Chatham News & Record Vol. 147, Issue 14

the BRIEF this week

VinFast considering further delays: report

VinFast is considering further pushbacks on the timeline for its Chatham County factory, claimed a report from Reuters put out Wednesday morning.

The facility, originally planned for a July 2024 completion, was later pushed to 2025.

The company has not made any public pronouncements about altering the timeline for its Chatham operations, but the report says changes to the size of the general assembly building were led with the county planning department last month.

Rocky River Bridge closed inde nitely

NCDOT has closed the Rocky River Bridge on Chatham Church Road inde nitely following a safety inspection.

The bridge’s weight limit has been progressively reduced over the past few years to reduce wear and tear on the bridge.

The department is examining potential solutions for the bridge, but concerns over the deterioration of steel components will keep it closed until further notice.

Teen drowns at Jordan Lake over weekend

A 16-year old from Winston-Salem drowned at Jordan Lake over Memorial Day weekend.

Bryan Guzman was visiting the lake with his 18-year- old brother and a friend on Sunday. Around 3:30 p.m., his brother called 911 to report that Bryan was in distress while swimming in a cove near the Ebenezer Picnic Area. The cove is not a designated swimming area. First responders with the Chatham County Sheri ’s O ce, North Chatham Fire, Jordan Lake State Parks and FirstHealth EMS responded, but they were unable to rescue the teen.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Guzman family during this very di cult time,” said Sheri Mike Roberson in a statement. “Our hearts go out to them as they mourn the loss of their son and brother.”

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan walks away from the microphone after talking about the death of PGA player Grayson Murray during the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.

Murray, a Raleigh native and former Wake Forest and ECU golfer, withdrew from the tournament and took his life over the weekend. For more, turn to NSJ B3.

and

the

volunteers

DMV unveils new, more secure license designs

By Jordan Golson Chatham News & Record

THE NORTH CAROLINA

DMV revealed new designs for driver’s licenses, permits, and identi cation cards this week, with advanced security features designed to prevent fraud.

According to a DMV press release, the new credentials are the most secure in the state’s history and are claimed to be among the most secure identi-

For Chatham County, it’s ‘growth, growth, growth.’ Which party will bene t?

It’s not clear if voters will attribute the booming local economy to either Biden or Trump

By Josh Boak The Associated Press

SILER CITY — At the epicenter of President Joe Biden’s promised economic boom, a slow tractor can still halt tra c. About 81,000 people live in Chatham County. There are 1,076 farms. The old mill now houses a dance studio, a grocer and a steakhouse. For work, many people have no choice but to commute to nearby Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. But after years of careful planning, the county has started to change.

The new Wolfspeed factory — six football elds long — overlooks I-64 and will soon produce advanced wafers for computer chips. Automaker Vinfast is scheduled to open a factory as well. Both projects stem in large part from incentives that Biden signed into law. Developers, including the

See CHATHAM, page A10

fying documents worldwide.

The new cards are made of polycarbonate and are personalized using laser engraving technology, resulting in a distinctive look, feel and sound. The cards are sti er than their predecessors and feature embossed and debossed patterns, and lettering on the surface. When dropped on a table, the cards produce a unique metallic sound.

The somewhat busy design of the new cards showcases iconic North Carolina imagery, with shades of blue and green representing the state’s rolling hills and natural beauty. The front of the card features the state ower (dogwood), the state ag, the state border outline, a marbled salamander and a lighthouse, all set against the backdrop of the western rolling hills. The back of the card depicts a Colo -

See LICENSE, page A2

“When the right opportunity came along, we were there and we were ready.”

Greg Lewis

The old design will be phased out by the end of June

Honoring sacri ce

Amid barbecues

basking in

sun,

placed American ags on the graves of countless veterans around the country — including here, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro — in honor of Memorial Day.

ELI WARD-BROWN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

COURTESY NC DMV

The new North Carolina driver’s license design was unveiled on Tuesday.

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Proposed $156M Chapel Hill budget would see tax increase

The newly proposed budget would see a property tax rate increase of two cents

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

THE CHAPEL HILL Town Council met May 15 to continue discussions of next year’s budget, naming four main priorities: Recruiting and retaining employees; providing high-quality services to residents; being good stewards of facilities, eets and infrastructure; and encouraging more a ordable housing.

“This budget continues funding the priorities in the ve-year budget strategy and supports the complete community framework,” said Town Manager Chris Blue. “It addresses the increased costs to carry out the services provided by transit, and it bridges the gap to next year’s revaluation, where we propose to use the expected tax growth to right-size our budget.”

The proposed budget is just over $156 million, a 4% increase from last year, with a

Chris Blue, town manager

tax increase of $0.02 to help fund it. The new property tax rate would be $0.592.

According to Blue, the twocent increase would result in nearly $2 million of extra revenue to be utilized for operations, facilities, streets, eets and transit operations.

“We recognize that a tax increase has a more signicant impact on our community members with lower household incomes, which is why we’ve committed $100,000 for tax assistance with this year’s budget, as we’ve done this past year,” Blue said.

The council inquired about the potential impact of a tax increase on local businesses.

“The bottom line is the impact on businesses is inconsistent,” said The Chamber for a Greater Chapel-Hill Carrboro CEO Aaron Nelson. “First it

depends on the type of enterprise: retail or o ce or even the property owner. It depends on whether you’re existing, you’re already there, in which case you’re seeing small increases, and those are mostly incremental, or it’s new, and it’s a barrier to your entry. Then the uneven impacts of revaluation which is also inconsistent across our community.”

The council will hold anal vote on the budget, as well as an installment debt agreement, on June 5.

A $44 million bond referendum for the November election was also approved, including $15 million targeted toward a ordable housing, $15 million for public facilities, $7.5 million for streets and sidewalks and $6.5 million for parks and recreation.

“This bond issuance will allow Chapel Hill to move forward on important projects without raising taxes,” said Mayor Jessica Anderson. “We like that. Also, voter approval allows us to borrow money for those projects at a lower rate, which is also really important.”

SPONSORED BY

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

May 28

Stretch and Smile: Family Yoga

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

This relaxing class is for families to enjoy mindfulness movement. Supplies are available if needed. Registration is required for this program. Please email or call the library at 919-742-2016 or email wren@chathamlibraries. org. (Reoccurring every fourth Thursday of the month.)

May 30

Military Appreciation Celebration

4 – 5 p.m.

Kids and families are invited to join us for fun activities and a Q&A with two local veterans. This event will take place in the Holmes Family Meeting Room. No registration required. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact youth.services@ chathamlibraries.org or call 919-545-8084.

PDG Lee Harvey Golf Tournament

1 p.m.

Back this year for the rst time since 2020, the Siler City Lions Club Golf Tournament helps raise money to enable the Lions Club to serve the visually impaired and other humanitarian needs of the community. The tournament takes place at Siler City Country Club starting with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. To register or for more information, contact Bentley Marton at 919-799-3095

May 31

Food for Thought

11 a.m. - noon

Join Wren Memorial Library for a culinary adventure, exploring seasonal produce and discussing nutrition. Registered dietitians from the Chatham County Public Health Department will lead this event. A cooking demo will be included. Best suited for those ages 18 and older. For more information, please call the library at 919-742-2016 or email wren@chathamlibraries.

MAY 17

• Kristina Ann Vitaro, 41, of Siler City, was arrested for maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substances, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor child abuse. She was issued a written promise to appear.

• D-Erik Trovelle Crump, 32, of Sanford, was arrested for failure to appear. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond.

MAY 18

• Kassandra Arroyo Sanchez, 29, of Sanford, was arrested for failure to appear. She was issued a $1,000 secured bond.

MAY 19

• Jacquelyn Carol Riddle, 49, of Pittsboro, was arrested for failure to appear. She was

issued a $500 secured bond.

• Kelly Denise Shaw, 50, of Vass, was arrested for failure to appear. She was issued a written promise to appear in Durham County District Court.

MAY 20

• Brittany Nicole Johnson, 33, of Siler City, was arrested for violation of pretrial release agreement. She was issued a $5,000 secured bond.

• Carl Michael Burris, 46, of Robersonville, was arrested for failure to appear/ extradition warrant. He was given no bond.

MAY 21

• Tyler Holt, 30, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for shoplifting. He was held on a 48-hour domestic violence hold and is scheduled to appear in Orange County District Court.

• Tyler Holt, 30, of Chapel Hill,

was arrested for theft from person and assault on a female. He was held on a 48hour domestic violence hold.

• Tracy Edmund Scoggins, 35, of Raleigh, was arrested on two counts of failure to appear. He was issued a written promise to appear in Rowan and Randolph County District Courts.

• Christian Rodriguez, 24, of Pittsboro, was arrested for assault by strangulation. He was held on a 48-hour domestic violence hold.

MAY 22

• Kerry Lynn Kelly, 39, of Fuquay Varina, was arrested for failure to appear. She was issued a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Wake County Court.

• Robert Anthony Coleson, 45, of Siler City, was arrested for driving under the influence. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond.

More than 850 new jobs expected by 2026

By Bob Sutton Chatham News & Record

ROSS STORES, a Fortune 500 retail chain, is planning to build a regional distribution center in Randleman, state ocials announced Tuesday.

The warehouse will bring as many as 852 jobs to Randolph County by late in 2026, an investment listed at roughly $450 million.

The Randleman site — covering about 330 acres near N.C. 74 in the northwest corner of the city — will be the company’s ninth distribution center. The 1.7 million-square-foot facility will handle warehousing, ful llment and packing operations.

Ross Stores is a $20 billion company that operates two oprice chains, including Ross Dress for Less, the largest oprice apparel and home fashion chain in the United States.

“We are excited about the opportunity to build out a new distribution facility in North Carolina to support our growth initiatives over the long term,” said Rob Kummerer, executive vice president of supply chain

for Ross Stores, in a statement. “We value the collaboration of the many state and local leaders, including … the o cials in the city of Randleman and Randolph County who have been instrumental in bringing these plans to fruition.”

The Randleman location was picked over a competing site in South Carolina.

The news comes a week after reports that Graphic Packaging International will close its Randleman plant in July. That closure is expected to result in 65 lost jobs.

Based on information from the state, new jobs connected to the Ross Stores move could create a potential payroll impact of more than $39 million for the region each year.

Ross’ project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier on Tuesday. The project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.4 billion over the next 12 years, state ocials reported.

N.C. Rep. Brian Biggs and state Sens. David Craven Jr. and Amy Galey also released statements expressing excitement about the distribution center’s location.

A “Now Hiring” sign sits outside a Ross Dress for Less store.

WILFREDO

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

The sacred nap

A nap, then, is not only a means of selfcare but also an expression of the sacred worth of human beings.

WE SAY YOU CAN NAP, snooze, doze, take a siesta or get some shuteye. In Great Britain, they go down for a kip. On this side of the Atlantic Ocean, “putting him down” can refer to the baby’s nap or euthanizing the family pet. Likewise, “drifted o ” and “checked out” might refer to sleep or death. Dying is taking a dirt nap. Napping is becoming dead to the world. A catnap is a quick snooze, but to dognap is to steal a canine from someone else, an illegal activity like kidnapping. These lexical connections suggest uneasiness, if not fear, of sleep and, by extension, of rest.

By the 15th century, the word nap began to imply laziness and carelessness. One is “caught napping” with negative consequences. Naps are often considered to be appropriate only for babies, toddlers or retired people. You don’t want to sleep on the job or take something lying down. Wake up! You can sleep when you’re dead.

The biblical book of Genesis tells us that God rested on the seventh day of creation. Perhaps embarrassed by this claim that the Almighty needed a nap, Psalm 121 asserts that God “neither slumbers nor sleeps.” In his interpretation of Genesis, Augustine maintained that God was not tired or worn out. But what if, by stating that God rested, this scripture meant something other than exhaustion or a lack of attention? What if rest is part of the divine intention for creation as much as activity, like the sea is to land and night is to day?

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., has proven that workers who get more sleep are more e cient and creative. Simply put, a rested employee is a better employee. Yet Nagoski has a larger point to make: “You are not here to be ‘productive.’ You are here to be you, to engage with your Something Larger, to move through the world with con dence and joy. And to do that, you require rest.”

Tricia Hersey, the self-described Nap Bishop, advocates rest as release and liberation from “the grind culture” that equates production and labor with human worth. In her book, “Rest as Resistance,” Hersey writes, “We ignore our body’s need to rest, and in doing so, we lose touch with the Spirit.” On her blog, she adds, “Rest pushes back and disrupts a system that views human bodies as a tool for production and labor. We know that we are not machines. We are divine.”

A nap, then, is not only a means of self-care but also an expression of the sacred worth of human beings and our holy calling to be a part of the world’s healing. This is a heady thought.

I’d better sleep on it.

