Chatham News & Record Vol. 147, Issue 22 by North State Journal

East meets West: Chatham Charter’s Jonah Ridgill was one of the recent high school graduates featured in the East-West All-Star games. We have reports from Greensboro on the soccer and basketball All-Star exhibitions on B1.

the BRIEF this week

Cornel West supporters sue NCSBE

Three registered voters are suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that it violated their constitutional rights. At issue is the board’s rejection last week of a petition seeking recognition for a political party that would put Cornel West on the presidential ballot. Democratic board chair Alan Hirsch said he had concerns in part about how a group called People Over Party collected many of the signatures. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the board’s Democratic majority is trying to keep West o the ballot because he could take votes away from the Democratic presidential nominee.

Free app helps consumers detect PFAS

Two nonpro ts have released a free app and browser extension to help consumers identify PFAS and other toxic ingredients in everyday products. The app, Clearya, is available in Apple and Google Play stores and allows consumers to make informed decisions. Consumers can analyze labels by taking a photo of the product’s ingredients. The app displays information and warnings about substances that may pose a health risk based on publicly available chemical hazard lists and databases.

Southern Baptist agency res, then un res, its leader

There’s been a head-spinning reversal of messages from the public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. On Sunday, its leader applauded President Joe Biden’s “sel ess act” of withdrawing his candidacy for reelection. On Monday, the agency announced the ring of that leader, Brent Leatherwood. But on Tuesday, it retracted that announcement. Instead, the executive committee of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission announced its own chairman has resigned. The committee a rmed its support for Leatherwood as its president. Leatherwood is a staunch conservative, but amid strong support for former President Donald Trump among many Southern Baptists, some want the agency and denomination to move even further to the right.

Representin’

A 300-strong North Carolina delegation attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week, with several local politicians speaking from the main stage. Above, clockwise from left: Kelcey Shull of Wake County, 17, was the

delegation; Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson spoke on Monday; Rep. Richard Hudson addressed the convention on Thursday.

New ABC store coming to Pittsboro

By Melinda Burris For Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — After the Board of Commissioners expressed support for a new ABC store in Pittsboro, the North Carolina ABC Commission

signed o on the new store at its meeting earlier this month.

Pittsboro’s second ABC store is slated for Northwoods Landing at 65 Ramseur Rd., to the right of Lowes Foods.

In other business, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners

Biden’s NC delegates pledge to VP Harris

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured that he was running unopposed

By Jordan Golson Chatham News & Record

NORTH CAROLINA’S delegation to the DNC will support the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat nominee for president following President Joe Biden’s surprise announcement on Sunday that he will not seek reelection.

The announcement was made by a number of Democrat party leaders, including North Carolina DNC delegate Diana Williams Robinson, who announced in a social media post that the state’s DNC delegation was unanimously supporting Harris. Robinson also endorsed Gov. Roy Cooper as a potential running mate for Harris. Cooper is among a number of prominent Democrats being considered as a VP pick, and The Wall Street Journal reports the Harris campaign has reached out to Cooper’s team for vetting materials as they

See HARRIS, page A10

oversaw the swearing in of new police o cers, considered an update from its climate change committee, and again considered a ordable housing at its meeting on July 8.

The meeting began with the ceremonial swearing in, by Mayor Kyle Shipp, of four new Pittsboro police o cers who graduated from CCCC’s Basic Law Enforcement Training academy

The longtime chancellor will step down June 30, 2025

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Another chancellor in North Carolina’s public university system has announced plans to step down — this time at the state’s largest university by enrollment. North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson declared his retirement plans at the university’s trustees meeting Thursday, capping o nearly 15 years in his role. His term will o cial-

earlier this year: Samuel Chris-

Cameron Scott Franks, Michael Mitchell II and Caroline Noel Snyder.

In other business, the commissioners heard from the Chatham County Climate Committee, which has been working on a review of the uni ed development ordinance (UDO) draft.

See PITTSBORO, page A2

ly end June 30, 2025, Woodson said. His departure marks yet another chancellor vacancy in the UNC system that is in the process of lling three other openings: Appalachian State University, Elizabeth City State University and UNC Chap-

See WOODSON, page A3

tian Barrow,

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

youngest

the North Carolina

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP PHOTO

COURTESY NCGOP J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

The Board of Commissioners hears from climate committee and swore in new police o cers

1:15-2:00 @ Carthage Farm Supply •Sanford 3:00-3:45 @ Carolina Town & Country Wednesday, August 7 •Graham 11:30-12:15 @ Graham Feed •Chapel Hill 3:15-4:00 @ Piedmont Feed

PITTSBORO from page A1

The primary takeaway from the committee’s work is the need for stronger language regarding tree canopy protection. It pointed out that Pittsboro currently has no tree canopy protection policy in place, with the Climate Committee urging the town and county to work together in unison on this project. Also heard was an update from Madison Ridge, formerly known as Turkey Creek, a 250 -unit residential and commercial building project that had received approval for rezoning late last year. The project is underway, and the developer gave updates on residential greenway construction, a public park that will double as a “social gathering” area as well as the di erent types of townhome and single-family homes that will be constructed. The commissioners approved the preliminary plat for the new subdivision, bringing the project one step closer to reality.

UNC settles open-meetings complaint tied to trustee discussions of athletics nances

Transparency laws require most discussions to be open to the public

The Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must pay $25,000 and its trustees must a rm a commitment to follow the state’s open-meeting laws as part of a settlement that dismissed a lawsuit over the board’s handling of athletics discussions.

David McKenzie, a lawyer in Wake County, had led a complaint in May in Orange County Superior Court accusing trustees of violating open-meetings laws in previous private-session discussions tied to athletics budgets. It came as UNC trustees weighed in on athletics to highlight growing national tensions with schools jumping from league to league seeking more money tied to TV deals in a football-driven market.

McKenzie told WRAL of Raleigh that he was “satis ed” by the settlement, which had him agree to dismiss the lawsuit

and the university would pay $25,000 to cover McKenzie’s expenses and legal costs.

McKenzie’s original complaint came as trustees indicated they would discuss the UNC athletics budget in closed session at a coming meeting, as well as referencing private-session discussions on athletics matters in November. That came amid comments questioning the nancial picture

under the leadership of athletics director Bubba Cunningham, although UNC’s interim chancellor Lee Roberts publicly backed Cunningham in a public pushback against the trustees.

A judge granted multiple temporary restraining issues against UNC’s trustees going into closed session for athletics nancial discussions that could include future conference alignment.

July 30

Wild Things: Geology Rocks

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Cost: $3

Dig up your very own fossil and learn about the anatomy of a volcano! Explore the natural world through hands-on experiments to learn how things work! Ages 6-10; registration required. Mary Hayes Barber Holmes Park 304 Old Rock Springs Cemetery Rd. in Pittsboro.

GERRY BROOME / AP PHOTO

People walk across the campus at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in March 2020.

None injured in East Raleigh Street re

Fire ghters and EMS personnel from a half-dozen agencies responded to a re at 212 East Raleigh St. in Siler City on Monday morning. Siler City, Silk Hope, Bonlee, Staley and Pittsboro re units responded and were able to extinguish the blaze before it could spread too far. No one was injured. In a statement, Siler City Fire Chief Scott J. Murphy praised Cowboy Cafe for providing food during the lunch rush for tired and hungry re ghters, as well as the Siler City Ladies Aux. for helping manage the food and rehab e orts. The cause of the re is under investigation.

el Hill. Seventeen schools are members of the system.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said during the meeting. “This is a great place.”

With his contract ending next June, Woodson told reporters it was “just a good time” for him to step away from being chancellor. Retirement was something the 67-year-old said he considered for a while.

Woodson received a twoyear contract extension in 2021 that allowed him to serve until 2025 — something UNC System President Peter Hans said he “twisted his arm at the time to stay.”

“When I think about where NC State was 15 years and where NC State is now, it’s an extraordinary testament to this man’s leadership and the team he has built around him,” Hans told reporters after the meeting.

Woodson started in his role

as NC State chancellor in 2010. He previously came from Purdue University, where he served as provost, dean of the agriculture college and in various other leadership positions.

Under his long tenure at NC State, Woodson led the university in increasing graduation and retention rates and research funding. The university’s enrollment also has grown to more than 37,000 students as of Fall 2023.

He is the university’s third longest-serving chancellor and one of the longest currently serving in the university system.

Although he doesn’t have immediate plans for what’s next after his chancellorship, Woodson said he intends to stay in Raleigh.

Woodson’s announcement means yet another chancellor search for the UNC system to embark on after lling four openings in the last year. Those new chancellors now lead four universities: James Martin at NC A&T, Karrie Dixon at NC Central, Bonita Brown at Winston-Salem State and Kimber-

ly van Noort at UNC Asheville.

The search for UNC Chapel Hill’s new chancellor — a position opened after former Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz left in January — progressed further last week when search committee members started considering candidates. The chancellorship is currently held by Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts, who GOP legislative leaders have signaled support in becoming the next chancellor.

The search committee has been “aggressively in the market” for several weeks to nd suitable candidates, but competition with other universities conducting chancellor searches has presented challenges, said Laurie Wilder, head of search rm Parker Executive Search, during the meeting.

Hans told reporters after the meeting that he thought the high turnover of chancellors could be partly attributed to university leaders postponing their departures to ensure administrations ran smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson, right, listens to NC State Board of Trustees chair Ed Weisiger, left, during a university trustees meeting last Thursday in Raleigh. Woodson announced he will retire in 2025.

Church News

EBENEZER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The choir and friends of Ebenezer United Methodist Church will present a program of Spirituals and Gospel music on Sunday evening July 28 at 5 p.m. The church is located at 724 Beaver Creek Rd. in Apex. A reception will follow the musical.

CRIME LOG

JULY 12

• Ashley Dawn Easterling, 40, of Bennett, was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation.

• Kimberly Ann Sumner, 49, of Moncure, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

JULY 14

• Ethel Ann Hicks, 31, of Pittsboro, was arrested for possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

JULY 16

• Timothy Nathaniel Burnette, 30, of Pittsboro, was arrested for failing to report new address as a sex offender.

• Carrie Anne Mote, 31, of Siler City, was arrested for driving while license revoked - not impaired revoked.

JULY 17

• Huxley Solis, 41, of Siler City, was arrested for assault on a female, simple assault, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and non-physical resist, delay, obstruct.

• Joseph Donald Holloway, 23, of Pittsboro, was arrested for driving under the influence, open container after consuming alcohol, failure to stop at a stop sign, and failure to wear seat belt-driver.

JULY 18

• Norah Etoire Touboul, 20, of Apex, was arrested for larceny.

• Justin Nicholas Clark, 20, of Holly Springs, was arrested for larceny.

JULY 19

• Anthony Devon Cunningham, 34, of Staley, was arrested for sell/deliver cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/ deliver cocaine, maintain vehicle/dwelling/ place for controlled substance (felony), and manufacture/ sell/deliver/possess controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park.

• Joseph Donald Holloway, 23, of Pittsboro, was arrested for felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana, maintain a vehicle/dwelling/ place for controlled substances (felony), felony possession of Schedule VI controlled substances, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule VI controlled substances, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

• Paris Caelan Baldwin, 24, of Staley, was arrested for sex offender/child premises.

• Norah Etoire Touboul, 20, of Apex, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

• Billy Joe Phillips, 35, of Bear Creek, was arrested for failure to appear-child support.

JULY 20

• John Edwin Wackerhagen, 41, was arrested for breaking and entering, theft from building, and first-degree trespassing enter and remain.

JULY 21

• Travis Lashaun Spinks, 43, of Pittsboro, was arrested for breaking and entering to terrorize/injure and assault with serious bodily injury.

WOODSON from page A1

KAREN PYRTLE / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

A Native American tale of love

The nest creature overcame an incredible obstacle because of a desire to help.

I RECENTLY SPENT a week with my family in Yosemite National Park. Like countless other visitors, we stood in awe before the massive granite tower called El Capitan — the Spanish word for chief. But there are older names.

The Miwok tribe told a legend about two grizzly cubs who disobeyed their mother in their youthful energy for adventure, wandering far down the river. Tired from their play in the water, these cubs dozed on a rock. While they slept unawares, the rock rose high into the sky. Every version I’ve read has no explanation for this sudden phenomenon.

The story is concerned with the anguish of the mother bear. After searching for her missing cubs, she recruits other animals to help: the badger, deer and mountain lion. All are unsuccessful. Finally, the hawk informs the search party of the whereabouts of the cubs, who remain blissfully asleep high in the sky.

