Chatham News & Record Vol. 146, Issue 44 by North State Journal

VOLUME 146 ISSUE 44 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the

BRIEF this week

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. Chatham County has seen 977 newly eligible adults sign up for Medicaid, some 2.3 percent of the county’s 42,570 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. 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.

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. ARC and PLC are part of a broader USDA safety net that also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Waiting for the new year to begin Seaforth senior wrestler Josh Miller competes in a match at UNC’s Carmichael Arena. Seaforth beat Cardinal Gibbons and Cary but lost to Laney for its first defeat of the year. Turn to B4 and B5 for more of our favorite sports photos from 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 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. See MEDICAID, page A3

Chatham Arts Council awards grassroots grants to five local nonprofits Arts audiences in Chatham County generated over $4 million in event-related spending in fiscal 2022.

Additional funding announced for diverse arts initiatives in Chatham County Chatham News & Record THE CHATHAM ARTS COUNCIL (CAC) has awarded Grassroots Arts Grants to five nonprofits in Chatham County, marking over two decades of collaboration with the North Carolina Arts Council. These grants play a crucial role in supporting the local arts community, contributing to the county’s cultural and economic vitality. A recent study claims that arts audiences in Chatham County generated over $4 million in event-related spending in fiscal 2022. Notably, visitors from outside the county accounted for nearly three-quarters of this expenditure, underscoring the arts’ substantial economic and cultural influence in the region. The CAC is distributing over $15,000 to local artists and organizations. The recipients include the Chatham County Partnership for Children, Chatham Artists Guild, Community Organizing for Racial Equality (CORE), Pittsboro Elementary, and Shakori Hills Hoppin’ John Festival. Following advocacy efforts by ArtsNC and the North Carolina Arts Council, along with state officials’ support, the North Carolina General Assembly has increased funding for the arts and the CAC has an additional $13,000 to allocate to local nonprofits for arts projects. The new grants are expected See CAC, page A7

COURTESY PHOTO

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners Congratulates Karen VonCannon as the recipient of the Chatham County 2023 Employee of the Year Award.

Chatham County Recognizes 2023 Employee of the Year Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — On December 18, 2023, Chatham County Human Resources Director Courtney Jones gave a special presentation at the Board of Commissioners meeting in Pittsboro recognizing Karen VonCannon as the County’s 2023 Employee of the Year. VonCannon has served the residents of Chatham County for more than 15 years while at the Department of Social Ser-

vices. She currently serves as the Food and Nutrition Supervisor and Program Integrity SuSee EMPLOYEE, page A7

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

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

Dec. 29 LEGO Club 4 – 5 p.m.

Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Asheebo Rojas, Sports Reporter A.P. Dillon, Capitol News Reporter Ryan Henkel, Reporter Bob Sutton, Reporter Jesse Deal, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

Join us for a weekly free build LEGO session in the Holmes Meeting Room at the Chatham Community Library. Duplo blocks are available for our youngest builders. For more information, contact Youth Services at (919) 5458085

BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager

Free Christmas Tree Recycling

The Chatham News & Record (USPS #101-160) is published weekly, 52 weeks a year, by North State Media LLC, 303 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, N.C. 27344.

7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free Christmas tree recycling at the Main Facility from Thursday, Dec. 28 through Friday, January 19. Trees can be accepted Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm at 28 County Services Road, Pittsboro. Only real trees can be accepted. All decorations, lights, stands, and pots must be removed.

N.C. POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Chatham News & Record, PO Box 290, Siler City, N.C. 27344 CONTACT US For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232 To place a classified or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042 To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232; email: news@ chathamnr.com

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Dec. 30 Residential

Land

448 River Point Road (Moncure) 4.10 acres 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath $300,000

170 Cherokee Dr. (Chapel Hill) 1.150 acres $100,000

2035 Long Point Trail (Sanford) Lake Front!! 0.480 acres 5 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath $735,000 94 Sunny Ridge Lane (Pittsboro) 5.150 acres 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath $875,000 85 Herndon Creek Way (Chapel Hill-Westfall Subdivision) 0.168 acres 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath $585,000 809 Stoneybrook (Sanford – Westcroft Subdivision) 1.21 acres, 4 Bedroom, 3 bath $360,000

188 Cherokee Dr. (Chapel Hill) 1.150 acres $100,000 1388 Henry Oldham Road (Bear Creek) 4.840 acres $150,000 1049 Alton King Road (Goldston) 11.548 acres $200,000 1223 Alton King Road (Goldston) 12.701 acres $225,000 893 Alton King Road (Goldston) 24.938 acres $325,000 1544 Roberts Chapel Road (Goldston) 17.632 acres $225,000

1710 Roberts Chapel Road (Goldston) 17.643 $225,000

0 Moore Mountain Road (Pittsboro) 25.92 acres $1,000,000

37 E Cotton Road (Pittsboro) 0.996 acres $300,000

00 Moore Mountain Road (Pittsboro) 36.35 acres $1,400,000

5663 NC 751 Hwy (Apex) 1.771 acres $325,000

1000 Nesbit Road (Pleasant Garden) 52.130 acres $1,500,000

5645 NC 751 Hwy (Apex) 3.584 acres $625,000 0 Hal Clark Road (Siler City) 29.730 acres $360,000 0 Old 421 Road (Liberty) 97.760 acres $500,000 0 JB Morgan Road (Apex) 21.500 acres $825,000

6122 Pleasant Hill Church Road (Siler City) 18.58 acres $300,000 330 Lowe Hill Lane (Moncure) 4.846 acres $180,000 8636/8710 Johnson Mill Road (Bahama) 182.89 acres $3,240,000 Commercial Unimproved 10681 E US 64 Hwy (Apex) 3.97 acres $1,000,000

chathamnewsrecord.com Residential

Land

4377 Old US Highway 421 N (Siler City) 7.88 acres 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath $370,000

13120 Strickland Road (Raleigh) 16.250 acres $1,500,000

1223 Alton King Road (Goldston) 12.701 acres $225,000

00 Hamlets Chapel Road (Pittsboro) 118.742 $4,250,000

Commercial Unimproved

@ChathamNR

1700 Hillsboro Street (Pittsboro) 29.79 acres $4,500,000

New Year At Noon 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Families with children of all ages are invited to celebrate New Year at Noon with snacks, activities, a New Year countdown, and a dance party! This event will take place in the Holmes Meeting Room at the Chatham Community Library. Free and open to the public. No registration necessary.

