North State Journal Vol. 5, Issue 53

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 53

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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

Nominations open for 2021 North Carolina Awards Raleigh Nominations are open for the 2021 North Carolina Award, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the state.

The nomination period lasts through April 15.

“This award is a great opportunity to celebrate the best of North Carolina and the resilient, generous spirit that defines our state,” Gov. Roy Cooper said.

Created by the General Assembly in 1961 and administered by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the award recognizes “notable accomplishments by North Carolina citizens” in the fields of literature, science, fine arts and public service.

NSJ STAFF

Trump to speak at CPAC in first post-White House appearance Washington, D.C. Donald Trump will be making his first postpresidential appearance at a conservative gathering in Orlando, Florida.

The American Conservative Union confirmed that Trump will be speaking at the group’s annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 28.

Trump is expected to use the speech to talk about the future of the Republican Party and the conservative moment, as well as to criticize President Joe Biden’s efforts to undo his immigration policies.

ISABELLE LAVALETTE | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Welcome to District 12 Pictured is Henry River Mill Village in Burke County. The abandoned mill town was used to portray the hometown of the Hunger Games' heroine Katniss Everdeen. For more on North Carolina sites used in scenes from the iconic films, see our "Murphy to Manteo" map on A4-5.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Drug execs face Capitol Hill questions on vaccine supply Washington, D.C. Executives from the major COVID-19 vaccine producers answered questions Tuesday from Congress about expanding the supply of shots needed to curb the pandemic.

The Energy and Commerce Committee panel began hearing testimony from the five companies with contracts to supply COVID-19 shots to the U.S.: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca and Novavax.

More than 75 million doses of the two-shot-regimen vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have already been distributed to states, with nearly 14% of Americans receiving at least an initial dose.

J&J revealed it will be able to supply 20 million U.S. doses of its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine by the end of March, assuming it gets the green light from federal regulators, which could come as soon as this weekend.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ABC permit deferral bill to help bars sent to Gov. Roy Cooper Raleigh A bill designed to bring relief in the form of ABC permit and fee deferrals to bars kept closed

by Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive orders went to his desk last week.

On Feb. 17, House Bill 4 passed unanimously through both chambers, with the House voting 118-0 and Senate 47-0, and was sent to Cooper on the same day.

The bill, if signed, retroactively extends deferral of ABC permit fees for bars and clubs kept closed under Section 8 of Executive Order 141 until 90 days after all executive orders limiting the operation of those establishments either expire or are rescinded.

“These are family businesses hurting, who need help now and should not be required to pay fees to a state government that is strictly limiting their ability to generate revenue and operate as planned,” Rep. Tim Moffitt (R-Henderson) said in a statement.

A.P. DILLON, NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Lawmakers press Gov. Cooper to sign bill reopening schools More House Democrats favor bill in final vote

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Audit of Medicaid reveals millions in overpayments, improper verification Co-chair of Senate Health Care Committee questions NCDHHS ability to administer the program

185 never had their credentials verified and none of the 191 had their ownership verified. The audit says $11.4 million was paid out to uncredentialed providers.

An example includes the president of an assisted living faciliBy A.P. Dillon ty who is a defendant in a lawsuit North State Journal alleging $60 million in MedicRALEIGH — A state audit aid fraud. The suit alleges he did of the Medicaid provider en- not disclose his controlling inrollment process overseen by terest in an assisted living facilthe N.C. Department of Health ity which was paid an estimated $1.8 million by Medand Human Services icaid.

(NCDHHS) revealed In response to millions in overpaythe ownership check ments, including ineligible and possibly "The oversight failures, the agency claimed they aren’t redangerous providers. failures quired to check for The N.C. Medthat information deicaid’s Division of identified by spite the fact the CenHealth Benefits web- the auditor ters for Medicaid and page states, “We are Medicare Services’ proud of our commit- seem so best practices include ment to be good stew- basic and so ownership checks and ards of taxpayer monproblematic verifications with liey while continuing censing boards. In her to provide valuable that it raises response, NCDHHS health programs and serious Secretary Mandy Coservices to the Medichen agreed that such aid population,” how- questions checks were a “best ever, the current audit about practice” and would and a previous aulook for ways to imdit in 2019 have both NCDHHS’s prove procedures and found millions in im- ability to policies. proper payments and administer A key finding was lingering oversight isthe program.” NCDHHS’ failure in sues. identifying and reThe audit, pubmoving providers lished by the office of State Sen. with terminated, susN.C. State Auditor pended or limited Beth Wood on Feb. 8, Joyce Krawiec professional licenses. sampled only a small (R-Forsyth) The audit looked fraction of the 90,000 at 66 Medicaid proMedicaid providers viders disciplined by in the state and says the department “did not per- their licensing board, of which form background checks, verify “26 had a suspended or termicredentials, and complete oth- nated license during SFY 2019.” er steps necessary to determine Those 26 were tested to see if whether the undisclosed own- NCDHHS had removed them ers were eligible to be enrolled from the program. Investigators found that “18 providers (69%) in Medicaid.”

As noted by the audit, NC- with suspended or terminated DHHS employed a contractor licenses were not removed from for reverification processes. The the Medicaid program at all” contractor, General Dynamics and NCDHHS only removed 14 Information Technology, failed after auditors brought it to the to validate and verify provider department’s attention.

The section on licensing islicense credentials and ownership details. Of the 191 approved applications the audit sampled, See MEDICAID, page A2

RALEIGH — Senate Bill 37, which seeks to return K-12 students to the classroom, passed both chambers of the General Assembly last week and was sent to Gov. Roy Cooper, who implied he may veto it.

The prior votes on the bill had revealed a partisan divide; however, the final votes were more bipartisan after a conference committee made some adjustments. The Senate passed the bill 31-16. Senate Republicans voted unanimously to pass the bill, joined by three Democrats, Sens. Clark and deViere, both representing Cumberland County, and Sen. Lowe (Forsyth).

The remaining 16 Democrats in See SCHOOLS, page A2

As schools reopen, will NC’s homeschool boom continue?

By David Larson North State Journal RALEIGH — There is no doubt that school shutdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have caused a spike in interest in homeschooling, and North Carolina has seen explosive growth in its own homeschooled population in that time.

But many are wondering how many of the families that have chosen homeschooling during the 2020-21 school year will continue down that path once schools have reopened.

Spencer Mason, law and policy director for North Carolinians for Home Education, told North State Journal that as of July 2020, there were 97,000 homeschools in the state, and by the end of the year, there were up to 20,000 more. In the country at large, the National Home Education Research Institute says that there are 4-5 million homeschooled students (around 8% of all school-aged children), and in spring 2019, there were only 2.5 million.

“At the beginning of the school year we had a good amount of folks calling, but it hasn’t really let up at all,” Mason said. “Now it’s people who are frustrated with the way that public schools have been going.”

Mason said he was unable to put a number on what percentage may go back to their pre-pandemic schools, but he has seen signs that many new homeschoolers are planning on staying.

“I think we’ve had a lot that initially thought they were going to do it for a year or, in some cases, just to finish out 2020-21 school year,” he said, “but now we’re getting a lot of folks that are saying, ‘This is a lot better than we thought it would be. Our kids are really doing well.

They’re enjoying it. They like learning.’ And a lot of them are talking about how their kids never liked

school and are enjoying learning at home. So that’s another little thing we’ve been noticing, is we’ve had a lot of folks who were planning on just doing it for a year or for a period of time and are now changing their tune.”

Robert Bortins, CEO of the Southern Pines-based company See HOMESCHOOL, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

2.24.21 #271

THE WORD: EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD MADE

GENESIS 1:20-23

“The Garden of Eden” by Thomas Cole (1828).

24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

“Esse quam videri” PUBLIC DOMAIN

Visit us online nsjonline.com North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Emily Roberson Business/Features Editor David Larson Associate Editor

God created a world full of movement in his first five days of creation. Ocean currents flowed, breezes blew, fish swam and bird flew. But, God’s plan wasn’t set in motion until the sixth day. The creatures, creepers and beasts were first, but the finale was man — male and female. They were created in the image of God and charged with dominion over all the earth and to be fruitful.

The work of creation established many unwritten elements of our world and workings.

The Bible does not mention the creation of the force of gravity, the laws of motion or thermodynamics, or principle of buoyancy. But, the creation process that included the seen and unseen aspects of our universe set in motion a natural order that continues to sustain us. Following the creation of man, the Old Testament contains over 100 prophecies that foretold events that happened in the life of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before they happened.

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

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Lauren Rose Design Editor

Published each Wednesday

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SCHOOLS from page A1 attendance voted no.

The House voted to pass it 7742. Every single Republican voted yes on the measure, and 42 Democrats voted no. Eight Democrats voted yes with Republicans: Reps. Brockman (Guilford), Garrison (Granville), Graham (Robeson), John (Wake), Meyer (Orange), Richardson (Cumberland), Willingham (Edgecombe) and Wray (Halifax).

The governor has until Feb. 28 to veto or sign the bill. If he takes no action, it will become law without his signature, in accordance with state statute. As of Feb. 23, the bill remained on the governor’s desk with lawmakers calling for Cooper to sign the measure.

“Reopening schools is a national issue that impacts millions of families, especially working mothers.

People are looking to their government for leadership, yet all they’re getting from the governor is inaction,” said Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga), the primary sponsor of the bill and co-chair of the Senate Education Committee. “Gov. Cooper needs to either sign or veto

HOMESCHOOL from page A1 Classical Conversations, one of the largest homeschooling resource providers in the world, told NSJ that nobody knows the real numbers on how many new homeschoolers there are and how many will stay.

“For us looking at it, we’re not sure what it will shrink by, probably a vast number of one-year homeschoolers — 50 to 75% — will go back to the school system that they came out of,” Bortins said.

“But we’re thinking somewhere between 15-30% will continue to homeschool and maybe make more informed decisions on what that looks like for their family going forward.”

Bortins said even with schools reopening, Classical Conversations is seeing numbers six weeks ahead of where they expected to be, with their April 15 targets already being hit in February.

“The percentage of people homeschooling in the Fall of 2021 versus 2019, before the pandemic, I could see that number increasing 20, 30, 40% because parents have realized that they can homeschool and that

MEDICAID from page A1 sues also says that “21 unlicensed providers received approximately $1.64 million in Medicaid payments from the date of their license suspension or termination through June 30, 2020.”

The failure to remove providers with license issues put an estimated 2,400 Medicaid beneficiaries in danger, as many of the suspensions and terminations involved criminal activity. At least five examples were given, which included one provider whose patient died after oral surgery and a limitation placed on a provider’s license prohibiting the treatment of female patients. That provider had a previous license limitation that required that a chaperone be present “because of multiple past sexual and professional misconduct allegations.”

Some of the issues with weeding out ineligible providers were due to NCDHHS failing to monitor the disciplinary reports from the professional state licensing boards “as required by its own policy.” Apparently, the email

system (NCTRACKS) set up in 2015 to receive reports from those boards had not received any emails and no one at NCDHHS remedied the situation.

According to the audit, “Instead of investigating the lack of emails, the individual at the Division responsible for receiving these emails reported to Division management that there were no disciplinary actions from the state licensing boards for every month since 2015. Division management accepted this response without further investigation.”

Cohen’s response letter to the auditor largely agreed with the findings. Cohen mentions a repayment amount of $13.4 million, which is tied to provider verification processes in the audit.

“The $13.4M is what has actually been identified as Medicaid moneys paid to provider(s) that have been determined ‘not’ to be eligible and should not have been paid,” Wood told North State Journal in an email. She also noted that figure refers to the sample of 191 providers pulled from

the 27,334 total providers whose credentials NCDHHS said had been reverified in 2019.

In the audit, Wood wrote that the repayment figure “does not include all overpayments that may exist in the entire population of payments made to Medicaid providers.”

When asked to give an extrapolation of the costs beyond the sample size of the audit, Wood said that she couldn’t give a dollar total because there is no way to determine what services and related dollar amounts would have been paid to various providers.

Program administration questioned “Medicaid is a very large government-run program and it’s not realistic to expect there to never be problems,” Senate Health Care Committee co-chair Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) said in a statement. “But the oversight failures identified by the auditor seem so basic and so problematic that it raises serious questions about NCDHHS’s ability to administer the program.

the bill; continuing to procrastinate does nothing but hold our kids back.”

“I am calling on Gov. Cooper to stop delaying and sign the bipartisan SB37 ‘In-Person Learning Choice For Families’ immediately,” said Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake). “This bill provides families the option to return to in-person school. The reality is this: virtual learning isn’t working for a significant population of kids. The damage to children will continue unless we reopen schools for the kids that need it.”

“Medical experts and elected officials on both sides of the aisle agree that it is safe and vitally important for students to return to the classroom,” said Rep. John Bradford (R-Mecklenburg). “At the end of the day, it’s undeniable that the continued absence of children in classrooms is having a devastating effect on their development and mental health.”

On Feb. 17, the day he received the bill, Cooper issued a statement implying he may veto the bill.

“Children should be back in the classroom safely and I can sign this legislation if it adheres to

DHHS health safety guidance for schools and protects the ability of state and local leaders to respond to emergencies. This bill currently falls short on both of these fronts,” said Cooper in the statement.

“There is broad agreement that the number one priority for North Carolinians today, the most important shared goal that we can accomplish together right now, is reopening public schools for struggling young students,” House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said in response to Cooper’s statement and possible veto.

Cooper’s claim does not line up with the bill text, which has cited the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit guidance in its text since the first draft filing of the bill on Feb. 1.

“There’s no denying that schools will need to take precautions, that’s why we included specific language about the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit, which was developed by NCDHHS,” said Ballard. “I believe it’s time to stop making excuses. Schools across the state and the nation have been

operating safely for months. This bill is a workable, safe path forward for all students.”

Changes made in the conference report still cite the NCDHHS guidance and require districts to create a process for teachers and staff to “self-identify as high-risk” from COVID-19. That self-identification can include being a direct caretaker of a minor identified as high-risk. Using the StrongSchoolsNC toolkit, districts are encouraged to alter job duties for those staffers in a way that minimizes exposure or allow them to work remotely.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt lent her support to the bill and commended the legislature for the bipartisan effort and for providing “local discretion” for school districts. She also noted that the bill is “in line DHHS health and safety guidance, requiring school districts to meet all stipulations as set forth in the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit.”

Another complaint came from Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg), who said the bill was an “unfunded mandate.” However, Republicans say the money is

it is a benefit to their children and their family,” he said. “So I think we’ll see a lot more families making that decision.”

In a similar trend, Mason said the NCHE’s annual “Thrive!” conference for North Carolina homeschoolers is already way ahead of their usual numbers, too.

“We’re way ahead,” Mason said.

“We usually have an attendance of 6,000 to 6,500 people at that conference, and we’re actually ahead in our registration this year of where we were in 2019, so we may even have more than that this year [even with pandemic restrictions].”

Mason said one major disappointment has been introducing so many people to homeschooling in a year where their usual events, groups and other activities are so limited. NCHE has been able to introduce a webinar instead, which he says has been popular, to communicate with families who are interested in homeschooling.

Bortins also cautions parents who are trying homeschooling for the first time this year to take this into account.

“I’d say that if you’ve had your kids home during a pandemic for a year, that in a normal year it’s a lot easier to homeschool,” he said. “Normally we’d have a graduation and a prom and different activities, and a lot of those have had to be canceled just like other organizations have had to cancel their activities.”

Another non-COVID-related reason that Bortins says he hears a lot from families who want to pull their children from the school systems is that the schools are pushing activism, including Critical Race Theory, rather than just teaching the basics and then letting the parents handle ideological and worldview issues.

“I think people homeschool for a variety of reasons, but when our government-led education system is no longer concerned about reading, writing and arithmetic, and we see that in our test results, it has parents questioning why they’re sending and spending their children’s lives in these institutions,” Bortins said. “So I think anything that gets away from the basics and tries to educate children in a certain direc-

tion, instead of letting that be the responsibility of their parents, causes families to really take their educational choices into deeper consideration.”

A challenge for a lot of new homeschooling families, during COVID or not, is maintaining healthy relationships between parents and children now that they have to work together in the new dynamic of schooling. Bortins said this is the main challenge for families, but if they can focus on the relationships first, the education will follow. If the relationships are in constant crisis, the power struggles will make learning difficult no matter what other strategies the parent uses.

But Bortins said Classical Conversations has seen a 25-30% increase in new families joining their program and seeing “greater interest, even more than last year at this time, in parents looking at their educational choices and really wanting to educate themselves.”

“We’re just excited that more and more parents are looking at this option and seeing that it’s something that they can do,” he said.

Worse, the very people responsible for these failures advocate for adding 500,000 people to its rolls.”

Krawiec’s concerns are underscored by failures found in a previous audit. In 2019, an audit by Wood’s office found the department made improper payments of $100 million in Medicaid claims. It also found improper documentation and ineligibility issues resulting in an “estimated $71.7 million net overpayment to Medicaid providers.”

Such failures found in audits of the Medicaid program may hamper persistent Medicaid expansion efforts by Gov. Roy Cooper.

Just three days after taking office in 2017, Cooper suggested he would use his executive authority to expand Medicaid under Obamacare, despite a 2013 state law, as well as state constitutional conflicts, that would prohibit such an action. Cooper moved forward with the idea, but Republicans successfully petitioned the courts to stop Cooper›s attempt to expand Medicaid.

already in place from earlier this month when the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 36, a bill which made modifications to federal and state COVID-19 Relief funding. The bill, which Cooper signed, contains $1.6 billion for local school systems to use for reopening. Of that $1.6 billion, $140 million will go to Mecklenburg County Public schools.

Critics of Cooper’s lack of action to reopen schools have also pointed to the N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE), which has followed the lead of its parent organization, the National Education Association, and other teachers unions around the country, by opposing the reopening of schools.

The NCAE ran a campaign to keep schools from open in the fall of 2020 called, “Our Schools, Our Say.” Early in 2021, the NCAE began pushing for vaccinations before returning educators to the classroom, while its leadership began a statewide tour in an RV, visiting “100 counties. 2500+ schools” in person. The NCAE has been one of Cooper’s major supporters since he first campaigned for governor in 2016.

“I think we’ve had a lot that initially thought they were going to do it for a year or, in some cases, just to finish out 2020-21 school year, but now we’re getting a lot of folks that are saying, ‘This is a lot better than we thought it would be. Our kids are really doing well.

They’re enjoying it. They like learning.’”

Spencer Mason, law and policy director for North Carolinians for Home Education

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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Bill requiring districts to Anti-Trump Lincoln Project had high-profile NC supporter offer summer learning

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — A former Republican N.C. Supreme Court justice and GOP gubernatorial candidate has made frequent donations to Democrats and aligned with anti-Republican groups in recent years, according to campaign reports. Retired Associate Justice Robert F. Orr, first elected as a Republican in 1994, is now a fierce critic of the party and former President Donald Trump.

Orr’s largest donations to Democrats included President Joe Biden and two unsuccessful Democratic congressional candidates, Pat Timmons-Goodson and Dan McCready. He appeared on a fundraising invitation for McCready in 2019.

In the 2016 presidential election, Orr was a North Carolina delegate to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where he was pledged to support former Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Orr was also Kasich’s state campaign chairman.

He left the convention after just one day and was quoted in multiple news outlets for his negative comments about Trump.

He told Asheville’s WLOS that Trump was “singularly unqualified to lead this country.”

North State Journal asked Orr about his relationship with Lincoln Project co-founder John Weaver, who was Kasich’s campaign manager in the 2016 primary.

“The first I heard of the Weaver allegations was in the news media within the last couple of weeks. I’ve never met Weaver,” Orr told North State Journal.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met any of the founders or principles in the group, but I think I sent them a couple a hundred dollars early on, but that’s it.”

However, Orr’s last contribution to the Lincoln Project occurred on June 28, 2020.

He said he sent Weaver a message about bringing Kasich to Charlotte to highlight NCAA reform at a season-opening game between the UNC Tar Heels and

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

Former North Carolina Supreme Court justice Bob Orr in pictured in this file photo at WRAL News in Raleigh.

South Carolina Gamecocks.

“I thought with both NC and SC in play politically and the game being televised on ESPN, a hard hitting speech about NCAA reform would get lots of attention,” Orr said.

The Lincoln Project, formed in December 2019, has seen most of its top advisers leave in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.

Weaver has been accused by several men of harassment. In a statement on Jan. 15 to Axios, Weaver said, “To the men I made uncomfortable through my messages that I viewed as consensual mutual conversations at the time: I am truly sorry. The truth is that I’m gay. And that I have a wife and two kids who I love. My inability to reconcile those two truths has led to this agonizing place.”

The group, a leader of the “never Trump” movement, evolved from attacking Trump to opposing all Republicans. The group spent nearly $200,000 opposing Sen. Thom Tillis and targeted Maine Sen. Susan Collins and both incumbent Republicans in the Georgia Senate runoffs.

Subsequently, reports emerged that others in the group knew

about the allegations for several months before acknowledging them. Those disclosures led to the departure of other co-founders, including Steve Schmidt, who ran John McCain’s unsuccessful 2008 presidential campaign.

The New York Times reported on Jan. 31 that more than 20 men had accused Weaver of sexually harassing them.

Politico reported on Feb. 12 that people familiar with the organization’s internal dynamics say specific complaints about Weaver’s conduct were brought to managers in the summer of 2020.

Orr’s contributions haven’t been limited to candidates in federal elections.

At the state level, Orr made contributions to Democrats as early as 2013, giving to N.C. Court of Appeals candidates Mark Davis and Lucy Inman. In 2017 he also contributed to Allegra Collins’ campaign for the court. He donated to only one Republican in the 2020 elections — Durham attorney Christine Mumma, who unsuccessfully ran for attorney general. He made two contributions totaling $750.

In a 2018 Charlotte Observer story, Orr was identified as a critic of the party despite maintaining his registration as a Republican. Orr had had taken positions “at odds with those of his party,” including criticizing voter ID and saying the GOP was beholden to the NRA. In the wake of Trump’s second acquittal on impeachment charges, Orr changed his voter registration. On Feb. 17, Orr tweeted, “Just made it official.

After 45 years as a registered Republican, I am now an Unaffiliated voter.”

North Carolina Republican Party communications director Tim Wigginton told NSJ, “Who’s that guy? At the North Carolina Republican Party, we are focused on winning elections and getting results.”

“I don’t have time to pay attention to irrelevant Twitter trolls who have no impact of North Carolina politics,” he added.

options moving quickly through House Offers voluntary in-person learning to counter learning loss from remote instruction

bill further clarified that instruction will be for at least 150 hours or 30 days rather than five days a week for six weeks.

Several amendments were approved during a Feb. 23 meeting

By A.P. Dillon of the House Education K-12 ComNorth State Journal mittee, one of which altered lanRALEIGH — A bill being fast- guage for participation to “firsttracked through the General As- come first-serve basis.”

An amendment to utilize federal sembly would require school districts to offer in-person summer Elementary and Secondary School learning options to help students Emergency Relief II (ESSER) funds for the program who have fallen behind was approved. Moore adduring remote instrucdressed a question raised tion. about using such funds, House Bill 82, titled “We have noting that summer proSummer Learning Choice worked in a grams were specifically for N.C. Families, is sponmentioned in the possible sored by House Speak- bipartisan uses for ESSER money. er Tim Moore (R-Kings way to Other amendments Mountain), House Edwould allow for time to ucation Committee Co- reopen our be built into the day for Chair Rep. John Torbett classrooms, teachers to provide “indi(R-Gaston), House Apbut this vidual or small group inpropriations Committee struction to at risk stuCo-Chair Rep. Jeffrey El- legislation dents” and in-person more (R-Wilkes) and Rep. goes further social-emotional learning Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth). supports for students.

“Parents are ready to to give “This is about the mensee their children go- families tal health, the educational ing back to school, and health, and the economare very concerned about the chance ic health, of our children. them falling behind,” said to recover full weight and reMoore in a statement. learning loss The sponsibility of educating “We have worked in a biour children lies at the partisan way to reopen of the last feet of this General Asour classrooms, but this year.” sembly. The North Carlegislation goes further to olina Constitution gives give families the chance to recover learning loss of House Speaker us that responsibility, and we take it extremely sethe last year.”

Tim Moore riously,” said Torbett in a Attendance in the prostatement. gram would be volunUnder the bill, districts would tary and alongside daily instruction of core subjects would be enrich- employ teachers and staff as conment electives like art, music and tracted temporary employees, and physical activity. Meal services and funding allocated to reading camps transportation would be provided for 2021-22 could be utilized. The language also states the program for the summer program.

The bill requires districts to offer is exempt from class size requirein-person instruction in the areas ments for grades K-3.

The bill is moving quickof reading, math and science this summer. The first version of the bill ly through the House, setting up included daily instruction for six a potential floor vote as early as weeks, but a committee substitute Wednesday.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

to

Murphy

The NC sites of “The Hunger Games”

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Manteo 4

DUPONT STATE FOREST | “THE ARENA”

Jones & Blount Legislative leaders aim for nimbler, moreresponsive oversight

KNIGHT THEATER | TRIBUTE INTERVIEW SCENES

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

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HOTEL INDIGO

Where cast members Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson stayed off-set.

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RALEIGH — The General Assembly’s decision to end the Program Evaluation Division comes as legislative leaders aim for more results-driven outcomes and empowerment of the existing committee structures, Joseph Kyzer, communications director for House Speaker Tim Moore, told North State Journal.

PED is not a watchdog agency, Kyzer said, and questioned if you could “point to reforms PED has made.”

“It’s not a leading agency — that’s [NC State Auditor] Beth Wood. For example, it was her agency’s deep dive that found the overspending from NCDOT. And she complains that a lot of these agencies have their own auditors,” Kyzer said.

He also pointed out that repeated, unmitigated failures have gone unsolved, from hurricane disaster relief to funds from the HOPE program getting out in a

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Asheville

Perhaps the most lucrative film filmed entirely in North Carolina, “The Hunger Games” featured western North Carolina prominently in the first film of the series.

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks, the film brought the world of Panem to the big screen and became one of the highest-grossing films of the 2010s.

The production and filming took place throughout 2011 and was released in theaters in March of 2012.

1

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

PHOTO BY NC WETLAND

HENRY RIVER MILL VILLAGE | “DISTRICT 12”

PHOTO BY ZEN SUTHERLAND | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

PHOTOS BY ISABELLE LAVALETTE | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Woman gets sentenced to three days a year for three years

Toolcraft gets $35K grant for factory renovation McDowell County The N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority approved 12 grants worth more than $4.5 million to help companies throughout the state. Included in the Building Reuse Program grants was a $35,000 award to Marion-based Toolcraft, Inc. The company will use the money to renovate a 7,600 square foot building. The renovations will create 10 jobs and generate more than $100,000 in investment.

Jackson County Mary Harper, 41, was sentenced to three days a year in jail for the next three years.

Harper crashed while driving impaired in 2017, and her passenger, Shannon Marsden, was killed. Harper entered guilty pleas to charges of driving while impaired and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

Judge Athena Brooks ordered Harper to serve her jail terms on the weekend closest to the anniversary of Marsden’s death for the next three years.

WLOS

NSJ

PIEDMONT Apartment complex to DNA test unattended dog droppings Wake County Officials at Raleigh’s Meridian at Sutton Square apartment complex are implementing a DNA testing program known as “PooPrints” to identify and penalize residents who fail to scoop up their dogs’ poop. A letter sent to Sutton Square residents informed them that that the complex is starting a detection program “due to a small percentage of residents that have not been using the provided pet stations to pick up after their dogs.”

Maintenance workers will be responsible for collecting the unattended piles. Every dog owner must bring their pet to the office to provide a DNA sample.

I

Police investigate two unrelated shootings

Truck driver, passenger killed in Virginia crash Ashe County James M. Alley, 38, of Jefferson, was killed when the tractor trailer he was driving ran off the road and fell on its side in Grayson County, Virginia. The truck was then hit by an oncoming logging truck. Alley’s passenger, Joshua J. Alley, 29, was also killed in the crash. The logging truck driver was taken to the hospital for minor injuries WDBJ

$5,000 reward offered after 2 dogs found dead on road side

NDY WEEK

Macon County Two people were shot within 10 minutes of each other on Sunday morning. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incidents. A man armed with a shotgun was found slumped over the wheel of a running car at 10:18 a.m. He was declared dead. At 10:28, police responded to a man and two dogs found shot and killed on the front porch of a house. That man was also armed.

WLOS

Couple wanted in fatal shooting still on the loose Catawba County Investigators believe that a couple wanted in the shooting death at a Hickory furniture plant could still be in the western part of the state.

The search for the couple extends to the entire East Coast. Tangela and Eric Parker have been on the run since the Jan. 14 shooting death of Phelifia Marlow. The Parkers were last seen driving a beige 2019 Honda CRV. Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward in the case.

AP

Vance County Authorities say two dogs have been found dead in crates on the side of the road. Vance County Animal Services said in a news release that the dogs were both males. One was white with black markings. The other was brown. County officials said that the white dog was in a small wire crate covered with a black tarp. The brown dog was in a beige-colored crate that was plastic. The Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

EAST

Allison elected chancellor at Fayetteville State University

Police warn of fake deputy phone scam Perquimans County The Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office warned the public about a new phone scam that involves callers impersonating a sheriff’s deputy. The caller claims to be Chief Deputy Tom Reid, calling because a victim missed jury duty. People are asked to use gift cards to pay off fines. Police cautioned the public not to trust anyone asking for payment via gift card and said that the elderly are primarily being targeted.

WAVY

AP

Cumberland County Darrell T. Allison has been elected to be chancellor at Fayetteville State University. He had resigned from the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors in September to seek the position. Allison was chosen from about 50 applicants. The selection process took the hiring committee nearly a year to complete because of the pandemic. Allison said he could be a strong advocate and elevate the school’s brand and reputation. He also said he could establish strategic partnerships to build a fundraising strategy. Support for Allison was unanimous.

AP

Five homeowners getting aid for renovations

Information posted online after ransomware attack Chatham County A ransomware attack on Chatham County’s computer network posted personal information for sale on the “dark web.” The network was hit Oct. 28 with ransomware that encrypted the county’s network infrastructure.

The county refused to pay the ransom of 50 bitcoins ($2.4 million). County staffers are working to identify files affected by the breach and to notify people whose information may be at risk. The cyberattack shut down most county functions. Sensitive files, including county employee personnel records, eviction notices and Sheriff’s Office investigation documents, were posted. Staff had to wipe and re-image the county’s servers and 550 computers.

Martin County Five low-income homeowners in Martin County are getting money from the State Housing Finance Agency to help with home renovations.

Each homeowner will get $38,000 from a housing rehabilitation grant. The homeowners had to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for the money, which will help the county cure areas of urban blight. The money should be available within the next three months.

WNCT

Man arrested in shooting at fast-food parking lot Duplin County A man has been arrested regarding a fatal shooting in a fast-food restaurant parking lot in 2020, authorities said. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation says Antonio Murphy, 25, of Clinton, was arrested on Wednesday by Sampson County sheriff’s deputies and charged with first-degree murder. Investigators say Randy Rolla Jr. and Michael Bryant Jr. were shot in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant in Beulaville on Feb. 6, 2020. Rolla died one day later but Bryant survived the shooting, authorities said.

AP

AP

Two Democratic governors see stars dimmed by virus woes

By Nicholas Riccardi The Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. — At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, two Democratic governors on opposite ends of the country were hailed as heroes for their leadership in a crisis. Now they’re leaders on the ropes.

Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gavin Newsom of California are embroiled in distinct political woes. For Cuomo, it’s a federal investigation into whether his administration sought to hide the true toll of the pandemic. For Newsom, it’s fending off a recall effort fueled by opposition to his lockdowns — and his own personal missteps.

But for both men the bottom line is clear: If you’re not careful, the same crisis that can raise your stock can just as easily bring you down.

“We’ve had too many mission accomplished moments,” said Rebecca Katz, a New York Citybased Democratic strategist who ran a primary challenge against Cuomo in 2018.

The COVID-19 virus has been

an especially painful illustration of that point. The virus is now stretching into its second year, a timeline few could have comprehended when schools and workplaces were first shuttered last March and governors who control lockdowns played newly prominent roles in Americans’ lives.

Cuomo and Newsom both seized the moment in their own ways. Cuomo went on television for daily briefings that were paternal, almost philosophical, and also sharply critical of the Trump administration. They became must-see TV across the country, aided in part by his CNN news host brother. Newsom, meanwhile, instituted early lockdowns, and for a time his state avoided the worst of the virus.

But ultimately it was their actions, not their tone or words, that brought them down to earth.

“This is all tough stuff,” said California strategist Rob Stutzman, noting that governors are judged on outcomes and the outcomes in this crisis have been bad everywhere. “At the end of the day, these different approaches the governors have taken have made

very little difference because, well, it’s a virus.”

Several governors have managed to avoid major political backlash, like Republican Charlie Baker in Massachusetts or Democrat Jared Polis in Colorado. But the travails of Cuomo and Newsom show how big states are exceptionally tricky to run and always under the microscope.

“New York and California are under a magnifying glass,” said Jared Leopold, former spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association. “Everything good that happens there looks five times better and everything bad looks five times worse.”

While the coronavirus may have first landed on U.S. soil on the West Coast, it exploded into public consciousness in March as New York City was wracked by a hideous outbreak. As the epidemic spiraled, Cuomo on March 25 issued a directive barring nursing homes from refusing patients based solely on a COVID-19 diagnosis. Cuomo defended the directive as an effort to prevent catastrophic hospital overcrowding and discrimination against virus

patients.

Despite his state’s death toll — more than 46,000 people in New York state have died of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University — Cuomo’s popularity soared, and some Democrats wondered if Cuomo could replace Joe Biden on their ticket or sign on as a vice presidential candidate. In October, Cuomo took an early victory lap, releasing a book titled “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

But the nursing home issue exploded onto the political scene with two recent revelations. First, the state’s Democratic attorney general chastised the Cuomo administration for minimizing the death toll at nursing homes by excluding certain fatalities from the count. Cuomo’s administration then revealed at least 15,000 people living in long-term care facilities have died of COVID-19, nearly double the number Cuomo had initially disclosed.