Each animal attempted to scale the massive rock face, and each failed. The grizzly mama began to despair when

the tiny inchworm volunteered to help. The larger animals scoffed, but the mother gladly accepted the tiny one’s big-hearted offer.

For days, then weeks, the cubs slept while the inchworm slowly made her way up the rock, leaving a silver trail of thread behind her. As she climbed, she repeated a mantra to herself: “Too-Tok. Too-Tok.” This reminded me of a little train engine urging herself up a hill by saying, “I think I can. I think I can.” Like that little engine, the inchworm accomplished her goal. She awakens the cubs and, when they are scared about the great height, coaches them down by instructing them to follow her silver trail. In some versions, the inchworm makes it safely down with the cubs. This is probably a Disney-like change to the original story, giving it a happier ending. In most accounts, she died on the summit, exhausted from her great climb.

I’ve noticed that many Native American legends answer the question, “How did this come to look like this?” This is true of stories that describe

Summer storms refresher for body, mind and spirit

At that point, I would say, “No, Mama, nobody ever told me that.”

“Yes, I did, too,” was her answer.

THE RECENT RAINSTORMS with the sunshine and heat that follows, although sometimes a little too much heat, have gone a long way toward reviving pastures and will mean bumper hay crops for some folks.

All that bodes well for the folks who produce our food and ber, and I’m happy for them and me, but the recent outpouring of pouring rain and thunder boomers has had an unexpected bene t for me.

In a strange sort of way, which at times lately seems how I look at most things, the summer storms have caused me to remember my dearly departed Ma.

My mama had a thing about thunder and lightning, and she drummed it into me every time the two came along, which, seemingly when I was a little fellow, was about every summer afternoon.

She de nitely lived by the notion I’ve heard the weather geeks say: “If you can hear it, fear it; if you can see it, ee it.” At some point in my young life of days long ago — apparently, when she deemed me old enough to bear it — she confessed that as a young woman, she had been struck by lightning and didn’t want to repeat the experience, nor did she want her darling o spring — me — to be able to say they had walked where she did. So in deference to Mother Nature, each time the summer thunder boomers came our way, there were several things we/I had to do. First was the basic “Don’t go outside.” I knew that one anyway, but she always began her routine with it. Followed closely behind were “close

the windows and doors; don’t sit near a window; get in the middle of the room and lie down if possible; unplug all the appliances; don’t get into the tub or mess around the sink and turn on the water and never under any circumstances, even if Stan Musial were calling, do you answer or talk on the phone.”

That list — and there were other items — led me to a number of interesting opportunities. For instance, I learned early on if I could get all this done before the rst crack of thunder or ash of lightning, I could ing a quilt on the oor, stack up my comic books, raid the fridge and while away many a happy moment carousing with the latest issue of Donald Duck while consuming a couple Pepsis and a jar of Peter Pan crunchy. Unplugging the appliances did not extend to the refrigerator or mean we had to turn o lights.

Those activities, no doubt, contributed greatly to the outstanding physique I possess today, along with the razor-sharp mind that serves me no purpose other than to be full of trivial useless knowledge, including the names of Donald’s three nephews and his stingy uncle. (See me after class if you don’t know the answers.)

Later on in life, after she and I no longer lived in the same house, I would take the opportunity to call her during the height of a storm, knowing full well she would not answer. And since this was before caller ID, as soon as the last clap had ended and the ashes were gone away, she would call me and say, “Did you just call me?” When I would confess that I had, she would go on to say, “Don’t you know you’re not supposed

the alligator’s wrinkled skin and the crayfish’s eyes on stalks from its head. Perhaps the rock rose into the sky as punishment for the disobedience of the cubs and thereby stands as a warning to future generations. This would be somewhat like the story in Genesis about the snake sliding on its belly as punishment for deceiving the first two humans.

The main point, however, is that the finest creature overcame an incredible obstacle because of a desire to help. It challenges our perception that bigger and stronger is always better. It also illustrates the ethical idea that the greatest love is to lay down one’s life for another. While the Spanish explorers named the rock “The Captain,” the Miwok knew it as Too-Tok — a memorial to the tiny creature who could.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman is pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church as well as a writer, pizza maker, coffee drinker and student of joy.

to use the telephone when it’s lightning and that I’m not going to answer?”

At that point, I would say, “No, Mama, nobody ever told me that.”

“Yes, I did, too,” was her answer. No matter how many times we played this game, the words were still the same. Today I mostly do like she taught me. I don’t talk on the phone, and typically, I stay out of the shower. However, I have taken to making a cup of co ee on the one cup co ee-making appliance. Then I ease out the French doors in our dining room and sit on the screened-in porch, up against the wall, and watch the show and listen to the rumbles. And if it’s a good driving rain, I thrill to the sound of drops on the tin roof. I think of her when I do all that. I remember how she told me the thunder rumbles were the sound of God moving His furniture, or the angels were bowling. Somewhere along the line, I’m pretty sure it was Mama who told me that when the sun shone while it was raining, it meant the devil was beating his wife.

Lest the counselors and authorities condemn me here, let me go on record as saying I’m not advocating anyone beat anyone else unless it’s the Cardinals over the Cubs. That’s just what she told me some 65 years ago.

As I sit, consuming Juan Valdez’s nest and listening to Mother Nature’s symphony, I think of her and remember. And, so far, at least, I haven’t been struck by lightning...

Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

No! Not Snark City…

Over time, do we become more and more immune to incivility’s impacts?

I bet you’re incredibly surprised to learn that public dialogue has taken a nose dive into the dung heap over the last 10 years. Oh, you’re not surprised? Toxic dialogue can be thick enough to cut with a butter knife. How do I nd equanimity and refuge in Snark City? In my case, soaring amounts of dark chocolate. More, more!

Omnipresent incivility impacts our public and private behaviors. To discuss this wave of snark further, we are joined by a guest expert. Stepping out from behind the curtain to your left is ... immunity!

Immunity? Oh, please, let this not have anything to do with COVID!

Promise (kind of).

What’s with this immunity business?

Now, remember, you asked. Every instance of our witnessing o ensive name-calling and expressions of disgust toward others makes us more immune to the actual experience of incivility.

Immune? What the heck?

We inch less, no longer hearing the incivility. Acidic verbiage becomes a commonplace experience. You know, kind of like, “Hey, what are you having for lunch? Oh, just my usual…” No way! You’re serious?

I am.

The reason incivility becomes the norm, and we develop immunity to it? Our brains, for heaven’s sake! (Boo, hiss!) Our brains are constantly rewiring themselves, changing in the direction of, you got it, our habitual behaviors.

Sounds like a melodrama, doesn’t it?

My brain catches me in the act of verbally insulting someone with whom I disagree. “Oh, you appear to be reveling in this verbal attack? Then, as your very responsive brain, I’ll follow your lead and build out new brain synapses to support dissing behavior.”

How many times did our parents tell us, “Practice makes perfect?” (I’m long beyond counting.) Any behavior we repeat over and over becomes easier each time and more our norm. How does one learn the piano?

Cursive handwriting (does that still exist?)? Practice, practice, practice. Yes, indeedy, our brains are hard at work, identifying what we do again and again, rewiring our little synapses in that chosen direction! Good brain, good brain…

I hate to sound dumb, but do you mean incivility becomes easier and more routine each time we say or hear it? Over time, do we become more and more immune to its impacts?

In a word, “yes.”

But so what if I’m rude to someone? Big deal.

Oh, no, no, it’s not just one person. Forgive me for dragging in a word associated with that pandemic thing — virus. Rudeness and incivility act like spreading viruses, person to person. Onward! We become (OMG, she’s really going to say it!), we become carriers! Instead of having the actual u, we’re breathing a verbal u of incivility on anyone with whom we come in contact. That little incivility sucker just gets passed from one person to the next, like a cold.

Similar to a pebble thrown into a pond, our incivility ripples continue their journey, often beyond our sight. Fading from sight, however, doesn’t impede their impact on others. Incivility is a survivor!

Help!

Take a deep breath. I got you covered. Actually, you have yourself covered. It’s a little instrument of change we, as humans, all carry around. Personal intentions.

Personal intentions are re ected in our behavior. And guess what? Our brains come along for the ride, building new synapses in our chosen directions. So friends, if you see someone gently waving a sign, “Civility Lives Here,” it may or may not be me, but go over and say “Howdy” anyway. Share a moment of civility…

Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

King Trump

“WITH FEAR for our democracy,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor concludes in her brilliant dissent in Trump v. United States, “I dissent.” She is right. Very frighteningly right. After reading what happened at the oral argument, I knew what was coming. The court was looking for a way to carve up the baby, giving some form of immunity to former President Donald Trump without turning him into the absolute monarch.

But even I didn’t expect the breadth of Chief Justice John Roberts’ opinion for the court, which e ectively does almost that, with its distinction between o cial acts, which are “presumptively immune” from prosecution, and uno cial acts, which are not. Because the motive of the president in acting illegally cannot be considered, as Sotomayor wrote in dissent, “the category of presidential action that can be deemed ‘uno cial’ is destined to be vanishingly small.” And to take forever, on remand to the district court, and in the endless appeals that will no doubt follow, to de nitively gure out. Certainly, long enough for it to amount to a getout-of-jail-free card if Trump is the presidentelect.

Indeed, it is enough to postpone his sentencing for the 34 felony counts of which he’s already been convicted. It took Trump’s lawyers no time at all to claim that paying o a porn star to keep silent about her a air with him before he was president (and thereby rigging the election) was an “o cial act” because he signed the reimbursement check to Michael Cohen while he was in the White House. It’s a ridiculous argument which hopefully Judge Juan Merchan will recognize, but not so ridiculous that Merchan wasn’t willing to delay sentencing for another two months. And count on Trump’s lawyers to try to postpone it even longer if the judge does reject it.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is the result of a “conservative” court simply relying on the intent of the founders. Sotomayor made clear that they were doing no such thing. “The Framers clearly knew how to provide for immunity from prosecution,” she writes, “They did provide a narrow immunity for legislators in the Speech or Debate Clause (of the Constitution).”

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

Election integrity, consumer choice and the Trump assassination

Noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens.

THE RIGHT to vote is among the most sacred rights we have as Americans. It is fundamental to our democracy and the cornerstone of our freedom.

Ensuring only American citizens are able to vote in our elections is critical to protecting the integrity of our electoral process and, in turn, our democracy. We have laws in the books that make it illegal for noncitizens to vote in U.S. federal elections. However, noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens like you and potentially allowing foreign interference in our elections.

With millions of illegal migrants coming into our country under President Biden’s open border policies, it is vital we safeguard election integrity by preventing noncitizens — including these illegals — from voting.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which House Republicans recently passed, strengthens our election laws by requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

American democracy depends on electoral integrity. Sadly, President Biden and the Democrats don’t share this same view. In fact, 198 House Democrats voted against our common-sense legislation and President Biden threatened to veto it.

I’m committed to preserving the integrity of our elections and to upholding your trust in our government. The SAVE Act reinforces the foundation upon which our nation’s democracy stands, helping to foster a system that truly re ects the will of the people.

In addition to protecting our democracy, the House recently took action to protect your freedom to choose what is best for your family in your own home.

BE IN TOUCH

President Biden’s Department of Energy is attempting to impose burdensome mandates on your refrigerators and dishwashers just to advance their radical, anti-energy agenda. These overreaching rules would take away consumer choice and hurt families like yours by forcing you to use appliances that are more expensive or do not perform as well.

Big Government has become too big, too unaccountable, and too out-of-touch with the will and priorities of the American people. However, House Republicans are working to x this.

We passed legislation to prevent unelected D.C. bureaucrats from implementing these unnecessary and costly regulations on your family. I will continue ghting to protect your consumer choice and keep Big Government out of your home.

Under one-party rule in Washington, our government has strayed away from its duty to put you and your family rst. I will continue working to change that and help reestablish a Congress that serves the people rather than itself.

Finally, Renee and I continue to pray for President Donald Trump and all those who were shot and a ected in the recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the brave law enforcement o cers who quickly responded at the scene. This horri c act of political violence is un-American and has no place in our country. Rest assured, House Republicans are committed to getting the truth you deserve and ensuring this never happens again.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

But nothing about the president, a point the chief justice simply ignores, as he does the part of the Constitution that says that an o cial impeached and convicted by the Senate “shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” The impeachment clause “clearly contemplates that a former President may be subject to criminal prosecution for the same conduct that resulted (or could have resulted) in an impeachment judgment — including conduct such as ‘Bribery,’ which implicates o cial acts almost by de nition.”