Chess Club 1 – 3 p.m. An opportunity for players (teens through adults) with all levels of skill to meet, play chess, and develop their skills in friendly company. Beginners are welcome! Chess sets are provided. Held in the in the Lakritz Storytime Room at the Chatham Community Library.

Dec. 31 @ChathamNR

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO Unpermitted Space Problems in Chatham County NC Real Estate https://youtu.be/ezW77P2t5b4?si=W0dT_w9vch1o_fDW

New Year’s Eve @ The Plant 6 p.m. Come ring in 2024 with us at The Plant (220 Lorax Ln, Pittsboro, NC). Sparkling Wine by the bottle & glass Creative Spirit Cocktails Craft beer, wine & cider Special food menu from Lilly Den Love music by the Purple Snakes and a dance party under the disco ball Intention table Hourly Apple drop on the hour at 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12! And of course, a toast at midnight to celebrate the New Year!

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

NC state parks to host First Day Hikes

ing Guided hikes planned

across the state for New Year’s Day Chatham News & 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 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/firstday-hikes. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #ncstateparks and #FirstDayHikes.

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS SCHIEMAN VIA FLICKR

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.

New ‘F1 Hybrid Bass’ to be stocked in Jordan Lake Chatham News & Record NEW FISH are coming to Jordan Lake as part of a stocking project by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and a nonprofit, Bass Anglers for NC Lakes. The NCWRC stocks many lakes across the state with fingerlings to drive tourism and enjoyment for anglers, and the commission is expanding a trial to stock waters with F1 Hybrid Bass. The fish, a cross between Largemouth Bass and Florida Bass, are said to grow faster and larger than other bass. “We hope these hybrids will increase opportunities for anglers to catch trophy bass where

The fish, a cross between Largemouth Bass and Florida Bass, are said to grow faster and larger than other bass. we stock them,” explained Corey Oakley, assistant chief of NCWRC’s Inland Fisheries, in a press release. “We hope these hybrids will increase opportunities for anglers to catch trophy bass where we stock them.” Bass Anglers for NC Lakes provided $30,000 towards the F1 Hybrid Largemouth Bass Research Project to help cover

the cost of the fingerlings being stocked, which measure about two-inches in length when they’re added to the lakes. F1 hybrid bass have been stocked in Lake Norman since 2021, and have been quietly introduced to Jordan Lake and Lake Gaston since the summer. The Commission will need to continue to stock the fish, as their offspring do not have the increased growth potential of the stocked hybrids. Evaluations on the outcome will be conducted through 2030 as the fish grow, both through fishing surveys and tournament weigh-ins. The data will be used to determine future management and stocking strategies.

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AP PHOTO

Governor Roy Cooper listens as democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein speaks at a rally at Shaw University in Raleigh. MEDICAID from page 1

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.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

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

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Infinity glimpsed No one knows, of course, exactly what heaven is like. But I suggest childlike joy and wonder might provide a glimpse.

HERE IN THE last week of the year, one might ref lect upon the highs and lows of 2023 or look to the future by making resolutions. One might also have one’s hands full of the endless tasks of taking care of young children at home during school break. I was thus engaged with scrubbing the breakfast pans when my three kids began to discuss heaven at our humble kitchen table. They imagined eating all their favorite foods: candy, donuts and Al’s Burgers, which are apparently award-winning in this life and the one beyond. After feasting, they imagined playing video games forever and ever, amen. Then the youngest exclaimed that she could finally meet her namesake, her maternal great-greatgrandmother. This matriarch of my wife’s family had died before I’d entered the picture as well. She was lovingly remembered as an opinionated woman who did not suffer fools gladly. Even so, my wife recalls this matriarch furnishing aluminum pie pans for the grandchildren’s backyard game of mud kitchen.

C.S. Lewis once likened this mortal life to playing in the mud, while the life to come was “a holiday at sea,” complete with dinner in a fancy house. Maybe this erudite yet playful theologian had in mind the King James Version of the wry rabbi’s promise, “In my Father’s house there are many mansions.” Back at our messy table, my sons told their younger sister that not only would she meet her namesake but also many other relatives, even people whose names we didn’t know. Even our caveman relatives! Just imagine! No one knows, of course, exactly what heaven is like. But I suggest childlike joy and wonder might provide a glimpse. Even stuck in the muck and muddle of a day’s chores after the holidays, one can contemplate how we are connected both to the past and future by the mystery of eternal love. As another mystic sage once wrote, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” I thanked my children for that reminder. Then I asked them to bring their dirty plates to the sink. They weren’t going to clean themselves!

EDITORIAL | BOB WACHS

Who says Christmas has to end Dec. 25? Funny how time moves ... or doesn’t, it sometimes seems.

ALL THE GIFTS are gone from under the tree and soon my better half will throw out the cedar tree our son cut from his pasture land and brought to our house so we could have a “real” tree this year instead of the artificial one we’ve been using for some time. The fake one had been our tree of choice for some time, mainly after the real ones got too heavy for my long-gone shoulders to deal with, plus it was getting harder to stand a real one straight in the stand. Funny how time moves . . . or doesn’t, it sometimes seems. It wasn’t so many days ago that we had right many days to prepare for the day. Then it came and like the wind that’s been whistling around some lately . . . whoosh . . . Christmas Day was gone. When I was a little guy it took forever and a day for Christmas to come. Maybe the difference lay in the level of my responsibilities. When you’re eight years old, nobody really expects you to do much in the way of preparation. You’re just sort of there to take in Santa and the sweets and say your part in the church’s young folks Christmas program. But when you wind up somewhere on the other side of oh, say 31, you have phrases like “some assembly required” and “Caution! Sharp objects” to deal with. They’re enough to make a grown man cry. Then comes the time where I live now that no longer requires putting bicycles together and such. Actually I kind of miss that. In many ways, I think, I get my Christmas groove now from anticipating as much as from the actual

