Chatham News & Record - 070623

Meet Tylr Stinson, Siler City Parks & Recreation Department’s new director

By Valeria Cloës Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — The Siler City Department of Parks & Recreation has a new director. Former recreation coordinator Tylr Stinson, who planned the Spring Chicken Festival and Easter Eggstravaganza, transitioned into the new role on July 3.

Stinson said it will be a challenge but is excited to get started.

“[I’m] eager to work hard for the community because the community needs it, especially with

Matthews launches mayoral campaign

Matthews will face Price in a rematch for the seat

By Taylor Heeden Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Supporters gathered at the Chatham Rabbit on June 24 to celebrate Rev. Donald Matthews and his run for the mayor’s seat in Siler City.

Matthews, who ran for the seat last municipal election, held a lunch party for his campaign last Saturday. He will face incumbent Chip Price, who was elected in 2022 in a special election.

“We’re really at a time when leadership matters,” Matthews told the News & Record in an interview after his campaign event. “We need to be able to make all of this work together for the greater good of the community.

Matthews has spent most of his life in Siler City. He serves as a pastor at First Missionary Baptist Church and has spent a lot of time dedicated to recognizing Black history in Siler City. He served as the chairperson of the Citizens in Action organization, which was responsible for the installment of a mural on Birch Avenue recognizing Black entrepreneurs throughout Siler City’s history.

He said he wants to continue his public service through elected o ce, where he said he can advocate for residents who’ve historically had their voices sti ed and oppressed.

“The past leadership neglected a lot of the community, especially some of the minority communities,” he said. “They did not invest and what they did invest was subpar. We just have some issues that we that we need to prioritize and just start addressing them one by

the growth,” he said. “They need more from Siler City and I’m willing to give them more and work very hard for the community.”

Since becoming recreation coordinator in January 2023, the role has helped him prepare for his position as director.

Being able to lead the organization of the Spring Chicken Festival in particular has helped him better understand and get to know the community and its needs. While that role required him to look at speci c events, programs, certi cations and licenses the

community needed, he said his role as director will require him to take a few steps back and look at the bigger picture of the department. His job will have him taking care of athletics, community engagement, town and board meetings, as well as programs, rentals and other events, he said.

Stinson shared some goals he’d like to accomplish as director, one of which is to get the Parks and Recreation Dept. Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) through

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

According to the NRPA website, CAPRA “delivers quality assurance and improvement to accredited park and recreation organizations throughout the United States by helping them build a comprehensive management system of operational best practices.”

In addition to setting long terms goals, setting smaller benchmarks to meet them would be ideal, he said. He’d also like to

See PARKS AND REC, page A2

The long road home in Chatham

Chatham County’s homeless population faces obstacles, bureaucracy in search of stable shelter

By Ben Rappaport For Chatham News & Record

ADAM SIDES JR. HAS A LONG FUSE.

As a kid, Adam always told people he wanted to be in the military. He said he wanted to help people who couldn’t help themselves. His doctors, however, told him those dreams wouldn’t become a reality.

Now, the 43-year-old Chatham County resident has endured countless tribulations of his own in his quest for stable housing.

Yet, through it all, he’s maintained his positive attitude and a able personality.

When a construction accident in the 1990s left Adam with a ruptured disc, spinal issues and chronic pain, he found himself doing odd jobs for friends to make ends meet. But when those jobs dried up, or

those friends went away, Adam was left with limited options.

Despite never being in trouble with the law, never having issues with drugs, and having no blemishes on his record, Adam found himself on the street.

Adam has bounced around the state at various homeless shelters where he says he faced abuse, neglect and lack of care. He came to Chatham County on a whim last September — fed up with his situation at a shelter in Durham — because a Google search said the county had a shelter.

The problem, however, is that Chatham County has no homeless shelter.

“I guess you could say it was misinformation that brought me here,” Sides said.

Instead, Adam has been forced to navigate a hodgepodge of government agencies, local nonpro t organizations and loads of paperwork to ensure he’d have a stable place to rest his head at night.

Adam is just one of dozens of homeless residents in Chatham County. But without a proper shelter, a vast county geography

and limited resources to assist with the problem, the hurdle of homelessness can be daunting to overcome.

A helping hand

When he rst arrived in Chatham, Adam was staying near the Food Lion in Pittsboro and noticed an abundance of trash outside. He picked up a bucket and a big stick and began sweeping the trash he found behind the grocery store.

The Chatham County Fairgrounds are adjacent to the Food Lion, so soon enough Adam’s trash pickup wandered there too.

“I just hate seeing trash and litter,” Adam said. “My grandparents always told me not to litter, and I still can’t stand it.”

In a short period, Adam picked up trash all the way to nearby Roberson Creek. At the beginning, he said the creek looked like a “trash dam,” but nowadays it ows as it should. He estimates he’s lled more than 150 buckets with trash in

See HOMELESSNESS, page A7

“I’ve made do with what I got. My grandparents always told me anger didn’t get me anywhere, and I need to keep pressing on.”

Adam Sides Jr.

Breaking down Russia’s civil unrest and recent events in Ukraine

Chatham’s Bob Pearson talks Ukraine, Russian civil unrest and more

By Taylor Heeden Chatham News

& Record

Editor’s Note: In honor of Independence Day, the News & Record decided to feature a story on the ongoing con ict in Ukraine as a reminder of the continued ght for freedom and liberation across the globe.

ON FEB. 24, 2022, former U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye (Turkey) Bob Pearson woke up in his Chatham County home to the news of war: Russian forces invaded Ukraine and began their attack on major cities in-

cluding the capital city of Kyiv. Pearson has followed the con ict since Russian President Vladimir Putin started his military pursuits in Ukraine and has insight others may not have, as he not only served as a U.S. Ambassador but as the former director general of the U.S. Foreign Service.

The war in Ukraine, however, took a turn: At the end of June, a mercenary leader named Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his troops — known as the Wagner Group — to march on Moscow in rebellion to Putin.

“The mutiny by Prigozhin was a serious break in the Russians’ ability to manage the war in Ukraine,” Pearson said. “His forces had a battle with Russian air forces, and a number of

Russian soldiers were killed. In order to maintain control, Putin decided to dismiss all charges against Prigozhin and have Prigozhin agree to move him and his forces to Belarus.”

After the rebellion from the Wagner Group, many have speculated what that would mean for the war in Ukraine. Pearson said Putin is struggling to keep morale up on the homefront, and the march on Moscow from Wagner is an example of that.

“That leaves the basic questions still unanswered about whether Putin will survive the crisis,” he said. “We do know that there are strong forces that are mutually not in agreement. They’re the people who’ve never liked the war and the people who don’t like the war now …

Both those groups agree that Putin isn’t doing a good job.”

The rebellion has caused Putin to lose more “prestige,” according to Pearson, and he believes there’s a lot more to the story the world isn’t hearing.

“You’ve got the people whose voices you’re not hearing: the oligarchy and the senior military people, maybe even some unit commanders who think that this is a mess,” he said.

“[They think] whatever happens, they have to do this better than they’re doing it right now, and Putin is not the guy to hit that e ort up.”

As Putin’s approval rating continues to drop, Pearson said it’s possible for the Russian president to potentially be ousted from o ce. While it’s

unlikely at the moment, Russian leadership could move to remove Putin from o ce if the war continues to unfold against Russia. Russia has been hard to predict throughout its con ict with Ukraine, but according to Pearson, the rebellion from Prigozhin could throw a wrench in Putin’s strategy.

“In present circumstances,

See PEARSON, page A6

The Rev. Donald Matthews, an associate minister of First Missionary Baptist Church, participates in a food drive with Baptists on Mission.

MATT RAMEY | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD Adam Sides Jr.

Chatham News & Record www.chathamnewsrecord.com

North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 Copyright 2023 North State Media LLC

Neal Robbins, Publisher publisher@northstatejournal.com 336-552-6800

NEWSROOM

Matt Mercer, Editor in Chief matt@northstatejournal.com

Gri n Daughtry, Local News Editor gri n@northstatejournal.com

Lauren Rose, Design Editor lauren@northstatejournal.com

Taylor Heeden, Web Editor theeden@chathamnr.com

Cory Lavalette, Statewide Sports Editor cory@northstatejournal.com

Jeremy Vernon, Chatham Sports Editor jeremy@chathamnr.com

Valeria Cloës, Copy Editor valeriacloes@chathamnr.com

ADVERTISING

Jason Justice jjustice@chathamnr.com Advertising Inquiries advertising@chathamnr.com

OFFICE

Karen Pyrtle karen@chathamnr.com

Doris Beck doris@chathamnr.com

Florence Turner billing@chathamnr.com

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.

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 classi ed or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042

To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232; email: news@ chathamnr.com

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Subscription rates begin at $6.58/ month (1 year print & digital, paid annually) or $4.92/month (digital only, paid annually). Pick your plan at www. chathamnewsrecord.com/ subscribe. Auto-renew; cancel anytime

PARKS AND REC from page 1 see what’s working and what’s not in the department in order to improve upon them.

He said his background working in a retirement community in Winston-Salem prompted him to apply for the role because, through the wisdom that was passed onto him, he wanted to do something he truly enjoyed: getting community feedback and “seeing individuals enjoy life” thanks to events he helped set up.

“That’s what fuels me and motivates me to keep doing that,” he said.

Because of his past experience in healthcare and retirement homes, he would like to gear athletics more towards older adults and have more involvement with the Senior Games so the Parks & Rec Dept. can reach all the com-

Goldston Public Library announces programs and events in July

From Chatham County Government

GOLDSTON — Goldston Public Library is excited to announce new events during the month of July for the Chatham County community to enjoy. The following events are free and open to the public.

Goldston Family Story Time

Families are invited to Goldston Public Library for a weekly story time session every Thursday in July from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Families will enjoy hearing stories, singing songs and making crafts. Storytime is geared toward children who have not yet entered kindergarten, ages 2-5, but anyone is welcome to join in on the fun.

Goldston Book Club

Individuals who are interested in joining a book club can stop by Goldston Public Library on July 10. For the month of July, the book club will brainstorm new titles to read for the rest of the year. The book club meets every second Monday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information about the Goldston and other Cha-

MATTHEWS from page 1

one.”

Matthews said the town needs a complete “revitalization” in order to prepare for new residents coming to Siler City and to improve services facilities and services for current residents. From investing in updated infrastructure in historically to building more recreational programs for Siler City’s youth and senior citizens, Matthews said these and more need to be accomplished over the upcoming years.

“Our infrastructure needs to be completely redone,” he said. “We should be looking and working with state legislature to get them to understand we need an investment in this community.”

A majority of Siler City is located on a ood plain, which has resulted in continual ooding after rain showers or thunderstorms. Most of the areas in town with reoccurring ooding are home to a lot of Siler City’s Black and Hispanic residents, including Matthews’s own neighborhood on 12th Street.

Because of this, one of the main legs of Matthews’s

munities of the town.

One challenge Stinson foresees is working on the master plan for the Parks and Rec. Dept. and getting its information to the community in order to get their feedback, he said.

“We’re currently actively working on a master plan for Parks and Rec,” he said. “And looking at in the next 10 to 30 years, having something set in place to carry us as a guideline standard of what we need to offer for the community, especially with the projected growth numbers.”

Town Manager Hank Raper said WithersRavenel is helping the town with the master plan and helping asses the community and its input.

In addition, the Parks and Rec Dept. held a community meeting on June 7 to get input and recommendations from the

tham County Book Clubs, visit the following link: https:// www.chathamcountync.gov/ government/departments-programs-i-z/library/adult-services/book-clubs-book-clubkits.

Read & Play at the Goldston Public Library

Goldston Public Library and Chatham County Parks & Recreation Department will host a series of activities from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, for children of all ages to enjoy.

As part of the Summer Reading Program, All Together Now, Chatham County Parks & Recreation activities will include large group games, various yard games, and a scavenger hunt around the library. For more information, individuals can call 919-545-8555 or 919-898-4522 or email recreation@chathamcountync. gov or goldston.library@chathamlibraries.org.

Goldston Public Library’s Adult Summer Reading Bingo

Adults are invited to participate in Goldston Public Li-

campaign is addressing Siler City’s stormwater infrastructure. During the budget process, commissioners were considering allocating funds to create a stormwater utility fee program, which would’ve help generate revenue to fund repairs to areas of town prone to ooding.

However, Price said he had heard concerns from residents about the program, claiming there wasn’t enough transparency in the process. The board ultimately decided to scrap the stormwater utility fee program until they could “get more information and input from the community.”

Matthews — who was present at the budget discussions and at the meeting where the fee was taken out of the budget — said a program like the one the town manager proposed is necessary for Siler City.

“It makes no sense when the community is ooding and you’re ghting a program that might be good or regulate water runo ,” he said. “Everybody now seems to be ‘choosing sides’ ... That’s not how this is going to work. I want to gure out with another group

brary’s Summer Reading Bingo that began June 1 and runs through July 31 at the library.

The Bingo Challenge is sponsored by the Friends of the Goldston Public Library. For every completed Bingo, participants will be entered for a grand prize drawing of a $50 Amazon gift card, up to 12 entries per person.

