North State Journal — Vol. 3., Issue 2

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2

|

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM |

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018

Inside Dixie Deer Classic showcases outdoor life, Sports

LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Gibbs, a golden retreiver, and owner, Terrie Leafstedt, compete in the first round of a DockDogs event during the 2018 Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh, on March 2.

Leafstedt has been competing in this sport for 10 years, 8 1/2 of those years with Gibbs.

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

Bipartisan N.C. effort to place Graham statue at U.S. Capitol Raleigh/Washington, D.C. N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis, Rep. Patrick McHenry, Gov. Roy Cooper and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest are all calling for a statue of Billy Graham to represent N.C. in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. A statue of Graham would replace former N.C. Gov. Charles Aycock. Each state gets two representatives in the hall, and N.C. currently has Aycock and Zebulon Vance. In letters to the Capitol Architect, the N.C. leaders asked that the request for change be approved because Graham is “one of North Carolina’s most celebrated figures and ‘A merica’s Pastor.’”

NORTH

OFF TO THE RACES

JOURNaL

The 2018 midterm election promises to be a highenergy, and high stakes, race to November

STATE ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

N.C. takes in $90.6 million above projected revenue Raleigh According to a monthly financials report issued by the N.C. General Assembly Fiscal Research Division, the state’s General Fund is running more than $190 million above projected for January 2018. The General Fund is used for DHHS, Education, Public Safety, Economic Development, debt and most of the state government expenses. Compared to this time last year, tax revenues are up 3.6 percent, despite cuts to the corporate and individual state tax rates in each of the last three years. The corporate tax rates are scheduled to go down again next year if the state’s economic growth continues to climb.

CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL | FILE

We detail the latest salaries for state government department leaders.

Jones & Blount

5

20177 52016 $2.00

8

By Donna King North State Journal RALEIGH — This week N.C.’s political parties are charting their courses to November after the candidate filing period ended February 28. The flurry of activity was closely watched as candidates assessed races, raised money and eyed their competition. For the first time nearly all 170 races in N.C. have a Democrat and a Republican running, and often a libertarian. The exception is House District 24, where conservative Kenneth J. Fontenot, a Marine veteran and middle school teacher, filed as an unaffiliated candidate and the state Republican party plans an endorsement once he gets on the ballot by rounding up 2,000 signatures.

This variety of candidates is a dramatic shift from past election years. In 2016, 70 of the 170 races had only one party represented on the ballot by election day. The

NCGOP attributes it to increased interest in running, but also coordinated recruiting by the parties.

“I’m impressed with our diversity, our youth, and our energy,” said Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the NCGOP. “The people are out there, but you’ve got to go find them,” he said.

“Both sides should be praised for doing a good job, and they should be castigated for not having done more in the past. One of the lessons that we had to learn, is that the party is growing, we are growing in registration, we’ve got a growing interest in the party… There are probably a million or 750,000 extremely loyal Republican voters, who vote in virtually every Republican primary, and we know very few of them.”

A host of new candidates filed this year; women, students, newcomers and some familiar faces.

Former N.C. Senator Robert Rucho has filed to run again from Iredell County, and retired Judge Toby Fitch, of Wilson, a Democrat, is running for the NC Senate District 4 seat. In Boone, Republican RobSee FILINGS, page 1

Dominque Sykes, a ninth-grade English teacher at Warren County High School, prepares for her classes during her planning period.

Judges rule on merged NC teachers earn average elections and ethics board of more than $50K A report from DPI breaks down the state’s education budget

By Donna King North State Journal

INSIDE

Historic number of candidates file ahead of 2018 campaign season

RALEIGH — N.C. teachers make more than $50,000 on average for the first time. The salary comes after three years of raises set by the Republican-led N.C. General Assembly. The increases were part of an effort to attract more new teachers to the public schools and keep them past the 10-year point, when many historically decide to pursue other careers. Hitting the $50,000 mark for average salary is a milestone for teachers, but also for lawmakers who publicly set it as a goal in 2013.

According to a report out last week from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, education costs claimed 39 percent of the state’s General Fund in 2017-2018. The state spent $9.6 billion for N.C. public schools in 2017-2018 with the federal government contributing $893 million, not counting federal child nutrition funding. Of the total amount spent on state education this year, 94.2 percent went to salaries and employee benefits.

(68.9 percent is salaries, 25.3 percent is employee benefits) The report also showed historic trends. The state spent the highest percentage of the budget on education in 1969-70 at 52.5 percent of the total state budget, and a low of 37.4 percent in 2010See TEACHERS, page 2

A judicial panel let the merged board stand, but with nine members

By Donna King and Meredith Pace North State Journal RALEGH — The governor versus legislature court battle over a merged Elections and Ethics Enforcement board is over. After nearly a year of litigation, a unanimous three-judge panel rejected Gov. Roy Cooper’s argument that the merged Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement usurped his executive power, but it also said that the part of the original board merger law relating to membership and appointment is void.

The North Carolina Superior Court panel preserved the law that joined the N.C. Ethics Commission

and the N.C. Board of Elections into one governor-appointed board made up of equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, amended in H.B. 90 to add a ninth, unaffiliated member. Cooper and his lawyers argued that because the old system allowed him to appoint a majority of the elections board from his party, lawmakers were stripping him of power to implement his preferred policies.

“We appreciate the court preserved a merged bipartisan elections and ethics board, which polling shows nearly 80 percent of North Carolinians support, and rejected Gov. Roy Cooper’s arguments to resurrect a law that was already taken off the books just because his party would benefit,” said Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore See BOARD RULING, page 2

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

A2 WEDNESDAY

3.7.18 #118

Spellings marks two years at the helm of UNC system

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

“The whole state.

The whole story.”

Visit North State Journal online! nsjonline.com jonesandblount.com nsjsports.com carolinabrewreview.com chickenbonealley.com

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Donna King Editor Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor

Published each Wednesday

by North State Media, LLC 509 W North Street Raleigh, N.C. 27603

RALEIGH — It’s been two years since Margaret Spellings took office as the president of the University of North Carolina system, overseeing its 17 campuses.

As she moves into her third year, she’s focusing on building innovation and technology through the system.

“This is a time where we have this interesting paradox where almost everybody needs what we offer in American higher education,” said Spellings. “Seventy percent of the jobs require a post-secondary education after high school. The paradox is it is at a time when people are increasingly skeptical of public institutions and ask questions about the value.

It’s against that backdrop that we do our work.”

With the adoption of a strategic plan for the system a year ago, each of the 17 institutions designed how they would adapt unique programs and ideas to support the overall mission of the system. The North Carolina General Assembly offered substantial support to the UNC System.

“We’ve got the best budget in 10 years from the N.C. legislature, including a major commitment to support NC Promise,” said Spellings.

The NC Promise Tuition Plan will allow the state to significantly reduce the cost of tuition at Elizabeth City State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Western Carolina University. Beginning in fall 2018, the plan is designed to increase educational access, reduce student debt and grow the state’s economy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNC SYSTEM

UNC President Margret Spellings takes a photo with UNC Pembroke students.

“Applications are way up at those three institutions,” added Spellings.

According to Spellings, UNC Pembroke has seen a rise in applications by 50 percent, 18 percent at Western Carolina University and approximately 15 percent at Elizabeth City State University.

“I can’t wait to see how well this program works and commended the legislature for the $51 million investment they’ve made,” said Spellings.

“Recently, we had the second meeting of the My Future NC commission, which is an effort to bring about 30 leaders of our state together across the education sector, but also the philanthropic, faith-based and business communities to really think about how we are organized in this state

“We have to create a college-going culture in our state and one with high expectations.”

— Margaret Spellings, president of the UNC system to make sure the seams between pre-K to K, K-12 and the community college and public universities are coherent,” she added.

My Future NC is a statewide on educational attainment that brings together the UNC System, the North Carolina Community College System and the Department of Public Instruction.

My Future NC will bring together top North Carolina thought leaders from the education, business, philanthropy, faith-based, and nonprofit communities and ex officio representatives from the North Carolina House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor’s office to discuss state education and training needs, identify obstacles to meeting those needs, and generate policy recommendations.

The commission’s work is being underwritten by grants from the John M. Belk Endowment, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Goodnight Education Foundation.

In addition, the process of lab schools, K-8 training sites for teachers and administrators of the campuses of colleges has gotten underway. The proposed training sites, announced in 2016, include: Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington and Western Carolina University.

“We also have lab schools that are just getting started in the system with more to open,” said Spellings. “It will help provide options for parents, it will help improve our teacher prep program, and it will help our students get into real live classrooms as soon as possible.

“As this is a pilot, it will enable us to learn a lot, scale innovations and share practices. Each school will have a different approach and theory to innovation, and technology will be a big part of it,” she added.

In 2017, East Carolina University and Western Carolina University opened lab schools in partnership with their local school districts. UNC Greensboro, Appalachian State University, and UNC Wilmington plan to open lab schools in the fall of 2018.

“We have to create a college-going culture in our state and one with high expectations,” said Spellings.

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $25.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 509 W North Street Raleigh, N.C. 27603

Get in touch!

www nsjonline.com

North State Journal

@nsjnews

BOARD RULING from page 1 (R-Cleveland) in a joint statement released Monday evening. “We have addressed the court’s concerns about the board’s membership in a bill Gov. Cooper has already promised to allow to become law, and we once again encourage him to abandon taxpayer-funded and self-serving lawsuits.”

In January, the N.C. Supreme Court voted along party lines to send the case back to the threejudge panel after overruling the lower court’s determination that Cooper lacked standing entirely and saying that parts of the original board merger law set up risk of deadlock and stripped the governor of his executive authority. As a result of that decision, Cooper’s lawyers argued to the three-judge panel that they should toss out the new merged board completely and return to the original system with two boards.

The N.C. Supreme Court’s majority opinion said the membership

FILINGS from page 1 ert Block, a junior at Appalachian State University, is challenging four-term Republican incumbent Jonathan Jordan for House District 93.

The N.C. Democratic Party says their #120DistrictStrategy campaign has yielded positive results with all 120 House races offering a Democrat on the ballot. They are aiming to break the Republican veto-proof majority in the N.C. General Assembly by picking up four seats in the House and six in the Senate, helping Democrat Governor Roy Cooper get more of his policy through the legislature.

In 2016, Democrats had the same goal but came up empty, losing a seat in the Senate.

“This is a historic day,” Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Goodwin said after the filing deadline. “Democrats entered this midterm with one goal: Recruit a candidate in every single district to break the Republican supermajority this fall.”

Goodwin held a “listening tour” during the filing period and used social media to highlight the “resistance” and anti-Trump energy surging through the party. But among the challenges facing Democrats are a surging state and U.S. economy coupled with job growth, because when the economy is strong, voters tend to keep incumbents in power. Plus, polling shows voter support for issues like school choice, something the party has rejected. Congressional Democrats G.K. Butterfield, David Price and Alma Adams are all going to return to voters and explain

of and appointment to the bipartisan board did not give the governor enough control over the board, but Justice Paul Newby dissented saying that given the board’s importance in ensuring fair elections, it should be bipartisan and that the elected General Assembly has the power to establish the rules of the appointments, not the governor.

“The only separation of powers violation in this case is this Court’s encroachment on the express constitutional power of the General Assembly,” Newby wrote in his opinion.

However, in response to the January N.C. Supreme Court ruling, lawmakers passed a measure in H.B. 90 in February that gave the governor the authority to fire any member of the board, as long as he fills the spot with a member from the same party. The bill also allows the governor to appoint a ninth, unaffiliated member, to avoid deadlock. The additions to the bill answered the concerns of the N.C. Su-

why they didn’t vote for the historic tax cut bill and why there is no fix for DACA. However, NCDP announced in January that they have $2.4 million in cash on hand heading into campaign season, a record for the state party.

“This is the best position our party has ever been in heading into a midterm election. We are humbled and grateful to have the support of so many North Carolinians ready for change,” said Goodwin.

Republicans, on the other hand, are fighting controversial Twitter storms from the White House, a failed effort to reform healthcare LAURA ASHLEY LAMM | NORTH STATE JOURNAL | FILE and immigration, and repeated Candidate signs in Wilson County greet voters on election day state headlines about the acrimoin 2016. nious relationship between the Republican-led General Assembly and Cooper, brought into sharp relationships. However, other outfocus by a litany of courtroom batlets were also tracking the story, tles. But they also have tax cuts, some for more than a year. The stothree years of state budget surplus- “This idea that somehow ries were published just hours bees, annual teacher raises, dropping when Republicans started fore the filing period closed. Hall unemployment, and national recdrawing districts, people will have a primary, before he faces ognition for the state’s strong ecoeither Republican Tyler Brooks or nomic performance since taking didn’t want to run for office Republican Shawn Hamilton, and the majority in 2011. anymore, that has been Libertarian Travis Groo.

