Less than a week from the election, the presidential campaigns are in full get-out-the-vote mode. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz was in Wilmington last week, while rst lady Jill Biden made appearances in Fayetteville and Raleigh on Friday. President Donald Trump has been holding events across all the swing states, including one planned for Rocky Mount next week and a rally at Madison Square Garden in deep blue New York City on Sunday with a surprise appearance from his wife, Melania.
Commissioners delay water system vote to Nov. 4
The decision was delayed because of an absence at the last meeting
By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record
PITTSBORO — The board was slated to vote on merging the county’s water system with the City of Sanford at its Oct. 21 meeting, but since Vice Chair Karen Howard was absent from the meeting, the board elected to postpone a vote on the matter till their next meeting on Nov. 4. However, the board was given an overview of what the merger will entail.
“I want to be really crystal clear about this,” said County Manager Dan LaMontagne. “This agreement would transfer all responsibility for setting rates and operating the system to TriRiver. TriRiver will consult with the county before any kind of increases and at least annually, but in reality, we’ll be working with them pretty continuously when any developments come up.”
Montagne also stated that TriRiver’s water and sewer system standards and policies will also be applied to the county the same way they are applied to any residents or development in Sanford and that the Chatham County UDO will still control development.
In addition, the agreement lays out the plan for the construction of the Hatley Road and Renaissance Drive Looping Watermain projects at an estimated cost of $4.8 million in total.
“The city also agrees to use the remaining portions of the Chatham County water fund balance on projects that will bene t Chatham County,” Montagne said.
In terms of changes for residents, those include:
• Water bills coming from TriRiver instead of Chatham County.
• Change in account numbers.
• The 10% increase to water rates previously planned for July 1 will go into e ect March 1 instead.
• System development fees for
See BOARD, page A2
HS seniors make key life choices under the stress of Helene recovery
First Covid, now Helene — these students have faced more than most
By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press
ASHEVILLE — On a recent Friday, Ari Cohen and three friends — all seniors at Asheville High School — gathered to play UNO inside his house, next to a pile of bottled water in his living room. It had been weeks since they
Brass knuckles and brains: Navarro continues to ght for Trump
The controversial economist looks to win the trade war with China
By Shawn Krest Chatham News & Record
GOLDSBORO — When the Trump/ Vance bus stopped in Goldsboro two weeks ago, more than a half dozen Republican politicians and former members of the Trump administration spoke to the assembled crowd, giving brief speeches.
Each speaker was given a three-minute time limit. There was no question-and-answer period.
That didn’t stop one member of the audience from speaking up, however.
As Peter Navarro entered his ninth minute of speaking, and the former deputy assistant to the president was clearly winding down, a MAGA-clad listener shouted from the third row.
“Before you go, can I just ask you one thing?”
Navarro nodded slowly.
“Well, I’m going to answer that,” he said. “I think I know what you’re going to ask me. Because there’s only two things people always say. I spent four years in the White House doing all sorts of stu — creating jobs. During the pandemic, I was saving lives, and I grew up in public. But the only thing people want to know: Do I have a tattoo, and what’s it like in prison?”
The 75-year-old Navarro is a Harvard-educated economist. While the other passengers on the Trump bus dressed in politician casual — bold-colored polo shirts, jeans and bright smiles — Navarro wore a suit, tie and dour frown. Don’t let the background and wardrobe fool you, though: This is no mild-mannered bean counter.
Navarro served a four-month prison sentence earlier this year for contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with a subpoena to testify in the Jan. 6 investigation. After being released from a fed-
See NAVARRO, page A7
and thousands of other students had been inside a classroom because of devastation from Hurricane Helene, which left a massive tree leaning on Cohen’s house. Without reliable cell or internet service, students in hard-hit Asheville have been nding other ways to pass the time — whether volunteering, exploring hurricane-damaged parts of town or playing board games.
“We’ve been hanging out
See SENIORS, page A10
STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH / AP PHOTO
High school senior Nathan Flaherty packs hygiene kits for people in need of supplies in Asheville earlier this month.
SHAWN KREST / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
CRIME LOG
Oct. 22
• Luis Alonso VelascoPerez, 28, of Siler City, was arrested for assault by strangulation and child abuse.
Oct. 23
• Michael Lee Brower, 53, of Siler City, was arrested for possession of rearm by felon, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and failure to secure rearms to protect minor.
• Ivan Canela-Sanchez, 24, of Siler City, was arrested for possession of marijuana and related paraphernalia, and failure to appear.
Oct. 24
• Benjamin Patrick McGaughnea, 22, of Pittsboro, was arrested for communicating threats, cyberstalking, and harassing phone calls.
• Derek Roland Erber, 38, of Durham, was arrested for possession of Schedule 2 controlled substances, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of controlled substances on prison/jail premises.
Oct. 25
• Caleb Joshua Sistare, 22, of Sanford, was arrested for larceny of motor vehicle, property damage, and breaking and entering a motor vehicle.
• Elizabeth Danielle Hedgepeth-Brower, 46, of Siler City, was arrested for possession of marijuana paraphernalia and improper storage of rearms.
• Steve Ross Allen Jr., 56, of Siler City, was arrested for possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Oct. 26
• Harry Raymond Watson, 19, of Pittsboro, was arrested for communicating threats.
Oct. 27
• Brian Lucas Wood, 52, of Siler City, was arrested for driving under the in uence.
Oct. 28
• Alexander Aristeo-Moreno, 22, of Burlington, was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation.
• David Benjamin Turner, 42, of Winston Salem, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.
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new connections for a typical residential single-family home will increase on March 1 from $5,000 to $8,000
Montagne also stated that residents who pay the bill through online drafts from their checking or savings accounts will have that information automatically transferred to TriRiver.
Finally, the City of Sanford will also make an o er of employment to all county water and sewer employees that shall be no lower than their current salaries and shall include bene ts and accumulated leave according to Montagne.
Currently, TriRiver encompasses the City of Sanford, the Town of Pittsboro and the town of Siler City.
The board also held a public hearing for a potential amendment to the county’s Subdivision Regulations.
The amendment would add a six month deadline for the rst plat applications following the submission of a concept plan for subdivision applications.
“These changes are needed to address the current issue which is one of expediency,” said Planner Glenn Hunter. “Currently, developers will have a pre-concept meeting and consultations with sta when they submit their concept plan application. After that, there’s a neighborhood meeting and a technical review committee meeting as part of the process. The next step in the process would be their submission of the rst plat for review.
“However, sometimes a rst plat can come in a year or two later and then all the land use departments have to come back together and have more meetings and take up more sta time to get up to speed on that project. So having a six month time limit on elapsing between concept and rst plat would help sta process submittals more e ciently and e ectively.” Following the hearing, the board recommended the item back to the planning board fornal approval.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will next meet Nov. 4.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Chatham County:
Oct. 31
Community Blood Drive
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Chatham Community Library Holmes Family Meeting Room
197 NC-87 Pittsboro, NC 27312
To make an appointment visit
Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross , scroll down to the blood drive for October 31 at Chatham Community Library, then click on “See Times.” Halloween costumes are encouraged!
The Fearrington Farmers’ Market is located in Fearrington Village right o 15-501, halfway between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. This producer-only market has over three dozen members and is now in its 30th season! Each week you can nd vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, owers, home-canned goods and baked goods — a wonderful array of foods and avors — grown or made for healthy, happy living.
Growers & Makers Market
Siler City
3 to 5:30 p.m.
The Growers and Makers Market takes place March through October, 4-7 p.m., and November throught December, 3-5:30 p.m. in the Boling Chair Park parking lot on 3rd Street (202 W. Third St.) in historic downtown Siler City, rain or shine.
Red-cockaded woodpecker no longer endangered
The bird’s nesting clusters have quintupled from their lows
By Bill Barrow
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
The red-cockaded woodpecker, an iconic bird in southeastern forests, has recovered enough of its population to be downlisted from an endangered species to a threatened one, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday.
“The downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker marks a signi cant milestone in our nation’s commitment to preserving biodiversity,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in a statement.
At one point in the 1970s, the red-cockaded woodpecker population had dipped as low as 1,470 clusters — or groups of nests, wildlife ofcials said. Today, there are an estimated 7,800 clusters.
“It’s an amazing bird that has an unusual communal nesting structure,” said Will Harlan of the nonpro t Center for Biological Diversity. “All nests usually cluster in the same tree, and the birds stick together as a family unit.”
Red-cockaded woodpeckers are habitat specialists that nest only in mature long-leaf pine forests, building nests in cavities of living trees partially hollowed out by a fungus.
Long-leaf pine forests once spanned much of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions, from New Jersey to Texas, but logging and development in the region reduced that to only 3% of this original habitat today, said Harlan.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers were one of the rst species designated as “endangered” in the United States in 1970, and the birds received full protections with passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Since then, habitat resto -
ration and protection on both public and private lands have helped the species to partially recover. Managed e orts to relocate birds from stronghold areas to reestablish populations in other forests have also aided the species, said Georgetown ecologist Emily Williams.
“The news is exciting because it’s a conservation success story in many ways,” she said. “But there still needs to be caution to keep the species thriving.”
It will still be prohibited to “take” — meaning harass, hunt or harm — the woodpeckers or their habitat in most instances. But the status change allows for the possibility of some new exceptions to those protections.
“The species still has a long way to go for a full recovery,” said Ramona McGee, senior attorney and wildlife program leader at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Removing endangered species protections now could reverse past gains.”
SOUTH FORK FRIENDS
Annual Fall Festival, November 2, 2024. Fried Chicken Tenders or Bar-B-Q (Pork) Eat in or Take Out
$12.00 Adult; $6.00 Children under 12. Dessert and Tea Included Supper: 4:00-7:00 p.m. Auction: 7:15 p.m. 359 South Fork-Bethel Road Snow Camp, NC
November 2nd
RENEE BODINE/USFWS VIA AP
A red-cockaded woodpecker clings to the side of a pine tree in April 2023.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
Holy Halloween magic
When are we as generous to each person who shows up at our doorstep?
AS THE ELECTION draws closer, anxiety is running high. There is considerable uncertainty in the results, as well as the possibility of violence. In this atmosphere, might we understand Halloween as more than just a night of frenzied sugar consumption?
I’m aware that some people of faith frown upon or outright prohibit Halloween. The name comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” a carnival-like holiday in the Middle Ages. Its deep roots may well include pre-Christian traditions of honoring the dead, appeasing evil spirits, and marking the end of the summer harvest before the darkest days of the year.
But what about today? Halloween is the second most popular holiday in America, trailing only Christmas. I’m not arguing that people of faith must always submit to the dictates of popular culture.
But consider this: While we are all aware of the political divisions in our
COLUMN | BOB WACHS
society, which re ect and reinforce deeper divisions of class, race, gender and more, the simple words “Trick or treat!” cross those barriers. On what other night do we welcome strangers into our neighborhoods? When are we as generous to each person who shows up at our doorstep?
From this perspective, we could view Halloween as o ering a sacramental glimpse, symbolizing a visible manifestation of invisible grace. It is characterized by homes adorned with lights and decorations, intergenerational fun, and a spirit of joy permeating the air. Maybe that magic of community can carry us through this divisive election.
Again, I know that some people of faith think Halloween is part of occult practices. Others complain of wild children and marauding youth. Could it be that these people are missing the larger point?
Here’s what I know: Many religions,
philosophies and worldviews teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves despite the fact that individuals may not share the same thoughts or viewpoints. Halloween provides an opportunity to celebrate and embody this love command, rooted in the belief that, despite our di erences and costumes, we all possess sacred worth and dignity. Kids in costumes are delightful. Yet, my favorite part of trick-or-treating is actually watching adults at the door; how they pretend to be frightened by scary costumes; how they distribute extra candy; and how they lose themselves in laughter, transforming into children at heart — transformation a wry rabbi once described as a sacred wondrous magic on any given night.
Andrew Taylor-Troutman is pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church as well as a writer, pizza maker, co ee drinker and student of joy.
Life, like time and tide, waits for no one
Somewhere in the midst of all that, it occurred to me that the seasons of the year and the seasons of our lives can — and do — often transition easily from one to another.
THERE’S A CHILL in the air.
Fall is here. The calendar says so; the weather con rms it.
Sure, there are still warm days. And it’s been said by natives and transplants alike that if you don’t like the weather here, just wait ve minutes; it’ll probably change.
I had an up-close personal reminder of that early one morning this week. My better half was o being a grandmother, and I was on our front porch in my rocking chair o ce, cup of co ee in hand. A modest breeze was coming from the east and, when coupled with the quiet of the morning, it made things pleasantly cool.
And good.
All of that was nice, those external sensations — the breeze, the quiet, the stout java. But there was more.
As I’ve always been prone to do — and apparently am doing more — my mind began wandering. Sometimes it goes o on long trips, moving from one thought to another until I can’t get back to where I started. Other times, it takes those lengthy excursions and I can return to the starting line; the latter are more preferred than the former. And then there are those short trips somewhere of someone or someplace at some time.
As I was exploring those mind roads, a thought came: life is like that. We start o in spring, as little folks like buds on owers or the newly born lambs. We nd, as Bill Cosby often said before his fall, that we indeed “started out as a child.”