Goldston Public Library’s Friday Family Movie

Families with children of all ages are invited to Goldston Public Library every Friday at 2 p.m. for a family movie in the E.M. Harris Jr. Conference Room. Participants are welcome to bring snacks, a blanket or pillow, and family and friends. All featured movies are rated G or PG.

Goldston Public Library is located at 9235 Pittsboro-Goldston Road, Goldston, NC 27252.

For more information, individuals can call the library at 919-898-4522 or email goldston.library@chathamlibraries.org. Information about all Chatham County Library branches can be found at www. chathamlibraries.org.

of people how we make this work ... We need to be asking why are people against it, and then we need to get them to understand the need, because the need is great.”

For Siler City to grow to its full potential, Matthews said its leadership needs to set goals and milestones to address the needs of residents of the present and future. At the end of the day, Matthews said the elected o cials of Siler City need to prioritize the needs of all its in-town residents and make an e ort to talk to all the communities in town.

“As a leader, you have to be open to new ideas — You have to be reasonable ... and you’re accountable to the people,” he said. “You need to have a time where you actually talk to people in their neighborhoods ... I’ve never seen a commissioner walking my street ... You may not know what’s going on at my house, but you should know what’s happening at 12th Street, 13th Street, Dogwood Avenue and the rest of the community.”

Matthews said he intends to o cially le to run for ofce once the ling period opens on July 7.

BILLY POE FAMILY REUNION SCHEDULED

The family of the late William Lineberry “Billy” Poe and Sennie Adelaide Hackney Poe is scheduled for Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Loves Creek Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Siler City. We will meet at 11:30 a.m., hoping to eat at about 12:30 p.m.

Johnny Glosson will present a devotional that always ts our family. We will have an update on the family news, with lots of good food and fellowship. Come be a part of this family with such a long reunion history, since 1906, 117 years. Hoping to see you there.

CALENDAR

The Chatham Historical Museum o ers several short-term exhibits until the end of summer: Name That Artifact, Native people’s stone tools, points and pottery, and Railroads in Chatham County. The museum is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee. The museum is located in the historic Chatham County Courthouse in the Circle, 9 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro. We follow state/local mask and distancing guidelines. More info at chathamhistory.org.

The Siler City Lion’s Club meeting for July at Dry Dock Seafood Restaurant, will be July 11 and 25 at 6 p.m. Join the Club, and see that you can make a di erence in the world and your local community. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Together we serve!

The Goldston Public Library announces the Goldston Book Club, every second Monday of each month, from 2 to 3 p.m. Individuals who are interested in joining a book club can stop by the Goldston Public Library.

The Chatham County Council on Aging will host a “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” support group the rst Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Western Chatham Senior Center, Siler City. This group is geared toward older adults who are primary caregivers and providers for their grandchildren. For more information, contact William Riggsbee at 919742-3975 ext. 223 or email william. riggsbee@chathamcountync.gov.

The Chatham County Council on Aging hosts a Caregiver Support Group each Monday. The group meets the rst and third Mondays of the month at 3 p.m. at the Eastern Chatham Senior Center, in Pittsboro, and the second Monday at 3 p.m. at the Western Chatham Senior Center, in Siler City. The fourth Monday of each month is a virtual meeting via the Zoom platform starting at 6 p.m. This group is geared toward family members who are currently providing short- or long-term care to loved ones. For more information or to obtain virtual meeting login information, contact William Riggsbee, family caregiver specialist, at 919-742-3975 ext. 223 or email william.riggsbee@ chathamcountync.gov.

COMMUNITY MEALS

St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsboro distributes two meals each week for the bene t of the community. From noon to 1 p.m. each Thursday, the Pittsboro Community Lunch (in its 15th year!) provides healthy, ready-to-eat meals to all who come. Just arrive hungry! -- Then from 4:30 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday, the Chatham Chuckwagon provides cooked/frozen entrees that are ideal for quick dinners. These meals are provided at no cost (although donations are welcomed!). Our volunteers invite you to join our e orts to preserve a caring and sharing community spirit. The church is located at 204 W. Salisbury St., Pittsboro. For more information, call 919-542-5679.

townspeople to see what their wants and needs are. This meeting welcomed about 20 to 25 people.

Stinson said he is eager to spread awareness about these meetings and links. The department will be hold-

ing two more meetings — dates are yet to be announced — and has a survey link available for the community to ll out at this link in English (https://publicinput.com/b8586) and this link in Spanish (https://publicinput. com/silercityespanol).

Second Bloom’s hours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday until Saturday. Credit cards are accepted. We are located in the Food Lion shopping center, Pittsboro. All proceeds provide support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and promote community education in collaboration with Chatham County.

“Join the conversation”

Lawmakers continue override streak of Cooper vetoes

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly successfully overrode six additional vetoes of legislation issued by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Theoverridden vetoesincluded Senate Bill 582, (North Carolina Farm Act of 2023); Senate Bill 364, (Nondiscrimination and Dignity in State Work); Senate Bill 331(Consumer Finance Act Amendments),Senate Bill 329(Retail Installment Sales Act Amendments); Senate Bill 299(Reimburse Late Audit Costs with Sales Tax Rev.); andHouse Bill 750 (Address ESG Factors).

Both Senate Bills 331 and 229 passed the legislature with unanimous support from both parties, however, during the override votes nearly every Democrat who voted to pass the measures ipped their vote to uphold the governor’s veto.

The Senate overrode Cooper’s veto of this year’s Farm Act bill by a vote of 29-17.

Sens. Gale Adcock (D-Wake), SydneyBatch (D-Wake), Dan Blue (D-Wake), Mary Willis Bode (D-Wake) Rachel

Hunt (D-Mecklenburg), Paul Lowe (D-Forsyth), Kandie Smith (D-Pitt), Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg), and Mike Woodard (D-Durham) had all previously voted in favor of concurrence on the bill but reversed their votes to uphold Cooper’s veto.

In the House override of the North Carolina Farm Act of 2023, the vote was 78-40.

Five Democrats voted with Republicans to override the veto: Reps. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford), Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg), Nasif Majeed (D-Mecklenburg), Garland Pierce (D-Scotland), Shelly Willingham (D-Edgecombe), and Michael Wray (D-Northampton).

State Treasurer Dale Folwell, who has consistentlyopposedtheEnvironmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) movement, applauded the override of House Bill 750.

“This is a good day in North Carolina. We are grateful to those lawmakers who understand the need to shield the state pension plan against the movement to weaponize public retirement systems to achieve extreme agendas,” Folwell said in a statement.

The House overrode the

Summer fun in Chatham

By Taylor Heeden Chatham News & Record

ESG Bill by a vote of 72-46 and the Senate overrode the veto 29-16.

No Democrats in either chamber voted to override the veto despite ve Democrats originally voting in favor of passing the House Bill 750, which included Reps. CecilBrockman (D-Guilford) Frances Jackson (D-Cumberland), B. Ray Je ers (D-Person),Shelly Willingham (D-Edgecombe), and Michael Wray (D-Northampton).

In addition to the six overrides conducted in June, two other bills saw successful overrides; Senate Bill 41, which repealed the state’s duplicative pistol purchase permit law, and Senate Bill 20, which enacted shorter limitations of 12 weeks on selective abortions in North Carolina. A lawsuit has already been led challenging the new abortion law.

Over the course of his two terms, Cooper has issued 83 vetoes as of June 29, 2023. Of those vetoes, 31 had been overridden, there were 16 unsuccessful override attempts, and 36 had no override attempt made. The largest number of successful overrides (28) occurred during the 2017-18 legislative sessions.

SUMMER IS ONE of the most anticipated times of the year; coveted enough that Disney made a show about what to do over the 104 days of summer vacation.

The News & Record has compiled a list of fun, summer-centic activities happening across the county to keep both you and your children entertained this summer.

Jordan Lake State Park

Located in northern Chatham County, Jordan Lake State Park provides a wide array of recreational activities, from hiking trails and campsites to boat docks and swimming areas. There are more than 1,000 campsites at Jordan Lake, each of them accessible by one of ve di erent entrances.

Activities available at Jordan Lake include:

Hiking (15 miles)

Paddling Swimming

Fishing

Picnicking

Jordan Lake also has a wide array of amenities, including:

Boat ramps

Amphitheater

Auditorium and classroom

Picnic shelters

Visitor center and exhibits

Beach accesses (lake)

Bathhouses

You can nd more information about campsite reservations and hours of operation at the Jordan Lake website at https://www. ncparks.gov/state-parks/jordan-lake-state-recreation-area#SeaforthAccess-2364.

1870 Farm Camp

The summer camp located at the 1870 Farm in northern Chatham County is set on 17 acres and features a wide array of activities for children. The camp serves children ages 3 to 13 and o ers a counselor in training (CIT) program for children 14 and older.

Activities o ered at the camp include:

Animal care

Fishing Capture the ag

Nature exploration

Crafts

An Apothecary workshop Games

An entrepreneur club

The camp runs from June 12 through Aug. 11. You can nd more information about registration at https://www.1870farm. com/summer-camp.

Art Adventures at the Ackland Art Museum

Ackland Art Museum may be located in Chapel Hill, but it’s close proximity to Chatham County provides Chathamites the opportunity to check out its summer programming.

Art Adventures gives children ages six to nine a guided tour of the museum’s various exhibits, as well as create “take-home treasures” in the museums neighboring art studio. There are two more dates this summer for Art Adventures: July 8 and Aug. 12. You can nd out more at https://ackland.org/.

Carolina Tiger Rescue

Carolina Tiger Rescue is also holding summer camps for schoolaged children this summer. The camps focus on learning “in-depth information regarding the animals while getting to observe them and play games to learn about speci c adaptations of the cats, complete art projects and make enriching toys for the animals.”

Campers will also have the chance to see keepers feed the big cats, as well as learn about vet services and what it takes to care for all of the cats in the rescue.

You can nd more information on the Carolina Tiger Rescue website at https://carolinatigerrescue.org/.

Siler City Downtown Music Series

Every third Friday evening every month, the NC Arts Incubator and the Chatham Rabbit team up to provide a free concert as a part of its Summer Downtown Music Series. The concert highlights local musicians from a wide array of genres, giving listeners a chance to hear some of their favorite tunes or maybe hear something new.

The remaining dates and performers are as follows:

Fri, Jul 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm Magnolia Klezmer

Fri, Aug 18, 6:30pm-8:30pm KooDayTah

Fri, Sep 15, 6:30pm-8:30pm TBD

Fri, Oct 20, 6:30pm-8:30pm Impulse Machine

Gov. Roy Cooper gestures during a speech at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.

VISUAL

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Just consider the mention of the term, Devil’s Tramping Ground. In that momentary naming, does time pause for you?

HELP! Says she, looking to the heavens for inspiration and finding none. What might someone (as in this particular someone) write about when there doesn’t seem to be much capturing her attention? Boring folks, or myself, is definitely not an attraction. My tender ego, and readers’ attention spans, would suffer, neither of which are kosher.

Stop the presses! Here’s a thought to consider! The legendary Devil’s Tramping Ground in Chatham County, N.C., where I put down roots 21 years ago.

You’re kidding, right? About the Devil’s Tramping Ground?

No, not kidding. It’s a real thing (especially to said devil).

OK, guess I’ll bite on that. But really, the Devil’s Tramping Ground? Will you next tell me that Bigfoot lives there? No, no, Bigfoot resides in McDowell County, N.C. Don’t want to steal McDowell’s thunder (or whatever).

Returning to the Devil’s Tramping Ground. Put your feet up and set a spell (for a slice of magic waiting to unfold).

“In the low, rolling hills of southern Chatham County, lies one of the most famous haunted places in North Carolina. The Devil’s Tramping Ground is a mysterious clearing in the woods where nothing grows and if anything is placed on the circle, it will be moved by the next morning. Chatham natives say that the Devil goes there to walk in circles as he thinks up new means of causing trouble for humanity.”

All right! Just the ticket to counter my boredom and, hopefully, capture the attention of you folks reading this piece. It’s, clearly, one “devil” of a topic! (Please forgive me, I just couldn’t resist.) And the Devil’s Tramping Ground also delivers a bit of magic. I don’t know that I’ve actually expressed how taken I am with the apparent existence of magic.

EDITORIAL | BOB WACHS

Taken? With magic?

You bet! My preferred form of magic is that in which our current reality appears suspended, even if ever-so briefly. And wonder pops into the picture. Of course, another explanation might be that I’m easily taken for a ride. But, no, let’s go with the more charitable perception of trying to find wonder wherever I can.

The mention of wonder sends me spiraling back to my childhood. It’s dusk and little sparks appear to be rising from our lawns. Everything stops. Only the magic of those little sparks of light, randomly drifting up from the grass. Time seems to stand still. The world is in soft focus. And, suddenly, I hear my mother calling me in for dinner. Almost as if shaking my head to plop back into reality, I run inside. The magical moment evaporates, but a slice of that wonder remains with me, even now, light years later. (As do fireflies.)

And, yes, experiences like this bolster my love of (apparent) magic. The brief suspension of momentary reality and a passage into wonder. No drugs, alcohol, grass, pills, Dr. Pepper, or even dark chocolate.