As for the Founding Fathers, the chief justice also ignores Alexander Hamilton’s commentary in the Federalist Papers that former presidents should be “liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.” The Founding Fathers knew full well about the power of monarchs, and in Hamilton’s words, distinguished between “the king of Great Britain,” who was “sacred and inviolable,” and the “President of the United States,” who “would be amenable to personal punishment.” The majority opinion recognizes no such distinction.

As Sotomayor sees it, the majority’s approach is clear: “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.”

Roberts ignores the examples cited by his dissenting colleagues as thoroughly as he ignores the originalism that he and his colleagues purport to be guided by.

No, this is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one, and a chief justice who has failed in whatever mission he once pretended to have to protect the legitimacy of the court. This is Bush v. Gore, the opinion that did the most to undermine the court in public polls of any decision in recent history. This is an utterly partisan court, doing its best to elect a president on a 6-3 vote.

I was once one of those who was skeptical of Democratic proposals to tinker with the court’s composition (also known as court-packing) or its lifetime terms (also known as term limits) because I clung to the belief that the court should be protected from ideological manipulation. No longer. I’m for anything that would shake up a court that has, with utter disregard for ethical constraints and the need to retain public trust, engaged in ideological manipulation of its own.

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. 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.

obituaries

Roberta Ann Hodgeman (Gill)

July 6th, 1937 –July 21st, 2024

Roberta Ann Hodgeman (Gill), aged 87, passed away on July 21, 2024, in Bear Creek, North Carolina, where she had resided since moving from Kent, Ohio in 1984.

Born on July 6, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Winifred (Shupp) and Robert Gill. Roberta graduated from Randolph High School in 1955 and later from Bohecker’s Business College. A skilled seamstress, she cherished sewing and even crafted her daughter-in-law’s wedding dress. Her hobbies also included crocheting and knitting. Roberta dedicated many years of her career to the medical eld, working for Dr. Kousai in Ohio. After relocating to North Carolina, she continued her vocation at Chatham Hospital ER and business

Shirley Carolyn Cole Mabe

June 23rd, 1944 –July 18th, 2024

Shirley Carolyn Cole Mabe, beloved wife and mother, passed away on July 18, 2024, in Wilmington, NC. She was 80 years old. Born in High Point, NC, to Ray H. Cole and Edith B. Cole of Asheboro, NC, Carolyn graduated from Randleman High School in 1962 and High Point Memorial School of Nursing in 1965. She cherished her classmates.

Carolyn’s strong Christian faith was lived out in her loving care and compassion for others, both in her devotion to family and friends and in her 36-year career as a nurse. She was happily married to Larry Glenn Mabe for 56 years and took great delight in being mother to Matthew Glenn Mabe and his wife

o ce with Dr. Thomas (podiatrist) and later with Dr. Roscoe (optometrist) before her retirement.

Along with her parents, Roberta was preceded in death by her sister, Judith and her brother, Russell.

Roberta is survived by her husband of 40 years, James; her children, Greg Laubert (Debra), Doug Laubert, James Hodgeman II (Marilyn) and Kathryn Hodgeman; grandchildren, Jaclyn (John), Jon (Susan), Holly (Scott), Amber, Eric (Beth), Bryan (Elizabeth), and Rebecca; along with 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Roberta’s life was marked by her profound dedication to her family and her passion for her hobbies and career. Her legacy of love and craftmanship will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Graveside Services will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Randolph, OH. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Liberty Home Care and Hospice.

In lieu of owers the family request donations be made to Boys Town of Omaha, Nebraska or Flat Rock Orphanage in Flat Rock Ohio.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home and Wood-KortrightBorkoski Funeral Home are serving the Hodgeman family.

Online Condolences may be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com

Laura McLeod Mabe. In her nursing career, Carolyn demonstrated careful dedication to detail and commitment to the highest level of care for each of her patients. During retirement, she enjoyed playing Scrabble, scrapbooking, reading, and creating beautiful coloring book pictures.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Larry G. Mabe, son Matthew Mabe (Laura), sister Charlotte Graham, nephew Aaron Graham, niece Kelly Kivette (Aaron), and grandnephews Cole Kivette and Cooper Kivette along with two great aunts and numerous cousins.

A visitation will be held at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory Gri n Chapel in Pittsboro, NC, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24. A graveside service will be held at Randolph Memorial Park, Asheboro, NC on Thursday, July 25 at 11:00 am. with Rev. Dr. Tim Reaves o ciating.

In lieu of owers, those wishing to can make memorial contributions to Pine Valley Methodist Church 3788 Shipyard Blvd. Wilmington, NC, or register to become an organ donor. Condolences may be made at www. donaldsonfunerals.com Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Mabe family.

Je rey Clyde Stutts

March 1st, 1962 –July 20th, 2024

Je rey Clyde Stutts, age 62, of Asheboro, passed away on July 20th at his home surrounded by family. Je was born in Asheboro on March 1, 1962 to Clyde Curtis Stutts and Jean Wright Stutts. He attended Trinity High School, Class of 1980, where he met the love of his life Kim Farrington Stutts. Upon graduation from Trinity he attended the University of North Carolina where he earned a degree in education. He spent his career teaching and coaching at

James Edward “Ed” Goldston

June 8th, 1926 – July 10th, 2024

James Edward “Ed” Goldston, 98, of Wilmington, NC completed his journey on this earth on July 10th, 2024. He was born in Siler City, NC on June 8th, 1926, to Marvin and Rettie Goldston. Ed was a veteran of World War II as a Navy photographer. He was

Jordan Matthews High School in Siler City.

In addition to the thousands of students and athletes whose lives he enriched, Je raised 4 boys, Andrew Thomas Stutts, Matthew Farrington Stutts, John Christopher Stutts, and William James Stutts. Je had 4 Grandchildren who he adored. Juniper Stutts, Chase Stutts, Kinsley Stutts, and Izzy Stutts.

It is hard to describe the quality of a person Je was in just words. He was a Hall-ofFamer and State Champion Coach of the Jordan Matthews Lady Jets, a mentor to not only his family but also countless students in his three decades of teaching, and a teacher to not just his students but to everyone that would get pulled into many of stories he had in his arsenal.

His family and friends would describe him as a passionate historian, a collector of books, a never-ending spring of stories. He was a source of wisdom and unwavering support for his family, full of practical advice and always willing to celebrate any accomplishment and console any setback. He loved reading and could often be found setting up one of his numerous strategy board games.

an Eagle Scout with Bronze and Silver palms and a former scoutmaster.

In addition to his parents, Ed is preceded in death by his step-father, Yellott Willoughby; rst wife, Viola Cross Goldston; second wife, Imogene Goldston; and brother Welford Goldston. He is survived by his daughter, Gloria Gail Hucks; son, James E. “Jim” Goldston and his partner, Jane Sutton of Greensboro, NC and her daughter, Caroline; grandson, Rodger Hucks; greatgrandson, Clayton Hucks, all of N. Myrtle Beach, SC, and his special friend/caregiver Phyllis Kosicki.

Mr. Goldston owned and operated Goldston Studio and Camera Shop while living in Siler City. After selling the studio, he worked with Delmar Studios of Charlotte, NC as an area manager doing school photography, selling and planning yearbooks at schools and colleges. After leaving Delmar, worked with Hunter Publishing Company

He was preceded in death by his father, and is survived by his mother, his wife, his sons, his brother Barry Joseph Stutts, and his sisters Gina McMillian and Della Swider. He leaves behind four grandchildren who he cherished.

While his illness and passing is a tragedy he was secure in his faith in God and his hope in Jesus and wanted everyone he met during his ght to know and to see the blessings he had received. He was always giving praise for what God had given him and was able to use his gifts to touch the lives of his family, and countless students, and players. It was truly a life of impact and fullness and one worthy of celebration.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro NC. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11:00 am at Central Church, 300 South Main Street, Asheboro NC 27203.

To order memorial trees or send owers to the family in memory of Je rey Clyde Stutts, please visit our ower store.

of Winston-Salem, NC as a district manager doing the same work in schools and colleges in central North Carolina until his retirement. Hunter Publishing Company was later sold to Josten’s, Inc. After leaving Siler City, he lived at Wrightsville Beach for many years. He was a member at Wrightsville United Methodist Church. In honor of Ed’s memory, memorial donations can be made to Lower Cape Fear Lifecare or Wrightsville United Methodist Church on his obituary page at www. wilmingtoncares.com.

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at Wrightsville United Methodist Church located at 4 Live Oak Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 on August 3rd, 2024, starting at 2:00 PM. Care entrusted to Wilmington Funeral & Cremation – Wilmington Chapel – 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403 910791-9099

Abdul

‘Duke’ Fakir, last of the original Four Tops, is dead at 88

The Four Tops were one of Motown’s most popular acts

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Abdul “Duke”

Fakir, the last surviving original member of the beloved Motown group the Four Tops that was known for such hits as “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” and “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” has died at age 88.

Fakir died Monday of heart failure at his home in Detroit, according to a family spokesperson, with his wife and other loved ones by his side. Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement that Fakir helped embody the Tops’ “showmanship, class and artistry.

“Duke was rst tenor — smooth, suave, and always sharp,” Gordy said. “For 70 years, he kept the Four Tops’ remarkable legacy intact.”

The Four Tops were among Motown’s most popular and enduring acts, peaking in the 1960s. Between 1964 and 1967, they had 11 top 20 hits and two No. 1’s: “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” and the operatic classic “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Other songs, often sagas of romantic pain and bereavement, included “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” “Bernadette” and “Just Ask the Lonely.”

Many of Motown’s greatest stars, from the Supremes to Stevie Wonder, came of age at the Detroit-based company started

by Gordy in the late 1950s. But Fakir, lead singer Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton had been together for a decade when Gordy signed them up in 1963 (after the group had turned him down a few years earlier) and they already had a polished stage act and versatile vocal style that enabled them to perform anything from country songs to pop standards like “Paper Doll.”

They called themselves the Four Aims when they started out, but soon renamed themselves the Four Tops to avoid confusion with the white harmony quartet the Ames Brothers.

The Tops had recorded for several labels, including the famed Chess Records in Chicago, with little commercial success. But Gordy and A&R man Mickey Stevenson paired them with the songwriting-production team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland and they quickly caught on, blending tight, haunting harmonies behind Stubbs’ urgent, sometimes desperate baritone.

After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Tops had more sporadic success, with hits over the next few years including “Still Water (Love),” and a pair of top 10 songs in the early 1970s for ABC/Dunhill Records, ”Keeper of the Castle” and “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got).” They reached the top 20 for the last time in the early 1980s, with the sentimental ballad “When She Was My Girl.”

Throughout, they remained a busy concert act and at times

toured with latter day members of the Temptations, a friendly rivalry launched when the groups performed together at the all-star 1983 television concert marking Motown’s 25th anniversary. While the Temptations and other peers suffered from drug problems, dissension and personnel changes, the Four Tops remained united and intact until Payton died in 1997. (Benson died in 2005 and Stubbs in 2008).

“The things I love about them the most — they are very professional, they have fun with what they do, they are very loving, they have always been gentlemen,” Wonder said of them when he helped induct them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Fakir later toured as the Four Tops with lead vocalist Alexander Morris, Ronnie McNeir and Lawrence ‘Roquel’ Payton Jr., the son of Lawrence Payton.

“As each one of them (the original members) passed a little bit of me left with them,” Fakir told UK Music Reviews

in 2021. “When Levi left us, I found myself in a quandary as to what I was going to do from that moment on but after a while I realized that the name together with the legacy that they had left us simply had to carry on, and judging by the audience reaction it soon became pretty evident that I did the right thing and I really do feel good about that.”

Besides the Rock Hall of Fame, their honors included being voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and receiving a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2009. More recently, Fakir had been working on a planned Broadway musical based on their lives and completed the memoir “I’ll Be There,” published in 2022.

Fakir was married twice, for the last 50 years to Piper Gibson, and had seven children. (Six survive him). In the mid1960s, he was brie y engaged to Mary Wilson of the Supremes.

A lifelong Detroit resident who stayed home even after Gordy moved the label to Los

Longtime

Angeles in early 1970s, Fakir was of Ethiopian and Bangladeshi descent and grew up in a rough neighborhood where rival Black and white gangs fought often. He had early dreams of being a professional athlete, but was also a talented singer whose tenor brought him attention as a performer in his church choir. He was in his teens when he befriended Stubbs, and the two rst sang with Benson and Payton at a birthday party thrown by a local “girl” group whom Fakir remembered as “high-class, very ne young ladies.”

