North State Journal — Vol. 1., Issue 56 by North State Journal

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 56

www.NSJONLINE.com |

SATURDAY, february 25, 2017

Sports Who will lead the Pack next?

The North State Journal staff picks five coaching prospects to lead NCSU’s basketball team next season. Page B4

Left to right: Kevin Keatts (UNC-Wilmington), Archie Miller (University of Dayton), Gregg Marshall (Wichita State), Will Wade (VCU), LeVelle Monton (N.C. Central).

the weekend

News BRIEFing Blue Alert system launched in N.C. Raleigh The State Highway Patrol announced this week the implementation of the N.C. Blue Alert system. It will use radio, television stations and message boards on major highways to notify the public when any law enforcement officer in North Carolina has been violently attacked and a suspect is being sought. State Highway Patrol telecommunicators will issue the alert along with descriptions of the suspect and/or the suspect’s mode of travel.

Lawmakers ditch town halls organized by political opponents Charlotte N.C.’s Washington delegation is getting heat for not attending “town hall” meetings organized by groups using them as venues for protest. The raucous meetings are the latest in an ongoing series of rallies, marches and protests more than 30 days into the presidency of Donald Trump. At gatherings across the country as Congress goes on recess, members were invited to speak to their constituents but instead were shouted down and met with chants and “resist Trump” signs. National organizations like Indivisible and MoveOn are helping to coordinate the meetings. Indivisible Charlotte has taken heavily to social media criticizing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) for not attending their self-described “mock town hall.” However, Tillis and his staff say they are meeting privately with groups. In Hendersonville on Thursday, Tillis’ state director Jordan Shaw sat down with the Progressive Organized Women who called the meeting “open dialogue.” On Saturday, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C) will host a “Forward Together” community discussion in Durham.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

Battle over confirmations between NC Senate, governor continues Committee issues subpoena for Cooper Cabinet nominee after three no-shows

By Jeff Moore North State Journal RALEIGH — After failing to appear before a North Carolina Senate committee for a confirmation hearing three separate times, former Democrat lawmaker Larry Hall, Gov. Roy Cooper’s appointed secretary of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, will have to appear at a March 2 meeting to consider his qualifications after a Senate committee voted Thursday to issue a subpoena for him. Minutes before the Senate

Committee on Commerce and Insurance convened, Senate president pro tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) joined committee co-chairs Sens. Tommy Tucker (R-Union) and Bill Rabon (R-Southport) to speak to the press about the ongoing battle between the legislative and executive branch over the General Assembly’s authority to hold confirmation hearings, acknowledging a legislative subpoena was an option in proceeding. “Frankly, this should not be a big deal,” said Berger on Thursday. “Senate confirmation of cabinet appointees has long been standard practice in [Washington, D.C.] and many states for as long as we can remember. It is mind-boggling that this is even See NCGA, page A2

Trump administration rolls back Obama’s transgender directive Supreme Court may have final say on whether Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in education, extends protections extend to a person’s gender identity By Daniel Trotta Reuters WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration announced this week that it will revoke Obama administration guidance that allowed transgender public school students to use the multi-stalled bathroom of their choice, rather than only using the one that matches their biological sex or using single-stalled ones as individual schools’ policies may permit. The announcement raised the stakes in N.C. and other states that are grappling with the boundaries of state, federal and municipal law as it pertains to separation in public restrooms along the line of biological sex. Former Presdient Barack Obama’s directive attempted to add “gender identity” and multistalled bathrooms to the list of groups protected under federal Title IX law, saying that separation of sexes in public bathrooms is discriminatory against those who identify with a gender other than their biological sex. In rolling that directive back, President Donald Trump treads into the tumultuous political and economic waters that N.C. has found itself in since passing H.B. 2 last year, a law that requires individuals to use the multi-stalled public bathrooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificate. Trump administration’s decision brought similar corporate

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement that the Obama guidelines “did not contain sufficient legal analysis or explain how the interpretation was consistent with the language of Title IX.” criticism heaped on N.C., which included boycotts and canceling of sporting events and concerts through the summer. However, this time companies lacked the same opportunity to protest with their dollars, since the Trump administration action pertains to schools nationwide. “The action taken by the administration is troubling and goes against all that we believe in,” Yahoo said in a statement. In unveiling the new direction on Wednesday, Trump administration officials argued that transgender policies should be an issue for the states to decide. By invoking states’ rights, the Trump administration is potentially emboldening legislatures in other states that are considering laws similar to North Carolina’s H.B. 2. White House spokesman Sean See trump, page A2

Group looks to raise craft beer distribution cap with legislation By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

the good life The Total Life Center shows that art is ageless. Page C4 christine t. nguyen | North State Journal

20177 52016 $2.00

In 2003 the state legislature raised the cap on the amount of beer a brewery can produce without signing on with a wholesale distributor to 25,000 barrels. An organization, Craft Freedom, now wants the cap raised even more.

RALEIGH — In 2005, House Bill 392 was signed into law by then-Gov. Mike Easley, ending the 6 percent alcohol by volume restriction on beer made or sold in North Carolina. In the 11-and-a-half years since, the craft beer industry has grown to nearly 200 breweries across the state. Several of them and their supporters now want another North Carolina law changed. In 2003 the state legislature raised the cap on the amount of beer a brewery can produce without signing on with a wholesale distributor to 25,000 barrels (the equivalent of more than 6 million bottles of beer). The group, operating under the banner of an organization called Craft Freedom, now wants the cap raised even more. “The whole thing is really about free markets and fairness,” John Marrino, owner of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and one of the driving forces behind Craft Freedom, said. “We built a business here, we built a brand from nothing and the state tells us at 25,000 barrels we have to transfer the owenrship of that brand to another private company and lose all our access to market, giving up the sale and distribution rights.” See breweries, page A3

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

A2 SATURDAY

02.25.17

Democrats and Republicans propose a new H.B. 2 repeal bill By Donna King North State Journal

“Elevate the conversation” Visit North State Journal online! nsjonline.com jonesandblount.com nsjsports.com carolinabrewreview.com chickenbonealley.com

We stand corrected In the Feb. 22 issue of the North State Journal we incorrectly identified Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Bladen) as Sen. Harry Brown (R-Onslow) in a photo on page A1. To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

North State Journal (USPS PP 166) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Donna King Managing Editor Drew Elliot Opinion Editor Will Brinson Sports Editor Jennifer Wood Features Editor Published each Wednesday and Saturday by North State Media, LLC 819 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603 TO SUBSCRIBE: 866-458-7184 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $100.00

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coming wednesday NSJ marks its first anniversary in print!

RALEIGH — A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the N.C. General Assembly filed a bill this week that contains a full repeal of the controversial H.B. 2 law. The law, passed a year ago in March, has pushed N.C. into the nationwide debate over transgender access to multi-stalled restrooms and changing facilities. The new bill, H.B. 186, filed this week by two Republicans and two Democrats, proposes to repeal H.B. 2, enacts a statewide nondiscrimination policy, increases penalties for restroom crime, and allows local municipalities to pass their own nondiscrimination ordinances; however, any such ordinances could not apply to facilities not owned by the municipality. Under the bill, any local ordinance expanding the protections to gender identity, or other groups beyond state protections, must be put to a voter referendum if a petition to override it is signed by 10 percent of those who voted in the last municipal election and is presented within 10 days of the measure’s passage. Business leaders, including the N.C. Chamber of Commerce, have come out in support of the measure after months of lobbying to get a repeal deal on the legislative floor. “We commend the sponsors of H.B. 186 for coming forth with a bipartisan approach to solving a complex issue,” said Lynn Minges, the president and CEO of the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We believe this bill is a

madeline gray | North State Journal

Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson), one of the primary sponsors of House Bill 168, discusses the bill which would repeal controversial House Bill 2 during the legislative session on Thursday.

good start toward finding common ground and we are encouraged that there will be continued collaboration from all.” The NAIOP, a large trade group for commercial real estate and developers, also agreed. “H.B. 186 represents the best chance at reaching a compromise and we urge legislators to support this bipartisan solution that repeals H.B. 2 before more damage is done to our state’s economy and reputation,” the group said. However, the measure was immediately met with criticism from left-leaning groups who called it discriminatory. “Treating LGBT people as second-class citizens whose rights and

equal protection can be put to a vote is disgraceful and will not undo the ongoing harm H.B. 2 has brought to North Carolina and its people,” said Sarah Gillooly, policy director for the ACLU of North Carolina. The bill may get more support than it would have even a few months ago, as lawmakers and the entire state grows weary of the controversy. Two previous deals to repeal the bill were thwarted by Gov. Roy Cooper, who insisted that Democrat lawmakers only vote for a clean repeal with no strings or moratoriums. Cooper then proposed his own repeal measure that bolstered penalties for crimes in a public restroom, but still left what critics considered a major loophole

trump from page A1 Spicer told a news briefing, that “the president ... is a firm believer in states’ rights” and the new administration had “several areas of concern, both legal and procedural.” Social conservatives have hailed the decision by the Justice and Education departments to defer transgender bathroom policies to the states, calling it a victory for privacy and traditional values. Conservatives such as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who spearheaded the lawsuit challenging the Obama guidance, hailed the Trump administration action. “Our fight over the bathroom directive has always been about former President Obama’s attempt to bypass Congress and rewrite the laws to fit his political agenda for radical social change,” said Paxton, a Republican. The decision also puts an extra sharp focus on an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case that could deliver a landmark decision on the issue. The eight justices are due to hear oral arguments on March 28

Jonathan Ernst | reuters

Transgender activists and supporters protest the Trump administration’s decision to revoke Obama administration guidance that allowed transgender public school students to use the bathroom of their choice, near the White House on Wednesday.

on whether the Gloucester County School Board in Virginia can block Gavin Grimm, a female-born transgender high school student, from using the boys’ bathroom. A ruling is due by the end of June. A key question in the case is

whether a federal law, known as Title IX, which bars sex discrimination in education, covers transgender students. The Education Department under Obama said in guidance to public schools last May that it does, but the Republi-

that would allow potential predators to gain lawful access to women’s restrooms. “If Gov. Cooper’s proposed bill for repealing H.B.2 becomes law, it will create a state-sanctioned ‘Look But Don’t Touch’ policy in our bathrooms,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. “Heterosexual men will be able to access women’s showers and bathrooms by simply posing as a transgender individual. They will be able to watch women and children shower, or shower next to them. As long as the man doesn’t touch them, assault them or film them, no legal protection would be afforded the offended woman or child. Nothing.” Cooper’s proposal received Democrat support in the legislature, but Republicans considered it dead on arrival. This week’s proposal is getting support from both sides of the aisle. But despite business groups’ support, after the bill was filed N.C. NAACP executive director William Barber called for a “nationwide economic boycott” of N.C. by members of the NAACP in protest of it. Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) called on Cooper to pick a side. “For months, Roy Cooper has paid lip service to wanting to repeal H.B. 2, all while pandering to his far-left base to raise a beaucoup of cash, trash talking his own state and sabotaging every effort to repeal it,” Berger said. “It’s time for him to show some leadership as North Carolina’s governor, condemn William Barber’s attempt to inflict economic harm on our citizens, and work toward a reasonable compromise that keeps men out of women’s bathrooms.” The first reading of the bill is planned for Monday evening when it will then be referred to committees through the regular legislative process.

can Trump administration withdrew that finding on Wednesday. The high court on Thursday asked the lawyers involved to file letters by March 1 giving their views on how the Trump action should affect consideration of the case. Lawyers for Grimm say that the definition of sex discrimination in Title IX is broad and includes gender identity. The school board maintains that the law was enacted purely to address “physiological distinctions between men and women.” If the Supreme Court rules that Title IX protects transgender students, the decision would become the law of the land, binding the Trump administration and the states. “This is an incredibly urgent issue for Gavin and these other kids across the country,” said Joshua Block, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who represents Grimm. The Trump administration’s announcement “only underscores the need for the Supreme Court to bring some clarity here,” he added.

Larry Hall, who is currently serving as head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, did not show up to a Senate committee confirmation hearing on Thursday. The committee voted to subpoena Hall after he failed to arrive at the hearing for a third time.

NCGA from page A1

“Someone called before this committee has refused to appear three times; that is unac ceptable.” Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Spruce Pine)

considered controversial and that the governor is fighting back so hard.” Passed in December 2016, legislation asserting the N.C. Senate’s authority of advise and consent in approving the governor’s cabinet choices has been at the center of an ongoing court case filed by Cooper in January. At the most recent hearing the court chose not to issue a preliminary injunction restraining the legislature as requested by Cooper’s attorneys, but the governor and Democrat lawmakers say the appointments have not been made official yet and thus are not subject to confirmation. “I don’t believe this committee has any authority to conduct a confirmation hearing until the governor officially submits the names to the president pro tem,” said Sen. Floyd McKissick (D-Durham). “Until those names are submitted, and he has until May 15 to do so, there is no authority to conduct confirmation hearings.” Current statute gives the governor until May 15 to formally announce his appointments via notice to the Senate, but according to Rep. Dan Bishop (R-Mecklenburg), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Insurance, Cooper is just “playing games.” “The governor has placed an individual in a post,” said Bishop at Thursday’s committee meeting. “He is acting openly and notoriously in that post as the secretary; he is on the website as its secretary; he attended a meeting and acted as the secretary. We need not wait for the governor, nor need we be constrained by the governor’s failure to send a piece of paper over for that individual who has been appointed during recess openly and publicly and is serving in the role.” According to state law, recess appointments can be considered upon the return of the legislature to regular session.

madeline gray | North State Journal

Senate leaders further pointed out that the Cooper administration has, in fact, provided the N.C. Senate lists of administration officials for the legislative directory that include eight secretaries and designates two unfilled posts as being under the authority of “acting secretaries.” Berger said their authority to hold confirmations is clear and attempted to pre-empt Cooper’s responses. “I know the governor will try to divert attention from his failure to follow the law by repeating the same old line that we need to focus on repealing H.B. 2, need to raise teacher pay, need to provide Hurricane Matthew relief,” said Berger. “They have no credibility on these topics and any attempt to use

those issues as a distraction from their open defiance of the law is down right laughable.” When it became clear that Hall would not show for Thursday’s third attempt at a hearing, committee members debated and ultimately passed a motion to subpoena Hall to appear before a March 2 meeting. “There is no court order keeping Secretary Hall from abiding by the law and appearing here today,” said committee co-chair Sen. Wesley Meredith (R-Fayetteville). “At this point Secretary Hall and his boss are openly defying not just the legislative legal authority to call witnesses to committee, but the very, very plain language in the North Carolina Constitution. The governor cannot

say with a straight face that he has not nominated Hall to this post.” Sen. Angela Bryant (D-Rocky Mount) encouraged everyone to be honest about the nature of the struggle. “The lawsuit itself is about a challenge to the constitutional power of the General Assembly vis-a-vis the executive branch,” said Bryant. “There’s no need to pretend like we aren’t in the middle of a battle about the constitutional power of each branch. That’s no secret.” Republicans seem to agree with Bryant’s assessment as they push forward in exercising the legislature’s confirmation authority via subpoena on March 2, just five days before the next court action is scheduled on March 7.

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Jonathan Ernst | reuters

President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Md., on Friday.

Conservatives see political influence rising as they flock to CPAC Trump addressed 10,000 at the annual conservative gathering promising to fulfill long-held Republican goals

By Andy Sullivan and Richard Cowan Reuters BALTIMORE — President Donald Trump said he would make a massive budget request for one of the “greatest military buildups in American history” on Friday in a feisty, campaign-style speech extolling robust nationalism to eager conservative activists. Trump used remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), an organization that gave him one of his first platforms in his journey to the presidency, to defend his unabashed “America first” policies. With Trump in the White House and Republicans holding majorities in both houses of Congress, CPAC and the thousands of conservative activists who flock to the event each year from across the country are seeing their political influence rising. He said he would aim to substantially upgrade the military in both offensive and defensive capabilities, with a massive spending request that would make the country’s defense “bigger and better and stronger than ever before.” “And, hopefully, we’ll never have to use it, but nobody is going to mess with us. Nobody. It will be one of the greatest military buildups in American history,” Trump said. With appeals to people on welfare to go to work and pledges to follow through on his vow to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border, Trump drew rounds of applause from the large gathering of conservatives, many of them wearing hats emblazoned with the president’s campaign slogan, “Make America

breweries from page A1 But Tim Kent, executive director of the North Carolina Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, said the push to raise the cap is a power play by a few breweries, like Marrino and OMB, who would benefit from a raised cap and have lobbied for a change in the legislation since the ABV law changed. “This is the same bill that has been introduced every two-year legislative session since 2005,” Kent said. “And it’s an effort by a handful of breweries to change the law and give themselves a special privilege at the expense of everybody else in the industry.” Rep. Michael Speciale (R-Beaufort) introduced House Bill 67 earlier this month with bipartisan support to raise the distribution cap to 100,000 barrels. Marrino said Craft Freedom, while supporting Speciale’s legislation, is not behind the bill and has plans to present legislation of its own in

Great Again.” His speech was heavy on the nationalist overtones from his campaign last year, focusing heavily on promises to boost U.S. economic growth by retooling international trade deals, rolling back regulations and boosting energy production. With the federal budget still running a deficit, Trump will have to square his request for a military buildup with his plans to cut taxes for most Americans and for corporations. During his speech, he complained about spending caps that were put in place on the defense budget dating back to 2011. Several CPAC attendees voiced concerns about some of Trump’s actions in his first month in office, and worried he might take the U.S. economy in the wrong direction in months ahead. Abby Oliver, of Grand Rapids, Mich., who interns for a local Republican Party organization, said that while she wanted to see the United States better control its borders, she had concerns about the “controversial” travel ban executive order. Oliver said the order, which caused protests and chaos at airports the weekend after its enactment, was “rolled out a little bit haphazardly” and she worried that Trump could go too far on immigration policy. “I don’t want it to become people are being ripped apart from their families,” Oliver said. Kicking off CPAC on Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence and other top White House officials led into Trump’s speech urging conservative activists to set aside differences and unite behind Trump’s agenda stressing tough trade and immigration policies. Even Trump’s chief strategist, Steve Bannon, known as a forceful influence in the White House, made a rare public appearance to appeal for support for the Republican president. “We want you to have our back”

the next month or so. Speciale did not return a phone call regarding his legislation. “My business model is, and always will be, to be a local brewery,” Marrino said. “We want to stay in the Charlotte region of North Carolina. For me, I don’t need a distributor and I don’t want one. I sell in a 40-mile radius and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of my customers directly.” But Kent said changing the laws to benefit just a few breweries would hurt both smaller and larger brewers. “Ninety percent of all brewers produce 7,000 barrels or less,” Kent said. “All of those brewers can already self-distribute, but it’s unfair by the same token to all of the mid-size and larger brewers who already work with distributors and have operated in good faith with the laws of North Carolina.” Kent said breweries often weigh the benefits of whether or not to

Women sell clothes with elephant prints on them at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., on Thursday.

Joshua Roberts | reuters

“My friends, this is our time. This is the chance we’ve worked so hard for so long to see. This is the time to prove again that our answers are the right answers for America.” Vice President Mike Pence

in upcoming battles, Bannon told the gathering, denouncing media criticism of Trump. He appeared onstage along with White House chief of staff Reince Priebus. Bannon and Priebus both sought to dispel a sense of disorder in the White House portrayed in media accounts. Referring to media criticism of Trump and echoing the president’s attacks on the media, Bannon warned: “It’s going to get worse every day” as Trump presses forward with his 2016 campaign promises. “If you think they’re going to give you your country back without a fight you are sadly mistaken,” said Bannon, who formerly ran the confrontational conservative website Breitbart News.

Just a month into his presidency, Trump is already being compared by some conservatives to their hero, former President Ronald Reagan, who swept into office in 1981 with a small-government, free-trade, tax-cutting agenda that energized the Republican right wing and molded the views of many of the CPAC faithful. Trump so far has been “pitch-perfect with conservatives as he starts his administration,” said Matt Schlapp, head of the American Conservative Union, which organizes CPAC. Even so, some conservatives, including some at CPAC, are nervously watching Trump. He has

proposed a major expansion of government to police immigration. He has already canceled a trade deal with Asia-Pacific neighbors and sharply criticized one among the United States, Mexico and Canada. “I always worry any discussion about trade competition and tariffs ... misdirects the focus,” said CPAC stalwart Grover Norquist, a powerful advocate of low taxes and small government. On taxes, Trump has backed cuts in rates, but his position on a Republican tax package under debate in Congress is unclear. Schlapp credited Trump with naming the most conservative Cabinet in a half-century and nominating a Supreme Court justice, Neil Gorsuch, who has conservatives’ blessings. CPAC continues through the weekend with book signings, educational breakout sessions, job fairs, volunteer training and study of the 2016 elections.

use a distributor at around 5,000 to 7,000 barrels of production, and pointed to Winston-Salem’s Foothills Brewing as one brewery who benefited from signing on with a distributor. Kent said Foothills went from making less than 10,000 barrels in 2011 and has grown to 42,000 barrels since signing with a distributor. Wicked Weed Brewing in Asheville recently opted to sign on with a distributor but is in favor of a hike in the distribution cap. “This law change will not directly affect Wicked Weed as we have already signed over all of our distribution rights for the state,” Ryan Guthy, owner and head of sales for Wicked Weed, said in a statement. “With that said, Wicked Weed is a huge supporter of self-distribution laws. We as a company believe that all breweries in N.C. should have the right to self-distribute as much beer as they choose. For us, signing with wholesalers was the right choice.”

Marrino said distributors do bring value to breweries like Wicked Weed that want to expand their footprint, but forcing those that have grown near the 25,000-barrel limit — like OMB, which produced more than 21,000 barrels last year — to sign with one shouldn’t be mandated by the government. “At 25,000 barrels, I’m not even 1.5 percent of the Charlotte beer market,” Marrino said. “I’m still a rounding error in North Carolina and I’m not even 1.5 percent of Charlotte, nevermind North Carolina.” Mitch Kokai, senior analyst at conservative think tank the John Locke Foundation, thinks the open market, not the government, should dictate whether or not signing with a distributor is right for breweries. “Some businesses are going to find it’s great working with a distributor, others will say, ‘No, what we need to have is something in which we get to maintain our own

business model and we just grow it,’” Kokai said. But Kent counters that “North Carolina already has the most permissive craft beer laws of any state from Virginia to Texas,” and distributors have already made “hundreds of millions of dollars” in financial investments based on the current laws. “Consumers have more choice, more variety, more options than they’ve ever had before in the beer aisle. So the truth is this is really working,” Kent said of the current law. Marrino said Craft Freedom’s supporters want choice as well — to not be forced to sign with a distributor at an “arbitrary” prodcution level. “We basically have two decisions: we either have to stop growing — which is what I will do — or we have to transfer ownership of our brand to somebody else and lose total access to market,” he said.

Joshua Roberts | reuters

Attendees to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) pray during the invocation in National Harbor, Md., on Thursday.

Reagan comparisons

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

N.C. firsts for Black History Month

Murphy

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Jones & Blount

Manteo

jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount

Warrenton

NC withdraws from states’ clean energy lawsuit

John Adams Hyman First black congressman from N.C.

N.C. is a state of trailblazers. Whether it is flight, freedom, civil rights, medical research, or the latest technology, we are a state of firsts. As we wrap up Black History Month and look back on a postelection N.C., here are a few of the civic trailblazers that called N.C. home.

By Donna King North State Journal

Hyman was born in 1840 in Warrenton. He was a Republican U.S. Congressman from North Carolina from 1875 to 1877, the first AfricanAmerican to represent the state in the House of Representatives. He was elected from North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, including counties in the northeast around New Bern.