The New York Post reported that a member of Cuomo’s administration told lawmakers it had withheld the numbers for fear of them being “used against us.” A furious Cuomo at a press conference accused Ron Kim, a Democratic state legislator who spoke to the Post, of corruption.

Kim said Cuomo had called him and threatened to “destroy” him.

“The nursing homes story really exposed quite a bit about questions about his leadership style and the success of his leadership during COVID,” said Christina Greer, a political science professor at Fordham University. “The governor wrote a book touting his accomplishments, and we don’t know if we’re halfway out of the pandemic.”

The meltdown in California has been more gradual. A month after Cuomo released his book, an embarrassed Newsom was apologizing for attending a lobbyist’s birthday party at the posh French Laundry restaurant, even as he was telling Californians to avoid gatherings.

The restaurant scandal came as California’s image as a model of COVID response began to fade.

Rising cases and shrinking capacity at hospitals prompted Newsom to reinstate stay-at-home orders between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Republicans had circulated recall petitions against Newsom months before, complaining about his handling of homelessness and the economy, but they shifted to include his COVID-19 response in their complaints and began racking up signatures.

The governors’ troubles stand as a warning for Biden, a Democrat who has declared he now owns the pandemic response and will be judged by how he delivers.

timely fashion.

“There are so many areas not having an effect, and PED is not providing a mechanism for solutions,” Kyzer said.

No final decisions have been made regarding the non-partisan staff, but Kyzer said he expected them to be absorbed in other areas. He added the problem isn’t the staff who work at PED, but that their governance prevents them from investigating and solving problems in a timely manner.

Among the changes being made to the oversight structure are ways to have partisan staff investigate, similar to the U.S. House and Senate’s government oversight committees.

Statutorily, PED’s work plan is established every two years, which, legislative leaders contend, prevents them from responding quickly to issues that arise.

An analysis of the agency’s records shows that 2012 was the PED’s busiest year, with 15 reports submitted.

What happens if Josh Stein is elected to the US Senate NSJ staff

WEST

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RALEIGH — Attorney General Josh Stein would seem to be the ideal candidate for North Carolina Democrats to choose for the U.S. Senate race in 2022.

But Stein, narrowly elected again in his second term for the state’s top prosecutorial job, is seen as more likely to follow predecessors Mike Easley and Roy Cooper and run for governor in 2024. The AG-to-governor route is well-worn for ambitious state Democrats.

Stein’s predecessor, Cooper, held the office for 16 years before becoming governor in 2016. Turning down opportunities at various times to run for governor and U.S. Senate, Cooper built a statewide profile in his work as attorney general — even running without Republican opposition in 2012.

Stein and Cooper share a close relationship, with Stein working as a senior deputy attorney general in Cooper’s justice department.

Mike Easley, the state’s governor from 2001 – 2009, also spent eight years as attorney general after unsuccessfully running in the state’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary in 1990. He was elected in 1992 and 1996 before defeating then-Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker for the gubernatorial nomination in 2000.

Prior to Easley, Rufus Edmisten, the state’s attorney general from 1975 – 1985, lost to Republican Jim Martin in 1984’s election for governor.

Still, should Stein decide to run for Senate and win, Cooper would appoint a new attorney general. The state’s constitution gives authority to the governor to fill vacancies within the

Council of State.

From the state constitution: If the office of any of these officers is vacated by death, resignation, or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the Governor to appoint another to serve until his successor is elected and qualified. Every such vacancy shall be filled by election at the first election for members of the General Assembly that occurs more than 60 days after the vacancy has taken place, and the person chosen shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term fixed in this Section. When a vacancy occurs in the office of any of the officers named in this Section and the term expires on the first day of January succeeding the next election for members of the General Assembly, the Governor shall appoint to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term of the office.

The last vacancy occurred in 2003 when Meg Scott Phipps, the Democratic agriculture commissioner, resigned following federal fraud and extortion charges.

Easley appointed Britt Cobb to fill the role until the 2004 General Election in which Cobb was defeated by Republican Steve Troxler.

Under the state’s constitution, if any Council of State office is vacated, an election must be held during the next General Assembly election. If Stein or any other Council of State member leaves office in the next 16 months that seat would be added to the 2022 ballot for the remaining term.

NCSBE director: Delay ‘21 city races, ‘22 primary

By Bryan Anderson The Associated Press

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

In this Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, file photo, stacks of ballot envelopes waiting to be mailed are seen at the Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh.

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s top elections administrator on Tuesday urged state lawmakers to move all of this year’s municipal elections to 2022 and bump back next year’s primaries from March to May due to delayed Census data.

Census numbers play a crucial role in how legislative districts are redrawn every decade. But even though the data was supposed to be delivered by next month, the federal government does not expect to have it ready to be released until September because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, cited those setbacks as the driving force behind her recommendation to postpone the elections.

She noted that 62 of the more than 500 municipalities across the state need the Census data because candidates submit paperwork or voters cast ballots based on their specific ward or district. While it’s possible for many of the remaining

“It causes me some heartburn to think about making a sweeping change that’s going to affect the election schedule proposal, Stacy Eggers, a Republican member on the state board of elections local governments that do not require districts or wards to go forward without the Census data, Bell called on lawmakers to follow her advice in order to address redistricting and avoid confusing voters.

“It is very difficult for voters to understand why one municipality would be having an election, while another is not, especially when they’re accustomed to those elections being held at the same time,” Brinson Bell said.

She also noted it’s unlikely redistricting would be completed in time for the December filing dead-

line ahead of the March 2022 primary. Every 10 years, states are tasked with creating new maps for state legislative and congressional races. Because of the delayed Census, Brinson Bell is asking leaders to endorse her 2022 recommendations for a May 3 primary, July 12 runoff primary and Nov. 8 general election. “We would propose that the municipal elections coincide with those election dates.”

The 2022 primaries include bids for U.S. Senate and House, judicial races and state legislative seats.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly has the ultimate decision on when to hold the elections, and the state elections board is tasked with carrying out the plan.

Some state elections officials are concerned with the proposed overhaul to the voting timetable, particularly in places where updated Census data is not needed to carry out local contests.

“It causes me some heartburn to think about making a sweeping change that’s going to affect the election schedule proposal,” said Stacy Eggers, a Republican member on the state board of elections.

Damon Circosta, the Democratic chairman of the board, said he shares Eggers’ worries but added, “There’s really no good solution, and I trust the General Assembly will do what they need to do to give us the direction we need.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Celebrating Black (Republican) History Month

There is a historical umbilical cord joining free black citizens in the South and Republicans.

Revisionists may try to cut it from history books, but erasing history doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

AN INTERESTED READER in North Carolina can scour social and print media all month long and not come across a single reference tying the Grand Old Party, the Republican Party, to citizenship for former slaves after the Civil War. Until now, that is.

There is not much black history in the South other than slavery until the intervention of Republicans in the early-to-mid 19th century.

Anti-slavery activists were National Republicans before 1832 when Henry Clay formed the Whig Party in opposition to President Andrew Jackson’s “imperial presidency.” The Whigs carried the abolition banner until 1854 when Abraham Lincoln helped regenerate the Republican Party as an anti-slavery party. Abolitionists in the North were Radical Republicans. A large majority of the 2 million Union soldiers who saw action in the war voted Republican in 1864 as they fought and died to finish the war, which they knew would result in freedom and citizenship for 3 million slaves.

After the South’s surrender in April of 1865, newly freed slaves registered to vote as Republicans in a tidal wave that shifted political power in Congress and the electoral college to the South. Every one of the 391,650 black citizens of North Carolina as of 1870 who voted was a Republican. Blacks voted overwhelmingly for Republican candidates until World War I. It wasn’t until the economic devastation of the Great Depression that black citizens started voting for Democrats in large majorities, which mirrored the change in white voting patterns as well.

Every black elected official in North Carolina was a Republican between 1868 and 1901. Four black Republican US Congressmen were sent to Washington from the “Black Second” Congressional District: John Hyman (1875), James O’Hara (1883), Henry Cheatham (1889) and George White (1897). One-hundred-twenty-seven black Republicans served in the N.C. General Assembly — 101 in the House and 26 in the Senate — during the latter part of the 19th century.

If the genealogy of any living black resident of North Carolina can be traced back to a former slave, that former slave was a Republican, not a Democrat.

I ran for Congress in 1984 in the aforementioned Second Congressional District. One newspaper editor in a rural county said he agreed with most everything I said but he wouldn’t endorse my candidacy for Congress. When asked why, he said, “Because of what the Republicans did to North Carolina!”

I thought he meant Hoover and the Depression. After thinking about it awhile, it occurred to me that he was talking about Lincoln and the

carpetbaggers during Reconstruction.

He was 93 years old at the time. He had grown up listening to his dad and grandpa curse Republicans for ruining North Carolina. As a result, he was a “mossy-back Democrat,” because he “was so old he had moss growing on his back.”

Despite ferocious opposition and personal physical attack from white Southern Democrats, brave black and white Republicans banded together to control North Carolina politics, education, business and industry for most of the last 30 years of the 19th century. Wilmington was North Carolina’s largest and most prosperous city at the time and was home to the largest amount of wealth creation by black businessmen in the state.

It wasn’t until the heinous murders of scores of blacks in Wilmington and a subsequent coup of state government by Southern Democrats in 1898 that Republicans, both black and white, were disenfranchised and relegated to an insignificant role in state politics until almost a century later when Reagan won the White House in 1980.

There is a historical umbilical cord joining free black citizens in the South and Republicans. Revisionists may try to cut it from history books, but erasing history doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Celebrating the bravery of black elected leaders and businessmen who prospered in North Carolina after the Civil War has to include the crucial role of Republican ideals, policies and politicians, or else it is untrue and incomplete.

Republicans today believe in the same core values as the GOP did in 1854: freedom of speech, thought and faith; equality of opportunity; limited government; and the rule of law regardless of skin color, background or socio-economic situation. When black Republican candidates embrace those core Republican values and principles, they get elected by Republicans — Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson of North Carolina and U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina are two prominent examples.

The bravery of black Republicans in North Carolina after the Civil War is almost beyond comprehension. It needs to be remembered and saluted as such during Black History Month.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

COVID’s emotional impact on senior citizens cannot be overstated

Many retirees said that isolation from family, friends and other social outings is taking a toll on their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Throughout the past year, we’ve watched the gut-wrenching news reports on the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on senior communities.

One of the few critical things known about the coronavirus by the time it hit America was how senior citizens and those with preexisting conditions were “at higher risk for developing more serious complications” from it, according to the CDC. As a result, many states put measures in place severely restricting who could visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities in an effort to reduce the possibility of an outbreak. Senior citizens who live at home have been urged to interact with as few people as possible.

While such measures have proven effective at minimizing the risk of COVID outbreaks at these facilities and among seniors living at home, the emotional impact of isolating them from the outside world has been a different story altogether.

A recent survey done by the Fresno Bee bears this out. According to the paper, “many retirees” said that “isolation from family, friends and other social outings is taking a toll on their mental and emotional wellbeing.” The paper also noted that in another survey, which was conducted by the Fresno Madera Agency on Aging, “42% of respondents reported feelings of depression, loneliness or isolation.”

A week before Christmas, my dad fell while trying to pick up something he dropped. At first, he felt only twinges of pain, but it got progressively worse throughout the week to the point he could barely get out of a chair or the bed. A trip to the hospital ER a week later confirmed he had a “deep bruise” that would take weeks to fully heal.

For a week after that, dad continued to have trouble getting out of chairs and the bed and struggled when he walked with his walker. With the help of a physical therapist, we were able to arrange transport to a physical rehab hospital.

He was there for a little over two weeks. During that time, we were only allowed to visit him in person once — the day before he was transferred to a skilled nursing facility which also happens to be a nursing home.

Though we had talked to him daily by phone prior to seeing him, the visit was very emotional. We were allowed to sit next to him and hug him.

That also happened to be the day he did his best in the facility’s gym. One of the therapists told us that family visits tended to motivate patients to do better because the visits put them in a better state of mind.

Since he’s gone to the skilled nursing facility, there have been some speedbumps along the way, but he’s gotten better. One of the biggest hurdles, however, has been the inability to visit beyond a “window visit” — those visits you get that are conducted through a window, meaning you can’t hug or touch your loved one.

On our last visit, dad was glad to see us, and us him, but it was clear from some of the things we saw and heard that other patients and longterm residents were missing their families a great deal.

We talk with dad several times a day every day on the phone and we can tell that the restrictions on visiting have been stressful for him.

They’ve not been good for my and mom’s emotional states, either.

We’re all managing, though, and if all continues to go well, he’ll get to come home very soon. For those whose stays are longer, I pray things soon return to normal so they can get back to being able to hug their loved ones again.

If there’s one thing we’ve all learned over the last year, those types of interactions and connections mean absolutely everything.

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 24, 2021 COLUMN | JESSICA A. JOHNSON

COLUMN | GUY MITCHELL

PBS Documentary ‘The Black Church’ tells a story of hope and trust in God

Slaves who had been exposed to biblical teachings comprehended a spiritual revelation that their masters, who were blinded by racism and avarice, could not.

“IF IT HAD NOT BEEN, for the Lord on my side/ “Tell me where would I be?

“Where would I be?”

This was one of the choir anthems of the 1980s in many black Baptist churches in the South. I remember it well from growing up in Ebenezer Baptist Church West in Athens, Georgia. The adult choir, in their maroon and white robes, would march down the aisles to lead the congregation in morning praise.

I instantly thought about this childhood memory while I watched the newly released PBS documentary, “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song.” “If it had not been for the Lord on my side,” along with many other wellknown African American spirituals, hymns and gospel music, provided a rich, soulful backdrop for this four-hour series on the history of the most significant institution within the African American community.

The documentary, and the book that bears the same title, comprise the outstanding and vivid storytelling of Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. An eminent scholar and filmmaker on the black experience in the U.S., Gates begins his narration of “The Black Church” walking into Waldon United Methodist Church, the house of worship he grew up attending in Piedmont, West Virginia. From Gates’ recollections of the nurturing he received at an early age in the church, it’s clear that he has a deep, personal connection to the scholarship shared throughout his docuseries.

“The Black Church” is indeed a riveting, historical journey that Gates takes us on as he begins with tracing the beginnings of African American religious culture through slavery to our present day.

One of the most intriguing parts of this history that I was already familiar with is what scholars often refer to as the “Exodus motif,” the spiritual theme of the children of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, which profoundly resonated with black slaves.

Although Christianity was the religion that their oppressors professed outwardly, slaves who had been exposed to biblical teachings comprehended a spiritual revelation that their masters, who were

blinded by racism and avarice, could not. Slaves miraculously saw God for who He truly is, a God who is no respecter of persons and who, as Matthew 5:45 states, looks on the just as well as the unjust.

This manifestation fueled their faith, which became their solid foundation on the long, laborious road to freedom leading up to the end of the Civil War. It was a faith rooted in unswerving trust in God while still being ensnared in the merciless yoke of chattel slavery. This tireless faith was the most precious gift black slaves passed on to the generations who came after them.

The heavy residue of racial prejudice that remained in American society after slavery was abolished has been and still is a point of contention when analyzing the history of Christian black churches. Gates included an early example of the 1792 split in the Methodist church due to an ugly racial incident. One Sunday, Absalom Jones, a black minister and member of Philadelphia’s St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, was ordered to go to the “n----- pews.” Jones and fellow minister Richard Allen led black members out of St. George’s and founded Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, which is the nation’s oldest black A.M.E. congregation.

White supremacist tenets in the North and the South that led to church segregation are welldocumented in American Christianity, but black churches expanded and prospered in the midst of this bitter prejudice, with members still believing that our country would someday be better.

I often think about this today, as many are still disturbed and bewildered by the racism we saw on full display with the juxtaposition of nooses and “Jesus is my Savior” signs during the Capitol riots. However, I believe those slaves who fervently prayed and worshiped in secret would encourage us to continue trusting that the God who delivered them from bondage is more than able to deliver us from the remnants of hatred and bigotry. This is the ongoing story of the black church, one that offers resilient hope that through God, all things are possible.

Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University’s Lima campus.

GUEST OPINION | STEPHEN MOORE

The blue states are now the beggar states

Fifty states experimented with responses to the virus, and the verdict is in: The big blue states got crushed.

LAST WEEK, I visited South Florida for four days, and what a shock: Everything was open. The beaches, the hotels, the restaurants (with some sensible safety and social distancing restrictions).

The classrooms are full.

The other strange thing about being in Florida was that people were happy. They were playing tennis and golf. They were going to work and getting on with their lives. Florida is a Republican, can-do kind of place.

Then, there is New York. Manhattan is a morose and deserted place to be. It’s as if it’s boarded up. People are living their lives afraid.

They are depressed, which makes the whole place depressing. In Southern California, I experienced the same dreariness. And it wasn’t the weather, which was warm and sunny. Restaurants were closed or highly restricted. Stores were sparsely attended, and people were generally grimacing and standoffish. They yelp in horror if you take off your mask, even for a moment.

Yet through it all, there is almost no evidence that lockdowns, business closures, stay-at-home orders and other strategies have reduced the infection rates or death rates from the virus. To take just one prominent example, open Florida has had a lower death rate (adjusted for the age distribution of the population) than closed-down California and New York. Even President Joe Biden’s crackerjack health officials can’t explain that one.

Fifty states experimented with responses to the virus, and the verdict is in: The big blue states got crushed. The highest unemployment states are Hawaii, Nevada, California, Colorado, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Connecticut. On average, the blue states have 2 percentage points higher unemployment, which means millions of more jobless citizens. Their revenues have collapsed with businesses closed down.

Why New Yorkers put up with walking disasters

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such as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, or why Californians tolerate Gov. Gavin Newsom, is their own business.

The “progressives” in these states voted for higher taxes, more regulations, high energy prices and economic lockdowns. That’s democracy in action. Now the latest census data and U-Haul trailer rental data confirm that productive people are “voting with their feet” and accelerating their race to get out of town. The New York Post reports about 1,000 Northeasterners every day are relocating to Florida, Texas and Tennessee. The biggest population losers last year were deep-blue New York, Illinois and California.

Now, Biden wants to give some $400 billion to the failed blue states, mainly from the prospering red states, the ones that wisely didn’t shut down their economies or schools. The blue states get a bigger slice of the pie, which is Robin Hood in reverse because blue states generally have a higher per capita income than red states.

The supposedly high-brow, highly educated, culturally refined elites in Beverly Hills, California, and Long Island, New York — the very same “progressives” who have generally thumbed their nose at the working class “deplorables” in Middle America — have fallen so far that they now have to beg people in West Virginia, Arkansas and Mississippi for money.

You’d think liberals would be ashamed, but spending other people’s money is what they do best.

Every liberal Democrat in Congress, from Sen. Elizabeth Warren to Rep. Alexandria OcasioCortez, will vote for the blue-state bailout. Do they understand that in doing so, they are verifying the collapse of the very blue-state liberal model they want to impose on all of America?

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an economic consultant with FreedomWorks.

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.

Cap-and-trade climate “treaties” The previous article in this series examined the U.N.’s role in promoting flawed climate science. That article explained how the unproven hypothesis of man-made global warming is being used to further a globalist agenda of wealth transfer from developed nations to the developing world.

The UN’s mechanism for pursuing this agenda is non-binding international agreements masquerading as “climate treaties.” While the ostensible purpose of these agreements is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they have failed to do so. They have also largely failed in their agenda of wealth transfer to developing nations.

The first such international agreement was the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, ratified by 36 countries in 2005. Vice-President Al Gore was a major proponent of the Kyoto Protocol and signed it on behalf of the Clinton administration.

President Clinton did not submit the agreement to the U.S. Senate for ratification, because “there was not meaningful participation by key developing countries in addressing climate change.”

He was right.

The stated goal of the Kyoto Protocol was to reduce world-wide CO2 emissions by 5% from their 1990 levels. Instead, world-wide emissions of CO2 increased by 32% from 1990 to 2010. The Kyoto Protocol fell apart in 2012.

No industrialized nation elected to participate in the second phase that was scheduled to run from 2012 through 2020.

While the Kyoto Protocol did not introduce any new scientific proposals to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere, it did introduce a novel economic idea: the trading of carbon credits. This practice is often referred to as “cap and trade.” A cap is set for a country’s emissions; if a country’s emissions exceed the established caps, compliance can be achieved through trading of carbon credits.

The Paris Climate Accord (PCA) was designed by the UN to replace the failed Kyoto Protocol, with the same primary goals of emissions reduction and wealth transfer, and of renewing the Kyoto Protocol mechanism of carbon credit trading.

On Aug. 24, 2016, President Obama signed the agreement on behalf of the U.S. This agreement was also not submitted to the U.S. Senate for ratification.

Although the UN claims the PCA is legally binding, achieving emission limits is voluntary.

There are no penalties for noncompliance with voluntary emissions targets and no independent monitoring of the parties for accuracy in emissions reporting.

Why would any government sign such an agreement when the effects of voluntary compliance — by sharply reducing the use of fossil fuel — would be devastating for employment, the economy, energy costs and the reliability of the nation-wide power grid?

A related question is why the UN promoted the Paris Climate Accord in the first place, when the Kyoto Protocol demonstrated that emissions cap-and-trade agreements are not effective in reducing CO2 emissions? The answer is that trading carbon credits is big business and a tremendous wealth-generator for backers of the climate-change agenda.

In 2005, the carbon market had a trading volume of about $11 billion. In 2019, worldwide carbon credits trading reached a record volume of $215 billion. Projections are that this market will continue to grow rapidly, with some estimating that trading volume could one day reach $1 trillion. The largest carbon market participants are the usual suspects: global investment firms. It should be no surprise that some of the biggest contributors to the campaigns of progressive politicians supporting a climatechange agenda are Wall Street investment houses and, interestingly, some former politicians who supported climate “treaties.”

Generation Investment Management, a firm co-founded by former Vice-President Al Gore in 2004, is one of the largest private market participants. The fact that Gore is an owner and the chairman of a firm benefitting financially from an agreement he brokered on climate change would seem to be a glaring conflict of interest. Perhaps this is the reason Gore’s involvement is not disclosed on the firm’s website, although SEC filings confirm his ownership and leadership of the firm.

If you want to understand the motivation behind the promotion of the man-made global warming hypothesis, it is not science.

Follow the money.

In the next article in this series, we will further demonstrate the invalidity of the global warming hypothesis.

A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

NATION & WORLD

Biden declares ‘America is back’ in welcome words to allies

By Aamer Madhani The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden used his first address before a global audience Friday to declare that “America is back, the transatlantic alliance is back,” after four years of former President Donald Trump’s “America First” lens.

Speaking to the annual Munich Security Conference virtually, Biden ticked through a daunting to-do list — salvaging the Iran nuclear deal, meeting economic and security challenges posed by China and Russia and repairing the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic — that he said would require close cooperation between the U.S. and its Western allies.

Without mentioning Trump’s name once, Biden mixed talk of a reinvigorated democratic alliance with a rebuke of his predecessor’s approach, a message warmly received by Western allies.

‘I know the past few years have strained and tested the transatlantic relationship,” Biden said.

“The United States is determined to reengage with Europe, to consult with you, to earn back our position of trusted leadership.”

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual event with the Munich Security Conference in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Washington, D.C. The president also participated in a virtual meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized nations, where leaders managed to work Biden’s campaign theme into their closing joint statement, vowing to “work together to beat COVID-19 and build back better.”

“Welcome back, America,” said European Council President Charles Michel, effectively summing up the mood of the Munich

conference.

But while such talk conveyed the palpable sense of relief among allies at Biden’s full-throated commitment to U.S.-Europe relations, plenty has changed over the past four years in ways creating new challenges.

China has cemented its place as a fierce economic competitor on the continent. Populism has grown through much of Europe.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel noted that some differences between the U.S. and Europe remain “complicated.” Europe sees China’s economic ambitions as less of an existential threat than the U.S. does.

Still, Merkel, who had a strained relationship with Trump, didn’t hide her preference for an American foreign policy informed

by Biden’s world view.

“Things are looking a great deal better for multilateralism this year than two years ago, and that has a lot to with Joe Biden having become the president of the United States of America,” Merkel said. “His speech just now, but also his administration’s first announcements, have convinced us that this is not just talk but action.”

Allies were listening closely to what Biden had to say about a looming crisis with Iran.

Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency this week that it would suspend voluntary implementation next week of a provision in the 2015 deal that allowed U.N. nuclear monitors to conduct inspections of undeclared sites in Iran at short notice unless the U.S. rolled back sanctions by Feb. 23.

“We must now make sure that a problem doesn’t arise of who takes the first step,” Merkel told reporters. “If everyone is convinced that we should give this agreement a chance again, then ways should be found to get this agreement moving again.”

Lam backs Hong Kong electoral changes excluding opponents Hong Kong Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave her clear support Tuesday to electoral reforms that would likely further exclude opposition voices and cement Beijing’s control over the city’s politics.

Her comments came a day after a top Beijing official signaled major changes would be coming to ensure Hong Kong is run by “patriots,” a sign that China intends to no longer tolerate dissenting voices, 23 years after the former British colony was handed over to Chinese rule with a promise it could maintain its own rights and freedoms for 50 years.

Following China’s imposition of a sweeping national security law on the city last year, authorities have moved to expel members of the city’s Legislative Council deemed insufficiently loyal and rounded up veteran opposition leaders on charges including illegal assembly and colluding with foreign forces. Government critics and Western governments accuse Beijing of going back on its word and effectively ending the “one country, two systems” framework for governing the dynamic Asian financial hub.

Lam said political strife and unrest in the city, including anti-government protests in 2019 as well as protests in 2014, showed there were always some people who are “rather hostile” to the central authorities in China.

“I can understand that the central authorities are very concerned, they do not want the situation to deteriorate further in such a way that ‘one country, two systems’ cannot be implemented,” Lam said at a regular news briefing.

The Hong Kong government on Tuesday also said it plans to require district councilors — many of whom are directly elected by their constituents and tend to be more politically independent — to pledge allegiance to Hong Kong as a special region of China.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

World Bank might suspend financing of vaccines to Lebanon TAL SHAHAR, YEDIOT AHRONOT | AP PHOTO

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks to the media during a visit to the gym ahead of the re-opening of the branch in Petah Tikva, Israel, on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.

In Israel and beyond, virus vaccines bring political power

By Josef Federman The Associated Press JERUSALEM — Forget about oil and arms. Coronavirus vaccines are emerging as the newest currency of choice in the Middle East.

Israel’s reopening of its economy, combined with a murky prisoner swap with Syria and the arrival of a batch of vaccines in the Gaza Strip, have all underscored how those with access to the vaccines have political power in the turbulent region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been at the forefront of this trend, pinning his re-election hopes on the success of his campaign to vaccinate Israel’s adult population. At the same time, he has offered rewards to those who vaccinate and punishments to those who don’t.

Israel has jumped out to the world’s fastest vaccination campaign, administering at least one dose to more than half its 9.3 million people and the required two doses to about a third in less than two months. In contrast to the long waits seen in Europe and the U.S., vaccines are plentiful and available almost on demand to anyone who wants one. Clinics have even offered free food and cappuccinos to help lure reluctant holdouts to

come in and get the jab.

Netanyahu’s efforts finally seem to be bearing fruit, and the number of new coronavirus infections and serious cases is dropping. That enabled the government on Sunday to lift a number of restrictions, reopening stores, shopping malls, and many schools after a twomonth lockdown. In the coming weeks, all schools and restaurants are expected to reopen, just in time for the March 23 election.

“The timing is good for him,” said Gideon Rahat, a political scientist at Israel’s Hebrew University.

Whether it is enough to divert attention from an ongoing corruption trial and the broader economic damage caused by the pandemic is another issue.

Much will depend on Netanyahu’s “agenda setting,” Rahat said.

“He will talk about the vaccines all the time,” he said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs and businesses during a series of lockdowns, and there is widespread public anger over the flouting of lockdown restrictions by the ultra-Orthodox religious community, one of Netanyahu’s key political allies.

Netanyahu last weekend unveiled his “green pass” program, which will allow the fully vacci-

nated to attend cultural events, fly abroad and patronize restaurants and health clubs. These services and amenities will remain off limits for those who do not get immunized.

“I ask everyone who has not been vaccinated — go be vaccinated. You will have the Green Pass and you will also be able to benefit from it,” Netanyahu said during a stop at a Tel Aviv-area gym.

Israel has faced international criticism for largely excluding Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip from the vaccination campaign.

Yet Netanyahu reportedly showed little hesitation in agreeing to pay Russia some $1.2 million to buy coronavirus vaccines for archenemy Syria as part of a deal last week to release an Israeli woman held captive in Damascus.

Asked about the reported deal, Netanyahu said “not one Israeli vaccine” was delivered to Syria — a country that harbors hostile Iranian forces.

“It is legitimate for the Israeli government to decide to deviate from past norms and to pay with another form of currency,” Yoav Limor, an Israel military affairs correspondent, wrote in Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu does not appear to be deterred. An Israeli official said

Sunday that Israel is considering sharing surplus vaccines with friendly nations. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing internal government deliberations.

The disparities between Israel’s successful vaccination push with its own population and the Palestinians have drawn criticism from U.N. officials and rights groups.

These groups contend that Israel is responsible for vaccinating the Palestinians, while Israel has argued that under interim peace agreements it is not responsible for vaccinating them. Israel’s vaccination campaign has included its own Arab population.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has struggled to secure vaccines for his people. So far, he has received 2,000 doses from Israel to treat medical workers in the West Bank, and 10,000 doses from Russia.

One of Abbas’ main rivals orchestrated the delivery of 20,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine from the United Arab Emirates. The move by Mohammed Dahlan, a former Abbas aide forced into exile after a falling out with the Palestinian leader, appeared to be aimed in part at making Abbas appear weak ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled in May.

Beirut The World Bank threatened Tuesday to suspend financing for coronavirus vaccines in Lebanon over what it said were violations by members of parliament who were inoculated without registering in advance.

Such a move by the World Bank would have grave consequences as Lebanon struggles through severe financial and economic crises and is in desperate need of aid. The World Bank said last month it approved $34 million to help pay for vaccines for Lebanon to inoculate over 2 million people.

The vaccination campaign began Feb. 14, and Lebanon has so far received nearly 60,000 doses of PfizerBioNTech vaccine.

The World Bank and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have signed an agreement for independent monitoring of Lebanon’s coronavirus vaccination campaign.

“There were many violations that took place at vaccination centers,” said Sharaf Abu Sharaf, president of Lebanese Order of Physicians. He said the violations included vaccinating people who were not registered or not included in the first phase of the campaign.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021

SPORTS

Could Deshaun Watson be Carolina-bound? B4

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NC State back to No. 2 in AP women’s poll Indianapolis UConn remained the No. 1 team in The Associated Press women’s college basketball poll after blowing out its two opponents last week. The Huskies received 28 of 30 firstplace votes on Monday from a media panel after holding St. John’s and Xavier to 32 points apiece in routs. NC State returned to the No. 2 spot and Texas A&M climbed to third after South Carolina and Louisville — the previous second- and third-ranked teams — lost games. The Wolfpack had a two‑week run at No. 2 last month. Stanford climbed to No. 4, while South Carolina and Louisville slid to fifth and sixth, respectively.

NC State (15-2, 10-2 ACC) avenged its loss earlier this season to UNC on Sunday, and the Wolfpack host Pittsburgh on Thursday and play at Syracuse on Sunday to close out their regular season. The ACC Tournament is scheduled for March 3-7 at Greensboro Coliseum.

NHL

Hurricanes’ Geekie named AHL Player of the Week Springfield, Mass.

Morgan Geekie’s stay in the American Hockey League was short but successful. The 22-year-old center, who was reassigned by the Hurricanes to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves on Feb. 18 after playing nine games with Carolina this season, had four goals and an assist in two games with the Wolves and was named AHL Player of the Week on Feb. 22.

It’s the second time Geekie has been named AHL Player of the Week in his career, having earned the honor last March with the Charlotte Checkers.

Geekie was recalled to Carolina’s taxi squad Monday and is yet to register a point this season in the NHL while averaging 9:23 in ice time. He has three goals and an assist in 11 career NHL games.

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

UNC forward Day’Ron Sharpe has upped his scoring and rebounding in recent games, helping the Tar Heels win nine of 12 since the calendar flipped to 2021.

There will be (blue) blood The Tar Heels and Blue Devils are reviving their NCAA Tournament hopes

By Shawn Krest North State Journal A FUNNY THING happened on the way to the NIT. When Duke and North Carolina played their rivalry game at the start of the month, for the first time in more than a half-century, both teams were afterthoughts.

Neither was ranked. Both were coming off of losses, and it appeared that both of them would miss the NCAA Tournament.

Just when the rest of the ACC thought it was safe to come out, the blue bloods are back, with a bullet.

It turns out Duke and Carolina’s tanking and rebuild took all of three and a half months.

After enduring its second three-game losing streak of the season, which included that first Carolina game, Duke found itself below .500 for the first time since

1999 at 7-8 and 5-6 in the ACC, seemingly on its way to the worst Blue Devil season since 1983.

Duke was also about to lose its best freshman player. Jalen Johnson, the highest-rated of this year’s six-man recruiting class and the top-scoring freshman on the roster, would play one more game before opting out amidst a cloud of speculation and rumor.

It was the biggest Duke defection since Rasheed Sulaimon was dismissed from the team in January 2015. Back then, Duke went on to win 12 straight without Sulaimon and 18 of 19 to win the national championship.

Addition by subtraction seems to be working again. Duke has won four straight, blowing out NC State, Wake Forest and Syracuse, and winning a dogfight against ACC leader Virginia.

It’s clear the Blue Devils are playing their best basketball of the season. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim pointed to the roster change as the reason.

“That guy was hurting them, so they actually are much better now

KEITH SRAKOCIC | AP PHOTO

Jeremy Roach and Duke’s other freshmen have helped the Blue Devils to four straight wins, including Saturday’s victory over then-No. 7 Virginia. without him,” he said on his radio show. “He was just doing some things and keeping other people from playing that are good.”

While it’s debatable whether Johnson was hurting Duke, the people who have replaced him are seeing things click on the court.

Freshman center Mark Wil-

liams had 41 points on the season prior to the latest winning streak.

