North State Journal Vol. 8, Issue 44

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 44

|

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023

AP PHOTOS

A look back at the year in K-12 education

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Student achievement, education funding, universal school choice and parental rights were all major topics for North Carolina K-12 education during 2023.

Student Achievement North Carolina reading scores for students in K-3 released in early January showed signs of rebounding after historic drops following the pandemic.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt shared data with the State Board of Education showing gains in reading. Out of the more than 454,000 students assessed at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, 27,970 more K-3 students were performing at or above benchmark levels compared to the previous year.

Truitt credited the ongoing implementation of the reading program “LETRS” which is based on the “Science of Read-

ing,” a method that prioritizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

By April, mid-year testing data released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) showed continued literacy gains with the percentage of K-3 students performing at or above the benchmark score for the 2022-23 school year being higher than the assessment results from the beginning of the school year.

Truitt reported in August that literacy screening tools used by the state showed “incredible gains” for K-3 students.

Truitt, who is running for reelection, told North State Journal that the next student achievement battle will be increasing achievement in math, a subject which already had issues predating the pandemic.

“In order to tackle math, we have to shed some legacy thinking around the importance of math,” said Truitt. “I would never say to you as an adult, ‘I’m not a very good reader,’ but it’s per-

fectly acceptable for someone to say, ‘I’m not I’m not good at math.’ That has to change.”

Student Enrollment Challenges Enrollment figures for school choice options continued to rise across the state while traditional public school districts continued to struggle to reach pre-pandemic levels.

Public charter schools reported 139,985 students; a 4.9% increase from the previous year. The gains continue a trend seen in 2022’s data where Charter enrollment increased 6.4% over the previous year and has shot up over 19% since the 2019-20 school year.

K-12 public school Average Daily Membership (ADM) numbers for the first month of the 2023-24 year showed 1,358,003 students; a 0.4% decline from the previous school year and an overall decrease of 3.6% for the period prior to the pandemic.

Homeschooling has seen explosive growth following the pandemic, jumping almost 104% between the 202021 and 2019-20 school years.

Data from the Department of Nonpublic Education (DNPE) shows 94,154 homeschools and See EDUCATION, page A8

Recapping the 2023 General Assembly long session

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly had a busy year on Jones Street.

Over the course of the 2023 session, 704 bills were introduced in the Senate and 895 in the House with 402 making the crossover filing deadline. As of the end of November, 151 bills had become law, including hot topics such as a 12-week limit on abortion, universal school choice expansion and Medicaid Expansion.

One of the most significant

dates in this year’s session came on Thursday, April 5.

That is when Mecklenburg County Rep. Tricia Cotham officially announced she was leaving the Democratic Party for the Republican Party, giving the GOP an official supermajority “I’m a single mom, small business owner, teacher, public servant, and today I add Republican to that list,” said Cotham at a well-attended press conference.

In her remarks, Cotham talkSee LONG SESSION, page A2

General Assembly and statewide judicial candidates file for ’24 elections

By A.P. Dillon and Matt Mercer North State Journal

Grafstein. Lassiter had filed an “alienation of affection” lawsuit against House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) for RALEIGH — Candidate fil- an alleged affair with Lassiting for the 2024 election cycle er’s wife which was settled just closed at noon on Friday, Dec. weeks after it was filed. Lassit15, with the majority of Gener- er faces Republican Vicki Haral Assembly seats seeing can- ry in the GOP primary. didates from both sides of the Rep. Terence Everitt, who aisle. had said he was not seeking reDemocrats this cycle have election to the House, will run fielded 118 candidates out of for a northern Wake County the 120 seats in the House and Senate seat after Mary Willis candidates for all 50 Senate Bode opted not to run for reseats. election. He will face RepubliIn 2022’s election cycle, over can Ashlee Bryan Adams.

40 Republican-held seats went Senate Leader Phil Berger unchallenged by (R-Eden) did not face Democrats. a primary challenge Ten House memas some had thought bers and six Senate was possible based on members are either Ten House a poll showing him not running again, members and trailing Rockingham retiring, or seeking County sheriff Sam six Senate another office.

Page, who ultimately Republicans did members are filed for the Lt. Gov. not file candidates Race. in 25 House races, either not A number of Senmainly in Durham, running again, ate Democrats had Mecklenburg and primary challengers retiring, Wake counties. Refile against them inpublicans are miss- or seeking cluding Senate Miing a candidate in another nority Leader Dan six Senate races and Blue, Durham Sen. Republican incum- office.

Mike Woodard and bents in the Senate Forsyth County Sen. do not appear to have Paul Lowe. picked up any primary chalA three-fifths majority of lengers. the members present is reIn a surprising last-minute quired to override a veto by development, former Rep. Mi- the governor. In a full convenchael Speciale and New Bern ing of the House, that means attorney Bob Brinson have 72 votes, and in the Senate, 36 filed to run for current Sen. votes. Currently, Republicans Jim Perry’s current seat. Perry hold a comfortable supermasaid shortly after filing he was jority in the Senate of 30 but not seeking any office in 2024. a single vote majority in the Perry issued a statement House after Mecklenburg Rethat seemed to indicate family reasons for not running, saying See NCGA, page A2 in part, “I am entering a season of life where I will need more time to support those closest to me.” Perry had served three terms in the Senate.

Wake County Water & Soil Supervisor Scott Lassiter is running as a Republican to challenge Democratic Sen. Lisa $2.00

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

A2 WEDNESDAY

12.27.23 #416

“One of One” Visit us online nsjonline.com North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Griffin Daughtry Business/Features Editor Jordan Golson Locals Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Published each Wednesday

by North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

THE WORD: ‘AULD LANG SYNE’ As we bid farewell to the challenges and triumphs of 2023, the familiar strains of “Auld Lang Syne” echo around the globe, transcending its Scottish origins to become an anthem of the New Year. Penned in the 18th century by Robert Burns, this traditional song captivates with its melody and resonates with profound themes. The themes of this traditional song echo the wisdom of the Bible and God’s calls for remembrance, self-reflection and timelessness.

While most renowned for its role at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, bidding farewell to the year past, “Auld Lang Syne” finds a place in a spectrum of gatherings and farewells, including funerals, graduations, and significant endings. The song was written as a Scots-language poem by Burns in 1788. In 1799, this poetic masterpiece was harmonized with a traditional tune that has since become synonymous with the poem itself.

The Scots title “Auld Lang Syne” translates into English as “old long since” or more loosely as “long long ago,” “days gone by,” or “times long past.” It’s a nostalgic nod to bygone days, with the phrase “For auld lang syne” in the chorus resonating as “for the sake of old times.” This translation captures the essence of the song – a tribute to the enduring nature of past relationships and experiences that shape our lives.

At its heart, “Auld Lang Syne” is a call to remembrance. Its opening lines, “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” urge us to hold onto memories of those who have touched our lives. This year, with significant technological advancements and pressing geopolitical challenges, the song’s message reminds us of our shared journey. It echoes the sentiments of Psalm 77:11: “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.”

But the song is more than a mere remembrance; it’s a celebration of community and fellowship. The chorus, “For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne,” speaks of shared kindness and togetherness. This mirrors the biblical emphasis on community, as seen in Hebrews 10:24-25, which encourages us to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” The song reflects our collective strength and unity.

The song also invites us to introspection and self-examination. As it prompts reflection on past times, it aligns with the biblical practice of self-examination, as advised in Lamentations 3:40 which urges us to “search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.” The end of the year, with this melody as its backdrop, becomes a time to assess our actions, aspirations and societal changes we have witnessed, reminding us of the value of looking inward.

“Auld Lang Syne” subtly touches on the concept of eternity. Its

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Illustration to Robert Burns’ poem “Auld Lang Syne” by J.M. Wright and Edward Scriven (circa 1841). portrayal of the transient nature of time finds a parallel in the biblical perspective of the fleeting nature of life and the eternal nature of the divine. As James 4:14 poetically states, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

The song is finally an anthem of celebration. Its upbeat tempo and role in New Year festivities mirror the biblical concept of joy, as expressed in Psalm 150 as “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”. The act of singing “Auld Lang Syne” as the clock strikes midnight is not just a farewell to the old but a joyful welcome to the new.

As 2023 comes to a close, “Auld Lang Syne” urges us to embrace the past and the future with hope and unity. It’s a reminder of the enduring power of human connection and the continuous cycle of time, offering a moment of reflection, celebration and anticipation as we step into 2024.

LONG SESSION from page A1

ed about how she felt cast aside by state Democrats, talked about the need for school choice and drew furious responses from her former party.

Cotham’s move – and vote – was consequential in a number of areas.

Republicans in passed legislation over Cooper’s vetoes that modernized state abortion laws, banned puberty blockers and other gender transition procedures for minors and prohibited biological males from participating in female-designated sports over spring and summer.

The laws received national attention and backing from 12-time All-American swimmer and national figure in the fight for women’s rights in sports Riley Gaines, who testified in front of various committees in support of the bill prior to its passage.

Additionally, North Carolina High School volleyball player Payton McNabb also testified in favor of the measure, describing for lawmakers how a forceful blow to the head from a volleyball spike by a biological male playing on an opposing team resulted in her suffering a traumatic brain injury.

Several months late, the legislature also passed its 2023-24 budget which Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper refused to sign and took effect without his signature. The governor’s complaints about the

NCGA from page A1 publican Rep. Tricia Cotham switched parties.

Democrats Nicole Sidman, Yolanda Holmes and Terry Lansdell have filed to run for Cotham’s seat and Cotham has filed for reelection as a Republican.

Rep. John Bradford had been expected to file for state treasurer, however, North State Journal caught up with him during candidate filing and broke the news he instead would be running for Congress in the 8th District. His current House seat is considered a tossup. The winner of the Democratic primary between Beth Helfrich and Lisa Jewel will face Republican Melinda Bales.

Elsewhere in the House, one primary to watch is between Rep. Allen Chesser of Nash County and Yvonne McLeod.

Lingering tensions in the county over a proposed casino development look to drive turnout in March. The same scenario

AP PHOTO

Anti-abortion protesters sit above the voting record sign, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Raleigh. budget delays centered on Medicaid Expansion being tied to the budget’s passage.

Negotiations would break down between House and Senate leaders over topics such as whether to bring rural economic development districts, clever wording for casinos, to three rural counties. The stalemate would end without passage of casinos but the topic is expected to re-emerge in 2024.

The 2023 Appropriations

Act includes $29.8 billion in FY 2023-24 and $30.9 billion in FY 2024-25. Education spending increased again to $17.3 billion in year one and $17.9 billion in year two; a 6.1% and 9.5% increase, respectively.

The budget included an aggressive tax package, taking the personal tax rate from its current 4.75% down to 4.5% in 2024 with revenue triggers for additional rate cuts down to 3.99% in 2026. Additionally, the budget

is playing out in Rockingham County with incumbent Rep. Reece Pyrtle facing a challenge from Joseph Gibson.

In Cumberland County, longtime Rep. Marvin Lucas announced his retirement, setting off a four-way Democratic primary for a seat anchored in Fayetteville.

Another crowded primary will be for a Guilford County seat. Former Rep. John Blust, a longtime fixture in the chamber, looks to make a return to Raleigh. He faces four other competitors including Michelle Bardsley, who has made a strong impression among party leaders.

A total of four seats will be up for grabs on the N.C. Supreme Court and N.C. Court of Appeals.

The race for the Supreme Court seat will have a Democratic primary with the winner facing Republican Jefferson Griffin in November.

Appointed incumbent Allison Riggs, who joined the state’s highest court in September, will

face off with Guilford County Superior Court Judge Lora Cubbage for the Democrats’ nomination.

On the Court of Appeals, three seats will be contested.

Democrat Carolyn Thompson, who was appointed following the elevation of Riggs to the Supreme Court, faces off with Republican Tom Murry.

Republican Valerie Zachary looks to hold her seat and will face Democrat Ed Eldred.

The final race features an incumbent Republican, Hunter Murphy, facing a primary challenge from Rockingham County District Court Judge Chris Freeman. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Martin Moore in November.

Both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals have Republican majorities. In the two statewide election cycles, Republicans have swept the races.

North Carolina’s primary elections will be held on March 5, 2024, with the general election to follow on Nov. 5.

contains millions for pro-life and crisis pregnancy centers, prohibitions on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for state workers and K-12 public school children, as well as over $363 million for agriculture and state natural resource priorities.

With the violent and destructive 2020 riots not too far in the rearview mirror, a bill increasing criminal penalties on rioters that also became law. The bill was sponsored and promot-

ed by House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain), who witnessed the 2020 rioting, fires and looting in Raleigh first hand. After its enactment, the NC ACLU subsequently filed a lawsuit to block certain provisions.

Near the end of the session, redistricting bills were enacted into law creating new maps for state House, state Senate and U.S. Congress in North Carolina. The new Senate and Congressional maps both have lawsuits pending.

Several publicized hearings were held during the 2023 session.

The Hurricane Subcommittee of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Operations held its third hearing March 29 over families still not back in their homes and the continued overall slow recovery efforts by the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Also in March, the House Oversight Committee heard testimony from outgoing State Bureau of Investigations Director Bob Schurmeier requesting his agency be made its own independent entity while describing intimidation tactics by Cooper’s Chief of Staff Kristie Jones and General Counsel Eric Fletcher in an effort to force him to resign. A second hearing on the same topic was held in April and the SBI was ultimately made a stand-alone agency through language in the state budget.

AP PHOTO

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger presides over a Senate floor debate on new abortion restrictions earlier this year.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

North Carolina agriculture had a big year in 2023

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina agriculture had a big year in 2023, including a big economic impact gain as well as budget investments in farmland preservation and key production and manufacturing areas.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler kicked off this year with good news for the state during the 2023 North Carolina Agriculture Forum held in February.

Troxler told attendees he remained optimistic about the future of N.C. Agriculture and agribusiness; however, with rising inflation and increased costs, he worried about “people being able to afford it.

He also noted that 135,000 moved to North Carolina in the last year, ranking the state at number three in the nation for population migration. Urban areas like Raleigh and Charlotte were ranked second and sixth respectively for population growth.

Energy resources will also be strained by the state’s increasing population growth, Troxler said while also mentioning the recent rolling blackouts that hit portions of the state last December. He also mentioned the possible political ramifications for agriculture due to new residents

AP PHOTO

An irrigation system at a farm in Farmville in pictured. coming in from out of state who have no grasp of the importance of farming in the state.

Agriculture is North Carolina’s top industry and accounts for one fifth of the state’s workforce and an economic impact figure of $103.2 billion for 2023 for agriculture and agribusiness in the state was unveiled by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCACS) in mid-May. The previous year’s figure was $92.9 billion.

“When I took office in 2005, the economic impact of agricul-

ture and agribusiness was $59 billion and $100 billion seemed like a good goal to work toward.

In 2016, I made a prediction that North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness industry would soon reach $100 billion,” Troxler said in a press release on the economic impact figure.

“I’m proud to say that we’ve reached that goal and surpassed last year’s economic impact by more than 11%,” said Troxler.

“Reaching this milestone is a big accomplishment for everyone in agriculture and agribusiness and proves how much we

can accomplish when we are all pulling together.”

Troxler is the state’s second-longest-serving agriculture commissioner and only Republican to serve in that role.

He looks to extend his 18-years in office having filed for reelection in 2024. The state’s longest-serving agriculture commissioner was Democrat James Graham, who served 36 years; from 1964-2000.

The 2023 Appropriations Act passed by the General Assembly also held good news for agricultural interests in the state, with agriculture and natural resource priorities investments of more than $363 million.

“Overall, I am pleased with the 2023-2024 State Budget and I am grateful for the legislature’s continued investment in and support of agriculture, agribusinesses and our farmers,” Troxler said in an emailed statement to North State Journal.

He continued, “Specifically, that includes $25 million in funding for Farmland Preservation efforts, which I believe is critically needed; $20 million in the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program, which is focused on reducing downstream flooding from tropical storms and hurricanes; $20 million for the N.C. Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative, a new project to attract and facilitate more agribusiness development; and, nearly $8 million in funding for our agricultural research stations.”

The topic of farmland preservation has been a key issue for Troxler throughout his 18-year tenure as the state’s agriculture

‘Uniquely horrible choice:’ Few US adults want a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024, AP-NORC poll shows The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s the presidential election no one is really jazzed about.

Relatively few Americans are excited about a potential rematch of the 2020 election between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, although more Republicans would be satisfied to have Trump as their nominee than Democrats would be with Biden as their standard-bearer, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

That palpable apathy from voters comes even as both Biden and Trump are facing relatively few obstacles in their paths to lock down their respective parties’ nominations next year.

Biden has amassed broad support from Democratic officials as a handful of mostly token primary challengers have struggled to spark momentum. And despite 91 indictments across four criminal cases — including some centered on his attempts to overturn his electoral loss to Biden in 2020 — Trump’s grip on GOP primary voters shows no signs of loosening a month before the first nominating contest in Iowa.

“Probably the best way to put it is, I find it sad for our country

See EDUCATION, page A6 152,717 students for 2022-23.

Private schools have also seen an increase in enrollment and in the number of schools. DNPE reports 126,768 students across 884 schools for 2022-23. Private school numbers are expected to continue to grow following the expansion of school choice by lawmakers this year.

Universal School Choice The General Assembly this year enacted the largest expansions of school choice the state has seen to date.

The move toward universal school choice began as companion bills were filed in both chambers and ended with the language being inserted into the state budget.

Under the new legislation, the popular Opportunity Scholarship Program is extended to all students in the state and is funded using a sliding scale of household income level with

A.P. DILLON | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden attend the second and final presidential debate Oct. 22, 2020, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. that that’s our best choices,” said Randy Johnson, 64, from Monett, Missouri. Johnson, who is a Republican, said he wishes there were a third legitimate option for president but that the political system does not make that viable and added: “We’re down to the lesser of two evils.”

Andrew Collins, 35, an independent from Windham, Maine, said: “This is probably the most uniquely horrible choice I’ve had in my life.”

About half of Democrats say they would be very or somewhat

satisfied if Biden becomes the party’s 2024 nominee. About one-third of Democrats would be dissatisfied, and about 1 in 5 would be “neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.” When it comes to the Republican Party nomination, enthusiasm is higher for GOP front-runner Donald Trump. Two-thirds of Republicans would be satisfied with Trump as the Republican nominee for 2024. About one-quarter would be dissatisfied, and 9% would be neutral.

Looking at U.S. adults broadly

funding priority going to the families with the lowest income.

Eligible students will get at least an amount of up to 45% of the average state per-pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year, which currently would be $3,458.

Gov. Roy Cooper declared an “Education State of Emergency,” and placed a corresponding banner opposing the expansion on the official website for the governor’s office which still persists as of the publication of this article.

by school districts in the areas of materials and curriculum as well as a complaint and appeals process with the ability to take district grievances to the state board level.

Various provisions of the new law also appeared in the state budget, in particular, giving a deadline of Jan. 1, 2024, for the creation of a “parent guide to student achievement” by the State Board of Education.

Parental Rights As parental rights movements swept across the country, a bill codifying a dozen rights for parents to oversee the education, health, mental well-being, and upbringing of their children was enacted by the legislature this year.

The Parents’ Bill of Rights also included measures for increasing transparency

Leandro The long-running education funding case known as Leandro saw additional activity in 2023 following a 2022 ruling by the N.C. Supreme Court.

A 2022 ruling by the then Democratic-controlled Supreme Court upheld a trial court’s funding order and remanded the case back to the lower courts to finalize the dollar figure when landed at $677.8 million.

The former Supreme Court’s ruling was split down party lines and was issued just days

— setting aside party affiliations — there’s still not much enthusiasm for a Biden-Trump rematch.

Most U.S. adults overall (56%) would be “very” or “somewhat” dissatisfied with Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024, and a similar majority (58%) would be very or somewhat dissatisfied with Trump as the GOP’s pick. Nearly 3 in 10 U.S. adults, or 28%, say they would be dissatisfied with both Trump and Biden becoming their party’s respective nominees – with independents (43%) being more likely than Democrats (28%) or Republicans (20%) to express their displeasure with both men gaining party nominations.

Among Democrats and Republicans alike, having a candidate who can win is given slightly more importance than having a candidate whose views represent most people in the party or even themselves, according to the AP-NORC poll.

Only about 3 in 10 Democrats are “extremely” or “very” confident that the Democratic Party’s process will result in nominating a candidate who can win the general election in November. About half are somewhat confident, and 18% are not very confident or not at all confident.

before the 2022 general election, after which the court ended up with 5-2 Republican majority.

Defendants in the case, which include Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain), filed motions this past September to appeal the $677.8 million funding order issued in April by Superior Court Judge James Floyd Ammons, Jr. The request was granted on Oct. 20.

Departures and Appointments At the May State Board of Education meeting, board member Amy White announced her resignation and cited wanting to retire to “refocus my passion my energy and my time on the Christian Ministry that I lead.”

Another State Board of Education member, James Ford, resigned his seat at the Sept. 7 meeting. Ford said “five years

A3 commissioner.

Under the 2023 Appropriations Act, Farmland Preservation was allotted $10 million in year one and $15 million in year two in nonrecurring funds in the appropriations act.

Troxler said during the 2023 Forum that North Carolina is predicted to be 2nd in the nation for potential farmland loss by 2040, per a report by the American Farmland Trust.

The NC Chamber held its “Ag Allies” conference in early October this year which covered agribusiness and farmland issues.

This year’s keynote speaker was Agritech Capital President Aidan Connolly. His presentation, “Ag of the Future,” included Connolly’s vision of what he calls “agri-food in evolution.”

Connolly’s remarks included the need for integrating data-driven technologies in farming to aid the increasing demand for food products using tools such as tablets, robots, ChatGPT, and AI as well as blockchain to 3D printing.

This past November, Troxler’s office opened up applications for farmland preservation grants funded by the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

Also in November, a new strategic initiative called “NC Ag Leads” was formed to support and the state’s agriculture industry and “identify, educate, and strategize” outside factors that could impact North Carolina. NC Ag Leads is a partnership between the Golden LEAF Foundation, the NC Chamber Foundation, the NC Farm Bureau and Google.

While relatively few are highly confident they’ll get a winning nominee out of the process, three-quarters of Democrats say it’s “extremely” or “very” important that the party’s process for nominating a presidential candidate does result in a candidate who can win the general election.

Meanwhile, one-third of Republicans are extremely or very confident that the Republican Party’s process for nominating a presidential candidate will result in someone who can win the general election. Slightly fewer than half, or 46%, are somewhat confident, and 2 in 10 are not very or not at all confident.

Seven in 10 Republicans say it’s extremely or very important that their process results in a nominee who can win in 2024.

The poll shows neither man is viewed favorably by a majority of the U.S. public, with only 42% saying they have a favorable view of Biden and 36% saying the same of Trump.

Both are generally viewed favorably within their own party: About three-quarters of Democrats have a favorable view of Biden and about 7 in 10 Republicans have a favorable view of Trump. But Republicans are more likely to say their view of Trump is strongly favorable than Democrats are to say the same of Biden, 46% vs 34%. Democrats are more likely than Republicans are to say they have only a somewhat favorable view of their party’s 2024 frontrunner, 44% vs 24%.

was enough” out of his seven-year term which began with his appointment on Oct. 2018

by Cooper and was replaced by retired Wake County Public Schools Superintendent Catty Moore.

Protecting Students A law was enacted increasing penalties for educators convicted of taking indecent liberties with a minor or who engage in sex acts with a student.

House Bill 142 raises the criminal punishments for those offenses from a Class I to a Class G felony. A Class I felony has a sentence of three to 12 months whereas a Class G felony can be an eight to 31 months prison sentence.

The new law also has a provision forfeiting pension benefits for education employees convicted of such crimes and makes it a felony for school officials who fail to report sex offenses and related disciplinary actions to the State Board of Education.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

A4

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Meditations on the conspiracy of evil

The influences of heredity and environment, of glandular make-up and of economic necessity have been invoked to assure man that he is not responsible for his misfortunes and therefore not to be held guilty.

DOES IT SEEM like “someone is out to get you” every single day ― even though that “someone” is anonymous, faceless and you have no idea who he or she might be?

Social media, cell phones and constant streaming cable news on television sets and laptops have brought the world together with instantaneous news about anything going on in the world at any time of day or night. The Age of the Internet and the Information Superhighway has brought more knowledge and facts to the average human being than was available to any of the learned geniuses of the past such as Sir Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin or Albert Einstein.

The democratization (small “d”) aspect of the information revolution, at least, has been a good thing.

On the other hand, the way news media and internet pros, hackers and bots can manipulate what you see every hour-on-the-hour on your cell phone, based solely on your personality traits and search proclivities online, can make you positively paranoid if you let it manipulate the way you see the world.

Do you feel like people are “out there” who want to do you harm?

Are there people who want to see you not prosper and succeed? Is there a concerted effort on the part of some group ― conspirators of evil, if you will ― who want to make you feel like an aggrieved, sad oppressed person based solely on the color of your skin, gender, ethnicity, heritage or socio-economic situation?

Dorothy Leigh Sayers cleverly offered hope in one of her “Christian Letters to a Post-Christian World’. Sayers was a great Christian crime novelist, poet and theologian during the first half of the 20th century who counted C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and other members of The Inklings literature group in London as close friends.

“Surprisingly, the Christian Church now finds herself called upon to proclaim the old and hated doctrine of sin as a gospel of cheer and encouragement. The final tendency of the modern philosophies — hailed in their day as a release from the burden of sinfulness — has been to bind man hard and fast in the chains of an iron

determinism.

The influences of heredity and environment, of glandular make-up and the control exercised by the unconscious, of economic necessity and the mechanics of biological development, have all been invoked to assure man that he is not responsible for his misfortunes and therefore not to be held guilty.

Evil has been represented as something imposed upon him from without, not made by him from within.

The dreadful conclusion follows inevitably, that as he is not responsible for evil, he cannot alter it...

Today, if we could really be persuaded that we are miserable sinners — that the trouble is not outside us but inside us, and that therefore, by the grace of God, we can do something to put it right, we should receive that message as the most hopeful and heartening thing that can be imagined”.

It is hard for modern American sensibilities to admit any of us have sinful natures. It is particularly considered impolite and impolitic to ascribe any sinful behavior to anyone other than yourself, if you are willing to do so. It is far easier to blame “someone or something else” for the various misfortunes of life which all of us encounter at some time or the other.

The truth of the matter is that most people are so focused on their own lives they scarcely have the time or the energy to concoct intricate conspiracies to rob anyone of any race, religion, gender or age of their happiness and prosperity. Plus, most of us are so egotistical and self-absorbed that it is near about impossible to focus too much time on helping or hurting others every day of the week as a constant vocation.

During this Epiphany season after Christmas, it might be a good time to read some of Dorothy Sayers’ “Christian Letters to a PostChristian World” and meditate on them. If each of us assumes the mantle of being the peacemaker and the progenitor of love towards others first, how then could we have anything but joy and anticipation for the new year before us?

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

2024 promises to be a wild ride for the GOP

The GOP needs to treat the general election battle as though they are 20 points behind even if they’re not, never letting up on the gas.

WITH THE START of 2023 came the anticipation for how the GOP presidential race would shake out.

Former President Donald Trump was the first to declare his candidacy in November 2022, attacking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis right out of the gate well before he’d decided on whether he would run.

Other contenders soon made their intentions clear, like former Trump ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy announcing in February.

DeSantis formally made it official in May. The race has proved both surprising and predictable in many ways, with the surprising part being DeSantis consistently polling a distant second behind Trump in double digits in many national and state polls despite his popularity with Republican voters.

The predictable part has been how Trump’s numerous indictments have only increased his standing with the GOP faithful due to the fact that many believe they are politically motivated charges designed to take down a potential general election opponent for President Joe Biden.

Those feelings will increase in the aftermath of the Colorado Supreme Court ruling last week in a shocking 4-3 decision that Trump’s name should be removed from the state’s primary ballot on grounds that

he allegedly engaged in an “insurrection” on Jan. 6, 2021, something no court anywhere has ruled.

While some legal experts have predicted that the United States Supreme Court is likely to overturn that ruling, that will not change the view in the minds of Trump loyalists that Democrats have tried to rig the system against him ahead of 2024.

The Republican Iowa caucuses are less than a month away and between that and the New Hampshire primary that will follow a week later and then the South Carolina one in early February, we are likely to know early on whether Trump’s consistent polling lead will carry him through those states.

If DeSantis or Haley manage to pull off any upsets or at the very least give strong showings, it could be a game changer and perhaps prolong the primary battle, showing primary voters in upcoming states that maybe a Trump nomination isn’t so inevitable after all.

But whoever the eventual nominee is for the GOP needs to treat the general election battle as though they are 20 points behind even if they’re not, never letting up on the gas and giving the campaign everything they can, because Democrats will be pulling out all the stops to drag Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over the finish line one more time.

In the 2022 midterm elections, the polls

deceptively predicted a strong red wave in the U.S. House. But though Republicans did win back the House, it was by very slim margins.

Some blamed Trump’s endorsements on the House side for the narrower-thanexpected takeover in 2022, suggesting independents had soured on him and voted accordingly for Democrats. But some polls this time around are indicating that their dissatisfaction with Biden is leading some of them back into the Trump camp.

Whatever the case may be, we are in a political climate right now where Joe Biden is wildly unpopular with voters, receiving some of the lowest approval ratings of his presidency recently.

If Republicans can’t beat Biden in 2024 despite how much the political winds have shifted favorably in their direction, they will need to do some serious soul-searching and course-correcting or risk facing the wrath of Republican voters who will sit home in 2026 to teach GOP politicos a lesson on what it’s like to be taken for granted.

As always, stay tuned. And Happy New Year, everyone!

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.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

COLUMN

COLUMN | KERRY DOUGHERTY

Fairfax School Board chair takes oath of office on stack of porn AH, DECEMBER. That marvelous holiday month, when Jews and Christians celebrate joyous holidays.

Of course, it’s also the season when those who loathe religion spring into action. This is their moment too.

This year’s crop of religion haters is especially ugly According to the New York Post, Harvard University officials — who have done almost nothing to protect Jewish students who were threatened and harassed by pro-Hamas radicals — told a rabbi that he could light a menorah on campus but warned him to take it down and hide it at night, lest those who hate Jews vandalize it.

“On our campus in the shadow of Widener Library, we in the Jewish community are instructed, ‘We’ll let you have the menorah, you made your point, OK. Pack it up, don’t leave it out overnight because there will be criminal activity we fear and it won’t look good’”, Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi said at a Hanukkah lighting Wednesday night.

“Zarchi, the founder and president of Harvard Chabad, said the university has asked the group to take in the menorah each night since the first Hanukkah lighting on campus”.

And in the Iowa State House last week, The Satanic Temple erected an altar to Satan alongside a nativity and menorah, claiming they had a right under the First Amendment to slap their hideous Satan-worshiping abomination alongside the religious ones.

As if THAT was what the Founders had in mind when they penned the founding documents that established America’s principle of freedom of worship.

A Navy vet and devout Christian beheaded the statue of Satan and knocked down the altar before turning himself in to authorities. The man has been charged with a misdemeanor criminal mischief.

In Hanover County, a parent has objected to the Bible being in the school library because of the stories contained therein.

You couldn’t make this garbage up.

More madness in Fairfax County — where else? — where several school board members, including the chair, mocked those who take the oath of office with their hand on a Bible, Koran or other holy book by pledging their

oaths on stacks of secular books or porn. The Washington Post points out that all 12 of the new board members elected in November are Democrats.

Color me unsurprised.

Most notable was Karl Frisch, vice chair who becomes chairman in January. He swore his oath on a pile of five LGBTQ+ books that have been removed in many places from access by younger children because of their pornographic content.

Make no mistake, Frisch and friends weren’t taking a stand against “banned books.” They were deliberately offending and mocking people of faith.

By the way, there are no “banned books.” If you can buy these books in a bookstore they aren’t banned. Many parents were outraged when they discovered that some elementary and middle school libraries contained books that featured graphic sex, gay sex, and sex between adults and youngsters.

These concerned parents demanded the books be removed from some school libraries. Anyone who really wants their first grader to see images of oral sex between boys and men can order a copy of “Gender Queer” from Amazon and share it with their kids in the privacy of their own home.

Even Democratic operative Ben Tribbett objected to the asinine behavior by Democrat school board members.

Here’s what he posted on X: “This is so disrespectful to religious people because it totally misses the point of *why* they swear in on a Bible. The School Board should reconsider whether they want someone giving a middle finger to people of faith representing all of them as Chairman”.

He’s right. It was this sort of revolting behavior that got Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares elected.

Keep it up, Democrats. Normal people need to be reminded of who you are.

Republished with permission from Kerry Dougherty: Unemployed and Unedited at http://kerrydougherty. com/

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

The tyranny of the Phillips Curve REPEAT AFTER ME, class: Growth does NOT cause inflation. Write it on the blackboard 100 times.

For decades, the economics profession has been trying to tell us all just the opposite. They keep shoveling out the dumbest economic concept of all time: the Phillips Curve. This was the lame-brained “theory” by neo-Keynesian economists of the 1960s and 1970s that to slow inflation, the Federal Reserve needs to raise unemployment and slow down economic growth.

The whole concept of an inverse relationship between unemployment and inflation blew up when it was put into practice in the mid-1970s and the result was rising inflation AND rising unemployment. Then in the 1980s and ‘90s, with free-market supply-side policies in place, we had low inflation and low unemployment.

Over the past 40 years or so, if there is a relationship between unemployment and inflation, they tend to run together more often than in an inverse relationship. As my colleague at the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, David Simon, puts it: “The historical evidence shows the opposite of the Phillips Curve theory: increasing inflation in a particular year increases the unemployment rate in the following year and that reducing inflation in a particular year reduces the unemployment rate in the following year.”

This concrete evidence should be the end of the myth of the Phillips Curve. Except that we’ve learned in recent years that when the Left’s theories are contradicted by the real world, they stick with the theory. If the laboratory mice aren’t behaving as predicted, the problem isn’t the theory; it’s the mice.

Which brings us to the high priests in the temple of the Federal Reserve Board — who gave us 9.2% inflation last year. Now what are they doing? Still singing out of the discredited Phillips Curve hymnal.

Just listen to Jerome Powell explaining the Fed strategy back in August: “Getting inflation sustainably back down to 2% is expected to require a period of belowtrend economic growth as well as some softening in labor market conditions” — i.e., fewer people working.

Then there was this from Fed Governor Christopher Waller explaining the latest Fed decision: “While I am encouraged by the early signs of moderating economic activity in the fourth quarter, inflation is still too high.”

Then he added: “I am increasingly confident that policy is currently well positioned to slow the economy and get inflation back to 2%.” — Christopher Waller, Nov. 28, 2023 This is dangerous nonsense. As economist Louis Woodhill has explained it: “It is as if the Fed is trying to stop a careening car headed over a cliff by turning on

A5

the windshield wipers.”

We aren’t anywhere close to real full employment in this country. We still have 5 to 6 million workingage men out of the workforce — the vast majority of whom could and should be working. The economy’s average growth post-COVID over the last two years has averaged less than 2% when the historical average is in the 3% to 3.5% range. So the Fed is delivering that below-trend GDP they’ve been hoping for.

Some of the problem is the mandate for the Fed as dictated by Congress to deliver an American economy that achieves “stable prices and full employment.” But this is redundant. One of the surest ways of achieving full employment is precisely to stabilize prices. Instead, the more than 300 Ph.D. economists at the Fed and the Board of Governors are under this weird spell that full employment actually creates inflation.

The Fed should have long ago tossed out the Phillips Curve sophistry. They’ve completely misdiagnosed the inflation problem. Bidenflation wasn’t caused by too many people working or any sudden spurt of economic production since 2021. It was fueled by runaway government spending, debt and a vastly expanded Fed balance sheet, which pipelined excess dollars into the economy. And so the Fed seemed to be squelching private-sector growth at the same time we need more of it.

As Arthur Laffer has put it: “If the economy produces more apples, the price of apples goes down, it doesn’t go up.” The reason that the pro-growth movement is called “supply-side economics” is that the goal of any wellrun economy should be to increase the production and “supply” of goods and services.

This Fed is for private-sector austerity, but they are fine with government growth. Half of the new jobs in the economy this year have been in government or health care. Unlike Fed chairmen of the past, including Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan, who routinely criticized Congress for its addiction to debt-financed spending, Jerome Powell rarely jawbones Biden or Congress to spend less money. This would be far more effective than raising interest rates and slowing down the economy, which only makes the cost of the federal government’s borrowing even more expensive.

What Americans want right now is prosperity.

Neither Congress nor the Fed are taking us there. Then they wonder why 70% of voters are unhappy.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an economist with Freedom Works.

His latest book is: “Govzilla: How the Relentless Growth of Government Is Devouring Our Economy.”

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.

MARK TWAIN

Will the persecution of the Jews ever come to an end?

ON THE SCORE OF RELIGION, I think it has already come to an end. On the score of race prejudice and trade, I have the idea that it will continue. That is, here and there in spots about the world, where a barbarous ignorance and a sort of mere animal civilization prevail; but I do not think that elsewhere the Jew need now stand in any fear of being robbed and raided.

Among the high civilizations, he seems to be very comfortably situated indeed, and to have more than his proportionate share of the prosperities going. It has that look in Vienna. I suppose the race prejudice cannot be removed; but he can stand that; it is no particular matter. By his make and ways, he is substantially a foreigner wherever he may be, and even the angels dislike a foreigner. I am using this word foreigner in the German sense — stranger. Nearly all of us have an antipathy to a stranger, even of our own nationality. We pile gripsacks in a vacant seat to keep him from getting it; and a dog goes further, and does as a savage would — challenges him on the spot.

The German dictionary seems to make no distinction between a stranger and a foreigner; in its view a stranger is a foreigner — a sound position, I think. You will always be by ways and habits and predilections substantially strangers — foreigners — wherever you are, and that will probably keep the race prejudice against you alive.

But you were the favorites of Heaven originally, and your manifold and unfair prosperities convince me that you have crowded back into that snug place again.

Here is an incident that is significant.

Last week in Vienna a hailstorm struck the prodigious Central Cemetery and made wasteful destruction there. In the Christian part of it, according to the official figures, 621 window-panes were broken; more than 900 singing-birds were killed; five great trees and many small ones were torn to shreds and the shreds scattered far and wide by the wind; the ornamental plants and other decorations of the graves were ruined, and more than a hundred tomb-lanterns shattered; and it took the cemetery’s whole force of 300 laborers more than three days to clear away the storm’s wreckage.

In the report occurs this remark — and in its italics you can hear it grit its Christian teeth “. . . lediglich die israelitische Abtheilung des Friedhofes vom Hagelwetter ganzlich verschont worden war.”

“Not a hailstone hit the Jewish reservation! “Such nepotism makes me tired.

What has become of the Golden Rule?

It exists, it continues to sparkle, and is well-taken care of. It is Exhibit A in the Church’s assets, and we pull it out every Sunday and give it an airing. But you are not permitted to try to smuggle it into this discussion, where it is irrelevant and would not feel at home. It is strictly religious furniture, like an acolyte, or a contributionplate, or any of those things. It has never been intruded into business; and Jewish persecution is not a religious passion, it is a business passion.

To conclude. — If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one per cent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of star-dust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly the Jew ought hardly to be heard of; but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk.

His contributions to the world’s list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.

He has made a marvelous fight in this world, in all the ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself, and be excused for it. The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished.

The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind.

All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?

Mark Twain published “Stirring Times in Austria” in 1898 after which a Jewish friend asked him why Jews were cast as scapegoats in Europe. Twain wrote “Concerning the Jews” in Harper’s magazine in 1899 in response to his friend of which a brief excerpt is published above.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

A6

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Murphy to Manteo

Jones & Blount Repairs to NC Executive Mansion reach $4.5M

RALEIGH ACORN

Welcoming a new year

BLACK CREEK HEART

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

MARION NUGGET

New Year’s Eve celebrations abound in big cities and small towns throughout the state. From first nights, to light shows, and all kinds of downtown extravaganzas, families will be able to celebrate the new year together with special traditions from Murphy to Manteo. Wherever you are, there are likely some unique and festive opportunities nearby to ring in 2024 with family and friends. Happy New Year!

MOUNT OLIVE PICKLE

CHARLOTTE CROWN

BEAUFORT PIRATE EASTOVER FLEA MOREHEAD CITY CRAB

BURGAW BLUEBERRY

WEST

EAST

PIEDMONT

Grandson of pastor charged with embezzling $470k from church Gaston County Police believe a pastor’s grandson may have been embezzling money for five or six years before church staff at Dallas Church of God reported it to police. Jordan Shortridge has been arrested and charged with felony larceny and embezzling funds dating back to 2018 from the church his grandfather has led for nearly fifty years. Detectives say in 2021, the church accounting department ordered an audit after discovering missing money, and the audit found unknown withdrawals and payments made through PayPal that indicated someone was embezzling church money. The police chief says they’re still investigating why the church waited years to come forward to detectives.

QUEEN CITY NEWS

2 children dead after house fire Lincoln County Two children died after a house fire near the Catawba-Lincoln County line last week, officials said. According to local reports, the fire occurred on Grassy Creek Road, near Gates Drive, just before 9 p.m.

The Lincoln County sheriff confirmed the deaths. Firefighters said they were met with heavy fire upon arriving to the home, and that the children were pulled out from a window. “The rescue was made through the window, where firefighters actually handed the children out to other firefighters, and we had paramedic units standing by,” Sherrills Ford Fire Chief Rick Davis said. Family members said the children are 6-year-old Kaleigh and 4-year-old Khloe. Investigators said the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental due to an electrical issue.

WBTV

Iredell Memorial restricts visitors with RSV on the rise

Multi-county chase ends with DWI, assault and drug charges

Iredell County Area hospitals have implemented visitor restrictions as respiratory illness continue to spread around the state. Effective Dec. 21, children ages 13 and younger are not permitted to visit patients at Iredell Memorial, hospital staff announced.

Children in that age limit should only visit the hospital if they are seeking medical attention, according to Iredell Memorial. Staff said exceptions may be made in special circumstances, such as visiting a family member who is in endof-life care, but must be arranged with the patient’s care team, a news release stated.

“Restrictions like this are necessary to help protect our patients as well as our staff and visitors,” Pam Gill, director of infection prevention for Iredell Health System, said in a statement. Similar visitor restrictions have been announced for Novant Health and Atrium Health due to the rise in flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases.

Cabarrus County Authorities from two different lawenforcement agencies converged last week after a chase that began in Cabarrus County ended in west Charlotte. Deputies from Cabarrus County and CMPD officers participated in the chase, which ended near the I-77 bridge. The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office told local news outlets that the chase began after 11 p.m. on Wednesday when deputies attempted to pull the suspect car, a black Acura, over for a traffic violation. The car initially pulled over, but as a deputy approached it, the driver fled, running over the deputy’s foot. CMPD’s helicopter then followed the car until the two suspects inside got out and ran. Deputies said 33-year-old Jonathan Allen Moore and 22-year-old Savannah Diann Fleetwood were arrested on multiple charges including assault, felony fleeing, DWI, and possession of methamphetamine.

NSJ

WLOS

Tow truck company helps 8 Amazon drivers in 1 day

High Points sets aside $150K for veterans housing

Guilford County Last week, EZ Towing and Recovery manager Rico Gonzalez and his team had to tow eight Amazon delivery trucks throughout the Triad. During the busiest holiday travel weekend of the year, Gonzalez told local reporters the drivers he’s had to help have all had common issues. “Air pressure in their tires with it being cold. It’s throwing a lot of things off balance. Batteries, too. Make sure they have enough fluids in their vehicles,” Gonzalez said. “Drivers getting stuck bringing in packages. This is probably the all-time high this year,” Gonzalez said.

Whether you’re a delivery driver or not, Gonzalez recommends having your vehicle checked by a mechanic. State officials caution drivers to be especially aware of the Move Over law during the busy holiday travel season. This means when you see emergency vehicles and even tow trucks on the side of the road, you’re required to slow down and switch lanes if you can.

Randolph County According to national data, the number of homeless veterans jumped more than 7% across the country this year, and the number is increasing in the Triad. The High Point City Council has announced an allocation of $154,000 in grant money to Tiny House Community Development to help them, local outlets report. The group is building a first of its kind development solely for veterans. “It kind of shows High Point and the community what can be built on what was just blighted lots,” Executive Director Scott Jones told reporters. According to Open Door Ministries, there are 25 homeless veterans who are sheltered and 52 who are unsheltered. Officials say Smith Street Veterans Community will be comprised of four one-bedroom tiny homes, two twobedroom family homes and two threebedrooms used as assisted living space.

Durham to host inaugural LEGO competition

Residents can request extra patrols under new program Pitt County Families in some parts of Eastern North Carolina leaving home for the holidays may be worried about leaving their house unattended. Pitt County Sherriff’s Office says the house check program and it can be as simple as telling the sheriff’s office your address, when you’ll be gone and what to expect when they visit your home. Sergeant Lee Darnell with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office told local news outlets that during the holidays it’s nice to know your house will be safe if you’re celebrating elsewhere. Other counties including Onslow, Duplin and Halifax have similar programs that you can find on each respective sheriff’s office website.

To sign up for the house checks, Sgt. Darnell said you can either fill out a form on the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office website or call the sheriff’s office to give someone the required information.

NSJ

Greensboro Hooters franchise fights discrimination lawsuit Guilford County The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit alleging that Black and dark-skinned servers at a Hooters location in Greensboro faced racial discrimination from managers and that the restaurant rehired almost exclusively white and light-skinned servers in the wake of COVID-19 layoffs. The lawsuit says about 51%, or roughly 22 of those servers, were Black or had dark skin tones.

Hooters of America argued that “skin tone is subjective, relative and not capable of objective determination.” Hooters of America denies the allegations, according to court records, that the restaurant primarily recalled “light-skinned” employees as the location reopened. The EEOC argues that Hooter’s handling of the rehiring amounts to a violation of the Civil Rights Act 1964.

Alamance County According to the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a rural area of the county about a missing person last week. The caller said they hadn’t heard from an older relative since earlier this month and had gone to their home but couldn’t find them, and deputies were dispatched to help search. After searching the area on foot with no success, the ACSO launched two drones and began searching for the missing resident by air.

About twenty minutes later, an hour an a half after the initial call, the pilots spotted what seemed like a person lying in tall grass around 600 feet from the missing person’s home. Officials told local news outlets that the person had fallen and spent a cold night outside unable to move, but was evaluated and sent home safely from the hospital the next day.

Durham County Downtown Durham will have its first ever LEGO convention from June 1-2, 2024. The Durham Brick Convention will arrive at the Durham Convention Center with over two million LEGO bricks under one roof. The event will support Creations for Charity with a portion of the proceeds going to the nonprofit. According to a press release, Creations for Charity is an organization that buys new LEGO sets for underprivileged children around the world during the holidays. City officials say the event is being organized by 23-year-old LEGO fan and entrepreneur Greyson J. Riley. Riley started college at 11-years-old, wrote a book that teaches history through LEGO at 13, and started organizing large-scale LEGO fan conventions at 14-years-old.

NSJ

RALEIGH — The “People’s House,” otherwise known as the North Carolina Executive Mansion where Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper resides, has seen over $4.5 million spent on renovations and repairs since he took office. Yet the people of North Carolina still do not know how that mounting figure has been spent.

The skyrocketing dollar tag has received little attention beyond North State Journal’s reporting, a vast change from the media attention former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory received for requesting $230,000 in renovations of six bathrooms in the mansion that had not had work done on them since the early 1970s.

The bathrooms never did get their refurbishment, as McCory dropped the request in October 2013. It is not known if those bathroom repairs and refurbishments are now part of the over $4.5 million spent under Cooper due to the Department of Administration refusing to turn over a list of repairs.

North State Journal began reporting on repair information on the Executive Mansion in 2020, however, the investigation began in 2018.

A records request for repairs for the Executive Mansion in Raleigh was sent to the N.C. Department of Administration (NCDOA) in 2018 but it would be over two years before Cooper’s NCDOA would fill that request. The response was finally received in late 2020, after 820 days, after dozens of follow-up requests and email exchanges. The cost ascertained at that time was over $2.1 million.

By September 2022, the cost had risen to over $2.5 million, however, an April 2022 memo issued by the

Office of State Budget and Management listed repairs of $3.263 million labeled as “Executive Residence Foundation, Envelope, and System Renovation.”

The governor’s retreat and residence in the western part of the state also was cited in the memo as needing site structure renovations costing $512,000.

Documents received by North State Journal in early 2023 put the new total at over $4.1 million. Another $1.645 million was announced that summer for a new round of repairs in a contract awarded to CT Wilson Construction Company, bringing the new total to over $4.5 million.

A Feb. 8, 2023, “Project Funding and Costs” document obtained by North State Journal showed two North Carolina taxpayerfunded sources for the money; $1.239 million from the Renovations and Repairs (R&R) General Fund and $3.326 million from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund (SCIF).

Throughout North State Journal’s pursuit of the repair costs to the Executive Mansion, the NCDOA has refused to furnish a list of repairs or a list of contractors conducting the work. This is, again, a vast change from the DOA’s actions under the McCrory administration which turned over such information to media outlets when bathroom repairs were requested.

The requests for details of the repairs were denied by two separate directors of communications for NCDOA. Both officials denied the repair details to North State Journal claiming “security concerns,” yet the NCDOA failed to respond when asked for a copy of a policy, email, or memo that supported its denial of our records request.

WCTI

WGHP

Sheriff’s office drone team help locate missing person

A7

Mattamuskeet girl wins national photo contest Hyde County A Hyde County sixth grader recently competed in and won a national photo contest for Red Ribbon Week, a competition that raises awareness of drug overdoses in America. The contest required Jonna Williams to decorate her front door, fence or mailbox with the double-looped red ribbon, to raise awareness about living drug free. “If you do drugs, you’re not really having a good life,” Williams told local news outlets.

