19th day of December, 2026, or this Notice will be pled in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 17th day of September, 2026. Elaine Marcus, Personal Representative, c/o Larry H. Rocamora, Attorney for the Estate, McPherson, Rocamora, Nicholson, & Hinkle, PLLC; 3211 Shannon Road, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27707. Chatham News + Record: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM Truist Bank, Plaintiff, vs. John Brisbee; Wanda Brisbee; United States of America; Pinnacle Finance; Aqua Finance, Inc.; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s). GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 26CV000151-180 NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeremy B. Wilkins, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the abovecaptioned case on July 27, 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 538 D Hart Rd, Siler City, NC 27344 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by John Brisbee and Wanda Brisbee, husband and wife, dated December 21, 2020 and recorded on December 22, 2020 in Book 02173 at Page 0208 of the Chatham County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by John Brisbee, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Truist Bank. 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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Marilyn Gerk Ozer, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC, 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on or before the 3rd day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 3rd day of September, 2026. TRINA SHILOH MATTA, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF MARILYN GERK OZER

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Sandra Sexton of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of November, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 18th day of August, 2026. Yvonne Sexton Goldston, Executor Of the Estate of Sandra Sexton 1102 N. Hampton Street Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified on the 31st day of August, 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Roxana Shalo, deceased, of Chatham County does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before December 20th, 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 10th day of September, 2026. Sibyl Wilmont Executor of the Estate of Roxana Shalo c/o J Alan Campbell Law PO Box 850 Hillsborough, NC 27278 919-451-5441

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James Leon Satterwhite, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, who died on May 8, 2026, the undersigned hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before December 10, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 2nd day of September, 2026. Erica L. Satterwhite, Executor Estate of James Leon Satterwhite 1290 Adrian Ct Mebane, NC 27302 Chatham County, North Carolina Publish: September 10, September 17, September 24, and October 1, 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against LILIANA MATHY, deceased, of Chatham County, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of December, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment. This 17th day of September, 2026. LISA M. HUGHES, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF LILIANA MATHY c/o Hughes & Leighton PLLC 916 Prince Street, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314

and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 29, 2026 at 01:00 PM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Chatham County, North Carolina and described as follows: Tract

ALL of Lot 1 containing 0.314 acre, more or less, according to plat entitled “Survey for James S. Woody & Christy A. Woody” prepared by Van R. Finch - Land Surveys, P.A., dated June 25, 1996, and recorded in Plat Slide 96-235, Chatham County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. All or a portion of the property hereinabove described was acquired by Grantor by instrument recorded in Book 698, Page 5, Chatham County Registry. Tract

ALL of Lot 2 containing 2.400 acres, more or less, according to plat entitled “Survey for James S. Woody & Christy A. Woody” prepared by Van R. Finch - Land Surveys, P.A., dated June 25, 1996, and recorded in Plat Slide 96-235, Chatham County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. All or a portion of the property hereinabove described was acquired by Grantor by instrument recorded in Book 697, Page 535, Chatham County Registry. Tract

ALL of Lot D containing 1.004 acres, more or less, according to plat entitled “Survey for Ida H. Smart & Everett C. Smart” prepared by Van R. Finch - Land Surveys,

NOTICE North Carolina Chatham County The Estate of Clark Sentelle Yarbrough 25 E000221-180 Notice to Creditors The undersigned, having qualified on the 23rd day of April 2025, as Executrix of the Estate of Clarke Sentelle Yarbrough, deceased, having last resided in and died of Chatham County, North Carolina, do hereby give this notice to all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned Executrix on before the 27th day of August 2026, being greater than three months from the date of first publication of this notice. Failure to present a claim(s) to the undersigned Executrix on or before the 27th day of November 2026 at 405 Deming Road, Chapel Hill, NC. 27514 will result in this notice being pleaded in bar of their recovery against the Estate. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 27th day of August, 2026 Terri Yarbrough Lorant, Executrix of the Estate of Clarke Yarbrough 405 Deming Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000476-180 The undersigned, SHARLENE HAWKINS, having qualified on the 30TH Day of JUNE 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of BOBBY JEAN HAWKINS, 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 27TH Day of NOVEMBER 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 27TH Day of AUGUST 2026. SHARLENE HAWKINS, ADMINISTRATOR 437 GUM SPRINGS CHURCH RD. MONCURE, NC 27559 Run dates: A27,S3,10,17p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000488-180 The undersigned, TAMMY F. WESTER, having qualified on the 21ST Day of AUGUST 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of HARRY KIRBY FAGG, 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 27TH Day of NOVEMBER 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 27TH Day of AUGUST 2026. TAMMY F. WESTER, ADMINISTRATOR 196 DEWITT SMITH ROAD PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: A27,S3,10,17p

P.A., dated March 7, 2001 and recorded in Plat Slide 2001-130, Chatham County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. All or a portion of the property hereinabove described was acquired by Grantor by instrument recorded in Book 911, Page 949, Chatham County Registry. Tract

ALL of Lot C containing 0.274 acre, more or less, according to plat entitled “Survey for James Steven Woody & Christy A. Woody” prepared by Van R. Finch - Land Surveys, P.A., dated August 23, 2012, revised December 2, 2016, and recorded in Plat Slide 2017-30, Chatham County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. All or a portion of the property hereinabove described was acquired by Grantor by instrument recorded in Book 1647, Page 590, Chatham 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 CHATHAM COUNTY Register of Deeds’ office not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are John Brisbee and wife, Wanda Brisbee. 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.: 24-38418-JUD01

A10

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Secret ballot — article of faith US elections — being tested in Georgia, raising alarms A known software flaw could let AI tools identify how Georgia voters cast their ballots By Kate Brumback The Associated Press ATLANTA — Security researchers say rapid advances in artificial intelligence are making it more critical to address a flaw in Georgia’s voting equipment that can allow voters to be matched to their ballots after they have been cast. The system’s vulnerability has been drawing increased attention, with election security advocates criticizing state election officials for failing to fix it before the November elections. Georgia election officials say they have taken steps to address the potential harm, but some advocates say the state is not going far enough. The vulnerability does not allow votes to be changed or cast doubt on election results, but it could let someone see how others voted. That is important because ballot secrecy is a fundamental right under the state constitution, and violations could create an opening for legal challenges. While the flaw has been known for a few years, the widespread adoption of AI tools and the blistering pace of its sophistication have election security experts raising alarms. This is “a bit of a wake-up call because it illustrates how much more easily vulnerabilities can be exploited now that AI can do all of the technical work for you,” said J. Alex Halderman, a voting technology specialist at the University of Michigan who was part of the team that exposed the flaw.

Other jurisdictions across the country use the same voting equipment made by Dominion Voting Systems, a company that has since been sold and renamed Liberty Vote. But many have applied a software update to fix the flaw, and some other states do not allow the public release of records that are needed to exploit it, said Mark Lindeman, policy and strategy director at Verified Voting, a nonpartisan group focused on election technology. Georgia, a battleground state with one of the nation’s most closely watched U.S. Senate races this year, is the only place where the system is used statewide. Lindeman said that combined with an open records law that have allowed access to key documents, creating a “perfect storm.” “It’s really embarrassing that this is still a possibility,” Lindeman said. How does voting work in Georgia? Georgia voters make their selections on touchscreen voting machines that print paper ballots voters insert into scanners to tally the votes. Such cast-vote records detail the votes from each ballot. Those records and electronic ballot images created by the scanners are randomized. But the software flaw allows them to be put back in the order they were cast, according to a report by researchers who discovered it in 2022. Along with other publicly available data, that information could be used to match voters to their ballots, the researchers wrote. Max Springer, a Princeton University researcher who was not involved in the original re-

