Chatham News & Record Vol. 9, Issue 1

By Robert Owens For Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — The Siler City Board of Commissioners met on Feb. 5, receiving a report from Hobbs Architecture about the condition of the Carter Bank & Trust building that the city acquired last year.

The report was not a positive one, with the building meant to be used as o ce and administrative space as the city government continues to grow.

“It worked well as a bank,” Taylor Hobbs, co-founder of Hobbs Architects, told the board. “Maybe not so much as an o ce building.” Adapting the facility for the city’s needs will involve considerable remodeling and updating.

“The cashiers desk would be removed,” Hobbs said “The current restrooms are not ADA accessible, so those would be renovated.” Additionally, an air quality report suggested the presence of asbestos and other pathogens within the building.

“I’d hate to keep spending money on a building that we may or may not use,” said Mayor Donald Matthews, expressing concern the amount of work needed to make the facility usable. The acquisition of the building predates his election last year.

The board was told it would likely cost more than $600,000 to address the asbestos and air quality concerns, and to make the building usable for administrative work. Commissioners

punted on making any immediate decisions, planning to consider the situation in more detail during an upcoming budget workshop. A minor zoning change was approved to allow the continued construction of a new Duke Energy facility that would, among other things, assist in returning power after natural disasters as well as to support additional development in the area.

A Duke Energy subcontractor assured the commissioners that any vegetation used as a buffer for the development “would be the responsibility of Duke Energy” and should there be a need for new trees or a shrubbery and it “wouldn’t be a burden on Siler City.”

“It worked well as a bank. Maybe not so much as an o ce building.”

Taylor Hobbs, co-founder of Hobbs Architects

By A.P. Dillon Chatham News & Record

RALEIGH — The annual Debt A ordability Study, which assesses the state’s capacity to issue debt for capital needs and that in uences credit quality evaluations by rating agencies, was released earlier this month.

The Debt A ordability Advisory Committee (DAAC) oversees the Study each year and its members include State Treasurer and Chair Dale Folwell, as well as Ronald Penny, Secretary of Revenue; Nels Roseland, State Controller; Kristin Walker, State Budget Director; Jessica Holmes, CPA, State Auditor; as well as Senate appointees Frank Aikmus and Bradford Briner, and House appointees Donald Pomeroy and Eugene Chianelli. The DAAC’s Study emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the substantial unfunded pension and other post-employment bene t (OPEB) obligations, including retiree healthcare costs, and recommends a consistent yearly allocation of $100 million to the Unfunded Liability Solvency Reserve (Solvency Fund) established 2018 session laws to address these liabilities.

Additionally, the Committee has also suggested “continuing the single target calculation utilizing the limitation that debt service and the continuing annual appropriation to the Solvency Fund not exceed 4% of revenues.”

In the 2024 Study, Folwell highlighted the repurchasing $20 million Connect NC bonds following the Silicon Valley Bank crisis when that institution was forced to sell o assets. Folwell said that by buying these bonds at a discount, the state’s taxpayers will save nearly $11 million.

“This was a great opportunity for the taxpayers of North Carolina to get some relief during a tough in ationary period,” Folwell in a statement. “We are in the sixth year of retiring over 60% of the state’s debt over an eight-year period. I don’t know of another state or country that can say that. And that’s why ‘NC’ stands for ‘nothing compares.’ It’s a tribute to taxpayers, employers and the General Assembly that we have budget surpluses and reserves. But we still have approximately $43 billion in unfunded pension and health care liabilities. That bill will come due

By Robert Owens for Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Schools Board of Education met for its monthly meeting on Feb. 12, Superintendent Anthony Jackson spoke of the increasing use of arti cial intelligence products within schools, noting that it was early days for the technology but things were moving rapidly.

The state Department of Public Instruction released “preliminary guidance on articial intelligence,” Jackson told the board. “We’re giving teachers… guidance on how to use it as an instructional tool and not necessarily as something that kids are going to use to cheat.”

The district will also be reaching out to parents with additional information about how AI is being used as well as developments over the next few years. The monthly Power of One Award — recognizing a district sta er or teacher who has made an impact on a student’s life — was given to Rachel Davis, a school counselor from Virginia Cross Elementary.

“Rachel is an amazing school counselor! She works hard to build relationships with students,” said the nomination for Davis. “Kids at our school love Mrs. Davis and know that they are safe with her. She is creative, full of energy, and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. VCE is a better place because of her.”

The rst annual School Justice Partnership meeting with law enforcement partners met with a focus on “Really digging and looking at our data on how we can e ectively communicate with all the jurisdictions that are around us.” according to a continued brie ng of the board by Superintendent Jackson. The School Justice Partner-

See

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Get ‘otter’ here!

Selene, one of the three female otters born to Leia and Quincy at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) in 2022, has moved out of the house. She was sent to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium as part of a breeding program to ensure a genetically diverse and biologically sound otter population. Only one of the triplets, Stella, remains in North Carolina after Mae was sent to Florida last fall. The zoo said it is natural behavior for a mother Asian small-clawed otter as the dominant female in the romp, to choose to move out mature female otter o spring.

Ch ch Ne

SPONSORED BY

mosaicatchathampark.com

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

March 1

Goldston Seed Savers – “Discussing Seeds”

11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. Gardening enthusiasts are invited to participate in this month’s Seed Savers session entitled “Discussing Seeds” on March 1st starting at 11:00 a.m. Amanda Jones, Chatham County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, will explain seeds, heirloom seeds, and the di erent methods on saving them. Individuals with any gardening questions are welcome to join the discussion.

March 2

Death and Cupcakes: A Discussion About Advance Healthcare Directives

10:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Advance care planning is important at any age as a medical crisis could leave someone unable to communicate their own health care decisions.

Guest speaker Nansi Greger-Holt RN, MPH, MSN, a registered nurse for more than 40 years, a Family and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner for over 25 years, and a Geriatric Care Manager since 2005, will discuss advance healthcare directives. Nansi has been. Chatham Community LibraryHolmes Family Meeting Room 197 NC 87 N, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

March 4

Medicare 101: Helping MedicareEligible Customers Understand Their Options

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

LaTonya Nicholson, Medicare consultant with BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina will host an educational session to help answer questions about Medicare plans such as: What is Medicare and who pays for it? What are my options and how do I know which plan is best for me? What do I need to do to enroll in Medicare? Program is free and open to the public. Held at the Chatham Community Library, Holmes Family Meeting Room, 197 NC 87, in Pittsboro. Contact the library at (919) 545-8084 for more information.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM AT FORT FISHER

Strategies for reducing stress in an election year

By Alissa Zorn Wealth of Geeks

WORRYING ABOUT the nation’s future is a signi cant stressor for more than twothirds of Americans (68%), according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) latest Stress in America report.

As we head into a divisive election year, stress is high. 55% of adults identi ed social divisiveness as another signicant stressor.

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that just the anticipation of election-related stress negatively impacts well-being — however, those with a greater sense of agency experience lower stress levels.

With months of campaign time left, there’s no quick relief in sight. Given the harmful nature of chronic stress, now is the time to plan ahead to guard against its e ects. Practical actions for stress reduction include setting boundaries around media use, building positive anticipation, spending time outdoors, and doing creative activities.

Focus on what you can control

Makenzie Peterson, Director for Well-being at The American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges, created a guide for well-being during an election year. She notes that elections can make people feel overwhelmed and powerless. Taking proactive steps to create positive change in one’s life can combat those feelings.

Proactive steps that Peterson suggests are registering to vote and planning how one will vote, whether by mail or in person. She also suggests that people should nd activities they enjoy and focus on those rather than continually xating on the news.

Therapist Emily Wilson, MA, LPC, ATR, agrees with the recommendation. “Finding

People hoping to reduce stress can nd ways to build positive anticipation in their lives. Creating positive anticipation can be as simple as planning to go to the movies and looking forward to it.

something in your own life that you can help tap into a sense of agency — this will be unique for each person. It can be as simple as tackling the clean out of that disorganized closet or as thorough as taking control of your own health.”

Set Boundaries Around Election Discussions

Peterson suggests that people plan for political discussions that add stress rather than lead to productive conversation. Her guide lists useful phrases for sidestepping nonproductive election conversations.

For instance: “That’s not a topic I’m informed on enough to talk about.”

“I’ve talked a lot about politics recently and could use a break — tell me something interesting going on in your life.”

Build Up Positive Anticipation

While negative anticipation — like anticipating election stress — leads to poor mental health, the opposite is also true. People hoping to reduce stress can nd ways to build positive anticipation in their lives. Creating positive anticipation can be as simple as planning to go to the movies and looking forward to it.

“Anticipating positive events directly leads to a better mental health well-being; the mere thinking of future posi-

tive events is associated with increased well-being,” says Wilson, referring to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology.

So think about those vacation plans, your kid’s recital, trying out a new recipe, spending the morning snuggling with your spouse, dog, or favorite book. It will do you good!”

Tap Into Creativity as an Outlet for Stress Relief.

“Creativity can help a lot with stress! And you do not have to be an ‘artist’ to create. Creating art and the desire to create something beautiful is innate,” explains Wilson.

“Coloring Mandalas can reduce stress and anxiety and can be a fun and less intimidating art activity. Anything rhythmic and repetitive, such as knitting, crochet, or felting, calms the nervous system.”

She suggests trying a simple practice like starting a small art journal and doodling or creating for 5 minutes a day.

Get Moving and Spend Time in Nature

Exercise is an excellent form of stress release. Moving helps reduce stress-related hormones and increases overall health and well-being. Finding exercise or hobbies one can do outdoors gives people the combined bene ts of being in nature and getting in some movement.

Stay Socially Connected

Go for a walk or spend time with friends and family. Research shows that people with at least one or two friends or family members to turn to for emotional support during stressful times tend to cope better than people who don’t have such support.

More Information on Election Stress Reduction

The APA’s Stress in America site shares strategies for managing stress and facilitates the Stress in America survey. The survey measures ongoing attitudes and perceptions of stress among the general public.

On February 18, Timothy Lynn Storrs, 41, of Moncure, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond.

On February 19, James Patrick O’Neill, 31, of Durham, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond.

On February 20, William Howard Cantees IV, 28, of Greensboro, was arrested by for breaking and entering, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, simple possession of Sch II CS, and

possession of drug paraphernalia. Total bond was set at $15,000 secured bond.

On February 20, Malachi Vyshonn Eaves, 22, of Pittsboro, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear. He was issued a written promise to appear in Randolph County District Court.

On February 20, Abram Isaiah Woodard, 23, of High Point, was arrested on two warrants for failure to appear-criminal on a summons and giving fictitious to an officer. He was held without bond,

Share with your community!

Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements:

chathamcommunity@northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

On February 21, James Barney Kast, Jr., 55, of Siler City, was arrested for trespassing and communicating threats. He was issued a written promise to appear.

On February 22, Delmon Trenard McFadden, of Pittsboro, was arrested for assault on a female, communicating threats, and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. He was held on a 48-hour DV hold.

On February 22, Hally Alexis Scotton, 21, of Siler City, was arrested for violation of pretrial release. She was held without bond.

CRIME LOG

OPINION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Big hairy audacious prayers

I might be a big, hairy guy, but I know the audacity of hope when I see it.

JUST BEFORE MY CHURCH youth group arrived on Saturday afternoon, a water pipe burst at the crisis assistance center where we were scheduled to serve. We needed to pivot, and quickly! Our leader, un appable as always, remembered that last year we had heard about a nearby prayer and meditation center. To their credit, the teenagers accepted the new plan without complaint. At the evening debrief, several mentioned it was a highlight of the day.

The prayer center was located in the education wing of a church, with each classroom divided into several stations designed to engage and inspire one’s senses. There were areas to draw or color, books to read, and couches to sit and listen to music. The thought of a nap crossed my mind.

But wandering and wondering through the stations, I found myself before a poster board labeled “BHAP: Big Hairy Audacious Prayers.” I chuckled. “Big hairy” conjures up a yeti! I bet a youth came up with this phrase!

But as I sat quietly with the idea, I realized that, while I have been called big and hairy by my own children, I was drawn to the word audacious, which

EDITORIAL | BOB WACHS

brought the younger generations to mind in positive ways. It’s true that the term can be negative. But youth exhibit a certain bravery and boldness to be who they are, even in new situations when, through no fault of their own, the plans change.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord (as recorded through the prophet Jeremiah), “plans to give you a hope and a future.” That is an audacious claim for a people su ering through exile, and perhaps just as audacious to believe in our time of violent upheaval. Do I worry about the future? Is a yeti big and hairy?!

Yet, I love to spend time with this younger generation. How they are silly and serious from moment to moment. How they share their highs and lows. How they a rm and appreciate each other. Though not found on their Spotify mix, they live into the vision of the old hymn, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” That is the kind of faith which leads to joy in the moment and justice in the future, and the youth are living prayers themselves.

I might be a big, hairy guy, but I know the audacity of hope when I see it. And so: amen.

Seven days or a week … all the same to Mama

Depending on the nature and severity of the illness and the e ect of the various drugs and treatment, I would, on average, be sick for either a week or for seven days.

A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER of folks are, have been or soon will be infected with what we may delicately call “the Chatham County crud.”

For some folks it’s more a full blown case of the flu, for which many took a shot weeks ago only to find that some of the flu going around and some of the shots weren’t on the same page.

So much for advance planning . . . except where it did work.

Others of us are suffering with one “bad” cold (is there any other kind than “bad”?) after another while still more folks find they are infected with a less than stellar, perhaps the better word is “lousy,” set of sinuses.

Put me down in that latter category.

In their desire that I not forget them ever, my folks gave me not only lousy genes as far as orthopedic issues are concerned but they also, especially my dear mama, gave me a complete set of the worst sinus cavities known to mankind. To add insult to injury, when said head and nose areas would go over to the enemy, my dear departed mama would tell me that, because I didn’t have the best resistance, “every time a cold wind blew” across my rear end I would catch a cold.

Thanks, Mama. I would be less than truthful, however, if I did not tell you that even though the dear lady was part and parcel of my misery she was also a big part of my getting well . . . until the next time.

No antibiotics for me, no Z-packs, no this or that from the corner drugstore or doctor’s office or even emergency rooms, especially since there weren’t all that many of any of them around.

No siree . . . when I got sick, became ill, was under the weather I, and maybe you with your mama, got a combination of the following and in large numbers: hot lemonades; Vicks Vaporub on the chest, on the neck, complete with a large handkerchief tied around my throat, up side the temples, even on the feet with a pair of socks; lots of tomato soup; some chicken noodle; water, more water and Coke and Pepsi; and a few things I can’t or won’t or refuse to remember since they

were so bad.

Truth be told, in a strange – I guess – sort of way I kinda liked getting sick when I was a little boy, especially since it wasn’t fatal. One reason was I could miss a few days of school. As a little guy that was cool; as a teenager I didn’t like it. But another big reason was Mama would let me stay in and sleep in her big ol’ bed, complete with bedside table and the only radio in the house other than the one in the kitchen where the 6:00 PM news, weather and sports from WPTF took all of five minutes.

Compare that with the talking heads today who chat about this and chat about that and their favorite movies and everything under the sun except what you tuned in for.

Anyway, in addition to the radio, I had my latest stack of comic books, the aforementioned food, and a pile of books. After downing three hot lemonades, some tomato soup and enduring a good tummy rub of Vicks, I’d take up the comic books until Mr. Sandman took over. But then, upon awakening, I was still in Mama’s bed, the comics were still there and Bill Jackson was on the radio. It was on that radio while I was in that bed that I heard a recording of the “beep beep” of Sputnik when the Russians sent the thing into orbit in 1957.

Depending on the nature and severity of the illness and the effect of the various drugs and treatment, I would, on average, be sick for either a week or for seven days.

As time has passed since those days (and years) I’ve had a few more instances of flu, colds and lousy sinus issues and lately, it seems, they hang around longer.

It could be because I’ve had a few birthdays since 1957 and my once dynamic body and immune system is less than it was. But I’m thinking a big reason may be I’m not in Mama’s bed. Come to think of it, I don’t even know where it is, a victim of breaking up housekeeping after she left us.

And while the nurse I live with does a mighty good job, I can’t get Bill Jackson on the radio anymore.

What a pity . . .

All the world’s a stage, even the grocery store!

I don’t know why these, unexpected, transformations of mood happen to me so frequently in grocery stores.

PLEASE TRY NOT TO LAUGH, but going to the grocery store has become an event with unanticipated and transformational potential for me.

You’ve got to be kidding! Going to the grocery store is just so, so…pedestrian. I mean, really, when has a grocery store visit been described as possibly transformational, or even a destination visit (except, of course, when you’re really hungry.)

Is this possible transformation due to sugar highs from the Girl Scout cookies bought right outside the store?

No. Please don’t remind me of how high I get eating Girl Scout cookies. Enough already for one cookie season!

Even minus the assistance of any other substances (including the Girl Scout Chocolate Thin Mints), I often feel high prior to leaving the grocery store.

Uh, wait, you want to discuss being high, in public?

Hiding nothing! I will solemnly attest I was feeling high. These sensations can be legal, you know!

O-Kay. Where do we go from here?

How ‘bout the wonderful Shakespearian cliche, “All the world’s a stage?” That’s a dandy place to begin.

Here we go….

The curtain rises as a woman (AKA, me) walks into a grocery store. Looking for fresh vegetables and fruit, but somehow, somehow, my feet carry me to the pastry case. My sighs of embarrassment and acceptance crop right up (plus frustration that this sugar boogie happens when I’m writing.)

Nonetheless, perusing the late afternoon’s

slim pickings, very slim pickings, I’m joined by a much older shopper, maybe late 80’s. Now, we’re both perusing the leavings. The other shopper gives up (probably wisely) and rolls her cart away. However, yours truly is inhabited by a ravenous vulture, laserfocused on the measly remnants, any of which might contain a smear of chocolate.

Finally, nally, I walk away, guiltily and furtively, holding my little plastic bag containing a meager chocolate-covered eclair. Just downright pathetic-looking. The much older shopper turns around, as I pass her, and asks if I found something. Jerked out of my embarrassed and downcast state, I perked up and responded that if there’s a chocolate-covered sweet pastry anywhere in sight, I’m a goner. She smiled; I smiled. Found I was standing up a bit straighter after our just-now exchange.

I don’t know why these, unexpected, transformations of mood happen to me so frequently in grocery stores. And, well, OK, pharmacies, or any other store that attracts the general public. It’s almost as if my Jan persona is suddenly transformed into a proximate Mary Poppins, moodwise. Instantaneously sweet and almost toogood to be true. No matter what my mood is pre-grocery shopping - grumpy, hassled, anything endemic to a busy life - these upbeat conversions still occur.

I’m reminded of a favorite story, “Who Am I This Time,” by Kurt Vonnegut. Seems to nail the theatrical stage on which I nd myself treading, interaction-wise, at grocery stores these days. Will I morph into Mary Poppins next visit? I have no idea, but it is fun waiting to see “who I am this time.”

A sports analogy: fantasy football and politics

Spend as much time researching your primary ballot as you would treat your fantasy football team.

HISTORICALLY, fantasy football has been the highlight of the NFL season all around the country. Fantasy football is unique to other sports because of the fact that you are not rooting for a team, rather a player whom you believe in. Extensive research goes into looking at the history of the player and their record, in order to weigh the pros and cons of choosing that player to be on your fantasy team.

With football season now over, we kick off our Primary election season. Spend as much time researching your primary ballot as you would treat your fantasy football team. Mark the circle next to their name if you are confident that they can win in the General Election for you. Ask yourself the question “Does this candidate have the experience to fulfill the promises that they are making?” It takes five minutes to research and look at the candidate’s history and experience. Some tips for where to get started: NC Voter Record - look at how they voted in the past LinkedIn Experience - validate their qualifications

White pages - look at their history and background

NC Secretary of State - verify if they own a business Campaign Website - compare their promises to your research

For too long we’ve heard politicians talk the talk and forget to walk the walk. In some way, we can’t fully blame them or hold them accountable if we are the ones electing them based on false narratives or amplified campaigns.

BE IN TOUCH

Albert Einstein is oft-attributable as saying; “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

The primary election is more critical than the general election. On a ballot with twelve positions, there will typically be 2-3 candidates to choose from. In the primary is when you can choose the best person for the job and to represent your party.

Many political groups, PACs, politicians, and leaders stress the fact that they are staying out of the primary. In fantasy football, that’s like getting the first draft and saying that you will pass on it and wait until the end to choose from whatever is left. Nobody does that.

If you stay out of the primary, then you should really just stay out of the entire election. We should focus on electing the right people, rather than the party. Once you get to the general, you have one candidate per position to represent your party. Don’t make the mistake of voting down the ballot and being fooled by the person’s letter next to their name.

Grab your friends, print out your district ballot and throw a Primary Season Party. Research the candidates, ask questions, and make it fun! Our elections don’t have to be boring and we the people, don’t have to sit this one out. Fantasy Football is every year. Our elections are every 2-4 years. Make this election count and let’s send the best players to the General Election!

Adina Safta is in public relations and lives in Wake County.

