Chatham News & Record Vol. 147 Issue 42

Champs!

UNC celebrates after defeating Wake Forest 1-0 to win NCAA Women’s College Cup soccer final on Monday, adding to the team’s storied resume. It was the 22nd NCAA Tournament title in school history.

the BRIEF this week

Bishop tapped by Trump for OMB post Washington, D.C.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated outgoing Congressman Dan Bishop to be deputy director for budget at the Office of Management and Budget. Bishop lost the N.C. Attorney General race to Rep. Jeff Jackson last month.

Durham man charged with burning American flag pulled from flagpole Washington, D.C. Federal authorities have charged a man with burning an American flag in Washington, D.C., during protests in July. Michael Snow Jr., of Durham, is charged with destruction of federal property. The flag was pulled down at Columbus Circle, in front of Union Station, by demonstrators calling for an end to the war in Gaza.

No more recounts in Supreme Court race, protests ahead

Raleigh

A partial hand recount failed to suggest the trailing Republican candidate could overtake the Democratic incumbent in the state Supreme Court race.

Associate Justice Allison Riggs maintained a 734 -vote lead over Jefferson Griffin following a machine recount completed last week. Griffin asked for the partial hand recount, which wrapped up Tuesday and saw Riggs gaining votes. The state election board heard arguments Wednesday on protests filed by Griffin and GOP legislative candidates.

New commissioner: Climate change biggest challenge facing Chatham

Amanda Robertson, doubled down on her climate change platform after being sworn in

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — Chatham County’s newest commissioner looks to be going all-in on her green platform. At its Dec. 2 regular business meeting, the Chatham County

Board of Commissioners swore in reelected commissioner Karen Howard as well as new commissioner Amanda Robertson. Robertson replaced outgoing board chair Mike Dasher as the District 1 representative. “I want to first thank all of you for being here tonight,” Robertson said. “It’s really an honor. I know there’s really nothing on the agenda other than this, so I know I speak for both Karen and me when I say thank you for being here. I’m deeply grateful to all of

my family, friends, supporters and advisors. I’m excited, a little nervous and so grateful to serve and work as your commissioner alongside those who stand with me in the service. Thank you for placing your trust in me.” Robertson, who platformed heavily on sustainability, environmentalism and greengrowth, went on to reaffirm her campaign stances after being sworn in.

See CLIMATE, page A7

“The greatest challenge facing humanity in all our generations is climate change, and we have much work to do in the world, in the state and right here in Chatham County.”

Commissioner Amanda Robertson

Food pantries merge as hunger needs grow

A new farmers market program will double SNAP benefits for local produce

By Melinda Burris Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Two major food assistance organizations in Chatham County have announced plans to merge. West Chatham Food Pantry and Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA) will combine operations effective July 1, 2025, unifying their shared mission of creating a hunger-free community.

The merger will establish a new choice pantry at West Chatham Food Pantry’s current location in the Chatham Trades building on Old U.S. 421 in Siler City. This permanent site will expand food accessibility while offering nutritious options tailored to clients’ needs and preferences. By pooling resources, the merged organization aims to strengthen sustainable food assistance across Chatham County through increased resources, expanded programs, and combined expertise to address residents’ urgent and evolving needs.

Bear Creek man charged in shootings that wounded 3

The incident was initially reported as road rage

By Melinda Burris Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Michael Darren Sharpe, 46, of Bear Creek was arrested by Chatham County Sheriff’s deputies on multiple felony charges following shootings at his residence that left three people wounded. The victims were transported to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill with nonlife-threatening injuries. Deputies initially responded to Murphy’s gas station on New Chatham Road in Siler City around 6 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of gunshots fired into a moving vehicle. While the incident was first reported

as road rage-related, investigators later determined the shootings occurred at Sharpe’s home on Highway 902 in Bear Creek. A search warrant executed at the residence on Saturday yielded evidence tied to the shooting.

Sharpe faces seven counts of felony discharging a weapon into a motor vehicle, three counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Additional charges include four counts of misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun and misdemeanor injury to personal property. He is being held on a $1 million secured bond and is scheduled for his first court appearance Jan. 6, 2025, in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro.

Michael Darren Sharpe faces seven counts of felony discharging a weapon into a motor vehicle and other charges.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry,” said Randy Lindley of West Chatham Food

See FOOD, page A2

CRIME LOG

Dec. 1

• Marie Rosabelle Morgan, 43, of Siler City, was arrested by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking/entering, and second-degree trespass.

Dec. 3

• Gerald Page McMiller, 61, of Chapel Hill, was arrested by CCSO for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, and an additional charge of breaking and entering.

• Gerald Lee Jones Jr., 34, of Chapel Hill, was arrested by CCSO for breaking and entering to terrorize, assault on a female, simple assault, and false report to station house.

• Oscar Ronald Martinez, 46, of Chapel Hill, was arrested by CCSO for larceny from construction site, altering serial numbers, assault on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest.

Dec. 5

• Carlos Perez-Hernandez, 19, of Siler City, was arrested by CCSO for breaking and entering and injury to real property.

A CORA mobile market provided Thanksgiving groceries to 170 local families last month.

FOOD from page A1

Pantry. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to work alongside CORA to sustain and expand the essential services we have provided for years.”

“This merger brings us closer to our vision of a community without hunger,” said Melissa Driver Beard, CORA’s executive director. “Together with West Chatham Food Pantry, we’re combining our strengths and expanding our reach, allowing us to better serve our neighbors in Siler City and throughout Chatham County.”

Together, the organizations currently serve more than 17,000 individuals and provide more than 2 million meals annually. The merger seeks to increase efficien-

• 298 E. Salisbury Street (Pittsboro), 0.40 Acres, 3 Bedroom/2 Bath, $600,000

• 557 Olives Chapel Road, (Apex),12.802 Acres, 3 Bedroom/3 Bathroom, $2,500,000

• 209 Democracy Place (Apex), 4.62 Acres, 4 Bedrooms/5 Bathrooms, $1,750,000

• 873 Arrowhead Loop (Pittsboro), 11.06 Acres, 3 Bedrooms/3.5 Bathrooms, $725,000

• 4147 Siler City Snow Camp Road (Siler City), 57.43 Acres, 5 Separate Living Spaces, $2,750,000

• 4662 Buckhorn Road (Sanford), 1.31 Acres, 2 Bedrooms/1 Bathroom, $200,000

RESIDENTIAL

• 389 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 9.109 Acres, 3 Bedroom/2 Bathroom, $525,000

• 83 Karen Calhoun Road (Pittsboro), 4.36 Acres, 3 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms, $800,000 LAND

• 13120 Strickland Road (Raleigh),16.25 Acres, $1,500,000

cy and expand impact by improving access to nutritious food for residents facing food insecurity.

In related developments, the Pittsboro Farmers Market has launched a “Double Up” program to increase access to healthy, locally grown food for SNAP benefit recipients. The program matches each dollar spent using SNAP benefits, effectively doubling shoppers’ purchasing power. All SNAP recipients are automatically eligible to participate.

The market, which began accepting SNAP/EBT in January 2024, is the first farmers’ market in Chatham County to offer this option. Funding is secured to support the program through 2025.

“Providing this payment op -

LAND

• 1388 Henry Oldham Road (Bear Creek), 4.840 Acres, $135,000

• 188 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill),1.150 Acres, $100,000

• 170 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill),1.150 Acres, $100,000

• 9311 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 4.602 Acres, $225,000

• 9231 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 5.630 Acres, $250,000

• 48 Swimming Chicken Lane (Pittsboro), 5.060 Acres, $500,000

• 24 Swimming Chicken Lane (Pittsboro), 9.470 Acres, $750,000

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

• 00 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 33.66 Acres, $3,500,000

• 0 JB Morgan Road (Apex), 21.00 Acres, $825,000

• 0 Panama Terrace (Durham), .420 Acres, $38,000

• 0 Mt. Gilead Church Road (Pittsboro), 1.643 Acres, $175,000

Dec. 6

• Alexander Moreno-Aristeo, 22, of Burlington, was arrested by CCSO for domestic violence protection order violation.

Dec. 8

• Donald Scott Urey, 60, of New Hill, was arrested by CCSO for domestic violence protection order violation and harassing phone calls.

tion aligns with the market’s values of bringing the community together while supporting a thriving local food system,” said Tara Gregory, an agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension Chatham County Family and Consumer Sciences. The Extension aims to help other Chatham County farmers’ markets implement similar programs to increase access to local produce. Approximately one in nine Chatham County households experience food insecurity, with two-thirds qualifying for SNAP benefits. The Chatham County Public Health Department, which receives state funding to support this initiative, expects the new program to help address food insecurity in the region.

• 8636/8710 Johnson Mill Road (Bahama),182.888 Acres, $3,240,000

• 292 Choice Trail (Pittsboro), 4.100 Acres, $285,000

• 0 Chatham Church Road (Moncure),15.94 Acres, $750,000

• 323 Wagon Trace (Pittsboro), 10.255 Acres, $325,000

• 0 Pasture Branch Road (Rose Hill), 29.00 Acres, $1,250,000

• 0 US 64 W (Siler City), 9.670 Acres, $4,500,000

• 37 E Cotton Road (Pittsboro), 0.996 Acres, $100,000 COMMERCIAL IMPROVED

• 140 &148 East Street (Pittsboro), 1.49 Acres, $1,350,000

• 0 Moonrise Meadow Drive (Siler City), 20.66 Acres, $160,000

COMMERCIAL IMPROVED

• 1311 Old US 421 S (Siler City), 3.74 Acres, $260,000 COMMERCIAL UNIMPROVED

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

• 10681 US Hwy 64 E (Apex), 3.97 Acres, $1,000,000

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO

Hunters: Friend or Foe to Land Brokers (While Selling Land)

SPONSORED BY

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

Dec. 13

Holiday in the Park 5-8 p.m.

Join Chatham County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources for this free indoor and outdoor event including pictures with Santa, a hayride, holiday-themed games, crafts, candy canes, warm drinks, carolers, letters to Santa, and the tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. to kick off the event!

Northwest District Park 2413 Woody Store Road Siler City

Dec. 14

2024 Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the 32nd year, the Chatham Artists Guild proudly presents this rare opportunity to connect with local artists in an intimate setting — unlike any gallery or museum. Take a relaxing drive through Chatham County’s rolling hills and pastoral farmlands to visit 54 talented artists in 39 studios that dot the countryside, with both private studios and visitor businesses participating. This event is free, selfguided and offers artwork in all media at various price points.

Goldston Main Street Cruise In 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy local restaurants and shops while you meet and talk with other car people at Calico Quilt Antique’s Monthly Main Street Cruise In. Park anywhere on Bellevue Street in Goldston, and bring anything and everything. 434 Bellevue St. Goldston

Vino!! Wine Shop Tasting 5-7 p.m.

Weekly free tastings at Vino!! Wine Shop are hosted every Friday. Experts share their picks of wines with varied pricing and from diverse locations. Tasting details, including which wines will be served, are shared on their Facebook page and in their newsletters. All tastings and events at Vino!! Wine Shop. Part of Chatham County’s Craft Beverages and Country Inns Trail. 89 Hillsboro St., Suite D Pittsboro

@ CORA_FOODPANTRY / INSTAGRAM

Carolina Tiger Rescue welcomes rehomed cougar

The animal was saved from a now-shuttered roadside zoo

By Melinda Burris Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — Carolina Tiger Rescue has provided a home for Nova, a female cougar recently removed from a South Carolina roadside zoo. The local animal sanctuary, fully accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, provides care for animals rescued from poor conditions and neglect at roadside zoos and within the pet trade.

The former Waccatee Zoo in South Carolina closed following

legal action over allegations that animals were denied adequate nutrition, space and shelter. After the zoo’s closure, some animals were temporarily moved to Zootastic Park in Troutman before being rehomed to various sanctuaries.

Nova joins Beausoleil, the sanctuary’s male cougar, at Carolina Tiger Rescue’s facility at 1940 Hanks Chapel Road in Pittsboro. The nonprofit wildlife sanctuary is dedicated to saving wild cats in captivity and provides care in large naturalistic habitats while offering public tours, and it is also looking for volunteers to help with tours, the gift shop and animal care. For more information, visit their website at carolinatigerrescue.org.

Trump picks Iraq War vet from North Carolina as Army secretary

Daniel P. Driscoll is an Army Ranger who deployed to Iraq

By Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has selected a former soldier and Iraq War veteran to serve as his secretary of the Army.

Daniel P. Driscoll, from North Carolina, had been serving as a senior advisor to Vice President-elect JD Vance, whom he met when both were attending Yale Law School. He ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, getting about 8% of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.

“Dan will be a fearless and relentless fighter for America’s Soldiers and the America First agenda,” Trump said on his social media platform. If confirmed, Driscoll, 38, would take the helm of a military branch that has been struggling to overcome recruiting shortfallsthrough a sweeping overhaul of its programs and staffing. The Army is also undertaking a widespread effort to revamp and

modernize its weapons systems. Since his graduation from Yale in 2014 and his tour in the Army, Driscoll has worked at several investment banking and consulting firms in North Carolina.

According to the Army, Driscoll served as an armor officer from August 2007 to March 2011, deploying to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010. He completed Army Ranger school, earning a Ranger tab, but it was not immediately clear when that occurred.

Completing the course allows a soldier to wear the tab but does not mean that he served as a Ranger in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, which is part of the Army’s special operations com-

mand and requires significantly more training.

He left the military service at the rank of first lieutenant. He also graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Driscoll’s military awards include the Army Commendation Medal and the the combat action badge, which are meritoriously earned.

