North State Journal Vol. 9, Issue 14

Bell tolls at CMS

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell won the longest race of the NASCAR Cup Series season, picking up his eighth career victory Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Read more in Sports

At least 22 dead in Memorial Day weekend storms

Cooke County, Texas

A series of powerful storms swept over the central and southern U.S. over the Memorial Day weekend, killing at least 22 people and leaving a wide trail of destroyed homes, businesses and power outages. The destructive storms caused deaths in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky and were just north of an oppressive, early-season heat wave setting records from south Texas to Florida. A tornado watch was issued from North Carolina to Maryland. The death toll included seven deaths in Cooke County, Texas, from a Saturday tornado that tore through a mobile home park, o cials said, and eight deaths across Arkansas. Two people also died in Mayes County, Oklahoma, authorities said.

N.C. woman again wins cheese rolling competition

London

NC State graduate Abby Lampe was again the fastest to chase — or fall — down a 7-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese on the near-vertical Cooper’s Hill in southwest England. Few competitors manage to stay on their feet all the way down the 200-yard hill, and this year it was especially slippery and muddy after recent rain.

Lambe — who also won in 2022 — still triumphed in the women’s race. “You just have to roll,” she said. “There’s a little bit of pain, but it’s just going to be temporary.”

Answers on removal of Capitol monuments surface after 4 years the BRIEF this week

Libertarians nominate Oliver for president

Washington, D.C.

The Libertarian Party on Sunday nominated party activist Chase Oliver for president, rejecting former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after they each spoke at the party’s convention. Trump appeared Saturday night in Washington at the convention to give a speech that was repeatedly booed by many in the room. Kennedy got a friendlier reception when he spoke on Friday and attacked both Trump and Biden for how they addressed the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oliver previously ran for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House from Georgia. His campaign website calls for major cuts to the federal budget with an eye toward balancing the budget, the abolition of the death penalty, and the closure of all overseas military bases and ending of military support to Israel and Ukraine.

UNC BOG votes to repeal DEI policies

The consent agenda vote was 21-2 and backed by the UNC System president

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The UNC System Board of Governors approved a new policy to repeal and replace its previous diversity, equity and inclusion policies and requirements for the system’s 17 campuses.

The repeal and replace vote taken on the consent agenda was 21-2. The only no votes came from members Joel Ford and Sonja Phillips Nichols. The new policy will emphasize equality and nondiscrimination over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) concepts that critics and members of the UNC Board of Trustees (BOT) and Board of Governor (BOG) say are divisive and counterproductive.

The policy repeal aligns with a national trend to end DEI practices in higher education, most prominently noted in Florida under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The replacement of section 300.8.5 of the UNC Policy Manual was approved during a BOG committee meeting on April 17. The changes include a prohibition on positions, departments or contractors from promoting ideas that do not align with “institutional neutrality,” and requires campuses to report any resulting job cuts or spending reductions to redirect funds to student success initiatives.

While the policy’s immediate impact remains unclear pending legal guidance, the UNC Chapel Hill Board of Trustees has already voted to eliminate $2.3 million in annual DEI spending and divert it to campus safety.

UNC System President Pe -

Lawmakers consider rollback of ‘raise the age’

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A bill led by lawmakers would alter “Raise the Age” legislation by making certain charges and court proceedings criteria for juveniles to be tried in Superior Court instead of juvenile court. House Bill 834, titled “Juvenile Justice Modi cations,” passed the Senate on May 15 and is awaiting review in the House Rules, Operations and Calendar Committee. The bill’s primary sponsors are Reps. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) and Neal Jackson (R-Randolph).

The key change proposed in Section 1 of the bill modi es the de nition of “delinquent juvenile,” speci cally for 16- and 17-year-olds. Currently, juveniles in that age range who commit acts that would be crimi-

nal o enses for adults have their cases start in juvenile court. However, Section 1 would exclude certain felony o enses from that “delinquent juvenile” de nition for 16- and 17-yearolds, excluding any o ense that would be classi ed as a Class A, B1, B2, C, D or E felony if committed by an adult.

The bill would make it so a 16or 17-year-old charged with any such felony-level o ense would no longer fall under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court system. Instead, their cases would originate and be handled entirely in the adult criminal court (Superior Court) system. Jackson told North State Journal the only criticism of the bill was that the shift for serious juvenile o enses going directly to Superior Court would be detrimental to minority teens.

“If you do the crime, you have to do the time, and these kids are committing serious o enses,” said Jackson. “And it doesn’t

Four monuments were moved at a cost of more than $500,000

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — After four years of records requests, North State Journal has received some answers about the monuments removed in 2020 from the Capitol grounds in Raleigh.

North State Journal originally asked for details about the statue and monument removals from the Capitol grounds in late June 2020. The monuments and statues removed included the Confederate Monument, the monument to the Women of the Confederacy and a gure of Henry Lawson Wyatt.

NSJ’s 2020 public records request asked the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for all records of the removals, including costs, man-hours, resources employed and what vendors might

have been used. NSJ also asked for any related emails sent between the NCDOT and Gov. Roy Cooper’s O ce.

NCDOT refused to produce the documents for more than a year, and NSJ decided not to pursue legal means to compel document production.

In January 2024, NSJ led a new public records request, asking simpli ed but comparable questions, such as how many statues were removed from the Capitol grounds, where were they sent, where are they now and how much it cost.

“Four statues were removed June 19-21,” and the “entire removal and relocation costs were $550,026.11,” NCDOT responded this month.

NCDOT added, “Contractors for the state of North Carolina removed four statues and some granite from a tall monument on the Capitol Grounds and transported them initially to the North Carolina National

Ten juveniles have been charged with murder in 2024

IZZY LAVALETTE FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The Confederate Monument at the state Capitol grounds was partially torn down by protesters in June 2020 before being relocated to an unknown location.

See RAISE, page A8

See DEI, page A2

See MONUMENTS, page A3

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Randolph) has proposed a bill that will route 16- and 17-year-olds who commit serious felonies back into the Superior Court system.

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

the word | The purchaser’s sin

Most people seem to be on the lookout for bargains but are not satis ed with fairness. Sel shness carries them beyond the golden rule, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12.) The practices both of buyers and sellers must be grievous in the sight of God — but it is with the buyers whom we have now to do. See them trying to cheapen an article — they are looking out for every fault; not with a view to estimate its real value — but to reduce it below the fair price. They often state what they do not believe — and yet think themselves honest. All they want is to get a bargain; they are not particular as to the means by which they obtain it. They do not think of the cost of the item, the wages of the workmen, or the pro ts of the tradesman; but leave all these out of the question, and only try to reduce the price of the article as cheap as possible.

“It’s no good, it’s no good! says the buyer, it is not worth so much” and yet at the very moment, they believe it to be worth more. “It is an inferior article!” and yet they are conscious that it is an excellent one. They speak as if they cared nothing about it — and yet they feel they must have it, they cannot do without it. They try in every way to depreciate it — that they themselves may obtain a larger pro t by it.

“Look!” he says to his friends, “What a bargain! I only gave a pittance for it — and it is worth a great deal. It’s like brandnew — look at the quality.” And yet he had greatly depreciated it in front of the seller. Is this honest? Is this lying? Is there anything honorable in such conduct? Is it not a disgrace to the Christian name? Ought not such practices to be left to in dels and heathens? Can we expect God’s blessing on such a deceitful course? It is impossible. God is neither the author, nor the sanctioner of sin.

Buyers should remember the eye of God follows them into the shop or market;

the ear of God listens to every word they say; the book of God records every lie they tell; the Word of God assures them, “that for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the Judgment;” and the God they profess to revere and serve — hates sin, hates it perfectly, hates it always and everywhere; that He makes no allowance for it, that He will not admit of any excuse for it.

Buyers should also remember they are to do all to the glory of God; they are therefore to keep God’s glory in view while buying; and as much in the market as in the house of prayer.

Be a Christian in the market — as well as in the sanctuary. Be a Christian in dealing with your fellow men — as well as in serving your God.

Be scrupulously honest. Maintain a tender conscience.

Always fear a lie, or the appearance of a lie.

The Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany.

Never be vile enough to stoop to practice deception; but always realize that God is with you and observes your conduct at the market. If all who profess the religion of Christ would only act out their Christian principles — they would soon put an end to this wicked practice of deceit. When you next go to market, be sure that you take this thought with you: “God is going with me, and is saying — Be holy, for I am holy! He will observe my conduct and mark my words. I must give an account of myself to God.”

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Do unto others — what you would like to have them do unto you.

Be a pattern of good works.

Live in full prospect of eternity.

James Smith (1802-1862) pastored several Baptist congregations and was Charles Spurgeon’s immediate predecessor at Park Street Church in London (1841-1850).

Opportunity Scholarship funding bill held up in House

Speaker Tim Moore’s o ce says the issue is tied up over where the money will come from

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A bill adding additional funding to the Opportunity Scholarship Program to clear a waitlist of 54,800 applications that easily passed the Senate earlier this month has been stymied in the House.

The Senate approved House Bill 823 on May 2, but the bill has remained in the House Rules, Operations and Calendar Committee.

The bill contains $463.5 mil-

DEI from page A1

ter Hans told reporters the BOT did not have the authority to make the funding diversion call, and the funding would be directed to other purposes tied to “student success programs.”

“They’re going to trust the chancellor and their teams on campus to be able to reinvest those funds in something that is working on their campus,” Hans told media outlets after the meeting. “Now, they’re all called di erent things on every campus, and they may have slightly di erent points of emphasis because there are di erent student populations.”

Hans defended the decision, emphasizing universities must

lion over the next two years to clear the waitlist for the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) and creates an Education Reserve Fund.

The bill, however, has been stalled because of disagreements between the Senate and House over where the money will come from.

A statement issued to North State Journal from the o ce of House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said, “The Speaker has committed to fully funding Opportunity Scholarships. The question is simply what the funding source will be.”

The OSP was created by the General Assembly in 2013. OSP awards are given based on a sliding scale determined by a family’s

remain neutral while allowing debates on political and social issues. He also said the UNC System will continue to follow state and federal laws governing nondiscrimination.

“Non-discrimination, institutional neutrality, free expression and academic freedom are all mutually reinforcing concepts and values,” Hans said during the BOG meeting. “We are here to serve all, not just those who agree with us. When these principles are faithfully held, they allow diversity in all forms to thrive.”

The decision faced opposition from a couple dozen students who protested outside the board meeting. The protesters got into a confronta-

household income, and all North Carolina families can apply to the program.

The grants are awarded in tiers, with lower-income families and returning grant recipients receiving priority. The funds can be used to pay tuition and fees to attend an eligible private schools chosen by a family.

This year’s scholarships went quickly, and more than 77,000 families applied. In the rst round of awards, 13,511 families in the lowest income tier (Tier 1) and close to 2,300 families in Tier 2 were o ered an award.

Mid-May data from the North Carolina Education Assistance Authority, which oversees OSP, showed some updated numbers for the program. The total num-

“Non-discrimination, institutional neutrality, free expression and academic freedom are all mutually reinforcing concepts and values.”

Peter Hans, UNC System president

tion with NC State University Police when they tried to enter the building where the meeting was being held. Two students were arrested during the altercation. Samuel Johnathan Scar -

ber of applications now stands at 71,956 with a breakdown as follows: Tier 1: 13,866; Tier 2: 18,781; Tier 3: 26,652; Tier 4: 12,657. The award amounts based on maximum family gross income and number of members in a household by tier are Tier 1: $7,468; Tier 2: $6,722; Tier 3: $4,480; and Tier 4: $3,360. Additional information on the OSP can be found at ncseaa.edu/ Charter schools in high demand

Executive Director of the O ce of Charter Schools Ashley Baquero informed the North Carolina State Board of Education that waitlists for charter schools in the state have increased signi cantly.

borough, 19, was arrested and charged with second-degree criminal trespass and resisting a public o cer. Records show Scarborough is a UNC Chapel Hill student.

Scarborough is a known campus activist with March for Our Lives, and a pro le of him in the Durham Voice states that growing up in the south side of Durham is “a space he characterizes as the origin of his progressive activism.”

Derrick Davis William, 23, was arrested and charged with assault on a government employee and resisting a public o cer. Publicly available information shows Williams is a graduate student at NC Central University and was an under -

Baquero presented a draft of the Annual Charter School Report to the General Assembly to the board, which shows 169 charter schools had reported waitlists totaling 85,551 students. Broken down, 83 of 169 schools reported a waitlist of 200 or more students, and 37 had reported a waitlist of 700 or more.

For the 2022-2023 school year, 145,075 students were enrolled in 211 charter schools across the state. The enrollment number is 10% of the total state K-12 student enrollment of 1,428,765. The 2023 waitlist is 8,550 more than reported in 2022, an 11% increase. Student enrollment went from 137,500 in the 2022 report to 145,075 in the 2023 report, a 5.5% jump.

graduate at UNC Chapel Hill.

During the BOG meeting, a resolution honoring law enforcement was introduced and accompanied by a presentation of the work UNC Campus police did in handling campus protester situations in recent weeks.

The presentation noted that “several students were determined to be threats to the safety of the campus community” and those students have been “barred from campus.”

The presentation also included that the attorney general is considering charges against students arrested on April 20 and the “administration (is) working on negotiations.”

“Market Scene” by Pieter Aertsen (circa 1550) is painting in the collection of

US Rep. Murphy to undergo surgery for skull tumor

The congressman from North Carolina’s 3rd District has a pituitary macroadenoma

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina Congressman Dr. Greg Murphy (R-03) issued a statement May 21 that he will be undergoing surgery to remove a tumor at the base of his skull.

“As a physician I have, for the last 30 years, taken care of thousands and thousands of patients. It is now my turn to be one,” Murphy wrote in a statement on the social media platform X. “After a series of tests and scans, I have been diagnosed with a base of skull tumor called a pituitary macroadenoma. It is thought to be

a benign tumor, however, given its size and location, and its subsequent ability to a ect vital structures in the brain, I am scheduled to have it surgically removed.”

Murphy said he has the “utmost faith” in his doctors and surgeons to get him on the road to a full recovery.

“I am blessed to have the supportive love of my wife Wendy and our entire family, as well as my incredible sta , in addition to the wonderful, amazing, and patriotic constituents of North Carolina’s Third District,” wrote Murphy. “The prognosis is excellent, and I hope to be back to work full-time soon. I am, as are all things in the hands of God and am at absolute peace. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers and hope everyone understands our desire

“The prognosis is excellent, and I hope to be back to

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03)

for privacy at this time.”

Murphy, 61, was elected to Congress in 2019 after a special election to replace Walter Jones, who passed away while in o ce. He is the only practicing physician in the U.S. House.

In the upcoming November election, Murphy is expected to retain his seat against his only opponent, Libertarian candidate Gheorghe Cormos.

Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Raleigh.”

The response also said, “NCDOT is not aware of their current location.”

Principal Beckie Spears will take over for 2023

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH —Beckie Spears of Wilkes County was selected among nine regional nalists as the 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year at a luncheon held May 24. Spears, the principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School, will take over for 2023 winner Donna Bledsoe of Surry County.

“Mrs. Spears does a beautiful job balancing instructional and organizational leadership alongside the student, sta and community relationships needed to e ectively lead her school,” said North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt. “It is through her thoughtful guidance that students, sta and the community of Wilkesboro Elementary are poised for success in their next steps.”

Since 2019, Spears has been

the principal at Wilkesboro Elementary, and she has nearly 30 years of education experience, 18 years of which were spent teaching in classrooms, including a good portion of that time at Wilkesboro Elementary. She spent ve years

as an assistant principal.

During her career in the classroom, Spears taught high school English, elementary and AIG classes.

Spears will travel the state over the 2024-25 school year as an “ambassador of the profession,” and she will receive various perks and cash prizes for personal and professional use as well as awards for educational supplies.

Some of the items Spears will receive are a mobile device from Lenovo, an engraved award, a gift from the Carolina Hunger Initiative and a custom-made North Carolina Principal of the Year signet ring from Jostens.

“Mrs. Spears makes it clear that her passion for school leadership lies primarily in leading and developing teachers in her school,” said Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Mark Byrd in his letter of recommendation.

Introduced in 1984, the award serves to recognize the role of the principal in achieving academic excellence in the state’s K-12 schools.

On June 20, 2022, Cooper issued a press release, claiming the removal of the monuments was in the best interest of “public safety.”

“I have ordered the Confederate monuments on the Capitol grounds be moved to protect public safety,” said Cooper in the press release. “I am concerned about the dangerous e orts to pull down and carry o large, heavy statues and the strong potential for violent clashes at the site. If the legislature had repealed their 2015 law that puts up legal roadblocks to removal we could have avoided the dangerous incidents of last night.

records request with the governor’s o ce requesting all sta emails, including Cooper’s, related to the removals, as well as a question as to why statues depicting Zebulon Vance and Charles Brantley Aycock were left standing. The governor’s o ce did not respond to the request despite prompting from NSJ editors.

“NCDOT is not aware of their current location.”

Records request response by NCDOT o cial

“Monuments to white supremacy don’t belong in places of allegiance, and it’s past time that these painful memorials be moved in a legal, safe way,” said Cooper.

Cooper reiterated his press release statements in a post on his o cial Medium account.

In addition to NSJ’s NCDOT records request in January 2024, NSJ also made a

Aycock is a former North Carolina governor whose father owned slaves. He is also known for being a successful lawyer and for leading the state’s Democratic Party in a white supremacy campaign in 1898. While running for governor in 1900, his platform included white supremacy themes that included the use of violence against black citizens and the overall demonization of blacks. Vance, also an attorney, was twice voted in as governor. Vance was also a slave owner, with records showing he owned at least six slaves. While serving in Congress in 1860, Vance took a pro-slavery stance, stating in part that, “Plainly and unequivocally, common sense says keep the slave where he is now — in servitude. The interest of the slave himself imperatively demands it.”

POY Donna Bledsoe

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Cultural ‘Christianity’?

“Christianity” is not something a person buys o the rack at Nordstrom. Christianity is something you do and become.

RICHARD DAWKINS is an evolutionary biologist and researcher who has spent a career at Oxford University in Great Britain becoming perhaps more famous as an atheist denier and debunker of Christian belief.

In a recent interview, he announced, apparently without any twinge of selfawareness: “(I like) living in a culturally Christian country although I do not believe a word of the Christian faith. … I call myself a cultural Christian.”

He went on to say: “I’m not a believer, but there is a distinction between being a believing Christian and a cultural Christian. I love hymns and Christmas carols and I sort of feel at home in the Christian ethos, and I feel that we are a Christian country in that sense.”

Isn’t that like being an evolutionary freeloader like a remora sucker sh which attaches itself to larger marine animals and rides along under their power, protection and direction? Doesn’t Dawkins have the depth of reasoning to understand that without people actually being Christians and living out the Christian faith, there would be no “Christian culture” in which he could live?

What is going on here?

While Dawkins’ militancy against faith in general ― but against Christianity in particular ― has been virulent at times, maybe he is waking up to the fact that Christian nations tend to have more individual believers govern themselves in a spiritually inspired moral and ethical manner than any other nation on Earth.

John Adams said at the beginning of our democratic republic: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Alexis de Tocqueville came to the same conclusion roughly a half-century later when he traveled the United States and concluded that the general spread and acceptance of Christian faith was the fabric that held the new nation together. He went so far as to say if the U.S. ever became a non-faith-driven society, our form of self-governance would collapse under its own weight.

Free thinkers such as Dawkins no doubt have become concerned as street violence and violation of civil law come near to his home in England. The rise of the proPalestinian, death-to-the-Jews protestors in Western countries certainly has raised the consciousness and concern of many people to whom matters of faith and Christianity have not been of primary concern during their lives.

“If I had to choose between Christianity and Islam, I’d choose Christianity every single time. … It seems to me to be a fundamentally decent religion, in a way that I think Islam is not,” Dawkins went on to say.

“Christianity” is not something a person buys o the rack at Nordstrom. Christianity is something you do and become.

When I was going through an interview process for college, I was asked the following question: “If you believe faith is a personal matter between you and God, would the institution of the Christian church have survived the ages?”

Good question. Probably not. The same question can be asked of people like Dawkins who enjoy all the bene ts of an inherently Christian nation: “Would the United States remain the United States of America if you

Woke outrage mob loses battle against KC Chiefs kicker

“Our love for Jesus, and thus, our desire to speak out should never be outweighed by the longing of our fallen nature to be loved by the world.”

Harrison Butker

I’VE WRITTEN OFTEN about how I would love to see cancel culture and the success of online outrage mobs become a thing of the past. While they’re not (yet), an important victory was scored against them earlier this month thanks to the target’s unwavering commitment to his values and the support of not only his teammates but millions of Americans.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is Catholic and unapologetically prolife. He gave the commencement address at Benedictine College, a Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas, on May 11. In it, he talked about traditional values from a Catholic perspective, tore into Joe Biden on the abortion issue, and had some very pointed things to say about woke/LGBTQ culture. He also paid homage to motherhood in what was perhaps his worst “o ense” according to his critics. After congratulating the female graduates on their “amazing accomplishment” and saying they “should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives,” here’s what Butker said to them: “How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority

of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

Outrage ensued among the Usual Suspects, who proceeded to brand Butker as a “misogynist” for the crime of giving a Catholicthemed speech to Catholic students at a Catholic college.

A change.org petition demanding the Chiefs organization re Butker “for discriminatory remarks” has nearly 230,000 signatures as of this writing.

Butker’s comments “were sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist,” the petitioner declared. “These dehumanizing remarks against LGBTQ+ individuals, attacks on abortion rights, and racial discrimination perpetuate division and undermine human rights.”

The o cial Kansas City Twitter/X account posted personal information about where Butker and his young family live, perhaps so critics could pay him a visit.

Though they deleted it and apologized, saying it was “shared in error,” it was enough to get the attention of Missouri’s attorney general, Andrew Bailey, who vowed to investigate whether the city had violated the Missouri Human Rights Act and the First Amendment.

A column that appeared in the Kansas City Star and written by a former journalist called

did not attend church or support the church nancially and with prayer support within the Christian community?”

Again, probably not.

Times of turmoil often lead to times of great spiritual reawakenings in America. The rst Great Reawakening occurred in the 1730s; the second in the 1830s; the third in the late 1800s/early 1900s; and the nal one in the late 1960s/early 1970s exempli ed by the preaching of Billy Graham and the “born-again” evangelical explosion of the late 20th century. It may be the time is ripe for a Fifth Great Awakening in America. Will it start in the African American churches where spiritual renewal has always been welcomed on a daily basis? Will it come from a growing Hispanic base whose historical Catholic faith has always been one of the great strengths of their communities?

Or will it start in the homes of every citizen who has taken the bene ts of living in an inherently Christian culture as a given ― just as Richard Dawkins has done ― as long as “other people” do all the work required to help the church in uence societal norms which bene t them in the long run?

Anyone can come up with a dozen reasons why they don’t want to go to church or accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. No one can come up with a good reason why they want to see America slip away as de Tocqueville predicted almost 200 years ago.

on the team to replace Butker with a female kicker so as to “make a statement.”

Some two weeks later, Chiefs coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes nally commented on the issue during an o season press conference.

Both men defended Butker.

“I didn’t talk to him about this, didn’t think we needed to,” Reid said. “So we all get along, we all respect each other’s opinions and not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everybody to have a voice.”

Mahomes told reporters, “I understand the person that he is.”

“He’s trying to do whatever he can to lead people in the right direction, and that might not be the same values that I have,” Mahomes added. “But at the same time, I’m going to judge him by the character he shows every day, and that’s a good person.”

Butker, too, has spoken out in the aftermath, saying over the weekend, “Our love for Jesus, and thus, our desire to speak out should never be outweighed by the longing of our fallen nature to be loved by the world.”

It’s a good day when outrage mobs fail in their mission. Su ce it to say they’ve lost this one, and in a big way.

North Carolina native Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a media analyst and regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

COLUMN | NEWT

Bidenomics vs. the grocery store

Viewed over the entire Biden presidency, the economic pain is beginning to resemble the Jimmy Carter years, when people felt everything was out of control.

THE PROPAGANDA media and the Joe Biden campaign have a big challenge. They must somehow create advertisements (and news stories) designed to make the American people believe things that are demonstrably false.

The best example of this is the Biden-media message on in ation.

Virtually every major poll identi es in ation and rising prices as the biggest challenges facing Americans. People are nding it harder and harder to make ends meet. Many Americans are taking second and third jobs to try to keep up with the cost of living. Retired Americans are worried because their entire lives they had saved based on a reasonable level of in ation. Now they are nding their lifetime accumulation of assets being shrunk by Biden ation. With each passing month of the Biden presidency, retirees watch their savings shrink.

But no matter how many ads the Democrats run claiming that the economy is strong, Americans go to the grocery store every day. They are immediately reminded that things are much worse than President Biden and the Democrats claim. Biden ation shows up in every aisle of the store. Eggs are up. Milk is up. Bread is up. Meat is up.

Cereal makers are responding to Biden ation with two di erent strategies. Some are maintaining their traditional size but raising the price substantially. Others have maintained their price but shrunk the size. In a few cases, they have shrunk the size and still increased the price. In a second Biden term, we might be reduced to buying one bowl of cereal at a time and eggs by the quarter-dozen.

The media talks about a Never Trump vote, but there is also a large and growing Never Biden vote. President Biden constantly says the economy is strong ― the envy of the world. But the next trip to the grocery store reminds us of the reality of Biden’s failure. Biden and the Democrats try to only talk about year-over-year in ation rates. This is intentional and disingenuous. The current rate of roughly 3.4% dramatically understates the price shock that Biden ation has created for most Americans.

As Dave Winston and Myra Miller of the Winston Group wrote on May 15, looking at

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Biden not fooling voters on economy

One of the smartest features of the Trump bill was to cap the deduction of state and local taxes for the super-rich.

IF YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN to a puzzled, left-leaning writer like The Atlantic’s Annie Lowrey why most voters this year rate the economy during former President Donald Trump’s term more favorably than the economy during President Joe Biden’s, you might start with a pair of simple charts. Lowrey said the Biden years have seen “the strongest economy the United States has ever experienced.” She cited an unemployment rate below 4%, wage growth higher “than it was at any point during the Obama administration,” and “stronger pay increases than any president since Richard Nixon.” In ation, she noted defensively, “has cooled o considerably.”

All well and good, and you can hear similar thoughts from Democratic economists and Biden administration spokespeople, together, sometimes, with suggestions that many voters are, well, just not knowledgeable or sophisticated enough to appreciate the bounty the administration’s policies have produced.

In response, look at the pair of charts tweeted by Republican consultant Patrick Ru ni as evidence of “how Joe Biden is losing the election with an economy like this.” They come from an article in last weekend’s The Wall Street Journal by Greg Ip and Rosie Ettenheim.

After comparing rises in the Dow Jones average during the two presidencies, the writers explain that “a better measure of nancial wealth is net worth: all assets, including stocks, bonds, cash and property, minus debts. Total household net worth rose 19% through Biden’s rst three years in o ce, according to Federal Reserve data — not much less than the 23% through Trump’s rst three years.”

That’s re ected in the rst of the pair of charts. The second takes in ation into account and shows the changes in household net worth. The rst year of each administration saw modest increases, under 10%, but 15 months in, the lines diverge. Real household net worth kept climbing during the Trump presidency, with some downward spikes roughly coinciding with the Nov. 2018 o -year elections and the imposition of COVID-19 restrictions. Altogether, in ation-adjustment household net worth grew a robust 16% during the Trump presidency. In contrast, the line showing real household net worth during the Biden presidency shoots downward in summer 2022, following and perhaps sustaining the plunge of Biden’s job approval rating after the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. For the last two years, real household

in ation since Biden took o ce paints a much di erent picture.

“Our trending chart shows year-overyear in ation coming in at 3.4% and with the new Presidential In ation Rate ticking up to 19.9% — almost a 20% cumulative price increase since Biden took o ce. Today’s report means 11 months in a row of in ation staying at or above 3%. Additionally, it re ects that since December, prices have risen 2.6%. In contrast over the same time period, weekly wages have increased only 1%.”

Winston and Miller rightly make the point that the impact of the economy over an entire presidency is far more useful than tracking one or two months. Viewed over the entire Biden presidency, the economic pain is beginning to resemble the Jimmy Carter years, when people felt everything was out of control.

Importantly, the cumulative e ect of Biden ation has convinced millions of Americans that they were better o under President Donald Trump.

I am not sure there is anything the Biden team can do about the reality that people are in pain and that Bidenomics simply isn’t working.

I don’t think clever ads will work when people think they are directly opposite reality. Grocery price increases may be President Trump’s greatest asset in the upcoming onesided debates.

On CNN, President Trump will be walking into a four-on-one ambush. He will have to defeat President Biden — and Chris Wallace, Dana Bash, and Jake Tapper. All three of the CNN personalities are openly and bitterly anti-Trump. They have all said things that in a normal world would have disquali ed them from participating in an impartial debate.

But no matter how hard they try to stack the deck against President Trump in the debate, all he must do is go back to the grocery store and the devastating impact of Biden ation.

As for the larger Democrat propaganda machine, Biden’s daily failure at the grocery store just adds to his failures in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Gaza and the U.S. southern border.

In many ways, Biden and the Democrats aren’t running against Trump. They are running against reality.

5 reasons to make the Trump tax cut permanent

NO ISSUE DEFINES the diametrically opposite economic philosophies of Joe Biden and Donald Trump than their position on the Trump tax cuts.

Trump wants to make those tax cuts permanent; Biden has repeatedly promised to tax America back to prosperity by repealing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. But there are so many factual errors swirling around regarding the Trump tax cuts that it’s a wonder that the “truth screeners” on the internet haven’t agged this all as “disinformation.”

So as a public service, I will help do their job for them and review “just the facts, ma’am,” using the o cial government data, on how after ve years the tax cuts have impacted jobs, the economy, tax fairness and the simplicity of the tax code.

1. The Trump tax law was one of the biggest middle-class tax cuts in U.S. history. The Trump Treasury Department calculated that the average family of four saves roughly $2,000 a year. This means, sorry, Joe, repealing the bill would raise taxes for most families making less than $400,000. The House Budget Committee has estimated that the typical family will pay $1,500 more in taxes annually if Biden repeals the Trump tax cut.

2. The Trump tax cuts vastly simpli ed the tax code for the majority of Americans. A major feature of the bill was to double the standard deduction from $12,500 to $25,000. As a result, prior to the Trump tax cuts, about one-third of tax lers had to itemize their deductions and keep track for the IRS of shoe boxes of receipts and other transactions related to mortgage payments, charitable deductions, interest payments and so on. Now nearly 90% of Americans — and almost all middle- and lower-income families — just check a box of the standard deduction.

3. The Trump tax bill forces millionaires and billionaires in blue states to pay their fair share of taxes. One of the smartest features of the Trump bill was to cap the deduction of state and local taxes for the super-rich. This allowed millionaires and billionaires in blue states like New York and California to pay billions of dollars less in taxes than an equally wealthy tax ler in low-tax states like Florida and Texas. The old law encouraged states and localities to raise their taxes because it shifted the federal tax burden onto residents of other states.

net worth has mostly continued in negative territory, nally poking just barely above the January 2021 level. For the total Biden presidency so far, Ip and Ettenheim reported, it is up a barely perceptible 0.7%.

Given these numbers, it should not be entirely mysterious why many people, including most partisan Republicans but many Democrats as well, don’t believe they are witnessing “the strongest economy the United States has ever experienced.”

It’s true that most political commentary and the economic exhortation one can nd in The New York Times opinion pages don’t highlight changes in household net worth. But it may be a better index of voters’ economic discontent (or contentment) than the oft-used unemployment or total income gures.

When I was growing up in Detroit in the 1950s, people lived in terror of unemployment. They had vivid memories of the Great Depression, in which stretches of unemployment could last for years, maybe permanently, and the absence of a regular paycheck meant meatless meals and raising vegetables in backyard gardens. You couldn’t get through by using your credit card for groceries or school clothes (Visa was introduced in 1958 and was uncommon for the next decade).

In ation operates di erently today, too. Voters under 60 have had no signi cant experience with in ation in the U.S. When prices suddenly jump up by magnitudes entirely outside your experience (gasoline is up 48%, electricity is up 28%, pet food is up 24%, and restaurant meals are up 21%), and when they show no sign of falling back to familiar levels, you may be inclined to blame a national administration, particularly one that boasted of injecting vast sums into an economy that had high savings rates during the pandemic. And you may not take comfort from assurances that in ation “has cooled o considerably.”

These days, most people are on a path to accumulate modest but signi cant wealth. They can withstand, with some pain, a bout of unemployment and low wage increases, as in 2007-17. But a spell of persistent in ation leaves them feeling they’re falling behind. No wonder “Bidenomics” is a hard sell.

Meanwhile, Democrats’ argument that Trump poses a threat to democracy is “not working,” as Ezra Klein, Lowrey’s husband, wrote in The New York Times. Most of the Biden-encouraged prosecutions of Trump have been postponed, perhaps inde nitely, and the kangaroo court proceeding in Manhattan is discrediting not the defendant but his prosecutors. On this, as on the economy, Biden strategists are better at fooling themselves than fooling the voters.

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

4. The Trump tax cut expanded the economy and business activity, which ended up raising tax revenues. A study by Heritage Foundation scal analyst Preston Brashers examines the impact of the Trump tax cuts after four years and found the policy changes actually raised more revenue in its rst four years than the Congressional Budget O ce predicted without the tax cut. The House Budget Committee similarly concluded in a May 2024 analysis: “The Trump tax cuts resulted in economic growth that was a full percentage point above CBO’s forecast.” Revenues were $200 billion a year more than was predicted before the tax cuts.

5. The rich paid more, not less taxes after the Trump tax cut. Biden says continually that the major reason the de cit has exploded is that Trump cut taxes on the rich. Wrong. Five years after the Trump tax cuts, the IRS’ data show the top 1% of earners in America saw their percentage of total income taxes collected rise from 40% to 46% of the total in 2022. This was the largest share of taxes paid by the rich ever.

The truth is, almost all the negative claims that Democrats made in opposing the Trump tax cuts in 2017 were proven to be fallacious. Rather than admit that they were wrong, they’ve doubled down in their commitment to policies that would raise taxes on virtually every American corporation, small business, family and investor. Perhaps the theme for the Biden campaign should be “Putting America Last.”