Chapel Hill

Howard Nathaniel Lee Mayor of Chapel Hill from 1969-1975 Lee was the first black mayor of a major city in the South

RALEIGH — North Carolina is no longer among the states suing the federal government over a series of far-reaching environmental regulations. The Clean Power Plan, set up by the Environmental Protection Agency under Barack Obama and the Clean Power Act, was supposed to be one of the former president’s legacy items designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and focus effort on developing alternative energy sources. Under former-Gov. Pat McCrory, N.C. joined 24 other states in suing over the part of the plan that sets regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, saying the agency is acting well beyond its authority in trying to implement the stricter regulations on existing plants because they are already regulated under a separate law and Congress did not give them the authority to do so. Now, N.C.’s Attorney General Josh Stein, at the request of N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Secretary Michael Regan, withdrew the state from the ongoing legal challenge to the regulations. “We are working to assess our agency and its challenges so we can better position ourselves to meet our greatest priorities going forward,” Regan said. “We feel that pursuing this potentially expensive legal challenge is not a good use of state resources, would not be in line with our agency’s mission to protect the environment, and would not serve the best interest of taxpayers.” The motion to withdraw from the case was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District Court of Columbia Circuit by Stein on

Raleigh

Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson First black woman on N.C. Supreme Court

Ellerbe

Henry Frye First black N.C. Supreme Court justice

Fayetteville

Hiram Rhodes Revels

Frye was born Aug. 1, 1932, in Ellerbe. After graduating with honors from North Carolina A&T State University, Frye reached the rank of captain in the United States Air Force, serving in Korea and Japan. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He became N.C.’s first black N.C. Supreme Court Justice in 1983.

west

First black U.S. senator Revels was born in Fayetteville in 1827. He became the first AfricanAmerican senator in U.S history representing Mississippi in 1870-1871. Revels was an ordained minister, working across the Midwest. During the Civl War, Revels helped organize two regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops and served as chaplain.

piedmont

Trail reopens Tuesday after nails purposely put throughout park Jackson County The 1,100-acre Pinnacle Park closed over the weekend after a runner was impaled through the foot by a nail. An investigation uncovered 40 nails hammered into the roots of trees and logs. One person was injured, another had a nail go through their shoe without puncturing skin. The 4-inch‑long nails were galvanized with 1 inch sticking out. There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible. Associated Press

Taylorsville woman involved in international car theft

WSOC9

Hospital bans child visitors due to flu

Wake County A 14-year-old girl died in the hospital Friday, the second fatality from a highspeed chase that occurred in Thursday evening in Garner. Erieyana Holloway was a passenger of the church van struck by the fleeing car after a police chase on Hammond Road near the Interstate 40 interchange. The driver of the fleeing car, Kwame Delanta Otis McGregory, 18, was charged with driving impaired among other charges and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. His passenger, Shada Sahquea Taylor, also died in the crash.

Guilford County Cone Health announced on Thursday that children under 12 are restricted from entering the hospital as they may bring the flu virus with them. Flu cases are considered widespread across North Carolina and higher than the national average of 4.8 percent. N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported since flu season began Oct. 21, 44 people have died. Cone will make an exception if the child is a current’s family member is extremely ill, current patients and those seeking medical care. High Point Regional UNC Health Care enacted a smiliar resolution on Jan. 17.

north state journal

Greensboro News & Record

Zoning bid withdrawn after pushback Dare County During a town board meeting Feb. 21, architect Ben Cahoon of Nags Head, and Jeff Fabrikant and Randy Saunders of the John Yancey Oceanfront Inn withdrew their request for a zoning change allowing taller hotels at Kill Devil Hills. The proposed text amendment would have increased allowable height currently restricted by zoning. Town Planning Director Meredith Guns and Kill Devil Hills resident Brent Nultemeier spoke against the proposed amendment, both expressing concern of potential septic runoff as well as decreased aesthetic to the area.

Kinston bridge receives original namesake Lenoir County In 1931, the Queen Street Bridge was named the LaRoque Bridge by the N.C. General Assembly, but during renovations in the 1950s the sign was removed and never placed back. George LaRoque, grandson to Walter LaRoque, ensured this week the sign was placed back up by taking documentation to NCDOT. Walter LaRoque served as mayor of Kinston from 1907-1913 and was known to love the community, organizing the Kinston Country Club, the Kinston Rotary Club and belonging to the Kinston Chamber of Commerce. Kinston Free Press

Outer Banks Sentinel

Controversial U-Haul sign removed

Sunday hunting ban fails to pass

Buncombe County A U-Haul sign positioned on Swannanoa River Road and visible from Interstate 240 was removed this week. The owner, who originally put it up without a permit, was cited in January and told to take the sign down. The sign, said to resemble the famous Hollywood marker, garnered mostly negative attention. ABC13 WLOS

Watauga County A potential resolution to ban hunting on Sundays has been declared “dead” after Watauga County Commissioners were unanimous in not wanting to pass it. Eleven residents spoke out against the issue at the public forum, all in opposition. Commission Vice Chairman Billy Kennedy said the board was only reacting to a changing legislative landscape in considering the resolution. Watauga Democrat

behalf of Regan and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. “Investing in clean energy creates jobs, enhances our energy independence and combats climate change,” Stein said. “The Department of Environmental Quality asked me to withdraw North Carolina’s participation in this lawsuit because it frustrates these important goals. I am glad to do so.” Regardless of the state’s participation, the fate of suit is uncertain. One of President Donald Trump’s early executive orders directs the EPA to rewrite the section of the Clean Power Plan that the suit protests. His executive order also directs the EPA to rewrite other sections of the Obama-era regulatory plan including one that gives the federal government more authority over states’ waterways and lifts a moratorium on federal land coal leasing. Throughout the campaign Trump promised to address the regulations and what he and other conservatives believe to be EPA overreach. Many believe his selection of Scott Pruitt as EPA chief indicated his commitment to that campaign promise. Just a week ago the U.S. Senate confirmed Pruitt, who is the former attorney general of Oklahoma and one of the primary plaintiffs in the suit against the feds over the Clean Energy Plan. In his first address as EPA secretary to employees Pruitt told them that the agency will be “tethered to” and “respect the rule of law.” “We as an agency and we açs a nation can be both pro-energy and jobs and proenvironment,” said Pruitt. “Regulators exist to give certainty to those they regulate…Process matters and we should respect that and focus on that, and try to avoid, do avoid, abuses that occur sometimes.”

EAST

Two fatalities from high-speed police pursuit

Alexander County Sandra Kelley, 66, was arrested and charged on 10 counts of felony receiving and shipping stolen goods. Investigations showed the vehicles were purchased from out of state with a fraudulent credit card, shipped to Kelley’s home, then shipped overseas. She was arrested on similar charges last summer, allowing the cars to come to her house in a scheme allegedly planned by a man she met online and fell in love with. Alexander County Sheriff Chris Brown said Kelley believed she and the man behind the car theft would get married.

North Carolina billboard causes controversy

Mecklenburg health probe expands

Forsyth County A billboard reading, “Real men provide, real women appreciate it,” is causing controversy. The billboard on Business 40 between Greensboro and WinstonSalem is a paid advertisement and the company that owns it is citing “freedom of speech.” A Facebook group has organized a protest for Sunday at the sign claiming it is sexist and represents an antiquated way of thinking.

Mecklenburg County The number of women who were never notified of abnormal pap smear results has grown. County Manager Dena Diorio on Tuesday said 185 patients from a clinic on Beatties Ford in west Charlotte were not notified for as long as eight months about exam results. Officials are looking into an additional 100 cases. Most of the women affected are from low-income families. Early detection is key for prevention of cervical cancer.

WSOC9

Charlotte Observer

Representatives attempt to pass Sanders Law

Solar farms banned after complaints Currituck County Currituck County Commissioners voted Monday to extend a two-month moratorium on solar farms into an indefinite ban. The ban comes from residents complaining the solar farms were unsightly and also posed the risk of flying glass during bad weather. Associated Press

New Hanover County A bill filed in the North Carolina General Assembly called Sanders Law would regulate the zip line industry in North Carolina. House Bill 196 is named after Bonnie Sanders Burney, 12, of Wilmington, who died in a zip line accident at Camp Cheerio in Alleghany County. Reps. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) and Julia Howard (R-Davie) sponsored the legislation, which would require inspections from the Department of Labor. north state journal

Task Force on Education Funding passes NC House By Jeff Moore North State Journal RALEIGH — Legislation to form an education task force that would be charged to develop new funding formulas for schools passed the N.C. House of Representatives Thursday. House Bill 6 would create the Joint Legislative Task Force on Education Finance Reform to consider various types of weighted student formula funding models that will determine how public school allotments operate. Acknowledging the Old North State’s geographic diversity and urban/rural divide, the bill authors include language that such diversity will be reflected on the 18 member task force and that each chamber must appoint at least one minority party member to the body. The latter elicited criticism from House Democrats who said the membership of the task force should better represent the people’s house and comply with chamber customs, offering an amendment to increase required minority party task force appointments from one to three. “If we’re going to represent all the citizens of North Carolina [the task force] needs to reflect all the citizens of North Carolina,” said Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg). “It should reflect all of North Carolina citizens when it’s going to make one of the most important decisions about their education.”

House Republicans pointed out that just because the bill requires the one minority seat, does not mean they are limited to one and that they expect the task force to be more representative of the state. “Whether the Democrats are in charge or the Republicans are in charge the committees have been pretty balanced,” said Rep. Craig Horn (R-Union). “I think we need to just get on with it.” Get on with it they did, as Republicans defeated the amendment and ultimately sent the bill to the N.C. Senate. The task force will be asked to determine “the base amount of funds that must be distributed on a per student basis to cover the cost of educating a student in the State.” In doing so, it must also determine which student characteristics should be eligible for various formula weightings and how each local school district would require adjustments based on the new weightings. Beyond weighted-funding formulas, the task force is instructed to study funding models for elementary and secondary public schools and public charter schools from around the country as well as any other issue “deemed relevant.” The focus on school funding formulas comes as many school districts struggle with problems from last year’s reduced class size mandates. The new rules necessitated building more classrooms, which recently prompted mitigating legislation to provide more flexibility.

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor

Visual Voices

EDITORIAL | Drew Elliot

Trump and farmers Trump’s moves may harm the farm community in the short term, but either be neutral or beneficial in the long term.

According to a poll during the 2016 campaign, farmers favored Donald Trump by a whopping 37 percentage points (55 percent to 18 percent) over Hillary Clinton. That was just a poll in October, but looking at the election results it’s a fair bet that many farmers pulled the lever for Trump in November. Take North Carolina. Duplin and Sampson counties are the most agriculturally intense in the state — they are Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in annual market value of crops and livestock, together accounting for about one-fifth of the entire state’s agricultural economy. (If the next two counties on the list, Union and Wayne, were one county, they still wouldn’t equal Sampson’s output.) Suffice it to say that the vote totals for Duplin and Sampson can be a decent barometer for how the agricultural community — including not just farmers but all who depend on the farm economy — felt about their choices for president. Trump won Duplin by 19 points and Sampson by 16.5. While Mitt Romney won both counties in 2012, Trump increased Romney’s margin significantly in both — from 11 to 16 points in Sampson and from 11.5 to 18.9 points in Duplin. So much for the liberal talking point that whites in the South vote on race. While they both ran against northeastern businessmen, a black man from Chicago did significantly better in Hog Heaven, N.C. than a white woman from Arkansas (or New York, or wherever). What does all this tell us about where we are now? While American farmers can take

heart in several early actions of President Donald Trump’s administration — most notably the choice of Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency — others are more worrisome. Why start trade wars, when U.S. agricultural exports are sure to lose in the fray? Why impose strict immigration controls when foreign workers are so valuable to the agricultural sector? First, the agricultural community voted for Trump knowing full well that he had said, time and again, that he would renegotiate trade deals and crack down on illegal immigration. The liberal and establishment Republican explanation for this phenomenon is that Trump duped the country rubes. They fell for the red trucker hats and bumper-sticker policy stances, the thinking goes, because everyone in D.C. knows that rubes have a hard time understanding complex issues such as international trade and immigration reform. Looking beyond the Beltway condescension, part of the real answer lies in the choice farmers had. In numerous ways, the Obama administration had shown either ignorance of, or disdain for, farm interests. One example is the EPA’s notorious Waters of the United States rule — which would have enormously expanded federal regulation of farms, especially in areas such as eastern North Carolina. Another issue is Obamacare’s healthcare mandates, which increase costs for farmers already facing tight margins. Farmers knew that Clinton, far from trying

to understand the issues facing farmers, would have continued these policies. And perhaps worse, she vowed to raise the minimum wage and increase the estate tax. Nothing like kicking them when they’re down to try to rouse the vote. So not seeing a “design-your-own candidate” box on the ballot, farmers voted for Trump. Trump, in turn, is unlikely to forget the coalition that put him in the White House. When seen in the short term, Trump’s actions on trade and immigration are harmful to farm interests. But when seen as a strategy, they might make more sense. Farmers would be fine if trade deals helped steelworkers, for instance, without hurting farms. And negotiating individual deals rather than sweeping, multilateral partnerships could prove a good tactic. Bilateral deals make America is the stronger partner in each negotiation. On immigration, it has always made more sense to expand and simplify guest worker programs such as H-2A visas rather than rely on an illegal workforce. For both trade and immigration, Trump’s moves may harm the farm community in the short term, but either be neutral or beneficial in the long term. As president, he has less than four years to prove to agricultural interests that he knows what he is doing, and to produce good results.

Drew Elliot and Ray nothstine

Sometimes it’s okay to get along Government by gotcha is no way to run a state.

Recently Gov. Roy Cooper suggested the state raise teacher salaries, making it sound like a revolutionary idea he just thought up on a whim. Senate leader Phil Berger’s response was a snarky jab at Cooper’s opposition to recent state budgets that boosted pay for educators. Guys, sometimes it’s okay to simply agree. Especially right after an election, for goodness’ sake. Then this week there was another emptychair committee hearing on Jones Street, when Larry Hall, Cooper’s choice to lead the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, failed to show. As a result, Berger issued subpoenas to Cooper’s cabinet nominees to compel their attendance at confirmation hearings. Certainly no one expects Berger, one of two Republican heads of the legislative branch, to get along all the time with Cooper, the Democratic governor. But is it productive to fight about every little thing? Cooper’s no-shows and Berger’s subpoenas may be intended as mere political theater, flexing the checks and balances that are vital bulwarks to tyranny. But since they are already suing each other over Senate confirmations of Cooper’s cabinet, would it kill the two men to get along in the meantime? Cooper should lift his gag order on his cabinet nominees and have them appear to

answer questions from senators. Berger should withdraw the subpoenas and offer to withhold floor votes on nominees until the case is decided. Overall, Berger has the better of the argument on substance. Cooper lost the latest round in court, where the three-judge panel brushed aside the governor’s weak argument that his nominees would be “irreparably harmed” by merely having to appear before senators. Initiating this fight-within-a-fight will almost certainly put the two back in court, which just gives more power to the judiciary, the least democratic of the three branches of government. Although he lost the latest round in court, Cooper is employing a loophole in state law that puts a May 15 date on gubernatorial submission of any nominees where a date is not otherwise specified in law. The court opinion notes that Cooper’s appointees “can serve as acting officers pending the selection and qualification process.” So to be in line with the letter of the law, Cooper would have the Senate believe that his nominees are all acting secretaries until he suddenly decides that they are his actual nominees. Meanwhile, as the Senate has pointed out, Cooper’s cabinet is clearly listed as his cabinet on official websites and letterhead — not acting. This charade goes against the spirit

of the law and, like Berger’s subpoenas, is unhelpful. Government by gotcha is no way to run a state. Both men are trying to game the court case. Cooper is playing for time and toying with the legislature for failing to include a date certain in the law when they passed it in December. Berger wants to make the hearings a fait accompli. The central issue of confirmations is an important question, and one that will be decided in time. The court order itself could have been clear on what should happen in the meantime, either compelling Cooper’s nominees to appear or compelling the Senate to hold off. But perhaps the judges were vague because they thought they were dealing with men who would work it out on their own until the case is over. After all, don’t they have more important things to fight about?

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Guest Opinion | Nystedt, Marrino, AND Ford Raleigh Brewing Company is a member of the Craft Freedom group proposing a change to state law regarding beer distribution.

Samuel Son

Immigration and the promise of America or the first six years in America, we lived as illegals, but I did not know F it. My father kept the fear of deportation

Christine T. Nguyen | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Mandated middlemen hurt local brewery businesses The companies that benefit most from North Carolina’s rigged system are foreignowned brewing behemoths such as AnheuserBusch Inbev, SABMiller, and Molson Coors.

Imagine for a moment that you start a small business. You invest your life savings, take enormous risks, and work long and hard to make your venture a success. Years later, your hard work has paid off, and your business is growing. You want to invest more money and hire additional employees to expand your production and sales. Then state government comes to you and says: Hold it right there. Since you have made your business a success, North Carolina law requires you to give up control of your homegrown product and to transfer your brand rights to a needless third party — outside distributors. These state-mandated middlemen have taken no risk or stake in your entrepreneurial enterprise, they just want to reap the benefits of your hard work and dedication. As a result, you have to fire your sales and distribution staff, and your revenue and profit plunge by 25 percent overnight. Does that sound fair to you? It certainly does not to us. Welcome to the coercive law of craft brewing in North Carolina, which claims to be “First in Freedom.” Under North Carolina’s archaic law, which dates to the 1930s, local craft brewers must relinquish all distribution and brand rights to their goods once they produce more than 25,000 barrels a year, a mere drop in North Carolina’s 5-million-barrel beer market. Once a brewery exceeds that limit, the state forbids it to distribute and sell its own beer. Instead, the state gives control of the brewery’s products to the outside distributors, who take a hefty cut of the brewer’s revenue and profits. No other industry is subject to such unjust confiscation. The companies that benefit most from North Carolina’s rigged system are foreign-owned brewing behemoths such as Anheuser-Busch Inbev, SABMiller, and Molson Coors. They exploit our antiquated beer law and use their outsized financial muscle to dominate the distributors’ product portfolios. The result: More than 96 percent of all the beer consumed in North Carolina is produced outside our state. Only 4 percent of the beer North Carolinians enjoy is made here — just one in every 25 cans and bottles. Distributors and their allies, represented in

the N.C. General Assembly by a powerful trade association, fund lavishly the campaigns of legislators who support a law that benefits giant foreign corporations at the expense of our homegrown North Carolina entrepreneurs. Consider the impact: Even though North Carolina is the ninth largest state in America, none of our 180 local breweries is ranked among the nation’s top 50. Smaller Colorado, by contrast, has five of the top 50, and Oregon has four. North Carolina’s self-distribution cap stunts our indigenous industry’s growth, limiting its investment, hiring, and state and local tax contributions. Local breweries are fighting back with a movement called Craft Freedom (craftfreedom.org), which is working to abolish the self-distribution cap and its harm to local entrepreneurs and economic growth. A new survey conducted for Craft Freedom found strong support across the state for abolishing the brewery self-distribution cap, regardless of age, political affiliation, or church attendance. The poll found that two-thirds of all voters — including 66 percent of weekly churchgoers — favor legislative candidates who encourage the growth in North Carolina’s microbrewery industry. And more than three-fourths of voters favor letting local breweries distribute their own products, while only one in five agrees with the state’s outmoded middleman mandate. North Carolina voters see the distribution law’s reform as a matter of fundamental fairness for homegrown entrepreneurs, who they believe should have the right to grow, hire, and invest their money in a free market, just like any other producer. As the poll shows, change is brewing. It’s time for North Carolina’s legislators to get state government out of the way, liberate our homegrown craft brewery industry, boost our economy, and stop favoring giant foreign corporations over local entrepreneurs. It’s time to lift the cap. Kristie Nystedt is president of Raleigh Brewing Company, John Marrino is founder of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, and Suzie Ford is president wof NoDa Brewing Company.

column | Michael Munger

Freedom is hard You feel right now, for the first time, that the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction. Welcome to my world, except that I’ve had that feeling for decades.

I understand that old people (that’s me) always think the “younger generation” is confused and likely to lead us to disaster. But....c’mon. Isn’t it true this time? Hasn’t our education system produced a giant cohort of fragile snowflakes and petty tyrants? It looks like it. At UNC Chapel Hill last week a “flier” was discovered, hundreds of copies of which had been distributed around the campus. It encouraged students to “bash the fash!”, meaning physically assault fascists. The definition of “fascist,” conveniently, appears to be anyone who disagrees with the smothering leftist orthodoxy that the flier-istas embrace. One sign of fascism, according to the flier, is the wearing of a “Make America Great Again!” ball cap. Since that is the symbol of our current president, a substantial part of the population is “fascist.” Earlier in the week, a set of “instructions”— of unknown origin — circulated nationwide. This “meme” claimed that “It’s okay to punch Nazis, and of course white male libertarians who advocate free speech.” If you disagree with me, I get to punch you, provided I’m one of the anointed who has politically correct views. There are two difficulties here. First, these advocates are confused about the role of violence as being effective for their side. The state

specializes in violence. It has (and, in fact, must have) guns, helicopters, tanks, and fighter jets. Our leftist zealots have no hope of resisting the power of the state. If it comes to violence, the state will win. The bullies of the left are physically brave when confronting a few, isolated “fascists” on their ideologically segregated college campuses and “safe spaces.” But if violence starts, that’s not where it will end. Trump this week has considered drafting National Guard troops for immigration enforcement. Even if one grants (and I don’t) that the Trump side is dangerous, bringing a pocketknife to a machine-gun fight is going to turn out badly. The last thing that the political minority should advocate is violence. Second, and more fundamentally, the right that is being invoked and relied on by the left is precisely “freedom of speech.” The very capacity being counted is the right to dissent. And I am a big fan of the right to dissent. That’s the reason that I’m a libertarian in the first place. But many in the new generation of political activists assume that they will control the coercive power that decides who gets to speak, and who is “bashed.” Whenever they aren’t, of course, they are the first to advocate free speech rights, to be exercised by themselves and

those who agree with them. That’s not how it works. I understand that it is difficult when young people find themselves betrayed by “democracy.” It’s a stunning realization when you discover that a substantial part of the American population disagrees with you. After all, you took classes at the best schools, where they told you how smart you are; you gathered into discussion groups where “I feel that...” counts as an argument. You feel right now, for the first time, that the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction. Welcome to my world, except that I’ve had that feeling for decades. A generation whose entire experience with politics was vacuously validated by the Obama mass-hypnoses of 2008 and 2012 is suddenly confronted with the fact that one must persuade people. You can’t force them to agree with you. Because if anyone is going to be subjected to force, it’s the political minority. Rather than bashing, you might want to try talking to the folks who disagree with you. At worst, you’d be asserting the right to talk, and to disagree, even if your side no longer controls the coercive apparatus of the state. Michael Munger is a professor of and director of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program at Duke University.

to himself. His visa was approved by a bureaucratic mistake that he did not bother to correct. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan offered amnesty through the Immigration Reform and Control Act, and we became legal. To mark this freedom from having a pathway to citizenship, we moved out of our roach-infested apartment east of Queens and into a house on Long Island where the American dream awaited us. On Wednesday evening — I still remember, just two weeks in our new place — we returned from midweek worship to graffiti all over our front door and garage, ugly black paint hissing, “Go back home Chink!” We were Koreans, not Chinese, but prejudice can’t see distinctions. I’ve heard that racist slur before, from lips of whites, blacks, browns, even yellows. Meanness has no color. But verbal slurs expire with the breath. Graffiti, however, has the permanence of ink. And it was seared on our home, a violation of our psyche, because anyone whose home has been robbed will tell you, the home and the sense of self occupy the same space. There have always been two contrary sides to America: not the red and blue of the political parties, but the ideal and the real. The ideal America is America as the Idea, the land of freedom, embodied in the Constitution, and a land of immigrants, captured in Emma Lazarus’s poem that gives voice to Statue of Liberty. The real America is that Idea compromised and tattered by politicking, factions and fears. The poet Frank Bidart writes, “Every serious work of art about America has the same / theme: America / is a great Idea: the reality leaves something to be desired.” Not just art, but history. The history of America is the story of the struggle between these two Americas. “All men are created equal,” but not poor men, or black men, or women. Send me the

America as that noble Idea of freedom for all doesn’t die, and like conscience, speaks without ceasing, because it is etched in its cornerstone, the Constitution.