His other awards are often given due to completion of service during a military campaign and include National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Church News

BICYCLE & FOOD GIVEAWAY! Dec. 14 — 9 a.m. to noon

Crosspoint Church 500 N. Fifth Ave. Siler City

RIVES CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH 4338 Rives Chapel Church Road Siler City

Sunday, Dec. 15 At 5:30 p.m. The children will present their Christmas play, “Hotel Noel.” Refreshments will follow in The Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, Dec.22, the adult choir will present their cantata, “Sing Me The Songs Of Christmas,” during the 11 a.m. worship service, All are welcome to come and enjoy this beautiful cantata!

OAKLEY BAPTIST CHURCH 2300 Siler City-Glendon Road Siler City

We will be having our Christmas cantata, “Light Out Of The Darkness,” in Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.

Refreshments will be served after the performance on Sunday, Dec. 15. All are welcome!!

CAROLINA TIGER RESCUE / FACEBOOK Nova is pictured at Carolina Tiger Rescue.

KEVIN WOLF / AP PHOTO

President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate North Carolina’s David P. Driscoll as secretary of the Army.

obituaries

IN MEMORY

Martha Virginia Fields Gunter

April 11, 1929 –Dec. 7, 2024

Martha Virginia Fields Gunter, 95, of Goldston, died peacefully at her home, Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Mrs. Gunter was born in Chatham County to the late Thomas N. and Pearl Tillman Fields on April 11, 1929. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gunter was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Gunter; son, Jimmy Stinson; brothers, Warren Fields, Eugene Fields, and William Fields; sisters; Beatrice Gunter and Inez McFarling; and special lifelong friend Joan Dixon.

She loved the Lord and attended Cornerstone Baptist Church. Going fishing, making baskets, and doing other types of crafting were her favorite past times. She enjoyed

James Cecil Ellis

Sept.26th, 1963 –Nov. 22, 2024

James “Jimmy” Cecil Ellis, age 61, a resident of Washington, NC and formerly of Pittsboro, died Friday November 22, 2024 at his home.

James “Jimmy” Cecil Ellis or “Jim-Bob” has gone to a quiet place with no pain

Daisy Kathryn “Kathy” Riggans Gaddis

Oct. 18, 1952 –Nov. 22, 2024

Mrs. Daisy Kathryn “Kathy” Riggans Gaddis, 72, passed away in her home surrounded by her family, Friday, November 22, 2024.

Kathy was born in Alamance County, NC, October 18, 1952, a daughter to the late Margaret Thornton and Jessie Franklin Riggans. In addition to her husband and parents, Kathy was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry Wayne Riggans and David Allen Riggans.

She was married to Thomas Kaywood Gaddis

cooking and loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. Gunter is survived by her daughters, Susan (Dan) Graham of Sanford and Nancy (Anthony) Elkins of Goldston; daughterin-law, Cathy Stinson of Oak Island; grandchildren, Virginia (David) Madorin, Codey (Mallory) Elkins, and Brandi Stinson; greatgrandchildren, Caydie Draper and Graham Madorin; sister, Lilly Beal of Goldston; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Gunter’s caregivers, Patricia Lynch, Cynthia Royals, and Becky Oldham.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 11:00am, at Cornerstone Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Fields officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and Friends are welcome to visit with the family one hour prior the service.

The family request memorials be made to UNC Hospice.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Gunter family.

Online Condolences may be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com

where he can fish, watch the birds, deer and other wildlife.

Jimmy was born in Chatham County, NC on September 26, 1963, to Jerry Arnold Ellis and Beverly Ann Fletcher.

Survivors include his mother, Beverly Ashworth and husband, Ronald of Chocowinity, a sister, Karyl Ellis Thompson and husband Bill of Washington and a niece, Kacy Thompson of Garner.

He is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Arnold Ellis.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www. paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Ellis family.

for 47 years until his death July 5, 2016.

She is survived by her three children, Charles “Chuck” Gaddis (Jane) of Staley, NC, Tracy Gaddis (Chandra) of Graham, NC and Jennifer Gaddis Applewhite of Liberty, NC; nine grandchildren, Kimberly Taylor Dunn (William), Christopher Gaddis (Madison), Hunter Gaddis (Jenna), Danielle Olson (Steven), Charles Gaddis, Thomas Gaddis, Breanna Applewhite, Caitlyn Applewhite and Jason Gaddis; her brother, Roy Riggans (Teresa) of Siler City; and her sister, Ann Wilson (Doug) of Graham.

S ervices will be held at New Day Ministries - 116 N. Depot St., Liberty, NC 27298, with Pastor Mike Crigler and Co-pastor Gail Newsom officiating the service.

A date and time are pending.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is honored to serve the Gaddis family.

Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com

SPONSORED BY DONALDSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY

We offer an on-site crematory with many options of Celebration of Life services, Traditional, and Green Burials. Call us to set an appointment to come by and learn more.

EVELYN JEWEL ROBINSON BULLARD

DEC. 28, 1938 – DEC. 7, 2024

Evelyn Jewel Robinson Bullard, 85, of Siler City, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2024 at her home. The memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at CrossPoint Church (formerly known as Siler City Church of God) with Pastor Neal Kight presiding. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

Evelyn was born in Bladen County on December 28, 1938 to Willie and Elaine Robinson. She was formerly employed as a spinning operator at Ramtex. She loved going to church, shopping and cooking for her family and friends. Evelyn was a friend to all and never met a stranger.

In addition to his parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Wiliam “Jack” Bullard; one sister and four brothers.

She is survived by her daughter, Jackie Jourdan (Stanley), of Bear Creek; sisters, Lila Neal, of Siler City, Paula Boley, of Haw River and Marie Patrick, of Siler City; brother, Dillard Robinson (Jackie), of Siler City; grandchildren, Jason Jourdan (Michelle) and Jennifer Holder (Mike); numerous nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CrossPoint Church general fund, 500 North Fifth Ave., Siler City, NC 27344.

Darrell McGraw, former W.Va. attorney general, dies at 88

As AG, McGraw sued Purdue Pharma over the marketing of opoids

By John Raby The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. —

Darrell V. McGraw Jr., a former longtime West Virginia attorney general and state Supreme Court justice who fought back against the state’s drug overdose crisis, died Saturday. He was 88.

Jared Hunt, a spokesman for the state Supreme Court, said in an email that McGraw died of a heart attack.

The West Virginia Democratic Party called McGraw “a tireless advocate for justice, fairness, and the people of our great state.”

“His legacy of service and commitment to our state will never be forgotten,” it said in a statement. “Darrell’s work made a lasting impact on our state, and his spirit of public service will continue to inspire generations to come.”

A Democrat, McGraw won a 12-year term on the Supreme Court in 1976. He was elected attorney general in 1992 and reelected four times before losing to Republican Patrick Morrisey in 2012. McGraw lost a bid to return to the Supreme Court in 2016.

“My prayers and sympathies go out to the family and friends

of Darrell McGraw for their loss,” Morrisey said in a statement on the social platform X.

In 2001, McGraw accused Purdue Pharma in a lawsuit of dishonestly marketing the painkiller OxyContin in West Virginia. The company agreed to a $10 million settlement in 2004. McGraw later filed a lawsuit over excessive amounts of prescription painkillers that were flooding southern West Virginia pharmacies. After McGraw left office, the state announced settlements of $20 million with distributor Cardinal Health Inc. and $16 million with AmerisourceBergen Drug Co.

In addition, a Georgia com-

pany that McGraw accused of supplying ingredients used to make drugs known as bath salts and synthetic marijuana agreed not to sell or advertise in the state.

The drug overdose epidemic has killed more than 1 million people in the United States since 1999. West Virginia for years has had by far the nation’s highest overdose death rate. McGraw also focused on consumer protection and antitrust laws, suing direct mail marketers, credit card companies, alternative lenders and other businesses.

In 1998, his office was part of a national settlement against major U.S. cigarette manufacturers. West Virginia currently has the highest rate of adult smokers.

Born Nov. 8, 1936, in Wyoming County, McGraw enlisted in the Army as a teenager. Attending West Virginia University, he was elected student body president and earned bachelor’s and law degrees.

He later became counsel to the state legislature and to Gov. Hulett Smith before being elected to the Supreme Court.

McGraw’s wife, Jorea Marple, is a former state schools superintendent. His brother, former state Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw, died last year.

McGraw is survived by his wife and four children, Hunt said.

Yvonne Johnson, the first black mayor of NC’s third-largest city, dies at 82

She was mayor pro tempore on Greensboro’s current city council

The Associated Press

GREENSBORO — A longtime Greensboro council member who also was the first black mayor of North Carolina’s third largest city has died.

Yvonne Johnson, who was the mayor pro tempore on the current city council, died last Wednesday at age 82, Mayor Nancy Vaughan announced in a statement.

“Our city lost one of its champions,” Vaughan said. A cause of death wasn’t provided, but Vaughan had said last Tuesday that Johnson was absent from the council meeting that evening because of illness, the News & Record of Greensboro reported.

Johnson spent nearly 30 years on the council — first from 1993 to 2009, of which the last two years she served as mayor following a 2007 election victory. She lost her mayoral reelection bid in 2009 but returned to the council in

League of Municipalities about taking part in the 1963 March on Washington and in the sit-in movement while a student at Bennett College in Greensboro.

week

age 82.

2011, serving until her death.

Johnson “was a dedicated public servant and friend who led Greensboro with courage, passion and a sense of justice,” Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday on X, adding he was “grateful for her good work and the positive changes she helped make.” Johnson was long involved in civil rights. She recalled in a 2023 interview with a publication of the North Carolina

“I grew up here and I experienced segregation,” Johnson told Southern City Magazine. “I always felt it was wrong, but I never really had that spark, that motivation to get out there and do something that might make a difference. The spirit at Bennett spurred me. Once I was on the bandwagon, I was there.” Johnson served as the leader of One Step Further, a nonprofit providing food assistance, mediation and other services, from its founding in 1982 until earlier this year, a previous news release from the nonprofit said.

“Our family is immensely proud of her service and she was and still is a role model for her four kids and seven grandkids,” Lisa Johnson-Tonkins, Johnson’s daughter and the current Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court, was quoted as saying in Vaughan’s statement. “Her mantra was that service is the rent you pay for your time on Earth. Mom’s rent has been paid up.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson died last

at

LISA BERNHEIM/CHARLESTON GAZETTEMAIL VIA AP

Darrell McGraw poses for a portrait in Charleston, W.Va. in March 2016.

Musk warns Republicans against standing in Trump’s way — or his

His America PAC could fund GOP primary challengers

By Thomas Beaumont, Juliet Linderman and Martha Mendoza The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa — A week after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, Elon Musk said his political action committee would “play a significant role in primaries.”

The following week, the billionaire responded to a report that he might fund challengers to GOP House members who don’t support Trump’s nominees.

“How else? There is no other way,” Musk wrote on X, which he rebranded after purchasing Twitter and moving to boost conservative voices, including his own.

And during his recent visit to Capitol Hill, Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy delivered a warning to Republicans who don’t go along with their plans to slash spending as part of Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency.

“Elon and Vivek talked about having a naughty list and a nice list for members of Congress and senators and how we vote and how we’re spending the American people’s money,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

Trump’s second term comes

with the specter of the world’s richest man serving as his political enforcer. Within Trump’s team, there is a feeling that Musk not only supports Trump’s agenda and Cabinet appointments but is intent on seeing them through to the point of pressuring Republicans who may be less devout.

One Trump adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal political dynamics, noted Musk had come to enjoy his role on the campaign and that he clearly had the resources to stay involved.

The adviser and others noted that Musk’s role is still taking shape. And Musk, once a supporter of President Barack Obama before moving to the right in recent years, is famously mercurial.

“I think he was really important for this election. Purchasing Twitter, truly making it a free speech platform, I think, was integral to this election, to the win that Donald Trump had,” said departing Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law. “But I don’t

Chatham County Aging Services

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know that ultimately he wants to be in politics. I think he considers himself to be someone on the outside.”

During the presidential campaign, Musk contributed roughly $200 million to America PAC, a super PAC aimed at reaching Trump voters online and in person in the seven most competitive states, which Trump swept. He also invested $20 million in a group called RBG PAC, which ran ads arguing Trump would not sign a national abortion ban even as the former president nominated three of the justices who overturned a federally guaranteed right to the procedure.

Musk’s donation to RBG PAC — a name that invokes the initials of former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a champion of abortion rights — wasn’t revealed until post-election campaign filings were made public last Thursday.

Musk has said he hopes to keep America PAC funded and operating. Beyond that, he has used his X megaphone to suggest he is at least open to challenging less exuberant Trump supporters in Congress.

Another key Trump campaign ally has been more aggressive online. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose group Turning Point Action also worked to turn out voters for Trump, named Republican senators he wants to target.

“This is not a joke, everybody.

CLIMATE from page A1

“Those of you who have known me for at least a few years know how committed I am to combating climate change,” Robertson said. “The greatest challenge facing humanity in all our generations is climate change, and we have much work to do in the world, in the state and right here in Chatham County. We will all need to come together and work together to make a difference in Chatham County.” Robertson went on to say that the county needs to pursue a “fully green energy footprint” and get rid completely of fossil fuels.

“There are many things we can do,” Robertson said. “Areas of inequity in food, housing, education, clean air and water with how we treat and live with the land in Chatham. We all, everyone who is able, need to do our part in our

The funding is already being put together. Donors are calling like crazy. Primaries are going to be launched,” Kirk said on his podcast, singling out Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Jim Risch of Idaho, Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Thom Tillis of North Carolina as potential targets. All four Republican senators’ seats are up in 2026.

For now, Musk has been enjoying the glow of his latest conquest, joining Trump for high-level meetings and galas at the soon-to-be president’s Mara-Lago resort home in Palm Beach, Florida. The incoming administration is seeded with Musk allies, including venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks serving as the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar” and Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Musk’s SpaceX, named to lead NASA.