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a senior economic adviser to Donald Trump.

BE IN TOUCH

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

Celebrate NC eggs!

May marks National Egg Month, and North Carolina’s dedicated farmers (and hens!) who produce this kitchen staple are pillars of our state’s agriculture industry. North Carolina is a signi cant player in egg production, ranking ninth in the United States, contributing to both local consumption and national supply. The state is home to approximately 9 million hens that lay around 7.5 million eggs per day, according to state agriculture data. Egg producers in North Carolina o er a variety of egg production systems, including modern cage systems, free-running houses, vegetarian feed, organic feed, and both white and brown eggs. Specialty branded eggs, such as Eggland’s Best, are also produced in North Carolina. As a source of nutrients, eggs are a remarkably versatile food, suitable for people at every stage of life. The protein in eggs aids in muscle development and repair, supporting an active lifestyle and overall physical health. The antioxidants found in eggs, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, help maintain eye health, while the range of B vitamins supports energy metabolism and nervous system health.

WEST

Two children die in Memorial Day drowning

Gaston County Two children drowned in a Gaston County pool on Sunday morning, according to Gaston County o cials. The drownings happened at a home along Ike Lynch Road in Dallas. Police are investigating, and no foul play is suspected. The names of the juveniles are not being released, but both were under 10 years old. O cers told local outlets that they will consult the district attorney at the end of the investigation to determine whether charges are warranted.

Veterans honored at 10th annual event Forsyth County On May 27, local o cials and families gathered for the 10th annual Memorial Day event at the Carolina Field of Honor in Kernersville. Carolina Field of Honor, which was built in 2014, is the largest memorial to honor veterans on the East Coast outside of Washington, D.C. Leaders held a nal salute to 22 empty chairs, symbolizing the number of soldiers who take their lives every day across the country.

NSJ

High Point man held on additional charges in sex tra cking case

Manteo Jones & Blount

Cooper makes 95th veto on DOT agency bill

EAST

Tornado con rmed in Eastern NC

Onslow County

Animal shelters across Triad beyond capacity

Guilford County

The SPCA of the Triad is asking for patience heading into the summer months. In a social media post this weekend, the organization says since space is tight and wait times for citizens bringing in stray animals may be up to a 2-3 hour wait time. The SPCA said they are taking in strays but must wait for an open kennel. The group said they typically take in between 70 to 80 animals, but with overcrowding they have had to limit that amount.

WGHP

Randolph County A man who had already been charged with several sex crimes in the Piedmont Triad is facing dozens more charges. Court records show that Joseph Dominick Santora, 43, is now facing more than 40 new charges after his initial arrest at the end of April. On Friday, the High Point Police Department led 21 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, 12 counts of rst-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and 13 counts of indecent liberties with a minor. Santora was charged with rst-degree forcible rape, human tra cking of a child and sexual servitude of a child in April. On Feb. 1, High Point police responded to a report of a missing juvenile and a sexual assault. The victim, a 16-yearold girl who had been reported missing in another state, told police that she had met a man online and ran away from home to meet him.

WBTV

The National Weather Service has con rmed that a tornado formed in Onslow County last Friday night. The area was under a tornado warning beginning around 5:30 p.m. and ending around 6 p.m. NWS crews surveyed the area of Verona and con rmed the EF-1 storm with peak winds of 90 mph and traveling 9 miles with a width of 150 yards. According to the NWS, the storm formed 1 mile east of Verona and ended near the Camp Lejeune area.

WCTI

N.C. veteran sentenced in bomb instruction case

Free Narcan training available to public

Craven County

A free Narcan training event is set to take place on Tuesday, June 4 to help combat the opioid crisis in Craven County. This event will be held at the Harlowe Volunteer Fire Department located at 801 Ferry Rd. in Havelock from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. O cials say the public is welcome to attend this training regarding fentanyl and learn how to respond to an opioid overdose including administering nasal Narcan and performing CPR.

WNCT

Duplin County A federal judge on Friday sentenced a North Carolina man to 25 years in prison for teaching someone how to make bombs meant to kill federal law enforcement o cers. A jury had found Christopher Arthur, 40, guilty in 2023 for the bomb-related charges, as well as for illegally possessing weapons, including improvised explosives found on his farm in Mount Olive. Arthur, a U.S. Army and North Carolina National Guard veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, founded a company called Tackleberry Solutions, which created manuals and videos teaching so-called wartime tactics. In addition to the bomb-making instructions, Arthur’s training manuals and videos included instructions for how to create “fatal funnels” meant to kill responding law enforcement with booby traps. Arthur’s federal public defender, Ed Gray, told the court that his client was a deeply religious man who simply wanted to keep his family safe from what Arthur believed was a coming apocalypse.

NSJ

state’s scenic views as “one of the reasons why our

just

records with our tourism economy, and why we have one of the most beautiful places in the world to live.” Senate Republicans responded with a joint statement by Senate Transportation Committee Chairs Sens. Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow), Tom McInnis (R-Moore) and Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell). “House Bill 198 is bipartisan, compromise legislation that the governor’s own transportation agency helped put together,” the senators wrote. “Gov. Cooper’s partisan veto of this bill shows he values his relationship with Green New Deal liberal advocacy groups more than implementing good policy. We look forward to overriding Gov. Cooper’s latest misguided veto.” The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 30-14 and the House by a vote of 65-38. No Democratic senators voted to approve the measure while six Democrats in the House voted for passage: Reps. Cecil Brockman, Ashton Wheeler Clemmons, Carla Cunningham, Marvin Lucas, Garland Pierce and Michael Wray.

Sunak proposes national service for 18-year-olds NATION & WORLD

The U.K. prime minister plans to implement a year of mandatory military or civilian national service should his party win July’s election

By Jill Lawless

The Associated Press

LONDON — All 18-year-olds in Britain will have to perform a year of mandatory military or civilian national service if the governing Conservative Party wins the July 4 national election, the party said Sunday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

RAISE from page A1

matter if you’re 17 and a half or are 18 and a day, you need to be punished for your crime.”

Jackson later added there have been “numerous situations” of adults coercing minors to commit a crime, telling the minor they will get a lesser sentence. He said the bill would address that issue as well.

The bill also creates a new process for removing certain cases from Superior Court back to juvenile court based on offense severity, age and agreement between prosecutors and defense.

For Class A-E felonies committed by 16-17-year-olds that are in Superior Court, both the prosecutor and defense can jointly motion before jury selection to have the case moved to juvenile court. If moved, the Superior Court must expunge the criminal charges and record.

Jackson said the district attorneys in the counties he represents asked for the changes.

“My DAs requested it is kind of the reason behind it, and really just the whole transfer requirement gets kind of burdensome,” said Jackson. “And so the most serious o enses just get taken directly to Superior Court, where it belongs.”

The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, a group that advocates for the state’s elected local prosecutors and district attorneys, also sought the transfer changes.

The most recent crime statistics from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) are from 2022.

The Crime Index report contains a subsection on juvenile of-

pledged to bring back a form of national service for the rst time in more than 60 years, seeking to energize his election campaign after a faltering start.

The U.K. introduced military conscription for men and some women during World War II and imposed 18 months of mandatory military service for men between 1947 and 1960. Since then, Britain has had an all-volunteer military whose size has steadily shrunk.

Under the plan, a small minority of 18-year-olds — 30,000 out of an estimated 700,000 — would spend 12 months in the military, working in areas such as logistics or cyber defense. The

rest would spend one weekend a month working for charities, community groups or organizations such as hospitals, the police and the re service.

Sunak said the program would help “create a shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country.”

It remains unclear how it will be made compulsory. Home Secretary James Cleverly said no one would be forced to serve in the military.

Cleverly said Sunday the main goal of the new plan was not boosting the military but building “a society where people mix with people outside their own communities, mix with people from di erent backgrounds, different religions, di erent income levels.”

The Conservatives estimated the cost of the national service plan at 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion) a year. They said it

would be paid for partly by taking 1.5 billion pounds ($1.9 billion) from the U.K. Shared Prosperity Fund, which was set up in 2022 to regenerate poor communities.

Labour said the national service announcement was a “desperate 2.5 billion pound unfunded commitment” from a party “bankrupt of ideas.”

Former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the Tory plan amounted to “compulsory volunteering” and predicted “it’ll never happen.”

Elections in the United Kingdom have to be held no more than ve years apart. The prime minister can choose the timing within that period, and Sunak, 44, had until December to name the date.

He took most people – including those in his own party – by surprise when he announced on Wednesday that the election would be held on July 4.

Five & Ten Year Trends

Netanyahu calls Rafah strike ‘tragic mistake’ Tel Aviv, Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that a “tragic mistake” was made in an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah that set re to a camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local o cials, killed at least 45 people. Netanyahu did not elaborate on the error. Israel’s military initially said it had carried out a precise airstrike on a Hamas compound, killing two senior militants. As details of the strike and re emerged, the military said it had opened an investigation into the deaths of civilians.

Suspect identi ed in Mass. stabbings

Braintree, Mass.

fenses that shows a 2% increase in violent crimes and a 10% increase in property crimes committed by individuals under the age of 18 between 2021 and 2022.

Among violent crimes by juveniles, murder arrests went from 46 in 2021 to 60 in 2022, a 30% increase. Adults arrested for murder during the same two years dropped 21%.

Trends for violent crime arrests for juveniles under 16 and under 18 both show increases between 2021 and 2022; 13.3% and 1.6%, respectively.

Five-year (2018-2022) and 10-year (2013-2022) trends for juvenile violent crime for both age ranges show decreases dropped and being upended by the 2021-22 years. Ten- and veyear trends for those under 18 reveal a decrease of 56.6% and 45%, respectively. For those 16 and under, the 10-year decrease was 42.8% and the ve-year was 21.1%.

While the NCSBI has not yet posted data beyond 2022, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety numbers for 2023 showed juveniles between the ages of 16 and 17 had been

charged with murder in 66 cases. Additionally, there were 28 murder case charges for juveniles aged 13-15 years old.

Based on news reports, there have been at least 14 juveniles either sought by police or charged for murder or attempted murder between January and May of this year. Most of those charged were either 16 or 17 years old but included several 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old. Most of the murder charges involved the death of another teen.

January 2024

• 16-year-old charged with murder of an adult in Mecklenburg County

• 17-year-old charged with murder of an adult in Duplin County

February 2024

• 14-year-old charged with murder of a 21-year-old following a shooting in Wake County

March 2024

• 17-year-old was charged with the murder of another 17-yearold in Robeson County

• 16-year-old was charged with the murder of a 17-year-old in Mecklenburg County

• 17-year-old was charged with murder in the death of a mother of three in Wake County

• 17-year-old was charged with • the murder of another 17-yearold in Mecklenburg County

April 2024

• 17-year-old was charged with murder of a 21-year-old male in Mecklenburg County

May 2024

• Two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old charged with murder during a home invasion in Iredell County

• 16-year-old charged with attempted murder of a 13-year-old in Iredell County

• 18-year-old sought for the April murder of a 17-year-old in Mecklenburg County Juveniles Arrested for Violent Crime –

• 16-year-old and 17-year-old charged with murder of a 17-year-old in Mecklenburg County

A Massachusetts man was arraigned Tuesday on multiple charges including assault with the intent to murder after six people were stabbed in separate attacks. Jared Ravizza, 26, of Chilmark, was arrested Saturday night after a police pursuit. Police said a person entered the AMC Braintree 10 south of Boston about 6 p.m. Saturday and attacked four girls, ages 9 to 17, inside the theater. The four su ered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospitals. A 21-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were later found stabbed at a McDonald’s in Plymouth. Both were taken to hospitals with injuries.

Armenians protest in capital demanding PM’s resignation

Yerevan, Armenia

Tens of thousands of demonstrators held a protest Sunday in the center of the capital of Armenia, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after Armenia agreed to hand over control of several border villages to Azerbaijan. The demonstration was the latest in a weekslong series of gatherings led by a high-ranking cleric in the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bagrat Galstanyan, archbishop of the Tavush diocese in Armenia’s northeast.

catastrophe

China lied about the origin of the

questions about when normal

tried to tell the world there were only worldwide panic, economic collapse and being thrown out of work.

shelter-in-place or stay-at-home majority of Americans normal.” end of this month.

taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve fund any of these emergency of rampant in ation and currency

It’s okay to ask questions about we begin to get back to normal

The 3 big questions

The comfort

How China will pay for this COVID-19 catastrophe

Cooper stated during know yet” if the asked as to the vague ones like “we of this state who undetermined thousands of cases asked and then questions about asked, there is people to treat those start getting back are people who sick.

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this catastrophe one way or another.

fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to normal are treated in some circles with contempt.

They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the process of returning back to normalcy.

Fixing college corruption

aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand answers.

AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with corruption. The nancial squeeze resulting from COVID-19 o ers opportunities for a bit of remediation. Let’s rst examine what might be the root of academic corruption, suggested by the title of a recent study, “Academic Grievance Studies and the Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was done by Areo, an opinion and analysis digital magazine. By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by John Milton in defense of free speech.

business & economy

levels become a bad society were supposed

already talking about the possibility debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.

course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After 2009 pandemic, of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has

Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer with details that give their statements believability.

Federal ag rankings

show N.C.’s diverse farming economy

Not one little bit.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its national rankings by Congressional District last week. The rankings are based on the 2022 Census of Agriculture and provide a detailed look into agricultural activities across the country. The rankings are based on data for the 118th Congress that includes land, farms, market value of agricultural products sold, rankings and producer characteristics.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say that something has gone drastically wrong in academia, especially within certain elds within the humanities. They call these elds “grievance studies,” where scholarship is not so much based upon nding truth but upon attending to social grievances. Grievance scholars bully students, administrators and other departments into adhering to their worldview. The worldview they promote is neither scienti c nor rigorous. Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, queer studies, sexuality and critical race studies.

In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian u,” 1968 “Hong Kong u,” 1977 “Russian u” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the massive 1918 “Spanish u” pandemic also had its origins in China.

Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new normal.”

“Congressional District Pro les and Rankings from the ag census are only available every ve years,” said National Agricultural Statistics Service Acting Administrator Joseph Parsons. “Providing ag census information at a congressional district level, in addition to state, county and nationwide data, allows data users to compare districts to each other, shows the value of agriculture in a district, and informs policy makers.”

seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to with contempt.

In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay and Boghossian started submitting bogus academic papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, race, gender, fat and sexuality studies to determine if they would pass peer review and be accepted for publication. Acceptance of dubious research that journal editors found sympathetic to their intersectional or postmodern leftist vision of the world would prove the problem of low academic standards.

North Carolina’s agricultural production varies signi cantly across its congressional districts in terms of activity and national impact.

a society simply must accept without tells us about when it’s safe to begin the normalcy. us, and we have the right to ask those stay-at-home orders are in place all over the them get in states, such as Michigan, feeling isolated and/or anxious about providing for their families, will demand levels should be as forthcoming as they again, not vague answers, but answer statements believability. what we can to keep our families, safe. But we should also still continue because while reasonable stay-at-home they should also have an expiration date. and it is not normal. Not in any way, should remain vigilant and stay safe, at comfortable with this so-called “new

Several of the fake research papers were accepted for publication. The Fat Studies journal published a hoax paper that argued the term bodybuilding was exclusionary and should be replaced with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive politicized performance.” One reviewer said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and believe it has an important contribution to make to the eld and this journal.”

From a national view, the state’s 1st District and 5th District are the state’s only two congressional districts with a top national rank. The 1st District, which includes 19 counties in northeastern N.C., is the national leader in tobacco for the value of crops ($206 million) and acres harvested (45,690). The 5th District, which includes Ashe, Alleghany, Avery and Watauga counties, leads the nation in cultivated Christmas trees and short rotation woody crops with 400 farms. North Carolina’s 11th District ranks 11th in the same category, with Jackson County driving many of the 93 farms in the district.

under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

The 3rd District ranked second nationally for turkeys with more than 25 million birds from 196 farms. The district also ranked third nationally for poultry and eggs with $2.7 billion generated from 736 farms. North Carolina is a national leader in tobacco with eight districts ranked in the top 20 nationally for total tobacco sales and tobacco acreage.

U.S. Cellular customers will gain access to T-Mobile’s 5G network in the $4.4 billion deal

“Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was accepted for publication by A lia, a feminist journal for social workers. The paper consisted in part of a rewritten passage from Mein Kampf. Two other hoax papers were published, including “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape paper eventually forced Boghossian, Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer had gured out what they were doing.

The cavalier manner in virus, covered up its spread 3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans needlessly

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month.

THIS WEEK, according to members of and state and local governments, Americans the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. muted — after all, trends can easily reverse have abided by recommendations and orders. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social distancing; they’ve donned masks.

There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.

Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

Until China adopts rigorous veri able policing and regulation of their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other choice than to build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery reliability concerns.

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as the and dad, the have to be thankful pandemic.

The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more in markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not be measures without immediate depreciation.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing?

By Michelle Chapman The Associated Press

That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

T-MOBILE is buying U.S. Cellular’s wireless operations and certain spectrum assets in a deal valued at $4.4 billion and further consolidating the industry.

Some papers accepted for publication in academic journals advocated training men like dogs and punishing white male college students for historical slavery by asking them to sit in silence on the oor in chains during class and to be expected to learn from the discomfort. Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life choice and advocated treating privately conducted masturbation as a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted papers out to referees for review. In recommending acceptance for publication, many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise.

Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.

T-Mobile would gain more than 4 million new customers, control U.S. Cellular’s wireless operations, and about 30% of spectrum assets across several spectrum bands. It will also enter into a new master license agreement on more than 2,000 towers and extend the lease term for the approximately 600 towers where it is already a tenant.

I doubt whether the coronaviruscaused nancial crunch will give college and university administrators, who are a crossbreed between a parrot and jelly sh, the guts and backbone to restore academic respectability. Far too often, they get much of their political support from campus grievance people who are members of the faculty and diversity and multicultural administrative o ces.

The best hope lies with boards of trustees, though many serve as yes-men for the university president. I think that a good start would be to nd 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course o erings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies.

I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.

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

We need transparency and honesty from our scienti c experts — we need to know what they know, what they don’t and when they hope to know what they don’t.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

For me, my making. As Corinthians a iction, so a iction, with God.”

The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000, ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number August by nearly 12,000.

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.

The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to o er U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by comparison.

China has to pay for their economic and nancial means. to bring China into the civilized and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries and adversaries push back.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know questions that will allow the economy to reopen.

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the past.

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led directly in 1989.

First, what is the true coronavirus fatality important because it determines whether be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue more liberalized society that presumes wide ought to lock down further.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

If you are re ect on this God’s example this di cult con dent we In this same neighbors helping In Concord, money to buy health care workers

north STA

for Wednesday, Apr il 15, 2

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 trillion China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold China this disaster. It is about time they are the world like any other modern

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number the number of identi ed COVID-19 cases and the denominator are likely wrong. We people have actually died of coronavirus. number has been overestimated, given that of death, particularly among elderly patients, sources suggest the number is dramatically many people are dying at home.

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

VISUAL VOICE S

Even more importantly, we have no clue actually have coronavirus. Some scientists of identi ed cases could be an order of magnitude number of people who have had coronavirus

The comfort and hope

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

T-Mobile buying US Cellular’s wireless operations in deal

“THIS IS THE DAY the lord has made, in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

fallen into place. I understand to take precautions, but I’m questions about the data, normal are treated in some

I know that during this challenging time working from home or losing a job, it may be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. However, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded have to be thankful and hopeful for, even pandemic.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said the deal will “create a better experience for all our customers with more coverage and capacity.”

er with MetroPCS Communications Inc.

lular customers can remain on their current plans or switch to an unlimited T-Mobile plan of their choice. They will not incur switching costs if a plan changes.

That is a mixed bag for consumers, said Ives at Wedbush.

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.

It may also signal the start of more consolidation in an industry with fewer players than ever.

They’re treated as though question what the government process of returning back No. The government works questions. And the longer country, and the stricter the more people, sitting at when they can get back to answers.

For me, my faith is an important part of making. As I celebrated Easter with my family, Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord a iction, so that we may be able to comfort a iction, with the comfort which we ourselves God.”

“The U.S. consumer has fewer choices, but there is more competition, which could lower prices,” Ives said.

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

“The writing is on the wall for the carriers, and consolidation is now on the horizon and could speed up into 2025,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives. “This is the rst shot across the bow in the wireless world, and we expect more deals in the next year.

T-Mobile said Tuesday that U.S. Cellular customers will gain access to its 5G network, which will give them better coverage and speed. The company said the deal will particularly bene t those who live in underserved rural areas of the country.

Leaders at the local and can be with those answers with details that give their

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

If you are celebrating the Easter season, re ect on this message and be comforted, God’s example and comfort all those in need this di cult time. Through faith and by helping con dent we will emerge out of this pandemic

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

We should all continue ourselves, and our communities to ask questions about the measures are understandable,

In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors.

The transaction includes cash and about $2 billion of assumed debt. Up to $100 million of the cash component is contingent on hitting speci cnancial and operational metrics between the deal’s signing and closing.

U.S. Cellular will keep about 70% of its spectrum portfolio across several bands.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

T-Mobile is among the more active telecommunications companies in mergers and acquisitions. In 2020, T-Mobile completed the takeover of its smaller rival, Sprint. In 2013, the Federal Communications Commission approved its merg-

“In the face of rising competition and increasing capital intensity required to keep pace with the latest technologies, and following our careful and deliberate strategic review, we are con dent that continuing to deliver on our mission requires a level of scale and investment that is best achieved by integrating our wireless operations with those of T-Mobile,” U.S. Cellular Chair LeRoy Carlson Jr. said in a statement.

In Concord, a high school senior named money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to health care workers out of his own home.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

This is all new to Americans, shape, or form. So while the same time we shouldn’t normal.”

Not one little bit.

The deal has been unanimously approved by the United States Cellular Corp. and Telephone and Data Systems Inc. boards. Telephone and Data Systems Inc. is a majority shareholder of U.S. Cellular. It is expected to close in mid-2025.

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

T-Mobile said that U.S. Cel-

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

U.S. Cellular’s stock jumped more than 2% in morning trading on Tuesday.

Daniel Forest Senior Advisor Michael Best Strategies LLC Daniel.Forest@michaelbest.com Anna Scott Marsh Principal Michael Best Strategies

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Jason

Nor th State Jour na l

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior

Major retailers o ering summer deals to entice weary shoppers

In ation concerns have stores upping discounts

By Anne D’Innocenzio

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Americans who spend Memorial Day scouting sales online and in stores may nd more reasons to celebrate the return of warmer weather.

Major retailers are stepping up discounts heading into the summer months, hoping to entice in ation-weary shoppers into opening their wallets.

Target, Walmart and other chains have rolled out price cuts — some permanent, others temporary — with the stated aim of giving their customers some relief. The reductions, which mostly involve groceries, are getting introduced as in ation showed its rst sign of easing this year but not enough for consumers who are struggling to pay for basic necessities as well as rent and car insurance.

The latest quarterly earnings reported by Walmart, Macy’s and Ralph Lauren underscored that consumers have not stopped spending. But multiple CEOs, including the heads of McDonald’s, Starbucks and home improvement retailer Home Depot, have observed that people are becoming more price-conscious and choosy. They’re delaying purchases, focusing on store brands

compared to typically more expensive national brands, and looking for deals.

“Retailers recognize that unless they pull out some stops on pricing, they are going to have di culty holding on to the customers they got,” Neil Saunders, managing director of consulting and data analysis rm GlobalData, said. “The consumer really has had enough of in ation, and they’re starting to take action in terms of where they shop, how they shop, the amount they buy.”

While discounts are an everyday tool in retail, Saunders said these aggressive price cuts that cover thousands of items announced by several retailers represent a “major shift” in recent strategy. He noted most companies talked about price increases in the past two or three years, and the cut marks the rst big “price war” since before in ation started taking hold.

Higher-income shoppers looking to save money have helped Walmart maintain strong sales in recent quarters. But earlier this month, the nation’s largest retailer expanded its price rollbacks — temporary discounts that can last a few months — to nearly 7,000 grocery items, a 45% increase. Items include a 28-ounce can of Bush’s baked beans marked down to $2.22, from $2.48, and a 24-pack of 12-ounce Diet Coke priced at $12.78 from $14.28.

Retailers, including Walmart, are stepping up discounts heading into the summer as they hope to entice shoppers frustrated with in ation.

Company executives said the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer is seeing more people eating at home versus eating out. Walmart believes its discounts will help the business over the remainder of the year.

“We’re going to lead on price, and we’re going to manage our (pro t) margins, and we’re going to be the Walmart that we’ve always been,” CEO Doug McMillon told analysts earlier this month.

Not to be outdone by its closest competitor, Target last week cut prices on 1,500 items and said it planned to make price cuts on another 3,500 this summer. The initiative primarily applies to food, beverage and essential household items. For example, Clorox scented wipes that previously cost $5.79 are on shelves for $4.99. Huggies Baby Wipes, which were priced at $1.19, now cost 99 cents.

Low-cost supermarket chain Aldi said earlier this month that

Your tax refund could be bigger this year: What the experts say to do with it

As of late last month, the IRS had processed about 141 million returns and refunded roughly $261 billion to taxpayers, 2.2% more than in 2023

By Cora Lewis The Associated Press

ACCORDING to the most recent IRS data, the average taxpayer gets a $2,852 refund, $75 more than last year.

A tax refund is typically the “biggest extra windfall of the year,” said Courtney Alev, consumer nancial advocate at Credit Karma.

“We see a propensity to consider tax refunds something to splurge. One in four taxpayers

see it as free money and plan to spend it on something they would not otherwise,” she said.

“While this behavior is entirely understandable, given how hard up people are — with the rising cost of living and high interest rates, the best thing you can do is use it as an opportunity to advance your nancial goals. By setting clear nancial goals and planning how to use your tax refund, you can take control of your nancial situation and feel empowered about your future.

Emily Garcia, 30, said she and her husband, with whom she led jointly, were refunded about $1,000 and spent the money on patio furniture. They had been planning to buy the furniture for a while but were waiting for a windfall like their

tax refund to make the purchase.

Though Garcia and her husband bought a house two years ago, which they’re still paying o , they decided not to use the refund toward their mortgage.

“The debt’s not going anywhere,” said Garcia. “A thousand dollars is not going to make a dent. But it’s a good amount to buy something like furniture.”

As of late last month, the IRS had processed about 141 million returns and refunded roughly $261 billion to taxpayers, 2.2% more than in 2023.

Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree, echoed the idea that paying down debt and contributing to savings are the two most nancially sound uses of a tax refund. He said people

it was cutting prices on 250 products, including favorites for barbecues and picnics, as part of a promotion set to last through Labor Day.

McDonald’s plans to introduce a limited-time $5 meal deal in the U.S. next month to counter slowing sales and customers’ frustration with high prices.

Many retailers said their goal was to o er some relief for shoppers. But Michaels said its new discounts brought prices for some things down to where they were in 2019.

“Our intention with these cuts is to ensure we’re delivering value to the customer,” The Michaels Companies said. “We see it as an investment in customer loyalty more than anything else.”

Target said it was di cult to compare what its price-reduced products cost now to a specific time frame since in ation levels are di erent for each item and the reductions varied by item.

The Bureau of Labor Sta-

tistics, which tracks consumer prices, said the average price of a two-liter bottle of soda in April was $2.27. That compares with $1.53 in the same month ve years ago. A pound of white bread cost an average of $2 last month but $1.29 in April 2019. One pound of ground chuck that averaged $5.28 in April cost $3.91 ve years ago.

U.S. consumer con dence deteriorated for the third straight month in April as Americans continued to fret about their short-term nancial futures, according to the latest report released late last month from the Conference Board, a business research group. With shoppers focusing more on bargains, particularly online, retailers are trying to get customers back to their stores. Target this month posted its fourth consecutive quarterly decline in comparable sales — those from stores or digital channels operating at least 12 months.

should do both simultaneously rather than choosing between the two. While it may require some discipline and sacri ce in the short term, this strategy can lead to signi cant long-termnancial bene ts, providing hope

and motivation for the future.

Said Alev: “Life is short; we want to reward ourselves. Our best tip is to use that refund to get your nancial life on track. At the treetop, that’s what we’re seeing and advising.”

EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ / AP PHOTO

LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO

Travelers at Miami International Airport paid for a vacation with their tax refund.

Nigeria emerging as critical mineral hub

Nigeria seeks to regulate its mining operations of critical minerals, curb illegal activity and bene t better from mineral resources

By Taiwo Adebayo

The Associated Press

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s government is cracking down on illegal mining. Since April, dozens of unlicensed miners have been arrested for allegedly stealing the country’s lithium, a critical mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and power systems. The recent arrests come as Nigeria seeks to regulate its mining operations of critical minerals, curb illegal activity and better bene t from its mineral resources. The clean energy transition, a shift away from coal, oil and gas and toward renewable energy and batteries, has spiked global demand for lithium, tin and other minerals. Illegal mines are rife in the country’s edging industry as corruption among regulatory o cials is common, and the mineral deposits are located in remote areas with minimal government presence. O cials say pro ts from illicit mining practices have helped arm militia groups in the north of the county. In the most recent arrests in mid-May, a joint team of soldiers and police conducted a raid on a remote market in Kishi, in the country’s southwestern Oyo State. Locals said the market, once known for selling farm produce, has become a center for il-

licit trade in lithium mined in hard-to-reach areas. The threeday operation resulted in the arrest of 32 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, local workers and mineral traders, according to the state government and locals. Loads of lithium were also seized.

Jimoh Bioku, a Kishi community leader, said Chinese nationals had conducted “clandestine searches” for the mineral at remote sites tucked away in the bush in the past years before “they engaged people to dig for them and turned the market into a transit point.” The community was “particularly worried about the insecurity that usually follows illegal mining, and that was why we reported to the state government,” he said.

China is the dominant player in the global EV supply chain, including in Nigeria, where China-owned companies employ mostly vulnerable people who leave Nigeria’s far north — ravaged by con icts and rapid deserti cation — to work in mining operations throughout the country. China’s nationals and companies are frequently in the spotlight for environmentally damaging practices, exploitative labor and illicit mining. There have been at least three cases of illegal mining arrests involving Chinese nationals in two months.

President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly blamed illegal mining for the worsening con icts in the country’s north and asked the international community for help to stop the problem, which provides armed groups with the proceeds needed to sustain and arm themselves.

The Chinese embassy in Abuja did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment on the arrests and claims of illegal operations. But in a statement last year following a report by The Times of London alleging Chinese miners were bribing militants for access, the embassy said it “always encouraged and urged the Chinese companies and nationals in Nigeria to abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria.”

Nigeria is emerging as a new source of lithium in Africa as the world’s largest producers, like Australia and Chile, cannot fulll the growing demand worldwide. But illegal activities thrive in Nigeria’s extractive sector, denying the government due revenues, said Emeka Okoro, whose Lagos-based SBM Intelligence rm has researched illicit mining and terrorism nancing in northern Nigeria.

The combination of conict and climate change e ects, such as once fertile land rapidly turning into useless arid sand in northern Nigeria, has produced a cheap workforce for mining sites.

The arrests of “both Chinese

JPMorgan’s Dimon hopes for soft landing for US economy

A report showing growth slowed in the rst three months of this year fanned fears of “stag ation”

By Ken Sweet The Associated Press

JPMORGAN Chase CEO Jamie Dimon hopes the Federal Reserve can bring down in ation without causing a recession but wouldn’t rule out more troubling possibilities, such as stagation.

In an interview with The Associated Press at a Chase branch opening in The Bronx, Dimon said he remained “cautious” about the U.S. economy. He said in ation may be stickier for longer and that “stag ation is on the list of possible things” that could happen to it.

“You should be worried about (the possibility of stag ation,” Dimon said.

Dimon did emphasize that he’s still “hopeful” that the U.S. economy will experience a soft landing where growth slows. Still, the economy avoids a recession even if in ation remains a little high, but he’s not sure that is the most likely outcome.

“I’m just a little more dubious than others that a (soft land-

JPMorgan Chase DEO and chairman Jamie Dimon, center, says he’s hopeful the Federal Reserve can bring down in ation without causing a recession but wouldn’t rule out more troubling possibilities, such as stag ation.

ing) is a given,” he said.

The Fed rapidly raised interest rates in 2022 and 2023 after in ation reached its highest level in four decades. Fed o cials have indicated they expect to begin lowering rates at some point, but the timeline has been pushed back as in ation remains well above the central bank’s target rate of 2%.

Dimon spoke about various issues, including the economy, the independence of the Federal Reserve, the need for banks to open branches, and the pressing geopolitical issues of the day.

In ation has been stubbornly elevated so far this year, and a report last Thursday showing growth slowed in the rst three months of this year fanned fears of “stag ation,” which occurs when the economy is weak or in recession yet prices keep increasing. It’s a miserable combination of economic circumstances, high unemployment, and rising costs. Typically, a sluggish economy brings down in ation.

Stag ation last occurred in the 1970s when conditions were far worse than today. In 1975, for example, in ation topped 10% while the unemployment rate peaked at 9%. In ation is now 3.5% and unemployment is just 3.8%, near a half-century low. If stag ation did occur, Dimon

said he believes it would not be as bad as it was in the 1970s.

Fears of stag ation eased Friday after a government report showed consumer spending stayed strong in March. This suggests the economy will continue expanding at a solid pace in the coming months.

Dimon said he was “thrilled” that Congress passed the bipartisan national security bill that provided military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel. In previous comments, Dimon said it was necessary for “American leadership” to be on the world stage, or the U.S. would likely cede that position to China in the next century. Dimon had pushed hard for the U.S. to come up with the billions of dollars needed to aid Ukraine.

“I think it’s a perfect sign they want to get that done,” Dimon said, referring to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate leaders on both sides of the political aisle.

Dimon also emphasized the need for the Federal Reserve to remain independent, following a report by The Wall Street Journal this week that said advisers for former President Donald Trump were considering ways to curb the independence of the Fed should again be elected. The steps could include making the

nationals and young Hausa boys from con ict-a ected regions underscore a troubling pattern,” Okoro told the AP. “The socioeconomic strain stemming from con ict and the repercussions of climate change has given rise to a vulnerable demographic desperate for survival.”