“wretched refuse of your teeming shore/ Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,” but not if they are Irish, French, Germans, Chinese, Japanese, or Muslim. The struggle began from the start, with the construction of the Constitution, where though black slaves were not given citizenship, they were counted as threefifths of a person for seats in the House of Representatives. John Adams, the second president, threatened the freedom he so courageously fought for when he signed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1796, granting authority to imprison dissenters and denying immigration to “Wild Irishmen and the turbulent and disorderly of all the world, to come here with a basic view to distract our tranquillity.” Two southern states contested it. Jefferson and the DemocraticRepublicans came to power and repealed much of it, but not all. The Alien Enemies Act remains with us today. It was codified in 1918 for World War I. President Franklin Roosevelt used it to justify the infamous Executive Order 9066 of 1942, which interned American citizens and legal residents simply for their Japanese ancestry. Its tragic anniversary was few days ago, Feb. 19. America as Idea seems to lose every time it comes up against America as Realpolitik. America as an experiment of freedom, a nation of beacon for all nations, is bullied by America as a nation unto itself. But America as that noble Idea of freedom for all doesn’t die, and like conscience, speaks without ceasing, because it is etched in its cornerstone, the Constitution. So our great reformer, Martin Luther King Jr., never called for a revolution, but a repentance, for America to turn from her hypocrisy and be faithful to her own self. In 1988, Reagan and the 100th Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act, where America repented for her “sin” in World War II, confessing that “a grave injustice was done to both citizens and permanent resident aliens of Japanese... without adequate security reasons and without any acts of espionage or sabotage documented by the Commission, and were motivated largely by racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.” Now, true repentance is when we turn from our sins so as not to repeat them. Samuel Son is a teaching pastor who lives and works in Raleigh.

Wild boars roam Czech forests — and some of them are radioactive Prague The Czech Republic has an unusual problem this winter with its wild boar meat, a local delicacy. The boars are

Suicide bomber in Iraq had won compensation for Guantanamo stay London An ISIS suicide bomber from Britain who blew himself up in an attack on Iraqi forces this week had been compensated for his detention in the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Islamic State militants said Abu-Zakariya al-Britani, a British citizen

A girl named Ehlena and a dog named Wonder win at U.S. Supreme Court Washington, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with a disabled Michigan girl whose school refused to let her bring her service dog to class, making it easier for students like her to

Insurer groups to meet with Trump on Monday New York The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which represents insurers in every state, Cigna and Humana said on Friday they would attend a meeting between the health insurance industry and President Donald Trump on Monday. Cigna’s chief executive officer, David Cordani, and Humana

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Nation & WORLD radioactive. Actually, it’s not the boars themselves, but what they’re eating. A cold and snowy winter is forcing them to feed on false truffles, an underground mushroom common in the Sumava mountain region shared by Czechs, Austrians, Germans — and wild boars.

who was originally known as Ronald Fiddler and then cast himself as Jamal Udeen alHarith, detonated a car bomb at an Iraqi army base southwest of Mosul this week. He was among the inmates with whom Britain reached a civil damages settlement in 2010 after the inmates claimed Britain was complicit in their incarceration. The size of the payouts has not been disclosed citing confidentiality agreements.

seek redress for discrimination in federal court. The justices ruled 8-0 that Ehlena Fry, 13, and her parents may not be obligated to go through timeconsuming administrative appeals with the local school board before suing for damages for the emotional distress she said she suffered by being denied the assistance of her dog, a goldendoodle named Wonder.

CEO Bruce Broussard will attend, spokesmen for both companies said. Trump has pledged to repeal and replace Obamacare, former President Barack Obama’s national health care law that redesigned the U.S. insurance market for individuals. It is not clear yet what Republicans will agree upon to replace the current insurance. Insurers say any new plans are not likely to hit the market before 2019.

NEWS IN IMAGES

JONATHAN BACHMAN | reuters

MIKE THEILER | reuters

Space Telescope Science Institute astronomer Nikole Lewis uses a graphic to compare the size of Earth (bottom) with a recent discovery of an exoplanet, during a news conference to present new findings on exoplanets, planets that orbit stars other than Earth’s sun, in Washington, D.C.

Astronomers find seven Earth-size planets where life is possible By Irene Klotz Reuters CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astronomers have found a nearby solar system with seven Earthsized planets, three of which circle their parent star at the right distance for liquid surface water, bolstering the prospect of discovering extraterrestrial life, research published on Wednesday said. The star, known as TRAPPIST-1, is a small, dim celestial body in the constellation Aquarius. It is located about 40 light years away from Earth, close by astronomical standards, but about 44 million years away at the average cruising speed of a commercial passenger jet. Researchers said the proximity of the system, combined with the proportionally large size of its planets compared to the small star, make it a good target for follow-up studies. They hope to scan the planets’ atmospheres for possible chemical fingerprints of life. “The discovery gives us a hint that finding a second Earth is not just a matter of if, but when,” NASA chief scientist Thomas Zurbuchen said at a news conference on Wednesday. The discovery, published in this week’s issue of the journal Nature, builds on previous research showing three planets circling TRAPPIST-1. They are among more than 3,500 planets discovered beyond the solar system, or exoplanets.“This is the first time that so many Earthsized planets are found around the same star,” lead researcher Michael

nasa for reuters

An artist’s depiction shows the possible surface of TRAPPIST-1f, on one of seven newly discovered planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system that scientists using the Spitzer Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes have discovered according to NASA.

Gillon, with the University of Liege in Belgium, told reporters. Researchers have focused on finding Earth-sized rocky planets with the right temperatures so that water, if any exists, would be liquid, a condition believed to be necessary for life. “I think that we’ve made a crucial step towards finding if there is life out there,” University of Cambridge astronomer Amaury Triaud said on a conference call with media on Tuesday. The diameter of TRAPPIST-1 is about 8 percent of the sun’s size. That makes its Earth-sized planets appear large as they parade past. From the vantage point of telescopes on Earth, the planets’ motions regularly block out bits of the

star’s light. Scientists determined the system’s architecture by studying these dips. “The data is really clear and unambiguous,” Triaud wrote in an email to Reuters. Because TRAPPIST-1 is so small and cool, its so-called “habitable zone” is very close to the star. Three planets are properly positioned for liquid water, Gillon said. “They form a very compact system,” Gillon told reporters on Tuesday. “They could have some liquid water and maybe life.” Even if the planets do not have life now, it could evolve. TRAPPIST-1 is at least 500 million years old, but has an estimated lifespan of 10 trillion years. The sun, by comparison, is about halfway through its estimated 10-billion-year life.

The word “disagree” is seen on the hand of Julia Grabowski during a town hall meeting for Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy in Metairie, La.

Cooper heads to Capitol with a wish list of projects By Donna King North State Journal

TOBY MELVILLE | reuters

Katy Perry performs at the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London on Wednesday.

NAVESH CHITRAKAR | reuters

A Hindu holy man, or sadhu, smeared with ashes is pictured as he sits at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple during the Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper is in Washington, D.C., this weekend for the winter meeting of the National Governors Association. According to the association’s executive director, Scott Pattison, the meeting is expected to showcase rare bipartisan agreement on the need for more federal help in upgrading roads, bridges and airports. President Donald Trump’s campaign promise for a $1 trillion infrastructure program will be in focus by the governors making wish lists of projects ranging from a bullet train to statewide broadband internet service. The weekend kicked off with an update at The Newseum from Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, the NGA’s chair and vice chair, respectively. “There’s just this pent-up demand to deal with, whether it’s a crack in a dam, a bridge, whatever it is,” Pattison said in a telephone interview. Although there is little movement on Capitol Hill to make Trump’s infrastructure vow a reality, governors have sent the White House a list of 428 “shovel-ready” projects they say are ready to go with some extra federal spending.

$254M

amount of federal funding requested by N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper to finish funding a $1.8 billion light rail from Durham to Chapel Hill The NGA has not released the complete list but Cooper submitted a request for $254 million in federal dollars to finish funding a $1.8 billion light-rail line planned to connect Durham and Chapel Hill near North Carolina’s capital city. The project is one of eight N.C. proposals on the governor’s list. Other projects are improvements to bridges and interchanges along I-95 which runs through the eastern part of the state, widening of I-26 through Buncombe and Henderson counties, replacement of the Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge, completion of the Winston-Salem northern beltway, widening I-74 through part of Mecklenburg County, and adding an express toll lane along I-485 from I-77 to I-74. “Moving ahead with shovel-ready projects like these will create good paying jobs and provide a shot in the arm to our state’s economy,” said Cooper. “Improv-

ing highways and mass transit will make North Carolina an even better place to live and do business.” Pattison said governors wanted a “toolbox” of financing options, including municipal bonds, cash, public-private partnerships and federal matching funds. The governors are scheduled to meet with Trump on Sunday evening and again on Monday morning. One of the speakers at the governors’ conference, Leo Hindery, a managing partner at New York’s InterMedia Partners, will tell state executives that creating a federal infrastructure bank is the only way to fund the hundreds of billions of dollars needed for public works. The United States has long been criticized for its lagging public works spending. The American Society of Civil Engineers has graded U.S. infrastructure at D+ and estimated the country needs to invest $3.6 trillion by 2020. During his campaign, Trump said he wanted action on infrastructure in his first 100 days as president. That now seems unlikely. He also talked about creating a tax credit to encourage private sector investment. In addition to policy discussions on education, infrastructure, childhood hunger and cybersecurity, governors will meet with Vice President Mike Pence and various cabinet secretaries. They will also go to Capitol Hill on Monday to hold briefings with leaders in Congress on health care reform, tax reform and cybersecurity.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017

Latest Pack search begins Dayton Flyers head coach Archie Miller reacts from the bench against the Virginia on Commonwealth Rams in the second half at Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond on Jan. 27, 2017. Miller is considered the best possible candidate to fill the vacant NC State job, but there are concerns about the former Wolfpack player’s interest in returning to Raleigh.

Geoff Burke | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

the Saturday Sideline report

SPORTS

NFL

Five early coaching candidates for NC State to target

Panthers release FB Tolbert, DT Soliai

By Shawn Krest and R. Cory Smith North State Journal

The Carolina Panthers released Pro Bowl fullback Mike Tolbert on Tuesday in a move that reportedly creates $1,725,000 in salary-cap space. The Panthers also released defensive tackle Paul Soliai. Tolbert, 31, earned three Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Panthers, including the 2016 season. He spent the past six seasons with Carolina after spending his first three seasons with the San Diego Chargers. NBA

George stays with Pacers in surprise no-trade As the hours ticked down to the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday afternoon it sure looked like Pacers forward Paul George would find a new home. The Boston Celtics were extremely interested in acquiring George, but any deal that would be made had to feature the first-round pick the Nets owe Boston (which is expected to be in the top five of a loaded draft). The Celtics ultimately balked at shoving their chips in the middle of the table and George ultimately stayed at home at the deadline. mlb

A-Rod confirms retirement Former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez on Tuesday said he is through playing baseball. Rodriguez said he is retired and that there is “zero” percent chance that he will change his mind. The 41-year-old Rodriguez made the declaration during a press conference in Tampa, Fla., trumpeting his new role as a special adviser to the Yankees. He will serve as a special instructor during spring training. Rodriguez finished his career with 696 homers, narrowly missing on becoming just the fourth player in baseball history to reach 700. His 22-year career was plagued by steroid use allegations and he was suspended for the entire 2014 season due to his use of performance-enhancing substances. nfl

Cardinals-Cowboys square off in HOF game on Aug. 3 The NFL season just ended but there is already a countdown clock pointed at the start of the 2017 NFL season. The league and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced this week the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals would square off in the first preseason game on Thursday, August 3, 2017.

Christine T. Nguyen | North State Journal

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey (65) takes part in a drill.

Hainsey trade signals Hurricanes’ plan to be sellers at the deadline Carolina staring at eighthstraight season without a playoff appearance By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes’ trade of veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey to Pittsburgh on Thursday essentially threw up the white flag on the 2016-17 season. Hainsey, Carolina’s most desirable pending free agent, landed the Hurricanes a second-round pick in this summer’s draft and AHL forward Danny Kristo. It also left a gaping hole on the blue line, where the 35-year-old has been a top-four mainstay and key penalty killer. “It opens up an opportunity for youngers guys, right?” Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said of Hainsey’s departure. “So now we’ll shuffle it around a little bit. Guys’ll get an opportunity on the kill that haven’t been on the kill and they’ll get increased minutes in that situation. If they were playing on the penalty kill, now their minutes are going to go up and their matchups are going to change on the back end.” For now, that means second-year player Noah Hanifin will slide into the top-four alongside Brett Pesce, and Ryan Murphy — a first-round pick in 2011 who hasn’t been able to carve out a spot in the lineup — will get yet another look on defense. The team will again try to team up Jaccob Slavin and Justin Faulk

— who partnered with Hainsey for much of the past two seasons — as the top pair, a plan Peters had prior to this season that never came to fruition. “We’ve been in this situation a few too many times,” Faulk said of Carolina being sellers at the trade deadline. “It’s tough losing guys. It’s never fun. When you’re losing guys it tells you where you are in the standings.” The most likely names to move out are the Hurricanes in the final year of their contract — Jay McClement, Derek Ryan, Viktor Stalberg and Matt Tennyson — and all could find their name floated in trade rumors leading to the March 1 trade deadline. “I’d say it’s a little farther forward then the back of my mind,” McClement said of the possibility of being traded. “It’s just the situation that we’re in and the situation that I’m in in my career. It’s all part of it. I’ve been through it before, and it’s sort of out of my control. So I’ll just wait and see what happens.” McClement, who was a second-round pick of the Blues in 2001, was part of the deadline deal that saw St. Louis and Colorado swap defensemen Erik Johnson and Kevin Shattenkirk in February 2011. McClement said there had been no talks between him and the Hurricanes about a new contract — he signed a two-year extension on See Hurricanes, page B8

ALEIGH — Even though the NC State basketball season isn't over yet, the Wolfpack faithful are fully frothed in anticipation of the program’s third coaching search in the last decade. Things got ugly enough for Mark Gottfried’s team down the back end of the season that athletic director Debbie Yow made a move she had never made before, firing a coach before the season ended and breaking her typical “assess after its over” policy with most teams under the umbrella of Wolfpack athletics. The move was all the more stunning because the man she fired is someone Yow considers a good friend. There are always ulterior motives in the high stakes world of college athletics, but those become null and void as soon as everyone’s feet hit the ground running. The harsh reality of this search has already set in, and if it becomes protracted it will not be a good look for the Wolfpack athletic department. The national media already looks at this job with a reasonable degree of scorn, having pointed out the probable struggles of NC State to secure a quality coach while simultaneously complaining about Yow’s decision to move on from Gottfried, who went to four NCAA tournaments and a pair of Sweet 16’s during his time in Raleigh. If the coaching search were to unfold similarly to the last two searches (public rejections, wild rumors about big names) it would reflect very poorly on how things are run in Raleigh. It is worth noting this is a different time than 2011, however. NC State is in a better financial situation. The program is not coming off a disastrous stint with Sidney Lowe at the helm. Like every single coaching job in the country, and certainly the ACC, it is a difficult job. But it’s also a Power 5 position, located on Tobacco Road with a passionate fanbase and proud history. The NC State job is a very good job. With all of that in mind, let’s examine some candidates for the position. Not all of these early options are locks to accept the gig. Gauging mutual interest before anyone's season ends is impossible, but it's not difficult to identify a smaller group of potential candidates for NC State to target.

Gauging mutual interest before anyone’s season ends is impossible, but it’s not difficult to identify a smaller group of potential candidates for NC State to target.

See our picks on page B4.

Inside

John David Mercer | usa today sports images

Qualifying is complete, the duels are done and the field is set. The Daytona 500 is one day away. Let’s get caught up on the complete overhaul of the format and points structure that gives NASCAR’s biggest race a different feel. We’ll also dive into why one N.C. team stands apart from other “super teams” and look at how in-state drivers are hoping to rebound after a down year. Page 6

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

B2 SATURDAY

02.25.17 Trending

Manny Pacquiao: Boxer confirmed rumors about a possible fight with Amir Khan, his longtime friend, with the match scheduled to go down in the United Arab Emirates. Hugh Freeze: Ole Miss program selfimposed a one-year postseason ban on the football program after the NCAA notified the school it would be adding an additional Level 1 violation to the allegations the school already faces. Bojan Bogdanovic: Nets forward was traded to the Washington Wizards on the morning of the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline, along with Chris McCollough to give Washington some depth. The Wizards sent Andrew Nicholson and a 2017 first-round pick back to New Jersey in exchange. Atlanta Hawks: Team’s Twitter account trended nationally after informing followers that the social media team is not, in fact, in charge of making trades. “BREAKING TRADE NEWS: ...the people who run team accounts don’t make trades, so don’t @ us with every rumor.” Jameis Winston: Buccaneers quarterback drew negative attention on Thursday when he gave a speech to elementary school students where he said women are supposed to be women ‘silent.’ Winston later said he regretted the comments. Nerlens Noel: 76ers big man was traded before the NBA Trade Deadline to the Dallas Mavericks for Andrew Bogut and a future first-round pick. All told, Noel and Joel Embiid played eight minutes together.

beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

cbb

A critical Thursday ACC matchup — featuring a heavyweight coaching battle between Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim, the first time two coaches with 1,000 wins went head-to-head — didn’t disappoint, with Duke and Syracuse battling to the buzzer. Literally: a bank shot from John Gillon as time expired gave Syracuse a 78-75 victory over Duke.

Mark Zerof | USA TODAY SPORTS Images

“Not gonna happen.” Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari was asked by the Dan Patrick Show about possibly leaving the Wildcats to coach the Pelicans. The New Orleans NBA team just acquired Demarcus Cousins, who played at Kentucky for Cal, giving New Orleans two of Cal’s former players, along with Anthony Davis.

Rich Barnes | Usa Today Sports images

nfl

cbb

Bob Donnan | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

“I’ve always said this is the classiest place in college basketball until I met a fan on the way out.” Louisville coach Rick Pitino on the Dean Dome after being harrassed by a fan.

golf

395 Feet made on the longest putt ever sunk. The shot was made by a group of gentlemen from the “How Ridiculous” trick-shot group, who set out to make the longest putt in golfing history. The shot, which traveled nearly 1.5 football fields (135 yards) beat a 2001 record of 125 yards by a Scottish man, Fergus Muir, who made a hole in one with an 80-year-old hickory shafted putter.

via @NFL Twitter

Denny Medley | USA today Sports images

Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self has wrapped up another Big 12 title, clinching the regular season conference championship on Wednesday night. An 87-68 win over TCU gave Self his 13th consecutive conference title, which ties UCLA for the most straight in history.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got one over on the NFL on Twitter Thursday, when he noted that the league tweeting about him running a 4.71 40-yard-dash time at the 2005 NFL Combine was “fake news.” Rodgers says he ran a 4.66.

mlb

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder and apparent colonial settler Colby Rasmus showed up to spring training and Rays headshot day with some major league lettuce hanging off his chin. Rasmus beard features virtually nothing above the jawline and a lot of scraggle below. It was quite the bizarre look: the mustache and cheeks were completely shaved. Unfortunately for America, Rasmus cleaned his entire face later in the afternoon, going clean shaven. Kim Klement | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGEs

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North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Baseball needs owner-union compromise to improve for long haul The people in charge of Major League Baseball need to work with the union to make the game more appealing to fans By Roger Rubin The Sports XChange

Joe Camporeale | usa today sports images

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (24) stretches during a workout at the Goodyear Ballpark practice fields on Feb. 17, 2017.

North Carolina colleges provide a pipeline to MLB 35 in-state colleges have produced 356 MLB players By Shawn Krest North State Journal pring training opens up across Florida and Arizona, S but there is a distinctive North

Carolina feel for plenty of rosters around Major League Baseball. As noted in last week’s issue, there is a strong talent base of native North Carolinians playing at the MLB level. But the North Carolina education system is also a pipeline for pro baseball talent. A total of 356 players went from a college in the state to MLB, or one out of every 52 players in Major League history. That N.C. alumni base has combined for 79,111 MLB games, 48,159 hits and 2,770 home runs. On the mound, North Carolina collegians have produced 3,791 wins and 1,435 saves. The state’s ACC teams supplied the bulk of talent. Duke, NC State, Wake Forest and North Carolina produced 199 major leaguers. But 31 other colleges around the state sent players to the majors. Six nonACC schools — East Carolina (23), Davidson (14), Guilford (12), Western Carolina (12), Elon (11) and Catawba (10) — produced at least 10 MLB players. While 14 North Carolina schools have alumni who played in the big leagues last season, other colleges

in the state have had a long wait. This year will be the 20th season since Davidson’s last MLB player (Robert Eenhoorn). Appalachian State hasn’t had a big leaguer since Mike Ramsey in 1985. Former Tar Heels have dominated at the plate. University of North Carolina players have combined for more MLB games (18,111) than any other in-state school. Duke (12,459) is a distant second. UNC also leads in hits (12,773 to Duke’s 8,614) and home runs (873 to Duke’s 455). UNC owes a lot of its success to BJ Surhoff, who amassed 2,326 hits in his career. The next closest from any college is Dick Groat of Duke (2,138) followed by Rick Ferrell of Guilford (1,692). Surhoff also leads all-time in home runs from this group (188), followed by Asheville’s Ty Wigginton (169) and Wake Forest’s Williard Marshall (130). On the mound, Campbell is the state’s surprising leader in MLB wins, with 611, led by brothers Gaylord and Jim Perry. Wake Forest is next, with 573 wins. Unlike Campbell, the Demon Deacons don’t have one or two dominant pitchers. Instead, Wake produced Vic Sorrell (92 wins), Erik Hanson (89), Tommy Byrne (85) and Ray Scarborough (80). NC State has the strongest bullpen pipeline to MLB in the state. The Wolfpack have produced 290 MLB saves, led by Dan Plesac (158) and Tim Stoddard (78).