“There is nothing to indicate Now that the candidates have some big blue wave. The more completely debunked.” filed, the parties’ attention turns democratic-friendly districts that to May 8, when more races than in they got the court to give them, — Dallas Woodhouse, past election years will have parunjustifiably in my opinion, will ty primaries, including Hall’s. In certainly result in a few democrat- N.C. Republican Party state Senate District 8 and the 4th ic pickups," said Woodhouse. “Our goal is to retain governing majori- N.C. Policy Watch stories reported Congressional District there are ty, whether that’s the supermajori- that five staffers are accusing him even rare libertarian primaries.

“Voters are certainly going to ty or pretty close, it’s the majority of sexual harassment. Party chairthat means we can in fact continue man Goodwin, Governor Copper have more access than ever before to implement our policies… and I and others have called on him to and we think that’s a good thing,” step down but he has refused, re- said Woodhouse. believe we will be able to do that.”

The winners of those primaries Yet to be determined is wheth- portedly calling the stories a “vener Democrat Rep. Duane Hall detta” by Policy Watch and some of will face off on Tuesday, November (D-Wake) will resign after two its employees with whom he’s had 6, 2018 in the midterm elections.

preme Court, according to justices.

Cooper said publicly two weeks ago that he would let H.B. 90 become law without his signature, despite his disagreement with it.

The timing of this decision is important with deadlines on the elections schedule looming. Absentee ballots are schedule to go out within the next few weeks for the May 8, 2018, primary.

“We don’t anticipate that the decision will affect absentee ballot distribution at all,” said Patrick Gannon, spokesman for the N.C. Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement. “The State Board staff continues to perform all necessary tasks to ensure the primaries run smoothly. At this point, we have not heard anything about appointment of members, but we are prioritizing items that need to go in front of a State Board as soon as members are appointed.”

Early voting for the primaries starts April 19 and candidate filing for judicial races starts June 18.

TEACHERS from page 1 11. By total amount of money spent, this school year, 2017-18, is the most the state has spent in 15 years. DPI also points out that, like the rest of the state, the N.C. public school system has gained thousands of students over the last eight years. Since 2010, almost 88,000 more students are learning in a N.C. public school, bringing the total number of public school student statewide to more than 1.5 million.

The N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE) releases state rankings based on teacher salary each year, and in 2016-17, N.C. was ranked fifth in the Southeast and 35th nationally. Since then, the N.C. General Assembly gave teachers an average 2 percent raise bringing the average to $51,214. The NCAE’s rankings have not been released yet for this year.

The report comes as teach-

$9.6B

Amount spent by N.C. on public schools in 2017-18 er pay is making national news as West Virginia public school teachers ended a nearly two week walkout over raises. Public school teachers there currently earn an average of $45,000 and walked off the job Feb. 22 because a 5 percent raise negotiated with the state’s governor was adjusted to 4 percent by the West Virginia Senate. On Tuesday, a deal was announced that gives five percent raises to all West Virginia state employees. Tuesday on Twitter, the NCAE encouraged N.C. teachers to wear red this Wednesday in solidarity with the striking West Virginia teachers.

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

A3

BUSINESS

UNC Women’s and Children’s Hospital at UNC-Chapel Hill.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM YEUNG CC

n.c.

FAST FACTS Sponsored by

North Carolina communities will gather in Clayton next week, March 13– 15, for the Department of Commerce’s annual NC Main Street conference, coordinated by the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center. The three-day conference theme - Think Change: Think Main Street, is an exploration of ways that North Carolina communities are effectively changing their local economy. The amount of private conference is and public open to anyone investment interested in generated by downtown North Carolina revitalization Main Street and economic and Small Town development Main Street strategies.

Communities The 2018 conference will offer attendees tools to help transform their downtown districts, such as quality design and historic preservation initiatives, funding options and creative revitalization strategies. The keynote and breakout sessions will feature entrepreneurship, branding, social media and more.

Attendees will hear from some of the state’s inspiring leaders, including committed Main Street Champions and city, town and county managers. These speakers will share how they create partnerships for vibrant communities.

Since 1980, North Carolina Main Street and Small Town Main Street communities have generated over $2.75 billion in public and private investment. Nearly 23,500 cumulative net new full-time and part-time jobs and nearly 5,900 new businesses have been created in North Carolina Main Street districts since the program’s inception. In FY 2016-17, 139,336 volunteer hours were committed to North Carolina Main Street and Small Town Main Street downtown districts, valued at more than $3.2 million.

Approved Logos

$2.75 bil

UNC Health Care and Atrium call off proposed merger

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Sponsored by

The health care companies were negotiating for a joint operating company, but that drew strong criticism and concerns about market dominance

It’s Time to Prepare for Severe Weather in NC

By Donna King North State Journal RALEIGH — Charlotte-based Atrium Health, formerly known as Carolinas HealthCare, announced Friday that it has suspended discussions with UNC Health Care about forming a joint operating company. In August, Atrium Health released a letter of intent saying it was negotiating with UNC Health Care to create a joint venture, affecting more than 50 hospitals and nearly 100,000 employees across the state.

“After months of discussions and due diligence, UNC Health Care and Atrium Health have determined that we cannot satisfy our mutual organizational goals,” said William L. Roper, CEO of UNC Health Care System, and Dale Jenkins, chairman of the UNC Health Care Board of Directors, in a joint statement.

“Though we will not form a joint operating company, UNC Health Care and Atrium Health will continue to partner on important issues such as improving rural health care and expanding medical education.”

Since the intent was announced, vocal critics said the potential merger would reduce competition and raise prices for health care services. Critics included lawmakers, Blue Cross Blue Shield, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein and State Treasurer Dale Folwell.

Folwell has been talking publicly since taking office in 2016 about the state health plan’s $35 billion unfunded liability. Folwell told a meeting of the N.C. Press Association last week that the state’s pension fund is about 90 percent funded and recognized nationwide as one of the most well-run and secure government retirement plans. However, the

n.c.

UNC Health Care CEO William Roper, left, and Atrium Health CEO Gene Woods last fall, announcing proposed partnership that would have created on of the nation's largest health care networks.

The merger has now been suspended and will not move forward. state employee health plan is insolvent and looms as a growing crisis for the state budget. Folwell estimates that the state health plan will cost the state more than the UNC system and the N.C. Department of Public Safety combined in 2018.

“As keepers of the public purse, we have the responsibility of trying to solve these problems,” Folwell told reporters. “It’s not emotional, it’s not political — it’s mathematical.”

A certified public accountant and former state legislator, Folwell has taken steps to remind participants of the state health plan that their health care costs are self-funded by N.C. taxpayers, not Blue Cross Blue Shield as many believe. Folwell had the new state employees’ health plan card redesigned so it now reads, “Your state health plan, paid for by you and taxpayers like you.”

He hopes the change will remind participants to seek out responsible spending on their health care.

Out of concern for the cost to the state through the state health plan if the merger went through, Folwell asked representatives of UNC Health Care in February to provide the state health plan with a $1 billion performance bond.

The bond would provide leverage, guaranteeing that any merger with Atrium would not increase medical costs to the plan. UNC Health Care did not agree to provide the bond.

“It is obvious that many others

“The state will spend more on the state employee health plan than the General Assembly’s appropriations to the University of North Carolina system and the state Department of Public Safety combined.”

— Dale Folwell, N.C. Treasurer agreed there was a lack of transparency surrounding the proposed UNC/Atrium merger,” said Folwell in a statement. Folwell also added, “I was also concerned that this proposal involving billions in state assets never came before the Council of State, whose primary function is to review the disposition of state property.”

Questions remain about why negotiations fell apart last week, but industry insiders speculate that the Federal Trade Commission was planning to look into any final deal. In addition to possible FTC scrutiny, a class-action lawsuit was filed last week by patients alleging that Atrium was unlawfully using its market dominance to establish pricing contracts that prevent insurers from providing affordable prices to consumers led to the decision.

Listen Live Weekdays 9am - 11am

CHADADAMSSHOW.COM

Listen to the north state journal staff every monday at 10:05am

It’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week here in North Carolina. That means it’s time to prepare for the tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and other such hazards that may develop in the coming months.

Here are some tips to help: • Know the difference between watches and warnings. A watch means severe weather is possible, so be prepared.

A warning means severe weather has been spotted or indicated on radar.

Take cover immediately.

• If you’re outside and hear thunder, you’re in danger of being struck by lightning. Go inside.

• During a storm with lightning, don’t lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls. They conduct electricity.

Don’t use items that plug into electrical outlets. Power surges from lightning can travel through the cords.

• Learn about or review generator safety procedures. If severe weather damages power lines and causes an outage, a generator can be a lifesaver—if it’s used properly.

• Stock your emergency kit. Include alternate power sources for important devices and enough food, water, and supplies for three to seven days for each person and pet.

• After severe weather, assume any downed power lines are energized.

Stay away from them, and call 911 or your local utility.

For more severe weather preparedness tips, visit readync.org.

North State Journal for March 7, 2018

A4

North State Journal for March 7, 2018

Murphy

Marathon March

to

Jones & Blount

Manteo

jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount

NC cabinet secretary salaries in the spotlight

Northern Trails Marathon Greensboro | March 11

By Meredith Pace North State Journal RALEIGH — Starting Jan. 1, Gov. Roy Cooper gave N.C. cabinet secretaries pay raises that put their annual compensation

Umstead Trail Marathon Raleigh | March 3

Asheville Marathon on Biltmore Estate

New South Trail Marathon Charlotte | March 24

Tobacco Road Marathon

Name & Agency

Cary | March 18

Asheville | March 18

All American and Mike to Mike Half Marathon Fort Bragg | March 25

Emerald Isle Marathon Emerald Isle | March 10

It’s time to lace up those running shoes and hit the trails!

March features marathons across the state to challenge runners and raise money for those in need. If you are looking to leap into spring training, check out some of these options to explore N.C.’s beauty on foot. If a marathon seems daunting, there are also 10Ks, 5Ks and half marathons listed at www.runningintheusa.com.

WEST Grandfather Mountain records high wind gusts Avery County Grandfather Mountain hit 101.9 mph wind gusts on Friday morning, according to the North Carolina Climate Office and Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research. The gust is the highest in two years, which was recorded at 108 mph on April 3, 2016. The highest recorded wind on the mountain is 120.7 mph on Dec. 21, 2012. The winds remained more than 80 mph for Friday. When winds are more than 60 mph, the top half of Grandfather Mountain is closed to guests due to safety concerns.

WATAUGA DEMOCRAT

Expert kayaker drowns in Cheoah River Graham County World champion kayaker Maria Noakes, of Bryson City, died in a paddling accident died on the Cheoah River on Saturday. Noakes was kayaking with her son Matteo and two of his friends when the accident happened. According to her family, her boat was found pinned against the river and she was found downstream.

The cause of the accident is being investigated. Noakes is survived by her husband and two sons.

PIEDMONT

Police investigate graffiti on church, 2 businesses Henderson County Graffiti containing vulgar language was discovered on Sunday morning at Upward Baptist Church and two nearby businesses. Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the vandalism. The suspect used black spray paint and reference Jesus and Billy Graham. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

BLUE RIDGE NOW

Wrightsville Beach Marathon Wrightsville Beach | March 17

EAST

Bus driver arrested for threatening school

Charlotte-Mecklenburg ranks 28th deadliest U.S. city Mecklenburg County According to the Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crimes Survey, Charlotte-Mecklenburg tied with Houston and Dekalb County, Georgia for murders in the first half of 2017.

The murder rate is 5.6 per 100,000 people. The rate nearly doubled from the same time last year. Forty-seven people were murdered from Jan. 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017. St. Louis was ranked no.1 with 29.1 per 100,000.

Union County An Union County school bus driver was arrested Sunday for making false reports about mass violence on school property after posting threats on social media. Police said Lashauna Hooker Beachum, 32, of Charlotte aimed at threat at Porter Ridge Middle School in Indian Trail and criticized school employees and immigrants. Deputies said they do not think Beachum had the means to carry out the threat.

WSOC-TV

CBS NEWS

Asheville police order an investigation after police beating video leaked Buncombe County Asheville police want to know who turned over video and memo of a white officer beating a black man to The Citizen Times. The police chief Tammy Hooper said the release of the video and memo was illegal and an investigation is needed. Hooper issued an apology to Johnnie Jermaine Rush, who in the video is shown being beaten by an officer after being stopped for jaywalking in August.

WLOS

Winston-Salem inmate dies after fall

Hanes Mall closed after fight breaks out Forsyth County A fight at Hanes Mall in WinstonSalem led to the arrest of three teenagers on Saturday night. According to police, 80 to 100 teens were involved in a disturbance causing the mall to shut down. Three were arrested in connection to the fight — one is under the age of 18. Authorities said there were reports of gunshots but none were substantiated by police. Hanes Mall remained closed until noon on Sunday.

WRAL

THE CITIZEN-TIMES

A5

Forsyth County An inmate died after falling from the second floor of the Forsyth County Detention Center on Sunday night.

Robin Steven Thompson, 61, sustained a head injury after falling in the housing area. He was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where he died from his injury.