Then comes summer, and it lasts a long time, from youth to young adulthood, until mid-life sometimes. We grow, strive and prosper in all sorts
of ways, just like the trees of the forest or crops in the eld. We reach upward toward the sky, con dent we’ll always be like this. That’s one reason when tragedy intrudes into the world of youth we are so shocked.
Sitting in the rocker, alternately drinking and smelling the co ee, I thought of some of the folks of those two seasons in my life... my long-gone grandparents whom I barely remember, my folks whom I remember well and miss... aunts and uncles and cousins... my brothers when we all wore younger men’s clothes, even young people clothes... my better half ( thankfully), her folks, my own children and grands... some long ago girlfriends, wondering how their lives turned out... some high school buddies, including one who left us when tragedy entered our summer world... some college friends I was sure I’d never lose sight of until I saw their names on the obituary pages.
There were folks of di erent careers — long ago at The Chatham News, the Asheboro Courier-Tribune when I thought I wanted to be a reporter on a daily, of a corporate communication career with an out t that doesn’t exist anymore (not my fault)... of folks encountered during a journey into vocational ministry... pastors and seminary professors, all good, some better than others: Dr. Horne, Dr. Dale, Dr. Durham... a dear friend as close as a brother who crossed the Great Divide in his sleep one night when he was way too young... and on and on.
Somewhere in the midst of all that, it occurred to me that the seasons of the year and the seasons of our lives can — and do — often transition easily from one
to another. After all, it wasn’t so long ago, the weather was hot and dry as summer was in full swing. Then came cooler days and nights, and autumn. So with our lives. I realized, for me, summer’s over and it’s fall. Winter’s next. Part of that is because I’ve had a few birthdays. Part is because my shoulders are shot and it’s hard to hold my arms upward for very long. Part of it is the realization I’ve had a few visits with surgeons for various necessities, and while things went well, they did not turn back the clock to spring ... or even early summer.
The key, I think, to all this awareness of the seasons of time and life is rst, to know where we are. As much as I’m able, I want to stretch out fall as long as possible. That’s why for the weather forecast, there’s wood under the shelter, some of it in wife-size pieces, and for the body there’s Bengay for aching joints.
Then, secondly, it’s to make the best of the season you’re in. I enjoyed remembering all those people, places and things while in the rocking chair the other day, but the reality is, I can’t change a thing or live there. That’s not to say I won’t visit again, maybe soon when it’s cool again and the co ee pot is on, but the key will be not only to remember but to learn.
My hope for you is that you have similar places to visit, good folks to remember and life lessons learned. If so, enjoy and pass along those lessons. If not, take a look at your calendar and see where you are. It’s likely not too late to start.
Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.
COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN
Might I be disavowed?
All the Marvel characters are fallible, con icted, humorendowed and struggling with their personal humanity.
IT’S HIGHLY EMBARRASSING to be a peace-loving, non-violent, Quaker and a viewer of the violent, action-packed Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Avengers! Captain America! Iron Man! What has happened to me? Will my Quaker community disavow me?
The pandemic hit. Like many people, I went into strict quarantine. My TV died a long time ago and I was ne with that. All those commercials just kept me scurrying into the kitchen to raid the fridge, a serious challenge to my growing waistline. However, I needed more space-out opportunities from the pandemic. Lo and behold, I discovered the Disney+ provider had a great deal for a year and I bought it — hook, line, sinker and Captain America.
Captain America? Excuse me?
Disney+ is also the repository for the full Marvel Cinematic Universe. And, let’s face it, the still very-alive child in me loves superhero scenes of ying, supernatural strength, etc. You know, magic. Who couldn’t have used a release from our fears, during that pandemic thing?
Yeah, yeah, juicy pandemic rationalizations aside, and returning to outing myself as an Avengers! viewer, I’m incredibly queasy around ghting and violence. It just seems so gratuitous, so unnecessary — so, well, violent. I mean, do movie characters need to be knifed in the stomach to make a movie worth viewing?
(Judging by the profusion of times I’ve seen this violence occur in Marvel movies, the answer would appear to be yes.) I just don’t
get it and shut my eyes, tightly, during those scenes. (OK, OK, this seems an appropriate time to unmask myself as a paci st.)
However, in contrast to the comic book superheroes with whom I grew up, (Superman! Batman! The Hulk!), all the Marvel characters are fallible, con icted, humor-endowed and struggling with their personal humanity, despite superhuman gifts. (You can see I’m redeeming myself as a Quaker by my mention of humanity.) Minus their capes and costumes, Avengers, like we humans, might also bene t from that very-human practice called therapy.
As a time-limited spino from reality, I love the wizardry in all the Avengers movies. Still, it’s the superheroes’ very human struggles, and humor, that prompt my periodic revisiting of these lms. Granted, I can’t y (sigh, except in my dreams), but many facets of the magical Avengers also parallel my struggles as a esh-and-blood human being.
When in need of a cinematic escape into unreality, I’ll continue my practice of streaming, speedily, through Marvel ght scenes (some of which seem to last forever.) For viewers who might be inured to ght sequences, I hope you’re touched by the depictions of superheroes struggling with the challenge of living into the values of their own humanity. Cape or no cape, we’re all struggling with our humanity.
Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.
Promises made, promises kept
House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, to x this crisis and enforce our laws.
WHEN HOUSE Republicans took the majority nearly two years ago, we uni ed around a bold agenda to grow our economy, secure our borders, restore law and order, protect freedom and hold Big Government accountable. We not only made those promises, we’ve kept them.
Throughout the 118th Congress, House Republicans worked tirelessly to tackle the countless crises created by the Harris-Biden administration’s reckless policies. From record-high in ation, increasing crime, the worst border crisis in history and your constitutional rights under attack, we have been laser-focused on addressing the real concerns you and your family face every day.
House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, including H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security package to x this crisis and enforce our laws once and for all.
We also fought to reverse the administration’s anti-American energy policies that have skyrocketed prices across the board by passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.
When the Left targeted parents’ rights, we passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, to protect parents’ right to have a say in their child’s education. House Republicans passed several bills to support our allies, like Israel, and combat the threat of our adversaries, like China.
We also took action to keep our elections safe and secure by passing the SAVE Act, which would ensure only American citizens
can vote in federal elections. These are just a few of the accomplishments we made on the House oor.
In committee hearings, House Republicans have pushed for strong oversight to hold the Harris-Biden administration accountable for its failures. We exposed the administration’s botched handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and how they have deliberately weakened our nation’s border security to create the crisis we are witnessing at the border.
With so many of our college campuses, particularly the so-called “elite” schools, erupting into hotbeds of antisemitic hate, we held college administrators accountable for failing to protect Jewish students from being targeted. We also launched a task force to investigate the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, get the truth you deserve and ensure this horri c act of political violence never happens again.
Despite a slim majority and control of only one chamber of Congress, House Republicans have made signi cant progress in addressing the issues that are most important to you and your family. However, we have more work to do to save America and undo the damage caused by the HarrisBiden administration and the Far Left’s disastrous policies.
Make no mistake: House Republicans will never stop ghting for you, your family, and our great country.
Rep. Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WANDA MOHR
Reproductive care saved my life
IN 1974, I found out I was pregnant. My husband and I were overjoyed.
But then I found out that I had an ectopic pregnancy which would put both my life and future ability to have children at risk.
Our happy news became a dangerous, potentially life-threatening situation. Luckily, I was able to get the medical care I needed to save my life and ability to have children. I had an abortion in which the ectopic pregnancy was terminated. While we were devastated, my husband, my doctors and I all knew it was the standard and correct medical procedure for this condition.
But I would not be able to get the medical care I needed under Donald Trump’s extreme abortion bans unleashed across the country, including here in North Carolina, after his hand-picked Supreme Court justices overturned Roe v. Wade. To make it worse, Trump repeatedly boasts about being responsible for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling it “a beautiful thing.”
My husband was a physician before he retired, and he and I remember life before Roe v. Wade. He treated women in emergency rooms before Roe, in a world where there were no options. And now after Roe, we once again are seeing those same kinds of heartbreaking situations confronting women all over the news.
This is the dystopian world Trump has created for women and girls in North Carolina and all over the United States.
One in three women of reproductive age are now living under a Trump abortion ban. My four granddaughters have fewer rights than their mothers or their grandmothers because of one man — Donald Trump.
In a world where women have made such strides for gender equality, Trump and his abortion bans have forced us to go backward.
And now, with his Project 2025 agenda, Trump wants to take us even further back. Trump’s Project 2025 would ban abortion nationwide, even in states where abortion currently remains legal, and would restrict access to birth control.
As if that wasn’t enough, Trump and JD Vance’s support for Mark Robinson tells you everything you need to know about their anti-reproductive freedom agenda. Robinson said that women who get abortions weren’t “responsible enough to keep (their) skirt down,” and said it is “not your body” anymore once you become pregnant.
Women in North Carolina deserve better. My granddaughters deserve better.
That is why this November, I’m proud to be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris because she is the only candidate who is standing up for women and ghting to restore the reproductive rights that have been ripped away from us.
Like the majority of Americans, Harris believes that the government should not be telling women what to do with their bodies. She knows that often di cult and deeply personal decisions should be between a woman and her doctor. That is the kind of leader and the kind of world I want for my granddaughters.
On Election Day, let’s show the world that when women ght, we win, and send Kamala Harris to the White House.
Wanda Mohr lives in Chatham County. This letter was sent by the N.C. Democratic Party.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR SUSAN
MILLS
Harris broke it; Trump will fix it
This may be the most consequential election of our lifetimes. Voters are presented with the choice between four more years of the failed HarrisBiden administration that broke our economy and stole our sense of security or a return to the successful years of President Donald Trump, who gave us lower costs, a thriving economy, safer streets and a secure border.
Over the past four years, we have seen what happens when our president and vice president stop focusing on what’s important to Americans. As a result, our country has paid a terrible price through skyrocketing in ation and an out-ofcontrol immigration crisis.
In contrast, President Trump’s economic policies translate directly to lower costs that make it easier to put food on the table, save for your children’s future and enjoy life without constant nancial strain. Anyone in charge of managing a household budget knows these challenges, and it’s enough to worry about without the added stress of violence, criminal gangs and illegal drugs in our children’s schools and on our streets.
Updated statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation show violent crime in America increased 4.5% under Harris-Biden. Meanwhile, Trump’s record of stopping criminals from entering our country and restoring safe communities means that our families can thrive without fear.
This November, every North Carolinian should make their voice heard because America can’t handle four more years of disaster. The answer is clear: Kamala Harris broke it, and Donald Trump will x it.
She lives in Fayetteville.
Susan Mills is vice chair of NCGOP and a high school teacher in Sampson County.
COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON
JORDAN GOLSON / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks at a rally for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
obituaries
Matilda Jane Paschal Carter
Aug. 9, 1939 –Oct. 21, 2024
Matilda Jane Paschal Carter, 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.O. Carter Jr. and his son Cli Carter, her parents Wade and Mary Lee Paschal Sr., and her beloved sister, “Libby” Lindley. She is survived by her son, Chris Carter (Pam) Siler City; grandson, Noah Carter, High Point; sister, Nancy Price and brother Wade Paschal Jr. (Sharon) both of Siler City; numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family David Carter, Dietra Carter Lunney (Ed).
Matilda was born in Chatham County, NC, on August 9,1939, to Wade and Mary Lee Paschal. She attended Meredith College and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church where she was a member of the Rachel Allred Sunday School Class and several ministries within the church. Matilda enjoyed people and made many
memories with her garden and bridge club friends. She enjoyed a fty-year career in banking.
Family gatherings were dear to her heart. All enjoyed Matilda’s delicious baking and cooking skills. She created a beautiful home, a beautiful yard, and was known for feeding nature’s “critters” such as birds, butter ies, and squirrels. She had a soft spot for her granddog, Luna. They enjoyed daily visits and treats.
Matilda and her grandson, Noah, shared a special bond. She was involved in all aspects of his life, especially his love of baseball and Tarheel sports. Her commitment to Noah’s wellbeing was a top priority.
A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC, on Saturday, October 26, at 2:00. Graveside service will follow at Oakley Baptist Church Cemetery, Siler City. In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church.
The family would like to thank UNC Hospice and care givers, especially Nancy Dunn.
“And, while we look forward to seeing again our former friends on earth when we get to heaven, it gives us the greatest joy to know that wherever HE IS there shall we be also.”
Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Carter family.
Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com
Larry David Welch
June 25, 1941 –Oct. 27, 2024
Larry David Welch, 83, of Siler City, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, at home surrounded by family. David was born on June 25th, 1941, in Chatham County to the late Theodore and Pearl Brown Welch. He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Tonya W. Saunders; his grandsons,
Zane Michael Holland
Dec. 19, 1994 –Oct. 21, 2024
Zane Michael Holland, 29, of Asheville passed away Monday, October 21st, 2024. Zane was born on December 19th, 1994, in Orange County to Michael and Robin Holland. He is preceded in death by grandmother, Carolyn Gilliland; his brother, Blake Kevin Mashburn; great grandparents, Gertie &
James “Jim” Alfred Bowers
July 9, 1938 –Oct. 22, 2024
Hunter Brian Saunders, and Kenneth Dustin Welch; his sisters, Mary W. Powers, Doris W. Fields, and Christine W. Beal; and his brother, James R. Welch. David has left to cherish his memory his wife of 60 years, Linda Johnson Welch; his daughter, Dana Welch of Siler City; his sons, Kenneth Welch and his wife, Kim of Star and Ted Welch of Liberty; seven grandchildren, Macie, Trevor, Stephanie, Brandon, Hannah, Bryson, and Ethan; eight great grandchildren, Bryson, Dakota, Madison, Braylee, Brewster, Vincine, Davis, Harper, and one on the way. David worked with the handicapped doing woodworking at Chatham Trades. He was a member of Community Baptist Church. He loved building things and going to thrift stores. He would go to the nursing homes and minister to the
Robert Gaines. Zane received his diploma from Central Carolina Community College. He graduated from the Recovery Ventures program in Black Mountain. He was a very likable and loved person. He left an impression on and brought joy to everyone. Zane liked to go hiking, shopping, being out in nature, eating, gaming, and mentoring. He was a great mentor. To know Zane was to love him. He was the former owner of 2 Coats Painting Company.
Zane is survived by his parents, Michael, and Robin Holland; his girlfriend, Vanesa Carballo; his three sons, Isaac Bowman, Bentley Jurius, and Mason She eld; his sisters, Annie Mashburn, Chelsea Holland, and Kaylee Holland; his brothers, Michael Holland, Jr. and Hunter Burgess; his
Margaret Elizabeth Buckner Bowers. He is preceded in death by his parents; his rst wife, Frances S. Bowers; his grandson, William Ryan Bowers; his brother, Billy Joe Bowers; and his stepdaughter, Gayla Stephens.
shut ins. He loved people. David loved all kinds of music and in his earlier years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles. He was a Jack of all Trades and loved working with his hands, especially when Linda had chores for him to do. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 31st, 2024, at 2 pm, at Community Baptist Church with Reverend Mark Agan and Reverend Keith Johnson o ciating. A visitation will be held at the church an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Chatham Memorial Park in Siler City. Memorials can be made to Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 N. Second Ave., Siler City, NC 27344. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Welch family. Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com
maternal grandparents, J.B. and Jackie Gilliland; and his paternal grandparent, Joan Marie Holland; his aunts and uncles, Robert Holland III, Patricia Ann Holland, Teresa & Gerald Binkley, Tracy White, Jay & Jacqueline Gilliland, Jason & Megan Gilliland, Jill & Josh Williams, and Janet Gilliland; as well as several nieces & nephews. A Memorial Graveside service will be held Sunday, October 27th, 2024, at 2 pm, at Gaines Grove Cemetery. Reverend Dennis Boone and Reverend Don Southern will be o ciating the services. Memorial donations may be made to the Recovery Ventures Program, 2706 US70, Swannanoa, NC 28778. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Holland family. Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com
and he worked as a district manager in the insurance eld.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamrecord.com
James “Jim” Alfred Bowers, 86, of Goldston, passed away Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024, at Chatham Hospital surrounded by family.
Jim was born in Chatham County on July 9th, 1938, to the late Alfred O. and
Jim enjoyed riding motorcycles and going on cruises. He drove the bus for Holiday Tours. Jim loved baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He attended Covenant United Methodist Church and formerly attended Hickory Mountain Chapel. Currently, he attended Hickory Mountain Chapel and enjoyed spending time with his church family. Jim was an Air Force Veteran
Jim has left to cherish his memory, his wife of the home, Faye T. Elkins; his son, Chris Bowers of High Point; his stepsons, Rusty, and Rocky Elkins of Goldston; and his grandchildren, Nathan, Mason, Kate, and Ella. Memorials can be made to Hickory Mountain Chapel, 201 Hadley Mill Rd., Pittsboro, NC 27312.
A graveside service will be held Monday, October 28th, 2024, at 11 am, at Hickory Mountain Chapel.
Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Bowers family. Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com
William Joseph Smith
April 15, 1985 –Oct. 23, 2024
William Joseph Smith, age 39, of Sanford, died Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Joseph was born in Chatham County on April 15, 1985, to Rebecca Douglas Smith and the late
William Ledon Smith. He was also preceded in death by paternal grandparents William Smith and Dorothy Smith, and maternal grandmother, Carol Douglas. Surviving relatives include his wife Victoria Elizabeth Smith, two sons, William “Jase” Smith, Wyatt Joseph Smith, one daughter, Whitley Jo Smith, mother Rebecca “Becky” Douglas of Sanford, stepmother Kristie “Kris” Smith of Pittsboro, sister Tabitha Smith of Morehead City, nieces Ella and Tegan Smith, Uncle Shannon Smith and Aunt Robin Smith. Joseph was a close follower of God, dedicated husband & father, Harley Davidson fanatic, and electrician for 23 years. He was loved by anyone who he
encountered and the life of the party.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 5pm-7pm at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory Gri n Chapel.
A funeral service will be held Monday, October 28, 2024, at 11am at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory Gri n Chapel with Rev. Gary Moore presiding.
In lieu of owers, the family asks for donations to be made in Joseph’s memory to a share account at State Employee’s Credit Unit for the bene t of his children.
Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals. com. Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Smith family.
MARSHALL “ISAAC” JORDAN SR.
OCT. 20, 2024
Marshall “Isaac” Jordan Sr., age 44 of Sanford, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at his home. He was born in Lee County to the late Je rey Marshall Jordan and Sherry Sue Ellis Myers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandfather’s Gilbert Ellis and William Isaac Jordan. Isaac worked as a silk screener at John Beverly Printing Company for 14 years and considered his coworkers family. In his spare time, he enjoyed shing, taking cruises with his family and spending time with his nephew, Grayson, who he shared a special bond with. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Stephanie; sons Marshall Isaac Jordan, Jr. of Florida, Jonathon Michael Jordan and Matthew Taylor Jordan of the home; brother Travis Jordan (Kimberly) of Cameron; grandmothers Betty Frye of Pittsboro and Ann Brewer Trift of Siler City; step-father Kenneth Myers of Cameron; mother-in-law Carla Renee Wicker Laws of Sanford; father-in-law Ronnie Lee Moore of Sanford; sisters-in-law Kelly Moore Hill (Jay) of Sanford, Samantha Moore (April) of Goldston and Brandi Wicker of Sanford; uncles Steven Ellis of Ramseur, Wayne Ellis of Staley and Charlie Jordan of Sanford; aunt Melissa Jordan of Randleman and a host of nieces and nephews.
ROBERT LEE “BOB” KNIGHT SR.
APRIL 27, 1932 –OCT. 18, 2024
Robert Lee “Bob” Knight Sr., age 92 of Sanford, passed away on Friday (10/18/2024) at his home. He was born on April 27, 1932, son of the late Walter Percy Knight and Addie Elizabeth Hubbard Knight. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Anna Lorene and Bobbi Jean and his rst wife, Betty Knight. When asked where he was born, Bob would reply that he was born in Reidsville, NC in the shade of the Lucky Strike Tobacco Sheds. He was retired from the United States Navy as a Chief Petty O cer after serving 20 years. He also retired from Mac’s Business Supply and was an employee and volunteer at Central Carolina Hospital. Bob loved to travel and Key West Florida was his favorite place in the entire world. He was a member of Saint Luke United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Biddle Sunday School Class and a member of the Thursday morning bible study group. He loved to sing and traveled often to attend the Gaither Homecoming concerts. He was a Mason for many years, loved to wear hats and never met a stranger. Surviving is his wife, Gayle Steinberg Knight of the home. Daughters, Linda Faye Knight (Ricky James) of Sanford, NC, Brenda Hunt (Wayne) of Prospect Hill, NC, Diane Oldham (David) of Sanford, NC, Christina Hull (Michael) of Greensboro, NC and Keli Queen (Larry) of Concord, NC; Sons, Robert Lee Knight Jr. (Betty) of Lancaster, SC and James William Knight of Sanford, NC; Sister, Nancy Graham of Pennsylvania; brother, Gary Graham of Florida and several grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
LINDA CARROLL BEAL CHEEK
SEPT. 26, 1945 –OCT. 27, 2024
Linda Carroll Beal Cheek, 79, of Bear Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, at SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice House surrounded by her daughters. Linda was born September 26th, 1945, in Chatham County to the late Charles Walter and Ruth Rebecca Dowd Beal. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, John Scott Beal, and Earl Brooks. Linda worked as a teacher assistant with the Chatham County Schools. Linda was a member of Sandy Branch Baptist Church where she was the Sunday school director and taught the youth class, was in the church choir. She served on multiple church committees. She was a volunteer with UNC Hospice as a caregiver. Linda also taught cake decorating classes and started Busy Hands at Sandy Branch. She loved to cross stitch and crochet in her spare time. She also loved baking, canning, reading, and helping with community bene ts. She loved hummingbirds and owers sitting on the porch. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandkids and her family. Linda leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 59 years, Jimmy Glenn Cheek of the home; her daughters, Kimberly C. Palmer and her husband, Mike of Bear Creek, and Angela C. Shields and her husband, Mark of Bear Creek; her sisters, Marie Phillips of Bear Creek, and Joyce Hilliard of Siler City; and her grandchildren, Lucas W. Palmer, and Mary C. Shields, both of Bear Creek.
BARBARA SPRAKER SHAVELSON
DEC. 17, 1948 –OCT. 24, 2024
Barbara Spraker Shavelson, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed this life at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in Cary, NC, after a courageous battle with cancer. A longtime resident of Richmond, Virginia, Barbara graduated from Douglas S. Freeman High School in 1967. She raised two daughters while employed at Reynolds Metals Co. (Alcoa) as part of their pensions and bene ts team. Barbara then pursued her bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and graduated in 1998. She was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond. After retiring from Alcoa, she moved to Cary, NC to be close to her children and grandchildren. She made many new friends in NC, served on the board of her HOA, and stayed active with friends and family. She is survived by her two daughters Lynnell Naylor of Clayton, NC, and Karen Lawson (Bryan) of Cary, NC; four granddaughters Emma and Julia Naylor and Mallory and Sydney Lawson; her younger sister Janie Spraker Galloway of Pittsboro, NC; and three nephews, Matthew True, Andrew True and James Galloway. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Henry and Nell Taylor Spraker, and her older sister, Ellen Spraker Robinson. Barbara’s love for her family, strength of character, joy for life, and lasting friendships are her proudest legacies.
NAVARRO from page A1
eral prison in Miami in July, Navarro hopped a ight to Milwaukee and spoke at the Republican National Convention that night, showing no remorse as he railed against “Biden’s department of injustice”.
Prior to becoming the rst senior Trump o cial to serve time behind bars for the 2021 attack on the Capitol, Navarro had built a reputation as the White House o cial most willing to mix it up. He was one of the main architects of Trump’s controversial tari s against Chinese steel and other goods. The plan was decried by many fellow economists during Trump’s administration,
but the tari s remained through Biden’s presidency. Now, Navarro is one of the forces behind Trump’s plans to make much more aggressive use of tari s if elected again.
“I worked my way through grad school managing a small furniture store,” Navarro said. “And every year, I’d come down to High Point because it was the furniture capital of the world.”
Navarro blamed trade policy and Chinese knocko s for the damage they did to the High Point furniture market.
“What they did in North Carolina was a sin,” he said. “They took us apart.”
Navarro said that Trump’s tari s were “the rst defense any
president had every given this state.”
In addition to the impact of tari s on the trade war, Navarro pointed out the tari s also helped with a seemingly unrelated issue — one that has become a main topic of argument during this year’s campaign.
“I was in the Oval O ce the day President Trump nally secured the border,” he said. “He tried to build a wall, and Congress got in our way. He tried to shut the border, and liberal Obama judges got in our way. It was tough. My boss calls me in, and I’m sitting there with a White House legal council.”
The question Navarro was posing to the president: “Can we
put tari s on Mexico? Can we threaten them with tari s if they don’t shut the border?”
“So he does it,” Navarro recalled, “and the next day, everyone’s heads explode. ‘You can’t do that!” But 24 hours later, Mexico sent 20,000 troops to the border, and we cut the deal for the remain in Mexico policy.
“All it takes is a little brass knuckles and a little brains,” he concluded.
Of course, that’s the same combination that had Navarro spending the spring and early summer in a federal facility in South Florida.
Which brings us back to the two questions Peter Navarro always gets.
“Let me be honest,” he said, “if I showed you the tattoo, it would be X-rated, and there are kids here. So I’m not going to do that.” Then the smile faded from Navarro’s face and the laughter died down in the room. “With respect to what it’s like in prison,” he said, “I want to say something really serious: I don’t want you to nd out what prison is like. But if you let those SOBs back in, and you’re a Catholic, pro-life or you’re a parent going to a school board meeting, or you say you don’t want transgender people in women’s sports, and the FBI comes a-callin’ on people like you, then you could wind up in prison. If it happened to me, it can happen to you.”
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Small jobs – Electrical, Plumbing and Construction. Call Sean – 919444-5573
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
24 E 001561-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
The undersigned, Mary Elizabeth Groeneman, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Judith Wiggs, 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 January 22nd, 2025, 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 October, 2024.
