North State Journal Vol. 7, Issue 13

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 13

|

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

|

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

Remembering and honoring our heroes

AG Stein recovering from ‘minor stroke’ Raleigh Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein said Tuesday he was hospitalized after experiencing strokelike symptoms. In a tweet, Stein said doctors confirmed he experienced a minor stroke and a procedure was performed to remove a small blood clot. “I’m feeling back to normal now and am beyond blessed to have no lingering effects. My doctor wants me to stay here for another day or two to get some rest before I get back to work,” Stein said. Stein, who has said he is vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, confirmed last week he had tested positive for the virus. NSJ STAFF

Trio of polls show good news for Republicans in ’22, ’24

PJ WARD-BROWN | AP PHOTO

Ted Budd speaks with his family after winning the Republican U.S. Senate primary at WinMock at Kinderton in Bermuda Run, on May 17, 2022.

Raleigh Three polls released after the May 17 statewide primary give Republicans leads in races on the ballot this November – and in a race many expect in two years. The polls were conducted by the Carolina Partnership for Reform by Meeting Street Insights just days before the primary. In all three, Republicans lead in general election matchups: Ted Budd over Cheri Beasley in the state’s U.S. Senate race, N.C. Supreme Court nominees Trey Allen and Richard Dietz over Sam Ervin IV and Lucy Inman, and in a 2024 gubernatorial preview, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson over Attorney General Josh Stein. Budd had a slight edge over Beasley, with 44% to 43%. An East Carolina University poll released on Monday had better news for Budd, giving him 47% to Beasley’s 39% among registered voters. Robinson led Stein by a 48% to 42% margin with 10% of those surveyed. NSJ STAFF

Pentagon says more high-tech weapons going to Ukraine Washington, D.C. Nearly 50 defense leaders from around the world met Monday and agreed to send more advanced weapons to Ukraine, including a harpoon launcher and missiles to protect its coast, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that “low-level” discussion is underway on how the U.S. may need to adjust its training of Ukrainian forces and on whether some U.S. troops should be based in Ukraine. The U.S. withdrew its few troops in Ukraine before the war. Milley’s comments left open the possibility troops could return for embassy security or another noncombat role. The U.S. embassy in Kyiv has partially reopened and is staffing up again, and there have been questions about whether the U.S. will send a Marine security force back in to help protect the embassy. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

Nominees Beasley, Budd turn focus to November By Matt Mercer North State Journal

Records find more taxpayer money paid to secretive education nonprofit $680,915 in additional payments discovered; Over $2M paid to The Innovation Project overall

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — New records obtained by North State Journal detail more payments made by North Carolina school districts to a secretive education nonprofit, The Innovation Project (TIP). As of April 30, North State Journal has obtained payments made by an additional nine districts; Craven, Forsyth, Hoke, Johnston Lenoir, Lincoln, Mt. Airy, Person, and Scotland. These districts made combined payments of $680,915 to TIP during the same time span. North State Journal originally requested payments made to TIP from 33 public school districts in the state known to have had contact with TIP. The districts included Alamance-Burlington, Asheboro City Schools, Beaufort, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Chatham, Craven, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Hoke, Johnston, Iredell-Statesville, Kannapolis, Lenoir, Lincoln, New Hanover, Moore, Mount Airy, Onslow, Person, Rockingham, Rowan-Salisbury, Scotland, Wake, Warren, Wilson and Vance. Of those 33, 21 produced payments to TIP totaling close to $1.35 million spanning the time period from 2017 through 2021. With the inclusion of the information from the nine districts, the overall total of taxpayer dollars flowing to TIP now stands at $2,048,800. Three of the districts, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Randolph, and Surry, reported no payments. Three more districts,

Edgecombe, Warren and Wayne, continue to be nonresponsive to requests for information. Johnston County’s payment to TIP included $164,000 in passthrough payments to the “North Carolina Education Collaborative,” which was TIP’s previous legal name. The pass-through funds were related to a $150,000 grant from the organization which gave TIP its seed money, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR). Documents obtained from Johnston County Schools shows that TIP had been collecting payments through its prior name, “North Carolina Education Collaborative (NCEC).” It is unclear if any of the districts surveyed by North State Journal also made payments to TIP while it was still named NCEC, which would raise the already over $2 million total paid to the group. An October 2016 letter to Johnston County’s superintendent at the time, Dr. Ross Renfrow, outlined the funneling of a $150,000 ZSR grant through Johnston County Schools to NCEC. The $150,000 was to be paid by the district to NCEC in installments for “multiple initiatives” in the district. A Dec. 16, 2015, letter from Leslie Winner, a former executive director of ZSR, to NCEC’s co-founder Gerry Hancock detailed that the money would go towards “The Implementation Initiative of The Innovation Project.” Rolled up in Winner’s letter was a series of topic areas covered by the initiative, including a “Restart Schools Collaborative” that would be expanded to a “larger” restart schools network. Also on the list was a virtual academy collaborative, a homeschools initiative, a principal leadership study, a future STEM teachers scholarship, innovation classrooms, leadership services, and establishing partnerships.

RALEIGH — Fresh off dominating wins in their respective party’s primaries Tuesday night, Democratic Party nominee Cheri Beasley and Republican nominee Ted Budd began targeting one another in statements, ads, and kicking off the general election for the state’s U.S. Senate seat. Beasley celebrated in Raleigh with a who’s who of Democratic Party leaders, including Gov. Roy Cooper, at the state Democratic Party headquarters.

“North Carolina, I’m honored to be your nominee ... the first African American woman to be your Democratic Senate nominee,” said Beasley Tuesday night. “As North Carolina’s next U.S. Senator, Cheri will be an independent and fierce advocate for North Carolina and continue her work to provide opportunity for families across the state. North Carolina Democrats are proud to stand with Cheri as we work to do everything we can to flip this seat,” state Democratic Party See BUDD, page A2

Without Edwards, Cawthorn would’ve won Senate primary By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — The outsized attention placed on the 11th Congressional District Republican primary was driven by the tumultuous 18 months Madison Cawthorn spent as a first-term Congressman. Yet without the entry of Chuck Edwards into the field, he would be on the path to reelection. The race truly began when the General Assembly’s 2021 redistricting session got underway last fall. Following statewide public hearings and draft proposals that garnered much attention on Twitter, the legislature placed a new district between the mountains and Mecklenburg County – and political observers seemed certain that House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) would run for the seat. That, of course, didn’t happen, with Cawthorn saying he would leave his western NC district and run in the new one. In his words, it was to keep an “establishment, go along to get along Republican” from winning. “This was a tactical move to ensure North Carolina’s conservative fighting spirit is strengthened,” Cawthorn said in a video announcing the move. A host of candidates would announce their campaigns without the presence of an incumbent, Edwards among them. However, state courts got involved, and in a series of courtroom moves the legislative map was discarded. In that time, though, Cawthorn’s

move drew ire from the people who sent him to Washington in the first place. None of the candidates who got into the race left – including Edwards. First elected to the state Senate See EDWARDS, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

A2 WEDNESDAY

5.25.22 #335

“Variety Vacationland” 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 Lauren Rose Design Editor Published each Wednesday by North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

EDWARDS from page A1 in 2016, Edwards succeeded one of the most powerful legislators in Raleigh, Tom Apodaca. Edwards’ business background – he started working at a local McDonald’s at the age of 16, eventually rising through the corporate structure, and owning multiple franchises – is a compelling story. “I was born and raised here in the very mountains that I’m now asking to represent. As a child, I was a member of a very religious but poor family. My mom was a waitress; my dad was a truck driver. We didn’t have much, but we had love and togetherness,” Edwards told North State Journal in a December 2020 interview. With district lines finalized in February, the sprint was on to the May 17 primary for Cawthorn, Edwards, and six other candidates. Cawthorn was the focus of many liberal activists in Asheville and nationwide. Led by his 2020 opponent, Democrat Moe Davis, a PAC called “Fire Madison Cawthorn” recruited a moderate registered Republican into the race and spent thousands viciously attacking the first-term Congressman. Democrats in the race regularly invoked Cawthorn making appeals to small-dollar donors that would go viral. Cawthorn’s biggest problem, though, was a serious candidate who happened to be a third-term state legislator representing the same areas that powered his improbable rise in 2020. The majority of votes in the pri-

THE WORD: THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE

“Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better.” Luke 10:42 Paul prayed that his friends “may be able to discern what is best.” Philippians 1:10. We must be always making choices in this world. We cannot take up everything that lies in our path — and we ought to choose the best things. Even among ‘right things’ there is room for choice, for some right things are better than others. There are many Christians, however, who do not habitually choose the best things — but second-rate things. They labor for the food that perishes — when they might labor for the food that endures unto everlasting life. Even in their prayers, they ask for temporal blessings, when they might ask for spiritual treasures. They are like “the man with the muck-rake”, in Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” — who only looks “down” and drags his rake among the weeds and worthless rubbish — while over his head are crowns which he might take into his hands! They are like Esau, who sold his valuable birthright, for some lentil stew. They toil for this world’s vain things — when they might have been laying up treasures in heaven. We only have one life to live — and we ought therefore to do the best we possibly can with it. We pass through this world only once — and we ought to gather up and take with us the things that will truly enrich us — things we can keep forever. It is not worth our while, to toil and moil, and strive and struggle — to do things that will leave no lasting results when our life is done — while there are things we can do which have eternal significance.

mary would come from a group of three counties: Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania. Buncombe, the most populous of the three, is home to the liberal bastion of Asheville but also nearly 46,000 Republicans. The GOP outnumbers registered Democrats in Henderson and Transylvania. Both Cawthorn and Edwards call Henderson County home. In 2020, Cawthorn advanced to a runoff with Lynda Bennett based off of winning Buncombe and Henderson counties in the first primary. In the runoff, Cawthorn swept to victory with 66% of the vote. As the race entered spring, it looked as though it was Cawthorn vs. the field. Some of the other candidates would have a fleeting rise: Bruce O’Connell spent personal money freely in TV ads, Michele Woodhouse, a one-time Cawthorn ally and former 11th District Republican chairwoman, made the rounds in conservative media, and some in the Buncombe County business community backed Matthew Burrill, a 35-year financial advisor and Chairman of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority. As controversies rained down on Cawthorn, most through his own making, the only other candidate in the race who had served in elected office was Edwards. Carrying endorsements from many of western NC’s state legislators, Edwards was now looked at as the alternative candidate. An April memo published by campaign consultant Paul Shumaker laid out their path to victory. “Past election trend data shows

FILE PHOTO

State Sen. Chuck Edwards a vote goal of 17,250 votes will put Edwards over the top of all other candidates. Our mail is focused on Chuck’s record of accomplishments and the issues our polling shows will defeat Madison Cawthorn: his poor voting record coupled with excessive spending, cutting social security and veterans benefits and requiring seniors to go back to work to receive social security benefits, and instituting a new European-style consumption tax,” part of the memo read. It also said that if no one rises to the task of focusing on the issues that matter against Cawthorn, we will have no choice but to go directly after him. In a timely turn of events, the

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Esau and Jacob” is a painting by Matthias Stom (circa 1640) in the collection of the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

“Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!” Colossians 3:1-2 J.R. Miller was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain.

controversies that made national news spurred the involvement of state Republicans whose private antipathy toward Cawthorn led to public action. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis and legislative Republicans rallied to Edwards, helping fundraise across the state and generating enough outside interest to pepper voters with TV ads, mail, digital ads, and more. From March to April, Cawthorn dropped 11 points and Edwards rose by 7, according to polling conducted in the race by the GOPAC Election Fund. “Typically, undecided voters break toward challengers and nonviable candidates lose voters to true contenders as an election nears. Among voters who have an opinion of both Edwards and Cawthorn, Edwards led 32% to 31%. If Cawthorn is going to lose, it will be Edwards who beats him,” said political consultant Jim Blaine, who led the organization’s polling efforts. At the start of early voting, it was clear there was strong interest in the race. Republicans turned out, and critically, so did unaffiliated voters. Shumaker’s original estimate was well below where the race would end up. In the three weeks before May 17, Edwards would raise $121,700 according to FEC records. In comparison, Cawthorn raised just $15,500. As the viable alternative, Edwards had all the momentum going into Election Day. Edwards built a nearly 4,000 vote lead in combined absentee and one-stop voting. That strength came mainly in Buncombe, Hen-

BUDD from page A1 chair Bobbie Richardson said in a statement. In the final tally, Beasley took 81% of the vote statewide. The Republican race also ended shortly after the first returns were announced. North State Journal called the race for Budd at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday night. The primary win clinched a victory for the three-term Congressman in the race over two candidates who arguably started the race with more advantages. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker announced his run for the seat in December 2020. McCrory followed in early April, just a week before Budd earned the endorsement of 45th President Donald Trump at the NCGOP Convention two months later. Budd rode that endorsement, a grassroots campaign visiting all 100 counties, and air cover from the conservative Club for Growth to over 58% of the vote. He was joined at his election night party in Davie County by U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09) and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who delivered a critical endorsement of Budd at a rally in Johnston County in April. “In this contested primary, there were many days my team struggled to stay ahead. But, thanks to your votes, donations, and getting the

PHOTO VIA AP

Democratic North Carolina Senate candidate Cheri Beasley, fourth from right, stands on stage with family at an election night event hosted by the North Carolina Democratic Party after winning her primary race in Raleigh word out, we came out victorious. It is the honor of a lifetime to fight to represent our state in this general election,” said Budd Tuesday night. With the race now on to November, the two nominees wasted no time drawing contrasts with one another. Budd also said in his remarks that Beasley was the most radical nominee for U.S. Senate in state history. Beasley echoed a line from

Budd’s primary opponents, calling Budd a “D.C. insider” while rolling out a quick endorsement from the N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE). “We have no doubt Cheri Beasley and our endorsed candidates will win the mid-term election this November and usher in a new era for North Carolina,” said NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly. “An era focused on well-funded education

and our children’s futures. We look forward to education being prioritized in the coming elections.” Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said that Budd’s win paves the way for victories across the state. “Congratulations to Ted Budd and the rest of our North Carolina Republican nominees. North Carolinians are tired of Biden and Dem-

derson, and Transylvania counties. When Election Day votes were tallied, Cawthorn led by just 2,500. Not even a last-minute plea from former President Donald Trump on TRUTH Social, in which he urged voters to give Cawthorn a second chance, seemed to break through. As precincts reported their numbers, it was becoming evident Edwards would narrowly win. In Buncombe County, Edwards outpaced Cawthorn by 11%. In Henderson and Transylvania, it was nearly identical: Edwards took 43% and 50%, respectively, with Cawthorn at 25% in each county. That was enough to offset Cawthorn’s wins in the remaining 12 counties. His best result came in Cherokee County, the state’s westernmost, where he led Edwards 46% to 21%. Acknowledging his defeat, Cawthorn conceded the race to Edwards and urged Republicans to come together to win in November. Edwards said “I am forever grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me to be the GOP nominee. Let’s take the gavel from (House) Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s hands in November!” in a statement on Twitter after the win. He also thanked every candidate for their graciousness, including Cawthorn. In the final tallies, Edwards took 29,411 votes to Cawthorn’s 28,092. The next highest finisher, Burrill, recorded 8,314 votes. Edwards is now a heavy favorite to beat the Democratic nominee, Jasmine Beach-Ferrera, in a district and political environment that favors Republicans.

ocrats’ 40-year high inflation, record-breaking gas prices, and weak on crime stances. The RNC’s multimillion-dollar investment in the Tar Heel State will propel North Carolina Republicans to victory come November,” said McDaniel. The RNC said Tuesday night it has already trained and recruited more than 9,500 volunteers who have made more than 474,000 voter contacts for the November election. The Carolina Partnership for Reform, a conservative nonprofit, conducted polling in a potential Budd vs. Beasley matchup going just before the primary. Their poll, conducted by Meeting Street Insights, showed a close race: Budd at 44% and Beasley at 43%. “Cheri Beasley, who did not have a serious primary contest, has a +16 net favorability rating. Budd, who battled former Gov. Pat McCrory and former Rep. Mark Walker for months, sits at -4 net favorability. Unaffiliated voters sided with Budd 40%-34%, with 25% undecided,” a memo on the results said Wednesday. Public polling earlier this month showed Budd ahead of Beasley. In a story published on May 12, a poll conducted by The Hill and Emerson College had a 7-point advantage for Budd, leading 48% to 41% over Beasley.

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

A3

NC, VA Lt. Govs. file amicus brief in admissions discrimination case Mark Robinson and Winsome Sears have signed on in support of Students For Fair Admissions case being heard by U.S. Supreme Court

AP PHOTO

Republican Senate leader Phil Berger speaks Aug. 24, 2021, in Raleigh.

NC Medicaid expansion gets serious attention from Senate GOP By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — North Carolina Senate Republicans are strongly considering legislation that would expand Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of additional low-income adults. Such legislation would mark a key step in an extraordinary turnabout by GOP members in the chamber set against expansion for a decade. A draft bill yet to be formally filed also would include several other medical, health care coverage and insurance reforms, according to a summary of the bill obtained by The Associated Press. Many of these proposals, including expansion, have been discussed in a House-Senate health care study committee that’s met several times since February. “Senate Republicans continue to have discussions about how to address the rising costs of health care and how to increase access in the state,” Lauren Horsch, a spokesperson for Senate leader Phil Berger, said Monday. Horsch confirmed the summary’s authenticity but could not say if and when legislation would be filed during the General Assembly’s annual work session, which began last week and likely will end around July 1. The measure’s showpiece would be Medicaid expansion, which Republicans were cool to or outright against for several years after the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act authorized the coverage for people earning too much money for traditional Medicaid coverage. North Carolina is one of a dozen states that have not expanded Medicaid.

But Berger said last fall he was now open to expansion, in part because he was now convinced the federal government’s 90% share of expenses for expansion enrollees would not soon be eliminated. More Republicans also are intrigued by the idea because the 2021 federal COVID-19 relief law would give North Carolina $1.5 billion over two years to treat traditional Medicaid patients if it accepts expansion. Horsch said Berger has seen the omnibus proposal described in the summary but declined to say whether he supports it. The bill summary says the expansion proposal would cover adults making up to 38% above federal poverty guidelines, likely covering at least 600,000 people. Right now, about 2.7 million North Carolina residents are enrolled in Medicaid. Some current enrollees who have remained on the rolls during the pandemic would ultimately be covered by expansion. The bill says the state’s 10% share of expansion expenses would be paid through a new assessment on hospitals. Expansion would end if Congress increased the state’s share. The program also would include a work requirement for expansion recipients — a mandate that in other states has been struck down by federal courts and blocked elsewhere by President Joe Biden’s administration. It’s unclear whether the absence of a work mandate would be a deal-breaker for House Republicans, which had pushed an expansion bill in 2019 containing such a requirement. House Speaker Tim Moore said last year that at the time, he did not see support within

Greene County’s Patrick Greene 2022 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Dr. Patrick Greene, principal of Greene Central High School located in Greene County was named the 2022 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year at a ceremony held at the Umstead Hotel in Cary on May 20. Greene began his education career in 2004 as a high school social studies teacher and AVID teacher and coordinator at Farmville Central High School for four years in Pitt County. Greene also served three years an assistant principal at J.H. Rose High School, also in Pitt County. The NC Principal of the Year (NCPOY) program which recognizes outstanding principals across the state began in the 1980s. “Patrick trusts student leaders to set an example for their peers to improve their school, and they, in turn, trust him to hear them out and respond genuinely and effectively,” N.C. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said. “He trusts his teachers to work hard and give students everything they need to grow and succeed. And for their part, teachers trust him to work just as hard – maybe even harder – to provide and protect the kind of learning environment they need to achieve powerful teaching and learning in their classrooms.” As part of their duties, once named, the NCPOY travels the

the House Republican Caucus for expansion. Talking to reporters last week, Moore said he “would be surprised” if a Medicaid expansion agreement could be reached with the Senate before the work session ended. A House co-chairman of the health care study committee has said he did not expect any action on panel recommendations until the fall, so a Senate proposal would certainty attempt to accelerate the process. Any bill would have to pass both chambers before heading to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has sought expansion repeatedly since taking office in early 2017. His budget-adjustment proposal released earlier this month contains it again. “I believe that we’re getting closer than ever to an agreement,” Cooper said May 11. “I do appreciate that Republican leaders are taking this seriously.” A 2019 budget stalemate between the governor and GOP leaders centered around expansion. According to the summary, first reported by Axios, the bill also would streamline and narrow “certificate of need” laws that require health regulators to sign off on expansion plans by hospitals and other medical providers before moving forward. The measure also would permit nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and nurses with other advanced specialties to practice without a physician’s formal supervision. The legislation also would require health insurers in the state to cover telehealth services, and in-network health facilities would have to alert consumers when outof-network providers are scheduled to provide care.

hunger from No Kid Hungry NC. The other regional finalists for the 2022 award were: Northeast Alison Covington, South Greenville Elementary (Pitt County Schools) Southeast Dr. Patrick Greene, Greene Central High (Greene County Schools) North Central Keith Richardson, Knightdale High (Wake County Public Schools) Sandhills Antonio Covington, East Hoke Middle (Hoke County Schools) Piedmont-Triad KaTrinka Brown, Jackson Middle (Guilford County Schools)

COURTESY PHOTO

Dr. Patrick Greene, principal of Greene Central High School. state over the next school “as an ambassador for the profession as supported by Wells Fargo and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.” Being named NCPOY has its perks such as an award of $3,000 for personal use and $3,000 for use at their school. Additionally, the NCPOY and a guest or two educators of their choosing, will attend the Global Education Symposium in Boston in 2022. The NCPOY will also receive an engraved vase, a custom-made NC Principal of the Year signet ring from Jostens, and resources to help combat child

gardless of their race or ethnicity.” In this age, our nation desperately needs our best and brightest to be our most highly-educated and prepared to meet the challenges of a dynamic global economy. Our international competitors in China and around the world aren’t having the economic success they are because they By A.P. Dillon prioritize diversity and equity North State Journal and inclusion,” Robinson said in RALEIGH — North Caroli- his prepared remarks. “They are na and Virginia Republican Lt. rivaling the American economy Govs. Mark Robinson and Win- because their priority is that their some Sears have filed an amicus very best and brightest students brief in the college admissions are empowered to do great things discrimination case being heard and afforded the very best educational opportunities available.” by the U.S. Supreme Court. The original cases against Robinson and Sears, who are both the first black lieutenant Harvard University and the governors in their respective University of North Carolina at states, filed a joint amicus cur- Chapel Hill (UNC) were brought iae brief in support of Asian stu- by SFFA. The cases against both schools were filed in 2014. SFFA dents on May 9. In a press statement announc- lost both cases and appealed to ing the amicus filing, Sears said the U.S. Supreme Court, which “It is time to end the policies of accepted and consolidated the college selection based on race, cases on Jan. 24, 2022. At the heart of SFwhich is counter to FA’s case is the Supreme equal treatment under Court’s previous 2003 the law.” ruling in Grutter v. “Universit y-sponBollinger, which said sored and supported “We are that the Equal Proteccharter schools, the coming tion Clause of the Fourexpansion of scholarteenth Amendment did ships for low-income up on the not prohibit “narrowly students, and improved 20th year tailored use of race in student testing meth- since that admissions decisions ods will help provide to further a compelling increased diversity at decision, interest in obtaining universities,” Sears said. and we can the education benefits “The right to a good edthat flow from a diverse ucation doesn’t come now plainly student body.” at the expense of deny- see that the During his remarks, ing another the right Robinson also called as well. We learn from negative attention to Grutter v. history that we don’t effects Bollinger’s impending learn from history. We of racial expiration. are not about to deny “Well, we are comeducational rights to preferences ing up on the 20th year Asian children. Rather, outweigh since that decision, and we must ensure that all we can now plainly see children have access to any good that the negative effects educational opportuni- they can do of racial preferences ties.” outweigh any good they Also on May 9, Gail in 2022.” can do in 2022,” RobinHeriot and Peter N. Kirson said. sanow, two members of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson continued, the U.S. Civil Rights Robinson “While it can be argued Commission, also filed that these policies had a an amicus curiae brief in support of SFFA. Heriot is a role in helping black Americans law professor and Kirsanow is a to overcome the persistent effects practicing attorney and adjunct of historical and past discriminalaw professor. To date, some 30 tion in higher education, those efamicus briefs in support of SFFA’s fects are becoming less impactful the further we as a people travel case have been filed. On May 19, the NC Asian from the dark days of Jim Crow American Coalition (NCAAC) and state-sanctioned discriminaheld an event at Robinson’s of- tion.” Both the Heriot/Kirsanow amfice in Raleigh to thank him for his support. Among the three or icus and Robinson/Sears briefs so dozen in attendance were civil take aim at the constitutionality rights icon Clarence Henderson, Grutter. Both briefs argue the Color Us United’s Kenny Xu, ruling violates the Equal Protecand attorney Tyler Brooks, who tion Clause and Title VI of the helped author the joint amicus Civil Rights Act of 1964. “Grutter should be overturned brief. NCAAC is a 501(c)4, non-reli- because it permits public and gious and non-partisan nonprofit private universities like those in organization that “focuses on pol- these cases to violate the Equal icy advocacy, leadership develop- Protection Clause and Title VI ment, and grassroots education of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 interests” for the Asian American by discriminating on the basis of race,” the brief reads. “Grutter community in North Carolina. In an interview with North was a dangerous decision—so State Journal, Brooks said the dangerous the Court said at the point of the brief was to sup- time it was issued that its holding port the goal of the petitioners, should have a lifespan of no more Students For Fair Admissions than twenty-five years.” The brief goes on to ask Grutter (SFFA), that “the law should not engage in what Chief Justice Rob- should “nonetheless be discarded erts has called ‘the sordid busi- now in favor of race neutral and truly effective means of enhancness of divvying us up by race’.” “The point here is to move ing educational opportunities for away from those policies,” Brooks all students.” “Such a course would not only said of the brief’s intent to address discrimination in academic improve education, but also remove the judicial reinforcement admissions policies. Robinson was the last to speak for a toxic ideology that is increasat the event, saying “It is time to ingly dividing American society ensure that all the students in our based on race. Grutter must be state and nation have the same repudiated by this Court,” states access to higher education, re- the brief.

Southwest Larenda Denien, Idlewild Elementary (CharlotteMecklenburg Schools) Northwest Dr. Heather Melton Freeman, North Wilkes Middle (Wilkes County Schools) Western Dr. Marsha S. Justice, Edneyville Elementary (Henderson County Public Schools) Charter Schools Maria Mills, Carolina Charter Academy (Angier)

For more information on the NYPOY program, visit the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s website under “Educator Recognition Programs” at: https:// www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educator-recognition-programs

IMAGE COURTESY OF LT. GOV. MARK ROBINSON

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and members of the NC Asian American Coalition discuss his support of a brief in the college admissions discrimination case being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

A4

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Murphy to Manteo

NC’s unemployment rate ticks down The latest monthly unemployment figures released by the N.C. Department of Commerce shows continued steady declines of the rates. 3.4% The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2022 6.3% unemployment rate was 3.4%, decreasing 3.4% 3.8% 3.6% 0.1 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.6%. North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 30,263 over the month to 4,883,507 and increased 203,995 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,917 over the month to 173,348 and decreased 79,156 over the year.

WEST

3.0% 2.6%

3.0%

3.0% 3.4%

3.2% 4.0% 3.5% 3.3% 3.2% 3.2%

2.9%

3.0%

2.8% 3.7%

Jackson County A police officer saved a 4-year-old autistic boy who authorities say was “up to his shoulders” in a fast-moving creek. The Sylva Police Department says on its Facebook page that the child’s parents called this week to say their son had wandered away from home. Officer Jacob Waldroup, who was not on duty, joined the search for the lost child. Police say Waldroup went to an area where a citizen heard crying and found the boy in the moving water. Police say the officer jumped into the creek and brought the boy to safety.

3.5%

3.1%

3.1% 3.3%

3.8%

4.2%

3.7%

2.9%

3.2%

3.6%

3.2%

3.9% 3.7%

3.6%

2.9%

3.3%

3.9%

3.4%

4.9% 6.1%

3.4%

Buncombe County Over the weekend, the League of Women Voters of Asheville/Buncombe County unveiled a historical marker honoring Helen Morris Lewis. Lewis organized the state’s first Women’s Rights Association in Asheville in 1894. The plaque was unveiled at the Patton Parker House in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

4.6%

WLOS

Yadkin County Ben Thomas Hodge, 30, of Boonville, was arrested, a week after he allegedly performed a drive-by shooting in Boonville. The shooting occurred near Longtime Road and was considered an isolated domestic incident. Police found Hodge and captured him after he crashed his car in an effort to escape. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, resisting arrest and driving with a revoked license. FOX 8

AP

Swain County Daniel Crowder and Diane Crowder, both 42, pled guilty to neglect and child abuse in a case that saw a four-year-old boy suffer injuries while in their care. The pair each entered guilty pleas to felony abuse charges for failing to seek medical treatment for the boy’s injuries, which resulted in serious harm to him. They also each received two misdemeanor abuse convictions. Both will serve 25 to 42 month terms in prison. WLOS

Police charge school bus driver with DWI Wake County A school bus driver is charged with driving while impaired after an accident in which a construction worker was hit. Raleigh police responded to a report late Friday morning of an accident west of downtown. There were no children on the bus, but police said the bus hit a construction worker, who suffered injuries to his legs. Officers charged the bus driver with operating a school bus after consuming alcohol and impaired driving in a commercial vehicle. The driver has been removed from driving duties for the Wake County Public School System and is suspended pending an investigation.

AP

3.0%

3.8%

3.5%

3.3%

3.4%

6.7%

6.0%

8.7%

3.5%

3.1% 3.2%

3.2%

4.8%

3.1%

EAST

Man arrested in drive-by

Gaston County James Ijames got a call in his office at Villanova University. Ijames, 41, a native of Bessemer City, learned he won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play Fat Ham, an interpretation of Hamlet that is set at a North Carolina barbecue. Ijames graduated from Hunter Huss High School in 1999. He went on to receive a BA from Morehouse and an MFA from Temple. He said that his time growing up in Bessemer City has had a significant influence on his work as a playwright. However, Fat Ham is his first play set in the South.

5.7%

3.8%

4.9%

NC native wins Pulitzer Prize for play set at barbecue

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

4.4%

3.8%

5.5%

6.2%

PIEDMONT

7.9%

3.8%

4.9%

4.7% 5.1%

Judge: Regulators wrong to ban beer label that had naked man

Man charged with murder in deaths of mother, son

Pasquotank County A federal judge says regulators were wrong to reject a beer label that featured a silhouette of a naked man standing next to a campfire. The owners of Maryland-based Flying Dog Brewery argued that the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission violated their First Amendment rights by rejecting the label for its Freezin’ Season Winter Ale. The commission said the label was in “bad taste” but later allowed the beer to be sold. A judge ruled in favor of the brewery, finding that the regulation was vague and overbroad. The judge ordered the state to remove the regulation.

Cumberland County A 68-year-old man has been charged with murder in the deaths in a mother and son who were found dead in the grass behind their apartment building. Police in Hope Mills announced Saturday that Rodney William McCrary has been charged with two counts each first-degree murder and kidnapping. Police say he lived in the same apartment building as 48-year-old Julie Camacho Smith and her 25-year-old son, Desmond Miles Brewington. They were found dead Wednesday morning. McCrary was being held without bond. A motive was not immediately known.

Lottery tickets stolen and cashed in

GREENSBORO — The North Carolina Republican Party held its annual state convention this past weekend in Greensboro at the Koury Convention Center. Over 1,100 delegates attended to participate in party business, attend training sessions, and meet activists from across the state. The convention had a consistent theme for the upcoming midterms – a red wave is coming in November. Keynote speakers included Citizens United president David Bossie, Virginia attorney general Jason Miyares, Florida Sen. Rick Scott, and the party’s newlyminted U.S. Senate nominee, Ted Budd. During a luncheon featuring the state’s Republican Congressional delegation, Sen. Scott talked up the importance of the North Carolina U.S. Senate race between Budd and Democrat Cheri Beasley. Other speakers included Budd himself, Bo Hines, who narrowly avoided a runoff by a few points in the packed 13th Congressional district Republican primary and Pat Harrigan, who won the 14th Congressional district Republican primary with nearly 76% of the vote. Harrigan and Hines will face a pair of Democratic state senators in Jeff Jackson and Wiley Nickel, respectively. Scott said sending a “fiscal conservative” like Budd to D.C. was imperative given the state of historic inflation that is nearing 10% and 45 trillion in national debt under President Joe Biden. He also compared Biden to an ostrich “burying his head in the sand” on the issues facing the nation. “There is a clear choice,” Scott said referring to Budd and Beasley’s matchup, lobbing a few hits at Beasley’s track record, including being soft on crime. The National Republican Senatorial Campaign launched a $1 million ad buy attacking Beasley’s record on crime just before the May 17 primary. The ad says Beasley has a “dangerous record of letting violent criminals off the hook.” Scott remarked that $6.2 million will

be put towards a campaign to “define Beasley now” instead of waiting until closer to the election. He also told the audience they can expect to see him come back to the Tar Heel State several times prior to November. NC GOP Chairman Michael Whatley told North State Journal that “coming out of the primary, we are very excited as Republicans.” “We had twice as many Republican votes as we did in 2018 and the fact that unaffiliated voters were pulling Republican ballots at a two to one clip over Democrats, shows you the enthusiasm that we have,” Whatley said. “We have a great slate of candidates that are going to put North Carolina families first,” said Whatley, who also remarked their candidates are in a “great position” and the NCGOP is excited about the general election. He also “the unbelievable slate” of judicial candidates touted the importance of those races on the ballot, in particular, gaining control of the state supreme court. State Sen. Ralph Hise, who won his primary against colleague Deanna Ballard, said it was a “really tough race” decided by only around 300 votes. He said it was a “horrible position” to have to face a friend and colleague but that he was happy he would be able to serve the people of District 47. Hise and Ballard were forced to face off due to redistricting changes which double-bunked them in the same district. “The biggest part of the short session, as always, is the adjustments to the state budget,” Hise said when asked what was on tap for the state legislature. North State Journal also ran into U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09), who recounted an interaction at a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing called by Democrats to “raise the alarm about abortion, which has now gone viral with over 620 million impressions on Twitter. “It was just one simple question,” Bishop said, alluding to asking a witness, who according to Bishop was an “abortion doctor,” if men could get pregnant and have abortions. The witness responded with a “yes.”

AP AP

Granville County Police are looking for three women who stole several scratch-off lottery tickets from a convenience store in Granville County. The theft occurred on S. Main Street in Creedmoor on April 11. One woman distracted the cashier while her accomplices took tickets from the lottery case. A day later, some of the winning tickets were redeemed at a Circle K store in Raleigh. CBS 17

Chinese tire maker cancels project

Deep beach holes are dangerous, Outer Banks town warns Dare County Officials in a town on the Outer Banks are pleading with beachgoers to think twice before digging deep holes on the beach. They posted a warning on Facebook just hours before a man died at a New Jersey beach when a hole collapsed on him. The town of Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks posted a picture of ocean rescue supervisor David Elder standing in a large hole that he said was as much as 7 feet deep. Elder says because the ocean water is cold, beachgoers tend to look for “alternate entertainment” — such as digging holes.

Edgecombe County Officials say a Chinese tire maker which announced a project five years ago to build a plant and bring at least 800 jobs has pulled out and relinquished the 400-acre site. Carolinas Gateway Partnership CEO Norris Tolson announced that Triangle Tyre notified the partnership and Edgecombe County it would not build two large plants at the Kingsboro Road mega site. The investment was worth $580 million. The company announced it was withdrawing due to a number of issues that caused its leadership to decide to discontinue the project to focus on its business needs in China. AP

AP

AP

Republicans say ‘red wave’ is coming at annual convention

3.0% 4.1% 3.5% 4.3% 3.8%

3.0%

4.9%

5.2%

3.1%

4.2% 3.4%

6.2%

Jones & Blount

5.5%

2.6%

3.0% 3.2% 3.1%

6.6% 6.7%

3.5% 2.4% 2.9%

3.1%

Couple enters guilty plea in child abuse case

Avery County A 53-year-old man has died after drowning at a popular waterfall. The Linville Volunteer Fire Department said it received a call late Friday morning about a missing swimmer at Elk River Falls. The victim was 53-yearold Philip D. Williams. Elk River Falls, in the Pisgah National Forest, has been the scene of multiple drownings in recent years. During the rescue and recovery efforts Friday, a diver with the fire department suffered a medical emergency and was taken by helicopter to the hospital. The diver is expected to make a full recovery.

3.5%

4.1%

8.0%

AP

Swimmer drowns at popular waterfall

3.0%

3.1%

2.8%

Women’s voting rights pioneer gets recognition

Police officer saves autistic child in creek

5.0% 4.0%

3.4%

A5

COURTESY PHOTO

Chairman Michael Whatley speaks at the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro.

POWERING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

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.

98% of ALL Farms are Family Farms

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

NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

ncfb.org CEC CR 33497-01 Brighter Future N State Jrnal (10.25x6).indd 1

5/20/22 9:30 AM

A6

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

The Roman Way to save America

The best brains, the strongest characters, had always been at the absolute disposal of the state.

THE ESSENCE OF BEING AN AMERICAN comes from the philosophies, the ethos, the literature and the history of the Roman Republic and Greek democracies dating back 2500 years. There’s no getting around those two basic fundamental facts. The very definition of our form of government, our democratic republic, comes from the Greek dēmokratia (rule by the people) and the Latin respublica, (thing of the public). We Americans live in “a thing of the public ruled by the people”, if that clears anything up for posterity’s sake. One basic fact which has been proven time and time again is that great leaders lead nations to great success. Crummy leaders don’t. Edith Hamilton, the renowned classicist educator and authority about Greek and Roman culture and history, wrote “The Roman Way” in 1932. Here’s what she had to say about what it took for the Roman Republic to prosper for over five hundred years: “The thing of paramount importance (to a Roman), away beyond everything else, was politics. Throughout the great days of the Republic, it had been the field both of duty and honor. A good man, a great man ― both terms were synonymous with a patriotic man. Goodness apart from patriotism did not exist to the Roman. All the men who counted, (such as Cicero, noted nearby in abridged version of his essay “On Old Age”) whether by birth or property, had been brought up in the tradition that they were bound to be politicians first; whatever else they might take up must be treated as of secondary importance… “The best brains, the strongest characters, had always been at the absolute disposal of the state. Her service had been at once their chief obligation and their greatest joy”. Do we have the “best brains” and the “strongest characters” now in America serving in public office at every level of government? We certainly have an open democracy where any citizen can pay the filing fee and become a candidate for public office which is, in itself, a great and admirable part of a free society. No one wants to live in an America where only a chosen few get to rule due to wealth or hereditary status. Do we have “the very best” elected representatives serving in government who have proven they are “the smartest” or “have the highest moral and ethical character” in any field of endeavor outside of politics? Hardly. In many cases, political party leaders and independent campaign

committee directors have chosen a person to run for a particular office regardless of their talent or ability. They were chosen to toe the party line and vote as they are told by party leaders. What kind of true leader can such a person be really if they are told what to do by others? Such candidates win by default because men and women of great ability have willfully chosen not to run against them. It is as if top-ranked Duke or Carolina basketball teams have chosen to not take the court against a far inferior D-3 or NAIA college team. Is it too much trouble for anyone to fight to restore America to its foundational principles? If good-to-great people won’t do it, who is left to do it then? Who would be in an ideal Senate if America followed the Roman example? Would it be full of leaders such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos; Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brady and 94 other proven leaders from every sector of the United States society and economy? That is what the Roman Republic Senate used to look like 2,500 years ago. That is what it looked like at Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1776 and in 1787 when the very best and brightest citizens essentially volunteered their enormous talents to pass two of the greatest living documents in world history, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Today, our greatest leaders are not in Washington, state capitals or serving in local government. They are at home, at work or on a trip somewhere reading and griping about how poorly our nation is being run across-the-board. Maybe we need a call to public service such as when President Kennedy started the Peace Corps. Every talented and successful person should be asked or challenged to run for public office at any level of government at least once during their lifetime. Call it “The Roman Way To Save America.”

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Democrats tells us who the real extremists are during abortion ‘care’ hearing

There’s a legal issue here but underneath that is a moral issue.

LAST WEEK, Democrats treated us to what they portrayed as an “urgent” hearing on abortion in the aftermath of the leak of the draft majority opinion written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito where he declared “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” The hearing was titled “Revoking Your Rights: The Ongoing Crisis in Abortion Care Access,” which confirmed it was a partisan event staged to highlight the alleged extremism of Republicans who oppose the gruesome practice of ending an unborn child’s life by inhumane means. Instead, what ended up being showcased was the outright callousness of the Democratic witnesses. For instance, abortion doctor Yashica Robinson was asked “How does one fully qualify as human? What makes a human being?” Dr. Robinson’s answer was disturbing. “What makes a person a human being is them being born … That’s why we have birthdays,” she stated. By that logic, an unborn child still in the womb one day before it is born is not human to this doctor. Later, Dr. Robinson accused Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (TX) of using “inflammatory language” to literally describe the type of abortions she performs at up to 20 weeks of pregnancy in her “abortion care” role, a role she said she was “proud of.” When Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) tried to portray a Republican witness – Americans United for Life President/CEO Catherine Glenn Foster – as an extremist for calling for abortion bans with no exceptions for rape or incest, Foster turned the tables on Raskin, asking him if exceptions were put on abortion ban bills for rape and incest, would he vote in favor of them. Raskin ended up proving he was the extremist when he ducked the simple question and instead simply stated “OK, I reclaim my time, of course.” Some of the wildest and most revealing moments, however, came when “unapologetic reproductive justice advocate” Aimee Arrambide was questioned by the Republicans on the committee, including U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09). Arrambide was asked by Bishop “What do you say a woman is?” “I believe everyone can identify it for themselves,” she told him.

When he asked if she believed that men could get pregnant and have abortions, Arrambide responded “yes.” An even more illuminating exchange occurred between Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Arrambide that revealed everything wrong with the “abortion until birth” argument, an argument both Democrats and their witnesses advocated that day either by way of words or actions. “If it is not lawful and morally acceptable to take the life of a 10-year-old child, I assume you agree with that, right? That would be wrong, correct?” Johnson pressed. “I believe that is wrong,” she responded Then Johnson cranked it up a notch. “And a 2-year-old child, same thing, that would be murder, we all agree that is wrong,” he stated. “What is the principal distinction between the human being that is two years old or nine months old or one week old or an hour old, than one that is eight inches further up the birth canal in the utero? What’s the difference? Why is it okay in the latter case and not the former cases?” Arrambide went quiet for a moment after Johnson stumped her, but then fell back on a typical pro-abortion talking point. “I trust people to determine what to do with their own bodies. Full stop.” Johnson reacted as many pro-lifers did. “Wow. ‘Full stop’ indeed. That describes right there exactly what this is about. There’s a legal issue here but underneath that is a moral issue,” Johnson observed. “It’s about reality, it’s about science, the advancement of medical technology. You’re talking about unborn children and your ‘full stop’ is that you will support the termination of that child at any time and that is frightening.” ‘Nuff said. 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, May 25, 2022

A7 COLUMN DAVID SUKOFF

COLUMN | MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Concerning old age IT IS USUAL FOR MEN to complain that old age has stolen upon them before they had expected it; but they would feel its burden as heavily if they had hundreds of years in which to prepare for it. It is certain that the true grievance lies in the man and not in the age. Those whose desires are properly regulated, and who have nothing morose or petulant in their temper and manners, will find old age a very tolerable state indeed. Unsubdued passions and a forward disposition will embitter this, as they embitter every other stage of life. When I consider the various disadvantages which old age is generally supposed to bring with it, I find that they may all be reduced to four general charges. The first is that it incapacitates a man for taking part in the affairs of the world. The second, that it produces bodily infirmities. Thirdly, it disqualifies him for the enjoyment of sensual pleasures. And, lastly, it brings him to the threshold of death. It is said old age disqualifies us from taking an active part in affairs. Certainly, in so far as the strength and vivacity of youth are required; but yet there are public services which can be rendered only in advanced life. Is the pilot useless in the ship because, while the crew are running about and sweating at their tasks, the old man sits quietly at the helm? The second complaint is that old age impairs our strength. For my part, I no more regret the vigor of my youth than I regretted then that I had not the strength of a bull or of an elephant. It is enough if we exert with spirit, on every proper occasion, the degree of strength which still remains to us. Weakness of body is more often the result of dissipations than of long life. If a man be temperate, the decay of his strength will be gentle and not intolerable. Nature leads us almost insensibly through the different seasons of human life. The third disadvantage said about old age is that it is without pleasures. Oh! what an admirable advantage, that we should at length be free from these temptations! Archytas of Tarentum said that no more deadly pestilence had been inflicted on man than these physical pleasures; that their insatiable appetite was the source of political treachery and of civil catastrophes; and that there was no crime to which sensual passions do not lead. He said that while reason was the noblest property of man, sensuality was reason’s most fatal enemy. He said that there was nothing so detestable as sensuality, because in proportion as it increased, it extinguished the light of the soul. If is from these dangers that old age delivers us, and very grateful we ought to be

to old age. There remains a fourth reason why men are filled with anxiety at the approach of old age. Death is coming nearer and nearer. Quite true; but the man is unhappy indeed who has not learnt in all his many years that there is nothing to be afraid of in death. If it means extinction, it is not worth troubling about; if, on the other hand, it means a transition to immortality, then it is only to be desired. Death is as common to other periods of life as it is to old age, and there is no young man who can promise himself that he shall live until sunset. Though the young may only hope for long life, the old have already possessed it, and if long life be an advantage, the advantage is with the old. Every event that is agreeable to nature is a real good, and nothing is more natural than for an old man to die. The fire goes out because the fuel is all burnt away. The aged should reasonably be indifferent to the continuance of their existence, and so attain a fortitude unknown to earlier years. Death is a change which we must undergo, perhaps at this very moment; and we can only secure an undisturbed repose and serenity of mind by heartily accepting it. The nearer death comes to me, the more clearly I seem to discern its real nature. I believe that your great fathers have not ceased to live, but that the state which they now enjoy is the only one that can truly be called life. The native seat of the soul is in heaven; confined within this prison of a body she is doomed to a severe penance. But I am persuaded that the gods have thus widely disseminated immortal spirits, and clothed them with human bodies, in order that there may be a race of intelligent creatures to contemplate the host of heaven, and to imitate in their conduct the same beautiful order and harmony. For my own part, I am transported with impatience to join the society of my departed friends, and to be with other mighty men of the past of whom I have read. To this glorious assembly I am quickly advancing; and if some divinity should offer me my life over again. I would utterly reject the offer. This world is a place which nature never designed for my permanent abode; and I look upon my departure, not as being driven from my home, but as leaving my inn. Marcus Tullius Cicero was as a foremost Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar and philosopher and one of the greatest orators in world history who lived from 106-43 BC. This is an abridged version of his De Senectute (On Old Age), published in July 44 B.C

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, April 23, 2022, in Delaware, Ohio.