The death is being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Johnston County seeks school security upgrades Johnston County Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent Ross Renfrow announced a plan to increase security in Johnston County schools in a message to “parents, staff and stakeholders.” The cost of the improvements is about $1 million. There will be three phases of the improvement plans which include: 1) Controlled access for all schools currently without this feature. The vendor will begin assessing the controlled-access projects this week with completion within the next 60-75 days; 2) Exterior cameras for those schools without them.

This project will start immediately, he said; 3) Key fobs and card swipes for all exterior entry doors.

Tarboro receives championship rings Edgecombe County The moment arrived, nearly three months after the final game. The Tarboro High School football team received their championship rings on Monday night during a ceremony at Edgecombe Community College attended by players, coach and family members. The event celebrated the Vikings 1-AA championship this past fall, which was secured with a 32-7 victory over Mount Airy on Dec. 9.

It was the fifth state title in program history, and former Tarboro player and current running back for the Los Angeles Rams Todd Gurley was on hand for the ceremony.

THE ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM

THE DAILY RECORD OF DUNN

ECU Foundation purchases home for chancellor’s residence Pitt County The ECU Foundation has purchased a $1.3 million, 8,500-square-foot mansion for use as a new chancellor’s residence. The five-acre property is in the Star Hill Farm neighborhood and will serve as a home for Chancellor Cecil Staton and for university events.

The current 90-year-old chancellor’s residence, Dail House, was planned for a renovation.

PITT COUNTY POST

Java Estate Roastery breaks ground on new facility New Hanover County One of the largest roasting facilities in the Wilmington area has broken ground on a new, larger facility. Java Estate Roastery, currently located on Sloop Point Loop Road in Hampstead, has plans for a 15,000-square-foot facility in Holly Ridge. Owner Walter Bateman said the facility would feature a fully equipped coffee bar for barista training, a cupping lab, conference rooms and a storefront overlooking the warehouse.

THE WILMINGTON STAR NEWS

Starting Salary

above his own $144,399 per year. On top of the $1,000 raise received last year by all state employees, cabinet secretaries averaged an additional ten percent increase, some with less than a year on the job, and all more than their predeccessor.

Individual Salary Increase 2018

McCrory’s Cabinet

Mandy Cohen, Dept. of Health & Human Services

$143,100 *

$192,500

Rick Brajer $142,100

James Trogdon, Dept. of Transportation

$196,352

$217,980

Nick Tennyson $138,040

Machelle Sanders, Dept. of Administration

$131,935

$145,128

Kathryn Johnson $130,935

Tony Copeland, Dept. of Commerce

$139,040

$152,944

John Skvarla $138,040

Susi Hamilton, Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources

$139,040

$152,944

Susan Kluttz $138,040

Erik Hooks, Dept. of Public Safety

$139,040

$152,944

Frank Perry $138,040

Ron Penny, Dept. of Revenue

$131,936

$145,128

Michael Regan, Dept. of Environmental Quality

$131,935

$145,128

Larry Hall, Dept. of Military & Veterans Affairs

$131,936

$145,128

Jeff Epstein $130,936 Donald van der Vaart $130,935 Cornell Wilson $130,935

*DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen received an individual salary increase to $175,000 in July 2017.

SOURCE: WBTV CHARLOTTE AND FOX NEWS

$144,399 is Roy Cooper’s salary

$141,265 was Pat McCrory’s salary

Allison to join American Federation for Children

By NSJ Staff RALEIGH — Darrell Allison, former head of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, begins work this week as national director for state teams and political strategy for the American Federation for Children (AFC), a national group that “promotes sound, sustainable school choice policies nationwide that empower parents to choose the school best suited to their child’s needs,” according to Allison’s announcement of the move.

Current U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos helped found the Washington, D.C.-based AFC and also

The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

About Ag

ncfb.org

served as its chairperson. Since taking federal office, DeVos ended her formal relationship with the organization but spoke at its annual convention in May. Allison helped found PEFNC advocating for the 2013 establishment of the statewide Opportunity Scholarships program, the Children with Disabilities Scholarship Grant and the Special Needs Education Savings Account. The programs offer state-funded help for parents who have children with disabilities or are seeking an alternative to their base school.

Allison currently on the UNC Board of Governors, the governing body of the University of North Carolina system.

A6

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

The best welfare program is a job

What is it going to be: more government welfare or more personal work opportunities?

THE DIFFERENCE between liberal and conservative ideology can best be seen when confronted with numbers such as the following from a recent Joint Legislative Committee hearing in the North Carolina state legislature on Medicaid enrollment: 29 counties in North Carolina have experienced a decline in nonFamily Planning enrollment for Medicaid since June 30, 2016 Another 33 counties have experienced a decline in enrollment since June 30, 2017 More than 60 percent of the counties are experiencing non-Family Planning enrollment declines in FY 2017-18 To what specific factors can these declines be attributed?

Republicans tend to point to the improving economy and lower unemployment rates for much of the declines in Medicaid enrollment across the state. People who get jobs that provide health care coverage typically go off Medicaid eligibility and on to private plans.

The average stay on Medicaid for non-long-term disabled citizens is about 10 months — contrary to public opinion where many assume once a person goes on Medicaid, they are there for life.

Democrats tend to focus on other reasons, such as availability of information to people eligible for Medicaid but do not know how to enroll; possible flaws in collection of statistical data, and fear by illegal aliens living in North Carolina to apply for Medicaid benefits and risk possible deportation.

All play into possible explanations.

What is the main “correct” answer though?

President Ronald Reagan perhaps explained conservative thought on welfare best when he said the following two statements in different speeches over time: “The best social program is a productive job for anyone who’s willing to work.”

“Welfare’s purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence.”

To many unfamiliar with the liberal/conservative divide over the past 50 years, President Reagan’s words sound like common sense regardless of which side of that divide you may be on.

There was a time in modern American history when the majority of

Republicans and Democrats ascribed to that notion of self-sufficiency and hard work.

However, since the advent of the Great Society programs under LBJ in 1965 and subsequent amendments and welfare programs added to our federal budget since then, many on the left have come to see increases in numbers of people on welfare or entitlement programs as a sign of “success” of the modern welfare state in America.

Conservatives take an opposing view. They tend to see reductions in enrollment numbers as evidenced in the Medicaid hearing as a sign of great success in economic growth policy since many people who were not on Medicaid since 2016 must have found a job and are now working in a productive capacity to provide for themselves and their families.

Republicans see “success” in welfare programs when the need for or dependency on them is dramatically reduced. Every able-bodied individual who can work should work is their line of thinking. It helps self-worth, self-esteem and keeps families and communities together.

If liberals want to help to achieve such a utopian goal, every effort should be made to allow private businesses to expand and hire as many people as possible. Any effort to hamstring American business with over-regulation, higher taxes and more government debt almost by definition frustrates their ability to hire new workers, many of whom need job training and residual education usually provided by the new employer to leave public welfare for good.

Whenever a liberal politician seeks to punish a rich person who has built a business with higher taxes or regulation, they need to keep in mind that the people they are really hurting are the lower-income people currently surviving on welfare programs who will not be hired if taxes, spending and regulations go up.

What is it going to be: more government welfare or more personal work opportunities?

EDITORIAL | TROY KICKLER

N.C.’s Reconstruction Constitution has a 150-year impact

All three state constitutions remind us that liberty is preserved by a “frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.”

ALTHOUGH there have been scores of state constitutional amendments since 1776, the Old North State has adopted only 3 state constitutions.

As part of the over 1,500 page tome, North Carolina Government, 1584-1974: A Narrative and Statistical History (1975), John L. Sanders writes: “The people of North Carolina have treated their constitutions with conservatism and respect.” (Although some states have had fewer, others have had as many as 5 or 10.)

From mid-January to mid-March, 150 years ago, convention delegates drafted the state’s second constitution.

Drafted during a tumultuous time, the proposed 1868 state constitution was controversial. Some contemporaries referred to the document as “Canby’s Constitution.”

On March 2, 1867, Congress passed the Reconstruction Act. As a result, the 11 states of the former Confederacy were divided into 5 military districts. To rejoin the Union, each respective state had to form a constitution that conformed with the U.S. Constitution.

The Second Military District consisted of South Carolina and North Carolina.

General Edward Canby was the commander of that district. The Kentucky native and career Army man ordered the constitutional convention to meet in January 1868.

(Constitutional efforts of 1866 had already been rejected.)

Of the 107 Republican delegates, 18 had moved from the North and 15 were African Americans. Critics and opponents of the 1868 state constitutional convention believed

“corrupt and doubtful representatives” comprised the assembly. Arguably, the proceeding’s most influential delegate was native Ohioan Albion W. Tourgee, a novelist, newspaper editor, lawyer, and later superior court judge who worked later to reform the state’s civil codes.

To make a long story short, the state constitution was approved (93,086 to 74,016) among qualified voters. Shortly afterward, the state was no longer under military rule.

During the 1870s, many opponents of the 1868 constitution worked to amend certain aspects of the document.

What were some changes made under the new 1868 constitution? Most of the language of the 1776 Declaration of Rights remained the same. Within the new constitution, however, there were significant changes reassuring “paramount allegiance” to the national government (Article 1, Section 4, 5). There were other notable changes: the prohibition of slavery (Art. 1, Sec. 33).

One of North Carolina’s most famous antebellum leaders, Archibald DeBow Murphey, had once been in debtor’s prison.

Section 16 changed circumstances for those in similar situations: “There shall be no imprisonment for debt in this State, except in cases of fraud.” Article 1 also ensured that the people elected all judges, county officials, state legislators, and state executive officers.

Also, property qualifications for males were no longer needed to vote.

North Carolina’s governor would serve a four-year term. North Carolina had always

had a weak executive branch, but the 1868 constitution strengthened that department.

Before 1868, the governor was elected by the lower House of Commons and served a oneyear term, and a two-year term after 1835.

According to the 1868 Constitution, the executive department should also include the Office of Lieutenant Governor, a Secretary of State, an Auditor, a Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Works, an Attorney General, and a Superintendent of Public Instruction. All were to be elected by “the qualified electors of the State” for four-year terms.

Other significant changes included the removal of religious tests for office-holding (Art. 6, Sec 5). Two more were the adoption of the township-county commission form of government (Art. 7) and the inclusion of a “general and uniform system of Public Schools” (Art. 9, sec. 2).

In their respective Declaration of Rights, all three state constitutions remind us that liberty is preserved by a “frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.” I hope this 150th anniversary of the 1868 N.C. Constitution reminds us to familiarize ourselves with this important document and its development.

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

A7

COLUMN | L. BRENT BOZELL III AND TIM GRAHAM

Ratings suffer when celebrities rant Awards shows have been unable to avoid political moments, and viewers are tuning out.

MANY RED-STATE Americans who used to love awards shows on TV are now wary of celebrities who cannot help but use this platform to spew their hatred of President Donald Trump and the evil/stupid conservatives who keep Hollywood liberals from running (ruining) America.

Take the Golden Globe Awards in January, which included a windy nine-minute Oprah Winfrey lecture about how we need the media elites more than ever, and celebrities dressed in black, donning “Time’s Up” pins to say sexual harassment is over. Ratings dipped 5 percent and 11 percent in the key demographic for advertisers, a six-year low.

Hollywood may finally be getting the message that TV ratings are suffering because the public has grown weary of people turning live events into leftist political rallies.

The New York Times reported the Oscars people are worried. “Whenever stars use the platform to support progressive causes and make political statements, large numbers of viewers turn the channel, according to Academy insiders, who cite minute-by-minute Nielsen data for past shows.”

Channing Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, said during their Oscars telecast, the campaign against sexual harassment should be limited to a prescheduled “moment,” so viewers don’t feel it “overshadows the artists and the films being honored.”

If the Academy Awards people wanted to recall how Hollywood has behaved, they would take a “moment” to replay the standing ovation for child-raping director Roman Polanski when he won best director in 2003. The audience could see Meryl Streep standing and applauding, and then there’s director Martin Scorsese doing the same, being a good sport about losing to Polanski, and standing up and clapping behind him is ... Harvey Weinstein.

That’s a good clip of Hollywood’s history on opposing sexual assault.

This year’s Oscars host, ABC late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel, was more blunt on

“Good Morning America,” saying, “This show is not about reliving people’s sexual assaults. It’s an awards show for people who have been dreaming about maybe winning an Oscar for their whole lives. And the last thing I want to do is ruin that for someone ... by making it unpleasant.”

But will Kimmel lash out at Republicans?

When “Good Morning America” asked if he’s been too political recently and “pushed the envelope too far,” he shot back. “Not at all. I don’t think you can go too far.” So when it came to sexual assault, Kimmel said, “I’m not going to stop any bad behavior with my jokes.” But “making it unpleasant” for people who couldn’t vote for Hillary Clinton is apparently a patriotic duty.

Awards shows have been unable to avoid political moments, and viewers are tuning out.

The audience for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which began with host Kristen Bell mocking the first lady, plummeted 30 percent (they were also scheduled against an NFL playoff game). The Grammy Awards — which mocked Trump in a skit featuring celebrities and Clinton reading passages from Michael Wolff’s unsubstantiated trash-forcash book “Fire and Fury” — was off 10 million viewers (24 percent) for an all-time low.