Musk could help reinforce Trump’s agenda immediately, some GOP strategists said, by using America PAC to pressure key Republicans. Likewise, Musk could begin targeting moderate Democrats in pivotal states and districts this spring, urging them to break with their party on key issues, Republican strategist Chris Pack said.

“Instead of using his influence to twist GOP arms when you have majorities in both houses, he could start going after Democrats who vote against Trump’s agenda in states where the election was a referendum for Trump,” said Pack, former communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “Otherwise, if you pressure Republicans with a primary, you can end up with a Republican who can’t win, and then a Democrat in that seat.”

community to support each other and this government, our government, in getting there.”

Following the swear-ins, the board also unanimously elected former vice chairman Karen Howard as the new chairman of the board and elected Katie Kenlan as vice chair.

“Thank you again for your confidence in me,” Howard said. “I want to thank my board for their trust in me as chair once again and to the community that voted me. It was a challenging year to say the least and your constant and consistent support made a real difference in my life, and I look forward to being of service to each and every one of you in all of the work that we do collectively because we don’t do this work alone. We really do it as a community.”

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will next meet Dec. 16.

1

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Elon Musk, carrying his son X Æ A-Xii, leaves a meeting with members of congress to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency last week in Washington, D.C.

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Mobile Home For Rent – 2 Bedrooms – 1 ½ Baths – 3056 W. 3rd St. – Siler City, NC Contact Diane – 919-663-2979.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for onebedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-6631877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. J14,tfnc

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AUCTIONS

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HELP WANTED

Bonlee Fire Department Is Hiring one full time Fire Fighter/Driver. Duties include, but not limited to responding to emergency calls, service calls, driving department vehicles, and doing all required paperwork.

Potential applicants need to have Fire Fighter 1 and 2 and Medical Responder or EMT, or the ability to acquire within an allotted amount of time. Applicants also must have a class B CDL or be able to get one in an allotted amount of time. Applicants also must pass an agility test.

Interested applicants can email Chief Josh Conrad at bvfd634@gmail.com to submit a resume or get further information. Applications may be picked up at 185 Bonlee Bennett Rd., Siler City, NC between the hours of 8-4, MondayFriday. 2tp

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are included in

for a tax reduction or tax deferment on their permanent residence. The maximum income to qualify for the 2025 tax reduction is $37,900, the maximum income to qualify for 2025 tax deferment is $56,850. If you meet the qualifications your taxes could be significantly lowered. Please contact our office or visit our website for more details on this program and to obtain an application. PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR DISABLED VETERANS: This program excludes the first forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) of the appraised value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by a North Carolina Resident, who is an Honorably Discharged 100% Disabled Veteran, or the unmarried surviving spouse of an Honorable Discharged 100% Disabled Veteran. Please contact our office or visit our website for more details about this program. Chatham County Tax Department P O Box 908, Pittsboro NC 27312 (919) 542-8250 NOTICE

Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted the Schedule of Values to be used in the 2025 Reappraisal of Real Property in Chatham County on November 18th. A copy is available for examination in the Office of the Tax Administrator, First Floor, Courthouse Annex, 12 East Street, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312. Additional copies are also available at all Chatham County public library locations. The Schedule of Values are also available at www. chathamcountnc.gov. A property owner who asserts that the Schedule of Values are invalid may file an appeal therefrom to the NC Property Tax Commission no later than December 20, 2024. For questions, contact the Chatham County Tax Office at (919) 5422811.

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having qualified on the 25th day of November 2024, as Executor of the Estate of, Veonia Cassie Mae Alston deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of March 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 26th day of November 2024. Pamela Denise Alston, Executor of the Estate of Veonia Cassie Mae Alston PO Box 808 Siler City, NC 27344 Attorneys: L aw Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: December 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.

NOTICE

24-SP-53, CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA GLADYS C. BURNETTE, Petitioner VS. Helen Suitt Edwards Clark, William Gattis, Wilma Gattis Brittain, Howard Lee Clark Jr., Phyllis A. Clark, Lena K. Clark Brown, Wanda Clark Fearrington, Norman V. Clark, Julius Allen Clark, Unknown Heirs of Janice M. Clark, Sandi Abbo, Rossa V. Clarke-White, Wanda K. Williams, Zipporah W. Clark Baldwin, Macon David Clark Jr., Amy M. Clark, Wallace Earl Perry, Lillie Perry Atwater, Clyde Douglas Perry, Delaine Perry Norwood, Susan Gayle Perry, LeAnn Golden, Michael J. Sulick as Trustee of the Sulick Family Revocable Trust, Joy Young, Mildred G. Perry, Thomas Perry, Phyllis Cameron, Gloria Perry, Julia Perry, Rhonda Perry, Andrea Nicky Clark, Dorothy Chapman, George Randy Brown, John Dorsey Caldwell, Jr., Johnette Jones, Joy Young, Julina Waden, Lillian Cabrera, Linda Clark, Robert Lee Clark, Jr., Thomas Suitt, Sr., and all unknown or missing heirs of Will Perry a/k/a William E. Perry, Respondents.

NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: GLORIA PERRY, JULIA PERRY, RHONDA PERRY, THOMAS PERRY, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JANICE M. CLARK, ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN OR MISSING HEIRS OF WILL PERRY A/K/ WILLIAM E. PERRY, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO BELIEVE THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY LISTED BELOW TAKE NOTICE that a Civil Action seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action on April 23, 2024. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Partition by Sale on the property of Chatham Co parcel ID 0001902, approximately 10 acres located on Manns Chapel Rd. You are required to make defense to such action no later than January 20, 2025. Upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. Kim K. Steffan Attorney for Petitioner Steffan & Associates, P.C. 2411 Old NC 86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 732-7300 For publication 12/12/24, 12/19/24, 12/26/24

NOTICE

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against James Ross Macdonald, III, deceased, of Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before February 28, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 28th day of November, 2024. James Ross Macdonald, IV, Executor, c/o Elizabeth K. Arias, Esq., Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, 555 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1100, Raleigh, NC 27601.

NOTICE

Pursuant to the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, 12 U.S.C. Chapter 38A and the Secretary’s Foreclosure Commissioner designation, a COMMISSIONER’S SALE of 228 Elverson Place, Cary, NC 27519 (Short Legal Description: LOT 887) will occur at public auction outside the main entrance to the building of the Superior Court of Chatham County, NC located at 40 E Chatham Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312 on December 27, 2024 at 12:30 P.M., pursuant to a default of a note secured by a deed of trust executed by Geraldine P. Fort and Jesse L. Fort recorded 3/11/2013, in the Register of Deeds for Chatham County, NC, as Instrument No. 02915, in Book 1673, Page 0218, and the Assignment in favor of the Secretary of HUD recorded 1/17/2020, in the Register of Deeds for Chatham County, NC as Instrument No. 00542, in Book 02089, Page 0600. TERMS OF SALE can be reviewed by the recorded notice of default on file with the Register of Deeds for Chatham County, NC, for which all terms are incorporated herein into this notice. A 10% deposit payable to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is immediately required for winning bidder in certified funds. Third party certified checks will not be accepted. Full Terms of Sale and opening bids are listed at http://www.virginialawoffice.com/hud. Anderson Law, 2492 N. Landing Rd, #104, Va Beach, VA 23456.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Personal Representative of the Estate of Betsy Ann Culler Cockman, a/k/a Betsy B. Culler Cockman, late of 217 Hillsborough St, Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at: c/o H. Denton Worrell, Esq., Worrell Sides LLP, 128 E. Hargett Street, Ste 305, Raleigh, NC 27601, on or before the 7th day of March, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 5th day of December, 2024. Stephen R. Cockman Estate of Betsy Ann Culler Cockman c/o H. Denton Worrell, Esq. 128 E Hargett Street, Suite 305 Raleigh, NC 27601 For Publication: December 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2024 Chatham News & Record Re: E state of Betsy Ann Culler Cockman

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Ann Burridge Alderks, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina are notified to exhibit the same to undersigned on or before the 6th day of March, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 5th day of December. Claire A. Miller, Executor, Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A., c/o Stephen T. Byrd, P. O. Box 20389, Raleigh, North Carolina 27619-0389.

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Mary Jane Farmer, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of February, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 20th day of November, 2024.

Patricia F. Andrews, Executor of the Estate of Mary Jane Farmer 418 Pine Lake Drive Siler City, North Carolina 27344 M OODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629

SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of KAREN SUBERMAN, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Munson Law Firm PLLC, P.O. Box 1811 Pittsboro, NC 27312, on or before the 12th day of March, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 12th day of December, 2024.

LAUREN NOWELL, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF KAREN SUBERMAN

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Robert Hunter Warren, Deceased, of Chatham County, NC, 24E001628-180, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the office of Reznik Law, on or before March 13, 2025 or this Notice will be in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment. Jennifer Barnett Warren, Estate of Robert Hunter Warren, Deceased. Orly Reznik, Esquire, Reznik Law, PLLC, 200 Cascade Pointe Lane, Suite 104, Cary, NC, 27513. 12/12, 12/19, 12/26 and 1/2

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against MILTON B. MCCOLLOUGH, deceased, of Chatham County, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before, February 28, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment. This 28th day of November, 2024. KAREN KAY MCCOLLOUGH, EXECUTRIX ESTATE OF MILTON B. MCCOLLOUGH c/o Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130 Chapel Hill, NC 27514

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001607-180 The undersigned, ROBYN RHYNE, having qualified on the 8TH day of NOVEMBER 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JOYCE BARGER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 19TH Day of FEBRUARY 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 21ST Day of NOVEMBER 2024. ROBYN RHYNE, ADMINISTRATOR 2150 HADLEY MILL RD. PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: N21,28,D5,12p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001643-180 The undersigned, AMY REED PULLIAM, having qualified on the 22ND Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of HERBERT HUTTSON REED, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 5TH Day of MARCH 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 5TH Day of DECEMBER 2024. AMY REED PULLIAM, EXECUTOR 180 WINDFLOWER PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: D5,12,19,26p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001627-180

The undersigned, CHARITY ALSTON, having qualified on the 19TH Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of HAZEL MAE ALSTON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 26TH Day of FEBRUARY 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 28TH Day of NOVEMBER 2024. CHARITY ALSTON, EXECUTOR PO BOX 1312 PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: N28,D5,12,19p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001606-180

The undersigned, DEWAN BADER, having qualified on the 15TH Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ARTRICE VALENTINE BADER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 5TH Day of MARCH 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 5TH Day of DECEMBER 2024. DEWAN BADER, ADMINISTRATOR 2817 BLADEN LAKES COVE APEX, NC 27502 Run dates: D5,12,19,26p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001575-180

The undersigned, MURAT DIRLIK, having qualified on the 23RD day of OCTOBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of KIRA RUTH DIRLIK, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 19TH Day of FEBRUARY 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 21ST Day of NOVEMBER 2024. MURAT DIRLIK, EXECUTOR 250 HAMAMELIS LANE PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: N21,28,D5,12p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001612-180

The undersigned, NICHOLAS B. DARK, JR., having qualified on the 13TH day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of LALA DEANE DARK, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 19TH Day of FEBRUARY 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 21ST Day of NOVEMBER 2024. NICHOLAS B. DARK, JR., ADMINISTRATOR 1413 QUEENSBOROUGH DR. CARMEL, IN 46033 Run dates: N21,28,D5,12p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001623-180

The undersigned, CHRIS A. CARTER, having qualified on the 15TH Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of MATILDA P. CARTER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 5TH Day of MARCH 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 5TH Day of DECEMBER 2024.

CHRIS A. CARTER, ADMINISTRATOR 2448 SILK HOPE-LIBERTY RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: D5,12,19,26p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001638-180

The undersigned, DERRY JACKSON SMITH, JR., having qualified on the 21ST Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of NORA SMITH, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 5TH Day of MARCH 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 5TH Day of DECEMBER 2024. DERRY JACKSON SMITH, JR., EXECUTOR 375 MONCURE LOOP MONCURE, NC 27559 Run dates: D5,12,19,26p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001389-180

The undersigned, GARY L. HART, having qualified on the 22ND Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of SHIRLEY BRAFFORD HART, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 12TH Day of MARCH 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 12TH Day of DECEMBER 2024.

GARY L. HART, EXECUTOR 1939 GOLDSTON-CARBONTON RD. GOLDSTON, NC 27252 Run dates: D12,19,26,J2p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001629-180

The undersigned, PAMI LYNN JESSE, having qualified on the 19TH Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of SUSAN RENEE BERLIN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 26TH Day of FEBRUARY 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 28TH Day of NOVEMBER 2024. PAMI LYNN JESSE, EXECUTOR 104 GATESTONE COURT CARY, NC 27518 Run dates: N28,D5,12,19p

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE # 18 E 481 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION In Re: Guardianship of Christopher Graham W. Woods Doster, Guardian of the Estate of Christopher Graham Petitioner, vs. Robert Lee Graham, Jr., Respondent

TO: Robert Lee Graham, Jr. Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you

for Administrator Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish: 12/12/24, 12/19/24, 12/26/24

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001642-180

The undersigned, ELIZABETH J. APPLEY, having qualified on the 25TH Day of NOVEMBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MARLENE B. APPLEY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 12TH Day of MARCH 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 12TH Day of DECEMBER 2024.

ELIZABETH J. APPLEY, EXECUTOR 1599 GRANT DRIVE NE ATLANTA, GA 30319 Run dates: D12,19,26,J2p

Ethnic armed group claims capture of a strategic Myanmar town

The Arakan Army controls the border with Bangladesh

The Associated Press

BANGKOK — One of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling Myanmar’s army has claimed the capture of the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 168-mile-long border with Bangladesh.

The capture by the Arakan Army makes the group’s control of the northern part of Rakhine state complete and marks another advance in its bid for selfrule there.

Rakhine has become a focal point for Myanmar’s nationwide civil war, in which pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority armed forces seeking autonomy battle the country’s military rulers, who took power in 2021 after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, told The Associated Press by text message from an undisclosed location late Monday that his group had seized the last remaining military outpost in Maungdaw on Sunday.