“AI coding tools are essentially supercharging laymen people to exploit vulnerabilities.” Max Springer, Princeton University search and studies AI, said he gave a publicly available AI assistant that research. He said it was able to reverse the shuffling of electronic ballot records from Georgia’s May primary and then tell him what other records it would need to match names to ballots. He then gave the AI assistant the early voting list for the counties he examined and the cast-vote record file, which could be obtained through a public records request. It was able to create “buckets of ballots and potential voters,” he wrote in a blog post. In many instances, that made it possible to match voters to their ballots. In cases where ambiguity remained, he wrote, he got the public audit log for the ballot scanners and precinct check-in records and was able to match most ballots to specific voters. “AI coding tools are essentially supercharging laymen people to exploit vulnerabilities,” Springer said in an interview. Why does ballot secrecy matter? Georgia’s Constitution says elections “shall be by secret ballot,” and state law requires voting machines to “permit voting in absolute secrecy so that no person can see or know any other elector’s votes.” A lack of ballot secrecy can make it easier to buy or sell votes

and increase the danger of coercion to vote a certain way by family members, political organizations, employers or government officials. It also is information that could be invaluable to political campaigns. Gabriel Sterling, special projects manager in the secretary of state’s office, pushed back on the concerns. He said it would be easier to use mail ballots if vote-buying or coercion was the goal and that it likely would be cheaper for campaigns to just increase outreach to voters who fit a certain profile than try to identify voters this way. State Election Board member Salleigh Grubbs proposed a rule during the board’s August meeting that would have required the secretary of state’s office to apply the software update recommended by the manufacturer by Tuesday. “Each (voter) has one vote, and no one is entitled to know how it was cast,” Grubbs said. “That privacy protects more than the individual voter. It protects the integrity of the entire election.” In a letter to the election board, an agency lawyer argued that the update has not been certified by the secretary of state, the implementation would take months, and the legislature has not provided necessary funding. The board rejected Grubbs’ proposal. Some members said they did not believe they had the authority to order the secretary of state to act and they raised concerns about the short timeline before the November midterms. Board member Sara Tindall Ghazal, who voted against the proposal, said it is “intensely frustrating” that the software update has not been applied. But she pointed out that it is a felony to reveal how some-

one voted, which should serve as a deterrent. “I hate the fact that it’s even physically possible, but there are very, very severe penalties if somebody were to actually do this,” she said. What’s being done? The secretary of state’s office sent guidance to county election officials instructing them to refer open records requests for certain records to the secretary of state’s office. It will release them with the problematic information blacked out and decline to release other information and documents. Sterling said the office is working with a vendor to scramble the original order of ballot images and cast-vote records before they are made public. Halderman said that precaution would be necessary to keep someone from reconstructing the order. While some other jurisdictions have applied the software update that reportedly fixes the problem, some have done what Georgia is now trying to do by restricting public access to the records needed to exploit the flaw. Marilyn Marks is executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance, which advocates for election transparency and security and raised the alarm about the vulnerability. She argued that withholding documents is not the solution and that steps need to be taken to ensure ballots cannot be traced to voters in the first place. “When Georgia’s election records contain identifiers that can be used to trace ballots to voters, the only legal and acceptable answer is to stop recording that information — not restrict public access to sensitive unlawful information to insiders and commercial vendors,” she said. With time growing short before the elections, Marks said a workable interim solution would be to collect ballots in locked boxes at precincts and then shuffle and scan them at a central tabulating center.

2026 Best of Chatham CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 BEST OF CHATHAM WINNERS IN CHATHAM PARK!

MOSAIC at Chatham park

NORTHWOOD LANDING

• Best Event Space & Best Live Music Venue: MOSAIC at Chatham Park

• Best Veterinarian: Haw River Animal Clinic

• Best Yoga & Pilates: barre3 Chatham Park • Best Orthodontist: Dr. Jess Arbon, Carolina Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry

• Best Frozen Treats: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice of Pittsboro

• Best Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsboro

NoVi at Chatham Park

• Best Pet Grooming: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Pittsboro

• Best Sports Club/Fitness Facility & Best Summer Camp: Chatham Park YMCA

• Best Place for Vegetarians: Greek Kouzina • Best Takeout: Greek Kouzina • Best Insurance Agent/Firm: Harris & Company Insurance • Best Place for a Beer: Hops & Berry Taproom

Freedom Parkway • Best Physical Therapy: UNC Health Chatham Rehabilitation Services at Pittsboro

• Best Place to Watch the Game: Hops & Berry Taproom • Best Spa: Radiance Rx Skin & Aesthetics

PENGUIN PLACE

79° WEST at MOSAIC

• Best Catering, Best Date Night Spot, Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant, Best Outdoor Dining, Best Place for Vegetarians & Best Takeout: Cafe Root Cellar

• Best Home Maintenance & Repair: Skyline Exterior Group • Best Financial Advisor/Investment Firm: Acera Wealth Management • Best Financial Advisor/Investment Firm: Millennium Planning Group • Best Financial Advisor/Investment Firm: Shanklin Wealth Management

LEARN MORE AT CHATHAMPARK.COM

• Best Mexican/Latin American Food, Best Cocktails & Best Queso: Mi Cancun • Best Chiropractor: NC Spine & Sports • Best Wine, Beer and/or Spirits Shop: Forgotten Road Ales • Best Optometrist/Eye Clinic: Dr. Mark Wesolowski II, New View EyeCare

CHATHAM SPORTS

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Jordan-Matthews co-captain Joseph Barrera is among the key players for the boys’ soccer team this season.

Jets show promise amid mix of early results The Jordan-Matthews soccer team is looking to establish more consistency before conference play begins By Bob Sutton Chatham News & Record PAUL CUADROS has seen plenty in his time as coach of the Jordan-Matthews boys’ soccer team, so he understands

the ebbs and flows of a season. So far this year, the Jets have experienced plenty of those. Jordan-Matthews entered this week with a 4-3-2 record, with still two weeks to prepare for the beginning of the Four Rivers Conference portion of the schedule. “This is a different team that we thought we were going to get this season,” said Cuadros, who’s in his 25th season. “We expected other players to step up.”

A month into the season, the Jets have won back-to-back games just once. But there have been successes to build on as well. Some players have shown flashes of their abilities, Cuadros said. “For us, it’s about learning to play with each other a little bit more,” he said. “And developing a little bit more ‘Eye of the Tiger’ type of mentality.” The Jets have a core of players who Cuadros said are capable of setting a foundation. That

Hawks perk up in second half to knock off Northwood Seaforth didn’t allow a point after halftime in the comeback victory By Bob Sutton Chatham News & Record DUNCAN PARKER threw three touchdown passes to Noah Fuller, including a go-ahead strike to cap a drive with about three minutes to play, as visit-

ing Seaforth rallied past Northwood 22-15 last Friday night. The Seahawks overcame Northwood’s ball-control offense to finally gain traction in the second half. “It was the boys just keeping their composure,” Seaforth coach Tolbert Matthews said. “The second half, guys locked in.” Parker finished 8 for 21 for 226 yards and one interception.

Fuller collected five receptions for 148 yards. Northwood (1-3) led 15-6 at halftime. Up to that point, the Hawks had trouble because their possession time had been limited. So Matthews said it was up to the defense to start taking control. “Defensively, we had to do See HAWKS, page B3

Chatham Central’s Lewie Cowans (59) lines up for a snap. The Bears had their biggest win of the season last weekend.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

includes seniors Cristian Avalos and Elvis Nino along with junior captains Emilio Rocha, Joseph Barrera and Elvis Ordonez. Rocha is a goalkeeper. “They’re juniors, so they’re going to be good for us,” Cuadros said. Last week, the Jets played then-undefeated Graham to a first-half tie before the host Red Devils posted two goals for a 2-0 victory. Jason Pineda had the best scoring chance for Jordan-Matthews in that game.

“For us, it’s about learning to play with each other a little bit more.” Paul Cuadros, Jordan-Matthews coach That result was followed with a 3-0 victory at Southern Lee, marking the Jets’ third shutout of the season.

