Chatham News & Record Vol. 146, Issue 28

C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD

the BRIEF this

week

Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention prepares for 16th annual event

The 16th annual Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention is set to take place this September 14 through 16 and will feature a diverse and exciting array of activities for the whole family. Hoppin’ John, the only ddlers’ convention in Chatham County, o ers string band and instrument contests, concerts, square dances, workshops, jam sessions, crafts, and other family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy. On Friday night at 7 p.m., Onsite camping will be available. On Friday night at 7 p.m., Phil Wiggins and Hubby Jenkins will take the Hoppin’ John stage with local favorites, the Carolina Cutups, opening. Phil Wiggins is one of the nation’s foremost players of acoustic blues harmonica, and Hubby Jenkins is a celebrated multi-instrumentalist and former member of the GRAMMYwinning Carolina Chocolate Drops. There will also be a concert on Saturday Night at 7 p.m. with the SmileA-While Gang, who play will a specially curated concert of traditional string band, blues and gospel music that pays tribute to North Carolina’s musical heritage. Hoppin’ John will also o er several onsite food and beverage options. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities from individual vendors, including instruments, accessories, apparel, art, body care, and more. Advance tickets are available now for the music festival and on-site camping at ww.HoppinJohn. org. Proceeds from Hoppin’ John bene t the education programming at Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, an N.C. nonpro t organization. The festival will take place at 14439 Henderson Tanyard Road in Pittsboro.

Old fashioned fun

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The Golden Knights y through the air and classic farm equipment draws wonder as families from across Chatham County participate in the 48th annual Silk Hope Old Fashioned Farmers’ Days on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

Jersey Mike’s holds grand opening in Siler City

By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record SILER CITY – Here’s one

During its rst ve days after opening, the group gave anyone who donated $2 to The Chatham Education Foundation a free sub with proof of donation.

sub

that

won’t

let you

down. The newest Jersey Mike’s Subs in Siler City held its grand opening Aug. 30 at 1119 E. 11th St. just o Highway 64 and was greeted community leaders, supporters and mouth-watering customers.

“We’re really excited to bring the best sub sandwich on the planet to Siler City,” said Charlie

Farris, one of the co-owners of the new Jersey Mike’s. “We have several stores in Chapel Hill and are excited to bring it to Siler City. We have great employees and a wonderful manager that lives nearby, so we really are making this a part of the community.”

Ernest Marshall, Peyton Moody, Denis de St. Aubin Jr., Kimberly Packard, Siler City Mayor Chip Price, Town Manager Hank Raper and Executive Director of the Siler Area Cham-

Business as usual for Siler City Commissioners, Board of Elections holds special event

By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record

THE TOWN OF SILER CITY Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, September 5, where a Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation was made.

A public hearing regarding a rezoning request by W. Third Business-CE Group, represented by Mark Ashness, is requesting to rezone a parcel with approximately 7.503 acres from Agricultural Residential (A-R) to O ce Institutional (O-I). The property is located to the South and East of US Highway 64, North of W. Third Street and West of Frazier Store Road. Also, a conditional rezoning of Piney Grove Church Rd by Dennis and Susan Hearn, represented by Casey Hearn, requested to rezone two parcels containing approximately 9.779 acres from Agricultural Residential (A-R) to Highway Commercial / Conditional (H-C-C). The property is located to the South of US Highway 421 and East of Piney Grove Church Road.

The Chatham County Board of Elections also hosted a Voter Identi cation Information Session the following morning at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. ID statutes enacted in 2018 and 2019 will be implemented with the municipal elections in September, October, and November 2023.

“For those who do not have a photo ID, the Chatham County Board of Elections can issue free voter photo IDs to registered voters,” said Chatham County Elections Director Pandora Pascal. “To be issued a free voter photo ID card, the voter must provide their name, date of birth, the last four numbers of their Social Security number and have their photo taken.

For more information regarding photo IDs, contact the Chatham County Board of Elections at elections@chathamcountync.gov or 919-5458500.

The Siler City Commissioners will meet again in two weeks on Sept. 18. This meeting is open for the public to attend.

ber of Commerce Josh Harris were among those in attendance for the ceremony.

“It’s exciting to have a new food option for the residents of Siler City,” Raper said. “It’s good to see someone provide another good quality product for the people who live here in this community.” This Jersey Mike’s franchise group doesn’t just make delicious subs, they also give back to the communities they serve.

“We do things like that throughout the year,” Farris said. “Spirit nights, give-back nights for schools and nonpro ts in the community is a big part of what we do.”

“We’re ecstatic about Jersey Mike’s,” Harris said of the grand opening. “I know Charlie is going to be a good advocate, partner for the bene t of the community. We’re lucky to have him here and really excited about what the future holds, from here on out, with Jersey Mike’s being part of Siler City.”

Jersey Mike’s is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record

THE 25TH ANNUAL Flatwoods Festival returns to Bennett, N.C., this Friday and Saturday. This event, which is hosted by the Tri-County Ruritan Club, is held each year to help raise money to help those in need.

“It’s basically a big fundraiser that supports Ruritan projects for the whole year,” explained Debby Hussey, a founding member and the current treasurer of the Ruritan Club.

Food vendors, craft vendors, an antique tractor show, a parade, a live auction, and bluegrass music are just some of the features set to attract visitors at the Flatwoods Festival on Carthage Street that weekend.

And don’t let rain scare you away, as this festival is happening regardless of weather, as stated on their brochure for the event.

Such projects recently funded by Ruritan have included scholarships for local high school students and nancial assistance to local families in crisis due to house res, loss of income due to unexpected family tragedy, or sickness.

“On Saturday, there will be a

parade of old tractors that people don’t want to miss,” said Hussey.

The fun begins on Friday, Sept. 8th at 5 p.m. with food vendors, and on Saturday morning, the festival picks back up at 10 a.m. with a tractor parade going down Main Street in Bennet.

The music kicks o with Hindsight Bluegrass performing and a ra e drawing to end the day on Saturday afternoon.

“This has been a big success the past 24 years, and we’ve been so thankful and enjoyed the support from the community,” Hussey said. “And we hope everyone will come out and enjoy the fellowship, good food and fun this year.”

For more information, please visit the Tri-County Ruritan Club’s website at www.tricountyruritan.com/ atwoods-festival.

The 25th annual Flatwoods Festival to take place rain or shine

Ch ch Ne

Mt. Vernon Springs Presbyterian Church will host its annual church yard sale on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be food, including breakfast, homemade fried pies and lots of yard sale items. The church is located at 1225 Mt. Vernon Springs Rd. in Bear Creek.

ARREST BLOTTER

Chatham County Sheri ’s O ce

On Aug. 28, Cartier Korean

Pratt, 21, of 913 Horton Road, Durham, was arrested by Deputy Moises Carvajal for carrying a concealed weapon. He was issued a written promise to appear in Chatham County District Court in Siler City on Oct.

3.

Lauren Rose, Design Editor lauren@northstatejournal.com Cory Lavalette, Statewide Sports Editor cory@northstatejournal.com ADVERTISING Jason Justice jjustice@chathamnr.com Advertising Inquiries advertising@chathamnr.com

On Aug. 29, Cartier Korean

Pratt, 21, of 913 Horton Road, Durham, was arrested by Deputy Moises Carvajal for possession of stolen goods/property. He was issued a written promise to appear in Chatham County District Court in Siler City on Oct. 3.

On Aug. 29, Stacie Lavanda Ray, 45, of 1123 Townsend Road, Raeford, was arrested by Deputy Chris Scales for failure to ap-

Thanksgiving Praise & Worship

Ministries Revival Sept. 11-13 at 7 p.m. at 207 Chatham Square in Siler City. Come as you are, come expecting, MIRACLES, HEALINGS, DELIVERANCE, come let us worship together and love on you! Pastor Ben Josey can be reached at 919-770-7385.

pear-release order. She was issued a $3,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Davidson County District Court on Sept. 18.

On Aug. 29, Stacie Lavanda Ray, 45, of 1123 Townsend Road, Raeford, was arrested by Deputy Chris Scales for failure to appear -- release order. She was issued a $3,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Davidson County District Court on Sept. 18.

On Aug. 30, Alex Gerardi Jimenez Rodriguez, 48, of 2740 Addington Avenue, North Chester eld, VA, was arrested by Deputy Moises Carvajal for indecent liberties with a child and sexual battery. He was issued a $100,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court in

Pittsboro on Sept. 25.

On Aug. 30, Donovan Bradley Dowdy, 34, of 1803 Old US 1, Moncure, was arrested by Deputy Zaid Saleh for assault by strangulation, assault on a female, injury of personal property, and interfering with emergency communications. He was held on a 48-hour domestic violence hold until bond is set. He is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on Sept. 27.

On Aug. 30, Thomas Eugene Ritter, 26, of 149 Johnson Farm Road, New Hill, was arrested by Deputy Marlene Gomez for a domestic violence protective order violation. He was held on a 48hour domestic violence hold and is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on Sept. 27.

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

Sept.8th9th

The 25th Annual Flatwoods Festival will be held Friday, Sept.8th at the Bennett Fire Dept. form 5-7pm, and Sept.9th on Chatham Street in Bennett from 9am-1:30pm.

Sept.18thSept.22nd

Falls Prevention Awareness Week

Chatham County Aging Services and Chatham Community Library will partner for a week-long observation of Falls Prevention Awareness Week beginning Monday, Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 22.

Events will be held daily at several locations, including the Eastern Chatham Senior Center, Western Chatham Senior Center, Wren Memorial Library and Goldston Public Library. For more information, contact Eastern Center manager Liz Lahti at 919-542-4512 or Western Center manager Kathryn Walters at 919-7423975.

For a complete list of events by day, visit the Aging Services website at www.chathamcouncilonaging.org, highlight the “Activities” drop-down menu and click on “Upcoming Events,” or visit the department’s Facebook page at “Chatham County Aging Services”.

Sept. 20

Reunion for Siler City and Pittsboro telephone company

There will be a reunion for all people who worked for the telephone company in Siler City and Pittsboro. It will be held at Best Food Cafeteria on Wednesday, September 20th at 11:00 a.m. Each person will pay for their own meal. If you have questions, you may contact Helen Clark at 919-742-3818.

Chatham Sheri ’s O ce names Marcum as ‘exemplary’ employee

Chatham News & Record

DETENTION Transportation Supervisor Sta Sgt. Chris Marcum has been named as the August (non-sworn) Exemplary O cer by The Chatham County Sheri ’s O ce.

Marcum plays a crucial part in the Chatham County Detention Center’s day-to-day functions, using his knowledge and expertise in running an e cient and safe operation.

“His commitment to excellence extends beyond his duties at the Detention Center,” the Chatham County Sheri ’s Ofce said of Marcum in a statement. “He recently joined the Sheri ’s O ce’s Honor Guard, and he has actively participated in training exercises with the volunteer drone and boat teams, demonstrating his eagerness and willingness to contribute to a wider set of duties within the Sheri ’s O ce.”

The exemplary employee commendation is presented by Sheri Mike Roberson each month to individuals who demonstrate exceptional performance, extraordinary dedication and service, team spirit,

positive attitude, problem-solving skills and/or outstanding leadership. Marcum, like all that receive the honor, was presented with a gold badge that is worn by the recipient throughout the month.

