Chatham News & Record Vol. 147 Issue 2

C HATHAM NEWS & R E C O R D

the BRIEF this week

CCCC summer youth camp signups open

Central Carolina Community College Summer Youth Camps are open for registration, o ering local youths ages 5-18 (age ranges vary depending on class) access to week-long camps that could pique interest and even give exposure to potential future careers.

The camps cover a wide range of topics including:

Dental Health, Junior Chef Baking, Junior Chef Cooking, Kids Cooking, LEAP (Learning Entrepreneurship through Action and Play), Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Podcasting, STEM Academy: Junior Forensics, and STEM Academy: Race Car Technology. Enrollment is limited. Visit cccc.edu/summercamps for more.

UNC holds in-state tuition steady for 8th year

The University of North Carolina (UNC) System has announced that instate undergraduate tuition will remain unchanged for the eighth straight year.

For students applying for the Next NC Scholarship, which promises a minimum of $5,000 for students from households with an annual income of $80,000 or less, the cost for tuition and fees at UNC System institutions can be cut in half or more.

Approximately 55% of North Carolina households could qualify for this scholarship.

‘Booze It & Lose It’ campaign sees statewide expansion North Carolina is expanding a pilot program aiming to reduce impaired driving, after seeing success in a seven-county test in the western part of the state.

The ‘Booze It & Lose It’ campaign is seeing its rst major update in decades, incorporating new strategies and tools to combat impaired driving more e ectively. In 2023, the pilot region reported a 7% decrease in alcoholrelated crashes, with 277 incidents compared to 298 the previous year.

The pilot included the use of Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) ankle bracelets which monitor alcohol consumption and report any violations directly to court o cials. During a 90-day trial, only one of 55 participants was agged for alcohol use.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Donald Trump held a rally in Greensboro over the weekend, stumping for Republican gubernatorial candidate and Greensboro native Mark Robinson and others on Saturday. Trump was also campaigning in his own presidential primary against his former U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, who held an event in Raleigh the same day.

Siler City Commissioners prepare for new direction

By Robert Owens for Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — The Board of Commissioners met for a a special session on Feb. 26, to discuss a strategic plan for the city and potential budget impacts for the year ahead. The special session provided a chance for new members of the board to discuss aspects of the strategic plan and its implementation.

Speaking to potential conicts with budgetary planning that may arise in the process of planning, Siler City Mayor Donald Matthews minced no words, saying “It really does them no

good to give us what they think, if were not on the same sheet of music on where we are going”

Gary Jackson of McGill Associates presented a brie ng on the importance of strategic planning and some of the conicts board members may face during the process. The Siler City Board of Commissioners adopted a ve-year strategic plan, prepared by McGill, a year ago under the prior administration.

“Signi cant change doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen without persistence, allocating the resources behind it and holding people account-

By Robert Owens For Chatham News & Record

“The deep resources of industry experts and the ability to support curriculum development in these areas will enhance the college’s ability to respond to these important and emerging skills requirements.”

Margaret Roberton, CCCC vice president for workforce development

PITTSBORO — Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) will receive $6.3 million from the National Science Foundation’s Division of Advanced Technological Education.

The grant will fund the creation of the Environmental and Natural Resources Technology Center (EARTh) at CCCC. The center will operate as hub both locally and nationally to further workforce training and innovation in environmental technology.

The EARTh Center will cater to a large number of industries, including forestry and natural resources, as well as public safety, water and wastewater control, and renewable energy. These are all industries projected to grow exponentially in the coming years with thousands of jobs being created each year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“All of these industries engage and impact our environment in varied ways. Leveraging the resources of the EARTh Center will strengthen our ability to e ectively support the rapidly changing workforce needs associated with today’s technological advances.” said Lisa Chapman, president of CCCC, in a press release.

EARTh will bring together educators and business leaders to create new instructional materials and methods for environmental industry. An Instructional Design Team and Extended Reality Team will work to develop modern training simulations, while mentoring programs and professional development opportunities will also be offered.

“The deep resources of industry experts and the ability to support curriculum development in these areas will enhance the college’s ability to respond to these important and emerging skills requirements,” said Margaret Roberton, the college’s vice president for workforce development. “We are excited to begin working with the EARTh Center’s sta to support students at CCCC seeking to enter these career opportunities and to support the region in responding to skilled workforce demands.”

able, including yourselves,” Jackson said “Do you like to do what people want or do you want to govern well? If you’re honest with yourself, you a feel a little bit of both of those pressures, don’t you?”

Siler City department heads were put on notice that a new direction for the city would be charted out by the board. Heads were instructed to prepare budgetary priorities and bring them before the commissioners. “The department heads will come forth at a later date with their top three budgetary items and present them to the board,”

“Do you like to do what people want or do you want to govern well?”

Gary Jackson, McGill Associates

Mayor Matthews said. He emphasized the importance of board agreement on strategic priorities for the city.

“Can you ever have enough public safety? Can you ever have enough community engagement?” said Commissioner Lewis Fadely, stressing the need for realism and perspective in government.

“When you set large policy based goals,” he said, “you have your 10,000-foot goal, but then you have your sub-goals. And those are the ones that you can check o .”

Chatham News & Record

9,692 VOTERS cast ballots in early voting in Chatham County for this week’s primary, according to numbers from the North Carolina Board of Elections.

Early voting began Feb. 15 and nished last Saturday, March 2.

The primary was held Tuesday, when voters are required to report to their designated precinct in order to cast a ballot. A photo ID was also required for all voting in the primary.

Chatham County has 60,848 registered voters according to the state, reecting a 15.9 percent early turnout — that’s well above the 9.3 percent turnout seen statewide, with 694,591 ballots cast out of 7,468,149 eligible voters.

Of the approximately 61,000 voters in Chatham County, 21,000 are registered Democrat, while 14,400 are registered Republican, with 25,000 una liated. In North Carolina, una liated voters can choose to receive a primary ballot from either party.

15.9%

Chatham County early voter turnout, well above the 9.3 percent statewide turnout.

$2.00

CHATHAM happening

SPONSORED BY

mosaicatchathampark.com THANK YOU

Jennie Keyes

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“There are really no words to express our heartfelt thanks for the sympathy, love, and support you have extended toward our family during this time of sadness. It is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered by the family of Jennie Keyes.”

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

March 8

E-Sports – Mario Kart & Super Mash Bros Tournament

6 – 8:30 p.m.

Introducing E-Sports! For ages 8-12. Entry Fee: $35. Held at the Chatham Grove Community Center in partnership with NC Esports Academy. Register today at https:// ccparksandrec.recdesk. com

March 11

Goldston Homeschool Hangout

10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Homeschool families are invited to join Goldston Public Library for a session full of fun activities, idea sharing, and socializing with other fellow homeschoolers. March’s homeschool session activity will demonstrate how to make invisible ink. For more information, contact the library at (919) 898-4522.

March 14

Goldston Evening Book Club

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Individuals who are interested in joining an evening book club can stop by Goldston Public Library on Thursday, March 14th at 5:30 p.m. For the month of March, the book club will read The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain. Goldston Public Library is located at 9235 PittsboroGoldston Road, Goldston, NC 27252. For more information, contact the library at (919) 898-4522.

Margaret B. Pollard Jazz Band - Swing Dance bene t 6 p.m.

The Margaret B. Pollard Jazz Band will be hosting a Swing Dance bene t to help nancially support the 300-member band program. Take place at The Plant in Pittsboro at 192 Lorax Lane. Swing dance lessons at 6:00, the Pollard Jazz band will open the evening at 6:30, and the Heart of Carolina Jazz Band will nish out the evening from 7:159:00 with an intermission for an additional dance lesson. We invite the entire community to come out and join us for an evening of dancing and music making! Suggested donation is $20 per person or $40 per family. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Commissioner Kenlan completes UNC leadership training

More than 200 elected o cials from across North Carolina have gone through the program

Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — Chatham County Commissioner Katie Kenlan completed the Advanced Leadership Corps (ALC) training from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Government.

According to a release from the

county, ALC is an intensive leadership development program designed by the School’s Center for Public Leadership and Governance. The training is o ered annually to select local elected ocials.

The weeklong residential program is a dynamic experience that helps participants learn about their own leadership styles, inspire others to work toward a shared vision, and gain insights into how to work together to build better relationships and achieve

far-reaching results. More than 200 local elected leaders from across North Carolina have completed this selective program since its inception in 2013.

“I am honored to have been selected to participate in the Advanced Leadership Corps,” said Kenlan in a statement. “I am very grateful for this experience which allowed me to form wonderful friendships with other local government leaders across the state and learn valuable skills that will bene t my service on the Board of

Registration opens for Pittsboro citizens academy

By Robert Owens For Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The third installment of Pittsboro’s seven-week PBO-101 Academy starts this Spring, with registration open now through March 11.

The civic education program began in 2021 and is designed to give citizens a deeper education on the mechanics of local government.

PBO-101 gives attendees a behind-the-scenes look at town programs, services, and procedures across almost every department, including administration, nance, police operations, city planning, emergency management and oversight role of the elected board of commissioners.

Participants will interact with municipal leadership and sta , while completing exercises designed to create a better understanding of town operations. The class is limited to

On February 25, Evander Kekalu Dengokl, 33, of Raeford, was arrested for cyberstalking. He was held on a 48-hour domestic violence hold.

On February 25, Trey Madison Conway, 28, ofSpring Lake, was arrested for assault on a female, injury to personal property, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, false imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon. He was held on a 48-hour DV hold.

On February 25, Seth Anthony Lupek, 38, of Pittsboro, was arrested for resisting public officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a $2,000 secured bond. He was also served with a warrant for failure to appear with an additional $1,000 secure bond.

Participants will interact with municipal leadership and sta , while completing exercises designed to create a better understanding of town operations.

twelve students.

Starting March 21, the onceper-week classes, on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m., with each session focusing on a di erent city department. For example, the Police Department session will cover “the responsibilities of municipal law enforcement agencies, local law enforcement statistics, and the speci c programs and services o ered to Pittsboro residents and business owners by the Pittsboro Police Department.”

The Parks and Rec ses-

On February 26, Eric Clayton Bucky Green, 43, of Siler City, was arrested for possession of stolen firearm, possession of methamphetamine, PWIMSD methamphetamine, maintain vehicle/ dwelling/place CS (F), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a $15,000 secured bond. He was also charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for which he was issued a written promise to appear in Chatham County District Court.

On February 27, Maria Angelica Arroyo Aguilar, 36, of Asheboro, was arrested for simple assault. She was held on a 48-hour DV hold.