“Singing was the by-product of us going to the party looking for the girls!” Fakir said in a 2016 interview with writewyattuk.com.

“We told Levi to just pick a song and sing the lead. We’d just back him up. Well, when he started, we all fell in like we’d been rehearsing the song for months! Our blend was incredible. We were just looking at each other as we were singing, and right after we said, ’Man, this is a group! This is a group!’”

US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas dies of cancer at 74

gressional Black Caucus.

By Jim Vertuno The Associated Press

REP.

Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who helped lead federal e orts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, has died. She was 74.

Lillie Conley, her chief of sta , con rmed that Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer, died in Houston Friday night with her family around her.

The Democrat had represented her Houston-based district and the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1995. She had previously had breast cancer and announced the pancreatic cancer diagnosis on June 2.

“The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me,” Jackson Lee said in a statement then.

Jackson Lee was “a towering gure in our politics,” President Joe Biden said in a statement Saturday. “Always fearless, she spoke truth to power and represented the power of the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace.”

Biden said Jackson Lee’s spirit was unbreakable.

“I had the honor of working with her during her nearly 30 years in Congress,” Biden said. “No matter the issue — from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people — she was unrelenting in her leadership.”

Vice President Kamala Harris called her a dear friend for many years, as well as a fellow member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Con-

“She was relentless—one of our nation’s ercest, smartest, and most strategic leaders in the way she thought about how to make progress happen. There was never a trite or trivial conversation with the Congresswoman. She was always ghting for the people of Houston and the people of America,” her statement said. Jackson Lee had just been elected to the Houston district once represented by Barbara Jordan, the rst Black woman elected to Congress from a Southern state since Reconstruction, when she was immediately placed on the high-pro le House Judiciary Committee in 1995.

Jackson Lee quickly established herself as erce advocate for women and minorities, and a leader for House Democrats on many social justice issues, from policing reform to reparations for descendants of enslaved people. She led the rst rewrite of the Violence Against Women Act in nearly a decade, which included protections for Native American, transgender and immigrant women.

Jackson Lee was also among the lead lawmakers behind the e ort in 2021 to have Juneteenth recognized as the rst new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established in 1986. The holiday marks the day in 1865 that the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, nally learned of their freedom.

A native of Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Yale and earned her law degree at the University of Virginia. She was a judge in Houston before she was elected to Houston City Council in 1989, then ran for Congress in 1994. She was an advocate for gay rights and an early opponent of the Iraq War in 2003.

MATT SAYLES / AP PHOTO

Duke Fakir holds his life time achievement award at the Grammy Awards in February 2009.

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland.com919-362-6999.

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FOR RENT

For Sale or Rent – 10 Acre Farm with 3 Bedrooms/1-½ baths Home in Chatham County – Mostly Fenced in Pasture – 9 miles from Siler City –Bear Creek Area – Call Steve Allen –336-408-5450

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Horse Farm for Rent or Lease – 3 bedroom/2 bath log home – Approx. 9 acres/Big Barn And Fenced in Pasture – Ramseur Area – Call Steve Allen – 336-4085450. Jy4,11,18,25p

POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one-bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-663-1877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. J14,tfnc

FOR SALE

2 GRAVE PLOTS IN CHATHAM MEMORIAL PARK - $2,400 – I WILL PAY TRANSFER FEE. PLEASE CALL 919-503-7064.

RV FOR SALE - RV for sale, Damen Daybreak 2000, 75,000 miles, runs great, good tires, good air conditioner, good generator. $10,000, Financing available, 919-828-4247. n/c

AUCTIONS

RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS - Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, bene ts, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-663-3556, rickyellingtonauctions@yahoo.com.

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SERVICES

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available.

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JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919542-2803.

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LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-258-3594. N9,tfnc

DIGGING AND DEMO-Land improvements, mini-excavating, stump removal, mobile home and building tear-down, all digging. French Drains, All your digging needs. Call John Hayes, 919-548-0474. N9-D31p

ROOF WASHING – Softwash roof –Cleans ALL black streaks o roofs to make them look new again And to prolong the life of the shingles. Call John Hayes – 919-548-0474. M28-D31p

HELP WANTED

CHATHAM MONUMENT COMPANY has an immediate job opening. This is a full-time position and involves placing monuments in the cemetery in Chatham and surrounding counties. Job requirements are: Must have a valid NC driver’s license, must be able to lift 75 pounds if necessary. Must have a good attitude, the ability to work well with others and be willing to learn. Also needs reliable transportation to and from work. Pay will be based on the individual and their ability to do the work. Apply in Person to 227 N. 2nd Ave. Siler City, NC 27344 My23,rtfnc

Paid Days Off for Holidays8 days paid in 2024, 3 weeks of paid time off after 2 years of service/retirement plan at no cost to the employee, Major Medical Health Insurance and of course GREAT STARTING PAY!

Marsh Auto Parts/Trucks is a well-established company with a good working environment.

Contact Steve Marsh at 336-669-9858 or APPLY IN PERSON AT: 3700 SILER CITY-SNOW CAMP RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of ELVA LOU GARNER MANESS, deceased, late of CHATHAM County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at: 1139 Gurney W. Road, Eagle Springs, NC 27242, on or before the 14th day of OCTOBER, 2024 or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 2nd day of July, 2024.

GREGORY VAN MANESS

Co-Personal Representative

CHRISTOPHER MANESS

Co-Personal Representative For the Estate of ELVA LOU GARNER MANESS

Frank C. Thigpen

Thigpen and Jenkins, L.L.P.

Attorney for Estate Post O ce Box 792 Robbins, NC 27325 PUBLICATION DATES: July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 NOTICE North Carolina Chatham County Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of NEAL COVINGTON TUTTLE, deceased, late of 95 Tuttle Lane, Siler City, NC 27344, Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of Benjamin Spence Albright, Attorney at Law, 3157 Old Coleridge Road, Siler City, NC 27344 on or

Alton Tuttle

of the Estate of NEAL COVINGTON TUTTLE Benjamin Spence Albright Attorney At Law 3157 Old Coleridge Road Siler City, NC 27344 (336) 824-4802 ( Publish: The Chatham News: 4X (7/11/24)(7/18/24) (7/25/24)(8/1/24)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001313-180 The undersigned, DEE MARSHALL BRADY, having quali ed on the 12TH day of JUNE 2024, as

ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of CLAIRE ELIZABETH BRADY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd Day of OCTOBER 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 4th Day of JULY 2024.

DEE MARSHALL BRADY, ADMINISTRATOR 230 S. TIRD AVE. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: Jy4,11,18,25c

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

FILE NO: 24E001359-180

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Seth Francis Cuni, deceased, of Chatham County, NC, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 19, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 18th day of July 2024. Amy Cuni, Executrix, C/O Ashley Fox, Attorney W.G. Alexander & Associates 3717 Benson Drive Raleigh, NC 27609 Chatham News and Record July 18, 25, Aug 1, 8, 2024

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

A public hearing will be held by the Goldston Town Board on Monday, August 5th 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Goldston Town Hall located at 40 Coral Avenue, Goldston, NC 27252. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department o ce. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also request to speak by contacting the town clerk Annie Kay King Gaines at akkgaines@ americansouthgc.com, Ben Townsend at ben. townofgoldston@gmail.com, or Hunter Glenn at hunter. glenn@chathamcountync.gov.

The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below: A legislative public hearing request by the Goldston Town Board to consider amendments to the Goldston Uni ed Development Ordinance; speci cally, chapters 1.2, 2.8, 3.4, and the addition of a ninth chapter for ood damage prevention regulations. Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions.

Notice to people with special needs: If you have an audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided. If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call Hunter Glenn with the Chatham County Planning Department at 542-8284 or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312.

Please run in your paper: July 25th and August 1st 2024

NOTICE

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against Robert William Merriam, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 7, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 4th day of July 2024. Ryan Robert Merriam, Exec., c/o Clarity Legal Group, PO Box 2207, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

NOTICE

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against Joseph W. Mengel, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 7, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 4th day of July 2024. Mark O. Costley, Exec., c/o Clarity Legal Group, PO Box 2207, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having quali ed on the 22nd day of May 2024, as Co-

Executors of the Estate of Hugh David McLaurin, Sr., deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 4th day of October, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment.

This is the 27th day of June 2024. David McLaurin, Co-Executor of the Estate of Hugh David McLaurin Sr. 5515 Hwy 902 Pittsboro, NC 27312

Jenny McLaurin, Co-Executor of the Estate of Hugh David McLaurin Sr. 5511 Hwy 902

Pittsboro, NC 27312

Attorneys: Law O ces of Doster & Brown, P.A.

206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330

Publish On: July 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th 2024.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS 24-E-214

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, William B. Moore, having quali ed as

Executor of the Estate of William E. Moore deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of October, 2nd, 2024, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 4th of July 2024.

William B. Moore Executor c/o Marie H. Hopper

Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE

North Carolina Chatham County Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Christopher Larry Hipp, deceased, late of 4053 Moncure Pittsboro Rd. Moncure NC 27559, Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned, Mildred Hipp, Executor, on or before the 23rd day of October 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 25th day of July, 2024. Mildred T. Hipp, Executor 4697 Moncure Pittsboro Rd. Moncure, NC 27559

NOTICE TO CREDITORS 24-E-1364

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Brian Inman having quali ed as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Annette Inman deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of October 23rd 2024, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 25th of July 2024. Brian Inman Administrator CTA c/o Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SILK HOPE FIRE DEPARTMENT

TO: Each member of the Silk Hope Volunteer Fire Department and the community (all adults aged 18 or older who are residing in the Silk Hope Fire District).

Please take notice of the annual meeting of the membership of the Silk Hope Fire Department, Inc. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. at the o ce of the corporation which is the e station which is located at the intersection of S.R. 1003 (Silk Hope Rd.) and S.R. 1346 (Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd.)

The business to be conducted at the annual meeting is as follows: The election of four directors and Any other business which may lawfully come before the meeting is held. Jerry Barlowe, Secretary Jy18,25c

NOTICE OF HEARINGS

Town of Siler City The following item will be considered by the Siler City Board of Commissioners as a legislative hearing. The hearing will be conducted during the Board’s regular meeting on August 5, 2024, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the court room located in the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave.

The Town of Siler City Board of Commissioners will consider a text amendment to the Town’s Uni ed Development Ordinance (UDO). The proposed text amendment, to Article XI “Supplementary Use Regulations”; Section 162 – Noise, will provide for updated noise regulations compatible with the uses allowed by-right in Light Industrial (L-I) and Heavy Industrial (H-I) zoning districts.

Legislative Hearing The proposed item is available for review by contacting Timothy Mack at tmack@silercity.org or 919-726-8626. All persons interested in the outcome of this item are invited to attend the legislative hearing and present comments, testimony, and exhibits on the above referenced item. Interested parties may also submit written comments. Written comments can be submitted by email to tmack@silercity.org. Individuals desiring to speak may sign up by registering their name and information on the sign-up sheet, located outside the entry doors to the court room. The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Kimberly Pickard at 919-726-8620, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or kpickard@ silercity.org for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Kimberly Pickard al kpickard@silercity. org o 919-726-8625 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

23-CVS-311 NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority

contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Robert C. Link and Gladys E. Link

dated June 22, 2009 and recorded on July 7, 2009, in Book 1469 at Page 1082 and re-recorded on May 26, 2010 in Book 1513 at Page 667, in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Chatham County, North Carolina; and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the Note secured by said Deed of Trust, the undersigned Goddard & Peterson, PLLC (Commissioner) will o er for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on August 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Chatham, North Carolina and being more particularly described in the above referenced Deed of Trust, together with all improvements located thereon: Address of Property: 202 Beckingham Loop, Cary, NC 27519 Tax Parcel

ID: 0085522 Present Record Owner: Heirs of Gladys E. Link Commissioner may, in the Commissioner’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Said property is sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. The real property described above is being o ered for sale ‘‘AS IS, WHERE IS’’ and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments and any liens or encumbrances that would not be extinguished by non-judicial foreclosure. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the Note secured by the Deed of Trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representatives of either the Commissioner or the holder of the Note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, and any Land Transfer Tax as required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a) (1). Third party, must pay the full bid amount, less any deposit that has been paid to the Commissioner, immediately upon demand after the conclusion of the nal upset bid period. Failure of the bidder to comply with the bid shall result in the resale of the property, with the defaulting bidder remaining liable upon their bid under the provisions of N.C.G.S. §45-21-30. If the Commissioner is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey title include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without knowledge of the Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, in its/their sole discretion, if it/ they believe(s) the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice where the Real Property is Residential with less than 15 Rental Units: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the County in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or/ after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the Notice that is at least ten (10) days, but no more than ninety (90) days, after the sale date contained in the Notice of Sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the Notice of Termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of such termination. This is a communication from a debt collector. The purpose of this Communication is to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. If you are under the protection of the bankruptcy court or have been discharged as a result of a bankruptcy proceeding, this notice is given to you pursuant to statutory requirement and for informational purposes and is not intended as an attempt to collect a debt or as an act to collect, assess, or recover all or any portion of the debt from you personally. FN# 3069.01622 60022

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS

CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of Heather Dawn Hester, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 3rd day of October, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 27th day of June, 2024. Rex Hester, Administrator of the Estate of Heather Dawn Hester 441 Petty Road Sanford, North Carolina 27330

MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp 23 SP 173 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Je rey P. Grivalski to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated March 14, 2017 and recorded on March 14, 2017 in Book 1911 at Page 986 and rerecorded/modi

to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 23-26438-FC01

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against JANET T. HALE, deceased, of Chatham County, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 25, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment.