It’s not exactly Trump’s Republican Party IS IT DONALD TRUMP’S REPUBLICAN PARTY? You can make the case it is, as partisan Democrats do, from the victories of various candidates endorsed by the former president in Republican primaries. But it’s not an airtight case, and Trump’s batting average is inflated by the dozens of endorsements he has made of incumbents with no significant primary opposition. Thus Trump endorsed Gov. Greg Abbott and many other easy winners in Texas’s Tuesday primary. But incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton, endorsed by Trump last July, was forced into a runoff by George P. Bush. Paxton leads in runoff polling, but one survey shows his margin narrowing. In Ohio, Trump disappointed several pro-Trump Senate candidates when he endorsed “Hillbilly Elegy” author and onetime Trump skeptic J.D. Vance on Good Friday, April 15. Vance ended up winning the May 5 primary with 32% to 24% for former state Treasurer Josh Mandel and 23% for state Sen. Matt Dolan. But was Trump’s nod pivotal? Vance jumped from 8% to 15% in previous polling to 23% in a Trafalgar poll conducted between April 13 and April 14, and he had similar numbers in later polls. Primary polling is not an exact science, but the numbers support the conclusion that Trump jumped on the bandwagon of a candidate who had performed well in debates about as well as the conclusion that he swung thousands of voters in Vance’s direction. Trump endorsements had mixed success in the May 10 primaries. In the Nebraska governor race, his candidate Charles Herbster lost to Jim Pillen, a state university regent endorsed by incumbent Gov. Pete Ricketts. But Herbster’s personal problems may have been decisive. In the West Virginia race between two incumbent congressmen, Trump endorsee Alex Mooney won a solid victory in a district Trump carried 67% to 31% in 2020. In the May 17 North Carolina primary, Trump’s endorsement back in June 2021 of U.S. Rep. Ted Budd may have been decisive not just in gaining generating support but in winnowing the field. April polling showed Budd, from rural Davie County, pulling well ahead of former Gov. and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in a party whose primary electorate is increasingly non-metropolitan, and Budd won 59% to 25%. But controversial Rep. Madison Cawthorn, despite Trump’s endorsement, lost to local legislator Chuck Edwards. Pennsylvania also voted May 17 and Trump-endorsed TV doctor Mehmet Oz barely leads former hedge funder David McCormick by .5% out of 1.3 million cast which means a recount appears probable.

If Oz’s lead holds up in the full tabulation and likely recount, Trump might claim credit. Certainly, all three candidates (who, oddly in a state with a high percentage of residents born there, all made most of their careers elsewhere) strove to echo his stands on the issues. Their perhaps opportunistic Trumpishness is in line with results of a recent New York Times focus group of Republican voters, moderated by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson. Eight out of 10 members raised their hands when asked if they’d support a candidate “who embraces Mr. Trump’s agenda.” But only 1 in 10 did so when asked about a candidate with “the same style and personality of Mr. Trump.” Similarly, in the May 5-10 NBC News poll, only 34% of Republicans characterized themselves “more of a supporter of Donald Trump,” while 58% said they were “more of a supporter of the Republican Party.” Earlier NBC polls showed more Republicans identifying with the party rather than the former president starting in April 2021, but the gap has risen from 6 percentage points then to 24 points now. This is perhaps a natural development. A look back at the last three Republican presidential primaries shows a party moving toward populism on trade, immigration and entitlements, with the party’s constituency including more non-college graduates and nonmetropolitan residents. In 2016, Trump faced no single establishment candidate but a field full of rivals afraid to criticize him and bent on undercutting each other. In primaries and caucuses up through April 5, by which time Trump eliminated all but one opponent, he won 36% of the votes — a steady progression from Huckabee’s 22% and Santorum’s 28% in 2012. So did Trump create MAGA, or did MAGA create Trump? My conclusion: It’s a Trumpish party, but not exactly Trump’s party. It’s also a party on the brink of a big midterm victory, judging from primary turnout so far. More Republican ballots have been cast than Democratic ones in every primary state so far except Oregon, with Republicans casting 65% and 67% of ballots in solid Republican Ohio and Texas and 53% and 55% in marginal Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Trump will claim credit for the party’s victories, but Republicans may not renominate this former president in 2024, just as they declined to renominate Ulysses S. Grant in 1880 and Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of The Almanac of American Politics.

Napkin math to explain inflation LEGEND HAS IT that back in 1974 Arthur Laffer explained supply side economics on a napkin and the Laffer Curve was born. He concluded the napkin with, “the consequences are obvious!” In that particular case, it was that when you tax something more, you get less of it. And the important converse: lower taxes increase economic growth. (Laffer’s Curve was used to demonstrate that in some cases slashing tax rates can actually increase tax revenue.) Similarly simple demonstrations could be done to show that increasing the minimum wage reduces employment, or that free trade benefits both parties. With all the recent consternation about inflation, it is long overdue we take the napkin approach to show a simple truth: printing money is the root cause of inflation. Sure, we could write books, academic papers, hold town hall meetings and debate endlessly. For some economic issues, though, only a napkin is required. In order for napkin math to be applicable, the explanation must be intuitively obvious, empirically obvious, and, of course, the math is demonstrable on a napkin. At the outset, we need to realize that inflation is, above all else, a monetary phenomenon. When money is printed, prices in an economy rise. Period. Full stop. For the inflation napkin, we could start by drawing a historical graph of the money supply. It is no coincidence that the inflection point is March 2020. That is right around when the federal government ramped up the printing press, and lo and behold, inflation has run rampant since then. The intuitive and elegant equation for the remaining space on the napkin involves a fraction. The denominator is the total supply of money. The numerator can represent almost anything. For the napkin, it’s simply X. If the denominator is increased, then the value of X, relative to the amount of money in the system, is less. As an example, a few people are stuck on an island where the only goods in the economy are coconuts. The total amount of money among the people is $100. On Monday coconuts are selling for $5 each. If on Tuesday the island government prints another $100, and nothing else happens, then the price of a coconut will be $10. As an equation, this would be 5/100=10/200. Since there are twice as many dollars in circulation, each dollar can buy half as much as it used to. What if, though, we increase the supply of coconuts. Let’s suppose there were originally 20 coconuts. Then, by some miracle of nature, there were 40 coconuts. If the money supply increased from $100 to $200, then coconuts would still be worth $5. Thus, the island government could match the growth in the economy by printing money such that the money supply kept up with the supply of goods. If it prints additional money, above the growth, then prices will rise. We are still comfortably on the napkin. The US economy is more complex than that, of course. But the logic and math still hold. The empirical evidence on inflation supports the simple logic and math — just as it repeatedly has for Laffer. The first so-called stimulus bill of the Covid era passed on March 27, 2020 — right around the inflection point on the money supply graph. It was $2.2 trillion. The second passed on December 21, 2020 for $900 billion of so-called stimulus spending on top of the omnibus spending bill. The third so-called stimulus bill, this one dubbed the American Rescue Plan Act, passed on March 10, 2021 and was $1.9 trillion, making it a total of $5 trillion of so-called stimulus spending. This is on top of the original spending trajectory. Since we are still on the napkin, we can approximate on the money supply graph: it is currently $22 trillion, while extending the pre-inflection path would have it somewhere around $17 trillion. Thus, the money supply increased above its previous path by roughly the amount of the three so-called stimulus bills ($22T - $17T = $5T). The resulting inflation has been so historically vast as to cause us to grab another napkin, or two. One might wonder, given the obviousness of the relationship between money supply and inflation, why inflation arrived so long after passage of the various bills. The Napkin Math answer is both intuitively and empirically clear: we started seeing it much earlier, it simply manifested itself in other places. Again, more napkins would be required, but we could draw graphs of housing, stocks, bitcoin, stonks, SPACs, private securities, etc. It was happening the moment the printing presses started whirring. Asset prices inflated, and consumer goods followed. Sadly, we all now are suffering for these policy blunders. The double whammy, of course, is that not only did the government print money, causing inflation, they did it in the midst of an economy-crushing pandemic. In a sense, our policymakers eviscerated the value of the dollar at the worst possible time. The consequences were obvious: a monumental transfer of wealth to asset holders, an insidious misallocation of capital, and the highest inflation in generations. Government is now, as it is wont to do, pointing the finger in all directions — except at itself — and discussing policy solutions that not only do not address the root cause of the issue, but are almost certain to exacerbate it. Spending and printing money does not, and did not, stimulate the economy — rather it is the root cause of inflation. As simple as the explanation is, the policy path is clear: stop spending, er, printing money! This article was published by David Sukoff in FEE (Foundation for Economic Education) on May 14, 2022 and reprinted with permission.

A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

NATION & WORLD A smaller scale replica of the Marine Corps War Memorial statue stands near the parade ground at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Parris Island, S.C.

Florida appeals court reinstates DeSantis congressional map

AP PHOTO

Parris Island battles rising sea levels The Associated Press PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. — Rising seas are encroaching on one of America’s most storied military installations, where thousands of recruits are molded into Marines each year amid the salt marshes of South Carolina’s Lowcountry region. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is particularly vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion and other impacts of climate change, a Defense Department-funded “resiliency review” noted last month. Some scientists project that by 2099, three-quarters of the island could be under water during high tides each day. Military authorities say they’re confident they can keep the second-oldest Marine Corps base intact, for now, through small-scale changes to existing infrastructure projects. Maj. Marc Blair, Parris Island’s environmental director, describes this strategy as “the art of the small,” a phrase he attributes to the base’s commanding general, Brig. Gen. Julie Nethercot. In practice, it means such things as raising a culvert that needs to be repaired anyway, limiting development in low-lying areas and adding floodproofing measures to firing range upgrades. Others advocate much larger and more expensive solutions, such as building huge seawalls around

the base, or moving Marine Corps training away from the coast altogether. Parris Island has an outsized role in military lore and American pop culture as a proving ground for Marines who have served in every major conflict since World War I. It remains a crucial training ground, along with Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. But the rising sea is proving to be a formidable enemy. Salt marsh makes up more than half of the base’s 8,000 acres, and the depot’s highest point, by the fire station, is just 13 feet above sea level. It is linked to the mainland by a single road that’s already susceptible to flooding. Low-lying areas on the island and the nearby Marine Corps air station already flood about ten times a year, and by 2050, “the currently floodprone areas within both bases could experience tidal flooding more than 300 times annually and be underwater nearly 30% of the year given the highest scenario,” according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Day-to-day disruptions are growing, from nuisance flooding on roads to rising temperatures and higher humidity that when combined, limit the human body’s ability to cool down with sweat. Those wetter, hotter days could limit outdoor training. Already, more than 500 people on Parris Island suffered from heat stroke and heat exhaustion between 2016 and

2020, putting the base among the top ten U.S. military installations for heat illnesses, according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. All the training that happens at Parris Island could be technically replicated on cooler, drier land somewhere else, said retired Brig. Gen. Stephen Cheney, who served as commanding general at the base from 1999 to 2001. But Cheney doesn’t foresee any appetite in Congress for closing the base and relocating its mission to less risky ground, which means the government needs to start investing in structural solutions to protect its crucial components such as the firing ranges near the water, he said in an interview with The Associated Press. Spending millions to build seawalls would be cheaper than spending billions to rebuild the base after a devastating hurricane, Cheney reasons. Parris Island has so far been spared the direct hits that have caused billions in damage to other military installations, but it has been evacuated twice in the last five years for hurricanes, which hit South Carolina every eight years, on average. In 2018, Hurricane Florence pummeled North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune, washing away the beach used by Marines for training, destroying buildings and displacing

personnel. A month later, Hurricane Michael tore through Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, devastating airplane hangars and causing $3 billion in damage. Hurricane planning is focused on protecting life and preserving the equipment and buildings necessary to limit training disruptions, said Col. William Truax, the depot’s director of installations and logistics. “We’re not taking on any major projects because we’ve not experienced a major threat to what we have to do here,” Truax said. “To be honest, these old brick buildings aren’t going anywhere.” Parris Island also depends on the resilience of communities just off the base. Stephanie Rossi, a planner with the Lowcountry Council of Governments, said the group’s Defense Department-funded study impacts suggests shoring up the only road on and off the island, elevating buildings and bolstering the storm water system of an area where military families live. The base also works with environmental groups to support living shoreline projects, building up coastal oyster reefs to strengthen natural buffers to floods and hurricanes. “The waters will recede,” said Blair, the environmental director. “The more resilient we make this place, the quicker we can get back to making Marines.”

Afghans still adjusting to US: New life, new struggles The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Taliban forces had taken the Afghan capital. Crowds of panicked people thronged the airport. And a young man who had worked as a subcontractor for the U.S. military faced a terrible choice. Hasibullah Hasrat, after having navigated the chaotic streets and Taliban checkpoints to make it inside the airport, could either go back for his wife and two young children or board an evacuation flight and get them later. Not taking the flight likely meant none of them would get out of Afghanistan. Hasrat’s decision haunts him. He is in the U.S., one of more than 78,000 Afghans admitted into the country following the U.S. troop withdrawal in August that ended America’s longest war. But his family hasn’t been able to join him. They’re still in Afghanistan, where an economic crisis has led to widespread hunger and where Taliban repression is on the rise. “My wife is alone there,” he said, his voice breaking as he describes nightly phone calls home. “My son cries, asks where I am, when am I coming. And I don’t know what to say.” It’s a reminder that the journey for many of the Afghans who came to the United States in the historic evacuation remains very much a work in progress, filled with uncertainty and anxiety about the future. Afghan refugees, some of whom faced possible reprisals for working with their government or American forces during the war with the Taliban, say in interviews that they are grateful to the U.S. for rescuing them and family members.

AP PHOTO

From his apartment in Hyattsville, Md., Hasibullah Hasrat, 29, holds his phone showing a photograph of his children. But they are often struggling to gain a foothold in a new land, straining to pay their bills as assistance from the government and resettlement agencies starts to run out, stuck in temporary housing, and trying to figure out how to apply for asylum because most of the Afghans came under a two-year emergency status known as humanitarian parole. Then there are more mundane challenges that are nonetheless daunting for many Afghans. They include learning English, navigating government bureaucracies and public transportation, and finding a job. There is also the isolation for those, like Hasrat, who came alone. “I don’t know anyone here,” he said in the apartment outside Washington he shares with two other evacuees. “I have no friends, no family, no relatives. I just live with my roommates and my roommates are from other parts of Afghanistan.”

Some have managed to get established. “But there are many more who are not doing fine than are doing well,” said Megan Flores, executive director of the Immigrant & Refugee Outreach Center in McLean, Virginia. The experience of the evacuated Afghans is not unlike what refugees have historically faced in coming to the United States. In some ways it’s a preview for the up to 100,000 Ukrainians who President Joe Biden says will be welcomed, also in many cases on two years of humanitarian parole. Afghans on humanitarian parole must apply for a way to stay in the country such as through asylum. It’s a time-consuming process that typically requires finding an immigration attorney, at a cost of thousands of dollars not readily available to most refugees unless they can find someone to do it pro bono. The Department of Homeland Security says about half of the

78,000 likely will ultimately qualify for the special immigrant visa, or SIV, program. It grants permanent residency to people, along with their immediate family, who worked for the U.S. government. Hasrat hasn’t been able to secure an SIV, at least not yet, despite his work as a subcontractor setting up transmission lines for the U.S. Army. In the meantime, Afghans are trying to stitch together new lives as public attention has shifted to Ukraine and other matters. At a recent job fair in Alexandria, Virginia, there were hundreds of evacuees, including Arafat Safi, a former senior official in Afghan’s foreign affairs ministry who came to the U.S. with his wife, four children and mother. He’s hoping to land a job in project management or international development, to use an education that includes a master’s degree from the U.K. So far, he’s landed a position as a Pashto-English interpreter and is delivering packages for Amazon on the side while his wife, Madina, works in the bakery section of a supermarket. Safi said he still hopes to find a better job and is eager to get permanent residency. But he never complained in a lengthy interview at the family’s apartment in Alexandria. An intricate and vibrant Afghan rug — the only possession the family brought from home — occupies a prominent place in the living room. “I’m very lucky to be here, to be welcomed by the U.S. society. I met a lot of friends here who are checking on me almost every day,” said the 35-year-old Safi. “And it’s amazing. But there’s a small part of me that misses Afghanistan and that misses my people.”

Tallahassee, Fla. A new congressional map drawn by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ staff that could diminish the state’s black representation in Washington was reinstated by an appeals court Friday, a week after a lower court judge said the map was unconstitutional. The 1st District Court of appeals ruled Judge Layne Smith erred when he ordered a replacement map be used for the 2022 election. The latest order means the governor’s map is reinstated pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the map. While the appeals court didn’t address the constitutionality of the map, it did cite “the need for certainty and continuity as election season approaches.” The ruling comes as the state gets closer to the June 13 to 17 qualifying period for federal office. “To avoid uncertainty and confusion in the upcoming 2022 primary and general elections, it’s important to move forward expeditiously to implement the congressional map passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor,” DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said in an email. The DeSantis map would likely boost the number of Florida seats held by Republicans, while also making it difficult for Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson to maintain his seat in a north Florida district where nearly half the voters are black. Another district that currently favors black candidates is also redrawn in a way that would make it more difficult for them to win. The order is likely to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kirby to lead Biden’s national security communications team Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden on Friday named Pentagon press secretary John Kirby to be the new National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications. Kirby “will coordinate interagency efforts to explain United States policy and will serve as a senior administration voice on related matters,” the White House said in a statement. Biden said, “John understands the complexities of U.S. foreign and defense policy, and he will ably represent the Administration on important national security issues.” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Kirby “will be a terrific addition to a strong team over there, and his long experience in defense and foreign policy perfectly suits him for work with the National Security Council staff.” Kirby, who also served as the top spokesman at the Pentagon and the State Department during the Obama administration, is moving to the White House as it navigates a range of foreign policy challenges, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to North Korea’s nuclear program. Kirby has been a fixture on cable news, particularly during the Ukraine crisis, and is valued in the administration for seeming to handle even the thorniest foreign policy questions with ease. The NSC under Biden has not previously had someone in a dedicated, high-level strategic communications role. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mudcats next stop in MiLB across NC tour, B4

PHOTO BY MIKE KALASNIK | CREATIVE COMMONS

North Wilkesboro Speedway, which fell into disrepair since its last race in 2011, will reopen this summer and then undergo renovations thanks to $18 million in funds from the North Carolina state budget.

Racing returning to North Wilkesboro COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Gov. Roy Cooper announces funding to rejuvenate one of the state’s legendary speedways

NC State women adding transfer Saniya Rivers

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

Raleigh NC State is adding South Carolina transfer and former McDonald’s All-American Saniya Rivers to its women’s basketball program. The school announced Rivers’ addition Friday. She’ll be immediately eligible to play for the upcoming season with three seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-1 guard from Wilmington was the No. 3-ranked national recruit for ESPN in the 2021 class, and shared the honor for The Associated Press women’s state prep player of the year in 2019. Rivers averaged 2.3 points in 12.9 minutes per game for the national champion Gamecocks. Rivers joins Maryland forward Mimi Collins and Florida State center River Baldwin as incoming transfers for the Wolfpack, who will lose four starters from a 32-win team that reached the NCAA Elite Eight.

SOCCER

Charlotte FC to host EPL’s Chelsea Charlotte Charlotte FC announced last week that the club will host Chelsea FC of the English Premier League on July 20 at Bank of America Stadium. Chelsea’s roster includes U.S. men’s national soccer team midfielder Christian Pulisic along with other expected World Cup players N’Golo Kante (France), Mason Mount (England) and Edouard Mendy (Senegal). The game is part of the FC Series, a week of friendlies between Major League Soccer and international teams. Chelsea will play Club de Futbol America on July 16 in Las Vegas, followed by Orlando City of MLS hosting Arsenal FC on the same day as the Charlotte FC-Chelsea game. It culminates with a match between Arsenal and Chelsea on July 23 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

IN 1946, North Wilkesboro Speedway cost $1,500 to build. Now, one of NASCAR’s original tracks will return to action thanks to an $18 million makeover. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and at the epicenter of the post-war moonshine black market, the speedway is an integral part of stock car racing’s North Carolina roots. The state is now taking steps to preserve those roots with a total of $45.8 million in budget money to fund motorsports venues around North Carolina. “North Carolina is the birthplace of motorsports and NASCAR,” N.C. Commerce Chief Deputy Secretary Jordan Whichard said. “The industry contributes millions to our economy, employs thousands of North Carolinians, and offers special training through our state’s colleges, universities, and technical schools. With these new investments, motorsports can positively outpace its pre-pandemic impact.”

Gov. Roy Cooper led a group of state officials to announce the funding program in a May 17 appearance at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The announcement came one day shy of the 75th anniversary of the Speedway’s first race. Fonty Flock outdistanced the field to win that first race, on what was then a dirt track, in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 people. NASCAR first visited the track in its inaugural season of 1949. Fonty’s brother Bob Flock won that race. The third Flock brother, Tim, would win there in 1956. They were just one of several legendary NASCAR families to find success on one of the sport’s fastest short tracks. Richard Petty would win 15 races there, following in the steps of his father, Lee, who won three. Bobby and Davey Allison both won there, as did Brett and Geoff Bodine. NASCAR would visit the track a total of 93 times for Cup Series races, with the list of winners including the biggest names in the sport’s history, from Junior Johnson to Cale Yarborough to Dale Earnhardt Sr. to Jeff Gordon. Harry Gant, who won there in 1985, and Richard Childress, who owned five winning cars at North Wilkesboro, both joined the governor at the press event last week. After four decades of holding spring and fall races there, NA-

ALAN MARLER | AP PHOTO

Mark Martin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Tyson Holly Farms 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in October 1995. SCAR made its last trip to North Wilkesboro in September 1996. Then the track closed, with newer tracks in Texas and New Hampshire — about far from NASCAR’s roots as it was possible to get, physically and culturally — getting the race dates on the schedule.

The track reopened briefly in 2010 and 2011 before closing again. Weeds grew across the track and the facility fell into disrepair. Now, with the help of the state, racing will return to North WilSee RACING, page B3

Hornets ink Kupchak to multiyear extension The move keeps the general manager in charge of the team’s search for a new head coach

By Jesse Deal North State Journal CHARLOTTE — The architect of the current Charlotte Hornets will be around for the next few seasons. General manager Mitch Kupchak, who also serves as the Hornets’ president of basketball operations, signed a multiyear contract extension to stay in Charlotte, the team announced on May 19. His original contract from April 2018 was set to expire this summer. After four full seasons with the Hornets, Kupchak, 67, is the man responsible for every name on Charlotte’s roster. Per team policy, his new contract’s terms were not disclosed.

“Mitch has done a great job leading our organization,” Hornets owner Michael Jordan said in a press release. “He and his staff have assembled a talented, young team, and I’m excited about our future. I look forward to continuing to work with Mitch in the years ahead as our team continues to improve.” Kupchak met with the media following the news of his extension to provide an update on the Hornets’ ongoing head coaching search, including explaining the dismissal of James Borrego. “I just felt, at the end of the day, it was time — and I hate to use the expression — to go into another direction,” he said. “It was just time to go to another voice and look for another coach to hopefully bring us the same kind of improvement that Coach Borrego did the first three years.” Among the list of candidates Charlotte interviewed, Mike D’Antoni, Terry Stotts, recently fired coach Frank Vogel, Mil-

NELL REDMOND | AP PHOTO

Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak, pictured last July, signed a multiyear contract extension to remain in Charlotte. waukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham and Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson are the rumored frontrunners for the position. “We’re pretty close to narrowing the group,” Kupchak said, adding that he had just conducted nine interviews that day. “I can’t give a timeline, but certain-

ly you’d hope to have a coach in place by the draft. I would hope that it would be much sooner. I can’t imagine it would be within the next week or so, but somewhere — I don’t know — two weeks and certainly hopefully before the draft.” See HORNETS, page B4

B2

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

WEDNESDAY

5.25.22

TRENDING

Barbora Krejcikova: The defending French Open champion became only the third women’s champion to lose in the first round the following year at Roland Garros. Krejcikova, who was seeded second this year, lost to 97th‑ranked Diane Parry 1-6, 6-2, 6-3. It was Krejcikova’s first match since February because of an injured right elbow. Krejcikova is only the seventh reigning champion at any Grand Slam tournament in the Open era to lose in the first round the following year. Scott Dixon: The New Zealander used a run of more than 234 mph to post the fastest Indianapolis 500 pole run in history and will lead the field to green for the fifth time in his career. Dixon turned four laps on Sunday at an average of 234.046 mph around Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His average broke Scott Brayton’s pole-winning record set in 1996 of 233.718 mph. Arie Luyendyk holds the four-lap qualifying record of 236.986 mph, also done in 1996 but not in a run for the pole. Josh Donaldson: The Yankees slugger was suspended one game Monday following an investigation after White Sox star Tim Anderson accused him of making a racist remark during Saturday’s game. Anderson, who is black, said Donaldson asked him, “What’s up, Jackie?” — a reference to Jackie Robinson. Donaldson, who is white, said he has “joked around” with the All-Star shortstop in the past using the same reference and mentioned Anderson has previously said he felt like a modern-day Jackie Robinson.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NASCAR

Ryan Blaney got a push from teammate Austin Cindric to hold off Denny Hamlin and win NASCAR’s All-Star race, along with $1 million, at Texas Motor Speedway. Blaney stayed in front through a green-white-checkered finish after a caution came out just yards before he got to the line the first time Sunday night. Blaney and his team had already started celebrating their victory when a caution flag led to the final sprint to the finish.

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

“The power play let us down again.” Hurricanes forward Nino Niederreiter after Carolina’s power play drought hit four games in Sunday’s 3-1 Game 3 playoff loss to the Rangers in New York.

LM OTERO | AP PHOTO

NFL

BASKETBALL

ERIC GAY | AP PHOTO

“Sad to hit it in the water.” Mito Pereira after he lost a one-stroke lead on the 18th hole of the PGA Championship with a double-bogey 6 that kept him out of the playoff. PRIME NUMBER

$100K Fine to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, the team’s third of the postseason, for players and coaches standing on the sidelines for most of their playoff games. The fine was imposed for actions during Game 2 at Golden State on Friday. The Mavericks were fined twice last round against the Suns, starting with $25,000 in Game 2 and then $50,000 for Game 7, both in Phoenix.

EMILEE CHINN | AP PHOTO

Former first overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney is returning to the Browns, signing a one-year, $1 million deal to stay in Cleveland where he revived his career last season with nine sacks in 14 games. Clowney was the top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of South Carolina by the Texans but has battled injuries.

OWEN SWEENEY | INVISION VIA AP

Rapper J. Cole will play another season of pro basketball, this time in Canada. The Canadian Elite Basketball League said the 37-year-old Fayetteville native will join the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the coming season as a guard. Cole played with the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League in 2021.

HORSE RACING

JULIO CORTEZ | AP PHOTO

Early Voting won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, holding off Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter to take the second leg of the Triple Crown. With Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike skipping the Preakness to prepare for the Belmont Stakes on June 11, Epicenter was again the favorite. Instead it was Early Voting in just his fourth race winning the $990,000 winner’s share of the $1.65 million purse.

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B3

Campbell’s redemption starts at Big South Tournament The Camels were eliminated in last year’s NCAA regional by eventual champion Mississippi State By Brett Friedlander North State Journal THE CAMPBELL baseball team couldn’t wait to get back to the postseason after coming within a run of extending eventual national champion Mississippi State to a decisive winner-take-all final game in an NCAA regional last spring. The Camels were so intent on getting another opportunity to make a breakthrough on the national stage they momentarily lost sight of what it took to get there. It took a 1-6 start to the regular season for them to regain their focus. They responded by winning 36 of their next 46 games, pounding out home runs at a school-record pace on the way to their fourth straight Big South title. Thursday in High Point, coach Justin Haire and his team will finally get their shot at returning to an NCAA regional when they begin play as the top seed in their conference tournament. “We try not to press or get too far ahead of ourselves, but at the same time there was a point where we needed to get things going in the right direction,” said fifth-year senior catcher Ty Babin, a .328 hitter who is one of six team members with double-digit homers this season. “It’s almost like we got to the point where enough’s enough and things just started clicking. “You come in with all these expectations in preseason and you have all this outside noise, and once you finally realize that the outside noise means absolutely nothing and the only thing that matters is those guys in the clubhouse, that’s when things start to change.” In retrospect, the Camels’ slow start may have had as much to do with the competition as it did their performance. Three of the early losses came at the hands of Maryland, which went on to win the Big Ten. But Haire puts the blame squarely on himself. “I don’t think I did a great job of putting our guys in a position to be successful,” the 15th-year coach

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMPBELL

Campbell catcher Ty Babin tags out a Winthrop baserunner during the Camels’ three-game series sweep earlier this month. said. “I wanted to get off to a good start so badly because I knew those games would be important when it came to RPI that we almost coached them out of being good players. “As we started to establish how we needed to communicate with our players and our staff, we got better. We’re probably better over the past two months because of the 1-6 start, but it sure wasn’t fun when we were going through it.” The turnaround began on March 2 with a 7-4 win over thenNo. 8 NC State. The Camels followed that up by beating Ohio State, one of three wins they earned against the Buckeyes, and their confidence grew from there. Their 20 conference wins are the most in program history in a 24-game league schedule. The secret to Campbell’s success is hardly a secret at all. The Camels’ pitching staff, led by ace right-hander Thomas Har-

“We’ve got a deep lineup and some dynamic guys that have put in the work. When they start hitting, it’s contagious and it’s fun to watch.” Justin Haire, Campbell baseball coach

rington, has posted the Big South’s lowest earned run average by more than a run per game. A potential first round pick in next month’s major league draft, Harrington is 11-1 with a 1.72 ERA. Campbell’s offense, meanwhile, leads the league with an average of 8.9 runs per game. Its next home run will be its 106th, tying the

single-season school record set in 1985. “We hit 73 (homers) last year, and as we were doing it, one of our guys asked me what the school record was. I told him it was 106 and it was from 1985 (when high-powered aluminum bats were still legal),” Haire said. “I said that’s a record that will never be broken here. But we’ve got a deep lineup and some dynamic guys that have put in the work. When they start hitting, it’s contagious and it’s fun to watch.” Although three-time Big South Player of the Week Zach Neto (.394, 14 homers), Drake Pierson (.346, 18), Jarrod Belbin (.274, 15) and Babin (14 homers) are the heavy hitters in the lineup, there are no easy outs from one to nine. And the Camels may just be hitting their stride, having scored 10 or more runs in 19 of their last 26 games. They went 23-3 during that

stretch, a run that has made them the heavy favorite to win the Big South Tournament and earn the league’s automatic NCAA bid. Not that they can afford to get caught looking ahead again. Because most regional projections have them on the bubble for an at-large bid should they get upset this weekend, taking care of business in High Point is the only way of guaranteeing a shot at accomplishing the goal they’ve been chasing since last spring. “I wouldn’t say there’s pressure, I’d say it’s just a matter of finishing the job we’ve started,” Babin said of his team’s situation. “We’ve challenged ourselves in the midweek with a really tough out-of-conference schedule, that’s what makes us go into (the Big South Tournament) loose and with confidence. “We just have to remain in the moment more than thinking of expectations of things that aren’t yet to come.”

Zalatoris comes close to major moment in PGA playoff loss The Wake Forest alumnus had his second runner-up finish in a major By Dave Skretta The Associated Press TULSA, Okla. — Will Zalatoris saw nearly every inch of Southern Hills on Sunday as one of the best ball-strikers in golf struggled to harness a series of wayward shots that threatened to take him out of the running at the PGA Championship. The rail-thin kid from Wake Forest managed to do it in time to force a playoff with Justin Thomas. Then he missed — ever so slightly — two more shots when they mattered most. Zalatoris and Thomas had matched birdies on the opener of their three-hole aggregate when he overcooked a fade off the tee on the 308-yard 17th and ended up right of the green. Zalatoris pitched to within 10 feet for birdie and slid the putt by to fall behind Thomas, who drove the green and two-putted. Then, needing birdie on the brutal 490-yard 18th, Zalatoris came up short with his approach. And with Thomas in position to do no worse than par, he missed the long putt that would have pushed the playoff to sudden death.

RACING from page B1 kesboro in August for the first time in 11 years. “North Carolina’s speedways are strong economic drivers for communities across the state that bring friends, families, and neighbors together for a rip-roaring good time,” Cooper said. “North Wilkesboro Speedway is just one of many racetracks that will be able to cross the finish line on much-needed repairs with these state funds — racing on these tracks is back and here to stay.” Cooper first included funds to

ERIC GAY | AP PHOTO

Will Zalatoris, pictured hitting from a 17th hole bunker during Sunday’s final round of the PGA Championship, came up short in a playoff to finish second in a major for the second time in his career. “I’m obviously pretty close,” said Zalatoris, who has yet to win on the PGA Tour but suddenly has a penchant for playing well in majors, where he has five top-10s and a runner-up finish at the Masters in his last seven tries. “I didn’t have my best stuff yesterday, which ultimately was kind of the difference” he said. “I battled like crazy today, especially on 6 — I caught a random gust of wind and had to save bogey off the cart path. I’m close. I’ll get there soon.”

revitalize speedways in last year’s budget, which he signed into law in November. American Rescue Plan funding is providing the money to make the repairs and improvements to the tracks. The funds can be used for water, sewer and infrastructure projects related to the speedways. According to a release from the governor’s office, “The grants will enhance local tourism, travel and hospitality industries that benefit from the many motorsports events held in North Carolina.” Racetrack Revival will be bringing the first races back to the his-

He was magnanimous in defeat, taking off his hat and clapping as Thomas raised his arms in victory. “This is what you live for,” Zalatoris said later, after signing his scorecard to make another runner-up finish official. The fact that he was standing on the 18th green in a playoff was a testament to perseverance. Zalatoris had done just about everything right during opening rounds of 66 and 65, then seemed to do nothing well during a third-

“Racing on these tracks is back and here to stay.” Gov. Roy Cooper toric oval, with grassroots racing events over several weeks in August. Those races will be run on the track’s existing asphalt. Then, as the state-funded repairs begin, the pavement will be removed. Another series of Racetrack Revival events will be held

round 73 that left him three strokes back of Chile’s Mito Pereira heading into the final round. He opened with a couple of birdies at the fourth and fifth holes to apply some pressure, then came to the par-3 sixth, where that gust of Oklahoma wind sent his approach sailing into a shrub. He took a penalty drop for an unplayable lie, wound up on the paved cart path, pitched to about 8 feet and rolled in the bogey putt to stay in the game. “That was just bizarre,” he said. “It was just a bizarre gust of wind.” That was just the start of Zalatoris’ rollicking ride around Southern Hills: First, he overshot the green at the eighth and was fortunate his ball hung up in the hazard rather than finishing in the creek; he got up and down from there. He then hooked his drive on the 12th so hard it sailed over the gallery and nestled into the heavy grass near another creek; he hit sideways from there into the fairway and wound up with a bogey. And just when he finally got his iron play under control, Zalatoris three-putted the 16th for another bogey. Thomas was the only one making a move up the leaderboard, though, and that gave Zalatoris hope. He drove into the greenside bunker at the 17th, splashed out

and made an 8-footer for birdie to reach 5 under for the championship. And with a nervy par putt at the last, he joined Thomas in the clubhouse a shot back of Pereira in the final group. And when Pereira hit into the water on 18 and made double bogey, Zalatoris found himself in a playoff at a major. “We’ve only got four a year, and I think it’s been a dream of mine to win a major since I was a little kid,” said Zalatoris, who grew up playing at California Golf Club, where there are shrines to major champions Ben Hogan and Ken Venturi. “Being able to see that at a young age,” Zalatoris said, “and say, ‘Hey, I want to get one of those,’ and seeing Jordan (Spieth) do it when I was in college and obviously Scottie (Scheffler) now, you know — I think playing in these events, you need a lot of results, and at times you may be out of it, but I know for sure I’ll get one.”

on a dirt track in October. The oval will then be repaved next year. “As we begin the process of bringing North Wilkesboro Speedway back to life, this is a great opportunity for the historic short track to host grassroots racing and allow our team to learn more about what needs to be done before a grand re-opening in the future,” Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith said at a Racetrack Revival press conference held in Bristol, Tennessee, last month. “Our vision is to revive this venue into a multi-use entertainment facility, but racing will always

be the core product. We know fans and competitors will enjoy ‘kicking the tires’ alongside us with some live competition this year as we begin renovations.” At Cooper’s press conference at North Wilkesboro, Smith added, “From grassroots to NASCAR and from the mountains to the coast, motorsports are truly an economic engine for North Carolina. We’re grateful for Gov. Cooper and the state legislature’s support of motorsports. This investment will not only revive North Wilkesboro Speedway but also support tourism and jobs statewide for the future.”

“I’m obviously pretty close. … I know for sure I’ll get one.” Will Zalatoris on his play in majors

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B4

MiLB ACROSS NC

BRETT FRIEDLANDER | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, Zebulon’s Five County Stadium has been the home of the Carolina Mudcats since 1991 and had extensive renovations in 1999. Right, Carolina Mudcats pitcher Carlos Rodriguez delivers during a game May 19 at Five County Stadium in Zebulon.

Mudcats provide Triangle baseball fans a laid-back alternative Zebulon’s Carolina League entry counters the Durham Bulls’ nationwide clout with a casual atmosphere

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal ZEBULON — Unless you’re hoping for Shoeless Joe Jackson and a team of ghost players to appear out of nowhere, there aren’t many good reasons for building a baseball stadium in the middle of a remote pasture. But Steve Bryant, the man who in 1990 bought a minor league franchise from Columbus, Georgia, with the idea of moving it to the Triangle, had no other choice. His original plan to build a ballpark within the city limits of Raleigh was nixed by the already established Durham Bulls, who invoked a minor league rule prohibiting teams from locating within 35 miles of an existing franchise. So Bryant settled on a tobacco field exactly 37.8 miles from downtown Durham to become the home for his Carolina Mudcats. It’s a location so far off the beaten path that it would be easy to drive past Five County Stadium without ever knowing it if not for the distinctive water tower, painted to look like a baseball, that’s visible from U.S. 264. The rural setting, combined with several changes in major league affiliation and level of play, has only challenged the Mudcats

BRETT FRIEDLANDER | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Fans watch a Mudcats game at Five County Stadium in Zebulon on May 19. to work even harder to build a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. “One of the biggest things we do is try to make sure people leave here with a smile on their face and know they were treated like a member of the family and also treated to a good show,” said Greg Young, the team’s radio broadcaster and marketing director since 2015. “We pride ourselves in putting on a good entertainment product on top of the baseball game. I hate to say that it’s more than just baseball, but it is more than just baseball.” Most of the fan engagement activities — including fireworks shows every Friday, frequent giveaway promotions, theme nights in

which the team is rebranded as the Micro Brews in honor of their parent club, the Milwaukee Brewers, and a pair of energetic mascots named Muddy the Mudcat and Mini Muddy who roam the stands interacting with fans — are hardly unique to Five County Stadium. The Mudcats just seem to do them with a much more relaxed attitude. It’s a casual feel that sets them apart from the competition, especially a rival against whom they don’t actually face on the field. Because of their proximity, the Mudcats and the Bulls are constantly waging a battle for the entertainment dollar of the same fans.

It’s not exactly a fair fight considering that Durham has the more accessible stadium, a popular Kevin Costner movie named after its team, and plays a higher level of competition in the Triple-A International League. But the Mudcats, who play four rungs lower on the minor league ladder in the low Single-A Carolina League that includes three other North Carolina entries — the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Kinston’s Down East Wood Ducks and the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers — don’t consider the disparity a disadvantage. “This isn’t a knock on the Bulls, who are a high-level organization, but they are as close to a major league experience as you can get,” said public address announcer Hayes Permar, who contributes to the relaxed feel at Mudcats games with his trademark attire of a blazer and shorts. “It doesn’t quite feel like we’re competing with them for everything they offer. “There you might see a guy who’s going to be in the major leagues tomorrow. But if you decide at 4 o’clock to go to a Bulls game, you might not get a ticket. And if you do, it’s liable to cost you $40. Here there’s a good chance you’re going to find some decent tickets at not that high a cost. And you still might see a guy who’s going to be in the major leagues. It’s just going to take a little longer for it to happen.” One of those players is 18-yearold Jackson Chourio, who is hitting .328 with nine doubles and 16 runs scored since joining the team

UNC women’s lacrosse looks to write new ending The Tar Heels, 20-0 for the second straight year, hope to avoid another Final Four upset By Shawn Krest North State Journal Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. North Carolina, undefeated at 20-0 and the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament, returns to the Final Four after a tight three-goal win over Stony Brook to face an opponent in the national semifinal that they’ve already beaten by double-digits this season. So far in 2022, the Tar Heels are following the same script as they did last season when they were upset 11-10 by Boston College in the national semifinals. The powerful UNC offense was held to 10 goals or fewer for just the second time in the season. “Unfortunately for us, we just didn’t do what we normally do, which is executive offensively,”

HORNETS from page B1

Kupchak said experience plays a role in the decision-making process, but the franchise is not opposed to hiring a first-time head coach. He also said he has not discussed the coaching search with any of the players on the roster. Kupchak will also make the final call on who to select with the 13th and 15th overall picks

UNC coach Jenny Levy said after the game. “We held them to just three goals in the second half, but the offense wasn’t able to step up.” The defense gave up eight goals before halftime, putting Carolina in a hole it couldn’t climb out of. The 11 scores surrendered matched a season high for the Heels. “We’re obviously very disappointed in the result,” Levy said, “but it was a fun journey along the way getting here with this group, a time you can never replace.” Levy and her Tar Heels hope that the déjà vu ends here, as they head to Baltimore for their fourth straight Final Four and the 13th in program history. UNC will be looking for its third national title and first since 2016. After ending last season with the crushing defeat, the Tar Heels have put together another perfect season — so far. UNC is 20-0 on the season, tied for the second-longest winning streak in program history. The 20 wins are also tied for the most in program history — with the national title team of 2016 and last season’s near miss. Half of those wins have been by

10 goals or more, including a 24-2 demolition of Virginia in UNC’s first game in the NCAA Tournament. The Heels have held 15 opponents below 10 goals, including the last three. Before their 8-5 win over Stony Brook and its difficult zone defense in the last round, Carolina had scored 14 or more in every game this season, and it is now 14-0 against ranked opponents. Carolina has been on a mission this season, but the memories of last year are still firmly in the back of the team’s mind. The low-scoring scare against Stony Brook in the last round clearly brought some of those demons to the fore-

front. “I would rather have a hard game and challenging game than a breeze-through one,” goalie Taylor Moreno said. “So I thought this was huge for us.” The Tar Heels will face fourseed Northwestern in Friday afternoon’s semifinal. UNC has already beaten the Wildcats this year, posting a 20-9 win in Chapel Hill back in early March. Of course, last year, Carolina beat Boston College in Chapel Hill in early March by a 21-9 margin before facing the Eagles in the Final Four, so déjà vu again rears its head. The Wildcats blew out Central Michigan in the first round, 22-7, then survived against Michigan, 15-12. They earned their rematch with Carolina by beating No. 5 Syracuse, 15-4. The Heels survived a 14-12 game at Syracuse late in the regular season, their second-closest score of the year. All four top seeds advanced to the Final Four, with the winner of UNC-Northwestern facing the winner of No. 2 Maryland and No. 3 Boston College in the national

in the upcoming NBA Draft. After coming short of reaching the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after losing in the play-in round, the Hornets are hopeful the two picks can help them reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. Charlotte hasn’t won a playoff series since the 2002 season. “What I’d like to do with this team is get us into the playoffs,” Kupchak said. Wouldn’t it be great to win a round, right? … So

you’ve got to be careful that you don’t make moves to try to mosey along the progress quicker than is realistic.” During his time in Charlotte, Kupchak has made three defining moves that have transformed the Hornets’ roster: drafting 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, acquiring the rights to Miles Bridges in a draft-night trade, and completing a sign-and-trade for Terry Rozier that led to fan fa-

vorite Kemba Walker’s departure. Before joining the Hornets, Kupchak had more than three decades of experience as a front office executive with the Los Angeles Lakers. Following his NBA playing career with Washington and Los Angeles, he worked in the Lakers’ front office before serving as general manager for 17 seasons, winning four NBA championships and six Western Conference titles.