North Carolina colleges that produced MLB players School

MLB players

Most recent

UNC

10 players, 2016

Duke

3 players, 2016

NC State

4 players, 2016

Wake Forest

Mac Williamson, 2016

East Carolina

6 players, 2016

Davidson

Robert Eenhoorn, 1997

Guilford

Tony Womack, 2006

Western Carolina

Tyler White, 2016

Elon

Joe Winkelsas, 2006

Catawba

Jerry Sands, 2016

Campbell

Jake Smith, Matt Marksberry, 2016

UNC-Charlotte

John Maine, 2013

UNC-Wilmington

Chris Hatcher, 2016

App State

Mike Ramsey, 1985

Lenoir-Rhyne

Dick Smith, 1969

Pfeiffer

Dorn Taylor, 1990

UNC-Asheville

Ryan Dull, 2016

Mount Olive

Tommy Layne, 2016

Wingate

Alvin Morman, 1999

Barton

Ben Flowers, 1956

Belmont Abbey

Alex Castellanos, 2013

High Point

Cody Allen, 2016

NC A&T

Al Holland, 1987

Rutherford

Ray Scarborough, 1953

Shaw

Chuck Hinton, 1971

UNC-Greensboro

Danny Valencia, 2016

Brevard

Gil, Coan, 1956

Fayetteville State

Jim Bibby, 1984

Gardner-Webb

Blake Lalli, 2016

Mars Hill

Jim Miller, 2014

St. Andrews Presbyterian

Nate Andrews, 1946

St. Augustine's

Razor Shines, 1987

UNC-Pembroke

Ben Callahan, 1983

Weaver

Gary Fortune, 1920

Winston-Salem State

Ray Chadwick, 1986

There is contentiousness. There is drama. There is suspicion. No, we aren’t talking about the Washington, D.C., political scene. We’re talking about baseball. And while it comes nowhere close to what’s going down in the nation’s capital, it still is very real: Witness the tug-of-war between ownership and the Major League Baseball Players Association unfolding over rule changes to speed the pace of play in the game. Commissioner Rob Manfred pulled back the curtain on it on Tuesday as he took questions on the state of the game from the media in Phoenix. It wasn’t more than two minutes before he said, “Unfortunately, it appears there won’t be any meaningful change for the 2017 season due to a lack of cooperation from the MLBPA.” As he begins his third season as commissioner, this is perhaps the most forceful Manfred has been. Ownership and the union were able to reach a collective bargaining agreement in the fall, so the sides are able to negotiate. However, clearly there are some residual feelings from the interaction. Manfred — and thus ownership — wants to take measures to speed the pace of games. He said that home runs are up 32 percent since 1980 and strikeouts are up 67 percent, so balls in play are at a record low. “I’ve tried to be clear that our game is fundamentally sound, and it does not need to be fixed,” he said. “At the same time, I think it’s a mistake to stick our head in the sand and ignore the fact that our game has changed and continues to change.” Here are some of the ideas Manfred endorses: a 20-second pitch clock that has worked effectively to improve pace in the minor leagues, and altering penalties for violations of it; limiting the number of trips to the mound; issuing intentional walks without throwing pitches; and altering the strike zone in a way that pitchers must throw more hittable pitches. The intentional-walk change will go into effect for the 2017 season, ESPN reported Tuesday. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said last weekend that the union favors making no

Mark J. Rebilas | usa today sports images

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during Spring Training Media Day at The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix on Feb. 21, 2017.

changes, instead preferring to educate fans about the nuances of the game. Manfred said he rejects that idea and is prepared, under what he said are the terms of the CBA, to implement changes unilaterally for the 2018 season (some interpret this as “executive order”). “I’m firmly convinced that our fans, both our avid fans and casual fans, want us to respond to and manage the change that’s going on in the game,” he said. “I’m certain that our job as stewards of the game is to be responsive to fans.” If it is a curiosity that the players’ union is so resistant to changes that ownership wants, consider for a moment the MLBPA’s perception of things. Since agreeing on the CBA, the players have experienced an offseason of free agency that was not expected. Many top players didn’t get the kind of offers that came along in years past, and many had to settle for fewer dollars and fewer years. There were a surprising number of one-year deals and minor league contracts for longtime big-leaguers. Words like “collusion” have been whispered. And the players fear their percentage of the revenue is going down. The new CBA, with escalating taxes each time a club surpasses the luxury tax threshold, has changed something. New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman — this is the Yankees, mind you — said the revised system is a little like working with a salary cap. The union agreed to it, but if clubs see it that way, it’s not good for player salaries. Nevertheless, the union’s lack of enthusiasm for moves to increase pace of games has Man-

fred taking a hard line. The 2016 season was plenty compelling with the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series in 108 years at the end of a fascinating postseason. Interest didn’t wane despite the average length of a game going up by approximately four minutes. But the younger generation of wouldbe baseball fans, the social-media generation, has an insatiable appetite for more action, wanting the game to be as fast as can be. Baseball can grow by doing whatever it can to engage this group. Frankly, baseball doesn’t need every closer treating every pitch like an event. It doesn’t need pitching coaches going to the mound to stall for extra time so a reliever in the bullpen can get in five more warm-up throws. Taking away the four balls in the intentional walk will save little time and remove some unpredictability in the game. And at a time when swing-and-miss pitching is at its height of importance — and let’s face it that strikeouts are fun — changing rules to introduce more balls in play feels like forcing a shift in this living, evolving game. There is room for change. The idea here is that the sides are supposed to continue talks about the proposed rule changes over the course of the coming season before it comes to Manfred’s office implementing things unilaterally. If the union can warm things in the relationship as it appeared Tuesday, it could have real input into what changes for 2018. That’s what needs to happen. What’s best for the game will come from a meeting of the minds, not a Washington, D.C., style standoff.

ECU baseball still confident despite suffering opening weekend sweep The Pirates return to action at Campbell on Wednesday after losing three straight at Ole Miss by a total of four runs By Brett Friedlander North State Journal The East Carolina baseball team was a talented, confident group when it left for its season-opening series at Ole Miss last weekend. It returned home the same way, even after losing all three games. “We’re not a different team,” coach Cliff Godwin said. “We’re [still] running out the same guys as we ran out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some guys need to get better, absolutely, but it’s not much. If everybody gets one percent better, we’re probably 3-0.” The Pirates came into the season ranked No. 6 nationally by Baseball America and were looking to make an another early statement similar to the one they made a year ago by winning two of three at Virginia. Instead, they needed a midweek game against Campbell, a nice outlet for the Pirates in a 10-0 thrashing, to right the ship. The most disappointing aspect of the lost weekend is that ECU held the lead in each game before allowing the eighth-ranked Rebels to rally.

It’s not the way Godwin and his players wanted to start, especially with the high expectations they’re carrying. But losing three close games on the road to a fellow top-10 team in the first week of a three-month, 56-game season is hardly the end of the world, either. “We talk about how there are no winners and losers, there’s winners and learners,” senior second baseman Charlie Yorgen said. “So we just have to learn from these experiences and move forward.” It’s not as if the Pirates played poorly. Their three losses came by a total of four runs. They dropped a 5-4 decision with ace Evan Kruczynski on the mound on Friday, then lost 3-2 after giving up the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the seventh before squandering a four-run lead in an 8-6 setback in the series finale on Sunday. “You’re talking about five pitches that could have gone either way,” Godwin said. “I’m proud of the way our guys competed. They played hard.” That competitiveness was best displayed on the very first at-bat of the season, an epic 11-pitch battle that saw preseason All-American Dwanya Williams-Sutton foul off pitch after pitch after pitch before driving a home run over the left field wall. Despite the losses, the preseason American Athletic Conference favorites came out of the weekend with their confidence

intact. One reason was the play of junior outfielder Luke Bolka. A role player who split time between the lineup and the bullpen during his first two seasons, Bolka went 4 for 8 with a homer, two RBI and three walks in the opening series. The Pirates also got a glimpse of both their depth and their highly regarded freshman class because of injuries to starters Bryce Harman and Turner Brown. With first baseman Harman sidelined because of a wrist injury, freshman Spencer Brickhouse stepped in and performed admirably — hitting a homer in his first college game while going 4-for-12 at the plate and handling all 18 defensive chances without an error. Fellow freshman Nick Barber reached base twice and drove in a run with a squeeze bunt after being pressed into service at second base after Brown injured his finger on a bunt attempt of his own Saturday. After Wednesday’s road win in Buies Creek, ECU gets a chance to get healthy again — both in the lineup in the win-loss column — with the next seven games at home. “We just have go to do a little bit better,” Godwin said. “When you play on the road you have to win the game. You just can’t be in it and expect for a break to go your way. They just won more pitches than we did and that’s why they’re 3-0 and we’re 0-3.”

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Breaking down the top candidates in NC State’s basketball coaching search names to watch

Dream Candidate

Will Wade | School: VCU | Age: 34 Why he’s a good fit Wade is the current golden boy in the Atlantic 10, alongside Archie Miller. He inherited the VCU program from his old coach Shaka Smart and kept the Rams rolling, winning a NCAA Tournament game in his first season and establishing himself as one of the hottest young coaching names in the country. He doesn’t have a ton of experience as a head coach — this is his fourth season as the leader of a program — but he has plenty of success. Over the last three years at Chattanooga and VCU, Wade has finished with no less than 22 wins. VCU tied Dayton for the regular season A-10 title in 2016. A former assistant under Smart in Richmond, Wade’s system is built around great defense and

a solid offense. Last year, Wade guided VCU to the No. 24 adjusted defense (93.9), according to KenPom, and comes in at 37th overall thus far this season. Will he come? There are a lot of reasons to believe Wade would come to Raleigh. He would get a massive pay bump from NC State. He is known as a recruiter so he wouldn’t be scared off by local blue-chip programs. Coaching fundamental defense and providing high-level effort would go a long way in Raleigh right now. Wade’s opportunities to make the NCAA Tournament on an annual basis would dramatically increase in Raleigh. He has a history of turning around at least one program: he quickly found

LeVelle Moton | School: NCCU | Age: 42 success at Chattanooga after John Shulman’s mess (55-74 in his final four years). However, he’s found a home at VCU and is not underpaid at north of $1 million per year. Would he want to face his alma mater Clemson every season? He has professed how huge a fan of the Tigers he is, and says practice is easier for his kids after Clemson wins its football games. That’s an internal question for Wade that we can’t answer. His wife is also an alumnus of UNC. Wade is young and at a place in his career where he can be patient. However, his star is high right now and it is not uncommon to see one off year derail how a coach is perceived by the public. Wade could easily seize on an opportunity to make a leap this year.

Why he’s a good fit Currently in his eighth year at NC Central, LeVelle Moton has taken his alma mater to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history and won the MEAC twice. Oh by the way, the Eagles have only been in the MEAC for five years and are on pace to win for a third time in 2017. After a slow start during his first three years, Moton has righted the ship in Durham. Prior to his arrival, Henry Dickerson had NCCU scuffling at 13-15 in the Division II ranks. By 2012-13, Moton’s fourth year, the Eagles were already up to a 22-9 record and second in the MEAC. NCCU’s competition isn’t quite the equivalent of coaches in the A-10, CAA or others, but Moton’s teams are consistently great in their respective lane. As with many other coaches on this list, that’s thanks in

Gregg Marshall | School: Wichita State | Age: 53 Why he’s a good fit “There’s a double-standard in the ACC,” a cocky young coach announced in the early 1980s, calling out legendary UNC coach Dean Smith. While Gregg Marshall may not be another Mike Krzyzewski, he has the personality to square off with the Hall of Famers at the top of the conference and not back down a bit. Marshall’s self-assuredness and confidence rubs some people the wrong way, but the players, assistants and fans that are on his side certainly don’t see it that way. Marshall also revels in being the underdog fighter. He proudly points out that his front teeth are false, the result of being knocked out of his mouth so many times that further repair was impossible. He also wears his lack of coaching pedigree

from one of the blue-blood coaching trees like a badge of honor. Should NC State manage to land Marshall, his suffocating defense, ability to find diamonds in the rough on the recruiting trail and willingness to stand his ground in any battle, regardless of the odds, will make him a legend in Raleigh, practically from Day One. They may not ever admit it, but this is the candidate that the Ks, Roys, Pitinos and Boeheims least want to see in red. Will he come? While he loves being the underdog, Marshall also relishes competing against the big boys. His Wichita State team made a run against Kentucky a few years ago, and it’s likely that he’ll eventually want to try his hand in

local flavor

the nation’s top conference, against a quartet of Hall of Fame coaches, at some point. He’s familiar with the Southeast — born in South Carolina and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. He also got his coaching start in the area, serving as an assistant at Randolph-Macon, Belmont Abbey and Charleston before becoming the winningest head coach in Winthrop history. The biggest stumbling block to landing Marshall is money. He currently makes $3.3 million with the Shockers, which is over a million more than the Pack paid Gottfried. That means NC State would likely have to more than double their coaching salary budget in order to lure Marshall back east. Plus, State has to buy out the rest of Gottfried’s deal, making Marshall an expensive proposition, indeed.

The former Wolfpack point guard and assistant coach took over a Dayton program that had been to the NCAA Tournament just once in the previous seven years and promptly rattled off three straight trips to the postseason, with a fourth one likely coming in 2017. Miller showed off his tournament coaching chops with an Elite Eight run in 2014, the third in program history. Since then, the Flyers have won the competitive Atlantic-10 Conference (2016) and compiled at least 25 wins in three straight seasons. Miller played in Raleigh under former Wolfpack head coach

Herb Sendek before joining Sendek’s coaching staff. When Herb departed for Arizona State, Archie followed him. A stint with Thad Matta at Ohio State and one with his brother Sean Miller at Arizona followed before he took over at Datyon. Miller’s foundation is fundamental defense, and it shows. Dayton is limiting teams to just 60.8 points per game, ranking second in the Atlantic 10. Miller's team also averages 75.8 points per game. It is difficult to imagine a better fit for what the Wolfpack fans and administration want. Will he come? Miller certainly has strong

ties to Raleigh. He played and coached here, and his wife was an athlete at NC State as well. But the alumni pull isn't necessarily a trump card. Archie, however, has some additional motivation after this season to exit Dayton. His top four leading scorers are all seniors, so the time is right to exit on top with a second straight Atlantic 10 title in sight. When Sidney Lowe was fired, Archie was mentioned in the NC State coaching search but Debbie Yow wanted someone with head coaching experience. It would have been difficult and, really, unfair to take a gamble on another former point guard with an unproven track record after Lowe flamed out in five years.

Will he come? Unlike the other coaches on this list, Moton is both in close proximity and underpaid for his efforts. A former head coach at Sanderson High School, Moton has spent the better part of the last two decades in the Triangle either as a player or head coach at an area school. Moton knows all about the recruiting dynamic in N.C., which also gives him an edge over some

coaches. While coaching at NC State wouldn’t exactly give him the keys to the state — those belong to Duke and UNC — it would be easier to recruit talent to the Wolfpack than the Eagles. The finances would be a nobrainer situation for Moton. He’s currently the highest-paid coach in NCCU history with a base salary of $250,000 on a $2 million, eightyear contract he signed through 2022. That’s great for the MEAC, but Gottfried’s annual contract normally exceeded $2 million. Moton being an alumnus of NC Central, which might be a hurdle if he ultimately decides he wants to stay at his alma mater. He is not the top candidate in this search. But with his star on the rise again and an ideal opportunity on the horizon without having to relocate, NC State could be the perfect landing spot for the 42-year-old head coach.

Kevin Keatts | School: UNCW | Age: 44

Archie Miller | School: Dayton | Age: 38 Why he’s a good fit

large part to a defense that ranks 23rd in the country this season in points allowed per game (63.7). This isn’t to say Moton’s teams don’t play offense, though. He’s brought in talented players like Patrick Cole (20 ppg this season), Jeremy Ingram (20.8 ppg in 2014) and Poobie Chapman — the Eagles’ all-time assist leader with 617 — to dominate the MEAC offensively.

Fast forward to present day and Archie is one of the hottest names in coaching and has a better record the last five years than Gottfried … with Dayton. NC State will have to shell out cash to entice Miller, but the Wolfpack can afford to seriously upgrade his salary. NC State can draw on the alumni appeal. There are aging Hall of Fame coaches around the ACC, making Raleigh an intriguing destination. If Tom Crean or Thad Matta get relieved of their duties at Indiana or Ohio State, the Wolfpack might face some major competition for Miller’s services. The stars aligned to bring Miller back to Raleigh. Debbie Yow just has to convince him to come.

Why he’s a good fit Keatts is the third-most successful coach in the state of North Carolina this season, behind Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams. He replaced a big name, former Power Five coach in Buzz Peterson and immediately led UNC-W to its first winning season and conference title in nearly a decade. He’s also the first coach in CAA history to win the Coach of the Year Award in back-toback years. The fact that they were his first two years as a college head coach is even more impressive. Now in his third season with the Seahawks, he’s on pace to have his best season yet, perhaps earning a third straight coaching award and second consecutive NCAA berth. Keatts is a rags-to-riches story who was coaching high school just six years

ago. He’s a strong recruiter who was a key assistant on Rick Pitino’s staff at Louisville, winning an NCAA title while with the Cardinals in their pre-ACC days. His high school experience is at Hargrave Military Academy, which has provided a pipeline of players to the ACC, so he should be familiar and effective on the ACC recruiting circuits. Will he come? Two words: Matt Doherty. The Tar Heels hired their former player after one successful season at Notre Dame and experience as an assistant at a top program — Kansas. Three years later, he was on the outs, after clashing with players and alienating alumni. The experience of NC State’s fierce rival more than a decade ago could cause the Wolf-

pack to be gun shy about bringing in someone who’s just beginning his head coaching career. Piloting Wolfpack Nation is very different from the UNC-Wilmington job, and there are many areas where Keatts just may not have the experience yet. Seven years to get from high school to mid-major success is quite a leap. Eight years from high school to the ACC might seem a bit too steep, and a bit too risky for a program that can’t afford a swing and a miss at this point in its history. From Keatts' perspective, it would be tough to say no to the chance to run an ACC program, and the pay hike that would come with it. Unless he wants to take things slow and continue growing UNC-W's program before moving up, it would be a tempting offer.

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Daytona’s different feel gives the Great American Race added intrigue in 2017 The car of NASCAR Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth (20) is pushed into inspection during practice for the Can-Am Duel At Daytona at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach Fla. on Feb. 23, 2017.

With a new format that breaks the Great American Race into stages, strategies are changing around the garage By R. Cory Smith North State Journal magine if the NFL played the Super Bowl in August. IThat’s essentially what NASCAR

does in February, kicking off the season with the sport’s crown jewel, the Daytona 500. NASCAR has the Chase to choose a champion, but the weight and importance of Daytona on the calendar can’t be overstated. It isn’t just a celebration of NASCAR’s season starting, it is also arguably the most important race of the year. “The Daytona 500 is probably the single biggest race we look forward to every year,” Austin Dillon said. “When you drive into the place for the first time you’re just excited. You can feel the energy throughout the week and history is made every time we come here.” NASCAR is making the event even more unique than ever, gambling with the Great American Race in 2017 by rolling out a new race format under the brightest of lights. Daytona 500 will be the first true test of these changes for drivers, pit crews, race officials and every crew member in the garage. Earlier this offseason, the sport wiped away nearly all of recent changes and implemented an entirely new system for every single race and the playoffs. Each race will now be in three stages, designed to reward drivers who are inside the top 10 at each stage by rewarding them with points at the end of each stage. For the Daytona 500, the first stage will end after 60 laps while the second stage will end after Lap 120. The final stage will be 80 laps to form the full 200 laps (and 500 miles). During those breaks, the caution flag will fly and give drivers an opportunity to pit or stay out to gain positions. “There’s really no time to relax and I think that’s going to cre-

Jasen Vinlove | Usa Today Sports Images

Daytona 500 Info When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m. TV: Fox Live stream: Fox Sports Go

ate a bit more of a chaotic atmosphere,” Kevin Harvick said of the changes. “There is so much to get and if you don’t aggressively go out and try and get those [points] you’re going to get behind really fast.” One aspect exclusive to superspeedway events is back-ofthe-pack racing. While drivers at short or intermediate style tracks will typically look to stay out front in clean air, avoiding the “Big One” is sometimes more important at Daytona or Talladega prior to the end of the race. Just take Dale Earnhardt’s final win at Talladega, for example. Sitting in 15th place during the final restart with 15 laps to go, Earnhardt used a draft with Kenny Wallace to storm to the front. Sure, it wasn’t the rear of the field, but anything is possible when you avoid a massive pileup. Ryan Newman, who has typically hung out in the back of the field at Daytona, said the format update changes how he’ll approach Sunday’s race. “I won’t be in a position to give up stage points, but I’ll be in a position to race the way I need

to race to get myself the best opportunity in each stage, and obviously the finally stage,” Newman said. “We could drop the green flag for the Daytona 500 and have a ‘Big One’ going into turn three. That will change every stage, and how you approach every segment.” The new format will possibly change the line of thinking midway around the 60- and 120-lap marks. It might also change the way the race is broadcast and how fans will ultimately watch the 500-mile race. One thing it will not change, however, is the ultimate goal. In the NASCAR world, there is no greater achievement — outside of winning a championship — than driving into Victory Lane in Daytona. Hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy puts a driver in an exclusive group featuring only 10 active drivers. “It’s literally impossible to describe what that feeling is like to anyone who hasn’t done it,” 2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray said. “The feeling of coming off Turn 4 and seeing nobody in front of you and the checkered flag waving is what we live our whole lives for as drivers. There is no bigger feeling in my entire career than realizing I won the Daytona 500. “Regardless of the changes this season, that’s still the ultimate goal on Sunday.”

Odds to win Daytona 500 Driver

Odds

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

+450

Brad Keselowski

+700

Joey Logano

+900

Jimmie Johnson

+1000

Kyle Busch

+1000

Kevin Harvick

+1200

Denny Hamlin

+1200

Chase Elliott

+1200

Matt Kenseth

+1400

Martin Truex Jr.

+1400

Clint Bowyer

+1800

Kyle Larson

+2200

Kurt Busch

+2500

Jamie McMurray

+2800

Austin Dillon

+3300

Erik Jones

+3300

Kasey Kahne

+3300

Ryan Blaney

+4000

Danica Patrick

+5000

NC drivers looking to make statement in 2017 Coming off a winless year for the fourth time in the last 10 years, North Carolina drivers have hope to turn things around By R. Cory Smith North State Journal From the early origins of NASCAR all the way through the turn of the century, North Carolina drivers dominated the competitive racing circuit. Lee Petty and Ned Jarrett won a combined four titles in the 1960s, which bled over into Richard Petty becoming a seven-time champion. As Richard Petty’s career was winding down, Dale Earnhardt took the reins in the 80’s and 90’s to tie the King in the championship record books. The King and the Intimidator had a combined 276 wins — 200 from Petty, of course — over nearly four decades. From 1949 through 2006, a driver from N.C. won at least one race every season. Over the last decade, however, the number of drivers from North Carolina have slowly dwindled. During that span, an N.C. driver has won a race in six seasons while going completely winless in four — with only Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brian Vickers carrying that banner. One of those years, of course, was 2016. With Earnhardt missing half the season due to a concussion, only Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Ty Dillon — who ran a part-time schedule — were left to capture a checkered flag. They didn’t. But Austin believes this year is different. “I’m ready for it,” the elder Dillon said. “I’ve been there. I just want to be at the lead of the ride a couple of times. And if we do, then I’m going to talk all the s*** I can. Hopefully I get that opportunity.” Making the NASCAR playoffs

for the first time last season and advancing to the second round, Austin is finally turning a corner. In one season, Dillon eclipsed his total top 10s (13) and top fives (four) from his first two years in the premier series. Driving the black No. 3 machine that Dale Earnhardt Sr. made famous, winning the Daytona 500 would be a special way to get N.C. drivers back in the win column. It would also all but secure a back-to-back playoff appearance for the Richard Childress Racing driver. “If we win the Daytona 500 with the 3 car, where does that sit us?” Dillon said. “It locks us in the [playoffs]. Automatic contender with that. And it just changes the outlook for everyone. Maybe we have to go prove it at [other tracks], whatever, but it’s big.” While Dillon was inching closer to a win late last season, Junior was itching to get back on the track. The typical torch bearer for N.C. drivers over the last four years compiled eight wins from 2012 to 2015 before a lackluster start last season and eventual concussion. But Earnhardt isn’t necessarily so much concerned with wins this season. He’s already talking about more than checkered flags with his first elusive title on his mind. “Hell yeah,” Earnhardt said about the possibility of dropping the mic and walking away from the sport if he won a championship. “I would definitely not want to come back and try to race anymore if I won the championship. I would be outta here (laughter). You know, I’ve always wanted to win a championship so badly. Coming back from this injury, we worked so hard. “To come back this year, win a championship, it would be hard not to hang it up.” With Junior talking retirement and only three other cur-

John David Mercer | USA TODAY Sports images

NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks to the media during Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 22, 2017.

Jasen Vinlove | usa today sports images

NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) sits in his car during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18,2017.

rent full-time drivers heading into this season, the search is on for the next great North Carolina driver.