This 25th day of July, 2024.

CONSTANCE HALE BOOTH, EXECUTRIX ESTATE OF JANET T. HALE c/o Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130 Chapel Hill, NC 27514

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, Annabelle Stein, having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Irma S. Stein deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of October 23 2024, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons

Doing the French mistake

Charcuterie

boards... Ooh la la!

By Erika Ho man For Chatham News & Record

I SAW A POST on Facebook that read: Remember when charcuterie boards were called meat and cheese trays, snack trays or hors d’oeuvres trays?

A gal named Karen commented below the picture and the question: “When I heard that word for the rst time, I thought they were referring to something dirty! I think it’s one of those made-up words someone used to confuse us older people.”

I laughed aloud reading that, but then again, I know French, and I know what “charcuterie” means. I also know that folks like to use French words to “gussy up” menus and catering o erings. Even the word “hors d’oeuvres” is just a fancy word for appetizer. As if that is not enough, now, at wedding receptions and the like, they serve us little “pre-hors d’oeuvres,” which they call “amuse bouches.” French words sound sophisticated. Doesn’t “charcuterie”

HARRIS from page A1

consider the pick. Former Attorney General Eric Holder is said to be running the VP vetting.

Others being considered include Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Gov. Josh Shapiro (Pa.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.), Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Ill.) and Gov. Tim Walz (Minn.).

Currently, Kelly is seen as the frontrunner, but things have been changing quickly. According to Polymarket, a prediction website where investors can place bets on the outcome of political races,

TAKE NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001360-180

sound better than a tray of pig products? And isn’t “hors d’oeuvres” more sophisticated than its translation “outside of the works” and “amuse bouche” sounds better than “mouth pleaser.”

It’s this way with our language. English gets spruced up when we use French words! Our common English words have Germanic roots, so “Mann” becomes “man,” “Haus” becomes “house,” and “Mutter” becomes “mother.” On the other hand, our more sophisticated words usually have origins in the Romantic languages derived from Latin roots. So, the French word for house, “maison,” turns into our “mansion.” And their word for “little” becomes our “petite,” and their word “big” becomes our word “grand.” “Valise” sounds better than a suitcase. And who wouldn’t pay big bucks for an “armoire.” Not so much for a wooden clothes closet!

Of course, the “fancy like Applebee’s on date night” sometimes back res when you use foreign French words. The French word for shower is “douche.” And the word for “ladies” is “dames.” And overweight in French becomes “gross.” And

Cooper has a 20% chance to be picked, with Kelly at 39% and Shapiro at 19% as of Tuesday evening.

Harris has been tallying endorsements and delegate numbers over the past few days, with the DNC’s complicated nomination rules being scrutinized by lawyers and party insiders to ensure a smooth path to Harris’ nomination. The process has been derisively called a “coronation” by some Republicans, but Harris was was endorsed by Biden when he announced he wasn’t running.

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the

The undersigned, KATHLEEN S. DICKINSON, having quali ed on the 11TH day of JULY 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of NATALIE PHELPS TENNANT, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on

EXECUTOR 107 STARLING ST. MEBANE, NC 27302

Run dates: J125,A1,8,15c NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed on the 3rd day of July, 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Carolyn B. Sturgess aka Carolyn Bennett Sturgess aka Virginia Carolyn Bennett, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 12th day of October, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 11th day of July 2024 Daniel Carroll Lee, Executor of the Estate of Carolyn Bennett Sturgess Post O ce Box 57579 Durham, North Carolina 27717

Gwendolyn C. Brooks Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707 THE CHATHAM NEWS: 7/11/2024, 7/18/2024, 7/25/2024, and 8/1/2024 NOTICE

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against Linda R. Grills, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 7, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 4th day of July 2024. Melissa Robinson, Limited Personal Representative, c/o Clarity Legal Group, PO Box 2207, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

a “cul-de-sac” literally is the bottom of the bag. A “rendezvous” sounds romantic, but in French, it can be an ordinary, unromantic appointment, like a dental cleaning!

Nonetheless, Mardi Gras sounds more festive than Fat Tuesday, and I’d rather swallow “escargots” than snails; “foie gras” is much more appealing than “liver.” Remember, if you see “cheval” as the “plat de jour,” avoid it. (You don’t want to eat Trigger!) There’s a reason the Beatles interspersed French in their love songs like Mon Cher Amour.

March presidential primary, although the party ensured he was running unopposed. North Carolina has 116 pledged DNC delegates and 14 superdelegates.

Biden had won enough states’ primaries and caucuses to secure support of a majority of the pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. But those delegates had not yet o cially cast their votes when Biden bowed out of the race.

Biden’s departure frees his delegates to vote for whomever they choose. There are nearly 4,700 delegates to the Dem-

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed in Chatham County on the 22nd day of July, 2024, as Limited

Personal Representative of the Estate of Lee William Walker, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 25th day of October, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 25th day of July 2024

Gwendolyn C. Brooks Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707 Claire Mai Walker, Limited Personal Representative of the Estate of Lee William Walker Post O ce Box 57579 Durham, North Carolina 27717 THE CHATHAM NEWS: 7/25/2024, 8/1/2024, 8/8/2024, and 8/15/2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of Josephine Bryson Sears, deceased of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit them to the undersigned co-Executor on or before the 22nd day of October, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This is the 25th day of July, 2024. Lora Schlosser, co-Executor 480 Quail Ridge Dr. Apex, NC 27523 Published By Chatham News and Record July 25, August 1,8,15, 2024.

And you recall Patti LaBelle’s Lady Marmalade’s famous lyric: “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?” It rhymes and seems more lovey-dovey than its English translation.

Being complimented as “the crème de la crème” sounds posher than being designated Top Dog or King of the Hill.

Be careful when you guess the meaning of French words. You might deduce that the verb “crapoter” has to do with the “toilette,” but you’d be wrong. “Crapoter” means to smoke without inhaling.

So, when you serve your

ocratic National Convention, with varying amounts from each state. That includes nearly 4,000 pledged delegates and about 700 superdelegates, such as current and former elected o cials. A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election.

Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing criticism because of the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term that year. His announcement came after just a single state’s primary had been held.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001340-180

The undersigned, HUBERT GARY OAKLEY, having quali ed on the 25TH day of JUNE 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MARJORIE LUNSFORD OAKLEY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9TH Day of OCTOBER 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 11th Day of JULY 2024.

HUBERT GARY OAKLEY, EXECUTOR 355 POLKS LANDING RD. CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516

Run dates: Jy11,18,25A1c

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001314-180

The undersigned, MICHELLE HILLIARD ASMONGA, having quali ed on the 10TH day of JUNE 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MARTHA SUSAN HILLIARD, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd Day of OCTOBER 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 4th Day of JULY 2024.

MICHELLE HILLIARD ASMONGA, ADMINISTRATOR 6544 ROUNDABOUT ST. CONWAY, SC 295274

Run dates: Jy4,11,18,25c

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

23-E-202 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Constance Darlynn Arnold having quali ed as Limited Personal Representative of the Estate of Maggie Faye Wingo deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of October 23rd 2024, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 25th of July 2024. Constance Darlynn

guests “charcuterie board,” don’t translate! If you do, they’ll realize it’s a plate of sliced pork from the pig butcher’s shop. It’s like sausage making. No one wants to see that done. Devour that delicious Polish hot dog from Costco smothered with mustard and forget how it’s made. Speaking French gives a “je ne sais quoi” charm to everything! And this is true for thin slices of salami, prosciutto and bologna. Enjoy the charcuterie board while you watch the Olympics in the City of Lights — Paris! Bon Appetit! (And moi? I hope les Etats-Unis wins!)

Biden’s July decision came after more than 14 million Democrats had cast votes supporting him through the primary process.

But throughout U.S. history, political parties have convened numerous conventions amid uncertainty. In 1960, Johnson and John F. Kennedy jockeyed for support from individual state delegations during their party’s convention. Democrats ultimately nominated Kennedy for president and Johnson for vice president.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CHATHAM COUNTY

In the Superior Court Division, Before the Clerk of Court Lois Anne Turner vs. Bennie Gerald Stone, et al. PETITION FOR POSSESSION, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF REAL PROPERTY BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND FOR SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT

FRANCISCO SECO / AP PHOTO

A couple stand next to a security fence placed around Notre Dame cathedral ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics on Monday in Paris.

CHATHAM SPORTS

County.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

ended its regular season by blowing out Randolph, 12-2, in a game that

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

All-Star Game. Post

Chatham County ended its inaugural season with a 10-4 record

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — With the help of an explosive fth inning, Chatham County Post 292 ended its Heroes League regular season slate with a 12-2 run rule win over Randolph County on July 17.

The Chatham Charter graduate scored 14 points for the West

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

GREENSBORO — Former Chatham Charter basketball standout Jonah Ridgill wasn’t originally supposed to play in the North Carolina Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star Game on July 15, but after his performance, there was no question that he belonged. In front of a packed Novant Health Fieldhouse in Greensboro, Ridgill, a member of the West All-Stars, recorded 14 points and three rebounds in 17 minutes as the West beat the East, 108-92.

“It felt really surreal just being on the court in front of all of those people,” Ridgill said. “It felt like a state championship type of environment. … Playing with other top players in the state, they can just mix it up and play the highest level of basketball. It was super fun.” The East-West All-Star Games feature players that just graduated from high school.

Ridgill found out he would be replacing Asheboro forward Jerquarious Stanback, who dropped

out due to an injury, just two days before the all-star game.

“I was excited,” Ridgill said. “I was out with some friends. I immediately called my dad, and I was like ‘Cancel the weekend. I got stu to do.’”

The all-star teams practiced multiple times in the two days leading up to the game, including twice on July 13, once on July 14 and a shootaround the morning of gameday. Competing against some of the other top graduating talent in the state, Ridgill said he felt he got better from the experience.

“First day, we bonded quickly,” Ridgill said. “I feel like that was a big advantage we had, because we really clicked on all cylinders fast. We got to know each other (quickly). We were cracking jokes. We were fooling around. But when we got on the court in between those four corners, it was all business.”

Playing in the format of 20-minute halves, the West found itself in a close battle with the East before Ridgill made his rst appearance a little over ve minutes into the game. Shortly after checking in, Ridgill scored his rst basket with a layup, putting the West ahead, 16-11. By the end of the rst half, Ridgill had poured in six points while shooting 50% from the

oor. Ridgill got most of his points from running the oor and getting open looks in transition, and his spark helped the West build a 49-39 lead by the break.

Ridgill worked some of the same magic in the second half and even got more active on the boards. His eight second-half points were just a fraction of the West’s scoring explosion in which it took advantage of a tiring East squad that only had eight players in rotation.

The West built a lead as high as 27 points which was enough cushion to withstand a late-game burst from the East in which it cut the lead to as low as 13.

“We were very prepared,” Ridgill said. “We set a goal to beat them by 20. We fell a little bit short because we kind of fell asleep there at the end.”

Said Ridgill, “I think we played a great game as a team. … You can’t really ask for more than that.”