Northwood High to get new school sign

Chatham News & Record

NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL in Pittsboro will be getting a new school sign. This comes after county and school officials met to discuss plans for the school system.

“The sign that we have now was built back in 2008 by one of my predecessors, and even though I could not bring new life into it while I was principal, I am so glad that this new sign is going to include a lot of information once it is done,” former Northwood Principal Chris Brice said.

Brice added that the sign “substantiates that this school has a lot of history, and also since we’re going to be using some old bricks from Pittsboro and the old Northwood sign, it makes the new sign that we’re going to get so much more memorable.” The bricks that he is referring to are the bricks that were used when the sign was first built

back in 2008.

Northwood High School is one of five high schools in the Chatham County school system with an enrollment of 1,473 students and a 16-to-1 student/teacher ratio.

“Chatham County is rapidly growing,” Brice said. “One of North Carolina’s top manufacturers is building a plant in Chatham as well as a brand-new computer processing plant is coming to Chatham County. The premise of all this is that with these new additions that we are getting, it will make Chatham County an even better place to live.”

Brice said construction on the sign should begin soon.

“The new sign is still in the planning/demo stages, and it still has to be custom-made,” Brice said. “My understanding is that it will start being built by the beginning of the school year and will be done in some form of capacity during the school year.”

FILE PHOTO

SSgt. Chris Marcum (left) and Sheri Mike Roberson (right) pose for a photo as he was awarded the August (non-sworn) Exemplary O cer of the month.

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Looking for hawks

What, then, is joy? I think joy is a way to exist in the world with all the bad news.

PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT of the trauma of last week’s shooting on the campus of the University of North Carolina, people have shared their anxiety about the future. Folks tell me that they are worried that everything is going wrong in the world. Do I have any advice?

I respond that, over the past month, I’ve seen a dozen redtailed hawks. Not that I’ve spent much time hiking. I’ve spotted these birds while driving on my typical errands. I’ll happen to look up and spot a hawk scowling like a judge from a telephone pole or catch a glimpse of one zipping through the air like a thrown knife into a tree. I began to wonder if these sightings were a message from God or some omen about the future.

My wise wife told me that I was seeing lots of hawks precisely because I was looking for hawks!

Wendell Berry, one of my favorite writers, counsels, “Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.” Facts like the rise in global temperatures, sea levels and school shootings. Berry’s wisdom implies that joy is not separate from worry or even sorrow. While there is much that you and I cannot control, we can decide what to focus on.

I’m not trying to persuade you, gentle reader, to ignore the serious, troublesome and tragic news around you, either in Chatham County or the larger world. Field mice should be worried about hawks and the safety of their kiddos. We should likewise be concerned about climate change and gun violence.

I’m also not suggesting that you “don’t worry, be happy” or “turn that frown upside down.” Joy is not the same as happiness. As the children’s book puts it, sometimes you have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

What, then, is joy? I think joy is a way to exist in the world with all the bad news. Joy is an act of resistance by becoming more present to the moment, particularly giving attention to

EDITORIAL | BOB WACHS

the beautiful. I mean, have you ever seen a hawk drop from the sky? It takes my breath away. Maybe the point is that I’m less interested in figuring out what the sighting of a hawk might mean in the cosmic sense, as I am enjoying it — appreciating the joy in it. Maybe you could try and do the same. When you feel like everything is going wrong in the world, you could try looking up and noticing a beautiful something.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman is the pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church. He can be reached at andrew@ chathamnewsrecord.com.

Beginning of school year reminder we can start over

I know it’s a di erent world today but, to me, there’s something really bene cial about the social dimension of back to school.

AT THE RISK of stating the obvious, it’s that time of year again. Unless you’re involved in a year-round school, students have, are or will be heading to classrooms around the time you read this.

For some, it’s back to school; for others, it’s a rst-time event.

Some will go with a clear goal while others may be not so sure.

Some are excited; others . . . well, you know.

It’s been a short summer. Always is, especially if you’re young. And all across the land there are shrieks and cries and moans and groans as the start of the year nears . . . and that’s just from the teachers and sta .

Reminds me of the story of the mother who came to the door of her son’s bedroom on the rst day of school for the new academic year. He hadn’t arisen despite her repeated pleas and threats that he was going to be late getting there.

Again and again she knocked on the door and called to him and threatened to pour cold water on his noggin and all manner of other things designed to get him out of bed, all to no avail. Finally she stood in the doorway and yelled at the top of her lungs, “Young man, you get up . . . right now!”

“Why, Mama?” he pleaded.

“Well, for one thing,” she said, “it’s almost 8:00 and I’ve got your breakfast ready. For another, you’re 42 years old and for the third, you’re the only principal the school has.”

The farther away I get from that rst day of the year the more I see it with rose-colored glasses. It’s been awhile since those days for me, for either the third grade or the third time I was a freshman in college. Still, no matter what, I think there’s

something good and needed about the start of the year and it has to do with starting over.

Seems like the older I become, the more I need or think I need to start over on some things . . . sometimes lots of things. And that’s one thing the new school year means.

It means you can forget the un nished plans, the unrealized dreams and the mistakes and downsides of the previous year. Of course, conversely it means you can remember the good stu and that’s good because you can build on that. It’s sort of like I couldn’t do multiplication until I learned the numbers.

And I know it’s a di erent world today but, to me, there’s something really bene cial about the social dimension of back to school. When I was a young boy, about the time dinosaurs were roaming the earth, I wanted to start the new school year. One reason was to learn in whose room I would be laboring. Would it be “The Teacher from the Black Lagoon” or would it be Pearl Pureheart?

And with which of my running buddies would I be sharing the year? Would this be the year I push the envelope too far or would it be the one where I nally learned not only some English and history and math but also some sense?

So while the details may change somewhat the principles remain close to the same. And as the 2023-24 academic year gets underway, wish your students well, think kind thoughts about and say a prayer for the teachers and nd a way, even if you’re not a student, to go back to school this year and learn some needed lessons.

Especially if it’s the school of life.

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

PHOTO BY KEVIN MCCARTHY

A red-tailed hawk soars above a mountain overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

Back to school season in the Sandhills

WHAT WOULD YOU DO with an extra $700 in your pocket each month?

Unfortunately, that is the cost of “Bidenomics” and in ation—but it shouldn’t have to be that way.

The opportunity to work hard and pursue a better life for your family has always been at the bedrock of our nation. However, in ation continues to make it di cult for hardworking families to make ends meet and a ord goods and services.

Did you know the average American household now spends $709 more a month than they did two years ago for the same goods and services? Average monthly mortgage payments are 92% higher than one year ago, while real wages are down 3% since President Biden took o ce. President Biden continues to ignore the real impacts of his failed economic policies, and I share these frustrations with you—especially as a fellow parent preparing my child for a new school year.

As school resumes here in the Sandhills, it is estimated that parents will spend an average of $890 per household on school supplies due to continued high levels of in ation. Binders and folders cost 48% more than they did last year, and crayons and highlighters are up an average of 18.6% from last year. Enough is enough, and House Republicans are working to get our nation and your quality of life back on track.

In addition to increased nancial stress, the start

COLUMN

| JAN HUTTON

of a new school year for many parents also represents uncertainty of what is being taught in their kids’ classrooms. Earlier this year House Republicans introduced and passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights, to strengthen the role of parents in the education of their children by guaranteeing the right to full transparency on what is being taught in schools.

Bottom line: your family shouldn’t have to pay the price for President Biden’s and Washington Liberal’s failed nancial policies and woke education agenda. However, Senate Democrats continue to delay any actions on the real solutions passed by the House— which speaks volumes about their priorities for Americans.

No matter what your politics are, your hard earned money and quality of your children’s education should not be treated as a political chess match. Parents deserve a seat at the table when it comes to their children’s education, and I am proud to ght for parents’ right to know what their children are being taught.

From passing legislation to get our economy back on track to standing up for parents—House Republicans have delivered results on the promises we made in our Commitment to America. As your Congressman, I’m ghting back against reckless spending and promoting common sense solutions that make life easier—and more a ordable—for you and your family.

You heard WHAT in your head?

YOU HEARD WHAT in your head?

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

OMG, I really did hear that! (As you can see, no self-judgment at all)

I’m outing myself as one of the (few?) people who never saw “Mary Poppins.” I don’t know why. (Well, that’s not exactly true. I tend to be fairly oppositional when it comes to popular trends. “Nope, just leave me alone and I’ll see it when I’m ready. If ever…”) Still, I was so inundated with the music on regular TV that I can easily repeat words from the movie’s songs as evidenced above.

So, I’m walking around the house early one morning…… and supercalifragilisticexpialidocious just popped into my head. Not only did it “pop” into my head, it took up residence, repeating itself again, again, and again.

Being a (somewhat) mindful kind of person, I just listened to the word repeat. Noticed my head was beginning to bop back-and-forth, my lips were turning upward (wow, a smile) and, oh, I was beginning to take in deeper breaths, filling up my chest. Huh?

I was happy. No denying it. I was HAPPY!

Excuse me, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious??

What just happened?

A word clearly associated with joy dropped into my brain unbidden (and had the nerve to keep repeating itself.) And, I listened, without (too much) judgment.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

I let that joyful word have its way with me and found myself responding with reciprocal joy (not pooh-poohing my experience.) Damn, if I didn’t feel uplifted.

And you know what, I allowed myself to keep repeating the word as long as I heard it bopping through my mind. No, not exactly true. At some point, for whatever reason, the word became “Scheherazade” (who knows why…) but the internal uplift was still there. (Isn’t life mysterious?)

Has Jan gone bonkers? Nope. My brain, likely for self-care reasons, “popped” out a word that allowed me to indulge in, and experience, some happy energy. That uplift also offered a break and detachment from some thorny issues I was dealing with that day.

Hey, no magic incantations, here. Simply begin to notice when pleasant, uplifting, hey, even mysterious words and sounds pop into your mind. Consider allowing them to come alive inside you. Our subconscious minds can offer us gifts when we most need them. I didn’t realize I needed supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, but sometimes my conscious mind is the last to know!

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.

The law of unintended consequences can’t be repealed

THIS WEEK, the Biden administration announced that Medicare would name some 10 prescription drugs it would subject to direct price negotiations. The drugs include Jardiance (diabetes), Entresto (heart failure), Imbruvica (blood cancer) and Stelara (psoriasis). If the companies that created the drugs refuse to kowtow to Medicare, they will be forced to withdraw from Medicare and Medicaid coverage or face a 95% excise tax.

The White House celebrated the decision as a win for taxpayers: after all, they pointed out, the 10 selected drugs were responsible for onefifth of all Medicare Part D prescription costs between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023. “There is no reason,” Biden said in a statement, “why Americans should be forced to pay more than any developed nation for life-saving prescriptions just to pad Big Pharma’s pockets.”

Of course, that’s not what’s really happening.

First off, drug development is unbelievably expensive. In 2019 alone, the pharmaceutical industry spent $83 billion on research and development. According to a 2020 study, which covered some 632 new therapeutic drugs and biologic agents approved by the FDA, the “estimated median capitalized research and development cost per product was $985 million, counting expenditures on failed trials.” The average cost was $1.3 billion (some drugs are much more expensive to develop than others).

According to the National Institutes of Health, the success rate of drug development is just 10 to 15 percent.