Just consider the mention of the term, Devil’s Tramping Ground. In that momentary naming, does time pause for you? And even though you may be looking straight ahead, does your view of the world suddenly move into soft focus as the name conjures up wonder and, possibly, a rich interlude in that moment? Hey, just say “yes” and dive in! Wonder abounds …

Jan Hutton is a retired hospice/hospital social worker who believes in living life with heart and humor. She has happily lived in Chatham for 20 years.

Attitude the key to celebrating the fourth

So why do I – and maybe you as well –do that in so many areas, including July 4 events? Simple answer is human nature, I guess. This holiday harkens back to our youth, at least to mine, when I wasn’t concerned about in ation and corruption and society’s new mantras and morals.

IT WAS WITH GREAT INTEREST I read the story in last week’s edition of this newspaper about several places area residents could find some opportunities for celebrating Independence Day.

For one thing, I was glad to see there were still some options available for what, to me, has become something much less than it once was. And secondly, I was thinking how nice it would be if my parents – Mother Nature and Father Time –had not robbed me of my youth and energy to the point I could have taken in some of those activities.

As I’ve acquired more candles on the ol’ birthday cake, it’s become easier to see the past with my own special pair of rosecolored glasses. And as I balance that against the Biblical worldview I’m trying to develop, I run across admonitions about that worldview such as one in the Book (Ecclesiastes 7:10) which says (in one translation) “Do not say ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.”

In plain and simple English, that means “Don’t long for ‘the good old days.’ This is not wise.”

So why do I – and maybe you as well – do that in so many areas, including July 4 events? Simple answer is human nature, I guess. This holiday harkens back to our youth, at least to mine, when I wasn’t concerned about inflation and corruption and society’s new mantras and morals.

In Pittsboro in those days, over on the field around Pittsboro High School, there were games and sack races and climbing the greasy pole. Plenty of hot dogs and lemonade by the tubful. We chased a greasy pig for a $5 prize until environmentalists told us that was bad on the pig’s nerves. Baseball games galore.

Not to be outdone, Siler City’s civic clubs sponsored a parade down main street, complete with politicians and their

speeches. There’d be a rodeo at night at Bray Park. Some of those same games with the pole and the pig would happen at the main intersection of town where folks would be lined 10deep to catch the action and the fire department would squirt extra-greasy kids.

I’m pretty sure it’s been quite awhile since much or any of that happened. And while the details of the events – then and now – were varied, there is, I think, a common denominator that’s having an effect and some statistics and surveys bear that out.

I’m not going to quote any of them or their percentages but suffice it to say that the overall finding is our nation and its citizens are less patriotic than pretty much anytime in history and that’s the problem. I remember a story told by my longdeceased paternal grandfather who got off the boat around 1890 at Ellis Island with his brothers. Jewish immigrants from Poland. Spoke not one word of English.

Eventually he made his way to Montgomery, Alabama, where he became friends with another new American who had become a successful manufacturing plant owner. When July 4 came along each year, the man would assemble his workers, read them the Declaration of Independence, fire a cannon and give them the day off with pay.

I hope there are still some folks like that around.

I’m pretty sure we need them.

Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and retired longtime managing editor of the Chatham News/Chatham Record, having written a weekly column for more than 30 years. During most of his time with the newspapers, he was also a bivocational pastor and today serves Bear Creek Baptist Church for the second time as pastor.

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

Defending your rights and celebrating our nation

“WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Since our nation’s founding 247 years ago, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have de ned the American dream. In the Declaration of Independence, our Founding Fathers set the goal of building a land where all could live freely and peacefully.

As your Congressman, I will always defend your rights from those who seek to destroy life, threaten our liberties, or endanger your pursuit of happiness as an American citizen.

That’s why throughout my time in Congress, I have been a leading proponent of protecting your Second Amendment rights. In recent weeks, I have led multiple pieces of legislation that reverse government overreach into your home and on your right to keep and bear arms.

Earlier this year, President Biden’s ATF established a new pistol brace ban which turned millions of combat wounded veterans and law-abiding citizens into felons overnight. These braces were rst designed to help wounded veterans continue to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Following the Biden administration’s latest regulation, I took to the House oor to sponsor the legislation to block it and am proud my bill passed the House with bipartisan support.

The ATF’s brace rule illustrates the dangers of an unchecked federal agency that is willing to go around Congress and the millions of constituents we represent. Although our resolution was just a few votes short of passage in the Senate, I will always defend

your Second Amendment rights and will never stop ghting for our nation’s heroes who have sacri ced for our country.

As Congress’ leading defender of the Second Amendment, I will continue to focus on solutions that protect our rights.

President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where people were free.”

While there are many things that can divide us, being American unites us all and it’s up to us to preserve our nation for the next generation.

Independence Day is one of the most important holidays in our country, and I am, and always will be, proud to be an American. I am especially grateful to the millions of patriots who have served our nation in uniform and sacri ced along with their families, many of whom call our region home, for our freedoms.

As we commemorate the founding of our nation, I hope you are able to enjoy time with family and friends to celebrate the rights we enjoy as Americans and all the things that make our country the greatest on Earth.

Richard Hudson is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House and represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He currently serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee.

“OFFICIALS

OFFER TO BULLDOZE

through two towns to lure the Vietnamese carmaker [VinFast]. But they picked a lemon.” Headline from The Wall Street Journal May 26, 2023, by Scott Lincicome.

The Journal also observed in a June 28, 2023, opinion piece on Lordstown Motors recent bankruptcy, “politicians never have to account for what goes wrong … ”

I expressed reservations about VinFast in a letter to the Chatham N&R last year. Not listed on a domestic exchange, VinFast management was promising an IPO that would approach a market capitalization of $60 billion, just behind GM, creating the world’s #8 car company. An absurd expectation for a 2017 startup car manufacturer. Another concern was that management would use the megasite approval as a crutch for the IPO regardless of the site’s outcome.

The IPO has been cancelled. VinFast has announced an agreement to merge with Black Spade Acquisition under a SPAC [Special Purpose Acquisition Company]; meaning it can’t pull o its own nancing in this country. Meanwhile Vietnamese investors are selling their stock and the cars are being rated junk. A number of top sales executives have resigned.

Joe

Biden, Hunter Biden, and parental ‘love’

LAST WEEK, Republicans in the House of Representatives revealed the testimony of an IRS whistleblower who worked on the Hunter Biden investigation. That whistleblower had two revelations to present. First, he said that the federal prosecutor overseeing Hunter’s case told at least six witnesses that he had been blocked by Attorney General Merrick Garland from special counsel status — status that would allow him a free hand in fully investigating Hunter. Second, the whistleblower presented a WhatsApp message between Hunter Biden and a Chinese executive shaking down the executive for cash by leveraging Joe Biden’s presence in the room.

“I am sitting here with my father,” Hunter texted, “and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been ful lled. Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight. And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.”

This was not the rst piece of evidence clearly linking Joe to Hunter’s in uence-peddling operation. Hunter’s laptop infamously contained a message from one of Hunter’s business partners, James Gilliar, suggesting that 10% of a deal with CEFC China Energy Co. be “held by H for the big guy.” Gilliar, in other texts, has also referred to Joe Biden as “the big guy.” And Hunter himself complained in text messages to his daughter, Naomi, “I hope you all can do what I did and pay for everything for this entire family for 30 years. It’s really hard. But don’t worry, unlike pop, I won’t make you give me half your salary.”

Joe Biden, for the little it’s worth, has claimed to know nothing about Hunter’s business activities. That’s absolutely uncredible, considering that Joe squired Hunter around on Air Force Two, including to China — where Hunter signed lucrative deals — and that Hunter’s business partner Tony Bobulinksi alleges he met personally with Joe Biden over business issues.

The credulous reaction to this obvious trail of

LETTER TO EDITOR

corruption from many in the media has been incredible to behold. The going line these days in Biden-allied media is that Joe’s suspected in uence-peddling operation and pressure on his Attorney General to dump the Hunter investigation isn’t corruption — it’s actually a sign of his magni cent parental love. In the words of The New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof, “The real meaning of the Hunter Biden saga, as I see it, isn’t about presidential corruption, but is about how widespread addiction is — and about how a determined parent with unconditional love can sometimes reel a child back... That can give others hope.”

Meanwhile, this loving father isn’t exactly a loving grandfather when it comes to Hunter’s illegitimate child, Navy Joan. The same week Hunter was let o the hook by Biden’s Department of Justice, Biden signed a child support agreement with former stripper Lunden Roberts in which Roberts accepted a deal including a massive reduction in child support and a prohibition on Navy Joan using the Biden family name. Joe himself refuses to acknowledge the existence of Navy Joan. Yes, that famed Biden name is apparently reserved for raising cash in Ukraine and China; those who are actually sired by Hunter Biden in untoward circumstances are disowned by the upstanding Biden family.

Joe surely loves Hunter. But that love is twisted. Hunter is a 53-year-old wreck of a human being with a trail of abuses of other human beings behind him. Joe may have helped curb Hunter’s addiction, but he has also apparently used his son as a tool and continues to use him as a crutch — and meanwhile, Joe has enabled Hunter throughout his adult life, humoring his egregiously evil behavior. The story here, then, is twofold: political corruption, and the corruption of familial love into something much uglier.

Ben Shapiro, 39, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author; his latest book is “The Authoritarian Moment: How The Left Weaponized America’s Institutions Against Dissent.”

Expanding opportunity scholarships: A threat to public education!

THE N.C. GENERAL ASSEMBLY is proposing to divert millions of taxpayer dollars, in an arguably unconstitutional manner, away from the public schools and into the hands of private and parochial schools with none of the transparency and accountability required of the public schools.

Senate Bill 406 and House Bill 832 will use tax dollars to support “Opportunity Scholarships” for the private education of children, not just from lowwealth families but, for the rst time, to wealthy families and those already enrolled in private schools. SB406 would provide more than $2.2 billion of taxpayer money for private school vouchers over

the next 10 years. The General Assembly is allowing these private and religious schools to discriminate against the children of the state based on religious beliefs and the personal characteristics of voucher applicants. Private and parochial schools can pick and choose students who align with their beliefs and reject others. Public schools are open to all regardless of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, and religious or political beliefs.

The 1868 N.C. Constitution, Article 9, made clear that a responsibility of state government is to provide for a free public education for all the children of the state, including children who were historically

Magnifying the issue, Lordstown Motors, with its bankruptcy, after completing a similar SPAC merger last November with Foxconn Technology, may be mirroring VinFast’s ultimate outcome. Meanwhile our governor has been pictured waving and smiling from a VinFast car while company o cials state they “are con dent” the company can succeed. County o cials echo that same assurance. Both Michael Smith, president of Chatham Economic Development Corporation, and County Manager Dan LaMontagne “trust” Vinfast’s corporate vision. Somehow the words con dence and trust leave one with an empty feeling especially when all EV companies are struggling. The whole picture is lousy. VinFast has lost money since its inception and lost $2.1 billion last year alone. The state and county should not recklessly take homes, businesses and a historic 1888 built church for a project that is a substantial risk.

It’s reassessment time. The money and time being thrown into this risky endeavor has got to be tremendous. Assurances that incentive funding is performance-based rings hollow when one considers the money now going into preparations for Central Carolina Community College’s training classes, rights of way, highway and water infrastructure, and other land construction (destruction) for a possible boondoggle that would never earn any incentives.

It is obvious Gov. Cooper is going to stand with VinFast. So that leaves the County to stand up and say ENOUGH. Where are our County Commissioners? Where especially is Mike Dasher, District 2, Moncure’s Commissioner? Letting this issue continue to a disaster will be reprehensible. Stop the project until VinFast undergoes another due diligence review.

In conclusion, for Gov. Cooper and our Commissioners … Will you buy stock in VinFast’s SPAC if, and when, it lists with a domestic stock exchange?

Philip H. Johnson Siler City

denied that opportunity due to race, religion, or nancial resources. The N.C. Constitution did not include provisions for nancing private and religious education with public tax dollars.

The General Assembly should address the unmet needs of the public schools across North Carolina, as documented in the long-standing Leandro Case. The ideology driving these twin bills is intended to degrade public education.

Contact your Senate and House General Assembly members and urge them to reject SB406/HB823.

Krista Peck Millard Pittsboro

‘It’s reassessment time’: More reservations emerge among Vinfast news

Town of Siler City seeks input for downtown improvements through survey

By Valeria Cloës Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Town of Siler City and WithersRavenel held their second Downtown Streetscape Community Engagement Event at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, to present the Siler City community with options to renovations coming to downtown Siler City in the next years.

The rst community engagement event took place in midMarch and solely focused on hearing from the community about what they needed, Senior Project Manager Daniel Whatley of WithersRavenel said.

“We hadn’t drawn a single line on a single piece of paper at that point,” he said. “We really just wanted to hear from you guys [the community] rst.”

This time, at their second community engagement meeting, the courtroom at City Hall was lled with poster boards, interactive maps and stickers for community members choose

design preferences of benches and street lights, among other details, and to draw possible options for a park.