Executor Mary Elizabeth Groeneman
c/o Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
24E001555-180 NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
The undersigned, David E. VanNess, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Millicent L. VanNess, 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 January 27th, 2025, 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 of October, 2024.
Executor David E. VanNess
c/o Marie H. Hopper
Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312
NOTICE
ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations holding claims against Daniel Joseph Shannon, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are noti ed to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before January 27, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 24th day of October 2024. Ellen Elizabeth Shannon, Exec., c/o Clarity Legal Group, PO Box 2207, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.
NOTICE
All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Rosa Lee Tucker, deceased of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before January 17th, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. This 17th day of October 2024 Christopher H. Dell, Executor c/o Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A. P.O. Box 20389 Raleigh, NC 27619-0389.
NOTICE
All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Rexford Francis Tucker, deceased of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before January 24th, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. This 24th day of October 2024. Christopher H. Dell, Executor c/o Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A. P.O. Box 20389 Raleigh, NC 27619-0389.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#24E001464-180
The undersigned, JAMES RAYMOND HODGEMAN, SR., having quali ed on the 30TH day of AUGUST, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ROBERTA A. HODGEMAN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 10TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2024. JAMES RAYMOND HODGEMAN, SR., EXECUTOR 1565 DEVIL’S TRAMPING GROUND BEAR CREEK, NC 27207 Run dates: O10,17,24,31p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#22 E 463
The undersigned, ANGELA T. ALSTON AND THOMAS BALDWIN, having quali ed on the 12TH day of AUGUST 2022, as CO-ADMINISTRATORS of the Estate of JOYCE M. BALDWIN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 22ND Day of JANUARY 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 24TH Day of OCTOBER, 2024.
MAIL TO: ANGELA T. ALSTON, CO-ADMINISTRATOR 31 BRIARWOOD CRT. DURHAM, NC 27713
THOMAS BALDWIN, CO-ADMINSTRATOR 1553 ROSSER RD. BEAR CREEK, NC 27207 Run dates: O24,O31,N7,14p NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#24E001567-180
The undersigned, MARVIN LEE WELCH, JR. AND GRANT LEE WELCH, having quali ed on the 17TH day of OCTOBER 2024, as CO-EXECUTORS of the Estate of JANE WELCH TERRELL, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29TH Day of JANUARY 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 31ST Day of OCTOBER 2024.
MAIL TO: MARVIN LEE WELCH, JR, CO-EXECUTOR
3170 ROSSER RD. BEAR CREEK, NC 27207 GRANT LEE WELCH, CO-EXECUTOR
8472 COVINGTON RIDGE RD. WAKE FOREST, NC 27587 Run dates: O31,N7,14,21p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 24E001531-180
All persons having claims against WILLIAM DELBERT BAKER, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of January, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.
This the 24th day of October, 2024. John Justice, Executor c/o Hemphill Gelder, PC PO Box 97035 Raleigh, NC 27624
Notice to Creditors
File No. 24E001410-180
North Carolina Chatham County Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of JENNIFER FEARS MOORE, deceased, of Chatham County, NC, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before January 20, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate are asked to make immediate payment.
This the 16th day of October, 2024. John H Moore, Administrator, 425 Bertram Valley Rd Apex, NC 27523 Chatham News and Record October 17, 24, 31, 2024, November 7, 2024
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#08E000003-180
The undersigned, NANCY R. BROWN, having quali ed on the 6TH day of AUGUST 2024, as
ADMINISTRATOR CTA of the Estate of GARY LEE
RIGSBEE, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29TH Day of JANUARY 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 31ST Day of OCTOBER 2024. NANCY R. BROWN, ADMINISTRATOR CTA 239 ROCKY RIDGE RD LEASBURG, NC 27291 Run dates: O31,N7,14,21p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001571-180 The undersigned, ALTHEA T. THOMPSON, having quali ed on the 21ST day of OCTOBER 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of GEORGE EDWARD
THOMAS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29TH Day of JANUARY 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 31ST Day of OCTOBER 2024. ALTHEA T. THOMPSON, ADMINISTRATOR PO BOX 907 SANFORD, NC 27331 Run dates: O31,N7,14,21p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Woodson Lea Powell IV, late of Chatham County, State of North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before the 31st day of January, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Elaine Cook, Executor James M. Ellis, Attorney Stone & Christy, P.A. 110 N. Dougherty Street Black Mountain, NC 28711 This the 31st day of October, 2024. Dates of Publication: October 31; November 7, 14, 21, 2024. Please mail statement and a davit to: Stone & Christy, P.A. 110 N. Dougherty Street Black Mountain, NC 28711
NOTICE
All persons having claims against the estate of GEORGANA ELOISE BOND of Chatham County, NC, who died on June 12, 2024, are noti ed to present them on or before January 31, 2025, to Garth W. Bond, Executor for the estate of Georgana Eloise Bond, c/o Schupp & Hamilton, PLLC, P.O. Box 3200, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3200, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery.
ELAINE HARTMAN HALL All persons, rms, and corporations having claims against Carol Elaine Hartman Hall, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to William Leslie Hall, Executor, at 7077 NC Hwy 902, Siler City, NC 27344, on or before February 3, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the deceased are asked to make immediate payment. This the 31day of October, 2024.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Veena Goel, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before January 21, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 17th day of October, 2024. Prateek Goel, Co-Executor Niti Goel, Co-Executor 563 Tomkins Loop 4809 Taproot Lane Cary, NC 27519 Durham, NC 27705
NOTICE
All persons having claims against the estate of Helen Kennedy of Chatham County, NC, who died on the 8th of July, 2024 are noti ed to present them on or before January 27, 2025 to Jan Butta, Executor, 73 Summersweet Lane Chapel Hill, NC 27516, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#24E001524-180 The undersigned, JUDITH ANN SHIPLEY and WILLIAM SCOTT WAGNER, having quali ed on the 25TH day of SEPTEMBER 2024, as EXECUTORS of the Estate of ESTHER V. WINDHAM CARR, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9TH Day of JANUARY 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 10TH Day of OCTOBER 2024.
JUDITH ANN SHIPLEY, EXECUTOR
2583 OLD GRAHAM ROAD
PITTSBORO, NC 27312
WILLIAM SCOTT WAGNER, EXECUTOR
2060 N PEA RIDGE ROAD
PITTSBORO, NC 27312
Run dates: 10,17,24,31
LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC
On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 6:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold the following legislative public hearing in person at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West, Pittsboro: PB-24-466 – A legislative request by Powell Place Development, Inc., petitioning for an amendment to the Powell Place MUPD. The request involves transferring 150 of the unconstructed residential units from the Residential Area over to the Mixed-Use Area de ned on the map of the master plan. 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 November 12, 2024, with written comments or to sign up to speak at the legislative hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (919) 5424621 ext. 1104, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM ACE SELF STORAGE, PURSUANT TO NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUES, CHAPTER 44A, SHALL CONDUCT A PUBLIC SALE OF THE UNITS LISTED BELOW AT IT’S FACILTY LOCATED AT 105 WEST FIFTH ST, SILER CITY, NC AT 11:00 AM ON NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW ANY UNITS FROM THIS SALE. ALL SALES WILL BE CASH TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
The undersigned, Marie Hopper, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Vance J. Dunn, 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 January 8th, 2024, 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 10th of October, 2024.
Administrator
Marie H. Hopper
Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC
Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312
Notice to Creditors
Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of ARTHUR LEWIS BOONE, late of Chatham County, North Carolina (24E001558-180), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of January 2025 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 the 24th day of October 2024.
Angela H. Wallace
Executor of the Estate of Arthur Lewis Boone
c/o Lisa M. Schreiner
Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
Project Child Find in the Chatham County Schools (CCS) runs from October 9th October 20th to identify youths between the ages of 3 and 21 who have disabilities and require special education and other related services. The local e ort is part of a concentrated statewide push to identify young people requiring special education. Project Child Find informs parents and guardians of such individuals about services available in their local school systems and at other state and community agencies.
Project Child Find seeks youths who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have mental, physical or emotional disabilities and are unable to bene t from a regular school program without special assistance. Those aware of such youths who are not in school or not receiving special assistance are encouraged to contact the principal at the school in their area, or they could call the district’s Exceptional Children’s Department at 919-542-6400. Community support would help the e ort a great deal, according to Sara Self Maddox, the district’s Director for Exceptional Children and AIG.
The following organizations have more information: NC Department of Public Instruction, Exceptional Children Division –(984) 236-2550 O ce of Early Learning (for ages 3-5) - (984) 2362740 NC Department of Health and Human Services(919) 707-5520 Family Support Network - l-800-852-0042
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of ELVA LOU GARNER MANESS, deceased, late of CHATHAM County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at: 1139 Gurney W. Road, Eagle Springs, NC 27242, on or before the 3rd day of FEBRUARY, 2025 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 the 23rd day of October, 2024. GREGORY VAN MANESS Co-Personal Representative CHRISTOPHER MANESS Co-Personal Representative For the Estate of
AI is picking hurricane-a ected households to get $1,000 cash relief payments
A nonpro t is reaching out to them via a SNAP bene ts app
By Gabriela Aoun Angueira
The Associated Press
NEARLY 1,000 hurricane-impacted households in North Carolina and Florida will bene t this week from a new disaster aid program that employs a model not commonly used by philanthropy in the United States: Giving people rapid, direct cash payments.
The nonpro t GiveDirectly plans to send payments of $1,000 last Friday to some households impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The organization harnesses a Google-developed arti cial intelligence tool to pinpoint areas with high concentrations of poverty and storm damage. Last Tuesday, it invited people in those areas to enroll in the program through a smartphone app used to manage SNAP and other government bene ts. Donations will then be deposited through the app’s debit card.
The approach is meant to deliver aid “in as streamlined and digni ed a way as possible,” said Laura Keen, a senior program manager at GiveDirectly. It removes much of the burden of applying, and is intended to empower people to decide for themselves what their most pressing needs are.
It won’t capture everyone who needs help — but GiveDirectly
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pretty much every single day,” said Nathaniel Durham, one of Cohen’s friends. “We haven’t gotten sick of each other yet though.”
The storm has disrupted schooling for students of all ages across western North Carolina, but it came at an especially delicate time for high school seniors who are making important life decisions — guring out what to do after graduation and applying to colleges. Meanwhile, they are making memories for their last year in high school while processing the disaster’s impact on their communities.
Some families evacuated after the storm, enrolling at least temporarily in schools elsewhere. Students trying to complete college applications have run into di culties with internet, cell service and basic transportation. For others who may have been on the fence about higher education, the crisis has added new challenges.
Remnants of Helene hit on Sept. 27. Asheville, North Carolina’s largest mountain city, was largely cut o as roads were washed away or blocked by mudslides. Six western North Carolina school districts were still closed as of Thursday, according to the state.
The Asheville City Schools
hopes the program can be a model that makes disaster aid faster and more e ective. “We’re always trying to grow the share of disaster response that is delivered as cash, whether that is by FEMA or private actors,” said Keen. The in ux of clothing, blankets and food that typically arrive after a disaster can ll real needs, but in-kind donations can’t cover getting a hotel room during an evacuation, or child care while schools are closed.
“There is an elegance to cash that allows individuals in these types of circumstances to resolve their unique needs, which are sure to be very di erent from the needs of their neighbors,” said Keen. She added that getting money into people’s hands fast can protect them from predatory lending and curb credit card debt.
The organization employs direct payments for poverty relief around the world, but it rst experimented with cash disaster payments in the U.S. in 2017 when it gave money to households impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Back then, GiveDirectly enrolled people in person and handed out debit cards activated later. The process took a few weeks.
Now that work is done in days — remotely. A Google team uses its SKAI machine-based learning tool to narrow down the worst-hit areas by comparing pre- and post-disaster aerial imagery. GiveDirectly uses another Google-developed tool
system is set to reopen with shortened, four-hour days on Monday, according to its website. Superintendent Maggie Fehrman has said the system would explore drilling wells and bringing in restroom trailers while the city’s devastated water system is still being repaired. The Buncombe County Schools system was also scheduled to return Friday on a twohour delay.
But even with classes resuming, uncertainty remains for Cohen and others. He had planned to graduate early, partly to recover from hip surgery scheduled in December. That’s still the general plan, Cohen said, but he’s unsure if the timeline will change.
Helene’s impact complicates college applications
One of Max Schantz’ rst concerns was a college scholarship application due a few days after Helene blew into the Southeast.
The senior at the School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville had no cell or internet service through the weekend, so he went to a library that had WiFi to work on his essays. He sat outside the closed building for about two hours with about 80 other people, hoping to use the internet.
Schantz’ family left Ashe -
to compare those ndings with poverty data. It sends the target areas to Propel, an electronic bene ts transfers app, which invites users in those places to enroll.
“They don’t have to nd a bunch of documentation that proves their eligibility,” Keen said. “We already know they’re eligible.”
Still, focusing on areas with lots of damaged buildings won’t pick up all low-income households devastated by a disaster. Nor will reaching out to those already signed up for government bene ts, as not all poor people enroll in them, and undocumented residents aren’t eligible for them. People without smartphones can’t access the app. Propel serves only 5 million of the 22 million households enrolled in SNAP bene ts.