Americans bear the brunt of this cost — largely because other countries free ride. But Americans also capture the industry upside of drug development in the United States. This is why, according to one 2010 study, the United States accounted for “42 percent of prescription drug spending and 40% of the total GDP among

Enbrel makes the list

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT this week released the list of the 10 medications that will be the first to be the subject of the new price negotiations under the Medicare reform bill, and my arthritis drug, Enbrel, made the list. To make the cut, you either had to be taken by millions of people, like Eliquis, or cost a fortune. Enbrel costs a fortune.

I’m one of 47,000 Medicare recipients lucky enough to receive a drug that my old rheumatologist, who originally prescribed it for me, described as a miracle. When he was a young doctor, he told me, his waiting room of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was full of crippled people. With the advent of “biologic” drugs like Enbrel, the crutches and wheelchairs are gone. I count myself very lucky to be mostly symptom-free, which, with RA, is saying a lot. As I say, I’m lucky and blessed. And well-insured. And able to cover the out-of-pocket costs. Which are also substantial.

This is the hard part of medical miracles.

One month, when I was switching insurance companies, I ran out of Enbrel. I made the mistake of thinking I could actually pay for my weekly shot out-of-pocket if I couldn’t get the insurance situation straightened out.

“How much would it be?” I naively asked the pharmacist. Enbrel is a SureClick pen; it comes in a pack of four. That would be $1,700 for one pen and $7,000 for the pack.

Excuse me? Who can afford that?

I managed to get a sample from the doctor’s office to tide me over and never asked again. Every month when the specialty pharmacy calls me to renew my Medicare prescription, they confirm my $350 co-pay and I don’t so much as murmur a word of complaint, because what can I say? The drug saves my life. But I’m lucky I can afford it. That’s why Enbrel belongs on the list.

Medicines like Enbrel cost billions to develop, and it is only fair that those costs be recouped. But there are limits, and there is no reason that the market should be foreclosed from working freely when it comes to the prices for these prescription drugs. Enbrel costs too much, but there is nothing that I, one consumer, can do about it. We need to stand together, which is to say, we need government to stand up for us and negotiate for us and give voice to our needs.

What is stunning about these negotiations is that it took an act of Congress to authorize the government to use the power of the people on behalf of the people to negotiate fair drug prices. The power of the pharmaceutical industry was so great, so much greater than the power of the American people, that it was literally the law of the land that Medicare could not use its bargaining power on behalf of the American taxpayer. When the bill allowing price negotiation passed last year, the Congressional Budget Office predicted the program would save Medicare more than $100 billion during the next 10 years.

innovator countries and was responsible for the development of 43.7 percent of the (new molecular entities).” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry is responsible for some 332,000 jobs.

So, what would the new regulations do? If they are implemented, according to National Review’s Jeff Zymeri, drug development will drop off: “The CBO has predicted that the scheme provided for under the IRA would lead to a manufacturerrevenue loss of 15 percent. Such a cut in CBO’s predicted 45 new drugs per year would suggest around 6.8 fewer drugs per year, totaling around 121 lost over the 18-year horizon, as one report estimated.” The drugs most likely to disappear would be drugs that target rare conditions and thus have less of a market.

As an investor in biotech stock, I can say with confidence that investment will shift out of the sector and into other, freer sectors should the Biden administration move to quash profit margins in the sector. Why would investors sink money into a drug, only to find out that the more successful it is, the less profit there will be in it?

There is another solution: Force other countries to pay their fair share. This would ensure that Americans pay similar prices to those around the world, while also creating incentive for innovation. But that would require politicians to abandon their happy talk and deal in the real world. And (SET ITAL) that’s (END ITAL) not something politicians are likely to do.

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.”

Just stop and consider that for a moment: the biggest purchaser of health services unable to use its bargaining power, on behalf of you and I, leaving the industry’s power to set prices unchecked. And yet this is precisely what government is for, precisely what government is meant to do, to stand up for and give voice to we the people. The pharmaceutical industry continues to fight against negotiations in the courts. “Today is the start of a new deal for patients where Big Pharma doesn’t just get a blank check at your expense and the expense of the American people,” President Joe Biden said in announcing the list. It’s about time.

Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author, and political commentator.

Beth Ruth Clark Willette

FEB.16TH, 1928 – AUG.20TH, 2023

Betty Ruth Clark Willette, 95, of Siler City, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Betty was born in Chatham County on February 16, 1928, to Roland Hayes and James Maude Quakenbush Clark.

Mrs. Willette was a member of First United Methodist Church. Betty retired from University of Anchorage, in Alaska where she worked in the Agriculture Department. She also worked for UNC and Chatham County within the Agricultural departments. She enjoyed reading, watching golf, traveling and gardening. She loved her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William Curry Willette; brothers: Billy R. Clark and James Walter Clark; and sister: Selma Clark Phillips.

Betty is survived by her son: Michael Willette and wife, Rae of Sanford; daughters: Brenda Marshall and husband Donnie Kerr of Fleetwood, NC; and Susan Parker and husband, Gerry of Asheboro; grandchildren: Melanie Marshall, Katie Marshall, Austin Parker, Rachel Parker, Joshua Willette, Alyssa Collier, and Autumn Collier; great grandchildren: Riley Amrozowitz, Cale Amrozowitz, Jameson Parker, Rex Russell, and Jesse Russell.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Sandy Branch Baptist Church, at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Keith Miller o ciating.

Memorials may be made to the North Carolina Zoo Society. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Willette family.

Charles Joseph Cheek

JULY 8TH, 1931 – AUG.21ST, 2023

Charles Joseph Cheek, 92, of Siler City, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023.

Charles was born in Chatham County on July 8, 1931, to the late Clarence B. Cheek and the late Eva Johnson Cheek Dark. He was a member of Edwards Hill Friends Meeting where he was the treasurer and an elder. Charles was an Army veteran of the Korean Con ict. He retired after 40 years as the general manager of Chatham Motors. He was a member of the Siler City Country Club where he loved to play golf. He enjoyed shing and was an avid gardener. Growing roses was his passion. He loved his family and his grandchildren held a special place in his heart. Mr. Cheek is preceded in death by his parents, loving wife, Maye Willett Cheek; sisters, Mary Elizabeth Smith and Margaret Pettit; and brother Clarence B. Cheek Jr.

Mr. Cheek is survived by his daughter, Phyllis Cheek Kondor and husband, Paul, of Cary; grandchildren, Wendy and Robin Krieg; and brother, Percy T. Dark, Jr. of Silk Hope.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at Edwards Hill Friends Meeting with Josh Conrad o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Randolph County Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Edwards Hill Friends Meeting Building Fund. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Cheek family.

Dixie Marie Langley Smith

APRIL 26TH, 1926 –AUG.21ST, 2023

Dixie Marie Langley Smith, 97, of Siler City, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023, surrounded by her family. Dixie was born in Chatham County on April 26, 1926, to Marvin David and Mettie Eliza Beaver Langley. She was a 1943 graduate of Siler City High School. Dixie retired after many years from Hadley Peoples and AJ Schneiersons. She was the oldest member of West End Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years, teaching both children and adult classes and sang in the choir. She was a member of a Ladies Quilting Group. Dixie loved people and had a special gift of helping others. She shared her gift by volunteering with Hospice and Meals on Wheels and was a Board Member for the Council on Aging. Mrs. Smith is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Clyde Howard Smith, Sr.; brothers, James Robert “Bob” Langley and Marvin David “Bill” Langley Jr; and sister, Nancy Langley Marley.

Dixie is survived by her sons, Clyde Howard “Gus” Smith, Jr. and wife, Marygold, of Greensboro and George David “Pug” Smith, of Siler City; daughters, Pamela Smith Brower and Deborah “Debbie” Smith Champion, both of Siler City; grandchildren, Dr. B. Todd Smith and wife, Dana, of Wilson, Tonya Champion Williams , of Siler City, Leigh Smith Harris and husband, Jim, of Greensboro, Jason David Smith, wife, Marihenia, of New Hill, and Leslie Champion Hayes and husband, Jason, of Seagrove; great grandchildren, Jacob Cates, Eliza Hayes, Juleigh Harris, Faith Williams, and Brendan Smith; sister, Mary Lea Langley Brown, husband, Norman; and special friend Michael Adcock.

Edward Francis Fox

JUNE 5TH, 1941 –AUG.20TH, 2023

Edward Francis Fox, 82, of Bear Creek, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023. Edward was born in Chatham County on June 5, 1941, to George Leon and Julia Ann Welch Fox. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Agnes Brown Fox, and an infant sister.

Mr. Fox retired after 39 years as a transmitter supervisor for UNC Center for Public Television. He had his private pilot license was a Ham radio operator and examiner. Edward had engineering degrees from three schools: Central Piedmont Community College, UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Charlotte. He was certi ed in First Aid, a member of the Chatham Scampers Camping Club and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Edward loved animals and going out to eat not just for the food but to talk to people.

Mr. Fox is survived by his daughter, Michelle Fox Dziengel, of Siler City; sons, Jan (Janet) Fox, of Palm Coast, FL and Michael D. (Debbie) Fox; grandchildren, Stephanie (Alex) Shields, of Raleigh, Morgan (Bryan- ancé) Dziengel, of Raleigh, Naomi Fox of Palm Coast, FL, Ryan Fox, of Mocksville, Kimberly (Daniel) Hedrick, of Randleman, and Baylee Fox of Raleigh; great grandchildren, Sophia Shields, of Raleigh, Marshall Hedrick, of Randleman, and Mary Annalee Hedrick of Randleman.

Gary Paul “Wooley” Wilkie

May 1st, 1957 – Aug.17th, 2023

Gary Paul “Wooley” Wilkie, 66, of Siler City, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Gary Paul was born in Guilford County on May 1, 1957, to Paul Henry and Ruth Bra ord Wilkie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Terry B. Wilkie.

Mr. Wilkie attended Providence Methodist Church. Building things was his passion, he was a carpenter by trade. Gary Paul was a giving man, he always willing helped anyone in any way he could. He loved his family and friends, playing cards and going to the Moose Lodge. He loved life and was always ready to have a large time. Dang it Boy!

Gary Paul is survived by his sons: Ashley Wilkie and wife, Elizabeth, of Bear Creek and Cody Wilkie; grandchildren: Cosette Wilkie and Zander Wilkie; sister: Darlene W. Paige and husband, Junior, of Bear Creek; nephews: Stormy Wilkie, Shane Paige and wife, Laurie all of Bear Creek; and niece: Tressy Fogleman and husband, Kevin, of Bear Creek. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Wilkie family.

Ruby Inez Roberts Jacobs

May 3rd, 1928 – Aug.31st, 2023

Ruby Inez Roberts Jacobs, 95, of Siler City, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Ruby was born in Concord, VA on May 3, 1928, to Mott McKinley Roberts, Sr. and Colena Elizabeth Doss Roberts. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her rst husband, James T. Hall; her second husband, Harold G. Jacobs; grandson, Gordon Edwards; brothers, Mott McKinley Roberts, Jr., and Hunter Roberts, and sisters, Bea Mann, Dorothy Woody, and Catherine Drinkard.

Mrs. Jacobs loved the Lord and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Siler City. She received

her RN degree at Virginia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. She was a hard worker and loved her family.