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@ nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

WHAT’S BEEN MISSING these past couple of months from the coverage of and debate over the failed immigration bill? Some important basic facts and lots of historical context.

First, basic facts. Coverage in left-leaning newspapers and even in the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial page has suggested that without new legislation, the Biden administration would lack the legal authorization to reduce the record number of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border and remaining in the United States.

The record is not in doubt. Customs and Border Protection has reported 302,000 immigrant encounters in December, the highest in history. Similarly, the total for the rst three months of the scal year — October, November and December 2023 — was 785,000 encounters, again a historical high. There’s no escaping the fact that illegal border crossings have been at record levels during the Biden administration.

And there’s no escaping, though in journalism, there’s been plenty of evading, the fact that this surge of illegal immigration is the direct and predictable result of changes in regulation and administrative practice by the Biden administration.

For example, the president long boasted of signing on his rst day in o ce an executive order repealing former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. That policy was the product of Trump’s pressure on Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in response to a signi cantly smaller border surge.

Biden should be able to undo by executive order the policies he put in place by executive order. Any order issued on Day 1 of an administration should be revokable just as rapidly by the same administration.

Evidently, some Biden advisers agree.

According to the left-leaning Axios website, President Joe Biden “has considered ... an executive order that would dramatically stanch the record ow of migrants into the Southwest,” to be issued before his March 7 scheduled State of the Union address.

So the claims that Republicans, by opposing the Senate measure the Senate never passed, have prevented Biden from e ectively enforcing the border are incorrect. And the reason for Republicans’ skepticism about whether Biden would use enhanced border control authority is obviously justi ed by Biden’s refusal to use the authority he currently has.

Biden has let in this record surge of illegal immigrants. He could cut it o .

This surge, by the way, includes relatively few Mexicans. Instead, many are from troubled Latin nations — Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador — and, as Fox News’ Bill Melugin reports, from farther a eld: China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkey, Africa.

The fact is that when Trump came down the escalator in June 2015 and said Mexico was “not sending their best,” the surge of low-skill immigration from Mexico, which lasted from 1982 until the mortgage security crisis in 2007, was already over. We were in the midst of a pause in mass immigration, something like the pause that occurred after the 1924 Immigration Act, which limited immigration beyond western and northern Europe.

Immigration restrictionists say that earlier pause allowed or furthered assimilation of the huge 1892-1914 Ellis Island surge of immigrants from eastern and southern Europe. The post2007 pause seems to have facilitated the assimilation of legal Latin immigrants, as evidenced by, among other things, increased willingness to vote Republican, which I noted in a recent column.

That 1982-2007 immigration surge may have occurred in response to the labor market’s low supply of low-skill workers due to reduced workforce participation by low-skill black and white Americans. The argument then made was that it was too much to expect urban ghetto residents to travel a dozen miles to new suburban workplaces. But Mexican immigrants proved willing to travel 1,200 miles and more for those jobs.

There’s an echo here of the 75 years after the Civil War, when few black or white Southerners were willing to move to the higher-wage but culturally hostile North. Instead, the rapidly expanding number of jobs in garment sweatshops in Manhattan and steel mills along the Monongahela and Mahoning rivers were lled by Ellis Island immigrants from Eastern Europe and southern Italy.

Are the million-plus illegal immigrants that the Biden administration has let into the country, with some told to report for court hearings in 2031, lling a gap not lled by American workers? Or, as seems more likely, is America getting a million-plus low-skill residents who will be stuck in illegal status inde nitely?

There’s little evidence the Biden administration ever pondered such questions in its haste to overturn the policies of the Evil Orange Man and slam the border wide open.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics.

William Wayne Harris

July 16th, 1942 – Nov.20th, 2023

William Wayne Harris, 81, of Siler City, passed away peacefully at SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Health Care on Monday, November 20th, 2023, at 4:05 PM.

Wayne was born July 16th, 1942, in Chatham County, to Paul D. and Mallie S. Harris. He graduated from Chatham Central High School in 1960 and had a career of 53 years with Cooper Harris, Inc and Welford Harris, Inc as a salesman in the automotive eld. Wayne also served in the US Army as a mess hall cook.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Clarice Andrews Harris and one daughter, Melissa H. Cooper and a sonin-law, James A. Cooper, and several nieces and nephews. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mallie; siblings, Linda H. Humphrey,

Betty H. Lambert, Mildred H. She eld, Nancy H. Laird, Leon “Reid” Harris, Welford D. Harris, and Herbert Hinson Harris.

Wayne enjoyed gardening for many years and was well known for his bountiful harvests of home-grown vegetables and fruits. He enjoyed attending church activities, gospel singings, daily walks over his property, and lunches out with family and friends. He attended Meroney Methodist Church in Siler City, NC.

Family and friends will gather for a celebration of his life at Meroney Methodist Church on Sunday, November 26th, 2023, at 2 PM. Service will be o ciated by Reverend Linda Yow and Reverend Bob Wachs. Outdoor military rites by Randolph County Color Guard as part of the graveside service prior to burial within Meroney Methodist Church Cemetery.

Family will receive friends after the service and a meal will be provided. The family would like memorials to go to Meroney Methodist Church Cemetery Fund or UNC Lineberger Cancer Research and/or any kidney disease foundations.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Harris family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

This version was a correction due to errors made on the previous obituary.

WILLIAM “BRUCE” DENKINS OCT.29TH, 1950 – FEB.20TH, 2024

William Bruce Denkins, 73, of Goldston, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2024 at his home. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Antioch Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Garner presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends before the service from 1:00-1:45 p.m. and in the fellowship hall following the committal service.

Bruce was born in Lee County on October 29, 1950 to Jessie and Eleanor Phillips Denkins. He graduated from Deep River High School in 1969. He worked for Cherokee Brickyard, in Colon, Basic Machinery, in Siler City and retired from Bear Creek Fabrication, in Bear Creek. Bruce loved working on antique cars and trucks and enjoyed showing them o . He was a member of the Goldston Lions Club and loved serving his community. He and Lisa were sports people through and through. They loved traveling and supporting neighborhood kids playing all over the state and beyond. He loved the NY Yankees and the UNC Tarheels. He enjoyed watching them on TV and occasionally in person. He was always ready to help with cooking chicken for bene ts for anyone in need.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Moody and brothers, Bobby and Billy Denkins.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lisa Gilliland Denkins; son, Brian Denkins (Kari); sister, Barbara Denkins; brothers, Broadus Denkins and Benny Denkins, Sr.; grandchildren, Payton and Presleigh Denkins; sister-in-law, Susan Denise (Forrest); several nieces and nephews; special care-giver, Dorothy Johnson and a host of family and friends.

In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Camp Dogwood Maintenance, 7050 Camp Dogwood Dr., Sherrills Ford, NC 28673.

William Abernethy Barber

Nov.1st, 1937 – Feb.12th, 2024

William Abernethy Barber, 86, of Goldston, went home to be with his Lord and savior on Monday, February 12th, 2024.

He was born in Chatham County, on November 1st, 1937, to Bailom Dewey Barber and Mary Abernethy Barber. He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Andrew “Sonny” Barber, and a son-in-

Charlie Phillip “Phil” Lindley, Sr.

Sept.11th, 1937 – Feb.17th, 2024

Charlie Phillip “Phil” Lindley, Sr., 86, of Siler City, went to his heavenly home, Saturday, February 17th, 2024, surrounded by his

James “Jimmy”

Dawson Lane

Oct.26th, 1949 – Feb.19th, 2024

James Dawson Lane (Jimmy), 74, of Siler City, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, February 19th, 2024.

Jimmy was born in Siler City on October 26th, 1949, to the

law, David Simpson. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judith “Judy” Webster Barber; three daughters, Beth Barber of Goldston, Susan B. Poe (Jimmy) of Goldston, and Anne B. Lamb (David) of Sanford; one brother, Gene Barber of Charlotte; four grandchildren, Ryan Poe, Will Shue (Margaret), Drayton Lamb, and Jackson Lamb; and numerous nieces and nephews. William graduated from Goldston High School in 1956 and Lincoln-Nashville Automotive College. He was a member of Goldston Methodist Church. He worked for Ford Motor Company for 28 years, Cooper-Harris in Pittsboro, NC, and Mid State Ford in Sanford, NC. After working with Ford, he continued his career as the Owner and Operator of William Barber Automotive in Goldston for 16 years. He built and raced cars in the Late

family. Phil was born September 11th, 1937, in Chatham County to Charlie Jabus Lindley and Lucille Pegg Lindley. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Lucille, and his brother, Michael Lindley. Phil is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth Broome Lindley, four sons, Charlie Phillip Lindley, Jr. (Susan), Larry L. Lindley (Kathy), Jimmy L. Lindley (Elizabeth), and Bryan K. Lindley (Kim); one grandson, Gage; and one brother, Dwight Lindley. Phil served in the United States Navy during the Cold War Era. Phil received Maintenance Management Training in England and continued his career in textiles and plastics. He was a

late Jim and Mae Mashburn Lane. In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Fred Fulbright. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 50 years, Becky Mohorn Lane; children, Allison Malpass (Bert) of Apex and Jake Lane (Kristen) of Windermere, Florida. “Pawpaw” was adored by four grandchildren: Anna, Jacob, Molly, and Grady. Jimmy is also survived by his sister, Gay Lane Fulbright of Siler City. Jimmy was a former deacon and a lifelong member of First Baptist Church. He was a well respected building contractor and co-owner of L & S Construction, a company known for their impressive craftsmanship and custom-built homes. Jimmy is remembered for his gentle, kind spirit, and his deep love

We

on-site crematory

Model Nascar division. For 55 years, William was involved with the Goldston Fire Department as a volunteer re ghter and later served on the board. He was a member and a past president of the Goldston Lion’s Club, former Mason of the Bu alo Lodge in Sanford. He was a member of the Chatham Central Booster Club as well.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Goldston Methodist Church Cemetery, Friday, February 16th, 2024, at 2 PM. O ciated by Reverend Bob Wachs.

Memorials can be made to the Goldston Methodist Church, PO Box 99, Goldston, NC 27252 or to the Goldston Fireman’s Association, PO Box 432, Goldston, NC 27252.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Barber family. Online Condolences may be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com

lifelong member of South Fork Friends Meeting and served as a trustee there for decades. He was an avid outdoorsman with a love of nature and gardening. He loved spending time with his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Graveside services will be Saturday, February 24th, 2024, at 2 PM, at South Fork Friends Meeting Church in Snow Camp, NC. Services will be o ciated by Andrew Needham and Daniel Thames. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Lindley family. Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com

for family, friends, church, and his Lord. He found peace and tranquility in nature, especially when he was shing at the coast.