According to the country’s extractive industry transparency watchdog, the West African nation set up a 2,200-strong “corps of mining marshals” earlier in the year to ght resource theft, which causes the government to lose $9 billion annually.

Before the Kishi raid, the mining corps arrested two trucks laden with lithium on the outskirts of the capital, Abuja, in April. Later that month, the corps raided a location in Karu, Nasarawa State, near Abuja, leading to the arrest of four Chinese nationals and the seizure of tons of lithium. Tomori said the cases are now in court.

On April 22, a federal court in Ilorin, in the north-central region, convicted two Chinese nationals for illegal mining and sentenced them to a one-year jail term, although with an option of a ne.

Fed’s chairman removable by the president or requiring the president to be consulted on any changes to interest rates.

“I don’t know what these people are thinking or how they think they are going to go about this,” Dimon said, saying that any changes would likely require legislation.

Chase opened its 17th “community center” branch on Friday. These larger branches are designed for low-to-moderate-income areas. They have multipurpose areas that o er workshops and nancial literacy work for needy communities.

“These things are good business,” Dimon said. They lift neighborhoods to help our country. And we’re unabashed about it. I don’t understand why people say they shouldn’t be trying to lift your country.”

Glennys Arias, 43, lives in the Bronx and is an Uber driver. She’s been banking with Chase for six months and said she typically comes to use the ATM, cash checks, and check her credit.

She said the branch had met her needs and hadn’t heard about the expansion, upcoming classes, or events.

“I didn’t know about any of that, but I’d come for that,” she said of the programming.

In o -the-cu remarks, Dimon noted the steady stream of customers.

“I love the fact that so many people are walking in here. So many people are nervous about how they’ll be treated when they walk into a bank branch.”

Walmart ends credit card partnership with Capital One Bentonville, Ark. Walmart ended its partnership with Capital One that made the banking company the exclusive issuer of Walmart’s consumer credit cards. In a joint statement last Friday, the companies said that cardholders can still use their Capital One Walmart Rewards cards, which will continue to accrue rewards unless customers are noti ed of a change. Walmart partnered with Capital One in 2019 but eventually soured on the deal. In 2023, Walmart sued Capital One, saying the company was taking too long to process payments and mail replacement cards. A federal judge ruled in March that Walmart could terminate the deal. In a government ling last Friday, Capital One said there are approximately $8.5 billion in loans in the existing Walmart credit card portfolio. It’s not yet clear when Walmart might name a new banking partner.

OpenAI CEO Altman joins Giving Pledge New York OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a prominent gure in the tech industry, has made a personal commitment to philanthropy. He is joining more than 240 wealthy philanthropists who have pledged to donate over half their fortunes. This announcement comes after a challenging period for Altman, which saw his removal and subsequent reinstatement as CEO of the company behind ChatGPT. Altman has expressed his intention to focus his philanthropic e orts on “technology that helps create abundance for people.” His decision to join the Giving Pledge, an initiative started in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Bu ett, underscores his dedication to fostering a culture of philanthropy among the world’s wealthiest individuals. The community now boasts signatories from 30 countries who have committed to donating the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.

Logo Brands adds ECU, 5 other universities Franklin, Tenn. Logo Brands signed six strategic licensing agreements: 10-year contracts with East Carolina University and the University of Montana, and veyear contracts with the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Maryland, the University of Arkansas and the University of Memphis. The new agreement grants Logo Brands exclusive rights to manufacture, produce and distribute tents, chairs, stadium seating, soft-sided coolers, tables and in atable sports balls. Logo Brands is a leading manufacturer of o cially licensed products for more than 800 colleges and leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS and NASCAR. The company’s assortment spans the categories of outdoor lifestyle, indoor living and on-the-go, with more than 900 di erent product lines in the company’s history.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING MAY 24

Beginning Cash $2,393,918,476

Receipts (income) $160,033,323 Disbursements $139,380,716 Cash Balance $2,414,566,228

ANDRES KUDACKI / AP PHOTO

SUNDAY ALAMB / AP PHOTO

Miners work at an illegal tin mining site in Jos, Nigeria, in April.

Relinquishing control

A relaxing Sunday BlueCruise

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

SEATTLE — As a car journalist, I’ve long had the privilege of being at the cutting edge of transportation innovation, and I try to keep that in mind when testing new tech.

I’ve spent dozens of hours chatting with carmaker engineers, learning the intricacies of advanced driver assist systems like GM’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot: how they work, why they do (or don’t) certain things, their limitations and strengths.

Last week, I was in Seattle to test the updated 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E (more on that next week), but I was particularly interested in the latest version of Ford’s hands-o driving system, BlueCruise.

Up to version 1.3, the latest update doesn’t add any new features — instead, it adds a lot of polish and, for lack of a better word, driving experience. It’s like going from a 17-year-old behind the wheel to a 25-year-old. It’s smoother and less tentative, and easier to trust.

At least, that’s what I thought. I’ve been testing these systems for years, and I could immediately tell that BlueCruise 1.3 was a giant leap forward. I’d say it’s even closing in on Super Cruise’s driving ability, an impressive feat as I’ve long felt that GM’s product is the best in the industry.

But then I swapped with my co-driver, another auto journalist who had never driven BlueCruise before, and I was reminded that not everyone has spent so much time learning about why these systems are trustworthy.

He was tentative, understandably hesitant to remove his hands from the wheel, even with my encouragement. His hands oated next to the wheel, waiting to take over.

BlueCruise allows drivers to remove their hands from the wheel on certain preapproved roads, typically interstates and other major highways, while still paying attention to the road. The car is smart enough to recognize both the lane lines and other cars, and to keep the vehicle heading in the right direction. Think of it as a very advanced version of the lane departure warning you might have in your car (if it was built in the last 10 or 15 years). Instead of just beeping when you touch a lane line (or steering you back if you have a more advanced system), it just steers for you.

And you can’t take a nap. The system watches your eyes — including through sunglasses, luckily — to make sure you’re paying attention to the road. Look away for more than a few seconds (even to adjust the radio or to look at the

navigation map, annoyingly), and the system beeps angrily at you. Eventually, it’ll just shut o entirely.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Why do I care? How hard is it to steer?

I’ve written about these systems before, including an L.A.-toVegas road trip where I used Super Cruise for hours. You have no idea how much mental e ort driving is until you use and get used to a system like BlueCruise.

Driving along, watching the highway to ensure nothing weird happens while the car steers for you is almost relaxing. An interstate is one of the easiest places to drive: There are (probably) no pedestrians, no cross-tra c, no vehicles coming the other way, and everyone else (mostly) stays in their lane.

Of course, sometimes weirdness does happen, which is why the driver always needs to be paying attention. Future versions of this software will be able to handle crazy situations, but we’re not there yet.

If a deer runs out in front of you, BlueCruise may try to brake, but it won’t be able to perform evasive maneuvers like a human could. But those incidents are rare. Most of the time, driving on the interstate is boring and tedious.

But then, as I watched my co-driver, I realized that this is an entirely foreign concept for many people, and it would take years for folks to get used to it.

A half-decade ago, I was an Uber driver for a hot minute and would converse with my passengers about the adaptive cruise control in my Volvo. As we sat in stop-and-go tra c, I’d show them how I didn’t need to touch the brake or throttle, and the car would handle it for me. People marveled at that, and BlueCruise is a giant leap forward from that impressive tech.

Then I meet people, like my auto journalist co-driver, who don’t even like regular cruise control and prefer to manage their speed manually at all times.

We have a long way to go before using a hands-free system like BlueCruise is as second nature as cruise control (or even automatic headlights). New technology, especially when it comes to steering a car down the road, can be bewildering or downright alarming.

But these systems are slowly making their way into the world. Ford and GM are equipping more vehicles with the tech every year, and as people get exposed to them (and journalists like me sing their praises), I think enthusiasm and acceptance will continue to grow.

At least, I hope it will. It’s just so convenient ... once you learn to keep your hands to yourself, anyway.

JORDAN GOLSON / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Testing Ford’s BlueCruise 1.3 advanced driver assist system on a Seattle interstate.

JORDAN GOLSON / NORTH STATE JOURNAL Ford uses icons and imagery to show when BlueCruise is active or when it’s time to put your hands on the wheel. Below,

Golfer Grayson Murray dies

Make America race again

Former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd at Charlotte Motor Speedway after the race was paused for a moment of silence in honor of Memorial Day. Trump attended the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 race on Sunday. It is the rst time that a president or former president has attended a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Bell wins rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 at CMS

RACING

Newgarden repeats at Indy 500, rain stops Larson’s double

Indianapolis Josef Newgarden became the rst back-to -back winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 22 years. The start of Sunday’s race was delayed several hours, keeping Kyle Larson, who nished 18th, from also racing the Coca- Cola 600 in Charlotte.

MLB

Acuña Jr. to miss rest of season after tearing left ACL

Pittsburgh

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. will miss the rest of the season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on a stolen base attempt Sunday in Pittsburgh.

MLS

Charlotte’s Kahlina posts fth straight shutout in scoreless tie

Charlotte Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina had his clubrecord fth straight shutout Saturday in a 0-0 game against Philadelphia. Kahlina has gone 450 minutes without allowing a goal, leading Charlotte (6 -5- 4) to a 3 - 0 -2 record.

MATT

Driver Christopher Bell celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver got his eighth career Cup victory

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CONCORD — Christopher

Bell nally has a big win to put on his resume — even if it was a little anticlimactic.

Bell won the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway after the race was called around midnight due to wet weather with 151 laps remaining. The race had been red- agged for more than two hours following a steady downpour. Attempts to dry the track were unsuccessful.

Hurricanes’ Waddell resigns; search for president, GM underway

Eric Tulsky has been named interim general manager

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

RALEIGH — Prepare yourself for a wild summer.

Plenty of changes were com-

ing to the Carolina Hurricanes, who have a dozen signi cant contributors — both unrestricted and restricted free agents — in need of new contracts. Now they need a new team president and general manager as well.

Don Waddell, who has been team president for the last decade and served as the Hurricanes’ general manager for the

past six years, resigned from his positions Friday and was named president of hockey operations and GM of Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

“This morning, I spoke with Tom (Dundon) and informed him that I have come to the decision that now is the time for

Bell led a race-high 90 laps in his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota for his eighth career Cup Series win, and his rst crown jewel race.

“It feels so good ... just to have a great race to go o of, a race that we led laps and were able to pass cars,” Bell said. “Hopefully, this is something we can build on and get back to being more consistent.”

Bell entered the race with only one top-10 nish in his previous seven Cup races.

NASCAR said that due to inclement weather, high humidity and the likelihood of resuming action after 1 a.m. local time with the track-drying process, the race was declared o cial.

Fans booed loudly after it was announced the race would not continue.

“It was getting booed out of the place,” Bell said with a laugh. “... It seems all of my wins come with an asterisk.”

Bell’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, said they talked repeatedly to Bell about staying in front

See BELL , page B4

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

KELLEY/AP PHOTO

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell resigned Friday after a decade with the team.

TRENDING

Casey Murphy:

The North Carolina Courage goalkeeper was named to the roster of the U.S. national team ahead of a pair of friendlies to help prepare the team for the Paris Olympics. Murphy has been a member of the national team since 2021, but this was the rst roster named by new coach Emma Hayes. The U.S. will play South Korea, June 1 in Colorado and June 4 in Minnesota.

Thyago Vieira:

The right-handed reliever and member of the Charlotte Knights in 2018 and 2019 was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. Vieira had no record and a 5.64 ERA in 16 appearances this season. He is 2-2 with two saves and a 6.18 ERA in 41 career big league appearances, also playing for Seattle and the Chicago White Sox.

J.B. Bickersta :

The former Charlotte Bobcats assistant coach was red as Cleveland’s coach despite leading the Cavaliers into the second round of the NBA playo s. Bickersta ’s dismissal came one week after the Cavs were eliminated in ve games by the Boston Celtics. The 45-year-old Bickersta went 170-159 in the regular season and 6-11 in the playo s. He began his NBA coaching career as a Charlotte assistant under his father, Bernie.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“Technology’s great until you don’t have it.”

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider after a power failure left the Jays and Tigers without replay review — or a broadcast of the game — for six innings.

“They can’t let a guy like that, no disrespect to Charlotte, rot in a bad situation.”

Former NBA player Bonzi Wells on why the Hornets should trade Brandon Miller (pictured).

PRIME NUMBER

51

The record-setting unbeaten streak for German soccer club Bayer Leverkusen was ended last week by Atalanta, 3- 0, in the Europa League nal. It’s the longest unbeaten streak by a major European soccer league team since the introduction of European competitions.

HOCKEY

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (98) had a goal and three assists in a 7-3 win over Sweden to lead Czechia to the gold medal game in the IIHF World Championships in Prague. Necas is the rst player with a four-point game in a semi nal since 1994. “I play my best game when I enjoy myself at a game, and here I’m enjoying it for 110%,” Necas said. Czechia beat Switzerland 2-0 in the gold medal game.

Chicago White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jiménez strained his left hamstring while scoring from second base and is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. Jimenez, who played for the Charlotte Knights in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 and Winston-Salem Dash in 2017 and 2021, was placed on the 10-day IL.

Duke sophomore Cassidy Curd retired 11 straight batters in relief as 10th-seeded Blue Devils beat Missouri 6-3 for its rst super regional win in program history, moving one win from the Women’s College World Series. Duke was eliminated with a loss the next day, however.

A mother is suing LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets after the second-year point guard allegedly hit her son with his car. The 11-year-old boy approached Ball’s car outside of the Spectrum Center and asked for an autograph. Ball accelerated and allegedly ran over the boy’s foot, breaking it.

ERIN HOOLEY / AP PHOTO BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

JOHN MUNSON / AP PHOTO

MICHAEL DWYER / AP PHOTO DARKO VOJINOVIC / AP PHOTO

JACOB KUPFERMAN / AP PHOTO

Murray dies at age 30 a day after withdrawing from Colonial

The golfer’s parents said the two-time PGA Tour winner took his own life

By Doug Ferguson

The Associated Press

TWO-TIME PGA TOUR winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.

A day later, his parents said Murray took his own life. The family asked for privacy and that people honor Murray by being kind to one another.

“If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else,” Eric and Terry Murray said in a statement released by the PGA Tour.

Many players wore black-andred pins on their caps Sunday in honor of Murray. Those are the colors of the Carolina Hurricanes, his favorite NHL team.

“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone. It’s surreal that we not only have to admit it to ourselves, but that we also have to acknowledge it to the world. It’s a nightmare,” his parents shared in their statement.

“We have so many questions that have no answers. But one. Was Grayson loved? The answer is yes. By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his ex-

AP PHOTO

Grayson Murray hits o the 18th tee at the TPC Louisiana in Avondale last April. The two-time PGA Tour winner died Saturday at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.

tended family, by his friends, by his fellow players and — it seems — by many of you who are reading this. He was loved and he will be missed.

“Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.”

“I am at a loss for words,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. “The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort

for his loved ones.”

His management company, GSE Worldwide, said it was heartbroken.

“We will hold o on commenting until we learn further details, but our heart aches for his family, his friends and all who loved him during this very di cult time,” GSE said in a statement.

Monahan said he spoke with Murray’s parents to o er condolences, and they asked that the tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, continue.

He said grief counselors would

be on site at the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour event in Knoxville, Tennessee. Monahan headed to Texas and later appeared on CBS as the third round was ending.

“To see the devastation on the faces of every player coming in is really di cult to see and really just profound,” Monahan said. “Grayson was a remarkable player, but he was a very courageous man. I’ve always loved that about him.”

Murray, who had dealt with alcohol and mental health issues in the past, made a massive turnaround this year and won the Sony Open, hitting wedge to 3 feet for birdie on the nal hole to get into a playo and winning it with a 40-foot putt.

He also won the Barbasol Championship in 2017.

“It was a huge shock. My heart sank,” said Webb Simpson, who learned of Murray’s death shortly before teeing o at Colonial. He said Murray was the rst winner of his junior tournament and they shared the same swing coach as juniors.

“I just hate it so much,” Simpson said. “I’m going to miss him. I’m thankful he was in the place with his faith before this morning happened.”

Murray, who grew up in Raleigh, was among the most talented juniors in the country. He won the Junior World Championship three straight years and earned

the Arnold Palmer Scholarship at Wake Forest.

He wound up going to three colleges, moving to East Carolina and nishing at Arizona State, and won as a 22-year-old PGA Tour rookie at the Barbasol Championship.

Murray said in January that he had been sober for eight months, was engaged to be married, had become a Christian and felt his best golf was ahead of him. He was appointed to the 16-member Player Advisory Council.

“My story is not nished. I think it’s just beginning,” Murray said in Hawaii. “I hope I can inspire a lot of people going forward that have their own issues.”

Murray said he used to drink during tournament weeks as a rookie because he knew he had talent and felt he was invincible. He also brought attention to himself through social media, openly criticizing other players and getting into one social media spat with Kevin Na over Na’s reputation as a slow player.

But he felt like he turned the corner when he sought help — letting others ght for him, is how he explained it this year.

“It took me a long time to get to this point,” Murray said in January. “That was seven years ago, over seven years ago. I’m a di erent man now. I would not be in this position right now today if I didn’t put that drink down eight months ago.”

Peter Malnati played with Murray at Colonial. He o ered to go on the CBS telecast Saturday afternoon and immediately broke down trying to talk about him.

“It’s a huge loss for all of us on the PGA Tour,” Malnati said. “As much as we want to beat each other, we’re one big family, and we lost one today. It’s terrible.”

Duke baseball routs FSU to win ACC Tournament title

The Blue Devils landed a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — At the ACC Baseball Tournament hosted in Charlotte this past weekend, it was a North Carolina-based team that came away from Truist Field holding a championship trophy.

Out of four local schools in the event, it was the sixth-seeded Duke Blue Devils who claimed the title, defeating fth-seeded Florida State 16-4 in Sunday’s championship matchup for their second conference tourney championship in program history and rst since 2021.

The Devils (39-18) took out No. 10 Virginia Tech (32-22), No. 3 NC State (33-20) and No. 11 Miami (27-30) leading up to the championship win over the Seminoles. Duke is now a perfect 8-0 all time in ACC Baseball Championship games played in the Queen City.

As the top seed in the tournament, UNC (42-13) was unexpectedly knocked out on Friday by eighth-seeded Wake Forest (38-20), who subsequently became the victim of FSU (42-15) in the semi nals on Saturday. The Tar Heels had won nine of their past 10 games leading up to the 12th-inning 9-5 loss to the Demon Deacons.

HURRICANES from page B1

me to move to the next chapter of my career,” Waddell said in a release. “I have loved my experiences in the Triangle over the past 10 years, and together with a strong team, on and o the ice, we have accomplished many great victories. I am grateful for the support I have received from so many loyal Caniacs. This organization is in strong, capable hands and well-positioned for the future.” Waddell’s departure creates two holes for the organization. He ushered the Hurricanes through the franchise’s sale from Peter Karmanos Jr. to Tom Dundon and continued in his role as team president when he added general manager to his list of responsibilities.

While Waddell served as the face of the team’s hockey operations since 2018, Carolina’s front

o ce has been a collaborative

Paired up with the Seminoles in the tournament title game, the sixth-seeded Blue Devils found themselves down 2-0 after one inning but soon red back with ve runs in what became a landslide performance emblematic of a team ring on all cylinders.

“I’m exceptionally proud of our team,” Duke coach Chris Pollard said after his team’s blowout victory. “I think we’ve shown incredible resilience. We’ve had a great year, but we had to battle the injury bug here a little bit down the stretch. Our guys have just been tough. They’ve been together, and all of that was on display today and we played a really complete game. We played a really, really complete tournament, and I’m just so proud to be a part of this program.”

Before the tournament started, Duke’s coach showed his team his ACC title ring from 2021, beckoning his players to win so that they could have one of their own.

He mentioned that he advised his roster to focus on its conference tournament at the moment, instead of looking ahead at the NCAA Tournament and questioning where the team might end up.

“I want you to have that experience too,” Pollard said he told the players. “I want you to be able to go out there and celebrate bringing a trophy back to your university. Guys embraced

e ort since Dundon took over as owner.

The team’s assistant general managers, Eric Tulsky and Darren Yorke, have both had a seat at the table — along with Dundon and coach Rod Brind’Amour — in hockey operations and will be candidates for the GM job.

Tulsky received the interim general manager tag upon Waddell’s departure, and in nearly a decade with the team has built a reputation as one of the smartest minds in hockey.

His data-driven analysis permeates every aspect of the Hurricanes’ decision-making, from examining player e ectiveness and the team’s style of play to in uencing contract o ers and managing the salary cap.

Tulsky rightfully gets labeled as one of the pioneers of hockey analytics, but he’s also the team’s head of professional scouting, including scout-

Duke’s players pour out of the dugout after the nal out against Florida State, clinching an ACC Tournament crown for the Blue Devils.

“We played a really, really complete tournament, and I’m just so proud to be a part of this program.”

Duke coach Chris Pollard

that we were in the moment all week. We never once talked about the NCAA Tournament. It was about this experience here and having the chance to compete for a championship.”

Duke junior out elder Devin Obee was named the MVP of the

ing players himself.

He was considered for GM openings in both Chicago and Pittsburgh in recent years, and had Kyle Dubas not parted ways with Toronto and become available last o season, Tulsky could very well be the Penguins’ GM right now.

“I think the way we operate is unusual, and anybody who’s stepping into the GM position is going to have to be prepared for that and is going to have to understand that it’s a collaborative model,” Tulsky said over the weekend. “They have to be prepared to work with a group and work with Tom and explain to people why they want to do something and get consensus around it.”

Yorke, who has been with the franchise since 2010, has revamped the team’s amateur scouting department, emphasizing attention to detail and

2024 ACC Tournament, nishing the day 2-for-4 with a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning as his home run turned a 10-4 game into a 14-4 game.

Along with Obee, the ACC All-Tournament Team had ve other local players: Duke catcher Alex Stone, Duke pitcher Charlie Beilenson, Wake Forest rst baseman Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns and UNC out elder Anthony Donofrio.

Announced as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Duke will now head to Norman, Oklahoma, and open against No. 3 UConn (32-23) in the Norman

work ethic in making Carolina one of the NHL’s best teams during the draft.

The Hurricanes’ surplus of prospects allowed them to land Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline without giving up their top young talent, and Yorke has consistently turned surplus picks into useable assets. Yorke turned Carolina’s much-maligned trade of Je Skinner to Bu alo — the Hurricanes received second-, third- and sixth-round picks, along with throw-in prospect Cli Pu — into Pyotr Kochetkov and Alexander Nikishin.

“We understand what needs to get done,” Yorke said in an interview Sunday. “We understand the challenges that this o season is bringing, and Don’s decision is maybe a little speed bump. But once we get over that hump, we’re going to continue to run as e ciently as we have in the past.”

Regional on Friday. No. 1 Oklahoma (37-19) and No. 4 Oral Roberts are also in the regional.

While Duke was not included in this group, three of the 16 teams rewarded as top national seeds and regional hosts for the NCAA eld are local: UNC, NC State and East Carolina (43-15) of the American Athletic Conference.

Becoming a regional host for the 13th time, No. 4 national seed and top regional seed UNC will host the Chapel Hill Regional, matching up with No. 4 LIU (33-23) while No. 2 LSU (40-21) and No. 3 Wo ord (41-18) play each other.

In the Raleigh Regional, No. 10 national seed and top regional seed Wolfpack will host for the seventh time as it faces No. 4 Bryant (36-19) and No. 2 South Carolina (36-23) goes against No. 3 James Madison (34-23). At the sixth Greenville Regional hosted by the No. 16 national seed Pirates, No. 2 ECU will play No. 4 Evansville (35 -23), while No. 2 Wake Forest is set to face No. 3 VCU (37-21). The double-elimination Regionals — containing 64 teams in total — are set between Friday and Monday, while 16 champions will advance to the Super Regional play the following weekend (June 7-9 or June 8-10). From that point, the eight teams that advance to the Men’s College World Series will begin play on June 14 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Carolina could also look outside of the organization for its next GM. In its release, the team said that Tulsky’s interim promotion — and Yorke being there to “support Tulsky with managerial duties” — comes with a “full search for a permanent general manager.”

The Hurricanes will also need to nd someone to take over Waddell’s duties as team president. Keep an eye on Mike Forman, the team’s chief marketing o cer who has been with the team for more than a decade and helped Carolina reestablish its brand after nearly a decade-long playo drought.

Regardless of how the searches to replace Waddell conclude, Dundon and Brind’Amour — who signed a multiyear contract to remain the team’s coach earlier in the week — will continue to have a big say in hockey operations.

ALLIE LAWHON / ACC

GERALD HERBERT /

Rajecki to leave lasting legacy at NC State

The women’s tennis standout had a second consecutive top-four nish

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE NC STATE women’s tennis team has had quite a run over the last few years with several stars coming through the ranks, and that legacy has only continued to grow with yet another star leading the way for the Wolfpack.

Amelia Rajecki, the No. 2ranked NCAA women’s player, nished her collegiate career at NC State with a singles semi nals appearance at the 2024 Division I women’s tennis championship in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

After a strong run, Rajecki came up short on Friday against Georgia’s Anastasiia Lopata, losing in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.

Despite the loss, Rajecki leaves a lasting impression at NC State.

The British import ends her time with the Wolfpack third all time in program history in career singles wins — behind Adriana Reami (127) and Anna Rogers (117) — and she is also one of three players to win more than 100 career matches in both singles and doubles — Rogers and Alana Smith being the other two.

And it wasn’t like she was a freshman phenom either. Rajecki’s story is more so one of exponential growth.

“(In 2021) she was de nitely very competitive at six but was still struggling really with belief and putting it all together,” said NC State coach Simon Earnshaw on the Cracked Interviews tennis podcast. “But it kind of came together during the ACCs and the rest of that year. 2022 was a season that provided opportunity with Alana (Smith) unfortunately being out for the season, and Millie, after she got that experience, she really hit the oor running.

“It’s not a joke in any of these programs. You step up to play the No. 1 spot and there’s a lot of eyeballs on you and a lot of pressure. I think just taking on that responsibility alone is a big deal no matter where you play, and I think if you’ve put in the work and you feel like you’re ready and you do have some success in that role, then you’re probably going to grow, and I think we’ve seen that.”

Over her career, Rajecki set the program record for wins in a season with 40 during the 2022-23 season, was part of NC State’s rst ACC title team in 2022-23 and secured All-America honors twice.

Rajecki’s No. 2 ITA singles ranking is the highest ever

with the bad weather coming in.

“You can’t a ord to have a long pit stop in a race like this,” Stevens said. “There was a lot more pressure on the guys on pit road.” Brad Keselowski nished second, followed by William Byron, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin.

The race was red- agged just as Kyle Larson arrived at Charlotte Motor Speedway to take over driving Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Chevrolet.

Larson had hoped to become the rst driver since Tony Stewart to run all 1,100 laps as part of the Indianapolis 500-Coca-Cola 600 double, but bad weather in Indianapolis quickly nixed those plans.

After nishing 18th at the Indianapolis 500, Larson was shuttled out of the track and one plane and two helicopter rides later arrived at the 1.5mile oval at Charlotte to cheers from the crowd.

He jogged to his pit stall in his re suit and strapped on his helmet — only to have the race halted moments later by a heavy downpour.

He never got a chance to turn a lap at Charlotte.

Under NASCAR rules, Lar-

NC State’s Amelia Rajecki nished her college career with a trip to the trip to the NCAA semi nals.

more about her execution.”

Overall, it was yet another strong year for the state on the tennis court.

Kyle Larson waves to fans as he leaves the Indianapolis Motor Speedway following his 18th-place nish in the rain-delayed Indy 500. The delay caused him to miss out on running the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, which was shortened due to rain.

Weather keeps Larson from getting The Double

He nished 18th in the delayed Indy 500, but he didn’t get to run in Charlotte

By Dave Skretta The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Rain was not Kyle Larson’s friend Sunday.

Larson was determined to complete the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, but didn’t get a chance to run a single lap in the NASCAR race.

“I would de nitely love to be back next year. Feel like I learned a lot.”

Larson on his rst Indy 500 2

The highest ITA singles ranking ever achieved by a Wolfpack player 110

The total number of singles wins in Rajecki’s collegiate career, the third most in program history

achieved by a Wolfpack player, and she’s the only player to ever have reached the seminals of the singles, a feat which she’s now accomplished twice.

“I think she’s the one player in college where she can take the ball out of your hands,” Earnshaw said. “So she’s not relying on the other person to kind of work with her. She plays on her own terms which sometimes can have its pros and cons, but de nitely you can see more growth this year. She certainly has some tools where it doesn’t really matter who’s on the other side. It’s

son is not allowed to participate in the playo s unless he starts every race. However, Hendrick Motorsports can submit a waiver to NASCAR, asking for an exception. There is no guarantee that NASCAR will approve the waiver, but it’s hard to imagine the sport’s governing body keeping its top driver out of the postseason.

Keselowski started the race 30th, but worked his way up through the eld to second place and felt like he had the car to win the race if the rain had held o .

“We ran down the 20 car twice and didn’t get to see it play out,” Keselowski said. “It slipped through our ngers. I think we would have won had we run the Coke 600, but we ran the Coke 350. I’m bummed for our team, but the weather is what the weather is.”

The rst half of the race had nine race leaders with Byron and Bell winning the rst two stages.

Allgaier’s successful run

Justin Allgaier, who has started 82 Cup races during his career but hasn’t been on the circuit full-time since 2015, was chosen to ll in for

On the women’s side, both No. 4 UNC and No. 15 NC State made it to the third round of the teams championship, while Duke made it to the second round. Wake Forest also quali ed. Individually, UNC had ve players qualify for the singles championship with Anika Yarlagadda making it to the round of 16. NC State had two players qualify, and Wake and Duke each had one.

In doubles, NC State and UNC were the only schools to qualify a duo, with both teams also sending two. The Tar Heels’ Fiona Crawley and Carson Tanguilig reached the doubles quarter nals.

On the men’s side, No. 6 Wake led the way in the teams championship, making it to the semi nals, while No. 13 Duke made it to the third round and No. 14 NC State made it to the second. UNC and UNCW also quali ed.

In singles, Duke had two players qualify, while NC State and Wake each had one. Wake’s Filippo Moroni made it the furthest, getting to the round of 32.

In doubles, Wake and Duke each had a pair qualify, and the Blue Devils’ Garret Johns and Pedro Rodenas made it the furthest, reaching the quarternals.

Larson because they have similar body types and require somewhat similar seat set-ups.

He did well despite not having race regularly on the Cup Series since 2015.

“My job was just not to wreck the car for Kyle,” Allgaier said.

Defending champ KO’d early

Ryan Blaney’s bid to become the rst back-to-back winner of the Coca-Cola 600 since Jimmie Johnson in 2004-05 ended when his front right tire went down on lap 143, sending his No. 12 Ford into the wall and ending his night.

“I just came o pit road and put tires on it and I don’t know if I ran over something, but one of them blew,” Blaney said. “I blew a tire going into (turn) three, so I don’t know if I hit something or what, but it’s kind of odd. We’ll have to go back and take a look at it. It stinks.”

Trump on hand

Former President Donald Trump watched the race alongside car owner Richard Childress atop the pit box for the No. 3 Chevrolet.

Storms swept through Indianapolis Motor Speedway and delayed the start of the race, ruining Larson’s chance at nishing all 1,100 miles in a single day. But after driving his No. 17 car to an 18th-place nish in his debut in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — despite a pair of rookie mistakes — the NASCAR star nevertheless headed to Charlotte.

After two helicopter rides and about an hourlong ight, Larson arrived for the 400-lap race that Justin Allgaier had started in his place. Just as he arrived, weather brought the race to a halt with 151 laps left, giving Larson time to climb into the No. 5 car.

But he never got to turn a lap at Charlotte as the race was called after a two-hour rain delay, with Christopher Bell getting the victory.

“I would de nitely love to be back next year,” Larson said about the Indy 500. “Feel like I learned a lot. Made a couple of mistakes early there with the restart — not sure what I did there. Feel like I did a really good job after that and was able to learn a lot.”

Larson started fth and spent most of the Indy 500 — won for the second time in a row by Josef Newgarden — hanging with the leaders. But he made a minor mistake going through the gears on an early restart and lost about 10 spots, then made a major one later in the race, when Larson locked up the tires entering pit road and was caught speeding.

Larson was sixth at the time but had to drive through pit road again to serve the penalty, shufing him outside the top 20. He managed to pick up a couple of spots over the last 70 laps but never got a caution that could have given him a chance.

“It killed our opportunity,” Larson said of the pit-road mistake. “Could have executed better.”

Arrow McLaren elded the car for Larson in a partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. With rain in the forecast all week, the big question entering Sunday was whether NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick would pull the plug on the effort and send Larson to Charlotte early so that he could race for stage points and help his chances in the Cup Series playo s.

But when the rain ended, a spokesman for Hendrick Motorsports con rmed that the Indy 500 would be the priority.

“I think it would be fantastic to have him back,” said Larson’s teammate, Pato O’Ward, who nished second after Newgarden made a last-lap pass for the win. “I think he did a phenomenal job. I didn’t see quite where he nished, but when I was playing around with him out there, playing in tra c, I think he did a phenomenal job.”

Hendrick was on hand in Indianapolis to watch the race, along with Je Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports who largely grew up in Indiana and once dreamed of running the Indy 500. They were joined by hundreds of other fans who gathered around the No. 17 car when it was pushed to the grid about an hour before the drop of the green ag.

The storm that swept through Sunday wasn’t the rst to disrupt Larson’s plans. He had several days of practice washed out — partially or entirely — earlier in the month, limiting the amount of time he was able to spend in the car.

Larson’s attempt at “The Double” captivated those within the racing world. Most of his Hendrick Motorsports team ew to Indianapolis on Friday to watch the nal practice on Carb Day, and drivers back in Charlotte were watching the start of the rain-delayed Indy 500 before heading to their own cars and getting ready for the start of the Cup Series race.

“I’m excited from the NASCAR side, but I’m more excited from the sprint car side, to see another sprint car guy go to the Indianapolis 500,” NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe said. “It’s kind of the origins of Indy. You had these sprint car guys who would go and run — you had A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Jack Hewitt, Bryan Clauson recently — and that was always the thing. If you were the best sprint car guy, you wanted to run the Indy 500. That was the dream. So it’s cool from that standpoint.”