He’s scored 40 in the last four games. He’s also pulled down 21 rebounds and blocked nine shots over that span. More importantly, he’s given Duke an inside presSee BLUE BLOODS, page B4

Like father, like son: A&T’s Ross sprints out of dad’s shadow The Aggies coach is helping his son become one of the nation’s top track stars

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal As an Olympian and a former college national champion, Duane Ross knew the kind of pressure his son Randolph was under as an upand-coming sprinter with aspirations of following in his father’s athletic footsteps.

That’s why, despite being the track coach at NC A&T, he did everything in his power to avoid burdening the youngster with any added pressure when it came time for Randolph to make his college choice.

“Obviously I wanted him here with me, but I wanted him to spread his wings, become a young man and make his own decision on where he wanted to go,” Duane Ross said. “I didn’t go with him on his visits to other institutions that were recruiting him. I thought it would be awkward for him. Not once did we really talk about him coming to run here at A&T.” And yet, that’s what Randolph decided to do once he settled on which school he’d attend.

What father thought would be pressure, son viewed as a challenge. Two years into his career with the Aggies, the talented sophomore is already adding to his family’s impressive legacy.

On Feb. 12 at the Tiger Paw Invitational at Clemson, South Car-

ERIN E. MIZELLE | NORTH CAROLINA A&T ATHLETICS

North Carolina A&T track star Randolph Ross, coached by his father Duane Ross, has become one of the NCAA’s top sprinters. olina, Ross ran the 400-meter dash in a blazing 45.21 seconds, the fastest time in the nation this year. A day later, he ran the 200 in a time of 20.50 seconds to take over the top spot at that distance as well.

Combined with an earlier performance as a member of A&T’s 4-x-400 relay team with Elijah

Young, Daniel Stokes and Trevor Stewart, Ross was ranked No. 1 nationally in three different events.

Although his 200 mark has since been surpassed by LSU’s Terrance Laird and Florida’s Joseph Fahnbulleh, Ross will be among the favorites to win one or more national championships at

the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on March 12-13.

“I’m pretty confident,” Randolph Ross said. “There’s a lot of good competition out there this year. But I feel like out of everybody, I’m more prepared because of the training we’ve been through.

“Everything has led up to this

moment right here. As long as I go out there and execute, I believe I can win.”

If he does, Ross will become the first male A&T track athlete and second overall to win an NCAA Division I title. Kayla White was the first, winning the 200 meters in 2019.

He’ll also match one of the many achievements his father accomplished on the track.

Duane Ross earned his national championship in the 110-meter hurdles in 1995 to go along with five ACC individual titles and seven All-America honors while competing for Clemson. He also won a pair of U.S. championships and represented his country at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Like his father, Randolph also has his sights on making an Olympic team, possibly as soon as this summer’s rescheduled Summer Games in Tokyo.

“It’s real exciting being able to live up to everything that’s been expected so far,” Randolph Ross said. “It can be kind of stressful for some people to live up to what their parents did. But I kind of find it more as a challenge.”

Preparing to meet that challenge has been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the cancellation of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Association’s championship meet and has limited A&T’s indoor schedule to only four competitive events.

His ability to perform at such a See ROSS, page B3

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

2.24.21

TRENDING

Christopher Bell: The 26-year-old driver earned his first career Cup series victory Sunday at the road course at Daytona International Speedway.

Bell drove for Levine Family Racing during his rookie season last year but returned to Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2021 season, replacing Erik Jones in the No. 20.

Bell’s win marks the second time in as many races a driver got his first Cup win, after Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500 a week before. The only other times the first two races of a season have been claimed by first-time winners was in 1949 and 1950 — NASCAR’s first two seasons.

Mike Babcock: The former Ducks, Red Wings and Maple Leafs coach was named coach of the University of Saskatchewan hockey team on a fulltime volunteer basis for the next two seasons, the school announced Saturday. Babcock, a Saskatoon native and former Huskies player, won a Stanley Cup with Detroit and guided Team Canada to two Olympic gold medals, but he was criticized for past demeaning tactics following his exit in Toronto.

Deion Sanders: The Hall of Fame cornerback earned his first coaching win Sunday as Jackson State blanked NAIA Edward Waters 53‑0.

While the on-field results were good for Sanders and his team, the win wasn’t without controversy as Sanders claimed at his postgame news conference that several personal items were stolen from his office during the game but later recovered. The school said Sanders’ items were misplaced, but Sanders later refuted that on Twitter.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

TENNIS

Novak Djokovic won his ninth Australian Open with a straight-set win in the finals over Daniil Medvedev and now trails the 20 Grand Slam titles rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have by two with 18 for his career. Naomi Osaka won her second Australian title and fourth women’s Grand Slam championship with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over first-time Gran Slam finalist Jennifer Brady.

JOHN RAOUX | AP PHOTO

“I’m sorry I’m a wreck; I really didn’t think this was going to happen at all.”

Ty Gibbs, the 18-year-old grandson of Joe Gibbs, after he won his NASCAR debut in the Xfinity race on Daytona’s road course.

AP PHOTOS

NBA

NHL

BRANDON DILL | AP PHOTO

“Chris is there.

He’s a living legend.”

Phoenix’s Devin Booker on Suns teammate Chris Paul, who passed Oscar Robertson for sixth on the NBA’s all-time assist list on Saturday.

PRIME NUMBER

71 Points for UNC freshmen in the Tar Heels’ 99-54 rout of Louisville on Saturday, a school record. Day’Ron Sharpe led all scorers by coming off the bench to score 21 points, while first-year starters Kerwin Walton and Caleb Love added 19 and nine, respectively.

Walker Kessler had 10 points, and RJ Davis and Anthony Harris each added six. It broke the record of 58 freshmen points set Jan. 23 by this year’s group.

JIM MONE | AP PHOTO

The Timberwolves fired coach Ryan Saunders on Sunday night after the team with NBA’s worst record lost for the eighth time in nine games.

Saunders, a 34-year-old Minnesota native who is the son of longtime Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders, was 43-94 in parts of three seasons with the team.

RICH PEDRONCELLI | AP PHOTO

Despite a delay-filled opening game in Nevada’s Lake Tahoe, the NHL offered up its most majestic outdoor games yet. Colorado defeated Vegas in a game Saturday that was delayed more than eight hours because of poor daytime ice conditions, and Boston put on a 7-3 show in a win over Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.

GOLF

PHELAN M. EBENHACK | AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods was injured in a car accident Tuesday morning and transported to a California hospital where he was undergoing surgery for “multiple leg injuries, according to his agent, Mark Steinberg.

The Los Angeles Times reported sources said Woods was traveling at a high rate of speed and his vehicle rolled several times.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

B3

NCHSAA tips off basketball playoffs In a season unlike any before, boys’ and girls’ teams from around the state started their quests toward a state title on Tuesday

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal

PHOTO COURTESY OF APPALACHIAN STATE

Appalachian State graduate point guard Michael Almonacy is one of six Mountaineers averaging at least nine points per game this season.

App State ‘really excited’ to play after long pause “We went 14 days without touching a basketball.

There’s no excuses, but there’s a rhythm aspect to it, a conditioning aspect.”

Dustin Kerns, App State coach

The Mountaineers are hoping the rest they had during their COVID-19 shutdown will pay dividends down the stretch

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal DUSTIN KERNS came into this season hoping to build on the momentum he created by leading Appalachian State to its first winning record since 2011 in his first year with the team.

And in at least one respect, he’s succeeded.

The Mountaineers, despite a recent two-week COVID-19 related pause, appear poised to put together their second straight over-.500 finish.

But when it comes to changing the culture surrounding his program, especially as it relates to things such as community support and creating a true homecourt advantage, the progress has come in baby steps rather than giant leaps because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think last year set the tone and kind of flushed out a lot of the losing,” Kerns said. “There are still parts of that transition going on, but I think that good days add up. So I think we’re on the right track.

“Last year we set an attendance record and there was a lot of momentum from our fan base as well, and I feel like we’ve lost that a little bit with this season and the interruptions. I still think people are excited because we’re, quote, winning right now. But I think if we could have carried over into a normal year, we could have built on it even more.”

As focused as he is on the big picture, Kerns’ primary concern now is getting the current season back on track after a COVID

pause that shut his team down for the better part of three weeks.

It’s a problem hardly unique to the Mountaineers. Virtually every team in the country has had its schedule altered in some way by the virus. But for a building program like App State, the disruption couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The Mountaineers were riding high at 12-6 (6-2 Sun Belt Conference) in late January before losing back-to-back games at Troy just before being hit by four positive COVID cases and the subsequent contact tracing.

The team lost its first two games back last weekend, both by two points to a South Alabama team currently second in the Sun Belt standings. On Saturday, it went the final 4½ minutes without a field goal to let a six-point lead slip away.

While Kerns suggested that those results might have been different had his team’s conditioning not been affected by the long layoff, he came away encouraged heading into Tuesday’s makeup game at Georgia State.

“We went 14 days without touching a basketball,” Kerns said. “There’s no excuses, but there’s a rhythm aspect to it, a conditioning aspect. Overall, I thought to have back-to-back games, one possession that can go either way, (things went) pretty well.”

To help the Mountaineers get through their difficult situation, Kerns sought out the advice of other coaches whose teams had been through similar pauses.

Rather than jumping right back into game preparation, Kerns and his staff held a minicamp for the first two days of the restart, concentrating on things such as fundamentals and working to get the players’ legs back.

As unnatural as that might

have seemed at a time of the season in which teams are usually gearing up for a postseason run, anything on the court was better than the inactivity that preceded it.

“I was sitting at home last week just watching basketball at night and my wife goes, ‘This is weird because you’re never home this time of year,’” Kerns said. “I don’t want to say we had nothing to do. But we didn’t know who we were playing next, games were getting canceled. There’s no playbook for it.”

If it was strange for the coach, imagine what the pause was like for the players — especially an upperclassman whose remaining time in college was already growing preciously short.

“Two weeks in the middle of the season, that’s unheard of,” said graduate point guard Michael Almonacy, who along with senior shooting guard Justin Forrest serves as one of the team’s leaders. In addition to being the Mountaineers’ top assist man with 57, Almonacy is one of six team members averaging better than nine points per game.

“During quarantine, we did Zoom lifts and some cardio things to try and stay in shape,” he said.

“It was hard, but now we’ve just got to refocus and try to get back into what we were doing before.”

If Almonacy and his teammates can accomplish that goal, their coach believes the inconvenient shutdown could turn into an advantage once the Sun Belt Conference Tournament begins in Pensacola, Florida, on March 5.

“I told the kids that we were going to treat this like the NBA AllStar break,” Kerns said. “They’ve got players going away on vacation during that time. They literally take it off and get recharged.

So we decided to try to take this to our advantage.

“Late January, early February are the dog days of the season, and there are teams out there that are wearing down. Now we’ve got rest. Our guys are really excited about playing again while some teams are starting to get tired of it.”

1981

4A boys: 1 West, Audrey Kell (6-0); 1 East, Laney (9-1). 2 West, Independence (6-1); 2 East, Millbrook (14-0).

4A girls: 1 West, Vance (7-0); 1 East, Ashley (12-1). 2 West, South Caldwell (6-6); 2 East, Pine Forest (7-3).

3A boys: 1 West, West Rowan (12-1); 1 East, Terry Sanford (9-1). 2 West, Weddington (130); 2 East, Southern Lee (7-3).

3A girls: 1 West, Freedom (9-0); 1 East, Union Pines (11-1). 2 West, Enka (13-1); 2 East, D.H. Conley (11-0).

2A boys: 1 West, Hendersonville (120); 1 East, South Granville (11-3). 2 West, Rutherfordton-Spindale Central (11-1); 2 East, Trask (8-3).

2A girls: 1 West, West Stokes (11-0); 1 East, First Flight (10-2). 2 West, Mountain Heritage (8-2); 2 East, McMichael (4-8).

1A boys: 1 West, Mitchell (8-5); 1 East, Granville Central (12-2). 2 West, Hayesville (14-0); 2 East, West Columbus (6-6).

ROSS, from page B1 high level despite that and other obstacles has left his father “both proud and impressed.”

“He’s a gamer,” Duane Ross said of his son and star pupil. “He shows up when the bright lights come on. It’s just a matter of him getting to the competition, having fun and doing what he loves to do.

He rises to the occasion, and that’s what I love about him and some of his training partners on the team.”

Randolph’s success at the college level is hardly a surprise. He won an NCHSAA 4A state title in the 400 meters for Garner High School while also earning All-American honors in both his signature event and the high jump.

His time of 33.80 seconds in the 300 meters indoors is a North Carolina state record.

Although he was recruited by several power conference programs from across the country — including finalist schools South Carolina, Ohio State and Iowa — he said the competition for his services wasn’t much of a competition at all.

“Growing up around A&T, I already knew all the guys, so it wasn’t hard to have chemistry with them,” Randolph Ross said.

“And I knew the coaching was good. So overall, A&T was just the place for me to go.”

POSTSEASON BASKETBALL tournaments aren’t like the playoffs in most professional sports.

There aren’t any best-of-seven series in which a team can afford a loss or two and still advance to the next round. It’s a one-and-done proposition in which a memorable season can come to an abrupt end with just one bad night or an outof-body performance by an opposing shooter.

This year, there’s yet another random speed bump looming for North Carolina high school teams with state championship aspirations.

Because of the looming threat presented by COVID-19, any team — regardless of seeding — can be knocked out of the playoffs without even losing a game.

It’s a crapshoot that began on Tuesday with first-round games in four classifications for both boys’ and girls’ teams.

The last time “If a team enters quarantine at the NCHSAA any point from here on, their season held its is over,” said N.C. High School Athletic Association assistant commischampionship sioner James Alverson. “We’ve said games at that you have to play on the schedhigh school uled date. The only way there can facilities. be postponements is if there’s inclement weather that could push a This year’s round back a day or two.” games will be The NCHSAA has taken nuplayed at two merous precautions during its conhigh schools densed 2021 season — which began the first week of January — to in Randolph help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 County. among its participants.

Among them are the wearing of masks by all participants, even during play; the elimination of pregame and postgame handshakes; socially distanced benches; the sanitizing of game balls during every timeout and quarter break; and limiting the number of fans allowed to attend.

As effective as those safety measures have been statewide, they’re still not 100% foolproof.

Mecklenburg County, for instance, was forced to shut its athletic programs down for two weeks in mid-January because of COVID outbreaks at multiple schools. It’s the reason some teams have played up to 14 regular season games while others in the bracket have played as few as six — including Audrey Kell, the top-seeded boys’ team in the 4A West bracket.

The disparity has made for some interesting seedings in both the boys’ and girls’ play.

Here are the top seeds in each classification:

1A girls: 1 West, East Surry (12-0); 1 East, Granville Central (2-10); 2. West, Bessemer City (8-4); 2 East, Falls Lake Academy (7-0).

DANIEL MAURER | AP PHOTO

North Carolina A&T track coach Duane Ross, the father of Aggies star sprinter Randolph Ross, was an Olympic hurdler who was on the U.S team in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Games through the first four rounds will be played at the home gym of the higher seed.

Unlike previous years when state championship games have been played at large arenas such as Smith Center in Chapel Hill, Raleigh’s Reynolds Coliseum and Joel Coliseum near the campus of Wake Forest, this year’s finals will be held at Providence Grove and Wheatmore high schools in Randolph County.

The change was made because of the unavailability of college venues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It will mark the first time since 1981 that the NCHSAA will hold its championship games at high school facilities.

State championship games in all classifications will be held on March 6 with specific game assignments and starting times determined after the regional finals.

Spectator attendance will be limited for the 2021 Basketball State Championships. The schedule, including which classifications will be assigned to a specific site, will be determined and announced later.

“We are grateful to the Randolph County School System and the administrations at Wheatmore and Providence Grove for their willingness to host our championships during these challenging times,” NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said in a statement earlier this month. “We are looking forward to working with the Randolph County School System to make this year’s state championships a truly memorable experience for everyone involved.”

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Are the Panthers preparing to land Deshaun Watson?

A series of cap-related moves and social media drama point to a possible trade for the Texans’ star quarterback

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE CAROLINA PANTHERS haven’t done much in the first month of their offseason, but as the old saying goes, a watched pot never boils.

While the NFL world has been looking elsewhere, things seem to have been simmering in Charlotte, and — based on the first few bubbles to pop — the Panthers could explode into full boil very soon.

The team made three moves last week that, on paper, seem relatively minor, but they could be foreshadowing a much bigger one to come.

The Panthers released longtime defensive tackle Kawann Short, defensive end Stephen Weatherly, who was brought in as a veteran free agent last offseason, and punter Michael Palardy.

Short has been a Panther since 2013, but the moves didn’t have quite the same impact as last winter’s purge of the team’s core veterans. Short played in just five games over the last two seasons as he battled a variety of injuries.

Weatherly played in just nine games last year and didn’t register a sack. Palardy joined the Panthers in mid-2016 and missed all of last season with a torn ACL. The trio could end up having a much bigger impact on this season’s Panthers due to their absence than any of them would have provided on the field in 2021. Combined, they will save the team somewhere between $25 and $28 million on this year’s salary cap.

The team also restructured center Matt Paradis’ contract, moving about $5 million of 2021 salary into future years for cap purposes.

All told, the team is estimated to be about $40 million under the cap, according to most outlets.

MICHAEL WYKE | AP PHOTO

The Panthers have been named as a potential landing spot for disgruntled Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson, a move that would require a blockbuster trade from new Carolina GM Scott Fitterer.

That gives new Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer plenty of room to make a big move.

What might that move be? The next clue to that mystery comes from social media.

Shortly after the pink slips were given to the injured Panthers, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater unfollowed the team on Instagram, a strong signal that his tenure in Carolina may be coming to an end after one season. Coach Matt Rhule had already expressed his displeasure with Bridgewater, refusing to commit to him as next season’s starter and saying he “has to have a tremendous offseason” to keep his job.

Based on Bridgewater’s un-

“I’d be surprised if the Panthers hadn’t made an offer by now, quite frankly.”

Peter King, NBC Sports NFL writer follow, Rhule has considered the quarterback’s offseason to be somewhat less than tremendous.

All of which leads to the blockbuster that may be on slow boil: unhappy Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The three-time Pro Bowler and 2020 NFL passing yardage leader

has made no secret of his displeasure in Houston, requesting a trade from the team. The Texans have said multiple times that they’re not shopping their star quarterback, but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying to bowl them over with an offer.

There’s no question Watson would be an upgrade for the Panthers. In his three full years in the NFL, he’s passed for an average of 4,280 yards a season, which is nearly 500 yards a year more than the 11 men who have thrown passes for the Panthers over that time.

Watson has also thrown 85 touchdowns in the past three seasons, 24 more than Panthers quarterbacks.

There are plenty of teams that

need quarterbacks, though. How realistic are the Panthers’ chances of landing Watson?

Watson has a clause in his contract that allows him to veto potential trades. According to reports, the Panthers are one of three teams, along with the Dolphins and Jets, that he’s greenlighted as a trade destination.

NBC’s Peter King has the Panthers on top of the list of potential landing spots for Watson.

“I’d be surprised if the Panthers hadn’t made an offer by now, quite frankly,” King said in a recent column. “This is a fit in many ways.

Very aggressive new owner (David Tepper), who would move mountains for a franchise QB. It’s not in the AFC, meaning Houston wouldn’t have to see Watson in the playoffs till the Super Bowl. Because the Panthers are not flush with draft capital, I think they’d have to include a quarterback with some value and at least two very good veteran players.”

That raises the next issue — what would Watson cost the team in a trade?

Any deal with Houston would undoubtedly include the Panthers’ first-round pick, which is No. 8 overall. Bridgewater fits King’s description of “a quarterback with some value.” As for the other two “very good veteran players,” one of them could be All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who has been rumored to be included in any Panthers-Texans swap. Linebacker Shaq Thompson, one of the few remaining ties to the 2015 Super Bowl team, has also unfollowed Carolina on Instagram, which could mean that his name is being floated as well.

Of course, the deal is far from a sure thing. Houston may keep its word about not dealing Watson, or another team — Denver is listed as the favorite according to betting sites — may top the Panthers’ offer.

Clearly, though, the Panthers’ offseason stew is heating up fast, and the time to lift the pot lid and take a look is rapidly approaching.

BLUE BLOODS from page B1

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

The play of the Hurricanes’ top three centers — from left to right, Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Vincent Trocheck — has led Carolina to a 12-4-1 start.

Hurricanes’ center depth fuels fast start Carolina is among the NHL’s top teams at 12-4-1, and its men in the middle are a big reason why

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal FOR A LONG TIME, a common template for constructing a team in the NHL was to “build from the goalie out.” The workhorse goalie who sometimes played 70 or more games over the course of the season was the cornerstone of a winning franchise, even high-scoring ones like the 1980s Oilers.

In recent years, perceptions of goaltending have changed. For one, there just aren’t many goaltenders these days that can handle the workload that Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur once did. Secondly, two-goalie systems have become more commonplace, and while NHL teams still want the best goalies, they also want a reliable backup.

Which brings us to the other common refrain used in discussing the architecture of a team: “building down the middle.”

One look at the Carolina Hurricanes makes it clear which path the franchise chose in constructing its current roster.

The Hurricanes’ acquisition of Jordan Staal in 2012 was sup-

posed to be a step toward this goal, with the younger Staal becoming a No. 2 center behind older brother Eric. While that never led to success, Staal has become a cornerstone player for each coach that has come through Raleigh, none more than Rod Brind’Amour.

Brind’Amour has called Staal the player that “stirs the drink” for the Hurricanes, and this season he’s added more offensive production (seven goals, eight assists in 15 games) to go with his ever-present defensive dominance.

“I’ve said this before, but it feels like he’s playing the same way,” Brind’Amour said of Staal’s play this season. “It’s just the opportunities, he’s cashing in, where in the past I’d come back after the game and go, ‘Who had the most chances or created the most,’ and his name was always on it. But there was nothing to show for it.”

While Staal’s production has slowed in recent games — coinciding with the injury to Teuvo Teravainen that led to Andrei Svechnikov being moved off Staal’s wing and onto Sebastian Aho’s — his offensive play could finally get him the recognition his defensive play has long deserved with his first Selke Trophy. He was a finalist with Pittsburgh in 2009-10, finishing third, but has never been higher than ninth (2016-17) in the voting since coming to Carolina.

“It should go to a guy who puts

up points,” Brind’Amour, a twotime Selke winner himself, said.

“I think it’s a two-way player, you gotta be able to do both. … I don’t think he’s really changed any of his game, but he definitely needs to be in that conversation.”

While Staal is the foundation of the Hurricanes’ center corps, Aho is the star.

The 23-year-old Finn may seem like he’s had a quiet start to the season, but he remains right near a point-per-game pace (six goals, 10 assists in 17 games) and has yet to go two consecutive games without a point.

And then there’s Vincent Trocheck, acquired by Carolina before last season’s trade deadline and on pace to have the best season of his career with nine goals and seven assists through 16 games.

“When those three are playing well, it takes stress off of each other,” Brind’Amour said. “When one is struggling or one is maybe not doing as good in certain areas, then the other one can pick the slack up.

“It’s definitely a bonus when you can have those guys going down the middle because you don’t worry as much about matchups. There’s just a whole bunch of things that, when they’re going well, it sets us up to be a really, really good team.”

The Hurricanes also recently added Cedric Paquette, the grit-

ty forward who won a Stanley Cup last season with Tampa Bay and is capable of playing center or wing.

“He’s a blast out there to watch,” linemate Jordan Martinook said of Paquette. “He’s getting in those scrums, and I think that’s something our team needs. I think he brings that edge and that physicality that sometimes our team lacks, but he’s definitely a great addition.”

And all of the skill down the middle makes for a good learning environment for young players like Steven Lorentz, who has centered the fourth line the past few games.

“There’s things you can take away from each guy,” Lorentz said.

“You’ve got some size up the middle with Jordo, and then you’ve definitely got some skill with Troch and Aho. So I just try and watch what they do in practice. …

I’m just trying to watch them and see how they think the game and if there’s anything that I can take away from the practices and the games and apply it myself.”

All of that equals a team, build down the middle, that can go places.

“Depth is what wins championships,” Trocheck said. “So I think right now, the way that we’re going, getting contributions from all four lines, it’s definitely a big factor in the way we’re playing and a big factor in winning games.

“Centers down the middle is extremely important.”

ence it lacked, opening up room for the Blue Devil shooters. Duke has hit 42 of 95 3-pointers over the last four games for a .442 percentage.

“We’re just tired of losing,” said freshman guard Jeremy Roach, who has hit six of his last 10 3-point attempts. “It’s real simple — just getting tired of losing.

And digging down on defense, that’s really been the key for us.

These last four games, we’ve just been dialed in on defense, locked in on the scouting report and our matchups and our personnel. That’s been the biggest thing throughout this run.”

Up the road, the freshmen are starting to get it at UNC, as well.

The Tar Heels lost their first two ACC games and were 3-3 six games into the conference season, 8-5 overall. Their most recent win was a remarkable 45-point blowout of Louisville.

Carolina has now won three of four, six of eight and nine of 12 to move to 14-7 on the year and 8-5 in ACC games. The Tar Heels and Blue Devils are tied for fourth place, meaning that they’re battling for one of the double-byes in the ACC Tournament.

Improved play from the freshmen has been a key to the turnaround.

“I have been getting really comfortable,” Kerwin Walton said.

“Very, very comfortable.”

Walton was already on pace to be the best freshman shooter in UNC history, but he’s found another gear of late. Over the last five games, he’s hit 17 of 30 from three, including 5 of 7 against Louisville. He’s also increasingly been putting the ball on the floor and dribbling past defenders who try to close out on him behind the 3-point line.

Day’Ron Sharpe has stepped up inside. Averaging 9.3 points and 7.7 rebounds through 16 games, he’s upped his production to 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in the last five, becoming the most reliable big man option on a team loaded with them.

“I’ve said all along, I think our freshmen are going to be good players,” coach Roy Williams said.

“My request is they do it during my lifetime and (against Louisville) it was in the first half. Hope I get to see more than that before I kick out.”

His Hall of Fame rival in Durham hopes for the same from his freshmen.

“They are young but you get old through experience,” Mike Krzyzewski said. “Sometimes you get older by losing.”

orth STATEment n ATEmen OP nt north ST Business & Economy

THIS WEEK, acco In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero In ordermillions Americans needlessly thrown out of work. to put theofcrisis caused by China in being perspective, zero The cavalier manner in which China lied about the origin of the and state and local worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United Statesworldwide over The crisiscan hastrace costtheir the U.S. taxpayer at leastStates $2.4 over trilliongo i pandemics source to the United 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 Reserve backup liquidity our 231-year history.

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The mostadversaries direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to offer s elsewhere purely totalitarian governments do. They takeway advantage every weakness First, what theCh tr don’t and when The most direct to makeofChina “pay” for this disaster is to U.S. offertax credits That is, unless an exogenous event happens asisthe to companies who will source at least half ofsuch their pply and delivery they find in adversaries and keep pushing until they win or the important because it U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of theirproductionmeltdown 1986. States.

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EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

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COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HU COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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And the answers should not be vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as M byones the communist Chinese army. to China into the civilized 21st century health, hygienepeak outbreak was gue likecentury “we country, and the stricter somean ofISA them getbring in states, such as Michigan, revised down by over 120,000, orld of 21st health, hygiene Under agreement, he would owe an agreedlem and that universities have encouraged affliction, so that wew biowa biowarfare lab run world by the of communist Chinese army. to we bring China into the civilized scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases government hope that will mustupon do this out ofand an abundance ofthe caution.” thethe more people, sitting at nearly home feeling isolated and/or anxi bad thing? the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about pts verifiable policing and regulation of fair trade. communist regimes neverpolicing take blame ventilators and the number of ov percentage of his income —Totalitarian actual dollar theirrigorous own irresponsible behavior.

With unist regimes never take the blame affliction, withcomm the co Unt Until China adopts rigorous verifiable and regulation of by and 13,000 fair trade.

Totalitarian are reliable.

—iswe need to once again enjoy atnot all levels It amount will need to be in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to providing for 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 by 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 is what their f their food safety and health protocols, American business nowhat otherthe state or express sincere rem To know date, what I’ve gone alonghas with has asked andregret then and 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 plants elsewhere purely If you are celebrat totalitarian governments do.

They take advantage of every weakness a choice than 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 safety reasons as well as supplyatand delivery they findthe in adversaries and keep for nat the data.

State Republican have, too. thing? livingasinand a free loan,—heand would likely make interest-only payments dical proposals, likebad completely can be with those answers 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. andasmaking subject AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife withbecause it determines That is them what society ked and then with details that give their important whether certain nt happens such 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 is already experimenting with ptcy protection, would certainly corruption. squeeze resulting questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — believe that event, not the Star Wars confident we will em supposed free citizens COVID-19 offers opportunities for atheirunder mandated that its we“Back do, but along the way also had questions about We should all continue towhen do what weinstart can to keep our fam U.S. taxI’ve credits to who willknow source at least halfdata of their meltdown 1986.

Some experts companies will source at half of ISAs meltdown in plan.

1986.

Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars what they simply questioning the andfor asking we can getting back a Boiler” The program iscompanies ders whofrom putwho their own money onleast the our line from COVID-19 offers opportunities a many U.S. ta and more Sponsored

by Union ourselves, and communities safe.

But we also still continue more liberalized society that presumes wide sprea Sponsored by should the dissolution of the Soviet In this same spirit Sponsored by bit of remediation.

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

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly the data.

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

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

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution of the Soviet Union to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who being funded by the Purdue Research Foundation, diligence beforeliving lendingintoa18-yearbit of remediation.

Let’s first examine what free don’t. produ afterdown ourinown asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock further. mightisbe the root academic corruption, Charities, such the neighbors helping st ne billion worth ofon American direct investment inof and equipment when certain types of questions get there to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable part of the university’s endowment.

It’s a small ers. And direct the fearinvestment of students in filing for and Unfortunately, might be the root academic corruption, otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or1989. others sick. merican inas1989. beis described as aplants funky old school tions have had the asked, hospitality checked. billion suggested bysociety the title were of aplants recent study,equipment ehernobyl. to treat those measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number of temporary Barstool Fund, fill the gaps In Concord, a high in China.

Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is The about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 China’s Cd program but is already showing positive results. ydirect wouldinvestment ensure thatGrievance loans are small and suggested bywhen the title ofquestioning a recent study, sandwich house. “joint” is government industry and outlines policy-resometimes disturbing tendency among some people to treat those measures are understandable, they also have an expi Since did at all should levels become aisbad in the U.S. $65 billion abynow Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

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

Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases — but b for two NC restaurants eady about the possibility money to buy a 3-D sacrifices are Purdue’s websitethe explains aand few of the benefits of “Academic Studies and to theAmericans, perhaps best possibility known for its cheescomparison.

Senators Washington arein alra lated priorities forcan recovery. thing?

That isThis what citizens living in a free were supposed simply questioning data asking when we starttalking getting backGrievance isfree all new andsociety it isin not normal.

Not Corruption of Scholarship.”

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

So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, atare and theChina denominator are likely wrong.

We don’t k as pending legislation we owe them as one way to get health care workers esteak sandwich and has been In addition to the stimulus reISAs: hdebt a solution is politically unpopular.

Corruption of Scholarship.”

The study was An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in over. to do, last I checked.

Global tech company done

by Areo, opinion analysis toan do, last Iand to normal ascomfortable though they areforgiving conspiracy theorists or debt are people who shape, or form.

So while we should remain vigilant and stay ax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China of China $1.2 trillion in we owe them as one way to get An i ick. the same time we shouldn’t get with this so-called “new people have actually died of coronavirus.

Some so around for over a decade.

Earpromises stimulus and quest, NCRLA’s blueprint iny have caused the US. Don’t hold your The standard payment period for the Back onsiderably reduce the number byMy Areo, an opinionasand analysis today, or $60 billion,sick. applied done to repatriated American manufacturing China to “pay”isfor the damage digital magazine.

By American theof way, Areo is short first concern we go in all this, of course, my family.

I’m the otherwise don’tlobby care iffor they themselves or itothers the same time weaalong shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-call on, applied to repatriated manufacturing China to get “pay” for the damage they have caused the US. Don’t hold your launches campaign checked. lier this year they submitted cludes a letter asking Gov. Cooper see” become a bad normal.” today, number has been overestimated, given that classifi advocates ease in toborrow happen but ask your elected a Boiler-ISA Fund is about 10 years, making ble to for college and would digital magazine.

By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by investmentattoall the U.S. become would cost the U.S.about Treasury $18 billion the in virus, and breath waiting Ifor a Chinese worried them catching I’m worried will.

After “Jub Since questioning government levels aAreopagitica, bad normal.” video toask Barstool Sports showto and restrictions on business U.S. would cost thein U.S. Treasury $18 inwhen did breath waiting for aease Chinese “Jubilee” tofew happen but your elected y were supposed Not one little bit.billion of death, among elderly patients, can competitive with most Federal Plus private loan ionately affect low-income students.

It for a in speech delivered by particularly months-long restrictions invest untable in tangible financial ways for John Milton defense of free speech. tax revenue spread over a years. $18 billion lost revenue is representatives to hold China acc to support local small suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, ing why in they needed funds.

In operations when the current thing?

ThatInisaddition, whatrepresentatives free ina asix-month free society wereExsupposed Not one little bit. suggest the number is dramaticallytax over a few years.majoring $18 billion in lost revenue is to hold China accountable in tangible financial ways for all citizens studentsliving receive disfavor students in soft but John Milton defense of free speech.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. terms. sources under rev decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster.

I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up the heartfelt post Randi walks in A. ecutive Order expires on Febru- Authors businesses towe do, last I checked. grace period post-graduation before payments begin.

Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that Helen Pluckrose, James 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 at home. diplines. to operate responsible citizens of decim undertaking to savetoour own economy, notand of says, defeated enemies as in the It is about timenot they expect the shop “I come in evary 28. “In addition [financial]

By Elizabeth Lincicome way too many memories ofsay a painful I’d prefer to are repeat. something has gone drastically wrong Once recipient makes successful payments for ee are solutions that— can be implemented — My Lindsay and Peter Boghossian thatmore first concern as we along in all itthis, of course, is my family.

