VOLUME 1 ISSUE 16
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2016
www.NSJONLINE.com
the Sunday News Briefing
june 7 primary
Burr, two senators introduces Zika preparation legislation Washington, D.C., Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) with Sen. Angus King (R-Maine) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced a bill Thursday to respond to Zika virus. The legislation, the Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act, would reauthorize critical public health tools that allow regions to provide mosquito surveillance and control efforts. The act sets out to improve the country’s preparedness of tackling Zika and other mosquito-borne threats. Burr also voted to provide $1.1 billion to fight the Zika virus. Madeline Gray | north state journal
Police investigating threat to Hoke County mosque Raeford Deputies are investigating a threat to a mosque in Hoke County. On Thursday afternoon Russell Thomas Langford, a major in the U.S. Army Reserve, allegedly left a bag of bacon outside the Masjid Al-Madina mosque, brandished a weapon at a Muslim chaplain, and threatened to blow up the mosque. Witnesses accused him of also attempting to run over worshipers entering for Ramadan prayers. Langford was arrested and charged with ethnic intimidation, assault with a deadly weapon, going armed to terrorize the public, communicating threats, stalking, and disorderly conduct, the sheriff’s office said. They found that he had several firearms and 500 rounds ammunition in his Chevrolet Tahoe.
NORTH
STATE
JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
special primary election
Federal Court rules no Second Amendment protection for concealed carry San Diego This week a federal appeals court ruled there is no Second Amendment protection for concealed weapons. Thursday’s ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to face further scrutiny, possibly a U.S. Supreme Court appearance, as it would allow states to prohibit or restrict the public from carrying concealed firearms. The case came from plaintiffs challenging San Diego County gun license restrictions that said general self-defense did not qualify as “good cause” for obtaining a gun license.
INSIDE Wake Forest’s Will Craig goes in first round of MLB draft. B1 Sports Soak up summer with our list of spaces and places to enjoy across N.C. in a North State of Mind. C3 the good life
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Eamon queeney | north state journal
North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Bob Edmunds, center, speaks with Greensboro voters Stephanie and John Scott as they head in to vote at their polling place inside Walter Hines Page High School on June 7.
Edmunds and Morgan to face off for NC Supreme Court By Jeff Moore North State Journal RALEIGH — Only one race in Tuesday’s primary showed up on ballots statewide. The race for a Supreme Court justice ended with Justice Bob Edmunds on top. He will face Michael Morgan in November to keep his spot on the bench in November. The 2016 general election will decide the next president of the United States, who will occupy the Executive Mansion on Blount Street, myriad congressional seats, and the makeup of the 2017-18 General Assembly on Jones Street. However, the Edmunds/Morgan race could affect the everyday lives of North Carolinians more than any of the others. North State Journal spoke with sitting North Carolina Supreme Court justices about the court’s place in North Carolina’s political system and the impact it has on daily lives and livelihoods of citizens. “Most folks realize, because we have the word supreme in our job title, that the job is important,” said Justice Edmunds. “Every time we issue opinions they include cases that do affect
people every day.” From the legal treatment of registered sex offenders, to redistricting disputes, constitutional conflicts between branches of state government, and where roads can go, the state’s highest court touches on more relevant issues than the average citizen may be aware of. “These cases go from very day-to-day stuff, to stuff that’s a little bit more rarefied, but it does affect people’s lives,” said Edmunds. In the past few years the court has weighed in on changes to teacher tenure rights, when and where North Carolinians vote, and even who was in the constitutional right when Gov. Pat McCrory sued Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) over commission appointments. With such an active and consequential caseload, decisions can easily be deemed political. “What happens, I think, is that people who like to see things in political terms look at the court through a political lens,” said Edmunds. “They define a case as having a political See justice, page A8
Richard Lehman, of Raleigh, looks over his ballot during primary voting at Millbrook Exchange Park Community Center on June 7.
Low voter turnout, unique races shape special primary By Josh Hyatt North State Journal
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ALEIGH — Only 505,687 North Carolinians cast their votes in the state’s June 7 primary elections, accounting for 7.68 percent of N.C.’s 6,584,959 registered voters, according to the most recent data available from the N.C. State Board of Elections’ unofficial results. The elections included a statewide vote for a N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice and party nominations for House of Representative in 11 of the state’s 13 recently redrawn districts, along with other smaller races. With the redrawn districts altering the voting pool for many candidates and an expected — and realized — low turnout, there was an unpredictability to who would win the races. “The outcome of the new 13th District in the Triad area was of particular interest,” said John Dinan, a politics professor at Wake Forest University. “Much of the attention focused on the Republican field in a Republican-leaning district that featured 17 Republican candidates, including several state legislators and local officials and one particularly notable outsider candidate, Ted Budd, whose supporters blanketed the airwaves with TV ads, drawing on a lot of money. “In this case, the value of heavy TV advertising, coupled with Budd’s outsider status, easily won out as he doubled up his nearest competitors, a number of whom had a lot of experience in elected office,” Dinan continued. Carter Wrenn, a longtime N.C. political veteran, only saw the contests in Districts 9 and 13 as outwardly noteworthy. “Pittenger’s race ended up being a surprise because it was so close,” he said, speaking of Republican nominee Robert Pittenger, who edged out Mark Harris in District 9 by only 142 votes. “And the 13th was interesting because you don’t often get somebody
Voter turnout for the June 7 primary was 7.68 percent, compared to the 17 percent turnout for the March 15 primary.
See Primary, page A8
U.S. Congressional Matchups For November District 1
G.K. Butterfield (D-i), H. Powell Dew Jr. (R), C.L. Cooke (Ind.)
District 2
John P. McNeil (D) vs. George Holding (R)
District 3
Ernest T. Reeves (D) vs. Walter B. Jones (R-i)
District 4
David Price (D-i) vs. Sue Googe (R)
District 5
Josh Brannon (D) vs. Virginia Foxx (R-i)
District 6
Pete Glidewell (D) vs. B. Mark Walker (R-i)
District 7
J. Wesley Casteen (D) vs. David Rouzer (R-i)
District 8
Thomas Mills (D) vs. Richard Hudson (R-i)
District 9
Christian Cano (D) vs. Robert Pittenger* (R-i)
District 10
Andy Millard (D) vs. Patrick McHenry (R-i)
District 11
Rick Bryson (D) vs. Mark Meadows (R-i)
District 12
Alma Adams (D-i) vs. Leon Threatt (R)
District 13
Bruce Davis* (D) vs. Ted Budd (R)
i = incumbent *decision may be challenged
General Assembly moves on bill to reduce regulations on business On Murphy to Manteo, page A5
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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THE BACKSTORY
datebook
June 17-19, 2016 HeroesCon 2016, a family-friendly comic book convention Charlotte Convention Center 501 S. College St. Charlotte, N.C.
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to speak during her California primary night rally held in the Brooklyn borough of New York on June 7.
June 21 Thinking Of Starting Your Own Business? Forsyth Technical Community College 2100 Silas Creek Parkway Winston-Salem, N.C.
June 25-26 Farm Tour Asheville Business Networking A behind-the-scenes look at family farms across Western North Carolina. Asheville, N.C.
May 22- June 30 The Power of Christ in the Home The Bill Graham Library 4330 Westmont Drive Charlotte, N.C.
we stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error email corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
North State Journal ISSN: 2471-1365 Neal Robbins Publisher Donna King Managing Editor Drew Elliot Opinion Editor Will Brinson Sports Editor Jennifer Wood Features Editor Published each Sunday by North State Media, LLC 819 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603 Inquiries: 866-458-7184 Annual Subscription Price: $250.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North State Journal, 819 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
Lucas Jackson | Reuters
Clinton secures nomination, NC Democrats prepare for battle By Liz Moomey North State Journal RALEIGH — Posters of “Fighting for Us” lined the walls, a slideshow of Hillary Clinton campaigning across the country played, and supporters waited for the results of six primaries to secure Clinton as the Democratic presidential candidate during a watch party at the Raleigh Times bar Tuesday night. Clinton surged forward, surpassing the 2,383 delegates needed for the nomination by picking up wins in California, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. Sen. Bernie Sanders won in North Dakota and Montana. She is the first woman to be a major party’s nominee for U.S. president. “I am really glad to see that she is going to make another historical statement in this country as we had an African-American male and now it is time for a woman to be head of the free world,” State Rep. Bobbie Richardson (D-Franklin, Nash) said. President Barack Obama endorsed Clinton for president Thursday after meeting with Sanders. Sanders released a statement saying he plans on remaining in the race for the Washington, D.C., primary but stated his intention to work with Clinton to unite the Democratic Party moving forward, citing the need to defeat Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The Hillary for North Carolina campaign has begun preparing for the November election. Her campaign opened up an office in downtown Raleigh in early June. North Carolina is expected to be a battleground state — Oba-
ma gained more votes than Republican nominee Sen. John McCain in 2008, but Republican Mitt Romney won in the state in 2012. The North Carolina communication director for Hillary for America, Andrew Bates, said the campaign opened the office in North Carolina to engage with as many voters as possible. “Hillary for North Carolina is working hard to earn every vote, and our volunteers and organizers will spend the next five months talking to voters in their communities about Hillary Clinton’s commitment to breaking down the barriers that all families face,” Bates said. “While Hillary Clinton believes we are stronger together, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Donald Trump’s career was about scamming Americans and his campaign is about dividing them.” N.C. Democratic Party chairwoman Patsy Keever said the next step is unifying the Democratic Party to rally behind Clinton. “The party will come together,” Keever said. “The majority of the Bernie supporters are very excited about Hillary. Most of them are Democrats and they understand the importance of unifying the party, and once they are convinced their guy is not going to be their candidate they will come on board, and they will be supportive.” Sidney W. Kilgore, of Raleigh, voted for Sanders but has since changed his support to Clinton. “I will be excited to see a woman be the president of the United States,” Kilgore said. “I have been a Sanders supporter. I voted for Sanders, but the last couple of months it’s been clear she has gotten more votes and more del-
Christine T. Nguyen | north state journal
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, left, takes a selfie with Madison Kimrey, 15, of Burlington during an event celebrating the opening of the Raleigh campaign office for Hillary Clinton on June 7.
egates. I think a lot of the more extreme elements among Sanders’ supporters have unfairly vilified her and actually turned off a lot of folks that were committed to voting for the nominee no matter who it was. Now it is pretty clear who the nominee is, and I’m right behind her 100 percent.” Richardson said she and the party will have to unite to ensure Trump doesn’t become president. “We have to build a growing of campaigns, get the message out and make sure people understand what’s at stake,” Richardson said. “Then I think we will see women voters, African-American voters, all the other ethnic groups he has disrespected — and the fact that he continues to be an authoritarian type leader — rise up and say ‘Hey, this is not going to happen in
the United States.’” Keever agreed, saying Clinton is more qualified to be president than Trump. “We are running against a person at the presidential level who is clearly unprepared to be president,” she said. “It is very clear he does not have the temperament to be the president, to work with leaders all over the world, to work with people all over the world, from this country — this is a very diversified country. He has insulted every segment of our society that makes up the whole of the United States. I don’t think there is a question of who the better candidate is.” North State Journal will examine Republican Donald Trump’s N.C. campaign operations in the June 19 issue.
Collard Greens, bluegrass, baiting your own hook, a fine oyster roast, a good dog, a festival for every vegetable, and barbecue rank high on my list of life necessities.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY the DASHBOARD
44,000 alyssa hellman
businesses in North Carolina support the tourism industry
#6
North Carolina is the sixth-most visited state in the country
$21.3 billion
amount spent by visitors from across the country last year while vacationing in North Carolina
If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, now is the time
the
BRIEF Fortune 500 This year North Carolina had 12 companies on the Fortune 500 list. The list ranks U.S. companies by revenue. On average, the North Carolina companies climbed 21 spots since last year’s list, with Laboratory Corp. of America making the biggest climb by jumping 115 spots.
s the temperature heats up this summer, the A real estate market is heating
up, too. Although we do see some variation statewide, there are general trends in our major metropolitan areas that show indicators of the strength of the market. Closed sales data throughout the Triangle region shows the number of closed sales is up 6 percent since April 2015 and 12 percent since March. The Charlotte market is not far behind, stacking up a 3.7 percent increase in closed sales since April 2015 and a 3.1 percent increase since March. Although some of the positive indicators can be attributed to seasonal market swings, all signs point to a very healthy seller’s market here in North Carolina. So what does this mean for you? Well, if you’re thinking about putting your home on the market — now is the time! The market isn’t just hot, it is continuing to heat up as we enter summer. The average days on market is a good indicator of the health of a seller’s market, and in the last month alone the average time on market decreased
Even in a seller’s market, there is a lot of opportunity for buyers to compete.
by 10 days in the Triangle market and seven days in the Charlotte market. That brings the total average days on market to 42 days in Triangle and 61 days in Charlotte, which is extremely healthy! If price is your motivator, we are seeing the same appreciation occur in sales prices as well. Sales prices are up 5.9 percent in April since 2015 and up 4.1 percent on average over the last 12 months in the Charlotte market. Sales prices are equally strong in the Triangle market where they are up 6 percent since April 2015. Although the real estate market is strong at all price points, the strongest segment of the market is below the $350,000 price point. Above $400,000, the growth and appreciation is slightly slower; however, that is reflective of the number of buyers at the higher price points. Even in a seller’s market, there is a lot of opportunity for buyers to compete. As a buyer, be prepared to act quickly — meaning have your financing in order prior to looking and be ready to face some competition with inventory so low. Ultimately, when armed with a wellqualified agent, both buyers and sellers can find what they’re looking for in our great state this summer! Alyssa Hellman is the executive director of the Go School of Real Estate. Hellman was named to the 2015 list of Realtor Magazine’s 30 Under 30 and ‘Inman News’ “Top 101,” list of the most innovative and influential people in the real estate industry.
Eamon queeney | north state journal
The housing market is hot for sellers at the North Carolina coast.
Wilmington and beaches ready for sunny summer season
Google accused of manipulating searches to favor Clinton
By Donna King North State Journal WILMINGTON, N.C. — As travelers up and down the East Coast pack their bags for summer vacation, many have Wilmington set in their GPS. The Wilmington area and surrounding beaches attract tens of thousands of visitors every year, folks with smiles on their faces and dollars in their pockets, ready to have a great time in the Carolina sunshine. “New Hanover County is the second smallest in North Carolina by land mass, but we are No. 8 in the state for tourism,” said Connie Nelson, communications director for the Wilmington and Beaches Visitors Bureau. “It’s a big part of our economy, ranking around fifth of all industries.” More then 5,600 area jobs are tied directly to tourism, bringing in about $113 million a year. While visitor growth has steadily increased over the past few years, a struggling economy caused damage across the state. Fortunately, North Carolina has been among the fastest states to recover from the recession and the beaches are no exception, including real estate. Thinking about a beach house? Be prepared to pay. “We’ve been watching the market uptick for the past several years in every ZIP code,” said Jennifer Young of Nest Realty in Wilmington. “It’s a very tight market. We don’t have much inventory. There are about 10 empty lots on the market in Wrightsville and they range from $500,000 to $3 million.” If year-round living at the beach is more your speed, the unemployment rate is slightly more than 5 percent, well below the national average, and the cost of living is right at the national average. The perks of being a Wilmingtonian haven’t escaped national attention. USA Today recently rated Wilmington the Best Riverfront City in the country, and three Wilmington companies made the Best Employers list for Business North Carolina: Live Oak Bank, software company nCino and N2 Publishing. Dr. Adam Jones, a regional economist with the University of North Carolina Wilmington Cameron School of Business, said the area is expecting around 2.5 percent in economic growth this year with an uptick
26. Bank of America, Charlotte 47. Lowe’s, Mooresville 115. Duke Energy, Charlotte 170. Nucor, Charlotte 231. VF Corporation, Greensboro 266. Reynolds American, WinstonSalem 273. BB&T Corp., Winston-Salem 297. Sonic Automotive, Charlotte 325. Laboratory Corp. of America, Burlington 375. Sealed Air, Charlotte 447. Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Durham 448. Hanesbrands, Winston-Salem
By Donna King North State Journal
donna king | north state journal
Prices are up and inventory is down for real estate like this Kure Beach home south of Wrightsville.