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP PHOTO

PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS

Kyle

does hereby notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 2015 Rock Avenue, North Carolina 28303, on or before August 16, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make

Estate of

Administrator of

NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR EXECUTOR

NOTICE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 24E759 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having quali

Thomas, deceased, late of Cumberland

and corporations

undersigned on or before the August 16, 2024

of the rst publication of this notice) or this

recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested

to the undersigned. This is 16th of May, 2024 Donna Deal Carter, Executor 2093 Bainbridge Road Stedman, NC 28391 Of the Estate of Freda Lois Deal Thomas, Deceased (For Publication: 05/16/24,05/23/24,05/30/24, 06/06/24)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF Robert David Reeser

Cumberland County Estate File No. 24 E 708 All persons, rms and corporations having claims

deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina,

claims to Alfreda Chason-Reeser, Executor, at 2131 Burnett

Fayetteville, NC 28306, on or before the 9th day of August, 2024 (which

after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or

This the 2nd day of May, 2024.

Alfreda Chason-Reeser

Executor of the Estate of Robert David Reeser

Davis W. Puryear

Hutchens Law Firm

Cheryl N. Fisher 1920 Lioncoward Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28314 NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 24-E-707 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having quali

bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor/Administrator named above.

Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: May 8, May 16, May 23 and May 30, 2024

ADMINISTRATOR CTA NOTICE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE 23E2052

State of North Carolina

Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed as the Administrator CTA of the Estate of Doris Pearce, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 1862 Middle Road, Eastover, North Carolina 28312,

August 16, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded

indebted to the estate will please make immediate

This the 16th day of May, 2024. Christopher Brian Pearce Administrator CTA of the Estate of Doris Pearce, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 05/16/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24 and 06/06/24

ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 24E0696 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of Richard Mack Wilder, Jr. aka Richard McAdoo Wilder, Jr., late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 2591 Dockside Drive SW, Supply, North Carolina 28462, on or before August 16, 2024,

immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 16th day of May, 2024. Richard M. Wilder, III Administrator of the Estate of Richard Mack Wilder, Jr. aka Richard McAdoo Wilder, Jr., Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 05/16/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24 and 06/06/24

feet to an iron stake; thence South 39-30 East 55 feet to an iron stake thence; South 59 West 145 feet to an iron stake in the Northeast edge of Tournament Street; thence with Tournament Street North 29-30 West 55 feet to the BEGINNING, and is that property conveyed by Wilhelmina Brown and others to Moses Parks and wife Gerlene Parks by deed dated March 19, 1965 and recorded in Record of Deeds Book No. 351, page 13. 165 Tournament Drive Southwest, Concord, NC 28025 Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 165 Tournament Drive SW, Concord, NC 28025 Tax ID: 12-036-0097.00 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00)

or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form

warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances

the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement

24 SP 000073 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and

on June 3, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Daniel Brown, dated March 10, 2018 to secure the original principal amount of $104,217.00,

warranty is intended. Address of property: 6022 Santa Fe Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Tax Parcel ID: 0408-37-5301 Present Record Owners: Daniel Brown The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Daniel Brown. 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

at Page 487, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 5, 2024 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT REAL PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA: BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO THE GRANTOR BY DEED RECORDED 08/31/2004 IN BOOK 6639, PAGE 877 CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH DEED REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROPERTY.

NOTICE

SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Christine Michelle Wagner, an unmarried woman to Cynthia Porter eld, Trustee(s), which was dated May 1, 2019 and recorded on May 2, 2019 in Book 10494 at Page 0076, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 24 SP 177

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Terry A. Kinkel and Sharon H. Kinkel, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $65,786.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as bene ciary, as nominee for Southern Trust Mortgage, LLC, Mortgagee, dated June 22, 2015 and recorded on June 23, 2015 in Book 09672, Page 0462, as Instrument Number 18479, and subsequently modi ed by Loan Modi cation recorded on May 3, 2023 in Book 11725 at Page 474 and/or Instrument Number 13272, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of

And being more particularly described according to said Deed as follows: BEING all of Lot 125 as shown on a plat entitled “ARLINGTON PLANTATION, SECTION TEN” duly recorded in Plat Book 100, Page 119, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 5401 Quarter Pole Ln, Hope Mills, NC 28348. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal

county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 5, 2024 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 31, in a subdivision known as Ashton Forest, according to a plat of the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 23, Page 41, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 5006 Lakehurst Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be o ered pursuant to

Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 1:30PM on June 5, 2024, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEING all of Lot 7, Cumberlane Subdivision, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 36, Page 1, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 5203 Tara Way Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. Tax ID: 0405-98-2217

Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty- ve Cents (0.45) per each One

checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current

this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are CHRISTINE MICHELLE WAGNER. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement

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

owner(s) of the property is/are Rodney Nance Miller

entered into or renewed on or after October

1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge

§45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee David Neill, NCSB #23396 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) dneill@mtglaw.com

AMENDED SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY THIS ACTION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY contained within that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Kathy E. Stowe and Fred R. Stowe, Jr dated October 5, 2016 and recorded on October 17, 2016 in Book 9964 at Page 812 in the O ce of Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina. As a result of a default in the obligations contained within the Promissory Note and Deed of Trust and the failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein, the holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust made demand to have the default cured, which was not met. Therefore, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale that parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying and being in the City of Hope Mills, County of Cumberland, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described in the heretofore referenced Deed of Trust. Said sale will be a public auction, to the highest bidder for cash, at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County Courthouse, Fayetteville, North Carolina, on June 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Property Address: 6408 Bretton Woods Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax Parcel ID: 0404-24-8850 Present Record Owners: Kathy Elmore Stowe aka Kathy E. Stowe The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold subject for cash to the highest bidder.

The real property hereinabove described is being o ered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, and other encumbrances. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids, as by law required. The sale will not con rm until there have been ten (10) consecutive days with no upset bids having been led.

A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. The successful bidder will be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and costs for recording the Trustee’s Deed.

If for any reason the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property, or if the sale is set aside, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the bid deposit. Furthermore, if the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the bid deposit. In either event, the purchaser will have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Trustee.

Additional Notice Required for Residential Real Property with Less Than Fifteen (15) Rental Units:

An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24SP000462-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HEATHER WILSON DATED AUGUST 8, 2022 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 19112 AT PAGE 1735 IN THE WAKE 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

or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty- ve Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of

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 Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on June 11, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Heather Wilson, dated August 8, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $319,113.00, and recorded in Book 19112 at Page 1735 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24SP000380-910

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY KINDRA FARMER DATED DECEMBER 15, 2018 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 17322 AT PAGE 1398 IN THE WAKE 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 Wake County

24SP000337-910

and by virtue of the

of

Deed of

by

L’Aine and

1722187778 Present Record Owners: Heather Wilson The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of

courthouse at 11:00AM on June 11, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Kindra Farmer, dated December 15, 2018 to secure the original principal amount of $125,152.00, and recorded in Book 17322 at Page 1398 of the Wake 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: 2412 Deanwood Dr, Raleigh, NC 27615 Tax Parcel ID: 1718828664 / 0205156 Present Record Owners: Kindra Farmer The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of

L’Aine (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Brett L’Aine and Wendy Jackson L’Aine) to NSB Trustee Services, LLC, Trustee(s), dated September 16, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 016157, at Page 00932 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 3, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point in the northwest corner of Lot 12, Block D, according to a plat entitled “Oak Haven, Section IV,” prepared by Castleberry-Edgerton Co., dated January 4, 1971, and recorded in Book of Maps 1970, Page 337, Wake County Registry; thence in an easterly direction along the southern edge of Willow Oak Road as it curves a distance of 84.9 feet to the northeast corner of said Lot 12; thence South 21 deg. 51 min. West a distance of 210.42 feet to a point in the Southeastern corner of said Lot 12; thence North 86 deg. 04 min. West a distance of 127.57 feet to a point; thence along the Eastern line of Lot 15 as shown on said plat North 30 deg. 03 min. East a distance of 256.77 feet to the place and point of Beginning, and being all of Lot 12 according to the rst mentioned plat. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4004 Willow Oak Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.

A.P.N. # : 0013287

RECORD OWNER(S): Dalton Ray Hamm, Heirs of Dalton Ray Hamm a/k/a Dalton R. Hamm, Sr. : Dalton Ray Hamm, Jr., Jonathan Hamm) to Levinson Law, Trustee(s), dated August 13, 2010, and recorded in Book No. 014039, at Page 00581 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County,

Deeds, is/are Heather Wilson. 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

Deeds, is/are Kindra Farmer. 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

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on June 3, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lot 12 Old Stage Estates, deed book 6869 page 589. BEING all of Lot 12 Old Stage Estates, as described in Book of Maps 1973, Vol. III, Page 301, and as described in Book 5221, Page 340; and Book 2929; Page 107; and Book 2248, Page 691, all of the Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 10909 Stage Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One

described as follows: Being all of Lot 87 of Amber Acres North Subdivision, as is shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 1997, Page 247, Wake County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for greater certainty of description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1132 Amber Acres Lane, Knightdale, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be 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/security agreement, or both, 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 being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). 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/security agreement, or both, 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 being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is

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/security agreement, or both, 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 being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities

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 resale. 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

A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale

required

LAST WEEK

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24 SP 256 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kasie J. Brown (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kasie J. Brown) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated June 12, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 09450, at Page 0176 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on June 10, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 100 in a subdivision known as SIMMONS HEIGHTS, SECTION II, according to a plat of same being duly recorded in Plat Book 28, Page 28, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6562 Winthrop Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). The property to be 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/security agreement, or both, 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 being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on June 4th, 2024, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Lying and being in Number Twelve (12) Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina on the Northwest side of Fink Street adjoining the property of John Bost, Charlie Mantooth, and Broughton Smith, and being more fully described as follows: Beginning at an iron stake, the Southeast corner of John Bost on the Northwest side of Fink Street and runs thence with the Northwest side of Fink Street North 53 East 59.3 feet to an iron stake, front corner of Broughton Smith; thence with the line of Smith North 36-30 West 120.0 feet to an iron stake, a rear corner of Smith, Bernice, Canupp, and Charlie Mantooth; thence with the line of Mantooth South 53 West 59.3 feet to an iron stake, rear corner of Mantooth, H.F. Blackwelder, and Bost; thence with the line of Bost South 36-30 East 120.0 feet to the point of beginning, as surveyed and platted by Billy B. Long R.L.S., December 8, 1978. More commonly known as 234 Fink Avenue NW, Concord, NC 28025. PIN: 56204869630000. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 234 Fink Avenue, Concord, NC 28025 Tax ID: 12-020-0014.00 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North

Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty- ve Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is ComfortNgroup, LLC. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the

at 343.86’; thence, S 69 deg. 25’ 52” W a distance of 165.01’ to a right of way concrete monument found; thence with a curve to the left, with an arc length of 125.04, with a radius of 1605.16’, with a chord bearing of S 68 deg. 11’ 20” W a distance of 125.01’ to a #5 rebar found; thence, N 09 deg. 23’36” W a distance of 584.43” to a #5 rebar found bent; thence, N 00 deg. 53’ 20” W a distance of 133.17 to an axle found bent; thence, N 89 deg. 05’ 49” E a distance of 198.97 to an 1/4” smooth rod found; thence, N

Honoring sacri ce

Amid barbecues and basking in the sun, volunteers placed American ags on the graves of countless veterans around the country — including at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro — in honor of Memorial Day.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

North Carolina gets hot, declares Cooper

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper would like you to be aware that North Carolina gets hot.

While it’s likely you were already aware of this fact, he has, nevertheless, proclaimed this to be North Carolina Heat Awareness Week.

It’s a good reminder to stay safe from heat-related e ects by staying well-hydrated, keeping an eye on the heat index and checking on more vulnerable members of your community to ensure they are keeping cool this summer.

In a press release announcing the proclamation, Dr. Susan Kansagra, assistant secretary for public health with NCDHHS, noted that North Carolina had more than 3,900 heat-related emergency room visits in 2023.

Don’t drink and boat

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reminds North Carolinians that enforcement o cers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints this summer to deter impaired operation of vehicles.

So far, in 2024, the commission has investigated 19 boating incidents, with seven fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in two of the 19 investigated incidents.

In 2023, there were 18 fatal boating incidents resulting in 19 fatalities, though none of the fatal incidents reported alcohol usage. However, only two of the 18 included passengers wearing personal otation devices.

DMV unveils new, more secure license designs

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

By Jordan Golson Stanly County Journal

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 identifying 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

See LICENSE, page A2

Thursdays at the Station summer series continues

The free concert takes place at Market Station in Albemarle

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — The 24th season of the Thursdays at the Station free summer concert series kicked o this month in downtown Albemarle.

From May to June, live music is performed every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at Market Station, a restored train station that was converted into an event venue by the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation (ADDC).

The venue is located at 501 W. Main St. in Albemarle.

The 2024 version of the annual concert series began earlier this month with the Stanly County Concert Band, Radio Flyer, Salisbury Swing Band and Dive Bar Divas; up next are Reckless Betty Unplugged on Thursday, followed by Fair eld

Bluegrass (June 6), The Mod 60s (June 13), The Gamblers Band (June 20) and Cabarrus Station (June 27).

“Enjoy live music on Thursday, May 30, as Reckless Betty performs at Market Station,” Albemarle Parks and Recreation said in a promotional advertisement. “Reckless Betty is a rock band that plays around the Southeast at a variety of events and venues. All concerts are free — bring a comfortable chair and enjoy the show! As always, popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase.”

Fair eld Bluegrass — next week’s performers — and Cabarrus Station each o er bluegrass-styled performances, while The Mod 60s is a Harrisburg-based 1960s tribute act, and The Gamblers Band is an up-and-coming rock group out of Stan eld.

Built over a century ago, Market Station continues to stand as a historic landmark of the county’s growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“All concerts are free — bring a comfortable chair and enjoy the show.”

Albemarle Parks and Recreation

The former train station once served as a primary gateway to and from Albemarle, and now it has been preserved and repurposed for various community uses, ranging from weddings and reunions to concerts and wine festivals.

The venue can be reserved for both private and public events by contacting the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation at 704-984-9420 or booking directly at market-station.com.

The ADDC was recently honored for being designated as an Accredited Main Street America program and meeting the performance standards associated with preservation-based

economic development and community revitalization.

“We are pleased to yet again meet the performance standards for this national accreditation status,” ADDC Chair Beth Olivieri said in a media release. “Our city leadership and entire network of Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation volunteers strive to continue to build grassroots revitalization programs and foster strong public-private partnerships to accomplish this important work in our community.”

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

ELI WARD-BROWN FOR STANLY COUNTY JOURNAL

COURTESY NC DMV

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

LICENSE from page 1

of the card depicts a Colonial Spanish mustang grazing along one of North Carolina’s eastern beaches.

These design elements are part of more than 50 security features incorporated into the new cards to help law enforcement deter and detect fraud.

The DMV will begin producing the new card design later this week, gradually phasing out the current design by the end of June.

Existing licenses and ID cards will remain valid until their expiration date.

May 21

WEEKLY FORECAST

Tillery Compassionate Care receives multiple honors

The awards are from Modern Healthcare and HEALTHCARE rst

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — In a span of less than 10 days, an Albemarle-based hospice nonpro t organization has been honored with two di erent awards.

Tillery Compassionate Care (TCC) was selected by Modern Healthcare on May 13 as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Healthcare.

On May 22, it was named by HEALTHCARE rst as a 2024 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award recipient.

Formerly known as Hospice of Stanly until a rebranding effort last October, Tillery has provided hospice services to patients and their families in Stanly, Montgomery and surrounding counties, giving care to more than 7,600 residents in the local area since 1981.

“Tillery Compassionate Care o ers hospice and palliative care to our community, ensuring dignity and respect are integral in the care we deliver to individuals living with a serious illness,” said CEO Lori Thayer in a statement.

Thayer continued: “Recognition from Modern Healthcare for the second consecutive year as one of the best places to work in healthcare validates that philosophy. I’m extremely proud of our exceptional team and grateful for this recognition!”

This fall, Modern Healthcare’s magazine will publish a special supplement featuring a ranked list of all its award winners, including TCC’s honor as an esteemed workplace. Additionally, TCC will nd out its ranking on the Best Places list and be celebrated at an awards gala in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 10.

Partnering with the Workforce Research Group on the

• Tara Denicka Hartsell, 38 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of obtaining property by false pretense and misdemeanor probation violation.

• Avery Karl Hildreth, 32 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of driving while license revoked due to impaired driving and fictitious/alteration of title/ registration card/tag.

May 22

• Cory Darius Rushing, 28 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of possession of a controlled substance on prison/ jail premises, simple possession of Schedule IV controlled substances, and carrying a concealed gun.

• Teneka Evette Bowden, 44 years-old,

assessment process and an extensive employee survey, the Modern Healthcare award program identi es outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide.

“With all the economic uncertainty, sta ng challenges, and folks wanting more exible work setups, every company has to get clever about how they attract and hold onto talent,” Dan Peres, president of Modern Healthcare, said in a press release.

“The winners of the 2024 Best Places to Work awards really get it. They show us how vital it is to understand what employees want and need right now,” Peres continued. “With healthcare shifting so much, nding the right people is a top priority, and the winners know that keeping their team happy is the key to business success.”

was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assault and battery, and breaking or entering.

May 23

• Trenton Ray Weast, 32 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of felony probation violation.

May 24

• Michael Dewayn Manning, 24 yearsold, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of resisting a public officer, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, speeding, driving without a valid operator’s license, reckless driving to endanger, reckless driving with wanton disregard, failing to

TCC’s second honor in the month of May — the 2024 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award from HEALTHCARE rst — acknowledges exemplary agencies by analyzing Hospice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey satisfaction and quality measures.

“We began our Annual Hospice Honors Award program more than ten years ago as a way to highlight those agencies that are truly leading the way in providing and demonstrating quality patient care,” said Jeremy Crow, head of RCM and CAHPS Survey, Home Health and Hospice. “We congratulate Tillery Compassionate Care on this recognition and are so proud and honored that they have chosen to partner with us in helping drive success for their agency.”

In order to be considered for

heed light or siren, and several traffic offenses.

• Jordan Lee Furr, 26 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of simple assault, threatening phone calls, communicating threats, injury to personal property, first-degree trespass entering/remaining, and harassing phone calls (no threat made).

• Bobby Jason Thompson, 47 yearsold, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and domestic criminal trespass.

• Karen Leigh Starnge, 53 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of obtaining property by false pretense.

this award, the hospice agency must have scored above the HEALTHCARE rst National Performance Score on the Hospice CAHPS Willingness to Recommend question and then must be compared to a national database.

“It’s very gratifying to know that our agency performs well on patient satisfaction surveys. This tells me that our patients and families acknowledge the care and commitment of our entire team,” Thayer said. “We are honored to be recognized for the 2024 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award and we are grateful to our team for being the reason why.”

More information about hospice, palliative care and advance care planning is available from TCC by calling 704-983-4216 or by visiting tillerycompassionatecare.org.

May 25

• Lisa Helms Presslar, 39 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of misdemeanor larceny.

• Edward Emil Michel, 53 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of driving while impaired.

May 26

• Carl Anthony Harris, 22 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of injury to personal property.

• Chandler Alan Morefield, 20 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of speeding, reckless driving with wanton disregard, failing to heed light or siren, reckless driving to endanger, and covering or disguising a registration plate.

CRIME LOG

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

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

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.

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 first 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-foottall 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 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

COLUMN | CONNIE LOVELL

The remarkable legacy of Billy Graham Wedding season and the future of America

Virtue is starting to look cool again.

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

meetings were my childhood pastors and my Sunday school teachers, who all had a massive influence, 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 influence. 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 — staffed the effort 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 prolific 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.

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.

STANLY SPORTS

North Stanly softball comes up short in state regionals

The Comets were defeated twice by Southwestern

Randoph

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

NEW LONDON — Falling just one win short of locking up an appearance in the NCHSAA 2A softball state championship series, the North Stanly Comets su ered a 2-0 home shutout to Southwestern Randolph last Friday night. The second-seeded Comets (21-5-1) defeated the fourth-seeded Cougars (21-7) 1-0 at home in the rst game of the best-ofthree 2A Western Region Series on May 21.

A day later, the Cougars came away with a 2-1 home win in the 13th inning, snapping the Comets’ ve-game winning streak and evening up the series at one win apiece.

In Game 3 to determine who would advance to face No. 3 Midway (21-3) in the championship series, North had an untimely o ensive drought as its third scoreless performance of the season aligned with a mustwin scenario.

Facing North Stanly pitcher

Sophia Crist, Southwestern Randolph went ahead in the third inning as Lileigh Payne scored a run with a two-out single. Later in the sixth inning, the Cougars’ Alyssa Harris drove in the game’s second run to make it a 2-0 game.

The Comets attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning as Crist and Emma Sanders got on base with consecutive one-out singles, but Cougar ace Macie Crutch eld secured a pop-out to left eld and a strikeout to clinch the victory.

In a low-scoring series, the Cougars came out with ve combined runs, topping the Comets’ two runs; North had outscored its opponents by a margin of 130 -25 heading into the three-game series.

Facing No. 31 East Burke (10 -14) , No. 15 Bandys (16-9), No. 23 Madison (13-8) and No. 3 Maiden (17-5) in the rst four rounds of the 2A state playo s, the Comets had scored 24 runs and only allowed two runs.

“Celebrating our amazing Comets for their 2A West Regional runner-up title. Proud of the team’s achievement and excited that the whole squad is

“Proud of the team’s achievement and excited that the whole squad is coming back next season.”

North Stanly Booster Club

coming back next season. Let’s keep shining, Comets,” the North Stanly Booster Club posted on its social media account after the game. “Our girls are absolute rockstars. Securing the second spot in the West Region is no small feat. Comet Nation couldn’t be prouder of you.”

Earlier in the 2024 campaign, North Stanly nished rst in its Yadkin Valley Conference standings — holding an 8-0 regular-season record against conference opponents — but got tripped up by the Union Academy Cardinals (17-8) in the YVC Tournament on May 1.

With just three seniors on the current roster, coach Phillip Speight and his Comets are primed to put together another strong campaign for the 2025 season.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Sophia Crist

North Stanly, softball

Sophia Crist is a freshman on the North Stanly softball team and is now a two-time Athlete of the Week.

We honored her back in April when she turned in back-to-back shutouts, one a perfect game.

Crist led North Stanly to the NCHSAA 2A Western Regional Championship series with another strong performance on the mound in the quarter nals.

She then opened the championship series with a complete game shutout of Southwestern Randolph. She scored the game’s only run in a walk-o win to go up one game to none in the best of three series.

North Stanly dropped the next two games, both tight a airs. In the nal game, she singled to start a nal inning rally that saw the potential game-winning run come to the plate. She was stranded, however, bringing a successful season to an end.

NFL closer to having games every day of week as league’s reach continues to grow

The new schedule has games on every day of the week except Tuesday

By Teresa M. Walker

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NFL hasn’t scheduled a game for every day of the week.

Yet.

“We’re going to be the new 7-Eleven,” New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said. “NFL, 24 hours, you can watch them play any given day.”

The veteran preparing for his 14th season has a way of lacing his critiques with playful satire that hits his intended target. With the NFL close to lling every day of the week with a game in the 2024 season, the league with a reputation of “any given Sunday” might just qualify for that new nickname.

It’s all part of the NFL’s plan to keep growing the game and the league.

“Our job is to be everywhere our fans are,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said when asked about the league’s new three-year Net ix deal that this year adds Wednesday games. “They have almost 300 million global subscribers. We are obviously focused on becoming

The short turnaround and sloppy play have made Thursday games — which will again air on Amazon Prime — unpopular among players, but the schedule now includes them on a weekly basis.

more global. So it’s a huge bene t to us.”

That deal is why the league that has scheduled and played games on Christmas for years will be playing not one but two games on Christmas when defending Super Bowl champion

Kansas City visits Pittsburgh as part of a holiday doubleheader capped by Baltimore at Houston.

The di erence is this will be only the third time the NFL has played on a Wednesday since 1950.

The four teams involved all

play on Saturday, giving coaches and players the kind of turnaround faced when a Sunday game is followed by a Thursday night kicko . Tuesday is the only day the Chiefs won’t play a game this season — technically the lone day o for NFL play-

ers with Sunday games.

The Baltimore Ravens will only miss playing a game on a Tuesday and Friday in a schedule that includes a pair of Thursday games. Christmas will cap a stretch of three games in 11 days for Baltimore.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said it’s not so much a concern as more of a “shock factor,” but players will adapt and prepare for what may be the start of a new stage for the NFL. He said players likely had the same conversations when the NFL introduced games on Monday nights, then Thursday nights.

“I’m sure 10 years from now, that might be the norm,” Hamilton said of an NFL schedule featuring games throughout a week. Arizona o ensive lineman Will Hernandez said getting the body to bounce back quickly is tough.

“I just go back to this: We all signed for it. We know what it is. Let’s just go,” Hernandez said. Monday nights used to be for a premier game for the NFL. A new contract added games on Sunday night. Then the NFL started opening seasons on Thursday nights in 2006. In 2020, the NFL played its rst Tuesday night game since 2010 because of the pandemic. Before that, the NFL hadn’t played on a Tuesday since 1946.

Jordan said the league preaches about using Guardian caps for player safety. “But nobody cares about our protocol of how to get our bodies back from a Sunday game to now a Wednesday game?” Jordan said. “Not saying that sounds absurd.”

PJ WARD-BROWN / STANLY COUNTY JOURNAL

MATT FREED / AP PHOTO

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.

NCAA, leagues back $2.8B settlement over next decade

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

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.

C.

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

HONG / AP PHOTO

Young missionaries, religious leader killed in Haiti

The daughter of a Missouri state legislator was among those killed

By Dánica Coto and Jim Salter

The Associated Press

THE BODIES of a young missionary couple from the U.S. who were attacked and fatally shot by gang members in Haiti are expected to be transported to Missouri this week, a spokesperson for the families said Sunday.

Thursday’s killings of Davy and Natalie Lloyd, and Jude Montis, the local director of the mission group Missions in Haiti Inc., happened in the community of Lizon in northern Portau-Prince. They were leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.

Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker.

Speaking on behalf of the Lloyd and Baker families in a Facebook post on Baker’s page, Cassidy Anderson said Sunday that transport had been secured for a Thursday arrival of the bodies in Missouri. But Anderson added that “security is going to be very di cult.”

Haiti’s capital has been crumbling under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country.

Missions in Haiti’s website says its goal is “to see the Gospel of Christ make a di erence in the lives of Haiti’s young people.”

Davy Lloyd’s parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, of Oklahoma, started the organization in 2000 seeking to focus on the children of Haiti. David and Alicia Lloyd are full-time missionaries in the country.

Hannah Cornett, Davy’s sister, told AP that they grew up in Haiti. Davy went to the U.S. to attend a Bible college and married Natalie in June 2022. After the wedding, the couple wasted little time moving to Haiti to do

humanitarian work.

Cornett said Montis, a Haitian, worked at Missions in Haiti for 20 years.

The organization’s e orts include House of Compassion, which provides housing for 36 children — 18 boys and 18 girls, its website says. “All are destined to stay at House of Compassion until they have nished school and are ready to be on their own.”

Good Hope Boys’ Home provides a home for 22 boys, according to the website. The organization also built a church, a bakery and a school with more than 240 students.

A Facebook posting on the Missions in Haiti page stated that Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with some

North Korean rocket carrying its 2nd spy satellite explodes

By Hyung-jin Kim and Mari Yamaguchi

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — A rocket launched by North Korea to deploy the country’s second spy satellite exploded shortly after lifto Monday, state media reported, in a setback for leader Kim Jong Un’s hopes to operate multiple satellites to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea.

Monday’s failed launch came hours after leaders of South Korea, China and Japan met in Seoul in their rst trilateral meeting in more than four years. It’s highly unusual for North Korea to take provocative action when China, its major ally and economic pipeline, is engaging in high-level diplomacy in the region.

The launch drew rebukes from the North’s neighbors because the U.N. bans North Korea from conducting any such launches, viewing them as covers for testing long-range missile technology.

The North’s o cial Korean Central News Agency said it launched a spy satellite aboard a new rocket at its main northwestern space center. But KCNA said the rocket blew up during a rst-stage ight soon after lifto due to a suspected engine problem.

KCNA cited the unidentied vice director of the National Aerospace Technology Administration as saying a preliminary examination showed the explosion was related to the reliability of operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen-petroleum engine. He said other possible causes will be investigated, according to KCNA.

Japan’s government brief-

ly issued a missile warning for the southern prefecture of Okinawa, urging residents to take shelter inside buildings and other safer places. The warning was lifted later because the region was no longer in danger, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara called the North’s launch “a serious challenge to the entire world.” The U.S. Indo-Paci c Command criticized the launch as a “brazen violation” of U.N. Security Council resolutions and said it involved technologies that are directly related to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile program. South Korea’s Uni cation Ministry called a satellite launch by the North “a provocation that seriously threatens our and regional security.”

North Korea has steadfastly maintained it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles in the face of U.S.-led military threats. North Korea says the operation of spy satellites will allow it to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea and improve the precision-striking capabilities of its missiles.

During the trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang earlier Monday, South Korean President Yoon

Suk Yeol called for stern international action if North Korea went ahead with its launch plan.

Kishida, for his part, urged the North to withdraw its launch plan, but Li didn’t mention the launch plan as he o ered general comments about promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through a political resolution.

children, were leaving a church when gang members in three trucks ambushed them.

Davy Lloyd later called his family to tell them that gang members hit him on the head with the barrel of a gun, forced him upstairs, stole their belongings and left him tied up, Cornett said.

As people were helping to untie Davy Lloyd, another group of armed gunmen showed up, Cornett said.

“No one understood what they were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode,” Missions in Haiti’s posting said.

The couple and Montis ed to a house connected to the

mission.

“They tried to take cover in there, but the gang shot up the house,” Cornett said. Cornett said Montis left behind two children, ages 2 and 6.

Montis’ family could not be reached for comment Friday, and Missions in Haiti did not respond to an AP request for comment. Missions in Haiti said in a Facebook post on Saturday that they were “facing the most difcult time of our life.”

“The embassy is working on getting all the paper work done in order for them to be own to the states and many more behind the scenes to make happen more quickly and safely,” the post said, adding that the

children and sta of Missions in Haiti have been relocated to a safer location.

Baker, Natalie Lloyd’s father and a Republican state representative in Missouri, said Friday on Facebook that the couple’s bodies were safely transported to the U.S. Embassy. Throughout the weekend, Baker’s Facebook page provided updates on the e orts to arrange for transport to Missouri.

On Sunday, Anderson wrote on the families’ behalf that plans rmed up and transport had been secured. Baker wrote on Facebook in the early hours on Friday that his heart was broken “in a thousand pieces.”

Earlier Monday, North Korea had noti ed Japan’s coast guard about its planned launch with a warning to exercise caution in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and China and east of the main Philippine island of Luzon during a launch window from Monday through June 3.

Some observers say North Korea’s satellite launch on the rst day of its eight-day window might have been aimed at cast-

ing a chill over the Seoul-Beijing-Tokyo meeting and registering its displeasure with China.

Kim Jong Un has been embracing the idea of a “new Cold War” and seeking to boost ties with Beijing and Moscow to forge a united front against Washington, so China’s diplomacy with Seoul and Tokyo might have been a disturbing development for Pyongyang.

Kim’s primary focus in recent

months has been on Russia, as Pyongyang and Moscow — both locked in confrontations with Washington — expand their military cooperation. China, which is much more sensitive about its international reputation, has joined Russia in blocking U.S.led e orts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on the North but has been less bold and open about supporting Kim’s “new Cold War” drive.

BRAD SEARCY PHOTOGRAPHY VIA AP

Davy and Natalie Lloyd were among three U.S. missionaries who were killed in Haiti after being ambushed at the Port-au-Prince, o cials with the mission organization said Friday.

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

Dwight Farmer

James Roseboro

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

John B. Kluttz

Doris Jones Coleman

Barbara Sills Morgan

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

February 14, 1939 –May 19, 2024

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.

Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.

We are sad to share the news that Barbara Sills Morgan of Locust passed on May 19th, 2024. Barbara was the daughter of Joseph Ralph Sills and Fannie Mae Beaver. Barbara graduated from Odell High School class of 1957. She was a house wife for 15 years and then went to work as lead code clerk for 15 years at Thurston Motor Lines. Barbara’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and generosity. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Well done good and faithful servant – Matthew 25:21. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Buck Morgan, son Michael Scott Poplin, sister Betty Sills Rinfret and Linda Sills, Step-son Bucky Morgan and Billy Morgan. She is survived by Son Donald Ralph Poplin, daughter Cathy Lynn Poplin, daughter in-law Pat Poplin, Step-daughter Kathey Morgan Phillips ( Gerald ), Granddaughter Allison Michelle Bartlett, Grandsons Donald Ray Poplin, Bradley, Joseph poplin, and many other extended family members.

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

Rev. Harold Lawson McDonald

June 15, 1936May 25, 2024

Reverend Harold Lawson McDonald passed away on May 25, 2024, following an extended illness. Reverend McDonald was born on June 15, 1936, in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended and graduated from Sydney Lanier High School in Montgomery. It was during high school that he met Betty Lucille Lankford, who immediately became the love of his life, and a few years later joined him in a marriage that endured for the next sixty-seven years. Following high school graduation, Rev. McDonald took a B.A. degree in English from Howard College (now Samford University), and continued his education at Southeastern Seminary, where he graduated with a

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Margie Blackman Hahn

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

July 30, 1934 – May 20, 2024

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.

Donna Dianne Burris Whitley

July 1, 1941 – May 17, 2024

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty.

Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Margie Lee Blackman Hahn, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday May 20, 2024, at her home. Mrs. Hahn was born on July 30, 1934, in Johnston County, NC to the late Sidney Huth Blackman and Lalon Jernigan Blackman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Billy James Hahn, Sr., sons Billy James (Jimmy) Hahn, Jr., Alvin Richard Hahn; grandson Joseph Ian Hahn. Mrs. Hahn was a homemaker, a retired cosmetologist of more than 52 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She loved her family, playing Rummikub, working in her yard and being able to help people. Survivors include son, Je rey Bryan Hahn of Albemarle; grandchildren Stephanie Merritt (John) of Matthews; Christina Kasak (Zac) of Fort Mill, SC; Kaile Cook (Dustin) of Huntersville; Drew Hahn of Denver; greatgrandchildren Harper Kasak, Gavin Kasak, Carter Cook, Decker Cook, Link Merritt, Elliott Merritt; sister Judy B. Warren of Benson; and several special nieces.

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

Master of Divinity degree in 1958. Throughout both college and seminary, he was pastor of Hayneville Baptist Church in Hayneville, Alabama, commuting back and forth by train between Wake Forest and Montgomery on the weekends he was preaching, and working at The Young Men’s Clothing Shop in Durham, on his “free” weekends. Upon graduating from seminary, he served as Associate Pastor of Youth and Education at First Baptist Church in Fairmont, NC from 1961-1964, and then accepted a call from First Baptist Church of Burnsville, NC where he was pastor from 1964-1974. During his ministry at First Baptist Burnsville, he oversaw the construction of a new church building on the town square. In 1974, Rev. McDonald accepted a call from First Baptist Church of Albemarle, NC, where he served as pastor for twenty-seven years until his retirement in June, 2001. In the years following his retirement from full-time ministry, he acted as interim pastor at First Baptist Church Fairmont, NC (2001-2003), Kendalls Baptist Church (2003-2005), and Rich eld Baptist Church (2009-2011), and as Chaplain of The Gardens of Taylor Glen (2002-2018). In addition to a lifetime of Christian service, Rev. McDonald also served in number of civic capacities, including his lengthy tenure on the Mars Hill University Board of Trustees (1974-2009),

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

Donna Dianne Burris Whitley, 82, of Albemarle passed away at 4:56 a.m. May 17th, 2024, at Stanly Manor. She was born July 1st, 1941, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina to the late Elmer Carwell Burris and Freda Camilla (Poplin) Burris. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and when her health permitted, she loved visiting yard sales and antique stores. She also loved her Kendalls Church family and enjoyed visits and calls from each and every person. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Kenneth Melvin Whitley; Sisters Novillian, Annie Belle, Franki, and Brenda; Brother Ervin. Survivors include her son Patrick Whitley and wife Bobbie of Albemarle; Grandchildren Cody Whitley of Wilmington, Lacey Whitley of Troy, and Maverick Whitley of Albemarle; Sister Kathleen Hardister of Albemarle; and many nieces and nephews.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

and his role as Chair of the Albemarle Sesquicentennial Committee in 2006. As ardently devoted as he was to serving his church and community, Harold McDonald’s greatest source of joy in life was his family. He was never as contented as when surrounded by the merry chaos of a family get-together, whether at Christmas, Thanksgiving, or just some random weekend when one or more of the McDonald clan ventured to Albemarle for a visit with “Mimi and Grandaddy.” He is survived by his beloved wife Betty, his children Carole McDonald Lewis, and Al (Charleston, SC), Dr. Hal McDonald, and Nancy (Asheville, NC), and Dr. Susan McDonald, and Lyn (Atlanta, GA); his grandchildren A. D. Lewis IV, and Christy (Charleston, SC), Elizabeth Lewis (Charleston, SC), Hillary McDonald, and Nick (Leonardtown, MD), Dr. Lawson McDonald, and Julia (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Eleanor McDonald (Memphis, TN), Sydney Baysden Spivey, and Stephen (Mt. Holly, NC), Reilly Baysden (Apex, NC), Ashton Baysden, and Andrew (Raleigh, NC), and Harrison Baysden (Apex, NC); and his two greatgrandchildren Miller McDonald Spivey (Mt. Holly, NC), and Elizabeth King McDonald (Fort Lauderdale, FL). He is preceded in death by his daughter Lori McDonald Baysden, with whom he is now enjoying a joyous reunion.

Frances Jane Stewart

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

June 2, 1938 – May 16, 2024

John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

Tyra Anne Smith Pazur

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

August 29, 1947 –May 16, 2024

Frances Jane Stewart, 85, of Charlotte passed away on May 16, 2024, at Carmel Hills in Charlotte. Born June 2, 1938, in Norristown, PA, she was the daughter of the late John Joseph Walsh and Frances Pauline Cahill Walsh. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and was a retired bookkeeper. She enjoyed ceramics and in her younger years, she and her husband danced and followed their friends, the Country Ramblers. She was preceded in death by her husband Lester Stewart in 2023. Survivors include sons Lester Stewart Jr. (Kristi) of South Dakota and John J. Stewart (Cheryl) of Levittown, PA, sister Joan Galant (Robert) of Fort Mill, 5 grandchildren Lester III (Jennifer), Sara Harris (Brandon), John (Amber), Peter (Jamie), and Katherine, 10 great-grandchildren, Elliott Stewart, Oskar Stewart, William Stewart, Gradyn Harris, Adalyn Harris, Theo Stewart, Sam Stewart, Tristanie Stewart, Emilee Stewart, and Alex Stewart, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long ght in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away ghting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Tyra Anne Smith Pazur, 76, of New London passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in her home. Born August 29, 1947, in Stanly County, NC, she was the daughter of William Ben Smith and Leola Barbee Smith. She was a former Executive Legal Secretary and a homemaker. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church. Mrs. Pazur is survived by her husband John Clayton Pazur. Other survivors include sons John Pazur V of Erwin, NC and Jessica Pazur of Albemarle, ve grandchildren Rachel LeAnne Pazur, Hannah Jade Pazur, John Pazur VI, Jonah Alston, and Caleb Gri n and one great-grandson Greyson Ramirez. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Chloe’ Annedale Hamilton.

prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members

James Ervin Sibley

William Grey Boger

July 8, 1950 – May 14, 2024

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young worked for Pediatrician Dr. William years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

October 9, 1954 – May 18, 2024

James “Jim” Ervin Sibley passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday May 18th, 2024. He is survived by; his wife, Teresa, sons JJ and Daniel; daughters Emily, Victoria and Patricia; six grandchildren; Timmy, Claire and Tina Sibley. Carter and Cameron O’keefe and Benjamin Ledford. Jim was a father gure to countless others, as he always kept his heart open to anyone who needed it. He proudly served our country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Jim was truly a unique character and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all.

Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

William Grey Boger, 73, formally of Badin, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Mcwhorter Hospice House in Monroe, NC. No formal services are scheduled. Mr. Boger was born July 8, 1950, in Stanly County to the late Hoyle and Barbara Boger. He is predeceased by his wife, Katy. He is lovingly survived by his sister, Elizabeth Talbert and one nephew West Talbert. He truly enjoyed walking and being outside in nature. He was a history bu and loved the game of chess. He also enjoyed gardening and playing golf.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

STATE & NATION

Lara Trump touts RNC changes, 2024 presidential victory at NCGOP convention

The daughter-in-law of Donald Trump is emphasizing voter turnout in November

By Makiya Seminera

The Associated Press

GREENSBORO — To a room full of Republicans from across North Carolina on Friday, former President Donald Trump railed against the Biden administration and vowed to win in the state for a third time — all over a speaker phone call after his son Eric Trump dialed him on stage.

“I just want to thank all of the people of North Carolina. The support has been great and never wavered,” Donald Trump said, met by cheers from hundreds in the crowd.

The four-minute phone call kicked o keynote speeches from RNC co-chair Lara Trump and her husband, Eric, at the North Carolina GOP Convention in Greensboro. The couple touted key changes to the national Republican Party under Lara Trump’s leadership and insisted on the necessity of getting Trump back in o ce.

RNC’s co-chair, the party’s top fundraising o cial, in March and serves as No. 2 to Michael Whatley, the new RNC chair and former chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. Both Whatley and Lara Trump came into their leadership positions looking to revitalize the party and ensure Trump’s victory in November.

In the weeks following their ascension, the RNC saw major shakeups in sta ng and an increase in fundraising — the latter greatly needed to fund Trump’s growing legal fees as he faces multiple civil and criminal trials.

While Lara Trump is early in her role, Nancy Murray, a GOP delegate from Charlotte, said she has high hopes for what Trump’s daughter-in-law will bring to party leadership.

races across the country.

“I’m hopeful Lara Trump can bring this back,” Bourgeois said before the speech.

Lara Trump pitched the RNC shifts to the crowd as necessary changes to winning the 2024 election, which included an emphasis on getting Republicans to turn out in massive droves in November. She urged the crowd to vote as early as possible — including by mail-in ballots, which Republicans such as Trump previously admonished against — and take others to cast their ballots to make sure the election is “too big to rig.”

“Any way you can vote and as early as you can vote, get your vote banked,” Lara Trump said.

“What we have going on in this country right now is not Republican versus Democrat or left versus right,” Lara Trump, a Wilmington native, said during the couple’s almost 40-minute address. “It’s good versus evil.”

criminal indictment claiming he mishandled classi ed federal documents was handed down from a grand jury.

Lara and Eric Trump’s speech comes a year after Trump addressed North Carolina Republicans as a keynote speaker at the party’s 2023 convention — one of his rst public appearances a few days after his rst

But a lot has changed at the state and national party since Trump’s June visit to the convention — including his daughter-in-law’s meteoric rise within the Republican National Committee.

Lara Trump became the

She also said Lara Trump may be a major improvement from previous longtime RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, who Murray believes is a RINO — a derogatory term for conservatives meaning Republican in Name Only.

Under McDaniel, Emily Bourgeois, another Charlotte delegate, said the party su erednancial issues and lost too many

NC man sentenced to 25 years for teaching bomb-making to person targeting authorities

The 40-year-old from Mount Olive also had improvised explosives found on his farm

By Jason Dearen The Associated Press

RALEIGH — A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Mount Olive man to 25 years in prison for teaching someone how to make bombs meant to kill federal law enforcement o cers.

A jury had found Christopher Arthur, 40, guilty in 2023 for the bomb-related charges, as well as for illegally possessing weapons, including improvised explosives found on his farm.

Arthur, a U.S. Army and North Carolina National Guard veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, founded a company called Tackleberry Solutions, which created manuals and videos teaching so-called wartime tactics. In addition to the bomb-making instructions, Arthur’s training manuals and videos included instructions for how to create “fatal funnels” meant to kill responding law enforcement with booby traps.

Arthur initially attracted the attention of the FBI in 2020 after some of his manuals were discovered in the possession of Joshua Blessed, a man who had attacked sheri ’s deputies and police o cers in upstate New York. Blessed, a truck driver, died after leading o cers on a nearly two-hour high-speed chase and gun battle.

Arthur was arrested in January 2022 after he provided instructions for how to construct bombs to a con dential human source, referred to as “Buckshot” by federal prosecutors.

Buckshot initially contacted Arthur in May 2021, claiming that agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had con scated some of his weapons. He told Arthur he wanted help preparing for the agents’ expected return to his house.

At trial, Arthur said his man-

uals and training sessions were not meant to be used to launch attacks on law enforcement or the government. He said he believed that the country was headed into violent chaos, and he wanted to prepare people to defend themselves.

In a brief statement on Friday before his sentence, Arthur, dressed in orange jail clothes,

The couple levied signi cant criticism against the Biden administration, which included concerns on immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and in ation. As a way to get back to the country’s “guiding principles,” Eric Trump told the crowd that he and Lara Trump were committed to leading Trump’s campaign to victory by November.

“We’re going to make America great again, and we’re going to do it together and we’re going to start in North Carolina,” Eric Trump said.

warned that the country was going to soon fall into violence. “Buy food storage and prepare to defend yourselves and your family,” he said. Federal prosecutors charged Arthur with domestic terrorism enhancements related to the bomb-making instructions, charges the judge kept in place despite defense objections.

Arthur’s federal public defender, Ed Gray, told the court that his client was a deeply religious man who simply wanted to keep his family safe from what Arthur believed was a coming apocalypse.

“He’s not some sort of terrorist like Timothy McVeigh,” Gray said, referring to the man who was executed for the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995. “He’s a veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq. It’s tough to come back from that, and his focus had changed. There are unseen issues that should be addressed,” Gray added, saying Arthur was open to therapy.

But before imposing Arthur’s sentence, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III said he took into account the defendant’s service and his history as a former law enforcement o cer.

“It’s really sad, honestly,” the judge said, referring to Arthur’s military service and the families of those he was accused of targeting. “But it is serious, too. Just as every person who’s ever had a loved one in combat knows, they pray every night that they’ll come home. Families of law enforcement say the same prayer every day when their spouse, or mom or dad, go to work.”

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Christopher Arthur, a Mount Olive native, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a federal judge after he was convicted of teaching bomb-making skills to a someone who planned to kill ATF agents.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Lara Trump reaches out to her husband, Eric Trump, as she speaks at the North Carolina GOP convention Friday in Greensboro.

Honoring sacri ce

Amid barbecues and basking in the sun, volunteers placed American ags on the graves of countless veterans around the country — including at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro — in honor of Memorial Day.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

North Carolina gets hot, declares Cooper

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper would like you to be aware that North Carolina gets hot. While it’s likely you were already aware of this fact, he has, nevertheless, proclaimed this to be North Carolina Heat Awareness Week.

It’s a good reminder to stay safe from heat-related e ects by staying well-hydrated, keeping an eye on the heat index and checking on more vulnerable members of your community to ensure they are keeping cool this summer.

In a press release announcing the proclamation, Dr. Susan Kansagra, assistant secretary for public health with NCDHHS, noted that North Carolina had more than 3,900 heat-related emergency room visits in 2023.

Don’t drink and boat

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reminds North Carolinians that enforcement o cers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints this summer to deter impaired operation of vehicles.

So far, in 2024, the commission has investigated 19 boating incidents, with seven fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in two of the 19 investigated incidents.

In 2023, there were 18 fatal boating incidents resulting in 19 fatalities, though none of the fatal incidents reported alcohol usage. However, only two of the 18 included passengers wearing personal otation devices.

$450M Ross Stores warehouse coming to Randleman

More than 850 new jobs are expected by 2026

By Bob Sutton Randolph 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 awarded to Ross Dress For Less, Inc., which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier Tuesday. During the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow

the state’s economy by $1.4 billion, state o cials reported.

Ross’ JDIG agreement could also move as much as $845,700 into a fund that helps rural communities across the state attract business in the future, according to information from state o cials. When companies select a site located in a Tier 2 county such as Randolph, their JDIG agreements move some of the new tax revenue into the state’s Industrial Development Fund — Utility Account.

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.

Among the area partners with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were Randolph Community College, Randolph County, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation and the City of Randleman.

Interstate should bring boost to Randolph County

Upgrading the highway to the required standards will take years

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

LIBERTY — With a new interstate cutting through Randolph County, it’s going to contribute to the area’s growth, Darrell Frye said. Frye, chair of the Randolph County commissioners, was among the state and local leaders gathering Monday to celebrate the designation of U.S. Highway 421 as the future Interstate 685.

“I think it’s a recognition of what’s happening here in this part of the Triad,” Frye said.

The event, held next to the under-construction Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant, featured the unveiling of new Future I-685 signs that will be going up along the route from

Greensboro to Sanford.

“Unveiling of the Future Interstate 685 sign is a true testament to the collaboration and teamwork that is fueling

said Loren Hill, Carolina Core Regional Economic Development director.

I-685 will eventually run from I-85 to I-95, improving connectivity and commerce across the region. According to N.C. Transportation secretary Joey Hopkins, upgrading U.S. 421 to interstate standards will take place in phases across many years, coordinating with local governments. Two new interchanges are already under construction near the Toyota plant site and will open in the coming months.

“It’s another convenience thing,” Frye said. “I think it gives another access to the site

ELI WARD-BROWN FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

We stand corrected

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

THURSDAY MAY 30

FRIDAY MAY 31

SATURDAY JUNE 1

Randolph Schools expand free lunch program

All elementary and middle schools will be able to o er free meals

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

AT ITS MAY 20 meeting, Randolph County Schools Board of Education was presented with the list of schools that will be operating under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2024-25 school year.

“School Nutrition plans to expand the Community Eligibility Provision or CEP program to all middle schools, Uwharrie Ridge 6 -12 and Eastern Randolph High School,” said Director of School Nutrition Kelly Green. “As you may know, this past school year, we

added all elementary schools, Ramseur Elementary has been operating under it since 2015, and Southeastern Randolph Middle.”

The CEP allows schools with an identi ed student percentage (ISP) with free or reduced lunch of over 25% to serve free breakfast and lunches to all students in the school.

The schools then in turn can claim the meals based on a percentage of those ISPs multiplied by a USDA- de ned multiplier factors (currently 1.6) to determine their free reimbursement.

In total, 25 schools will be operating under CEP in Randolph County this upcoming school year, all operating at 70% or higher reimbursement and with ve that will receive over 100% reimbursement.

Randolph County residents to save on zoo tix in August

Locals and up to three guests can buy tickets for $5 each

By Scott Pelkey Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Randolph County residents will be able to visit the North Carolina Zoo

INTERSTATE from page 1

for workers, adds another degree of safety to it.”

A recently completed bridge over U.S. 421 was the backdrop for last week’s ceremony.

The future interstate is expected to be a major draw for new businesses to locate in the area.

“One of the main things (businesses) look for is the transportation network,” Hopkins said. “They all want to be adjacent to or near an interstate.”

It’s unclear when U.S. 421 will actually reach interstate status, but it’s part of a longrange process that Frye has been aware of for more than a decade.

“The word ‘megasite’ was rst mentioned in about 2010,” he said. “We met for almost

May 21

• Jonas Ray Beane, 28, of Ramseur, was arrested by the Randolph Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Randolph County Jail on charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and failure to appear on a misdemeanor.

• Bradley Allen Byers, 43, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff - Vice and booked into the Randolph County Jail on charges of felony probation violation and failure to appear on a misdemeanor.

SUNDAY JUNE 2

MONDAY JUNE 3

TUESDAY JUNE 4

WEDNESDAY JUNE 5

• Devin Alexander Penn, 35, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Randolph Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Randolph County Jail on charges of felony secret peeping and second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

• Tyler Ray Toodle, 24, of Randleman, and Parole and booked into the

at a discount as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.

“Randolph County Days at the Zoo” will run from Aug. 5 through Aug. 30, allowing county residents and up to three guests to attend for just $5 each.

“This is a program to give back to our community and express our gratitude for 50 wild

two years. I have maps, a suitcase full of notes and meeting agendas. We have preliminary maps.”

Those maps show what has now been dubbed the future I- 685.

Designating U.S. 421 as a future interstate has been a key initiative spearheaded by the Piedmont Triad Partnership since launching the Carolina Core brand in 2018 for the region anchored by Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point and Fayetteville. The region has seen $20 billion in investment and 50,000 new jobs announced in recent years from companies around the world.

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis and former Sen. Richard Burr were instrumental in getting congressional approval for the future interstate in 2021. Regional leaders are seeking an addition-

Randolph County Jail on a charge of misdemeanor probation violation.

May 22

• Nataly Carbajal Hernandez, 22, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police and booked into the Randolph County Jail on a charge of failure to appear on a misdemeanor.

• Eric Conan Lockhart, 41, of Archdale, was arrested by the Randolph Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Randolph County Jail on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, dealing in firearms with altered serial numbers, and felony probation violation from another county.

• Christopher Michael Macintyre, 24, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police and booked

In addition, the board also approved keeping the high school prices set at $1.25 for breakfast and $2.45 for lunch.

“The lunch prices we established in 2017-18 are the same … today,” said Superintendent Stephen Gainey. “The USDA requires us to raise the prices 10 cents every year to keep us in line with what’s called paid lunch equity. But the USDA also said we didn’t have to raise it if we ended our normal budget year in the (nonprofit school fund service account) with a positive or zero balance.

“I just want to make sure we recognize Kelly because she’s been involved with managing this program for a long time. Child Nutrition is not an easy program to manage and there’s a lot of moving parts. From 2017-18 to now is a long way to not raise prices and that’s a credit to Kelly and her sta in the way they manage resources in that program.”

The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet June 3.

years here in Randolph County,” said Diane Villa, deputy director and chief communications o cer at the North Carolina Zoo. Randolph residents will need to make an online reservation to receive the discounted rate, and the three additional guest do not need to be from Randolph County. The reservation holder will be required to show an ID with a Randolph ZIP code on the day of their visit. Food, gift shop items and attractions will remain at full price. Reservations are expected to open in June.

al future interstate designation for U.S. 421 from Wilkesboro to I- 40 in Winston-Salem.

The Toyota battery plant and Wolfspeed semiconductor factory, both under construction, represent some of the biggest economic development projects in the state, bringing thousands of jobs and billions in investment to the region.

“We’re just ripe for future opportunities like this,” Hopkins said.

Randolph County and surrounding areas are going to be a critical parts along the interstate.

“If you look south and (toward) Greensboro, the two biggest projects in the state right now, it’s Toyota and Wolfspeed,” Frye said. “They are only 6, 7 miles apart here. This is really the heart of that of that interstate.”

into the Randolph County Jail on charges of breaking and entering, and larceny.

• Michael Andrew Swain, 36, of Ramseur, was arrested by the Ramseur Police Department and booked into the Randolph County Jail on a charge of second-degree trespass.

May 23

• Jesse Wayne Hawks, 38, of Randleman, was arrested by the Randolph Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Randolph County Jail on charges of felony probation violation, fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle (felony), driving while license revoked (not impaired revocation), fictitious or altered title/registration card/tag, failure to heed light or siren, reckless driving to endanger, injury to real property, failure to maintain lane control, and failure to stop at a stop sign or flashing red light.

The Randolph Guide is a quick look at what’s going on in Randolph County.

May 31

Asheboro Downtown Farmers Market

7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Growers only market featuring local, homegrown and home processed products. The market is located at 134 S. Church St. in Asheboro and is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m. –1 p.m. through October. For more information call 336-626-1240 x1

Asheboro Friday Rock’n the Park — On the Border

6:30 p.m.

Featuring On the Border (The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band) featuring opening act:Javier Batista, Cory Luetjen & The Traveling Blues Band. Held at Bicentennial Park in Asheboro, the concert is free and open to the public. Bring a lawn chair.

June 1

Adopt & Play

Saturday

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Randolph County Animal Services is hosting its monthly Adopt & Play Event at the Animal Services Adoption Center (1370 County Land Rd. in Randleman). There will be fun activities and plenty of furry friends looking for forever homes. Adoption fees on speci c animals have been reduced for this event.

National Trails Day with the NC Zoo

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The North Carolina Zoo invites visitors to celebrate National Trails Day by hiking Ridge’s Mountain, located at 504 Summit Court in Asheboro. On June 1, Zoo sta will be available at the trailhead from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to greet hikers and talk about the history of the dramatic landscape.

Free Community Resource Fair

Noon – 4 p.m.

Local organizations will be available to share resources with the public at North Gate Commons. Lunch provided ( rst come, rst serve), along with food trucks, games, prizes and more. Hosted by Randolph County Public Health

Caraway Speedway — Fan Appreciation Night

6:30 – 11 p.m.

Guide

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

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

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.

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 first 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-foottall 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 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

COLUMN | CONNIE LOVELL

The remarkable legacy of Billy Graham Wedding season and the future of America

Virtue is starting to look cool again.

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

meetings were my childhood pastors and my Sunday school teachers, who all had a massive influence, 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 influence. 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 — staffed the effort 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 prolific 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.

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.

RandolpH SPORTS

Cougars softball advances after tense regional nal

Southwestern Randolph reached the state nals for the rst time in 14 years

Randolph Record sta

SOUTHWESTERN Randolph’s softball team made enough clutch plays in the Class 2A West Region nals that was full of tense moments.

The Cougars earned a spot in the state championship series by defeating host North Stanly 2-0 on Friday night in the decisive Game 3 behind pitcher Macie Crutch eld’s ve-hitter.

That means the Cougars have more games to play under rst-year coach Toby Strider by reaching the state nals for the rst time in 14 years.

Midway (21-3), the third-seeded team in the East Region, is Southwestern Randolph’s opponent for the best-of-three state championship series after sweeping Martin County 11-0 and 7-3. The nals will be held at UNC Greensboro.

Game 1 will be at 8 p.m. Friday followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday. If a third game is necessary, it’s tentatively set for 8 p.m. Saturday, though it will

Southwestern Randolph’s Maddie Strider prepares to bunt in a state playo game against Walkertown earlier this month.

move to the 5 p.m. slot if a third game isn’t needed in Class 4A between Garner and Weddington.

Southwestern Randolph is aiming for its fth state championship in softball. The Cougars won the 2001 title in Class 2A, and then made the nals four years in a row later in the decade in Class 3A. They captured championships in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Since that last title, Southwestern Randolph hadn’t played in the state nals until advancing this year.

In Game 3 of the regional, the fourth-seeded Cougars went ahead in the third inning when Lileigh Payne singled with two outs and eventually scored an unearned run. In the sixth, Alyssa Harris drove in Madelyn Smith with the game’s second run against North Stanly pitcher Sophia Crist. Crutch eld struck out ve batters and hit two batters.

The rst two games in the regional nals went extra innings, with a split as the home team won each time.

It began Tuesday at second-seeded North Stanly, with the Comets winning 1-0 in the eighth inning with a game-end-

ing run on a wild pitch.

Crist, who scored the game’s lone run after reaching base on an eighth-inning error, struck out 15 batters. Crutch eld fanned 12 with one walk in the three-hitter.

Micah Wilson had two of the Cougars’ ve hits.

The next night, Southwestern Randolph needed 13 innings for a 2-1 victory with Crutch eld striking out 10.

Smith’s triple drove in Payne, who reached on a walk, for the winning run.

The Cougars withstood North Stanly’s 10 hits and three walks.

Southwestern Randolph went up 1-0 in the third inning on Smith’s triple. The Comets pulled even in the fth.

Smith was credited with four of the Cougars’ seven hits.

North Stanly and Southwestern Randolph also met in midMarch in a nonconference game with visiting North Stanly winning 2-0.

The other championship series will be held at Duke. That involves East Wilkes vs. Northside-Pinetown in Class 1A and Kings Mountain vs. South Brunswick in Class 3A.

Wheatmore makes another long playo run

The Warriors’ girls’ soccer team is vying for another spot in the state nals

Randolph Record sta

WHEATMORE’S Natalie Bowman and Ellie Garrison both had two goals and an assist and the Warriors won the fourth-round game in the Class 2A state playo s for girls’ soccer, defeating host Hendersonville 4 - 0 lat Thursday night. That put sixth-seeded Wheatmore in the West Region nal for the third year in a row as the Warriors bid to make it three straight trips to the state nal.

Wheatmore (17- 4) was scheduled for Tuesday night’s regional nal at Pine Lake Prep (19 -1-1),

which defeated Brevard 5- 0 in the other regional semi nal.

The Wheatmore-Pine Lake Prep game was a rematch from last year’s regional nal.

“There’s a little bit (of pressure) just because we have been the last two years,” Garrison said. “It mostly comes from ourselves and us wanting to break our own records and just get back there.”

The winner will go to the state nal either Friday or Saturday at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews. The nals opponent will be either Clinton or Seaforth.

“If we got there, it would be the good lord doing it,” Wheatmore coach Rick Massey said.

Still, Massey said he encouraged the Warriors to think big

entering the postseason and not being content with advancing a few rounds.

“I think you might be able to do better,” he said he told the team.

Wheatmore has registered four shutouts in the postseason, with goalkeeper Lucy Lockwood charted with seven saves against second-seeded Hendersonville (16 -3-1).

Class 1A

At Columbus, second-seeded Polk County topped third-seeded Uwharrie Charter Academy 4 -2 in the West Region seminal. It was only the third game this season that the Eagles (16 - 6) gave up more than two goals — the others came against Class 2A regional nalist Wheatmore. UCA was coming o a 3-2 third-round victory against No. 22 seed Bradford Prep, with Jazmin Palma scoring two goals and Reese Craven scoring the other.

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Caleb Stickle

Uwharrie Charter Academy, baseball

The senior in elder has been a key member of the back-to-back Class 1A West Region champions.

Stickle provided three hits and drove in four runs in the decisive Game 3 of the Class 1A West Region nals Saturday night at Mount Airy.

That result sent the Eagles back to the state nals, where they’ll try to repeat as state champions this week in the best-of-three nals against Northside-Pinetown at Holly Springs. Stickle was solid throughout the regional. He scored the rst run when UCA won in the series opener. He had one of the team’s two hits in the Game 2 loss.

AREA SPORTS BRIEFS

Marsh receives tourney MVP honor for UNCW

Wilmington

UNC Wilmington’s Trevor Marsh from Asheboro was the Most Outstanding Player of the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament as the Seahawks repeated as baseball league champions Sunday at Brooks Field.

Marsh went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, including two with a seventh-inning single that put the Seahawks ahead to stay in second-seeded UNCW’s 6-4 victory against top-seeded College of Charleston.

Marsh, a senior center elder, batted 8-for-13 in the Seahawks’ three tournament games. On Monday, UNCW (39-19) was assigned to the Athens, Georgia, site as the No. 2 seed in the four-team, double-elimination NCAA regional. The Seahawks will face Georgia Tech (31-23), while Army (31-21) and host Georgia (39-15) meet in the other game. College of Charleston (41-14) was left out of the tournament.

Big South Tournament champion High Point (24 -25) is in the Division I tournament for the rst time, going to Clemson (41-14) as the fourth seed in that regional.

Raleigh man wins tourney at Holly Ridge Golf Links

Archdale

Dale Fuller of Raleigh was the winner in the North Carolina Senior Amateur held earlier this month at Holly Ridge Golf Links.

Fuller’s three-round total of 7-under-ar 209 was good for a three-stroke edge on Pinehurst’s Daniel Neveu. Paul Simson, a multi-time champion on the Carolinas Golf Association circuit, from Raleigh, Tee Burton of Shelby and Jonathan Sielsky of Huntersville tied for third place at 3 under.

Liberty’s Steve Kidd tied for 20th at 4 over and Gary Pugh of Asheboro was among a three-way tie for 25th at 6 over.

Randleman’s Andy Routh didn’t make the cut, sitting at 15 over through two rounds.

• In April at Morganton, Kidd and Patrick Brady of Reidsville combined to win the Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championships at Mimosa Hills Golf & Country Club. The Kidd/Brady pairing shot 22-under 194 across three days for a four-stroke win on 2022 champions Geno Berchiatti and Eddie Hargett, a South Carolina entry, and defending champions Je Jamieson and David Glabicki of Cary. There were 80 duos entered.

RANDOLPH RECORD FILE PHOTO

Uwharrie Charter Academy in elder Caleb Stickle makes a throw during a game earlier this spring.

Members of the Wheatmore girls’ soccer team pose for a photo after winning a game in the state playo s.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

SCOTT PELKEY / RANDOLPH RECORD

baseball member Region in four 1A Mount state best-of-three nals Springs. regional. in the two

UCA Eagles put down hammer in regional nal

Strong pitching carried the team back to the Class 1A state nals

Randolph Record sta UWHARRIE CHARTER Academy’s baseball team made a de nitive statement in the winner-take-all game of the Class 1A West Region nals.

The Eagles blasted Mount Airy 12-0 in Saturday night’s Game 3 of the best-of-three nals to keep alive their hopes of repeating as state champions.

Logun Wilkins pitched a shutout to continue the team’s dominating work from the mound.

The Eagles allowed one run across the three games.

“Our pitching sta was unreal,” UCA coach Rob Shore said. “Phenomenal pitching and phenomenal defense.”

UCA used a nine-run seventh inning to clinch the title.

“Just take a deep breath and we’re going to be just ne,” Shore said. “I think everybody contributed in our lineup.”

UCA (26-6), which has dropped only one game since

March, will meet Northside-Pinetown (22-6) in the best-of-three state championship series beginning Friday night at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs, where the Eagles won last year’s state nals.

The teams meet at 8 p.m. Friday and again at 2 p.m. Saturday. A third game, if necessary, will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday unless the Class 3A nals (East Rowan vs. South Central), which are also at that venue, is done in two games. That would allow Game 3 in Class 1A to move to 5 p.m.

Top-seeded Mount Airy (26-3) evened the regional series with

Thursday night’s 1-0 victory on Game 2 on Kam Hawks’ two-hitter that included four walks.

UCA pitcher Brett Smith gave up only two hits, but one was a two-out triple by Landon Cox in the rst inning to drive in the run. The Eagles’ hits were singles by Caleb Stickle and Carter Brown.

UCA won Game 1 by 4-0 on Tuesday night at Mount Airy behind Jake Hunter’s six-hitter with seven strikeouts. Walker Wilkins drove in two runs and joined Trey Kenne-

dy with, two hits. Losing pitcher Brison George had three hits for the Granite Bears.

The East Region also was extended to a third game, with Northside-Pinetown prevailing against East Wake Academy in last Friday’s decisive game. The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games.

• The other two state nals will be contested at Burlington Athletic Stadium. That’s Burns against Greene Central in Class 2A along with Asheville Roberson and Wilmington Ashley in Class 4A.

Post 45 looking to t parts together as season launches

The young team will play for Randolph County

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — It’s going to take time for Randolph County Post 45 to put it all together with a more youthful roster than in the past.

But the group still intends to be one of the top American Legion baseball teams in the state.

A week into the season, Post 45 split its rst two outings.

“We’re getting some things done,” manager Ronnie Pugh said. “All of the things we’re going to put in, we haven’t done yet.”

The roster is still taking shape, and that’s part of the annual process.

“One of the big things always is building chemistry with everybody,” said rst baseman Drew Harmon, a three-year member of the team. “It’s getting back into things and then once we get rolling we’ll be OK.”

Connor Adams, a former Asheboro High School player, is also in his third season with Post 45.

“It’s early,” Adams said. “Last year we might have been a lot better (than at this stage), but it’s an age thing.”

Pugh said this is one of the younger teams he has elded for Randolph County on the American Legion circuit. It will take time, but some of the notable talent from area schools will make up the team.

Until next week, Post 45 is missing Uwharrie Charter

Academy players from its roster because the Eagles will be playing in the high school state nals this week. That list includes out elder Carter Brown and catcher Grat Dalton, who both played for Post 45 last year, while Pugh said up to four others might be involved with the American Legion team soon.