On February 27, Angela R. Murray, 56, of Siler City, was arrested for DV protective

sion will involve “a ‘deep dive’ into the parks located in the Town, recreation opportunities (self-driven and organized), and the functions of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.”

The other sessions include Administration and Finance; Planning/Downtown; Emergency Management and Public A airs; Engineering, Utilities and Public Works; and Governing Board.

Senior leadership from town departments will lead sessions for the Academy before a nal dinner and small group conversation session with the towns elected commissioners. Attendees who complete 6 out of 7 sessions will be awarded a certificate of completion, with the possibility to make up missed classes in future academies if space is available.

Registration is rst-come, rst-served. For more information or to register, visit pittsboronc.gov

order violation. She was issued a written promise to appear in Chatham County District Court.

On February 27, Rancelt Regugio Angeles Viveros, 31, of Siler City, was arrested for violation of pretrial release. He was issued a $35,200 secured bond.

On February 28, William Howard Cantees IV, 28, of Greensboro, was arrested for injury to real property. He was issued a written promise to appear in Guilford County District Court.

On February 28, Tristan Drake Marlow, 22, of Greensboro, was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation. He was held without bond.

Commissioners.”

“We are extremely proud of Commissioner Kenlan for achieving this great accomplishment,” said Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne. “The skills that Commissioner Kenlan learned in the Advanced Leadership Corps will serve our Board and community well.”

Chatham County Commissioner Vice Chair Karen Howard and Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp have previously completed the program.

Chatham Board of Health looking for new members

By Robert Owens For Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The county is looking for three qualified citizens to serve on the Chatham County Board of Health. The spots are for a physician, an optometrist, and a nurse.

Any Chatham County with the appropriate qualifications and licensure is encouraged to apply. The seats will not formally open until June, but applications are being sought now in preparation for upcoming vacancies.

The Board of Health is a deliberative body responsible for policy and rules relating to the Chatham County Public Health Department. Each member of the 11-person board is meant to bring a unique perspective and background to the management and leadership of the Public Health Department.

The existing board will review applications and make

recommendations to the Board of Commissioners, who will then make the final appointments. Appointed members will serve a threeyear term with the potential of serving two additional terms.

In a release, the county noted that board members play an essential role in guiding the Health Department towards successful execution of its mission statement to “build a healthy Chatham County through community partnerships and a commitment to equity.”

Meetings of the board are held on the fourth Monday of each month in Pittsboro, at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are not held in July and December. Mileage is reimbursed and dinner is provided. Interested individuals should submit an online application at the Chatham County website, chathamcountync.gov, by Friday, April 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Gum Spring Baptist Church is pleased to welcome Wade Allen as pastor. Plan to be a part of the congregation for Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:00. The church is located at 227 Gum Springs Church Road, Moncure.

OPINION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Cold hands, warm hearts

It’s truly only after I became a father that I fully appreciated everything that my dad did for me.

GARRISON KEILLOR once claimed that God created the month of March in order that those who didn’t drink might experience the feeling of a hangover. The famous radio personality was referencing the intoxication of one gorgeous spring evening turning into a wretched, damp crud the next morning.

But instead of drinking, the hit-or-miss aspect of March weather brings baseball to mind. I remember the early games of my high school seasons here in the Triangle with my throwing hand tucked into the back pocket of my baseball pants in the futile attempt to warm my ngers. Not that anything would have given me a good grip on the slippery ball during the persistent drizzle.

I drove by a middle school eld the other day in such weather and saw the players jiggling their bodies in between pitches, trying to stay warm. I shivered involuntarily in my toasty car.

Actually, what I wish to write about his fatherhood. This Saturday, I have tickets for my father and me to watch the UNC game at Boshamer Stadium. His birthday was in February, but the belated present was given in hopes the weather would cooperate. We’ll see.

One of the Ten Commandments is to honor your

EDITORIAL | BOB WACHS

parents. When I was young and living in their house, this meant respecting their rules. But it’s truly only after I became a father that I fully appreciated everything that my dad did for me. As I nd myself in the hustle and bustle—sometimes the tussle—of daily life with small children, I remember the ways that Dad was there for me when I was growing up. The small, subtle ways of caretaking, of shouldering my baseball bag, opening the door, and letting me choose the radio station. Not only did he pay for supper, but he stopped at my favorite fast-food restaurant, even though the chicken sandwiches were greasy.

As the father of a Little Leaguer, I know that it’s even colder to sit on a metal bleacher and watch your kid. But that’s exactly what Dad did, March after March, and after the game, if I’d failed to reach rst base safely and disappointment hung over my head like a March storm cloud, he would still coax a smile out of me as he drove away from the ballpark. This reminds me of my favorite Keillor line: “You get old and you realize there are no answers, just stories.” There’s Dad behind the wheel, who would have been just a little older than I am now, saying, “Why don’t we stop for a bite on the way home?”

Take a quick look; they’re going fast

Sorry, but I can’t get the same joy out of a Kindle or whatever. Got to hold the book in my hands, mark it up, put it down and pick it up again and so on and so on.

EVERY OLDER GENERATION, no matter the period of history, seems to think the current younger generation is going to the dogs and is basically hopeless.

My parents and their peers thought Little Richard and Elvis were degenerate and while it’s true Elvis shook his pelvis, he never showed it to anybody, at least during a performance. But look back at the writings of history and you can nd those thoughts, all the way from Ben Franklin to Aristotle.

Part of this feeling we – at least, many of us – have as we age is the realization that life is bigger than us. Still, a “forward” message on the Internet from a friend not so long ago gave me great pause . . . and a little sadness. In it, the author noted nine things that may likely disappear from life sooner or later, maybe some in my lifetime.

All nine of those have occupied a signi cant portion of my years, maybe yours, and that piece reassured me life is bigger than me. At the top of the list was the post o ce. No way, you say . . . but it’s possible. The entire organization is struggling to survive as in ation, shutdown and less in-person shopping thanks to email and COVID of a few years ago leads to more FedEx, UPS and other forms of communication and service. For some time, there’s been discussion that Saturday service may soon to be a casualty in some places; what’s next?

Next on the list is the use of checks. You already see the growing use of debit cards. It costs banks huge amounts of money to process paper. Every wondered about the logic of a 50-cent check as a rebate from a cereal purchase? The decline in paying bills by checks has something to do with the decline in the use of the post o ce, wouldn’t you think?

There were other things on the list of items that may be like the disappearance of the bu alo. Among them were newspapers . . . ouch! That hurts. I still have many from 30 years ago, still waiting to be read. And the smell of paper and ink gets me going. But fewer and fewer people read newspapers anymore and maybe part of that is the lack of good product and content. But more and more our society is into sound bites, speci c “spins” of news and instant grati cation.

Same thing for books, which were on the list. Sorry but I can’t get the same joy out of a Kindle or whatever. Got to hold the book in my hands, mark it up, put it down and pick it up again and so on and so on.

Another item included the land line telephone. I’ve got one for the Internet but that’s about all. Taxes on top of taxes for that service will help it die a death unless there’s an improvement in the situation.

But of all the items on that list the one that struck me as most interesting in a way was the television. I still remember the introduction of the thing. The rst one my dad brought home from C.E. Durham and Son in Bynum in the 1950’s – complete with test pattern and glowing uorescent border around its glorious black and white picture. Took awhile to come on; the tubes had to get warm. Went o at Midnight with the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Today the set comes on instantly with a humongous picture but what’s on it should be shot. Comedy isn’t funny; every “dramatic” series is too much; violence runs rampant.

That’s why folks today, at least those like me, watch TVLAND where they can see “I Love Lucy” or watch Dick Clark on The Game Show Network. Plus, more and more folks are watching full length movies and so forth. When you add in that there are about a dozen commercials every four minutes for such appealing products as “Sitz-A-Lot” for your hemorrhoid relief, typically shown during the dinner hour, it’s no wonder things are heading downhill.

Change, of course, is the only thing in our world that’s constant. And as I re ected on this list it reminded me of things I’ve already seen disappear – things such as manual typewriters, slide rules, 8-track cassettes, 45 rpm records, and a host of things that are found only in museums or antique shops.

And so it goes for each generation. My parents saw the disappearance of the Model A, the horse drawn plow, hand pumps for drawing water from the well, and so on.

Pretty soon, it seems, all we’ll have left are memories and, as the note I read said, we’ll lose those to Alzheimer’s.

Pay attention and keep a sharp eye out.

A sneaky lesson from the universe

John, Paul, Ringo, and (oh, yes) George. You had to have a favorite Beatle.

Paul and John, as the lead singers, jousted for the NO. 1 SPOT.

THE BEATLES HIT the big timewhen I was a young teen. There was mass hysteria among teenage girls like myself, crying and screaming. OMG, the crying and screaming! For a certainty, I was competing with all the other girls, in our collective histrionics, to prove I was cool! (Bulldozed by peer pressure?) Is this the equivalent of Taylor Swift mania today?

Once The Fab Four arrived in the US, we were pinned to the TV, watching them deplane. And, oh my, their breathtaking (if you were 14) Ed Sullivan Show performance. The teenage girl population of the US seemed to be in one hysterical swoon.

John, Paul, Ringo, and (oh, yes) George. You had to have a favorite Beatle. Paul and John, as the lead singers, jousted for the NO. 1 SPOT. Ringo was, well, Ringo - an o beat character, an attractive curiosity who was extremely fond of wearing multiple rings. And George. The quiet Beatle, the one whose hair often hung down, covering his face, while he played guitar. Almost invisible.

Such a relief when, eventually, life moved on (as did our teenage hormones) and the Beatles receded to background music. (It’s a pun.) Certainly, it was unsettling when they broke up. I mean, Yoko Ono, apparently purloining John Lennon? Not going there….

Present day. Many, many days past Beatlemania, and the crying and screaming of my early teen years. Both John and George have died, Ringo is still Ringo, and Paul is now Sir Paul McCartney. And your former, slim, early teen (me) has reached the stage where a daily ride on my stationary bike (twice, if possible) is a wrenching necessity. Oh my, a necessity I could never, ever, have contemplated during the days of raging Beatlemania when middle or old age was unfathomable. Those growth stages were totally beyond the horizon of my

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

imagination. (You know what I mean?)