Outpost commander Brig. Gen. Thurein Tun was captured while attempting to flee the battle, Khaing Thukha said.

The situation in Maungdaw could not be independent-

ly confirmed, with access to the internet and mobile phone services in the area mostly cut off.

Myanmar’s military government did not immediately comment.

Maungdaw, 250 miles southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, has been the target of an Arakan Army offensive since June.

The group captured Paletwa and Buthidaung, two other towns on the border with

Bangladesh, earlier this year.

Since November 2023, the Arakan Army has gained control of 11 of Rakhine’s 17 townships, along with one in neighboring Chin state.

Ann, a town in Rakhine that hosts the strategically important military headquarters overseeing the western part of the country, appears to be on the verge of falling entirely to the Arakan Army.

The group posted on the

Telegram messaging app late Friday that it had taken more than 30 military outposts, except the army’s western command, which controls Rakhine and the southern part of neighboring Chin state, as well as the country’s territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal.

Recent fighting in Rakhine has raised fears of a revival of organized violence against members of the Muslim Rohingya minority, similar to that

which drove at least 740,000 members of their community in 2017 to flee to neighboring Bangladesh for safety.

The Arakan Army, which is the military wing of the Buddhist Rakhine ethnic group in Rakhine state, where they are the majority and seek autonomy from Myanmar’s central government, denies the allegations, though witnesses have described the group’s actions to the AP and other media.

Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for generations, but they are widely regarded by many in the country’s Buddhist majority, including members of the Rakhine minority, as having illegally migrated from Bangladesh. The Rohingya face a great amount of prejudice and are generally denied citizenship and other basic rights.

The border between Myanmar and Bangladesh extends from land to the Naf River and offshore in the Bay of Bengal.

The Arakan Army said Sunday it had ordered the suspension of transport across the Naf River because police and local Muslims affiliated with the army were attempting to escape by boat to Bangladesh.

The rebel group has been accused of major human rights violations, particularly involving its capture of the town of Buthidaung in mid-May, when it was accused of forcing an estimated 200,000 residents, largely Rohingyas, to leave and then setting fire to most of the buildings. It was accused of attacking Rohingya civilians fleeing fighting in Maungdaw in August.

The Arakan Army is also part of an armed ethnic alliance that launched an offensive in northeastern Myanmar last year and gained strategic territory along the border with China.

Philippine villages evacuate after volcanic eruption

Mount Kanlaon is in the volatile Ring of Fire

By Jim Gomez

The Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines —

About 87,000 people were being evacuated in a central Philippine region Tuesday a day after a volcano briefly erupted with a towering ash plume and superhot streams of gas and debris hurtling down its western slopes.

The latest eruption of Mount Kanlaon on central Negros island did not cause any immediate casualties, but the alert level was raised one level, indicating further and more explosive eruptions may occur.

Volcanic ash fell on a wide area, including Antique province, more than 120 miles across seawaters west of the volcano,

obscuring visibility and posing health risks, Philippine chief volcanologist Teresito Bacolcol and other officials said by telephone.

At least six domestic flights and a flight bound for Singapore were canceled and two local flights were diverted in the region Monday and Tuesday due to Kanlaon’s eruption, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

The mass evacuations were being carried out urgently in towns and villages nearest the western and southern slopes of Kanlaon, which were blanketed by its ash, including in La Castellana town in Negros Occidental where nearly 47,000 people have to be evacuated out of a (3.7-mile danger zone, the Office of Civil Defense said.

More than 6,000 have moved to evacuation centers aside from those who have temporarily transferred to the homes

of relatives in La Castellana by Tuesday morning, the town’s mayor, Rhumyla Mangilimutan, told The Associated Press by telephone.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said authorities were ready to provide support to large numbers of displaced villagers and that his social welfare secretary flew early Tuesday to the affected region.

“We are ready to support the families who have been evacuated outside the 6-kilometer danger zone,” Marcos told reporters.

Government scientists were monitoring the air quality due to the risk of contamination from toxic volcanic gases that may require more people to be evacuated from areas affected by Monday’s eruption.

Disaster-response contingents were rapidly establishing evacuation centers and seeking supplies of face masks, food

and hygiene packs ahead of the Christmas season, traditionally a peak time for holiday travel and family celebrations in the largely Roman Catholic nation.

Authorities also shut schools and imposed a nighttime curfew in the most vulnerable areas.

The Philippines’ Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the nearly four-minute eruption of Kanlaon volcano on Monday afternoon had caused a pyroclastic density current — a super hot stream of gas, ash, debris and rocks that can incinerate anything in its path.

“It’s a one-time but major eruption,” Bacolcol told the AP, adding that volcanologists were assessing if Monday’s eruption spewed old volcanic debris and rocks clogged in and near the summit crater or was caused by rising magma from underneath.

Few volcanic earthquakes were detected ahead of Mon-

day’s explosion, Bacolcol said.

The alert level around Kanlaon was placed on Monday to the third-highest of a five-step warning system, indicating that “magmatic eruption” may have begun and may progress to further explosive eruptions.

The nearly 8,000-foot volcano, one of the country’s 24 most-active volcanoes, last erupted in June, sending hundreds of villagers to emergency shelters.

In 1996, three hikers were killed near the peak and several others later rescued when Kanlaon erupted without warning, officials said.

Located in the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the Philippines is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and storms a year and is among the countries most prone to natural disasters.

MIN KYI THEIN / AP PHOTO

Myanmar border guards stand to provide security near the fence at a no-man’s land between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY VIA AP

An explosive volcanic eruption occurred Monday at the summit vent of Mount Kanlaon in the Philippines.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

This Is the Day to Rejoice (and maybe eat ice cream for breakfast)

Out of over 1,500 national days about everything from ampersands to yo-yos, I had to carefully select which ones to observe.

I WRITE TO SHARE the good news of my new book! “This Is the Day” is a yearlong chronicle of how I celebrated so‑called national days or unofficial holidays. Out of over 1,500 national days about everything from ampersands to yo‑yos, I had to carefully select which ones to observe.

Psalm 118, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” serves as the inspiration for the title of my book. The psalm is not saying, “Put on a happy face.” I know that some days are difficult, painful, even tragic. Some days, I’m sad or angry; there are days when I don’t stop working and parenting until I finally collapse in bed. The psalm is not denying any of those realities. What does it mean to rejoice? By of answering that question, I’ll briefly describe the two holidays dedicated to eating ice cream for breakfast.

In Rochester, New York, a single mom

with six kids initiated one of these holidays when a snowstorm left them all stuck at home. This situation could easily drive a parent insane! But Florence Rappaport had a silly, fun idea that morning. Since they first ate ice cream for breakfast in the 1960s, her kids have helped to spread the movement around the world, including to Israel, where hundreds of thousands now participate every year.

The second day was started more recently by the family of Malia Grace, a 9 year old who tragically died of cancer. Her loved ones began the tradition of eating ice cream for breakfast in memory of her and to raise money for children’s cancer research.

The same silly idea came from two very different stories. Yet I draw a common lesson: Joy is not limited only to our best days. Joy is actually one of the ways that we cope with stress and sorrow. It might be characterized by an inward private

Here’s what I want for Christmas

To say technology has come a long way is like saying, “You know, it gets really dark at night when it’s cloudy and there’s no full moon.”

THEY SAY (whoever “they” are ... but whoever “they” are, they say a lot) that as you get older, memory is the first thing to go.

I forget what’s second.

But while I can still remember, I want to say I think “they’re” right. So far, I haven’t forgotten who I am; I hope it never comes to that. But on the other hand, there are some times, it seems, that I forget where I’m supposed to be next or what to do once arriving there, wherever “there” is.

Let me hasten to add that I don’t think I’m alone in this. There are no grand illusions that I’m the Lone Ranger and that even my faithful, trusty friend Tonto has flown the coop. Rather, it seems that such behavior is one of the symptoms of the society in which we all live these days, whether we are active participants in its details or not and whether we like some parts of it or not. Take technology, for instance. To say technology has come a long way is like saying, “You know, it gets really dark at night when it’s cloudy and there’s no full moon.” Technology is everywhere.

But it wasn’t always so. Back in the dark ages, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and I was in my third year as a freshman at UNC, I took a class (perhaps “exposed to a class” may be a better term) entitled “Information Science.” It was a course in computer use and benefit and all that stuff.

This was about 1968 or so, and at that time, computers were about the size of a small battleship. There was no internet or Skype or Wi Fi or Wii. (I’m not even sure I’m spelling those things correctly). All the data was entered into the computer on paper “punch cards,” and if you hit one wrong key on card number 413, then the whole thing was toast, and you had to start over. With those kinds of possibilities, it’s no wonder many of us opted out of that class in favor of “Advanced Phys Ed” or an economics course like “Money Can Make You Rich.”

Today, of course, all that’s back with the Roman Empire. Computers are about the size of a gnat. “Laptops” are no longer where I sat on my second g rade teacher, Mrs. Williams, at the end of the day, waiting for the buses to line up to take us home. We can’t keep up with all the micro changes, but I stubbornly cling to pen and paper. What that means is even though I don’t like the pace, I’m still affected by it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a face t o face conversation only to have my conversation mate say, “Wait a minute,” as his cell phone

feeling or an outward public display, but joy most often happens when we realize connections beyond ourselves. For Christians and other people of faith, that connection is to a Creator (as expressed in Psalm 118). For many others, joy is experienced through the beauty of nature, the love of a friend or a random act of kindness. There is joy in the senses of taste, sight, touch, smell and sound that come unbidden as sweet surprises.

So I’d love it if you bought my new book from your favorite online bookseller. More importantly, I hope you attune your spirit to connections beyond yourself. Maybe you even want to eat ice cream for breakfast.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman’s newest book is “This Is the Day.” He serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church as well as a writer, pizza maker, coffee drinker and student of joy.

rings and he answers it. If I were a bit more bold or brazen, I’d probably just walk off and say, “Forget it.”

By now, if you’re still with me, you may be asking yourself, “Where’s he going with all this?” Earlier, I mentioned the symptoms of society we all deal with. Remember? The one that seems to infect us all — and even more so this time of the year — is hurry up itis.

Some years ago, the musical group Alabama had a little piece that had a recurring refrain that went something like this: “I’m in a hurry to get things done; I rush and rush until life’s no fun; All I’ve really got to do is live and die; I’m in a hurry and don’t know why.”

It’s becoming clearer that more to do and more stuff can be hazardous to your health. I want to remember that often less really is more. As I wore my Sunday morning hat not so long ago and encouraged our folks along certain ways of behavior and attitude, I found myself listening to myself. The topic of the day was about Christmas gifts for people who have everything.

The point I was trying to make is that in our society today, the biggest problem many people have is “what do you get for someone who has everything?” What I realized, as I went on, is that many times we who have so much really have so little of what we actually need.

This Christmas what I want is not more books, CDs or clothes but instead some other things ... things like simplicity in life, time to sort out my own life and to be together with other folk and to get to know one another better; things like a holy time, a sense of life’s deeper dimensions, of the eternal mysteries breaking in on our rush to get to Target or Walmart; things like seeing life as it is, not reality TV where the folks on “Survivor” really aren’t out there all alone but have makeup people and food trucks, but real life, where people are in nursing homes, and millions are starving to death; things like the spirit of Christmas and a renewal of my own spirit.

I know that’s a long list, and you don’t get any frequent flyer miles with it, but it just may be what it takes for the best Christmas ever.

Any other folks hankering for some of the same?

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

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

COLUMN | JAN

Cheep highs

The bird feeder came down. My cheep highs were on sabbatical

ALL IT TOOK … … was putting my bird feeder back up. No dark chocolate with almonds, Diet Dr Pepper or even warm apple pie topped with homemade whipped cream. Not even piquant Bolivian chicken soup with avocado and cilantro.

Nope.

Oral incentives easily sway me in the direction of happiness, as you may have already noticed. Not this time. Oral inducements completely flamed out in the pursuit of my, elusive, happiness threshold. Even my precious stash of dark chocolate fell well short of its usually reliable “let’s raise this girl’s spirits.” Scary. The reality? I’m yearning for my bird feeder. Missing the hypnotic thrall of watching birds do magical, aerial things. My worrying mind just drops into a peaceful place. Cheep highs, to boot. Oh, you’re wondering about the origin of my bird feeder melancholy? A mysterious bird disease was making the rounds. Our state wildlife commission recommended that bird feeders come down for several months to disrupt the infection’s spread. Made sense, but it was countered by my head shaking reluctance to remove a source of cheep highs. Rather akin to, “Oh, yeah, let’s just take away Jan‘s favorite, cherry, tootsie roll pop!” Downright mean. The bird feeder came down. My cheep highs were on sabbatical. A month passed. Two months. I dunno. Should I put it back up? I hate disinfecting bird feeders. Spilling, smelly Clorox all over the place, including on myself. Doing right,

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

Yes nukes!

It’s as if Jane Fonda was running our energy policy.

ONE THING HOLLYWOOD is very good at is scaring the bejesus out of Americans — even when they’re merely spreading false fears.

A famous movie in 1979 called “The China Syndrome” chronicled a nuclear power accident that could kill tens of thousands of Americans with radiation poisoning. The title came from a spooky fairy tale scenario in which the nuclear material would melt the Earth right through to its core and then all the way down to China. Despite causing few deaths, the Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania that year further panicked Americans about the safety of nuclear plants.

The damage to the industry was done and nearly fatal. For nearly four decades, the nuclear industry failed to permit any more new nuclear plants.

That was yesterday. The time is right for a nuclear renaissance. The incoming administration, from President elect Donald J. Trump on down, is pro A merican energy independence. Nuclear power has to be part of the equation.