events. The gifts are nice, the shopping can be, the thoughts that go into the gifts that finally make the cut exciting or at least interesting. And the music . . . outstanding. One year, the former little guy now a teenagers who used to think I hung the moon played Santa Claus for us. Although he was kinda tired by the end of the day, he did his best to open his gifts and help other folks with theirs. His little sister, new that year since the previous Christmas, crawled from one torn paper pile or ribbon to the next while his little cousin, new since the previous day before Halloween, spent most of her time on the sofa taking in the bright lights. Shining bright eyes of children really do seem like a good way to look at the world and everyone and everything in it. But it’s really the feeling, the feeling that for a moment the world can stop being hard to get along with, that people can rise above terrorism and meanness and hate and finally do the right thing. Then when that euphoric reality strikes we’re overcome with the feeling of “why can’t we do this ll year?” Indeed . . . Why not? Well, here’s how to do it. If I do some of that where I am and you do some where you are and Fred does some where he is and Mabel does some where she is and so on and so forth, then pretty soon most everybody will be doing it and we’ll be living that spirit instead of drinking spirits. Try it. You might like it.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

COLUMN BOBBY HURST

Confessions of a Jewish Quaker I’ll always be Jewish. Always. It was the warp and woof of my upbringing, with no desire on my part to disentangle.

JEWISH QUAKER? That would be me. Let’s begin. The heavens are forecast to open tomorrow, bringing enough rain to decide a grocery run would be prudent today. Yes, I like my vegetables and wish to keep my doctors (and me) happy. Oh wait, wait, do you hear that? It’s Winnie the Pooh wanting in on this conversation. (What can I say? Lifelong Pooh fan, here. Incorrigible.) Pooh points out that an expotition (in bearease, an expedition) to the store is actually an excuse to get some of their damn good coffee. You know, that coffee with the insanely sweetened creamer, something that is dietarily verboten in my own home. Having dispatched my responsibilities to the vegetable kingdom (and myself), I’m finally at the coffee bar, doctoring my brew with a medley of ingredients that would scare the daylights out of me to actually identify. (Yeah, yeah, purposefully nearsighted human, here.) Paid with the ol’ iPhone (just showing off that I’m technologically able to do so at my age!) Just as I’m getting ready to leave, the cashier said, “Let me put a paid sticker on your coffee cup, so the other cashiers know you’re kosher when leaving the store.” Kosher. Don’t hear that word too much around these North Carolina parts. And I was shocked, absolutely taken back, noticing an obvious internal hesitation on my part for responding, in kind, with the term kosher. What?! The October 7 attack, that’s what. The aura of anti-semitic fear I’ve heard about my whole life, but am now experiencing, at my, shall we say, advancing age. (Like really advancing! Get real, Jan!) Ah, but here’s the catch. I’ve been a practicing Quaker for almost 20 years. Does this mean

I’ve rejected my Judaism? No, I don’t think so. Apples and oranges, perhaps? I do have a personal preference for the manner of worship, one over the other, but it’s not a rejection. I’ll always be Jewish. Always. It was the warp and woof of my upbringing, with no desire on my part to disentangle. None. However, my Quakerism is as intrinsic to my spiritual embodiment as is Judaism. Those apples and oranges are back. Although different, both are wondrous forms of nourishment. Wow, talk about a diversion from my shocking hesitation in replying to the cashier. Hesitant and scared to use the word kosher. Which I did, anyway, in my reply. Making a stand, if only in the face of my own insecurities. But that’s really not sufficient, in my eyes, at least. For the first time in I don’t know how many years, I recently bought a Mezuzah and placed it in my doorway. A small gesture of sharing with the world that I am also a Jew. (And, now, your Judaism 101 unit for the day: the Mezuzah’s purpose is educational, to constantly remind a person of God’s/Spirit’s commandments.) You may be asking yourself “What’s her point?” You know what? I’m wondering the same thing. What the heck? And the “heck” is that each of us, every single one of us humans, needs to grow into our unique healthy wholeness whatever form that wholeness may take. As long as we don’t victimize others. Oh no, oh no! I’ve now fallen into pontification territory. Oy! So sorry! Out with the soapbox and in with the Persian poet, Rumi, for his lovely take on wholeness: “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” Sound alluring? Let’s go!

COLUMN | MARC DION

If you ignore it, the whackos own it The left-wing whackos think you’re a citizen if you sneak into the country.

WHEN I WAS in high school, my late mother was a receptionist in a dentist’s office. Over her desk was a poster that said, “If you ignore your teeth, they’ll go away.” It’s true. You don’t have to shoot your teeth to get rid of them, or have a car accident, or be punched in the mouth by some guy who says you were “looking at” his girlfriend. All you have to do is ignore your teeth, and they will dwindle to rotted stumps before falling out of your mouth. This is how whackos took over America. We ignored them, but instead of rotting, they grew. The crisis on America’s southern border was studiously ignored by most Americans for decades, and now the issue is so painful and throbbing that it belongs to the whackos. The right-wing whackos want a tin wall you could punch a can opener through. The left-wing whackos think you’re a citizen if you sneak into the country. Every issue abandoned by sensible people becomes the property of our drifting population of the whacked-out. The one thing whackos never do is forget to vote. They’d vote every day if they could. They love lawn signs and T-shirts, caps and slogans, riots of all kinds and “debating the issues,” and most of them are crazier than a clown college on acid. How do they get that way? I don’t know. One day, your realtor neighbor Becky is middle-classing her way through life, selling houses and bingewatching reality television, and six months later she’s insisting that vaccines make you a gay Communist. Either that, or she’s become a self-proclaimed witch who thinks white men should be neutered. Either way, Becky votes. When I was younger, most people didn’t pay much attention to guns. Some people had guns, some didn’t, so we didn’t think about it, and we endeavored to pass laws keeping criminals from getting hold of firearms.