Ruby is survived by her two daughters, Phyllis H. Edwards (Joe), of Dunn and Faye Hall, of Greensboro; four brothers, Gerald Roberts of Richmond VA, Fred Roberts of Lynchburg, VA, Ned Roberts of Lynchburg, VA, and David Roberts of Brownsville, TX; one granddaughter, Heather Halliwell; great grandchildren, Scarlett Halliwell, Lucas Edwards, and Kenna Edwards; stepsons, David (Ann) Jacobs, Gordon (Pam) Jacobs; and special friends, Willie Bowers (Floyd) of Siler City and sons Preston Bowers (Michelle), and Randy Bowers (Jennifer), their children, Casey Neuho (Craig), Sarah Bowers, Thomas Bowers, and Katie Bowers all of Winterville, NC; granddaughter by marriage, Tai Edwards, of Summerville, SC. The graveside service will be Tuesday, September 12, at 11:00 AM, at the Concord Cemetery in Concord, VA.

In lieu of owers the family requests memorials be made to BBN, (Bible Broadcasting Network) or to your church of choice.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Jacobs family. A book will be available to be signed at the funeral home.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at West End Methodist Church, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM, with Linda Yow o ciating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the West End Methodist Church. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, at Oakley Baptist Church on Thursday, August 24, 2023, with Dr. Je Johnson o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Randolph Hospice House. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Fox family.

JAMES HENRY DUNN

JULY 16TH, 1953 – AUG.31ST, 2023

James Henry Dunn, age 70, of Broadway passed away on August 31, 2023, at Central Carolina Hospital.

Mr. Dunn was born on July 16, 1953, to Ruby Dunn Fowler.

James enjoyed working on cars and spending time at the beach. He was an avid animal lover as well.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Dunn Fowler; his stepfather, Bud Fowler; and his sisters, Jeanette Ferguson, Margaret Smith, and Brenda Rigsbee.

He is survived by his daughter, Brandi Dunn (Jonathan Crissmann) of Broadway; his son, Billy Joe Dunn (Danielle) of Sanford; his grandchildren, Tyson, Autumn, BJ, Lillian, and Levi; and several nieces.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Pleasant Grove Christian Church Cemetery.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home in Siler City is serving the Dunn family.

RENARDO RODRIGUS ALSTON

April 19, 1976~August 29, 2023

Mr. Renardo Rodrigus Alston, age 47, of Burlington, NC, formerly of Pittsboro, transitioned into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at UNC Hospital, Hillsborough, NC.

PUBLIC WALK THRU VIEWING IN THE FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL ( EVERYONE MUST WEAR A MASK)

Monday

September 4, 2023

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Knotts Funeral Home

50 Masonic Street Pittsboro, NC 27312

FUNERAL SERVICE

Tuesday

September 5, 2023

2:00 PM

First Missionary Baptist Church

700 Martin Luther King, Blvd Siler City, NC 27344

BURIAL

Tuesday

September 5, 2023

Chatham Memorial Park 13260 US Highway 64 West Siler City, NC 27344

Should You Downsize When You Retire?

When you retire, you’ll experience many changes — should one of them involve your living arrangements?

The issue of downsizing is one that many retirees will consider. If you have children, and they’ve grown and left the space than you really need. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean you must pack up and scale down yourself. You might love your home and neighborhood and see no reason to go. But if you’re moving to a smaller house, a condo or an apartment may make sense for you.

Let’s consider some of the advantages of downsizing:

• You could save money. Moving to a smaller space could lower your utility bills and upkeep costs.

• You could save effort. A smaller home will mean less maintenance and cleaning.

• You could de-clutter. Over the years, most of us accumulate more possessions than we really need. Downsizing gives you a chance to de-clutter. And you can do some good along the way, too, because many charitable organizations will welcome some of your items.

• You could make money. If you’ve had your home for many years, it’s certainly possible that it’s worth more — perhaps a great deal more — than what you paid for it. So, when you sell it, you could pocket a lot of money — possibly without being taxed on the gains. Generally, if you’ve lived in your home for at least two years in the can exclude $250,000 of capital gains, if you’re single, or $500,000 if you’re

Thanksgiving Praise & Worship Ministries Revival

Sept. 11-13 at 7 p.m. at 207 Chatham Square in Siler City.

Come as you are, come expecting, MIRACLES, HEALINGS, DELIVERANCE, come let us worship together and love on you!

Pastor Ben Josey can be reached at 919-770-7385.

Heike (Dietrich) Hasenauer

AUGUST 56, 2023

want to consult with your tax advisor, though, before selling your home, to ensure you’re eligible for the exclusion, especially if you do own multiple homes. Issues can arise in connection with determining one’s “primary” residence.) While downsizing does offer some entail some drawbacks. First of all, it’s possible that your home might not be worth as much as you had hoped, which means you won’t clear as much money from the sale as you anticipated. Also, If you still were paying off a mortgage on your bigger home, you may have been deducting the interest payments on your taxes — a deduction that might be reduced or lost to you if you purchase a less-expensive condo or become a there’s the ordinary hassle of packing and moving. And if you’re going to a much smaller living space, you may not have much room for family members who want to visit or occasionally spend the night.

So, as you can see, you’ll need to weigh emotional issues when deciding whether to downsize. And you will also want to communicate your thoughts to grown children or other family members who may someday have reason to be involved in your living space. In short, it’s a big decision — so give it the attention it deserves.

Heike (Dietrich) Hasenauer, 71, of Sunset Beach, NC, and formerly Columbia MD, passed away peacefully in her home under hospice care, on August 23, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones. She is survived by her husband Richard of 47 years, daughter Heidl Hasenauer of Paonia CO; son Jason Hasenauer and family of Corona CA, and grandchildren Megan and Grant. She also is survived by her mother Herta Dietrich, brother Glenn Dietrich; and sister Angela (Dietrich) Farrar.

Born in Germany, she and her family emigrated when she was one. They lived in New Jersey for a time and then Pittsboro NC, where she graduated high school. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1973, where she met her

TAKE NOTICE

husband in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1975. She served for 10 years as a military journalist in the Active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. Later as a Department of Defense civilian, Heike was an award winning photojournalist who traveled the world covering the U.S. Army during the Cold War, Desert Storm, and the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. She served 20 years with Soldiers Magazine, the agship U.S. Army magazine, as a reporter and senior editor. Heike was a lover of nature, nding beauty everywhere — in her own backyard and in the many regions of the world she traveled and captured through her photography and feature articles. She was an adventurer, always ready to explore new places, meet new people and share their stories through her writings.

Above all, Heike adored her family and friends. She always put her family rst, cherishing time together at holiday celebrations, poking around local thrift stores, game-playing around a table, and walking hand-in-hand along the beach with her devoted husband.

Heike’s memorial service will take place at White Funeral and Cremation Service, 3660 Express Drive, Shallotte on September 2 at 3:00PM.

She requests that donations in her memory be sent to the American Cancer Society. White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte Chapel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executrix of the Estate of PAUL HENRY

TROUTMAN aka PAUL H. TROUTMAN, 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 7th day of December, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 7th day of September, 2023.

JENNIFER SUSAN TROUTMAN, EXECUTRIX ESTATE OF PAUL HENRY TROUTMAN AKA PAUL H. TROUTMAN

NOTICE OF SALE

SILER CITY SELF STORAGE (“LIENOR”), PO BOX 143, SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA, will hold an online sale at Storage Auction.com (https://storage auctions.com) beginning September 5th, 2023 and ending September 12th, 2023.

Kevin Burke, Unit 1059

2121 Ralph Moore Dr Bear Creek, NC 27207

Phillip Dunn, Units 1046 & 1084 701 N Third St Siler City, NC 27344

Micah Jenkins Unit 1098 5202 Bedrock Rd Julian, NC 27283

Eric C Williams, AAMS® 190 Chatham Downs Dr Suite 103 919-960-6119

Siler City Laura Clapp, CFP®, AAMS™ 301 E Raleigh St 919-663-1051

Pittsboro Kevin C Maley, AAMS® 984 Thompson St Suite E2 919-444-2961

Pittsboro Lee Shanklin, AAMS® 120 Lowes Drive Suite 107 919-545-0125

Chapel Hill Jessica L Villagrana, CFP® 180 Providence Rd Suite 1c 984-219-6635

Teresa Lynch, Unit 194 PO Box 103 Bear Creek, NC 27207

Lucian E Maynard, Unit 1034 33 Clummelly Ln Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Mary Scott, Unit 298 PO Box 1089 Ramseur, NC 27316

Tenita Solanto, Unit 268 78 N Hillcrest Rd Siler City, NC 27344

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SERVICES

AUTO FOR SALE

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

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YARD SALE

HUGE INDOOR SALE - Friday, Sept.1 - 9am-until, Sat., Sept.2nd - 9am-until - Lots of Avon glassware, pictures, shoes, hats, purses, pocketbooks, linens, towels, books and kitchen items, Vacuum Cleaner, Microwave, and Clothes Dryer. Come See Us!! Several Families and Vendors! 17720 US Hwy.64 West, Siler City.

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

AUCTIONS

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

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Chatham Monument Company has an immediate job opening. This is a full time position and involves placing monuments in the cemetery in Chatham and surrounding counties. Job requirements are: Must have a valid NC drivers license, must be able to lift 75 pounds if necessary. Must have a good attitude, the ability to work well with others and be willing to learn. Also needs reliable transportation to and from work. Pay will be based on the individual and their ability to do the work. Apply

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons having claims against Anne Craig Barnes of Chatham County, North Carolina are noti ed to present them to Billy E. Barnes, Jr., Executor of the Estate of Anne Craig Barnes in c/o

Dean P. Broz, Attorney for the Estate, at Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P. A., 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203, Exchange West at Meadowmont, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 on or before November 24, 2023. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Executor, and the devisees of Anne Craig Barnes. Those indebted to Anne Craig Barnes are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate.

Dean P. Broz Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P.A. 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203 Exchange West at Meadowmont Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

23-E-407 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Lynn Coburn Green, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Beverly J Lafoy Coburn, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of November 25, 2023, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th of August 2023.

Lynn Coburn Green

Executor 3711 Mt Gilead Church Rd Pittsboro, NC 27312

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons having claims against Arnold Ezdard

Egbert Gelderman (a.k.a. Arnold E. E. Gelderman) of Chatham County, North Carolina are noti ed to present them to Carolyn Gelderman, Executor of the Estate of Arnold E. E. Gelderman in c/o

Dean P. Broz, Attorney for the Estate, at Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P. A., 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203, Exchange West at Meadowmont, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 on or before November 24, 2023. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Executor, and the devisees of Arnold E. E. Gelderman. Those indebted to Arnold E. E. Gelderman are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate.

Dean P. Broz Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P.A. 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203 Exchange West at Meadowmont Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 Au24,Au31,Se7,Se14,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

23-E-363 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Kimberly A. Carrigan, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of JAMES D. OBERLENDER, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of November 25, 2023, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 24th of August 2023.

Kimberly A. Carrigan Executrix 6721 Beeman Dr Plano, TX 75023 Au24,Au31,Se7,Se14,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Joanna Elliott Pearce, 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 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 17th day of August, 2023.

Barry S Johnson Sr. Executor of the Estate of Joanna Elliott Pearce 3515 Silk Hope Lindly Mill Road Snow Camp, NC 27349 Au17,Au24,Au31,Se7,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of John Earl Church, 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 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 24th day of August, 2023.