“You won’t live a fulfilled life.” Williams had to also incorporate this year’s theme, “Be kind to your mind. Live drug free.”

Williams was in a competitive region with nearly 18 million students eligible, and she won. Jonna winning her region as a sixth grader is special, winning an iPad and $1,000 for her school to use towards drug prevention.

WGHP

NSJ

NSJ

Fayetteville buses homeless residents to Durham shelter Cumberland County Fourteen homeless people boarded a bus from Fayetteville that dropped them off at the Durham Rescue Mission last week.

A representative with the Fayetteville Police Department secured the bus to take those individuals to Durham, according to local press reports. For days, she had been passing out flyers to the unhoused community, promising them a better life at Durham Rescue Mission.

As that group of people from Fayetteville works to make Durham their new home, Durham leaders raised concern to the press over the situation, reportedly brought to their attention by local reporters. Mayor Leonardo Williams said he’d like to ensure that those from Fayetteville get sustained support, so they don’t end up on Durham’s streets, where officials say there are currently over 300 homeless people.

WNCN NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The North Carolina Executive Mansion undergoing exterior repairs is shown in this Aug. 16, 2023 photo.

ƐƋȂ >

>Iɰ 44 ƔƌƔǘƑƑƎǘƎƍƎƍ S>ɰMV M I&

A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Notable deaths in 2023 NORTH CAROLINA Nick Galifianakis

Billy Packer Billy Packer, an Emmy award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS, died on Jan. 26 at the age of 82.

Packer’s son, Mark, said his father had been hospitalized for several weeks with several medical issues and ultimately succumbed to kidney failure.

Packer played three seasons at Wake Forest and helped lead the Demon Deacons to the Final Four in 1962, but it was his work as an analyst that brought him the most acclaim working as analyst or color commentator on every Final Four from 1975 to 2008.

Packer was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

Packer was viewed as a controversial figure during his broadcasting days, often drawing the ire of college basketball fans, particularly on Tobacco Road.

“As a kid, I was a big NC State fan growing up, and I would watch a game and the next day I’d be like, ‘Boy you sure have it out for NC State, don’t you?’ And he would just laugh,” Mark Packer said.

“He would cover North Carolina game and Tar Heels fans would be like, ‘you hate North Carolina,’” Mark Packer said. “Wake (Forest) fans would be like, ‘you hate us.’ And Billy just sort of got a kick out of that.”

Jerry Tillman A longtime state Sen. from Randolph County, Jerry Tillman died on Feb. 4. He was 82.

Tillman, a retired public schoolteacher, administrator and coach, was first elected to the state Senate in 2002.

He resigned from the chamber in 2020. He served a total of nine terms.

Tillman built a reputation as a staunch advocate for his community, including Randolph Hospital and the North Carolina Zoo. He was a strong proponent of K-12 schools and a leader on education issues, given his background in the Randolph County school system. During his time in the majority, the legislature overhauled teacher and principal pay scales, resulting in substantial raises.

Often referred to as “coach” by his colleagues, Sen. Tillman’s love of baseball and music was well known. He would often recite songs to people who stopped by his office.

Jerry Richardson The Carolina Panthers founder and for years one of the NFL’s most influential owners until a scandal forced him to sell the team died on March 1.

He was 86.

Jerry Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a team since Chicago’s George Halas when he landed the expansion Panthers in 1993.

A former teammate of Johnny Unitas who caught a touchdown pass in the Baltimore Colts’ victory over the New York Giants in the 1959 NFL championship game, Richardson only spent two years in the NFL before venturing into the restaurant business. He used his championship bonus money to open the first Hardee’s in Spartanburg, South Carolina — close to where he had attended Wofford College.

He went on to make his fortune in the restaurant business, becoming chief executive officer of Flagstar, the sixth-largest food service company in the country at the time.

The Spring Hope native spent years trying to persuade the NFL to put a team in the Carolinas, ultimately succeeding through a relatively original concept of funding a new stadium through the sales of permanent seat licenses.

He built the Panthers into one of the league’s model franchises while becoming a powerful figure in the NFL. Richardson served on several high-level owners committees, playing a key role in labor negotiations with the players’ union.

But Richardson’s reputation took a tremendous hit when he announced he was selling the Panthers on Dec. 17, 2017, — the same day Sports Illustrated reported that four former Panthers employees received significant monetary settlements due to inappropriate sexually suggestive language and actions

by Richardson. It was also reported he used a racial slur directed toward a team scout.

He sold the team to David Tepper, a hedge fund owner, in May 2018 for a then-NFL record $2.27 billion.

Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Nick Galifianakis, who represented central North Carolina for several years before two unsuccessful Senate bids – the first against archconservative Jesse Helms.

Galifianakis died on March 27.

Galifianakis, who had Parkinson’s disease for several years, died at a Raleigh retirement community, a family spokesman, Jack Pinnix, told The News & Observer of Raleigh.

A Durham native, son of Greek immigrants and Duke University graduate, Galifianakis was an attorney and ex-Marine first elected to the General Assembly in 1960.

He was elected to Congress to 1966 and became a rising star in the party while serving three terms.

In 1972, Galifianakis defeated U.S. Sen. B. Everett Jordan in the Democratic primary but that November lost to the Republican Helms, then a Raleigh television commentator. It became a watershed year for Republicans in North Carolina as GOP candidates rode the coattails of President Richard Nixon’s landslide victory.

Dick Groat Before Bo Jackson knew everything, before Deion Sanders introduced Prime Time, there was Dick Groat.

Groat, who parlayed a spectacular hoops career at Duke into a brief stint in the NBA before becoming an All-Star and the 1960 National League MVP while playing baseball for his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates, died on April 27. He was 92.

Groat earned All-American honors in both basketball and baseball while starring at Duke. His No. 10 jersey hangs in Cameron Indoor Stadium; the program retired his number following the end of his senior season in 1952.

“A true multisports icon, Dick represented Duke University and the city of Pittsburgh with the utmost of class and dignity, which resulted in universal admiration,” former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

Groat attempted to play both baseball and basketball professionally, signing with the Pirates and being drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons of the then-fledgling NBA within weeks of each other in 1952. He is one of 13 players to play professionally in both the NBA and Major League Baseball.

Walter Royal Walter Royal, the chef longtime executive chef of The Angus Barn in Raleigh, died on May 22 at the age of 67.

In a 2017 interview with the North State Journal, Royal recalled a childhood of eating pecan pie, country cured ham with a glaze, fresh turkeys from his grandparents’ farm and apple cobblers that were “oh, divine.”

Royal knew he wanted to cook professionally since he was 14. But his parents dissuaded him, unsure of how successful he would be as a Black chef, according to the national chief executive biography. He got psychology degrees from LaGrange College in Georgia and Auburn University, where he did his graduate work.

He worked with children with mental disabilities for five years before heading off to Atlanta to study at Nathalie Dupree’s Cooking School.

“For me, it wasn’t just loving the cooking, it was the farming and growing of animals. It was one total package,” Royal told North State Journal. “But my parents weren’t going to let me be a farmer without an education and you know what? They were a 1,000 percent right. The better prepared in your mind, the more successful you’re going to be.”

Conen Morgan Conen Morgan, a political strategist and former president of the Young Democrats of North Carolina was killed in a in a boating accident on May 28. He was 42.

A Cape Lookout National Seashore release stated that the boat took a wave that capsized three people on board. One man collapsed after making it to Shackleford Banks and was unresponsive.

“Conen Morgan’s hard work and determination made

a real, positive difference for people of North Carolina.

His loss is a tragedy and we send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” Gov. Cooper said.

“His intelligence will be missed,” House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham) said in a statement in May. “His acumen will be missed, [but] I think most people will miss him as a person.”

Tom Smith Tom Smith, the former CEO of Food Lion died following a long battle with a terminal illness on June 1.

Smith famously started his career with the company, known at the time as Food Town, as a bagger in high school and college. He graduated from Catawba College in 1964 with a degree in business administration and spent more than six years with Del Monte Sales Co. before returning to the Food Lion fold in 1970 as a buyer in the corporate office.

In January 1986 he became CEO of Food Lion, replacing founder Ralph Ketner. Smith steered Food Lion on the same course as Ketner had, stressing low prices and efficient service. The company topped the $2 billion sales mark at the end of Smith’s first year as CEO. He announced his retirement from the company in 1999 after the company grew to more than 1,000 stores and more than 100,000 employees.

Ronnie Smith, a long friend and 50-year co-worker, said Tom Smith was “a pioneer and a legend. He was instrumental in leading Food Town, now known as Food Lion, becoming one of the largest, most successful food store chains in the country,” according to the Salisbury Post.

Dick Sheridan Dick Sheridan, the legendary NC State football coach who led the Wolfpack to six bowl appearances in seven seasons and has the second-most wins in program history, died on July 6 at the age of 81.

Sheridan, who never played college football, took over at NC State in 1986 after a successful run at Furman. The Wolfpack were coming off three straight 3-8 seasons but went 8-3-1 in Sheridan’s first year, earning a Peach Bowl berth for the school. Sheridan also received both the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year and ACC Coach of the Year awards that season.

NC State went 4-7 in 1987 but did not have another losing season under Sheridan, winning the Peach Bowl in 1988 and winning nine games in both 1991 and ’92.

Sheridan resigned in the summer before the 1993 season, citing health reasons. He went 52-29-3 with the Wolfpack and never coached again.

“I have such great respect for coach Sheridan and am saddened to hear this news,” current Wolfpack football coach Dave Doeren said. “He did so much to build the football program at NC State and impacted many players, coaches and staff during his time as coach. I enjoyed getting to know him during my time here.”

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Stony Rushing Stony Rushing, a longtime Union County Commissioner and former Congressional candidate, died following health issues relating to a battle with leukemia on Aug. 8. He was 51.

“On behalf of the Union County Board of Commissioners and Chairman Stony D. Rushing’s family, we regretfully share that Chairman Rushing passed away this evening after a courageous battle with health issues over the past year. We were hopeful he would make a full recovery, so this certainly is a difficult time,” the statement said.

A Facebook group providing updates on Rushing’s condition posted that he was moved to palliative care in the days prior to his passing.

In 2019, Rushing ran in the special election in the 9th Congressional District, finishing second behind U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop in the contest.

Lauch Faircloth Former U.S. Sen. Lauch Faircloth, one of North Carolina’s titans of 20th century politics, died on Sept. 14. Faircloth died at his Sampson County home at the age of 95.

A conservative Democrat for much of his career, Faircloth was elected in 1992 to the U.S. Senate as a Republican. He served one term in the

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

chamber, losing to Democrat John Edwards in 1998.

His career began as a farmer, businessman and campaign worker for Democrats. He would serve in the U.S. Army in 1954-55. His business prowess and political connections earned him appointments as the state’s commerce secretary during Gov. Jim Hunt’s two terms in office from 1977-1985.

He ran for governor in 1984, finishing third in the primary. Faircloth almost lost his life during that bid, as a small plane he was traveling in hit water on a grassy runway, crashed through trees and skidded into a river.

The Aug. 1983 incident nearly resulted in the deaths of the four on board and those in the crash attested that it was Faircloth who opened the door for them to escape.

He would subsequently run against a former ally, Terry Sanford, in his successful ’92 Senate campaign.

Faircloth and Sanford were so close they even shared accommodations during the 1960 campaign of Kerr Scott for governor. After the bitter ‘92 campaign where they faced off, the two did reconcile prior to Sanford’s death.

An obituary for the late senator said in part, “the stories are legendary and far too many to recount here, but most stemmed from either his encyclopedic knowledge of particular moments and figures in history or his youth in a Sampson County that seemed to be a perfect cross of James Thurber and Lil Abner. In both cases he never let the truth stand in the way of a good tale.”

Eric Montross Eric Montross, a former North Carolina and NBA big man, has died after a cancer fight, his family said. He was 52.

He died on Dec. 17 surrounded by loved ones at his Chapel Hill home.

He had been diagnosed with cancer in March, leading to him stepping away from his duties as a radio analyst for UNC game broadcasts.

“To know Eric was to be his friend, and the family knows that the ripples from the generous, thoughtful way that he lived his life will continue in the lives of the many people he touched with his deep and sincere kindness,” an announcement from the university said.

Montross played for the Tar Heels under Dean Smith from 1990-94 and was a two-time Associated Press second-team All-American. He started on Smith’s second NCAA championship team in 1993 before being the No. 9 overall pick by the Boston Celtics a year later and playing in the NBA until 2002.

Montross spent two seasons as a teammate of current UNC coach Hubert Davis.

In addition to his broadcast duties, he worked as senior major gifts director at the Rams Club, the fundraising arm of UNC’s athletics department. He was also known for charitable efforts, such as helping launch a father-child basketball camp for Father’s Day weekend to support the UNC Children’s Hospital.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL The world said goodbye to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who died Nov. 29. Serving under two presidents, Kissinger’s shadow loomed large in the foreign policy arena, prompting both admiration and criticism from around the globe. And he continued his involvement in global affairs even in his final months.

Another political figure who died this year was former U.S. first lady Rosalynn Carter, who died Nov. 19. She was the closest adviser to her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, during his one term in the White House and then across four decades of global humanitarian work.

Others from the world of politics who died this year include: former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi; former U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein; former Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf; former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; former New Mexico governor and American ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson.

Among the entertainers who left the world this year was singer Tina Turner, who died May 24. Turner’s powerful voice and stage presence brought her fame across multiple decades, first with her abusive husband, Ike Turner, in the 1960’s and 70’s. But after leaving their marriage, she found fame again in the 1980’s with her hit “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2023 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):

JANUARY Lisa Marie Presley, 54. The only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father’s legacy. Jan. 12.

David Crosby, 81. The brash rock musician who evolved from a baby-faced harmony singer with the Byrds to a mustachioed hippie superstar and troubadour in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Sept. 18.

A9

FEBRUARY

JULY

Burt Bacharach, 94. The singularly gifted and popular composer who delighted millions with the quirky arrangements and unforgettable melodies of “Walk on By,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” and dozens of other hits. Feb. 8.

Raquel Welch, 82. Her emergence from the sea in a skimpy, furry bikini in the film “One Million Years B.C.” propelled her to international sex symbol status in the 1960s and ‘70s. Feb. 15.

Tony Bennett, 96. The eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” graced a decadeslong career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga.

July 21.

Sinéad O’Connor, 56. The gifted Irish singersongwriter who became a superstar in her mid-20s was as much known for her private struggles and provocative actions as her fierce and expressive music.

July 26.

Paul Reubens, 70. The actor and comedian whose Pee-wee Herman character — an overgrown child with a tight gray suit and an unforgettable laugh — became a 1980s pop cultural phenomenon. July 30.

MARCH Tom Sizemore, 61. The “Saving Private Ryan” actor whose bright 1990s star burned out under the weight of his own domestic violence and drug convictions.

March 3.

Gary Rossington, 71. A co-founder and last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd who helped write the classic answer song “Sweet Home Alabama” and played unforgettable slide guitar on the rock anthem “Free Bird.” March 5.

APRIL Charles Stanley, 90. A prominent televangelist who once led the Southern Baptist Convention. April 18.

Ken Potts, 102. One of the last two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona battleship, which sank during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. April 24.

Harry Belafonte, 96. The civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world. April 25.

Carolyn Bryant Donham, 88. The white woman who accused Black teenager Emmett Till of making improper advances leading to his lynching in Mississippi in 1955. April 25.

Jerry Springer, 79. The onetime mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show featured a threering circus of dysfunctional guests willing to bare all — sometimes literally — as they brawled and hurled obscenities before a raucous audience. April 27.

MAY Jim Brown, 87. The pro football Hall of Famer was an unstoppable running back who retired at the peak of his career to become an actor as well as a prominent civil rights advocate during the 1960s. May 18.

Timothy Keller, 72. A pastor and best-selling author who founded the influential Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. May 19.

Tina Turner, 83. The unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ‘70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” May 24.

JUNE Robert Hanssen, 79. A former FBI agent who took more than $1.4 million in cash and diamonds to trade secrets with Moscow in one of the most notorious spying cases in American history. June 5.

Pat Robertson, 93. A religious broadcaster who turned a tiny Virginia station into the global Christian Broadcasting Network, tried a run for president, and helped make religion central to Republican Party politics in America through his Christian Coalition.

June 8.

Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, 81. Branded the “Unabomber” by the FBI, he was the Harvard-educated mathematician who retreated to a shack in the Montana wilderness and ran a 17-year bombing campaign that killed three people and injured 23 others. June 10.

Silvio Berlusconi, 86. The boastful billionaire media mogul who was Italy’s longest-serving premier despite scandals over his sex-fueled parties and allegations of corruption. June 12.

Cormac McCarthy, 89. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who in prose both dense and brittle took readers from the southern Appalachians to the desert Southwest in novels including “The Road,” “Blood Meridian” and “All the Pretty Horses.” June 13.

Daniel Ellsberg, 92. The history-making whistleblower who by leaking the Pentagon Papers revealed longtime government doubts and deceit about the Vietnam War and inspired acts of retaliation

by President Richard Nixon that helped lead to his resignation. June 16.

AUGUST Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62. As head of the Wagner Group, he made his name as a profane and brutal mercenary boss before mounting an armed rebellion that was the most severe and shocking challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule. Aug. 23. Plane crash.

Bob Barker, 99. The enduring, dapper game show host who became a household name over a half century of hosting “Truth or Consequences” and “The Price Is Right.” Aug. 26.

SEPTEMBER Jimmy Buffett, 76. The singer-songwriter who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song “Margaritaville” and turned that celebration of loafing into a billion-dollar empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions. Sept. 1.

Bill Richardson, 75. A two-term Democratic governor of New Mexico and an American ambassador to the United Nations who dedicated his post-political career to working to secure the release of Americans detained by foreign adversaries. Sept. 1.

Steve Harwell, 56. The longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth that was behind the megahit “All Star.” Sept. 4. Acute liver failure.

Dianne Feinstein, 90. A centrist Democrat from California and champion of liberal causes who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992 and broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics. Sept. 28.

OCTOBER Suzanne Somers, 76. The effervescent blonde actor who played Chrissy Snow on the television show “Three’s Company” and later became an entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author. Oct. 15.

Matthew Perry, 54. The Emmy-nominated “Friends” actor whose sarcastic, but lovable Chandler Bing was among television’s most famous and quotable characters. Oct. 28.

NOVEMBER Bob Knight, 83. The brilliant and combustible coach who won three NCAA titles at Indiana and for years was the scowling face of college basketball. Nov. 1.

Rosalynn Carter, 96. The former first lady was the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians. Nov. 19.

Charlie Munger, 99. He helped Warren Buffett build Berkshire Hathaway into an investment powerhouse.

Nov. 28.

Henry Kissinger, 100. The former secretary of state exerted uncommon influence on global affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, earning both vilification and the Nobel Peace Prize. Nov. 29.

DECEMBER Sandra Day O’Connor, 93. The former U.S. Supreme Court justice was an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism and the first woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. Dec. 1.

Norman Lear, 101. The writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime-time television with “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons” and “Maude,” propelling political and social turmoil into the once insulated world of TV sitcoms. Dec. 5.

Andre Braugher, 61. The Emmy-winning actor who would master gritty drama for seven seasons on “Homicide: Life on The Street” and modern comedy for eight on “Brooklyn 99.” Dec. 11.

North State Journal and The Associated Press contributed to this year-end report.

The 3 big questions n

A7

normal

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-h China lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority America THIS WEEK, virus, according to members of ied to tell the world there were only “THIS IS around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this covered up its spre are2023 having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, and state and local governments, America rldwide panic, economic collapse and (Psalm catastrophe one way or another.

3,341 related has Some of these orders extend at least through the endindeaths ofit”this mon ce or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need the curve in the novel coronavirus outbrea being thrown out of work.

I know th In order to put the crisis causedVirginia’s

by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero millions of Americans ne orders go into June. ty of at Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask muted — after all, trends canhas easily rever ayer least $2.4 trillion in added working from worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over The crisis cost the Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated dur normal.” questions back tohistory. At least four in the 20th century alone have abided by recommendations and ord Reserve backup liquidity to the about the data, and when things can start getting be glad” t our 231-year be that debt plus trillions more a recent coronavirus press can briefing “we just don’t know yet”asifin nd of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social d he U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve and dad, the directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong flu,” 1977 markets and financial ou will extend into May. Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. fund any of these emergency have tonot beth th “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, would b Perhaps If he does decide to extend it, questions should bewe asked as to We need WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction inwithout expected hos Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic.

1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures immed justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “ COVID-19 t know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy.

According to theseasons University of Washingto For me, m government There is 100% agreement, outside oftransparency China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must do this out an abundance Easter of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oftAs ci ant ways and decisions through making. and honesty originated in at Wuhan Province probably from the completely China has to pay for th provide a all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state w asked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the Trump administration, the expected need plomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthians Chernobyl. unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. believe it came of at a home economic and financial m fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and for an undetermined message of become a gue likecentury “we health, country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 1 orldones of 21st hygiene affliction, biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to we bring China into the ci scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds thousands ofso c hope that willof bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the num unist regimes never take blame affliction, wi Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade.

Totalitaria are reliable.

— we need to again enjoy sincere of this state who when will demand August byonce nearly 12,000. orse, because that is not whatthey can get back to providing for their families,their God.” That is what food safety and health protocols, American business has no other or express regret To know date, what I’ve gone what the state has asked and then they along with answers.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know sporting events, yndetermined take advantage of every weakness If you are choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely the way I’ve also had governments questions ab housands of cases at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy tothar pushing until they win orLeaders the reflect on concerts, family for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery they find in adversaries the data. State Republican leaders have, too. living in a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatal God’sback. examp don’t and when reliability adversaries gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get push asked, there AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society were kedhappens and then with details that give their statements believability. important because it determines whether ent such as the Chernobyl this difficult The most direct way to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer That is, unless an exog they to disaster corruption. The financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat thos church some services questions about We should families, be open or closed,meltdown whether we oughtSome to we pu believe that event, not the Star Warsall continue confident supposed from COVID-19 offers opportunities for a to do what we can to keep our U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least half of their in 1986. what they questioning the data and asking when we can start getting and many more Sponsored by ourselves, and our communities safe.

But we should also still continue more liberalized society that presumes wi Sponsored by o the dissolution of the Soviet Union In thisled sam bit of remediation. Let’s first examine what production back in the States.

There is though approximately programor of are Reagan, d to do, lastUnited I to normal they are$120 conspiracy theorists people wh don’t.as afterdown our own t asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock further. neighbors he mightisbe the root academic corruption, billion worth checked. of American direct investment in plants and equipment in 1989. otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. title of a recent study, ehernobyl. to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have an date. direct investment in the U.S. is about $65We’ve seen rates — Concor the num temporary In inexpiration China. Chinese billion by case fatality Perhaps COVID-19 C Since when did questioning government at all levels become aisba “Academic and to theAmericans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2 starttalking getting backGrievance ThisStudies is all new the number of identified COVID-19 cases eady about the possibility money to bu sacrifices are comparison.

Senators in Washingto thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were suppo The Associated Press Corruption of Scholarship.”

The study was are people who shape, safe, at and in theChina denominator are likely wrong.

We debt we owe them as one wayor toform. get So while we should remain vigilant and stay health care An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment forgiving $1.2 trw over. of China toon do,half lastof I checked. done by Areo, an opinion and analysis sick. the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new people have actually died of coronavirus. y have caused the US. Don’t hold your Carolina Water WHEN THE CORONAVItoday, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing China to “pay” for the dam digital magazine.

ByService the way, Areo is short My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my famil ls become aAreopagitica, badbut ask normal.” number beenbreath overestimated, given th lee” to happen your elected for a speech delivered byRUS pandemic took hold in an investment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury billion in has waiting Ifor a Chin them$18 catching the virus, and I’m worried will.

Aft of North Carolina ty were supposed Not one little bit. unprepared U.S., states scramof death, particularly among elderly patie ountable in tangible financial ways for John Milton in defense of free speech. tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion lost revenue hold C suffering fromin the H1N1 virusis(swine flu) representatives during the 2009topandem acquires Carteret Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. bled for masks and other protecsources suggest the number is dramatical decimal dust compared to the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster. been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this bring Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has thattive e, to is my family.

Stacey Matthews alsogear. written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah County water system manyas people are dying home. ed operate as I’m responsible citizens of undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the It is at about timenot they way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer to ar re Three years later, as the grips something has gone drastically wrong ied I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Even more importantly, we have no clue ation. past. the world like any other But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone hm of the pandemic have loosened, in academia, especially within certain 2009 pandemic, Last week, Carolina actually have coronavirus. Some scientist China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within the humanities. They call many states are now trying to l of this brings up Water Service of North of identified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases could be an order of ma these fields “grievance studies,” where deal with an excess of protective Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavir senior refer notscholarship to repeat.(CWSNC) Carolina and number of people who have had is not so much based upon gear, ditching their supplies in intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and ost everyone has droves.

Carteret County closed on finding truth but upon attending to replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

With expiration dates passsocial grievances.

Grievance CWSNC’s acquisition of scholars ing and few requests to tap into bully students,County administrators the Carteret water and other its stockpile, Ohio auctioned off departments into adhering to their system. CWSNC began its 393,000 gowns for just $2,451 worldview.

The worldview they promote is Jason partnership with Carteret and ended up throwing away | STACEY MATTHEWS neither scientific nor rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL County in 2020 when studies consist of disciplines such as another 7.2 million, along with CWSNC was the successful expired masks, gloves and other sociology, anthropology, gender studies, materials. The now expiring supbidder for thesexuality county’s COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, and critical race plies had cost about $29 million studies. water system, officially In 2017 and authors Pluckrose,in federal money. becoming the2018, contract AP PHOTO A similar reckoning is happenLindsay and Boghossian started operator in January 2022. submitting bogus academic papers to ing around the country. Items A medical worker reacts as police officers and pedestrians cheer medical workers outside With this purchase, CWSNC academic journals in cultural, queer, are aging, and as a deadline to NYU Medical Center in New York, April 16, 2020. addsgender, approximately 1,200 studies allocate federal COVID-19 cash race, fat and sexuality water service customers in peer approaches next year, states to determine if they would pass equipment during the pandemic. stockpiles. the North River/Mill Creek utors Association recommends “THIS IS THEfallen DAY the lord has made seriousness of the virus and the need review and be accepted for publication.must decide how much to invest theirWITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home into place.

I unders But others say the vagaries of But as the supply crunch and thein it” that product distributors mainAcceptance of dubious that in maintaining warehouses and and Merrimon areas ofask (Psalm 118:24). y with how people who simplyresearch orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I the pandemic and the PPE sup- health crisis eased, demand fad- I tain supply stockpiles.

60-to-90-day supply to editors found sympathetic to their Carteret County.

“We have knowa that during this challenging tim en thingsjournal can start getting back to are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” questions about the data, ed, especially for gowns. ply left no choice but to acquire An Associated Press investigaguard against demand spikes. intersectional or postmodern leftist vision a strong track record in working from home or losing a job, it may with contempt. these orders extend atNow, least“states, through the endmanof this But month. treated in som hospitals, items, ofand now to throw tion found that at least 15 states, the Some the group normal says it’s are probably ofNorth the world would prove the problem of Carolina and Carteret be glad” as the Bible tells us tothedo. as Howev a societylow simply must accept without Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

They’re treated thou ufacturers – everybody in the them out, however reluctantly. from Alaska to Vermont, have unnecessary for everyone in academic standards.

County,” said Don Denton, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded ls us about when it’s safe to begin the whole system has Cooper extra prodare Carolina, set becauseDemocratic — fromquestion manufacturers Here indates North Gov.--Roy statedsystem during whatto the govern Several of the fake research papers tossed some of their trove of PPE Expiration President of CWSNC. “Our The Fat because of expiration, surpluses materials to and hopeful alcy. were uct,” said Rouse O’Neill ofhave degrade andpress mightbriefing doctors’ officesprocess — to have such a for, even accepted for publication. a recentcan coronavirus thatLinda “we just don’t know yet” if be thethankful of returning back the Health Industry Distributors not work as intended.

The FedLenten and and a lack of willing takers. team’s level of customer large cushion. pandemic. us, and we have the right to ask those Studies journal published a hoax paper state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government w Since when did Management Association.

Missouri’s health department that argued the term was Into the trash went more eral IfEmergency service and commitment For me, my faith is an important part o home orders are in place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the questions.

And the longe Given the glut, stockpiledmaking. masks, 22 mil- Agency has set the fair market has maintained a 90-day supply, questioning andas should tostates, the community has be replaced than 18 million As I celebrated Easter my f hem get exclusionary in such Michigan, justification for it. And the answers should not vaguepricones like “we country,materials and thewith stricter provide abe items are selling for bargain value of expired supplies at zero lion gowns, 500,000 gloves, and keeping even expired with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive enabled county leadership government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lo eeling isolated and/or anxious about must do this out of an abundance the more people, es, ifofatcaution.” all.

Vermont message ofgot $82.50 on the presumption that the fed- sitting a politicized performance.”

One reviewermore. That’s not counting states dollars. to entrust uswill withdemand providing affliction, so that we may be able to comf ng for their families, at all It will need be explained to the people of this when fordetail 105,000 boot covers and 29 state “Anytime you’retoinvolved in a in thelevels AP exact eralwho government willthey OK can theirget back t said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading thisthat didn’t give hope that we will critical service forit public affliction, with the comfort which cents apiece for thousands of situation where you’re recalling in cases or use in an emergency.

That hap- we our are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. article and believe has an important figures or responded become a once again enjoy health, safety and economic God.” vels should be as forthcoming as they safety goggles. difficult waswhy to getmodels some- predicting other measures. Rhode Island how during COVID-19. contribution to make to the field and this amount of ittime hundreds of thousandspened of cases Leaders at the local an bad Striking a balance between If you in the first place, and then said it got rid of 829thing? tons of PPE; thing sporting events, “If you make investdevelopment.

We but takeanswer this are don’t celebrating the Easter season again, not vague answers, journal.” are reliable. can bethe with those answer and surpluses is Maryland disposed of what over $93 having to watch that go or not be preparedness ment – and perhaps the invest“Our Struggleseriously Is My Struggle: responsibility and Solidarity That is reflect on this message and be comforted ents believability. concerts, family To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then with details that give the used in the way it was intended “a major dilemma” for govern-God’s ment that is and nevercomfort used – all thenthose in n Feminism as anto Intersectional look forward continuing Reply tomillion in supplies. example hat we can to keep our families, free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about We should all continue gatherings, ments, said Scott Amey of the you may not be prepared to be used, certainly, there’s some “What a real waste.

That’s to assist Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was toshould serve Carteret this difficult time.

Through faith and by h afe. But we also stillCounty.” continue the data.

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and comm Government wheninyou don’t frustration in that,” said Lou- Project on church services Over- the public when it’s needed,” Mis-our a free accepted for Carolina publication

by Affilia, a what happensliving Thereasonable North Utilities confident we will emerge out of this pand ecause while stay-at-home Unfortunately, certainsight, typesa of questions get asked, there to askPaula questions Washington, D.C.-based who runswhen the South you have a bust- is Eubank, souriis health director Nick- about th feminist journal for social workers. Theprepare, whensociety and many more were approved theexpiration transaction thissaid. same spirit, I continue to be ins y shouldpaper also have an watchdog group. whiletopolihealth department’s sometimes a disturbing tendency among someAnd people treatInelson those measures are understand consisted in part of adate. rewritten and-boom public health system,” Carolina after our own under a law enacted in 2018, supposed neighbors helping neighbors. nd it is not normal.

Not in any way, ticians vowed in 2020 never to begetting coordination Pennsylvania officials, passage from Mein Kampf. Two other where a lack of planning leads COVID-19 simply questioning theoffice. data and asking when we can start back This is by allconnew to Amer caught off guard again, state has discarded over temporary a form.

15-day which allows municipalities Intrast, Concord, a shape, highfor school senior name d remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at including to panicked over-purchasing papers were published, to do, last I in The to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or“memoare people whoare aiming or So while ries are short, budgets are tight,” emergencies, said Dr. Georges 650,000 expired masks. stockpile after frank conversa“Rape Culture and Queer Performativity inwith North Carolina to sell money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to mfortable this so-called “new sacrifices are sick. otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others the same time we should checked.

When the virus struck, de- Amey noted.

Benjamin, executive director of tionscare about what they can afford atwater Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject and wastewater health workers out of his own home.

Since when did questioning government becomenot a bad normal.” over. at allalevels In Wisconsin, legislative only to keep, but to keep was dog-on-dog rape. based But the dog rapethe American Public Health As- mand skyrocketed for N95 systems for a price thing?

That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed Notexpire, one little sociation. “It shows that we really masks, gloves and gowns. The committee axed from the bud- replacing as items said bit. paper eventually forced Boghossian, on fair market value. The to do, last I checked. get $17.2 million that would have U.S government’s Strategic Nahave to do a better job of managAndy Pickett, the Health DePluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out Carteret County water under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah funded a warehouse with anisontional was as undereqing our stockpiles.” partment’s prepared- has also MyStockpile first concern we go along in all this, of course, my family.

I’m emergency Stacey Matthews themselves.

A Wall Street Journal writer system purchase CWSNC dState and Legal Insurrection. going 60-day of PPE Ifor and statesthem plunged into the and response had figured out whatbythey were doing. The AP sent inquiries about uipped, worried about catching virus, andsupply I’m worried will.ness After anddirector. is a regular contribu years. bidding wars.

PPE stockpiles to all 50 states global And Nevada can’t give its agisSome the first to be completed in papers accepted for publication suffering from the H1N1 virus two (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, The state Department of ing PPE away fast enough.

The AP found in 2020 that over the past several months. inNorth academic journals advocated Carolina utilizing the training I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up states spent over $7 billion in a Health Services said it is now About half responded.

Department of Administramen dogsvalue and punishing white male fair like market law. way too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. college students for historical slavery by States emphasize that they few months on PPE, ventilators “demobilizing the warehouse” tion Director Jack Robb said what alsohigh-demand makes me loseand sleep is how easily everyone trying to donate themost supplies. some other distributed far more gear than and But the has state is endeavoring to shed asking them to sit in silence on the floor in

y

s

business & economy A10

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

States trashing troves of masks and pandemic gear as huge, costly stockpiles linger and expire A6

Approved Logos

north STA

VISUAL VOICES

It’s okay to ask questions about when The we begin to get back to comfort normal and ho

Topgolf breaks chains during class and to be expectedthey to discarded and have gone to great lengths to donate the learn from the discomfort.

Other papers ground in Greensboro Washington state sent celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy leftovers. life hundreds of thousands of supchoice and advocated treating privately On December 20, Topgolf conducted masturbation as a form of plies to the Marshall Islands last announced that it hadwomen. Typically, year, yet ended up throwing out sexual violence against recently journal broke ground millions more items after they academic editors send submitted on a two-level venuefor in review. In expired. papers out to referees Many states are keeping at recommending acceptance for publication, Greensboro, North Carolina, least a portion, and sometimes many reviewers gave these papers glowing which is set to open in all, of their remaining protective praise. late 2024. The modern gear. Some even plan to update Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran golf experience, which is certain grievance studies concepts through designed for participants the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often of allappeared levels ofin experience, they our press over the years. willfound be located along I-40 at usages He huge increases in the ofthe “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” Guilford College Road “critical race andI-40 “whiteness.” exit, one exittheory” from the All of I-73 this interchange. is being taught to college and The students, many of whom become primary venue is set to be part of and secondary school teachers who then a large shopping center indoctrinate our young people. development that’s I doubt whether thecurrently coronavirusunderfinancial construction.

Once caused crunch will give college and university a Associated Press open, Topgolfadministrators, Greensboro who areThe crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, will employ roughly 300 RALEIGH — The builders of the guts and backbone to restore academic Playmakers.

“It’s exciting a proposed natural gas pipeline respectability.

Far too often, they get much to officially announce of their political support from campus that will enter North Carolina that construction efforts from Virginia now have anothgrievance people who are members of the are underway on our faculty and diversity and multiculturaler 2 1/2 years to complete the Greensboro venue project after federal regulators administrative offices.since The best hope liesabout with boards of pushed back a deadline for the there’s been buzz it work. trustees, for morethough than amany year,”serve saidas yes-men for the university president.

I think that aThe Federal Energy RegulaTopgolf Chief Development tory Commission approved on good start would be to find 1950s or 1960s Officer Chris Callaway. catalogs. Look at the course offerings atTuesday a request by owners of to welcome the proposed 75-mile (121-kiloa“We timecan’t whenwait college graduates knew how and visitors toresidents read, write and compute, and make meter) Southgate extension of of Greensboro and the them today’s curricula.

Another helpfulthe Mountain Valley Pipeline to allow for more time for constructool would be to give careful consideration surrounding communities tion, news outlets reported. toand eliminating all classes/majors/minors introduce them to what According to the previous containing the word “studies,” such as our unique style of play is all FERC certificate, the project was women, Asian, black or queer studies. about.” Topgolf officially has I’d bet that by restoring the traditionalsupposed to be built and in serover 90 venues the they would vice six months ago. But permitacademic missionaround to colleges, globe, eachdent offering variety put a serious into athe COVID-19 ting problems in North Carolina and Virginia amid legal chalof tech-driven budget shortfall.games, food lenges to the larger Mountain and beverage options, and a Valley Pipeline meant the owners Walter E. Williams is a professor of welcoming environment. economics at George Mason University.missed the deadline.

Now, with the FERC’s order,

medical devices in a seller’s market. Ultimately, the federal government paid for many of the supplies.

“There was no way to know, at the time of purchase, how long the supply deficit would last or what quantities would be needed,” Ohio Department of Health spokesperson Ken Gordon said.

Ohio distributed more than 227 million pieces of protective

Already, Wisconsin has tossed nearly 1.7 million masks and almost 1 million gowns.

Minnesota’s Department of Health was allocated some money this year for retaining and restocking PPE and is strategizing.

For now, emergency response official Deb Radi says the agency expects to dispose of a few expiring gowns.

The Health Industry Distrib-

the supplies safely and without wasting money but already has discarded some.

But Robb said officials “made the best decisions that they could” when confronted with a disease that has killed nearly 7 million people worldwide, including some of his close friends.

“And I hope we never see anything like that again in our lifetime,” he said.

Federal regulators give more time to complete gas pipeline extension in Virginia, North Carolina the owners have until June 2026 to complete the MVP Southgate project and bring it into service.

More permits still must be secured for construction to occur.

The owners of the project, which includes a consortium of natural gas and energy companies, are pleased with FERC’s decision, project spokesman Shawn Day said.

“At the appropriate time, Mountain Valley intends to pursue all necessary permits and authorizations to complete construction of the MVP Southgate project,” Day wrote in an email.

The Southgate extension will continue pushing gas south from the planned 303-mile (488-kilometer) Mountain Valley Pipeline that will go through West Virginia and Virginia. The extension would run from the main pipeline in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, into Rockingham and Alamance counties in North Carolina.

The future of the pipeline — and thus the extension — appeared uncertain with opposition from environmental groups and some elected officials. But Congress last year essentially ordered the pipeline’s construction as part of the bipartisan bill to increase the debt ceiling. This past summer, federal courts also dismissed a challenge to construction permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline and allowed construction to resume.

MVP Southgate would be the second pipeline carrying natural gas to enter North Carolina.

Project supporters have said additional gas capacity is needed for reliable and affordable energy. Duke Energy also appears to need a supply to shift its coalfired power plants to natural gas.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and other elected Democratic officials — including U.S. Reps.

Kathy Manning and Valerie Foushee of North Carolina and

Reps. Jennifer McClellan and Bobby Scott of Virginia — opposed giving more time for the project. The members of Congress sent a letter Monday to FERC expressing concerns about the extension’s impact on the safety of residents and the environment as efforts to move away from fossil fuels continue.

Still, MVP Southgate needs permits from federal and state agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Also Tuesday, FERC agreed to a request from the Mountain Valley Pipeline owners to charge higher rates for the gas being shipped through the buried pipeline. The transportation rate is paid by companies that deliver the gas to end users.

The estimated cost of the pipeline is now $7.2 billion, compared to the first projection of $3.7 billion.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

A11

New York bill could interfere with Chick-fil-A’s long-standing policy to close Sundays The Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. — New York lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require restaurants in state highway system rest areas to operate seven days a week, a measure apparently aimed at interfering with a policy at the fast food chain Chick-fil-A of staying closed on Sundays.

The bill, introduced last week, is yet another salvo in a yearslong political battle involving the company, whose late founder Truett Cathy infused its business practices with his Christian values.

Loved by many for its chicken sandwiches, but disliked by others over its founder’s opposition to same-sex marriage, Chickfil-A has always kept its locations closed on Sundays so employees can enjoy time with their families and “worship if they choose,” according to the company’s website.

While the bill, if passed, would apply to all restaurants, Chickfil-A is mentioned by name in some written legislative materials explaining the justification for the proposed law.

State Assemblymember Tony Simone, the Democrat who introduced the bill, said it is meant to give travelers in New York a AP PHOTO variety of food options, including healthy foods, at rest stops, rather People line up to order fast food from a Chick-fil-A restaurant at the Iroquois Travel Plaza rest stop on the New York State than an effort to eventually push Thruway in Little Falls, New York, on Friday, June 30, 2023.

Chick-fil-A out.

“Look, if you want to eat fried The New York bill’s introduc- one other food option and a conchicken while traveling over the New Jersey. It would exclude tem- that financial support before endtion was prompted by a redevel- venience store open seven days a holidays, then Chick-fil-A should porary concessions, like farmer’s ing it in 2019.

In the past, airports in Buffa- opment project underway at the week. be open on Sundays,” Simone markets.

Email and phone messages left lo and San Antonio, Texas, have New York State Thruway Authorsaid.

Retail company Applegreen The bill wouldn’t immediate- for Chick-fil-A spokespeople were blocked Chick-fil-A from opening ity’s 27 service areas. Through the recently entered into a 33-year at their sites. Some college cam- project, 23 of service area restau- contract with state’s Thruway ly apply to restaurants currently not immediately returned.

Chick-fil-A became the subject puses have also banned the chain. rant buildings will be rebuilt, Authority and leases space to operating — meaning the impact Some conservative lawmakers, with significant renovations on restaurants under that agreeon existing Chick-fil-A locations of boycotts in 2012 over its deep would be limited — but would financial support of groups op- meanwhile, rallied behind the the remaining four. ment, according to Authority When the redevelopment proj- spokesperson Jennifer Givner. affect all future contracts for food posing the legalization of same- company. Texas Gov. Greg Abconcessions at transportation fa- sex marriage. Over the years the bott, a Republican, signed a bill ect is complete, Chick-fil-A will Chick-fil-A will be able to operate cilities owned by the state and the chain, which operates more than in 2019 in defense of Chick-fil-A operate in 10 service areas on the within their normal hours under Thruway, which all have at least that contract.

Port Authority of New York and 3,000 restaurants, scaled back and religious freedom.

Love it or hate it, self-checkout is here to stay. But it’s going through a reckoning The Associated Press NEW YORK — The promise of self-checkout was alluring: Customers could avoid long lines by scanning and bagging their own items, workers could be freed of doing those monotonous tasks themselves and retailers could save on labor costs.

All that has happened since the rollout of self-checkout but so has this: Customers griping about clunky technology that spits out mysterious error codes, workers having to stand around and monitor both humans and machines, and retailers contending with theft.

“Going to the grocery store used to be simple, and now it’s frustrating,” said Cindy Whittington, 66, of Fairfax, VirginAP PHOTO ia. “You’re paying more. You’re working harder to pay for mer- Customers use self-checkout kiosks at Stew Leonard’s grocery store in Paramus, N.J., chandise at their store. And it’s Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in New York. become an ordeal to check out. I should get a 5% discount.”

In 2021, self-checkout usage that lets shoppers scan and bag labor cost,” said Christopher An- through,” he said. represented 30% of transac- items while they shop. However, drews, associate professor and Still, self-checkout isn’t going tions, almost double from 2018, it continues to offer self-checkout chair of sociology at Drew Uni- away, especially with still stubaccording to a survey of retailers registers at its stores. versity and author of “The Over- born labor shortages. And plenty

by FMI, an industry group. And Self-checkout, first tested in worked Consumer: Self-Check- of people love it.

96% of retailers surveyed offer supermarkets in the late 1980s, outs, Supermarkets and the Ellen Wulfhorst, 65, said usself-checkout. gained momentum 20 years ago. Do-It-Yourself Economy.” “But ing self-checkout brings back her But the technology is also fac- But grocers ramped it up even right now they’re just seeing childhood when she played with ing a reckoning amid the critical more three years ago to address downside. They’re seeing frus- a toy register. holiday shopping season. Some the pandemic-induced severe la- trated customers. They’re seeing “There’s something childish retailers are adding restrictions, bor shortages. increased costs and shoplifting.” and fun about it,” Wulfhorst said. while others are pulling out comThe Bureau of Labor StatisTheft is indeed an issue. An- “I get a big kick out of sliding the pletely. tics says technological advances drews said a technology that re- product across the reader, and it This past fall, Walmart re- such as self-checkout and online lies on shoppers to do their own goes beep. There’s a certain satismoved self-checkout kiosks in sales have been the main driver scanning and punch in product faction to it.” three stores in Albuquerque, in the declining number of ca- quantities tempts even law abidFor Robin Wissmann Doherty New Mexico as part of a location shier jobs, although there are no ing citizens to be dishonest. It’s of South Salem, New York, who by location approach, but on the precise estimates on how many easy to just scan every other item has a progressive neurodegenerwhole it is adding more than it cashiers have been replaced by or punch in codes for a cheaper ative disease and uses a walker, is taking away. To reduce wait self-checkout. According to La- item. Shoppers could also make self-checkout makes her shoptimes, Target is now limiting the bor Department data, there are honest mistakes, leading to loss- ping experience easier. number of items to 10 that shop- about 1.2 million people current- es for stores.

The 67-year-old said she likes pers can scan in a handful of ly working as cashiers, compared John Catsimatidis, chairman to shop at Stop & Shop because stores nationwide. to 1.4 million in 2019 and the and CEO of Red Apple Group, it has a “scan and go” technoloBritish supermarket chain BLS expects the number to fall owner of Gristedes and D’Agos- gy that allows her to scan her Booths has been getting rid of its by another 10% over the next de- tino’s food stores in New York items with a device as she shops self-checkout at the majority of cade.

City, said he has no interest in and then tallies up her bill. She its stores for the past 18 months “We are at an inflection point self-checkout because of theft can either pay at a kiosk or at a in reaction to customer back- where if Americans are willing and he noted that the technology manned register. lash. A year ago, grocery chain to do this and show an interest, is not where it needs to be.

“The laser gun works for disWegmans, citing “losses,” dis- then stores will probably expand “Dishonest people will al- abled people,” she said. continued its self-checkout app it because they want to slash that ways find a way to slip a package Stew Leonard Jr., president

and CEO of Stew Leonard’s, a supermarket chain that operates stores in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, said 25% of its customers use self-service.

That number could be up to 50% in the next few years. He noted one-third of its registers are unmanned, but he’s in a “holding pattern” and is thinking of limiting the number of items to be scanned.

Retailers have been adding cameras or sensors at kiosks to monitor shoppers.

Kroger, for example, has deployed artificial intelligence technology at a majority of stores that triggers alerts when something is amiss. For example, if a shopper fails to scan a particular item successfully, the system flags the error on the screen and prompts the customer to self-correct. If customers are unable to resolve the issue themselves, a light above the self-checkout blinks to attract workers’ attention.

There have been inroads for more advanced technology.

Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is in more than 70 Amazon-owned stores and more than 100 third-party retailers across the U.S., including airports. It uses sophisticated cameras and allows shoppers to enter the store with a credit or debit card or by simply hovering their palm over an Amazon One palm payment device, and then walk out without having to stand in line to check out. Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo has RFID chips embedded in price tags to power a self-checkout system at its Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan, as part of a widescale rollout at its stores. Customers place their items in bins at self-service stations and pay — without having to scan items.

Still, for some workers who were supposed to be liberated from the monotonous task of ringing up customers, the tedium just comes in a different form.

Bernadette Christian, 59, a worker at Giant Food in Clinton, Maryland, mans six self-service stations at once, and she’s afraid to help or confront shoppers who she said have become angrier since the pandemic.

“It would be easy for us to be cashiers, and it would be a lot more safer in today’s world,” she said.

A12

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

How Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea are affecting global trade The Associated Press LONDON — The attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have rerouted a majority of global trade away from the crucial maritime artery for consumer goods and energy supplies, a shift expected to trigger delays and rising prices.

Oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics typically travel through the waterway separating Africa and the Arabian Peninsula en route to the Suez Canal, where 12% of the world’s trade passes.

Some of the world’s largest container shipping companies and oil giant BP are sending vessels on longer journeys that bypass the Red Sea. In response to the growing impact to global trade, the U.S. and a host of other nations have created a new force to protect ships.

Here are things to know about the recent attacks and the impact on global shipping: WHY ARE HOUTHIS ATTACKING SHIPS? The Houthis are Iranian-backed rebels who seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, launching a grinding war against a Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore the government.

The Houthis have sporadically targeted ships in the region, but the attacks have increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. They have used drones and anti-ship missiles to

attack vessels and in one case used a helicopter to board and seize an Israeli-owned ship and its crew.

They have threatened to attack any vessel they believe is either going to or coming from Israel. That’s now escalated to apparently any vessel, with container ships and oil tankers flagged to countries like Norway and Liberia being attacked or drawing missile fire.

The Houthis also have hailed vessels by radio to try to convince them to change course closer to the territory they control.