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

After and is adefeated regular RedState and Legal Insurrection. importantly, we have no clue how mn our own economy, not of enemies asato in the It is go about time they are expected to operate asBut responsible citizens ofEven ation.

RALEIGH Lenovo, whose Northcontributor under ery day, by myself and I work it. past. the world like any other modern relief, is critical that we get back North State Journal what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially within certain the prescribed term of the contract, no additional s acrimonious political climate. something has gone drastically wrong 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 any other modern nation.

American headquarters are inThey call I used to haveand a staff of six, plus to normal operations has business been cheating, stealing, pirating pillaging American past. fields within the humanities. payments required even if(swine theyasChina have solution has been to asa“skin in suffering in academia, especially within of this brings up referred ofcertain identified cases could be an order of magnitude myThey husband and myself, but we fromare the H1N1 flu)paid during the 2009 pandemic, quickly asless possible,” Minges RALEIGH — A yearvirus into the Morrisville, has kicked off new cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. have made no secret that they these fields “grievance studies,” where Chin than thefight amount of funding they received.

Suchnot a policy would call for institutions fieldscouldn’t withinkeep the humanities.

They call Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion upNeal within the busisays. “Throughout theU.S. pandemnation’s against COVID-19, refer to years. repeat. project called “Cause The Affect,” number of people who have had and n I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up he past 30 They have made no secret that they scholarship is not so much based upon intend to replace the as the premier superpower the world and busine Both ISAs and skin in the gameic,policies hare in the credit riskTriangle-area of every student theseness. fields where We“grievance need help.”studies,” She shows a NCRLAwould has actively advocatowners ofmemories restaurants, bars, encouraging citizenstoway too ost everyone haspremier Nostalgic Sweets finding truththe butinstitution. upon attending many of abenefits. painful experience I’dasprefer notscholarship tocurrency repeat. he as the superpower in the world and replace the dollar the reserve with their renminbi. have many down-stream Both would put outU.S. a loan to attend In is not so much based upon intend totally empty space and describes ed all levels and all branches of gyms, beauty salons and othto joingrievances. the global technology social Grievance scholars But what also makescontinue metolose sleep is how easily most everyone hastruth as the reserve currency with their renminbi. pressure on universities keep tuition low and his means that universities would be on finding but upon attending to Baked in Clayton how their income went from government for relief for the hoser small businesses to replac company in celebrating and bully students, administrators and other

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offset some theafloat. artificial pressure on demand or some part of student loan debt when social grievances.

Grievance scholars $25,000 a month to $3,000.

Clopitality industry.for With the easing struggle to of stay Despite supporting small departments intobusinesses adhering to their mashups taste higher education.

They would also align universities’ efault. Such a policy would require action bully students, administrators and other Many ver Joe’s had a built-in customer of restrictions that we are calling two rounds of federal stimulus, a across America and in the local worldview.

The worldview they promote is Jason good — PB&J, honey-glazed base of regulars due to its proximfor along with appropriate state majority of small businesses still Universities interests with those of students. would ss since student loans arenor disbursed the departments into adhering to their community. neither scientific rigorous.by Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS chicken, salted caramel. In the ity to downtown workers, howevstimulus to help businesses reneed help.

The Wall Street Jourbe invested in student success, not just increased ernment. worldview.

The worldview they promote is studies consistSmall of disciplines A National Business such as community of er once the pandemic hit, Killelea cover from the losses they have nal recently Some cited universities Federal Re-would THEWS probably begin ther solution can be implemented locally. neither scientific nor rigorous.

Grievancepublic power EDITORIAL sociology, anthropology, gender studies, enrollment. | STAC Association member survey found Clayton, baker Tie Lewis adds says foot traffic in uptown Charalready sustained, we believe that serve data showing 88% of small of institutions are in already giving it critical a studies consist of disciplines such RICHARD as COLUMN | REP. HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and raceto offer better guidance to students when they choose that three four small-business lotte disappeared and devastated NCloans. restaurants, bars, hotels and firms saychoose sales have not returned majors, classes and take out e Share Agreements (ISAs).

ISAs are sociology, anthropology, gender studies, “Southern flavors with a fine studies. owners are very concerned about their bottom line. event venues will be well-posito normal, and that restaurants These innovative solutions will do what “Free l agreements in which students receive queer studies, sexuality and critical race pastry twist” to that list. Her 2017 andimpact 2018, authors Pluckrose, theIneconomic of COVID-19. tioned to rebound and recover and barscannot: have lost 2.4students million and Buttermilk Boutique offers and Boghossian started College” make universities funding Lindsay in exchange for a predetermined studies.Spiro’s Family Restaurant is a Almost half have already seen family run business that has been from the devastating impacts of jobs since last March.

Although submitting bogusover academic papers more wisely and act together towards the post-graduation income a certain In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, treats like sweet potato pie reduced customer demand.

And to behave serving the High Point commuCOVID-19.”

CNBC reports 63% of small busimade with heirloom purple academic in cultural, queer, same goal. That goal is to create educated, wise Carolina-based years. The of income and number Lindsay started 38 percent percentjournals aren’t confident in the nity and sinceBoghossian July 1995. Their motTwo North ness owners support President race, gender, fat and sexuality studies and productive graduates.

Only with smart policies n changefinancial based upon student’s major and submitting bogus has academic papers to sweet potatoes and red velvet futurea of their business.

In to is “Success to be earned, restaurants have made headlines Biden’s new $1.9 trillion relief croissants with cream-cheese to determine if they would pass peer that incentivize student success we ensure thatreceived finantential. North Carolina, about 26 percent academic journals in cultural, queer, it is not given.” Spiros and Kathy recently for having package, confidence among these can custard.

“They’re from “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto theflavors lord has made, let usthe r seriousness of the virus and the need review and be accepted for publication.

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place.

I understand colleges truly provide value for students, parents, e a good deal for businesses students because race, gender, fat and studies of small closed, they Turnas run the sexuality establishment cial assistance from the national firms has tumbled to its lowest my childhood transformed,” Acceptance of dubious research that in it” (Psalm 118:24). ykywith how people who simply ask orders thanks to local or statetogovernments, a majority Americans to take precautions, but I’m unea taxpayers and society. than loans.

Imagine a student who determine if they would of pass peer permanently or temporarily, she says.

“It’sthis a little bit of editors found sympathetic to theirlevel in four years. The number small business relief effort known along with their four children.

Iaknow that during challenging time 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 isreview being called the “new normal.” questions about the data, and wh and be accepted for publication. between January 2020 and Kathy says they also submitted as the Barstool Fund.

Barstool of small business owners saying intersectional or postmodern leftist vision nostalgia with alosing little bitaofjob, it may be WIT working from home or diffi with contempt.

Acceptance of dubious research that video to Barstool.com asking for Sports, a digital media company Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circle they believe they can continue opJanuary 2021 according to study cal or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask orders of the world would prove the problem of technique.” be glad” asmodern the Bible tells us to do. as However, as aasC a society simply must accept without after their landlord that content on than a yearabout un- Virginia’s journal editors found sympathetic to their conducted by Harvard orders go help into June.

They’re though we st to what isacademic being called theUniversity “new normal.”erating for more questions the produces data,stay-at-home and whenfocused things can start getting back torefused low standards.

Of course, there treated are plenty are haj to forgive even part of their lease sports and pop-culture runs the der current business conditions and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded me of sders us about when it’s safe to begin the intersectional or postmodern leftist vision Public Economics Professor Raj Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question tel Several of the fake research papers extend at least through the end of thisfell month. normal are treated in some circles with contempt. of cakes and pies,what too, asthe wellgovernment Som payment when Spiro’s sales reveFund. The company was from 67% in the fourth quar- a Barstool of the world“we would prove the problem of Chetty and his for colleagues that The Fat have to be thankful and of hopeful for, even in the m alcy. were accepted publication. recent coronavirus press briefing that just don’t know yet” if the process returning back to norm as Lewis’s favorite, chocolates home orders go into June. impacts They’re as though weand as isa currently societylow simply must accept without Virgin nue was down 50% at the height in 2003 of last year to 55% in the treated first founded EFF FORMER looked the economic ofpaper terSENATOR academic standards.

Lenten and pandemic. us, and TARTE, we haveat the right to ask those Studies journal published aNC hoaxSTATE state’s stay-at-home orders will extend intosafe May. No. Thebeautifully government works for and truffles.

From Since when did arolina,that Democratic Roy Cooperwas stated during question what the government us about when to“We begin of the it’s pandemic. lost the at least headquartered in tells New York City. quarter of 2021.

COVID-19.

Several of the fake research papers argued the Gov. term For me, detailed my faith is an important part ofstay-atmyHer da home orders are in place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons special-occasion If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the questions.

And the longer in revenue.

We closed forThe one Fat The relief is geared toward North Carolina us press briefing that “we justbe know yet”The if the processRestauof returning backeffort to normalcy. questioning Lenovo developed adon’t Cause were50% accepted for publication. and should replaced a recen making.

As I celebrated Easter with my family, hem get exclusionary in states, has such as Michigan, rustic scones for stricter some ofI justification for it.

And the answers should notaout bethe vague ones like “wecakes tocountry, and the provide week to figure best plan to small businesses including gyms, Association The Affect website people e orders will extend intowhere May. No. The has government works for us, and we have the right to ask those with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive rant and Lodging Studies journal published a hoax paper business government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord “comf eeling isolated and/or anxious about meetings, Lewis Since when did to carry out and make bars do andthis restaurants. date the switch out of anToabundance of caution.” the more people, sitting at state’s home been advocating for more help for must message of only politicized performance.”

One throughout the Triangle can goreviewer that argued the term bodybuilding was so engtofor extend it, questions should be asked asstruggling to the businesses questions.

And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the supports her Johnston County If he affliction, that we may be able to comfort those their families, will demand a to gotomenu.

We had to laystate off who has raised $35 millionin detail since the group levels It will need toover be explained the people of this whenquestioning they can get back to provid “I thoroughly this like “we at allcountry, toanswers customize a noteenjoyed and it exclusionary and should be replaced hope that webut will And thesaid, should not share bereading vague ones and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, community in the best way she several employees have since since the start of the pandemic beginning of the pandemic and affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar justific are being told to remain jobless and atbodybuilding, home for an undetermined answers. article and believe has an important online to thank anditencourage become abill before with “fat as atofat-inclusive once again enjoy knows how —government dessert. brought those that want come and has nearly 217,000 supportjust presented a new an should abundance of caution.” the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about God.” vels be as forthcoming as they d contribution make to the field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and must state le their favorite to small business politicized performance.”

Growing up, Lewis watchedseason, I urge back,sporting back,” Turnas says.One reviewer bad thing? ers.back The have supported over 260 the General Assembly asking for get events, eagain, explained insenator, detail to the people of this state whoElderly when they can to providing for their families, will demand If you are celebrating the Easter not vague answers, but answer journal.” at all levels It w are reliable. can be with those answers — and — your local bakery, plumber, in place. persons with underlying conditions said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this ORMER state I have been asked It’s not just restaurants and $300 million in answers. stimulus money businesses from coast to coast her grandmother and great“Our Struggle Is Myfor Struggle: Solidarity That is what emain jobless and at home an undetermined reflect message and be comforted, so that ents believability. concerts, studio, etc.

Visit www.

To for date, I’ve gone alongClover with what the state has asked and thenon this with details that statem are be would be monitored by health teams some time, article and believe itfamily has anBarstool important s what I yoga would do regarding the stay-atbars that are reaping the over the last year including to help the hospitality sector stay become a giveintheir grandmother bake treats Feminism as anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to God’s example and comfort all those need arou at we can to keep our hy models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they causetheaffect.com, choose your free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve alsoOther had questions about We should all continue to do w leveraging telemedicine and virtual hospitals. contribution to make to the field and thislike buttermilk r in North Carolina.

The current SAH gatherings, amoun Fund’s benefits. beneficiaJoe’s Sandwich Shoppe in Charafloat.

Lynn Minges, President pie from Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was bad thing? thank you note write a this difficult time.

Through faith and by helping o fe. on ButApril we should alsodesign, still continue can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer Led by our major health system leaders and journal.” res 29. ries include Watson’s Candies out lotte and Spiro’s Family Restauthe data.

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities s and CEO of NCRLA says the bill memory, and every family are rel church services living in a free accepted for publication

by Affilia, a quick message and hit send.

The confident we will emerge out of this pandemic str ecause while reasonable stay-at-home of Woburn, MA., Dani’s Garden rant in High Point. the North Carolina Hospital Association, I would “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity is one part of its “Blueprint for Rete senator recently said we are going to That is what e along with what the state has asked 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, b meal ended with something feminist journal for social workers. The To d and an many more CenterReply wereprimary notes ofwho gratitude willwho be posted and Learning inthose Clover and Joe’s Joseph vival the society North Carolina Hos-all this I continue to be inspired the by yow should also have an have aofmaster plan with suppliers a owners Feminism Intersectional to same four things: isexpiration sick, not,questions sweet.spirit, “Her house always sometimes atodisturbing tendency among some people to treatIn measures are understandable, do, but paper along the way I’ve also had about We should continue do what we can toChildcare keep as our families, consisted in part of is adate. rewritten free citizens manda on your social media, as well as after our own and Randi Killelea say their eatpitality Industry,” which details supposed backup plan for manufacturers in N.C. to re-purpose Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was een sick and who has not.

I agree.

Public neighbors helping neighbors. d it is not normal.

Not in any way, smelled like butter andnew sugar,” from Mein Kampf. Two other questioningsafe. the data and asking when we can start getting back This is all to Americans, a publicanpassage leaders have, too. ourselves, and simply our communities Butbest we should also still continue the da Lenovo’s, with #CauseTheAffect, See BUSINESSES, page eryPPE in uptown Charlotte can the impact COVID-19 restric- and in aSofree facilities to to produce ventilators necessary accepted fortheorists publication

by B6 Affilia, are coalescing around benchmarks to temporary In aConcord, high living school senior named Tanne derts remain vigilant and stay safe, at get Lewisaremembers of her hoax papers were published, including do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy or are people who shape, or form. while we shoul when certain types of questions asked, there is to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home and some businesses will be Unffa to take care of our own demands.

An ongoing needs feminist journal for social workers.

The ore rules “Rape ease: reductions in new Culture and Queer Performativity grandmother.

Thetime matriarchs’ money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to make mfortable withsustained this so-called “new sacrifices are society were otherwise don’t care ifshould they get themselves or others sick. the same we shouldn’t get co rbing tendency among some people to treat those measures are understandable, they also have an expiration date. checked. surprised with high-tech donations somet paper consisted in part of a rewritten deaths, widespread testing, hospital at Urban Dog Parks.”ample This paper’s subjectassessment would evaluate the re-purposing of and recipes are health carememory workers out of his own home.

Since when did questioning government at in allany levels become a bad normal.” over. during campaign. supposed gndthe and asking when wethe candog start This is all to Americans, normal.

Not way, was dog-on-dog rape. rapegetting hotels,back empty warehouses andnew university dorms and it is not passage from Mein Kampf.

Two other the foundation thedata ability tothe monitor new But patients and simply of Buttermilk thing?

Thatwe is should what free citizens living in awere free society supposed Not one little bit.

Cause The Affect national paper eventually forced Boghossian, gh they are conspiracy theorists or are people who shape, or form.

So while remain vigilant and stay safe, atwere as emergency field hospitals in conjunction with hoax papers published, including contacts.

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

get back to normal

What would you do?

NCCU School of Law to receive $5M gift for new tech policy center

Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran

we begin

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

B6

ncdot CASH REPORT For the week ending 2/19

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds:

$2,089,998,648 Add Receipts:

$72,459,970 Less Disbursements:

$162,770,890 Reserved Cash:

$825,739,184 Unreserved Cash Balance Total:

$3,862,786,829

Supreme Court won’t halt turnover of Trump’s tax records

By Jessica Gresko The Associated Press WASHINGTON — In a significant defeat for former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court on Monday declined to step in to halt the turnover of his tax records to a New York state prosecutor.

The court’s action is the apparent culmination of a lengthy legal battle that had already reached the high court once before.

Trump’s tax records are not supposed to become public as part of prosecutors’ criminal investigation, but the high court’s action is a blow to Trump because he has long fought on so many fronts to keep his tax records shielded from view. The ongoing investigation that the records are part of could also become an issue for Trump in his life after the presidency.

In a statement, the Trump

blasted prosecutors and said the “Supreme Court never should have let this ‘fishing expedition’ happen, but they did.” The Republican claimed the investigation is politically motivated by Democrats in “a totally Democrat location, New York City and State.”

And he said he would “fight on” and that “We will win!”

The Supreme Court waited months to act in the case. The last of the written briefs in the case was filed Oct. 19. But a court that includes three Trump appointees waited through the election, Trump’s challenge to his defeat and a month after Trump left office before issuing its order.

The court offered no explanation for the delay, and the legal issue before the justices did not involve whether Trump was due any special deference because he was president.

The court’s order is a win for Manhattan District Attorney

US existing home sales, and prices, rise again in January

By Alex Veiga The Associated Press Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose again last month, a sign that the housing market’s strong momentum from 2020 may be carrying over into this year.

Existing U.S. home sales rose 0.6% in January from the previous month to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 6.69 million annualized units, the National Association of Realtors said Friday. Sales jumped 23.7% from a year earlier. It was the strongest sales pace since October and the second highest since 2006.

Home prices also rose. The U.S. median home price was $303,900 in January, an increase of 14.1% from a year earlier. Prices increased in every region of the country.

The red-hot housing market has left the number of available properties for sale at record lows. The dearth of homes for sale has been the main driver of home prices.

“Sales easily could have been even 20% higher if there had been more inventory and more choices,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

At the end of January, there were an all-time low 1.04 million homes for sale nationally, down 1.9% from December and 26% from January 2020, NAR said. At the current sales pace, that amounts to a 1.9 months’ supply, down from a 3.1 months’ supply in January 2020.

Underscoring how competitive the housing market was last month, 71% of homes sold in January had been on the market for less than a month. And properties were typically snapped up in 21 days for the fifth straight month, NAR said.

“The days on the market contin-

MICHAEL CONROY | AP PHOTO

An open house is posted in front of a home for sale in Westfield, Ind., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. ue to be very swift,” Yun said. “No winter slowdown.”

The housing market has mounted a strong comeback since last summer after declining sharply in the spring when the coronavirus outbreak hit. Sales surged last year to the highest level since 2006 at the height of the housing boom.

Several market trends are helping drive the strong demand for homeownership. Mortgage rates remain at historic lows. Americans forced to work from home in the pandemic are seeking larger homes. And more millennials are now entering the market.

That demand dynamic, combined with the ultra-low number of homes for sale, sets the stage for a fiercely competitive homebuying season this spring.

“It’s not just a sellers’ market, it’s a super sellers’ market,” said Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American. “This is an incredibly competitive homebuying environment.”

If the economy improves as coronavirus vaccines become more widely available, economists predict the housing market will continue to ride a strong wave of demand this year, even though mortgage rates are expected rise slightly from record lows.

The average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate home loan rose to 2.81% this week from last week’s 2.73%, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. One year ago, the rate was 3.49%.

The 10-year Treasury yield, which can influence interest rates on mortgages, made a sharp move higher this week as Wall Street factors in the possibility of higher inflation amid expectations the economy will regain its footing by the second half of this year.

Yun, of NAR, expects the average 30-year mortgage rate to tick higher, possibly reaching 3% by midyear.

“That would be considered historically favorable,” he said.

Cyrus Vance Jr., who has been seeking Trump’s tax records since 2019 as part of an investigation. Vance, a Democrat, had subpoenaed the records from the Mazars accounting firm that has long done work for Trump and his businesses. Mazars has said it would comply with the subpoena, but Trump sued to block the records’ release.

Vance’s office had said it would be free to enforce the subpoena and obtain the records in the event the Supreme Court declined to step in and halt the records’ turnover, but it was unclear when that might happen. In a threeword statement Monday, Vance said only: “The work continues.”

The court’s action Monday wasn’t the only defeat for Trump, the court also declined to get involved in a handful of cases related to the 2020 election.

The records Vance has been after are more than eight years of Trump’s personal and corporate tax records. Vance has disclosed little about what prompted him to seek them. In one court filing last year, however, prosecutors said they were justified in demanding the records because of public reports of “possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization.”

Part of the probe involves pay-

NCCU from page B5 and drive further Intel engagements.

“As a company and industry, we need to do better to ensure legal and policy jobs are available to all communities because talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. At the beginning of this year, we began to hold our legal counsel accountable to the “Intel Rule,” which states we will not retain or use outside law firms in the U.S. that are average or below average on diversity,” said Steven R. Rodgers, Intel general counsel. “And now, through this partnership we will hold ourselves accountable for extending the talent pipeline. Our investment in NCCU is only the beginning, and we will continue our efforts to provide more equitable access to tech, legal and policy careers.”

According to a press statement, Intel will contribute legal and strategic expertise, faculty training, summer internships and Intel mentors for both students and faculty members. Students will engage directly with Intel executives who will serve as guest lecturers and provide practical legal experiences, networking and mentorship. Intel’s goal is to prepare the next generation of corporate attorneys, giving them exposure to corporate law “on day one of their law school journey.” Two first-year

BUSINESSES from page B5 Elyria, OH., The Tattoo Room tattoo shop in Simi Valley, CA. Bearfoot Yoga & Wellness Center in Bay Shore, NY. and Afton House Inn in Afton, MN. In order to qualify, a business must still have their employees on payroll and be able to make the case that without the aid they won’t be

ments to two women — porn actress Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal — to keep them quiet during the 2016 presidential campaign about alleged extramarital affairs with Trump.

Trump has denied the affairs.

In July, the justices in a 7-2 ruling rejected Trump’s argument that the president is immune from investigation while he holds office or that a prosecutor must show a greater need than normal to obtain the tax records.

Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, whom Trump nominated to the high court, joined that decision. It was issued before Trump’s third nominee, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, replaced the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the court.

As part of its July decision, the high court returned the Vance case and a similar case involving records sought by Congress to lower courts. And the court prevented the records from being turned over while the cases proceeded.

Since the high court’s ruling, in the Vance case, Trump’s attorneys made additional arguments that his tax records should not be turned over, but they lost again in federal court in New York and on appeal. It was those rulings that Trump had sought to put on hold.

law students from NCCU will also participate in a summer associate program with Intel.

“North Carolina Central University’s School of Law has been a leader in equity and diversity within the legal education community for several decades. We extend our sincere thanks to Intel Corporation for establishing a novel partnership with the university through the creation of the NCCU Tech Law and Policy Center. This partnership makes NCCU the only HBCU and only law school in the country with a Tech Law Center that focuses on technology disparities and social justice,” said Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., chancellor of North Carolina Central University. “Over the next five years, Intel Corporation’s gift of $5 million will provide students, as well as faculty and staff in the School of Law with innovative opportunities in the classroom and direct connections with executives at the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer.

Most importantly, this collaboration will assist in solving issues of access and producing diverse legal professionals who are equipped to succeed locally, as well as globally.”

Historically, HBCUs have trailed other institutions in federal funding and corporate engagement.

There are over 100 HBCUs across the nation, and NCCU is one of only six with a law school.

able to stay afloat. Once a business is accepted into the program, the fund promises to keep reupping their financial assistance every month that goes by where things do not improve from an economic standpoint. The fund’s operators want the public to know they can make a tax-deductible contribution to support the small businesses featured on their website.

North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are leading the way to a brighter future for our 2.5 million members and local communities.

Sustainable, Affordable Energy Pursuing a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 using new and existing resources to ensure electricity continues to be delivered at the lowest possible cost.

Reliability & Innovation Leveraging new technologies and innovation to deliver reliable electricity across resilient, co-op operated electric grids.

Local Community Support Enriching the lives of our local members through continued education initiatives, economic development and communityfocused activities.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

CEC CR 31965 Business NC half pages.indd 1

1/6/21 4:37 PM

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

2020 Lincoln Aviator

B7

A dignified but pricey luxury crossover Full of whizz-bang gee-gaw gadgetry

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — It’s easy to think something is great when you don’t have anything to compare it to. In a vacuum, whatever you’re considering is automatically the best because there’s no competition. But competition is what makes everything better. Capitalism, and, you know, survival of the fittest.

In-N-Out makes the best fast food burger, as long as there isn’t a Shake Shack nearby because that makes the competition much more fierce. And Popeyes is clearly the best chicken sandwich, unless you have a Chick-Fil-A handy. LeBron and Jordan. Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. Serena and... ok well, there’s no competition there.

It’s the same with cars. McLaren is obviously the best super sports car around, unless Ferrari and Lamborghini come to play, in which case it’s much less obvious.

Ford F-150 and RAM 1500 and Chevy Silverado? On their own, all three are wonderful trucks. But throw them into a competition, and it’s much less clear.

And that brings me to my review vehicle this week: The 2020 Lincoln Aviator. It’s roughly a Ford Explorer with a whole lot of luxury and class poured all over it, with a bit of extra “wow” for good measure.

It has thirty-way “perfect position” seats in the front. Thirty-way adjustability. You might think “who needs seats that adjust thirty different ways”? And the answer is no one, because it’s too complicated to get it fitted just right. Volvo seats have much less adjustability, but are way more comfortable.

I don’t need to adjust the thigh bolsters individually for the left and right legs, Lincoln, but I appreciate the effort.

Not everything is unnecessary in the Aviator though. There’s a full digital dash that includes all kinds of nifty animations when you change drive modes. The warning chimes in the Aviator are live recordings from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from combinations of percussion, violin and viola. They’re lovely. And then there’s the piano key push-button shifter that debuted in the Navigator a few years ago, which seems weird for the first day and then is totally natural.

These push-button shifters are becoming much more common by the way, showing up in the new Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, as well as a number of other vehicles.

They feel very unusual at first, but you get used to them very quickly and gain a lot of useful storage space in return. They’re a Good Thing even if change is hard.

It’s also exquisitely styled on the outside. I can’t quite put my finger on what I like so much about it — it doesn’t exactly feel like an airplane (Lincoln’s models are adopting exploration-themes: Aviator, Corsair, Navigator), but it does look... slippery. In a good way.

Anyway, all that pizzazz doesn’t come cheap. My tester, a top-ofthe-line “Black Label” Aviator with the $3,000 Dynamic Handling Package (adaptive suspension dampers and height-adjustable air springs) fitted, was an eye-watering $81,790. That’s a lot of cheese for a mid-sized luxury SUV, even one with every feature Lincoln can think of stuffed inside it.

But it’s a three-row midsized luxury crossover and that’s great, but the 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the Ultimate trim stickers

PHOTOS COURTESY LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY

for $83,495 (if you can find one) or less than two thousand dollars more than the Aviator — and that’s a fully-equipped, full-sized SUV. Sure, it doesn’t have quite the whizz-bang gee-gaw gadgetry of the Aviator with its fancy dash animations (you’ll have to jump up to the Cadillac Escalade for all that), but the Yukon has more presence (and more space) for basically the same money.

The Aviator has a terrific 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, though it only makes 17/24/20 city/highway/combined miles per gallon. The Yukon has a massive 6.2-liter V8 that gulps down at 14/19/16, but at this price point it’s unlikely folks really care about fuel economy.

Seen in a vacuum, the Lincoln Aviator is a fantastic luxury vehicle and you can see why Matthew McConaughey likes it. But look at the larger automotive market and the extraordinarily tough competition at the same price point, and suddenly the Aviator is only alright.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

B8

Kim and Kanye: Tales of an uber celeb marriage gone wrong

By Leanne Italie The Associated Press NEW YORK — Holograms and Twitter rants, roving gospel gatherings and billion-dollar business ventures. If there’s one word that defines the lives of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West, it’s BIG. As their nearly seven-year marriage comes to an end, here’s a look back on the uber celebrity coupling of the rapper, Yeezy king and failed presidential candidate with the reality star who has a head for business and a passion for prison reform.

Kim and Kanye publicly came out as dating in 2012. The oldest of their four children, North, was born in June 2013, not long after Kim’s divorce from Kris Humphries (her second husband) was finalized. The over-the-top Tuscan wedding of Kim and Kanye, her third and his first, unfolded on May 24, 2014.

Kim walked down the aisle on the arm of step-parent Caitlyn Jenner as Andrea Bocelli sang to their 200 guests, including John Legend, Jaden Smith and Steve McQueen, the director of Kanye’s 2016 video for his single “All Day.” Known for obsessively seeking publicity, the couple has often been labeled as “famous for being famous.” But in fact, social media

hasn’t always gone well for Kanye, specifically. He has ranted. A lot.

He used it to announce his presidential bid last year, with another run announced on Election Day 2020 for 2024. For Kim, it’s the place where she sells stuff. A lot.

Most recently, it’s been the Skims shapewear and leisure line she launched last year. That’s the brand she originally called Kimono. Kim changed the name after outrage over cultural appropriation of the traditional Japanese robe.

She has used social media in defense of Kanye when he goes off the rails. And she reaches out with family photos, happy birthdays to friends and in support of her work to free prison inmates, including Alice Marie Johnson.

It was Johnson’s case that took Kim to the White House in 2018 for a meeting arranged by Jared Kushner to persuade then-President Donald Trump to commute Johnson’s drug conspiracy sentence. He did.

After donning a red MAGA hat, Kanye also made an appearance at the White House soon after Kim that year, meeting with Trump and dropping an F-bomb during a hyper monologue that, for a change, left Trump fairly speechless.

2019 ushered in the birth of his born-again status and Sunday

EVAN AGOSTINI | NBC VIA AP

Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York.

Service, gospel gatherings he has held at home in Los Angeles and around the world. They’ve been well attended by celebrities from DMX to Kenny G. Kim and her family have been right there in the mix.

Kanye’s spiritual reset culminated in his ninth studio album, “Jesus is King.” His faith has led him in other directions, too, like his tearful disclosure that he considered aborting North rather than going through with her birth.

It was Kim, he said, who fought for their child.

As a husband, Kanye has showered his wife with jewels, a hand-painted Birkin bag, stock in blue chip companies and a stake in his own Yeezy brand. But one gift stands out: a hologram of her late father, Robert Kardashian, during

her 40th birthday bash on an undisclosed island in the middle of the pandemic last October.

As Kim, family members and close friends partied beachside, hologram dad in a tan suit against a sparkly background of black and midnight blue spoke of being proud of the woman and mother she has become, particularly her studies to become a lawyer like himself, along with her support of his native Armenia.

There was also a plug for Kanye from the great beyond: “You married the most, most, most, most, most genius man in the whole world, Kanye West.”

Yes, they were a power couple, but Kanye was successful in music before Kim came along and the two have made truckloads of money separately. Together, Forbes es-

timates, their combined net worth is in the $2.1 billion range. Some crunch the numbers in his favor.

Forbes said their biggest assets are independently owned and operated businesses. Kanye has made it big in shoes, and Kim rolls out beauty and attire on a regular basis. She also earned millions through the reality show that launched the family, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” It’s a show he reportedly wanted little to do with.

Kim’s sale of a 20% stake in KKW Beauty to giant Coty for $200 million was completed this year.

There’s also real estate and the mansion the two lavishly labored to trick out in Calabasas, California, along with their two Wyoming ranches.

Netflix doc to examine man behind college admissions scandal The scandal that brought down some of the biggest names in Hollywood and successful college coaches included cheating, bribery and fraudulent sports scholarships.

FRANK MASI | NBC VIA AP

In this Feb. 4, 2020, file photo, Rush Limbaugh reacts as first Lady Melania Trump, and his wife Kathryn, applaud, as President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.

Even without listening, US lives in Limbaugh’s media world David Bauder The Associated Press NEW YORK — You didn’t have to like or even listen to Rush Limbaugh to be affected by what he did.

Conservative talk radio wasn’t a genre before him. Without Limbaugh, it’s hard to imagine a Fox News Channel, or a President Donald Trump, or a media landscape defined by shouters of all stripes that both reflect and influence a state of political gridlock.

To his fans, Limbaugh’s death Wednesday of lung cancer at the age of 70 was an occasion for deep mourning. For his foes, it was good riddance. Somewhere, Rush could surely appreciate it.

He left a legacy.

“He was the most important individual media figure of the last four decades,” said Ian Reifowitz, professor of historical studies at the State University of New York and author of “The Tribalization of Politics: How Rush Limbaugh’s Race-Baiting Rhetoric on the Obama Presidency Paved the Way for Trump.”

That assessment was freely offered even though Reifowitz, as the title of his book suggests, isn’t a fan. He blames Limbaugh for setting a blueprint for white identity politics and the dividing of the nation into uneasy tribes.

Former Vice President Mike Pence told Fox he was inspired by Limbaugh to become a talk radio host himself, which launched his political career. Ex-White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany reminisced about riding as a child in her father’s pick-up truck as Limbaugh’s show played on the radio.

“I am the definition of a ‘Rush baby,’ and it’s not just me,” McE-

nany said on Twitter. “There are tens of thousands of us all across the conservative movement.”

Radio hosts talked politics before Limbaugh, men like Jerry Williams in Boston and Barry Farber in New York.

But the idea of conservative talk radio didn’t take hold until Limbaugh, after bouncing through DJ jobs in Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Sacramento, went national from a perch at New York’s WABC in 1988, said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine.

Limbaugh was a sensation among people who liked to tweak liberals, outraging with political incorrectness. Before Limbaugh, only 30 or 40 stations did “talk radio,” and many weren’t political, Harrison said. Now there are thousands.

To the end, Limbaugh led the field. He reached an estimated 15.5 million people each week and lost in the ratings for three months only once in some three decades, to advice host Laura Schlessinger, Harrison said. Bumper stickers proclaimed, “Rush is Right.”

“There is no talk radio as we know it without Rush Limbaugh. It just doesn’t exist,” said Sean Hannity, who has 15 million radio listeners beyond his Fox News Channel show. “And I’d even make the argument in many ways: there’s no Fox News or even some of these other opinionated cable networks.”

Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes launched Fox News in 1996.

MSNBC started the same year.

Politics seemed second to entertainment in Limbaugh’s early years.

“I’m trying to attract the largest audience I can and hold it for as long as I can so that I can charge advertisers confiscatory advertising rates,” Limbaugh told Steve

Kroft of “60 Minutes” in 1991.