Julie Lynn Burkett, Administrator The Estate of John Earl

Church 1329 Vernie Phillips Road Bear Creek, North Carolina 27207

MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344

(919) 663-2850

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Notice to Creditors

North Carolina Chatham County

Having quali ed as the Executor of the Estate of Yvonne Lorraine Holzkamp a/k/a Yvonne L. Holzkamp, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned, Donna Holzkamp Burdick a/k/a

Donna H. Burdick, Executor, hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the Executor and to the attorney for the estate, Patricia T. Niebauer, as set forth below, on or before the 15th day of December, 2023, which is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this Notice, 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.

This is the 7th day of September 2023.

Donna Holzkamp Burdick

Executor of the Estate of Yvonne Lorraine Holzkamp

Patricia T. Niebauer Attorney for the Estate Robbins May & Rich, LLP 120 Applecross Road Pinehurst, NC 28374

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

Sue Jean Luger, having quali ed as the Executrix of the Estate of LINDA JENKINS BARNARD a/k/a LINDA LEIGH BARNARD, deceased, in the O ce of the Clerk of Superior Court of Chatham County on August 18, 2023, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent to present them to the undersigned attorney on or before November 29, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment. Payments and claims should be presented to Austin C. Vandeveer, 101 Conner Drive, Suite 402, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514.

This the 31st day of August 2023.

This Notice is given pursuant to the provisions of N.C.G.S. 28A-14-1. Austin C. Vandeveer, Attorney of Record

Averett Family Law 101 Conner Drive, Suite 402 Chapel Hill, NC, 27514

Publication dates: 8/31/2023; 9/07/2023; 9/14/2023; and 9/21/2023

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 11 CVD 826 NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION COUNTY OF CHATHAM Plainti , vs. LYNWOOD P. DOWDY, JR., et al

Defendants.

TO: The HEIRS, ASSIGNS and DEVISEES of NORRIS CALVIN WICKER and spouse, if any, or any other person or entity claiming thereunder A pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication began on August 31, 2023. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Foreclosure on tax parcel(s) more completely described in the Complaint, to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes (assessments). Plainti seeks to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you may have in said property. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the date of the rst publication of notice stated above, exclusive of such date, being forty (40) days after August 312023, or by October 10, 2023, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service of process by publication will apply to the Court for relief sought.

This the 24th day of August, 2023.

ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES

By:

MARK D. BARDILL/MARK B. BARDILL Attorney for Plainti NC Bar #12852/56782

W. Jones St.

P. O. Box 25 Trenton, North Carolina 28585

Telephone: (252) 448-4541

Publication dates:

August 31, 2023, September 7, 2023, September 14, 2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Sonja L. Lee, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Marilyn M. Bowden, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 31st day of August, 2023.

Name: Sonja L. Lee Executrix 463 Stockyard Rd Staley, NC 27355 Au31,Se7,Se14,Se21,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

FILE NUMBER: 23 E 335

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Daniel Aiello, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Matthews James Aiella, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 31st day of August, 2023.

Name: Daniel Aiello Co-Administrator 4 Salmon Rd Madison, ME 04950 Au31,Se7,Se14,Se21,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

23-E-471

The undersigned, Timothy Lee McLaurin having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Linda (Kay) Keck Mclaurin late of Chatham County, NC do hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at the address below on or before the 6th day of December 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 7th of September, 2023.

Timothy Lee Mclaurin Administrator of the Estate of Linda(Kay) Keck McLaurin 648 Jim Paige Road Bear Creek, NC 27202 9/7/23,9/14/23,9/21/23,9/28/23

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

23-E-443 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Jamelle Emerson, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Michael L. Mineer, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of November 22nd, 2023, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th of August 2023.

Jamelle Emerson Administrator c/o Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312 Au24,Au31,Se7,Se14,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Co-Executrix of the Estate of Willie C. Freeman, 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 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 17th day of August, 2023.

Tina Freeman Gaines Co-Executrix of the Estate of Willie C. Freeman 1478 Delphus Stinson Road Goldston, NC 27252

Rachel Ann Freeman Ray Co-Executrix of the Estate of Willie C. Freeman 344 Barker Road Bear Creek, NC 27207 Au17,Au24,Au31,Se7,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

FILE NUMBER: 23 E 450

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Rose M. Kincaid, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Robert J. Kincaid, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 31st day of August, 2023.

Name: Rose M. Kincaid Administrator 266 Autumn Chase Pittsboro, NC 27312 Au31,Se7,Se14,Se21,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ROBERT LEE DANN CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE # 23 E 408

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor for the Estate of Robert Lee Dann, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate to present such claims to the undersigned Executor c/o Ralph A. Evans, Attorney At Law, at P.O. Box 1145, Liberty, North Carolina 27298 on or before November 30, 2023 or this Notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment.

This the 25th day of August, 2023.

Je rey T. Hutcherson Executor 514 N. Candlewood Dr. Liberty, NC 27298

Ralph A. Evans Attorney At Law P.O. Box 1145 Liberty, NC 27298 (336) 622-5320 Au31,Se7, Se14,Se21,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons having claims against Irma Jean Sa elle (a.k.a. Jean Neville Sa elle) of Chatham County, North Carolina are noti ed to present them to Milton F. Sa elle, Jr., Executor of the Estate of Irma Jean Sa elle, in c/o Dean P. Broz, Attorney for the Estate, at Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P. A., 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203, Exchange West at Meadowmont, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 on or before November 24, 2023. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Executor, and the devisees of Irma Jean Sa elle. Those indebted to Irma Jean Sa elle are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate.

Dean P. Broz Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P.A. 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203 Exchange West at Meadowmont Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 Au24,Au31,Se7,Se14,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Co-Executrix of the Estate of William Curtis Elmore, 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 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 17th day of August, 2023.

Sandra Elmore Siler Executor of the Estate of William Curtis Elmore 1394 Pearlman Teague Road Siler City, NC 27344 Au17,Au24,Au31,Se7,4tc

PUBLIC NOTICE

State of North Carolina County of Chatham

The Annual meeting of the North Chatham Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., will be held at the North Chatham Volunteer Fire Station #1, U.S. 15501 North, on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of business that may properly come before the meeting. There are no Board of Director positions open for election during scal year 2023- 2024 at the annual meeting.

23 E 433

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Ralph Luther Piggie, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned at his address, P. O. Box 1169, Pittsboro, North Carolina, 27312, on or before the 6th day of December, 2023, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment. This 30th day of August, 2023.

Calvin Wayne Freeman

P. O. Box 1169

Pittsboro, North Carolina

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Patricia Antoinette Brown, 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 30th day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 17th day of August, 2023.

Derek Louis Brown Executor of the Estate of Patricia Antoinette Brown 1516 Consett Court Raleigh, NC 27613 Au17,Au24,Au31,Se7,4tc

27312

27312-0880

GUNN & MESSICK, PLLC

P. O. Box 880

Pittsboro, North Carolina

September 7, 14, 21, 28

All residents of the North Chatham Fire Protection District eighteen (18) years of age or older and live in Chatham County are entitled to attend and vote at said meeting. The directors are residents of the North Chatham Fire Protection District in Chatham County and shall fairly be representative of the geographic areas and populations served by the corporation.

This the 28th day of August, 2023.

Charles Quinlan, President North Chatham Volunteer Fire Department Au31,Se7,2tc

NOTICE OF HEARINGS TOWN OF SILER CITY

The following item will be considered by the Siler City Planning Commission on Monday, September 11, 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

R23-0901 – Rezoning of one (1) parcel from Residential-20 (R -20) to Residential-3/Conditional (R-3-C), parcel totals 6.15 acres ±, addressed as unaddressed parcel of Lakewood Drive (parcel number 16215) and being the property of Sayantan Bhattacharyya, Premjit Pan and Alok Chatterjee. 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. Au31,Se7,2tc

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

A public hearing will be held by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, September 18, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, 1192 US 64W Business, Pittsboro NC 27312. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department o ce. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also sign up on the county website prior to the meeting at www.chathamcountync. gov by selecting the heading County Government, then Commissioner Meetings, then Public Input/ Hearing Sign Up. The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners.

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below:

A legislative public hearing requested by Drafting and Design Services on behalf of Darryl Knight dba Knight Landscaping Supply to rezone Parcel 9808, located at 14959 US 521 S, Gulf Township, from R-1 Residential to Conditional District Regional Business for a landscaping supply, grading, and outdoor storage to include boat and RVs business.

A legislative public hearing requested for a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance by Dave Gaddis to reduce the minimum acreage requirements for all public or private campgrounds from 20 acres to 10 acres in all districts.

A legislative public hearing requested by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to consider amendments to the Chatham County Subdivision Regulations; amend Sections 4 Types of Subdivisions; 5.2 Major Subdivisions; and 5.3 Minor Subdivisions.

A legislative public hearing requested by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to consider amendments to the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance; speci cally, Sections 7.2 De nitions and 10.13 Table of Permitted Uses to make changes to in-home childcare regulations.

Testimony is required to be given under oath during the evidentiary hearing for the following item:

Quasi-Judicial Request:

A quasi-judicial public hearing requested by the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department for a Special Use Permit for new county-owned park on Parcel 5809, located at 994 Pea Ridge Rd, Cape Fear Township.

Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions.

Notice to people with special needs: If you have an audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided.

If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call the Chatham County Planning Department at 919-542-8204 or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312.

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSAL FOR REDISTRICTING OF CHATHAM COUNTY’S RESIDENCY DISTRICTS

TAKE NOTICE that the Chatham County Board of Commissioners will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on the question of whether to redistrict the County’s residency voting districts for which candidates for o ce of the Board of Commissioners must reside and represent the districts. This Public Hearing will be held pursuant to the authority granted by S.L. 1995-80. The Board of Commissioners will hold this Public Hearing beginning at 6:00 PM on September 18, 2023, at the Chatham County Agricultural and Conference Center located at 1192 US 64 Business West, Pittsboro, North Carolina. Interested persons may review the proposed redistricting option on the County website at: https://www.chathamcountync.gov/ government/board-of-commissioners/boardof-commissioners-election-district-map/2023redistricting

The Commissioners invite all interested persons to attend and present their views. Each speaker will have up to three minutes to give their comments. Residents may submit written comments to the Clerk at Lindsay.ray@chathamcountync.gov or at the following address: Chatham County Board of Commissioners

ATTN: Lindsay K. Ray, Clerk to the Board PO Box 1809 Pittsboro, NC 27312 This the 7th day of September, 2023.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Lindsay K. Ray, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC

On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold legislative public hearings for the following requests at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West:

A request from Patrick Bradshaw, on behalf of Chatham Park Investors, LLC, to consider text amendments to the Chatham Park Landscaping Element.

A request from CE Group, on behalf of Emgee, LLC, to revise the Bellemont Station Mixed Use Planned Development on parcels 72984, 84006, and 89786 (approximately 154.42 acres total).

A request from Bradshaw, Robinson, Slawter, & Rainer, LLP, on behalf of Chatham Park Investors, LLC, to rezone parcels 7199, 79148, and 79149 (approximately 128.51 acres total) from RA-2 and RA-5 to Multi-Family Residential Conditional Zoning (MR-CZ).