WHY IS THE RED SEA IMPORTANT? The Red Sea has the Suez Canal at its northern end and the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end leading into the Gulf of Aden. It’s a busy waterway with ships traversing the Suez Canal to bring goods between Asia and Europe and beyond.

In fact, 40% of Asia-Europe trade normally goes through the area, including a huge amount of energy supplies like oil and diesel fuel for import-dependent Europe, said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world’s commercial fleet.

So do food products like palm oil and grain and anything else brought over on container ships, which is most of the world’s

“The impact will be longer transit times, more fuel spent, more ships required, potential disruption and delays — at least in the first arrivals in Europe.”

Simon Heaney manufactured products.

In all, about 30% of global container traffic and more than 1 million barrels of crude oil per day typically head through the Suez Canal, according to global freight booking platform Freightos Group.

HOW ARE HOUTHI ATTACKS AFFECTING TRADE? Huge shipping container companies MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM Group and Hapag-Lloyd, among others, are avoiding the Red Sea and sending their ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope. That adds what analysts say could be a week to two weeks to voyages.

Shippers amounting to 62% of global capacity are opting for the longer route, according to Freightos. That’s lead the number of vessels moving through the Red Sea to drop by more than 40% in a week, said Project44, a tech company whose platform helps companies track

shipments.

London-based BP also that it has “decided to temporarily pause all transits through the Red Sea,” including shipments of oil, liquid natural gas and other energy supplies.

Depending on what companies decide to do, they will have to add more ships to make up the extra time or burn more fuel for the longer journey and if they decide to go faster to meet their itineraries — both of which would release more climate-changing carbon dioxide, said Simon Heaney, senior manager of container research for Drewry, a maritime research consultancy.

“The impact will be longer transit times, more fuel spent, more ships required, potential disruption and delays — at least in the first arrivals in Europe,” he said.

That brings up the cost of shipping, but “I don’t think it’s going to go to the heights that it reached during the pandemic,” Heaney said.

Supply chain disruptions increased as people stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up orders for all sorts of products, driving up consumer prices worldwide.

Stawpert of the shipping chamber said he would expect to see some price increases for consumers in the short term but that it depends how long the security threat lasts.

Project44 foresees higher gasoline prices because if the conflict drags on, a “major disruption to oil is anticipated”

and that would push up the cost of crude. Oil prices already have been rising.

The company also expects products could be missing from store shelves after the busy holiday shopping season, with new shipments taking longer to arrive.

However, “one saving grace may be the timing, as December and early January are typically slow, post-holiday season times for ocean freight,” Judah Levine, head of research for Freightos, said in a blog post.

HOW IS THE WORLD RESPONDING? U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a security initiative to protect ships in the Red Sea that includes United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

Some of those countries will conduct joint patrols while others provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the nearby Gulf of Aden, Austin said. The goal is to provide ships and other assets to help protect trade in the area.

It builds on the existing presence of U.S. and other coalition warships that patrol to keep the waterway open. The Houthis have no formal naval warships to use to impose a cordon, relying on harassing fire and only one helicopter-borne assault so far.

Meanwhile, ships are still moving through the Red Sea, though insurance costs have doubled, which can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a journey for the most expensive ships, said David Osler, insurance editor for Lloyd’s List Intelligence, which provides analysis for the global maritime industry.

He expects those costs to keep rising.

AP PHOTO

The USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, passes a dock in Norfolk, Va., April 8, 2021.

IRS to waive $1 billion in penalties for people and firms owing back taxes for 2020 or 2021 The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The IRS said last week it is going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 per year for tax years 2020 and 2021.

Nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations — most making under $400,000 per year — will be eligible for the relief starting this week, which totals about $1 billion, the agency said.

The IRS temporarily suspended mailing automated reminders to pay overdue tax bills during the pandemic, beginning in February 2022, and agency leadership says the pause in automated reminders

is a reason behind the decision to forgive the failure-to-pay penalties.

“Due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, these reminders would have normally been issued as a follow up after the initial notice,” the IRS said in a statement.

“Although these reminder notices were suspended, the failure-to-pay penalty continues to accrue for taxpayers who did not fully pay their bills in response to the initial balance due notice.”

While the IRS plans to resume sending out normal collection notices, the Tuesday announcement is meant as one-time relief based on the unprecedented interruption caused by the pandemic, IRS

officials said.

“It was an extraordinary time and the IRS had to take extraordinary steps,” IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel told reporters. He said the change will be automatic for many taxpayers and will not require additional action.

Taxpayers are eligible for automatic relief if they filed a Form 1040, 1041, 1120 series or Form 990-T tax return for years 2020 or 2021, owe less than $100,000 per year in back taxes, and received an initial balance-due notice between Feb. 5, 2022 and Dec. 7, 2023.

If people paid the failureto-pay penalty, they will get a refund, Werfel said on a call with reporters. “People need to know the IRS is on their side,” he said.

AP PHOTO

A sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is seen, May 4, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

YEAR IN REVIEW

BRYAN WOOLSTON | AP PHOTO

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson, right, piled up accolades in his final season with the Wolfpack.

2023 NSJ ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Payton Wilson was Wolfpack’s heart and soul

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UNCG sets scoring records in lopsided win Greensboro Donovan Atwell scored 19 points and UNC Greensboro set several program records in a 135-57 victory over Virginia-Lynchburg last Thursday. The 135 points was a new high for the Spartans, as was the 78-point margin of victory, 42-point halftime lead, 55 field goals and 68 rebounds. Eight players reached double-figures in scoring, among them Domas Kauzonas with 18 points and Jalen Breath and Keyshaun Langley with 17 points each.

UNCA’s Banks sets school 3-pointer mark Hickory UNC Asheville’s Josh Banks hit a program-record 10 3-pointers and scored 33 points as the Bulldogs beat Appalachian State 76-63 last Thursday night. Banks only missed two of his attempts from beyond the arc and broke a record set last month by teammate Fletcher Abee, who made nine 3-pointers in a win over Virginia-Lynchburg on Nov. 18.

NHL

Hurricanes sign goalie Dell to professional tryout Raleigh The Hurricanes have signed veteran goalie Aaron Dell to a professional tryout, the team announced last week. Dell — who has played 130 NHL games over seven seasons with the Sharks, Sabres and Devils — went 0-3-0 with San Jose last season and has won just two of his last 28 appearances. The move comes after Carolina assigned goalie Antti Raanta to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. First-year pro Yaniv Perets has been backing up fellow rookie Pyotr Kochetkov, who has allowed just seven goals in his last five starts, posting a 3-0-2 record entering last weekend’s games.

The NC State linebacker overcame several injuries to become one of college football’s top defenders MATT KELLEY | AP PHOTO

North Wilkesboro Speedway made its return to the NASCAR Cup Series by hosting May’s All-Star Race.

2023 NSJ COMEBACK OF THE YEAR

North Wilkesboro’s return helped revive North Carolina’s long, rich NASCAR past The speedway hosted the All-Star Race in May

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal IN THE LAST three years, North State Journal’s Comeback of the Year has come from a college game.

In 2020, it was Duke basketball hitting two buzzer-beaters against rival UNC to rally from 13 down to win in Chapel Hill.

Two years ago, it was another stunning finish in a rivalry when NC State football scored twice in just over two minutes to beat the Tar Heels in Raleigh.

And last year, it was App State’s Hail Mary against Troy — which came after the Mountaineers hosted ESPN’s “College GameDay” for the first time earlier in the day — that proved to be the most shocking moment of 2022.

The 2023 Comeback of the Year was more of a slow burn — nearly 27 years, if anyone’s counting.

North Wilkesboro Speedway last hosted a NASCAR Cup Season points race on

Sept. 29, 1996. Jeff Gordon won, while the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. was the runner-up.

In an effort to grow the sport, NASCAR left behind several of the tracks that were the backbone of stock car racing’s past, opting instead for sites sprinkled across the country. That included North Wilkesboro, which slowly fell into disrepair after the Cup Series left.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., an admirer of stock car racing’s rich history who hosted two seasons of “Lost Speedways,” turned his focus to bringing back North Wilkesboro.

First, Earnhardt helped boost interest by having the track scanned for the iRacing platform.

Then in 2021, North Wilkesboro’s return got a boost from the state legislature and Gov. Roy Cooper when $10 million in American Rescue Plan grants was allocated to the speedway. Just over a year later, it was announced the Cup Series would return to the track by hosting the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race.

On May 21, the comeback See NASCAR, page B4

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal THERE ARE very few players that come into a program and become the very embodiment of everything that team stands for.

Over his five-year career, Payton Wilson has become the personification of NC State Wolfpack football.

Wilson is a hardworking, blue-collar football player who overcame multiple injuries to have one of the Wolfpack’s best individual seasons ever.

In his final season, Wilson had 138 tackles — which led the ACC and was fifth most in FBS — 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, two recovered fumbles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions, with one of those being a pick-six.

“It’s so fun watching Payton play,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “I’m just thankful for him, first of all. He’s the one who’s been through it medically and put in the time and the effort and the hours to play this sport.

It means the world to him, and you can see that in his play. …

That guy is just a wrecking ball out there when he’s doing it in so many ways. His effort, energy, leadership and everything else.”

His performance led Wilson to be named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a consensus All-American — just the fourth in program history — a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award and the winner of both the Dick Butkus and Chuck Bednarik awards as the NCAA’s top linebacker and defensive player. Wilson is the only player in school history to win either.

“It’s been really cool to get the awards and to win them for NC State,” Wilson said. “All the work that we’ve put in over here and all the great coaches, great strength staff and just everyone that is around us is so awesome. To see the momentum that we have going now, rolling into next season,

“It means the world to him, and you can see that in his play.”

NC State coach Dave Doeren on Payton Wilson that’s what it was all about.”

Wilson even got a day named after him: Raleigh Mayor MaryAnn Baldwin declared Dec. 19 as “Payton Wilson Day” in Raleigh.

“It’s a true honor, but like I’ve been saying the whole time, none of this would have happened without my team, without my coaches and without my support, especially my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Wilson said. “All credit to him.”

The Wolfpack finished 4-8 in his first season in 2009, but since then, NC State has won at least eight games in each of his final four years and has established itself as one of the top defenses in the ACC year after year.

“That’s how my parents raised me,” Wilson said about leaving the team better than it was when he started. “Whether you’re borrowing something small or something massive, you always return it better than you got it, and that’s kind of been my dream. I gave everything I possibly could have given these last few years, and hopefully that showed.”

On top of his work on the field, Wilson also blossomed into a leader, one who knew how to lift his team or deliver strong messages, depending on the circumstances.

Following the 24-3 loss to Duke on Oct. 14, Wilson publicly apologized to the NC State fan base for the team’s performance and promised that things would get better.

Five straight wins later, it’s clear that the message was received.

“He’s the pulse of our team,” Doeren said. “He’s the leader of this football team and he’s the best player on this football team.”

See WILSON, page B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B2 2023 NSJ COACH OF THE YEAR

UNC field hockey’s Erin Matson picked up where she left off The best field hockey player in school history became the youngest coach to win a title

By Shawn Krest North State Journal WHAT WERE YOU doing when you were 23 years old?

Mike Krzyzewski was in his second year of active duty in the Army. He wouldn’t win his first national title until age 44, 21 years later.

Dean Smith was also on active duty, in the Air Force stationed in Germany. He wouldn’t get his first head coaching job for another seven years and wouldn’t win his first NCAA crown until he was 51.

Jim Valvano was coaching the freshman team at Rutgers. He was 36 when he won his title.

Roy Williams was coaching basketball and golf at Charles D. Owen High in Black Mountain.

At 55, he finally won his first championship.

Mack Brown was a student coach of the wide receivers at FSU and had to wait until age 54 to win his national title.

Anson Dorrance was player/ coach for the Chapel Hill Soccer Club and thinking about applying to law school. The prodigy of the group of legends, he won his first title at the tender age of 30.

Karen Shelton was on the Olympic field hockey team at age 23, but it was the year of the American boycott of the 1980 games in the Soviet Union. She would go on to win the first of her 10 NCAA field hockey titles at age 32.

Hubert Davis and Jon Scheyer stepped into great situations, taking over for Hall of Fame head coaches at elite programs.

Davis is 53, Scheyer 36. Neither has coached a national champ yet.

Erin Matson was born on March 17, 2000. Williams, Krzyzewski and Dorrance likely

“The day I was hired, there was a guy on Twitter: ‘She’s not even old enough to rent a car right now.’”

Erin Matson, UNC field hockey coach have ties older than that. She’s two years younger than Google.

She’s younger than SpongeBob and “Law & Order: SVU.” When she was 1 month old, the Patriots drafted Tom Brady. When she was 2 months old, “Survivor” premiered.

Matson is young, is what we’re saying. And she’s also the North State Journal’s 2023 Coach of the Year.

Like Davis and Scheyer, she was faced with the intimidating task of keeping the winning tradition alive after replacing a legendary head coach at one of the nation’s top programs. Like Valvano, who used to joke about trying to remember — and hilariously mangling — lines from Vince Lombardi speeches while talking to the Rutgers freshman team, she was asked to coach players who were basically the same age as her. (Lombardi, by the way, was still a student at Fordham at age 23 and wouldn’t win his first championship until age 48.)

One year ago, Karen Shelton chose to retire after 42 years as the Tar Heels’ field hockey coach. Matson, the best player Shelton ever coached, graduated the same month. In her COVID-assisted five seasons with the Heels, Matson won five ACC titles and four national championships. She was named national player of the year three times.

She may not have been the obvious choice to take over the Tar Heels, but she got the job.

AARON BEARD | AP PHOTO

UNC field hockey coach Erin Matson led the Tar Heels to a national championship in her first year since finishing her record-breaking playing career.

Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham called her hiring “an idea that you probably do have to sit with for a while to say, ‘OK, am I really going to consider this?’”

The reaction to her hiring may have caused Cunningham to second-guess himself.

“The day I was hired, there was a guy on Twitter: ‘She’s not even old enough to rent a car right now,’” Matson said. “It’s like, ‘A ll right dude, if that’s the biggest worry you have, I think we’re in a good spot. There is Uber, and I will figure it out because I’m resourceful.”

Of the 28 players on the roster of her first team, 21 had been teammates with Coach Matson the previous season. One of her first decisions was that she needed a new cell phone.

“I have lived with them, I have gone out with them, I know everything about them,” Matson said. “And I felt right when I was hired, they didn’t need to be texting me, ‘Hey Erin, can we sit down and have a talk in an individual meeting and watch clips?’ or ‘Hey, what time are we practicing today?’ But then scrolling up a little bit and seeing things that were on the friend side.”

It was a recipe for disaster, but instead, Matson’s Tar Heels turned in an 18-3 season. They tied for the ACC regular season title, then won the conference tournament. And in November, after playing two overtimes, UNC prevailed in a shootout over Northwestern to win the NCAA title. Matson became the youngest coach in NCAA history to win a championship in any sport.

“Trust me, I have tons to learn, every year is not going to be perfect,” she said. “But hey, this isn’t as crazy as maybe some of the rumors made it out to be.”

2023 NSJ NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Joey Aguilar emerges as App State’s new star quarterback The junior threw for 33 touchdowns this year

By Jesse Deal North State Journal IN A RAIN-SOAKED Cure Bowl victory in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 16, Appalachian State improved their program’s FBS bowl record to 7-1 by defeating 11-win Miami (Ohio) 13-9.

The Mountaineers finished their season with a 9-5 record, including earning a berth in the Sun Belt Championship game — something that seemed nearly impossible in late October when App State was sitting at 3-4 overall.

It’s unlikely the Mountaineers could have won six of their final seven games without solid quarterback play, and they got that from Joey Aguilar. So much so

that the California native who transferred to Boone from Diablo Valley Community College is North State Journal’s 2023 Newcomer of the Year.

The junior quarterback and Cure Bowl MVP passed for 211 yards and scored App State’s only touchdown — an eight-yard keeper in the third quarter — in the Mountaineers’ win over the RedHawks, earning coach Shawn Clark his second bowl win.

MATT KELLEY | AP PHOTO

Joey Aguilar lost the Mountaineers’ quarterback competition in camp but capitalized on his opportunity to help App State turn around its season.

“We’re very proud of Joey.

He was not a starter when he came into the season.”

Shawn Clark, App State coach “Honestly, it doesn’t really have too much to do with me,” Aguilar modestly said after the game. “I just get the balls to the receivers and they make the rest of the plays.”

While Aguilar plays it cool in interviews, his play on the field speaks volumes.

The Mountaineers entered the season with their quarterback situation in flux after former starter Chase Brice’s eligibility had expired. Many conference analysts cited App’s hole at quarterback as the team’s biggest unknown in 2023.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Burger had beat out Aguilar for the starting role during preseason camp, earning the Week 1 start. But when Burger suffered an injury in the season opener against Gardner-Webb, Aguilar was thrust into action.

He responded by throwing four touchdowns to lead App to a 45-24 victory.

“We’re very proud of Joey. He was not a starter when he came into the season,” Clark said of Aguilar. “It was a true battle, and Ryan Burger won the job.

Through injury, Joey came in and his first play (at App State) was a 60-yard touchdown pass.”

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback’s breakout game was just the start of a special season for Aguilar.

“Our kids and our coaches have been amazing, and we’ve fought through a lot of different stuff,” Clark said. “Joey has re-

ally learned how to manage the game … and he’s taking what the defense gives him.”

Aguilar was honored as the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year and the second-team all-conference quarterback.

The numbers don’t lie. Aguilar racked up a school-record 3,757 total pass yards and 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, coming within four touchdown passes of tying the Sun Belt Conference single-season record.

Only Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU and Heisman finalist Bo Nix of Oregon, who both had 40 touchdown passes, threw for more this year.

Aguilar’s chemistry with his wide receivers — particularly junior Kaedin Robinson — proved to be instant.

Robinson recorded a teamhigh 905 yards and 10 touchdowns, while junior wideout Christan Horn (566 receiving yards and six touchdowns) and junior tight end Eli Wilson (350 yards and five touchdowns) each elevated their game with Aguilar at the helm.

“All I do is give them the ball and then they make the plays for themselves,” Aguilar said. “So I just thank them for getting the yards after catches.”

In a college football landscape full of quarterback transfers after successful seasons, App State fans can rest assured that Aguilar isn’t going anywhere.

Citing “unfinished business,” he announced in a social media video message on Dec. 4 that he would be returning to Boone to play his senior season with the Mountaineers.

When the 2024 season approaches next summer, App State fans won’t have to worry about who will be running their offense.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B3

2023 NSJ PRO TEAM OF THE YEAR

Hurricanes continue to be NC’s best pro hope Carolina reached the Eastern Conference final last season

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal TAKE A LOOK around the professional sports landscape in North Carolina — things aren’t great.

The Carolina Panthers may have whiffed on their first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, selecting a quarterback, Bryce Young, who has struggled as a rookie, and gave up next year’s first round pick to select him — one that could be first overall but will belong to the Chicago Bears.

The Charlotte Hornets — beset by injuries, off-the-court issues and seemingly annual coaching and ownership upheavals — continue to sputter in the standings. Star point guard LaMelo Ball can’t stay healthy, Miles Bridges has struggled to stay out of the police blotter, and even solid draft picks like Mark Williams and Brandon Miller don’t seem to be making much of a difference.

Charlotte FC reached the postseason but fired its coach anyway, bringing in Dean Smith (not that one) in owner David Tepper’s “Coaching Changes Gone Wild” spinoff from his usual carousel with the Panthers.

The North Carolina Courage sputtered in the playoffs, losing in the first round after spending much of the season at the top of the NWSL standings.

Even the Durham Bulls, winners of back-to-back International League and Triple-A National Championship titles, came up short in 2023.

In summation, as I said, it hasn’t been great.

Enter the Carolina Hurricanes, North State Journal’s Pro Team of the Year for 2023.

After a decade of mediocrity, the team — under new owner Tom Dundon — hired Rod Brind’Amour as coach before

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference final last season and believe they can contend for a Stanley Cup in 2024. the 2018-19 season. The former team captain, who led Carolina its only Stanley Cup in 2006 and has his No. 17 hanging from the rafters of PNC Arena, brought instant credibility with the fan base and in the locker room.

The results on the ice followed, with the Hurricanes making the playoffs in the first five seasons of Brind’Amour’s tenure on the bench. That included a trip to the Eastern Conference final last season, where Carolina was swept by eventual Stanley Cup runner-up Florida.

In a state where you can’t look anywhere without seeing a pro sports team bumbling its way through a season, the Hurricanes are a model of consistency.

That doesn’t mean there haven’t been bumps in the road. The Hurricanes were considered a preseason Stanley Cup favorite this fall but instead looked more like their in-state counterparts to start the 2023-24 season with a 14-12-1 record in their first 27 games.

It was the toughest stretch of Brind’Amour’s coaching career, though he wasn’t ready to tempt fate by declaring it so.

“You never want to say because you just never know what’s around the corner,” Brind’Amour said after the team returned from a six-game road trip that started with losses in four straight but ended with back-to-back road wins. “Yeah,

it’s been a tough year for ed free agents at the just (those kinds) of unend of the season, inknowns. I think we’ve cluding three — defenhad a little bit of weird seman Brett Pesce and things go on and a little forwards Jordan Marinconsistency — and in tinook and Teuvo Teraall areas at weird times.” vainen — who have been Consecutive with the team since The Hurricanes have seemed to relocate their division titles Brind’Amour took congame, in part because trol behind the bench. for the they found consistency If Carolina can reach Hurricanes at the most important its goal — the franchise’s position thanks to rooksecond Stanley Cup and ie goalie Pyotr Kochetkov. first in 18 years — we should be It’s renewed hope that Carolina right back here again next year. can reemerge as the Stanley Cup Actually, given the state of contender everyone thought they the other professional teams in were at the start of the season. the state, the Hurricanes’ hold It will likely be the last chance on North Carolina’s team of the this group can do it together. year is unlikely to change any Eight players will be unrestrict- time soon.

3

2023 NSJ COLLEGE TEAM OF THE YEAR

Wake Forest women claim golf national championship The Demon Deacons had five golfers earn All-ACC honors

“It really is an amazing feeling. You just feel so good because we have

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal such a special community FOR THE FIRST time in at Wake Forest.”

MATT YORK | AP PHOTO

Wake Forest golfer Emilia Migliaccio, right, hugs coach Kim Lewellen after winning her match 4 and 2 against Southern California golfer Cindy Kou during the NCAA championship final May 24 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

school history, Wake Forest’s women’s golf team became na- Emilia Migliaccio, tional champions.

After qualifying by nine Wake Forest golfer strokes above the cutline for the NCAA Championship in May, the Demon Deacons finished Senior Rachel Kuehn won third in the stroke play portion the 2022 Jackson T. Stephens to advance to match play.

Cup and 2023 Valspar AugusThey defeated Florida State ta Invitational for her fifth and 3½-1½ in the quarterfinals, sixth collegiate titles, respecTexas A&M 4-1 in the semifi- tively. She had previously won nals and USC 3-1 in the final. the 2019 ANNIKA Intercolle“It really is an amazing feel- giate, 2021 Palmetto Intercoling,” graduate Emilia Migli- legiate, 2021 Ruth’s Chris Tar accio told GoDeacs.com. “You Heel Invite and 2022 Northrop just feel so good because we Grumman Regional Challenge. have such a special communiHer two individual titles led ty at Wake Forest. There were to her being named ACC Playso many supporters. I have so er of the Year for the second many messages from people straight season, becoming the that I don’t know that are just first player in program history affiliated with Wake Forest.” to win that honor twice, and It was the 10th title in Wake she was also a finalist for the Forest’s history and the fourth ANNIKA Award presented national title by a women’s annually to the top DI women’s team, and the accomplishment golfer. led to the program being selectAlong with Kuehn, senior ed as North State Journal’s Col- Lauren Walsh, sophomore Carlege Team of the Year for 2023. olina Chacarra, junior Mimi “We are absolutely thrilled Rhodes and Migliaccio were to bring a trophy back to Wake named to the All-ACC Team, Forest University and the com- the first time all five lineup munity there in Winston-Sa- players have earned that honor lem,” coach Kim Lewellen said. in school history.

“What better way to do it than Other team honors included to have Emilia Migliaccio, who Chacarra, Kuehn and Migliaccame back for her sixth year, to cio all participating in the Aube sitting beside me and shar- gusta National Women’s Amaing that experience with.” teur, with Migliaccio reaching During the season, the Dea- the final day and playing at cons won six team titles and historic Augusta National, and had two individual titles.

Migliaccio, Kuehn and Walsh In addition to the NCAA being selected for the 2023 ArChampionship, they won the nold Palmer Cup. 2022 ANNIKA Intercollegiate, No. 1-ranked Wake Forest is the 2022 Mercedes Benz In- keeping the ball rolling into the tercollegiate, the 2023 UCF 2023-24 season — the Deacons Challenge, the 2023 Nexus have already won three team tiCollegiate, the 2023 Valspar tles: the 2023 Schooner Classic, Augusta Invitational and the 2023 Jackson Stephens Cup and 2023 East Lake Cup. national championship.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B4 2023 NSJ PLAY OF THE YEAR

Sam Hartman converts 4th-and-16 to break Duke’s heart The play and its aftermath blew up a special season for the Blue Devils

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE SADDEST words are “What might have been.”

They’re also the toughest to forget, as Mike Elko has now learned twice.

“People say, ‘A h, you’ll get over it,’” Elko said. “Sure. Just like the Bowling Green-Toledo game in 2013 on fourth-and-9.”

Elko was defensive coordinator for then-Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson back then, and his team wiped out an early 21-0 deficit to take the lead late.

Toledo had one last do-or-die possession and reached thirdand-26 with under a minute and a half left. Their quarterback scrambled for 17, setting up a fourth-and-9 that lives in Elko infamy. Quarterback Terrance Owens threw a touchdown pass to give Toledo the win and Elko agita for the next decade and counting.

In September, Elko relived the pain, this time with even higher stakes. Back in ’13, Bowling Green entered the game at 5-2, and the loss merely put off bowl eligibility for another week.

The Falcons finished 10-4, still won their division and were victorious in the MAC title game.

This year, Duke appeared to be having a special season. The Blue Devils returned most of their core of key players, with many coming back for their fifth COVID season, after being convinced by Elko that this season may be one for the history books.

BEN MCKEOWN | AP PHOTO

Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman runs for a first down on 4th-and-16 during the Irish’s game-winning drive against Duke on Sept. 30 in Durham.

Duke opened with a win over Clemson as the only game in town on Labor Day evening and used it as a springboard to a 4-0 start. That’s when Notre Dame came to town for an even bigger spotlight game than Clemson.

That was the message Elko had preached to his Blue Devil

returnees — when you win the biggest game ever, it sets the stage for even bigger ones down the line. If Duke topped Notre Dame, it would be looking at a showdown with Florida State in October, with a potential College Football Playoff berth on the line.

BEN MCKEOWN | AP PHOTO

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard was injured when he was tackled by Notre Dame’s Howard Cross III late in the Blue Devils’ loss to Notre Dame.

NASCAR from page B1 became complete when Kyle Larson won the All-Star Race and its million-dollar purse.

“They did a great job reviving this place and making this feel real,” Larson said of stock car racing’s highest level returning to North Wilkesboro Speedway. “I don’t think any of us ever thought it would get to this point when Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) and everybody was here cleaning up weeds and everything, trying to get it ready for drag racing.

None of us thought an All-Star Race could be here or a Cup Series race in general.”

The return was such a success that NASCAR is bringing the

WILSON from page B1

More than anything, Wilson exhibited his leadership by always being sure to credit the team and staff around him.

There was perhaps no better example of it than his support for Brennan Armstrong.

non-points race back to the track in 2024. The mid-May event will have CARS Series races Tuesday and Wednesday; Cup and Truck series practices on Friday; a Truck Series race on Saturday; and the main event, the NASCAR Open and then All-Star Race, on Sunday, May 19.

“We are very grateful that NASCAR and FOX Sports have supported our efforts to bring the NASCAR All-Star Race back to North Wilkesboro in 2024,” Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith said after the announcement. “… It’s hard to imagine a more magical moment than what we witnessed with NASCAR’s return to North Wilkes-

In NC State’s win over Marshall, Armstrong — who had been benched as starting quarterback for MJ Morris following a difficult stretch of games — came in for a designed package, but the plays didn’t deliver and boos started to rain down on Armstrong.

The dream seemed close late in the game as Duke battled back from an early deficit to take a one-point lead. The Irish got the ball back for one last-ditch possession in the waning moments.

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before.

The clock moved under one minute left in regulation and Duke got a stop on third down, setting up fourth-and-16 with 51 seconds left.

Former Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman, now with the Irish as a grad transfer, took the snap and stood in the pocket as the Notre Dame line tried to hold off Duke’s pass rush. The clock ticked away, but Duke’s secondary had everyone covered.

Finally, Hartman decided to cut and run. He paused at the line of scrimmage after rolling out and pump-faked a few times.

No Blue Devils bit on the fake, and he put his shoulder down and ran for the sticks. Four Duke defenders converged, but Hartman was able to slip past and dive over the line.

First down, Irish.

“Any time you get into that type of situation, you make the call you think is the best call for the moment,” Elko said “I still hold to the call we made at the moment, but when it doesn’t work out you rethink everything.”

It didn’t work out.

There were still seven games and a bowl left in the season, but the end of Duke’s Mike Elko era essentially came on that play thanks to the happy feet of a longtime thorn in the Blue Devils’ side.

Two plays later, Audric Estime squeezed through a gap in

“People say, ‘Ah, you’ll get over it.’ Sure.”

Mike Elko, former Duke coach the disheartened Duke defense, broke two tackles and ran 30 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

There was still time on the clock for Duke to make a miracle comeback of its own. Instead, things took yet another turn for the worse.

On the second play of the Blue Devils’ drive, Riley Leonard took the snap and looked downfield. His protection broke down almost immediately, and he stepped forward in the pocket to try to avoid Howard Cross, who was bearing down on him. As he reared back to throw, Cross hit him, knocking the ball loose.

Leonard turned his body while in Cross’s grasp, trying to follow the path of the fumbled ball. So, when Cross came down on his legs with the full weight of his body, Leonard’s ankle bent awkwardly to the side.

He missed the next game, then, after an aborted comeback led to another injured ankle, his season was over. Duke moved on to a redshirt freshman and then a true freshman to man the quarterback spot.

At the end of the season, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame, of all places, to replace Hartman. Elko moved on to Texas A&M. And all parties involved were left to wonder what might have been. How special might Duke’s season have turned out, if not for fourth-and-16?

boro Speedway this past May.” The success of North Wilkesboro’s revival has led to specu-

lation that Rockingham Speedway — which also received funds from the state and last hosted the Cup Series in 2004 — could be next.

“At the time that we lost Wilkesboro and Rockingham, the sport was really growing,” Terry Labonte, the two-time Cup Series champion, said. “It was expanding farther out west with new tracks (like) Kansas and Chicago, and the new track in Fontana was there. And so I understand all that, but it’s really nice to see Wilkesboro come back.

“You know, I’d love for someday to see Rockingham come back on the schedule and maybe not run it every year, but

you could run it on the schedule somehow. It would be really cool, I think. And I think the fans would really love it because it’s a great track.”

In a time when NASCAR is trying to stoke interest with more road courses — even a street race — and a return to the big track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, nothing seems to draw more interest than going back to stock car racing’s roots.

While Duke and NC State’s wins over UNC or App State’s last-second heave created memories that will never be forgotten by those who experienced it, North Wilkesboro’s comeback has revived echoes of the past — and possibilities for the future.

After the game and following his media availability, Wilson circled back to the podium to address the fan base and the booing. “[Armstrong] is a great person,” Wilson said. “Just imagine if that was your kid out there on that field in front of 70,000. Let’s get behind him, Wolfpack Na-

tion, when he’s in there. He’s a good-hearted kid and does nothing but pat everybody on the back and play hard for us every single day. Continue to uplift him.”

From a hot-headed kid to the heart and soul of the Wolfpack, Wilson gave everything he had to NC State and left his mark as one

of the very best players in college football this year.

“I love this university, I love this team and I love this fan base,” Wilson said. “It sucks that it’s my last one, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter, and hopefully I left a good mark here.”

“It’s hard to imagine a more magical moment than what we witnessed with NASCAR’s return to North Wilkesboro Speedway this past May.” Marcus Smith, Speedway Motorsports president and CEO

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B5

NSJ’S 4TH ANNUAL AUTO AWARDS

For a year or two, it was easy to think that electric cars were taking over the world but hold your horses.

2023 showed that the internal combustion story is far from complete, thanks to a series of cars with advanced tech, gorgeous design, and incredible engines growling under the hood. My picks for Best of the Year and Sports Car of the Year could have swapped places — and did, several times, as I thought through things — and act as a choose-yourown-adventure for how to get around a racetrack (or down the Blue Ridge Parkway).

The Truck of the Year reminds us about the uses for old-fashioned Detroit power, albeit one that went to school and learned a thing or two about new-fangled tech. Our SUV of the Year flips the script, pushing back on the idea that you need to spend $50,000 to get a lot for your money. And that G Wagen is absurdly, unnecessarily special — an automotive testament to building something that makes people happy. I’m glad it exists. Here’s to 2024.

Jordan Golson, North State Journal

Best of the Year BMW M240i This car fulfills the ideal of the 90s-era M3. Those crafty Germans have somehow smashed physics into submission with the new coupe, with a turbocharged inline 6-cylinder making 382 hp and 369 tq. This car seriously performs, and it’s available in a glorious purple named Thundernight, which is one of the best colors I’ve ever seen on a car. Even better, the smile the paint put on my face was quickly broadened by a truly wondrous driving experience.

Chock full of tech, clever design touches, and a setup that grips curvy roads so effortlessly, you’ll find yourself far above the speed limit before you know it.

Between all that, a 0-60 MPH sprint in 3.6s, and that Thundernight paint, the BMW M240i is the best car I drove this year. Ultimate driving machine, indeed.

COURTESY BMW

Sports Car of the Year Ford Mustang Dark Horse The Dark Horse dances the line between sports car and muscle car. The joke about Ford Mustang owners being unable to turn successfully — brought on by legions of Mustang-driving morons crashing as they try to show off leaving Cars and Coffee events — won’t apply here. The Dark Horse simply makes too much grip, and the electronic assists are too good.

The amount of electronics and support in the Dark Horse is astonishing and will allow even novice drivers to get the most out of their new sports car on an autocross course. As skills are gained, changing drive modes — or even turning traction control off entirely — can free up a more experienced wheelman to get the most out of the car.

Ford’s Mustang stands alone as the last pony car at the auto show, and the Dark Horse is the best one yet.

COURTESY FORD

Truck of the year Ford Super Duty

The Super Duty is a tool. It’s a truck to get stuff done. To help those hauling horses or tractors or logs or boats or whatever, Ford fitted it with all manner of fancy technology to make life easier.

It can reverse and hook up a trailer nearly by itself. The tailgate has a backup camera aiming upwards, so you can still see what’s behind you with the gate down. Truck purists will wail that real truck drivers can back with their eyes closed, uphill both ways. But why would you work harder, not smarter?

Built Ford Tough is more than just a tagline for the folks at Ford. They live and breathe it, and so do the folks buying the new Super Duty. It’s just like the old one, only with a bunch more Pro and a lot more Assist. Let’s get to work.

COURTESY FORD

SUV of the year Hyundai Kona Hyundai’s Kona serves as a refreshing reminder that innovation and quality can still be found where it matters most: in cars that people can actually buy. Even better, it’s a glimpse into a future where “affordable” doesn’t mean “stripped-down,” and for that, Hyundai deserves applause.

The Kona takes advantage of Hyundai’s massive economies of scale, standardizing tech across its vehicle lineup. That means the Kona is packed with enormous screens, fancy driver assist features, and all manner of clever tech — all in an affordable subcompact crossover that hits all the right buttons for its target market. Even better, it starts under $30,000.

COURTESY HYUNDAI

Luxury of the year Mercedes-AMG G 63, At first glance, the G 63 is ridiculous. It’s not particularly roomy inside, the fuel economy is atrocious, and it’s ostensibly an off-roader, but with summer tires and delicate paint, it’ll never leave the pavement.

None of which matters. The imperfection is what makes it perfect. It’s not about the ride or the tech or even the luxury. It’s the automotive equivalent of a Rolex Daytona or a bespoke suit. The G Wagen is the SUV for people who want a G. Not for other people to look at and not so people think they’re hot stuff (though some probably buy it for that, posers).

It’s an automotive oxymoron: a vehicle that has perhaps no reason to exist yet thrives in spite of it. Normally, I’d say you can’t put a price on a smile, but with the Mercedes-AMG G 63, you can: $202,850.

Worth every penny.

COURTESY MERCEDES-BENZ

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B6 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND

CUMBERLAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 23E005028-590 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Sarah Christian, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before March 13, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 13th day of December, 2023.

Donna Donaldson, Executor of the Estate of Sarah Christian 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 23-E-2011 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Frances Marie Cato, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before March 20, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 20th day of December, 2023.

Tami Marie Robinson, Executor of the Estate of Frances Marie Cato 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

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 23-E-126 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Bertha H. Lockerman, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 1034 Palestine Road, Linden, North Carolina 28356, on or before March 6, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 6th day of December, 2023.

Kenneth Wayne Carter Executor of the Estate of Bertha H. Lockerman, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 12/6/23, 12/13/23, 12/20/23 and 12/27/23

DURHAM AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 23 SP 789 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed

by PATRICIA ANN SUTTON payable to GENERATION MORTGAGE COMPANY, lender, to LINEAR TITLE & CLOSING, Trustee, dated June 9, 2009, and recorded in Book 6296, Page 1 of the Durham County Public Registry

by Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Durham County, North Carolina, in Book 9978, Page 464, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 11:30am, and will sell to the highest bidder for

UNION IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 23sp552 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY OPAL E. SAVAGE DATED DECEMBER 23, 2014 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6365 AT PAGE 1 IN THE UNION 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,

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DURHAM COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

CABARRUS GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 23 CVS 431 NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CABARRUS Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff, vs.

Glenn W. Neal, Jr. a/k/a Glenn Whicker Neal, Jr.; Karen T. Neal; David S. Allen, Jr.; Any Spouse of David S. Allen, Jr.; Deborah A. Allen; Any Spouse of Deborah A. Allen; Viveca Y. Allen-Reed; Any Spouse of Viveca Y. Allen-Reed; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s).

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the above-captioned case on October 12, 2023 (“Order”), and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 9030 Reid

NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, Margaret Edwards Mason, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of MARGARET D. EDWARDS, deceased, (Estate File 23E 1698) hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said Margaret E. Mason, at the address set out below, on or before March 14, 2024 or this case may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.

This the 13th day of December, 2023.

Margaret Edwards Mason, Executor OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET D. EDWARDS 2237 Lakeside Circle Wilmington, NC 28401

cash the following real estate situated in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 082110-90-5398 ADDRESS: 2002 JAMES STREET, DURHAM, NC 27707 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): PATRICIA SUTTON THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF DURHAM, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 6296, PAGE 1 AS FOLLOWS: BEING LOT 2, BLOCK B, HUNTER HILLS ESTATES, SECTION ONE, PROPERTY OF T. C. WESTER, AS SHOWN ON A SURVEY AND PLAT BY WILLIAM B. MCINTYRE, LAND SURVEYOR, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 15, PAGE 132, NASH REGISTRY.

NEW HANOVER

WAKE

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

I N THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 23-E-1568 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Carl Benedetto, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 317 Hay Hill Ct., Elgin, South Carolina 29045, on or before March 13, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 13th day of December 2023.

Alicia Benedetto Executor of the Estate of Carl Benedetto 317 Hay Hill Ct. Elgin, South Carolina 29045 For Publication 12/13/23, 12/20/23, 12/27/23, 01/03/24

Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Louis Dale Gullie, late of Wake County, North Carolina (23E005498-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of March, 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 6th day of December 2023.

Brian Dale Gullie Administrator of the Estate of Louis Dale Gullie c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Thomas Wilber Yelton III, Deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, (Estate File No 23E1412) this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate to present such claims to the undersigned at the address set out below, on or before the 6th of March, 2024, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment.

This the 6th day of December, 2023.

Brandon Michael Yelton, Administrator 1913 Island Pine Way Leland, NC 28451

have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF

THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

FOR TITLE REFERENCE SEE DEED RECORDED ON 01/08/2004 IN BOOK 2026 AND PAGE 801 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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the

Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit.

Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to

the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 10:00AM on January 11, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Opal E. Savage, dated December 23, 2014 to secure the original principal amount of $59,300.00, and recorded in Book 6365 at Page 1 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 1105 Harvard St, Monroe, NC 28112 Tax Parcel ID: 09276055 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Opal E. Savage The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Opal E. Savage.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period,

all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 22, 2023. _________ ____________________________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee

LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 23-SP-1033 FOR THE ADOPTION OF A MALE MINOR

with the Clerk of Superior Court for Durham County, North Carolina in the above entitled special proceeding. The Petition relates to Baby Boy Gholson, a male child, born on October 15, 2023 in Petersburg, Chesterfield County, Virginia to Janeece Gholson. Ms. Gholson reports that the putative biological father is entirely unknown and that conception occurred

in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ms. Gholson is a 33 year old, White female with long, brown, curly hair and brown eyes. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are required to file a response to such pleading not later than 40 days from the first day of publication of this notice, that date being December __, 2023, and upon your failure to do so the Petitioner will apply to the Court for relief

sought in the Petition. Any parental rights you may have will be terminated upon the entry of the decree of adoption.

Miller lot in Lawson Jones’ and Sandy Miller’s line; thence South 77 1/2° E. 3 poles and 7-3/4 links to an iron stake in said line; thence North 18° E. 10 poles and 1 link to an iron stake in road running by Church; thence with said road North 72° W. 3 poles and 4 1/4 links to corner of Sandy Miller’s lot in said road; thence South 18 1/2° W. 10 poles and 8 1/2 links to the BEGINNING, containing 32 sq. poles, more or less.

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 effective 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.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

of the purchaser is the return of the deposit.

Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, in its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

TO: the biological father of Baby Boy Gholson, a male child, born on October 15, 2023 in Petersburg, Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed

Street, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124 (“Property”).

Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Glenn W. Neal, Jr. and Karen T. Neal, dated January 28, 2005 and recorded on February 9, 2005 in Book 5794 at Page 187 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on November 1, 2023 in Book 16703, Page 269 of the Cabarrus County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Glenn W. Neal, Jr., and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Commissioner will offer for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction 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 January 10, 2024 at 01:00 PM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Cabarrus County, North Carolina and described as follows: ALL THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE CITY OF MT. PLEASANT, IN THE COUNTY OF CABARRUS AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED 09/09/2002 AND RECORDED 09/12/2002 IN BOOK 4008, PAGE 66 AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND STATE SET FORTH ABOVE. And being more particularly described by metes and bounds according to said Deed as follows: BEGINNING at Southwest corner of the Sandy

The above-described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases.

Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health, or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed.

The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the judge or 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

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current record owners of the property as reflected on the records of the CABARRUS COUNTY Register of Deeds’ office not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are Glenn W. Neal, Jr. and wife, Karen T. Neal.

A cash deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchasing price will be required at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price of bid in cash or certified check at the time the Commissioner tenders a deed for the Property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price of bid at that time, said bidder shall remain liable on said bid as provided for under North Carolina law.

The sale will be reported to the court and will remain open for advance or upset bids for a period of ten (10) days as required by law. If the Commissioner is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy

Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 110 Frederick St, Suite 200 Greenville, South Carolina 29607 Phone: (470) 321-7112, Ext. 204 Fax: 1-919-800-3528 RAS File Number: [22-075579]

23-116512

Kelly T. Dempsey, Attorney for Petitioners, 101 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28246.

TRUSTEE SERVICES OF CAROLINA, LLC, Commissioner c/o 5431 Oleander Drive, Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 392-4988 Phone NCSales@brockandscott.com File No.: 19-07292-JUD02

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B7

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 20 CVS 1756 AMENDED NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CABARRUS

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, in trust for registered Holders of Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-1, AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2006-1, vs.

Plaintiff,

Kareem V. Hammond a/k/a Kareem V. Hammond, Sr.; Dawn Hammond; United States of America; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s).

Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the above-captioned case on July 12, 2023 (“Order”), and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 625 Wilmar Street Northwest, Concord, NC 28025 (“Property”).

Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Kareem V. Hammond a/k/a Kareem V. Hammond, Sr. and Dawn Hammond, dated November 7, 2005 and recorded on November 15, 2005 in Book 6368 at Page 141 of the Cabarrus County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Kareem V. Hammond a/k/a Kareem V. Hammond, Sr., and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, in trust for registered Holders of Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-1, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 20061.

The Commissioner will offer for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction 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 January 10, 2024 at 01:00 PM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Cabarrus County, North Carolina and described as follows:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeremy B. Wilkins,

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 459 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Joshua Anthony Hubbard and Rachel Natasha Hubbard (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Joshua Anthony Hubbard and Rachel Natasha Hubbard) to John B. Third, Trustee(s), dated June 16, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 15257, at Page 0296 in Cabarrus 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 Office of the Register of Deeds 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 284 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Donald E. Parker, Jr. and Jeanie E. Parker (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Donald E. Parker, Jr. and Jeanie E. Parker) to Richard King & Amy E. Johnson, Trustee(s), dated September 24, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 6323, at Page 326 in Cabarrus 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 Office of the Register of Deeds 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 8, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 210 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Pearlie M. Jones (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Pearlie M. Jones, Heirs of Pearlie M. Jones: William Wallace, Lanzo Wallace, Marsena Kupher, Angela Wallace, Krystal Jones Drafall, Billy Jay Jones, Jr., David Lee Wallace; Heirs of David Lee Wallace: Xavier Wallace, Devin Wallace) to David Brunk, Trustee(s), dated December 8, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 7095, at Page 478 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that

23 SP 842 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Brenda Saunders to Allan B. Polunsky, Trustee(s), which was dated March 2, 2017 and recorded on March 3, 2017 in Book 10047 at Page 809, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located,

23 SP 987 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Justin Wayne Deer and Tammy Deer to M J Huggins III, Trustee(s), which was dated January 31, 2020 and recorded on February 3, 2020 in Book 10685 at Page 549, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located,

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 23SP484 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JESSIE R PARKER, JR AND REGENIA PARKER DATED JANUARY 20, 1998 RECORDED IN BOOK 4790 AT PAGE 710 IN THE CUMBERLAND 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 therein contained 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 Cumberland County courthouse

on January 8, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Davidson in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of LOT 25 of FRAZIER ACRES subdivision, Phase 11B, as shown on plat recorded in Map Book 30 at Page 38 in the Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 10383 Singletree Lane, Davidson, North Carolina.

Being More Commonly Known As 10383 Singletree Lane, Davidson, NC 28036 Parcel ID # 4673-79-8062 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)

in Kannapolis in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that parcel of land in Cabarrus County, State of North Carolina, as more fully described in Deed Book 5699, Page 269 ID# 313575, Being known and designated as Lot 87-90, Section 2, Elmwood Park, filed in Plat Book 12, Page 40. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 563 Westwood Drive, Kannapolis, North Carolina.

By fee simple Deed from Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of Washington, D.C. as set forth in Book 5699, Page 269 dated 12/02/2004 and recorded 12/13/2004, Cabarrus County Records, State of 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)

the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer 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 January 8, 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: All that certain property situated in the Township of Seventy-First in the County of Cumberland and State of North Carolina, being described as follows: Begin Lot 694 in Subdivision of Devonwood, Section 1, Part 2 A recorded in Book of Plats 33, Page 75, being more fully described in a deed dated 11/17/2003 and recorded 12/16/2003, among the land records of the county and state set forth above, in Deed Volume 6375 and Page 818. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7008 Darnell Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Address: 7008 Darnell St.; Fayetteville, NC 283148605 Tax Map or Parcel ID No.: 0408-00-8730 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 10, 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 34 as shown on a plat entitled “WOODLAND VILLAGE SECTION ONE, PART A” duly recorded in Plat Book 109, Page 95, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 3946 Brookgreen Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 3, 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 9 CORNERSTONE PLANTATION, SECTION 2, according to the plat thereof recorded Book of Plats 103, Page 195, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 7516 Abator Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the

at 1:30 PM on January 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 by Jessie R Parker, Jr; Regenia Parker, dated January 20, 1998 to secure the original principal amount of $40,100.00, and recorded in Book 4790 at Page 710 of the Cumberland County Public Registry.

The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 3 5 3 6 Rich Walker Rd, Wade, NC 28395 Tax Parcel ID: 056078-0151 Present Record Owners: Heirs of Regenia Parker; Nikita Smith; Catherine Perez; Paulette Price; Carmen Parker; LaPorscha Parker; Jesse Parker, III

LYING AND BEING SITUATE IN NUMBER TWELVE (12) TOWNSHIP OF CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOTS 1, 2, & 3, BLOCK F, SECTION 2, SUBDIVISION OF WIL-MAR PARK, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 5, PAGE 45, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA The above described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health, or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed. The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied.

possession by the judge or 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 effective 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. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current record owners of the property as reflected on the records of the CABARRUS COUNTY Register of Deeds’ office not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are Kareem Hammond, Sr. and wife, Dawn Hammond.

remain liable on said bid as provided for under North Carolina law.

The sale will be reported to the court and will remain open for advance or upset bids for a period of ten (10) days as required by law. If the Commissioner is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Commissioner.

If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, in its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

JEREMY B. WILKINS, Commissioner 5431 Oleander Drive, Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 392-4988 Phone NCSales@brockandscott.com

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in

A cash deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchasing price will be required at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price of bid in cash or certified check at the time the Commissioner tenders a deed for the Property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price of bid at that time, said bidder shall

required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to

be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to

be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may

after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

File No.: 22-09963-FC02

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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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 offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 Brenda Saunders, Unmarried.