These twice-daily stationary bike rides provide an impetus to make cycling boredom more palatable. And when I say “palatable,” I don’t mean eating dark chocolate while cycling! (Hmmm, that hadn’t occurred to me….) I do have a musical soundtrack, courtesy of Amazon, on my AI unit known as Alexa. To choose a greater variety of songs, I would need to acknowledge my hostage status, to Amazon, and pay EVEN more money, monthly. Nix on that. But my waistline (actually, my vanity) is dependent on this boring activity.

Suddenly, the image of the late George Harrison popped into mind. Huh? Little did I realize that the universe was about to o er me a full-on life lesson via the invisible Beatle, George Harrison.

Full-on life lesson? That’s nice. But, rst, I need to know how George got here.

Early on, having completely written o George as the invisible Beatle, I forgot he had a solo career after the Beatles broke up. I mean, what the heck, most of his music was still free on Amazon Prime.

And I gave it a listen. And was a goner. A goner for my long ago rejected George Harrison. I discovered, belatedly, that his lyrics have touching drifts of spirituality and mindfulness that are also intrinsically woven into my own life. In total sync with the me of today. And thanks to the George Harrison infusion on my soundtrack, I just keep peddling…

But, wait, please! You don’t want to miss the moral of this story, do you? For most of my many years, I’ve been a “one-and-done” decision-maker. Make a decision and that’s it (often forever.) George’s reappearance in my life teaches me that “one and done” decisions foreclose the possibility of more light entering and expanding my life. I need that light to better to see what I might not see without it. Thanks, George.

Defending freedom and unleashing American nuclear energy

The last thing folks in the Sandhills want is another oppressive Biden Administration mandate.

HARDWORKING AMERICANS like you are repeatedly paying the price for President Biden’s anti-energy policies, with costly mandates and red tape upending our way of life.

You should have the freedom to choose the best car or truck for your family, business, and farm at an a ordable price. Yet, just last year, the Biden Administration announced a new rule to impose an EV mandate onto families. Families are already struggling from higher prices across the board, yet this misguided decision would force them to give up their gas and diesel-powered cars for more expensive alternatives.

The last thing folks in the Sandhills, and America, want is another oppressive Biden Administration mandate that puts a radical environmental agenda and Far-Left special interests above their individual freedoms. I recently joined my colleagues in a letter demanding President Biden reverse this overreaching policy and stop imposing his failed Green New Deal agenda on you.

We have a great energy source right here in North Carolina that is a ordable and reliable — nuclear energy. Our nuclear industry supports good-paying jobs and is key to strengthening America’s competitiveness in the global energy sector. We must cut red tape

BE IN TOUCH

that continues to hamstring the industry’s ability to thrive.

That’s why I was so pleased to see my bipartisan Advanced Nuclear Deployment Act (H.R. 6526) pass in the House last week as part of a larger nuclear energy package. This important legislation will expand the availability of a ordable, clean, safe nuclear energy by reducing burdensome regulations around production.

I will continue ghting to get Big Government out of the way and will always stand up for our rights. That’s why recently, I also continued my e orts to defend our Second Amendment.

I introduced the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act to prohibit gun grabbing politicians from tracking lawful gun purchases and surveilling the private nancial information of law-abiding citizens. No entity should be able to violate and infringe on Constitutionally-protected rights of Americans. Whether it’s the Second Amendment, consumer choice, or a ordable energy — know I will never stop ghting for what matters most to you and your family.

Richard Hudson is a member of Congress representing NC-9.

Michael Whatley is the right choice to lead the RNC

CHAIRMAN MICHAEL WHATLEY is

the right guy at the right time to lead the Republican National Committee. I have spent a decade working in Republican politics, mainly in opposition research. I had the privilege of serving as the NCGOP Communications Director in 2020, where I directly witnessed why Whatley would make a great RNC Chairman.

To win in 2024, the Republican National Committee needs to rebuild trust with the base. That is precisely what Whatley did in North Carolina.

Whatley secured his narrow victory in 2019 to lead the NCGOP. At the time, he faced substantial scrutiny from the grassroots base. Over time, Whatley gained the trust of the grassroots base needed to win in 2024.

Between stops on the campaign trail, Whatley would utilize the drive time — what he referred to as “windshield” time — to call stakeholders across the state to build deeper connections. He visited local Republican groups across North Carolina and built the relationships necessary for true statewide campaigns. Whenever the NCGOP needed someone anywhere in the state, Whatley already had a working relationship with people on the ground because he put in the e ort to build those relationships.

The next leader needs to be able to work across a diverse and sometimes divided Republican Party. Whatley is such a leader.

I witnessed Whatley masterfully manage this daily in 2020. Arguably, the most crucial election in North Carolina during the 2020 campaign cycle was the United States Senate race with Thom Tillis as the Republican nominee and Cal Cunningham as the Democrat opponent. It should not come as a surprise that the activists who voted to censure Tillis in 2023 were not huge fans of Tillis in 2020. But every day, Whatley worked to keep North Carolina Republicans united and focused on defeating the Democrats.

Another crystal-clear example of Whatley’s leadership in uniting Republicans is the success of the Judicial Victory Fund. In his chairman’s race, Whatley campaigned hard on creating a Judicial Victory Fund to support Republicans running statewide for the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Democrats controlled the Court six-to-one. Through Whatley’s leadership, Republicans swept every statewide judicial race in 2020 including the win of Chief Justice Paul Newby.

Republicans completed their judicial race dominance under Whately’s chairmanship by sweeping every race and securing a majority. In 2024, thanks in part of Whatley’s e orts, Republicans are on track to win another Supreme Court seat — cementing a six-toone Republican majority.

Finally, the next RNC Chair must have the right instincts during this unprecedented election.

Republicans have never faced a presidential election where the opposition has led multiple felony charges against our likely nominee. What will happen in the legal proceedings against the eventual nominee is far from clear. But it is clear we need a leader with the right instincts.

I saw Whatley display the right instincts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The playbook in April 2020 looked entirely di erent than it did in February 2020. As the political landscape shifted throughout the pandemic, Whatley’s instincts played a crucial role in shaping the party’s message. Getting it right during the COVID pandemic was challenging, but Whatley provided exemplary leadership at the right time by being a voice of reason while our Democrat governor was making every e ort to keep our state in a perpetual lockdown.

Another shining example of Whatley’s leadership was in the N.C. Supreme Court recount of 2020. On election night, Republican Paul Newby was up by 405 votes over Democrat Cheri Beasley. The Democrats tried every trick to convince the Democratcontrolled State Board of Elections to ignore the voters’ will in favor of a partisan trick. Whatley had already laid the groundwork for this possibility.

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.

In the months before the election, Whatley led e orts to recruit lawyers to protect the ballot box in 2020.Republicans were ready for a statewide recount requiring lawyers in all 100 counties if needed. Turned out that preparation was needed when it came to the Newby/Beasley race. Without his strong leadership, at least from my perspective in the trenches working this issue, Beasley would be the Chief Justice, not Newby, if not for Whatley’s leadership.

Every day I worked with Whatley behind closed doors. I saw that Whatley was up to the task of fundraising, leading the team, and driving a compelling message.

From what I have witnessed in the thick of the action in 2020, Mike Whatley is just the right guy to lead Republicans to victory in 2024.

Tim Wigginton is former communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party (2020) and is a public a airs professional in Raleigh.

FRANCES MAXINE WELCH FEB.25TH, 2024

Frances Maxine Welch passed away on February 25, 2024, at the home of her son, Mark Welch in Mt. Croghan, SC.

Maxine was the only daughter of Tom and Lola Chilton of Bennett. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and husband of 67 years, Joseph “Ted” Welch.

She is survived by her son Mark Welch and his wife Julie Welch, of Mt. Croghan and her son Van Welch and his wife Donna Redmon, of Bennett.

Everyone called her by her middle name, Maxine, and Ted just called her “Mac”. Maxine and Ted were a devoted couple their entire marriage. They made a strong team that raised their family with love and strong values and contributed to the Bennett community with leadership when called for and yeoman’s labor when it was required.

Maxine was a proud member of Bennett Baptist Church for over 50 years and at her passing was the oldest living member.

Christmas was Maxine’s favorite time of year. There wasn’t a nook of her house that wasn’t decorated with tinsel, wreaths or some Christmas ornament. She always made it a special occasion for the entire family. Maxine also had many hobbies including painting, yard sales, and pottery collecting.

Funeral services will be held at Bennett Baptist Church on Thursday, February 29th at 2:00 PM and will be presided over by Rev. Dr. Jason Whitehurst and John Phillips. The church will be open for viewing from 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM that day. The family will be available in the Narthex during that time. In lieu of owers, it is requested donations be made to the Bennett Baptist Cemetery Care Fund, P.O. Box 213, Bennett, NC 27208.

SHIRLEY TEMPLE TEAGUE PHILIPS JUNE 2ND, 1935 – FEB.25TH, 2024

Shirley Temple Teague Phillips, 88, of Bear Creek, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at FirstHealth Hospice House. The graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Glendon Independent Christian Church, where she was a member, with Chaplin Sam Garris presiding.

Shirley was born in Guilford County on June 2, 1935 to Mamie Phillips Teague and James Teague, Sr. She was a homemaker and loved taking care of her family. Shirley adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved life, attending church and sharing with her family and friends.

In addition to his parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, A.J. “Tom” Phillips.

Shirley is survived by her children, Dean Phillips (Beverly) of Bear Creek and Julie Martindale (Marvin), of Bear Creek; sister Mag Cox, of Bear Creek; grandchildren, Dustin Martindale (Jaide), Amber Linker (Tony); greatgrandchildren, Emery Estridge, A.J. Linker, Landon Linker, Rhett Linker, Logan Linker and a host of family and friends.

Special thanks to Ashley Brownle, of Liberty Hospice for her compassionate care.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Liberty Hospice, 1005 Carthage St., Sanford, NC 27331.

BESSIE MAE ROLLINS STEEN

DEC.4TH, 1939 – FEB.28TH, 2024

Bessie Mae Rollins Steen, age 84, of Sanford, NC, went to be with her Heavenly Father, Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

She was born in Elkin, North Carolina on December 4, 1939 to the late Knox Woodrow (KW) Rollins and Vera Stevenson Rollins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Donald G. Steen, daughter Donna Sue Steen, infant son and a brother Clyde Rollins. She was a member of Cool Springs Baptist Church. She was a nurturing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was extremely caring and compassionate, doing acts of kindness without wanting any accolades or praise.