“It’s a very tight market. We don’t have much inventory. There are about 10 empty lots on the market in Wrightsville and they range from $500,000 to $3 million.” Jennifer Young of Nest Realty in Wilmington
in home sales and prices. While not a banner year, Jones said it does outpace the national average. Vacationing in nearby Wrightsville Beach is still more expensive than the beaches to the south like Carolina and Kure Beach, but overall visitors say it wouldn’t be summer without a visit to the area. Last year, the beach economies took a bit of hit when a cluster of shark bites claimed headlines across the country. Peggy Sloan, director of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, said while the increase in bites was real, basic rules can keep visitors safe this summer. “There were a higher number and more serious bites and there are lots of theories as to why that is,” said Sloan. “Our advice is to model your behavior to avoid encounters. Nearly all of the circumstances were when maybe you don’t want to be in the water. If there is fishing pier, if there is bait fish in the water, if the water is murky,
early in the morning, early in the evening, dawn and dusk times — avoid them.” Riptides can also pose a hidden threat to visitors. Lifeguards advise beachgoers to watch the waves for signs of rip currents, saying usually they will be in a small section where there aren’t breaking waves, just movement in the water. The guards are preparing now, running drills down at Fort Fisher, a state park just south of Kure Beach. “We’ve been running through drills for single person and multiperson rescues,” said lifeguard Garrett Wilson. “We also encourage people to watch the flags. If it’s a yellow flag, take caution. If it’s red, we ask that you don’t go into the water above your knees.” So whether you are thinking of a permanent move or a weekend away, locals urge you to take advantage of all the area has to offer. “We have a lot of new visitors and a lot of repeat visitors to the area,” said Nelson. “One reason I believe is because we have lifeguarded beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Not all beaches have that, and it’s important to families as they decide where to vacation. “We also attribute those repeat visitations to the hospitality here, making people feel welcome and appreciated, and keeping the product fresh. Our museums and attractions are always looking for ways to provide something new to experience here, and it keeps people coming back.”
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — According to an investigation out this week, Google is being accused of manipulating trending and search results to favor Hillary Clinton over others. An online news group called SourceFed studied the search results of different engines, including Bing and Yahoo. They found that, for example, a search for “Hillary Clinton cri...” turned up a list of stories on criminal allegations against the Democratic presidential nominee on most engines, while on Google “Hillary Clinton crime reform” came up. If “Hillary Clinton indictment” was typed, “Hillary Clinton India” pops up. Donald Trump’s campaign vernacular has also worked its way into the Google search controversy. If “Lying” is typed, “Lying Ted” immediately pops up, while “Crooked Hillary” takes about six characters to show. Google was quick to defend itself this week, saying in a prepared statement, “Our systems are periodically updated to improve Search, and our users’ search activity varies, so the terms that appear in Autocomplete may change over time. Additionally, our systems automatically filter a small set of offensive or inappropriate content from autocomplete predictions. There is no difference between how our removal filters operate among candidates.” The investigation comes on the heels of allegations that Facebook was proactively pushing conservative news to the bottom of their trending lists. As two of the most trusted search and information sources in the United States, the political controversy with Google and Facebook has triggered everything from skepticism to outrage among users. “These are private companies and they can do this if they want, it’s not illegal,” said a Raleigh entertainment lawyer. “But it’s like anything else: buyer or user beware. Knowing where you are getting your information is as important as the information itself.”
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
Murphy
Summer Road Trip
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GASTONIA
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17 INFOGRAPHIC BY LAUREN ROSE AND ALLY LEVINE
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Sylva woman jailed for assaulting a police officer Jackson County A Sylva woman plead guilty to assaulting a police officer and will spend three months in jail. Last year, the woman flung a beer bottle at an officer’s head and injured another officer with her car. After serving her jail time, she will have three years of supervised probation.
THE SYLVA HERALD
Firefighters battle Brown Mountain wildfire Burke County Fifty-five firefighters were trying to extinguish a wildfire in the Brown Mountain area Thursday. The Upper Creek Fire was reported Tuesday, and by Thursday it increased to 30 acres. Brown Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle area, Brown Mountain Road and Piercy Creek Road are closed to protect public and firefighter safety. Low humidity, which is uncommon for the season, is helping the fire grow, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Ninth RiddleFest slated for Burnsville Yancey County Preparations for the ninth annual RiddleFest, scheduled for June 25 in Burnsville, are underway. The concert honors the life of Burnsville native Lesley Riddle (1905-1979) and his contributions to country music. In the late ’20s and early ’30s, Riddle, an African-American musician, traveled with fellow musician A.P. Carter to collect music from the Appalachian Mountains. This year’s theme is Jubilee Revival. “The community participation in old-time music is really terrific,” said Ellen Denker, vice president of Traditional Voices Group, a nonprofit organization that preserves the music and stories of the Toe River Valley in the southern Appalachian Mountains. “Our goal is to help preserve and remember the past.” NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Carowinds stalled during Thursday power outage Mecklenburg County Some of Carowinds’ patrons were left high and dry on Thursday when a power outage stranded riders on at least three of its attractions. According to reports from WXII 12 News in the area, the power went out shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday due to a blown transformer. No injuries were reported but it took roughly two hours to get all of the stranded riders off of the rides. WXII 12 NEWS
Raleigh man incarcerated 71 months for tax fraud Wake County Wilfredo Acosta Hidalgo, 47, was sentenced to 71 months in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty in February to several tax-refund-related theft charges. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft of public money and one count of theft of public money, according to
Carolina Ciraolo, the acting assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s tax division. For more info, read the full story on NSJonline. com. NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Murder suspect wanted by immigration officials Randolph County Two individuals, one of whom is in the country illegally, are being held on murder charges in Randolph County jail. Ingrid Morales Dejesus Rodriguez, 24, and Miguel Angel Munoz, 18, were charged with murder in the death of 21-year-old Francisco Rivas Galves-Huezo. Munoz was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents when he was 16 for illegal entry and was considered an unaccompanied minor. He was released to the custody of his mother who lives in Siler City. He has been wanted by immigration law enforcement, but now that he is charged with murder he is currently being held without bond. The U.S. Department of Justice reportedly delivered a “detainer” order to the Randolph County Sheriff’s office, which means that the DOJ wants to take custody of Munoz after his trial, or his incarceration should he be convicted.
WATAUGA DEMOCRAT RANDOLPH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount
By Jeff Moore North State Journal
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Jones& Blount NC legislature considering sixth regulatory reform bill since 2010
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Summer is upon us and for many North Carolinians that means it’s time to hit the road! The N.C. Department of Transportation wants drivers to be safe and enjoy the scenic routes, and these are the highways that can take us to some of our state’s best summer destinations. Whether you are headed to the cool mountains or the sunny coast, DOT divisions are committed to maintaining road conditions and offering ASHEVILLE driver assistance. 40
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EAST Butterfield calls for action in ECU assault case Greenville, N.C. Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-Wilson) is urging the Pitt County district attorney to release surveillance video footage of a St. Patrick’s Day assault on the East Carolina University campus. The assault seriously injured a 26-yearold black man. Six people were arrested and the ECU officer who handcuffed the victim at the scene but did not detain anyone involved in the assault was fired. Butterfield is asking the Department of Justice to look into the case to determine if there was racial motivation. The district attorney has subpoenaed the surveillance video but asked ECU officials to withhold the video until the case is solved in court. THE DAILY REFLECTOR
Environmental assessment for Rodanthe bridge approved Rodanthe, N.C. The federal government has approved a revision to the
environmental assessment for the Rodanthe bridge that brings the project closer to fruition. The project features the addition of a 2.4-mile-long bridge, known as a “jug handle,” that will extend from the southern end of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge over the Pamlico Sound into Rodanthe. The new bridge will be a long-term solution that will allow Highway 12 to be kept open through a part of the area that has experienced severe storm damage. The Federal Highway Administration and the N.C. Department of Transportation will work together on the bridge project that is estimated to cost between $179.3 million and $198.3 million. THE OUTER BANKS SENTINEL
Cherry Point names new commander Cherry Point, N.C. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy will take command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Glavy will oversee the 15,000 Marines and sailors of the 2nd MAW, based at Cherry Point. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas who relinquished command on Thursday. HAVELOCK NEWS
RALEIGH — The Regulatory Reform Act of 2016 passed out of multiple legislative committees this week as the sixth regulatory reform bill to gain traction since Republicans won majorities in the North Carolina General Assembly in 2010. “These bills seem small, but what they do in rural areas is pretty significant,” said House majority leader Rep. Mike Hager (R-Rutherford) about reducing and simplifying regulations in the state. One of those small changes in this year’s proposal is the repeal of restrictions on pet turtle sales, but other measures stand to have more far-reaching economic impacts in the state. Among the more consequential changes are new prohibitions and limitations on state rules that impose substantial financial costs. Under the proposal, a state agency “may not adopt a permanent rule or set of rules with a projected aggregate financial cost to all persons affected equal to or greater than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) during any five year period.” If the rule amounts to a cost of $10,000,000 or greater, state agencies must reach special approval thresholds, such as signed certifications from Council of State members, and even direct review
and approval by the Governor in some cases, before the rule can be implemented. The provision is intended to limit the economic costs of rules passed by agencies that do not have to answer to voters come election time. The Act also relaxes rules on distillery sales, simplifying the relevant language dealing with the sale of distilled products outside of the state, so as to allow the businesses to better compete in national and international markets. A previous edition of the bill also relaxed the rules on selling bottles directly to those participating in distillery tours. As a result of a previous reform bill, distilleries can now sell one bottle of liquor per 12 month period to an individual who participates in a distillery tour. The proposed change would have expanded the language to one bottle of each product, allowing those who distilled, say, rum and vodka to sell one bottle of each to a tour participant. That expansive change was removed between committee hearings this week, but Hager thinks small changes can have large positive impacts for businesses in the state. “Those are real jobs, and real businesses, and real entrepreneurs,” said Hager. The bill will face votes in the Senate on Monday.
Bill extends legislation to probe unsolved crimes By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal WASHINGTON, D.C. – Racially motivated crimes were rampant during the Civil Rights era, and many of them remain unsolved to this day. A federal law allowing the re-opening of these cold cases is set to expire this fall and legislators are hoping a new reauthorization bill will extend the deadline indefinitely. U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Right Crimes Reauthorization Act this week in an effort to continue the coordination of local, state and federal authorities and keep these unsolved cases open and active. The congressional legislation reauthorizes the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation to probe racially-motivated cold cases and eliminate the limitation that all cases must have occurred before Dec. 31, 1969 by extending the cold case period beyond that date. “There are many evils of our past that we cannot right, but we can make sure that the truth about these injustices does come to light,” said Burr. “I am honored to join Congressman Lewis to introduce this legislation to make it possible for the FBI and the Justice Department to continue their important work to investigate these
cold cases and bring the perpetrators of racially-motivated crimes to justice. Uncovering and confronting the truth about these crimes is essential to ensuring that no one is above the law and that all Americans are worthy of the protection of our laws.” If passed, the bill would indefinitely extend the law’s original deadline of September 2017 for cold cases to be solved. President George W. Bush signed the original bill into law in 2008 and required the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take a new and fresh look at 113 separate homicide cases involving 126 deaths in the U.S. south. The Emmett Till Act directs the Justice Department and the FBI to work with local law enforcement and publish an annual report on their progress. In a May 2015 report released by the Justice Department, eight of the 113 cases still remained active. The original act is named for Emmett Till, a black teenager brutally murdered in 1955 near Money, Mississippi for whistling at a white woman. His killers, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, two white men, were acquitted of the racially-motivated crime, but later admitted to the crime in an interview with a national magazine. Under the protection of double jeopardy, the men were unable to be retried for the crime.
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North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor EDITORIALS | RAY NOTHSTINE
Say no to increasing lotto advertising Former President Benjamin Harrison, not really remembered for much, reminded Americans that lotteries “debauched and defrauded” the public.
For the most part, gambling is illegal in North Carolina — unless of course it’s run and sanctioned by the state. When state governments run a gaming monopoly, and then crack down on illegal gambling, they lose moral credibility. Some states with government lotteries have even absurdly gone after fantasy sport sites like FanDuel and DraftKings. They say the fantasy sports sites, a game of skill, promotes gambling. Unfortunately, the greed and hypocrisy of the state is not the only problem when it comes to lotteries. The advertising is much worse than the actual gambling. A quick look at the Facebook page for the North Carolina Education Lottery shows a post on June 7 immediately being flagged by a commenter for false advertising on the number of winners for a new “Wheel of Fortune” instant game. While this may have just been an oversight or misprint, most people are unaware that state lotteries are exempt from federal truth-in-advertising laws. Sadder still is that the N.C. government is involved in the use of social media to hook and entice more lottery players. The lottery advertises cash giveaways for interacting with them on social media and asks users to share and spread their content, under the guise that “more people will win” of course. What is heartbreaking is reading some of the stories when the lottery asks what North Carolinians will do with $200,000 when they win. In one post from May, a woman responds that she “would get a bigger house that’s handicapped accessible throughout for my daughter.” Another woman responds that if she wins, “I can feed my kids and have the basic necessities since my husband’s prostate cancer and knee surgery.” Many other responses are more sad and unfortunate stories. One Facebook post trivializes Memorial Day saying, “Today we are lucky because others were brave,” possibly suggesting American service men and women gave their life so you could win the lottery. Despite this buffoonery, the Senate version of North Carolina’s new state budget calls for a doubling of advertising from the lottery revenue from 1 percent to 2 percent. State Rep. Paul Stam is calling this a tax, and he has a point. The money has to come from somewhere, which means from poor people who can ill-afford it while being deceived by the very government that is supposed to protect them. According to Stam, the advertising increase will lead to a significant decline in marginal revenue. “As a tax this is very inefficient,” he writes. “Most taxes cost less than 1 percent in administrative cost, but for the N.C. Education Lottery the administrative cost to raise the $46 million is over $18 million, which is over 28 percent of the expected return!” Stam points out that doubling the advertising budget will only bring in $46 million in new revenue on top of $580 million. On social media and elsewhere, the lottery likes to brag about how much it is providing for statewide education. They never share that the number is 5 percent of the entire education budget. In the past, it was often government that reminded citizens of the stupidity of lotteries, which have much lower odds of winning than almost every other form of gambling. President Benjamin Harrison, not really remembered for much, reminded Americans that lotteries “debauched and defrauded” the public. If government is unwilling to get out of the business of the lottery, at least stop it from spending more money to prey on a populace already being fed too much false hope.
visual VOICES
BE IN TOUCH Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@NSJonline.com or 819 W. Hargett St. Raleigh, N.C. 27603. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@NSJonline.com.
EDITORIALS | DREW ELLIOT
N.C. State’s tunnel vision on free expression A university should take care to employ the least restrictive speech rules.
Nicholas Kristof, the liberal New York Times columnist, recently wrote that on many university campuses the doctrine is: “I disapprove of what you say, so shut up.” North Carolinians need not look far for evidence of this unfortunate fact. Last week U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever enjoined N.C. State University from regulating the speech of student groups including Grace Christian Life, a non-denominational student group. Grace Christian sued the university in April, saying administrators forced the group to obtain permits before it could talk to students about Jesus and hand out fliers. It also claims the school has prohibited members from walking around Talley Student Union to talk with students. According to the group, other organizations circulate and ask for signatures on petitions, but the Christian group is confined to its table. When appearing before Dever on June 3, university lawyers could not provide much of an explanation for the school’s “non-commercial solicitation” policy. The best they could do was to claim the policy dates to 1993. ‘We’ve been violating the First Amendment for decades!’ is hardly a comeback. Dever found the student group is being harmed by the policy, which he said facially violates the First Amendment.