An Order for possession of the property may be

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 offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 Justin Wayne Deer and wife, Tammy Deer.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Heirs of Regenia Parker and Nikita Smith and Catherine Perez and Paulette Price and Carmen Parker and LaPorscha Parker and Jesse Parker, III. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the

is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the

File No.: 08-12916-JUD01

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16418 - 76215

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 12314 - 53407

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 7692 - 29388

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 23-21820-FC01

termination.

The date of this Notice is 13th day of November, 2023.

Posted: By:

__________________ __________________

Ingle Case Number: 15546-22047

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B8 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 1161 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Trudy Smith Miller (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Trudy Smith Miller, Heirs of Trudy Smith Miller a/k/a Trudy Miller: Teena E. Ferguson a/k/a Teena Ferguson Gales, Kenneth Eugene Ferguson) to CB Services Corp., Trustee(s), dated August 25, 2011, and recorded in Book No. 08719, at Page 0798 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 Office 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 offer 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 January 8, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 1115 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by James E. Haddock, Jr. and Ashley D. Haddock (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James E. Haddock, Jr. and Ashley D. Haddock) to John B. Third, Trustee(s), dated August 31, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 10863, at Page 0521 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 Office 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 offer 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 January 8, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 1139 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Sharon Lee (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Sharon R. Lee) to Donald Hudson/ McGeachy, Hudson & Zurvael, Trustee(s), dated February 27, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 7160, at Page 357 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 Office 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM

DAVIDSON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 23sp555 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARVIN DUSTIN REPASS DATED AUGUST 24, 2021 AND RECORDED IN BOOK DE 2498 AT PAGE 104 IN THE DAVIDSON 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

DURHAM 23 SP 859 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DURHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Violet Haneiph to PRLAP, INC, Trustee(s), which was dated December 7, 2007 and recorded on December 10, 2007 in Book 5815 at Page 103, Durham 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 23SP32 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DURHAM IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JEVONNE PETTIFORD DATED AUGUST 31, 2021 RECORDED IN BOOK 9447 AT PAGE 607 IN THE DURHAM 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 therein contained and, pursuant to demand of

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 771 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Margaret Anna Hubbard (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Margaret Anna Hubbard) to LLG Trustee, LLC, Trustee(s), dated February 23, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 9628, at Page 860 in Durham 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on January 2, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

All that real property situated in the County of Cumberland, State of North Carolina:

Section I, as recorded in Book of Plats 27, Page 49, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry.

that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided

Being the same property conveyed to the Grantor

by Deed recorded 07/01/1984 in Book 2536, Page 203 Cumberland County Registry, to which deed reference is hereby made for a more particular description of this property. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3402 Beechwood Street, Hope Mills, North Carolina.

Property Address: 3402 Beechwood St

transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not

limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the

sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.”

Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons

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 Davidson County courthouse at 10:00AM on January 8, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Marvin Dustin Repass, dated August 24, 2021 to secure the original principal amount of $235,000.00, and recorded in Book DE 2498 at Page 104 of the Davidson County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 1963 Old Mountain Rd, Lexington, NC 27292 Tax Parcel ID: 1502000000041 Present Record Owners: T h e

Heirs of Marvin Dustin Repass The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Marvin Dustin Repass.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and

must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 13, 2023. _________ ____________________________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer 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 January 11, 2024 at 11:30 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Durham County, North Carolina, to wit:

are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

LESS AND EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY THAT WAS RELEASED IN THE PARTIAL RELEASE DEED OF TRUST RECORDED IN BOOK 11860 AT PAGE 0401 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY: BEGINNING at a pk nail In the Northwest margin of Beechwood Street’s Cul-de-sac, said pk nail being the common corner between Lots 12 and 13, Pinewood Lakes, Section I, as recorded in Plat Book 27, Page 49, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry; and runs thence as the dividing line between Lots 12 and 13, North 14 degrees 23 minutes 41 seconds West, 177.35 feet to an existing iron pipe, also a common corner of Lots 12 and 13; thence as a new line, South 15 degrees 51 minutes 55 seconds East, 176.44 feet to an existing iron pipe in the aforesaid margin of Beechwood Street; thence as said margin of Beechwood Street Cul-de-sac, South 63 degrees 33 minutes 33 seconds West, 4.63 feet to the Beginning; Containing 401.52 square feet and being a portion of Lot 12, Pinewood Lakes,

in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 11, in a subdivision known as Hillendale, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 24, Page 44, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3516 Clearwater Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Parcel ID: 0439-03-8978 Property Address: 3516 Fayetteville, NC 28311

Clearwater

Drive,

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale,

on January 8, 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 36, in a subdivision known as CLIFFDALE POINTE, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 62, Page 78, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7301 Melissa Court, 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.

BEING Tract A1 as per map at Plat Book 179, Page 37, Durham County Registry.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 13219 Boyce Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27703.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five 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

the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Durham County courthouse at 10:00 AM on January 10, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Durham County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jevonne Pettiford a/k/a JeVonne Michelle Pettiford, dated August 31, 2021 to secure the original principal amount of $250,000.00, and recorded in Book 9447 at Page 607 of the Durham County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 8 Summer Storm Dr, Durham, NC 27704

0

1

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Durham Durham Township, Durham County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lots 15 and 16, Block Q PROPERTY OF WILLOWHAVEN, INC. Subdivision, as shown on the plat recorded at Plat Book 34, Page 76, Durham County Registry, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5211 Summit Ridge Drive, Durham, North Carolina.

Subject to easements, rights of way and restrictions of record and ad valorem taxes for 2008 and susequent years.

Being the same property conveyed to Margaret Anna Hubbard, by Ruth A. Sommers in deed dated June 10, 2008 and recorded June 12, 2008 in Book 5983, Page 578, in the County of Durham and State of North Carolina.

More commonly known as: 5211 Summit Ridge Drive, Durham, North Carolina, 27712

Parcel ID: 0414-98-2789 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.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 VIOLET HANEIPH, (MARRIED) & SHARON MACGREGOR (MARRIED), AS JOINT TENANTS, WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP. 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

Tax Parcel ID:

210017

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jevonne Pettiford.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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

Parcel/ tax id: 181929 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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed.

Also, this property is being sold subject to all

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 17212 - 81070

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 17090 - 80449

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1254666 - 11212

23-116013

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 23-08100-FC01

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

taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS

taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is 8th day of December, 2023.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Ingle Case Number: 15489-21948

in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 15693 - 71396

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B9

TAKE NOTICE

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 623

PM on January 10, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Clemmons in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The land referred to herein below is situated in the county of FORSYTH, State of NC and Is described as follows:

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement

of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. 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 request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental

agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note

secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement

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 Iredell County courthouse at 10:00AM on January 9, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Iredell County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Mary C. Parsons, dated August 17, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $56,500.00, and recorded in Book 1673 at Page 2235 of the Iredell County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 1 1 7 Whites Mill Rd, Statesville, NC 28677 Tax Parcel ID: 4743172940.000

Present Record Owners: T h e Heirs of Mary C. Parsons The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Mary C. Parsons.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or

seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the

landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is October 27, 2023. _________ ____________________________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

described as follows: ALL of Lots Nos. Seventy-Three (73), SeventyFour (74), Seventy-Five (75), and Seventy-Six (76) in “CON-LEE HEIGHTS” Subdivision, as platted and planned on a map thereof made by L. B. Grier, Registered Surveyor, on September 16, 1966, and recorded in Plat Book 9, at page 40 in the Iredell County Registry, to which map and plat reference is hereby made for a full and complete description of said Lots. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 178 Con Lee Drive, Olin, North Carolina.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at

the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at

least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale,

terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at

holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the New Hanover County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 9, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in New Hanover County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Alton England and Fiona England, dated January 10, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $266,000.00, and recorded in Book 5131 at Page 2069 of the New Hanover County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 6 0 3 3 Shiloh Dr, Wilmington, NC 28409 Tax Parcel ID: R07906004-011-000 Present Record Owners: A l to n England The record owner(s) of the property, according to

the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Alton England.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids

as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 21, 2023. _________ ____________________________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee

LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com

at 10:00AM on January 9, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in New Hanover County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Dimitre Dimitrov and MaryAnn Dimitrov, dated November 15, 2017 to secure the original principal amount of $312,000.00, and recorded in Book 6103 at Page 580 of the New Hanover County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 612 Little Pony Trl, Wilmington, NC 28412 Tax Parcel ID: R08500-002-036-002 Present Record Owners: T h e Estate of Dimitre Dimitrov and The Estate of MaryAnn Dimitrov The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Dimitre Dimitrov and The Estate of

MaryAnn Dimitrov.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset

period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 22, 2023.

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

LOGS.com

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Greta Lynn Wylam and Mark Edwrd Wylam a/k/a Mark Wylam a/k/a Mark Edward Wylam (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Mark Edwrd Wylam and Greta Lynn Wylam) to Verdugo Trustee Service Corporation, Trustee(s), dated October 26, 2012, and recorded in Book No. RE 3094, at Page 3829 in Forsyth 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00

All that parcel of Land in Forsyth County, State of North Carolina, as more fully described in Deed Book 2571, Page 874, ID# 4208T009, BEING known and designated as Metes and Bounds Property. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3832 Tangle Oak Drive, Clemmons, North Carolina.

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 298

bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS Lot No. 147 as shown on the Map of Salem Woods, Section 2, same being recorded in Plat Book 22, Page 30 in the office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to said plat being made for a more particular description.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 419 Hathaway Drive, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Peter A. Lael and Lisa L. Lael (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Lisa L. Lael and Peter A. Lael) to Rebecca W. Shaia, Trustee(s), dated June 7, 2007, and recorded in Book No. RE 2760, at Page 722 in Forsyth 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on January 3, 2024 and will sell to the highest

IREDELL IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IREDELL COUNTY 22SP38 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARY C. PARSONS DATED AUGUST 17, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1673 AT PAGE 2235 IN THE IREDELL 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 400 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by James Robert Shaw, Jr. and Nichole Shaw (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James Robert Shaw, Jr. and Nichole Shaw) to Mark Randolph Law, Trustee(s), dated July 31, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 2720, at Page 1425 in Iredell 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Iredell County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on January 11, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Olin in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 136 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Thomas Lowrie and Jennifer Lowrie aka Jennifeer Lowrie (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Thomas Lowrie and Jennifer Lowrie) to Gerald W. McNaught, LLC, Trustee(s), dated August 23, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 2440, at Page 1368 in Iredell 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Iredell County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell

NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION NEW HANOVER COUNTY 23sp193 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ALTON ENGLAND AND FIONA ENGLAND DATED JANUARY 10, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5131 AT PAGE 2069 IN THE NEW HANOVER 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION NEW HANOVER COUNTY 22sp596 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DIMITRE DIMITROV AND MARYANN DIMITROV DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6103 AT PAGE 580 IN THE NEW HANOVER 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 New Hanover County courthouse

Commonly Known As: Clemmons, NC 27012

3832 Tangle Oak Dr,

Tax/Parcel Id: 4208T009 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).

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.

This conveyance is made subject to the restrictions in the use of the above described property which are set out in an instrument executed by J. C. McDaniel and wife, Barbara R. McDaniel, on June 8, 1965, and recorded in Deed Book 411, at page 235, in the Iredell County Registry, said restrictions being incorporated in this deed by reference and made fully applicable to the use of the above described property.

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

County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on January 11, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Mooresville in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING Lot No. 4, Palos Verde Estates, Plat Book 48, Pages 11-12, Iredell County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 115 Palos Verde Drive, Mooresville, North Carolina.

Tax Parcel Number: 4648-23-4322 Property Address: 115 Palos Verde Mooresville, NC 28117

Drive

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.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 15250 - 68564

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC.

_________ ________________ ____________

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1228754 - 20579

10-009574

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16551 - 77140

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 13657 - 59850

22-115020

22-114568

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B10 TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 307 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Joe Keith Loy and Sandra Loy (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Joe Keith Loy) to Laurel A. Meyer, Trustee(s), dated December 12, 2014, and recorded in Book No. RE2420, at Page 446 in Randolph 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having

23 SP 89 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jacquelynn Allred a/k/a Jacquelynne Allred to Chicago Title Insurance Company, a Nebraska Corporation, Trustee(s), which was dated July 15, 2019 and recorded on July 18, 2019 in Book 2658 at Page 1144 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on April 21, 2023 in Book 2854, Page 1591, Randolph 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located,

STANLY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY 23sp136 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELEN K. COLEY DATED JUNE 25, 2004 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1007 AT PAGE 183 AND REFORMED BY ORDER RECORDED AUGUST 14, 2023 IN BOOK 1829, PAGE 571 IN THE STANLY 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 145 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Ronald Drye (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Ronald Drye, Heirs of Ronald Drye a/k/a Ronald L. Drye: Heidi Lopez, Misti M. Kohler) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated June 1, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 1062, at Page 0776 in Stanly 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Stanly County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on January 10, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Norwood in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Parcel 1 Lying and being in Center Township, Stanly

directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on January 9, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Archdale in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 22 of Aldridge Farms, Section II, a map of which is recorded in Plat Book 27, Page 80 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4216 Huff Road, Archdale, North Carolina.

Parcel ID Number: 7728161772 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

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 9, 2024 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit: Situated in the Township of Liberty, County of Randolph and State of North Carolina: Beginning at an iron stake in the northwest corner of Tabitha Turpin’s property; and running thence north 6 degrees east 84.92 feet to an iron stake; thence south 84 degrees 35 minutes east 221.99 feet to an iron stake in the west line of Stout Chair Company, Incorporated; thence south 6 degrees 28 minutes west 50.27 feet with the line of Stout Chair Company, Incorporated, and Gregson to Gregson’s corner; thence south 6 degrees 44 minutes west 37.15 feet to an iron stake, the corner of Tabitha Turpin; thence north 83 degrees 56 minutes west 221.10 feet to the beginning.

21SP000485-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Patricia Lynn Coleman Larson and Robert Thomas Larson to J Lee Carlton, Trustee(s), which was dated March 31, 2006 and recorded on March 31, 2006 in Book 011889 at Page 01339, Wake 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

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are JEM MARKETING, LLC.

property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five 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.

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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988

Tax Parcel ID: 19635 Present Record Owners: Helen K. Coley (99% interest) and Georgia A. Lamb and J. Arthur Lamb (1% Interest) The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helen K. Coley (99% interest) and Georgia A. Lamb and J. Arthur Lamb (1% Interest).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order

for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 21, 2023. _________ ____________________________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

County, and being more particularly described as follows:

This description taken from a survey prepared

by Rogell E. Hunsucker, R.L.S., L-2488, For Todd Smith Bowers and wife, Teresa S. Bowers on June 22, 1984.

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

authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family

Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and

must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to

be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

in the Union County Records.

Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

property is/are Patricia Lynn Coleman Larson and husband, Robert Thomas Larson.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

BEGINNING at a new iron spike In the centerline of S.R. 1745; this new spike being located N. 42-27-11 E. 62.73 feet by way of a tie line from an existing nail in the centerline of S.R. 1745, this existing nail being S. 46-48-01 E. of an existing iron pipe which is located where the southwestern boundary line of Paul Bowers intersects the right of way of S.R. 1745, and running S. 47-30-36 E. 95.39 feet to a new iron pipe and crossing through a new iron pipe in the edge of S.R. 1745 at 30 feet from the point of beginning; thence turning and running N. 57-3016 E. 309.72 feet to a new nail in the centerline of S.R. 1746 and passing through a new iron pipe at 279.72 feet; thence turning and running with the centerline of S.R. 1746 N. 26-17-47 W. 151.43 feet to a new nail in the centerline of S. R. 1745; thence turning and running with the centerline of S.R. 1745 for the following co-ordinates and distances; S. 60-17-15 W. 47.36 feet to a new nail, thence S. 53-05-37 W. 50.00 feet to a new nail; thence S. 48-13-33 W. 60.01 feet to a new nail; thence S. 44-58-13 W. 100.02 feet to a new nail, thence S. 42-45-00 W. 100.07 feet to a new nail being the point of beginning, This parcel being located on the southwestern corner of the intersection of State Roads 1745 and 1746 and containing 1.00 acre, note or less, subject to the right of way of said State Roads.

Being all of Lot No.4, as shown on “Final Plat of Vickers’ Plantation, Section One”, dated June 26, 1990, by Martin F. Hennigan, in Plat Book 15, Page 15, Office of the Register of Deeds for Stanly County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2617 Plantation Way, Albemarle, North Carolina.

WAKE

Said property is commonly known as 525 S Fayetteville St, Liberty, NC 27298.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 2959 - 45904

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 Stanly County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 10, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Stanly County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Helen K. Coley, dated June 25, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $65,550.00, and recorded in Book 1007 at Page 183 of the Stanly County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 724 N 2nd St, Albemarle, NC 28001

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Ronald Alley, Jr. and Christen Alley (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Ronald Alley, Jr. and Christen Alley) to Huneycutt Law, Trustee(s), dated August 22, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 1796, at Page 1316 in Stanly 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Stanly County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on January 10, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Albemarle in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Ned Moore (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Ned Moore, Heirs of Ned Moore: James E. Moore, Sr., Nathan Moore, Dorene Moore; Heirs of James E. Moore, Sr.: James E. Moore, Jr.; Heirs of Dorene Moore: Yolanda Moore a/k/a Yolanda Richardson, Yamease Moore, William Moore, Estella Birdsong, Natalie Birdsong; Heirs of Nathan Moore: Tamara Moore Orr, Nathan Moore, Jr.) to Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated December 7, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 8339, at Page 0529 in Union 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

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Lying and being in Stanly County, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 59

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 146

UNION

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of

For reference, see Deed recorded in Record Book 1554, Page 958 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Stanly County, North Carolina. The following information is included for reference purposes only: Current Parcel ID No.: 6559-04-80-5020 Current Street Address: 2617 Plantation Way, Albemarle, NC 28001 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.

in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on January 4, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property located in the City of Monroe, County of Union, State of North Carolina, more particularly described as follows:

Parcel 2 Being all of that 0.28 acre parcel of land depicted on plat in Plat Book 19. page 115, Stanly County, N.C. Public Registry, reference to which being hereby made.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 42318 Bowers Road, Norwood, 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.

PARCEL ID(S): 09321582 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.

Being the same property as conveyed to Ned Moore and Diane L. Moore (Deceased) from Essex Homes Southeast, Inc. by the Deed dated 07/18/2013 and Recorded 07/19/2013 in Book/ Page/Instrument Number: 08055/0757/24989

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

default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer 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 January 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five 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.

BEING all of Lot No. 1, Block 19 according to plat entitled “Section Nine, North Hills Sub’d., Robon Dev. Co., Owner”, dated June 26, 1961, prepared

by John A. Edwards, Consulting Engineer, and recorded in Book of Maps 1961, page 5 of Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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

Being all of Lot 65 of Lexington Commons, Phase II, as shown on Map recorded in Plat Cabinet J, File 834-840, in the Union County, North Carolina, Register of Deeds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2211 Kingstree Drive, Monroe, North Carolina.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 4608 Pitt Street, Raleigh, NC 27609.

File No.: 23-02351-FC01

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this

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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

23-115578

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 15673 - 71269

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16697 - 78086

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 11760 - 50602

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 17-01001-FC05

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

B11

TAKE NOTICE

WAKE 22SP002439-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

that .37 acre parcel as conveyed by the Grantor in Deed Book 3808, Page 460. This being the same property conveyed to the Grantor’s recorded September 11, 1985 in Deed Book 3555, page 268, Wake County Public Registry.

Parcel Green

ID: Dr

0026841.

Cary

111 NC

Forest 27511

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Wallace Bell and Ethel L. Bell to Fidelity National Agency Solutions- a Division of Fidelity, Trustee(s), which was dated October 24, 2008 and recorded on October 29, 2008 in Book 013286 at Page 00411, Wake 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 offer 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 January 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of that 1.306 acre tract as listed in Deed Book 3555, page 268, less and except

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 23SP002758-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BETH D. DALE AND ANN W. DAVENPORT AND THOMAS HAYWOOD DAVENPORT DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9638 AT PAGE 1 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 23SP003037-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MICHAEL A. BEASLEY AND JAIME M. BEASLEY DATED MAY 11, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11356 AT PAGE 401 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP003257-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shannan Vance (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shannan Vance, Heirs of Shannan Vance: Travis T. Vance) to David E. Waters and Anthony B. Olmert, Sr., Trustee(s), dated November 30, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 019211, at Page 01226 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 Office 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 offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP002797-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Craig Marcel Smith (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Craig Marcel Smith) to Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Trustee(s), dated September 7, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 011577, at Page 01022 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 Office 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 offer 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 January 8,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP002773-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Pierre Ndiaye (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Pierre Ndiaye) to Stephanie F. Bynum, Trustee(s), dated March 28, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 013029, at Page 01966 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on April 4, 2019, in Book No. 017403, at Page 02051, 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 Office 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 offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19SP000922-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shirley P. Chen (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Village Capital, LLC) to ***Los Angeles*** CTC Real Estate Services, Trustee(s), dated February 25, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 012993, at Page 02355 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 Office 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 offer 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

And being more particularly described by metes and bounds on said Deed as follows: BEGINNING at an iron stake in the eastern rightof-way line of Washington Street said stake being located S. 3° 00’ W. 257’ from the intersection of the Easter right-of-way line of Washington Street with the center line of Byrum Street and runs thence with the line of Mack Jones S. 81° 47’ 07” E. 234.67’ to an iron pipe, runs thence S. 8° 10’ 09” W. 263.50’ to an iron pipe, runs thence with the line of Willian Jones N. 77° 07’ 19” W. 213.12’ to an iron pipe in the Eastern right-of-way line of Washington Street, thence with the Eastern right-of-way line of said street N. 03° 00’ E. 247.20’ to the beginning being all of a 1.306 acre tract of land as shown by survey and map of Runa A. Cooper, R.L.S. dated May 7, 1976 and entitled “Property of Cary Realty and Insurance, Inc. Cary Towaship, Wake County, N.C.” Subject to 10’ Sanitary Easement along Eastern property line and 10’ storm sewer easement through portion of property as shown on said Survey.

LESS

AND

EXCEPT:

BEGINNING at an iron pipe on the eastern margin of Washington Street, said pipe being the southwest corner of a tract recorded in Deed Book 3555, Page 278, Wake County Registry and running thence with the said margin of Washington Street North 03° 00’ East 75 feet to an iron pipe; thence a new line South 77° 07’ 19” East 219.90 feet to an iron pipe in the eastern line of the tract of which this is a part; thence with said line South 08° 10’ 09” West 74.13 feet to the southeast corner of said tract; thence with the southern line of said tract, North 77° 07’ 19” West 213.12 feet to the Beginning containing .037 acre as surveyed by George L. Lott, Registered Surveyor, dated May 29, 1986.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 111 Forest Green Dr, Cary, NC 27511.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five 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.

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 offered for sale. 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 ALL LAWFUL HEIRS OF ETHEL L. BELL. 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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 19-11620-FC02

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are

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

of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on January 9, 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 Beth D. Dale and Ann W. Davenport and Thomas Haywood Davenport, dated September 30, 2002 to secure the original principal amount of $92,200.00, and recorded in Book 9638 at Page 1 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 4 7 0 5 Treys Ct, Apex, NC 27539 Tax Parcel ID: 0185754 Present Record Owners: T h e Heirs of Beth D. Dale and the Estate of Thomas Haywood Davenport The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The

Heirs of Beth D. Dale and the Estate of Thomas Haywood Davenport.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 21, 2023. _________ ____________________________

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

LOGS.com Posted: By:

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 January 9, 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 Michael A. Beasley and Jaime M. Beasley, dated May 11, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $488,000.00, and recorded in Book 11356 at Page 401 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 6 6 1 3 Swallowtail Ln, Raleigh, NC 27613 Tax Parcel ID: 0274739 Present Record Owners: Michael A. Beasley and Jaime M. Beasley

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Michael A. Beasley and Jaime M. Beasley.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever

is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the

landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is November 14, 2023. _________ ________________ ____________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 8, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wake Forest in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Parcel Number 1840978563

to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this

property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to

be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons

of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the

sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the

purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at

least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons

of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.

The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided

that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

BEING all of Lot 70, in a subdivision known as “The Townes at Gateway Commons” and same duly recorded in Map Book 2020, Page 1091-1097, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 505 Toran Drive, Wake Forest, 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 offered pursuant

2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Knightdale in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 86, of Baywood Forest Subdivision, as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Map Book 1991, Page 1064, Wake Public Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5424 Baywood Forest Drive, 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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.”

Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 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: BEING all of Lot 50, Landings at Neuse Crossings Subdivision, Phase 2, as shown on map of same duly recorded in Book of Maps 2006, Pages 412-413, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2948 Landing Falls Lane, 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 Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale,

January 8, 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: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated near the City of Raleigh, Leesville Township, Wake County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:Being Lot Number 37, Black Horse Run Subdivision, Section 1, as recorded in Book of Maps 1973, Page 383, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3412 Hackney Court, Raleigh, North Carolina.Source of Title is Book 3258, Page 493 (recorded 03/26/84) 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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale,

23-115880

23-116768

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16655 - 77762

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 15900 - 72648

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 15231 - 68381

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1269878 - 9690

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

PEN & PAPER PURSUITS

sudoku

solutions LAST WEEK

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 6 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS SCHIEMAN VIA FLICKR

Walk in the new year

Get your resolutions started on Monday January 1 with a staff-guided First Day Hike at Morrow Mountain State Park east of Albemarle.

Parks around North Carolina will host free guided hikes of trails both easy and challenging on New Year’s Day. See Page 2 for more.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NCDOT invests in Stanly County railroad improvements The NC Department of Transportation’s Rail Division is investing $664,411 to make bridge and culvert upgrades on the Piedmont Division rail corridor of the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway, part of which runs through Stanly County. The funds are part of a $10.2 million 50-50 matching grant funding for short line rail infrastructure projects.

In all, $20.5 million will be spent across the projects, with the remaining funds coming from the railroad companies.

In all, the projects will improve 14 railroad bridges and 27 miles of track across 12 different railroads and maritime ports.

Agriculture Risk and Price Loss Coverage Receive 1-Year Extension Agricultural producers can enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2024 crop year. Enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year between now and March 15, 2024.

In November, the 2018 Farm Bill was extended through September 30, 2024. This extension allows authorized programs, including ARC and PLC, to continue operating.

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARCCounty or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual, which protects the entire farm.

Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.

Stanly’s biggest story of 2023: Charlotte Pipe & Foundry opens $460M plant in Oakboro

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal OAKBORO — In a major development that will impact the local area for years to come, the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company made its long-awaited move to Stanly County this year.

Charlotte Pipe’s goal of relocating to Oakboro was made official to the public three years ago but was in the works for over a decade under the codename “Project Blue Sky.” As the Stanly County Board of Commissioners awarded the cast-iron, plastic pipe manufacturer an economic incentive grant on May 5, 2020, state Rep.

Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly) noted that the commissioners has just ensured the “largest economic impact to Stanly County that has occurred in the last 50 years.”

“This is one of these once-ina-lifetime type projects,” County Manager Andy Lucas added.

“I can’t even put into words how significant it is for our community,” In 2023, the prospect of one of largest business developments in the county’s history became a reality.

Leaving behind a 55-acre site in uptown Charlotte that has been floated for a possible Carolina Panthers stadium one day,

the cast-iron, Charlotte Pipe now employs 530 people at a $460 million foundry situated on 700 acres in Oakboro, roughly 35 miles east of the cast iron foundry it operated in uptown Charlotte for over 100 years.

“As a generational project, the relocation and expansion of our legacy foundry is a strategic move by Charlotte Pipe to improve its processes and offerings in ways that will allow the company to continue serving the plumbing industry and our community for the next 100 years,” Hooper Hardison, CEO of Charlotte Pipe, said as his company held its grand-opening event in Oakboro on Oct. 26.

City of Albemarle receives clean audit for fiscal year 2022-2023 City’s finances receive ‘unmodified opinion’ from auditors

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Martin Starnes and Associates has presented the City of Albemarle with a clean audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

At the Albemarle City Council’s meeting on Dec. 18, the council was given the city’s financial statements and audit report from Jill Vang, a representative of Martin Starnes and Associates.

“Your audit has been submitted to the Local Government Commission and we are awaiting their approval. This year, we issued an unmodified opinion, which is clean and the best opinion that you can get,” Vang told the council members.

“We tested three major pro-

grams as part of the single audit reporting. The programs were the COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, the Public Housing Operating Fund, and the Power Bill Program.”

Earlier in the day, the City of Albemarle announced in a media release that it had been honored with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the prior year’s cycle.

“Receiving this award for the sixth year in a row is proof of the City of Albemarle’s dedication to sound management, transparency, and good stewardship of resources as outlined in the city’s mission statement,” said Jacob Weavil, City of Albemarle Finance Director. “We thank the GFOA for recognizing the work of our Finance Department and the entire City of Albemarle as an organization to achieve this honor.

That certificate — judged by

“I want to thank the city for the opportunity to work for a good organization. What I’ll miss the most is my coworkers, but I’m still part of the family.”

Albemarle Water and Sewer employee Sammie Lilly, on retiring after 30 years. an impartial panel to meet the standards of the program — is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and was given based on the city’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2022.

It is awarded to financial re-

“The move to Oakboro will spur growth of other businesses, including vendors who supply and support the plant, opening a new window of economic growth for Stanly County. Even better, the region is already home to many of the company’s associates who will benefit from reduced commute times and increased amenities within their work environment.”

Charlotte Pipe operates out of seven plant locations — constantly expanding since it began in the Queen City with 25 employees back in 1901 — with its newest addition being its stateSee PLANT, page 2

porting showing the “spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.”

At the Albemarle City Council’s recent meeting, the council members also honored and congratulated Joel Thompson Jr., Sammie Lilly and James Thomas on their retirements from the City of Albemarle after working for 30 years in the Water and Sewer Division of Public Utilities.

Upon receiving his retirement certificate, Lilly said, “I want to thank the city for the opportunity to work for a good organization. What I’ll miss the most is my co-workers, but I’m still part of the family.”

The city council is set to hold its next meeting on Jan. 2 in the Albemarle City Hall Council Chambers.

$2.00

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

2 WEDNESDAY

12.27.23

WEEKLY FORECAST

#317

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

DEC 27

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation”

Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Jesse Deal, Reporter Ryan Henkel, Reporter BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal

49° 28° 4%

DEC 28

HI LO PRECIP

57° 32° 3%

FRIDAY

DEC 29 HI LO PRECIP

54° 35° 5%

SATURDAY

DEC 30

HI LO PRECIP

55° 36° 8%

SUNDAY

MONDAY

DEC 31

HI LO PRECIP

54° 38° 12%

JAN 1

HI LO PRECIP

53° 45° 24%

TUESDAY

JAN 2

HI LO PRECIP

56° 48° 58%

NC state parks to host First Day Hikes Guided hikes planned across the state for New Year’s Day Stanly County Journal ON JANUARY 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staff-led hikes across its state parks.

State Parks Director Brian Strong expressed excitement about the expanded First Day Hikes program for 2024. “After a few years of smaller programming, we are offering a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks,” Strong said. He encouraged visitors to bring family and friends for outdoor adventures, marking the end of the holiday season.

Locally, Morrow Mountain State Park east of Albemarle will have a guided hike around the 0.6-mile Quarry Trail loop,

rated as an easy trail. Meet at the lower picnic parking area, below the swimming pool, at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Although a few parks will not be offering guided hikes in 2024, they will remain open for visitors to hike independently. First Day Hikes have gained popularity, attracting large numbers of participants, especially in favorable winter hiking weather.

The First Day Hikes initiative, which started in Massachusetts in 1992, has seen participation from all 50 states

since 2012. “This initiative has become a cherished tradition, providing individuals and families with the opportunity to embrace the outdoors, and kick off the year with a commitment to health and well-being,” said Lewis Ledford, executive director of the NASPD. The full list of First Day Hikes for North Carolina State Parks is available at ncparks. gov/first-day-hikes.

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #ncstateparks and #FirstDayHikes.

1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 STANLYJOURNAL.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

CRIME LOG December 17 x Samantha Rae Hall, 40, was charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Bond was set at $15,000.

December 18 x Tony Ray Aldridge, 55, was arrested and charged with possessing methamphetamine, parole violation, and possessing drug paraphernalia. No bond has been set.

COURTESY FRIENDS OF MORROW MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

The deck at the Morrow Mountain overlook, donated by the Rabe Family, opened in 2020.

December 19 x John David Gould, 46, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $250,000. x Damon Caleb Banks, 26, was charged with assault inflicting serious bodily injury, resisting public officer, and assault on female. Bond was set at $250,000.

December 20 x Braxton Demille Phifer, 29, was charged with resisting a public officer, flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, driving with a revoked license, and failure to stop at a stop sign/flashing red light. No bond has been set. x Randall Lynn Oldaker, 37, was charged with failing to register (sex offender) and is being held without bond. x Jamie Joseph Mullis, 46, was charged with three counts of failing to register (sex offender), and is being held, $200,000 bond.

First Medicaid expansion data shared More than 1,500 Stanly County residents already enrolled Stanly County Journal MORE THAN 600,000 North Carolinians are newly eligible for health coverage through a recent expansion of NC Medicaid, and the state has recently shared numbers on how many residents have enrolled in the expansion.

Stanly County has seen 1,554

PLANT from page 1

of-the-art facility in Oakboro that serves as one of the most technologically-advanced operations in its field in the entire world.

The company invested $58 million in the plant’s environmental system, including a 70,000-megawatt substation that is capable of powering 70,000 houses.

“Charlotte Pipe has always been committed to investments that will benefit our associates, our customers, and our shareholders,” Roddey Dowd, Jr., vice chairman of the company’s

newly eligible adults sign up for Medicaid, some 4.3 percent of the county’s 36,485 adult population between 19 and 64 years of age. This data is current as of December 1, though the data was only recently made available by the state. Numbers will be updated monthly.

“Hundreds of people each day are gaining health care coverage and getting the care they need,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley in a press release. “Our work continues with state and community

partners to support enrollment efforts to ensure as many people as possible can get covered.”

In total, 272,937 North Carolina residents have signed up for the program, with nearly 33 percent of whom are under the age of 30. Most of that 273,000 were part of the family planning population who were automatically moved to full Medicare coverage as part of the expansion.

To learn more (including income requirements) or to find out if you’re eligible, visit medicaid.nc.gov.

Board of Directors, said as the Oakboro facility opened up in October.

“While our Uptown Charlotte location has provided stakeholders with a solid platform to deliver outstanding results, our new Oakboro foundry will allow a more efficient layout of our plant and equipment and give us the flexibility to expand to meet future needs.”

Along with the creation of the new facility, Charlotte Pipe included a rail spur to connect the new plant to the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway, a short-line railroad that crosses through the center of the state.

The ACWR is the largest privately-owned shortline railroad in North Carolina, operating in central NC through six counties along 150 miles of track. Connecting to the Norfolk Southern Railway, the railroad gives the Oakboro foundry rail access to move recycled materials to and from the Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest.

“This is an exciting time for the ACWR,” Jennifer White, ACWR president, said in an Oct. 31 media release. “This project has taken years to be realized, but the timing is perfect for the ACWR. We look forward to a long relationship with

Stanly County has seen 1,554 newly eligible adults sign up for Medicaid, some 4.3 percent of the county’s 36,485 adult population between 19 and 64 years of age.

Charlotte Pipe.”

As the Oakboro foundry looks to its first full year in operation coming up in 2024, it’s worth reflecting on the amount of time and effort that went into bringing Project Blue Sky’s physical form into fruition.

During the past three years, over 1.2 million hours of labor from 500 construction workers went into the creation of the new foundry that became fully operational on Sept. 5, 2023. The hard work was put in, and now both the company and Stanly County will reap the benefits of the major addition to the local economy.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

3

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Let’s be clear — this is about Joe Biden, not Hunter Biden

There is no Biden Inc. without Joe.

WHEN JAMES COMER wondered on CNN whether special counsel David Weiss had indicted Hunter Biden on nine tax-related charges to protect him from having to be deposed in the House Oversight Committee, Jake Tapper snarkily responded: “Yes, the classic rubric. He indicted him to protect him.

I got it.”

Well, yes. Indicting a person on lesser charges can often protect him from more serious ones. It happens all the time. In this case, though, “him” isn’t Hunter. It’s Joe. Weiss failed to indict Hunter for failing to register as a foreign agent or failing to pay taxes on the millions that flowed from those arrangements. Why? Probably because any investigation into Hunter’s $17 million foreign influence-peddling business — which Weiss has scrupulously avoided — leads to the president of the United States answering lots of awkward queries about his connection to disreputable people and authoritarian regimes.

There is no Hunter Biden case without Joe. There is no Biden Inc. without Joe. Hunter’s laptop — the one that the New York Post got its hands on, and that Tapper and others attempted to cover up — was crammed with texts and emails in which the son references his dad’s role in securing payments and taking cuts from the business.

Any genuine investigation into the 20-plus shell companies set up by James Biden, Joe’s brother, and Hunter would compel lots of people to answer questions on the record or under oath.

Weiss conveniently allowed some of these infractions to pass the statute of limitations, but some have not. Hunter pulled in $1 million a year from Burisma from the years 2014-2017, while Joe was forging American policy in that nation. It’s only a weird happenstance, not a massive conflict of interest, that the sitting vice president’s decisions may have aided the oil concern while his son was being paid. Hunter’s salary fell to roughly $500,000 annually from 2017-2019, after Joe was out of the White House. Another weird coincidence.

But the president’s son also had a 10% stake in a Chicom investment fund named BHR Partners from 2013-2021. Joe flew him to China to set it up, met one of the partners, and then wrote a letter of recommendation for the man’s kid. All completely innocent, no doubt.

Let’s not forget, either, that without the IRS whistleblowers coming forward, Hunter would probably have escaped any charges. And let’s also not forget that without U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika putting the kibosh on it, Weiss would have allowed Hunter’s lawyers to write an extraordinary plea agreement that not only would have ensured the president’s name wouldn’t be dragged into the investigation, but it would have let Hunter plead out to two of the least consequential charges — with virtually no punishment — in exchange for blanket immunity.

At every turn, Weiss is protecting Joe. Then again, this is about Hunter insomuch as all of this can be politically disastrous for the president. On the Sunday talk shows, the

president’s defenders portrayed Hunter Biden as a lost man struggling to overcome drug addiction and Joe Biden as the loving father, who had recently lost his other son, there to help. Others contended that Hunter was the real victim of an overzealous prosecution.

Hunter is a middle-aged Yale-educated lawyer, international lobbyist, foreign energy consultant, millionaire and celebrated artist, whose work can go for upwards of half a million dollars. The jails are strewn with Americans who have far more tragic stories to tell. Do they get to write off sex club memberships, prostitutes, and hotel rooms for his drug dealers? Would you?

Moreover, Hunter continued cheating on his taxes after he had supposedly gone clean and remarried. He set up his influence-peddling schemes before his brother Beau died — not in combat, as the president often claims, but from a brain tumor.

When ordinary Americans are being audited by the new supercharged IRS, or spending hours struggling to figure out the squarefootage formula used to write off their home office in their 1040s, I hope they remember that Democrats believe Joe and Hunter are the real victims here.

At any rate, Weiss knows, despite the media’s insistence, that Joe doesn’t need to directly benefit from his family’s foreign ventures to corrupt himself — though there is plenty of circumstantial evidence that he did.

If one of the most powerful men in the United States government participates in a scheme — or allows people to believe he is offering access — that makes millions for his entire family, it may or may not be illegal, but it is corrupt.

And any investigation that leads to those questions is a disaster for the president.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist.

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

Christmas gifts: the newest target of climate change activists

Part of the joy of Christmas, especially for children, is receiving gifts.

PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE the Left is using the alleged “existential” threat of global warming to wage war against liberty, against the Western world’s (not China’s) economy, and against joy.

The automobile, that magnificent enhancement to human freedom and joy, is a target of the Left. The idea that individuals should be able to go where they want when they want in their own car is anathema to the Left — it provides way too much individual liberty.

Ideally, almost no one should own a car. We should all aspire to live in a high-rise apartment building in a major metropolis and use public transportation, ride bicycles or walk. If for some reason we have to travel a longer distance, let us say to conservative relatives who selfishly own their own homes in the suburbs, we can use public transportation; and if none is available, we can use Uber or Lyft.

Even the family, one of life’s greatest sources of joy and meaning, is a target of the climate change activists. They believe that there are way too many people in the world. Kids are carbon-emitting machines. So, an increasing number of women, including married women, are choosing not to have children. They don’t see how they can justify bringing children into a world in which they will be roasted to death. And frequently their progressive parents (the wouldbe grandparents) agree with them. As I wrote in a previous column, based on the many comments of New York Times readers on an opinion piece written by a woman who has decided not to have children because of global warming, many readers wrote that despite the fact that they long for grandchildren, they support their child’s

decision to go childless.

Now we have another joy of life that progressives are targeting in the name of combating global warming: Christmas gifts.

Many progressives have long opposed giving Christmas gifts in the name of combating “consumerism” (to be fair, some religious conservatives share that ascetic view). But climate change will soon constitute the greater moral reason.

In the Daily Mail this week, a woman wrote an article making this case.

“Last year,” she wrote, “surrounded by wrapping paper and abandoned gifts, I suggested to my husband Chris that next time we shouldn’t buy anything — for each other or the children.

“Not buying anything for my husband is trivial because he can buy for himself. But not buying presents for our two girls, aged six and three, is a trickier proposition...

“We’re increasingly aware of the global impact of our purchases. Everything we buy the kids will go into landfill...

“With the planet on fire and plastics everywhere it seems like we are at a moment of reckoning and have been for some time...

“I’ve forced this rule on the family, telling my mother, in-laws and the brothers and sisters not to buy the girls anything.

“My sister was appalled and very cross that she will be thought of as the mean old aunt. Just because I want to strip the joy out of Christmas, why should she have to?”

This woman’s article encapsulates much of the darkness the Left represents and creates.

First is the war on joy. Part of the joy of Christmas, especially for children, is receiving

gifts. To deny this is to deny reality. This can be verified by asking any adult to describe the joy they experienced as a child looking under the Christmas tree for their gifts.

Second, it is a war on altruism. Gift-giving may be animated by a number of factors, but one fact is undeniable: Giving people gifts is an altruistic act. If people stop doing so — whether to combat “consumerism” or to combat global warming — they are ending one of the most widespread expressions of altruism in our society.

Third, children are the primary targets of this nonsense. Progressives seem to have a particular animus for children. They wage war on children’s innocence with early “sex education,” with LGBTQ activism in elementary school, and by promoting drag queen “story hours” beginning at age 5; by their closing schools for nearly two years for no valid reason; by depriving children of God, religion and patriotism; by their irrationally frightening children about their future (they will essentially be burned alive); and now by depriving children of Christmas gifts and, presumably, birthday gifts (they, too, add to landfills).

Fourth, the woman who wrote this article has no qualms about imposing her beliefs on everyone else. It is not enough for her to tell her husband not to give her 6- and 3-year-old daughters Christmas gifts. She has ordered the girls’ grandparents, aunts and uncles not to do so: “I’ve forced this rule on the family.”

Fifth, progressive reasoning is not only morally defective, but also factually defective.

If no one in the United Kingdom gave a single Christmas gift, nothing would be accomplished with regard to global warming. But a whole society would be deprived of a major joy of life, and the country’s economy would take a major hit.

Just remember this rule of life: Everything the Left touches, it destroys.

That includes joy.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist.

4 SIDELINE REPORT

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

SPORTS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ole Miss, Kiffin agree to contract extension Oxford, Miss.

Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin has agreed to a contract extension, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter announced Tuesday without disclosing any details. Kiffin has led the 11th-ranked Rebels into the Peach Bowl against No. 10 Penn State on Dec. 30 and to the program’s first two 10-win regular seasons. Kiffin has guided the Rebels to four consecutive bowl berths and two New Year’s Six bowl appearances in the past three years.

Ryan Bla Raceway

NFL

Ex-Giants running back Ward arrested for robbery Los Angeles Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of robbery. Police say the 43-year-old was arrested Monday in the North Hollywood area. He’s jailed on $250,000 bail.

Police haven’t released other details. Ward had an eight-year NFL career.

It started with his 2004 drafting with the New York Jets. He also played for the Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans before retiring in 2012. Ward was with the Giants when they beat the undefeated New England Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl, although he didn’t play because of a broken leg.

AP PHOTO

Former Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith is among several people who will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame next spring.

NC Sports Hall of Fame class unveils 2024 class Jim Nantz, Randolph Childress and Steve Smith highlight the inductees The Associated Press

NBA

Nets’ Simmons out again with back injury New York Ben Simmons won’t return to the Brooklyn Nets until at least January because of a pinched nerve in his lower back. The Nets said Wednesday that Simmons, who sustained his latest back injury Nov. 6, has shown consistent strength improvement in the area, but his status won’t be updated for another two weeks. Simmons played in six games before he was hurt and has missed 20 already this season after his last two seasons were cut short because of back problems. He received an epidural injection as part of the planned rehabilitation from this injury.

MLB

McCutchen with Pirates on 1-year deal Pittsburgh Andrew McCutchen isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Pirates star is remaining in his adopted hometown after agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2024 season worth $5 million, according to reports. The 37-yearold McCutchen hit .256 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 112 games while serving primarily as a designated hitter in 2023.

He collected his 2,000th career hit in June and was sitting on 299 career home runs in September when he partially tore his left Achilles tendon while legging out a double against Milwaukee.

RALEIGH — CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and college basketball stars Randolph Childress and Shea Ralph are among the class of 2024 inductees to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Other notables to enter the hall at an induction ceremony in May in Charlotte include retired Davidson men’s basketball coach Bob McKillop, former Wake Forest athletic director

Ron Wellman and Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the Hall of Fame said last week in a news release.

Nantz, a Charlotte native, anchors CBS golf coverage and is the lead NFL play-by-play announcer for the network. He also led the network’s NCAA basketball coverage for 32 years.

Smith played 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and is the team’s all-time leader in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. He also played three years for the Baltimore Ravens.

Childress starred on the Wake Forest basketball team in the early 1990s, winning the ACC Tournament MVP award in

May 10 Date of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center 1995 after historic performances over Duke and North Carolina. He played professionally for 16 years.

Now the women’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt, Ralph

played her college ball at UConn, where she led the team to the 2000 NCAA title and was named Final Four MVP. Ralph averaged 39 points a game as a high school junior at Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford High School and held numerous state records when she graduated.

McKillop recorded 634 wins and 23 conference titles while at Davidson. The Wildcats’ 2008 team, led by Stephen Curry, reached the Elite Eight.

Other inductees include Sheila Ford Duncan, the 1984 NAIA women’s basketball player of the year while leading UNC Asheville to the national championship; Olympic rowing gold-medal winner and Greensboro native Caroline Lind; retired NFL tight end Pettis Norman, who played in college at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte; and the late Don Skakle, the former men’s tennis coach at UNC. The 2024 induction will bring the Hall of Fame membership total to 411.

Miami lands ACC’s top class on football signing day The Hurricanes currently have the third-best class in the country, according to 247Sports

The Associated Press MIAMI COACH Mario Cristobal hasn’t yet taken the Hurricanes to an Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, but he sure has made a difference on the recruiting trail.

Cristobal closed strong to help Miami secure the ACC’s topranked recruiting class for a second straight year. According to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, Miami’s class ranked third nationally — behind only Georgia and Alabama — early Wednesday evening as the first day of the early signing period wound down.

Florida State was ninth in the team standings. The Seminoles had led the ACC rankings before two of their top recruits switched to other schools Wednesday, with safety KJ Bolden (14th in the 247Sports Composite) picking Georgia and

defensive lineman Armondo Blount (22nd) choosing Miami.

Florida State rebuilt its program the last few years by relying heavily on the transfer portal, but a 13-0 season helped the Seminoles produce their best class in Mike Norvell’s coaching tenure.

Miami landed seven of 247Sports Composite’s top 73 recruits in defensive lineman Justin Scott (15th), Blount, wide receiver Ny Carr (48th), athlete Joshisa Trader (50th), edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot (60th), safety Zaquan Patterson (68th) and linebacker Adarius Hayes (73rd).

Florida State’s class is highlighted by cornerback Charles Lester (39th), quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (54th), tight end Landen Thomas (64th), running back Kameron Davis (69th) and cornerback Kai Bates (86th).

The only other ACC class to rank in the top 20 was Clemson at No. 12. Clemson has two of the nation’s top 21 overall recruits according to the 247Sports Composite in linebacker Sammy Brown (16th) and wide receiver Bryant Wesco (21st).

UNC and NC State both have

AP PHOTO

NC State coach Dave Doeren, left, and UNC coach Mack Brown, right, tboth landed top-30 classes on national signing day. classes in the top 30. So does Stanford, a Pac-12 member heading to the ACC next season.

Scott and Blount were two of the four highest-rated prospects to select ACC schools. They both picked Miami to help give the Hurricanes arguably the best collection of defensive line recruits in the nation.

North Carolina’s seven FBS schools are led by the Tar Heels and Wolfpack, who are ranked 26th and 27th, respectively.

Wake Forest is No. 51 followed

by Duke at 53rd. East Carolina (No. 65), Charlotte (No. 79) and App State (No. 81) rounded out the N.C. schools.

126th Ranking for NC State signee Terrell Anderson, a wide receiver from Grimsley High School in Greensboro

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

5

Championships help define 2023 for county sports

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal HERE’S A RECAP of notable Stanly County-related sports stories for 2023: Albemarle’s girls’ basketball team records its first Yadkin Valley Conference title since the 2018-19 season as the Bulldogs put together a 22-5 (9-1 YVC) season. Fourth-seeded Albemarle loses a home matchup against No. 13 Robbins in the second round of the 1A bracket, an untimely end to a 13-game win streak.