“Sometimes you don’t have to win pretty. You just need to advance.” Jenny Levy, UNC women’s lacrosse coach

on May 3. The exciting young team isn’t the only thing the Mudcats have going for them. There’s also the stadium itself. There are literally no bad seats, even in an upper deck whose first few rows are actually closer to the field than those in the smaller lower bowl it overhangs, and there’s also plenty of room for kids to roam around the concourse. A young family sitting in the front row for a recent weeknight game against the Wood Ducks even brought a stroller into the park with them. “I usually go to games at both places, but I like the Mudcats because I can sit wherever I want,” said Clayton resident James Overton, sitting all by himself in the otherwise empty section of the left-field stands. “I’ve been coming here since the first year the Mudcats had a team here when it wasn’t anything but bleachers and a tobacco field. It’s a really nice stadium now. More people need to come.” That may soon begin to happen, though not because of anything team management is doing. Three decades after it was carved out of a remote pasture, urban sprawl is finally on the verge of reaching Zebulon’s field of dreams. “What we have seen over the past five or six years, this is where all the growth is coming,” said David Lawrence, general manager for business development and brand marketing. “That was part of the grand master plan the original owners had, but lots of things happened. “We had the downturn in 2006 and other things. But finally all that talk and all that planning isn’t just talk now. There’s a 900-home subdivision that’s just started next door to us, new infrastructure is being put in and folks are starting to gravitate out this way toward Eastern Wake County.”

title game. It’s a blue-blood Final Four. Northwestern joins UNC in making their 13th appearance, which is the third-most in the history of the sport. Maryland leads the way with 28 Final Four trips. The Tar Heels are led by five All-Americans. Fifth-year attacker Jamie Ortega has won the last two ACC Attacker of the Year awards. She’s the ACC’s all-time leader in points, second in NCAA history and has tallied a point in 83 straight games. Midfielder Ally Mastroianni and defender Emma Trenchard joined Ortega on the first team. Like Ortega, Mastroianni is a repeat ACC position award winner, winning Midfielder of the Year for the second straight season. Trenchard was named the ACC’s Defender of the Year for the second time after previously winning in 2019. Defender Emily Nalls is a second-teamer, and goalkeeper Moreno made the third team. All of which brings Carolina to the same point in the season where things came crashing down last year. “Sometimes you don’t have to win pretty,” Levy said after the last game. “You just need to advance. … We’re not going to hang onto this too long.”

What I’d like to do with this team is get us into the playoffs.” Mitch Kupchak, Hornets general manager

The 3 big questions nob

A7

normal

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home hina lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in which C orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority Americans THIS WEEK, virus, according to members ofTHE theand fede ed to tell the world there were only “THIS IS DA around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this covered up its spread tr are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” and state and local governments, Americans have ldwide panic, economic collapse and in it” (Psalm 118:24). catastrophe one way or another. 3,341 related deaths has led to wo Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. ce or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus thetoneed the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. The e eing thrown out of work. I know that during Inand order put the crisis causedVirginia’s by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero millions of Americans needlessly orders go into June. ty of Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask muted — after all, trends can easily reverse — but ayer at least $2.4 trillion in added working from home worldwide pandemics can trace their source to theCarolina, United States over Gov.The has cost the U.S. taxp Here in North Democratic Roycrisis Cooper stated during normal.” questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to have abided by recommendations and orders. The Reserve backup liquidity to the be glad” the Bible our 231-year history. At least fourainrecent the 20th century alone be that “we debt plus trillions more Federa coronavirus press can briefing just don’t know yet”asifin the of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to flu,” stay 1977 at home; they’ve practiced socialthe distancing hed U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve and dad, Easter directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong markets and financial outlets. If th will extend into May. Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. und any of these emergency have to be thankful “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able toa Perhaps If he it, questions should be asked as to the Wedoes needdecide to extend WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction inwithout expected hospitalizati Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic. 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures immediate fear justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we COVID-19 know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy. According to theseasons University of Washington Institu For me, my faith is government There is 100% agreement, outside oftransparency China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must do this out an abundance Easter of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m ant ways and decisions through making. As I celebra and honesty originated in at Wuhan Province probably from the completely China has to pay for their aberr provide a all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who sked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over and the unsanitary wet markets. administration, theand expected need for hosp plomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthians 1:4, whi Chernobyl. unregulated believe it Trump came of at a home economic financial means. D fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and message offor an undetermined become a ue ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000, orld of 21st century health, hygiene affliction, so that we biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized scientific amount of timeexperts why models predicting hundreds of cases w hope that we13,000 willof thousands bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly and the number of ov unist regimes never take blame affliction, withcomm the co Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade. Totalitarian are reliable. — we need to once again enjoy of this state who when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand August by nearly 12,000. rse, because that is not what God.” That is what their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other or express sincere regret and rem To know date, what I’ve gone what the state has asked and then they along with ndetermined answers. Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the answ sporting events, take advantage of every weakness If you are celebrat choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian do. They citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely the way I’ve also had governments questions about housands of cases Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy to reopen. pushing until they win or the reflect on this concerts, family for national security safety reasons as well supply andleaders delivery they find in adversaries andmessa keep the data. StateasRepublican have, too. living inand a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatality and rate?c God’s example don’t and when reliability adversaries push back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society edhappens and then with details that give their statements believability. important because That it determines whether certain nt such asThe the Chernobyl this difficult Th The most direct waywere to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer is, unless an exogenous they to disaster corruption. financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat thosetime. ev church some services questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — S elieve that event, not the Staropportunities Wars confident we will em supposed from COVID-19 offers for a U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least half of their meltdown in 1986. Some experts what theythe data and asking questioning when we can start getting back and many more Sponsored by ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue more liberalized society that presumes wide sprea Sponsored by the dissolution of the Soviet In thisled same spiritt bit of remediation. Let’sUnion first examine what production back in the States. There is though approximately programor of are Reagan, directly to do, lastUnited I to normal they are$120 conspiracy theorists people who don’t.as afterdown our own asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock further. neighbors helping ne mightisbe the root academic corruption, billion worth checked. of American direct investment in plants and equipment in 1989. otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. title of a recent study, to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have an date. direct investment in the U.S. is about $65We’ve seen rates — Concord, the number of Cd temporary hernobyl. In a high inexpiration China. Chinese billion by case fatality Perhaps COVID-19 China’s Since when did questioning government at all levels become aisbad “Academic Grievance Studies and the North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 start getting back This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases — but bp ady talking about the possibility to buy aare 3-D sacrifices are society comparison. Senators inmoney Washington alr thing? That is what free citizens living in a free were supposed Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was we should remain vigilant and are people who shape, or form. So while stay safe, at and the denominator are likely wrong. We don’t kn debt we owe them as one way to get health$1.2 caretrillion workers An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment in China ino over. of China forgiving toon do,half lastof I checked. done by Areo, an opinion and analysis Food manufacturer same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “newbillion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing people have actually died of coronavirus. Some the sou yick. have caused US. the Don’t hold your today, or $60 China to “pay” for the damage digitalthe magazine. By the way, Areo is short My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m see” become bad normal.” number beenbreath overestimated, given that classifi to happen but ask$42 your elected for a speech delivered by toaAreopagitica, invest million investment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury billion in has waiting Ifor a Chinese them$18 catching the virus, and I’m worried will. After “Jubi y were supposed Not one little bit. of death, particularly among elderly patients, untableJohn in tangible financial Milton in defense ways of freefor speech. tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion lost revenue hold Chinacan acc suffering fromin the H1N1 virusis(swine flu) representatives during the 2009topandemic, inAuthors Gaston Co. Helen Pluckrose, James A. sources suggest the number is dramatically under decimal dust compared to the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster. been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah e, is my family. Stacey Matthews manyas people are dying home. d to operate as I’m responsible citizens of undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the It is at about timenot they expect way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer to are repeat. HANS KISSLE something has gone drastically wrong ed I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection. Even more importantly, we have no clue how ma ation. past. the world like any other modern n But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially COMPANY, a freshwithin certain 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scientists suggest China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within the humanities. foods manufacturer, willThey call of this brings up of identified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases could be an order of magnitude these fields “grievance studies,” where Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion create 219isnew jobs in efer notscholarship to repeat. number of people who have had and n not so much based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and Gaston County, Governor st everyone has finding truth but upon attending to replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. social grievances. Grievance scholars Roy Cooper announced bully students, Tuesday. Theadministrators company and other departments into adhering to their will invest more than worldview. The worldview they promote is Jason $42.2scientific million to neither norbuild rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS studies of disciplines such as a foodconsist manufacturing sociology, anthropology, gender studies, facility in Apple Creek COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race Corporate Center. studies. “North Carolina’s AP PHOTO In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, agricultural and Lindsay and Boghossian started Special police is on guard on the roof of the congress hotel at the 51st annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, on Tuesday, submitting bogus academic manufacturing legacy papers to May 24, 2022, in Davos, Switzerland. academic journals in cultural, queer, continues to attract race, gender, fat and sexuality studies growing companies topass peer to determine if they would in February” in terms of weap- unnoticed. The ‘Russia War Crimes counties like Gaston,” “THIS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made, re seriousness of and the be virus and the review accepted for need publication. House’ takes place inside for- let usthe ons, funding, political support and IS WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place. Ithe understand Acceptance of dubious research in it” (Psalm y with how people who simply ask that said Governor Cooper. mer118:24). Russia House,” organizers sanctions against Russia. orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, butofI’m uneas editors found sympathetic to their the rechristened venue intime a and Zelenskyy, received a standI know that during this challenging of soc n thingsjournal can start getting back to “Our skilled workforce are having to adjust to what is being called thewho “new normal.” questions about said the data, whe intersectional or postmodern leftist vision press release. ing ovation after his remarks, reworking from home or losing a job, it may becircle diffi with contempt. Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. and great quality of life normal are treated in some of the world would prove the problem of At the opening Monday, veniterated that Russia was blocking be glad” as the Bible tells us to do.the However, as aasC a societylow simply accept without Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June. They’re as though we are key must ingredients academic standards.for our photostreated of crimes and critical food supplies, such as wheat ue featured and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded me oftelj s us about when it’s safe to begin the Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what the government Several of the fake research papers thriving manufacturing and sunflower oil, from leaving cruelties that Russian forces are achave to be thankful and hopeful for, even in the m alcy. were accepted for publication. The Fat a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” if the process of returning back to norm cused of perpetuating. Some vicUkraine’s ports. industry.” Lenten and pandemic. s, and we have journal the right to ask those Studies published a hoax paper tims will speak out — including Ukraine, along with Russia, is state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government works for Since when did Kissle thatHans argued the term was me, Anatoliy my faith is an important part my dai home orders are in place all bodybuilding over the Fedoruk, the mayor of Bu-ofstay-ata major exporter wheat, barEaster seasons If he does decide to extend it, questions should be of asked asFor to the questions. And the longer manufactures a wide questioning andas should be replaced cha, a town nearEaster Kyivthe where imagand sunflower oil, and thelike in-“we making. As I celebrated with my family, hem get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, justification for it. And the answersleyshould notabe vague ones country, and stricter some ofI tr provide with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive variety of high quality killings ofreminds civilians us terruption of those and other sta- es of government Corinthians 1:4, which ouroutLord “comf eling isolated and/or anxious about must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people,drew sitting at home message of food insecurity politicized performance.” One reviewer rage worldwide. ples is threatening The Associated Press fresh prepared foods affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those ng for their families, will demand at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to providi said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this “It’s important to underin countries inwe Africa, Middle hope that will theaffliction, for supermarkets and with the comfort which we ourselves ar beingpeople told tomay remain at home forthat an undetermined answers. article and believe it has an important DAVOS, Switzerland “Some usejobless andEast stand what is really happening in and Asia rely on those afbecome a— Davos are once again enjoy foodservice God.” vels should be as forthcoming contribution to customers make to as thethey field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local arand state le Ukraine,” said Bjorn Geldhof, fordable supplies. — the hub of an elite annual gaththe invasion of Ukraine as bad thing? sporting events, If you are celebrating thePinchukArtCenEaster season, I—urge again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” throughout the United tistic director of Commenting on these cascading ering in the Swiss Alps — is back, are reliable. can be with those answers and excuse forgone fossilalong fuel with what “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: is what reflect message and be comforted, that ents believability. tre, which helping organize the so global worries, “There’s business concerts, family more than two That years after the coro- anTo States. Since opening as Solidarity date, I’ve the state has askedno and thenon this withisdetails that give their statem Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to exhibit. “Part of thisallall exhibition is to do usual,” President Borge navirus pandemic its busi- mandated God’s example and comfort those in need arou at we can keep as our investments. will free kept citizens that That we do, but along theasway I’ve forum also had questions about antoin-house commissary We should continue wh gatherings, Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was also to bring back a human face to Brende told The Associated Press, ness gurus, political leaders and evthis difficult time. Through faith and by helping o fe. But we should also still continue the data. State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities s for a Massachusetts church services livingaway. in a free accepted for publication by Affilia, a er-present activists those people who out haveofbecome vicsaying Ukraine is not the only wor- we There’s forever close the door to confident will emerge this pandemic str cause while reasonable stay-at-home Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, b groceryjournal chainfor in social 1984,workers. The feminist ry. “It is many also climate is tim of these Russian war crimes.” and more change.InItthis no shortage of urgent issues for the reach our climate targets.” society were spirit, I continue to be inspired the by y shouldpaper also have an expiration some people to treat those same measures are understandable, consisted in partserves of adate. rewritten World Economic Forum’s annual sometimes a disturbing tendency among Brende, the forum president, alsoafter that the global growth is slowthe company now our own supposed neighbors helping neighbors. d it is not normal. Not in any way,Two othermeeting to tackle. passage from Mein Kampf. simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back This is all new to Americans, an says scores of CEOs and other busiing, and we have to avoid that this avigilant menu and of 700 items, Fatih Birol, International In Concord, high school named remainhoax stay safe, at including With their lofty papers were published, ness aleaders will besenior looking intoweTanner verytemporary weak recovery ends with a new to do, last I ambition to help to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who shape, or form. So while shoul including “Rape and Queer Performativity Energy Agency money 3-D printer andcan plastic to make fa mfortable withCulture this premium so-called “new waysathe private sector support recession because have very lim-to buy sacrifices arewesick. improve the state of the world, fo- otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others the same time we shouldn’t get co checked. entrees, delicatessen at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject Ukraine, “in situation where ited over. ammunition to fight ahealth new arerum organizers have their work care workers outthe of his own home. Since when did questioning government at all levels become bad normal.” was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rapecut out for them: there are soaring salads, side dishes, Russia is breaking internationcession.” That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed Not one little bit. paper eventually forcedgreat Boghossian, food and fuel prices, Russia’s war in thing? “A new recession will lead to in- al law, international humanitariman Chancellor Olaf Scholz, U.S. quiches and other to do, last I checked. Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurelyUkraine, out climate change, drought climate envoy John Kerry, NATO creased unemployment, increased an law, and not sticking to the U.N. tasting, fresh ready-tounder the pseudonym Sister Toldjah My first concern Jens as weStoltengo along in all this, course, my family. Stacey Matthews has also written themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer Charter.” poverty,” heofadded. “Soismuch is at I’m and food shortages in Africa, Secretary-General dState and Insurrection. eatLegal foods, to what a broad had figured out they were doing.yawning inequality between rich worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After and is a regular to Re Not everyone believe contributor Davos is berg and European Commission stake.” Someof papers for publication range retailaccepted customers. Vladimir Putin’s war the place where solutions can be President from Ursulathe vonH1N1 der Leyen. and poor, and autocratic regimes suffering virus (swinePresident flu) during the 2009 pandemic, in academic journals advocated training found. means Russian and po- up his address ontake Monday, gaining ground in some places — I’veInbeen trying to extraZelprecautions, becausebusiness all of this brings Hans Kissle’s expansion men like dogs and punishing white male A few dozen anti-capitalist demlitical leaders haven’t been invitenskyy called formemories “maximum” sancon top of signs that the pandemic is way too many of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. to the Southeastern college students for historical slavery by ed to Davos this year. There will be onstrators marching behind a tions against Russia during a virfar from over. But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has United States asking them to sitwill in silence on the floor It’s in hard to predict if the tual speech at the forum. He said no traditional “Russia House” so- “Smash WEF” banner clashed Frichains during class and toand be expectedhigh-minded to increase production discussions will yield that sanctions need to go further cial festivities with caviar and vod- day with police in Zurich, Switzerlearn from the discomfort. substantial announcements that to stop Russia’s aggression, includ- ka spreads for the elite attendees of land’s largest city, a sign of simmerdistribution capacity Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthymake life headway on the world’s most ing an oil embargo, blocking all of its evening fun. ing antagonism against economic for its food items and choice and advocated treating privately Instead, critics — notably in- elites whom they accuse of putting its banks and cutting off trade with pressing challenges. add approximately conducted masturbation as a form of The war in Ukraine will be a key Russia completely. Zelenskyy also cluding Ukrainian tycoon Victor profits over people. Police used sexual violence against women. 100,000 square feet of Typically, theme. President Volodymyr Zelen- said Ukraine needs at least $5 bil- Pinchuk and the country’s Foreign rubber bullets and pepper spray academic journal editors send submitted skyy spoke on opening day Monday lion per month, as his country has Ministry — have seized on some to disperse the crowd in what was manufacturing space. papers out to referees for review. In by video from Kyiv, while the coun- “more than half a trillion of dol- symbolism and vowed to voice their deemed an unauthorized gather“We are excited to be recommending acceptance for publication, try’s foreign minister and a sizable lars in losses.” He added that tens disgust, which is shared by many ing. able reviewers to expand production many gave these papers glowing While Ukraine captured attendelegation of other top Ukrainian of thousands of lives could have around the world. to meet the growing praise. “This year, Russia is not present officials were on hand. They’ll be been saved if Ukraine had “received Political for scientist Zach Goldberg ran joined this week by leaders like Ger- 100% of our needs at once, back at Davos, but its crimes will not go See DAVOS page B6 demand our premium certain grievance studies concepts through products from consumers the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often andappeared retail partners in over the years. they in our press thefound Southeast,” said in the usages He huge increases of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” Scott Moffitt, CEO of “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” foot building on HPU’s InnovaHans Kissle Company. All of this is being taught to college tion Corridor. The dental school “Gastonia is aofthriving students, many whom become primary will partner with dentists in the locommunity and secondary with schoolateachers who then cal community and across the reindoctrinate our young people. talented workforce, and gion. According to school officials, I doubt whether the total investment in the program we are proud tothe putcoronavirusdown caused financial crunch will give college is expected to be $100 million, and roots and call it home for who are a and university administrators, at full capacity, HPU’s dental proour new facility. crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, gram will bring 240 new students North State Journal staff theThe guts North and backbone to restore academic Carolina to campus. respectability. “This is an incredible, transforHIGH POINT — High Point DepartmentFar of too often, they get much of their political support from campusUniversity has announced the cremational gift for the School of DenCommerce ledwho theare state’s grievance people members of ation the of a new School of Dental tal Medicine,” said Dr. Scott De effortsand to diversity supportand Hans faculty multiculturalMedicine, which is expected to enRossi, founding dean for the new administrative offices. Kissle’s location to North school. “Dr. Workman is a pioneer roll its first class in fall 2023. The The best hope lies with the boards of announcement comes as the uniin the field of dentistry dedicated Carolina. Altogether, trustees, though many serve as yes-men to excellence in our profession. He versity continues to grow with sevaverage annual salary for for the university president. I think that a new academic programs and knew a gift this size would enable us eral the new good start positions would be tomeets find 1950s or 1960s to lead the way in oral health care buildings in development at HPU. GastonLook County’s catalogs. at the average course offerings at and education. With this gift, we The seminal gift toward this new aannual time when college graduates knew how will create a dental program second wage of $42,018. professional school is a $32 million to read, write and compute, and makedonation from the Rick and Angto none. It is an honor for our school The project could create PHOTO COURTESY HPU them today’s curricula. Another helpful to now carry the Workman name.” ie Workman Foundation. Dr. Rick a potential payroll tool would be annual to give careful consideration Workman serves as Heartland Workman is HPU’s Dental Innova- High Point University has announced HPU’s future dental school impact of more than $9.2 to eliminating all classes/majors/minors Dental’s executive chairman. Betor in Residence and the founder of will be named the Workman School of Dental Medicine. The containing the word million each year.“studies,” such asHeartland Dental, which supports university has received a $32 million donation from the Rick and fore founding the company in 1997, women, Asian, black queer studies.more than 1,600 offices nationwide. Angie Workman Foundation. Pictured are Angie and Dr. Rick Workman practiced dentistry for “This is anotherorgreat I’d bet that by restoring the traditionalThe new school will be named the Workman. Photo Courtesy: HPU nearly 20 years. It was during his win for our region and they would academic mission to colleges, time as a practicing dentist that he Workman School of Dental Medistate,” saiddent N.C. Senator put a serious into the COVID-19 cine. says he realized there had to be a budget Kathyshortfall. Harrington. “We tion,” said Dr. Workman. “My fam- better way to balance the clinical “We are blessed by the gener- and campus.” This donation is part of a re- ily and I are grateful to be a part and business sides of the field. He ous donations from people like Dr. welcome these additional Walter E. Williams is a professor of Rick Workman and his wife,” said cord-breaking $100 million invest- of such a dynamic institution and created Heartland Dental to projobs andat investment forUniversity. economics George Mason HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. ment from three separate families, partner with the amazing leader- vide dental support, and today ofGaston County and look fers leadership advice to the more “This is what keeps our communi- which have been designated this ship of President Qubein.” forward to seeing what With the Workman School of than 1,600 dental offices in 37 states ty and HPU family growing. Our spring toward HPU’s continued exDentistry, HPU will establish the nationwide through various speakgrowth is on merit and by design, pansion. Hans Kissle will grow only private dental school in the ing engagements. He graduated “HPU’s values and focus on life and we appreciate the faithful courhere.”

business & economy

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

A6

Approved Logos

north STA

VISUAL VOICES

It’s okay to ask questions about when The we begin to get back to comfort normal and hope Climate to conflict, Davos’ post-COVID return has full plate

High Point University to establish dental school with major donation

age from the entire HPU family as we expand our academic schools

skills are both unique and desperately needed today in higher educa-

state of North Carolina, which will be housed in a new 80,000-square-

from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B6

Powell: ‘Soft’ economic landing may be out of Fed’s control The Associated Press For the week ending 4/8

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,953,075,901 Add Receipts

$83,448,040 Less Disbursements

$116,485,190 Reserved Cash

$125,000,000 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$6,457,609,150 Loan Balance:

$340.3M

DAVOS from page B5 tion on the meeting’s first day, climate and environmental issues will be a recurring, constant theme as the forum looks to future challenges as much as the current ones. Forum managers — who have faced criticism about hosting wealthy executives who sometimes fly in on emissions-spewing corporate jets — have increasingly tried to play their part and inoculate themselves against accusations of hypocrisy: Over the last five years, they say they have offset 100% of the carbon emissions from the organization’s activities by supporting environmental projects. Experts say offsets can be problematic because there’s no guarantee they’ll deliver on reducing emissions. On Monday and again on Tuesday, the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said the urgent energy needs of the moment should not turn into an excuse to make long-term investments in fossil fuel exploration and extraction, which has spiked in recent months. Instead, Birol argued the emphasis needed to be a fast shift to renewable energies, an increase in nuclear where possible, stopping leaks of methane, one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, and lowering personal consumption, like turning down the thermostat a few degrees. “Some people may use the invasion of Ukraine as an excuse for fossil fuel investments. That will forever close the door to reach our climate targets” to reduce emissions that are heating up the planet, he said. Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum a major oil company, countered that oil and gas industries had a central role to play in the transition to renewable energy. Instead of talk about moving away from fossil fuels, Hollub said the focus should be on making fossil fuels cleaner by reducing emissions. She said Occidental had invested heavily in wind and solar energy and planned to build the largest direct air capture facility in the world in the Permian Basin. Direct air capture is a process that pulls carbon dioxide out of the air and buries it deep in the ground. “The U.S. can provide ample resources to the rest of the world. However, it’s becoming more and more difficult to do that because of the fact that we are getting a lot of headwinds,” she said on Monday. “One is the belief that we can end the use of oil and gas sooner rather than later.” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia). who has opposed a major bill on climate change proposed by President Joe Biden, said Monday that fossil fuels were key to ensure energy security, and America had the resources to help ensure such security for the world. “We can’t do it by abandoning the fossil fuel industry,” said Manchin, a Democrat, adding that no transition could take place until alternatives were fully in place. Many energy experts argue that viable alternatives are already in place. For example, the cost of wind and solar have come down considerably in recent decades while efficiencies of both have dramatically increased. At the same time, other more nascent technologies have promise but need massive investment to develop.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, fresh off winning Senate confirmation for a second term earlier in the day, acknowledged for the first time Thursday that high inflation and economic weakness overseas could thwart his efforts to avoid causing a recession. For weeks, Powell has portrayed the Fed’s drive to raise interest rates as consistent with a so-called “soft landing” for the economy. Under that scenario, the Fed would manage to tighten borrowing costs enough to cool the economy and curb inflation without going so far as to tip the economy into recession. But in an interview on American Public Media’s “Marketplace,” Powell conceded that that balancing act — which many economists have said they doubt the Fed can achieve — could be undercut by economic slowdowns in Europe and China. “The question whether we can execute a soft landing or not — it may actually depend on factors that we don’t control,” the Fed chair said. “There are huge events, geopolitical events going on around the world, that are going to play a very important role in the economy in the next year or so.” Such comments reflect less confidence in avoiding a recession than Powell has previously conveyed. Just last week, he said at a news conference: “I think we have a good chance to have a soft or softish landing or outcome.” On Thursday, he said that slowing inflation to the Fed’s 2% annual target — from its current 6.6%, according to the central bank’s preferred measure — “will also include some pain, but ultimately the most painful thing would be if we were to fail to deal

AP PHOTO

Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve, Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in Washington, D.C. with it and inflation were to get entrenched in the economy at high levels.” Europe’s economies are suffering from high inflation, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting spike in natural gas and oil prices. Europe has been far more dependent on Russian energy supplies than the United States has been. China’s strict COVID lockdown policies have shut down ports, hindering exports and slowing consumer spending in cities like Shanghai, where millions of Chinese have been largely restricted to their homes for weeks. In his interview on “Marketplace,” Powell also seemed to

Pfizer says 3 COVID shots protect children under 5 The Associated Press THREE DOSES of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine offer strong protection for children younger than 5, the company announced Monday, another step toward shots for the littlest kids possibly beginning in early summer. Pfizer plans to submit the findings to U.S. regulators later this week. The Food and Drug Administration already is evaluating an application by rival Moderna to offer two-dose vaccinations to tots — and set June 15 as a tentative date for its independent scientific advisers to publicly debate the data from one or both companies. The news comes after months of anxious waiting by parents desperate to vaccinate their babies, toddlers and preschoolers, especially as COVID-19 cases once again are rising. The 18 million youngsters under 5 are the only group in the U.S. not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Pfizer has had a bumpy time figuring out its approach. It aims to give tots an extra low dose — just

one-tenth of the amount adults receive — but discovered during its trial that two shots didn’t seem quite strong enough for preschoolers. So researchers gave a third shot to more than 1,600 youngsters — from age 6 months to 4 years — during the winter surge of the omicron variant. In a press release, Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said the extra shot did the trick, revving up the children’s levels of virus-fighting antibodies enough to meet FDA criteria for emergency use of the vaccine with no safety problems. Preliminary data suggested the three-dose series is 80% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, the companies said, but they cautioned the calculation is based on just 10 cases diagnosed among study participants by the end of April. The study rules state that at least 21 cases are needed to formally determine effectiveness, and Pfizer promised an update as soon as more data is available. While the vaccine effectiveness likely could change somewhat, “all of this is very positive for those par-

suggest that the Fed would at least consider raising its benchmark rate by an extremely large three-quarters of a point if inflation failed to show signs of easing

in the coming months. Last week, the stock market initially soared when Powell appeared to take a three-quarter-point rate hike off the table. After repeating his comment from last week that half-point hikes were likely at each of the next two Fed meetings, in June and July, Powell added Thursday: “If things come in better than we expect, then we’re prepared to do less. If they come in worse than when we expect, then we’re prepared to do more.” When asked if “do more” meant a three-quarter point hike, Powell said: “You’ve seen this committee adapt to the incoming data and the evolving outlook. And that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

ents who are looking forward to having a vaccine for their younger children in the coming months,” said Dr. William Moss of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who was not part of the study. If FDA confirms the data, the vaccine could “be an important tool to help parents protect their children,” agreed Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, a former FDA vaccine chief. But he cautioned that it’s essential to track how long protection lasts, especially against serious disease. What’s next? FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks has pledged the agency will “move quickly without sacrificing our standards” in evaluating tot-sized doses from both Pfizer and Moderna. Comparing the two companies’ approaches to vaccinating the littlest kids promises to be challenging. Moderna asked FDA to authorize two shots, each containing a quarter of the dose given to adults. While that spurred good levels of virus-fighting antibodies, Moderna’s study found effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 was just 40% to 50% during the omicron surge, much like for adults who’ve only had two vaccine doses. “We’ve learned in older children and adults that ... we really need three doses to get protection” against newer variants like omicron, Moss said. That’s something Moderna plans to study, and Moss said he

didn’t expect the question would hold up FDA authorization of the first two doses. Complicating Moderna’s progress, the FDA so far has allowed its vaccine to be used only in adults. Other countries allow it to be given as young as age 6, and the company also is seeking FDA authorization for teens and elementary-age kids. The FDA has tentatively planned for its expert panel to consider Moderna’s vaccine for older kids a day before taking up the question of shots for the littlest. If FDA clears either vaccine or both, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would have to recommend whether all kids under 5 should receive the shots or only those at high risk. While COVID-19 generally isn’t as dangerous to youngsters as to adults, some children do become severely ill or even die. And the omicron variant hit children especially hard, with those under 5 hospitalized at higher rates than at the peak of the previous delta surge. It’s not clear how much demand there will be to vaccinate the youngest kids. Pfizer shots for 5- to 11-year-olds opened in November, but only about 30% of that age group have gotten the recommended initial two doses. Last week, U.S. health authorities said elementary-age children should get a booster shot just like everyone 12 and older is supposed to get, for the best protection against the latest coronavirus variants.

“There are huge events, geopolitical events going on around the world, that are going to play a very important role in the economy in the next year or so.” Fed Chair Jerome Powell

Syringes and colorful bandages are prepared as children from local schools prepare to get COVID-19 vaccines in Pittsfield, Mass., on Monday Dec. 13, 2021.

PHOTO VIA AP

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B7

2023 Maserati Grecale

PHOTOS COURTESY MASERATI

What does your car say about you? Do you want a luxury crossover that’s a bit different? By Jordan Golson North State Journal MILAN — The car a person chooses, like their choice of dog, says an awful lot about them. I’ve made this assertion before about supercars, but it holds for basically every car purchase. What car you drive tells me something about your personality, priorities, and what you want to say to the world about yourself. Even if you don’t want to send a message, that’s a choice, and it still sends a message. We all have our stories to tell, whether you drive an old Subaru Outback or a Mazda3 hatchback, or a Porsche Macan. That’s part of what makes my test car this week, the new Maserati Grecale, so interesting. I’m fascinated to see who buys it. The luxury compact SUV segment is booming whether you look at unit sales or simply the sheer number of different options. Car and Driver counts some 25 different models, and now we can add the Grecale to that list. The new Grecale is built on the same Giorgio platform as Stellantis stablemates Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio and the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. It goes head-tohead with segment stalwarts like the BMW X3, the Audi Q5, the Mercedes-Benz GLC, and newcomers like the fantastic Genesis GV70. It’s fair to say the Italians have their work cut out for them with the Grecale, which is probably made a touch more difficult in America thanks to a tricky-to-pronounce name: it’s gre-cà-le, the Ital-

ian word for a northeasterly Mediterranean wind. Being Italian, design is paramount though one of the designers told me that design was secondary to performance, but I don’t think I entirely believe him. The iconic Maserati trident sits prominently in the middle of an enormous smiling grille — no question about what kind of car this is — with another high on the C-pillar. The now-iconic Maserati triple side vents sit prominently on the sculpted quarter panel, and the vehicle looks excellent from front or back. From the side, things are less impressive because there are only so many ways to draw a compact crossover. Still, the Grecale has a sharply falling rear glass that makes a statement, and the lower rear

bumper tucks tightly in from the rear wheels. It tucks so tightly that a little nub sticks out from the fender next to the rear wheel to meet regulations relating to the width of the body next to the wheel. It does make the car look better, though. The Trofeo I drove is the best looking of the bunch, thanks to enormous wheels, brakes, an enormous rear diffuser that could come straight off a race car, and the glorious exhaust note completes the package. The Trofeo comes with a 530 horsepower that can rip from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.8 seconds and to a top speed of 177 mph. Do you need a compact SUV that can go faster than the takeoff speed or a Boeing 777? No, of course not. But it’s pretty cool all the same. The 3-liter twin-turbo V6 is de-

rived from the Nettuno engine in the Maserati MC20 supercar, which itself uses some fancy combustion engineering first used in Formula One. It has a two-chamber combustion system, where the fuel is first ignited in a pre-chamber before the explosion is transferred to the main combustion chamber in the cylinder. A second spark plug in the main chamber allows for more traditional combustion when appropriate. In other words, the car can ignite fuel in two different ways depending on the need, allowing the engine to determine the most appropriate way to ignite the fuel based on driving conditions. It can even use both systems simultaneously. Of course, when driving the Grecale, you don’t know any of this is going on. All you know is that when

you mash the throttle, the thing takes off like an absolute rocket ship. The more economical trim levels have lower horsepower and price tags, offering a 4-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid consisting of a starter-generator (an advanced starter/alternator hybrid) and an e-booster and some other components. The e-booster is an electric turbocharger, using some battery power to boost pressure at lower engine RPMs to avoid turbo lag. The traditional turbocharger takes over once revs are high enough that the e-booster isn’t needed. The 2-liter system makes 300 or 330 horsepower in the GT and Modena trims, respectively. And I haven’t even gotten into the interior, with its multitude of screens, including a dash cluster screen with a cutout in the middle that allows it to sit lower on the dash over the steering wheel, allowing for better visibility. There’s a traditional Maserati clock, only now it’s digital, which is decidedly less traditional. Nice leather, lovely stitching, fancy metal touchpoints, and superb design touches all remind you that you’re in a nice Italian car. Make sure to opt for the must-have embroidered Maserati tridents on the headrests. And now we come back to what your car says about you. Do you want a Porsche Macan that’s sporty and aggressive? Or a Mercedes-Benz GLC that’s luxurious and comfortable? Or do you, perhaps, want a Maserati Grecale with a lovely design that stands out from everything else in the pickup line at school? Of course, maybe you want something a little more environmentally friendly but also design-focused and a bit different. Good news on that front, too, because an all-electric version called the Grecale Folgore is coming next year. The gasoline-powered Grecale will land in US Maserati dealers this fall.

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B8 Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to tour in US, Europe New York The Boss is hitting the road again, and the E Street Band band is coming with him. The rockers announced Monday that they will begin an arena tour in February in the United States, followed by stadium shows beginning in April in Europe. Details on the cities the rockers will visit in the U.S. will be announced later, but it’ll be the first time the group has toured since wrapping The River Tour in Australia in February 2017. “After six years, I’m looking forward to seeing our great and loyal fans next year,” Springsteen said in a statement. The European concerts will begin April 28th in Barcelona, the announcement said. Other stops in Europe will include Dublin, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Copenhagen with the last European show announced so far happening July 25 in Monza, Italy. Concerts in Britain and Belgium will also be announced later. The North American dates will be split into two segments, with a second leg beginning in August. The group’s last release was the 2020 album “Letter to You.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NC native wins Pulitzer Prize for play set at barbecue Gastonia James Ijames, 41, a native of Bessemer City, has won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play Fat Ham, an interpretation of Hamlet that is set at a North Carolina barbecue. Ijames graduated from Hunter Huss High School in 1999. He went on to receive a bachelor of arts in drama from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and then a master of fine arts in acting from Temple University in Philadelphia. Fat Ham presents the Shakespearian scenario of a father’s ghost coming to a son, asking him to avenge his death: “The father has passed recently, and the uncle is now sort of like in the house. My Hamlet, his name is Juicy, is trying to get to the bottom of it and decide whether or not he wants to go through it or not,” explains Ijames. He said that his time growing up in Bessemer City has had a significant influence on his work as a playwright, and he has shared with local news outlets that he wanted to make sure he represented where he comes from “with love and appreciation, because sometimes, we get to be the butt of jokes. … It’s a funny play, but it’s not making fun of the people.” NSJ STAFF

Life imitates art: ‘Jaws’ extra named police chief Oak Bluffs, Mass. A man who as a child had a brief but key role in “Jaws” has been named police chief on the Massachusetts island on which the 1975 movie was partially filmed. Jonathan Searle was offered the job of police chief in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard last week. “I’m clearly elated and and I’m humbled and honored to have been offered the position,” Searle, currently a sergeant with Edgartown police, told the Vineyard Gazette, which first reported the appointment. The movie centers on the efforts of a police chief in a fictional resort town trying to rid the local waters of a killer shark. Scenes were filmed in various locations on Martha’s Vineyard. In the movie, Searle played one of two boys who send beachgoers into a panic by swimming around with a fake shark’s fin. Searle, whose father was police chief in Edgartown, takes over in Oak Bluffs next month. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

When purple reigned: A 1985 Prince concert finds a new life The Associated Press NEW YORK — The first thing you hear is a familiar voice over the sound of thousands of screaming fans. “Hello, Syracuse and the world. My name is Prince and I’ve come to play with you.” The Purple One soon arrives, rising up through the stage — wearing an animal print jumpsuit with a ruffled white frock, a guitar slug across his back — as “Let’s Go Crazy” starts. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...” he says. It’s the electric beginning of a high-energy concert in upstate New York held more than three decades ago, reworked and re-released on video and audio capturing Prince & The Revolution at their peak. “It was as amazing as I remember it was,” says Lisa Coleman, a Revolution member who was there that night singing and playing keys. Adds drummer Bobby Z: “The next generation needs to see this because this is what it was all about.” The March 30, 1985, concert at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York, included the songs “Delirious,” “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Take Me Home,” “Let’s Pretend We’re Married,” “Computer Blue,” “When Doves Cry” and “I Would Die 4 U,” among others. It closes with a sensual, knockout “Purple Rain,” with Prince in a shimmering cloak delivering a solo that lasts several minutes and shows off an immensely talented guitarist. “You can tell that he knows what he’s doing there — he is lighting up the world. He always played it like there was no tomorrow. But that one is especially moving,” says Bobby Z. “Prince and The Revolution: Live” will be released June 3 in a variety of formats, including digital streaming platforms, a threeLP vinyl version, a two-CD version and a Blu-ray of the concert film. There’s also a limited edition box set featuring three colored LPs, two CDs, the Blu-ray video, a 44-page book with nev-

AP PHOTO

Prince performs at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Feb. 18, 1985. “I do feel like it was a pearl amongst a really great necklace,” says Wendy Melvoin, a guitarist and singer in the Revolution. “The only difference was that it was being televised worldwide. And there was a bit more pressure on us to kind of up our game.” Over the course of the performance, Prince makes several costume changes, jumps around the set’s scaffolding, strips down to just pants and necklaces, writhes suggestively in a bathtub and drives the crowd crazy with such lines as: “Do you want me?” The gig was an early pay-perview event and was nominated for a Grammy Award for best longform music video. The concert was later put out on VHS but the quality of the audio and visuals were poor. “I’m really excited for a next generation of Prince fans to see what it was all about. He wasn’t, you know, just some average guy.

This was a seriously talented, unbelievable dancer, singer, bandleader, showman, composer, musician. This was a one-in-a-billion individual,” says Bobby Z. Melvoin says die-hard Prince fans may have already seen bootleg versions but hopes that the new album and film can inspire other artists. “I think the people that I’d want to have see it are people that want to learn how to put on a really great show,” she says. “Other artists should see it.” Melvoin and Coleman say they recently rewatched the two-hour concert and found themselves saying “wow!” periodically. “We were sitting next to each other watching a big screen version of it, and we both had forgotten certain parts of it, and it was really quite something to behold,” says Melvoin. “I think one of the things that I said to Lisa was, ‘Jesus, we were really good!’”

Ethan Coen on his Jerry Lee Lewis doc and filmmaking return

kept piling up. It seemed to make more sense to make it about Jerry Lee than this particular session. We pushed it maybe even further that way.

er-before-seen photos of the Purple Rain Tour, and new liner notes penned by all five members of the Revolution. “I was so proud of him and the band we put together and everything at that moment and the fact that it lives on and that this beautiful project is coming out is something special,” says Bobby Z, a Prince friend since they met in 1976. “That band is cooking like a freight train.” Prince fans have another reason to be happy this summer: “Prince: The Immersive Experience” makes its worldwide debut on June 9 in Chicago. It offers visitors the chance to explore his wardrobe, music influences and hits. The Syracuse concert came at the end of a 100-odd date tour and Prince and the band are by this time a tight and sleek machine, piggybacking off the wild success of the film “Purple Rain.”

By The Associated Press CANNES, France — Most in the film industry thought Ethan Coen was done with making movies. Ethan did, too. But on Sunday, Coen premiered his first documentary, “Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind,” at the Cannes Film Festival, a movie that was unknown until last month’s festival lineup announcement. The film, which A24 will distribute later this year, is a blistering portrait of the rock ‘n’ roll and country legend, made almost entirely with archival footage, with riveting extended performances instead of talking heads. It’s Coen’s first film without his brother Joel, with whom he for three decades formed one of the movies’ most cohesive and unshakable partnerships. But they have lately gone separate ways; last year, Joel made “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” a movie he suggested his brother would never have been interested in. “Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind” started with their longtime collaborator T-Bone Burnett, who in 2019 recorded a gospel album with the 86-year-old Lewis. The film, as Coen noted in an interview ahead of their Cannes premiere, touches on some of the more complicated parts of Lewis’s legacy. (He married his 13-year-old cousin in his early 20s, Lewis’ then third marriage.) But it mostly brings alive the staggering force of the musical dynamo behind “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” AP: Many thought you were no longer interested in moviemaking. What changed? COEN: What changed is I started getting bored. I was with Trish in New York at the beginning of the lockdown. So, you know, it was all a little scary and claustrophobic. And T-Bone Burnett, our friend of many years, approached us — actually, more Trish than me — to ask if we wanted to make this movie basically on archival footage. We could do it at home.

AP: You have worked overwhelmingly in fiction film. Had you often pondered making a documentary? Do you watch a lot of docs? COEN: Did you see the Beatles documentary? That was fantastic. AP: The more distance we get from the films and music of mid-century America, the more it seems to me that was such a fertile period of creation that will never be repeated. Like: Wherever Jerry Lee Lewis came from is not a place anyone comes from anymore. COEN: I totally agree. It’s like, yeah, it’s all gone now.

AP PHOTO

Ethan Coen poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind’ at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 23, 2022. AP: What was it that had sapped your desire to make movies?

script and we thought, “Oh, we should do that. That would be fun.” That’s the movie we’re preparing.

COEN: Oh, nothing happened, certainly nothing dramatic. You start out when you’re a kid and you want to make a movie. Everything’s enthusiasm and gung-ho, let’s go make a movie. And the first movie is just loads of fun. And then the second movie is loads of fun, almost as much fun as the first. And after 30 years, not that it’s no fun, but it’s more of a job than it had been. Joel kind of felt the same way but not to the extent that I did. It’s an inevitable by-product of aging. And the last two movies we made, me and Joel together, were really difficult in terms of production. I mean, really difficult. So if you don’t have to do it, you go at a certain point: Why am I doing this?

AP: Do you expect that you and Joel will continue to go your separate ways in moviemaking?

AP: Has something switched back for you then, since you’re preparing to make a film together this summer? COEN: Again, it’s all kind of circumstance. We finished this one quite a while ago and we were still sitting around. We had this old

COEN: Oh, I don’t know. Going our own separate ways sounds like it suggests it might be final. But none of this stuff happened definitively. None of the decisions are definitive. We might make another movie. I don’t know what my next movie is going to be after this. The pandemic happened. I turned into a big baby and got bored and quit, and then the pandemic happened. Then other stuff happens and who knows? AP: Did you always conceive of “Trouble in Mind” as archivalbased, no talking heads? COEN: The movie has a history preceding our involvement. It was originally conceived as being more on the gospel session T-Bone produced with Jerry Lee in 2019. Along the way, they compiled a lot of archival footage. The archival footage

AP: When you see him performing, his arms going up and down like pistons, he’s such a dynamo that you can’t help wondering where that energy came from. COEN: Musicians are freaks. I mean it in the best possible way. Sifting through the archival footage was a once-in-a-lifetime blessing but also a curse. Because he did his share of (expletive) stuff, too. AP: What’s your personal threshold in the behavior of an artist and the art they make? “Trouble in Mind” pointedly doesn’t seek to cast judgment. COEN: If it’s a good movie, that’s why it’s good. What are we supposed to make of that? Right. That’s a permitted question. That’s what makes the movie interesting. How do you put that magnetic performer together with that flawed person? It’s kind of like — I mean none of the Beatles married their 13-year-old cousin — but it’s kind of like the Beatles movie and why it’s so thrilling. You go: Wow. These are both huge cultural figures and smaller-than-life human beings. Jerry Lee is much the same. I don’t think any sane person is going to ask to embargo the music because his character had certain flaws. Who imposes that choice?