Prior to Ridgill’s selection to the East-West All-Star Game, he had a stellar senior year to end his career at Chatham Charter. Ridgill’s 19.3 points per game in the 2023-24 season were good enough to lead the Knights, the Central Tar Heel 1A conference and land as the eighth-best scor-

See RIDGILL, page B2

In a game in which Chatham County recorded just two hits from Logan Gunter and Avery Kiger in the rst three innings, Post 292 used an all-around team e ort to overcome its struggles from the plate and give itself a 5-0 lead in the season series with Randolph County. Following Kiger and Gunt-

er’s singles in the bottom of the rst and third innings, respectively, six di erent Post 292 batters recorded at least one hit. Four hits, alongside four walks, two errors by Randolph County’s defense and a batter hit by a pitch, fueled Chatham County’s 10-run knockout punch of a fth inning.

“We didn’t worry about hitting it hard,” Gunter said. “Just getting base to base.”

Gunter ended the game in her nal fth inning at-bat when Randolph County right elder Elsie Prince committed an error while elding Gunter’s y ball. As Gunter reached third base on the error, Lilli Hicks, Cassie McKeithan and Kelsey Morris scored, giving Chatham County an early victory.

Campos played as a defender for the West All-Stars

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

GREENSBORO — After a stellar high school career, former Jordan-Matthews soccer player Johnathan Campos took his talents to the boys’ East-West All Star Soccer Game on July 16. Campos is J-M’s rst ever soccer player selected to the East-West All-Star Game. In front of his family, J-M athletic director Barry West, J-M

boys’ soccer head coach Paul Cuadros and other coaches and teammates from J-M in attendance at Jamieson Stadium, Campos played as a defender for the West All-Stars which fell to the East, 3-2.

“It feels good getting the opportunity and the chance to come out and play with the best seniors from all around North Carolina,” Campos said. Said Campos, “It feels good to have a lot of support. It helps to keep me motivated and keep going forward to make all of them happy.” J-M rst announced Cam-

Chatham County’s Logan Gunter steals second base against Randolph

Chatham

was stopped early due to the mercy rule.

Jonah Ridgill lays it in for two of his 14 points in the East-West

Viana named HighSchoolOT’s

ensive Player of the Year

Rising junior also earned all-state and all-conference honors

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SEAFORTH GIRLS’ soccer’s

So a Viana is HighSchoolOT’s girls’ soccer O ensive Player of the Year for the 2023-24 sports season.

HighSchoolOT accepted nominations from the public for its award categories and allowed the public to vote for the winners once the nalists were announced.

Viana, a rising junior, put out one of the best individual seasons in the state of North Carolina, recording 68 goals, 47 assists and 183 points. She helped lead the Hawks to a 25-1-1 overall record and their rst state title victory in June, leading the team in goals, assists, points and shots throughout the year.

The talented mid elder and forward scored at least three goals in 14 out of the 26 games she played in, and from April 11 to May 20, she scored at least two goals in 15 straight games. Viana set a new single-game goals career-high when she scored six goals in the Hawks’ rst round playo victory over Granville Central.

Some of Viana’s goals came from her creating her own opportunities, or they were assisted mainly by junior Caitlin Erman.

“I’ve been coaching for 26 years, (and) (Viana and Erman) are the best striking partnership I’ve ever had,” Seaforth head coach, and Viana’s father,

RIDGILL from page B1

ing average in the 1A East classication, according to MaxPreps. He was named the Central Tar Heel 1A Conference Player of the Year and earned his second-straight basketball all-conference selection.

Ridgill also nearly averaged a double-double, grabbing 9.7 rebounds per game. He recorded 14 double-doubles last season, going on a stretch of six straight double-doubles from Feb. 6 to Feb. 21.

“I feel like I still have so much more to prove,” Ridgill said. “I feel like I was kind of overlooked by some, but I made it in this

Giovanni Viana said after the Hawks beat Granville Central May . “I think they’re the best in the state.”

Outside of scoring, Viana also impacted games defensively, coming away with 68 steals on the year. She contributed to a defense that gave up just two goals in regulation all season.

Viana also earned other prestigious honors for her sophomore season, being selected to the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association’s 2A all-state team and earning Mid-Carolina 1A/2A all-conference honors. Earlier this month, Viana ( rst team), Erman (second team) and Katie Leonard (second team) were also named to HighSchoolOT’s girls’ soccer all-state team.

She made a huge jump from her freshman to sophomore campaigns. As a freshman, Viana recorded 33 goals, 25 assists, 91 points and 124 steals, which was good enough to earn her conference O ensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.

Last summer, Viana went to Teresópolis, Brazil to compete in a training camp with the U17 Brazilian women’s national team. Jeremy Vernon, formerly of the Chatham News & Record, reported last year that Viana models her game after Brazilian soccer standout Debinha, a twotime National Women’s Soccer League champion who currently plays for the Kansas City Current (a team in the NWSL).

Viana should suit up once again for the Hawks next spring as the young team looks to return everyone, except for one senior, and try to repeat as state champions.

game. I feel like I made a little bit of noise and put Chatham County front and center again.”

Ridgill signed with the Guilford College basketball program in May. Originally from Greensboro, Ridgill said the program’s “winning culture” and feeling of home is what he liked most about the school. While playing basketball, Ridgill plans to major in business administration, but he also already has plans on what he wants to accomplish with the team in his rst year.

“I feel like we should set a goal to win the ODAC and knock o Hampden-Sydney this year,” Ridgill said. “I feel like we can really go and get that done.”

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom? Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2024-2025 school year. e nal deadline for all grant applications is Sept. 15, but don’t wait to apply. Applications submitted prior to the early-bird deadline on Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of ve $100 Visa gi cards. Scan

code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!

East Duplin goalie Isla Miller lays on

Viana in the rst half at Seaforth High school in Pittsboro on May 20.

NCHSAA reports increase in overall participation, lower participation in baseball across last two

New member schools and sports programs helped lift participation

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

THE NORTH CAROLINA

High School Athletic Association

reported a 4.73 percent increase in overall student athlete participation during the 2023-24 season, per a release sent out Monday. Based on the information reported to the NCHSAA by its member schools, a total of 208,722 student athletes participated in NCHSAA sanctioned sports last year which is over 10,000 more student athletes than the 2022-23 sports season (198,025 athletes).

Every sport, except for baseball, saw an increase in participation.

Although the ve new baseball programs were added to the NCHSAA, the sport saw 153 less players (a 1.4% drop) participate in 2024.

Many of the reported increases were helped by the addition of schools and programs across the state. The NCHSAA added four member schools from 2022-23 (432 schools) to 2023-24 (436 schools).

Winter Spirit saw the largest increase in reported partici-

sports seasons

1.4%

Percent drop in baseball participation from 2022-23 to 2023-24 despite the addition of ve programs.

pation. There were 60 more reported Winter Spirit teams in the 2023-24 season, creating an increase of 1,628 athletes.

Boys’ and girls’ indoor track were also signi cantly a ected by the addition of new programs as 21 schools added girls’ teams and 14 schools added boys’ teams.

Boys’ indoor track saw a nearly 13% participation increase from the 2022-23 season while the girls saw a 16% increase.

Boys’ golf and boys’ lacrosse also saw increases of 7% and 6%, respectively.

Wrestling saw an increase in participation, too, as 11,317 boys and girls wrestled in the 202324 season compared to 9,988 in 2022-23.

In the rst year of girls’ wrestling being a sanctioned sport, 248 schools elded a girls’ wrestling program with a total of 1,432 girls participating.

Here’s the full breakdown of the participation numbers across

the two school years:

Fall Sports

Football: 29,075 athletes in 2023-24 (383 schools); 27,809 athletes in 2022-23 (382)

Boys’ cross country: 5,821 athletes in 2023-24 (395); 5,311 athletes in 2022-23 (385)

Boys’ soccer: 12,916 athletes in 2023-24 (407); 11,816 athletes in 2022-23 (402)

Spirit: 9,776 athletes in 202324 (386); 9,568 athletes in 202223 (386)

Volleyball: 10,303 athletes in 2023-24 (432); 9,779 athletes in 2022-23 (427)

Girls’ cross country: 4,279 athletes in 2023-24 (382); 4,084 athletes in 2022-23 (377)

Girls’ golf: 1,573 athletes in 2023-24 (282); 1,404 athletes in 2022-23 (270)

Girls’ tennis: 4,318 athletes in 2023-24 (340); 4,006 athletes in 2022-23 (337)

Total fall sports: 78,061 athletes in 2023-24; 73,777 athletes in 2022-23

Winter Sports

Boys’ basketball: 11,409 athletes in 2023-24 (434); 11,243 athletes in 2022-23 (431)

Boys’ indoor track: 7,331 athletes in 2023-24 (304); 6,498 athletes in 2022-23 (290)

Boys’ swimming: 3,338 ath-

letes in 2023-24 (305); 3,303 athletes in 2022-23 (300)

Boys’ wrestling: 9,885 athletes in 2023-24 (342)

Spirit: 9,709 athletes in 202324 (414); 8,081 athletes in 202223 (354)

Girls’ basketball: 7,663 athletes in 2023-24 (429); 7,470 athletes in 2022-23 (425)

Girls’ indoor track: 5,912 athletes in 2023-24 (306); 5,076 athletes in 2022-23 (285)

Girls’ swimming: 4,487 athletes in 2023-24 (306); 4,305 athletes in 2022-23 (304)

Girls’ wrestling: 1,432 athletes in 2023-24 (248)

Wrestling (boys and girls): 9,988 athletes in 2022-23 (346)

Total winter sports: 61,166 athletes in 2023-24; 55,964 athletes in 2022-23

Spring Sports

Baseball: 10,574 athletes in 2023-24 (414); 10,727 athletes in

2022-23 (409)

Boys’ golf: 3,278 athletes in 2023-24 (371); 3,062 athletes in 2022-23 (371)

Boys’ lacrosse: 4,219 athletes in 2023-24 (121); 3,976 athletes in 2022-23 (118)

Boys’ tennis: 3,833 athletes in 2023-24 (319); 3,750 athletes in 2022-23 (314)

Boys’ track: 15,932 athletes in 2023-24 (408); 15,911 athletes in 2022-23 (408)

Softball: 7,017 athletes in 2023-24 (402); 6,912 athletes in 2022-23 (398)

Girls’ lacrosse: 2,726 athletes in 2023-24 (101); 2,700 athletes in 2022-23 (99)

Girls’ soccer: 10,507 athletes in 2023-24 (396); 10,164 athletes in 2022-23 (389)

Girls’ track: 11,409 athletes in 2023-24 (409); 11,082 athletes in 2022-23 (409)

Total spring sports: 69,495 athletes in 2023-24; 68,284 athletes in 2022-23

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jonah Ridgill

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham Charter, basketball

Former Chatham Charter basketball standout Jonah Ridgill earns athlete of the week honors for the week of July 15.

Ridgill played in the East-West All-Star Basketball Game last week, pouring in 14 points and three rebounds in 17 minutes for the West All-Stars. In a 108-92 winning e ort over the East, Ridgill made his impact mostly in transition as he ran the oor for open layups throughout the game.

The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 19.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game as a senior at Chatham Charter last season, and he was named the Central Tar Heel 1A conference Player of the Year. Ridgill will continue his basketball career at Guilford College where he will major in business administration.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth’s Bauer Bowling makes the catch in right eld against Wallace-Rose Hill during the rst round of the 2A East NCHSAA playo s. Baseball was the one high school sport that saw a decrease in participation in North Carolina this year.

Carolina Hurricanes center Evgeny Kuznetsov skates o as the New York Rangers celebrate in the background following Game 6 of their playo series in May. The Hurricanes and Kuznetsov mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

Kuznetsov clears unconditional waivers, has NHL contract terminated by Hurricanes

The mutual termination clears nearly $4 million in salary cap space

By Stephen Whyno

EVGENY KUZNETSOV had his contract terminated after clearing unconditional waivers, bringing an abrupt end to the talented but inconsistent center’s NHL career, at least for the time being.

Kuznetsov by agreeing to the mutual termination walks away from the $6 million salary owed to him in the nal season of his $64.2 million, seven-year deal originally signed in 2017.

“Ultimately both sides agreed this was the best course of action for both the player and the

pos’ selection in February, and he was honored during the school’s Hall of Fame Night before a basketball game on Feb. 9.

“I didn’t really know what it was,” Campos said. “I’d never heard of it because none of us have ever made it. When Coach West started explaining it to me, I started getting more excited.”

Last fall, Campos earned his third straight all-conference selection and was named the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In his career as a Jet, Campos scored 19 goals and recorded 12 assists. He helped lead the Jets to three straight Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference titles from 2021-23, and he was named as the Jets’ most valuable player for last season.