Under First Amendment law, so-called time, place, and manner restrictions are legal — to a point. Even in his order preventing N.C. State from enforcing its policy, Dever was clear to note that the school could continue to prohibit or require permits for some activities, such as soliciting inside dormitories. But time, place, and manner restrictions are constitutional only if the restriction is contentneutral. Schools can’t say that Bernie Sanders supporters are free to hold a rally on campus any time but Hillary Clinton supporters must do so only from 8-9 a.m. If the university truly has been letting other groups circulate among students but sequestering Grace Christian, the church group has the school dead to rights. The university claims that Grace Christian is treated the same as other groups and shows that the church has obtained permits to host a table in the student union “more than 190 times” in the 2015-2016 academic year alone. The university concludes that Grace Christian’s ability to jump through the speech-chilling hoops N.C. State has erected is sufficient evidence that Grace Christian is able to accomplish its mission. Wait. Why is the university judging whether a group has accomplished its mission? N.C. State’s stance seems to be that as long as its restrictive
speech rules are constitutional, they should be able to regulate how they see fit. That might make sense in the lobby of the DMV, but not a public university. A university should take care to employ the least restrictive speech rules. Sadly, academia has been moving in the opposite direction in the past two decades. It’s no secret that college campuses are hardly welcoming to Christian groups, so these administrators’ claims of neutrality are suspect. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) gives N.C. State a “yellow light” rating for its speech policies, specifically mentioning the non-commercial solicitation policy as part of the reason for the less-thanstellar rating. N.C. State is marshaling its considerable, taxpayer-provided resources for a legal fight to ensure its own students can be kept on a tight leash when trying to save their fellow students’ souls. What a pointless exercise of authority and a horrible message to send to students about the purpose of a university. Even if university administrators win at trial, they’ll still be wrong.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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Opinion | neal robbins
The North State Journal: progress toward an ambitious goal hat’s interesting, but I bet you don’t write about my home county. I’m from Windsor in ‘T Bertie County.”
I think we are marching toward high quality marks in the four major areas of making a newspaper — writing, design, printing, and delivery.
That was the response I received from a lady in Winston-Salem after I told her I was the publisher of a brand new newspaper and our mission was to cover the whole state. Just the week before, the North State Journal had launched and the features section lead story was titled “Windsor’s own Fen Rascoe,” about a Bertie County painter. The piece was written by Raleigh writer Dan Reeves. I told the woman about the story and her response was, “Well, I just might have to pick up a copy of a newspaper that covers my hometown.” What I did not fully understand at that point was just how hard it would be to enable her to pick up a copy. Printing and delivering a statewide newspaper is a challenge. Printing a newspaper that has the most thorough use of color on the brightest newsprint of any newspaper in the state and delivering that newspaper to a subscriber base that is made up of influencers, news hounds, politicos and CEOs is a major challenge. We are working with the best of the best when it comes to print and delivery, but the North State Journal has proven to be a challenge even for veterans in the print and delivery industries. As we learned more about the manufacturing and logistical challenges of our newspaper, we adapted — and are still adapting. But, just like our journalists and designers, I think our print and delivery results improve each week. We are a company that must engender confidence in our words and in our actions. I won’t declare
premature victory, but I think we are marching toward high quality marks in the four major areas of making a newspaper — writing, design, printing, and delivery. As we continue to focus on North Carolina people, places, and teams while we perfect our printing and delivery operations, we have already had an impact on our readers, our advertisers, and the media landscape. When readers are calling to thank writers for stories they did not find anywhere else, advertisers are reporting calls from three hours outside their home area, and other newspapers are assigning reporters to cover the North State Journal, we are delivering on our three-part promise: elevate the conversation, help readers make informed decisions, and broaden awareness of our remarkable state. Just like the rest of the North State Journal’s leadership team, I am a lifelong North Carolinian. I always knew that North Carolina was a great state and that when I leave its borders, I always want to come home. But being part of the North State Journal has broadened my appreciation of the people and places that I did not know as well. From artists on the Albemarle Sound to the exciting appearances in the NCAA tournament by UNC Wilmington in basketball and baseball, and between craft breweries in the mountains to the Moogfest’s Asheville-Durham nexus, as a reader and a participant, I believe the North State Journal is doing a job that no one has done before — and we are doing it better each and every week. Neal Robbins, from Asheboro, N.C., is publisher of the North State Journal.
FRANK HILL
What happened to lower tuition rates? or years, advocates for low in-state tuition at North Carolina’s public F universities have screamed at the General Assembly for allowing in-state tuition to ‘skyrocket’. Even though they still are at least 40 percent lower than in-state tuition at public universities in our neighboring states, Virginia to the north and South Carolina to the south. The state Senate recently tried to help college students and their families at five state-supported universities with a proposal that would help them save close to $10,000 in college tuition costs over the next four years. The five universities were Western Carolina, Pembroke State, and three historically black schools (HBCUs): Winston-Salem State; Fayetteville State and Elizabeth City State. However, HBCU supporters thought they saw this as a backdoor way to weaken the three HBCU institutions and successfully got them removed from the list. Western Carolina and Pembroke State students are now the only ones left who will benefit from this $10,000 price cut if it makes its way into the final bill signed into law at the end of this legislative session.
Many of these families would have had to have received a $1,000 tax credit for the next 10 years to equal $10,000 in savings.
eamon queeney | the north state journal
The North State Journal runs through the presses in a final test on February 20, 2016.
Columnist | MICHAEL MUNGER
The recycling-industrial complex andatory recycling laws are a violation of the Constitutional separation of church and M state. The law cannot force us to worship landfills,
If I wash garbage and put it in the recycle bin, my neighbors can see I love my landfill. It’s a secular communion.
but that’s what mandatory recycling does. I’m not talking about voluntary recycling. I voluntarily reuse my car, every day. After I wear a suit to work, I don’t throw it away; I send it to the dry cleaners. Because it’s cheaper. In a market economy price tells us which course of action uses more resources. The higher the price, the more energy and resources that action uses. No one has to order me to do what’s cheaper; I just do it voluntarily. Mandatory recycling means that I am being required, with threats of fines or punishment, to divert things from the landfill and use them in some other way. Because — for reasons that escape me — landfills are sacred. I have (immodestly) proposed the “Munger Test” in this situation: You have in your hand an item. Is it garbage, or a resource? The answer is that if it’s a resource, someone will pay you for it. If it’s garbage, you have to pay someone to take it. The cheapest place to pay them to take it is the landfill. Let’s try that out. Do we need mandatory recycling of aluminum? Nope. Those cans in the garbage are worth money; recycling saves resources. Many people recycle them voluntarily. But even if they don’t, other people will voluntarily go through the trash and pull them out. So, aluminum is a resource; it won’t go to the landfill. What about glass, plastic, or mixed paper? Those are all garbage, folks. Many N.C. cities have suspended their glass recycling programs, because there is no market for garbage. Virgin sand costs less, because it requires less energy, and does less harm to the environment. The problem is that people have a religious commitment: anything we send to the landfill is a sign of moral evil. They
want to be able to recycle glass, because it makes them feel good. Much the same is true for plastic containers. It’s illegal to put “recyclable rigid plastic containers that have a neck smaller than the body of the container” in landfills in North Carolina. Of course, these containers have food waste in them, making recycling expensive, wasting energy and water in cleaning. So recycling “information” sites suggest using time and heated, purified water to wash garbage in dishwashers. For this to make sense, one of two things must be true: 1) recycling garbage saves money, or 2) the time and resources spent by consumers are not costs, but benefits. The first claim is common, but mistaken. I have been told by several city employees (in the tone usually addressed to a child): “Sir, recycling always saves money, no matter how much it costs.” That “insight” lies at the heart of recycling zealotry: you aren’t saving resources, you are saving the Earth! And who could put a price on that? Which leads directly to the second claim: costs are benefits, because sacrifice is a sign of piety. If I wash garbage and put it in the recycle bin, my neighbors can see I love my landfill. It’s a secular communion. Instead of the Eucharist, I display sacred items, so they can then be picked up and taken... where? I don’t know or care, as long as it’s not the landfill. Recycling costs money, harms the environment, and uses the one resource — time — that is truly non-renewable. But it gives folks a way to show publicly how much they love the Earth. That’s fine, but making landfill-worship mandatory violates the separation of church and state. Michael Munger is a professor of and director of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program at Duke University.
What in the world is going on here? Did opponents of this proposal ask any current HBCU student or family supporting those students at these three universities if that was okay with them? Was there any kind of poll taken or survey asking these 12,000 students and their families if they were ‘happy’ that they were going to have to cough up $2,500 more per year for the next four years to go to one of these three universities than they would have had to if the Senate proposal been accepted and passed into law? Whatever happened to the state constitution’s free in-state tuition ‘as far as is practicable’ argument? Isn’t $1,000 annual tuition better for the student and the family than paying $3,500-$4,000 annually for the same university? Isn’t a lower tuition closer to being free as far as practicable far better than paying a higher in-state tuition fee by anyone? The argument has been made that the ‘trust level’ is not what it should be between member institutions and the General Assembly. The expressed fear was that the roughly $70 million in additional funding the Senate proposal was going to provide for these five state universities to make up for the lower tuition might be removed in future years. State funding for anything can be removed at any time for any reason, political or economic. The $70 million could be replaced by higher in-state tuition next year if there was a ‘revolt’ of some sort from the students and families at these three HBCUs because they did not like paying such a low in-state tuition this year — which would be highly unlikely, if you really think about it. To put this in context, consider what state tax cuts would have had to have been for these 12,000 students and families to be equal to the lower tuition that was proposed: • Many of these families would have had to have received a targeted 100 percent state income tax cut for the next 10 years to equal $10,000 in savings. • Many of these families would have had to have received a $1,000 tax credit for the next 10 years to equal $10,000 in savings. As it is, the students at Western Carolina and Pembroke State now stand to gain close to $10,000 in more disposable cash available or savings kept vis-à-vis their HBCU counterparts at these three universities starting August 2016. Modern Math must be more complicated than previously thought. Frank Hill is the director of The Institute for the Public Trust in Raleigh.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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NATION& WORLD NEWS IN IMAGES
Carlos Barria | Reuters
A man throws a rose over the hearse carrying the remains of Muhammad Ali during the funeral procession for the three-time heavyweight boxing champion in Louisville, Ky., on June 10.
Dirk Shadd | tampa bay times for reuters
Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, sits in court during his trial against Gawker Media, in St Petersburg, Fla., March 17, 2016.
Gawker Media files for bankruptcy after lawsuit, to go up for sale Beawiharta | Reuters
Muslims attend the Ramadan tarawih prayer at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 5.
Kevin Coombs | Reuters
Children at L’Ecole des Petits bilingual primary school celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday in London, on June 10.
By Jessica DiNapoli Reuters NEW YORK/ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Gawker Media LLC, the online publisher ordered by a U.S. court to pay $140 million to former wrestler Hulk Hogan over the publication of a sex tape, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday and is planning to put itself up for sale. The move will intensify public debate in the United States over the role of big money in media lawsuits. Billionaire investor Peter Thiel, an early backer of Facebook and a co-founder of PayPal, had bankrolled Hogan’s lawsuit. Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is listed as the largest creditor in Gawker’s bankruptcy filing. Media company Ziff Davis LLC already has an agreement to buy Gawker for a little less than $100 million, according to people familiar with the matter. However, a bankruptcy auction will ensue, likely at the end of
justice from page A1
primary from page A1
aspect, and then say that the result that the court reaches is by definition political.” Justice Paul Newby, first elected to the bench in 2004, thinks there is good reason for why the court’s opinions can take on a political nature. “Actually, the decisions made by the North Carolina Supreme Court, which are generally the final decision in any particular case, have more to do with everyday life in North Carolina than the decisions rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Newby. “The judicial branch, from magistrates, judges, district judges, superior court, court of appeals and then the Supreme Court, make the decisions that truly impact day-to-day life.” Newby explained that the court can be the difference between a business-friendly climate and a climate businesses avoid; the relationship between the state and its citizens, or cities and counties. All of these relationships are determined by the N.C. Constitution, and the constitution is interpreted by the N.C. Supreme Court. Our state constitution (1776) actually predates the U.S. Constitution (1787) by more than a decade, and the differing approaches to its interpretation certainly exist, despite the more recent (since 2002) nonpartisan elections of state Supreme Court justices in our state. “Let’s be clear that all forms of judicial selection have a political component,” said Newby. “What you don’t want is a judge who acts political — in other words, their decision making is directed by their political viewpoint, but what you do want is a judge with the right judicial philosophy.” But how does an average citizen determine just what a candidate’s judicial philosophy is and how it affects their interests? Newby thinks there are keys to revealing such answers. “The thing that is often overlooked is that there is a correlation between judicial philosophy and party affiliation,” said Newby. “And so when it comes to judicial elections, people have to ask, what do they think the role of the judiciary should be?” Should the courts be limited in scope, or more activist in interpreting the law? Should justices abide by their oaths of office in the strictest sense, or do the ends justify the means when it comes to your particular view of the rights of the citizens? From the mundane to the extraordinary, the importance of the North Carolina Supreme Court election could have more to do with your professional and personal life than many higher profile races on the ballot in November. Choose accordingly.
getting a nomination with 20 percent of the vote.” District 2 GOP primary winner George Holding easily toppled incumbent Republican Renee Ellmers, receiving 16,999 votes to Ellmers’ 7,527. “I never had any doubts about where I was going to run — 63 percent of the district is currently where I represent, plus it is where I am from,” Holding, who lives in Raleigh, said. “We just knew [Ellmers] was preparing for a tough primary for a year or more and I was running unopposed, so we put our team together quickly. We did it — we did it with a lot of help. “I’m going to keep doing the same thing that I have been doing in Congress and when November comes around I’ll talk about my record,” he continued. Dinan said Holding’s 2-to-1 win over Ellmers and the results in some other races were of note. “George Holding’s victory in the 2nd District Republican primary over Renee Ellmers was not a surprise, but the large margin of his victory was surprising,” he said. “Alma Adams’ victory in the reshaped Charlotte 12th district Democratic primary is also notable, as there were good reasons to expect that her Charlotte-area competitors might defeat her, but she won handily.” Another incumbent, District 8’s Richard Hudson, fended off challenger Tim D’Annunzio in the Republican primary, winning two-thirds of the vote. “I hope it shows that voters appreciate what I stand for and the work I’m doing,” Hudson said. “This is a huge honor to represent the district of Fort Bragg,” said Hudson Tuesday night after finding out that he was declared the Republican primary winner. Looking for a common theme to thread the story of the state’s primaries together, Dinan pointed to one item: the importance of heavy advertising. “Some of these districts were dramatically reshaped if not entirely new, [so] the challenge for candidates was to raise enough money to get on the air-
July. If no other bidders step up with better offers, Ziff Davis will become Gawker’s new owner, the people said. Davis, whose gaming and consumer technology websites include AskMen, Computer Shopper and Geek. com, would significantly expand its internet portfolio with the acquisition of Gawker, gaining websites such as Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Kotaku, Jalopnik, Deadspin and Jezebel. “There’s a tremendous fit between the two organizations, from brands to audience to monetization,” said a spokesman for Davis. “We look forward to the possibility of adding these great brands — and the talented people who support them — to the Ziff Davis family.” In the filing, Gawker said its assets are estimated to be worth $50 million to $100 million, whereas its liabilities are estimated to be between $100 million and $500 million. Gawker has vowed to appeal the verdict in the Hogan lawsuit. In a post-trial hearing in St. Petersburg
Friday, the New York-based company argued it could not pay a bond on the $140 million judgment. “A high bond like that is effectively the same as not allowing the stay,” Michael Berry, an attorney for Gawker, told the court. “My client faces financial ruin. The verdict could be overturned or reduced.” In March, a six-person jury awarded $60 million to Hogan, 62, for emotional distress and $55 million for economic damages, after Gawker published in 2012 a 41-second edited video clip featuring him having sex with the wife of his then-best friend, the radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. The jury then slapped another $25 million in punitive damages on the company and its publisher and CEO Nick Denton. In order to comply with Florida state law regarding bond for defendants, Denton pledged his most meaningful asset, about $800 million worth of stock in Gawker media, according to Berry.