North Stanly’s girls’ basketball team comes up just short of matching Albemarle’s grip on the conference, finishing the year with a 21-5 record (8-2 YVC).

East Rutherford knocks the Comets out of the 2A state playoffs in a 88-55 home blowout, just days after North defeated Pine Lake Prep by 16 points in New London.

West Stanly’s softball team achieves its fourth-consecutive NCHSAA 2A state championship with back-to-back wins of 4-2 and 10-0 over the Midway Raiders. After losing their first game of the season, the Colts finish the season with a dominant 31-1 record and 10-0 undefeated record in Rocky River Conference play to win their conference crown.

South Stanly’s softball team notches an undefeated campaign (12-0) in YVC play — locking up the conference title outright — while putting together a strong 22-4 record overall. In the second round of 1A state playoffs, the second-seeded Bulls stumble into an upset home loss to 15th-seeded Uwharrie Charter.

West Stanly’s baseball team makes it to the third round of the the 2A playoff bracket on a ten-game winning streak, falling short to West Stokes in a 6-3 final.

Despite the postseason loss, Colts (24-4) still capitalize on their talent with an undefeated record (10-0) in RRC play for the conference title.

North Stanly’s baseball team wins its second-straight YVC trophy with a 10-2 YVC record and 15-11 overall record. Playing at home against No. 23 Shelby in the first round of the 2A bracket, the tenth-seeded Comets are knocked out of the state playoffs in a 1-0 loss, finishing the season on a four-game skid.

Albemarle’s summer collegiate baseball team arrives in Stanly

AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Cup at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 5.

NASCAR notebook: Penske eyes Cup threepeat Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott both had offseason surgeries The Associated Press ROGER PENSKE achieved something this season the pioneering motorsports magnate had never done in his long, accomplished career with backto-back NASCAR Cup Series championships.

Ryan Blaney gave Penske consecutive series titles at Phoenix last month after teammate Joey Logano’s title-winning run in 2022.

“You win one, and you start all over again,” Penske said.

“They don’t give you an extra lap ahead of everybody after you win one. Last year, Joey did a great job. And by the way, when you think about it, last year at Phoenix, if you watched it, Ryan was a good wingman.

He had a fast car at Phoenix, so we knew that he had the speed.”

That showed throughout this past season as Blaney won three times, including twice in the playoffs, and was fastest when

it counted most with eight top10 finishes in the final 12 races.

Blaney was gushing after his championship after starring in a pair of Penske firsts: Winning the Coca-Cola 600 to combine with Josef Newgarden’s Indianapolis 500 win on Memorial Day weekend and then earning that Cup Series crown.

“You don’t get to do that often, do something for Roger that he hasn’t done before, and to be able to bring that to him is definitely very special,” Blaney said.

Count on Blaney and Logano to go hard after a Penske threepeat when the season kicks off next season.

A couple of other title contenders in Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott will bear watching after offseason surgeries.

Hamlin had said 2023 was his year before getting eliminated from contention in the penultimate race of the season. He had shoulder surgery in November that he said was more complicated than expected. Hamlin said it will affect offseason preparations headed into next year.

“You win one, and you start all over again.”

Roger Penske Elliott had shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and believes he’ll be ready for next year. He missed six races in 2023 after injuring his leg snowboarding.

A healthy Elliott should make Hendrick Motorsports as strong as ever. Past champion Kyle Larson and William Byron combined for 10 victories and finished second and third in the series standings.

NASCAR fans will have several new streaming ways to watch after the sport’s seven-year media rights deal that includes Amazon, TNT and Max. The new arrangement is worth $7.7 billion when a previously announced $1.1 billion contract with CW is figured in, according to the Sports Business Journal. NASCAR has not detailed the contract’s value.

County as the Uwharrie Wampus Cats claw their way to an 18-17 record in their inaugural season at Don Montgomery Park. Firstyear coach Josh Kent is later announced as the team’s skipper for the upcoming 2024 season, replacing Houston Wright at the head-coaching position.

Albemarle’s football team recovers nicely from an 0-4 start to the season to eventually win the YVC title with a 3-1 conference record following a decisive victory over North Stanly. The sixth-seeded Bulldogs (6-6) later succumb to No. 11 Thomasville Bulldogs in a 41-13 home loss in the second round of the 1A bracket.

North Stanly’s football team (8-4, 3-1 YVC) tallies its first eight-win season since the 2018 campaign where it put together 11 wins. In the second round of the 2A bracket, North gets tripped up

by Brevard for only its second loss in seven games as the Blue Devils cruise to a 36-7 home win over the Comets.

West Stanly’s football coach Brett Morton announces on Nov. 14 that he has elected to resign from his position after seven seasons leading the Colts. During his tenure, his teams had a 32-36 overall record, a 12-18 conference record and three playoff appearances; West had a 5-6 record (2-3 RRC) in 2023.

Gray Stone’s boys’ soccer team notches its first-ever NCHSAA 1A boys soccer championship in a 3-1 state title game win over Hobbton. With the victory, the Knights (21-2-2) end their 2023 season on a 21-game unbeaten streak to go along with a YVC championship they secured prior to their state playoff campaign.

West Stanly’s volleyball team wins its fifth-consecutive RRC title as the Colts (23-4, 10-0 RRC) go undefeated in conference play.

In the third round of the 2A playoff bracket, the Colts’ luck runs out following 14 straight wins as Southwestern Randolph prevails over West in a 3-1 finish.

North Stanly’s volleyball team locks up its first YVC title since 2020 with an undefeated 10-0 conference record to go with a 27-2 overall record. Riding a massive 25-0 game winning streak, the Comets make all the way to the third round of the 2A bracket but are defeated by McMichael in a 3-0 final.

Hurricanes will remain on Bally Sports after agreement Carolina is one of 11 teams that had their broadcasts in limbo due to contracts with the floundering company

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal THE NHL and Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, have reached an agreement that will keep local broadcasts for 11 teams on Bally Sports through the end of this season.

The agreement, which was

contained in a court filing made Wednesday, is subject to court approval. Diamond Sports has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas since it filed for protection in March. The company said in a financial filing last year that it had debt of $8.67 billion.

While there will be a reduction in rights payments for some teams, the local rights for those 11 franchises — which includes the Carolina Hurricanes — will revert back to the NHL at the end of this season.

The agreement provides stabil-

$8.67B Diamond Sports Group’s debt, according to a bankruptcy filing ity for fans, networks and teams after Major League Baseball had to take over the broadcasts of San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks games last season after agreements could not be

Call us today!

reached.

The other 10 NHL teams that are currently on Bally are Anaheim, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis and Tampa Bay. Diamond also reached the same type of agreement with the NBA for the 15 teams — including the Charlotte Hornets — under contract to the RSNs last month.

Diamond is also in discussions with Major League Baseball on reworked agreements for the 2024 season with as many as 11 teams, with the next court hear-

ing scheduled for Jan. 10.

If successful, Diamond would have agreements with all of its professional sports teams end after the current or upcoming seasons, giving leagues and franchises a little more time to figure out a new path due to the possible implosion of regional sports networks.

Diamond is in discussions with Amazon about becoming a strategic partner, which could help it stave off liquidation. The Amazon-Diamond negotiations were first reported by the The Wall Street Journal.

Serving the community since 1961

bboilinc.com

B.B. Oil, Inc. Year Round Home Comfort

B.B. Oil, Inc. provides quality service, including; oil changes, oil delivery, oil furnace repairs, heating and air repairs, and much more.

:25.,1* )25 <28

And Stanly County, Too!

Call us today for information about our furnace services!

Call or visit our website today to make an appointment: 704-463-7543 • bboilinc.com • Hours: 7am - 4:30pm, M-F

!) !.ˏ

128 N HIGHWAY 49, PO BOX 185 • RICHFIELD, NC 28137

6

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Cooper says Medicaid expansion and other investments made 2023 a big year The Associated Press RALEIGH — As Republicans used their legislative heft in 2023 to enact policies that he opposes, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said federal capital investments, Medicaid expansion and more jobs announcements are building historic momentum for the state.

“We’re strengthening our communities, our infrastructure and our economy,” the second-term governor said in a year-end interview with The Associated Press. “We’re laying a groundwork to help North Carolinians right now and for decades in the future.”

Billions of dollars are entering the state from federal legislation, such as for high-speed internet in rural areas and for building roads, bridges and public transportation. Earlier this week in Raleigh, Cooper and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg celebrated the state receiving a $1.1 billion grant to begin construction of a high-speed passenger rail line connecting the state capital and Richmond, Virginia.

The contributions also include the hundreds of millions of dollars a month that will cover the costs of low-income adults who until recently made too much to enroll in Medicaid. In March, the governor signed a bipartisan bill that directed his administration to accept the Medicaid expansion offered through the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act. After the state cleared a final hurdle with the passage of a state budget in October, expansion began on Dec. 1, with the number of people automatically

AP PHOTO

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper listens as democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein speaks at a rally at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. enrolled approaching 300,000.

Another 300,000 or so are expected to be added over time.

Cooper had made expansion a top priority since becoming governor in 2017, but it took Republican lawmakers several years to come around to the idea. Cooper said one of his best days as governor happened Dec. 1 when he met in Charlotte with people who, with tears in their eyes, were able to obtain health insurance.

“It’s a big deal for our state,” the governor said. The year was also marked by economic development announcements, par-

“I think North Carolinians prefer a more balanced government.”

NC Governor Roy Cooper ticularly in the so-called “clean energy” field, that Cooper has highlighted. Toyota said in October that it would spend another $8 billion on its electric battery plant it’s building outside of Greensboro, generating another

3,000 jobs.

Save for expansion and legislation on a few other topics, Cooper’s legislative year was marked by a series of defeats resulting from the veto-proof majorities that the GOP now holds in both chambers. By the time the annual session ended in October, all 19 of Cooper’s vetoes had been overridden.

Republicans, who take credit for the state’s strong fiscal and economic picture, have said that the public wanted this year’s policy prescriptions and that the powers between executive and legislative branches need to be

Virginia lawmaker with Parkinson’s helps lead the charge in creating panel to fight illness The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a nod to a colleague struggling with an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease, members of the House saved, for the last vote of the year, a bill they hope may one day help stomp out the debilitating illness.

The bill is named for Democratic Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who has the disease, and Republican Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ brother, who passed away in May after a long battle with it.

The legislation sets up an advisory council of public health experts and others in the priAP PHOTO vate sector who will provide an annual report evaluating ef- Democrat Jennifer Wexton speaks at her election night party forts to prevent, treat and cure after defeating Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, Parkinson’s. Bilirakis and Rep. 2018, in Dulles, Va. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., are the lead sponsors of the legislation.

The vote was hardly contro- Virginia district, has physically vote. It was a haunting self-porversial, passing by a vote of 407- deteriorated so rapidly this year trayal of what she has endured.

She noted as recently as last that colleague Jennifer McClel9, but it was emotional.

Wexton, serving her third lan, D-Va., read Wexton’s floor year, she got up every morning term representing a Northern speech for her the day before the to go to the gym. And just this

year, she could stride confidently through the House chamber.

She began using walking sticks in the summer and now relies heavily on a walker.

“My husband and I were supposed to be getting to the good part and were looking forward to enjoying our empty nest as our younger son went off to join his brother in college,” Wexton said in her statement. “Instead he will be a caregiver.”

“Instead of scuba diving together in the morning and sitting under a palm tree playing Scrabble in the afternoon, we will not enjoy a leisurely retirement a decade plus from now,” she added.

Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. Wexton said she knows her family is not alone and called the legislation a historic step toward a world where “no family has to endure what ours has.”

“If there’s one thing we can all agree on is that we can and must do better to fight these ter-

rebalanced.

“I think North Carolinians prefer a more balanced government,” Cooper told the AP. “And we see what happens when the legislature has a supermajority.

They sacrifice long-term benefit and long-term good governance for short-term political gain.”

Cooper sued this fall to challenge the new boards and commissions laws, with some success so far.

The 2024 legislative session won’t begin until late April, but Cooper said he plans to focus on trying to restore and build spending for public education to neutralize that veto-proof control. He said he plans to ask the business community to get more involved in lobbying the General Assembly for appropriations.

“Their future workforce depends on our success in education in North Carolina,” he said.

Cooper, 66, said he’ll campaign hard next year to get current Attorney General Josh Stein elected governor, eliminate the GOP supermajorities and help President Joe Biden win a second term. Cooper has taken an active role as a Biden surrogate.

As 2024 progresses, Cooper will face the “lame duck” label more acutely. Cooper is prohibited by the state constitution from seeking a third consecutive term. This means the ex-legislator and former attorney general won’t be an elected state official for the first time since 1987.

“The fact remains that I’ve got more than a year to do a lot and I’m going to cherish every day,” Cooper said.

As for his future after governor, Cooper said: “I love public service. So you never know what might be next. And I don’t know at this moment.”

rible diseases,” she said.

Wexton, 55, has announced she won’t be seeking reelection next year. She said she had to come to terms with having to give up what she loves doing, but she would continue the fight on behalf of the broader Parkinson’s community for as long as she is able.

McClellan said she served with Wexton in the Virginia General Assembly before being elected to the House. She told colleagues of how she saw Wexton turn other’s pain into progress.

“And now I am honored to serve with her as she does that with her own pain — turns it into progress, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves,” McClellan said.

Several lawmakers speaking for the bill recounted in emotional terms how family members battled the neurological disease. Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, said his father, grandfather and brother fell prey to the disease. He addressed Wexton personally.

“This bill would not be possible without Representative Wexton, so I’ll close by saying to you, my friend and colleague, there is hope,” Fulcher said. “This disease may touch you physically, but it can never touch your soul.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

7

obituaries obituaries

r

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye Gerald Worth April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023 Dunn Jr.

Dwight Farmer

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Esther Cotton

November 15, 1947 - December Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, 19, 2023 Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Norwood died Sunday morning, March passed 6, 1949away - December Mary Esther Smith Cotton, of Oakboro, Saturday,14, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

2023 76, of Mount Gilead, passed January 14, 2023 at her home.

Dwight was born January 24, Gerald Dunn Jr., away Tuesday night, December Barbara wasWorth born April 17, 1936 1939 in Stanly County to the late 74, ofCarolina Locust to passed away on 19, 2023 at her home in North the late Robert Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins December 14, 2023. surrounded her graduate family.

Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Farmer.

He wasby a 1957 Born March 6, 1949 in EstherHigh was born Watts Taylor. of Norwood SchoolNovember and was Stanly County, NC he was the 15, 1947 in Montgomery She was also preceded in death a United States Army Veteran. son of the late Gerald to the late Ray Grove Donald by husband of 61 years, KeithWorth Furr HeCounty was a member of Cedar Dunn and Ottie ViolaLee Aldridge United Smith, Sr. and Church Helen Virginia Drye, and brothers, Robert Methodist where he Dunn.

Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Dunn Smith.

Shetreasurer was a 1966 had served as church and Taylor.He is survived by his wife graduate ofHe West Montgomery choir member. began his career Janet Kiser Dunn of the home, with Survivors include children, High the School.

Stanly County Sheriff’s daughter Danielle Dunn Department Debbie (Mike)Carly Williams of In addition to to her parents, moving the Norwood of Ohio,Teresa grandsons Riley Albemarle, (Tom) Curry she Department was preceded death as Police andinretiring AlmondDouglas and Elijah Belville. of Oakboro, (Tammy) by her husband, David Chief of Police with the TownLee of Drye ofHe Oakboro; grandchildren, was preceded in death Cotton.after many years of service.

Norwood Melissa Albemarle, by a(Don) sisterParrish Diane of Dunn.

She iswas survived her Dwight an avidby gardener, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of children, Worth bird watcher Donald and Carolina fan.Cotton Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, of HeNorwood; is survivedAmy by hisCotton wife Hilda Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Roberts of Mount Gilead and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterFarmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, Erin Cotton Burris(Chris) of in-law, Beatrice Goodman; many NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Troy; grandchildren, Lindsey nieces and nephews; and her beloved Lowe (David) of Norwood; one Stoltzman(Steve), Donald cats, Bo and Garfield. sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two Worth Cotton, Jr. “DJ”(Kacie), Barbara was a member of grandchildren, Britten “Dee” David JamesDwight Cotton, Devin Oakboro Baptist Church for over Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Thomas Cotton, Jessica 60 years. She worked over 30 years Lowe.

Roberts Smith(Wesley), at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just He was preceded in death by Jonathan Alexander two years of retirement, she began hisRoberts(Lily), son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jordan Ryan managing the Oakboro Senior Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Roberts(Emily), Madison Center and did that for 18 years Annabell, Glennieand Mae, and Betty.

Grace Burris Coleman until this past week. Barbara was Memorials may be made to Cedar Smith Burris; nine greatknown for her good cooking and Grove United Methodist Church, grandchildren; brothers, Ray always taking care of others. She also Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith(Susan) of Thomasville loved going on day long shopping Smith River Springs and 36071 Lynn Rocky Smith(Kathy) of trips - she could out walk and out Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Mount Gilead. shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

December 30, 1935 - December 19, 2023 Joel Franklin Plowman, 87, of Salisbury, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Mr. Plowman was born December 30, 1935, in Stanly County, to the late Smith and Nellie Plowman.

Mr. Plowman was a member of the Stanly County Rescue Squad. He loved watching his grand-daughter race autos and never complained about anything.

Mr. Plowman is survived by his wife, Georgine Martha August 18, 1942 — December Brouwers Plowman. He is 16, 2023 also survived by sons; Rodney Jerry William Green, 81, Plowman (Trina) of Oakboro, of Oakboro, passed away NC, Edward Kenney (Lola) of Saturday, December 16, 2023, Salisbury, NC and Christopher in Concord.

Kenney of Salisbury, NC. He is Jerry was born August 18, also survived by sister; Miriam 1942, in South Carolina to the Plowman (Cotton) Ferrell of late William Loy Green and Norwood, NC; grandchildren, the late Christine Ann Smith Aimee Rena Plowman of Green. He was also preceded Virginia, Step-grandchildren in death by wife, Vickie Diane Crystal McCall of Oakboro, Wiggins Green.

NC, Abigail Kenney of Survivors include children, Salisbury, NC, Carrie Lori Denise Clark of Monroe, Smithson of Kannapolis, NC, NC, Tami (Rusty) Napier of Katie Kenney of Salisbury, Oakboro, NC, and William NC, and great-grandchildren, Chad (Holly) Green of Mallorie, Douglas, Bentley, Oakboro, NC; grandchildren, Kyleigh, Layke, and River.

Brianna and Jesse Clark, Mr. Plowman was preceded Blake (Erin) Allen, Brandi in death by his first wife, and Brooklyn Napier, Cassidy Carol Plowman. He was also and Cole Green, and Elijah preceded in death by brothers, and Tucker Whitley; greatJoseph Plowman, Lonnie grandchildren, Carmen Allen, Plowman, Bruce Plowman, Maci Allen, and Jake Allen; and sister Merritte Plowman. and siblings, Bobby Green and Jenoal Blackwelder.

Jerry enjoyed drag racing and his truck driving career.

James Roseboro

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

Jerry Hunter

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of July 7, 1936 - December 19, Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 20232023 at Anson Health Jerry Hunter, 87, of Locust, and Rehab.

NC into arms Mr.entered Roseboro wasthe born on of Jesus on December 19, 2023.

June 23, 1967 to the late Robert Jerry was a devoted and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He Charlotte Fire Fighter of 25 graduated from South Stanly years before retired to help High School andhe was employed by care for his mother Reecie Mae Triangle Brick.

He enjoyed watching (McCray) Hunter who was inthe a football and basketball, especially nursingTarHeels home atand theMiami. time.

Carolina wastopreceded inhe is InJerry addition his parents death by father, preceded inhis death by hisFloyd brothers Wesley and sisters:Hunter; Barbaramother, Lee Roseboro, ReecieBrown, McCray Hunter; sister Dorothy Verna Roseboro, Peggy Mullis, Floyd Henrietta Ingram,brothers and Harold Benton Hunter, Larry Wayne Roseboro.

He is survived by his Rance sisters: Hunter, and James Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards Hunter.

Jerry is survived by his ofdaughter Albemarle,Donna Mary Roseboro Roberson and ofher Washington Marion husbandDC, Bo,and sister Bobbie Morrison of Albemarle; Sue Hunter, brotherbrothers: Wesley Thomas Roseboro of Charlotte, Lance D. Hunter (Phyllis), two Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of and grandchildren, Amanda Norwood, Van Horne; a special Monica,and great-grandchildren, friend of over years, Michelle Baylee and40 Hayden, sisterMcLendon of the home; special in-law Polly Hunter, and nieces: Nybrea Knya several otherMontague, family members Little, and Laquanza Crump; special including nieces and nephews. nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

Joel Franklin Plowman

Jerry William Green

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

Douglas Eugene McCall May 12, 1951 — December 16, Darrick Baldwin 2023

Douglas7,Eugene McCall, 8, January 1973 ~ January 2023 72, of Stanfield, passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023.

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age1951, 50, Doug was born May 12, entered eternal rest, Sunday, in North Carolina to the January late 8,Jack 2023,Wallace Albemarle, Northand Carolina.

McCall the Born 7, 1973, in Stanly lateJanuary Christene Tucker McCall.

County, North was He was also Carolina, precededDarrick in death the of Eddie JamesAllen Baldwin Sr. byson brother, Jimmy and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin.

McCall.

Darrick enjoyedinclude life, always kept Survivors wife of things lively and enjoyed making 51 years, Lawana Thomas others smile.

His home; presence is no McCall of the children, longer our midst, but(Kathie) his memory RyaninFord McCall will forever live in our hearts. of Locust, NC, Alicia McCall He was educated in the Stanly Morrow (Matthew) of Locust, County public schools and attended NC; grandchildren, Mason Albemarle Senior High School, Ford McCall (Briley), Haley Albemarle.

Watts (Alex), Noah Kiser, Colby He was a great conversationalist Kiser, Dylan Morrow, and Lilah and loved meeting people. Darrick Morrow; great-grandchildren, never met a stranger and always Brantley siblings, for Jack showed loveWatts; and compassion his McCall (Vicki), Mickey McCall, fellowman. He also loved his dog, Ronald McCall (Pam), Sandra Rocky.

Baucom (Dennis), He is survived by hisTommy father, McCall (Cathy), and Veronica Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal Whitley (Chris).

(Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Doug was a great family man Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; and loved hisBaldwin family more than brothers: Eddie Jr., Anton anything.

He loved to travel Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a with his wife, especially to theA host of other relatives and friends.

Outer andour Winslow, limb hasBanks fallen from family tree.

Arizona.

We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

John B. Kluttz March 23, 1935 - January 9, Jennings Farrell 2023 Ridenhour John grew up in the Millingport

community where he -drove a school December 11, 1933 December bus and worked at the local gas 7, 2023 station duringFarrell his High School years.

Jennings Ridenhour, He graduated from Millingport 89, of Gold Hill passed away High in 1954 and entered Thursday, December 7, into 2023 at service with the US Airforce his home. immediately afterward.

Born December 11, Upon 1933, return from the service, he and his in Stanly County, he was highson school sweetheart Julie were the of the late Elbert married in 1956. He Ray Ridenhour andgraduated Geneva from Nashville Burris Auto Diesel College later Rebecca Ridenhour.

He in 1959aand began his as a diesel was graduate of career Albemarle mechanic at Mitchell Distributing High School, class of 1951.

Company, moving his Farrell joined the USgrowing Navy family to Charlotte and served for twowhere yearsthey andlived until their retirement. transferred to the US Air Force When John purchased his first where he retired as a Major.

Model A Ford at the age of 17, he Mr. Ridenhour is survived said that he took the car to the by two daughters, Beth community mechanic when he had Drye and husband mechanic Randy told a small problem.The of Richfield, and Jennifer him that if he was going to keep the Senf and husband Scott of on car, he needed to learn to work Mt. Pleasant, He is alsofor it. This is when SC. John’ s passion survived by grandchildren Model A Fords began and how he Katie Wood (Tim), Caroline spent his happiest days with his best Wade (Michael), Allie Shelby friends from around the globe for the (Creighton), rest of his life!Sarah Drye, one great-grandson At age 50, afterWilliam years as aWood Detroit and niece, ToniaheTurner.

Diesel Mechanic and Julie In addition to his parents, decided to take the plunge and Farrell is preceded in death open a full Model A Restoration by hisThey wifethrived of thirty-two Shop. at their shop in years, Dorothy Mae Topps Cornelius, NC until their retirement Ridenhour, Ernest in 1998 whenbrother they moved back to Ridenhour, nephew Cabarrus County.

JohnBuddy once again set up shop in his niece back yard garage Ridenhour and Sherry where he attracted a loyal group of Ridenhour. 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 as well.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Award the highest award given to members at the national level.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church January 23, 1937 — December where he loved serving as greeter on 19, 2023 Sunday He also Jean mornings.

Herrin Bost, 86, belonged of to the United Methodist Concord, went home toMen. be John survived by his wife with herissavior Tuesday, Julie Ussery19, Kluttz, for 66 years December 2023. of the home.

He is also survived Jean was born January 23, by a son David Kluttzto (Kim) 1937, in John North Carolina the of Oakboro, two daughters, late MillardNC; Monroe Herrin Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and and the late Clara Herrin.

Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; She was also preceded in three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz death by her loving husband, Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC Arnold Bost, sisters, Pauline John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) Hatley, Rachel Hinson, of Asheville, NC and Seth William Ramelle McLester, Sue McKinnon (Amanda)and of Germany; Honeycutt, brother, Vernon five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Herrin , grandson, Douglas Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Bost Ronan. John is also preceded in In her free time, J.S. sheKluttz wouldand death by his parents, be found spending time with Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large her watching andgrandchildren loving group of brothers and them sisters,play, Jackpicking Methias them Kluttz, Annie up school, and simply Loufrom Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson enjoying their company.

Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Survivors sons,Kevin Phillips andinclude a grandson, Landon (Tammy) Bost, Danny Fowler Kluttz.

Bost, granddaughters, Lanie Bost, Lexie Bost, Samantha Summer St. Claire LocklearBost, grandsons, Samuel Levi Arnold Locklear-Bost, and Jordan Lee.

Jean Herrin Bost

7

Doris Jones Coleman Erica Elizabeth

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

Hill

January 10, 1991 Doris Elaine Jones- December Coleman, 78, 14, 2023 went home into God’s presence on Erica Elizabeth Hill, illness and January 10 after a sudden Albemarle, 32, died December a valiant week-long fight in ICU. 14, Doris 2023.was born on October 11, Theinfuneral service of will be 1944, the mountains Marion, 11:00 am,her Saturday, January NC while father was away 13, 2024,inat Stanly Funeral fighting the US Navy during and Cremation Care Chapel, World War II. Raymond Jones was Albemarle, with Beau Linker so proud to return after the war and officiating.

For allDoris who grew will up in meet his little girl! attend, one Erica’s last from Durham, NCofand graduated requests, please wearShe purple Durham High School. furthered and pink; `` her studies at Watts Hospital Ericaofwas borninJanuary School Nursing Durham10, and 1991 and was daughter of in graduated as athe Registered Nurse Elmer 1966. “Lee” Hill Jr. (Autumn Doris married Rev. Mom) Dr. Tedand Graham Hill, bonus Coleman in 1966Patricia and had two her late mother “Patty” daughters Amy and Laura. Doris Ann Hill Kennedy. raised Amy andthe Laura in North Erica gifted world with SC.Survived by Sophia 3Augusta, children.

DorisHill wasand an incredible neonatal LeAnn Amelia Sarah intensive care nurse for most girls of her Marie Hill, two incredible career, and this was her passion. who were her entire world, Thepreceded Augusta Chronicle a feature and in death,did Bryson on her in 1985.

She was clinical Timothy Lee Hill, whoa was in nurse manager in her Augusta, Georgia heaven awaiting arrival. atShe University loved Hospital her veryNICU close-and worked there for 20 years. knit and bonded family. During Also this time,by Doris young survived hermentored sister: Ashley nurses and in saving the LeAnn Hillassisted (Anthony); Nieces, lives of so many babies.

She also Paishynce Melay, Kyra Lee worked for Pediatrician William Jeanne, Paris Malasia,Dr. Skylar A. Wilkes in Augusta for several Elizabeth; Uncles, David years prior to her NICU career. Doris (Anne), Chris, Tommy, and retired from the mother/baby area at Michael (Tina); Aunts, Josie Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 (Gary) Lisa (Darren); years ofand nursing.

Cousins: Cyndi, Tabitha, Doris was a gentle and sweet Kristi, Taylor, Jonathan, Zach, spirit and loved her Lord. She never Harmony, Destiny, Candi, met a stranger, and she always left Cheri, Loisuplifted Bonni,after Graylin, you feeling talking Melissa, April, Brittany, with her. She would often claim that Jessica, and Darren; along she had “adopted” friends into her with her younger cousins (whoshe immediate family, and honestly, lovingly referred to her,between as never made a distinction “Aunt E”): Easton, Atlas, from Kaly,her the two.

Positivity radiated and like Damon. sunlight. She was selfless, 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.

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, outfits 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 February December Jones, and14, her1949 sister— Maryanne 16, 2023 Jones Brantley.

Tracy Lamar Allman, 74, Survivors include her two of Albemarle, passed away precious daughters: Amy Cameron Saturday, December 16, 2023, Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and at Forrest Oakes Healthcare Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio Center in Albemarle. (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; Tracy was born February 14, seven in grandchildren: Cameron 1949, North Carolina to the David Oliverio,Allman Stephanie Jaethe Dejak, late Bowman and LucaLonia Beatty"Katie" Oliverio, Coleman John late Allman.

Dejak, Carson Oliverio, Ryan He was alsoJoseph preceded Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard in death by his wife Phyllis Oliverio;Allman and numerous in-laws, Veletta and brother nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved Robert "Bob"Allman. ones.

Survivors include brother Rayvon Allman and many nieces and nephews.

Tracy Lamar Allman

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

8

STATE & NATION Justice Department creates database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement The Associated Press The U.S. Justice Department has created a database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement officers that is aimed at preventing agencies from unknowingly hiring problem officers, officials said.

The federal move is a step toward accountability amid growing calls to close loopholes that allow law enforcement officers to be rehired by other agencies after losing their jobs or resigning after misconduct allegations. The creation of the database was part of President Joe Biden’s May 2022 executive order on policing, which included dozens of measures aimed at increasing accountability for federal law enforcement officers.

“This database will ensure that records of serious misconduct by federal law enforcement officers are readily available to agencies considering hiring those officers,” Biden said in a statement.

But the database, which will only contain records for federal officers and not be open to the public, falls short of the national misconduct database called for by some police reform advocates.

The National Law Enforcement Accountability Database currently includes only former and current Justice Department officers who have records of se-

AP PHOTO

The Justice Department in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2022. rious misconduct over the last seven years. It will be expanded in the next two months to capture other federal law enforcement agencies such as the Secret Service and United States Park Police, a Justice Department official said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said it will give federal agencies “an important new tool for vetting and hiring officers and agents that will help strengthen our efforts” to build and retain the public’s trust.

“No law enforcement agency — including the Justice Department — can effectively do its work without the trust of the public,” Garland said in an emailed statement.

Federal agencies will be responsible for reporting and updating records for officers who faced criminal convictions, civil judgments, terminations, suspensions, resigning or retiring while under investigation and sustained complaints or disciplinary actions for serious mis-

conduct, officials said. Serious misconduct includes excessive force, obstruction of justice, findings of bias or discrimination, making a false report, making a false statement under oath, theft and sexual misconduct.

The database is currently only accessible by Justice Department employees and will eventually be expanded to allow access by users in other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies, a Justice Department official said. The Bureau of Justice Statistics will produce an annual public report on the database, but the report will not include individual incident data and will be anonymized to protect the privacy of officers, officials said.

The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training has created a national repository for officer decertification that boasts more than 53,000 records from 49 state agencies. However, providing the records and using the records is voluntary and the database does not include any other disciplinary measures such as firings or suspensions.

The federal government is trying to encourage more states and local agencies to participate in the National Decertification Index by giving priori-

Americans agree that the 2024 election will be pivotal for democracy, but for different reasons The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a politically polarized nation, Americans seem to agree on one issue underlying the 2024 elections — a worry over the state of democracy and how the outcome of the presidential contest will affect its future.

They just disagree over who poses the threat.

A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins next fall. Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (55%) feel the same way, but for different reasons.

President Joe Biden has attempted to paint a dystopian future if GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trump returns to the White House after promising to seek retribution against opponents and declining to rule out that he would abuse the powers of the office. The former president has tried to flip the narrative lately, saying the election subversion and documents cases against him show Biden has weaponized the federal government to prosecute a political opponent. He has called Biden the

AP PHOTO

The White House is seen reflected in a puddle. “destroyer of American democracy.”

“I think from the side of the left, it’s pretty obvious that they’re concerned about electing a president who is avowedly authoritarian, someone who clearly wants to reduce checks and balances within the government to strengthen the presidency and to do so in ways that give the executive branch kind of an unprecedented reach across the population and sectors of the government,” said Michael Albertus, political sci-

ence professor at the University of Chicago.

“From the right, the Republicans think about government overreach, big government, threats to freedom and mandates to act in a certain way or adopt certain policies,” he said.

Against that backdrop, the poll found that about half of U.S. adults, 51%, say democracy is working “not too well” or “not well at all.”

The poll asked about the importance of the coming presi-

dential election for 12 issues and found that the percentage who said the outcome will be very or extremely important to the future of democracy in the U.S. (67%) ranked behind only the economy (75%). It was about equal to the percentage who said that about government spending (67%) and immigration (66%).

Tony Motes, a retired firefighter who lives in Monroe, Georgia, cited a number of reasons he believes “we’re not living in a complete democracy.” That includes what he sees as a deterioration of rights, including parental rights, thieves and other criminals not being held accountable, and a lack of secure borders.

The 59-year-old Republican also said the various criminal cases being brought against Trump undermine the country’s democratic traditions.

“They’re trying to keep him from running because they know he’s going to win,” he said.

The poll’s findings continue a trend of Americans’ lackluster views about how democracy is functioning. They also believe the country’s governing system is not working well to reflect their interests on issues ranging from immigration to abortion to the economy.

ty consideration when handing out grants to law enforcement agencies that use that database as part of their employment vetting process, officials said.

Reform advocates have issued calls for a national system to track officer misconduct in part to address officers who are fired or resign and who then jump to other police departments sometimes in different states often because a full accounting of alleged misconduct records isn’t available.

There have been a handful of recent examples of officers fired for high-profile police misconduct at local departments including fatal shootings who were then hired by police departments in different states or, in some cases, the same state.

Myles Cosgrove, the former Louisville Metro Police Department officer who was fired in January 2021 for violating useof-force procedures and failing to use a body camera during the fatal raid on Breonna Taylor’s apartment, was hired earlier this year by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department in Kentucky.

In 2022, Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who was fired after the fatal 2014 shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, was hired by a small Pennsylvania town to be its only police officer. He resigned from the job amid public outrage.

The AP-NORC poll found that 87% of Democrats and 54% of independents believe a second Trump term would negatively affect U.S. democracy. For Republicans, 82% believe democracy would be weakened by another Biden win, with 56% of independents agreeing.

About 2 in 10 U.S. adults (19%) say democracy in the U.S. is “already so seriously broken that it doesn’t matter who wins the 2024 presidential election.” Republicans (23%) are more likely than Democrats (10%) to say this, but relatively few in either party think U.S. democracy is resilient enough to withstand the outcome.

Social media platforms and news sites that reinforce biases accelerate the polarization that leads people from different political perspectives to believe the other side is the one representing the gravest threat to the nation’s democracy, said Lilliana Mason, an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins.

“I don’t think that people are exaggerating. I think it’s that they actually are living in information environments in which it is true for them that democracy is under threat,” she said.

Mason said one side fears what Trump has said he will do if he wins, while the other is responding to the fear created in a media ecosystem that says the Democrats want to destroy America and turn it into a socialist or communist society.

[[Yä kknÊ

È··¸ä äȹºä äȹµä ȸµ½ä ä¾kk 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 44 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

Randolph record THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Kicking in 2024

Southwestern Randolph’s Fernando Hernandez, left, and Randleman’s Chris Ayala were two of the top boys’ soccer players in the PAC. Turn to page 5 for Piedmont Athletic Conference award winners and all-conference selections for fall.

WHAT’S HAPPENING First Medicaid expansion data shared More than 600,000 North Carolinians are newly eligible for health coverage through a recent expansion of NC Medicaid, and the state has recently shared numbers on how many residents have enrolled in the expansion.

Randolph County has seen 4,096 newly eligible adults sign up for Medicaid, some 4.8 percent of the county’s 86,051 adult population between 19 and 64 years of age. This data is current as of December 1, though the data was only recently made available by the state. Numbers will be updated monthly.

Agriculture Risk and Price Loss Coverage Receive 1-Year Extension Agricultural producers can enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2024 crop year. Enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year between now and March 15, 2024.

In November, the 2018 Farm Bill was extended through September 30, 2024. This extension allows authorized programs, including ARC and PLC, to continue operating.

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARCCounty or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual, which protects the entire farm.

Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.

Uwharrie Charter Academy PTO treasurer charged with embezzlement Investigation uncovers alleged misuse of funds in Asheboro school organization

By Scott Pelkey Randolph Record ASHEBORO — The former treasurer of Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization has been charged with a felony after investigators say she embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from the organization.

According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, on September 18th, 2023, investigators received a report of embezzlement at Uwharrie Charter Elementary School located in Asheboro, NC. School officials reported suspicious activity

RANDOLPH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Julie W. McNeill following an internal audit of the Parent Teacher Organization’s (PTO) financial records.

The Sheriff’s Office says detectives uncovered evidence that substantiated the school’s findings and identified Julie W.

McNeill, the former treasurer of the PTO, as the suspect. Detectives sought a warrant for felony embezzlement, which was granted by the Randolph County magistrates office.

According to that warrant, McNeill while acting as a fiduciary for the PTO, is accused of embezzling $22,958.05. It’s unclear when McNeill left her position as the school’s website still shows her in that position.

UCA’s main office could not be reached for comment today.

On December 13th, 2023, Julie W. McNeill was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and processed at the Randolph County Jail. The magistrate imposed a $20,000 secured bond for the single count of Felony Embezzlement.

McNeill is listed as the Vice President of Upton Accounting Inc. in Seagrove. James Upton

Ill, owner of the company, says that McNeill is no longer associated with the firm after he accepted her resignation and stated a review showed that none of the firm’s clients were affected.

McNeill’s profile says she is a member of the National Society of Accountants and North Carolina Society of Accountants, who lists her as a past president. A newsletter from the organization says McNeill has served in the past as an officer of the Asheboro Junior Women’s Club and a former board member of the Randolph Family Crisis Center in Asheboro.

Ms. McNeill had no comment when reached by the Randolph Record.

The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing and urges anyone with additional information to contact the office.

Man arrested for using flashing police lights to pull over cars Charged with felony counts of impersonating a police officer

By Scott Pelkey Randolph Record ASHEBORO — A local man was arrested last week after the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says he attempted to use flashing red and blue lights to pull over a vehicle in Asheboro.

On December 20th, 2023, deputies responded to Meadowbrook Road after a caller reported that they had been followed

by a vehicle flashing blue and red lights that they did not believe was law enforcement.

According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies located the vehicle and identified the driver as Dennis Charles Richardson, age 60. The deputies determined the vehicle was privately owned and Richardson is not a law enforcement officer.

Richardson was arrested and transported to the Randolph County Jail where the magistrate found probable cause for felony charges of impersonating a police officer, namely operat-

ing a vehicle with an operating blue light and operating a vehicle on a public street in such a manner as to cause a reasonable person to yield the right-of-way in obedience to such blue light. He was issued a $10,000 unsecured bond.

The Sheriff’s Office did not state in their press release if they believe Richardson had attempted to pull over other drivers in the past. If you think you are being pulled over by a police impersonator, call 911. Dispatchers should be able to verify the vehicle pulling you over is a real officer.

RANDOLPH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Dennis Charles Richardson

$2.00

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

2 WEDNESDAY

12.27.23

NC Zoo mourns giraffe calf Fenn Randolph Record

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Bob Sutton, Randolph Editor Scott Pelkey, Breaking News Jesse Deal, Reporter Ryan Henkel, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo announced the untimely death of Fenn, the beloved six-month-old giraffe calf, whose birth and presence at the zoo delighted individuals around the world. A grief counselor was brought in to support staff members as they navigate the emotions associated with the tragic loss.

Fenn was nursing when he was startled by another giraffe. He bolted, colliding with a nearby gate and falling to the ground. Unfortunately, Fenn sustained head and neck trauma from the fall and passed away in the late evening on Dec. 13, despite rapid medical intervention from veterinary staff.

Fenn was born at the North Carolina Zoo on May 20, 2023, to a first-time mother, Leia (14), and father, Jack (15).

He was born standing 6 feet tall and weighing 145 pounds.

Fans of the North Carolina Zoo welcomed his arrival and helped name Fenn in a public poll that garnered more than 100,000 votes.

Fenn was an energetic and vibrant addition to the giraffe herd (or tower) and quickly became a cherished member of the zoo community. His playful antics and charming nature endeared him to staff and visitors alike.

The North Carolina Zoo family is shocked and devastated by Fenn’s tragic death.

The Zoo would like to express gratitude for the outpouring of support during this incredibly challenging time. Staff members, particularly the caretakers who formed a special bond with him since his birth, ask for respect and privacy during their time of grief. the 202X

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 RANDOLPHRECORD.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

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

WEEKLY FORECAST SPONSORED BY

North Carolina State Parks to host First Day Hikes Guided hikes planned across the state for New Year’s Day Randolph Record ON JANUARY 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staffled hikes across its state parks.

State Parks Director Brian Strong expressed excitement about the expanded First Day Hikes program for 2024. “After a few years of smaller programming, we are offering a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks,” Strong said. He encouraged visitors to bring fam-

ily and friends for outdoor adventures, marking the end of the holiday season.

Although there won’t be any in Randolph County, there are some nearby hikes available within a reasonable drive.

Walk the 1-mile Ebenezer Church Trail at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area east of Pittsboro. Meet at 10 a.m. at the beach parking lot at the trailhead to the left.

Morrow Mountain State Park east of Albemarle will have a guided hike around the 0.6-mile Quarry Trail loop, rated as an easy trail. Meet at the lower picnic parking area, below the swimming pool, at 10 a.m.

Weymouth Woods in Southern Pines will have a guided hike around the 1-mile Boyd Tract beginning at 9 a.m., where you can meet the oldest known living longleaf pine tree

Dec. 27-29 Sportstone. net Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament

SCOTT PELKEY | RANDOLPH RECORD

Fenn the giraffe, seen in a file photo.

in the world.

At 1 p.m., hike the 2-mile Weymouth Tract, rated as an easy trail. Meet at the visitor center.

At 3 p.m., hike the 1.5 mile Paint Hill Tract at Weymouth Woods. Note that it does have some elevation changes. Meet at the parking area at the Stoneyfield Drive access.

Although a few parks will not be offering guided hikes in 2024, they will remain open for visitors to hike independently. First Day Hikes have gained popularity, attracting large numbers of participants, especially in favorable winter hiking weather.

The First Day Hikes initiative, which started in Massachusetts in 1992, has seen participation from all 50 states since 2012. “This initiative has become a cherished tradition, providing individuals and families with the opportunity to embrace the outdoors, and kick off the year with a commitment to health and well-being,” said Lewis Ledford, executive director of the NASPD.

CRIME LOG CALL OR TEXT 336-629-7588

WEDNESDAY DEC 27 HI 55 LOW 27 PRECIP 5%

THURSDAY DEC 28 HI 49 LOW 23 PRECIP 2%

FRIDAY DEC 29 HI 51 LOW 27 PRECIP 5%

SATURDAY DEC 30 HI 56 LOW 33 PRECIP 19%

SUNDAY DEC 31 HI 54 LOW 41 PRECIP 50%

MONDAY JAN 1 HI 58 LOW 39 PRECIP 37%

TUESDAY JAN 2 HI 55 LOW 35 PRECIP 31%

December 13

December 18

x Carol Annette Matthews, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department following a search warrant for felony possession with intent to sell or distribute cocaine, possession with intent to sell or distribute marijuana, felony maintain a dwelling for controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possessing a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage.

x Walter Roosevelt Rush, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for carrying a concealed gun, driving with license revoked, and issued citations for driving left of center and a plate violation.

December 15 x Craig Lamonte Bradley, 39, was charged by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods, felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and misdemeanor second degree trespassing.

by the Asheboro Police Department for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to appear. Bond was set at $1,000, with an additional bond of $500 for the failure to appear in Cumberland County.

December 19

December 20

Giovani Reyes, 26, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for driving while impaired and driving without an operator’s license.

Bond was set at $1,000.

x Katelyn Diane Brown, 25, from Ramseur was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession of a schedule-III controlled substance, driving with a revoked license, and a fictitious title/registration card.

x Houston Ahkeim Hunter, 26, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for felony possession of firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed gun, driving with license revoked, and failure to maintain lane control. A secure bond of $7,500 was set. x Golden Grace Darden, 36, from Fayetteville was arrested

Guide The Randolph Guide is a quick look at what’s going on in Randolph County.

BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal

Randolph

x Marshall Tyrel Ragsdale, 23, from Asheboro, was booked into the Randolph County Jail on two counts of attempted first degree murder, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury.

Dec. 30 Liberty Showcase presents Tuesday‘s Gone 7 p.m. founded in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2005 Tuesday’s Gone has left every crowd they’ve played their high energy show in front of clamoring for more Classic Lynyrd Skynyrd!

Tickets: $35 – $60

Dec. 31 Hindsight Bluegrass presents News Years Eve Concert 7 p.m.

At the historic Sunset Theatre in Asheboro.

Tickets: $10 - available at Brightside Gallery (170 Worth St) or at Silver Dollar Pawn in Ramseur.

January 1 First Day Outdoors Franklinville Rail Trail/ Faith Rock Hike 2 – 4 p.m.

Healthy Communities Randolph kicks off “The Year of the Trail” with First Day Outdoors hike on the Franklinville Rail Trial/Faith Rock section of the Deep River State Trail. Participants will meet at West Riverside Park. Dress appropriately for the weather. There is no cost to participate and no pre-registration is needed.

This event is open to all who can hike this distance unassisted - (3.5 miles round trip). Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times.

January 3 What’s Cookin’: Whipped Hot Chocolate 4 p.m.

Fun-filled cooking program at the Asheboro Library designed for all budding chefs ages 7+. What’s Cookin’ is a hands-on program that teaches basic cooking skills. Registration Required. Please call 336318-6804 to reserve a spot.

January 6 Adopt and Play Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Randolph County Animal Services hosts Adopt and Play events on the first Saturday of each month at the Animal Services Adoption Center (1370 County Land Rd, Randleman). Fun activities and plenty of furry friends looking for forever homes.

Adoption fees on specific animals have been reduced for this event.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

3

OPINION

de

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Let’s be clear — this is about Joe Biden, not Hunter Biden

There is no Biden Inc. without Joe.

WHEN JAMES COMER wondered on CNN whether special counsel David Weiss had indicted Hunter Biden on nine tax-related charges to protect him from having to be deposed in the House Oversight Committee, Jake Tapper snarkily responded: “Yes, the classic rubric. He indicted him to protect him.

I got it.”

Well, yes. Indicting a person on lesser charges can often protect him from more serious ones. It happens all the time. In this case, though, “him” isn’t Hunter. It’s Joe. Weiss failed to indict Hunter for failing to register as a foreign agent or failing to pay taxes on the millions that flowed from those arrangements. Why? Probably because any investigation into Hunter’s $17 million foreign influence-peddling business — which Weiss has scrupulously avoided — leads to the president of the United States answering lots of awkward queries about his connection to disreputable people and authoritarian regimes.

There is no Hunter Biden case without Joe. There is no Biden Inc. without Joe. Hunter’s laptop — the one that the New York Post got its hands on, and that Tapper and others attempted to cover up — was crammed with texts and emails in which the son references his dad’s role in securing payments and taking cuts from the business.

Any genuine investigation into the 20-plus shell companies set up by James Biden, Joe’s brother, and Hunter would compel lots of people to answer questions on the record or under oath.

Weiss conveniently allowed some of these infractions to pass the statute of limitations, but some have not. Hunter pulled in $1 million a year from Burisma from the years 2014-2017, while Joe was forging American policy in that nation. It’s only a weird happenstance, not a massive conflict of interest, that the sitting vice president’s decisions may have aided the oil concern while his son was being paid. Hunter’s salary fell to roughly $500,000 annually from 2017-2019, after Joe was out of the White House. Another weird coincidence.

But the president’s son also had a 10% stake in a Chicom investment fund named BHR Partners from 2013-2021. Joe flew him to China to set it up, met one of the partners, and then wrote a letter of recommendation for the man’s kid. All completely innocent, no doubt.

Let’s not forget, either, that without the IRS whistleblowers coming forward, Hunter would probably have escaped any charges. And let’s also not forget that without U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika putting the kibosh on it, Weiss would have allowed Hunter’s lawyers to write an extraordinary plea agreement that not only would have ensured the president’s name wouldn’t be dragged into the investigation, but it would have let Hunter plead out to two of the least consequential charges — with virtually no punishment — in exchange for blanket immunity.

At every turn, Weiss is protecting Joe. Then again, this is about Hunter insomuch as all of this can be politically disastrous for the president. On the Sunday talk shows, the

president’s defenders portrayed Hunter Biden as a lost man struggling to overcome drug addiction and Joe Biden as the loving father, who had recently lost his other son, there to help. Others contended that Hunter was the real victim of an overzealous prosecution.