A request from Laura Holloman on behalf of AF Bynum, LLC and Jeremy Medlin with Greenhawk Development, to rezone parcels 7461, 7462, and 62581(approximately 140.74 acres total) from RA and M2 to the following conditional zoning districts: R10-CZ (Residential 10,000 SF Conditional Zoning), MR-CZ (Multifamily Residential Conditional Zoning), C2-CZ (Highway Commercial Conditional Zoning), and M1-CZ (Light Industrial Conditional Zoning). The hearing will be held in person. The public can also watch the hearing live on the Town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ townofpittsboronc/streams. Members of the public must attend in person if they wish to speak at the hearing.

Contact the Town Clerk, Carrie Bailey, by 4 pm on September 11, 2023 with written comments or to sign up to speak at the hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (919) 542-4621 ext. 1104, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Au31,Se7,2tc

NOTICE OF ELECTION

CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

The municipal general election for TOWN OF CARY will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Voters will be asked to show photo ID when they vote. All voters will be allowed to vote with or without ID. Voters who lack ID can get one for free from their county board of elections. Find out more at ncsbe. gov/voter-id.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Precincts open will be 75 East Williams

–New Hope Baptist Church 581 New Hope Church Rd, Apex, NC 27523 and 42 New Hope – Hollands Chapel AME Zion Church – 360 Burgess Rd, Apex, NC Apex, NC 27523. Only registered voters who live in Chatham County in these two precincts and are registered to vote in the Town of Cary are eligible to vote in this election

One-stop early voting will be held at the following locations from Thursday, September 21, 2023, to Saturday, October 7, 2023: Chatham County Board of Elections O ce, 984 Thompson Street, Suite D, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Sunday 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

New Hope Baptist Church, 581 New Hope Church Rd., Apex, NC 27523

Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Sundays 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them beginning September 8, 2023. A voter can ll out an absentee ballot request at votebymail.ncsbe.gov, or by lling out a request form provided by the board of elections. The request must be received through the website or by the CHATHAM COUNTY Board of Elections by 5 p.m. October 3, 2023.

Registered voters who live in Chatham County within the boundaries of the TOWN OF CARY may vote in the municipal election. Municipal contests include the Mayor, Town Council At-Large, and Town Council District D (NOTE: Please check and make sure your county’s elections include these contests this year) The voter registration deadline for this election is 5 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2023. Eligible individuals who are not registered by that deadline may register and vote at any early voting site during the early voting period. New registrants will be required to provide documentation of their residence.

Questions? Call the CHATHAM COUNTY Board of Elections O ce at 919-545-8500 or send an email to elections@chathamcountync.gov

Laura Heise, Chairman

CHATHAM COUNTY Board of Elections Au31,Se7,Se14,3tc

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC

On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold legislative public hearings for the following requests at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West:

A request from Patrick Bradshaw, on behalf of Chatham Park Investors, LLC, to consider text amendments to the Chatham Park Landscaping Element.

A request from CE Group, on behalf of Emgee, LLC, to revise the Bellemont Station Mixed Use Planned Development on parcels 72984, 84006, and 89786 (approximately 154.42 acres total).

A request from Bradshaw, Robinson, Slawter, & Rainer, LLP, on behalf of Chatham Park Investors, LLC, to rezone parcels 7199, 79148, and 79149 (approximately 128.51 acres total) from RA-2 and RA-5 to Multi-Family Residential Conditional Zoning (MR-CZ).

A request from Laura Holloman on behalf of AF Bynum, LLC and Jeremy Medlin with Greenhawk Development, to rezone parcels 7461, 7462, and 62581(approximately 140.74 acres total) from RA and M2 to the following conditional zoning districts: R10-CZ (Residential 10,000 SF Conditional Zoning), MR-CZ (Multifamily Residential Conditional Zoning), C2-CZ (Highway Commercial Conditional Zoning), and M1-CZ (Light Industrial Conditional Zoning).

The hearing will be held in person. The public can also watch the hearing live on the Town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ townofpittsboronc/streams. Members of the public must attend in person if they wish to speak at the hearing. Contact the Town Clerk, Carrie Bailey, by 4 pm on September 11, 2023 with written comments or to sign up to speak at the hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (919) 542-4621 ext. 1104, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312. 8/31/23 - 9/7/2023

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

The following is a list of persons appointed by the Chatham County Board of Elections as precinct o cials to serve a two-year term in accordance with G.S. 163-41:

Albright Precinct: Peter ZelechoskiChief Judge

Laura Bin-Headen Democratic Judge

Vacant Republican Judge

Bonlee Precinct: Deborah Garner Chief Judge

Virginia Ryan Democratic Judge

Amy Kappelman Republican Judge

Bynum Precinct: Lynette BagwellChief Judge

Anita Badrock Democratic Judge

Richard Hansinger Republican Judge

Goldston Precinct:

Denise Carman Chief Judge

Lisa Gatens Democratic Judge

Sharon Trotter Republican Judge

Moncure Precinct: Lee Katherine AyerhartChief Judge

Joan Dark Democratic Judge

Juli Ann LawrenceRepublican Judge

Hadley Precinct: Cathy Gilliam Chief Judge

Doug Carman Democratic Judge

Tina HowellRepublican Judge

Hickory Mt. Precinct: Susan SigmanChief Judge

Rose Pate Democratic Judge

Cindy SchmidtRepublican Judge

New Hope Precinct: Jennifer Chambers Chief Judge

Valerie Horton Democratic Judge

Je rey LongRepublican Judge

Pittsboro Precinct:

Mirenda VanSwedenChief Judge

Megan Lynch Democratic Judge

John Tallant Republican Judge

East Siler City Precinct:

Nancy HirschChief Judge

Gail Matthews Democratic Judge

Carolyn Leggett Republican Judge

West Siler City Precinct:

Caroline Mclester Chief Judge

Rory Garcia Democratic Judge

Clarence TalleyRepublican Judge

East Williams Precinct:

Denise UmberChief Judge

Cloyce Lassiter Democratic Judge

Kelly CookRepublican Judge

West Williams Precinct:

Elizabeth SwaringenChief Judge

Margaret Tiano Democratic Judge

William EckertRepublican Judge

Manns Chapel Precinct:

Jeanne Mitchell Chief Judge

Tom LauerDemocratic Judge

John Hausmann Republican Judge

Crossroads Precinct: Jamie Brady

Chief Judge

Amanda Gaumer Democratic Judge

Judy Councilman Republican Judge

Note: election Assistants are appointed for each election and are not included in this publication.

Vacancies will be lled as needed. Issued and published on behalf of the Chatham County Board of Elections.

Pandora Paschal, Director Chatham County Board of Elections

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

COUNTY OF CHATHAM Plainti , vs.

MARIBEL MEDINA BECERRA, et al Defendants.

TO: MARIBEL MEDINA BECERRA’S SPOUSE, IF ANY, and any HEIRS, ASSIGNS or DEVISEES of MARIBEL MEDINA BECERRA’S SPOUSE, IF ANY, or any other person or entity claiming thereunder

A pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication began on August 31, 2023.

The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Foreclosure on tax parcel(s) more completely described in the Complaint, to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes (assessments). Plainti seeks to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you may have in said property.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the date of the rst publication of notice stated above, exclusive of such date, being forty (40) days after August 31, 2023, or by October 10, 2023, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service of process by publication will apply to the Court for relief sought.

This the 25th day of August, 2023.

ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES

By: ____________________________________ MARK D. BARDILL/MARK B. BARDILL

Attorney for Plainti NC Bar #12852/56782 310 W. Jones St. P. O. Box 25 Trenton, North Carolina 28585

Telephone: (252) 448-4541

Publication dates:

August 31, 2023

September 7, 2023

September 14, 2023

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK

FILE # 22-SP-83 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

W. WOODS DOSTER, Administrator of the Estate of Christine V. Harris, TREMAINE KRISTAN HARRIS, and SAM KENNETH HARRIS, JR., Petitioners, vs. BRIDGET HARRIS, individually; and BRIDGET HARRIS as Trustee of the TESTAMENTARY SUPPLEMENTAL NEEDS TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAM KENNETH HARRIS Respondents.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Pursuant to the Order for Possession, Custody, Control, Sale, of Real Property led on November 1, 2022, in the above captioned proceeding, NOTICE is hereby given that the subject properties described below will be put up for public sale on September 20th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.; the sale will be held at the Chatham County Courthouse in the designated area for sale.

The properties are described as follows:

Tract 1 – 620 E Eleventh St, Siler City, NC 27344, Chatham County Tax Parcel Identi cation Number 0016780.

Tract 2 – 1408 Ross Ave, Siler City, NC 27344, Chatham County Tax Parcel Identi cation Number 0016504.

Tract 3 – 1114 12th St., Siler City, NC 27344, Chatham County Tax Parcel Identi cation Number 0061300.

Tract 4 – 427 E 9th St, Siler City, NC 27344, Chatham County Tax Parcel Identi cation Number 0016780.

Tract 5 – 1104 12th St, Siler City, NC 27344, Chatham County Tax Parcel Identi cation Number 0016637.

Tract 6 – 1116 12th St, Siler City, NC 27344, Chatham County Tax Parcel Identi cation Number 0069196.

A cash deposit from the highest bidder equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bid is required at the time of public sale. Said bid shall be reported to the Court and will remain open for the requisite upset bid period as required by law. The Court reserves the right to approve and reject all bids. THE PROPERTY IS SOLD AS-IS, WHERE-IS, WITH ALL FAULTS.

This is the 10th day of August 2023.

J. Grant Brown, Attorney for Administrator Law O ces of W. Woods Doster, P.A. 206 Hawkins Ave., Sanford, NC 27330 919-842-5007

North Moore out-muscles Northwood, 38-12, in conference opener

The Mustangs started conference play on the right foot, using the run game to its advantage.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

NORTH MOORE (2-1, 1-0) ran all over Northwood (1-2, 0-1) Friday night, beating the Chargers, 38-12, in the rst week of conference play.

The Mustangs overpowered the Chargers with their physicality in the run game and on the defensive side of the ball. North Moore constantly gained chunks of yards on the ground, even after running the same plays consecutively out of the option.

The Mustangs ran in ve touchdowns.

“We were physical tonight,” North Moore head coach Andrew Carrouth said. “I think our guys especially in the second half imposed our will a little bit, and that was a big part of the game.”

Both teams started slow o en-

sively as the rst quarter ended scoreless.

North Moore had its fair share of costly mistakes with low snaps and penalties, including a holding call that brought back a long run

Chatham County football recap: 9/1

Scores and recaps from Friday night football in Chatham County

By Asheebo Rojas

Chatham News & Record

Chatham County had another tough football weekend with all three participating teams losing by double-digits.

Northwood, the only Chatham team going into last Friday with a win, lost a physical battle against defending Mid-Carolina 1A/2A champions North Moore, 3812. The Chargers are now 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.

Seaforth (0-2, 0-0) had a bye. The Hawks will play their rst conference game Friday at home against Graham.

Here are scores and recaps of the other Chatham County football games from the weekend.

Jordan-Matthews 6 – Cummings 55

Jordan-Matthews (0-3, 0-1) had no answer for Cummings’ star-studded rushing attack in a 6-55 loss.

The Jets allowed two Cavaliers to rush for over 100 yards and combine for ve touchdowns on

the ground. N.C. State commit Jonathan Paylor only had three carries but rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns himself.