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

Don’t overlook these words as you move through life

Many people, especially men, are reluctant to use are those three little ones: I love you.

THE VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS I’ve had my entire adult life have all involved the use of words, written or spoken. But of course, that’s pretty much true of all of us in one way or another.

Unless you spend your days shoveling out cow stables by yourself, most everything we all do — from work to play — involves some sort of communication. And even if you’re a Stable Shoveler First Class you’re likely to have to speak with someone sooner or later, even if it’s just to say, “I need a new shovel.”

Even the part-time teenager jobs I had centuries ago involved words and communication — “Would you like me to take these groceries to your car, ma’am?” (there was a day when “bag boys” actually bagged groceries in paper bags and then took them to folks’ cars) or “What avor milkshake do you want?” (This was when pharmacies had soda fountains and didn’t sell antifreeze).

After reaching the tender age of mid-20s and cramming a four-year college program into seven years, I took a job with an area daily newspaper, con dent that I soon would win a Pulitzer Prize and write the Great American Novel. And this was after several years of part-time student and part-time reporter for this newspaper.

A few years and two children later, I slid into corporate communications, editing a monthly magazine and monthly newspaper and doing various public relations things like speaking and eating. Sometime after all that I found myself enrolled in a seminary where I got to read lots of words from other writers and then share some of them with a group of professors.

Since then I’ve found myself serving as pastor at various churches, sometimes combining that with more newspaper work but through it all, making a living and doing stu using words. I say all that to now state what I think is the obvious: Words are powerful things and we ought to be careful which ones we use and how we use them. There are all kinds of things we can say about words — “Keep them soft and sweet because you never know when you’ll have to eat them,” for instance. And sometimes a few words are better than too many — there are but 66 in the Lord’s Prayer while the U.S. Internal Revenue Code is made up of hundreds of pages.

But of all the words there are and how they’re combined, perhaps the most powerful and meaningful but which many people, especially men, are reluctant to use are those three little ones: I love you.

With apologies to another columnist, I o er a letter that some time ago came to her about that very thing. I think it’s especially touching this near to Memorial Day and all that means. See what you think…

“Dear Abby,

I enlisted shortly after Pearl Harbor. 36 days later I was on my way to the Philippines. En route the Philippines fell to the Japanese and we were rerouted to Australia. Eleven days after we landed I met the most beautiful girl in the world.

On our rst date I told her I was going to marry her. And I did, 18 months later, while on an R&R from New Guinea.

After more than 57 years of marriage and two children, my beloved ‘Mary’ died ve days before Christmas. Although we agreed that our ashes were to be scattered over the mountains, I found I could not part with hers.

While Mary was alive, she would frequently say, ‘You don’t know how much I love you.’ I’d reply, ‘Likewise.’ Now her ashes are on my dresser, where I tell her several times a day how much I love her but it’s too late. Although I wrote poetry to her, I could not bring myself to say the three words she wanted most to hear.

As my dearest was dying and we thought she was comatose, I told her, ‘There aren’t enough words to tell you how much I love you.’ A few hours later, she whispered, ‘Not enough words’ and died.

The reason I’m writing, Abby, is to urge men to express their feelings while their loved ones are still alive. I don’t know why but many men are reluctant to express the depth of their feelings.

Signed, Missing Mary in Colorado”

Sound familiar in any way? Don’t let this happen to you … especially us guys.

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

No, no, not the cat-o’-nine-tails!

Suddenly, just like that, I could breathe again!

PHONE RANG. Picked up my cell to answer. It was a sweet gent calling from my nearby grocery store where, earlier today, I’d reported my cell phone lost, or so I thought. Fortunately, the errant cell soon reappeared, magically, on my car’s oor mat, having made a futile bid to escape from yours truly. (Let me note that I love my cell phone! Probably a bit too much…) Returning to the courtesy phone call. The store found a cell similar to mine, but clearly not, since I’d already corralled my iPhone’s recent breakout attempt. Shared my cell’s retrieval with the grocery gent. And as a matter of habit, automatically reached down to feel the cell’s safe contour in the pocket of my shorts. Not there. Empty pocket! Felt for it once more (I take a lot of convincing) but my pocket was still empty!

Oh, no, no, no! How could this be?! Twice in one day? The cell was gone. I experienced a moment of panic at the end of my conversation with the nice grocery gent, but assured him, and myself, that my phone was probably somewhere around the house. (Please, please!)

We hung up, and automatically I, again, reached into my (how could this be?!) still-empty pocket. One more time, felt the shapelessness of that unexpectedly barren space. For those of you who may have braved

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

Billy Graham’s remarkable legacy

Over the course of three weeks, he preached to approximately 200,000 people, which is greater than the population of the whole northwest corner of the state.

BILLY GRAHAM was known the world over — not bad for a Southern Baptist preacher from North Carolina.

Many of us feel some connection with the famed evangelist either directly or indirectly. For most, it was the televised crusades through the years. The Graham organization discovered early on the value of television in reaching millions with the gospel message. The crusade choirs, the singing of George Beverly Shea and the preaching still resonate. I remember well the rst Graham crusade I personally attended in 1973 at Carter Stadium in Raleigh. I was in law school in Chapel Hill, and Margaret and I were living in Cary. We attended every night of the crusade in the packed stadium and have never forgotten singing the great hymns of the faith with a host of fellow believers and then hearing Dr. Graham preach the Word in his distinctive homiletic style.

I later met Billy Graham personally when he preached at my church. I consider his daughter, Anne Lotz, a friend, and her late husband, Dan, was my dentist until he retired. The Lotz family are special folks and are such a blessing to Raleigh’s Christian community.

Public interest in the ministry of Billy Graham was rekindled last week with the historic unveiling of his 7-foot-tall bronze statue in the United States Capitol. The event was nationally televised and viewed by millions. Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, himself a distinguished Baptist layman, hosted the ceremony and emotionally recalled Graham’s 1951 Shreveport crusade:

“And over the course of three weeks, he preached to approximately 200,000 people, which is greater than the population of the whole northwest corner of the state, so they

seeing “The Exorcist” many, many moons ago, (OMG, never, ever again!), I felt like the character whose head spins around 360 degrees. This cannot be happening, twice in 2 hours! Twice….

Then, only then, I glanced at my right hand. My right hand holding the cell phone on which I’d just been talking and was now in a sheer panic to nd. Suddenly, just like that, I could breathe again!

I won’t lie to you. It often appears as if our cultural injunctions incline in the direction of a “take no prisoners” attitude toward human frailties (you’ve never noticed?) Despite that, I stared down the oh-so-strong temptation to resurrect my very own, self-aimed, cat-o’-ninetails. I’d ditched that psychic cat-o’-nine-tails quite a while ago during my rst dawning awareness that self-care is not a no-no. (You knew that, right?)

So what’s left? Laughter, that’s what. I had a great laugh at myself, but without any earmarks of meanness. Arose from my easy chair, smiling, while gently shaking my head, and headed into the kitchen for a Diet Dr Pepper. Onward…

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

came in from all over the place. And one of the men who was present at those meetings seven decades ago led my own father to Christ. And other people who were present at those meetings were my childhood pastors and my Sunday school teachers, who all had a massive in uence, of course, upon me.

“And the gospel they heard of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is the gospel that they preached to me and my siblings, and everybody in my sphere of in uence. And that’s the message that’s changed my life for eternity, and which Rev. Graham knew would change every person’s life.”

So it’s true, just about every one of us has a Billy Graham story to tell — even the Speaker.

One does not land in Statuary Hall by chance, even for a man of such prominence as Graham; the process was initiated by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2015. Upon Graham’s death in 2018 at age 99, work began in earnest on the project. Three friends of mine — Paul Coble, Garrett Dimond and Susan Whitehead — sta ed the e ort and spent the past six years tirelessly working to make the unveiling ceremony last week a reality. They deserve our heartfelt thanks.

So now Christianity’s most proli c and beloved evangelist once known as “America’s Pastor” has been immortalized in the halls of Congress on behalf of his native North Carolina. Kind of makes me proud to be a Tar Heel.

As Franklin Graham said, “Father would have been a little uncomfortable with the statue because he would want the focus to be on the One that he preached about — the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

No doubt the focus was on Christ and, at a time when our nation needs the gospel more than ever, I am grateful we paused for a moment to honor the remarkable legacy of Billy Graham in such a memorable way.

Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor and U.S. attorney. He lives in Raleigh.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | EDWARD WALGATE

Chatham’s schools need Chatham’s help

Recently, 1,344 parents, school sta , community members and business owners signed a petition calling on our county leaders to increase support for local schools.

Public schools are currently experiencing a sta ng crisis. Many of you reading this have children in the school system and know how challenging it is when a full-time substitute is in charge of your child’s classroom instead of a highly quali ed, licensed educator. And if you are not familiar with this challenge, you will be in the future.

Chatham started the school year with roughly 1 out of 10 teaching positions un lled. And it is not much better than that right now. The absence of a teacher signi cantly impacts student learning and increases the workloads of other school sta . More teachers and other vital school sta will leave and it is becoming harder to replace them.

These sta ng issues are not unique to Chatham. All school systems in the state are su ering due to the intentional underfunding of public education by the N.C. legislature. But Chatham is going to su er very acutely going forward because neighboring school systems are spending more than us. They will poach more of our sta , as they already do every year. And they will attract more people from the shrinking pool of educators.

An investment in the county sta supplement (the extra pay each school system o ers on top of the base state salary), that

retains our existing sta and attracts new sta , is required right now. An investment now will be much less expensive than a required future investment when vacancy rates are signi cantly higher. And when the pool of available educators will be much smaller. We need to prioritize public education in this year’s Chatham County budget.

This increased expense will have to come from other areas or involve increased local taxes. To those concerned about rising taxes, please remember that your state income tax has gone down signi cantly in the last 15 years. And the state corporation tax has done the same. And the state legislature intends to reduce those taxes down to 0% in the near future. That may sound great, but it comes with a cost. A cost that is being paid by public school sta and students across the state. Public education is being underfunded in order to pay for these tax cuts. To make up for this, counties must step in. It’s not right but it is required. Recently, 1,344 parents, school sta , community members and business owners signed a petition calling on our county leaders to increase support for local schools. Let’s fully fund Chatham County Schools’ 2024-25 budget request and ensure fewer of our students have their education impacted by teacherless classrooms.

Edward Walgate is a local high school teacher and member of the Chatham County Association of Educators.

COLUMN

Wedding season and the future of America

HISTORICALLY, May and June are the months when young lovers, full of hope, tie the knot.

Have you heard wedding bells? No? A quick review of data shows that 2018 had the lowest rate of marriage since 1900. Marriage rates have dropped by 60% since the 1970s. In 2020, only about 34 amorous souls out of 1000 got married. Maybe you are hearing alarm bells. Economists and sociologists are warning that our growth rate both economically and procreatively are unsustainable. There is no lack of reasons for the downward trend in marriage. Men and women now value freedom over commitment, personal growth over mutual respect, immediate grati cation over intimacy. Divorced parents, in uence peddlers, drug use and abuse, legacy and social media, even climate change have taken the blame.

Months ago, the Wall Street Journal went to the source of this demise. The Journal invited Gen Z college students to o er their feelings on the ancient institution of marriage. A student at Emerson responded “paying bills and ghting climate change are bigger priorities than settling down. Polyamory is on the rise and …. rede nitions of love are gaining traction”. This student compared marriage for a young man to prison.

A student from Baylor gave all the economic reasons; in ation, mortgage and tax rates to explain that “supporting more than one person on one income after college graduation has become nearly impossible”. Others are afraid of making their parents’ mistakes, “staying away from something that is life-altering and has the capability to uproot their own lives careers and successes.”

But avoiding these avoids committing to a greater purpose.

These excuses for avoiding marriage are not supported by fact. According to Brad Wilcox, professor of Sociology at UVA, married men and women are statistically wealthier and happier than their single peers. Additionally, their children are more likely to nish college, better socially adjusted and more successful in adulthood. This is as true today as it was when the late Senator Daniel Moynihan wrote the book on fatherless families in 1965.

Suicide rates are higher, incomes are lower and more children live in poverty without wedlock as a bedrock in the pursuit of happiness. The fall of traditional marriage has naturally led to much lower birth rate and, more concerning, single parent households. Last year more than 19 million children in the United States were living in a single parent household.

A law student from Penn State Dickinson Law o ered insight that suggests a way for us to turn this trend around. He wrote “Gen Z’s aversion to matrimony stems from America’s failure to prepare its youth for marriage. Married couples must possess communication skills, scal responsibility, vocational competence, moral discipline, self-denial and emotional control. Spending your youth living for yourself hardly fosters these traits.” Wow.