Visitation is Friday, February 23rd, 2024, at 10 AM at First Baptist Church, Siler City, followed by a celebration of life at 11 AM with Dr. Allen Admire and Dr. Mitchell Simpson o ciating.

In lieu of owers, memorials can me made to: First Baptist Church, 314 N. Second Ave., Siler City, NC 27344, or CARE (Chatham Animal Rescue & Education), PO Box 610, Pittsboro, NC 27312, www. chathamanimalrescue.org

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Lane family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

Can You Save Too Much For a Rainy Day?

Can You Save Too Much For a Rainy Day?

“Save for a rainy day” is an old piece of advice — and a good one. But is it possible to save too much?

be any number of things: a temporary loss of employment, a major home or car repair, a large medical bill, and so on. available to pay for these types of expenses, you might be forced to dip into accounts, incurring taxes and possible penalties, as well as lowering the amount of money you’d have available for retirebuild an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of total expenses, account that’s separate from the accounts you use for your daily spending needs.

missed opportunities.

count on your principal being protected, which means the money will be there

to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you need your investment portfolio to provide you with rainy-day fund might be used to help fuel some growth-oriented investments. You could also use these dollars to help diversify your investment portfolio.

bonds, government securities and other investments, you can help reduce the im-

Still, before deciding on what to do with extra money you might have in your emerindeed have too much? Up to six months’ for most people — but everyone’s life is different. For example, if you have reason to believe your employment — or that of your spouse — may be in jeopardy in the near future, or if you anticipate the need for some renovations to your home, but not for a year or so, you might want more than six

you don’t want to be forced to sell investments when their price may be down, especially since you have less time for them to recover.

review your situation carefully and weigh do decide your rainy-day fund is abun-

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

Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

Ruth Parker

Oct.26th, 1931 – Feb.24th, 2024

Ruth Parker, 92, of Siler City, passed away Saturday, February 24th, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born in Chatham County, NC, on October 26th, 1931, to Warren J. Green and Emma B. Riddle Green. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Ralph Parker, Sr. and her twin brother, Roy Green. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Karen P. Holmes (Bill) of Castle Hayne, NC, her son, William Ralph Parker, Jr. (Tammy) of Lillington, NC; her grandchildren, Lauren H. Oglesby (Michael) of Cary; Parker Holmes of Raleigh; and William C. Parker of Lillington, NC; one sister,

Irma Womble Beal

Dec.31st, 1921 – Feb.25th, 2024

AI from page A1

ship works to coordinate a safer school environment by working with cross-jurisdictional partners including multiple police and sheri departments.

Finally, Chatham Schools CFO Tony Messer was recognized after receiving the 2024 Lou Thompson Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Association of School Business O cials,

a statewide association of public school nance professionals. “He was very surprised when his family showed up,” Jackson said, noting that several county o cials were in attendance at the NCASBO event for the award.

“This is the absolute highest award for a school nancial ocer in our state.”

Messer was president of the organization for two years, from 2020 to 2022, guiding the

NCASBO through the COVID-19 pandemic and serving as president of the Southern Association of School Business Ocials. He has experience at Moore County Schools, Scotland County Schools, and has served as CFO of Chatham County Schools for 11 years.

The next meeting of the Chatham County Schools Board of Education is scheduled for March 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Jane G. Patch of Colleyville, TX.

Ruth is a graduate of Paul Braxton High School and went to secretarial school in Asheboro, NC. For many years, she worked as a bookkeeper/secretary with several di erent companies and retired from Perfection Equipment Company. She was a member of the Siler City Presbyterian Church and sang with the church choir and was very active in the church. Ruth loved playing bridge, walking, shopping, hanging out with her lady friends and going to the beach.

A memorial service will be held at Siler City Presbyterian Church, Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, at 2 pm. Visitation will be from 1 – 2 pm at the church. Services will be o ciated by Reverend Richard LaDew. Burial services will be announced at a later date. The family would like to thank her caregivers, especially Lisa, Wilda and Pam.

In lieu of owers, memorials can be made to the Siler City Presbyterian Church, 720 W. 3rd St., Siler City, NC 27344. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Parker family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

Irma Womble Beal, 102, of Siler City, NC passed away on February 25th, 2024 at Chatham Hospital. Julia Irma Womble Beal was born on December 31, 1921, in Siler City to Floyd E. and Delilah (Ward) Womble. She was the 8th of their 10 children. As a child, the family began calling her Irma, a habit which she adopted and continued throughout her life. Irma grew up in Siler City and graduated from Siler City High School in 1939. She then attended Elon College and completed a business/ clerical training program in 1940. Irma then accepted a position as a bookkeeper at the Long Finishing Mills in Burlington. It was there that she met Neil E. Beal and subsequently married in 1944. He unfortunately succumbed to an acute illness and died later that same year. In 1945, Irma began what would become a career of more than 50 years in the business end of the trucking industry. This career path started as the secretary for the claims manager with Associated Transport in Burlington. Because of her proven skills, she was recruited by Apex Express of Perth Amboy, NJ in 1947. Her recognized talents resulted in Irma being promoted to personal secretary to both of the company’s president and executive vice president. When Eastern Freightways acquired both Associated Transport and Apex Express, she continued her executive secretary duties and was also selected as the company’s Corporate Assistant Secretary. In 1977, when Eastern Freightways ended operations, Irma was immediately recruited by Smith & Solomon Trucking of New Brunswick, NJ where, over a period of more than 20 years, she managed many of their administrative functions, also interviewing and placing students from their tractor/ trailer driving school. In 1998, at the age of 77 still not ready to retire, Irma thought she wanted a change of pace and accepted a position with Bannister Engraving in Milltown, NJ.

Finally, after more than 60 years of employment, she retired in 2001. However, it was motivated more by her desire to move back to Siler City in order to provide help and support to her aging siblings. This was especially the case with her sister, Nadine Womble Short, for whom Irma cared for on a daily basis at both Coventry House Assisted Living Facility and Sunbridge Nursing Home until her sister’s death in 2017. Irma was the last of the Womble 10 siblings, a family devoted to Loves Creek Baptist Church since the church’s formation many generations ago. When not involved in church activities, she enjoyed traveling to wherever her son’s military career led his family. This included trips to several states as well as England. It also re ected her love of visiting new places which included trips on several Atlantic cruise ships. No one can forget her love of baseball, especially her “one and only” New York Yankees which included even seeing Reggie Jackson and others live in New York City. However, Irma’s biggest joy in life, as the family matriarch, was seeing her “Beal clan” in Colorado and North Dakota.

Irma is survived by her son, Earl (Donna) Beal of Grand Forks, ND; two grandsons: Thomas (Jillian) Beal of Highlands Ranch, CO, and James (Roberta) Beal of Grand Forks, ND; four great grandchildren: Zachary, Cameron, and Logan Beal, and Gretchen Devier; four great great grandchildren: Lillian Sivertson, Adeline Beal, Carson, and Vivian Devier; as well as several cherished nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her 9 siblings: brothers Lloyd and Lynton Womble; sisters: Burdine, Leisel, and Mary Sue Womble, Lila Brewer, Nancy Dunn, Emma Rue Yanchurak, and Nadine Short; brothersin-law: Robert, James, and J.D Beal, Alex Dunn, Cecil Brewer, Clyde Short, and John Yanchurak; and sistersin-law: Fay Dean and Louise Womble; and Clara Perkins. Funeral services will be Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, at 2 PM, at Loves Creek Baptist Church, Siler City, NC with burial immediately following. Visitation will be at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home in Siler City Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, from 5-7 PM. In lieu of owers, donations can be made to the Loves Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice. Smith & Buckner funeral home will be assisting the Beal family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

ESTATE

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland.com919-362-6999

LAND FOR SALE

7 ACRES FOR SALE-360 FT FRONTAGE-3794 North Hwy.87, Pittsboro, NC-$235,000 OR Partnership with grading company. Call or text Thomas at 704-650-0348.

RENTALS, APARTMENTS

Home For Rent-3 bedroom, 1 ½ bath brick ranch home located at 500 Eden Hills, Siler City, NC, for lease on a yearly basis at $1,400 per month, yard maintenance year around included. All appliances remain, no pets and no more than two adults and two children. Call Meacham Realty at 336-622-1998 in Liberty for more information.

RENTALS, APARTMENTS

POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible.

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

AUTOS FOR SALE

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

WANTED

Seeking to rent two parking spaces for car sharing services in the general Pittsboro/Siler City Area. Please call or text 919-503-2021.

AUCTIONS

RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS

- Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, bene ts, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-663-3556, rickyellingtonauctions@yahoo.com,

SERVICES

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED

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

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

SERVICES

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

DIGGING AND DEMO-Land improvements, mini-excavating, stump removal, mobile home and building tear-down, all digging. Call John Hayes, 919-548-0474.

HELP WANTED

Coventry House Of Siler City

Assistant/Aide Cook

Prepare And Cook Meals And Assist In Maintaining The Facility’s Food Service According To Regulatory And Company Requirements While Maintaining A Clean Kitchen And Food Storage Areas Following Sanitation Standards.

Apply In Person At 260 Village Lake Rd., Siler City

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

en proceso de plani cación. Los proyectos incluidos son:

Título I (Ayuda a los niños desfavorecidos a alcanzar altos estándares)

Título II (Maestros y directores de alta calidad)

Título III (Adquisición del Lenguaje)

Título IV A (Apoyo al Estudiante y Enriquecimiento Académico) McKinney-Vento (Educación para personas sin hogar) Programa de Educación para Familias Migrantes (MEP, por sus siglas en Inglés) Carreras y Educación Técnica (CTE, por sus siglas en Inglés)

Los estudiantes de preparatoria pueden inscribirse, sin costo, en clases de créditos universitarios a través del programa Career and College Promise. .Esto incluye vías de estudio de Educación Técnica y Profesional.

IDEA (Estudiantes con Discapacidades)

Actualmente se encuentra en proceso de modi cación el Proyecto de Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidad (IDEA-Parte B, Ley Pública 108.446). El Proyecto describe los programas de educación especial que las Escuelas del Condado Chatham proponen para nanciamiento federal para el año escolar 2024-2025. Se anima a las personas interesadas a revisar las enmiendas al Proyecto y hacer comentarios sobre la implementación de la educación especial bajo este Programa Federal. Todos los comentarios serán considerados antes de la presentación del Proyecto modi cado al Departamento de Instrucción Pública de Carolina del Norte en Raleigh, Carolina del Norte.