In North Carolina, where electricity in some communities has still not been restored after Hurricane Helene, having a smartphone makes no di erence without a way to power it and a signal to connect to.
Keen said GiveDirectly is aware of this model’s shortcomings. She said some can be alleviated with a hybrid model that uses both remote and in-person enrollment. But the limitations also come down to funding. So far, GiveDirectly has raised $1.2 million for this campaign, including a $300,000 donation from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Despite the pitfalls, GiveDirectly hopes its model sparks
ville days later for Miami because his father needed to work remotely. But time was running out for Schantz’ application. Then, checking his email at a rest stop, Schantz was relieved to see the deadline was extended.
Later, Schantz decided to discuss the hurricane’s impact on Asheville in his application — something he contemplated for a while.
“It was really di cult because I didn’t know if a college admissions o cer would want to hear that or not,” he said.
Even though school buildings were closed, Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools held in-person sessions in October to help students through the college admissions process. Counselors o ered help with writing essays, completing nancial aid forms and using the Common App.
Abe Garry, one of Cohen’s friends, received help from one of the sessions. He was concerned about getting teacher recommendations in time for his applications, but he said most colleges he’s applying to have been lenient with western North Carolina students.
Another setback came when Helene canceled his date to retake the SAT in hopes of a higher score.
“I was frustrated just because I think that if I did do good, it
ideas for other direct payment programs. FEMA overhauled its own cash relief program, called Serious Needs Assistance, in January. The agency increased the payments from $500 to $750 ($770 with the start of the new scal year on Oct. 1) and eliminated the requirement that states request the aid rst.
Across all Helene- and Milton-impacted states, more than 693,000 households have received Serious Needs Assistance as of Oct. 24 for a total spend of more than $522 million, according to a FEMA spokesperson. But the program still requires households to apply, which proved problematic when misinformation about the program ran rampant in the weeks after Helene. In places with high costs of living, the $750 might not go very far.
Technology could help FEMA
could have de nitely helped me out,” Garry said.
Some seniors say they’re “de nitely not OK”
School disruptions are familiar for the seniors, who went through the isolating COVID-19 pandemic as they transitioned into high school. Now, they’re battling a similar issue.
Caroline Barton said things haven’t quite been the same since the pandemic, and Helene has added to the feeling of never having a normal high school experience.
She also has grappled with survivor’s guilt since Helene, as her home wasn’t destroyed like some of her peers’. Her teachers have let students talk openly about their experiences, which has helped.
“I don’t know anyone who has died. My family is safe. Our house is OK. Our backyard is somewhat OK. We have cars that work,” she said. “But I’m de nitely not OK.”
In the rst week back at the independent Carolina Day School in Asheville, Barton said many fellow seniors were stressed about college admissions and what school would bring.
“This is a really stressful time for seniors just in general, and then you throw a hurricane on top of it,” Barton said.
Barton, who runs cross coun-
on November 5th
improve its system, said Chris Smith, who managed FEMA’s Individual Assistance program from 2015 to 2022 and is now director of individual assistance and disaster housing at the consulting rm IEM. “I think that we have to open up our imaginations that maybe there are other ways to quickly identify need and quickly identify eligibility.”
But Smith cautions that a publicly funded program doesn’t enjoy the same license to experiment as a philanthropic one. “There has to be ultimately an accountability of how any level of government is providing assistance to individuals. People are going to want to know that, and to have that degree of certainty is very important.”
The government has experimented with other types of unconditional cash assistance, such as when it expanded the child tax credit into a monthly
try and track, had to delay a recruiting trip at an Ivy League university when her ight was canceled the day after Helene hit. The next morning, Barton and her mother navigated stormtorn roads to take o from another airport by herself. She is planning to attend the university after the recruiting trip, Barton said, but she knows many classmates are still fretting about falling behind on applications.
There are some silver linings to the hardships from Helene, Asheville High School senior Nathan Flaherty said. Volunteering — something he previously saw as mostly a requirement for college applications — became a part of his daily routine. Seeing people come together has been a “light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Flaherty’s career plans after graduation may have also shifted. He planned to attend ight school to become a pilot, but after Helene, he’s now considering combining that profession with emergency management.
It’s hard for Schantz to describe how he feels knowing a month of his senior year is gone. As he plans to head back to Asheville, Schantz said he’s mentally preparing for “a whole different world.”
“It was just a really fun time before, and I don’t know if it will ever get back to that level of just enjoyment,” he said.
Elect Joe Godfrey as NC House District 54 Representative
As a Business professional, I know how to manage a budget, provide important infrastructure, provide important education and training, and protect our rural character and natural resources in Chatham and Randolph Counties. He believes in common sense conservative principles.
VOTE for change on November 5th
Paid for by: Elect Joe Godfrey
The future of Chatham and Randolph Counties is important to me. I plan to focus on the core functions of government for ALL people. I believe in equal opportunities in school, the workplace, and the law.
• Manage Budgets: Make sure that tax dollars are not wasted on non-essentials. Government growth should be minimal. In ation is a ecting all citizens and is crushing Generational Wealth for all people, especially minorities.
Properly fund police and rst responders by reducing wasteful spending. Money spent on illegal immigration reduces funds that could go to precious infrastructure, as seen with the recent Hurricane Helene
• Infrastructure: Engage with experts to nd the best solution for wastewater treatment, address the housing shortage, and work with the state and local companies to provide broadband throughout rural areas of our counties.
• Education and Training: Prioritize safety and fund SRO’s for EVERY school, provide training to prepare students to enter the workforce as businesses come to Chatham and Randolph Counties, fund expanded tutoring to improve test scores. Raise teacher pay across the board.
• Natural Resources and Rural Character: Protect our natural resources from over-development. Include green space in EVERY development. Protect farmland from more zoning regulations. Represent ALL people.
I appreciate the opportunity to represent all people in Chatham and Randolph Counties, not just speci c groups. Vote for someone who lives in and was educated in Chatham County.
REBECCA BLACKWELL / AP PHOTO
A tattered American ag aps outside a home as furniture and household items damaged by Hurricane Helene ooding sit piled along the street awaiting pickup in Anna Maria Island, Florida, earlier this month.
CHATHAM SPORTS
Parker, seniors lead Seaforth to 41-0 win over Jordan-Matthews on memorable senior night
Alex Vargas scored his rst career touchdown after a major injury in 2023
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
PITTSBORO — A big night from Seaforth’s sophomore quarterback Duncan Parker helped his eldest teammates have a memorable senior night in their 41-0 victory over Jordan-Matthews Friday.
On Seaforth’s second ever senior night, Parker rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries, leading the Hawks to their second-largest win of the year.
“I saw a bunch of holes just coming up everywhere,” Parker said. “The o-line played a great game, balled their butts o all game, and it was just an allaround great team win.”
Seaforth had 12 rushes go for more than 10 yards, and six of them belonged to Parker. After a rough start o ensively in the rst quarter, Parker extended the Hawks’ small lead to 14-0 with a one-yard score early in the second quarter.
Despite the lead and the success of the repeated quarterback keeper, o ensive struggles still hurt Seaforth in the second quarter as two drives
ended in an interception by Parker to Jordan-Matthews’ Eli Rodriguez and a turnover on downs.
Seaforth junior Patrick Miller stole a possession late in the second quarter with an interception at the Jordan-Matthews 24-yard line, and Parker cashed in on the turnover with a 9-yard touchdown run to put the Hawks up 20-0 just before halftime.
Parker just had four rushes in the second half, and his game-long 23-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter was the nal dagger of the night.
As the sophomore had his moments, the seniors, who are the program’s rst four-year class, also put in some work.
Senior running back and linebacker Jackson Powell rushed for 38 yards and scored two touchdowns, and senior linebackers Alex Hinchman and David Greenway recorded a sack each. Greenway’s sack with two minutes left in the rst quarter resulted in a fumble recovered by the Hawks at the Jordan-Matthews 47.
Defensively, Seaforth had one of its strongest performances of the year with seven tackles for loss, another fumble recovery and another sack by juniors Raiden Flowers and Austin Ingram. The Hawks se-
cured their third shut out in program history.
“De nitely a lot of communication with us,” Hinchman said. “On the defense, we’re always struggling with communicating this and that and sometimes with switching and messing up. I feel like that was really working this time, and everybody was just really doing their jobs perfectly.”
Even with the production of Hinchman, Greenway and Powell, the most rewarding senior performance of the night came from running back Alex Vargas.
In July 2023, Vargas was working in roo ng to help fund a car for himself until he fell through a four-story building and broke both of his legs. The injury forced him to miss last season, and on Friday, just over a year after it happened, he contributed 45 rushing yards and his rst career touchdown on ve carries.
“It was tough,” Vargas said. “I had physical therapy, and I couldn’t walk for almost half a year. It was a lot of pain, but I had to tough it out. I really wanted to come back, I did this for my family. All of these people are my family, and I wanted to show them what I could do.”
On just one drive late in the third quarter, Vargas ripped o
Woods Charter fell in the second round
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
SEAFORTH HAS advanced to the fourth round of the NCHSAA volleyball playo s. From the rst to the third rounds, the Hawks swept every opponent and won every set by double digits with the exception of the nal set in their third-round win over No. 5 Wallace-Rose Hill Saturday.
Against a Wallace-Rose Hill team that went 19-2 overall and undefeated in its conference prior to the postseason, Seaforth only allowed just 21 points across the rst two sets.
Senior Maris Huneycutt recorded 13 assists in the win, including her 2,000th career assist. Junior Josie Valgus came up big for the Hawks, too, as she recorded a team-high 11 kills, ve service aces and a team-high 15 assists.
Valgus also had a big night against No. 15 Farmville Cen-
tral in the second round. In a closer match than the score indicated, she recorded her 1,000th career kill while contributing nine kills in the game. Huneycutt carried the load as a setter against the Jaguars, though, pouring in 24 assists while helping provide junior Keira Rosenmarkle with a team-high 11 kills. The rst round was the denition of domination from Seaforth as the Hawks nished the rst two sets by a score of 25-8. Just up the road and across bracket lines, No. 10 Woods Charter also dominated its rst-round matchup with North Duplin on Oct. 22. Thanks to a career-high 43 assists from freshman Cecilia Brignati and a combined 34 kills from sophomore Annabel Unah and senior Maya Sheridan, the Wolves advanced to the second round for a rematch at No. 7 Roxboro Community. Roxboro Community proved to be the better team over Woods Charter on Oct. 24,
The two Chatham County standouts made plenty of plays this preseason
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
THE HYPE AROUND the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season is heating up as the rst o cial games approach, and this time there won’t just be one former Chatham County basketball star making national headlines — there will be two.
Ahead of the start of their respective seasons at Alabama and UNC, former Seaforth standout and Gatorade Player of the Year Jarin Stevenson and former Northwood star and McDonald’s All-American Drake Powell gave an early glimpse of what’s to come from the two in their teams’ preseason exhibition games this month. Powell had plenty of chances to preview his much-anticipated
impact at UNC as the Tar Heels played in three exhibition games leading up to the season. Most recently, UNC played Johnson C. Smith at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill Sunday, routing the Golden Bulls 127-63. In the blowout win, Powell put his playmaking and defensive skills on display. Although he struggled from the threepoint line (0-3 from three), he made up for it with a team-high two blocks, a steal, four assists (second-highest, behind Elliot Cadeau’s eight assists), nine rebounds (second-highest behind Ven-Allen Lubin’s 12 rebounds)
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Woods Charter’s volleyball team huddles up during a postseason game. The Wolves’ playo run ended with a loss to Roxboro Community.
ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Left to right, Seaforth quarterback Duncan Parker, coach Terrance Gary and running back Alex Vargas are all smiles after a senior night win.
Points from Jarin Stevenson in Alabama’s win over Memphis
Three county teams look for strong nish
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
FOR THE ONLY time this season, week 10 brought two match ups featuring two county teams.
Seaforth extended its win streak over Jordan-Matthews to three with a 41-0 victory, while Northwood finished its conference slate with a 62-0 win over Chatham Central, putting the county-wide record at 12-24.
At this point of the season, only one team remains in good playoff standing with Northwood sitting at 25th in the 2A East RPI standings as of Sunday (32 teams from each region make the playoffs). Although it may take a miracle, the Hawks playoff chances are still somewhat alive as they sit at the 35th spot, and Chatham Central is knocking on the door on the 1A side while in 33rd place. However, things are on track for the county to have just one playoff team for the first time since 2022.
Here’s a deeper look into Friday’s football action, a preview of next week for each county team, conference standings and the latest football power rankings:
Northwood
Northwood (6-4, 6-2) had seven different Chargers score a touchdown in the win over Chatham Central Friday.
Senior Antoine Brewington had two scores on the ground, and junior Cam Fowler got his two touchdowns through the air from junior quarterback Grayson Cox. Cox threw one more touchdown pass on a 46-yard completion to Isaiah Blair to put the Chargers up 62-0 in the fourth quarter. On an explosive night from Northwood’s offense, a 52-
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and eight points (4-8 from the oor).
But as much as his ability to be impactful in multiple ways showed up on the court, the biggest takeaway about Powell’s performance Sunday was his athleticism. In the middle of the rst half, Powell, guarding the ball handler, went under a screen and recovered to block his assignment’s shot attempt. Guarding the ball again later on in the period, Powell came away with an on-ball steal and nished the play with a dunk on the other end.