For now, both Austin and Junior have a shot to continue the legacy with a win on Sunday in the Great American Race.

Hendrick still NASCAR’s powerhouse despite rise of super teams Even with Joe Gibbs Racing and StewartHaas Racing emerging as title favorites, Hendrick is proving its still a juggernaut in the sport By R. Cory Smith North State Journal On the Hendrick Motorsports campus in Concord sits a Victory Bell. Every time over the past five seasons that the team collects a checkered flag, the bell has been carried around the campus with all four drivers last wheeling it around in 2014. Last season, Hendrick Motorsports put together just five wins at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. It marked the first time since 2011 and only the second time since 2000 that the team has won less than six races in a single year. So it was a down season, right? Wrong. Jimmie Johnson carried the banner for one of NASCAR’s original super teams in 2016, winning all five of the team’s races and his seventh premier series championship. So even in a season that was down for half of the team, Hendrick came away with the premier series title. That’s how dominant Hendrick is in NASCAR. Hendrick is such a powerhouse that Alex Bowman, who filled in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. last year on a part-time basis, turned down jobs to remain with the team. “I was kind of surprised that a winning XFINITY car or something like that didn’t open up,” said Bowman. “At the same time, I had quite a few full-time Cup opportunities that were offered. But there was just really wasn’t anything that was going to make me leave Hendrick Motorsports. “Whatever I’m doing, I want to be part of a winning team. Nothing was going to drag me away from here.” While he didn’t earn a win in his rookie season, Chase Elliott took home Rookie of the Year with 10 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes. Elliott is also one of only three rookie drivers to ever make the Chase, finishing 10th in points last season. Elliott still has a lot of work to do to completely emerge from two shadows that follow him as the son of Bill Elliott and taking over Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 ride. Given Elliott’s talent and history as the youngest driver to ever win the Xfinity Series championship, Johnson knows the wins are coming. “He learned a couple tough lessons last year being so close to victory and slipped away for whatever the reasons may be,” Johnson said. “He’s going to win. He’s going to win a lot. Once he rings the bell the first time, he’s not going to stop, and then championships will be next.” “I’m just happy we have him at Hendrick Motorsports. I’d hate to race against him.” As for the other half of the team, Earnhardt Jr. missed half of the season with a concussion while Kasey Kahne struggled through another tough season. But with Hendrick power under the hood, there’s plenty of potential for a turnaround for both teams. Junior already started his comeback with a front-row qualifying effort alongside Elliott, who sits on the pole for Sunday. He followed that up by leading 56 laps in the Can Am Duel before fisnishing sixth on Thursday. Even with powerhouse teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing catching up, Hendrick is never far from ringing the Victory Bell and winning titles. “You know, I’ve always wanted to win a championship so badly,” Earnhardt said. “Coming back from this injury, we worked so hard. … That’s the last box I haven’t checked really. There’s a few races I’d like to win. The championship would definitely be the icing on the cake for my career.”

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

ACC Player of Year race is tight, but first-team All-ACC not close By Shawn Krest North State Journal ntering the final week of the ACC regular season, some sepE aration in the conference Player of

the Year race has formed, with a trio of players moving ahead of the pack. “The two players I’m most impressed with in college basketball this year — one never gets any credit — Justin Jackson, to me, should be one of the key guys for the Wooden award,” Louisville coach Rick Pitino said after losing at UNC on Wednesday. “The other guy is [Luke] Kennard. They mention guys in the draft. If I was drafting, Kennard would be in my top five picks because he’s unstoppable. He’s a great passer. He’s a great shooter. He’s got the mind of a genius on the basketball court, and Justin Jackson — those two guys, I don’t know which one I would pick for player of the year. They’re both awesome.” That’s high praise coming from a Hall of Fame coach, especially when Donovan Mitchell, who is widely considered to be a third candidate for the postseason conference honors, is already on his team. Throw in Notre Dame’s Bonz-

ie Colson and Wake Forest’s John Collins, and it’s tough to recall a more clear-cut All-ACC First Team in recent history. All of that makes determining the best player in the conference extremely difficult. Kennard has carried Duke for much of the season, eclipsing Grayson Allen as the team’s most reliable scorer and best all-around player. He should become the fifth Blue Devil all time to score more than 20 ppg and shoot over .500, and the first to do so since Christian Laettner. Kennard has scored just shy of a quarter of Duke’s points this season and is hitting three-pointers at a .461 rate. His showcase game was his second-half performance at Wake Forest, where he was perfect from the field in leading a Duke comeback, culminating with a game-winning three-pointer. Jackson has made a late-season run, leading the Tar Heels as they close in on a second straight ACC regular-season title. He’s led the team in scoring 16 times, including eight of the last nine games. The Wisconsin and Florida State games are the only games against ranked foes in which Jackson didn’t lead the team in scoring.

Bonzie Colson is the ACC’s leading rebounder and, according to KenPom’s rankings, is the best allaround player in the conference. Mitchell and Collins also have strong cases, although the prevailing wisdom is that it will come down to Jackson and Kennard. Regardless of how the final voting shakes out, the five players will likely produce one of the biggest separations between first and second team All-ACC in league history. With this year’s new voting system (four representatives from each team), it will be tough to compare the separation to previous years, but the clearest-cut first team in ACC history was the Phil Ford-led squad in 1978. The fifth member of the first-team that year, Mike O’Koren, had more than twice as many votes as the leading vote-getter on the second team, Gene Banks, giving the top five a 126-vote spread over the second team. Only three first-teams since the turn of the millennium (and ACC expansion) have shown significant separation from the second team (see chart below), showing just how rare this year’s Player of the Year candidates are.

Largest separation between All-ACC first and second teams Year

All-ACC First Team

Vote margin over top second-teamer

Sixth man

1978

Phil Ford, Rod Griffin, Mike Gminski, Jim Spanarkel, Mike O'Koren

126

Gene Banks

1958

Pete Brennan, Lou Pucillo, Tommy Kearns, Jim Newcome, Herb Busch

David Budd

2005 JJ Redick, Chris Paul, Sean May, Shelden Williams, Raymond Felton

Guillermo Diaz

1986

Len Bias, Brad Daugherty, Johnny Dawkins, Mark Price, Mark Alarie

Olden Polynice

1972

Barry Parkhill, Bob McAdoo, Tom McMillen, Dennis Wuycik, Tom Burleson

Bill Chamberlain

1959

Lou Pucillo, York Larese, John Richter, Doug Moe, Carroll Youngkin

Lee Shaffer

2016

Brice Johnson, Malcolm Brogdon, Cat Barber, Grayson Allen, Jaron Blossomgame

Michael Gbinije

1955

Dickie Hemric, Ronnie Shavlik, Buzz Wilkinson, Len Rosenbluth, Ronnie Mayer

Bob Kessler

1954

Dickie Hemric, Gene Shue, Mel Thompson, Rudy D'Emilio, Buzz Wilkinson

Vic Molodet

2007 Jared Dudley, Tyler Hansbrough, Al Thornton, Sean Singletary, Zabian Dowdell

J.R. Reynolds

The Lakers cleaned house in the middle of the season, turning the team over to Magic Johnson and naming Rob Pelinka as the new GM

1971

Barry Parkhill

By NSJ Staff

Charlie Davis, John Roche, Dennis Wuycik, Randy Denton, Tom Owens

Chris Collins has Northwestern on the verge of first-ever NCAA bid Northwestern head coach Chris Collins looks on during the first half of the game against the Illinois at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL on Feb. 7, 2017.

Former Duke assistant could get Wildcats their first bid ever By Shawn Krest North State Journal Chris Collins doesn’t need a calendar to know that March is coming up. He’s got basketball in his blood and he knows when tournament time is coming. This year, however, for the first time, the Northwestern head coach may need a day planner to schedule Northwestern’s March activities. “This time of year is when you get excited,” the former Duke player and assistant coach said. “It’s not a marathon anymore. You have three regular season games left, and then, whatever you earn after that, you’ve got to earn. I hope our guys will be excited about that.” For the first time in school history, there may be an “after that” for the Wildcats. In just his fourth year in Evanston, Collins has Northwestern on the verge of earning its first NCAA Tournament bid ever. Since March Madness began in 1939, Kentucky has had 55 bids. Duke, Collins’ alma mater, has had 40. Western Carolina, Troy, Delaware State and Prairie View have been to the NCAAs. So have Tufts, Catholic, Williams and Springfield. Northwestern has never been invited to the dance. Collins brought the Wildcats close last year, winning a school-record 20 games, but Northwestern was shut out on Selection Sunday. Collins has already matched the 20 wins this season, put together a school-record 13-game winning streak and is on the verge of setting records for Big Ten road wins. Not that Collins is ready to talk about the elusive NCAA invite quite yet. He told USA Today that

Caylor Arnold | Usa Today Sports Images

the Tournament is “not relevant” and has avoided talk of his spot on the bubble. “Every program when you want to get to that level where you’re in the mix late in the season, you have to deal with [bubble talk],” Collins said. “For us, it’s a new experience. I want our guys to stay in the present, play loose, play free, play hungry. We’re not going to be successful if we play with pressure on our backs, if we play with a burden on us to have to be perfect.” Instead, Collins has taken the pressure on himself, something he’s used to. “My whole life, I’ve dealt with pressure,” he said. “My dad was the number one pick in the draft and an NBA All Star. So I’ve had eyes on me ever since I started playing in middle school. Then I chose to be at a program that’s the biggest pressure cooker in all of college basketball, maybe all of sports. This is what I’m used to. I’m fine with it.” “I’m not playing, though,” he added. “Our guys are still getting used to it.” So far, that approach has paid dividends. Northwestern upset No. 7 Wisconsin on the road earlier this month, yet another milestone on the road to success. “We’re trying to build a pro-

gram to emulate what Wisconsin has done,” Collins said. “We’re trying to build a program with the right guys who want to fight for each other and believe in something bigger than themselves. They want to fight for each other. It was huge for the here and now, regardless of any historical implication.” Collins has the Wildcats tied for fourth in the Big 10, with a 20-8 record, which bodes well for the team’s hopes for the history-making bid, which, of course, has the head coach worried. “I worry about it every second,” he said. “As a coach, I’m always worried about what could derail what you’ve got going good. It’s a fine line. I love that people are taking notice of what these guys are doing, but the moment you let in the outside chatter—the noise—the moment you soften up the littlest bit, you get crashed down to reality really quick. Every day we talk about the present. We don’t talk about anything else. We try to find motivation each game. These guys want to accomplish things that haven’t been done: To win at a venue they haven’t won in 40 years, to win five in a row.” And, someday, perhaps very soon, to become a part of the Madness.

Mark J. Rebilas | usa today sports images

Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) celebrates a three pointer against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix on Feb. 15, 2017.

Lakers clean house, put Magic Johnson in charge, Pelinka as GM

The Los Angeles Lakers named team legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson as president of basketball operations on Tuesday while conducting a housecleaning. In addition to Johnson’s appointment, the Lakers also announced the firing of general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss. Jim Buss was fired by his sister, team governor Jeanie Buss. The two had been jointly running the organization since their father, Jerry, died in 2013. Jeanie is in charge of business decisions and Jim was overseeing the basketball operation. “Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. Our search for a new general manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new general manager in short order. “Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.” On Tuesday night, the Lakers hired prominent player agent Rob Pelinka as general manager, according to multiple media reports. Pelinka was the longtime agent for retired Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Pelinka will be the day-to-day executive running the organization, engineering trades and coordinating scouting and the draft, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Pelinka must divest himself as a player agent to take over the front-office job. From 1988-89 to 1992-93, Pelinka was a member of the University of Michigan basketball team, appearing in three Final Fours and winning the national title in 1989. Johnson was hired as an adviser earlier this month and was pushing to gain authority. He

has been disappointed by the decline of a franchise that won five NBA titles during his playing career. “It’s a dream come true to return to the Lakers as President of Basketball Operations working closely with Jeanie Buss and the Buss family,” Johnson said in the statement. “Since 1979, I’ve been a part of the Laker Nation and I’m passionate about this organization. I will do everything I can to build a winning culture on and off the court. We have a great coach in Luke Walton and good young players. We will work tirelessly to return our Los Angeles Lakers to NBA champions.” The Lakers haven’t been a cohesive operation for most of the time since Jerry Buss died. Jeanie Buss has recognized that fact and said it played a part in the decision. “I took these actions today to achieve one goal: Everyone associated with the Lakers will now be pulling in the same direction, the direction established by Earvin and myself. We are determined to get back to competing to win NBA championships again.” The lack of direction led to deep tension in the organization — particularly between the Buss siblings. “Jim loves the Lakers,” Jeanie Buss said. “Although he will no longer be responsible for basketball personnel decisions, he is an owner of this team and we share the same goal: returning the Lakers to the level of greatness our father demanded. Our fans deserve no less.” Kupchak was a teammate of Johnson before retiring in 1986 and moving into the Lakers’ front office. He became general manager in the mid-1990s and put together five NBA title winners. “We are grateful for the many contributions Mitch has made to the Lakers over the years and we wish him all the best,” Buss said. The Lakers are in the midst of their fourth consecutive poor season and possess a 19-39 record (third worst in the NBA) at the All-Star break. Last season’s record of 17-65 was the worst in franchise history. Since the start of the 2013-14 record, the once-proud franchise has a record of 84-220. The Lakers also announced the departure of their long-time public relations director, John Black. He held the title of vice president of public relations.

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Redskins offseason shopping list starts, ends with Cousins The 2016 Breakdown

Looking at what the Redskins need to do ahead of free agency and the draft

Finish 3rd in NFC East (8-7-1) Total Offense 403.4 (3rd)

By The Sports XChange

Rushing 106.0 (21st)

Total defense 377.9 (28th)

s they wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine (March 1-6), the Washington Redskins must decide which players to keep and seek to improve their 8-7-1 record from last season. The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the Redskins roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and reference during the combine. Perhaps the biggest adjustment will be replacing offensive coordinator Sean McVay, who was hired as head coach of the Rams. New offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh is hopeful that quarterback Kirk Cousins will return along with at least one of their free agent receivers, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. Upgrading the pass rush will also be a priority. Top Three Needs

Safety Age is an issue here with DeAngelo Hall, Will Blackmon and Donte Whitner all over 30. Youth has to be a priority at this position. The top target in free agency, if the Redskins are looking to spend, would be Eric Berry of the Chiefs, who has made it clear he has no interest in playing another year for Kansas City under the franchise tag. Stealing Barry Church from the Cowboys would make Washington stronger while weakening a rival. T.J. McDonald, Chris Conte

Passing 297.4 (2nd) Rushing 119.8 (24th) Passing 258.1 (25th)

tial targets for the Redskins in the first round. Own Free Agents

Steve Mitchell | usa today sports images

NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins (8) throws a pass against the AFC during the second half at the 2017 Pro Bowl at Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 29, 2017.

and Quentin Demps are also options. In the draft, Malik Hooker (Ohio State), Jamal Adams (LSU) and Jabril Peppers (Michigan) would all be potential first-round targets. Defensive End Washington still hasn’t invested enough at this position. The pass rush could use more help with an impact player at defensive end. The Giants could let Jason PierrePaul walk, and he would be one of the top available free agents and still just 28 years old. Calais

Campbell (30 years old) should command top dollar as a dominating 3-4 end. Jabaal Sheard, Charles Johnson and Mario Williams are cheaper, veteran flier options. Solomon Thomas (Stanford), Derek Barnett (Tennessee) Taco Charlton (Michigan), Charles Harris (Missouri) and Carl Lawson (Auburn) are all options in the first and maybe second round for Washington in the draft. Wide Receiver Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are both free agents.

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler looks on after the game against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on Chicago on Dec. 24, 2016.

Patrick Gorski | Usa Today Sports Images

NFL NOteBOOK

Bears looking to trade Cutler, medical outlook positive for Dolphins’ Tannehill By NSJ Staff Cutler’s future in question Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will almost certainly not be in Chicago come the 2017 season. The only question is how Cutler departs. Everything, apparently, is on the table. The Bears prefer being able to find a trade partner. Cutler, 33, has a $17 million cap number and four years remaining on a deal he signed during Phil Emery’s tenure as general manager. But he would only count as $2 million in dead money for 2017, making cutting him very much an option. Current coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace afforded Cutler the chance to nail down the job in 2015 and 2016, but the Bears missed the playoffs each year. With no guaranteed money remaining in the deal, Cutler’s approval could be part of trade talks. The Jets, 49ers, Texans and Broncos — Cutler’s original team — are considered to be teams probable to chase a veteran quarterback. The teams with familiarity — Cutler knows Kyle Shanahan’s system after being drafted by his father, Cutler knows Jets QB coach Jeremy Bates as well as star wideout Brandon Marshall — are likely to spend the year in the basement regardless of who plays quarterback. There is also a report from NFL.com that Cutler could consider retirement. Cutler sees the landscape, doesn’t love his options and could walk away. That might also be an early overture for bad teams chasing his services. It would also involve walking away from a substantial sum of money.

No surgery for Steelers Bell Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who was forced out of the AFC Championship Game because of a groin injury, is not expected to need offseason surgery. Bell appears to have avoided an operation, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Wednesday. Bell made the rounds with the media during Super Bowl week, telling reporters he was still in the process of determining whether he would need surgery for the groin injury. He has not scheduled surgery, which would have happened by now if necessary, according to Rapoport. Tannehill passes test on knee Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill passed a battery of tests on his ACL and Grade 2 MCL sprain and is expected to be available for all of the team’s offseason program, the Miami Herald reported on Thursday. Tannehill missed the Dolphins’ last three regularseason games and their playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a severe knee sprain. The 28-year-old elected against full reconstructive surgery and instead opted for rehabilitation with adult stem cell treatment, the Miami Herald reported. Tannehill is expected for a full workload by the start of training camp in July and likely will wear a knee brace throughout the season. The eighth overall pick of the 2012 draft, Tannehill suffered a sprained ACL and MCL in his left knee in the Dec. 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Tannehill completed

67.1 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,995 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 93.5 passer rating in 13 games. Browns DT set to ‘kill it’ after surgery Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Danny Shelton was sporting a cast on his left arm, leading many on social media to wonder about his injury. Shelton took to Twitter and revealed he had he is ready for a big season after undergoing minor wrist surgery. “I’m all good. Just had my wrist cleaned up so I can kill it this season,” the 23-year-old Shelton posted on Twitter. Shelton recorded 1.5 sacks and 59 tackles in his second season with the club. A first-round pick of the 2015 draft, Shelton has collected 95 tackles in his career with Cleveland. Ex-NFLPA director Garvey dead at 76 Ed Garvey, who was the NFL Players Association’s first executive director, died Wednesday. He was 76. Garvey died at a nursing home in Verona, Wis., after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Garvey, who graduated from Wisconsin Law School in 1969, was the players’ union counsel and executive director from 1971 to 1983. He was a labor lawyer for a Minneapolis firm representing the NFLPA, working alongside union president John Mackey. Garvey led the players through two strikes in 1974 and 1982, the latter which resulted in a 9-game season.

Rookie Josh Doctson still has health concerns. That leaves just Jamison Crowder. Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery should get the franchise tag but there’s no guarantee Chicago uses it; he would get a massive deal on the open market. Terrelle Pryor is an interesting name but expected to stay with Cleveland. The draft, heavy with wideouts, may offer better options. Mike Williams (Clemson), Corey Davis (Western Michigan), John Ross (Washington) and Curtis Samuel (Ohio State) are all poten-

Washington has three big names to focus on this offseason, all on the offensive side. Kirk Cousins, the 29-year-old quarterback no one is sure about, is the biggest by far. Cousins will likely receive the franchise tag, with the quarterback reportedly unwilling to sign a new deal before the tag deadline (long story short: he doesn’t want to open himself back up to another tag by signing too early). Jackson has made not-sosubtle overtures to the Eagles over the past few months and Philadelphia looks like a logical destination for him. Garcon would make a lot of sense for either the Rams or 49ers considering his experience with those respective coaching staffs. Neither guy is a good bet to return to Washington. Major Coaching Changes • Offensive coordinator Sean McVay leaves to be Rams head coach • Defensive coordinator Joe Barry fired • Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh promoted to OC • Linebackers coach Greg Manusky promoted to DC

Williams apologizes to Pitino after altercation with UNC fan By Brett Friedlander North State Journal CHAPEL HILL — Roy Williams is famous for admonishing the Smith Center crowd when he doesn’t think it’s doing enough to support of his North Carolina basketball team. Wednesday night, the Tar Heels coach found himself apologizing for a fan that apparently did too much. The fan sparked a shouting match with Louisville coach Rick Pitino as his team left the court for halftime of UNC’s 74-63 victory. Pitino was clearly upset over something the man said and had to be restrained as he tried to confront him before being escorted to the locker room by members of his staff and security personnel. The fan was ejected from the game, according to a UNC spokesman. “I just heard about one fan being ejected at halftime, yelling something at Rick and I don’t like that,” Williams said in the opening statement of his postgame press conference. “I mean, we’re North Carolina. We don’t have to be like everyone else. “You can raise Cain and you can boo, but you don’t have to say stuff that we as coaches have to put up with. I hope that never happens

Hurricanes from page B1 deadline day in 2015 to keep him in Carolina — which indicates the team is ready to move in a new direction. “It’s always a tough time of the year and it’s disappointing when you’re the team that’s shipping guys out,” McClement said. Carolina is one of the few teams that has now seemingly committed to being sellers, a byproduct of the NHL’s point system and the parity it brings to the league. “It’s kind of a unique market in the sense that there’s a lot of teams that feel they’re still in it,” Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis said. “They’re not sure they’re in it, but they think they’re in it. Should they buy? Should they sell? So it will be interesting how it plays out over the next few days.” The market could be limited for both Ryan and Tennyson, two players who have not established themselves as full-time NHLers. But Stalberg’s experience — he’s played in 43 playoff games in five

again at North Carolina. I apologize to Rick.” Williams can sympathize with Pitino, since like his fellow Hall of Famer he’s had to deal with increased scrutiny over an ongoing NCAA investigation into this program. “I know some of the junk I have to listen to on the road is not what I enjoy,” he said. Pitino wouldn’t go into specifics when asked what touched off Wednesday’s incident, other than to joke that “it was something kind about me.” The Louisville coach said that he’s always considered the Smith Center “the classiest place in college basketball,” but was rethinking that assessment after he “met a fan on the way out.” Although Pitino had sufficiently cooled down by the time he addressed the media after the game, it was obvious that he still wasn’t completely over the altercation. “He just got in my face and said something I didn’t like,” Pitino said of the fan, whose identity has not been released. “I take it from the students all the time. You expect it from students. But from an adult? And then turns his back on me like he’s a coward. And he is a coward. But North Carolina is a classy place and one person doesn’t speak for the rest of the people.”

postseason campaigns, including winning the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2013 — should make him a target for a team looking to add size, speed and penalty killing into their bottom six. Anaheim could use more depth at the bottom of its forward ranks, and the Blackhawks could also look to a familiar face like Stalberg to add experience and help their poor penalty kill. Francis already has 10 picks — including a first, three seconds and two thirds in the first three rounds — to work with in the 2017 draft, and he said Carolina would look to parlay those picks and any more that come at the deadline into improving the team for next season, perhaps via trade. “That’s something that we’ll continue to look at as we move forward, both expansion draft and heading into the actual draft,” Francis said. With the Hurricanes already looking ahead to the fall in February for the eighth straight season, there’s plenty of work to be done between now and then.