“This is a business.”

But he soon became more than a business leader. Republicans credited Limbaugh for helping them win the House majority in 1994.

“It wasn’t just that he transformed the media landscape, but he transformed the Republican Party,” said Nicole Hemmer, author of “Messengers of the Right: Conservative Media and the Transformation of American Politics.” “He became a power player and someone who could move voters.”

To SUNY’s Reifowitz, Limbaugh led the way in getting people “scared about the browning of the country.”

The headline on HuffPost’s obituary on Wednesday said Limbaugh “saturated America’s airwaves with cruel bigotries, lies and conspiracy theories.” The Root called him a “spouter of racist, hate-filled garbage.”

On Foxnews.com, Limbaugh’s obituary’s headline was “Greatest of All Time.”

As Limbaugh’s political strength became evident, many Republican politicians felt they couldn’t cross him, or run the risk of alienating his millions of listeners, Hemmer said.

“Many of these listeners didn’t care if Rush Limbaugh crossed the line (of propriety),” she said. “They cared more about loyalty to him than any kind of underlying set of principles.”

Limbaugh appeared to measure words more carefully in recent years. After receiving social media blowback in December for suggesting that the nation was “trending toward secession,” he later made clear he wasn’t advocating that.

To the end, however, Limbaugh remained loyal to President Trump, as he had early in his candidacy, and the president awarded Limbaugh a Presidential Medal of Freedom at the State of the Union address last year.

By David Bauder The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — A Netflix documentary will use actor recreations of FBI wiretaps to tell the story of Rick Singer, the man at the center of the college admissions scandal that sent actors Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin and and several other prominent parents to prison.

Netflix announced Monday that “Operation Varsity Blues” will be released on March 17.

Named for the FBI operation that exposed the scandal, the documentary will focus not on the convicted celebrities like Huffman and Loughlin, but on how Singer persuaded them and many other

wealthy clients to cheat to get their children into elite colleges.

Netflix said in its announcement that the documentary will use “an innovative combination of interviews and narrative recreations of the FBI’s wiretapped conversations between Singer and his clients.”

The documentary is from filmmakers Chris Smith and Jon Karmen, whose previous credits include Netflix’s Fyre festival documentary and “Tiger King.”

Actor Matthew Modine plays Singer, the admitted mastermind of the operation who flipped and started working with investigators, secretly recording his conversations with parents and coaches.

More than 50 people were charged in the scandal that saw parents pay bribes to have someone cheat on their children’s entrance exams or pretend their kids were star athletes for sports they didn’t play.

Singer pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and several other charges, and is expected to testify at defendants’ trials. He has not been sentenced.

IMAGE BY NETFLIX VIA AP

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

B9

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21SP14 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DANIEL T. HAYES, SR. AND SHARON HAYES DATED JUNE 2, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8166 AT PAGE 811 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 20 SP 861 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by John Kenneth Helget and Kellie Jo Helget, in the original amount of $64,260.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Advantage Loans, Inc, dated December 20, 2002 and recorded on January 2, 2003 in Book 5952, Page 552, Cumberland County Registry.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at

18 SP 1113 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Richard Fennessey and Sherry Fennessey to Devan L Shumway, Trustee(s), which was dated October 30, 2015 and recorded on November 2, 2015 in Book 09750 at Page 0666, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: Tract One: BEGINNING at a point in the northern right-of-way margin of an unnamed street 60 feet wide, said point being located North 82 degrees 15 minutes East 349.62 feet from the

18 SP 555 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kevin W. Heath and Anne J. Heath to TRSTE, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated July 20, 2007 and recorded on July 26, 2007 in Book 7656 at Page 797, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

19 SP 1458 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kevin G. Gutierrez and Megan L. Gutierrez to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), which was dated June 30, 2011 and recorded on July 1, 2011 in Book 08673 at Page 0242 and rerecorded/ modified/corrected on November 16, 2020 in Book 10933, Page 0818, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will

20 SP 785 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Israel C. Guzman and Shari Guzman to Atlas Title Agency Of North Carolina, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated January 6, 2011 and recorded on January 13, 2011 in Book 08565 at Page 0271, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

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 10:30AM on March 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 Daniel T. Hayes, Sr. and Sharon Hayes, dated June 2, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $176,248.00, and recorded in Book 8166 at Page 811 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: McMillan Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348

2529

John

2:00PM on March 9, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Beginning at a point in the northern margin of State Road #2028, said point being located South 65 degrees 40 minutes West 717.53 feet from the intersection of the northern margin of State Road #2028 and the western margin of State Road #2027 and running thence with the northern margin of State Road #2028 100 feet to a point; thence North 26 degrees 11 minutes West 250 feet to a point; thence North 65 degrees 40 minutes East 100 feet to a point; thence South 26 degrees 11 minutes East 250 feet to the point of beginning.

The above described property is conveyed subject to restrictive covenants appearing of record in Book 2695, Page 453 and any easements as may appear of record in the Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1980 Ava Rodd, Stedman, NC 28391. Tax ID: 1404-14-3949Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax,

intersection of the eastern right-of-way margin of Judson Road or State Road 2008 with the northern margin of said unnamed street, said beginning point also being located South 15 degrees 30 minutes East 159.30 feet from the southeast corner of the tract of land conveyed to Mervin R. Smith by deed duly recorded in Book 2316, Page 643, Cumberland County Registry, and running thence for a first call North 15 degrees 30 minutes West 100.0 feet to a stake (said point being South 15 degrees 30 minutes East 27.0 feet, more or less, from the southeast corner of the parcel conveyed to Mervin R. Smith by deed duly recorded in Book 2316, Page 643, Cumberland County Registry); thence for a second call North 74 degrees 30 minutes East 200.0 feet to a point in the western rightof-way margin of a 60-foot unnamed street; thence with the western right-of-way margin of said unnamed street South 15 degrees 30 minutes West 127.22 feet to an iron pipe which is located at the intersection of two unnamed streets; thence with the northern right-of-way margin of a 60-foot unnamed street South 82 degrees 15 min. West 201.84 feet to an iron pipe, the place and point of beginning.

Tract

Two:

BEGINNING at an existing iron pipe the northeast corner of Cook Property as recorded Deed Book 2461, Page 59 of the Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, said existing iron pipe also being in the western right of way of a unnamed street (having a 60 foot right-of-way) being part of Tract A Lot 1 as recorded in Plat Book 115, Page 72 of the Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina;

NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kevin W. Heath a/k/a Kevin Heath and Anne J. Heath a/k/a Anne Heath to TRSTE, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated October 18, 2006 and recorded on October 20, 2006 in Book 7397 at Page 243, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will

18 SP 557 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kevin W. Heath and Anne J. Heath to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated June 5, 2006 and recorded on June 7, 2006 in Book 7260 at Page 202 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on June 7, 2018 in Book 10319, Page 305, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

T.

And Being more commonly known as: 2529 John McMillan Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Daniel T. Hayes, Sr. and Sharon Hayes.

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

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEGINNING at a point in the northern line of West Rowan Street 120 feet westwardly from the point of intersection of the northern line of West Rowan Street with the western line of Rollingwood Circle said beginning point being the southeast corner of Lot 39 in Block B of Rollingwood Circle and running thence North 85 degrees 36 minutes West 70 feet; thence North 02 degrees 30 minutes East 125 feet; thence South 85 degrees 36 minutes East 70 feet; thence South 02 degrees 30 minutes West 125 feet to the point of BEGINNING and the same being all of Lots 38 and 39 and the eastern 10 feet of Lot 37 in Block B of Rolling Wood Court.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1012 West Rowan Street, Fayetteville, NC 28305.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent

CROSS CREEK, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 7581, PAGE 0101, ID# 9496-60-1531, BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT 127, SECTION 3 PART 1, LAKE POINT PLACE, FILED IN PLAT BOOK 52, PAGE 76.

BEING ALL OF LOT 127, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS LAKE POINT PLACE, SECTION THREE, PART ONE, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME BEING DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 52 PAGE 76, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA.

BY FEE SIMPLE DEED FROM KAY H. KNIGHT AND HUSBAND, MARTIN VERNON KNIGHT AS SET FORTH IN BOOK 7581, PAGE 0101 DATED 05/01/2007 AND RECORDED 05/07/2007, CUMBERLAND COUNTY RECORDS, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. FOR INFORMATIONAL PROPERTY ADDRESS IS 6548 GREEN FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28304

PURPOSES AS FOLLOWS:

MEADOW

ROAD

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

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 81, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS LAFAYETTE VILLAGE, SECTION 2, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 14, PAGE 6, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 5212 Cypress Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

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.

conducting the sale on March 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 61 OF SHERWOOD PARK, SECTION SIX, A PLAT OF WHICH SAID SUBDIVISION IS DULY RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 27, PAGE 51, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 1871 Strathmore Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

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.

The date of this Notice is February 15, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 12-035136

400

thence running with the northern property line of said Cook Property South 74 degrees 19 minutes 51 seconds West 199.76 feet to an existing iron pipe the northwest corner of said Cook Property and also lying in the eastern property line of Blakely Property as recorded Deed Book 2824, Page 127 of the Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina; thence with the common line between said Cook Property and said Blakely Property North 15 degrees 34 minutes 45 seconds West 32.76 feet to an existing iron pipe the northeast corner of said Blakely Property; thence a new line North 15 degrees 34 minutes 45 seconds West 30.53 feet to a new iron stake; thence North 82 degrees 57 minutes 14 seconds East 202.04 feet to a new iron stake in the said western right of way of a unnamed street (having a 60 foot right-of-way); thence with the said western right of way of a unnamed street South 15 degrees 30 minutes 06 seconds East 33.00 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING containing 0.22 acres ( 9,619 sf) more or less and being a portionofsaidTractALot1asrecordedinPlatBook115,Page 72 of the Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

($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.

mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

Said property is commonly known as 2709 Bullard Court, Fayetteville, NC 28312.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Kevin Heath and wife, Ann Heath.

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

For additional information, please see Auction.com.

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.

Being all of Lot No. 17, Block “E”, in a subdivision known as Revision of Eaglewood Forest, Section Two, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 35, Page 46, Cumberland County Registry.

Said property is commonly known as 3613 Yorktown Road, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

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.

Helget and Kellie Jo Helget.

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

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.

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

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.

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 Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are Ronnie Helget, Kenny

and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

ALL THAT PARCEL OF LAND IN TOWNSHIP OF

18 SP 542 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

Tax Parcel ID: 0431-27-5809 Present Record Owners: Daniel Hayes, Sr. and Sharon Hayes

An Order for possession of the property may be issued

(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 undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Kevin G. Gutierrez and wife, Megan L. Gutierrez.

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

Said property is commonly known as 6548 Green Meadow Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

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 undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Israel C. Guzman and wife, Shari Guzman.

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

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 Kevin W. Heath and wife, Ann J. Heath.

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

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 Kevin Heath and wife, Anne Heath.

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

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 Richard Fennessey and wife, Sherry Fennessey.

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

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.

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

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.

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee __

By: ______________________________________ 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

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 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.: 18-09848-FC01

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.: 18-19659-FC01

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.: 19-15880-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.

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 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.: 20-06403-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.

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.: 18-04696-FC01

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC

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.

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.: 18-04904-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

DAVIDSON 20 SP 22 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Charles M. Shepherd and Carol Y. Shepherd to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated December 20, 2007 and recorded on January 11, 2008 in Book 1838 at Page 1392 and rerecorded/modified/ corrected on July 1, 2014 in Book 2147, Page 1961, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee

20 SP 229 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Walter Reid Ford and Lucille V. Ford to Henri R. Mazzoli, Trustee(s), which was dated November 23, 1999 and recorded on November 30, 1999 in Book 1162 at Page 458, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 1, 2021 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit:

19 SP 543 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Robin Ann Van Pelt to PBRE Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated January 22, 2013 and recorded on January 24, 2013 in Book 2088 at Page 107, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 1, 2021 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 19SP512 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WALTER E. WHATLEY AND CHARLOTTE S. WHATLEY DATED DECEMBER 23, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2609 AT PAGE 687 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 19SP594 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ROBERT L. BRODERICK AND PATSY L. MILLER DATED MARCH 26, 2004 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2661 AT PAGE 005 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in 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

19 SP 537 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by David P. Feehly and wife, Jeannie Feehly to Frances Jones, Trustee(s), which was dated March 19, 2010 and recorded on March 22, 2010 in Book 3824 at Page 185, Johnston County Registry, North Carolina.

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

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 467

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Joyce B. Fletcher, Walter E. Fletcher, Jr (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Joyce B. Fletcher and Walter E. Fletcher, Jr, Heirs of Joyce B. Fletcher: Walter E. Fletcher, III) to BB&T Collateral Service Corporation, Trustee(s), dated May 30, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 3075, at Page 696 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 186

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jose Manuel Feliciano Gonzalez, Kayla Vanessa Hernandez (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jose Manuel Feliciano Gonzalez and Kayla Vanessa Hernandez) to Pamela S. Cox, Trustee(s), dated December 12, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 4237, at Page 550 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 4, 2021 and will

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 March 1, 2021 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit:

PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION.

ALL THAT REAL PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DAVIDSON; STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA:

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.

BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO THE GRANTOR BY DEED RECORDED 05/05/1994 IN BOOK 902, PAGE 673 DAVIDSON COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH DEED REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROPERTY. AND BEING DESCRIBED

MORE AS

PARTICULARLY FOLLOWS:

BEING LOTS 4, 5, 6, AND 7 IN BLOCK “B” OF SUNSET KNOLLS, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET OUT IN PLAT BOOK 9, PAGE 79, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS MADE FOR A MORE

BEGINNING at an iron stake found on the north right of way of Oak Avenue in the south boundary line of Lot 112, as shown by map of property of Peeler & Beckner “Oakmont Addition” in Plat Book 2, page 101; said beginning corner being South 86° 11’ 30” East 75.00 feet from a point, the southwest corner of Lot 112 where the north right of way of Oak Avenue intersects the east right of way of Dixie Street; thence with a new line crossing in Lots 112 through 117 North 4° 00’ East 154.25 feet to an iron stake, a new corner in the line of Lots 117 and 118; thence with the line of Lots 117 and 118 South 86° 00’ East 75.00 feet to an iron stake found, corner of Lots 117, 118, 105 and thence with the rear line of Lots 106 through 111 South 4° 00’ West 154.00 feet to an iron stake, corner of Lots 111 and 112 on the north right of way of Oak Avenue; thence with the north right of way of Oak Avenue North 86 degrees 11’ 30” West 75.00 feet to the point of beginning.

The above described is the eastern one half of Lots 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, and 117 as shown by map of “Oakmont Addition”, recorded in Plat Book 2, page 101, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina.

For further reference, see Book 535, page 50; and Deed Book 419, page 282, in the Office of the Register of Deeds

property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot Number 12, as shown on the Plat of WINTER GARDEN - PHASE 2B, as recorded in Plat Book 58, page 74, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of DAVIDSON County, North Carolina, reference to said plat is hereby made for a more particular description.

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

Said property is commonly known as 6718 Planters Drive, High Point, NC 27265-7983.

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

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 March 9, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Walter E. Whatley and Charlotte S. Whatley, dated December 23, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $99,000.00, and recorded in Book 2609 at Page 687 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

1 Address of property: 1 4 Mackenzie Dr, Princeton, NC 27569 Tax Parcel ID: 04012028K The Heirs of Present Record Owners: Walter E. Whatley

the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on March 10, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Robert L. Broderick and Patsy L. Miller, dated March 26, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $54,150.00, and recorded in Book 2661 at Page 005 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

112 Buckhorn Address of property: Dr, Middlesex, NC 27557 Tax Parcel ID: 11N02056I The Estate of Present Record Owners: Robert L. Broderick and Patsy L. Miller And Being more commonly known as: 112 Buckhorn Dr, Middlesex, NC 27557

conducting the sale on March 2, 2021 at 12:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit:

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

Said property is commonly known as 351 Walser Rd, Lexington, NC 27295-1341.

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

for Davidson County, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 512 Oak Avenue, Lexington, NC 27292-4532.

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

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 undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Robin Ann Van Pelt.

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

And Being more commonly known as: 114 Mackenzie Dr, Princeton, NC 27569 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Walter E. Whatley.

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 sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as

The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Robert L. Broderick and Patsy L. Miller.

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 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

Said property is commonly known as 153 Broadhead Court, Angier, NC 27501.

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 Jeannie M. Feehly.

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

foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 11, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hubert in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point in the center line of Doe Drive, said point being located S 25-24-10 E 30.3 feet from the southeast corner of that tract of land conveyed to David M. Stupka and wife of record in the Onslow County Registry; and being further identified as being S 56-38-50 W 428.5 feet from the center of the intersection of Fawn Drive, Deer Road and Doe Drive; and running thence with the center line of Doe Drive S 56-38-50 W 509.31 feet and thence continuing with the center of said road S 19-18-50 W 161.42 feet to the northeast corner of the Armstrong tract; running thence with the Armstrong north line S 54-18-55 W 420 feet; thence with the Armstrong east line N 35-41-05 W 266.76 feet to the south line of the lands of Mower Lumber Company property; thence N 54-18-55 E 1096.47 feet to an iron pipe in the Stupka west line; running thence with the Stupka west line 198.37 feet to the point of beginning.

Containing 5 acres. Said description being in accordance with survey entitled “Property of Harold I. Dowling” dated August 5, 1974 surveyed by C.C. King, Registered Surveyor, Beaufort, N.C., to which reference is made for particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 196 Doe Drive, Hubert, North

Carolina.

BEING all of Lot 33, Northfield Subdivision, as recorded in Book of Maps 70 Pages 20-21, Johnston County Registry.

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

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 35, Block C, Brynn Marr Section V-Part A, as recorded Map Book 13, Page 16, Onslow County Registry, which map is by reference incorporated herein.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 120 Carolina Circle, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized

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 Charles M. Shepherd.

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.

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-00179-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,

of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Walter Reid Ford and wife, Lucille V. Ford.

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.

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.: 19-18601-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

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.

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.: 19-17528-FC01

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee

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.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-106374 Client Code: CWF

Parkway,

Suite

400

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.

The date of this Notice is February 3, 2021.

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.

Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-107726

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.

The date of this Notice is February 4, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC

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.

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.

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.: 19-13139-FC01

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the

purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days

representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

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: 1007 - 1553

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: 2937 - 7100

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 494

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Nicholas Ryan Mosley a/k/a Nicholas R. Mosley (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Nicholas Ryan Mosley) to Donald G. Walton Jr., Trustee(s), dated June 5, 2019, and recorded in Book No. 4958, at Page 200 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 468

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Paul Honegger, Amber Honegger (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Paul Honegger and Amber Honegger) to Miranda McKernan, Trustee(s), dated March 23, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 2626, at Page 797 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 11, 2021 and will sell to the

RANDOLPH 20 SP 260 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by David R. Shelley and Ida L. Shelley to Netco Title Insurance, Trustee(s), which was dated September 18, 2012 and recorded on September 28, 2012 in Book 2304 at Page 1730, Randolph 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 196

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Terry L. Pugh (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Terry L. Pugh, Heirs of Terry L. Pugh: Jolene Renee Gross) to Joan H. Anderson, Trustee(s), dated January 16, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 1748, at Page 0729 in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or

STANLY NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 105

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Alice Rebecca Fewell (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Alice Rebecca Fewell) to Louis A. Trosch, Trustee(s), dated October 8, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 1202, at Page 906 in Stanly 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 Stanly County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be

UNION AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 121

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Clayton A. Haile, Melanie S. Haile (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Clayton A. Haile and Melanie S. Haile) to Charles G. King, Trustee(s), dated February 14, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 13271, at Page 768 and re-recorded in Book No. 06905, at Page 0670 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 19-CVS-658 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION ANTHIUM, LLC, Plaintiff, v.

All Lawful Heirs of Lutricia A. Gainey a/k/a Lutricia Massey Gainey; et al, Defendants.

AMENDED NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Order filed on September 9, 2020, in the above-captioned matter and pursuant to applicable law, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. as Commissioner (the

WAKE 20 SP 2050 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 William T. Barton to First American Title, Trustee(s), which was dated April 14, 2009 and recorded on April 14, 2009 in Book 013480 at Page 02129, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY 20 SP 542 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Touchstone Group Inc., in the original amount of $322,500.00, payable to Angel Oak Prime Bridge, LLC, dated May 4, 2018 and recorded on May 4, 2018 in Book 17118, Page 2128, Wake County Registry.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door

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 March 11, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 28, Block C, of Cardinal Village Subdivision as shown on a plat designated, “Section 1, Cardinal Village Subdivision, Jacksonville, North Carolina”, prepared by L.T. Mercer, Registered Surveyor, dated August 27th, 1962, and recorded in Map Book 7, Page 76, Onslow County Registry, and to which map reference is made for a fuller and more accurate description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 113 Cardinal Road, Jacksonville, 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).

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: All that certain parcel of land situate in the township of Richlands, County of Onslow, State of North Carolina, being known and designated as Lot 9, as shown on that plat entitled, “Final plat prepared for Gregory Fork Acressection II, Richlands Township, Onslow County, North Carolina”, recorded in Map Book 41, Page 42, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 112 Wildcat 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 property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and

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 March 9, 2021 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF Randolph, STATE OF NC, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT NUMBER 70, 71, 72 AND 73 OF THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS C. J. MORGAN PROPERTY, AS PER PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 9, PAGE 102, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. Subject to all restrictions, reservations & easements now of record, if any.

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

the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Asheboro in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING TRACT NO. 1, of LITTLE RIVER ESTATES, Section III, as shown by plat of James L. Wright, R.L.S. dated April 30, 1986, recorded in Plat Book 26, Page 80, Randolph County Registry, said tract containing 5.04 acres, more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1466 River Run Drive, Asheboro, 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

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

Said property is commonly known as 4989 Collins St, Trinity, NC 27370.

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

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

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

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of David R. Shelley.

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.

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: 3965 - 13763

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: 3751 - 12353

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-11727-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,

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice

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

party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice

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

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice

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

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

Should the property be purchased by a third

party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

“Commissioner”) will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the Union County Courthouse, 500 North Main Street, Monroe, North Carolina, on March 11, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. that certain parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying and being in the County of Union, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property, to wit: Beginning at a point located in the centerline of Willoughby Road, the Southeast corner of Susie E. Houston Property, (Deed Book 290, Page 391); thence with Houston’s line and a line of Elnorah Massey property (Deed Book 112, Page 512) N. 24-37-07 W., passing an Old Iron at 27.70 feet distant from the beginning pint of this call, said Iron being located within the 50 foot right of way for Willoughby Road 353.01 feet to a set Iron, a common corner with the Elnorah Massey Property; thence two more lines with the Massey property as follows: 1st, N. 65-57-48 E. 123.87 feet to a set iron; 2nd, S. 24-27-06 E. 353.00 feet to a nail set in the centerline of Willoughby Road, passing a

set iron in the edge of the right of way. 30 feet distant from the end of this call; thence two lines along and with the centerline of Willoughby Road as follows: 1st, S. 7-41-42 W. 61.98 feet to a nail set in the centerline of the road; 2nd, S. 64-13-35 W. 61.94 feet to a nail set in the centerline of Willoughby Road. Being the point and place of beginning, according to a Boundary Survey and Plat thereof prepared

by Carroll L. Rushing, NCRLS, dated March 25, 1994.

Address of property: 922 Willoughby Road, Monroe, NC 28110 Parcel Number: 06006061 Present Record Owners: Heirs of Lutricia A. Gainey The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold to the highest bidder.

The Commissioner reserves the right to require certified funds not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). The successful bidder shall also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Commissioner’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. Section

7A-308(a)(1) unless the person entitled to enforce the instrument is exempt from paying these sums.

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

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 March 10, 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:

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.

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

foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on March 10, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Richfield in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that parcel of land in the Township of Harris, Stanly County, North Carolina, as more fully described in Deed Book 512, Page 677 ID# 662201279853, being known and designated as Lot 5 & 6, Block C, W.J. Fisher Subdivision, filed in Plat Book 5, Page 53, recorded 06/29/1960.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 111 Fisher Street, Richfield, North Carolina.By fee simple deed from B.R.S. Inc and set forth in Book 512, Page 677 dated 10/12/1992 and recorded 11/12/1992, Stanly County Records, State of 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

note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on March 11, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Matthews in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that a certain property situated in the Township of Vance in the County of Union and State of North Carolina.

Being more fully described in a Deed dated 11/10/1994 and recorded 11/14/1994, among the land records of the County and State set forth above, in Deed Volume 748 and Page 242. Tax Map or Parcel ID No.: 07132381 Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5029 Poplar Glen Drive, Matthews, North Carolina.

BEINGallofLotH-2,BerkshireDowns-WestSubdivision, Block H, Phase IV as shown on a Plat thereof recorded in Map Book 1986, Page 540, Wake County Registry.

Property Address: 8182 McGuire Drive, Raleigh, NC 276165650 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 8182 McGuire Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616.

in Wake County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on March 2, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of lot 65, Chestnut Hills Estates Subdivision, as shown on a map thereof recorded in Book of Maps 1959, Page 290, Wake County Registry.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 918 Wimbleton Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609. Tax ID: 0030921 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, or Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), whichever is greater. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven

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 William T. Barton.

Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner of the property is Touchstone Holding Group, LLC. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of

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

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.

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,

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

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: 2242 - 5000

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: 1278712 - 9734

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: 1197503 - 12836

and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Respectfully submitted this the 5th day of February, 2021.

HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP Attorneys for Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Commissioner Brandon M. Spleen, Esq. N.C. Bar No. 51156 Post Office Box 12497 Charlotte, NC 28220 Telephone: (704) 357-6262 Facsimile: (704) 357-6233

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 12-10519-FC02

party, the Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee Cameron D. Scott Morrow & Britton, PLLC 312 South Chester Street, Gastonia, NC 28052 Charlotte Office: 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: (704) 865-2897 Fax: (704) 271-9163 CScott@MorrowandBritton.com

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 21 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

Stanly County Journal

JESSE DEAL | STANLY COUNTY JOURNAL

Pictured is a tent, located at Stanly County Commons, which county health department officials have been using for its vaccine deployment and which will host a vaccination event on Feb. 25, 2021, to vaccinate 500 teachers and child care workers.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Stanly health dept. prepares for ‘Group 3’ vaccination event on Saturday

Officer shot at Arkansas McDonald’s; kidnapping suspect dies

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

Davidson County An Arkansas police officer was hospitalized in stable condition after being shot by a man who was kidnapping a 14-year-old North Carolina girl. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing. Two officers confronted William Robert Ice, 38, of Jackson Center, Pennsylvania, at a McDonalds, after his vehicle was connected to a North Carolina abduction.

Ice shot one of the officers. The girl fled from the vehicle and was secured by a state trooper.

Arkansas State Police, working with sheriff’s deputies in Davidson County and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation determined the girl had been kidnapped.

AP

Grocery store worker wins $200k Stanly County Anthony Griffin Jr. was already a Carolina Panthers fan, but now that he’s won $200,000 in a Carolina Panthers lottery scratch-off game, he has even more reason to love the team.

Griffin, who is a grocery store stock worker, bought the $5 ticket at Variety Pickup in Oakboro. After taxes, he took home $141,501.

WSOC

Body found in RV near speedway, death is ruled a homicide Mecklenburg County Authorities are calling a man’s death a homicide after his body was found in a recreational vehicle that was parked across from NASCAR’s Charlotte Motor Speedway. The victim was identified as Tyrus E. Winslow, 49, of Concord.

The body was reported to investigators on Sunday. They found Winslow in a “camper/ RV,” parked at the privately owned Glenwood Acres RV Park, across from the speedway. A cause of death has not been released. No events were scheduled at the speedway.

AP

ALBEMARLE — As the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations in Stanly County reaches 4,781 first doses and 1,418 second doses, the county’s health department is preparing to reach its goal of vaccinating 500 school personnel and childcare workers at a special event this Saturday.

The health department has identified eligible participants who fall under the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ category of Group 3 frontline essential workers; this includes the county’s childcare providers, teachers, bus drivers, maintenance staff and food service workers.

“We have a special teacher-focused day that we’ll be doing on the 27th at the Commons in partnership with Atrium Health and our school board,” county manager Andy Lucas told SCJ. “Right now, it’s our understanding that there are about 500 teachers and childcare workers that are seeking the vaccine in Stanly County, so it’s our goal to provide those shots this Saturday.”

“Right now, it’s our understanding that there are about 500 teachers and childcare workers that are seeking the vaccine in Stanly County, so it’s our goal to provide those shots this Saturday.”

Andy Lucas, Stanly County manager While officials are hoping to make headway with Saturday’s event, Stanly County health director David Jenkins says the priority going forward will still be on vaccinating the 65-and-older group as well as local healthcare workers who haven’t yet received the vaccine.

The bulk of the county’s vaccinations have transpired at a drive-thru setup in the Stanly County Commons parking lot outside of the health department,

Pfeiffer Univ. alum Machelle Sanders appointed as next NC Commerce secretary

By David Larson Stanly County Journal MISENHEIMER — On Feb. 12, 2021, Gov. Roy Cooper announced that he was appointing Machelle Sanders as his next secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce, replacing Tony Copeland who departed at the end of January. Raised in Belhaven, Sanders is a native of North Carolina who has a connection to Stanly County, having received her Master of Health Administration at Pfeiffer University. Before being tapped for the role leading Commerce, Sanders served as the secretary for the Department of Administration. She has served in this role since Jan. 12, 2017.

“Machelle has been an outstanding leader in this administration, and I am grateful that she is willing to take on this new role and continue to serve our great state,” said Cooper in a press release. “Her strong background as

a business leader and her extensive knowledge of what it takes to build a globally competitive workforce will serve North Carolina well as we attract better paying jobs, help small businesses and stimulate our innovation and entrepreneurial economy.”

In her career, Sanders worked as an executive for pharmaceutical and bio-technology companies, including at Research Triangle Park’s Biogen, in the Raleigh-Durham area, as well as with Purdue Pharmaceuticals and Diosynth-Akzo Nobel.

Her leadership roles at health research companies built up her experience as someone seen as capable of operating in the corporate sphere.

“I am humbled and excited about leading the N.C. Department of Commerce at this critical time in our state’s history. In this role, I plan to execute on a bold vision for economic restoration and progress for our state and its peo-

an arrangement that Jenkins refers to simply as “the tent.” Those who have successfully qualified to receive a vaccine can pick a time slot and drive up to the tent, where they can receive a shot without exiting their vehicles.

So far, the county has been averaging over 300 appointments per day.

“We have the potential to do probably 400, capacity-wise, but we’ve definitely worked our way up,” Jenkins told SCJ. “We still have a few technology issues we’re trying to work out….we’re trying to streamline it to where it’s just one system to capture it all out here with our iPads.”

Jenkins says that his team has been making the gradual transition from doing all the COVID-19 testing in the county to contracting with other agencies for testing assistance, allowing the health department to focus more on the vaccination process.

“I know Moose Pharmacy, CVS and Walgreens are getting it worked out to get doses so it will likely expand that way so we don’t hold the entire burden of trying to get everybody vaccinated. The

ple in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sanders. “My top priority is to marry innovation and strong leadership to create promising conditions for economic recovery and opportunity.”

Sanders says working to lift up women is especially important to her as the mother of twin daughters. During her time at Biogen, Sanders started a “Women’s Innovation Network” and currently serves on a number of boards and commissions on diversity and inclusion within Cooper’s administration.

“Building a strong team of dedicated public servants and experts, and creating a culture of equity, inclusion, and excellence will ensure that the agency remains committed to these goals,” Sanders said. “I look forward to leading with purpose to achieve results consistent with Governor Cooper’s promise to make this a state that works for everyone.”

Mark Edwards, the current deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Administration, will fill in as interim secretary at the DOA with Sanders leaving for her new role.

SCJ reached out to Pfeiffer University for comment on the appointment of one of their MHA graduates but did not hear back by time of publication.

sooner we get more people vaccinated, the better off we’ll be,” Jenkins said.

As of the county’s Feb. 22 COVID-19 data, the NCDHHS is reporting 69 new positive cases that included a total of 6,409 cases; there are currently 12 hospitalizations and 128 overall deaths.

While the health department is making progress, after initially struggling with a lack of manpower to run the vaccination tent and phone lines, it has put a pause on its routine public health clinics — the hope is that those clinics will be able to resume as soon as possible. Overall, Jenkins is pleased with the community’s ability to come together to make a “team effort.”

“We’ve got a couple temporary nurses and volunteers from Stanly Community College who have stepped up, so we really appreciate them. We also have a few people from EMS who have helped fill in,” he said. “It’s all hands on deck from all our programs. This is obviously something we’re not used to and don’t have a playbook for, but we just have to figure it out as we go.”

“I am humbled and excited about leading the NC Department of Commerce at this critical time in our state’s history. In this role, I plan to execute on a bold vision for economic restoration and progress for our state and its people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Secretary Machelle Sanders

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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N. Carolina to see further delays in vaccine delivery

By Bryan Anderson The Associated Press RALEIGH — President Joe Biden’s administration told North Carolina and other states on Friday afternoon that they will see further delays in shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses.

North Carolina public health officials said they now expect more deliveries of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to resume at the start of next week. The state health department also warned that some providers may choose not to go forward with plans to vaccinate teachers and school staff once eligibility opens up to that group on Wednesday.

Severe winter weather has fueled delays across the country, causing tens of thousands of North Carolinians scheduled to be vaccinated this week to have their appointments pushed back.

“What we are being informed

by Operation Warp Speed is that shipments are being held by the producers and distributors until they are sure shipments won’t be delayed,” the department said

in a statement to The Associated Press late Friday morning. “To our knowledge, operations are being planned to help ensure spoilage isn’t an issue. We understand Operation Warp Speed is closely monitoring and coordinating across the supply chain.”

First doses typically arrive in North Carolina on Tuesdays and Wednesday, while second doses arrive on Thursdays and Fridays.

First doses that had been expected to arrive this week but were not shipped are now scheduled to be delivered to North Carolina providers between Monday and Wednesday of next week.