WithersRavenel, hired by the town to prepare the master plan and parking study, explained the possible changes going on, notably with improving sidewalks, crosswalks, storefronts and parking, as well as improving roads, and potentially making parts of Chatham and Birch Avenues one-way streets, Whatley said.

All of these improvements are to “promote economic development, more successful businesses, and to plan for growth, because as everybody knows, growth is coming to every town, especially Siler City,” he said.

There were around 17 community members in attendance,

Meals on Wheels is ‘good turn’ for Rodriguez

By Jimmy Lewis Chatham County Council on Aging

PITTSBORO — Call it fate or destiny if you will, but all roads led Victor Rodriguez to knock on a door.

After moving to Chatham County from his native Puerto Rico two years ago, Rodriguez quickly availed himself of the programs and opportunities available at the Eastern Chatham Senior Center.

While he was aware of the Meals on Wheels program before passing through the Council on Aging’s doors that fateful day, it wasn’t necessarily front of mind at the time.

“I learned about (Meals on Wheels) from a friend of ours in Puerto Rico many years ago,”

Rodriguez said. “She passed away, and I kind of forgot about it. So when we moved in town about two years ago, I was just driving around and I saw the senior center. And I just walked in to see what was going on, just to learn about it.”

That day, Rodriguez unknowingly walked into a friendly ambush. Linda Saum, the Council’s volunteer coordinator, was conducting a meeting and spotted the new face. She connected with the interests of Rodriguez and stressed that the Meals on Wheels program was in constant need of substitute drivers.

“Linda said, ‘I’m looking for new drivers!’” Rodriguez recalled. “She was having a meeting right there, so she pulled me into the meeting and my motto is do a good turn daily. That’s

“If you want to make an immediate di erence in someone’s quality of life — for the moment, for the day, just to bring them that meal.”

Victor Rodriguez

the (Boy) Scout motto, and I’ve been a Scout all my life. That was an o er for me to do something good for someone, daily.”

Rodriguez’s chance venture into the Eastern Center has transformed into a routine where he is a regular Meals on Wheels driver each Friday with

ments in Russia.”

potential substitute availability the remainder of the week.

With a daughter and grandchildren living in North Carolina, it was only a matter of time before Rodriguez and his wife, a dentist approaching retirement age, moved from the island to the U.S. mainland. However, Hurricane Maria’s deadly Category 5 impact in 2017 served to accelerate those plans.

Meals on Wheels volunteerism helps fuel Rodriguez’s need to remain active. He is also a participant in Chatham County Senior Games, taking part in cycling, tennis and swimming.

“The best satisfaction is when I talk to the clients,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a lady that isn’t strong enough to open the milk container, so she asks me to open the container. They are so grate-

and by the end of the meeting, the poster boards had round, blue stickers on them indicating preferences, and a makeshift playground drawn onto a portion of land where a park could be in downtown Siler City.

Both Town of Siler City Community Development Director Jack Meadows and Whatley emphasized the importance of community input and involvement.

While this meeting was the last of the Downtown Streetscape Community Engagement Events, a survey — available in both English and Spanish — is available for community members to ll out.

From now until the end of this year, a master plan and parking study will be written up and reviewed by town sta , Meadows said. WithersRavenel and the town will submit it to the Siler City Town Board of Commissioner for approval to adopt it.

After that, it can be implemented — not during 2023 — following implementation steps outlines in the plan.

ful that all of us go there once a day and bring them a meal.”

Rodriguez understands his communication with Meals on Wheels recipients could represent the only individual that they see each day. The quality of living conditions may vary, but the cheerful spirit of clients remains.

“I was impacted by this lady,” he explains. “Their house is just about to fall on them, and it was an impact because they live in such conditions and still, they don’t complain. They are so thankful that we bring them food.”

The dividends for new drivers, Rodriguez assures, are immediate and long-lasting.

“If you want to make an immediate di erence in someone’s quality of life — for the moment, for the day, just to bring them that meal,” Rodriguez said. “That meal might be the only meal, the only hot meal that day.”

Putin probably lacks the logistical support, technical means or trained personnel to reconquer what he has lost … If this were a chess game, he would be seen to be losing and without enough pieces in sight now to turn the tide,” he said. “If Putin feels cornered, he may try to take a harder line vis-à-vis Ukraine. The West should be prepared for an even harder stance from him on winning the war. If Putin is removed from o ce, Yevgheny Prigozhin or another strong nationalist may replace him. We have to be prepared for further surprises and challenges.”

However, there’s another potential threat to peace: China.

China is a known ally of Russia, but in recent months, o cials have made statements indicating China’s hesitation to send resources or aid to Russia.

“Instead of seeing a strong Russia conquer Ukraine, now Beijing sees new Western optimism about winning the war, and worries more about the willingness of the West to oppose an invasion of Taiwan,” Pearson said. “China is not likely to come to Russia’s aid with massive amounts of equipment or troops. Russia would not want this, and Europe, the West, India and many other countries would oppose a wider war. China’s future global standing will be a ected by Russia’s fate, and given present circumstances, it cannot be happy about develop -

Teachers, get your applications in for a Bright Ideas education grant!

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom? Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2023-2024 school year.

e nal deadline for all grant applications is Sept. 15, but don’t wait to apply. Applications submitted prior to the early-bird deadline on Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of ve $100 Visa gi cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more informaiton or to apply!

NATO — also known as the National Atlantic Treaty Organization — plans to host its annual summit on July 11, and Ukraine has o cially submitted its application to become a member. However, Pearson said a hurdle Ukraine faces surrounds a requirement for all NATO countries to have clear and de ned borders.

However, NATO allies could make a statement in favor of Ukraine, according to Pearson.

“Setting a date might be going too far, but clear support for recovering all of Ukraine’s territory is required. Acting as if Russia could retain territory in Ukraine after a war settlement would look like Western weakness,” he said. “Political and

military momentum now lies with Ukraine and its supporters. At the NATO Summit on July 11 in Lithuania, the NATO should take a clearer position on Ukraine NATO membership.”

Pearson said at the end of the day, Western nations should keep providing support to Ukraine in its ght for independence from Russia.

“There is still a brutal war going on, and the end is not in sight,” he said. “The West must stay the course, provide Ukraine with all it needs, and be ready to put the global order back on the track to democracy and weakening any authoritarian dictatorial challenge. That is where America has always been great.”

“The West must stay the course, provide Ukraine with all it needs, and be ready to put the global order back on the track to democracy and weakening any authoritarian dictatorial challenge. That is where America has always been great.”

Bob Pearson

VALERIA CLOËS | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

During the Siler City Downtown Streetscape Community Engagement event, community members were invited to look at the proposed plans for downtown Siler City.

PEARSON from page 1

HOMELESSNESS from page 1 the area.

Before he passed away in December 2022, Chatham County Fairgrounds Board Member Carl Bryant noticed Adam’s trash pickup and invited him to stay on the grounds. Adam helped out with trash cleanup and keeping watch at night to make sure trespassers didn’t come onto the property. In exchange, Bryant let Adam sleep in a shed on the fairgrounds to keep away from the winter cold.

That cramped shed, which was also used for fairground storage, was Adam’s shelter from last November until April. At just over six feet in length, it was often di cult for Adam to nd a comfortable place to rest his big frame. He says he often slept sitting upright with a travel neck pillow for support.

“It wasn’t really sleep, it was more like a temporary passing out,” Adam said. “If I laid there, my head or chin would touch my chest.”

The conditions only exacerbated his chronic pain and spinal issues.

Despite all these challenges, Adam still considers himself among the lucky ones. He’s managed to navigate the complex system.

“I’ve made do with what I got,” he said. “My grandparents always told me anger didn’t get me anywhere, and I need to keep pressing on.”

Filling the gaps

For one, he hasn’t been alone on this long road toward housing. He’s had the help of a Chapel Hill couple — Melanie and Je York. The Yorks have helped Adam by fundraising, assisting with paperwork and consistently communicating to make sure he has what he needs.

“He just so clearly wants to help people and do good in the world,” Melanie said. “We just sort of grew fond of him and built a solid relationship of trust.”

As a longtime educator and civically involved resident, Melanie had assisted homeless people before, but never in such a hands-on capacity. She now communicates with Adam daily and has been a critical part in ensuring he has stable shelter.

When Adam was asked to leave the fairgrounds property in April, the Yorks helped pull together funds for a storage unit and helped sponsor his stay at AmeriVu Inn and Suites in Siler City.

The Yorks rst met Adam when Melanie was volunteering with the county’s Point-in-Time (PIT) count. She made a personal e ort to improve the county’s involvement with the count this year by recruiting volunteers and coordinating resources.

The PIT count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on a single night in January. PIT follows the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development de nition of homeless: People who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in an emergency shelter, in transitional housing or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided.

According to that count in 2022, the most recent available data, Chatham County has 29 total people experiencing homelessness, which is about one of every 2,600 residents. Many local o cials believe, however, that gure is much higher because of aws in the PIT methodology because it does not account for people staying in motels, with friends and family or are “couch-sur ng.”

“This year, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and Triangle J Council of Governments, a much more coordinated e ort was undertaken for the Point in Time count,” said Jennie Kristiansen, director of Chatham County Social Services.

Chatham County also added a street outreach specialist this year, which will allow for increased access and engagement with people who are unsheltered and may have di culty accessing services through coordinated entry, Kristiansen said.

The county also utilizes a best practice for homelessness in rural communities known as Rapid Rehousing. The model is designed to help individuals and families nd housing as quickly as possible, according to Chatham County Emergency Housing Coordinator Paige Felton.

“In Chatham County, the program is administered through Central Piedmont Community Action; however, both Love Chatham and Salvation Army work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a regular basis,” Felton said.

She added the county is also working to develop a White Flag Sheltering Protocol, which assists with temporary shelter during extreme weather. In some communities, churches or hotels are used to provide temporary shelter.

While these resources are a step in the right direction, Felton said the biggest change in improving homelessness in Chatham County is education and awareness.

“Up until recently, homelessness was a problem that I don’t think a lot of people noticed,” she said. “In rural communities, people may be doubled up, living in a car, or maybe in a tent so it may be more overlooked compared to urban communities where people are living on streets or in parks. I’m encouraged by the number of people in Chatham

who care about this issue and are stepping up to give of their time and to donate nancially to organizations serving people in need.”

The dignity of comfort

Adam said the reason he believes he’s homeless is because of his chronic pain. Several doctors have told him he could not handle o ce work because long periods of sitting could cause blood clots. He is also unable to do manual labor under his condition. With limited options, he’s forced to rely on xed income he receives from disability insurance.

“Even sitting here is di cult with the spine being broken and the nerve damage,” Adam told the News + Record as he sat in a chair inside his AmeriVu suite. “So it’s both moving too much and not moving enough that causes me nerve pain.”

Several times per day, Adam uses a muscle gun up and down his back to release the tension on his spine. He also has intermittent stretches and movements he does to mitigate the pain, but it’s nearly impossible to predict how intense the are ups will be.

The News + Record rst met with Adam in mid-April when he was staying in the Siler City AmeriVu. The room, though spacious, was full of clothes, groceries, toiletries and other belongings Adam had collected over the years. The room had two twin beds, but one was hidden under a mountain of dirty laundry.

He said much of the mess was due to the pain limiting the amount of time he could spend cleaning or tidying up. In the new space, however, with the comfort of a bed and hot water he said the bouts with his back had become less frequent and less intense.

“I’ve used that hot shower more than I probably ever should’ve,” Adam said. “I’ve gotten so much sleep, my back has actually improved here.”

Melanie said she also noticed improvement in his gait, increased color in his face and “a renewed brightness in his eyes.”

The issue, however, was that Adam’s stay in AmeriVu was a temporary solution. He was scraping by and the Yorks were supplementing week-to-week stints through the beginning of

Hours: Mon.–Fri. 11am–5pm and Saturday 10am–4pm, Closed Sun.

May. “I really do not want this to go south,” Melanie said in midApril. “We can’t not support this man. We’ve seen him this far along, we’ve got to maintain this.”

At that time, Adam was on a two-year long waitlist for a public housing voucher. And with local organizations and county sta stretched thin, it was unclear how long the comfort of the AmeriVu room would last.

A winding path

While both Adam knew challenges toward a stable future lay ahead, he felt there was no choice but to persevere. And with the help of the Yorks he worked to secure Permanent Supportive Housing through the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).

According to NCDHHS, Permanent Supportive Housing is meant to provide eligible adults living with disabilities and/or experiencing homelessness the opportunity to attain and maintain integrated, a ordable housing with exible supports.

“This housing model helps rebuild lives, o ers hope, and provides critical stability for individuals and families,” the NCDHHS website reads.

In Chatham County, Adam discovered there was limited experience with Permanent Supportive Housing options. He and Melanie spent hours lling out paperwork including tests about his vulnerability, and more hours on the phone with local organizations trying to ensure the proper steps were being taken.

Without the guidance, and time commitment of the Yorks, Adam said he likely would not have been able to know all his potential housing options.

Melanie said the larger issue is that it shouldn’t take a personal herculean e ort to help someone in need. She said the system needs to be adjusted to better serve the needs of the community.

County o cials said they acknowledge there are a lot of hoops to jump through for homeless residents and they are working to streamline the system across multiple agencies.