Estos proyectos describen los programas que las Escuelas del Condado Chatham proponen para nanciamiento federal para el año escolar 2024-2025. Se anima a las escuelas privadas sin nes de lucro y a las personas interesadas a revisar estas pautas federales para los proyectos enumerados anteriormente e indicar su interés en participar en los proyectos si cali can. Estos proyectos se están desarrollando durante abril y mayo y deben entregarse al Departamento de Instrucción Pública de Carolina del Norte el 30 de junio de 2024. La reunión inicial de Servicios Equitativos para Escuelas Privadas se llevará a cabo el 26 de marzo de 2024 a las 2:00 PM, en persona en la dirección listada abajo. Se anima a las partes interesadas a comunicarse con la o cina de Carol Little, Directora Ejecutiva de Programas Federales y Mejoramiento Escolar, en la Junta de Educación del Condado de Chatham, P. O. Box 128, 468 Renaissance Dr, Pittsboro, N.C.

NORTH

DEBORAH PRIOLEAU, EXECUTOR 10310 SABLEWOOD COURT

UNIT 105 RALEIGH, NC 27617

Run dates: F8,F15,F22,F29p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, LAWRENCE EUGENE LIPSCOMB,

quali ed on the 31ST day of JANUARY, 2024,

LAWRENCE EUGENE LIPSCOMB, EXECUTOR 120 OLDE MANOR COURT SILER CITY, NC 27344

Run dates: F15,F22,F29,M7p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, KIMBERLY YOUNG, having quali ed on the 20TH day of FEBRUARY, 2024, as

ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JENNIFER H. SIMONS,

of FEBRUARY, 2024.

KIMBERLY YOUNG, ADMINISTRATOR 82 COLEY CT. PITTSBORO, NC 27312

Run dates: F29,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, PATRICIA E. VAUDO, having quali ed on the 7TH day of FEBRUARY, 2024, as EXECUTRIX of the Estate of WILLIAM JAMES

PLEWS aka W.JAMES PLEWS aka WILLIAM J. PLEWS aka WILLIAM PLEWS aka W.PLEWS aka W.J. PLEWS ,

PATRICIA E. VAUDO

Run dates: F15,F22,F29,M7p

NORTH

than three such houses or who, in any two-year period, sells more than one in which the individual was not the most recent resident.

• MULTIFAMILY dwellings of ve of more units.

• MULTIFAMILY dwellings containing four or fewer units, if the owner does not reside in one of the units.

Housing discrimination is prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and by the North Carolina State Fair Housing Act. In an e ort to promote fair housing and to ensure that the rights of housing discrimination victims are protected, the Town has adopted the following procedures for receiving and resolving fair housing discrimination complaints:

DEBT, from page A1

much sooner than people realize.”

The Study notes that North Carolina’s AAA ratings from Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch were a rmed in 2023, with manageable debt levels compared to peer states.

Over the 10-year planning horizon, the state’s general fund revenue projections exhibit positive growth, relatively unaffected by prior economic declines or recent interest rate increases, per the Study.

The debt service projections factor in the issuance of $1.5 billion in Build NC Bonds, aimed at accelerating highway projects.

The combined debt service for the General Fund and Transportation Fund is projected to peak at about 2.03% of combined revenues in scal year 2024.

The General Fund model indicates a debt capacity of about $1.63 billion annually for the next decade or up to approximately $8.5 billion in the rst year following DAAC’s recommended policy. This policy also allocates annual appropriations of $100 million to the Unfunded Liability Solvency Reserve for addressing pension and OPEB liabilities.

For scal year 2022, the North Carolina General Assembly has assigned $40 million to the Solvency Fund, with an additional $10 million allocated for scal year 2023. The anticipated peak in the ratio of debt service to revenues is 1.82% in the current scal year.

The transportation model shows a debt capacity of around $104.7 million per year for the next decade, reaching approximately $745 million in the initial year. Without additional authorizations, the projected peak for transportation debt service as a percentage of transportation revenues is about 5.0% in scal year 2029.

On the topic of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG), the Study says that the state’s bond ratings “so far have not been impacted by the incorporation of the ESG methodologies.”

http://Investopedia.com de nes ESG as “a set of standards for a company’s behavior used by socially conscious investors to screen potential investments.”

During the 2023 General Assembly legislative session, an ESG bill was passed and later became law after a successful override of Governor Cooper’s veto.

The law prohibits state entities from creating or using ESG criteria or economically targeted investments (ETI) requirements when making employment decisions. Additionally, law also requires gives the state treasurer certain control over such investments and bars the use of ESG criteria when hiring, ring or evaluating state employees.

What would happen without a Leap Day? More than you might think

By Leanne Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Leap year. It’s a delight for the calendar and math nerds among us. So how did it all begin and why?

Have a look at some of the numbers, history and lore behind the (not quite) every four year phenom that adds a 29th day to February.

BY THE NUMBERS

The math is mind-boggling in a layperson sort of way and down to fractions of days and minutes. There’s even a leap second occasionally, but there’s no hullabaloo when that happens.

The thing to know is that leap year exists, in large part, to keep the months in sync with annual events, including equinoxes and solstices, according to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology.

It’s a correction to counter the fact that Earth’s orbit isn’t precisely 365 days a year. The trip takes about six hours longer than that, NASA says.

Contrary to what some might believe, however, not every four years is a leaper. Adding a leap day every four years would make the calendar longer by more than 44 minutes, according to the National Air & Space Museum.

Later, on a calendar yet to come (we’ll get to it), it was decreed that years divisible by 100 not follow the four-year leap day rule unless they are also divisible by 400, the JPL notes. In the past 500 years, there was no leap day in 1700, 1800 and 1900, but 2000 had one. In the next 500 years, if the practice is followed, there will be no leap day in 2100, 2200, 2300 and 2500.

Still with us?

The next leap years are 2028, 2032 and 2036.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT A LEAP DAY?

Eventually, nothing good in terms of when major events fall, when farmers plant and how seasons align with the sun and the moon.

“Without the leap years, after a few hundred years we will have summer in November,” said Younas Khan, a physics instructor at the University of Alabama

at Birmingham. “Christmas will be in summer. There will be no snow. There will be no feeling of Christmas.”

WHO CAME UP WITH LEAP YEAR?

The short answer: It evolved. Ancient civilizations used the cosmos to plan their lives, and there are calendars dating back to the Bronze Age. They were based on either the phases of the moon or the sun, as various calendars are today. Usually they were “lunisolar,” using both. Now hop on over to the Roman Empire and Julius Caesar. He was dealing with major seasonal drift on calendars used in his neck of the woods. They dealt badly with drift by adding months. He was also navigating a vast array of calendars starting in a vast array of ways in the vast Roman Empire.

He introduced his Julian calendar in 46 BCE. It was purely solar and counted a year at 365.25 days, so once every four years an extra day was added. Before that, the Romans counted a year at 355 days, at least for a time.

But still, under Julius, there was drift. There were too many leap years! The solar year isn’t precisely 365.25 days! It’s 365.242 days, said Nick Eakes, an astronomy educator at the Morehead Planetarium and Sci-

ence Center at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Thomas Palaima, a classics professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said adding periods of time to a year to re ect variations in the lunar and solar cycles was done by the ancients.

The Athenian calendar, he said, was used in the fourth, fth and sixth centuries with 12 lunar months.

That didn’t work for seasonal religious rites. The drift problem led to “intercalating” an extra month periodically to realign with lunar and solar cycles, Palaima said.

The Julian calendar was 0.0078 days (11 minutes and 14 seconds) longer than the tropical year, so errors in timekeeping still gradually accumulated, according to NASA. But stability increased, Palaima said.

The Julian calendar was the model used by the Western world for hundreds of years. Enter Pope Gregory XIII, who calibrated further. His Gregorian calendar took e ect in the late 16th century. It remains in use today and, clearly, isn’t perfect or there would be no need for leap year. But it was a big improvement, reducing drift to mere seconds.

Why did he step in? Well, Easter. It was coming later in the year over time, and he fretted that events related to Easter like the Pentecost might bump

up against pagan festivals. The pope wanted Easter to remain in the spring. He eliminated some extra days accumulated on the Julian calendar and tweaked the rules on leap day. It’s Pope Gregory and his advisers who came up with the really gnarly math on when there should or shouldn’t be a leap year. “If the solar year was a perfect 365.25 then we wouldn’t have to worry about the tricky math involved,” Eakes said.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH LEAP YEAR AND MARRIAGE?

Bizarrely, leap day comes with lore about women popping the marriage question to men. It was mostly benign fun, but it came with a bite that reinforced gender roles. There’s distant European folklore. One story places the idea of women proposing in fth century Ireland, with St. Bridget appealing to St. Patrick to o er women the chance to ask men to marry them, according to historian Katherine Parkin in a 2012 paper in the Journal of Family History. Nobody really knows where it all began. In 1904, syndicated columnist Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer, aka Dorothy Dix, summed up the tradition this

way: “Of course people will say ... that a woman’s leap year prerogative, like most of her liberties, is merely a glittering mockery.”

The pre-Sadie Hawkins tradition, however serious or tongue-in-cheek, could have empowered women but merely perpetuated stereotypes. The proposals were to happen via postcard, but many such cards turned the tables and poked fun at women instead.

Advertising perpetuated the leap year marriage game. A 1916 ad by the American Industrial Bank and Trust Co. read thusly: “This being Leap Year day, we suggest to every girl that she propose to her father to open a savings account in her name in our own bank.”

There was no breath of independence for women due to leap day.

SHOULD WE PITY THE LEAPLINGS?

Being born in a leap year on a leap day certainly is a talking point. But it can be kind of a pain from a paperwork perspective. Some governments and others requiring forms to be lled out and birthdays to be stated stepped in to declare what date was used by leaplings for such things as drivers licenses, whether Feb. 28 or March 1.

Technology has made it far easier for leap babies to jot down their Feb. 29 milestones, though there can be glitches in terms of health systems, insurance policies and with other businesses and organization that don’t have that date built in.

There are about 5 million people worldwide who share the leap birthday out of about 8 billion people on the planet.

Shelley Dean, 23, in Seattle, Washington, chooses a rosy attitude about being a leapling. Growing up, she had normal birthday parties each year, but an extra special one when leap years rolled around. Since, as an adult, she marks that nonleap period between Feb. 28 and March 1 with a low-key “whew.”

This year is di erent.

“It will be the rst birthday that I’m going to celebrate with my family in eight years, which is super exciting, because the last leap day I was on the other side of the country in New York for college,” she said. “It’s a very big year.”

How Trump won in South Carolina — and what it could mean for his chances in November

By Josh Boak The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Donald Trump won over South Carolina Republicans as the candidate who voters believe can win in November, keep the country safe and will stand up and ght for them as president.