The whackos ran screaming into that gap. They bought 47 guns apiece and went to work on their state rep. until they got a new law passed that said you could buy a cruise missile within two hours of being released from the local mental health facility. I personally stopped thinking about abortion once it became legal and widely practiced. “You’re not getting the cork into that bottle,” I said. “It’s law now, and women are too used to having that right.” I was so wrong I could have been a state rep. While the rest of us were ignoring abortion, the whackos were pushing, pushing, pushing until abortion rights were gone. Some of the states are getting that right back because normal people are scared enough to vote. Still, most of the abortion debate is dominated by people who think abortion services should be offered for free during 7th grade study hall and people who think you shouldn’t be able to get an abortion if your Uncle Elmo rapes you and you’re pregnant with twins. Talk radio is the same way. Once normal people abandoned talk radio in favor of a rap station airing songs about big butts, the whackos ran into talk radio, which is now dominated by people who think gay people are freaks and people who think traditional woman-lovers like me are patriarchal rapists. We’ve got a presidential election coming (and I know you guys with foam on your mouths wish we had one every day). As in the last election, the trick is going to be turning back the whackos. In the last presidential season, we did just that, spurning weird old commie Bernie Sanders and trampling fascist Donald Trump in favor of vanilla-flavored Joe Biden. Biden was and is the anti-whacko candidate. Put it on the signs. “Don’t let the whackos win.” Don’t specify a political party. They’re on both sides.

North Carolina Senators should choose Main Street over Wall Street 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

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.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

obituaries IN MEMORY MARILYN JOYCE NORMAN OCT.24TH, 1939-DEC.18TH, 2023 Marilyn Joyce Norman, age 84, of Pittsboro, died Monday, December 18, 2023, surrounded by her family at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. Marilyn was born in Bradford County, Florida on October 24, 1939, to the late Edward Cox and Lois Cox. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Pearson Cox. Surviving relatives include her husband, Jason Earl Norman, Sr., of Pittsboro, three daughters, Cherie Reece and husband William of New Bern, NC, Lisa Sparrow and husband Rusty of Surf City, NC, Diane Norman and fiancé Mario Villaneuvo of Cary, NC, one son, Jason Norman, Jr., and wife Amber of Apex, one sister, Linda Curry of Fort Worth, Texas, six grandchildren, William Sparrow and wife Kristina, Daniel Sparrow and wife Hallie, Joshua Bennett, Joseph Blanchet, Jessica Blanchet, Merritt Norman, and four greatgrandchildren, Maddie Sparrow, McKennan Sparrow, Elliott Sparrow, and Jane Sparrow. Marilyn graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and received her Master’s in Public Health Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was a huge animal lover from foxes to kitties and all in between. Her family was the light of her life.

George “David” Cockman

Feb.13th, 1951-Dec.16th, 2023 George “David” Cockman, 72, of Bear Creek, passed away Saturday, December 16th, 2023, at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. David was born in Chatham County on February 13th, 1951,

The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 26, 2023, from 12:00PM to 1:00PM at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory Griffin Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 1:00PM with Rev. Jim Folks presiding. A private family burial will take place. In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorial contributions to be made in Marilyn’s memory to C.A.R.E. Chatham Animal Rescue P.O. Box 610 Pittsboro, NC 27312 or Carolina Tiger Rescue 1940 Hanks Chapel Road Pittsboro, NC 27312. JEFFREY ANTHONY GARNER JAN.9TH, 1969-DEC.17TH, 2023 Jeffrey Anthony Garner, 54, of Carthage, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at FirstHealth Hospice House. The funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Rock Hill Friends Church with Pastor Tom Powers and Pastor David Roudabush presiding. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Joyce-Brady Chapel. Jeffrey was born in Moore County on January 9, 1969, to Bobby and Doris Morgan Garner. He was a carpenter and enjoyed the outdoors, camping, beekeeping and restoring old buildings. He was very kindhearted and was known to help those in need. He treasured his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Josh Garner. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Joy Britt Garner, of the home; mother, Doris Garner, of Robbins; children, A.J. Garner, Cody Garner and Ashley Garner, all of Carthage; sisters, Jeanie Threadgill (Carl), of Whittier, NC, and Joan Hawks, of Sanford; brother, Tom Garner (Kathy), of Robbins and a host of family and friends.

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

Claire Elizabeth Campbell (Brady)

Feb.6th, 1999-Dec.20th, 2023 Claire Elizabeth Campbell (Brady) of Siler City, NC passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of December 20th, 2023, while surrounded by her dogs, friends, and family. Claire fought for 8 months, fighting an undiagnosed illness that stumped some of the smartest doctors in the world, proving them wrong every step of the way until the end. She was 24 years old. Claire was born in Sanford, NC on February 6th, 1999, to Dee and David Brady. She was a graduate of Chatham Charter School (where she met her best friend & “Gull”, Emily Palmiter), UNC-Greensboro, and had recently been accepted into the Bryan School of Business &

Jerry Lynn Hicks

May 12th, 1961-Dec.18th, 2023 Jerry Lynn Hicks,62, of Siler City, passed away Monday, December 18,2023, at his home surrounded by family and loved ones.

SPONSORED BY DONALDSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY

to George Henry Cockman and Ombalan Curtis Cockman. He was a machinist for Hadley Peoples for 40 years and Cockman Machine Shop for 16 years and loved welding. David served in the Army National Guard, he loved riding horses and working in his yard. He loved keeping busy and loved spending time with his family. David is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Kernstine Cockman; two sons, Cory Fox Cockman (Kaitlyn), of Bonlee, George “Davy” Cockman (Heather) of Liberty; two daughters, Amanda Gail Frazier of Siler City, and Tina Roberts of Graham. David is also survived by one brother, Ronald Cockman (Doris) of Siler City, and three sisters, Debra C. Martin of Sanford, Linda C. Johnson of Siler City, and Rebecca B. Cockman (Moody) of Siler City. He is survived by six

grandchildren, Mavery Cockman, Faith Huggins, Logan Hamrick, Travis Cockman, Ryan Roberts, and Ashleigh Alston; as well as three great grandchildren, Bo Hamrick, Klyen Farrel and Zeda. David is preceded in death by his parents, George and Ombalan and two siblings, Ruth Shaw, and Billy Cockman. The funeral service will be Wednesday, December 20th, 2023, at 2 pm, at Meroney Methodist Church with burial following in church cemetery. Visitation will be an hour prior to service at Meroney’s. Officiating the service will be Reverend Linda Yow. Family would like any memorials to be sent to Meroney Methodist Church Cemetery. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Cockman family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