PREP ROUNDUP

Seaforth adds to volleyball win streak The Northwood soccer team avenged a loss to Seaforth Chatham News & Record staff SEAFORTH’S volleyball team brought a six-match winning streak into this week. The Hawks won twice last week in home matches in the Big Seven Conference. Seaforth topped South Granville 25-7, 25-14, 25-11, with Ally Forbes notching 10 kills and 11 service points and Sarah Beth Smith delivering eight kills. Kelly had 13 service points and Abigail Valgus supplied 25 assists. In a 25-16, 25-17, 25-15 victory against Orange, Forbes had 19 kills, Isabelle Valgus racked up 17 service points and 17 digs, and Abigail Valgus contributed 35 assists. • Northwood notched a Four Rivers Conference victory at Jordan-Matthews by 25-19, 13-25, 25-19, 25-21, boosted by Emory Fox’s 11 kills and Dana Terry’s 10 kills along with 14 service points from Genna Lance and 16 assists from Stacy Ortiz. That result snapped the Chargers’ eight-match losing streak that included being swept two See SEAFORTH, page B2

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Lizzy Murray (shown here in an August match) led Chatham Central in assists in last week’s match.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Addison Goldston

Woods Charter girls run strong in invitational The competition was a home meet for Jordan-Matthews Chatham News & Record staff SILER CITY — Woods Charter’s girls’ cross-country team had two of the top seven finishers in the Tyrone Hanner Invitational for cross-country Saturday. Sofia Rodriguez of Woods Charter placed third in 22 min-

utes, 36.99 seconds across the 3.1-mile course. Nadezhada Podolyanskaya of Woods Charter was seventh in 23:03.84, while Serenity Smith Gray of host Jordan-Matthews placed eighth in 23:08.22. Southern Alamance had the girls’ and boys’ individual champions. Kaylee Bason won the girls’ race in 21:11.73 among a field of 31 runners. Bason’s margin was nearly 36 seconds on Ailani Jones of Triad Math and Science.

Jacob Kronbergs won the boys’ race in 17:05.02, leaving a gap of more than 21 seconds before runner-up Suleman Mohammed of Triangle Math and Science. There were 43 runners. Aidan O’Neil of Woods Charter placed fourth in 18:08.80. Teammates Youssef Reyad (11th, 19:43.17) and Neil Messick (25th, 21:34.93) also were in the top 25. The top runner for Jordan-Matthews was Dylan Leysath in 21st place in 20:51.19.

COURTESY JORDAN-MATTHEWS HIGH SCHOOL / FACEBOOK

Woods Charter runners pose with their awards after the Tyrone Hanner Invitational at Jordan-Matthews. The Woods Charter girls placed second in the team standings.

SEAFORTH from page B1 GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham Central, volleyball Addison Goldston is a junior on the Chatham Central volleyball team. Last week, the Bears lost a match to South Stokes, but Goldston was all over the court trying to lead Central to a win. She led the Bears in kills, getting 18 of the team’s 33 in the game. She also led in digs with 23 and tied for the team high in service aces with three. She was also one of three Chatham Central players with double digits in receptions, getting 10. For the season, Goldston leads the Greater Triad 1A/2A conference in kills and is second in hitting percentage, aces and digs. She’s second in all of N.C. Class 1A in kills.

nights earlier at Eastern Randolph in a conference match. Reagan Sandel posted 11 kills for Jordan-Matthews. • Chatham Central lost its lone match of the week, falling 20-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-25, 15-11 to visiting South Stokes in the Greater Triad Conference. Addison Goldson had 18 kills and Lizzy Murray had 14 assists for the Bears. • Chatham Charter ended last week on a seven-match winning streak, surviving against visiting Clover Garden 25-20, 22-25, 27-29, 25-18, 15-4 in the Central Tar Heel 1A Conference. Brooke Lavelle had 16 assists and Aaliyah Walden notched 11 kills.

Then came a 26-24, 25-23, 25-20 triumph at Jordan-Matthews. • Woods Charter’s winning streak reached six matches by defeating host Central Carolina Academy 25-15, 25-15, 25-10 in a Central Tar Heel 1A Conference match. BOYS’ SOCCER Northwood edged visiting Seaforth 1-0 last week to avenge a one-goal defeat from last month. The Chargers didn’t keep the momentum, losing 3-2 at Eastern Alamance. That was a reversal of an outcome from the team’s season-opening game. • Seaforth ended last week

with a 4-2 victory at Wilson Fike. In the second of three games last week, the Hawks nearly knocked off defending Class 5A state champion Western Alamance. Seaforth never led in the Western Alamance game, falling 4-3 at home. • Woods Charter won twice last week, beginning with a 9-1 victory at Southern Wake in a Central Tar Heel 1A Conference game. Then came the Wolves’ 4-0 victory at Durham Hillside. • Chatham Charter won a Central Tar Heel 1A Conference game by defeating visiting River Mill by 4-2, with boosts from Colten Pena’s three goals and Brelan Harris’ one goal.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Baylor lands Ukraine’s Koval after LSU exit The center left the team after LSU brought in a Russian player

ELLA HALL / AP PHOTO

LSU forward Kate Koval looks to pass during a February game against South Carolina.

“For me, this war is not distant or abstract.”

By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press

Kate Koval

BAYLOR SIGNED Ukrainian center Kate Koval, the school announced Saturday, several weeks after she left LSU because Tigers coach Kim Mulkey brought in a Russian player. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the two countries have been at war since. Koval was allowed to enter the transfer portal outside of the normal window after she was granted a legislative relief waiver by the NCAA that was approved earlier this week, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t

authorized to speak publicly about it. “We are beyond excited to welcome Kate to Baylor,” Bears coach Nicki Collen said in a statement. “She has played at an elite level over the last two seasons and has shown the consistent ability to score around the rim and protect the rim. Kate, at 6-foot-5, can be a decision maker on the perimeter both as a scorer and facilitator, which will expand our offense. Her shot-blocking ability will help anchor our defense. She is an elite student with a big heart for others, and our fans will love her on and off the court.” Koval had posted on social media last week about her de-

B3 cision to leave LSU. Now she’ll be at the school that Mulkey turned into a women’s basketball powerhouse before leaving to coach the Tigers. “For me, this war is not distant or abstract,” Koval wrote. “People close to me have been killed and wounded in Russian attacks, and places where I grew up and first began playing basketball have been destroyed by missile strikes. “The timing of this situation and the deeply personal effect it has had on me, my family, and those we care about who continue to live through and fight this war ultimately made me question whether LSU remained the right place for me. This decision has not been easy. While I understand and respect that roster decisions are a part of college basketball, I have to remain true to myself, my values, and my country.” Koval averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks last season for the Tigers. She started her college career at Notre Dame and averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in the 2024-25 season.

HAWKS from page B1 some things differently,” he said. “Once we got that, we gave ourselves more chances.” Parker, who took more playing time than normal on defense at safety and outside linebacker, helped turn the tide. The presence of lineman Donovan Sims was huge as well. Sims had two fumble recoveries, including one when he stripped a Northwood player of the ball and made a return deep into Chargers’ territory to set up a Seaforth touchdown. “He had a day,” Matthews said of Sims. After going in front, the Hawks still had to make two defensive stops before securing the outcome. With fewer than 40 snaps on offense, Matthews said it’s a good lesson on the importance of making good use of each possession. He said it has been beneficial that different players have stepped into key roles at different times. “They’re all starting to show a little bit,” he said. Northwood scored on Finn Sullivan’s pass to Raje Torres. Sullivan also reached the end zone on a short run. Torres finished with 54 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards. Chatham Central 54, North Moore 28: At Bear Creek, Brooks Albright threw for six touchdowns as the undefeated Bears notched their most lopsided victory of the season. Albright was 17 for 25 for 302 yards in the air,

Week 5 games THURSDAY • Chatham Central at Winston-Salem Prep FRIDAY • North Moore at Seaforth • North Surry at Northwood • Jordan-Matthews at Providence Grove

and he also rushed for 33 yards. Three of Albright’s scoring throws went to Nolan Mitchell, including a 50-yarder. Mitchell made seven catches for 182 yards. Gavin Williams made two touchdown catches, and Brett Phillips had the other. The Bears (3-0) also had rushing touchdowns from Carson Jackson and Bryson Alston. On defense, Williams was charted with 12 tackles. North Moore (0-4) trailed 34-14 at halftime. Wheatmore 58, Jordan-Matthews 20: At Siler City, Juju Banks ran for three touchdowns and 131 yards in the road victory. The Warriors (1-3) also scored on two runs from Lane Cole, including a 62-yarder. He had 123 rushing yards on eight carries. Jackson Gallimore and Trey Lackey also ran for touchdowns. Bentley Mills made a touchdown reception. Connor Allen kicked a 21-yard field goal. Jordan-Matthews (2-2) was hurt by turnovers.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth’s Duncan Parker fires a pass earlier this season. Parker’s three touchdown throws led Seaforth to a victory against rival Northwood.