Eamon queeney | north state journal
Representative Mark Walker, of the 6th Congressional District of North Carolina, works the phones along with volunteers at his headquarters in Greensboro during primary voting on June 7.
waves with ads to boost name recognition,” he said. “And we saw that the better financed candidates made good use of this advantage in several key races Tuesday.” In the end, 24 Democrats and 41 Republicans ran for U.S. House seats in Tuesday’s primaries, including a 22-candidate field in District 13. “The size of the Republican primary field in a number of congressional races this week is in some ways an indication that most of North Carolina’s House districts are Republican-leaning districts and so the winner of the Republican primary is almost certain, or has a very strong chance, of winning in November,” Dinan said. “This has a way of drawing a number of Republicans into these primaries, and was nowhere more evident in the newly drawn 13th District in the Triad area, which attracted 17 Republican candidates.” Budd came out on top in District 13, winning 20 percent of the vote. His three closest competitors finished with 10 percent.
“With so many great candidates running, I am honored and humbled that Republicans voters in the 13th District have selected me as their nominee,” Budd said in a statement. I look forward to earning the support of the other Republican primary candidates in this race in the coming days and weeks.” Budd credited a grassroots campaign for his success Tuesday. “My campaign knocked on over 2,500 doors during the past two months and the voters made one thing clear to me: they want Congress stop playing political games and address the problems that face this country,” he said. The District 13 Democratic spread between first-place Bruce Davis and second-place Bob Isner was only 112 votes, or 0.6 percent, well within the 1 percent required to ask for a recount. According to Jackie Hyland, NCSBE’s public information officer, as of press time no recounts had formally been requested. Candidates seeking a recount have until noon Wednesday to file written request.
the Sunday Sideline report 1. Cleveland Cavaliers extended NBA Finals by defending home court against Golden State Warriors.
wake forest baseball
Will Craig’s versatility lands Wake Forest star in first round
2. Sharks beat Penguins 4-2 in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final, extend series. 3. Maria Sharapova was banned by the ITF for two years after testing positive for banned drug meldonium. 4. Gordie Howe, “Mr. Hockey,” died at the age of 88 on Friday. 5. ECU advanced to the Super Regionals of the NCAA baseball tournament, lone NC team to do so.
@TBoneWFNZ: Cam: The Dab has been put aside. New stuff coming that he is working on. christine T. Nguyen | North STATE JOURNAL
@SheaSerrano: a LeBron James alley-oop dunk should be worth six or seven points it really shouldn’t be worth the same amount as a Richard Jefferson layup @SnellZilla11: What I gotta do...
Will Craig, picked No. 22 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night, is greeted by his Wake Forest teammates after scoring a run in the 2016 ACC Tournament.
SPORTS ECU baseball
NFL
Panthers ink Kalil to two-year deal The Carolina Panthers announced a two-year extension for longtime center Ryan Kalil earlier in the week. Kalil helped the Panthers develop Cam Newton and foster a dominant ground game and showed no signs of slowing down at age 31.
College Football
Baylor senior alleges she was sexually assaulted by current player KCEN-TV in Waco, Texas, reported a senior at Baylor came forward alleging she was sexually assaulted in the spring of 2014 (when she was a freshman) by a current Baylor football player. “Ally” said she remains afraid of retaliation from the player.
College Basketball
Dickie V lands extension through 2018-19 ESPN’s loudest, and maybe most famous, voice of college basketball won’t be leaving anytime soon, as Dick Vitale inked an extension to keep him with the network through the 2018-19 college basketball season. The 77-year-old Dickie V said his goal is to “be the first announcer ever to call a game and say ‘you’re awesome baby’ at 100.’”
NFL
Bengals sign RB Bernard to extension The Cincinnati Bengals will keep the one-two punch of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard in the same backfield for at least a couple more years after securing an extension for the former North Carolina standout. Bernard, a smaller, modern back, will get $15.5 million over three years, including $9 million in the first two seasons. He’s signed through 2019.
Madeline Gray | north state journal
East Carolina catcher Travis Watkins runs off the field during the game against North Carolina on May 10 in Chapel Hill. The UNC Tar Heels defeated the ECU Pirates 9-1.
Walk-off hero Watkins leaves lasting legacy By R. Cory Smith North State Journal CU catcher Travis Watkins has shown resiliency all seaE son, but experienced his payoff
moment in Charlottesville regional. ECU’s players didn’t know what they were waiting for, but they could still feel the moment coming. After the pitching staff scattered eight hits across nine innings against No. 1 seed Virginia, the Pirates trailed 6-3 to start the bottom of the ninth, but they still sensed something special on the horizon. That feeling was heightened after a pair of runners crossed the plate. Then Travis Watkins stepped in the batter’s box with two on and one out. ECU’s captain drilled a 1-1 pitch to deep left
center for an 8-6 walk-off home run over the defending NCAA champions on their home field. Pirates players swarmed Watkins as he crossed home plate, mainly because of the victory, but also because it Watkins’ first career walk-off homer. Even more exhiliarating? It was the first walk-off homer any player on the Pirates experienced with the team. “It was so weird because some guys were talking earlier in the game saying, ‘We’ve never been a part of a walk-off homer in our lives. How cool would that be?’” Watkins said. “Then later in the game it just happened. You can’t play it out any more perfectly than that.” A junior catcher and fourthyear member of the baseball See watkins, page B8
By Brooke Pryor North State Journal
D
URHAM — Murmurs ripple through the crowd every time it happens, because the Wake Forest baseball faithful know what’s going on, but it seems to always catch the opposing fans a bit off guard. What’s Will Craig doing? Where’s he going? On a particular afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Craig was bouncing back and forth between first base and the bullpen. After a single to right field helped chase Virginia pitcher Jack Roberts off the mound and give Wake “I try to keep my Forest a three-run lead, Craig jogged at bats in the off first base and headed over to his dugout and my own bullpen. He only had a few minutes, but even stuff on the mound one or two warmup throws were valu- in separate areas.” able. When the inning resumed, Craig ran back over to his spot on first base Will Craig for the final out. He wasn’t there for much longer as his teammate Ben Breazeale fouled out to end the inning a couple of pitches later. Craig played the eighth at his natural third base position, but when Wake Forest ran out on defense to open the ninth inning, the 6-3 235-pound Tennessee native strolled straight to the pitcher’s mound and starting warming up again. It wasn’t the prettiest pitching performance (two runs on three hits allowed) but Craig and the Demon Deacons escaped the game with a one-run win against the defending national champions. It kept Wake Forest mathematically in contention for a berth in the ACC Championship game and, more importantly, all but clinched the team’s first at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament since 2007. So to sum up: Craig threw 20 pitches after playing eight innings at third base and driving in two runs on a homer in the fifth. Pretty remarkable afternoon for most collegiate players, but for Craig, the only thing out of the ordinary was the short in-game warmup. “I’ve never done that before, and it was very tiring,” Craig said. “I was exhausted. They told me pretty much that if they were going to make a pitching change, I would sprint to the
See craig, page B8
inside
photos by John Mummert for the USGA
U.S. Open PREVIEW PGA Tour pros are about to get a rude awakening when they arrive at Oakmont Country Club for the 116th United States Open Championship. Dubbed the “hardest course in America,” Oakmont is about bring some golfers to their knees. We preview the picks to win, the best sleepers and who is under the most pressure. Page B4 & B5.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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NS J beyond the box score
06.12.16
Cam Newton: Panthers quarterback was listed No. 1 on Forbes list of highest-paid athletes for income earned in 2016. Nike: Shoe and apparel company will not terminate its contract with suspended tennis superstar Maria Sharapova. Rafael Nadal: The tennis star, ranked No. 4 in the world, pulled out of Wimbledon because of a wrist injury that also forced him to withdraw from the French Open midtournament. Von Miller: Denver Broncos star and Super Bowl MVP turned down the team’s $114 million offer, reportedly wants more guaranteed money in the deal. Jose Baez: Attorney for Casey Anthony in highly publicized murder trial hired by former Patriots quarterback Aaron Hernandez, who is filing an appeal on his lifetime sentence. Sean Rooks: The Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach and 12-year NBA veteran died at the age of 46. Ben Simmons: The highly touted Australian announced he will sign with Nike in what is reportedly one of the richest endorsement deals for a rookie in NBA history.
POTENT QUOTABLES
honoring the life of a legend
Fans pay tribute to the late Muhammad Ali, who died at the age of 74 Friday, June 3. His death — and legacy — resonated around the world.
Jeremy Brevard | USA TODAY Sports
If you came from eatin’ cereal with roaches in it before, you wouldn’t want to do that again, right? Marshawn Lynch, former Seattle Seahawks RB John Sommers II | Reuters
nba
Gordie howe | 1928-2016
4,742
Days between NBA Finals starts for Cavaliers vet Richard Jefferson, who was moved into the starting lineup for Kevin Love in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. It was Jefferson’s first Finals’ start since playing for the Nets against the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in 2003.
team usa
5
Number of Duke players picked for 25-player USA Men’s Select Team. Rodney Hood, Brandon Ingram, Jahlil Okafor, Jabari Parker and Justise Winslow will train in Vegas before the 2016 Olympics.
Rebecca Cook | Reuters
NHL legend Gordie Howe, known by most as “Mr. Hockey” and one of the game’s greatest ever, died Friday at the age of 88. Howe played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, winning four Stanley Cup Championships. He holds NHL records for most games (1,767), seasons (26) and is second only to Wayne Gretzky with 801 career goals. Manny Machado suspended four games
Evan Habeeb | USA TODAY SPORTS images
The Orioles shortstop was suspended four games for charging the mound and punching Yordano Ventura in the face after being hit with a ball. MLB’s been making a point of going after fighting, but Machado got off light compared to Roughned Odor.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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NBA
Jerome Miron | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at the American Airlines Center.
Former Duke star Jahlil Okafor talks rookie year, Blue Devils new freshmen class By Shawn Krest North State Journal
Jahlil Okafor
fter leading Duke to the 2014-15 national champion A ship, freshman center Jahlil
Age: 20 Hometown: Fort Smith, AR College: Duke Class of: 2015 Team: Philadelphia 76ers PPG: 17.5 RPG: 7.5 Twitter: @JahlilOkafor
Okafor left for the NBA. Drafted third overall by the 76ers, Okafor was seen as an instant impact player in Philadelphia, but his rookie season was cut short by a torn meniscus in his right knee. In 53 games, he still averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, earning a spot on the NBA AllRookie team. The selection made Okafor the 11th former Duke player named first-team AllRookie and first since Mason Plumlee in 2013-14. Okafor returned to Duke in early June to take part in the K Academy, a weeklong fantasy camp for Duke fans. He took a few minutes to talk about his rookie year, the rehabilitation process and his impression of the incoming freshman class at Duke. On the status of his knee and the rehab timeline... I’m still rehabbing my knee. It’s been like 10 weeks since my surgery. It feels fine, but my team tells me to keep it slow. I won’t be doing anything on the court [at the K Academy], but I’ll be listening. I have to go back to Philly
games. Stuff like that. I have a lot of big dreams. I know I have one way to go. On what brings former players back to Duke, helping out with events like the K Academy...
Bill Streicher | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) shoots against the defense of Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
within the next week or so and see if I can finally be cleared by the Philly doctor. And then they’ll let me know if I can go or not.
Next professional goals after making the All-Rookie team... Everything. I want to be an All Star one day. Watching the NBA Finals, I want to be part of those
I think we hear it all the time — it’s a brotherhood. A lot of these guys, I didn’t play with, but I still have a bond with them. We’ve established a connection that lasts forever. Thoughts on the current players and the incoming class... I’m really close with the freshmen. When Jayson [Tatum] was here on his visit, I was his host. Harry [Giles],
I was with him a ton when I was in high school — at camps and all that stuff. So I have a relationship with all of those guys. On advice for the freshmen, specifically on being a oneand-done player... You have to fall in love with the entire process. The team means everything. That was the biggest thing with us [in 2014-15] was how close we were. I told them, ‘Don’t worry about the one-and-done thing.’ That’s what I meant about just falling in love with the process. The time you’re going to have here will probably be the best time in your life. Obviously, they’re really talented, but from what I can tell, they’re focused on winning another championship. On how this year’s freshman class compares to 2014 [which also had PG Tyus Jones, PF Justise Winslow and G/F Grayson Allen]... They’re really talented. I think we were really talented as well. People say Jayson and Harry are similar to Tyus and I, with how close they are. The other two guys are really close to them as well. I’m excited to watch them this year.
ncaa baseball tournament
The insanity that was the Raleigh regional By R. Cory Smith North State Journal ALEIGH — Eight hours and three minutes of rain delays. R Roughly 400 pints of Howling
Cow ice cream*, 784 pieces of Double Bubble and a handful of monsoon-like downpours later the Raleigh regional came to a close, with Coastal Carolina ripping NC State’s heart out in the ninth inning of a game that, quite literally, took multiple days to finish. (*All ice cream and bubble gum numbers approximate.) Despite the intense weather, Raleigh put on quite a show, with an impressive effort from the field crew, and a determined NC State staff doing anything to make its visitors comfortable. The service was so good ath-
letics director Debbie Yow even passed out cheeseburgers and ice cream during one lengthy delay. There were glimpses of greatness, heartache and absurdity all rolled into one weekend at Doak Field. Here is the good, bad and ugly from one rain-filled weekend. The Good Coastal Carolina got the best of NC State’s pitching staff on Tuesday to advance, but performances by two bullpen pitchers were nearly flawless. With NC State’s season on the line, both Johnny Piedmonte and Will Gilbert stepped up in a big way. Piedmonte allowed just one earned run on six hits over 8 2/3 innings against Navy despite seeing his ERA ballon from 2.45 to
7.11 over his previous eight outings. Given Piedmonte had not thrown more than 78 pitches all season, tossing 125 in the NCAA Tournament was a huge feat. Gilbert, one of the last remaining pieces from the 2013 College World Series team, was maybe more impressive, stifling the Coastal lineup for eight straight frames. “I wanted to go out there and repeat what I was doing every inning,” Gilbert said. “This was definitely my longest appearance of my career and probably the biggest. It’s a pretty big stage here in the postseason.” The senior finished with career highs in innings pitched (8.0), strikeouts (9) and pitches See NCSU, page B7
Madeline Gray | north state journal
NC State pitcher Cody Beckman gets up after slipping when he tried to catch the ball during the game against Coastal Carolina in the NCAA Regional championship game in Raleigh on June 6. The NC State Wolfpack led the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 5-3 at the top of the ninth inning when the game was postponed due to rain.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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photos by John Mummert for the USGA
The 14th hole at Oakmont.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
The 15th hole at Oakmont.
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The eighth hole at Oakmont.
2016 US OPEN
Beginning June 16, the U.S. Open Championship will return to Oakmont Country Club in Plum, Pa. for a record ninth time. Expcect the most difficult Oakmont test yet. The club removed a whopping 7,000 trees. Multiple golfers — really good ones described Oakmont as the type of course capable of bringing players to their knees. Defending U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth, following a practice round, described Oakmont as “arguably the hardest course in America day-to-day”and Phil Mickelson agreed, telling reporters after after two practice rounds he thinks it’s “the hardest golf course we’ve ever played.”