Consider the current controversy involving Harrison Butker and the Benedictine College commencement speech. He praised motherhood as an honorable and ful lling choice for a woman. He further acknowledged the importance and the bene ts of this choice on the children impacted by two parent families. His passionate advocacy for love and leadership has been called a foul by many of his cohorts.

Butker further described the value of fatherhood to the structure of two parent families in tone and culture. Some found this an outrageous and socially unacceptable notion, a racial slur. Yet, the Institute for Family Studies reports that” family instability may be the biggest factor” (in criminal behavior) “and it’s not receiving the attention it deserves.”

Mr. Butker is not the rst in recent months to call out our institutions for not leading us out of temptation and into a more stable, more structured culture. Media outlets are starting to openly question the results of the liberal experiment that has been practiced in our schools and social agencies. Note that diversity, equity and inclusion departments are being cancelled here in North Carolina and around the nation.

Virtue is starting to look cool again.

The success of marriage and families must become a priority in our local and national institutions. We have had our war on poverty and on drugs with little success. Concentrating our e ort and investment in the leaders of our future is within our grasp. Elect leaders who believe in the virtues faith, hope and love. Demand scal responsibility for subsidizing the needs of young families lled with optimism. Teach your children and grandchildren by example and design what a healthy family life can accomplish. Our law school student has told us how to prepare our youth for marriage.

Gen Z is ready for this.

Connie Lovell lives in Pinehurst.

obituaries

Tempie Lou Barker Johnson

Jan.29th, 1925 –May 22nd, 2024

Nestled on one of the highest hills in Chatham County sits a home with a special, memorable back door. It’s through this door, Tempie Lou Barker Johnson stepped thirteen years ago on a snowy Thursday to gather her mail, however, slipping on black ice resulted in the unexpected. Unable to lift, the 86-year-old Tempie sat through a long, seventeen-degree night – scared and cold! However, talking with God, she received a miracle –she survived. She lived to tell everyone that it was her LORD that spared her.

The oldest of four children, born on January 29th, 1925, to a tobacco farming couple, the late Walter Washington, and Ada Dowd Barker, she grew up to know love and contentment – a rm Christian foundation. Ephesians 2:20 Wise with the know-how of planting crops for a livelihood, she later tried her hand at a house of broiler chicken, which proved successful.

She loved gardening, inspiring youth to see Jesus through her Sunday School class and telling others of what Jesus had done in her life. Arriving at her back door, you were sure to nd a warm greeting that included her signature pat-pat on your hand. In the 80s her greenhouse owers and plants blessed many yards in the Hickory Mountain Community. She enjoyed her life, yet in these

last years, had few friends to reminisce with as she was the last living member of the Bonlee class of 1943. She greatly missed her late brothers Elbert Jackson (Dick), James Monroe (Chunk) and Walter Earl (Monk) yet, achieving her dream of becoming a wife, mother, and homemaker lled her heart.

At 99 years old she often spoke of her full, wonderful life but mentioned how ready she was to see her Lord and be painfree. 2 Corinthians 5 She was spared again from earthly pain and taken to heaven on May 22nd, 2024. She went through the back door of her home, 810 Bowers Store Road, Siler City for the nal time. She now lives in her eternal home with her Savior Jesus Christ.

Tempie Lou shared this life with the late (2005) Jack Thomas Johnson, dairy and poultry farmer husband of 62 years. They raised four children; son, Jack M. Johnson and wife Faye Fogleman, daughter, Judy J. Bryant and husband Jimmy, son Dell T. Johnson and wife Gywmn Gee, and daughter, Jane J. Fogleman and late husband, Johnnie, all of Siler City; nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

This family will miss her loving greeting at her special back door, but we know she is rejoicing with her Lord. Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7 A celebration of her life is planned for Saturday, May 25th, at 2 PM, at Joy Baptist Church, 61 Bowers Store Road, Siler City, NC. Visitation will be from 1-2 pm. Internment immediately following service at Joy Baptist Church.

A special thank you to Dr. Byron Ho man, Nancy Lee, and Pam Brooks for the good care of our mother. Also, special thanks to Gentiva Hospice of Sanford, NC. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Johnson family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

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

SAVANNAH “MAXINE” BREWER NUNN MAY 12TH, 1934 – MAY 24TH, 2024

Savannah “Maxine” Brewer Nunn, 90 years old, died peacefully at her home in Snow Camp, NC, Friday, May 24, 2024.

She was born in Chatham County, NC, May 12, 1934, to Wrenn Claude and Esta Stout Brewer. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Nunn, whom she was married to for 55 years; her granddaughter, Amanda Hope Lockhart; her sister, Grace Brewer Moody; and special friends - Robert Brooks and Wayne Horton.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Nunn Pegram (Buster), of Pleasant Garden, NC; sons, Keith Nunn (Diane), Gary Nunn (Rita), both of Siler City, NC; brother Claude Brewer (Karen), of Dallas TX; sisters, Sylvia Moore and Faye Brooks, both of Siler City, NC; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Binder (Jerry), of Myrtle Beach, SC, Trudy Waters, of Emerald Isle, NC, and brother-in-law, Ronnie Haugle of Mebane, NC.

Maxine had 6 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandsons. She is also survived by a host of loving and devoted nieces, nephews, and church family.

The two most important things in her life were her church and her family. She was a member of Rocky River Baptist Church for nearly 80 years, where she was very active. Retiring from Chatham Medical Specialists was her “o cial retirement” but she never really retired. She led a very active social life, was a woman of many talents and was ercely independent. She was a fashion diva who loved to “sparkle”. In her spare time she loved to garden, read and cook. She was a giver in every sense of the word –always remembering others with cards, gifts, food, and calls.

The family had just celebrated her 90th birthday with a party; her friends, neighbors, and family giving her a wonderful unforgettable day. She will be missed by all that knew her.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Rocky River Baptist Church, 4436 Siler City Snow Camp Road, Siler City, NC 27344; with Rev. Al Marguerat and Dr. Greg Burris o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall.

The family request memorials be made to Rocky River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

ELBA JENKINS BLANKENSHIP MAY 21ST, 2024

Elba Jenkins Blankenship, age 87 of Apex, passed away on Tuesday (5/21/2024) at her home. She was born in Chatham County, daughter of the late Hubert Jenkins and Ollie Mason Jenkins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, William Ray “Bill” Blankenship, sister, Shelba Sweet and brother, Ted Jenkins. Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 10am Friday (5/24/2024) at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, 1288 Mt. Pisgah Church Road Apex, NC with Chaplin Greg Bouck and Scott Cook o ciating. She is survived by her daughter, Tammy B. Hux and husband Todd of Apex, NC; son, William R. Blankenship Jr. and wife Lori of Apex, NC. Grandchildren, Ashleigh Cooper, Myranda Blankenship, Kaila Blankenship, Mason Hux, Molly Hux and great-grandchildren, Noah Phillips and Ryleigh Sutton. Online condolences can be made at www. smithfuneralhomebroadway.com Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home, Broadway Inc.

MONTE DALE MOODY

JULY 28TH, 1951 – MAY 22ND, 2024

Monte Dale Moody, 72, of Siler City, went to his heavenly home Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, at The Laurels of Chatham County surrounded by family.

Monte was born July 28th, 1951, in Chatham County to the late Marley Joseph Moody and Margaret Evelyn Garrett Moody. He is preceded in death by his father, his brother, Danny Moody, and his son, Andy Brian Moody, and his wife, Jeannie Riddle Moody.

Monte is survived by his mother, Evelyn; daughter, Marci Lynn Moody; sister, Kathy Moody Needham and her husband, Mark of Ramseur; brothers, Kenny Moody and his wife Debra of Siler City, and Larry Moody and his wife, Kathy of Carthage.

Monte loved camping and traveling to the Virgin Islands and working on cars. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, at 1 pm, at Rives Chapel Baptist Church. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home. Reverend Bob Wachs will be o ciating the service.

BARBARA ANN BREWER

APRIL 26TH, 1936 – MAY 13TH, 2024

Barbara Ann Blake Brewer, 88, of Bennett, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024 at UNC Hospital. The graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Bennett Baptist Church with Pastor Bruce McClanahan presiding. The family will receive friends at the cemetery prior to the service from 1:00-1:45 p.m. and at other times at the home.

Barbara was born in Montgomery County on April 26, 1936 to Ernest and Shula Lennon Blake. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. She worked as a hairdresser for many years. Barbara was a gentle and kind lady who enjoyed reading her Bible and listening to ministry. She loved her family and cherished the time spent with them.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Anne Brewer.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Charles Brewer, of the home; sons, William Ernest Brewer (Cynthia), of Greenwood, SC, Charles Michael Brewer, of Deland, FL and Dudley Kevin Brewer (Brenda), of Concord, NC; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Bennett Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 213, Bennett, NC 27208 or Faith Promise Mission c/o Shiloh Baptist Church, 4529 Mo tt Mill Rd., Ramseur, NC 27316.

He was a goodwill ambassador for his hometown of San Diego

By Bernie Wilson The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — Bill Walton might have been the ultimate San Diegan.

While he went away to play basketball at UCLA and the bulk of his NBA career, he never missed a chance to celebrate his hometown.

Long after his playing days ended, the Hall of Famer was an uno cial goodwill ambassador for San Diego, with his disposition matching the perennial sunny weather.

While most people around the country knew Walton for his o -the-wall broadcasting style, many San Diegans knew him as the really tall guy who often rode his bike around town and once provided some unintentional comedic relief at a Padres game.

“I love my bike, I love San Diego and I love solar power,” Walton was fond of saying at the many appearances he made for various causes.

Walton died of cancer at 71 on Monday, the NBA announced. The Big Redhead, as he was called then, won two NCAA championships under John Wooden at UCLA before an NBA career that included win-

Social media was lled with posts Monday from people who remembered seeing Walton at games, concerts or in airports, and getting a smile and an autograph, and sometimes long conversations.

ning league MVP in the 1977-78 season and championships with Portland and Boston. He played parts of four seasons with the Clippers in San Diego and Los Angeles.

Social media was lled with posts Monday from people who remembered seeing Walton at games, concerts or in airports, and getting a smile and an autograph, and sometimes long conversations.

The foot and back injuries that marred his NBA career didn’t slow him down later in life even as he began to show a touch of gray. He loved riding his bike and brought a custom highbacked chair with him to some concerts and basketball games.

In 2016, he was so stoked to hear that the Amgen Tour of California would start in San Diego that he rode his custom bike —

with a Grateful Dead paint job — from his home near Balboa Park to the news conference on the waterfront.

He described himself as a “joyrider,” and one year rode the entire tour, completing as much of each leg as possible before dark.

There’s a life-size bronze sculpture of Walton and his bike at Ski Beach Park in Mission Bay.

At 6-foot-11, he was believed to be the world’s tallest Deadhead. He once stated that he had seen his beloved Grateful Dead 849 times. The house where he lived for more than four decades near Balboa Park was practically a tie-dyed shrine to the Dead and had a teepee in the backyard.

Some Padres fans will probably never forget Grateful Dead Night on Aug. 8, 2019. Walton played bongos with local tribute band Electric Waste Band on a stage beyond center eld at Petco Park and then threw out a ceremonial rst pitch that was wide left by several feet. He asked for a second chance and made a nice throw to reliever Trey Wingenter.

Wearing a Padres-themed Grateful Dead shirt, Walton then joined managers Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies and Andy Green of the Padres for the lineup card exchange at home plate. His st-bumped the umpires and chatted them up to the point that the game was delayed for four minutes.

Walton grew up in suburban La Mesa and was a phenom at Helix High. All four of Walton’s sons played college basketball, including Chris at San Diego State for Steve Fisher. Luke Walton played at Arizona and both played and was a head coach in the NBA.

AP FILE PHOTO

UCLA center Bill Walton (32) shoots for two of his record 44 points against Memphis State in the nal game of the NCAA college basketball tournament in March 1973. Walton’s performance against Memphis State is still one of the greatest individual games in history.

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland.com 919-362-6999.

FOR RENT

POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen

Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible.

SERVICES

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available.

HELP WANTED

CHATHAM MONUMENT COMPANY

has an immediate job opening. This is a full-time position and involves placing monuments in the cemetery in Chatham and surrounding counties.

Oak View at Siler City - Now accepting applications for multifamily community w/ 1-, 2-, & 3-bedroom apts. Amenities include a playground, computer center, on-site laundry facilities, community garden, and much more! A ordable housing: applicants must meet income requirements. Come apply at 224 Campus Drive, Siler City, NC 27344 from 9:00 to 5:00pm or call 336-895-1128 or email: oakview@partnershippm.com Credit & criminal background check required. Handicap accessible units subject to availability. Equal Housing Opportunity. Professionally managed by Partnership Property Management.

Senior lady wanted, to share a 3 BR house with a family. Room and board. Must be a Christian and be independent. $600 a month. Call 919-542-8520.