Economics at UNCG to pursue a master’s degree. After graduating from UNCGreensboro, Claire went on to work for Hanes Brand, Inc. in Winston-Salem, NC before recently accepting a job at Kontoor Brands in Greensboro, NC. Claire was to help lead a newly formed team for European Women’s Marketing of Lee & Wrangler retail products. Claire was hard-working and dedicated to her job, showcasing her abilities, and rising to promotions in only a short time. However, it was her first job that was her most important. Claire first worked at HayleyBales Steakhouse in Siler City, NC as a hostess and waitress. It was here that she met her future husband, Zach Campbell. They would write love notes to each other and pass time at work flirting at the hostess stand. Her “Boo Boo” (or one of twenty other nicknames she gave him) fell in love with Claire during their time together working here. Although Zach took his precious time, they would later be engaged in Cancun, Mexico in October of 2022. Zach and Claire loved each other deeply and unconditionally. Though Claire would tell Zach he was her “BFF”, it was always her mother Dee the entire time. Dee raised Claire to have an infectious personality, be independent & strong, while also having the most caring heart in the world. The two of them helped foster children

together that Claire would become attached to. Claire was Dee’s “Doodlebug”. They were inseparable and would laugh and talk all throughout their days together. When Claire became sick, Dee was by Claire’s side every night and day. Claire loved her mother more than anything in the world. Claire Elizabeth Campbell (Brady) loved singing, dancing, walking, fashion, and being the life of the party. She lit up every room she walked into with her infectious smile, laugh, and personality. She loved her pets, Anna Grey, Teddy, and especially her Bagel. Claire never met a stranger and brought joy to every person she encountered. Whether it was a wave while walking downtown, or a compliment to a stranger in a grocery store checkout line, Claire lived to make other people happy. Claire is survived by her mother Dee Marshall, husband Zach Campbell, father David Brady, grandmother Joanne Marshall, aunt Kelly Marshall, aunt Jeanne Lamb (Wayne Lamb), Uncle Jay Marshall (Judi Marshall) as well as many cousins and friends. The family will hold a private ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery in Siler City, NC. Smith & Buckner will be assisting the Campbell family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

Jerry was born in Chatham County on May 12, 1961, to James Otis “Bill” Hicks and Margaret Rebecca McBryde Hicks. He worked in the poultry industry as maintenance and a truck driver for Showell, Goldkist, and Pilgrim’s Pride. Jerry loved to dance, listen to music, grill out, and spend time with his family and grandkids. Jerry is survived by his significant other of the home, Amanda Steele; two daughters, Ashley Lynn Hicks (TJ) and Andrea Nicole Horton (Terell); five grandchildren, Aubrey Lynn Blankenship, Avery Nicole Blankenship, Bella Grace Blankenship, London Kate Horton, and Lawson Bryce Horton; one brother, Mike Hicks, and three sisters, Sybil Warren,

Becky Vess, and Debbie Warren. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Ronnie, Ricky, Jimmy, and David Hicks, as well as one sister, Sandy Hicks. There will be a public viewing on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 12 pm to 5 pm at Smith and Buckner Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Chatham Memorial Park, Friday, December 22, 2023, at 2 pm with the Reverend Neal Kight officiating. Any memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Hicks Family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah And a Blessed New Year in 2024 Schedule your new year’s advance planning appointments with our specialist Lisa Wooten. “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” 396 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312 | 919-542-3057 | www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

FDA says fake Ozempic shots are being sold through some legitimate sources The Associated Press The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it has seized “thousands of units” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug widely used for weight loss, that had been distributed through legitimate drug supply sources. The FDA and the drug’s maker, Novo Nordisk, are testing the shots. They do not yet have information about the drugs’ identity, quality or safety, according to a statement. Five illnesses have been linked to the fake shots, but none have been serious, the FDA said Thursday. Some of the fake 1 milligram semaglutide shots may still be

CAC from page 1

to be announced next month. These grant awards, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, cover program expenses such as artist fees and space rental, and operating costs for arts organizations. This year’s review panel prioritized artistic quality, community impact, fair artist compensation, and outreach to diverse or underserved communities. The funds will support diverse projects, including a bilingual children’s literacy festival, a studio tour, and dance education for elementary students, enhancing arts across Chatham County.

for sale, FDA said. In addition to the drug itself, the needles, pen labels, carton and accompanying health care information are also counterfeit, the agency said. It said the counterfeits were labeled with the lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057. FDA advised retail pharmacies to buy authentic Ozempic only through authorized distributors and for patients to get it only through state-licensed pharmacies. Consumers can report suspect Ozempic packages by calling 800-332-1088 or by contacting a state complaint coordinator.

Supported by the NC Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program, the National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donors, these grants highlight art’s role in community development and education. More information on CAC grants and applications is available at chathamartscouncil.org/ grant-programs. In its 40th year, the Chatham Arts Council remains a foundational supporter of artists and arts education, collaborating with arts councils, school districts, and businesses to foster creativity and engage thousands of children annually through flagship programs.

EMPLOYEE from page 1

pervisor. As stated in the nomination submission for VonCannon: “Karen is compassionate, caring, and diligent in making sure her employees know how valuable they are to her team and to the agency. While under Karen’s leadership, not only did she supervise a staff of eight employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the cyber incident in the County, she has also helped recover thousands of dollars in fraud overpayments to the County and State of North Carolina over the past several years.” Chatham County staff were asked to submit nominations for 2023 Employee of the Year. The Workforce Development

“We are so fortunate to have Karen as an employee, and she is a great example to her colleagues.” Jones Committee received many qualified nominees. “We are so fortunate to have Karen as an employee, and she is a great example to her colleagues,” said Jones. “Karen embodies the true spirit of Chatham County with her hard work, commitment, and passion to serve the people of our community.”