Of course, there were his biggest highlights of the day that came in the second half: the dunk from an Ian Jackson lob in transition and the chase down block in which Powell pinned a layup on the backboard with two hands.
In UNC’s exhibition game against Memphis on Oct. 15, Powell didn’t play as well o ensively as he only came away with two points and two rebounds in 25 minutes, but he still came away with two steals and a block. Powell also scored eight points on a 4-8 shooting clip in the BlueWhite scrimmage on Oct. 12, giving UNC fans a preview of his defensive ability with a two-handed block on Lubin at the rim.
Stevenson displayed an elite defensive presence in Alabama’s 96-88 exhibition win against Memphis Monday, too. The 6-foot-11 forward also pinned a layup attempt on the backboard in the rst half, and numerous
yard touchdown run from Brewington on its first play from scrimmage foreshadowed the ease at which the Chargers found the end zone. Senior defensive lineman Aj Rhone-Mason even joined junior running backs Robert Tripp and Leo Mortimer with contributing one rushing touchdown.
Northwood will look to finish the regular season strong in a meeting with Hoke County (2-8, 1-5 3A/4A Sandhills) at home on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. Hoke County, a 4A program, has lost six of its last seven games, however, Northwood is 0-2 against teams in higher classifications this season. The Bucks have seen tough competition this year, thus the Chargers can’t take them lightly. With a big win over a 4A school that has played good teams this season, Northwood
times throughout the game, Stevenson displayed the ability to stay in front of quicker guards and force them into tough shots. He nished the game with two blocks.
O ensively, he looked to get his three-point shot to fall. Stevenson took six threes (all of his FG attempts) and made two of them in an 11-point performance, including a big three with six minutes left in the second half that stopped a seven-minute eld goal drought from Alabama. However, he left points at the free throw line, going 5-10 from the stripe.
In the Crimson Tide’s 98-77 win over Wake Forest on Oct. 18, Stevenson started and poured in 10 points and a team-high six rebounds (tied with Cli ord Omoruyi). Playing in Alabama’s high-paced system, Stevenson once again looked comfortable with taking a high number of threes as eight of his 10 shot attempts were from beyond the arc. He only shot 30% from the eld, but once again, his defensive e orts looked to overshadow that. Stevenson came away with a block and a steal, and on one play, he cut o a driving Hunter Sallis, contested the shot, grabbed the miss and pushed the ball down the court for a three in transition.
For Stevenson and the Crimson Tide, the regular season will begin at home against UNC Asheville Monday at 8 p.m. The Tar Heels will begin their season at home against Elon Monday at 9 p.m.
can possibly improve its position in the RPI standings and receive a higher seed in the postseason.
Seaforth
Seaforth (3-5, 3-4) has a must-win at Bartlett Yancey (3-6, 3-4) Friday if it wants to possibly squeeze into the postseason.
Bartlett Yancey and Seaforth have had somewhat similar seasons with their only wins over the bottom three teams in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference. For Seaforth to differentiate themselves in this game, the key will be its ability to find offense outside of quarterback Duncan Parker. Against tougher teams, the Hawks have struggled to find consistent success in the pass game, and turnovers have hurt
them in numerous situations this year. With the same defensive intensity it has shown all season, solid execution and complimentary football by the offense can put Seaforth over the top.
Chatham Central
Chatham Central (1-8, 0-7) has just one game left this season against North Moore at home Friday at 7 p.m.
For the Bears, this will be one last effort to slide into the bottom of the 1A East playoff field. However, North Moore has won four of its last five games, and defending its runheavy offense won’t be easy.
Last year, the Bears played an older and more experienced North Moore team tough in the first round of the playoffs, falling 28-0 after losing to the
Saving For College? Or Retirement?
Mustangs 42-8 a week prior. Should that improved performance carry over into this season, Chatham Central will have to play disciplined and physical to slow down the Mustangs’ familiar yet deadly rushing attack.
Jordan-Matthews
Jordan-Matthews (2-7, 1-6) has a good chance to win three games for the first time since 2015 when it hosts Graham (18, 1-6) Friday at 7 p.m.
Although the Jets are still down key players Kenneth Dula and Namir Wiley, they still have solid options in the run game with strong running from Jakari Blue and Omarion Sanford.
Jordan-Matthews will just have to do a better job of stopping the run on the defensive end. Graham averages just over seven points per game while allowing at least 49 points in eight of its nine outings. If the Jets can control the run game on both sides of the ball, they can possibly celebrate their highest win total in nearly a decade.
Power rankings
Last week: 1. Northwood; 2. Seaforth; 3. Jordan-Matthews; 4. Chatham Central
This week’s rankings: 1. Northwood; 2. Seaforth; 3. Jordan-Matthews; 4. Chatham Central
If you’re a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your children succeed in life. Therefore, you might think that one of the best things you can do is to save for your children’s college education. And this is certainly admirable, but could it conkey goal — your own retirement?
Of course, this would not be a problem if you had unlimited means, but most of us don’t fall into that category. So, given do have, how should you approach the college-versus-retirement issue?
Fortunately, it’s not necessarily an “either-or” scenario. However, it may make sense to prioritize saving for retirement over college, for two reasons.
First, your children have a lot more time to pay for college than you have to save for retirement. In addition to any grants or scholarships your children may receive, they might need to take out loans. While it’s a good idea to keep this debt load as manageable as possible, it’s also true that most student loans can be repaid over a long period of time.
And here’s the second point: One of the best gifts you can give your children You could easily spend two, or even three, decades as a retiree, so you will need to pay for all those years. Your adult children dress, so you’ll be doing them a great responsibilities on your behalf.
Taking these factors into account, you may want to direct most of your saving and
investing efforts toward achieving a comfortable retirement. Consequently, think about putting away as much as you can afford into your IRA and 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Even with this focus on retirement, though, you may find opportunities to save and invest for your children’s education. For example, if you receive bonuses or income tax refunds, or your salary goes up, or you’re able to free up money from your budget by reducing your debts, you could use these funds to invest in an education savings vehicle, such as a 529 plan. When you invest in a 529 plan, your earnings and withdrawals are federally tax free, provided the money is used for qualiroom and board, books, and computers. Depending on where you live, you may 529 plan. And a 529 plan isn’t just for college — it can be used for K-12 private school tuition costs, plus expenses from as those found at trade schools eligible for Title IV federal student aid.
It might not be easy to save and invest consistently for your retirement and your children’s education. But both goals are worthy — after all, retirement can last a long time and college is expensive. So, allow you to make progress in both areas — your efforts may well be rewarded.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC
HOOPS
Alabama’s Jarin Stevenson drives baseline during an exhibition game against Wake Forest.
@SEAFORTHHS / X
Seaforth defensive back Jackson Powell poses with loved ones after his senior night ceremony.
SIDELINE REPORT
NHL Former Blackhawks forward, Hall of Fame executive Hay dies Calgary, Alberta
Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame executive Bill Hay died at 88. Hay was the president and chief operating o cer for the organization from 1990-95. A cause of death was not provided. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Hay “lived a remarkable hockey life that re ected the very best of our sport.” Hay played eight NHL seasons with Chicago. He was the NHL rookie of the year for the 1959-60 season, when he had 24 goals and 30 assists in 70 games. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961.
NBA Durant becomes 8th NBA player to reach 29,000 career points
Phoenix Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 29,000 career points, reaching the mark with 31 against the Dallas Mavericks. The 14-time All-Star now has 29,010 points over 17 seasons with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Suns. The 36-year-old has averaged 27.3 points over 1,064 games. LeBron James is the NBA’s career scoring leader with 40,543 points. Behind him is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and then Durant. Durant is 10th on the combined NBA and ABA list, with Julius Erving eighth and Moses Malone ninth.
WNBA
Half dozen teams re head coaches after season
Indianapolis The Indiana Fever red coach Christie Sides, who went 33-47 in her two seasons with the team, including going 20-20 this season. The Fever made the playo s as the sixth seed and were swept in the rst round. Indiana is the sixth team to make a coaching changes this o season, with Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington also making moves. All of the coaches let go had three years or less experience.
NFL
Browns play-by-play announcer, TV sports anchor Donovan dies of cancer at 68
Cleveland
Jim Donovan, the beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a TV sports xture for more than four decades, died Saturday. He was 68. Donovan retired from his broadcast career earlier this year and stepped away from his game-day duties with the team this season while battling cancer. He had called Cleveland’s games since the team’s expansion rebirth in 1999. Donovan died at home surrounded by family. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said Donovan’s impact was “immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans each and every Sunday.”
MLB
Dodgers’ dramatic Game 1 victory averages 15.2M, most-watched World Series game since 2019
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ dramatic 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series — which ended on Freddie Freeman’s walk o grand slam in the 10th inning — averaged 15.2 million viewers, making it the most watched Fall Classic game in ve years. It was only the fourth time in 36 World Series games since 2018 that the audience has cracked 15 million. The last one before Friday was the seventh and deciding game in the 2019 series, when Washington’s 6-2 victory over Houston for its rst championship averaged 23 million.
Maris Huneycutt and Josie Valgus
Seaforth, volleyball
Seaforth volleyball’s Maris Huneycutt and Josie Valgus earn co-athlete of the week honors for the week of Oct. 21.
Huneycutt and Valgus both achieved career milestones during the 2A volleyball playo s. In the Hawks’ second-round win over Farmville Central, Valgus recorded her 1,000th career kill, and just days later in Seaforth’s fourth-round victory over Wallace-Rose Hill, Huneycutt achieved her 2,000th career assist.
Valgus, an all-state honoree and a TCU commit, and Huneycutt, also an all-state honoree, have been crucial pieces in Seaforth’s deep playo run. In the win over Wallace-Rose Hill, the two combined for 28 assists. Huneycutt leads the team in assists (374) with Valgus second on the team with 230.
though. The Bulldogs beat the Wolves, 3-1, ending their 10game sweep streak and their season for the second year in a row. Last season, Woods Charter lost to Roxboro Community in the third round of the playo s, also, after losing to the Bulldogs in the regular season. Roxboro Community went 2-0 against Chatham County teams in the playo s this year, starting with a sweep of No. 26 Chatham Charter in the rst round.
The Knights have still yet to advance past the rst round in the state volleyball playo s.
Further up in the 1A bracket, No. 29 Chatham Central fell to No. 4 Rosewood, 3-1, in the rst round. The Bears took the rst
set, 25-23, and in sets three and four, Chatham Central hovered within striking distance to stay alive. In recent years, the Bears have also struggled to advance in the playo s, failing to reach the second round since 2015. Nevertheless, Chatham Central still had a solid season highlighted by its hot start to conference play. No. 30 Northwood, the lowest seeded squad out of the county’s playo teams, lost to No. 3 Manteo, 3-0, in the rst round. As a 29 seed last season, Northwood made it all the way to the regional quarter nals before losing to Midway also in a sweeping fashion. Unfortunately for the Chargers, that magical run just couldn’t continue into this year’s postseason.
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
VOLLEYBALL from page B1
PJ WARD BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Seaforth volleyball coach Scott Green talks to his team during a break in action at a game earlier this season.
Anstrom wins third straight regional cross-country title
Chatham County’s boys’ soccer teams are battling for tournament positioning
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
Boys’ soccer
WITH NO MID-Carolina
1A/2A conference teams on last week’s slate, Jordan-Matthews didn’t get a chance to reclaim the conference’s rst place spot. The Jets did pick up their sixth shutout victory of the season, though, with an 8-0 win over American Leadership Academy-Johnston on Oct. 21. Francisco Ibarra once again led the charge with ve goals in the win.
Against Southern Lee on Oct. 24, Jordan-Matthews fell 2-1, moving to 5-5 against non-conference opponents.
Seaforth, which as of Sunday is still pushing towards its goal of third place in the conference, didn’t help themselves with a 1-0 loss to North Moore on Oct. 12 and a 6-0 loss to Southeast Alamance on Oct. 23. Fortunately for the Hawks, third-place Graham lost to North Moore on Oct. 23, keeping them alive through last week. They could’ve gotten extra help from Northwood, but the Chargers fell 2-1 to Graham in double overtime on Oct. 21. One more conference win from the Red Devils this week will close the door on Seaforth’s aspirations.
Woods Charter, ghting to hold onto the fourth spot in the Central Tar Heel 1A conference, lost a double-overtime thriller to Triangle Math and Science on Oct. 21, 3-1, and it lost to Southern Wake Academy on Oct. 24, 1-0. However, three goals from junior Daniel Horil led the Wolves to their sixth win of the season in a 4-2 victory over Clover Garden School on Oct. 23. Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Southeast Alamance (13-6, 9-1); 2. Jordan-Matthews (13-7, 8-2);
FOOTBALL from page B1
runs of 12 yards and 20 yards to help get the Hawks back in scoring position. His threeyard score at the end of the drive put Seaforth up, 34-0.
