North State Journal Vol. 5, Issue 50

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 50

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

Trump lawyers: Impeachment case unconstitutional WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers in a briefing denied allegations he incited supporters to riot at the U.S. Capitol and called the trial unconstitutional on Tuesday.

“It is denied that President Trump ever endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government,” defense lawyers wrote in a 14page brief.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tillis announces $100 million grant for vaccine distribution WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Thom Tillis announced a grant will be awarded to N.C. Emergency Management to help COVID-19 vaccine distribution, totaling just over $102 million.

The award provides expedited federal funding to reimburse 100% of costs related to the state’s vaccination program for a 90-day period. Those costs include equipment and supplies needed for storing, handling, and distributing vaccines; PPE and additional support staff; leasing facilities for storing and administering vaccines; and communications to disseminate public information.

“The COVID-19 vaccine must be distributed in a timely and effective manner, and I’m confident that this grant will help make it possible,” said Sen. Tillis. “With every administered vaccine, North Carolina gets one step closer to defeating this virus.”

NSJ STAFF

Charlotte mayor casts tie-breaking vote for city council replacement CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles broke a 5-5 deadlock to appoint former District 4 Councilman Greg Phipps to an at-large position on the Charlotte City Council Monday.

The appointment process, preceded by the departure of James “Smuggie” Mitchell to construction firm RJ Leeper, was criticized by other council members.

WBTV reported that Councilman Braxton Winston would not support any of the candidates, saying the merits of the candidates did not receive full discussion.

Phipps was nominated by Councilman Malcolm Graham, who previously served in the General Assembly. Other council members backed Jessica Davis, who Graham defeated in the city’s 2019 Democratic primary for his current seat.

Lyles said after the vote, “To the 143 people who took the time to apply and contact us, I remind you that filing opens in July and I encourage your continued participation in the electoral process.”

NSJ STAFF

Young men accuse Lincoln Project cofounder of harassment WASHINGTON, D.C. — The anti-Donald Trump group Lincoln Project is under fire as one of its co-founders left the group after multiple reports that, over several years, he sexually harassed young men looking to break into politics.

John Weaver, 61, left the group following reports that he repeatedly sent unsolicited and sexually charged messages online to young men, often while suggesting he could help them get work in politics.

Weaver advised the late Sen. John McCain and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich in their unsuccessful runs for the White House. He acknowledged he sent “inappropriate” messages he “viewed as consensual, mutual conversations at the time.”

The Lincoln Project’s other founders include Mitt Romney presidential adviser Stuart Stevens, former McCain strategist Steve Schmidt, and consultant Rick Wilson.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHOTO BY THE NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES

Sir Walter Wally says early spring Sir Walter Wally can be seen in this photo provided by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

Clash over new NC social studies standards intensifies State Board of Ed to vote on Feb. 3

alism, etcetera.”

Ford said there was no legitimate debate to be had over whether systemic racism existed or not, and to pretend there

By David Larson is was like debating whether the and A.P. Dillon earth is flat. Near the end of his North State Journal remarks, Ford said he thought the standards “do a good job,” RALEIGH — On Wednesday, and remarked that “it’s not as if Feb. 3, the N.C. Board of Educa- they [the standards] don’t adtion will vote on new social stud- dress American exceptionalism; they talk about criies standards which tiquing that... Our have become a politijob here is not to cal lightning rod due rescue America to their shift in perfrom constructive spective on state and “Lt. Gov. critique or to projnational history. Pro- Robinson and ect optimism. What gressives are rallying we need is not the to defend the new an- his allies on the power of positive gle as a needed crit- State Board of thinking.” ical look at the sysRobinson imtemic racism and Education are mediately asked to homophobia they say not demanding respond to Ford’s has always pervaded that state comments, saying American life, while he did not think the conservatives say they education three changes to are unnecessarily di- officials create the new standards visive and political, made them any less ignoring parts of his- standards radical. tory that would bring that sugarcoat “They do not students together and change the first ismake them proud of history. Instead, sue that I have their state and coun- they are asking with these stantry. for standards dards; and the first During their Jan. issue I have with 27 meeting, Lt. Gov. that give equal these standards is Mark Robinson and weight to the the overall tone,” some of the other conRobinson said. “I servative members of nation’s failures think they are pothe N.C. Board of Ed- and successes.” litically charged. I ucation clashed with think they are diJames Ford and othvisive, and I think er progressive board Terry Stoops, members. director of the John they, quite frankly, smack of a lot of “If we’re being hon- Locke Foundation’s leftist dogma.” est and forthright, Robinson, who this debate is con- Center for Effective is the state’s first nected to a much lon- Education black lieutenant ger, a much broader governor, pushed national discourse,” back on the “code words” in the said Ford during the meeting.

He said he was an advisor standards, like “systemic racwhen the revised AP U.S. His- ism,” that give students a negatory framework was being de- tive view of their country, stating bated, and that “the same argu- that the “system of government ments were being lodged,” such we have in this nation is not sysas focusing too much on “subju- temically racist. In fact, it is not gation and oppression of black racist at all.” It is worth noting and LatinX and Native Amer- that Robinson is North Caroliican folk… it doesn’t play up enough of American exception- See EDUCATION, page A2

Gov. Cooper says North Carolina schools should open for inperson instruction Decision comes after months of pressure from parents and lawmakers

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — During a Feb. 2 press conference, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said the state’s schools should return to in-person instruction.

During a Council of State meeting earlier in the day, N.C. superintendent of public instruction Catherine Truitt said that she would join

today’s COVID-19 briefing in “an effort to urge our districts across the state to re-open our schools to in-person learning.”

Cooper did not issue a new executive order at the briefing, but instead indicated that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) will be updated. The updated language says all K-12 schools should “return to in-person five days a week to the fullest extent possible” while adhering to safety protocols such as See SCHOOLS, page A2

NC Association of Local Health Directors express concern to NCDHHS on vaccine directives Jan. 24 letter sent to NCDHHS Sec. Mandy Cohen asks for more transparency on vaccines

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A letter dated Jan. 24 from the NC Association of Local Health Directors to N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen expresses concern with the department’s vaccine directives and calls for more communication and better transparency.

The NC Association of Local Health Directors (NCALHD) mission is to “promote health, prevent disease, protect the environment in order to ensure the public’s health in North Carolina through leadership, vision, advocacy, and commitment to the principles of public health practice in our local communities and throughout the state.”

The letter to Cohen was signed

by NCALHD’s president Stacie Turpin Saunders and executive director Katye Griffin and lists a series of “major concerns and issues” with the recent vaccination directive from N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) which shifted doses from counties to mass vaccination event sites despite local ramp up and appointment setting.

“While decisions for vaccine rollout are made by NCDHHS, the consequences of those decisions are felt at the local level. All response implementation is local — in communities and neighborhoods where LHDs, hospitals and other providers have built foundations of trust, integrity, and service,” write Saunders and Griffin.

NCALHD has asked NCDHHS to be transparent about vaccination allocations and provide “clear communication and real-

istic timelines” when it comes to carrying out directives. The letter also says that “No local health department should ever receive a zero allocation.”

The first concern in the letter notes NCDHHS’ change is tied to both the department’s “desire to improve national rankings” and NCDHH’s directive to move “all 1st doses off shelves by end of JanSee VACCINE, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

THE WORD: A FIRM FOUNDATION

2.3.21

The first two days of God’s creation, as detailed in Genesis 1, were focused on more abstract constructs like light and heaven. But, on the third day, God truly laid a firm foundation for humanity. John Rippon’s 1787 hymn “How Firm a Foundation” speaks of the faith foundation that is laid by the Bible. Genesis 1 begins a journey of faith that begins with a physical manifestation of the foundation.

In Genesis 1:9, God brings the dry land out of the seas. He exposes the rock where Matthew 7 tells us the wise man builds his house. He then creates the fruits, seeds and weeds which are central to the parables of Matthew 13. God also creates the trees which play a subtle role in many stories of the Bible, including the conversion of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 and Abraham’s oaks of Mamre in Genesis 13. The third day was the foundation for our physical world, our faith journey and the stories of the Bible.

#268

“Esse quam videri”

GENESIS 1:9-13 Visit us online nsjonline.com North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) PUBLIC DOMAIN

Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.

9

“Abraham’s Oak” by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1905) is a painting held in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

Emily Roberson Business/Features Editor David Larson Associate Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor

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EDUCATION from page A1 na’s first black Lieutenant Governor.

Some of the state’s Democratic leaders sent out a press release soon after, responding to Robinson’s comments.

“As a black woman and lifelong educator, I am alarmed by Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson’s deeply insensitive comments,” said N.C. Democratic Party first vice chair Bobbie Richardson.

“His sentiments fly in the face of the continued inequities people of color face every day in our society.

As many have said before me, if we do not remember our history, we are bound to repeat it. Teaching our children the painful past of our country is a necessary and important step in the fight for racial equality and creating that more perfect union we strive to be.”

State Sen. Gladys Robinson

VACCINE from page A1 uary 25.”

“This directive includes 120,000 doses that were only just delivered January 21 per direct NCDHHS communication,” the letter states. “Communication from NCDHHS states the need for this quick removal of vaccine is to meet a federal directive and DHHS communications reference need/desire to improve national rankings.”

The letter says that mass vaccination events have diverted much needed vaccine doses from local communities and has “left many providers with little to no vaccine to fulfill their already scheduled appointments for health care workers and those 65 years and older.”

In addition, the NCALHD also decried being forced to abandon scheduled appointments citing “direct guidance” from NCDHHS telling them to “cancel those appoint-

(D-Guilford) agreed, saying, “Systemic racism is very real,” and state Rep. Rosa Gill (D-Wake) added, “We cannot shelter our students from the ugly reality that racism has torn this country apart. In order to make progress, we must educate and address these inequities openly and directly.”

But Robinson was not the only one to object to the negative tone of the standards. Board member Olivia Oxendine, a Native American who represents the Sandhills region, said of them, “Not so much the lower grades but the upper grades, I take away the feeling of ‘America the oppressor,’ not ‘America the land of opportunity.’

It is a tone I am receiving when I look at the standards in entirety, but especially more specifically in the upper grades.”

Terry Stoops, director of the John Locke Foundation’s Center for Effective Education, said these

ments” to get vaccines “off shelves by January 25.”

After following the rules and setting up appointments, the letter states local health departments are now “forced to call back these individuals, who are overwhelmingly those 65 years and older, and inform them that they no longer have a vaccine.

Because doses were diverted, grandmothers and grandfathers who had appointments in rural NC now wait. Health care workers who had appointments where they serve patients now wait.”

On Jan. 25, the day after NCALHD sent their letter, NCDHHS launched its “Find My Vaccine Group” website. The new tool is supposed to help North Carolinians find out what group they fit into to get their dose of the vaccine and then allows for notification when their group can get vaccinated.

“Given the very limited supplies we currently have, there

standards are like others, many based on the New York Times’ “1619 Project,” that focus on slavery as the single defining characteristic in American history.

“Like The 1619 Project, North Carolina’s draft social studies standards attempt to place human subjugation at the center of the American story,” said Stoops.

“But that interpretation of our history is little more than a politically and ideologically motivated attack on the core principles and ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.”

And many parents seem to agree with Robinson, Oxendine and Stoops. A petition being shared by those opposed to the standards has been signed by around 22,000 people, as of Feb. 2. The petition states that “The proposed standards are political in nature and paint America

SCHOOLS from page A1 social distancing. Language in the guidance on masks being required remained unchanged.

When asked why there was no executive order, Cooper said “because districts want to know what the state believes” and that “we are giving them that guidance today.”

He said that they will let districts make the decision accordingly.

The N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE) issued a press statement pushing Cooper to place educators at the top of the vaccination list if he intends to reopen schools for in-person learning.

“If Governor Cooper feels so strongly about resuming in-person instruction quickly, then he should support educators and immediately bring the full weight of his office to bear to get all educators vaccinated by the end of this month, just as 25 other states have been able to do,” said NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly.

Kelly also said local school boards should “continue to make decisions that protect students and educators based on local conditions,” while citing “emerging and increasingly virulent strains of COVID.” The governor’s actions struck some legislators as belated, as state lawmakers had signaled near the end of January they would take action, and the Senate has already drafted a bill to reopen the state’s

PHOTO VIA NC STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Staff at Chowan Middle School discuss student progress. school for in-person instruction.

“Gov. Cooper has not acted decisively and the public education bureaucracy has rejected its most fundamental task: educating our children. It’s time for this travesty to end,” Sen. Phil Berger (R-Eden) said in a Jan. 28 press release.

Senate Bill 37, titled, “In-Person Learning Choice for Families,” passed its first reading, and testimony from parents was heard just an hour before Cooper’s announcement. The bill instructs all state school districts to follow the Dec. 4, 2020, version of the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) by implementing Plan A (Minimal Social Distancing) and Plan B (Moderate Social Distancing). While the

bill specifically instructs districts to offer Plan A and Plan B, it also says a remote option should be available for students who still wish to participate in them.

Senate Bill 37 cites a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the “dramatic increase in children’s mental health visits to hospital emergency rooms,” including an increase of 24% for children ages 5–11 and 30% for children between the ages of 12–17, when comparing emergency room rates from April to October of 2020 and the same months in 2019.

“Among all the COVID tragedies, the most preventable is the lost learning potential that, for some kids, will last a lifetime. After

may be wait times, but every North Carolinian has a spot.

A spot for accurate information. A spot in line. A spot to take their shot,” said Cohen in a press release.

The release states that “North Carolina’s goal is to vaccinate as many people as quickly and equitably as possible.” It also said the CDC had “ranked North Carolina 10th in total vaccines administered and 29th in vaccines administered per 100,000 people.” By Jan. 29, NCDHHS was boasting the state was now ranked sixth in the nation for number of doses administered.

The state had been one of the slowest in the country in terms of vaccine disbursement and administration leading up to the weekend of Jan. 24. NCDHHS credits “large-scale vaccination events” and asking providers to “aggressively ramp up their vaccine throughput” with the ranking shift.

“While decisions for vaccine rollout are made by NCDHHS, the consequences of those decisions are felt at the local level. All response implementation is local — in communities and neighborhoods where LHDs [Local Health Directors], hospitals and other providers have built foundations of trust, integrity, and service.”

NC Association of Local Health Directors letter

and her history as evil and racist.

These divisive standards consistently separate Americans into groups in an effort to undermine our unity. The proposed standards indoctrinate our students against our great country and our founders. The standards are not age-appropriate in the elementary grades.”

The petition also lists the email addresses of the board of education members and encourages people to email them, since “State Board Members were told over 7,000 emails were received & 85% supportive. We need 7,000+ emails to State Board members NOT SUPPORTIVE,” which they’ve since received three times over.

“The overwhelming response to Lt. Gov. Robinson’s petition suggests that the State Board of Education is out of touch with the views of North Carolinians,” said

Stoops. “While the State Board of Education is not obligated to include public opinion in its deliberations, it would be unwise for state education officials to approve the draft standards despite the objections of thousands of North Carolinians.”

Stoops said if the State Board of Education were to approve these standards as written, “I suspect that the General Assembly will get involved.”

“North Carolina needs social studies standards focused on providing students a balanced perspective of American history,” Stoops said. “Lt. Gov. Robinson and his allies on the State Board of Education are not demanding that state education officials create standards that sugarcoat history. Instead, they are asking for standards that give equal weight to the nation’s failures and successes.”

hearing from so many parents and teachers, we have to act immediately to return children to the classroom to stop further damage,” said Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga), who sits on the Senate Education/ Higher Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations on Education/Higher Education Committee.

Wake County parent Kelly Rogers Mann has led a parent group seeking the return to in-person instruction.

“The bill is so ultra-important,” said Mann, who spoke at Ballard’s committee meeting Feb. 2. Mann said that the bill needs to continue to move forward regardless of what the governor says at his press conference. She also said that the state’s two largest districts, Wake and Mecklenburg, “should be leading the way,” but are currently in Plan C, remote instruction.

Both Berger’s press release and the bill cite the ABC Science Collaborative, and CDC recommendations on COVID protocols would likely be included in any action taken. Most recently, the CDC has released studies showing low-to-no transmission in schools and that they can and should operate using current mitigation options like masks and social distancing.

Earlier this month, a study conducted by Duke University, the ABC Science Collaborative and several other notable organizations showed no child-to-adult transmission and

said “within-school infections were extremely rare.” The study looked at 11 North Carolina school districts and nearly 100,000 students and staff that were open for nine weeks of in-person instruction.

Over the summer, Cooper said returning to school full-time was not an option. The governor announced the use of Plan B, the in-person and remote instruction hybrid, but he also said districts could choose Plan C, remote instruction only.

With the largest districts opting for remote instruction, the majority of North Carolina’s over 1.5 million K-12 students did not have access to in-person school. Cooper eventually permitted full-time, in-person instruction in mid-September, but only for elementary schools.

According to a Jan. 28 Civitas Institute Poll, 46% of likely registered voters give Cooper a “thumbsdown” on school reopening with only 39% giving him a “thumbsup.” Disapproval was strongest among Hispanic respondents, with 59% expressing their concern over the governor’s handling of school closures.

Voters were also not happy with their local school district actions, with 45% either strongly or somewhat disapproving and only 34% approving of their district’s actions.

The poll also revealed that almost seven in 10 respondents believe student learning has been negatively impacted by instructional changes made in response to the pandemic.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

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Think tank releases annual NC vaccine prioritization framework updated to campus free speech ratings North Carolina had more ‘green light’ ratings than any other state

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Free speech on college campuses saw improvement for the 13th year in a row, according to a report by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE. FIRE’s 2021 Spotlight on Free Speech report says that the number of schools earning an overall “red light” rating has dropped three points over the previous year to 21.3%. That’s a 50-point drop since FIRE began publishing the Spotlight report in 2009.

Schools rated by FIRE in North Carolina received more green light ratings than any other state.

FIRE reviewed 478 schools, both public and private, and 27 schools improved their overall ratings this year. According to this year’s findings, nearly the same number of public schools earned a green-light rating (52) as those that earned a red-light rating (54).

FIRE’s definition of their Red, Yellow and Green ratings are as follows: Red Light: A red light institution maintains at least one policy both clearly and substantially restricting freedom of speech, or bars public access to its speech-related policies by requiring a university login and password for access.

Yellow Light: A yellow light institution maintains policies that could be interpreted to suppress protected speech or policies that, while clearly restricting freedom of speech, restrict relatively narrow categories of speech.

Green Light: If FIRE finds that a university’s policies do not seriously threaten campus expression, that college or university receives a green light rating.

A green light rating does not necessarily indicate that a school actively supports free expression in practice; it simply means that the school’s written policies do not pose a serious threat to free speech.

There is also a “warning” rating, which FIRE assigns mainly to private universities and colleges which have their own priorities and right to freedom of association. FIRE uses such a rating to warn potential faculty, staff and students of that fact.

Key Report Findings: 102 (21.3%) received a red-light rating.

312 (65.3%) received a yellow-light rating.

56 (11.7%) received a green-light rating.

Eight (1.7%) earned a Warning rating.

The report also states that

Key Report Findings: 102 (21.3%) received a red-light rating.

312 (65.3%) received a yellow-light rating.

56 (11.7%) received a green-light rating.

Eight (1.7%) earned a Warning rating.

7.1% of institutions surveyed maintain “free speech zone” policies, which FIRE says may “limit student demonstrations and other expressive activities to small and/or out-of-the-way areas on campus.” This number has dropped by nearly half since 2013. FIRE credits the change in part to its own litigation and legislative efforts.

Two North Carolina schools in the report listed as having “free speech zones” are the UNC School of the Arts and Elizabeth City State University.

Of the 372 public universities FIRE reviewed, 54 received a red-light rating (14.5%), 264 received a yellow-light rating (71%), and 52 received a greenlight rating (14%). The report says the percentage of public schools with a red-light rating dropped from 18.3% last year to 14.5% this year.

There were 106 private colleges and universities reviewed in the report. The breakdown includes 47 (44.3%) receiving a red-light rating, 49 (46.2%) earning a yellow-light rating and four (3.8%) receiving a green light.

Additionally, six schools earned a Warning rating (5.7%).

A number of schools in North Carolina were included in FIRE’s report this year, and all but one institution maintained the same rating they were given in the prior year’s report.

Schools earning a green light again this year include Appalachian State University, Duke University, East Carolina University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Central University, N.C. State, Western Carolina University, and UNC System schools at Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Pembroke and Wilmington.

Yellow-light ratings remained unchanged for Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Wake Forest University, UNC Asheville and UNC School of the Arts.

Winston-Salem State University and Davidson College are the only two institutions that received a red-light rating in the current report. Davidson had a red light in FIRE’s report in 2020, but Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) had been issued a yellow light.

North State Journal reached out to Davidson College and Winston-Salem State Universi-

ty (WSSU) for comment about their ratings. Despite several attempts, Davidson College did not respond to our requests; however, Winston-Salem University did offer a statement.

“Winston-Salem State University highly values our student’s right to freedom of speech and by no means intend to restrict that,” WSSU’s director of Communications and Media Relations Haley Gingles wrote in an email response.

“The language FIRE has tagged as ‘red light’ was found in a previous version of the Undergraduate Catalog. The current Catalog (the 2020-2021 Supplemental Undergraduate Catalog) does not contain the red-light language,” wrote Gingles. “The section regarding ‘Policies and Regulations Governing Student Life’ is replaced with a general reference to the Student Handbook.”

Gingles said that the WSSU Student Handbook is a “critical guide for student behavior, and it reflects the university’s desire and support for students to express themselves freely.”

“While the university hopes FIRE would change WSSU’s rating based on the use of outdated documents, we have no control over FIRE’s processes or criteria,” Gingles said.

North State Journal reached out to FIRE with Gingles remarks and received a response from Laura Beltz, senior program officer for FIRE’s Individual Rights Education Program.

“We were happy to hear this language was removed since that update in 2019, and have updated WSSU’s rating on our website accordingly,” said Beltz. “Indeed, WSSU removed its only ‘red light’ policy, and improved to an overall ‘yellow light’ rating. We will be pleased to note this rating change in next year’s report, and commend the university for taking this substantial step forward for free speech!”

Beltz said that FIRE updates the ratings for each of the schools in our database annually on a rolling basis and that for this past December’s report, FIRE started updating schools on Oct. 1, 2019, and drafted the report in October 2020. She said that as part of that process, WSSU’s rating was updated in November 2019, and the “red-light” policy language appeared on WSSU’s website at that time, so WSSU was listed as an overall “red light” school in December’s report.

“Remaining speech codes we have flagged at WSSU include harassment policies that do not track the Supreme Court’s speech-protective standard for hostile environment harassment and an assembly policy that requires students to obtain a permit 3 days in advance, thereby preventing spontaneous expressive activism,” Beltz said. “We look forward to the opportunity to work with the university to improve these remaining speech codes!”

include court workers

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ (NCDHHS) latest update to its COVID-19 vaccination plan includes a wide range of judicial and court workers.

NCDHHS’ Vaccine Prioritization Framework altered its Front Line Essential Workers (Group 3) on Jan. 14 to include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) suggestions for essential workers. According to the related CISA memorandum, essential workers include those “supporting the operations of the judicial system, including judges, lawyers, and others providing legal assistance.”

The same day NCDHHS made the changes, NC State Bar President Barbara Christy issued a letter to Cooper and Cohen thanking them for their efforts and for recognizing “the essential nature of the services provided within the judicial branch and allowed judges, lawyers, and courthouse staff to continue administering justice to North Carolina citizens as constitutionally mandated.”

The changes were in part prompted by a Jan. 6 letter to Gov. Roy Cooper from Chief Justice Paul Newby asking for courthouse personnel to be included in NCDHHS’ frontline essential workers participating in Phase 1B of vaccinations. Newby’s letter also references the CISA memorandum, noting it states officials should “use their own judgment in making decisions regarding resource allocation and other public health measures.”

On Jan. 15, NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen responded to Newby’s letter and said changes to the state’s vaccine prioritiza-

tion is “evolving” at the state and federal levels and North Carolina would include the eight recommended CISA categories and noting prioritization directives from federal health officials.

“On Tuesday, the US HHS and Operation Warp Speed directed states to go to the 65 years and older population as the next group to receive vaccine and NC will follow this recommendation with an announcement tomorrow,” wrote Cohen. “Other groups will move down in the prioritization framework to allow for providers to vaccinate those in Groups 1 and 2 who are at higher risk for severe illness and death.”

Newby’s letter, which focused on staff such as clerks, judges, bailiffs and lawyers who frequent courthouses, is possibly being interpreted by counties to include all lawyers and legal workers.

North State Journal obtained an email sent to the Forsyth County Bar Association by Carrie F. Vickery, District Court judge of the 21st Judicial District, that appears to make that case. Vickery’s email references the CISA list of judicial workers that includes judges, lawyers and a host of others. According to that email, none of the workers will need to provide proof.

“I have spoken with the Forsyth County Department of Public Health to determine what an individual would need to show to confirm they fall within the Frontline Essential Worker category. You will only need to provide an affirmative statement that you fall within this category. No documentation or other confirmation is required,” Vickery’s email reads.

According to the North Carolina State Bar’s website, the organization “currently regulates over 28,000 licensed lawyers.”

PHOTO BY NCDHHS

Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, talks during a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic at the Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh.

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1/6/21 4:37 PM

Madison County Heavy rains on Dec. 28 washed away the RV that Marshall’s Derek Velthuis called home. Now, more than six weeks later, the remains of the vehicle appear to have been recovered. Debris was found seven miles away from the RV’s previous location, in a portion of the river not accessible by road. Velthuis is still waiting for insurance to pay out on the loss.

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Wake County Transylvania County Police arrested 60-year-old Stephen Conserving Carolina is adding 402 Denning of Garner and plan to charge acres to the DuPont State Recreational him in the shooting of two people at Forest. The new addition will allow the North February 3, 2021 a Walgreens on Thursday morning. conservation group to make sureState that Journal for Wednesday, Denning shot 31-year-old Sarah headwater streams along the Eastern Wright, who was the store’s pharmacy Continental Divide will be protected. manager. She was reportedly in stable The land connects the forest to 100,000 condition. A second victim, 33-year acres of protected land to the south. old Brandon Gordon, was in critical The group also added 800 acres last condition. A Wake County deputy shot month, and the two new land additions Denning, who was in stable condition. bring the size of the forest to more than 12,000 acres.

AP

AP

AP

St. Philip’s Zoo rhino dies at 49| Salem Moravian Church www.stphilipsmoravian.org Randolph County

Historic Sites of the Civil Schools to get Rights Movement NC Stop the Bleedin training

Grandfather Mountain reports 121 mph wind gusts

The North Carolina Zoo announced that a 49-year-old southern white rhino died on Friday. The rhino, named Stanley, is believed to have suffered a stroke in recent weeks. His health declined last week, and zookeepers decided to euthanize him. Stanley was born in South Africa in 1970 and has lived at the zoo since 1987.

Swain County School districts in three western counties will get training to help respond to a school shooting. The Great Smokies Heath Foundation has started a Stop the Bleed program for schools in Jackson, Swain and Graham counties.

Schools will get a Stop the Bleed medical kit, and teachers and staff will receive training on how to handle a shooting incident and treat critical injuries.

The YMI Cultural Center of Asheville www.ymiculturalcenter.org AP

Bertie County Drivers on Route 17 near Windsor called 911 last week, after seeing a bear atop a garbage truck driving down the highway. The bear apparently climbed on in search of food while the truck was stopped. He became trapped after the driver secured the netting over the top to keep garbage from blowing out.

Police stopped the truck, and the bear ran off when the netting was removed.

Murphy to Manteo

AP

Avery County Officials from Grandfather Mountain reported that wind gusts on the mountain reached 121.3 mph early last Wednesday morning. Gusts continued to top 100 mph for the next three hours.

The wind speed broke the previous record, of 120.7 mph, set on Dec. 21, 2012. The wind speed would be the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane.

Gaston County Members of the 878th Engineer Company returned home to Gastonia on Friday, arriving at the Bethlehem Church. The more than 100 members of the National Guard had been serving in Kuwait, Iraq and Syria. The company provided engineering support to forces, constructing base camps and internment facilities as well as making repairs to other buildings.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | Charlotte www.ganttcenter.org

AP

Charlotte Hawkins CommScope completes purchase of ARRIS Brown Museum | Gibsonville www.nchistoricsites.org/chb Catawba County Hickory-based CommScope, a global leader in producing communication network infrastructure, announced that its acquisition of ARRIS International was completed on Friday. The company also announced that Bruce McClelland, former CEO of ARRIS, will be chief operating officer of the combined company. CommScope’s former COO, Morgan Kurk, will shift to chief technology officer.

AP

Nina Simone Plaza | Tryon www.ninasimoneproject.org

WEST

North Carolina parks saw recordbreaking visitation in 2020

David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr., and Joseph McNeil leave the Woolworth in Greensboro, where they a lunch-counter sit-in to protest segregation began, Feb. 1, 1960.

AP

Missing hiker found safe Polk County Search and rescue units from a half dozen organizations worked overnight to locate a missing hiker in the Green River Cove area. The hiker was reported missing at 4:30 Saturday afternoon, with a Winter Storm Warning in effect for later that night. More than 40 rescuers from Saluda, Tryon, Columbus and Mill Spring fire departments; Polk County Recue; Polk County Emergency and Henderson County Rescue worked through harsh weather until the hiker was found safely at 10:45 the next morning.

five arrests

Bladen County Police in Elizabethtown conducted a Valentine’s Day roundup of drug suspects. Police arrested Tonya Guyton, Stormie Kimberly Gregg, Jimmy Lee Newkirk, Bronson Mark Brisson and Edward Lacy after undercover officers made purchases of prescription medication. Police also seized cocaine, marijuana, cash and a handgun.

What happens if Anita Earls is elected to the U.S. Senate?

A judge may become a candidate either in a primary or in a general election for a judicial office provided that the judge RALEIGH — Two candidates have announced their intent to run for the U.S. should resign the judge’s judicial office prior to becoming a candidate either in a Senate in the Democratic primary, state party primary or in a general election for Sen. Jeff Jackson and former state Sen. a nonjudicial office.

Erica Smith. Yet the state’s March 2022 That means Earls must resign just primary is over a year away, giving other three years into her term if she were to FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER potential candidates plenty of time to declare for the U.S. Senate race. raise money and campaign for the job.

AP If that happens, Gov. Roy Cooper Jackson sought to preempt attacks would appoint a replacement for Earls over his striking similarities to 2020 who would then run for a full eight-year Democratic nominee Cal Cunningham, term in the next general election. even giving an unprompted answer that Earls hasn’t signaled she would run, he “has not cheated on his wife” to a but two women of color on the ballot question Spectrum News One anchor in 2020 could also run — and rumors Tim Boyum asked him about candidate suggest one is readying an effort. diversity.

Former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, Smith, a black woman and threeaccording to one report, has hired term state senator, recently told the a campaign team and will join the Raleigh News & Observer that the Democratic primary. Beasley, who lost party does “better when our candidates the chief justice race to Republican Paul look like and reflect the values of what Newby by 401 votes, recently joined our party should be as the party of big a Raleigh law firm. But according to tent inclusion,” and that, “there is not a the report, she is putting together a cookie cutter white male version that is campaign team for the race. successful.”

The other, retired Supreme Court That criticism has helped fuel calls Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson, ran from some Democratic activists for against Republican Rep. Richard Hudson another candidate to enter the race, state and lost by five points in the state’s Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls.

Eighth Congressional District race.

A well-known lawyer who led many of Moving from the state Supreme Court the lawsuits against Republicans in the to Congress isn’t unprecedented. past decade, Earls ran for an associate Long-time First District Democratic justice seat in 2018 and won, defeating Rep. G.K. Butterfield served as an Republican incumbent Barbara Jackson. associate justice before winning a special Republicans will note that Earls’ 2018 election to represent the district in 2004. victory also included an assist from He was appointed by Gov. Mike Easley in the third candidate in the race, Chris 2001 and lost the 2002 general election, Anglin, who registered as a Republican which spurred state Democrats to strip to enter the race, splitting votes from the When you’re building a healthier North Carolina, where do you start? Everywhere.party affiliations from the ballot in incumbent. subsequent elections.

With her election, Earls earned the EAST In the Senate, senior Texas senator seat for the next eight years.

Yet, if she Political worker pleads Improving a person’s health isn’t just between a doctor and patient.

It’s also between a communityJohn and Cornyn, its members.

That’s why elected to his fourth term decided to run for the U.S. Senate, she not guilty to charges Police officers shoot man 2020, served on the Texas Supreme would first North have toCarolina. resign from the state’s Blue Cross NC is investing in innovative community programs across From tacklinginthe opioid epidemic to making Court in the 1990s. He later won election high court. brandishing rifle Bladen County homes safer for children to filling the shortfall of health care The providers, we’re Code addressing the social determinants—or root as Texas Attorney General before North Carolina of Judicial A political operative accused by authorities Craven County winning the Senate seat.

Conduct states: of orchestrating an absentee ballot fraud causes—of A man was shot and wounded by police after our health challenges. Because we know healthier communities lead to better health and lower costs for everyone. operation in a 2018 congressional election officers said he pointed a rifle at them and pleaded not guilty Friday to separate a woman. Havelock Police officers went to federal Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. Learn more about howcharges.

Blue Cross NC is laying the foundation for a healthier state in all 100 counties at TodayWe.com/OurCommunity. an apartment complex for the third time on of Bladenboro has been indicted on four Monday for a domestic call involving a man counts of hiding from the Social Security and a woman. When officers arrived for the Administration more than $100,000 in third call, they found the woman in the car income for workisperformed for candidates Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. before the man walked out with an AR-style during the 2018 election. Hiding the income weapon. The man ignored commands to drop Democratic majority in the midterm NSJ staff allowed him to receive additional Social his weapon and pointed it at the woman and elections.”

Security benefits to which he was not entitled. officers. The officers shot and wounded the NC Republican Party Chairman RALEIGH — North Carolina’s man, who was taken to the hospital.

AP Michael Whatley announced the party Democratic and Republican parties has hired Livy Polen as press secretary have each added members to their AP and promoted Tim Wigginton to communications teams as the General communications director.

Assembly begins its long session and “We are excited to expand our team at upcoming midterm elections will put the Armed group seeking teen targeted the NCGOP to help keep North Carolina state in the national spotlight again. black woman’s home Man hits 2 deer with new car, then red,” said NCGOP Chairman Michael The NC Democratic Party hired he hits $2M in lottery Whatley. “North Carolina Republicans Kate Frauenfelder as communications Pender County racked up substantial victories in 2020 director. She most recently worked on A law firm filed suit over an incident in which Brunswick County and with our new staff additions and Cal Cunningham’s U.S. Senate campaign a black woman’s home came under siege by An unlucky start to a man’s day turned upside promotions we intend to rack up even as deputy press secretary and is a UNC an armed group looking for a missing teenage down when he discovered he won a $2 million more wins for conservatives in 2022.”

Chapel Hill alum. girl. The suit was filed on behalf of Monica lottery prize hours after hitting two deer with Polen, a Gaston County native, is a “We’re delighted to welcome Kate Shepard and her son, Dameon. The armed his new car. Anthony Dowe, of Leland, had an graduate of UNC Chapel Hill Frauenfelder to the team at the start group went to the Shepard’s home on May 3, accident on his way to work. It ruined his day, and worked in the White House of the legislative session,” said 2020, seeking a biracial girl who had been so he went back home, got into bed and went Office of Political Affairs under NCDP executive director reported missing earlier that day but was later to sleep. When he woke up, he discovered his the Trump Administration.