We need to get back to building new plants so we have the electric power capacity for the next generation of artificial intelligence and other uses that will tax the grid beyond what it can provide. AI will use three to four times as much energy as the internet, so demand is going to spike, and we will be at risk of brownouts.

Jack Spencer — an energy policy expert at the Heritage Foundation — has just published a fabulous policy manifesto, “Nuclear Revolution: Powering the Next Generation,” on how we unleash (we love that word) a nuclear power renaissance in America.

BE IN TOUCH

by my bird feeder, is such a pain in the you know what. Blah, blah, blah …

But then I sighted my favorite perky little Carolina wrens pecking away in the patio’s very small concrete cracks. OMG, there’s a humongous brown thrasher on the patio, also pecking in those tiny concrete cracks. Winter’s coming and they’re starving! The birds cannot find adequate food and it’s ALL my fault due to a MIA bird feeder! (I’m a seasoned pro when it comes to anthropomorphizing. Can you tell?) OK, OK, made the reluctant plunge, but not without my numerous share of hardy expletive deleted’s. I reassembled the insanely, well Cloroxed, nine part (!!) bird feeder. (Do I sound like a bird feeder drama queen?) Filled the feeder with, yes, increasingly expensive birdseed, and hung on a hook, over the patio.

Also sent an ardent prayer to the squirrel gods that their gymnastically gifted population stay the heck away! Likely, a futile prayer, as we all know … Done. It was now dusk.

The bird feeder hoopla was forgotten until I opened my shades the next morning. Wowzers! A dizzying array of birds, in need of serious flight control, were pirouetting around the bird feeder. Just swirling. I immediately dropped into flow, the type of flow where time doesn’t exist. A shower? Breakfast? What’s that?? Leave me alone, I’m watching the birds …

Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

COLUMN NEWT GINGRICH

The great space breakout

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S appointment of Jared Isaacman to lead NASA was a wonderful moment for those of us who believe in space.

I began reading about space in 1957. I was in eighth grade when “Missiles and Rockets” was a lively magazine and exciting things were happening.

Four years later, like most Americans, I was thrilled by President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to go to the Moon, and I still remember the night we first landed there on July 20, 1969.

Then everything seemed to slow down. We pulled back from long distance projects and focused on the near Earth International Space Station and space shuttle programs.

In my second term in Congress, I tried to jump start a more dynamic, risk taking and aggressive venture into space. On July 28, 1981, I introduced HR 4286 to establish a national space and aeronautics policy.

This innovation lowered the cost of putting a satellite in space by 90%.

The 15 page bill had a comprehensive plan for a more dynamic American pursuit of space. In a manner that anticipated Elon Musk a generation later, sections 401 to 403 cited the founding fathers and especially the Northwest Ordnance of 1787. I proposed extending constitutional protections to everyone living in American facilities in space. Further, I proposed that when a space community reached 20,000 inhabitants, Congress would authorize it to establish self government. When colonies reached the same population as the smallest U.S. state, their citizens could apply for statehood.

This seeming fantasy began to become possible when Musk invented the reusable rocket at SpaceX. This innovation lowered the cost of putting a satellite in space by 90%. Musk is now creating the Starship. Its 39 Raptor engines make it the most powerful spaceship ever built.

Spencer shows conclusively that

“obstructive regulations at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and antinuclear scare tactics from the left are what has inhibited this industry for decades.”

It’s as if Jane Fonda (remember her in “The China Syndrome”?) was running our energy policy.

Today we get a little less than 20% of our electric power from decades old nuclear plants that are now being retired. If we don’t build new ones, we will lose ground on our energy production at the very time we need much more capacity.

The federal government has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on wind and solar subsidies — but these are still niche energy sources that are not scalable to meet our $25 trillion industrial economy’s needs. Former Vice President Al Gore and the climate change environmental groups should be all in on nuclear as a clean energy source with very minimal greenhouse gases.

If we double our nuclear power capacity over the next decade or so and allow more natural gas and oil drilling here at home, we can regain our energy dominant position. OPEC would be a toothless tiger, and the Russian war machine could be defunded.

Small reactors that can serve towns of 50,000 to 100,000 people can minimize risks of major plant accidents that could put Americans in danger.

It’s all so logical. It puts America first. We don’t need Fonda dictating our energy policy any longer.

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. He was also an economic adviser to the Trump campaign.

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline. com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

With Starship’s ability to lift 100 passengers or 150 tons into orbit, the entire world of space activities will be revolutionized.

Multiple Starships could launch every day. Then the revolution will accelerate dramatically.

Other entrepreneurial companies are also developing a series of capabilities in different aspects of space. Axion Space is developing the first commercial international space station. Blue Origins is developing a broad space tourism capability.

In this dynamic environment led by successful entrepreneurs, the nomination of Jared Isaacman is a perfect step toward a more entrepreneurial, dynamic and useful government space program.

As the leader of NASA, Isaacman will change the slow, cautious, bureaucratic culture that has grown up since Apollo into a dynamic, risk taking, entrepreneurial system. NASA will accelerate rather than hinder the growth of a whole new generation of diverse American space activities. These include occupying the Moon and colonizing Mars — as well as developing space tourism and manufacturing in weightless environments.

Author Walter Isaacson wrote about Isaacman in his biography of Musk. The author explained that Isaacman had dropped out of high school to ultimately start what became a $200 billion per year payment system company. He then became a pilot and set the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a light jet. He became so skilled, he started a company that trained military pilots.

“Instead, for SpaceX’s first civilian flight, he chose a low key tech entrepreneur and jet pilot named Jared Isaacman, who displayed the quiet humility of a square jawed adventurer who had proven himself in so many fields that he didn’t need to be brash. … Isaacman bought from SpaceX the right to command a three day flight named inspiration4 that would become history’s first private orbital mission. His purpose was to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, and he invited a 29 year old bone cancer survivor, Hayley Arceneaux, to join the crew, along with two other civilians.”

Isaacman wanted to go to a higher orbit than the International Space Station. Even after he was told that higher orbits held dangerous space debris that could destroy his spacecraft, he said he accepted the risk.

As Isaacson wrote:

“Later, when I asked why he had not opted for the lower altitude, Isaacman said, ‘If we’re going to go to the moon again, and we’re going to go to Mars, we’ve got to get a little outside our comfort zone.’”

Isaacman was so thrilled that he offered $500 million for three future flights, which would aim at going to an even higher orbit and doing a spacewalk in a new suit designed by SpaceX. He also asked for the right to be the first private customer when it was ready.

The Isaacman Musk team fits perfectly into the visionary path Trump outlined in his first term.

On Dec. 11, 2017, Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1, which called on the federal space program to cooperate with the private sector to return humans to the moon and explore Mars and other areas in our solar system.

As the president said at the time, “The directive I am signing today will refocus America’s space program on human exploration and discovery. It marks a first step in returning American astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972, for long term exploration and use. This time, we will not only plant our flag and leave our footprints — we will establish a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars, and perhaps someday, to many worlds beyond.”

Trump, Musk and Isaacman are three visionary pioneers who will collectively make America the leader of the golden age of space.

Newt Gingrich is former speaker of the U.S. House.

CHATHAM SPORTS

Alabama

Powell, Stevenson share court, represent hometown well in Alabama’s win over UNC

Powell gets his first career start at UNC

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

CHAPEL HILL — It was actually fitting for the SEC to reign supreme throughout the SEC/ ACC Challenge, especially in Chapel Hill.

Because for members of the Chatham County communi-

ty who watched either from the comfort of their couch or just rows away from the court in the Dean Smith Center, the top20 nonconference matchup between No. 10 Alabama and No. 20 UNC on Dec. 4 just meant more.

UNC’s Drake Powell, the Mc-

Donald’s All-American out of Northwood High School in Pittsboro, and Alabama’s Jarin Stevenson, the 2022-23 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year

out of Seaforth High School also in Pittsboro, took the court together for the first time on the collegiate level as the Crimson Tide defeated the Tar Heels 94 -79. Fans of high school hoops in Chatham County and the state have seen those two share the court numerous times over the years both as brief teammates at Northwood and eventual crosstown rivals. But for such a short ride from their hometown, the

Chatham Central boys, girls both lose conference openers

The boys lost 73-60 despite having a 10-point lead at halftime

By Asheebo Rojas

Chatham News & Record

BEAR CREEK — The Bears couldn’t defend their home court from the stampede in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference boys’ and girls’ basketball openers Friday. After taking control in the first half, Chatham Central’s boys squandered a 33-23 halftime lead over Southeast Alamance and lost 73-60. The Bears were outscored

29-13 in the third quarter thanks to Southeast Alamance junior guard Bubba Sims scoring 10 of his 19 points and senior guard Brandon McAdoo hitting two huge 3s, including a triple that tied the game at 41 midway through the quarter. A bucket from freshman Donnie Fairley shortly after gave the Stallions the lead, and they rode that momentum through the final buzzer. “Getting back in transition, getting back when they’re pushing the ball up the floor and all rebounding,” Chatham Central coach Robert Burke emphasized as reasons for the loss. “They were quicker off the

jump, off the toe, and I think that got us out of sync.”

Chatham Central actually got off to a hot start, taking a 22-9 lead early in the second quarter. Senior forward Brennen Oldham, senior guard Reid Albright and senior forward Aiden Johnson combined for 26 points in the first half while Southeast Alamance struggled to hit shots in the first two quarters (29%). However, the Stallions stormed out of the break with more aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, especially junior guard Davian Edwards,

See BEARS, page B4

two have come a long way from the days of green and garnet.

“Just remembering them back in their freshman year of high school when they played together and seeing how much they’ve grown since then, it’s pretty cool to see that they’re both playing on a high level,” Jarod Stevenson, Jarin’s father and former high school coach, said.

As big of a night it was for the county, it was just as important for Stevenson and Powell, and

not just because they were playing each other. For Stevenson, the 6-foot-11 forward entered the starting lineup for the first time since Nov. 15 after double-digit scoring games in the previous two outings showed signs that he was coming out of his early-season shooting slump (started 0-17 from 3 in the first six games). It was also a homecoming game for Stevenson

See UNC, page B3

The former UNC baseball coach shared a message of helping others

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Former UNC baseball coach and North Carolina Sports Hall of Famer Mike Fox spoke to Jordan-Matthews’ athletes, parents and coaches at the school’s fall sports banquet on Dec. 5. Fox shared a mix of advice and stories from his coaching career and personal life, emphasizing the importance of character and helping others.

“I’ve kind of seen and heard it all,” Fox said. “I know the pitfalls that are out there, and I know the good things that can be out there for them. So, If I can just pass on anything to help maybe one kid just make the right decision when the time comes, do the right thing and just be a good person besides being a good athlete, then it was worth it for me.” Fox doesn’t have many ties to

Jordan-Matthews and its history, but one connection was enough to make it a full circle moment for him.

While as the head baseball coach and athletic director at North Carolina Wesleyan College, Fox offered Jordan-Matthews athletic director Barry West, a graduate of NC Wesleyan, his first head coaching opportunity with the school’s softball team in 1991. West spent just one season on the job, but it was a lasting connection that brought a realized meaning to West’s life. The connection also endured 33 years, including a loss of contact until West reached out with an opportunity for Fox.

“If I can just pass on anything to help maybe one kid just make the right decision when the time comes … then it was worth it for me.”

Mike Fox

“I had just completed my degree, I didn’t have a job, my wife and I were expecting our first child in a few months, and I’m thinking, ‘Dog, I can’t afford to do another volunteer job,’” West said. “It was that opportunity that I could imagine realizing that coaching was indeed my calling.”

See FOX, page B2

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham Central’s Reid Albright (30) puts up a shot against Southeast Alamance. Despite Albright’s 20 points, the Bears lost 73-60 in their conference opener.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

forward Jarin Stevenson (15) and teammate Labaron Philon (0) celebrate after scoring against UNC. Stevenson, a Seaforth graduate, got the best of Drake Powell, a Tar Heel by way of Northwood, in an ACC/SEC Challenge game that had a strong Chatham County connection.

Ritchey signs with NC State during early signing period

The former Northwood standout committed to the Wolfpack in 2023

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

FORMER NORTHWOOD

football standout Gus Ritchey signed to NC State during the early signing period at Cary High School on Dec. 4.

Ritchey, a three-star tight end and defensive end, transferred from Northwood to Cary prior to the 2024 season. The 6-foot-3, 241-pound prospect joins the list of signees on NC State’s 42nd-ranked 2025 recruiting class, per 247Sports.

“I’m a guy coming in to help lead this team,” Ritchey said. “I’m also a blue-collar guy who plays hard-nosed football. I just can’t wait to fly around in Carter-Finely. I’m looking forward to it.”

During his senior season with the Imps, Ritchey hauled in 23 receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns. As a junior at Northwood, he caught 39 passes for 845 yards and nine touchdowns, recording more than 100 receiving yards in three games. Against Cummings in 2023, Ritchey went off with nine receptions, 160 yards and a touchdown.

According to Rivals, Ritchey is the 19th-best player in North Carolina’s class of 2025, and he’s the 38th-best tight end in the country for his class.

During his recruitment, Ritchey received other offers from schools across multi-

FOX from page B1

Said Fox, “I remember having he and his wife over to my house 30-something years ago.

I’m retired, and I don’t do a lot of speaking engagements, but I just couldn’t say no to Coach West, and I just feel thankful and blessed to be here and glad I was invited.”

Fox is set to be inducted in to the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Feb. 13 as part of the 17th induction class. After coaching for 15 seasons at NC Wesleyan, Fox became the head coach at UNC, his alma mater, before the 1999 season. He went 948-406-1 to become the winningest coach in UNC baseball history, won three ACC championships (2007, 2013 and 2018) and advanced to the College World Series seven times (2006-09, 2011 and 2013), reaching the championship round in 2006 and 2007.