“It’s an emotion I really can’t describe,” Antonio Vargas, Alex’s father, said about his reac -
@CCKNIGHTSSPORTS / X
the county’s state championship quali ers:
1A Boys Team standings: Fifth place — Woods Charter (quali ed for state); Ninth place — Chatham Charter (failed to qualify for state)
State quali ers: Torris Price (Chatham Charter), Adam Reese (Chatham Charter)
1A Girls
Team standings: Second place — Woods Charter (qualied for state)
State quali ers: Sydney Batey (Woods Charter), Grace Murphy (Woods Charter), Anna Peeler (Woods Charter), Soa Rodriguez (Woods Charter), Dara Sudhir (Woods Charter), Dana Sudhir (Woods Charter), Michaela Valentine (Woods Charter)
2A Boys Team standings: First place — Seaforth (quali ed for state); Fifth place — Northwood (failed to qualify for state)
3. Graham (14-4-2, 6-3-1); 4. Seaforth (6-9-3, 4-4-2); 5. North Moore (4-8, 3-6); 6. Northwood (4-10-2, 2-8-1); 7. Cummings (510, 2-9) Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Triangle Math and Science (105-2, 10-0-1); 2. Clover Garden School (10-9, 8-3); 3. River Mill (9-7-2, 7-3-2); 4. Woods Charter (6-9-1, 4-6-1); 5. Ascend Leadership (6-9-1, 4-7); 6. Southern Wake Academy (6-9, 4-7); 7. Chatham Charter (0-17, 0-11) 1A East RPI standings (as of Sunday): Woods Charter (No. 25), Chatham Charter (No. 38) 2A East RPI standings (as of Sunday): Jordan-Matthews (No. 14), Seaforth (No. 27), Northwood (No. 35)
Girls’ tennis
Seaforth’s Lillian McFall fell just short of the 2A girls’ tennis singles state title after los -
tion to the touchdown. “To see my son overcome all the adversity he has overcome, wow. It’s an indescribable emotion. All his e ort and God. That is always with him.”
Although Friday served as a symbolic end to the high school careers of Seaforth’s rst fouryear football class, the seniors
ing to Pine Lake Prep’s Mallory Aull in the championship match Saturday. McFall lost in two games in the championship match by scores of 6-0 and 6-4 in that order. On the way to the state nal, McFall beat Ayden-Grifton’s Kaitlyn Wood in the rst round without losing a game, Community School of Davidson’s Jadan Rounds in the second round after two close 7-6 games and Shelby’s Anna Schweppe in the third round.
Seaforth’s Ella Gentel fell to Northeastern’s Jada Simpson in the rst round of the singles tournament. In the doubles tournament, Seaforth’s Bailey Shadoan and Claire Coady fell to Salisbury’s Lucy Barr and Meredith Williams in the second round. Shadoan and Coady beat Addie Gibbs and Avery Thomas of Washington in the rst round. On the 1A side, Chatham Char -
still have work left to do.
As of Sunday, the Hawks are ranked 35th in the 2A East RPI standings, just three spots away from being in playo contention. Seaforth has two games left to improve its playo standing with a trip to Bartlett Yancey Friday at 7 p.m. and a makeup game with South-
ter’s doubles team of Mak Allen and Maggie Moody fell to NCSSM-Morganton’s Ananya Sriram and Will Levine in the rst round.
Girls’ golf
None of the county’s athletes or teams quali ed for the girls’ golf state championships after last week’s regionals.
Cross-country
Seaforth senior Jack Anstrom won his third straight 2A Mideast regional title Saturday with a rst-place time of 16:08.90. With senior Will Cuicchi, freshman Samuel Neil and senior Henry McFall all nishing in the top 10, the Hawks won their second consecutive boys’ regional championship. Here’s where the rest of the county’s teams fell in the 1A and 2A Mideast regionals and
ern Lee the following week.
Yet, the path to the playo s doesn’t only lie in Seaforth’s hands. The Hawks will need wins in both games and numerous losses from teams ahead of them in the RPI standings to possibly keep their playo hopes alive.
This late in the season, a bid
State quali ers: Brian Krebs (Northwood), Jordan Wiley (Northwood), Jack Anstrom (Seaforth), London Crowling (Seaforth), Will Cuicchi (Seaforth), Will Lippers (Seaforth), Henry McFall (Seaforth), Samuel Neil (Seaforth), Waylon Vose (Seaforth)
2A Girls
Team standings: Second place — Seaforth (quali ed for state); Third place — Northwood (quali ed for state)
State quali ers: Andrea Angeles-Morales (Northwood), Adina Campbell (Northwood), Penelope Faris (Northwood), Gabby Ghita (Northwood), Sydney Gray (Northwood), Julia Hall (Northwood), Ashley Perry (Northwood), Caidence Bazemore (Seaforth), Natalia Davis (Seaforth), Sasha Helmer (Seaforth), Juana Jimenez (Seaforth), Emily Jump (Seaforth), Katherine Leonard (Seaforth), Claire Morgan (Seaforth)
for the playo s is unlikely, but Seaforth will still try to play its best football regardless of how the postseason shakes out.
“We can’t do nothing but control what we do,” Gary said. “We can’t take anything for granted. Just go out there, play our best and let the cards fall where they may.”
Chatham Charter girls’ tennis doubles team of Mak Allen and Maggie Moody competed in the 1A playo s.
Reddick wins at Homestead, advances
The
By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Michael Jordan won a championship in Phoenix in 1993. Tyler Reddick ensured that his car owner will have a chance to win another title there this year.
Reddick went high and overtook Ryan Blaney on the nal turn to win at Homestead-Miami to secure a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series’ winner-take-all nale in Arizona in two weeks. Reddick led 98 of the 267 laps.
“The little kid drove his ass
The former Duke star has earned the trust of his players early in his tenure
By Joe Reedy The Associated Pres
LOS ANGELES — When JJ Redick was hired as the Los Angeles Lakers coach, he said one of his early goals was to make Anthony Davis the o ensive hub.
Two games into Redick’s tenure, things are going according to plan.
With 35 points Friday night in a 123-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Davis joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to score at least 35 points in the rst two games of a season.
“Guys are making big-time shots. We’re making the right plays,” said Davis, who also had eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.
“Honestly, the schematic that JJ put in has helped me out and is helping everyone out. We just have so much space and we’re having fun doing it.”
There was only one stretch last season where Davis had back-to-back, 35-point games. He had 36 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
The game Friday had more drama.
o ,” said Jordan. “I’m proud of him. ... He just let go and he just went for it. I’m glad. I’m glad. We needed it.”
Reddick loves Homestead, and his favorite part of the place is turns 3 and 4 — the last two turns. He might like them even more now, since that was the stretch of track that got him a title shot in a thrilling nish.
“Took a risk and it paid o ,” Reddick said. “I don’t know what else really to say. ... When the moment’s right, you can do some pretty crazy stu over there.”
Reddick’s move at the end was the 33rd lead change of the day, a Homestead record. Blaney was second and Denny Hamlin — a part-owner of Reddick’s car — was third. Playo drivers took
the top six spots, with Christopher Bell fourth, Chase Elliott fth and William Byron sixth. Reddick — the regular season champion and the driver who started from the pole on Sunday, a week after he went upside down in Las Vegas — and Joey Logano now are assured two of the four spots in NASCAR’s nal four at Phoenix.
“He has an abundance of talent,” Dave Rogers, the performance director for 23XI Racing, said about Reddick. “He’s determined to win. He puts the work in.”
Reddick was third behind Blaney and Hamlin going into the nal lap. He went low and got around Hamlin, and the three cars settled into a straight
line along the wall before Reddick stayed high to scoot past Blaney.
“We’re going to do what it took to win this race,” Reddick said, moments before Jordan wrapped his arms around him and not long before teammate Bubba Wallace — sts high in the air like a ghter celebrating a title — came over to o er his congratulations as well. “We’re ghting for a championship.”
Reddick became Homestead’s ninth di erent winner in the last nine years, joining Jimmie Johnson in 2016, Martin Truex Jr. in 2017, Logano in 2018, Kyle Busch in 2019, Hamlin in 2020, Byron in 2021, Kyle Larson in 2022 and Bell last year.
Logano was the only of the
eight playo drivers who came to Homestead assured of a berth in the season nale. He spent much of the day in the middle of the pack.
The other seven playo drivers all jousted toward the front for the majority of the 267 laps. Hamlin led with two laps to go, Larson with one lap left, and then Reddick at the end.
“Had a great shot to win, and I didn’t have a very good last lap,” said Blaney, who was also second at Homestead last year.
Bell and Byron have the inside track to grab the last two spots in the winner-take-allnal four, though any of the six drivers who haven’t clinched a berth yet can by simply winning at Martinsville next week.
start
“We’re trusting what he’s doing and the schemes he’s putting in on both ends of the oor.”
Anthony Davis on coach JJ Redick
The Lakers fell behind by 22 points in the second quarter as Phoenix hit 21 of its rst 30 shots. Los Angeles though made adjustments on defense and closed the de cit to 61-52 at halftime before rallying in the second half to get its rst 2-0 start in 14 years. Redick said one of the reasons why the Lakers were able to rally was Davis’ patience despite the early de cit.
“There’s a comfort level and a con dence level that he has that if the game starts getting wacky, he knows the ball is going to come back to him,” Redick said.
In a game that also provided an early test for rst-time coach Redick and his sta , Davis was impressed with how Redick handled the early adversity.
Redick is the Lakers’ rst coach since Phil Jackson in 1999 to win his rst two games.
Davis’ increased role has helped ease some pressure o LeBron James while also allowing Austin Reaves’ game to continue to grow.
“Down 22, that’s when the trust and coaching has to kick in,” Davis said. “JJ coming into the huddle and telling us to settle down because we know what we’re doing wrong on turnovers and transition. Him not panicking, obviously, makes us not panic. We’re trusting what he’s doing and the schemes he’s putting in on both ends of the oor.”
James started 2 of 6 from the eld, but had 11 points in the third quarter and nished with 21.
Reaves, who got a 6 a.m. text from Redick saying he could have a big game, had 26 points, including ve 3-pointers.
“He knows the rhythm of the game as a players coach,” Reaves said about Redick. “I believe the sta has a very IQ and sees the game with a player’s mindset.”
“It’s our job to go and execute. We have to earn their trust. We have to execute and continue to get more and more focused,” James said. “It’s very important that he (Davis) has been a focal point for us. O ensively we have to nd him in multiple places on the oor throughout the whole game. And we’ve done that in two games.”
victory gave Michael Jordan a chance at the NASCAR title
TERRY RENNA / AP PHOTO
Tyler Reddick, front right, celebrates with fans at the nish line after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playo race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Richard Chizmar tells a creepy occult tale in ‘Memorials’
It reads like something from the mind of Stephen King
By Rob Merrill The Associated Press
RICHARD CHIZMAR, who co-wrote parts of the “Gwendy” trilogy with Stephen King from 2017-22 (“Gwendy’s Button Box” and “Gwendy’s Final Task”), has written his longest novel yet, and readers should not be surprised that it reads, at least somewhat, like something from the mind of Stephen King.
“Memorials” is set in 1983 as three students embark on a road trip through Appalachia, documenting roadside memorials for their American Studies 301 class at York College. We soon learn that Billy, Melody and Troy experienced personal loss prior to their college years, so the act of documenting sites where someone else’s loved ones lost their lives turns out to be both educational and personal. Chizmar intentionally gives the trio a very “Scooby Doo”-like vibe, even making their wheels, a “Volkswagen Westfalia pop-top camper,” reminiscent of the Mystery Machine.
The plot starts o slowly as the three meander the windy back roads, taking Polaroid pictures and shooting VHS video of crosses and balloons and stu ed animals that mark the spots where people died. Chizmark employs a cool, rare narrative trick, providing transcripts of the video footage as they interview locals as well as loved ones. “The camera zooms closer on his face. His brown eyes are somber but steady. He clears his throat and contin-
ues,” is how part of the transcript of Billy’s interview reads. Billy lost both his parents in a tragic car accident in Sudbury, Pennsylvania, and it is when he returns home, visits their roadside memorial, and starts asking questions, that the novel gradually becomes more interesting.
The story is stu ed with foreshadowing, as various characters are introduced and act suspiciously and as Billy, Melody and Troy begin to nd occult signs at memorials and experience strange, haunting visions. And while the point is to denitely build tension until the novel’s climax, it sometimes comes across as blunt and heavy-handed. There are few too many chapters that end with italics, and you can practically hear the foreboding music as the scene fades to black.
When the plot puzzle begins to assemble in the nal 100 or so pages, “Memorials” really takes o and becomes something altogether di erent, genuinely earning its placement in the horror section of the bookstore on the same shelf as the master of horror himself, Stephen King. Readers will have to decide for themselves if the payo is worth it, but it’s an enjoyable and spooky enough ride.
GALLERY BOOKS VIA AP
Three students embark on a road trip through Appalachia in “Memorials” by Richard Chizmar.
this week in history
Seabiscuit wins “The Race of the Century,” Reagan elected, Saddam convicted
The Associated Press OCT. 31
1864: President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation making Nevada the 36th state.
1961: The body of Josef Stalin was removed from Lenin’s Tomb as part of the Soviet Union’s “de-Stalinization” drive.
NOV. 1
1938: In a two-horse match race, Seabiscuit defeated the favored Triple Crown winner War Admiral by four lengths in what was dubbed the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore.