Live events — including sports — are being skipped by people who can’t stand the political lectures. NFL ratings, after all the railing against racism, were down nearly 10 percent this season. NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics — complete with gay Olympians bashing Vice President Mike Pence — was down 7 percent, making them the least-watched Olympics on record.

Even if ABC tries to rein in the Oscars, Americans know that Kimmel and the Hollywood crowd are likely to trash Trump, Pence and the National Rifle Association. Many will find something else to watch.

L. Brent Bozell III is the president of the Media Research Center. Tim Graham is director of media analysis at the Media Research Center and executive editor of the blog NewsBusters.org.

Host Jimmy Kimmel at the 90th Academy Awards Oscars Show in Hollywood.

LUCAS JACKSON | REUTERS

COLUMN | WALTER E. WILLIAMS

Hidden agenda or ignorance?

We must own up to the fact that laws and regulations alone cannot produce a civilized society.

BEFORE WE DISCUSS violence with guns, I’d like to run a couple of questions by you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day nearly 30 Americans die in motor vehicle crashes that involve drunk driving. What kind of restrictions should be placed on automobile ownership? Should there be federal background checks in order for people to obtain a driver’s license or purchase a car?

The FBI’s 2015 Uniform Crime Report shows that nearly three times more people were stabbed or hacked to death than were killed with shotguns and rifles combined. The number of shotgun and rifle deaths totaled 548. People who were stabbed or hacked to death totaled 1,573. Should there be federal background checks and waiting periods for knife purchases?

Any mature and reasonable person would argue that it is utter nonsense to deal with drunk driving deaths and knife deaths by having federal background checks and waiting periods to obtain a driver’s license or to purchase a car or knife. One would recognize, just as courts and the general public do, that cars and knives are inanimate objects and cannot act on their own. Therefore, if we want to do something about deaths resulting from drunk driving or being stabbed or hacked to death, we must focus on individuals. It would be folly and gross negligence of victims for us to focus on inanimate objects like cars and knives.

Guns are also inanimate objects and, like cars and knives, cannot act on their own. It’s also plain folly to focus on guns in the cases of shooting deaths.

What about the availability of guns? It turns out that for most of our history, a person could walk into hardware and department stores or a gun store, virtually anywhere in the United States, and purchase a rifle or pistol. The 1902 Sears mail-order catalog had 35 pages of firearm advertisements. Other catalogs and magazines from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s were full of gun advertisements directed to both youngsters and

parents. “What Every Parent Should Know When a Boy or Girl Wants a Gun” was published by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Another magazine advertised “Get This Cowboy Carbine with Your Christmas Money.” Just a few states even had age restrictions for buying guns. Private transfers of guns to juveniles were unrestricted.

Often a 12th or 14th birthday present, from a father to his son, was a shiny new .22 caliber rifle.

Today, there is far less availability of shotguns, rifles and pistols than any time in our history. That historical fact should raise the question: Despite the greater accessibility to guns in previous decades, why wasn’t there the kind of violence we see with today’s far more restricted access to guns?

Have rifles and pistols changed their behavior from yesteryear and they are now out committing mayhem and evil? To answer in the affirmative can be dismissed as pure lunacy. Thus, if guns haven’t changed, then it must be that people have changed.

Half-witted psychobabble such as stopping children from playing schoolyard games like cops ‘n’ robbers and cowboys ‘n’ Indians won’t do much.

Calling for more gun restrictions, gun-free zones and other measures have been for naught.

We must own up to the fact that laws and regulations alone cannot produce a civilized society. Morality is society’s first line of defense against uncivilized behavior. Moral standards of conduct have been under siege in our country for over a half a century. Moral absolutes have been abandoned as guiding principles. We’ve been taught not to be judgmental, that one lifestyle or set of values is just as good as another. We no longer hold people accountable for their behavior and we accept excuse-making. Problems of murder, mayhem and other forms of anti-social behavior will continue until we regain our moral footing.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

MICHAEL BARONE

Still saddled with the politics of the ’70s NOT SINCE JAMES MONROE left the presidency in 1825, 48 years after he fought in the Battle of Princeton, has America had political leadership with careers running so far back in the past. Our current government leaders have political pedigrees going back to the 1970s.

Consider the Senate. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer was first elected to the New York Assembly in 1974. Republican leader Mitch McConnell was elected Jefferson County judge — the county administrator for Louisville, Ky. — in 1977.

Consider the House. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi was elected Northern California Democratic Chairman in 1977. Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer was elected to the Maryland Senate in 1966 and was elected state Senate president in 1975.

And what about California’s leading Democrats? Sen. Dianne Feinstein was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1970 and became mayor in 1978. Gov. Jerry Brown was elected California secretary of state in 1970 and to his first term as governor in 1974.

Technically, President Donald Trump is an exception, never having held public office until 2017. But his public career began in the 1970s, a terrible decade during which New York City’s population fell by 823,000. That’s when Trump refocused his father’s business from the outer boroughs, whose white ethnics were fleeing into Manhattan, where low real estate prices, other people’s money and political pull enabled him to flourish in anticipation of an eventual upturn.

When Trump developed his disdain for establishment liberal opinion and penchant for outrageous tabloid-style disparagement thereof he was left as the odd man out in the Reagan/ Bush/Clinton high contentment years and a natural fit for post-2007 discontent.

Democrats with political roots in the 1970s have a different perspective. They have persevered in office even as political times changed. During the Reagan governorship and presidency, they pursued incremental leftward initiatives, like Henry Waxman’s behind-thescenes Medicaid expansion in the 1980s.

During the Obama presidency, they charged ahead. Even after Republican Scott Brown’s special election, victory deprived Democrats of their Senate supermajority and Pelosi pushed for enactment of a necessarily flawed version of Obamacare. She was willing to sacrifice some of her majority to achieve an important policy goal.

In California these days, and nationally, these veteran Democrats have to fend off extremists in their own party. Brown has been resisting legislative Democrats’ extravagant proposals like single payer health care. Pelosi has been cautioning Democratic candidates to stop talking about impeachment.

Nonetheless, the resignation of former President Richard Nixon remains a central memory of these Democrats’ formative political years. It has inclined them to believe that the “Russian collusion” issue will result in Trump’s removal sometime soon. And to hope that it would be followed by Democratic victories as decisive as those of 1974 and 1976.

Trump’s experiences give him a different perspective, one firmly anchored in New York City. For him, the 1970s were a time of increasing crime and disorder, of manipulation of rules and regulations by political insiders — a time when modest-income white ethnics were disparaged and driven by the hundreds of thousands from the city.

In the 1990s, elite opinion was encapsulated when the editorial page of The New York Times relentlessly attacked Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s crime-fighting policies and welfare reforms. Liberals dismissed them as fascist and authoritarian, heading toward Hitlerism.

Trump, who could see that Giuliani cut violent crime and welfare dependency by more than half, naturally dismissed such criticism, as he does similar statements about his own actions and policies today.

The 1970s saw the emergence of what Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg calls the coalition of the ascendant — blacks, Hispanics, feminists, gays, public employee union members. That coalition, much larger today, was enough to give presidential candidate Hillary Clinton a plurality of the popular vote in 2016.

The 1970s also saw the demotion of white working class and ethnic voters as what they had been since the 1930s, the central mainstays and honored heroes of the Democratic party.

Increasingly, Democratic politicians scorn them as racist, sexist and deplorable. Trump identified with them and opposed establishment free trade and immigration policies that he thought were hurting them.

Those voters have largely disappeared from New York City and coastal California.

But they were numerous enough in Florida, Pennsylvania, the Midwest and northern Maine to switch 100 electoral votes and elect Trump in 2016.

The result? We’re still saddled with the politics and politicians of that slum of a decade, the 1970s.

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

A8

North State Journal for March 7, 2018

Nation & WORLD

NEWS IN IMAGES A delegate in traditional costume arrives for the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 5.

THOMAS PETER | REUTERS

Stoneman Douglas Band Director Alexander Kaminsky is seen during a band rehearsal in New York, on March 5.

STEFAN WERMUTH | REUTERS

A man walks with his dog through a forest during a foggy morning in Bern, Switzerland March 4.

Guatemala to move embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in May Washington, D.C. Guatemala will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in May, two days after the U.S. embassy makes the same move, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said on Sunday at a conference in Washington. “I would like to thank President Trump for leading the way.

His courageous decision has encouraged us to do what is right,” Morales said in a speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference, according to a translation of his remarks on AIPAC’s website.

Exit polls: Italy elections deliver hung parliament, gridlock Rome Italy’s national election produced no outright winner on Sunday, according to exit polls that pointed to possible political gridlock, with voters backing anti-establishment and far-right parties in record numbers. A rightist alliance emerged with the biggest bloc of votes, ahead of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, the largest single party, polls showed. The ruling center-left coalition came third, hurt by anger over poverty and mass immigration.

CFO of German energy group Innogy seriously injured in acid attack Duesseldorf The chief financial officer of German energy group Innogy, Bernhard Guenther, was the victim of an acid attack on Sunday, sustaining serious injuries, the company and police said. A statement from Duesseldorf police said a 51-year-old man had been attacked in a park by two men in their 20s on Sunday morning in Haan, near Essen, where Innogy is based.

Vatican treasurer in Australian court for hearing on sex offense charges Melbourne Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell arrived in an Australian court on Monday for the start of a four-week pretrial hearing on charges of historical sexual offenses.

Pell, 76, a top adviser to Pope Francis, did not speak as he was escorted to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court by police through a group of media and protesters. Pell has so far not been required to enter a plea.

EDUARDO MUNOZ | REUTERS

NC Steel industry watches tariffs closely The CEO of Charlotte-based Nucor Corp. joined President Donald Trump at the White House to hash out tariff proposals on steel and aluminum

By Donna King North State Journal WASHINGTON, D.C. – John Ferriola, CEO of Charlotte’s Nucor Steel, was in the Cabinet meeting room at the White House on Friday as President Donald Trump listened to steel and aluminum executives detail economic struggles of their industry. Ferriola told the president that imports have increased more than 15 percent since 2016, asking for fast federal action that will last.

“We believe very strongly that it’s time for decisive and meaningful action to stem the flow of illegally traded imports into this country,” said Ferriola to Trump in the meeting. “We are counting on the administration to fulfill the promises that were made. … We’re confident, if they are given a level playing field, (our teammates) will out-compete any company and any country in the world. All we want is a level playing field. And, today, we’re not getting that. The cheating is phenomenal.

The amount of circumvention that takes place is incredible.”

Trump surprised markets at the end of the “listening session,” saying that he supports the idea of proposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum to protect U.S. industry. However, critics say they would raise costs for industry and fail to deliver on a campaign pledge to boost domestic jobs.

While the White House talked tariffs, foreign ministers from the United States, Canada and Mexico were in Mexico City to wrap up the

KEVIN LAMARQUE | REUTERS

John Ferriola, CEO of Nucor Corporation (L), a Charlotte-based steel company, sits next to President Trump in a listening session with industry executives on proposed tariffs on imported steel, on March 1, in Washington, D.C. latest round of NAFTA talks, the seventh of eight such meetings to revamp the 1990s era trade pact.

The tariff proposal poses a tough challenge for U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer, Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo. The Mexican and Canadian ministers are pressing Trump’s trade envoy on whether their countries will be excluded from the blanket tariffs.

“There’s a difference between exemptions and country exclusions,” said White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Sunday on CNN. “There will be an exemption procedure for particular cases where we need to have exemptions so that business can move forward, but at this point in time, there will be no country exclusions.”

Kevin Brady, the Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, led the delegation of U.S. lawmakers to Mexico City. Brady wrote a letter that tariffs should be narrow, targeted, focused on ad-

Visiting South Korean delegation meets North Korean leader Kim Delegation will aim to bring Pyongyang, Washington to talks

By Christine Kim Reuters SEOUL — A South Korean delegation met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week, a South Korean official said, after arriving in the North on a visit aimed at encouraging North Korea and the United States to talk.

Both North Korea and the United States have expressed a willingness to talk, but President Donald Trump demands the North first gives up its nuclear weapons program.

The North, which has vowed never to give up its nuclear deter-

rent against what it sees as U.S. hostility, says it will not sit down to talks under preconditions.

Reclusive North Korea, which has made no secret of its pursuit of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the mainland United States in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, is also concerned about a joint U.S.-South Korea military exercise, which it sees as preparation for war.

South Korean officials have said the drill will start next month as planned, after being postponed for the Winter Olympics held last month in South Korea.

The South Korean delegation was met at the airport by minsters from North Korea and later invited to join Kim Jong Un at a dinner, the South Korean spokesman added.

dressing unfairly traded products, and argued that they should not disrupt the flow of fairly traded products for American businesses and consumers, according to a spokeswoman.

But on Monday, U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan urged the Trump administration not to move forward on new tariffs on steel and aluminum announced last week, citing the risks to the economy.

“We are extremely worried about the consequences of a trade war and are urging the White House to not advance with this plan. The new tax reform law has boosted the economy and we certainly don’t want to jeopardize those gains,” said AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, the top Republican in the House.