Felton said the county will soon be using the Homelessness Management Information System across multiple agencies in Chatham County. There will also be an online application option and a paper application available at the Department of Social Services 24/7 for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program through the Chatham County Dept. of Social Services.

The Yorks and Sides worked for more than four months without a long term solution — each phone call an added stressor, each day a burden of unknowing, yet through it all Adam never lost faith. Then nally, at long last, Adam was able to secure a place that is permanently his.

At the beginning of June, Adam o cially moved into Creekside Apartments in Pittsboro.

While there have been some learning curves and struggles with the new place, it’s complete with a full kitchen, a queen size

Resources for Chatham residents experiencing homelessness

When someone is homeless, it is important that they contact Central Piedmont Community Action (CPCA). They serve as the lead for “Coordinated Entry” which is how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) directs communities to ensure individuals who are homeless can be followed by the appropriate service providers. Coordinated entry can help individuals and families access shelter, rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing services. An intake is completed, and the individual is placed on a list, referred to as the “By Name” list for services. Individuals are prioritized based on current barriers. Other resources are listed below:

Shelter: While Chatham County does not have a congregate care shelter, Love Chatham or Salvation Army will step in to provide hotel assistance if funds are available.

Street Outreach (SO) works with individuals who are unsheltered and living in a place not meant for human habitation. SO can provide case management and work with individuals or families to nd permanent housing. Rapid Rehousing provides short term nancial assistance, case management services and housing location services to individuals who are homeless. This service is currently being provided by CPCA.

Permanent Supportive Housing is intended for individuals with more specialized needs. Individuals must have a documented disability and be chronically homelessness (homeless for a total of 12 months).

Emergency Rental Assistance is available for all eligible households who earn 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and are at risk of homelessness. Service is intended to leverage dollars to help individuals remain in their home. This is a new program o ered by the Chatham County Department of Social Services and will start on June 1st.

bed and all the necessities Adam says he needs.

Since moving in, he says his mental health has improved dramatically because he no longer has to deal with the stress of not knowing where he would rest his head at night.

“It has absolutely improved,” he said. “I just have a better train of thought here. Not having to worry about a leak, or what the temperature is outside. It’ll surprise you how much it really changes the dynamic of your life.”

Going forward, Adam says he wants to dedicate his time to helping others, especially those experiencing homelessness. He’s already begun donating items to Salvation Army and Love Chatham to provide resources to those in need.

“Now I really know I ain’t going nowhere,” Adam said. “And that is the biggest relief in the world.”

MATT RAMEY | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Audrey O’ Flaherty Heiser

September 29, 1920 ~ June 14, 2023

Audrey O’Flaherty Heiser, a resident of Croasdaile Retirement Village, died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Durham.

Born September 29, 1920, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of Lester Dennis and Audrey G. O’Flaherty and was preceded in death by her husband, Will M. Heiser.

Mrs. Heiser served as Secretary to the Adjutant General of the Army during WWII. She lived with her husband in India, Pakistan, Iran and Korea while he served as a Civil Engineer in those countries. In Pennsylvania, she served as a Girl Scout Leader and Board Member of the Freedom Valley Girl Scout Council. In Chapel Hill, N.C., she was an active member of Amity United Methodist Church. In Chatham County, N.C., she and her husband indexed all the cemeteries in that county, recording over 28,000 entries in their book for the Chatham County Historical Society.

She is survived by her sister, Betty O’Flaherty Kent of Lutsen, M.N.; her daughter, Marcia Louise Heiser of Homer, Ill. and family; her son, David Merrill Heiser (JoAnn) of Fuquay Varina, N.C. and family; her son, Charles Douglas Heiser (Donna) and family of Sanford, N.C.; seven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in the Few Interfaith Chapel at Croasdaile Village, led by Rev. Richard Vaughan, former pastor at Amity U.M.C., and Rev. Laurie Co man of Croasdaile Village. Friends will be received following the service in the Gathering Space of the Chapel.

Ruth Pinyan

October 12, 1935 ~ June 17, 2023

Mrs. Ruth Adelaide Thompson Pinyan, 87, of Denton passed away on June 17, 2023, at Randolph Hospice House.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 9, 2023 at The Southern Theater, the temporary location of Siloam Methodist Church located at 18639 N.C. Hwy. 109, Denton. Rev. Scott Davis will o ciate at the service.

Mrs. Pinyan was born October 12, 1935, in Guilford County to John Charles (J.C. or Jim) Thompson and Essie Mae Wrenn Thompson. She had worked in Quality Control at A.J. Schneierson & Sons Inc. in Siler City and P.P.G. in Lexington. She was of the Baptist faith and attended Siloam Methodist Church. She was a member of the Denton Lions Club and had been a volunteer with South Davidson Resource Center. She was preceded in death by her rst husband, the father of her children, James Eugene Andrews Sr. and her second husband, James Stokes Pinyan. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Lloyd Thompson, Charles Thompson and an infant brother.

She is survived by her son, James Eugene Andrews Jr. and wife Marsha of Siler City; and Beverly Andrews Cunningham and husband Mike of Pineblu ; two grandchildren, Ryan Andrews and Halie Cuningham; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Siloam Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Linda Markham, P.O. Box 404, Denton, N.C.

Cremation services provided by Briggs Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www. briggsfuneralhome.com.

Eugene Franklin ‘Frank’ Brown

August 23, 1933 ~ June 30, 2023

Eugene Franklin “Frank” Brown, 89, of Siler City, passed away Friday, June 30, 2023. Frank was born in Randolph County on August 23, 1933, to Clyde Zimria and Daisy Viola Coble Brown. In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kimberly Brady; great grandsons, Camden and Caleb Brady; brothers, Clyde Brown Jr., Ernest Brown and Vernon Brown.

Mr. Brown was a faithful member of Pleasant Grove Christian Church, where he served as both a deacon and trustee for many years and operated the sound system. He was a furniture machine maintenance person at Chatham Novelties. Frank had a love for farming, mowing and simply keeping his home and farm looking beautiful. Frank also loved being a cattle farmer and tractor mechanic.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Sylvia Foushee Brown; sons, Dennis Brown and wife Vicky of Sanford, Keith Brown of Ramseur; daughters, Deborah Holt and husband Darrell of Liberty, Darlene Brady and husband Michael of Bennett; twelve grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Bobby Brown and wife Sherry of Bennett, Jimmy Brown and wife Pam of Knightdale, Richard Brown and wife Anne of Pittsboro; and sister, Louise B. Womble of Siler City.

A visitation was held on Sunday, July 2, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home. The funeral service was held Monday, July 3, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Christian Church, 5046 Pleasant Grove Church Road, Bennett, N.C. 27208, with Rev. Jimmy Hill and Rev. Don Edwards o ciating. Burial follows in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Christian Church Broadcasting Ministry.

PATRICK DANIEL GARNER

September 11, 1983 ~ June 18, 2023

Patrick Daniel Garner, 39, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023, in a tragic house re along with his two precious sons, Carson and Kaleb.

Daniel was the son of Mandy Garner Buchanan. He was preceded in death by his sons, Carson and Kaleb Garner whom he loved and had a special bond; brother Christopher Joseph Patterson; grandparents, Roy and Shirley Garner and Lisa Shrout. Daniel was employed most of his life in the family business, Garner Concrete Company.

Daniel is survived by his mother and stepfather, Mandy Garner Buchanan, and B.J. Buchanan; sister Crystal Patterson Holmes; son Michael Garner; daughter Madison Garner; step-daughter Sammy Cox; and grandfather Charles Buchanan.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home with Rev. George Stallings o ciating. Burial will follow in Broadway Town Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.

CARSON JOSEPH GARNER

April 28, 2009 ~ June 18, 2023

Carson Joseph Garner, 14, passed away along with his father and brother on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18, 2023, in a tragic house re. He was born to Sarah Catherine Rackley and Patrick Daniel Garner. He was preceded in death by father and brother, Patrick Daniel Garner and Kaleb Garner; grandmother Shelba Jean Rackley; great-grandparents, Roy and Shirley Garner; and great-great-grandparents, Tony and Chris Cernohorsky. Carson completed 8th grade at Western Harnett Middle School. Carson is survived by his mother Sarah Rackley Vick; brothers, Connor Vick, Michael Garner and Peyton Cofery; sisters, Madison Garner, Sammy Cox and Alona Cofery; his Mammy, Mandy Cox; grandparents, Christine and David Pellum, Mandy Garner Buchanan and B.J. Buchanan; greatgrandparents, Jim Rackley and Barbara, Jan and Lou Pratt and Don Kilgore. The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home with Rev. George Stallings o ciating. Burial will follow in Broadway Town Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.

KALEB ALAN GARNER

November 15, 2013 ~ June 18, 2023

Kaleb Alan Garner, 9, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023, along with his father and brother on Sunday, June 18, 2023, in a tragic house re. He was the son of Amanda Bahnsen Cox and the late Patrick Daniel Garner. In addition to his dad, Daniel and brother, Carson Garner, Kaleb was greeted by his papa Jim Hayes; great-grandparents, Roy and Shirley Garner — Ray and Santina Bahnsen. Kaleb just completed third grade at Boone Trail Elementary School.

He is survived by his mom, Amanda Cox; grandparents, Mandy Garner Buchanan, (B.J); Suezanne Hayes, John Bahnsen (Becki); greatgrandparents Mary Felton (Roger); brother, Michael Garner and sisters, Madison Garner and Sammy Cox.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home with Rev. George Stallings o ciating.

Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.

MILDRED TURLINGTON WATSON

March 20, 1934 ~ June 30, 2023

Mildred Turlington Watson, 89, of Sanford, passed away Friday, June 30, 2023, at Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center of Lee County.

Born the daughter of the late Rev. H. B. Turlington and Bessie Lee Garner Turlington. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Copeland Watson, and her sister, Fay Elizabeth Turlington Sykes. She worked at Static Control Components and was a member of Sanford Church of God for over 50 years.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Shallow Well Cemetery with Rev. Tim Gore o ciating.

Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.

LIBBY ANN (SNIPES) MARTIN, ‘SHAY’

July 13, 1955 ~ June 24, 2023

Libby Ann (Snipes) Martin, “Shay”, 67, of Sanford, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte. Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Poplar Springs AME Church with burial following in the church cemetery.

KENNETH DARYL ‘KENNY’ WATSON

March 31, 1963 ~ June 19, 2023

Kenneth Daryl Watson, 60, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2023. The funeral service was held Friday, June 30, 2023, at Haw River Missionary Baptist Church, with burial following in the church cemetery.

JAMES ROSCOE BALDWIN

August 12, 1949 ~ June 16, 2023

James Roscoe Baldwin, 73, of Pittsboro, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

The funeral service was held Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Mitchell Chapel AME Zion Church. Burial will follow in the Lynn Family Cemetery (Mitchell Chapel AME Zion Church).

State Board of Elections approves voter ID rules, appoints county board members

Critical services support individuals experiencing a mental health crisis

North State Journal

RALEIGH — The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) met on Tuesday, June 27, and approved temporary rules related to the implementation of voter ID rules in North Carolina elections.

Beginning with Fall 2023 municipal elections, all voters will be asked to show a form of photo ID when voting in-person and via absentee ballot.

“The agency is proposing rules

to ensure uniform, standard implementation of the photo ID requirements in all 3,000-plus polling locations and among all 100 county boards of elections,” a statement from the NCSBE read.

The board also reviewed more than 1,300 comments on the proposed rules, making some changes based on feedback from the public. The state’s Rules Review Commission, which reviews proposed rules from state agencies for approval, will now conduct reviews of the proposals for adoption.

Rules approved by the board focused on the responsibility of poll workers to examine the

appearance and name of voters based on their identi cation provided and that any outside evidence beyond the four corners of the ID are not to be used.

The Board also unanimously approved two voter ID exception forms, which was required in the underlying statute. The NCSBE must adopt a reasonable impediment exemption form which must, “at a minimum,” include speci c reasons listed in the statute that a voter may select. Voters claiming an exception to showing photo identi cation must attest that they are the voter casting the ballot.

The NCSBE also appoint-

ed four members — two Democrats and two Republicans — to each of the 100 county boards of elections.

In Chatham County, the two Democrats chosen were Mark Barroso and Erika Lindemann and the two Republicans were Frank Dunphy and Robert Tyson. Their terms will begin when they are sworn in on July 18. County board members serve two-year terms.

“We are happy to welcome new members to North Carolina’s elections team,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections.

“Together, we will continue to

NCDHHS urges best practices for keeping you and your pets healthy while enjoying recreational waters

From the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services

RALEIGH — As summer activities heat up and North Carolinians ock to recreational waters to beat the higher temperatures, the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services is urging residents to prioritize safety and adopt best practices for enjoying water activities with their pets.

When swimming in lakes and rivers, it is crucial to ensure the well-being of both humans and their pets.

The following guidelines can help individuals and pet owners enjoy recreational waters safely:

Recognize harmful algal blooms: Algal blooms can produce toxins harmful to humans and pets. They often appear as

thick, green, blue-green or red scums on the water’s surface or along the shoreline. Avoid contact with a ected waters and keep your pets away from these areas as well.