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B9

NEW THIS WEEK

Dinosaurs, Def Leppard and ‘The Responder’ By The Associated Press

“The Square” and “Force Majeure.”

HERE’S A COLLECTION curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.

MUSIC

MOVIES — In the satirical comedy “Emergency,” college seniors Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and Sean (RJ Cyler) set out for an epic night of partying only to return home to a shocking scene: Their door is ajar and a woman is passed out on their floor. The men are Black and the woman is white and they know that calling the police is not a straightforward proposition. The film, directed by Carey Williams and written by KD Dávila, was one of the breakouts of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year for its penetrating look at racial dynamics in a heightened, comedic setting. It’s currently playing in theaters for a limited time before streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting Friday. — “Navalny,” the riveting documentary about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been making the rounds in theaters and on CNN, but starting Thursday it’ll be available on HBO Max as well. Taut and suspenseful, Daniel Ro-

PHOTOS VIA AP

This combination of photos shows promotional art for “Prehistoric Planet,” a series on Apple TV+, left, “Diamond Star Halos,” Def Leppard’s 12th studio album, right. her’s film plays more like a John le Carré thriller than a true story. It has taken on even greater significance since the Russian war on Ukraine, too, according to many of the people involved. “It gives so much context to what’s happening now in Ukraine,” Maria Pevchikh, head of the investigative unit for Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation and an executive producer on the film, told the AP. — While we sit and wait to see what the big breakouts will be at the Cannes Film Festival this year, the film streaming platform MUBI

has one of the festival’s all-timers coming on Friday: David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive,” which won Lynch the directing prize at the festival in 2001 (shared with Joel Coen for “The Man Who Wasn’t There”). And when you’re done wandering around the fringes of Hollywood with Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harding, MUBI has an entire Cannes takeover section to explore with films like Andrea Arnold’s “Fish Tank,” Joachim Trier’s “Oslo, August 31st” (for new Trier fans thanks to “The Worst Person in the World”), as well as Ruben Östlund’s

— Def Leppard get back to basics with “Diamond Star Halos,” their 12th studio album and first work since 2015. The first single, “Kick,” is less hair metal and more classic arena rock. “You never quit” go the lyrics and that sounds apt for the band, too. Def Leppard recorded in three different countries, with singer Joe Elliott in Ireland, bassist Rick Savage in England, and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, as well as drummer Rick Allen, in the United States. The album nods to the members’ earliest collective influences, like David Bowie, T. Rex, and Mott the Hoople, among others, and the title comes from T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On).” — The weekend’s big movie is also a place for new music. The soundtrack from “Top Gun: Maverick” features the singles “Hold My Hand” by Lady Gaga and “I Ain’t Worried” by OneRepublic. There’s the return of “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins, while Miles Teller, who plays Goose’s son, recorded a live rendition of “Great Balls of Fire.” The album also features original tracks by the movie’s composers but there’s no reprise of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” — per-

‘Top Gun’ and Tom Cruise return to the danger zone

ing back to Top Gun, I wanted to take the audience back to that type of filmmaking.” Paramount Pictures, which held off on pushing “Top Gun: Maverick” to streaming, has put a military-grade push behind the sequel. After kicking off aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier in San Diego ( where Cruise arrived by helicopter ) a worldwide promotional tour has included stops at the Cannes Film Festival ( where Cruise received an honorary Palme d’Or ) and a royal premiere in London. The film, finally, opens in theaters Friday. But where countless decades-later sequels have crashed and burned, “Top Gun: Maverick” may be a retro-blockbuster that succeeds — and maybe even rivals the original. The film has certain advantages, most notably the seemingly agelessness of its 59-year-old star. But “Top Gun: Maverick,” in which a middle-aged Maverick returns to the elite aviation training program to train a new generation of flying aces (among them Goose’s hot-head son Rooster, played by

Miles Teller), is an action adventure that recaptures a high-flying moviemaking style with modern-day technology. With visceral aerial scenes filmed inside the cockpit and a surprisingly emotional storyline soaked through with memory and loss, “Top Gun: Maverick” rekindles a daredevil spirit for digital times. Early in the film, a skeptical general played by Ed Harris tells Maverick his kind is headed for extinction, a relic soon to replaced by automation. Maverick replies, with a smirk, “Not today.” “In the film, he’s talking about him as an aviator. But watching it last week, it did feel like Tom Cruise is talking about the movie business,” says Kosinski. “In the age of streaming, he’s still making a really, really strong case for the theatrical experience.” But does a new “Top Gun” fit as seamlessly into today as the original did the Reagan ‘80s? The original “Top Gun” wasn’t a hit with critics. Pauline Kael called it a “shiny homoerotic commercial,” a thread that Quentin Tarantino picked in 1994’s “Sleep With Me” when he, as

an actor, called it “a story about a man’s struggle with his own homosexuality.” Others saw a Pentagon-backed recruitment film with pumped up patriotism, and a portrait of American individualism set against a faceless, country-less enemy. Much of that is still present in “Maverick” — there’s no shortage of disobeyed orders and the bad guys remain a blank slate. But Kosinski approached the film as foremost about the close-knit culture of aviators. “I do feel like the theme of the first film is not really about politics. It really is about friendship, camaraderie, competition, sacrifice,” says Kosinski. “That’s what we wanted to do on this film very purposefully. We designed a fictional antagonist. The mission itself is one about keeping the world safe. It’s not about invasion. It’s really about the relationship between Maverick and Rooster.” In 2012, momentum was starting to gather for a sequel. The original film’s director, Tony Scott, was meeting with Bruckheimer at the Naval Fighter Weapons School known as Top Gun in Nevada. Scott killed himself days later. “We certainly were doubtful that it was going to happen,” says Bruckheimer. “But we still had interest in trying to get the movie made.” Bruckheimer brought in Kosinski, who had directed Cruise in the sleek 2013 science-fiction adventure “Oblivion.” Knowing from that experience what Cruise would respond to, Kosinski focused his pitch to the actor on character and emotion. He and Bruckheimer flew to Paris to meet with Cruise while he was shooting a “Mission: Impossible” film. The director, who came with a poster adorned with the title “Top Gun: Maverick,” had 20 minutes to make his case. “At the end of that meeting, Tom

having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on June 6, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 100 in a subdivision known as SIMMONS HEIGHTS, SECTION II, according to a plat of same being dulyrecordedinPlatBook28,Page28,CumberlandCounty Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6562 Winthrop Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

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

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

cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Parcel Identification No. 0327-05-2974-609. Being all of Unit 609 of the Clarendon House Condominium as described in the Declaration of Condominium-Clarendon House Condominium recorded in Book 3024, Page 573, and in the Amendment to Declaration of CondominiumClarendon House Condominium (the “Amendment”) recorded in Book 3040, Page 165, and in the Condominium Building Plans Book Number 1 at pages 21 through 27, in the records of the Register of Deeds for Cumberland County, North Carolina, together with the undivided interest in the common elements appurtenant to the unit as described and set forth in the declaration, and acquired by the decedent by deed recorded in Book 6433, Page 835, Cumberland County Registry. Including the Unit located thereon; said Unit being located at 1100 Clarendon Street, Unit 609, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Walter R. Guy, Jr. died on April 12, 2014 in Cumberland County, North Carolina. His estate is being administered at 14-E-577, Cumberland County. Walter R. Guy, Sr. was sole testate beneficiary of the Will of Walter R. Guy, Jr., but did not survive Walter R. Guy, Jr. by 120 hours. Pursuant to N.C.

Gen. Stat. 28A-24-2, the sole beneficiaries of the Estate of Walter R. Guy, Jr. are Robert T. Clayton, II and Ashley Victoria Clayton. See the Consent Order and Family Settlement Agreement at 14-E-577. 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 Claim of Lien, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the Claim of Lien 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/ payoff of the Claim of Lien 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.

The Associated Press NEW YORK — In 1983, producer Jerry Bruckheimer was flipping through the May issue of California magazine when he was struck by a story. “Top Guns” read the headline, with a large photograph from inside the cockpit of an F-14 fighter jet. The story opened: “At Mach 2 and 40,000 feet over California, it’s always high noon.” “I saw that cover and I said, ‘We gotta do this. This looks great,’” recalls Bruckheimer. “It’s ‘Star Wars’ on Earth.” And at the box office, “Top Gun” did nearly reach “Star Wars” proportions. It was the No. 1 film of 1986, a rocket-boosted, testosterone-fueled sensation that established the then 24-year-old Tom Cruise as a major star. It made Bomber jackets, Aviator sunglasses and playing homoerotic games of beach volleyball in jeans hip just as it did military service. In the jingoist Reagan-era ‘80s, “Top Gun” was about as American as it gets. The Navy set up recruitment tables in theaters. Enlistments soared. If all of that — the go-go patriotism, a star-led blockbuster, magazines — sounds like a like time ago, it was. But almost four decades later, and after sitting on the shelf for two years due to the pandemic, “Top Gun: Maverick” is flying full throttle into a new world. In the film, directed by Joseph Kosinski, there’s a new mission to win and dogfights to wage. But this time, the task of “Top Gun” feels even weightier. It’s here to, in a CGI, Marvel world, prove that a propulsive brand of moviemaking fueled by star power, practical effects and filmmaking prowess can, still, summon the need for speed. “I wanted it to have that oldschool experience,” says Kosinski, director of “Tron: Legacy” and “Oblivion.” Just as Maverick is go-

AP PHOTO

Tom Cruise poses for the media during the ‘Top Gun Maverick’ UK premiere at a central London cinema, on Thursday, May 19, 2022.

haps that would have been a step too far into the danger zone. TELEVISION — The good old days for dinosaurs concluded some 60 million years ago, when they owned the ancient Earth in all its glory. That’s where “Prehistoric Planet” is set, using a mix of wildlife filmmaking, paleontology findings and visual effects for a promised “one-of-a-kind immersive experience.” Among the stars: the Mongolian Titan and the frightfully clawed Therizinosaurus, who along with other dinos are introduced in their respective land, sea and air habitats. The fivepart Apple TV+ series, out Monday through Friday, May 23-27, boasts narrator David Attenborough and music by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer. — Martin Freeman keeps proving he can play anything. The “Sherlock” and “Breeders” actor stars as a deeply troubled English police officer in “The Responder,” debuting Tuesday, on the Britbox streaming service. Demoted from inspector, Chris Carson is patrolling the streets of his Liverpool, England, hometown, confronting crime and his own angst. He’s also reluctant partner to a rookie, played by Adelayo Adedayo, and his marriage is at risk. The series, inspired by the experiences of its creator and producer, Tony Schumacher, unfolds over a week of night shifts as Chris tries to rescue a young addict from deadly jeopardy.

stood and he walked over to the phone and he called the head of the studio and said, ‘We’re making this film,’” says Kosinski. “I mean, that’s a real movie star who can greenlight a movie with a phone call.” Cruise had a few stipulations. One was that Val Kilmer, who has difficulty speaking after throat cancer and numerous trachea surgeries, return to play Iceman. (The actor appears briefly but poignantly.) Another was that all the actors playing pilots be trained to ride in F-16s and withstand higher G-forces. On the original, only Cruise managed it. “Tom devised a way to train the actors. In the first one, when they put them up in the air with one camera in the cockpit, everybody threw up. We had no usable footage. Their eyes were rolling back in their heads,” says Bruckheimer. “Tom said, ‘Listen, we have to figure out a way to put our actors up there so they can handle the G-forces.’” It took 15 months, Bruckheimer says, to work out with the Navy, lawyers and the film crew how to have six cameras in the cockpit. Actors playing pilots — Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Greg Tarzan Davis, Danny Ramirez, Lewis Pullman and Jay Ellis — were trained over three months to prepare for the velocity of F-18 flights. “Some actors said, ‘I won’t do it. I’m afraid of flying.’ So we lost some talented people who just couldn’t commit to making the movie in the way we did it,” Bruckheimer says. “The majority of the pilots that we worked with on this current movie said they joined the military because they joined the first ‘Top Gun.’” So “Top Gun” has already proved that it can have a lasting effect in the real world. “Top Gun: Maverick” is hoping to show that, when done well, big Bruckheimer-styled blockbusters can still outrace anything else in theaters, or at home. “This film is looking to the future,” says Kosinski. “Not only the past.”

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 218 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kasie J. Brown (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kasie J. Brown) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated June 12, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 09450, at Page 0176 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 37 Under and by virtue of the power of sale granted to Clarendon House Homeowner’s Association pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §47F-3-116 and in accordance with their bylaws and corporate resolutions be it known that said Homeowners’ Association intends to sell property owned by Ashley Victoria Clayton secured by a Claim of Lien bearing file number 21 M 968 filed with the Clerk of Superior Court for Cumberland County North Carolina on November 8, 2021. Due to a default being made in the payment of dues owed to the Homeowner’s Association and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the Claim of Lien evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Claim of Lien be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at June 6, 2022 at 12:00 PM will sell to the highest bidder for

on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 6865 - 26114

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 5854 - 22334

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 618 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael Davis and Donna Davis (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Walton Organization LLC) to Hutchens, Senter & Britton, P.A., Trustee(s), dated April 2, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 8116, at Page 68 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22 SP 180 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Eduardo M. Gallero, in the original amount of $53,500.00, payable to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., dated April 1, 2014 and recorded on April 3, 2014 in Book 09406, Page 0458, modified by Loan Modification recorded on April 6, 2016 in Book 09836, Page 0397, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland

19 SP 408 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 Albert J. Powell and Debbie W. Powell to Kathryn Richards & Jerry B Flowers III, Trustee(s), which was dated May 23, 2016 and recorded on May 24, 2016 in Book 09866 at Page 0838, 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

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 214 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Charles Richard Applegate, Jr. and Charles R. Applegate (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Charles R. Applegate, Heirs of Charles R. Applegate: Charles Richard Applegate, Jr., Donna Sutris, Jennifer Applegate, Cindy Cohen, Kimberly Applegate) to Trustee Services, Inc., Trustee(s), dated December 21, 2011, and recorded in Book No. RE 3036, at Page 2065 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 261 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Andrew Prasit Henley and Crystal Henley (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Andrew Prasit Henley and Crystal Henley) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated November 29, 2007, and recorded in Book No. RE 2798, at Page 1701 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County,

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 188 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Robin L. McNece and Andrew J. McNece (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Robin L. McNece and Andrew J. McNece) to Norwood Boyd Tisdale, Trustee(s), dated March 16, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 2837, at Page 111 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

21 CVS 613 PUBLICATION DATES: May 25, 2022 and June 1, 2022 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in a judgment bearing the caption “Freedom Mortgage Corporation, Plaintiff vs. Travis J. Bullins; Lisa A. Bullins; Sagewood HOA, Inc., Judgment Holder; and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee, Defendants” 21 CVS 613 Onslow County and pursuant to the terms of the judgment, the undersigned Commissioner will offer

RANDOLPH

STANLY NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 40 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by John J. Sullivan, III (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): John J. Sullivan, III, Heirs of John J. Sullivan, III: John J. Sullivan, Jr., Janice Sullivan) to Alexis Alan, Trustee(s), dated March 9, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 1639, at Page 1097 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 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 June 8, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Norwood in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tract I: The following described lot or tract of land contains 17.00 acres, more or less, subject to the right of way of Hardy Road (SR 1937) and is more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a nail found in the centerline of Hardy Road, said nail being in the line of lands of Lynda Uzzell (Deed Book 342, Page 752, Stanly County Registry) and said nail being located S 16-43-01 W 40.56 feet from a found iron pipe, bent, a corner of the Perry land and Uzzell land, and runs thence from said nail found in the centerline and with the centerline of Hardy Road S 72-40-37 E 245.67 feet to a nail found in the centerline of Hardy Road, a corner of other lands of Garrett Mauldin (Record Book 1123, Page

Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on June 6, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 16 in the subdivision known as Brookwood Court as shown on plat of same by Sol C. Rose, dated October, 1951, and recorded in Book of Plats 13, Page 71, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1338 Taylor Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Parcel ID Number: 0438-63-7448 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

County, North Carolina, at 2:00 P.M. on June 9, 2022, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF North Carolina, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF UNIT 5, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS STEWARTS CREEK CONDOMINIUMS II, PHASE XXIX, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF SAME DULY RECORDED IN CONDOMINIUM BOOK 3, PAGES 50-56, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY. SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, APPURTENANCES, EASEMENTS, OBLIGATIONS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED AND DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION, AND TOGETHER WITH THE UNDIVIDED FRACTIONAL INTEREST IN THE COMMON AREAS AND FACILITIES AS ESTABLISHED IN THE DECLARATION RECORDED IN BOOK 3383, PAGE 335, AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL DECLARATION RECORDED IN BOOK 3747, PAGE 286, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 6800-5 Willowbrook Drive #5, Fayetteville, NC 28314. Tax ID: 9498-42-5631-202

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

best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are the Heirs/Devisees of Eduardo M. Gallero a/k/a Eduardo Marling Gallero. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but

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

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 8, 2022 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 48, in a subdivision known as Fairfield, Section Two, Part One, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 88, Page 21, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Parcel ID: 9485-36-7636 Property Address: 2454 Celtic Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 2454 Celtic Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306. A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent

(5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. 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 Albert J. Powell.

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,

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.: 19-03166-FC01

Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in WinstonSalem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on June 1, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Walkertown in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an iron stake the southeast corner of the within described Tract: said stake being located North 5 deg. 00’ East 215.5 feet from an iron stake in the north line of School Street in the west line of O.V. Neal; running thence from said beginning point with the west line of said Neal North 5 deg. 00’ East 100.0 feet to an iron stake in said Neal’s line; thence North 85 deg. 11’ West 200.0 feet to an iron stake in the east margin of a street known as Woodland Drive; thence with the east margin of Woodland Drive South 5 deg. 00’ West 100.0 feet to an iron stake; thence South 85 deg. 11’ East 200.0 feet to an iron stake the place of beginning. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2911 Lakawanna Drive, Walkertown, North Carolina. For further reference see map of Mrs. Nancy Poindexter

Hall Property , said plat recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, NC, in plat book 16, page 94. Tax Parcel Number: 6868-12-8612.00 (Block 5171, Lot 019W) Property Address: 2911 Lakawanna Drive, Walkertown, NC 27051 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly

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

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

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on June 8, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Kernersville in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being known and designated as Lot 14 of “Tarheel Trails” as shown on a map recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, in Plat Book 41 at Page 55, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 408 Gravelawn Drive, Kernersville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and

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

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

providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. 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.

having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on June 9, 2022 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: Lying and being in Jacksonville Township, Onslow County, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 11, Gateway, Section IV, as shown on that certain map or plat thereof, entitled “Final Plat Gateway, Section IV” prepared by Parker & Associates, Inc., dated June 28, 2005, and recorded March 15, 2006, in Map Book 50, page 112, Slide L-1210, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 94 Pollard Drive, 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 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.

for sale that certain property as described below. Said sale will be held in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at the Onslow County Courthouse door and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Situated in Swansboro Township, Onslow County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows:

IV, Prepared for BEAVER CREEK INVESTORS INC., SWANSBORO, Township, Onslow County, NC”, dated September 25, 2013, prepared by John L. Pierce & Associates, P.A. and recorded in Map Book 67, Pages 7575A, Cabinet N in the office of the Register of Dees of Onslow County, North Carolina.

BEING all of Lot 154 as shown on that certain map entitled, “Final Plat Revisions & Recombination Showing Planned Residential Development, SAGEWOOD, SECTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as (executor(administrator) on the estate of Linda Fay Parker, aka Linda Church Parker,

255, Stanly County Registry); thence from said found nail and with the Mauldin lands S 09-29-25 E 167.89 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin S 32-21-44 W 56.47 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin S 4727-47 W 112.19 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin S 17-55-41 W 74.64 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said found iron rod and continuing with Mauldin S 04-31-26 E 101.92 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin S 82-37-18 W 173.24 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin S 39-21-08 W 257.46 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin S 51-03-47 E 350.32 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin N 23-58-32 E 396.45 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin N 22-44-18 W 198.76 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin N 17-29-39 E 50.38 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin N 47-08-34 E 111.85 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin N 32-30-04 E 67.60 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Mauldin N 15-23-51 E 151.88 feet to a nail found in the center line of Hardy Road; thence from said nail and with the centerline of Hardy Road S 72-15-05 E 163.71 feet to a nail found in the centerline of Hardy Road, a corner with Gary Hunsucker (Record Book 773, Page 782, Stanly County Registry); thence from said nail and with the Hunsucker lands S 23-54-37 W 584.09 feet to an iron rod found; thence from said iron rod and continuing with Hunsucker S 6611-40 E 190.72 feet to an iron rod set, a corner of Ronald Perry (Record Book 541, Page 777 and Plat Book 15, Page 47 Stanly County Registry) in the Hunsucker line; thence from said iron rod and with the Perry lands S 23-58-32 W 947.56 feet to an iron rod set, a corner with the Perry lands; thence from said iron rod and continuing with the Perry lands N 66-15-31 W 709.42 feet to a point in the centerline of Hardy Creek, a corner with Perry in the line of Uzzell; thence from said point in the centerline of Hardy Creek and with the centerline of Hardy Creek N 28-05-50 E 322.21 feet to

on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3175 - 7860

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: 6321 - 24272

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: 4397 - 23452

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: 5969 - 22900

The property is being sold “as is”, without warranties, subject to all taxes, special assessments and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Any assessments, costs or fees resulting from the sale will be due and payable from the purchaser at the sale. A cash deposit or certified check (no personal check) in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the high bid will be required at the time of the sale. The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law. This the 25th day of May, 2022.

Susan R. Benoit, Commissioner Post Office Box 2505 Fayetteville, NC 28302 (910) 864-6888

deceased, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, 2021 E 001342 this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 19th day of June, 2022, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.

Michael Ray Parker Executor/Administrator of the Estate of

This 25th day of May, 2022,

Linda Faye Parker aka Linda Church Parker

a point in the centerline of Hardy Creek; thence from said point and continuing with the centerline of Hardy Creek N 31-44-50 E 810.00 feet to a point in the centerline of Hardy Creek; thence from said point and continuing with the centerline of Hardy Creek N 37-22-03 E 129.40 feet to a point in the centerline of Hardy Creek; thence from said point and continuing with the Uzzell line N 73-17-21 W, passing an iron rod found at 21.39 feet, for a total distance of 120.16 feet to an iron pipe found; thence from said iron pipe and continuing with the Uzzell line N 16-34-10 E, passing an iron rod set at 215.51 feet, for a total distance of 243.95 feet to a nail found in the centerline of Hardy Road, the point and place of Beginning, said lot or tract of land contains 17.00 acres, subject to the right of way of Hardy Road (SR 1937), all as shown on a Boundary Survey for Garrett Mauldin by J. Richard Harrington, PLS, dated September 13, 1012. Tract II: The following described lot or tract of land contains 3.00 acres, more or less, and is subject to the right of way of Hardy Road (SR 1937) and is more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a nail set in the centerline of Hardy Road, said nail being located N 61-29-01 W 678.82 feet from a cotton picker spindle found in the centerline of Hardy Road on the line of Ronald Perry and Gary Hunsucker and runs thence from said nail set in the centerline S 15-23-51 W 151.88 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod S 32-30-04 W 67.60 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod S 47-08-34 W 111.85 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod S 17-29-39 W 50.38 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod S 22-44-18 E 198.76 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod S 23-58-32 W 396.45 feet to an iron rod set: thence from said iron rod N 51-03-47 W 350.32 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod N 39-21-08 E 257.46 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod N 82-37-18 E 173.24 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod N 04-31-26 W 101.92 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod N 17-55-41 E 74.64 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said an iron rod N 47-27-47 E 112.19 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod N 32-21-44 E 56.47 feet to an iron rod set; thence from said iron rod N 09-29-25 W 167.89 feet to a nail set in the centerline of Hardy

Road; thence from said nail and with the centerline of Hardy Road S 72-28-15 E 100.00 feet to the point of beginning, said lot or tract of land contains 3.00 acres, more or less, and is subject to the right of way of Hardy Road (SR 1937), all as shown on a Boundary Survey for Garrett Mauldin by James R. Harrington & Associates, PA. James R. Harrington, PLS, dated March 29, 2006. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 40133 and 40134 Hardy Road, Norwood, North Carolina For reference see Record Book 541, Page 777, Stanly County Registry Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE 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.

SUBJECT to Restrictive and Protective Covenants recorded in Book 3804, Page 11 and as amended in Book 3922, Page 523; Book 4003, Page 249; and Book 4038, Page 789, Onslow County Registry. Property Address: 613 Parsley Drive, Hubert, NC 28539

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: 6679 - 25390

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

B11

TAKE NOTICE

STANLY NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 43 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Sandra Yvette Dumas and Johnnie R. Dumas (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Johnnie R. Dumas and Sandra Yvette Dumas) to Uwharrie Mortgage Inc., Trustee(s), dated June 4, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 1527, at Page 202 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 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 June 8, 2022 and will sell to

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY 22sp7

the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Albemarle in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at the Southeast corner of the triangular three (3) acre tract of land conveyed to William O. Thomas by T. S. Parker by deed dated November 19, 1936, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Stanly County, North Carolina, in Deed Book No. 109 at page 76; thence North 86 West along the South line of said tract for a distance of 470 feet to a stake, the Southwest corner of said tract; thence North 3 East along the Western line of said tract for a distance of approximately 398 feet to the Southwest corner of the .31-acre parcel of land conveyed by William O. Thomas to G. Hobart Morton and wife, Katie Morton, by deed dated January, 1947, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Stanly County, North Carolina, in Deed Book No. 156, page 95; thence along the South line of said .31 acre parcel of land conveyed to G. Hobart Morton and wife in a South 83-30 East direction for a distance of 79 feet to a stake; thence continuing to follow the South line of said .31-acre parcel in a South 53-30 East direction for a distance of 133 feet to a stake in the Northeast line of said three (3) acre tract of land hereinabove referred to; thence along said line in a South 35-30 East direction for a distance of approximately 420 feet to a stake, the point of beginning, containing 2.69 acres, more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being

NOTICE OF SALE

the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Stanly County courthouse at 10:00AM on June 8, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Stanly County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Avis Kinney Glenn S Kinney, dated December 3, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $77,564.49, and recorded in Book 0971 at Page 0474 of the Stanly 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.

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of

Address of property: Turner St, Norwood, NC 28128 Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners:

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY AVIS KINNEY GLENN S KINNEY DATED DECEMBER 3, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 0971 AT PAGE 0474 IN THE STANLY COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

UNION IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 18SP243 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BRENDA MILLICAN, A MARRIED WOMAN DATED AUGUST 26, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5201 AT PAGE 363 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, UNION COUNTY 22 SP 127 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Florene Noel and Denise Eugene, in the original amount of $168,635.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Columbia National, Inc., dated July 23, 2004 and recorded on August 3, 2004 in Book 3519, Page 215, modified by Loan Modification recorded on June 26, 2014 in Book 06250, Page 0094, Union County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Union County, North Carolina, and the holder of

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 157

149

West

8960 Avis Kinney

the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 8, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Brenda Millican, a married woman, dated August 26, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $85,914.00, and recorded in Book 5201 at Page 363 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: Lane Dr, Monroe, NC 28110 Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners:

1813 Timber 09301209 Jatanna Kiker

the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Union County, North Carolina, at 2:00 P.M. on June 7, 2022, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEING all of Lot 945 of Crismark, Section 1, Phase 6, Map 3, as same is shown on a map thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet H, File No. 32, in the Union County Public Registry. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 3002 Moonstone Lane, Indian Trail, NC 28079. Tax ID: 07057686 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per

located at 1035 Blake Road, Albemarle, North Carolina. For reference see deed recorded in Deed Book 223, page 219, Office of the Register of Deeds for Stanly County, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior

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

Anderson The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jatanna Kiker Anderson.

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.

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

1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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: 6768 - 25763

The date of this Notice is May 19, 2022. Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By:

Suite

400

Suite

400

21-111805

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October

is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is NC-SDS, LLC. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the

party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in

The date of this Notice is April 21, 2022. Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By: 17-096136

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 John P. Fetner, Bar #41811 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) jfetner@mtglaw.com

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Statement of North Carolina WILLIAM TAYLOR UZZLE, JR. Wake County No. 22 E 1066

All persons, firms or corporations having claims against WILLIAM TAYLOR UZZLE, JR., late of Wake County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before June 10, 2022 or this notice will be pleaded in

bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 25th day of May 2022. R. Daniel Boyce

Executor Estate of William T. Uzzle, Jr. 431 Marlowe Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27609

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Bessie Munroe Brickley aka Bessie Lee Brickley, late of Wake County, North Carolina (Wake 2020-E-4316), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to

the undersigned on or before August 31, 2022, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 25th day of May 2022.

c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Senter Stephenson Johnson, PA, PO Box 446 114 Raleigh St. Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 17SP557

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Robbie Ostrowski and Lynette Ostrowski.

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ROBBIE OSTROWSKI, JR. AND LYNETTE OSTROWSKI DATED MAY 15, 2000 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8587 AT PAGE 1393 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.11-022529.FC04.202*

for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 3, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Robbie Ostrowski, Jr. and Lynette Ostrowski, dated May 15, 2000 to secure the original principal amount of $120,000.00, and recorded in Book 8587 at Page 1393 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose

Address of property: Arrowwood Dr, Raleigh, NC 27604 Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners: Ostrowski and Lynette Ostrowski

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Melvin Johnson, Jr. and Tammy L. Johnson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Melvin Johnson, Jr. and Tammy L. Johnson) to H. Terry Hutchens, Esquire Hutchens, Senter & Britton PA, Trustee(s), dated January 4, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 06855, at Page 0766 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on June 9, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Waxhaw in the County of Union,

WAKE

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 617 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James D. Reinhardt, III and Laura C. Reinhardt (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James D. Reinhardt, III and Laura Reinhardt) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated November 17, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 012286, at Page 02393 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 228 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Javier C. Enriquez and Maria M. Mendoza (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Javier C. Enriquez and Maria M. Mendoza) to David W. Dillard, Trustee(s), dated May 24, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 009433, at Page 00074 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on November 6, 2013, in Book No. 015495, at Page 00607, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury

North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Real property in the City of Waxhaw, Township of Sandy Ridge, County of Union, State of North Carolina, described as follows: Being all of Lot 10 of Leisure Acres as shown on plat recorded in Plat Cabinet A, File 88A, Union County Registry, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6620 McNeely Road, Waxhaw, North Carolina. Being all of that certain property conveyed to Melvin Johnson Jr., Unmarried form Traci A. Brink, N/K/A Traci Carter and husband, Robert Carter, by deed dated May 13, 2013 and recorded May 31, 2013 in Book 06019, Page 0020 of official records. Commonly known as: 6620 McNeely Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173 APN #: 06-084-036

3

6

0

4

0067498 R o b b i e

1:30 PM on June 1, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wake Forest in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 818 in Heritage Wake Forest Subdivision, Phase II, Section 4, as shown on a map thereof recorded in Book of Maps 2003, Page 456, Wake County Registry, to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1076 Trentini Avenue, Wake Forest, 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

Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 6, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fuquay Varina in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 73, as shown on the map of plat of Fairview Subdivision, Phase Seven, which is duly recorded in Plat Book 1999, page 2225, Register of Deeds for Wake County, North Carolina, to which plan reference is here made for a more complete and accurate description thereof. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3709 Wyndfair Drive, Fuquay Varina, 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).

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.

David Lee Brickley Executor of the Estate of Bessie Munroe Brickley aka Bessie Lee Brickley

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

in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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: 6526 - 24905

For Publication: North State Journal: May 25, June 1, June 8 and June 15, 2022.

The date of this Notice is April 15, 2022. Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By:

Suite

400

11-022529

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

the 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.

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

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

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o 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: 2574 - 5941

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: 4033 - 14148

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From May 18, 2022

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 13 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

Randolph record

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Monster moves Walking Tall jumps cars during the Carolina Monster Truck Madness on Saturday at Caraway Raceway in Sophia.

COUNTY NEWS Towns of Archdale, Liberty selected for rural communities Commerce Dept. program A total of 19 rural communities from across the state have been selected to participate in a new program to increase their capacity to plan, implement, and manage economic development programs and opportunities. The Rural Community Capacity (RC2) program, a pilot initiative from the N.C. Commerce Department involving Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business, welcomed its first cohort of participants in Boone Tuesday. During an RC2 engagement, communities have direct access to Commerce’s Rural Planning team, who offer additional training and technical assistance to program participants, including a strategic planning process focused on identifying economic development assets and priorities that are specific to each community. The towns of Archdale and Liberty are among the 19 selected to participate. Communities that successfully complete the RC2 campus curriculum and participate in the Commerce rural planning process will then be eligible to apply for Community Implementation Grants offered by Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division through the new Rural Transformation Grant Fund.

Seabolt rolls in sheriff’s primary

Biggs tops Hurley to claim GOP bid

Incumbents survive challenges in Randolph County commissioners’ races

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Greg Seabolt, the incumbent Randolph County sheriff, fended off a couple of challengers to win the Republican Party primary last week with a majority of the votes. Seabolt received 9,417 votes, with Timmy Hasty next with 6,196 and Robert Graves third with 2,788. That gave Seabolt more than 51 % of the Republican vote. There were no Democratic primaries in Randolph County this year. Randolph County Commissioners A pair of incumbents received stiff challenges but ended up ahead in Republican primaries. David Allen’s 8,898 votes gave him an edge on Faith Christian School administrator Todd Daniel’s 8,422 in District 3. In District 4, Hope Haywood tallied 9,569 votes to advance to the general election. Craig Frazier had 7,681. “I’m excited to be able to con-

FILE PHOTO

Greg Seabolt won the Republican Party primary last week. tinue to work on so many projects that are critical for the future of Randolph County,” Haywood state in a statement shortly after the race was called in her favor. “The future is bright in Randolph County and I am thankful to all the voters that I continue to get the opportunity to be a part of it.” Haywood is the lone woman on the Board of Commissioners. Clerk of Superior Court Pam Hill, the incumbent clerk of Superior Court, cruised to an easy victory against challenger Anthony Julian. Hill tallied more than 77 % of the vote.

ASHEBORO — Randolph County will have new representation in Raleigh next year in the N.C. House after retirements, redistricting and the 2022 primary changed the slate of candidates. A Randolph County School Board Member topped an eightterm Republican incumbent in the 2022 primary last week. Brian Biggs defeated Rep. Pat Hurley to claim the GOP nomination for House District 70. Biggs had 5,287 votes compared to Hurley’s 4,738. Biggs ran a grassroots campaign focused on protecting religious freedom, pro-life values and private property rights. He ran a sustained campaign against Hurley that ultimately garnered him more than 52% of the primary vote. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of District 70 and I will continue to serve them for the rest of this term that ends December 31, 2022,” Hurley said in a statement to North State Journal. “I don’t have any plans, but I’m looking forward to what God has planned for my life. Time will tell.” Biggs will face Democrat Susan Lee (Susie) Scott in the general election. Scott was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

FILE PHOTO

Brian Biggs won the GOP nomination for House District 70. Following the retirement of long-time Rep. Allen McNeill, Randolph County voters knew they would have at least one new House member next year. In the primary to replace McNeill, pastor Neal Jackson easily captured the Republican nomination. Jackson, with 8,427 won 67.2% of the vote as the clear winner in the GOP race. David Ashley was second with 2,179 and Cory Bortee was third with 1,943. Walter Petty captured the GOP nomination in House District 54 which is primarily in Chatham County but includes portions of northeast Randolph County. Petty had 4,419 votes, putting him well See ELECTION, page 2

ZooKeepers hope to open renovated McCrary Park on Saturday By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — It’s a race to the finish line for the Asheboro ZooKeepers baseball team. Renovations at McCrary Park have been ongoing, with installation of a field turf beginning last week. The Coastal Plain League season begins this week for the team that plays on the summer college circuit. This project will come in phases and this first version has been ongoing for months. There’s a home opener on the docket for Saturday night against the Wilson Tobs after the team has two road games. “That’s what we’re shooting for,” co-general manager Dennis Garcia said. “Our toes and fingers have been crossed for weeks.” Asheboro High School and American Legion teams normally use city-owned McCrary Park, but they were forced to play or

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Here’s the home bullpen with a new retaining wall at McCrary Park. practice elsewhere this spring. American Legion games that had been slated to begin since this past weekend were moved to other locations, including Ki-

wanis Park. For the ZooKeepers, Wednesday’s non-league against the Fuquay-Varina Twins has been called off, a move made quite

some time ago in anticipation of last-minute type of work continuing at the park. See McCRARY PARK, page 6

5

20177 52016 $1.00

8

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2 22

Randolph Record for Wednesday, May 25, 2022 Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 7.7.21 5.25.22 #3

WEEKLY FORECAST

Several incumbents lose state legislative primaries

WEEKLY FORECAST

#1

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY

JULY JUNE 30 21

THURSDAY

THURSDAY

JULY 1JULY 22

D. Robertson HI Gary91° 88° HI HI HI By Press LOThe 70° 67° LO LO Associated

91°

LO 70°

PRECIP 15% PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP

“Join the “Join the “Join the conversation” conversation”

conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North NorthState State Journal Journal (USPS 20451) (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins

Editor

Publisher Publisher Xxx

Neal NealRobbins Robbins Sports Editor Cory Lavalette Editor Editor

Matt Mercer Matt Mercer Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill Sports Editor Sports Editor

Design Editor Cory Lavalette Cory Lavalette Lauren Rose

Senior Opinion Opinion Editor Editor Senior

Published Frank Hill each Wednesday by Frank Hill North State Media LLC

Design Editor 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Design Editor

Lauren Rose Albemarle, Lauren RoseN.C. 28001 Published each Wednesday Published each Wednesday by(704) North State Media, LLC 269-8461 by North State Media, LLC 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Suite 300 STANLYJOURNAL.COM Raleigh, 27609 Raleigh,N.C. NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 orSUBSCRIBE: online at nsjonline.com TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 TO 704-269-8461 oronline online at at nsjonline.com nsjonline.com or Annual Subscription Price: $50.00

Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, Annual Subscription Price: $50.00N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

PeriodicalsPostage Postage Paid Paid at Periodicals at Raleigh, Raleigh,N.C. N.C. POSTMASTER: and atadditional additional mailing mailing offices. and at Stanly County Journal offices. 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, POSTMASTER: POSTMASTER: Albemarle, N.C. 28001. Send address changes Send address changes to: North State Journal to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Suite 300 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 Raleigh, NC 27607

DEATH NOTICES

♦ Christopher Enos Burris, WEEKLY FORECAST

40, of Oakboro,X DEATH NOTICES SPONSORED BY

♦ Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of Siler City, died July 15, 2021, at her home. ♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82, died at his home on Monday, July 12, 2021 in a tragic house fire. CALL OR TEXT 336-629-7588 ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at Autumn Care in Biscoe.

WEDNESDAY MAY 25

♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of Asheboro, died July 11, 2021.

HI 72

♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, LOW 60 age 85, of Asheboro, died July PRECIP 15% See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

THURSDAY MAY 26 See OBITS, page 7

HI 80 LOW 66 PRECIP 24%

FRIDAY

JULY 2

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

JULY 23 JULY 3

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

JULY 24 JULY 4

SUNDAY

MONDAY

JULY 25 5 JULY

HI78° Cumberland ble-bunked races included Reps. 86°of 84° 88° HI HI Coun86° HI HI89° 81°HI merHIFloyd 88° MecklenJamie Boles and BenLO68° Moss vying LO 66° 62°LO ty and 65° LO Tricia 62° LOofLO LO 69° Cotham 67° 69° burg County. Newton will take32% on17% for House PRECIP District 52. Moss came PRECIP 57% PRECIP 43% PRECIP 20% PRECIPPRECIP 24% 24% PRECIP 5%

Randolph

Guide MONDAY TUESDAY

JULY JULY 26 6

TUESDAY

JULY 27

The Randolph HI 87° GuideHI HI 89° isLO a quick look LO 67° 69° at LO PRECIPgoing 24% what’s on in PRECIP PRECIP 24% Randolph County.

88° 69° 24%

RALEIGH — Several state leg- away with the win, taking in over Fitch in November. And former islators won’t be returning to the 53% of the vote. Moss’ win means Sen. Wesley Meredith of CumberNorth Carolina General Assembly he will assume the seat this fall land County, who won a Republinext January after primary loss- since there is no Democratic chal- can primary on Tuesday, takes on Applewhite in November. es, while former lawmakers had lenger. RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Newton had in the past repreThe number of Republimixed results in trying to get back cans running unopposed in No- sented a Wilson County-centric to the House or Senate. Pettyfest Seven incumbents — four Re- vember for House seats dwarfs Senate district before running for publicans and two Democrats that of Democrats by a count of 20 Attorney General in 2016. He will 8am — lost in Tuesday’s primaries for to four. In the Senate, eight Repub- face Democratic state Sen. Toby seats in their current chamber. licans are running unopposed ver- Fitch this fall. Fitch dispatched Tour the Petty Rep. Raymond Smith, who elected Four of those sitting Republicans sus just one Democrat. Museum and garage. Kirk DeViere lost to Fayetteville to challenge him after being douran against fellow GOP incumBy Bob Sutton First 100 cars receive sion, there’s enrollment of 915. before those classes start. bents who lived in the same dis- City Council member Val Apple- ble-bunked with House Majority Randolph Record off (R-Wayne) slightly from the usual saidrace there’s an Leader ef- That’s autographed dash John Bell in his white Williams in a three-way for the trict due to redistricting changes. “There has never number thatseat. ranges up to 1,000, to bolster enrollment. He citRepublican-leaning Senate District. Applewhite Two Senate Democrats — Sens. 19thfort plaques, and the first been a who lost Tuesday Williams said. endorsementGrant,Ex-lawmakers ed the from RCC an Commitment ASHEBORO — Enrollment Kirk deViere and Ernestine Baze- benefitted opportunity to attend 150 better attendees have primariesTraditional include former Sens. Ed- numGov. Roy as Cooper. more — and Republican Rep. Pat enrollment a program designed a funding at Randolph Community Col-by Democratic the opportunity to die Gallimore and Tony Moore and governor andto other Hurley — likely also lost for toThemechanism bers have flattened, but it’s the RCC and not have to worry fillDemocrats the gap that’s lege isn’t to primaries bounce back get an autograph Rep. Scott Stone, of whom arestudents been unhappy deViere for aid their seats. number ofallhigh school covered bywith federal or state pre-pandemic levels right awayhadnot about how to pay for it.” Republicans. Shirley Randleman, siding at times with Senate RepubIn addition, two current House from or take a photo in programs designed for dual endespite a school official pointing to students. a former House that and Senate memon key legislation, members — Democratfinancial Raymond in-licans “There rollment has dropped, has neverincluding been a betout unprecedented with Richard Petty. ber, failed“We’re to win just a Senate RCC president Dr. Robert 2021opportunity state budget. to attend RCC Smith andfor Republican Zach- the ter not primary seeing the level centives potential Lee students. Admission is $10 for that also featured Zachary. Bazemore, a first-term senator ary Chad — failed to win Senate primaWilliams, vice president and not have to worry about how of engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford Jr. adults, $5 for children Sawrey easily won the County, lost topresident Valerie Dr.Benton ries. Each attempted Williams said. toBertie pay for it,” RCC for student services to at make RCC, the said afrom race for the new Johnston CounJordan of Warren County in a 3rd jump to the Senate after facing under 11 and under. RCC held a one-week break decline in high school students in Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We ty Senate seat over Homan andthe sumDistrict primary. Thewhere win- they similar “double-bunkings” withbig-Senate earlier this Jill month amid meet students exactly dual enrollment has been the House colleagues in their districts ner will take on Dare County Re- Matt Ansley. The only Democrat are and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip. publican Bobby Hanig, a current registered to run for that seat in because of remapped boundaries. 24 and concludes July 26. Late canmember, possiblyingo.” “Overall, we’re still seeing a de-House November is Gettys Cohen Jr. November. Double-bunking, when two inregistration forEchevarria the fall semester Beginning with semes-Republican cline in enrollment comparing Brian legislators whothe wonfall concumbents end up in the same dis- to Sitting runs through Aug. with classter, qualifying full-time students previous years prior to the panHouse trict, occurred in two House and tested primaries for seats in the won the nomination for the 10, Red Dirt Revival in es beginning Aug. 16. will be eligible for up to $1,000 demic,” Williams said. “I don’t two Senate races this year as a re- opposite chamber included three District 73 seat in Cabarrus CounStill dealing with adjustments per semester. know if we’ll get to numbers we’veDemocrats: Concert his three-way priReps. Graig Meyer of ty after winning sult of redistricting. because of the That makes attending seen in 1st previous fall semesters. mary made race with over 57% of coronavirus the County and Kandie Smith RCC In the state Senate seat, Nor- …Orange 5pm pandemic, allEchevar2021 fall semesthe most from a finanWe’reSanderson reaching beat out Bob to every vote. Earlier this not year, Countyenticing and Sen. Sarah man Stein-stu-of Pitt ter classes will befollowing in person. Some cial standpoint in the 16 years dent by we acan in every way we can.”Crawford ria gained recognition of Wake County. Meyer burg 56% to 44% margin. willin use model with The a Market & Music has beenprimaries, at the school, A fall semester at came the two-year a speech fronta ofhybrid the Cabarrus Smith won Senate Sanderson’s advantage from andWilliams series will host of face-to-faces he Crawford said. He won previously in mixture school in Asheboro would often School Board that went vi- sessions a Houseworked pri- County his former district’s counties of while and virtual sessions. Many classRCC’s financial aid office. have 2,600 to 3,000 students en-mary. ral nationwide. its third concert Carteret and Pamlico. County freshman Rep. options Zachary, Yades provide students with The other neverfrom a better time toWake rolled. At the much-anticipated beginning of this But“There’s of the season willtobe facing failed County, in a Erin Pare race wasthat thatnumber of the Senate District on how attend and participate, back tofinished college,”third he said. week, stood at aboutkin go at Randleman’s Holly Williams Springs mayoral for asummer north- ses47 seat. with The race wasa remarkably said. candidate For the race current 1,900 about month to gofour-candidate Commerce Square. Democrat Christine Kelly for the close throughout the night with a western Senate seat. WEEKLY CRIME LOG Food and festivities Former state legislators who ad- redrawn District 37 seat. few lead changes, but ultimateFormer Sen. Buck Newton is vanced in legislative primaries for ly Ralph Hise narrowly edged out start at 5pm and the ♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren Deanna Ballard western NC their old chamber include ex-Sen. one step closer to the General As(B /F/30) Arrestin onthe chrg of concert starts at 7pm. WEEKLY LOG Buck Newton, a Wilson County sembly. seat. Hise won 6CRIME of the 1) Pwimsd Marijuana (F),92)counties including Caldwell, whichCs was the Republican; former GOP Rep. SteMaintain Veh/dwell/place phen Ross of Alamance County; A.P. Dillon of the North State difference maker inXthe race. (f) (F), 3) Possess ♦ Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), E. Salisbury St,report. Asheboro, on Arrest Democratic on charge ofReps. Resisting ♦ On Boggs, Harrison contributed to this El- Journal 176 the Matthew House side, the (M, dou-39),and former Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor 07/13/2021. Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule IV CS, Randleman, on 07/14/2021. Larceny, at 2587 Wayne White Rd, Concert ♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), Summer Possession of Stolen motor Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021. Arrest on charge of Assault on a Series: ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), Sand Band use of a dealer vehicle, imporoper Female, at 8300 Curtis Power Rd, Arrest on chage of Misdemeanor ♦ Bolton McKee, James Henry tag, failure to deliver title, failure to Bennett, NC, on 07/14/2021. 7pm appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick (M, 47), Arrest on charge of Rodk Mtn, on 07/14/2021. Possession of Stolen Goods, at on 07/13/2021. The beach music ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on 6469 Clyde King Rd, Seagrove, on group Sand Band Spinks (F, 64), charge of possession of marijuana ♦ Lynch, Detrick Lamont (M, 40), ♦ Cheek, Helenia 07/15/2021. up to 1/2 oz., at Randolph Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor will perform 5 of Assault by Arrest onJune charge Courthouse, on 7/13/2021. Possession of Schedule VI CS, ♦ Pugh, Robert Daniel (M, 39), as part of the City of pointing a gun, Discharging a Possessiong of Stolen Motor Arrest on charge of Simple firearm to cause fear, Reckless Asheboro Summer ♦ Roark, Justin Steven (M, 30), Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, driving to endanger, Seagrove, on Arrest on charge of Possession Concert Series. The 07/13/2021. Asheboro, on 07/14/2021. 07/12/2021. of Meth, Possession with intent concerts take place to manufacture, sell or distributeon the ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35), Bicentennial ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, ♦ Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest heroin, Simple possession of Park Stage Arrest on charge of Possession 31), Arrest on charges of Felony and on charge ofare Felony Sexual Schedule II, III, IV CS, Maintainingfree toExploitation of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Larceny and Possession of Stolen the public. of a minor in the Place, Possession of Drug Possession of drug paraphernalia, Goods, at 5471 Needhams Trail, second degree (10 counts), 727 Paraphernalia, at 1029 High Point Failure to appeal on felony, failure Seagrove, on 07/14/2021. McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC, on Rd, on 7/13/2021. to appear on misdemeanor, at 07/12/2021. ♦ Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32),

May 28

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag PJ Ward-Brown Matt Lauren Frank Cory Who is “Editor?”