Hunter is a middle-aged Yale-educated lawyer, international lobbyist, foreign energy consultant, millionaire and celebrated artist, whose work can go for upwards of half a million dollars. The jails are strewn with Americans who have far more tragic stories to tell. Do they get to write off sex club memberships, prostitutes, and hotel rooms for his drug dealers? Would you?

Moreover, Hunter continued cheating on his taxes after he had supposedly gone clean and remarried. He set up his influence-peddling schemes before his brother Beau died — not in combat, as the president often claims, but from a brain tumor.

When ordinary Americans are being audited by the new supercharged IRS, or spending hours struggling to figure out the squarefootage formula used to write off their home office in their 1040s, I hope they remember that Democrats believe Joe and Hunter are the real victims here.

At any rate, Weiss knows, despite the media’s insistence, that Joe doesn’t need to directly benefit from his family’s foreign ventures to corrupt himself — though there is plenty of circumstantial evidence that he did.

If one of the most powerful men in the United States government participates in a scheme — or allows people to believe he is offering access — that makes millions for his entire family, it may or may not be illegal, but it is corrupt.

And any investigation that leads to those questions is a disaster for the president.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist.

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

Christmas gifts: the newest target of climate change activists

Part of the joy of Christmas, especially for children, is receiving gifts.

PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE the Left is using the alleged “existential” threat of global warming to wage war against liberty, against the Western world’s (not China’s) economy, and against joy.

The automobile, that magnificent enhancement to human freedom and joy, is a target of the Left. The idea that individuals should be able to go where they want when they want in their own car is anathema to the Left — it provides way too much individual liberty.

Ideally, almost no one should own a car. We should all aspire to live in a high-rise apartment building in a major metropolis and use public transportation, ride bicycles or walk. If for some reason we have to travel a longer distance, let us say to conservative relatives who selfishly own their own homes in the suburbs, we can use public transportation; and if none is available, we can use Uber or Lyft.

Even the family, one of life’s greatest sources of joy and meaning, is a target of the climate change activists. They believe that there are way too many people in the world. Kids are carbon-emitting machines. So, an increasing number of women, including married women, are choosing not to have children. They don’t see how they can justify bringing children into a world in which they will be roasted to death. And frequently their progressive parents (the wouldbe grandparents) agree with them. As I wrote in a previous column, based on the many comments of New York Times readers on an opinion piece written by a woman who has decided not to have children because of global warming, many readers wrote that despite the fact that they long for grandchildren, they support their child’s

decision to go childless.

Now we have another joy of life that progressives are targeting in the name of combating global warming: Christmas gifts.

Many progressives have long opposed giving Christmas gifts in the name of combating “consumerism” (to be fair, some religious conservatives share that ascetic view). But climate change will soon constitute the greater moral reason.

In the Daily Mail this week, a woman wrote an article making this case.

“Last year,” she wrote, “surrounded by wrapping paper and abandoned gifts, I suggested to my husband Chris that next time we shouldn’t buy anything — for each other or the children.

“Not buying anything for my husband is trivial because he can buy for himself. But not buying presents for our two girls, aged six and three, is a trickier proposition...

“We’re increasingly aware of the global impact of our purchases. Everything we buy the kids will go into landfill...

“With the planet on fire and plastics everywhere it seems like we are at a moment of reckoning and have been for some time...

“I’ve forced this rule on the family, telling my mother, in-laws and the brothers and sisters not to buy the girls anything.

“My sister was appalled and very cross that she will be thought of as the mean old aunt. Just because I want to strip the joy out of Christmas, why should she have to?”

This woman’s article encapsulates much of the darkness the Left represents and creates.

First is the war on joy. Part of the joy of Christmas, especially for children, is receiving

gifts. To deny this is to deny reality. This can be verified by asking any adult to describe the joy they experienced as a child looking under the Christmas tree for their gifts.

Second, it is a war on altruism. Gift-giving may be animated by a number of factors, but one fact is undeniable: Giving people gifts is an altruistic act. If people stop doing so — whether to combat “consumerism” or to combat global warming — they are ending one of the most widespread expressions of altruism in our society.

Third, children are the primary targets of this nonsense. Progressives seem to have a particular animus for children. They wage war on children’s innocence with early “sex education,” with LGBTQ activism in elementary school, and by promoting drag queen “story hours” beginning at age 5; by their closing schools for nearly two years for no valid reason; by depriving children of God, religion and patriotism; by their irrationally frightening children about their future (they will essentially be burned alive); and now by depriving children of Christmas gifts and, presumably, birthday gifts (they, too, add to landfills).

Fourth, the woman who wrote this article has no qualms about imposing her beliefs on everyone else. It is not enough for her to tell her husband not to give her 6- and 3-year-old daughters Christmas gifts. She has ordered the girls’ grandparents, aunts and uncles not to do so: “I’ve forced this rule on the family.”

Fifth, progressive reasoning is not only morally defective, but also factually defective.

If no one in the United Kingdom gave a single Christmas gift, nothing would be accomplished with regard to global warming. But a whole society would be deprived of a major joy of life, and the country’s economy would take a major hit.

Just remember this rule of life: Everything the Left touches, it destroys.

That includes joy.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ole Miss, Kiffin agree to contract extension Oxford, Miss.

Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin has agreed to a contract extension, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter announced Tuesday without disclosing any details. Kiffin has led the 11th-ranked Rebels into the Peach Bowl against No. 10 Penn State on Dec. 30 and to the program’s first two 10-win regular seasons.

Kiffin has guided the Rebels to four consecutive bowl berths and two New Year’s Six bowl appearances in the past three years.

SPONSORED BY

All they REALLY want for Christmas this year is a Chick-fil-A gift card!

NC Sports Hall of Fame class unveils 2024 class Jim Nantz, Randolph Childress and Steve Smith highlight the inductees The Associated Press RALEIGH — CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and college basketball stars Randolph Childress and Shea Ralph are among the class of 2024 inductees to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Other notables to enter the hall at an induction ceremony in May in Charlotte include retired Davidson men’s basketball coach Bob McKillop, former Wake Forest athletic director

Ron Wellman and Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the Hall of Fame said last week in a news release.

Nantz, a Charlotte native, anchors CBS golf coverage and is the lead NFL play-by-play announcer for the network. He also led the network’s NCAA basketball coverage for 32 years.

Smith played 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and is the team’s all-time leader in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. He also played three years for the Baltimore Ravens.

Childress starred on the Wake Forest basketball team in the early 1990s, winning the ACC Tournament MVP award in

May 10 Date of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center 1995 after historic performances over Duke and North Carolina. He played professionally for 16 years.

Now the women’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt, Ralph

played her college ball at UConn, where she led the team to the 2000 NCAA title and was named Final Four MVP. Ralph averaged 39 points a game as a high school junior at Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford High School and held numerous state records when she graduated.

McKillop recorded 634 wins and 23 conference titles while at Davidson. The Wildcats’ 2008 team, led by Stephen Curry, reached the Elite Eight.

Other inductees include Sheila Ford Duncan, the 1984 NAIA women’s basketball player of the year while leading UNC Asheville to the national championship; Olympic rowing gold-medal winner and Greensboro native Caroline Lind; retired NFL tight end Pettis Norman, who played in college at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte; and the late Don Skakle, the former men’s tennis coach at UNC. The 2024 induction will bring the Hall of Fame membership total to 411.

Former Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith is among several people who will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame next spring.

NFL

Ex-Giants running back Ward arrested for robbery Los Angeles Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of robbery. Police say the 43-year-old was arrested Monday in the North Hollywood area. He’s jailed on $250,000 bail. Police haven’t released other details. Ward had an eightyear NFL career. It started with his 2004 drafting with the New York Jets. He also played for the Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans before retiring in 2012. Ward was with the Giants when they beat the undefeated New England Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl, although he didn’t play because of a broken leg.

AP PHOTO

NBA

Nets’ Simmons out again with back injury New York Ben Simmons won’t return to the Brooklyn Nets until at least January because of a pinched nerve in his lower back. The Nets said Wednesday that Simmons, who sustained his latest back injury Nov. 6, has shown consistent strength improvement in the area, but his status won’t be updated for another two weeks. Simmons played in six games before he was hurt and has missed 20 already this season after his last two seasons were cut short because of back problems. He received an epidural injection as part of the planned rehabilitation from this injury.

MLB

McCutchen with Pirates on 1-year deal Pittsburgh Andrew McCutchen isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Pirates star is remaining in his adopted hometown after agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2024 season worth $5 million, according to reports. The 37-yearold McCutchen hit .256 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 112 games while serving primarily as a designated hitter in 2023.

He collected his 2,000th career hit in June and was sitting on 299 career home runs in September when he partially tore his left Achilles tendon while legging out a double against Milwaukee.

Miami lands ACC’s top class on football signing day The Hurricanes currently have the third-best class in the country, according to 247Sports The Associated Press MIAMI COACH Mario Cristobal hasn’t yet taken the Hurricanes to an Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, but he sure has made a difference on the recruiting trail.

Cristobal closed strong to help Miami secure the ACC’s topranked recruiting class for a second straight year. According to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, Miami’s class ranked third nationally — behind only Georgia and Alabama — early Wednesday evening as the first day of the early signing period wound down.

Florida State was ninth in the team standings. The Seminoles had led the ACC rankings before two of their top recruits switched to other schools Wednesday, with safety KJ Bolden (14th in the 247Sports Composite) picking Georgia and defensive lineman Armondo Blount (22nd) choosing Miami.

Florida State rebuilt its program the last few years by relying heavily on the transfer portal, but a 13-0 season helped the Seminoles produce their best class in Mike Norvell’s coaching tenure.

Miami landed seven of

247Sports Composite’s top 73 recruits in defensive lineman Justin Scott (15th), Blount, wide receiver Ny Carr (48th), athlete Joshisa Trader (50th), edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot (60th), safety Zaquan Patterson (68th) and linebacker Adarius Hayes (73rd).

Florida State’s class is highlighted by cornerback Charles Lester (39th), quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (54th), tight end Landen Thomas (64th), running back Kameron Davis (69th) and cornerback Kai Bates (86th).

The only other ACC class to rank in the top 20 was Clemson at No. 12. Clemson has two of the nation’s top 21 overall recruits according to the 247Sports Composite in linebacker Sammy Brown (16th) and wide receiver Bryant Wesco (21st).

UNC and NC State both have classes in the top 30. So does Stanford, a Pac-12 member heading to the ACC next season.

Scott and Blount were two of the four highest-rated prospects to select ACC schools. They both picked Miami to help give the Hurricanes arguably the best collection of defensive line recruits in the nation.

North Carolina’s seven FBS schools are led by the Tar Heels and Wolfpack, who are ranked 26th and 27th, respectively.

Wake Forest is No. 51 followed by Duke at 53rd. East Carolina (No. 65), Charlotte (No. 79) and App State (No. 81) rounded out the N.C. schools.

AP PHOTO

NC State coach Dave Doeren, left, and UNC coach Mack Brown, right, tboth landed top-30 classes on national signing day.

Auto, Home, Life and Health Insurance A proud, lifelong resident of Randolph County, I've been protecting families since 2011.

I look forward to helping you with your insurance needs.

Please give me a call today.

Rob Stover Insurance Agent Authorized Agent

Rob Stover

336-629-9187 • robert.stover@ncfbins.com 140 NC Hwy. 42 North, Asheboro, NC 27203 Office: (336) 629-9187 | Fax: (336) 626-6838 | robert.stover@ncfbins.com

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

PIEDMONT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ALL-CONFERENCE

5

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

+20( 3/$7( 027256

Award winners and allconference selections for fall Brandon

Campbell

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY Runner of the Year: Zach Hazelwood (Wheatmore) Coach of the Year: Dennis Lewis (Providence Grove) Team: Robbie Clark (Providence Grove), Colin Duvall (Providence Grove), Alden Shelton (Providence Grove), Kelton Shoptaw (Providence Grove), Caleb Ward (Providence Grove), Jedidah Dake (Randleman), Freddie Mercado (Randleman), Austin Luck (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Zeriah Thompson (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Chris White (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Zach Hazelwood (Wheatmore).

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY Runner of the Year: Laurel Bernhardt (Providence Grove) Coach of the Year: Dennis Lewis (Providence Grove) Team: Laurel Bernhardt (Providence Grove), Caroline DuVall (Providence Grove), Jensen Auman (Providence Grove), Abbie Gudino (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Victoria Jennings (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Jazmin Palma (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Emma Herring (Randleman), Aubri Hill (Randleman), Callie Wood (Randleman), Olivia Hildreth (Wheatmore), Kayla Franklin (Trinity).

FOOTBALL Offensive Player of the Year: Tyshaun Goldston (Randleman) Defensive Player of the Year: Jani Norwood (Eastern Randolph) Coaches of the Year: Brian Hughes (Randleman), Shane Timmons (Randleman) Eastern Randolph: Julian Brooks, Luis Garcia, Troy Green, Adonye Herbert, Jani Norwood, Carter Revelle, Dasean Shamberger, Lucas Smith, Ladaryian Spinks, Will Stalker, Nicah Taylor, Ray West.

Randleman: Thomas Dobias, Amaria Ferdna, Tanner Gneiting, Tyshaun Goldston, John Kirkpatrick, Greg Price, Jonathan Sampson, Jonathan Stokes, Andrew Tate.

Southwestern Randolph: Jentezen Cox, Nathan Ellis, Colton Law, Asher Perkins, Kempton Reed, Victor Rodriguez, Owen Whelan.

SCOTT PELKEY | RANDOLPH RECORD

Madelyn Smith of Southwestern Randolph received high honors for her efforts during the volleyball season.

Coach of the Year: Sean Fitzgibbon (Randleman) Team: Chris Ayala (Randleman), Mitchell Carranza (Randleman), Christian Garcia (Randleman), Owen Leonard (Randleman), Chris Lopez (Randleman), Ronaldo Murrillo (Randleman), David Dominguez (Southwestern Randolph), Kaleb Freeman (Southwestern Randolph), Fernando Hernandez (Southwestern Randolph), Jonathan Lopez (Southwestern Randolph), Jonathan Perez (Southwestern Randolph), Braydon Tyl (Southwestern Randolph), Zack Cox (Trinity), Grayson Earls (Trinity), Spencer May (Trinity), Moises Ventura (Trinity), Aaron Bowser (Eastern Randolph), Jose Ramirez Cruz (Eastern Randolph), Josue Raya (Eastern Randolph), Aiden Allred (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Jaydon DeNamur (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Israel Jaramillo (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Andres Carbajal (Providence Grove), Andres Arias Cortez (Providence Grove), Suarez Ortiz (Wheatmore).

GIRLS’ TENNIS Player of the Year: Allie Popp (Southwestern Randolph) Coach of the Year: Lori Lagrama (Southwestern Randolph)

Wheatmore: Ashtin Bennett, Noah Browing, Jonathan Kelly, Max Smith.

Team: Maya Barber (Providence Grove), Abby Greeson (Providence Grove), Noelle Swaim (Providence Grove), Lindsi Brown (Southwestern Randolph), Larson Kelly (Southwestern Randolph), Sammie Parkers (Southwestern Randolph), Allie Popp (Southwestern Randolph), Arielle Turgeon (Wheatmore), Carmen Turegon (Wheatmore), Delaney Aldrich (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Macie Epps (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Ashleigh Page (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Karla Rios (Trinity).

GIRLS’ GOLF

VOLLEYBALL

Player of the Year: Morgan Heilig (Providence Grove)

Most Valuable Player: Coley Shiflet (Southwestern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Allie Nelson (Providence Grove)

Defensive Player of the Year: Madelyn Smith (Southwestern Randolph)

Team: Aubrie Goodman (Providence Grove), Morgan Heilig (Providence Grove), Anna Holloway (Providence Grove), Megan Oakley (Providence Grove), Mia Fulcher (Trinity), Rilan White (Trinity), Dani Jaeck (Southwestern Randolph), Emily Juarez (Wheatmore).

Co-Coaches of the Year: Rodney Kirby (Trinity), Darby Kennedy (Southwestern Randolph)

Providence Grove: Tucker Batten, Jayten Beasley, Brady Collins, James Ellis, Logan Fox, Jackson Lawver, Jackson Rhyne.

Trinity: Tyler Adcock, Jason Brown, Griffin Dillis, Jacob Hodges, Xavier Horton, Dominic Payne, Evan Stepp.

BOYS’ SOCCER Offensive Player of the Year: Fernando Hernandez (Southwestern Randolph) Defensive Player of the Year: Jose Arias Cortez (Providence Grove)

Team: Gracie Hodgin (Southwestern Randolph), Raegan LeRoy (Southwestern Randolph), Coley Shiflet (Southwestern Randolph), Madelyn Smith (Southwestern Randolph), Lizah Moore (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Chloe Painter (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Sadie Upchurch (Uwharrie Charter Academy), Karli Kennington (Randleman), Camden Scott (Randleman), Sarabeth Johnson (Trinity), Kaitlyn McCoy (Trinity), Logann Beaver (Eastern Randolph), Addie Flinchum (Eastern Randolph), Mailey Way (Providence Grove).

Norwood begins journey with Tar Heels

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record RAMSEUR – Jani Norwood of Eastern Randolph officially became a member of the signing class for the North Carolina football team last week.

The senior lineman was a four-year starter on the offensive line. This year, he was named the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year for his work on the defensive front for the Wildcats, who won their third consecutive conference championship.

Twenty of North Carolina’s 27 signees, including Norwood, are listed as early enrollees and another comes as a junior college transfer. That explains why Norwood isn’t a member of Eastern Randolph’s boys’ basketball team and he also won’t

COURTESY PHOTO

Jani Norwood be on the baseball or track and field teams in the spring.

Norwood was a key member as a reserve post player on the Wildcats’ Class 1-A state runner-up basketball team last March.

Recruiting rankings listed Norwood among the top 20 players in North Carolina

in the current senior class. According to statistics provided upon his signing, he recoded 5½ pancake blocks per game as a junior in 2022 for Eastern Randolph.

North Carolina’s recruiting class covered all position groups and is split almost evenly by sides of the ball with 14 members playing defense, 12 on offense and one specialist. The group played its senior seasons in seven different states including eight players from North Carolina, eight from Georgia, five from Florida, three from Tennessee and one each from Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia.

Other North Carolinians to sign with the Tar Heels were defensive back Khalil Conley of Christ School, receiver Javarius Green of Shelby Crest, offensive lineman Desmond Jackson of West Forsyth, receiver Jordan Shipp of Providence Day School, linebacker/defensive end Curtis Simpson of Kings Mountain, receiver Alex Taylor of Greensboro Grimsley and defensive back Malcolm Ziglar of Fuquay-Varina.

RANDOLPH RECORD FILE PHOTO

Brandon Campbell of Trinity goes up for a shot vs. Wheatmore last season.

Trinity, boys’ basketball Campbell has been a solid player for the Bulldogs, averaging in double-figure points this season. He was slightly above 10 points per game last season.

The senior forward has been a good complement for high-scoring teammate Dominic Payne. His ability to produce offensively has given Trinity some versatility.

Campbell is a two-time All-PAC selection in basketball.

Campbell has been an all-conference choice in track and field as well. On the football team, he was one of the Bulldogs’ top receivers along with among the leading tackers on defense as a linebacker.

PREP BASKETBALL

Randleman boys make early PAC statement Randolph Record

Girls’ basketball

RANDLEMAN — Randleman made perhaps the first big statement in Piedmont Athletic Conference boys’ basketball by knocking off defending champion Eastern Randolph 71-50 last week.

Tyshaun Goldston’s 18 points and Greg Price’s 15 points were tops for the Tigers.

Timothy Brower had 24 points for Eastern Randolph.

Entering the holiday break from conference competition, Randleman and Trinity were at 2-0 as the only teams in the PAC without a league loss. ** Trinity smacked host Wheatmore 71-38 in PAC play as Dominic Payne posted 27 points and Brandon Campbell had 15 points. ** Southwestern Randolph received 20 points from Marcus Robertson as the Cougars picked up their first victory of the season in a 60-45 toppling of host Providence Grove in a PAC game. Southwestern Randolph lost its first eight games. ** Asheboro rolled past Uwharrie Charter Academy 81-62 with Jerquarius Stanback’s 23 points leading the way in the non-league game.

Braeden Lamb racked up 22 points for UCA. ** In another non-league game, Central Davidson controlled Trinity in a 68-43 decision despite Payne’s 19 points and Campbell’s 14 points. ** Eastern Randolph has won two of its first five games, both against winless Albemarle. That includes last week’s 89-48 romp.

Randleman defeated visiting Eastern Randolph 55-31 in a rematch of last season’s PAC Tournament final, which the Tigers also won.

Audra Petty tallied 26 points for Randleman. Ziera Watson scored 14 for Eastern Randolph. ** Southwestern Randolph secured a 63-53 victory against host Providence Grove with 14 points from Caressa King, 12 points and 10 rebounds from Kenzie Martin and 10 points and 16 points from Macy Allred. Brooke Ingram had 15 points for Providence Grove. ** Wheatmore won a 4724 home game in PAC play vs.

Trinity. ** Mailey Way of Providence Grove had 14 points in a 58-47 non-conference victory against visiting East Davidson. ** UCA edged visiting Asheboro 54-51 with Nevaeh Staples posting 19 points.

Holiday tournament Eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams are participating this week in the first SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational, which is taking place through Friday night at Asheboro High School.

Participating schools in the three-day event are Eastern Guilford, Randleman, Trinity, West Brunswick, North Carolina Leadership Academy, Southwestern Randolph, Providence Grove and Asheboro.

Games begin at 10 a.m. each day, with the final game slated for 8:30 p.m. each night.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

6

Cooper says Medicaid expansion and other investments made 2023 a big year said one of his best days as governor happened Dec. 1 when he met in Charlotte with people who, with tears in their eyes, were able to obtain health insurance.

“It’s a big deal for our state,” the governor said. The year was also marked by economic development announcements, particularly in the so-called “clean energy” field, that Cooper has highlighted. Toyota said in October that it would spend another $8 billion on its electric battery plant it’s building outside of Greensboro, generating another 3,000 jobs.

Save for expansion and legislation on a few other topics, Cooper’s legislative year was marked by a series of defeats resulting from the veto-proof majorities that the GOP now holds in both chambers. By the time the annual session ended in October, all 19 of Cooper’s vetoes had been overridden.

Republicans, who take credit for the state’s strong fiscal and economic picture, have said that the public wanted this year’s policy prescriptions and that the powers between executive and legislative branches need to be rebalanced.

“I think North Carolinians prefer a more balanced government,” Cooper told the AP. “And we see what happens when the legislature has a supermajority. They sacrifice long-term benefit and long-term good governance for short-term political gain.” Cooper

sued this fall to challenge the new boards and commissions laws, with some success so far.

The 2024 legislative session won’t begin until late April, but Cooper said he plans to focus on trying to restore and build spending for public education to neutralize that veto-proof control. He said he plans to ask the business community to get more involved in lobbying the General Assembly for appropriations.

“Their future workforce depends on our success in education in North Carolina,” he said.

Cooper, 66, said he’ll campaign hard next year to get current Attorney General Josh Stein elected governor, eliminate the GOP supermajorities and help President Joe Biden win a second term.

Cooper has taken an active role as a Biden surrogate.

As 2024 progresses, Cooper will face the “lame duck” label more acutely. Cooper is prohibited by the state constitution from seeking a third consecutive term.

This means the ex-legislator and former attorney general won’t be an elected state official for the first time since 1987.

“The fact remains that I’ve got more than a year to do a lot and I’m going to cherish every day,” Cooper said.

As for his future after governor, Cooper said: “I love public service.

So you never know what might be next. And I don’t know at this moment.”

Virginia lawmaker with Parkinson’s helps lead the charge in creating panel to fight illness

diseases,” she said.

Wexton, 55, has announced she won’t be seeking reelection next year. She said she had to come to terms with having to give up what she loves doing, but she would continue the fight on behalf of the broader Parkinson’s community for as long as she is able.

McClellan said she served with Wexton in the Virginia General Assembly before being elected to the House. She told colleagues of how she saw Wexton turn other’s pain into progress.

“And now I am honored to serve with her as she does that with her own pain — turns it into progress, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves,” McClellan said.

Several lawmakers speaking for the bill recounted in emotional terms how family members battled the neurological disease. Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, said his father, grandfather and brother fell prey to the disease. He addressed Wexton personally.

“This bill would not be possible without Representative Wexton, so I’ll close by saying to you, my friend and colleague, there is hope,” Fulcher said. “This disease may touch you physically, but it can never touch your soul.”

The Associated Press RALEIGH — As Republicans used their legislative heft in 2023 to enact policies that he opposes, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said federal capital investments, Medicaid expansion and more jobs announcements are building historic momentum for the state.

“We’re strengthening our communities, our infrastructure and our economy,” the second-term governor said in a year-end interview with The Associated Press.

“We’re laying a groundwork to help North Carolinians right now and for decades in the future.”

Billions of dollars are entering the state from federal legislation, such as for high-speed internet in rural areas and for building roads, bridges and public transportation. Earlier this week in Raleigh, Cooper and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg celebrated the state receiving a $1.1 billion grant to begin construction of a high-speed passenger rail line connecting the state capital and Richmond, Virginia.

The contributions also include the hundreds of millions of dollars a month that will cover the costs of low-income adults who until recently made too much to enroll in Medicaid. In March, the governor signed a bipartisan bill that directed his administration to accept the Medicaid expansion offered through the 2010 federal

AP PHOTO

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper listens as democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein speaks at a rally at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.

Affordable Care Act. After the state cleared a final hurdle with the passage of a state budget in October, expansion began on Dec. 1, with the number of people automatically enrolled approaching 300,000. Another

300,000 or so are expected to be added over time.

Cooper had made expansion a top priority since becoming governor in 2017, but it took Republican lawmakers several years to come around to the idea. Cooper

The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a nod to a colleague struggling with an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease, members of the House saved, for the last vote of the year, a bill they hope may one day help stomp out the debilitating illness.

The bill is named for Democratic Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who has the disease, and Republican Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ brother, who passed away in May after a long battle with it.

AP PHOTO The legislation sets up an advisory council of public health experts and others in the pri- Democrat Jennifer Wexton speaks at her election night party vate sector who will provide an after defeating Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, annual report evaluating efforts 2018, in Dulles, Va. to prevent, treat and cure ParWexton, serving her third speech for her the day before the kinson’s. Bilirakis and Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., are the lead spon- term representing a Northern vote. It was a haunting self-porVirginia district, has physically trayal of what she has endured. sors of the legislation.

She noted as recently as last The vote was hardly contro- deteriorated so rapidly this year versial, passing by a vote of 407- that colleague Jennifer McClel- year, she got up every morning lan, D-Va., read Wexton’s floor to go to the gym. And just this 9, but it was emotional.

year, she could stride confidently through the House chamber. She began using walking sticks in the summer and now relies heavily on a walker.

“My husband and I were supposed to be getting to the good part and were looking forward to enjoying our empty nest as our younger son went off to join his brother in college,” Wexton said in her statement. “Instead he will be a caregiver.”

“Instead of scuba diving together in the morning and sitting under a palm tree playing Scrabble in the afternoon, we will not enjoy a leisurely retirement a decade plus from now,” she added.

Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. Wexton said she knows her family is not alone and called the legislation a historic step toward a world where “no family has to endure what ours has.”

“If there’s one thing we can all agree on is that we can and must do better to fight these terrible

Blazer 9mm Magpul Ever wish you had a 115gr, FMJ Brass Cased

PMAGs

$299/case 10 for $90 Žƌ Ψϭϲͬ Ždž

local store which has The Best Prices on Cases of Ammo?

The best selection of factory standard capacity magazines?

An AWESOME selection of Modern Sporting Weapons from Leading Manufactures Like, Sig, FN, S&W, etc?

Flamethrowers & Gatlin Guns?

All at better than on-line prices?

You Do! Del-Ton M4 tŝƚŚ &Ƶůů >ĞŶŐƚŚ ZĂŝů͊

9796 Aberdeen Rd, Aberdeen

KŶ Zƚ Ϯϭϭ ũƵƐƚ ŝŶƐŝĚĞ ,ŽŬĞ ŽƵŶƚLJ͘ tŝƚŚ YƵĂŶƚŝĐŽ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů

Store Hours: dƵĞ Ͳ &ƌŝ͗ ϭϭĂŵ ʹ ϰƉŵ 910.637.0500 www.ProvenOutfitters.com

$499

DĂĚĞ ŝŶ E ͊

Polish Radom AK-47

$649

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact

$449

tŝƚŚ >ŝŐŚƚ͊

ϯϴ͟ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů ZŝĨůĞ ĂƐĞ͗ ΨϮϬ

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

7

obituaries

r

James "Jim" William Ray, Sr.

Nina Virginia Cox Dickens

Neva Taylor Fowler

May 21, 1939 — December 14, 2023

November 14, 1934 — December 15, 2023

August 1, 1932 — December 16, 2023

James "Jim" William Ray, Sr., age 84 of Troy, passed away at his home on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Mr. Ray was born in McKeesport Pennsylvania on May 21, 1939 to George Ray and Clementine Elwell Ray. After High School he received his Undergrad at Western Carolina University where he played baseball. He received his Master's Degree from UNC Greensboro. Jim was a lifelong teacher and learner, teaching History for over 35 years. He coached baseball starting with Star Middle School, Troy Middle School, then West Montgomery High School. He also taught at Montgomery Community College and Randolph Community College. Jim enjoyed collecting Micro Minerals, rocks, baseball cards, and books as he was an avid reader. Jim's pride and joy were his grandchildren. Jim or "Mr. Ray" as he was lovingly known in Montgomery County, was a friend to everyone. You never saw him that he didn't have a smile on his face and a story to talk about. Mr. Ray is survived by his son Jimi Ray (Angie) of Dallas NC; grandsons: Austin Ray (Angel) and Andrew Ray (Blaire); great grandsons: Avery and Asher; sister: Sandy Mercer (Ron) of FL; nephew: Shawan Russell (Kelsey) and great niece Ayden. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Linda Russell Ray.

Nina Virginia Cox Dickens, age 89 of Asheboro, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023 at Randolph Health.

Nina was born on November 14, 1934 in Randolph County to Clifton and Lena Lashley Cox. Nina graduated from Asheboro High School and worked and retired from Energizer in Asheboro. She was a very caring person and truly the rock for her family.

Nina loved being outside and working in her flower garden.

She enjoyed clog dancing with her family and was known for her delicious pound cakes.

Nina is a former member at Rushwood church and currently attended services at Balfour Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, Nina is preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Dickens; brothers, David, Clifford, Paul, and Worth Cox; and her sister, Ina Cox Staley. Nina is survived by her sons, Donald Dickens (Susan) of Asheboro and Ken Dickens (Tammy) of Asheboro; grandson, Joshua Dickens (Tony); and her brother, Grady Cox of Asheboro.

Neva Taylor Fowler went to Heaven Saturday afternoon, December 16th at home where she was attended by Hospice of Randolph County and family. A graveside service will be held at the High Pine Church Cemetery on Thursday, December 21st at 1:00 pm.

Neva was born on August 1st, 1932 to Herbert and Dicie Taylor in Gastonia, NC. She met her husband while attending John Wesley Bible College and assisted him in the ministry until his retirement in 1999. Her dedication to God and her family were the driving forces in her life and she was a loving wife and mother. She was also always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Leon Fowler, her parents Herbert and Dicie Taylor, her brother Rev. Robert Taylor of Greenville, SC, her brother Carl Taylor of Knoxville, NC, her sister Lillian Creed of Fincastle, Virginia, and Harry Taylor of Gastonia, NC. She is survived by her daughters Martha Davis and husband Jerry Davis of Salisbury, NC and Marilyn Fowler of Asheboro, NC. She is also survived by a brother, Earl Taylor.

April 20, 1964 — December 15, 2023

August 29, 1958 — December 18, 2023

Ricky Leon Bulla, 65, passed away Monday, December 18, 2023 at home surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born in Randolph County, NC on August 29, 1958 to Leon Farlow Bulla and Barbara Bulla Wood.

Ricky was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, riding dirt bikes (as a child), mowing the grass, and collecting watches. Ricky is survived by his wife, Melinda L. Bulla of Randleman; daughter, April Simon (Donald) of Randleman; grandchildren, Kaila Bulla, Andrew Bulla, Alyssa Bulla, Zachary Bulla, Jacob Bulla, Austin Bulla, Devin Smithwick, Justin Knox, Justina Knox, Jaylen Knox; great-grandchildren, Isaiah Clapp and several others; brothers, Spencer Bulla of Sophia, Tim Wood of Randleman; sisters, Ellen Bulla of Sophia, Gisela Cribb of Denton; numerous nieces and nephews; special son, Minquel Miller. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, James Wood and David Wood; and his sons, Kevin Bulla and Christopher Knox.

December 24, 1955 - December 17, 2023 Tony Ford Pasour, 67, of Asheboro, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Universal Healthcare in Ramseur. Born on December 24, 1955, in Randolph County, NC, Tony was the son of the late Kelly Ford Pasour and Veta Lois Sykes Pasour. He graduated from Asheboro High School. Tony worked at Oliver Rubber Company, LLC for 47 years before retiring as distribution center superintendent in 2021. He was very mechanically minded and excelled in computers.

Tony was a devoted and loving husband and father.

He thouroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his brother, Kelly Wade Pasour. Surviving are his wife, Judy Darlene Cox Pasour of the home; son, Jeffrey Allen Pasour of Sophia; sisters, Kay Handy (Alan) of Ramseur, Vicky Pasour of Gastonia; brother, Bruce Pasour (Tammy) of Shallotte; and sister-in-law, Donna Pasour of Star.

Joseph Edmund Lindsey

January 22, 1965 - December 11, 2023 Joseph Edmund Lindsey, age 58, of Asheboro passed away December 11, 2023. He was born January 22, 1965 in Charlotte, North Carolina the son of the late Charles Lindsey and Avis Lillian Bouldin.

Joseph worked for Cross Road Retirement Community in Asheboro as a cook where he enjoyed spending time with the residents and his coworkers.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Tami Elizabeth Lindsey, Brandon Joseph Lindsey, and Brittany Jessica Lindsey; sisters Avis Brown and brother Michael Lindsey Sarah; stepfather, David Wrench; and numerous other beloved family and friends.

Marion "Possum" Martin Ledbetter December 26, 1942 — December 17, 2023

Carlos Palomares Hurtado

Ricky Leon Bulla

Tony Pasour

Carlos Palomares Hurtado, 59, of Randleman, NC passed away on December 15, 2023, at his home. Carlos was born in Mexico on April 20, 1964, to Fausto Palomares Medina and Delfina Hurtado Aguilar.

He worked as a welder for more than 25 years. Carlos was a wonderful father and caretaker, he absolutely loved his children and is remembered by them as being a noble man. The family shares many memories of Carlos singing and dancing with them. He was married to the love of his life, his wife, Jessica Lopez Juarez, for 14 years, celebrating their wedding anniversary each year on Christmas Day. Carlos was a very happy man who loved to go shopping; however, he insisted on always going out to eat first! One of his favorite treats was strawberry ice cream. He could be counted on to help anyone in a time of need. Mr. Hurtado Palomares is survived by his adoring wife, Jessica, of the home. He is additionally survived by his children: Jakxiry Palomares, Kevin Eduardo Palomares, Karla Palomares and Joanna Palomares. He is survived by several brothers and sisters, as well as very close family friends, Veronica and Josh Loflin of Randleman, NC, and many nieces and nephews.

Carlos is preceded in death by his mother and father.

Linda Carol Kinney Rollins

July 25, 1947 - December 15, 2023

Marian Gail Whitaker

March 7, 1947 - December 11, 2023 Marian Gail Beane Whitaker, age 76, passed away peacefully at her residence on December 11, 2023. She was born on March 7, 1947, in Guilford County, the daughter of the late Ernest and Rillie Fain Beane.

Gail dedicated many years of her life to the food service industry before retiring. She found joy in serving others and took pride in her work. In her free time, she enjoyed indulging in her favorite hobbies, which included reading, watching movies, cooking delicious meals, and going shopping.

Gail was preceded in death by four brothers, Alan, Buck, Carlie and Lawrence, as well as one sister, Dorothy Gail was a loving mother to her son, Douglas Whitaker of Lexington, and her daughter, Sandra Whitaker of Archdale. She adored her four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Tommy, Ashley, and Ricky, and cherished the time spent with them. She had a special bond with her dear friends, Patricia Giegrel, Jenny Shephard and Anna Hoover, who brought immense joy and companionship into her life.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Sarah, Ashley, and Maria, along with all of Gail’s caretakers, for their exceptional care and support during her final days.

Linda Carol Kinney Rollins, age 76, of Asheboro passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2023. She was born July 25, 1947 in Randolph County, North Carolina the daughter of the late Stanton Kinney and Margaret Bania Hughes Kinney. Linda found solace in simple pleasures such as spending time at home, indulging in solitary or working in her yard. Linda’s love for her family knew no bounds, and she cherished every moment. Her vibrant personality, quick wit, and her easy-going free spirit uplifted those who were lucky enough to know her. Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband, Max Rollins; daughter, Tammy York; son, Mitchell Hinesley and wife Kathy; grandchildren, Estee York, Eden York and Darren Hinsley; great grandchild, Avelyn York; brother, Jerry Lee Kinney and wife Susan; canine companion, Smokey; and numerous other beloved family and friends.

Marion “Possum” Martin Ledbetter, 80, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023.

He was born in Greensboro, NC on December 26, 1942 to Howard Ledbetter and Ollie Burchette Ledbetter.

Possum was a loving father and husband of 57 years to Carole Ledbetter. After graduating Summerfield High School in 1961 he joined the Navy.

Possum was a charter member of the Climax Volunteer Fire Department. He was a loyal employee of Piedmont Natural Gas, where he never took a single day of sick time. After retiring, he worked at the local Red Cross Store. Possum loved to be outside working on his farm, spending time with his grandkids and being with those he cherished. He never met a stranger, always had a smile on his face, and would do anything for you. Possum is survived by his wife, Carole of the home; daughters, Lynn Laughlin (Carl) of Randleman, Sharon Hardison (David) of Climax; grandchildren, Courtney Laughlin of South Carolina, Lee Hardison of Climax, Bree Hardison of Climax, Maddox May of Climax; sister, Faye Mitchell of Stokesdale; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Ollie Ledbetter and his infant sister.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

8

STATE & NATION Justice Department creates database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement The Associated Press The U.S. Justice Department has created a database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement officers that is aimed at preventing agencies from unknowingly hiring problem officers, officials said.

The federal move is a step toward accountability amid growing calls to close loopholes that allow law enforcement officers to be rehired by other agencies after losing their jobs or resigning after misconduct allegations. The creation of the database was part of President Joe Biden’s May 2022 executive order on policing, which included dozens of measures aimed at increasing accountability for federal law enforcement officers.

“This database will ensure that records of serious misconduct by federal law enforcement officers are readily available to agencies considering hiring those officers,” Biden said in a statement.

But the database, which will only contain records for federal officers and not be open to the public, falls short of the national misconduct database called for by some police reform advocates.

The National Law Enforcement Accountability Database currently includes only former and current Justice Department officers who have records of se-

AP PHOTO

The Justice Department in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2022. rious misconduct over the last seven years. It will be expanded in the next two months to capture other federal law enforcement agencies such as the Secret Service and United States Park Police, a Justice Department official said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said it will give federal agencies “an important new tool for vetting and hiring officers and agents that will help strengthen our efforts” to build and retain the public’s trust.

“No law enforcement agency — including the Justice Department — can effectively do its work without the trust of the public,” Garland said in an emailed statement.

Federal agencies will be responsible for reporting and updating records for officers who faced criminal convictions, civil judgments, terminations, suspensions, resigning or retiring while under investigation and sustained complaints or disciplinary actions for serious mis-

conduct, officials said. Serious misconduct includes excessive force, obstruction of justice, findings of bias or discrimination, making a false report, making a false statement under oath, theft and sexual misconduct.

The database is currently only accessible by Justice Department employees and will eventually be expanded to allow access by users in other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies, a Justice Department official said. The Bureau of Justice Statistics will produce an annual public report on the database, but the report will not include individual incident data and will be anonymized to protect the privacy of officers, officials said.

The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training has created a national repository for officer decertification that boasts more than 53,000 records from 49 state agencies. However, providing the records and using the records is voluntary and the database does not include any other disciplinary measures such as firings or suspensions.

The federal government is trying to encourage more states and local agencies to participate in the National Decertification Index by giving priori-

Americans agree that the 2024 election will be pivotal for democracy, but for different reasons The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a politically polarized nation, Americans seem to agree on one issue underlying the 2024 elections — a worry over the state of democracy and how the outcome of the presidential contest will affect its future.

They just disagree over who poses the threat.

A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins next fall. Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (55%) feel the same way, but for different reasons.

President Joe Biden has attempted to paint a dystopian future if GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trump returns to the White House after promising to seek retribution against opponents and declining to rule out that he would abuse the powers of the office. The former president has tried to flip the narrative lately, saying the election subversion and documents cases against him show Biden has weaponized the federal government to prosecute a political opponent. He has called Biden the

AP PHOTO

The White House is seen reflected in a puddle. “destroyer of American democracy.”

“I think from the side of the left, it’s pretty obvious that they’re concerned about electing a president who is avowedly authoritarian, someone who clearly wants to reduce checks and balances within the government to strengthen the presidency and to do so in ways that give the executive branch kind of an unprecedented reach across the population and sectors of the government,” said Michael Albertus, political sci-

ence professor at the University of Chicago.

“From the right, the Republicans think about government overreach, big government, threats to freedom and mandates to act in a certain way or adopt certain policies,” he said.

Against that backdrop, the poll found that about half of U.S. adults, 51%, say democracy is working “not too well” or “not well at all.”

The poll asked about the importance of the coming presi-

dential election for 12 issues and found that the percentage who said the outcome will be very or extremely important to the future of democracy in the U.S. (67%) ranked behind only the economy (75%). It was about equal to the percentage who said that about government spending (67%) and immigration (66%).

Tony Motes, a retired firefighter who lives in Monroe, Georgia, cited a number of reasons he believes “we’re not living in a complete democracy.” That includes what he sees as a deterioration of rights, including parental rights, thieves and other criminals not being held accountable, and a lack of secure borders.

The 59-year-old Republican also said the various criminal cases being brought against Trump undermine the country’s democratic traditions.

“They’re trying to keep him from running because they know he’s going to win,” he said.

The poll’s findings continue a trend of Americans’ lackluster views about how democracy is functioning. They also believe the country’s governing system is not working well to reflect their interests on issues ranging from immigration to abortion to the economy.

ty consideration when handing out grants to law enforcement agencies that use that database as part of their employment vetting process, officials said.

Reform advocates have issued calls for a national system to track officer misconduct in part to address officers who are fired or resign and who then jump to other police departments sometimes in different states often because a full accounting of alleged misconduct records isn’t available.

There have been a handful of recent examples of officers fired for high-profile police misconduct at local departments including fatal shootings who were then hired by police departments in different states or, in some cases, the same state.

Myles Cosgrove, the former Louisville Metro Police Department officer who was fired in January 2021 for violating useof-force procedures and failing to use a body camera during the fatal raid on Breonna Taylor’s apartment, was hired earlier this year by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department in Kentucky.

In 2022, Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who was fired after the fatal 2014 shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, was hired by a small Pennsylvania town to be its only police officer. He resigned from the job amid public outrage.

The AP-NORC poll found that 87% of Democrats and 54% of independents believe a second Trump term would negatively affect U.S. democracy. For Republicans, 82% believe democracy would be weakened by another Biden win, with 56% of independents agreeing.

About 2 in 10 U.S. adults (19%) say democracy in the U.S. is “already so seriously broken that it doesn’t matter who wins the 2024 presidential election.” Republicans (23%) are more likely than Democrats (10%) to say this, but relatively few in either party think U.S. democracy is resilient enough to withstand the outcome.

Social media platforms and news sites that reinforce biases accelerate the polarization that leads people from different political perspectives to believe the other side is the one representing the gravest threat to the nation’s democracy, said Lilliana Mason, an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins.

“I don’t think that people are exaggerating. I think it’s that they actually are living in information environments in which it is true for them that democracy is under threat,” she said.

Mason said one side fears what Trump has said he will do if he wins, while the other is responding to the fear created in a media ecosystem that says the Democrats want to destroy America and turn it into a socialist or communist society.

[[Yä kknÊ

È··¸ä äȹºä äȹµä ȸµ½ä ä¾kk 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

ENTERTAINMENT This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from “Oppenheimer.”

AP PHOTO

Oscars shortlists revealed: Here are the films one step closer to a nomination The Associated Press THE “BARBIE” power ballad “I’m Just Ken” and AP and Frontline’s documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” just got one step closer to an Oscar nomination. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday shortlists in 10 categories, including best original song, documentary feature, international feature, original score, and crafts like hair and makeup, visual effects and sound.

Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol” was shortlisted in both the documentary and international feature categories, representing Ukraine in the latter.

As expected, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” were prominently represented among the finalists in many categories, including score and sound, as was Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest.” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” also advanced in makeup, visual effects and score and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” in visual effects, song and score.

Among the 15 international features advancing are “The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom), Tr n Anh Hùng’s “The Taste of Things” (France), Lila Avilés’ “Tótem” (Mexico) and Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves” (Finland). Justine Triet’s acclaimed “Anatomy of a Fall” was not selected to represent France and thus was not eligible in the category.

Original song contenders competing against “I’m Just Ken” include two other songs from “Barbie”: Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” and Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” Only two songs from a single movie

can advance to the nomination stage, however. Both “Flora and Son” and “The Color Purple” had two songs advance.

Other contenders include Sharon Van Etten for “Quiet Eyes” from “Past Lives,” Olivia Rodrigo for “Can’t Catch Me Now,” from “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Jon Batiste for “It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony,” Lenny Kravitz for his “Rustin” song “Road to Freedom” and Jarvis Cocker’s “Dear Alien (Who Art In Heaven)” from “Asteroid City.”

Diane Warren will also get another shot at a nomination for “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot.” But several expected finalists were left off, including Justin Timberlake for “Trolls Band Together” and Jack Black for his “Super Mario Bros. Movie” ballad “Peaches.” “Wonka” was also missing from the list.

The 15 original score finalists included a number of familiar players, including John Williams (“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”), Ludwig Göransson (“Oppenheimer”), Mica Levi (“The Zone of Interest”) and the late Robbie Robertson for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Joe Hisaishi could also be headed for his first Oscar nomination for “The Boy and the Heron.”

Composer Kris Bowers advanced for “The Color Purple,” but not for “Origin,” which also missed out in the song category. “Past Lives,” by Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen, was another surprise exclusion from the score finalists.

Documentary nominees in addition to “20 Days in Mariupol” include “American Symphony,” about Batiste, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” “The Eternal Memory,” “A Still Small Voice” and “Four Daughters.” Some were sur-

prised at the omission of “Kokomo City,” about the lives of Black trans sex workers, and “Little Richard: I Am Everything.”

“Barbie” missed the cut for makeup and hairstyling, which included nominations for “Beau is Afraid,” “Poor Things,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Napoleon.”

Though “Oppenheimer” fared well in most categories, it was not among the finalists in the visual effects category. The film’s surprising omission from the list of the original 20 finalists was previously reported. The visual effects contenders are often comprised of superhero and franchise films that aren’t otherwise considered big awards players — this year that includes Zack Snyder’s poorly reviewed “Rebel Moon-Part One: A Child of Fire,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”

Live action, animated and documentary shorts finalists were also announced. The live action category is a little starrier than usual, with both Pedro Almodóvar’s Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal western “Strange Way of Life” and Wes Anderson’s “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” with Benedict Cumberbatch and Ben Kingsley, among the contenders.

For the most part, shortlists are determined by members in their respective categories, though the specifics vary from branch to branch: Some have committees, some have minimum viewing requirements.

Final nominations in all categories will be announced on Jan. 23. The 96th Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be held on March 10, broadcasting live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The show will begin one hour earlier than usual, at 7 p.m. ET.

9

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

10

Comedian Jo Koy is picked to host the Golden Globes as award season kicks off The Associated Press NEW YORK — Comedian and actor Jo Koy has been tapped to host the Golden Globes, picked by producers for his “infectious energy and relatable humor.”

Koy last year saw his “Easter Sunday” become the first big studio movie with an all-Filipino ensemble. He has released five stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, including his most recent Netflix special, “Live From The Los Angeles Forum.”

The Globes are recovering after scandal and several troubled years, including one without a broadcast. The show will take place on Jan. 7 and will mark Koy’s first major award show hosting gig.

“We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywood’s award season,” said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes president, in a statement Thursday. “We know Jo is bringing his A-game.”

“I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I’m so excit-

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Jo Koy arrives at the World Premiere of “Easter Sunday” on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

AP PHOTO

ed to be hosting the Golden Globes this year,” said Koy in a statement. “This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud.”

Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” leads the Globes nominations with nine nods, including for best picture musical or comedy as well as acting nominations for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and three of its original songs. It is closely followed by its release date and meme companion Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which scored eight nominations, including for best picture drama and for actors Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt.

The Globes’ voting body has

now grown to 300 members, following backlash after a 2021 report in the Los Angeles Times found there were zero black members in the group that was then composed of only 87 foreign journalists.

The 81st Golden Globes will be the first major broadcast of awards season, with a new home on CBS. The Globes had long been one of the highest-profile awards season broadcasts, second only to the Oscars. Before the pandemic, it was still pulling in around 19 million viewers. The show was touted as a boozy, A-list party whose hosts often took a more irreverent tone than their Academy counterparts.