She is survived by a daughter Lisa Hinesley and husband Steve of Sanford; son Donald Steen, II and wife Pamela of Sanford; a sister Mildred May brothers Alton Rollins, Bobby Rollins. Grandchildren Andrea Hinesley, Christopher Hinesley and wife Jenna, Faith Steen, Angela Steen and great-grandchildren Colt, Owen and Averie Hinesley.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Cool Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Tim Burriss o ciating. Burial will follow in Cool Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted and/or contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 5171 Glenwood Ave #101, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Billy Junior Frye

April 21st, 1933 – Feb.26th, 2024

Billy Junior Frye, age 90, of Pittsboro, NC died peacefully at home on Monday February 26, 2024.

Billy was born April 21, 1933, in Guilford County and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Lemuel Frye and Nora Johnson Frye. As well as his rst wife, Alma Sanders Frye Arnold, his son, Wayne Reid Frye, daughter-in-law, Evelyn Frye, one brother, Merle Frye, and two stepdaughters, Sherry Ellis Myers and Donna Ellis Ferguson.

Surviving relatives include his wife Betty Maness Ellis Frye of the home, his son, Scottie Frye of Moncure, NC,

Shirley Ann

Bra ord Hart

Feb.18th, 1935 – March 4th, 2024

Shirley Ann Bra ord Hart, 89, of Goldston, passed away Monday, March 4, 2024.

Shirley was born in Durham, NC on February 18, 1935, to R.F. and Gertrude Black Bra ord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Marvin W. Hart; son, Duane

Lula Mae

Seymour Bryant

Aug.19th, 1927 – Feb.29th, 2024

Lula Mae Seymour Bryant, age 96, of Pittsboro, NC went peacefully to be with the Lord on February 29th, 2024.

Lula was born on August 19, 1927, to the late Robert W.

and his daughter, Marilyn Grant (Warren), of Apex,

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

NC. His grandsons, Kevin Spivey (Natasha) of Sanford NC, Bruce Colmon Collins III (Amy) of Chapel Hill, NC, his granddaughters: Victoria Cotten (Jamie) of Pittsboro, NC, Brandi Dowdy of Carthage, NC, Melissa Martinez (Chilco) of Burlington, Mandy Frye, and Abby Grant of Louisburg, two stepsons, Wayne & Stephen Ellis. Ten great grandchildren; and three great grandchildren and numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Billy worked for many years at the Bynum Cotton Mill and Bynum was home for many years. He worked for Mr. Ken Cooper at Cooper Harris Ford in Pittsboro and after that he held many di erent jobs, he was a delivery driver, a land eld operator and he and his wife Betty owned and operated Carolina Fried Chicken in Pittsboro for several years. Upon his retirement he continued to work to make a living by mowing yards until his last days.

Billy loved to have what he called his “farm” which was tending to his chickens & goats. If he was in the hospital, he would always tell the doctors,

Hart; and great-granddaughter, Chloe Stevenson; and brothers, Tommy and Dale Bra ord. Mrs. Hart was a member of Meroney Methodist Church where she served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher and treasurer for the Fellowship Sunday School Class. She was a graduate of Goldston High School class of 1953. For many years Shirley worked alongside her husband on their poultry farm all the while being a wonderful homemaker. Shirley was a member of the Goldston Lions Club and the American Legion. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Phyllis Hart Pettit and husband, Don of Siler City; son, Gary Hart and wife, Rosana of Goldston; daughterin-law, Peggie Hart, of Bear Creek; grandchildren, Donna Stevenson and husband, Scott, Tammy Everett and husband, Rob, Jeremy Hart, Beth Hamm and husband, Justin, Hannah Sirls and husband, Josh, Will

Seymour and Bessie Thrailkill Seymour. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Louise, and Gladys, and three brothers, Lawrence, Russell, and Milton.

Surviving relatives include one son, Steve Bryant of Pittsboro, one daughter, Janis Rummage and husband Rick of Seagrove, NC, one sister, Margie Boone of Pittsboro, seven grandchildren, Jean Kirby and husband Michael, John Bowden and wife Melissa, Perry Bowden and wife Frances, Jimmy Bowden and wife Wendy, Bradley Gilmore and wife Brittany, Todd Gilmore and wife Katie, Daniel Rummage, and wife Brittany, and 15 greatgrandchildren.

Lula was lifelong devoted member of Pittsboro Baptist Church and a retired employee of UNC Chapel Hill Library. The family will receive

“I have to get back home and tend to our farm”. Billy was an honest Christian man and even though his hearing was not great, and he could not hear everything the Pastor was saying he could read the word of God. If you learned anything from him it should be to always continue to go on. Every day he would get up in the morning, thank the Good Lord for the day, and would do “something” even if he felt bad, he would say “we have to keep moving”. Be kind, and always try to do for others.

A service was held at Joy Baptist Church on Thursday February 29th, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Charlie Staley and his daughter Marilyn Grant presiding. A visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service at 2:00 p.m. A Private Burial will follow at Rock Springs Baptists Church Cemetery. Billy loved RED. The family requests that if you have anything Red and you would like to wear it to the service to please do so. In lieu of owers, memorials can be made to Joy Baptist Church, 61 Bowers Store Rd., Siler City, NC 27344. Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Frye family. www. donaldsonfunerals.com.

Hart and Mia Hart; greatgrandchildren, Cameron and Caleb Stevenson, Matthew and Christopher Everett, and Mason and Emily Hamm.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Meroney Methodist Church, 10568 NC Hwy 902, Bear Creek, NC, with Rev. Linda Yow o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00-1:45 PM in the fellowship hall and other times at the home of Peggie Hart. Memorials may be made to Goldston Lions Club, P.O. Box 455, Goldston, NC 27252 or the Meroney Church Cemetery Fund, care of, Eleanor Moses, 604 Dewitt Smith Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Hart family.

Online Condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

friends Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 5PM-7PM at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory Gri n Chapel. The funeral service will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 2PM at Pittsboro Baptist Church with Pastor Peter McDonald and Dr. Tripp Harmon presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family would like to thank the UNC Hospice House sta for their kindness and support.

In lieu of owers the family would like donations made in Lula’s memory to Pittsboro Baptist Church P.O. Box 696 Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Condolences may be made at

www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Bryant family.

How Can You Manage Student Loan Payments?

How Can You Manage Student Loan Payments?

If you have student loans, you likely received a “payment vacation” over the past few years, due to legislation related to COVID-19. But if you’re like millions of other borrowers, you may have recently been required to resume your payments. How will this affect your mind is the effect on your monthly cash will depend on your income and the size of the required payments. If these payments do represent a real challenge, you may need to adjust your budget and spending habits as best you can. However, there might be other steps you can take to help ease the burden or possibly reduce the repayment time.

Here are a few suggestions to consider:

• Sign up for autopay. Falling behind on your student loan payments can lead to late fees, and if you were to become truly delinquent, you could face even bigger troubles, such as wage garnishment. To avoid these problems, you can enroll in autopay, in which you move money automatically from a checking or savings account to your student loan provider. In addition to staying current on your loan, you might earn a .25 percent rate reduction, which is offered by many lenders and loan services to those who enroll in autopay.

• With a steady income, a reasonably good credit score and a manageable number of other debts, dent loan and reduce your interest rate, which will enable more of your monthly payments to go toward the principal.

• Some employers — typically the larger ones — offer student loan repayment help to

employees, so check with your human resources department.

• If you feel strapped just making your regular student loan payments, you may not be able to make extra ones. But if you can afford to add to your payments consistently, you could pay off your loan earlier than you had thought. But just because you make an extra payment, the money doesn’t necessarily go toward reducing your principal — student loan services generally to accrued interest. If you pay online, you should have an option to apply extra payments to the principal. Your loan servicer could also provide you with other ways of paying more toward principal.

• If you have multiple student loans, and you can make more than the minimum payments, you may want to be strategic in how you pay off your loans. You could choose the “snowball” method by getting rid of the can give you feelings of momentum and satisfaction. Or you could take the “avathe loans with the highest interest rates. Either route could save you more money in the long run.

It can certainly be challenging to deal with student loan debt. But with patience and diligence, and by exploring all your repayment options, you may be able to help yourself make progress toward putting these loans to rest.

Betty Lou Betts

Bristow

Sept. 8th – Feb. 29th, 2024

Betty Lou Betts Bristow passed peacefully from this world February 29, 2024, at her home, after a year of declining health.

Betty was born September 8th, 1939, in Buckhorn in Harnett County NC to Josiah Dexter (J.D.) Betts and Clara Florence Baker. Betty spent her younger years in both Harnett and Lee counties, graduating from Benhaven High School in Harnett County in 1957.

In 1961, Betty was introduced to Larry Wilson Bristow by mutual friends. The couple fell madly in love, marrying shortly thereafter on October 8th, 1961, in Bennettsville SC. The Bristows made a life in Sanford where children Anthony (Tony) and Kimberly (Kim) were born. In 1967, shortly after Larry began working at Kellwood Company, the family moved to Siler City. Two more children, Michelle, and Tracy were born after the family settled in Siler City.

Betty spent the early years of her children’s lives as a homemaker and caregiver for her children, as well as caring for other children in their home. Once the kids grew older, Betty became employed outside the home, working at both LoMark and McDonalds. In her early forties, Betty decided to pursue her dream of becoming a hairdresser and obtained her cosmetology degree from CCTC in Sanford. She then worked at several beauty shops in Siler City for over two decades. Even after retirement, she continued to cut hair for her family and close friends until her arthritis in her hands made it impossible.

Betty enjoyed family vacations, cooking for her family,

Wylma Jean Mccrary

Jan.19th,1944 – March 2nd, 2024

Wylma Jean McCrary, 80, of Siler City, passed away on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024.

She was born In Lee County, on January 19th, 1944, to Foy Murphy McCrary and Gladys Towe McCrary Johnson. She is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her siblings, Thelma M. Pike, Margie M. Austin Parrish, and Lynn & Rebecca Cothren; two nieces, Candice Clark, and Amy Bryant; nephews, Tim Austin & Tony Austin, Mike Pike, Murphy Pike; great-nephews, Jesse Johnson, Fischer Pike, Dustin Austin, Levi Austin, Logan Clark; great nieces, Lilly Pike, Megan Perry, Rhen Roberts, and Mason Phillips; and great-great nephews, Porter Perry, Camdon Coy Austin, and Coleson King Austin; and a great-great niece, Brennan Asher Austin.