Local Service Directory

B4 SIDELINE REPORT GOLF

LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection in attempt to survive LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy protection in a New Jersey court. The move was widely expected after Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund abruptly cut off support. LIV plans to restructure with BC Partners as its lead investor. CEO Scott O’Neil says the plan is to expand the field to 75 players and have a 36-hole cut for the first time. LIV estimates some $500 million in debt.

NHL

Hockey player, coach, broadcaster Melrose dead at age 70 Barry Melrose, a hockey player-turned-coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before going on to a long career in broadcasting the sport, died at 70. ESPN announced Melrose’s death last Wednesday after his wife informed the network. Melrose stepped away from the role in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. From Kelvington, Saskatchewan, the hard-nosed defenseman played more than 300 games in the NHL after nearly 200 in the World Hockey Association.

TRACK & FIELD

Jefferson-Wooden clocks 21.47 in 200 at Ultimate, fourth-fastest time in history Budapest, Hungary Melissa Jefferson-Wooden ran the fourth-fastest women’s 200-meter time in history, 21.47 seconds, to wrap up a $300,000 weekend by completing the sprint double at Ultimate Championships. Jefferson-Wooden looked shocked when she saw the time. “Wow!” she said before heading to the winner’s circle to scoop up her second winner’s trophy in two nights. In the men’s race, Kenny Bednarek also completed the double, winning his 200 in 21.52 seconds.

NHL

Red Wings strip Larkin of captaincy after trade request; center will attend training camp Detroit Dylan Larkin is expected to be on the ice for Detroit Red Wings training camp. But he is no longer their captain after asking for a trade this past spring. The team announced it had stripped Larkin of the “C” he wore on his jersey for the past six seasons. Larkin asked for a trade after Detroit failed to make the playoffs for a 10th consecutive year. The Red Wings said any decisions about Larkin’s future would be made by the next person in charge of hockey operations.

PWHL

PWHL lands first season-long U.S. national broadcast deal with Scripps Sports The newly expanded PWHL enters its fourth year with its first season-long U.S. national broadcast deal after partnering with Scripps Sports. Scripps broadcast a select number of regular-season games followed by the entire Walter Cup Finals playoff series last season. It opens the PWHL to reaching more than 128 million U.S. households, with games being aired on ION. Scripps will produce and televise a game of the week each Saturday for ION. The Scripps Sports Network, meantime, will also broadcast two national games per week.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

US wins fifth straight women’s FIBA World Cup title, beating France 97-79 By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press BERLIN — Breanna Stewart had an American flag draped around her body as she soaked in the moment. The U.S. captain delivered again and the Americans continued their domination of international play, winning a fifth straight women’s FIBA World Cup title with a 97-79 victory over France on Sunday. The Americans have won 36 straight World Cup games, dating to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup, when they lost to Russia. “We are the standard,” said Stewart, who scored 22 points in the victory and earned MVP honors of the tournament for the second time. “USA Basketball has continued to show up and go for gold, and to have done that however many times consecutively is an insane stat. We want to make sure that we continue to build on that standard and everybody else knows it.” Despite the final score, this game wasn’t easy; the Americans faced their biggest deficit in the tournament since that loss to Russia, trailing by 14 points in the first half to France. They calmly rallied behind Stewart and Jackie Young to get within two at halftime, with Caitlin Clark hitting a 3-pointer just before the buzzer. “I think we felt really good about where we were at,” said Clark, who finished with 12 points. “I think France was 8 for 14 (from 3-point range). We dug ourself a hole, but we climbed out of it, and I felt like we were never rattled by anything.” The U.S. dominated in the second half, starting the third quarter with an 11-2 run to go up 54-47. Stewart, who now has four World Cup titles to her name, had four points during the game-changing burst. France was able to get within 55-51, but the Americans used a 16-3 spurt that included two unsportsmanlike fouls against France on the same play. The Americans were up 73-57 heading into the fourth

EBRAHIM NOROOZI / AP PHOTO

Breanna Stewart, of the United States, left, and Paige Bueckers pose with trophy after the Women’s Basketball World Cup final match between the United States and France in Berlin.

Consecutive wins by the U.S. in the women’s World Cup

quarter, and France never was able to close the gap. “I’m really happy with the way that we let the rest of the world know that our goal is always gold,” Stewart said. “Just really proud.” The U.S. improved to 9-0 in gold-medal games since finishing second in 1983 to the Soviet Union. This was the second-youngest team the Americans have sent to a World Cup. There were many newcomers on the roster, including Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, who were playing for the national team for the first time. But it was the veterans who carried the team to the victory.

The Americans had looked more vulnerable in this tournament than at any time during their remarkable run. A three-point win over Italy in pool play was the closest a team has come to the U.S. in group stage in 50 years. The 10-point victory over Spain was the closest semifinal contest during the streak. The Americans had been winning by an average of 26 points over the past four medal-round games. None of that mattered in the end as the Americans finished the same way they had the previous four World Cup tournaments — as champions. The loss nevertheless gave France its best finish in the event. The French were hoping for the top prize after they came close against the U.S. in the 2024 Paris Olympic gold-medal game two years ago. That one-point loss still stung two years later. Dominique Malonga scored 21 points and Gabby Williams added 20 for France.

“I’m really happy with the way that we let the rest of the world know that our goal is always gold.” Breanna Stewart “Of course we’re disappointed right now, but I think we’re showing, little by little, France is a basketball country,” Williams said. “That was my goal, when I joined this team, was to change the culture. Obviously we have higher expectations, but we’ll get there.” France got off to a strong start. The U.S. trailed 20-17 after the first quarter, and the French scored the first 11 points of the second, capped by Williams’ 3-pointer, to take a 31-17 lead. But the Americans rallied and trailed 45-43 at the half on Clark’s 3 just before the buzzer. Spain topped host Germany to win the bronze medal.

Zverev beats Shelton to win US Open title, extend drought by American men New world No. 1 Elena Rybakina won the women’s title By Brian Mahoney The Associated Press NEW YORK — Alexander Zverev’s best year in tennis goes on, and so does that lengthy Grand Slam drought for American men. Zverev won his second major championship and disappointed a crowd that was desperate to see the first Grand Slam title by an American man since 2003, beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday in the U.S. Open final. Zverev finally broke through in the majors by winning this year’s French Open and followed up by adding the title in New York that he so painfully let slip away in 2020. The No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, he capitalized on Shelton’s shaky start in his first major final, played a nearly flawless tiebreaker on serve and then turned back a comeback attempt in front of a crowd that feverishly cheered Shelton on — including girlfriend Trinity Rodman, who made it from her own soccer match in Washington, D.C., before the finish. “I know today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win, so I’m very sorry first of all,” Zverev said during the trophy presentation. “But second, it was an incredible atmosphere to play in. Even though I know that the crowd was against me,

the crowd was always incredibly fair.” Shelton was trying to win the first title by an American man since Andy Roddick won in Flushing Meadows in 2003, as well as become the first black player to win the men’s crown since Arthur Ashe in 1968. But Zverev was too good in majors this year and apparently didn’t even know how good he was. He finished the match on his serve but didn’t seem to realize it, dropping back behind the baseline as if set to return. Only a few moments later did he figure out he had won, raising his arms in celebration. “You’re one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year,” Shelton told Zverev. Zverev best player in biggest events this year Zverev improved to 25-2 in major matches this year and won $5.5 million, matching the prize earned by women’s champion Elena Rybakina on Saturday as the largest in Grand Slam history. Shelton’s early struggles, Zverev’s style limit crowd early Fans stood and screamed when Shelton emerged from the tunnel before the match, but he didn’t give them any reason to keep the cheers going once play began. Serving first, he lost the opening two points and eventually hand-