Trump cruised to victory in the South Carolina primary with the support of an almost unwavering base of loyal voters. AP VoteCast found that Republicans in the state are broadly aligned with Trumps’s goals: Many question the value of supporting Ukraine’s ght against Russia; and overwhelming majorities see immigrants as hurting the U.S. and suspect that there are nefarious political motives behind Trump’s multiple criminal indictments.

Even in her home state of South Carolina, where she was once governor, Nikki Haley appeared to have little chance against Trump. Just over half of GOP voters had a favorable view of her, whereas about two-thirds had a positive view of Trump.

About 6 in 10 South Carolina voters consider themselves supporters of the “Make America Great Again” movement, a Trump slogan that helped catapult him to the White House in 2016. About 9 in 10 Trump voters said they were driven by their support for him, not by objec-

that group.

A majority believe Trump is a candidate who can emerge victorious in November’s general election, while only about half say the same of Haley. Voters were also far more likely to view Trump than Haley as someone who would “stand up and ght for people like you” and to say he would keep the country safe. And about 7 in 10 say he has the mental capability to serve e ectively as president. At the age of 52, Haley has bet that she can o er a generational change for the GOP. But the future she articulated has little basis in the present-day GOP, even in South Carolina, where she previously won two terms as governor. About 4 in 10 of South Carolina Republicans — including about 6 in 10 of those supporting Trump — say they have an unfavorable opinion of her.

South Carolina was a chance to show that he can expand his coalition beyond voters who are white, older and without a college degree. But about 9 in 10 of South Carolina’s primary voters were white, making it hard to see if Trump has made inroads with Black voters whom he has attempted to win over.

Haley outpaced Trump among college-educated voters, a relative weakness for him that could matter in November as people with college degrees are a growing share of the overall electorate. Even though South Carolina Republican voters believe that Trump can win in November, some had worries about his viability.

tions to his opponent. Haley’s voters were much more divided: About half were motivated by supporting her, but nearly as many turned out to oppose Trump.

Trump’s victory in South Carolina looked remarkably similar to his wins in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. It’s a sign that regional dif-

ferences that once existed within the GOP have been supplanted by a national movement that largely revolves around the former president. Trump, 77, won in South Carolina with voters who are white and do not have a college degree, one of his core constituencies.

About two-thirds of Trump’s backers in this election fell into

Haley has said she will stay in the race until at least the Super Tuesday primaries, though so far there are no signs that she has disrupted Trump’s momentum. She’s struggled to convince the core of the Republican Party that she’s a better choice than the former president — losing most conservatives and those without a college degree to Trump.

Trump has an iron grip on the Republican base, but that might not be enough of a coalition to guarantee a win in November’s general election.

About half of Republican voters in South Carolina — including about a quarter of his supporters — are concerned that Trump is too extreme to win the general election. About 3 in 10 voters believe he acted illegally in at least one of the criminal cases against him, even though about 7 in 10 believe the investigations are political attempts to undermine him.

Trump dominates among conservative voters. But his challenge is that those voters were just 37% of the electorate in the November 2020 presidential election. The other 63% identied as moderate or liberal, the two categories that Trump lost to Haley in South Carolina.

MIKE STEWART | AP PHOTO

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a primary election night party at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. At right is South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.

JordanMatthews’ Kelton Fuquay, shown here hitting in a game last season, is the reigning conference pitcher of the year.

Chatham county baseball and softball preview

Expectations, projected lineups for baseball and softball teams in the county

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL season has nally arrived in Chatham County, and some teams have already started their quests for the state tournament.

This season will also have a di erent feel like all of the sports prior to the spring season as Seaforth, Northwood and Jordan-Matthews will share a conference for the rst time.

Here’s a quick look at what each baseball and softball team is expected to bring for the 2024 season. Some teams may not have projected starters listed due to incomplete rosters.

BASEBALL

Northwood

First-year varsity head coach Kyle Robinson and the Chargers had a less than ideal 2023 season. In its nal year at the 3A level, Northwood went 7-15 overall, 4-8 in a tough Central 3A conference and failed to make the postseason. Yet, with a full season under Robinson’s

belt, a new classi cation and a new conference, 2024 could be, in a way, a fresh start for the Chargers. They’ll look for all 13 varsity players to bring their own contributions during the season, expecting the most from senior out elders Andrew Johnson and Jake Leighton, junior in elder Kaleb Howell, junior catcher Simon Delgado and sophomore third baseman Camden Miller. Robinson will have some freshmen on the eld, and he even expects some junior varsity players to see some varsity action, too.

“We are going to play hardnosed baseball and try to compete each and every game,” Robinson said.

Projected starters: Calvin Tourville (P), Simon Delgado (C), Owen Zsuppan (SS), Josh Frankena (1B), Kaleb Howell (2B), Camden Miller (3B), Andrew Johnson (OF), Jake Leighton (OF), Omar Gallegos (OF)

Chatham Central

Coming o a second-round playo exit in 2023 and losing key pieces such as Hasten Paige and Travis Crissman to graduation, Chatham Central will have some new faces in its lineups this year. With a small roster, the Bears will also see some JV guys move up from week to

week, calling for an emphasis on player development this season. Chatham Central is returning three all-conference selections, and despite the tight numbers, head coach Brett Walden likes what he’s seen out of his group this o season.

“Our playing style is going to be simple, work to be rock solid defensively, our pitchers will throw strikes and give us a chance,” Walden said. “O ensively, we will look to be opportunistic, embrace small ball, our hitters will embrace sel essness at the plate, work to move runners and look for an opportunity for a clutch hit. Our team chemistry may be as good as I have seen it here, we have a good group that wants to be here, wants to work hard, and most importantly very program focused.”

Projected starters: Anthony Lopossay (P), Brett Phillips (C), Brady Phillips (SS), Joaquin Gordon (1B), Brayden Brewer (2B), Zane Overman (3B), Jake Poe (OF), Logan Maness (OF), Carter King (OF).

Jordan-Matthews

The 2023 Mid-Carolina 1A/2A champions are bringing back a lot of experience for the new year, especially reigning Co-Conference Player of the Year Ian McMillan and Conference Pitcher of the Year Kelton Fuquay. Consistency is on the Jets’ side as their many familiar faces will look to step up and

page B4

grad drives Chase Elliott’s haul in latest Daytona 500

Devin Alston raduated from Jordan-Matthews in 1998

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

DEVIN ALSTON’S winning lap for a NASCAR gig started at the North South Shootout in Concord, North Carolina over a decade ago.

There, Alston waited in line and got two hero cards signed by the racers that graced them, one for Ryan Blaney and the other for a barely teenage racer by the name of Chase Elliott. What transpired between then and the end of the loop, Alston couldn’t have imagined at the time.

Years later, Alston would be the one signing autographs and taking pictures with fans as the haul driver for Elliott. And for the 2024 Daytona 500 on Feb. 19, Alston, a Jordan-Matthews graduate, carried Elliott’s racecar for the fourth time in preparation for the biggest stage in NASCAR.

“It’s kind of like one of those deals where you walk in some of these venues, and you’re like, ‘I can’t believe I’m here,’” Alston said. “I never dreamed I would do this.”

For a young Alston, a Black child growing up in the 1980s, being interested in car racing was more of chance instead of tradition.

Alston’s mother taught in

See NASCAR, page B5

Brett Walden resigns as Chatham Central volleyball head coach

Walden coached the Bears from 2018-23.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Brett Walden has resigned from his position as Chatham Central’s volleyball head coach. Walden coached the Bears for six seasons from 2018-23, posting a 71-63 record and making the state playo s ve times. “It was a lot of fun,” Walden

said. “I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have really good help between Katherine Little, Bailey Barker and now Bridgett Watson, so I had great assistant coaches.”

Walden, who is also the baseball head coach, hardly had any volleyball experience prior to taking the job. But, he dove in head rst as a head coach when Bob Pegram, Chatham Central’s athletic director at the time, simply asked if he wanted to ll the role.

PJ

Chase Elliott (9) beats Kyle Larson (5) and Ross Chastain (1) to the line to win the rst stage during last week’s Daytona 500 auto race. A Chatham County native and Jordan-Matthews alum is a key part of Elliott’s team. We meet Devin Alston below.

Ryan Johnson out as Jordan-Matthews head football coach

Jordan-Matthews grad Ryan Johnson coached his alma mater for three years

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News

& Record

JORDAN-MATTHEWS red head football coach RyanJohnson Thursday.

The Jordan-Matthews alum coached the Jets for three seasons from 2021-23. Inheriting a program that hadn’t had a winning season since 2011, Johnson posted a 3-28 record during his tenure, winning two of those games this past fall.

“I rst want to thank the supporters of the Jordan-Matthews football program for the past three years,” Johnson said in a Facebook post. “Thanks for the opportunity to come home. Once a Jet always a Jet.”

Jordan-Matthews’ search for a successor is underway.

As the Jets’ head coach, Johnson oversaw 16 all-conference selections. His best season was in 2023 in which Jordan-Matthews scored 114 points, its highest-scoring season since 2017, and won two conference games for the rst time since 2016.

Johnson graduated from Jordan-Matthews in 2000, and before returning home to Siler City, he spent his rst 17 seasons as a coach at multiple schools. He made stops at Graham (defensive line coach), Eastern Guilford (defensive coordinator), Southwest Guilford (defensive coordinator, associate coach), Southern Alamance (defensive coordinator), North Moore (defensive coordinator, associate head coach), East Chapel Hill (head coach) and Cummings (defensive coordinator).

Northwood girls take down Seaforth, win Mid-Carolina 1A/2A tournament title

Northwood’s boys also won the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A tournament championship.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Seaforth was the big dog in Pittsboro until Northwood bit back in Friday’s Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference tournament nal.

Led by senior Skylar Adams’ 22 points, Northwood beat Seaforth for the rst time this season, 55-44, to win its rst conference tournament in its rst year as a member of the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference.

Th Chargers grounded the Hawks the entire game, jumping out to a 16-10 lead at the end of the rst quarter and not letting up until the nal buzzer. Northwood’s quick defensive rotations threw Seaforth guard Gabby White and the rest of the Hawks’ o ense o its game while the Chargers knocked down a barrage of threes on the other end.

Chatham Charter lost to Clover Garden School, 51-49, in the Central Tar Heel 1A conference tournament nal Friday. That was the Knights’ rst loss since falling to Albemarle on Nov. 28.

Here’s the scores for the games leading up to the conference tournament nals.