Wylma was a 1962 graduate of Jordan Matthews High School, and she received her associate degree from Randolph Community College majoring in Photography. She was a member of Rocky River Friends Meeting where she was in the church choir and helped with the kids at church. She was a member

of the USFW at Rocky River Friends. Wylma enjoyed taking pictures, gardening, traveling, and listening to beach music. She also served in the United States Navy. A graveside service will be held Friday, March 8th, 2024, at 11 AM, at Rocky River Friends Meeting with David Hobson o ciating. Military rights by The Randolph County Honor Guard. After the graveside service, family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of owers, memorials can be made to Rocky River Friends Music Fund, 8217 Silk Hope Liberty Rd., Siler City, NC 27344 or Veteran Service O ce, Western Chatham Senior Center, 112 Village Lake Rd., Siler City, NC 27344. Smith and Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the McCrary family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

Ellen Latham Roman

March 1st, 2024

Ellen Latham Roman departed this earth peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on March 1st, 2024. The legacy she built is profound; three happy and successful children, a marriage of 63 years and thousands of enriched students – all of whom admired and adored her.

Born in Blue eld, West Virginia, Ellen met her beloved husband David at Concord College. They fell in love, married in 1960 and soon moved to Falls Church, Virginia. Ellen was a devout Christian who lived her faith. Her favorite songs were “It is well, with my soul,” and “Victory in Jesus.” She was a student of math and piano and a proli c reader but chose to make her mark in life through elementary education, where over a 30-year career, she

playing in the snow, planting owers, watching wildlife (especially birds) and traveling with her husband.

In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased by her younger sister, Shirley Betts, mother-in-law Minnie Ruth McRae, sister-in-law Janette Ashley and husband Bobby, and brother-in-law John Harold Tyson.

Left to cherish Betty’s memory are her husband of 62 years, Larry of the home; and 4 children: son Tony (Stretch) Bristow and wife Donna of Siler City; Kimberly (Kim) B. Gaines and husband Ricky of Bear Creek; Michelle Bristow of Siler City; and Tracy Bristow and girlfriend Kimberly Thomas of Pittsboro.

Grandma Betty (Gma) also leaves behind 7 grandchildren whose lives were very much shaped by her love and constant presence: Marlene Gaines of Je erson; Jedidiah (Jed) Bristow and wife Abby of Siler City; Shelby G. Stitcher and husband Nathan of Hays, KS; Erin Bristow Spear and husband Justin of Newland; Luke Pierce and wife Kaitlin of Siler City; Emily Pierce of Siler City; and Madison Gaines of Bear Creek.

Betty is also survived by great-granddaughters Marlee Stonecipher of Je erson, and Ellie Spear of Newland. Another Spear great-grandchild is expected in July.

Betty also leaves behind brother-in-law Tommy Tyson and wife Jackie of Robbins, sister-in-law Janice Tyson of Asheboro and several nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday 3/2/2024 at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at Brookdale Baptist Church on Sunday 3/3/2024 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. John Klink, Jr. o ciating. A private burial service will follow at Lee Memory Gardens in Sanford. In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Brookdale Baptist Church P.O. Box 428 Siler City, NC 27344. Smith & Buckner Funeral Homes is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

taught pre-K, kindergarten, and rst, second and third grades. Not only the students she impacted, but the parents of the students she taught were touched by her gentle wisdom and erce talents as a teacher.

Ellen leaves behind her husband David of 63 years, two children and their spouses -- Nancy Ellen Roman and her husband Steven Cohen of Fearrington Village and Scott David Roman and his wife Veronica Roman of Dallas, Texas. A third child, Beth Roman Meyer, preceded her in death. Ellen also leaves three beloved grandchildren, Justin Mitchell Roman Davis, Daniel David Roman Cohen and his wife Brandie Roman Cohen, Taylor Beth Roman Cohen, and one great granddaughter, Mackinlee McCants, as well as an army of friends from Calvary Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, and Chatham Community Church in Chapel Hill. Services will be at 10 am Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at Chatham Community Church, 1685 Andrew Store Road, Chapel Hill. In lieu of owers, the family request that you please send contributions in memory of Ellen to the church. Ellen will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Roman family. www.DonaldsonFunerals. 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.

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

O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible

RENTALS, APARTMENTS

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. 919542-2803.

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

SERVICES

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,

The

Run

NORTH

The

These are separate hearings: Interested parties may submit evidence and written comments. Written comments or evidence on these applications can be submitted by email to kpickard@silercity.org.

Individuals desiring to speak must sign up by calling

919-726-8620 before 12:00 p.m. on or before the scheduled public hearing date. The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Kimberly Pickard at 919-726-8620, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or kpickard@ silercity.org for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Kimberly Pickard al kpickard@silercity. org o 919-726-8620

Sinema left the Democrat Party in late 2022 to become an independent

By Jonathan J. Cooper

The Associated Press

PHOENIX — Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced on Tuesday that she won’t run for a second term after her estrangement from the Democratic Party left her politically homeless and without a clear path to reelection.

Sinema’s announcement comes after Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan bill to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border and deliver military aid to Ukraine and Israel — a deal that Sinema spent months negotiating. She had hoped it would be a signature achievement addressing one of Washington’s most intractable challenges as well as a powerful endorsement for her increasingly lonely view that cross-party dealmaking remains possible.

But in the end, Sinema’s border-security ambitions, and her career in Congress, were swallowed by the partisanship that has paralyzed Congress.

“I love Arizona and I am so proud of what we’ve delivered,” she said in a video posted to social media. “Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stu done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year.”

Sinema’s decision avoids a three-way contest in one of the most closely watched 2024 Senate races. That hard-to-forecast scenario had spawned erce debate among political operatives about whether one major party would bene t in the quest for the Senate majority. Most analysts agreed Sinema had faced

signi cant, likely insurmountable hurdles if she had decided to run. The rst openly bisexual person elected to the Senate, Sinema had raised money for a potential reelection campaign and signi cantly stepped up her public appearances in Arizona throughout 2023, though her activities slowed as her announcement neared. During her ve years in o ce, she built a formidable campaign bank account pegged at $10.6 million at the end of last year, but her quarterly fundraising was outpaced by Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake. Sinema was a Democrat for

South Carolina lawmakers are close to loosening gun laws after long debate

By Je rey Collins The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South

Carolina lawmakers appear close to approving a bill that would allow anyone who can legally own a gun to carry the weapon openly.

The proposal includes stier penalties for people who repeatedly carry guns in places where they would still be banned like schools or courthouses or commit crimes while armed, whether they use the weapon or not. It also would provide millions of dollars for free gun training across the state needed to get a concealed weapons permit for any adult who wants it.

The House, which had been the sticking point for the proposal, voted 86-33, with most Republicans voting for it and Democrats against it. The Senate agreeably discussed the bill at the same time, but it delayed a possible vote to take up changes on how to elect judges.

The governor is expected to sign the bill, allowing South

Carolina to join nearly 30 other states that allow open carry of guns without a permit, including nearly every state in the Deep South.

The House and Senate passed di erent versions of the bill this year, with a number of Republican House members unhappy about another proposal that would add punishment for people who don’t take the training and are convicted of not following the rules about where guns are banned.

But a conference committee of three House members and three senators agreed Tuesday to much of the Senate’s language, conceding the bill likely wouldn’t pass the Senate without it.

“You don’t have the votes, you don’t have the bill,” said Republican Rep. Micah Caskey of Springdale.

Most of the compromise leaned toward the Senate, although House members insisted the committee remove allowing legislators to be able to carry a gun nearly anywhere they want any time.

most of her political career until she left the party in December 2022, saying she did not t into the two-party system. She had alienated many colleagues and her party’s base by blocking progressive priorities, often siding with business interests. In an era of party loyalty, she went out of her way to build relationships with Republicans. When Sinema became an independent, Democrats feared she would split the left-of-center vote and allow a Republican to win the seat. Republicans have a favorable map this year in the battle for control of the Senate. Democrats will be forced to defend 23 seats,

including Sinema’s and two others held by independents who usually vote with Democrats, compared with 10 seats for Republicans. Sinema tried to build her Senate career in the mold of John McCain, the Arizona Republican whose willingness to buck the GOP infuriated his party’s base but endeared him to the state’s more moderate voters. But she ended up hewing closer to the path of Je Flake, a former Arizona Republican senator who stood against then-President Donald Trump and became a pariah in in his party. Like Sinema, Flake declined to run for a second term

after it became clear he could not survive a primary.

Flake endorsed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 against Trump and was rewarded with an appointment by the president as ambassador to Turkey.

Sinema did not say what the future holds for her. But in her video message announcing her departure, she blamed the current political climate, saying “Americans still choose to retreat farther to their partisan corners.”

“It’s all or nothing,” she said. “The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic, attacking your opponents on cable news or social media.”

AP PHOTO

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., left, holds hands with his wife Cindy Lankford, center, joined at right by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Woods Charter makes rst state playo appearance to cap o historic boys basketball season

Wolves broke singleseason school win record with 12 victories.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Eighteen years, 15 losing seasons and zero state playo appearances. Before the 2023-24 season, that was the state of Woods Charter’s boys basketball program — a team stuck in the dark.

Leonard McNair went through it himself as a player from 2012-15. After Woods Charter hired him as the school’s next head coach in 2022, an 0-15 start to his rst year looked as if the Wolves were falling deeper into its long history of disappointment.

But, what they couldn’t see was instead an ascent into the light.

One year later, Woods Charter would nish its best season in its history, blowing through its previous single-season wins record of seven. Although the Wolves didn’t achieve a winning record, as they nished the 2023-24 regular season 11-12,

they reached the state playo s for the rst time, pioneering new standards for a program that hadn’t seen such success before.

“They just came out to work and were ready to go,” McNair said. “I just couldn’t be more proud of them. No blueprint, just playing hard.”

Knowing the turn around wouldn’t happen instantly, McNair turned o expectations for the Wolves in his rst season as head coach and made it all about the grind. He just wanted the team to focus on its own improvement instead of letting the continued history of losing discourage his players.

Plus, the team still had to adapt to McNair’s coaching and gel under the new leadership, despite having an older squad made of mostly seniors and juniors.

From the outside, things weren’t looking good for the transitioning Wolves as they opened the 2022-23 season with 15 straight losses. But, even though the team couldn’t see an upwards progression in the wins column, it could de nitely sense it.

“It was really like a rebuild,” senior Eli Hunter DeMarco said.

“Getting used to that new style of coaching, (McNair’s) energy and passion built us up as a team, and obviously, we came in better (in 2023), but last year was really that fundamental switch.”

Said McNair, “Going 0-15, just as a human being, is demoralizing. And, I never saw it in anybody’s face. I could just tell they were happy to be putting in this work. They knew that the change was going to come.”