“You don’t start out coaching for any of this and any kind of recognition like this,” Fox said. “Any coach will tell you that you’re just a byproduct of great players, and I was blessed to have so many of them not just at North Carolina but at NC Wesleyan. I wouldn’t even be in that situation if it wasn’t for those kids in Rocky Mount and at Wesleyan for 15 years.”

Fox led NC Wesleyan to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including eight trips to the Division III College World Series and a 1989 national title victory.

But if you read those accolades

ple power conferences, notably Georgia, Oregon, Miami, Notre Dame and Michigan, to name a few. He initially committed to UNC in August 2023, but weeks later, he flipped to the Wolfpack.

UNC recruited Ritchey to play defensive end, while NC State scouted him as a tight end.

“He’s a great fit here,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said about Ritchey after signing day. “I always felt when I first got to know Gus that this was the right school for him. You could tell he’s a tough, blue-collar guy. He loves contact. He’s physical. He’s been at every game we’ve played for two years. Getting around his family, it’s a great fit.”

Said Ritchey, “It always felt right from the second I stepped on campus. The culture suits me. Coach Doeren is building a program with tough, hard-nosed players that want to win, which I want to be a part of.”

Ritchey will enroll early at NC State. He’ll join a program looking to bounce back from a disappointing 6-6 2024 campaign, especially after the Wolfpack were predicted to finish fourth in the ACC and possibly compete for a conference title. Ritchey also won’t be the only incoming tight end as Preston Douglas, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect from Florida, also signed with the Wolfpack’s 2025 class.

“We found in our offense this year how the tight end can be a weapon for us,” Doeren said.

“Love the fact that we got two good tight ends in this class to help us with where we’re building and growing in the offense.”

to him today, he’d say something along the lines of, “Nobody really cares anymore.”

Fox shared that he now makes it an emphasis to help others with the troubles of life. During the speech, he talked about his 38-year-old son’s struggles with mental health during the 2006 World Series. Dealing with that circumstance behind the scenes while having to still show up for his team and the UNC fan base taught Fox to never judge people because of the unknown struggles someone might be going through. The situation also helped point him in the direction of helping others in his postcoaching life.

“Boy, I went through that journey through a mental illness, and then seeing people on the street begging for money, now it’s entirely different,” Fox said. “My world changed. So, I retired, what some people say early because I had other things I wanted to do in my life. I wanted to help those people and raise money because if there’s one in my life, there’s one in other people’s life.”

Said Fox, “There’s all sorts of opportunities that you can give your time. It doesn’t have to be much. Whether it’s moving furniture, setting up furniture for someone who’s been on the street, and they found a place to live, to working through the church, to raising money. Certainly, the hurricane victims in the western part of the state. I’m from Asheville. There’s opportunities everywhere you turn.”

Consider These Year-End Financial Moves

Consider These Year-End Financial Moves

As we enter the holiday season, your life may well become busier. Still, you might want to take the time to consider some financial moves before we turn the calendar to 2025.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Review your investment portfolio. As you look at your portfolio, ask these questions: Has its performance met my expectations this year? Does it still reflect my goals, risk tolerance and time horizon? Do I need to rebalance? You might find that working with a financial professional can help you answer these and other questions you may have about your investments.

• Add to your 401(k) and HSA. If you can afford it, and your employer allows it, consider putting more money into your 401(k) before the year ends — including “catch-up” contributions if you’re 50 or older. You might also want to add to your health savings account (HSA) by the taxfiling deadline in April.

• Use your FSA dollars. Unlike an HSA, a flexible spending account (FSA) worksona“use-it-or-lose-it”basis,meaning you lose any unspent funds at the end of the year. So, if you still have funds left in your account, try to use them up in 2024. (Employers may grant a 2½ month extension, so check with your human resources area to see if this is the case where you work.)

• Contribute to a 529 plan. If you haven’t opened a 529 education savings plan for your children, think about doing so this year. With a 529 plan, your earnings can grow tax deferred, and your withdrawals are federally tax free when used for qualified education expenses — tuition, fees, books and so on. And if you invest in your own state’s 529 plan, you might be able to deduct

your contributions from your state income tax or receive a state tax credit.

• Build your emergency fund. It’s generally a good idea to keep up to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund, with the money held in a liquid, low-risk account. Without such a fund in place, you might be forced to dip into your retirement funds to pay for short-term needs, such as a major car or home repair.

• Review your estate plans. If you’ve experienced any changes in your family situation this year, such as marriage, remarriage or the birth of a child, you may want to update your estate-planning documents to reflect your new situation. It’s also important to look at the beneficiary designations on your investment accounts, retirement plans, IRAs and insurance policies, as these designations can sometimes even supersede the instructions you’ve left in your will. And if you haven’t started estate planning, there’s no time like the present.

• Take your RMDs. If you’re 73 or older, you will likely need to take withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — from some of your retirement accounts, such as your traditional IRA. If you don’t take these withdrawals each year, you could be subject to penalties.

These aren’t the only moves you can make, but they may prove helpful not only for 2024 but in the years to come.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Gus Ritchey (19) goes up to make a catch in a game last season. Ritchey will be making plays for the Wolfpack starting next season.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Former UNC baseball coach Mike Fox makes a point while speaking at the Jordan-Matthews sports banquet.

Seaforth, Northwood girls’ basketball teams extend win streaks

Seaforth’s girls’ wrestling team picked up its first-ever dual team wins

By Asheebo Rojas

Chatham News & Record

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

AFTER A THREE-GAME

losing streak to start the season, including a 65-39 loss to Chapel Hill on Dec. 3, Seaforth secured its first win of the year after beating NCSSM-Durham 58-38 Friday. Seaforth coach John Berry earned his first victory at the helm.

Berry’s former team, Woods Charter, edged Eno River Academy 46-44 for its first win of the year on Dec. 2. Sophomore Levi Haygood recorded team highs with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and senior Bhuvanesh Senthil had 11 points.

While Chatham Central started its conference slate on the wrong foot, Northwood took a big step forward in its 65-22 conference-opening win over North Moore on Friday. The Chargers led 29-7 at halftime and allowed five or fewer points in three quarters.

Northwood went 2-0 during the week, picking up a 67-41 win over Eastern Alamance on Dec. 3. Jordan-Matthews lost its conference opener to Cummings 59-51 Friday. Both teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 43 points apiece, but the Jets couldn’t finish down the stretch.

Week of Dec. 2 Power Rankings: 1. Northwood; 2. Chatham Central; 3. Chatham Charter; 4. Jordan-Matthews; 5. Seaforth; 6. Woods Charter Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday) (overall, conference): 1. Northwood (2-1, 1-0); 2. Bartlett Yancey (2-1, 1-0); 3. Cummings (1-1, 1-0); 4. Southeast Alamance (1-0, 1-0); 5. Jordan-Matthews (1-2, 0-1); 6. North Moore (1-1, 0-1); 7. Graham (4-1, 0-1); 8. Chatham Central (3-1, 0-1); 9. Seaforth (1-3, 0-0)

Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Southern Wake Academy (71, 0-0); 2. Chatham Charter (6-2, 0-0); 3. Ascend Leadership (2-1, 0-0); 4. Woods Charter (1-2, 0-0); 5. Triangle Math and Science (1-7, 0-0); 6. Clover Garden School (0-3, 0-0); 7. River Mill (0-9, 0-0)

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Northwood extended its win streak to four after a 43-35 win

over Eastern Alamance on Dec. 3 and a 58-18 victory over North Moore on Friday. The Chargers were tied with Eastern Alamance 16-16 at halftime and jumped out to a double-digit lead after outscoring the Eagles 20-7 in the third quarter.

Seaforth also picked up its fourth win in a row with a 42-27 win over Chapel Hill. Jordan-Matthews took down Cummings 43-31 Friday for its first win of the season. Sophomore forward Jada Scott led the way with a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double alongside senior Kelsey Morris, who poured in 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Jets were also very active defensively, coming away with 22 steals (junior Saniya White led the team with 7). Woods Charter also joined the winner’s club with a 33-19 victory over Eno River Academy on Dec. 2. Junior Wesley Oliver scored a season-high 15 points, and the Wolves clamped down defensively with 16 steals. Chatham Central senior Karaleigh Dodson scored 16 of the Bears’ 36 points in their win over Southern Alamance on Dec. 5. She also recorded team highs of nine rebounds, six steals and four blocks.

Week of Dec. 2 Power Rankings: 1. Seaforth; 2. Northwood; 3. Chatham Central; 4. Jordan-Matthews; 5. Woods Charter; 6. Chatham Charter Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Southeast Alamance (1-0, 1-0); 2. Northwood (4-0, 1-0); 3. Graham (3-2, 1-0); 4. Jordan-Matthews (1-2, 1-0); 5. Cummings (0-2, 0-1); 6. Bartlett Yancey (0-4, 0-1); 7. North Moore (0-2, 0-1); 8. Chatham Central (3-1, 0-1); 9. Seaforth (4-1, 0-0) Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Clover Garden School (4-0, 0-0); 2. Woods Charter (1-2, 0-0); 3. Southern Wake Academy (1-2, 0-0); 4. Triangle Math and Science (2-5, 0-0); 5. Chatham Charter (2-6, 0-0); 6. As-

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

Seaforth’s Ethan Kuball took first place at the Jim King Orange Invitational.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jada Scott

cend Leadership (0-3, 0-0); 7. River Mill (0-9, 0-0) WRESTLING

Boys

County teams faced off against each other during Seaforth’s senior night quad meet on Dec. 4.

Chatham Central beat Jordan-Matthews 42-33 in a dual match of back-and-forth pins. The Bears also beat Central Carolina Academy 48-36.

Seaforth dominated the Bears, Jets and Central Carolina Academy, scoring over 70 points in each dual. In the Jim King Orange Invitational on Saturday, Jordan Miller (113 pounds) and Ethan Kuball (215) earned first-place finishes for their weight classes, while Luke Ayers (106) and Layne Armstrong (132) finished second and Gabe Rogers (120) and Harrison Compton (190) finished third.

Northwood lost at home to Bartlett Yancey 42-39. With the exception of Northwood’s Elijah Farrow, Bartlett Yancey took control with six pins from 150 pounds to 285 pounds.

Girls

Seaforth earned their first ever dual team wins over Chatham Central (22-6) and Jordan-Matthews (18-6) on Dec. 4. Seaforth’s Sara Tanner won by major decision over Chatham Central’s Caleigh Warf in the 126-pound match, and Lilliana Messier recorded a pin over Chatham Central’s Payton Pickett in the 185-pound bout. Jordan-Matthews’ Alexandria Zumano pinned Tanner in 39 seconds.

In the Jim King Orange Invitational, Seaforth’s Keira Rosenmarkle added another first-place finish in the 165-pound division after pinning Western Alamance’s Leanna Baez in 24 seconds in the final.

The trip will be hosted in June 2025 and the deadline for all applications is Jan. 20. Scan the QR code or visit CEMCPower.com to apply or to find out more information.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Jordan-Matthews, girls’ basketball

Jordan-Matthews’ Jada Scott earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Dec. 2.

Scott, a sophomore, had one of the best games in her high school career in the Jets’ 43-31 conference-opening win over Cummings on Friday. She recorded a career-high 17 points alongside 13 rebounds, securing her second double-double of the season.

Scott has taken a huge leap since her freshman year, averaging 12.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game as of Monday. She’s been a beast on the boards so far as she’s grabbed at least 10 rebounds in each of the Jets’ first three games.

within seven, and minutes later, Stevenson hit a huge 3 to put Alabama’s lead back up to 10 points.

as he had more than 20 family members show up for his first game back in Chapel Hill.

“It was definitely a surreal feeling,” Stevenson said. “I’ve been to quite a few of their games, and my mom played here, too. It’s nice being back.”

For Powell, he made his first career start as his impressive defensive presence, his 18-point breakout performance against Michigan State in the Maui Invitational and the Tar Heels’ dire need for change (veteran leadership off the bench from Jae’Lyn Withers, according to UNC coach Hubert Davis) helped lead up to that moment.

“It’s a step in the right direction, personally, but I’m trying to focus on just getting wins as a collective group,” Powell said.

Said Cherice Powell, Drake’s mother, “It was great to see. I recorded it. I had a lot of friends who recorded it and sent it to me as well. He had told us he thought that he might be starting, so then just to see it was very exciting.”

Although the county got its proud moment from the tip-off, it didn’t look like the old Battles for Pittsboro until the second half.

After scoreless first halves from both Powell and Stevenson, the two got going with their own share of highlights, and even some shared moments.

Powell came out of the break with a flashy drive and dime to Jalen Washington to bring UNC

Then they had a direct backand-forth moment with 16 minutes left to play. Stevenson hit his second 3 of the game and then matched up on Powell in the corner on the ensuing possession. Powell used a ball fake and a quick first step to beat Stevenson around the baseline and finish at the rim.

“Drake’s a great player,” Stevenson said. “He’s a great guy. It was great going up against him in the game. He showed off some moves, and I hit some shots, too.”

Said Powell, “It was great to see Jarin. He competed well, and obviously, he came out with the win, but sharing the floor with him, I thought it was great.”

And on a night when the bitter Hawks and Chargers rivals from the community came together to watch the hometown stars on the same floor, Stevenson and Powell’s near identical stat lines were the finishing act.

Stevenson and Powell both finished with six points and three rebounds. Powell added on two assists and two steals, while Stevenson recorded an assist and a block.

“It’s not too many cities and areas that have two top-20 guys in the class or on the same team in the same area,” Jarod Stevenson said. “Or two potential NBA players. It’s pretty special, I think, and it says a lot about the county and what kind of athletes are here.”

UNC from page B1

New motorsports leadership executives introduced as Andretti Global moves on without Andretti

Two NASCAR executives are set to replace Michael Andretti

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

TWO LONGTIME NASCAR executives were introduced at Andretti Global on Wednesday as part of the restructuring now that Michael Andretti has stepped aside, Doug Duchardt, who has served multiple roles with race teams and with General Motors, was named chief performance officer of motorsports at TWG Group, which now oversees all of the former Andretti properties.