Data provided by the state on Thursday showed 41,925 of the roughly 127,000 Pfizer vaccines expected to arrive this week had left the manufacturer or distributor.

None of the more than 163,000 expected Moderna doses had been delivered.

The delay could affect North Carolina’s transition to its third phase of vaccine distribution, which expands eligibility on Wednesday to child care workers, preK-12 educators and school staff. A far more ex-

SARAH BLAKE MORGAN | AP PHOTO

In this Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 photo, a man rolls up his sleeve and prepares to receive the COVID-19 vaccine inside the hospital belonging to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, in Cherokee. pansive group of “frontline essential workers” ranging from mail carriers to elected officials are scheduled to become eligible for the vaccine starting March 10.

It’s unclear how many providers will delay the implementation of the Phase 3 rollout in order to meet the high demand among those currently eligible for a shot but still un-

vaccinated. Health care workers and people over age 65 can presently get the vaccine, though some have struggled to book and come in for an initial appointment.

Next week’s federal allocations of doses expected to arrive during the same time period as the delayed shipments, according to the state health department.

ALBEMARLE POLICE DEPARTMENT The Albemarle Police Department has unclaimed property items that are in the custody of the Department and gives notice to all persons who may have or claim any interest therein to make and establish such claim or interest not later than 30 days from the date of publication of such notice or in default thereof, such articles will be disposed of. Bicycles will be donated to a local charity. The police department may be contacted by calling 704984-9506. Be prepared to give a detailed description of the item in order to make a claim.

Unclaimed items are listed below:

stanlyjournal.com

Stanly County Journal

Air Freshener Assorted Tools Moped Assorted Clothing Hats Shoes Registration Plate Tool Box Slingshot

Hair Clippers Antenna Power Cords Handguns Assorted Jewelry EBT Cards Radio Bags/Backpacks Debit/Credit Cards

US Currency Purses Wallets Driver Licenses ID Cards Revolvers Cell Phones Boxes with assorted items Bicycles

Various Weapons Magazines Ammo DVD Player Movies Pocket Knives Lighter Machette Box Cutter

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

Upcoming Stanly County GOP events Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday, March 18th at 6 p.m.

Location: American Legion Hall (fairgrounds) Tickets are $30 each *Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is keynote speaker

Stanly County GOP Convention Saturday, March 27th at 10 a.m.

Location: the Commons

♦ Wilson, Tristan Vanhess (B M, 34) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Heroin (M), at 2344 EMain St, Albemarle, on 02/15/2021 ♦ Hill, Zabaian Cordarius (B M, 29) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), at 925 PeeDee Av/n Tenth St, Albemarle, on 02/15/2021 ♦ Crump, Abria Nicole (B F, 29) Arrest on chrg of Injury To Personal Property, M (M),at 219 S Bell Av/amhurst St, Albemarle, on 02/15/2021 ♦ Villarreal, Leslie Mae (F, 19) Arrested on Citation of Reckless Driving To Endanger(21-00661), at 219 S Bell Av/amhurst St, Albemarle, on 02/15/202 ♦ Duncan, Johnnie Edward (B /M/32) Arrest on chrg of Poss Stolen Goods/prop (m) (M), at 222 N Main St, Norwood, NC, on 2/19/2021 ♦ Huntley, Jennifer Leann (W F, 38) Arrest on chrg of Shoplifting Concealment Goods,M (M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 02/17/2021 ♦ Gainey, Corinne Sharnel (B F, 42) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats, M (M), at710 Henson St, Albemarle, on 02/17/2021 ♦ Mcauley, Abdul-malik Kabir (B M, 21) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Marijuana (F), at1420 Us 52 North, Albemarle, on 02/17/2021 ♦ Harris, Jailen Rajon (B M, 24) Arrest on chrg of Trafficking,opium Or Heroin, F (F),at Uharrie Pharmacy, Albemarle, on 02/17/2021 ♦ Newton, Jerry Ladon (W M, 45) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 1608Liberty Av, Albemarle, on 02/22/2021 ♦ Corne, Deana Marie (W F, 34) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny, M (M), at 781Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 02/17/2021 ♦ Outen, Christopher Ray (W M,

Scissors Flashlight Razor Blades Power Bank Key Chains Jackets Cameras Camera Equipment

DEATH NOTICES 49) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats, M (M), at516 Graham St, Albemarle, on 02/21/2021 ♦ Brown, Wendy Marie (W F, 44) Arrest on chrg of Assault With Deadly Weapon (m)(M), at 1608 Liberty Av, Albemarle, on 02/22/2021 ♦ Boyd, Earl Hunter (B M, 43) Arrest on chrg of Simple Assault, M (M), at 1952 WMain St, Albemarle, on 02/21/2021 ♦ Harkey, Carl Edward (W M, 88) Arrested on Citation of Reckless Drvg-wantonDisregard (2100737), at 833 Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 02/21/202 ♦ Glover, Maurice Antoine (B /M/32) Arrest on chrg of Poss Stolen Goods/prop (m) (M), at 222 N Main St, Norwood, on 2/19/2021 ♦ Duncan, Johnnie Edward (B /M/32) Arrest on chrg of Poss Stolen Goods/prop (m) (M), at 222 N Main St, Norwood, NC, on 2/19/2021 ♦ Townsend, Taris Deandra (B M, 35) Arrest on chrg of Possession Of Controlled SubPrison/jail, F (F), at 309 Groves Av, Albemarle, on 02/22/2021 ♦ Paige, Dennis Reid (W /M/71) Arrest on chrg of Assault With Deadly Weapon (m) (M), at Old Aquadale Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 2/19/2021 ♦ Hunnicutt, Jesse Dixon (W /M/52) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), 2) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), and 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 30557 Cane Drive, Albemarle, NC, on 2/19/2021 ♦ Morton, Caitlyn Marie (W /F/20) Arrest on chrg of Larceny By Employee (F), at Scj, Albemarle, NC, on 2/18/2021 ♦ Townsend, Taris Deandra (B M, 35) Arrest on chrg of Awdw Intent To Kill, F (F), at309 Groves Av, Albemarle, on 02/22/2021

♦ Mabry, Mary Julianna (B /F/20) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats (M), at 233 Montgomery Ave, Albemarle, NC, on 2/18/2021 ♦ Tillman, Christopher Maurice (B /M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Trafficking In Methamphetamine (F), 2) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 4) Carrying Concealed Gun (m) (M), at 593 Fork Rd/acorn Acres Rd, Norwood, NC, on 2/17/2021 ♦ Bennett, Latavias Shanell (B /F/38) Arrest on chrg of 1) Trafficking In Methamphetamine (F), 2) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 4) Child Abuse (m) (M), at 593 Fork Rd/acorn Acres Rd, Norwood, NC, on 2/17/2021 ♦ Crompton, Danielle Michelle (W /F/40) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 28745 Valley Dr, Albemarle, NC, on 2/17/2021 ♦ Watson, Chad Alan (W /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Flee/elude Arrest W/mv (f) (F), at 44305 Nc 740 Hwy, New London, NC, on 2/16/2021 ♦ Carter, Harold Wayne (WM, 53) Arrest for Resisting Public Officer, (M), at HARRINGTON, D 1311 Springhaven Cir, Albemarle, 011 02/ 19/2021. ♦ Cooper, Zacke1y Elijah (WM, 20) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired (M), at 720 Ne 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 02/19/2021. ♦ Bebber, Esco Mcdowd (W M, 38) Arrest on chrg of Larceny Of Motor Vehicle (f) (F),at 2344 E Main St, Albemarle, on 02/22/2021 ♦ Carter, Harold Wayne (WM, 53) Arrest on charge of Simple Assault (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, on 02/19/2021.

♦ Bryce Davis Holbrook, 88, of Stanfield, passed away February 11. ♦ Mildred Wheless Gibson, 86, of Albemarle, passed away February 15. ♦ Kyle Wayne Hill, Jr, 49, of Albemarle, passed away February 15. ♦ Mitchelene Beatrice Whitley Tate, 78, of Locust, passed away February 15. ♦ Sandra “Sandy” Bryant Floyd, 86, of Stanfield, passed away February 15. ♦ Ruby Geraldine Hatley, 90, of Locust, passed away February 15. ♦ Frances Kay Morgan Little, 79, of Locust, passed away February 16. ♦ Mary Ann Hatley Huneycutt, 65, of Albemarle, passed away February 16. ♦ James Everett Vick, 85, of New London, passed away February 16. ♦ David Eugene McIntyre, 67, of Albemarle, passed away February 18. ♦ Thelma “Penny” Louise Poplin Tucker, 83, of Oakboro, passed away February 19. ♦ Doris Pauline Edwards, 80, of New London, passed away February 19. ♦ Sylvia Pearline Huneycutt, 60, of Albemarle, passed away February 20.

See OBITS, page 7

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

3

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Touring vaccine deployment locations

Seeing the vaccine rollout in our community firsthand provides valuable feedback on what our region needs.

AS WE CONTINUE to grapple with this pandemic and work to improve our vaccination efforts, I toured two vaccine deployment locations in Harnett and Moore counties last week. These visits are important for me to learn what’s happening here at home, so when I go to Washington, I am able to advocate for the needs of our community. I also visited a Cabarrus County vaccination site earlier this month and will continue keeping in touch with our county officials and local health providers to stay up to date with how to best serve our region.

While at Harnett Central Middle School in Angier, I received an update from Harnett County Health Department Director John Rouse, Emergency Services Director Larry Smith, County Manager Paula Stewart, County Commission Vice-Chair Lew Weatherspoon and County Commission Chairman Brooks Matthews. The day I was there, the middle school administered 980 doses, getting vaccines in arms at a rate of 200 per hour. This was the first time this mass deployment had been used at the middle school on a day when students were in virtual learning. It’s amazing to see how successful it was and important for us to know that this method can be used in the future as more doses of vaccine become available.

In Moore County, I toured the Fair Barn, which is being used as a vaccination site, and received an update from First Health CEO Mickey Foster and First Health CMO Dr. Jennifer Bruno. We discussed the challenges with getting enough doses in areas like Moore County where the population of people aged 65 and older makes up nearly a quarter of the county, much higher than the average statewide. It is critical for our district to protect our seniors, and I will work with my federal partners and the

governor to make sure we have adequate supply across our state.

At both vaccine sites, I discussed efforts I have helped with to ensure the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services now gives providers three-weeks’ notice of how many doses to expect, as opposed to the oneweek’s notice that they were previously providing.

North Carolina has administered 1.5 million doses so far and received $95 million from the latest COVID-19 relief legislation passed in December. In our district, the vaccine statistics look like this: • • • • • • •

Cabarrus County: 22,350 people have been vaccinated.

Stanly County: 5,500 people have been vaccinated.

Montgomery County: 3,900 people have been vaccinated.

Moore County: 11,725 people have been vaccinated.

Lee County: 8,750 people have been vaccinated.

Harnett County: 17,200 people have been vaccinated.

Cumberland County: 35,700 people have been vaccinated.

We still have a lot of work to do, but working together we will get there. Seeing the vaccine rollout in our community firsthand provides valuable feedback on what our region needs. I commend the leaders in our counties for working together across health departments, EMS, school systems and other entities to successfully administer vaccines.

Rest assured, I will continue to work with the governor and at the federal level to ensure you, your family and our communities get the vaccine doses and resources we need.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

It’s time to uncancel Americans

Carano’s cancellation came the same week as the cancellation of “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison.

This week, actress Gina Carano made headlines when Disney+ and Lucasfilm decided to cancel her from their hit series “The Mandalorian” over controversial social media posts. It is perfectly obvious that the corporations had been looking for an excuse to get rid of Carano thanks to her conservative politics — The Hollywood Reporter uncovered a source who snarked, “They have been looking for a reason to fire her for two months, and today was the final straw.”

What, precisely, was Carano’s sin? After the 2020 election, she put up a social media post decrying voter fraud and then put up a post referring disparagingly to elite-driven mask culture. This week, she put up a post pointing out that the Holocaust did not begin with mass murder but with neighbors turning on one another thanks to politics. The Holocaust comparison may have been overwrought, but it was certainly not anti-Semitic.

“Nonetheless,” Lucasfilm stated, “her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.”

Carano’s cancellation came the same week as the cancellation of “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison. Harrison’s sin: He said that one of the contestants on this season of “The Bachelor” ought to be given “a little grace” over having attended a sorority party with an antebellum theme several years ago. Harrison said, “I have seen some stuff online — this judge, jury, executioner thing — where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart and diving into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting record. It’s unbelievably alarming to watch this.” And the woke authoritarians emerged to deem him racist.

Carano’s and Harrison’s responses, however, were polar opposites.

Harrison immediately kowtowed to the mob. He issued a mewling statement, no doubt at the behest of his corporate overlords, in which he suggested that he is now following

RICHARD SHOTWELL | INVISION | AP, FILE

In this Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, file photo, Gina Carano attends the LA premiere of “The Mandalorian” at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.

a “path to anti-racism” and explaining, “My words were harmful. I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you.” Not a single person could have explained how asking for “a little grace” for a young woman who had sinned by wearing a Scarlett O’Hara-style dress had harmed anybody. But that didn’t matter. The only one harmed was Harrison, whose apology was deemed insufficient. He has self-banished to the cornfield for at least this season, and maybe forever.

Carano, by contrast, took down the Holocaust post because she realized it was overwrought. But she didn’t apologize. And, more importantly, she made a ballsy move: She signed a deal with my company, The Daily Wire, to produce and star in a new film.

She explained: “I am sending out a direct message of hope to everyone living in fear of cancellation by the totalitarian mob. I have

only just begun using my voice which is now freer than ever before, and I hope it inspires others to do the same. They can’t cancel us if we don’t let them.”

We at The Daily Wire are dedicated to that simple proposition. It’s time for the American people to stop allowing themselves to be canceled. The institutions of American culture are arrayed against individuals who think differently, from Hollywood to corporate America to the establishment media. But dissenters can band together, too, and support one another. Those who believe in open dialogue — people across the political aisle — need to come together. Otherwise, the authoritarians will continue their march toward woke dystopia.

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.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NASCAR

Ganassi suspended, fined $30K for bringing guest to pits Daytona Beach, Fla. Chip Ganassi was fined $30,000 and suspended one race for bringing a guest into the NASCAR pit area at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR said the team owner violated its COVID-19 guidelines by bringing a nonessential individual into the restricted competition area. Ganassi cannot return to competition areas Sunday at HomesteadMiami Speedway. NASCAR expanded its bubble beginning with the Daytona 500 to permit team owners into the garage; they were not considered essential personnel last season and had to watch races from a suite on the other side of the track.

MLB

Stan Williams, champion as Dodgers pitcher, Reds coach, dies at 84 Los Angeles Stan Williams, the fearsome All-Star pitcher who helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1959 World Series, has died.

He was 84. Williams died Saturday at his home in Laughlin, Nevada after being hospitalized on Feb. 11. Williams also won a World Series title in 1990 as pitching coach with the Cincinnati Reds. The twotime All-Star right-hander, known as the “Big Hurt” because of his penchant for pitching inside, had a record of 109-94 and a 3.48 ERA during his 14-year career in the majors.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Northwestern linebacker Fisher wins Lott Trophy Newport Beach, Calif.

Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which goes to college football’s defensive player who has made the biggest impact on his team, on Sunday. Fisher, a senior from Texas who was named Big Ten linebacker of the year, had 86 tackles, 4 1/2 for loss, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the 2020 season. The other finalists were Talanoa Hufanga of Southern California, Joseph Ossai of Texas, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of Notre Dame, Tarron Jackson of Coastal Carolina, and Patrick Surtain II of Alabama.

NFL

Kansas City quarterback Mahomes, fiancée welcome baby girl Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his fiancéé, Brittany Matthews, are parents to a girl.

Matthews announced the Sunday birth of Sterling Skye Mahomes in a tweet.

The birth came two weeks after Mahomes and Kansas City lost 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. Mahomes and Matthews had announced their engagement in September, the Kansas City Star reported. The next month, the couple used their dogs as part of a gender reveal, and Mahomes tweeted that he was going to be a #GirlDad.

JOHN RAOUX | AP PHTO

Christopher Bell stands on his car and celebrates in front of the grandstands after winning the NASCAR Cup Series road course auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Bell snags first Cup victory at Daytona road course Joe Gibbs Racing capped off a successful weekend with a win in the season’s second race

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Give him good cars and Christopher Bell will win races. But in his second race? With a new team? That seemed unlikely.

Bell defied the odds Sunday and earned his first career Cup series victory — in just his second race since Joe Gibbs Racing pulled him back into its inner circle — to close out an unpredictable week of racing at Daytona International Speedway.

Michael McDowell was the surprise Daytona 500 winner and then Bell earned an earlier-than-expected first trip to Victory Lane. It’s just the third

time in NASCAR history the first two races of the season were won by first-time winners. It was previously done in 1949 and 1950 — NASCAR’s first two seasons.

More important, Bell and McDowell have snagged coveted berths in the 16-driver playoff field, a troubling trend for midpack teams that need all 26 regular-season races to point their way into the championship picture. Race winners earn automatic berths and the remaining spots are decided by the points standings.

“The dynamic has changed dramatically,” Brad Keselowski said. “We’re very early in the season and it’s now turned into a points race for those last few spots. If you don’t win, you’re in a lot of trouble because it’s not looking like you’re going to be able to get in the playoffs.”

Bell chased down Joey Logano on the winding Daytona road

2 First-time Cup Series winners in the first two races of the 2021 season, the third time in history it has happened. The first two times were in NASCAR’s first two seasons in 1949 and 1950. course to grab his first victory.

Logano had a commanding lead but Bell, on fresher tires than Logano, reeled him in and passed him with just over one lap remaining.

“This is one of the highlights of my life,” Bell said. “I’ve prepared my whole life for this moment to race in the Cup Series.”

The 26-year-old Oklahoman is a longtime Toyota development driver who won 16 Xfinity Se-

ries races driving for Gibbs. But there’s only four Cup seats in the organization and they were full last season when it was time to move Bell to the big leagues.

He was instead loaned to Leavine Family Racing, and although it was also a Toyota team, the one-car operation wasn’t nearly as strong as the Gibbs group. Team owner Joe Gibbs last summer decided not to renew Erik Jones, who said he was blindsided by the move, and instead bring Bell back into the fold.

It put the pressure on Bell to deliver and he did after a rocky opening a week ago. Bell was running at the front of the Daytona 500 pack when he gave Aric Almirola too big of a shove and triggered a 16-car crash on just the 14th lap of NASCAR’s first race of the season.

Bell’s win bookended a statement weekend for JGR’s young drivers. Ty Gibbs, the 18-yearold grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, won the Xfinity Series race Saturday night in his first career national series start.

McDowell, meanwhile, backed up his Daytona 500 win with a career-best road course finish of eighth.

Archer eager to reestablish himself with AL champion Rays The Clayton High School alumnus is back with Tampa Bay

By Fred Goodall The Associated Press CHRIS ARCHER is back in familiar surroundings, eager to re-establish himself with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 32-year-old right-hander is three seasons removed from a being a two-time All-Star and the ace of a rotation the AL champions are revamping after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series last fall.

Archer, who went to Clayton High School and was with Tampa Bay from 2012 to 2018, signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract to rejoin the Rays after missing all of the 2020 pandemic-shortened season with the Pittsburgh Pirates while recovering from surgery to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

The Rays, who have made the playoffs the past two seasons, traded him to the Pirates on July 31, 2018, as part of a deal that brought Tampa Bay right-hander Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Austin Meadows and minor league pitching prospect Shane Baz. Archer hasn’t pitched in a major league game since August 2019.

He went 6-12 with a 4.92 ERA over

33 starts with Pittsburgh and is excited to have a second chance with his former team, which continues to make additions to the pitching staff.

Veteran right-hander Collin McHugh, who opted out of last season with Boston while recovering from a flexor strain in his pitching arm, finalized a $1.8 million, oneyear deal announced Monday.

Meanwhile, free agent reliever Chaz Roe re-signed for one-year, $1.15 million after missing most of 2020 with elbow soreness.

To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handers Yonny Chirinos (Tommy John surgery) and Oliver Drake (right flexor tendon strain) were placed on the 60-day injured list.

Archer jokes it was good to not need to use GPS to find his way to spring training in Port Charlotte, Florida.

“The familiarity, the comfort is amazing. ... There are some new players, some new faces on the players side, but the staff is pretty much the same,” Archer said.

“It’s kind of a cool dynamic.

There are some younger guys who have some admiration for me, but I have a lot of admiration for what these guys have done these last two years,” he added. “It’s a really nice balance.”

Archer is 60-80 with a 3.86 ERA in 212 career appearances over portions of eight seasons. He was an

GAIL BURTON | AP PHOTO

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 27, 2018, in Baltimore.

“The familiarity, the comfort is amazing. ... There are some new players, some new faces on the players side, but the staff is pretty much the same.”

Chris Archer, Rays pitcher All-Star with the Rays in 2015 and 2017 and ranks fourth on the club’s career list in wins (54), third in innings pitched (1,063) and second in starts (177) and strikeouts (1,146).

“We’re all very excited for Arch.

He seems to be in a really good spot physically, mentally,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s got an infectious personality I think can really be a benefit to a group of play-

ers that are a lot like him and like to come to the ballpark to compete and play.”

Archer has been a full participant in workouts since reporting to camp and is targeting the first week of March for his first exhibition appearance.

“It’s penciled in,” the righthander, vying for a spot in a rotation replacing two starters after declining an option on right-hander Charlie Morton and trading lefty Blake Snell — moves that thrust Glasnow into the role of No. 1 starter.

“My gratitude obviously comes from being healthy ... but also just the opportunity to do what we do,” said Archer, who rehabbed away from the Pirates in California.

“Each day that went by, and as my health got better,” he added of his time away from the game last summer, “I continued to get hungrier and hungrier.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

HOMETOWN HARDWOOD

5

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

ALBEMARLE (0-0, 0-0 YVC) AT CHATHAM CENTRAL (0-0, 0-0 YVC)

ALBEMARLE (6-6, 3-5 YVC) Feb. 16

at North Stanly

L, 82-65

Feb. 19

Cabarrus Charter

W, 57-56

Bear Creek | Friday, Feb. 26 The Bulldogs, 5-8 overall a year ago and 4-2 in the YVC, open their season with what should be a good warm-up against Chatham Central. The Bears were 1-10 a year ago, with their only win coming in the season finale against North Moore. Chatham Central allowed nearly 51 points per game last season while scoring just 190 total (17.3 per game). Albemarle won 55-9 at home last season

6:30 p.m.

End of season GRAY STONE DAY (0-10, 0-8 YVC) Feb. 16

South Stanly

L, 55-34

Feb. 19

at South Davidson

L, 54-35

End of season NORTH STANLY (9-2, 8-0 YVC) Feb. 16

Albemarle

After Press

NORTH STANLY (0-0, 0-0 YVC) AT WEST STANLY (0-0, 0-0 RRC)

Feb. 19

at South Stanly

7:30 p.m.

Norwood | Friday, Feb. 26

Feb. 23

Pine Lake Preparatory*

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

Research Triangle**

The Comets and Colts will each open their seasons with a cross-conference, cross-county matchup. North Stanly was 7-6 last season and 5-1 in the YVC, advancing to the second round of the 1A playoffs. West Stanly is coming off an 8-3 season (2-2 RRC) that saw it lose it’s final three games, ending with a first-round playoff loss at home to Charles D. Owen. The Colts blanked the Comets 42-0 in New London last season.

Feb. 25 at Mitchell/

SOUTH STANLY (4-9, 3-5 YVC) Feb. 16

at Gray Stone Day

W, 55-34

Feb. 19

South Davidson

W, 65-54

Feb. 19

North Stanly

L, 70-51

End of season

SOUTH STANLY (0-0, 0-0 YVC) VS. SOUTH DAVIDSON (0-0, 0-0 YVC)

WEST STANLY (11-1, 8-1 RRC)

Norwood | Friday, Feb. 26

Feb. 16

at Forest Hills

L, 68-51

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 19

Forest Hills

L, 63-54

Feb. 23

Atkins*

7 p.m.

The Rebel Bulls were 5-7 a year ago, finishing fourth in the YVC at 3-3. That was enough to earn South Stanly a berth in the 1A playoffs, but it was beaten 50-20 by North Stanly in the first round. South Davidson was just 1-10 a season ago, with the Wildcats’ only victory coming against fellow one-win YVC team Chatham Central. Last year’s game between the teams was tight, however, with South Stanly managing to eke out a 20-14 win.

Feb. 25 at Hendersonville/

7 p.m.

Ledford Senior**

*NCHSAA first-round playoff game *NCHSAA second-round playoff game, if necessary

North Stanly, West Stanly basketball teams included in state playoffs Both the Comets’ boys’ and girls’ team reached the postseason, and the Colts’ boys’ team earned a bid after a one-loss regular season

By Jesse Deal The Associated Press

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI | AP PHOTO

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin is taking a leave of absence after a Russian tabloid printed allegations from a former coach that he attacked an 18-year-old woman in Latvia in 2011. Panarin denied the allegations in a statement released by the Rangers.

Panarin denies Russian report, takes time away from Rangers “This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.”

New York Rangers statement on accusations from Russia against winger Artemi Panarin

The star winger has been critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising speculation the accusation is politically motivated

By Stephen Whyno The Associated Press NEW YORK RANGERS star Artemi Panarin is taking a leave of absence from the team after a Russian tabloid printed allegations from a former coach that he attacked a woman in Latvia almost a decade ago, which he denies.

Andrei Nazarov, a former NHL enforcer who coached Panarin in the Kontinental Hockey League, told Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda in a story published Saturday that Panarin attacked an 18-year-old Latvian woman in a hotel bar in the Latvian capital of Riga following a game in December 2011.

Nazarov told the tabloid that Panarin knocked the woman to the floor with “several powerful blows.” Nazarov added that he later heard that the Latvian authorities looked into the inci-

dent but that no action was taken after “authoritative” locals negotiated with the police not to pursue the case, allegedly after money changed hands.

Nazarov said he was motivated to speak about the alleged incident because he disagreed with Panarin’s repeated criticism of the Russian government. Panarin played for Nazarov with Vityaz Chekhov from 2010-2012.

“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story,” the Rangers said in a statement Monday. “This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events. Artemi is obviously shaken and concerned and will take some time away from the team. The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these unfounded allegations.”

Panarin has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and last month posted his support on social media for opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was arrested last month upon returning to Moscow and was sentenced to two

years and eight months in prison for violating terms of his probation.

Panarin, 29, has played in the NHL since 2015 and was a finalist for the league’s MVP award last season. He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2016 with Chicago where he played two seasons, went to Columbus for two more and then signed an $81.5 million, seven-year contract with New York in 2019.

Rangers teammate Ryan Strome praised Panarin as a person and role model for him and other young players.

“I think ‘Bread’ knows how much we love him, how much we care for him, how much we appreciate what he does for us,” Strome said. “We wish for the best for him and obviously give him his time to get things straightened out.”

Panarin leads the Rangers with 18 points on five goals and 13 assists. They next play Wednesday against Philadelphia.

Coach David Quinn said he and his players spoke about Panarin’s absence before practice Monday.

“We’re going to help Artemi through this difficult time,” Quinn said. “You have to continue to unite as a team. It’s hard to overcome losing a player like Artemi from a hockey standpoint, but we’ve got to find a way to do it.”

ALBEMARLE — With the release of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s basketball state playoff brackets this past Sunday, it was announced that a few schools from Stanly County were included in this year’s tournament.

The North Stanly boys’ and girls’ teams along with the West Stanly boys’ team all made the cut; the three squads were each set to face their first-round opponents Tuesday night.

The eighth-seeded North Stanly boys (11-2, 8-0 Yadkin Valley Conference) were scheduled to host ninth-seeded Pine Lake Preparatory (14-1, 14-1 PAC 7 Conference) in the state 1A bracket.

The Comets entered the postseason with plenty of momentum. Despite los- “Proud of ing their two nonconference matchups to start the season (versus West Stanly my guys and and Forest Hills), the Comets respond- their hard ed by reeling off 11 consecutive victories and claiming a YVC championship work and with their undefeated conference play. the way they On the girls’ side of the 1A bracket, play for each the No. 14 Comets (7-3, 6-2 YVC), traveled to Murphy to take on third-seeded other every Hiwassee Dam (8-4, 5-1 Little Smoky night.”

Mountain Conference).

The North Stanly girls ended their regular season on a hot streak, win- John ning six of their final seven matchups Thompson, and placing third in the YVC standWest Stanly ings behind North Rowan (9-2, 9-0 YVC) and Uwharrie Charter Acade- boys’ my (7-2, 6-1 YVC). In the Comets’ final basketball game of the season, they recorded a 54coach 41 road victory over South Stanly (4-6, 3-5 YVC). The win was a bounce-back game for the Comets after previously suffering a 61-49 loss to Uwharrie Charter Academy.

Tuesday night also featured a playoff matchup for the eighth-seeded West Stanly Colts (11-1, 8-1 Rocky River Conference), who hosted the ninth-seeded Atkins Camels (12-1, 12-1 Western Piedmont Conference) in the boys’ 2A bracket.

The Colts had a successful regular season in which they were crowned RRC co-champions along with Forest Hills (10-2 9-1 RRC).

“This is one of only four regular season championships in school history and the first since 2002,” West Stanly head coach John Thompson posted on his Facebook page.

“Proud of my guys and their hard work and the way they play for each other every night.”

In order to determine which RRC team would claim the conference’s No. 1 seed for the state playoff bracket, West Stanly squared off with Forest Hills in a one-game tiebreaker on Feb. 19. The Colts had defeated the Yellow Jackets 59-54 back on Jan. 13, while Yellow Jackets returned the favor and beat the Colts 68-51 on Feb. 16. West Stanly responded to that loss with a 63-54 win in the tiebreaker game to ensure a favorable seed in the state playoffs.

ment. area.”

EMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced For Nutbush resident He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to fear of contracting the itals, states across the country matched with the worry th the24, virus. onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2021 “All around, people are scared,” could lose stores that are ts facilities and performance the neighborhood. Offici he said. es into backup treatment sites Their fears are not unfounded. ven’t said if stores would oronavirus patients.

In this majority-black city along the Gateway facility was What some Memphis, Tenthe Mississippi River, lawmakers If they did, shopping wo e, residents don’t get is why in and community leaders have been come more difficult for re r city, a shopping center in the sounding the alarm over what they especially for those who ar dle of a predominantly black, see as a disturbing trend of the vi- have no means of transpo income residential neighborrus killing African Americans at a to stores located farther aw d has been chosen.

“For people who don’t higher rate. ty and state officials are conNutbush resident Patricia Har- car, what do they do?” ask ed that By anMark influx of patients part, comparing the situation to demic.

Sherman “I guess I would say in closing Christie’s “Murder on the Orient The Associated Press ris wondered aloud if city officials ris, who spoke to The Ass m Memphis, as well as nearby it’s hard to imagine New England Express.” were “trying to contaminate” the Press while lugging a bott sissippi, Arkansas and rural “A lot of things took a stab at without lobsters or, say, the ChesaWASHINGTON, D.C. — The tergent, a package of bott neighborhood.

Tennessee, will strain hospiSupreme Court tried Monday to the fishery...But you can’t say that peake without crabs, but, in effect, ter and other items from t Activist Earle Fisher, an AfriTheir fears are echoed across Apalachicola inject some mystery into its sec- any one of those things is respon- that’s a future that ADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot to her car. She note can American Memphis pastor, country:ondGovernors, mayors consideration of a long-run- sible for killing the fishery,” Rob- now faces when it comes to its oysgrocery store recently clos understands the anxiety.

“This health ning experts in numerous Gateway Shopping Center ters and other species,” Garre said. erts said.April 3, 2020 photo, shows dispute between GeorgiaThis and Friday, PHIL SEARS | AP PHOTO Last year, the Florida Fish and Justice Clarence Thomas gave Florida over water that flows from her house and she already is an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn.

Wildlife Conservation Commisthe dispute between the two states, the Atlanta suburbs to the Gulf of In this Aug. 13, 2013, file photo, oysters are displayed in cern and skepticism,” Fisher said. travel farther to get to Gat tructing makeshift medical and their differing claims about sion voted unanimously to shut Apalachicola, Fla. “When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. Mexico.

Invoking Agatha Christie and how much water even is at issue, a down oyster harvesting in Apalagot to consider the people black people to be righteously a Chinese restaurant and other Lee has disclosed a few: the Mun New York City, they’re turnArthur Conan Doyle, the justices title in the manner of Doyle’s tales chicola Bay through the end of neighborhood,” she said. “W skeptical of governmental interCenter in “the Nashville, the o the Javits Center The justices they replaced, AnGeorgia should prevail.

2025 because of a dwindling oys- ed that about Holmes, case of the dis- businesses. puzzled overconvention Florida’s claimssic thatCity thony Kennedy andtothemake late Ruth three years ago, thenot justices terLocating population. need the neighb water.” blame the for the decimation ofChattanooga the appearing that did consult with a treatment center for Butvention Convention Center, in Chicago, McCormick voted with is.” votedpeople 5-4 to give Florida another Craig Primis, representing FloridaExpo is seeking a court state’s oyster industry withKnoxville worseboth than it already on the ground first.”Bader Ginsburg, patients there posCenter — order all coronavirus e Convention Center; and inlies the Florida. chance toDoug prove McGowen, its case.

Georgia, urged the justices to end say: forcing Georgia to limit neighits use of es farmers who use too much U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, the city’s chief two problems, residents sites away from residential dy, Utah,Georgia the Mountain AmerKavanaugh asked similar quesThe court appointed a new spewater from the Flint. When the jus- the case in his state’s favor bewater from the Flint River. phis Democrat, said the d operating officer, said the GateIt could potentially expose them borhoods.

Expo Center.