“It’s a real privilege and honor to see Johnathan selected, get to play and represent J-M and Siler City,” Cuadros said. Said West, “He’s one of our great kids. Very well deserving. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Campos said the practices and the process of getting acclimated to his teammates was “good.” The players arrived at Grimsley High School on July 14 and practiced three times, including twice on July 15 and once in the early afternoon on gameday.

“There’s a lot of good people out here (and) a lot of great talent,” Campos said. “It was good coming out and spending three days with them (and) talking to them. The training sessions were something light, so we wouldn’t get tired, but they were good sessions to get to know each other for chemistry.”

Before Campos entered the game, the West held a 1-0 lead thanks to an early goal from Independence’s Aaron Zhu. Campos made his rst appearance

team,” general manager Eric Tulsky said Wednesday. “We thank Evgeny for his time with the team and wish him and his family the best.”

Reports emerged earlier in the week that Kuznetsov was planning to mutually terminate his contract and go home to Russia to play for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL. He and his camp had to agree to such a move for this to happen now, unless the Hurricanes waited for a buyout window to open later this summer.

While an arbitration hearing remains on the docket for Martin Necas, Carolina re-signed Jack Drury to a two-year contract worth $3.45 million and must still get a contract done for fellow forward Seth Jarvis with just under $14 million in

salary cap space to spend.

“Jack took tremendous steps last season to solidify himself as a key part of our forward group,” Tulsky said upon announcing the deal with Drury. “He is an extremely hard worker at both ends of the ice who can be relied upon at all situations, and we are excited to watch his continued growth in Carolina.”

Carolina acquired Kuznetsov from Washington before the trade deadline in March, with the Capitals agreeing to retain half of his $7.8 million cap hit. His departure from North America removes the $3.9 million cap obligation for each team.

Kuznetsov was the leading scorer and Conn Smythe runner-up on the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run but has been

up and down since, the constant subject of trade rumors and speculation. He had 13 points in 30 games in a limited role with the Hurricanes as they reached the second round, and coach Rod Brind’Amour even made Kuznetsov a healthy scratch for a game in the playo s. The inconsistency was not lost on Kuznetsov, who after an early season game in October 2018 said he did not care about being a top- ve player in hockey.

“To be MVP, you have to work hard 365 (days) in a year, but I’m not ready for that,” Kuznetsov said. “I want to have fun, and I want to make those risky plays when sometimes you don’t have to play and you guys don’t understand every time those plays. It’s not easy to make. But to be

MVP in this league, you have to play even better. You have to go next level. It’s not easy. More importantly, you have to stay focused 365 (days), but that’s not my style.”

His trouble was not just on the ice. The league in September 2019 suspended Kuznetsov three games without pay for “inappropriate conduct,” less than a month after he was banned from playing for Russia for four years because of a positive test for cocaine.

Kuznetsov more recently entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in February. Upon him being cleared by program administrators to practice, the Capitals put him on waivers with the hope of giving him a fresh start and subsequently sent him to the minors.

after just under 18 minutes of play, and just a few minutes after, the East tied the game. The East scored two quick goals in the beginning of the second half to take a 3-1 lead. As Campos played the majority of the second half, the West tried to make a late game push to tie following a penalty kick goal from Zhu with just nine minutes left to play. However, one last shot from Zhu in the game’s nal minutes veered too wide. Cuadros said Campos’ selec-

tion to the all-star game was “inspirational” for some of his former teammates that will return to J-M in the fall. Cuadros has been at the head of the Jets’ storied program for a little over two decades and has coached plenty of talented players over the years. Now that Campos has been recognized as one of the best players in the state, he hopes other Jets can also earn East-West All-Star honors in the future. “It feels awesome to have a

friend close to me that’s really good, talented, has a lot of potential, and stepped up a lot for Jordan-Matthews,” J-M boys’ soccer player Francisco Ibarra, who will be a senior this fall, said. “Seeing him out there gives everybody the courage to want to do it too.” Campos, who was also named an academic all-star before the game, is still undecided on college, but he knows he wants to major in mechanical engineering and pursue a career as a me-

chanical or aerospace engineer.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve worked with machinery and doing hands-on stu ,” Campos said. “I was looking into (engineering) back in middle school, and I had already set my mind on it. I’ve been looking for colleges that have soccer and mechanical engineering.”

For now, Campos does know that he wants to go to a two-year college before transferring to a bigger school while also keeping soccer opportunities in mind.

CAMPOS from page B1

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Johnathan Campos passes the ball during the 2024 East/West All Star soccer match in Greensboro.

The Associated Press

KARL B DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

EA Sports College Football 25, among most anticipated sports video games in history, hits the market

in 12 years

By Ryan Kryska The Associated Press

“I was just thinking don’t hit on top of the ball like I did last time,” Gunter said. “I just xed what I did wrong last. (I) really wanted to nish it in that inning for sure.”

Prior to that inning, though, Chatham County looked as if it was in for a long night. Randolph County jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the rst inning after a single (the third in a row) from Kallie St. John sent Addy Dees and Olivia Ashby home.

Outside of Gunter reaching home on a passed ball in the bottom of the rst inning, Chatham County couldn’t get much o ense going as batted balls just didn’t land in the right gaps.

Throughout the rst four innings, Randolph County had plenty of opportunities to build on its lead, including the loaded bases in the top of the fourth, but it left numerous runners stranded.

Down 2-1, Chatham County’s bats woke up in the bottom of the fourth, starting with singles from Emma Burke and Sydney Russell. After Marcy Clark grounded into a elder’s choice, resulting in Burke being thrown out, Hicks eventually knocked

in Russell to tie the game. Hicks nished with the best night at the plate for Chatham County, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. She also contributed to Chatham County’s fth inning attack with a two-RBI single that put Post 292 ahead, 9-2.

For Hicks, this was a bounce back game as she batted .200 in four game appearances prior to July 17.

“I’ve been in a slump, but my timing is nally down,” Hicks said.

The regular season nale was also a sigh of relief for the whole team. Chatham County struggled to bring runners home in the two consecutive losses prior to July 17 in which Post 292 only scored one run in each game. Post 292’s latest win was the second time it scored 12 runs against Randolph County this season.

Chatham County ended its inaugural regular season with a 10-4 record.

Before the game, Post 292 recognized ve Chatham County youth all-star softball teams for their accomplishments this past season, including West Chatham’s 15U, 12U, 10U and 8U teams and East Chatham 10U.

The West Chatham 12U and 10U all-star teams won state titles this month and will compete in their respective Dixie Softball World Series in Prince George, Virginia. The 12U team played over the weekend in the Ponytails X-Play World Series while the 10U team will start the Angels X-Play World Series Saturday. Next up for Post 292 is its own post season tournament which starts Monday at Big League Camp in Marion, North Carolina.

Four teams will participate in the tournament. Chatham County will begin pool play against the Cabarrus Responders Monday at 2:30 p.m. followed by Wayne County vs. South Wake, opening ceremonies and the home run derby in that order.

Teams will nish pool play on Tuesday from 10 a.m to 12 p.m., and the teams will be seeded one through four. The three and four seeds will play for third place Tuesday at 3 p.m., and the top two seeds will play for the state championship thereafter.

Post 292 assistant coach Holly Felder said she just hopes her team “has fun and plays ball” at the tournament.

EA SPORTS College Football 25, among the most highly anticipated sports video games of all time, has ooded the market as gamers who waited more than a decade for the franchise’s next installment rush to play.

The game o cially launched Friday, with EA Sports increasing its server capacity ahead of time to handle the crush. More than 2.2 million people had already played the game during an early-access period before launch.

“To say we’ve been blown away by the excitement, energy and anticipation around College Football 25 over the past few months would be an understatement,” EA Sports said in a blog post this week.

“Just like you, our team has had July 19 circled for months as the culmination of so much work and dedication to build this game, and the chance to see it in players’ hands for the rst time.”

EA Sports’ college football games used to be released annually, a cultural icon in American sports for much of the franchise’s existence. The company froze future editions in 2013 when athletes began questioning why they weren’t getting paid to be featured in the games.

vision players a minimum of

$600 and a copy of the game to have their likeness included in it. More than 11,000 players accepted o ers.

EA Sports has said its goal for the game was “to feel like a love letter to college football and its fans.”

UCLA, Mississippi State, San Diego State and Colorado were among the schools hosting College Football 25 events this week. Across social platforms, athletes such as LeBron James, Tim Tebow and Michael Vick — even comedians Shane Gillis and Dan Soder — were live-streaming head-to-head matches in the game.

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, one of the cover athletes, said in May some of the best moments of his childhood involved playing EA Sports college football with his best friend.

“Just for it to be back, as well as to be on the cover of it, it’s an awesome feeling,” he said.

The game’s other standard-edition cover athletes are Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter. The deluxe edition features the backs of numerous players in a stadium tunnel, including Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins.

With athlete compensation rights sorted out in court and now allowed by the NCAA, EA Sports announced in 2021 it would be reviving the franchise. The video-game developer o ered Bowl Subdi-

WNBA

Bird Barbie: Mattel honors WNBA great with signature doll

El Segundo, Calif.

WNBA great Sue Bird has been honored with a signature Barbie doll. Mattel announced it has issued a replica Barbie doll based on the basketball career of Bird. Bird played 21 seasons with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, helping the franchise to four league titles. She also has won ve Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Bird retired after the 2022 season and is now part of Seattle’s ownership. Mattel said the Sue Bird Barbie is part of its Role Model series as the doll celebrates its 65th anniversary.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson gives men’s basketball coach Brownell new contract

Clemson, S.C. Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell received a new, ve-year contract worth $20 million after leading the Tigers to the Elite Eight this past season. Brownell’s deal was among several for

EA Sports’ college football franchise dates to the 1990s. It grew in popularity in the early 2000s as gaming systems became more advanced, allowing for revolutionary game modes such as the popular Race for the Heisman create-a-player that was introduced in NCAA Football 06.

Clemson head coaches and assistants by the university’s board of trustees. Brownell’s agreement keeps him through the 2028-29 season. He’ll make $3.5 million next season, an increase over the $3 million he was scheduled to make under the old deal. Others with new agreements were men’s soccer coach Mike Noonan, who won two of the past three NCAA College Cup titles and baseball coach Erik Bakich. MLB Myers’ opportunity at extra playing time ends after injury

Miami Miami Marlins rookie out elder Dane Myers could miss the remainder of the season after he fractured his left ankle kicking a door out of frustration. The Marlins placed Myers on the injured list, and it is uncertain if he will return in 2024. Myers was called out on strikes on a check swing without an appeal to the base umpire. Myers questioned the call, got into a heated exchange with the umpire and was ejected. He then kicked the door. Before his injury, Myers had two home runs and 14 RBI in 40 games.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Logan Gunter’s y ball plated three runs and put Chatham Post 292 over the run rule, ending its blowout win over Randolph County.

SOFTBALL from page B1

The wildly popular game makes its return for the rst time

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP PHOTO

Colorado running back Kam Mikell, front right, and wide receiver Kaleb Mathis, front left, face o during the EA Sports College Football 25 video game release party on Friday.

Tenacious D tour ends after band member’s Trump shooting comment

The video of Kyle Gass was widely circulated on social media

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press

THE COMEDY ROCK duo

Tenacious D — made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass — has canceled the rest of their tour after Gass’ remarks about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

While onstage at a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to “make a wish” by Black. Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” an apparent reference to the rally shooting a day before that left the former president with an injured ear. The video of Gass was widely circulated on social media.

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black said in a statement last Tuesday on Instagram. “After much re ection, I no longer feel it is appro-

Kyle Gass, left, and Jack Black of Tenacious D ended their world tour amid backlash from Gass’s Trump shooting comment.

priate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Following Black’s statement, Gass apologized on Instagram.

“The line I improvised Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote Tuesday. “I don’t condone violence in any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment.”

The band recently completed dates in the U.S. and Europe. Their “Spicy Meatball Tour” was slated to continue two nights later in Newcastle. This month, they will hit most major cities in Australia and New Zealand before returning to the U.S. for a select few dates in October.

“Frontier Touring regrets to advise that Tenacious D’s concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed,” their touring company announced in a statement on Instagram Tuesday. “Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”

Tenacious D developed a dedicated fan base in the early 1990s before Jack Black’s acting career gained momentum. In the late 1990s, Black and Gass had a series on HBO. In 2006, they starred in a feature-length lm called “Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.”

When asked for further comment, a band representative directed The Associated Press back to Black’s statement. Details on refunds for the remaining tour dates were not immediately available.

AMY HARRIS / AP PHOTO

Charles marries Diana, NASA founded, WWI begins this week in history

The Associated Press

JULY 25

1866: Ulysses S. Grant was named General of the Army of the United States, the rst o cer to hold the rank.