TOWNHOUSE FOR RENT – 2 bedrooms, large living room, kitchen, dining room area, laundry hook-up, enclosed yard and garage. – lease 12 months - $1,100 rent per month, security deposit $1,650. Credit score, Experian, needs to be 600 or above. Email: furndi@hotmail.com. Please submit phone number and copy of credit score.

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

SALE

FOR

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

AUCTIONS

RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERSEquipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, bene ts, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919663-3556, rickyellingtonauctions@yahoo. com,

JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803.

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

DIGGING AND DEMO-Land improvements, mini-excavating, stump removal, mobile home and building teardown, all digging. French Drains, All your digging needs. Call John Hayes, 919-5480474.

ROOF WASHING – Softwash roof – Cleans

ALL black streaks o roofs to make them look new again And to prolong the life of the shingles. Call John Hayes – 919-548-0474.

Job requirements are: Must have a valid NC driver’s license, must be able to lift 75 pounds if necessary. Must have a good attitude, the ability to work well with others and be willing to learn. Also needs reliable transportation to and from work. Pay will be based on the individual and their ability to do the work.

Apply in Person to 227 N. 2nd Ave. Siler City, NC 27344

FOOD SERVICES STAFF, Pittsboro

Christian Village is accepting applications for Server, Pantry Cook, and Cook. Apply in person 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday –Friday, at 1825 East St. in Pittsboro.

YARD SALE

Large Church Yard Sale-500 North Fifth Ave., Siler City, NC 27344

June 1st. 8-12

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

ESTATE OF LILLIAN KAREN PETERSON

FILE NO. 24E001284-180

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Lillian Karen Peterson, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of August, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This is the 30th day of May, 2024. Timothy Wayne Peterson, Executor c/o Chad M. Friesen Monroe, Wallace, Morden & Sherrill, P.A. 3225 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 117 Raleigh, NC 27612 Published May 30, 2024, June 6, 2024, June 13, 2024, and June 20, 2024.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ALAMANCE COUNTY

23sp000408-000

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY PAMELA S. ADERHOLT DATED AUGUST 16, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2453 AT PAGE 448 IN THE ALAMANCE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Alamance County courthouse at 10:00AM on June 12, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Alamance County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Pamela S. Aderholt, dated August 16, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $96,000.00, and recorded in Book 2453 at Page 448 of the Alamance County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 580 Greenbrier Farm Trl, Siler City, NC 27344 Tax Parcel ID: 101225 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Pamela Aderholt The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Pamela Aderholt. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, 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 o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 24, 2024.

Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS. com 23-116952

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having quali ed on the 22nd day of May 2024, as Administrator of the Estate of Emma Craven, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 30 th day of August , 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment.

This is the 24th day May 2024.

W. Woods Doster, Administrator of the Estate of Emma Craven

206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330

Attorneys: Law O ces of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330

Publish On: May 30th, June 6th, 13th and 20th, 2024.

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against Randall Thomas Brown, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before August 12, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 9th day of May 2024. Carrie A. Brown Exec., c/o Clarity Legal Group, PO Box 2207, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

23 CVS 000323-180

In the matter of TBF FINANCIAL, LLC, Plainti v.

RODNEY A. BURNETT, Defendant.

Notice of led Notice of Filing of Foreign Judgment, General A davit, and Certi ed/Exempli ed Foreign

Judgment to: Rodney A. Burnett, 284 JC

Corner Road, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312:

Take Notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Enforcement of a Foreign Judgment.

You are required to make a defense to such pleading no later than 40 days from the date of the rst publication of this notice, or on or before July 9, 2024, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This the 30th day of May 2024.

Felicia M. Haigh, NC State Bar # 50790

Attorney for Plainti P.O. Box 20248 Raleigh, NC 27619 Telephone: 919-277-2541

Published May 30, June 6, June 13, 2024.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE TO CREDITORS COUNTY OF CHATHAM

THE UNDERSIGNED, having quali ed on the 15th day of September, 2022, as Executrix of the ESTATE OF JOHN DRURY ADAMS A/K/A JOHN D. ADAMS, Deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of August, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This, the 23rd day of May, 2024.

JENNIFER DALMAN EXECUTRIX

ESTATE OF JOHN DRURY ADAMS A/K/A JOHN D. ADAMS Post O ce Box 51549 Durham, North Carolina 27717

NOTE: For publication in The Chatham News on the following dates: May 23, May 30, June 6, and June 13, 2024. Please send the Proof of Publication to Post O ce Box 51549, Durham, North Carolina 27717-1549.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC

On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 6:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold a legislative public hearing for the following requests at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West:

A legislative request by Planning Sta to create two types Scenic Corridor Overlay District (Transitional Corridor) to include the East Street and West Street Corridor (US HWY Business 64) and the Hillsboro Street Corridor (US 15/501) found in the UDO Section 2.6.5. A legislative request by Planning Sta to amend the UDO’s a ordable housing incentives found in the UDO Section 7.2 and removal of the Residential-5 Zoning District found in the UDO Section 2.3.7.

The hearing will be held in person. The public can also watch the hearing live on the Town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@townofpittsboronc/ streams. Members of the public must attend in person if they wish to speak at the hearing.

Contact the Town Clerk, Carrie Bailey, by 4 pm on June 10, 2024 with written comments or to sign up to speak at the hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (919) 542-4621 ext. 1104, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Frances G. Spaeder a/k/a Frances Grzejka Spaeder, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before September 3, 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 30th day of May, 2024.

Je rey A. Spaeder, Co-Executor

Estate of Frances G. Spaeder a/k/a Frances Grzejka Spaeder 5209 Jeanne Street Wake Forest, NC 27587

Timothy A. Spaeder, Co-Executor Estate of Frances G. Spaeder a/k/a Frances Grzejka Spaeder 1334 Padstone Drive Apex, NC 27502

Publication dates: 5/30/24; 6/6/24, 6/13/24 and 6/20/24.

MONCURE FIRE DEPT ANNUAL MEETING

The Moncure Fire Department will be holding its annual meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024 at Moncure Fire Dept Station #8, 2389 Old US 1, Moncure NC 27559. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and cover the state of the Fire Department, nancial report, and Board of Directors elections. If you reside in the Moncure Fire District and are a taxpayer, you are a member and invited to attend.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed on the 17th day of May 2024 as Executor of the Estate of Judith Gay Hallman, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of August 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

David L. Huntoon

Executor of the Estate of Judith Gay Hallman

C/o Gwendolyn C. Brooks Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707

Published: 5/30; 6/6; 6/13; 6/20

PUBLIC NOTICE

Willow Oak Montessori

IDEA – Part B (611) Grant

Public Notice

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-Part B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Willow Oak Montessori School proposes for Federal funding for the 2024-2025 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and make comments concerning the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the week of June 6, 2024 in the o ce of Allyssa McNeal located at 1476 Andrews Store Road Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of JULIA MAE TAYLOR MARSH, deceased, of Chatham County, NC, are noti ed to present them to the Executor listed below on or before August 26, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All debtors of the said estate are asked to make immediate payment. This 13th day of May, 2024. Margaret Bynum, Executor Post O ce Box 2147 Sanford, NC 27331

(Run 4 times)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION CHATHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 16 CvD 536 COUNTY OF CHATHAM

Plainti , NOTICE OF SERVICE OF vs. PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

The HEIRS, ASSIGNS, and DEVISEES of WILLIE LEE FOUSHEE, SR., et al

Defendants.

TO: The HEIRS, ASSIGNS, and DEVISEES of WILLIE LEE FOUSHEE, SR. and spouse, if any, which may include BARRY E. FOUSHEE and spouse, if any, ADESHA M. CONWAY and spouse, if any, THOMAS L. FOUSHEE’S SPOUSE, IF ANY, and The HEIRS, ASSIGNS, and DEVISEES of WILLIE LEE FOUSHEE, JR. and spouse, if any, or any other person or entity claiming thereunder

A pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication began on May 23, 2024.

The nature of the relief being sought is as follows:

Foreclosure on tax parcel(s) more completely described in the Complaint, to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes (assessments). Plainti seeks to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you may have in said property.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the date of the rst publication of notice stated above, exclusive of such date, being forty (40) days after May 23, 2024, or by July 2, 2024, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service of process by publication will apply to the Court for relief sought.

This the 17th day of May, 2024.

ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES

MARK D. BARDILL/MARK B. BARDILL Attorney for Plainti NC Bar #12852/56782 310 W. Jones St. P. O. Box 25 Trenton, North Carolina 28585 Telephone: (252) 448-4541

Publication dates: May 23, 2024 May 30, 2024 June 6, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Bobby Deese Lineberry, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 22nd day of August, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 14th day of May, 2024. Donna Lineberry Smith, Executor of the Estate of Bobby Deese Lineberry 165 Fellowship Church Road Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Lucy Buran Cornett of Chatham County, North Carolina, hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of August 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 20th day of May, 2024 /s/ Joseph Buran Cornett, Executor c/o Charles N. Gri n, III Kirschbaum, Nanney, Keenan & Gri n, P.A. P. O. Box 19766 Raleigh, NC 27619-9766 Dates of Publication: May 23,30,Jun 6,13,2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH

c/o Amanda Honea, Attorney, 1033 Wade Avenue, Suite 104, Raleigh, NC 27605.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001239-180

The undersigned, DIANNA R. BRAFFORD AND JEFFERY LEE RACHEL, having quali ed on the 2ND day of MAY, 2024, as CO-EXECUTORS of the Estate of BARBARA T. RACHEL, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 7TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 9TH Day of MAY, 2024. DIANNA R. BRAFFORD, CO-EXECUTOR 495 WILLIAM LANE LEXINGTON, NC 27295

*JEFFERY LEE RACHEL, CO-EXECUTOR 1471 PLAINFIELD CH. RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: M9,16,23,30p

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE CHATHAM COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 24E001231-180 IN RE: ESTATE OF RUTH ELLEN FALSTAD NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Ruth Ellen Falstad, Deceased, in the O ce of the Clerk of Superior Court of Chatham County, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the said Decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before August 16, 2024, said date being at least three months from the date of the rst publication or posting of this Notice as indicated below, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted

CHATHAM from page A1

Walt Disney Corp., plan to build several thousand new homes.

“When the right opportunity came along, we were there and we were ready,” said Greg Lewis, who owns the steakhouse. “It is growth, growth, growth.”

That same economic story is being replicated in a number of other critical battleground states, including Arizona and Georgia.

But while the kind of enthusiasm voiced by Lewis would usually mean a strong tailwind for an incumbent president, so far this election year there is little evidence from polling that Americans are giving Biden credit for the gains as voters still focus instead on in ation still climbing at 3.4% annually.

Trump and Biden have di erent views on a growing economy

Places like Chatham County show how this year’s presidential campaign o ers two conicting visions for America’s economic future.

Voters face a decades-de ning choice about what can do more for growth: former President Donald Trump’s preference for tax cuts skewed toward business and the wealthy or the targeted government investments backed by Biden as well as possible tax increases to fund programs for the middle class.

The county backed Biden over Trump in 2020 but sits in the solidly Republican congressional district of Rep. Richard Hudson. He voted against the Democratic president’s policies and his o ce declined to answer questions about whether the investments in his district are a positive.

Just how much the in ux of federal and private sector money a ects the political dynamics

TAKE NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#2024E000185

The undersigned, DEBRA THORNBURG HUCABY, having quali ed on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BOBBY HENRY

in North Carolina and beyond will have a lot to say about who will win November’s presidential election.

Biden is campaigning on how his policies have helped pump hundreds of billions of dollars in private and federal investment into companies, helping to revive the faded computer chip sector and pioneer newer technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and arti cial intelligence. But so far, the investments have not signi cantly swayed the public.

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, maintains that Biden’s ideas would wreck the economy and that EVs will op against a proven fuel such as gasoline. He says corporate tax cuts would do more to bolster growth by letting companies choose their own path, and a threat of higher tari s would cause them to keep their factory jobs inside the United States.

“Would everybody like to buy an electric car?” Trump asked at a recent rally, where he was met with a chorus of “No!”

When Biden spoke at Wolfspeed’s headquarters in Durham last year, he described its chips as not just powering the economy but protecting it from supply chain disruptions and competition from China.

“It’s a game changer,” he said. “We’re turning things around in a big way.”

Manufacturing investments increasing

The new Wolfspeed factory has begun installing its industrial furnaces that heat to half of the sun’s temperatures. The factory is prepared to start production by the end of the year, while many of the other announced government incentives around the country are still blueprints or in the construction phase.

Pending administration ap -

THORNBURG, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 21ST Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This is the 23RD Day of MAY 2024.