MID-CAROLINA 1A/2A

First round:

Seaforth 67 - Graham 12

Chatham Central 50 –

Bartlett Yancey 48

Northwood 65 – North Moore 15

Southeast Alamance 70 –

Jordan-Matthews 41

Semi nals:

Seaforth 60 – Chatham Central 23

Northwood 47 – Southeast

Alamance 46

CENTRAL TAR HEEL 1A

First round:

Woods Charter 44 – River Mill

Academy 34

Clover Garden School 61 –Ascend Leadership 4

Triangle Math and Science 65 – Southern Wake Academy 9

Semi nals:

Chatham Charter 71 – Woods

44

Clover Garden School 33 –

Math and Science 25

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Northwood capped o a dominant rst season in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference by winning the tournament title over Chatham Central, 75-51, Friday. The regular season conference champions didn’t allow the Bears any air from start to nish, holding the Reid Albright-led o ense to just 26

points in three quarters. Senior Drake Powell and sophomore Cam Fowler led the way with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Chatham Charter fell to Southern Wake Academy, 7143, in the Central Tar Heel 1A conference tournament nal. Here’s the scores for the games leading up to the conference tournament championships.

MID-CAROLINA 1A/2A

First round:

Northwood 80 – North Moore 35

Cummings 72 – JordanMatthews 53

Chatham Central 62 –

Bartlett Yancey 49

Southeast Alamance 85 –

80

Semi nals: Northwood 64 – Cummings 41 Chatham Central 70 –

Alamance 56

Central Electric sponsoring two youth to attend basketball camp

Central Electric awards two Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships annually to local students in Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, or Randolph counties. A young man will be selected to attend the Carolina Basketball School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a young woman will be selected to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

Skylar Adams

Northwood, girls’ basketball

Northwood girls basketball’s Skylar Adams earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Feb. 19.

During the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference tournament, Adams was the Chargers’ leading scorer in their semi nal and championship wins over third-place Southeast Alamance and rst-place Seaforth, respectively.

Against Southeast Alamance, Adams poured in 18 points and dished out four assists in a close 47-46 win. She followed that with a 22-point performance, in which she shot 50 percent from three, to lead Northwood over Seaforth for the rst time this season, 55-44.

To be eligible to apply, the student must be in the sixth or seventh grade during the upcoming school year, have permission from a parent or guardian to attend the overnight camp and must provide their own transportation if selected to attend. Scan the QR code or visit CEMCPower.com for more information or to apply. e deadline for applications to both camps is March 31.

GENE

Northwood’s Drake Powell dunks the ball against North Moore

the rst round of the MidCarolina conference tournament. The Chargers went on to win the tourney.

Suarez edges Blaney, Busch for thrilling win at Atlanta

The Trackhouse Racing driver got to the line rst in a three-wide nish for his second career win

By Charles Odum The Associated Press

HAMPTON, Ga. — Daniel Suarez hoped but wasn’t certain he was the winner after the closest nish ever at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Then came the photo evidence: Suarez edged Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide

WALDEN from B1

“I said, ‘Well, not really, but if you need somebody, I will,’” Walden said. “That’s when I got (Little) who was a recent graduate at that time and had played, and she helped me out for my

PREVIEW from B1

have another successful season in conference play, building on a rst-round playo exit from last spring.

“We are a pretty balanced team that has the ability to spray the ball around the eld and can play small ball when the time is needed,” head coach Will Felder said.

Projected starters: Kelton Fuquay (P), Landon Moser (C), Ian McMillan (SS), Jake Bowden (1B), Eduardo Gutierriez (2B), Quinn Woolford (3B), Payton White (OF), Colton Brendenburg (OF), Neil Wiley (OF)

Seaforth

Seaforth took a major step in its second year of existence in 2023, nishing 13-11 overall and 6-6 in Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference play. The Hawks will have their rst group of seniors in 2024 who will look to use that experience to take Seaforth further and push for the program’s rst state playo appearance.

Chatham Charter

Chatham Charter, for the most part, dominated the Central Tar Heel 1A conference in 2023. The Knights will possibly be without some key players, such as Conference Player of the Year Aiden Allred and Conference Pitcher of the Year

blur at the line to win a crashedlled NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. The second career win in 253 Cup races for Suarez set o a celebration that included a long series of congratulations from other drivers for the popular native of Monterrey, Mexico.

“It was a very special moment,” said Suarez, who entered this contract year with his future seemingly uncertain with Trackhouse Racing.

“I was just hoping. I saw the tower and thought I was rst. I thought I had it but then they

rst three years.” The Bears made the state playo s in every year during Walden’s tenure except for 2020, and they advanced to the second round in 2019. Walden oversaw 12 all-conference selections, four all-region selections and three

Zach Cartrette, to start the year due to the basketball playo s. However, the wait will be worth it as ve 2023 all-conference selections on the basketball team should return in time for the bulk of conference play. The Knights have to pieces for another great regular season as they look to build on last year’s deep playo run.

SOFTBALL

Seaforth

Seaforth is coming into its second year of existence as a program with a young team once again. However, repeating last year’s 4-13 campaign and playing like a group of 11 underclassmen, including six freshmen, is expected to play is not in the plans for 2024. With freshmen Emma Grace Hill and Abigail Johnson expected to hold down the circle and the catcher position, respectively, the Hawks are looking to take the next step as a program, setting goals of nishing around .500 and making the state playo s.

“We are a very young team made up primarily by freshmen that will play fairly aggressively on the base paths,” head coach Brian Ledford said. “We are working hard on moving towards a culture that wants and expects to be successful.”

Projected starters: Emma Grace Hill (P), Abigail Johnson (C), Addison Clarke (SS), Mari-

said there was a review.”

The review con rmed the rst win for Suarez since June 2022 at Sonoma. It was his rst victory on a speedway, but he said he’s not satis ed after locking up a spot in the playo s in only the second race of the year.

“Some people actually told me you can relax, now you’re in the playo s,” Suarez said. “Hell no! My goal is to win more than one race. This is not relaxing here. ... The goal is for you to not be surprised when the 99 is in victory lane.”

Busch, who won Saturday’s

all-state team selections.

“I was fortunate to coach some really good kids in volleyball,” Walden said. Walden said he came to really like volleyball, even nding himself watching college games on Sunday afternoons. Howev-

ah Thomas (1B), Ellie Cook (2B), Emma Strong (3B), Cami Brinkley (OF), Alyssa Cranford (OF), Stella Lang (OF)

Northwood

During a rough 5-18 season in 2023, the Chargers dealt with many key injuries while also trudging through a stacked 3A conference schedule full of teams with next-level talent. Coming to the 2A level in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference, Northwood is healthy and looking to turn things back in the right direction. The Chargers know it won’t be easy in the new conference, but if they can keep players on the eld, they believe they can compete with anyone.

“We’ve really gone back to focusing on the fundamentals on defense and communicating better,” head coach Jesse Mann said. “O ensively we’ve got a lot of power, but we’ve really emphasized 2 strike plate approach, and being more patient at the plate.”

Projected starters: Jasmine Wichowski (P), Courtney Talbert (C), Kara Thomas (SS), Sarah War ord (1B), Caroline Garner (2B), Allison Bryant (3B), Gigi Fallas (OF), Callan Perchinsky (OF), Ava Bain (OF)

Chatham Central

After a dominant 2023 season of Mid-Carolina 1A/2A play

Trucks race, moved to the middle between Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion, and Suarez to set up the dramatic nish. Blaney was second, only 0.003 seconds behind, and Busch was third. “It was fun racing, but just a couple inches short,” Blaney said. “I’m happy for Daniel, though. That was fun racing him and Kyle. That was fun.” Suarez gave credit to Busch, another Chevrolet driver, for providing a late push.

“It’s good to see Daniel get a win,” Busch said. “We were helping each other being Chevy team partners and working together there. Shows that when you do have friends and you can make alliances that they do seem to work, and that was a good part of today.”

A massive pileup of at least 16 cars on the second lap was the biggest in the history of Atlan-

er, the former dual-sport coach chose to step away after nding himself with too much on his plate. “I would nd myself dealing with (baseball) summer skill development, leaving there and then driving around front to

and a deep playo run, Chatham Central will have big shoes to ll for 2024. The Bears lost Conference Player of the Year Jaylee Williams and Conference Pitcher of the Year Mary Gaines to graduation, and with some key players possibly missing early games due to basketball, they’ll need some of their other pieces, which will likely be young JV players, to step up in order to start the season on a good note.

The Bears will also operate under a new coaching sta led by new head coach John Warf. They’ll have new faces at the mound, too, bringing in three freshmen to pair with veteran catcher Caleigh Warf. Below are the projected starters for the rst few games without the basketball players.

Projected starters: Maddie Kaczmarczyk (P), Carleigh Warf (C), Sydney Sellers (SS), Madalyn Holton (1B), Chloe Brewer (2B), Emma Burke (3B), Shelby Holder (OF), Sallie Oldham (OF), Heidi Vicente Perez (OF)

Jordan-Matthews

After going 10-2 in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference and losing in the rst round of the state playo s to Bartlett Yancey in 2023, head coach Holly Felder said her team is “ready to bounce back and be even stronger.” The Jets are returning nine players in total, including four all-district selections (Logan Gunter and Rea-

ta Motor Speedway and set the pace for a procession of wrecks. The crash left many cars heavily taped for the remainder of the afternoon.

The intensity picked up when Austin Cindric went to the bottom of the track in his Team Penske Ford for a four-wide pass to take the lead with 50 laps remaining.

Michael McDowell, who on Saturday won his rst pole in his 467th start, won the rst stage but collided with Daytona 500 champion William Byron while trying to slow down to enter pit row in the second stage. McDowell su ered right front damage and each car fell one lap behind before McDowell made his way back to the lead midway through the nal stage. He nished eighth.

The Cup Series moves to Las Vegas next weekend.

the open gym for volleyball,” Walden said. “I felt like I was not doing both well, so I had to give up something. Not to mention, we had a fourth child last spring, and I took on (health and physical education) department chair.”

gan Smith also earned all-state honors). Junior Marcy Clark and sophomore Lilliana Hicks will return to the circle to anchor the Jets’ defense.

“ We have a pretty tough non-conference slate this season featuring Eastern Randolph, Southern Alamance, Southwestern Randolph, Apex Friendship and Chatham Charter,” Felder said. “With the senior leadership we have, I am excited to see how the team continues to come together over the season and what all we can accomplish.”

Projected starters: Marcy Clark (P), Reagan Smith (C), Logan Gunter (SS), Korbyn Kirchner (1B), Lilliana Hicks (2B), Sophia Murchison (3B), Kelsey Morris (OF), Lia Carter (OF), Cassidy Graves (OF)

Chatham Charter

Chatham Charter will only play six conference games this season, leaving little room for error when it comes to ghting for a playo spot. But, the Knights haven’t had many issues in the past two seasons taking care of business on a light conference schedule. Chatham Charter is another team that will possibly have to wait until basketball season is over to have its full group, but it’ll be returning multiple all-conference selections that can lead the team through another successful regular season.