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO

American Ben Shelton, left, and Alexander Zverev pose together with their trophies after Zverev won the men’s singles final of the U.S. Open.

ed the game to Zverev with a double-fault. Zverev maintained that lead the rest of the set, which ended on another double-fault by Shelton. Zverev’s deliberate playing style helped limit the crowd’s effectiveness. Fans are expected to quiet down as a player is preparing to serve and stay quiet until the ensuing point has completed. Zverev bounces the ball a number of times — sometimes around 10, maybe a dozen, others nearly 20, insisting there is no set pattern or plan — before he begins his toss, so it guarantees lengthy stretches of silence. Fans tried to get around that by occasionally cheering when he missed a first

“I know today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win, so I’m very sorry first of all.” Alexander Zverev serve — another tennis no-no that the chair umpire scolded them for — but Zverev, who said before the match he enjoyed hostile crowds, did not seem affected. On the women’s side, Rybakina won her first U.S. Open title and punctuated her climb to the top of women’s tennis by beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Cautions in the race, a track record

What was supposed to be a 240-lap race in suburban St. Louis featured a season-high and track-record 18 cautions. It was marked by dramatic brake failures and several spinouts without any contact between cars. After several Chase contenders were involved in late crashes, the race was red-flagged with 11 laps to go, just after Larson swiped the lead from Logano, and again with two left in regulation. Larson benefited from his crew’s decision on lap 202 to put four tires on while Logano took two to maintain track position. Hendrick’s William Byron, who was last in the 16-driver Chase field, finished fourth and

was followed by Ross Chastain. Denny Hamlin, the defending race champion, placed ninth to maintain his points lead. Crashes impact Chase competitors A series of final-stage crashes had significant Chase implications. On Lap 141, Bubba Wallace dove under Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Toyota going into Turn 1, creating four-wide traffic on Gateway’s tighter series of turns. Briscoe had no room to move up the track, and Wallace spun around after he was forced onto the curb. Briscoe also went sideways, and Byron slammed into Wallace’s spinning No. 23 Toyota. The three — each of them in the 16-driver Chase field — dropped into positions 29-31 on the restart, and the impacts could have reached even further. Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Ty Gibbs were also racing in the same pack, and Chase Elliott was able to squeeze under Wal-

lace as he whirled around entering the backstretch. On Lap 213, Elliott had an apparent brake issue and collected Briscoe as both crashed into the wall in Turn 1. Both were knocked out of the race. Then, the contenders who escaped danger earlier got caught up in another collision on Lap 222. Wallace and Josh Berry made contact in Turn 1, and Tyler Reddick slammed into Berry as Christopher Bell got slammed into the wall. On the ensuing restart, Gibbs and Daniel Suarez sustained damage in a wreck on the backstretch that also involved AJ Allmendinger. Blaney’s brakes break Blaney, who was third in the Chase entering the race, had a catastrophic brake failure at the finish line on Lap 155 while he was running in sixth place. Blaney’s brakes exploded on the frontstretch, and he rode his No. 12 Ford into the wall heading into Turn 1.

Blaney finished 35th but earned 14 points from ending each of the first two stages in fourth place. “It’s a shame,” Blaney said. “I thought we did a great job today running up towards the front and doing really good in the stages and was looking forward to seeing how that last run played out.” Chris Buescher, who was 11th in the standings, had his brakes fail on Lap 237. No revenge for Keselowski Despite failing to qualify for the postseason, Keselowski found himself in the spotlight after indicating he’d seek out retribution against Chase contender Carson Hocevar, who spun him out in last week’s Southern 500. The two played nice while running in second and third place in the final stage of the race, and Keselowski ended up in the lead when he decided not to pit with 38 laps to go before finishing 12th. Hocevar was eighth.

CONNOR HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson celebrates after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Madison, Illinois.

Johnson wants Bears’ offense to be top-scoring in NFL history Chicago scored at will in its 59-37 season-opening win over the Panthers By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said last month that winning the Super Bowl isn’t enough for him. He wants to have the highest-scoring offense in NFL history. If the Bears can put together more weeks like their opener, that goal will be within reach. Chicago scored eight touchdowns in a 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. It was the most points in a season opener in the Bears’ long, proud history and tied for the second-most points by a team in Week 1, behind only the 1973 Falcons, who put up 62 on the Saints. And here’s the funny thing: The Bears were far from perfect. They started the game with a fumble, had some costly penalties and even turned the ball over on downs deep in their

SCOTT KINSER / AP PHOTO

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during the first half of the win over the Panthers. own territory. Still, they put up 552 yards — including 291 on the ground — and scored two touchdowns in every quarter. D’Andre Swift paced the running game with 124 yards and three touchdowns. “That’s amazing,” Swift said of the team’s scoring output. “But to come out of a game like that and have so much to clean up. ... I mean, yeah, we’ll take

the win, and 59 points is amazing, but it should have been worse.” That’s the mentality Johnson has instilled in his team: They truly think they’re going to score on every possession. Before the season, he told The Athletic his goal is “to have the highest-scoring offense ever.” That’s why none of his players were surprised when Johnson

went for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 21 in the second quarter with the Bears leading 21-14. It backfired as Caleb Williams came up short on a quarterback sneak, and the Panthers capitalized with a touchdown. Johnson wouldn’t call it a mistake. When asked if he would do it again, he said it depended on the situation. The Bears seem to thrive off Johnson’s aggressive mentality. Williams, who threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 65 yards and two more scores, wasn’t surprised Johnson went for it — and hopes he tries it again. “Yeah, we got to go get (the first down) — that’s what it says to us,” Williams said. “As players on the field, when coach has that belief, when coach has that trust, when coach has that faith and all of that in us, we have to go get it as players when he calls it. It doesn’t matter what the play is. It’s a mentality play when you’re fourth-and-1. That’s what it comes down to.” After the game, Johnson didn’t back down from his stated aspirations. “Listen, that will always be the goal — we want to be the highest-scoring, we want to have the most wins, we want to win Super Bowls,” Johnson said. “Like, that’s what we do. We didn’t get into this profession trying to be mediocre, average.” The 2013 Denver Broncos, led by MVP Peyton Manning,

“That’s what we do. We didn’t get into this profession trying to be mediocre, average.” Ben Johnson, Bears coach scored the most points in an NFL season with 603, an average of 37.6 points per game. That was when the NFL played a 16-game season. Teams now play 17. Johnson said he expects Sunday’s game will be the Bears’ worst of the season. He expects them to get better each week. But he was encouraged by how his players handled the early adversity of turning the ball over on their first possession. “We talked about weathering the storm there early on,” Johnson said. “We had some adversity on that first drive, and yet no one blinks. No one bats an eye. And so that’s probably what I’m most proud of there.” The players know all about Johnson’s goal of becoming the league’s most prolific offense. “That’s what we’re striving for,” receiver Rome Odunze said. “We have heard the head of the snake, Ben Johnson, say he wants to be the most prolific offense in history and that takes that attention to detail. … So we are all bought in to that and trying to accomplish that.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

entertainment this week in history Battle of Antietam takes 3,600 lives, FBI captures Patty Hearst, Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” published The Associated Press SEPT. 17 1787: The Constitution of the United States was completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. 1862: More than 3,600 men were killed in the Civil War Battle of Antietam in Maryland. 1908: Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge of the U.S. Army Signal Corps became the first person to die in the crash of a powered aircraft, the Wright Flyer, at Fort Myer, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The pilot, Orville Wright, was seriously injured but survived. SEPT. 18 1970: Rock star Jimi Hendrix died in London at age 27. 1975: Newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was captured by the FBI in San Francisco, 19 months after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army. 2020: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a towering champion of women’s rights who became the court’s second female justice, died at her home in Washington, D.C., at age 87 of complications from pancreatic cancer. SEPT. 19 1796: President George Washington’s farewell address was published. In it, America’s first chief executive advised, “Observe good faith and justice

toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.” 1957: The United States conducted its first contained underground nuclear test, code-named “Rainier,” in the Nevada desert. 1995: The New York Times and The Washington Post published the manifesto of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, which proved instrumental in identifying and capturing him. SEPT. 20 1946: The first Cannes Film Festival, lasting 16 days, opened in France. 1962: James Meredith, a black student, was blocked from enrolling at the University of Mississippi by Democratic Gov. Ross R. Barnett. 1973: In their so-called “Battle of the Sexes,” tennis star Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, in the Houston Astrodome. SEPT. 21 1922: President Warren Harding signed the Lodge-Fish Resolution, a congressional resolution endorsing the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. 1937: “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd. of London. 1989: Hurricane Hugo crashed into South Carolina; the storm was blamed for 56 deaths in the Caribbean and 29 in the United States. SEPT. 22 1776: During the Revolutionary War, Capt. Nathan Hale, 21, was hanged as a spy by the British in New York.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, shown during a formal group portrait in Washington, D.C., died Sept. 18, 2020, at age 87 after more than 27 years on the court. 1862: President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states should be freed as of Jan. 1, 1863, if the states did not end the fighting and rejoin the Union. 1985: Rock and country music artists participated in Farm Aid, a concert staged in Champaign, Illinois, to help the nation’s farmers. SEPT. 23 1780: British spy John Andre was captured along with papers revealing Benedict Arnold’s plot to surrender West Point to the British. 1806: The Lewis and Clark expedition returned to St. Louis, more than two years after setting out for the Pacific Northwest. 1952: Republican Sen. Richard M. Nixon defended his vice presidential nomination on national television in the “Checkers” speech, addressing campaign fund allegations and invoking his family’s cocker spaniel.

LOU KRASKY / AP PHOTO

A sailboat lies in a Charleston street on Sept. 22, 1989, after Hurricane Hugo made landfall along the South Carolina coast.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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Author Rushdie to receive National Book Award medal for lifetime achievement The ceremony will take place Nov. 18 in New York By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

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NEW YORK — Salman Rushdie, a U.S. citizen for the past decade, is to receive a literary honor reserved for the elite of American writers — a National Book Award medal for lifetime achievement. “Although I lived here for many, many years before I became a citizen and had a green card, citizenship suddenly made me feel a sense of being part of it (the U.S.) that was deeper than before. And I think there’s something similar about this (award),” said the 79-year-old Rushdie, a native of Mumbai (then Bombay) who emigrated to England in his teens and now lives in New York City with his wife and fellow author, Rachel Eliza Griffiths. “I remember somebody told me that when (Raymond) Carver got some major American award, he described himself as being ‘out there in literature now.’ And I thought,

‘Maybe I’m out there in American literature now,’” Rushdie added. Longtime friend and fellow author (and Indian immigrant) Kiran Desai will present Rushdie his medal at this fall’s National Book Awards ceremony in Manhattan on Nov. 18, when prizes in five competitive categories will be handed out. Remember him for his books

Life unfolds in three chapters

MICHAEL PROBST / AP PHOTO

Author Salman Rushdie appears at the Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany in 2023. of danger in recent years until he was stabbed repeatedly onstage in 2022, during a literary festival in western New York. A state jury found the assailant, Hadi Matar, guilty of attempted murder. A federal jury found him guilty of transnational terrorism and providing material support to Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group in Lebanon. Rushdie has since published a memoir about the attack, “Knife,” and the story collection “The Eleventh Hour.”

‘South Park’ creators ‘rename’ show to ‘South America’ in jab at Trump The satire targets the president’s geographic renaming campaign and corporate America’s swift capitulation

By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press THE CREATORS of the long-running and enthusiastically insolent TV show “South Park” aren’t known to be huge fans of President Donald Trump. However, they’ve decided to adopt one of his ideas — in a way. They’re changing — at least for the moment — the name of the popular series, which just won the Emmy for outstanding animated program. In a statement posted on the show’s Instagram page, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone say they are “changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA.” The statement comes as Trump, escalating his trade war with Canada, has declared he’s renaming Lake Ontario to be known as “Lake America” in the United States. Coincides with changes in popular maps The move by the two satirists, a week before the 29th

ANDY KROPA / INVISION VIA AP

season premiere of “South Park” — er, “SOUTH AMERICA” — also takes aim at Apple and Google, which have adopted Trump’s changes, as well as the show’s own parent company. Apple has relabeled Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for U.S. users of its Maps app, following cartographic competitor Google. “Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH

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AMERICA. We especially want to thank our parent company Paramount — a Skydance Capitulation.” The hugely successful “South Park” airs on Paramount-owned Comedy Central. Parker and Stone have taken aim at Paramount’s merger with Skydance. But in July 2025, Paramount announced a five-year renewal deal with Parker and Stone, including streaming rights for previous “South Park” seasons on Paramount+.

During his second term, Trump has also signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” even though parts of it lie in international waters. Apple and Google maps also followed suit in that case. Also in line with Trump’s enthusiasm for renaming things — after America, or after himself — he recently suggested New Mexico be renamed “New America,” though it was uncertain whether that was serious.

The author sees himself as a city writer and his life as a three-part story: South Asia, London and New York. The fatwa forced him into hiding for years and even gave him the reputation for being “reclusive.” But he is the most public and cosmopolitan of writers, at home in urban areas and large gatherings, inspired by the conf lict, diversity and unpredictability of metropolitan areas. Much of Rushdie’s work has been set outside of the U.S. — “Midnight’s Children” is one of the defining novels of postcolonial India, and “The Satanic Verses” is based in London and India, among other locations. But Rushdie says being an “American” writer doesn’t mean only setting your books in this country. “I was an immigrant writer in England, and now I’m an immigrant writer in America,” he says. “American writers come from everywhere, right?

He also arranged for the Kennedy Center to add his name to its building, a move that has triggered much controversy. Show’s creators have needled Trump before The decision to rename the show is not the only jab Parker and Stone have recently taken at Trump. “You finally got your Emmy,” the show posted on Instagram along with a cartoon depiction of the president — with his pants down, surrounded by the show’s characters. A recent storyline on the show depicted Trump as romantically involved with Satan. Canada, too, has not gone unnoticed by the show. In 1999, its foray onto the big screen, “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut,” depicted Canadians as scapegoats of a national parental movement to stop children from swearing — which they blamed on comedians from Canada named “Terrance and Phillip.” The movie was structured like a Broadway musical, and one of the key “show tunes” it presented was called “Blame Canada.” Its overall point: People can find a way to blame anyone for anything. “It seems that everything’s gone wrong since Canada came along,” one character sang. Other targets of the show’s sharp parody over the years have been Saddam Hussein, Tom Cruise, the soft drink Prime and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

famous birthdays this week Phil Jackson hits 81, Rosemary Harris turns 98, Singer-choreographeractor Toni Basil is 83 The Associated Press SEPT. 17 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is 93. Mountaineer-explorer Reinhold Messner is 82. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson is 81. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is 76. Actor Cassandra Peterson (“Elvira, Mistress of the Dark”) is 75. Film director Baz Luhrmann is 64. SEPT. 18

RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION VIA AP

Actor Cassandra Peterson turns 75 on Thursday.

Hockey Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman is 93. Singer Frankie Avalon is 86. Actor Anna Deavere Smith is 76. Neurosurgeon-author-politician Ben Carson is 75. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino is 74. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) is 72. Comedian-actor Jason Sudeikis is 51. SEPT. 19 Actor Rosemary Harris is 98. Singer-songwriter Paul Williams is 85. Singer Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers) is 85. Singer Sylvia Tyson (Ian and Sylvia) is 85. R&B singer Freda Payne is 83. Actor Jeremy Irons is 77. Musician-producer Nile Rodgers is 73. Musician Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) is 63. Country singer Trisha Yearwood is 61. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is 60. SEPT. 20 Actor Sophia Loren is 92. Author George R. R. Martin is 78. Actor Gary Cole is 70. Actor Maggie Cheung is 62. Actor Kristen Johnston is 59. Rock singers Gunnar and Matthew Nelson are 59. SEPT. 21 Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 83. Musician Don Felder is 79. Author Stephen King is 79. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 76. Filmmaker Ethan Coen is 69. Actor Nancy Travis is 65. Actor Cheryl Hines is 61. Country singer Faith Hill is 59. Actor Luke Wilson is 55.