1765: The Stamp Act, passed by the British Parliament, went into e ect, prompting sti resistance from American colonists.
1950: Two Puerto Rican nationalists tried to force their way into Blair House in Washington, D.C., in a failed attempt to assassinate President Harry S. Truman.
NOV. 2
1783: Gen. George Washing-
ton issued his Farewell Address to the Army.
1947: Howard Hughes piloted his Hughes H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the “Spruce Goose,” a massive wooden seaplane with a wingspan longer than a football eld. It remained airborne for 26 seconds.
1959: Charles Van Doren testi ed to a Congressional committee that he had conspired with television producers to cheat on the television quiz show “Twenty-One.”
NOV. 3
1839: The rst Opium War between China and Britain broke out.
1911: The Chevrolet Motor Car Co. was founded in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant.
1979: Five Communist Workers Party members were killed in a clash with heavily armed Ku Klux Klansmen during an anti-Klan protest in Greensboro.
1986: The Iran-Contra a air came to light as Ash-Shiraa, a pro-Syrian Lebanese magazine, rst broke the story of U.S. arms sales to Iran.
1992: Democrat Bill Clinton was elected the 42nd president of the United States.
NOV. 4
1879: Humorist Will Rogers
Abraham Lincoln became the 16th U.S. president on Nov. 6, 1860.
was born in Oologah, Oklahoma.
1922: The entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt.
1995: Yitzhak Rabin, prime minister of Israel, was assassinated.
1979: The Iran hostage crisis began as militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran.
1980: Republican Ronald Reagan was elected president of the United States.
1985: Soviet defector Vitaly Yurchenko announced he was returning to the Soviet Union, charging he had been kidnapped by the CIA.
2008: Democrat Barack
Obama was elected the rst black president of the United States.
NOV. 5
1605: The “Gunpowder Plot” failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could blow up the English Parliament.
1872: Su ragist Susan B. Anthony de ed the law by attempting to cast a vote for President Ulysses S. Grant.
1912: Democrat Woodrow Wilson was elected president.
1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term in o ce.
1964: NASA launched Mariner 3, which was supposed to y by Mars, but the spacecraft failed to reach its destination.
1968: Republican Richard M. Nixon won the presidency 2006: Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced by the Iraqi High Tribunal to hang for crimes against humanity.
NOV. 6
1860: Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party was elected president of the United States.
1861: James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was born.
1984: President Ronald Reagan won reelection in a landslide.
Pixies’ Black Francis on ‘The Night the Zombies Came,’ 35 years of ‘Doolittle,’ Steve Albini
The
By Maria Sherman
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — The undead, Medieval-themed suburban restaurants, the mall. Druidism, decapitated chickens, rebirth. Church, sheep slaughter, science ction. These are a few, not all, of the topics touched upon on the Pixies’ 10th studio album, “The Night the Zombies Came.”
In truth, “The Night the Zombies Came” plays out more like a lm, each song a small vignette. Frontman and visual artist Black Francis, born Charles Thompson, says that’s particularly evident in their slow or midtempo songs — the ones where they value space and reverb — an energetic choice as well as a musical one.
“When you play, like, surf music, but you kind of dress it up in a little bit of a tuxedo or whatever, and you end up coming up with something that’s a little more spaghetti Western, right? Or more and you know, Ennio Morricone,” he says. “We’re not very good at any particular
genre. We like all of the genres of so-called popular music.”
That’s evident across “The Night the Zombies Came.” Eclectic folk moments pull inuence from Shirley Collins; Black’s chanty monotone on “Jane (The Night the Zombies Came)” is all Baxter Dury meets Sleaford Mods, though he says the song is “a mixture of Lou Reed and church music.” The quirky palm-muted guitar pop of “Hypnotized” is loosely written in the style of a sestina, a poetic form. Closer “The Vegas Suite” is based o the 1950s standard “Que Sera, Sera.”
“There isn’t really a unifying theme,” Francis says — and there really hasn’t been one on any of the Pixies’ albums.
But listeners, of course, are free to draw their own connections: Like the one that might be made between “Ernest Evans,” a rollicking burst about American singer Chubby Checker, best known for “The Twist” and “Kings of the Prairie,” inspired by Mexican troubadours touring the West Coast. There, the image of an exhaustive performance schedule — the open road, an endless sea of motel doors and gigging — feels like a thematic
throughline in an album of unexpected turns.
And it works: the Pixies have always been outsiders; it’s what makes their music connect.
Earlier this year, the Pixies’ “Doolittle,” one of the great alternative rock records of the last few decades — and certainly the one that cemented his band as
an eccentric, strange, revolutionary force in guitar music soon to be acknowledged by the mainstream — turned 35. Francis isn’t one to use an anniversary as a tool for re ection, rather, suggesting that his relationship with the album has remained the same. “I think we knew we were doing good work at the
time,” he says. “We were glad people liked it.”
“At the risk of sounding faux-humble, it’s not really my position to kind of go, ‘Well, here’s how my music sits in the pantheon of records and what it means and all that (expletive),’” he says. “It’s hard to talk about your own records as being quote-unquote in uential or important or whatever because yeah, it sounds a little crass.”
“Doolittle” follows “Surfer Rosa,” the band’s canonized 1988 album known to Nirvana fans the world over as the one that inspired Kurt Cobain’s songwriting on the 1991 landmark album “Nevermind.” It’s one many fans have been returning to in 2024, following the untimely death of its legendary producer, Steve Albini in May.
“It was nice, in a way, to work with someone who wasn’t taking it all too seriously, wasn’t taking us that seriously, was a little sort of almost dismissive,” he says of working with Albini. “That is a tone ... that one can take when you’re making your art or whatever that can be useful. It can be useful to not take it all too seriously. I mean, you have to not be so precious about it.”
Pixies’ 10th studio album dropped last week
ANDY KROPA / INVISION / AP PHOTO
Pixies frontman and solo artist Black Francis, born Charles Thompson, released the Pixies’ 10th studio album, “The Night the Zombies Came,” on Oct. 25.
famous birthdays this week
Dan Rather is 93, Roseanne Barr turns 72, Art Garfunkel hits 83
OCT. 31
Actor Lee Grant is 99. Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 93. TV host Jane Pauley is 74. Football coach Nick Saban is 73. Rapper Vanilla Ice is 57.
NOV. 1
Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player is 89. Musician Lyle Lovett is 67. Apple CEO Tim Cook is 64. Rock singer Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 62.
NOV. 2
Tennis Hall of Famer Ken Rosewall is 90. Political commentator Pat Buchanan is 86. Playwright Lynn Nottage is 60. Actor David Schwimmer (“Friends”) is 58. Rapper Nelly is 50.
NOV. 3
Singer Lulu is 76. Actor-comedian Roseanne Barr is 72. Actor Kate Capshaw (“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”) is 71. Actor-comedian Dennis Miller is 71. Actor Dolph Lundgren (“Rocky IV”) is 67.
NOV. 4
Actor Loretta Swit (“MASH”) is 87. Singer Harry Elston of Friends of Distinction is 86. Singer Delbert McClinton is 84. Actor Ralph Macchio is 63. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 55.
NOV. 5
Actor Harris Yulin (“The Hurricane,” “Scarface”) is 87. Singer Art Garfunkel is 83. Singer Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits is 77. Singer Bryan Adams is 65. Singer-guitarist Ryan Adams is 50. Actor Tilda Swinton is 64. Actor Tatum O’Neal is 61.
NOV. 6
Actor June Squibb (“Thelma,” “Nebraska”) is 95. Singer P.J. Proby is 86. Actor Sally Field is 78. Jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is 75. TV host Catherine Crier is 70.
CHARLES SYKES /INVISION / AP PHOTO Rapper Vanilla Ice turns 57 on Thursday.
EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO
Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather, pictured in 2015, turns 93 on Thursday.
JULIE JACOBSON / AP PHOTO
Actor-comedian Roseanne Barr turns 72 on Sunday.
the stream
Willie drops new album, ‘Martha’ hits Net ix, ‘The Diplomat’ returns
Demi Moore plays a faded Hollywood star in “The Substance”
The Associated Press
THE BODY HORROR lm
“The Substance” and an album by Tyler, the Creator are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also, among the streaming o erings to enjoy: “Despicable Me 4” arrives on Peacock, the political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday and the concert lm “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour” on Tuesday.
MOVIES TO STREAM
Coralie Fargeat’s provocative body horror “The Substance” is streaming on MUBI on Halloween. The lm stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded Hollywood star who is red from her aerobic television show on her 50th birthday. In a moment of distress, she decides to take a black market injectable called The Substance which promises to take her back to her younger self (Margaret Qualley).
The Martha Stewart lm “Martha” is streaming on Netix. The lm from R.J. Cutler promises to recontextualize the life of the teen model turned lifestyle mogul. On Friday, Disney+ premieres “Music by John Williams,” about the life of the composer behind so many iconic lm scores. It seems everyone in Hollywood turned out to speak about the ve-time Oscar winner, now 92, including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
Playwright Annie Baker makes her directorial debut with the quiet and nely observed “Janet Planet,” coming to MAX on Friday. The lm follows a mother (Julianne Nicholson) and her 11-year-old daughter (Zoe Ziegler) one languid summer in rural Western Massachusetts in 1991. It’s the kind of lm that transports you back to the wonder, boredom and agita of an endless summer break, before smart phones and social media.
For the kids looking for some Minion madness, “Despicable Me 4” nds its way to Peacock on Thursday.
MUSIC TO STREAM
On Friday, Willie Nelson will release “Last Leaf On the Tree.” It’s his rst album produced by his son Micah, but the rsts stop there: This marks his 76th solo studio album and
153rd album overall, according to Texas Monthly’s in-depth taxonomy of his work. The release includes covers of Tom Waits’ “Last Leaf,” Nina Simone’s “Come Ye,” Neil Young’s “Are You Ready For The Country,” Beck’s “Lost Cause,” the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Real-
ize??” and more. One element of Nelson’s magic musicianship has always been his ability to completely transform a cover song, making it his own and simultaneously, everyone’s. Few contemporary artists have managed to create the kind of mythology that sur -
rounds Tyler, the Creator – a multihyphenate talent that has maintained an air of unpredictability, danger and prescience since his debut studio album, 2011’s “Goblin,” rewired the creative brains of a few musical generations. On Monday, he releases his seventh album, “Chromakopia.” Little is known about the release — but expectations of transgressive hip-hop are in the right place, as made clear in the claustrophobic “NOID” and its inventive sample of a 1977 track by the Zambian rock band Ngozi Family.
On Halloween, Amazon Prime Video will release “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words,” a documentary lm on the ery MC with the unmistakable ows and larger-thanlife Hot Girl Summer purveyor. Across her career, Megan Thee Stallion’s pop persona has been one of empowerment and self-belief — appearing impenetrable in an unforgiving and unkind industry. Of course, it is never so simple — and who could forget the onslaught of criticism she received during Tory Lanez’s assault trial, what experts described as a clear example of misogynoir, a speci c type of misogyny experienced by black women.
First, there was Taylor Swift’s blockbuster concert
lm “The Eras Tour.” Then there was Beyoncé’s concert lm, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” And on Tuesday, there will be “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour,” the concert lm, available to stream on Net ix. Bring the arena home, scream along to big-throated pop-punk kiss-o s and open-hearted piano ballads, and never forget the message of Rodrigo’s pop: that there are few forces more potent than a young creative woman’s dissatisfaction.
SHOWS TO STREAM
The political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday on Net ix — picking right up where the rst season ended. Russell plays Kate, a new U.S. diplomat to Britain and Sewell is her husband, Hal, who is also a diplomat but who is now without a post. Their marriage is rocky but in the new season, Kate begins to believe Hal is the only person she can trust.
Ten men compete in a reality competition show for a leading role in a Hallmark holiday movie in “Finding Mr. Christmas” for Hallmark+. “Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett is both the show’s host and a co-judge alongside Melissa Peterman. The contestants take part in challenges like pulling Santa’s sleigh and an ugly Christmas sweater fashion show. The winner will star opposite Jessica Lowndes (“90210”) in the new original “Happy Howlidays” premiering in December on Hallmark Channel. The competition begins Thursday on the streamer. A new Spanish-language series for HBO adapts the novel “Like Water for Chocolate.” It follows a forbidden love story between Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida) against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Tita and Pedro long to be together but cannot because of a family custom that forbids Tita from marrying. Salma Hayek Pinault is an executive producer. It premieres Sunday on Max.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
BioWare built its reputation on enormous, immersive role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate and Mass E ect. It’s been way too long since we got a new RPG from the studio, but Dragon Age: The Veilguard is here at last. A couple of cranky Elven gods are raising hell across the mythical land of Thedas, and it’s up to you to put the old geezers back in their place. BioWare promises dozens of hours of the character-based storytelling its fans love — and maybe a few cameos from the heroes of earlier Dragon Age chapters.
NETFLIX VIA AP
The un inching documentary “Martha,” about the life of Martha Stewart, is streaming on Net ix.
SONY MUSIC VIA AP
“Last Leaf On the Tree” by Willie Nelson includes covers of songs by Tom Waits, The Flaming Lips and Beck.