Avoid suspicious water conditions: Be cautious if the water appears discolored, has a strong odor or contains visible debris. Such conditions may indicate poor water quality or possible bacterial contamination. Choose a di erent location to ensure a safer water experience for you and your pets.

Water quality advisory updates: Stay informed about water quality advisories or warnings issued by local authorities for recreational waters. These advisories may include alerts about harmful algal blooms or bacteria contamination. Check

the latest updates before heading out to enjoy summer water activities here.

Prevent ingestion: As you enjoy the water this summer, avoid ingesting water and reduce your risk of illness by keeping your mouth closed and holding your nose shut or using a nose clip. Discourage your pets from drinking or ingesting water while swimming to prevent water-borne illness. Carry fresh water for your pets to drink and keep them hydrated throughout your water activities.

Rinse o after water activities: After swimming, rinse yourself and your pets with clean with fresh water to remove any potential bacteria, algae or toxins that may cling to the skin or fur. This simple step can minimize health risks associated

with waterborne contaminants.

Monitor for symptoms: Be attentive to any symptoms in yourself or your pets after water activities, such as skin irritations, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems or unusual behavior. If you or your pets exhibit any concerning symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

“Understanding and monitoring water quality is vital for the safety of both residents and their pets during water recreation,” said Dr. Susan Kansagra, assistant director for Public Health. “By following these guidelines and being vigilant, we can minimize the risks associated with harmful algae and bacteria, ensuring a healthier experience for all.”

Keep yourself and your pets healthy as we approach the sum-

“The agency is proposing rules to ensure uniform, standard implementation of the photo ID requirements in all 3,000plus polling locations and among all 100 county boards of elections.”

Statement from the NCSBE

ensure that our elections are accessible, safe and secure, and that every eligible vote counts.”

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed the fth member who will also serve at the chair a day later, naming Laura Heise to the board ahead of their regularly scheduled meeting on July 18.

“Understanding and monitoring water quality is vital for the safety of both residents and their pets during water recreation. By following these guidelines and being vigilant, we can minimize the risks associated with harmful algae and bacteria, ensuring a healthier experience for all.”

Dr. Susan Kansagra, assistant director for Public Health.

mer season by following these guidelines and adhering to any posted cautions or advisories. For more information and additional resources on water safety, click here.

NCEDA honors economic development winners at annual conference

Large Market Deal of the Year goes to Michael Smith president of Chatham County Economic Development Corporation

From the North Carolina Economic Development Association

WILMINGTON — Economic development professionals across North Carolina were honored for their contributions to the economic development profession and their communities at the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) 2023 Annual Conference.

The awards distinguish members making signi cant and valued contributions above and beyond expectations in their areas. The association recognized the award winners at the Annual Conference in Wilmington on June 28, 2023.

NCEDA honored seven members in their annual awards ceremony:

2023 Large Market Deal of the Year:

Michael Smith, president of Chatham County Economic Development Corporation

The Wolfspeed project in Chatham County was led by the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation transforming the Chatham-Siler Advanced Manufacturing Site into a $5 billion investment with 1800 jobs for the county.

2023 Emerging Leader of the Year:

Charla Duncan, community & economic development director for Warren County

Duncan was a key player in the announcement of the Glen Raven expansion, bringing $80 million in capital investments and 205 jobs, landing the largest business expansion project

in the county in thirty-plus years. She secured $3.5 million in grant funding related to development projects and economic development in her community — ranging from utility infrastructure to business expansion to downtown revitalization.

2023 Small Market Deal of the Year: Burton Hodges, executive director with the Transylvania Economic Alliance

The $55 million Pisgah Labs expansion in Transylvania County is the largest in Tran-

sylvania’s history, and the lab is on pace to be the county’s largest manufacturing employer.

2023 Mid-Size Market Deal of the Year:

Peter Bishop, director of economic development with the City of Burlington, and David Putnam, senior director for economic development of the Alamance Chamber of Commerce Steri-Tek, a California-based medical and pharmaceutical sterilization company seeking this rst East Coast facility, is coming to Burlington and Al-

amance County, resulting in a $71 million investment and creating 50 jobs.

2023 Economic Developer of the Year Award:

Marvin Price, executive vice president of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Throughout his career, Price has created $4.7 billion in capital investment and 5,290 jobs across Greensboro and Guilford County, including Toyota, Marshall Aerospace, Guerrilla RF, LT Apparel, Boom Supersonic and many more. His proven history of successful

“These awards help NCEDA to recognize economic developers across the state for their hard work and dedication in communities large and small in advancing the economic well-being of the residents of North Carolina.”

collaboration across public and private sectors driving strategic partnerships, program development, marketing, advocacy and ROI for the region, has been a critical factor in his success. His e orts have also contributed to industrial expansions, new site development, and a new workforce development initiative in Greensboro, resulting in an outstanding year for Guilford County.

2023 President’s Award:

Donny Hicks, executive director of Gaston County Economic Development

Hicks was awarded the President’s Award for his outstanding career in economic development in Gaston County. A veteran economic developer with 39 years of experience, he worked hard for the people and communities of Gaston County to help evolve the community from its textile roots to the diversi ed and thriving economy today.

“These awards help NCEDA to recognize economic developers across the state for their hard work and dedication in communities large and small in advancing the economic well-being of the residents of North Carolina,” Chris Platé, president of NCEDA, said.

Chris Platé

PHOTO COURTESY OF NCEDA

Michael Smith (left), president of Chatham County Economic Development Corporation, stands with Chris Platé, president of North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA), who holds Smith’s plaque, recognizing his win of the 2023 Large Market Deal of the Year award during the NCEDA 2023 Annual Conference.

REAL ESTATE

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

Jy2,tfnc

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-663-1877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. Jy14,tfnc

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE

O ce, Professional space for lease, now available, in downtown Pittsboro. Call 919-612-0596 for details.” Jn15,tfnc

MOBILE HOME RENTALS

MOBILE HOME, For rent, 2 Bedroom, 1 bath, Central Air, Great condition. Hwy 902, Bear Creek, For info, call 919-444-1731, Jy6,1tp

RENTALS, APARTMENTS

POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted.

O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible, A2,tfnc

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

Having quali ed on the 2nd of June 2023, as

Executor of the Estate of JULIA MALANOWS-

KI, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of September 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment.

This the 9th of June, 2023

W. Woods Doster, Administrator of the Estate of Julia Malanowski

206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330

Attorneys:

Law O ces of W. Woods Doster, P.A.

206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Jn15,Jn22,Jn29,Jy6,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

23 E 314

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against ALMA THOMAS FIELDS deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notied to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before September 15, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 13th day of June, 2023.

Cynthia F. Mason, Administrator

1613 Reno Sharpe Store Rd Bear Creek, NC 27207 Jn15,Jn22,Jn29,Jy6,4tp

HIRING CNA ’ s

ALL

RV FOR SALE

AUTO FOR SALE

RV for sale, Damen Daybreak 2000, 75,000 miles, runs great, good tires, good air conditioner, good generator. $10,000, Financing available, 919-828-4247. Jn8,tfncx

FOR SALE

BUSY BEE farm open for Blueberry Picking, 1092 DeWitt Smith Road, Pittsboro, 919-5425890. Jn29,Jy6,2tp

DRUMS FOR SALE, Pearle Cilgan cymbals. D.W. double kick,will send pictures. $1,500.00. Call 404-323-3630, Jn15,22,29,Jy6,4tp

WANTED

PAYING CASH FOR: t-shirts, hats, memorabilia and collectibles, 1960’s - 1990’s. HARLEY, Joe Camel, NASCAR, Concert T’s, etc. Any condition. Call/Text (919) 578-3801, Jn29,Jy6,2tp

AUCTIONS

AUCTIONEER SCOTT L. HARRIS at JHA. One Call...We sell it all!!! Real estate, personal property, estate settlement, farms & land, business liquidation. JHA has been conducting auctions in the state of NC since 1989. Fully licensed Real Estate and Auction Firm. NCAL #8420 Firm #8086 www.JerryHarrisAuction.com, 919-4984077, Jy6,tfnc

‘RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS - Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, bene ts, etc., NCAL #7706, 919548-3684, 919-663-3556, rickyellingtonauctions@yahoo.com, Jy6,tfnc

SERVICES

CASH PAID, for JUNK CARS and pickups. Call 336-581-3423. Jn22,29,Jy6,13,4tp

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY 23 E 283

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against MARY JANE KLEPAC SLUSSER deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before September 15, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 13th day of June, 2023.

Noel McElreath, Executor

7156 Talton Ridge Drive Cary, NC 27519 Jn15,Jn22,Jn29,Jy6,4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 22 E 75

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against LOLA F. SPRITZER deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before September 15, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 13th day of June, 2023.

Evan L. Spritzer, Executor

66 Rivington St. #13 New York, NY 10002 Jn15,Jn22,Jn29,Jy6,4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

2023 E 000329

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against BEATRICE HARWARD-PERRY deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before September 22, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 22nd day of June, 2023. SHIRLEY H. THOMAS, Executor

1035 GROVE PARK LANE CUMMING, GA 30041 Jn22,Jn29,Jy6,Jy13,4tp

TO: Biological father/Father/unknown father of the above male child, born at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, NC to Caren Vaughn. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Petition has been led to terminate your parental rights to the above-referenced minor child. You have forty days from 6/22/23, the rst date of publication of this Notice to respond to said Petition by ling a written answer to the petition with the Chatham Clerk of Court. Your parental rights to the juvenile may be terminated upon failure to answer the petitions within the time prescribed. Any attorney appointed previously in an abuse, neglect or dependency proceeding and still representing you shall continue to represent you. If you are indigent and not already represented by an attorney, you are entitled to a court-appointed attorney by contacting the Chatham County Clerk of Court.

STEPHENSON & FLEMING, L.L.P.

BY: /s/ANGENETTE STEPHENSON

Attorney for Petitioner, CHATHAM COUNTY

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

109 Conner Dr. Suite 208 Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 Telephone: (919) 869-7795

Jn22,Jn29,Jy6,3tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executrix of the Estate of MARGARET G. GALLOWAY, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ces of Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC, 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on or before the 29th day of September, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 29th day of June, 2023.

SUSAN KENARD, EXECUTRIX ESTATE OF MARGARET G. GALLOWAY Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Jn29,Jy6,Jy13,Jy20,4tc

548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery also available. Au26,tfnc

AUTO BROKERS RECYCLERS - Cash paid for Junk/Wrecked vehicles. Call 919-545-0194. My13,tfnc

JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803. A2,tfnc

LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-258-3594. N9,tfnc

HELP WANTED

PINEY GROVE METHODIST CHURCH is seeking a part-time music director. Contact Cli Stickney at (919) 818-7847 for more information. Jn15,22,29,Jy6,13,20,27,7tp

FOOD SERVICES STAFF, Pittsboro Christian Village is accepting applications for Server, Pantry Cook, and Cook. Apply in person 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, at 1825 East St. in Pittsboro. Jy14,tfnc

Notice of Hearings Town of Siler City

The following item will be considered by the Siler City Planning Commission on Monday, July 10, 2023. 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

R23-0701 – Rezoning of eight (8) tracts from

Agricultural-Residential (A-R) and Residential 6 (R-6) to Residential 3/Conditional (R-3-C), parcels totaling 89.678 acres ±, addressed as two (2) unaddressed parcels Love Creek Church Road (parcel numbers 68842, 14180), 411 Love Creek Church Road (parcel number 14413), and ve unaddressed parcels Woody Lane (parcel numbers 14421, 14423, 14425, 14233, and 14359), and being the properties of Genie Coble; Grady Ray and Genie Coble; Carol Reeves and Deborah Tilson, and Boyd Lee Lambert, Jr.

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 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 Tammy Thomas at 919-726-8625, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or tthomas@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 Tammy Thomas al tthomas@ silercity.org o 919-726-8625 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud. Jn29,Jy6,2tc

accepting applications for 2BR, 1.5BA Range, refrigerator, dishwasher are included in the rent. Rent starts at $630 and up. 400 Honeysuckle Dr., Pittsboro, NC 27312

The Black Bottom Cowboys ride on

Members of the Black Bottom Cowboys participate in their 9th annual trail ride in Siler City June 30-July 1. The group also hosted a sh fry, 50/50 ra e and other vendors for the community.

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against PHILIP H. LEWIS, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are notied to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before September 29, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 29th day of June, 2023.

Debra H. Lewis, Executor Estate of Philip H. Lewis c/o Roberson Law Firm 1829 E. Franklin St., Ste. 800C Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Jn29,Jy6,Jy13,Jy20,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of SANDRA ANITA SHARPE, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of October, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 27th day of June, 2023.

Lois Smith Branson, Administrator of The Estate of Sandra Anita Sharpe 648 Poe Road Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW

BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 Jy6,Jy13,Jy20,Jy27,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of ERNEST LEE PENDERGRAPH late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of October, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 28th day of June, 2023.