Students, get your applications in for the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour! Each year, Central Electric sponsors two rising high school juniors or seniors on the trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C in connection with the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. While in D.C., you’ll join 1,800 other students from across the country to meet members of Congress and learn more about American history and electric cooperatives.

CHATHAM CO UNTY Q U IT S M A R T V IR T U A L C L A S S ES New year, new you! Quitting tobacco can be challenging, but with personalized support and community, it is possible! If you live or work in Chatham County, QuitSmart classes are available for FREE to you.

The trip will be hosted in June 2024 and the deadline for all applications is Jan. 22. Scan the QR code or visit CEMCPower.com to apply or to find out more information. CEMCPower.com

919-774-4900 800-446-7752

—

128 Wilson Rd SANFORD, NC

W H A T Y O U GET (a ll FR EE)

C LA S S D A TES

2 weeks of nicotine replacement patches QuitSmart materials Support from other participants Personalized quit plan developed with a trained specialist

Information Session: Wed., January 3rd Class #1: Wed., January 10th Class #2: Wed., January 24th Class #3: Fri., January 26th All Sessions: 6:00-7:30 PM All sessions held virtually on Zoom

R EGIS TR A TIO N D EA D LIN E: FR ID A Y , D EC EM B ER 2 9 TH Contact Tia Brown with the Chatham County Public Health Department for more information or to register: tia.brown@chathamcountync.gov | (919) 545-4857 www.chathamcountync.gov/publichealth | www.facebook.com/chathamhealth

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

A8 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland. com - 919-362-6999 Jy2,tfnc OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE Office, Professional space for lease, now available, in downtown Pittsboro. Call 919-612-0596 for details.” Jn15,tfnc

RENTALS, APARTMENTS Home For Rent-3 bedroom, 1 ½ bath brick ranch home located at 500 Eden Hills, Siler City, NC, for lease on a yearly basis at $1,400 per month, yard maintenance year around included. All appliances remain, no pets and no more than two adults and two children. Call Meacham Realty at 336622-1998 in Liberty for more information.;D14,21,28,J4,11,18,25c

POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible A2,tfnc ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one-bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, onsite laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-6631877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. Jy14,tfnc OPENING SOON: Taken Applications Oak View at Siler City - Multifamily community w/ 1-, 2-, & 3-bedroom apts. Amenities include a playground, computer center, onsite laundry facilities, community garden, and much more! Affordable housing: applicants must meet income requirements. Call (919) 283-9922 or (910) 986-4439 today to be put on the call list. Or email: leasingoakview@ partnershippm.com Credit & criminal background check required. Handicap accessible units subject to availability. Equal Housing Opportunity. Professionally managed by Partnership Property Management. N9,16,23,30,D7,14,21,28c

MISCELLANEOUS COLLARDS FOR SALE! - Nice, big, beautiful Collards-$4.00/head. Also, Cabbage and Greens. Crutchfield XRDS. 919-214-1849, 984-265-0402 D14,21,28p

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AUTO FOR SALE RV FOR SALE - RV for sale, Damen Daybreak 2000, 75,000 miles, runs great, good tires, good air conditioner, good generator. $10,000, Financing available, 919828-4247. Jn8,tfncx

AUCTIONS RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS - Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, benefits, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-6633556, rickyellingtonauctions@yahoo. com, Jy6,tfnc

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SERVICES RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. Au26,tfnc

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

TAKE NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, ANN C. RADCLIFFE having qualified on the 30th day of November 2023, as Executrix of the Estate of IRENE SOLES DAVIS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 7th day of MARCH 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 7th Day of DECEMBER 2023. ANN C. RADCLIFFE 708 RED OAK DR. SILER CITY, NC 27344

Run dates: D7,14,21,28

.00-

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, JEFFREY S. BOGGS having qualified on the 13th day of November 2023, as Executrix of the Estate of WILLIAM JERRY BRADY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of MARCH 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 21ST Day of DECEMBER 2023.

Off.

JEFFEY S. BOGGS, EXECUTOR 5551 BONLEE-CARBONTON RD. GOLDSTON, NC 27252

line

Run dates: D21,28,J4,11p

NOTICE OF HEARINGS TOWN OF SILER CITY The following item will be considered by the Siler City Town Council on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Siler City Court Room of the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave. Legislative Hearings R23-1101 – Rezoning of a parcel from Residential 20 (R-20) to Office-Institutional/Conditional (O-I-C), parcel totaling 2.200 acres ±, addressed as 431 George Street (parcel number 51403), and being the property of Adelfo Poultry, represented by Adelfo Jaimes. The proposed item is available for review by contacting Jennifer C. Baptiste at jbaptiste@silercity. org or 919-726-8626. All persons interested in the outcome of the item are invited to attend the legislative hearing and present comments, testimony, and exhibits on the above referenced item. These are separate hearings: Interested parties may submit evidence and written comments. Written comments or evidence on these applications can be submitted by email to Kimberly Pickard at kpickard@ silercity.org. Individuals desiring to speak must sign up by calling 919-726-8620 before 12:00 p.m. on or before the scheduled public hearing date. The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings. This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Kimberly Pickard at 919-726-8620, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or kpickard@ silercity.org for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Kimberly Pickard al kpickard@silercity.org o 919-726-8620 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, ANDY BRENT WALDECK having qualified on the 29th day of November 2023, as Executor of the Estate of SIEGFRIED WALDECK, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 7th day of MARCH 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 7th Day of DECEMBER 2023.

TAKE NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF TODD STEPHEN MOORE DECEASED.

The undersigned, DEBORAH MOFFITT, having qualified on the 8th day of DECEMBER ,2023, as Executrix of the Estate of LASHANDA M. LANE, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of MARCH 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 21ST Day of DECEMBER 2023.