And multiyear Post 45 standout Tanner Marsh, a shortstop, could be part of the mix. He nished his freshman college season for Liberty and has American Legion eligibility remaining. He lined out during a pinch-hitting role in Monday night’s exhibition with the Asheboro ZooKeepers.

Because of other endeavors, Marsh said it’s uncertain about his availability this summer. Adams, his former high school

ZooKeepers crank up with busy slate

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — More winning is one of the objectives for the Asheboro ZooKeepers this year.

There have been a few seasons of occupying low spots in the Coastal Plain League standings, but second-year head coach Korey Dunbar said there has been a good tone for the rst week of the season.

“We de nitely want to win,” said shortstop Zach Evans, a rising senior at Lenoir-Rhyne. “There are a lot of people counting on us to win.”

Dunbar said that the team is “starting o hot” in terms of a busy schedule. The ZooKeepers began the season with games scheduled on six consecutive nights.

That’s a good way for the players and coaches to become familiar with each other.

“We all come from di erent areas,” said third baseman Hunter Atkins, who was a Randleman standout in high school and

last summer a key contributor for Randolph County Post 45. “But we meet up for practice and it’s like we’ve known each other for years.”

And the roster gures to be growing for the summer collegiate league team as players arrive after their college seasons.

“Mainly it’s going to be arms that are coming,” Dunbar said of additional pitchers. “We’ve got guys trickling in.”

One of the players with a strong start for the ZooKeepers has been James Hankerson Jr., a rst baseman from Florida State not on the Seminoles’ postseason roster.

The talent comes in various forms. Out elder RJ Jimerson was a Missouri sophomore this year after a solid freshman season for Memphis.

The ZooKeepers began the CPL season last week by defeating the High Point Thomasville HiToms 8-4 at McCrary Park before losing the next night by 7-2 to the visiting Boone Bigfoots. Atkins, who was redshirt-

ed this year at UNC Greensboro, said it has been good to be back in a game environment. He went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs in the opener.

“I haven’t played an organized game of baseball since the (2023) Legion season,” he said.

Just an exhibition

The ZooKeepers won 12-0 against Randolph County 45’s American Legion team in a seven-inning exhibition game Monday night between McCrary Park’s two main tenants.

In the game, former Randleman teammates and 2024 UNC Greensboro teammates faced o in the rst inning. Austin Lemons, pitching for Post 45, hit Atkins with a pitch in the back on the rst delivery of the at-bat. It was a fastball that was supposed to be inside, but not quite that much.

“I’m not going to miss over the plate because he can hit it,” Lemons said.

teammate, said Marsh would be a key addition.

“I’m still guring it out,” Marsh said.

Either way, there could be a good core for Post 45. Pugh is encouraged by the pitching and the potential depth on that sta . That includes Austin Lem-

ons, a former Randleman pitcher who took a redshirt season with UNC Greensboro this year. Pitching also could come from Adams, Parker Kines and Braxton Walker among others.

“We’re going to be good defensively,” he said. “We’re going to have to work to score some runs, but that will come.”

The top of the lineup has included Jake Riddle, Clay Hill, John Kirkpatrick and Caleb Dunn. Tate Andrews has been at third base.

“There’s a lot of new faces,” Pugh said. “We want to give them all the opportunity to see what they can do.”

Post 45 nished with a 25-8 record last year.

Randolph County opened the season with last week’s 8-6 victory at Mocksville-Davie Post 54 and then fell the next night by 4-1 to visiting Chatham County Post 292.

Post 45 is again the host for the Southeast Regional, meaning an automatic spot in that competition from Aug. 7-11.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD Manager Ronnie Pugh says that pitching could be strong for Randolph County Post 45.

Troy Carver of UCA holds the regional championship plaque after the Eagles defeated Mount Airy on Saturday night.

P.J. WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Young missionaries, religious leader killed in Haiti

The daughter of a Missouri state legislator was among those killed

By Dánica Coto and Jim Salter

The Associated Press

THE BODIES of a young missionary couple from the U.S. who were attacked and fatally shot by gang members in Haiti are expected to be transported to Missouri this week, a spokesperson for the families said Sunday.

Thursday’s killings of Davy and Natalie Lloyd, and Jude Montis, the local director of the mission group Missions in Haiti Inc., happened in the community of Lizon in northern Portau-Prince. They were leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.

Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker.

Speaking on behalf of the Lloyd and Baker families in a Facebook post on Baker’s page, Cassidy Anderson said Sunday that transport had been secured for a Thursday arrival of the bodies in Missouri. But Anderson added that “security is going to be very di cult.”

Haiti’s capital has been crumbling under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80%

BRAD SEARCY PHOTOGRAPHY VIA AP

Davy and Natalie Lloyd were among three U.S. missionaries who were killed in Haiti after being ambushed at the Port-auPrince, o cials with the mission organization said Friday.

of Port-au-Prince while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country.

Missions in Haiti’s website says its goal is “to see the Gospel of Christ make a di erence in the lives of Haiti’s young people.”

Davy Lloyd’s parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, of Oklahoma, started the organization in 2000 seeking to focus on the children of Haiti. David and Alicia Lloyd

are full-time missionaries in the country.

Hannah Cornett, Davy’s sister, told AP that they grew up in Haiti. Davy went to the U.S. to attend a Bible college and married Natalie in June 2022. After the wedding, the couple wasted little time moving to Haiti to do humanitarian work.

Cornett said Montis, a Haitian, worked at Missions in Haiti for 20 years.

The organization’s e orts include House of Compassion,

which provides housing for 36 children — 18 boys and 18 girls, its website says. “All are destined to stay at House of Compassion until they have nished school and are ready to be on their own.”

Good Hope Boys’ Home provides a home for 22 boys, according to the website. The organization also built a church, a bakery and a school with more than 240 students.

A Facebook posting on the Missions in Haiti page stated that Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with some children, were leaving a church when gang members in three trucks ambushed them.

Davy Lloyd later called his family to tell them that gang members hit him on the head with the barrel of a gun, forced him upstairs, stole their belongings and left him tied up, Cornett said.

As people were helping to untie Davy Lloyd, another group of armed gunmen showed up, Cornett said.

“No one understood what they were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode,” Missions in Haiti’s posting said. The couple and Montis ed to a house connected to the mission.

“They tried to take cover in

there, but the gang shot up the house,” Cornett said.

Cornett said Montis left behind two children, ages 2 and 6.

Montis’ family could not be reached for comment Friday, and Missions in Haiti did not respond to an AP request for comment.

Missions in Haiti said in a Facebook post on Saturday that they were “facing the most dicult time of our life.”

“The embassy is working on getting all the paper work done in order for them to be own to the states and many more behind the scenes to make happen more quickly and safely,” the post said, adding that the children and sta of Missions in Haiti have been relocated to a safer location.

Baker, Natalie Lloyd’s father and a Republican state representative in Missouri, said Friday on Facebook that the couple’s bodies were safely transported to the U.S. Embassy. Throughout the weekend, Baker’s Facebook page provided updates on the e orts to arrange for transport to Missouri.

On Sunday, Anderson wrote on the families’ behalf that plans rmed up and transport had been secured.

Baker wrote on Facebook in the early hours on Friday that his heart was broken “in a thousand pieces.”

North Korean rocket carrying 2nd spy satellite explodes

By Hyung-jin Kim and Mari Yamaguchi

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — A rocket launched by North Korea to deploy the country’s second spy satellite exploded shortly after lifto Monday, state media reported, in a setback for leader Kim Jong Un’s hopes to operate multiple satellites to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea.

Monday’s failed launch came hours after leaders of South Korea, China and Japan met in Seoul in their rst trilateral meeting in more than four years. It’s highly unusual for North Korea to take provocative action when China, its major ally and economic pipeline, is engaging in high-level diplomacy in the region.

The launch drew rebukes from the North’s neighbors because the U.N. bans North Korea from conducting any such launches, viewing them as covers for testing long-range missile technology.

The North’s o cial Korean Central News Agency said it launched a spy satellite aboard a new rocket at its main northwestern space center. But KCNA said the rocket blew up during a rst-stage ight soon after lifto due to a suspected engine problem.

KCNA cited the unidentied vice director of the National

Aerospace Technology Administration as saying a preliminary examination showed the explosion was related to the reliability of operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen-petroleum engine. He said other possible causes will be investigated, according to KCNA.

Japan’s government briefly issued a missile warning for the southern prefecture of Okinawa, urging residents to take shelter inside buildings and other safer places. The warning was lifted later because the region was no longer in danger, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara called the North’s launch “a serious challenge to the entire world.” The U.S. Indo-Paci c Command criticized the launch as a “brazen violation” of U.N. Security Council resolutions and said it involved technologies that are directly related to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile program. South Korea’s Uni cation Ministry called a satellite launch by the North “a provocation that seriously threatens our and regional security.”

North Korea has steadfastly maintained it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles in the face of U.S.-led military threats. North Korea says

the operation of spy satellites will allow it to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea and improve the precision-striking capabilities of its missiles.

During the trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang earlier Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called for stern international action if North Korea went ahead with its launch plan.

Kishida, for his part, urged the North to withdraw its launch plan, but Li didn’t mention the launch plan as he o ered general comments about promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through a political resolution.

Earlier Monday, North Korea had noti ed Japan’s coast guard about its planned launch with a warning to exercise caution in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and China and east of the main Philippine island of Luzon during a launch window from Monday through June 3.

Some observers say North Korea’s satellite launch on the rst day of its eight-day window might have been aimed at casting a chill over the Seoul-Beijing-Tokyo meeting and registering its displeasure with China.

Kim Jong Un has been embracing the idea of a “new Cold War” and seeking to boost ties with

Beijing and Moscow to forge a united front against Washington, so China’s diplomacy with Seoul and Tokyo might have been a disturbing development for Pyongyang.

Kim’s primary focus in recent months has been on Russia, as Pyongyang and Moscow — both locked in confrontations with

North Korean launched a military spy satellite into orbit in November.

Washington — expand their military cooperation. China, which is much more sensitive about its international reputation, has joined Russia in blocking U.S.led e orts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on the North but has been less bold and open about supporting Kim’s “new Cold War” drive.

KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY / KOREA NEWS SERVICE VIA AP

Pedro Ortiz-Perez

March 9, 2008 –May 16, 2024

Pedro Ortiz-Perez, 16, of Asheboro passed away on May 14, 2024, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Pedro was born in Chapel Hill on March 9, 2008, the son of Pedro Ortiz Filomeno and Maria Guadalupe Perez Pacheco. Pedro was of the Catholic faith and was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Armando Ortiz Solorzono and Lucia Filomeno Antonio. Pedro was a student at Southwestern Randolph High School, where he was a mid elder on the soccer team. Pedro’s biggest passion was soccer, but he also loved dancing, hanging out with friends, and going out to eat. Pedro loved his family and was very active in the community with his soccer accolades. In addition to his parents, Pedro is survived by his brother, Deigo Ortiz-Perea; maternal grandparents, Maria Elana Perez and Antonio Carrillo Munoz of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

Peggy Bailey

September 23, 1934 –May 25, 2024

Peggy Ila Luck Bailey, 89, of Asheboro, died Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Alpine Health and Rehabilitation in Asheboro. Born in Montgomery County, NC on September 23, 1934, Peggy was the daughter of the late Houston Curtis Luck and Mittie Parks Luck. She worked at Rose’s Department Store. Peggy later retired from Acme-McCrary Corp. and went to work as a potter at King’s Pottery. She was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seagrove Congregation. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and watching game shows. In addition to her parents, Peggy was preceded in death by her rst husband, Garland King, second husband, Ronald Bailey; son Tony King; sisters, Margaret Maness, Dot McBride, Joyce Jessup; brothers, William Luck, Clifton Luck; and grandson, Justin Hopkins. Surviving are her daughters, Pat King Voncannon (Darrell) of Seagrove, Kathy King (Johnny) of Asheboro); sons, Terry King (Anna) of Seagrove, Randy King (Sharon) of Asheboro, Je King (Sherry) of Asheboro; sisters, Maggie Cox of Ramseur, Irma Stone of Asheboro, Carol Maness (Robert) of Asheboro; brother, Bobby Luck (Bonnie) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Crystal Elliott, Douglas Voncannon, Melissa Voncannon, Jonathan King, Amber Hussey, Courtney King Heckethorn; 11 great grandchildren; and one greatgreat grandchild.

Pat Devlin

September 16, 1946 –May 22, 2024

Patricia “Pat” Ann Devlin, 77, of Randleman, died Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington. Pat was born on September 16, 1946. in Buncombe Co., the daughter of the late Doyce and Stella Devlin. She retired from Oakwood Homes and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Thomasville. She loved to shop and was a big foodie. She greatly loved her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Dailey; sisters, Lori, Bernice; and brother, Mike. She is survived by her children, Vickie Legge and husband Lee of Summer eld, Lisa Melton and husband Mike of Greensboro, Tammy Parson and husband Al of Denton, James Jennings and wife Kristi of Greensboro; grandchildren, Ashley Rietzel, Leslie Blevins, Nicholas Shelton, Jennifer Good, Erin Cochran, Brandon Sparks, Joshua Jennings; and 13 great grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the sta at Hospice of Davidson County/ Hinkle Hospice House for the dedication and care shown to Pat.

Paula Nichols

January 25, 1948 –May 23, 2024

Paula Ann Harrison Nichols, 76, of Robbins, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2024, at her home. Paula was born on January 25, 1948, in Bozeman, MT, daughter of the late Alice McKenzie and John Harrison. In addition to her parents, Paula was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Harrison. She is survived by children, William Harrison and wife Maria of Palm City, FL, Christina Rathbun and husband Mike of Turbotville, PA, Cynthia Nichols of Statesville, NC; eight grandkids; seven great grandkids, with a very close bond to great grandson, Colton Swank; and her very dear friend, Sue.

Rev. Kenneth Tucker

September 10, 1937 –May 18, 2024

Rev. Kenneth Edward Tucker, 86, of Seagrove, passed away May 18, 2024, at Randolph Health in Asheboro, NC. Rev. Tucker, known to most as Kenneth, was born September 10, 1937, in Guilford County, NC., and was the second child born to the late William Carson and Julia Linda Austin Tucker. He was raised in High Point, NC., graduating from Allen Jay High School before the family moved to the AR Tucker homeplace in Seagrove, NC., in 1954. Before being called into the ministry he had worked several jobs and was proud to have served in the United States Army. After surrendering the call to ministry, he graduated from Campbell University, Fruitland Bible Institute and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Asheboro, Druid Hills Baptist Church in Danville, VA, and served as interim pastor of several churches. He was a minister of Education at Huldah Baptist Church and was active member of Union Grove Baptist church and devoted his life to serving the Lord and in many missions that helped others. Kenneth was a man of great faith, integrity, and determination. He ministered to others and in all ways showed the love of Christ. He was uncompromising in the truth of the gospel, walked daily with his Lord and epitomized the hope we have in our faith. He was a humble and generous man, devoted to many charitable causes that bene tted others, and he never failed to give glory and praise to his heavenly father. He once prayed at a friend’s funeral, “Having fought the good ght, having stayed the course, and having kept the faith, may God grant you the crown of life, that does not fade away.” How appropriate that he now wears the same crown. Kenneth left a lasting mark on many in so many ways, and he will be greatly missed here on this earth but one day, those in Christ will be reunited. In addition to his parents Kenneth was preceded in death by sister and brotherin-law Linda and Harold Sexton. Survivors include brothers, Rev. C. Wayne Tucker (Elgie) of Archdale, W. Douglas Tucker (Kay) of Chattanooga TN, sister Joanie Tucker Shaw (Milford) of Denton, several nieces, nephews, extended family, and a host of friends he claimed as family.

Rodney Dean Derrick

March 13, 1952 –May 18, 2024

Rodney Dean Derrick, age 72, passed away suddenly at his home in Staley, NC. Rodney was born in Portsmouth, VA, and moved to Greensboro, NC as a young child with his family. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, George and Edna, and survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Donna Derrick, his sons, Jason (Katie Cooper) and Nicholas (Brooke German) Derrick, his stepdaughters, Jenny Hutcherson (Jason) and Paige Steinbicker (Eric), his grandchildren, Jackson Derrick, Nathaniel Derrick, Lucy Hutcherson, and Ian Steinbicker, and his adoring sister, Diane Derrick. Rodney graduated from Western Guilford High School in 1970 and had a long career with the US Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. He also spent time as a custom woodworker, which would eventually become one of his many hobbies. Those who knew him best would tell you that he was a history bu that soaked up knowledge wherever he could nd it. He loved sharing that knowledge with anyone he encountered and did so with a captivating style of storytelling. Rodney was an incredibly gifted musician who sang beautifully, could play just about anything with strings, and enjoyed writing his own music. He loved playing music with his close friends of many years, Pieter and Richard. Another of his joys was working on his antique and classic cars, especially his Volkswagens, which brought him countless hours of joy, frustration, and colorful language. Rodney and Donna traveled often to their favorite place, Ocracoke Island, on the outer banks of North Carolina, a special place to their entire family.

John Philip Konold

October 15, 1951 –May 21, 2024

John Philip Konold departed this life peacefully in his Pinehurst home on May 21st, 2024, at the age of 72. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Linda Banks Konold; brothers, Peter (Toni) of Sykesville, MD; Paul (Stephanie) of Leesburg, VA; James (Tim Hackett) of Raleigh, NC; Thomas (Linda “Micky”) of Seven Lakes, NC; sister Mary Peet (Je ) of North Fort Meyers, FL; and sisterin-law Nancy Banks Mandel of Highland Park, IL. Nieces Laurie, Michelle, Melissa, Jackie, and Erin. Nephews Scott, Michael, Mark, Jason, Matthew, Thomas and many great-nephews and nieces including Sydney who lived close by and was dear to John. John was born and raised in Evanston, IL to the late Gregory W. and Margaret C. Konold. John always had a talent for mechanics and became an Automotive Technician. In 1989 John and Linda moved to Pinehurst, NC, having visited and loving the golf courses and charm of the Village. Continuing his successful career, he was named top Chrysler Technician in the entire Charlotte region of over 50 dealerships. In 2003 John opened The Pro Shop Auto Repair in Pine Blu with partner Ben Overton. He retired in 2020 so he could enjoy his many other interests. John was a tournament winning golfer, a nature photographer, bird watcher and gardener. He obtained a pilot’s license and later built and ew radio-controlled airplanes as a member of the Seven Lakes Aero Modelers Club. John lived his life with honesty, integrity, and humor. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all.

pen STATE & NATION

Lara Trump touts RNC changes, 2024 presidential victory at NCGOP convention

The daughter-in-law of Donald Trump is emphasizing voter turnout in November

By Makiya Seminera

The Associated Press

GREENSBORO — To a room full of Republicans from across North Carolina on Friday, former President Donald Trump railed against the Biden administration and vowed to win in the state for a third time — all over a speaker phone call after his son Eric Trump dialed him on stage.

“I just want to thank all of the people of North Carolina. The support has been great and never wavered,” Donald Trump said, met by cheers from hundreds in the crowd.

The four-minute phone call kicked o keynote speeches from RNC co-chair Lara Trump and her husband, Eric, at the North Carolina GOP Convention in Greensboro. The couple touted key changes to the national Republican Party under Lara Trump’s leadership and insisted on the necessity of getting Trump back in o ce.

RNC’s co-chair, the party’s top fundraising o cial, in March and serves as No. 2 to Michael Whatley, the new RNC chair and former chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. Both Whatley and Lara Trump came into their leadership positions looking to revitalize the party and ensure Trump’s victory in November.

In the weeks following their ascension, the RNC saw major shakeups in sta ng and an increase in fundraising — the latter greatly needed to fund Trump’s growing legal fees as he faces multiple civil and criminal trials.

While Lara Trump is early in her role, Nancy Murray, a GOP delegate from Charlotte, said she has high hopes for what Trump’s daughter-in-law will bring to party leadership.

races across the country.

“I’m hopeful Lara Trump can bring this back,” Bourgeois said before the speech.

Lara Trump pitched the RNC shifts to the crowd as necessary changes to winning the 2024 election, which included an emphasis on getting Republicans to turn out in massive droves in November. She urged the crowd to vote as early as possible — including by mail-in ballots, which Republicans such as Trump previously admonished against — and take others to cast their ballots to make sure the election is “too big to rig.”

“Any way you can vote and as early as you can vote, get your vote banked,” Lara Trump said.

“What we have going on in this country right now is not Republican versus Democrat or left versus right,” Lara Trump, a Wilmington native, said during the couple’s almost 40-minute address. “It’s good versus evil.”

criminal indictment claiming he mishandled classi ed federal documents was handed down from a grand jury.

Lara and Eric Trump’s speech comes a year after Trump addressed North Carolina Republicans as a keynote speaker at the party’s 2023 convention — one of his rst public appearances a few days after his rst

But a lot has changed at the state and national party since Trump’s June visit to the convention — including his daughter-in-law’s meteoric rise within the Republican National Committee.

Lara Trump became the

She also said Lara Trump may be a major improvement from previous longtime RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, who Murray believes is a RINO — a derogatory term for conservatives meaning Republican in Name Only.

Under McDaniel, Emily Bourgeois, another Charlotte delegate, said the party su erednancial issues and lost too many

NC man sentenced to 25 years for teaching bomb-making to person targeting authorities

The 40-year-old from Mount Olive also had improvised explosives found on his farm

By Jason Dearen The Associated Press

RALEIGH — A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Mount Olive man to 25 years in prison for teaching someone how to make bombs meant to kill federal law enforcement o cers.

A jury had found Christopher Arthur, 40, guilty in 2023 for the bomb-related charges, as well as for illegally possessing weapons, including improvised explosives found on his farm.

Arthur, a U.S. Army and North Carolina National Guard veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, founded a company called Tackleberry Solutions, which created manuals and videos teaching so-called wartime tactics. In addition to the bomb-making instructions, Arthur’s training manuals and videos included instructions for how to create “fatal funnels” meant to kill responding law enforcement with booby traps.

Arthur initially attracted the attention of the FBI in 2020 after some of his manuals were discovered in the possession of Joshua Blessed, a man who had attacked sheri ’s deputies and police o cers in upstate New York. Blessed, a truck driver, died after leading o cers on a nearly two-hour high-speed chase and gun battle.

Arthur was arrested in January 2022 after he provided instructions for how to construct bombs to a con dential human source, referred to as “Buckshot” by federal prosecutors.

Buckshot initially contacted Arthur in May 2021, claiming that agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had con scated some of his weapons. He told Arthur he wanted help preparing for the agents’ expected return to his house.

At trial, Arthur said his man-

uals and training sessions were not meant to be used to launch attacks on law enforcement or the government. He said he believed that the country was headed into violent chaos, and he wanted to prepare people to defend themselves.

In a brief statement on Friday before his sentence, Arthur, dressed in orange jail clothes,

The couple levied signi cant criticism against the Biden administration, which included concerns on immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and in ation. As a way to get back to the country’s “guiding principles,” Eric Trump told the crowd that he and Lara Trump were committed to leading Trump’s campaign to victory by November.

“We’re going to make America great again, and we’re going to do it together and we’re going to start in North Carolina,” Eric Trump said.

warned that the country was going to soon fall into violence. “Buy food storage and prepare to defend yourselves and your family,” he said. Federal prosecutors charged Arthur with domestic terrorism enhancements related to the bomb-making instructions, charges the judge kept in place despite defense objections.

Arthur’s federal public defender, Ed Gray, told the court that his client was a deeply religious man who simply wanted to keep his family safe from what Arthur believed was a coming apocalypse.

“He’s not some sort of terrorist like Timothy McVeigh,” Gray said, referring to the man who was executed for the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995. “He’s a veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq. It’s tough to come back from that, and his focus had changed. There are unseen issues that should be addressed,” Gray added, saying Arthur was open to therapy.

But before imposing Arthur’s sentence, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III said he took into account the defendant’s service and his history as a former law enforcement o cer.

“It’s really sad, honestly,” the judge said, referring to Arthur’s military service and the families of those he was accused of targeting. “But it is serious, too. Just as every person who’s ever had a loved one in combat knows, they pray every night that they’ll come home. Families of law enforcement say the same prayer every day when their spouse, or mom or dad, go to work.”

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Christopher Arthur, a Mount Olive native, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a federal judge after he was convicted of teaching bomb-making skills to a someone who planned to kill ATF agents.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Lara Trump reaches out to her husband, Eric Trump, as she speaks at the North Carolina GOP convention Friday in Greensboro.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

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

“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 articial 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.

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

MAY 31

1669: The city of Catania in Sicily is destroyed by an erup-

tion of Mount Etna.

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

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.

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.

The Associated Press

MATTY ZIMMERMAN / AP PHOTO

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

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

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, 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 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-yearold Matías Muzica, dodging questions about his policies but praising him as Argentina’s answer to Donald Trump. “He can make Argentina great again.”

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.

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.

and director Clint Eastwood turns 94 on Friday. famous birthdays this week

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.

RISBERG / AP PHOTO

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

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

Nelson,

Border,” on Friday.

HOKE COUNTY

Honoring sacri ce

Amid barbecues and basking in the sun, volunteers placed American ags on the graves of countless veterans around the country — including at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro — in honor of Memorial Day.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

North Carolina gets hot, declares Cooper North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper would like you to be aware that North Carolina gets hot.

While it’s likely that you were already aware of this fact, he has, nevertheless, proclaimed this to be North Carolina Heat Awareness Week.

It’s a good reminder to stay safe from heatrelated e ects by staying well-hydrated, keeping an eye on the heat index and checking on more vulnerable members of your community to ensure they are keeping cool this summer.

In a press release announcing the proclamation, Dr. Susan Kansagra, assistant secretary for public health with NCDHHS, noted that North Carolina had more than 3,900 heat-related emergency room visits in 2023.

Don’t drink and boat

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission reminds North Carolinians that enforcement o cers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints this summer to deter impaired operation of vehicles.

So far, in 2024, the commission has investigated 19 boating incidents, with seven fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in 2 of the 19 investigated incidents.

In 2023, there were 18 fatal boating incidents resulting in 19 fatalities, though none of the fatal incidents reported alcohol usage. However, only 2 of the 18 included passengers wearing personal otation devices.

DMV unveils new, more secure license designs

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

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

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 identify-

ing 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 ow-

er (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 Colonial Spanish mustang grazing along one of North Carolina’s eastern beaches.

These design elements are part of more than 50 security features

incorporated into the new cards to help law enforcement deter and detect fraud.

The DMV will begin producing the new card design later this week, gradually phasing out the current design by the end of June.

Existing licenses and ID cards will remain valid until their expiration date.

Hoke County gets two new re investigators

Fire Marshal Bryan Marley and Assistant Fire Marshal Chris Douglas both passed the exam

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE HOKE COUNTY Board of Commissioners recognized the county’s newest re investigators at its meeting on May 20.

Earlier this month, Hoke Emergency Management Director and Fire Marshal Bryan Marley and Assistant Fire Marshal Chris Douglas both passed the Certi ed Fire Investigator exam. According to the county, the process to become a re investigator takes ve to seven years and a hundreds of hours of required training, work experience and more than 200 hours of prerequisite training just to qualify for the exam.

At the meeting, County Manager Letitia Edens congratulated Marley and Douglas for passing the exam.

“That is the best you can do in the state. So we have two certi ed re investigators in the state of North Carolina. They can actually go do re investi-

gation anywhere in the state of North Carolina, and we have two of them here in Hoke County,” Edens told the board. Marley has been re marshal since 2017, and Douglas joined Hoke County in 2023 after retiring from the Army. The board was also updat-

ed on the collected taxes, with a collection rate slipping slightly versus last year.

“The total collected for the month of April was $295,536.72 at a 95.95% rate compared to the 96.37% rate last year,” said Tax Collector Daphne Graham-Dudley. “Prior years col-

COURTESY HOKE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Hoke Assistant Fire Marshal Chris Douglas, left, and Hoke Emergency Management Director and Fire Marshal Bryan Marley, right, both passed the re investigator exam.

COURTESY NC DMV

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

ELI WARD-BROWN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

THURSDAY

Hoke Fest celebrates 13th year in Raeford

The event raises money for Hoke schools and student athletes

North State Journal Sta

HOKE FEST, now in its 13th year, will take place from May 30 to June 9 at the East Hoke Middle School Grounds in Raeford. Weekday hours are 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 11 p.m. Hoke County celebrated 100 years with the Hoke 100 Centennial Celebration and Carnival in 2011, and it became an annual event — albeit with a cancellation in 2020. When it returned in 2021, Hoke Fest expanded to 10 days of carnival rides, games, food, vendors and fun.

The event serves as a fundraiser for East Hoke Middle School and some of the athletic teams at Hoke High School. There is no charge for admission, but there is a $5 charge for parking on school grounds. Handicapped spots will be available as well as a designated drop o area.

There will be live music from Tidal Wave Band on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 8, both at 7 p.m. Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling will be on both Saturdays at 4 p.m.

The Hoke High Mighty Marching Bucks Drumline demonstration will take place Thursday, June 6 at 6 p.m. For more information on Hoke Fest, see the festival’s Facebook page.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: hokecommunity@northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

May 23

• Stacie Lavanda Ray, 46, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of possessing a firearm as a felon.

• Tiffany Leanne Holifield, 35, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle (felony).

• Arian Troy McDaniel, 34, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

• Billy Locklear, 53, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge related to a domestic violence order.

May 24

• Mark Alan Niewald, 62, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of misdemeanor larceny.

• Mathew Justin Baker, 35, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of assault on a female.

• Johnie Gouez Woods, 53, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge related to a domestic violence order.

May 26

• Angelica Maria Zambrano, 29, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of firstdegree burglary.

• Erica Leighann Motley, 34, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on two counts of failure to appear.

May 27

• Jamil Terrell Leak Aldrich, 34, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI).

• Kentrice Myiacole Parker, 23, was booked into the Hoke County Jail for probation violation (four counts).

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

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

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.

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 first 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-foottall 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 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

COLUMN | CONNIE LOVELL

The remarkable legacy of Billy Graham Wedding season and the future of America

Virtue is starting to look cool again.

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

meetings were my childhood pastors and my Sunday school teachers, who all had a massive influence, 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 influence. 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 — staffed the effort 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 prolific 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.

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.

HOKE SPORTS

A look back at spring sports: Softball

North State Journal sta

NOW THAT the spring high school seasons have wrapped up, we’ll take a look at how Hoke’s teams performed, and their outlook going forward. We’ll start this week with softball.

This year

The Bucks won four of their rst ve games coming out of the game and had another early stretch with six wins in seven games. Conference play presented a challenge, however, as Hoke went just 4-8 in the Sandhills and lost six of their last seven games for an 11-11 record and a rst-round playo loss. Still, it was a big step forward over last season’s 7-16 mark and one conference win. Other than a 2-0 record before the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID, it’s just the second non-losing season for

Alyssa Cascavilla led the Bucks in runs scored and showed she’s willing to take the ball and pitch in an emergency. She’s just a junior, so the team will be under her senior leadership next year.

the Bucks since 2018.

Top performers

The Bucks’ pitching was handled by the two-person team of senior Adriana Miller and freshman Niya Jones. O ense was truly a team game, with a whole host of contributors. Brianna Harrell led the way with a .394 average, Alyssa Cascavilla led with 22 runs, while McKenzie Freeman was the hit leader with 29. Kalea Parker took the RBI crown with 19, and Natalie Knowlton led the way with eight steals. (Stats all based on MaxPreps team reporting, which may be incomplete)

Saying goodbye

The good news for Hoke County is that most of the team leaders were underclassmen. The biggest loss on the eld will be

Miller, who handled the heavier workload on the mound, pitching 87 of 138 innings. Jones showed she was capable of lling the spot of lead pitcher, but the team will need to nd someone to support her, especially because Jones was so solid at the plate, as well. Cascavilla, who stepped in as a spot starter one game this season, due to injuries, showed she’s capable of being the second pitcher, if no newcomers can seize the job.

Building blocks

Jones is a freshman, as is Freeman, giving the team two promising talents for years to come. Most of the other stars — Cascavilla, Harrell, Knowlton, Chayna Locklear, Chica Amador and this week’s AOTW, Bailey Moss — are juniors, meaning that next year could be a breakthrough season for what will be a senior-laden team.

Bailey Mass

Hoke County, softball

Bailey Mass is a junior on the Hoke County softball team.

Mass had a successful season for the Bucks, hiking her batting average by more than 100 points over her sophomore season and adding nearly 140 points to her on-base percentage. She hit .323 with an OPS of .780.

Mass was third on the team in RBIs with 12 and tied for second with 20 hits. She was also one of the top players in the eld, ranking third in elding percentage, according to MaxPreps.

NFL closer to having games every day of week as league’s reach continues to grow

The new schedule has games on every day of the week except Tuesday

By Teresa M. Walker

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NFL hasn’t scheduled a game for every day of the week.

Yet.

“We’re going to be the new 7-Eleven,” New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said. “NFL, 24 hours, you can watch them play any given day.”

The veteran preparing for his 14th season has a way of lacing his critiques with playful satire that hits his intended target.

With the NFL close to lling every day of the week with a game in the 2024 season, the league with a reputation of “any given Sunday” might just qualify for that new nickname.

It’s all part of the NFL’s plan to keep growing the game and the league.

“Our job is to be everywhere our fans are,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said when asked about the league’s new three-year Net ix deal that this year adds Wednesday games.

“They have almost 300 million global subscribers. We are obviously focused on becoming more global. So it’s a huge bene t to us.”

That deal is why the league

that has scheduled and played games on Christmas for years will be playing not one but two games on Christmas when defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City visits Pittsburgh as part of a holiday doubleheader capped by Baltimore at Houston.

The di erence is this will be only the third time the NFL has played on a Wednesday since 1950.

The four teams involved all play on Saturday, giving coaches and players the kind of turnaround faced when a Sunday game is followed by a Thursday night kicko . Tuesday is the only day the Chiefs won’t play a game this season — technical-

ly the lone day o for NFL players with Sunday games.

The Baltimore Ravens will only miss playing a game on a Tuesday and Friday in a schedule that includes a pair of Thursday games. Christmas will cap a stretch of three games in 11 days for Baltimore. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said it’s not so much a concern as more of a “shock factor,” but players will adapt and prepare for what may be the start of a new stage for the NFL. He said players likely had the same conversations when the NFL introduced games on Monday nights, then Thursday nights.

“I’m sure 10 years from now, that might be the norm,” Ham-

ilton said of an NFL schedule featuring games throughout a week.

Arizona o ensive lineman Will Hernandez said getting the body to bounce back quickly is tough.

“I just go back to this: We all signed for it. We know what it is. Let’s just go,” Hernandez said. Monday nights used to be for a premier game for the NFL. A new contract added games on Sunday night.

Then the NFL started opening seasons on Thursday nights in 2006. In 2020, the NFL played its rst Tuesday night game since 2010 because of the pandemic. Before that, the NFL hadn’t played on a Tuesday since 1946.

Jordan said the league preaches about using Guardian caps for player safety. “But nobody cares about our protocol of how to get our bodies back from a Sunday game to now a Wednesday game?” Jordan said. “Not saying that sounds absurd.”

PHOTO COURTESY HCHS BUCKS SOFTBALL FACEBOOK PAGE

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.

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

The team claimed its record-extending 20th win

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Jo -

sef 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

NCAA, leagues back $2.8B settlement over next decade

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

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.

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

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 people 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.

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 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

Hoke County High School Congratulations Class of 2024!

• Carely Rebeca Abarca

• Luay Mahmad Abidu

• Christopher Ranulfo Acosta

• Juan Felipe Acosta

• Montoya Trinity Savannah

• Adams Laith Saleh Ahmed

Andy Gabriel Albuerme

Rawa Fuad Hasson Alkhayat

A’Shanti Shanel Allen

Jada Lynnette Allen

Qmonte Davion Allen

Jamal Gamil Alnajar

Alexander Guillermo Alvarado

Diego Armando Alvarado

• Noe Benjamin Andrade

• Jasmine Elaine Areille Andre

• Diego Angeles-Chavis

• Kerlyn Itzel Arnol Ramirez

• Tiara Aniyah Jordan Askew

• Justin Victor Atkinson

• Kailena Ja’Coya Augusta

• Isabel Elinor Avalos

• Gisela Ayala Nieto

• Zi’Laysia Harmony Danielle Bain

• Brayden O’Briant Baker

• Payton Elizabeth Baker

• Shaylee-Ann Marie Baker

A’Jhonee Zayre Baldwin

Dinari Mosiah Bascombe

Elijah Barak Battle

Orion Cobol Becton

Sanyra LaNae Becton

Xavier DeSean Bell

Ju’el Larese Bellamy

• Darian Martin Bemo

• Daylen Thomas Bernades Jones

• Ania Michelle Bethea

• Christian Tye Bethea

• Justin Antonio Bonilla-Millan

• Abbygail Kayleigh Bonney

• Gabriel Dominic Bonney

• Alec Jameslee Bowes

• A’Mariyah Sha-onn Tyeir Bowling

• Hayden Steel Brolin

• Davion Arrison Brown

• Hayley Luann Brown

• Isaiah Deshawn Brown

Jamarie Deontae Brown Kiemaria Lillie Brown

Mikenna Sarah Ann Brown

Parker Thomas Brown

Zyquon Damarion Brown

James Albert Bryant

Herriott Beatrice Butler

Calina Chantel Calbreath

• Levi Samuel Camacho

• Nathaniel Dean Candanoza

• Nicholas Michael Candanoza

• Joana Paola Cano-Soto

• Reynell Capellan Reyes

• Natalia Nicolle Cappas Vargas

• Alejandra Paola Caraballo Garcia

• Nathan Lee Carpenter

• Patience Alaina Carpenter

• Zaviyon Torres Carthens

• Joseph Vincent Castaneda

• Jonatan Alexis Castillo Mora

• Akaysha Lee Clark

Josiah Matthew Clark

Chakira Lanay Clemons

Aaliyah Amaris Cobb

Justice Yazmen La’Trice Cobb

Quazernasia Kalene Mondrellyn Cobb

• Yadiel Colon Torres

• Aniya Rockelle Conyers

• Dillon Christian Cook

• Sebastian Cortez-Juarez

• Elizabeth Cortez-Pena

Eduardo Cortez-Sanchez

Thai Michael Cruz

Patricia Alejandra Cruz-Garcia

Genesa Elese Cuadra

Maria Del Carmen Cubas Diaz

Lena Audrianna Michelle

Cummings

• Zephaniah Lamar Cunningham

• Terrence Rodriques Currie Jr.

• Kurt Layne Daniels

• Zamorion Vadrick Daniels

• Daniel Matthew Davinroy

• Kareem Tyrod Davis

• Quentin Leon Davis

• Tanesha Jamilah Davis

• Luis Angel De La Cruz Lopez

• Kaylen Star Debruler

Andrew Paul Delatorre

Abiel Demeza-Soriano

Lazarus Anthony Deynes

Dheifallah Ali Hizam Dheifallah

Caleb Ervin Vernon Dial

Mohamed Diallo

Rodolfo Diaz-Hernandez

Caua Gabriel Do Nascimento

Barbugiani

• Ja’Nyri Sanaa Leilani Donahue

• Jocelyn Paige Duarte

• Alaija Latrese Dudley

• Alijah Jaleel Dudley

• Cory James Durocher

• Destyne Dominique Edwards

• Derrick Cecil Elliott Jr.

• Jaylan Shamar Engle

• Dinavely Escalante

Jennifer Estrada-Merida

Harold Anton Evans

Jakob Dylan Evans

Izayah Jabari Everett

Kameil Zenorah Everette-Douglas

Christopher Antonio Figueroa

Miranda

• David Flores

• Hector Mauricio Flores

• Joseph Richard Flores

• David Jesus Flores Bautista

• Anthony Terrell Floyd

• Briseyda Fortunato Espinoza

• Elijah Isaiah Foster

• Dexter Lamar Foster Jr.

• Baylee Breanne Fraser

• Brodie Rogan Fuaga

Dajha Mone Fulton

Kyler Amir Gaither

Melissa Marie Garner

Danerius Omar Gates

Leila Stephanie Gibson

Janae Gabriella Glover

Branden Lamonte Goins

• Isabell Marie Goins

• Marcus Gomez

• Nitary Gomez Burgos

• Crystal Gomez Garcia

• Dulce Linda Gomez Ramirez

• Damian Alexander Gonzalez

• Darren Savosky Gooding Jr.

• Alaysha Charlene Goodman

• Brandon Jayshon Graham

• Jayson Ja’Corey Gri n

• Cedric Lavon Gri n Jr.

• Jesus Emanuel Guillen-Gomez

• Ayden Joseph Hagins

• Elizabeth Libbyanne Hammonds

Xavier Peter Hani

Faith Nadine Harbison

Zay’Sean Lee Harney

Jaise Tivaire Harrington Combs

Melaney Savannah Harts eld

Ay Kiara Micaela Harvey

Keven Hwan Haubert

Thomas Andrew Haywood Jr.

• Lukas Alexander Heim

• Brooke Renee’ Hendrix

• Amiyah Nicole Hepburn

• Ryan Alexander Hernandez-De Meza

• Josue Hernandez-Lima

• Luis Angel Herrera

• Jaxon Reid Herron

• Mckenzie NeKole Hinson

Isaiah Lee Hinton

Yoraima Hipolito-Garcia

Janiya Sorchelle Holmes

Brandon Lee Horner

Carl Eugene Hubbard

Micquel Terez Hubbard

Ja’Nhyia Alexis Huey

William James-Edward Hu

• Nickolas Cleo Hughes

• Ramel Malik Hughes

• Jessica Huizar-Carlos

• Isaiah Antwain Hunt

• Job Gervace Soco Isip

• Joshua David Jackson

• Mia Faith Jacobs

• Nakel Maray Jacobs

• Selena Estrada Jacobs

• Niaishia Katrell James

• Christopher Juelz Jamison

• Broderius Jermaine Jenkins

• Kendall Anne Jenkins

Tra’Niyha Chesterra Jessup

Leonardo Jimenez

Alexis Inaria Johanson

Avviele Alise Johns

Brittany Kiana Johnson

Jaiden Joseph Johnson

Angel E’Marie Jones

• Caroline Elizabeth Jones

• D’Andre Tremaine Jones

• Elanah Niomi Jones

• Jada Amirah Jones

• Nathan Christopher Jones

• Sacajawea Adonai

Henderson Jones

• Norman DeQuan Jones Jr.

• Dustie Rose Kelley-Roush

• Carlos Eric Kelly

• Alexcee Vasanti Kimble

• Kaylee Corynn Kusek

• Adrian Landaverde

Jy’Quan Jamarion Lang-Diggs

Elijah Decari Lawrence

Cynthia Mayte Leal

Daniel Leal-Gueta

Tyler Thomas Little

Serigne Dame Lo

Burlie Dawson Locklear

• Christian Ray Locklear

• Christopher Delwin Locklear

• Christopher Lee Locklear

• Faith Marie Locklear

• Harvey Zadith Locklear

• Ila Amari Locklear

• Jasmine Michelle Locklear

• Joseph Jeremiah Locklear

• Kylan Logan Locklear

• Trinity Marie Locklear

• Kayla Ariel Lococo

Coriyah Renae Love

Chanity Brooke Lowery

Emiseyda Luciano-Garcia

Gleidy Angelis Luna Acevedo

Logan Brooks Lupo

Alayna Bailey Lynn

Alex Phay’on Krystopher Malloy

• Danyelle Taiyhanna Malloy

• JaLeya Nikole Manuel

• Adriana Marin-Luna

• Mackenzie Brooke Marsh

• Michael O’Neal Marsh

• Morgan Blaire Marsh

• Breyon Ramir Marshall

• Joselin Martinez-Guzman

• La’Tayveonna Vi’Neice Maynor

• Damarcus Zamar McBryde

• Jamie Martez McBryde

• Jaden Jovan McCall

• Sarah Michelle McCall

Xavier La’Mont McCallum

Jakobeion Dovon McCoy

Keyon Dayvon McCoy

Ferdinando Jerod McCray

Destyni Marion-Jeanne McDonough

Ivion Zaver McDougald

Brittany Ionna McDu e

Zahari Le’Riayz McEachin

• Emma Grace McGee

• Pierson Martin McGill

• Kamron Cortez McIntosh

• Charde Madison McKenzie Drew

• Braydon O’derian Coreyonne McKoy

• Amoria Jade McLean

• Daequez Devin Deamonte McLean

• Shamara Nichole McLeod

• Anthony Sentel McMillian

• Takala Monia McNair

• Brazil Harmony McNeill

• Gabriel McNeill

• Miles Alexander McNeill

Aniya Lachelle McPhaul

Ty’Dresha Devona McPhaul

Jalassia Ny’harmony X’Zoria McRae

Layla Margaret McRae

Nasirious McRae

Kimberly Mejia-Najera

• Emily Layanna Mejia-Pena

• Jeanne Zoe Melendez Marrero

• Emrie Lee Mickens

• Adriana Ciara Miller

• Margaret Rose Mirasol

• William Lee Mitchell

• Malia Rae Mojeske

• Alejandra Molina Molina

• Gavin Skyler Moncrief

• Earyona Nicole Monroe

• Zymana LeSha Monroe

• Nayla Victoria Monsanto

• Aiden Christian Moore

• Caitlyn Grace Moore

Joy Moeshia Moore

Malik Ralph Moore

Jaidyn Elizabeth Mora

Rylee Savay Morales

Greenly Nola Morris

Anthony Tyrone Morris Jr.

Ja’Von Malik Morrisey

Carlysia Renae Motter

• Travis Andrew Mueller

• Sovann Mujahiddin

• Christian David Murchison

• Jaiya Lachae Murchison

• Kenyon Lamont Murchison

• Syncere Murray

• Vincent Edward Musson

• Nhi Dang Tuyet Nguyen

• Maydelin Nill-Alvarez

• Vallerie Nicole Nunez Rodriguez

• Delia Orozco-Guzman

• Nicholas Kurt Ottino

Geronimo Oxendine

Kimberly LaCole Oxendine

William Michael Oxendine

Maranda Milagros Pagan

Giovanni Julian Paniccioli

I’Jahiona Amierre Parker

Araceli Patricio-Soriano

• Marvin Cornelius Patterson Jr.

• Johnathan Israel Pena

• Lamara Erije Uniq Pendergrass

• Jessire Marie Pereyra

• Khamari Anthony Peterkin

• Naomie Nicole Pimentel Maldonado

• Jaqueline Pintor Palacios

• Joshua Anthony Poole

• Maricielo Angelina Preciado

• Alyssa Paige Pridgen

• Kamya Elise Prince

• Marlen Quijano Loida

• Tyler Radici

Bryan Leonel Ramirez

Dante Azack Ramos

Demian Aurelio Ramos

Odalis Gabriela Ramos-Alvarado

Jeremiah Elijah Ratli

Dayona TeQuica Ray

• Robert David Reedy

Rosalinda Regino-Rojas

• Gloriana Yariz Rentas Ramirez

• Khaled Eli Rentas Rivera

• Erika Meleni Resendiz-Reyna

• Mikeelyn Avion Reynolds

• Matthew Jase Rhew

• TyJuan LeVar Rice

• Jayliana Amari Richard

• Nikolas Richmond

• Da’Shinedria Makiya Riggins

• Davion Riggins

• Krysthal Rivera

• Jaden Deron Rivers

• Cameron Ikeem Robinson

Iyana Bre Robinson

MyKetriay Glentrell Robinson

Alayah Renae Rodriguez

A’Niya Se’Lah Rodriguez

Jan Manuel Rodriguez

Rivera Kimberly Rodriguez Virgen

Jayla Noelani-Sarai Rogers

Lauren Faith Rogitz

• Felicity Mishell Ross

• Jakhia Shannet Ross

• Macaire Demetrius Ross

• Isabella Rueda Salazar

• Wilson Daniel Ruiz Breve

• Matias Je Rylander

• Nicholas Michael Sakellariou Jr.

• Ayden Michael San Miguel Miguel

• Angel Sanchez Jimenez

• Diana Monserrat Sanchez Lopez

• Jansel Johnsuat Sanchez Vargas

• Randolph Samuel Sanders, III

• Cris Bryan Santos Benitez Xenniya

Jamora Sargent

Jordan Isaiah Sept

Jose Ismael Serrano Jr.

De’Angelo Ni’Corie Servant

• Fiona Jaymes Shepherd

• Joshua Ryan Shepherd

• Regina Brigid Shepherd

• Sharon Nichole Silvia

• Daniel Jerome Simmons

• Maya Lakisha Simmons

• Kyla Nicole Sites

• Joseph Alejandro Rafael SlateTolentino

• Marianna Asia Smartt

Archie Nathaniel Smith

Darius Isaiah Smith

• Jairus Addison Smith

• Keonia Patrice Smith

• Nayelis Keysha Smith

• Ny’Ema Smith

Selah Malynn Smith

Zion Paul Smith

James Nasire’ Smith Jr.

Devan Seldante Spell

Zachari Aaron Sprankle

Karnessyia Miracle St. John

X’Zavier Kh’marii Stephens-McIntosh

• Shania Janae Steward

• Amiya Nicole Stiles

• Gene Lamont Stone Jr.

• Jaylen Terelle Sturdivant

• Ryan Tyler Stutts

• Trinity Mikalah Swackerd

• Ayonna Nikol Christina Swain

• Sarai Talavera Malave

• Antonio Jayson-Michael Taylor

• Marissa Lyn Taylor

• Onnikka Lanee’ Teague

• Ckaley Stephanie Terc

• Sanaii Gloria Terry

Brenda Tre’Shea Thomas

Madison Danielle Thomas

Maurice Malcom Thomas

Sahara Chanice Thomas

Aysha Elianna Thompson

Jeremiah Lamont Thompson

Camron Michael Ties

Corey Vontae Tillman Jr.

• Yasmin Lizette Tolentino Hernandez

• Dayanara Amanda Torres

• Arianna Jhene-Nicole Tucker

• Chrisshelle Marie Tunwars

• Conner Lashawn Utley

• Dalan Ra Shawn Utley

• Marisol Valente-Ruiz

• Jentrii Bejorn Valentine

• Alyssa Evelyn Velasco

• Diego Venegas-Victorino

• Alex Brian Vera-Jacobs

• Brandon Villagomez Sanchez

• Hector Yasser Villegas Martinez

• Trakevius Davon Virgil

• Andrae Lamont Walker Kaleib Walker-Smith

Akeelan Demetria Wallace

Erin Eugene Walls

Malachi Judea Ward

Amir Tariq Ward Lopez

Xavier Pharrell Washington

Jeremiah Iziah Mik-al Watkins

Malaki Shyheim Watkins

• I’yana Unique Weathersby

• Ella Olivia Welch

• Vennie William Welch

• Xavier Reonard Wells

• Taylor Marie Wiley

• Adam Jeremiah Williams

• Ayauna Kashi Antoinette Williams

• Idaizia Marcadence Williams

• Mackenzie Rose Williams

• Renay Nicole Williams

• Tre’jan Syncire Aashiq Williams

• Arianna Alise Wilson

• Deja Avice Wilson

Jasmine Simone Wilson

Seriyon Rahdel Wilson

Shania La’Na Wilson

Tavero Allen Wilson

Jayla Nicole Winston

Vejai Que Olliver Woodru

Skylar Eden Workman

Colton Thomas Wright

• Terez Laron Wright

• Jamie Omegga Yarborough

• Christopher Michael Ypina

Graduation will take place May 31 at 6 p.m. at Hoke County high school.

Top 11 graduates in bold

Lilly

Frances Collins

September 22, 1932 –May 24, 2024

Lilly Frances Collins, of Climax, North Carolina passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024. She was born in Oxford, NC to the late Clarence and Kate Cottrell. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Mitchell Collins; daughter, Judy Collins; and brothers, John, Pete, and Joe Cottrell. Lilly is survived by her son, Thomas Collins and his wife, Melissa; four grandchildren, Tigra Collins, Justin Collins, Jake Collins, and Kate Collins; and six great grandchildren.

of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at

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 winning 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.

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 tiedyed 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.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

North Carolina gets hot, declares Cooper

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper would like you to be aware that North Carolina gets hot.

While it’s likely that you were already aware of this fact, he has, nevertheless, proclaimed this to be North Carolina Heat Awareness Week.

It’s a good reminder to stay safe from heat-related e ects by staying well-hydrated, keeping an eye on the heat index and checking on more vulnerable members of your community to ensure they are keeping cool this summer.

In a press release announcing the proclamation, Dr. Susan Kansagra, assistant secretary for public health with NCDHHS, noted that North Carolina had more than 3,900 heat-related emergency room visits in 2023.

Don’t drink and boat

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission reminds North Carolinians that enforcement o cers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints this summer to deter impaired operation of vehicles.

So far, in 2024, the commission has investigated 19 boating incidents, with seven fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in two of the 19 investigated incidents.

In 2023, there were 18 fatal boating incidents resulting in 19 fatalities, though none of the fatal incidents reported alcohol usage. However, only two of the 18 included passengers wearing personal otation devices.

DMV unveils new, more secure license designs

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

By Jordan Golson Twin City Herald

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 identify-

Commissioners approve retention, hiring bonuses for paramedics

The bonuses will pay a total of $5,000 to those working for the emergency services department

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

THE FORSYTH County Board of Commissioners approved hiring and retention bonuses for full-time paramedic employees assigned to the emergency services department, at its May 16 meeting, in order to address the 50% vacancy rate.

The $5,000 hiring bonus will be paid out over three installments: $1,200 after six months, $1,200 after one year and the remaining $2,600 after 18 months.

The retention bonus, for paramedics up to the rank of EMS shift captain, will be paid in two installments of $2,500 each — one at the end of June and the other at the end of May 2025.

Employees cannot receive both the retention and hiring bonuses. The board was also presented with the FY25 budget request from Forsyth Technical Community College.

“We are only asking for an increase in money to support the salary increase for our county-funded employees that we anticipate receiving for our state employees,” said Forsyth Technical Community College President Janet Spriggs. “It’s the second year of the biennium budget and overall, we received a 7% increase over two years. We had 3.5% of that last year and this year we will get 2.5%. We’re just asking that that money be put into reserve and once the legislature completes the short session work, that we would be able to provide that same level of salary increase to those employees.”

Spriggs also made a request for a one-time payment to sup -

$5,000

Hiring and retention bonus for full-time paramedics in Forsyth County

port the Trailblazer Promise, which allows Forsyth Technical Community College to be free for all graduating seniors and eventually all Forysth residents.

“Our plan is to work to create an endowment to support and continue to support free college for Forsyth County residents at Forsyth Tech,” Spriggs said. “We’re asking for help from the county commission, if you are able to do so, to help us seed this work.”

The request totals approximately $4.1 million and would

ing 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 Colonial Spanish mustang grazing

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cover the current students. The plan is to also utilize the funding to nd private endorsements to create a sustainable endowment without county funds.

“What we want to do is nd a way to make this an ongoing promise for all Forsyth County residents,” Spriggs said. “We have proven data that supports how this is a wonderful opportunity for workforce development and how it supports both rural and urban communities. It is a workforce and economic development competitive advantage for communities where they are able to ensure they are growing their own talent and more importantly, keeping their talent once they are skilled workers in the workforce.”

COURTESY NC DMV

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

Honoring sacri ce

Amid barbecues and basking in the sun, volunteers 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 TWIN CITY HERALD

$450M Ross Stores warehouse coming to Randleman

More than 850 new jobs are expected by 2026

By Bob Sutton Twin City Herald

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 op-

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along one of North Carolina’s eastern beaches. These design elements are part of more than 50 security features incorporated into the new cards to help law enforcement deter and detect fraud.

The DMV will begin producing the new card design later this week, gradually phasing out the current design by the end of June.

Existing licenses and ID cards will remain valid until their expiration date.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

portunity 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 Invest-

ment Grant awarded to Ross Dress For Less, Inc., which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier Tuesday. During the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.4 billion, state o cials reported.

Ross’ JDIG agreement could also move as much as $845,700 into a fund that helps rural communities across the state attract business in the future, according to information from state o cials. When companies select a site located in a Tier 2 county such as Randolph, their JDIG agreements move some

of the new tax revenue into the state’s Industrial Development Fund — Utility Account.

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.

Among the area partners with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were Randolph Community College, Randolph County, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation and the City of Randleman.

Javier Milei, the hard rocker in Argentina’s

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, 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 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-yearold Matías Muzica, dodging questions about his policies but praising him as Argentina’s answer to Donald Trump. “He can make Argentina great again.”

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.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

The remarkable legacy of Billy Graham

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-foottall 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 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.

Division, entitlement and indoctrination

The recent uprising on campuses was the nal straw. Obviously, we’re more divided than we’ve ever been and DEI has not been successful as intended.

I’VE DONE A LOT OF COMPLAINING about UNC, particularly the Chapel Hill campus. I’ve thrown a good bit of criticism in that direction. Recently, I’ve been proud of some of the things taking place on the campus.

We recently saw the interim chancellor and the frat boys stand up to an angry mob. The mob removed the American ag and replaced it with a Palestinian ag. The chancellor and the frat boys quickly acted and held up the American ag in its place. That’s what courage looks like.

Even more recently we have seen the UNC Board of Governors and the UNC Board of Trustees vote to end the current DEI program at all UNC campuses. The Trustees even voted to remove $2.3 million in funding and allocate these funds to campus security. That’s also what courage looks like.

According to a report from a watchdog group, OpenTheBooks, the UNC system can save $91 million per year by eliminating DEI programs. That’s real money that can be diverted to other entities that actually are “evidence based.” Educators love “evidence based” except when it comes to DEI initiatives. North Carolina is not the rst state to act against DEI programs. Several other states beat us to the punch. Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, which aims to encourage schools to “educate — not indoctrinate,” was happy to see changes being made at schools across the country. She explained that the Supreme Court decision gave a legal reason for universities to address the issue as it already lacked positive results.

Comments issued by the Board of Governors said, “Campuses shall continue to implement programming or services designed to have a positive e ect on the academic performance, retention, or graduation of students from di erent backgrounds, provided that programming complies with the institutional neutrality speci ed in Section VII of this policy and/or other state and federal requirements.” The BOG further stated that policies should not include references that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex” and that “an individual, solely

by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive,” and that, “the United States was created by members of a particular race or sex for the purpose of oppressing members of another race or sex.” That seems pretty clear and straightforward. I hope that the university can’t do what they often do and nd a “loophole” to drive the DEI train through. We will watch and see.

The recent uprising on campuses was the nal straw. Obviously, we’re more divided than we’ve ever been and DEI has not been successful as intended.

At the beginning, DEI programs were designed to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces. Sounds good, huh? It quickly morphed into mandates that put meritocracy and excellence in jeopardy.

It makes no sense to enforce DEI by initiating quotas and preferential treatment based on race and gender. It not only makes no sense but it also puts excellence in critical elds in danger. For example, medicine, public safety and engineering to name a few. These are critical professions that demand complete dedication and tremendous competence to be successful in saving lives. It’s dangerous to allow racial and gender considerations to become the determining factor without accounting for quali cations and merit.

DEI programs started out with lofty and admirable goals and the best of intentions. But we know that good intentions have continually paved the way to a super highway leading to places where we don’t want to go.

DEI policies create division and undermine safety and fairness, the very things they were designed to alleviate. The way to prevent racism and gender discrimination is to stop using race and gender a rmative action. Judge people by their merit and quali cations instead. These requirements do not have to be exclusive of each other.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec has represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the N.C. Senate since 2014. She lives in Kernersville.

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

TRIAD STRAIGHT TALK | SEN. JOYCE KRAWIEC

Forsyth SPORTS

Why did the French Open cancel a farewell ceremony for Rafael Nadal?

14-time champion is unseeded in what may be his nal French Open

By Howard Fendrich

The Associated Press

PARIS — The French tennis federation put o holding a ceremony to celebrate Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros this year, because he has said this might not necessarily be his nal appearance at the tournament he has won a record 14 times.

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said Sunday, Day 1 of the clay-court Grand Slam event, that Nadal let o cials know he didn’t want to close the door on a return before he told the world that at a pre-tournament news conference.

“As you can imagine, we had something planned for him. But ... because he doesn’t know if it’s going to be his last Roland Garros or not, he wants to leave the door open maybe to come back next year as a player. So we are not going to push him, obviously, to do anything,” Mauresmo said.

“It’s his decision when he

wants to have a proper ceremony, a proper goodbye, a proper farewell. So we’re not going to do it this year. That’s his wish,” she continued. “And even though we were ready to push the button if something happens, we obviously are going to respect what he wants and make sure we are ready whenever he feels he wants to do it. Later this year; next year; anytime he wants.”

Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3 and has said previously he expects this to be his last season, will face No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev in the rst round on Monday. The match is scheduled to be third in the main stadium, Court Philippe Chatrier, and could start at around 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. EDT).

Here are some answers to questions about Nadal and Zverev:

Why are top players like Nadal and Zverev meeting in the rst round?

Despite having such a dominant record at the French Open, Nadal was not seeded and so could have been placed anywhere in the bracket and

been stuck playing anyone at all, even the very best opponents. Because of injuries, including a surgically repaired hip and problematic abdominal muscle, Nadal has competed little the past two seasons, going only 7-4 in 2024, and so someone who has been ranked No. 1 and spent more than a decade inside the top 10 is now outside the top 250.

Why isn’t Nadal seeded?

This is Nadal’s rst Grand Slam tournament without a seeding since the 2005 Australian Open. The top 32 players in the men’s and women’s draws are seeded, and the seedings are based on the ATP and WTA rankings, which take into account the most recent 52 weeks of results. In theory, Mauresmo could have opted to circumvent the rules and go ahead and award a seeding to Nadal based on his past performances in Paris. But that was never really considered, she said, in part because “giving protection to some players” would result in “a lot of other issues and problems,” and because “it also has to be OK with other Grand Slams and everything.”

Hallie Kramer

West Forsyth, girls’ soccer

Hallie Kramer is a senior on the West Forsyth girls’ soccer team.

The Titans were eliminated in the third round of the NCHSAA 4A bracket, 4-2, by Marvin Ridge. Kramer scored a goal for West Forsyth in the game, however, giving her goals in each of the Titans’ three playo games this year. She also scored in twin 2-1 victories over Davie and Cuthbert to get West Forsyth on the verge of playing for the Final Four.

Kramer was also a shooting guard for the West Forsyth basketball team, nishing second on the squad in assists and steals.

Kramer has signed to continue her soccer career at Salem College.

NFL closer to having games every day of week as league’s reach continues to grow

The new schedule has games on every day of the week except Tuesday

By Teresa M. Walker The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NFL hasn’t scheduled a game for every day of the week.

Yet.

“We’re going to be the new 7-Eleven,” New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said. “NFL, 24 hours, you can watch them play any given day.”

The veteran preparing for his 14th season has a way of lacing his critiques with playful satire that hits his intended target. With the NFL close to lling every day of the week with a game in the 2024 season, the league with a reputation of “any given Sunday” might just qualify for that new nickname.

It’s all part of the NFL’s plan to keep growing the game and the league.

“Our job is to be everywhere our fans are,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said when asked about the league’s new three-year Net ix deal that this year adds Wednesday games. “They have almost 300 million global subscribers. We are obviously focused on

ers with Sunday games.

The Baltimore Ravens will only miss playing a game on a Tuesday and Friday in a schedule that includes a pair of Thursday games. Christmas will cap a stretch of three games in 11 days for Baltimore.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said it’s not so much a concern as more of a “shock factor,” but players will adapt and prepare for what may be the start of a new stage for the NFL. He said players likely had the same conversations when the NFL introduced games on Monday nights, then Thursday nights.

“I’m sure 10 years from now, that might be the norm,” Hamilton said of an NFL schedule featuring games throughout a week.

Arizona o ensive lineman Will Hernandez said getting the body to bounce back quickly is tough.

“I just go back to this: We all signed for it. We know what it is. Let’s just go,” Hernandez said. Monday nights used to be for a premier game for the NFL. A new contract added games on Sunday night.

Then the NFL started opening seasons on Thursday nights in 2006. In 2020, the NFL played its rst Tuesday night game since 2010 because of the pandemic. Before that, the NFL hadn’t played on a Tuesday since 1946.

Jordan said the league preaches about using Guardian caps for player safety. “But nobody cares about our protocol of how to get our bodies back from a Sunday game to now a Wednesday game?” Jordan said. “Not saying that sounds absurd.”

MATT FREED / AP PHOTO

The short turnaround and sloppy play have made Thursday games — which will again air on Amazon Prime — unpopular among players, but the schedule now includes them on a weekly basis.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal arrives for a training session at the Roland Garros stadium, prior to the start of this year’s French Open, which may be his last.

JEAN-FRANCOIS BADIAS / AP PHOTO

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.

next decade

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

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.

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

Young missionaries, religious leader killed in Haiti

The daughter of a Missouri state legislator was among those killed

By Dánica Coto and Jim Salter

The Associated Press

THE BODIES of a young missionary couple from the U.S. who were attacked and fatally shot by gang members in Haiti are expected to be transported to Missouri this week, a spokesperson for the families said Sunday.

Thursday’s killings of Davy and Natalie Lloyd, and Jude Montis, the local director of the mission group Missions in Haiti Inc., happened in the community of Lizon in northern Portau-Prince. They were leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.

Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker.

Speaking on behalf of the Lloyd and Baker families in a Facebook post on Baker’s page, Cassidy Anderson said Sunday that transport had been secured for a Thursday arrival of the bodies in Missouri. But Anderson added that “security is going to be very di cult.”

Haiti’s capital has been crumbling under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country.

Missions in Haiti’s website says its goal is “to see the Gospel of Christ make a di erence in the lives of Haiti’s young people.”

Davy Lloyd’s parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, of Oklahoma, started the organization in 2000 seeking to focus on the children of Haiti. David and Alicia Lloyd are full-time missionaries in the country.

Hannah Cornett, Davy’s sister, told AP that they grew up in Haiti. Davy went to the U.S. to attend a Bible college and married Natalie in June 2022. After the wedding, the couple wasted little time moving to Haiti to do

humanitarian work.

Cornett said Montis, a Haitian, worked at Missions in Haiti for 20 years.

The organization’s e orts include House of Compassion, which provides housing for 36 children — 18 boys and 18 girls, its website says. “All are destined to stay at House of Compassion until they have nished school and are ready to be on their own.”

Good Hope Boys’ Home provides a home for 22 boys, according to the website. The organization also built a church, a bakery and a school with more than 240 students.

A Facebook posting on the Missions in Haiti page stated that Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with some

North Korean rocket carrying its 2nd spy satellite explodes

By Hyung-jin Kim and Mari Yamaguchi

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — A rocket launched by North Korea to deploy the country’s second spy satellite exploded shortly after lifto Monday, state media reported, in a setback for leader Kim Jong Un’s hopes to operate multiple satellites to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea.

Monday’s failed launch came hours after leaders of South Korea, China and Japan met in Seoul in their rst trilateral meeting in more than four years. It’s highly unusual for North Korea to take provocative action when China, its major ally and economic pipeline, is engaging in high-level diplomacy in the region.

The launch drew rebukes from the North’s neighbors because the U.N. bans North Korea from conducting any such launches, viewing them as covers for testing long-range missile technology.

The North’s o cial Korean Central News Agency said it launched a spy satellite aboard a new rocket at its main northwestern space center. But KCNA said the rocket blew up during a rst-stage ight soon after lifto due to a suspected engine problem.

KCNA cited the unidentied vice director of the National Aerospace Technology Administration as saying a preliminary examination showed the explosion was related to the reliability of operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen-petroleum engine. He said other possible causes will be investigated, according to KCNA.

Japan’s government brief-

ly issued a missile warning for the southern prefecture of Okinawa, urging residents to take shelter inside buildings and other safer places. The warning was lifted later because the region was no longer in danger, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara called the North’s launch “a serious challenge to the entire world.” The U.S. Indo-Paci c Command criticized the launch as a “brazen violation” of U.N. Security Council resolutions and said it involved technologies that are directly related to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile program. South Korea’s Uni cation Ministry called a satellite launch by the North “a provocation that seriously threatens our and regional security.”