By the time the Flint joins with tices first heard the dispute three cause Florida had not conclusively cial master, who also recommend- tions of both sides that made it doesn’t sense. way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. Army Corps of Engimight vote. the Chattahoochee river to form years ago, Florida also was claim- proved that its northern neighbor ed the court side with Georgia. hard to assess how hemake “I’m sure there cause it could potentially accomare for contracting Nutbush neighborhood s has been scouting locations Barrett wondered wheth-are othe is to blame the problemsCOVID-19 on the Florida’s objections to that recoming that the Atlanta area’s con- blacks the Apalachicola river at the ter Flor-in the er Georgia could take some stepsand they mendation are at issue in the SuApalachicola. sumption of water from the Chatida line, too little is left for Florida’s Tennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate hundreds of beds. He said that would work, without incurring too much preme Court.

Florida’s lawsuit against Geortahoochee river also played a big once lucrative oyster fishery. compiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment have used thoseex-rather t pense ill to help revive Apalachico- neighbo Thesite, outcome could hold come only down mildly gia was filed directly in the Suin the reduced flows in Flor- close.

Georgia the fault with role into a residential it would a Rent-A-Center, a Famibackup sites.

Theysays haven’t re-lies store, overharvesting of oysters, histor- ida, but that claim has fallen out preme Court, which is mainly an to the views of the two newest jus- la oysters. “How do we put a price Cohen said. patients who could Nutbush resident and commubeauty supply shop, ed the whole list, but Bill ly Dollar, on anbe environmental benefit like tices, coronavirus Brett Kavanaugh and Amy court but hears disputes of thea case, Gregory Garre, Flori- appellate ic droughts andGov. mismanagement,

6

Second high court hearing for Florida-Georgia water war

among other reasons.

Chief Justice John Roberts said many factors could have played a

da’s lawyer, said Monday in arguments that were held via telephone because of the coronavirus pan-

between states. The court appointed a special master to evaluate the case, and he initially recommend-

Coney Barrett, who were not yet on the court when it heard the dispute in 2018.

that?” she asked.

A decision is expected by late June.

PEC, oil nations agree Gun provocation reveals tensions in Michigan tourist haven o nearly 10M barrel cut

By John Flesher The Associated Press

CITY, Mich.bin—Salman, a son of King Salman, AssociatedTRAVERSE Press Some 90 minutes into a routine assented to the deal. of the Grand Traverse “I go with the consent, so I UBAI, meeting United Arab EmirCounty board, its agenda packed agree,” — OPEC, andtopics othersuch as the prince said, chuckling, withRussia mundane a round of applause from roducing nations on Sunday roads and libraries, came a drawing surseven seconds that drew those on the video call. ized anprising unprecedented proof national attention no But it had not been smiles and ion cut the of kind nearly 10 million local government wants. els, or a 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the soThe Jan. 20 proceedings were OPEC+ group of OPEC opes of boosting crashing pric- called livestreamed, with members joinmembers and other nations failed mid the coronavirus pandemic ing from home because of the panin March to reach an agreement a price war, officials said. demic.

As usual, citizens phoned in tobe sound Among themon wasproduction cuts, sending pricThis could the off. largest reKeli MacIntosh, complained es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply ion in production fromwho OPEC remarks to the boardcriticized last Russia days earlier over perhaps about a decade, maybe lonspring by members of the Proud what it described as comments said U.S. Secretary BoysEnergy on designating the county critical of the kingdom, which Brouillette, who credited four hours northwest of Detroit finds itself trying to appease ident Donald Trump’s per- sanctuas a “Second Amendment ary.” in getting duel- Trump, a longtime OPEC critic. l involvement the chairEven U.S. senators had warned parties to As theMacIntosh table andurged helpman to disavow the far-right Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end group, a pricecommissioner war between Ron Clous boost prices as American shale di Arabia—and Russia. seated in a room with deer firms face far-higher production il pricesheads have mounted collapsed the — briefonas a wall disappeared from view and re- American troops had been costs. navirus lyand the COVID-19 SAUDI ENERGY turned holding a rifle. deployed to the kingdom for the ss it causes have largely halt-He brandished it for the webcam, then set lobal travel and slowed down first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, In this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist it aside. attacks over concerns of Irani- Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit of the Group of 20 energy minister r energy-chugging The chairman,sectors Rob Hentschel, FLESHER | AP PHOTO aninretaliation amid regional ten- his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to coordinateJOHN as manufacturing. hasmany a response to plummet laughed onscreen.It But sions. Snow covers one of many vineyards stated this the Lake oil Michigan industrybayside in comprices due to on anOld oversupply in the market and a downturn in global demand due to the pandem and wineries Mission Peninsula near Traverse City, Mich., Feb. 14, 2021. munity, “They’ve spent over the last U.S., which nowwhich pumpsprizes more tourism and a friendly image, weremonth not waging war on American e than any other country. phoned-in comments during subwineries and a national lakeshore, to visit.

To them, it was a provoc- over. praise. the black deal but its president, Andrés Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and “Some oil producers while we are defend- that ut some amused. producers have been people that know sequent meetings.

Producers of the fruit for which was embarrassed last August ative gesture, which subsequently pure size Manuel López Obrador, had said the United Arab Emirates would This is not how friends ctant to made ease national supply. headlines.

The car- ing theirs.

David Barr, a“The businessman, saidof the cu Traverse City bills itself “cherry when road commissioner Tom what’s going on in Michigan don’t precedented, but, Friday that he had agreed with cut another 2 million barrels of treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other Michigan’s nations on Sunday northwestern Low- capital of the world” are struggling Eckerle used the N-word during a feel welcome,” she said in an inter- in an interview that Clous should then ag apologize but matter had been view. Trump that the U.S. will compenmeeting blaming blacks in the isthe the impact the corona to a survive.

Meanwhile, pricey con- oil er Peninsula than a resort a daywhile between them atop Cramer, Republican from North ed to allow Mexico is tomore cut only proportion.” organization formedcannot after “blown Detroit for spreading the coronadominium developments spring OPEC+ community withasandy on demand,” said M what Mexico add toout ofhaving deal.

The three countries Hersate Dakota, before the OPEC+ deal.

000 barrels a month, stick-beaches, “People feel if somebody Mattercuts. rally along virus.

75-year-old farmer re- a Black to accommodate influx of did cherry and arts festivals med Ghulam,makes an energy an theLives proposed notThe immediately acknowledge U.S.upproducers have analready point for an orchards accord initially the Traverse City waterfront last a mistake any more on an elected where vacationers come to play. wealthy retirees and summer resi- signed under pressure.

Raymond James.

“The big Oil Deal with OPEC been reducing output. The Amer- the“Icut hed Friday afterthea cheery marathon summer. A handful of armed body that you need to manufacgot themselves, calls about thatthough from theZanBeneath exterior lurk dents whose yachts pack lakefront But Ghulam Plus is done. This hunattended video conferican Petroleum Institute laud- ganeh o conference between 23divides na- eerily ture outrage and scream and and hol- others counter-demonstrators in will cam-save East Coast to thethe West Coast,” marinas, while 20-somethings racial and cultural may be end enough. dreds thousands energy jobscarryiton ed Sunday’s global it ence. s. The nations agreed ler and likenot it’s the of garb of showed up, but of kept Chet Janik, the county adminis- ouflage who serve theirpact, mealssaying in upscale similartogether to those that have ignited the world,” their distance. said in an interview. restaurants scramble forstateafford- trator, protests and violence elsewhere.

“This is at least a tempo in the United States,” Trump said he said.

Officials said other planned cuts will help get other nations’ ut 9.7 million barrels a day Six years lief ago,for lawyer Michaelindustry TheinJan. 20 incident involving Janik, 63, who immigrated to housing.

“Inand this June. age, no place is an is- able the energy a tweet.

“I would like to thank stand in the deal, meaning owned oil production to follow the would ughout May Naughton joined the wave of This i Clous and his rifle vividly illustratthe area from Poland as a child, Some elderly newcomers from land,” said Warren Call, president and congratulate President Pu- the global economy. he group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are try- an 8-million-barrel-per-day cut of a business organization in Tra- big cities — and younger ones who said Eckerle’s racial slurs don’t ed the region’s cultural and politi- young professionals moving from too big let— to fail and tin ofHe Russia and King of — is Julyhis through the end of the ing toremotely plunging s beforeverse Asian markets re- The a big city Detroit, into hisbe case cal schism. and Hentschel, theSalman represent rural county.

But he can work viademand. wireless in- from City, the county seat. in-to adjust liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Brouillette said the U.S. did not ned Monday and as internacident “goes against everything we ternet — bring progressive ideas acknowledged the rapid pace of chairman, rejected calls for their to Traverse City. said Per M Theand Kremlin said President months in 2021. resignation, commitments of its own Naughtonthis saidagreement,” he understood the commission change had beginning unsettled some. al benchmark clash with Northern Mich- 16 stand for.” Brent crude make that the mistrust of government on whether censure “It’s just that they want things deadlocked igan’s cuts, entrenched conservatism. theshared head of ana Vladimir Putintoheld a joint call Nysveen, “This will enable the rebalancproduction but was able to ed at justThis over postcard-pretty $31 a barrel patchby many But to shrug them.with Trump and Saudi King to be the way they usedand to,” the he exTheobvious area remains solidly Repub- ing work shale of smallproducers towns, forestsshow and the Rystad Energy.

“Even tho Sal- in Michigan. of the oil markets — that plunging American Clous didn’t returns calls and off the commissioner’s act would fields is far removed from the lican, although Democrats have said. rebound of prices by $15 man to express support of the production cuts are small demand because of the pandem- pected ggle.

Tyasha Harrison, a black wom- emails from The Associated send a message that such behavior tough streets of urban America captured two county commission the market needed a It also Putin sep- what in the ic is expected to slash U.S. oil proideo aired bythe theSouth’s Saudi-owned is acceptable, he said.

Press.deal.

He told the said Traverse Cityspoke an barrel who moved to short nearbyterm,” Benzie said seats representing Traverse City, per and racial tinderboxpostpone the stock arately with Trump about the oilpicture aCounty statement from lite channel Al-Arabiya “The of Mr. Clous with buildi Record-Eagle he wanted to show eight years ago,Nigeria’s said such oil es. But as northern Michiganduction. be- which has a gay mayor. what should definethe wor for gunand rights. experiences had made family and support Leelanau County,Bijan adjacent more that popular and accessistraints problem, market other issues. the gun is not Iranian Oil Minister Zan-to ministry. wed the comes moment Saudi us,” Naughton said. prompted offered hours of cautious fromhad elsewhere reluctant Traverse and television dotted with friends ble, long-simmering conflictsganeh boil Grand now avoided.”

Analysts Mexico initially blocked The act also told state rgy Minister Prince Abdulaziz

& 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

12115 University City Blvd.

P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 24, 2021 Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

7

obituaries obituaries

Jason Efird Ruby Hatley ASON EUGENE “GENE”

J

EFIRD, 94, went home to be with RUBY GERALDINE HATLEY, his Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at his 90, of Locust, passed away Monday, home in Stanfield.

February 15, 2021 at University Place Gene and was Rehabilatation born October 9,Services 1925, in Nursing Cabarrus County to the late Simeon in Charlotte.

Jason andwas theborn late Sarah Ella Mrs.Efird Hatley June 6, Burris Efird.

In addition to his 1930 to the late Titus Ezekiel and parents, was preceded in death Lela FinkheBurris.

In addition to herby his wife,she Jewell Efird; sisters, parents, wasLittle also preceded in Mary by Lambert, FannieGrover Almond, death her husband, Ralph Minnieand Furr, Wilma Burleson and Hatley son, Joel Dale Hatley.

Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homer Ruby is survived by daughter, Efird, Getus and Wayne Efird, Karen (Jesse)Efird Simpson; daughter-inSr. Hilda Hatley; granddaughter, law, A private funeral servicegrandson, will be April (Anthony) Kennedy, held on Saturday, April 11,grandson, 2020 Allen (Brittany) Simpson, at Love’ s GroveAmanda United Methodist Cory Simpson, Crayton; Church Cemetery in Stanfield seven great-grandchildren and three officiated bygrandchildren.

Rev. Jim White. Burial great-great will follow at the Love’ s Grove Memorials may be made toUnited MethodistsChurch Cemetery, 4360 Alzheimer’ Association, 600 Park PolkSTE Ford Road, Stanfield.

Rd 250, Charlotte, NC 28209 Survivors includesson Gerald or St. Jude Children’ Research Wayne (Gail) of Albemarle; Hospital, P. O.Efird Box 1000, Dept. 142, daughter Lisa (Mark) Hartsell Memphis, TN.Efird 38101. of Stanfield; granddaughters, 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.

Mitchelene Tate MITCHELENE BEATRICE WHITLEY TATE, 78, of Locust, passed away Monday, February 15, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family.

Mitchelene was born June 11, 1942 AULINE ELIZABETH in Stanly County to the late Ira Lee ALMOND TUCKER, 98, passed Whitley and Bessie Beatrice Efird away peacefully at Trinity Place, Whitley. She was also preceded in Albemarle, NC on April 11, 2020. death by her beloved husband of 30 Pauline was born on March 22, years, Daniel B. Tate, who passed 1922 in Cabarrus County, NC to the away in 2013; son, Billy Williams; late John Richard Almond and Alice sister-in-law, Mary Whitley; and Ada Ann Lambert Almond. grandson, Cory Eudy.

She is survived by her three The family will receive friends daughters, Gay Michel (Jack), from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Thursday, Oak Island, NC; Pamela Rushing February 25, 2021 at Hartsell (Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy Funeral Home of Albemarle. The Hunt (Marc), Albemarle, NC; her funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on son, Chris Tucker (Chris Lear), Friday at Hartsell Funeral Home’s Washington, DC. She will be greatly Lefler Memorial Chapel, officiated missed by her five grandchildren,

by Rev. Rodney Merril. She will be Heather Rushing Chaney (Shannon), laid to rest in the Whitley Family Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel Cemetery in Locust.

Hartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, (Jenn), and Woody Hunt as well as Tanika Williams Snyder; sons, Les seven great-grandchildren. She also (Kimberly) Tate, Greg Tate, James leaves behind cherished nieces and Williams, Robby Williams; brothers, nephews.

Wilbern Whitley, Darrell Whitley; The family expresses its sincere daughter-in-law, Patty Williams; gratitude to the staff and caregivers grandchildren, Dustin and Michael at Trinity Place for the care they Williams, Breanna Tate, Jamie provided Pauline.

Taylor; great-grandchildren, Blair A private graveside service will be and Blake Williams, Oliver and held on Monday, April 13, 2020. A Parker Phelps, Gracie, Holden, and celebration of Pauline’s life and legacy Chandler Eudy. will be held this summer.

Mitchelene was a loving and In lieu of flowers, the family devoted mother, grandmother, greatrequests donations be made to the grandmother, sister, and friend. She BrightFocus Foundation at www. enjoyed spending time quilting and brightfocus.org. gardening.

P

Tony Smith Vick72, of ONYJames MONROE SMITH,

T

Rockwell, NC, wentVICK, to be with JAMES EVERETT 85, of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ New London, passed away Tuesday, on Wednesday, April at s February 16, 2021 in 8, his2020 daughter’ his home surrounded by illness. family. A home after an extended private family will18,be1935 held.to James was service born July Online can be made the latecondolences Leland Stanford Vick andat stanlyfuneralhome.com Vernice Vick.

Tony wasalso born August in 11,death 1947 by He was preceded in Stanly County to Vick, the late Pearlie wife, Sybil Lowder and brother, Asbury Smith and Emmer Lee Joe Vick.

Smith. was sonain law Pat Mr. He Vick willthe have Lie Inof State and Mick Cagle where he worked at Friday February 19, 2021 at 10:00the fish house for many yearsHome until 2:00pm at Hartsell Funeral he Anchor House Seafood of opened Albemarle.

A Graveside Service in Rockwell.

He and his wife Becky will be held on Saturday February owned and 20, 2021 atoperated 2:00 pm Anchor at SalemHouse United for 25 yearsChurch before retiring in 2009.

Methodist Cemetery in Mr. Smith was a charter member Albemarle. andSurvivors deacon atinclude Open Door Baptist daughter, Penny Church in Richfield.

He loved the (Mark) Harris of New London, Lord andDoug his family abundantly.

NC, son, (Veanna) Vick of Tony was a wonderful husband,Anthony father, and Reidsville, NC, grandson grandfather and could fix anything Vick of Reidsville, NC, and greathe put his hands on. and Peyton, he grandsons, Paxton, Mr. Smith is survived by his wife is also survived by his sister Libby Becky Cagle Smith of the home, (Greg) Todd of Tarboro, NC. sons Walter Smith Robbie Memorials mayand be made to Smith; daughter Kayla Henderson Hospice of Stanly and The Uwharrie, (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, 960 N 1st St, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Dustin, andFuneral Steele Smith, Hartsell HomeKeaton of and Ella Henderson; Albemarle is serving brother the VickDavid family.

Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Online condolences may be made Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and at www.hartsellfh.com 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 Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Pauline Tucker

Frances Little FRANCES KAY MORGAN LITTLE, 79, of Locust, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Fran was born on January 15, 1942 in Union County to the late Bryce Jackson Morgan and the late Etta Mullis Little. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Willie Yandle andHIRLEY her brother, Bobby Morgan.

MAE HAIRE, 73, Fran was a member Firston Baptist of Albemarle passedof away Church of Locust, where she was April 11, 2020 at Atrium Health a Sunday School teacher for amany Stanly.

The family will hold private years. Sheservice was business graveside for Mrs.minded Haire. and helped Fran’s Shoppe Shirley was create born December 12, (a dressin shop and hair salon) 1946 Washington, DC toand theLittle Photography.

Fran was very talented late Charles Richard Bateman and and creative.

She had a wonderful Elizabeth Mae Mulligan Bateman. sense of humor and she tell a Shirley is survived bycould her husband great story.

Fran dearly loved of 30 years Vaughn Smith of the Lord and her family, especially her Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter grandchildren.

Shehalf-brother will be greatly of Gainesville, VA; missed Bateman and forever Robert ofloved.

Stevensville, Fran will be laid Heather to rest atSmith First MD; step-children Baptist Church Cemetery in Locust of Jacksonville, FL and David duringof a private family graveside Smith New London, NC; 4 service, officiated by Rev. Dr.Cyndi Kinney step-grandchildren; nieces Wallace and Rev. Dr. Tommy Ross, Jr. Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and Survivors include her beloved Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, VA; 16 grandhusband ofnephews; 62 years, Tim Littlethe of nieces and and Gus Locust; son, Michael (Karen) Little dog. Stanly Funeral and Cremation of Locust; grandchildren, Jamie Care of Albemarle is serving the (Jennifer) Little, Sarah Little, and Haire family.

Jennifer Little; sisters, Margaret Lucas of Locust, Betty (Harold) Griffin of Marshville, Carolyn Helms of Monroe, and Terry McCracken of Waynesville; and several nieces and nephews.

S

Shirley Haire

Merle Helms Sandra Floyd ERLE LORRAINE AUSTIN

M

HELMS, 72, of Marshville, SANDRA “SANDY” BRYANT passed away Wednesday, April 8, FLOYD, 86, of Stanfield, passed 2020Monday, at McWhorter Hospice House away February 15, 2021 at in Monroe.

Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord Lorraine by washer born April 28, 1947 surrounded loved ones. in Monroe to the Homer David Mrs. Floyd waslate born October Austin and Jewell Delphia-Jane 18, 1934 in Gastonia, NC to the late Austin.Preston She wasBryant also preceded Lamar and thein late death by brothers, and Teddy Hattie Mae BryantA.D. of Stanfield, N.C. Austin; andalso sister, Joy Austin.

She was preceded in death The familyRaymond will receive by husband, M.friends Floyd of from 6:00 pm 8:00 pm, Friday, Stanfield; son, George E. Jackson April 10, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral of Charlotte; daughter, Maleia Home ofSmith Albemarle.

The funeral Jackson of Stanfield; brothers, service of will be at 11:00 am on of Gerald Dublin, Ga., Dennis Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Stanfield.

N.C.; and sisters, Patricia Church“Patty” in Marshville, officiated Adams of Stanfield, N.C.,

by Rev. John Miller andBryant Rev. Leon and Deborah “Debbie” of Whitley. She will lie in state for 30 Stanfield. minutes priorinclude to the service.

She will Survivors sons Robert be laid toJackson rest in the cemetery.

“Bobby” andchurch Michael She isasurvived byJoni her beloved J. Floyd; daughter, and husband of 47 years, Paul husband, Clifford Love allHelms of of the home; Alex (Deanna) Stanfield, NC;son, brothers, Charles Helms of Paula “Eddie” ofPageland; Asheville,daughter, N.C., Lamar (Cristin of Brandt) Helms of Mint“Joe” Hill; “Jackie” Dublin, Ga., Joseph grandchildren, Mason, Grant, of Gainesville, Ga.; a sister, Janeand RaeganBurnett Helms;of brothers, Boyce, “Janie” Gainesville, Ga. Royce, and sisters, She hadTim fiveAustin; grandchildren, eight Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. great-grandchildren; and numerous Memorials may be made to the nephews and nieces who loved her Alzheimer’ very much.s Association, 4600 Park Rd., Suiteworked 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Sandy at Delmar/Herff Jones Printing Company located in Matthews, N.C. for almost 30 years before retiring to take care of her aging parents. She loved working, fishing, gardening, flowers, dancing but most of all traveling. The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this time and also to ask for understanding as to the arrangements due to the pandemic. Keeping everyone safe as possible is what she would have wanted.

L

Danny Luther Colon ANNY PAULTucker LUTHER,

D

65, of Norwood, passed away COLON CARRIKER TUCKER, unexpectedly Thursday, April 97, of Monroe, NC passed away9, 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in 18, peacefully on Thursday, February Albemarle.

2021.

Mr. Luther was born born March March 7, 27, Ms. Tucker was 1955 to lateCounty, Robert NC Fulton and 1923 in the Union to the late Helen Tucker Barney SylvanLuther. and Minnie Hinson Danny was survived by his wife, Carriker.

Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; In addition to her parents, she sons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther was also preceded in death byand Jody Luther; step-sons, Bryan husband, James R. Tucker; daughter, Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; Cheryl Taylor; son, Harlan Tucker; Grandchildren, Daniel Luther and grandson, Brandon Logan Tucker; Hunter Zado, well as his brothers, BivenasCarriker andbrother, Sandy Bob Luther Jrsister, (Lorena), uncle Jack Carriker; and Marie Brooks.

Luther and several Survivors includeother son, loved Logannieces, nephews and cousins.

Tucker and wife Mildred; son, Eric Danny recently retired from Tucker and wife Janet; son-in-law, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after Dan Taylor; daughter-in-law, Becky a dedicated 37 years andMonty worked Tucker; grandchildren, Tucker therewife with his sons andDorton severaland other and Tracy; Nikki friends and familySamantha members.Carroll husband Ritchie; loved spending time at andDanny husband Jayme; Remona his lake house with his family and Gearhart and husband Bob; Krystal friends asAngie well asEudy vacationing with his Gillespie; and husband family.Chris Danny and Deniseand enjoyed Brian; Hammonds wife listening16togreat beach music and loved Ashley; grandchildren; fiveto shag dance every chance they could great great grandchildren and one get. He was father, loving more due to an be amazing born on her birthday. grandfather and great friend to as Ms. Tucker was self-employed He willout never be forgotten. amany. hair dresser of her house for A celebration of life be many years serving thewill Fairview announced once community.

She the wascurrent a faithful COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. member of Hopewell Baptist Church Hartsell Funeral HomeSchool of where she taught Sunday and Albemarle is serving the Luther was a long time member of WMU. family.

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, WILLIAM “BILL” CRESSWELL, Locust.

Linda will be forever loved 75, of Badin, passed away Sunday, and greatly February 14,missed.

2021.

Survivors include her son, Bill was born November 17, 1945 Alan Hatley and wife, of in Stanly County to theAngela, late Joseph Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker Cresswell and the late Elsie Cresswell. and wife, Linda, of He is survived byMidland; his son, Edward granddaughter, Leslie Hatley;TN; 1 Joseph Sullivan of Southside, niece; and 2 nephews. brothers, Joseph Eugene Cresswell, The wife, family will of receive friends Jr. and Janet Hazen, ND, from 4:00 pm -Cresswell 6:00 pm,and Thursday, James Richard wife, April 16, of 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Rebecca Valley Drive, Badin, JR Home in Albemarle.

Linda will Cresswell Jr. of Raleigh and John be laid to rest during a private Eric Cresswell and wife, Sarah of committal service at Bethel United Matthews.

Methodist Church, Midland.

There will be no formal service, lieu of flowers, please justIn a celebration of life withconsider family a memorial donation to Bethel UMC, and friends.

12700 Idlebrook Rd,Home Midland, Hartsell Funeral of NC 28107.

Albemarle is serving the Cresswell family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com

William Cresswell

Doris Edwards DORIS PAULINE EDWARDS, 80, of New London, formerly of Albemarle, passed away Friday, February 19, 2021 at her daughter’s home in New London.

Doris was born December 30, 1940 in Davidson County, to the late Floyd Lamont Simpson and the late Maggie Lucy Jane Lanier Simpson Smith. She was also preceded in death by husband, Harvey Wayne Edwards; son Barney (Lynn) Edwards, brothers, Charles Simpson, Lamont Simpson, and Tommy Simpson; and sisters, Barbara Armested, Sue Carter, and Gail Burroughs.

Doris loved fishing, going to the beach and most of all spending time with family.

The funeral service officiated

by Rev. Terry Kivett will be at 1:00 PM, Wednesday February 24, 2021 at Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel, Albemarle. Burial will follow at the Rehobeth Cemetey, Rehobeth Church Rd, Norwood.

Survivors include daughter, Saundra Edwards; son, Johnny (Ashley) Edwards; brothers, Wayne (Pat) Simpson, and Eddie Simpson; sister in law JoAnn Simpson; seven grandchildren and 18 greatgrandchildren.

She was a home inspector and a member of Centerview Baptist Church in Albemarle.

Jerry Fincher Thelma Tucker ERRY FINCHER passed from

J

this life on April 3, 2020 at 8:05 THELMA “PENNY” LOUISE pm.

He was surrounded by his family POPLIN TUCKER, 83, of Oakboro, and holding handFebruary of the love passed awaythe Friday, 19,of his life. is preceded in death 2021 at Jerry the home of her daughter, by three siblings, two brothers, Billy Lisa Lowder.

Gilbert Fincher, andFebruary Larry Richard Penny was born 23, 1937 Fincher, one sister, Joyce in Stanlyand County to the Barbra late Claude Moore. “Nay” Poplin and the late Prenay He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Sarah Isabelle Huneycutt Poplin.

She Kate Fincher of the home, daughter, was also preceded in death by her Cindy Fincher Jacobs Wingate brothers, Jim and Bill of Poplin; and NC., son and daughter in Tommy sisters, Pauline Austin andlaw, Gladys (Tiffany) Fincher of New London Shugar.

NC., Step Children, Jimmy (Lisa) The family will receive friends Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda (Bob) from 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm, Friday, Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric February 26, 2021 at Pleasant Grove (Sharon)Church.

Lanier The of Charlotte NC., Baptist funeral service Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson to celebrate her life will follow at of Midland, Step-grandchildren, 7:00 pm in the church sanctuary, Zach (Brittney) Washington, Aaron officiated

by Rev. Terrell Lambert.

(Kinsey) Washington, Caleb (Nayeli) At other times, the family will Washington, Beth Setzer, be gathering at the(Robbie) home of her Matthew ( April ) Wallace, Step daughter, Lisa Lowder. great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve She is survived by her beloved Washington, Setzer, George husband of 65Robert years, John “Tommy” (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer Thomas Tucker; daughters, Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, Sherry (Allen) Hatley, Lisa (Tracy) Andrew Underwood, great Lowder, Karen (Todd)Step Dickinson; great grandchild, Waylon George grandchildren, Sarah (Michael) Setzer and brother Donald Lewis Kinard, Jamie (Robbie) Oriole, Casey Fincher of Albemarle, NC. (Bonnie) Lowder, Jordan (Matthew) Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on Esposito, Dallas Lowder, Caleb Wednesday April Almond, 8,2020 atVictoria 11:00 am Almond, Isabella at Cantongreat-grandchildren, Baptist Church. Anyone Almond; interestedMiller, in attending, please RSVP Penelope Matthew Miller, at 704-796-2412.

Dr. Phil McCray Juniper Oriole and Abel Esposito. andHer Pastor Tommy Fincher will given name was Thelma officiate.but her papa called her Louise, “Penny” because “she was as little as a copper coin penny.” She had a determined spirit or was what some may call “a spitfire.” Penny and her dear husband, Tommy, were members of the Gold Wing Road Riders. For years she had her own motorcycle and rode those tires thin traveling from one side of America to another. She had a passion for creating beauty with her own two hands and did not mind one little bit to get them dirty along the way.

She spent countless hours amidst her flowers, curating somewhat of a secret garden around her home.

Penny was quite the meticulous painter, seamstress, and interior decorator. She could sing as pretty as a song bird and for years she sang in the choir at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and with The Singing Americans Choir. Penny may have been small in stature and features, but her heart was as big, and deep, and wide as the ocean. She loved others in a humble, quiet sort of way.

Most often with actions, instead of words. Whether it was baking a chocolate pound cake for someone, or canning beans to share; helping with the upkeep of the memory garden at the church, or delivering meals for Meals on Wheels in her Volkswagen Rabbit, she loved by serving others in a tangible and real way. Penny knew to love and serve Christ meant to love and serve her family and neighbors.

And that she did well. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to many. What a legacy she now leaves in the hearts of those she has touched.

Memorials may be made to Community Home Care & Hospice, 1024 Albemarle Road, Suite 904, Troy, NC 27371 or Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro, NC 28129.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Tucker family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in 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 24, 2021

STATE & NATION

Biden’s 1st month was about erasing ‘former guy’

By Jonathan Lemire The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Joe Biden walked into the Oval Office for the first time as president a month ago, his pens were ready. Already.

Lining a fine wooden box, they bore the presidential seal and an imprint of his signature, a micro-mission accomplished in advance of his swearing-in.

Four years ago, pens were just one more little drama in Donald Trump’s White House. The gold-plated signature pens he favored had to be placed on rush order in his opening days. Over time, he came to favor Sharpies over the government-issued pens.

On matters far more profound than a pen, Biden is out to demonstrate that the days of Trump’s presidency are over.

On policy, symbolism and style, from the Earth’s climate to what’s not on his desk (Trump’s button to summon a Diet Coke), Biden has been purging Trumpism however he can.

The test for Biden is whether his stylistic changes will be matched by policies that deliver a marked improvement from Trump, and a month is not long enough to measure that. Further, the length of Biden’s honeymoon is likely to be brief in highly polarized Washington, with Republicans already saying he has caved to the left wing of the Democratic Party.

The first time the nation saw Biden in the Oval Office, hours after he was sworn in, he sat behind the Resolute Desk with a mask on his face.

The strategy had been in the works since before the election and began with Biden at the desk signing a flurry of executive orders. The intent was clear: to unwind the heart of Trump’s agenda on immigration, the pandemic and more while also rejoining international alliances and trying to assure historic allies that the United States could be relied upon once again.

“The subtext under every one of the images we are seeing from the White House is the banner: ‘Under new management’,” says Robert Gibbs, who was press secre-

“Nobody who observed Joe Biden as a candidate should be surprised. He had no learning curve in terms of the issues but also in how to be president” Senior adviser Anita Dunn

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden signs a series of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. tary for President Barack Obama.

“Whether showing it overtly or subtly, the message they are trying to deliver, without engaging the former president, is to make sure everyone understands that things were going to operate differently now and that hopefully the results would be different, too.”

In a whiteout of executive actions in his first weeks, Biden reversed Trump’s course on the environment and placed the Obama health law at the center of the pandemic response with an extended special enrollment period for the insurance program.

The Iran nuclear deal is back on the diplomatic plate. The U.S. is back in the World Health Organization as well as the Paris climate accord.

But memberships and diplomatic outreach only go so far. The world wants to see how far Biden will actually go in making good on climate goals, whether he will steer more help to poorer coun-

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

In this April 24, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump puts the cap on a pen after signing a coronavirus aid package to direct funds to small businesses, hospitals, and testing, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. tries in the pandemic and whether his words of renewed solidarity with NATO may only last until the next pendulum swing of U.S. politics.

After 40 years in Washington, eight years as Obama’s vice president and two failed presidential campaigns before his successful one, Biden has had a lifetime to

Garland says Justice Dept. must be politically independent

By Michael Balsamo The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden’s nominee for attorney general, vowed to prioritize civil rights, combat extremist attacks and ensure the Justice Department remains politically independent.

“The attorney general represents the public interest, particularly and specifically as defined by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States,” Garland said. “I do not plan to be interfered with by anyone.”

Early in the hearing, Garland faced questioning about his plans to handle specific investigations and politically sensitive cases, like the federal tax investigation involving Biden’s son Hunter Biden, and the special counsel’s inquiry started by William Barr, while he was attorney general, into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation, which also remains open.

Garland said he had not spoken with Biden about the investigation into his son. He said he had agreed to the nomination as attorney general because the president had vowed that “decisions about investigations and prosecutions will be left to the Justice Department.”

Garland, though saying he was supportive of transparency and in publicly explaining Justice Department decision-making, declined to commit to making public the results of the Durham investigation. He said under questioning from Sen. Chuck Grassley, the committee’s top Republican, that he had not spoken to Durham yet but had no reason to think that former Attorney General William Barr’s decision to give Durham special counsel status to remain in his position was “not the correct decision.”

To date, Durham has inter-

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

In this Nov. 17, 2017, file photo, former President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland walks into Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. viewed officials from the FBI, Justice Department and the CIA regarding the early days of the Russia investigation, and has produced criminal charges against just one person — a former FBI lawyer who pleaded guilty to altering an email. Garland said “there were certainly serious problems” with applications for surveillance during the FBI’s Russia investigation, and that he intended as attorney general to speak more deeply about the issue

with the Justice Department’s inspector general and with the FBI director.

“I am always concerned and have always been concerned that we be very careful about FISA,” Garland said, using the acronym for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Garland’s failed nomination to the Supreme Court wasn’t far from lawmakers minds’, with the bitter partisan feelings over the 2016 confirmation battle ap-

parent in the hearing room. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who was chairman of the panel at the time and carried out GOP leader Mitch McConnell’s directive to block Garland from the court, defended his role, saying he took a position and “stuck to it.” He then criticized Democrats over their handling of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

Still, he indicated he would be supportive of Garland.