Oakmont, PA NSJ Staff Images via Reuters
UNDER PRESSURE
THE FAVORITES Jordan Spieth Best Open Finish: 1st, 2015 Odds: 15/2
Rory McIlroy Best U.S. Open Finish: 1st, 2011 Odds: 7/1
Jason Day Best U.S. Open Finish: 2nd, 2011; T-2, 2013 Odds: 13/2
Phil Mickelson
Rickie Fowler
Best U.S. Open Finish: 2nd/T-2, (six times) Odds: 25/1
Best U.S. Open Finish: T-2, 2014 Odds: 20/1
The defending U.S. Open champ rolled through Chambers Bay, finishing 5-under and picking up his second major victory after a bad miss from Dustin Johnson on the 18th green to avoid a playoff. Spieth was just 14 the last time this tournament was played at Oakmont, but he’s a steady player capable of grinding out pars and scrambling like few on tour. He is — and should be — the top favorite for this tournament, which will test his mental mettle after a brutal meltdown at the Masters.
Rory McIlroy had one of his best putting performances as a pro in his T4 finish at the Memorial, and that followed a win in the Irish Open on the European Tour. His one U.S. Open title, in 2011 at Congressional, was a case of McIlroy smoking the field by eight strokes with a 16-under final score. Oakmont isn’t expected to give up those kind of scores, but a U.S. Open win makes McIlroy, not Jordan Spieth or Jason Day, the story of the summer heading into a busy couple months for the sport.
Jason Day’s wire-to-wire win at THE PLAYERS reasserted his place among golf’s top class, and while fans can argue about a Big Three or Big Four (or how ever many numbers you want to use to classify the best golfers in the world) there’s only one world No. 1. That win at THE PLAYERS also could bode well for performance at Oakmont given the stomach needed to withstand ruthlessly slippery greens.
The ultimate U.S. Open bridesmaid, this is the one major tournament victory Mickelson doesn’t have on his distinguished resume. Six second-place finishes in the championship is just absurd, with the last coming at Merion in 2013. Mickelson is a boom-or-bust player when it comes to this tournament and if you lean one way in 2016 it’s probably bust: he’s missed the cut in three of the last five events he’s played in, including a highly disappointing Masters showing.
After a dominant 2014 — top five in all four majors — Fowler looked prime to break through and win a major or two. Instead he took a major step back, failing to record a top-10 finish. 2016 hasn’t offered much hope for a breakthrough either, with Fowler missing the cut at Augusta and THE PLAYERS. He’s a tremendous ball striker, but he’s also a roller coaster on the course at times. Oakmont is capable of sending a shaky player completely off the rails. Fowler desperately needs a good showing but it’s hard to see it happening.
Dustin Johnson
Adam Scott
Justin Rose
Sergio Garcia
Webb Simpson
Best U.S. Open Finish: T-2, 2015 Odds: 15/1
Dustin Johnson is playing well at the right time. DJ has been stacking top-five finishes recently and dominating courses with his length while carding one of the best scoring averages on the tour for the season (sub-70 heading into the St. Jude Classic). The U.S. Open ghosts will be a popular topic of discussion, but don’t let that cloud your judgment of a player with five top-10 finishes in last seven major starts.
Best U.S. Open Finish: T-4 , 2015 Odds: 25/1 Scott only has a single major victory (Masters in 2013) but has been competitive in just about every big tournament over the past few years, including a pair of top-10 finishes in the last two U.S. Opens. He struggled in the Masters (T-42) but has a pair of top-20 finishes since to go along with four top-10s and a pair of wins on tour this season. Scott missed the cut in 2007 but he strikes the ball well and his game could mesh with this course.
Best U.S. Open Finish: 1st, 2013 Odds: 20/1 Can one of the top favorites be a sleeper? Rose is being largely ignored heading into this tournament because of the other big names out there. But look at his history with the U.S. Open: He won at Merion (a reasonably similar course and difficulty level), and his only other top-10 finish in the last decade was ... 2007. Rose finished third at the Wells Fargo, has five top-10’s this season and currently ranks third in ball striking.
At this point Sergio is going to be a storyline at any major, but there’s extra attention since he’s playing pretty well right now. You don’t see many 17-year vets up in the top-15 of the world golf rankings but Garcia, 36, has played himself into fine shape and recently ended a four-year PGA Tour drought with a playoff victory against Brooks Koepka in the Byron Nelson last month.
Best U.S. Open Finish: T-10, 2013 Odds: 30/1 The 24 year old has started the year strong, ranking in the top 15 in both the FedEx Cup and the Official World Golf Rankings after top-10 finishes at the the Masters and THE PLAYERS this spring. He missed the cut at the Memorial, a tournament Matsuyama won just two years ago, but has been steady with his 70s otherwise this season and that’s what it will probably take to win in Oakmont.
Simpson, a Raleigh native, seemed to climb out of his funk, one that included two cuts and no top-25 finishes in five events, in Forth Worth (tied for third) and at the Memorial (tied for 11th). It was the first time since February Simpson finished a PGA Tour tournament under par and has calmed the nerves of the home state fans heading into the U.S. Open. The real pressure here? A win or high finish could be huge for Simpson in the Ryder Cup standings.
Odds
sleepers Hideki Matsuyama
Best U.S. Open Finish: 1st, 2012 Odds: 100/1
Best U.S. Open Finish: 2nd, 2007; T-2, 2014 Odds: 40/1
Brooks Koepka Best U.S. Open Finish: T-4, 2014 Odds: 50/1
Koepka has been solid this season, making the cut in 10 of his 13 events, putting together arguably his toughest (not best, but toughest) performance of the spring in a playoff loss to Sergio Garcia at the Byron Nelson. The former Florida State star couldn’t get his game in a rhythm but still made it into the final pairing and a playoff anyway. This might be a deep sleeper, but if he’s putting well this big hitter could be a threat.
Martin Kaymer Best U.S. Open Finish: 1st, 2014 Odds: 60/1 The German engineering machine stormed out of nowhere to obliterate the field at Pinehurst two years ago, waltzing to his second major and first U.S. Open championship with an 8-stroke victory. There’s no trending indication he’ll excel in this year’s event, although he has made the cut at his last three PGA Tour events (the Masters, the Wells and THE PLAYERS). He’s the type of player who can grind the course right back with tight ball striking and a string of pars.
Branden Grace Best U.S. Open Finish: T-4, 2015 Odds: 30/1 One of Ernie Els’ pupils, Grace quietly has been lurking around in majors over the past two years. He can’t make a cut at Augusta, but he didn’t finish worse than 20th (and had two top-five finishes) in the other three majors last year. At just 28, he has a win (RBC Heritage) and a top-10 (Valero Texas Open) in his last three PGA Tour events. He did miss the cut at Merion and would be a big-time surprise winner — there’s a reason he’s a sleeper.
Jordan Spieth
15/2
Louis Oosthuizen
40/1
Rory McIlroy
7/1
Patrick Reed
40/1
Jason Day
7/1
Sergio Garcia
40/1
Dustin Johnson
15/1
Matt Kuchar
40/1
Rickie Fowler
20/1
Brandt Snedeker
50/1
Justin Rose
20/1
Brooks Koepka
50/1
Adam Scott
25/1
Paul Casey
50/1
Henrik Stenson
25/1
Zach Johnson
60/1
Phil Mickelson
25/1
Charl Schwartzel
60/1
Bubba Watson
30/1
Martin Kaymer
60/1
Hideki Matsuyama
30/1
Jim Furyk
80/1
Danny Willett
30/1
Jimmy Walker
80/1
Branden Grace
30/1
Justin Thomas
80/1
All Odds via the Las Vegas Westgate Superbook
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North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
nba
The Curious Case of LeBron James By Brian Geisinger North State Journal he kid from Akron is the greatest basketball player of T his generation, but what are we
to make of his 2-4 record in the Finals? LeBron James’ entire career — all 13 years of it despite him being only 31 — have been spent putting a vice grip on the Eastern Conference. He’s been to the NBA Finals more times than not and established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of basketball. On the wrong side of his prime, James still dazzles onlookers with a combination of powerful athleticism, scoring prowess and the kind of floor vision that would make Steve Nash and Jason Kidd weep. LeBron, now playing in the championship series for a seventh time — and an absurd sixthstraight time — has an intriguing detraction from his otherwise flawless résumé: his record in those Finals. James was the best player on two title teams, but he’s also lost four out of his previous six Finals appearances. A loss in this year’s event, which could very well be the case against a historically great Golden State Warriors squad, would drop his overall record in the final round to 2-5. It feels wrong to question the merits of an individual athlete for some unfortunate high-stakes defeats in team competition and an all-time great having a poor record in the Finals isn’t without precedent (Jerry West, “The Logo,” went 1-8 in his nine appearances). But this is where we are with Bron in 2016. Get this out of the way Context is always imperative and even more so when discussing James’ legacy. Even by his own ridiculous standards, LeBron has been great in the Finals. The lone exception? The 2011 Finals, a Miami loss to Dallas, when James played some of the worst and most passive basketball of his career. That series against Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks is the lone scarlet letter on James’ career. During the 2010-11 season LeBron averaged 8.4 free throw attempts per game, but in the Fi-
Bob Donnan | USA TODAY SPORTS images
nals, he went into a shell, and his trips to the stripe plummeted to 3.3. The Heat, with a 2-1 series lead, gagged away Game 4 in the fourth quarter. James played nearly 46 minutes that game, shot the ball just 11 times and finished with eight points. Miami dropped that game and ultimately the series. If performances like this were something he did regularly in the Finals, his 2-5 record would be a blight on a Hall of Fame career. However, that series serves as the outlier, because LeBron has thrown down the gauntlet every other time he’s made it that deep into the playoffs. Selective memory helps Looking back at the 2006-07 Cavaliers roster is a depressing jog down memory lane: Eric Snow, Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall. It wouldn’t be fair to zombies to call this group of role players a collection of cadavers.
LeBron dragged that team to within four games of an NBA championship — nothing short of a miracle — yet it still gets an L in the history books. This is frequently used as ammo against LeBron, when really it should be one of the bigger feathers in his cap. James, 22 years old at the time, got to the Finals with a team whose — objectively speaking — second best player was Zydrunas Ilgauskas. They lost to a team that had three future Hall of Fame players — Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili — and a future Hall of Fame coach, Gregg Popovich. No offense to Big Z, but the 2007 Cavs had zero chance against those San Antonio Spurs. So would it have been better for LeBron to just lose in the Eastern Conference finals, and not have another tally in the loss column? It would hinder the argument against his Finals record, but that kind of thought process has no basis in reality.
King remembered in time It was only a few years ago, but it’s worth reflecting on just how amazing LeBron was during his zenith. His run, from the start of the 2011-12 season — which culminated in a 2012 Finals win over Oklahoma City — until the end of the following year is something for the ages. In that span of time, James won back-to-back MVP awards, two straight NBA titles, two straight NBA Finals MVP and made first team All-NBA and All-Defensive team twice. It would take far too long to rehash, but his advanced catch-all metrics were off the charts, too. In between those two seasons, he won his second Olympic gold medal with Team USA in London. It’s possible with LeBron that we won’t appreciate him fully until he’s gone, which would be a crime. The majority of the times he’s participated in the Finals, James came out on the losing end. That
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena.
is an inarguable fact. Regardless of what happens against Golden State, LeBron will have a losing record in the Finals. The current sports media and viewing landscape lends itself to simply judging the number of titles a player won far too often. We’re mystified by rings, courtesy of the Michael Jordan Industrial Complex. Instead of celebrating the monumental accomplishments, like getting to the Finals for a sixth consecutive year, LeBron is hammered for shortcomings assigned only to him. It’s wildly unfair and misguided. It’s far more interesting and fun to celebrate what someone has achieved, rather than looking for ways to denigrate an all-time great. Like it or not, though, the next week will have a tremendous impact on the legacy of perhaps the greatest forward in the history of basketball. No pressure, LeBron.
Duke basketball
Jon Scheyer looking forward to blending Blue Devils’ talent By Shawn Krest North State Journal uke’s assistant coach hopes to add his second ring in three D years on the bench.
The last time Duke entered the season with the country’s top recruiting class, the Blue Devils ended the season by cutting down the nets at the 2015 Final Four. That Duke team was led by its freshman class, a group of fivestars — including Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Grayson Allen — that complemented each other on the court and blended well off it. Fast forward two years, and, other than the names, very little appears to have changed in Durham. Duke welcomed the top recruiting class in the nation again, and this group immediately vaulted the Blue Devils onto the short list of title contenders. This class has a little of everything. Center Marques Bolden signed with Duke in May, putting a cherry on top of a class of prospects that was already impressive. Duke signed the consensus top two players in the nation in power forward Harry Giles and small forward Jayson Tatum, as well as five-star point guard Frank Jackson. Two other forwards — 4-star Javin DeLaurier and 3-star Jack White — round out the class. If Duke finishes the job this year, it will be a remarkable start to Jon Scheyer’s coaching career. After leading the 2010 Blue Devils in scoring and assists as a senior, Scheyer returned to Duke in 2013 as a special assistant with the program. He joined Mike Krzyzewski’s staff for the 2014-15 champion-
Rob Kinnan | USA TODAY SPORTS images
ship season and two years later, Scheyer will get to coach a class of elite freshmen that he helped recruit. “I think this class is special, because all these guys complement each other really well,” Scheyer said. Despite the perception Duke just loads up on one-and-done prospects, Scheyer said chemistry is a very important factor when making the recruiting game plan. “We always try to think about how if we get [that guy] and we get [that guy], how will they blend together?” Scheyer said. “This class does that. We bring in a lot of size, a lot of versatility. Adding Marques just solidifies this class.” Scheyer, a point guard with the
Blue Devils as a player, was the lead recruiter for Jackson, who arrives on campus from Utah and has been busy acclimating himself to the sweltering summer heat of North Carolina. “I remember when I was recruiting him, telling him, ‘You won’t have to deal with the snow as much,’” Scheyer said. “He said, ‘Well I love the snow.’ Okay, so that backfired. But he’s loved it down here. I think when he first got here on campus he felt it [the heat]. He’s adjusted really well.” Giles is recovering from a torn right ACL that caused him to miss his final high school season. He’s already on campus and working on finishing his rehab. “Harry’s been great,” Scheyer
Duke assistant coach Jon Scheyer (right) talks to an official during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke won 80-65.
said. “I think the biggest thing for us is to get him here and have him work the process every day. I think basketball will come for him, but the biggest thing is to just attack the rehab. He’s in there a couple times a day. He has to be patient.” The staff isn’t sure whether Giles will be back to 100 percent by the start of the season. The beauty of a loaded roster is the Blue Devils’ ability to be patient. “I think so,” Scheyer said. “I think for us, when we talk about it as a coaching staff, we’re not trying to jump ahead. There’s no set timetable or anything like that. Our main thing is to get him back stronger and healthier as fast as possible. In a month, we’ll reevaluate. And then a month later. And
we’ll go from there.” Duke is far more than just an impressive freshman class, however. The Blue Devils return leading scorer Grayson Allen, although there’s a chance the junior may see his points drop off a little this season with so many other scoring options available. “Grayson doesn’t have to carry the load,” Scheyer said. “I think he’d be the first to tell you there were other areas of his game that fell off a little bit last year, because it was such a burden on him to score and create for us. I think you’ll see him be much sharper on the defensive end, on the ball and off the ball. He’ll be a little bit better of a decision maker. He had an incredible season last year. Having more help will be a big help for him.” Duke also gets back senior Amile Jefferson, who missed the final three plus months of the season with an injury. Unlike Giles, Jefferson is already back on the court playing. “He’s been great,” Scheyer said. “It’s obvious that when you go such a long time without playing, you lose your feel a little bit. You need to get back your instincts. He’s been trying to do that, playing as much as possible with our guys. He’s such a good basketball player. Just having him on the floor is going to be a game changer for us.” On a team loaded with game changers, planning out lineups and rotations would seem to be a daunting task. Scheyer is up for the challenge, however. “I think it’s one of those things you don’t know, until you get out there with everybody,” Scheyer said. “We’d like to get the whole team and see what blends and what works.”