DEBRA THORNBURG HUCABY, EXECUTOR 7216 VALLEY LAKE DR. RALEIGH, NC 27612

Run dates: M23,30,J6,13p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#2024E000185

The undersigned, DEBRA THORNBURG HUCABY, having quali ed on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BOBBY HENRY THORNBURG, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 21ST Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 23RD Day of MAY 2024.

DEBRA THORNBURG HUCABY, EXECUTOR 7216 VALLEY LAKE DR. RALEIGH, NC 27612

Run dates: M23,30,J6,13p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E00082-180 The undersigned, FRANCES GAIL PARKS, having quali ed on the 15TH day of MAY, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of FRANCES M. PARKS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 21ST Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 23RD Day of MAY 2024.

FRANCES GAIL PARKS, ADMINISTRATOR 1905 INVERNESS LN WILMINGTON, NC 28405

Run dates: M23,30,J6,13p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001246-180 The undersigned, SHARRON LAVONNE REGAN, having quali ed on the 7TH day of MAY, 2024, as EXECUTRIX of the Estate of CABELL JONES REGAN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 16TH Day of MAY 2024.

SHARRON LAVONNE REGAN, EXECUTRIX 365 THOMPSON ST.

PITTSBORO, NC 27312

Run dates: M16,23,30,J6p

proval, the company may receive support through tax credits from Biden’s In ation Reduction Act. It also has applied for funding through the Commerce Department as part of the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.

Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe said the potential for government support has been “very important” as the company has sought to produce more silicon carbide, a material that increases the e ciency of computer chips. He said the material will “lead to one of the most important transitions in the history of semiconductors,” allowing EVs, solar panels, data centers and other technologies such as energy storage to work better.

Even if the company is more focused on its business than electoral politics, the changes in Chatham County go beyond the factory in ways that could matter in November.

People can see the new hotel, the new gasoline stations and the acres of lots set aside for new housing. County Commissioner Karen Howard, a Democrat, said the debate is being forced as Democrats point to what they say is clear evidence they are delivering on their promises. Howard stressed that the gains came as a result of years of county o cials’ groundwork for sustainable growth that was then complemented by federal policies.

“It feels like Republicans have turned a blind eye to what voters want,” she said. “Tax cuts for the biggest boys in the world never got down to the person who is barely scraping by.”

Howard said the expected total of 1,800 jobs at the Wolfspeed facility will transform households.

“When we say it’s making generational change for these families, you now have individuals who will make more than

their entire family did in a year,” Howard said.

But Republicans in North Carolina’s legislature say investments in the state had more to do with their own policies than the incentives from Biden. GOP lawmakers are making the argument that the impact of in ation during Biden’s presidency matters more to voters.

“We’ve lowered taxes, grown the state economy and built the nation’s best workforce,” said Phil Berger, president pro tempore of the North Carolina Senate. “Bidenomics here means higher costs for families and businesses, which is what voters will remember when heading to the polls.”

Both Trump and Biden have committed to increasing factory production in the U.S. and making it less reliant on countries such as China. So far, the numbers suggest that Biden’s policies have done more for manufacturing than Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.

Census Bureau gures show that the annualized rate of factory construction spending peaked at $82 billion annually under Trump. As of last March, adjusting for in ation, it has more than doubled under Biden to a record $223 billion. The president has also added more manufacturing jobs than Trump did before the disruptions caused by the 2020 pandemic.

Even with new factory investments, there are risks

But that does not mean Biden’s industrial strategy is a sure thing.

Chatham County records indicate that Vinfast has scaled down the footprint of its EV plant, with the company saying in a statement that it’s “currently reviewing the construction of the factory.”

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed on the 3rd day of May, 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Rosemary L. Smith, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 23rd day of August, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 23rd day of May, 2024.

David T. Smith, Executor of the Estate of Rosemary L. Smith Post O ce Box 57579 Durham, North Carolina 27717

Gwendolyn C. Brooks, Attorney Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707

THE CHATHAM NEWS: 5/23/2024, 5/30/2024, 6/6/2024, and 6/13/2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001257-180

The undersigned, BARBARA ANN JOHNSON, having quali ed on the 8TH day of MAY, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JOHN A. JOHNSON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 16TH Day of MAY 2024.

BARBARA ANN JOHNSON, EXECUTOR 1601 ED CLAPP ROAD SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: M16,23,30,J6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001230-180

The undersigned, JULIE P. FRYE, having quali ed on the 29TH day of APRIL, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of MARK DARRYL PERRY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 16TH Day of MAY 2024.

JULIE P. FRYE, ADMINISTRATOR 94 RUSSELL CHAPEL CHURCH RD. PITTSBORO, NC 27312

Run dates: M16,23,30,J6p

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001229-180

The undersigned, CARRIE VANDYKE LONSKI, having quali ed on the 29TH day of APRIL, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of LEWIS JENNINGS VANDYKE, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 16TH Day of MAY 2024.

CARRI VANDYKE LONSKI, ADMINISTRATOR 1420 WEST 3RD ST SILER CITY, NC 27344

*LEWIS FADELY, ATTY

Run dates: M16,23,30,J6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E233

The undersigned, JEAN FOUSHEE TYSON, having quali ed on the 26TH day of APRIL, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MARGIE MARIE FOUSHEE, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 16TH Day of MAY 2024.

JEAN FOUSHEE TYSON, EXECUTRIX 1344 GEORGE BASON ROAD GRAHAM, NC 27253

Run dates: My16,23,30,J6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E000212-180

The undersigned, CANDICE PIKE CLARK, having quali ed on the 30TH day of APRIL, 2024, as EXECUTRIX of the Estate of WYLMA JEAN MCCRARY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 7TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 9TH Day of MAY 2024.

CANDICE PIKE CLARK, EXECUTRIX 321 CLYDE CLARK RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344

Run dates: M9,16,23,30p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against Alsona Chun Wong, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before August 12, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 9th day of May 2024. Terence Zekon Wong Exec., c/o Clarity Legal Group, PO Box 2207, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

Administration o cials say success will require breakthroughs to lower the production costs of advanced computer chips relative to Asia. More drivers will also need to switch to EVs and reverse the recent slowdown in sales.

Some Republicans see room both for some of Biden’s policies as well as tax cuts, saying that a mix was the optimal course for success.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., voted for the CHIPS and Science Act, which funds semiconductor plants. Tillis said after touring Wolfspeed’s new factory that the combination of tax breaks and government nancial support has been key for attracting new factories.

“At the end of the day, it’s the balance that makes the di erence,” he said in an interview outside the factory.

As Wolfspeed’s Lowe explained it, the chips produced by the company’s factory will help the U.S. to compete against China in the EV, solar panel and arti cial intelligence sectors. He happens to drive an EV made by Lucid that contains his own company’s chips, which help give it an impressive range of 516 miles, enough for him to drive to his Ohio hometown with a single charging stop.

The CEO did not speculate about the outcome of the election, but he said technologies such as silicon carbide represent “a monumental change in the history of semiconductors” that is helping to remake the economy.

In short, he sees no going back.

“I tell our people this all the time, you know, in 30 years you’re going to look back to this moment and it’s going to be your mission control, Apollo 13 moment, where you say, ‘I was there when this technology switched.’”

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF MARIAN RUTH PHILLIPS FILE NO: 2024 E 001258-180 ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against Marian Ruth Phillips, deceased of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned Leslie Sue Stiehle, Executor on or before August 25, 2024, or this notice will be

CHATHAM SPORTS

WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM

Seaforth’s Caitlin Erman lands in the arms of Regan Willauer after scoring the winning goal against Franklin Academy during the 2A East Regional semi nals in Wake Forest. Seaforth won 1-0 in a darkness- and rain-delayed game.

Cali O’Neill, left, became the youngest player ever called up to the NC Courage’s U-23 preprofessional team.

O’Neill becomes youngest NC Courage player called up to pre-professional team

The sophomore started in the NC Courage’s second regular-season game

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

CALI O’NEILL, a sophomore at Seaforth High School, added another achievement to her already impressive 2024 resume.

O’Neill became the youngest player in the NC Courage program ever to play for the NC Courage U-23 pre-professional team on May 19. The U-23 team tied with South Georgia Tormenta FC, 1-1, to open its season that evening, and O’Neill played eight minutes.

Prior to O’Neill, a member of the NC Courage 08 youth team, Aven Alvarez of the 06 youth team held the title of the program’s youngest player to play for the pre-professional squad. The U-23 team is made up of the program’s alumni, youth and college players, and it competes

in the USL W League. The young defender also made her rst start for the U-23 squad and played all 90 minutes in the second regular season game, a rematch against South Georgia Tormenta FC on Sunday that the NC Courage won 4-1. Even from before her latest venture into pre-professional soccer, O’Neill is a familiar face in the North Carolina FC Youth program. She has played club with NCFC for eight years, spending four of them with NC Courage Academy, and she does not play for the Seaforth girls soccer team.

O’Neill’s career continues to rise as she recently played for the U-16 U.S. Women’s Youth National Team at the UEFA Friendship Tournament in Riva, Turkey, last month. The U.S. won the tournament after beating Paraguay 4-2 in penalty kicks.

After making the U-16 WYNT training camp roster in February, O’Neill told the Chatham News & Record that her

ability to play in the U-17 Women’s World Cup, which happens every two years, depends on her performance and whether she’ll keep getting called back to the national team until the World Cup roster is announced.

Before that, O’Neill participated in the U-16 team’s domestic training camp held in Chula Vista, California, in February. She was also called up to the U-15 squad for its training camp at the Nike World Headquarters in Portland, Oregon, in 2022. A month prior, O’Neill competed alongside 59 other players from across the country in the U-15 WYNT Talent ID Camp also held in Chula Vista.

In 2023, the NC Courage U-23 team went undefeated during the regular season and nished as a USL W League runner-up after losing to Indy Eleven in the title game. NC Courage entered the 2024 season ranked as the No. 2 team in the country.

As of Monday, NC Courage sits at fourth in the South Atlantic division which includes other teams from North Carolina such as NC Fusion (Triad), Carolina Ascent FC (Charlotte), Charlotte Eagles (Charlotte), Wake FC (Triangle) and Fayetteville Fury (Fayetteville). NC Courage is based in Cary and plays the majority of its home games at WakeMed Soccer Park. Its next home game is Saturday at 6

The Hawks beat the Patriots 1-0 despite a lack of light

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

PLAYING AGAINST No. 1

Franklin Academy, an hourlong weather delay, a smaller eld and darkness, No. 4 Seaforth just needed one goal for a spot in the 2A East regionalnal. The Hawks took down the top seeded Patriots, 1-0, in a bi-

zarre 2A East regional seminal Thursday that wasn’t normal from the very beginning.

“You always have that one moment in a championship season, that one game you look back on — that was the win that de ned it,” Seaforth head coach Giovanni Viana said. “Against the weather adversity, the eld adversity, the refereeing adversity, the girls overcame it, and that’s mental toughness. Battle readiness.”

To start, the pitch was short-

Jared Worley will take over for Jason Amy on June 15

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SEAFORTH HIGH School

announced on May 15 that Jared Worley will take over as the school’s new athletic director starting June 15. A Pittsboro native and a 2015 Northwood graduate, Worley will step in for sitting AD Jason Amy, whose last day at Seaforth will be June 14. After playing football for the Chargers under former Northwood head coach Bill Hall, Worley played football for four years at UNC as a preferred walk-on, and he earned two degrees, in sports administration and political science, along with a minor in exercise and sport science.

Since graduating in 2018, Worley has spent more than three years as the director of strength and conditioning at Flint Hill High School in Oakton, Virginia, and he spent the past spring at Duke working as

a sports performance intern. Worley sat down with Chatham News & Record on Monday to discuss his upcoming tenure as Seaforth’s athletic director and more about himself. What’s it like to come back to your community, be an athletic director and have an impact on student athletes that have similar experiences as you?

The amount of people that I know here and the support I’ve gotten already after getting the job, it’s been incredible. I’m pumped to be back, I had a sister that went to Chatham Central. My brother’s at Northwood right now. I came up through the Chatham County recreational sports program all the way from Perry Harrison to Pollard to Northwood. To be in a position to help these kids in the high school realm, help their development, help these coaches, help these students and just have the impact that Coach Amy and my coaches like Coach

p.m. at WRAL Soccer Park against Wake FC.

PHOTO COURTESY NC COURAGE ACADEMY

Hall and everyone else had on me, it’s a great opportunity. I’m excited to be here.

How did you come across the opportunity to be Seaforth’s athletic director?

that communication I was able to create something that accommodated not only football but every other sport there.

How excited are you to take on a young athletic department that’s already had some success and get to know the coaches while also helping them grow their programs?