Trump’s announcement on planned tariffs has caused a rift with Republican lawmakers and sparked warnings of retaliation from allies, including the European Union.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said, “All this hysteria is a

The South Korean officials are the most senior officials from the South to meet Kim Jong Un since he took power in late 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il. “We will deliver President Moon Jae-in’s wish to bring about denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and permanent peace by extending the goodwill and better inter-Korean relations created by the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics,” Chung said in South Korea before the delegation’s departure.

The delegation hopes to speak to North Korean officials on starting dialog between the North and the United States as well as other countries, the delegation leader said.

The government hopes the visit will create “a positive atmosphere,” Unification Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told a regular briefing.

Thawing relations between the Korean neighbors have prompted speculation about direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang after months of tension and exchanges of bellicose insults between Trump and Kim Jong Un

lot of to do about nothing,” downplaying any negative economic impact of proposed tariffs. On CNBC, Ross said any impact on steel consumer goods would be “trivial.” For example, he said there is about a ton of steel in an average car, and that commodity currently costs $700.

“So 25 percent on that would be one half of 1 percent price increase on the typical $35,000 car. So, it’s no big deal,” he said, using a can of Coca-Cola, a can of Budweiser and a can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup for illustration on lower-priced items.

Although China only accounts for 2 percent of U.S. steel imports, its massive industry expansion has helped produce a global glut of steel that has driven down prices. China has indicated it could retaliate against U.S. steel tariffs by targeting imports of U.S. agricultural commodities, such as soybeans of which America is the largest supplier. However, N.C. is one of the U.S.’s largest steel producing states.

Nucor supports the tariffs and says they are to the benefit of the 750 Nucor employees, or “teammates,” at it’s eight N.C. locations.

“The President has consistently been a strong advocate for holding other countries accountable that systematically and flagrantly violate international trade agreements and free market principles,” said Nucor in a statement on behalf Ferriola.

“We are pleased that the President has decided to use all the tools at his disposal to send a clear message to foreign competitors that dumping steel products into our market will no longer be tolerated… surging imports impair our national security by limiting the ability of our domestic steel industry to supply national defense and critical infrastructure needs.”

Reuters News Service contributed to this report.

fueled fears of war.

North Korea has not carried out any weapons tests since late November, when it tested its largest intercontinental ballistic missile. Inter-Korean talks began after Kim Jong Un said in his New Year’s address that he wanted to engage the South.

North Korea later sent athletes to the Olympics, as well as a high-ranking delegation that included Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong.

The North regularly threatens to destroy the South and its main ally, the United States, which stations 28,500 troops in the South, a legacy of the Korean War. “Hoping that the DPRK would abandon its nuclear programs is as foolish an act as trying to wish seas to get dried up,” the North’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper said recently, referring to itself by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

South Korea’s National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong, and National Intelligence Service chief Suh Hoon are due to fly to Washington later in the week to brief U.S. officials on their discussions in the North.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018

LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A selection of handcarved turkey calls crafted by Sam Pope of Chattanoochee Game Calls. Friction between blocks of wood creates the sound of a turkey call, and Pope insists purple wood and walnut is one of the best combinations of wood to use.

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT

SPORTS

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Bagley named ACC’s top player, rookie Greensboro Duke freshman Marvin Bagley III was named both the ACC’s rookie and player of the year after tying for the conference lead in scoring (20.7 points per game) and leading in rebounding (11.2 per game) in 27 games for Duke. He’s only the second player in the ACC’s 65-year history to take home both awards in the same season, joining former Blue Devil Jahlil Okafor (2014-15).

Bagley was also named to the All-ACC first team, along with Boston College’s Jerome Robinson, North Carolina’s Luke Maye and Joel Berry II and Virginia’s Kyle Guy. Maye was voted most improved player.

Duke earns second seed at ACC Tournament Durham Duke’s win over rival UNC on Saturday clinched the No. 2 spot in the ACC standings, earning the Blue Devils a double bye in this week’s ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels slid to sixth and play the winner of Tuesday’s first round game between No. 11 Syracuse and No. 14 Wake Forest on Wednesday. NC State, which earned the fifth seed, will also open tournament play Wednesday against No. 12 Boston College, which topped Georgia Tech on Tuesday. The Blue Devils won’t play until Thursday, when they will face one of Virginia Tech, Notre Dame or Pitt. Virginia, the nation’s No. 1 team, holds the top seed in the ACC Tournament, being held in Brooklyn, N.Y., at Barclays Center through Saturday.

UNCG gets NCAA bid; three N.C. schools headed to men’s Division II tournament Asheville UNC Greensboro won the Southern Conference Tournament Monday in Asheville, topping East Tennessee State 62-47 to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans, the conference’s top seed, last made the NCAAs in 2001.

Three teams from North Carolina are also among the 64 selected Sunday to the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament. Queens, UNC Pembroke and Lees-McRae were all seeded into the Southeast Region and will begin play on Saturday.

The sound of scratch boxes is a hunter’s best tool Experience and patience makes handmade turkey calls a must-have for hunters

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

ROB KINNAN | USA TODAY SPORTS

North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts (center) talks to his team during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at PNC Arena. The Wolfpack won 82-66.

ACC Tournament has been kind to first-year NC State coaches Kevin Keatts looks to one-up former Wolfpack coaches in his postseason debut

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal BROOKLYN, N.Y. — NC State’s loss at Georgia Tech last Thursday cost it a double bye into this week’s ACC tournament in Brooklyn and put coach Kevin Keatts’ fifth-seeded team in a much less advantageous position as it looks to win the event for the first time since 1987.

Instead of having to win only three games to take home the title as this year’s official ACC champion, the Wolfpack will have to win four times in as many days. That includes being on the same side

of the bracket as top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Virginia.

It’s a tall task.

And yet, this is the ACC tournament and it’s NC State — a combination that has become college basketball’s version of a full moon.

When the two come together, everything and anything seems to happen — no matter how strange and unexpected.

It’s a tradition that began back in 1983 when a team led by gritty point guard Sidney Lowe stunned the league by winning the title, three weeks before shocking the rest of the world on its way to an even more improbable national championship.

The Wolfpack’s tournament See NC STATE, page B4

RALEIGH — The soundtrack for the Dixie Deer Classic consisted of yelps, shrieks, clucks and purrs that echoed off the walls of the Jim Graham Building.

While the cacophony may not have meant much to the hundreds of people roaming the aisles, it likely would have sounded like Barry White to a wild turkey.

The extremely lifelike sounds came from the hand-crafted devices of Sam Pope, an Alabama-born hunter who has sold his calls at hunting shows like the Dixie Deer Classic for decades.

Pope began hunting with his father at age 8 and bagged his first turkey on his own at 14. Now, close to 50 years later, he estimates that he’s taken down more than 300 turkeys. A turkey a day isn’t unusual when Pope is on a hot streak.

While it takes a variety of skills to have a hunting career like Pope’s, including patience, powers of observation and knowledge of the birds and woods, a skilled woodworker’s hand doesn’t hurt either.

Pope learned to make turkey calls from his father, who perfected a call known as a scratch box.

Looking like a small jewelry box, a skilled practitioner can use it to produce just about every noise a turkey can produce.

“My dad was doing it back in the ’40s,” Pope said. “After he got out of World War II, he was giving them away.”

Eventually, he realized that people were willing to pay for something that would help improve their odds in the woods. Together with son, Sam, the Popes began what eventually became Chattahoochee Game Calls.

The secret to the remarkable sound is basically the handcrafted version of nails on a chalkboard.

“Friction,” Pope said. “You just have to have that ridge on the bottom of the lid hit the lip on the box just right.”

The wooden scratch boxes feature a dazzling array of materials. Chattahoochee’s web site features boxes carved from walnut, ash, cedar, ma-

“Of course, when you’ve been making them for as long as I have, you kind of know how to get that sound right.”

— Sam Pope, Chattahoochee Game Calls

See TURKEY CALLS, page B3

AT NSJONLINE.COM

NICOLE SWEET | USA TODAY SPORTS

North State Journal’s Brett Friedlander and Shawn Krest are in Brooklyn, N.Y., for the 2018 ACC Tournament. Action tipped off Tuesday with Boston College playing Georgia Tech and will end with Saturday’s title game. Keep track of this week’s action from Barclays Center as Duke, NC State, North Carolina, and Wake Forest all compete for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Follow @BFriedACC and @ShawnKrest on Twitter for the most up‑to-date news and observations as college basketball shifts into postseason mode for March Madness.

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

B2 WEDNESDAY

3.7.18

TRENDING

Teuvo Teravainen: The Hurricanes’ 23-year-old forward scored for the fourth consecutive game Sunday, bringing his total to 19 goals on the season. Teravainen has set career highs in goals, assists (33) and points (52) in 2017-18, and leads Carolina in both points and assists.

Bo Jackson: The former MLB and NFL great is serving as a guest instructor with the Kansas City Royals during spring training.

Jackson spent five of his eight seasons in the major leagues with the Royals, including earning an All-Star selection in 1989.

Jackson’s baseball career coincided with his NFL career, all four seasons of which where spent as a running back with the Los Angeles Raiders.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in his final season in 1990. A hip injury prematurely ended Jackson’s NFL career and led to him focusing solely on MLB for several years.

Darrion Caldwell: The former NC State wrestler made his first successful defense of the Bellator Bantameight title with a first-round submission of Leandro Higo on Friday night.

Defending the title he won in October, Caldwell made short work of the 18-3 Higo, recording his sixth career first-round stoppage. Caldwell’s five submission victories are tied for second most in Bellator, and his nine Bellator wins are tied for sixth most. Caldwell applied a guillotine choke on a downed Higo, forcing a tap-out at the 2:36 mark of the first round.

beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

BASKETBALL

Retired basketball star Kobe Bryant won an Academy Award for best animated short Sunday. Bryant narrated the five-minute film “Dear Basketball,” which was directed by Glen Keane and scored by John Williams. The film shows top moments from Bryant’s career animated in hand-drawn images while he recites the letter about his devotion to the sport from a young age and a body that will no longer allow him to compete at the highest level.

ROB KINNAN | USA TODAY SPORTS

“Four-time Academic AllACC, an AllAmerican, a national champion, come on — an ACC champion. In the military, they would say, ‘Well done, my son.

Well done.’”

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski on senior Grayson Allen.

MIKE BLAKE | REUTERS

PGA

NASCAR

BRIAN SPURLOCK | USA TODAY SPORTS

“They’re very close. They’ve got the right pieces.

I think they just need one guy at quarterback to make that difference.”

Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield on the possibility of being drafted by the Cleveland Browns, who were 0-16 last season.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

JEROME MIRON | USA TODAY SPORTS

Stewart-Haas driver Kevin Harvick won for the second consecutive week on Sunday, taking the checkered flag at Las Vegas after winning the week before in Atlanta. The two wins in three races matches the total Harvick, the 2014 Cup champion, had last season in 36 starts, putting his 31stplace finish at the Daytona 500 in the rearview mirror.

ORLANDO RAMIREZ | USA TODAY SPORTS

Phil Mickelson survived a playoff showdown Sunday against Justin Thomas at the World Golf Championship-Mexico Championship in Mexico City to grab his first win in more than four years. Mickelson, who has now won 43 times on the PGA Tour, shot par on the first playoff hole to defeat Thomas, whose eagle on 18 gave him the clubhouse lead at 16-under.

TRACK & FIELD

800 Wins at NC State for Wolfpack baseball coach Elliott Avent after the 10thranked Wolfpack defeated Bowling Green 11-1 Friday at Doak Field in Raleigh. With a split over the weekend, Avent’s overall career record is now 1,025-706. In his 22nd season at NC State, he ranks seventh among active Power 5 coaches in wins.

DAVID BEBBER | REUTERS

Roger Bannister, the first runner to run a mile under four minutes, has died. He was 88. A family statement said Bannister died on Saturday in Oxford, England, where the legendary runner broke the barrier on a windy afternoon in 1954.

Bannister’s time of 3:59.4 was set at Oxford University’s Iffley Road track on May 6, 1954.

Always Dry. Always Comfortable.

w w w . a l b e m a r l e b o at s . c o m

Find us on

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

B3

DIXIE DEER CLASSIC 2018

PHOTOS BY LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Clockwise starting at left: A young attendee of the expo learns about snakes at the N.C. Herpetological Society booth.

A crafter of handmade wooden bows demonstrates to an audience in Dorton Arena.

One of many mounted deer on display within the showrooms of the 2018 Dixie Deer Classic.

Kyle McNulty of Treewalker Tree Stands demonstrates a product to attendees of the expo.

Carolina DockDogs find Big Air at Dixie Deer Classic

then they forfeit their jump, and score, for that round.

The handlers’ efforts must be limited to verbal commands, however.

“The dog has to jump on his own,” competition officials emphasized. “You can’t push him or propel him forward in any way.

“That includes the subtle knee,” the official added, demonstrating a casual push with the leg that could easily send a dog off the end of the dock.

Handlers can throw any type of toy into the water, as long as it’s not edible.