Meredith Cuomo. “She will found safe. Named as a defendant is Jordan winning Mega Millions ticket matched all five The party also announced bring a wealth of knowledge Kita, a New Hanover County sheriff’s deputy white balls, winning $1 million. That prize two additional promotions, and experience to the who was fired and is facing charges of forcible doubled when the 2x Megaplier ticket was with Sarah Newby taking over table as we work to hold trespass and breaking and entering. drawn. He took home about $1.4 million after as political director and Phil Republicans accountable, taxes.

AP Thomas as chief counsel and make in-roads in the state legislative strategy director. legislature, and strengthen the AP NSJ staff

African-American Heritage Walking Tour | New Bern www.visitnewbern.com

Poplar Grove Plantation | Wilmington www.poplargrove.org

International Civil Rights Center and Museum | Greensboro www.sitinmovement.org

Driver license office worker honored for 50 years of service Swain County Johnny Southard began training to be a driver’s license examiner on Jan. 25, 1971.

Fifty years later, he’s still working to help aspiring drivers get their licenses. Southard was honored for his half century of public service last week. He received the DMV Commissioners Award, commemorative personalized plates and a letter from Gov. Cooper congratulating him.

PIEDMONT Drug ring investigation nets more pleas, sentencings

continue to make life-changing investments in healthier communities.

Buncombe County North Carolina State Parks had recordbreaking visitation last year. The high numbers underscore the public’s craving for outdoor space and exercise during the coronavirus pandemic. North Carolina’s 41 state parks and recreation areas had 19.8 million visitors in 2020, 400,000 more visitors than any other year on record.

It’s also 1.2 million more visitors than in 2019. The previous record for visitation was 19.4 million visitors in 2017. The public recognized that outdoor recreation BCBSNC-Community-NorthStateJournal-22x6.indd is a safer activity compared to the 1indoors during the pandemic.

Jones & Blount

Harriet Jacobs Trail Edenton

Washington County The CEO of Washington County Hospital announced that the 12-bed hospital, located in Plymouth, may be about to close its doors. Melanie Perry said that the hospital is running out of medical supplies, and employees haven’t been paid in two weeks. The hospital’s owner promised 50 employees they’d receive paychecks last Monday, but they didn’t arrive.

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Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper challen the law. The state Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments in the case for early next month. A trial-judge pa actually sided with Republicans last year. Registered Democrats compris majority on the Supreme Court.

The law is one of several approved by the GOP-dominated legislature that eroded Cooper’s powers because prevents him from filling three vacan when they occur. No vacancies have occurred since the law took effect.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens | Raleigh www.raleighnc.gov/parks

WLOS

# TodayWe

Hospital in Plymouth may be close to closing

AP

Republicans pitch keeping Court of Appeals at 15 judges

New Hanover County An oral surgeon in Wilmington was arrested on charges of taking indecent liberties with a child. Michael Lee North Journallast formonth Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Hasson, 55, State was arrested and charged with sexual battery and

By Gary Robertson forced sexual assault. Hasson allegedly The Associated Press sexually abused female patients, between the ages of 17 and 21, for the RALEIGH — Some North Carolina last nine years. The age of the minor Republicans want to repeal a 2017 victim in the new arrest wasn’t released. law that reduces the number of Court Hasson’s license has been suspended. of Appeals judges from 15 to 12 as AP retirements and other vacancies arise.

A state Senate judiciary committee Tuesday voted unanimously to keep the court’s size at 15.

Bill sponsors say approving the Valentine’s Day drug raid leads to measure should end a lawsuit filed by

WLOS

500 pounds of meth seized Cherokee County The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office seized more than 500 pounds of methamphetamine. Officers from several agencies raided properties on Ross Road in Blacksburg near the state line, seizing meth; nine pounds of fentanyl; as well as marijuana, cocaine, weapons and $415,000 in cash. The drugs were headed for Charlotte and Greensboro. Police arrested Christian Eduerdo Tinejero Pena, 22, and Jairo Martinez Covarrobias, 37.

CBS 17

Vance County Five defendants arrested in an investigation dubbed “Operation Cookout” either pleaded guilty or were sentenced. Ramiro RamirezBarreto, 44, faces at least 20 years in prison after pleading guilty. Ramirez-Barreto supplied cocaine, heroin and fentanyl to several drug distribution rings in Virginia and in Henderson and Greensboro, North Carolina. Customers included a federal prison inmate who operated a drug trafficking organization in Henderson using a bootleg mobile phone. Two Henderson residents, Tangynika Johnson, 44, and Keith Brownson, 42, entered guilty pleas.

Charges tossed for two men accused of toppling UNC statue Orange County Prosecutors dismissed charges against two men who appealed their convictions in the 2018 toppling of a Confederate statue on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The decision was based on having to prioritize cases piling up in the Orange County court since it was shut down by the pandemic. Raul Arce Jimenez and Shawn Birchfield-Finn were charged with injury to real property, misdemeanor riot and defacing a public monument after the statue Silent Sam came was brought down in August 2018. They were convicted and sentenced them to 24 hours in jail.

AP

AP

Woman charged in ex-con’s plot against college women

Shopping center drops link to slaveholder Wake County An iconic shopping center is changing its name to drop the connection to a family whose patriarch was a slaveholder before the Civil War. Cameron Village will be known as Village District. The change will drop the connection to the Cameron family and to Duncan Cameron, who was one of the wealthiest people in North Carolina and one of the largest landowners and slaveholders in the South, according to historians.

AP

WLOS

Moore County Isabella Pollok, 29, of Staten Island was charged with conspiring with an ex-convict to extort and force college women into labor or prostitution. She allegedly conspired with Lawrence Ray, 61, who pled not guilty to multiple charges after his arrest last February. Both could face life in prison if convicted. Ray committed his crimes after he began living with his daughter, Pollok and other women at Sarah Lawrence. Ray recruited Pollok to join his criminal scheme after living with Pollok and some of the victims over the next decade at locations in Manhattan; Pinehurst, North Carolina; Piscataway, New Jersey.

State parties bolster staff

AP

The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

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ncfb.org

2/14/19 11

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Succisa Virescit

Lincoln won a 4-way race with 39.8% of the vote, and Clinton won a 3-way contest in 1992 with 42% of the vote, defeating President George H.W. Bush 41 and Ross Perot.

DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON are riding high after winning the White House, keeping a very slim margin in Congress and having the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, courtesy of Vice-President Kamala Harris.

President Joe Biden is furiously signing executive order after executive order like a king of days long ago. He didn’t win any “mandate” per se; 30 million people voted for Joe Biden because they hated Donald Trump’s personality and his tweets even though they liked and benefitted from most of his policies.

As liberal Democrats over-reach and conduct a second impeachment “trial” in the Senate against President Trump, they risk giving strength to the former president and his core supporters, not taking it away from them.

On March 20, 2006, the Duke men’s lacrosse team was suspended after false rape allegations were filed against three team members. They adopted the slogan “Succisa Virescit” and printed it on their t-shirts for the next season.

Translated it means, “When Cut Down, Grow Back Stronger”.

In 2007, under new head coach John Danowski, Duke went to the national championship game and embarked on a decade-plus period of success even Coach K has to admire.

They were indeed cut down but came back much stronger.

With every insult, legal challenge and impeachment, this time in absentia, liberal Democrats and #NeverTrumpers are only challenging Trump to “grow back stronger” and run again for the White House in 2024.

Donald Trump is not a Republican and never has been. That is one reason why old-line Republicans couldn’t stand him; they didn’t understand the difference. He is a bonafide populist in the grand tradition of cantankerous “Old Hickory” himself, President Andrew Jackson, who dominated American electoral politics for almost two decades around his two terms in office from 1829-1837.

If Trump looks to history, he may decide the easiest course back to the White House would be to run as a third-party candidate. No nasty and expensive Republican primaries to fund or endure. Save all that money for the general election and get organized in targeted states following the same game plan Democrats used to win in 2020.

It is true no third-party candidate has ever won before. However, Abraham Lincoln and Bill Clinton won in multi-candidate races with far below 50% of the popular vote — Lincoln won a four-way race with 39.8% of the vote and Clinton won a three-way contest in 1992 with 42% of the vote, defeating President George H.W. Bush 41 and Ross Perot.

Grover Cleveland is the only president to have lost re-election (1888) and then come back to win a second term in the White House (1892). It is not “impossible.”

Former President Teddy Roosevelt tried to come back from retirement to win a third term in 1912 as the Bull Moose candidate but all he did was split the Republican vote with then-President Taft to hand the election to Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

President Trump could split the Republican vote in 2024 and guarantee a win for the presumptive nominee, Vice-President Kamala Harris, if Biden serves only one term. But Trump could win 40-42% of the popular vote nationwide and sweep the electoral college if he wins every red state by a plurality, not a majority, plus a few other states where he got very close to 50% of the vote, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

In a 3-way or even 4-way race, Trump has a chance to win very blue states such as California (54 electoral votes in 2024) and New York (28) with only 36-38% of the vote as he did in November. If Trump wins both, he could win 314 electoral votes in 2024 just by holding onto the red states he won in 2020.

The last major third-party effort was by Ross Perot who captured almost 20% of the vote in 1992. They tend to happen every 20-30 years or so. America is due for another one soon.

Donald Trump is still by far and away the most talked about politician in America. If his detractors really want to be rid of him, they should ignore him and let him remain in exile in Florida.

Otherwise, he may return only stronger when 2024 comes around.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

On his handling of the pandemic, NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo finally gets his just deserts

The number of nursing home deaths may be as much as 50% higher than had been previously reported.

Instead of 8,711 deaths, the number could actually be 13,000 or higher.

AFTER 10 MONTHS of conservative media outlets trying to hold New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s feet to the fire on his disastrous handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the governor who was dubbed the “Luv Guv” by New York media outlets is finally getting his just deserts.

Cuomo’s comeuppance began with an announcement from a surprising source. New York state Attorney General Letitia James, who like Cuomo is a Democrat, issued a report last Thursday detailing how the number of nursing home deaths may be as much as 50% higher than had been previously reported. Instead of 8,711 deaths, the number could actually be 13,000 or higher. The undercounting, James said, was due in part to the way the state changed the way deaths were calculated.

For the first month and a half of the pandemic in New York, nursing home coronavirus deaths were counted as nursing home deaths even if the patient ended up passing away at the hospital. But sometime around the end of April or early May, the state’s health department changed how they would calculate nursing home deaths. A nursing home patient who died while at the hospital would no longer be counted as a nursing home death.

By changing the way these deaths were counted, New York could obscure the actual number of nursing home residents who died, making numbers appear lower than they actually were.

Some have suggested that it was no coincidence that the state made this change roughly a month after Gov. Cuomo signed a deadly order mandating that these facilities accept COVID-positive patients, which raised serious concerns at the time that it would lead to coronavirus outbreaks among the state’s most vulnerable (it did).

Most national mainstream media outlets either ignored the story, sugarcoated it or “reported” it from the perspective that it was a partisan hit job from the right designed to discredit the media’s favorite pandemic governor. These news networks were effectively spokespeople for Cuomo from start to finish, with CNN, in particular, leading the way in painting a false image of Cuomo as Andrew the Great while using President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) as whipping boys

to blame for all of Cuomo’s disastrous mistakes.

Cuomo’s little brother, Chris Cuomo, is a longtime nightly “Prime Time” anchor at CNN. He conducted “interviews” with the governor early on during the crisis that resembled something you’d see published on the pages of Teen Beat magazine.

The day after Attorney General James released her report, Gov. Cuomo was asked about it during a press conference. “Who cares [if they] died in the hospital, died in a nursing home? They died!” he flippantly answered.

If New Yorkers are not supposed to care where people died of COVID, then why did New York state change the way the numbers were determined so as to make it appear that not as many died in nursing homes as actually did? I think the answer to that is pretty obvious.

By making the numbers appear to be lower, it made it appear that critics of his deadly order mandating that nursing homes accept COVID-positive patients were overreacting, that the state had things under control.

But as it turns out, Cuomo’s critics were right about his policy on nursing homes and the way deaths were counted.

If only his adoring apologists in the press and in the entertainment industry would have listened — instead of propping him up as a potential contestant on a dating show or a future presidential contender — perhaps Cuomo would have been exposed and called to account in the court of public opinion much sooner and have self-destructed way before now.

Oh well. Better late than never.

Media analyst Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021 COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

A7 COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

The United States of Racial Quotas and Preferences

For Rice and Biden, “equity” requires not equality of opportunity but equality of results.

ON TUESDAY, six days into Joe Biden’s administration, it became clear why Susan Rice, hitherto a foreign policy specialist, was named director of the Domestic Policy Council. Rice — unconfirmable for a Cabinet post after her unembarrassed Sunday show lying about the Benghazi terrorist attack — ventured into the White House press room to preview Biden’s “equity” initiative.

With one possible exception, the specific policies announced were less important than the word “equity,” invoked 19 times by Rice and nine by Biden. Ending federal private prison contracts and strengthening relations with and combating “xenophobia” against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, are small potatoes as federal policies.

Not so, perhaps, with the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing initiative, started under former President Barack Obama, repealed under former President Donald Trump and now due for spirited revival. The idea is for the feds to reverse local zoning laws and plant low-income housing in suburbs deemed insufficiently diverse.

Actually, racial discrimination in housing has been reduced since the 1968 federal Fair Housing Act, to the point that in metropolitan areas from Washington to Atlanta to Los Angeles, most blacks now live in suburbs, not in the central cities to which they were tightly confined in postwar America.

But for Rice and Biden, “equity” requires not equality of opportunity but equality of results.

That’s one of the fundamental tenets of critical race theory training banned by outgoing Trumpites and reinstated by Biden on day one.

A lower-than-population percentage of blacks in any desirable category, explains critical race theorist Ibram X. Kendi, must be the result of “systemic racism” (a term Rice used twice and Biden six times Tuesday). If you don’t agree, you’re guilty of “white fragility” and you must be a “white supremacist.”

As Andrew Sullivan trenchantly observes, “to achieve ‘equity’ you have to first take away equality for individuals who were born in the wrong identity group. Equity means treating individuals unequally so that groups are equal.”

This is exactly contrary to the central thrust of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It could easily be judged, in particular cases, to violate the 14th Amendment.

Individuals discriminated against might have standing to go to court.

And there will surely be many such individuals.

Rice made clear that the policies mentioned Tuesday are just a start. “Every agency,” she said, with no suggestion of exceptions, “will place equity at the

core of their public engagement, their policy design, and program delivery to ensure that government resources are reaching Americans of color and all marginalized communities — rural, urban, disabled, LGBTQ+, religious minorities, and so many others.”

That’s a lot of preferred categories, but one suspects that, as in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” some preferred groups will be more preferred than others. What we’re being promised is racial quotas and preferences in every conceivable program, in every possible corner of American life.

It may be objected that the United States is already well on its way to such a state of affairs.

Racial quotas and preferences are firmly, almost fanatically, ensconced in higher education, at least in admissions to programs, if not in numbers of graduates. Corporate America’s human resources departments, Kendi’s most eager clients, revel in imposing racial quotas and enforcing “equity” orthodoxy.

Even so, something still sticks in the craws of most Americans about treating some people differently from others on account of race or ethnic identity. “You don’t get to unite the country by dividing it along these deep and inflammatory issues of identity,” Sullivan writes.

Proof of this came from the unlikely precincts of California last Nov. 3. Democratic politicians under the influence of critical race theory asked voters to vote yes on Proposition 16 to overturn the 1996 Proposition 209 referendum barring state government, including universities, from discriminating on the basis of race.

Some $20 million, with corporate elites happily kicking in, was spent to pass this Proposition 16, versus only $1 million to uphold Proposition 209.

Yet Prop 16 — and the legalization of racial quotas and preferences — was rejected by California voters 57% to 43%.

That’s an even wider margin than the 55% to 45% by which 209 won in 1996, even though California has become far more Democratic since then: Bill Clinton carried the state by 13 points, Joe Biden by 29.

That suggests that the Biden and corporate elite project to create a United States of Racial Quotas and Preferences is in conflict with a strong underlying current of American opinion that favors equal rights under law.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics.

GUEST OPINION | NAN MILLER

Left-wingery’s timeless allure

“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.”

I HAD MY FIRST ENCOUNTER with a homegrown socialist in 1972. My husband was completing his medical training in Los Angeles when his brother Bill came to visit us, and, as it turned out, to school us in the evils of capitalism.

Our first lesson came the day we showed Bill the row of yachts that were moored in the harbor at Marina del Rey. The sight we’d called “spectacular” was to Bill a loathsome display of “savage capitalism,” which would soon be replaced by a system that guaranteed “those boats would belong to the people.” The nationwide movement to “overthrow the establishment” was notoriously active during the Vietnam War, but we were stunned to learn that a Harvard Medical School student had joined it in Boston.

And that was only the beginning. Later that week, we learned that the Soviet system was Bill’s model for the equitable distribution of wealth and that China was a model of egalitarian medicine, because Chinese surgeons, when they completed an operation, would drop down on all fours and scrub the OR floor themselves.

Finally, and most alarmingly, we learned that Bill had fallen under the spell of Saul Alinsky’s new Rules for Radicals and had joined the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), whose mission involved “the destruction of US imperialism,” the “achievement of a classless world,” and the mandate that SDS members “use their strategic position behind enemy lines to join forces in the destruction of empire.” It seems that visiting us in LA had been Bill’s foray behind enemy lines.

But not for long. By 1980, Bill was practicing medicine in Seattle and writing to us about Canadians who’d come down to Seattle to avoid long waits for treatment under their socialized health-care system. During family reunions, husband Phil and brother Bill would talk nonstop about the demands of practicing medicine — and the satisfaction they felt watching patients recover from a serious illness.

Bill never told us what made him abandon his mission to help establish a socialist America.

Perhaps he had simply accepted Churchill’s hard truth that “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.” Or perhaps Bill had noticed that his comrades fit

Orwell’s observation that “to many people calling themselves Socialists, revolution does not mean a movement of the masses with which they hope to associate themselves; it means a set of reforms which we — the clever ones — are going to impose upon them — the lower orders.”

Whatever reasons Bill had for abandoning the notion that working for profit was evil, he never abandoned his resolve to subsidize the needy, that is, to redistribute his own income in ways that allowed him to measure the outcomes firsthand. In short, Bill’s progress matched that of most young radicals who, in the process of plotting a revolution, woke to the necessity of earning a living.

Had Bill lived to see the verb “woke” become synonymous with anti-capitalist, no doubt he’d use his stint as a socialist to remind the Bernie Bros that enacting “democratic socialism” would require a whole lot more that the redistribution of wealth. It would also require a redistribution of talent and drive — a feat no mortal could manage.

Advancing that hard truth just got harder now that the woke wing of the Democratic party is a heartbeat away from the presidency. The likelihood that today’s young radicals will one day disavow socialism just got slimmer now that it’s “The Rich Kids Who Want to Tear Down Capitalism.”

Or so they said in a November feature for the New York Times. With their own income secure, certain trust-fund kids will use their millions to end “intersectional oppression” and to “undo” the system that would allow others to prosper. They are cardcarrying members of the Democratic Socialists of America, whose members support the “equitable distribution of resources” and oppose “free markets” and “private charity.”

They are a perfect fit for Emerson’s observation that certain reformers’ “bloated self-conceit” always “ends in hypocrisy.”

Exactly one month before readers were introduced to the rich-kid strut, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat admitted that “the economy under Trump was the best for the working class in two decades” and that “kicking him out of office means we go back to mass low-skilled immigration, back to wage stagnation.”

If Douthat’s prediction proves true, I’m betting that voters will perform a Reset Strut in 2022.

BE IN TOUCH

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 3101 Industrial Dr. Suite 105. Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

The most important question about the 2020 election SINCE THE DAY after the 2020 presidential election, I have said I am agnostic with regard to whether the election was honestly or dishonestly decided.

The primary reasons for my agnosticism are the usual ones: The anomalies: In 132 years, no president has received more votes in his run for reelection and lost. Yet Donald Trump received 10 million more votes in 2020 than in 2016 — and lost.

Trump won 18 of the 19 counties both Democrats and Republicans regard as the “bellwether” counties that virtually always go with the outcome of presidential elections. Yet he lost.

He won four bellwether states — Florida, Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina. Yet he lost.

Republicans held onto all the House seats they were defending and gained another 13 seats. Yet, Trump lost.

Add the following to the anomalies: Unprecedented efforts were made in some states to change election laws.

Mostly Democratic states sent out tens of millions of ballots or applications for absentee ballots to people who never requested them.

Voting began in some states six weeks before Election Day. People have submitted sworn affidavits at great personal cost and with possible perjury charges that they witnessed ballot tampering on election night.

But all these things would matter little if Democrats involved in ballot-counting felt morally compelled to count votes honestly.

So, then, there is one question I have never heard posed that trumps all other considerations: Would moral considerations prevent Democrats from cheating to oust Isn’t someone Trump? Or, to put the who could question in the positive: Would Democrats deem prevent a it morally obligatory to fascist, whitecheat on behalf of Joe supremacist, Biden?

Nazi-defending The answer to the dictator morally first question is no: Moral considerations obligated to would not prevent cheat if he decent Democrats from or she could cheating to prevent Trump’s reelection. The prevent such answer to the second a person from question is yes: Decent becoming Democrats would deem president? it morally obligatory to cheat on behalf of Biden.

For four years, the media and their party, the Democrats, told us every day that Trump is a fascist, a dictator, a racist and a white supremacist; that he was an agent of the Russian government — a real-life Manchurian candidate. We were also repeatedly told by the lying media (Trump’s accurate description of the mainstream media) that in Charlottesville, Virginia, Trump said there are “very fine” Nazis (see the PragerU video, “The Charlottesville Lie”). Yes, the media told us with a straight face that a man with a Jewish daughter, Jewish sonin-law and Jewish grandchildren said there are fine Nazis. Biden said he decided to run for president because of this lie.

So, then, here is the question: Why would anyone who sincerely believed Trump is a white-supremacist fascist dictator not cheat if he or she could prevent such a person from becoming or remaining president of the United States?

Let me sharpen this question: Isn’t someone who could prevent a fascist, white-supremacist, Nazi-defending dictator morally obligated to cheat if he or she could prevent such a person from becoming president?

I certainly would. If I were in a position to cheat in order to prevent a fascist from becoming president, why would I not cheat? I think of the most relevant example: the Nazis in the 1932 elections, Germany’s last free election until after World War II. Though the Nazi Party did not receive a majority of votes, the Nazis held the most seats in the Reichstag, and the head of the party, Adolf Hitler, was named chancellor of Germany. If I were in a position to have prevented the Nazis from coming to power by cheating in the vote-count, wouldn’t I have been morally obligated to do so — and therefore done so? The answer is obvious.

To repeat, I have never said Biden did not win the election. And even if there was considerable fraud, that doesn’t mean the election result would have been different.

But there are consequences to beliefs. Unless Democrats knew they were lying for four years when they labelled Trump a fascist, racist, Nazi, dictator, etc., were they not duty-bound to cheat on Biden’s behalf?

So, then, when you have circumstantial evidence (not proof), combined with opportunity, desire, motive and, most important, no moral argument against cheating and a strong moral argument for cheating, it isn’t a “lie,” and it isn’t a crackpot conspiracy theory, to wonder about the integrity of America’s 2020 presidential election.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist.

A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

NATION & WORLD

GOP’s McConnell blasts ‘loony lies’ by Ga. Rep. Greene

By Brian Slodysko The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell denounced newly elected Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday, calling the far-right Georgia Republican’s embrace of conspiracy theories and “loony lies” a “cancer for the Republican Party.”

“Somebody who’s suggested that perhaps no airplane hit the Pentagon on 9/11, that horrifying school shootings were pre-staged, and that the Clintons crashed JFK Jr.’s airplane is not living in reality,” said McConnell, R-Ky., referring to a handful of conspiracy theories that Greene has publicized in the past. “This has nothing to do with the challenges facing American families or the robust debates on substance that can strengthen our party.”

McConnell’s explicit condemnation adds to pressure on House Republicans to take action against Greene as House Democrats moved to strip Greene of her committee assignments if Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., refuses to do so himself.

“It is my hope and expectation that Republicans will do the right thing and hold Rep. Greene accountable, and we will not need to consider this resolution,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. “But we are prepared to do so if necessary.”

Thus far, however, GOP leaders in the House have been reluctant to criticize Greene, out of concern that they could alienate the former president’s most ardent voters, un-

SUSAN WALSH | AP PHOTO

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, flanked

by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., left, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., right, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. derscoring a bitter divide over how the out-of-power party should navigate the two years until the next congressional elections.

Greene responded to McConnell late Monday with a broadside on Twitter, suggesting that “the real cancer for the Republican Party is weak Republicans who only know how to lose gracefully.”

“This is why we are losing our country,” she wrote.

McConnell’s statement criticizing Greene was first reported by The Hill newspaper.

Greene’s views were in the spotlight even before she joined the House last month.

The Georgia Republican has expressed support for QAnon conspiracy theories, which focus

on the belief that top Democrats are involved in child sex trafficking, Satan worship and cannibalism. Facebook videos surfaced last year showing she’d expressed racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim views. Top Republicans denounced her at the time, hoping to block her from capturing the GOP nomination in her reliably red congressional district in northwest Georgia.

But after she won her primary, they largely accepted her. Since then, even more of her past comments, postings and videos have been unearthed, though many were deleted recently after drawing attention.

She “liked” Facebook posts that advocated violence against Dem-

ocrats and the FBI. One suggested shooting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the head. In response to a post raising the prospect of hanging former President Barack Obama, Greene responded that the “stage is being set.”

In an undated video posted online, Greene floated a conspiracy theory that falsely suggests that the 2017 mass shooting that killed 58 people at a country music festival in Las Vegas could have been a false flag operation to build support for gun control legislation.

“How do you get avid gun owners and people that support the Second Amendment to give up their guns and go along with anti-gun legislation?” Greene said in the video. “You make them scared, you make them victims and you change their mindset and then possibly you can pass anti-gun legislation. Is that what happened in Las Vegas?”

She also “liked” a Facebook post that challenged the veracity of a 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Another video captured her confronting Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor David Hogg.

In a tweet over the weekend, Greene sounded a defiant tone.

She also said she had spoken to Trump and was “grateful for his support.”

“I will never back down and will stand up against the never ending blood thirsty mob,” she tweeted.

McCarthy is supposed to meet privately with Greene this week. A spokesperson for the Republican leader declined to comment.

Although it’s not certain he will take action against Greene, McCarthy has punished members of the House Republican caucus before.

Former Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, was stripped of all his committee assignments after expressing support for white supremacists in 2019.

AUNG SHINE OO | AP PHOTO

In this Nov. 11, 2020, file photo, police stand guard behind barbed wire as they attempt to stop protesters outside Union Election Commission office in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi detained again — without her old support

By Robin McDowell The Associated Press BANGKOK — A day after Myanmar’s military pulled off a well-choreographed coup, the country’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, finds herself right back where she was just over a decade ago — under house arrest.

But this time, her standoff with the military comes after she has sorely disappointed many oncestaunch supporters in the international community by cozying up to the country’s generals while in power. Leaders in the West are still denouncing her detention, of course — but they no longer view her as a paragon of democratic leadership.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won last November elections by a landslide, catching the generals by surprise. They immediately cried voter fraud — an allegation the country’s election commission has dismissed

— and proved Monday who really controls the country, rounding up Suu Kyi and other top leaders under the cover of darkness, just hours before a new session of Parliament was set to convene.

With flights grounded and communications largely cut, Myanmar plunged back into isolation and darkness, ending 10 years of new freedoms and quasi-civilian rule that the Obama administration held up as a beacon of nascent democracy. The military-owned Myawaddy TV said the country would be under a one-year state of emergency.

Now, it’s not clear who can lead the country out of the wilderness, with Suu Kyi’s reputation abroad badly tarnished.

“I believe that Aung San Suu Kyi has been an accomplice with the military,” said veteran U.S. diplomat, Bill Richardson. “I hope she realizes that her compact with the devil has boomeranged against her, and that she will now take the

right stand on behalf of democracy” and become a true advocate for human rights.

“But if she doesn’t step aside,” he said, “I think the NLD needs to find new leaders.”

Suu Kyi, the daughter of a renowned independence hero and father of the nation, spent almost 15 years under house arrest before her release in 2010. Her tough stand against the junta turned her into a symbol of peaceful resistance against oppressors — and won her the Nobel Peace Prize.

During her years of confinement, a parade of foreign diplomats, human rights advocates and Nobel laureates streamed into her lakeside villa, demanding the hardline military free the elegant woman known as “The Lady,” who often wears flowers in her hair.

But since her release and return to politics, Suu Kyi has been heavily criticized for the political gamble she made: showing deference to the military while ignoring and, at times, even defending, atrocities — most notably a 2017 crackdown on Rohingya Muslims that the United States and others have labeled genocide.

When she disputed allegations at the U.N. International Court of Justice in at The Hague just over a year ago that army personnel killed Rohingya civilians, torched houses and raped women, Jody

Williams saw it as a betrayal.

“Beyond rhetoric during election campaigns, what does she really believe in? What does democracy mean to her?” asked Williams, a fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner for her work to ban landmines.

Suu Kyi called such criticism unfair, insisting that she had never considered herself a human rights icon, and that that title had been thrust upon her. She had always been, she argued, a politician.

While she has remained immensely popular at home, that compromise has lost her supporters abroad — and raises the question of if and how she might lead the country out of the latest crisis.

So far, she has called for civil disobedience to resist the coup — but it’s not clear how the Myanmar people will react, and the streets of Yangon have been quiet.

In 1988 and 2007, people took to the streets in force to protest dictatorship.

It’s also not clear the generals will ever let her return to power.

“There is little future for her I believe in this point in time, and, after all, I do think that is what the military want most,” said Larry Jagan, an independent analyst.

“They do not trust her, they do not like her, and they do not want her to be part of the country’s future.”

San Diego ex-mayor Faulconer to run for California governor LOS ANGELES — Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said he is entering the race for California governor, the first major Republican to formally step into the contest, while a potential recall election aimed at Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom moves closer to qualifying for the ballot this year.

In a video, the 54-year-old centrist Republican depicted California as a failed state freighted with scandal and witnessing an eroding quality of life.

“He’s failed us,” Faulconer said of Newsom. “I know we can clean up California.”

Faulconer’s announcement came as supporters of a possible recall that could oust Newsom from office continue gathering the nearly 1.5 million petition signatures needed to qualify the proposal for the ballot. Organizers say they have over 1.3 million so far.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hip-hop T-shirt sets off more tensions in ChinaCanada ties BEIJING — China says it has lodged a formal complaint with Canada over T-shirts ordered by one of the country’s Beijing Embassy staff that allegedly mocked China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, in an apparent mixup between the city of Wuhan and the hip-hop group WuTang Clan.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters Tuesday that China called on Canada to “thoroughly investigate the incident and give China a clear explanation.”

The incident arose after a T-shirt maker posted on the Chinese internet that a staff member from the Canadian Embassy had ordered T-shirts with a bat print. That appeared to reference allegations that the virus developed in China from bats and then spread to humans in the city of Wuhan, where infections were first reported in late 2019.

But Canadian media reports said the logo was a W in homage to the New York hip-hop group the WuTang Clan and that Ottawa had apologized for any misunderstanding.

The controversy underscores the plunge in relations between the countries in the past two years over China’s demand that Canada release Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of communications giant Huawei who is wanted on fraud charges in the United States.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kurds and government end rival sieges in northern Syria BEIRUT — Kurdish forces in northern Syria ended a weekslong siege of government-held neighborhoods in two northeastern cities as part of a deal brokered by Russia.

As part of the agreement with Kurdish forces, Syrian government troops allowed supplies to enter Kurdish-held areas in the northern province of Aleppo.

The deal to end the sieges by government forces and Kurdish fighters in different parts of the war-torn country’s north came two days after Kurdish fighters shot one person dead during a progovernment protest.

The Kurds, Syria’s largest ethnic minority, have carved out a semi-autonomous enclave in Syria’s north after the start of the civil war in 2011. In the area, the Kurds run their own affairs and control most of the country’s oil resources.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

SPORTS

NC State women beat No. 1 Louisville, B3

TONY DEJAK | AP PHOTO

Armando Bacot and the Tar Heels will look to further make their NCAA Tournament case when they visit archrival Duke on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Carolina-Duke rivalry gets the blues

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UNC-Georgia Tech shift football game to Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta North Carolina’s football game against Georgia Tech will be played at MercedesBenz Stadium, the two schools announced on Tuesday. The Sept. 25 game was originally scheduled for the traditional home of the Yellow Jackets, Bobby Dodd Stadium. In addition to serving as home for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has played host to a Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff national championship game and many other events. The venue opened in August 2017 and has a capacity of 71,000 for football.

PRO FOOTBALL

Holt, Mills among Hall of Fame favorites Canton, Ohio Former NC State receiver Torry Holt and Carolina Panthers legend Sam Mills are among the favorites to earn entry into the NFL Hall of Fame when the Class of 2021 is announced on Saturday. The oddsmakers at SportsBettingDime.com have set Holt, who spent most of his professional career with the St. Louis Rams, as a 5/1 choice to be elected to Canton in his second year as a finalist. Mills, who coined the Panthers’ rallying cry of “Keep Pounding” during his battle with cancer, is at 6/1. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are the most likely candidates to get the nod. Because most of the nine first‑time finalists are considered long shots for election in this year’s class, each have been given odds for selection in 2022. Among them are former Panthers receiver Steve Smith at 2/1 and NC State alumnus Mario Williams at 30/1.

REED HOFFMANN | AP PHOTO

High Point native and Chiefs defensive end Tim Ward missed last year’s Super Bowl due to a torn ACL.

Super Bowl participants had football, baseball glory days in NC The Chiefs and Buccaneers both have several connections to the state

By Shawn Krest North State Journal LONG BEFORE HE became the heir apparent to Tom Brady as the NFL’s top big-game quarterback, Patrick Mahomes took the mound at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

On July 24, 2012, the Bulls relinquished their home field, allowing Cary’s USA Baseball to hold its Breakthrough Series, which featured many of the top college baseball prospects in the nation. Mahomes, then best known as the son of former Twins reliever Pat Mahomes, was selected to participate.

In the third inning, Mahomes, a two-sport athlete in his sophomore year at Texas Tech, came in as a relief pitcher. He turned in two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a pair of walks while striking out two batters.

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Super Bowl 55, Mahomes will be one of several members of both teams with career paths that ran through North Carolina.

One of the players tasked with protecting Mahomes may not be available for the game. Daniel Kilgore, a 10th-year pro out of Appalachian State, played in seven games for the Chiefs this year, starting four at center. He was placed on the

team’s COVID list earlier this week.

He was placed on the list due to possible exposure, not a positive test, and, as long as he continues to test negative, he should be available for the game, which would be his second trip to the big game. He was a member of San Francisco when the Niners made the Super Bowl following the 2012 season.

The Chiefs line also includes a former Panther. Mike Remmers played 13 games at tackle this season, starting 10. He’s best known to Panthers fans as a two-year starter in 2015 and 2016, spending equal time at both tackle spots.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Chiefs’ roster includes end Tim Ward, who played for High Point Central in high school. He joined Kansas City as an undrafted free agent last year but missed the Super Bowl due to a torn ACL. He spent much of this season on the practice squad before joining the active roster late in the season.

Kicker Harrison Butker was drafted by the Panthers in 2017 but lost a training camp battle with Graham Gano. The Chiefs signed him off the Carolina practice squad.

The Bucs have five players with North Carolina connections on the active roster.

The team’s leading punt and kick returner, Jaydon Mickens, was a victim of final cuts before the 2019 season after spending the preseason with the Panthers.

He’s bounced between the practice See SUPER BOWL, page B3

Two perennial contenders enter this year’s first game unranked and set to play in a mostly empty Cameron Indoor Stadium

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THIS YEAR, call them blackand-blue bloods.