“The

It’s a funny story, actually. So we bought a house down in Manns Chapel where we’re renovating, doing a couple of things. Me and my wife, we were at Lowe’s. As I was coming out, o cer Herbie Stubbs was going in, and he was there (as a student resource ocer) during my tenure at Northwood. So we started chatting it up, and I told him what I was doing over at Duke for the spring. He told me about the opportunity and that Amy was going to be stepping down. So I jumped on the opportunity and I think just like Dalton Brown did, I didn’t wait for the job opening. I put my cover letter, my resume and everything together. I shot it in to Dr. (Randy) St. Claire and Coach Amy. I called Coach Amy the next day.

amount of people that I know here and the

support I’ve gotten already after getting the job, it’s been incredible. I’m pumped to be back.”

Jared Worley

You’ve got an extensive background in strength and conditioning. What will you bring from those experiences and hope will help you in your new job?

At Flint Hill, working in the athletic department was a great experience for me. Taking that program right after COVID-19 when everything was shut down, I really got to revamp that program into not only what I wanted, but what we wanted as a department. The rst thing I did was communicate with everybody. Like, ‘Hey, what was this program like before COVID. What were the opportunities and what not?’ That was with teachers, parents, players and the department. From

Coach Amy built a great foundation already. My job is easy. I just build on top of that foundation. So the standards are set. We’ve seen so much success already with girls’ basketball, the men’s golf team just won a state championship and in track and eld, we had a couple of athletes win. So for us, it’s just continuing to develop these kids. We can’t rely on our past accomplishments. Just because we were there this year doesn’t mean we’re going to be there next year. So we have to accept the challenge of set standards and high expectations.

Now, you’re a certi ed bartender and worked as one for some time in Chapel Hill. How did you get into that and do you still make drinks?

That was an odd job as I was looking for my next step after college. After playing, it was, ‘What’s the next step?’ I was all sports all the time for my whole life. So for me, I knew what I wanted to do, but I wanted to just take a step out and see what the other side of work looks like. I did a bunch of odd jobs. That was a fun time. At night, I bartended at a place I knew in Chapel Hill, and then on the other side during the day, my cousin runs a Christmas tree farm. So I worked there during the day, and I’d be smelling like Christmas trees. It was a great time.

er and narrower than the Hawks were used to.

In the beginning of the game, both teams struggled to establish a solid footing o ensively as the smaller eld made it difcult to track down passes and nd space for quality looks at the goal, despite players being able to shoot from almost anywhere on the pitch. Possessions constantly changed, and the ball went out of bounds frequently, keeping both high-scoring teams from lling up the scoreboard early. Then, a worry from pregame became an issue as the incoming

storm came through with lightning and caused an hour delay just ve minutes into the game. No big deal, right? It’s just rain.

Well, Franklin Academy’s elds also didn’t have lights. Coming out of the delay, the teams agreed to play until it became too dark outside and go by the referee’s call on when to end the game. Even with time to reect on the eld conditions, nothing changed about the game’s style of play. Both teams continued to shoot whenever they could, but with less ground for defenders to cover and solid goalkeeping from Seaforth’s Katie Leonard and Franklin Academy’s Gri n

How is Your Retirement Income Taxed?

How is Your Retirement Income Taxed?

Once you’re retired, you will likely need to draw on several types of income for your living expenses. You’ll need to know where these funds are coming from and how much you can count on, but you should also be aware of how this money is taxed — because this knowledge can help you plan and budget for your retirement years. Here’s the basic tax information on some key sources of retirement income: • Social Security – Many people don’t realize they may have to pay taxes on their

Once you’re retired, you will likely need to draw on several types of income for your living expenses. You’ll need to know where these funds are coming from and how much you can count on, but you should also be aware of how this money is taxed — because this knowledge can help you plan and budget for your retirement years.

Here’s the basic tax information on some key sources of retirement income:

much other taxable income you receive from various sources, such as self-employment, stock dividends and interest payments. You’ll want to check with your tax advisor to determine whether your income reaches the threshold where your The lower your total taxable income, the The Social Security Administration will not automatically take out taxes from your monthly checks — to have taxes

• Social Security – Many people don’t realize they may have to pay taxes on their much other taxable income you receive from various sources, such as self-employment, stock dividends and interest payments. You’ll want to check with your tax advisor to determine whether your income reaches the threshold where your The lower your total taxable income, the The Social Security Administration will not automatically take out taxes from your monthly checks — to have taxes

Again, your tax advisor can help you you should withhold.

Again, your tax advisor can help you you should withhold.

• Retirement accounts – During your working years, you may have contributed

• Retirement accounts – During your working years, you may have contributed

may have been partially or completely deductible and your earnings grew on a tax-deferred basis. But when you start taking withdrawals from your traditional taxable at your normal income tax rate.

may have been partially or completely deductible and your earnings grew on a tax-deferred basis. But when you start taking withdrawals from your traditional taxable at your normal income tax rate.

Pittsboro Chad Virgil, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU® 630 East St Suite 2 919-545-5669

not deductible, but your earnings and withdrawals are tax-free, provided you meet certain conditions.

not deductible, but your earnings and withdrawals are tax-free, provided you meet certain conditions.

• Annuities – Many investors use annuities to supplement their retirement income. An annuity is essentially a contract between you and an insurance company in which the insurer pays you an income stream for a given number of years, or for life, in exchange for the premiums you annuity with pre-tax dollars, possibly premiums may be deductible, and your earnings can grow tax deferred. Once you start taking payouts, the entire amount — your contributions and earnings — are taxable at your individual tax rate. On the annuities with after-tax dollars, so your premiums aren’t deductible, but just like payments, you won’t pay taxes on the principal amounts you invested but the earnings will be taxed as ordinary income. governing different sources of income, but you should consult your tax professional factors such as your goals, lifestyle and time horizon should drive the decisions you make for your retirement income. Nonetheless, you may want to look for ways to control the taxes that result from your various income pools. And the more you know about how your income is taxed, the fewer unpleasant surprises you may experience.

• Annuities – Many investors use annuities to supplement their retirement income. An annuity is essentially a contract between you and an insurance company in which the insurer pays you an income stream for a given number of years, or for life, in exchange for the premiums you annuity with pre-tax dollars, possibly premiums may be deductible, and your earnings can grow tax deferred. Once you start taking payouts, the entire amount — your contributions and earnings — are taxable at your individual tax rate. On the annuities with after-tax dollars, so your premiums aren’t deductible, but just like payments, you won’t pay taxes on the principal amounts you invested but the earnings will be taxed as ordinary income. governing different sources of income,

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Finanadvisors and associates do not provide tax or legal advice.

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Coward, the score remained 0-0 going into a shortened halftime. In the second half, both teams began to hold possessions for a little longer, and Seaforth began to nd opportunities to play like it knows best — with speed.

The Hawks began to outrun a physical, but fatigued, Franklin Academy defense, leading to breakthroughs for better shots on the goal.

Coward continued to be a wall, though, until the 27th minute in which junior Caitlin Erman passed the ball to sophomore Soa Viana who passed it right back to a cutting Erman for Seaforth’s rst and only goal of the night.

As the sun steadily set, Leonard continued to stay strong on the other end, coming away with pivotal saves against a desperate Franklin Academy team shooting from almost anywhere to tie the game in the dark. With just 11 minutes, 32 seconds left to play, Leonard saved a crucial free kick, keeping the momentum in the Hawks’ direction in the nal minutes.

“(Leonard) stepped up when we needed her,” Viana said. Said Viana, “I was worried Katie wasn’t going to be able to see the ball.”

As the taste of its rst regional nal appearance inched clos-

er, Seaforth’s sideline began to get frustrated with the continuation of the game without light. In the nal 10 minutes, Seaforth athletic director Jason Amy loudly expressed his displeasure with the referee’s decision to continue play, and he even earned the team a yellow card after turning on his phone’s ashlight. Just minutes later, though, the weather, the eld and the lights didn’t matter anymore. The referee called the game nal with 5:44 remaining on the clock. With the win, Seaforth earned a regional nal matchup with No. 10 Clinton Tuesday. The Hawks beat Clinton back on May 2, 5-0.

Pittsboro native Jared Worley takes over as athletic director for Seaforth

Northwood athletic trainer

Jackie Harpham has worked with Northwood athletes for a decade

By Asheebo Rojas

Chatham News & Record

NORTHWOOD HIGH School athletic trainer Jackie Harpham won the NCHSAA Elton Hawley Athletic Trainer of the Year award, the NCHSAA announced Thursday.

Harpham will be presented her award at the NCHSAA Awards Celebration held at the Greensboro Coliseum Campus on June 12. This is her rst athletic trainer of the year honors from the NCHSAA. In 2016, Harpham was selected as the Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer Award winner for District 3.

“It’s wonderful,” Harpham said. “It was a big surprise. I had no idea (Northwood athletic director Cameron Vernon) had been going through the nomination process. … I feel really humbled to be recognized for that.”

Harpham has spent her entire athletic training career at Northwood, working alongside the school’s athletes and teaching sports medicine classes since 2013. She became interested in sports medicine as a eld hockey and lacrosse player at Downingtown West High school in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, thanks to a good example set by her high school’s former athletic trainer, Joe Iezzi.

Iezzi is a 2017 inductee of the Chester County, Pennsylvania, Sports Hall of Fame.

“I had an awesome athletic trainer in high school that

helped me through a series of injuries, aches and pains,” Harpham said. “When I was looking for college and careers, I rediscovered athletic training as a way to apply my love of sports and working with others.”

After high school, Harpham completed her undergraduate years at Ithaca College from 2007-11, earning a degree in athletic training. She followed that with a degree in exercise science from UNC Chapel Hill after working as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for North Carolina’s football program.

“I started to think about what setting I wanted to end up in, and I decided that high school would be a really great place for me to use my passion and help a lot of people,” Harpham said.

“I started reaching out to local high schools and seeing if anyone was hiring and needed an athletic trainer, and that’s how I found Northwood.”

Northwood never had an athletic trainer before Harpham as the school just used rst responders to treat injured athletes. Then athletic director Jason Amy showed interest in changing that, and former football head coach Bill Hall also advocated for the school to hire an athletic trainer. With the help of Hall’s voice, Harpham landed the perfect t right out of college.

“If it wasn’t for Coach Hall, I probably wouldn’t have found this position,” Harpham said.

“It was de nitely a challenge, which I was up for, but there was some growing pains trying to establish a program here and make some new routines and new protocols. Luckily, all of the coaches, administrators and athletes have always been

incredibly supportive.”

On top of her duties as an athletic trainer, Harpham teaches multiple levels of sports medicine classes out of her trailer lled with training beds, stationary bikes and other training equipment. Level one is a general introduction to sports medicine, level two handles injuries in the lower extremities, and level three, which will begin next year, will focus on the upper extremities. She also allows her students the opportunity to volunteer with athletic training duties across the school’s sports.

“Something I’m most proud of is I have a lot of former students that have gone on to study in the sports medicine eld,” Harpham said. “I have one student that’s working as a physical therapist right now, one student working as a sports chiropractor right here in Pittsboro. I have a lot of students that are pursuing athletic training degrees.”

Being a part of the Charger family for a decade already, Northwood is “home” for Harpham, and she plans on staying put for a long time.

“When I think back on my time here, Northwood is just a really special place,” Harpham said. “I think, more than anything, it’s just the people that are here. Everything from the administration, from our coaches, the community and then most importantly our students, I think are just the best part of my job. I feel super lucky that I have a job where I get to come to work and teach kids about sports medicine, and then after school, I get to go help keep them safe and hopefully make an impact on their lives and help them have the best experience as possible.”

Katie Leonard

Seaforth, girls’ soccer

Seaforth girls’ soccer’s Katie Leonard earns athlete of the week honors for the week of May 20.

In No. 4 Seaforth’s big win over No. 1 Franklin Academy in the 2A East regional semi nal Thursday, Leonard, a sophomore goalie, made plenty of huge saves to keep the Patriots out of the net.

On a smaller eld against a talented Franklin Academy team, Leonard saw more shots come her way after the Hawks took a 1-0 lead in the second half. She held strong, though, and she even saved a free kick with just over 11 minutes left to play, shrinking Franklin Academy’s chances of tying the game. According to MaxPreps, Leonard leads the team this season with more than 72 saves.

Seaforth, Woods Charter advance to girls’ soccer state nals

Recapping last week’s scores and results

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

THE SPRING SPORTS playo s are still on in Chatham County as two girls’ soccer teams will compete for a state title. Chatham American Legion baseball also started its 2024 season during the week, putting many of the county’s local youth and high school players back in action for the summer.