“Or a dead animal,” added the official. “We’ve had people try to use dead birds, because that’s all their dog responded to. We once had someone who wanted to

throw in a live raccoon. We had to say no.”

The dogs then lined up in the order they’d compete, with a final caution from officials to leave plenty of space in front and behind each contestant. “We don’t want any dog-on-dog incidents,” they said.

Leafstedt and Gibbs took to the dock for some early comedy. Leafstedt repeatedly tried to get Gibbs to sit and stay at the far end of the dock, while she walked to the edge of the water to prepare to toss the toy.

Each time, Gibbs couldn’t contain his excitement, ending his sit after a few seconds and running down the dock, on Leafstedt’s heels.

After a few failed attempts at stay, with the one-minute time limit approaching, Leafstedt let fly with the toy, and Gibbs exploded into action, charging full-speed off the end of the dock for a pair of 17-foot jumps.

Leo also was excited when he stepped onto the dock, but, as he approached the edge, he pulled up, nervous about leaping into the howling wind.

Bogdanski encouraged and cajoled Leo, while an official retrieved the toy with a pool skimmer, so Leo could see it hit the water again.

Just as Bogdanski was likely feeling the temptation to try throwing a subtle knee, Leo took a few steps back and jumped into the water, producing a 6-foot leap.

He pulled up on his second attempt as well, but recovered his nerve more quickly and jumped 8-plus feet.

“This was actually our first time doing this outside. We’ve only worked on an indoor pool up until now,” Bogdanski said. “I thought he did great.”

from previous kills.

“That’s actually the three bones out of the hen’s wing,” Pope said, demonstrating a horn-shaped call.

“That’s what the Native Americans used, years ago.”

Basically, if a material can produce a noise when it’s struck, dragged or blown through, Pope can probably make a call out of it. There’s no magic to getting the sound exactly right, just patience.

“Trial and error,” he said. “That’s all it is. You’ve just got to go out in the woods, listen and match it.

“Of course,” he added, “when you’ve been making them for as long as I have, you kind of know how to get that sound right.”

While Pope has his full inventory at his disposal, he said that hunters really only need two or three different calls, and that just learning a few basic sounds will likely produce success. Often, when he’s in the woods, he starts

with other bird calls, trying to lull turkeys into beginning their chatter with an owl or crow call. If that fails, he’ll switch to one of his boxes.

Pope offers a lifetime guarantee on all of his scratch boxes. If customers have a problem, they can send it back with a note explaining what went wrong, and he’ll send out a new one to replace it.

“If you don’t sit on it or drop it or lose it, it’ll last you a lifetime,” he said.

Not only won’t the scratch box wear down with all the friction, it gets better with age. “The more you run it,” he said, “the better they sound.”

Pope also recommends that hunters try to avoid dropping it in a pond, but even that isn’t a death sentence.

“If you dry it out really quick and not let it sit there and be wet,” he said, “it’ll probably be all right.”

Canines of all shapes and sizes compete in three different jumping events

By Shawn Krest North State Journal RALEIGH — Gibbs has all the tools a successful athlete needs: Speed, explosive power in his legs, enthusiasm and a genuine love for the game.

Like many successful athletes, however, he sometimes has trouble listening to coaching. There are times when, as his coach, Terrie Leafstedt yells instructions, Gibbs appears to not be listening at all.

Gibbs isn’t a prima donna, however. He’s just a 9-year-old golden retriever.

Leafstedt and Gibbie are members of Carolina DockDogs, a canine aquatics competition club that held a competition at the Dixie Deer Classic.

“Think of it like track and field at the Olympics,” said Michelle Grainger, a member of the Carolina DockDogs board. “There are several different events. We have Big Air, which is like the long jump.”

Dogs jump off of the end of a dock, usually to fetch some type of toy, thrown by their handler, and the winner is determined by who travels the farthest in the air before their tail end hits the water.

“Then we have Extreme Vertical, which is like the high jump,” Grainger continued.

Dogs leap high into the air to try to retrieve a toy dangling above them, and the winner is determined by the tallest leap.

“Then there’s Speed Retrieve, which is like your track events.

Your dashes,” Grainger said.

LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Leo, an Australian shepherd, takes his first dip into the pool at the DockDogs competition.

Dogs leap into the pool and race through the water to the opposite end, as fast as possible.

All breeds and all skill levels are welcome in DockDogs. The only requirement is that the dog needs to be at least 6 months old.

Leo just hit the half-year mark and made his Big Air debut at the Dixie Classic.

“One of the members adopted a dog at the rescue where we work,” said Leo’s handler, Maggie Bogdanski. “She’s been competing in dock diving for a long time. She gave us a few lessons, and here we are.”

High winds and frigid temperatures delayed the start of the Big Air competition, although some handlers, including the veteran Leafstedt and the rookie, Bogdan-

“Think of it like track and field at the Olympics.”

— Michelle Grainger, Carolina DockDogs board member ski, took their dogs onto the deck for a few practice runs.

Finally, the competition was ready to begin, and the handlers were gathered to go over the competition rules.

Dogs and handlers have a one-minute time limit on the dock. If the handler can’t convince the dog to take the leap by then,

TURKEY CALLS from page B1

LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Sam Pope of Chattanoochee Game Calls demonstrates how to produce a convincing turkey call.

ple, birch and cherry, as well as more exotic wood, such as bloodwood, Osage orange and padauk.

“I feel like this is one of the best,” Pope said, displaying a colorful box. “I like it. It’s purple heart and walnut. I also like this one — the cherry and cedar.”

Over the years, Pope has added several other types of calls to his inventory. He makes a handsfree call that he popped out of his mouth midway through the interview.

“You can use that, and then you don’t have to move anything,” he said, before putting it back in his mouth and producing a clucking sound.

Other calls are made from everything from aluminum and slate to crystal glass to frying pan copper.

Then there are the ones made

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

NC STATE from page B1

BRIAN SPURLOCK | USA TODAY SPORTS

NC State running back Nyheim Hines ran the fastest 40-yard dash time among running backs at the 2018 NFL Combine last week in Indianapolis.

NC State players stand out at NFL Combine

1997, Herb Sendek

Bradley Chubb solidified his top-five status, while Nyheim Hines showed off his speed

Appalachian State offensive lineman Colby Gossett speaks to the media during the 2018 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal NYHEIM HINES impressed a lot of people at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week by running the 40-yard dash in a time of 4.38 seconds, by far the fastest among the running backs in attendance.

He wasn’t among them.

“I wasn’t happy with it,” Hines said of his time. “I expected to run faster. I’m happy to be fastest, but it didn’t meet my expectations.”

The former Wolfpack star and ACC champion sprinter may not have bettered Chris Johnson’s all-time Combine record of 4.24 seconds, but he did open up some eyes with both his quickness and pass-catching ability.

Considered to be an early second-day pick, Hines wasn’t the only NC State player to make a positive impression at the event affectionately known as the “Underwear Olympics.”

Defensive end Brandon Chubb came to the Combine as a “mustsee” prospect for the coaches, general managers and scouts in attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium, and he did nothing to disappoint.

Chubb solidified his standing as a top-five pick by running a 4.65 40 — third-best among defensive lineman — bench pressing 24 reps and posting a 36-inch vertical jump.

“He does everything at a high level,” NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock wrote of Chubb. “(He) stops the run, rushes the quarterback, great

TREVOR RUSZKOWSKI | USA TODAY SPORTS

son didn’t lift and timed out at 5.26 in the 40, but graded out at an overall 5.61 and was classified as “has a chance to be an NFL starter” by the scouts in attendance.

Among the other players with North Carolina ties at the Combine: • Wake Forest safety Jessie Bates III, who was also classified as a potential NFL starter after running a 4.5 40; • Bates’ Deacon teammate Duke Ejiofor, who went through the interview process, but didn’t participate in the physical activities; • North Carolina cornerback M.J. Stewart, who ranked third among defensive backs with 18

bench press reps while running a respectable 4.54 40; • East Carolina wide receiver Davon Grayson, who ran a 4.51 40, benched 19 reps and showed off a 34.5-inch vertical leap; • Appalachian State offensive guard Colby Gossett, who helped his cause by lifting 32 reps to rank among the offensive line leaders while running a 5.20 40; • And NC A&T offensive tackle Brandon Parker, a massive 6-foot7, 314-pounder who is looking to follow former Aggie running back Tarik Cohen into the NFL. Like Richardson, he decided not to lift, while posting a somewhat disappointing 40 time of 5.40.

NCHSAA basketball title games set

McAllister, who averages 17.5 points per game, scored 17 in the 61-55 victory.

Although Independence does not yet have any players signed for next season, senior point guard Jamarius Burton has several mid-major offers on his plate.

He scored 25 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the Patriots’ West Region victory against Rocky River.

The only other signed Division I recruit playing in a state championship game is Daivien Williamson of Winston-Salem Prep, whose team will take on Pamlico County in the 1A title game at Reynolds Coliseum.

A 6-1, 165-pound point guard, Williamson is headed to East Tennessee State. He scored 26 points, going a perfect 13 for 13 from the free-throw line, in the Phoenix’s 78-67 West Region final victory against North Stanly.

The other state championship game is the 2A matchup at Smith Center between Greene Central and Forest Hills.

The girls championship games will match Southeast Raleigh against Northwest Guilford in 4A and North Pitt and North Wilkes in 2A at Smith Center, and Northern Guilford against Jacksonville in 3A and Pamlico County against Mount Airy in 2A at Reynolds Coliseum.

For more information and game times, see the NCHSAA’s website at https://www.nchsaa. org/sports/basketball.

Saturday’s championship matchups feature some high-profile commitments and recruits

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal An abundance of future Division I college talent will be on display Saturday when the North Carolina High School Athletic Association holds state championship games in four classifications at Smith Center in Chapel Hill and Raleigh’s Reynolds Coliseum.

Among the most anticipated matchups is the 3A title showdown between Cox Mill of Concord and Jacksonville’s Northside High.

Although the game will be played on the campus of NC State, it’s a North Carolina signee that will command the most attention as 6-foot-8 forward Rechon Black will play his final high school game before becoming a Tar Heel.

The four-star prospect is averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the 28-3 Chargers, but is coming off a subpar performance in which he was just 4 of 11 from the floor for 11 points in his team’s West Re-

magic has been especially strong when it comes to the tournament with a first-year coach. Two of the last three times that’s happened, State has staged an improbable run to the finals — including once with Lowe as that coach. And it would have been threefor-three had coach Mark Gottfried’s 2012 team gotten a call on the decisive play of a semifinal loss to North Carolina.

This year’s team is far more accomplished than its predecessors in 1997, 2007 and 2012, having won 11 ACC games and 21 overall on the way to a thirdplace tie in the regular season standings.

“I’m excited about the way we’re playing,” Keatts said after Saturday’s Senior Night win against Louisville. “If you think about it, winning five out of six games to end the regular season ... that says you’re playing very good basketball. Our guys are starting to figure it out.”

The Wolfpack faces a difficult draw in Brooklyn, with fourth-seeded Clemson and No. 1 Virginia on its side of the bracket. But at least it has history on its side.

Here is a look at how State fared in each of the last three times it has played in the ACC tournament under a first-year coach:

hustle, tough kid, great size.”

In all, seven former Wolfpack players were on hand in Indianapolis in hopes of improving or strengthening their draft stock.

B.J. Hill put on an impressive display on the bench press with 35 repetitions while also posting a 4.99 40 time to rank among the best for defensive tackles. Hill also was among the leaders in the three-cone drill. Fellow tackle Justin Jones and end Kentavius Street benched 24 and 28 reps, respectively, while all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels — who tested as a tight end — posted the best 40 time for his position group at 4.54.

Offensive guard Will Richard-

NCHSAA boys and girls basketball championships schedule All games Saturday, March 10

Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh 1A Girls: Pamlico vs. Mount Airy, noon 1A Boys: Pamlico vs. Winston-Salem Prep, 2:30 p.m.

3A Girls: Jacksonville vs. Northern Guilford, 5 p.m.

3A Boys: Northside-Jacksonville vs. Cox Mill, 7:30 p.m.

Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill 2A Girls: North Pitt vs. North Wilkes, noon 2A Boys: Greene Central vs. Forest Hills, 2:30 p.m.

4A Girls: Southeast Raleigh vs. Northwest Guilford, 5 p.m.

4A Boys: Heritage vs. Independence, 7:30 p.m.

gion championship game victory against Ben L. Smith last weekend.

Black’s teammate, 6-5 wing Wendell Moore Jr., had 32 points, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots in the region final.

A five-star recruit in the Class of 2019, he is being pursued by all the major schools, including UNC, State and Duke.

The 4A championship game at Smith Center between Heritage of Wake Forest and Charlotte Independence will feature two Division I signees. Heritage’s

6-3 shooting guard Jaren McAllister is headed for Virginia Tech next season while 6-8, 225-pound power forward Jayden Gardner is headed for East Carolina.

Both players are three-star prospects.