Senior receiver Gabriel Brewer caught the only score for the Jets on their last possession of the game, hauling in a pass from freshman quarterback Raje Torres.

In addition to the touchdown, Torres completed ve out of 11 pass attempts for 22 yards and threw one interception.

Jordan-Matthews will play away at its rival, Chatham Central, Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Chatham Central 6 – Southeast Alamance 55 Chatham Central (0-3, 0-1) was hit with a balanced attack in a 6-55 loss to Southeast Alamance.

The Bears gave up 176 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and a eet of Stallion rushers gained 198 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Senior quarterback Logan Maness completed seven passes for 112 yards and threw Central’s only touchdown to senior receiver Jacob Gilland. Gilland nished the game with four receptions and 89 yards.

from senior running back Jakarey Gillis, putting the Mustangs behind the chains in their early possessions.

Despite the self-in icted wounds, North Moore struck rst

in the second quarter with a veyard rushing touchdown — the rst of many on the night for Gillis.

Northwood responded on the next possession with senior quarterback Carson Fortunes nding sophomore receiver Cam Fowler for a short touchdown pass. After missing the two-point conversion, the Chargers still trailed, 8-6.

That was the most seen out of Northwood’s o ense until late in the fourth quarter, as North Moore shut down the Chargers’ run game and constantly pressured Fortunes in his drop backs, coming away with a few sacks, too.

“I think (Fortunes) is one of the best quarterbacks we’ll see all year,” Carrouth said. “I thought we were able to do a good job with some pressure stu tonight to be able to get him o his rst look and get him worried about where the rushers were coming from. I think that made a big di erence.”

Arguably a larger di erence maker was Gillis’ ability to nd openings and outrun defenders

all night long. Gillis found the endzone three times.

The other two rushing touchdowns for North Moore came from senior running back Kolby Ritchie and junior tight end Colby Pennington.

“Jakarey’s a stud,” Carrouth said. “He’s gotten so much faster than he was last year, and he’s also able to bring that physical component to his running style.”

For North Moore, this is its rst Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference win of the season as the rest of its schedule will have conference title and playo implications.

With that in mind, the goal for Carrouth’s defending conference champions is to “keep getting better every single week.”

North Moore will have a bye on Friday and will continue conference play at Southeast Alamance on Sept. 15. Northwood will host Southeast Alamance Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“Especially after taking the loss from last week, I think there were some people in some organizations out there that said ‘North Moore’s o this year. They’re going to suck this year,’” Carrouth said. “We’ve been preaching to our kids all week that we’re the defending conference champions right now. We want to get that thing rolling, and we want to get back to playing our kind of football.”

Drake Powell rises in updated 2024 ESPN 100 rankings

The Northwood basketball star is gaining more national attention ahead of his senior season.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Northwood basketball’s Drake Powell is gaining more national attention ahead of his senior season.

In the updated 2024 ESPN 100 rankings released on Thursday, Powell rose 15 spots to No. 12 on the list of top prospects.

ESPN ranks the UNC commit as the second-best 2024 recruit in North Carolina behind Duke commit Isaiah Evans from North Mecklenburg High School.

Among 2024 shooting guards, Powell is ranked third in the country by ESPN.

Last season, Powell averaged 18.6 points, seven rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for the Chargers. His play helped the team win its fth regional championship and reach its second state title game in three years. It’s no surprise Powell is rising

in national rankings because he hasn’t stopped playing well since the end of his junior campaign.

Powell stayed busy over the summer, further displaying his talents for Team CP3 at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. He was named to the Peach Jam All-Second Team in July after averaging 16.6 points, 10 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the eld. Standing at 6-foot-5, Powell is known for his ability to score

in many ways — whether he’s using his athleticism to blow past defenders and nish at the rim or pulling up for a mid-range jumper.

Powell is also a solid defender who can contest layups in transition as well as create turnovers for transition points.

Already set on UNC, Powell can only improve and rise even higher as a top prospect should he provide consistently good play like he has for Northwood the past three years.

GENE GALIN FOR THE CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood senior Ashton Elliott runs after making a catch during the Chargers’ 38-12 loss to NorthMoore last Friday.

FILE PHOTO

Northwood’s Drake Powell was one of the big movers in the recruiting rankings. The UNC commit jumped 15 spots to number 12 in the nation in the ESPN 100

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Northwood quarterback Carson Fortunes res a pass toward Ashton Elliott during the Chargers’ 38-12loss at North Moore last Friday.

Check-in with Mitch Johnson after his rst win as Northwood’s head coach

Johnson talks rst win, what’s next and his team’s identity

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Before celebrating with his team after its rst win of the season over Union Pines, Northwood football head coach Mitch Johnson took a squat by the 30yard line and bowed his head.

Just moments before, his rst win as head coach of the program wasn’t certain.

Northwood opened the year with a 35-21 loss to 4A opponent, Riverside-Durham, and the following week, the Chargers were in a dog ght with the 3A Vikings.

And with only a one-point lead in the fourth quarter, the weight of that rst victory wasn’t going anywhere.

The milestone could’ve waited another week after Northwood quarterback Carson Fortunes threw an interception halfway in the nal period, but the Chargers responded with an interception of their own and closed the game out, 20-19.

Now that the ice-breaking win was out of the way, Johnson could focus on the next thing — building on it.

His team still has some work to do after being out-muscled in its most recent outing in which the Chargers lost, 38-12, to conference opponent North Moore. But, Johnson has clear expectations for himself and his players as they continue conference play and make a run for the playo s.

Johnson sat down with the Chatham News and Record for a check-in during his rst year at Northwood, talking about that rst win, what’s next and his team’s identity as it continues to mesh.

I saw that you were emotional after the nal buzzer went o against Union Pines. How did it feel to get your rst win with the

You know, where I’ve been, the rst win always means something. Everything that goes into a program — the community, the admin, athletic department, all the families, all the kids — it just means a lot because you put in a lot of hard work and you just want them to feel that satisfaction of a win. And then, we just went through a lot of adversity. We had a couple of our linemen struggling with their asthma. Gus (Ritchey) was out. Our starting running back was out. Our receivers and quarterbacks were going to have to go both ways. We had some cramping. (Union Pines) had twice the number of players. So, it was an exhausting night. As coaches, we really did everything we could to make

Ally Forbes

sure that we could put the players in the best possible situation with everything that was going on. To watch them execute and come through with a big win and to see the excitement on them, it was a lot. Thinking about it now, I still get kind of choked up.

What was the reaction from your family and friends on that rst win?

I had a lot of people reach out, and some people thought it was my rst career win. But, this is my fourth head coaching job. This is probably one of my favorite wins I’ve had in my career. I just absolutely love Northwood since I’ve been here in February. It resembles a lot of where I grew up in down in Southern Pines at Pinecrest. We do things at a high standard, and we truly talk about excellence. I want to do what’s best for this community, for this school and for the athletes. To get that win, especially after we let that rst one slip away, it meant a lot to execute when it mattered. A lot of people reached out, and it meant a lot. And, I’m hoping it’s the rst of many. Now that you’ve got that rst win, what’s the focus for you and your sta going forward this season?

Conference now. We played a 4A and 3A, and now, we’re playing teams our size and schools our size. Now, our job is to execute at a high level because we feel we have the tools and resources to make a run for a conference championship.

What are some expectations that you have for yourself as a coach?

To make sure that we’re always ready. Each week it seems like we’re getting better with making sure that we do the little details, making sure we’re getting lined up right on special teams and making sure everybody knows

they’re on special teams. For a lot of kids, it’s their rst time playing and there’s a lot of new rules for them. We’re watching lm and teaching (players) how to watch lm. People don’t see how the product is made. They just see you on Friday nights. I want to make sure that we’re getting better at those things that people don’t see.

What do you expect from your players?

We ask them to watch lm. That’s our big one. Also, giving us all they got at practice. We really feel like we make practice harder to make the game smoother and a little bit easier, so we push them. We go at a pretty fast pace to try and get them in shape. We want intense practices and intense lm study, and we want to make sure they know their opponent.

What would you say is your team’s identity so far?

O ensively, we’re pretty explosive. But, we also showed in Union Pines that we can be physical. So, I think for us, we’re mixed. We’re explosive, but we like to control the tempo and run the ball. Defensively, we’re really physical. That’s one thing we take a lot of pride in. We’d love a little more turnovers, but we have been a physical team, and we do it the right way. So, I would say, we’re getting there. Defensively, we’re bend, but don’t break. O ensively, we can do anything that we need to. We can control the clock, but we also can have big plays. One thing we do have to get better at is doing our alignment and assignment technique and stop shooting ourselves in the foot and being our only Achilles heel.

Johnson’s rst season with Northwood continues with a home game Friday at 7:30 against Southeast Alamance.

Seaforth, volleyball

Seaforth volleyball freshman Ally Forbes earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Aug. 28.

In the Hawks’ fourth straight conference win over Northwood, Forbes led the team with 13 kills and ve service aces.

She played well the following night in a win over East Chapel Hill, recording 18 kills and four service aces against a 4A opponent.

Forbes’ 19 service aces is the most by any Seaforth player this season.

Adam Phillips, Miranda Parker, Mary Maloney, Gary Phillips, Jay Parker, Don Basnight, Ken Tunnell, Terri Turner, Crystal Fisher

FILE PHOTO

Northwood head football coach Mitch Johnson recently recorded his rst win since taking over the program.

GENE GALIN FOR THE CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD Seaforth had an extra week to mull over its loss to Purnell Swett. The 0-2 Hawks had their bye week last Friday and return to action with a conference showdown against Graham this week.

Scores and stats from Chatham County sports

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Volleyball

Seaforth (5-2, 4-0) defeated Northwood (4-3, 3-2) Tuesday night in straight sets, 3-0, then knocked o 4A opponent East Chapel Hill in four sets, 3-1, on Wednesday. A tougher opponent brought tougher competition with the rst and nal sets being decided by two points.

This win is Seaforth’s rst non-conference victory on the year and fourth win in a row. The Hawks will play at home against Southeast Alamance Tuesday at 6 p.m. Following Tuesday’s win, the Hawks are now 4-0 against Mid-Carolina 1A/2A teams, and they have yet to lose a set against a conference opponent.

Seaforth, which is second in conference standings, is the only Mid-Carolina 1A/2A school without a set loss in conference play.

Northwood will play away at Graham on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Chatham Central (5-3, 3-3) won its third conference game in a 3-0 win over Graham. The Bears have now won two straight conference games in straight sets, sitting at fth in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A standings.

Senior Katherine Gaines led the Bears with seven kills, and senior Kelsey Hussey recorded 10 service aces.

The Bears will play at home tonight against Lee County at 6 p.m.

Jordan Matthews (4-2, 3-1) ended a two-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over Southeast Alamance. Now sitting at third in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference, the Jets will face the top conference team, Bartlett Yancey, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Woods Charter (5-1, 2-0) beat Chatham Charter (0-4, 0-1) 3-0 in a Central Tar Heel 1A conference showdown. Sophomore Josephine Valgus led the Wolves with 13 kills, and freshman Ab-

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igail Valgus recorded seven service aces.

The Wolves will play away against Research Triangle Thursday at 6 p.m. Chatham Charter will also travel, playing away at Triangle Math and Science Thursday at 5 p.m.