Art for well-being; Creativity is ageless, Page 4

SATURDAY

02.25.17

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL

play list

February 28 Mardi Gras Durham

the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND

bravehearts | Wounded Warrior Battalion

Healing the whole Marine, in mind, body and spirit

Since 2011, thousands have taken part in the biggest and craziest Fat Tuesday for miles around, bringing you the best of New Orleans tradition with a big helping of North Carolina flavor! The parade starts at 7 p.m. at Major the Bull on the Plaza then live entertainment featuring The Sunday Special, Curtis Eller’s American Circus, Lakota John, and the perennial host band, the Bulltown Strutters, at the usual hot spots: Motorco, The Blue Note Grill, The Pit, Fullsteam, and The Bar Durham. The parade has no entry fee and the live entertainment has no cover charges. durhammardigras.com

March 3-5 N.C. Potters Conference Randolph Arts Guild, Asheboro The 30th annual ceramics conference has featured some of the best ceramics artists from around the world and centers on simultaneous demonstrations cultivating a dialogue of techniques, concepts, and experiences between the artists and the audience. All demonstrations and presentations are scheduled for the entire group and potters at any skill level will come away with new ideas and inspiration to improve their work. randolphartsguild.com Dixie Deer Classic State Fairgrounds, Raleigh The Wake County Wildlife Club’s Dixie Deer Classic has been recognized nationally as the Premier Trophy Whitetail Deer show in the country. This is a family-oriented event with something for everyone. Special guests include Michael Waddell from “The Bone Collector,” Chris Brackett from “Fear No Evil,” and Dockdogs, a canine aquatics competition sport for dogs. dixiedeerclassic.org

March 4-5 EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Top, Valentines hang in the window at the Wounded Warrior Battalion - East’s barracks in Camp Lejeune, N.C. The Wounded Warrior program takes in wounded, ill, and injured Marines and focuses on helping them succeed in the next aspect of their life whether it be in the civilian population or back in service. Wounded Warrior believes in an approach that revolves around the whole Marine and targets their mind, body, spirit and family. Above, 1st Sgt. Steven Ellison, left, gets fitted to a road bike on a trainer before a ride with help from head shooting coach and assistant cycling coach Brad Royall, right, at the Wounded Warrior Battalion - East’s Hope and Care Center in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

ACKSONVILLE — In October 2015, 1st Sgt. Steven Ellison was diagnosed with kidney cancer. There had been no warning signs and no symptoms, but the cancer was far enough along that his left kidney had to be removed. He beat cancer, moved forward in service to his country and was overseeing 1,200 fellow Marines. It was during a three-month checkup in November 2016 that doctors discovered cancer in both of his lungs. “I’m receiving chemotherapy again. My goal is to be in remission again by June so I can head back out to the fleet. I’m proud to serve my country,” said Ellison. Having served his country for 22 years, he’s eager to return and when he does, he moves in rank to sergeant major. “Marines are always focused on others. Being here, I get to take this

“If picking up their three-year-old daughter is the most important thing, then we want to help them accomplish that goal.” Craig Stephens Wounded Warrior Command Advisor

time and save it for me. I can focus on me and my treatment, appointments and chemotherapy,” said Ellison. “This place here can be the cornerstone for helping me transition back, for helping others transition back to society. When we leave here we are being sent out into the world as a better person.” This place Ellison refers to is the Warrior Hope and Care Center (WHCC) operated by the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East at Camp Lejeune. WHCC is a recovery and resources

center focused on serving wounded, ill, or injured Marines, and designated sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, as well as their families, as they transition back to active duty or into civilian life. “I think the Marine Corps got it right. Every service does something, but I think we’ve put enough resources directly to influence our wounded, ill, and injured that it adds a different flavor to it. A typical Marine Corps flavor – intrusive leadership, take care of your own, no man left behind – all of those typical cliches, but it is embodied in this organization and backed up with the resources to do it right,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Hrudka. From 2010-2011, 80 percent of the population at WHCC were wounded during combat in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Today, less than 20 percent are combat wounded. Combat injuries and amputations are the result of IED blasts and gunSee wounded warriors, page C6

29th Annual Coastal Home & Garden Show Crystal Coast Convention Center Morehead City With more than 12,000 square feet of exhibits, you’ll find the latest in products and services. See the latest trends in kitchen & baths, learn to complete a DIY project, or speak to the area’s finest professional service providers. crystalcoastcivicctr.com

coming wednesday Join us for a visit to the Historic Carolina Inn, a space uniquely intertwined with the community and celebrations surrounding the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. the good life

North State Journal for Saturday, February, 25, 2017

NeCessities thrive

history marked February 28, 1935 The General Assembly passed the Uniform Driver’s License Act, placing in the pockets of authorized drivers the state’s official sanction for putting them behind the wheel. The automobile age in North Carolina had begun in earnest with the introduction of the “Buggymobile” in New Bern in 1903 and the widespread use of other primitive vehicles soon after.

March 1, 1876

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Take care in the warm Spring air! By Alton Skinner For the North State Journal Spring has sprung early here in North Carolina. This spring-like weather may inspire you to jumpstart your fitness program either at the gym or on the trails around the state. To avoid getting laid up for days—or even weeks—with an injury, follow these precautions when you work out next time. Here are 5 tips to avoid early spring injuries. 1. Start gradually. Don’t jump into a new exercise program. Your greatest risk of injury comes with changing an exercise program, adding a new exercise or suddenly increasing the intensity of your program. 2. Warm-up. Despite the mild temperatures resist the urge to reduce or avoid your warm-up completely. Your warm-up should be active, meaning that you walk or do dynamic stretches, such as arm or leg lifts, for five to 10 minutes. Avoid passive stretches in which you assume a position and hold it, because they can lead to muscle tears. 3. Stay hydrated. Even though the temperature isn’t close to a hot summer day, your body will find the heat a challenge as compared to a normal winter. You may lose more of the essential fluids your body needs to take you through your exercise program. Try to drink a glass of water before you exercise, and then take a few sips of water every 15 minutes throughout your routine. 4. Cool down. It is essential to cool down post training session. Finish your workout with a slow walk or gentle stretch for five or 10 minutes to cool down and maintain flexibility. 5. Apply treatment. If you do wind up with a sprain or strain, here are some tips for treating it at home: Ice it. Right after the injury, apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, about once an hour. Wrap it. Wrap the injured are a in an elastic bandage. The bandage should be snug, but not too tight. Rest it. Avoid using the injured area until it heals. Relieve it. Take an over-thecounter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, to bring down swelling and reduce pain.

voices

Contributors to this section this week include: Alton Skinner Laura Ashley Lamm Samantha Gratton

tell us

Know a North Carolina story that needs telling? Drop us a line at features@nsjonline.com.

Moonshiner Lewis Redmond murdered U.S. Deputy Marshall Alfred Duckworth near East Fork in Transylvania County. Duckworth was killed while serving a federal warrant on Redmond for the illegal manufacture and sale of distilled liquor. The crime marked the beginning of Redmond’s career as the legendary “King of the Moonshiners.”

y’ought to . . . know the Tar Heel Junior Historians Do more than just learn about history — they are preserving it as well. In 1953 the North Carolina General Assembly authorized the THJH program. Currently the program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and is sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of History. Groups consist of students in grades 4-12 with one adult advisor. The students involved in THJH have had a hand in helping to preserve Raleigh’s Pullen Park Carousel, researched and recorded historic graves at a lost Craven County cemetery, and assisted with the project to posthumously award the African-American crew from Pea Island Lifesaving Station. For information on organizing a group, email: thjhaclubs@ncdcr.gov

March 2, 1936 J. E. Winslow called to order the first meeting of the North Carolina Farm Bureau (NCFB) in Greenville. As the unified “voice of agriculture” in North Carolina, NCFB has been— and continues to be—a powerful and effective legislative advocate for Tar Heel farmers at the local, state, national, and international levels. In 1942, farm women became members and gained a voice by forming what would become the Women’s Committee. Information courtesy of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

turn the page

Details of the Gustave A. Dentzel Carousel which is one of Pullen Park’s main attractions. The merrygo-round is more than 100-years-old and is one of only 23 remaining Dentzel carousels in the world.

Lent begins on March 1, so we reached out to Two Sisters Bookery in Wilmington for a few children’s book recommendations on how to prepare our hearts during this season. “Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter” by Laura Alary “Bring Lent to Life: Activities and Reflections for Your Family” by Kathleen Basi “Welcome Risen Jesus: Lent and Easter Reflections for Families” by Sarah Reinhard “The Beginner’s Bible Come Celebrate Easter Sticker and Activity Book” by Kelly Pulley

accolades | cooking classes in Franklin County “People love hands-on experiences, and they also love meeting and talking with others during these programs.” Dominique Simon, family and consumer sources agent, Franklin County

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension has offices in every county across the state. Did you ever wonder what they do or how they might help you? Cooking classes are one way Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Dominque Simon at the Franklin County Extension office is drawing her community in for fun and learning. “I started these programs based on interest from the community,” said Simon. “People love hands-on experiences, and they also love meeting and talking with others during these programs.” In December of 2016 the Franklin County Extension offered a bread class, and on March 3 they will hold a Freezer Meals 101 class from 6:008:00 p.m. For a $25 fee, the class is designed to walk participants

through planning, purchasing, and preparing meals for a family of four for one week. Spring and summer will bring cooking and nutrition programs for the entire family and programming that will focus on food preservation. “I also plan to do a spiralizing class which will show how to make noodles out of foods such as zucchini,” said Simon. “Whatever is requested.” The Franklin County N.C. Cooperative Extension office is just one example of a cooking class, Currituck County has offered a Mediterranean Cooking Class and Watauga County regularly offers a cooking class for teens. For information on offerings near you check the extension office website at: ces.ncsu.edu.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole Dominque Simon was kind enough to share one of the recipes the class will make on March 3: Servings: 8 1 lb cooked, diced, or shredded chicken 1/2 onion chopped 1 can green chilies, chopped 2 cans nacho cheese soup 1 package whole wheat flour tortillas 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

Cut tortillas in quarters. Line bottom of casserole with tortillas, add a layer of chicken, a layer of soup mixed with green chilies and onion, and top with cheese; repeat. Cover with heavy foil, date, and label if freezing for later. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.

North State Journal for Saturday, February, 25, 2017

the designer | Tula Summerford “To spruce up for spring try adding color and drama to your home with a painted or wallpapered ceiling. Whether you choose to wallpaper or paint your ceiling this design idea will add energy and interest to your space. If you choose a dark color on your ceiling highlight it by selecting a pale color for your walls or a coordinating wallpaper that nicely contrasts with the ceiling. Keep in mind a matte or flat finish on a ceiling conceals imperfections.” Tula Summerford, Design by Tula

photos by MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A bathroom in Tula Summerford’a Raleigh home. Tula pulls splashes of hot pink from the wallpaper to tie the bathroom together.

Design exploration and community commitment with Tula Summerford By Jennifer Wood North State Journal aleigh — When it comes to the vibe of design Tula SumR merford of Design By Tula does not

miss a beat. Relying on travel for inspiration she collects color, concepts, and aesthetic from around the world for her clients right here in the Triangle. “I travel to selective markets on buying trips,” said Summerford. “That allows me to put together one of a kind looks for clients. You never know what will inspire or what will embolden you to create a room around.” Seamlessly integrating vintage looks into modern spaces has become one of Summerford’s calling cards. “I thrive on richly layering rooms,” said Summerford. “I enjoy picking up just the right item in Paris, New York, or New Orleans and hanging on to it for exactly the right person.” Summerford’s design business takes her to all of those places throughout the year, but she does say it is a luxury to have the world come to her here at home. “I never miss the High Point Market,” said Summerford. “It’s always informative and exciting to see the international presence of design right here in North Carolina.”

Regardless of the style — traditional, vintage, modern, French country — bringing out the character of the client is always top of mind. The space may be a complete overhaul or simply working select antiques into a room with a client’s existing collection, either way the approach is the same for Summerford. “I’m looking to create something singular,” said Summerford. “At the end of a recent job a client told me that what I had done was a labor of love, that was the highest compliment she could have paid me, because of

course it was.” Her work will be on display and up for bid as the Triangle community will get the benefit of her heartfelt design this spring at the Green Chair Project and in a room at The Boys & Girls Club of Wake County Designer Show House. The Green Chair Project works with partner agencies located in Raleigh to help individuals and families in crisis by providing furniture and home necessities at a minimal cost. The chair Summerford designed is for the 2017 Chairity Event to be held at the Green Chair Project on April 20. The Boys & Girls Club of Wake County are raising funds at their Wake County Designer Show House by having 20 interior and landscape designers fashion rooms and spaces at the property located at 3019 Granville Drive. Tickets will be made available to the public and the home will be open from March 25-April 9 to tour and get ideas and inspiration while giving back to the Wake County Boys & Girls Club. Summerford doesn’t see herself slowing down in the near future. Lighting up about what’s on the horizon for Design By Tula she said, “The Raleigh market is busy and vibrant filled with creative people, I’m full steam ahead!”

At left, a magenta and floral chair design that interior designer Tula Summerford created for the Green Chair Project Charity auction. Above, Tula stands in the living room of a home she is currently designing in Raleigh.

North State Journal for Saturday, February, 25, 2017

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Total Life Center | Raleigh

Creative expression lifts the spirit “Nature and the changing seasons figured prominently in our work as a way of expressing a lightness of heart, body, and mind. Many participants can no longer use words to speak, so we communicated using smiles, gestures, and touch. It was magic.” Fish printing a sole on rice paper in the Japanese method of Gyotaku.

Deborah Withey, artist-in-residence, Total Life Centers By Samantha Gratton North State Journal

Mary prepares leaves for nature printing.

Mike Hardee, activity director, Total Life Centers, poses with Carl and a monoprint of a leaf on plexiglass.

he power of art and creativity is not to be taken lightly. It can express thoughts and emotions in ways that simple conversation cannot. It can unleash an understanding or willpower to overcome life’s obstacles. It can help a person to process feelings or move past them by focusing on the task at hand. Creativity has no age limits. Beginning in October of 2016 and over the course of 12 weeks, participants at Total Life Center, an adult day facility, had the opportunity to engage in such art and creativity. “I wanted to increase our participants’ opportunities for free expression through art and bolster their confidence by using a professional artist,” said Mike Hardee, activity director at Total Life Centers, who spearheaded the artist in residency program. The artist selected for the pilot program was designer, illustrator, lecturer, and art for well-wbeing practitioner Deborah Withey. Withey, whose own design and fine art work is held in private collection worldwide, runs Cheese + Pickles Studio, a gallery and well-being art studio in St. Davids, Wales, UK, where she leads creative workshops and courses for professional artists and people of all ages and abilities. “It was a match made in heaven and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my wellbeing work to Raleigh,” said Withey. “My desire, challenge, and goal at Total Life was to create a happy and nurturing hour where participants could lose themselves in the act of creating. Our weekly exercises employed a variety of techniques, mediums, and colors. Nature and the changing seasons figure prominently in our work as a way of expressing a lightness of heart, body, and mind. Many participants can no longer use words to communicate, so we spoke using smiles, gestures, and touch. It was magic.” Total Life Centers began on May 15, 1978, in a church fellowship hall as the first State of North Carolina certified Adult Day Service in Wake County. Now, there are six different locations throughout the county, all with the primary purpose of serving older adults and adults with disabilities by providing an encouraging environment through participant safety, socialization, stimulating activities, and individualized personal care. The artist-in-residence program, was in collaboration with Artspace, Raleigh, and was supported in partnership with SearStone and Resources for Seniors. The artwork created during the residency program will be moving from the Center into the limelight. To kick off the exhibit, opening night will begin on March 3 as part of First Friday, a monthly event in Raleigh for galleries, artists, and musicians to showcase their work. This is a free event open to the public from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at ARTspace. The exhibition will remain on display at ARTspace until the end of March. “My experience as artist-in-residence was both enlightening and humbling and has enriched my life as artist and teacher,” said Withey.

A still life of cardboard leaves cut and prepared ahead by Deborah Withey ready for a printmaking workshop.

Deborah Withey, Total Life artist-in-residence, looks on as Dot pulls a monoprint from a painting she created on a block.

Dorothy reacts to her first “gyotaku” fish print. Fish printing is a very “mindful” method of art making and helps to build confidence.

Above, Bob Hardee, of Henderson, looks at artwork created by participants in Raleigh’s Total Life Center adult day care program.

If you’re interested in learning more about art for well-being with Deborah Withey, email her at: cheesepicklesstudio@gmail.com, deborah-withey.com and follow her on twitter @cheeseanpickles.

Jesse’s (pictured at left) freestyle brush and ink tree paintings. The art team was keen to experiment with ink, drawing with a brush and free-flowing paint can be very theraputic.

Jesse and the art team collage leaves in paper and felt onto brush and ink spring branches.

Willette Yarborough, left, of Knightdale, and her brother, Carl, enjoy the private show at Total Life Center. The public exhibition will be on display at Artspace in downtown Raleigh for First Friday on March 3 and will remain through the end of the month.

Deborah paints after printing a flower cut out of styrofoam.

“I wanted to increase our participants’ opportunities for free expression through art and bolster their confidence by using a professional artist.” Mike Hardee, activity director at Total Life Centers

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL and Mike Hardee, DEborah Withey, Total LIFE CENTERS

North State Journal for Saturday, February, 25, 2017

fashion | in memory of Princess Diana Reuters Gowns worn by Princess Diana for everything from meeting diplomats to dancing with movie stars feature in an exhibition celebrating the fashion of one of Britain’s favorite royals, which opens in London this week. The collection of 25 dresses will be displayed from Friday for the rest of the year in Kensington Palace, where she lived for over 15 years. The exhibition coincides with the 20th anniversary of her death. The collection shows Diana’s “understanding of how to deploy fashion as a diplomatic tool,” organizers said, including one dress that incorporates the national bird of Saudia Arabia, the falcon. “Our exhibition explores the story of a young woman who had to quickly learn the rules of royal and diplomatic dressing, who in the process put the spotlight on the British fashion industry and designers,” said Eleri Lynn, curator of “Diana: Her Fashion Story.” Diana, mother to Princes William and Harry, was married to heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles between 1981 and 1996 when the couple divorced. She died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Peter Nicholls | REUTERS

Princess Diana’s dresses are seen at a preview of a new exhibition of outfits worn by the late Princess of Wales, at Kensington Palace in London.

“We know the chapter they are writing with their career in the military has changed, and they are writing a different chapter than they expected. We want them to understand they will be OK and can be successful in this new chapter.” Adriana Pelaez, program specialist and tranisition coordinator, Wounded Warriors

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Adriana Pelaez poses for a photograph at the Wounded Warrior Battalion - East’s Hope and Care Center in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

wounded warriors from page C1

shots in the war zone. Other warriors are receiving recovery and rehabilita tion assistance while they battle cancer or other chronic unresolved illness, receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or other mental health illnesses, and recover from training or vehicle accidents. The Wounded Warrior Regiment Headquarters are at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Camp Lejeune is the home of the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East while Camp Pendleton in California is the home of the West Battalion. From there, each battalion oversees Wounded Warrior Detachments. There are currently 185 Marines being supported at Camp Lejeune. Of the Wounded Warriors receiving services through WHCC, 95 percent will transition to civilian life while only 5 percent will return to the fleet. “All roads lead to transitioning, whether they are here three months or three years. All of our operations, whether it is physical reconditioning, exercise and sport programs, or recovery care and medical care, focus on transitioning,” said Craig Stephens, command advisor. “If picking up their three-year-old daughter is the most important thing, then we want to help them accomplish that goal,” he added. There are five lines of operation toward recovery for wounded Marines: medical, mind, body, spirit, and family. While doctors and hospitals oversee the medical, the battalion focuses on the mind, body, sprit and family aspects of recovery. Adriana Pelaez, program specialist and transition coordinator, assists warriors and their families with a variety of tasks on the road to writing the next chapter of their lives. “We know the chapter they are writing with their career in the military has changed, and they are writing a different

chapter than they expected. We want them to understand they will be OK and can be successful in this new chapter,” said Pelaez. Pelaez provides one-on-one assistance for a variety of areas including: internship selection, interview prep and resume building, financial aid documentation, grants and benefits completion, educational degree plans, interest assessments, and understanding disability accommodations. Certified athletic trainers and strength coaches are available in the state-of-the-art fitness center to assist the wounded warriors in establishing exercise goals and routines to best suit their recovering bodies. From adaptable equipment of cycles and weights to powerlifting to aquatics and underwater treadmills to rock climbing, shot put and air rifle; there’s something for everyone. A chaplain is available for faith conversations to renew the spirt and the warriors’ families are involved throughout the transition process. “For instance, in a tank battalion, then the emphasis is on readiness, use and expertise of tanks as well as making sure the personnel work together to make the tanks function to the best of their ability. Where here, the focus is on the individual Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Nelson Andrade, whose been receiving care at the center since October 2016. “As Marines, we are very task-oriented. We need constant direction, structure, and execution of plans. We work at a high-end tempo. When you take someone centered around that high tempo of work and bring them to where things slow down to what you want to do, it is unfamiliar. It’s an awkward phase at first, but it passes as we learn how to transition,” he added. Through the Wounded Warrior program, Marines are rebuilding the whole person – mind, body, spirit, and family – by taking a step back and putting themselves first. Ellison added, “People always think of Marines as the first to go in and the last to come out. Marines are compassionate people, too.”

98% of ALL Farms are Family Farms

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North State Journal for Saturday, February, 25, 2017

kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home newspaper

Collard Greens, bluegrass, baiting your own hook, a ďŹ ne oyster roast, a good dog, a festival for every vegetable, and barbecue rank high on my list of life necessities.

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

pen & Paper pursuits

Janric classic sudoku

Solutions from 2.19.17

the BRIEF

Saturday, FEBRUARY 25, 2017

ST. PAUL, Minn.

Sources: Gander Mountain preparing to file bankruptcy this month U.S. hunting and fishing chain Gander Mountain is preparing to file for bankruptcy as early as this month, after an aggressive effort to expand its store base failed to pull in new customers, according to people familiar with the matter. Gander Mountain is working with financial advisory firm Lighthouse Management Group and law firm Fredrikson & Byron PA as it gets ready to file for bankruptcy, the people said this week. The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. Gander Mountain and Lighthouse Management declined to comment this week, while a spokeswoman for Fredrikson did not return a request for comment made on Wednesday. madeline Gray | North State Journal file

Grayson Ferrell, right, of Wilson, gets her makeup done by Caroline Sharp, left, also of Wilson, at the Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio before prom last spring.

BUSINESS

Beauty sales rise as industry continues to grow By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

tech trends

ILSON — From hairstyles to facial creams and makeup to nail care and spa treatments, the W beauty industry is continuing to thrive as more women

Adnan Abidi | REUTERS

Apple is adjusting when and how it releases new features to suit its maturing consumer base.