Jill Gregory, a former NASCAR vice president and marketing officer who also ran Sonoma Raceway, was named chief operating officer of a subsidiary of TWG and president of Andretti Global.

The two were introduced at the Andretti race shop in Indiana in a morning team meeting, people present told the AP. They asked for anonymity because TWG does not plan to formally announce its leadership team until next week.

TWG Group is the investment company founded by Mark Walter, who as CEO of Guggenheim Partners is the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea, and Dan Towriss, who became involved in motorsports initially as a sponsor for An-

BEARS from page B1

who helped flip the script with his driving ability and a 10-point fourth quarter. Edwards continuously attacked the basket and took nine free-throw attempts — making eight — in the second half, the most by any Southeast Alamance player. Sims took another six attempts at the line (all in the second half), and senior forward Khaleb Satterfield took a team-high 13 free-throw attempts throughout the game.

Due to the high number of fouls, Chatham Central eventually had to sit Oldham for some time after he picked up his fourth foul with just over a minute left in the third quarter. Out-

dretti and took an ownership role in Andretti Global in 2022.

Towriss is now the majority owner of the Andretti race teams and the CEO of TWG Global’s motorsports arm. The branch in charge of motorsports will have its own name, to be revealed in next week’s official announcement of the restructuring of the executive team.

Duchardt spent 2024 as team president of NASCAR’s Spire Motorsports, the racing series where he worked most

side of Albright, who finished the game with a team-high 20 points, Oldham was the most reliable contributor with 16 points.

“We got in foul trouble because we didn’t play good defense, and we didn’t cover what we needed to” Burke said.

Said Oldham, “We need to move our feet more so we can stay in front instead of getting the cheap fouls. That put us in trouble, too. Me and Reid had four. You’ve got to sit us at least a play or two, and that breaks our momentum, especially after I picked up my fourth one which took another big out the paint.”

The Bears hung within striking distance in the fourth quarter despite losing complete con-

of his career. Before Spire, he spent nearly six years with Chip Ganassi Racing, first as chief operating officer of all of Ganassi’s programs, including the IndyCar team. When Ganassi left NASCAR, Duchardt spent two years with Ganassi’s IndyCar and sports car team before moving to Spire.

He also spent 12 years in an executive role at Hendrick Motorsports, including a fouryear period as executive vice president and general manag-

trol of the game, but a poor 3-point shooting performance, especially at the end of the night, came around to haunt them. Chatham Central shot just 14% from 3 in the second half, and Albright went 0-for-3 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter. After the game, Burke, Oldham and Albright pointed to the team’s conditioning for the second-half shooting woes and defensive lapses.

“I think a lot of it was we played two back-to-back games,” Burke said. “Thursday night was a tough match.”

Said Oldham, “A lot of us were gassed, so we do need to get back in shape.”

er. Duchardt started his career with General Motors, which will be the TWG partner on the Cadillac F1 team set to launch in 2026. In his role, he will oversee all of TWG’s motorsports properties. TWG is now also partners with Spire — Towriss bought a share of the NASCAR team — as well as sports car team Wayne Taylor Racing. The WTR partnership was formed when Andretti was still in charge of his namesake organization.

On top of conditioning, the Bears will need more production from its backcourt outside of Albright. Senior Luke Gaines and junior Jeremiah Young were key contributors to the Bears’ offense last season, and Friday night’s loss showed they’ll need to take and hit more shots in order to beat tough teams.

Burke knows the team hasn’t hit shots like it should yet, but he’s confident they’ll start to fall as the season continues.

“You can tell everybody’s a little upset about it,” Oldham said.

“I think it’s going to light a fire underneath us to go back, play them again, do what we got to do and finish the job.”

Spire Motorsports majority owner Jeff Dickerson still runs the NASCAR team, but Duchardt’s role will be split by Bill Anthony, Spire’s executive vice president, and Todd Mackin, president of Spire Holdings.

Gregory will have a dual role with the racing subsidiary of TWG focused on Andretti Global, which covers the IndyCar, the IndyNxt program and Formula E team. She will replace current Andretti Global president J-F Thormann, who has been with Michael Andretti for more than four decades but will transition into a new role as head of driver development.

Gregory was executive vice president and chief marketing and content officer at NASCAR, and the managing executive of the company’s Charlotte-based operations. She led marketing, media, communications, broadcasting and diversity and inclusion functions for NASCAR.

She left in 2021 to take over as executive vice president and general manager at Sonoma Raceway. Gregory grew up in Modesto.

Before joining NASCAR, Gregory was the senior vice president of motorsports marketing for Bank of America, and previously was director of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series marketing program for Sprint Nextel.

She has spent 2024 as a consultant, working directly with Andretti Global.

As for Chatham Central’s girls’ basketball team, the 73-18 loss to Southeast Alamance was disastrous from start to finish. Southeast Alamance had three scorers in double figures as junior guard Shaniya Paylor led the team with 19 points, freshman guard Rreanna Johnson poured in 18 and junior guard Inysia McIver scored 11.

The Stallions imposed a smothering defensive presence over the Bears all night, coming away with 23 steals and allowing just four first half points. Many of those steals led to easy layups in transition, whereas just getting a shot off wasn’t easy for Chatham Central, which only took 22 shot attempts.

JENNA FRYER / AP PHOTO

Michael Andretti attends a news conference for the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race last year. The racing legend is no longer in charge of the organization bearing his family name.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Parker, Allen elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame

Dallas

Dave Parker and Dick Allen have been elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame by the classic era committee. Parker received 14 of 16 votes and Allen got 13. A vote of 75% or more was needed for election. They will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 27 along with players voted in by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, whose balloting will be announced on Jan. 21.

F1 RACING

Hamilton leaves Mercedes after 6 titles, 246 F1 races

Abu Dhabi Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes with one last overtake and a heartfelt message to the team where he won the Formula 1 title six times. “We dreamed alone but together, we believed,” he told race engineer Peter Bonnington and team principal Toto Wolff over the radio. Hamilton is moving to Ferrari for 2025 after 12 years at Mercedes, where he won all but one of his seven drivers’ titles. It was the most successful partnership between a team and driver in F1 history.

NHL Blackhawks fire coach Richardson in 3rd season after league-worst start

Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Luke Richardson, signaling their frustration with the state of the franchise’s rebuilding project. Chicago had dropped four in a row to fall to an NHL-worst 8-16-2 on the season. It was outscored 41-27 while going 3-9-1 in its last 13 games. Anders Sorensen was elevated to interim coach. Sorensen had been coaching the team’s top minor league affiliate in Rockford.

SKIING

Vonn encouraged by competitive preparedness in ski racing return at age 40 Copper Mountain, Colo. Lindsey Vonn is encouraged by how close she is to being competitive again in her ski racing return at 40 years old. Vonn is still getting her ski equipment dialed in and getting used to going full speed again on her new titanium knee. That’s why all that she’s reading into being more than two seconds behind in a pair of lower-level super-G races is that she’s right there after nearly six years away from ski racing. She was 2.19 seconds behind in the first race and 2.06 in the second. Both were won by her American teammate Lauren Macuga.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Frost returning to coach UCF two years after unsuccessful run at Nebraska Orlando, Fla. Scott Frost is heading back to UCF to take over the program he coached to its greatest season. UCF gave Frost his first head coaching job in 2016 and the next season the Knights went 13-0 with a Peach Bowl win over Auburn and No. 6 final ranking. He accepted Nebraska’s offer to return to his alma mater and lead the team he quarterbacked to a 1997 co -national championship. He was fired three games into the 2022 season, leaving with a 16-31 record. He has been working on the Los Angeles Rams staff this season.

Face facts: Statues of stars like Wade, Ronaldo don’t always deliver

wel Pratley studied countless images of Queen Elizabeth II to create a memorial statue in the East Midlands town of Oakham.

By Ken Maguire The Associated Press

LONDON — In Miami, observers say the Dwyane Wade sculpture looks more like actor Laurence Fishburne than the former basketball star. The infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust in 2017 gave the chiseled soccer star a chubby face and goofy smile. It wasn’t always this way. In classical times, sculptors “had absolutely no interest in depicting people accurately,” explained Lucy Branch, a London-based sculptural conservator.

“There’s this idea now, in this era, that commemorative sculpture should be like portraiture — it should look exactly like the person they are commemorating. But actually that’s a really new idea in sculpture.”

To avoid pitfalls, here are some tips from sculptors:

Do your research

London-based sculptor Hy-

“A good portrait sculpture is evidence of 1,000 decisions after 10,000 observations,” Pratley said.

In addition, Yorkshire county sculptor Steve Winterburn recommends getting close with a subject’s family and friends to help find characteristics.

“You don’t want it looking like a Madame Tussauds,” said Winterburn, who created a statue of five Rugby League greats at Wembley Stadium. “It still needs a bit of art in it, a bit of soul. That’s what makes art really sing.”

Smile at your peril

The Ronaldo bust depicted the Portugal star smiling crookedly. In Miami, Wade’s mouth is open in the statue representing the moment the player famously jumped onto a courtside table and yelled, “This is my house.”

It’s probably best avoided.

“It’s really difficult to do

teeth looking good in sculpture,” Pratley said.

Get the profile right

Start “by understanding the profile” before moving on to determine widths from the front view, Pratley said.

“Get the profile right and you will have won half the battle because then you can have something at least that you can trust,” he said.

“There’s so many to understand. It’s not two dimensions, it’s three. There’s an exponential opportunity for everything to go wrong. If you’ve got the profile, then you can go forward with more confidence.”

The eyes have it?

Winterburn tries to make the eyes “come alive” in his work.

“The eye is the soul of the person that carries it,” he said. “If you look at a lot of public work, I’m not being funny, they’re dead. There’s nothing in them, they’re just featureless, soulless. With a painting, if in doubt, fade it out. With sculp-

ture, there is nowhere to hide.”

For Pratley, especially when he is working with a live model, “I’m often struck by how the absolute essence of somebody is somewhere between the nostrils and the mouth. The flicker of muscles and the subtle movement of muscles around the mouth is so much you — it’s so much that person.”

Vote on it

In the UK, local councils — like a city council in the U.S. — might propose a project, fund it and select the sculptor, sometimes with little input from the public and limited vetting of artists.

Branch says there’s a better way: Vote on it.

“It is a really good balance and check for whether people on the committees have chosen the right sculptor or the right composition for that person who is being commemorated,” Branch said. “(The public) may not necessarily be highly educated about sculpture, but they always tend to know whether the artist has hit the nail on the head.”

NC State opens conference play with overtime win

The Wolfpack snapped a three-game losing streak

By Ryan Henkel The Associated Press

THE NC STATE Wolfpack

men’s basketball team (6-3, 1-0 ACC) shook off a tough three-game skid with an 84 -74 overtime win over the Florida State Seminoles (7-3, 0-1 ACC), their first game of ACC play this season.

The Wolfpack turned in a big second half and OT performance by senior guard Dontrez Styles to lead them to the win.

Nineteen of Styles’ 21 points — a season high — came after the first half, and he was a big clutch factor for the Wolfpack.

“I thought Dontrez Styles was tremendous in the second half,” said NC State coach Kevin Keatts. “He made play after play.”

It was also a big game for senior guard Marcus Hill, who has started to find his scoring touch after a tough go in San Diego. Hill had just nine points across the two games at the Rady Children’s Invitational but has now had back-to-back games in double digits.

In 33 minutes against the Seminoles, Hill had a season-high and team-high 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field.

“Both of those guys (Styles and Hill) in San Diego, they were 3-for-12, and both of those guys the last two games have been really good for us,” Keatts said.

NC State led for a majority of the game, but the court started to tilt midway through the second half as Florida State’s Malique Ewin started to heat up.

Diego.

“I wanted us to stay solid. I thought we had done some boneheaded stuff.”

Kevin Keatts

The Seminoles took a sixpoint lead, their biggest lead of the game, with 3:44 to go in the second half. After that basket, Keatts called a timeout and got his group refocused.

“I wanted us to stay solid,” Keatts said. “I thought we had done some boneheaded stuff, and we switched out and we didn’t read and we didn’t switch to the inside and we gave up some easy baskets. The great thing about when

you gotta a new bunch is they are a new bunch, so it’s like you can learn a lot of things.”

The Wolfpack responded with two strong runs to once again along with Ewin, who ended the game with 24 points and nine rebounds, picking up his fifth foul of the game, and that was just what NC State needed to get back into it.

Following that foul out, the Wolfpack couldn’t quite hang on to its slim lead, but they took off to start overtime and never looked back.

One of the most impressive aspects of the win for the Wolfpack was their committed effort to rebounding against the second tallest lineup in NCAA DI basketball.

“It means a lot,” Keatts said. “It means we’re growing.” On top of being the Wolf-

pack’s first ACC win, it also ended a three-game slide for NC State.

“For us, it meant a little bit more,” Keatts said. “We had dropped three games against three really good teams, we were at home and obviously it was the first ACC game early in December. I thought our guys came out, responded and answered the bell.

“This team needed an early win together. We hadn’t had one, this particular group, and we needed a nice win together and we got one. We needed a win where we made some mistakes, but we came back that way we could grow. I think this is the best thing that could have happened to us. We’ve had more adversity than we’ve had success, and winning this game will really help us.”

DENIS POROY / AP PHOTO

State

Styles shoots during a game against BYU in late November in San

Sculptors offer advice on how to honor athletes with realistic depictions

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN / AP PHOTO

Former Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade looks at a bronze statue in his image during its unveiling ceremony outside the arena in October.