PATRICK SEMANSKY / AP PHOTO

Author Stephen King, pictured in 2022, turns 79 on Monday. SEPT. 22 Singer-choreographer-actor Toni Basil is 83. Musician King Sunny Adé is 80. Football Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael is 77. Rock singer David Coverdale (Deep Purple, Whitesnake) is 75. Actor Shari Belafonte is 72. Singer Debby Boone is 70. Nick Cave is 69. Singer Andrea Bocelli is 68. Singer-musician Joan Jett is 68. SEPT. 23 Singer Julio Iglesias is 83. Actor/singer Mary Kay Place is 79. Rock star Bruce Springsteen is 77. Director/playwright George C. Wolfe is 72. Actor Rosalind Chao is 69. Actor Jason Alexander is 67. Singer Ani DiFranco is 56.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, September 17, 2026

the stream Elisabete Wagner attends the premiere of Prime Video’s “Neagley” at Metrograph in New York on Sept. 8.

ANDY KROPA / INVISION VIA AP

‘Dancing with the Stars,’ Carly Rae Jepsen, ‘Tony,’ ‘Marvel’s Wolverine’ video game Season six of “Slow Horses” is now streaming on Apple TV The Associated Press THE RETURN of “Dancing with the Stars” and a new album from Luke Bryan 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, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: A new album from Carly Rae Jepsen, RuPaul in “Stop That Train” and “Marvel’s Wolverine” video game. MOVIES TO STREAM It can be easy to miss some of the late summer standouts in theaters, but a number of them have landed on premium video-on-demand. Matt Johnson’s “Tony,” starring Dominic Sessa as a young Anthony Bourdain, is a charming coming-of-age tale set over a 1970s summer on Cape Cod. Alexander Ullom’s “It Ends” is about friends on a late-night food run who become trapped on an infinite highway. And David Robert Mitchell’s “The End of Oak Street” is an Amblin-inspired suburban romp, with family drama and dinosaurs. “Stop That Train” (Sunday on Netflix) stars RuPaul as the American president, and “Drag Race” alumni Ginger Minj and Jujubee play stewardesses on a train, the Glamazonian Express. Such is the setup of this bonkers comedy from “Hairspray” director Adam Shankman about a train speeding toward disaster. Very possibly the best movie I’ve seen in 2026 first came out in 1970. Satyajit Ray’s “Days and Nights in the Forest” has long been unavailable, unlike some of the Bengali master director’s other films. But a restoration released earlier this year revived a too-little-seen masterwork. It’s now streaming on the Criterion Channel, with an introduction from Wes Anderson. In it, three privileged bachelors from the city vacation in a rural Indian district populated by Santhals, an Indigenous group. Their interactions with the locals, as well as an elegant young woman (a beguiling Sharmila Tagore) visiting a family house, in ways both small and profound traverse chasms of caste, class and gender.

ARLYN MCADOREY / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Gary Oldman poses on the red carpet for “Slow Horses” at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 11. MUSIC TO STREAM He knows what works, and that’s what he continues to provide. Country all-star Bryan will release his ninth studio album, “Signs,” on Friday — a 12-track collection of radio-ready classics. In her review, AP music writer Maria Sherman wrote, “The medium is the message: These are feel-good tracks meant to warm the listener, from the crush-worthy “Country and She Knows It” to the cheeky “Fish Hunt Golf Drink” and beyond.” Anthrax — one of the “Big Four” leaders of the thrash metal scene alongside Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer — is back with the band’s first album in a decade. “Cursum Perficio,” out Friday, follows 2016’s “For All Kings” and promises huge riffs and venomous vocals. Start with the nearly seven-minute face-melter “The Edge of Perfection.” Jepsen returns with a double album, “Day & Night,” also out Friday. For those who really, really, really like her energetic synth-pop, you’ll want to jump straight to the second half. The first is full of psychedelic flair, with dreamy ’70s references instead of her familiar dance-pop. Together, they make for a dy-

JOHN AMIS / AP PHOTO

Luke Bryan arrives on the red carpet for Alan Jackson’s farewell concert, “Last Call: One More for the Road — The Finale,” on June 27 in Nashville, Tennessee. Bryan’s new album, “Signs,” will be released Friday. namic listen from an evolving performer. SERIES TO STREAM “Dancing with the Stars” cha-chas back to TV on Disney+. Episodes are also streaming on Hulu. This time, experienced dancers like Jenna Dewan (who starred in “Step Up”) and Julia Stiles (who starred in “Save the Last Dance”) compete against novice dancers like Maura Hig-

gins (“Love Island” and “Traitors”), Tatyana Ali (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) and Ciara Miller (“Summer House”). Time will tell if this 35th season will be as popular as last year’s go-round, which delivered the show’s strongest overall ratings since 2019 and its best season finale in 10 years. Apple TV premiered season six of its spy hit “Slow Horses,” starring Gary Oldman. The new episodes are adapted from Mick

Herron’s sixth and seventh books in his “Slough House” series. Olivia Cooke’s Sid Baker resurfaces after she supposedly died from a gunshot wound to the head. A “Reacher” spinoff called “Neagley” launches with Maria Sten (Frances Neagley) as the star of the Chicago-set show. Instead of being someone who attracts trouble like Jack Reacher, Neagley is a private investigator who chooses her battles. The series is on Prime Video, along with “Reacher”’s Season 4 finale. The Sega arcade game “Golden Axe” has been adapted into an adult animated series for Paramount+. All 10 episodes are now streaming. The voice cast includes 2026 Emmy winner Matthew Rhys, Danny Pudi (“Community”), and Lisa Gilroy (“The Paper”). Ella Beatty is the first female “Monster” in Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s anthology series for Netflix. She stars as Lizzie Borden, who was accused of killing her father and stepmother in the late 1800s. It premieres Thursday. VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY “Marvel’s Wolverine” is probably the crankiest of our major superheroes, but it doesn’t make him any less beloved. In this new game, he’s dragged back into action by Team X to fight a corporation that’s bent on kidnapping and eliminating mutants. Turns out old Logan’s surliness has some benefits, thanks to a “rage mode” that makes him deadlier as he gets angrier. Expect cameos from the likes of Mystique, Sabretooth and Jean Grey in an adventure that bounces from Canada to Japan and beyond. Sony’s in-house studio Insomniac Games has developed three terrific Spider-Man titles, so the expectations for this piece of the Marvel Universe are high. The claws come out on PlayStation 5. In Nintendo’s “Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave,” four fighters aim to test their mettle in the Heroic Games. If you’re a fan of this franchise, though, you’re probably craving something other than solo gladiatorial combat. Indeed, each of the four heroes has a story to tell as they explore the sprawling Dagdan Empire, diving into dungeons and recruiting allies with the goal of eventually defeating a demon god. That means a lot more of the tactical, turn-based team combat that has made previous Fire Emblem epics so addictive. Start rallying your troops Thursday on Switch 2.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 30 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

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BRIEF this week

Free Medicare workshop set for Beulaville A free Medicare educational workshop will be held Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. at Duff’s Cafe at 114 E. Main St. in Beulaville. The seminar will cover how Medicare works, coverage options, common parts of Medicare that can be confusing and ways to avoid costly coverage gaps. A complimentary meal will be provided, and attendees can bring questions for a local licensed insurance agent. Seating is limited. For information or assistance, call 919-339-9126.

Farrior Park receives $356K grant Duplin County has received a $356,131 grant to support improvements at Farrior Park in Wallace through North Carolina’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The grant is part of more than $9.8 million awarded for 25 local parks and recreation projects statewide. PARTF, administered by North Carolina State Parks, provides funding for land acquisition, new recreation facilities and improvements to existing parks. Duplin County was one of 24 recipients in the latest grant cycle.