The undersigned, having heretofore qualified as Executor of the Estate of Todd Stephen Moore, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before March 13th, 2024 or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of any recovery thereon. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 14th day of December, 2023. LuAnne Moore, Executor Estate of Todd Stephen Moore, Deceased c/o Ronald P. Johnson, Esq. Carruthers & Roth, P.A. Attorneys & Counselors at Law 235 North Edgeworth Street (27401) Post Office Box 540 Greensboro, North Carolina 27402 Publication dates: December 14th, 21st, 28th and January 4th, 2024.

CREDITOR’S NOTICE Having qualified on the 13th day of June 2023, as Administrator of the Estate of Ollie Currie Taylor, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of March 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 7th day of December 2023. Janet T. Glover, Administrator of the Estate of Ollie Currie Taylor 1322 Newlands Street Siler City, NC 27344 Attorneys: J. Grant Brown Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: December 14th, 21th, 28th and January 4th of 2024.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Alice G. Ward, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before March 15, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 13th day of December, 2023. James P. Ward, Executor 507 Carolina Meadows Villa Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against MILDRED CROSS BISCARDI, deceased, of Norwood, PA, are notified to exhibit the same to the Resident Process Agent noted below on or before the 14th day of March, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This11th day of December 2023. Nancy Biscardi Case Nancy Biscardi Case, Personal Representative c/o William J. Riley, Attorney at Law, Resident Process Agent PO Box 1687 Durham, NC 27702

DEBORAH MOFFITT, EXECUTRIX 2301 STOCKYARD RD. STALEY, NC 27355 Run dates: D21,28,J4,11p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Juli Anne Lawrence qualified before the Chatham County Clerk of Court on November 27, 2023, as the Executor of the Estate of EDWARD THADDEUS LAWRENCE, 420 Chimney Rock Lane, Sanford, NC 27330. This is to notify all persons, firms and corporations, as required by N.C.G.S. 28A-14-1, having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the attorney designated below on or before the 6th 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 payments to the undersigned. Payments and claims should be presented to Deirdre M. Stephenson, Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 1433, Sanford, NC 27331-1045.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS File No. 23E663 North Carolina Chatham County Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of HOWARD KEITH SLINKARD, deceased, of Chatham County, NC, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before March 15, 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate are asked to make immediate payment. This the 14th day of December, 2023. Howard Kent Slinkard, Executor, c/o Beth W Bowen, Bowen Law Firm PC 590 New Waverly Pl Ste 120 Cary, NC 27518 Phone: 919-859-3224 www.bowenlawfirm.net Chatham News and Record December 14, 21, 28, 2023, January 4, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, JOANNE ALUKA-WHITE having qualified on the 11th day of DECEMBER 2023, as Executrix of the Estate of ROSE N. ALUKA, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of MARCH 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 14th Day of DECEMBER 2023. JOANNE ALUKA-WHITE 363 STONEY CREEK WAY CHAPEL HILL, NC 27517 Run dates: D,14,21,28,J4p

ANDY BRENT WALDECK, CO-ADMINISTRATOR 4641 HOPEWOOD DR. GRAHAM, NC 27253 Run dates: D7,14,21,28

NOTICE OF HEARINGS TOWN OF SILER CITY The following items will be considered by the Siler City Planning Board on Monday, January 8, 2024. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Siler City Court Room of the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave. Judicial Hearing SUP24 – 0104 – Special Use Permit to operate a manufacturing operation in the General Business (B-1) district, parcel totaling 0.525 acres ±, addressed as 1405 E. Eleventh Street (parcel number 83034), and being the property of Shaw Investments, represented by Ovidiu Marin, President Quantum USA, LLP. Legislative Hearings R24 – 0101 – Conditional rezoning of five (5) parcels and a portion of one (1) parcel from Agricultural Residential (AR) and Residential 10 (R-10) to Residential 3/Conditional (R-3-C), parcels totaling 158.15 acres ±, addressed as unaddressed parcel Trinity Street (parcel number 16499), two (2) unaddressed parcels off Alston Avenue (parcel numbers 13782 and 83901), and three (3) unaddressed parcels off Harold Andrews Road (parcel numbers 67887, 13797, and 13796) and being the properties Kathryn Sears Hubbert, Lewis William Hubbert, and Henry C Alston Trustee, represented by Jason Pfister of Ellis Land Investment Company, LLC. R24 – 0102 – Rezoning of a portion of a parcel zoned Agricultural Residential (AR) to Agricultural Residential/Conditional (AR-C), portion being 25.85 acres ±, addressed as unaddressed parcel at the corner of W. 3rd Street and Ellington Road (parcel number 13105) and being the property of Womble Leisel Estate et al & Womble Burdine Estate, represented by Wayne Nichols for Duke Energy Progress, LLC. R24 – 0103 – Conditional rezoning of a parcel zoned Residential 20 (R-20) to Residential 3/Conditional (R-3-C), parcel being 17.00 acres ±, addressed as unaddressed parcel Shannon Drive (parcel number 15712) and being the property of Bhavani Kalidindi, LLC, represented by Courtney McQueen for Qunity Engineering. The proposed items are available for review by contacting Jennifer C. Baptiste at jbaptiste@ silercity.org or 919-726-8626. All persons interested in the outcome of the item are invited to attend the legislative hearing and present comments, testimony, and exhibits on the above referenced item. These are separate hearings: Interested parties may submit evidence and written comments. Written comments or evidence on these applications can be submitted by email to jbaptiste@silercity.org. Individuals desiring to speak must sign up by calling 919-726-8626 before 12:00 p.m. on or before the scheduled public hearing date. The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings. This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Kimberly Pickard at 919-726-8620, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or kpickard@silercity.org for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Kimberly Pickard al kpickard@silercity.org o 919-726-8620 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 6:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold the following public hearing in person at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West, Pittsboro: A legislative public hearing on a voluntary, noncontiguous annexation petition (A-2023-03, PB-23541) from Friendship Road, LLC. The applicant is requesting to annex 5.60 acres located at 45 Whites Way (Parcel ID 67905). The hearing will be held in person. The public can also watch the hearing live on the Town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@townofpittsboronc/ streams. Members of the public must attend in person if they wish to speak at the hearing. Contact the Town Clerk, Carrie Bailey, by 4 pm on January 8, 2024 with written comments or to sign up to speak at the hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (919) 542-4621 ext. 1104, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

EMAIL REQUEST---ADVERTISE ONCE – ON 12/28/2023 PLEASE SEND (1) THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION AFFIDAVIT TO THE TOWN CLERK AT PO BOX 759, PITTSBORO, NC 27312 AND (2) THE DIGITAL CERTIFICATION OF ADVERTISEMENT TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AT RCAHOON-TINGLE@ PITTSBORONC.GOV.