Tech breakthroughs take a backseat in upcoming Apple iPhone launch By Stephen Nellis Reuters SAN FRANCISCO — When Apple launches its much-anticipated 10th anniversary iPhone this fall, it will offer an unwitting lesson in how much the smartphone industry it pioneered has matured. The new iPhone is expected to include new features such as high-resolution displays, wireless charging and 3-D sensors. Rather than representing major breakthroughs, however, most of the innovations have been available in competing phones for several years. Apple’s relatively slow adoption of new features both reflects and reinforces the fact smartphone customers are holding onto their phones longer. Timothy Arcuri, an analyst at Cowen & Co., believes upwards of 40 percent of iPhones on the market are more than two years old, a historical high. That is a big reason why investors have driven Apple shares to an all-time high. There is pent-up demand for a new iPhone, even if it does not offer breakthrough technologies. Still, the development and roll-out of the anniversary iPhone suggest Apple’s product strategy is driven less by technological innovation than by consumer upgrade cycles and Apple’s own business and

marketing needs. “When a market gets saturated, the growth is all about refresh,” said Bob O’Donnell of Technalysis Research. “This is exactly what happened to PCs. It’s exactly what happened to tablets. It’s starting to happen to smartphones.” Apple is close-mouthed about upcoming product features, but analysts and reports from Asian component suppliers and others indicate that high-resolution displays based on OLED technology — possibly with curved edges — are likely to be part of the anniversary phone. A radical new design is not expected, according to analysts. As to 3-D sensors, there is already one hiding in the iPhone 7. The front camera features what is known as a time-of-flight sensor, which helps it autofocus and is used in numerous phones including the Blackberry, according to TechInsights, a firm that examines the chips inside tech devices. That sensor could be upgraded to a higher-resolution version that could handle 3-D mapping for facial recognition, said Jim Morrison, vice president at TechInsights. Some analysts also speculate the company could remove the phone’s home button, placing it and a fingerprint sensor beneath the front display glass, based on patents the company has filed.

are focusing on personal care. “Women are becoming more fashion-minded and aware of product ingredients,” said Sharon Allen, owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics in Wilson. “Women are searching for high-quality products that are healthy for their skin and their body.” Allen, a 27-year veteran of the beauty industry, added, “As customers are more educated about products and the industry, they are looking for people behind the counter to be as well.” According to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, the salon and spa industry has more than 900,000 establishments and annual sales totaling more than $40 billion. In North Carolina, there are close to 7,000 hairstylists, hairdressers and cosmetologists reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor. “More girls wear makeup now than they used to as it’s become a part of fashion — it is an industry all its own,” said Caroline Sharpe, esthetician at Merle Norman. “The average person spends $75-$100 every three months.” In addition to women who wear makeup on a daily basis, special occasion makeup — everything from prom to high school reunions to weddings — is a consistently popular trend sought out by women. Studies from beauty professionals and companies show the average woman spends between $13,000 and $15,000 on makeup in her lifetime — and that’s up until the age of 65. “With the splurge of social media, women are beginning to look at themselves differently,” said Allen. Beauty companies are using social media market research to drive their campaigns. Dove’s Real Beauty campaign reported that 82 percent of women studied felt social media could change the standards of beauty. “Celebrities and Pinterest have had a large impact on the beauty industry,” said Heather Johnson, a hairstylist with Fringe Salon. “Every new client comes in with a picture of a celebrity or style they found on the website.” Aside from the traditional staples of hair care and makeup; eyebrow waxing, facials, lash applications and airbrush tanning have increased in popularity. “People know about skin cancer and the dangers of the tanning bed,” said Allen. “The formulation of spray tans, the actual solution has come a long way. There is no longer the stigma of being orange and streaky.” Airbrushing tanning solutions are combination of dihydroxyacetone and erythrulose. The quality of the solution depends on the percentage of each in the formula. U.S. market researchers found indoor tanning revenue reached $2 billion in 2016 and is reported to be growing by 2 percent annually. Researchers also found that beauty products — haircare, skincare, cosmetics, perfumes, colognes and nail polishes — totaled $42 billion in revenue. Fringe Salon nail technician Teresa Corbett added, “The beauty industry is always evolving, but it will always be around. There will always be jobs in the industry and clients needing a monthly or weekly style, and celebrating interviews, special occasions, holidays and family portraits.”

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NASHVILLE, Tenn.

NC native Eric Church cancels 25K tickets bought by scalpers Country star Eric Church has been battling ticket scalpers for years as his popularity grew and he began selling out arenas. But he’s taken his biggest step yet by cancelling more than 25,000 tickets to his spring tour that were purchased by scalpers and putting them back on sale for fans to purchase. The “Springsteen” singer has said he’s going to do everything he can do to stop what he calls a criminal organization that’s making millions. “They buy thousands of tickets across the U.S., not just mine, and they end up making a fortune,” Church said in an interview. “They use fake credit cards, fake IDs. All of this is fraud.” The tickets were re-released this week for the remaining stops of the 60-city tour. CATAWBA and CABARRUS COUNTIES

Corning to add 410 jobs in NC Corning Incorporated and its subsidiary, Corning Optical Communications LLC, will invest $176 million in facilities in Catawba and Cabarrus counties, creating 410 jobs over the next two years, Gov. Roy Cooper announced this week. The company will invest $67 million in a new optical cable manufacturing facility in Newton and $109 million to expand its existing optical fiber manufacturing facility in Midland. “Corning is a global leader with a longstanding commitment to North Carolina,” said Cooper. “Companies that continue to innovate and invest in research and development are the kinds of high-tech job creators we want working with North Carolina.” Corning Optical Communications (COC) is a worldwide provider of fiber optic communication solutions for voice, data and video networks.

coming wednesday NSJ marks its first anniversary in print!

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

n.c. FAST FACTS Sponsored by

Once known for a traditional economy built on tobacco, furniture and textiles, North Carolina has evolved to a global economy driven by knowledgebased industries. Biotechnology, energy, finance and information technology are just a few of the many business sectors that are rapidly growing and succeeding here, and a range of leading companies call our state home to their corporate headquarters. This week, we highlight the Aeorospace/Defense, Automotive, and Biotech/ Pharmaceutical industries: Approved Logos

Aerospace and Defense With a legacy in flight that began with the Wright brothers, our aerospace industry is led by companies such as Honda Jet and GE Aviation. Corporations here, including Lockheed Martin and UTC Aerospace Systems are also leaders in defense and security. Automotive, Truck and Heavy Machinery North Carolina has the 10thlargest automotive sector employment in the U.S. with companies such as Daimler Trucks, Freightliner, Caterpillar and Bridgestone taking advantage of our highly skilled workforce. Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Novo Nordisk, Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, are attracted to North Carolina where they find the largest research park in the country and three Tier 1 research universities. Source: Economic Development Partnership of N.C.

“Mad cow disease is long since gone in this country, and there is no reason why the Chinese should continue to restrict American beef.” Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, nominee for ambassador to China

eamon queeney | North State Journal

David Seawright, director of analytics and product innovation for Deep Root Analytics, says that big data holds a wealth of information that can be used to find new markets and consumers. Big data is mass information gathered from our ever-growing technological capabilites.

‘Big data’ offers new applications, opportunity in mobile revolution By Donna King North State Journal ALEIGH — A new report out from the Department of ComR merce this week says data analyt-

ics are a potential primary driver for the state’s economy. As an industry, big data is the management of the mass of information stored as technology becomes more mobile and more integrated into daily life. Researchers call mobile technology a fourth revolution behind steam, water, electricity and computers. The report “N.C. in the Next Tech Tsumani” explores economic opportunity in the data economy. It is a challenge facing a lot of companies as they move out of

the election-driven business of collecting and analyzing data and work to repurpose for consumer application. Both the report and those working in the field say data analytics hold the key to finding consumers, voters, or anyone companies and campaigns want to reach. “Analytics are two-fold. Look at your data to put your ads in front of the right people and those people are more apt to see it and act upon it,” said Dave Seawright, director of product innovation Deep Root Analytics. “But efficiency is important too, knowing the most cost-efficient ways to employ your data, how to talk to your core consumer and make the most out of your data. For every company and

U.S. beef exports to China, GMO approval key, says ambassador nominee By Mark Weintraub Reuters ARLINGTON, Va. — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, whom President Donald Trump has tapped to become ambassador to China, said on Thursday he would work to open that market to U.S. beef exports when he begins his term. “Mad cow disease is long since gone in this country, and there is no reason why the Chinese should continue to restrict American beef,”

Branstad said at the U.S. Agriculture Department’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. “I want to serve it in the embassy, and I want to serve it in the ambassador’s residence, and I want the Chinese, with a growing population and interest in more protein, to have the opportunity to get that.” Another priority is gaining quicker approval of genetically modified traits for corn and other U.S. agricultural exports headed to China, the world’s second-largest

campaign I’ve ever worked on, the budget is the budget, there is only so much money. So data and analytics is used to get the most possible out of your dollar.” Analyzing and storing that data is also the key to the state’s economic future, according to the report, developed by Commerce’s N.C. Board of Science, Technology & Innovation. It offers insight into the use of data across N.C. industries, including agriculture, energy and biosciences. Researchers say that the state is well-positioned to bring in more big tech industry. Last year N.C. was ranked by Forbes as ninth in the nation for available venture capital startup money. “The data economy can gen-

economy, he added. Branstad said his longstanding relationship with Chinese leaders would be crucial in convincing them to relax the current process, noting that trust and friendship were important to business in the culture. He has visited China at least six times, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has traveled to Iowa twice, including once while Branstad was governor. Trade is important to U.S. farmers, whose incomes have declined for three years in a row due to slumping prices. The USDA recently said farm incomes would keep falling in 2017. Branstad said he was optimistic that new trade deals negotiated by Trump would improve market ac-

erate new, high-paying jobs in all industries, in all jobs, and in all areas of the state,” said Anthony M. Copeland, North Carolina’s secretary of Commerce. “We must ensure we have the educational and economic ecosystems in place to support these new jobs because diverse industries like manufacturing, agriculture and health care all will require more sophisticated data skills from their employees.” The report recommended that the state make data a top priority in economic development efforts, promote data research centers, and grow an education pipeline of data education and literacy in the university system. “Although North Carolina has tremendous data assets, we need to focus our efforts on connecting and branding them,” says Scott Doron, the report’s project leader. From here the initiative will form of a public/private working group to implement the recommendations.

cess that benefits rural America. U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, who also spoke at the Forum, said the now-abandoned Trans-Pacific Partnership provided a good baseline for new bilateral agreements. Trump removed the United States from the years-in-negotiation TPP, which was heavily supported by the agricultural community, before it could be approved. Conaway, a Republican U.S representative from Texas, added that he hoped the House of Representatives would take up the Farm Bill, which his committee is working on, late in the fourth quarter or in early 2018. The current Farm Bill, which covers everything from farm support programs to food stamps, expires at the end of 2018.

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North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

Verizon, Yahoo agree to lowered $4.48B deal following cyber attacks

Whom to trust when buying an annuity

By Anjali Athavaley and David Shepardson Reuters

EW YORK — Getting financial advice on complicated insurance prodN ucts is, well, complicated.

NEW YORK — Verizon Communications said on Tuesday it would buy Yahoo’s core business for $4.48 billion, lowering its original offer by $350 million in the wake of two massive cyber attacks at the internet company. The closing of the deal, which was first announced in July, had been delayed as the companies assessed the fallout from two data breaches that Yahoo disclosed last year. The No. 1 U.S. wireless carrier had been trying to persuade Yahoo to amend the terms of the agreement following the attacks. Verizon and Yahoo signed the deal on Sunday evening after weeks of talks that included calls with Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and a meeting between Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam and Yahoo director Tom McInerney in New York earlier this month to agree on the amount of the price reduction, a person involved in the talks said. The two sides had an agreement in principle about a week earlier that included a liability sharing agreement, something that Verizon decided early on that it needed to reach a deal. Verizon conducted brand studies and found that Yahoo’s reputation was holding up after the hacks, the person said. The company decided to proceed in part because it continued to believe that the deal made strategic sense and that users were loyal and engaged. The companies said on Tuesday they expect the deal to close in the second quarter. The data breach may delay some integration of Yahoo with Verizon after the closing, the person said. The deal brings to Verizon Yahoo’s more than 1 billion users and a wealth of data it can use to offer more targeted advertising. Verizon will combine Yahoo’s advertising technology tools as well as its search, email and messenger assets with its AOL unit, purchased for $4.4 billion in 2015. Verizon’s shares rose 0.3 percent to $49.33 in afternoon trading, while Yahoo’s shares were up 0.8 percent at $45.48. Under the amended terms, Yahoo and Verizon will split cash liabilities related to some government investigations and third-party litigation related to the breaches. Yahoo, however, will continue to be responsible for liabilities from shareholder lawsuits and SEC investigations. Yahoo said in December that data from more than 1 billion user accounts was compromised in August 2013, making it the largest breach in history. This followed the company’s disclosure in September that at least 500 million accounts were affected in another breach in 2014.

By Beth Pinsker Reuters

Most life insurance with investment options, long-term care insurance and annuity products come with a dizzying array of options and many pages of fine print, the merits of which are debatable for your bottom line. That makes solid, unconflicted advice necessary. But since most of these policies are sold on commission or with other incentives in mind, that means the salespeople are not necessarily recommending options that are in your best interest. They could be thinking about earning a cruise instead. The money at stake is staggering. An annuity, which you buy with a lump sum to get payouts as you age, can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars up front, generating thousands of dollars in fees. The person selling you the policy might not even understand all the implications for your retirement. “The complexity of some insurance products has outstripped the financial adviser’s ability to give reasonable advice,” says Glenn Daily, a fee-only insurance consultant based in New York. The first stop on the road to an annuity for many folks is when they talk about retirement to a financial adviser, from whom it is possible to get solid, unconflicted advice if you choose a fee-only certified financial planner. This kind of adviser, known as a fiduciary because he or she pledges to make decisions based on your best interests, can tell a client what kind of annuity to purchase and then recommend a trusted salesperson — who will likely earn some kind of commission on the sale. Some CFPs work on a hybrid model, charging an hourly fee for their financial planning, but can also sell you insurance. “I tell clients I can be your agent, on commission, and I won’t charge for that time. Or I can charge for the time, and work with another agent,” says Ellen Siegel, a financial planner with Legacy Wealth Management Inc. in Plantation, Fla. Another option is to employ a fee-only insurance consultant like Daily, who will offer an independent view on the policy you are considering. Fees are based on the case, but can run about $300 an hour.

“The vast majority of the time, people wind up doing something different after consulting with me,” said Daily. “Sometimes it’s a minor tweak, but sometimes it’s a major difference — like not buy the policy.” Trying to go it alone can be difficult because there is not a lot of independent research available for the average consumer, and policies from different companies are difficult to compare. Some companies sell commission-free products directly to clients. Among them are Amica Mutual Insurance Company and TIAA, as well as Lincoln Financial Group, which offers a new fee-only annuity. But buyers should shop around, because the representative at one company will not have pricing to compare with any of the other companies’ products. Even a broker may not have the widest selection available, says Patricia Born, a professor of insurance at Florida State University’s College of Business in Tallahassee. Daily says the safest option to handle on your own is a single-premium imme-

diate annuity, for which you pay a lump sum and then receive monthly payments. “You only have a few choices to make — it would not be that complicated to evaluate,” he said. Still, it is a good idea to ask a salesperson about her commission structure and whether she has any additional compensation. When you move up to more complicated policies, the analysis you need may only be available via subscription to professionals. Barry Flagg is founder of Veralytic Research, which evaluates pricing and policy information on insurance. “Even when you are buying car, you go to CarFax or something. That’s the only way I know whether you are getting a sales pitch or advice,” said Flagg. One final way to determine whether you are getting good advice from a salesperson: the sniff test. “Do they feel like they are being sincere? Do they take the time to explain the options to you?” Siegel asks. “Or do they feel like they are selling you a car?”

U.S. private prison operator shares seen rising, expanding election rally By Sinead Carew Reuters

“Right now it’s probably a better 5-to-10-year business proposition to own a prison than a shopping mall. They’re not going to be affected by Amazon.com.” Eric Marshall, portfolio manager at Hodges Capital Management

NEW YORK — Shares in U.S. private prison operators CoreCivic Inc and Geo Group, already buoyed by hopes they would profit from a Republican administration, may rise further on immigration curbs and narrow a valuation gap with REIT peers. Promises by President Donald Trump’s administration to clamp down on illegal immigration and the tougher-on-crime reputation of newly appointed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions have boosted shares of the companies, the only publicly traded private prison operators in the country. Investors have bought in partly on relief that the government would be less likely than an administration led by Democrat Hillary

Clinton to reduce its dependence on private prisons and partly on expectations that a tougher stance on illegal immigration could boost numbers at privately-run facilities. The Trump administration plans to consider almost all illegal immigrants subject to deportation, according to official guidelines released on Tuesday. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention centers are all outsourced to private operators. “The decline in the (prison) population has been decelerating,” said Michael Kodesch, analyst at Canaccord Genuity. “Some investors are betting not only does the population decline continue to slow, it might even reverse.” CoreCivic shares are up 138 percent since the Nov. 8 election, and shares of Geo, which reports earnings on Wednesday, are up 89

percent. Eric Marshall, portfolio manager at Hodges Capital Management in Dallas, said while the “easy money” has already been made in private prisons, the stocks could still rise another 10-20 percent in the next year. Marshall’s fund holds shares in both CoreCivic and Geo, but cut its “overweight” positions from the previous quarter. He expects contracts that were put on hold ahead of the election to come up for grabs again soon, and sees federal and state government, which run 90 percent of U.S. prison capacity, outsourcing at least some more business to private companies. “Right now it’s probably a better 5-to-10-year business proposition to own a prison than a shopping mall. They’re not going to be affected by Amazon.com,” said Marshall.

Some are less bullish. Stephen Massocca, chief investment officer at Wedbush Equity Management LLC in San Francisco, bought GEO and CoreCivic in September and October and sold a few months later, as “they’re not the screaming buy they were.” Many investors avoid the prison real estate investor trusts (REITs) due to the controversial and unique nature of the business. Geo shares trade at 15.4 times 2017 estimates from funds from operations per share compared with CoreCivic’s forward multiple of 15 and the broader REIT sector’s multiple of 16.8, according to Kodesch. Yet Kodesch says the stocks should be “at a small discount to the general REIT sector if not in line,” and sees 16.3 as a fairer multiple.

North Carolina is back in business, and business is good!

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North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

TAKE NOTICE catawba AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 14 SP 146 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jason C. Cline and Amy M. Cline (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jason Charles Cline and Amy Laura Martines) to Frances Jones, Trustee(s), dated the 3rd day of June, 2009, and recorded in Book 2975, Page 1196, in Catawba County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Catawba County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Catawba, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all and the full contents of Lot Number Four (4) of Joe Stamey Property, as shown on plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 32, Page 177, Catawba County Public Registry, and as described in Deed recorded in Book 2072, Page 917, Catawba County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2068 Hermit Trail, Newton, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1130812 (FC.FAY)

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 15 SP 203 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shannon Bridget Jenkins aka Shanon Bridget Jenkins (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shannon Bridget Jenkins) to Young M. Smith, Jr., Trustee(s), dated the 22nd day of February, 2006, and recorded in Book 2731, Page 1853, in Catawba County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Catawba County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Catawba, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 4 of the Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley, Inc. Property, known as Ridgeview Village, as shown on a plat recorded in Plat Book 62 at Page 11, Catawba County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 464 South Center Street, Hickory, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1146915 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 641 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Matthew J. Lahtela, (Matthew J. Lahtela, deceased)(Heir of Matthew J. Lahtela: Rachele Anne Thompson Lahtela) to Richard H. Lester or G. Robert Turner, III, Trustee(s), dated the 6th day of January, 2006, and recorded in Book 2720, Page 1268, in Catawba County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Catawba County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Catawba, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lots Nos. 29 and 30 of the T.W. Isenhour lands as surveyed and platted by G. Sam Rowe, C.E., said plat being recorded in Plat Book 8, Page 71, Catawba County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2115 49th Avenue Place North East, Hickory, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1190701 (FC.FAY)

harnett

iredell

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 463

1192433 DRS16-SP-573 NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Steven L. Clark and Chae N. Clark to Jeffrey E. Radford, Trustee(s), dated the 14th day of May, 2010, and recorded in Book 2744, Page 77, and Modification in Book 3404, Page 302, in Harnett County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Harnett County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Lillington, Harnett County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on March 2, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Harnett, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 73, in a subdivision known as Stone Cross Subdivision, as shown in Plat Cabinet 2000, Slide 129A, Harnett County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 326 Stone Cross Drive, Spring Lake, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1196783 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 438 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Crystal L. Stallings AKA Crystal Stallings (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Crystal L. Stallings) to PBRE, Inc., Trustee(s), dated the 6th day of March, 2008, and recorded in Book 2897, Page 1378, and Modification in Book 3291, Page 1105, in Catawba County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Catawba County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the Township of Caldwell, in the County of Catawba, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all that certain tract or parcel of land situated in Caldwell Township, Catawba County, North Carolina, and more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 1, containing 1.044 acres, according to a plat entitled “Family Subdivision of Carl C. and Paula T. Longacre, Caldwell Township, Catawba County, N.C.”, said plat being recorded in Plat Book 66, Page 80, Catawba County Registry, to which plat reference is made for a more complete description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3780 Davis Road, Maiden, North Carolina. For Title Reference see Book 2859 at Page 838 in the Catawba County Public Registry. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1191346 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 407 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Andre Joseph Smith, Jr., (Andre Joseph Smith, Jr., deceased)(Heirs of Andre Joseph Smith, Jr.: Andre J. Smith, III, Brennan Alis Smith, Amaya Zembre Smith, Tayveon Marquis Smith, Andre John Cofrei Smith and Unknown Heirs of Andre Joseph Smith, Jr.) to F. Stuart Clarke, Trustee(s), dated the 6th day of January, 2014, and recorded in Book 3185, Page 149, in Harnett County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Harnett County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Lillington, Harnett County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on March 2, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Harnett, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot Number Twenty-Seven (27), in a subdivision known as Carlie Hill, Section Two, according to a plat of the same being duly recorded in Map Slide 99-245, Harnett County Registry, North Carolina, said real property being further identified by the Harnett County Tax Office by PIN 0526-31-3166.000 and having a physical address of 108 Frenchie Lane, Bunnlevel, NC 28323. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 108 Frenchie Lane, Bunnlevel, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1191672 (FC.FAY)

UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Philip C. Arrington and Nina Arrington (hereinafter “Borrowers”) dated May 25, 2011 and recorded on May 25, 2011 and recorded in Book 2121 at Page 48 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Iredell County, North Carolina (hereinafter “Deed of Trust”); and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Iredell County Courthouse, 221 East Water Street, Statesville, North Carolina on THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 AT 12:30 o’clock P.M., all of Borrowers’ right to the real property described herein below, together with any improvements and fixtures existing or hereafter placed on or attached to the real property, and all other appurtenant rights and privileges, situated, lying and being in Iredell County, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PIN: 4726-11-4390 BEGINNING at an iron pin, a corner of Glenn Browning in the line of S. J. Holland, and running thence with the line of Holland, South 09-30 West 1,787 feet to an iron pin in the line of James Mitchell; thence with the line of Mitchell, North 89-45 West 1,122 feet to an iron pin in the line of James Gilbert; thence with the line of Gilbert, North 07-18 East 1,161 feet to a stone, a corner of Nathaniel Stevenson; thence with the line of Stevenson, North 14-30 East 610 feet to a stone in the line of Glenn Browning; thence with the line of Browning South 89-45 East 1,122 feet to the BEGINNING, containing 46.1 acres, more or less, and being the identical property conveyed to Philip C. Arrington and wife, Nina C. Arrington by General Warranty Deed recorded in Deed Book 924, Page 480, Iredell County Registry. SUBJECT TO easement over Arrington Farm Lane recorded at Deed Book 924, Page 480, Iredell County Registry. Address of property:154 Arrington Farm Lane, Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina Tax Parcel ID: 4726-11-4390 Present Record Owners:Philip C. Arrington and Nina Arrington The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. The Substitute Trustee reserves the right to require a cash deposit or a certified check not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). In the event that the note holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder may also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. § 7A-308(a) (1). The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. This the 30th day of January, 2017. Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. Substitute Trustee By: William Walt Pettit, Attorney P.O. Box 12497 Charlotte, NC 28220-2497 Telephone: (704) 362-9255