David Lee Pendergraph, Executor of The Estate of Ernest Lee Pendergraph 185 Hot Shotes Drive Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 Jy6,Jy13,Jy20,Jy27,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

Having quali ed as the Personal Representative of the Estate of PATRICIA ANN DILLON, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned in care of the attorney for the estate, Kim K. Ste an, Ste an & Associates, P.C., 2411 Old NC 86, Hillsborough, NC 27278, on or before the 4th day of October, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

David Alfred Dillon,

Personal Representative

Attorney for Estate: Kim K. Ste an Ste an & Associates, P.C. 2411 Old NC 86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Jy6,Jy13,Jy20,Jy27,4tc

PHOTOS BY MATT RAMEY | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Pittsboro resident graduates from Campbell University School of Law

From Campbell University School of Law

RALEIGH — Pittsboro, North Carolina, resident James Murray was among the graduates Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law conferred 145 Juris Doctor degrees on Friday, May 12, during its 45th hooding and graduation ceremony at the J.S. Dorton Arena.

“Today is a transitional point in your lives,” Dean J. Rich Leonard told the graduates. “For the rest of your days, no matter what you are doing, whether you are a prosecutor or a public defender, a civil litigator or criminal defense attorney, a judge, a corporate o cer, a government o cial, or a parent at home raising children, when the question is asked, ‘What do you do?’ you are entitled to proudly answer, ‘I am a lawyer.’”

Nottingham Law School

Deputy Dean Matthew Homewood on behalf of Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, bestowed four Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees to Heidi M. High of Hankasalmi, Finland, Erin Leigh Basinger of Kannapolis, LeAnne McAbee of Wilkesboro and Judge Donna Elizabeth “Beth” Tanner of Kinston.

“Enjoy every part of this day and take a moment to re ect on what you have achieved,” Homewood said. “It’s amazing.” Campbell University Board of

Trustees Chairman Gene Lewis III told the class of 2023, who began their law school journey during the pandemic, they have risen to the challenge.

“You are our future ... Your tool chest is full and, with what you have learned during the pandemic, your class is best equipped to transform the legal profession ... Seize your future and do great and good things.”

North Carolina’s First Lady Kristin Cooper was the com-

Denise Partin receives 2023 JMArts Community Hero Award

“I’m completely honored and blown away. I enjoy helping and it doesn’t seem like a chore.”

Denise Partin

From JMArts

SILER CITY — Denise Partin, treasurer of JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, since its creation more than a decade ago, has been named the 2023 JMArts Community Hero.

Given this year for the fourth time, the annual award was created to honor a volunteer from the community who has contributed signi cantly to the success of the arts at Jordan-Matthews High School.

JMArts President Rose Pate said Partin began volunteering as a parent when her two sons were band students and then continued her service, playing an essential role in the organization’s success.

“I’m completely honored and blown away,” Partin said when receiving the award. “I enjoy helping and it doesn’t seem like a chore.”

Partin works as a payroll specialist for Chatham County Schools and was honored in a surprise ceremony at her o ce, a short presentation attended by Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson and Chief Financial O cer Tony Messer. Jackson said Partin was amazing and commended her for being so dedicated to serving Chatham County students.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done to make our school system a great place for kids,” he said, “And the arts a centerpiece of what we do.”

Previous JMArts Community Hero Award winners are Cynthia Bredenberg, Dr. William “Chip” Pate and Sharon Allen.

More information about JMArts is available online at JMArts.org. The site includes a list of all student award winners over the last several years and details about many foundation initiatives including its agship JMArts Scholars.

mencement speaker. In her entertaining and inspirational speech, Cooper encouraged the graduates to break out of their comfort zones and continue to challenge themselves by learning new things and seeking out those with whom they fundamentally disagree.

“Your law degree gives you options,” she explained. “I encourage you to go on to have lives that are not just about making money but nding joy. Don’t fear fail-

ure. Seek justice and love mercy. You are all going to shine like diamonds. I can’t wait to see what you are going to do.”

Valedictorian So a Peri Baneth told her classmates that just 0.4 percent of the U.S. population works as a lawyer, making it a privilege that also comes with responsibilities, including explaining the law, working hard for clients, solving problems and continuing to support each other while representing the Campbell

Law School community. She wrapped up her remarks with, “Guess what? Y’all, we did it!,” which was received with a huge round of applause.

Find photos of the ceremony on the law school’s Facebook page at this link (https://www. facebook.com/campbelllawschool) and watch the graduation ceremony’s Live Stream recording at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA3wV6bY0o4&t=0s.

Can You Build An Estate Plan Like A House?

If you’ve ever been involved in building a house — or even if you’ve just heard about it — you know that there’s a wellsomething to think about: Some of the same the same as those needed to build an estate wishes known about what you want your to share your goals and vision with a legal

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

Members of the Campbell Law School Class of 2023 pose with Dean J. Rich Leonard.

COLUMN: Why aren’t we paying attention to Shohei Ohtani? B2

Seaforth rising sophomore

So a Viana (10) was recently called up to train with the U17 Brazilian women’s national soccer team. The camp is held in Teresópolis, Brazil.

The rising sophomore plays club soccer for the North Carolina F.C. 2008 ECNL G team, which competes in the Elite Clubs National League. On top of her responsibilities to her high school team, she also trains four nights a week with her club team.

Seaforth rising sophomore Viana training with Brazil U17 team

The forward led the Hawks in both goals (33) and assists (25) this past season.

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — This week, Seaforth rising sophomore Soa Viana is living out one of her dreams.

Viana, who starred for the Hawks’ girl’s soccer team this past spring, is currently in Teresópolis, Brazil, competing in a training camp with the U17 Brazilian women’s national team. She told the News & Record this week that she was completely shocked when she heard the news she had been called into the camp.

“I was extremely proud that I was one of a few selected to

Powell among nation’s top prospects competing at EYBL Peach Jam

By

represent my country, but I was also stunned because my biggest dream had just come true,” Viana said. “I will never forget the look on my parents’ faces when we were celebrating. Their tears and smiles and pure happiness I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Viana was born in Miami and was raised in the United States, but she holds dual nationality with Brazil. She had participat-

ed in a few Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) talent ID camps in Florida in the past, but this is her rst time o cially competing in the national team system.

The rising sophomore plays club soccer for the North Carolina F.C. 2008 ECNL G team, which competes in the Elite Clubs National League. On top of her responsibilities to her high school team, she also trains

four nights a week with her club team.

This past spring, Viana led the Seaforth girls soccer team in both goals (33) and assists (25) from her forward position as just a freshman. She helped the Hawks amass a 17-6-1 overall record and reach the third round of the 2A state playo s before falling to Raleigh Charter. Seaforth is coached by Viana’s dad, Giovanni Viana.

She called the experience of playing at the high school level this past spring, “one of the best experiences of my life.”

“My freshman season was probably one of the best soccer seasons I’ve ever had, not just

See VIANA, page B5

New Northwood football coach Johnson impressed with work players have put in this summer

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The 2023 season will be the Northwood football team’s rst under head coach Mitch Johnson, as well as their rst in a new conference full of Chatham County teams.

The Chargers hired Johnson in January to replace Chris Kenan, who led the team to a 4-6 record in his lone season last fall. Before coming to Northwood, Johnson previously served as the head coach of South Iredell for the 2022 season.

This fall, Johnson’s team makes the move from 3A to 2A and will play in the new Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference along with Chatham Central, Jordan-Matthews, Seaforth, Southeast Alamance, North Moore, Graham and Cummings.

Johnson spoke with the News & Record this past weekend about how the team’s sum-

mer workouts have gone as well as his expectations for the upcoming season, which starts Aug. 18 at home against Riverside-Durham.

CHATHAM N&R: How have summer workouts gone so far? How excited are you about the upcoming season?

MITCH JOHNSON: The vibes are good. We’ve had about 55 or 60 student-athletes show up. We’re still expecting more. We had about 70 sign up to play. I know a couple guys have been gone all summer, so we know our numbers will be even higher.

They’re very excited. We competed at a 7-on-7 against a bunch of 4A and 3A schools, including a couple teams that made the state semi nals last year, and we nished second. We only lost to Cardinal Gibbons. We beat a Forest Hills team that was very good. Finishing second in that tourna-

ment was big-time. And we had Western Harnett come by the other day and we looked really good against them. We have a lot of moving parts. We have a lot of athletes. Putting the pieces together is the name of the game right now. But we have high expectations being in this new conference.

You mention the numbers you’ve had this summer. That’s de nitely not the case at every county school. How important is it to have more bodies out there, not only to create more depth, but also to spell some of the starters during the season?

The way that we practice, we go really fast, so it’s good to have other people out there to give you a good look and to give some players a bit of a break. But even the guys who play both ways, they’re really in

See NORTHWOOD, page B2

JAME KIEFER | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

SIMON BARBRE | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood rising senior Drake Powell is competing in the EYBL Peach Jam this week with Team CP3. Powell is one of several top prospects who are participating in the tournament.

The 6-foot-6 forward and UNC commit plays for Team CP3

Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record

AFTER COMPETING in the National Basketball Players As-

sociation’s Top 100 Camp in Orlando last week, Northwood rising senior Drake Powell is back in action this week at the Peach Jam tournament in North Augusta, S.C.

The Peach Jam, put on by the Nike Elite Youth Basket-

NORTHWOOD from page 1 shape.

We need to pay attention to Shohei Ohtani

SOMEONE ALERT THE AUTHORITIES.

We’re in the midst of perhaps the worst sports crime of the past 20 years, and we’re all culpable. The charge: Not paying enough attention to Shohei Ohtani — the best baseball player in the world.

Jeremy Vernon, Chatham News & Record Sports Editor

Those doubting the allegations need only listen to this tale. While researching ideas for my column Monday morning, I checked to see if the Angels had played the night before. They had, and Ohtani belted a 454-foot home run — his leagueleading 31st of the year — to lift his team to a 5-2 win over the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

That was quite the feat, but I couldn’t nd any details of Sunday’s game on ESPN’s front page. It wasn’t among the top 10 stories highlighted, though there was space for a story on the Suns signing Eric Gordon to a two-year deal and another on the University of Florida’s planned $400 million renovation to its football stadium.

This has been the case all season, and for most of the past several years. Despite Ohtani being among the best hitters — and pitchers — in the game, something no one has accomplished since the days of Babe Ruth, the Japanese star’s accomplishments often fall upon deaf ears.

Ahead of Tuesday’s July 4th game against the Padres — which Ohtani was slated to start on the mound — he led the American League in home runs (31), triples (5), RBI (68), slugging percentage (.670), OPS (1.060) and total bases. On the mound, he led the AL in hits allowed (5.7) and strikeouts (12.0) per nine innings, and he boasted a 7-3 win-loss record with a 3.02 ERA.

All this comes after winning the AL MVP in 2021 and then putting together another All-Star caliber season in 2022, when he hit .273 with 34 home runs and 68 RBI and was 15-9 on the mound with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts.

People who don’t think that’s impressive probably don’t understand how di cult it is to pull o these accomplishments simultaneously. Pitching and hitting require two completely di erent skill sets. It’s not like being the best o ensive and defensive player in basketball. It’s more like if Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was also a top-10 golfer in the world.

I’m admittedly not the biggest baseball fan, but I can recognize greatness when I see it, and I think it’s past time we all embraced Ohtani for what he is — a legend walking among us.

It’s really critical. We saw this at the 7-on-7 and against Western Harnett, it’s good to get best on best. We have a couple guys playing on both sides of the ball, and it’s good to see them get challenged. That’s a big thing about having numbers. You can have a really good practice where you can have your guys being challenged. I truly believe competition breeds excellence and iron sharpens iron. If you don’t have the numbers, you’re not able to get a legit look ... Our young guys have been able to get a lot of reps and watch the older guys. And they did really well against Western Harnett, too. It’s critical to having good quality practices.

How does it feel to have the opportunity to play in a new conference with the other Chatham teams and maybe have a better shot at a conference title?

When you go to those 7-on-7s against some of the top dogs in the state, it helps us feel really good about where we’re at. All these guys have been competing against the other schools in Chatham before, so they know what to expect out there. One of the rst things we’ve talked about as a program, right now, is that the rst step toward getting to where we want to be is winning Chatham County. You win those games and that’s three wins right there, three wins in conference and three wins toward your hope of making the playo s.

We take pride in that, but we also know it’s a stepping stone and it’s going to help us build up to getting a playo spot, winning the conference, hosting playo games. This is the start of our mission.

Last year, Carson Fortunes missed the majority of the season. What are you expecting from him in his nal year with the team? And what have you seen from him already from a leadership perspective?

Carson has had so much adversity with getting hurt. He

Last season the Northwood went 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the Central 3A Conference. The Chargers will play in the MidCarolina Conference this fall along with Seaforth, Chatham Central and Jordan-Matthews.

just wants to prove to everybody that he can stay healthy. He’s taken it upon himself as being a leader on the eld, especially on the o ensive side. He’s always making sure everyone is getting their extra work in. And he’s really hard on himself when he misses throws. As soon as he made a mistake at the 7-on-7 or someone else made a mistake, he was the rst one to say, “Hey, we have to do better,” and we just marched on. His leadership and all the adversity he has been through will give us a little bit of a gritty side on o ense. We all kind of have a chip on our shoulder to go out there and execute. He brings that make-up you want out of a senior, but he has also missed a lot of his high school career and he wants to make sure he goes out on top. As far as the rest of the o ense, who are some players you expect to be targets for Fortunes in the passing game?