Woods Charter basketball changed for the better in February 2022. During that month, the Wolves won their rst game of the season over Clover Garden School, 49-38, which was also the rst of three victories in their remaining ve games.

“When we got that rst win, I just saw the pride and joy in their face,” McNair said. “And then for us to continue to do it and do it, I said, ‘Ok. We’ve got something here.’”

However, seeing that the team would get younger with a group of seniors leaving and a talented group of middle schoolers who had just won a conference championship coming in, the idea of

See WOODS, page B4

Chatham Central’s young core leads charge, Bears run rule East Chapel Hill, 15-0, in season opener

The defending MidCarolina 1A/2A champions start the season 1-0.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Despite missing some key veterans due to the basketball playo s, Chatham Central’s younger players stepped up and rolled to a 15-0 season-opening win over East Chapel Hill Thursday. Freshman Maddie Kaczmarczyk made her rst varsity start at the mound for the Bears. She made it a quick top of the rst inning after striking out three of the four batters she faced.

Chatham Central got the bats going early, knocking in 10 runs on seven hits in the bottom of the rst inning. Five underclassmen, including freshmen Chloe Brewer and Maeson Smith, recorded the hits, and eight of those runs came while the Bears had two outs. Multiple singles, doubles and smart base running kept the inning alive. “They were seeing the ball,” head coach John Warf said. “Early in the game (East Chapel Hill’s pitcher) was throwing a good speed for us, so they were taking advantage of it.” The hot streak at the plate

Chatham Central’s boys, Chatham Charter’s girls get upset at home

Basketball playo roundup, rst and second rounds

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Boys In the 1A East bracket, No. 5 Chatham Central saw its season come to an end in an 81-61 second-round loss to No. 12 North Edgecombe Friday. The Bears were outscored, 229, in the second quarter, putting them in a hole too deep to climb out of.

Prior to the loss, Chatham Central knocked out No. 28

Woods Charter in the rst round, 87-36. Despite senior Jonah Ridgill’s 24 points and a 21-12 lead at the end of the rst quarter, No. 19 Chatham Charter fell to No. 14 Southeast Halifax in the rst round, 72-56. As for No. 4 Northwood in the 2A East bracket, the Chargers advanced to the third round after handling No. 13 North Johnston, 77-35, Friday. Northwood’s gym lost partial power in the rst quarter, leaving some lights and the scoreboard out of use. The two teams and their fans made the

ASHEEBO ROJAS | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD Freshman Maddie Kaczmarczyk res in a pitch during her rst varsity start, a shutout win in Chatham Central’s season opener.

(From left) Levi Haygood, Leonard McNair and Eli Hunter DeMarco helped Woods Charter break an 18year playo drought.

ASHEEBO ROJAS | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Leo Brunelli resigns as Seaforth boys basketball head coach

ve of their last eight games.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham

li, Seaforth had an up and down year, posting a 10-15 overall record and going 7-9 in regular season conference play. The Hawks nished sixth in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference and missed the playo s for the rst time in program history.

On Dec. 31, Brunelli was hospitalized for a medical emergency, forcing him to stay o the sidelines for ve games until Jan. 23. In his return, the Hawks beat Graham, 72-61, but they struggled for the rest of the regular season, losing

“I can’t give enough high regards to somebody that battled through what he did and still ended up coming through this season to nish it out,” Seaforth athletic director Jason Amy said. “(It) shows high character.”

Following a 2022-23 campaign in which Seaforth went 18-9 overall and 11-1 in conference play, Brunelli was hired to take over for inaugural head coach Jarod Stevenson. He had huge shoes to ll as Stevenson left the program the same year his son, former Seaforth standout Jarin, decided to reclassify and play at Alabama a year early.

Before taking the job at Seaforth, Brunelli spent time head coaching at North Stanly, Bedford (Pennsylvania), Oxford Prep and most famously, J.F. Webb, where he won the 201213 NCHSAA 3A state title and coached former UNC forward Isaiah Hicks.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Coach Leo Brunelli stepped down after one season with Seaforth boys’ basketball.

Spring sports season has arrived in Chatham County

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Baseball

Seaforth started its season Friday with an 8-1 win over Green Level. The Hawks beat Graham Monday, 15-0.

Northwood lost its rst two games of the year, falling to Riverside-Durham, 7-2, on Feb. 26 and North Moore, 7-1, Thursday. The Chargers got North Moore right back in eight innings Monday, winning, 5-4.

Chatham Central picked up a 3-1 win over Southeast Alamance Thursday.

Jordan-Matthews beat Eastern Randolph, 3-1, Thursday. Senior Ian McMillan hit a two run homer in the fth inning to seal the win for the Jets.

Softball

Seaforth opened its season with an 11-3 loss to Providence Grove Thursday. The Hawks bounced back with a 15-0 win over Graham Monday. The team combined for 12 hits with Emma Grace Hill hitting a home run and recording three RBIs.

Northwood started the year with a 18-0 win over Carrboro on Feb. 26. Eight di erent Northwood batters got a hit in the win as junior Jasmine Wichowski recorded three hits and two RBIs herself. The Chargers fell to North Moore, 9-0, Thursday and lost to Southeast Alamance, 10-5, Monday.

Chatham Central picked up a dominant 15-0 win over East Chapel Hill Thursday.

Jordan-Matthews lost to Eastern Randolph, 5-0, Thursday.

Girls Soccer

Seaforth won its season open-

er over Southern Durham, 9-0, on Feb. 26. Sophomores Regan Willauer and So a Viana and junior Emma O’Rourke each recorded their own hat tricks. The Hawks beat NCSSMDurham, 4-1, Monday.

Northwood fell to Western Alamance, 9-0, on Feb. 26. The Chargers followed that with a 6-0 win over Southern Alamance Thursday, but they lost to Western Alamance again Monday, 11-2.

Jordan-Matthews started the year with a 5-0 win over Southwestern Randolph on Feb. 26.

Woods Charter lost to Franklin Academy, 3-1, on Feb. 28 and tied, 2-2, with Swansboro Friday. The Wolves beat Croatan, 5-1, Saturday.

Boys Lacrosse

Seaforth lost its season opener to East Chapel Hill, 12-9, on Feb. 26. The Hawks followed that with a 15-8 win over Cedar Ridge Thursday. Sophomore Ivan Grimes led the team with four goals and six assists in the win. The Hawks won big over Southeast Alamance Monday, 21-2.

Girls Lacrosse

Seaforth lost to Apex, 17-2, on Feb. 28.

Northwood fell to Pinecrest, 18-6, Thursday. The Chargers also lost to Union Pines Monday, 18-6.

Track and Field

Here are Chatham County’s varsity rst place nishers in the Jordan-Matthews home meet Thursday.

Boys

100 meter dash (Lucas Smith, Chatham Charter, 10.85 seconds); 200 meter

dash (Lucas Smith, Chatham Charter, 22.23); 400 meter dash (Lucas Smith, Chatham Charter, 51.00); 800 meter run (Aiden Hernandez, Jordan-Matthews, 2 minutes, 22 seconds); 1,600 meter run (Dylan Villanueva, Woods Charter, 4:54.00), 3,200 meter run (Alexander Serrone, Woods Charter, 10:57.00); 4x400 meter relay (Woods Charter, 3:54.60); 4x800 meter relay (Jordan-Matthews, 9:33.00)

Girls

200 meter dash (Beth Owensby, Haw River Christian, 31.60); 400 meter dash (Emma Cope, Woods Charter, 1:10.00); 800 meter run (Anna Peeler, Woods Charter, 2:37.00); 1,600 meter run (Samantha Scott, Chatham Charter, 6:19.00); 3200 meter run (Grace Murphy, Woods Charter, 14:00.00); 100 meter hurdles (Cassidy Deshazo, Jordan-Matthews, 16.60); 4x200 meter relay (Jordan-Matthews, 2:00.00); 4x400 meter relay (Woods Charter, 4:53.28); 4x800 meter relay (Woods Charter, 11:46.00); Long jump (Rachael Woods, Jordan-Matthews, 15 feet, 2 inches); Triple jump (Rachael Woods, Jordan-Matthews, 3307.50); Discus (Jordyn Garner, Chatham Charter, 71-06.00)

Boys Tennis

Seaforth beat Union Pines, 9-0, on Feb. 26, and the Hawks won over Carrboro, 5-4, Saturday. The Hawks beat Union Pines again Monday, 9-0.

Northwood picked up a 7-2 win over North Moore on Feb. 26.

Chatham Charter beat Jordan-Matthews, 9-0, on Feb. 26.

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.

Lucas Smith

Chatham Charter, track

Chatham Charter’s Lucas Smith earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Feb. 26.

In Thursday’s JordanMatthews home meet, Smith sprinted away with rst place times for the 100 meter dash (10.85 seconds), 200 meter dash (22.23) and the 400 meter dash (51.00).

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.

ASHEEBO ROJAS FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

SEAFORTH ATHLETICS TWITTER/X

Seaforth girls’ soccer celebrates their 4-1 win over NCSSM on Monday

Powell selected for Jordan Brand Classic, Northwood football players invited to Carolinas Coaches Combines

Northwood athletes earned spots to showcase their talents last week.

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

NUMEROUS Northwood athletes received opportunities last week to showcase their talents to the masses.

Drake Powell, a senior on the boys basketball team, was named to the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic roster on Feb. 28.

The Jordan Brand Classic is an annual game featuring the top high school basketball seniors in the country. The time, date and place for this year’s game has yet to be announced.

This isn’t the only big-time basketball showcase that Pow-

ell has been selected to this year. In January, the UNC basketball signee was named a McDonald’s All-American, and he will play in the McDonald’s All-American game at the Toyota Center in Houston on April 2 at 9 p.m. From Northwood’s football team, six seniors and ve underclassmen were invited to the Carolinas Coaches Combines. The combines, which are held at di erent high schools in North and South Carolina between March and April, are organized by the North Carolina Football Coaches Association and the South Carolina Football Coaches Association. For the underclassmen, Grayson Cox, Tristan Evans, Cam Fowler, Robert Tripp and Ben Porter will do their combine at Princeton High School

in Princeton, North Carolina on April 7 at 2 p.m. Gus Ritchey will do the senior event at Princeton on April 7 at 8:30 a.m. while the other seniors, AJ Rhone-Mason, Justin Shaw, Isaiah Blair, Antoine Brewington and Beau Harvey, will participate in the event at Page High School in Greensboro on April 20 at 8:30 a.m.