Here’s a recap of last week’s sports results and scores from Chatham County’s teams:

Girls’ soccer

No. 4 Seaforth is heading to its rst 2A state championship game after beating No. 10 Clinton, 1-0, in the 2A East regional nal Tuesday night. The Hawks dominated Clinton in their regular season bout on May 2, 5-0, but it wasn’t as pretty the second time around. Seaforth took plenty of shots during the rst half with one even hitting the crossbar, but it just couldn’t capitalize. With 13 minutes left in the second half, Seaforth junior Caitlin Erman set up freshman Elizabeth Platt to nally score the Hawks’ only goal of the game. Seaforth’s defense also held strong for its 17th consecutive shutout as the Hawks have not allowed a goal since April 10.

Seaforth will play No. 1 Pine Lake Prep for the 2A crown Saturday. The Pride (20-1-1) have won nine straight games. The game will be played at the Mecklenburg County

Sportsplex in Matthews. Before the regional nal, the Hawks took down No. 1 Franklin Academy in the regional semi nals, 1-0. No. 2 Woods Charter will also compete for a state title after beating No. 1 Voyager 2-0 in the 1A East regional nal. The Wolves will be making their third consecutive state title appearance after losing to Christ the King 1-0 in last year’s 1A state nal and 3-0 in the 2022 1A championship game. This year, they’ll get a third shot against the 12th-seeded Crusaders as Christ the King won the 1A West regional nal over No. 2 Polk County. Christ the King is 18-3 on the season and has won 12 straight games, nearly matching Woods Charter’s 14 -game winning streak. The state championship game will also be played Saturday at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex.

Prior to the regionalnal, Woods Charter dominated No. 6 East Bladen 5-0 in the regional semi nals. The Wolves have shut out three opponents and have only allowed three goals this postseason.

American Legion Baseball

Chatham American Legion opened its 2024 season with a 4-1 win over Randolph County Post 45 Saturday. The team then lost to Wayne Post 11, 3-0, Monday night in a Memorial Day tournament.

As of Tuesday night, Chatham American Legion is 1-1, coming o a 2023 campaign in which the team nished 6-17. The team is once again led by manager John Headen.

Commissioner District 3 Community Forum

The Town of Siler City Board of Commissioners adopted a Strategic Plan in April 2024

One of the strategic priorities is to enhance community engagement.

The Town of Siler City is inviting the public to attend an informal community forum to discuss community topics with Town of Siler City District 3 Commissioner Curtis Brown

Forum Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024

Forum Time: 6:00pm

Forum Location:

Siler City Presbyterian Church 720 West Third Street

Since this is a public meeting, a quorum of the Board of Commissioners may be present, but no town business will be conducted.

If you have any questions, please contact Jack Meadows Interim Acting Town Manager @ 919-726-8627 or jmeadows@silercity.org

GENE GALIN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Woods Charter senior Carolina Mitchell (13) moves the ball against North Moore during a game earlier in the state 1A playo s. The Wolves will now play for a state title for the third straight season.

SIDELINE REPORT

TRACK AND FIELD

Kenya’s Chebet sets world record in 10,000 meters

Eugene, Ore.

Beatrice Chebet of Kenya set a world record in the 10,000 meters at the Prefontaine Classic meet, nishing in 28 minutes, 54.14 seconds. Chebet bested the previous record of 29.01.03 set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey at FBK Stadium in the Netherlands on June 8, 2021. Chebet nished Saturday ahead of Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, who nished in 29:05.92 in cloudy and cool temperatures at Eugene’s Hayward Field. It was her rst 10,000 race since 2020 in Nairobi. The nish quali ed her for her rst Olympics this summer in Paris. She hopes to double in the 5,000 and 10,000.

NFL

Saints make Superdome renovation payment, di use stando with state o cials

New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints made an $11.4 million payment toward Superdome renovations, di using a public stando between the team and state o cials who oversee the stadium that will host the next Super Bowl. Announcement of the payment came hours after Saints president Dennis Lauscha decried “disingenuous and unprofessional” conduct by the state commission that oversees the Superdome. Lauscha said the team’s decision to hold back payments since last December stemmed from dissatisfaction over the state’s posture in parallel negotiations toward a long-term Superdome lease. The nearly $550 million renovation project is mostly done. About $58 million in work remains.

MLB Jackie Robinson statue being rebuilt after theft from Kansas park Loveland, Colo.

Metalsmiths are remaking Jackie Robinson in bronze after the theft of a beloved Kansas statue of the civil rights baseball icon set o a national outpouring of donations. In January, thieves cut the original statue o at its ankles, leaving only Robinson’s cleats behind at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas. About 600 children play there in a youth baseball league called League 42. It is named after Robinson’s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers, with whom he broke the major leagues’ color barrier in 1947. The mold was still viable, allowing workers at Art Castings of Colorado to recreate it.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

TNT to air College Football Playo games through sublicense with ESPN

Atlanta TNT Sports will begin airing College Football Playo games this upcoming season through a sublicense with ESPN. The ve -year agreement gives TNT two rst-round games the rst two years. Beginning in 2026, it expands to two rst-round and two quarter nals. ESPN’s $7.8 billion deal with the College Football Playo , which was announced in March, allowed it to sublicense games to other networks. This will be the rst season of the 12 -team playo . ESPN has carried the College Football Playo since it started in the 2014 season. It replaced the Bowl Championship Series.

Newgarden, Penske go back-to-back at Indy 500

The team claimed its record-extending 20th win

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Josef Newgarden once again brought his victorious Team Penske car to a stop on the Yard of Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He found that same hole in the fence, climbed through, and was pummeled by fans celebrating his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 triumph. Everything about his victory Sunday — right down to the last-lap duel, this time with Pato O’Ward — seemed just like last year. The only di erence was the circumstances.

Newgarden became the rst

back-to -back winner of the Indy 500 since Helio Castroneves 22 years ago and gave Roger Penske a record- extending 20th win in the biggest race in the world.

The Tennessean passed O’Ward on the nal lap to become the rst driver to win consecutive 500s since Castroneves did it for Penske in 2001 and 2002. Newgarden also celebrated last year by climbing through a hole in the fence to celebrate with fans in the grandstands.

“I love this crowd. I’ve got to always go in the crowd if we win here, I am always doing that,” said Newgarden, who earned a $440,000 bonus from trophy-maker BorgWarner for winning consecutive 500s. The award was established in 1995 and only claimed once, by Castroneves.

Penske had been watching the race high above the speedway and pumped his arm in celebration as Newgarden crossed the nish line. He then hugged his wife. It took less than an hour for the placard that designates Penske’s parking spot inside the speedway to be changed from “19” to “20.”

O’Ward slumped his head over his steering wheel in disappointment. He was trying to become the rst Mexican in 108 runnings to win the Indy 500.

As O’Ward bided his time in the closing laps — he and Newgarden traded the lead several times — he waited to make the winning pass on the nal lap.

Newgarden got it right back two turns later.

“It is hard to put it into words — we went back, we went forward, we went back, some peo -

ple were driving like maniacs,” O’Ward said. “We had so many near-race enders. Just so close again. ... I put that car through things I never thought it was going to be able to do. It is always a heartbreak when you’re so close, especially when it’s not the rst time and you don’t know how many opportunities you have.”

O’Ward has nished second to Newgarden in six di erent races and was still struggling with his emotions an hour after the race. He said he’s battled the u the last week and barely slept the last ve days.

“I’m ne. It’s been a tough month, so much goes into this race,” O’Ward said. “I think I’m somebody who wears my heart on my sleeve. I don’t really hide anything. And it’s just, when you come so close, and it just doesn’t seem to happen, it’s just a lot of emotion.”

Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing nished third as the highest- nishing Honda driver and had empathy for O’Ward. Dixon is a six-time IndyCar champion who is considered the greatest driver of his era, and he has one win in the Indy 500.

The decision sets the stage for current and former athletes to be paid

By Ralph D. Russo The Associated Press

THE NCAA and the nation’s ve biggest conferences announced they have agreed to pay nearly $2.8 billion to settle a host of antitrust claims, a monumental decision that sets the stage for a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model that could start steering millions of dollars directly to athletes as soon as the 2025 fall semester.

NCAA President Charlie Baker along with the commissioners of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference released a joint statement saying they had agreed to settlement terms. They called the move “an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide bene ts to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come.”

Terms were not disclosed, though some details have emerged in the past few weeks. They signal the end of the NCAA’s bedrock amateurism

model that dates to its founding in 1906. Indeed, the days of NCAA punishment for athletes driving booster-provided cars started vanishing three years ago when the organization lifted restrictions on endorsement deals backed by name, image and likeness money.

The deal still must be approved by the federal judge overseeing the case, and plainti s will have the opportunity to opt out or challenge terms of the agreement. If it stands, it will usher in the beginning of a new era in college sports where athletes are compensated more like professionals and schools can compete for talent using direct payments.

“There’s no question about it. It’s a huge quantum leap,” said Tom McMillen, the former Maryland basketball player and congressman who has led an association of collegiate athletic directors the past eight years.

Now it is not far-fetched to look ahead to seasons where star quarterbacks or top prospects on college basketball teams are not only cashing in big-money NIL deals but have six- gure school payments in the bank to play.

There are a host of details still to be determined, but the agreement calls for the NCAA

Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson dribbles past the NCAA logo prior to a men’s college basketball tournament game. The NCAA and the nation’s ve biggest conferences have agreed to pay nearly $2.8 billion to settle a host of antitrust claims, a monumental decision that sets the stage for a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model that could start directing millions of dollars directly to athletes as soon as the 2025 fall semester.

and the conferences to pay $2.77 billion over 10 years to more than 14,000 former and current college athletes who say now- defunct rules prevented them from earning money from endorsement and sponsorship deals dating to 2016.

“Even though it was only because of the overwhelming legal pressure, the NCAA, conferences and schools are agreeing that college athletes should be paid,” said Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA football player and longtime advocate for college athletes. “And there’s no going back from there. That’s truly groundbreaking.”

Some of the money will come from NCAA reserve funds and insurance, but even though the

lawsuit speci cally targeted ve conferences that are comprised of 69 schools (including Notre Dame), dozens of other NCAA member schools will see smaller distributions from the NCAA to cover the mammoth payout.

Schools in the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and SEC are likely to end up bearing the brunt of the settlement going forward at an estimated cost of about $300 million each over 10 years, the majority of which would be paid to directly to athletes.

“The settlement, though undesirable in many respects and promising only temporary stability, is necessary to avoid what would be the bankruptcy of college athletics,” said Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins.

MICHAEL CONROY / AP PHOTO

Josef Newgarden celebrates Sunday after winning Indianapolis 500 for the second straight year.

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

Adam Higginbotham’s meticulous research provides the most de nitive account of the explosion

By Andrew DeMillo

The Associated Press

When the Challenger space shuttle exploded a little over a minute after its launch in 1986, it pierced the dreams of millions who watched the tragedy unfold live on television. It also eventually exposed the weaknesses of a space program that had been revered by many.

In “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space,” Adam Higginbotham’s meticulous research provides the most de nitive account of the explosion that killed the seven-person crew. He also meticulously explores the missteps and negligence that allowed the tragedy to occur, ensuring the reader is fully informed and engaged.

Bookmarked between two

other tragedies that struck NASA — the 1967 Apollo launchpad re that killed three astronauts and the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster that killed seven — Higginbotham’s book traces the history of the nation’s shuttle program leading up to the Challenger explosion.

Higginbotham manages to temper his account of the excite-

ment the shuttle program generated — recounting how “everyday life seemed to come to a standstill” during the launch of the Columbia shuttle in 1981 — with the warning signs of technical aws that were overlooked or outright ignored over the years.

In clear and accessible language, Higginbotham explains the mechanics of the shuttle and its problems without sacri cing any of the pace that carries readers forward. The pace is so brisk that readers will be surprised when they realize the vivid account of the Challenger launch doesn’t occur until well after halfway through the book.

Higginbotham provides just as dramatic a retelling of the shuttle’s crash aftermath, from the search for the wreckage and astronaut remains to the investigation and hearings on the disaster.

The book delivers a compelling, comprehensive history of the disaster that exposed, as Higginbotham writes, how “the nation’s smartest minds had unwittingly sent seven men and women to their deaths.”

Javier Milei, the hard rocker in Argentina’s highest o ce, turns his book talk into wild show this week in history

His new book, “Capitalism, Socialism and the Neoclassical Trap,” came out earlier this month

By Isabel Debre The Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A book presentation about neoclassical economic theory may not sound like a crowd-pleaser.

But in Buenos Aires, mobs of star-struck fans packed a giant auditorium on Wednesday to hear Argentina’s president, the libertarian economist Javier Milei, lecture on the importance of freeing capital from the control of the state.

As he strode through a sea of fans jostling for sel es and climbed onstage, the shouting crowd leapt to its feet. Whistles, stomps and chants of his political slogan “Long live liberty, dammit!” lled the theater.

They were greeting Milei like a stadium rocker. And within moments, he became one.

Grabbing the mic and swinging into a cover of “Panic Show” by Argentine hard rock band La Renga, Milei jumped frenetically around the stage, whipping 10,000 fans into a frenzy.