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION CHATHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 16 CvD 554 COUNTY OF CHATHAM Plaintiff, NOTICE OF SERVICE OF vs. PROCESS BY PUBLICATION The HEIRS, ASSIGNS and DEVISEES of BERTA SILER GUIN a/k/a BERDA SILER GUIN a/k/a BERTA SILER GUINN a/k/a BERDA SILER GUINN, et al Defendants. TO: The HEIRS, ASSIGNS and DEVISEES of BERTA SILER GUIN a/k/a BERDA SILER GUIN a/k/a BERTA SILER GUINN a/k/a BERDA SILER GUINN and spouse, if any, which may include LINDA KAY SILER, INCOMPETENT, and spouse if any, and REGINALD Q. JOHNSON, JR. and spouse, if any, or any other person or entity claiming thereunder A pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication began on December 21, 2023. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Foreclosure on tax parcel(s) more completely described in the Complaint, to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes (assessments). Plaintiff seeks to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you may have in said property. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the date of the first publication of notice stated above, exclusive of such date, being forty (40) days after December 21, 2023, or by January 30, 2024, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service of process by publication will apply to the Court for relief sought. This the 11th day of December, 2023. ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES MARK D. BARDILL/MARK B. BARDILL Attorney for Plaintiff NC Bar #12852/56782 310 W. Jones St. P. O. Box 25 Trenton, North Carolina 28585 Telephone: (252) 448-4541 Publication dates: December 21, 2023 December 28, 2023 January 4, 2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against James Roscoe Baldwin, deceased, of Chatham County N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned On or before Mar 2, 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of Recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate Payment. This 30th day of November, 2023. Jamie Baldwin, Administrator 7107 Mathew St. Greenbelt, MD 20770

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 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.”

PJ WARD-BROWN | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood’s Madelyn Brooks drives the lane against Union Pines Savannah McCaskill during the first round of the First Bank Charger Classic at Northwood High school in Pittsboro, on December 20, 2023.

Strong post play powers Northwood past Union Pines in First Bank Charger Classic Northwood’s Glover twins and Maddie Brooks combined for 31 points. By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record THE NORTHWOOD girls basketball team beat Union Pines, 51-23, in the first round of the First Bank Charger Classic Wednesday. For the Chargers, the big girls down low did most of the heavy lifting against the Vikings. Sophomore forwards Shaylah and Mikaylah Glover and freshman forward Maddie Brooks combined for 31 points with most of the buckets coming from close range.

“Especially at halftime, we talked about looking inside,” Northwood head coach Kerri Snipes said. “Knowing that we had the size advantage a little bit more tonight, (we) pushed the ball around (and) moved the ball to be able to try to finish inside.” Dealing with some illnesses on the team, Northwood started the game with low energy, especially on the defensive end and on the boards. Union Pines converted some opportunities down low, but on the other end three pointers from Northwood’s guards Natalia Whitaker and Skylar Adams helped the Chargers maintain a 10-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. “We were able to hit some outside shots tonight which was

great for the guards to be able to do,” Snipes said. When Union Pines came out to defend the three in its zone, that’s when the middle opened up. Northwood began to pass the ball around until one of the Glover twins popped open in the paint, and the Chargers’ guards fed them all night. Union Pines didn’t have an answer for Northwood’s post players by the second quarter, especially with the Glovers and Brooks shooting a combined 60 percent from the floor. The Chargers went into halftime with a more commanding 29-16 lead. “We finished a lot better toSee NORTHWOOD, page B2

PJ WARD-BROWN | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood’s Natalia Whitaker shoots a jump shot against Union Pines during the first round of the First Bank Charger Classic.

The year in review: Sports personalities 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-winning 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 medals 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 Ru-

bin “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 English 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 champiSee DEATHS, page B2

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

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DEATHS from B1 onships 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

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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.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

NC Sports Hall of Fame class unveils 2024 class Drake Powell ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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

May 10 Date of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center 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 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.

PJ WARD-BROWN | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood boys’ basketball

AP PHOTO

NORTHWOOD from B1 night than we have in the last couple of games,” Snipes said. Outside of the scoring differences between the guards and the post players, the offensive strategy also showed up in the assist totals. After many drop offs in the paint, Northwood

finished the game with 13 total assists. Adams dished out the most with five assists. Northwood was also able to create easy buckets in the second half with some takeaways on the defensive end. The Chargers grabbed five steals in the final two quarters to go along

with a more spirited defensive effort, holding Union Pines to its lowest scoring total all season. After the conclusion of the First Bank Charger Classic, the Chargers will host its rival Seaforth in a highly-anticipated Mid-Carolina 1A/2A showdown on Jan. 2.

Northwood boys’ basketball’s Drake Powell earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Dec. 18. In Northwood’s four games during the Capitol City Classic in Salem, Oregon, Powell, a senior, combined for 72 points, including back to back double-doubles against Tualatin (Oregon) and St. Joseph (California). His best game of the tournament came against North Salem in the first round in which Powell recorded 25 points on a 73 percent shooting clip.

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NC State coach Dave Doeren, left, and UNC coach Mack Brown, right, tboth landed top-30 classes on national signing day.

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 top-ranked 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 Pac12 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.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

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Oscars shortlists revealed The Associated Press

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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 se-

lected 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 surprised 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 MoonPart 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.

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

AP PHOTO

Jo Koy arrives at the World Premiere of “Easter Sunday” on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I’m so excited 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 com-

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edy 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.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023

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 12time Grammy Award-winner

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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.

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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.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, December 28, 2023