“I admire Judge Garland’s pub-

think about the mark he wants to make as president and how to get rolling on it.

“Nobody who observed Joe Biden as a candidate should be surprised by any of this,” said senior adviser Anita Dunn. “He had no learning curve in terms of the issues but also in how to be president.”

There have been challenges nonetheless: the distraction of Trump’s post-presidential impeachment trial, a more narrowly divided Senate than his predecessor faced and a nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget who’s been busy deleting years of social media posts assailing Republicans and some on the Democratic left.

At his town hall event in Wisconsin, Biden repeatedly talked about how he doesn’t want to talk about the former guy.

“I’m tired of talking about Donald Trump, don’t want to talk about him anymore,” he said. “For four years, all that’s been in the news is Trump.”

That’s a tall order. The ex-president maintains his hold on millions of supporters and his lock on much of the Republican Party, whether he ends up running again or not.

But to the extent Biden can, he is doing what Obama foresaw during the 2020 campaign if the Democrat won. Biden and running mate Kamala Harris would make it possible to ignore the Washington circus again, Obama told a rally, and give Americans some predictability whether they like Biden’s course or not.

“You’re not going to have to think about them every single day,” Obama said. “It just won’t be so exhausting. You’ll be able to go about your lives.”

lic service,” Grassley said. “Just because I disagreed with anyone being nominated didn’t mean that I had to be disagreeable to that nominee.”

Garland said his first briefing as attorney general would be focused on the protest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and promised to provide prosecutors with whatever resources they need to bring charges in the cases.

Biden’s choice of Garland reflects the president’s stated goal of restoring the department’s reputation as an independent body.

In his prepared remarks, Garland focused on prioritizing policing and civil rights to combat racial discrimination — he says America doesn’t “yet have equal justice” — as well as confronting the rise in extremist violence and domestic terror threats and restoring the department’s political independence after years of controversial decisions and turmoil.

“Communities of color and other minorities still face discrimination in housing, education, employment, and the criminal justice system; and bear the brunt of the harm caused by pandemic, pollution, and climate change,” Garland said.

Garland is an experienced judge who held senior positions at the Justice Department decades ago, including as a supervisor in the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

His nomination has gained public support on both sides of the political aisle, from more than 150 former Justice Department officials — including former attorneys general Loretta Lynch, Michael Mukasey and Alberto Gonzales, along with 61 former federal judges. Others, including two sons of former Attorney General Edward Levi, have also written letters of support to Congress.

“There have been few moments in history where the role of attorney general — and the occupant of that post — have mattered more,” the committee’s chairman, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 23 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Twin City Herald

SHAWN KREST | AP PHOTO

Wake Forest vs. Duke

Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes leaves the court at Lawrence Joel Coliseum after being ejected from last Wednesday’s game against Duke. The Demon Deacons trailed by 19 in the first half when Forbes received back-to-back technical fouls, resulting in his ejection. Assistant coach Brooks Savage took over as interim coach as Wake went on to lose, 84-60.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Officer shot and critically wounded, man arrested Forsyth County A police officer is in critical condition after being shot three times with his own gun during a struggle with a man in Kernersville.

Quinton Donnell Blocker, 37, faces charges that include attempted firstdegree murder and felony assault on a lawenforcement officer with a firearm. The incident occurred early Sunday morning at the Century Square Apartments. The officer had encountered Blocker earlier in the day after Blocker ran away from a traffic stop. Authorities said that the officer was shot three times in the face, arm and hand.

AP

Woman impersonates police in attempted kidnapping Davie County Liena Lazdina, 37, was arrested after she entered a store and attempted to abduct a 12-year-old girl.

Lazdina claimed to be a police detective. When a store clerk and the child’s mother intervened, she left the store and led police on a chase, driving at speeds up to 100 mph. She’s been charged with attempted kidnapping, impersonating a law enforcement officer and other charges.

WXII

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

N. Carolina to see further delays in vaccine delivery

By Bryan Anderson The Associated Press RALEIGH — President Joe Biden’s administration told North Carolina and other states on Friday afternoon that they will see further delays in shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses.

North Carolina public health officials said they now expect more deliveries of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to resume at the start of next week. The state health department also warned that some providers may choose not to go forward with plans to vaccinate teachers and school staff once eligibility opens up to that group on

Wednesday.

Severe winter weather has fueled delays across the country, causing tens of thousands of North Carolinians scheduled to be vaccinated this week to have their appointments pushed back.

“What we are being informed

by Operation Warp Speed is that shipments are being held by the producers and distributors until they are sure shipments won’t be delayed,” the department said in a statement to The Associated Press late Friday morning. “To our knowledge, operations are being planned to help ensure spoilage isn’t an issue. We understand Operation Warp Speed is close-

Black North Carolina firefighters file discrimination suit

By Tom Foreman Jr. The Associated Press WINSTON-SALEM — A group of Black firefighters in North Carolina has filed a lawsuit against their city and their fire chief, alleging that he has not made an effort to prevent racial discrimination, harassment and retaliation within his department.

The lawsuit filed in a North Carolina federal court on behalf of Black members of the Winston-Salem Fire Department follows a grievance by the group last year. In that filing, the group called on the city to fire Chief William “Trey” Mayo for failing to discipline white firefighters who, the group said, have created a hostile work environment through comments in person and on social media.

A Charlotte consulting group hired to conduct a “climate study” in the wake of the grievances con-

cluded that while racism exists within the department, it heard no complaints that Mayo himself is racist.

“In instances when a complaint has been found to be valid, the offending WSFD employee has been transferred to a new station, not subject to any more meaningful discipline,” the lawsuit said. “The systemic protection of employees guilty of harassment and discrimination has created and fostered an environment where federally-protected rights are violated with near impunity.”

Thomas Penn, a Winston-Salem firefighter and plaintiff, said the lawsuit is designed in part to demonstrate the extent of the problem to the public.

“Our lawsuit shines the light of truth on the bad apples and their misdeeds that are too often swept under the rug,” Penn said. “It also provides a forum for those of every race and background by which

ly monitoring and coordinating across the supply chain.”

First doses typically arrive in North Carolina on Tuesdays and Wednesday, while second doses arrive on Thursdays and Fridays.

First doses that had been expected to arrive this week but were not shipped are now scheduled to be delivered to North Carolina providers between Monday and Wednesday of next week.

Data provided by the state on Thursday showed 41,925 of the roughly 127,000 Pfizer vaccines expected to arrive this week had left the manufacturer or distributor. None of the more than 163,000 expected Moderna doses

to stand on the side of fairness and equality.”

Neither Mayo nor City Manager Lee Garrity responded Friday to separate emails seeking their reaction to the lawsuit. City Attorney Angela Carmon said in an email that the city doesn’t comment on pending litigation and would respond to the lawsuit “in the appropriate forum.”

Specifically, the lawsuit points to one instance last June in which Mayo directed a discrimination complaint to a chaplain instead of launching an investigation. The lawsuit also points to other examples in which Mayo did nothing to address the concerns of Black firefighters.

“Chief Mayo, when confronted with an instance when a noose was tied during a training class, directed that the person move to a different topic, specifically stating ‘Next topic’ rather than address the event,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says Mayo has openly said that he is “tired of hearing about diversity.”

Also, when Black firefighters complain about discrimination or harassment, “they also face retaliation and retribution in the form or rumors that the African-American firefighter is ‘untrainable’ or ‘lazy.’”

Teaching a class on how firefighters should deal with demonstrators in light of the death of

had been delivered.

The delay could affect North Carolina’s transition to its third phase of vaccine distribution, which expands eligibility on Wednesday to child care workers, preK-12 educators and school staff. A far more expansive group of “frontline essential workers” ranging from mail carriers to elected officials are scheduled to become eligible for the vaccine starting March 10.

It’s unclear how many providers will delay the implementation of the Phase 3 rollout in order to meet the high demand among those currently eligible for a shot but still unvaccinated. Health care workers and people over age 65 can presently get the vaccine, though some have struggled to book and come in for an initial appointment.

Next week’s federal allocations of doses expected to arrive during the same time period as the delayed shipments, according to the state health department.

“Chief Mayo, when confronted with an instance when a noose was tied during a training class, directed that the person move to a different topic, specifically stating ‘Next topic’ rather than address the event.”

Statement from the lawsuit George Floyd, one captain said he could solve the problem as he drove home from work by hitting protesters with his vehicle.

They also point to comments made by another fire captain who suggested authorities unleash German shepherds on Black Lives Matter protesters, an idea that conjured up images of Southern police officers dealing with civil rights protesters in the 1960s, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and back pay and front pay in an amount to be determined by the jury. The group also seeks actual damages, compensatory damages against the defendants, and attorneys’ fees, expenses and costs.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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OPINION | BEN SHAPIRO

It’s time to uncancel Americans THIS WEEK, ACTRESS Gina Carano made headlines when Disney+ and Lucasfilm decided to cancel her from their hit series “The Mandalorian” over controversial social media posts. It is perfectly obvious that the corporations had been looking for an excuse to get rid of Carano thanks to her conservative politics — The Hollywood Reporter uncovered a source who snarked, “They have been looking for a reason to fire her for two months, and today was the final straw.”

What, precisely, was Carano’s sin? After the 2020 election, she put up a social media post decrying voter fraud and then put up a post referring disparagingly to elite-driven mask culture. This week, she put up a post pointing out that the Holocaust did not begin with mass murder but with neighbors turning on one another thanks to politics. The Holocaust comparison may have been overwrought, but it was certainly not anti-Semitic. “Nonetheless,” Lucasfilm stated, “her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.”

Carano’s cancellation came the same week as the cancellation of “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison.

Harrison’s sin: He said that one of the contestants on this season of “The Bachelor” ought to be given “a little grace” over having attended a sorority party with an antebellum theme several years ago. Harrison said, “I have seen some stuff online — this judge, jury, executioner thing — where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart and diving into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting record. It’s unbelievably alarming to watch this.” And the woke authoritarians emerged to deem him racist.

Carano’s and Harrison’s responses, however, were polar opposites.

Harrison immediately kowtowed to the mob. He issued a mewling statement, no doubt at the behest of his corporate

overlords, in which he suggested that he is now following a “path to anti-racism” and explaining, “My words were harmful. I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you.” Not a single person could have explained how asking for “a little grace” for a young woman who had sinned by wearing a Scarlett O’Harastyle dress had harmed anybody. But that didn’t matter. The only one harmed was Harrison, whose apology was deemed insufficient. He has self-banished to the cornfield for at least this season, and maybe forever.

Carano, by contrast, took down the Holocaust post because she realized it was overwrought. But she didn’t apologize.

And, more importantly, she made a ballsy move: She signed a deal with my company, The Daily Wire, to produce and star in a new film. She explained: “I am sending out a direct message of hope to everyone living in fear of cancellation by the totalitarian mob. I have only just begun using my voice which is now freer than ever before, and I hope it inspires others to do the same. They can’t cancel us if we don’t let them.”

We at The Daily Wire are dedicated to that simple proposition. It’s time for the American people to stop allowing themselves to be canceled. The institutions of American culture are arrayed against individuals who think differently, from Hollywood to corporate America to the establishment media. But dissenters can band together, too, and support one another. Those who believe in open dialogue — people across the political aisle — need to come together. Otherwise, the authoritarians will continue their march toward woke dystopia.

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 ♦ ANDERSON, WILLIE SHAQUELLADONTE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 5000 S MAIN ST on 2/20/2021

♦ FENTONTORRENCE, OLAJUWAN DECREE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 4890 THALES RD on 2/19/2021

(F), 4) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 6) Resisting Arrest (M), at 4400 Spainhour Mill Rd, Tobaccoville, NC, on 2/21/2021 02:07.

♦ BLEDSOE, AMANDA GAIL was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 2026 S HAWTHORNE RD on 2/20/2021

♦ FOWLER, ULYSSES ALONZO was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 1515 E TENTH ST on 2/21/2021

♦ PEGRAM, RYAN ALEXANDER was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 3475 PARKWAY VILLAGE CR on 2/19/2021

♦ HAIRSTON, TONI MICHELLE was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 1660 WOODS RD on 2/19/2021

♦ Poole, Caitlyn Daisyroselli (F/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possession Control Substance Jail (F) and 2) Drug Trafficking (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 2/20/2021 04:45.

♦ Bowman, Cory Wyatt (M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 2) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 3) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 4) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 5) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 6) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 7) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 8) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 9) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 10) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 11) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 12) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 13) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), 14) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), and 15) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor (F), at 2651 W Mountain St, Kernersville, NC, on 2/17/2021 15:20.

♦ HALL, JAROD KEVON was arrested on a charge of DISCH FA/OCC DWELL at 133 COUNTRYSIDE CT on 2/21/2021 ♦ Hill, Laroy Hanson (M/36) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 1611 Brookway West Cr, Lewisville, NC, on 2/22/2021 13:54. ♦ HOWIE, DAVORIS RONARD was arrested on a charge of DISCHARGING FIREARMS at 7840 NORTH POINT BV on 2/21/2021 ♦ HUDSONDODD, JORDAN AARON was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D MARIJUANA at 599 WAUGHTOWN ST on 2/20/2021

♦ POOLE, CAITLYN DAISYROSELLI was arrested on a charge of DRUG TRAFFICKING at 141 LAURA AV on 2/19/2021 ♦ ROGERS, TONY was arrested on a charge of MURDER-FIRST DEG at 801 N MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR on 2/19/2021 ♦ ROSEBOROUGH, JAMES WADE was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 930 N PATTERSON AV on 2/19/2021

♦ JARRETT, MESHOD AMERI was arrested on a charge of POSS STOLEN GOODS at 750 FERRELL CT on 2/22/2021

♦ RUSSELL, BERNARD MONTICE was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D MARIJUANA at 5500 UNIVERSITY PW on 2/20/2021

♦ JOHNSON, WILLIAM STONEWALL was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 2001 S MAIN ST on 2/19/2021

♦ SANDERS, TREVON LATRELL was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 437 BRANNIGAN VILLAGE DR on 2/19/2021

♦ KEATON, TIAWAN RASHAD was arrested on a charge of POSS COCAINE FEL at 2415 GREENWAY AV on 2/18/2021

♦ SHORE, TOMMY JOE was arrested on a charge of ROBBERY at 2700 RALEIGH AV on 2/19/2021

♦ Lee, Andrew Louis (M/26) Arrest on chrg of Protective Order (M), at 1021 Hawk Ridge Cr, Winston-salem, NC, on 2/18/2021 14:15.

♦ SLOAN, MARC LORENZO was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 599 ONTARIO ST/OGBURN AV on 2/20/2021

♦ LYTLE, JERMAINE DONTAE was arrested on a charge of MISUSE OF 911 SYSTEM at 5719 UNIVERSITY PW on 2/19/2021

♦ VAQUERA, CODY AIDAN was arrested on a charge of SEX OFFENSE-1ST DEG at 1121 SALEM VALLEY RD on 2/19/2021

♦ MCGOUGAN, ALLEN DAYMOND was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 437 BRANNIGAN VILLAGE DR on 2/19/2021

♦ Daye, Santana Jerome (M/26) Arrest on chrg of 1) Breaking/enter-misd (M) and 2) Resisting Arrest (M), at 4415 Bryn Mawr Ln, Winston-salem, NC, on 2/18/2021 08:14.

♦ Wall, Chad Clifton (M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M), 2) Drugs-poss Sched Ii (F), and 3) Possession Marijuana (M), at 3028 Old Hollow Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 2/17/2021 14:10.

♦ MILLER, CHARLES GIRARD was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 400 W TWENTY-FIFTH ST on 2/19/2021

♦ WILSON, TAMEYIA CELESTE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 598 PETERS CREEK PW/W ACADEMY ST on 2/19/2021

♦ Eldridge, Tywon Donta (M/30) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 200 N Main St, Winston-salem, NC, on 2/22/2021 15:00.

MUMFORD, RYAN ALLEN was arrested on a charge of ALTER, DESTRUCT, REMOVE SERIAL NUMBER FIREARM; POSS FIREARM at 1625 ZUIDER ZEE CT on 2/20/2021

♦ Ellis, Phillip Eugene (M/86) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 9135 Center Grove Ch, Clemmonsville, NC, on 2/22/2021 17:28.

♦ Neugent, Joey Allen (M/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Financial Identity Fraud (F), 2) Fraud-obt Property (F), 3) Poss Heroin

♦ Yangnouvong, Xangsavanh (M/43) Arrest on chrg of 1) Resisting Arrest (M), 2) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), 3) Passing - Improper (M), and 4) Fail To Produce/ Give False Information (M), at 9020 Huntsman Rd, Kernersville, NC, on 2/20/2021 17:50.

♦ BROWN, ANTOINE DENARD was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D MARIJUANA at 1399 N MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR/N LIBERTY ST on 2/22/2021 ♦ CAGLE, ADAM GARRETT was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D SCHED II at 141 LAURA AV on 2/19/2021 ♦ CATES, ROBERT LINDSAY was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 2900 REYNOLDA RD on 2/20/2021 ♦ CHASE, TRAVIS RAYMOND was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 630 ROCK GARDEN CR on 2/19/2021 ♦ Crawford, Christopher Lamont (M/24) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Vand-personal Prop (M), at 5730 Southwest Acres Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 2/20/2021 09:15.

♦ Eben Wharton Alspaugh, 92, of Winston-Salem, died February 18, 2021. ♦ Jason Charles Baker, 39, of Thomasville, died February 19, 2021. ♦ Nora Turner Bolling, 92, of Forsyth County, died February 20, 2021. ♦ Sean Michael Boothstodd, 56, died February 17, 2021. ♦ Edward Irving Bowen, 75, died February 18, 2021. ♦ Carolyn Cook Cornelius, 89, of Davie County, died February 20, 2021. ♦ Clyde Tillman Essic, 93, died February 19, 2021. ♦ Dave Bennett Harris, 72, died February 19, 2021. ♦ Flossie Mae Parks Holder, 93, of Forsyth County, died February 19, 2021. ♦ Doris Landers Jones, 89, of WinstonSalem, died February 18, 2021. ♦ Leona Heath Key, 84, of Rural Hall, died February 16, 2021. ♦ Robert C. McKone, 93, died February 21, 2021. ♦ Donald Marion “Don” Melvin, Jr., 76, of Forsyth County, died February 18, 2021. ♦ Cecil Marie Parson, 81, died February 18, 2021. ♦ Peggy Ann Williams Rhodes, 87, of Wilkes County, died February 19, 2021. ♦ Marion Moore Rogers, 87, died February 18, 2021. ♦ Norma Jean Grubbs Sapp, 88, of Walkertown, died February 19, 2021. ♦ Michael Ray Schehr, 59, died February 20, 2021. ♦ Jerry Theodore Scott, 76, of WinstonSalem, died February 18, 2021. ♦ Lorene Ridenhour White Shelor, 94, died February 20, 2021. ♦ Bruce Shepherd, 71, of Lewisville, died February 17, 2021. ♦ Jan Duncan Whiteheart, 70, of Winston-Salem, died February 20, 2021. ♦ Johnny “Mack” Williams, 81, of Winston-Salem, died February 18, 2021.

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Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

3

SPORTS

SPONSORED BY

SIDELINE REPORT NASCAR

Ganassi suspended, fined $30K for bringing guest to pits Daytona Beach, Fla. Chip Ganassi was fined $30,000 and suspended one race for bringing a guest into the NASCAR pit area at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR said the team owner violated its COVID-19 guidelines by bringing a nonessential individual into the restricted competition area. Ganassi cannot return to competition areas Sunday at HomesteadMiami Speedway. NASCAR expanded its bubble beginning with the Daytona 500 to permit team owners into the garage; they were not considered essential personnel last season and had to watch races from a suite on the other side of the track.

MLB

Stan Williams, champion as Dodgers pitcher, Reds coach, dies at 84 Los Angeles Stan Williams, the fearsome All-Star pitcher who helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1959 World Series, has died.

He was 84. Williams died Saturday at his home in Laughlin, Nevada after being hospitalized on Feb. 11. Williams also won a World Series title in 1990 as pitching coach with the Cincinnati Reds. The twotime All-Star right-hander, known as the “Big Hurt” because of his penchant for pitching inside, had a record of 109-94 and a 3.48 ERA during his 14-year career in the majors.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Northwestern linebacker Fisher wins Lott Trophy Newport Beach, Calif.

Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which goes to college football’s defensive player who has made the biggest impact on his team, on Sunday. Fisher, a senior from Texas who was named Big Ten linebacker of the year, had 86 tackles, 4 1/2 for loss, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the 2020 season. The other finalists were Talanoa Hufanga of Southern California, Joseph Ossai of Texas, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of Notre Dame, Tarron Jackson of Coastal Carolina, and Patrick Surtain II of Alabama.

NFL

Kansas City quarterback Mahomes, fiancée welcome baby girl Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his fiancéé, Brittany Matthews, are parents to a girl.

Matthews announced the Sunday birth of Sterling Skye Mahomes in a tweet.

The birth came two weeks after Mahomes and Kansas City lost 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. Mahomes and Matthews had announced their engagement in September, the Kansas City Star reported. The next month, the couple used their dogs as part of a gender reveal, and Mahomes tweeted that he was going to be a #GirlDad.

JOHN RAOUX | AP PHTO

Christopher Bell stands on his car and celebrates in front of the grandstands after winning the NASCAR Cup Series road course auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Bell snags first Cup victory at Daytona road course Joe Gibbs Racing capped off a successful weekend with a win in the season’s second race

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Give him good cars and Christopher Bell will win races. But in his second race? With a new team? That seemed unlikely.

Bell defied the odds Sunday and earned his first career Cup series victory — in just his second race since Joe Gibbs Racing pulled him back into its inner circle — to close out an unpredictable week of racing at Daytona International Speedway.

Michael McDowell was the surprise Daytona 500 winner and then Bell earned an earlier-than-expected first trip to Victory Lane. It’s just the third

time in NASCAR history the first two races of the season were won by first-time winners. It was previously done in 1949 and 1950 — NASCAR’s first two seasons.

More important, Bell and McDowell have snagged coveted berths in the 16-driver playoff field, a troubling trend for midpack teams that need all 26 regular-season races to point their way into the championship picture. Race winners earn automatic berths and the remaining spots are decided by the points standings.

“The dynamic has changed dramatically,” Brad Keselowski said. “We’re very early in the season and it’s now turned into a points race for those last few spots. If you don’t win, you’re in a lot of trouble because it’s not looking like you’re going to be able to get in the playoffs.”

Bell chased down Joey Logano on the winding Daytona road

2 First-time Cup Series winners in the first two races of the 2021 season, the third time in history it has happened. The first two times were in NASCAR’s first two seasons in 1949 and 1950. course to grab his first victory.

Logano had a commanding lead but Bell, on fresher tires than Logano, reeled him in and passed him with just over one lap remaining.

“This is one of the highlights of my life,” Bell said. “I’ve prepared my whole life for this moment to race in the Cup Series.”

The 26-year-old Oklahoman is a longtime Toyota development driver who won 16 Xfinity Se-

ries races driving for Gibbs. But there’s only four Cup seats in the organization and they were full last season when it was time to move Bell to the big leagues.

He was instead loaned to Leavine Family Racing, and although it was also a Toyota team, the one-car operation wasn’t nearly as strong as the Gibbs group. Team owner Joe Gibbs last summer decided not to renew Erik Jones, who said he was blindsided by the move, and instead bring Bell back into the fold.

It put the pressure on Bell to deliver and he did after a rocky opening a week ago. Bell was running at the front of the Daytona 500 pack when he gave Aric Almirola too big of a shove and triggered a 16-car crash on just the 14th lap of NASCAR’s first race of the season.

Bell’s win bookended a statement weekend for JGR’s young drivers. Ty Gibbs, the 18-yearold grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, won the Xfinity Series race Saturday night in his first career national series start.

McDowell, meanwhile, backed up his Daytona 500 win with a career-best road course finish of eighth.

Archer eager to reestablish himself with AL champion Rays The Clayton High School alumnus is back with Tampa Bay

By Fred Goodall The Associated Press CHRIS ARCHER is back in familiar surroundings, eager to re-establish himself with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 32-year-old right-hander is three seasons removed from a being a two-time All-Star and the ace of a rotation the AL champions are revamping after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series last fall.

Archer, who went to Clayton High School and was with Tampa Bay from 2012 to 2018, signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract to rejoin the Rays after missing all of the 2020 pandemic-shortened season with the Pittsburgh Pirates while recovering from surgery to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

The Rays, who have made the playoffs the past two seasons, traded him to the Pirates on July 31, 2018, as part of a deal that brought Tampa Bay right-hander Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Austin Meadows and minor league pitching prospect Shane Baz. Archer hasn’t pitched in a major league game since August 2019.

He went 6-12 with a 4.92 ERA over

33 starts with Pittsburgh and is excited to have a second chance with his former team, which continues to make additions to the pitching staff.

Veteran right-hander Collin McHugh, who opted out of last season with Boston while recovering from a flexor strain in his pitching arm, finalized a $1.8 million, oneyear deal announced Monday.

Meanwhile, free agent reliever Chaz Roe re-signed for one-year, $1.15 million after missing most of 2020 with elbow soreness.

To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handers Yonny Chirinos (Tommy John surgery) and Oliver Drake (right flexor tendon strain) were placed on the 60-day injured list.

Archer jokes it was good to not need to use GPS to find his way to spring training in Port Charlotte, Florida.

“The familiarity, the comfort is amazing. ... There are some new players, some new faces on the players side, but the staff is pretty much the same,” Archer said.

“It’s kind of a cool dynamic.

There are some younger guys who have some admiration for me, but I have a lot of admiration for what these guys have done these last two years,” he added. “It’s a really nice balance.”

Archer is 60-80 with a 3.86 ERA in 212 career appearances over portions of eight seasons. He was an

GAIL BURTON | AP PHOTO

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 27, 2018, in Baltimore.

“The familiarity, the comfort is amazing. ... There are some new players, some new faces on the players side, but the staff is pretty much the same.”

Chris Archer, Rays pitcher All-Star with the Rays in 2015 and 2017 and ranks fourth on the club’s career list in wins (54), third in innings pitched (1,063) and second in starts (177) and strikeouts (1,146).

“We’re all very excited for Arch.

He seems to be in a really good spot physically, mentally,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s got an infectious personality I think can really be a benefit to a group of play-

ers that are a lot like him and like to come to the ballpark to compete and play.”

Archer has been a full participant in workouts since reporting to camp and is targeting the first week of March for his first exhibition appearance.

“It’s penciled in,” the righthander, vying for a spot in a rotation replacing two starters after declining an option on right-hander Charlie Morton and trading lefty Blake Snell — moves that thrust Glasnow into the role of No. 1 starter.

“My gratitude obviously comes from being healthy ... but also just the opportunity to do what we do,” said Archer, who rehabbed away from the Pirates in California.

“Each day that went by, and as my health got better,” he added of his time away from the game last summer, “I continued to get hungrier and hungrier.”

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4

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

STATE & NATION

Biden’s 1st month was about erasing ‘former guy’

By Jonathan Lemire The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Joe Biden walked into the Oval Office for the first time as president a month ago, his pens were ready.

Already.

Lining a fine wooden box, they bore the presidential seal and an imprint of his signature, a micro-mission accomplished in advance of his swearing-in.

Four years ago, pens were just one more little drama in Donald Trump’s White House. The gold-plated signature pens he favored had to be placed on rush order in his opening days. Over time, he came to favor Sharpies over the government-issued pens.

On matters far more profound than a pen, Biden is out to demonstrate that the days of Trump’s presidency are over.

On policy, symbolism and style, from the Earth’s climate to what’s not on his desk (Trump’s button to summon a Diet Coke), Biden has been purging Trumpism however he can.

The test for Biden is whether his stylistic changes will be matched by policies that deliver a marked improvement from Trump, and a month is not long enough to measure that. Further, the length of

Biden’s honeymoon is likely to be brief in highly polarized Washington, with Republicans already saying he has caved to the left wing of the Democratic Party.

The first time the nation saw Biden in the Oval Office, hours after he was sworn in, he sat behind the Resolute Desk with a mask on his face.

The strategy had been in the works since before the election and began with Biden at the desk signing a flurry of executive orders. The intent was clear: to unwind the heart of Trump’s agenda on immigration, the pandemic and more while also rejoining international alliances and trying to assure historic allies that the United States could be relied upon once again.

“The subtext under every one of the images we are seeing from the White House is the banner: ‘Under new management’,” says Robert Gibbs, who was press secretary for President Barack Obama.

“Whether showing it overtly or subtly, the message they are trying to deliver, without engaging the former president, is to make sure everyone understands that things were going to operate differently now and that hopefully the results would be different, too.”

In a whiteout of executive actions in his first weeks, Biden re-

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

In this April 24, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump puts the cap on a pen after signing a coronavirus aid package to direct funds to small businesses, hospitals, and testing, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.

“Nobody who observed Joe Biden as a candidate should be surprised. He had no learning curve in terms of the issues but also in how to be president” Senior adviser Anita Dunn versed Trump’s course on the environment and placed the Obama health law at the center of the pandemic response with an extended special enrollment period for the insurance program.

The Iran nuclear deal is back on the diplomatic plate. The U.S. is

back in the World Health Organization as well as the Paris climate accord.

But memberships and diplomatic outreach only go so far. The world wants to see how far Biden will actually go in making good on climate goals, whether he will steer more help to poorer countries in the pandemic and whether his words of renewed solidarity with NATO may only last until the next pendulum swing of U.S. politics.

After 40 years in Washington, eight years as Obama’s vice president and two failed presidential campaigns before his successful one, Biden has had a lifetime to think about the mark he wants to make as president and how to get rolling on it.

Garland says Justice Dept. must be politically independent

By Michael Balsamo The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden’s nominee for attorney general, vowed to prioritize civil rights, combat extremist attacks and ensure the Justice Department remains politically independent.

“The attorney general represents the public interest, particularly and specifically as defined by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States,” Garland said. “I do not plan to be interfered with by anyone.”

Early in the hearing, Garland faced questioning about his plans to handle specific investigations and politically sensitive cases, like the federal tax investigation involving Biden’s son Hunter Biden, and the special counsel’s inquiry started by William Barr, while he was attorney general, into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation, which also remains open.

Garland said he had not spoken with Biden about the investigation into his son. He said he had agreed to the nomination as attorney general because the president had vowed that “decisions about investigations and prosecutions will be left to the Justice Department.”

Garland, though saying he was supportive of transparency and in publicly explaining Justice Department decision-making, de-

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

In this Nov. 17, 2017, file photo, former President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland walks into Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. clined to commit to making public the results of the Durham investigation. He said under questioning from Sen. Chuck Grassley, the committee’s top Republican, that he had not spoken to Durham yet but had no reason to think that former Attorney General William Barr’s decision to give Durham special counsel status to remain in his position was “not the correct decision.”

To date, Durham has interviewed officials from the FBI, Jus-

tice Department and the CIA regarding the early days of the Russia investigation, and has produced criminal charges against just one person — a former FBI lawyer who pleaded guilty to altering an email. Garland said “there were certainly serious problems” with applications for surveillance during the FBI’s Russia investigation, and that he intended as attorney general to speak more deeply about the issue with the Justice Department’s inspector general

and with the FBI director.

“I am always concerned and have always been concerned that we be very careful about FISA,” Garland said, using the acronym for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Garland’s failed nomination to the Supreme Court wasn’t far from lawmakers minds’, with the bitter partisan feelings over the 2016 confirmation battle apparent in the hearing room. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who was chairman of the panel at the time and carried out GOP leader Mitch McConnell’s directive to block Garland from the court, defended his role, saying he took a position and “stuck to it.”

He then criticized Democrats over their handling of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

Still, he indicated he would be supportive of Garland.

“I admire Judge Garland’s public service,” Grassley said. “Just because I disagreed with anyone being nominated didn’t mean that I had to be disagreeable to that nominee.”

Garland said his first briefing as attorney general would be focused on the protest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and promised to provide prosecutors with whatever resources they need to bring charges in the cases.

Biden’s choice of Garland reflects the president’s stated goal of restoring the department’s reputa-

“Nobody who observed Joe Biden as a candidate should be surprised by any of this,” said senior adviser Anita Dunn. “He had no learning curve in terms of the issues but also in how to be president.”

There have been challenges nonetheless: the distraction of Trump’s post-presidential impeachment trial, a more narrowly divided Senate than his predecessor faced and a nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget who’s been busy deleting years of social media posts assailing Republicans and some on the Democratic left.

At his town hall event in Wisconsin, Biden repeatedly talked about how he doesn’t want to talk about the former guy.

“I’m tired of talking about Donald Trump, don’t want to talk about him anymore,” he said. “For four years, all that’s been in the news is Trump.”

That’s a tall order. The ex-president maintains his hold on millions of supporters and his lock on much of the Republican Party, whether he ends up running again or not.

But to the extent Biden can, he is doing what Obama foresaw during the 2020 campaign if the Democrat won. Biden and running mate Kamala Harris would make it possible to ignore the Washington circus again, Obama told a rally, and give Americans some predictability whether they like Biden’s course or not.

“You’re not going to have to think about them every single day,” Obama said. “It just won’t be so exhausting. You’ll be able to go about your lives.”

tion as an independent body.

In his prepared remarks, Garland focused on prioritizing policing and civil rights to combat racial discrimination — he says America doesn’t “yet have equal justice” — as well as confronting the rise in extremist violence and domestic terror threats and restoring the department’s political independence after years of controversial decisions and turmoil.

“Communities of color and other minorities still face discrimination in housing, education, employment, and the criminal justice system; and bear the brunt of the harm caused by pandemic, pollution, and climate change,” Garland said.

Garland is an experienced judge who held senior positions at the Justice Department decades ago, including as a supervisor in the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

His nomination has gained public support on both sides of the political aisle, from more than 150 former Justice Department officials — including former attorneys general Loretta Lynch, Michael Mukasey and Alberto Gonzales, along with 61 former federal judges. Others, including two sons of former Attorney General Edward Levi, have also written letters of support to Congress.

“There have been few moments in history where the role of attorney general — and the occupant of that post — have mattered more,” the committee’s chairman, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said.