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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n.c. central
NCSU from page B3
Central’s C.J. Moore making the most of CFL opportunity
(108) for a single game. Though it will ultimately remain a footnote in the Pack’s first regional lost as a host, both relievers were stars with State’s hobbled rotation down the stretch. The Bad
By Brooke Pryor North State Journal URHAM — Four weeks before a flight to Montreal, D before Canada took him out of
the country for the first time, C.J. Moore was working out at his gym in Raleigh. After not receiving an invitation to a single NFL camp following the school’s pro day, the Raleigh native was uncertain about his future — but he was certain he needed to stay in shape. Moore, a safety who started 33 games at NC Central, finished with 301 tackles, good for thirdbest on the school’s career tackles list. He was a talented college player, but in playing in a small conference at an even smaller school, Moore lacked the kind of national exposure other players at bigger schools got throughout their careers. That’s when a trainer at Team Payne Training told him that he had a couple of Canadian Football League connections and had been talking Moore up to a scout with the Montreal Alouettes. A week later, Moore was at an open tryout in Mooresville, N.C., giving his hope of playing professional football another shot. Moore was already considering driving down to Atlanta later in the month for a different CFL team tryout set up by his NFL agent, but when the opportunity to audition close to home came up, Moore knew it was a no-brainer. “Those open try outs are funny because it’s really like American Idol for football, that’s basically what it was described as,” Moore said. “And when I went there, I saw that’s exactly what it is.” After arriving at the field at 11 a.m., Moore worked out with dozens of other hopefuls in front of Alouettes scouts for nearly 8 hours. When he first stepped on the field, Moore was called out by
courtesy NC Central
his number like every other prospect, but as the afternoon wore on, Moore gradually began to hear his name more and his number less. When his tryout was cut short, Moore wasn’t sure what it meant for his future. With some anxiety, he jogged over to the sideline. “My mom, she was in the stands, she thought I had got cut,” he said. “I was like, ‘I don’t know why you would think that.’ “Once that happened, I went off to the side and the scout of their team came over and he was talking to me and he was kind of just surprised. He was like, ‘I don’t understand why you’re not in someone’s camp right now.’ I explained to him the situation, that things didn’t work out. He was like, ‘Well, we’re really impressed with you.’” Moore, who signed with a Montreal-based CFL agent after the open tryout, left such a strong impression on both the scout and the team’s assistant general manager that he bypassed an official tryout and went straight to signing a contract. But there was one hangup: Moore didn’t have a passport. So before he could officially become a professional football player in Canada, Moore had to make a
C.J. Moore (32) celebrates during his final college game at NC A&T.
trip to his own country’s capital for an expedited passport. In less than a day, Moore had a passport, and soon after, he signed his first contract — good for a year with an option — to become a professional football player. Despite a few nuances, the CFL is pretty similar to the NFL. Though there are bigger fields, fewer downs, restrictions on number of non-Canadians per side, Moore isn’t worried about learning all the new rules. He is, however, a little worried about his mom catching on. “I know she barely understood American football, so I have no idea how she’s going keep up,” he said. “I have no idea.” And while Moore’s confident that he’ll be able to translate the football across the border, he isn’t too sure about the everyday language part of living in french-speaking Montreal. “I told my mom I’d get some Rosetta Stone. I know how to say ‘Auv Revour’ ‘Aov Reivor,’” Moore said, laughing as he struggled to pronounce Au Revoir. “I don’t know. I lied. I’m just going to do heavy signage, distinct head nods and waves, facial expressions. Everything.“
Eight hours and three minutes. That’s the total amount of estimated delay time for NC State during the Raleigh regional. Between the 1:36 a.m. finish on Friday night against Navy and two postponements after 1 a.m. against Coastal, severe weather turned marathon games into restless nights for the Pack. “This week has been very unique,” NC State associate head coach Chris Hart said. “I think we’ve had three nights where we didn’t leave the stadium until 2 a.m. or later and [the players] never complained. They did what they always do, coming ready to play.” What made the weather especially bad was not necessarily how it affected sleep patterns, but instead its influence on the regional final. Despite heavy rain falling prior to the end of the eighth inning and a Super Regional berth on the line, the umpiring crew decided to play the ninth. Coastal then loaded up the bases against NC State’s relievers with only one out before crew chief Danny Mascarro decided to postpone the game. “It was very difficult,” NC State catcher Andrew Knizner said of the ninth-inning conditions. “It would have been nice if they’d stopped it a little bit earlier. ... I’m trying to get the balls back to the pitcher and by the time the umpire hands me the ball it’s already wet. I can only imagine what the pitcher’s going through when he’s trying to throw a 90 mph fastball into a strike zone.” When the game resumed on Tuesday under sunny skies, Coastal cashed in with four runs off the bases-loaded situation to advance to the Super Regionals.
Would moving the entire ninth inning to Tuesday have mattered? We’ll never know. But after a grueling five games and more than 25 hours spent at Doak Field, deciding the regionals in that fashion was a tough pill to swallow for the Pack. “It was raining pretty hard to that first hitter in the ninth and I tried to go out and talk to the umpires about it at that time, but the decision was to keep playing,” Hart said. “We’re not making excuses by any means. It’s just an unfortunate way to play a last inning before a super regional.” The Ugly Regardless of how you felt about Elliott Avent’s tirade Monday afternoon, it was not a good look for NC State as a whole. Sure, the spin move to evade third base umpire Fred Cannon was internet gold and something that would make plenty of NFL defensive ends proud to hold in their repertoire, but it put Avent and the Pack in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Preston Palmeiro, one of State’s leaders the past two seasons, downplayed the ejection and subsequent two-game suspension’s effect on the outcome. “I really don’t think it was that big of a deal,” Palmeiro said. “When he left the first game, we took care of business and didn’t let it affect us. It’s awesome having your head coach there because he’s a big part of our team and what we do, but we weren’t going to let that mess up what we had going.” Now Avent has to deal with an entire offseason of figuring out whether or not he can coach the season opener in February or sit out the second game of his suspension. On a weekend where NC State fought through adversity to simply play in Monday’s games, Avent was presumably just trying to inspire his team. It worked on Monday, but left a black eye for the program that will linger throughout the offseason.
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North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
B8
Bark
durham bulls
in the
park
Photos by Christine Nguyen | North State Journal
The Durham Bulls held their second of three “Bark in the Park” nights for 2016 at the DBAP on Wednesday. “Human tickets” sold for $7.99 and proceeds from the
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3 1. Mr. Chops, Watson and Hamilton Age: 5 years old, 4 years old, 2 years old Breed: Dachshund Owner(s): Jessica and James Miller of Raleigh Best Trick: Shaking for treats Favorite food: Naan bread Hobbies: Sleeping and barking
$5 dog tickets were donated to Second Chance Pet Adoptions. The North State Journal was on hand and captured the eclectic collection of canines at the game.
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5
2. Piper
3. Jazzy
4. Bella
5. Owen
Age: 2 years old Breed: Chiweenie Owner(s): The Leonard Family of Cary Best Trick: The Meerkat Hobbies: Watching hockey
Age: 1 year old Breed: Puggle Owner(s): Sasha Allen and Bill Breslin of Raleigh Best Trick: Giving kisses Favorite treat: Turkey
Age: 4 years old Breed: Peekapoo Owner(s): Lindsay Ebling and Justin Vongarlem of Raleigh Best Trick: Standing on hind legs to beg Favorite Food: Cheese
Age: 11 years old Owner(s): Dawn Lewis of Raleigh Best Trick: Giving high fives Favorite food: Salmon treats Hobbies: Swimming
Watkins from page B1
craig from page B1
team, Watkins has seen the ups and downs of the program. ECU missed the NCAA Tournament altogether in 2013 and 2014 before head coach Cliff Godwin took over. Following an AAC Tournament championship in 2015 — the first conference tournament title since 2002 — the Pirates earned a Super Regionals berth for the first time since 2009. Much of that success is thanks to Watkins’ consistency behind the plate. He has suited up for nearly every pitch of the Pirates’ historic campaign. So is the grind of catching an entire year something he regrets? Not a chance. “I wouldn’t really call it a grind,” Watkins said. “I get to do this. I’m fortunate to do this. We’ve got a great coaching staff and a pitching staff that has been big time all year. Our weekend rotation is up there with the best in the country, so I’m grateful to be able to be a part of this system.” Watkins credited his recent growth after a season-ending elbow injury in 2014 to Godwin’s trust in him throughout his two years at the helm. At the plate, Watkins has gone from hitting .292/.343/.358 with three home runs in 2015 to .323/.399/.453 with five homers so far this year. He also thanked ECU’s strength and conditioning coach Blaine Kinsley and athletic trainer Zac Womack for countless hours in the gym. The redshirt junior admits diving into the dogpile after winning his first regional wouldn’t have been possible without everyone involved. “Waking up for 5 a.m. workouts and practices, it all pays off when you have a moment like that,” Watkins said. “We’re 60 games in and I still feel fresh because of those guys. You don’t get to be a part of those experiences if you don’t have a great coaching staff in your corner.” Whether the team heads to Omaha or ends the season in Lubbock, Texas, Watkins is responsible for a moment that will live on in Pirates baseball lore for years to come. The win over William & Mary may have propelled ECU to the Super Regionals, but it was Watkins who slayed Goliath. With all the effort Watkins put in for the team, Godwin couldn’t imagine it happening to a more deserving player. “You can’t ask for much more from a guy in terms of leadership,” Godwin said. “I mean, the guy’s caught every single game except for one. That wears on the body, but he doesn’t complain — ever. He enjoys it and pitchers love throwing to him. “That moment, that home run, that stage — it couldn’t have happened to a better person.”
bullpen, to throw as many pitches as I could, and then sprint back. And not luckily, but Ben popped up, so I didn’t have to sprint around the bases, so that wasn’t too bad.” Changing positions midway through the game is a regular occurrence for Craig, the 2015 ACC Player of the Year. So common that when the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him with the 22nd overall pick of MLB draft Thursday night, he was mistakenly announced as a pitching selection rather than as a hitter. Though he both hit and pitched in high school, he chose Wake Forest over other offers because the school gave him an opportunity to do both at the collegiate level. By the end of his freshman year, Craig was making regular pitching appearances in addition to his everyday third base duties. The toughest part of switching positions midway through the game is separating his mentality at the plate and on the mound. If he’s having rough at bats, he tries to forget it out on the mound and vice versa. “It’s very difficult,” said Craig after struggling to close out a win against UNC in the regular season. “I try not to take it to the mound. I try to keep my at bats in the dugout and my stuff on the mound in separate areas. Obviously it’s very difficult to do both, especially when you’re struggling on one end and then you go throw 10 straight balls and it’s the the worst game I’ve ever played in my entire life.” He made seven appearances on the mound his freshman season — including a start against Florida State — and finished with a 4.05 ERA. The next year, the legend of Will Craig grew as he doubled his pitching duties and saw the mound 15 times — including seven starts — while recording a 6.09 ERA. His bat heated up, and he jumped from a freshman year average of .280 to a team-high .382 in his sophomore campaign with 13 home runs. That season catapulted him to All-America status and ACC Player of the Year honors. In his first year of collegiate MLB draft eligibility this season, Craig filled the box score on both ends, leading the team with a .379 batting average and
Christine T. Nguyen | north state journal
Wake Forest pitcher Will Craig pitches during the ACC Baseball Tournament on May 27 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Wake Forest defeated Virginia, 10-9.
finishing with a career-best 3.54 ERA in 19 appearances. He also recorded 16 homers, 47 walks and 33 steals this spring. Despite improving on his stellar sophomore season, Craig didn’t win ACC Player of the Year honors a second time (Clemson freshman Seth Beer scooped the award). “What [Craig’s] done on the mound in his college career has been impressive,” said Michael Lananna, an assistant editor at Baseball America. “He’s really been their stopper in the bullpen. I’d say he’s almost been as valuable to them on the mound as he’s been at the plate, especially given that Wake Forest doesn’t have the deepest pitching staff. “Craig was actually seen as more of a pitcher out of high school than a hitter by college recruiters, a guy with a low 90s fastball and some feel for spinning the ball. I think he’d still be drafted now as a pitcher even if he never picked up a bat — although certainly not as a first-rounder. He’s a talented guy. He’s been a fun player to cover in the college game the last few years.” Craig may not be world-famous yet, but he’s got a small, yet faithful, following throughout his career. Even after he struggled in the final game of Wake Forest’s sweep of UNC at Gene Hooks Field in Winston-Salem earlier in the season, Craig stayed afterward to sign memorabilia offered up by a crowd of children clad in black
and gold. Signing posters and hats is a pretty regular event. But sometimes those autograph sessions take a turn for the weird. There was the time he was asked to sign someone’s phone. Not a phone case, but the actual phone. And then of course, there’s the time that he was asked for a pretty personal piece of equipment after finishing a high school tournament in New Mexico. “A little kid asked if he could have my jock strap,” Craig said. “And I was like, ‘No!’ They were asking, ‘Can I have a bat?’ ‘Can I have a glove?’ and I was like, ‘No, these are my bats, I bought them with my own money.’ They asked if they could have my cleats. And I was like, ‘well, these cleats have nothing on the bottom. You can have the cleats. One cleat for you and one cleat for you.’ I didn’t even sign it, they just ran off with it. “That’s probably one of the more fun experiences I’ve had. Obviously it’s a little hard after a game like [the UNC] game to go out and sign stuff, but they come and watch me and I can take 5-10 minutes to go sign something, take pictures. It also makes you feel better that even though I had a bad game, people still want my autograph.” And now that he’s on the cusp of professional baseball, those autograph requests — bizarre and otherwise — should only keep coming.
perspective “I hope one day there will be fat women on screen where nothing is said about our weight. ... I think that would be incredible if it was just a girl and her life.” — Whitney Way Thore, star of TLC’s My Big Fat Fabulous Life and author of a new book See page C4
the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND
brave hearts
NS J SUNDAY
6.12.16
playlist June 16-19 Taste of Scotland Festival Franklin Street festival with all things Scottish including entertainment, clans, authentic Scottish foods, music and dancing, parade, Border Collie demos, crafts, and many other contests. tasteofscotlandfestival.org
June 17 A Living History Night Hike West Jefferson As the moon rises from behind the distant mountains, hike with a park ranger and explore the history of North Carolina State Parks in Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. With a lantern to light the way, you will hike the mountain top and meet several characters from the past who will share their story about the parks history. Bring a small flashlight for a 100-year celebration adventure. ncparks.gov
June 17-18 3rd Annual N.C. Food Truck State Championship Randleman
PHOTOS BY MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
From left, members of the Coleman family father Chad, Colin, 13, Carina, 5, Oliver, 7, and mother Katie, play together at their Charlotte home on April 14. After adopting two sisters from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Katie and Chad Coleman have had to wait years for the girls to be allowed to leave the country and join the rest of their new family in the United States.