When North Carolina heads to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday for the first of two scheduled games in college basketball’s best rivalry, it will be missing a little something — the number in front of each team’s name.

At 7-6 overall and 5-4 in the ACC, Duke fell from the AP Top 25 rankings several weeks ago.

North Carolina fell out earlier after losing four of six games. The Heels appear to have righted the ship recently, winning six of seven heading into a game at Clemson that occurred after press time, but they still haven’t reentered the Top 25.

That means neither team will be ranked when the teams play on Saturday night. The last time that happened? Feb. 27, 1960.

Mike Krzyzewski had turned 13 weeks old two weeks earlier.

Roy Williams was 9. Dean Smith was a day shy of 29 and awaiting his first head coaching job. The two teams had combined for five trips to the NCAA Tournament in their histories.

Duke entered that game with a 12-9 record and four losses in its last six games. Carolina was 16-5 and had fallen out of the thenTop 20 after a loss to South Carolina a week earlier. Despite the subpar years, both teams had promising recruits on the freshman team ready to join the varsity the following year — Larry Brown for UNC and Art Heyman for Duke.

When the teams met six days later, UNC had moved up to No. 16 in the poll. That was the first of 153 straight Carolina-Duke games with at least one team ranked. For more than half of them — 79 games — both were ranked. In 44 of them, both teams were in the top 10.

Since the first AP poll was re-

61 Years since Duke and UNC played with both teams unranked. The last time was Feb. 27, 1960.

leased in 1949, Carolina and Duke have both entered the game unranked 14 times, half as many times as one of the two was ranked No. 1.

The rivalry’s buildup is taking another torpedo this year thanks to the pandemic. The game usually brings the rowdiest crowd of the year to Cameron Indoor Stadium. It’s the game for which Krzyzewskiville was created, as Duke students traditionally begin camping out weeks in advance to make sure to get as close as possible to the hated Heels.

This year, there will be no blue paint and no creative chants or signs that were perfected over dozens of nights outside in a tent.

Cameron will be virtually empty, with fans, family members and the media not allowed in. It’s the rivalry game equivalent of a Zoom call.

Despite everything working against this year’s game, it’s still Duke-Carolina. ESPN began running promos long ago, and the basketball world will still tune in — rankings or not.

For the players, the intensity may actually be ratcheted up with both teams struggling. The game means more than mere bragging rights — it represents an opportunity for a quality win that could be the difference between making the NCAA Tournament or not.

As usual, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils are taking different approaches to playing style. Roy Williams is running UNC’s offense through the post, and the improved play of sophomore big man Armando Bacot has helped See RIVALRY, page B3

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

2.3.21

TRENDING

Joker Phillips: The former Kentucky head coach has been hired to serve as assistant head coach and receivers coach under Dave Doeren.

Phillips had spent the past two seasons at Maryland as receivers coach and cooffensive coordinator, which followed stops at Cincinnati, Ohio State and Florida as well as the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Those all followed his three-season run as Kentucky’s coach from 2010-12.

Tony DeAngelo: The Rangers defenseman went unclaimed by the NHL’s other 30 teams Monday after the team put him on waivers the day before. The Rangers waived DeAngelo on Sunday less than four months after re-signing him to a $9.6 million, two-year contract. The Athletic and New York Post reported that DeAngelo was involved in a postgame “altercation” outside the locker room Saturday night with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, the latest in a series of incidents involving DeAngelo.

The Rangers said DeAngelo will not play for them again.

Chipper Jones: The 48-year-old Hall of Famer is leaving the broadcast booth to return to the field.

Jones, who played his full 19-year career with the Braves, is joining his former team as a part-time hitting consultant. Jones was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after totaling 468 home runs and 1,623 RBIs. Among switch-hitters, only Eddie Murray has more runs batted in. Jones will be with the team for at least some portion of spring training.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

SOCCER

Three-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka has invested in the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League, citing a desire to support women as role models and leaders. Osaka is the first investor in the Courage since Steve Malik acquired the Western New York Flash and moved the team to the Triangle in 2017. The Courage have won two NWSL titles since the move.

MARTA LAVANDIER | AP PHOTO

“I thought we were soft.”

Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski after the Blue Devils lost at Miami on Monday

SETH WENIG | AP PHOTO

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

JOHN RAOUX | AP PHOTO

“Certainly didn’t want to break the toy in the first couple of hours.”

Jimmie Johnson on driving the first 70 minutes of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Action Express team he drove for finished second.

PRIME NUMBER

7/1 Odds that Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will end up with the Panthers, according to BetOnline. The Dolphins (4/1) and Jets (9/2) are the favorites to land the disgruntled Houston quarterback, who has reportedly asked for a trade despite signing a four-year extension in September worth $160 million that runs through 2025.

PAUL SANCYA | AP PHOTO

Former Michigan quarterback Dylan McCaffrey announced on social media he plans to transfer to Northern Colorado, where his father, Ed, is the head coach. McCaffrey threw for 242 career yards and three touchdowns as a backup for the Wolverines. He is the brother of Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.

MARK HUMPHREY | AP PHOTO

Trent Stephney had 13 points, LJ Thorpe scored all his 12 points in the second half, and UNC Asheville edged unbeaten Winthrop 57-55 on Friday night to snap the Eagle’s 21-game win streak. Winthrop, which went into the game with the nation’s longest active win streak, lost for the first time since last Feb. 22.

MLB

SETH WENIG | AP PHOTO

The Chicago White Sox finalized a $3 million, oneyear contract with pitcher Carlos Rodón on Monday.

Rodón, 28, was selected

by Chicago with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft out of NC State, but wasn’t offered a contract by the White Sox in December. He is 29-33 with a 4.14 ERA in 97 career major league games, including 92 starts.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B3

Hurricanes off to hot start despite COVID issues Carolina was 5-1-0 heading into Tuesday’s game, winning its last three games against 2020’s two Stanley Cup finalists

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …

The Carolina Hurricanes, victims of an early-season COVID-19 shutdown, can’t help but be thrilled to have been 5-10 and riding a four-game win‑ ning streak heading into Tues‑ day’s game in Chicago.

That doesn’t mean it’s been easy.

“This has definitely put a lot of stress on the old job here,” Hur‑ ricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said following Sunday’s shootout win over Dallas. “But when you have got games like these last few, it kind of makes it a lot eas‑ ier to deal with, that’s for sure.”

That’s because despite be‑ ing without top pairing defen‑ seman Jaccob Slavin, first line winger Teuvo Teravainen and two-way forwards Jesper Fast, Warren Foegele, Jordan Mar‑ tinook, the Hurricanes swept through their first three games since returning from lockdown.

Carolina posted a 1-0 overtime win over defending champion Tampa Bay then defeated Stan‑ ley Cup finalist Dallas on backto-back nights to stay perfect in its return.

How did they do it? It cer‑ tainly wasn’t just one thing.

First and foremost, the Hur‑ ricanes have gotten stellar goal‑ tending to start the season. Petr Mrazek was 2-1-0 with a 0.99 goals-against average and .955 save percentage and two shut‑ outs before getting injured in Saturday in Dallas. James Re‑ imer, who will now take the reins as No. 1 goalie, is 3-0-0 with a 1.99 goals-against aver‑ age and .918 save percentage.

Back to Mrazek: Brind’Amour indicated Monday that the goal‑ ie might require surgery on the right arm injury — photograph‑ ic evidence points to it being his thumb — and would be out “lon‑ ger than we hoped.”

That means Carolina will lean on Reimer and again offer an opportunity to Alex Nedel‑ jkovic, the former second-round pick who has starred in the AHL

but struggled last season when forced into action when both Mrazek and Reimer were hurt.

“He knows we love him … great kid, and he’ll get a chance again,” Brind’Amour said Tues‑ day.

The Hurricanes have also thrived on special teams, rank‑ ing 11th (26.9%) on the power play and second (91.3%) on the penalty kill heading into Tues‑ day night’s games. That’s par‑ ticularly encouraging consid‑ ering they lost several players to the COVID protocol — most notably Teravainen, who plays on both units, and Slavin, the team’s top penalty-killing de‑ fenseman — that are fixtures on special teams.

The success on special teams has also helped cover up one glaring issue — the team’s abil‑ ity to score at 5-on-5.

Carolina has a league-low six 5-on-5 goals through six games.

And in case you thought that was only low because of how few games the Hurricanes have played, they also rank last with 1.00 5-on-5 goals per game. For‑ tunately, Carolina has allowed just seven 5-on-5 goals, and on top of the success on special teams, the Hurricanes have also won one overtime game and an‑ other in the shootout.

“We’ve had our fair share of chances and good looks, so I don’t really look at that num‑ ber,” Brind’Amour said. “You can score a lot of goals and not create chances. That’s just the way things go. Right now, I think we’ve created a lot of good offense, just haven’t put them in.

So I think that all evens out.”

Another concern in the Hur‑ ricanes’ near-perfect start?

Goal-scoring from the blue line.

Through Monday’s games, only Winnipeg (nine games played) and Carolina (six games) have not gotten a goal from their de‑ fense.

That doesn’t mean the de‑ fense isn’t contributing.

Dougie Hamilton has four assists (three on power play) and Jake Gardiner three (two with the man advantage), and Hamilton continues to fire at will from the point — he had 15 shots on goal in the first six games, just shy of his career av‑ erage of 2.7 per game.

Brind’Amour isn’t worried.

“Our D have actually been in a lot of that offense, and I think that’ll come around,” he said.

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

The Hurricanes will need to rely on James Reimer as their No. 1 goalie since Petr Mrazek is out with an injury.

RIVALRY from page B1 spur Carolina’s recent hot streak.

The Heels also have senior Gar‑ rison Brooks and freshman Day’Ron Sharpe down low, uti‑ lizing two bigs on the floor most of the time.

The Tar Heels have also dom‑ inated the boards, ranking near the nation’s best in rebounding margin, as usual.

Duke has recently made more use of freshman center Mark Williams, but the Blue Devils are primarily a guard-reliant lineup, with freshmen Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward and senior Jor‑ dan Goldwire getting the ball to wings Matthew Hurt and Jalen Johnson.

Duke’s outside shooting hasn’t been at the level it is most sea‑ sons, but it may find the tonic it needs in UNC’s 264th-ranked perimeter defense.

Carolina has also struggled with its shot, both from three and at the free-throw line. The Tar Heels have also seen more than 10% of their shot attempts blocked, an area where Duke ex‑ cels.

Duke’s defense has fallen on hard times recently, with Mike Krzyzewski relying heavily on a zone defense. When the Blue Devils try man-to-man, they’ve been vulnerable to opponents driving to the hoop, most re‑ cently in an upset loss to Miami where Coach K ripped his team for being “soft.”

As usual, the sport’s best ri‑ valry brings together two coach‑ es, teams and fan bases who want nothing more than a win.

This year, it also matches two flawed teams who need the win in the worst way. And exactly one month later, they’ll do it all over again in Chapel Hill.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NC STATE ATHLETICS

Jakia Brown-Turner was one of three NC State players to score 16 points against No. 1 Louisville, contributing to a balanced attack that helped the Wolfpack defeat the nation’s top-ranked team for the second time this season.

‘You’ve got to beat the best’: Pack women top No. 1 Louisville For the second time this season, the Wolfpack went on the road and defeated the nation’s top‑ranked team

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal WES MOORE DIDN’T hesitate last week when asked if he thought ACC rival Louisville deserved its ranking as the No. 1 women’s bas‑ ketball team in the country.

Absolutely, he said.

The NC State coach was much less decisive Monday when asked the same question, this time about his own team, after the No. 4 Wolf‑ pack knocked off the Cardinals 74‑60 for its second win this sea‑ son against a top-ranked opponent.

“I’ll leave that up to other peo‑ ple,” said Moore, whose team also upset then-No. 1 South Carolina in Columbia on Dec. 6. “We’ve just got to make sure we continue to get better.”

While it’s yet to be seen if State can leapfrog Louisville, South Car‑ olina and UConn into the top spot of next week’s poll, the defending ACC Tournament champions pre‑ sented a strong case to the voters with its dominant performance at KFC Yum! Center.

Playing at full strength for the first time in nearly a month thanks to the return of All-American cen‑ ter Elissa Cunane, the Wolfpack slowed the usually fast-paced Car‑ dinals by holding them to just sev‑ en fast-break points and pounded out a 44-29 rebounding advantage before sealing the deal with a big fourth quarter.

State (12-1, 7-1 ACC) outscored Louisville 25-16 over the final 10 minutes to pull away for its first victory against the Cardinals since Feb. 2, 2017.

Four Wolfpack players — Cu‑ nane, Jakia Brown-Turner, Jada Boyd and Raina Perez —scored 15 or more points to pace a balanced attack that also included a 13-re‑ bound effort by Kayla Jones.

The most impressive aspect of State’s performance, however, is that it came just a week after the team resumed its season following

SUPER BOWL from page B1 squad and active roster for Tampa this year, returning 16 punts for 99 yards and 14 kicks for 340 yards.

Tampa Bay’s special teams de‑ pend heavily on the state. Kicker Ryan Succop grew up in Hickory before leaving for college in South Carolina. He started his NFL ca‑ reer with the Chiefs. This year, his 12th in the league, is his first with the Bucs.

Punter Bradley Pinion was born in Concord and played for North‑ west Cabarrus High in Kannapolis before heading to Clemson.

Tampa’s secondary includes a pair of players who played their col‑ lege ball in North Carolina.

Ross Cockrell went to Duke af‑ ter playing at Charlotte Latin, earn‑ ing All-ACC honors in 2012 and 2013 with the Blue Devils. He spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Panthers and has played in 12

a lengthy COVID-19-related pause and four days after suffering its first loss in an overtime setback at Virginia Tech.

“I was concerned coming into this game because I felt like we looked tired, we looked sluggish after the layoff,” Moore said. “We needed to get our mojo back, and (Monday) I thought we did that.”

While Moore had reason to be nervous about his team’s physical condition as it played its way back into shape following a nearly twoweek break, he need not have wor‑ ried about its mental state follow‑ ing the loss in Blacksburg.

“Right after the game, obvious‑ ly we were all kind of sad,” said Cu‑ nane, who made the trip but didn’t play. “On the bus ride back, we’re like, ‘This isn’t the end of the sea‑ son. It’s so early.’

“Our momentum just really changed right there. We knew that we were going to come out and that we had a great game against Lou‑ isville coming up. We just had to do what we know how to do to be ready for that game.”

The most tangible reason for State’s optimism was the return of Cunane, who leads the team in scoring and blocked shots while ranking second in rebounds.

Although her replacement, Ca‑ mille Hobby, played well filling in while the 6-foot-5 junior recov‑ ered from the lingering effects of COVID-19, the Wolfpack was a different team with Cunane back in the lineup.

Although it took her a while to get back into a rhythm, Cunane got stronger as the game went on, scor‑ ing 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting in 30 minutes of action.

“The first half, I came out and I was feeling it a little bit, but as soon as the game got going I was good,”

Cunane said. “In the second quar‑ ter, I had my energy up and I was just ready. It was good for the rest of the game. The first quarter hit me a little bit, but now we’re good.”

Even before she began to heat up, Cunane’s presence on the court made a positive impact, both in the confidence she gave the Wolfpack and the space she helped create for others — especially point guard Perez.

The graduate transfer from Cal State Fullerton carried State’s of‑ fense early by scoring eight of her 15 points in the first quarter while also leading a defensive effort that limited Louisville (16-1, 9-1) to 38.3% shooting.

“That’s why I came here to NC State, to play in these big games, to compete against the best,” Pe‑ rez, last season’s Big West Confer‑ ence Player of the Year, said. “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. They were No. 1, so we did what we had to do.”

State joins Maryland in 200506 and Stanford in 2007-08 as the only teams in the past 20 years to score multiple wins against topranked opponents. Both of those teams made it to the Final Four, with the Terrapins winning the na‑ tional championship.

As giddy as Perez and her team‑ mates were about joining that ex‑ clusive club, they won’t have much time to enjoy the victory.

With another emotional game coming up Sunday in Chapel Hill against rival North Carolina, Moore said that his “biggest con‑ cern is that we don’t stall out” with a month still to go before it gets the chance to make a legitimate run at its own national championship.

“The great teams that we’re try‑ ing to associate with at this point, they’re going to be better in March than we are right now,” he said.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re doing the same thing.”

His point guard said he need not worry.

“If we just keep doing what we’re doing, we can go pretty far,” Perez said. “We can go as far as we want.

Beating another No. 1 team just motivates us, and I’m excited to see where we can take this.”

games, starting two, with the Bucs this year.

Cornerback Ryan Smith was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2016 out of NC Central. He played in all 16 games as a reserve this season.

Off the field, both teams are also loaded with local connections.

The Chiefs’ secondary coach is former NC State star David Mer‑ ritt, who played at Millbrook High before spending the early ’90s on Dick Sheridan’s Wolfpack teams.

Also on the KC coaching staff is offensive line coach Andy Heck, whose sons Jon and Charlie played on UNC’s offensive line.

Three former Panthers are on the Chiefs practice squad: Tight end Evan Baylis, a 2017 practice squad player and 2018 training camp cut; quarterback Matt Moore, who started 13 games for the Panthers from 2007 to 2010; and offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann, a Pan‑ ther for a little more than a month

in 2019.

Tampa Bay general manager Ja‑ son Licht was a Panthers scout in 1998.

Linebackers coach Mike Cald‑ well was a 2003 Panther. Quar‑ terbacks coach Clyde Christensen threw passes for UNC in 1977 and 1978 and also spent three years at ECU as offensive coordinator, quar‑ terbacks and running backs coach.

Bucs offensive consultant Tom Moore was Wake Forest’s offensive coordinator way back in 1969.

Former Panthers running back Kenjon Barner is on the Bucs in‑ jured reserve, along with former Tar Heel running back TJ Logan.

On the Tampa practice squad, kicker Greg Joseph spent a month on the Panthers’ practice squad in 2019. Punter Matt Wile was a Panthers undrafted free agent and training camp cut in 2015. Guard Ted Larsen was a standout at NC State.

“We needed to get our mojo back, and I thought we did that.”

Wes Moore, NC State coach

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Coaches weigh pros, cons of playing ACC Tourney The tournament returns to Greensboro next month, a year after it was abruptly canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic that is still ongoing

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal ROY WILLIAMS has never been a fan of the ACC Tournament, an event he once infamously referred to as little more than “a great cocktail party.”

But that doesn’t mean he’d consider skipping it, even if he had a legitimate reason to do so.

As he does this year with the coronavirus pandemic.

While some league rivals have raised the possibility of opting out to protect themselves from a COVID-19 outbreak that would jeopardize their spot in the NCAA Tournament, the Hall of Fame coach is adamant about having his North Carolina basketball team in Greensboro during the week of March 9-13, ready and willing to play.

“Do you know what opting out means? It means you freakin’ quit,” Williams said Monday during the ACC’s weekly coaches teleconference. “Whether it’s a team or an individual, opting out means you quit. And that bothers me.

“I don’t have a strong, strong opinion. Maybe I’ll develop one.

But if we’re going to play, let’s play.

If we’re not going to play, let’s not play. We’re trying to play every game on our schedule, so I’m in favor of playing.”

The NCAA has announced it will require seven consecutive negative COVID-19 tests for all players and coaches before they’re allowed into the bubble it plans to create for its national tournament.

Rather than risk exposure around 14 other teams the week before heading to Indianapolis, there is speculation that teams already assured of an NCAA bid might decide to skip the conference event.

Williams referenced a recent conversation he had with Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton questioning the theory behind that philosophy, since players and coaches are no more likely to contract the virus in a tournament setting as they are for regular season games.

ETHAN HYMAN | THE NEWS & OBSERVER VIA AP

Coach Kevin Keatts and NC State will likely need a good performance in the ACC Tournament to be considered for an NCAA bid.

“I don’t see any more risk of playing in the ACC Tournament than now,” Hamilton said last week.

There’s a good chance his opinion on the subject may have changed since then. On Tuesday, the ACC announced that the Seminoles’ next three games have been postponed because of positive tests and contact tracing within their program.

This is FSU’s second COVID-related pause this season.

Because of the unpredictability of the virus and the slow rollout of the vaccine designed to contain it, the risk of missing out on the NCAA Tournament might not be worth the reward of playing for an official conference championship for coaches such as Louisville’s Chris Mack.

“I would consider it,” Mack said

when asked if his team might opt out of the ACC Tournament. “It probably wouldn’t be my decision alone. I’d talk to our players. I’d obviously talk to our administration.

That’d be a helluva choice I get to make, I’ll tell you that.”

The ACC would have to redraw its tournament bracket if one or more teams decide not to come to Greensboro.

But the league has done it before.

Three times in the past five years — Syracuse in 2015, Louisville in 2016 and Georgia Tech last year — a team has been left out of the conference tournament field because of NCAA sanctions prohibiting them from playing in the postseason.

But what if multiple teams decided not to play, including some or

all of the top four seeds?

Given the fact that last year’s tournament was canceled just before the quarterfinal round because of the onset of the pandemic, the ACC would naturally be reluctant to pull the plug again.

Especially with a new commissioner set to make his public debut.

The league’s television contract with ESPN and its own ACC Network could also factor prominently in the decision whether to play or not.

At some point, though, it might be deemed necessary to cancel the tournament again — whether it’s because of a lack of participation or to give the league an extra week in which to make up regular season games that have been postponed.

NC State coach Kevin Keatts is hoping it doesn’t come to that, if for

Panthers, stars from NC colleges and high schools highlight Senior Bowl Matt Rhule coached one of the teams in Alabama showcase

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE CAROLINA Panthers got a jump start on the 2021 NFL Draft at last week’s Senior Bowl.

While the rest of the NFL was limited to sending 10 representatives to evaluate and interview the nearly 140 prospects in attendance, the Panthers and Dolphins sent their entire coaching staffs.

Matt Rhule and the rest of the Panthers coaches were in charge of the American team, which lost to the Dolphins-coached National team 27-24 in Saturday’s game.

The Panthers coaches got the chance to spend extensive time with the players on the American squad — which included standouts such as Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond, Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher and Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers — in meetings and on-field work throughout the week leading up to game day.

“You get a sense for the guys,’’ Rhule said. “It’s one thing to watch, another to coach them, but to hear (Panthers offensive line coach Pat) Meyer say, ‘Hey, do this, because this is what we do in Carolina,’ and then see the guy do it, I would just say it’s been unbelievably invaluable.’’

The experience was also valuable for many prospects who were either raised or went to college in North Carolina. Here’s a look at some of the local connections to the first stop of the NFL Draft journey for this year’s aspiring rookies.

Michael Carter, UNC running back: After skipping the Orange Bowl to prepare for the draft, Carter made the most of his first

RUSTY COSTANZA | AP PHOTO

Duke tight end Noah Gray of Duke reaches for a pass while defended by Syracuse defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu during the American team practice for last weekend’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. opportunity. He had eight carries for 60 yards and a 12-yard touchdown in the game while also catching two passes for 15 yards.

He also made several defenders miss on a 27-yard run. He was also one of the prospects who helped himself the most during the week’s practice sessions, according to a consensus of observers.

Chazz Surratt, UNC linebacker: The Tar Heels’ top defensive player also skipped the Orange Bowl. He impressed scouts with his ability in pass coverage early in the week, although he missed practice time as the week went on and didn’t play in the game.

Sage Surratt, Wake Forest wide receiver: Chazz’s broth-

“I would just say it’s been unbelievably invaluable.’”

Panthers coach Matt Rhule on being able to evaluate players while coaching at the Senior Bowl

er also missed practice and game time and, according to some observers, struggled in passing drills early in the week, although he was able to take coaching and make improvements as the week wore on.

Carlos Basham, Wake Forest defensive end: Even though he sat out Saturday’s game, Boogie may have been one of the week’s biggest winners. He dominated during the drills all week, excelling both on the outside and in the trenches. CBSSports said that he was already considered a firstround prospect and likely wrapped up a spot in the top 20 picks.

Jamie Newman, Wake Forest quarterback: After opting out this past season following a transfer to Georgia, Newman is taking his shot at the NFL. Throwing passes in front of an audience for the first time in 400 days, Newman was inconsistent.

He impressed early in the week

no other reason than his Wolfpack will likely need a strong showing in the tournament to even be considered for a spot in the NCAA’s field of 68.

“I’m a fan of us having the tournament, especially if we can continue to do the right stuff,” Keatts said. “I’m sure the ACC is the best at making sure that we are following protocol. It will be weird. There may be a situation where, going into the tournament, you may have one or two teams that have to drop out.

“But that’s no different than what’s going to happen in the NCAA Tournament. There’s a lot more people that make a lot more money at that level to figure it out than we do, but I do think we should have the tournament if it is possible.”

but ended up throwing four interceptions in practices. He was better in the actual game, completing 11 of 14 for 118 yards, a touchdown and a pick. He was also sacked four times and fumbled once.

Noah Gray, Duke tight end: The Blue Devils’ record holder for career catches at tight end impressed during the week, showing off his hands with some spectacular catches, including a one-handed grab that went viral on Twitter.

He sat out the game but certainly helped himself during drills.

Bryan Mills, NC Central cornerback: He earned the dubious honor of being the lightest player on weigh-in and measurement day at 180 pounds. Combined with his FCS playing career, he’ll likely have to face questions about whether he’s sturdy enough to stand up to the wear and tear of the NFL. He made his case with four solo tackles in the game, however.

D’Ante Smith, East Carolina offensive lineman: He sat out the game with a thumb injury but helped himself on the scale. After playing at 274 pounds this year, he packed on 20 pounds of muscle.

He also had positive length measurements for his arms and hands, showing scouts that he had the size to compete in NFL trenches.

He was also aggressive and quick in drills, impressing observers.

Cornell Powell, Greenville, Clemson wide receiver: He had two catches for 42 yards in the game and impressed during drills.

Landon Dickerson, Hickory, Alabama center: He didn’t participate, still recovering from an ACL injury, but met with teams.

Divine Deablo, Winston-Salem, Virginia Tech defensive back: He had six tackles, five solo, in the game and impressed all week.

Hamsah Nasirildeen, Concord, Florida State defensive back: After being limited to two games this year due to injury, he returned to the field and showed he was healthy with several big plays during the week. He had three tackles in the game.

Larry Rountree III, Raleigh, Missouri running back: He had four carries for seven yards in the game to go with two catches for 19. He showed flashes during the week as well.

orth STATEment

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The cavalier manner in which China liedcan about thetheir origin of theto the United States over state and local go worldwide pandemics trace source The crisiscan hastrace costtheir the U.S. taxpayer atand least $2.4 trillion i worldwide pandemics source to the United States over virus, covered up its spread and tried to tell the world there were only the curve in the nove our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be debt plus trillions more in Federal Reserve backup liquidity our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be 3,341 related deaths has led to worldwide panic, economic collapse and — after all,the tre directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong flu,” 1977 markets and financial outlets.

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Some believe it came out of a economic and financial means. has obviously not ins in China. measures without unregulated immediate fear of unsanitary rampant inflation and currency Metrics and Evaluati and honesty Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, Diplomacy senior editor biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.opinion biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized world ofTrump 21st century health OVID-19 depreciation. administratio from our rigorous verifiable policing andregimes regulation of take th Until adopts verifiable policing and regulation of Until China andadopts fair trade.

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Even more importa business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they d enemies as in the It is about time they are expected to operate as responsible citizens of actually have coronav China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and the world like any business other modern nation. of identified cases co now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret thatreplace they the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. laging American number of people wh intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and no secret that they replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. in the world and enminbi.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

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Business & Economy CES VISUAL VISUAL VOICES

VISUAL VOICES

It’s okay to ask questions about It’s okay to ask questions about when will pay for this COVID-19 catastrophe How Chi we begin to get back to normal s about when A7 How China will payThe A7 strophe The comfort a for this COVID-19 catas 3 big questions nob normalwe begin to get back to normal EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

EDITORIAL | FRA

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HU COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates The cavalier manner in which China lied about the origin ofSTATES the WITH MOST under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-homeONE OBINSON hina theStates, origin of the will pay for this nd inlied theabout United China virus, covered upONE its spread and to tell after the world there were only THING IStried CERTAIN; this COVID-19 virus dissipates cavalierofmanner in which arounC orders thanks to local or state governments,The a majority Americans THIS WEEK, virus, according to members ofTHE theand fede iedor toanother. tell the world there were only “THIS IS DA ay 3,341 related deaths to worldwide panic, economic collapse and aroundhas theled globe and in the United States, China will pay for this covered up its spread t are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” catast and state and local governments, Americans have rldwide economic collapse and in it” (Psalm 118:24).

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If t Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June. treated asextend though we as a society simply must acce state’s stay-at-home will into May. he 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence thatwe theas a society currency, wemust would nottraced be able fund1957 any “Asian of these emergency Since when did “Russi Perhaps They’re treated as though simply accept without they’ve donned masks. fund any of these emergency have to be thankful “Russian flu” and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able Perhaps WALTER E.decide WILLIAMS If he to extend questions should beabout asked when as to the in North Carolina, Democratic Roy Cooper stated during question what theit, government tellsMARK us it’s massiv safe to toa nish flu”WALTER pandemic its origins inHere China. measures without of rampant inflation and currency Wedoes need E. had WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safeimmediate toGov. begin thefear | AP PHOTO The result: a reduction inLENNIHAN expected hospitalizat Lenten and of rampant inflationalso and currency pandemic.

COVID-19 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures without immediate fea for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we a recent press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” ifjustification the transparency process of returning back to normalcy.

COVID-19 greement, outside of process China, of that COVID-19 depreciation.

Theis know yet” if thewalks returning back tocoronavirus normalcy.

According to the University of Washington Institu For me, my faith Easter seasons government There isFeb. 100% agreement, of do China, thatof COVID-19 depreciation.

A man past the New York Stock Exchange duringorders a snowstorm, Monday, 1, 2021, in New outside York. must this out an abundance of caution.” is China’s state’s stay-at-home will extend into May. No. The government works for us, and we have the right to an Province probably from the completely China has to pay for their aberrant ways and decisions through is China’s Since when did No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m origin ant ways and decisions through making.

As I celebra and honesty originatedshould in at Wuhan Province probably from the completely China has to pay for their aberr provide a all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who If he does decide to extend it, questions be asked as to the questions.

And the longer stay-at-home orders are in 1:4, place a nsanitary wet markets. believe itlonger came out of but aChernobyl. financial means.

Diplomacywet hasmarkets. obviously notbelieve worked Chernobyl. asked to the questions.

And theis stay-at-home orders in place all over the unsanitary administration, theand expected need for hosp plomacy has obviously notSome worked unreg Corinthians whi graduates iseconomic only ableare toand find low-paying work. ned in as two past articles that student debt questioning unregulated and it Trump came out of at a home economic financial means.

D fromSome our are being told to remain jobless and for an undetermined message of become a justification for it.

And the answers should not be vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as M by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized world of 21st century health, hygiene gue ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000, orld of 21st health, hygiene Under an ISA agreement, he would owe an agreedlem and thatcentury universities have encouraged affliction, that wew biowa biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to we bring China into the civilized scientific experts amount of the time why models predicting hundreds of thousands ofso cases government hope that will must do this out of an abundance of caution.” more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxi bad thing? the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about pts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade.

Totalitarian communist regimes never take the blame ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number of ov upon percentage of his income — the actual dollar their own irresponsible behavior.

With unist regimes never take the blame affliction, withcomm the co Unt Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade.

Totalitarian are reliable.

—iswe need to again enjoyforsincere atnot all levels It amount will need to be in detail to the people this state who when they can getnoback to providing their families, will d would be very low.

With a traditional loan, of this stateprotocols, who when theyfinancial can get back tonoproviding for their families, will demand erse, graduates facing uncertain August byonce nearly 12,000. nd health American business has other orexplained express sincere regret and remorse, because that not what because that isan what God.” That isofwhat their f their food safety and health protocols, American business has other or express regret and rem To know date, what I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then they he would owe the same amount regardless of his t’s particularly important to find solutions ndetermined answers. are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the ans sporting events, advantage of become every weakness dtake redundant manufacturing If you are celebrat They take advantage of every weakness a plants elsewhere purely totalitarian governments choice than do. tofree build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely totalitarian governments do.

The choice citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about income.

Even with income-based repayment on his So,and what’s to cases be done? housands of Leaders the local state levels should be in as forthcoming assecurity they know, what they questions that state will allow economy tothis reopen. amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases theleaders localconcerts, and levels should beon as forthcom pushing until they win or the reflect messa ty safety reasons as well asatsupply andand delivery they find adversaries and keep pushing until they win orLeaders the family for national and safety reasons as well as supplyatand delivery they findthe in adversaries and keep for nat the data.

State Republican have, too. bad thing? living in a free loan, he would likely make interest-only payments as dical proposals, like completely can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatality rate?c God’s example and are reliable. can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, don’t and when s.student loans adversaries push back. reliability concerns. adversaries push back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is reliabi AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife withthe principal continued to mount. and making them subject AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with is details what society ked and then with that give their important because it determines whether certain nt happens such asThat the Chernobyl this difficult Th To I’veUniversity gonebelievability. along with what theexogenous statedirect has asked and then with that their statements The most waywere to make China “pay” for this disaster isgive to offer That is, believability. unless an exogenous ev way to make China “pay” for work. this disaster isdate, tostatements offer hope todetails That is, unless an event happens suchthey asThe the Chernobyl corruption.

The financial squeeze resulting sometimes afinancial disturbing tendency among some people to treat thosetime. church services The Purdue istoalready experimenting with ptcy protection, would certainly corruption. squeeze resulting at the need for fuller disclosure questions about We should all continue to do what we can keep our families, The Associated Press be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — believe that event, not the Staropportunities Wars confident we will em supposed free citizens from COVID-19 offers for a mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our fam U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their meltdown in 1986.

Some experts companies who will source at least half of their meltdown in 1986.

Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars know what they simply questioning the dataasandfor asking when we can start getting back ISAs under its “Back a Boiler” plan.

Thecontinue program is ders who put their ownourselves, money onand the our line communities from COVID-19 offers opportunities a many U.S. ta and more Sponsored

by Union requirements for short sellers, safe.

But we also still more liberalized society that presumes wide sprea Sponsored by should the dissolution of the Soviet In thisled same spirit Sponsored

by Union bit ofbefore remediation.

Let’s first examine production back in the United States.

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, directly t thewhat data.

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities safe.

But we should also stil Sponsored by nue the United States.

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution of the Soviet to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who being funded by the Purdue Research Foundation, diligence lending to 18-yearbit of remediation.

Let’s first examine what living in a free don’t. produ “The capital markets need now prevail in Europe and BritWASHINGTON, D.C. — reasonable The afterdown ourinown asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while stay-at-home ought to lock further. mightisbe the root academic corruption, neighbors helping ne billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment 1989.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable st part of the university’s endowment. It’s a smallchecked. ers. And direct the fearinvestment of students in filing for and drama might be the root of academic corruption, otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. merican inthe 1989. ain, Sherman suggested. surrounding trading billion bysociety the title were of aplants recent study,equipment to bepositive lessChinese ofdate. a casino and ehernobyl. to treatsuggested those that measures areand understandable, they should also have an expiration We’ve seen rates — Concord, the number of Cd temporary In aexpi high in China. direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by case fatality Perhaps COVID-19 China’s program now but is already showing results. ydirect would ensure loans are small suggested by the title of a recent study, “There is a casino.

To the exsometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those measures are understandable, they also have an Since when did questioning government at all should levels become aisbad in shares of GameStop, AMC Eninvestment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

“Academic Grievance Studies and the in Chi North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 start getting back This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal.

Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases — but b eady talking about supposed the possibility money to buyNot aare 3-D more of a place where sacrifices are Purdue’s website explains aand few of the benefits of can “Academic Grievance Studies and theAmericans, comparison.

Senators Washington alr tent there’s a casino, itisought to beto tertainment, Blackberry and oththing?

That isThis what free citizens living in a free were supposed simply questioning the data asking when we starttalking getting back all new andsociety it isin not normal. in a Corruption of Scholarship.”

The study was Senators in Washington are already about the possibility compa A6 are people who shape, or form.

So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at and the denominator are likely wrong.

We don’t k we owe as one way toand get analysiser ISAs: health$1.2 caretrillion workers fair,” hehalf said inchecked. a telephone interhdebt a solution isthem politically unpopular.

Corruption of of Scholarship.”

The study was beaten-down companies has An$1.2 investment tax credit ofowe 30% on U.S. investment inwhile China of China forgiving in over. people ... can invest to do, last Ishape, done by Areo, an opinion to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who or form.

So we should remain vigilant and stay ax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China of China forgiving trillion in debt we them as one way to get An the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “newbillion, applied done people have actually died coronavirus.

Some soi view.

“The capital markets need yick. have caused the US. Don’t hold your suddenly thrust Wallpayment Street near Novant Health The standard period for theorBack onsiderably reduce the number of byMy Areo, an opinion analysis today, $60 to repatriated American manufacturing China to of “pay” the damage digital magazine.

Byexpands the way, Areo is short first concern asand we go along in all this, of course, isfor my family.

I’m the otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-call in companies that are on, applied to repatriated American manufacturing China to “pay” for the damage they have caused the US. Don’t hold your checked. to be less of a casino and more of s become a bad normal.” the top of a crowded list of issues today, number has been overestimated, given that classifi ee”totoborrow happen but ask your elected makingto it the U.S. would digital ble for college and would magazine.

Bythem the$18 way, Areo the is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by a Boiler-ISA Fund is about 10 years, investment cost the U.S.about Treasury billion in breath waiting Ifor a Chinese worried catching virus, and I’m worried will.

After “Jub footprint Since questioning government at new all“Jubilee” levels become aaAreopagitica, bad normal.” place where people ... can invest U.S. would cost theacross U.S. Treasury $18 inwhen did breath waiting for revenue a Chinese tofew happen but ask your elected that President Joe Biden’s leading the economy.” y were supposed Not one little bit.billion of death, among elderly patients, can competitive with mostregulaFederal Plus and private loan ionately affect low-income students.

It for a in speech delivered by particularly invest untable in tangible financial ways for John Milton in defense of free speech. tax spread over a years. $18 billion lost revenue is representatives to hold China acc suffering from the H1N1 virus flu) during the 2009 pandemic, in companies that areone leading the team needs to tackle in living thing?

ThatIn isaddition, what free citizens ina asix-month free society were supposed Not little bit.(swine over a few years.majoring $18 billion in lost revenue is representatives to hold China accountable in tangible financial ways for southeastern NCin soft terms. allearly students receive disfavor students but John Milton in defense of free speech.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A.tory sources suggest the number is dramatically under tax decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster.

I’veeconomy.” been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up rev new its term. towe do, last I checked. grace period post-graduation before payments begin.

Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. pared tofamily. the as $6I’m trillion+ Marshall Plan are now e, is my this Stacey Matthews also written under thedisaster. pseudonym Sister Toldjah many people are dying home. diplines. to operate responsible citizens of Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif. decim undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the It is at about timenot they expect WINSTON-SALEM — Novant Also under Washington’s miway too many memories ofsay a painful experience I’d prefer to are repeat.

A number of wealthy instisomething has gone drastically wrong Once a recipient makes successful payments for e are solutions that can be implemented — Lindsay and Peter Boghossian that My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family.

I’m Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sist ied I will.

After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Even more importantly, we have no clue how mn e our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the It is about time they are expected to operate as responsible citizens of ation. Health and New Hanover under past. the world like any other modern croscope will be the business tutions on Wall Street bet the But what alsodrastically makes mewrong lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially the prescribed term of the contract, no additional s acrimonious political climate.within certain something has gone 2009 pandemic, worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrec actually have coronavirus.

Some scientists sugges the world like anyChina otherhas modern nation. stealing, modelpirating of companies like Robstocks of these companies would Regional Medical Center been cheating, and pillaging American past. fields within the humanities.

They payments are even if(swine they have less solution has been referred to as “skin in call in academia, especially within of this brings up announced ofcertain identified cases could be an order of magnitude suffering therequired H1N1byvirus flu)paid during the 2009 pandemic, inhood.

At issue is the common Donald Trump. fall, onlyfrom to be thwarted small President cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American (NHRMC) Monday business now for the past 30 years.

They have made no secret that they these fields “grievance studies,” where Chin than thewho amount of funding they received.

Suchnot a policy would call for institutions fields withininthethe humanities.

They call NealinRobbins, publisher | toFrank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion practice securities marThe GameStop saga has drawn refer to years. repeat. investors banded togethnumber of Tune peopleIn who have had and n the official beginning of amade I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up he past 30 They have no secret that they scholarship is not so much based upon Black intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower the world and busine ISAs andand skinsent in the game policies would hare in the credit risk of every student these fields “grievance studies,” kets of payment for order flow,where in expressions of outrage over Wall er too onBoth social the ost everyone haspremier partnership toattending offer finding truthdesigned butinstitution. upon way many memories of abenefits. painful experience I’dasprefer notscholarship tocurrency repeat. he as superpower world andmedia replace the dollar the reserve their renminbi. havehigher. many down-stream Both would put outU.S. a loan tothe attend the In intothe iswith not so much based upon History Month in intend which Wall Street trading firms Street’s treatment of the “little prices Many of the small greater access to healthcare social Grievance But whattrade also makes meto lose sleep is how easily most everyone hastruth as the reserve currency with their renminbi. pressure on universities keep tuition lowlawmakers and his means thatgrievances. universities would bescholars on finding but upon attending to pay companies like Robinhood guy” from from both replac investors on online platfrom Chapel Hilladministrators to Wilmington. and other bully students,

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Wake Forest offset some of the artificial pressure on demand for or some part of student loan debt when social grievances. Grievance scholars departments adhering to their forms such as Robinhood, which parties. The populist strain re- to send their customers’ orders to The two Northinto Carolina nothigher education.

They would also align universities’ efault. Such a policy would require action bully students, administrators and other those firms for execution. calls the anger fueling the Occusuddenly restricted the buying February worldview.

The worldview they promote is Jason is Black History for-profit health systems have those of students.

Universities In addition, as Facebook ss since student loans are disbursed by the of interests intomuch adhering to their Wall Street would movement over thedepartments shares of with GameStop and oth- py neither scientific nor rigorous.

Month, and the public power come together after more than Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS and other tech giants provide usbig just bankincreased bailouts that Congressworldview. companies, sparking invested in studentoutrage success, not ernment.

The worldview they promote is studies disciplines such as er be community of Wake Forest is a year ofconsist public of evaluation ers’ personal data to online Grievance adbrought in response to the finan-neither from the social Some media universities crowd and would THEWS enrollment. probably begin ther solution can be implemented locally. scientific nor rigorous. sociology, anthropology, gender studies, | STAC celebrating inEDITORIAL several creative of how NHRMC could best vertisers, platforms like Robincial crisis. politicians alike. guidance to students to offer better when they choose of institutions areneeds already giving it critical a studies consist of disciplines such RICHARD as COLUMN | REP. HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and race ways. Anybody across the meet the of the growing hood give the trading firms data The uproar is occurring at asociology, Biden’s financial regulators majors, choose classes and — take out loans. e Share Agreements (ISAs).

ISAs are anthropology, gender studies, studies. region. The sale of NHRMC on stocks its users are buying and race state can tune in to honor the time when the small investor apespecially at the Securities and These innovative solutions will do what “Free l agreements in which students receive queer studies, sexuality and critical In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, month’s heritage, from an from New Hanover County to selling. to be winning. Some prom-studies.

Exchange will pears and Boghossian College” Commission cannot: make—students and universities funding Lindsay in exchange for a predetermined eclectic virtual performance Novant Health opens newstarted Last year, Robinhood agreed inent hedge funds are reeling likely have to address questions submitting bogusover academic papers to behave more wisely and act together towards the post-graduation income a certain In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, art series to historical opportunities for collaboration a number of Wall Street with losses due to the collective to pay $65 million to settle SEC academic journals in cultural, queer, about same goal. That goal is to create educated, wise years. The and number Lindsay and Boghossian started webinars. andpercent growth of as income well as additional practices, such as short-selling efforts of the online community. charges of providing misleading race, gender, fat and sexuality studies and productive graduates.

Only with smart policies n changemedical based upon a student’s major and submitting bogusinformation academic papers to Celebrate by immersing education and or incomplete on its At least two of them have closed and whether the business model determine if they would pass peer that incentivize student success canJanuary’s we ensure that with lossesacademic tential. to journals in cultural, queer, yourself in the arts. The Wake clinical capabilities through order-flow payments, its largest out trading of online trading platforms is as “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made, let us r of the virus and the review be accepted for need publication.

WITHparents, MOST STATES under revenue either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place. colleges truly provide value for students, eseriousness a good deal forand students because they gender, fat and sexuality studies Forest Renaissance CentreI understand the an expansion NHRMC’s source. of more than 40%, according torace, as the compaAcceptance ofofdubious research that investor-friendly inpeer it” (Psalm 118:24). y with people who simply ask orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I’m unea taxpayers and society. ky thanhow loans.

Imagine a student who to determine if they would pass is a recently rejuvenated The practice of firms like Robnies say it is. The airing of com- reports by The Wall Street Jourrelationship withfound UNC Health editors sympathetic to their I know that during this challenging of soc n thingsjournal can start getting back to TATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home fallen into place.

I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” questions about the data, and wh review and be accepted for publication. arts destination in the town’s time inhood lending money to cusplex issues will come in addition nal and Bloomberg News.

WIT and UNC School Medicine. leftist vision intersectional or of postmodern working from home or losing a job, it may be diffi withorcontempt.

Acceptance of dubious research that Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circle tomers to make trades, which can Even so, when Robinhood took cal state governments, a majority of Americans to anticipated efforts by reguto take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask historic downtown, but you “Weworld are excited expand orders of the wouldto prove the problem of beinglad” asdon’t the Bible tells to do. as However, as aasC a society simply must accept editors found sympathetic to their trading frenzies by to small the step of stay-at-home preventing lators at the SEC, questions the Consumneed to visitus in person Virginia’s ordersjournal gofuel into June.

They’re treated though we the Health family to st to what isNovant being called thewithout “new normal.” about the data, and wheninvestors things can start getting back low academic standards. are haj vestors,Gov. alsoorRoy will be scrutinized. and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded me of sders us about when it’s safe to begin the from buying shares of GameStop er Financial Protection Bureau intersectional postmodern leftist vision to enjoy this month’s series. include New Hanover Regional Here in North Carolina, Democratic Cooper stated during question what the government tel Several of the fake research papers extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circles with contempt.

Som Questions also will be the raised on to a dozen other companies last and other agencies to overturn and of the world“we would prove problem of have be thankful and of hopeful in the m alcy. were “Art That Reflects” offers for, a even Medical Center,” said Carl S. accepted for publication.

The Fat a recent coronavirus press briefing that just don’t know yet” if the process returning back to norm home orders go into June.

They’re treated assome though we as a society simply must accept without Virgin whether thestandards.

SEC’s rules EFF FORMER SENATOR week, in Washington im-low Trump-era rules deemed more academic Lenten and existing of performances pandemic.collectionNo. us, and TARTE, we have journal the right to those Armato, president andask CEO of Studies published aNC hoaxSTATE paper state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. The government works for Since whenindusdid arolina,that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooperwas stated during question what mediately the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin thepapers on market manipulation are sufcalled for action

by Several favorable to the financial of the fake research tribute the diversity argued the“Throughout term Novant For me, paying my faith is antoimportant part ofstay-atmyHer da home orders areHealth. in place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons If heback doesRobinhood decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the questions.

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The Fat exclusionary and should be replaced a recen this process, Novant Health making.

As I celebrated Easter with my family, hem get in states, such as Michigan, justification for it.

And the answers should not be vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some ofI provide a Wall brokerages, big acted to meet capiinvestors. e orders will extend intoinMay. No. The government worksregulatory for us, and we have theStreet right to ask those with “fat bodybuilding, a fat-inclusive culture.

The us our Lord Studies journal published a hoax paper American has been confident theas state’s government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds “com eeling isolated and/or anxious about Since when did must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people, sitting at home f banks and other financial comtal requirements.

Politicians and The SEC will be examining the of bodybuilding politicized performance.” outstanding lineup includes that argued the term was so tremendous benefits this One engtofor extend it, questions should be reviewer askedrole as to theshort-selling questions.

Andcritics the longer stay-at-home orders are message inwere place all overexpecting theaffliction, If he that we may be able to comfort those their families, will demand panies already said Robinhood changed that may have at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to provid “I thoroughly enjoyed this like “we questioning storytelling and theater, as and should be replaced hope that we will partnership would bring And thesaid, answers should nottobereading vague ones country, and the some them get exclusionary in and states, such as Michigan, the at Biden administration to be affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar the rules of the road midway extreme justific arestricter being told to of remain jobless home for an undetermined answers. article and believe it has an importantplayed in GameStop’s well as vocal, musical, and become a with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive the community: leading-edge, once again enjoy government an should abundance of caution.” the more people, sittingin at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about tougher on them than the Trump through, favor of Wall Street stock moves and whether regulaGod.” vels be as forthcoming as they must d contribution to make to the field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and state le politicized performance.” One reviewer dance shows — all available high-quality care closer to thing? regime. who were still able tofor trade tors arewho gettingbad sufficient data oncanfirms sporting events, e explained in detail to the people of this state when they get back to providing their families, will demand If you are celebrating the Easter season, I urge again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” at all levels It w are reliable. can be with those answers — and for free streaming on the availability of care to asked place.Herren ElderlyLee, persons with underlying conditions said, “I thoroughlylargely enjoyed took reading ORMER home, state senator, I have been Regulators a this these shares. it, in Allison the agen“Ourand Struggle Is Myfor Struggle: Solidarity Thatanswers. is what emain jobless atcommunities home an undetermined reflect message and be comforted, so that ents believability. concerts, Renaissance Centre website, To for date, I’vetime, gone alongComwith what the state has asked and thenon this with details that statem are be would bechair, monitored by health teams some article and believe itfamily has an important s what I underserved would do regarding the stay-atbecome a giveintheir hands-off approach to the finanBoth the Senate Banking cy’s acting said Monday.

Feminism as anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to God’s example and comfort all those need arou we can to keephealth our hy models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they Facebook, and YouTube and lower care costs.SAH free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about We should all continue to do w leveraging telemedicine and virtual hospitals. contribution to make to the field and this ratin North Carolina.

The current gatherings, amoun Neoliberal and Feminism,” wasAlso being considered, she said, mittee and the House Financial cial industry under the Trump bad thing? this difficult time.

Through faith and by helping fe. on ButApril we should alsoChoice still continue pages.

Looking forward, we are eager can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer Led by our major health system leaders and journal.” res 29. the data.

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities administration, with some excepServices Committee plan to hold is potential stock manipulation, are relos church services living in a free accepted for publication by Affilia, a Or celebrate byout learning confident we will emerge of this pandemic ecause while stay-at-home to hitreasonable the ground running andasked the North Carolina Hospital Association, I would “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity te senator recently said we are going to tions like Wells Fargo.

Fines behearings on the GameStop conand whether companies issuing That is what e along with what the state has and then with details that give their statements believability.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, feminist journal for social workers. The Tostrb d and many more they used society were something new.

Readers work the local board came a fraction of what to Inthose this spirit, I continue to be inspired the by troversy.

Theand chair of the we House yow should also with have an expiration thehave stocks are adequately disclosa master planWe with primary suppliers a what Feminism as anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to same four things: who is sick, who is not,questions sometimes ato disturbing tendency among some people treat measures are understandable, do, but paper along the way I’ve also had about should all continue do can to keep our consisted in part ofand adate. rewritten free citizens manda our own Feminism,” and history buffs will love leadership team to to be, after and rules regulations Rep. Maxine risks toplan investors and if com- panel, supposed forourselves, manufacturers in N.C. to re-purpose Neoliberal and Choice wasback een and whofrom has not.

Iidentify agree.

Public helping neighbors. d itsick is not normal.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B6

ncdot CASH REPORT

Playing favorites? Hospital boards, donors get COVID shots The Associated Press

For the week ending 1/29 Total Cash & Bond Proceeds:

$1,982,876,147 Add Receipts:

$237,150,602 Less Disbursements:

$88,341,600 Reserved Cash:

$403,713,254 Unreserved Cash Balance Total:

$4,084,302,150

Robinhood raises $3.4B from investors amid surge in trading Menlo Park, Calif.

Popular online trading platform Robinhood said Monday that it has lined up $3.4 billion to help meet its funding requirements amid a spike in trading on Wall Street fueled by small investors driving up shares in GameStop and other stocks.

The funds are being provided

by Ribbit Capital and several other venture capital firms, including Sequoia Capital, Index Ventures and ICONIQ Capital. The $3.4 billion figure includes $1 billion in funding that Robinhood announced Friday. Robinhood needed to secure funding in order to meet deposit thresholds required by organizations that handle the trading orders placed by investors on its platform. These firms, known as clearinghouses, execute the trades placed on stock brokerages like Robinhood, and require higher deposits in order to reduce their risk during the 48 hours or so that it takes them to transfer the stock to a buyer and the funds to the seller. The speculative frenzy has put pressure on Robinhood and other stock brokerages to keep up with traffic on their online platforms. Last week, Robinhood, Charles Schwab and other retail brokerages placed limits on trading of GameStop, AMC, Express and other stocks popular with small investors. The move led to a swift backlash from customers and criticism from some lawmakers claiming small investors were being treaded unfairly.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Treasury borrowing drops but could rise with new COVID aid Washington, D.C. The Treasury Department said Monday that it plans to borrow $274 billion in the current January-March quarter, down 54.1% from the prior threemonth period. But officials concede that figure could rise significantly depending on what type of new coronavirus relief package is approved by Congress. Treasury’s projected borrowing figure for this quarter is down from the $597 billion in actual borrowing it did during the OctoberDecember quarter. The government ran up a record $3.1 trillion deficit for the 2020 budget year that ended Sept. 30. Treasury officials said that rather than guess the size of the next relief package, they decided to include only borrowing projections for what has already passed Congress.

That means if another measure is approved, Treasury will end up borrowing more than is currently projecting. The government is projecting that it will need to borrow $95 billion in the April-June quarter this year but that amount does not include any increased borrowing needs from a new virus relief package.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WHILE MILLIONS of Americans wait for the COVID-19 vaccine, hospital board members, their trustees and donors around the country have gotten early access to the scarce drug or offers for vaccinations, raising complaints about favoritism tainting decisions about who gets inoculated and when.

In Rhode Island, Attorney General Peter Neronha opened an inquiry after reports that two hospital systems offered their board members vaccinations. A Seattle-area hospital system was rebuked by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee after it offered COVID-19 vaccination appointments to major donors. And in Kansas, members of a hospital board received vaccinations during the first phase of the state’s rollout, which was intended for people at greater risk for infection.

Hospitals in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia also have faced questions about distributing vaccines, including to donors, trustees and relatives of executives.

The disclosures could threaten public confidence in a national rollout already marked by vaccine shortages, appointment logjams and inconsistent standards state to state for determining who’s eligible.

“We want people vaccinated based on priority, not privilege,” Inslee spokesman Mike Faulk said. “Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to get vaccinated.”

At the direction of the federal government, states have set up tiered distribution pipelines aimed first at protecting essential workers and those most at risk, including older Americans.

In California, for example, medical workers, first responders, nursing home residents and people 65 and older are at the front of the line for the coveted shots.

In some cases, it’s not clear if rules were violated when people outside priority groups received vaccinations. Guidelines vary by state, and hospitals can have leeway making decisions. In California, providers have more latitude to make sure they do not squander hard-to-get vaccine in cases where it might be at risk of going to waste.

In Rhode Island, Attorney General Peter Neronha began an

YUKI IWAMURA | AP PHOTO

CVS Pharmacist Gerard Diebner shows the COVID-19 vaccine at Harlem Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, a nursing home facility, on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 in Harlem neighborhood of New York. inquiry into two hospital systems after The Providence Journal reported this month that some board members of hospital systems Lifespan and Care New England had been offered vaccinations.

In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Neronha said the report, if true, raised questions about whether the vaccine was being distributed appropriately.

“We all know the stakes are incredibly high. People are frustrated, they’re scared,” Neronha said. “Given the lack of supply here, every dose is critical.”

Care New England spokeswoman Raina Smith said in an emailed statement that administrators would cooperate with the probe. Lifespan spokeswoman Kathleen Hart emailed a statement saying the hospital system had followed guidance from Rhode Island health officials and had recently received clearance to vaccinate employers and volunteers considered at lower risk, “including board members, who fall into the volunteer category.”

The Seattle Times has reported that Overlake Medical Center & Clinics emailed about 110 donors who gave more than $10,000 to the hospital system, telling them that vaccine slots were available.

The email gave the donors an access code to register for appointments “by invite” only.

At the same time, the public Overlake registration site was fully booked through March. The

medical center’s chief operating officer said the invitation was a quick-fix solution after the hospital’s scheduling system failed.

Overlake shut down online access to the invite-only clinic after getting a call from Inslee’s staff, and CEO J. Michael Marsh issued an apology.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan called on the state to reassess its vaccine policy to make sure the most vulnerable, especially people of color, are prioritized. Hospital donors should be banned, she said.

“We have an obligation to ensure that our fight against the pandemic does not exacerbate inequities,” she said.

Arthur Caplan, medical ethics director at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, said it’s not surprising that hospitals supplied with vaccine to inoculate their workers would interpret guidance broadly and include those who don’t work directly with patients, such as computer technicians.

But giving hospital board members early access to the vaccine, regardless of an individual hospital’s rationale, only damages public confidence that shots are being distributed equitably, Caplan said.

“It’s a reminder that if you’re rich, well-connected and know how to work the system, you can get access that others can’t,” Caplan said. “Here it is, right in our face, when it comes to vaccinations.”

Fred Naranjo, owner of a San Francisco insurance company and a board member and chair of the finance committee at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, California, got a first vaccine before Christmas along with first responders and frontline medical workers.

Naranjo told KNTV-TV he wasn’t seeking special treatment ahead of others. He said he’s often at the hospital “walking the halls, talking to people,” and wanted to serve as a role model for others in the Hispanic community to get vaccinated.

“The main thing I wanted to do is to show people to take the vaccine and not to be afraid,” Naranjo said. “That it is safe. They need to be protected.”

Hospital spokesman Sam Singer said Naranjo was the only board member to receive a vaccination, because he visits the hospital weekly to meet with doctors, nurses and patients.

In Kansas, members of the Stormont Vail Health board, along with its fundraising board, received vaccinations during the first phase of the program, which was focused on nursing homes and health care workers. Spokesman Matt Lara said workers got shots first, and board members received them because they govern the hospital and its daily operations.

In California’s Santa Clara County, southeast of San Francisco, health officials are withholding COVID-19 vaccines from a hospital after it offered the vaccine to teachers and staffers from a wealthy school district in Silicon Valley, skipping people over 65 and health care workers.

Teachers and staff at Los Gatos Union School District received an email last week from Superintendent Paul Johnson offering vaccines ahead of schedule. In the email, first reported by the San Jose Spotlight news outlet, Johnson said the hospital’s offer was made in gratitude because the district raised funds for 3,500 meals that went to frontline workers at Good Samaritan Hospital and another facility.

Teachers, in the email, were told to impersonate health care workers despite the threat of perjury to obtain access to the vaccine. Good Samaritan CEO Joe DeSchryver said in a statement Tuesday that all appointments for a vaccine for people who are not health care workers or over 65 have been canceled.

“We regret the mistake we made in our efforts to use all vaccines prior to expiration,” he wrote.

Australian prime minister says Bing could replace Google

By Rod McGuirk The Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s prime minister said on Monday that Microsoft is confident it can fill the void if Google carries out its threat to remove its search engine from Australia.

A Google executive told a Senate hearing last month that it would likely make its search engine unavailable in Australia if the government goes ahead with a draft law that would make tech giants pay for news content.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he has spoken to Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella about its search engine, Bing, filling the space.

“I can tell you, Microsoft’s pretty confident” that Australians would not be worse off, Morrison told the National Press Club of Australia.

“These are big technology companies and what’s important to Australia, I think, is that we set the rules that are right for our people,” Morrison said.

“Having a news environment

GAMESTOP from page B5 have migrated to commodities as of Monday, sending silver prices surging to an eight-year high.

Silver futures jumped more than 9% on Monday to $29.42 per ounce with #silversqueeze trending on Twitter. That exuberance spread to companies that mine precious metals, especially silver. Shares of Pan American Silver surged about 12%, First Majestic Silver rose 22% and Hecla Mining spiked 28%.

Last week, there were messages on the Reddit forum WallStreet Bets and other places on social media encouraging small investors to buy silver. The metal shot up Monday, but many of

in this country that is one that is sustainable and is supported commercially, then this is vital to how democracies function,” he added.

Although Bing is Australia’s second most popular search engine, it has only a 3.6% market share, according to web analytics service Statcounter. Google says it has 95%.

Nadella initiated the Zoom conversation with Morrison, The Australian newspaper reported.

A Microsoft statement confirmed that the online meeting

had taken place last week but released no details of the conversation.

“We recognize the importance of a vibrant media sector and public interest journalism in a democracy and we recognize the challenges the media sector has faced over many years through changing business models and consumer preferences,” Microsoft said.

“With respect to the current controversy over a potential code of conduct governing Google and Facebook, Microsoft is not directly involved and we wouldn’t want to comment on that ongoing process involving the ACCC and those companies,” the statement added, referring to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the national regulator that devised the draft law.

The mandatory code of conduct proposed by the government aims to make Google and Facebook pay Australian media companies fairly for using news content the tech giants siphon from news sites.

There are no plans to make smaller search engines such as Bing pay for linking users to Australian news, but the government has not ruled that option out.

Google has faced pressure from authorities elsewhere to pay for news. Last month, it signed a deal with a group of French publishers paving the way for the company to make digital copyright payments. Under the agreement, Google will negotiate individual licensing deals with newspapers, with payments based on factors such as the amount published daily and monthly internet site traffic.

But Google is resisting the Australian plan because it would have less control over how much it would have to pay. Under the Australian system, if an online platform and a news business can’t agree on a price for news, an arbitration panel will make a binding decision on payment.

Morrison said he would like to see “more alignment between the world’s economies” on such antitrust and competition policy issues.

the online investors said it wasn’t them bidding up the price.

Some of these smaller traders believe the hedge funds that were pillaged last week are behind the surge in silver. Communications on messaging boards claim hedge funds have now become active on Reddit anonymously, attempting to drive them out of GameStop bets and into silver, but only after hedge funds had taken huge positions.

“IT’S A TRAP!” one Redditor warned, though no one really seemed certain.

Meanwhile, GameStop shares dropped 28% to $233 but the stock price has been tremendously volatile of late. Last week a 44% drop on Thursday was fol-

lowed by a 68% jump Friday.

The number of GameStop shares that have been shorted (bets that the stock will fall), were slashed by more than half in recent days, according to a report Monday by the analytics firm S3 Partners.

Last week’s turmoil caused hedge funds to pull back on their investments by the sharpest degree since February 2009, during the market collapse caused by the financial crisis, according to Goldman Sachs, which provides services such as clearing and consulting to hedge funds.

Goldman says hedge funds have been getting out of both short sales, where they’re betting a stock will fall, and more tradi-

tional investments that bank on rising prices “in every sector,” according to a Goldman Sachs report Monday.

Even so, hedge funds’ exposure to the stock market remains close to record levels. That means there’s still risk for more sell-offs by hedge funds.

The story has also moved out of Reddit chatrooms and into places where silver actually trades hands. Coin dealers are being overwhelmed by orders Monday.

The Silver Mountain, a Netherlands-based bullion dealer, said on its website that, “Due to extreme market volatility we cannot accept any new orders at this moment,” adding it hoped to reopen by the afternoon.

“Having a news environment in this country that is one that is sustainable and is supported commercially, then this is vital to how democracies function.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B7

2021 GMC Yukon Denali

PHOTOS COURTESY GMC

Chrome and black and huge and awesome The king of the highway

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — A few years ago, I went to a special forces training facility in North Carolina to learn about why SpecOps folks like to use Chevy Tahoes. It summed up to: they’re reliable, they’re available, and they’re cheap... or at least cheap compared to a giant armored humvee or something.

But most importantly, so said the top-secret operator boys, they blend in. In a “permissive environment” like Baghdad or Kuwait City or Washington D.C., a black Chevy Tahoe is one in a thousand.

Driving it means you don’t stand out and call attention to yourself, except, perhaps, to signify that some important diplomat or whoever is being chauffeured somewhere and you should probably get out of the way.

This was on my mind when driving a brand new, all black 2021 GMC Yukon Denali in the far left lane of I-5 between Orange technology, and, for another $350, County and San Diego. The front the fantastic power sliding floor grille of the new Yukon is an im- console.

That console is great, and has posing mass of chrome and black metal. It brings new meaning to to be seen to be really understood.

Basically, the entire armrest centhe phrase “full size SUV.” I don’t know how tall the front ter console slides back at the push grille is, but the closest I can ap- of a button. In its place is the perproximate is Very Tall. The en- fect place to put a woman’s handtire vehicle has grown up 4.9 inch- bag (or even a small backpack, es in wheelbase and 6.1 inches in really) or, as I did on several occaoverall length. This is particular- sions, your drive-thru order from Chick-Fil-A. As an addly good news for thirded bonus, there’s a hidrow passengers because den compartment at the legroom back there is up bottom that’s the perfect an impressive 10.1 inch- A worthy size for a small handgun, es in the base Yukon that successor though GMC would nevI tried. The Yukon XL, er admit to it being deroughly equivalent to the to one of the larger Chevy Suburban, all-time great signed for such things!

There’s also the remains far roomier. rear 12.6-inch touchBut as I whipped along full-size screens with matchthe Southern Califor- SUVs ing HDMI inputs and nia freeway, I noticed a USB-C charging ports funny thing: people kept moving out of my way. I wasn’t be- on the back of the console. I took ing particularly aggressive at tail- a Roku Stick and plugged it in to gating and I wasn’t flashing my the HDMI port, then connected it high beams at them — but none- to the in-car Wi-Fi network with theless they generally moved out AT&T 4G LTE connectivity, and of the way with a haste I wasn’t was able to watch the NFC Championship Game from the comfort used to from SoCal drivers.

Perhaps that’s the biggest fea- of the second-row captain’s chairs. ture of all for the new Yukon: im- It’s easy to see how this connection pressing upon other motorists the (which would also be good for evurgent need to get the hell out of erything from Netflix to Disney+) the way. Indeed, a friend of mine would be incredibly useful on a who recently bought the new Sub- long road-trip.

Because there are two HDMI urban said the best part of owning a giant black government-esque ports, both rear passengers can SUV is that people think it must watch something different and be the governor or something parents up front don’t have to listen, because there are two sets of coming through.

This impression of importance wireless headphones included.

My main complaint here is that is something GM leans hard into and exactly what they was trying I wish the HDMI ports were locatto show us at the training facili- ed somewhere else. On the back ty. It was the company’s subtle way of the sliding center console is an of saying “see, the President rides awful precarious place for those around in a Suburban and you Roku Sticks to plug in, and they’ll probably get kicked (or worse) by should too.” It works, though.

I loved the new Yukon De- accident at some point. GMC, let nali, even with its eye-watering us hide those things somewhere $83,495 price tag. It’s pretty well- and it’ll be perfection.

As is though, the new GMC Yuequipped for that sum, as one would expect. The $11,255 Denali kon Denali is a worthy successor package includes Denali badging to one of the all-time great fullabsolutely everywhere, power-re- size SUVs and, with that enortracting side steps, an air-ride mous chrome grille, the folks in suspension, adaptive cruise, all front of you on the highway will manner of cameras and towing know it too.

PHOTO BY JORDAN GOLSON | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B8

features

‘No Empty Bowl’ project partners with community to help struggling pet owners

By Elizabeth Lincicome North State Journal RALEIGH — Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic pets have proven to be rare and reliable sources of enjoyment throughout otherwise dark and troubling times. In fact, in the very early months of the outbreak, pet adoptions in the United States reached an all-time high. According to the New York Times, animal foster applications increased 500% in some areas of the country with some shelters totally emptied out. Animal welfare experts estimate that as many as 173 million pets live in American homes. But as much joy as these furry four-legged creatures bring, they are also an added expense for their owners, often proving to be more of a financial burden on cash strapped individuals struggling to make ends meet. According to Rover.com, an online pet service the annual cost of a dog’s basic needs ranges from $610-$2,115.

However a 2020 study found that half of dog owners spend closer to $3,400 per year with food being the largest single expense.

In response, local charity ‘Friends of Wake County Animal Center’ set up a food assistance program last April in order to help pet owners working in industries that had reduced hours or eliminated their positions due to COVID-19 mandates. Through its ‘No Empty Bowl’ project the nonprofit has been able to get pet food and supplies to those in need. But according to the project’s founder Christine Becker, what initially started out as a temporary assistance program, has had real staying power as the pandemic rages on and more and more Wake County residents find themselves and their pets needing help.

“We intended this to be a short-

Christine Becker, Friends of Wake County Animal Center

PHOTOS COURTESY THE “NO EMPTY BOWL” PROJECT

This file photo provided by the “No Empty Bowl” project shows bags of pet food being dropped off and prepped for distribution to pets in need. term assistance program for pet owners but for whatever reason – maybe it was that folks didn’t get their stimulus checks in the mail or the money ran out – here we are, almost a year later, luckily still helping people,” Becker says. Although the federal government issued stimulus checks in March 2020 as part of the $2 trillion Cares Act, lower income households were likely to spend this much needed assistance straight away. The Wall Street Journal cited a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research showing consumers with under $100 in their bank accounts spent over 40% of their stimulus

A gloomy Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil says more winter The Associated Press PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy Tuesday morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties.

Members of Phil’s “inner circle” woke up the furry critter at 7:25 a.m. at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see whether he would see his shadow or not.

Shortly after this year’s prediction was revealed, one of the members of the inner circle shared a message he said Phil had told him earlier in the day: “After winter, you’re looking forward to one of the most beautiful and brightest springs you’ve ever seen.”

Another member of the “inner circle” noted the uniqueness of the past year.

“People have been referencing Groundhog Day. It has felt like at times we’re all living the same day over and over again,” one of the members said. “Groundhog Day also shows us that the monotony ends. The cycle will be broken.”

“Today actually is Groundhog Day, there’s only one,” he added.

“There is quite literally a new day coming over the horizon.”

The spectacle that is Groundhog Day still went on, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, revelers weren’t able to see Phil and celebrate in person: This year, it was all virtual and included cardboard cutouts to represent spectators.

A livestream, which had more than 15,000 viewers at one point, played footage from previous Groundhog Day’s ahead of the big reveal.

Then of course, the prognosticator of prognosticators emerged at dawn. The lore goes that if he sees his shadow as he did this year, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early.

Wearing top hats, members of the club summoned Phil from a new tree stump.

“We could be staring down a really heartbreaking situation where people are forced to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pet. That is why we created this program.”

“You look beautiful,” club president Jeff Lundy told Phil, who directed members to one of two scrolls.