Cross Country

Seaforth placed rst in both the men and women’s 5000m runs Tuesday at the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference Meet held at Northwood. The Hawks’ men’s team nished with a total time of 1:38:03.97, and the women’s team nished with a total time of 2:02:46.61.

Northwood sophomore Sydney Gray recorded the best women’s time of 20:56.41. She beat her personal best time by 42 seconds.

Seaforth Junior Jack Anstrom ran the best men’s time of 18:14.28.

Northwood nished fourth in the men’s run and second in the women’s run. Jordan Matthews also participated in the meet, nishing third in the men’s run and fourth in the women’s.

Soccer

Seaforth (3-3-1, 1-0) took down Graham, 1-0, Wednesday night in the Hawks’ rst conference game of the season. The Hawks will play at home against Cummings Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Northwood (1-4-1, 0-2) dropped a second consecutive conference game against Southeast Alamance, 0-7. The Chargers will play at home against Jordan Matthews Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Chatham Charter (1-5, 0-0) lost its fth straight game to Leadership Academy, 0-2. The Knights took six shots on goal, but they couldn’t nd the net for a score. The Knights will play at home against Cornerstone Charter Tuesday at 5 p.m.

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Larson wins opening playo race

It is the rst career win for the 2021 Cup Series champion at Darlington

The Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kyle Larson led the nal 55 laps to start his latest Cup Series playo run with his rst career win at the Southern 500 on Sunday night.

The 2021 Cup Series champion automatically advances into the round of 12 with the win at Darlington Raceway regardless of how he does in races at Kansas and Bristol the next two weeks.

“What a great way to start the playo s,” he said.

Larson didn’t have the fastest car, just one that got out front at the right time while other contenders fell away.

Denny Hamlin led a racebest 177 of 367 laps and looked headed for the win before he felt vibrations for what he told his crew was a loose wheel and had to pit on consecutive laps.

“We controlled the race until we had some trouble,” Hamlin said. “That’s just part of it.”

Tyler Reddick led 90 laps yet lost the lead to Larson coming o pit road. Kevin Harvick, seeking the rst victory of his nal season, challenged Reddick for the lead with less than 60 laps remaining but was penalized when he could not avoid entering the pits moments after they were closed by NASCAR after a caution came out.

Harvick said he didn’t have time to get back on the track before the commitment line and couldn’t recover.

It was a successful run at the track “Too Tough To Tame” for Larson after several close calls. He has had three seconds and two thirds in his 11 previous Cup Series races at Darlington. In May, Larson was racing for the lead late when he was hit by Ross Chastain and wound up 20th.

“This has been one of my favorite tracks my whole career,” Larson said. “Been really, really fast here my whole career, just usually in the wall.”

“Adding this trophy to the collection is amazing,” Larson continued. “This is one of three or four crown jewels.”

Playo drivers took the rst seven spots. Tyler Reddick was second, followed by Chris Buescher, William Byron, Chastain, Brad Keselowski and Bubba Wallace.

Harvick ended 19th and Hamlin 25th. The rest of the playo eld was Kyle Busch in 11th, Joey Logano in 12th, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 16th, Martin Truex Jr. in 18th, pole-sitter Christopher Bell in 23rd and Michael McDowell in 32nd.

Byron, Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate and co-top seed with Truex, entered with a series-best ve victories this year and was pleased with the high nish.

“I think this is a good steppingstone for Kansas and good to get a solid rst race in the playo s,” he said.

The second of the opening-round three races in the Cup Series playo s takes place at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 10. Wallace took this event a year ago, while Hamlin won there in May.

SMU celebrates entrance into ACC, contrast from death penalty days

The Mustangs were given the “death penalty” in 1987

The Associated Press DALLAS — SMU athletic director Rick Hart shot a small batch of red and blue confetti from a fake champagne bottle before machines showered the stage with plenty more.

The scene celebrating the university’s acceptance into the Atlantic Coast Conference on Friday was quite the contrast to the somber, and eerily silent, setting of 36 years ago, when SMU received what is still the only so-called death penalty over NCAA recruiting violations.

The Mustangs have wandered in the wilderness of college athletics for nearly three decades since the breakup of the Southwest Conference, seven years after the shutdown of the SMU football program. Hart was told by several people the ACC celebration was the biggest moment since that dark day in February 1987.

“I can empathize,” Hart said. “I’ve been here long enough, 11 years, and I have enough relationships with people who lived that and who were a part of it, that moment’s not lost on me. I hope I have a lot of moments in my career going forward that feel really special. But I don’t know that this will be matched.”

Hart shared the stage with SMU President R. Gerald Turner and Board of Trustees Chair David Miller. The trio had been working for two years to nd a path to a socalled Power Five conference.

The move, which becomes o cial on July 1, 2024, will end an 11-year run in the American Athletic Conference. After being in the SWC from 1918-95, SMU spent nine football seasons in the Western Athletic

Conference and eight in Conference USA before joining the AAC. The AAC includes North Carolina schools East Carolina and Charlotte.

The latest change for SMU is a subtle one on paper — just one letter, to the ACC — but substantial in so many other ways.

“We’re nally back where we belong,” Miller told several hundred supporters in the football team’s indoor practice facility, an upgrade the Mustangs believe played a role in their move out of the Group of Five.

A $100 million project under construction in the south end zone of Ford Stadium played an even bigger role, Turner said as he acknowledged the donor whose name will be on the building. Garry Weber was in the rst row of chairs set up in the middle of the shortened football eld that has “SMU” painted in both end zones.

“As several of the conference commissioners said to us,” Miller told the crowd, “‘You already do everything like a Power Five school.’“

There were reports of SMU pushing for entrance into the Pac-12 before that conference began to crumble with Southern California and UCLA announcing their intention to leave for the Big Ten.

The Pac-12 is now on the brink of extinction with Stanford and California joining SMU in the move to the ACC, which had some resistance from current members.

UNC and Florida State voted against the move, meaning the conference had one more vote than necessary to approve the additions. NC State voted for it.

“I’m a graduate of North Carolina, and I’ve said two things today that I’ve not said before and not sure I will again,” Hart said. “I said, ‘Go Blue Devils and go State.’”

Corgis parade outside Buckingham Palace to remember Queen Elizabeth II a year since her death

The Associated Press

LONDON — The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace may draw tourists from far and wide, but on Sunday visitors to the landmark were treated to a di erent sort of spectacle: a parade of corgis dressed up in crowns, tiaras and royal out ts.

Around 20 royal fans and their pet corgis gathered to walk

their dogs outside the palace in central London to remember Queen Elizabeth II a year since her death. Corgis were the late queen’s constant companions since she was a child, and Elizabeth owned around 30 throughout her life. Generations of the dogs descended from Susan, a corgi that was given to the queen on her 18th birthday.

Agatha Crerer-Gilbert, who organized Sunday’s event, said she would like the corgi march to take place every year in Elizabeth’s memory.

“I can’t see a better way to remember her than through her corgis, through the breed that she loved and cherished through her life,” she said.

“You know, I can’t still get used to the fact that she’s not

physically around us, but she’s looking at us. Look, the sun is shining, I thought it would shine on us today,” she added.

Aleksandr Barmin, who owns a corgi named Cinnamon and has taken the pet to attend past royal-related events, said the parade was a poignant reminder that Elizabeth is no longer around.

“It’s a really hard feeling, to be

honest ... it’s really sad that we don’t have (the queen) among us anymore,” he said. “But still, Her Majesty the Queen is still in our hearts.”

Sept. 8 will be the rst anniversary of the death of the 96-year-old queen at her Balmoral castle estate in Scotland. She was queen for 70 years and was Britain’s longest-reigning sovereign.

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The Associated Press

JIMMY BUFFETT celebrated slackers before the word existed, even though he was hardly one himself.

“Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville,” went the chorus to his most famous song, which became an international singalong. But Bu ett was actually an astute, ambitious, aggressive businessman.

A statement posted to Buffett’s o cial website and social media pages announced his passing on Friday at age 76. The statement did not say where Bu ett died or give a cause. He rescheduled concerts in May and acknowledged he had been hospitalized for an unspeci ed illness.

Bu ett built an empire based largely on Caribbean- avored pop that celebrated the Florida Keys, sunshine and nightlife. His name became synonymous with a laid-back subtropical party vibe, and his fans were known as Parrotheads.

But behind the laid-back exterior, Bu ett was an admitted workaholic. He expanded into novels, nightclubs and many other ventures. At one time his estimated annual income was more than $40 million, and his revenue sources extended far beyond a musician’s typical business model of album sales, concert tickets and souvenir T-shirts.

He landed at No. 18 in Forbes’ list of the Richest Celebrities of All Time with a net worth of $1 billion.

The title of Bu ett’s most popular song showed up on restaurants, clothing, booze and casinos. He became involved in such products as Landshark Lager, the Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chains, boat shoes, salsa, hummus, tortillas, dips, tequila and blenders. The Margaritaville cafe on the Las Vegas strip was said to be the top grossing restaurant in the nation.

Bu ett was chairman of Margaritaville Holdings based in Palm Beach, Florida. He had a restaurant and a casino in Vegas, a casino in Mississippi and a hotel in Pensacola Beach, Florida, but the exact scope of his empire was a secret. Margaritaville Holdings LLC didn’t disclose its nances, and he usually declined interview requests.

Along with hit songs, Buffett wrote best-selling novels. In 2008 he was ranked by Vanity Fair as No. 97 on a list of the 100 most in uential people in

the world, and his fan base was broad and loyal. Even when he was in his 60s, his concert tickets fetched more than $100.

“I’m not about to apologize for being a good businessman,”

Bu ett told The Washington Post in 1998. “Too many people in music have ruined their lives because they weren’t. I’m not a great singer, and I’m only a so-so guitar player. I started running the band years ago because nobody else could, and I turned out to be good at this stu . There’s never been any grand plan to this thing. I’m making it up as I go along. ... Just trying to work the system while maintaining my ‘60s anarchic soul.”

Bu ett was born on Christmas Day, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He once said he arrived in the Keys driving a 1946 Packard in about 1970. He found his musical niche during that decade with breezy, island-in uenced party tunes. The tone was set with a popular song in 1973, “Why Don’t We Get Drunk?”

He became a pop star in 1977, when “Margaritaville” cracked the Top 10. The song has provided a soundtrack to countless happy hours in the decades since.

Bu ett’s 1992 collection titled “Boats, Beaches, Bars, and Ballads” became one of the best-selling box sets ever and his annual summer concert tours with his Coral Reefer Band became major events, drawing thousands of Parrotheads who would dress up in Hawaiian shirts, leis, funny hats and other mellow party accessories. Some would follow Bu et’s tour from city to city.

“We were the social network before there was a social network on the Internet,” Bu ett told the Dallas Morning News in 2012. “They had something in common; they shared things. They started dressing up because they were listening to the music. It was the common bond.”

Business success soon eclipsed record sales. According to Bu ett’s website, the rst Margaritaville opened in Key West, Florida, in 1987. The chain grew to 16 outlets and Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., teamed up with Bu ett to develop the $700 million Margaritaville Casino & Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, near where he was raised.

Regardless of his commercial achievements, Bu ett’s legacy will be, in his words, “helping people forget their troubles for a couple of hours.”

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Jimmy Bu ett’s laid-back party vibe created adoring

‘Parrotheads’ and success beyond music

FILE PHOTO BY DAVID SINCLAIR

Jimmy Bu et performs at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, in 2016.

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