þE;FCG? I<:FI; ƐƋȂɰ> ğĖŋɰMŎăŅĄŁğĿŋğĶıŅ

VŅČɰ$>4& hƐƋɰùŋɰĄĝČĄĪĶŎŋ ! Z

Z

THE BEST TACOS & Margaritas

ƌƎƋɲMɲ $VI $ɲMS M$ >I>Ȇɲ9 ɲƍƒƍƋƎ ŚŚŚȇıČĬĬùȇăĶŎŋğŀŎČ ȌıČĬĬùǗăĶŎŋğŀŎČ

$" " S>ɰM a ɰƍƋȂɰb$ 9ɰh>Vɰ>I Iɰ>94&9 >IɰS$I>V $ɰ>VIɰ GG

Traditional recipes from the center of Mexico Made modern and fresh in the center of Asheboro!

138 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC • 336-628-0158 • tacolococantina.com

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

11

Baking scratch-made cakes,cookies, pies, pastries, brownies and more since 1945.

Now accepting holiday orders!

122 N. Church St. Asheboro, NC 336-625-3239

(336) 625-3239

Central Bakery

Taste the authentic flavors of Mexico

La Hacienda is the perfect family dining destination with something to satisfy every palate.

1434 E Dixie Dr., Asheboro, NC • (336) 625-6700

Taylor Swift celebrates Christmas Day by watching Travis Kelce and Chiefs play Las Vegas The Associated Press POP SUPERSTAR Taylor Swift walked into Arrowhead Stadium alongside Santa Claus on Monday to watch her boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as they played the Las Vegas Raiders in a Christmas Day showdown.

Swift and Kelce have become one of the hottest celebrity couples in the world since they began dating early in the season, and the 12-time Gram-

my Award-winner has watched her boyfriend numerous times at Arrowhead Stadium.

This time she showed up in a festive red shirt under a black jacket with St. Nick by her side.

Swift wasn’t the only celebrity in Arrowhead Stadium on Monday. Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark, the reigning AP women’s player of the year, was on the sideline for pregame warmups. She swapped jerseys with Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice.

AP PHOTO

Taylor Swift is seen in a suite before the start of the game between the Chiefs and Raiders on Christmas Day in Kansas City, Mo.

12

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Michael Mann still has another gear. At 80, he’s driving ‘Ferrari’

By Jake Coyne The Associated Press MICHAEL MANN, who gave Crockett a white Ferrari on “Miami Vice,” pummeled cars with bullets in the shootout in “Heat” and set the thriller “Collateral” in a taxicab, has had an affection for automobiles since growing up in Chicago.

“It’s a city in which you drive, you know?” Mann says. “It rains and things get quite beautiful.

The streets get black and the cars get reflective. I like motion.

I like speed.”

Mann has also been a racing hobbyist. Off and on for years, he competed in the Ferrari Challenge — a four-day race, he fondly recalls, during which “the rest of the world just goes away.”

So, the driving instructions that Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) gives in Mann’s latest film, “Ferrari” — “Break later, hold the line” — are familiar to him.

“Let me put it this way,” Mann said, grinning, in a recent interview. “At one point I was practicing on a road in Atlanta and I did 75 laps without stopping.”

But what Mann remembers from those laps — or at least the four of five good ones he strung together — is the taste of what real mastery of the car might feel like.

“If I can have a sense of something, I can project and imagine it pretty fully,” Mann says. “So I do truly understand the passion and addiction — what Jean Behra the race driver described as the ecstasy of when there’s this unity, a harmonic between you and the machine.”

Mann, the 80-year-old filmmaker of “The Last of the Mohicans,” “The Insider” and “Thief,” has himself long exhibited a rare harmony with the machinations of filmmaking. He makes finegrained, visceral dramas that thrum with existentialism. The fervor of his obsession, the rigor of his research, the intensity of his drive has often mirrored the compulsions of his single-minded protagonists.

“He said to me one time, ‘It’s hard not to get philosophical about an engine’ — which I think is so much who he is,” says Driver. “So many things have to be operating down to the millimeter for an engine to work and the timing and all these movable

AP PHOTO

Adam Driver, left, and director Michael Mann pose for a portrait to promote “Ferrari” on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in New York. elements. Then there’s the driver. It’s similar to him and the camera.”

“Ferrari,” which opens in theaters Dec. 25, is Mann’s first film since 2015’s “Blackhat.” He’s wanted to make it for three decades. Its script, based on Brock Yates’ 1991 Ferrari biography, was written by Troy Kennedy Martin, who died 14 years ago.

But while you will find plenty of speed and gorgeous, rosso corsa-colored cars in “Ferrari,” that’s not what compelled Mann, for so many years, to make the movie. The film, set in 1957 Modena, Italy, captures Ferrari in the tumultuous lead-up to the Mille Miglia, a 1,000-mile cross-country race. He’s struggling to keep his troubled business afloat while splitting his personal life between wife Laura (Penélope Cruz) and another woman, Linda Lardi (Shailene Woodley), with whom he has a young son, Piero.

“Those torrid passions, almost operatic, and powerful emotional driving forces, that’s why I did the movie. Not because of the cars,” Mann says before adding with a laugh: “There’s nothing wrong with the

cars. I love the cars.”

“If you really understand what Ferraris are, the right ones anyway, you go buy one,” adds Mann, who, for the record, owns a couple. “You don’t have to go make a movie about them.”

Death hangs over “Ferrari.”

When we encounter Enzo and Laura, they’re both still grieving the death of their son, Dino, from the year before. For Enzo’s fleet of drivers, the prospect of death on the road is present on every hairpin turn and in every crack in the pavement.

“There’s death all around, and all around this movie,” says Mann, noting the post-WWII context of Italy. “But Ferrari is in the present and he’s looking for what’s next, what’s next.”

“Heat,” which Mann recently revisited in the 2022 bestseller “Heat 2,” co-written with Meg Gardiner, was a crime epic of causality, in which each character’s decisions mark their fate. In “Ferrari,” the price of passionate determination is just as clear.

Still, Enzo keeps moving relentlessly forward in “Ferrari” even as the movie builds toward catastrophic collision.

“I don’t feel there’s a price to

pay for it. I think bad outcomes go with the territory. You don’t win,” says Mann. “You have to be able to overcome adversity and setbacks and soul-destroying disappointments. You have to be able to find the means to overcome that or you can’t accomplish anything.

“I think wanting to accomplish, wanting to exceed limits, that’s an absolutely universal human trait,” Mann continues.

“Our whole history as a species is to run faster, go further, discover what hasn’t been there before, move beyond the limited circumstance we find ourselves in when they’re terrorizing us or limiting us or even just boring us.”

It can be tempting to see Mann as a technical stylist, a movie engineer. But spend five minutes with him and it’s clear he’s overwhelmingly consumed by the psychology of his characters. Driver estimates character psychology was 90% of their conversations.

“He’s not after technical things,” Driver says. “The technical things are to support emotion and feeling, which is an intangible thing that he can’t control.

He’s always after moments.”

In playing Enzo, Driver acknowledges he was also to a certain extent playing Mann.

“There’s something I stole from him that made its way into the movie that I won’t give away,” the actor says.

The two found a connection, Mann says, in their self-critical intensity. “If something’s not working right, my first thought is it’s my fault,” the director says.

“I think he’s the same way. We’re both, for better or worse, afflicted with that sense of responsibility.”

Mann is currently developing “Heat 2” as a film, potentially with Driver playing a young Neil McCauley, the character played

by Robert De Niro in the original. (“We’ll see what happens with ‘Heat 2,’” says Driver. “Who knows.”)

“I look at Michael and I think, ‘Thank god we’re in the same orbit, relatively,’” says Driver. “I feel very emotional about Michael, that he exists.”

On set in Modena, Driver witnessed Mann deal with all kinds of setbacks — waning time, location issues, distracted extras.

“And Michael will just will his film into existence from sheer focus and tenacity,” says Driver.

“Ferrari,” with a reported production budget of $95 million, was financed independently.

The indie distributor Neon is releasing it. The movie is, by any measure, an exception. It’s a film about racing devoted to character, a big-budget original movie in a film industry that usually devotes such resources to sequels or reboots.

“I make these movies,” Mann shrugs. “I make the movies I want to make.”

Even in his 80s, Mann has lost little of his velocity.

“I know for myself, I’m better at doing a picture that has me on the frontier,” Mann says. “Where it’s something I haven’t done before.”

In that, it’s hard not to hear echoes of Vincent Hanna, Al Pacino’s detective in “Heat.” “I gotta hold on to my angst,” Hanna said. “I preserve it because I need it. It keeps me sharp, on the edge, where I gotta be.”

“I’m usually oriented to: I’m totally f---ed. What am I going to do next?” Mann says. “That tortures me.”

Has anything changed in Mann’s taste in movies over the years, either those he makes or watches? He ponders the question, mentioning an oft-returned-to favorite (John Huston’s “The Asphalt Jungle”) and a recent favorite (Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”). Then he answers.

“I probably have less patience for slow.”

AP PHOTO

Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari in a scene from “Ferrari.”

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 44 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 | HOKE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM | SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

HOKE COUNTY THE HOKE COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

What a year!

East Hoke’s Derrick Patricio Regino celebrates a goal against Shady Grove during the SEC Middle School championships.

Turn to page 5 for more of our favorite photos from 2023.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NCDOT invests in Hoke County railroad improvements The NC Department of Transportation’s Rail Division is investing $594,141 to make track upgrades on the mainline rail corridor of the Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad in Hoke County.

The funds are part of a $10.2 million 50-50 matching grant funding for short line rail infrastructure projects.

In all, $20.5 million will be spent across the projects, with the remaining funds coming from the railroad companies.

In all, the projects will improve 14 railroad bridges and 27 miles of track across 12 different railroads and maritime ports.

Agriculture Risk and Price Loss Coverage Receive 1-Year Extension Agricultural producers can enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2024 crop year. Enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year between now and March 15, 2024.

In November, the 2018 Farm Bill was extended through September 30, 2024. This extension allows authorized programs, including ARC and PLC, to continue operating.

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARCCounty or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual, which protects the entire farm.

Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.

ARC and PLC are part of a broader USDA safety net that also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.

Hoke commissioners address tax revenue, grants Will also appoint a trustee to Sandhills Community College board

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal RAEFORD — The Hoke County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Dec. 18.

The board started off the meeting with a presentation by the President of the Sandhills Community College Sandy Stewart to update the board on new legislation relating to the board of trustees.

“The general assembly, when they passed the budget this past year, changed the way that trustees are appointed to local college boards,” Stewart said. “As it relates to the Hoke County Commission, in the past you have made one appointment to the Sandhills Community College

board and under the new law, the Hoke County Commission has the ability to appoint a second trustee to the board. That authority rests with the Hoke County Commission. You have some options there.

The law does also allow for you to appoint one of your own if you so choose. From our perspective, I would like to have a close working relationship with the Hoke County Commissioners, so that’s the reason I’m here tonight to make sure that you are aware of your options along those lines.”

The board will address the matter at next month’s meeting, although Commissioner Allen Thomas, Jr. stated that he has interest in potentially serving in the role.

The board was also given an update by Tax Assistant Sheretta Walker.

“The total collected for the month of November, current year, was $550,479.05 at a 75.81% rate

Under the new law, the Hoke County Commission can appoint a second trustee to the Sandhills board.

compared to an 80.18% rate last year,” Walker said. “Prior year collected was $89,013.44 at a 24.1% rate compared to a 27.92% rate last year. The total collected for the month of November was $639,492.49.”

Following up on that, Tax Assessor Mandi Davis gave an update on requested tax releases.

The board approved releases totaling $46,796.53 for 585 unpaid bills due to a clerical error in which generated bills in the wrong general ledger year and

First Medicaid expansion data shared Nearly 2,000 Hoke County residents already enrolled

1,938 Number of adults in Hoke County signed up for expanded Medicaid.

North State Journal Staff MORE THAN 600,000 North Carolinians are newly eligible for health coverage through a recent expansion of NC Medicaid, and the state has recently shared numbers on how many residents have enrolled in the expansion.

Hoke County has seen 1,938 newly eligible adults sign up for Medicaid, some six percent of the county’s 32,270 adult population between 19 and 64 years of age. This data is current as of December 1, though the data was only recently made available by the state. Numbers will be updated monthly.

“Hundreds of people each day are gaining health care coverage and getting the care they need,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H.

a $13,638.28 refund to Hendrix Brothers of Hoke LLC due to a billing error.

Finally, the board approved six grant matters including a $25,000 pass-through grant from the Regional Economic Development Reserve to benefit the Hoke Native American Scholarship Association, a $50,000 pass-through grant from the Regional Economic Development Reserve to benefit Hoke County Fire Departments, a $5,180,000 grant from the NC State Capital Infrastructure Fund for capital improvements, equipment and improvements to the Puppy Creek Fire Department burn tower, a $20,000 grant from Homeland Security Grant Program for Emergency Management to find projects related to Homeland Security training and exercises, a $10,000 grant from the Hazardous Material Emergency Preparedness Grant Program for training for hazardous material emergency preparedness, and a $1,200,000 Water Infrastructure Fund grant to extend infrastructure to the Industrial Park.

The Hoke County Board of Commissioners will next meet Jan. 9.

AP PHOTO

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signs a Medicaid expansion law at the Executive Mansion on Monday, March 27, 2023, in Raleigh.

Kinsley in a press release. “Our work continues with state and community partners to support enrollment efforts to ensure as many people as possible can get

covered.”

In total, 272,937 North Carolina residents have signed up for the program, with nearly 33 percent of whom are under the age

of 30. Most of that 273,000 were part of the family planning population who were automatically moved to full Medicare coverage as part of the expansion.

To learn more (including income requirements) or to find out if you’re eligible, visit medicaid.nc.gov.

$2.00

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

2 WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

12.27.23 WEDNESDAY

DEC 27

HI LO PRECIP

49° 28° 4%

THURSDAY

DEC 28

HI LO PRECIP

57° 32° 3%

FRIDAY

DEC 29 HI LO PRECIP

54° 35° 5%

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

DEC 30

HI LO PRECIP

MONDAY

DEC 31

55° 36° 8%

HI LO PRECIP

54° 38° 12%

JAN 1

HI LO PRECIP

53° 45° 24%

TUESDAY

JAN 2

HI LO PRECIP

56° 48° 58%

“Join the conversation” Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Ryan Henkel, Reporter Jesse Deal, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 HOKE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00

NC state parks to host First Day Hikes Guided hikes planned across the state for New Year’s Day Stanly County Journal ON JANUARY 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staff-led hikes across its state parks.

State Parks Director Brian Strong expressed excitement about the expanded First Day Hikes program for 2024. “After a few years of smaller programming, we are offering a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks,” Strong said. He encouraged visitors to bring family and friends for outdoor adventures, marking the end of the holiday season.

Locally, Morrow Mountain State Park east of Albemarle will have a guided hike around the 0.6-mile Quarry Trail loop,

rated as an easy trail. Meet at the lower picnic parking area, below the swimming pool, at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Although a few parks will not be offering guided hikes in 2024, they will remain open for visitors to hike independently. First Day Hikes have gained popularity, attracting large numbers of participants, especially in favorable winter hiking weather.

The First Day Hikes initiative, which started in Massachusetts in 1992, has seen participation from all 50 states

since 2012. “This initiative has become a cherished tradition, providing individuals and families with the opportunity to embrace the outdoors, and kick off the year with a commitment to health and well-being,” said Lewis Ledford, executive director of the NASPD. The full list of First Day Hikes for North Carolina State Parks is available at ncparks. gov/first-day-hikes.

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #ncstateparks and #FirstDayHikes.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

CRIME LOG

December 20 x Philip Michael Daley, 36, was arrested and charged with driving while impaired and received a $1,500 bond.

A weekly podcast getting to the facts across the state, around the world and at home HERE in Raeford, Hoke County, NC.

x Levoide Daniel Tyson, 37, was arrested and charged with communicating threats. No bond was set. x Joshua Cooper, 35, was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon (gun) as a felon. Bond was set at $75,000. x Ruperto Alfonso Glaize, 57, was charged with a domestic violence order. Bond was set at $1,500.

December 21 x Liza Jane Oxendine, 40, was arrested and charged with felony possession of a schedule-II controlled substance. Bond was set at $25,000.

Hosted by:

Ruben Castellon, Hal Nunn and Chris Holland Available on most Platforms Join Our Facebook Page: The Roundtable Talk Podcast

Departing NC Auditor Beth Wood pleads guilty to misusing state vehicle, gets probation The Associated Press ON HER LAST DAY on the job, North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood pleaded guilty Friday to two misdemeanors for misusing a state-issued vehicle for personal activities.

Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway sentenced Wood to 12 months of unsupervised probation on the counts, news outlets reported. Wake District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said that Wood had paid $1,064 in restitution as part of a plea agreement.

The sentencing and her resignation appear to complete a year in which Wood’s driving ultimately led to her departure as auditor, an office she was first elected to in 2008.

Wood announced her resignation last month, two days after a grand jury indicted her on the charges.

Freeman told Ridgeway that in 2021 and 2022, Wood used her state-assigned car for more than a dozen trips to a hair salon in Fayetteville, North Carolina, more than 40 shopping trips to Knightdale, North Carolina, and over two dozen trips to two Raleigh spas.

Wood, a Democrat, said last month that she had reimbursed the state to cover personal use of the car by purposely overpaying for miles in which she commuted to her job.

Wood attorney Roger Smith Jr. said Friday that she accepted responsibility for driving her state car for personal use.

“One of the things striking in this case is she, for 15 years, held people accountable but then violated the rules,” Freeman said Friday.

“This is a double standard.”

The indictment followed a monthslong investigation by state agents that appeared to mushroom after she was cited in December 2022 for leaving the scene of a crash when she drove her state-owned vehicle into a parked car in downtown Raleigh. No one was hurt.

An apologetic Wood pleaded guilty in March to misdemeanor hit-and-run involving the crash and paid fines and court costs. A few months later, Wood, now 69, said she was still planning to run for reelection.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper appointed former Wake County Commission Chair Jessica Holmes to complete Wood’s term as auditor through the end of 2024.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: hokecommunity@northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | CONNIE LOVELL

Resolution A high school diploma and a boat load of courage is all it takes to become a substitute teacher.

RECENTLY, the Wall Street Journal published an article advising “How to Avoid Being Boring at 60”. The essay was authored by Rob LaZebnik, coexecutive producer of “The Simpsons.

This may explain everything. The suggested resolutions included: “make an announcement on an airplane”; “make a shirt” and “take a sound bath”.

Seriously? These stultifying suggestions are ridiculous, no matter one’s age.

The New Year tradition of making sound resolutions to improve personal and community enrichment is as old as the Babylonians. That tribe began the ritual by honoring their gods, “promising to pay their debts and return borrowed farming equipment.” The Medieval knights took the “peacock vow” renewing their dedication to chivalry. Good resolutions, indeed.

Consider making your New Year resolution to avoid boredom.

Instead of taking a sound bath, consider substitute teaching. There you will be awash in sounds and smells not encountered since your early 20’s.

Moore County public schools needs teachers, coaches, administration staff and support from the community. A high school diploma and a boat load of courage is all it takes to become a substitute teacher. Additionally, a new opportunity, modeled after the military, allows non-certified college graduates to enter the classroom as a “resident” teacher while acquiring certification.

Coach Randy Hanna, landed on the tee at Sandhills Community College after retiring as chief technical officer at General Motors Financial in Michigan.

Randy always wanted to coach. He became the volunteer assistant coach for the Flyers under Gus Ulrich. They led the team to 3 consecutive years of national

championships. That was not enough for Randy. He is now a collegiate playercoach at SCC taking 12 credit hours of instruction, studying Business Law, Music Appreciation, Banking and Data Analytics at Sandhills in his spare time.

“This is the coolest thing I have ever done.”

This is not boring.

If the idea of making public announcements holds a certain fascination, toss your golf hat into local politics. The Sandhills is exploding.

Layering road congestion, public safety and stress on our infrastructure onto this community, officially dedicated to its quaint, small-town aura, requires expert leadership. The person able to resolve these growing pains while maintaining a culture of quiet stability will be a bigshot in this town. We have some very fine leaders in the Sandhills, you would be in good company.

Creating a shirt might not excite you but making music could make your heart beat faster.

Maestro Michael Wolff, God’s gift to the Carolina Philharmonic has launched Flow University and Music Leadership Academy in Pinehurst. These ambitious institutions are open to students 13to-20, on full scholarship. That means volunteers, my friends, plenty of them.

This is an opportunity to dust off the violin, tune the piano and mentor an aspiring musician.

Mr. LaZebnik also suggested attending a megachurch to relieve boredom after 60. How about any church. Resolve to practice your faith in the new year. Our political and educational institutions have preached secularism for so many decades, we hardly miss the moralizing popular in the old days. In this new world of

conflict, we are beginning to see an acknowledgement that evil exists.

Pundits and podcasters are beginning to wonder in public if something evil is controlling our world. Entering the body of faith offered in our local churches to seek an understanding of our purpose might calm our troubled waters.

Try your hand at the Artists League of the Sandhills. This rich culture of dedicated artists resides in the old train terminal in Aberdeen. Experiment with the multiple media offered by instructors, cohorts and cohabitants in the creative world. Resolve to find your inner artist in an atmosphere of support and collaboration. If ever there was a risk worth taking it is the deep dive into the unknow world of your own imagination.

Ride a horse, walk a beagle, muck a stall. Southern Pines is home to the Walthour-Moss Foundation, stewarding over 4000 acres of pristine, protected land. It is a sanctuary for wildlife and quiet life in equal measure. Originally recognized for its fine equestrian facilities and the Moore County Hounds, the Penn-marydel line of foxhounds, today, the Foundation’s mission has expanded to include easements accessing foot trails, monitoring the treasured redcockaded woodpecker and maintaining bluebird boxes.

Many in the Sandhills have chosen to live here for golf or the horses or the climate but we have remained here because of the strength of our community. We make a difference here.

Every hour you dedicate to someone else, every dollar you contribute to support a cause is reflected in the inspiring experiences you have created.

Connie Lovell lives in Moore County.

COLUMN | BOBBY HURST

North Carolina Senators should choose Main Street over Wall Street This legislation aims to lower swipe fees for businesses by injecting competition into the payments marketplace and providing businesses with a second routing option when processing credit card transactions.

A MAJOR EFFORT is underway by big banks and credit card companies to prevent economic relief from being provided to businesses and consumers.

North Carolina’s senators must resist succumbing to the pressures of Wall Street giants and, instead, champion the cause of Main Street by supporting the Credit Card Competition Act. Like much of the nation, North Carolina is not immune to big banks’ pervasive influence. These financial behemoths, with their deep pockets and extensive lobbying power, have historically wielded considerable influence over shaping policies that favor their interests at the expense of small businesses and local economies.

The Credit Card Competition Act presents a real opportunity for our federal delegation, in particular Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), to stand on the side of Main Street.

At its core, this legislation aims to lower swipe fees for businesses by injecting competition into the payments marketplace and providing businesses with a second routing option when processing credit card transactions. Currently, merchants only have one network option and are forced to pay the swipe fees set

predominately by Visa and Mastercard, given that they control over 80% of the market. And since the big banks who collect these fees get a cut, there is no incentive to negotiate lower fees as Wall Street rakes in record profits off the hard-earned revenue of businesses and consumers in our communities.

Banks and credit card companies, who are afraid of increased competition interrupting their price-fixing scheme, have launched a multi-million-dollar media campaign to sow confusion about the CCCA. For example, ads across the country have claimed that this bill would eliminate credit card rewards points as we know it — a complete lie. The CCCA allows credit card transactions to be processed over at least two competing networks.

The decision on rewards lies solely with the banks that issue the cards, not the networks, and the notion of losing rewards is nothing more than a scare tactic to mislead consumers.

Senators representing North Carolina must recognize that siding with Wall Street in opposition to the CCCA would be a direct betrayal of the state’s vast array of small businesses and families. From the local charity accepting donations via

credit card to the family-owned market, the burden of swipe fees is spreading and growing more significant. Just this year, Visa and Mastercard scheduled another increase of swipe fees to the tune of more than half a billion dollars.

The status quo is simply not sustainable — we need congressional action. The consequences of doing nothing are farreaching, impacting industries across the board. Ever-rising swipe fees wreak havoc on small businesses, stymie growth, increase consumer costs, and ultimately strip funds from our communities. By standing in the way of the Credit Card Competition Act becoming law, senators risk perpetuating this cycle of allowing big banks to maintain an unjust stranglehold on the financial well-being of our local businesses.

By supporting the Credit Card Competition Act, they can send a clear message that they stand with Main Street over Wall Street, that they prioritize the prosperity of local businesses, and that they are committed to fostering an environment where competition thrives, benefiting consumers and entrepreneurs alike.

Bobby Hurst lives in Fayetteville.

3

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

4 SIDELINE REPORT

SPORTS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ole Miss, Kiffin agree to contract extension Oxford, Miss.

Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin has agreed to a contract extension, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter announced Tuesday without disclosing any details.

Kiffin has led the 11th-ranked Rebels into the Peach Bowl against No. 10 Penn State on Dec. 30 and to the program’s first two 10-win regular seasons. Kiffin has guided the Rebels to four consecutive bowl berths and two New Year’s Six bowl appearances in the past three years.

NFL

Ex-Giants running back Ward arrested for robbery Los Angeles Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of robbery. Police say the 43-year-old was arrested Monday in the North Hollywood area. He’s jailed on $250,000 bail. Police haven’t released other details.

Ward had an eight-year NFL career. It started with his 2004 drafting with the New York Jets. He also played for the Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans before retiring in 2012. Ward was with the Giants when they beat the undefeated New England Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl, although he didn’t play because of a broken leg.

NBA

Nets’ Simmons out again with back injury New York Ben Simmons won’t return to the Brooklyn Nets until at least January because of a pinched nerve in his lower back. The Nets said Wednesday that Simmons, who sustained his latest back injury Nov. 6, has shown consistent strength improvement in the area, but his status won’t be updated for another two weeks. Simmons played in six games before he was hurt and has missed 20 already this season after his last two seasons were cut short because of back problems. He received an epidural injection as part of the planned rehabilitation from this injury.

AP PHOTO

Former Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith is among several people who will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame next spring.

NC Sports Hall of Fame class unveils 2024 class Jim Nantz, Randolph Childress and Steve Smith highlight the inductees The Associated Press RALEIGH — CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and college basketball stars Randolph Childress and Shea Ralph are among the class of 2024 inductees to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Other notables to enter the hall at an induction ceremony in May in Charlotte include retired Davidson men’s basketball coach Bob McKillop, former Wake Forest athletic director

Ron Wellman and Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the Hall of Fame said last week in a news release.

Nantz, a Charlotte native, anchors CBS golf coverage and is the lead NFL play-by-play announcer for the network. He also led the network’s NCAA basketball coverage for 32 years.

Smith played 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and is the team’s all-time leader in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. He also played three years for the Baltimore Ravens.

Childress starred on the Wake Forest basketball team in the early 1990s, winning the ACC Tournament MVP award in

May 10 Date of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center 1995 after historic performances over Duke and North Carolina. He played professionally for 16 years.

Now the women’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt, Ralph

played her college ball at UConn, where she led the team to the 2000 NCAA title and was named Final Four MVP. Ralph averaged 39 points a game as a high school junior at Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford High School and held numerous state records when she graduated.

McKillop recorded 634 wins and 23 conference titles while at Davidson. The Wildcats’ 2008 team, led by Stephen Curry, reached the Elite Eight.

Other inductees include Sheila Ford Duncan, the 1984 NAIA women’s basketball player of the year while leading UNC Asheville to the national championship; Olympic rowing gold-medal winner and Greensboro native Caroline Lind; retired NFL tight end Pettis Norman, who played in college at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte; and the late Don Skakle, the former men’s tennis coach at UNC. The 2024 induction will bring the Hall of Fame membership total to 411.

Blazer 9mm Magpul Ever wish you had a 115gr, FMJ Brass Cased

PMAGs

$299/case 10 for $90 Žƌ Ψϭϲͬ Ždž

local store which has The Best Prices on Cases of Ammo?

The best selection of factory standard capacity magazines?

An AWESOME selection of Modern Sporting Weapons from Leading Manufactures Like, Sig, FN, S&W, etc?

Flamethrowers & Gatlin Guns?

All at better than on-line prices?

You Do! Del-Ton M4 tŝƚŚ &Ƶůů >ĞŶŐƚŚ ZĂŝů͊

9796 Aberdeen Rd, Aberdeen

KŶ Zƚ Ϯϭϭ ũƵƐƚ ŝŶƐŝĚĞ ,ŽŬĞ ŽƵŶƚLJ͘ tŝƚŚ YƵĂŶƚŝĐŽ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů

Store Hours: dƵĞ Ͳ &ƌŝ͗ ϭϭĂŵ ʹ ϰƉŵ 910.637.0500 www.ProvenOutfitters.com

$499

DĂĚĞ ŝŶ E ͊

Polish Radom AK-47

$649

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact

$449

tŝƚŚ >ŝŐŚƚ͊

ϯϴ͟ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů ZŝĨůĞ ĂƐĞ͗ ΨϮϬ

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

5

BEST PREP SPORTS PHOTOS OF 2023

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

HAL NUNN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Clockwise from top: The 2023 National Skydiving Championships came to Hoke County.

Here, we see a competitor in the final practice round for the pond-skimming event; Hoke County head coach Dr. George Small talks with Jamarie Brown on the sidelines during a game against Pinecrest. Brown finished third on the team in tackles and second in interceptions as the Bucks went 3-7; Hoke County senior Jalen Sturdivant puts up a three during the Bucks’ season-opening win against Jack Britt; East Hoke’s Giovanni Patterson heads the ball against Shady Grove during the SEC Middle School championships; Hoke County’s Asiah Watts (2) goes up for a block during a conference game against Richmond Senior. The Bucks volleyball team went 8-13 on the year.

INDOOR SKYDIVING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY 190 Paraclete Dr. Raeford, NC 28376 Call Us: 910.848.2600 INFO@PARACLETEXP.COM

WWW.FLYXP.COM

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

6

Cooper says Medicaid expansion and other investments made 2023 a big year The Associated Press RALEIGH — As Republicans used their legislative heft in 2023 to enact policies that he opposes, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said federal capital investments, Medicaid expansion and more jobs announcements are building historic momentum for the state.

“We’re strengthening our communities, our infrastructure and our economy,” the second-term governor said in a year-end interview with The Associated Press. “We’re laying a groundwork to help North Carolinians right now and for decades in the future.”

Billions of dollars are entering the state from federal legislation, such as for high-speed internet in rural areas and for building roads, bridges and public transportation. Earlier this week in Raleigh, Cooper and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg celebrated the state receiving a $1.1 billion grant to begin construction of a high-speed passenger rail line connecting the state capital and Richmond, Virginia.

The contributions also include the hundreds of millions of dollars a month that will cover the costs of low-income adults who until recently made too much to enroll in Medicaid. In March, the governor signed a bipartisan bill that directed his administration to accept the Medicaid expansion offered through

AP PHOTO

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper listens as democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein speaks at a rally at Shaw University in Raleigh, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act. After the state cleared a final hurdle with the passage of a state budget in October, expansion began on Dec. 1, with the number of people automatically enrolled approaching 300,000.

Another 300,000 or so are expected to be added over time.

Cooper had made expansion a top priority since becoming governor in 2017, but it took Republican lawmakers several years to come around to the idea. Cooper said one of his best days as governor happened Dec. 1 when he met in Charlotte with people who, with tears in their eyes,

were able to obtain health insurance.

“It’s a big deal for our state,” the governor said. The year was also marked by economic development announcements, particularly in the so-called “clean energy” field, that Cooper has highlighted. Toyota said in October that it would spend another $8 billion on its electric battery plant it’s building outside of Greensboro, generating another 3,000 jobs.

Save for expansion and legislation on a few other topics, Cooper’s legislative year was marked by a series of defeats resulting from the veto-proof majorities

that the GOP now holds in both chambers. By the time the annual session ended in October, all 19 of Cooper’s vetoes had been overridden.

Republicans, who take credit for the state’s strong fiscal and economic picture, have said that the public wanted this year’s policy prescriptions and that the powers between executive and legislative branches need to be rebalanced.

“I think North Carolinians prefer a more balanced government,” Cooper told the AP. “And we see what happens when the legislature has a supermajority.

They sacrifice long-term benefit

Virginia lawmaker with Parkinson’s helps lead the charge in creating panel to fight illness The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a nod to a colleague struggling with an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease, members of the House saved, for the last vote of the year, a bill they hope may one day help stomp out the debilitating illness.

The bill is named for Democratic Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who has the disease, and Republican Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ brother, who passed away in May after a long battle with it.

The legislation sets up an advisory council of public health experts and others in the priAP PHOTO vate sector who will provide an annual report evaluating ef- Democrat Jennifer Wexton speaks at her election night party forts to prevent, treat and cure after defeating Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, Parkinson’s. Bilirakis and Rep. 2018, in Dulles, Va. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., are the lead sponsors of the legislation.

The vote was hardly contro- Virginia district, has physically vote. It was a haunting self-porversial, passing by a vote of 407- deteriorated so rapidly this year trayal of what she has endured.

She noted as recently as last that colleague Jennifer McClel9, but it was emotional.

Wexton, serving her third lan, D-Va., read Wexton’s floor year, she got up every morning term representing a Northern speech for her the day before the to go to the gym. And just this

year, she could stride confidently through the House chamber.

She began using walking sticks in the summer and now relies heavily on a walker.

“My husband and I were supposed to be getting to the good part and were looking forward to enjoying our empty nest as our younger son went off to join his brother in college,” Wexton said in her statement. “Instead he will be a caregiver.”

“Instead of scuba diving together in the morning and sitting under a palm tree playing Scrabble in the afternoon, we will not enjoy a leisurely retirement a decade plus from now,” she added.

Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. Wexton said she knows her family is not alone and called the legislation a historic step toward a world where “no family has to endure what ours has.”

“If there’s one thing we can all agree on is that we can and must do better to fight these ter-

and long-term good governance for short-term political gain.”

Cooper sued this fall to challenge the new boards and commissions laws, with some success so far.

The 2024 legislative session won’t begin until late April, but Cooper said he plans to focus on trying to restore and build spending for public education to neutralize that veto-proof control. He said he plans to ask the business community to get more involved in lobbying the General Assembly for appropriations.

“Their future workforce depends on our success in education in North Carolina,” he said.

Cooper, 66, said he’ll campaign hard next year to get current Attorney General Josh Stein elected governor, eliminate the GOP supermajorities and help President Joe Biden win a second term. Cooper has taken an active role as a Biden surrogate.

As 2024 progresses, Cooper will face the “lame duck” label more acutely. Cooper is prohibited by the state constitution from seeking a third consecutive term. This means the ex-legislator and former attorney general won’t be an elected state official for the first time since 1987.

“The fact remains that I’ve got more than a year to do a lot and I’m going to cherish every day,” Cooper said.

As for his future after governor, Cooper said: “I love public service. So you never know what might be next. And I don’t know at this moment.”

rible diseases,” she said.

Wexton, 55, has announced she won’t be seeking reelection next year. She said she had to come to terms with having to give up what she loves doing, but she would continue the fight on behalf of the broader Parkinson’s community for as long as she is able.

McClellan said she served with Wexton in the Virginia General Assembly before being elected to the House. She told colleagues of how she saw Wexton turn other’s pain into progress.

“And now I am honored to serve with her as she does that with her own pain — turns it into progress, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves,” McClellan said.

Several lawmakers speaking for the bill recounted in emotional terms how family members battled the neurological disease. Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, said his father, grandfather and brother fell prey to the disease. He addressed Wexton personally.

“This bill would not be possible without Representative Wexton, so I’ll close by saying to you, my friend and colleague, there is hope,” Fulcher said. “This disease may touch you physically, but it can never touch your soul.”

ĕĊē ėĒĘ ĊęĎėĊĒĊēę ĊēęĊė

Caring for Seniors Committed to serving and enriching the lives of every resident Affordable Assisted Living and Memory Care

We are happy to discuss your needs or TXHVWLRQV :H·UH KHUH WR KHOS Integrity Open Arms Retirement Center 612 Health Drive • Raeford, NC

openarmsretirement.com • 910-875-3949

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

7

obituaries

r

Annie (Graham) McGeachy

April 15, 1954 - December 16, 2023 Mrs. Annie McGeachy age, 69 went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on December 16, 2023.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her husband of fifty one years, Joe A. McGeachy; children: Joel McGeachy, Tonika(Buffy) McGeachy-Dunbar, Jerel D. McGeachy (Domonique), Taheerah Ronyea McGeachy Graves (Micheal) along with a host of other family and friends. Annie will be greatly missed.

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

TV actor Kamar de los Reyes of ‘One Life to Live’and ‘Call of Duty’ dies at 56 The Associated Press KAMAR DE LOS REYES, a television, movie and voice actor best known for playing a gang member-turned-cop in the soap “One Life to Live” and a villain in the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” has died in

Los Angeles at 56, the family announced.

De los Reyes died Sunday following a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement from Lisa Goldberg, a publicist for de los Reyes’ wife, Sherri Saum.

In “One Life to Live,” de los Reyes starred as Antonio Vega,

a former gang member who became a lawyer and then a cop, alongside Saum. In the popular video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” he played the villain Raul Menendez. He also had roles in Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow,” ABC’s “The Rookie” and CW’s “All American.”

The family statement said that at the time of his death, de los Reyes was filming “All American” — and had recently shot roles in Marvel’s upcoming “Daredevil” series and Hulu’s yet to be released “Washington Black,” starring Sterling K. Brown.

De los Reyes was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Las Vegas. According to a biography provided by the family, he caught the bug for acting when he arrived in Los Angeles in the late ’80s. Early roles include playing Pedro Quinn in the 1994 off-Broadway play, “Blade to the Heat,” and Ferdinand in director George C. Wolfe’s produc-

tion of “The Tempest” for Shakespeare in the Park.

On the big screen, de los Reyes appeared in Oliver Stone’s “Nixon,” playing Watergate burglar Eugenio Martinez, as a secret service agent in “Salt,” with Angelina Jolie, and in “The Cell” with Jennifer Lopez.

“De los Reyes lived in Los Angeles, however, his heart never left Puerto Rico,” the family statement said, adding that the actor had been active in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The actor is survived by wife Saum and three sons, Caylen, 26, and twins Michael and John, age 9.

The year in review: Influential people who died in 2023 The Associated Press HERE IS A ROLL CALL of some influential figures in sports who died in 2023 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available): JANUARY Ken Block, 55. A motorsports icon known for his stunt driving and for co-founding the action sports apparel brand DC Shoes.

Jan. 2. Snowmobiling accident.

Constantine, 82. The former and last king of Greece, who won an Olympic gold medal in sailing and spent decades in exile after becoming entangled in his country’s volatile politics in the 1960s.

Jan. 10.

Robbie Knievel, 60. An American stunt performer who set records with daredevil motorcycle jumps following in the tire tracks of his thrill-seeking father Evel Knievel. Jan. 13.

Ray Cordeiro, 98. He interviewed music acts including the Beatles during a six-decade career on Hong Kong radio that earned him the title of the world’s longest-working disc jockey. Jan. 13.

Chris Ford, 74. A member of the Boston Celtics 1981 championship team, a longtime NBA coach and the player credited with scoring the league’s first 3-point basket. Jan. 17.

Billy Packer, 82. An Emmy award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS. Jan. 26.

Bobby Hull, 84. A Hall of Fame forward who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup Final. Jan. 30.

FEBRUARY Hugh Hudson, 86. A British filmmaker who debuted as a feature director with the Oscar-win-

ning Olympics drama “Chariots of Fire” and made other well-regarded movies including “My Life So Far” and the Oscar-nominated “Greystroke.” Feb. 10.

Tim McCarver, 81. The AllStar catcher and Hall of Fame broadcaster who during 60 years in baseball won two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals and had a long run as one of the country’s most recognized, incisive and talkative television commentators. Feb. 16.

MARCH Just Fontaine, 89. The French soccer great who scored a record 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup. March 1.

Bud Grant, 95. The stoic and demanding Hall of Fame coach who took the Minnesota Vikings and their mighty Purple People Eaters defense to four Super Bowls in eight years and lost all of them. March 11.

Dick Fosbury, 76. The lanky leaper who revamped the technical discipline of high jump and won an Olympic gold medal with his “Fosbury Flop.” March 12.

Willis Reed, 80. He dramatically emerged from the locker room minutes before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals to spark the New York Knicks to their first championship and create one of sports’ most enduring examples of playing through pain. March 21.

APRIL Larry “Gator” Rivers, 73. He helped integrate high school basketball in Georgia before playing for the Harlem Globetrotters and becoming a county commissioner in his native Savannah. April 29.

MAY Tori Bowie, 32. The sprinter who won three Olympic med-

als at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. May 2. Complications of childbirth.

Vida Blue, 73. A hard-throwing left-hander who became one of baseball’s biggest draws in the early 1970s and helped lead the brash A’s to three straight World Series titles before his career was derailed by drug problems.

May 6.

Denny Crum, 86. He won two NCAA men’s basketball championships and built Louisville into one of the 1980s’ dominant programs during a Hall of Fame coaching career. May 9.

Doyle Brunson, 89. One of the most influential poker players of all time and a two-time world champion. May 14.

Jim Brown, 87. The pro football Hall of Famer was an unstoppable running back who retired at the peak of his career to become an actor as well as a prominent civil rights advocate during the 1960s. May 18.

JUNE The Iron Sheik, 81. A former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly, bombastic villain in 1980s battles with some of the sport’s biggest stars and later became a popular Twitter personality. June 7.

George Frazier, 68. The former pitcher was a World Series champion who had a nearly three-decade run as a television broadcaster. June 19.

H. Lee Sarokin, 94. The federal judge who freed boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and in a landmark case famously said tobacco companies engaged in a “vast” conspiracy to conceal the dangers of smoking. June 20.

JULY John Berylson, 70. An American businessman known for his enthusiastic ownership of the En-

glish soccer team Millwall. July 4. Car crash.

Mikala Jones, 44. A Hawaii surfer known for shooting awe-inspiring photos and videos from the inside of massive, curling waves. July 9. Surfing accident.

AUGUST Gil Brandt, 91. The Pro Football Hall of Fame member was the player personnel director alongside the stoic, fedora-wearing coach Tom Landry and media-savvy general manager Tex Schramm as part of the trio that built the Dallas Cowboys into “America’s Team” in the 1970s. Aug. 31.

SEPTEMBER Roy Kidd, 91. He coached Eastern Kentucky to two NCAA Division I-AA football championships in a Hall of Fame career. Sept. 12.

OCTOBER Tim Wakefield, 57. The knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year. Oct. 1.

Dick Butkus, 80. A Hall of Fame middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears whose speed and ferocity set the standards for the position in the modern era.

Oct. 5.

Bobby Charlton, 86. An English soccer icon who survived a plane crash that decimated a Manchester United team destined for greatness to become the heartbeat of his country’s 1966 World Cup triumph. Oct. 21.

Bishan Bedi, 77. The India

cricket great whose dazzling left-arm spin claimed 266 test wickets. Oct. 23.

NOVEMBER Bob Knight, 83. The brilliant and combustible coach who won three NCAA titles at Indiana and for years was the scowling face of college basketball. Nov. 1.

Steve Norton, 89. He ran the first U.S. gambling facility outside Nevada — Resorts casino in Atlantic City — and gave advice around the world on how to set up and operate casinos. Nov. 12.

Terry R. Taylor, 71. In two trailblazing decades as the first female sports editor of The Associated Press, she transformed the news agency’s emphasis into multilayered coverage of rigorous reporting, entertaining enterprise and edgy analysis. Nov. 14.

Bobby Ussery, 88. A Hall of Fame jockey who won the 1967 Kentucky Derby and then crossed the finish line first in the 1968 edition only to be disqualified days later. Nov. 16.

Terry Venables, 80. A charismatic and tactically innovative English soccer coach who led his national team to the European Championship semifinals in 1996 after winning trophies at club level with Barcelona and Tottenham. Nov. 25.

DECEMBER George McGinnis, 73. A Hall of Fame forward who was a two-time ABA champion and three-time All-Star in the NBA and ABA. Dec. 14.

Eric Montross, 52. A national championship winner at UNC and longtime NBA player, he also spent several years as a radio announcer for Tar Heel basketball. Dec. 16.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

8

STATE & NATION Justice Department creates database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement The Associated Press The U.S. Justice Department has created a database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement officers that is aimed at preventing agencies from unknowingly hiring problem officers, officials said.

The federal move is a step toward accountability amid growing calls to close loopholes that allow law enforcement officers to be rehired by other agencies after losing their jobs or resigning after misconduct allegations. The creation of the database was part of President Joe Biden’s May 2022 executive order on policing, which included dozens of measures aimed at increasing accountability for federal law enforcement officers.

“This database will ensure that records of serious misconduct by federal law enforcement officers are readily available to agencies considering hiring those officers,” Biden said in a statement.

But the database, which will only contain records for federal officers and not be open to the public, falls short of the national misconduct database called for by some police reform advocates.

The National Law Enforcement Accountability Database currently includes only former and current Justice Department officers who have records of se-

AP PHOTO

The Justice Department in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2022. rious misconduct over the last seven years. It will be expanded in the next two months to capture other federal law enforcement agencies such as the Secret Service and United States Park Police, a Justice Department official said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said it will give federal agencies “an important new tool for vetting and hiring officers and agents that will help strengthen our efforts” to build and retain the public’s trust.

“No law enforcement agency — including the Justice Department — can effectively do its work without the trust of the public,” Garland said in an emailed statement.

Federal agencies will be responsible for reporting and updating records for officers who faced criminal convictions, civil judgments, terminations, suspensions, resigning or retiring while under investigation and sustained complaints or disciplinary actions for serious mis-

conduct, officials said. Serious misconduct includes excessive force, obstruction of justice, findings of bias or discrimination, making a false report, making a false statement under oath, theft and sexual misconduct.

The database is currently only accessible by Justice Department employees and will eventually be expanded to allow access by users in other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies, a Justice Department official said. The Bureau of Justice Statistics will produce an annual public report on the database, but the report will not include individual incident data and will be anonymized to protect the privacy of officers, officials said.

The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training has created a national repository for officer decertification that boasts more than 53,000 records from 49 state agencies. However, providing the records and using the records is voluntary and the database does not include any other disciplinary measures such as firings or suspensions.

The federal government is trying to encourage more states and local agencies to participate in the National Decertification Index by giving priori-

Americans agree that the 2024 election will be pivotal for democracy, but for different reasons The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a politically polarized nation, Americans seem to agree on one issue underlying the 2024 elections — a worry over the state of democracy and how the outcome of the presidential contest will affect its future.

They just disagree over who poses the threat.

A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins next fall. Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (55%) feel the same way, but for different reasons.

President Joe Biden has attempted to paint a dystopian future if GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trump returns to the White House after promising to seek retribution against opponents and declining to rule out that he would abuse the powers of the office. The former president has tried to flip the narrative lately, saying the election subversion and documents cases against him show Biden has weaponized the federal government to prosecute a political opponent. He has called Biden the

AP PHOTO

The White House is seen reflected in a puddle. “destroyer of American democracy.”

“I think from the side of the left, it’s pretty obvious that they’re concerned about electing a president who is avowedly authoritarian, someone who clearly wants to reduce checks and balances within the government to strengthen the presidency and to do so in ways that give the executive branch kind of an unprecedented reach across the population and sectors of the government,” said Michael Albertus, political sci-

ence professor at the University of Chicago.

“From the right, the Republicans think about government overreach, big government, threats to freedom and mandates to act in a certain way or adopt certain policies,” he said.

Against that backdrop, the poll found that about half of U.S. adults, 51%, say democracy is working “not too well” or “not well at all.”

The poll asked about the importance of the coming presi-

dential election for 12 issues and found that the percentage who said the outcome will be very or extremely important to the future of democracy in the U.S. (67%) ranked behind only the economy (75%). It was about equal to the percentage who said that about government spending (67%) and immigration (66%).

Tony Motes, a retired firefighter who lives in Monroe, Georgia, cited a number of reasons he believes “we’re not living in a complete democracy.” That includes what he sees as a deterioration of rights, including parental rights, thieves and other criminals not being held accountable, and a lack of secure borders.

The 59-year-old Republican also said the various criminal cases being brought against Trump undermine the country’s democratic traditions.

“They’re trying to keep him from running because they know he’s going to win,” he said.

The poll’s findings continue a trend of Americans’ lackluster views about how democracy is functioning. They also believe the country’s governing system is not working well to reflect their interests on issues ranging from immigration to abortion to the economy.

ty consideration when handing out grants to law enforcement agencies that use that database as part of their employment vetting process, officials said.

Reform advocates have issued calls for a national system to track officer misconduct in part to address officers who are fired or resign and who then jump to other police departments sometimes in different states often because a full accounting of alleged misconduct records isn’t available.

There have been a handful of recent examples of officers fired for high-profile police misconduct at local departments including fatal shootings who were then hired by police departments in different states or, in some cases, the same state.

Myles Cosgrove, the former Louisville Metro Police Department officer who was fired in January 2021 for violating useof-force procedures and failing to use a body camera during the fatal raid on Breonna Taylor’s apartment, was hired earlier this year by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department in Kentucky.

In 2022, Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who was fired after the fatal 2014 shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, was hired by a small Pennsylvania town to be its only police officer. He resigned from the job amid public outrage.

The AP-NORC poll found that 87% of Democrats and 54% of independents believe a second Trump term would negatively affect U.S. democracy. For Republicans, 82% believe democracy would be weakened by another Biden win, with 56% of independents agreeing.

About 2 in 10 U.S. adults (19%) say democracy in the U.S. is “already so seriously broken that it doesn’t matter who wins the 2024 presidential election.” Republicans (23%) are more likely than Democrats (10%) to say this, but relatively few in either party think U.S. democracy is resilient enough to withstand the outcome.

Social media platforms and news sites that reinforce biases accelerate the polarization that leads people from different political perspectives to believe the other side is the one representing the gravest threat to the nation’s democracy, said Lilliana Mason, an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins.