Warsaw police arrest man after reported break-in attempt Warsaw police arrested a man Sept. 4 after responding to a report that he allegedly attempted to force his way into an apartment by repeatedly kicking and damaging the door. According to the Warsaw Police Department, officers reviewed Ring doorbell footage that captured the incident and later located Adrain Jonte Brinson walking away from the area. Brinson allegedly refused repeated commands to stop and fled on foot. Officers pursued Brinson and eventually took him into custody. Police said he continued resisting while being arrested and placed in a patrol vehicle. Brinson was taken to ECU Health Duplin Hospital for medical evaluation because of erratic behavior and injuries sustained during the struggle. Two Warsaw officers suffered minor injuries, and several pieces of department-issued equipment and uniform items were damaged, according to police.

Heart’s Hope to hold inaugural gala Sept. 24 Heart’s Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center will hold its inaugural gala Sept. 24 at River Landing. Visit heartshopecpc.com for more details.

COURTESY DAVID WHITE WALLACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

WCA grows, dedicates new middle school Wallace Christian Academy students are celebrating a new chapter as the school opens its Phase 3A middle school building. The first students enjoying classes in the new building had the special honor of cutting the ribbon to officially open the facility last week. The expansion extends the school’s offerings through sixth grade as the academy continues to grow.

Commissioners table proposed classification, pay plan until October The board wants a clearer picture of the plan’s cost and its impact on current employees and taxpayers By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County commissioners unanimously voted to table a proposed classification and pay

plan until their October meeting as county officials work to determine the full financial impact of implementing the plan. County Manager Lisa Hughes presented the revised plan following an initial base-

Mount Olive board accepts town manager’s resignation The board appointed Glenn Holland as interim town manager and finance officer By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal THE MOUNT OLIVE Board of Commissioners held an emergency meeting last Friday to ac-

cept Town Manager Octavius Murphy’s resignation and appoint Glenn Holland as interim town manager and finance officer. “Octavius Murphy stated

that he needed to focus on his health. … The job of town manager is very stressful,” Commissioner Gena Messer-Knode told Duplin Journal. “I thought he was doing a tremendous job, and I begged him to stay. It is a great loss to Mount Olive.” Murphy’s resignation letter

Wallace council backs group home for children with disabilities The new facility will provide residential and behavioral services for up to 10 children By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal

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line classification plan introduced in June. The initiative was developed to address staffing shortages and align Duplin County’s minimum wages with neighboring jurisdictions. The county currently has more than 80 vacant positions across county departments, with vacancies heavily concentrated in critical public services,

FAMILIES OF CHILDREN who have autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities could soon have a new residential option closer to home after the Wallace Town Council last Thursday unanimously approved a permit for a group home on North Teachey Road. The 3,000-square-foot cinder-block building sits on about an acre of land at 800 N. Teachey Road, and it will be operated by Serenity Therapeutic Services, a

Raeford-based company owned by Darrin McNeill. The company provides residential and therapeutic services for children and adults with autism, behavioral and mental health issues, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. McNeill told the council that his organization currently operates 21 facilities with about 130 residents. Approximately 92% of those residents are autistic, he said. The Wallace facility will accommodate up to 10 residents, who will live in the home around the clock and receive behavioral services. McNeill emphasized the goal is not to isolate residents from the community, but to help them become part of it. See HOME, page A5

including the sheriff’s office, Emergency Medical Services and the Department of Social Services. The proposed plan would establish a minimum county wage of $15 per hour across all county positions, raising the lowest-paid job grades to that level. See PAY, page A6

included a request for severance pay and asked the board to waive a 30-day notice requirement contained in his contract. Under the contract, Murphy was required to provide 30 days’ notice to receive severance pay. His effective resignation date, according to the Sept. 9 letter, was the close of business that same day. After a brief meeting, the board discussed severance pay, with one board member arguing that general rules prohibit employees who voluntarily See MANAGER, page A2

Duplin Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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Sheriff’s office moves forward DUPLIN happening with BLET prehire program The plan is to use the program to recruit deputies while a phased inmate transfer begins for the new jail By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

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MANAGER from page A1 resign from receiving severance. Other board members argued the contract was negotiated, accepted and officially approved by the board, making its terms binding on the town. Legal counsel Carroll Turner said Murphy was entitled to severance under the contract unless he was terminated for cause, such as improper conduct or an irreconcilable conflict. The board voted to approve the resignation and severance terms.

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KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office is moving forward with a prehire program for Basic Law Enforcement Training candidates as the county also prepares for a phased transition into its new 250-bed detention center. Chuck Weaver, deputy chief of the sheriff’s office, presented the BLET prehire employment model to the Duplin County Board of Commissioners last week, as an effort to address deputy vacancies and improve recruiting. Under the program, selected candidates — including promising interns, existing detention officers and other individuals the sheriff’s office considers strong candidates — would be prehired as paid county employees while attending BLET programs at institutions such as James Sprunt Community College or Lenoir Community College. The trainees would be onboarded as regular county employees and receive standard benefits, although they would not receive law-enforcement benefits until they become sworn deputies. While enrolled in BLET, their salaries would be set at up to 10% below the minimum pay rate for an entry-level deputy. After graduating and becoming sworn deputies, the

“This was another positive aspect to it because a lot of people can’t afford to take off work for eight months and survive.” Chuck Weaver, Duplin County Sheriff’s Office deputy chief trainees would transition to full deputy status. Participants would be required to sign a binding agreement committing them to serve as sworn deputies with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for at least two years following graduation. The program is designed for one to two trainees at a time. Candidates would include high-performing internal employees, such as current detention officers, or vetted university interns. “So this was another positive aspect to it because a lot of people can’t afford to take off work for eight months and survive,” Weaver said. Board members and the county attorney discussed financial recourse if a candidate fails to complete BLET or resigns before fulfilling the service commitment. The board approved the overall program concept and directed the county attorney to adjust the repayment and default clauses so they mirror the county’s existing EMS paramedic training contracts. A finalized contract template will return to the board in October for formal execution.

Detention center transition The transition to the new 250-bed detention center is also moving forward as a phased rollout. The update was presented to the board for information and did not require formal action. The sheriff’s office plans to transfer female inmates to a dedicated pod in the new facility first. A dedicated team of detention officers is already assigned to female inmates, and officials plan to move them first to avoid overwhelming staff during the initial transition. Moving the female inmates to the new facility will create additional capacity in the existing 95-bed jail, which frequently houses between 120 and 130 inmates. The additional space will allow the county to return 10 to 15 male inmates currently housed in neighboring counties, including Sampson, Lenoir and Onslow counties. Returning those inmates will save the county out-of-county housing fees. A public open house, tours and ribbon-cutting ceremony are planned for early October. Phased inmate transfers are expected to begin from mid-October through November, with full occupation of the new facility projected for late December or early January. Under a July 29, 2024, agreement with the Town of Kenansville regarding municipal utility limits, water and sewer services at the old jail will be taken completely offline once the new facility is fully occupied.

USDA announces funding opportunities for area farmers Producers need to apply to be considered for fiscal year 2027 funding Duplin Journal staff NORTH CAROLINA farmers and agricultural producers have until Oct. 30 to apply for consideration for fiscal year 2027 conservation funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The funding, supported by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, is part of what USDA describes as a historic investment in conservation on agricultural lands. NRCS State Conservationist Matt Walker encouraged producers to work with their local NRCS offices to identify opportunities that can help protect natural resources while keeping agricultural opera-

tions productive, profitable and sustainable for future generations. Available programs include the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, which helps protect agricultural land from development and restore and enhance wetlands; the Conservation Stewardship Program, which helps producers build on existing conservation practices; and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides technical and financial assistance to address concerns such as water and air quality, soil health and erosion. NRCS is also offering additional financial assistance through the Regenerative Pilot Program. The initiative allows producers to pursue whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application for EQIP and CSP funding.

Oct. 30 Application deadline to be considered for USDA NRCS funding

Although NRCS accepts applications throughout the year, producers interested in being considered for fiscal year 2027 funding should submit applications by Oct. 30. The agency has provided conservation assistance to farmers, ranchers and forestland owners for more than 90 years, using science, technology and voluntary, incentive-based programs to improve natural resources and strengthen agricultural operations. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.