A club member announced, “We have all passed through the darkness of night, but now see hope in morning’s bright light. But now when I turn to see, there’s a perfect shadow cast of me.”

The livestream from Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, is made possible by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office’s Holi-stay PA. The event there — always Feb. 2 — dates back to 1887.

Phil this year, like many years in the past, gave his forecast during a major snowstorm that hit the entire Northeast.

The annual event has its origin in a German legend about a furry rodent. Records dating to the late 1800s show Phil has predicted longer winters more than 100 times.

The 2020 forecast called for an early spring — however, Phil didn’t say anything about a pandemic.

In its 135-year history, Phil has predicted winter 106 times and spring 20 times, the club said. Ten years were lost because no records were kept.

Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer but he’s certainly not the only one.

There are two other high-profile “imposters,” as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club calls them, in the region.

Connecticut marked Groundhog Day with a hedgehog making the prediction after the state’s official groundhog, Chuckles X, died last year. Like Phil, Phoebe predicted another six weeks of winter after seeing its shadow at the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester.

New York City’s Staten Island Chuck disagreed, predicting an early spring in a video shown on the Staten Island Zoo’s Facebook page.

“We’re going to have an early spring! Spring is coming,” Brian Gomez, of event sponsor Investors Bank said in a video message.

payments within the first month, while those with over $4,000 barely spent a dime.

As for ‘No Empty Bowl’ Becker estimates that to date, the group has provided supplies to between 4,500-5,000 pets including hamsters, fish, bearded dragons, rabbits, parrots, guinea pigs, geckos, cockatiels, and of course cats and dogs. The group hosted its first distribution event last April out of a makeshift headquarters at the Massage Luxe in Raleigh. Since then, it has increased its drop off spots to include the Unleashed Cary, Lake Boone Trail, and Stonehenge locations. Pickup sites in-

clude Open Door Church, Hope Community Church, and Mama’s House in Fuquay Varina. More information can be found on the charity’s website and FWCAC accepts monetary donations to do the shopping and provide for pets with allergies or special medical dietary needs.

“A restaurant employee friend told me the other day that if it came down to it, they would feed their cats before feeding themselves.

Well, we don’t want it to ever come down to that,” Becker says. “No one should bear the burden of decision like that. And we don’t want folks to choose to surrender their furry

Sea shanties are having a moment amid isolation of pandemic

By David Sharp The Associated Press There once was a tune that tickled the Internet’s fancy/When TikTok revived the humble sea shanty/The views came fast, the fad could last/Go, read about it go: PEOPLE are stuck at home, toiling away, getting bored, going stir crazy.

Cooped-up sailors who felt the same way on long ocean journeys broke up the tedium with work songs called sea shanties.

It only makes sense, then, that shanties have come full circle with a moment of unprecedented popularity during the pandemic.

“Times are tough. If we can sing, it’ll help us get through it, just like sailors did on the tall ships,” said Bennett Konesni, of Belfast, Maine, who started singing sea shanties aboard a schooner in Penobscot Bay and performs several times a week with the Mighty Work Song Community Chorus.

TikTok helped sea shanties surge into the mainstream.

The app has a duet feature that lets people create a 60-second song and then allows others to add their voices.

People began using the feature to record sea shanties, and shantying quickly became a mainstream thing, starting last month. The ShantyTok movement has even contributed to a rendition by the Longest Johns of the centuries old “Wellerman” sailing into the United Kingdom’s Top 40 chart. Another version by Nathan Evans with a driving beat reached No. 2 at midweek.

The sudden popularity isn’t so hard to fathom. After all, people are craving interaction during the pandemic, and shanties are

group efforts that don’t require great singing skills — though some of the TikToks are quite sophisticated and elaborate.

Long live the work song’s run/To bring us a sense of glee and fun/ One day, when the pandemic is done/Back to the office we’ll go Shanties and sea songs are lumped together in the trend, but true shanties were work songs.

Sailors of yore sang to pass the time and to coordinate their efforts in hoisting sails and anchors, and manning the bilge pumps.

They generally consist of a chorus — in “Wellerman,” it’s about a ship loaded with “sugar, tea and rum” — that’s easy to memorize. There might be formal lyrics, or participants might choose to ad lib, with others joining for the chorus, said Matthew Baya, a radio show host from Williamstown, Massachusetts.

The shanties helped sailors defuse tension and remain sane amid the cruelty of isolation and cramped quarters. Shanties sometimes involved good-natured insults at skippers or the shipping companies that employed them.

Vocal chops are a bonus, but not a necessity.

“Not all sailors kept perfect pitch. They weren’t in that job for their musical talent,” Baya said.

“You’ll get some people who are really talented, and other people who’re just having fun but may not hit all of the right notes.”

Many people who sing sea shanties at local festivals in Mystic, Connecticut; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Plymouth, Massachusetts, and other seaport locations across the U.S. are thrilled by the sudden attention.

Shanties are even more popular

family members because they can no longer afford to feed them. That would be excruciating for the family and devastating to the animal, too.”

FWCAC is in itself a fascinating story. It got its roots from a small group of volunteers who on July 29, 2012 decided to launch a Facebook Page to bring awareness to the animals at the Wake County Animal Center, promoting the need for pet adoption, etc.

As the need within the community grew over the years, so did the volunteer organization and in August of 2016 they became a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the goal of improving the quality of life for animals in the community and their human families. The ‘No Empty Bowl’ project is made possible through the generous donations of several groups including the Teddy Rox Foundation.

Becker wants people to know that if they are struggling to feed their pets, her group is here to help.

“There are so many people in need right now, the hardship is ubiquitous, and we feel like for people who need to stand in line for food for an hour for themselves….they could probably use help to feed their pets as well. We know that pet food is not the only thing on your mind or the only thing that you need, but we know that you love your pets very dearly (as we do ours). And if we can help in some small way, that’s exactly what we’d like to do. At this point, every little bit that we can do for each other helps.”

in some parts of Europe.

“If people are having fun singing, that’s got to be good,” said Baya, one of the hosts of the “Saturday Morning Coffee House” on WERU-FM in Blue Hill, Maine.

His show often includes a shanty or two.

Many workers are stuck inside and alone/A sense of whimsy can throw them a bone/Because of that, the shanty trend has shone/ So sing, sing as you go Shanties tend to be associated with England, which ruled the seas in the 18th and 19th centuries. But they’re sung from Maine, where English colonists began a shipbuilding tradition, to Massachusetts, home of the nation’s whaling fleet, down to Alabama’s Mobile Bay, the Caribbean and all the way around the world, Konesni said.

They’re work songs like the ones sung by enslaved people harvesting crops in the South, miners chipping away deep underground and loggers felling trees in the woods, all of which are seeing renewed attention thanks to shanties, said Konesni, who’s a cultural ambassador for the State Department and has performed shanties around the world.

The trend is a refreshing one in a world that has become accustomed to people performing on a stage for a crowd, Konesni said.

Shanties are different because they’re participatory. The audience is encouraged to boisterously sing along.

“It’s got a depth, history and singability that a lot of pop songs don’t,” he said.

Geoff Kaufman, who made a living singing sea shanties and directed the Sea Music Festival at the Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, said he’s amused and intrigued by the sudden fascination with shanties.

He loves the idea of a new generation lifting their voices.

“I hope it brings more young people into the fold,” he said.

Long live the work song’s run/To bring us a sense of glee and fun/ One day, when the pandemic is done/Back to the office we’ll go

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B9

Pandemic cuisine: Odd pairings, old favorites on the menu

By Leanne Italie The Associated Press NEW YORK — Whether it’s kimchi, beets or broccoli, the pandemic has had a strange impact on food cravings that goes beyond the joy of comfort eating.

Nearly a year into isolation, many people are embracing foods long forgotten or rejected for taste, texture or smell. Some have forced themselves to re-evaluate health-focused foods to help boost their immune systems. And with home cooking at a high, there’s a new adventurousness in the kitchen.

For Maeri Ferguson, 31, in Brooklyn, it’s all about pears.

After recovering from COVID-19, she spent months without normal taste and smell. So many foods she loved just didn’t satisfy. Now, Ferguson can again sense sweetness, saltiness and spiciness, but most foods lack nuance in flavor.

Not pears.

“My whole life I always passed on pears. Not because I didn’t like them. They just intimidated me,” Ferguson said. “I didn’t understand the differences between varietals, how to determine ripeness. I knew what a bad, unripe pear tasted like but not a good one.”

During the pandemic, a friend gave her a handy slicer as a gift and she pushed herself to figure out how to spot a good pear. It was one of the first foods she could truly taste.

“I’m a full convert,” Ferguson said. “I’ll never forget biting into a juicy, red pear and finally tasting that sweet flavor and just the faintest tartness. It was a profound experience, and one that made me treasure a food I used to only tolerate.”

While Ferguson may not have pear sales soaring, a big pandemic winner is fermented foods.

Anastasia Sharova, a chef in Stuttgart, Germany, runs Happybellyfish.com, an online cooking

school focused on healthy food. It added fermentation classes in late 2019, then the pandemic hit. Suddenly, interest in making kimchi, miso and sauerkraut rocketed.

Kombucha was already a trend and helped popularize home fermenting.

“Health became the priority number one for many last year,” Sharova said. “Second, everyone got extra time at home, so it was finally possible to try out new things in the kitchen that require time.

Third, food fermentation is perceived as a hobby on its own and it’s a great community activity, even if your community is on Zoom or just within your own family.”

Thirty-year-old Alicia Harper is now in the fermentation camp.

The New York City nutritionist was well-versed in the health benefits but wasn’t personally a fan before the pandemic.

“I found the fermented taste to be too strong for me and the fermented smell was off-putting. Since trying them again recently, my opinion has completely changed.

I have now grown to love the taste and smell,” she said. “The pandemic really has made me appreciate my health more.”

Anne Alderete is enjoying something she never thought she would: natto. Made of fermented soy beans, natto is popular in Japan but considered too slimy and stinky for some.

“I’ve smelled it many times since I’m half Japanese and lived in Tokyo after college for seven years,” said the 47-year-old Alderete in Los Angeles. “I long wanted to understand the magic I was just not tasting. I was reminded of dirty old socks.”

Now, she devours store-bought natto nearly every week. Among her favorite ways to eat it is spread on a thick slice of toast topped with cheese and melted in the broiler.

“I feel somewhat virtuous when I eat natto because the health benefits are many, but it’s also because it’s brought me closer to my roots,”

J. ALDERETE, LEFT, AND A. ALDERETE VIA AP

This combination of photos shows Anne Alderete at a restaurant on Aug. 12, 2020, left, and a dish of natto and chives on gluten free sourdough bread.

Alderete said.

The long shelf life of many fermented foods is another draw.

While health concerns and comfort foods have played a role, one expert thinks that changes in the way we eat also come from having more time at home to digest an onslaught of news about nutrition and the food chain.

“The pandemic has allowed many of us to finally acknowledge some uncomfortable truths about the food system,” said Ryan Andrews, a registered dietician who wrote a book on plant-based eating.

“People have learned about the unsafe working conditions in meatpacking plants, the unfair wages of farm laborers, the chronic diseases we all face related to diet, the inhumane ways in which we raise factory-farmed animals and the immense ecological toll of industrialized agriculture,” said Ryan, an adviser for Precision Coaching, which certifies nutrition coaches.

Suddenly, he said, “The organic lentil and mushroom soup that didn’t sound so appealing pre-pandemic became part of the weekly meal routine.”

At the same time, an analysis of Google searches by the market re-

search firm Semrush on the weird and wonderful in changing food interests during the pandemic pointed to comfort. The company found a 17% increase in searches for “peanuts and coke” in December when compared to December 2019, and a 33% rise for “prosciutto and melon.” It found a 95% hike for “bacon and jam.”

At WoodSpoon, a New Yorkbased app that connects home chefs with hungry customers, the comfort trend is more than a little evident. Before the pandemic, there was strong interest in healthy offerings and less processed foods. After, it was all about the babka, pasta and short rib.

“In challenging times like this, diners are looking for authentic, homemade food and want to support local chefs. The trend has been happening for some time, and the pandemic took it to the next level,” said Oren Saar, WoodSpoon’s co-founder and CEO. Beets never got a chance from Caroline Hoffman, 25, until the pandemic arrived and she forgot to buy tomatoes for pizza sauce one day. She blended up some beets instead and away she went, overcoming her grossness factor.

“I’m now hooked. I’ve made beet hummus, beet pasta and just plain beet salads. I’m unsure why I hadn’t discovered this before but now I buy a weekly bag like it’s cereal,” said Hoffman, in Chicago.

Others are reconnecting with their childhood favorites, revisiting peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or whipping up grilled cheeses to eat with canned tomato soup. You can count raisins in as well.

Harry Overly, the “chief imagination wrangler,” president and CEO for Sun-Maid, said the raisin company saw a 1.4% increase in the last year in the number of U.S. households that started eating raisins.

“We absolutely see, especially in the past year, how consumers lean into nostalgia and reconnect with brands they remember from their childhood,” he said.

It’s not raisins Rex Chatterjee is after at home in the Hamptons beach town of Amagansett, New York. The treat of choice for Chatterjee, 34, and his wife is Oreos and rosé. He admits to dunking on occasion.

“The combination,” he said, “is wonderful and comes with our highest recommendation.”

Tampa Bay makes best of Super Bowl week amid sour economy

By Curt Anderson The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. — There have been four previous Super Bowls in Tampa, some amid war and economic distress, but none have faced the challenges this year’s event encounters because of the coronavirus pandemic and its fallout.

Tickets for Sunday’s game are limited to about a third of the capacity of Raymond James Stadium. There will be no tailgating.

While the usual fan festival and other side attractions are happening, masks and social distancing are required. Most player appearances will be remote.

Last year’s pre-pandemic Super Bowl in the Miami area generated an estimated $572 million in new spending in the three main South Florida counties, according to that game’s host committee. This year, the Tampa Bay region probably won’t generate even half that, said Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting.

The usual economic take for a Super Bowl is somewhere between $300 million and $500 million for the host regions, he said.

For example, large corporate and sponsor events will be limited if they are held at all, he said. Bars and restaurants are open but with some restrictions on seating and an emphasis on social distancing.

“A lot of things you associate with a Super Bowl aren’t going to happen,” Snaith said. “That’s going to have an impact economically. The circumstances put kind of a wet blanket on it.”

Tourist development tax collections in Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, show the hit the area has taken during the pandemic. This is a tax on shortterm rentals, such as hotels.

Before the pandemic, tax collections for sales in January to February were at an increase of about 30% in comparison to 2019 during the same time period, according to county data.

After the pandemic hit, tourist tax collections for sales in March to November decreased by almost 49% in comparison to 2019 during the same time period.

Hillsborough lost at least $11.1 million in tourist tax collections

DAVID J. PHILLIP

Anaja Brackett, center, runs with a football at the NFL Experience for Super Bowl LV Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. for sales from January to November, if not more when compared to numbers from 2019 for the same time period.

Across the bay, Pinellas County experienced a similar tax downturn, losing at least $17.9 million in tourist tax collections for sales from January to November.

Yet leaders in the Tampa Bay area are putting a brave face on hosting the game, which was initially supposed to be held in the Los Angeles area until stadium construction there hit a snag that led the NFL to look elswhere. L.A. is getting next year’s game.

The region is thrilled that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by quarterback Tom Brady in his first year with the team, will face with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and their young star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

People have already been lining up at sporting goods stores to buy

team merchandise.

Beyond that, officials say it’s hard to put a price tag on the publicity the Super Bowl will generate for the entire region, its beaches and other attractions. Disney World and the other Orlando theme parks aren’t far away, either.

Rob Higgins, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl host committee, said the region is looking at the Super Bowl as an unparalleled marketing opportunity.

Higgins said the event will mark the most hotel rooms occupied since the pandemic started in the region — some estimates say perhaps as many as 100,000 guest room nights — and that flights to Tampa are starting to fill up.

“We have an opportunity to tell our story,” he said, noting that the last Super Bowl in Tampa was in 2009, during the Great Recession.

“This is really a platform to share

how far we’ve come as a community.”

Still, it’s costly to put together a Super Bowl and its related events.

Officials estimate local governments and entities such as the Visit Tampa Bay tourist promotion organization are spending at least $7.5 million, not counting in-kind services.

Hotel occupancy in the Tampa area was about 53% during the first three weeks of January this year, said Visit Tampa Bay CEO Santiago Corrada. Last year during the same time, it was 74%.

“We have suffered over the last 11 to 12 months. We also have been very resilient,” Corrada said. “Every month has seen a slow and steady increase in occupancy.”

It’s been a strange sports year or so for Tampa Bay during the coronavirus pandemic. It was extremely successful by any measure for the region’s teams, except not hav-

ing home games during the title runs and fans in the seats.

First, the NHL’s Lightning won the Stanley Cup, but the championship was played in Edmonton, Canada. Tampa didn’t get to host any of those games. Same with baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, who lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers — in Arlington, Texas.

To top that off, the NBA’s Toronto Raptors are playing their home games initially at Tampa’s Amalie Arena because of coronavirus restrictions in Canada. Again, no fans allowed inside at least for now.

Now it’s Brady and the Buccaneers’ turn in Tampa’s own Super Bowl that won’t be the same as the previous 54 title games. No team has ever before played a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

Put all of this down as economic opportunities lost.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 286

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Beverly C. Gray, Robert H. Cannon (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Beverly C. Gray and Robert H. Cannon) to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), dated December 15, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 08533, at Page 0337 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 February 15, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 15SP2005 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MICHAEL P. WALKER AND NICOLE M. WALKER DATED JANUARY 2, 2013 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9080 AT PAGE 586 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 19SP1323 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY TERRY J. CARREIA AND GWENDOLYN F. CARREIA DATED MARCH 20, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6037 AT PAGE 064 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 19sp1605 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GLORIA J. BROWN AND MARK A. NELSON DATED JULY 18, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6195 AT PAGE 68 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of

All that certain property situated in the City of Concord, in the County of Cabarrus and state of North Carolina and being described in a deed dated 03/29/2001 and recorded 03/29/2001 in Book 3168, Page 27 among the land records of the county and state set forth above and referenced as follows: Lying and being in Number Eleven (11) Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, on the east side of Tilley Road, bounded on the north by Frank Wishart Neal, on the east by Willie Blackwelder Walters, and the south by Walter O. Wentz, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an iron in Tilley Road, a corner of Neal, and runs thence with the line of Neal S. 8204-00 E. 387.08 feet to an existing iron, thence continuing with the line of Neal and Walters, S. 52-02-52 E. (Passing an iron at 60.07 feet) for a total distance of 99.81 feet to an existing iron, thence with the line of Walters, S. 42.51.11 E. 54.97 feet to an existing, a rear corner of Wentz; thence with the line of Wentz, S. 20-09-34 W. (Passing an iron at 15.00 feet) for a total distance of 296.37 feet to a bolt in the centerline of Tilley Road, thence with the centerline of Tilley Road, N. 43-56-18 W. 20.33 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of Tilley Road as it curves at a radius of 1637.02 feet for an arc distance of 227.92 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of said road, N. 36-40-36 W. 66.31 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of said road as it curves at a radius of 654.81 feet for an arc distance of 260.43 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of said road, N. 58-36-21 W. 7.71 feet to a point; thence N. 8-37-00 E. 10.70 feet to the

point of beginning, containing 2.040 acres, more or less, as surveyed and platted by James T. West, R.L.S. dated March 27, 2001. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2395 Tilley Road, Concord, North Carolina.

contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on February 8, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Michael P. Walker and Nicole M. Walker, dated January 2, 2013 to secure the original principal amount of $173,298.00, and recorded in Book 9080 at Page 586 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.

Creek Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax Parcel ID: 0403-74-8950Present Record Owners: Michael Walker and Nicole Walker

Address of property:

1110 Legend

substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:30AM on February 8, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Terry J. Carreia and Gwendolyn F. Carreia, dated March 20, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $78,260.00, and recorded in Book 6037 at Page 064 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: 512 Jennings Farm Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax Parcel ID: 0407-35-0955 Present Record Owners: Gwendolyn F. Carreia

the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:30AM on February 8, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Gloria J. Brown and Mark A. Nelson, dated July 18, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $61,175.00, and recorded in Book 6195 at Page 68 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: 1043 Revere St, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Tax Parcel ID: 0407-50-2185Present Record Owners: Gloria J.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 19 SP 119

undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on February 9, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit:

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Robin Lee Lester Adams a/k/a Robin Lee Lester and Samuel Wayne Adams, in the original amount of $67,810.70, payable to CitiFinancial Services, Inc., dated February 19, 2004 and recorded on February 20, 2004 in Book 6433, Page 502, Cumberland County Registry.

All that certain parcel of land in the Rockfish Township, Cumberland County, State of North Carolina, as more fully described in Book 4538, Page 394, ID# 0413-94-9716, Being known and designated as Lot #69, “Cottonwood, Section 3”, filed in Plat Book 89, Page 60.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 5513 Ackley Lane, Hope Mills, NC 28348. Tax ID: 0413-94-9716 Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 20 SP 665

undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on February 9, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit:

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Leroy Oreggio Hinton, in the original amount of $125,000.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as nominee for SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., dated August 29, 2005 and recorded on September 7, 2005 in Book 7001, Page 257, Cumberland County Registry.

Being all of Lot 1, Block “B” in subdivision known as revision of subdivision L.G. Carter, Jr., and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 66, at Page 73, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the

ONSLOW AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 200

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Dawson Obrian Redman, Rayne Redman (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Dawson Obrian Redman and Rayne Redman) to Pamela S. Cox, Trustee(s), dated April 23, 2019, and recorded in Book No. 4931, at Page 345 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

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 865 Bladen Circle Fayetteville NC 28312. Tax ID: 0466-58-2643Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). Adepositoffivepercent(5%)ofthebidorSeven

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 February 18, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Richlands in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 49 as shown on that plat entitled “Camellia Creek”, dated June 29, 2006, prepared by Dennis L. Manning, PLS, and recorded in Map Book 52, Page 161, Slide L-1736, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 309 Vito Court, Richlands, 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 Deed of Trust was modified by the following:

A Loan Modification recorded on November 21, 2018, in Book No. 13275, at Page 0022.

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

P

And Being more commonly known as: 1110 Legend Creek Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Michael P Walker and Nicole Walker.

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 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. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities

And Being more commonly known as: 512 Jennings Farm Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28314 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Gwendolyn F. Carreia.

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 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. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent

Brown And Being more commonly known as: 1043 Revere St, Fayetteville, NC 28304 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Gloria J. Brown.

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 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. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax

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.

arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to 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 and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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 written notice 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3463 - 8978

The date of this Notice is January 7, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 15-077245

Parkway,

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued

(5%) of the amount of the bid 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. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is January 7, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-107439

Parkway,

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in 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 written notice 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

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 and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in 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 written notice

($500.00). Adepositoffivepercent(5%)ofthebidorSeven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is Robin Lee Lester Adams.

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 §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 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.

Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is Leroy Hinton.

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 §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 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.

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

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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is January 7, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-108304

Parkway,

Suite

400

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee January N. Taylor, Bar #33512 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) jtaylor@mtglaw.com

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee January N. Taylor, Bar #33512 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) jtaylor@mtglaw.com

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3668 - 10903

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

UNION IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 20sp425 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LEWIS KING AND LYNN B. KING DATED JANUARY 11, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4447 AT PAGE 373 IN THE UNION 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and

WAKE 14 SP 1727 AMENDED 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 Margaret W. Reeves and Ronald Wayne Reeves to First American Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated December 23, 2002 and recorded on December 31, 2002 in Book 009830 at Page 02298 and rerecorded/modified/ corrected on January 20, 2010 in Book 013829, Page 01107 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on January 20, 2010 in Book 013829, Page 01110, 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

20 SP 553 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 Arani Arzate Zamora to Getter Law Offices, Trustee(s), which was dated October 28, 2016 and recorded on October 28, 2016 in Book 016586 at Page 01134, 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 February 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and

20 SP 587 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 Chad E. Lynch and Danielle M. Lynch to Title Source Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated July 3, 2012 and recorded on July 17, 2012 in Book 014846 at Page 00068, 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 February 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and

20 SP 1919 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 Legacy of TAS, Inc., a Delaware Corporation to T. D. Service Company, Trustee(s), which was dated February 26, 2019 and recorded on February 26, 2019 in Book 017369 at Page 01163, 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 February 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

12 SP 4679 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 Lorinda S. Hendrickson to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated April 30, 2007 and recorded on April 30, 2007 in Book 012524 at Page 01479 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on January 6, 2020 in Book 017707, Page 00967, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 2:30PM on February 17, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Lewis King and Lynn B. King, dated January 11, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $247,500.00, and recorded in Book 4447 at Page 373 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 6000 Potter Rd, Matthews, NC 28104 Tax Parcel ID: 07147107 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Lynn B. King

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 February 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

And Being more commonly known as: 6000 Potter Rd, Matthews, NC 28104 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Lynn B. King.

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 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. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to 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 and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the

conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 2521 Springhill Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27603.

AND, in addition, the parcel described as follows:

A cash deposit (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.

BEGINNING at a point located North 10 degrees, 38 minutes, West 81 feet from the center line of Sardis Drive, and also being the Northwest corner of Lot 11 recorded in Book of Maps 1946, Page 102; thence North 10 degrees, 38 minutes, West 2 feet to a new iron pipe; thence North 79 degrees, 24 minutes 10 seconds, East 199.98 feet to a new iron pipe, thence South 10 degrees, 31 minutes, East 2 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence South 79 degrees, 24 minutes, 10 seconds, West 199.98 feet to the point and place of beginning, containing approximately 400 square feet as shown on a Plat entitled “Property of Gertrude P. Morgan” by Bobby R. Lee, R.L.S., dated April 14, 1986.

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, 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 Margaret W. Reaves a/k/a Margaret W. Reeves.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior

An Order for possession of the property may be issued

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

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, 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 Arani Arzate Zamora, unmarried.

BEING all of Lots 11 and 12, Block G, Carolina Pines, according to a map recorded in Book of Maps 1946, Page 102, Wake County Registry.

BEING all of Lot 286 Battle Ridge North Subdivision, as shown on plat Book of Maps 2005, Page 1698, Wake County Registry Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 3445 KERNSTOWN DR, Raleigh, NC 27610.

A cash deposit (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.

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

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

EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

the

Land Situated in the County of Wake in

City of Apex in the State of NC

BEING ALL OF LOT 37, THE PARK AT WEST LAKE, THE WOODLANDS, PHASE 2, AS SHOWN IN BOOK OF MAPS 2005, PAGES 883, 884 AND 885, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 5149 Dove Forest Lane, Apex, NC 27539.

A cash deposit (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

BEGINNING AT A STAKE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PENN ROAD, 195 FEET IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION MEASURED ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF PENN ROAD FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERN SIDE OF NORTH STATE STREET; RUNS THENCE SOUTH 11 DEGREES 15 MINUTES WEST 136.70 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF LOT 131 ON MAP TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREINAFTER MADE; RUNS THENCE NORTH 76 DEGREES 50 MINUTES WEST 65.20 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE; RUNS THENCE NORTH 11 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST 134.50 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF PENN ROAD; RUNS THENCE ALONG THE SOUTHERN LINE OF PENN ROAD SOUTH 78 DEGREES 45 MINUTES EAST 65.0 FEET TO THE POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING, AND BEING THE WESTERN PART OF LOT 131 AND THE EASTERN PART OF LOT 132 OF CAPITOL HEIGHTS, RALEIGH, N. C., ACCORDING TO SURVEY BY D. C. SHEARIN; DATED OCTOBER 31, 1969. FOR MAP OF CAPITOL HEIGHTS SEE BOOK OF MAPS 1945, PAGE 113, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior

conducting the sale on February 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of Lot 3926, Blackwolf Run at Hedingham on the Neuse, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 1999, Pages 1904 & 1905, Wake County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 5742 Osprey Cove Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604.

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, 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 Chad E. Lynch and spouse, Danielle M. Lynch.

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

conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 714 Penn Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604.

A cash deposit (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. 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

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, 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 Lorinda S. Hendrickson and All Lawful Heirs of Frank Ferrante.

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

A cash deposit (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.

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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 1956

in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 22, Block 12, Unit 214E, Crown Oaks Townhomes Phase 3A, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 1983, Page 996, Wake County Registry. Including the Unit located thereon; said Unit being located at 7751 Kingsberry Court, Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Patricia L. Duggins (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Patricia L. Duggins) to PRLAP, Inc., Trustee(s), dated May 20, 2004, and recorded in Book No. 010889, at Page 02333 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 February 15, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh

Being the same property conveyed to Patricia L. Duggins, unmarried by deed from Brenda Harrell Hufton nka Brenda Hufton Hilliker and husband, Leonard R. Hilliker, Sr. recorded 12/03/2001 in Deed Book 9191 Page 547, in the Register of Deeds Office of Wake County, North Carolina.

Tax ID# 0129057 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).

sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

The date of this Notice is January 27, 2021.

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 16-080211

Parkway,

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in 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 written notice 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Aaron B. Anderson Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5710 Oleander Drive, Ste. 204 Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 202-2940 Fax: (910) 202 2941 File No.: 14-04072-FC01

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

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.

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.

Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-02220-FC01

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee

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.

Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-21463-FC01

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

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Legacy of TAS, Inc. 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.

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-05873-FC01

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior

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.

Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 12-24214-FC01

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

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not

cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3712 - 11876

The Wake County Republican Party will hold precinct meetings February 9, 2021 - February 27, 2021.

Visit wgop.us/pct for time, date, and locations.

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

pen & paper pursuits

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solutions From Jan. 27, 2020

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 18 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

Stanly County Journal

CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE BY WIKIPEDIA USER HATHCOCK

Leaves are changing in this October picture of Morrow Mountain from an overlook.

WHAT’S HAPPENING American Airlines affiliate grounds planes for inspections Mecklenburg County An American Airlines subsidiary grounded most of its planes to conduct overdue inspections of bolts that secure doors on the nose gear. The grounding affected two models of Bombardier regional jets operated by PSA Airlines, which operates American Eagle flights.

PSA has 130 of the planes, and all but a few were grounded.

American said it is working with PSA and the FAA to fix the issue. 200 PSA flights were canceled by midafternoon. PSA is based in Dayton, Ohio, and operates many American Eagle flights, including at American’s hub airport in Charlotte.

AP

Man accused of messaging child for sex Davidson County The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said Grady Louis Shipman, 69, of Lexington messaged a child under 16 on Facebook Messenger soliciting sex. Authorities began an investigation and served a search warrant at his home.

Shipman was arrested and charged with felony solicitation of a child less than 16 by a computer or other electronic media device for the purpose of committing an unlawful sex act.

AP

Suspect charged with murder after man found dead in vehicle Mecklenburg County Authorities have charged a man with murder in the death of a man who was found after his vehicle hit a tree. CharlotteMecklenburg police officers responded to a report about an assault and found a man dead inside a wrecked sport utility vehicle. The victim was later identified as 28-year-old Cedric Kirkland and his death was determined to be a homicide.

Investigators identified and later found a vehicle of interest.

Further investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old George Winston. Winston is charged with murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.

AP

Morrow Mountain State Park breaks visitation record in 2020

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — North Carolina State Parks announced last week that it welcomed a record-setting 19.8 million people in 2020. With 512,702 visitors for the year, Morrow Mountain State Park was among the parks breaking a previous visitor record.

“We are glad that our community as well as visitors to our area found peace and respite last year at Morrow Mountain State Park,” park superintendent Jeff Davidson told SCJ on Feb. 2. “As we try to balance this increase in visitation with protecting the park’s resources, we ask visitors to stay on trails; don’t litter; follow all park rules; and be patient and respectful with park staff and others.”

Morrow Mountain’s visitor tally for 2020 was a nearly 60,000-person increase over its total for 2019 (452,862) and even more so for 2018 (447,574). The new record surpassed the park’s previous record, which came back in 2016 when 512,427 people visited.

Established in 1939, Morrow Mountain now contains 5,881 acres of land within the Uwharrie Mountains.

Overall, the 41 state parks within N.C. saw 400,000 more people in 2020 than any other year on record, surpassing 2017’s previous record of 19.4 million visitors; the reported 19.8 million was a 1.2 million increase from the previous year.

“As we came together to face the pandemic, our state parks be-

came a comfort in a time of isolation,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in the NC State Parks news release. “The records set in park visitation show that our outdoor spaces hold even greater value than we could have imagined before the challenges of the last year.”

Jockey’s Ridge State Park, located on the coast of the Outer Banks in Nags Head, NC, saw the most visitors in the state, with a reported 1.9 people. Pilot Mountain, Carolina Beach, William B. Umstead, Fort Macon and Eno River State Parks, as well as the Falls Lake State Recreation Area, all also eclipsed the one-million visitor mark.

“State Parks staff have done an extraordinary job welcoming guests, protecting natural resources, and ensuring public safe-

Case backlogs, offender releases loom as Stanly’s courthouse remains largely closed

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — For almost a year, the bulk of cases, both criminal and civil, at the Stanly County Courthouse have been postponed, leading to worries of criminal activity going unpunished and of backlogs that will be difficult to dig out from.

On March 17, 2020, an administrative order was signed

by Judicial District 20a’s senior resident Superior Court judge, Kevin Bridges, and its chief District Court judge, John Nance, that eliminated much of the business at the Stanly County Courthouse. District 20a serves Stanly and Montgomery counties and has an overlapping District Court and Superior Court which deal with both civil and criminal laws in the area.

This administrative order was then repeatedly extended for 30-day periods, then on Jan. 17, 2021, the order was again extended, but until March 1, 2021.

The order, written to address “concerns raised by the catastrophic conditions which exist throughout North Carolina caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19),” reduces and delays large areas of court business or orders them to be done remotely.

In Section 4 of the order, where the District Court’s business is delineated, virtually all crimi-

nal cases were “continued,” a legal term meaning postponed to a future date, unless the defendant is already in custody.

In Section 5 of the order, a similar policy was taken for the criminal cases assigned to the Superior Court, saying, “Criminal Superior Court shall not have a calendar call. All cases with defendants not in custody shall be continued [postponed].” Regarding civil cases, the order simply said, “Civil Superior hearings and trials are continued beyond 30 days until further notice.”

“We’re going to be so damn far behind it ain’t even going to be funny,” local bail bondsman Phil Burr told SCJ on Jan. 29.

“The chief justice gave the judges the discretion to do what they thought was right. The neighboring counties are running wide open, superior and district courts. We’re shut down here until March 1 — and it may be later than that.”

Burr said he has multiple examples in his files of serious criminal defendants who had their cases dismissed or were given unsecured bonds in order to keep them out of the prisons.

“Any misdemeanors and even certain classes of felonies, they’re turning them loose,” Burr said.

The Facebook page Stanly County Jail Releases, which has about 1,400 followers, tracks these releases. There are numerous examples there of people be-

ing arrested for felonies who are then given unsecured bonds, meaning they do not have to put up any money or collateral for their release but instead promise to return later for their court dates. Many of them do not return, or, with most criminal cases being postponed at the moment, there is no trial to return to in the foreseeable future.

But Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco said he isn’t sure the current court policies are leading to re-offense by people who would otherwise be locked up.

“I would hate to say yes when I haven’t looked at any jail logs to see,” Crisco told SCJ. “I can tell you this; the jail — the Stanly County Detention Center — has a maximum capacity of 131. As of this morning, I have 144. So, our numbers are actually starting to increase as far as the bodies that we have in the detention center.”

Crisco said the county jail did have a period “where we had a backlog of people that needed to go to prison, and we were just holding them waiting on bed space to come available [in state prisons].” This crowding was relieved when the prisons began taking these prisoners, but the numbers are again rising, maybe signaling a reluctance for the state to accept prisoners from counties.