“I don’t think that people are exaggerating. I think it’s that they actually are living in information environments in which it is true for them that democracy is under threat,” she said.

Mason said one side fears what Trump has said he will do if he wins, while the other is responding to the fear created in a media ecosystem that says the Democrats want to destroy America and turn it into a socialist or communist society.

[[Yä kknÊ

È··¸ä äȹºä äȹµä ȸµ½ä ä¾kk 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 8 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

THE FORSYTH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

AP PHOTO

Walk in the new year

Get your resolutions started on Monday January 1 with a staff-guided First Day Hike at Pilot Mountain State Park, pictured here in 2021 with wildfire smoke in the air. Parks around North Carolina will host smoke- and cost-free guided hikes of trails both easy and challenging on New Year’s Day. See Page 2 for more.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Forsyth County still considering new ambulance franchise

Public Health Dept. holding C19 and flu walk-in vaccine clinic

Disagreement over necessity dominates the discussion

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is holding walk-in vaccine clinic hours at its 799 North Highland Ave. offices this week. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday.

The CDC and the health department recommend getting the latest flu and Covid shots every year.

Visit the Health Department at forsyth.cc/ HHS for more details.

First Medicaid expansion details shared More than 600,000 North Carolinians are newly eligible for health coverage through a recent expansion of NC Medicaid, and the state has recently shared numbers on how many residents have enrolled in the expansion.

Forsyth County has seen 10,523 newly eligible adults sign up for Medicaid, some 4.5 percent of the county’s 231,000 adult population between 19 and 64 years of age. This data is current as of December 1, though the data was only recently made available by the state.

Numbers will be updated monthly.

In total, 272,937 North Carolina residents have signed up for the program, with nearly 33 percent of whom are under the age of 30. Most of that 273,000 were part of the family planning population who were automatically moved to full Medicare coverage as part of the expansion.

To learn more (including income requirements) or to find out if you’re eligible, visit medicaid.nc.gov.

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, Dec. 21.

First on the agenda was a contentious discussion about granting a non-emergency ambulance franchise within the County to Medex Medical Transport Service Inc. Six months ago, the commissioners punted the decision on Medex joining the county ambulance providers, and the decision has come around again.

As County Attorney Gordon Watkins explained, the board had two issues to consider. First was whether an additional fran-

chise was necessary to ensure “adequate and continuing ambulance service and to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare.”

Were that need met, then the board would decide if an applicant were qualified under state law to provide ambulance services.

Medex Ambulance Services is certified and approved by the state, reported county Emergency Services Director Joseph Hundley to the board. Currently, Providence and Lifestar are the only two non-emergency ambulance franchise providers within the county.

“When you put the testimony that we’re getting from all parties together, the evidence is clearly there that we do not have the present capacity to handle the non-emergency transport demand in our community,”

2024 candidate slate is set Forsyth County has 14 primary elections in March Twin City Herald WINSTON-SALEM — Winston-Salem and Forsyth County primary voters will have a lengthy ballot during the March 5, 2024, primary with 14 separate local races having primaries in addition to the national and statewide races which will feature President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump and races for N.C. Governor and the entire Council of State.

Long-time state Senator Joyce Krawiec (R-NC31) announced earlier this month she would retire at the end of her term and would not seek re-election in 2024. Krawiec currently

serves as the chair of the Senate Health Care Committee, Pensions and Retirement and Aging Committee, and Appropriations on Health and Human Services Committee.

Republican Dana Caudill Jones of Kernersville, a former chair of the county school board, is seeking to replace Krawiec in the State Senate and has no GOP primary opponent.

She will face the winner of the Democratic primary which pits Laurelyn Dossett of Westfield against Ronda Mays of Rural Hall.

Incumbent Sen. Paul Lowe (D-NC32) of Winston-Salem faces a challenge in the Democratic primary from Gardenia Henley of Winston-Salem. Zac Lentz of Winston Salem is running unopposed for the Libertarian nomination and George K. Ware of Winston Salem will

“An emergency room patient cannot schedule their visit. The hospital cannot schedule when that person is ready to leave.”

Forsyth Commissioner Dan Besse said Commissioner Dan Besse, noting that there does appear to be a need for another ambulance franchise. “Essentially, we have the hospitals telling us and I can quote a letter: ‘That many times we are unable to schedule the needed medical transport until the next day.’ On the other hand, the gentlemen from Life-

be the GOP nominee in the general election.

Forsyth County’s delegation to the State House of Representatives could remain unchanged but several primaries and contested general elections could change the makeup of the delegation which will yield five House members for the county.

Incumbent Rep. Kanika Brown (D-NC71) of Winston Salem will return to the House as the incumbent as no primary or general election challenger. Incumbent Rep. Jeff Zenger (R-NC74) of Lewisville will seek to retain his seat without a primary challenge. Zenger will face the winner of the Democratic Primary between Amy Taylor North of Clemmons and Mack Wilder of Lewisville. Incumbent Rep. Amber M. Baker (D-NC72) of Winston Salem will face Marcus D. Pearson of Winston Salem in the Democratic primary. The Winner of that contest will win election to the House as no other candidates filed for

Star and Providence indicate that they can’t maintain enough capacity to respond a few hours later, especially if it’s later in the day. But they have unfilled transport spots available. The fact of the matter is that an emergency room patient cannot schedule their visit. The hospital cannot schedule when that person is ready to leave.”

“I do not think a need has been proven,” disagreed Vice Chair Gloria Whisenhunt. “I think we have two franchise establishments here [Providence and Lifestar] that are doing an awesome job and I will say that without them during the pandemic, we’d have been in trouble. I just think it would be damaging to the two franchises that we have now.”

The board voted to kick the can and continue the issue until the Jan. 18 meeting. That vote was opposed by Commissioners Besse, Tonya McDaniel and Shai Woodbury.

The board was then presented with an amendment to the 2016 Schools Capital Projects See COMMISSIONERS, page 2

the seat.

Incumbent Rep. Donny C. Lambeth (R-NC75) of Winston Salem will face Democratic challenger Caroline Warren of Winston Salem. Neither candidate faces a primary. Likewise, Rep. Kyle Hall (R-NC91) of King will meet Democratic challenger Vivian Fulk of King in the November election.

In county, city and judicial races, most of the primary action will be in the Democratic side. Only two Republican primaries will be contest in Forsyth County. For Republicans, the See CANDIDATES, page 2

$2.00

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

2 WEDNESDAY

SID RE

WEEKLY FORECAST

12.27.23 #277 WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

DEC 27

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation”

Twin City Herald Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Ryan Henkel, Reporter Jesse Deal, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

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

Get in touch

Twin City Herald

www nsjonline.com

COMMISSIONERS from page 1

Ordinance also known as the Brunson Elementary School Replacement Project which requires additional funding to start construction due to inflation.

“The original budget for the project was $25,225,200,” said County Manager Dudley Watts Jr. The additional funding required that will be placed in this fund is $27,249,179.78. The indication is that there could be completion in 2025.”

Aside from the cost, there were also concerns brought forth about the safety and feasibility of the site and WSFCS Assistant Superintendent Darrell Walker was in person to address those.

“We brought in some third-party outside firm, who were experts in the field, to come in and do the study on the environmental that reported back to the board and so that allowed us to move forward from there,” Walker said. There were some minimal findings, but our underground vapor system and intrusion system would be able to mitigate and monitor that.”

“There were originally 29 different locations evaluated and that was narrowed down to 19 to get to where we are today. A lot of work and time went into that evaluation. We did have environmental studies made. Within the design of this building, we did include vapor intrusion systems which we do

49° 28° 4%

FRIDAY

DEC 28

HI LO PRECIP

57° 32° 3%

DEC 29 HI LO PRECIP

54° 35° 5%

SATURDAY

DEC 30

HI LO PRECIP

55° 36° 8%

SUNDAY

MONDAY

DEC 31

HI LO PRECIP

JAN 1

54° 38° 12%

HI LO PRECIP

53° 45° 24%

TUESDAY

JAN 2

HI LO PRECIP

56° 48° 58%

NC state parks to host First Day Hikes Guided hikes planned across the state for New Year’s Day Stanly County Journal ON JANUARY 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staff-led hikes across its state parks.

State Parks Director Brian Strong expressed excitement about the expanded First Day Hikes program for 2024. “After a few years of smaller programming, we are offering a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks,” Strong said. He encouraged visitors to bring family and friends for outdoor adventures, marking the end of the holiday season.

Locally, Morrow Mountain State Park east of Albemarle will have a guided hike around the 0.6-mile Quarry Trail loop, rat-

ed as an easy trail. Meet at the lower picnic parking area, below the swimming pool, at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Although a few parks will not be offering guided hikes in 2024, they will remain open for visitors to hike independently. First Day Hikes have gained popularity, attracting large numbers of participants, especially in favorable winter hiking weather.

The First Day Hikes initiative, which started in Massachusetts in 1992, has seen participation from all 50 states since

2012. “This initiative has become a cherished tradition, providing individuals and families with the opportunity to embrace the outdoors, and kick off the year with a commitment to health and well-being,” said Lewis Ledford, executive director of the NASPD. The full list of First Day Hikes for North Carolina State Parks is available at ncparks.gov/firstday-hikes. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #ncstateparks and #FirstDayHikes.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Let’s be clear — this is about Joe Biden, not Hunter Biden WHEN JAMES COMER wondered on CNN whether special counsel David Weiss had indicted Hunter Biden on nine taxrelated charges to protect him from having to be deposed in the House Oversight Committee, Jake Tapper snarkily responded: “Yes, the classic rubric. He indicted him to protect him. I got it.”

Well, yes. Indicting a person on lesser charges can often protect him from more serious ones. It happens all the time. In this case, though, “him” isn’t Hunter. It’s Joe. Weiss failed to indict Hunter for failing to register as a foreign agent or failing to pay taxes on the millions that flowed from those arrangements. Why? Probably because any investigation into Hunter’s $17 million foreign influence-peddling business — which Weiss has scrupulously avoided — leads to the president of the United States answering lots of awkward queries about his connection to disreputable people and authoritarian regimes. There is no Hunter Biden case without Joe. There is no Biden Inc. without Joe. Hunter’s laptop — the one that the New York Post got its hands on, and that Tapper and others attempted to cover up — was crammed with texts and emails in which the son references his dad’s role in securing payments and taking cuts from the business.

Any genuine investigation into the 20-plus shell companies set up by James Biden, Joe’s brother, and Hunter would compel lots of people to answer questions on the record or under oath.

Weiss conveniently allowed some of these infractions to pass the statute of limitations, but some have not. Hunter pulled in $1 million a year from Burisma from the years

normally do within our buildings anyway and a mitigation system as well that is being designed in the system.”

Following discussion, the board unanimously approved the amendment.

“I’ve been to Brunson many times. Part of the original project to put some concrete under it from sinking into Silas Creek,” said Chairman Don Martin. “Been in it when Silas Creek did flood and go into the building. I’ve been there and it’s time for the folks that have been a part of the Brunson project to move to a new home. There’s no question about that.”

The board also approved two budgetary items: an ordinance to transfer $233,709 in funding from contingency to Forsyth Technical Community College to account for salary increases approved as part of the state budget, and a resolution to increase the project contingency for the public safety center upfit project by $9,151; two grants: the acceptance of a $29,900 2023 historic preservation fund matching grant to continue the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission and the submission of an application to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to apply for and accept if awarded 2024 Urgent Repair Program Funding for an allocation of $132,000; as well as 16 contractual matters.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will next meet Jan. 18.

2014-2017, while Joe was forging American policy in that nation. It’s only a weird happenstance, not a massive conflict of interest, that the sitting vice president’s decisions may have aided the oil concern while his son was being paid. Hunter’s salary fell to roughly $500,000 annually from 2017-2019, after Joe was out of the White House. Another weird coincidence.

But the president’s son also had a 10% stake in a Chicom investment fund named BHR Partners from 2013-2021.

Joe flew him to China to set it up, met one of the partners, and then wrote a letter of recommendation for the man’s kid. All completely innocent, no doubt.

Let’s not forget, either, that without the IRS whistleblowers coming forward, Hunter would probably have escaped any charges.

And let’s also not forget that without U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika putting the kibosh on it, Weiss would have allowed Hunter’s lawyers to write an extraordinary plea agreement that not only would have ensured the president’s name wouldn’t be dragged into the investigation, but it would have let Hunter plead out to two of the least consequential charges — with virtually no punishment — in exchange for blanket immunity.

At every turn, Weiss is protecting Joe. Then again, this is about Hunter insomuch as all of this can be politically disastrous for the president. On the Sunday talk shows, the president’s defenders portrayed Hunter Biden as a lost man struggling to overcome drug addiction and Joe Biden as the loving father, who had recently lost his other son, there to help.

Others contended that Hunter was the real

CANDIDATES from page 1 Forsyth Couty Board of Commissioners District B primary, which will yield three GOP general election candidates, the three incumbent commissioners, Gloria D. Whisenhunt of Winston-Salem, Richard V. Linville of Kernersville, and Dave Plyler of Kernersville will face challengers Terri Mrazek of Belews Creek, Ralf E. Walters of Winston-Salem, and Gray Wilson of Winston-Salem.

Four Democrats, Marsie West, Valerie Brockenbrough, Kendall Fields, and Curtis Fentress, all of Winston-Salem, are vying for three spots on the Democratic side of the November ballot.

The other GOP primary will determine a Republican nominee for the Winston-Salem City Council Northwest Ward seat that is being vacated by the retiring Democrat Jeff MacIntish who announced in early 2023 that he would not seek a fourth term. Republicans Herbert I. Burns, Jr. and Jimmy Hodson, both of Winston-Salem are vying for their party’s nomination and will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Regina Ford Hall and Bob Hartwell.

Incumbent Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines will face two challengers, Joanne Allen and Frankie Gist, in the Democratic primary as the 76 year-old Joines seeks his seventh four-year term as mayor.

All of the seats on the Winston-Salem City Council will be up for grabs in 2024. Incumbent

victim of an overzealous prosecution.

Hunter is a middle-aged Yale-educated lawyer, international lobbyist, foreign energy consultant, millionaire and celebrated artist, whose work can go for upwards of half a million dollars. The jails are strewn with Americans who have far more tragic stories to tell. Do they get to write off sex club memberships, prostitutes, and hotel rooms for his drug dealers? Would you?

Moreover, Hunter continued cheating on his taxes after he had supposedly gone clean and remarried. He set up his influencepeddling schemes before his brother Beau died — not in combat, as the president often claims, but from a brain tumor.

When ordinary Americans are being audited by the new supercharged IRS, or spending hours struggling to figure out the square-footage formula used to write off their home office in their 1040s, I hope they remember that Democrats believe Joe and Hunter are the real victims here.

At any rate, Weiss knows, despite the media’s insistence, that Joe doesn’t need to directly benefit from his family’s foreign ventures to corrupt himself — though there is plenty of circumstantial evidence that he did. If one of the most powerful men in the United States government participates in a scheme — or allows people to believe he is offering access — that makes millions for his entire family, it may or may not be illegal, but it is corrupt.

And any investigation that leads to those questions is a disaster for the president.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist.

James Taylor (SE Ward) will retain his seat with no primary or general election challenge. With current SW Ward member Kevin Mundy not seeking re-election, Democratic candidate Scott Andree-Bowen will be the new member as no primary or general election challengers filed. Incumbent Robert C. Clark will face Republican challenger Christoper Smith for the West Ward seat in the general election.

South Ward incumbent John Larson faces three Democratic challengers, Adrian Smith, Vivian V. Joiner and Carolyn Highsmith. The winner of the Democratic primary will win the general election as no other candidates filed for the seat.

East Ward incumbent Annette Scippio will also face three Democratic challengers in Jared D. Lamkin, Christopher Taylor and Phil Carter. The winner of the Democratic primary faces no general election opponent. Likewise, the winner of the Democratic primary in the North Ward featuring incumbent Denise (D.D.) Adams against challengers Eunice Campbell and Kymberli Rene Wellman will win the seat. Incumbent Barbara Hanes Burke faces Democratic challenger Paula J. McCoy in the NE Ward with the winner running unopposed in November.

The county’s judiciary will not see much action on the primary ballot but the judges dispatching justice in the county’s new courthouse will be different after next year’s election. Republican

Voters will have a lengthy ballot with 14 separate local races plus national and statewide races for President, N.C. Governor and the entire Council of State.

Chief District Court Judge Victoria Roemer is retiring as well as Democrat District Court Judge Larry Fine. Voters won’t decide Fine’s replacement as Democrat Artrese Ziglar was the only candidate to file. Republican Erin Brock is running unopposed in the GOP primary to replace Roemer and will face the Demcratic primary winner from a threeway race among Andrew Keever, Lauren A. Tuttle, and Shonna R. Alexander.

Incumbents Camille BanksPrince, Carrie Vickery, Whit Davis, Kristin Kelly Broyles, and David E. Sipprell will all return to the bench with each drawing no challengers.

In the Superior Court, Judge Eric Morgan, a Republican from Kernersville, will return to the bench for another term having drawn no primary or general election opponents.

Incumbent Register of Deeds Lynne Johnson will face Brittany Bailey in the Democratic primary with the winner facing no general election opponent.

es

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

SIDELINE REPORT

SPORTS

3

the better part of th ing to earn acceptan stitutions,” Ural said don’t know what we’r now.”

The outbreak has for millions of stud taking virtual tou while also dealing about tuition payme

SPONSORED BY

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ole Miss, Kiffin agree to contract extension Oxford, Miss.

Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin has agreed to a contract extension, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter announced Tuesday without disclosing any details.

Kiffin has led the 11thranked Rebels into the Peach Bowl against No. 10 Penn State on Dec. 30 and to the program’s first two 10-win regular seasons. Kiffin has guided the Rebels to four consecutive bowl berths and two New Year’s Six bowl appearances in the past three years.

NFL

Ex-Giants running back Ward arrested for robbery Los Angeles Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of robbery.

Police say the 43-yearold was arrested Monday in the North Hollywood area. He’s jailed on $250,000 bail. Police haven’t released other details. Ward had an eight-year NFL career.

It started with his 2004 drafting with the New York Jets. He also played for the Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans before retiring in 2012. Ward was with the Giants when they beat the undefeated New England Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl, although he didn’t play because of a broken leg.

NBA

Nets’ Simmons out again with back injury New York Ben Simmons won’t return to the Brooklyn Nets until at least January because of a pinched nerve in his lower back. The Nets said Wednesday that Simmons, who sustained his latest back injury Nov. 6, has shown consistent strength improvement in the area, but his status won’t be updated for another two weeks.

Simmons played in six games before he was hurt and has missed 20 already this season after his last two seasons were cut short because of back problems. He received an epidural injection as part of the planned rehabilitation from this injury.

AP PHOTO

Former Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith is among several people who will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame next spring.

NC Sports Hall of Fame class unveils 2024 class Jim Nantz, Randolph Childress and Steve Smith highlight the inductees The Associated Press RALEIGH — CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and college basketball stars Randolph Childress and Shea Ralph are among the class of 2024 inductees to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Other notables to enter the hall at an induction ceremony in May in Charlotte include retired Davidson men’s basketball coach Bob McKillop, former Wake Forest athletic director

Pittsburgh Andrew McCutchen isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Pirates star is remaining in his adopted hometown after agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2024 season worth $5 million, according to reports. The 37-yearold McCutchen hit .256 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 112 games while serving primarily as a designated hitter in 2023.

He collected his 2,000th career hit in June and was sitting on 299 career home runs in September when he partially tore his left Achilles tendon while legging out a double against Milwaukee.

May 10 Date of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center 1995 after historic performances over Duke and North Carolina. He played professionally for 16 years.

Now the women’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt, Ralph

Miami lands ACC’s top class on football signing day The Hurricanes currently have the third-best class in the country, according to 247Sports

MLB

McCutchen with Pirates on 1-year deal

Ron Wellman and Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the Hall of Fame said last week in a news release.

Nantz, a Charlotte native, anchors CBS golf coverage and is the lead NFL play-by-play announcer for the network. He also led the network’s NCAA basketball coverage for 32 years.

Smith played 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and is the team’s all-time leader in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. He also played three years for the Baltimore Ravens.

Childress starred on the Wake Forest basketball team in the early 1990s, winning the ACC Tournament MVP award in

played her college ball at UConn, where she led the team to the 2000 NCAA title and was named Final Four MVP. Ralph averaged 39 points a game as a high school junior at Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford High School and held numerous state records when she graduated.

McKillop recorded 634 wins and 23 conference titles while at Davidson. The Wildcats’ 2008 team, led by Stephen Curry, reached the Elite Eight.

Other inductees include Sheila Ford Duncan, the 1984 NAIA women’s basketball player of the year while leading UNC Asheville to the national championship; Olympic rowing gold-medal winner and Greensboro native Caroline Lind; retired NFL tight end Pettis Norman, who played in college at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte; and the late Don Skakle, the former men’s tennis coach at UNC. The 2024 induction will bring the Hall of Fame membership total to 411.

The Associated Press MIAMI COACH Mario Cristobal hasn’t yet taken the Hurricanes to an Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, but he sure has made a difference on the recruiting trail.

Cristobal closed strong to help Miami secure the ACC’s topranked recruiting class for a second straight year. According to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, Miami’s class ranked third nationally — behind only Georgia and Alabama — early Wednesday evening as the first day of the early signing period wound down.

Florida State was ninth in the team standings. The Seminoles had led the ACC rankings before two of their top recruits switched to other schools Wednesday, with safety KJ Bolden (14th in the 247Sports Composite) picking Georgia and

defensive lineman Armondo Blount (22nd) choosing Miami.

Florida State rebuilt its program the last few years by relying heavily on the transfer portal, but a 13-0 season helped the Seminoles produce their best class in Mike Norvell’s coaching tenure.

Miami landed seven of 247Sports Composite’s top 73 recruits in defensive lineman Justin Scott (15th), Blount, wide receiver Ny Carr (48th), athlete Joshisa Trader (50th), edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot (60th), safety Zaquan Patterson (68th) and linebacker Adarius Hayes (73rd).

Florida State’s class is highlighted by cornerback Charles Lester (39th), quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (54th), tight end Landen Thomas (64th), running back Kameron Davis (69th) and cornerback Kai Bates (86th).

The only other ACC class to rank in the top 20 was Clemson at No. 12. Clemson has two of the nation’s top 21 overall recruits according to the 247Sports Composite in linebacker Sammy Brown (16th) and wide receiver Bryant Wesco (21st).

UNC and NC State both have

AP PHOTO

NC State coach Dave Doeren, left, and UNC coach Mack Brown, right, tboth landed top-30 classes on national signing day. classes in the top 30. So does Stanford, a Pac-12 member heading to the ACC next season.

Scott and Blount were two of the four highest-rated prospects to select ACC schools. They both picked Miami to help give the Hurricanes arguably the best collection of defensive line recruits in the nation.

North Carolina’s seven FBS schools are led by the Tar Heels and Wolfpack, who are ranked 26th and 27th, respectively.

Wake Forest is No. 51 followed

by Duke at 53rd. East Carolina (No. 65), Charlotte (No. 79) and App State (No. 81) rounded out the N.C. schools.

126th Ranking for NC State signee Terrell Anderson, a wide receiver from Grimsley High School in Greensboro

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

4

STATE & NATION

Justice Department creates database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement The Associated Press The U.S. Justice Department has created a database to track records of misconduct by federal law enforcement officers that is aimed at preventing agencies from unknowingly hiring problem officers, officials said.

The federal move is a step toward accountability amid growing calls to close loopholes that allow law enforcement officers to be rehired by other agencies after losing their jobs or resigning after misconduct allegations. The creation of the database was part of President Joe Biden’s May 2022 executive order on policing, which included dozens of measures aimed at increasing accountability for federal law enforcement officers.

“This database will ensure that records of serious misconduct by federal law enforcement officers are readily available to agencies considering hiring those officers,” Biden said in a statement.

But the database, which will only contain records for federal officers and not be open to the public, falls short of the national misconduct database called for by some police reform advocates.

The National Law Enforcement Accountability Database currently includes only former and current Justice Department officers who have records of se-

AP PHOTO

The Justice Department in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2022. rious misconduct over the last seven years. It will be expanded in the next two months to capture other federal law enforcement agencies such as the Secret Service and United States Park Police, a Justice Department official said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said it will give federal agencies “an important new tool for vetting and hiring officers and agents that will help strengthen our efforts” to build and retain the public’s trust.

“No law enforcement agency — including the Justice Department — can effectively do its work without the trust of the public,” Garland said in an emailed statement.

Federal agencies will be responsible for reporting and updating records for officers who faced criminal convictions, civil judgments, terminations, suspensions, resigning or retiring while under investigation and sustained complaints or disciplinary actions for serious mis-

conduct, officials said. Serious misconduct includes excessive force, obstruction of justice, findings of bias or discrimination, making a false report, making a false statement under oath, theft and sexual misconduct.

The database is currently only accessible by Justice Department employees and will eventually be expanded to allow access by users in other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies, a Justice Department official said. The Bureau of Justice Statistics will produce an annual public report on the database, but the report will not include individual incident data and will be anonymized to protect the privacy of officers, officials said.

The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training has created a national repository for officer decertification that boasts more than 53,000 records from 49 state agencies. However, providing the records and using the records is voluntary and the database does not include any other disciplinary measures such as firings or suspensions.

The federal government is trying to encourage more states and local agencies to participate in the National Decertification Index by giving priori-

Americans agree that the 2024 election will be pivotal for democracy, but for different reasons The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a politically polarized nation, Americans seem to agree on one issue underlying the 2024 elections — a worry over the state of democracy and how the outcome of the presidential contest will affect its future.

They just disagree over who poses the threat.

A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins next fall. Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (55%) feel the same way, but for different reasons.

President Joe Biden has attempted to paint a dystopian future if GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trump returns to the White House after promising to seek retribution against opponents and declining to rule out that he would abuse the powers of the office. The former president has tried to flip the narrative lately, saying the election subversion and documents cases against him show Biden has weaponized the federal government to prosecute a political opponent. He has called Biden the

AP PHOTO

The White House is seen reflected in a puddle. “destroyer of American democracy.”

“I think from the side of the left, it’s pretty obvious that they’re concerned about electing a president who is avowedly authoritarian, someone who clearly wants to reduce checks and balances within the government to strengthen the presidency and to do so in ways that give the executive branch kind of an unprecedented reach across the population and sectors of the government,” said Michael Albertus, political sci-

ence professor at the University of Chicago.

“From the right, the Republicans think about government overreach, big government, threats to freedom and mandates to act in a certain way or adopt certain policies,” he said.

Against that backdrop, the poll found that about half of U.S. adults, 51%, say democracy is working “not too well” or “not well at all.”

The poll asked about the importance of the coming presi-

dential election for 12 issues and found that the percentage who said the outcome will be very or extremely important to the future of democracy in the U.S. (67%) ranked behind only the economy (75%). It was about equal to the percentage who said that about government spending (67%) and immigration (66%).

Tony Motes, a retired firefighter who lives in Monroe, Georgia, cited a number of reasons he believes “we’re not living in a complete democracy.” That includes what he sees as a deterioration of rights, including parental rights, thieves and other criminals not being held accountable, and a lack of secure borders.

The 59-year-old Republican also said the various criminal cases being brought against Trump undermine the country’s democratic traditions.

“They’re trying to keep him from running because they know he’s going to win,” he said.

The poll’s findings continue a trend of Americans’ lackluster views about how democracy is functioning. They also believe the country’s governing system is not working well to reflect their interests on issues ranging from immigration to abortion to the economy.

ty consideration when handing out grants to law enforcement agencies that use that database as part of their employment vetting process, officials said.

Reform advocates have issued calls for a national system to track officer misconduct in part to address officers who are fired or resign and who then jump to other police departments sometimes in different states often because a full accounting of alleged misconduct records isn’t available.

There have been a handful of recent examples of officers fired for high-profile police misconduct at local departments including fatal shootings who were then hired by police departments in different states or, in some cases, the same state.

Myles Cosgrove, the former Louisville Metro Police Department officer who was fired in January 2021 for violating useof-force procedures and failing to use a body camera during the fatal raid on Breonna Taylor’s apartment, was hired earlier this year by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department in Kentucky.

In 2022, Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who was fired after the fatal 2014 shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, was hired by a small Pennsylvania town to be its only police officer. He resigned from the job amid public outrage.

The AP-NORC poll found that 87% of Democrats and 54% of independents believe a second Trump term would negatively affect U.S. democracy. For Republicans, 82% believe democracy would be weakened by another Biden win, with 56% of independents agreeing.

About 2 in 10 U.S. adults (19%) say democracy in the U.S. is “already so seriously broken that it doesn’t matter who wins the 2024 presidential election.” Republicans (23%) are more likely than Democrats (10%) to say this, but relatively few in either party think U.S. democracy is resilient enough to withstand the outcome.

Social media platforms and news sites that reinforce biases accelerate the polarization that leads people from different political perspectives to believe the other side is the one representing the gravest threat to the nation’s democracy, said Lilliana Mason, an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins.

“I don’t think that people are exaggerating. I think it’s that they actually are living in information environments in which it is true for them that democracy is under threat,” she said.

Mason said one side fears what Trump has said he will do if he wins, while the other is responding to the fear created in a media ecosystem that says the Democrats want to destroy America and turn it into a socialist or communist society.

[[Yä kknÊ

È··¸ä äȹºä äȹµä ȸµ½ä ä¾kk 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 44 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 | MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM | SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

MOORE COUNTY THE MOORE COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

GENE GALIN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Kicking in 2024

Northwood senior Rui Aguiar goes for a bicycle kick against North Moore during the Mustangs’ 4-2 win over the Chargers in August. Turn to page 3 for more of our favorite photos from 2023.

WHAT’S HAPPENING North Carolina State Parks to Host First Day Hikes On January 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staff-led hikes across its state parks.

Locally, Weymouth Woods in Southern Pines will have a guided hike around the 1-mile Boyd Tract beginning at 9 a.m., where you can meet the oldest known living longleaf pine tree in the world.

At 1 p.m., hike the 2-mile Weymouth Tract, rated as an easy trail. Meet at the visitor center.

At 3 p.m., hike the 1.5 mile Paint Hill Tract at Weymouth Woods. Note that it does have some elevation changes. Meet at the parking area at the Stoneyfield Drive access.

The full list of First Day Hikes for North Carolina State Parks is available at ncparks.gov/first-dayhikes. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #ncstateparks and #FirstDayHikes.

Agriculture Risk and Price Loss Coverage receive 1-year extension Agricultural producers can enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2024 crop year. Enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year between now and March 15, 2024.

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARCCounty or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual, which protects the entire farm.

Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.

Aberdeen Town Board convenes for swearing-in, infrastructure talks Major projects and billing changes discussed in December meeting

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal ABERDEEN — The Aberdeen Town Board met Monday, Dec. 11.

To begin the meeting, the board swore in the elected members from the recent municipal election. Teressa Beavers and Bryan Bowles were resworn in and Elease Goodwin took the oath of office for the first time.

“What is neat about these communities in Moore County, none of them are partisan and I hope they never become partisan,” said Mayor Robbie Farrell. “When you run for an election in a small town, like any of

the towns of Moore County, it is about the citizens. It is not about a party and if it ever gets to be a party, we’re going to be in trouble.”

The board then reelected Bowles as Mayor Pro Tem. Tim Helms also received votes.

Following the elections, the board held a public hearing to consider the acceptance of a bond for the infrastructure related to Shaw Landing Development.

“This request is for the neighborhood, Shaw Landing, that was approved some four to five years ago originally,” said Town Manager Paul Sabiston. “It’s the developer’s ability to request that some infrastructure be bonded, meaning that the developer is able to either put up cash or a purchase bond that would cover the cost of the infrastructure

that has not yet been installed.”

The total amount to be bonded is $529,138.75, which the board accepted.

The board also approved an annexation request submitted by Habitat for Humanity of the Sandhills for approximately 103.23 acres of property located east of US 15-501 and south of Pee Dee Road and approved the awarding of a $935,920 bid and contract to North State Water & Sewer, Inc. for a sewer outfall project.

“It’s a big project in the sense that it’s going to add a main sewer line down Highway 5 and it will eventually feed into the new Pinehurst No. 10 development,” Sabiston said. “So that’s the important part of it. The different part of it, and it’s a good thing, there’s a percentage of this project that Pinehurst No. 10 is going

to pay for.”

The board then awarded a $715,226 resurfacing contract to Highland Paving.

“We have reduced the number of streets from originally 13 and they are prioritized by the worst shape,” said Director of Public Works Joe Wood. “Main Street is at the top priority. If you’ve been down that street lately, it’s rough.

We spent a lot of time this last week just looking at the streets and trying to get that number down without shortening the length of segments replaced.”

The project will repave parts of Kensington Way, W Saunders Avenue, E Main Street, E South Street, Sun Road, N Sycamore Street and Wilder Avenue.

The board also awarded a contract in the amount not to See ABERDEEN, page 2

Pinehurst council discusses roads and committees Addresses infrastructure projects and committee vacancies in December session

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal PINEHURST — The Village of Pinehurst Council met Tuesday, Dec. 12. It was the first regular business meeting for newly elected mayor Pat Pizzella and council members John Taylor and Barb Ficklin.

In regards to the still vacant council seat, Village Manager Jeff Sanborn reported that the Village had received 12 applications for people interested in filling the seat.

“We will have a discussion on how we can move that along and hopefully by the next time we meet, we’ll have a fifth councilmember,” Pizzella said. “I’m optimistic.”

In addition, Sanborn reported that there were four applicants for two vacancies on the historic preservation committee and three candidates for one vacancy on the planning and zoning board and board of adjustments.

“We’re going to be moving forward with starting interviews for

those positions, but if there are other folks in the community that would like to also serve in those positions, please get your applications in,” Sanborn said. “You can contact our Village Clerk or access the application online.

There’s still time to get that in and consider other folks.”

The council first awarded a $1,025,778 contract for approximately three miles of road resurfacing and striping to Fred Smith Company.

“The Village maintains about 108 miles of roadways within our Village limits,” said Public Services and Engineering Director Mike Apke. “We have a goal each year to resurface a little more than four miles of those roadways. We’ve averaged about 4.3 miles for the last four fiscal years.”

According to Apke, the Village contracts a private engineer to conduct a Pavement Condition Survey every three years which creates a scored list of roads and typically staff chooses the worst of those scores for the yearly resurfacing. The funding for this project will also come from Pinehurst’s remaining Powell Bill budget.

The roads that will be resurfaced are parts of Sawmill Road West and East, Sawmill Court,

Lake View East, Monroe Lane, Juniper Creek, Thorne Road, Lake Forest Drive SW, Lodge Pole Lane, Fur Court East and West, Cherry Lane, Osage Lane, Beryl Lane, Onyx Lane S, Surry Circle N, Harness and Page Street The council also approved the dedication of Winston Pines Drive and the associated right-ofways to the Village of Pinehurst.

“Winston Pines is a subdivision that was approved by council five years ago,” Sanborn said. “It sits just outside the Village limits proper on Foxfire Road. The expectation at that time that was communicated to us and council, was that when the development was complete and the roadway was completed to standard, that they would dedicate the road to the Village of Pinehurst.”

Finally, the council approved a resolution to exempt CMS Engineering from the qualification-based selection process in order to conduct an annual intersection studies.

“Many years ago, the Village undertook an effort to better understand the traffic situation at the intersections along the primary state roads that come through the Village,” Sanborn said. “Since we started that effort, every year.

We have engaged with an outside

consultant to come in and analyze the key intersections on those state roads, half of them one year and half of them the next.”

North Carolina general statutes state that specific services such as architectural, engineering and surveying, instead of being based on lowest bid should be based on the qualifications of the firm. However, an exemption can be granted by local municipalities if it’s deemed to be in the best interest.

“We’re not trying to say that we don’t want them to be qualified,” said Assistant Village Manager Jeff Batton. “They are fully qualified, we’re just asking that we don’t have to put out an RFQ.” CMS Engineering has been working with the Village on these studies since 2005.

The Village of Pinehurst Council will next meet Jan. 9.

$2.00

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

2 WEDNESDAY

12.27.23

“Join the conversation”

Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor A.P. Dillon, Reporter Ryan Henkel, Reporter Jesse Deal, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

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

COLUMN | CONNIE LOVELL

moore

Resolution

happening

RECENTLY, the Wall Street Journal published an article advising “How to Avoid Being Boring at 60”. The essay was authored

by Rob LaZebnik, co-executive producer of “The Simpsons. This may explain everything.

The suggested resolutions included: “make an announcement on an airplane”; “make a shirt” and “take a sound bath”. Seriously?

These stultifying suggestions are ridiculous, no matter one’s age.

The New Year tradition of making sound resolutions to improve personal and community enrichment is as old as the Babylonians. That tribe began the ritual by honoring their gods, “promising to pay their debts and return borrowed farming equipment.” The Medieval knights took the “peacock vow” renewing their dedication to chivalry. Good resolutions, indeed.

Consider making your New Year resolution to avoid boredom.

Instead of taking a sound bath, consider substitute teaching. There you will be awash in sounds and smells not encountered since your early 20’s. Moore County public schools needs teachers, coaches, administration staff and support from the community. A high school diploma and a boat load of courage is all it takes to become a substitute teacher.

Additionally, a new opportunity, modeled after the military, allows non-certified college graduates to enter the classroom as a “resident” teacher while acquiring certification.

Coach Randy Hanna, landed on the tee at Sandhills Community College after retiring as chief technical officer at General Motors Financial in Michigan. Randy always wanted to coach. He became the volunteer assistant coach for the Flyers under Gus Ulrich. They led the team to 3 consecutive years of national championships. That was not enough for Randy. He is now a collegiate player-coach at SCC taking 12 credit hours of instruction, studying Business Law, Music Appreciation, Banking and Data Analytics at Sandhills in his spare time. “This is the coolest thing I have ever done.”

This is not boring.

If the idea of making public announcements holds a certain fascination, toss your golf hat into local politics. The Sandhills is exploding. Layering road congestion, public safety and stress on our infrastructure onto this community, officially dedicated to its quaint, small-town aura, requires expert leadership. The person able to resolve these growing pains while maintaining a culture of quiet stability will be a bigshot in this town. We have some very fine leaders in the Sandhills, you would be in

good company.

Creating a shirt might not excite you but making music could make your heart beat faster.

Maestro Michael Wolff, God’s gift to the Carolina Philharmonic has launched Flow University and Music Leadership Academy in Pinehurst. These ambitious institutions are open to students 13-to-20, on full scholarship. That means volunteers, my friends, plenty of them. This is an opportunity to dust off the violin, tune the piano and mentor an aspiring musician.

Mr. LaZebnik also suggested attending a megachurch to relieve boredom after 60.

How about any church. Resolve to practice your faith in the new year. Our political and educational institutions have preached secularism for so many decades, we hardly miss the moralizing popular in the old days. In this new world of conflict, we are beginning to see an acknowledgement that evil exists. Pundits and podcasters are beginning to wonder in public if something evil is controlling our world. Entering the body of faith offered in our local churches to seek an understanding of our purpose might calm our troubled waters.

Try your hand at the Artists League of the Sandhills. This rich culture of dedicated artists resides in the old train terminal in Aberdeen. Experiment with the multiple media offered by instructors, cohorts and cohabitants in the creative world. Resolve to find your inner artist in an atmosphere of support and collaboration. If ever there was a risk worth taking it is the deep dive into the unknow world of your own imagination.

Ride a horse, walk a beagle, muck a stall.

Southern Pines is home to the WalthourMoss Foundation, stewarding over 4000 acres of pristine, protected land. It is a sanctuary for wildlife and quiet life in equal measure. Originally recognized for its fine equestrian facilities and the Moore County Hounds, the Penn-marydel line of foxhounds, today, the Foundation’s mission has expanded to include easements accessing foot trails, monitoring the treasured redcockaded woodpecker and maintaining bluebird boxes.

Many in the Sandhills have chosen to live here for golf or the horses or the climate but we have remained here because of the strength of our community. We make a difference here. Every hour you dedicate to someone else, every dollar you contribute to support a cause is reflected in the inspiring experiences you have created.

Connie Lovell lives in Moore County

December 16 x Joseph David Cheeks Sr, 69, of Aberdeen was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office for domestic violence. He received a $1,000 bond.

December 18 x Jeremiah Marcus Mosley, 19, of Pinebluff, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office for assault on a female and was charged with a probation violation. Total bond was set at $7,500. x Tayvon Caprius Collins, 20, of Raeford, was arrested by Southern Pines Police for possession of firearm by felon for which he received a $15,000 secure bond. He is also facing charges of carrying a concealed gun, driving with a revoked license, and fail to dim headlamps. x Moses Gonzalez-Don, 22, from Robbins, was arrested on out of county charged by the Robbins Police Department and charged with littering (not greater than 15 lbs), driving after consuming (< 21), driving with a revoked license, speeding, and reckless driving to endanger. Total bond was set at $10,000.

December 19 x Royce Morgan Jr, 44, from Ramseur, was arrested by Robbins Police for possession of methamphetamine, possession of schedule-II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fail wear seat belt front seat. Bond was set at $10,000. Morgan is also facing 5 counts of injuring property to obtain nonferrous metals out of Lee County for which he received a $75,000 secure bond. x Michael Eugene Lamb, 41, from Pittsboro, was arrested by Robbins Police for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule-II controlled substance, failing to heed to light or siren, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (up to 1/2 oz), possession of marijuana paraphernalia, failing to wear seat belt, and fail carry valid driver’s license. Bond was set at $10,000.

ABERDEEN from page 1

exceed $255,000 to Robert’s Brothers Paving for paving at the new Sportsplex. The funding will come from the CVB grant money.

Finally, the board approved a resolution to amend the fee schedule for the water and sewer and garbage rates for FY 23-24 to go from bimonthly to monthly billing.

“Instead of just dividing it in half, we actually increase what would really be just the one half of that a little bit with the idea that we want to make sure we have our costs covered now monthly instead of bimonthly and with the idea that we can avoid an increase hopefully when we go into our budget year for the 24-25 year,” Sabiston said.

According to Sabiston, the

base rate for water and sewer will go from 5,000 gallons every two months to 3,000 every month.

“A modest amount of increase in this water bill ensures us of having a steady product,” Farrell said. “Nobody on this board wants to increase anything, but sometimes you have to.”

The Aberdeen Town Board will next meet Jan. 22.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Dec. 27 Learn and Play at the Library 10 a.m.

An open play date with your toddler or preschooler from 10 am until 12 pm. There will be developmental toys and puzzles as well as early literacy tips on display for parents and caregivers to incorporate into their daily activities.

Southern Pines Library 170 W Connecticut Ave, Southern Pines, NC.

Dec. 28 Moore County Farmers Market 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Enjoy shopping from fresh and locally grown produce, meats, honey, eggs, seasonal items and more at the Armory Sports Complex (604 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines, NC)

Dec. 29 Sheetz – Grand Opening 9 – 11 a.m.

Sheetz is holding a Grand Opening Celebration for their new Carthage store located at 1025 Monroe St, in Carthage.

Giveaways all day, bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, you will receive a Sheetz branded bag (limit one per customer and while supplies last).

Dec. 31 Town Of Southern Pines: First Eve 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

TUNE INTO The John and Maureen show

Sundays

1 - 2PM WEEB 990 AM 104.1 and 97.3 FM

MOORE CITIZENS FOR FREEDOM

MOORE COUNTY Remember that we live in the best country, the best state, and by far the best county.

MOORE COUNTY, WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

Annual First Eve celebration in Downtown Southern Pines on Sunday, Dec. 31st | 6pm-8pm! The fun takes place on the streets of Downtown Southern Pines between Connecticut and Pennsylvania Avenues and on the First Bank Stage at Sunrise Theater.

This family-friendly event includes games, entertainment, live music, face painting and much fun. (Pine Cone drops at 8pm.)

Sandhills Bowling Center - New Year’s Eve Family Bowling Party 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Sandhills Bowling Center will be hosting a New Year’s Family Bowling Party from 5:30-8 p.m. $20 per person and includes 2.5 hours of unlimited cosmic bowling, free shoes, unlimited soft drinks and a food choice. There will be special giveaways, games, party favors and a special New Year’s Eve Countdown!

ing

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

3

SPORTS END OF YEAR BEST IMAGES

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

GENE GALIN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, North Moore’s Esteban Pulido does his best to hold off his man’s attempt to head the ball during a win over Northwood. The Mustangs went 15-5-2 on the soccer pitch this year. Right, North Moore’s Paige Ritter watches her shot during the 1A/2A golf championships. Ritter and North Moore won the individual and team conference titles respectively.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, Pinecrest’s Jasiah Gilchrist (3) runs down Hoke’s Kayeliana Bonner for a blocked shot during the Patriots’ win in January. Right, Junior punter Duncan Collins gets his kick off despite getting roughed by Daniel Boynton during Union Pines’ 20-19 loss to Northwood.

GENE GALIN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Blazer 9mm Magpul Ever wish you had a 115gr, FMJ Brass Cased

PMAGs

$299/case 10 for $90 Žƌ Ψϭϲͬ Ždž

local store which has The Best Prices on Cases of Ammo?

The best selection of factory standard capacity magazines?

An AWESOME selection of Modern Sporting Weapons from Leading Manufactures Like, Sig, FN, S&W, etc?

Flamethrowers & Gatlin Guns?

All at better than on-line prices?

You Do! Del-Ton M4 tŝƚŚ &Ƶůů >ĞŶŐƚŚ ZĂŝů͊

9796 Aberdeen Rd, Aberdeen

KŶ Zƚ Ϯϭϭ ũƵƐƚ ŝŶƐŝĚĞ ,ŽŬĞ ŽƵŶƚLJ͘ tŝƚŚ YƵĂŶƚŝĐŽ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů

Store Hours: dƵĞ Ͳ &ƌŝ͗ ϭϭĂŵ ʹ ϰƉŵ 910.637.0500 www.ProvenOutfitters.com

$499

DĂĚĞ ŝŶ E ͊

Polish Radom AK-47

$649

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact

$449

tŝƚŚ >ŝŐŚƚ͊

ϯϴ͟ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů ZŝĨůĞ ĂƐĞ͗ ΨϮϬ

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

4

obituaries

SPONSORED BY BOLES FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

TV actor Kamar de los Reyes of ‘One Life to Live’and ‘Call of Duty’ dies at 56 Gregory Bryan Todd

November 22, 1957 - December 15, 2023 Gregory Bryan Todd, 66 of Fuquay Varina, NC passed on Friday, December 15, 2023 at UNC Rex Hospital in Holly Springs.

Panayota Digonis Clark

March 5, 1948 - December 7, 2023 Panayota Clark of Aberdeen passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023, in her home at the age of 75. Panayota was born in Greece on March 5, 1948, to the late Kyriakos and Irene Digonis.

Marjorie Joanne Behning

July 5, 1928 - December 18, 2023 Passed away December 18, 2023. She was born in Indianapolis, IN on July 5, 1928 to the late Wilbur and Esther Adams Elliott.

Marjorie was the beloved wife of Frederick Behning, Sr. Their beautiful marriage lasted from June 18, 1948 until Fred Sr.’s death in December 2019.

He was the love of her life, and his career took her from Indianapolis to Virginia Beach VA, back to Indianapolis, then on to Rockville MD, Wyckoff NJ, Columbia SC, and finally to Pinehurst NC. Through all the moves she managed the growing household with grace and style.

Mrs. Behning enjoyed life to the fullest and her greatest joy was in raising five fantastic sons who made her a very proud Mom. She is survived by Fred Jr. (Beth), Dave (Jeni), Larry (Maureen), Doug (Debbie), and George (Chris). She was Grandma to Fred III (Tiffany), Becky Buscha (Erik), Amanda Wichert (Frank), Nick (Tiffany), Kaye, and Quincy, also Great Grandma to Easton and Brynley Buscha and Jackson Behning.

The Associated Press KAMAR DE LOS REYES, a television, movie and voice actor best known for playing a gang member-turned-cop in the soap “One Life to Live” and a villain in the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” has died in Los Angeles at 56, the family announced.

De los Reyes died Sunday following a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement from Lisa Goldberg, a publicist for de los Reyes’ wife, Sherri Saum.

In “One Life to Live,” de los Reyes starred as Antonio Vega, a former gang member who became a lawyer and then a cop, alongside Saum. In the popular video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” he played the villain Raul Menendez. He also had roles in Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow,” ABC’s “The Rookie” and CW’s “All American.”

The family statement said that at the time of his death, de los Reyes was filming “All American” — and had recently shot roles in Marvel’s upcoming “Daredevil” series and Hulu’s yet to be released “Washington Black,” starring Sterling K. Brown.

De los Reyes was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Las Vegas. According to a biography provided by the family, he caught the bug for acting when he arrived in Los Angeles in

AP PHOTO

the late ’80s. Early roles include playing Pedro Quinn in the 1994 off-Broadway play, “Blade to the Heat,” and Ferdinand in director George C. Wolfe’s production of “The Tempest” for Shakespeare in the Park.

On the big screen, de los Reyes appeared in Oliver Stone’s “Nixon,” playing Watergate burglar Eugenio Martinez, as a secret service agent in “Salt,” with Angelina Jolie, and in “The Cell” with Jennifer Lopez.

“De los Reyes lived in Los Angeles, however, his heart never left Puerto Rico,” the family statement said, adding that the actor had been active in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The actor is survived by wife Saum and three sons, Caylen, 26, and twins Michael and John, age 9.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones.

Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com

Proudly supporting you every step of the way on your grief journey.

CONTACT

www.bolesfuneralhome.com Email: md@bolesfuneralhome.com Locations in: Southern Pines (910) 692-6262 | Pinehurst (910) 235-0366 | Seven Lakes (910) 673-7300

@BolesFuneralHomes