JOHN BAZEMORE | AP PHOTO

Daniel Suarez (99), left, edges Kyle Busch (8), center, and Ryan Blaney (12) at the nish line to win Sunday’s Cup Series race at Atlanta.

Virginia, and he got exposed to NASCAR at 8 years old when she allowed him to go with a friend to a qualifying race at Martinsville Speedway. He ended up meeting Geo Bodine, the No. 5 driver for Hendrick Motorsports at the time, and he even took a picture with Bodine that ended up in the Martinsville newspaper.

Exposure turned into fandom when Alston’s mother, who also coached tennis, started doing tennis lessons with the wife of Joe Thurman, the 1968 NASCAR Late Model Sportsman national champion.

“(Thurman) would come out and play around with me as a little kid out on the playground, and he would talk about race cars and stu ,” Alston said. “I got a spark of interest, so I started watching NASCAR like religiously.”

Alston was interested in becoming a racer himself, but with the lack of diversity amongst racers in the sport, he didn’t realize there’d be room for a Black driver until it was too late.

He moved to Siler City in the fth grade and played football, basketball and baseball at Jordan-Matthews, from where he graduated in 1998. Alston walked on the baseball team at Barton College, but after six months, he decided to join the Marines for four years before moving on to law enforcement in Randolph County.

“I was a little bit older than most racers started, so I started looking at other ways to get into (NASCAR),” Alston said. “I was a police o cer at the time, and I knew a guy that had some more connections than (just) races. Since I had my CDL, he says, ‘Why won’t you try getting on one of the teams as a contract driver and drive one of the haulers?’ This was back in 2015.”

From there, Alston drove around to di erent tracks to get his resume seen. Hendrick Motorsports, who signed Elliott in

2011, was one of the teams to show interest, but they didn’t have room for Alston at the time.

“So, I went to Michael Waltrip Racing,” Alston said. “They had space for me, and in the next few months, they announced that they were going out of business. So, it was like, ok, how do I start again?”

Alston went to a lunch with then Hendrick Motorsports pit crew member Dion Williams, who became a national pit crew recruiter for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program in 2018, and Hendrick’s transportation director to discuss his options.

They told Alston that they could use him, as he wanted to work as part of a retirement plan. Because he was still a police o cer, he would be able to work using vacation time.

Alston ended up interviewing for an opportunity to drive for former Hendrick Motorsports

racer Jimmie Johnson, but the crew chief presented yet another option to be a part time contract driver with the intent of becoming a full time driver in the future.

“I started contract driving, just like driving to Talladega (and) going to Martinsville,” Alston said. “Then a few months later, I get injured in the line of duty at the Sheri ’s O ce.”

Doctors told Alston that he couldn’t work as a police ocer any longer after the injury. While still helping out Hendrick Motorsports when he could, Alston picked up more work through his friend D.J. Copp as a mechanic truck driver with in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2018.

“At the end of the season, I had another o er at another truck team,” Alston said. “Well, the other truck team went in a di erent direction, so I went to Hendrick and said, ‘Hey, can I

contract, ll in or whatever.’… They made a position for me to work in the shop everyday until they could get me in a seat of one of the trucks.”

In 2020, a seat became vacant when Elliott’s primary truck driver retired. Alston transferred to take the position, completing the years-long journey to where he is now — driving the racecar for the same teenage phenom in Concord on the team that opened his eyes to NASCAR decades ago.

He is now in his fourth season driving haul for Elliott.

“Chase is like one of the most humble guys I’ve ever met,” Alston said. “He’s the most down to earth person…He does his best to look after us, and we look after him.” Elliott nished 14th in this year’s Daytona 500, still looking for his rst victory in the race after nine tries. Although he’s been there nearly half as much,

walking into the Daytona International Speedway is still surreal for Alston.

“It’s like you have a chance to be a winner of a race that not many people can say that they’ve won that race,” Alston said. “You get a ring, you get to say you’re a Daytona 500 champion.”

It’s even quite the experience at other venues for Alston.

On his way back to Martinsville, where it all started, Alston passes a little white truck stop on U.S. 220 that sits right below the Virginia state line going northbound from North Carolina. It reminds him of his days as a boy when his mom would pull over at the same truck stop and let him watch the race car haulers pass by on race weekends.

“I think about that every time we go up to Martinsville because we pass that same spot all the time,” Alston said. “And, I’m driving a hauler now, going past that spot.”

PHOTO BY ADRIAN LAUERMAN, HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS

Jordan-Matthews graduate Devin Alston lending a hand at the Daytona 500.

Beyoncé becomes rst black woman to claim top spot on Billboard’s country music chart

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Beyoncé made history once again: The superstar singer has become the rst Black woman to top Billboard’s country music chart.

The Grammy winner achieved the feat after her new single “Texas Hold ‘Em” reached No. 1 on the country airplay chart this week. She dropped the song on Feb. 11 — during the Super Bowl— along with her other single “16 Carriages,” which debuted at No. 9 on the same chart.

Both songs are expected to be featured on Beyoncé’s upcoming, country-themed album, which is referred to as “act ii,” on March 29. It’s a follow-up o ering to her 2022 album “Renaissance,” which is frequently referred to as “Act I: Renaissance.”

Beyoncé announced the fulllength new album after a Verizon commercial she starred in aired during the Super Bowl this month.

Beyoncé is also the rst woman

to claim the top spot on the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs charts since both began in 1958, according to Bill-

board. The only other acts who have topped both include Justin Bieber, Billy Ray Cyrus and Ray Charles.

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

Beyonce performs at a Get Out the Vote concert for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2016.

*Must

A swift rebound and unprecedented tickets sales for live music after pandemic shut venues down

The Associated Press POWERED BY big stadium tours from artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, ticket sales are booming and it appears likely that live acts will continue to draw massive crowds this year after the pandemic closed down concert venues globally for close to two years.

Concert and event producer Live Nation con rmed this week what data has been showing for more than a year: With COVID largely in the rearview mirror, millions are seeking entertainment away from home and they’re willing to spend a lot of money to do it.

Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, said in a ling with regulators this week that 2023 brought all-time highs in both attendance and ticket sales.

Attendance jumped a 20% to a staggering 145 million in 2023, compared with the previous year. In 2021, when venues began reopening with mask requirements, attendance was a paltry 35 million. The company is not providing attendance gures for 2020, when COVID-19 be -

Vice Media

EVAN AGOSTINI/INVISION/AP

In this July 10, 2019 le photograph, singer Taylor Swift performs at Amazon Music’s Prime Day concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.

gan to spread. Attendance was 98 million in 2019.

Live Nation expects demand to continue to snowball.

“This is going to be a great year,” CEO Michael Rapino told investors on a conference call Thursday. “We actually look

at 2025, it looks like it’s going to be a monster stadium year again as that pipe kind of reloads itself.”

And though Live Nation controls a huge part of the live event sector, others are also predicting big growth for the broader

industry in the coming years.

In December, entertainment data rm Pollstar reported that Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was the rst tour to cross the billion-dollar mark in revenue and predicted a big 2024 for Swift as well. The magazine projected the Eras Tour will once again reach $1 billion within their eligibility window, meaning Swift is likely to bring in over $2 billion over the span of the tour.

In worldwide revenue, Swift’s tour was followed by Beyoncé and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. But it was a big year musically beyond top-tier tours.

Ticket sales for the top 100 tours of the year worldwide jumped 46% from 2022, bringing in $9.17 billion in sales. In North America, that number jumped from $4.77 billion in 2022 to $6.63 billion last year. Additionally, an October report from Allied Market Research forecasts that the global live events industry market — which includes everything from concerts to sporting events to conference — would double in value, reaching $1.2 trillion by 2032.

says ‘several hundred’ sta members will be laid o , Vice.com news site shuttered

solutions

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Vice Media plans to lay o several hundred employees and no longer publish material on its Vice.com website, the company’s CEO said in a memo to sta Thursday.

Vice, which led for bankruptcy last year before being sold for $350 million to a consortium led by the Fortress Investment Group, is also looking to sell its Re nery 29 publishing business, CEO Bruce Dixon said in his memo to sta .

It’s the latest sign of nancial problems bu eting the media industry. Digital sites the Messenger, BuzzFeed News and Jezebel have all shut down in the past year, and legacy media outlets like the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal have also seen job cuts.

Once a swashbuckling media company geared to a younger audience with an immersive storytelling style that encompassed digital, television and lm outlets, New York-based Vice

was valued at $5.7 billion in 2017. Dixon o ered no speci cs about the layo s, other than saying hundreds of people will be a ected and will be noti ed early next week. The New York Times reported that the company currently has about 900 people on sta . “I know that saying goodbye to our valued colleagues is di cult and feels overwhelming, but this is the best path forward for Vice as we position the company for long-term creative and nancial success,” Dixon said. He said it was no longer cost-effective for Vice to distribute its digital content, including news, the way it has been. He said Vice would put more emphasis on its social channels and look for di erent ways to distribute its content.

As part of its strategic shift, Dixon said Vice would follow a studio model.

Before ling for bankruptcy protection last year, Vice canceled its “Vice News Tonight” television program as part of a round of layo s then.

NATHAN DENETTE/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

The Vice logo is seen at a joint venture announcement between Vice Media and Roger Communications in Toronto, Oct. 30, 2014.

By Mark Kennedy The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Babies born this coming Saturday could get a birthday present featuring a guy who knows how to have fun — The Cat in the Hat. Dr. Seuss Enterprises is celebrating the iconic children’s author’s 120th birthday with a free giveaway of “The Cat in the Hat” to U.S. residents who have a baby born this March 2. The o er is on a rst-come, rst-served basis, capping at 10,000 copies. Entrants must be at least 18, legal residents of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., and be parents or legal guardians of a child born March 2, 2024.

“Helping ensure all children have easy access to books and literacy programs has always been one of Dr. Seuss’s core missions. This pledge is an opportunity for us to honor this

storied legacy and call attention to this noble cause,” Susan Brandt, CEO & president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said in a statement.

New parents have 90 days to claim their free book, starting Saturday and until May 31. Participants must submit their full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, baby’s name and upload proof of the child’s March 2, 2024, birthdate.

Each book will have a personalized message that commemorates the child’s Seussian birthday. Books donated for the pledge will be supplied by Dr. Seuss’s long-time publishing partner Random House Children’s books.

Dr. Seuss, born Theodor Geisel, was born on March 2, 1904. His books such as “Green Eggs and Ham” and “The Cat in the Hat” remain popular decades after Geisel’s death in 1991.

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