The National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, a think tank focusing on

“We are glad that our community as well as visitors to our area found peace and respite last year at Morrow Mountain State Park.”

NC State Parks Superintendent Jeff Davidson ty during the pandemic,” said Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson. “These outstanding public servants look forward to continuing to welcome and serve park visitors in 2021.”

how jail populations are affected by the coronavirus, found that jail bookings in the United States have fallen by 36% compared with before the epidemic. They also found that the people who are being sent to jail are being “booked on more charges on average, were more likely to be booked on felony charges, and were less likely to be booked on lesser charges like failure to appear, than those booked into jails prior to this period.”

This trend of local judges largely reserving jail time to serious offenses is due to pressure to keep these numbers down because of the risk of an outbreak among the captive population.

President Trump’s attorney general, Bill Barr, put out a directive in April asking judges to bear this danger in mind during sentencing, saying, “Even with the extensive precautions we are currently taking, each time a new person is added to a jail, it presents at least some risk to the personnel who operate that facility and to the people incarcerated therein.”

Other N.C. courts are making similar decisions, even overturning prior convictions to make space or to lighten their caseload.

Two men, Shawn Birchfield-Finn and Raul Jimenez, who were convicted in the 2018 toppling of a Confederate statue on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had their convictions dismissed on Jan. 27 after an appeal. The Associated Press said the prosecutor made the decision “based on having to prioritize cases piling up in the Orange County court since it was shut down by the pandemic.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

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WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Reynolds, Mary Grace (W /F/21) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M) and 2) Reckless Drvg-wanton Disregard (M), at 156 Harper Lee St, Davidson, NC, on 1/30/2021 ♦ Mullis, William Carroll (W /M/55) Arrest on chrg of Possession Of Firearm

By Felon (F), at 13055 Fraley Rd, Stanfield, NC, on 1/30/2021 ♦ Blizzard, James Fredrick (W /M/28) Arrest on chrg of Second Degree Kidnapping (F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/30/2021 ♦ Snuggs, Kerry Eugene (B /M/47) Arrest on chrg of 1) Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M) and 2) Civil Order For Arrest Child Support (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/29/2021 ♦ Miller, Terrell (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M), 2) Fta - Release Order (M), 3) Misuse Of 911 System (M), 4) Open Cont After Cons Alc 1st (M), 5) Traffic Offense - Free Text (M), and 6) Fail Maintain Lane Control (i) (M), at 24/27/ Endy Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 1/29/2021 ♦ Hood, Sissy Marie (W /F/33) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Sch I Cs (F), at 509 Roosevelt St/ sumpter St, Badin, NC, on 1/29/2021 ♦ Fraley, Angela Walton (W /F/34) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats (M), at 25661 Dunlap Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 1/28/2021 ♦ Burrell, Bartina Bowden (W /F/39) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny, M (M), at 223 S Second

TUESDAY

FEB 8

FEB 7

FEB 9

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DEATH NOTICES

St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/28/2021

NC, on 1/27/2021

♦ Morgan, Keith Morris (W /M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F) and 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 141 Danritch Dr, Richfield, NC, on 1/28/2021

♦ Nicastro, Joseph Frederick (W /M/52) Arrest on chrg of 1) Resisting Public Officer (M) and 2) Child Abuse (m) (M), at 20713 Us 52 Hwy S, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2021

♦ Trent, Devin Wade (W /M/25) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fugitive From Justice (F), 2) Fugitive From Justice (F), and 3) Fugitive From Justice (F), at Stanly County Jail, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2021

♦ Fortson, Darril Linn (W /M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F) and 2) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), at 1973 East Main Street, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2021

♦ Hernandez, Lizette Rosario (U /F/21) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault With Deadly Weapon (m) (M) and 2) Assault And Battery (M), at 4762 Nc 200 Hwy, Stanfield, NC, on 1/27/2021

♦ Stanley, Amy Gail (W /F/44) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Probation Viol (M), at East Main Street/anderson, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2021

♦ Fortson, Darril Linn (W /M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F), 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 3) Felony Probation Violation (F), at 1973 East Main Street, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2021

♦ Owens, Buddy Lee (W M, 41) Arrest on chrg of First Deg Tresp Enter/remain (M), at1426 E Main St, Albemarle, on 01/25/2021

♦ Burleson, Cody Scott (W /M/24) Arrest on chrg of 1) Resisting Public Officer (M) and 2) Surrender By Surety (F), at 24969 Odell Rd, NC, on 1/27/2021 ♦ Verdi, Rebecca Ann (W /F/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Govt Official/emply (M), 2) Resisting Public Officer (M), and 3) Child Abuse (m) (M), at 20713 Us 52 Hwy S, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2021 ♦ Sullivan, Ann Marie (W /F/25) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F) and 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 20713 D Us Hwy 52 S, Albemarle,

♦ Morgan, Brian Dale (W M, 45) Arrest on chrg of Discharge Firearm In City, M (M), at1402 Wiscassett St, Albemarle, on 01/25/2021 ♦ Smith, Infinity Yazmin S (B F, 22) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny, M (M), at781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 01/26/202 ♦ Parker, Taquasia Dashun (B F, 18) Arrest on chrg of Consp Robbery Dangrs Weapon(F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, on 01/26/2021 ♦ Huneycutt, Jennifer Johnson (W F, 49) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Heroin (F), at 503Salisbury Av, Albemarle, on 01/26/2021 ♦ Richardson, Gary Nmn (B M, 26) Arrest on chrg of Carrying Concealed

Gun (f) (F), at342 Park Rd, Albemarle, on 01/26/2021 ♦ Gramling, Michael Anthony (B M, 54) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer (M),at 623 Colston St, Albemarle, on 01/27/2021 ♦ Gramling, Michael Anthony (B M, 54) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at623 Colston St, Albemarle, on 01/27/2021 ♦ Bean, Johnny Thomas (W M, 51) Arrest on chrg of Second Degree Trespass (M), at301 Yadkin St, Albemarle, on 01/28/2021 ♦ Gonzalez-ramirez, Heidi Elsie (W F, 19) Arrested on Citation of No Operators License(21-00392), at 651 Nc 24-27 Bypass E/ henson St, Albemarle, on 01/28/202 ♦ Faulkner, Mary Dawanna (W F, 37) Arrest on chrg of Felony Probation Violation (F),at 28870 Sweet Home Church Rd, Albemarle, on 01/29/2021 ♦ Glenn, James Emmitt (W M, 43) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at780 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 01/29/202 ♦ Taylor, Vanessa Marie (W F, 40) Arrest on chrg of Attempted Larceny (m), M (M), at781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 01/29/202 ♦ Xiong, Kao Nmn (A M, 33) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Methamphetamine (F), at 621Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 01/30/2021 ♦ Xiong, Kao Nmn (A M, 33) Arrest on chrg of Possess Stolen Motor Vehicle (F), at621 Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 01/30/2021

♦ Dixie Henrietta Pinyan Kendall, 87, of Albemarle, passed away January 23. ♦ Jason Alan Hudson, 37, of Albemarle, passed away January 24. ♦ Baxter Ray Lanier, 73, of Albemarle, passed away January 24. ♦ Flora Jane Burr Crump, 81, of Norwood, passed away January 24. ♦ Toby Furr Pickler, 82, of New London, passed away January 25. ♦ Lawrence Smith, 81, of Albemarle, passed away January 25. ♦ Lynda Elizabeth Smith, 67, of Albemarle, passed away January 26. ♦ Kathleen Joyce Burleson Efird, 90, of Albemarle, passed away January 26. ♦ Hilda Coggins Arey, 78, of Misenheimer, passed away January 27. ♦ Judy Burchett Ingram, 77, of Albemarle, passed away January 27. ♦ Gertie Agnes Burris Harris, 91, of Albemarle, passed away January 27. ♦ John Lee Hearne, Jr., 88, of New London, passed away January 27. ♦ Robert Michael Ashley, Sr., 61, of Albemarle, passed away January 27. ♦ Terry Benton Thompson, 51, of Albemarle, passed away January 30. ♦ Hazel Simpson Rushing, 90, of Badin Lake, passed away January 31.

See OBITS, page 7

Dolly Parton on Super Bowl commercial and COVID-19 vaccine

By Mesfin Fekadu The Associated Press NEW YORK — Dolly Parton has been singing about everyday office employees working “9 to 5” for over 40 years, but now the country icon is singing about entrepreneurs working “5 to 9” to pursue their dreams after hours.

The Grammy-winning legend’s 1980s hit has been flipped

by Squarespace — a company that helps users build and host their own websites — for a Super Bowl commercial debuting Tuesday. Oscar winner Damien Chazelle of “La La Land” fame directed the spot.

“A lot of people through the years have wanted to change the lyrics to fit certain things they’re doing. I really thought that was a wonderful thing, especially for Squarespace.

They’re so into people, new entrepreneurs working after hours to start their own businesses,” Parton said. “’5 to 9’ seemed to be a perfect thing when they pitched it.”

Parton is using Squarespace to create a website for her new perfume, DollyFragrance.com.

The singer, who is also an actor, producer, humanitarian and more, said she can relate to businesspeople working around the clock to fulfill their goals.

“Well I work 365 (days a year).

I’m always working 5 to 9, 9 to 5. I work all hours of the night and day,” she said. “Whatever you need to do, you gotta get it done, however many hours it takes.”

In an interview with The Associated Press, Parton talked about flipping “9 to 5,” being a part of this year’s Super Bowl, donating $1 million to coronavirus research and re-

membering her brother Randy Parton, who died last month. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

AP: Are you excited to be part of this year’s Super Bowl?

Parton: I’ve been asked several times to be part of that. It’s always such a big commitment. I’ve always kind of chickened out. I know it’s just a big commitment. If you do good, you do great. If you do bad, you do bad in front of all those people. This seemed like the perfect kind of way to do it.

AP: What was it like writing “9 to 5” over 40 years ago?

Parton: That song just stays so true to people that get out — you get up in the morning, you wobble into the kitchen, you pour your coffee, you try to get your butt going, you try to get up and get to work knowing that you’ve got to do it. I’m really happy. This is the 40th anniversary of “9 to 5” since the movie came out.

We’re celebrating, so this could not have happened at a better time.

AP: You donated $1 million to coronavirus research — what compelled you to do that?

Parton: Well, I follow my heart.

I’m a person of faith and I pray all the time that God will lead me into the right direction and let me know what to do. When the pandemic first hit, that was my first thought, “I need to do something to try to help find a vaccination.” I just did some research with the people at Vanderbilt (University) — they’re

WADE PAYNE | INVISION | AP, FILE

Dolly Parton performs in concert on May 27, 2014, in Knoxville, Tenn. The Grammy-winning legend’s 1980’s hit “9 to 5” has been flipped by Squarespace, the company that helps users build and host their own websites, for a Super Bowl commercial debuting Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. wonderful people, they’ve been so good through the years to my people in times of illness and all that.

I just asked if I could donate a million dollars to the research for a vaccine.

I get a lot more credit than I deserve I think, but I was just happy to be a part of any and all of that.

AP: Have you gotten your shot?

Parton: No. I’m not going to get mine until some more people get theirs. I don’t want it to look like I’m jumping the line just because I donated money. I’m very funny about that. I’m going to get mine though, but I’m going to wait. I’m at the age where I could have gotten mine legally last week. I turned 75. I was going to do it on my birthday, and I thought, “Nah, don’t do that.” You’ll

look like you’re just doing a show.

None of my work is really like that.

I wasn’t doing it for a show. I’m going to get mine. I want it. I’m going to get it. When I get it, I’ll probably do it on camera so people will know and I’ll tell them the truth, if I have symptoms and all that. Hopefully it’ll encourage people. I’m not going to jump the line just because I could.

AP: How does it feel to be 75?

Parton: Well I plan to be around a lot longer. I don’t have no plans of slowing down because the number says I should. I don’t pay attention to that. I wake up with new dreams every day. I try to make the most of every year that I’ve lived. I’ve been doing that since I was little. I’ll be doing it until I keel over. Hopefully that won’t be anytime soon.

AP: Your brother Randy recently died from cancer. How are you holding up?

Parton: Well, we’re heartbroken.

We loved him so much. He fought really hard for the last year. Randy was a wonderful artist, entertainer.

He was very dear to me. He was one of my younger brothers. I lost my baby brother last year, around the same time of the year. This was really a double whammy for all of us.

There’s a certain kind of peace that comes from knowing that he is at peace, and he was suffering, and we didn’t like that. He is dearly loved.

You just go around with a hole in your heart and a knot in your stomach. You just think of him, love him, try to keep your precious memories. You have to go on. We’re a close family, so we’re supporting each other.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

This is not normal

The dirty little secret of the Trump administration is that despite Trump’s personal abnormality, his agenda was well in line with past precedent, and with mainstream American opinions on everything from taxes to military policy.

FOR FOUR YEARS, we were informed by our establishment media that President Donald Trump’s behavior was “not normal.”

The abnormality of Trump’s behavior became a near rallying cry for the self-appointed heroes of journalism, who spent every waking hour poring over his bizarre tweets and his bloviating self-absorption. The media dedicated themselves to preventing Trump’s supposed normalization.

Now, the media inform us, we have been graced by the most “normal” normal person to have ever normalled: President Joe Biden. Biden, they proclaim, is utterly boring, nondescript, barely worthy of coverage. His administration, too, is paradigmatically normal. Yascha Mounk of The Atlantic tweets, “It is so nice to have a boring President.” Alleged media watchdog Brian Stelter asked this week whether Biden is “making the news boring again,” adding, “The Biden White House is clearly a break from the chaos and incompetence of Trump world.”

For his part, Biden obviously revels in this sort of coverage.

This week, his favorite ice cream flavor (chocolate chip) was tweeted out as well as a retweet of first lady Jill Biden’s announcement that Champ and Major, the new first pets, had entered the White House.

On a personal level, Biden is clearly more “normal” than Trump — although treating Biden, a career politician worth nearly $10 million, as the height of normality is rather stunning.

The goal for the establishment media isn’t to point out merely that Biden is a sort of American Everyman. It’s to use that supposed normalcy to disguise the fact that his agenda is absolutely abnormal.

The dirty little secret of the Trump administration is that despite Trump’s personal abnormality, his agenda was well in line with past precedent, and with mainstream American opinions on everything from taxes to military policy. Trump did not radically shift American policy.

Biden will. Within the first five days of his presidency, he

issued 30 executive orders, compared with four for Trump, five for Barack Obama and zero for George W. Bush. Those executive orders included endorsement of radical reinterpretation of American history; killing the Keystone XL pipeline, along with its attendant estimated 11,000 American jobs; forcing the military to allow troops to undergo gender reassignment surgery; and forcing federally funded institutions to allow biological men who identify as transgender to compete alongside biological women, among others. He is reportedly pursuing an immigration plan directed toward reopening America’s borders. He has staffed his Cabinet by intersectional box-checking.

Biden’s policy is indeed radical. But because Biden is presented as a normal person, we’re supposed to ignore all of that. We’re supposed to simply be grateful for the “return to normalcy” — complete with caving to the teachers unions that seek to keep schools closed indeterminately, reentering a long-dead deal with the Iranian theocracy, firing government staffers with whom he disagrees and lying openly about the vaccine distribution plan he inherited.

Meanwhile, our media pat themselves on the back. It’s rare to see a profession declare itself irrelevant, but that’s what many in the media are doing these days. According to Stelter, it’s “refreshing” that Biden’s team promises accountability and transparency. According to Margaret Sullivan of The Washington Post, the media must learn their lesson from the Trump era and cover Democrats more sycophantically.

Joe Biden may be a relatively normal guy. But none of this is normal. And pretending it is represents just another way for the media to reject legitimate criticisms of an administration seeking radicalism right off the bat.

Ben Shapiro, 36, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s executive actions harm bipartisan cooperation

In addition to targeting our energy economy, President Biden also took aim at the unborn.

THE WHITE HOUSE set a record last week, but not one that we should be proud of. President Joe Biden signed 32 executive orders and actions in his first week in office, shattering the record of the next highest number by a modern president — the five signed by President Obama.

I have been outspoken on my willingness to work with President Biden on policies that rebuild our economy, reopen schools, increase vaccine deployment and on other areas where there is bipartisan support. However, the executive actions signed last week are the opposite of bipartisan solutions.

Unfortunately, many orders signed by President Biden last week targeted our energy sector. Expanding America’s energy independence is good for our national security and economy.

President Biden’s executive actions to block the Keystone XL pipeline, rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and ban federal oil and gas leasing will put thousands of good-paying jobs at risk and cause energy prices to rise. As millions of hardworking Americans are out of work and desperately trying to put food on the table due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Biden administration is putting forth policies that are killing American jobs and raising consumers’ energy bills.

Not only does this have a direct impact on the American energy economy, but it also negatively impacts our partners overseas. When we allow bad actors like Russia, Iran and China to fill the void America leaves, we allow Vladimir Putin to increase his grip on the European Union. Should Europe refuse Russian demands, Russia could easily cut off energy exports, leaving Europe in an energy crisis. Our allies shouldn’t have to operate under fear of Russian retaliation and blackmail.

I oppose these actions from the Biden administration that jeopardize American jobs and energy supplies around the world.

I will work with my colleagues to support our energy sector, grow our economy and protect national security at home and abroad.

In addition to targeting our energy economy, President Biden also took aim at the unborn.

On Thursday I sent a letter to the president urging him to reverse a new executive order also signed last week that forces U.S. taxpayers to fund abortions on demand in foreign countries, as well as looks to reverse the Trump administration’s Title X Rule that ensured tax dollars for family planning do not fund abortions. These anti life executive actions are not the right priorities for our country now, or ever, and I will continue to oppose them.

That’s why last week I also sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to ensure the Hyde Amendment and other pro-life budget provisions remain in place. The Hyde Amendment has protected tax dollars from going to abortions for 40 years and I believe we must not allow it to be disregarded by the new administration and Congress. Because of these principles, last week I was honored to receive an A rating from the Susan B. Anthony List — one of the largest pro-life organizations in the country.

This is very important to me not only as a representative of our community, but as a dad.

The Declaration of Independence lists life as our first unalienable right endowed by our Creator. And for me, this foundation is guided by Psalms 139: 13-14, which states, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Every life is a gift from God and deserves dignity and respect.

As I have said, I want to work with President Biden to produce results and policies that improve Americans lives. Unfortunately, these recent partisan executive actions do nothing to meet the monumental challenges before us and only further divide us.

Rest assured, I will continue to oppose measures like these and will always fight for our shared values and common-sense solutions.

3

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Lions trade Stafford to Rams for Goff, draft picks Los Angeles The Detroit Lions are trading quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, two future first-round draft picks and a third-round pick, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press. The deal will not become official until the start of the new league year March 17. Stafford asked to be traded shortly after the current season ended with the Lions’ third straight campaign with at least 10 losses. He has been one of the NFL’s most prolific passers during his 12year career spent entirely in Detroit, but has never won a playoff game.

Love appointed captain again, this time for 2022 Presidents Cup The event will be played at Quail Hollow in Charlotte

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press DAVIS LOVE III is going back to where he was born for a job he knows as well as anyone.

The PGA Tour has selected Love to be U.S. captain for the Presidents Cup in 2022 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. Trevor Immelman of South Africa previously was selected to be the International team captain.

It will be the third time Love, 56, has been captain of a U.S. team in the last 10 years. He was captain when Europe rallied from a 10-6 deficit to beat the Americans in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Me-

dinah, and he was Ryder Cup captain for a rare U.S. victory four years later at Hazeltine.

He also was an assistant captain in the Ryder Cup under Corey Pavin in 2010 and Jim Furyk in 2018 and is on the staff of Steve Stricker this year. In the Presidents Cup, he has been an assistant under Fred Couples in 2013, Jay Haas in 2015 and Stricker in 2017. He does not lack for experience.

“My history with this event dating back to 1994 conjures up indelible memories of competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship, and I’m thrilled to be leading the top American players into Quail Hollow Club next September,” Love said.

Love was born in Charlotte, though his family moved to the

“My history with this event dating back to 1994 conjures up indelible memories of competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship, and I’m thrilled to be leading the top American players into Quail Hollow Club next September.”

Davis Love III Atlanta area later that year. He played golf at UNC and went on to win 21 events on the PGA Tour, including the 1997 PGA Championship at Winged Foot in New York.

He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017. He has designed courses with his brother and caddy, Mark, including two in North Carolina: The Preserve at Jordan Lake in Chapel Hill and Anderson Greek Golf Club in Fayetteville. He has also done redesigns at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis and Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro.

Quail Hollow, which once hosted the old Kemper Open before it moved to the Washington area, has hosted the Wells Fargo Championship since 2003. Justin Thomas won the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, and it is scheduled to host the PGA Championship again in 2025.

The Presidents Cup was supposed to be played this year until the COVID-19 pandemic led to the Ryder Cup being postponed one year to this September. The Americans have won the Presidents Cup the last eight times, most recently in 2019 at Royal Melbourne with Tiger Woods as a playing captain. He chose not to captain again.

MLB

Coach, ex-manager Callaway accused of pursuing women in media New York Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway, former manager of the New York Mets, “aggressively pursued” several women who work in sports media and sent three of them inappropriate photos, The Athletic reported Monday night. Callaway sent uninvited and sometimes unanswered messages to the women via email, text or social media and asked one to send nude photos in return, according to the report. He often commented on their appearance in a way that made them uncomfortable and on one occasion “thrust his crotch near the face of a reporter” while she interviewed him, The Athletic said.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

GERRY BROOME | AP PHTO

Bruschi returns to Arizona as senior football advisor

Davis Love III follows his shot from the second tee, during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Tucson, Ariz.

Tedy Bruschi is returning to Arizona football.

The University of Arizona announced Monday that Tedy Bruschi will return to the school to serve as a senior adviser to new coach Jedd Fisch. Bruschi was a two-time consensus All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive player of the year during his fouryear stint in Tucson from 1992-95. He went on to play 13 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowls before retiring in 2009. Bruschi served as a lead analyst at ESPN after his retirement.

Fisch was hired last month to replace Kevin Sumlin.

NBA adjusts schedules for virus-affected teams

SOCCER

Report: Messi’s contract worth up to $673M Madrid Lionel Messi’s most recent contract with Barcelona is worth up to 555 million euros ($673 million) over four seasons, the El Mundo newspaper reported on Sunday. The Spanish daily said it had access to the document Messi signed with the Catalan club in 2017, which included fixed incomes and variables that could reach nearly 138 million euros ($167 million) each season.

The newspaper said it is the most expensive contract ever agreed with an athlete in any sport. The report said the 33-year-old player has already secured more than 510 million euros ($619 million) of the total.

COVID-19 issues with other teams leads to the Hornets having two games rescheduled

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press WASHINGTON’S second-half schedule might not be as jampacked as first thought, after the NBA said Wednesday it was rescheduling some Wizards games after a half-dozen of their contests were postponed in recent weeks for virus-related reasons.

Portland will now visit Washington on Tuesday, a game that was originally set for the second half. Washington will play at Charlotte on Feb. 7, a game that was rescheduled from Jan. 20. And that means the Blazers, who were scheduled to visit the Hornets that day, will now go to Charlotte in the second half of the schedule.

The league has postponed 22 games so far this season, 21 of them since Jan. 10. The original intent was to push all those postponed games into the second half, when possible; now, the league said it would move some games into the first-half schedules, “with a specific focus on the teams with the most postponed games to date.”

That would certainly include Washington and Memphis, both of which have seen a league-high six games postponed. The Wizards went 13 days without games after six players tested positive for COVID-19 and three others had to sit out because of contact tracing. The Grizzlies will have gone 12 days without games if they play,

NICK WASS | AP PHTO

Miles Bridges and the Hornets will host guard Bradley Beal and the Wizards on Sunday, making up a Jan. 20 game that was postponed due to COVID-19 issues on the Washington roster. as planned, in San Antonio on Saturday.

Some good news for the league on Wednesday: The Grizzlies said they were returning to practice.

And even better news: The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association said Wednesday that only one player in the league tested positive for COVID-19 in the past seven days, down from 16 two weeks ago and 11 last week.

It remains possible that some of the stronger protocols put in place earlier this month, such as not allowing players to leave hotels on

road trips for almost any reason other than games or practices, may be somewhat loosened soon as well.

Without the schedule changes by the NBA, the Wizards and Grizzlies may have been looking at playing 41 times in 67 days during the second half of the season — which will stretch from March 11 through May 16.

Boston and Phoenix have had three games postponed apiece so far, and it’s not yet known publicly how their first-half schedules will be adjusted.

“I’ve heard about one. I don’t think I’m supposed to say, so I won’t,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Wednesday. “My preference is that they consider our travel appropriately. So, that’s the only thing I have to say about it. We obviously know in this condensed schedule anyway that we were going to be nonstop.

“We’re just going to try to do our best to be ready for the next night, wherever that may be, whoever we may be playing and hopefully improve ourselves a little bit,” Stevens added.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021 HOMETOWN HARDWOOD

ALBEMARLE (1-3, 0-3 YVC) Jan. 28

North Stanly

L, 72-71

Jan. 29

at North Rowan

L, 72-46

Feb. 2

North Moore

After Press

Feb. 4

Montgomery Central

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5

at Gray Stone Day

8 p.m.

Feb. 9

Chatham Central

7:30 p.m.

GRAY STONE DAY (0-5, 0-5 YVC) Jan. 26

at Uwharrie Charter

L, 74-31

Jan. 27

at North Stanly

L, 69-31

Jan. 29

at South Stanly

L, 63-35

Feb. 2

North Rowan

After Press

Feb. 5

North Stanly

8 p.m.

Jan. 27

Gray Stone Day

W, 69-31

Jan. 28

at Albemarle

W, 72-71

Jan. 29

at North Moore

W, 77-60

Feb. 2

Chatham Central

After Press

Feb. 5

at Uwharrie Charter

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9

South Stanly

7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26

North Rowan

L, 67-56

Jan. 29

Gray Stone Day

L, 64-57

Feb. 1

at North Moore

After Press

Feb. 3

at North Rowan

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9

at North Stanly

7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26

at Mount Pleasant

W, 62-53

Feb. 2

CATA

After Press

Feb. 5

at Montgomery Central

7 p.m.

Feb. 9

at Anson

7:30 p.m.

NORTH STANLY (5-2, 5-0 YVC)

SOUTH STANLY (1-5, 1-3 YVC)

WEST STANLY (7-0, 5-0 RRC)

5

Colts, Comets boys’ basketball remain perfect in conference play West Stanly leads the Rocky River Conference, while North Stanly is atop the Yadkin Valley Conference

five consecutive conference victories, including Friday night’s 7760 win over North Moore (2-2, 2-1 YVC).

North Stanly’s latest win was its third in three nights last week.

On Jan. 27, the Comets knocked

By Jesse Deal off Gray Stone Day (0-5, 0-5 YVC) The Associated Press 69-31 at home; the following ALBEMARLE — With the night, North traveled to Albemarregular season past its midway le (1-3, 0-3 YVC) and emerged point, two boys’ varsity basketball victorious with a 72-71 overtime win. teams in Stanly CounThe Comets were set ty have distanced for a Tuesday night home themselves from the matchup with Chatham pack thanks to their Central (4-0, 3-0 YVC). spotless conference The Bears, who are the records: West Stanly last undefeated team in and North Stanly.

Yadkin Valley the YVC, join the Comets The Colts (7-0, 5-0 and the Uwharrie CharRocky River ConferConference ter Academy Eagles (5ence), who now sit teams — 1, 4-0 YVC) as the three atop the RRC standings, eclipsed the North Stanly, teams with no conference losses as of yet.

Mount Pleasant TiChatham The first half of the reggers (4-3, 3-3 RRC) ular season hasn’t been as Central and with a 62-53 finish on kind to the other three Jan. 26.

Uwharrie Stanly County squads: West Stanly had Charter the South Stanly Bulls (1a rest day last Fri5, 1-3 YVC), Albemarle day but was set to reAcademy Bulldogs and Gray Stone sume action Tues— that were Knights. day night with a home With a 63-35 win over game versus Central unbeaten the Knights on Friday Academy of Technolthrough night, the Bulls claimed ogy and Arts (2-6, their first victory of the Feb. 1.

2-5 RRC). The Colts year; up next for South are currently ranked Stanly are road matchups

by MaxPreps.com as the third-best 2A team in North with North Moore (2-2, 2-1 YVC) Carolina as well as the 27th-best and North Rowan (2-5, 2-3 YVC) this week. overall team in the state.

Albemarle will also challenge Holding second and third in the RRC standings are the Anson North Moore this week before Bearcats (4-1, 4-1 RRC) and For- hosting Montgomery Central (1est Hills Yellow Jackets (5-1, 3-1 6, 0-6 RRC) in a nonconference matchup on Thursday. MeanRRC), respectively.

North Stanly’s season began while, Gray Stone is aiming for with two nonconference losses — its first win of the season when including one to the Colts — but it plays North Rowan, Albemarthe Comets (5-2, 5-0 Yadkin Val- le and North Stanly in its next ley Conference) have rattled off stretch of games.

3

US men draw France, Iran in early Olympic basketball play The American women will open against Nigeria before facing host country Japan

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO

Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, left, celebrates with head coach Andy Reid after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game on Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Reid, Arians have different styles as players’ coaches The two men who will lead the Chiefs and Buccaneers in the Super Bowl are both known for having the respect of their players The Associated Press From the moment he turns a news conference over to reporters with his signature “time’s yours” phrase, Andy Reid always sticks by his players.

The man affectionately known as Big Red has never been a coach who criticizes his guys publicly, even when they play poorly. That hasn’t happened often in Kansas City. The Chiefs (16-2) are aiming for their second straight Super Bowl title when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14-5) next Sunday.

On the opposite side, Bruce Arians is more willing to call out a guy, as Tom Brady experienced this season, but players like his tough-love style.

“He’s going to coach you hard, but he’s also going to love you hard,” Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen said.

Both Reid and Arians are considered players’ coaches, though they do it in different ways. It’s a quality that’s helped them reach the big game.

“He’s got almost like a father figure kind of role in the building, and it’s because everyone loves him so much,” Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce said of Reid. “He’s got an unbelievable way of getting the best out of everybody that is relating to all different aspects and all different forms of life. ... This game is not won with one guy. That’s the beauty about the game is that that it takes everyone. Coach Reid does an unbelievable job of relating to everybody and getting the best out of everybody. And he’s the ultimate leader.”

Reid had more wins than any coach in NFL history without a championship until the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers last year.

Before arriving in Kansas City in 2013, Reid won more games than any head coach in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He knows how to get the best out of individuals and make them come together for one common cause,” said former three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas, who played five seasons for Reid in Philadelphia.

Whenever his team lost, Reid would say: “I have to do a better job.

I need to put them in a better position to succeed.”

Fans and media were critical, but players appreciated it.

“We loved it,” Douglas said. “I know y’all hated that. He didn’t say much in press conferences.”

The 62-year-old Reid has a self-deprecating sense of humor.

He’s known as much for wearing floral shirts as he is for poking fun at his weight and proclaiming his love for cheeseburgers.

This time last year, Chiefs players talked about how much they wanted to win to give Reid his first ring as head coach. The Buccaneers feel the same about Arians, the 68-year-old coach who was part of two championship teams as an assistant in Pittsburgh.

“He’s a great man. He’s a great leader. He’s a great person. He’s a great friend,” Brady said. “He’s very loyal. He’s just got a great way of communicating effectively with everybody around here. Everybody has a great affection for him for the person that he is.”

USA BASKETBALL won’t have to wait long for intrigue at the Tokyo Olympics.

The U.S. men will open the Olympics against France on July 25, and the U.S. women were placed in the same group as host Japan when the draw for the rescheduled Tokyo Games was held Tuesday. The draw took place in Mies, Switzerland, at FIBA headquarters.

The U.S. men will also face Iran on July 28 and the team that emerges from the qualifying tournament in Victoria, Canada, on July 31 as its other Group A rivals. The last time the Americans played France was in 2019 in the quarterfinals of the Basketball World Cup in China — when France prevailed to end the U.S. medal hopes.

“It’s exciting to learn more about the Olympic schedule and who our preliminary round opponents will be in Tokyo,” U.S. men’s coach Gregg Popovich said. “The three Olympic preliminary groups appear well balanced, and there are a good number of teams who have legitimate shots at the gold medal in Tokyo.”

The other men’s pairings saw Australia, Nigeria and the winners of qualifying tournaments in Split, Croatia, and Belgrade, Serbia, in Group B — with Japan, Argentina, Spain and the winner of a qualifying tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania, in Group C. Spain beat Argentina in the Basketball World Cup gold medal game in 2019.

The U.S. men are seeking a fourth consecutive gold medal. The Tokyo Games open July 23, one day after the NBA says is the last possible date for this season’s NBA Finals. USA Bas-

ketball’s roster won’t likely be finalized until June at the earliest and will undoubtedly hinge on how deep some players like LeBron James go into the postseason.

The games were rescheduled from last year and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has prompted some to suggest they will not — or should not — happen this summer either.

“Our collaboration with the NBA and the World Health Organization will ensure that the latest know-how is used for the protection of basketball players, being constantly shared with the IOC and Tokyo organizers,” FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said.

The U.S. women will be coached by Dawn Staley. The Americans are going for a seventh consecutive Olympic title — and if they make it to Tokyo, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi may become the first Americans to play on five gold-medal basketball teams.

The U.S. women are headed to Group B, where they’ll face Nigeria on July 27, Japan on July 30 and France on Aug. 2. Group A includes South Korea, Serbia, Canada and Spain. Group C is composed of Australia, Puerto Rico, China and Belgium.

Staley said the Americans have “the same goal as always ... to win the gold.”

“Nigeria is getting better every year, France is always a tough team to play and Japan has such a different style of play than what we’re used to seeing, plus they’re the home team,” Staley said. “We are not looking past any of these opponents. We know that we will have to beat the best of the competition to make it to the top of the podium.”

Each team plays the other teams in its group once, so all nations have three opening-round games. The top two finishers from each group, along with the two best third-place teams, move on to the quarterfinals.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

6

In fight over GOP, state parties stand as firewall for Trump

meant to scar the five-term congressman for what many of his conAS HE FACES an impeachment stituents considered a betrayal, said trial for inciting insurrection, state GOP chairwoman Dreama Perdue and county Republican Party com- in Rice’s home Horry County.

The censure is a symbolic expresmittees have rushed to Trump’s defense — highlighting the former sion of disapproval that some warn president’s firm control of the GOP could have electoral consequences for Rice, who has represented machinery.

In swing states and GOP bas- the 7th District since its creation tions, state and local Republi- in 2012. Long a reliable backer of County Journal forcampaigned Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Trump’s policies, Rice can committees are stocked with Stanly DELCIA LOPEZ | THE MONITOR VIA AP 6 Trump supporters who remain loy- with the president and, according al. Trump critics have been pushed to FiveThirtyEight, voted 94% of President Donald Trump arrives a section of the border wall near the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in quickly transported to a hospital nity volunteer Homer Osborne out or marginalized. Party com- the time in favor of Trump-backed Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan.12, 2021. said he understands the need to should their conditions worsen. mittees from Washington state to legislation — the highest percentMemphis officials said the Gatehelp coronavirus patients, but South Carolina have moved to pun- age among South Carolina’s curhe questions why officials chose way site was put on the list in reRepublicans had dropped their the ofthe 2016, censured Trump critics Cindy Mcish many of the 10 House Repub- rent delegation. sponse to aspectacle request from state’swhen many Gateway. coronavirus to identify large, are Sen. a lot of poorFlake peopleand in theteam party’s machinery fought GOP affiliation as of Monday, acformer Jeff In his only primary since first Cain, “There licans who supported Trump’s imbuildings where an alterin Gov. this neighborhood come available cording to state data.