“I am the lion,” he hollered,

Marylin Monroe is born, Sir Edmund Hilary climbs Mount Everest, Bing Crosby records ‘White Christmas’

The Associated Press

“THIS WEEK” looks back at the key events from this week in history.

MAY 27

1703: Tsar Peter the Great founds the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia.

1930: The Chrysler Building in New York City, the tallest arti cial structure at the time, opens to the public.

1937: The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opens to pedestrian tra c.

1941: The German battleship Bismarck is sunk in the North Atlantic by British naval forces during World War II.

MAY 28

1588: The Spanish Armada sets sail from Lisbon, Portugal, heading for England.

1830: U.S. President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, leading to the relocation of Native American tribes.

1934: The Dionne quintuplets are born in Ontario, Canada, becoming the rst quintuplets known to survive infancy.

MAY 29

1917: John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, is born in Brookline, Massachusetts.

1942: Bing Crosby records the song “White Christmas,” one of the best-selling singles ever.

1953: Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal become the rst climbers con rmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.

MAY 30

1431: Joan of Arc is burned at the stake in Rouen, France.

1806: Future U.S. President Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel.

1922: The Lincoln Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C.

2005: Vanity Fair reveals that Mark Felt was “Deep Throat,” the secret source who provided information to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the Watergate scandal.

JUNE 1

1495: A monk named John Cor records the rst known batch of Scotch whisky.

1926: Marilyn Monroe, an American actress and cultural icon, is born.

1967: The Beatles release their iconic album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

1980: CNN (Cable News Network) launches as the rst 24-hour news channel.

MAY 31

1669: The city of Catania in Sicily is destroyed by an eruption of Mount Etna.

1889: The Johnstown Flood occurs in Pennsylvania, killing more than 2,200 people.

1967: The Nigerian Eastern Region declares independence as the Republic of Biafra, leading to the Nigerian Civil War.

shaking his unruly hair to the beat. “I am the king of a lost world.”

When the music came to a stop, he tossed o his black leather jacket to reveal a business suit underneath and stepped up to the podium, returning to his usual persona as a disheveled academic. “I wanted to do this because I really wanted to sing,” he said.

Then Milei launched into the presentation of his new book,

“Capitalism, Socialism and the Neoclassical Trap,” published May 1, a contribution to the so-called Austrian School of economics that calls for governments to step out and let the market decide.

“Market failures do not exist,” he said. “First, check there is no state intervention.”

Milei had initially planned to promote his book at the Buenos Aires International Book Fair, the country’s largest literary

event that kicked o earlier this month. But when the left-leaning organizers gave speeches calling out Milei for defunding cultural institutions, the president canceled the event and promoted a new one at the city’s Luna Park arena downtown instead.

He gave ironic thanks to the book fair organizers on Wednesday night. “With an attempted boycott, you gave us this party,” he said, as pulsating lights and clouds of arti cial smoke enveloped the stage.

It wasn’t Milei’s rst time jamming out in public. “Panic Show” performances with reworked lyrics were an occasional feature of campaign events. His love for rock music dates back to high school, where he started a Rolling Stones tribute band and danced like Mick Jagger during recess, according to journalist Juan Luis González’s biography of Milei, “El Loco.”

He kept his taste for theatrics as a libertarian pundit invited onto TV and radio stations to rail against Argentina’s economic malaise — drawing attention as much for his entertaining antics as his “anarcho-capitalist” theories.

“This connection he has with people, I’ve never seen anything like it,” said 72-year-old attendee Liliana Varela as she watched

JUNE 2

455: The Vandals sack Rome.

1953: Queen Elizabeth II is crowned in Westminster Abbey in London.

1966: Surveyor 1, the rst U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon, is launched.

Milei glad-handing supporters.

“He is creating a disruption at the very moment that we need it.”

Milei’s latest amboyant episode Wednesday comes at a sensitive time for Argentina, in the midst of its worst economic crisis in two decades with more than half of the population living in poverty and annual in ation surgingtoward 300%.

Milei’s severe austerity measures have so far compounded the struggles of Argentina’s poor and middle classes. An unprecedented diplomatic crisis is underway with Spain, Argentina’s historic ally and major trading partner, over Milei’s criticism of socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his wife.

“Milei doesn’t have to answer to Sanchez,” said 62-year-old Hernan Sanchez queuing outside the venue. “He is defending his beliefs.”

When the crowd screamed vulgar insults about Sánchez, Milei responded with a smirk. “Stop that or Mondino is going to ask me for overtime,” he quipped, referring to the foreign minister.

Despite the turmoil Milei’s ratings have stayed strong. His die-hard fans were out in force on Wednesday, lining up for hours in frigid weather and dancing to keep the energy up when Milei ran over an hour late.

“He’s the best president in the world,” gushed 20-year-old Matías Muzica, dodging questions about his policies but praising him as Argentina’s answer to Donald Trump. “He can make Argentina great again.”

MATTY ZIMMERMAN / AP PHOTO

Marilyn Monroe poses over the updraft of a New York subway grate while lming “The Seven Year Itch” in 1954.

GUSTAVO GARELLO / AP PHOTO

Javier Milei, center, and National Deputy Jose Luis Espert celebrate at Milei’s book release party last week in Buenos Aires.

famous birthdays this week

The Associated Press

May 26

Singer Stevie Nicks is 76. Actor Pam Grier is 75. Singer Lenny Kravitz is 60. “South Park” co-creator Matt Stone is 53.

May 27

Singer-guitarist Neil Finn of Crowded House and Split Enz is 66, Comedian Adam Carolla is 60, Musician Andre 3000 of Outkast is 49.

May 28

Singer Gladys Knight is 80. Singer John Fogerty is 79. Singer Kylie Minogue is 56.

May 29

Composer Danny Elfman is 71. Actor Annette Bening is 66. Singer Melissa Etheridge is 63. Guitarist Noel Gallagher (Oasis) is 57.

May 30

Guitarist Lenny Davidson of The Dave Clark Five is 80. Actor Stephen Tobolowsky (“Groundhog Day,” ″Sneakers”) is 73. Country singer Wynonna Judd is 60.

Actor and director Clint Eastwood turns 94 on Friday.

May 31

Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 94. Rapper DMC of Run-DMC is 60. Actor Brooke Shields is 59.

June 1

Singer Pat Boone is 90. Actor Morgan Freeman is 87. Actor Brian Cox (“Succession,” “Deadwood”) is 78. Guitarist Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones is 77. Singer Alanis Morissette is 50.

ERIC RISBERG / AP PHOTO

ERIC DRAPER / AP PHOTO

Singer Gladys Knight, pictured performing at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, turned 80 on Tuesday.

the stream

Willie Nelson, performing at Farm Aid 30 in 2015, releases his latest album, “The

Nelson’s 152nd album, Cumberbatch plays curmudgeon puppeteer

Ron Howard’s Jim Henson documentary premieres on Disney+; Lifetime Network’s docuseries sheds new light on Nicole Brown Simpson

The Associated Press

THERE’S PLENTY to stream this week as Willie Nelson is back with his 152nd album, Ron Howard dives into the career of Jim Henson, and Lifetime looks into the life and death of Nicole Brown Simpson.

Movies to stream

Jim Henson died in 1990 at age 53, but his Muppet creations and their rambunctious spirit have long outlived him. Ron Howard’s “Jim Henson Idea Man” (Friday on Disney+) attempts to document the life and imagination behind one of the most beloved entertainers. Howard made the lm with the involvement of the Henson family and the use of its extensive archive.

George Clooney’s “The Boys in the Boat” (Tuesday on Prime Video) is an almost daringly old-fashioned sports drama that makes “Seabiscuit” look comparatively cutting edge. It tells the true-life tale of the University of Washington rowing team that, in 1936, reached the Olympics in Berlin. In her review, AP National Writer Jocelyn Noveck wrote, “Clooney has gone for stirring and a bit stodgy, pleasing and a bit predictable.”

In the Nordic Western “The Promised Land” (Thursday on Hulu), the frontier is Denmark’s remote Jutland heath, where a retired army captain (Mads Mikkelsen) travels with royal permission to cultivate a farm in 1755. His adventures, a loosely true history adapted from Ida Jessen’s 2020 bestseller “The Captain and Ann Barbara,” give Mikkelsen a sweeping backdrop for his magnetic presence.

Music to stream

“The Border,” Willie Nelson’s 152nd album — you read that correctly, at least, according to Texas Monthly — arrives Friday. Across the release, Nelson o ers

idiosyncratic interpretations of compositions from country songwriting greats: Mike Reid (“Nobody Knows Me Like You”), Rodney Crowell with Will Jennings (“Many a Long and Lonesome Highway”), and Larry Cordle with Erin Enderlin (“I Wrote This Song for You”) among them. The title track, “The Border,” is another reimagination of Crowell, a track from his 2019 album “Texas.” It’s a love letter to the Lone Star State, the kind Nelson knows better than anyone else.

Grammy-, Tony- and Emmy-winner Ben Platt brings his Broadway-sized pop to a third studio album, “Honeymind.” It’s a cheery pop-rock record (produced by Dave Cobb, known for his work with country greats Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile and, most recently, Zayn Malik), deeply informed by his own love story and Peter Gabriel melodies. It’s an ideal record for musical theater fans looking for a di erent change of pace.

Tanerélle, Republic Records’

Nelson o ers idiosyncratic interpretations of compositions from country songwriting greats: Mike Reid (“Nobody Knows Me Like You”), Rodney Crowell with Will Jennings (“Many a Long and Lonesome Highway”) and Larry Cordle with Erin Enderlin (“I Wrote This Song for You”).

latest signee, is preparing to release a new EP, “Electric Honey.” The Atlanta singer-songwriter’s strength is her rich vocal tone — classic and futuristic-sounding in the same breathy delivery of her grounded R&B. She might be a new name to some. Still, she’s already landed some impressive

co-signs in the form of A-list syncs: Her music appeared in Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” and Issa Rae’s great HBO drama “Insecure.”

And now for something completely di erent: On Friday, BMG Records will release “Pepito y Paquito,” the earliest collection of recorded material from amenco legends Paco de Lucía and Pepe de Lucía — restored partially by using AI technology — captured initially when they were 11 and 13 years old, respectively. (Before working under their names, they were known as “Pepito y Paquito.”) There’s a lot to love here but begin with “Me Falta La Resistencia,” the boys’ adaptation of the La Repompa de Málaga tango.

Shows to stream

In the new Net ix series “Eric,” it’s 1980s New York, and Benedict Cumberbatch plays a curmudgeon puppeteer named Vincent with a crumbling mar-

riage. When Vincent’s son Edgar goes missing, he becomes obsessed with nishing a puppet the boy was drawing, convinced it’s the key to bringing him home. “Eric” premieres Thursday on Net ix.

Peacock’s acclaimed British musical comedy “We Are Lady Parts” returns for a second season on Thursday. It follows the members of a female all-Muslim rock band in London. The new episodes pick up after a time jump. Lady Parts now has fans, a rival music group to compete with, and they’re gearing up to release a full album. Activist Malala Yousafzai makes a guest appearance in the new episodes. A new Lifetime docuseries called “The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson” shares details of her life before she and Ron Goldman were murdered outside her home 30 years ago on June 12, 1994. Her ex-husband, O.J. Simpson, was acquitted of their murders after a lengthy trial that aired live on TV. Simpson, who died in April from cancer, always maintained his innocence. The two-part docuseries premieres June 1-2 on Lifetime and will stream on mylifetime. com Chip and Joanna Gaines get a taste of #lakelife with their latest project lmed for TV. They’re xing up a mid-century modern lake house near Lake Waco, just in time for the 10th anniversary of “Fixer Upper” on HGTV. “Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse” premieres Sunday on the Magnolia Network and HGTV. It streams on Max and Discovery+ on the same day.

Video games to play

For 25 years, Super Smash Bros. has owned its self-created category — goofy, family-friendly, multiplayer brawling — because none of Nintendo’s competitors have its deep bench of characters. Warner Bros. Games could mount a serious challenge, though, with MultiVersus. Why not team up Wonder Woman and Jason Voorhees vs. Bugs Bunny and Steven Universe? And have them ght it out in the Batcave or the throne room from “Game of Thrones”? And it’s free-to-play, although WB hopes you’ll spend cash on season passes and cosmetic upgrades. The initial roster has a couple dozen ghters, and who knows how far WB will dig into its massive lm library. Dirty Harry and The Exorcist go toe-to-toe in Casablanca? The battle begins Thursday on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox Series X/S/One and PC.

Benedict Cumberbatch plays a puppeteer whose son goes missing in the Net ix series “Eric.”

ROB GRABOWSKI / INVISION VIA AP

Border,” on Friday.