We have six guys right now, and they’re sort of like 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, etc., and they’re all working together. We have Cam Fowler, Isaiah Blair, Gus Ritchey, Ashton Elliott and Antoine Brewington. And we should have some other guys who will be players who come in to rotate. We have a lot of weapons we’re going to rotate through, and we’re excited about that.

Nobody feels the pressure that they have to be the guy. They all want the ball, but they

know that at any moment with the way we run things, they could have the game of their life, but they also know they have to do things without the ball in their hands in order for us to have success. It’s one of those things where everyone knows their role and everyone knows that at any moment it could be their game and their chance to take over, which is what I love. They all have something special about them. Defensively, Ritchey obviously gets a lot of attention. But who are some other players you’re expecting to step up on that side of the ball?

We have Mason Powell and Ryan Brinker both leading the defense at linebacker this year. We’re hoping to stu the hole with those two. And then we have a couple of guys rotating through on the defensive line. Our goal right now on the defensive line is to be two or three deep and rotate people through. At our other linebacker spot is Ty Williams. He’s a rising senior. Man, he’s really held it down for us in 7-on-7s and he’s super athletic that we can also put him at corner and safety.

With the defensive backs, one of the guys who has really taken hold of a safety spot is Grayson Cox, who is also our backup quarterback. He’s kind of our Swiss army knife. He can do it all. And then at the other spots, we have a lot of guys with di erent attributes that are going to help us in our scheme.

SIMON BARBRE | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Here are some more of our best photographs showcasing Chatham County sports during the 2022-23 school year. Throughout the summer, we’ll share more shots our photographers captured from three seasons of full of high-level competition from local athletes.

CHATHAM COUNTY SPORTS

Post 292 continues up-and-down 1st season

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — The up-anddown season for the Chatham American Legion Post 292 baseball team has continued into conference play.

Ahead of a Wednesday double-header against Post 87 HiToms, which occurred after press time, Post 292 has an overall record of 6-12. The team wraps up regular season play Thursday on the road against Randolph County Post 45.

On Monday night, Post 292 split a double-header with Foothills Post 123, winning the rst game 9-5 and losing the second 4-5. Chatham’s top bat in the victory was recent Jordan-Matthews grad Jackson Headen, who was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI.

All four runs in Post 292’s 5-4 loss in Game 2 came courtesy of Chatham Central rising senior Joaquin Gordon, who was 2-for-3 with a home run and the four RBI.

Post 292 opened the AREA III conference slate June 23 and has gone 3-5 against league competi-

PEACH JAM from page 1

ball League (EYBL), is the premier tournament in the nation for high school players. The tournament started Monday and runs through July 9.

According to MaxPreps, the Peach Jam will host 65 of the top 100 prospects in the class of 2023 and 50 of the top 75 prospects in the class of 2024, according to 247Sports’ rankings. Powell ranks No. 9 overall by 247Sports in the class of 2024 and ranks No. 15 in 247Sports’ composite rankings, which uses an average of several di erent sites’ rankings.

The Peach Jam will be another chance for Powell to showcase his skills on a national stage. The 6-foot-6 forward impressed onlookers at the Top 100 camp last week, and while his team didn’t win the tournament, he did enough to show why his stock has risen so precipitously over the past several months.

Travis Branham of 247Sports wrote late last week that Powell was aggressive on o ense on top of displaying his trademark lockdown defense on the other side of the court. At one point in the showcase, he had knocked down 8-of15 (53.3%) of his shots from 3-point range.

“(Powell) probably isn’t done rising in the rankings just yet … ,” Branham said. “He may not always stu a stat sheet, but he does a lot more that doesn’t show up in a box score to impact winning.”

Powell will play in the Peach Jam as part of Team CP3, which will compete in Group A along with Team Final, NH Lightning, Means-

tion.

For the season, Post 292’s top hitter has been Headen, who is hitting .444 this season while leading the team in hits (20) and RBI (11).

Grace Christian’s Brandon Crabtree has hit .458 with two home runs and 11 RBI, while Chatham Central rising junior Matt Murchison is batting .424 with two home runs and seven RBI.

Things have been a bit rougher on the mound, where Chatham has combined for a 6.69 team ERA so far this season. The majority of the innings pitched this season have been by Chatham Central rising senior Anthony Lopossay and recent Southeast Guilford grad Chanceler Terry, who have allowed 60 hits and 36 earned runs over 47.1 combined innings this summer.

The North Carolina state tournament will be held July 25-29 at Campbell University in Buies Creek. From there, teams will compete in the Southeast regional tournament on Aug. 2-6 in Asheboro before the American Legion World Series takes place in Shelby from Aug. 10-15.

treets, JL3 and UPLAY. Among the other top players competing in the group are Team Final guard Ahmad Nowell (No. 33 overall in 2024), NH Lightning forward Badara Diakite (No. 36 in 2025) and NH Lightning forward Jahki Howard (No. 62 in 2024).

Team Final and the NH Lightning went a combined 29-5 over the rst four sessions of the EYBL season.

Team CP3 lost to NH Lightning, 85-72, back on April 29 and lost to Team Final, 7859, back on May 29.

Powell’s highest-rated teammate on Team CP3 is North Mecklenburg’s Isaiah Evans — a 6-foot-6 small forward ranked No. 19 overall in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports’ composite rankings. Evans is committed to Duke and is the top-ranked player the Blue Devils have signed in his class.

Team CP3 opened Peach Jam play Monday against JL3 before playing UPLAY on July 4 and Team Final on Wednesday. The team plays the NH Lightning on Thursday and closes pool play against Meanstreets on Friday.

This is Powell’s second season competing at the Peach Jam. He also did in 2022 as part of Team CP3’s 16U team.

Last year’s Peach Jam champion, Mokan Elite, is playing in Group D. This year’s team features 6-foot-9 center James Brown, a UNC commit like Powell and the No. 59 player in the Class of 2024.

Mokan Elite nished 10-7 over the rst four sessions of EYBL play this season, while Team CP3 was one game behind them at 9-8 overall.

Team CP3 lost its only game with Mokan this season, 7458, back on May 14.

Last week, Powell was in Orlando competing at the National Basketball Players Association’s Top 100 camp. He is currently ranked inside the top 15 players in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports’ composite rankings.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Entering a Wednesday double-header, the Chatham American Legion Post 292 baseball team had an overall record of 6-12. The team split a double-header with Foothills Post 123 on Monday.

VIANA from page 1 because of the soccer, but because of the family that we built,” Viana said. “Whether I was having a good day or a bad day, just going out on that eld with my teammates xed everything. This team truly holds a special place in my heart. Because at this point Seaforth soccer isn’t just a team. It’s my family.”

A tenacious attacking player with a knack for nding the back of the net, Viana has modeled her game after Brazilian legend Debinha, who plays for the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and will play for Brazil in the Women’s World Cup this summer.

Viana said she saw Debinha play pretty regularly when she was with the N.C. Courage from 2017-22. She even made a habit of speaking with her after the games, and at one point she exchanged phone numbers with the two-time NWSL

champion.

“I started texting her and ever since she has accompanied me throughout several of my accomplishments,” Viana said.

Viana will compete at the Brazil U17 camp until July 9. During the rest of the high school o season, she plans to work most on improving her nishing, whether it be o the dribble, from a cross, o a free kick or outside of the box.

So far she said she has enjoyed her time competing in Teresópolis, an opportunity she said has been simply “incredible.”

“The people here and my teammates have been extremely welcoming and kind toward me since the beginning,” Vianna said. “It’s a di erent culture and I absolutely love it. The training has been good and very demanding. Everyone here is at the highest level and to train against them really makes me a better player and person.”

“I was extremely proud that I was one of a few selected to represent my country, but I was also stunned because my biggest dream had just come true. I will never forget the look on my parents’ faces when we were celebrating.”

So a Viana, Seaforth rising sophomore

Saturday, July15th•1pm

Join us for a Fish Fry Fundraiser to help raise money for the Siler City 14U Football Program

PLATE PICKUPS:

Jordan Matthews High School Football Field

- Starting at 1pm -

Dinner Includes: Fresh Fish, French Fries and Coleslaw

2023 Ford Super Duty

The most pro super duty yet

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

ROMEO, Mich. — The Ford Super Duty is one of the most interesting vehicles I get to drive as an automotive journalist.

Unlike nearly every other car I drive, the Super Duty is nearly 100 percent used to get a job done. It’s a tool. I got to see this rsthand at Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds a few weeks ago, when — in addition to the typical pickup truck testing of on-road and o -road driving — the assembled journalists got to see the all-new 2023 Super Duty put through its paces in a variety of industrial arenas.

There was the towing demo, including a very speci c con guration of F-450 that can tow a 40,000-pound load — an outrageous amount that requires a commercial driver’s license and is fast approaching what big rigs haul. Ford execs told me that 90 percent of Super Duty owners tow at least once a month, while that number is closer to 25 percent for the smaller Ford F-150.

To help those hauling horses or tractors or logs or boats or whatever you need to move from point A to point B, the new Super Duty is equipped with all manner of fancy technology to make life easier, and a couple of those are worth calling out.

One of the most annoying parts of towing is aligning the hitch with the ball at the back of the truck. You have to drive in reverse and get everything lined up with less than an inch of play. The advent of backup cameras makes this a bit easier, but it’s still

tricky, especially if you’re alone — there’s little more frustrating than getting out of a truck, seeing that you’re not aligned properly, and needing to get back in and do it over. And over.

That’s why Ford created Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. Everything on this truck is “Pro” something, it seems. The system can automatically locate the hitch on your trailer and automatically back the truck and align everything properly without you touching the wheel or pedals. Many luxury cars have been able to parallel park themselves for a few years now, and this is an advanced, towing-speci c version of that.

I can already hear the truck purists gnashing their teeth and wailing that real truck drivers can back a truck up and hook up a trailer with their eyes closed, uphill both ways. But why would you want to work harder when the truck can do it for you, getting it right on the rst try?

You don’t send hand-written letters anymore, do you? No, you

send a text. Work smarter, not harder. A few years ago, when Ford began introducing some towing-related driver-assist features in the F-150, company reps said it was starting there because those drivers might not be as familiar with towing. Now the tech has made its way to the bigger Super Duty trucks — the F-250, F-350, and F-450, depending on how much hauling capability you need — and we’ll see if those folks towing trailers every day want to make use of all the newfangled sensors and tech. Some of it is more immediately useful, too. Though trucks have had backup cameras for years, they were generally installed on the back of the liftgate. If you drop the liftgate, the backup camera immediately ceases to be useful. But in the new Super Duty, there’s an additional backup camera built into the top of the liftgate — that means when the gate is down, you still get a backup camera. Why did that take so long to come to fruition?

There’s a knob you can use to “steer” the back of the trailer when reversing, a feature called Pro Trailer Backup Assist brought over from the F-150. Ford demonstrated it by backing a 30-foot trailer into a slot with 6 inches of clearance on each side. Could a very experienced driver do the same? Absolutely, but now it’s a lot easier.

And that’s the whole point of this truck. It’s a tool, with lots of technology and features meant to make your life easier. It’s the rst Ford pickup with a head-up display, a huge, full-color unit that will make long highway cruises a bit easier on the eyes.

There are o -road features like Trail Turn Assist, where the truck can lock the inside rear wheel to make extremely sharp turns on loose surfaces, something that will be of great use to o -roaders since this truck is absolutely massive, and anything that can narrow the turning circle is a good thing.

And there’s even a cool new hardware interface for up tters that allows all manner of addon features, from plows and salt spreaders to cranes and water pumps, to be directly integrated with the in-cab screen and pull all sorts of data from the car. With this, deploying the crane could automatically engage the parking brake, or the salt spreader could be set to automatically adjust its speed based on how fast the truck is going. For commercial users, this feature alone could be worth the price of admission.

The Built Ford Tough slogan is more than just a tagline for the folks who worked on this truck. They live and breathe it, and so do the folks buying these trucks. More than once, Ford reps said that this was the truck building America. They’re not wrong. Su-

per Duty has a huge market share across a ton of di erent industries. Keep an eye out while you’re driving around, and you’ll see them working as re trucks, utility vehicles, in construction, or for the phone company.

The Super Duty is everywhere, and now there’s a new one. It’s just like the old one, only with a bunch more Pro and more Assist. Let’s get to work.

PHOTOS COURTESY FORD

Counties with commercial watermelon production

Celebrate NC Watermelons

Juicy, sweet watermelon is almost synonymous with North Carolina summers. In the same family as pumpkin, cucumber, squash and specialty melons, watermelon is over 90% water and its pulp is an excellent source of lycopene and vitamin A, B6, C, potassium and citrulline. With most watermelon seeds planted from late March to May, the annual harvest usually begins in July and runs through most of August. NC ranked sixth in watermelon production nationally in 2020 and over 8,700 acres of watermelons were harvested that year. The NC Watermelon Festival takes place Aug. 2-5 in Murfreesboro.