1960: A Woolworth’s store in Greensboro that had been the scene of a sit-in protest against its whites-only lunch counter dropped its segregation policy.

2000: An Air France Concorde crashed outside Paris shortly after takeo , killing all 109 people on board and four people on the ground; it was the rst crash of the supersonic jet.

JULY 26

1775: The Continental Congress established a Post O ce and appointed Benjamin Franklin as Postmaster-General.

1956: Italian liner Andrea Doria sank o New England,

some 11 hours after colliding with the Swedish liner Stockholm; at least 51 people died from both vessels.

JULY 27

1789: President George Washington signed a measure establishing the Department of Foreign A airs, the forerunner of the Department of State.

1909: Orville Wright ew himself and a passenger, Lt. Frank Lahm, above Fort Myer, Virginia, for one hour and 12 minutes during the rst o cial test of the U.S. Army’s rst airplane.

1953: Fidel Castro began his revolt against Fulgencio Batista with an unsuccessful attack on an army barracks in eastern Cuba. Castro ousted Batista in 1959.

1996: Terror struck the Atlanta Olympics as a pipe bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park, directly killing one person and injuring 111.

Anti-government extremist Eric Rudolph later pleaded guilty to the bombing.

JULY 28

1609: The English ship Sea Venture, commanded by Adm. Sir George Somers, ran ashore on Bermuda, where the passengers and crew founded a colony.

1914: World War I began as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

1976: An earthquake devastated northern China, killing at least 242,000 people.

JULY 29

1890: Vincent van Gogh, 37, died of a self-in icted gunshot wound in Auverssur-Oise, France.

1914: Transcontinental telephone service in the U.S. became operational with the rst test conversation between New

York and San Francisco.

1921: Adolf Hitler became the leader (“fuehrer”) of the National Socialist German Workers Party.

1957: Jack Paar debuted as host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show.”

1958: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating NASA.

1967: An accidental rocket launch on the deck of the supercarrier USS Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin resulted in a re and explosions that killed 134 servicemen. Among the survivors was future Arizona Sen. John McCain.

1981: Britain’s Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in a ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

JULY 30

1619: The rst representative assembly in America convened in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony.

1729: Baltimore, Maryland, was founded.

1916: German saboteurs blew up a munitions plant on Black Tom, an island near Jersey City, New Jersey, killing about a dozen people.

After drunken anthem performance, Andress seeking treatment

The country singer’s performance quickly made the rounds on social media

By Maria Sherman

The Associated Press

AFTER A WIDELY panned performance of the U.S. national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby last Monday, country singer Ingrid Andress apologized and said she had been drunk.

“I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition.”

The MLB is not commenting, spokesperson Matt Bourne said. A representative for Andress said there will be no additional comment now.

Last Monday night, the fourtime Grammy nominee belted an a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Clips of her less-than-popular rendition at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, went viral.

Sports Illustrated writer Alex Carr posted on X, formerly Twitter, “I’m so sorry; I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I think I’ve ever heard in my whole life.”

Andress, 32, began her career as a Nashville songwriter, penning songs for performers across genres, including Bebe Rexha’s “Girl in the Mirror,” Halestorm’s

TOM FOX / THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS VIA AP

Country singer Ingrid Andress says she was drunk during her national anthem performance at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby.

“Con icted,” and the critically acclaimed “Boys,” which became an international hit for British singer Charli XCX. Soon, she inked a deal with Warner Music Nashville and

solutions

Atlantic Records for her own music, releasing her debut album, “Lady Like,” in 2020. Her breakthrough single, “More Hearts Than Mine,” followed the release, peaked at No. 30 on the

Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the list for 20 weeks. In 2021, she released her second-biggest song, the country radio favorite “Wishful Drinking,” collaborating with singer Sam

Hunt. It also spent 20 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 47. Her sophomore album, “Good Person,” was released in 2022. Andress’ performance quickly made the rounds on social media.

Vulture blogger Bethy Squires joked that Andress sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” “in cursive,” referencing a popular Internet neologism referring to pop singers stretching vowels and accentuating their vocal fry. Chris Wright, the executive editor of Saturday Down South, was a bit more delicate: “I enjoy Ingrid Andress’ music and have seen her in concert,” he wrote on X. “After listening to that National Anthem, I have a newfound respect for her producers and sound crew. Wow.”

This isn’t the rst time a national anthem performance has been panned. In the pantheon of controversial renditions of the national anthem at sporting events, Roseanne Barr’s rendition at a 1990 San Diego Padres game and Fergie’s at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game yielded similar reactions. Following her performance, Fergie released a statement: “I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem, and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” the Grammy-winning singer said. “I’m a risk taker artistically, but this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.”

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famous birthdays this week

Mick Jagger is 81, Arnold Schwarzenegger hits 76, Ken Burns turns 70

The Associated Press

July 26: Actor Robert Colbert (“The Time Tunnel,” “Maverick”) is 93. Singer Darlene Love is 83. Singer Brenton Wood is 83. Singer Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones is 81. Actor Helen Mirren is 79. Actor Kevin Spacey is 65. Actor Sandra Bullock is 60. Actor Jeremy Piven is 59.

July 27: Actor John Pleshette (“Knots Landing”) is 82. Actor-director Betty Thomas (“Hill Street Blues”) is 77. Singer Maureen McGovern is 75. Singer Pete Yorn is 50.

July 28: Cartoonist Jim Davis (“Gar eld”) is 78. Actor Linda Kelsey (“Lou Grant”) is 77. Singer Jonathan Edwards is 77. Actor Sally Struthers is 76.

July 29: Actor Robert Fuller (“Laramie,” ″Emergency!”) is 90. Actor Roz Kelly (“Happy Days”) is 81. Actor Mike Starr (“Ed,” ″Goodfellas”) is 73. Documentary maker Ken Burns is 70. Singer-bassist Geddy Lee of Rush is 70. Actor Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Stand By Me”) is 51. Actor Stephen Dor is 50. Singer Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men is 50.

July 30: Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is 87. Actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger is 76. Singer-songwriter Kate Bush is 65. Director Richard Linklater (“Boyhood,” “Dazed and Confused”) is 63. Actor Laurence Fishburne is 62. Actor Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) is 60. Ac-

tor Tom Green is 52. Actor Jaime Pressly (“Mom,” “My Name Is Earl”) is 46. Singer-guitarist Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers is 43.

July 31: Actor Susan Flannery (“Bold and the Beautiful”) is 84. Drummer Bill Berry (R.E.M.) is 65. Actor Wesley Snipes is 61. Musician Fatboy Slim is 60. “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling is 58. Aug. 1: Singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is 92. Blues musician Robert Cray is 70. Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy is 63. Singer Adam Duritz of Counting Crows is 59. Director Sam Mendes (“Skyfall,” “American Beauty”) is 58.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO Mick Jagger, pictured performing in 2024, turned 81 on Thursday.

JORDAN STRAUSS / AP PHOTO Actor Sandra Bullock, pictured in 2022, turned 60 on Thursday.

AMY HARRIS / AP PHOTO

Blues legend Buddy Guy turns 87 on Tuesday.

the stream

‘Ghostbusters’ is back, Bob Marley doc hits Prime, ‘Futurama’ makes returns

Guy Ritchie tells a true historical tale in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED debut album from Ice Spice and the movie Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, with new and old franchise stars, are some new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time include Wayne Brady’s new reality series and Kate Upton’s new competition series “Dress My Tour,” where fashion and music intersect.

MOVIES TO STREAM

It’s been 40 years since the original “Ghostbusters,” some might argue it’s time to move on. I ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but I am of needlessly prolonged lm franchises. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which began streaming on Net ix on Monday, has some things going for it. Namely, Kumail Nanjiani, who steals the movie as the reluctant “Fire Master.” But there’s a pleasant-enough kid-friendly-ish vibe to “Frozen Empire,” in which the Spengler family (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) returns to New York. OG Ghostbusters Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd are still on hand. In my review, I wrote that the movie has “a modest charm as an ‘80s-tinged family adventure.”

“Bob Marley: One Love,” streaming Tuesday on Prime Video, is the latest in a medley of music biopics. The lm, which rst debuted in theaters in February, stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as the reggae legend. It’s a muddled but sincere and textured approach to capturing one of the most potent

COLUMBIA PICTURES/NETFLIX / LIONSGATE VIA AP

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” left, “The Decameron,” center, and “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” are streaming this week.

musical forces of the 20th century. In my review, I wrote that “the power and complexity of Marley is out of reach for ‘One Love,’ which takes a typical biopic framework.”

Guy Ritchie tells a true historical tale in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video), albeit with plenty of amped-up, action-movie exaggeration. During World War II, a small band led by an ex-criminal (Henry Cavill) sails to the West African islands to sabotage a eet of German U-boats. The tale boasts plenty of real-life intrigue, including James Bond author Ian Fleming. I praised Ritchie’s jauntily entertaining lm in my review but lamented that the real-life stealth mission “would have been thrilling enough if it had been told with a little historical accuracy.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

The Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun will return on Friday with “Ask That God,” their fourth studio album and rst in eight years since 2016’s “Two Vines.” Fans

will remember Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore for their 2008 psychedelic dance-pop smash “Walking on a Dream” — and now, there’s new, similarly colorful and maximalist music to enjoy: Start with the shimmery “Cherry Blossom.”

Each year, around the world and in the U.S., KCON – a convention that celebrates K-pop, K-drama, K-food, K-beauty, and everything under the umbrella of “Hallyu,” a term used to describe the growing global popularity of Korean popular culture — takes place. It began 12 years ago in Irvine, California, and has grown exponentially in the years since. The 2024 Los Angeles KCON returns to the LA Convention Center and http://Crypto.com Arena and will take place July 26 through July 28, with a lineup boasting NCT 127, P1Harmony, BOYNEXTDOOR, Taemin and more. For those who can’t make it in person: Each night’s performances will be streamed live on KCON’s ocial YouTube channel. The concert will also air live on the CW Networks on Sunday, July 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT for the rst time.

SHOWS TO STREAM

What would happen if the “Love Island” cast caught the plague while sequestered in their villa? That’s one way to describe “The Decameron” on Netix, a black comedy set in Florence, Italy. Loosely based on stories from the 14th century, the series follows a collection of mis ts hiding out and partying through the 1348 pandemic at a countryside villa. The eightpart series debuted Thursday and stars comedy pros like Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet and Saoirse-Monica Jackson in a romp full of sex, booze, love and mortality.

Fashion and music intersect in the new competition series “Dress My Tour” for Hulu. Hosted by Kate Upton, 11 contestants are challenged to design looks for a di erent recording artist who will judge their creations in each episode. The musicians who take part include JoJo Siwa, Toni Braxton and Ty Dolla $ign. The winner gets $100,000. “Dress My Tour” premiered Tuesday. We’ve seen Wayne Brady in front of the camera as an ac-

tor, comedian and host of “Let’s Make a Deal.” Now, he’s inviting cameras into his life o -screen with a reality series following his unconventional, blended family. Brady, who came out as pansexual last year, co-parents daughter Maīle’ Masako Brady with his ex-wife and business partner, Mandie Taketa. Taketa has moved on with partner Jason Fordham, and they have a young son, Sundance-Isamu. Brady is the godfather of the boy and helps to raise him. “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix” premiered on Freeform on Wednesday and will stream the next day on Hulu.

Matt Groening’s sci- animated comedy “Futurama” is back for its 12th season on Hulu. The streamer revived the show last year and has ten new episodes ready to roll out. In “Futurama,” Billy West voices Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen on the eve of Y2K in 1999. He defrosts one thousand years later and befriends a robot named Bender (John DiMaggio). The series is a workplace comedy following Fry, Bender and their colleagues at a delivery company called Planet Express.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Fans of the original Legend of Zelda are sure to nd Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure cozily familiar, with a green-clad protagonist ghting monsters and nding treasure across a 2D map. The gimmick here is that every time the intrepid Jemma moves, part of the landscape moves in the same direction. The developers promise a “playful sense of chaos and a regular stream of small, thoughtful puzzles.” It’s the debut title from an indie studio, Furniture & Mattress, with peppy graphics by the artist who illustrated the cult

and

classic Braid. The journey began Thursday, July 25, on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

PC.

DANIEL SMITH/LIONSGATE VIA AP

“The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” starring from left, Alex Pettyfer, Henry Cavill, foreground center, Alan Ritchson, background center, Hero Fiennes Ti n and Henry Golding came to Prime Video on Thursday.