June 3

June 5

June 6

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph County Commissioners Meeting

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 Representative Pat Hurley during a House Select Committee on An Education System for North Carolina’s Future at South Asheboro Middle School in Asheboro, on March 7, 2022.

FRIDAY MAY 27

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press

ELECTION from page 1 HI 73 LOW 61— Triple H ahead of Craig Kinsey’s 2,458. PHILADELPHIA walked with his arms crossed PRECIP 77% like

an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to SATURDAY 28 month ring a ceremonialMAY bell last before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game. His theme music blared HI 78 through the arena, and near58 from the ly 19,000 fansLOW hanging 34% rafters roaredPRECIP when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer and struck the bell. SUNDAY MAY 29 Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a match in the same building when HI 81 the event was held there in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-exLOW 63 ecutive, the frenzied atmosphere PRECIP 15% was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran without live events and raucous MONDAY MAY 30 crowds. “It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena packed full of fans and have them HI 86go nuts,” said Triple H, known these days as LOW 64Levesque. WWE executive Paul PRECIP 18% “That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.” WWE hasn’t been the same without its “Yes!” chants or “This TUESDAY MAY 31 is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company to running empty arena matchHI with 87 a piped-in es every week soundtrack and virtual LOW 67 fans. No more. PRECIP 15% With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with “Smackdown” from Houston, a

Overall, Hudson had 37,972 votes and Bucardo was next with 4,253 among four candidates.

U.S. House

U.S. Senate

Republican support in Randolph County went heavily for Richard Hudson for the District 9 seat. Hudson had 12,510 votes to runner-up Jen Bucardo’s 2,101 in the county.

Ted Budd of Davie County was the clear winner among Randolph County voters in the Republican primary to fill the soonto-be vacant seat of Republican Richard Burr. He also was the overwhelming

choice statewide with 58.62% of the GOP votes. Budd racked up 9,817 votes for 54.2% in the county. Second in the crowded Republican field was Mark Walker of Greensboro, while former governor Pat McCrory was third with 2,410. On the Democratic side, Cheri Beasley received 81.4% of the votes in Randolph County on her way to pick up her party’s nomination.

6pm

The Randolph County Board of ple cheering over Commissioners will him, or booing over him or going into different hold its monthly directions over him,” have benefitmeeting at the said. “But that’s the ed, Levesque historic Courthouse in to go be enbeauty of what we do, tertained, however you want to Asheboro.

be entertained. As a performer, sometimes that’s difficult.” WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA Network hit 1.472 million viewers, the lowest in the 28-plus year history of theBoard show. of Randleman Levesque, WWE EVP of globAldermen al talent strategy and develop6pmment, said the company would “take a hard look” at how it can The attract Randleman Board more fans to the product each week.will WWE can only hope of Aldermen hold WEEKLY CRIME LOG the combination of its monthly meeting live crowds and the return of box office attracat Randleman City tions such as Becky Lynch, Gold♦ Davis, Salassia Hykiah Asmin (M, Schedule I CS, PWISD Marijauna, Arrested on charge of Stat Sex Hall.berg, and Cena can ignite interest 22), Arrested on charge of Simple Maintain Place CS, Possess Off with Child <= 15, two counts and grow ratings during the build Possess CS Schedule IV, Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia, Possess Statutory Rape of Child <=15, on Marijuana Paraphernalia, Possess Drug Paraphernalia, on 5/10/22, at 5/9/22, at 3635 Mountain Creek Rd. to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerDrug Paraphernalia, PWIMSD 4960 Cecil Norman Rd. Slam at the home of the Las Ve♦ Chambers, Ethan Bradford (M, 31), Schedule II CS, PWIMSD Heroin, gas Raiders. ♦ Spinks, Kimesha Kelly (F, 48), Arrested on charge of Attempted Maintain Place CS, on 5/12/22, at “It never is one thing,” Levesque Arrested on charge of Uttering Felony Larceny, Break or Enter 5761 Greens Acres Dr Lot 1. Summer Concert said. “We see this as a moment in Forged Endorsement, Forgery of a Motor Vehicle, First Degree time to everything. I think Series: Liveshift Wire ♦ Blackburn, Sabrina Jo (F, 43), Instrument, on 5/10/22, at 727 Trespass, Injury to Real Property, you’ll see it in just the layout of evArrested on charge of First Degree McDowell Rd. Possess Meth, on 5/8/22, at 1366 6pmerything, the set designs, the way Trespass, Injury to Trees, Crops, Meadowlands Dr. PHOTO BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP ♦ Hall, Thomas Zachery (M, 32), Lands, Littering 15-500 lbs, on it’s presented. There’s a greater The emphasis Friday night Arrested on H” charge of Possess ♦ Brown, Randal HustonMonday (M, 70), Night 5/11/22, at 7917 US HWY 64. on utilizing the spacIn this Jan. 9, Old 2018, file photo, Paul “Triple Levesque participates in the “WWE Drug Paraphernalia, Possess Meth, charge of Felony series in and the TV aspect es that we have Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal TelevisionArrested Criticson Association Winter Press concert ♦ Hernadez, Rigoberto Lorenzo (M, Assault Gov Official/Employee, Larceny, Possession of Stolen of it while still engaging the fans. Tour in Pasadena, Calif. downtown Asheboro 31), Arrested on charge of Simple Resisting Public Officer, on 5/9/22, Goods, on 5/7/22, at 1417 Pine Hill A lot of that comes from the time will feature the AC/ Assault, two counts of Assault on a at 1912 Scaleybark Ln. Rd. we had to experiment inside the Female, on 5/10/22, at 1847 Bailey DC Tribute Band Live ♦ McIntosh, Angela Hope (F, 55), ♦ Martin, Dylan McCray (M, 26), ThunderDome.” WWE then moved to its in-house former,” Reigns said. “As a live pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and Rd. Wire with on charge on charge ofcenter Larcenyin of Florida on The opening first startact is putting fans performance performer, thatof Simple simultaneous re-Arrested Dallas on Monday for the flagship Arrested Joey Whitaker. ♦“Raw” Newbold, Joseph Kenneth (M, 63), Possess Schedule II CS, Possess Motor Vehicle, on 5/6/22, at 7263 TV show on USA. WWE sponse keeps you sharp. We had March 13, before setting up what — holding their homemade signs Arrested on of Trafficking up to 1/2 adapt oz, Possess Mtn Rd. The ThunderDome -and wearing their catchphrase it dubbed to adjust and to the timesCharles spruced upcharge sets, brought back old Marijuana in Methamphetamine, PWIMSD Larceny by T-shirts — back in the seats. where fans registered for spots thatParaphernalia, were in front of us.” stars and hit the reset button on Drug ♦ Brandeberry, Gracelynn Gabrielle (F, Schedule II CS, Trafficking Opium or Employee, on 5/9/22, at Castlerock “When we have that live crowd, on LEDondigital videoboards — for With Hulk Hogan in the house,30), Arrested TV programming humbled with charge of Possess Heroin, PWIMSD Heroin,Trafficking Rd. sometimes they almost become stretches in Florida at the Amway WWE held their only Wrestlerecord-low ratings and a strong Schedule I CS, Possess Drug in Cocaine, PWID Cocaine, PWIMSD the cameras for a lot of the perCenter, Tropicana Mania with fans need for new stars. ♦ Myers, Joshua Calvin (M,this 31), past AprilParaphernalia, on 5/6/22, atField RCJ. and the formers,” Reigns said. “But when “I do think if we were doing this 10 and 11 at Raymond James Sta- Yuengling Center. “People like Roman have been you don’t have that real-time, flesh in front of the live crowd, it would dium. WWE last ran a weeknight have been a situation that would televised event with a paid crowd able to emotionally bring a per- interaction, the red light becomes have made me an even better per- on March 9, 2020, in Washington. formance that, maybe with peo- the focal point for the performer.”

June 7

4” Ad

June 10

Randolph Record for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

OPINION

3

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | BETSY MCCAUGHEY

Parents against stupid stuff New Jersey requires that students be taught the correct anatomical names for their genitalia by the end of second grade and gender identity options by the end of fifth grade.

ADULTS DECIDING where to settle and raise their families once considered tax rates, job opportunities and housing prices. Now they also have to ask themselves whether they want their children in schools that push gender fluidity, teach masturbation and provide tampons in the boys’ room for females transitioning to become males. Several states have already joined Florida in barring teachers from instructing their classes about gender identity and LGBTQ choices, and many are considering similar legislation. Parents are outraged by the indoctrination and sexualization of their children. In Connecticut and New Jersey, school board meetings are overflowing with parents protesting lessons on gender identity and fluidity in elementary school. New Jersey requires that students be taught the correct anatomical names for their genitalia by the end of second grade and gender identity options by the end of fifth grade. The Democratic-dominated Connecticut legislature adopted a state budget two weeks ago that mandates free tampons and pads in school bathrooms, including at least one boys’ bathroom for students transitioning from female to male. A resource guide recommended by the state for Connecticut teachers encourages them to wear rainbow bracelets and display gay pride signs. Some parents are outraged. “We will not allow our children to be force-fed content we oppose,” said one New Jersey parent, while another protested that state standards “go against our Judeo-Christian values.” In Connecticut, Parents Against Stupid Stuff, a newly formed PAC, intends to influence the gubernatorial race there by opposing sexually explicit curriculum and demanding a larger voice for parents. It’s an uphill battle in deep blue states. In Rhode Island, Sen. Tiara Mack, a gay Democrat, wants sex education to “affirmatively recognize pleasure-based sexual relations,” while Democrat Rep. Rebecca Kislak wants to emphasize that gender is nuanced. But in red states, legislatures are enacting laws to protect parental rights and scrub the curriculum of divisive sexual indoctrination. In New York, state lawmakers are not legislating on curriculum issues, instead leaving it to the school districts. That’s why this week’s school board elections there are so high stakes. On Long Island, Moms for Liberty have endorsed 30 school board

candidates who oppose the emphasis on gender fluidity and advocate for more parental involvement. Amanda Cohen-Stein, who is president of the Long Island Strong Schools Alliance, insists “politics do not belong in our school boards” but supports teaching “diversity, equity and inclusion,” as if that’s not political. Andy Pallotta, president of the New York State United Teachers, also says school board elections should be apolitical. He claims “NYSUT and its local unions are big tent organizations.” That doesn’t pass the laugh test: Its website shows the union is leftist, and that offends many parents. Claiming school board elections are nonpartisan is a ruse. Sadly, Newsday’s editorial board parrots the union’s talking points, insisting parental alarm over what’s being taught is “misguided.” Newsday claims “schools are not grooming kids, or devaluing them for whiteness or straightness.” Rather, the editors say, “This is a region built on love of our teachers and schools and districts.” Ridiculous. Long Island parents who have looked at their kids’ homework and listened in on remote learning are too informed to swallow that pablum. The same is true upstate. Western New York Students First is helping 35 school board candidates who want more parental input on curriculum and board accountability. “Most people couldn’t tell you who is on their school board. The hope is we kind of start to change that,” explains Jonathan Rich, spokesman for the organization. The Buffalo News disparages the new excitement over school board elections as “a dangerous moment” brought about by “right-wing manipulators.” Nonsense. No one cares more about a child’s education than the parents. In the past, many boards have barely tolerated the presence of parents at meetings. That has to change. Maryland parents are turning out in droves to protest the state’s new standards, which teach kindergarteners to “recognize a range of ways people express their identity and gender.” As an outspoken greatgrandmother put it, “Children belong to the parents, not this county, not this state.” Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and author of “The Next Pandemic,” available at Amazon.com.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The media’s big lie about the ‘great replacement theory’ and conservatism Supporting real immigration reform that contains a pathway to citizenship for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is the only way to maintain electoral strength in the future.

LAST WEEK, a racist mass shooter massacred 10 people and wounded three others at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket. The shooter was a white supremacist; his hate-filled 180-page screed about why he had committed the shooting was replete with neo-Nazi sentiments. According to the shooter, he had to slaughter innocent black Americans in order to prevent the white population of the United States from being crowded out. “We are experiencing an invasion on a level never seen before in history,” wrote the perverse murderer. “This is ethnic replacement. This is cultural replacement. This is racial replacement. This is WHITE GENOCIDE.” The shooter’s theory, generally called the “great replacement theory,” suggests that a shadowy cabal of elites, mainly Jewish, have deliberately undermined the racial purity of European countries by facilitating mass immigration and race-mixing. The shooter deliberately quoted the neoNazi slogan — the so-called 14 Words — “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” He called himself a white supremacist, a neo-Nazi and an antisemite. Among the sources for this morally sick belief system, the shooter cited various internet sources, particularly other mass shooters who released similar manifestoes. He did not mention Fox News; he did not mention any mainstream conservative, instead stating, “conservatism is corporatism in disguise, I want no part of it.” None of this mattered to the Left-wing press, which immediately determined that the entire conservative movement was somehow guilty for the mass shooting. The New York Times headlined, “Republicans Play on Fears of ‘Great Replacement’ in Bid for Base Voters.” The Washington Post accused Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., of “echo(ing) racist theory allegedly espoused by Buffalo suspect.” The New Republic headlined, “The Great Replacement Theory Is Just Republican Orthodoxy Now.” What evidence did the media provide to the effect that conservatives, broadly writ, had espoused the Great Replacement Theory? They cited the belief among conservatives that the Left is generally friendly toward loose immigration in order to move the country in a progressive manner. Philip Bump of The Washington Post stated that nearly half of Republicans believed in the great replacement theory, citing a Pew poll

that found that almost half of Republicans (and more than one in five Democrats) believed that “there is a group of people in this country who are trying to replace native-born Americans with immigrants who agree with their political views.” This, of course, is not the great replacement theory, which centers on racial purity rather than the idea that changing demographics have an effect on political orientation. The latter premise has been taken for granted by the Left for decades (even though it is largely faulty, as changing Hispanic voting patterns demonstrate). In fact, the Left has often argued in favor of demographic change turning the country bluer: in 2003, John Judis and Ruy Teixeira wrote a book titled “The Emerging Democratic Majority,” in which they argued that Democrats were building a new electoral coalition “in which white America is supplanted by multiracial, multiethnic America”; in 2012, Greg Sargent of The Washington Post observed, “The story of this election will be all about demographics... Rather than reverting to the older, whiter, more male version (of America’s electorate) Republicans had hoped for, it continues to be defined by what Ron Brownstein has called the ‘coalition of the ascendant’ — minorities, young voters, and college educated whites, particularly women”; in 2013, the Center for American Progress stated, “Supporting real immigration reform that contains a pathway to citizenship for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is the only way to maintain electoral strength in the future.” The goal here is obvious: conflate Republican positions with white supremacy in order to drive votes away from them. It’s poisonous politics, and it happens to be a lie. But truth is of little or no priority when it comes to Left-wing politics, which are rooted always and forever in the idea that those who oppose their favored policies must be destroyed with any tool at hand. Ben Shapiro, 38, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Reports: Commanders buy Va. land for possible stadium site Washington, D.C. The Washington Commanders have bought land in Virginia for what could be a potential site of the NFL team's next stadium, according to multiple reports. The 200 acres of land purchased for approximately $100 million is in Woodbridge just over 20 miles outside the District of Columbia. The Commanders' lease at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, expires in 2027. Owner Dan Snyder and Co. have been looking at potential sites in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

HOCKEY

Denmark stuns Canada at hockey worlds, Czechs beat US Tampere, Finland Denmark beat Canada for the first time in a 3-2 upset win at the world ice hockey championship. Sebastian Dahm's 29 saves helped Denmark to hold on to stun Canada and move into contention for a place in the quarterfinals. Canada can no longer qualify as the top seeded team in Group A and will need to beat France on Tuesday to be sure of reaching the last eight. Denmark plays Slovakia needing to avoid a loss in regulation. The United States must wait to qualify for the quarterfinals after a bruising 1-0 loss to the Czech Republic in both teams' second-to-last game of group play.

BASKETBALL

Slain NBA player's ex-wife denied parole in Tennessee Memphis, Tenn. The Tennessee Board of Parole says Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife will not be granted early release from a 30-year prison sentence she received after pleading guilty to plotting the retired NBA player's 2010 slaying. The board voted to deny parole for Sherra Wright, who pleaded guilty in July 2019 to facilitation of first-degree murder in her ex-husband's killing. The decision was reached after three of seven board members agreed to deny her release based on the seriousness of her offense. Sherra Wright appeared at a parole hearing on May 11 at the prison in Nashville where she's being held.

AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Blaney wins $1M NASCAR All-Star race at Texas A late caution caused confusion and put the No. 12 at risk of being black flagged The Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas — Ryan Blaney is talking about framing the window net from his No. 12 Ford, the one he somehow got secured enough to run two extra laps and win NASCAR’s All-Star race and $1 million — after he and Team Penske thought they had already won once. “This is oddly unique,” Blaney said. “I’m never going to forget this one.” Such an odd night that NASCAR admitted afterward that the last-second caution in a race that had to end under green probably shouldn’t have been called. Even runner-up Denny Hamlin agreed to that but was frustrated that Blaney wasn’t black-flagged

Manchester, England Manchester City has clinched a sixth Premier League title in 11 seasons. Pep Guardiola's team scored three times in five minutes to come from behind and beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the finale to avoid being toppled by challenger Liverpool. City won the title by one point. City was trailing 2-0 to Villa until İlkay Gündoğan began the comeback in the 76th. Rodri equalized two minutes later and Gündoğan put City in front in the 81st.

“It’s tough because he deserved to win the race, but if you mess up and you break a rule — not intentionally, but there’s rules and we have rules in place for safety.” Denny Hamlin on Ryan Blaney taking down his window net before the end of the race start, when he clearly had both hands on the wheel and the net was up, that NASCAR determined he was good to go. Blaney said he felt perfectly safe. “It’s tough because he deserved to win the race, but if you mess up and you break a rule — not intentionally, but there’s rules and we have rules in place for safety,” Hamlin said. Hamlin wrote in a tweet af-

Early Voting holds off Epicenter to win Preakness Stakes Trainer Chad Brown’s 3-year-old skipped the Kentucky Derby

SOCCER

Man City wins 6th EPL title in 11 seasons

for dropping his window net when initially thinking that Sunday night’s race was over. The checkered flag was already waving for Blaney, who was approaching the start-finish line when the caution lights suddenly came on because of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. scrapping the wall at the back of the field. The No. 12 crew was already celebrating the victory in the pits and Blaney had lowered the window net on the backstretch. “It was kind of short-lived panic mode in my spot of like how the hell am I going to get this window net back up because it almost takes two people to do it outside the car, let alone me and my scrawny arms inside the car sitting down and not being able to get a lot of leverage on it,” Blaney said. Blaney spent pretty much the entire caution period trying to secure the net, all while having to maintain speed. It wasn’t until on the backstretch just before the re-

ter the race that NASCAR “put Blaney in the situation he was in. To make up for it they let him break a rule. 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Blaney W, NASCAR L.” Scott Miller, NASCAR’s senior VP for competition, said there was no way to know if Blaney got the net fully latched or not, but that NASCAR didn’t see anything that could force a penalty at the time. Blaney said he wasn’t going to pit and also that he understood Hamlin’s frustration. “But it’s just a product of running second compared to winning,” Blaney said. “He would be over the moon elated in my position if he won the race and I’d be ticked off just like he was if he was second, so just kind of depends on the spot, so can’t blame him.” Pushed by his Penske teammate Austin Cindric on the restart after the green-white-checkered finish. Blaney was able to stay in front and hold off Hamlin, who finished 0.266 seconds behind. “The No. 12 team, they had the fastest car all night and if I wasn’t going to win it, I was committed to helping him,” said Cindric who finished third, just ahead of Joey Logano, another Penske driver. “I lined up behind him on that last restart and gave him the best push possible.”

The Associated Press BALTIMORE — Maybe extra rest isn’t such a bad thing for a racehorse after all. In the Preakness Stakes that was run without the Kentucky Derby winner because Rich Strike’s owner felt he needed more time off after his 80-1 upset, Early Voting validated a gutsy decision to skip the Derby and aim for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Early Voting held off hardcharging favorite Epicenter to win the Preakness on Saturday, rewarding trainer Chad Brown and owner Seth Klarman for their patience. Early Voting stalked the leaders for much of the race before moving into first around the final turn and finished 1¼ lengths ahead of Epicenter, who was second just like in the Derby. “We thought he needed a little more seasoning, the extra rest would help him,” Klarman said. “He was pretty lightly raced —

only three races before today. And as it turned out, that was the right call. We wanted to do right by the horse, and we’re so glad we waited.” The initial plan in the Preakness was for Early Voting not to wait and for jockey Jose Ortiz to take him to the lead. That looked especially important on a day when the dirt track at Pimlico Race Course was favoring speed and making it hard for horses to come from behind down the stretch. But when Armagnac jumped out to the lead, Ortiz settled Early Voting, who had plenty left in the tank before the finish line with Epicenter threatening inside at the rail. “I was never worried,” Brown said. “Once we had a good target, I actually preferred that. We were fine to go to the lead, but I thought down the back side it was going to take a good horse to beat us. And a good horse did run up on us near the wire and it was about the only one that could run with us.” After just two Triple Crown winners in the past four-plus decades, Rich Strike owner Rick Dawson took plenty of criticism for skipping the Preakness because he

JULIO CORTEZ | AP PHOTO

Early Voting, with jockey Jose Ortiz, edges Epicenter and Creative Minister to win the 147th Preakness Stakes on Saturday in Baltimore.

“We wanted to do right by the horse, and we’re so glad we waited.” Seth Klarman, owner of Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting felt the horse needed more rest to prepare for the Belmont Stakes on June 11. Some of that might be muted in the aftermath of Early Voting’s impressive performance. “That’s very hard to get an owner to pass on the Derby, and they did the right choice,” said Ortiz, who won the Preakness for the first time. “The horse, I don’t think

he was seasoned enough to run in a 20-horse field and they proved that they were right today. I’ve been on him since he was a baby. We always knew he was very talented, but we knew he was going to be a late developer.” Klarman and Brown cast doubt on the possibility of Early Voting taking on Rich Strike in the Belmont to make it a showdown between the Derby and Preakness winners. They said Early Voting might not be suited for the mileand-a-half Belmont. Early Voting, who went off at 5-1, gave Brown his second Preakness victory. Early Voting won the race in 1:54.54 and paid $13.40, $4.60 and $3.60. Epicenter paid $2.80 and $2.40 for place and show, and Creative Minister was third and paid $4.20 to show.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

5 BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

PREP ROUNDUP

Tess Moody Asheboro, girls’

soccer

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Wheatmore’s Ellie Garrison takes a shot and scores a goal against East Davidson during a secondround victory in the Class 2-A state playoffs for girls’ soccer last Thursday.

Special softball season ends for Patriots Randolph Record staff

Saunders had two hits.

CLIMAX — Providence Grove’s magical softball season came to a close with Friday night’s 1-0 home loss to West Stokes in the fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs. The Patriots, who were the top seed in the West Region, were doomed by a lead-off home run in the fourth inning. Fifth-seeded West Stokes advanced to the regional finals. Providence Grove finished with a 24-1 record. Emma Mazzarone struck out 11 batters and walked three in the two-hitter. Providence Groves hits came from Edi Austin, Maddie Flinchum and Makayla McClain. Earlier last week, Providence Grove upended eighth-seeded Mount Pleasant 8-0 with Mazzarone striking out 15 and issuing two walks during a one-hitter. Mailey Way had three hits, while Mazzone slugged a tworun homer, Makalyla McCalin tripled and scored twice and Reann

Girls’ soccer Three Randolph County teams entered the week still alive in the state playoffs. All three had thirdround games postponed Monday night, meaning they were then slated to try again Tuesday night. In Class 2-A, unbeaten Wheatmore, the second-seeded team in the West Region, was matched up against seventh-seeded Hendersonville. Wheatmore won in the second round with a 5-1 victory against No. 18 seed East Davidson. In Class 3-A, No. 12 seed Asheboro had a road encounter with No. 4 seed East Lincoln. Asheboro won a second-round game with a 1-0 outcome at fifth-seeded Hibriten, with Tess Moody scoring with two minutes left off an assist from Natalie Flores. Goalkeeper Sarah Allred made eight saves. In Class 1-A, seventh-seeded Uwharrie Charter Academy was

slated for third-round game at second-seeded Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville. UCA won in last week’s second round with a 3-1 home decision against 10th-seeded Mount Airy. Baseball Trinity’s strong showing in the state playoffs ended with a dramatic defeat in the Class 2-A fourth round Friday. Still, the Bulldogs finished the season with a 20-10 record. No. 19 seed Trinity won three road games in the state playoffs, knocking off the Nos. 14, 3 and 6 seeds. Last Tuesday’s 7-6 victory against sixth-seeded West Stokes put them a victory away from the regional final. That was shaping up well for the Bulldogs, who led 5-2 before Community School of Davidson rallied in the bottom of the seventh for a 6-5 decision at Hough High School in Cornelius. Trinity won eight of its last 10 games. In Class 1-A, Uwharrie Charter Academy made it to the fourth round before losing 7-5 at third-seeded Cherryville. No. 18 seed UCA (10-15) advanced last week with a thirdround 4-2 home victory against No. 23 seed Eastern Randolph. Grant Little’s complete-game pitching lifted UCA past the Wildcats (9-17). The teams had split regular-season meetings in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Southwestern Randolph’s Josie Allred clears the bar in the high jump in the Class 2-A state meet Friday at North Carolina A&T.

Allred jumps to second in state meet GREENSBORO — Senior Josie Allred of Southwestern Randolph was the runner-up in the Class 2-A high jump for girls in Friday’s state championships at North Carolina A&T. Allred cleared the bar at 5 feet, 2 inches – the same height as winner Katarina Kepley of West Davidson along with East Carteret’s Latecyia Johnson and SouthWest Edgecombe’s Jer’Lisha Pridgen. Based on number of attempts, Kepley was the champion. Johnson and Pridgen shared third place. Randleman freshman Gracie Beane was seventh at 5-0. Beane also placed seventh in the triple jump with a bound of 33-5.

Junior Iniyah Mitchell of Randleman was sixth in the shot put at 34-5. Teammate Kylie Vaughn, a senior, was eighth at 33-3. Mitchell threw the discus 87-6, placing 13th. On the boys’ side, Southwestern Randolph junior Adam Cole was sixth in the 100-meter dash in 11.50 seconds. That was slightly slower than his time of 11.22 in a preliminary heat. Senior Chris Gentry of Randleman in the 110 hurdles (17.75) and senior Michael Connelly of Trinity in the 300 hurdles (43.77) failed to advance to the finals. Class 3-A Also Friday, Asheboro senior

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Trey Way and his teammates react to his game-sealing home run Friday night against East Surry.

Finding the Way: Randleman takes normal path to another rout Tigers ruin showdown, head to regional final By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

PREP TRACK AND FIELD

Randolph Record staff

Asheboro’s Tess Moody controls the ball against Randleman during Asheboro’s 7-1 seasonopening victory. Moody has provided key offense in the postseason.

The Blue Comets posted three goals last week in two victories in the Class 3-A state playoffs. Moody scored all of those goals. Asheboro beat Foard 2-1 and then topped Hibriten 1-0. Those results allowed the Blue Comets to advance to this week’s third round. Moody, a junior, is among the top three on the team in goals and assists.

Arianna Lovingood-Smith posted a mark of 36-7 ½ to claim fourth place in the triple jump. Lovingood-Smith took seventh in the high jump at 5-0. Class 1-A On Saturday, junior Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph had place finishes in two girls’ races. Snotherly took third in the 1,600 in 5:37.73. In the 3,200, she was seventh in 13:22.46. For the boys, Eastern Randolph sophomore Josh Brady placed eighth in the 110 hurdles in 22.57 after advancing to the finals with a time of 16.67 in the preliminaries. He withdrew from the 300 hurdles.

RANDLEMAN — The fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs shaped up as an epic showdown between two one-loss baseball teams. As the national anthem played, the line at the entrance gate had dozens of fans waiting to get in – and stayed that way for quite a while. The scene at Joe Brookshire Field had all the makings of a classic. Then Randleman did its thing – again. The Tigers took down another opponent with authority, its fourth consecutive run-rule victory in the state playoffs. This time, it was a 10-0 decision against fourth-seeded East Surry. “We’re not surprised,” sophomore left fielder Seth Way said. “We’re just having fun for now.” Older brother Trey Way, a senior shortstop, hammered two home runs, including the game-clinching blast to the opposite field over the right-field fence on the second pitch of the bottom of the fifth. “They’re a great team,” Trey Way aid. “We just came out and we just swung it. We threw it. We threw strikes. And we took care of business.” As usual, because it all seemed familiar. “A great atmosphere,” Randleman coach Jake Smith said. “Our guys just love coming out here and playing when it’s like this. We just go into games trying to compete the best we can.” Top-seeded Randleman (291) takes on No. 15 seed Community School of Davidson (17-6), which rallied to top visiting Trinity 6-5 on Friday night, in a bestof-3 regional final. Game 1 is set for Tuesday night at Randleman, while the Tigers go on the road for Thursday’s Game 2 at Moor Park in Mooresville. If a third game is needed, it will be Saturday with a to-be-determined time at Randleman. The Tigers didn’t score in

the first inning of the East Surry game, then went to work with Seth Way’s solo homer – his fourth long ball of the season – and Trey Way’s three-run shot in the second. “Keep the gas pedal down,” right fielder Bryson Sweatt said. “That’s the difference between the good teams and the great teams. I don’t see anybody coming close to us if we play our baseball.” Randleman knows the deal on ending games early. A two-out throwing error provided two more runs in the third. Gus Shelton’s fly into shallow right field with two outs in the fourth plated two more when miscommunication from the Cardinals (24-2) resulted in a double, followed by Ryan White’s RBI single. Sweatt’s double was another key hit earlier in the inning. Trey Way capped it in the next inning, marking his second two-homer, four-RBI outing of the week. That was the Tigers’ single-season state record 56th home run. “When we stick to our approach and our pitchers get out there and throw strikes and do what they do, it’s never out of the possibility of run-ruling any team we play,” Trey Way said. “If we just do what we do and play how we play, we can get it done.” Drake Purvis notched a five-inning shutout for the third week in a row despite giving up a game-opening single to Luke Bowman. In the fourth, a hit batter and double allowed East Surry to threaten, but Purvis struck out the next three batters. Randleman is unscored upon in the state playoffs and for the last five games overall. The Tigers began the week with a 17-0 trouncing of No. 25 seed Mount Pleasant in the third round with Seth Way providing four of the team’s 16 hits. Hunter Atkins, who knocked in four runs, Brooks Brannon, who drove in three, and Braylen Hayes all homered. Trey Way scored four times, while Atkins and Shelton both scored three runs. White pitched the first four innings without allowing a hit and striking out eight before Seth Way worked the last inning.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

6

ZooKeepers could be solid on mound By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — There will be a few returning players on Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League team, but by and large the 2022 roster will look different in many ways. An upgrade in experience is something that could benefit the ZooKeepers the most. “We try our best to get the best players you come across,” said head coach Jeremy Knight, who’s also the co-general manager and in his second year with the team. Asheboro posted a 23-21 record last year, when it was nicknamed Copperheads before an offseason rebranding. The ZooKeepers were slated for road games at Forest City and Holly Springs on Thursday and Fri-

day nights before Saturday night’s home opener against the Wilson Tobs at renovated McCrary Park. That begins a stretch of four home games across six nights. Knight said he likes the mix of pitchers likely to be the core of the staff. “I think we’ll be good with arms,” he said. “We might be light on position players when we begin.” As always, there can be surprises regarding the roster right up until the season starts. “With summer ball, you don’t really know what you’re going to get until they get here,” Knight said. The Asheboro returnees are catcher Justin Wilcoxen out of East Carolina and pitchers Danny Heintz of Pennsylvania, Michael Osmond from Division III Wittenburg (Ohio) and John Owen from

Division III Pfeiffer. There’s also the possibility that Asheboro High School alum Trevor Marsh, an outfielder for UNC Wilmington, could rejoin the team after playing for his hometown club last summer. That won’t come at least until after this week’s Colonial Athletic Association Tournament at Elon. Knight said the ZooKeepers will have more players who were regulars in their college lineups than a year ago. “We’re going to see if that makes a difference,” he said, figuring that should be a plus. “They might come in tired, so there’s a double-edged sword.” Area colleges will be well-represented. From UNC Greensboro, there’s pitchers Sam Murchison and Hunter Shuey and outfielders Ethan McKay and Kennedy Jones; from High Point, pitchers Patrick Libby and Connor Smith; and from Davidson, pitcher Maddux Smith. There’s also a hometown element with Asheboro’s Bryce Marsh. The former Southwestern Randolph player is a first baseman/pitcher for Pfeiffer.

McCRARY PARK from page 1 Much of the renovations so far are geared toward enhancements for players. Head coach and co-general manager Jeremy Knight said these should be perks for the players. “I really like it when it’s fully turfed,” Knight said. “It’s going to be great for the guys. There’s not to be any surprises as far as ground balls and hops.” The anticipation of a new season is always an adrenaline rush for the front office and many of the team’s fans and supporters. With this renovation coming right down to the deadline, that just adds to the entire experience. “It makes for a hectic, but a really, really fun time,” Garcia said. Players were set to arrive Sunday and meet Monday, with uniforms assigned and other logistics addressed. A practice for Wednesday has been moved to Catawba College in Salisbury. Asheboro’s team had been named Copperheads since 1999.

“It makes for a hectic, but a really, really fun time.” Dennis Garcia, Asheboro ZooKeepers co-GM on ballpark renovations. A rebranding was launched in January, complete with a new nickname to pay tribute to the region’s highest-profile attraction – North Carolina Zoo. “A lot of teams like to rebrand when they get a new stadium or a major renovation,” Garcia said. The ballpark upgrades, cosmetic alterations and team name aren’t the only changes involving the team. Within the ZooKeepers front office, there have been adjustments. Kyle Pugh is in the new position of president. A former player for the team and a son of team owner Steve Pugh, he’ll oversee finances.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, turf is being installed on the infield during Phase 1 of the McCrary Park renovations last week in Asheboro. Right top, a new seating area is part of the scene along the first-base line with the home dugout being moved 90 feet down the line. Right bottom, new dugouts with a bathroom will be in place at McCrary Park.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, Northeast Randolph Middle School’s Janieson Summey takes a swing against Randleman Middle School during the Randolph County Middle School Baseball Championship on Friday at Southwestern Randolph Middle School. Right top, RMS pitcher Jake Riddle delivers to the plate. Right middle, Grant Underwood of NERMS comes up with the diving catch against Randleman Middle School. Right bottom, RMS coach Bailey Welch is showered with silly string during the celebration after his team won the championship game.

TAKE NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The County of Randolph (“County”) proposes to appropriate and expend County funds for economic development pursuant to Section 158-7.1 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The County intends to consider

SUBMISSION OF RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. PROPOSED BUDGET AND PUBLIC HEARING NOTIFICATION

appropriating Three Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($367,950.00) to the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, hereinafter the “EDC” to fund the EDC’s mission of recruiting and retaining businesses to and in Randolph County. This amount includes funds for the operation of the EDC and for the marketing and promotion of Randolph County.

If approved, the County will fund this appropriation with available revenues proposed to be set aside for this purpose in its 2022-2023 Budget. The Board of County Commissioners believes this project will stimulate and stabilize the local economy and result in the creation of new, permanent jobs in the County.

The Board of Commissioners will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022. A Public Hearing on the proposal by the County to appropriate funds to the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145-C Worth St., Asheboro, NC. All interested persons are invited to attend and

present their views.

The Randolph County, North Carolina proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners and a copy is available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk to the Board, located in the Randolph County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC, during regular business hours. The Public

Hearing on the proposed budget will be held at a meeting that begins at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022, in the Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145-C Worth St., Asheboro, NC. At this meeting, outside agencies and fire departments will make their budget requests prior to the 6:30 p.m. Public Hearing.

Citizens are invited to express their views on the proposed budget and proposed fire and school special tax district rates at this time.

Dana S. Crisco, Clerk to the Board Randolph County Board of Commissioners

Dana S. Crisco, Clerk to the Board Randolph County Commissioners

Randolph Record for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

7

obituaries DEATH NOTICES

♦ Rachel Davis Butterworth, age 86 of Asheboro, died May 14, 2022 at Woodland Hills. ♦ Colt Harrison Seawell, age 32 of Asheboro, died May 9, 2022.

Rachel Jeanette Ezzell Jordan

October 13, 1941 — May 20, 2022 Rachel Jeanette Ezzell Jordan, 80, of Siler City passed away Friday, May 20, 2022 at her home. Rachel was born October 13, 1941 to the late Artis and Clara Martindale Ezzell. Mrs. Jordan was a member of Rocky River Baptist Church where she was active in the adult Sunday school class and served as the church clerk and also as a children's Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed sewing, reading, crafts, and collecting her Christmas ornaments. Rachel is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ronald E. Jordan; sons, Mike Jordan and Brian Jordan; daughter, Donna Bowmer; grandchildren, Courtnie, Nick, Aaron, and Kindra; greatgrandchildren, Carter, Omar, Layla, Kylie, and Payton; and brothers, Bobby Ezzell and Dickie Ezzell. In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her grandson, Brody; and sisters Sylvia Edmonds and Holly Ezzell.

Janet Luther Kenion

February 29, 1928 — May 20, 2022 Our Beloved Matriarch & Grandmother Janet Luther Kenion left the shackles of her earthly body on May 20, 2022. Janet was born in Asheboro NC on February 29, 1928 to Grant Luther & Lucy Arnold Luther. Janet was the third oldest of ten children. She was graceful, intuitive, loving and wise. Janet’s chosen profession, as a Nurse for over forty years, allowed her to serve others and create a life filled with happiness and memories for her family. Alongside Janet in the heavenlies, she is joined by her parents; Husband Clyde C Kenion; daughters, Beth Andrea Kenion & Gina Brent Kenion; grandson, Matthew Joseph Kenion and six of her brothers and sisters. Janet is survived her son Clyde Joseph Kenion; grandchildren, Brent Andrea Ibanez, Blair Alexandra Kenion & Joshua Branson Kenion; great grandchildren, Brianna Ariel McCoullough, Braeden Christopher Ibanez, Adriana Reese Hines, Andrew Cruz Ibanez & Ascher Valentino Ibanez; siblings Charles Luther, Michael Luther, Cara Jean Luther. As well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many family friends.

Wayne Lineberry

September 22, 1946 - May 18, 2022 Danny Wayne Lineberry, 75, of Sophia, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at his home. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Avenue Church of God with Pastor Boyd Byerly officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Church Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard. He was born in Randolph County on September 22, 1946 to Louise and Edward Lineberry. Wayne proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and had been a member of Sunset Avenue Church of God since 1972. He and Judy were involved in many areas of ministry including children's ministry, bus ministry, choir, music, and was an elder. Wayne played for different gospel groups over the years. His hobbies included riding motorcycles, classic cars, and going to one of his favorite places - the beach, just to look at God's beautiful creation. He had a reputation of being the most humble and kind person. Even during his ALS battle, he didn't complain ever but tried his hardest to help and stayed positive. He wrote Judy a letter apologizing for the hard journey they were on and how thankful he was to have her for his wife. We adore Wayne and know he is at peace and able to walk, talk, breathe, swallow and eat. Life is precious. Never take a moment for granted. In addition to his parents, Wayne is preceded in death by his brothers, Ray and Eddie Lineberry. Survivors include his wife, Judy Smith Lineberry; sisters, Ruth Adams, Carol Scott and husband Barry, Edith Kearns, Diane Westmoreland; and brother, David Lineberry and wife Debbie. In addition to his biological brother, he loved Lewis Smith as a brother as well.

Hazel Hoots Wiley

September 14, 1919 — May 18, 2022 Martha Hazel Wiley passed away on May 18, 2022, at Clapp’s Nursing Home in Asheboro, NC. She was 102 years old. Hazel was born on September 14, 1919 in Yadkinville, NC, and was the daughter of the late Wiley Frank Hoots and Viola Gentry Hoots of Asheboro. She had five sisters who predeceased her, including Stella Chrisco, Pansy Graham, Lula Copeland, Elva Russell and Margaret Freeman. Hazel was the youngest. Hazel graduated from West End high school in 1936. In 1942, she married Wilson Henry Wiley, who was in the Army Air Corp. She owned and operated Dutchess Beauty Salon while Wilson was a POW during WWII. After Wilson came home, they owned and operated Wiley’s Grocery on Cox St., and later Wiley’s Supermarket on Albemarle Road in Asheboro. Hazel had a full and active life. She loved to work outside, planting and growing beautiful flowers. She enjoyed rug-hooking, and won first place at the NC State Fair for one of her beautiful creations. Hazel was a devout Christian, and she and her husband, Wilson, were charter members of Cross Road Baptist Church in Asheboro. She was active in every aspect of church life and development. Hazel is survived by her son Dan (Sharon), two grandsons Nick (Taylor) and Stephen (Gracie), and six-week-old greatgrandson Daniel. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Nicholas James Toomes

July 18, 1992 ~ May 16, 2022 Nicholas James Toomes, 29, passed away Monday, May 16, 2022. Born July 18, 1992 in Asheboro, he was the son of Joyce Lucas Toomes and the late Paul Allen Toomes. Nicholas received his high school education from Brittain Academy. He received further education in the fields of agriculture as well as electrical and wiring. He enjoyed gardening and being outside; watching movies with his mom, and spending time with his daughter Talyn. Nicholas is survived by his mother, Joyce; daughter, Talyn Parker; sisters, Sandy Macon (Randy), Kerri Yandle (Darryl Brenes), Amber Toomes (Josh Hinchman), Casey Bradley (Craig) and Cassidy Black; and his grandmother, Mary Black. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul; biological parents, Ginger Black and Mark Conley; sister, Elizabeth Pierce; and grandfather, Ray Lucas.