Adopting an attitude of hope Despite distance and time, this Charlotte family remains resolute in their goal to have all of their children under one roof. By Samantha Gratton North State Journal
M
eet the Colemans — a nice family living in Charlotte, and upon first glance you might not think anything was especially out of the ordinary. Chad and Katie have been married for 15 years and are loving parents to an active bunch of children: Colin, 13, Gabriel, 10, Oliver, 7, and Carina, 5. Surrounding their home is a yard with a soccer net, basketball hoop, fire pit, and a few kayaks for the lake, all of which are in constant use. All three boys stay busy between playing various sports and learning Chinese at their language immersion school, which means they can playfully tease each other in more ways than one. Meanwhile, Carina is full of spunk and smiles, passionate about everything from her dress-up clothes to the bugs she finds outside. But that’s not the whole family—two of their daughters currently live about 7,000 miles away in See BRAVE HEARTS, page C6
Inside
Food trucks from across North Carolina will converge on Randleman’s Commerce Square for two days of juried competition in gourmet food of all types. Live music will be featured during both nights of the competition. cityofrandleman.com Peak City Pig Fest Apex The Triangle’s only Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned BBQ competition and street festival. Featuring a beer garden, music, kids zone, pig races, and of course barbecue and other great food. Cook teams from all over the country will come to compete against each other for a total of more than $10,000 in prize money while cooking chicken, ribs, beef brisket, and pork. peakcitypigfest.com
June 18 Fire Truck Show Charlotte
Katie Coleman holds a photo timeline showing images of Safi and Sifa the two sisters she and her husband Chad adopted from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013.
the seed
Now is the time to pick and celebrate the blueberry. We join the folks at the N.C. Blueberry Festival in Pender County as they prepare to do just that. See page C6
The North Carolina Transportation Museum pulls out all the stops - along with a host of fire trucks, and turn out gear inviting fire truck collectors to join in. See antique and classic fire trucks dating from the early 1900s through the late 20th century. nctrans.org
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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necessities thrive!
history marked
just a pinch
Cross train your way to fit
June 12, 1886
welcome happy
By Alton Skinner For the North State Journal s hundreds of people achieve their goal of A finishing a half Ironman
triathlon or helping others by running in the Susan G. Komen race you may be feeling inspired to step up your current exercise plan. A great way to recover from a race, or prepare for your first is to cross train. Cross training is a workout regimen that uses several types of exercise to develop a specific component of fitness. The best cross training guidelines are the same whether you are exercising to improve your health or to prepare for a competition. Change your exercise program from workout to workout by engaging in different types of exercises. The easiest way to incorporate cross training is to alternate between activities, run one day, strength train another, cycle the next. Another option is to combine these into a single workout, walk on a treadmill for 10 minutes, exercise on an elliptical trainer for 10 minutes, and cycle for 10 minutes.
Benefits: Reduced risk of injury — by spreading the impact over many muscles and joints, you are able to exercise more frequently and for longer durations without excessively overloading your knees, hips, back, shoulders, elbows and feet. Improved weight loss — individuals who want to lose weight and body fat should engage in an exercise program that enables them to safely burn a significant number of calories. You can effectively achieve a reduction in body fat stores by combining two or more activities in a workout session at a moderate intensity. Maximized exercise compliance — research shows many individuals drop out of exercise programs because they become bored or injured. Cross training is a safe and easy way to add variety to an exercise program. Lace up the shoes, hop on the bike, grab a yoga mat, and hit the weights to enjoy the benefits of cross training. Alton Skinner is a health and fitness expert with over two decades of experience training athletes and author of The Golfer’s Stroke Saver Workout.
Voices Contributors to this section this week include: Samantha Gratton Donna King Laura Ashley Lamm Cory Lavalette B. P. Morrison Amy Richards Alton Skinner
Tell us Know a North Carolina story that needs telling? Drop us a line at features@nsjonline.com.
James G. Hanes, founder of Hanes knitwear, was born in what’s now Winston-Salem. Following his 1909 graduation from the University of North Carolina, Hanes returned to Forsyth County and joined the family textile business. His factory, Hanes Hosiery Mills, became the world’s largest manufacturer of women’s nylon seamless hosiery. He was known to have said,”Nature gives you seamless legs; Hanes gives you seamless nylons.”
June 16, 1903
The United States Patent and Trademark Office registered the trademark of New Bern, pharmacist Caleb Bradham’s new soft drink, Pepsi-Cola. Fond of concocting fresh syrup flavors to mix with soda water at his drugstore’s soda fountain, Bradham had developed the formula for his new beverage in 1893. His friends initially dubbed it “Brad’s Drink,” but Bradham renamed his product “PepsiCola” in August 1898, combining the names of two of the drink’s ingredients: pepsin, a digestive enzyme, and kola nut extract. Information courtesy of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
turn the page Many a father has helped to foster a love of reading for a child so for father’s day we reached out to Novels & Novelties in Hendersonville for a few gift suggestions to celebrate dear ole dad and they shared several wonderful regional suggestions for you to pick up at your local bookstore.
“Little Rivers and Waterway Tales: A Carolinian’s Eastern Streams” by Bland and Ann Cary Simpson released September 2015
“Waterfalls and Wildflowers in the Southern Appalachians” by Timothy Spira
released March 2015
“Pisgah National Forest: a history” by Marci Spencer
Reserve a spot in your flower garden for the zinnia and you will have a cut and come again bloom to enjoy and share throughout the summer. Zinnias are among the easiest flowers to grow and their explosion of color in long-lasting blooms make for a lovely reward. This member of the aster family likes full sun and prefers rich, well-drained soil - but they are tolerant and likely to thrive even in poor soils. After sprouting be sure to thin to between 6 and 12 inches apart and watch for powdery mildew on the foliage - this fungus can easily be tamped down with a mixture milk and water (60% water and 40% milk) applied directly to the leaves at the first sign of a problem. So for a low maintenance, high benefit flower turn to the zinnia and your vases are sure to be full all season long.
the plate Bucatini with Stone Crab and Stinging Nettles PinPoint Restaurant, Wilmington Start to finish: 35 minutes Serves 4
“Stinging nettles are said to have numerous medicinal benefits. When fresh they can sting the skin, but after being blanched and shocked in ice water they’re safe. In Wilmington we get ours from Shelton Herb Farm, but they grow wild all over North Carolina. I love the fresh, grassy flavor they bring to a dish. Our crabbers, Patty and Scott Rader, bring us stone crab claws from Figure Eight Island, right off the coast from Wilmington.This dish is nice because the flavors in the pesto are so delicate that the beautiful, sweet, subtle flavor of the crab is able to come through.” — Dean Neff, Chef
Stinging Nettle Pesto
1 pound stinging nettles, blanched and shocked in ice water, then squeezed to drain water 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon lemon zest 3 cups extra virgin olive oil 4 tablespoons minced fresh oregano 4 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley 4 tablespoons fresh chopped basil 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced (optional) 1 teaspoon chili flakes
released October 2014
“One Apple at a Time” by Evan Williams
released October 2014
“Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas”
Combine ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. “This recipe yields more pesto than is actually needed to serve four people. Save it and drizzle it over tomatoes, fresh cheeses, pasta salads, and lamb, fish, or grilled chicken.”
by Tim Bardwell
Bucatini With Stone Crab
1 pound dried bucatini salt 1 tablespoon olive oil 8 ounces stone crab claw meat, shells and cartilages discarded 1 cup sugar snap peas, rinsed in cold water, stems and strings removed, cut into ½-inch pieces ½ cup crème frâiche or sour cream 1 tablespoon cold butter 1 cup torn basil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon 8-10 squash blossoms, gently cleaned inside and out with a pastry brush then roughly chopped 1 tablespoon grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 1 lemon
Cook the pasta in heavily salted water at a rolling boil until just done, stirring frequently while cooking. Drain and set aside. Lightly sauté the crabmeat and sugar snap peas in olive oil. Remove from heat and add to the cooked pasta. Add ½ cup of the pesto, along with the crème frâiche, butter, basil, tarragon, and squash blossoms, then toss over very low heat to incorporate ingredients. Season with salt, and finish with Parmigiano-Reggiano and a squeeze of lemon to taste.
released July 2014
accolades
State wildflower program brightens long summer car trips By Donna King North State Journal NEW HANOVER COUNTY - As North Carolinians hit the state’s more than 225,000 miles of highway headed to summer fun, flowers in the exit medians brighten the view considerably. The North Carolina Wildflower Program was launched in 1985, a project of thenFirst Lady Dottie Martin. However, the 1,500 acres of wildflower beds are not just eye-candy as we head to vacation. “NCDOT has been planting wildflowers for 30 years,” said Don Lee, state roadside environmental engineer. “And the benefit is not simply aesthetic. The flowers help sustain the pollinator population, which is vital to the success of the state’s agribusiness community.” Nearby farms benefit from the pollinator habitats, giving life to the state’s $78 billion agribusiness economy. There is also a little friendly competition between divisions of the NCDOT Roadside Environmental Unit. Each year the DOT secretary gives awards for the most beautiful beds of blooms. The beautification is completely paid for through the purchase of wildflower license plates at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Before your next road trip, check out ncdot.gov for a guidebook on how the magic happens and identifying the roadside beauties.
Donna King | the north state journal
Wildflowers dot the landscape alongside Highway 421 in New Hanover 421 in New Hanover County.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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frolic soak up summer | North Carolina Summer is a finite span of time — the clock is ticking and if you don’t soak it up, before you know it the calendar will turn and fall will be here. Whether you’re a native or a newcomer, there’s something to discover all across our great state, so we’ve gotten you started with a list of spaces and places to see and things to do.
West
Central
Linville Caverns — Science and history meet in this Marion County high country wonder where you can “see inside a mountain.”
Go prospecting — The Blue Ridge Mountains have long been known for their gem mines — numerous spots can take you out for a day to try your hand at panning.
Chimney Rock — This Rutherford County state park is home to some of our state’s most amazing views, located near Lake Lure make a weekend of it and take in the area. The Biltmore Estate — America’s largest home on 8,000 acres is right here in N.C. and it is stunning, make a day of it and take the tour of the house and the grounds.
Franklin — This Macon County town is nestled in the heart of the Smokey Mountains — boasting many hiking, cycling and waterfall trails, but don’t let all your time outside cause you to miss the Scottish Tartans Museum.
Cataloochee — Picnic with the elk, this spot is located about 1.5 hours from Asheville and rumor has it they are most active before sunset. The National Park Service reintroduced this majestic animal to the area in 2001 and now they are up to a herd of 150 so be sure to heed the park instructions. Sliding Rock — A natural waterslide is a summertime must, located in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County near Brevard the cold, cold water makes for just the right spot to cool off on one of those sweltering summer days we’re famous for.
Brevard — Downtown is great so make a day of it and wander around, but make sure O.P. Taylor’s is your ultimate destination — the tagline for this toy store is “the coolest toy store on the planet” and live up to it. Harrah’s — Head to Cherokee and try your luck at N.C.’s first and only casino.
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games — Celebrates their 60th year this year in July,
The mighty Haw — River that is, there are multiple guide services available for canoe and kayaking and after time on the river you can enjoy exploring Saxapahaw. Hillsborough — Plan a day of antiquing peppered with a lunch downtown and you’re likely to be treated to some music on the old courthouse lawn. The North Carolina Zoo — This special N.C. attraction is fun year-round, check out the Zoofari African Wildlife Adventure because it only runs during the summer so catch it now. Fearrington Village — Head to Pittsboro for a visit with their Belted Galloway cattle, lunch at the café, and linger in the bookstore.
Pinehurst — Even if you don’t know a bogey from a birdie the Village of Pinehurst is delightful and fun for all ages.
Raleigh — The capital city is flush with quality museums, and if it’s lack of learning for your kids you’re concerned with over break, most have programs to engage all ages. Greensboro — The 3 College Observatory — one of the largest reflecting telescopes in the southeast is located in Guilford County serving The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina A&T University, and Guilford College — and it is open from time to time for sky observing to the public.
Durham — The bull city is the place to be for food these days, nationally recognized again and again for their restaurant scene, make a night of it with dinner on the town and a show at Durham Performing Arts Center. Chapel Hill — Visit North Carolina’s oldest restaurant at the Carolina Coffee Shop. Regardless of your team allegiance you can recognize that nearly 100 years is a true tradition we can all share.
Pull — North Carolina has a Sporting Clays Association
grab your family crest and head to this N.C. bucket list event.
that can direct you to a range near you where you can learn to target shoot with the best of them.
Mount Airy — Visit Mayberry, this welcoming small
Seagrove — Tour the cradle of pottery and visit with the
town has plenty to offer from wine trails to the chance to have your picture taken in front of Wally’s service station.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Has many a trail to explore, discover some of them on horseback, numerous guide services in western N.C. provide trail rides.
largest concentration of working potters in the United States. There are over 100 shops to visit within a 20 mile radius.
At a lunch counter in Greensboro — Visit the International Civil Rights Center & Museum to see the site where four young men staged a non-violent protest at the F. W. Woolworth lunch counter in 1960.
The Nantahala — There’s more to it than you think — it’s one of the nation’s premier whitewater destinations and there’s a lovely mountain river for fishing and calm boating activities as well.
The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) — Head to Winston-Salem to learn
Grandfather Mountain — This is the tallest
Fayetteville — Visit the Airborne & Special Operations
mountain in the Blue Ridge so take in the view from 360 degrees on the famous swinging bridge.
Putt-Putt — Anywhere in the state really, after all it was invented here, but there happens to be a Maggie Valley Carpet Golf course that’s known for being legendary. Old Fort — A granite sculpture in the town square
about N.C. antiques, it is the place to go for the definitive collection of early Southern furniture. Museum located near Fort Bragg, honoring those who have defended our nation.
Take a back road — Take a slow drive and end up at a small town hardware store like Medlin & Dorman, Inc. in Benson where you’ll find everything under the sun and you’re likely to get a good story along with your purchase.
commemorates the peace between the pioneers and the Native Americans, the Old Fort Arrowhead Monument was dedicated in 1930 and is one of the off the beaten path attractions that should be seen.
destination celebrates the sport born in the Carolinas — go ahead rev your engines and enjoy the events and exhibit offerings.
West Jefferson — This Ashe County town is known for
Lake Norman — There are a multitude of activities in
their cheese, take a tour of the plant and take home some of their famous curds.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame — This Charlotte
and on the water to keep you busy and entertained.
The Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities — What began in 1900 as one man’s endeavor to preserve the longleaf pine continues today as an event center featuring writers in residence programs, lectures, and concerts throughout the year.
Pik ‘N’ Pig — The airport in Carthage that’s also a barbecue restaurant, cars and planes drive up for lunch and dinner at Gilliam-McConnell Airfield.
New Hope Valley Railway — In New Hill this fun spot features real working trains, an open-air passenger car, and the North Carolina Railway Museum.
eamon queeney | the north state journal
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse rises in the distance at Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla. Visitors can climb all 220 steps to the top for a view of the surrounding landscape.
East Battleship — Don’t wait for a rainy beach day to explore the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship, this floating museum is regularly listed as the top attraction in Wilmington, but it is so big that it is rarely crowded and makes for a great family photo op.
Surf Camp — Catching a wave should be high on your to-do list this year, WB Surf Camp has true day and overnight camps with certified instructors to teach advanced and basic hanging ten, but also has family, group and individual options. They even schedule trips for adult surfers to take their game to the next level.
Fort Fisher — 2016 is the 40th anniversary of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, so don’t miss the opportunity to get up-close and personal with stingrays and little sharks in their touch tank.
Visit a lighthouse — There are seven coastal lighthouses along our shores to visit, Currituck Beach Light Station is the northernmost structure so why not begin there and make your way down.
Jockey’s Ridge — No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without a trip to Jockey’s Ridge State Park — this 426-acre mound of sand is the tallest active dune in the United States. Tryon Palace — Visit North Carolina’s first permanent state capitol and then take time to stroll around New Bern’s beautiful waterfront downtown. The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort — Our coastal culture and history are on display, their main exhibit is Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, shipwrecked near Beaufort in 1718.
Bertie County — To take a ride on the Sans Souci Ferry across the Cashie River at sunset, this ferry has operated in some form since the 1800’s and is guided by a steel cable across the river, the ride is free and the view of nature is breathtaking.
Greenville — Is home to the Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum where they’ve preserved Pitt County agricultural life from the mid-nineteenth century — after your back in time farm tour save time for lunch at B’s Barbecue.
Corolla — This lovely coastal spot is located in Currituck County along the Northern Outer Banks and is home to the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, the Whalehead Club, and about 119 feral Banker horses.