Playing on the same Minges Coliseum floor that will be his college home, Gardner hit for 21 points and eight rebounds in his team’s overtime win against South Central last Saturday in the East Region final. Gardner averages 23 points and 15 rebounds per game.

At 13-13 overall, the undermanned Wolfpack entered the tournament in Greensboro with the modest goal of winning a game or two to ensure eligibility to the NIT. Despite being down to only a six healthy players because of a season-ending injury to big man Damon Thornton, State turned in one of the most remarkable performances in the event’s history.

With freshman point guard Justin Gainey playing every second of his team’s 160 minutes over four days, the Wolfpack became the first team in tournament history to advance to the finals by winning three games.

State began its run by beating ninth-seeded Georgia Tech in the dreaded “Les Robinson Invitational” play-in game. It then upset top-seeded Duke 66-60 behind 28 points from C.C. Harrison before taking out No. 5 Maryland 65-68. The Wolfpack finally ran out of gas in the championship game, falling to third-seeded UNC 64-54.

2007, Sidney Lowe Under almost identical circumstances, Lowe’s first team also came to Tampa simply looking to solidify its NIT hopes, only to come within a win of earning a miracle NCAA bid.

It was a run that nearly didn’t get started, as the Wolfpack had to survive overtime against seventh-seeded Duke in its opening game before pulling out an 85-80 victory.

State then had to rally from a 12-point halftime deficit to take out second-seeded Virginia before riding the hot hands of Brandon Costner and Gavin Grant to a 72-64 win against No. 3 Virginia Tech.

As was the case 10 years earlier, this Wolfpack team also fell short in the championship game against UNC, 89-80, but only after gallantly cutting a 16-point deficit down to just one in the final five minutes.

2012, Mark Gottfried Unlike those two previous Wolfpack teams, Gottfried’s first squad came to Atlanta for the ACC tournament on the NCAA tournament bubble with 20 wins and a 9-7 conference record. Needing a win or two to ease some of the Selection Sunday uncertainty, fifth-seeded State accomplished what it set out to do by beating Boston College and Virginia in the first two rounds before battling traditional nemesis UNC down to the wire in the semifinals.

The Wolfpack lost 69-67, but not without controversy.

On what turned out to be the winning basket with 10.2 seconds remaining, the Tar Heels’ Kendall Marshall appeared to lower his shoulder and shove defender Alex Johnson to the floor before making an uncontested layup.

Although State left frustrated and disappointed over the no-call, it still ended the season on a high note by advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.

Oscars activism overshadows awards, page 7

WEDNESDAY

3.7.18

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL

the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND

play list

March 8 Dueling Pianos Turnage Theater Foundation, Washington Join for an entertaining evening of dueling pianos at Turnage Theater Foundation. Attendees can sing along at this rock ’n’ roll piano show and request special performances.

The show begins at 7 p.m.

March 8-11 World-Famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids N.C. Aquarium, Kure Beach See the magic of the Weeki Wachee Mermaids as they swim alongside sea creature friends at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

After the dive show, guests can meet the mermaids, participate in a pirate-mermaid themed scavenger hunt, and even join the mermaids for a special breakfast or evening painting event. Visit N.C. Aquarium online for more information.

March 9 The Heart Behind the Music Songwriters’ Showcase High Point Theatre, High Point

PHOTOS COURTESY OF REEVES FAMILY

Bernie Reeves poses for a photo.

Farewell, Mr. Reeves

March 9-10

By Dan Reeves for the North State Journal AROUND 2 a.m. Feb. 24, my father, Ralph Bernard Reeves III, passed away peacefully at his home. The following week, several articles appeared online detailing his numerous accomplishments and vision that altered the lens through which Raleigh and the Triangle are viewed. One of my first calls was to Neal Robbins, publisher of the newspaper you are now reading.

Without hesitation, and with genuine enthusiasm, Robbins basically insisted I write something for the North State Journal. Without Bernie, Neal told me, he would never be able to do what he does today.

My dad was a punk. A rebel in a blue blazer. Above anything, he was a man with an untamed passion to tell the world that Raleigh was not Mayberry. Nothing close. Bernie saw Raleigh and the triangle as a fertile crescent of thought, progress, art, music, business opportunity and culture. He surrounded himself with young writers and thinkers to create and power the first weekly in the southeast, Spectator Magazine. And later, the four-color monthly, Metro Magazine, which celebrated N.C. from the Triangle to the coast.

My wife and I were at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh on Sunday. With the idea of honoring my dad on Instagram, she snapped a picture of the “all are welcome” above the word, “Raleigh” in the colors of the rainbow that greet anyone coming into town by way of McDowell Street. What some might not know or want to believe is that while branded as “conservative”, Bernie was instrumental in creating the mosaic of Raleigh’s diverse culture today.

His opinions as Mr. Spectator, and later as “My Usual Charming Self” in Metro Magazine were anything but politically correct. Far from it. He fought hypocrisy and political correctness tooth and nail until the day he died. His defiance of conformity was evident in his ability to see first and foremost the talent, and light in his writers and the subjects they chose to cover.

Growing up under the tutelage of Bernie was never dull. As the son of a war bride from New Zealand and a

Don’t miss an incredible songwriters’ showcase featuring some of the greatest music ever written. The Heart Behind the Music includes musical performances by Alabama’s Teddy Gentry, John Berry, Linda Davis, and Lenny LeBlanc. The showcase begins at 8 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at High Point Theatre online.

“Dixie Swim Club” Brock Performing Arts Center, Mocksville Discover the meaning of friendship in “Dixie Swim Club” — a hilarious, yet touching comedy presented by Davie County Arts Council. Set in a cozy beach cottage in the N.C. Outer Banks, see five women escape their everyday reality for that much needed getaway. Visit Davie Arts Council online for a listing of showtimes and ticket information.

March 10 Cape Fear Beer & Wine Festival Wilmington Convention Center, Wilmington

Bernie Reeves with Katie Reeves at the NCMH Gala. tried and true anglophile, he found it necessary, crucial in fact, to teach his young boys the game of Cricket. Now, the prospect of learning the pastime of nations far from our own may appeal to some, but for me, negotiating wickets, arm balls, and return crease in full Cricket regalia for all to see was unforgettable. While Hayes Barton fathers and sons shot hoops and played catch, there was Bernie, cricket bat in hand, unsparingly cursing, teaching us the sport of our ancestors.

His influence on my tastes, sense of humor, knowledge of the world, literature, and history is immeasurable. I am consumed with passion for music because of Bernie Reeves. For my first concert, he took me to see Bob Dylan, which to him was an experience more important than learning my ABC’s.

As a teenager, I wasn’t allowed to leave the house without a quiz and lecture on the history of the Cold War, communism or subjects related to the World War II.

The knowledge I gained simply by being his son has served me well and shaped the man I am today. The proudest moment of my life occurred when the editor and publisher, Bernie Reeves, read a piece I wrote for him as an employee at Metro. Never one to mince words, I nearly fell to the floor when he said that in 35 of years of editing music reviews, he’d never seen anything that well written. I knew he meant what he said. That moment gave me the confidence to keep writing for him and other outlets.

Everything I read last week, and what I heard again and again was that my father, taught everyone something.

I can only strive to be half the man he was. And, I can only thank the stars for the gifts he left me.

Eccentric, passionate, curmudgeonly, brazen, brash, brilliant, controversial, magnetic, offensive, sweet, charming, my dad.

May the heavens watch out for Bernie Reeves.

Enjoy a unique selection of beers, wines and liquors from more than 60 American breweries, wineries and distilleries. The Cape Fear Beer and Wine Festival also features live music and a silent auction. Festival tickets can be purchased online and attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

Tribute to Madison County NC Fiddlers Broyhill Chapel, Mars Hills The Madison County Arts Council celebrates some of its most iconic fiddlers with a special evening tribute. The event features performances by Bobby Hicks and the Asheville Bluegrass Band, Arvil Freeman with Bryan McDowell, Marty and Don Lewis, and many more. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

B6

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

NeCessities! history marked March 7, 1887

Croatan Normal School, forerunner of UNC Pembroke On March 7, 1887, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing for the construction of a secondary school for the Robeson County Indians then called the Croatan and now known as the Lumbee. First known as the Croatan Normal School, the institution’s main goal was to train Indians to become school teachers. In 1909, the campus moved to its present location. As the curriculum expanded and four-year degrees were offered, the school changed its name to the Pembroke State College for Indians. The campus officially became part of the University of North Carolina on July 1, 1972, as a result of consolidation leading to the creation of a 16-campus system.

The name change to University of North Carolina at Pembroke became official in 1996. In 1972, a campaign to save “Old Main,” the white-pillared centerpiece of the campus, drew national press coverage. The building, a symbol of Indian education and social progress, was restored in 1979. Once primarily an all-Indian school, associated with the Lumbee tribe, the university today serves a multiracial student body. In 2005, the General Assembly passed a law that recognized UNC Pembroke as “North Carolina’s Historically American Indian University.”

March 9, 1891

Birthday for N.C. A&T State University On March 9, 1891, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University was founded as a land grant institution for African-Americans. The school, originally named the Agricultural and Mechanical College, was established as a result of the Second Morrill Act, enacted by Congress in 1890, which mandated separate colleges for the “colored race.” Initially, the college shared space with Shaw University, but eventually moved to its permanent home in Greensboro with the assistance of Dewitt Clinton Benbow, a Guilford County businessman and philanthropist, and Charles H. Moore, an African-American educator and businessman. In 1915, the state legislature changed the name to Agricultural and Technical College. In 1967, the college became a university and took its current name, and in 1972, N.C. A&T became a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system. Today, N.C. A&T has more than 10,000 students and has bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs with a strong emphasis on engineering, science and technology. It awards more degrees in engineering to African-Americans than any other university in the country and is the second-largest producer of minority agricultural graduates nationwide.

PHOTO COURTESY OF N.C. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

Dinosaur exhibit at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

State-owned properties top list of most-visited N.C. attractions

By NSJ Staff RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources continues to be the dominant player in museums and attractions as state-owned attractions continue to rank among the most visited in the state, according to an annual survey of N.C. museums and historic attractions released by Carolina Publishing and Associates. Four of the top five most-visited sites in 2017, and 15 of the 30 total sites in the annual ranking, are managed by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

“I am delighted to see that our department’s amazing resources continue to be among the most popular places for people to visit in North Carolina year after year,” said DNCR Secretary Susi H. Hamilton. “Many of our sites achieved record visitation numbers in 2017. This achievement shows that nature, arts and history are important to our citizens and visitors to our state, and that they are also vital economic drivers for our local communities. I’m so proud of our outstanding staff for providing the exceptional programs and exhibits that keep visitors engaged and excited.

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh was the most visited attraction in the state, with 946,486 visitors in 2017 — marking the fourth year in a row that the Jones Street attraction has topped the list. Fort Macon in

Atlantic Beach was the second most visited attraction, with 896,682 visitors.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach ranked third in the survey with 871,676 visitors. The N.C. Zoo in Asheboro — which is the top site on the list that requires paid tickets for most visitors — took the fourth spot with 860,148 visitors in 2017.

State-owned attractions from as far west as Chimney Rock State Park to Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head were included on the list.

“I have been fortunate to visit many of these sites during my first year as secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and I never cease to be amazed at the incredible educational resources, outstanding special events, and everyday opportunities for fun and family togetherness that they each provide,” said Hamilton.

Discovery Place in Charlotte, rounded out the top-five with 715,453 visitors in 2017. Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh came in at No. 6 with 690,629 visitors.

The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh (seventh), N.C. Museum of Life and Science in Durham (eighth), N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh (ninth) and N.C. Arboretum in Asheville (10th) completed the top-10 attractions in the survey.

The 2017 survey is the 14th annual ranking. Biltmore, located in Asheville, no longer reports attendance totals, and are not included in the survey. Howev-

er, the largest private home in America consistently touts having more than 1 million visitors each year, which would make it the state’s top attraction if it were included.

The remaining sites listed on the survey were: 11. Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro, 434,718. 12. Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devils Hill, 413,387. 13. North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Pine Knoll Shoes, 390,012. 14. NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island, Manteo, 306,376. 15. Grandfather Mountain, Linville, 287,611. 16.

Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington, 286,772. 17. NC Maritime Museums, Beaufort, Hatteras, Southport, 279,985.

18. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, 275,166. 19. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo, 274,981.

20. Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock, 253,715.

21. Tryon Palace, New Bern, 249,233.

22. Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont, 215,233. 23. Old Salem Museums and Gardens, Winston-Salem, 204,601. 24. Kaleideum, Winston-Salem, 189,134. 25. Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Gastonia, 185,577. 26. Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, 179,329. 27. Linville Caverns, Marion, 177,642. 28. Cherokee Cultural Attractions, Cherokee, 161,146. 29. NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte, 157,186.

30. N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer, 143,282.

March 9, 1903

The Dougherty Brothers and Appalachian State University On March 9, 1903, the General Assembly granted brothers B.B. and D.D. (short for Blanchard Barnard and Dauphin Disco, respectively) Dougherty a charter for the Appalachian Training School for Teachers.