Janet Pugh Johnson March 9, 1941 — May 21, 2022

Janet Pugh Johnson, 81, of Millboro, North Carolina passed away on May 21, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Janet was born on March 9, 1941, to Joseph Henry and Virginia Dee Aldridge Pugh in the small community of Millboro. Affectionately known as “Little Tot” by her family as a child, “Sugar Babe” by her husband, “Mama” by her children, and Gran-Jan by her grandchildren. Janet met the love of her life and sweetheart, Jessie Thomas “Tommy” Johnson at Grays Chapel High School. After she graduated from Grays Chapel in 1958, she went on to study education at Elon College. After her first year at Elon, she and Tommy decided they couldn’t live without each other, and they married on August 23, 1959. Although her career was most rewarding, retirement with her husband was even better. They were able to spend a number of years traveling and spending time with their four grown children, and nine grandchildren. Janet was predeceased by her mother and father as well as her brother, Robert Scott Aldridge, and her sister, Sarah Mabel Pugh Craven. She is survived by her husband, Jessie Thomas Johnson and their four children: Heather Jan Johnson Mills (Brian), Robert Thomas Johnson (Peggy), April Johnson Corder (Cameron), and Kerry Joe Johnson (Tonyia); nine grandchildren: Reid Walker Mills, Matthew Dillon Mills (Alysia), Logan Thomas Johnson, Lia Elizabeth Johnson (Jay), Stephanie Ryanne Corder (Patrick), Brooks Wingate Corder (Addie), Joseph Houston Johnson (Catherine), Kerry Clayton Johnson, and Jessie Grayson Johnson; and four great grandchildren: Ezariah Christopher Buncy, Draven Daniel Thomas Johnson, Evan Matthew Mills and Owen Matthew Mills. Janet is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ann Wooten Chapman. She also had many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own.

Rachel (Davis) Butterworth

July 17, 1936 — May 21, 2022

June Marilyn Renigar Ward, age 85 of Asheboro, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Clapp’s Convalescent Nursing Home, Asheboro. June was born in Randolph County on July 17, 1936 to Ted and Lina Allred Renigar. June was a homemaker and loved to bake and cook. She was especially known for her biscuits and gravy and her prime rib. June was an upbeat person who truly cared about everyone. She attended church at Fairview United Methodist Church and Asheboro First Wesleyan. In addition to her parents, June is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Ward. June is survived by her two sons, Randy Ward of Asheboro, Chuck (Srey Mum Heng) Ward of Kampot, Cambodia; grandchildren, Shellie (Michael) Miller of Alabama, Victoria (Jason Duff) Ward of Indiana, Kacie Kern of Asheboro; great grandchildren, Harbor and Rhett Miller, Everlee June, Poppy and Leo; sisters, Linda (Tommy) Bailey and Doris (Delanous) Bennett both of Asheboro; and several nieces.

Ronnie McCrary

October 13, 1935 ~ May 14, 2022 Rachel Davis Butterworth, 86, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Woodland Hills. Born October 13, 1935 in Moore County, she was the daughter of the late Ronna “Ronnie” Davis Mozelle Chriscoe. Rachel attended Church of God in Asheboro. She enjoyed putt-putt; fishing; card games; bingo; and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her mother; daughter, Patricia Powers; and her two late husbands, Rufus Henderson and Walter Butterworth. Rachel is survived by her children, Eddie Chriscoe and his wife Jan, Evon Sapp, Doyle “Dean” Henderson, Doretta H. Lawson, and Annie Davis and her husband Michael; her grandkids and great grandkids; and sisters, Geneva Cagle, Bertha Millikan and Nettie Garner and her husband Junior.

June Renigar Ward

May 9, 1957 - May 19, 2022

Liam Lamar Miller

October 25, 2021 ~ May 14, 2022 Liam Lamar Miller, infant son of Michael Miller and Jasmine Kye, passed away suddenly Saturday, May 14, 2022, at his home. Liam enjoyed morning cuddles and playing with his mommy. He loved to admire himself in the mirror. He will be greatly missed by his parents; big sister, Mila Miller; grandma, Catherine Kye; aunt, Lily Kye; and uncle, Ethan Kye. He was preceded in death by his grandpa, Ricky Kye.

Ronnie Coleman McCrary, 65, of Asheboro, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. Born in Moore County, NC on May 9, 1957, Ronnie was the son of the late Foster Grant McCrary and Audrey Hyatt McCrary. He was a hard worker for the family business McCrary House Movers. He was very family orientated, and had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed restoring heavy equipment, including his John Deer tractor, and tinkering with things. In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard, Ralph, Steven, and sisters, Patsy and Pansy. Surviving are his wife, Janelle McCrary; daughter, Olivia McCrary; son, Joshua Coleman McCrary (Chelsey); sister, Janice Patton (Jerry); brothers, Lynn McCrary (Beth), Walter McCrary (Shirley); and grandchildren, Brooklyn and Elias. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Randolph Hospice House.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

8

STATE & NATION

In 2 states, 1 in 20 residents missed during US head count By Mike Schneider The Associated Press Around 1 in 20 residents in Arkansas and Tennessee were missed during the 2020 census, and four other U.S. states had significant undercounts of their populations which could shortchange them of federal funding in the current decade, according to figures from a survey the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday. In Florida, and Texas, undercounts appear to have cost them congressional seats too. On the flip side, residents in eight states were overcounted during the once-a-decade head count that is used to allocate political power and federal funding. In Minnesota and Rhode Island, overcounts appear to have helped save them from losing congressional seats. In the remaining 36 states and the District of Columbia, the overcounts and undercounts were not statistically significant. Undercounts signal people were missed. Overcounts suggest they were counted more than once, as for example, children of divorced parents who share custody or people with vacation homes. The figures released from the Post-Enumeration Survey serve as a report card on how well residents in the 50 states and District of Columbia were counted during

AP PHOTO

In this April 1, 2019, photo, Noelle Fries, 6, left, and Galen Biel, 6, both of Minneapolis, attend a rally at the Minnesota Capitol to kick off a year-long drive to try to ensure that all Minnesota residents are counted in the 2020 census. a census that faced unprecedented obstacles from a pandemic, hurricanes and wildfires, and social unrest. States that did a better job of getting residents counted scored greater Electoral College and congressional representation, or did not lose expected seats in the House of Representatives. They also are now better positioned for the annual distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal funding in the coming decade.

Nothing can be done at this point to change how many congressional seats are allocated among the states, and neither can the data used for redrawing congressional districts be adjusted. Academics and civil rights leaders are pressing the Census Bureau to tweak yearly population estimates that traditionally have used census numbers as their foundation and incorporate other data sources to produce a more accurate portrait of

the undercounted racial and ethnic communities for the numbers that help determine the distribution of federal funding. The Census Bureau has set up a team to explore this. Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Illinois respectively had undercounts of 5%, 4.8%, 4.1% and 1.9%, while Florida and Texas respectively had undercounts of almost 3.5% and 1.9%. Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and Texas did not direct as many resources as other states in encouraging residents to fill out census forms. Mississippi spent around $400,000 and Illinois allocated $29 million toward those efforts. Historically, groups that have undercounts are racial and ethnic minorities, renters and young children. Demographer Allison Plyer also observed that Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee have among the highest rates of households without a computer or internet subscription. The 2020 census was the first head count in which most participants were encouraged to fill out the form online. “Get-out-the-count efforts can make a big difference, even when your community has poor internet access and is less likely to answer the census,” said Plyer, chief demographer of The Data Center in New Orleans. Florida’s undercount translates into around 750,600 missed residents, and an analysis by Election Data Services shows the Sunshine State needed only around 171,500 more residents to gain an extra seat. The undercount in Texas translates into around 560,000 residents, while the analysis put Texas as needing only 189,000

more residents to gain another congressional seat. A caveat is that the Post-Enumeration Survey didn’t include people living in group quarters such as college dorms or prisons nor remote areas of Alaska. Hispanics make up more than a quarter of Florida’s population and almost 40% of Texas residents, and critics say the Trump administration’s failed efforts to add a citizenship question to the census form may have had a chilling effect on the participation of Hispanics, immigrants and others. Arturo Vargas, CEO of NALEO Educational Fund, said there was a “desperate need” for information about undercounts and overcounts of racial and ethnic groups at geographies smaller than states, especially in places like Texas where the undercount most likely was in the Hispanic population. Given the inaccuracies in the count, there is a real risk of an unfair distribution of congressional seats among the states, he said. “Without knowing below the state level, we aren’t able to understand the extent of that error,” Vargas said. Minnesota was allocated the 435th and final congressional seat in the House of Representatives; if Minnesota had counted 26 fewer people, that seat would have gone to New York. Minnesota’s 3.8% overcount amounted to around 219,000 residents. Other states with overcounts were Hawaii, at almost 6.8%; Delaware, at 5.4%; New York, at 3.4%; Utah, at almost 2.6%; Massachusetts, at 2.2%; and Ohio, at almost 1.5%.

Lawmakers reach deal to help veterans exposed to burn pits The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressional bargainers announced late last week that they have reached a deal on legislation to boost health care services and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. The agreement paves the way for passage of a bill that has become the top priority of veterans’ groups seeking to help the increasing number of people with illnesses that they believe are related to toxic exposure. The top Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee reached an agreement after months of negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., quickly threw their support behind the measure. Passage could come in July. “Our veterans need it, they deserve it, and we have a moral obligation to take care of those who have sacrificed so much for us,” Schumer said. The House in March passed a version of the bill that the Congressional Budget Office projected would increase federal spending by more than $300 billion over 10 years. It would increase access to VA health care to millions of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan even if they don’t have service-connected disabilities. The legislation would also presume that certain respiratory illnesses and cancers were related

AP PHOTO

In this April 28, 2011, photo, an Afghan National Army pickup truck passes parked U.S. armored military vehicles, as smoke rises from a fire in a trash burn pit at Forward Operating Base Caferetta Nawzad, Helmand province south of Kabul, Afghanistan. to burn pit exposure, allowing the veterans to obtain disability payments to compensate for their injury without having to prove the illness was a result of their service. Reporting from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that nearly 80% of exposure disability claims related to burn pits are denied. The military routinely disposed of tires, batteries, medical waste

and other materials in open burn pits during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most Republican lawmakers in the House voted against the bill, voicing concerns that the influx of cases would tax an already stressed VA system, leading to longer wait times for health care and the processing of disability claims. A key difference in the agreement reached by Sens. Jon Tes-

ter, D-Mont., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., is the phase-in period for presuming that certain conditions were caused by toxic exposure. But key elements of the House measure are part of the deal. Pelosi described the two bills as “nearly identical.” The two senators said that 23 illnesses, including hypertension, would be presumed related to burn pit exposure when it comes to pro-

viding disability compensation. “For far too long, our nation’s veterans have been living with chronic illnesses as a result of exposures during their time in uniform,” Tester and Moran said in a joint statement. “Today, we’re taking necessary steps to right this wrong with our proposal that’ll provide veterans and their families with the health care and benefits they have earned and deserve.” The two senators said the bill would also affect veterans who served in Vietnam, expanding the number of illnesses presumed related to exposure to Agent Orange to include hypertension. It would also expand the presumption of exposure to the toxic herbicide for veterans who deployed to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam and American Samoa. Moran said the Senate bill would provide more resources up front for VA staffing to deal with the increased demand. He also projected it would come in at a lower price tag than the House bill by “tens of billions” of dollars, though an official cost estimate is not yet available. He said the changes in the Senate bill are “so the VA can get their feet on the ground and take care of all veterans without harming any veterans” already in the system. President Joe Biden called on the VA last year to examine the impact of burn pits and other airborne hazards. Karine Jean-Pierre, the new White House press secretary, said Wednesday that passage of the bill “would be a welcome and long-awaited achievement” for veterans.

Need Ammo?

.223  .45  .40 .308  9mm 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 33 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

Stanly County Journal

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Powering through the playoffs West Stanly’s Lilly Hartsell hits a 3 run triple against Wheatmore during the first round of the 2A west softball playoffs at West Stanly high school in Oakboro, on May 10, 2022. West Stanly advanced in the state tournament Tuesday by defeating No. 31 Wheatmore (8-13) in a 13-0 shutout before taking down No. 15 R-S Central (14-10) in a 9-8 finish. Read more on page 5.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Primary victories revamp Stanly commissioners, school board

Dept of Labor to hold safety luncheon Stanly County The North Carolina Department of Labor will hold its annual Safety Awards Luncheon in Albemarle on June 15. Tickets for the event are $25 per person and include lunch. It will take place at the Snyder Community Room at Pfeiffer University’s Center for Health Sciences. The keynote speaker for the luncheon will be the commissioner of the state’s Department of Labor, Josh Dobson. STANLY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Women’s center to hold fundraiser Stanly County The Mary and Martha Center for Women will hold a fundraiser to support its services with the Moonlight and Magnolia event on June 11. Billed as “an evening of Southern food, music and hospitality,” it will take place at the historic Badin Inn in Badin, at 6:30. The night of Southern charm includes food and drinks as well as music on the Inn’s porch.

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — The Republican primary election held on May 17 resulted in changes that have revised the current makeup of the county offices within Stanly County. Two county commissioners — Mike Barbee and Bill Lawhon — held their seats through their reelection bids while two others — chairman Tommy Jordan and commissioner Lane Furr — will be replaced when their terms end in December. Stanly County Board of Education board member Dustin Lisk retained his seat while board member Anthony Graves suffered a defeat. In the District 1 race, Barbee notched his second consecutive term with 41% of the votes (3,100), overtaking Levi Greene’s 33.7% (2,553) and Mike Haigler’s

25.3% (1,919) of the votes. For the District 2 commissioners’ race, Lawhon, a former chairman for the board, secured his third term Tuesday with 4,114 votes (53.7%) compared to Thomas Townsend’s 2,832 votes (37%) and Jon Ledbetter’s 719 votes (9.4%) With District 3 being a twoway race between Jordan and Brandon King, the latter had 4,548 votes (59.5%) while Jordan tallied 3,116 votes (40.5%). In the At-Large race, candidate Patty Crump had 44.2% (3,426) of the vote and edged past Furr, who had 39.3% (3,047) in his race to retain his seat; Leon Eugene Warren picked up 16.6% (1,286). The two school board races featured a landslide victory and as well as a race so close it will lead to a recount. In the fourway At-Large race, former school

9,200 Approximate number of people voted in the primary election

board member Robin Whittaker defeated the seat’s incumbent by nearly 13 percentage points. Whittaker’s 45.1% (3,474) bested Graves’ 32.2% (2,479), Melvin B. Pool’s 15.5% (1,196) and John Wright’s 7.1% (549). Meanwhile, Lisk retained his District 1 seat with 3,850 votes — just 67 votes more than challenger Meghan Almond’s 3,783 votes. The final tally came down to a difference of less than one

percentage point (50.4% and 49.6%). Following Election Day, Lisk confirmed on his campaign’s social media account that the Board of Elections has 93 provisional ballots and a few mail-in ballots left to validate and count. The military ballot deadline is May 26 and the official count will be revealed to the public on May 27. In the primary race for Stanly County Clerk of Court, newcomer Ginger Efird took the prize with 45.5% (3,568) of the votes in comparison to Pam Blake’s 34.6% (2,715) and Michael Greene’s 19.9% (1,561). With 43,000 registered voters in Stanly County, only about 9,200 people voted during the primary election. In May 2018, 8,800 people voted while over 12,000 voted during the 2020 primary.

Several incumbents lose state legislative primaries

MARY & MARTHA CENTER

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

American Airlines flight veers off runway Mecklenburg County An American Airlines flight halted its takeoff and ran off the runway on Thursday because of an apparent mechanical problem. An airline spokesperson said. No one was hurt. The spokesperson said American Flight 775, with a crew of six and 172 passengers on board, was departing from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and headed for Miami International Airport when the pilot stopped the takeoff at around 2:40 p.m. The Boeing 737-800 ran off the runway, and aerial photos showed ruts left in the grass by the airplane’s tires. AP

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

RALEIGH — Several state legislators won’t be returning to the North Carolina General Assembly next January after primary losses, while former lawmakers had mixed results in trying to get back to the House or Senate. Six incumbents — four Republicans and two Democrats — lost in Tuesday’s primaries for seats in their current chamber. Four of those sitting Republicans ran against fellow GOP incumbents who lived in the same district due to redistricting changes. Two Senate Democrats — Sens. Kirk deViere and Ernestine Bazemore — and Republican Rep. Pat Hurley — also lost primaries for their seats. In addition, two current House members — Democrat Raymond Smith and Republican Lee Zachary — failed to win Senate primaries. Each at-

tempted to make the jump to the Senate after facing similar “double-bunkings” with House colleagues in their districts because of remapped boundaries. Double-bunking, when two incumbents end up in the same district, occurred in two House and two Senate races this year as a result of redistricting. In the 1st state Senate seat, Norman Sanderson beat Bob Steinburg by a 56% to 44% margin. Sanderson’s advantage came from his former district’s counties of Carteret and Pamlico. The other much-anticipated race was that of the Senate District 47 seat. The race was remarkably close throughout the night with a few lead changes, but ultimately Ralph Hise narrowly edged out Deanna Ballard in the western NC seat. Hise won 6 of the 9 counties including Caldwell, which was the difference maker in the race. On the House side, the double-bunked races included Reps.

PJ WARD-BROWN | AP PHOTO

Representative Pat Hurley during a House Select Committee on An Education System for North Carolina’s Future at South Asheboro Middle School in Asheboro, on March 7, 2022. Jamie Boles and Ben Moss vy- Applewhite in a three-way race ing for House District 52. Moss for the 19th Senate District. Apcame away with the win, taking plewhite benefitted from an enin over 53% of the vote. Moss’ dorsement by Democratic Gov. win means he will assume the Roy Cooper. The governor and seat this fall since there is no other Democrats had been unhappy with deViere for siding at Democratic challenger. The number of Republi- times with Senate Republicans cans running unopposed in No- on key legislation, including the vember for House seats dwarfs 2021 state budget. Bazemore, a first-term senathat of Democrats by a count of 20 to four. In the Senate, eight tor from Bertie County, lost to Republicans are running unop- Valerie Jordan of Warren Counposed versus just one Democrat. ty in a 3rd Senate District priKirk DeViere lost to Fayetteville City Council member Val See ELECTION, page 2

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

2 WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

5.25.22 #238

WEDNESDAY

MAY 25

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278

Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Matt Mercer

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 (704) 269-8461 INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM STANLYJOURNAL.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461

or online at nsjonline.com

Annual Subscription Price: $25.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W. Albemarle, N.C. 28001

73° 61° 15%

THURSDAY

MAY 26

HI LO PRECIP

81° 67° 45%

FRIDAY

MAY 27 HI LO PRECIP

74° 60° 84%

SATURDAY

MAY 28

HI LO PRECIP

78° 59° 24%

SUNDAY

MONDAY

MAY 29

HI LO PRECIP

MAY 30

82° 63° 14%

HI LO PRECIP

US births rose last year but still less than before pandemic The Associated Press NEW YORK — U.S. births bumped up last year, but the number of babies born was still lower than before the coronavirus pandemic. The 1% increase was a bit of a rebound from 2020, the first year of the pandemic, which witnessed the largest one-year drop in the U.S. births in nearly 50 years. But there were still about 86,000 fewer births last year than in 2019, according to a government report released Tuesday. “We’re still not returning to pre-pandemic levels,” said Dr. Denise Jamieson, chair of gynecology and obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine. U.S. births had been declining for more than a decade before COVID-19 hit, and “I would expect that we would continue to see small, modest decreases,” she said. Officials think last year’s uptick reflects births from pregnancies that had been put off during the uncertain early days of the pandemic. Deliveries were way down in January 2021, but improved

ELAINE THOMPSON | AP PHOTO

Amy McCoy signs to a baby about food as a toddler finishes lunch behind at her Forever Young Daycare facility, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, in Mountlake Terrace, Wash. as the year went on, said Brady Hamilton of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Much of the increase was seen in older moms. “These are births that were

postponed,” said Hamilton, lead author of the new report. The report is based on a review of nearly all birth certificates issued last year. Some of the key findings:

87° 67° 16%

TUESDAY

MAY 31

HI LO PRECIP

88° 68° 17%

— Nearly 3.7 million births were reported last year, up from the roughly 3.6 million recorded in 2020. — Birth rates dropped again for teens and for women younger than 25, but rose 3% for women in their early 30s, 5% for women in their late 30s, and 3% for women in their early 40s. — Birth rates rose 1% for Hispanic women and 3% for white women. But they fell 1% for Asian women, 3% for Black women, and 4% Native American and Alaska Native women. That may reflect the pandemic’s harsher impact on the health and lives of some racial groups, experts said. —The U.S. was once among only a few developed countries with a fertility rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself — about 2.1 kids per woman. But it’s been sliding, and in 2020 dropped to about 1.6, the lowest rate on record. It rose slightly last year, to nearly 1.7. —The percentage of infants born small and premature — at less than 37 weeks — rose 4%, to about 10.5%. It was the highest it’s been since 2007. The premature birth rate had declined slightly in 2020, and health officials aren’t sure why the increase occurred. But older moms are more likely to have preterm births, as are women infected with COVID-19, said the CDC’s Joyce Martin, a study co-author.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

♦ BEVILACQUA, STEVEN WADE (W /M/38), FELONY POSSESSION SCH II CS, 05/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ MUHAMMAD, FATIMA NAIMA NOUREDDIN JOSEE (B /F/20), ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON (M), 05/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ PRINCE, SCOTT JAMES (W /M/37), RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER, 05/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ SIMBRA, BRITTANY DAWN (W /F/36), POSSESS STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE, 05/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ TALBERT, DEREK RYAN (W /M/32), ASSAULT ON FEMALE, 05/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ SAYLEE, KELLY JORDAN (B/F/20), FELONY HIT/ RUN INJURY, 05/21/2022, Albemarle PD, ♦ MORRIS, JAMES MATTHEW (W/M/34), SIMPLE ASSAULT, 05/21/2022, Albemarle PD, ♦ CALDWELL, ANGELA DENISE (B /F/49), LARC MERCHANT EXCH STOLEN PROP, 05/20/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ PARKS, DONOVON ARTHUR (B /M/25), ATTEMPT BREAK/ENTER MOTOR VEH, 05/18/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ BAUDER, RICHARD NORMAN (W /M/54), FELONY LARCENY, 05/17/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ HINSON, CHARLES ANTHONY (W /M/58), POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, 05/17/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office, ♦ JORDAN, GREGORY DON (W /M/49), CIVIL ORDER FOR ARREST - CHILD SUPPORT, 05/17/2022, Stanly County Sheriff`S Office,

WHO chief Tedros reappointed to second five-year term The Associated Press LONDON — WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was reappointed to a second five-year term on Tuesday by the U.N. health agency’s member countries. No other candidate challenged Tedros for the post amid the ongoing difficulties of responding to the devastating coronavirus pandemic. “This is overwhelming,” Tedros said, after another World Health Organization official asked everyone in the room to stand and applaud him. Fighting back tears, Tedros described himself as “a child of war” after signing the contract for his extension. He said that after witnessing his younger brother’s death at an early age, it was “luck (that) brought me all the way here.” Tedros, a former government minister from Ethiopia, has directed WHO throughout its management of the global response to COVID-19 and withstood occasionally withering criticism over its multiple missteps. He is the first African to lead the agency and the only director-general not qualified as a medical doctor. He is also the first WHO leader not to be supported by their home country; Ethiopia has previously accused Tedros of “misconduct” after his sharp criticism of the war and humanitarian crisis there and raised concerns about

ELECTION from page 1 mary. The winner will take on Dare County Republican Bobby Hanig, a current House member, in November. Hurley, an eight-term House member, lost to Randolph County school board member Brian Biggs in the 70th District Republican primary. Sitting legislators who won contested primaries for seats in the opposite chamber included three Democrats: Reps. Graig Meyer of Orange County and Kandie Smith of Pitt County and Sen. Sarah Crawford of Wake County. Meyer and Smith won Senate primaries, while Crawford won a House primary. But Zachary, from Yadkin County, finished third in a four-candidate race for a north-

AP PHOTO

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), centre, celebrates his reelection, during the 75th World Health Assembly at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. his leadership on Tuesday. Under Tedros, the U.N. health agency failed to call out countries including China for blunders that WHO officials grumbled about privately, advised against mask-wearing for months, and said initially that the coronavirus wasn’t likely to mutate rapidly. Scientists drafted by WHO to investigate the coronavirus’ origins in China said the critical probe was “ stalled “ last year, after issuing a report that even Tedros acknowledged had prematurely ruled out the possibility of a laboratory leak.

western Senate seat. Former state legislators who advanced in legislative primaries for their old chamber include ex-Sen. Buck Newton, a Wilson County Republican; former GOP Rep. Stephen Ross of Alamance County; and former Democratic Reps. Elmer Floyd of Cumberland County and Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County. Newton will take on Fitch in November. And former Sen. Wesley Meredith of Cumberland County, who won a Republican primary on Tuesday, takes on Applewhite in November. Newton had in the past represented a Wilson County-centric Senate district before running for Attorney General in 2016. He will face Democratic state Sen. Toby Fitch this fall. Fitch dispatched Rep. Raymond Smith,

Critics say Tedros has failed on some fundamental issues, like holding staff accountable after allegations that dozens of outbreak workers managed by WHO sexually abused young women in Congo during an Ebola outbreak that began in 2018, in one of the biggest sex scandals in U.N. history. None of the senior WHO managers alerted to the abuse allegations and who did little to stop the exploitation, have been fired. In January, The Associated Press reported that staffers in WHO’s Western Pacific office filed

Six incumbents — four Republicans and two Democrats — lost in Tuesday’s primaries who elected to challenge him after being double-bunked with House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) in his Republican-leaning seat. Ex-lawmakers who lost Tuesday primaries include former Sens. Eddie Gallimore and Tony Moore and Rep. Scott Stone, all of whom are Republicans. Shirley Randleman, a former House and Senate member, failed to win a Senate primary that also featured Zachary. Benton Sawrey easily won the

an internal complaint accusing regional director Dr. Takeshi Kasai of abusive, racist and other misconduct, undermining efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19. In response, Tedros said an investigation into the allegations had been launched and promised to act “with urgency.” But last week, several WHO staffers wrote to the agency’s Executive Board complaining that Kasai “has been able to continue his unethical, abusive and racist conduct without any form of restriction.” In an email to staff, Kasai disputed the charges. As Tedros begins his second term, some experts have also raised concerns that WHO isn’t fulfilling its primary role as a technical agency providing science-based guidance to countries. Dr. David Tomlinson, a cardiologist who has campaigned for better protective equipment for health workers in Britain’s health system, says he has been appalled by WHO advice, most notably their reluctance to acknowledge that COVID-19 is widely spread in the air. In July 2020, more than 230 scientists published a paper appealing to WHO to recognize the coronavirus was airborne; that later prompted the organization to alter some of its recommendations. Tomlinson and others say Tedros should ensure WHO’s top priority during future health emergencies is evaluating the science. “They have perpetuated untruths that have ultimately led to the deaths of millions of people,” he said, citing the estimated 15 million people who have died during the pandemic. “We need an agency that’s unafraid to tell the truth, but that’s unfortunately not what we have.”

race for the new Johnston County Senate seat over Jill Homan and Matt Ansley. The only Democrat registered to run for that seat in November is Gettys Cohen Jr. Republican Brian Echevarria won the nomination for the House District 73 seat in Cabarrus County after winning his three-way primary race with over 57% of the vote. Earlier this year, Echevarria gained recognition following a speech in front of the Cabarrus County School Board that went viral nationwide. Wake County freshman Rep. Erin Pare will be facing failed Holly Springs mayoral candidate Democrat Christine Kelly for the redrawn District 37 seat. A.P. Dillon of the North State Journal contributed to this report.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

OPINION

3

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | BETSY MCCAUGHEY

Parents against stupid stuff New Jersey requires that students be taught the correct anatomical names for their genitalia by the end of second grade and gender identity options by the end of fifth grade.

ADULTS DECIDING where to settle and raise their families once considered tax rates, job opportunities and housing prices. Now they also have to ask themselves whether they want their children in schools that push gender fluidity, teach masturbation and provide tampons in the boys’ room for females transitioning to become males. Several states have already joined Florida in barring teachers from instructing their classes about gender identity and LGBTQ choices, and many are considering similar legislation. Parents are outraged by the indoctrination and sexualization of their children. In Connecticut and New Jersey, school board meetings are overflowing with parents protesting lessons on gender identity and fluidity in elementary school. New Jersey requires that students be taught the correct anatomical names for their genitalia by the end of second grade and gender identity options by the end of fifth grade. The Democratic-dominated Connecticut legislature adopted a state budget two weeks ago that mandates free tampons and pads in school bathrooms, including at least one boys’ bathroom for students transitioning from female to male. A resource guide recommended by the state for Connecticut teachers encourages them to wear rainbow bracelets and display gay pride signs. Some parents are outraged. “We will not allow our children to be force-fed content we oppose,” said one New Jersey parent, while another protested that state standards “go against our Judeo-Christian values.” In Connecticut, Parents Against Stupid Stuff, a newly formed PAC, intends to influence the gubernatorial race there by opposing sexually explicit curriculum and demanding a larger voice for parents. It’s an uphill battle in deep blue states. In Rhode Island, Sen. Tiara Mack, a gay Democrat, wants sex education to “affirmatively recognize pleasure-based sexual relations,” while Democrat Rep. Rebecca Kislak wants to emphasize that gender is nuanced. But in red states, legislatures are enacting laws to protect parental rights and scrub the curriculum of divisive sexual indoctrination. In New York, state lawmakers are not legislating on curriculum issues, instead leaving it to the school districts. That’s why this week’s school board elections there are so high stakes. On Long Island, Moms for Liberty have endorsed 30 school board

candidates who oppose the emphasis on gender fluidity and advocate for more parental involvement. Amanda Cohen-Stein, who is president of the Long Island Strong Schools Alliance, insists “politics do not belong in our school boards” but supports teaching “diversity, equity and inclusion,” as if that’s not political. Andy Pallotta, president of the New York State United Teachers, also says school board elections should be apolitical. He claims “NYSUT and its local unions are big tent organizations.” That doesn’t pass the laugh test: Its website shows the union is leftist, and that offends many parents. Claiming school board elections are nonpartisan is a ruse. Sadly, Newsday’s editorial board parrots the union’s talking points, insisting parental alarm over what’s being taught is “misguided.” Newsday claims “schools are not grooming kids, or devaluing them for whiteness or straightness.” Rather, the editors say, “This is a region built on love of our teachers and schools and districts.” Ridiculous. Long Island parents who have looked at their kids’ homework and listened in on remote learning are too informed to swallow that pablum. The same is true upstate. Western New York Students First is helping 35 school board candidates who want more parental input on curriculum and board accountability. “Most people couldn’t tell you who is on their school board. The hope is we kind of start to change that,” explains Jonathan Rich, spokesman for the organization. The Buffalo News disparages the new excitement over school board elections as “a dangerous moment” brought about by “right-wing manipulators.” Nonsense. No one cares more about a child’s education than the parents. In the past, many boards have barely tolerated the presence of parents at meetings. That has to change. Maryland parents are turning out in droves to protest the state’s new standards, which teach kindergarteners to “recognize a range of ways people express their identity and gender.” As an outspoken greatgrandmother put it, “Children belong to the parents, not this county, not this state.” Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and author of “The Next Pandemic,” available at Amazon.com.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The media’s big lie about the ‘great replacement theory’ and conservatism Supporting real immigration reform that contains a pathway to citizenship for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is the only way to maintain electoral strength in the future.

LAST WEEK, a racist mass shooter massacred 10 people and wounded three others at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket. The shooter was a white supremacist; his hate-filled 180-page screed about why he had committed the shooting was replete with neo-Nazi sentiments. According to the shooter, he had to slaughter innocent black Americans in order to prevent the white population of the United States from being crowded out. “We are experiencing an invasion on a level never seen before in history,” wrote the perverse murderer. “This is ethnic replacement. This is cultural replacement. This is racial replacement. This is WHITE GENOCIDE.” The shooter’s theory, generally called the “great replacement theory,” suggests that a shadowy cabal of elites, mainly Jewish, have deliberately undermined the racial purity of European countries by facilitating mass immigration and race-mixing. The shooter deliberately quoted the neoNazi slogan — the so-called 14 Words — “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” He called himself a white supremacist, a neo-Nazi and an antisemite. Among the sources for this morally sick belief system, the shooter cited various internet sources, particularly other mass shooters who released similar manifestoes. He did not mention Fox News; he did not mention any mainstream conservative, instead stating, “conservatism is corporatism in disguise, I want no part of it.” None of this mattered to the Left-wing press, which immediately determined that the entire conservative movement was somehow guilty for the mass shooting. The New York Times headlined, “Republicans Play on Fears of ‘Great Replacement’ in Bid for Base Voters.” The Washington Post accused Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., of “echo(ing) racist theory allegedly espoused by Buffalo suspect.” The New Republic headlined, “The Great Replacement Theory Is Just Republican Orthodoxy Now.” What evidence did the media provide to the effect that conservatives, broadly writ, had espoused the Great Replacement Theory? They cited the belief among conservatives that the Left is generally friendly toward loose immigration in order to move the country in a progressive manner. Philip Bump of The Washington Post stated that nearly half of

Republicans believed in the great replacement theory, citing a Pew poll that found that almost half of Republicans (and more than one in five Democrats) believed that “there is a group of people in this country who are trying to replace native-born Americans with immigrants who agree with their political views.” This, of course, is not the great replacement theory, which centers on racial purity rather than the idea that changing demographics have an effect on political orientation. The latter premise has been taken for granted by the Left for decades (even though it is largely faulty, as changing Hispanic voting patterns demonstrate). In fact, the Left has often argued in favor of demographic change turning the country bluer: in 2003, John Judis and Ruy Teixeira wrote a book titled “The Emerging Democratic Majority,” in which they argued that Democrats were building a new electoral coalition “in which white America is supplanted by multiracial, multiethnic America”; in 2012, Greg Sargent of The Washington Post observed, “The story of this election will be all about demographics... Rather than reverting to the older, whiter, more male version (of America’s electorate) Republicans had hoped for, it continues to be defined by what Ron Brownstein has called the ‘coalition of the ascendant’ — minorities, young voters, and college educated whites, particularly women”; in 2013, the Center for American Progress stated, “Supporting real immigration reform that contains a pathway to citizenship for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is the only way to maintain electoral strength in the future.” The goal here is obvious: conflate Republican positions with white supremacy in order to drive votes away from them. It’s poisonous politics, and it happens to be a lie. But truth is of little or no priority when it comes to Left-wing politics, which are rooted always and forever in the idea that those who oppose their favored policies must be destroyed with any tool at hand. Ben Shapiro, 38, 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, May 25, 2022

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Reports: Commanders buy Va. land for possible stadium site Washington, D.C. The Washington Commanders have bought land in Virginia for what could be a potential site of the NFL team's next stadium, according to multiple reports. The 200 acres of land purchased for approximately $100 million is in Woodbridge just over 20 miles outside the District of Columbia. The Commanders' lease at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, expires in 2027. Owner Dan Snyder and Co. have been looking at potential sites in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

HOCKEY

Denmark stuns Canada at hockey worlds, Czechs beat US Tampere, Finland Denmark beat Canada for the first time in a 3-2 upset win at the world ice hockey championship. Sebastian Dahm's 29 saves helped Denmark to hold on to stun Canada and move into contention for a place in the quarterfinals. Canada can no longer qualify as the top seeded team in Group A and will need to beat France on Tuesday to be sure of reaching the last eight. Denmark plays Slovakia needing to avoid a loss in regulation. The United States must wait to qualify for the quarterfinals after a bruising 1-0 loss to the Czech Republic in both teams' second-to-last game of group play.

BASKETBALL

Slain NBA player's ex-wife denied parole in Tennessee Memphis, Tenn. The Tennessee Board of Parole says Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife will not be granted early release from a 30-year prison sentence she received after pleading guilty to plotting the retired NBA player's 2010 slaying. The board voted to deny parole for Sherra Wright, who pleaded guilty in July 2019 to facilitation of first-degree murder in her ex-husband's killing. The decision was reached after three of seven board members agreed to deny her release based on the seriousness of her offense. Sherra Wright appeared at a parole hearing on May 11 at the prison in Nashville where she's being held.

AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Blaney wins $1M NASCAR All-Star race at Texas A late caution caused confusion and put the No. 12 at risk of being black flagged The Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas — Ryan Blaney is talking about framing the window net from his No. 12 Ford, the one he somehow got secured enough to run two extra laps and win NASCAR’s All-Star race and $1 million — after he and Team Penske thought they had already won once. “This is oddly unique,” Blaney said. “I’m never going to forget this one.” Such an odd night that NASCAR admitted afterward that the last-second caution in a race that had to end under green probably shouldn’t have been called. Even runner-up Denny Hamlin agreed to that but was frustrated that Blaney wasn’t black-flagged

Manchester, England Manchester City has clinched a sixth Premier League title in 11 seasons. Pep Guardiola's team scored three times in five minutes to come from behind and beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the finale to avoid being toppled by challenger Liverpool. City won the title by one point. City was trailing 2-0 to Villa until İlkay Gündoğan began the comeback in the 76th. Rodri equalized two minutes later and Gündoğan put City in front in the 81st.

“It’s tough because he deserved to win the race, but if you mess up and you break a rule — not intentionally, but there’s rules and we have rules in place for safety.” Denny Hamlin on Ryan Blaney taking down his window net before the end of the race start, when he clearly had both hands on the wheel and the net was up, that NASCAR determined he was good to go. Blaney said he felt perfectly safe. “It’s tough because he deserved to win the race, but if you mess up and you break a rule — not intentionally, but there’s rules and we have rules in place for safety,” Hamlin said. Hamlin wrote in a tweet af-

Early Voting holds off Epicenter to win Preakness Stakes Trainer Chad Brown’s 3-year-old skipped the Kentucky Derby

SOCCER

Man City wins 6th EPL title in 11 seasons

for dropping his window net when initially thinking that Sunday night’s race was over. The checkered flag was already waving for Blaney, who was approaching the start-finish line when the caution lights suddenly came on because of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. scrapping the wall at the back of the field. The No. 12 crew was already celebrating the victory in the pits and Blaney had lowered the window net on the backstretch. “It was kind of short-lived panic mode in my spot of like how the hell am I going to get this window net back up because it almost takes two people to do it outside the car, let alone me and my scrawny arms inside the car sitting down and not being able to get a lot of leverage on it,” Blaney said. Blaney spent pretty much the entire caution period trying to secure the net, all while having to maintain speed. It wasn’t until on the backstretch just before the re-

ter the race that NASCAR “put Blaney in the situation he was in. To make up for it they let him break a rule. 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Blaney W, NASCAR L.” Scott Miller, NASCAR’s senior VP for competition, said there was no way to know if Blaney got the net fully latched or not, but that NASCAR didn’t see anything that could force a penalty at the time. Blaney said he wasn’t going to pit and also that he understood Hamlin’s frustration. “But it’s just a product of running second compared to winning,” Blaney said. “He would be over the moon elated in my position if he won the race and I’d be ticked off just like he was if he was second, so just kind of depends on the spot, so can’t blame him.” Pushed by his Penske teammate Austin Cindric on the restart after the green-white-checkered finish. Blaney was able to stay in front and hold off Hamlin, who finished 0.266 seconds behind. “The No. 12 team, they had the fastest car all night and if I wasn’t going to win it, I was committed to helping him,” said Cindric who finished third, just ahead of Joey Logano, another Penske driver. “I lined up behind him on that last restart and gave him the best push possible.”

The Associated Press BALTIMORE — Maybe extra rest isn’t such a bad thing for a racehorse after all. In the Preakness Stakes that was run without the Kentucky Derby winner because Rich Strike’s owner felt he needed more time off after his 80-1 upset, Early Voting validated a gutsy decision to skip the Derby and aim for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Early Voting held off hardcharging favorite Epicenter to win the Preakness on Saturday, rewarding trainer Chad Brown and owner Seth Klarman for their patience. Early Voting stalked the leaders for much of the race before moving into first around the final turn and finished 1¼ lengths ahead of Epicenter, who was second just like in the Derby. “We thought he needed a little more seasoning, the extra rest would help him,” Klarman said. “He was pretty lightly raced —

only three races before today. And as it turned out, that was the right call. We wanted to do right by the horse, and we’re so glad we waited.” The initial plan in the Preakness was for Early Voting not to wait and for jockey Jose Ortiz to take him to the lead. That looked especially important on a day when the dirt track at Pimlico Race Course was favoring speed and making it hard for horses to come from behind down the stretch. But when Armagnac jumped out to the lead, Ortiz settled Early Voting, who had plenty left in the tank before the finish line with Epicenter threatening inside at the rail. “I was never worried,” Brown said. “Once we had a good target, I actually preferred that. We were fine to go to the lead, but I thought down the back side it was going to take a good horse to beat us. And a good horse did run up on us near the wire and it was about the only one that could run with us.” After just two Triple Crown winners in the past four-plus decades, Rich Strike owner Rick Dawson took plenty of criticism for skipping the Preakness because he

JULIO CORTEZ | AP PHOTO

Early Voting, with jockey Jose Ortiz, edges Epicenter and Creative Minister to win the 147th Preakness Stakes on Saturday in Baltimore.

“We wanted to do right by the horse, and we’re so glad we waited.” Seth Klarman, owner of Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting felt the horse needed more rest to prepare for the Belmont Stakes on June 11. Some of that might be muted in the aftermath of Early Voting’s impressive performance. “That’s very hard to get an owner to pass on the Derby, and they did the right choice,” said Ortiz, who won the Preakness for the first time. “The horse, I don’t think

he was seasoned enough to run in a 20-horse field and they proved that they were right today. I’ve been on him since he was a baby. We always knew he was very talented, but we knew he was going to be a late developer.” Klarman and Brown cast doubt on the possibility of Early Voting taking on Rich Strike in the Belmont to make it a showdown between the Derby and Preakness winners. They said Early Voting might not be suited for the mileand-a-half Belmont. Early Voting, who went off at 5-1, gave Brown his second Preakness victory. Early Voting won the race in 1:54.54 and paid $13.40, $4.60 and $3.60. Epicenter paid $2.80 and $2.40 for place and show, and Creative Minister was third and paid $4.20 to show.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

5

West, South Stanly Atlantic City’s casinos earnings rise, but some still lag softball teams Four of the nine casinos showed higher profits compared to before the pandemic

begin state playoffs regional series

By Wayne Parry The Associated Press

The Colts and Bulls started three-game series on Tuesday

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City’s casinos collectively saw their profitability increase in the first quarter of this year compared not only with a year earlier, but also to the pre-pandemic period, according to figures released Monday. But only four of the nine casinos individually reported higher gross operating profits than they did in the first quarter of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show the casinos and their online arms collectively posted a gross operating profit of $155.6 million in the first three months of this year. That’s up 63% from the first three months of 2021, and nearly 79% from the first quarter of 2019. (The pandemic forced Atlantic City’s casinos to close for 3½ months starting in mid-March of 2020, so 2019 is a more useful point of comparison.) Yet the news was not all good. Only four casinos — Borgata, Hard Rock, Ocean and Tropicana — were more profitable in the first quarter this year than they were at the start of 2019. Gross operating profit represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and other expenses and is a widely accepted measure of profitability in the Atlantic City gambling industry. Eight of the nine casinos were profitable in the first quarter of this year, with only Bally’s showing an operating loss, of $6.8 million. The Borgata had a gross operating profit of $45.8 million; Hard

AP PHOTO

Figures released Monday by New Jersey gambling regulators show the Atlantic City casinos collectively posted a gross operating profit of $155.6 million in the first quarter of this year. Rock earned $26.8 million; Tropicana earned $19.7 million; Ocean earned $18.5 million; Harrah’s earned $15.9 million; Caesars earned $10.6 million; Golden Nugget earned $5.6 million; and Resorts earned $536,000. Hard Rock had the biggest percentage increase in operating profit compared with last year, up almost 213%. Ocean was up over 133%. Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, which studies the Atlantic City gambling market, said the resort showed “meaningful growth” during what is traditionally the slowest period for them in the first quarter of the year. She also noted that the casinos’ collective gross operating profit was the highest first-quarter performance in the past five years. Entering the second and third quarters of the year, the period in which the casinos make most of their money, Bokunewicz said, higher casino hotel occupancies should push nongambling revenue higher but also increase the demand for casino workers. “How well operators can keep

up with this demand, given the labor supply, rising wages and product costs, will determine if recent gross operating profit performance will persist,” she said. Bokunewicz said the comparison with the first quarter of 2019 is not ideal, either. The first quarter of 2019 began with both Hard Rock and Ocean open for only six months, with both casinos posting operating losses from ramping up their businesses and trying to gain market share. And some casinos have split their internet operations from their in-person operations since then. Casino hotel occupancy in the first quarter of this year was 63%, almost 11% higher than the same period a year ago. Ocean had the highest average occupancy at 81.5% while Golden Nugget was the lowest at 41.6% Ocean had the highest average room rate at $209 while Resorts had the lowest at $106. Among internet-only entities, Caesars Interactive Entertainment NJ earned $7.8 million in the first quarter; Golden Nugget Online Gaming earned $6.7 million; and Resorts Digital made $4.1 million.

ville in two games in the state finals series last season. If they can reach two wins over the West Stokes Wildcats, the Colts will face either first-seeded Washington (26By Jesse Deal 0) or second-seeded South LeStanly County Journal noir (24-1) in the state chamALBEMARLE — Follow- pionship series beginning on ing fourth-round tourna- June 3. West Stanly advanced in ment wins on May 20, the West Stanly and South Stan- the state tournament by dely softball teams have each feating No. 31 Wheatmore started their best-of-three re- (8-13) in a 13-0 shutout before taking down No. gional series in the 15 R-S Central (14North Carolina High 10) in a 9-8 finish. School Athletic AsThe Colts went on to sociation state playshutout No. 23 Moreoffs. head (16-9) 11-0 and The secondthen defeated No. 14 ed-seeded and reigning state champion Consecutive Anson (17-8) 7-4. The Bulls, meanColts (25-4) are facwins for South while, are riding a ing fifth-seeded West Stokes (20-4-1) in Stanly softball nine-game winning the 2A Western Reheading into streak that included winning their congionals Series, while their fourth- ference championthe first-seeded Bulls (26-3) are squaring round series ship. South Stanly advanced to the off with 11th-seeded South Stokes (21- against South state finals series last year but lost in three 6) in the 1A Western Stokes games to Camden Regionals Series. County. West and South The winner between South each have home-field advantage for the three-game series Stanly and South Stokes will that will alternate locations. play either first-seeded Bear The regional series were set Grass Charter (22-4) or secto begin Tuesday with a home ond-seeded Vance Charter game for the Colts and Bulls. (17-4) on June 3. In the first round, the Bulls Both teams will be on the road for Game 2 on Thursday, and hosted and defeated No. 32 Game 3, if necessary, will be Andrews (3-17) 15-0 and then back in Stanly County on Sat- notched a 6-1 win over No. 17 Draughn (16-9) in the second urday. The Colts entered the state round. South Stanly’s next playoffs coming off a loss in two wins came against No. the championship of their 8 Cherryville (16-8) in a 13-1 conference tournament. West finish and against No. 13 StarStanly defeated South Gran- mount (21-4) in a 9-1 finish.