Topsail Island — Head to the beach, but take time to visit the Missiles and More Museum, during WWII Topsail Beach was part of the largest training base in the U.S. known as Camp Davis. Bear Island — Pitch a tent at Hammocks Beach State Park, accessible by ferry or your own paddle — leave the mainland behind and take in the shorebirds, sea turtles, and maritime forest. Carolina Beach — For many North Carolinians it’s not summertime until they’ve christened the season with a doughnut from Britt’s Donuts.
Southport — For the Fourth of July, this historic hamlet transforms itself to a red, white, and blue haven for the fourth and the celebration is not to be missed. More frolic information at: nsjonline.com eamon queeney | the north state journal
Share your summer road-trip stories with us at features@nsjonline.com you never know where the highway will take us next.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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perspective body positivity | Greensboro
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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People say love yourself ... but nothing's that easy. And what we don't realize is that all the darkest moments, that's actually when we're making progress and we just can't see it." — Whitney Way Thore
Framed quotes sit in Whitney Way Thore's home in Greensboro on Tuesday, May 31.
By Cory Lavalette North State Journal
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reensboro’s Whitney Way Thore is happy. Finally. At age 32, Thore — the star of the TLC reality show “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” and author of the new book “I Do It With The Lights On” — has fended off her detractors and thrived. Her No Body Shame campaign reflects everything she’s embraced in her own life: that the first step to inner peace is being happy with yourself. “People say love yourself … but nothing’s that easy,” Thore said. “And what we don’t realize is that all the darkest moments, that’s actually when we’re making progress and we just can’t see it.” Thore has had plenty of dark moments, from eating disorders and severe depression to public mocking and online bullying — almost all of it due to her weight. From being a teen who wasn’t model skinny to an adult who has weighed as much as 380 pounds, Thore never felt good enough. Television, magazines, peers and even, at times, her parents — “the best human beings on the planet,” she said — ingrained in her that her worth was attached to how she looked. “Our whole lives, pretty much everyone in the world is under the impression you try to be thinner, you try to be smaller,” she said. “That’s what you strive for. And it’s such a paradigm shift to think something differently.” Thore’s realization she could live and be happy in her body started with getting her parents, particularly her father, to comprehend her new outlook. “He didn’t understand this change in me where I kind of felt I was making a confession when I told him, ‘Dad, I’m OK with being fat,’” she said. “That felt like one of the scariest things I’d ever admitted in my life.” “I Do It With The Lights On” goes into detail on Thore’s coming of age, and how her family’s understanding and acceptance — still at times a work in progress, if you watch the reality show — has made her resolve even stronger. Everything really changed when an online video she made while working in morning radio, titled Fat Girl Dancing, went viral. Before she knew it, she was on national talk shows and had become the de facto spokesperson for body positivity. Soon after, an email came from TLC and she was on her way to reality TV stardom. “Life is insane,” Thore said. “Two and a half years ago I was broke, living with my parents, making like minimum wage in radio, and really felt I had no goals inside, professionally or personally. ... I was really at the lowest point of my life. And I kept thinking to myself, ‘What have I done wrong?’” Thore likely asks herself the same question when she reads the vitriol directed at her from strangers on social media. She knows her body image efforts are headed in the right direction, but that doesn’t mean the struggle is over. “I just want to say, ‘Yes, everything’s great. We’re on our way,’” she said. “But to be realistic, we’re just a little bit on our way and there’s a lot more work to do. I would love to see body positivity not always cloaked in modeling and fashion and stuff like this. “I think all of those things are important, because it’s important to feel beautiful. … But at the same time I wish that we could talk about fat acceptance and body positivity in terms of not being pretty. A lot of people say, ‘Well, I’m fighting for the right to be pretty.’ But I’m kind of fighting for the right to not have to be considered pretty and still be considered whole.” Thore’s TLC show brought her message to the masses, but her book offers a more focused take than “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” — which is edited and put together without Thore’s input; she saw the third season premiere June 8 at the same time as everyone else. “Whether people love me, they hate me, whatever,” Thore said. “Seeing a fat body on mainstream American television is important to me. And if I can kind of fill that void, that’s something I want to do for a long time.” She also has ideas for books for younger women and girls, a “No Body Shame” cruise set for December, possible dance videos that she’s not as hush-hush about as she knows she should be, and a yet-to-be aired TED Talk that could help open the door for motivational speaking. Seeing people personally impacted by her message, like the 60-plus people who attended her first book signing June 3 at Barnes & Noble in Cary, is what motivates Thore to carry on. And her fans walk away hoping they can make the change in their lives, too. “I’ve struggled with body image my entire life, and self-esteem and how I feel about myself and how I always looked to other people for my self-worth. And she doesn’t do that,” Mandi Kaye Ottaway, 33, said at the Cary event. But no matter what the future holds, Thore knows she’s found the most important thing of all: the confidence to live — and love — each day. “You may be able to keep me off TV or in magazines, but you’re not going to airbrush me out of my life.”
PHOTOS BY MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Whitney Way Thore, left, talks with Kallie Wulfkuhle, right, of the Outer Banks, while signing a copy of her new book "I Do It with the Lights On" at the Barnes and Noble in Cary on Friday, June 3. Thore is the subject of the TLC show My Big Fat Fabulous Life and she runs a website called No Body Shame which promotes body positivity. Whitney Way Thore's mom Barbara "Babs" Thore laughs as her daughter jokes with her during a signing for Whitney's new book.
A line forms as Whitney Way Thore signs copies of her new book "I Do It with the Lights On" at the Barnes and Noble in Cary.
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the seed
N.C. Blueberry Festival | Burgaw By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal
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lueberries have long been a staple of summertime in the South. From blueberry cobblers to blueberry jams, that deep shade of blue has long been a favorite of bakers, festival goers and those with a farm fresh appetite. In celebration of North Carolina’s official blue berry, the small historic town of Burgaw draws crowds to the southeast for the annual North Carolina Blueberry Festival year after year. “We are a large family fun event that takes place in our historic town. Our community looks forward to welcoming visitors and for many it’s a homecoming of sorts as they return here after moving away,” said Olivia Dawson, festival coordinator. The 13th Annual N.C. Blueberry Festival will be June 17-18 and weekend activities include something for everyone. A classic car show will line the streets; more than 130 arts and crafts designers will be selling homemade items ranging from blueberry soap and lip balm to monogrammed gifts; running enthusiasts can partake in the Saturday morning 5K; food vendors will offer everything from barbeque to flavored popcorn to jams and jellies – blueberry flavors included. The festival weekend includes performances by beach music legends the Band of Oz and the Fantastic Shakers, gospel sensations The Bridges, and country music singer Bryan Mayer. In keeping with Southern tradition, there’s the famous festival cookbook complete with recipes entered in the Blueberry Recipe Contest. When you reach for this ingredient you certainly won’t find a shortage in N.C. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the state’s blueberry industry generates an estimated $77.7 million in farm income with 6,900 acres harvested ranking North Carolina seventh in the nation for blueberry production. Annually, the state produces 48.8. million pounds of blueberries. Blueberries are also a healthy option containing vitamins A and C, iron, potassium and magnesium. Whether those blueberries are sprinkled over cereal and yogurt for breakfast, tossed in salads for lunch or baked in a pie for dessert, Carolinians are sure to enjoy this tasty and healthy treat anytime of the day.
Photos courtesy of the North Carolina Blueberry Festival.
"We are home to some of the biggest blueberry growers in our area." — Olivia Dawson, N.C. Blueberry Festival Coordinator
BRAVE HEARTS from page C1 the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Legally adopted in 2013, Safi, 6, and Sifa, 5, have been stuck in the DRC waiting for an exit permit. What would normally be a nine to 12-month process after filing the adoption paperwork has turned into a three-year waiting period to unite their family. Chad and Katie began talking about adoption around the time that their oldest child was born. “After my first son was born, I felt like once I got the hang of motherhood, this is something I could do to make the world a better place,” said Katie. “I knew I loved being a mom. This is one way to touch a person’s life in an intimate way.” Growing up in a family of eight kids, Katie was deeply impacted by her own mother’s influence in her life. “My mom stayed home with us, sewed all our clothes when I was little, served in our church, loved us with all her heart. She was fun, loving, and just so thoughtful. Her example as a mom is what shaped me as a mom.” In March of 2013, following the birth of their youngest biological daughter and ten years after their first son was born, they decided to fully pursue adoption. Every adoption process has its own set of logistics and possible setbacks, but for many it begins at an adoption agency. Agencies are intended to help match parents with a child in need of adoption and walk families through the legal process. This can include background checks, parenting classes, home studies, meeting with social workers, and financial logistics. Adoptions can be domestic or international, for children of different age ranges, sibling groups, children with special needs, or special circumstances. Once adoptive parents have completed the arduous task of filing out the paperwork and going through the proper steps to complete the process, then begins the waiting period. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to be matched with a child and receive a referral to continue the adoption. Then begins the paperwork of adopting that particular child and getting them home. For international adoptions, this can again mean filing and re-filing paperwork and important documents as parents give a comprehensive look at their family life with everything from family photos to financial records. The Colemans saw a need in the DRC. Not only did they want a daughter so that their kids could have another sister, but they knew that this was a dangerous place for orphan girls to grow up without a family. Knowing that this child would be coming from another country and a different past, they were interested in a sibling group to create more of a mixed dynamic in the family and have extra support for the adopted children. When they saw Safi and Sifa on a waiting list, they were immediately drawn
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Colin Coleman, 13, and Carina Coleman, 5, play in the bedroom that Carina will soon share with her two adopted sisters from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
to them as the girls were a bit older and therefore harder to match with a family. At the time of the referral, the Colemans expected these biological sisters to be home with them in the U.S. by the ages of four and two years old. Safi and Sifa are officially Colemans. Legally, the girls share a name with their parents, Chad and Katie, who have full parental rights in the DRC. Yet, the girls cannot leave the country. By September 2013, the DRC suspended all exit permits for adoptions with foreign families. According to the alert sent out by the U.S. Department of State, the suspension was issued by the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration (DGM) due to supposed fears of the adoption process being used for abuse or trafficking. At the time, DGM said the suspension would last up to a year. As each day, week, and month passed by, the suspension continued well past the original suspension deadline, while the girls grew older along with hundreds of other adopted Congolese children stuck in the process. Next week, the story continues as we look into how the process has continued to evolve and what that has looked like for the Coleman family.
A photo of Katie Coleman, center, with her two adopted daughters, Sifa and Safi, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, hangs in their future bedroom at the Coleman's house in Charlotte on Thursday, April 14.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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Sunday Story
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Dear Graduate, By B.P. Morrison editor's note
Stories have power. They amuse, enchant, delight, and transport us to another time and place outside of our own. Stories are also integral to our big life events, passages of time that we mean to mark with words that sometimes get hung up in our throat because of the weight of the moment. For graduation season we reached out to North Carolina writer and recent college graduate, B.P. Morrison to commemorate commencement. This Sunday story is a letter from a brother to a sister, from one graduate to another.
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have a younger sister, and she’s now graduated from high school. I just graduated from college myself, and she’ll be taking my place in Chapel Hill this fall. There’s something I haven’t told my sister, and because of this, she thinks I don’t care. I have not told her I am proud of her, and I have never been more proud. As a writer, I’ve generally been able to communicate my thoughts and feelings, but it has almost been exclusively on the page. In real life—as with most of us, I assume—it is not so easy to spell it out. You see, I feel guilty, as I have for years and years, about how I’ve treated my sister. It’s not that I was a bad brother; I just wasn’t a particularly good one. We don’t have much in common, save for the occasional dinner cravings, and so there were never really things we could bond over. I was an actor, and she did dance, and we never talked about our passions because we thought that, frankly, the other person didn’t care. But now, as she’s getting older, I realize how much I really do. I do care, more than I ever thought I would. She had her final dance recital, and she could not see the river I cried between us. She received an award at her school, and though I was not there, I saw the picture. I wept when I saw her in her cap and gown. She’s never supposed to grow up. She’s supposed to be my little sister, just as my baby cousins are supposed to be babies and my family is never supposed to pass away. I want her to be safe; I do not want her to enter the world, as I soon will. I don’t want her to have to say goodbye to the things she loves. I don’t want a boy to break her heart, or a job search to make her stressed. I suppose that’s how it will feel to be a parent, whenever that happens to me. I’m not going to want my children to grow up, and they won’t wish it on their children either. That is a feeling I was expecting. I can accept that babies will grow and start going to school. I can accept that my parents will get older. I’ve lived long enough to see it happening already, and I know there is nothing I can do about it. I’m even prepared to age, myself, and to get a job and to get married and have children. All of these things, I was prepared to face. Seeing my sister graduate, however, I never expected it to hit the way it has. As much as I would love to see her happy, falling in love and chasing her dreams and all that, I feel like there’s no guarantee. She’s happy now, spending time with her friends and making memories she will cherish forever, and I want her to stay like that, to never have to wade through dark shadows to find the lights again. I want her to be happy, but I don’t want her to be unhappy, and before now I thought that counted as love. I see now that it is just selfish of me.
illustration for the north state journal | amy richards
My younger sister deserves to live. She deserves to have the same late-night conversations with friends that I had in college. She deserves to make mistakes, and to learn from them. She deserves to know how magical it is to fall in love with someone, and how you shatter when that same love falls apart. To love someone is to let them know pain, not to protect them beyond all harm. If I could somehow freeze her in this moment in time, she would be nothing more than a prisoner, a creature in a zoo that could never truly experience life. I weep at the thought of her growing older, of seeing her in her cap and her gown and looking at her senior pictures. I boast about how movies will make me cry, like it’s somehow a badge of honor, and yet I cannot tell her how I feel. I’ve been detached from her all my life, and I cannot damage my pride by letting her see my tears. I must, though, and I know it. If you’re reading this, sister, please know that I care. I may not tell you that I love you, but only because it feels weird coming out of my mouth. I may not tell you how proud I am of you, not until Mom and Dad tell me I should. I may not tell you
that you’re a hard-working and beautiful girl who has a bright future. I may not tell you any of these things, but I just want you to know that I think them, and that I feel bad for not having the courage to say them to you. Even this piece is a form of cowardice, but at least it allows me to say what I couldn’t in person. It’s also proof, in case you’re ever doubtful. On this occasion of your high school graduation, please know that I’m proud of you. Wherever I go, and whatever job I take, know that you can always call me for help. Believe it or not, I just finished college. Like, just last month. I’ve lived it every minute of every day for nearly four years. I know things, and I’d love to have you ask me about them. I’d love to think that my life matters to you as much as yours matters to me. Despite everything I’ve never given you, you have become a bright star in this Universe, and I wish you the best. May you know every happiness there is to know, and may you know every agony that makes you cherish the bliss. You deserve it. Oh, and while I’m at it, please stop using so much toilet paper. It’s really a terrible waste.
COMING UP in the good life An underwater affair
The North Carolina Aquariums are celebrating a 40th anniversary this year. We visit with them to learn about their education and conservation programs.
Sisters across the sea We return to Charlotte for part two of our adoption story.
Behind the wheel
A driver’s seat view for a spin around town in the 2016 Tesla Model X P90D Signature Edition.
North State Journal for Sunday, June 12, 2016
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pen & Paper pursuits I reckon . . .
Your guide to what’s what, where, why, and how to say it.
Salisbury
color AWAY! After classes, studying, and all the tests this is the season of commencement. As the graduates line up to receive their diplomas and turn their tassels - celebrate along with them by coloring along with us. Remember to use the hashtag #coloraway and share your work.
Pronounced SAULS-berry, it is the county seat of Rowan County, the birthplace of the North Carolina soft drink, Cheerwine, and the supermarket Food Lion. This N.C. locale is home to a vibrant downtown and a thriving arts district as well as a community dedicated to historic preservation. Janric classic sudoku
Solutions to puzzles from 6.5.16
illustration for the north state journal | AMY RICHARDS