North Korea has steadfastly maintained it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles in the face of U.S.-led military threats. North Korea says the operation of spy satellites will allow it to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea and improve the precision-striking capabilities of its missiles.

During the trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang earlier Monday, South Korean President Yoon

Suk Yeol called for stern international action if North Korea went ahead with its launch plan.

Kishida, for his part, urged the North to withdraw its launch plan, but Li didn’t mention the launch plan as he o ered general comments about promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through a political resolution.

children, were leaving a church when gang members in three trucks ambushed them.

Davy Lloyd later called his family to tell them that gang members hit him on the head with the barrel of a gun, forced him upstairs, stole their belongings and left him tied up, Cornett said.

As people were helping to untie Davy Lloyd, another group of armed gunmen showed up, Cornett said.

“No one understood what they were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode,” Missions in Haiti’s posting said.

The couple and Montis ed to a house connected to the mission.

“They tried to take cover in there, but the gang shot up the house,” Cornett said. Cornett said Montis left behind two children, ages 2 and 6. Montis’ family could not be reached for comment Friday, and Missions in Haiti did not respond to an AP request for comment. Missions in Haiti said in a Facebook post on Saturday that they were “facing the most difcult time of our life.”

“The embassy is working on getting all the paper work done in order for them to be own to the states and many more behind the scenes to make happen more quickly and safely,” the post said, adding that the

children and sta of Missions in Haiti have been relocated to a safer location.

Baker, Natalie Lloyd’s father and a Republican state representative in Missouri, said Friday on Facebook that the couple’s bodies were safely transported to the U.S. Embassy. Throughout the weekend, Baker’s Facebook page provided updates on the e orts to arrange for transport to Missouri.

On Sunday, Anderson wrote on the families’ behalf that plans rmed up and transport had been secured. Baker wrote on Facebook in the early hours on Friday that his heart was broken “in a thousand pieces.”

Earlier Monday, North Korea had noti ed Japan’s coast guard about its planned launch with a warning to exercise caution in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and China and east of the main Philippine island of Luzon during a launch window from Monday through June 3.

Some observers say North Korea’s satellite launch on the rst day of its eight-day window might have been aimed at cast-

ing a chill over the Seoul-Beijing-Tokyo meeting and registering its displeasure with China.

Kim Jong Un has been embracing the idea of a “new Cold War” and seeking to boost ties with Beijing and Moscow to forge a united front against Washington, so China’s diplomacy with Seoul and Tokyo might have been a disturbing development for Pyongyang. Kim’s primary focus in recent

months has been on Russia, as Pyongyang and Moscow — both locked in confrontations with Washington — expand their military cooperation. China, which is much more sensitive about its international reputation, has joined Russia in blocking U.S.led e orts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on the North but has been less bold and open about supporting Kim’s “new Cold War” drive.

BRAD SEARCY PHOTOGRAPHY VIA AP

Davy and Natalie Lloyd were among three U.S. missionaries who were killed in Haiti after being ambushed at the Port-au-Prince, o cials with the mission organization said Friday.

STATE & NATION

Lara Trump touts RNC changes, 2024 presidential victory at NCGOP convention

The daughter-in-law of Donald Trump is emphasizing voter turnout in November

By Makiya Seminera

The Associated Press

GREENSBORO — To a room full of Republicans from across North Carolina on Friday, former President Donald Trump railed against the Biden administration and vowed to win in the state for a third time — all over a speaker phone call after his son Eric Trump dialed him on stage.

“I just want to thank all of the people of North Carolina. The support has been great and never wavered,” Donald Trump said, met by cheers from hundreds in the crowd.

The four-minute phone call kicked o keynote speeches from RNC co-chair Lara Trump and her husband, Eric, at the North Carolina GOP Convention in Greensboro. The couple touted key changes to the national Republican Party under Lara Trump’s leadership and insisted on the necessity of getting Trump back in o ce.

RNC’s co-chair, the party’s top fundraising o cial, in March and serves as No. 2 to Michael Whatley, the new RNC chair and former chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. Both Whatley and Lara Trump came into their leadership positions looking to revitalize the party and ensure Trump’s victory in November.

In the weeks following their ascension, the RNC saw major shakeups in sta ng and an increase in fundraising — the latter greatly needed to fund Trump’s growing legal fees as he faces multiple civil and criminal trials.

While Lara Trump is early in her role, Nancy Murray, a GOP delegate from Charlotte, said she has high hopes for what Trump’s daughter-in-law will bring to party leadership.

races across the country.

“I’m hopeful Lara Trump can bring this back,” Bourgeois said before the speech.

Lara Trump pitched the RNC shifts to the crowd as necessary changes to winning the 2024 election, which included an emphasis on getting Republicans to turn out in massive droves in November. She urged the crowd to vote as early as possible — including by mail-in ballots, which Republicans such as Trump previously admonished against — and take others to cast their ballots to make sure the election is “too big to rig.”

“Any way you can vote and as early as you can vote, get your vote banked,” Lara Trump said.

“What we have going on in this country right now is not Republican versus Democrat or left versus right,” Lara Trump, a Wilmington native, said during the couple’s almost 40-minute address. “It’s good versus evil.”

criminal indictment claiming he mishandled classi ed federal documents was handed down from a grand jury.

Lara and Eric Trump’s speech comes a year after Trump addressed North Carolina Republicans as a keynote speaker at the party’s 2023 convention — one of his rst public appearances a few days after his rst

But a lot has changed at the state and national party since Trump’s June visit to the convention — including his daughter-in-law’s meteoric rise within the Republican National Committee.

Lara Trump became the

She also said Lara Trump may be a major improvement from previous longtime RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, who Murray believes is a RINO — a derogatory term for conservatives meaning Republican in Name Only.

Under McDaniel, Emily Bourgeois, another Charlotte delegate, said the party su erednancial issues and lost too many

NC man sentenced to 25 years for teaching bomb-making to person targeting authorities

The 40-year-old from Mount Olive also had improvised explosives found on his farm

By Jason Dearen The Associated Press

RALEIGH — A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Mount Olive man to 25 years in prison for teaching someone how to make bombs meant to kill federal law enforcement o cers.

A jury had found Christopher Arthur, 40, guilty in 2023 for the bomb-related charges, as well as for illegally possessing weapons, including improvised explosives found on his farm.

Arthur, a U.S. Army and North Carolina National Guard veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, founded a company called Tackleberry Solutions, which created manuals and videos teaching so-called wartime tactics. In addition to the bomb-making instructions, Arthur’s training manuals and videos included instructions for how to create “fatal funnels” meant to kill responding law enforcement with booby traps.

Arthur initially attracted the attention of the FBI in 2020 after some of his manuals were discovered in the possession of Joshua Blessed, a man who had attacked sheri ’s deputies and police o cers in upstate New York. Blessed, a truck driver, died after leading o cers on a nearly two-hour high-speed chase and gun battle.

Arthur was arrested in January 2022 after he provided instructions for how to construct bombs to a con dential human source, referred to as “Buckshot” by federal prosecutors.

Buckshot initially contacted Arthur in May 2021, claiming that agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had con scated some of his weapons. He told Arthur he wanted help preparing for the agents’ expected return to his house.

At trial, Arthur said his man-

uals and training sessions were not meant to be used to launch attacks on law enforcement or the government. He said he believed that the country was headed into violent chaos, and he wanted to prepare people to defend themselves.

In a brief statement on Friday before his sentence, Arthur, dressed in orange jail clothes,

The couple levied signi cant criticism against the Biden administration, which included concerns on immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and in ation. As a way to get back to the country’s “guiding principles,” Eric Trump told the crowd that he and Lara Trump were committed to leading Trump’s campaign to victory by November.

“We’re going to make America great again, and we’re going to do it together and we’re going to start in North Carolina,” Eric Trump said.

warned that the country was going to soon fall into violence. “Buy food storage and prepare to defend yourselves and your family,” he said. Federal prosecutors charged Arthur with domestic terrorism enhancements related to the bomb-making instructions, charges the judge kept in place despite defense objections.

Arthur’s federal public defender, Ed Gray, told the court that his client was a deeply religious man who simply wanted to keep his family safe from what Arthur believed was a coming apocalypse.

“He’s not some sort of terrorist like Timothy McVeigh,” Gray said, referring to the man who was executed for the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995. “He’s a veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq. It’s tough to come back from that, and his focus had changed. There are unseen issues that should be addressed,” Gray added, saying Arthur was open to therapy.

But before imposing Arthur’s sentence, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III said he took into account the defendant’s service and his history as a former law enforcement o cer.

“It’s really sad, honestly,” the judge said, referring to Arthur’s military service and the families of those he was accused of targeting. “But it is serious, too. Just as every person who’s ever had a loved one in combat knows, they pray every night that they’ll come home. Families of law enforcement say the same prayer every day when their spouse, or mom or dad, go to work.”

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Christopher Arthur, a Mount Olive native, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a federal judge after he was convicted of teaching bomb-making skills to a someone who planned to kill ATF agents.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Lara Trump reaches out to her husband, Eric Trump, as she speaks at the North Carolina GOP convention Friday in Greensboro.

the stream

Willie

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.

IAN WEST / PA VIA AP

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

ROB GRABOWSKI / INVISION VIA AP

Nelson,

Border,” on Friday.

MOORE COUNTY

Honoring sacri ce

Amid barbecues and basking in the sun, volunteers placed American ags on the graves of countless veterans around the country — including at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro — in honor of Memorial Day.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

North Carolina gets hot, declares Cooper

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper would like you to be aware that North Carolina gets hot.

While it’s likely that you were already aware of this fact, he has, nevertheless, proclaimed this to be North Carolina Heat Awareness Week.

It’s a good reminder to stay safe from heat-related e ects by staying well-hydrated, keeping an eye on the heat index and checking on more vulnerable members of your community to ensure they are keeping cool this summer.

In a press release announcing the proclamation, Dr. Susan Kansagra, assistant secretary for public health with NCDHHS, noted that North Carolina had more than 3,900 heat-related emergency room visits in 2023.

Don’t drink and boat

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission reminds North Carolinians that enforcement o cers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints this summer to deter impaired operation of vehicles.

So far, in 2024, the commission has investigated 19 boating incidents, with seven fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in 2 of the 19 investigated incidents.

In 2023, there were 18 fatal boating incidents resulting in 19 fatalities, though none of the fatal incidents reported alcohol usage. However, only 2 of the 18 included passengers wearing personal otation devices.

DMV unveils new, more secure license designs

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

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

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

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 identify-

ing 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 Colonial Spanish mustang grazing along one of

See LICENSE, page 2

More than 850 new jobs are expected by 2026

By Bob Sutton North State Journal

ROSS STORES, a Fortune 500 retail chain, is planning to build a regional distribution center in Randleman, state o cials 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 o -price 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 awarded to Ross Dress For Less, Inc., which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier Tuesday. During the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.4 billion, state ofcials reported.

Ross’ JDIG agreement could also move as much as $845,700 into a fund that helps rural communities across the state attract business in the future, according to information from state ofcials. When companies select a site located in a Tier 2 county such as Randolph, their JDIG agreements move some of the

See ROSS, page 2

COURTESY NC DMV

WILFREDO LEE / AP PHOTO

“Now Hiring” sign sits outside a Ross Dress for Less store in Florida in 2020.

ELI WARD-BROWN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

TUESDAY JUNE

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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 Bloak 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.

We stand corrected

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

CRIME LOG

May 21

• Brian Daniel Borowski, 41, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of breaking and entering.

• Zachary Andre McKoy, 44, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of breaking and entering.

• Ivan Francisco Torres, 31, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon.

May 22

• Zachary Tyler Lincoln, 30, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of attempted obtaining property by false pretenses.

• Patricia Lavon Testerman, 25 years old, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of identity theft.

May 23

• Michael Angelo Dehu, 32, was arrested by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of interfering with an electronic monitoring device.

• Kasey Lynn Ritter, 33, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of simple assault.

• Kendra Snipes, 30, was arrested by the Aberdeen Police Department for a parole violation.

LICENSE from page 1

North Carolina’s eastern beaches. These design elements are part of more than 50 security features incorporated into the new cards to help law enforcement deter and detect fraud. The DMV will begin producing the new card design later this week, gradually phasing out the current design by the end of June. Existing licenses and ID cards will remain valid until their expiration date.

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 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.”

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

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.

ROSS from page 1

new tax revenue into the state’s Industrial Development Fund — Utility Account. N.C. Rep. Brian Biggs and state Sens. David Craven Jr. and

Trump maintains that Biden’s ideas would wreck the economy. 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.

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.

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.

But Republicans in the NC 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 ination matters more to voters.

“We’ve lowered taxes, grown the state economy and built the nation’s best workforce,” said

Amy Galey also released statements expressing excitement about the distribution center’s location.

Among the area partners with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the

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.”

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.”

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. 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.

“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.’”

Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were Randolph Community College, Randolph County, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation and the City of Randleman.

moore happening

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

May 31

Used Book Sale

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Shop the last day of the Shop a Used Book Sale at 2449 Dowd Rd. in Carthage. Dive into a diverse collection of genres, from ction and non ction to history, self-help, instructional, religion and children’s books. With hardcovers priced at $3, paperbacks at $2 and children’s books at just $1.

Blood Drive

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Pine Scone Cafe in Southern Pines is hosting a Blood Drive at their location at 116 Brucewood Rd. in Southern Pines. Walk-ins welcome or make an appointment at redcrossblood.org.

Moore Food Fun — Make your own pizza 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Pinehurst Parks & Recreation Department will host Moore Food Fun with instructor Natasja Essed. Youth ages 13-18 are invited to make their own pizza from scratch at the Cannon Park Community Center. More information on the Pinehurst Parks & Recreation Department website.

Sunset Animal Tour

7 – 8 p.m.

Join at Dunrovin Country Store and Exotic Animal Sanctuary for an afterhours guided tour around the Sanctuary, led by one of the knowledgeable animal caretakers. The tour lasts for one hour. Tickets are $12 per person ages 3 & up. Space is limited. Visit dunrovincountrystore.com for more information.

June 1

Moore County Farmers Market — Downtown Southern Pines

8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Held each Saturday running March 16 to Nov. 23 at the Downtown Southern Pines Park green space, located at 145 SE Broad St.. Enjoy shopping from fresh and locally grown produce, meats, honey, eggs, seasonal items and more.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

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

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.

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 first 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-foottall 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 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

COLUMN | CONNIE LOVELL

The remarkable legacy of Billy Graham Wedding season and the future of America

Virtue is starting to look cool again.

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

meetings were my childhood pastors and my Sunday school teachers, who all had a massive influence, 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 influence. 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 — staffed the effort 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 prolific 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.

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.

Two local players headed to NCAA baseball tournament

Pinecrest alumni RJ Sales and Colby Wallace hope to reach Omaha

North State Journal sta

Wins posted by sophomore RJ Sales for the UNC Wilmington Seahawks this season

THE NCAA baseball tournament starts this weekend, and a pair of graduates from county high schools will be competing to make the College World Series in Omaha.

Ten local players were on a college baseball team at some level this season. Two of them are still standing as the tourney shifts into gear at 16 sites around the nation.

RJ Sales, a member of Pine-

crest’s class of 2021, will be leading UNC Wilmington into the tournament. Sales, who won conference player of the year while leading the Patriots to the Sandhills Conference championship as a senior, is a redshirt sophomore for the Seahawks. He earned his second career berth on the CAA All- Conference rst team after going 10 -3 with a 3.70 ERA in 15 starts this season. He struck out 87 in 87.2 innings and opposing batters hit just .212 against him. For his career, he is 16 - 4 with a 3.61 ERA.

UNCW opens play on Friday against Georgia Tech at the Athens, Georgia, subregional.

Colby Wallace, a shortstop and pitcher for the Patriots who graduated last year, is in his rst season with East Carolina. He was a three-time conference pitcher of the year in high school but has played more as a position player this season, starting 16 games in the eld and playing in 30. He was 18-for- 69 at the plate with 15 runs, 6 RBIs and a .261 average with .667 OPS.

On the mound, he appeared in three games, going 2- 0 and striking out 4 in 5 innings.

ECU hosts a regional and will open play with Evansville on Friday. ECU opens as the No. 16 national seed.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Wesley Little

Pinecrest boys’ lacrosse

Wesley Little is a junior for the Pinecrest boys’ lacrosse team. The three-time conference champions have won 28 straight games in the United 8/All American/Sandhills Conference, including a 10-0 mark in the league this year.

Little, the Patriots’ goalkeeper, led the conference in goals against average and save percentage. He also nished second in the state in save percentage and sixth in goals against average. That earned him all-state and all-region honorable mentions, as well as a spot on the all-conference rst team. He was also voted the team’s defensive MVP.

NFL closer to having games every day of week as league’s reach continues to grow

The new schedule has games on every day of the week except Tuesday

By Teresa M. Walker The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NFL hasn’t scheduled a game for every day of the week.

Yet.

“We’re going to be the new 7-Eleven,” New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said. “NFL, 24 hours, you can watch them play any given day.”

The veteran preparing for his 14th season has a way of lacing his critiques with playful satire that hits his intended target. With the NFL close to lling every day of the week with a game in the 2024 season, the league with a reputation of “any given Sunday” might just qualify for that new nickname.

It’s all part of the NFL’s plan to keep growing the game and the league.

“Our job is to be everywhere our fans are,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said when asked about the league’s new three -year Net ix deal that this year adds Wednesday games. “They have almost 300 million global subscribers. We are obviously focused on becoming more global. So it’s a huge

ers with Sunday games.

The Baltimore Ravens will only miss playing a game on a Tuesday and Friday in a schedule that includes a pair of Thursday games. Christmas will cap a stretch of three games in 11 days for Baltimore.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said it’s not so much a concern as more of a “shock factor,” but players will adapt and prepare for what may be the start of a new stage for the NFL. He said players likely had the same conversations when the NFL introduced games on Monday nights, then Thursday nights.

“I’m sure 10 years from now, that might be the norm,” Hamilton said of an NFL schedule featuring games throughout a week.

Arizona o ensive lineman Will Hernandez said getting the body to bounce back quickly is tough.

“I just go back to this: We all signed for it. We know what it is. Let’s just go,” Hernandez said. Monday nights used to be for a premier game for the NFL. A new contract added games on Sunday night.

Then the NFL started opening seasons on Thursday nights in 2006. In 2020, the NFL played its rst Tuesday night game since 2010 because of the pandemic. Before that, the NFL hadn’t played on a Tuesday since 1946. Jordan said the league preaches about using Guardian caps for player safety. “But nobody cares about our protocol of how to get our bodies back from a Sunday game to now a Wednesday game?” Jordan said. “Not saying that sounds absurd.”

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAVID SINCLAIR / FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Colby Wallace celebrates after scoring a walk-o run in the playo s during his junior year at Pinecrest.

MATT FREED / AP PHOTO

The short turnaround and sloppy play have made Thursday games — which will again air on Amazon Prime — last season unpopular among players, but the schedule now includes them on a weekly basis.

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

Young missionaries, religious leader killed in Haiti

The daughter of a Missouri state legislator was among those killed

By Dánica Coto and Jim Salter The Associated Press

THE BODIES of a young missionary couple from the U.S. who were attacked and fatally shot by gang members in Haiti are expected to be transported to Missouri this week, a spokesperson for the families said Sunday.

Thursday’s killings of Davy and Natalie Lloyd, and Jude Montis, the local director of the mission group Missions in Haiti Inc., happened in the community of Lizon in northern Portau-Prince. They were leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.

Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker.

Speaking on behalf of the Lloyd and Baker families in a Facebook post on Baker’s page, Cassidy Anderson said Sunday that transport had been secured for a Thursday arrival of the bodies in Missouri. But Anderson added that “security is going to be very di cult.”

Haiti’s capital has been crumbling under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80%

BRAD SEARCY PHOTOGRAPHY VIA AP

Davy and Natalie Lloyd were among three U.S. missionaries who were killed in Haiti after being ambushed at the Port-auPrince, o cials with the mission organization said Friday.

of Port-au-Prince while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country. Missions in Haiti’s website says its goal is “to see the Gospel of Christ make a di erence in the lives of Haiti’s young people.”

Davy Lloyd’s parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, of Oklahoma, started the organization in 2000 seeking to focus on the children of Haiti. David and Alicia Lloyd

are full-time missionaries in the country.

Hannah Cornett, Davy’s sister, told AP that they grew up in Haiti. Davy went to the U.S. to attend a Bible college and married Natalie in June 2022. After the wedding, the couple wasted little time moving to Haiti to do humanitarian work.

Cornett said Montis, a Haitian, worked at Missions in Haiti for 20 years.

The organization’s e orts include House of Compassion,

which provides housing for 36 children — 18 boys and 18 girls, its website says. “All are destined to stay at House of Compassion until they have nished school and are ready to be on their own.”

Good Hope Boys’ Home provides a home for 22 boys, according to the website. The organization also built a church, a bakery and a school with more than 240 students.

A Facebook posting on the Missions in Haiti page stated that Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with some children, were leaving a church when gang members in three trucks ambushed them.

Davy Lloyd later called his family to tell them that gang members hit him on the head with the barrel of a gun, forced him upstairs, stole their belongings and left him tied up, Cornett said.

As people were helping to untie Davy Lloyd, another group of armed gunmen showed up, Cornett said.

“No one understood what they were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode,” Missions in Haiti’s posting said. The couple and Montis ed to a house connected to the mission.

“They tried to take cover in

there, but the gang shot up the house,” Cornett said.

Cornett said Montis left behind two children, ages 2 and 6.

Montis’ family could not be reached for comment Friday, and Missions in Haiti did not respond to an AP request for comment.

Missions in Haiti said in a Facebook post on Saturday that they were “facing the most dicult time of our life.”

“The embassy is working on getting all the paper work done in order for them to be own to the states and many more behind the scenes to make happen more quickly and safely,” the post said, adding that the children and sta of Missions in Haiti have been relocated to a safer location.

Baker, Natalie Lloyd’s father and a Republican state representative in Missouri, said Friday on Facebook that the couple’s bodies were safely transported to the U.S. Embassy. Throughout the weekend, Baker’s Facebook page provided updates on the e orts to arrange for transport to Missouri.

On Sunday, Anderson wrote on the families’ behalf that plans rmed up and transport had been secured.

Baker wrote on Facebook in the early hours on Friday that his heart was broken “in a thousand pieces.”

North Korean rocket carrying 2nd spy satellite explodes

By Hyung-jin Kim and Mari Yamaguchi

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — A rocket launched by North Korea to deploy the country’s second spy satellite exploded shortly after lifto Monday, state media reported, in a setback for leader Kim Jong Un’s hopes to operate multiple satellites to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea.

Monday’s failed launch came hours after leaders of South Korea, China and Japan met in Seoul in their rst trilateral meeting in more than four years. It’s highly unusual for North Korea to take provocative action when China, its major ally and economic pipeline, is engaging in high-level diplomacy in the region.

The launch drew rebukes from the North’s neighbors because the U.N. bans North Korea from conducting any such launches, viewing them as covers for testing long-range missile technology.

The North’s o cial Korean Central News Agency said it launched a spy satellite aboard a new rocket at its main northwestern space center. But KCNA said the rocket blew up during a rst-stage ight soon after lifto due to a suspected engine problem.

KCNA cited the unidentied vice director of the National

Aerospace Technology Administration as saying a preliminary examination showed the explosion was related to the reliability of operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen-petroleum engine. He said other possible causes will be investigated, according to KCNA.

Japan’s government briefly issued a missile warning for the southern prefecture of Okinawa, urging residents to take shelter inside buildings and other safer places. The warning was lifted later because the region was no longer in danger, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara called the North’s launch “a serious challenge to the entire world.” The U.S. Indo-Paci c Command criticized the launch as a “brazen violation” of U.N. Security Council resolutions and said it involved technologies that are directly related to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile program. South Korea’s Uni cation Ministry called a satellite launch by the North “a provocation that seriously threatens our and regional security.”

North Korea has steadfastly maintained it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles in the face of U.S.-led military threats. North Korea says

the operation of spy satellites will allow it to better monitor the U.S. and South Korea and improve the precision-striking capabilities of its missiles.

During the trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang earlier Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called for stern international action if North Korea went ahead with its launch plan.

Kishida, for his part, urged the North to withdraw its launch plan, but Li didn’t mention the launch plan as he o ered general comments about promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through a political resolution.

Earlier Monday, North Korea had noti ed Japan’s coast guard about its planned launch with a warning to exercise caution in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and China and east of the main Philippine island of Luzon during a launch window from Monday through June 3.

Some observers say North Korea’s satellite launch on the rst day of its eight-day window might have been aimed at casting a chill over the Seoul-Beijing-Tokyo meeting and registering its displeasure with China. Kim Jong Un has been embracing the idea of a “new Cold War” and seeking to boost ties with

Beijing and Moscow to forge a united front against Washington, so China’s diplomacy with Seoul and Tokyo might have been a disturbing development for Pyongyang.

Kim’s primary focus in recent months has been on Russia, as Pyongyang and Moscow — both locked in confrontations with

North Korean launched a military spy satellite into orbit in November.

Washington — expand their military cooperation. China, which is much more sensitive about its international reputation, has joined Russia in blocking U.S.led e orts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on the North but has been less bold and open about supporting Kim’s “new Cold War” drive.

KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY / KOREA NEWS SERVICE VIA AP

obituaries

Sharon M. Thompkins

March 6, 1958 – May 21, 2024

Sharon M. Thompkins, 66, died Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Greens of Pinehurst. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Ronald and Ethel Gordon of Raeford. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Thompkins; children, Heath Gaddy (Kristy)of Rieglewood, NC, Jesse Gaddy (Heather) of Leland, NC, Paula Leggett (Brandon) of Lumberton, NC, Travis Thompkins of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Madison Gaddy, Waylon Gaddy, Ada Gaddy, and Evie Gaddy. She is also survived by her siblings; Rhonda Cole (Richie) of Jackson Springs, NC, Buddy Gordon (Angela) of Raeford, NC, and Robin Gordon of Raeford, NC; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Ginger Gale McMillan Collins

February 15, 1959 –May 22, 2024

Ginger Gale McMillan Collins, of King, formerly of Aberdeen, and lovingly known as Gale, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024, after a brief illness surrounded in love by her three children; Chris, Emi, and Kimi. Born on February 15, 1959, Gale lived a life full of love, dedication, and warmth. She is survived by her three devoted children: Christopher McMillan (Greg) of Osterville, MA, Kimberly Begg (Warren) of Bass Lake, CA, and Emily Foushee (Robert) of Aberdeen. Gale was also a cherished grandmother to eight grandchildren: Ben, Averi, Ana, Isaiah, Rian, Noah, Zeke, and Emberlee, who brought immense joy to her life. Gale is also survived by her beloved mother, Margaret Morris, and her brothers, Anthony Hallman (Patricia) of Carthage and Charles Workman (Melanie) of Carthage. Gale is also survived by her former husband, Ray McMillan, with whom she shared 34 years of marriage and three beautiful children. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Collins, and her dear sister, Lisa Mabe. Her children would like to express their deepest appreciation for the care and support provided by FirstHealth Hospice who supported Gale and her children throughout this di cult time.

Barbara B. Whitehead

September 8, 1933 –May 24, 2024

Barbara B. Whitehead, 90, of Knollwood Village, Southern Pines, died May 24. Mrs. Whitehead was born in Warwick, RI and was a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. She retired from Rochester (NY) General Hospital, where she created the Patient-Sta Library and served as the head librarian. In NC, Mrs. Whitehead volunteered at several organizations including Friend-to-Friend, Meals on Wheels and FirstHealth Hospice. She also served as the President of the Knollwood Village HOA and in several roles at the Community Congregational Church. Mrs. Whitehead was an avid reader and knitter, loved sailing with her husband and family, and was a member of the Community Congregational Church in Southern Pines. She is predeceased by her husband, Everett, of 52 years and is survived by three daughters, Susan (Randy), Carol (Brad), and Joyce (Ken); a son, Steven (Trisha); three grandchildren, Steven, Maryann (Logan) and Bennett; her companion, Ralph; and loving cat Kate.

Bill Walton loved his bike and San Diego, dead of cancer at 71

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 disposi-

tion matching the perennial sunny weather.

While most people around the country knew Walton for his othe-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 winning 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 high-backed

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices

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 tiedyed 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.

STATE & NATION

Lara Trump touts RNC changes, 2024 presidential victory at NCGOP convention

The daughter-in-law of Donald Trump is emphasizing voter turnout in November

By Makiya Seminera

The Associated Press

GREENSBORO — To a room full of Republicans from across North Carolina on Friday, former President Donald Trump railed against the Biden administration and vowed to win in the state for a third time — all over a speaker phone call after his son Eric Trump dialed him on stage.

“I just want to thank all of the people of North Carolina. The support has been great and never wavered,” Donald Trump said, met by cheers from hundreds in the crowd.

The four-minute phone call kicked o keynote speeches from RNC co-chair Lara Trump and her husband, Eric, at the North Carolina GOP Convention in Greensboro. The couple touted key changes to the national Republican Party under Lara Trump’s leadership and insisted on the necessity of getting Trump back in o ce.

RNC’s co-chair, the party’s top fundraising o cial, in March and serves as No. 2 to Michael Whatley, the new RNC chair and former chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. Both Whatley and Lara Trump came into their leadership positions looking to revitalize the party and ensure Trump’s victory in November.

In the weeks following their ascension, the RNC saw major shakeups in sta ng and an increase in fundraising — the latter greatly needed to fund Trump’s growing legal fees as he faces multiple civil and criminal trials.

While Lara Trump is early in her role, Nancy Murray, a GOP delegate from Charlotte, said she has high hopes for what Trump’s daughter-in-law will bring to party leadership.

races across the country.

“I’m hopeful Lara Trump can bring this back,” Bourgeois said before the speech.

Lara Trump pitched the RNC shifts to the crowd as necessary changes to winning the 2024 election, which included an emphasis on getting Republicans to turn out in massive droves in November. She urged the crowd to vote as early as possible — including by mail-in ballots, which Republicans such as Trump previously admonished against — and take others to cast their ballots to make sure the election is “too big to rig.”

“Any way you can vote and as early as you can vote, get your vote banked,” Lara Trump said.

“What we have going on in this country right now is not Republican versus Democrat or left versus right,” Lara Trump, a Wilmington native, said during the couple’s almost 40-minute address. “It’s good versus evil.”

criminal indictment claiming he mishandled classi ed federal documents was handed down from a grand jury.

Lara and Eric Trump’s speech comes a year after Trump addressed North Carolina Republicans as a keynote speaker at the party’s 2023 convention — one of his rst public appearances a few days after his rst

But a lot has changed at the state and national party since Trump’s June visit to the convention — including his daughter-in-law’s meteoric rise within the Republican National Committee.

Lara Trump became the

She also said Lara Trump may be a major improvement from previous longtime RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, who Murray believes is a RINO — a derogatory term for conservatives meaning Republican in Name Only.

Under McDaniel, Emily Bourgeois, another Charlotte delegate, said the party su erednancial issues and lost too many

NC man sentenced to 25 years for teaching bomb-making to person targeting authorities

The 40-year-old from Mount Olive also had improvised explosives found on his farm

By Jason Dearen The Associated Press

RALEIGH — A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Mount Olive man to 25 years in prison for teaching someone how to make bombs meant to kill federal law enforcement o cers.

A jury had found Christopher Arthur, 40, guilty in 2023 for the bomb-related charges, as well as for illegally possessing weapons, including improvised explosives found on his farm.

Arthur, a U.S. Army and North Carolina National Guard veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, founded a company called Tackleberry Solutions, which created manuals and videos teaching so-called wartime tactics. In addition to the bomb-making instructions, Arthur’s training manuals and videos included instructions for how to create “fatal funnels” meant to kill responding law enforcement with booby traps.

Arthur initially attracted the attention of the FBI in 2020 after some of his manuals were discovered in the possession of Joshua Blessed, a man who had attacked sheri ’s deputies and police o cers in upstate New York. Blessed, a truck driver, died after leading o cers on a nearly two-hour high-speed chase and gun battle.

Arthur was arrested in January 2022 after he provided instructions for how to construct bombs to a con dential human source, referred to as “Buckshot” by federal prosecutors.

Buckshot initially contacted Arthur in May 2021, claiming that agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had con scated some of his weapons. He told Arthur he wanted help preparing for the agents’ expected return to his house.

At trial, Arthur said his man-

uals and training sessions were not meant to be used to launch attacks on law enforcement or the government. He said he believed that the country was headed into violent chaos, and he wanted to prepare people to defend themselves.

In a brief statement on Friday before his sentence, Arthur, dressed in orange jail clothes,

The couple levied signi cant criticism against the Biden administration, which included concerns on immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and in ation. As a way to get back to the country’s “guiding principles,” Eric Trump told the crowd that he and Lara Trump were committed to leading Trump’s campaign to victory by November.

“We’re going to make America great again, and we’re going to do it together and we’re going to start in North Carolina,” Eric Trump said.

warned that the country was going to soon fall into violence. “Buy food storage and prepare to defend yourselves and your family,” he said. Federal prosecutors charged Arthur with domestic terrorism enhancements related to the bomb-making instructions, charges the judge kept in place despite defense objections.

Arthur’s federal public defender, Ed Gray, told the court that his client was a deeply religious man who simply wanted to keep his family safe from what Arthur believed was a coming apocalypse.

“He’s not some sort of terrorist like Timothy McVeigh,” Gray said, referring to the man who was executed for the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995. “He’s a veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq. It’s tough to come back from that, and his focus had changed. There are unseen issues that should be addressed,” Gray added, saying Arthur was open to therapy.

But before imposing Arthur’s sentence, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III said he took into account the defendant’s service and his history as a former law enforcement o cer.

“It’s really sad, honestly,” the judge said, referring to Arthur’s military service and the families of those he was accused of targeting. “But it is serious, too. Just as every person who’s ever had a loved one in combat knows, they pray every night that they’ll come home. Families of law enforcement say the same prayer every day when their spouse, or mom or dad, go to work.”

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Christopher Arthur, a Mount Olive native, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a federal judge after he was convicted of teaching bomb-making skills to a someone who planned to kill ATF agents.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Lara Trump reaches out to her husband, Eric Trump, as she speaks at the North Carolina GOP convention Friday in Greensboro.