9

The United States team celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup in 2019. The U.S. Soccer Federation agreed to equal compensation for the men’s and women’s teams for the first time. The new agreements run through 2028.

ALESSANDRA TARANTINO | AP PHOTO

US women’s soccer equal pay victory decades in the making Female players have been battling for compensation and conditions on par with the men’s team By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press THE U.S. WOMEN’S national team has not only been wildly successful on the field, but the players have also been unabashedly outspoken, using their platform to advocate for equal rights for themselves and others. The team’s efforts to secure equitable pay finally came to fruition last week. The four-time Women’s World Cup winners reached a collective bargaining agreement with U.S. Soccer that gives them the

same pay as their male counterparts. But the historic milestone wasn’t achieved just because the women filed a discrimination lawsuit in 2019 or complained to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2016. It was decades in the making. In 1995, a year before the Atlanta Games became the first Olympics to include women’s soccer, a group of nine players, including Brianna Scurry, Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, sat out of a training camp in a dispute over bonuses. Then, following the team’s memorable 1999 World Cup victory at the Rose Bowl, 20 of the team’s players refused to play in a tournament in Australia. That led to the team’s first collective bar-

gaining agreement. Akers, who is in the National Soccer Hall of Fame, said back when the national team was founded in the 1980s, the players got a $10 per diem and had to wear their own cleats in games. They were given hand-me-down uniforms from the men’s team. Over the years, the battles extended beyond pay. Abby Wambach led a group of players in protesting the artificial turf fields at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, claiming — rightly — that the men’s World Cup would never be held on fake grass. The players said the game is inherently different on turf and there’s a greater risk of injury. The tournament went on as planned, but the point was made for future World Cups. Megan Rapinoe knelt during

the national anthem before two games in 2016 in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback who knelt to draw attention to racial inequity. At a match in Texas this year, a number of players wore armbands that read “Protect Trans Kids” hours after Gov. Greg Abbott called for investigations into parents for seeking gender-affirming care for their transgender children, likening it to child abuse. One of the team’s most dramatic stands for equality came in 2016, when five high-profile players — Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd — filed their EEOC complaint. Unsatisfied with the lack of response, the women filed a gender discrimination lawsuit in 2019,

just a few months before the team went to France and won the World Cup, spurring chants of “Equal Pay!” from fans celebrating the victory. The U.S. Soccer Federation settled the lawsuit with the women for $24 million earlier this year and vowed to work with both the men’s and women’s teams to equalize pay going forward. On Wednesday, the teams announced that deals had been struck. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without all the generations of women’s national team players that came before that decided to fight for better everything,” Sauerbrunn said. “So much credit needs to go to them, and I hope that they feel pride in what they did because we wouldn’t be here without them.”

6

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Stacey Abrams aims to recapture energy of first campaign The Associated Press ATLANTA — For Stacey Abrams, everything is different this time. Unlike her first campaign for Georgia governor in 2018, she entered Tuesday’s primary election as the presumptive Democratic nominee, facing no competition. She’s not the relatively unknown former state representative from the first campaign, but a leading advocate for loosened voting rules, someone credited with laying the organizational groundwork for Joe Biden to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia in 28 years. But the same dynamics that lifted Abrams to national prominence four years ago could be a vulnerability in the general election in November. With her rise, she has become a millionaire, something Republicans have highlighted to portray her as out of touch. Donald Trump, who drove suburban moderates like those around Atlanta away from the GOP, is no longer in the White House. Instead, Biden is confronting the lowest approval numbers of his presidency, alarming Democrats who fear he could drag down candidates across the country. If she’s elected, the 48-year-old Abrams would make history as the first black woman to lead a state. But to get there, she must tap into the energy that contributed to her rise while averting the new-

AP PHOTO

Stacey Abrams addresses the Gwinnett County Democratic Party fundraiser on Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Norcross, Ga. er crosscurrents that could work against her. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it: We have fundamental headwinds,” said Lauren Groh-Wargo, Abrams’ campaign manager. “We have a whole history where Democrats have trouble winning in midterms.” At a Democratic dinner on Saturday in suburban Gwinnett County, Abrams proclaimed that “I am tired of hearing about be-

ing the best state in the country to do business when we are the worst state in the country to live.” Republicans pounced on the remark Sunday, a likelihood Abrams acknowledged even as she delivered it, saying “let me contextualize” and saying that when Georgia has dismal rankings for mental health access and maternal mortality, “then you’re not the No. 1 place to live.” “Georgia is capable of great-

ness, we just need greatness to be in our governor’s office,” Abrams said. “We need someone who actually believes in bringing all of us in there together.” Many Georgia Democrats believe 2022 is their year of destiny. That’s in part because they believe the state, on the verge of being majority nonwhite, continues to trend Democratic. “We’re ready to show everyone that it wasn’t a fluke, it wasn’t just

about one election cycle, and it wasn’t about Donald Trump,” U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams of Atlanta, also chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, told reporters at a recent state party dinner. Even some Republicans say they believe Abrams is well positioned. Republican pollster Matt Towery said Georgia’s shifting population and the enthusiasm of black voters to cast ballots for Abrams and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock make it “extremely difficult for a Republican to win.” “I have consistently stated that I believe she will be the favorite in the race regardless of which GOP candidate wins the nomination,” Towery said. But discounting Republicans would be a mistake, said Martha Zoller, a talk show host and former Republican candidate named to the state Board of Education by Kemp. She said Abrams is open to attack for being more focused on national influence than on Georgia. “She is looking so much past the governorship and thinking about running for president that she’s not doing the work she needs to do to be governor,” Zoller said. To help offset that, Abrams has tried to steer clear of national politics. She was noticeably absent in January as Biden swung through Atlanta to press for voting rights, citing a scheduling conflict. More recently, her campaign has issued advertising trying to highlight what she’s been doing outside of politics, including her business record and work on COVID-19 relief. “Our mission is to define Stacey before anybody else gets a chance to undermine her or to define here in a way that’s inaccurate,” Groh-Wargo said.

Ethics panel opens investigation into GOP’s Madison Cawthorn By Farnoush Amiri The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations that Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn had a conflict of interest in a cryptocurrency he promoted and engaged in an improper relationship with a member of his staff, the panel said Monday. The investigation is just the latest moment of high-profile scrutiny for the North Carolina Republican, who will be leaving Congress at the end of the year after losing his primary race last week to state Sen. Chuck Edwards. Cawthorn’s defeat came despite support for his reelection bid from former President Donald Trump. Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas, and Rep. Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, will lead the review of Cawthorn. The panel cautioned that the opening of the investigation does not mean that he violated House rules. In a statement, the congressman’s chief of staff, Blake Harp said they “welcome the opportunity to prove that Congressman Cawthorn committed no wrongdoing and that he was falsely accused by partisan adversaries for political gain.” The allegations of a potential conflict of interest stem from an April article in the Washington Examiner that reported Cawthorn may have violated federal insid-

er trading laws when he promoted the meme coin LGB, named for the chant “Let’s Go Brandon” mocking President Joe Biden. Cawthorn promoted the LGB coin in a Dec. 29 Instagram post where he was pictured with the hedge fund manager of the cryptocurrency. The next day, NASCAR driver Brandon Brown announced a deal with the coin, raising questions about whether Cawthorn had advanced nonpublic knowledge of the announcement, according to the Examiner. The committee did not provide any further details on Cawthorn’s alleged “improper relationship.” The 26-year-old lawmaker’s political career has been upended by a series of salacious headlines that contributed to his downfall in last week’s primary. Since October, he has been stopped by the police three times — two in which he was cited for speeding and one for driving with a revoked license. He’s been caught with guns at airport checkpoints twice in the past year, including three weeks ago. And in March, as the Russian invasion into Ukraine was deepening, Cawthorn called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “thug” even as many of his GOP colleagues were pledging support for Ukraine’s government. Shortly after that, Cawthorn further infuriated his GOP colleagues when he alleged on a podcast that he had been invited to an orgy in Washington and that he had seen leaders in the movement

AP PHOTO

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., speaks to supporters and the media at his primary election night watch party in Hendersonville, Tues., May 17, 2022. to end drug addiction use cocaine. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reprimanded him publicly for the remarks. In the final weeks of Cawthorn’s primary campaign videos emerged that showed him in sexually suggestive poses, which he has said were from several years ago and were meant to be funny. Cawthorn has acknowledged the speeding and gun citations as failings, but has dismissed the videos as part of a “drip campaign” by his political enemies, of which he has included some establishment Republicans, to drive him out of Congress. “I am on a mission now to expose those who say and promise one thing yet legislate and work towards another, self-profiteering,

globalist goal,” Cawthorn said in social media post after losing his primary last week. “It’s time for the rise of the new right, it’s time for Dark MAGA to truly take command.” Also on Monday, the ethics committee said it was investigating two other Republican lawmakers, both for improperly spending certain congressional and campaign funds, among other issues. The Office of Congressional Ethics, the independent office that pursues any potential wrongdoings by House members, said in a report that it found “substantial reason to believe” Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., improperly accepted a free trip for him and his family to Aruba from a company that also provided services to his

campaign, and used his congressional staff to plan the vacation. Ryan Kelly, a spokesperson for Mooney, said in a statement that the lawmaker plans to cooperate with the ethics probe but that the findings of its investigation were “tainted from the outset by the OCE’s procedural irregularities and denial of due process.” The watchdog group also concluded that Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, used campaign funds to pay for “unlimited access” to a private social club in his state. In a response to the committee, Jackson’s attorney Justin Clark argued his client made the purchases at the Amarillo Club for campaign-related reasons and therefore it is within the federal guidelines for personal use of campaign funds.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

7

obituaries

Richard Lane Brown III

October 3, 1940 - May 20, 2022 Richard Lane Brown Ill, of Pinehurst NC, passed away at First Health on Friday, May 20, 2022 after a short illness. Born October 3, 1940 in Albemarle NC, he was the son of the late Richard L. Brown Jr. and Charlotte Palmer Brown. Educated in the Albemarle City Schools, he earned a BS Degree in Business Administration (1963) and a Juris Doctor Degree (1965) from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. This was followed by post-graduate work at New York University (the LLM tax program) and at Harvard Law School's nationally recognized Program of Instruction for Lawyers (1977-1978). Mr. Brown was survived by his wife Vicki S. Fesperman, originally from the Stallings family in Stanly County. Survivors include daughter Berit Brown Alworth (Cameron) and three grandsons - Jack, Duncan and Elliot (Durham NC): son Kirk Wales Brown (Durham NC); son Taylor Lane Benson Brown (Houston TX); daughter Sara Ashton Brown (Charlotte NC); sister Virginia Brown Ingram (Myrtle Beach, SC) and brother Charles Palmer Brown (Albemarle NC); and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews in the Carolinas, along with Janet Wales Brown (Durham NC), mother of Berit and Kirk Brown, and Sara Benson Collins (Greensboro NC), mother of Taylor and Ashton Brown.

Jackie Furr Beeker December 13, 1931 ~ May 20, 2022

Jackie Morgan Furr Beeker, 90, of Stanfield, passed away early Friday morning, May 20, 2022 at Spring Arbor in Albemarle, NC, following a five year battle with Alzheimers. Jackie was born December 13, 1931 in Stanly County to the late Lonnie and Pearl Brooks Morgan. She established a scholarship at Stanly Community College in memory of her late husband, Bob Furr. In 2016, she established the Jackie Morgan Furr Endowed Scholarship at the Stanly Community College Crutchfield Education Center in Locust. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Bobby Gene Furr, who died in 1996; sisters, Nancy Carol Morgan Love, Judith Ann Morgan Huneycutt and Della Christine Morgan Brown; brother, Hal Clayton Morgan. She is survived by her husband, Harry Miller Beeker, whom she married in 2001; daughter, Pamela Anita Furr Kleinman and husband, Robert; sons, Bobby Gene Furr, Jr. and wife, Betsy and Michael Nelson Furr; grandchildren, Morgan Leigh Kohout, Jaime Lynn Neary, David Michael Kleinman and eight great-grandchildren.

Bonnie Phillips Troutman

Mary Lois (Pfiester) Pollock July 10, 1940 ~ May 17, 2022

March 25, 1942 ~ May 16, 2022

Bonnie Phillips Troutman, 90, of Albemarle, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Bethany Woods Nursing Center. Mrs. Troutman was born November 8, 1931 in Stanly County, NC to the late Floyd J. Phillips and Esther Louise Earnhardt Phillips. Bonnie retired from Wiscassett Mill Company. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. Mrs. Troutman loved her family, her dog “Popcorn” and especially loved her Lord. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Troutman. She is survived by a son Rickey Troutman of Badin, NC; a brother, Lonnie Ray Phillips of Albemarle, NC; a sister, Shirley P. Smith of Albemarle, NC and a special niece and nephew, Tammy Morgan and Craig Smith both of Albemarle, NC.

Mary Lois Pollock, 81, of Oakboro, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at her home. Lois was born July 10, 1940 in Louisville, KY to the late Joseph Peter Pfiester and the late Elizabeth Bell Pfiester. She was also preceded in death by sister, Dr. Lois Ann Pfiester Fink and brother, Joseph Henry Pfiester. She will be remembered as a great wife and loving mother who enjoyed travel and spending time with family. Survivors include husband, Thomas Patrick Pollock of Oakboro, NC; son, Joe (Frances) Frey of Albemarle, NC; daughter, Ann (Selden) Smith of Carrboro, NC; son, Bill Frey of Albemarle, NC; step-daughter, Michelle (Jim) Mabry of Louisville, KY; step-daughter, Colleene (Bob) Masters of Floyd Knobs, IN; stepdaughter, Noreene (Troy) Padget of Radcliff, KY; 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Stanly County and The Uwharrie, 960 North First Street Albemarle, NC 28001.

Patsy Jennette Barbee, 80, of Locust, passed away Monday, May 16, 2022 at Novant Health Mint Hill in Charlotte. Mrs. Barbee was born March 25, 1942 in Union County to the late John Henry Simpson and the late Lena Bell Baucom Simpson. She was also preceded in death by husband, Gary Phillip Barbee; sons, Ronald Lee Barbee and Jeffery Lynn Barbee; brothers, Willie "Buck" Marshall Simpson and Henry Paul Simpson; and sister, Mary Alice Simpson. Patsy Barbee was a loving wife for over 40 years as well as a dedicated mother and grandmother to her five sons and numerous grandchildren. Patsy will be rejoining her late husband Gary Barbee and sons Ronald and Jeff Barbee. She will be missed greatly but never forgotten by those who had the pleasure of loving her. Survivors include sons, Gary Michael Barbee of Trinity, Richard Lane Barbee, and Jerry Wayne Barbee; and brothers, Robert Lee Simpson and Billy Ray Simpson; grandchildren, Amanda King, Lisa McGraw, Tim McGraw, Katie Furr and Bobby Barbee; great grandchildren, Lilly Caceres, Heaven Caceres, Mathew King Jr., Mark King, Skylar McGraw, Michelle Barbee, Katelyn Barbee and Roger Coley; great great grandchildren, Kiara Ashburn, Roger “doodlebug” Coley Jr., Madison Coley, Leland Coley and Kacie Fikes.

November 8, 1931 - May 18, 2022

Wade Hatley

Patsy Jennette (Simpson) Barbee

November 13, 1947 - May 19, 2022

Anita Ernestine (Whitley) Hill

February 16, 1947 ~ May 18, 2022

Dickie Lane Lowder

December 21, 1948 ~ May 20, 2022 Dickie Lane Lowder, 73, of Albemarle, passed away Friday, May 20, 2022 at in Albemarle. Mr. Lowder was born December 21, 1948 in North Carolina to the late James Voit Lowder and the late Ruby Lowder. He was also preceded in death by his brother; Buddy Lowder. Mr. Lowder is survived by his loving wife Gayle Lowder, and sister, Linda Morgan. Dickie had a passion for old cars which he loved to rebuild and restore. In his spare time he could be found with family and friends at car shows. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Anita Ernestine Hill, 75, of Oakboro, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Trinity Oaks Health and Rehab in Salisbury. Anita was born February 16, 1947 in Stanly County to the late Ernest Alexander Whitley and the late Ruth Blondell Whitley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Alexander Whitley, Jr.. She graduated from West Stanly High School in 1965 and the University of NC @ Chapel Hill in 1971. She was a teacher for many years, worked in banking and was a real estate broker prior to her retirement. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Survivors include husband of many years, Reginald Doran Hill of Oakboro, NC and a nephew, Adam Aleron Whitley of Asheville, NC.

Wade Hatley, 74, of Weaverville, NC, went to see the Lord on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Carepartners Hospice & Palliative Care Services, Buncombe County, NC. Mr. Hatley was born November 13, 1947 in Stanly County, NC to the late Dorothy Mae Hatley. He graduated from Albemarle High School with the class of 1966 and served four years in the United States Marine Corps. Wade retired from the North Carolina Department of Corrections as Assistant Superintendent at Craggy Mountain. Wade is survived by a stepson, David Honeycutt (Nina); two sisters, Frankie Palmer and Annie Barringer (Willy); a brother, David Hatley (Judy); granddaughter, Hailey Etter and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia R. Hatley, a daughter, Celia Polk, a brother, Melvin Hatley and a sister, Jeanette H. Isenhour.

Bobby Dunn

November 1, 1935 ~ May 17, 2022 Bobby E. Dunn, 86, of Mount Gilead, passed away Tuesday evening, May 17, 2022 at his home. Bobby was born November 1, 1935 in Montgomery County to the late John W. and Agnes Greene Dunn Morris. He proudly served his country in the US Air Force. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Troy and was active in the Mount Gilead Lions Club and Post 92 of the American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Marlene H. Dunn of the home; daughters, Joni Sparks of Pineville, Jacqui Sci of Roswell, GA; sons, Jeffrey Dunn of Charlotte and John W. Dunn, II of Mount Gilead; seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren; step brother, Dr. Thomas Morris of Newport News, VA. Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, 401 E. Main Street, Troy 27371. or Community Home Care & Hospice, 1024 Albemarle Road, Suite 904, Troy, NC 27371.

Kimberly Roseman

May 7, 1966 ~ May 17, 2022 Kimberly Ann Roseman, 56, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday morning, May 17, 2022 at her home. Kimberly was born May 7, 1966 in Bad Cannstatt, Germany to the late Gloria Jean Shaw Roseman and David Lyle Roseman, who survives of Albemarle. She was a homemaker and enjoyed making crafts and singing karaoke. In addition to her father, she is survived by her daughter Kristen Ashley (Ron) and son, Josh Wilhelm both of Midland; grandchildren, Emma, Leighann and Hannah Ashley; brother, Darryle Wayne Roseman of Ohio and sister, Belinda Kay Smith of Albemarle; and her significant other, Roger Lowman; and her faithful fur companion, Rocky.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

8

STATE & NATION

In 2 states, 1 in 20 residents missed during US head count By Mike Schneider The Associated Press Around 1 in 20 residents in Arkansas and Tennessee were missed during the 2020 census, and four other U.S. states had significant undercounts of their populations which could shortchange them of federal funding in the current decade, according to figures from a survey the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday. In Florida, and Texas, undercounts appear to have cost them congressional seats too. On the flip side, residents in eight states were overcounted during the once-a-decade head count that is used to allocate political power and federal funding. In Minnesota and Rhode Island, overcounts appear to have helped save them from losing congressional seats. In the remaining 36 states and the District of Columbia, the overcounts and undercounts were not statistically significant. Undercounts signal people were missed. Overcounts suggest they were counted more than once, as for example, children of divorced parents who share custody or people with vacation homes. The figures released from the Post-Enumeration Survey serve as a report card on how well residents in the 50 states and District of Columbia were counted during

AP PHOTO

In this April 1, 2019, photo, Noelle Fries, 6, left, and Galen Biel, 6, both of Minneapolis, attend a rally at the Minnesota Capitol to kick off a year-long drive to try to ensure that all Minnesota residents are counted in the 2020 census. a census that faced unprecedented obstacles from a pandemic, hurricanes and wildfires, and social unrest. States that did a better job of getting residents counted scored greater Electoral College and congressional representation, or did not lose expected seats in the House of Representatives. They also are now better positioned for the annual distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal funding in the coming decade.

Nothing can be done at this point to change how many congressional seats are allocated among the states, and neither can the data used for redrawing congressional districts be adjusted. Academics and civil rights leaders are pressing the Census Bureau to tweak yearly population estimates that traditionally have used census numbers as their foundation and incorporate other data sources to produce a more accurate portrait of

the undercounted racial and ethnic communities for the numbers that help determine the distribution of federal funding. The Census Bureau has set up a team to explore this. Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Illinois respectively had undercounts of 5%, 4.8%, 4.1% and 1.9%, while Florida and Texas respectively had undercounts of almost 3.5% and 1.9%. Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and Texas did not direct as many resources as other states in encouraging residents to fill out census forms. Mississippi spent around $400,000 and Illinois allocated $29 million toward those efforts. Historically, groups that have undercounts are racial and ethnic minorities, renters and young children. Demographer Allison Plyer also observed that Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee have among the highest rates of households without a computer or internet subscription. The 2020 census was the first head count in which most participants were encouraged to fill out the form online. “Get-out-the-count efforts can make a big difference, even when your community has poor internet access and is less likely to answer the census,” said Plyer, chief demographer of The Data Center in New Orleans. Florida’s undercount translates into around 750,600 missed residents, and an analysis by Election Data Services shows the Sunshine State needed only around 171,500 more residents to gain an extra seat. The undercount in Texas translates into around 560,000 residents, while the analysis put Texas as needing only 189,000

more residents to gain another congressional seat. A caveat is that the Post-Enumeration Survey didn’t include people living in group quarters such as college dorms or prisons nor remote areas of Alaska. Hispanics make up more than a quarter of Florida’s population and almost 40% of Texas residents, and critics say the Trump administration’s failed efforts to add a citizenship question to the census form may have had a chilling effect on the participation of Hispanics, immigrants and others. Arturo Vargas, CEO of NALEO Educational Fund, said there was a “desperate need” for information about undercounts and overcounts of racial and ethnic groups at geographies smaller than states, especially in places like Texas where the undercount most likely was in the Hispanic population. Given the inaccuracies in the count, there is a real risk of an unfair distribution of congressional seats among the states, he said. “Without knowing below the state level, we aren’t able to understand the extent of that error,” Vargas said. Minnesota was allocated the 435th and final congressional seat in the House of Representatives; if Minnesota had counted 26 fewer people, that seat would have gone to New York. Minnesota’s 3.8% overcount amounted to around 219,000 residents. Other states with overcounts were Hawaii, at almost 6.8%; Delaware, at 5.4%; New York, at 3.4%; Utah, at almost 2.6%; Massachusetts, at 2.2%; and Ohio, at almost 1.5%.

Lawmakers reach deal to help veterans exposed to burn pits The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressional bargainers announced late last week that they have reached a deal on legislation to boost health care services and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. The agreement paves the way for passage of a bill that has become the top priority of veterans’ groups seeking to help the increasing number of people with illnesses that they believe are related to toxic exposure. The top Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee reached an agreement after months of negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., quickly threw their support behind the measure. Passage could come in July. “Our veterans need it, they deserve it, and we have a moral obligation to take care of those who have sacrificed so much for us,” Schumer said. The House in March passed a version of the bill that the Congressional Budget Office projected would increase federal spending by more than $300 billion over 10 years. It would increase access to VA health care to millions of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan even if they don’t have service-connected disabilities. The legislation would also presume that certain respiratory illnesses and cancers were related

AP PHOTO

In this April 28, 2011, photo, an Afghan National Army pickup truck passes parked U.S. armored military vehicles, as smoke rises from a fire in a trash burn pit at Forward Operating Base Caferetta Nawzad, Helmand province south of Kabul, Afghanistan. to burn pit exposure, allowing the veterans to obtain disability payments to compensate for their injury without having to prove the illness was a result of their service. Reporting from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that nearly 80% of exposure disability claims related to burn pits are denied. The military routinely disposed of tires, batteries, medical waste

and other materials in open burn pits during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most Republican lawmakers in the House voted against the bill, voicing concerns that the influx of cases would tax an already stressed VA system, leading to longer wait times for health care and the processing of disability claims. A key difference in the agreement reached by Sens. Jon Tes-

ter, D-Mont., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., is the phase-in period for presuming that certain conditions were caused by toxic exposure. But key elements of the House measure are part of the deal. Pelosi described the two bills as “nearly identical.” The two senators said that 23 illnesses, including hypertension, would be presumed related to burn pit exposure when it comes to pro-

viding disability compensation. “For far too long, our nation’s veterans have been living with chronic illnesses as a result of exposures during their time in uniform,” Tester and Moran said in a joint statement. “Today, we’re taking necessary steps to right this wrong with our proposal that’ll provide veterans and their families with the health care and benefits they have earned and deserve.” The two senators said the bill would also affect veterans who served in Vietnam, expanding the number of illnesses presumed related to exposure to Agent Orange to include hypertension. It would also expand the presumption of exposure to the toxic herbicide for veterans who deployed to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam and American Samoa. Moran said the Senate bill would provide more resources up front for VA staffing to deal with the increased demand. He also projected it would come in at a lower price tag than the House bill by “tens of billions” of dollars, though an official cost estimate is not yet available. He said the changes in the Senate bill are “so the VA can get their feet on the ground and take care of all veterans without harming any veterans” already in the system. President Joe Biden called on the VA last year to examine the impact of burn pits and other airborne hazards. Karine Jean-Pierre, the new White House press secretary, said Wednesday that passage of the bill “would be a welcome and long-awaited achievement” for veterans.

Need Ammo?

.223  .45  .40 .308  9mm 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 34 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022

Twin City Herald

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Clearing the hurdle

Walkertown’s Mariah Perry runs a 15.07 in the 100-meter hurdles for 2nd place during the 2022 2A Track and Field Championship at North Carolina A&T’s Trust Stadium, in Greensboro, on May 20, 2022.

WHAT’S HAPPENING School bus manufacturer to add 280 jobs A school bus manufacturer says it is adding 280 jobs at one of its plants to answer demand for one of its models. Thomas Built Buses said it will start an additional shift at its SafT-Liner C2 plant in High Point. President and CEO Kevin Bangston said there has been “robust demand” for the company’s Type C products, and he added the move will help with the ramp up of its electric school bus production. The company is looking to fill multiple manufacturing positions, including assembly technicians, materials technicians and machine operators. AP

LEAD Girls to hold MoveForHer event in June The LEAD Girls 2022 LEAD-A-THON will run from June 1 - 8, 2022. It’s the third year hosting the weeklong MOVEforHER “Thon” which will feature three public MOVEforHER sessions hosted by local trainers with a special park pop up for girls and families. Every dollar raised will make a difference in the lives of local girls living at or below the poverty level. These girls dream of being doctors, nurses, fashion designers, entrepreneurs, and more. Walk, run, swim, but you can also surf, play golf, volleyball, tennis or a game of tag. WINSTONSALEM.COM

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State return to normalcy at commencements First full ceremonies in three years highlight Class of 2022’s unique experience

Twin City Herald staff COMMENCEMENT WENT from “the new normal” to nearly back to normal as two of the area’s biggest universities bestowed degrees on nearly 3,000 undergraduates. Winston-Salem State and Wake Forest held their mid-May ceremonies over a four-day span, the first time since before the COVID outbreak that area commencements were in person and open to full capacity. The focus of both ceremonies, understandably, was on the unique circumstances that turned the middle two years of the fouryear graduates’ college experience, into a virtual learning experience and forced the cancellation

of many milestone events of life at both schools. “We were introduced to the new normal,” said Faith A. Parker, the president of WSSU’s Class of 2022. The school’s Student Government Association president, Dyamond S. Carr, also reflected back on the hurdles that the class was forced to overcome. “While some of your collegiate experience was affected by COVID-19, you continued to persevere and continued to assist in reshaping the WSSU culture,” she said. “It might have been inconvenient. It might have been a challenge, but you all did it, and that’s an accomplishment.” The ceremony at Wake Forest reflected those same themes. “While obtaining your degrees, you have exemplified courage, patience, adaptability and resilience,” said president Susan R. Wente. “These characteristics together form a well of excellence from which you will continual-

Justin Thomas takes PGA from uninspiring to unforgettable Wake Forest’s Will Zalatoris comes up just short in playoff The Associated Press TULSA, Okla. — Justin Thomas wrapped his arms around the 27-pound Wanamaker Trophy after winning his second PGA Championship, and thousands of fans ringing the 18th green amid the setting sun at Southern Hills showered him in adulation. Good thing they woke up in time for his Sunday charge.

For nearly four full days, the year’s second major had been a major snooze, the cast atop the leaderboard a list mostly made up of also-rans searching for a moment stardom. The golf itself was unspectacular, too, as everyone from Abraham Ancer to Tiger Woods ground their way around a Perry Maxwell classic that was both forbidding and unforgiving. Heck, even the eventual champ shanked one off the tee on Sunday. “Just cold shanked it,” Thomas said. “Don’t really know how else to say it. It was the best bogey I’ve ever made in my life.”

“Tomorrow is more important than yesterday, and it’s brighter than you know." CNN’s Van Jones ly draw. You are entering a world that needs your expertise and knowledge, a world that craves your leadership and character.” While the Class of 2022 looked back at their time in college, the two ceremonies also looked into the future for the new graduates just entering post-collegiate life. “We need you as we take our city to the next level,” Winston-Salem mayor Allen Joines told the class at WSSU. “Go out and serve with greatness,” UNC Board of Governors member Pearl Burris said at the WSSU commencement. “We’re

Cameron Young tried to move up the leaderboard during the final round, then left his chances of victory in a fairway bunker on the 16th hole. Will Zalatoris hung on for life as iron shots found creeks and shrubs and very little short grass. Chile’s Mito Pereira had a career-changing moment staring him in the face until a fateful shot on the 18th hole. That’s about the time the PGA Championship went from uninspiring to unbelievable. Pereira’s shot into the creek off the tee on the 490-yard finishing hole led to a double bogey, not only robbing him of the most unexpected of major championships — and the $2.7 million winner’s purse, lifetime spot in the tournament and all the other baubles — but keeping him out of the threehole aggregate playoff to decide the thing. Thomas had rattled off a couple of birdies on the back side before an up-and-down for birdie at the 17th, moving him to 5 under and within a shot of the lead. And he

proud of you, and we’ll be watching.” CNN host Van Jones spoke to the Wake Forest graduates, telling them, “Tomorrow is more important than yesterday, and it’s brighter than you know. And the best part of you can keep winning and will keep winning and as you win, you will see there are other people who look and pray differently who want to win, too. If you win together, we all will win.” Family and friends packed the stands at Lawrence Joel Coliseum (for Winston-Salem State) and Wake Forest’s Hearn Plaza as loosened COVID restrictions allowed a complete graduation experience for the first time since the 2019 ceremonies. “I know it has been hard, but you made it,” WSSU board of trustees chair Kelvin Farmer said. “I know there were times you probably felt like giving up, but you made it. Regardless of what you’ve gone through, you made it, and you sit here before us today.”

hit a brilliant shot to within 15 feet at the 18th to set up another birdie, only to watch the putt that in the moment he thought he needed for a playoff go skating past the hole. The crowd around the green, now fully invested in the goings-on, let out a collective groan. “The leaders could have shot 3or 4-under today, and like, I could have grinded and made a couple more birdies and look at the leaderboard on 18 and I’m four or five back,” Thomas said later. “I just was trying to birdie every hole I could.” Coming up behind him, Zalatoris had finally wrangled his renegade irons in time to make birdie at the 17th, getting him back to 5 under. He never gave himself a chance for birdie at 18, instead making a nervy 8-footer to stay there. “I always felt like I was one, two, three back,” Zalatoris said, “and then once I saw Mito hit into the water on 18, I know that putt that I See PGA, page 2

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

2 WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

5.25.22 #196

WEDNESDAY

MAY 25

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” Twin City Herald Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Shawn Krest

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday as part of the North State Journal. (704) 269-8461 INFO@TWINCITYHERALD.COM TWINCITYHERALD.COM TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

PGA from page 1

was going to have on 18 was probably to get into a playoff. So I will bottle that putt on 18 for the future.” Thomas and Zalatoris watched Pereira come undone and then headed back out for the playoff. After the two matched birdies at the 13th hole, Thomas showed the

73° 61° 15%

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

MAY 26

HI LO PRECIP

MAY 27

81° 67° 45%

HI LO PRECIP

74° 60° 84%

SATURDAY

MAY 28

HI LO PRECIP

78° 59° 24%

SUNDAY

MONDAY

MAY 29

HI LO PRECIP

82° 63° 14%

MAY 30

HI LO PRECIP

87° 67° 16%

TUESDAY

MAY 31

HI LO PRECIP

88° 68° 17%

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The media’s big lie about the ‘great replacement theory’ and conservatism LAST WEEK, a racist mass shooter massacred 10 people and wounded three others at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket. The shooter was a white supremacist; his hate-filled 180-page screed about why he had committed the shooting was replete with neo-Nazi sentiments. According to the shooter, he had to slaughter innocent black Americans in order to prevent the white population of the United States from being crowded out. “We are experiencing an invasion on a level never seen before in history,” wrote the perverse murderer. “This is ethnic replacement. This is cultural replacement. This is racial replacement. This is WHITE GENOCIDE.” The shooter’s theory, generally called the “great replacement theory,” suggests that a shadowy cabal of elites, mainly Jewish, have deliberately undermined the racial purity of European countries by facilitating mass immigration and race-mixing. The shooter deliberately quoted the neoNazi slogan — the so-called 14 Words — “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” He called himself a white supremacist, a neo-Nazi and an antisemite. Among the sources for this morally sick belief system, the shooter cited various internet sources, particularly other mass shooters who released similar manifestoes. He did not mention Fox News; he did not mention any mainstream conservative, instead stating, “conservatism is corporatism in disguise, I want no part of it.” None of this mattered to the Left-wing press, which immediately determined that the entire conservative movement was somehow guilty for the mass shooting. The New York Times headlined, “Republicans Play on Fears of ‘Great Replacement’ in Bid for Base Voters.” The Washington Post accused Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., of “echo(ing) racist theory allegedly espoused by Buffalo suspect.” The New Republic headlined, “The Great Replacement Theory Is Just Republican Orthodoxy Now.” What evidence did the media provide to the effect that conservatives, broadly writ, had espoused the Great Replacement Theory? They cited the belief among conservatives that the Left is generally friendly toward loose immigration in order to move the country in a progressive manner. Philip Bump of The Washington Post stated that nearly half of

Republicans believed in the great replacement theory, citing a Pew poll that found that almost half of Republicans (and more than one in five Democrats) believed that “there is a group of people in this country who are trying to replace native-born Americans with immigrants who agree with their political views.” This, of course, is not the great replacement theory, which centers on racial purity rather than the idea that changing demographics have an effect on political orientation. The latter premise has been taken for granted by the Left for decades (even though it is largely faulty, as changing Hispanic voting patterns demonstrate). In fact, the Left has often argued in favor of demographic change turning the country bluer: in 2003, John Judis and Ruy Teixeira wrote a book titled “The Emerging Democratic Majority,” in which they argued that Democrats were building a new electoral coalition “in which white America is supplanted by multiracial, multiethnic America”; in 2012, Greg Sargent of The Washington Post observed, “The story of this election will be all about demographics... Rather than reverting to the older, whiter, more male version (of America’s electorate) Republicans had hoped for, it continues to be defined by what Ron Brownstein has called the ‘coalition of the ascendant’ — minorities, young voters, and college educated whites, particularly women”; in 2013, the Center for American Progress stated, “Supporting real immigration reform that contains a pathway to citizenship for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is the only way to maintain electoral strength in the future.” The goal here is obvious: conflate Republican positions with white supremacy in order to drive votes away from them. It’s poisonous politics, and it happens to be a lie. But truth is of little or no priority when it comes to Left-wing politics, which are rooted always and forever in the idea that those who oppose their favored policies must be destroyed with any tool at hand.

kind of calm that comes with having been in such a situation before, ripping his tee shot onto the green at the 308-yard 17th. He made a two-putt birdie while Zalatoris could only manage par, sending the 2017 PGA champ to the 18th again — this time with a one-shot lead of his own. With the once-slumbering crowd

comeback in PGA Championship history, set by John Mahaffey in 1978 at Oakmont, where he also rallied from seven down before winning in a playoff over Tom Watson and Jerry Pate. And his final-round 67 matched the lowest round of the day, ultimately helping him end a 14-month winless stretch It also gave Southern Hills an-

still jostling for position, Thomas and Zalatoris found the green with their approach shots, and the only drama left was whether the son of a longtime club professional could get down in two for the win. He did. And what had been a dreary championship had its dramatic ending. Thomas matched the biggest

Ben Shapiro, 38, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

other notable major champion — of the seven previous, six are in the Hall of Fame. “It’s funny,” Thomas said. “I was asked earlier in the week what lead is safe, and I said, ‘No lead.’ This place is so tough. But if you hit the fairways you can make birdies, and I stayed so patient. I just couldn’t believe I found myself in a playoff.”

DEATH NOTICES ♦ David Wayne Beckerman, 65, died May 22, 2022.

♦ Walden McMillan Hearn, Jr., 77, of King, died May 18, 2022.

♦ Norman Bunyon DeHart, Jr., 80, of Forsyth County, died May 18, 2022.

♦ Douglas Ralph “Doug” Hendrix, 80, of Stokes County, died May 18, 2022.

♦ Joe S. Griffin, 89, died May 22, 2022.

♦ Margaret Stevens Jester, 95, of Kernersville, died May 19, 2022.

♦ Reuben D. Hamlet, Jr., 82, of Bermuda Run, died May 20, 2022.

♦ Sara “Ruth” Mathis, 93, of Wilkes

County, died May 21, 2022.

19, 2022.

♦ Thomas “Jack” Minish, 92, of Forsyth County, died May 19, 2022.

♦ James (Jim) M. Sell, 85, of WinstonSalem, died May 21, 2022.

♦ Marilynn Black Patterson, 84, of Forsyth County, died May 18, 2022.

♦ Ronald A. Shaffer, 58, died May 20, 2022.

♦ Bonnie Dowell Saylor Leffel Paschal, 82, of Winston-Salem, NC, died May

♦ Eloise Dunlap Thornton, 85, died May 22, 2022.

♦ Bradley “Brad” Anthony Tuttle, 64, of Yadkinville, died May 18, 2022. ♦ Thomas Lavan Whicker, 57, of Walkertown, died Thursday, May 19, 2022. ♦ Fotini Kazakos Ziogas, 82, of WinstonSalem, died May 18, 2022.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ ABDULWAKIL, ZAID MICKYEL was arrested on a charge of AWIK/SERIOUS INJURY at 3170 ZUIDER ZEE DR on 5/20/2022 ♦ BONDS, YACHASITY ZAMARRIA was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 1100 W FOURTH ST on 5/21/2022 ♦ Bonner, Rico Antoine (M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Vand-real Property (M), 2) Drugs-poss Sched Vi (M), 3) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 4) Resisting Arrest (M), 5) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), 6) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), 7) Stop Sign Violation (M), 8) Speeding - Posted (M), 9) Reckless Driving (M), and 10) Imp Regis - Using False Info To Register (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/21/2022 15:25. ♦ Brooks, Neal Thomas (M/44) Arrest on chrg of 1) Vand-real Property (M), 2) Impaired Driving Dwi (M), 3) Resisting Arrest (M), 4) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), 5) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), 6) Driving In Center Lane When Such Movement Is Not Allowed (M), 7) Fail Heed Siren (M), and 8) Passing - Improper, 2 Feet Left And Safe Return (M), at 8300 Broad St, Rural Hall, NC, on 5/20/2022 22:29.

on chrg of 1) Trafficking In Methamphetamine Or Amphetamine (F), 2) P/w/i/s/d Sched Ii (F), 3) Maintain Dwelling (F), 4) Possession Marijuana (M), 5) Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 6) Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 4000 Blk Hayes Dr, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/18/2022 17:05. ♦ Dawkins, Keith Brian (M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larceny-felony (F) and 2) Larceny/misdemeanor (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/19/2022 17:23. ♦ Dodson, Tina Marie (F/58) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Sched Ii (F), 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 4) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 6) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 7) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 6399 Reynolda Rd/transou Rd, Pfafftown, NC, on 5/18/2022 22:13. ♦ Dodson, Tina Marie (F/58) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Cocaine Fel (F), 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 4) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 6) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 7) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 4920 Reynolda Rd, Pfafftown, NC, on 5/18/2022 22:13.

♦ CARTER, DAVID SHAWN was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 1215 CREEKSHIRE WY on 5/23/2022

♦ DOMINGUEZPENALOZA, JACKELINE DOMINGUEZ was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 4141 LEXWIN AV on 5/21/2022

♦ Crosby, Samuel Henry (M/35) Arrest on chrg of Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another (M), at 200 N Main St, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/19/2022 12:10.