The combines will consist of multiple stations that test athletes on their measurables (height, weight, wingspan) and their athleticism, including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump. Through a partnership with Catapult, a sports performance analytics company, each athlete will wear a Catapult One tracking system that measures their activity to improve performance and reduce risk of injury.

Cam Newton apologizes for letting emotions get the best of him at youth football tournament ght

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CAM NEWTON said he’s disappointed in himself for losing control of his emotions over the weekend at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta, resulting in a brief ght involving several men from competing teams.

A 22-second video showed the 34-year-old Newton involved in an altercation with at least three other men outside of a school at the tournament. Newton did not throw any punches, and appeared to try to fend o some attackers.

The incident was quickly broken up by a policeman and security.

“I’m disappointed in myself for letting it escalate to what it did and that’s what I’m apologetic to,” Newton said Friday on his 4th and 1 podcast. “The truth of the matter is this: Me, being in my position, I should’ve never put myself in that position. That’s just the truth. That could’ve got ugly, for real.”

The 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player and longtime Carolina Panthers signal caller also apologized to the kids who look up to him.

“I feel like I let them down,” Newton said. “Because I can’t sit up here and say, ‘Hey bro, you have to be bigger than that,’ and then all of a sudden I do that. That just shows that you have

CENTRAL from B1

short drive to nearby Seaforth where senior Drake Powell completed a 20-point performance and led Northwood to victory. In the rst round, Northwood beat No. 29 Greene Cen-

WOODS from B1

low expectations carried over into the new year.

Some returning and incoming players had in their minds the ideas of nally breaking seven wins and possibly making the state playo s, but McNair made sure they were blind to those visions until they became reality.

“I really like to teach and look at the big picture for them,” McNair said. “I never want to put too many goals on them. We’re just going to go out and play hard. I think organically those types of things can happen. You just keep putting in work day by day, and eventually, you’re going to get the results that you want.”

With open gyms, a camp at N.C. State and team and individual drilling, the Wolves went all gas during the o season prior to their 2023-24 campaign. Even the young guys, led by freshman Levi Haygood, were already building chemistry with the team from months’ worth of preparation.

to always stay in control of your emotions.”

Newton, who is from Atlanta, heads up the C1N football orga-

tral, 62-41.

Girls No. 5 Chatham Charter, the 2023 1A state runner-up, won’t get to nish the mission this year. The Knights fell to No. 12

And, although they couldn’t fathom hearing McNair say it, it was no longer a secret — especially to the older guys like Hunter DeMarco who hadn’t seen much success in their careers — that history could be made.

“The rst couple of practices (and) seeing the new team, seeing how the new guys came in, all the talent from the freshmen, I really began to see that we have the talent to do it,” Hunter DeMarco said. “We can break this win record, we can go to the playo s (and) we can win.”

Due to some early misfortune, though, the 2023-24 season began to look gloomily familiar. The Wolves lost senior Caden Watson, their only all-conference player from the previous winter, for the year to a torn rotator cu two games into the season. Hunter DeMarco started to develop lingering back pain, and the team repeatedly dealt with sicknesses as it struggled to a 1-5 start.

Yet, after beating River Mill

nization, which was founded in 2021 and focuses on developing young athletes’ skills in football by providing opportunities

to compete at the highest level through 7-on-7 tournaments and other events. Newton said trash talk

East Bladen, 52-50, in the second-round Friday. They beat No. 28 Pender, 5943, in the rst round. In the same 1A East bracket, No. 9 Chatham Central fought its way to the third round after beating Bear Grass Charter, 38-

in a close, 33-32 battle on Dec. 11, Woods Charter began to pick up some steam, winning ve of its next eight games.

Before playing Ascend Leadership on Jan. 29, McNair hadn’t even mentioned to his six-win team that another win would make history. For many of the players, the 55-30 triumph over the Aviators felt like an ordinary victory until they got to the locker room. “I didn’t even know that was going to be the game,” Haygood said. “He let us know after that that was the win. It was a good win, too. And, we weren’t even close to the end of the season yet, so we had a lot left to go.”

Woods Charter continued to smash the record for the rest of the season while simultaneously, yet subconsciously, chasing another historic milestone. Winning three of their last seven regular season games, the Wolves ended the year with an 8-4 conference record and a third place nish in the Central Tar Heel 1A, giving them a bid in the 1A state

25, Friday. The Bears knocked out No. 24 Southside, 57-44, in the rst round. In the 2A East bracket, No. 3 Seaforth rolled to a 53-22 win over No. 19 North Johnston in the second round to set up Tuesday’s third round showdown

playo s. “I tried to shield it from them because I was kind of looking for a while, and I knew we were probably going to make it,” McNair said. “Maxwell Carr got the gist, and he spread it through the locker room, but they stayed focused, so I was proud.” After a second-round exit in the conference tournament, Woods Charter was named a 28 seed in the 1A East bracket, pairing them against an in-county, and very good, opponent in Chatham Central. Although just miles apart, Woods Charter and Chatham Central were unfamiliar foes leading into their rst round matchup on Feb. 27, having not played each other since 2019. The Wolves gave the Bears all they could handle in the beginning, trailing only 19-16 at the end of the rst quarter with the help of numerous buckets and o ensive rebounds from Hunter DeMarco. However, Chatham Central regained control of the boards and created turnovers

during a game between him and former members of his C1N organization carried over o the football eld leading to the altercation.

“There was a lot of talking on both sides — on all sides, let’s just put it like that,” Newton said. “I don’t want to point the nger and say this person said that or that person said that. Am I saying this is the rst time it happened or the last time it happened? It’s something that starts with words and should’ve ended with words.”

Newton said he’s glad the incident didn’t take a turn for the worse.

“There’s no excuse really,” Newton said. “It could have been a melee. More violence could have stemmed from that. It’s just not called for.”

Newton said he also regrets the incident because be believes it perpetuates a stereotype that he doesn’t like.

“It’s echoing something that has been permeating for years — Black people,” Newton said. “Why do I got to be at a Black event, you know what I’m saying? And I could easily play the victim, and I’m not going to do that. I’m going to hold myself to that same standard.”

Newton said he hopes the incident serves as a teaching moment for young athletes and those who look up to him.

“This is what I really want the narrative to be,” Newton said. “To every high school player, to every single person I’ve in uenced and to every single athlete, use my situation as a way to understand that in one moment and one decision, your life can change just like that. I let my emotions get the best of me.”

against No. 11 Northwood. The Hawks took down No. 20 Louisburg in the rst round, 65-28. Northwood secured its third round bid with a 49-24 win over No. 6 East Carteret. The Chargers beat No. 22 Farmville Central, 62-22, in the rst round.

out of the press to pull away for an 87-36 victory. For Hunter DeMarco and the rest of Woods Charter’s senior class, their nal game won’t be lost in the dark years like the classes before them, and for the underclassmen, there’s now a clear standard to uphold.

Impressed by how they handled the new pressures of winning and playing in the playo s, McNair even said that in the following years, he’ll likely hold back less with telling his team about the reality of the moment.

And, with a young group that has up to three seasons to build o this past winter, Haygood feels like this is only the beginning. “I’m very con dent, like (let’s) break this record again,” Haygood said. “Get higher seeds, get to the second (and) third round of the playo s, like as far as we can. I think we can de nitely get that. And even with Paul, Alden, Charlie, those guys will improve so much over the seasons, even me…We’re going to be so much better next year.”

PHOTO COURTESY CAROLINA BASKETBALL TWITTER/X ACCOUNT Drake Powell (left, with fellow UNC recruit Ian Jackson) has been selected for the Jordan Brand Classic all-star game.

BUTCH DILL | AP PHOTO

Former NFL and Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton, throws a pass during Auburn Pro Day, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Auburn, Ala.

ended in the very next inning, though. Chatham Central started its second at-bat with a single from junior Emma Burke and a triple from Brewer, yet after the two outs that followed, the Bears could only came away with two runs in the inning to push the lead to 12-0.

In the third inning, better elding from East Chapel Hill and a couple of changeups from its pitcher McKenna White held Chatham Central to zero runs.

“(White) got on point a little more, and we had to make some adjustments,” Warf said. “We made some adjustments at the plate, ran a couple of successful bunts and (made) things happen in the eld, making them make plays.”

At the top of the fourth inning, Chatham Central handed the pitching duties to Brewer, and in her varsity pitching debut, she held on to the shutout after a yout and two strike -

outs. The Bears followed that by once again nding success at the plate in the subsequent atbat.

After a double from sophomore Sydney Sellers brought in two runs to make it a 14-0 game, junior Caleigh Warf pulled o a successful bunt to load the bases. Sophomore Sallie Oldham stepped up to the plate right after and delivered a single that brought in the 15th run, ending the game there due to the run rule.

In the absence of valuable older players such as Katherine Gaines, Kelsey Hussey, Ashlynn Humphrey and Chloe Scott, who have been competing in the girls basketball playo s, Warf was pleased with the play of his young group, especially his two freshman pitchers. However, Warf feels that there is much to work on regarding player-coach communication.

“(The pitchers) both have done good,” Warf said. “We’re still learning each other and

(for) them, adapting to the way that we call pitches. Some things they’re having to adjust to, and then I’m adjusting to how their ball spins and moves, making sure that we’re still working together.”

Of course, there were also situational errors with the less-experienced team in its rst game. Warf noticed that some of the girls struggled to read batters for elding position or didn’t recognize the opponent’s place in their batting lineup, which could’ve hurt the Bears against a good hitting team.

But, even though East Chapel Hill wasn’t the strongest competition, winning the season opener in a blowout with a partial roster is a good sign for the Bears before they get back to full strength.

“It’s good to see our young squad stepping up,” Warf said. “They’re getting their jitters out right now. It’s good for them to come out and take care of business.”

Don’t Feed the Grease Goblin!

¡No Alimente a el Duende de Grasa!

PHOTO COURTESY EMMA BURKE’S TWITTER/X ACCOUNT Emma Burke prepares to take another base during Chatham Central’s season-opening win.

‘The Hunter’ is a dark tale of revenge, friendship and loyalty

By Bruce DeSilva The Associated Press

CAL HOOPER ed a failing marriage, quit his exhausting job with the Chicago Police Department, and settled down in Ardnakelty, a ctional village nestled in the mountains of western Ireland, hoping to nd some peace. But in Tana French’s “The Searcher” (2020), he discovered that Ardnakelty isn’t a welcoming place. It’s a rural community that’s suspicious of outsiders. Its residents are contemptuous of government authority and live by their own rules.