Trump’s nomination.

Doug Ducey,that a Republipeachment for egging on the deadly elected in 2012, Rice won with 84% even here and shop,” said Osborne, who nate treatment facility could be loTrump’s hold on the party strucTrump of the vote. He’s been reelected each canwas Jan. 6 raid of the U.S. Capitol. buyingsupporter food at the who centeroffendfor cated. Trump brought in millions of new to the party with his ture isn’t likely to ease soon. In party leadership by certifyTrump’s lock on the party ap- time with at least 56% of votes cast. ed the “The taskvoters of finding space to a home delivery service he’s prohundreds approach. of potential paduring outbreak. shelter y Adrian Sainz populist And Repub- many cases, supporters are elected Trump’s lossthe in virus the state. paratus is the result of a yearslong Now, Rice is all but sure to face at ing viding tientslicans is not one of choice but ne- those vot“People won’t want tostate, come over he Associatedtakeover Press to posts with multi-year terms and should welcome In Washington severof an institution he only least a handful of primary chalhere. It’s just going to kill this cessity,” the officials said in a statepositioned to keep rising. ers’ decision to stay involved, even al county party committees have lengers, with one formally creating loosely affiliated with before taking ment. area.”

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced In Michigan, an establishment Trump is not removal of the office.

The effect amounts to a fire- an exploratory committee this past calledHefor Nutbush residents, theiron the balalsothe cited a widespread feartwo Forwhen ith the threat of overburdened fear of the virus is Querard, a of being unnecessarily ospitals, states across the countryhim and his popuRepublican fundraiser, Ron Weiser, lot,contracting argued Constantin House members whoexposed votedto for week. wall protecting matched with the worry that they the virus. e converting convention centers, conservative Republican strategist is favored to become the next state impeachment. Primary Rice told the AP he knew he’d Trump’s list politics from Republicans who “All around, people are scared,” could lose stores that are vital to orts facilities and performance party chairman. But to bolster his in Arizona. Officials hahave begun lining up likely face a difficult primary and challengers arguetreatment the party the neighborhood. he said. aces into backup sitesneeds a new direcven’t said“Without if stores would closesome if Trump, of them bid for the post, he picked a No. 2 on fears all 10are Republican House Their not unfounded. that the impeachment vote could to take tion if it wants to win elections. r coronavirus patients.

In this majority-black along the Gateway What some “It’s Memphis, will gofacility home,was butopened. some of them will with Trump credentials. who voted city to impeach comeTento the point where potentially cost him his seat. “If it members the Mississippi River, lawmakers If they did, shopping would beesse, residents don’t get is why in He chose Meshawn Maddock, a stick around forever,” he said.

Trump. does, it does,” he said. you have to be with him 100% of and community leaders have been come more difficult for residents, eir city, a shopping center in the conservative activist who organized Republicans’ worry, however, is Trump’s hold on state parties In some cases, the state parties’ the time, or you’re the enemy,” said especially for those who are old or sounding the alarm over what they iddle of a predominantly black, no means of transportation see as the a disturbing trend of thecontinvi- have that w-income residential neighborthe newcomers drive away oth- Michigan’s 19-bus delegation to the ex-president’s Dave Millage, a former Iowa law- defense of Trump has exposed the reflects to stores located farther away. killing African Americans at aand ood has beenmaker chosen.who was pushed out as Scott Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally and has er potential Republican voters. popularity with the base extent to which disinformation, uedrus “For people who don’t have a higher rate.

City and state officials are conposted images of Michigan’s DemNearly 5,000 Arizona voters the work his political operation has conspiracy theories and views once County GOP chairman after callNutbush resident Patricia Har- car, what do they do?” asked Harrned that an influx of patients dropped GOP voter registra- ocratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer alplant loyalists inofficials the typiconsidered fringe have been nor- done ingasfor Trump’s impeachment. ris, who spoke totheir The Associated ris to wondered aloud if city om Memphis, well as nearby whilein lugging bottleafter of de- the Capitol were “tryinglocal to contaminate” the Press tion ississippi, Arkansas and rural the South Carolitered to resemble Adolf Hitler. nineadays cally obscure GOP apparatus. malized in the GOP. On Saturday, tergent, a package bottled show. waest Tennessee, strain hospi- Republican Rep. If Weiser wins, Maddock will attack, stateoffigures In Pennre-election campaign focused The Arizona state party reelect- Hisneighborhood. nawill GOP censured Activist Earle Fisher, an Afri- ter and other items from the Save ls. Their fears are echoed across ADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO be next line for chairwoman in the heavily packing state and county loyalRice for his vote to impeach ed its controversial Trump A Lotsylvania, to her car. another She notedstate that aTrump lost, can on American Memphis pastor, e country: Tom Governors, mayors nearly 10,000closed voters registered as battleground state. with to avoid ist chairwoman, Kelli Shopping Ward and the former president. a move grocery store recently near understands the devotees anxiety. “This nd health experts in numerous This It’s Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Centercommittees The Associated Press

Backup coronavirus hospital n Memphis worries residents

ates are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn. nstructing makeshift medical cilities.

In New York City, they’re turn- Lee has disclosed a few: the Mug to the Javits Center convention sic City Center in Nashville, the te; in Chicago, the McCormick Chattanooga Convention Center, ace Convention Center; and in the Knoxville Expo Center — all andy, Utah, the Mountain Amer- sites away from residential neighborhoods. a Expo Center.

The Gateway Shopping CenThe U.S. Army Corps of Engieers has been scouting locations ter in the Nutbush neighborhood Tennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cenave compiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery

By Andrew Selsky e backup sites.

They haven’t re- store, a Rent-A-Center, a Family Dollar, a beauty supply shop, ased the whole but Gov. Bill Thelist, Associated Press

a Chinese restaurant and other businesses.

Locating a treatment center for coronavirus patients there poses two problems, residents say: It could potentially expose them to the virus amid concerns that blacks are contracting COVID-19 at higher rates; and it could force some of the stores they rely on to close.

Nutbush resident and commu-

is an honest and reasonable concern and skepticism,” Fisher said.

“I think it’s par for the course for black people to be righteously skeptical of governmental intervention that did not consult with people on the ground first.”

Doug McGowen, the city’s chief operating officer, said the Gateway site was being considered because it could potentially accommodate hundreds of beds. He said if it were converted to a treatment site, it would hold only mildly ill coronavirus patients who could be

her house and she already has to travel farther to get to Gateway.

“When we do things, we’ve got to consider the people in the neighborhood,” she said. “We don’t need to make the neighborhood worse than it already is.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a Memphis Democrat, said the decision doesn’t make sense.

“I’m sure there are other places that would work, and they should have used those rather than go into a residential neighborhood,” Cohen said.

Oregon 1st state to decriminalize possession of hard drugs

SALEM, Ore. — Police in Oregon can no longer arrest someone for possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone and other hard drugs as a ballot measure that decriminalized them took effect on Monday.

Instead, those found in possession would face a $100 fine or a health thatSalman, coulda lead son of King Salman, he Associated Press assessment bin assented to the deal. to addiction counseling.

Backers of “I go with the consent, so I DUBAI, United Arabmeasure Emir- decriminalizing the ballot es — OPEC, Russia and other agree,” the prince said, chuckling, drugs, whichdrawing Oregon voters a round of applause from l-producinghard nations on Sunday in November, hailed as acall. on theitvideo nalized an passed unprecedented pro- those Butthe it had not been smiles and uction cut of nearly 10 million revolutionary move for United arrels, or a 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the soStates. hopes of boosting crashing pric- called OPEC+ group of OPEC “Today,pandemic the first members dominoand of other our nations failed amid the coronavirus cruel andsaid. inhumane ontodrugs in war March reach an agreement nd a price war, officials MARY HUDETZ | AP PHOTO on production “This could be fallen, the largest re- off has setting what we cuts, ex- sending pricuction in production from OPEC es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply pect to be a cascade of other efforts In this Aug. 9, 2019, file photo, a drug syringe found behind a vacant property in northeast r perhaps a decade, maybe lon- criticized Russia days earlier over centering health over N.M., is placed into a container, as crews attempt to clear the lot of needles and other whatcriminalizait described as Albuquerque, comments r,” said U.S. Energy Secretary critical of the kingdom, which an Brouillette, tion,”who saidcredited Kassandra Frederique, heroin paraphernalia. finds itself trying resident Donald Trump’s per- of executive director the Drug Pol- to appease nal involvement in getting duel- Trump, a longtime OPEC critic. icy Alliance, which spearheaded Even U.S. senators had warned g parties to the table and helper services would benefit from our Recovery Services Fund.” ballot way to the new system, addicg to end athe price war initiative. between Saudi Arabia to find a Under as American shale audi Arabia andBallot Russia. Measure boost The fund will be awash in mon- continually growing marijuana tax tion recovery centers will be tasked 110’sprices backers firms facethe far-higher production Oil prices have as the “triaging the acute needs of ey if the sales trend for marijuana revenues,” Oregon Education Assaidcollapsed treatment needs to be pri- with ronavirus and the COVID-19 costs. American troops had been ENERGY MINISTRY sociation SAUDI President John Larson people who use drugs and assess- continues as expected. ority and that criminalizing drug ness it causes have largely halt- deployed to the kingdom for the saidAl-Saud, in an email.

In the 2020Prince fiscalAbdulaziz year, mariing and addressing on-gopossession working. time sinceBethe Sept.

11, 2001, d global travel and slowedwas downnotfirst In this photo any released

by Saudi Energy Ministry, bin Salman Minister of attacks over concernsing of needs Irani- thorough her energy-chugging Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, a virtual summit the$133 Group of 20Larson energy ministers said a at“balanced apjuanachairs tax revenues peakedofat intensive case sides facingsectors the prospect of being ten- his and ch as manufacturing. has an officelinkage in Riyadh, Friday,aApril 2020, to coordinate oil will supproach totoplummeting budgeting” million, 30%10,increase over the a response management toSaudi careArabia, locked up, Ithaving a retaliation criminal amid re- regional evastated the oil industry in sions. prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn in global demand due to the pandemic. port communities and students. previous year, and a 545% increase and services.” cord makes it difficult to find hous“They’ve spent over the last e U.S., which now pumps more The addiction recovery centers over 2016, when pot taxes began The OEA union represents about ing andcountry. jobs and can haunt a permonth waging war on American ude than any other praise. the collected deal but its president, Andrés that by Kuwait, SaudiofArabia But some producers been oil producers while we are 44,000 educators. being from legal, regiswilldefendbe funded millions dol- and son for a have lifetime. of the cut is un- Prozanski, Manuel López Obrador, had said en- “The pure Unitedfrom Arab Emirates ing theirs.

This is not how luctant to easeTwo supply.dozen The car-district Statesize Sen. Floyd tered recreational marijuana larsfriends of tax the revenue Oregon’swould attorneys l and other nations on Sunday treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin cut another 2 million barrels of Friday that he had agreed with precedented, but, then again, so of the thecoronavirus Senate Committee On terprises the will state. legalized industry.

This had opposed the measure, saying from impact is Trumparound that the U.S. compen- is thechair oil a day between them atop the Cramer, a Republican North marijuana reed to allow Mexico to cut only Judiciary and Ballot Measure 110 recipients potto tax would somedeal. funds it was reckless andDakota, wouldbefore leadthe toOPEC+ having on demand,” said Mohamsate other what Mexico cannotofadd OPEC+ Thefrom threeothcountries The deal.divert 0,000 barrels a month, a stickmed Ghulam, an energy analyst the proposed cuts.saying that, after not immediately acknowledge U.S. producers already didand g point foran anincrease accord initially Implementation, saidat he expects are now er programs entities that al- revenues in the acceptability of have “The big Oil Deal with OPEC Raymond James.

The Amer- the cut themselves, though Zanached Friday after a marathon been reducing output. ready Oregon’s cannabis tax revenues assessment and related treatment receive it, like schools. dangerous drugs.

But Ghulam and others worried deo conference between 23 na- ican Petroleum Institute laud- ganeh attended the video confer- Plus is done. This will save hunincrease exponentially if recreset up,of the distribuThe ballot measure capped the options Instead of facing be enough. dreds are of thousands energy jobs it maytonot ed arrest, Sunday’s those global pact, saying it ence. ons. The nations together agreed ational marijuana tioninofthe those revenues will deserve “This is at least a temporaryin re-the United amount tax said revenue that cuts United States,” Trump said foundbarrels by law Officials other planned will help get with other nations’ state-of pot cut 9.7 million a dayenforcement the energy industry and in a tweet. like to thank lief for would health stand in alcoholism the deal, meaning owned oil follow themental roughout May and June.

States is legalized.

Heforexpects that another look.“IAwould leading lawmaker personal-use amounts of production drugs toschools; The group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are try- an 8-million-barrel-per-day cut and congratulate President Pu- the global economy. This industry to happen within four years. would face a civil citation, “like a and drug services; the state police; agrees. ours before Asian markets re- ing to adjust to plunging demand. from July through the end of the tin of Russia and King Salman of is too big to be let to fail and the alThat responsibility would make theArabia.” future, as Oregon’s treatanddid cities counties receive atcut for “In traffic and not a criminal liance showed with the Drug Saudi year and a 6-million-barrel Brouillette said the U.S. not and pened Monday and ticket,” as internathis agreement,” PerRecovery Magnus Kremlin said full President months beginning in rest 2021. ment The make commitments its million own 16 onal benchmark Brent Treatmentsaid and Services programs reach funding, $45 annually, with the citation, saidcrude Matt Sutton, spokes- of Nysveen, the“oversaturated head of analysiswith at revenue” Putinevaluate held a joint calloth“This will enable the and rebalancproduction cuts, but was ableto to a “Drug aded at just overfor $31the a barrel Fund the Vladimir state should what going Treatment man Drug Policy Alliance.

OPEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

nd American shale producers ruggle.

Video aired by the Saudi-owned tellite channel Al-Arabiya owed the moment that Saudi nergy Minister Prince Abdulaziz

show the obvious — that plunging demand because of the pandemic is expected to slash U.S. oil production.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh also told state television

ing of the oil markets and the expected rebound of prices by $15 per barrel in the short term,” said a statement from Nigeria’s oil ministry.

Mexico had initially blocked

with Trump and Saudi King Salman to express support of the deal. It also said Putin spoke separately with Trump about the oil market and other issues.

Analysts offered cautious

Rystad Energy. “Even though the production cuts are smaller than what the market needed and only postpone the stock building constraints problem, the worst is for now avoided.”

as out-of-state consumers legally buy Oregon’s potent marijuana, Prozanski said in a telephone interview.

Before the November 2020 elections, Oregon was among 11 states as well as Washington, D.C., that had legalized marijuana. Voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota all approved ballot measures in November legalizing marijuana for adults.

“It would be foolish for us as a Legislature to think that the voters would want us to put hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars into a program that would be, at that point, I would think, having a gold standard” in addiction recovery services, the Democrat said.

Oregon is a pioneer in loosening drug laws. It was the first state, in 1973, to decriminalize marijuana possession. In 2014, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure legalizing recreational use of marijuana. But Sutton said there are no plans to pursue legalization and a regulated market of hard drugs in Oregon.

Addiction recovery centers must be available by Oct. 1. One center must be established within each existing coordinated care organization service area. Prozanski said that timeline might be hard to meet.

After decriminalization of hard drugs, about 3,700 fewer Oregonians per year will be convicted of felony or misdemeanor possession of controlled substances, according to estimates by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission.

The measure will also likely lead to significant reductions in racial and ethnic disparities in convictions and arrests, the state commission said.

Hartsell & Hartsell Mutual Burial Association Financial Statement ending 12-31-2020

& CREMATORY 522 North 2nd St. P.O. Box 7 Albemarle, NC 28002 Phone 704-983-1188

460 Branchview Dr. NE P.O. Box 367 Concord, NC 28026 Phone 704-786-1161

13575 Broadway Ave. P.O. Box 100 Midland, NC 28107 Phone 704-888-5571

www.hartsellfh.com

Total Income for 2020 $2,236.45 12115 University City Blvd.

P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Total Expenses Paid for 2020 $9,988.90 Burial Benefits Paid in 2020 $9,400.00

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

7

obituaries obituaries

Jason Efird Toby Pickler ASON EUGENE “GENE”

J

EFIRD, 94, went home to be TOBY FURR PICKLER, 82,with of his Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at his New London, passed away Monday, home in Stanfield.

January 25, 2021in New London at was born October 9, 1925, in herGene home.

Cabarrus County the13, late1938 Simeon Toby was bornto July in Jason Efird and the latelate Sarah Ella North Carolina to the Theodore Burris Efird.

InFurr addition Furr and Ossie . to his parents, he was She was alsopreceded precededin indeath deathby hisher wife, Jewell Little Efird;William sisters, by husband, Howard Mary Lambert, Almond, Pickler and her Fannie granddaughter, Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson and Jennifer Nicole Mauldin.

Aileen Huskey;service and brothers, A graveside will beHomer held Efird, Getus andat Wayne Efird, on Friday at Efird 3:00 pm Fairview Sr. Memorial Park in Albemarle lead funeral service will beat

by A JRprivate Whitley.

Burial will follow heldFairview on Saturday, April 11, 2020 the Memorial Park at 1425 at Love’ s Grove United Methodist East Main Street, Albemarle.

Church Cemetery in Stanfield Survivors include daughters, officiated

by Rev. Jim White.

Burial Beverly (JR) Whitley and Sherrie will follow at the Love’ s Grove United (Mike) Mauldin of New London, Methodist Church Cemetery, 4360 NC, granddaughters, Tera (Myke) Polk Ford Road,Hinson, Stanfield.

Brown, Cassie and Mandy Survivors include son Gerald Culp, all of New London, NC, and Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; great-grandchildren, Jayla and daughter Lisa Efird Hartsell Mason Brown, and (Mark) Maddie, Myles, of Stanfield; granddaughters, and Danni Culp.

Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and greatgrandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and Elliot Jacob Simmons.

Memorials may be made to Love’s Grove United Methodist Church, PO Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276.

Tony Smith Lynda Smith ONY MONROE SMITH, 72, of

T

Rockwell, NC, went to be with LYNDA ELIZABETH SMITH, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 67, of Albemarle, passed away on Wednesday, April 2020 at Tuesday, January 26,8,2021. hisMrs. homeSmith surrounded by family.

A was born May 13, private family service will be held.

1953 to the late Donald Morris and Online Tucker condolences can be made at Hattie Davis. stanlyfuneralhome.com The funeral service will be Tony was born August 11,30, 1947 held on Saturday, January, in Stanly County toat theHillside late Pearlie 2021, at 11:00 am, Asbury Smith and Emmer Lee Rd, Baptist Church, 930 Concord Smith. He was the sonby in law of Pat Albemarle, officiated Pastor and Mick Cagle where he worked at Mike Rhinehardt. theLynda fish house for many years until is survived by her he openedMitchel Anchor House husband, Smith;Seafood son, Seth in Rockwell.

He and his wife Becky Smith and wife, Ashley; daughter, owned and operated AnchorJeff; House Kim Hogan and husband, for 25Andy yearsSmith beforeand retiring 2009. son, wife,inBrooke; Mr. Smith was a charter member grandchildren, Samantha, Gabe, and deacon at Open Doorbrothers, Baptist Holden, Avery, Harper; Church in Richfield.

He loved the John W. Davis and Donald Davis, Lord and his family abundantly.

Tony Jr. was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and could fix anything he put his hands on.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Becky Cagle Smith of the home, sons Walter Smith and Robbie Smith; daughter Kayla Henderson (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton and Ella Henderson; brother David Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Dorothy Smith (Nick).

He is preceded in death by brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Claude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert Smith, and sister Mary Morris.

Memorial contributions can be made to Open Door Baptist Church at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC 28137 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice HAZEL SIMPSON RUSHING, Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

90, of Badin Lake passed away Sunday, January 31, 2021 in her home. A graveside service will be held in the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 7608 Concord Hwy, Monroe, NC on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 1:30 PM. Her body will lie in state at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle on Tuesday, February 2nd from 2 pm until 7 PM. Born January 8, 1931 in Union County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Clifton Simpson and Asbury Williams Simpson. She was a member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church and retired from Krohler Mfg Co. in Charlotte.

She loved flowers and gardening andHIRLEY she also MAE loved to fish. Hazel HAIRE, 73, was a charter member of theaway Fairview of Albemarle passed on Fire Women’s Auxiliary.

AprilDept.

11, 2020 at Atrium Health She was death by Stanly.

The preceded family willinhold a private her husband Keith on graveside service forRushing Mrs. Haire.

August 16, 2013.

She is survived Shirley was born December 12, by a son, Dennis A. Rushing of 1946 in Washington, DC to the Marshville, three daughters, late Charles Richard BatemanBecki and Rushing Badin Lake, Cathy ElizabethRice Maeof Mulligan Bateman.

Rushing (Bill) Monroe, ShirleyDeason is survived byof her husband and Hinson of Badin of 30Carol yearsR. Vaughn Smith of Lake, seven grandchildren, seven greatAlbemarle; sister Sandra Painter grandchildren, onehalf-brother great-greatof Gainesville, VA; granddaughter a brother-inRobert Batemanand of Stevensville, law Rushing of Monroe.

A MD;Troy step-children Heather Smith brother, Wilson,FL and sisters, of Jacksonville, andtwo David Willie Mae and Marjorie, Smith of New London, NC;preceded 4 her in death. step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi Mrs. Rushing was a VA vibrant Hentschel of Leesburg, and lady who loved music and being around Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, VA; 16 grandpeople.

Thenephews; family wishes to the nieces and and Gus express their sincereand thanks to the dog. Stanly Funeral Cremation staff of is Stanly and Care of of Hospice Albemarle serving thethe Uwharrie for their compassionate Haire family. care. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 7608 Concord Hwy, Monroe, NC 28110.

Merle Helms Jason Hudson ERLE LORRAINE AUSTIN

M

HELMS, 72,HUDSON, of Marshville, JASON ALAN 37, passed away Wednesday, April 8, of Albemarle passed away January 2020 at McWhorter Hospice House 24, 2021 in his home.

A visitation in Monroe. will be held at Stanly Funeral and LorraineCare was born April 28, 1947 Cremation on Friday evening, in Monroe the late Homer David January 29,to2021 from 6 until 8 Austin and Jewell Delphia-Jane PM. Austin. was preceded in BornShe June 16,also 1983 in Stanly death byNC brothers, County, he wasA.D. theand son Teddy of Austin;Hudson and sister, JoySherry Austin.

Randy and Drye The family receive friends Hudson, bothwill of Albemarle.

He was 6:00 pm with - 8:00Chick pm, Friday, afrom truck driver – A – Ray April 10,in 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Poultry Albemarle.

Home of Albemarle. funeral In addition to his The parents, he service will be at 11:00 am on is survived by a sister, Jennifer Saturday grandfather at Pleasant Hill Baptist Hudson, Everette Church inand Marshville, officiated Hudson, half-brother Matthew

by Rev. Johnall Miller and Rev. Leon Hunsucker of Albemarle.

Whitley.

She will lie stateby fora30 He was preceded inin death minutes prior to the service.

She will sister Misty Lynn Hudson, and be laid to rest in the church cemetery. grandparents Patty Hudson and Sheand is survived by her beloved Hugh Selma Drye. husband of 47 years, Paul Helms of the home; son, Alex (Deanna) Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula (Cristin Brandt) Helms of Mint Hill; grandchildren, Mason, Grant, and Raegan Helms; brothers, Boyce, Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Hazel Rushing

Gertie Harris GERTIE AGNES BURRIS HARRIS, 91, of Albemarle passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 in her home. A private graveside service will be held at 2 PM on AULINE ELIZABETH Friday, January 29, 2021 at Hamer ALMOND TUCKER, 98, passed Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in awayGilead. peacefully Trinity Place, Mt. Rev.atRon Honeycutt Albemarle, NC on April 11, 2020. will officiate.

Pauline was born March 22, Born October 26,on 1929 in Stanly 1922 in Cabarrus County, NC to the County, NC she was the daughter late John Almondand andLottie Alice of the lateRichard Dewey Burris Ada Ann Lambert Almond.

Almond Burris. She was a member She is survived byBaptist her three of Anderson Grove Church daughters, Gay Michel (Jack), and was retired from textiles.

Oak Island, NC;was Pamela Rushing Mrs. Harris preceded in (Foreman), NC; Kathy death by herOakboro, husband, James Jarvis Hunt (Marc), Albemarle, NC; her Harris, in 1980.

Survivors include son, Chris (Chris Lear), three sons,Tucker Charles Melvin Harris Washington, DC. will be greatly and wife Linda ofShe Norwood, James missedHarris by her and five grandchildren, Ricky wife Sharon of Heather Rushing Chaney (Shannon), Surfside Beach, SC, Ronnie Lee Michaeland Rushing, Elizabeth Michel Harris wife Joyce of Locust, Hartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. daughter Carol Harris Dennis (Jenn), and Woody Hunt as well as and husband Tim of Albemarle, seven Hazel great-grandchildren.

She also sister McLean of Gastonia, leaves behind cherished nieces and 12 grandchildren, 9 greatnephews. grandchildren, and 1 great-greatThe family expresses sincere grandson.

A son David its Vernon gratitude to four the staff andpreceded caregivers Harris and sisters at Trinity Place for the care they her in death. provided Pauline.

A private graveside service will be held on Monday, April 13, 2020. A celebration of Pauline’s life and legacy will be held this summer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the BrightFocus Foundation at www. brightfocus.org.

P

Pauline Tucker

S

Shirley Haire

L

Danny Luther Jimmie Barbee ANNY PAUL LUTHER,

D

65, of Norwood, passed away JIMMIE BARBEE, 82, of unexpectedly Thursday, April Midland, NC, passed away 9, 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly Wednesday, January 27, 2021.in Albemarle.

A memorial service will be held Mr. Luther was born March 27, 2pm Saturday, January 30, 2021 1955 to the late Robert Fulton and at Pine Bluff United Methodist Helen Tucker Luther.

Church with Rev. Bradley Williams Danny was survived by his wife, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; church. sons, (Karen) Luther and Mr.Jeremy Barbee was born October Jody Luther; step-sons, Bryan 9,1938 in Cabarrus County, NC, Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; son of the late Charlie Columbus Grandchildren, Daniel Barbee and Essie MaeLuther Hinsonand Hunter Zado, as well as hisselfbrother, Barbee.

He was a retired Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), uncle Jack employed brick mason. Jimmie was and severalwith otherthe loved nieces, aLuther Mason member Midland nephews and cousins.Grand Master.

Lodge and a former Danny recently retired from He was a former member of the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after Georgeville Fire Department, a dedicated 37served years and worked where he had as Fire Chief. there with his sons and several other Mr. Barbee was a member of Pine friends and family members.

Bluff United Methodist Church and loved spending time at wasDanny a United States Army Veteran. hisJimmie lake house with his family and is survived by his wife friends as well vacationing Margaret Sue as Easley Barbeewith of his family.

Danny and Denise enjoyed the home. Other survivors include to beach music and loved alistening son, Jimmy Barbee (Donna) of to shag dance every chance they could Piedmont, NC; a daughter, Sherry get. He was amazing father, loving Williams ofan Kannapolis, NC; sister, grandfather great friend to five Shirley Clineand of Belmont, NC; many. He will never be forgotten. grandchildren, Bradley Williams, A celebration of life will be Kimberly Williams Heiman, announced onceAmanda the current Celeste Honea, Rivas COVID-19 restrictions and Kandace Lee and are ninelifted. great Hartsell Funeral Home of grandchildren, Kaylee Williams, Albemarle is serving the Luther Emma Williams, McKenzie family. Ava Heiman, Grayson Heiman, Honea, Emma Honea, Leleigh Honea, MacKenzie Lee and Michael Lee, Jr.

Jerry Fincher John Hearne ERRY FINCHER passed from

J

this lifeLEE on April 3, 2020 at 8:05 JOHN HEARNE, JR., pm.

He was surrounded by his family of New London, NC passed away and holdingatthe hand of the love of peacefully Atrium Health his life. JerryConcord, is preceded death Northeast, NCinon by three siblings, two brothers, January 27, 2021 at the age of Billy 88.

Gilbert Fincher, andwill Larry His funeral service beRichard 10am Fincher, and one sister, Barbra Joyce Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in the Moore.Funeral and Cremation Care Stanly He isof survived by hisBurial wife, Eleanor Chapel Albemarle. will be Kate Fincher of the home, daughter, private.

Cindy of Wingate Mr.Fincher HearneJacobs was born in Stanly NC., son and daughter law, to Tommy County on January 13,in1933 the (Tiffany) Fincher of New London late John Lee Hearne and Ola Mae NC., Step Children, Jimmy (Lisa) Smith Hearne.

He was a graduate Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda of Denton High School. John(Bob) was a Krimminger LocustStates NC., Eric veteran of theofUnited Army (Sharon)served Lanierduring of Charlotte NC., having the Korean Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson War and was a graduate of UNC of Midland, Chapel Hill.Step-grandchildren, He retired from the NC Zach (Brittney) Aaron Department of Washington, Transportation after (Kinsey) Washington, Caleb (Nayeli) a 33 year career as an engineering Washington, Beth (Robbie) Setzer, geologist.

John was a resident of Matthew ( April ) Wallace, Step Trinity Place for the last year and Britlyn-Eve agreat-grandchildren, half of his life. Mr. Hearne was a Washington, Setzer, George mason and aRobert member of Bethany (Sara) Setzer, TracyChurch.

(Rob) Setzer United Methodist Bumgardener, Katieby Underwood, John is survived his loving Andrew Underwood, great wife of 61 years, SybilStep Harley great grandchild, Waylon George Hearne of the home.

Other Setzer andinclude brothertwo Donald survivors sons,Lewis John Fincher of Albemarle, NC. Hearne (Deb) of New London, NC Jerry Fincher will(Kathy) be laid toofrest on and Jeffrey Hearne New Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 am London, NC; 2 grandchildren and atgreat Canton Baptist Church.

Anyone 3 grandchildren.

Mr. Hearne interested in attending, please was also preceded in death byRSVP a at 704-796-2412.

Dr. Phil McCray brother, Calvin Lamar Hearne. andInPastor will lieu ofTommy flowersFincher the family officiate.donations may be made to request the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 752840692.

Linda Hatley

INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020.

Linda was born September 18, 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and Claris Tucker. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Terry Lee Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda Tucker Strickland. We know Brenda and Linda are in Heaven watching over us and laughing.

Linda was a loving mother, sister, and “Nana.” She was a very giving and loving person. Linda would always do anything she could for others, especially her family. She enjoyed working at FastShop #5, Locust. Linda will be forever loved and greatly missed.

Survivors include her son, Alan Hatley and wife, Angela, of Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker and wife, Linda, of Midland; granddaughter, Leslie Hatley; 1 niece; and 2 nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle. Linda will be laid to rest during a private committal service at Bethel United Methodist Church, Midland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Bethel UMC, 12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC 28107.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. the life of your loved Submit obituariesCelebrate and death notices ones. Submit obituaries and to be published in SCJ at to be published in death notices obits@stanlyjournal.com SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Simple, Affordable, Convenient Available 24 Hours a Day

Southern Piedmont Cremation Services provides a basic cremation service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one and do not desire a traditional funeral or farewell ceremony.

When your loved one passes simply call our office and our professional team will come as quickly as possible and bring your loved one into our care.

Phone: 704-985-4851

Fax: 704-550-5508

Email: care@spcremation.com

8

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

STATE & NATION

Biden faces scrutiny over reliance on executive orders

By Aamer Madhani The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joe Biden and aides are showing touches of prickliness over growing scrutiny of the new president’s heavy reliance on executive orders in his first days in office.

The president in nearly two weeks has already signed more than three dozen executive orders and directives aimed at addressing the coronavirus pandemic as well as a gamut of other issues including environmental regulations, immigration policies and “racial justice.”

Biden has also sought to use the orders to erase foundational policy initiatives by former President Donald Trump, such as halting construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and reversing a Trump-era Pentagon policy that largely barred transgender people from serving in the military.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said last week that Biden’s early reliance on executive action is at odds with the Democrat’s pledge as a candidate to be a consensus builder. The New York Times editorial board ran an opinion piece headlined “Ease up on the Executive Actions, Joe.” Biden has framed his latest executive actions as an effort to “undo the damage Trump has done” by fiat rather than “initiating any new law.” During a brief exchange with reporters in the Oval Office after

signing two more executive orders, he noted he was working simultaneously to push his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid package through Congress. After being asked by a reporter if he was open to splitting up the relief package, the president responded: “No one requires me to do anything.”

Earlier that day, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield bristled at the criticism of Biden’s executive orders in a series of tweets, adding, “Of course we are also pursuing our agenda through legislation. It’s why we are working so hard to get the American Rescue Plan passed, for starters.”

Biden’s most recent order would modify the rules for the Buy American program, making it harder for contractors to qualify for a waiver and sell foreign-made goods to federal agencies. It also changes rules so that more of a manufactured good’s components must originate from U.S. factories.

America-made goods would also be protected by an increase in the government’s threshold and price preferences, the difference in price over which the government can buy a foreign product.

In his Senate floor speech, McConnell offered a broadside that Biden as a candidate had declared “you can’t legislate by executive action unless you are a dictator.”

Biden at an October ABC News town hall had said there are certain “things you can’t do by exec-

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden signs a series of executive orders on health care, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Washington, D.C. utive order unless you’re a dictator” during an exchange about how quickly he’d push his plan to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans.

Biden and aides, including top White House economists, have said that they believe executive action is a pale substitute for legislative action. At the same time, they’ve defended the heavy use of executive action at the start of the administration as a necessary stopgap to address the worst public health crisis in more than a century and reverse some of Trump’s policies.

“There are steps, including over-

turning some of the harmful, detrimental and, yes, immoral actions of the prior administration that he felt he could not wait to overturn, and that’s exactly what he did,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

While Biden has used executive action more frequently out of the gate than recent White House predecessors, he’s not alone in being a heavy user of presidential fiat -- or being criticized by the opposition party for doing so.

Bill Clinton had 364 orders over two terms, George W. Bush signed 291 over his eight years in office and Barack Obama issued 276.

Trump in his one term signed 220 orders.

McConnell scoffed that Biden in his first week in the White House “signed more than 30 unilateral actions and working Americans are getting short shrift.” He similarly criticized Obama for “imposing his will unilaterally” through executive orders and memoranda.

“Since Democrats have sabotaged backroom talks with absurd demands that would not help working people, I support President Trump exploring his options to get unemployment benefits and other relief to the people who need them the most,” McConnell said.

Vaccine skepticism lurks in town famous for syphilis study

By Jay Reeves The Associated Press TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Lucenia Dunn spent the early days of the coronavirus pandemic encouraging people to wear masks and keep a safe distance from each other in Tuskegee, a mostly black city where the government once used unsuspecting African American men as guinea pigs in a study of a sexually transmitted disease.

Now, the onetime mayor of the town immortalized as the home of the infamous “Tuskegee syphilis study” is wary of getting inoculated against COVID-19. Among other things, she’s suspicious of the government promoting a vaccine that was developed in record time when it can’t seem to conduct adequate virus testing or consistently provide quality rural health care.

“I’m not doing this vaccine right now. That doesn’t mean I’m never going to do it. But I know enough to withhold getting it until we see all that is involved,” said Dunn, who is Black.

The coronavirus immunization campaign is off to a shaky start in Tuskegee and other parts of Macon County. Area leaders point to a resistance among residents spurred by a distrust of government promises and decades of failed health programs. Many people in this city of 8,500 have relatives who were subjected to unethical government experimentation during the syphilis study.