♦ Eldridge, Tyrone Monte (M/18) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possession Marijuana (M), 2) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), 3) Reckless Driving (M), 4) Stop Sign Violation (M), and 5) Speeding - Exceeding Posted Limit By 15 Mph Or More On Hwy (M), at 712 Efird St,

♦ Davis, Ashley Marie Kay (F/32) Arrest

Winston-salem, NC, on 5/18/2022 19:51. ♦ FOSTER, WILLIAM ANTIONE was arrested on a charge of VAND-PERSONAL PROP at 201 N CHURCH ST on 5/22/2022 ♦ Funderburk, Dexter Donell (M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Child Abuse (M), 2) Breaking/enter-misd (M), 3) Poss Stolen Goods (F), 4) Vand-real Property (M), 5) P/w/i/s/d Sched I (F), 6) Maintain Dwelling (F), 7) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 8) Contrib Delinq Minor (M), 9) Resisting Arrest (M), 10) Alter, Destroy, Or Steal Evidence Of Criminal Conduct (F), 11) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 12) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 13) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 14) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 15) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), at 2499 N Liberty St/e Twenty-fifth St, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/19/2022 16:56. ♦ GREENBERG, AQUARIAN MESSIAH was arrested on a charge of DRUGS-MAINTAIN at NB 52/S RESEARCH PW on 5/22/2022 ♦ Hall, Thomas (M/56) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F) and 2) Fail To Change Address - Sex Offender Registration (F), at 301 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/20/2022 03:42. ♦ Helms, Sean Steven (M/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Resisting Arrest (M), 2) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 4) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 6) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 7) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 8) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 9) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 10) Fail To Appear/compl

(M), 11) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 12) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 13) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 14) Fail To Appear/compl (F), 15) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 16) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 17) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 18) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 5218 Germanton Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/20/2022 16:40. ♦ Hunter, Angela Darlene (F/51) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 6056 Elkvue Dr, Pfafftown, NC, on 5/21/2022 21:00. ♦ JEFFERSON, JERICHO KEJUAN was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 1499 NEW WALKERTOWN RD on 5/21/2022 ♦ JIMENEZ SANTIAGO, SANTOS JIMENEZ was arrested on a charge of DRUGS-POSS SCHED II at 200 POLO RD on 5/22/2022 ♦ Jordan, Taylor Sophia (F/20) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 3610 Beroth Cr, Pfafftown, NC, on 5/18/2022 02:48. ♦ KOZLOWSKI, BENJAMIN ADRIAN was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 5101 COUNTRY CLUB RD on 5/21/2022 ♦ Little, Anthony Jamal (M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) P/w/i/s/d Marijuana (F), 2) Drugs-maintain (M), 3) Misd Poss Controlled Substance (M), 4) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 5) Weap-poss By Felon (F), 6) Resisting Arrest (M), and 7) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), at 135 Lowery Street, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/18/2022 17:20. ♦ Littlejohn, Shineeka Nyrei (F/39) Arrest on chrg of 1) Impaired Driving

Dwi (M) and 2) Open Beverage (M), at N Martin Luther King Jr Dr/e Second St, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/18/2022 01:22. ♦ MACH, RENEE ELIZABETH was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 1238 WAUGHTOWN ST/ LONGVIEW DR on 5/22/2022 ♦ Mack, Walter Lee (M/50) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Communicate Threats (M), at 602 Briar Creek Manor, Lewisville, NC, on 5/20/2022 02:48. ♦ Montor-leal, Genesis Carolina (F/21) Arrest on chrg of 1) Asslt On Off/st Emp (M), 2) Asslt On Off/st Emp (M), 3) Asslt On Off/st Emp (M), 4) Disorderly Conduct (M), and 5) Resisting Arrest (M), at 5423 Sherri Lynn Dr, Rural Hall, NC, on 5/22/2022 07:43. ♦ Morales, Phillip Ray (M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 2) Resisting Arrest (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 4) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (F), 6) Fail To Appear/compl (F), 7) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 8) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 9) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 10) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 11) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 12) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 13) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 14) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 15) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 16) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 17) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 18) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 19) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 20) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 21) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 22) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 23) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 5218 Germanton Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 5/20/2022 16:40.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

SPORTS

3

the bett ing to e stitution don’t kn now.” The o for mil taking while a about t

SPONSORED BY

SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Reports: Commanders buy Va. land for possible stadium site Washington, D.C. The Washington Commanders have bought land in Virginia for what could be a potential site of the NFL team's next stadium, according to multiple reports. The 200 acres of land purchased for approximately $100 million is in Woodbridge just over 20 miles outside the District of Columbia. The Commanders' lease at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, expires in 2027. Owner Dan Snyder and Co. have been looking at potential sites in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

HOCKEY

Denmark stuns Canada at hockey worlds, Czechs beat US Tampere, Finland Denmark beat Canada for the first time in a 3-2 upset win at the world ice hockey championship. Sebastian Dahm's 29 saves helped Denmark to hold on to stun Canada and move into contention for a place in the quarterfinals. Canada can no longer qualify as the top seeded team in Group A and will need to beat France on Tuesday to be sure of reaching the last eight. Denmark plays Slovakia needing to avoid a loss in regulation. The United States must wait to qualify for the quarterfinals after a bruising 1-0 loss to the Czech Republic in both teams' second-to-last game of group play.

BASKETBALL

Slain NBA player's ex-wife denied parole in Tennessee Memphis, Tenn. The Tennessee Board of Parole says Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife will not be granted early release from a 30-year prison sentence she received after pleading guilty to plotting the retired NBA player's 2010 slaying. The board voted to deny parole for Sherra Wright, who pleaded guilty in July 2019 to facilitation of first-degree murder in her ex-husband's killing. The decision was reached after three of seven board members agreed to deny her release based on the seriousness of her offense. Sherra Wright appeared at a parole hearing on May 11 at the prison in Nashville where she's being held.

AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Blaney wins $1M NASCAR All-Star race at Texas A late caution caused confusion and put the No. 12 at risk of being black flagged

The Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas — Ryan Blaney is talking about framing the window net from his No. 12 Ford, the one he somehow got secured enough to run two extra laps and win NASCAR’s All-Star race and $1 million — after he and Team Penske thought they had already won once. “This is oddly unique,” Blaney said. “I’m never going to forget this one.” Such an odd night that NASCAR admitted afterward that the last-second caution in a race that had to end under green probably shouldn’t have been called. Even runner-up Denny Hamlin agreed to that but was frustrated

Manchester, England Manchester City has clinched a sixth Premier League title in 11 seasons. Pep Guardiola's team scored three times in five minutes to come from behind and beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the finale to avoid being toppled by challenger Liverpool. City won the title by one point. City was trailing 2-0 to Villa until İlkay Gündoğan began the comeback in the 76th. Rodri equalized two minutes later and Gündoğan put City in front in the 81st.

“It’s tough because he deserved to win the race, but if you mess up and you break a rule — not intentionally, but there’s rules and we have rules in place for safety.” Denny Hamlin on Ryan Blaney taking down his window net before the end of the race when he clearly had both hands on the wheel and the net was up, that NASCAR determined he was good to go. Blaney said he felt perfectly safe. “It’s tough because he deserved to win the race, but if you mess up and you break a rule — not intentionally, but there’s rules and we have rules in place for safety,” Hamlin said. Hamlin wrote in a tweet af-

Early Voting holds off Epicenter to win Preakness Stakes Trainer Chad Brown’s 3-year-old skipped the Kentucky Derby

SOCCER

Man City wins 6th EPL title in 11 seasons

that Blaney wasn’t black-flagged for dropping his window net when initially thinking that Sunday night’s race was over. The checkered flag was already waving for Blaney, who was approaching the start-finish line when the caution lights suddenly came on because of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. scrapping the wall at the back of the field. The No. 12 crew was already celebrating the victory in the pits and Blaney had lowered the window net on the backstretch. “It was kind of short-lived panic mode in my spot of like how the hell am I going to get this window net back up because it almost takes two people to do it outside the car, let alone me and my scrawny arms inside the car sitting down and not being able to get a lot of leverage on it,” Blaney said. Blaney spent pretty much the entire caution period trying to secure the net, all while having to maintain speed. It wasn’t until on the backstretch just before the restart,

ter the race that NASCAR “put Blaney in the situation he was in. To make up for it they let him break a rule. 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Blaney W, NASCAR L.” Scott Miller, NASCAR’s senior VP for competition, said there was no way to know if Blaney got the net fully latched or not, but that NASCAR didn’t see anything that could force a penalty at the time. Blaney said he wasn’t going to pit and also that he understood Hamlin’s frustration. “But it’s just a product of running second compared to winning,” Blaney said. “He would be over the moon elated in my position if he won the race and I’d be ticked off just like he was if he was second, so just kind of depends on the spot, so can’t blame him.” Pushed by his Penske teammate Austin Cindric on the restart after the green-white-checkered finish. Blaney was able to stay in front and hold off Hamlin, who finished 0.266 seconds behind. “The No. 12 team, they had the fastest car all night and if I wasn’t going to win it, I was committed to helping him,” said Cindric who finished third, just ahead of Joey Logano, another Penske driver. “I lined up behind him on that last restart and gave him the best push possible.”

The Associated Press BALTIMORE — Maybe extra rest isn’t such a bad thing for a racehorse after all. In the Preakness Stakes that was run without the Kentucky Derby winner because Rich Strike’s owner felt he needed more time off after his 80-1 upset, Early Voting validated a gutsy decision to skip the Derby and aim for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Early Voting held off hardcharging favorite Epicenter to win the Preakness on Saturday, rewarding trainer Chad Brown and owner Seth Klarman for their patience. Early Voting stalked the leaders for much of the race before moving into first around the final turn and finished 1¼ lengths ahead of Epicenter, who was second just like in the Derby. “We thought he needed a little more seasoning, the extra rest would help him,” Klarman said. “He was pretty lightly raced —

only three races before today. And as it turned out, that was the right call. We wanted to do right by the horse, and we’re so glad we waited.” The initial plan in the Preakness was for Early Voting not to wait and for jockey Jose Ortiz to take him to the lead. That looked especially important on a day when the dirt track at Pimlico Race Course was favoring speed and making it hard for horses to come from behind down the stretch. But when Armagnac jumped out to the lead, Ortiz settled Early Voting, who had plenty left in the tank before the finish line with Epicenter threatening inside at the rail. “I was never worried,” Brown said. “Once we had a good target, I actually preferred that. We were fine to go to the lead, but I thought down the back side it was going to take a good horse to beat us. And a good horse did run up on us near the wire and it was about the only one that could run with us.” After just two Triple Crown winners in the past four-plus decades, Rich Strike owner Rick Dawson took plenty of criticism for skipping the Preakness because he

JULIO CORTEZ | AP PHOTO

Early Voting, with jockey Jose Ortiz, edges Epicenter and Creative Minister to win the 147th Preakness Stakes on Saturday in Baltimore.

“We wanted to do right by the horse, and we’re so glad we waited.” Seth Klarman, owner of Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting felt the horse needed more rest to prepare for the Belmont Stakes on June 11. Some of that might be muted in the aftermath of Early Voting’s impressive performance. “That’s very hard to get an owner to pass on the Derby, and they did the right choice,” said Ortiz, who won the Preakness for the first time. “The horse, I don’t think

he was seasoned enough to run in a 20-horse field and they proved that they were right today. I’ve been on him since he was a baby. We always knew he was very talented, but we knew he was going to be a late developer.” Klarman and Brown cast doubt on the possibility of Early Voting taking on Rich Strike in the Belmont to make it a showdown between the Derby and Preakness winners. They said Early Voting might not be suited for the mileand-a-half Belmont. Early Voting, who went off at 5-1, gave Brown his second Preakness victory. Early Voting won the race in 1:54.54 and paid $13.40, $4.60 and $3.60. Epicenter paid $2.80 and $2.40 for place and show, and Creative Minister was third and paid $4.20 to show.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

4

STATE & NATION

In 2 states, 1 in 20 residents missed during US head count By Mike Schneider The Associated Press Around 1 in 20 residents in Arkansas and Tennessee were missed during the 2020 census, and four other U.S. states had significant undercounts of their populations which could shortchange them of federal funding in the current decade, according to figures from a survey the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday. In Florida, and Texas, undercounts appear to have cost them congressional seats too. On the flip side, residents in eight states were overcounted during the once-a-decade head count that is used to allocate political power and federal funding. In Minnesota and Rhode Island, overcounts appear to have helped save them from losing congressional seats. In the remaining 36 states and the District of Columbia, the overcounts and undercounts were not statistically significant. Undercounts signal people were missed. Overcounts suggest they were counted more than once, as for example, children of divorced parents who share custody or people with vacation homes. The figures released from the Post-Enumeration Survey serve as a report card on how well residents in the 50 states and District of Columbia were counted during

AP PHOTO

In this April 1, 2019, photo, Noelle Fries, 6, left, and Galen Biel, 6, both of Minneapolis, attend a rally at the Minnesota Capitol to kick off a year-long drive to try to ensure that all Minnesota residents are counted in the 2020 census. a census that faced unprecedented obstacles from a pandemic, hurricanes and wildfires, and social unrest. States that did a better job of getting residents counted scored greater Electoral College and congressional representation, or did not lose expected seats in the House of Representatives. They also are now better positioned for the annual distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal funding in the coming decade.

Nothing can be done at this point to change how many congressional seats are allocated among the states, and neither can the data used for redrawing congressional districts be adjusted. Academics and civil rights leaders are pressing the Census Bureau to tweak yearly population estimates that traditionally have used census numbers as their foundation and incorporate other data sources to produce a more accurate portrait of

the undercounted racial and ethnic communities for the numbers that help determine the distribution of federal funding. The Census Bureau has set up a team to explore this. Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Illinois respectively had undercounts of 5%, 4.8%, 4.1% and 1.9%, while Florida and Texas respectively had undercounts of almost 3.5% and 1.9%. Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and Texas did not direct as many resources as other states in encouraging residents to fill out census forms. Mississippi spent around $400,000 and Illinois allocated $29 million toward those efforts. Historically, groups that have undercounts are racial and ethnic minorities, renters and young children. Demographer Allison Plyer also observed that Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee have among the highest rates of households without a computer or internet subscription. The 2020 census was the first head count in which most participants were encouraged to fill out the form online. “Get-out-the-count efforts can make a big difference, even when your community has poor internet access and is less likely to answer the census,” said Plyer, chief demographer of The Data Center in New Orleans. Florida’s undercount translates into around 750,600 missed residents, and an analysis by Election Data Services shows the Sunshine State needed only around 171,500 more residents to gain an extra seat. The undercount in Texas translates into around 560,000 residents, while the analysis put Texas as needing only 189,000

more residents to gain another congressional seat. A caveat is that the Post-Enumeration Survey didn’t include people living in group quarters such as college dorms or prisons nor remote areas of Alaska. Hispanics make up more than a quarter of Florida’s population and almost 40% of Texas residents, and critics say the Trump administration’s failed efforts to add a citizenship question to the census form may have had a chilling effect on the participation of Hispanics, immigrants and others. Arturo Vargas, CEO of NALEO Educational Fund, said there was a “desperate need” for information about undercounts and overcounts of racial and ethnic groups at geographies smaller than states, especially in places like Texas where the undercount most likely was in the Hispanic population. Given the inaccuracies in the count, there is a real risk of an unfair distribution of congressional seats among the states, he said. “Without knowing below the state level, we aren’t able to understand the extent of that error,” Vargas said. Minnesota was allocated the 435th and final congressional seat in the House of Representatives; if Minnesota had counted 26 fewer people, that seat would have gone to New York. Minnesota’s 3.8% overcount amounted to around 219,000 residents. Other states with overcounts were Hawaii, at almost 6.8%; Delaware, at 5.4%; New York, at 3.4%; Utah, at almost 2.6%; Massachusetts, at 2.2%; and Ohio, at almost 1.5%.

Lawmakers reach deal to help veterans exposed to burn pits The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressional bargainers announced late last week that they have reached a deal on legislation to boost health care services and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. The agreement paves the way for passage of a bill that has become the top priority of veterans’ groups seeking to help the increasing number of people with illnesses that they believe are related to toxic exposure. The top Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee reached an agreement after months of negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., quickly threw their support behind the measure. Passage could come in July. “Our veterans need it, they deserve it, and we have a moral obligation to take care of those who have sacrificed so much for us,” Schumer said. The House in March passed a version of the bill that the Congressional Budget Office projected would increase federal spending by more than $300 billion over 10 years. It would increase access to VA health care to millions of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan even if they don’t have service-connected disabilities. The legislation would also presume that certain respiratory illnesses and cancers were related

AP PHOTO

In this April 28, 2011, photo, an Afghan National Army pickup truck passes parked U.S. armored military vehicles, as smoke rises from a fire in a trash burn pit at Forward Operating Base Caferetta Nawzad, Helmand province south of Kabul, Afghanistan. to burn pit exposure, allowing the veterans to obtain disability payments to compensate for their injury without having to prove the illness was a result of their service. Reporting from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that nearly 80% of exposure disability claims related to burn pits are denied. The military routinely disposed of tires, batteries, medical waste

and other materials in open burn pits during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most Republican lawmakers in the House voted against the bill, voicing concerns that the influx of cases would tax an already stressed VA system, leading to longer wait times for health care and the processing of disability claims. A key difference in the agreement reached by Sens. Jon Tes-

ter, D-Mont., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., is the phase-in period for presuming that certain conditions were caused by toxic exposure. But key elements of the House measure are part of the deal. Pelosi described the two bills as “nearly identical.” The two senators said that 23 illnesses, including hypertension, would be presumed related to burn pit exposure when it comes to pro-

viding disability compensation. “For far too long, our nation’s veterans have been living with chronic illnesses as a result of exposures during their time in uniform,” Tester and Moran said in a joint statement. “Today, we’re taking necessary steps to right this wrong with our proposal that’ll provide veterans and their families with the health care and benefits they have earned and deserve.” The two senators said the bill would also affect veterans who served in Vietnam, expanding the number of illnesses presumed related to exposure to Agent Orange to include hypertension. It would also expand the presumption of exposure to the toxic herbicide for veterans who deployed to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam and American Samoa. Moran said the Senate bill would provide more resources up front for VA staffing to deal with the increased demand. He also projected it would come in at a lower price tag than the House bill by “tens of billions” of dollars, though an official cost estimate is not yet available. He said the changes in the Senate bill are “so the VA can get their feet on the ground and take care of all veterans without harming any veterans” already in the system. President Joe Biden called on the VA last year to examine the impact of burn pits and other airborne hazards. Karine Jean-Pierre, the new White House press secretary, said Wednesday that passage of the bill “would be a welcome and long-awaited achievement” for veterans.

Need Ammo?

.223  .45  .40 .308  9mm 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 13 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 | MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461

MOORE COUNTY

AP PHOTO

Army panel: Fort Bragg should become Fort Liberty Fort Bragg shown, Feb. 3, 2022, in Fort Bragg. An independent commission is recommending new names for nine Army posts that were commemorated Confederate officers. Among their recommendations: Fort Bragg would become Fort Liberty and Fort Gordon would become Fort Eisenhower.

COUNTY NEWS Click It or Ticket campaign begins May 23 The annual statewide Memorial Day Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign kicked off Monday. Through June 5, law enforcement officers in all 100 counties will be patrolling the roads to make sure all drivers and passengers are wearing seatbelts. In 2021, 555 North Carolinians who were not wearing seatbelts died in vehicle crashes, including nearly 30 over last year’s two-week Click It or Ticket enforcement period. State law requires all passengers in a vehicle to be properly restrained.

Towns of Carthage, Vass selected for rural communities Commerce Dept. program A total of 19 rural communities from across the state have been selected to participate in a new program to increase their capacity to plan, implement, and manage economic development programs and opportunities. The Rural Community Capacity (RC2) program, a pilot initiative from the N.C. Commerce Department involving Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business, welcomed its first cohort of participants in Boone Tuesday. During an RC2 engagement, communities have direct access to Commerce’s Rural Planning team, who offer additional training and technical assistance to program participants, including a strategic planning process focused on identifying economic development assets and priorities that are specific to each community. The towns of Carthage and Vass are among the 19 selected to participate. Communities that successfully complete the RC2 campus curriculum and participate in the Commerce rural planning process will then be eligible to apply for Community Implementation Grants offered by Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division through the new Rural Transformation Grant Fund.

Several incumbents lose state legislative primaries By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — Several state legislators won’t be returning to the North Carolina General Assembly next January after primary losses, while former lawmakers had mixed results in trying to get back to the House or Senate. Six incumbents — four Republicans and two Democrats — lost in Tuesday’s primaries for seats in their current chamber. Four of those sitting Republicans ran against fellow GOP incumbents who lived in the same district due to redistricting changes. Two Senate Democrats — Sens. Kirk deViere and Ernestine Bazemore — and Republican Rep. Pat

Hurley — also lost primaries for their seats. In addition, two current House members — Democrat Raymond Smith and Republican Lee Zachary — failed to win Senate primaries. Each attempted to make the jump to the Senate after facing similar “double-bunkings” with House colleagues in their districts because of remapped boundaries. Double-bunking, when two incumbents end up in the same district, occurred in two House and two Senate races this year as a result of redistricting. In the 1st state Senate seat, Norman Sanderson beat Bob Steinburg by a 56% to 44% margin. Sanderson’s advantage came from his former district’s counties

of Carteret and Pamlico. The other much-anticipated race was that of the Senate District 47 seat. The race was remarkably close throughout the night with a few lead changes, but ultimately Ralph Hise narrowly edged out Deanna Ballard in the western NC seat. Hise won 6 of the 9 counties including Caldwell, which was the difference maker in the race. On the House side, the double-bunked races included Reps. Jamie Boles and Ben Moss vying for House District 52. Moss came away with the win, taking in over 53% of the vote. Moss’ win means he will assume the seat this fall since there is no Democratic challenger.

The number of Republicans running unopposed in November for House seats dwarfs that of Democrats by a count of 20 to four. In the Senate, eight Republicans are running unopposed versus just one Democrat. Kirk DeViere lost to Fayetteville City Council member Val Applewhite in a three-way race for the 19th Senate District. Applewhite benefitted from an endorsement by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. The governor and other Democrats had been unhappy with deViere for siding at times with Senate Republicans on key legislation, including the 2021 state budget. Bazemore, a first-term senator from Bertie County, lost to Valerie Jordan of Warren County in a 3rd Senate District primary. The winner will take on Dare County Republican Bobby Hanig, a current House member, in November. Hurley, an eight-term House member, lost to Randolph CounSee ELECTION, page 2

Aberdeen approves budget for upcoming fiscal year Council passes handful of budget amendments for needed maintenance By Ryan Henkel North State Journal ABERDEEN — The Town of Aberdeen Council met Monday, May 23 where the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-23 was presented and approved. The proposed budget has a total operating budget of $17,048,910 and will see an increased tax rate of $1 for residential and commercial garbage collection rates and a 3% higher volume rate for water and sewer. However, due to Aberdeen’s steady growth – property valuations in Aberdeen rose approximately 7% – the property tax rate and base rate for water and sewer will remain the same. “We have a great town,” said Mayor Robert Farrell. “It’s growing and this budget reflects the growth that we’re experiencing. We’re having to pay for more things and repair more things, keep more things going, hire more people and that’s a sign that the town is growing. We need to keep

ahead of that and as long as we can do that without raising taxes, and that’s not something we can always avoid, but right now we aren’t raising taxes.” Major capital items included in the 2022-23 budget include the purchase of three new police vehicles, the completion of Phase 4 of the AMR installation for $350,000, standard vehicle and equipment replacements for $70,000, fire bay floor and vehicle improvements for $96,000, street improvements through the Powell Bill for $400,000, shelter and park facility improvements for $130,000, downtown parking and sidewalk improvements for $209,000, water production projects for $381,000 and the purchase of a dump truck and mini excavator for $138,000. “The items that have been requested are not frivolous,” Mayor Farrell said. “They are things that we need. Each department has made a request for certain items and as long as we can pay for them, they go to the department that needs them and that can enhance the ability for them to do their jobs. That’s what we are up here to do.”

The council also authorized Finance Director, Butch Watson to act as the signee for a $29,259.36 financing with First Bank for the purchase of a Ford Ranger pickup for the Planning Department. “We’ll make semi-annual payments of six months from the date that we close, which will technically be tomorrow,” Watson said. “Then that will be paid off in a three year period. Our rate right now is 1.80%.” The council was then presented with four budget amendment items, all of which were approved. The first budget amendment was for an amount up to $2,000 from Recreation Station-Utilities to Recreation Station-Supplies/ Maintenance for the repainting of rental areas at the Recreation Center. “Brown Painting will come in and do the painting,” said Parks and Rec Director, Adam Crocker. “We’re going to paint rooms 104, 107, 126, the main reception area of the hallway and both bathrooms in the building. All the rental areas. So we just took a little from utilities. Obviously we’ve had some offices empty this year so See ABERDEEN page 2

5

20177 52016 $1.00

8

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

2 WEDNESDAY

5.25.22

WEEKLY FORECAST

#335

WEDNESDAY

MAY 25

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Matt Mercer

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday by North State Media, LLC 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ BIBY, CHRISTIAN JAMES, 19, W, M, 5/23/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Assault on a Female, No Bond, 6/1/22, Carthage ♦ STURDIVANT, ANTHONY WAYNE, 38, W, M, 5/22/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Drive While License Revoked Not Impaired Rev Based (x3), Fict/Alt Title/ Reg Card/Tag (x2), Fail to Notify DMV ADDR Change, Drive/Allow MV No Registration, No Liability Insurance, Cancl Revok Susp Certif Tag, Expired/No Inspection, Operate Veh No Insurance, $3,000 Secured, 5/25/22, Carthage

73° 61° 15%

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

MAY 26

HI LO PRECIP

81° 67° 45%

HI LO PRECIP

74° 60° 84%

HI LO PRECIP

“We have a great town. It’s growing and this budget reflects the growth that we’re experiencing.” Aberdeen Mayor Robert Farrell The third amendment was for a total up to $15,200 from Powell Bill Street Resurfacing to Powell Bill Engineering for an assessment report. “This particular request is basically to use the money from the Powell Bill Street Resurfacing program since we didn’t use any money for resurfacing this year and use that budget amendment to move it over to Powell Bill Engineering so we can do an assess-

ELECTION from page 1 ty school board member Brian Biggs in the 70th District Republican primary. Sitting legislators who won contested primaries for seats in the opposite chamber included three Democrats: Reps. Graig Meyer of Orange County and Kandie Smith of Pitt County and Sen. Sarah Crawford of Wake County. Meyer and Smith won Senate primaries, while Crawford won a House primary. But Zachary, from Yadkin County, finished third in a four-candidate race for a northwestern Senate seat. Former state legislators who advanced in legislative primaries for their old chamber include ex-Sen. Buck Newton, a Wilson County Republican; former GOP Rep. Stephen Ross of Alamance County; and former Democratic Reps. Elmer Floyd of Cumberland County and Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County. Newton will take on Fitch in November. And former Sen. Wesley Meredith of Cum-

MAY 29

MAY 28

ABERDEEN from page 1 utilities is running a little low, so we borrowed a little money from them. But it was well needed.” The second amendment was for an amount up to $6,700 from Parks and Recreation Park Facilities-Grounds Maintenance to Parks and Recreation Park Facilities-Capital Outlay for the repaving of the main parking lot at Colonial Heights. “Hudson Paving is going to do the paving project,” Crocker said. “They came to us, gave us this price for sealing and realigning the main parking lot that is already there. That already needed to be done and it’s going to be exacerbated by the fact that we’ll have fresh new pavement and lines in our new portions and are very old, worn, hard to see lines in the old portion.”

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

MAY 27

Six incumbents — four Republicans and two Democrats — lost in Tuesday’s primaries berland County, who won a Republican primary on Tuesday, takes on Applewhite in November. Newton had in the past represented a Wilson County-centric Senate district before running for Attorney General in 2016. He will face Democratic state Sen. Toby Fitch this fall. Fitch dispatched Rep. Raymond Smith, who elected to challenge him after being double-bunked with House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) in his Republican-leaning seat. Ex-lawmakers who lost Tuesday primaries include former Sens. Eddie Gallimore and Tony Moore and Rep. Scott Stone, all of whom are Republicans. Shirley Randleman, a former House and Senate member, failed to

78° 59° 24%

HI LO PRECIP

82° 63° 14%

ment report to provide the council and public works a tool to see which streets are the most in need of improvements,” Watson said. The fourth and final amendment was the reallocation of $14,000 from the general fund to the Sewer and Water fund. “They had to do an emergency repair on Well #18,” Watson said. “It included the cost for replacement of the pump, motor, pipe, wires, valve, discharge head and all that sort of stuff in the well house, as well as the labor. All that was last done originally 22 years ago.” Finally, the council accepted a surety for the proposed Aberdeen Place for the installation of roads, sewer, sidewalks and landscaping in the amount of $366,607. The Town of Aberdeen Council will next meet June 27.

win a Senate primary that also featured Zachary. Benton Sawrey easily won the race for the new Johnston County Senate seat over Jill Homan and Matt Ansley. The only Democrat registered to run for that seat in November is Gettys Cohen Jr. Republican Brian Echevarria won the nomination for the House District 73 seat in Cabarrus County after winning his three-way primary race with over 57% of the vote. Earlier this year, Echevarria gained recognition following a speech in front of the Cabarrus County School Board that went viral nationwide. Wake County freshman Rep. Erin Pare will be facing failed Holly Springs mayoral candidate Democrat Christine Kelly for the redrawn District 37 seat. Former Sen. Buck Newton is one step closer to the General Assembly. A.P. Dillon of the North State Journal contributed to this report.

♦ PINSON, RENE, 22, H, M, 5/22/2022, Aberdeen PD, Robbery With Dangerous Weapon, Assault by Pointing a Gun, $175,000 Secured, 6/1/22, Hoffman ♦ GRIFFIN, TOREY RONDELL, 31, B, M, 5/20/2022, Southern Pines PD, Possess W/I to MSD Cocaine, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Maintn Veh/Dwell/Place CS, Drive While License Revoked Not Impaired Rev Based, Drive/Allow MV No Registration, Possess Schedule I CS, Poos MSD Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Possess Marijuana up to 1/2 oz, $15,000 Secured, 6/1/22, Carthage ♦ JONES, KASEAN TIERRE, 19, B, M, 5/19/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Identity Theft (x3), Att Obtain Prop False Pret (x2), Attempt to Obtain CS Forgery Fraud (x2), Att Trafficking Opiates by Possession (x2), Felony Conspiracy (x3), Maintain Vehicle Dwelling Place CS, Obtain CS by Forgery/Fraud, Obtain Property False Pretense, Trafficking in Opium or Heroin (x2), $500,000 Secured, 6/13/22, Concord ♦ HELMS, RICKY LEE, 28, W, M, 5/19/2022, Out of County, Assault on a Female, Resisting Public Officer, No Bond, None set, Asheboro ♦ TROY, MIKAL XAVIER, 19, B, M, 5/18/2022, Southern Pines PD, Possess W/I to SD Marijuana, Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia, Possess Marijuana up to 1/2 oz, Carrying Concealed Weapon, $75,000 Secured, 6/13/22, Aberdeen ♦ SHIELDS, DAMON EATHER, 48, W, M, 5/18/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Possess Methamphetamine, Possess Drug Paraphernalia, Carrying Concealed Weapon, Drive While License Revoked Not Impaired Rev Based, Transport Non Tax Paid Alcohol Beverage, $20,000 Secured, 5/26/22, Robbins ♦ SEWELL, BILLY RAY, 30, W, M, 5/18/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Breaking and or Entering, Second Degree Trespass, Assault on a Female, Interfere Emergency Communication, Injury to Personal Property, $15,000 Secured,

MOORE CITIZENS FOR FREEDOM

MOORE COUNTY Remember that we live in the best country, the best state, and by far the best county.

MOORE COUNTY, WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

TUNE INTO The John and Maureen show

Sundays

1 - 2PM WEEB 990 AM 104.1 and 97.3 FM

MONDAY

TUESDAY

MAY 30

HI LO PRECIP

87° 67° 16%

MAY 31

HI LO PRECIP

88° 68° 17%

moore

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

May 28-30 Armed Forces Cup Teams from each military branch will compete in the 2022 National Armed Forces Cup at Pinehurst Resort. More information at vgagolf.org.

May 30 Pinehurst Family Fest 10am The Village of Pinehurst Family Fest includes a full day of live music, a kids’ area, video game truck, challenges from the First Tee of the Sandhills, photo booth with the U.S. Women’s Open trophy, and food and beverage options. Children and active and retired military (must show ID) are admitted free of charge.

June 2 Sandhills Young Republicans 7pm The Young Republicans will meet for their monthly meeting at the Moore County Republican Party Headquarters at 211 Central Park Ave, Suite E in Pinehurst.

June 2-5 U.S. Women’s Open Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines will host the oldest of the LPGA Tour’s five major championships. Gallery tickets and packages are available at the gate and also available on the usga. org website.

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

OPINION

3

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | BETSY MCCAUGHEY

Parents against stupid stuff New Jersey requires that students be taught the correct anatomical names for their genitalia by the end of second grade and gender identity options by the end of fifth grade.

ADULTS DECIDING where to settle and raise their families once considered tax rates, job opportunities and housing prices. Now they also have to ask themselves whether they want their children in schools that push gender fluidity, teach masturbation and provide tampons in the boys’ room for females transitioning to become males. Several states have already joined Florida in barring teachers from instructing their classes about gender identity and LGBTQ choices, and many are considering similar legislation. Parents are outraged by the indoctrination and sexualization of their children. In Connecticut and New Jersey, school board meetings are overflowing with parents protesting lessons on gender identity and fluidity in elementary school. New Jersey requires that students be taught the correct anatomical names for their genitalia by the end of second grade and gender identity options by the end of fifth grade. The Democratic-dominated Connecticut legislature adopted a state budget two weeks ago that mandates free tampons and pads in school bathrooms, including at least one boys’ bathroom for students transitioning from female to male. A resource guide recommended by the state for Connecticut teachers encourages them to wear rainbow bracelets and display gay pride signs. Some parents are outraged. “We will not allow our children to be force-fed content we oppose,” said one New Jersey parent, while another protested that state standards “go against our Judeo-Christian values.” In Connecticut, Parents Against Stupid Stuff, a newly formed PAC, intends to influence the gubernatorial race there by opposing sexually explicit curriculum and demanding a larger voice for parents. It’s an uphill battle in deep blue states. In Rhode Island, Sen. Tiara Mack, a gay Democrat, wants sex education to “affirmatively recognize pleasure-based sexual relations,” while Democrat Rep. Rebecca Kislak wants to emphasize that gender is nuanced. But in red states, legislatures are enacting laws to protect parental rights and scrub the curriculum of divisive sexual indoctrination. In New York, state lawmakers are not legislating on curriculum issues, instead leaving it to the school districts. That’s why this week’s school board elections there are so high stakes. On Long Island, Moms for Liberty have endorsed 30 school board

candidates who oppose the emphasis on gender fluidity and advocate for more parental involvement. Amanda Cohen-Stein, who is president of the Long Island Strong Schools Alliance, insists “politics do not belong in our school boards” but supports teaching “diversity, equity and inclusion,” as if that’s not political. Andy Pallotta, president of the New York State United Teachers, also says school board elections should be apolitical. He claims “NYSUT and its local unions are big tent organizations.” That doesn’t pass the laugh test: Its website shows the union is leftist, and that offends many parents. Claiming school board elections are nonpartisan is a ruse. Sadly, Newsday’s editorial board parrots the union’s talking points, insisting parental alarm over what’s being taught is “misguided.” Newsday claims “schools are not grooming kids, or devaluing them for whiteness or straightness.” Rather, the editors say, “This is a region built on love of our teachers and schools and districts.” Ridiculous. Long Island parents who have looked at their kids’ homework and listened in on remote learning are too informed to swallow that pablum. The same is true upstate. Western New York Students First is helping 35 school board candidates who want more parental input on curriculum and board accountability. “Most people couldn’t tell you who is on their school board. The hope is we kind of start to change that,” explains Jonathan Rich, spokesman for the organization. The Buffalo News disparages the new excitement over school board elections as “a dangerous moment” brought about by “right-wing manipulators.” Nonsense. No one cares more about a child’s education than the parents. In the past, many boards have barely tolerated the presence of parents at meetings. That has to change. Maryland parents are turning out in droves to protest the state’s new standards, which teach kindergarteners to “recognize a range of ways people express their identity and gender.” As an outspoken greatgrandmother put it, “Children belong to the parents, not this county, not this state.” Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and author of “The Next Pandemic,” available at Amazon.com.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The media’s big lie about the ‘great replacement theory’ and conservatism Supporting real immigration reform that contains a pathway to citizenship for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is the only way to maintain electoral strength in the future.

LAST WEEK, a racist mass shooter massacred 10 people and wounded three others at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket. The shooter was a white supremacist; his hate-filled 180-page screed about why he had committed the shooting was replete with neo-Nazi sentiments. According to the shooter, he had to slaughter innocent black Americans in order to prevent the white population of the United States from being crowded out. “We are experiencing an invasion on a level never seen before in history,” wrote the perverse murderer. “This is ethnic replacement. This is cultural replacement. This is racial replacement. This is WHITE GENOCIDE.” The shooter’s theory, generally called the “great replacement theory,” suggests that a shadowy cabal of elites, mainly Jewish, have deliberately undermined the racial purity of European countries by facilitating mass immigration and race-mixing. The shooter deliberately quoted the neoNazi slogan — the so-called 14 Words — “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” He called himself a white supremacist, a neo-Nazi and an antisemite. Among the sources for this morally sick belief system, the shooter cited various internet sources, particularly other mass shooters who released similar manifestoes. He did not mention Fox News; he did not mention any mainstream conservative, instead stating, “conservatism is corporatism in disguise, I want no part of it.” None of this mattered to the Left-wing press, which immediately determined that the entire conservative movement was somehow guilty for the mass shooting. The New York Times headlined, “Republicans Play on Fears of ‘Great Replacement’ in Bid for Base Voters.” The Washington Post accused Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., of “echo(ing) racist theory allegedly espoused by Buffalo suspect.” The New Republic headlined, “The Great Replacement Theory Is Just Republican Orthodoxy Now.” What evidence did the media provide to the effect that conservatives, broadly writ, had espoused the Great Replacement Theory? They cited the belief among conservatives that the Left is generally friendly toward loose immigration in order to move the country in a progressive manner. Philip Bump of The Washington Post stated that nearly half of

Republicans believed in the great replacement theory, citing a Pew poll that found that almost half of Republicans (and more than one in five Democrats) believed that “there is a group of people in this country who are trying to replace native-born Americans with immigrants who agree with their political views.” This, of course, is not the great replacement theory, which centers on racial purity rather than the idea that changing demographics have an effect on political orientation. The latter premise has been taken for granted by the Left for decades (even though it is largely faulty, as changing Hispanic voting patterns demonstrate). In fact, the Left has often argued in favor of demographic change turning the country bluer: in 2003, John Judis and Ruy Teixeira wrote a book titled “The Emerging Democratic Majority,” in which they argued that Democrats were building a new electoral coalition “in which white America is supplanted by multiracial, multiethnic America”; in 2012, Greg Sargent of The Washington Post observed, “The story of this election will be all about demographics... Rather than reverting to the older, whiter, more male version (of America’s electorate) Republicans had hoped for, it continues to be defined by what Ron Brownstein has called the ‘coalition of the ascendant’ — minorities, young voters, and college educated whites, particularly women”; in 2013, the Center for American Progress stated, “Supporting real immigration reform that contains a pathway to citizenship for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is the only way to maintain electoral strength in the future.” The goal here is obvious: conflate Republican positions with white supremacy in order to drive votes away from them. It’s poisonous politics, and it happens to be a lie. But truth is of little or no priority when it comes to Left-wing politics, which are rooted always and forever in the idea that those who oppose their favored policies must be destroyed with any tool at hand. Ben Shapiro, 38, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

North State Journal for Wednesday, May 25, 2022

4

obituaries

Evelyn M. Herron May 3, 1930 - May 15, 2022

Evelyn M Herron of Seven Lakes, North Carolina passed away May 15, 2022. Evelyn was born to the late George and Leona (Danenwald) Weller on May 3, 1930 in Clayton, New York. Evelyn graduated from Clayton High School in 1949. She married the late James Herron on August 19, 1950, at Christ Episcopal Church in Clayton, New York with the Reverend William Cole officiating. She resided in Watertown, New York until relocating to Seven Lakes, North Carolina in 2017. Evelyn is survived by five children: James (Alice) Herron, Jr., Jeffrey (Crystal) Herron, Suzanne (Mark) Sachetti, Sally (Bruce) Shute, and Sandra Herron. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. Evelyn was predeceased by her husband James Herron, sisters, Mary E. “Betty” Reff, Pauline Giltz, Leona Wilkie and brother William Weller.

Helen Stewart Causey

September 27, 1946 - May 20, 2022 Helen Stewart Causey, 75, of Southern Pines died Friday, May 20, 2022 at her home. She was born at the old Moore Memorial Hospital in Pinehurst on September 27, 1946, the daughter of the late James W. and Sarah Weaver Causey of Southern Pines. Helen graduated from Southern Pines High School and then Campbell University (College) in 1968. She then continued her education by obtaining a master’s degree in Library Science from Emory University in Atlanta. Following this, she accepted a position as adult services librarian for the Craven, Carteret, Pamlico Regional Library in New Bern. . She finished her career working for First Health in Pinehurst. She will be greatly missed by her sister, Sally Brooks (Jim) of Apex, and her longtime, loving companion, AJ Jellison of Aberdeen.

Patricia Lou (Williams) Odom

SPONSORED BY BOLES FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

Christine Catherine Ragonese

Bonnie Brantley Polomsky

September 1, 1956 - May 19, 2022

August 25, 1944 - May 16, 2022

Patricia Lou (Williams) Odom, 65 of Sanford, passed on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at her residence surrounded by her family. Mrs. Odom was born September 1, 1956 in Lee county to the late, Robert Spencer Williams and Jessie Bell (Harrington) Williams. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Phillip Dudley Odom; A daughter, Jaime Odom Blue of Cameron; a son, Phillip “Ponch” Odom, Jr. and wife Nicole of Sanford; two brothers, Bobby Williams and wife Ann of Indian Trail, NC; and Douglas Williams and wife Margaret of Sanford, NC; a sister, Jane Bartlett and husband Tony of Clayton, NC; five grandchildren, Madison Lee Blue, Mason Dudlee Odom, Grayson Lee Odom, Katlin Marie Beck, and Emily Brianna Patterson; one great-grandchild, Brantley Thomas. Patricia was a devoted wife, perfect Mama, loving Nana/ Nannie, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She loved her family more than anything. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, sight-seeing and loved being outside. She also loved her favorite sidekick and sweetest boy “Boobear”. Her marriage of 46 years was that of unspoken love and devotion. They were always together; when you see one, you always saw the other. She worked on cars with Daddy and they both taught each other so much!

Bonnie Brantley Polomsky, age 77 of Pinehurst, formerly of Piedmont, SC passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022 with her family by her side. Bonnie was born on August 25, 1944, in Ocilla, Georgia, to the late Robert Brantley and Louise Dumas Brantley. She was a United States Navy veteran and served during the Vietnam War. While in the Navy, Bonnie completed her nursing training and became a nurse, which became her main lifelong work. Bonnie was also a voracious reader, reading hundreds of books in her lifetime. She always said her grandmother told her, "If you learn to read, you will change your world." Bonnie loved animals, especially family canines, in her later years. Her favorite pastime was bird watching, notably the cardinal. She will be remembered whenever her family sees one. Most significantly, Bonnie loved her home church, Piedmont Presbyterian Church in Piedmont, SC and will be remembered for the beautiful way that she decorated it at Christmas time and for other events. Bonnie was also a part of the KnitWits group that hand-knitted prayer blankets sent to people for support in difficult times. She is survived by her children: daughter, Deborah Cain and her husband Marc of Pinehurst; son, Stephen Polomsky and his wife Allison of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her grandchildren: Merritt Polomsky-Thalacker and her husband Jack of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Jack Polomsky also of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She also is survived by two brothers and two sisters and multiple nieces and nephews. She was especially fond of and grateful to her niece Holly Bost of Fitzgerald, GA for helping her in later life.

February 27, 1932 - May 15, 2022 Christine Catherine Ragonese, 90, of Cape Coral, FL passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC. Born February 27, 1932 in Newark, NJ to the late Alfonso and Carmela Pepe Russo. Christine grew up in Newark and graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy. She raised her family in Pine Brook, NJ and retired with Footy to Cape Coral, Florida. Christine was an excellent cook and was renowned for her baseball sized meatballs. She is survived by her son Patsy Vito Ragonese of Lincoln, NE; daughter Cheryl Veni (Guy) of Pinehurst, NC; four grandchildren Alexander Ragonese of Gainesville, FL, Surinya “Kat” Sompan of Pah Khat, Thailand, Nicholas Veni (Laura) of Englishtown, NJ, and Donna Cianchetta, of Freehold, NJ; three great-grandchildren Gianna Cianchetta, Gaetano Veni, and Leona Veni; and her sister Rosalie Cappiello of Toms River, NJ. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Alfonso “Footy” Ragonese and her sister Louise “Bubbles” Morgano.

Douglas Keith Leidy

August 16, 1949 - May 19, 2022 Douglas Keith Leidy, age 72 of Pinehurst passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. His loving wife Marjory was by his side. Doug was born on August 16, 1949 in Bucks County, PA, to the late Arthur Leidy and Virginia Krupp Leidy. After graduating from college, Doug served in the National Guard for 6-1/2 years. Doug owned and operated Lund Brothers Nursery in Hatfield, PA, for over 35 years, specializing in dwarf conifers and nurturing long-term relationships with his customers. In 1998 Doug and Marjory met on the first tee of Indian Valley Country Club in Telford, PA, and fell in love almost immediately. They dated for 2 years and were married in 2000. In 2005, he and Marjory retired to Pinehurst, NC, to pursue their passion for golf. Doug worked at Pinehurst #7 for 15 years as a dedicated bag attendant. In time he found his passion for volunteering surpassed his passion for golf. He volunteered at FirstHealth Hospice House, Meals on Wheels, the Sandhills Coalition and Moore County Backpack Pals. Doug was a member of Trinity Christian Fellowship in Pinehurst, where he served as a greeter at the door every Sunday, attended multiple Bible study groups, was an usher and a lay reader. He also visited the sick and homebound folks. Just before he became ill, Doug attended the first of two classes to become a hospital chaplain so that he could visit and encourage those in the hospital. Doug is survived by his wife of 21 years, Marjory Leidy of Pinehurst, along many close friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com.com

Proudly supporting you every step of the way on your grief journey.

CONTACT

www.bolesfuneralhome.com Email: md@bolesfuneralhome.com Locations in: Southern Pines (910) 692-6262 | Pinehurst (910) 235-0366 | Seven Lakes (910) 673-7300

@BolesFuneralHomes