1199351 DRS16-SP-2 NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Justmor Homes, Inc. (hereinafter “Borrower”) dated March 19, 2008 and recorded on March 19, 2008 and recorded in Book 1926 at Page 1150 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Iredell County, North Carolina (hereinafter “Deed of Trust”); and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Iredell County Courthouse, 221 East Water Street, Statesville, North Carolina on THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017, AT 12:30 o’clock P.M., all of Borrower’s right to the real property described herein below, together with any improvements and fixtures existing or hereafter placed on or attached to the real property, and all other appurtenant rights and privileges, situated, lying and being in Iredell County, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying in Davidson Township, Iredell County, NC: BEING all of Lot 25 of WOODLEAF SUBDIVISION as platted, planned and recorded in Plat Book 49, Page 86, Iredell County Registry, reference to said plat being made for a more complete description. This conveyance is made subject to all restrictions, easements and rights of way of record, including those for utilities and public roadways. Address of property:146 Blue Ridge Trail, Mooresville, Iredell County, North Carolina Tax Parcel ID: 4639325275.000 Present Record Owner:Justmor Homes, Inc. The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. The Substitute Trustee reserves the right to require a cash deposit or a certified check not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). In the event that the note holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder may also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. § 7A-308(a) (1). The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. This the 30th day of January, 2017. Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. Substitute Trustee By: William Walt Pettit, Attorney NC Bar No.: 9407 By: William F. Kirk NC Bar No.: 34390 P.O. Box 12497 Charlotte, NC 28220-2497 Telephone: (704) 362-9255

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

johnston

mecklenburg

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 14 SP 769

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 15 SP 4795

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Wilbert A. Lassiter, Jr. and Christina P. Lassiter (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Wilbert A. Lassiter, Jr. and Christine Peterson-Lassiter) to Gary Cooper, Trustee(s), dated the 20th day of April, 1999, and recorded in Book 1819, Page 223, in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 3, Creekstone Subdivision as depicted in Plat Book 41, Page 211, Johnston County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 104 Creekstone Drive, Benson, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jonathan Ford to Joan H. Anderson, Trustee(s), dated the 9th day of March, 2007, and recorded in Book 21922, Page 654, and Modification in Book 30047, Page 272, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Condominium Unit #60 Village Glen Condominium, Phase 1, Map 4 as described and designated in the Declaration of Condominium for Village Glen Condominium under the North Carolina Condominium Act (the “Declaration”) recorded in Book 15569 at Page 714 in the Plans of Village Glen Condominium set forth in Unit Ownership File No. 651; Together with the Currently Effective undivided percentage interest in and to said Common Areas and Facilities as set forth in said Declaration. Including the Unit located thereon; said Unit being located at 3127 Village Glen Lane, Unit #60, Charlotte, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1145549 (FC.FAY)

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 157 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Steven R. Myers and Debora A. Myers to PRLAP, Inc., Trustee(s), dated the 7th day of May, 2007, and recorded in Book 3340, Page 395, in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 1, Millard & Millard Property as recorded in Plat Book 44, Page 305, Johnston County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1278 Campground Road, Selma, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1174090 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 4702 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by David W. Henderson and Margie L. Henderson, (David W. Henderson, deceased) (Heirs of David W. Henderson: Margie L. Henderson and Unknown Heirs of David W. Henderson) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): David W. Henderson) to R. Dale Fussell, Trustee(s), dated the 9th day of April, 2004, and recorded in Book 17026, Page 721, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 26 in Block “L” of “University Park” further deed ref see Deed Book 13250 at Page 198 Meck County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2013 Syracuse Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1196662 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 15 SP 3604

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 4549

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Bonnie B. Kegeris, Who Acquired Title as Bonnie L. Beal (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Bonnie L. Beal) to Scott R. Valby, Trustee(s), dated the 15th day of January, 2004, and recorded in Book 16738, Page 759, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot(s) 14, Phase I, Creekside Subdivision, recorded in Map Book(s) 22 Page(s) 370, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7001 Streamside Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Julia Na to Anthony H. Barone, Trustee(s), dated the 22nd day of March, 2005, and recorded in Book 18502, Page 300, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 130 of MCINTYRE subdivision, Phase 1B, Map 3, as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Map Book 38 at page 245 in the Mecklenburg County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 9330 Ames Hollow Road, Charlotte, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1197909 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 2361

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Mary Mackey to Jeffrey W. Malickson, PLLC, Trustee(s), dated the 10th day of January, 2006, and recorded in Book 19879, Page 800, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the City of Charlotte, in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of lot 11 of Tuckaseegee Park Subdivision, as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Map Book 6 at Page 232, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 918 Davenport Street, Charlotte, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Terrence D. Noel and Cassandra Y. Noel to Holmsley, Jones, Gaines, Trustee(s), dated the 4th day of May, 2001, and recorded in Book 12216, Page 476, and Modification in Book 27639, Page 901, and Modification in Book 28445, Page 626, and Modification in Book 29937, Page 158, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 85 of Fox Glen, Map 5, as shown on a Map thereof recorded in Map Book 28 at Page 556, in the Mecklenburg County Public Registry; reference to which map is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 11306 Glenstone Court, Charlotte, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property

An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

16 SP 4377

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

D6 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 CVS 17588

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 751

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 749

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 559

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in a judgment bearing the caption “Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff vs. Chad M. Richard; Spouse of Chad M. Richard; Dianna Queen; Spouse of Dianna Queen; Berewick Homeowners Association, Inc. and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee Defendants” 16 CVS 17588 Mecklenburg County and pursuant to the terms of the judgment, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale that certain property as described below. Said sale will be held in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the courthouse door and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 181 of Berewick, Phase 5B, Map 1 (Village of Evanton, Phase 2), same is shown on a map in Map Book 43, at Page 117 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The property is being sold “as is”, without warranties, subject to all taxes, special assessments and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Any assessments, costs or fees resulting from the sale will be due and payable from the purchaser at the sale. A cash deposit or certified check (no personal check) in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the high bid will be required at the time of the sale. The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law. THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, EXCEPT AS STATED BELOW IN THE INSTANCE OF BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. This the 2nd day of February, 2017.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Angela G. Young (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): McIntyre Homeowners Association, Inc.) to Allan B. Polunsky, Trustee(s), dated the 30th day of June, 2010, and recorded in Book 25734, Page 466, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 85 of Autumn Woods at McIntyre Subdivision, Phase 4, Map 1, as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Map Book 43 at Page 971 in the Mecklenburg County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 8213 Escaflowne Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by William D. Cothren and Judy G. Cothren, (Judy D. Cothren, Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): William D. Cothren) to Frederick Willets, III, Trustee(s), dated the 11th day of December, 2008, and recorded in Book 5363, Page 1837, in New Hanover County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of New Hanover County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of New Hanover, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the southern right of way line of Bavarian Lane (Secondary Road (#1332) (30 feet from the center line thereof), said point being located South 78 degrees 34 minutes West 156.7 feet, South 87 degrees 05 minutes West 129.95 feet, South 86 degrees 41 minutes 45 seconds West 68 64 feet, North 89 degrees 58 minutes 30 seconds West 45 84 feet and North 88 degrees 22 minutes 30 seconds West 514 76 feet from the point of intersection of the southern right of way line of Bavarian Lane with the western right of way line of Secondary Road #1327 (30 feet from the center line thereof), running thence from said beginning point South 01 degree 37 minutes 30 seconds West 255 0 feet to a point, running thence North 27 degrees 54 minutes 45 seconds West 172 41 feet to a point, running thence North 01 degree 37 minutes 30 seconds East 105 0 feet to a point in the southern right of way line of Bavarian Lane, and running thence with the southern right of way line of Bavarian Lane, South 88 degrees 22 minutes 30 seconds East 85 0 feet to the point of beginning. Including the Unit located thereon; said Unit being located at 5520 and 5522 Bavarian Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Barbara A. Dease w/a/t/a Barbara Dease and Lance Dease (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Barbara A. Dease) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated the 8th day of October, 2012, and recorded in Book 3866, Page 778, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the Township of White Oak, in the City of Jacksonville, in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Jacksonville, White Oak Township, Onslow County, North Carolina, and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 226 on that certain Plat entitled, “Final Plat, Aragona Village, Section XI-A, White Oak Township, Onslow County, North Carolina” dated 03/03/2009 prepared by Parker and Associates, Inc. for Piney Green Construction Company, Inc. and recorded in Map Book 58, Page 83, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 301 Mulberry Lane, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

BY:_____________________________ Susan R. Benoit, Commissioner Post Office Box 2505 Fayetteville, NC 28302 (910) 864-6888

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 14 SP 4025 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Rae Trammel, an unmarried woman (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Sinclair Place At Wallace Farms Owners Association, Inc.) to Chris Kremer, Trustee(s), dated the 25th day of September, 2001, and recorded in Book 12724, Page 489, in Mecklenburg County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 15, Sinclair Place, Phase 1, Map 1, as shown on a map thereof recorded in Map Book 30, Page 395, Mecklenburg County Registry. Together with improvements thereon, said property located at 9521 Forest Path Drive, Charlotte, NC 28269 Parcel ID Number: 02758711 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1135006 (FC.FAY)

new hanover NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 854 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Vivian Moore-Bruce and Amos Bruce, Jr. (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Vivian Moore Bruce) to The Law Firm of Hutchens, Senter & Britton, P.A., Trustee(s), dated the 12th day of September, 2013, and recorded in Book 5770, Page 4, in New Hanover County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of New Hanover County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of New Hanover, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the Western line of Anderson Street two hundred ninety-seven feet (297) Southward from the intersection of the western line of Anderson Street with the Southern line of Gwynn Street, and runs Southward with the western line of Anderson Street thirty-three feet (33’); thence Westwardly and parallel with Gwynn Street one hundred twenty-three feet and nine inches (123’ 9”); thence Northwardly and parallel with Anderson Street thirty-three feet (33’); Eastward and parallel with Gwynn Street one hundred twenty-three feet and nine inches (123’ 9”) to the beginning. The same being the Southeast one-fourth of Lot 5 in Block 211, according to the official plan of the City of Wilmington, N.C. Together with improvements thereon located; said property being located at 305 Anderson Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1200006 (FC.FAY)

onslow NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1344 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Robert A. Brodniak and Cecily J. Bundy, (Cecily J. Bundy and Robert A. Brodniak, Both Deceased) (Heirs of Robert A. Brodniak: Steven J. Brodniak, Christine Brodniak Graham, Lisa D. Collins, Catherine M. Brodniak, Andrea T. Brodniak, and Unknown Heirs of Robert A. Brodniak) to Mary A. McDuffie, Trustee(s), dated the 21st day of November, 2006, and recorded in Book 2778, Page 128, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 2, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that real property situated in the County of Onslow, State of North Carolina: Being the same property conveyed to the grantor by Deed recorded 05/20/2003 in Book 2026, Page 629 Onslow County Registry, to which deed reference is hereby made for a more particular description of this property. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 905 Winchester Road, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1198526 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1320 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Alvaro A. Gaitan and Jessica L. Gaitan to H. Terry Hutchens, Esquire, Trustee(s), dated the 13th day of November, 2012, and recorded in Book 3885, Page 194, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 2, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the Township of Swansboro, in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Swansboro Township, Onslow County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 11, Section D, as shown and described on a map entitled “Raymond’s Landing, Section D, Prepared for Raymond’s Legacy, Inc.”, dated October 19, 2010, prepared by John L. Pierce and Associates, P.A. and recorded in Map Book 60, Page 237, Slide M-1791, in the office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 207 Lanieve Court, Hubert, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1199317 (FC.FAY)

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1316

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1319

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1366

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Baron D. McQueen and Gwendolyn L. McQueen to National Title Network, Trustee(s), dated the 9th day of April, 2012, and recorded in Book 3762, Page 220, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 2, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The land referred to herein below is situated in the County of Onslow, State of North Carolina, and is described as follows: Being all of Lot 229 as depicted and delineated on that map entitled “Revised Map for record of Tri-Field Estates, Section 3 - Phase 1” dated July 24, 2008, prepared by Atlantic Surveying, P.A. and appearing of record in Map Book 57, Page 67, Slide M-901, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 101 Dukes Lake Circle, Richlands, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Daniel G. Orlando and Stefanie A. Orlando to National Title Network, Trustee(s), dated the 31st day of March, 2012, and recorded in Book 3757, Page 639, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 2, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The land referred to herein below is situated in the County of Onslow, State of North Carolina, and is described as follows: Being all of Lot 16, as shown on a plat entitled “Morton Manor, Section II”, prepared by Barden Lanier & Associates, Inc., and recorded in Map Book 22 at Page 38, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1013 Jennifer Drive, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by John Ricks aka John N. Ricks, a married man and Rejeana Ricks (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): John N. Ricks and Rejeana L. Ricks) to Stuart Clarke at Thorpe & Clark, Trustee(s), dated the 27th day of January, 2012, and recorded in Book 3719, Page 659, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain Lot or Parcel of land situated in the Onslow County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an iron stake in the northern right of way line of Imperial Lane, a 50 foot ingress and egress easement as shown on a plat recorded in Map Book 27, Page 166, Onslow County Registry; said iron stake being located South 77 degrees 11 minutes 48 seconds West 87.22 feet from another iron stake in said northern right of way line of Imperial Lane, said iron stake being located South 83 degrees 25 minutes 08 seconds West 344.03 feet from another iron stake in said right of way line, said iron stake being located North 32 degrees 40 minutes 34 seconds West 39.38 feet from a fet mag nail located in the intersection of the centerline of NCSR 1105 with the centerline of Imperial Lane as shown on the aforesaid Map Book 27 , Page 166, Onslow County Registry; said fet mag nail being located approximately 0.9 miles from the intersection of NCSR 1105 with NC 53 when measured in a southerly direction; thence from said point of beginning and leaving the northern right of way of Imperial Lane and along and with the line of property now or formerly owned by Sharon Matteson as described in Deed Book 2176, Page 484, Onslow County Registry North 31 degrees 23 minutes 06 seconds West 4.38 feet to an iron stake in the said Matteson line; thence continuing along and with said Matteson line North 27 degrees 02 minutes 27 seconds West 242.42 feet to an iron stake, a common corner between the property now or formerly owned by Sharon Matteson and property either now or formerly owned by Michael Caley as described in Deed Book 1758, Page 973, Onslow County Registry; thence cornering and running South 52 degrees 28 minutes 06 seconds West 139.32 feet to an iron stake; thence cornering and running South 17 degrees 27 minutes 58 seconds East 181.27 feet to an iron stake in the northern right of way line of Imperial Lane; thence along and with the northern right of way line of Imperial Lane North 77 degrees 15 minutes 22 seconds East 172.83 feet to an iron stake in the northern right of way line of Imperial Lane, the point and place of beginning, containing 0.75 acres, more or less as shown on a survey by Gairy Canady Surveying dated August 14, 2008, and being the same property as described in Deed Book 1320, Page 826, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 122 Imperial Lane, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1141 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Francis J. Mignoli to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated the 2nd day of June, 2014, and recorded in Book 4164, Page 421, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 2, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the Township of Stump Sound, in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Situate in the Stump Sound Township, County of Onslow, State of North Carolina: Being all of Lot 13 as shown on that certain map entitled “Final Plat Showing Rockford Forest, Section I (Revised)” which map was prepared by John L. Pierce & Associates, PA and is recorded in Map Book 59, Page 86, Slide M-1400, Onslow County Registry, which map and the data thereon contained is hereby included by reference as though fully herein set. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 127 Laredo Drive, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Tax ID No: 076432 Being the same property conveyed by Warranty Deed Grantor: Dicky Wood, Inc., a North Carolina Corporation Grantee: Francis J. Mignoli, Single Dated: 05/28/2010 Recorded 05/28/2010 Doc #/Book-Page: 3412-348 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1194131 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1368 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Patricia M. Sonner to Dennis F. Hardiman of Bristol County, RI, Trustee(s), dated the 16th day of May, 2005, and recorded in Book 2451, Page 265, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the Township of Swansboro, in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Swansboro Township, Onslow County, North Carolina, and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 9, Quail Point, Part II, as recorded in Map Book 14, Page 61, Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements thereon located; said property being located at 131 Youpon Drive, Hubert, North Carolina. Subject to Restrictive Covenants of record. Being the same property conveyed to Patricia M. Sonner, surviving Spouse of William L. Sonner, who acquired title as tenants by the entirety by Deed from Pen Properties, Inc., recorded 08/27/1984 in Deed Book 707 Page 83, in the Register of Deeds Office of Onslow County, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1192936 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1180 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Juan X. Pabon to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated the 25th day of April, 2007, and recorded in Book 2862, Page 595, in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 8A, Block C, as shown on a plat entitled “Section I, The Glen of Hunters Creek” as recorded in Map Book 22, Page 153, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1941 Rolling Ridge Drive, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1194915 (FC.FAY)

D7 orange NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 256 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Nancy Norcott Cheek, (Nancy Norcott Cheek, deceased) (Heirs of Nancy Norcott Cheek; Betsy Bernard Cheek Howland) to CB Services Corp, Trustee(s), dated the 30th day of October, 2007, and recorded in Book RB 4401, Page 272, in Orange County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Orange County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on March 6, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Orange, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING a portion of the land described in the instrument entitled “Declaration of Unit Ownership Under Chapter 47A of the North Carolina General Statutes for Hamlin Park Condominiums” (hereinafter called the Declaration) recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Orange County in Book 399, Page 178 through 226, inclusive. And further described in “the Plans” of the six buildings containing 42 units, filed for record in the Unit Ownership File No. 36/28-31, Orange County Register of Deeds, North Carolina. TRACT 1: all Condominium Unit #606-L as referred to in the Declaration, and more particularly described in the Plans, which Declaration and Plans are referred to above and are incorporated herein by reference. TRACT 2: An undivided 2.38% interest as tenant in common in and to the Common Areas and Facilities as referred to in Article III of the Declaration, to which reference is made for a more particular description of said common areas and facilities. Including the Unit located thereon; said Unit being located at 108 Ephesus Church Road, Unit 606 L, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1194391 (FC.FAY)

randolph NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 15 SP 102 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Calvin T. Canty and wife, Cindy E. Canty to Chris M. Roshong, Trustee(s), dated the 12th day of June, 2000, and recorded in Book 1666, Page 565, in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all that certain 5.019 acres, more or less, as shown on plat entitled, “Survey for Calvin T. Canty and wife, Cindy E. Canty”, recorded in Plat Book 64, Page 19, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina. Together with improvements thereon, said property located at 5107 Bent Ridge Road, Seagrove, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1152347 (FC.FAY)

North State Journal for Saturday, February 25, 2017

D8 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 13 SP 260

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 484

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Stephanie A. Gordon and Theatrice Gordon (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Linda L. Clapp and Stephanie A. Gordon) to Trustee Services of Carolina, Trustee(s), dated the 8th day of December, 2003, and recorded in Book 1846, Page 2532, and Modification in Book 2258, Page 925, in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: LOCATED in Randolph County, North Carolina and being all of Lot 70, Section 6, Deerfield South Subdivision, as shown on plat recorded in Plat Book 41, Page 69, aforesaid County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6854 Lawrence Farm Lane, Randleman, North Carolina. Parcel ID Number: 7768240996 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Leslie J. Mize to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated the 14th day of April, 2009, and recorded in Book Re 2126, Page 288, in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the west right-of-way line of Meadowbrook Road and the south right-of-way line of Scenic Drive; thence South 00 deg 35 min West 75.34 feet along the west rightof-way line of Meadowbrook Road to a point; thence South 10 deg 29 min 03 sec East 12.42 feet along the west right-of-way of Meadowbrook Road to an iron pipe marking the southeast corner of Lot 6 of Legend Hills Subdivision; thence a new line South 89 deg 03 min 00 sec West 182.29 feet to the east line of Lot 19 and west line of Lot 6 of said subdivision; thence North 00 deg 35 min East 100 feet along the common line of Lot 6 and Lot 19 to an iron pipe in the south rightof-way line of Scenic Drive; thence South 87 deg East 180 feet along the south right-of-way line of Scenic Drive to the Beginning. Being a portion of Lot 6 of Legend Hills Subdivision as shown by plat recorded in Plat Book 9, Page 16, in the office of the Register of Deeds for Randolph County, North Carolina. This description is based on a survey by Surveying Services dated January 15, 1996 for Sheila Ann Foxx and Mark Steven Brooks. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1323 Meadowbrook Road, Asheboro, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 17 SP 4 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Lois M. Hundley to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated the 4th day of November, 2011, and recorded in Book RE2259, Page 83, in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on February 28, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain parcel of land situated in the City of Archdale, County of Randolph, State of North Carolina, being known and designated as all of Lot No. 54, Section II, Phase III Creekside Village, a map of which is recorded in Plat Book 27 at Page 2 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5200 Creek Wood Drive, Archdale, North Carolina. Together with and including an easement for ingress, egress and regress over the streets, roadways and common areas as shown on plat of Creekside Village, Section II, Phase III, map of which is recorded in Plat Book 27, Page 2 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina. By Fee Simple Deed from Mark C. Beck and Linda K. Beck, husband and wife as set forth in Book 1302, Page 2026 dated 06/28/1991 and recorded 06/28/1991, Randolph County Records, State of North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1201281 (FC.FAY)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 17 SP 18 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by David Aaron White to John C. Warren, Trustee(s), dated the 21st day of December, 2006, and recorded in Book RE2004, Page 2825, and Modification in Book 2482, Page 1173, in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an existing iron pipe in the 60 foot right of way of NCSR 1411 (Jarvis Miller Road), said point being located 389.12 feet from the centerline of SR 1412; thence from said beginning point and with the right of way of NC SR 1411 the following courses and distances: South 61 degrees 18 minutes 30 seconds West 58 20 feet to a point; South 54 degrees 09 minutes 38 seconds West 84.04 feet to a point, South 39 degrees 08 minutes 29 seconds West 77 32 feet to a point; and South 30 degrees 49 minutes 17 seconds West 80.24 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence leaving the said right of way and cutting through the Warren C. and Evelyn Wall property North 03 degrees 45 minutes 35 seconds East 698.07 feet to a new iron pipe in the original Wall line, said point also being located in the line of Lacy J. Walker; thence with the Walker line South 65 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds East 127.40 feet to a new iron pipe; thence leaving the Walker line and through the Wall property South 6 degrees 12 minutes 17 seconds East 439.95 feet to the point and place of the BEGINNING and containing 2.000 acres, more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 811 Jarvis Miller Road, Asheboro, North Carolina. See survey by Henley Surveying and Mapping Services dated October 20, 1992 and entitled “Warren C. and Evelyn Wall”. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1201267 (FC.FAY)

Wayne

forsyth

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 254

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1366

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Steven C. Davidson and Michelle D. Davidson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Steven Davidson and Michelle Davidson) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated the 13th day of April, 2012, and recorded in Book 2924, Page 303, in Wayne County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wayne County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 7, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the Township of Saulston, in the County of Wayne, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The land referred to in the Commitment is described as follows: All the certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Saulston Township Wayne County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 19 Section II Sunridge Subdivision as depicted in Plat Cabinet L. Slide 61-B, Wayne County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 206 Sunridge Lane, Pikeville, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by John A. Conrad, Jr., (John A. Conrad, Jr., deceased) (Heirs of John A. Conrad, Jr.: Lisa Graham Conrad, Paris Conrad, Anthony Conrad, Lytonya Murphy aka LaTonya Murray and Unknown Heirs of John A. Conrad, Jr.) (Paris Conrad, deceased) (Heirs of Paris Conrad: Linda Conrad and Unknown Heirs of Paris Conrad) to Philip R. Mahoney, Trustee(s), dated the 22nd day of November, 2010, and recorded in Book RE 2980, Page 4238, in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on March 8, 2017 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 2, containing 1.099 acres, more or less, as shown on plat recorded in Plat Book 56, Page 87, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1242 Lyndale Drive, Winston Salem, North Carolina. TOGETHER WITH that 25 foot non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and regress as described in Book 2709, Page 927, Forsyth County Registry. ALSO TOGETHER WITH a new 25 foot easement for ingress, egress and regress with full right of maintenance, as shown on the above reference plat. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE BY: Attorney at Law Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1194873 (FC.FAY)