“It does have an impact on decisions. Being in this community, growing up in this community, I would be very untruthful if I didn’t say that,” said Frank Lee, emergency management director in Macon County. Lee is Black.

Health experts have stressed both the vaccines’ safety and efficacy. They have noted that while the vaccines were developed with record-breaking speed, they were based on decades of prior research. Vaccines used in the U.S. have shown no signs of serious side effects in studies of tens of thousands of people. And with more than 26 million vaccinations administered in the U.S. alone so far, no red flags have been reported.

Tuskegee is not a complete outlier. A recent survey conducted by the communications firm Edelman revealed that as of November, only 59% of people in the U.S. were willing to get vaccinated within a year with just 33% happy

JAY REEVES | AP PHOTO

Nurse Marianne Williams administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a woman as a coworker looks on at the county health department in Tuskegee, Ala., Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. to do so as soon as possible.

But skepticism seems to run deeper here.

When Alabama and the rest of the South were still segregated by race, government medical workers starting in 1932 withheld treatment for unsuspecting men infected with syphilis in Tuskegee and surrounding Macon County so physicians could track the disease.

The study, which involved about 600 men, ended in 1972 only after it was revealed by The Associated Press.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of the men by black Tuskegee attorney Fred Gray resulted in a $9 million settlement, and then-President Bill Clinton formally apologized on behalf of the U.S. government in 1997. But the damage left a legacy of distrust that extends far beyond Tuskegee: A December survey showed 40% of Black people nationwide said they wouldn’t get the coronavirus vaccine. Such hesitancy is more entrenched than among white people, even though Black Americans have been hit disproportionately hard by the virus.

The Chicago-based Black na-

“The study is a huge factor.

I’ve had very qualified, welleducated people tell me they are not going to take it right now.”

Georgette Moon tionalist group Nation of Islam is warning away members nationwide with an online presentation titled “Beyond Tuskegee: Why Black People Must Not Take The Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine.”

Gray, now 90 and still practicing law in Tuskegee, rejects such comparisons. The syphilis study and the COVID-19 vaccine are completely different, he said. He believes that enough that he himself has gotten the vaccine and is publicly encouraging others to do the same.

Georgette Moon is on a similar mission. Hoping to both protect herself and encourage skittish friends, the former city council

member recently bared an arm and let a public health nurse immunize her. Now, Moon said, if only more fellow Black residents could overcome their lingering fears and get the vaccine.

“The study is a huge factor,” Moon said. “I’ve had very qualified, well-educated people tell me they are not going to take it right now.”

The Macon County health department, which is administering two-step Moderna vaccines in its modern building near downtown, could perform as many as 160 immunizations a day, officials said.

But a maximum of 140 people received the vaccine on any single date during the first six days of appointments, with a total of 527 people immunized during the period. Health care workers, emergency responders and long-term care residents are currently eligible for shots in Alabama, along with people 75 and older.

There are some signs of hope.

State statistics show a slow uptick in the number of people coming in for vaccinations, and word seems to be filtering through the community that it’s OK to be vac-

cinated.

Down the street from the county clinic, the Veterans Affairs hospital in Tuskegee is vaccinating veterans 65 and older. While only 40% of the VA workers in the area have been vaccinated, officials said, more people are agreeing to the shots than during the initial wave.

“They know people who have had the vaccine, they hear more about it, they become more comfortable with it,” said Dr. April Truett, an infectious disease physician at the hospital.

The Rev. John Curry Jr. said he and his wife took the shots after the health department said they could get appointments without a long wait. The pastor of the oldest Black church in town, Curry said he is encouraging congregants to get the vaccine.

Yet he said he also understands the power of lingering distrust in a town that will forever be linked to the syphilis study, one of the most reviled episodes of U.S. public health history.

“It’s a blemish on Tuskegee,” he said. “It hangs on the minds of people.”

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 20 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Twin City Herald

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

Snow day

A horse stands in a snowy scene following an early morning snowfall in rural Orange County near Hillsborough, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Two Winston-Salem residents killed in Myrtle Beach crash

Wake Forest chooses Susan Wente as next president Former Vanderbilt provost to succeed Nathan Hatch

A car that crashed into a South Carolina pond earlier this month, killing five people, was speeding, and no other vehicles were involved in the wreck. The 2016 Chevrolet Impala hit a curb near the Myrtle Beach airport and was going so fast it flipped several times before plunging into the pond. One person in the car survived. The driver, Thomas Levon McDowell, 23, of Lake City, was killed. Authorities identified the other people killed as Jamar Matthews, 19, and Shiquan Graham, 20, of Lake City, S.C.; and Niterria Johnson, 22, and LeAna McMillian, 17, of WinstonSalem.

The Associated Press WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY has chosen Vanderbilt University provost and vice chancellor Susan Wente as its new president.

Wake Forest’s board of trustees recently approved Wente’s appointment following the unanimous recommendation of a search committee.

“Dr. Wente is the right person to enable Wake Forest to seize the opportunities before it,” said Gerald Roach, the chair of Wake’s board of trustees and the presidential search committee. “Among a field of highly-qualified candidates, she stood out as a transformational lead-

er and world-class academic who is committed to the personal connection and engagement that Wake Forest values.”

Wente will become Wake Forest’s president on July 1. She succeeds Nathan O. Hatch, who has served as the university’s president since 2005 and announced his retirement last fall.

Wente, a cell biologist, has served as Vanderbilt’s provost and vice chancellor for the past seven years.

She served as interim chancellor from August 2019 to June 2020.

Wente holds a doctorate in biochemistry and began her teaching career at Washington University’s School of Medicine, where she was a faculty member from 1993 to 2002.

At Vanderbilt, she served as a professor and chair of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology,

and later as associate vice chancellor for research and senior associate dean for biomedical sciences.

She became Vanderbilt’s first female provost in 2014 and will be the first woman to serve as Wake Forest president.

Wente received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from the University of Iowa and her Ph.D in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

“I have long admired the people associated with Wake Forest,” Wente said. “This is a special institution, committed to excellence with a tremendous ability to develop leaders of great integrity for our world. I look forward to joining the Wake Forest community and working with the outstanding faculty, staff, students and alumni to seize the multitude of opportunities for

Wake Forest to excel even further as a national leader and model.”

During her tenure at Vanderbilt, Dr. Wente has advanced the excellence of academic programs and guided the university’s response to the pandemic. Dr. Wente has been widely praised for her bold and engaged leadership and for accomplishing a number of firsts, including the appointment of Vanderbilt’s first female athletic director and the creation of the university’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. Wente led Vanderbilt’s efforts to launch a new structure for the university and medical center’s academic relationship. As provost, she has been the chief academic officer responsible for all 10 of Vanderbilt’s schools and colleges. She also developed the university’s 10-year strategic plan. Wente has overseen innovative initiatives to enhance the undergraduate experience and elevate the arts and humanities, and she served as the Vanderbilt faculty athletics representative for the Southeastern Conference and NCAA. TCH staff contributed to this report

AP

Former detention officer facing drug charges A former detention officer is accused of selling marijuana from her home and exposing one of her children to drugs and unsecured firearms.

Paris Monique Crowell, 39, faces felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor child abuse charges. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. fired Crowell on Tuesday.

Crowell used her house to store and sell marijuana and THC Gummies and put her child in danger because drugs were in open areas and the child had access to unsecured firearms.

Authorities also arrested Crowell’s son, Amari Lamont Crowell, 22, and Christopher Maurice Washington, 38.

AP

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

Tropical cyclones are nearing land more, except in Atlantic

By Seth Borenstein The Associated Press TROPICAL CYCLONES across the globe, except Atlantic hurricanes, are moving closer to land in recent decades, a new study found.

Also called typhoons, tropical cyclones generally have been moving westward by about 18 miles per decade since 1982, putting them closer to land and making them more dangerous, a study in Thursday’s journal Science said. Each decade since the 1980s, an additional two cyclones have come within 124 miles of land.

Researchers don’t quite know

why this is happening, but it adds to other ominous trends in cyclone activity. Past studies have found that the most intense storms are getting stronger and storms in general are getting wetter, shifting poleward, moving slower and are keeping their power longer after hitting land.

But while the new study found storms are getting closer to land, researchers still haven’t seen a significant increase in landfalls, which “is still a puzzle,” said study lead author Shuai Wang, a cyclone scientist at Imperial College in London.

“It’s not only the landfall that

causes damage. When the cyclone is close enough to land it can also cause damage like Hurricane Sandy and Dorian a few years ago,” Wang said, who also mentioned 2019’s Typhoon Lekima, one of the costliest in Chinese history. “If you look at the track before the final landfall, those cyclones skirted along the U.S. coast for a long time and that certainly caused damage.

That’s one reason why we look at coastal activity.”

It’s mysterious that, unlike other areas, the Atlantic hurricane basin didn’t show any significant westward shift, but that could be because the Atlantic hurricane zone is more closely surrounded by continents, Wang said. The busiest tropical cyclone basin is in the western Pacific, where there are the most landfalls and the shift westward is twice as big as the global average.

Wang and his colleagues are still trying to figure out why this westward shift is happening. Storms generally move east to west because of trade winds in the tropics, so a greater westward shift

usually puts them closer to where the land is, Wang said. Storms that form just west of land, such as in the Pacific off the California and Mexican coasts, are usually moving away from land already, so this shift doesn’t spare more land.

Changes in atmospheric currents that steer storms tend to be pushing cyclones farther west, but why is still an open question, Wang said. He said it could be only partly explained by some natural longterm climate cycles.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology hurricane expert Kerry Emanuel said the study is plausible, especially since scientists have already seen a shift of storms more toward the north and south poles, but it raises questions that require follow up, especially why no corresponding increase in landfalls has been found.

All these strange shifts are taking cyclones out of their preferred environment of warm tropical waters away from land, University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy said.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

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OPINION | BEN SHAPIRO

This is not normal FOR FOUR YEARS, we were informed by our establishment media that President Donald Trump’s behavior was “not normal.” The abnormality of Trump’s behavior became a near rallying cry for the self-appointed heroes of journalism, who spent every waking hour poring over his bizarre tweets and his bloviating self-absorption. The media dedicated themselves to preventing Trump’s supposed normalization.

Now, the media inform us, we have been graced by the most “normal” normal person to have ever normalled: President Joe Biden. Biden, they proclaim, is utterly boring, nondescript, barely worthy of coverage. His administration, too, is paradigmatically normal. Yascha Mounk of The Atlantic tweets, “It is so nice to have a boring President.” Alleged media watchdog Brian Stelter asked this week whether Biden is “making the news boring again,” adding, “The Biden White House is clearly a break from the chaos and incompetence of Trump world.”

For his part, Biden obviously revels in this sort of coverage.

This week, his favorite ice cream flavor (chocolate chip) was tweeted out as well as a retweet of first lady Jill Biden’s announcement that Champ and Major, the new first pets, had entered the White House.

On a personal level, Biden is clearly more “normal” than Trump — although treating Biden, a career politician worth nearly $10 million, as the height of normality is rather stunning.

The goal for the establishment media isn’t to point out merely that Biden is a sort of American Everyman. It’s to use that supposed normalcy to disguise the fact that his agenda is absolutely abnormal.

The dirty little secret of the Trump administration is that despite Trump’s personal abnormality, his agenda was well in line with past precedent, and with mainstream American opinions on everything from taxes to military policy. Trump did not radically shift American policy.

Biden will. Within the first five days of his presidency,

he issued 30 executive orders, compared with four for Trump, five for Barack Obama and zero for George W. Bush.

Those executive orders included endorsement of radical reinterpretation of American history; killing the Keystone XL pipeline, along with its attendant estimated 11,000 American jobs; forcing the military to allow troops to undergo gender reassignment surgery; and forcing federally funded institutions to allow biological men who identify as transgender to compete alongside biological women, among others. He is reportedly pursuing an immigration plan directed toward reopening America’s borders. He has staffed his Cabinet by intersectional box-checking.

Biden’s policy is indeed radical. But because Biden is presented as a normal person, we’re supposed to ignore all of that. We’re supposed to simply be grateful for the “return to normalcy” — complete with caving to the teachers unions that seek to keep schools closed indeterminately, reentering a longdead deal with the Iranian theocracy, firing government staffers with whom he disagrees and lying openly about the vaccine distribution plan he inherited.

Meanwhile, our media pat themselves on the back. It’s rare to see a profession declare itself irrelevant, but that’s what many in the media are doing these days. According to Stelter, it’s “refreshing” that Biden’s team promises accountability and transparency. According to Margaret Sullivan of The Washington Post, the media must learn their lesson from the Trump era and cover Democrats more sycophantically.

Joe Biden may be a relatively normal guy. But none of this is normal. And pretending it is represents just another way for the media to reject legitimate criticisms of an administration seeking radicalism right off the bat.

Ben Shapiro, 36, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

DEATH NOTICES

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ ALEXANDER, STACY ISIAH was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D MARIJUANA at 3401 OLD VINEYARD RD on 1/31/2021 ♦ BEAVER, ASHLEY DANIELLE was arrested on a charge of CONTEMPT OF COURT at 853 REYNOLDA RD on 1/31/2021 ♦ Bennett, Crystal Renee (F/38) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault-simple (M) and 2) Aid And Abet Larceny ($1,000 Or Less) (M), at 4500 Oakley Ct, Walkertown, NC, on 1/30/2021 08:15. ♦ Bonner, Marvin Darnele (M/31) Arrest on chrg of Affray, M (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/27/2021 09:30 ♦ Bonner, Marvin Darnele (M/31) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/27/2021 09:30.

Lewisville-clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 1/30/2021 14:16. ♦ JONES, CHRISTOPHER DWAYNE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 3801 HEATHROW DR/ TANTELON PL on 1/31/2021

♦ SCHULZ, JACQUELINE FLORENCE was arrested on a charge of CONTEMPT OF COURT at 853 REYNOLDA RD on 1/31/2021

♦ LEWIS, BARRON BERNARD was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at FRONTAGE/THOMASVILLE on 1/31/2021

♦ Simcox, Alexander Augustus (M/26) Arrest on chrg of Probation Violation (M), at 2200 R Megan Cir, Clemmon, on 1/29/2021 21:01.

♦ MASSEY, MONICA RENE was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 903 ROOSEVELT ST on 1/31/2021

♦ Singletary, Tino Trevonne (M/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Contrib Delinq Minor (M), 2) Contrib Delinq Minor (M), and 3) Contrib Delinq Minor (M), at 1448 Lewisvilleclemmons Rd/marty Ln, Clemmons, NC, on 1/28/2021 11:05.

♦ Milner, Helen Rae (F/32) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 7765 Shallowford Rd, Lewisville, NC, on 1/29/2021 13:15. ♦ Moore, Kevin Barrino (M/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Resisting Arrest (M), at 126 Stagecoach Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/31/2021 17:43.

♦ Draughn, Steven Wayne (M/40) Arrest on chrg of Weap-poss By Felon (F), at 8281 Gauldin Rd, Walnut Cove, NC, on 1/27/2021 16:15.

♦ NELSON, CHRISTOPHER RAYSHAWN was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D SCHED I at 3401 OLD VINEYARD RD on 1/31/2021

♦ Foote, Douglas Timothy (M/55) Arrest on chrg of Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another State/ Indian Tribe (M), at 2550 Lakespring Ct, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/27/2021 14:29.

♦ NORMAN, EMILY BLAKE was arrested on a charge of DWI - AID & ABET IMPAIRED DRIVING at 199 N CHESTNUT ST/E SECOND ST on 1/30/2021

♦ Gardner, Cheyenne Nicole (F/22) Arrest on chrg of Child Abuse (felony) (F), at 4392 Spainhour Mill Rd, Tobaccoville, NC, on 1/29/2021 09:30. ♦ Green, Sylvia Antoinette (F/53) Arrest on chrg of Affray, M (M), at 2405 Lewisvilleclemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 1/30/2021 14:17. ♦ HARDIN, JOHNNY MACK was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT STRANGULATION at 2355 ARDMORE TR on 1/31/2021 ♦ HAUSER, JOHN DEREK was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 100 PETERS CREEK PW/W FIRST ST on 1/30/2021 ♦ Hoover, Brandon Jamal (M/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Register Sex Offender Registration (F), 2) Sex Offender Residency Violations (F), and 3) Fail To Change Address - Sex Offender Registration (F), at 301 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/29/2021 15:40.

♦ Richardson, Alvin Sheron (M/25) Arrest on chrg of 1) Trafficking In Methamphetamine Or Amphetamine (F) and 2) Drugs-maintain (F), at 6350 Clemmons Point Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 1/27/2021 16:04.

♦ LAFOUNTAINE, DELBERT DENNIS was arrested on a charge of B&E-VEHICLE at 4701 SHATTALON CR on 2/1/2021

♦ Calloway, Bobby Eldridge (M/44) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F) and 2) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F), at 2405 Lewisville-clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 1/27/2021 17:08.

♦ Howard, Endaisha Destiny (F/20) Arrest on chrg of Affray, M (M), at 2405

38° 16° 54%

MONDAY

♦ PACK, JERRY WAYNE was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARC-FELONY at 5610 SHATTALON DR on 2/1/2021 ♦ Parker, Margaret Anne (F/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Sched I (F) and 2) Drugs-poss Sched I (F), at 2131 Rougemount Ln, Kernersville, NC, on 2/1/2021 01:57 ♦ PARKER, ROBERT EARL was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 1023 SOLOMON DR on 2/1/2021 ♦ Penn, Albert Hayes (M/60) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F), 2) Sex Offender Residency Violations (F), and 3) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 2/1/2021 10:35. ♦ PERGOLA, BRUCE ALFRED was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 199 W FIRST ST/N LIBERTY ST on 1/30/2021 ♦ Priddy, Joshua Steven (M/31) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 5645 Belle Av, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/28/2021 00:28.

♦ Smith, Andrea Jean (F/39) Arrest on chrg of Concealing Mdse, M (M), at 3418 Old Hollow Rd/neal Trail Dr, Walkertown, NC, on 1/29/2021 17:23. ♦ Standard, Kim Hammonds (M/59) Arrest on chrg of 1) Asslt On Off/st Emp (M), 2) Assault-simple (M), 3) Impaired Driving Dwi (M), and 4) Fail To Use Designated Lane (M), at Lewisvilleclemmons Rd/clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 1/31/2021 00:42. ♦ Torres Perez, Jesus Torres (M/32) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 5036 Lake Morris Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 1/29/2021 22:01. ♦ WALKER, GABRIELLE LAUREN was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 901 ROOSEVELT ST on 1/31/2021 ♦ Webb, Steven Gregory (M/30) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 3398 N Peace Haven, Winston Salem, NC, on 1/27/2021 14:06. ♦ WILKINS, DARNELL LASONE was arrested on a charge of POSS COCAINE FEL at 5719 UNIVERSITY PW on 1/31/2021 ♦ Wood, Charles David (M/53) Arrest on chrg of Indecent Exposure, M (M), at 4180 Spainhour Mill Rd, Tobaccoville, NC, on 1/31/2021 17:30. ♦ Yates, Cody Wade Milton (M/25) Arrest on chrg of 1) B&e-vehicle (M), 2) B&e-vehicle (M), 3) B&e-vehicle (F), 4) B&e-vehicle (M), 5) B&e-vehicle (F), 6) B&e-vehicle (M), 7) B&e-vehicle (M), 8) B&e-vehicle (M), 9) B&e-vehicle (M), 10) Larceny/misdemeanor (M), and 11) Resisting Arrest (M), at 2200 Mckinnon Ct, Clemmons, NC, on 1/29/2021 21:09.

♦ Jeanette Bond, 88, died January 27, 2021.

Frances Jean Pell Bradstock, 98, of WinstonSalem, died January 29, 2021. ♦ Albert Franklin Butner, Sr., 99, of Surry County, died January 29, 2021. ♦ Mildred Lucille Coffman Evers, 90, died January 28, 2021. ♦ Rebecca Herr Fallen, 67, died January 28, 2021. ♦ Margarita Mourounas Floros, 94, died Friday, January 29, 2021. ♦ Jimmy Ray Frye, 85, of Forsyth County, died January 30, 2021. ♦ Preston Arthur Grammer, Jr., 76, of Kernersville, died January 29, 2021. ♦ Wayne Carl “Chipper” Holland, 75, of Forsyth County, died January 30, 2021. ♦ Marvin Rich James, Jr., 85, of Winston-Salem, died January 28, 2021. ♦ Mark Hamock Landreth, 62, of Kernersville, died January 29, 2021. ♦ James Gray Lawton, Sr., 85, of Tobaccoville, died January 27, 2021. ♦ Christina Ann Smith Lutz, 41, of Kernersville, died January 27, 2021. ♦ Mary Fearrington Mann, 96, of Lewisville, died January 27, 2021. ♦ Arthur Joseph McGrane, 99, of Winston-Salem, died February 1, 2021. ♦ Wilber “Keith” Nelson, 64, of Forsyth County, died January 29, 2021. ♦ Frederick Gordon Overstreet, 88, of WinstonSalem, died January 27, 2021. ♦ Barbara Jane Bryant Pappas, 87, of WinstonSalem, died January 27, 2021. ♦ Ida Mae Pate, 88, of Kernersville, died January 28, 2021. ♦ Nancy Jean Wooten Poore, 89, of Iredell County, died January 28, 2021. ♦ Jerry E. Rhymer, 76, of Winston-Salem, died January 27, 2021. ♦ Sherry Ann Russ, 59, of Forsyth County, died January 30, 2021. ♦ Norman Gay Stephens, Sr., 87, of Winston Salem, died January, 27, 2021. ♦ Alvina Wilhelmovna Teslya, 82, died January 28, 2021.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Lions trade Stafford to Rams for Goff, draft picks Los Angeles The Detroit Lions are trading quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, two future first-round draft picks and a third-round pick, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press. The deal will not become official until the start of the new league year March 17. Stafford asked to be traded shortly after the current season ended with the Lions’ third straight campaign with at least 10 losses. He has been one of the NFL’s most prolific passers during his 12year career spent entirely in Detroit, but has never won a playoff game.

SPONSORED BY

Love appointed captain again, this time for 2022 Presidents Cup The event will be played at Quail Hollow in Charlotte

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press DAVIS LOVE III is going back to where he was born for a job he knows as well as anyone.

The PGA Tour has selected Love to be U.S. captain for the Presidents Cup in 2022 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. Trevor Immelman of South Africa previously was selected to be the International team captain.

It will be the third time Love, 56, has been captain of a U.S. team in the last 10 years. He was captain when Europe rallied from a 10-6 deficit to beat the Americans in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Me-

3

dinah, and he was Ryder Cup captain for a rare U.S. victory four years later at Hazeltine.

He also was an assistant captain in the Ryder Cup under Corey Pavin in 2010 and Jim Furyk in 2018 and is on the staff of Steve Stricker this year. In the Presidents Cup, he has been an assistant under Fred Couples in 2013, Jay Haas in 2015 and Stricker in 2017. He does not lack for experience.

“My history with this event dating back to 1994 conjures up indelible memories of competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship, and I’m thrilled to be leading the top American players into Quail Hollow Club next September,” Love said.

Love was born in Charlotte, though his family moved to the

“My history with this event dating back to 1994 conjures up indelible memories of competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship, and I’m thrilled to be leading the top American players into Quail Hollow Club next September.”

Davis Love III Atlanta area later that year. He played golf at UNC and went on to win 21 events on the PGA Tour, including the 1997 PGA Championship at Winged Foot in New York.

He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017. He has designed courses with his brother and caddy, Mark, including two in North Carolina: The Preserve at Jordan Lake in Chapel Hill and Anderson Greek Golf Club in Fayetteville. He has also done redesigns at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis and Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro.

Quail Hollow, which once hosted the old Kemper Open before it moved to the Washington area, has hosted the Wells Fargo Championship since 2003. Justin Thomas won the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, and it is scheduled to host the PGA Championship again in 2025.

The Presidents Cup was supposed to be played this year until the COVID-19 pandemic led to the Ryder Cup being postponed one year to this September. The Americans have won the Presidents Cup the last eight times, most recently in 2019 at Royal Melbourne with Tiger Woods as a playing captain. He chose not to captain again.

MLB

Coach, ex-manager Callaway accused of pursuing women in media New York Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway, former manager of the New York Mets, “aggressively pursued” several women who work in sports media and sent three of them inappropriate photos, The Athletic reported Monday night. Callaway sent uninvited and sometimes unanswered messages to the women via email, text or social media and asked one to send nude photos in return, according to the report. He often commented on their appearance in a way that made them uncomfortable and on one occasion “thrust his crotch near the face of a reporter” while she interviewed him, The Athletic said.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Bruschi returns to Arizona as senior football advisor Tucson, Ariz.

Tedy Bruschi is returning to Arizona football.

The University of Arizona announced Monday that Tedy Bruschi will return to the school to serve as a senior adviser to new coach Jedd Fisch. Bruschi was a two-time consensus All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive player of the year during his fouryear stint in Tucson from 1992-95. He went on to play 13 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowls before retiring in 2009. Bruschi served as a lead analyst at ESPN after his retirement.

Fisch was hired last month to replace Kevin Sumlin.

SOCCER

Report: Messi’s contract worth up to $673M Madrid Lionel Messi’s most recent contract with Barcelona is worth up to 555 million euros ($673 million) over four seasons, the El Mundo newspaper reported on Sunday. The Spanish daily said it had access to the document Messi signed with the Catalan club in 2017, which included fixed incomes and variables that could reach nearly 138 million euros ($167 million) each season.

The newspaper said it is the most expensive contract ever agreed with an athlete in any sport. The report said the 33-year-old player has already secured more than 510 million euros ($619 million) of the total.

GERRY BROOME | AP PHTO

Davis Love III follows his shot from the second tee, during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

NBA adjusts schedules for virus-affected teams COVID-19 issues with other teams leads to the Hornets having two games rescheduled

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press WASHINGTON’S second-half schedule might not be as jampacked as first thought, after the NBA said Wednesday it was rescheduling some Wizards games after a half-dozen of their contests were postponed in recent weeks for virus-related reasons.

Portland will now visit Washington on Tuesday, a game that was originally set for the second half. Washington will play at Charlotte on Feb. 7, a game that was rescheduled from Jan. 20. And that means the Blazers, who were scheduled to visit the Hornets that day, will now go to Charlotte in the second half of the schedule.

The league has postponed 22 games so far this season, 21 of them since Jan. 10. The original intent was to push all those postponed games into the second half, when possible; now, the league said it would move some games into the first-half schedules, “with a specific focus on the teams with the most postponed games to date.”

That would certainly include Washington and Memphis, both of which have seen a league-high six games postponed. The Wizards went 13 days without games after six players tested positive for COVID-19 and three others had to sit out because of contact tracing. The Grizzlies will have gone 12 days without games if they play,

NICK WASS | AP PHTO

Miles Bridges and the Hornets will host guard Bradley Beal and the Wizards on Sunday, making up a Jan. 20 game that was postponed due to COVID-19 issues on the Washington roster.

as planned, in San Antonio on Saturday.

Some good news for the league on Wednesday: The Grizzlies said they were returning to practice.

And even better news: The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association said Wednesday that only one player in the league tested positive for COVID-19 in the past seven days, down from 16 two weeks ago and 11 last week.

It remains possible that some of the stronger protocols put in place earlier this month, such as not allowing players to leave hotels on

road trips for almost any reason other than games or practices, may be somewhat loosened soon as well.

Without the schedule changes by the NBA, the Wizards and Grizzlies may have been looking at playing 41 times in 67 days during the second half of the season — which will stretch from March 11 through May 16.

Boston and Phoenix have had three games postponed apiece so far, and it’s not yet known publicly how their first-half schedules will be adjusted.

“I’ve heard about one. I don’t think I’m supposed to say, so I won’t,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Wednesday. “My preference is that they consider our travel appropriately. So, that’s the only thing I have to say about it. We obviously know in this condensed schedule anyway that we were going to be nonstop.

“We’re just going to try to do our best to be ready for the next night, wherever that may be, whoever we may be playing and hopefully improve ourselves a little bit,” Stevens added.

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Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

STATE & NATION

Biden faces scrutiny over reliance on executive orders

By Aamer Madhani The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joe Biden and aides are showing touches of prickliness over growing scrutiny of the new president’s heavy reliance on executive orders in his first days in office.

The president in nearly two weeks has already signed more than three dozen executive orders and directives aimed at addressing the coronavirus pandemic as well as a gamut of other issues including environmental regulations, immigration policies and “racial justice.”

Biden has also sought to use the orders to erase foundational policy initiatives by former President Donald Trump, such as halting construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and reversing a Trump-era Pentagon policy that largely barred transgender people from serving in the military.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said last week that Biden’s early reliance on executive action is at odds with the Democrat’s pledge as a candidate to be a consensus builder. The New York Times editorial board ran an opinion piece headlined “Ease up on the Executive Actions, Joe.” Biden has framed his latest executive actions as an effort to “undo the damage Trump has done” by fiat rather than “initiating any new

law.” During a brief exchange with reporters in the Oval Office after signing two more executive orders, he noted he was working simultaneously to push his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid package through Congress. After being asked by a reporter if he was open to splitting up the relief package, the president responded: “No one requires me to do anything.”

Earlier that day, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield bristled at the criticism of Biden’s executive orders in a series of tweets, adding, “Of course we are also pursuing our agenda through legislation. It’s why we are working so hard to get the American Rescue Plan passed, for starters.”

Biden’s most recent order would modify the rules for the Buy American program, making it harder for contractors to qualify for a waiver and sell foreign-made goods to federal agencies. It also changes rules so that more of a manufactured good’s components must originate from U.S. factories. America-made goods would also be protected by an increase in the government’s threshold and price preferences, the difference in price over which the government can buy a foreign product.

In his Senate floor speech, McConnell offered a broadside that Biden as a candidate had declared “you can’t legislate by executive ac-

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden signs a series of executive orders on health care, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Washington, D.C. tion unless you are a dictator.”

Biden at an October ABC News town hall had said there are certain “things you can’t do by executive order unless you’re a dictator” during an exchange about how quickly he’d push his plan to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans.

Biden and aides, including top White House economists, have said that they believe executive action is a pale substitute for legislative action. At the same time, they’ve defended the heavy use of executive action at the start of the administration as a necessary stopgap to address the worst public health crisis in more than a century and re-

verse some of Trump’s policies.

“There are steps, including overturning some of the harmful, detrimental and, yes, immoral actions of the prior administration that he felt he could not wait to overturn, and that’s exactly what he did,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

While Biden has used executive action more frequently out of the gate than recent White House predecessors, he’s not alone in being a heavy user of presidential fiat -- or being criticized by the opposition party for doing so.

Bill Clinton had 364 orders over two terms, George W. Bush signed 291 over his eight years in office

Vaccine skepticism lurks in town famous for syphilis study

By Jay Reeves The Associated Press TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Lucenia Dunn spent the early days of the coronavirus pandemic encouraging people to wear masks and keep a safe distance from each other in Tuskegee, a mostly black city where the government once used unsuspecting African American men as guinea pigs in a study of a sexually transmitted disease.

Now, the onetime mayor of the town immortalized as the home of the infamous “Tuskegee syphilis study” is wary of getting inoculated against COVID-19. Among other things, she’s suspicious of the government promoting a vaccine that was developed in record time when it can’t seem to conduct adequate virus testing or consistently provide quality rural health care.

“I’m not doing this vaccine right now. That doesn’t mean I’m never going to do it. But I know enough to withhold getting it until we see all that is involved,” said Dunn, who is Black.

The coronavirus immunization campaign is off to a shaky start in Tuskegee and other parts of Macon County. Area leaders point to a resistance among residents spurred by a distrust of government promises and decades of failed health programs. Many people in this city of

8,500 have relatives who were subjected to unethical government experimentation during the syphilis study.

“It does have an impact on decisions. Being in this community, growing up in this community, I would be very untruthful if I didn’t say that,” said Frank Lee, emergency management director in Macon County. Lee is Black.

Health experts have stressed both the vaccines’ safety and efficacy. They have noted that while the vaccines were developed with record-breaking speed, they were based on decades of prior research.

Vaccines used in the U.S. have shown no signs of serious side effects in studies of tens of thousands of people. And with more than 26 million vaccinations administered in the U.S. alone so far, no red flags have been reported.

Tuskegee is not a complete outlier. A recent survey conducted by the communications firm Edelman revealed that as of November, only 59% of people in the U.S. were willing to get vaccinated within a year with just 33% happy to do so as soon as possible.

But skepticism seems to run deeper here.

When Alabama and the rest of the South were still segregated by race, government medical workers starting in 1932 withheld treatment

“The study is a huge factor.

I’ve had very qualified, welleducated people tell me they are not going to take it right now.”

Georgette Moon for unsuspecting men infected with syphilis in Tuskegee and surrounding Macon County so physicians could track the disease. The study, which involved about 600 men, ended in 1972 only after it was revealed by The Associated Press.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of the men by black Tuskegee attorney Fred Gray resulted in a $9 million settlement, and then-President Bill Clinton formally apologized on behalf of the U.S. government in 1997.

But the damage left a legacy of distrust that extends far beyond Tuskegee: A December survey showed 40% of Black people nationwide said they wouldn’t get the coronavirus vaccine. Such hesitancy is more entrenched than among white people, even though Black Americans have been hit disproportionately hard by the virus.

The Chicago-based Black nationalist group Nation of Islam is warn-

ing away members nationwide with an online presentation titled “Beyond Tuskegee: Why Black People Must Not Take The Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine.”

Gray, now 90 and still practicing law in Tuskegee, rejects such comparisons. The syphilis study and the COVID-19 vaccine are completely different, he said. He believes that enough that he himself has gotten the vaccine and is publicly encouraging others to do the same.

Georgette Moon is on a similar mission. Hoping to both protect herself and encourage skittish friends, the former city council member recently bared an arm and let a public health nurse immunize her. Now, Moon said, if only more fellow Black residents could overcome their lingering fears and get the vaccine.

“The study is a huge factor,” Moon said. “I’ve had very qualified, well-educated people tell me they are not going to take it right now.”

The Macon County health department, which is administering two-step Moderna vaccines in its modern building near downtown, could perform as many as 160 immunizations a day, officials said.

But a maximum of 140 people received the vaccine on any single date during the first six days of appointments, with a total of 527 people immunized during the period.

and Barack Obama issued 276.

Trump in his one term signed 220 orders.

McConnell scoffed that Biden in his first week in the White House “signed more than 30 unilateral actions and working Americans are getting short shrift.” He similarly criticized Obama for “imposing his will unilaterally” through executive orders and memoranda.

“Since Democrats have sabotaged backroom talks with absurd demands that would not help working people, I support President Trump exploring his options to get unemployment benefits and other relief to the people who need them the most,” McConnell said.

Health care workers, emergency responders and long-term care residents are currently eligible for shots in Alabama, along with people 75 and older.

There are some signs of hope.

State statistics show a slow uptick in the number of people coming in for vaccinations, and word seems to be filtering through the community that it’s OK to be vaccinated.

Down the street from the county clinic, the Veterans Affairs hospital in Tuskegee is vaccinating veterans 65 and older. While only 40% of the VA workers in the area have been vaccinated, officials said, more people are agreeing to the shots than during the initial wave.

“They know people who have had the vaccine, they hear more about it, they become more comfortable with it,” said Dr. April Truett, an infectious disease physician at the hospital.

The Rev. John Curry Jr. said he and his wife took the shots after the health department said they could get appointments without a long wait. The pastor of the oldest Black church in town, Curry said he is encouraging congregants to get the vaccine.

Yet he said he also understands the power of lingering distrust in a town that will forever be linked to the syphilis study, one of the most reviled episodes of U.S. public health history.

“It’s a blemish on Tuskegee,” he said. “It hangs on the minds of people.”