Cal knows he will never be one of them, but now, in “The Hunter,” we nd that he’s at least tolerated, made a couple of friends, and even found love with a local woman. However, the new life he’s built for himself is threatened when Johnny Reddy suddenly returns to town.

Johnny, who’d abandoned his family years ago, is a con man whose gifts, the author tells us, includes “taking every word out of his own mouth as gospel.” Cal

VIKING VIA AP “The Hunter” by Tana French.

feels “the urge to pat him down,” but Cal’s life in Ardnakelty depends on minding his own business. So he tries to stay out of it, even when Johnny lures some of the villagers into a scheme to mine non-existent gold that supposedly washed down from the

mountains.

Trey Reddy, a young girl Cal befriended in “The Searcher,” is Johnny’s daughter. She’s a teenager now, but still too young, Cal says, to be trusted with something as momentous as her future. Trey despises her father and wishes he’d never come back. She also hates the people of Ardnakelty, who she blames for the unsolved murder of her older brother in the earlier book. So she hatches her own scheme — one that will wreak havoc on both the villagers and her father.

When Cal gets wind of what she’s up to, he knows she is putting her life, and probably his, in danger. He also knows he probably can’t talk her out of it.

The result is a suspenseful tale of revenge, justice, friendship and loyalty in collision, and of a young girl who must decide which con icting values matter most. The mood is dark, the tension is thick, and the stakes are high. And as usual, in a Tana French novel, the characters are well-drawn, the dialogue is superb, the settings are vivid, and the tight prose is often lyrical.

this week in history

Churchill coins term ‘Iron Curtain,’ Cronkite signs o

Lincoln inaugurated, Johnson impeached but Oreos launched

‘THIS WEEK’ LOOKS BACK at the key events from this week in history

MARCH 4

1789: The Constitution of the United States went into e ect as the rst Federal Congress met in New York. (The lawmakers then adjourned for lack of a quorum.)

1865: President Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated for a second term of o ce; with the end of the Civil War in sight, Lincoln declared: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with rmness in the ght as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to nish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan (tilde) to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

1966: John Lennon of The Beatles was quoted in the London Evening Standard as saying,

“We’re more popular than Jesus now,” a comment that caused an angry backlash in the United States.

2017: President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of tapping his telephones during the 2016 election; an Obama spokesman declared that the assertion was “simply false.”

MARCH 5

1770: The Boston Massacre took place as British soldiers who’d been taunted by a crowd of colonists opened re, killing ve people.

1868: The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson began in the U.S. Senate, with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presiding. Johnson, the rst U.S. president to be impeached, was accused of “high crimes and misdemeanors” stemming from his attempt to re Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; the trial ended on May 26 with Johnson’s acquittal.

1946: Winston Churchill delivered his “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, in which he said: “From Stettin in the Baltic, to

Trieste in the Adriatic, an ‘iron curtain’ has descended across the continent, allowing police governments to rule Eastern Europe.”

1979: NASA’s Voyager 1 space probe ew past Jupiter, sending back photographs of the planet and its moons.

1982: Comedian John Belushi was found dead of a drug overdose in a rented bungalow in Hollywood; he was 33.

MARCH 6

1857: The U.S. Supreme Court, in Dred Scott v. Sandford, ruled 7-2 that Scott, a slave, was not an American citizen and therefore could not sue for his freedom in federal court.

1836: The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, fell as Mexican forces led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna stormed the fortress after a 13-day siege; the battle claimed the lives of all the Texan defenders, nearly 200 strong, including William Travis, James Bowie and Davy Crockett.

1912: Oreo sandwich cookies were rst introduced by the National Biscuit Co.

1944: U.S. heavy bombers staged the rst full-scale American raid on Berlin during World War II.

1981: Walter Cronkite signed o for the last time as principal anchorman of “The CBS Evening News.”

2002: Independent Counsel Robert Ray issued his nal report in which he wrote that former President Bill Clinton could have been indicted and probably would have been convicted in the scandal involving former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Garth Brooks takes you to ‘low places,’ ‘Wonka’ streams

Ariana Grande aims to shine with new album

The Associated Press

A NEW ALBUM from Ariana Grande arrives this week and country legend Garth Brooks will take viewers behind the scenes to the opening of his new bar in Nashville. These are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM

Just in time for the Academy Awards, Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” is landing on Hulu on Thursday. At the Oscars, it’s nominated for 11 awards, including best picture, best actress for Emma Stone and numerous nods for its fantastical craft. In the Victorian-set lm, adapted from Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel, Stone plays Bella Baxter, a woman brought to life by a mad scientist (Willem Dafoe) with a childlike brain and an adult body. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called “Poor Things” “among the year’s most sumptuous visual delights.”

While he’s o wrestling sand worms in “Dune: Part 2,” in theaters, Timothée Chalamet’s last box-o ce hit, “Wonka,” is arriv-

ing Friday, March 8, on Max.

Fashioned as a musical prequel to the Roald Dahl-scripted 1971 original, Paul King’s lm stars Chalamet as a young, wide-eyed Wonka setting out to establish his candy empire. Though the lm bene ts greatly from Chalamet’s charisma and King’s “Paddington”-like designs, in my review I wrote that the lm “is lively but too neutered to do Dahl justice.”

In “Ricky Stanicky,” a trio of friends have long relied on a made-up pal named Ricky Stanicky for excuses to keep them out of trouble with their

solutions

spouses. When their families get suspicious, the three friends (Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino) hire a struggling actor known as “Rock Hard” Rod (John Cena) to impersonate the ctional Stanicky. The lm, directed by Peter Farrelly, debuts Thursday on Prime Video.

NEW MUSIC TO STREAM

Four years ago, Ariana Grande was switching up “Positions.” Five years ago, she changed the language around breakups with “Thank U, Next.” Then there were the earlier albums: “Sweetener,” “Dangerous Woman,” “My Everything,” and “Yours Truly.” And now, there is “eternal sunshine.” Grande has returned to her rightful place atop pop music’s throne with a new full-length release. Of course, absence makes the heart grow fonder: her lead single “Yes, And?” brought her into new sonic territory — house-informed pop music — and immediately shot up to No. 1. The only thing that could make it better?

A Mariah Carey remix, which quickly followed.

When he is not producing with Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Florence and the Machine, Clairo and many, many others, Jack Antono fronts the New Jersey band Bleachers. The

group’s self-titled fourth studio album is a continuation of their previous work: ascendant poprock, deeply indebted to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band (the saxophones that kicko the single “Modern Girl” alone are evidence enough.) It’s good time live band music for those aching to hear another side of Antono ’s work.

Kim Gordon, known for her work in the pioneering noise rock band Sonic Youth, is preparing to release her second solo album, “The Collective” — an exercise in no wave modernity. The album is stacked with spoken-word vocals (known as sprechgesang to those with their pinkies extended), placed atop explosive and asymmetrical production — like the hiphop beats and glass shattering sounds of the near-nu metal “Bye Bye,” or on the album’s best track, “I’m A Man,” a gothic assault on traditional images of masculinity under late capitalism. Decades later, and forever, Gordon’s art is not for the faint of heart.

NEW SHOWS TO STREAM

“Friends in Low Places” is arguably Garth Brooks’ best song, as it never fails to get people to smile, sing along and have a great time. That’s the vibe Brooks is hoping for when he

opens the Friends in Low Places Bar and Honky-Tonk on Thursday in Nashville. That same day, a “Friends in Low Places” docuseries about the making of the bar premieres on Prime Video. Cameras rolled as Brooks, his wife, Tricia Yearwood (who has hosted a popular Food Network show and knows a thing or two about hospitality), and their team created this new business.

A new docuseries on National Geographic follows female leaders of the animal kingdom. Narrated by Oscar-winner Angela Bassett, the seven-episode series was lmed over four years in 12 countries by a female-led production team. Animal queendoms lmed include insects, orcas, hyenas and lions. “Queens” premieres Monday on National Geographic and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+. Theo James stars in Guy Ritchie’s new TV series “The Gentlemen,” a spin-o of the 2019 lm of the same name. James plays Eddie, whose late father has bequeathed him the title of Duke, along with a rundown country estate that he views as a money pit and a major burden. Eddie is thrown for a loop when he discovers his homestead has also operated a marijuana-growing business for years, and he’s inherited that, too. “The Gentlemen” drops Thursday on Net ix.

IMAGE VIA AP

Abraham Lincoln on Nov., 1863.

PHOTO BY AMY HARRIS/INVISION/AP

Garth Brooks performs during the Country Radio Seminar last Friday in Nashville, Tennessee.

“We

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famous birthdays this week

The Associated Press

March 3: Radio personali-

ty Ira Glass is 65. Olympic track and eld gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is 62. Former NFL player and College Football Hall of Famer Herschel Walker is 62. Rapper-ac-

tor Tone Loc is 58. Actor Jessica Biel is 42.

March 4: Former Texas Governor Rick Perry is 74. Ac-

tor Patricia Heaton is 66.

March 5: Magician Penn Jillette is 69. Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin is 58. Ac-

tor Eva Mendes is 50. Model

Niki Taylor is 49. March 6: Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is 98. Actor-director Rob Reiner is 77. TV consumer reporter John Stossel is 77. Ac-

tor Tom Arnold is 65. Actor

D.L. Hughley is 61. Basketball

Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is 52. Rapper Bubba Sparxxx is 47.

March 7: Entertainment executive Michael Eisner is 82. Rock musician Chris White (The Zombies) is 81. Rock musician Matthew Fisher (Procol Harum) is 78. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Lynn Swann is 72. R&B singer-musician Ernie Isley (The Isley Brothers) is 72. Golfer Tom Lehman is 65. International Tennis Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl is 64. Singer-actor Taylor Dayne is 62. Actor Rachel Weisz is 54. Actor Peter Sarsgaard is 53. Actor Laura Prepon is 44.

March 8: NBC News anchor Lester Holt is 65. Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. is 48. Actor James Van Der Beek is 47.

March 9: Singer-musician John Cale (The Velvet Underground) is 82. Singer Mark

Lindsay (Paul Revere and the Raiders) is 82. Country musician Jimmie Fadden (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 76. Country musician Rusty Hendrix (Confederate Railroad) is 64. Rock musician Robert Sledge (Ben Folds Five) is 56. Actor Oscar Isaac is 45. Rapper Bow Wow is 37.

AP PHOTO

Eva Mendes

AP PHOTO

Laura Prepon

AP PHOTO

Shaquille O’Neal