Cook sets latest thriller in iconic Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital

By Rob Merrill The Associated Press

THE BUILDING ON New

York’s East Side that used to house Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital has inspired tales of horror from the likes of H.P. Lovecraft and served as the model for Arkham Asylum in fictional Gotham City. For novelist Robin Cook, who interned there in the 1960s, it’s the perfect setting for his latest medical thriller.

“Bellevue” is set in the present day but hearkens often to the hospital’s controversial and storied past. The plot centers around 23-year-old Mitt Fuller, embarking on his surgical residency at the iconic hospital. Mitt’s “long and impressive medical pedigree” goes back more than 400 years and includes three previous surgeons and a psychiatrist. It’s always been Mitt’s dream to follow in his forefathers’ footsteps.

But this is a Robin Cook novel, so readers shouldn’t be surprised that Mitt’s dream slowly becomes a nightmare. Cook does a

nice job drawing readers into the tale, not horrifying them all at once. Mitt possesses a little precognitive power and can sometimes see things before they happen or sense when he’s in danger. So when forceps start moving of their own accord during a procedure or sutures untie themselves,

Cook does a nice job of drawing readers into the tale, not horrifying them all at once.

readers and Mitt get a serious case of the heebie-jeebies.

Readers learn early in the story why the hospital is haunted, but dramatic irony is at play for more than a hundred pages as Mitt assembles the puzzle and unearths his family’s buried secrets. Mitt’s medical training and belief in science don’t exactly square with a haunted hospital, but when he meets another hospital employee whose family has a history at the institution, together they put together the rest of the pieces.

The denouement is jarring but feels earned. Cook has told a tale that delivers a measure of justice for some patients while preserving the dreadful mystique spelled out on top of the “decorative rusty wrought iron fence” at the southeastern corner of First Avenue and 30th Street: B-E-LL-E-V-U-E.

Dawn E. Kleinman,

PUTNAM VIA AP

“Bellevue” by Robin Cook hearkens back to the storied New York psychiatric hospital.

this week in history

The Wright Brothers took flight first, “Gone With the Wind” premiered, the Boston Tea Party took place

DEC. 12

1870: Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina became the first black lawmaker sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives.

2000: George W. Bush became president-elect as a divided U.S. Supreme Court reversed a state court recount decision in Florida’s tightly contested presidential election.

DEC. 13

1577: Francis Drake set sail from England on an epic three-year circumnavigation of the world aboard the “Pelican” (later renamed the “Golden Hind”).

1623: The Plymouth Colony established the system of trial by 12-men jury in the American colonies.

1862: Union forces led by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside launched futile attacks against entrenched Confederate soldiers during the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg.

2003: Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces while hiding in a hole under a farmhouse in Adwar, Iraq.

DEC. 14

1799: George Washington died at his Mount Vernon, Virginia, home at age 67.

1911: Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team became the first men to reach the South Pole.

DEC. 15

1791: The Bill of Rights went into effect following ratification by Virginia.

1890: Sioux Indian Chief Sitting Bull and 11 other tribe members were killed in Grand River, South Dakota.

1939: The Civil War motion picture epic “Gone with the Wind,” starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, had its world premiere in Atlanta.

DEC. 16

1653: Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.

1773: The Boston Tea Party took place as American colonists boarded a British ship and dumped more than 300 chests of tea into Boston

vaccinations were underway at U.S. nursing homes, where the v irus had killed 110,000 people.

DEC. 17

1777: France recognized American independence.

1903: Wilbur and Orville Wright conducted the first successful manned powered airplane flights near Kitty Hawk using their experimental craft, the Wright Flyer.

DEC. 18

Harbor to protest tea taxes.

1907: Sixteen U.S. Navy battleships, which came to be known as the “Great White Fleet,” set sail on a 14-month round-the-world voyage to demonstrate American sea power.

1944: The World War II Battle of the Bulge began as German forces launched a surprise attack against Allied forces through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg.

1950: President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a national state of emergency in order to fight “world conquest by Communist imperialism.”

2020: The first COVID-19

Specially minted McCartney UK coins to go on sale

By Pan Pylas The Associated Press

LONDON — Beatles legend Paul McCartney is being honored in a specially minted British coin collection.

The Royal Mint, which has struck the coins of monarchs from Alfred the Great in the 9th century through to King Charles III, revealed last Friday that it is launching a McCartney coin collection for collectors to buy.

On one side of the coin, as is custom, will be the king. On the other, it will be all about McCartney’s career in the wake of the Beatles split in 1970.

The Royal Mint said the range will come in a variety of finishes as well as colored editions. The most valuable one will be the 2-ounce gold proof coin, which will have a face value of 200 pounds ($255) but will go on sale at a recommended retail price of 5,890 pounds ($7,510).

Though legal tender but with the price differential, it’s unlikely — if not irrational — for anyone using the coins in everyday use to pay for, say, a McCartney concert.

Among other features, the coins feature McCartney’s iconic Magic Piano. a multicolored upright he first used in 1967 while still in arguably the greatest band of all with John Len-

non, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. A replica was made for McCartney’s 1989/1990 world tour and has been used in subsequent tours. There are other references

1865: The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, was declared in effect by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

1892: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” publicly premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia.

1917: Congress passed the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors” and sent it to the states for ratification.

1940: Adolf Hitler signed a secret directive ordering preparations for a Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. (Operation Barbarossa was launched in June 1941.)

too, including piano notes chosen by McCartney, his famous Höfner Violin Bass guitar, the logo of his post-Beatles band, Wings, as well as his signature.

“This feels like a huge honor,” McCartney said. “It’s not anything I would have ever expected to happen when I was a kid.”

The Royal Mint also said it has created a special edition plectrum-shaped version of the coin to gift to the 82-yearold McCartney, who in his early days played with pennies as guitar picks.

The coins are part of the Royal Mint’s Music Legends collection, which also includes David Bowie, George Michael and the Rolling Stones.

“Our coins recognize the greatest icons and events in British history, so it’s fitting that Paul McCartney’s remarkable music career is now celebrated on an official U.K. coin,” said Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint.

“What makes this coin extra special is that Paul has been involved throughout the design process,” she added.

The Royal Mint also said it will auction a signed, gold edition of McCartney’s coin. The bespoke gold coin weighs five kilograms and took more than 250 hours to make, including three days of hand polishing. It was signed by McCartney during his 2024 “Got Back” tour in Paris and will be auctioned alongside four silver five-kilogram editions.

US MILITARY VIA APTN / AP PHOTO

Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein undergoes medical examinations in Baghdad after his capture on Dec. 13, 2003.

The collection also features the likes of David Bowie, George Michael and the Rolling Stones

THE ROYAL MINT VIA AP

Sir Paul McCartney holds the Paul McCartney 2024 UK £5 Coin with Stephanie Morris, left, head of sales at The Royal Mint, and Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint.

famous birthdays this week

RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Director Steven Spielberg, pictured in October, turns 78 on Wednesday.

MARK VON HOLDEN / INVISION FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY / AP CONTENT SERVICES

Dick Van Dyke poses with his Emmy for outstanding variety special in 2024. The actor-comedian turns 99 on Friday.

LINDSEY WASSON / AP PHOTO Taylor Swift turns 35 on Friday.

AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones celebrates 81 on Wednesday.

Dick Van Dyke is 99, Keith Richards turns 81, Taylor Swift hits 35

These celebrities have birthdays this week.

DEC.12

Hall of Fame race car driver Emerson Fittipaldi is 78. Actor Bill Nighy is 75. Gymnast-actor Cathy Rigby is 72. Singer-musician Sheila E. is 67.

DEC. 13

Actor-comedian Dick Van Dyke is 99. Music/film producer Lou Adler is 91. Rock musician Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is 76. Rock musician Ted Nugent is 76. Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is 35.

DEC. 14

Tennis Hall of Famer Stan Smith is 78. Rock musician Cliff Williams (AC/DC) is 74. Former FBI Director James Comey is 64.

DEC. 15

Singer Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes is 85. Drummer Dave Clark of the Dave Clark Five is 85. Actor Don Johnson is 75.

DEC. 16

Actor Joyce Bulifant (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”) is 87. Actor Liv Ullman is 86. Journalist Lesley Stahl (“60 Minutes”) is 83. Guitarist Tony Hicks of The Hollies is 79. Singer Benny Andersson of ABBA is 78. Singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top is 75.

DEC. 17

Actor Armin Mueller-Stahl (“Shine”) is 94. Singer-actor Tommy Steele is 88. Actor Ernie Hudson (“Ghostbusters”) is 79. Former “Hardball” host Chris Matthews is 79. Actor-comedian Eugene Levy is 78. Actor Bill Pullman is 70.

DEC. 18

Guitarist Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones is 81. Director Steven Spielberg is 78. Actor Brad Pitt is 61. Actor Katie Holmes (“Dawson’s Creek”) is 46. Singer Billie Eilish is 23.

/

week.

The Stream: Paris, Nicole reunite; Romano, Kudrow team up; Snoop Dogg drops 20th album

The 2024 Billboard Music Awards will air live on Paramount+ on Thursday

By The Associated Press

Angelina Jolie portraying opera singer Maria Callas in the movie “Maria” and a Jamie Foxx Netflix comedy special are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Snoop Dogg teams up with Dr. Dre on an album, Elton John looks back at his 50 years in the spotlight in the documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late,” and Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie reunite for “Paris & Nicole: The Encore.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

If you didn’t make it to the theater to see “Joker: Folie à Deux” (and according to the lackluster box office, most didn’t), it’s streaming on Max on Friday. Todd Phillips’ musical sequel to the Oscar-winning “Joker” has Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the mentally ill Arthur Fleck, imprisoned and awaiting trial for his crimes, and adds Lady Gaga as an obsessive fan.

Elton John looks back at his 50 years in the spotlight in a new documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” streaming on Disney+ on Friday. Directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, the film features never-before-seen footage and new interviews and reflections from John as he prepares for his final North American concert at Dodger Stadium. Angelina Jolie portrays opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” now streaming on Netflix. The movie plays out during the final week of her life, flashing back over her difficult childhood, her grand career and her tumultuous affairs. As I wrote in my review, “This is a biopic as opera — an emotional journey fitting of the great diva, full of flair, beauty, betrayal, revelations and sorrow.” Jolie even trained to sing for the role, and her voice, they’ve said, is woven into the audio. If you liked “Spencer” and “Jackie,” “Maria” is a no-brainer. The Blake Lively-led adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us” landed Monday on Netflix. Lively stars as Lily Bloom in the romantic drama, which became a minor sensation at the box office, opposite Justin Baldoni, who also directs, and Brandon Sklenar.

A community grapples with the discovery of unmarked graves on the grounds of a Cath-

A new documentary looks behind the scenes in “Elton John: Never Too Late,” coming to Disney+ on Friday.

olic Church-run Indian residential school in Canada in “Sugarcane,” an emotional and revelatory documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie. The investigation exposes the harrowing abuses inflicted on Indigenous children at these segregated boarding schools. It is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

MUSIC TO STREAM

What else could Snoop Dogg do for his 20th album but team up for a project produced entirely by Dr. Dre. Out Friday, “Missionary” is described as the sequel to Snoop’s 1993 debut “Doggystyle” — the only other full-length collaboration between the two giants of hip-hop — a NSFW meeting of minds featuring guest verses from Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty, BJ the Chicago Kid, Jhené Aiko and more. How did Elton John become Elton John? What did those early days look like? And how does he reflect on that time, now? A new documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” available to

stream on Disney+ starting Friday, attempts to peek behind the curtain and explore exactly that. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

The 2024 Billboard Music Awards will air live on Paramount+ on Thursday. Little is known about it just yet, but previously announced performers include Coldplay, Jelly Roll, Seventeen, Teddy Swims and Tyla.

SHOWS TO STREAM

It’s been 20 years since Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie first showed us what’s hot on “The Simple Life.” The two revive their schtick with “Paris & Nicole: The Encore,” a threepart series where they recreate memorable moments from the past and return to work at a Sonic fast-food location. It debuts Thursday on Peacock. Jamie Foxx is ready to address his 2023 undisclosed medical condition and joke about it, too. The Oscar winner has a new comedy special called “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...” is waiting for you on Netflix. The streamer is

promoting the event as “the story we’ve been waiting for.” In a trailer, the multihyphenate performer walks on stage and declares, ‘I’m back!” The special was filmed in October.

A new “Dexter” prequel details just how the serial killer discovered his “dark passenger.” The show stars Patrick Gibson as the young Dexter and Christian Slater as his father, Harry, who teaches his son to follow a code of ethics when it comes to murder. “It was simple. Kill the bad guys who escape justice,” we hear Michael C. Hall say in the trailer. Hall, who played Dexter in the original series, returns to narrate the character’s inner voice. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Dempsey also appear. “Original Sin” is just one example in an expanding “Dexter” universe. “Original Sin” premieres Sunday on Showtime and streams on Paramount+ with Showtime.

Two sitcom favorites, Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow, team up for a dark comedy in “No Good Deed,” also coming to Netflix. Premiering Thursday, the pair play Paul and Lydia, a married couple at odds

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

over whether to sell their LA home, which has some tragic family history. The listing draws a range of eclectic prospective buyers played by Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, O-T Fagbenle, Teyonah Parris and more.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” has inspired dozens of video games, from Tomb Raider to Uncharted to Spelunky, but it’s been a while since Indiana Jones himself has taken center stage. The hiatus ends with Bethesda Softworks’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, in which the intrepid archaeologist once again puts on his fedora and sets off in search of a stolen cat mummy. The quest bounces from the Vatican to the pyramids of Egypt to the temples of Thailand, mixing exploration, puzzle-solving and flashy action set pieces. Developer MachineGames is best known for its Wolfenstein series — experience that will no doubt come in handy when it’s time to punch some Nazis. Crack that whip on Xbox X/S and PC.

“Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...,” “Dexter: Original Sin” and “Paris & Nicole: The Encore” are landing on a screen near you this