The school had its roots in the Doughertys’ Watauga Academy, which they established in 1899 to train public school teachers for jobs in western North Carolina. Both brothers were at the helm, with B.B. Dougherty was considered head of school, while D.D., was the principal. D.D. served as the budding school’s business manager and head trustee until June 1929 when he died of a heart attack on the first day of registration. The original library on the campus is named in his honor. B.B. remained president of the college until retirement in 1955, and he died two years later at age 87. During his nearly 60 years of service to the school, the Appalachian had grown from a small teaching college with a single two-year degree program to a regional center for higher education with four-year bachelor’s program and a graduate school. Twelve years after B. .’s retirement, the state legislature changed the school’s name to Appalachian State University. The campus has been a part of the UNC system since 1972.

Senate leader Berger calls for defense of N.C. barbecue

By NSJ Staff RALEIGH — Senate Pro-Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) took umbrage with the website “Munchies” after it published an article titled “Why Is Brooklyn Barbecue Taking Over the World?” In a release, Berger urged for a bipartisan defense of N.C. barbecue.

“Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s time for the writers at Munchies to admit theirs: ‘Brooklyn barbecue’ — whatever that is — won’t be taking over North Carolina anytime soon,” said Berger.

“This is a fact on which we can all agree, and I call on Gov. Cooper and Speaker Moore to join me in mounting a bipartisan defense of our state’s finest food.”

The ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament tipped off Tuesday in Brooklyn with four teams from the Old North State participating. The tournament, whose history is rooted in Greensboro, has historically been a time for cross-border challenges involving food and beverage. Last year, when the ACC Tournament was also in Brooklyn, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim took a swipe at the Gate City, saying, “There’s no value in playing Greensboro, none.”

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL | FILE

Judges Brownie Futrell inspects a hog during the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship as part of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Wide Open Bluegrass Festival in downtown Raleigh, in 2016 The great barbecue debate is always heated from Murphy to Manteo, but Berger may be sounding a unifying call since Yankee barbecue versus N.C. barbecue seems like a worthy cause for eastwest partisans, both Republicans and Democrats.

Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin, Wayne)

represents prime hog farming territory and has joined Berger in calling out Munchies on their mistake. “I wish Munchies much success with their pork products,” said Dixon, “but, to appreciate ‘real’ barbecue, one must visit a wood-cooking restaurant in North Carolina.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

B7

entertainment

2018 Oscar winners

‘Shape of Water’ wins big at Academy Awards Ratings take a 16 percent drop as viewers continue to avoid awards shows

By Jill Serjeant North State Journal LOS ANGELES — Romantic fantasy “The Shape of Water” won best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, the film industry’s most prestigious honor, on a night where themes of female empowerment and activism almost overshadowed the awards. The film’s director, Guillermo del Toro, also won for best director.

The movie about a mute cleaning woman who falls in love with a strange river creature — a fable about the mistreatment of the powerless — had gone into the ceremony with a leading 13 nominations and won a total of four Academy Awards.

It won despite a plagiarism lawsuit filed in Los Angeles last month claiming its unusual plot was lifted from a 1969 American play. Del Toro has denied ever seeing or hearing about the play.

Greta Gerwig’s independent mother-daughter tale “Lady Bird” left empty-handed while Universal Pictures’ racial satire “Get Out” got just one award — for original screenplay — despite speculation that its bold take on modern race relations might take the top prize.

“I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was impossible. I thought it wasn’t going to work,” “Get Out” director and screenwriter Jordan Peele said.

As expected, Britain’s Gary Oldman won his first Oscar for playing World War II leader Winston Churchill in Warner Bros.’

“Darkest Hour,” while Frances McDormand’s woman in a vengeful fury was a popular best actress winner for Fox Searchlight’s dark comedy “Three Billboards Out-

LOS ANGELES — Frances McDormand left the Oscar stage after winning the best actress prize on Sunday with a call for an “inclu-

The Academy Awards — the highest honors in the motion picture industry — were handed out on Sunday at a ceremony in Hollywood hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Following is a list of winners in key categories for the awards:

Best Picture “The Shape of Water”

Best Actor Gary Oldman “Darkest Hour”

Best Actress Frances McDormand “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

Best Director Guillermo del Toro “The Shape of Water”

Best Supporting Actor Sam Rockwell “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

MIKE BLAKE | REUTERS

Oscar winners Sam Rockwell, Frances McDormand, Allison Janney and Gary Oldman pose backstage at the 90th Academy Awards in Hollywood, on March 4. side Ebbing, Missouri.”

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel tackled Hollywood’s sexual misconduct scandal with pointed jokes on a night that became a platform for activists on issues ranging from gun violence and the Black Lives Matter movement to sexism and immigration.

Ratings for the telecast tumbled nearly 16 percent from last year, preliminary Nielsen data showed on Monday. The nearly four-hour live telecast attracted 18.9 percent of viewers in 56 major markets according to Nielsen’s

Oscar winner McDormand wants an ‘inclusion rider’

By Alex Dobuzinskis and Peter Henderson Reuters

By Eric Kelsey Reuters

sion rider” — an obscure method to increase film production diversity that she hopes will go mainstream.

McDormand won for her role as Mildred Hayes in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” which was filmed principally in Sylva, N.C.

preliminary overnight metered market household ratings, an ABC spokesman said. Last year’s ratings figure was 22.4 percent when the Oscars audience fell to a nine-year low of 32.9 million viewers.

Smashing barriers Last year’s embarrassing envelope mix-up over the best picture winner was turned into a running joke, with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway returning for a second year to announce the top prize.

The term is not well known in Hollywood, but by early morning on Monday after the awards ceremony, Twitter boasted an #inclusionrider hashtag and a Google search of the term produced more than 10 million hits.

While negotiating a contract, actors and filmmakers can use their star power to get a studio to hire more women and people of color on the production, McDormand explained backstage after her televised comment, which came in a ceremony notable for its activism.

“I just found out about this last

The two veterans got a standing ovation, as Beatty deadpanned, “It’s so nice seeing you again.”

“Call Me by Your Name” won best adapted screenplay; “A Fantastic Woman,” Chile’s groundbreaking story about a transgender woman, won best foreign language film; and Mexican-inspired “Coco” was named best animated feature.

Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney took home their first Oscars for their supporting roles in “Three Billboards” and “I, Tonya,” respectively.

week,” McDormand said. “You can ask for and/or demand at least 50 percent diversity in not only the casting but also the crew,” she added as an example.

University of Southern California professor Stacy Smith mentioned the “inclusion rider” idea in a 2016 talk on the lack of diversity in the film industry. She said that Hollywood “A-listers” could stipulate in their contracts that minor roles be cast to reflect demographics of the real world. Studios could voluntarily do the same thing, she added.

Best Supporting Actress Allison Janney “I, Tonya”

Best Original Screenplay “Get Out”

Best Adapted Screenplay “Call Me By Your Name”

Best Animated Film “Coco”

Best Documentary Film “Icarus”

Best Foreign Language Film “A Fantastic Woman” Chile

Original Song “Remember Me” Coco

TAKE NOTICE RANDOLPH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 18 SP 4 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Curtis R. Davis and Rhonda E. Davis (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Curtis Ray Davis) to Lee Johnson, Trustee(s), dated the 29th day of November, 2000, and recorded in Book 1689, Page 724, in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on March 13, 2018 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tract 1: BEGINNING: At a point on the Northern line of Lot 7 as shown on a Survey by Clotus Craven, Registered Land Surveyor No. L-483, dated June 7, 1983, designated as Survey for A. C. Miller, said point being located South 85 degrees 42 minutes 01 seconds East 478.01 feet from the Eastern right of way line of S.R . #1648; thence from said beginning point South 85 degrees 42 minutes 01 seconds East 203.64 feet to a point; thence South 04 degrees 20 minutes 46 seconds West 209.31 feet to a point; thence North 80 degrees 43 minutes 40 seconds West 204.40 feet to a point; thence North 04 degrees 20 minutes 46 seconds East 191.59 feet to the point of Beginning, containing 0.937 acres and being designated as Lot “C” on a Survey by Wm. F. Freeman Associates, dates July 1, 1984, Job No. 21, 741 and entitled “Survey for William E. Leonard”, and being a portion of that 5.314 acres tract conveyed to William Ernest Leonard and wife by Deed dated June 5, 1984 and duly recorded in Book 1153, Page 122, Randolph County Registry.

Tract 2: BEGINNING: At a point in the northernmost line of the 5.310 acre tract described as Tact #6 on the survey for A.C. Miller prepared by Clotus Craven, RLS, dated 7/7/83, said point being located South 88 deg.

33 min. East as measured along the northernmost line of Tract #6, 518.00 feet from the centerline of N.C.S.R. #1648; thence from said beginning point South 4 deg. 23 min. East 202.70 feet to a point in the southernmost line of Tact #6; thence with the common line of Tract #6 and Tract #7, South 83 deg. 36 min. East 280.00 feet to a point in the southernmost line of Tract #6, said point being also located North

83 deg. 36 min. West 267.93 feet from the southeast corner of Tract #6; thence North 4 deg. 20 min. West 226.89 feet to a point in the northernmost line of Tract #5; thence North 88 deg. 33 min. West 280.00 to the point and place of beginning, containing 1.379 acres.

TOGETHER WITH a 35 foot easement for ingress, egress, regress and access in and to the above described property from N.C.S.R. #1648, being described as follows: BEGINNING At a point in the northernmost line of the 5.310 acre tract described as Tract #6 on the survey for A.C. Miller prepared by Clotus Craven, RLS, dated 7/7/83, said point being located South 88 deg. 33 min. East as measured along the northernmost line of Tract #6, 92.50 feet from the northwest corner of the above referenced 5.310 acre tract, said point being also in the centerline of N.C.S.R. #1648; thence from said beginning point South 88 deg. 33 min. East 308.00 feet to a point, the northernmost line of the 5.310 acre tract; thence South 7 deg.

16 min. East 153.82 feet to a point; thence South 83 deg. 36 min. East 458.75 feet to a point in the westernmost line of the above described 1.379 acre tract being described herein thence with the westernmost line of the above described property South 4 deg. 20 min. East 35.02 feet to a point, the southeast corner of said 1.379 acre tact; thence with the southernmost line of said tract and the southernmost line of the 5.310 acre tract described as Tract #6 referred to above, North 83 deg. 36 min. West 310.00 feet to a point; thence North 7 deg. 16 min. West 153.00 feet to a point; thence North 88 deg. 33 min. West 280 feet more or less to a point in the centerline of N.C.S.R. # 1648; thence with the centerline of said road North 35 deg. 12 min. East 35.02 feet to the point and place of beginning.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6126 Joe Hoffman Road, Archdale, North Carolina.

The easement herein granted is for the use and benefit of the lands now owned by the Grantees, and it is specifically instructed that the Grantees shall have no authority to authorize use of said easement save and excepting only for the benefit lands at the present time owned by the Grantees.

SUBJECT TO a 35 foot perpetual easement being reserved for ingress, egress, regress, and access to run with title to the 1.464 acre tract lying immediately west of the property being conveyed herein and being also the westernmost portion of the 5.310 acre tract above referred to, said easement being 35 feet in width and being described as follows: BEGINNING At a point, the southwest corner of the 1.379 acre tract being conveyed herein; thence with the southernmost line of said tract South 83 deg. 36 min., East 280.00 feet to a point, the southeast corner of said tract; thence with the easternmost line of said tract North 4 deg. 23 min. West 35.02 feet to a point; thence with a line parallel to the first call of said easement North 83 deg. 36 min. West 280.00 feet to a point in the westernmost line of said tract; thence with the westernmost line of said tract South 4 deg. 20 min. East 35.02 feet to the point and place of beginning.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS

§45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a) (1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/ security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases.

Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1225744 (FC.FAY) PUBLICATION DATES: February 28, 2018 and March 7, 2018.

WAKE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 18 SP 144 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jason M. Ancrum to Jerone C. Herring, Trustee(s), dated the 27th day of March, 2002, and recorded in Book 9353, Page 2732, and Modification in Book 14198, Page 2157, and Modification in Book 15744, Page 116, in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on March 19, 2018 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 7 of the Meadows at Eaglechase Subdivision, Phase Five, as same is shown on a plat thereof recorded in Book of Maps 1990 at Page 965 in the Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5405 Kincross Court, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/ security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents

or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases.

Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE \c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1231581 (FC.FAY) PUBLICATION DATES: March 7, 2018 and March 14, 2018

North State Journal for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

B8

pen & paper pursuits comic relief

sudoku

SOLUTIONS FROM 02.28.18

Experience It All. All In One Place. #AllinOnePlace 50 Years of NC Arts Council in All 100 Counties State Parks and Recreation Areas North Carolina Aquariums Historic Sites North Carolina ZOO Museums of History, Art and Science Libraries and Archives North Carolina Symphony

dncr.nc.gov/AllinOnePlace

Happy New Year!

I wish you all the best in 2018 as you experience everything North Carolina has to offer.

Secretary Susi H. Hamilton

NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

NC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES